runner2013

Hello all,

My sister just told me today she and her family are doing a land/cruise tour of Alaska this coming May. I'd like to join them for just the cruise portion of the trip but have no clue about the airports I'd be using. (I'm at work so I can't do too much web surfing right now :(

Here's the info I have right now:

Ship sails from Whittier AK and ends in Vancouver BC, Canada.

Has anyone done this trip in the past and can tell me which airports i'll be going to, leaving from?

Also I would like to go the day before the ship sails and would need to find some inexpensive lodging(is there such a thing in Alaska?) for 1 night.

I will be coming from Boston Ma-Logan airport, or I could do Manchester NH airport as well if it made things easier.

Any info is greatly appreciated. Since I'm usually a Caribbean girl this is all very foreign to me.

Thanks

Patty

Thanks to all that have responded. And keeping this thread alive. I appreciate you taking time to tell me how you made the jump.

 

UPDATE: Well here it is November 10th and I have yet to go on my solo cruise. I came close to booking but some times other parts of your life get in the way: work, relative/relationship concerns, unexpected things happening that you did not plan (gas line breaking and having to pay all of it yourself) well I am still wanting to get away.

 

So please keep your stories coming. Hopefully in 2015 I can get on a ship and relax for a while.

 

Janine

Well I'm back from my first solo cruise. It was a last minute 5-day trip over the Christmas holiday. I had a fantastic time ! ship was beautiful, it was warm and sunny, and there was lots to do.

I had talked with a woman on my roll call before leaving and met her and her 2 daughters on board the first night. We also met a great group of people-some couples and others solo or family- in the piano bar and ran into each other elsewhere on the ship. It was nice to see a familiar face once in a while to chat or eat with, but it was also nice to be able to do my own thing without any pressure to make someone else happy. I'm pretty introverted as well, but I found it was never an issue, and all my preconceived notions about being solo were wrong. The biggest one- NO ONE is looking at/judging you. People are so busy with themselves they don't have time to think about you.

So if you haven't booked a trip yet, jump in and do it. Pick a shorter trip to start, just in case sailing solo isn't for you, and then enjoy the planning that comes with it.

I have two more trips booked for 2015 and can hardly wait to go..

Good luck

Patty:D

Best advice I ever got.. Look at every piece of clothing you packed, then remove at least a 3rd of it. You will never wear it unless you do several wardrobe changes a day:D

Thanks for the info everyone. I'm sailing the end of January so i'll keep my eyes out for the first half of February. If I only receive 1 point for each night i'll give the Crown and Anchor folks a call.;)

Hi all,

I just logged into the RC website and there was a note saying for every night of my cruise I will receive 1 C&A point. I was under the impression if you sailed solo you received double points because you paid the supplement?

Does anyone know if this policy has changed?:confused:

Thanks

Patty

I booked my first solo cruise for April. I am so glad I found this forum. I was very nervous but after reading these posts I know I am going to have a great time.

What cruise line and date? Make sure to join the roll call for your trip. I met a really nice woman and her two daughters I ended up having a great time with.

:D

Hi all. Just got back from my first solo trip. I had an absolutely wonderful time!! It really is true no one pays attention to you while waiting to board. All my concern was for nothing. Went to a solo meet and mingle first night in a piano bar and met a great group of people I ended up hanging around with during the days by the pool and/or dinner and the clubs at night. I had my me time which I thoroughly enjoyed but it was nice to have others to do things with when I so chose.

If you've been nervous about cruising alone don't worry at all..book it and go!! :D

Well I've been on the ship for about 5 hours now and I can say no one has given me Amy strange looks. I've been all over the ship and talked to people everywhere . It really is true no one looks at you funny for being alone. .even if they do its not my business what they think: )..

Hi everyone,

Sitting outside my hotel in Miami until its time to hop on shuttle that takes me to port for my very first solo cruise ever on Norwegian Sky. Feeling excited, little nervous, hopeful and so many other things at once. After stalking these solo boards for so long I decided to take a leap of faith and give it a try by myself. So far it really is true that no one else pays you any attention since they are wrapped up in their own business. Makes it so much easier to people watch for sure! I'm looking forward to doing whatever I want whenever I want without having to worry about someone else's wishes. I am a bit of an introvert so I'll make a conscious effort to smile and acknowledge as many people as possible, and attend all the solo mixers on board. Other than that I'll just go with the flow and see where it takes me...

So please wish this newbie solo traveler(I'm used to going as a couple) good times all you veterans :D and here's hoping for a wonderful cruise :cool:

Patty

As I write this I'm waiting to leave for the airport. Sailing on the Sky for Christmas.

I can't wait to read what you thought when I get back:D

Have a wonderful Christmas :}

Patty

...yea, I was on the Sky some years ago and I also enjoyed myself - I think the Sky is great fun for a great price!

 

Have a great day!

 

melli

I'm doing my first ever solo cruise on the Sky this coming Monday. It's a Christmas cruise and my first time sailing on NCL.. Glad to read you enjoyed yourself and the ship while you were on her. :D

Patty

3 days on Sky for Christmas cruise:D

Thanks,

That's what I thought...:)

Hi all,

When you eat at the specialty restaurants the 15% gratuity is automatically included in the bill isn't it?

I'm pretty sure it is but doesn't hurt to double check.:p

Thanks

That's what we did and they had no problem telling us the prices.

Did you notice the prices were higher this time for the same drinks vs. in the past?

Doing the NCL Sky Dec 22nd-26th, leaving this Sunday,

Anyone else going??:cool:

I was also thinking of just buying a cheap plastic shower curtain at the dollar store and hanging that up inside the existing curtain. That way if I absolutely have to have something touch me at least I know it will be new and clean..:p

Thank you for such a wonderful and informative review. I loved checking in each day to see where you were and what you all were doing. Your pictures alone are worth a thousand words..

Your daughter is an absolute doll too. So fun to be able to see things through her eyes:)

Definitely looking forward to your next review :D

Patty

Deck 13 forward, in the hot tub, with a beer.

 

Most people don't know there's a hot tub there so it's usually pretty quiet, and you get a great view

Good to know, thanks for the info !

First time sailing NCL next week, can anyone recommend a good place to go for sail away on the Sky (besides the pool area of course:p)

thanks

P.

Here are the things that seem to help:

1. Close the bathroom door.

2. If it is a hand held wand type shower, face the wand towards the back wall of the shower wall and turn on hot water to warm up the bathroom prior to turning the temperature down a bit and stepping into the shower.

3. When in the shower, leave the curtain slightly open at each edge to allow the warmer air to escape into the bathroom.

4. Take a somewhat cooler shower than normal - put the water on warm not hot.

 

There is also this product which is small enough to fit into your suitcase:

http://curtainbouncer.com

Thanks for the info Suitetraveler... I love the idea of the curtain bouncer;)

Hi all,

I need a little help/advice for my upcoming trip.

I have an oceanview room booked and the shower has the 'dreaded' curtain instead of a door. (Usually book balcony level but decided to change things up this time).

Could anyone who's had to deal with the curtain issue trying to touch you while you shower offer any tips on how to keep it as far away as possible?

I was thinking clothespins hanging off the bottom for added weight. Was also wondering if the bottom of the shower is magnetic and maybe I could get a few of those potato chip clip bags with magnets built in?

Any tips greatly appreciated:D

thanks

Patty

Assuming this is for your 12-22 trip on the Sky...

 

At this point, after final payment, NCL has no obligation to provide you any upgrade or OBC if a cabin price drops below what you paid. You can track based on your current cabin assignment but it is highly unlikely that you will be able to get anything from NCL.

Thanks Nets33. I do realize I am not entitled to anything at all should the price happen to drop again. Not a big deal, especially since I've already gotten something for nothing with the free upgrade:D I was more concerned with which category I would look at on the off chance things did happen to :)drop.

Thanks for the info

Hi all,

I originally booked a guaranteed inside stateroom for an upcoming trip. The price dropped after the final payment so I called my TA and NCL bumped me up to a guaranteed oceanview room at no charge which I was very happy about.

I would like to continue tracking prices for another drop, but I'm not sure if I would go by the price of my original room-the guaranteed inside- or the room I was bumped up into-the guaranteed oceanview. I have also been assigned the room number already for the oceanview if that makes a difference?.

Is it worth it to keep checking or just a waste of time at this point?

Any info or advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Patty

We just got back from the 4 day Sky cruise. I would be happy to answer any questions (if I can). They do have shows in the Stardust Theatre every nite.

Cheers,

Sandra

Hi Sandra,

I'll be on the Sky for Christmas. How was the weather while you were sailing?

What type of room were you in?

Any problems boarding or disembarking?

Thanks

Patty