Well, I did it. Booked my first ever solo river cruise.

[bubbulz]

After Covid and cancer rained hell on my life in 2020 I wasn’t sure I would ever do another river cruise. My husband and I had enjoyed several Uniworld cruises and had another one planned for November 2020 but that was not to be. Since his death at the end of 2020 I have continued to travel, but river cruises really weren’t an option since I wasn’t finding too many attractive solo options that worked for me and weren’t exorbitantly priced. I also wasn’t sure how I felt about going on my own, but I’ve traveled to Europe this past spring and fall, and although it is much different on my own, I have enjoyed it. For some reason I had not received an email an email from Uniworld about their current specials, so thanks to Roz I saw the post on here regarding the 2023 specials that Uniworld has. So today I booked Holland and Belgium at Tulip Time. I plan to do a couple of nights before the cruise in Brussels so if anyone has any hotel suggestions, please pass them along. I’ll also do three nights after disembarking in Amsterdam and already have  already booked my hotel there.  
 

[Roz]

@bubbulz, good for you for stepping out there and trying something new.  I've found solo river cruising even easier and more enjoyable than solo ocean cruising.  The small number of passengers makes it easier to get to know people and find like minded passenger to dine with and hang out with in the lounge. 

 

I'm sorry to hear about your husband's passing.  

[Gourmet Gal]

You have a great attitude despite your terrible loss.  Good luck and have fun.

[bubbulz]

Thank you both. Spending a total of about six weeks in Italy this year has definitely helped. It was not quite, “Eat, Pray, Love,” but did show me that I can do this. 

[moodyb1]

Sorry for your loss. My husband and I have booked our first river cruises this April and May. The first one is the Tulips river cruise on Ama for 8 days. Then we are spending 4 days at the Doubletree Central Station. My friend, who is from Amsterdam, said it was convenient to the boats. Then we are going on a Uniworld river cruise from Amsterdam to Basel on the Rhine.

 

We've taken over 50 ocean cruises,  so I hope we enjoy the river cruise experience. 

 

Arlene 

[bubbulz]

Thanks, Arlene. Hope you enjoy your cruises. Amsterdam to Basel on Uniworld was our first cruise and the one that got us hooked.

[Canal archive]

bubbulz well done 👍 it takes some courage to pick yourself up and carry on have a fantastic cruise and enjoy the build up as much as the event.

[jpalbny]

Sorry to read of your loss but glad to know that you're back on Uniworld next year. We haven't been on a Uniworld ship since 2017 and we miss it. Hope it's a great trip!

 

In Brussels, you could look at Hotel Amigo which is right next to Grand Place. It's a Rocco Forte property - we've stayed in a few of their hotels now and they have all been very nice. I think I booked it through my Amex Platinum card for some extra perks like free breakfast though I can't remember that part of it at all.

 

The hotel was convenient to everything that we wanted to see in Brussels and it was an easy walk to/from the train station which had a direct connection to the airport.

[bubbulz]

Travel planning has always been one of my favorite things to do and it definitely helps me a lot to have a big trip to look forward to. I spent my birthday and my husband's (spring and autumn) in Italy and for the river cruise I'm planning to fly to Brussels on my birthday.

 

Thanks for the hotel recommendation, JP. It looks great!

[bubbulz]

3 hours ago, jpalbny said:

I think I booked it through my Amex Platinum card for some extra perks like free breakfast though I can't remember that part of it at all.

Thanks for that reminder! They offered a better rate plus the nice extras like the rather pricey breakfast.

[YoungDubFan]

I’m taking my 2nd solo river cruise in April 2023 - Tulip time with Avalon. Just for future reference, Avalon waives the single supplement on quite a few of their itineraries throughout the year. You may want to check them out. 

[knoxclone]

10 hours ago, jpalbny said:

Sorry to read of your loss but glad to know that you're back on Uniworld next year. We haven't been on a Uniworld ship since 2017 and we miss it. Hope it's a great trip!

 

In Brussels, you could look at Hotel Amigo which is right next to Grand Place. It's a Rocco Forte property - we've stayed in a few of their hotels now and they have all been very nice. I think I booked it through my Amex Platinum card for some extra perks like free breakfast though I can't remember that part of it at all.

 

The hotel was convenient to everything that we wanted to see in Brussels and it was an easy walk to/from the train station which had a direct connection to the airport.

Totally agree on Hotel Amigo - bit of a splurge, but have stayed there several times and it was outstanding location amenities and service!

Edited October 24, 2022 by knoxclone
typo

[TN_travels]

@bubbulzI am so sorry for your loss. I am glad you are taking a trip and that Uniworld cruise is wonderful- you will really enjoy it! (I went on it pre-Covid and thought it was fantastic). 

[bubbulz]

Just wanted to circle back and thank you all for the encouragement and suggestions. The recommendation of Hotel Amigo was spot on. By booking with my AMEX platinum card I got early check in, which was greatly needed after the overnight flight, free breakfast each day, $100 food and beverage credit, a welcome box of chocolates, late check out, and a room upgrade. And the location is perfect!

[Sleep7]

🤗Big hugs to you bubbulz on having a few very rough years.  You have really gone thru a lot and

yet still  have a positive can-do attitude. You should really pat yourself on the back for that... truly.🥰

I wish you a fantastic cruise full of smiles!🌷

As far as hotels.. I agree that the Doubletree in Amsterdam is a good choice.  It's very convenient to the ships and if you didn't purchase transfers it's right next to the Central Station so you can easily take a train from the airport to the hotel with a minimum of walking.  We have stayed there on a land trip in the past and were very happy with it.

Enjoy it all!!

[Second seating]

bubblz,

Have a wonderful time, my friend and I did this cruise mid April 2012. I love the Netherlands and Belgium and have been there many times.  My husband has colleagues there and taught a short course at Tilburg University for a 5 year period.  The weather can be wet and nippy!

 

Second seating

[reeves35]

Glad you're getting back on your feet. My mum lost my dad when she was only 43 and found sole travel a great experience and way to meet new people.

[bubbulz]

Despite a couple of drizzly days, I have really enjoyed my time in Brussels and will be boarding the ship today. I did a five-hour ‘beer and chocolate’ tour yesterday that was outstanding, even though I am not much into sweets or beer. We had a group of about 20 people and the tour was both informative and fun (and tasty!). 

[Canal archive]

Sounds great you may have to join chocoholics anonymous now. 

[Ritabob]

Looking forward to daily updates. There are many of us lurking in the background for crumbs .  Living vicariously 

[bubbulz]

Boarded the boat yesterday and got all settled in. Food has been terrific so far and of course I am eating way too much! Today we had a Brussels city tour by bus, followed by a walking tour and yet another chocolate tasting. Then this afternoon we had a beer demonstration and tasting, and tonight is the welcome dinner. There will also be two other specialty dinners offered during the week that are an extra cost. I had done the progressive dinner on another ship and it was really well done but I don’t feel the need to do it again. 
 

The weather has turned sunny, and the skies are blue. ❤️

 

(not so sure about adding photos from the phone so we will see how this works…)

Edited April 3, 2023 by bubbulz

[jpalbny]

Love the pics! Did you go into the Atomium? Such a unique structure. 

[bubbulz]

10 minutes ago, jpalbny said:

Love the pics! Did you go into the Atomium? Such a unique structure. 

Yes! Very unique!!

[bubbulz]

Visited Antwerp yesterday, our last stop in Belgium before entering the Netherlands. We once again had sunny but crisp weather and had a walking tour with tastings throughout the town. In the afternoon we had a chocolate making demo. As usual the food is over the top and I keep forgetting to take pics. 😉 In the late evening I enjoyed watching from the comfort of my cabin as we traversed the locks. 

 

[CPT Trips]

Belgium = beer+chocolate, a winning formula!

 

Hope you enjoy your trip.