bevfd

Thanks for the advice, I think the BB King band and the piano bar will be my regular haunts

I haven't travelled with HAL but my top tip would be don't bother too much that you are on your own. If you meet other singles great, but half the friends I've made have been couples, as you often find they are just as glad to have someone new to talk to - and as you can always compare what you've done that day you have an instant ice breaker.

The Baltics are great, I'm sure you'll enjoy them. Oh and be prepared to become addicted to cruising. I've got solo cruises 10 & 11 booked, love them!

Thanks Gary, this could become an expensive hobby!

I'm currently about to pull the trigger and book a Eurodam Baltic cruise for late June. Please come back and let us know how the cruise went, any tips and tricks for solos onboard, etc...I'd really appreciate it! Have a great cruise!

Good for you, and yes, I will post when I get back

I took a 7 day Caribbean cruise on the Eurodam solo in February. I had fixed late dining, asked for large table and ended up with 8 other solos at the table. We had a great time together and made for a memorable cruise!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Thank you - that's very helpful, not long to go now!

I started cruising HAL when I was around your age, and I was solo. I met lots of delightful, friendly people who made me feel welcome. I pay that forward on every cruise now, as does my DH. I think you'll be fine.

Thank you very much, I feel reassured in my decision to cruise with HAL. 28 days to go!!!:D

I am doing a 12 night Baltic cruise in a few weeks on Eurodam and just yesterday posted in the Solos forum looking for some reassurance that I would meet some FRIENDLY people on my cruise and that there would be a bar that I could visit after dinner for a drink.

The responses that came back both said nothing about the friendliness of the people or whether I would find people to chat to but just commented that at 38 everyone would be much older than me!

Personally I don't particularly care much about age, I care about good company :rolleyes:

I just hope people will be friendly, prepared to chat a little and that I don't feel awkward.

Thanks I have already joined my roll call. There are 2 sea days but I intentionally booked a very active cruise.

As I said, I'm not looking to be clubbing but some friendly people to chat to would be nice and the age of the people doesn't matter to me in the slightest, I am quite used to the company of older people and I did my research on HAL before I booked!

I paid ages ago and the prices have dropped A LOT since then so I was upgraded from an OV to a Signature Suite which I'm quite happy with. Some great bargains on Verandahs to be had.

Maybe see you there :)

I'll be travelling on my first ever cruise and my first solo holiday in 4 weeks, I do travel for work and often stay overnight on my own but this will be my first 2 week trip in my own company.

The cruise is a 12 night Baltic tour so plenty of ports to visit, all of which, other than St Petersburg, I will be exploring on my own. I have chosen fixed late seating and while I don't want to be clubbing in the nights, at 38 I won't quite be ready for bed at 9.30 so I'm hoping that a couple of the bars will have a little life.

I enjoy my own company but it would be nice to have people to chat to occasionally so I'm hoping for some friendly people on board.

Any tips for a great solo cruise on HAL/Eurodam? Some great advice on this board and the 'awkward moments' thread made me laugh :)

All very helpful than you. I have decided against the SBP, my cruise will only have 2 sea days and I want to be able to order what I want rather then feeling constrained by the $7 limit.

There is also the danger that I would see the 15 drink rule as a target rather than a limit!

Thanks for sharing!

Your cruise may skip St Petersburg.

It may do, if international sanctions or safety becomes a consideration.

There are a number of countries that I choose not to holiday in and I am perfectly able to determine my own 'protest priorities'. I'm afraid I am at a loss to understand the tone of posts like this, completely unnecessary.

I booked a Baltic cruise which includes SPB last year, before the problems in the Ukraine and before the Winter Olympics and the rampant homophobia of the officials was exposed. Given the choice I would not be going as a tourist to Russia but I have long since booked and simply cannot afford to lose the money. I leave in 5 weeks so it's too late to do anything now.

Russian social politics and foreign policy have long been an issue so maybe I just shouldn't have booked it in the first place.:confused:

I am quite excited about trying this dinner and will be contacting Ships Services to move my existing PG booking to this today. It looks like very good value for the quality of ingredients and if the cooking is good it should be fantastic.

Fully understand that this isn't for everyone but I will appreciate having some variety during my 12 night cruise.

A couple of weeks before the Olympics that doesn't surprise me but it would still be most unusual. At any airport there can be delays but in general an hour or so should be sufficient, any longer and it is just unfortunate.

2 hours should be plenty. As the OP said, the queues at Heathrow tend to be at passport control, especially in the morning when the overnight flights arrive. Yes there can be some distance to walk but I have never taken longer than an hour or so to get through.

If you are using a car company that regularly collects at Heathrow, they should be able to advise if you give them your flight details.

Perfect, many thanks

I will have a whole day to kill in Copenhagen after my cruise - my flight leaves at 9pm.

I will have spent a whole day there prior to my cruise and we are docked there for the last full day too so I will have had sufficient time to see the key sights.

Apart from sitting in the airport all day - does anyone have any suggestions as to what I might do all day considering I will have luggage? Any assistance welcome!

Quick question, will the concierge in the Signature Suite also help with my account, get copies of the bill etc.?

Ah, not so bad then! I would definitely grab an airport hotel and crash for a few hours :)

I booked online direct with HAL and have had very good service from them. I don't think I have particularly challenged them but when I saw price changes and a small booking incentive come up, they dealt with both quickly and without fuss.

Always good to hear about great service.

Generally aim to check in 2 hours before and usually the desk will close 30 minutes prior to departure (but I wouldn't be leaving it that late!) That is the instruction on just about every flight I have taken in Europe but do read the instruction on your booking confirmation.

Such a shame to have a lengthy layover and not get to see beyond the airport!

Are you on the 23rd May Baltic Cruise by any chance?

Are the same hairdryers in the Signature Suites? What about the other staterooms?

Thanks for the write up.