Solo Cruiser's Roll Call

[farmersfight]

10 hours ago, Av8rix said:

I'm booked on the inaugural sailing of HALs ms Rotterdam VII out of Trieste (Fincantieri yard) on August 1.  Might be postponed but the ship will have to leave the yard eventually and I'll be on her.

 

 

Congrats. Nothing like that "new ship smell". Does HAL have studio cabins or are you paying the solo supplement?

Edited February 8, 2021 by farmersfight

[AV8rix]

40 minutes ago, farmersfight said:

 

Congrats. Nothing like that "new ship smell". Does HAL have studio cabins or are you paying the solo supplement?

The Pinnacle-class ships do have a few solo staterooms but I don't book them.  They are in an undesirable location.

 

And I don't normally reply to Aggies.

[farmersfight]

9 hours ago, Av8rix said:

The Pinnacle-class ships do have a few solo staterooms but I don't book them.  They are in an undesirable location.

 

And I don't normally reply to Aggies.

 

[Nataliea621]

I am booked on the NCL Getaway Aug 7-16 2022 in a solo studio for the Baltic 9 day cruise from Copenhagen. Super excited.

[farmersfight]

14 minutes ago, Nataliea621 said:

I am booked on the NCL Getaway Aug 7-16 2022 in a solo studio for the Baltic 9 day cruise from Copenhagen. Super excited.

 

For me; booked on the same ship, same itinerary, same cabin type just 1 year later (Aug 15-24, 2023). I was actually surprised I was able to book a cruise as far out as 2023.

 

I expect a full report (with pictures) upon your return, so I know what I've got myself into. 😉

[Nataliea621]

7 minutes ago, farmersfight said:

 

For me; booked on the same ship, same itinerary, same cabin type just 1 year later (Aug 15-24, 2023). I was actually surprised I was able to book a cruise as far out as 2023.

 

I expect a full report (with pictures) upon your return, so I know what I've got myself into. 😉

Definitely. I am beyond excited for this trip. I was debating on putting it off that far as well. But decided on 2022. I am having fun researching the excursions, etc. 

Natalie

[GTVCRUISER]

Flashback Sunrise at Sea 

[farmersfight]

20 hours ago, GTVCRUISER said:

Flashback Sunrise at Sea 

 

Nice picture, thanks for posting. Good to see you post again; it's been awhile. Looking at your signature block, I'm amazed at the loyalty level your are at with multiple cruise lines. You must've taken many, many cruises and have serious "water under your keel"!

 

Btw - where is the location of the picture?

Edited February 23, 2021 by farmersfight

[Lois R]

Many cruise lines are taking reservations for 2023.  In their eyes, that is not so far away.

[farmersfight]

5 hours ago, Lois R said:

Many cruise lines are taking reservations for 2023.  In their eyes, that is not so far away.

 

I know, I was able to book the Norwegian Getaway (9-day Baltic cruise R/T Copenhagen, Denmark) for all the way out to Aug 15-24, 2023. I was surprised I was able to book that far out.

[coastcat]

I just wish Princess would announce their Alaska 2023 season! My 2021 cruise on Coral isn’t happening (although Princess isn’t cancelling yet) and my 2022 calendar is heavily booked already. 
 

Just biding my time, waiting for mid April... come on, NCL, drop us some official Leonardo info before then please...

Edited February 23, 2021 by coastcat

[All-ready2cruise]

I'm definitely interested in the itineraries for the Leonardo class ship.  I can only imagine the number of bookings that'll be made when bookings open, hopefully, by mid-April or sooner.  

More info re the ship itself would be really great as well.  

Fingers crossed. 

 

 

[coastcat]

5 hours ago, All-ready2cruise said:

I'm definitely interested in the itineraries for the Leonardo class ship.  I can only imagine the number of bookings that'll be made when bookings open, hopefully, by mid-April or sooner.  

More info re the ship itself would be really great as well.  

Fingers crossed. 

 

 

As soon as we learn about the sail dates and cabin configurations, I’ll be emailing my TA. If there’s a solo cabin type, book me into a non-connecting cabin on the transatlantic ASAP!
 

I’d love it if NCL adds a balcony cabin for solos but hey, I will be perfectly happy with a cozy interior. I’ll be spending most of the day running around the ship like a border collie in full zoomies mode anyway.

[All-ready2cruise]

9 minutes ago, coastcat said:

As soon as we learn about the sail dates and cabin configurations, I’ll be emailing my TA. If there’s a solo cabin type, book me into a non-connecting cabin on the transatlantic ASAP!
 

I’d love it if NCL adds a balcony cabin for solos but hey, I will be perfectly happy with a cozy interior. I’ll be spending most of the day running around the ship like a border collie in full zoomies mode anyway.

I like your style. I love border collies too.  Yes, would love to have a small balcony just to sit out on and enjoy the breezes and watch the world go by.  

I'd love to explore the ship on a TA, lot's of extra time to explore whatever. 

Fingers crossed. 

Edited February 24, 2021 by All-ready2cruise

[AV8rix]

And I also just booked HALs 150th Anniversary cruise. 

 

On October 15, 1872, the steamship Rotterdam departed Rotterdam, Holland, bound for NYC.  And that was the start of the Holland America Line.  Exactly 150 years later, on October 15, 2022, Rotterdam VII will depart Rotterdam, Holland, on her way to NYC.  And I will be aboard!!  Well, actually I'm staying on right through to Fort Lauderdale because it's easier flying home out of there than NYC.  Umm, also because it will add 3 extra days, bringing it up to 15 days so's I can get my full $250 shareholder OBC 😄.

[farmersfight]

5 hours ago, Av8rix said:

And I also just booked HALs 150th Anniversary cruise. 

 

On October 15, 1872, the steamship Rotterdam departed Rotterdam, Holland, bound for NYC.  And that was the start of the Holland America Line.  Exactly 150 years later, on October 15, 2022, Rotterdam VII will depart Rotterdam, Holland, on her way to NYC.  And I will be aboard!!  Well, actually I'm staying on right through to Fort Lauderdale because it's easier flying home out of there than NYC.  Umm, also because it will add 3 extra days, bringing it up to 15 days so's I can get my full $250 shareholder OBC 😄.

 

Congrats, sounds like an awesome trip. Remind me to never book a TA from Southampton to NYC on any anniversary of the attempted Titianic TA.

 

Q; does HAL, specifically the Rotterdam VII, have studio cabins for solo cruisers? just curious...

[AV8rix]

6 hours ago, farmersfight said:

 

Q; does HAL, specifically the Rotterdam VII, have studio cabins for solo cruisers? just curious...

I  believe that I answered your question in an earlier post, the answer being...yes, but in an undesirable location.  To be more specific, the few solo staterooms of HALs Pinnacle-class ships are down in steerage and snugged up against the noisy spaces housing the capstans and winches for the hawsers and anchor chains. 

 

Another way for you to satisfy your curiosity about accommodations on ANY ship of ANY line is to google "deck plan + ____ (name of line) + ____(name of vessel)". 

 

Furthermore, HAL is generally not considered to be a good fit for devotees of the Carnival, RCI and NCL lines.  No wavesurfing pools, rock-climbing walls, indoor malls, etc. Each line has its own demographic.

 

[farmersfight]

1 hour ago, Av8rix said:

I  believe that I answered your question in an earlier post, the answer being...yes, but in an undesirable location.  To be more specific, the few solo staterooms of HALs Pinnacle-class ships are down in steerage and snugged up against the noisy spaces housing the capstans and winches for the hawsers and anchor chains. 

 

Another way for you to satisfy your curiosity about accommodations on ANY ship of ANY line is to google "deck plan + ____ (name of line) + ____(name of vessel)". 

 

Furthermore, HAL is generally not considered to be a good fit for devotees of the Carnival, RCI and NCL lines.  No wavesurfing pools, rock-climbing walls, indoor malls, etc. Each line has its own demographic.

 

 

Apologize that I repeated my question. Must be old age setting in (which ironically, would allow me fit right in with the HAL demographic).

 

And lastly, "saw varsity's horns off". 👍

Edited March 13, 2021 by farmersfight

[GTVCRUISER]

On 2/23/2021 at 2:57 AM, farmersfight said:

 

Nice picture, thanks for posting. Good to see you post again; it's been awhile. Looking at your signature block, I'm amazed at the loyalty level your are at with multiple cruise lines. You must've taken many, many cruises and have serious "water under your keel"!

 

Btw - where is the location of the picture?

I have been on 136 cruises , my last one was January 2020 , had to cancel 4 .....The photo was taken near La Paz in Baja California 

[DSJ28]

I'm pretty excited to have my first solo planned for later this year.  MSC Divina - wonderfully affordable balcony to launch my solo experience the right way 🙂

[Cruisernewbie44]

Looking forward to my first solo cruise on the Celebrity Apex to see the Norwegian Fiords.  I will be in a single infinite balcony cabin.  Very nervous about traveling on my own 

[taznremmy]

2 hours ago, Cruisernewbie44 said:

Looking forward to my first solo cruise on the Celebrity Apex to see the Norwegian Fiords.  I will be in a single infinite balcony cabin.  Very nervous about traveling on my own 

 

2 hours ago, DSJ28 said:

I'm pretty excited to have my first solo planned for later this year.  MSC Divina - wonderfully affordable balcony to launch my solo experience the right way 🙂

I remember my first solo cruise.  Pictures being taken, everyone seemed to be "coupled up"....It was definitely outside of my comfort zone.  Now, I wouldn't cruise any other way.  I have had friends travel with me, sharing a cabin; now when they say "can I come"  my response is "sure.....but get your own cabin".  To me, it is the perfect way for a solo person to travel to locations I would have otherwise not gotten to see.   Enjoy!!

[Lois R]

I also remember my first solo cruise---way back in May 2003. Celebrity Century to the 

Eastern Caribbean.  I had an inside cabin for that one---I think I paid about a grand. 

I knew 1/2 way through it I wanted to sail again😃

 

For both of you going on your first cruise----relax and have a good time and don't think you

need to be "doing something" all the time.  Lay back, relax with a book and a beverage.....that

can be one of the best things to do👍

[DSJ28]

 

I'm looking forward to relaxing for sure.  I love to be around people, but I'm an introvert - and I find time alone re-energizes me.  I'm expecting to finally have a vacation from which I return home not feeling exhausted, but invigorated. 

 

The only part of the experience I'm not sure about it dining alone.  But, I have a fairly healthy imagination; I can probably conjure up the dining partner of my dreams.  Who shall it be?  Maybe Dolly Parton?  Oprah? Neil deGrasse Tyson?  

[aVacation4me]

All time best cruise was solo to Alaska! A little 70th birthday splurge, aft concierge cabin on Celebrity Solstice. I loved it, was treated like royalty. as far as dining, there were many options...could sit alone at my window side table, ask to be seated with a random group, eat at the buffet, or choose room service. I ate many meals, by choice, on my (larger than those beside mine, 2152) balcony...yes, food was hot when it arrived. Loved the buffet for breakfast and sometimes lunch because of the variety, but dinner on the balcony or MDR was the best (MDR with and w/o the company of others). I was welcomed by the small groups on the Juneau whale watching tour and on the sea plane tour in Ketchikan. Dining with new groups was always a good time, and I was often invited by those I sat with to have drinks with them afterwords. Staff was the best, catering to my every whim, such a pleasure! I met with the concierge manager and we got along so well he sent me flowers and chocolate covered strwberries, and the young man even escorted me to my seat for dinner one evening, where two ladies my age sitting nearby were obviously jealous, one uttered, "well, la de dah." (their reaction was very satisfying, thank you). Loved that I went where I wanted, when I wanted, and best of all, could keep my cabin cold, which I prefer. Embrace the solo trip, smile at everyone, and for timid folk, I guarantee the solo trip will be a great experience.