PinaColadaPlease

I am looking at camporico. They are much (less than 1/2) cheaper than the carnival excursion and the only one I found that isn't too far from the ship. Hoping I can book the morning I arrive in port...forget the date, but I'm on CCL Freedom 12/13.

Any feedback from anyone that's used camporico?

Sent from my Desire HD using Forums mobile app

I've cruised NCL and Carnival many times. going on the Splendor my second time this Saturday. Carnival doesnt have the themed parties like Norwegian does. the best thing I like about Norwegian is their entertainment/shows/themed parties. and their hibachi restaurant!

 

you won't see that on the Splendor.

the retractable roof is only on when it rains or is cold. but otherwise, it should be open for when the sun is out

See u there cruiserider!!! I'll be there too. Have u been on theroll call?

I have to say NCL and RCC are much nicer than carnival. But its still good, especially for the price. If u are onto the shows...not so great. CC uses there own talent, but the comedy shows are reallt good. I'm not a stick in themud, but I only enjoy the family friendly shows. The comics get a bit too raunchy for my taste at the late night shows.

I'll be on me second splendor cruise this year on Saturday. Have fun!

Sent from my Desire HD using Forums mobile app

When you get off the ship, walk outside the gate and there are sting ray city tours waiting for you and they are willing to bargain. I can't remember the name of the tour, but the boats name was Last Dollar. They were great and it was a blast! I'm going on freedom Dec 13.

Have fun

Sent from my Desire HD using Forums mobile app

Freedom Dec 14, 2014 !!!

Don't be late. It's Dec. 13, not 14. :rolleyes:

Sent from my Desire HD using Forums mobile app

Richard, I've sailed single many times, and found all your advice spot-on. Especially the part about dressing well.

I thought (at age 59) my days of finding male companionship on ships were long over, but last year I met a nice man on a transatlantic who stood in front of me at the lifeboat drill who seemed alone. I tapped his shoulder and said, "You realize, in a real emergency, you'd have to get behind me because it's women and children first, right?"

 

He just smirked and didn't offer to switch places.

 

At the end of the drill, I tapped his shoulder again and asked, "What's your name?" and told him mine.

 

We shook hands and he invited me to meet him for a drink, and later told me he found my taps endearing and was almost hoping for the second one.

 

Sometimes you just have to put yourself out there.

That is such a nice story.

Carnival Splendor/Canada out of NYC on 10/11/14

and

Carnival Freedom/Carribean out of Fort Lauderdale on 12/13/14

this was my first Solo cruise and booked last min, was hesitant about going solo, but had a blast and met some really nice people and never felt alone, I enjoyed it so much I just booked the Glory Dec 13th out of Miami

I went solo on the Splendor in April. I had a great table of singles at dinner. We all really clicked. And I also met a few others through cruise critic.

I booked solo again for October 11 to Canada. One of the girls from my table and CC friend friend from that cruise also booked this trip. I'm really looking forward to this Splendor reunion.

Steak (filet mignon) and eggs for sure. I especially love that tangy dipping sauce on the side. :p

Just a note, DH and I are fabulous walkers. We explored Vancouver by foot from 8am-8pm after our Alaskan cruise a couple years ago because we had a flight out at midnight. I did San Francisco by foot, subway, and HOHO trolley about 5 years ago. We're bringing a rugged umbrella stroller for DS and plenty of snacks, toys, and water to keep him busy.

I'm with you. I'm going to Halifax next month and plan on walking from one end of the city to the other and back to the ship. Gotta work off the buffet somehow :)

I only wish the cruise lines would allow bikes on board. I'd love to bike the port of calls. BTW....City of Boston has 'Hubway' bike rentals. I'm not sure how much but I think they are very reasonable and they have lots of pick up / drop off places around town. Might be an option for sightseeing the city? I'm sure you can google it.

Hi All, Original Poster back again!

 

PS Were going to buy a trolley pass for that Saturday and saw that it would also be valid on a second day, so Sunday. Possible to use the trolley to get between the port and museum?? (We will take a cab to the port to drop off our bags, wouldn't drag those on the trolley)

That would be my plan.

With Tampa losing it's Sprit class ship, it looks like it'll be FtL or Miami.

 

Has anyone used the shuttle service from Tampa to FtL or Miami? Can you leave your car there?

Megabus just started Florida service. check them out. I just searched and they do have a Tampa/Fort lauderdale route.

Hi,

We'll be docking in Boston on sept.18th and would like to take a daypass for public transportation.

What is the closest location to Black falcon to buy our daypasses?

Can we buy it on the silverline or do we have to walk to a station (closest was a 30 minute walk)

looking forward to visiting Boston :-)

The closest I could find to Black Falcon would be the Patriot News (boston-financial district). If you go to "sales location" ....Financial district or Waterfront is really the only search areas close to the port.

http://www.mbta.com/fares_and_passes/passes/

If anyone is interested, LivingSocial is offering $24 Duck tour tickets...regularly $40. I've done that and it's a pretty good take.

Thanks 138....I should have read ahead. I think they made a great choice!

That's too funny Eeyo..... I decorated last cruise, a ship GPS, complete with manually moved 'ship' that I moved along each day. I almost posted a photo of it but after seeing the other photo's, I realized how amature it was. So I'm a bit embarrassed. Although, I though it was great at the time.

I have a great idea for my next cruise (Oct. 11). If it works and this thread is still going, I'll post a photo.

Hi,

Maybe you can help me out with location of a hotel in the area. We are cruising out of Boston in October and have never been there so have no idea what area to stay. I was told that from some hotels you can take the silver line back to the airport and take another line directly to the Black Falcon Port. Will arrive on a Saturday afternoon about 3 pm and will have to first go to the hotel to drop off luggage before touring around. Is that enough time to see anything or does everything close early on a Saturday? What are your suggestions on hotels and "must see" places? Thank you so much for your info.

I just did an Expedia mock search for October 11, 2 adults, check out October 12. (I have to say I'm blown away at the prices of hotels in Boston) I don't know exactly which Saturday in October you are coming in on. Other than the below, Cambridge hotels seem to be somewhat reasonable in price and still accessible by public transportation for sightseeing. But a bit further away.

If money is not a concern, the seaport area is the best. If you are shopping price and based on the search I did , the below look to be the best for less. I can't vouch for the hotels personally. These prices may be a bit higher than other weekends as that is a Columbus Day weekend and peak foliage. New England is hopping in the fall. And "no" Boston doesn't close up early on Saturdays. There's plenty to do well into the night. boston.com is a good resource for all that's going on around town.

Here's my short list of 'cheaper/convenient hotels'

-Constitution Inn (Charlestown) $209...Cheaper as it is right outside the city, but easy walk in to the North End and other public Transportation to the rest of the town. I wouldn't be scared off of this one. Right near the Constitution Ship and just a short walk over the bridge (Rt. 99 on mapquest) into Historic areas of Boston. A lot of what you might want to see is walking distance.. Fanueil Hall, Old state house/boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party Museum, Boston Common, Old North Church, Paul Revere House. Cheap cab ride if you don't want to do public transportation. I would suggest taking the trolley tour. You can follow the Freedom Trail from The Constitution.

-Embassy Suites Logan Airport $319...probably most convenient as it is right at the airport and on public transportation to Boston and Seaport

-lMidtown Hotel $299....Boston's back bay. I"m not sure I'd pick this one, good location but a bit further from the airport and seaport.

If you wanted to take the Silver Line to the ship, take the red line subway to South Station and you can pick it up from there.

From the Embassy at Logan, you can pick up the silverline right there at the airport. I'm fairly sure the water shuttle can take you there too...just not certain.

Hope this helps

me again :)

I see that they even have a stop pretty close to the port on port of call days.

Also... notice "ride next day for free" offer through March 2015.

You may want to check out The Old Town Trolly, hop on hop off pass. I'm a bostonian and I've always wanted to do it. Boston is a small big town so there are a lot of things to miss while you're in the subway. The drivers are awesome...I can hear them on the speaker when they pass by. They will show you things you might miss otherwise.

Have fun!

http://www.trolleytours.com/boston/?gclid=CjwKEAjwyYCgBRCMmbWl5beV_RQSJABESqHAmunSPaiPbKxoEBtVsfx9Ph4TEi7WKZGg9PNe1-gyAhoCPuXw_wcB

:D Hello Bostonians, I have a question that you don't usually get....I will be coming to your city in 4 short weeks and staying at a hotel by the airport. Is there a mini mart, convenience store that we could stop at on our way to the pier?? I would like to pick up my Pepsi and some Helmans Mayonnaise :eek: (I am VERY PICKY about my mayonnaise!!!) Thanks, TERI

There is a gas station/convenience store right past Terminal E (International) as you just before exiting the airport. You can walk there from any terminal. They have a little of everything. Can't vouch for Helmans. If I knew exactly where you are staying....??? If all you want is Pepsi and Helmans, I'm sure you can find that almost anywhere...CVS, Tedeschi's, 7-11 and Walgreens are everywhere. And there is a Christie's near the Aquarium, not too far from the ship.

If you are staying near the airport, you really aren't far from anything. Someone will direct you.

 

Two of my fav sites to look for rock bottom prices are vacations to go and **********. Also subscribe to newsletters from the cruiselines and other sites and message boards.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I agree about Vacations To Go. Seeing as the OP is flexible and can go last minute, the '90 day ticker' is a good option for them.

But as a rule, I find Carnival to be the most affordable so I usually just browse and book directly on their website. Plus, the 24 hour hold option they have is nice to just give me little time to think about it, shop flights, hotels etc....

Would appreciate cruiselines that might have solo fares and also single-friendly environment. Please eliminate Regent and Seabourne - too pricey for me. Would rather occupy the cabin alone; some cruises have no single supplements.

I like carnival. Might not be my favorite cruise line but they are still good and they have awesome solo deals, especially for past guests.

I find it's easiest cruise line to solo price search on their website too. Just type in 1 guest for the search criteria and then you can sort by price if that's a factor for you, definitely is for me.

Lobster rolls in Mass? Sacrilege. Butter on the roll, double sacrilege. I'll bet they even put celery in them.

NO...melted butter on the lobster, not just the roll. Oh boy...my work is a 10 minute walk from this place. I think I know what I'm getting for lunch tomorrow "hold the celery".

I have always wanted to write on those dry boards.....now I will. And I may decorate this time. I was jealous on our last princess cruise bc they decorate all the doors with celebrations. It was cool seeing how many birthdays and such there were.

Last cruise I made a dry erase board out of a plastic page protector and slid a colored page with the CC logo on it. worked fine and at the end of the week I through it out. EVERYONE was writing on it. I'd leave messages on it to let people know where I was off too.

 

We are also going to bring packs of hot chocolate because it appears Princess charges for hot chocolate and what they do offer is not that great.

I'm bringing hot chocolate too... but that means I have to find a store near the ship (NYC) that I can pick up some whipped cream. Mybe I'll just bring marshmallow fluff from home. That will keep in my luggage just fine.