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As on any cruise with the possibility of possibly wildly varying temperatures, pack layers. I just returned from a South American cruise around the Horn. I packed a down filled puffer coat, thin warm under clothes and a Mylar poncho incase of cold rain. The coat packs down quite small. I use the 32 Below brand of thin thermals when I ride motorcycle in the winter and they seem to be warm at a reasonable price . I include my Columbia packable jacket on any cruise. It packs small but is fairly warm and is a rain jacket.

The young man who operates it now is the son of the man who bought it from the guy that had it built. I think I have that right. Anyway the present owner grew up on the boat. I really enjoyed the excursion and the crew of the boat. They were very accommodating. When a guest lost his hat to a wind gust, the captain jumped into the skiff and retrieved the hat.

Condor Christi, Most NCL ships have a solos meeting every night so solos can go to dinner together. They often team up for other things too like trivia, going to shows and shore excursions. All the solo meets I have been to were very welcoming. Also most NCL ships have some sort of morning exercise program. Don't sit in your room, especially in Alaska. I just checked the deck plan for Bliss and it has a glass walled Horizon Lounge on the Deck 17. Take a book, sit there and watch the beautiful scenery go by. Go to the Roll Call for your cruise and get to know some of the people on your cruise and if they form a Meet & Mingle that is a good place to find information about the ship and some of your fellow cruisers,

Not coral. The bottom drops off rapidly about 20 to 40 foot offshore. But as soon as it drops off the fish were pretty thick.

I have been there on Carnival and NCL and had a great time on both. I will say that NCL takes very good care of solos. Carnival was pretty good too but didn't have a dedicated solo meet just before dinner like NCL. The only place that I snorkeled was Bonaire. I went out on a ship built like a Chinese Junk. We went to Little Bonaire and the current will carry you down the coast of the island. So they put you in the water about a half mile up the coast and then wait for you. You don't have swim at all to cover a lot of water.

In my case, I first took my then 13 year old granddaughter on a cruise. That was almost like cruising alone. She only ate a few meals with me and went off reading or with her new friend she met at the teen club. It made me realize I could do solo and have a good time. Everyone has to choose their own path. I hope you thoroughly enjoy your choice.

Thank you. I would never have found it on my own. Pricey little excursion there, isn't it?

Thank you for posting this. NCL hasn't bothered to inform me yet. Anyone know where and what a Laguna San Rafael is? I found it on the map but I don't see any port close.

They could sideline excess capacity but it will cost them quite a bit. Big ships cost a bundle just to sit idle and they need constant attention to paint and any exposed surface.

With NCL be sure to check the dailys. The NCL ships I have been on had nightly solo meetings even if there wasn't a lounge. They usually go from there to the MDR for the solos who wish to eat together.

Number 1 and number 3 Cruising 3 to 5 times a year. I try to cruise 30 or 40 days a year. If I get to do all 4 cruises we have reserved, it will be 52 days for 2024. Also been working at a volunteer job 5 or 6 hours a day 5 days a week whenever I am not traveling. Been doing a few motorcycle camping trips in there too.

I did find more things I liked in the MDR since the menu change. There was only one night that we didn't see enough that we like in the MDR and went to the Deli and buffet instead. Not bad out of 10 nights. For myself, between the chicken that is always on the menu and banana split for dessert, I can always eat in the MDR if I really want to, But my cruise buddy didn't find any inspiration that night either.

I just returned from my most recent cruise on the Sunshine I want to air a few gripes and one attaboy. Small gripe, they quit supplying Bee Sting Honey Habanero sauce at the sauce table for the Blue Iguana. Now that I know, I'll bring my own. Sometimes they bake the Carnival Melting Chocolate Cake in a shallow bowl which makes it solid all the way through. This made me leary of ordering what was one of my favorite Carnival desserts. Now my biggest gripe, no mushrooms at the Omelette Stations. Previously my breakfasts were split between burritos and omelettes but that is ruined for me now. My attaboy is for the Emeril additions to the MDR menu. Some of them are very good and at least they are different. I really liked the catfish. I also had an Oriental salad that was great. Not world shaking gripes but Carnival's food choices are a big part of why I cruise on Carnival. Your mileage may vary.

But I did get a dinner for two when I soloed on NCL. It is pretty easy to get someone to go with you when you offer a free meal at a specialty restaurant

Sorry that you have no one to go with. In that case I would recommend a short NCL cruise where you could go to the nightly solo meets and find kindred souls. The solo meets I went to on the smaller NCL ships had very friendly supportive people from all walks of life. If you don't feel like talking, there was always someone interesting to listen to.