coastcat Posted February 9, 2020 #3326 Share Posted February 9, 2020 5 minutes ago, NSnJW said: Coastcat, When I was on the Jewel in Alaska last June, they had a great solo program. I almost never initiate a conversation but I had no trouble making friends there. As a matter of fact, I have been to solo meetings on 5 NCL ships and met people to talk to and eat with on all of them. Just go to the solo meets, solo dinners and if they have it the Cruise Critic Meet & Mingle. You would have to be aggressively non communicative to remain isolated. I didn't like the solo meetings I've attended so far! I'll try again on Jewel, but conversation-focused gatherings with strangers just isn't my thing. On Bliss, I didn't enjoy the official solo meetings but did enjoy hanging out in the Studio Lounge and chatting casually - it's fun when the conversation arises naturally. Not so much when it's the expectation. Believe it or not, I love the parts of my job which involve leading discussion, chatting with clients, and so forth. Maybe I only like talking when I get paid for it... 😎 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluebelle2010 Posted February 12, 2020 #3327 Share Posted February 12, 2020 (edited) It looks like I may be solo cruising as my cruise mate is concerned about the Corona Virus and is likely cancelling. Anyone else going on the MSC Divina out of Miami on 2/21/2020? Also, anyone have any opinions they'd like to share on air flight or cruise travel during this time? I'd be interested to see how others feel in that not a lot is known at this point about the virus. I feel that if I am in general good health and follow safety precautions in regards to hand washing, etc., I should be OK (*fingers crossed*) 🙂 Edited February 12, 2020 by bluebelle2010 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barefoot cruiser Posted February 13, 2020 #3328 Share Posted February 13, 2020 3 hours ago, bluebelle2010 said: It looks like I may be solo cruising as my cruise mate is concerned about the Corona Virus and is likely cancelling. Anyone else going on the MSC Divina out of Miami on 2/21/2020? Also, anyone have any opinions they'd like to share on air flight or cruise travel during this time? I'd be interested to see how others feel in that not a lot is known at this point about the virus. I feel that if I am in general good health and follow safety precautions in regards to hand washing, etc., I should be OK (*fingers crossed*) 🙂 I just went solo on the Divina a month ago. say hi to mel"Sid" at the coffee bar. I think following safety protocols, maybe Airborne to up your vitamin count. Avoid touching things like banisters unless need to, railings, slot machines...and elbows to push buttons😂 I think caution is always good,that said, at this point they are screening pretty heavily, so unless I was in the Asian areas I would feel safe with a little more stringently following protocols. Where are you going? My concern would more be ports being cancelled because of the health scare, so mentally deciding you would be okay with not going to ports ahead of time might be a good prep. Most of all remember,have a great time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluebelle2010 Posted February 13, 2020 #3329 Share Posted February 13, 2020 1 hour ago, barefoot cruiser said: I just went solo on the Divina a month ago. say hi to mel"Sid" at the coffee bar. I think following safety protocols, maybe Airborne to up your vitamin count. Avoid touching things like banisters unless need to, railings, slot machines...and elbows to push buttons😂 I think caution is always good,that said, at this point they are screening pretty heavily, so unless I was in the Asian areas I would feel safe with a little more stringently following protocols. Where are you going? My concern would more be ports being cancelled because of the health scare, so mentally deciding you would be okay with not going to ports ahead of time might be a good prep. Most of all remember,have a great time! I will definitely be visiting the coffee bar! 🙂 I've never been on MSC before so it will be a new experience for me to be on a totally unfamiliar cruise line. I'm looking forward to the change. This cruise goes from Miami to San Juan, Puerto Rico first, which I'm thinking may not be a great stop due to the earthquakes that have hit there recently. The next stops are Philipsburg, St. Maarten, St. John's Antigua and Barbuda. I haven't been to any of these locations, so hopefully we will still be able to stop there. This is a specialty cruise that will have a health related focus with lots of guest speakers on board for nutrition, exercise, etc., so hopefully the speakers will not be cancelling! Thanks for the good advice and also the reminder about the Airborne!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSnJW Posted February 13, 2020 #3330 Share Posted February 13, 2020 Bluebelle, Late Janurary this year I had a shore excursion to the rainforest in Puerto Rico and walked around in San Juan. The earthquakes were at the opposite end of the island and I didn't see an effect. There may have been some, but I didn't see it. I saw some evidence of the hurricane but the island was quite beautiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbborra Posted February 13, 2020 #3331 Share Posted February 13, 2020 14 hours ago, bluebelle2010 said: It looks like I may be solo cruising as my cruise mate is concerned about the Corona Virus and is likely cancelling. Anyone else going on the MSC Divina out of Miami on 2/21/2020? Also, anyone have any opinions they'd like to share on air flight or cruise travel during this time? I'd be interested to see how others feel in that not a lot is known at this point about the virus. I feel that if I am in general good health and follow safety precautions in regards to hand washing, etc., I should be OK (*fingers crossed*) 🙂 I'd worry more about norovirus. At the risk of sounding germophobic, I suggest buying wipes that will kill norovirus. Regular wipes don't! I buy sono wipes because they cost less than the clorox non bleach hydrogen peroxide ones. Wipe down all the cabin surfaces. Put the remote for the TV in a baggy. Then take reasonable care and have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barefoot cruiser Posted February 13, 2020 #3332 Share Posted February 13, 2020 11 hours ago, bluebelle2010 said: I will definitely be visiting the coffee bar! 🙂 I've never been on MSC before so it will be a new experience for me to be on a totally unfamiliar cruise line. I'm looking forward to the change. This cruise goes from Miami to San Juan, Puerto Rico first, which I'm thinking may not be a great stop due to the earthquakes that have hit there recently. The next stops are Philipsburg, St. Maarten, St. John's Antigua and Barbuda. I haven't been to any of these locations, so hopefully we will still be able to stop there. This is a specialty cruise that will have a health related focus with lots of guest speakers on board for nutrition, exercise, etc., so hopefully the speakers will not be cancelling! Thanks for the good advice and also the reminder about the Airborne!! January was my first time on MSC. I had mixed feelings. I am sure you have read up a bit on the MSC board, so you will be prepared for some of the differences. I was fighting getting sick the whole time I was on ship (coming from the NorthEast and having so many friends and neighbors with it, not totally surprising), so I think some of my mixed feelings were underlying not feeling 100%. I had connected with a lot of people via a social media group, as well as the roll call on cruise critic, so had a "group" that I hung out with most nights. I had a lot of fun, despite not feeling 100%. I had an inside cabin and found it plenty big enough (how often are you in there), and had a wonderful room steward who made me feel very welcomed and taken care of. For what ever reason, I had the hardest time navigating this ship.... i was forever going the wrong direction or on the wrong side (after 9 cruises, I found this very amusing, i have never had such issues 🤣). The pizza and pasta are definitely high points in the buffet area (this from someone who is not a pizza fan 😮). Something to note, you can order a la carte at the sushi restaurant which has an amazing view and not have to do the tasting menu. You can also order sushi here when it switches over to the disco later in the night. Do stop back and let us know how it goes...and start taking Airborne now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluebelle2010 Posted February 13, 2020 #3333 Share Posted February 13, 2020 4 hours ago, NSnJW said: Bluebelle, Late Janurary this year I had a shore excursion to the rainforest in Puerto Rico and walked around in San Juan. The earthquakes were at the opposite end of the island and I didn't see an effect. There may have been some, but I didn't see it. I saw some evidence of the hurricane but the island was quite beautiful. Thank you for letting me know. I went to look at excursions, but they aren't showing now because it's too close to the cruise. I'm thinking I might take my own snorkel gear (minus fins), just in case there is some fabulous snorkeling opportunities along the way. Looking forward to finally seeing Puerto Rico! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluebelle2010 Posted February 13, 2020 #3334 Share Posted February 13, 2020 2 hours ago, Debbborra said: I'd worry more about norovirus. At the risk of sounding germophobic, I suggest buying wipes that will kill norovirus. Regular wipes don't! I buy sono wipes because they cost less than the clorox non bleach hydrogen peroxide ones. Wipe down all the cabin surfaces. Put the remote for the TV in a baggy. Then take reasonable care and have fun. Thanks for the tips! I will look for sono wipes. Great advice about the baggie for the remote. My sister just sent me this and it has your good advice and some other items to consider as well: https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=3738&et_cid=3312705&et_rid=184819969&et_referrer=boards_a Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluebelle2010 Posted February 13, 2020 #3335 Share Posted February 13, 2020 35 minutes ago, barefoot cruiser said: January was my first time on MSC. I had mixed feelings. I am sure you have read up a bit on the MSC board, so you will be prepared for some of the differences. I was fighting getting sick the whole time I was on ship (coming from the NorthEast and having so many friends and neighbors with it, not totally surprising), so I think some of my mixed feelings were underlying not feeling 100%. I had connected with a lot of people via a social media group, as well as the roll call on cruise critic, so had a "group" that I hung out with most nights. I had a lot of fun, despite not feeling 100%. I had an inside cabin and found it plenty big enough (how often are you in there), and had a wonderful room steward who made me feel very welcomed and taken care of. For what ever reason, I had the hardest time navigating this ship.... i was forever going the wrong direction or on the wrong side (after 9 cruises, I found this very amusing, i have never had such issues 🤣). The pizza and pasta are definitely high points in the buffet area (this from someone who is not a pizza fan 😮). Something to note, you can order a la carte at the sushi restaurant which has an amazing view and not have to do the tasting menu. You can also order sushi here when it switches over to the disco later in the night. Do stop back and let us know how it goes...and start taking Airborne now! Thanks...I'll definitely report back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTVCRUISER Posted February 15, 2020 #3336 Share Posted February 15, 2020 My next solo cruise , 7 days Mexico on the Oosterdam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coastcat Posted February 18, 2020 #3337 Share Posted February 18, 2020 61 days. I couldn’t resist the NCL Joy April repositioning cruise and booked a Sail Away balcony yesterday. They already assigned a cabin - deck 11 midship, close but not too close to the forward elevators, non-connecting, sunset side. Woohoo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoseyP Posted February 18, 2020 #3338 Share Posted February 18, 2020 I couldnt find an April repositioning cruise on Nor. Joy. Can you give us more info? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallux Posted February 18, 2020 #3339 Share Posted February 18, 2020 1 hour ago, JoseyP said: I couldnt find an April repositioning cruise on Nor. Joy. Can you give us more info? Probably the 5-day Pacific Coastal. That's TECHNICALLY a repositioning cruise but it may not be listed as such... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coastcat Posted February 18, 2020 #3340 Share Posted February 18, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, hallux said: Probably the 5-day Pacific Coastal. That's TECHNICALLY a repositioning cruise but it may not be listed as such... This is correct. The April 19-24 sailing is listed as a Pacific Coastal but this cruise moves Joy from its LA winter home port to its Seattle summer home port (well, it goes to Vancouver and I assume they'll have to sail empty back to Seattle). Joy will handle non-Glacier Bay Alaska trips this season. I hadn't planned to book on Joy until I'd tried more ships, but couldn't resist the price. It's an easy flight to LAX and my husband will pick me up in Vancouver. NCL Joy is a beautiful ship both inside and out. Join me! Edited February 18, 2020 by coastcat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallux Posted February 18, 2020 #3341 Share Posted February 18, 2020 That price IS really good, to the point I'd consider it if I wasn't going to Florida in a couple weeks (finally getting to check out some MLB training camp). Also - I did the same trip on the Bliss last year, with the additional stop in Victoria... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coastcat Posted February 18, 2020 #3342 Share Posted February 18, 2020 (edited) 32 minutes ago, hallux said: That price IS really good, to the point I'd consider it if I wasn't going to Florida in a couple weeks (finally getting to check out some MLB training camp). Also - I did the same trip on the Bliss last year, with the additional stop in Victoria... Training camp is on my radar for next year. The Mariners always look great in training camp and the first couple months of the season. Too bad reality sets in after that... One of these days I'll have to board a cruise in Miami. The current set of bookings has embarkations in LA, Seward, NYC, San Juan, and NYC again. Maybe I'll wait until the new Miami terminal is ready! Edited February 18, 2020 by coastcat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted February 18, 2020 #3343 Share Posted February 18, 2020 It is Spring Training for baseball (that is the term MLB uses)---I remember when the Mariner's were good... that was a long time ago! When you say training camp, most folks think NFL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallux Posted February 18, 2020 #3344 Share Posted February 18, 2020 Sorry for the confusion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coastcat Posted February 19, 2020 #3345 Share Posted February 19, 2020 2 hours ago, Lois R said: It is Spring Training for baseball (that is the term MLB uses)---I remember when the Mariner's were good... that was a long time ago! When you say training camp, most folks think NFL LOL, I have "training camp" on the brain because I got hooked on that reality show about auditions/training camp for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders! There are a few solo travelers on the Roll Call for this Joy sailing. Such a pity there's no Studio area on this ship. I don't think I'll attend the official solo gathering because it'll probably be hosted by the same person who hosted in January. Very nice but a bit boisterous for my comfort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTVCRUISER Posted March 1, 2020 #3346 Share Posted March 1, 2020 Sunsets at Sea ......... https://youtu.be/jpSRmuSo3Us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisercl Posted March 7, 2020 #3347 Share Posted March 7, 2020 On 2/18/2020 at 5:18 PM, Lois R said: It is Spring Training for baseball (that is the term MLB uses)---I remember when the Mariner's were good... that was a long time ago! When you say training camp, most folks think NFL Not really....☺ I guess it depends on what sports you follow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted March 7, 2020 #3348 Share Posted March 7, 2020 19 minutes ago, Cruisercl said: Not really....☺ I guess it depends on what sports you follow. I follow both....I was just pointing out the terminology Spring Training has always been used for baseball....well, it has been for 61 years I have been alive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisercl Posted March 7, 2020 #3349 Share Posted March 7, 2020 2 hours ago, Lois R said: I follow both....I was just pointing out the terminology Spring Training has always been used for baseball....well, it has been for 61 years I have been alive. Ok, it might be where a person is located geographically. JMHO. No issues here. ☺ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTVCRUISER Posted March 18, 2020 #3350 Share Posted March 18, 2020 After 136 cruises , i had to cancel my next 2 cruises ☹️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now