Zuiderdam 2/26/04 Traveling solo ...

[bedazzling]

Hi,
Debating between Celebrity Contellation and Zuiderdam. Had a great time last year on the Constellation. The board was a great way to connect with people before the cruise. Anyone have any input to the single's group that will be on board through the a TA? I am not a big group type person and handwriting analysis and line dancing did not sound too appealing. But I am trying to be open. Any feedback would be apprecialted.

[bedazzling]

bump! I know I can't be the only single person to have cruised on Hal....would enjoy hearing from others as to their experiences etc.

[kryos]

bump! I know I can't be the only single person to have cruised on Hal....would enjoy hearing from others as to their experiences etc.
I don't know anything about a handwriting analysis and line dancing cruise on HAL ... is this particular cruise you are contemplating on the Zuiderdam a theme cruise?

I sailed solo on the Zuiderdam last August ... a b2b cruise of 14 days ... and I had a great time from the moment I set foot onboard. On the first half of the cruise, I had a business associate and her husband onboard, but we honestly didn't spend much time together. They were both sun worshippers and they also worked out religiously at the gym every morning. I make it a personal policy to steer clear of gyms. :) We mainly got together each night for dinner and the show, but that was pretty much it. I went about my own business during the day, partaking in activities, attending lectures and going to afternoon tea. I met a lot of neat people that way.

On the second half of the b2b my friend and her husband had disembarked, so I was on my own. I had met these two sisters who were traveling together over the course of the first week when I would see them each evening in the smoking section of one of the lounges where I ducked in to have a cigarette before the show. We became fast friends and I spent a lot of time with them during the second week, even going ashore in one or two of the ports.

I also met up with some people from this board on that cruise and ate in the Pinnacle Grill one night with a few of them.

I love sailing solo and I find that HAL is a great line to do that. The single supplements are reasonable, and if you really don't want to pay them, HAL offers a guaranteed share program. But, for my money, I prefer to book an inside cabin and have it all to myself.

I am sailing solo again next month, but this time on the Sun Princess. I am sure I will have an equally good time and a bunch of us from the Roll Call are meeting for breakfast on the first sea day. Some of us who have early traditional dining are also sitting together.

A cruise is what you make it, and there is no reason single cruisers can't have an awesome time on just about any line.

Blue skies and enjoy!

--rita

[FlorenceItaly]

year. On the first cruise in June on the Maasdam, I went knowing no one. I was seated with other solo cruisers at my dinner table, and this greatly enhanced my cruise. I had a fabulous time. It was rather port intensive..5 ports in 7 days, so not much of an opportunity to get lonely. Also, I took all ship sponsored tours.

I enjoyed myself so much, I came home and booked another...Alaska, in August. There were a few on our roll call board, and I met up with them, and saw them a few times. But, again, I was seated with other solo cruisers in the dining room. We hung out together quite a bit. I am still in contact with one of them. Another fabulous cruise. I now have realized I prefer sailing solo, if my husband is not able to come along. This realization came after cruising with my sister in Sept., after being on 2 solo cruises. We had a wonderful time together, I just prefer solo cruising. It is nice to do what you want, when you want. I am very outgoing so it is easy for me to meet other people. I tend to always strike up conversations with people, even here at home. Please let us know how your cruise goes.

I almost forgot...I cruised solo on Celebrity in Oct/Nov and had an awesome time. There were quite a few solos on our roll call board, and it greatly enhanced the cruise. I met wonderful couples too, and we are all talking about a reunion cruise, and are not posting in the Floataway Lounge, since returning.

Marie

[bedazzling]

Rita and Marie,
Thanks so much for your input....those martinis by Sudi on the Constellation are starting to sound real good...its getting cold here in the East. Ugh! Think I am leaning toward Celebrity as I had a great time last year and I am not sure a singles group type cruise for me is right. I am comfortable being single and don't like to be labeled. I am definitely beyond my prime party years...just like good people, sun, a good book, a good spa and just r & r. If you haven't done the Constellation it was lovely...had an outside room - the service was great, my dinner companions were really interesting and diverse....we closed the dining room every nite...and I did a couple of excursions that were terrific that I booked through my CC friends. We had our party at the end of the cruise, but a few of us caught up early on...I never felt alone. Happy New Year to you both.

[old Marine]

Hi,
Debating between Celebrity Contellation and Zuiderdam. Had a great time last year on the Constellation. The board was a great way to connect with people before the cruise. Anyone have any input to the single's group that will be on board through the a TA? I am not a big group type person and handwriting analysis and line dancing did not sound too appealing. But I am trying to be open. Any feedback would be apprecialted.

I am on the zuiderdam on 2-26-05,..is this the cruise you are refering to???
The singles group was set up by TA (which I am not at liberty to say due to cruise critic rules) A host will run it..a group meetings will be arranged and we will go from there..

George from NC
:cool:

[bedazzling]

Hi George,
Thanks for touching base. Yes that is the cruise. I spoke to the host and he told me the agenda etc, age group etc. It didn't seem like a good fit for me....Hope you have a great time.....If you have done this before I would like to hear more. I think I have decided to do Celebrity.