susancruzs

I might be in for a shock because I haven't cruised recently. It might be the buffet for me after all! I'll find out when I board the Emerald in Oct., and the Coral next April. Fun thread though!

Great pictures! I go for the desserts, too, especially chocolate! I'm different, everyone has their own ideas what makes a cruise good for them. I was on the Emerald Princess for 30 days, So. Amer., went up to the buffet once or twice (maybe), usually if I wanted more fruit. I don't do elevators either so all those stairs play into it, too!

Diamond was mentioned, I don't see IC listed anywhere on the deck plans. I have to have the IC, it is a deal breaker for me. I don't do room service either, not staying in my cabin to eat alone. I know the Coral is heading for drydock this Fall, hoping no major changes are made.

I'm a major IC fan as I don't care for buffets, haven't sailed on the Island for that reason. I'm happy the Coral has the IC as I'll be on for 23 days April next year. I get a pastry, yogurt or fruit for breakfast, then a small salad with a sandwich for lunch.

I'm a solo cruiser, nothing has changed for me. I search cruises with my probook laptop, not my phone. I'm checking every day because cruises I've picked are so booked up. I chose cabins but keep looking in case something changes. Every longer cruise I'm on has many solo cruisers can't imagine taking that away.

As others have suggested, do some homework here at CC and for both ports, I wouldn't go with Princess arrangements. Might consider it for LA but definitely never for Ft. Lauderdale. Ft. L. is so convenient, everything is close by, prices will be on the high end in February.

It is quite the place, probably should re-think my stance and stay just once!😀

I'm going to Quebec Oct. 15, just booked my cruise and cannot get in the Hotel du Vieux, my fav place. I've stayed there 3 times but it does get busy. I'm going to stay at Hotel Champlain, lower town this time. Many hotels are booked up. It also was a challenge to find one not wanting partial or complete payment. I didn't want to go away from the old town area or to a big chain hotel, not my thing. I've been to the Frontenac for a tour and drinks, nice to visit, would not stay there.

There is a tourist office in the Upper Town, very helpful. Information, walking tours, it's a great place. If you stay in the lower town, just get on the funicular to take you up. I'm doing the NE cruise again in Oct., always stay 2 nights pre-cruise, and I find things to do. My fav hotel is booked (waited too long) so I'm staying in the lower area this time. https://www.quebec-cite.com/en

I've bought a bottle in Vines and they've kept it for me, like they do in the dining room, wasn't a problem. However, asking someone to go get your wine that's in the dining area seems like a stretch to me. Can't answer if they would or wouldn't.

Stick in the muds? Nope, don't think so! Traveling alone, I love the TD option, large table, gives me a chance to interact with the same people. Many times I've met other singles this way, we end up doing some tours together or attending things on the ship. By visiting over dinner, one finds out if you have similar interests. This is a move in the right direction.

Another interesting thread! I'm all for the Plus package, haven't cruised in a long time, can't wait for my Apr. '25 canal cruise, 23 days. When I think of all the specialty coffees plus wine with my salad at lunch, trying different wines at dinner, a fancy ice tea then a margarita, a no brainer to me. Not a big tracker of money, in the past I've checked my account balance now and then but that's about it.

I have friends that always ate late, plus have traveled with those preferring 8 over 6 p.m. Now that I'm older I cannot eat later. Even when I travel, my habits don't change, I get up early, tend to go to bed at a decent hour.

These threads are always an interesting read. I've always liked the set dining times, same table, same folks every night. I don't care about rushing to get a seat in the theater because I've got very sensitive hearing and have my preferred location towards the back. Seeing the show obsession is amusing, not a priority for me at all. I am curious how the dining will work on the Coral, with only 2 dining rooms.

This seems like good news to me. I haven't cruised since 2019, looking forward to two cruises in '25, but dreaded trying to figure out the dining. I've always loved traditional, sailing alone it's nice to connect with a group of people.