TessM

My best "Awkward Solo Moment" story....this happened to me, on Celebrity Millenium several years ago....

 

Reza played along and made a small show of asking for my autograph. it was all I could do, not to burst out giggling. I am a total NOBODY.

 

ROFL!!!!! I still laugh about this whenever I think of it...God bless that man...not only did he "save" me from the situation, and "shame" the idiots, but he truly was so gracious....and yes, I really did get to sit with the Captain that evening, and for the rest of the cruise, those people were pretty embarrassed every time I walked by. :D

 

(Reza, and the Maitre'd got HUGE tips from me!)

Oh my gosh!!! That is great! Love it!!!!!

I had planned a solo August cruise on the Pacific Princess (very small ship) but changed that when my cousin and her husband decided to sail on the Golden Princess in mid-May. So I'm transferring my booking to this one.

I'm also looking to book a solo in mid-February too. I'll be in the Fort Lauderdale area for vacation and I've decided to book a short cruise to round out my vacation time.

I think it's going to a 4-day cruise on the Ruby Princess but I haven't booked yet as I'm also considering a 5-day cruise on the Celebrity Constellation.

Hotel Colon or Hotel Regencia Colon (depending on your budget).

Located across from the Cathedral (note: this is the Cathedral is not Sagrada Familia)

HoHo stop across the street

Easy walk to Plaza Catalunya

Easy walk to Las Ramblas (without having to stay on Las Ramblas)

Taxi stand right across the street.

Great location and even if you don't plan on sightseeing, you will have plenty to see in that area. --Also, nice for dining/shopping.

Maybe he strayed but probably he didn't. One thing for sure, she is very insecure. If he did wish to cheat, I think his odds of success would be better with a married woman (similarly inclined) since single women likely would not be interested in a married man. It's all pretty far fetched anyway since it's just dinner.

 

 

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Actually, I agree with you - he probably didn't stray and she is completely insecure. But I always find it funny when I run across women like her. They always seem to have a guy that's no great shakes in the first place.

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Ok....here's my translation of what she said....

(When the host attempted to seat me at a 6 top with one other couple already seated, the woman of the couple vehemently refused to allow me to be seated there, saying that they would not dine with any solos, only other couples.)

"My marriage/relationship is a mess. I can't trust my partner with single women."

So, maybe he has strayed in the past with a "single" woman? Poor gal, I guess it's a good thing he didn't cheat on her with a married woman. She'd have to change her dining rule to an exclusive table for two.

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I've traveled extensively on my own, mostly for business, for many years and prefer it that way. My first solo (and only second ever) cruise is coming up this weekend. The only thing I'm a bit apprehensive about is dining. The line I'm sailing with is known for it's older demographic and I know it to be true as I cruised them previously with a friend. I'll be doing anytime dining later in the evening and don't mind dining with others, but absolutely do not want to be sat at the (for lack of better phrasing) "widows and widowers" table. I'm sure it'll all work out as ships services tells me I can easily arrange for a "mixed" table and eating later tends to appeal to a bit younger group, but still a bit of butterflies remain. As for those people who make the "aren't you brave" or "you poor thing, all alone" or "are you looking for a man" comments, those are all met with the same reaction; my finest stink eye, followed by a very sweet "I beg your pardon, why do you say that?".

I don't have extensive cruise experience, just seven cruises under my belt. I've cruised solo on Princess, HAL, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean. I've never once at dinner have someone tell me how brave I was - or any of the other comments you mentioned.

Also, I've met some incredibly lovely widows on my cruises. (I've never been married.) My last cruise there were two widows at my table and they were older than me but they were also extremely well-travelled and great conversationalists. Actually, that was a really fun table. Two widows, one divorced male, one married woman travelling without her husband, and me, (solo since birth). 3 US, 1 Canada, 1 Aussie.

I understand your anxiety - I was anxious before my first cruise it wasn't just my first cruise, but I was solo. -- Never has occurred to me that it was really a big deal to travel by myself; it's just something I do. --But, you'll be fine. Enjoy your cruise!

Yep. The only cruise I have coming up is a year away. I had planned on cruising on the Regal Princess Maiden Voyage in June 2014 from Venice to Barcelona. Instead I’m just going to do spend a week and a half in Barcelona in May and take an Alaska cruise in August.

It worked out well because I’ve wanted to take a roundtrip to AK from Vancouver (instead of Seattle). Plus, the Pacific Princess max passenger capacity is 680. What fun to be on such a small (actually tiny) ship.

I’m not sure if I can hold off cruising for a year though. I have vacation in February and right now I’m planning a (theatre) week in London but a cold winter and thoughts of the warm Caribbean sea might change that plan.

Got a great deal on inside, 6th deck forward, TA to Southampton in April for 14 nights on Adventure of the Seas.

198.00 cruise

436.00 port taxes

59.00 insurance = $693.00

 

Agent said it is the deal of the century.:D:D

Worth waiting for! I believe it was the last inside.

Wow! Good for you. That is an incredible price.

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You will LOVE that room! I did!

 

Centrally located, convenient to everything. There's no way that one person can eat all the treats automatically delivered to the cabin. Ricardo should still be the steward, he'll take great care of you.

 

I wish I were back on the couch watching the ocean right now!

Thanks. That's wonderful to hear. I'm really looking forward to all the suite perks - expecially having breakfast at Sabatini's every morning.

It's also good to hear that the cabin (oops "Suite") steward comes highly recommended. I'll let Ricardo know he has a fan.

I have to admit that I really don't pay any attention to the dreaded "single supplement" - I just focus on the total price of the cabin. So, I didn't realize that today when I booked my cabin I actually received a SUPER LOW single supplement.

I waited until today to finally decide on where to go for my annual late-Feb/early-March vacation. So, when I booked my cabin today on the Caribbean Princess' Feb 23rd sailing, I found that the balconies and mini-suites were sold out. The only cabins left were a few insides and obstructed ocean views. In fact, even all of the suites were sold out - EXCEPT for the "Window Suites"

So, I booked a window suite for $2132-- which really was only about $200 more than I had planned to spend on a balcony cabin. -- But, later I found out that the price per person was $2108 - or $4216 for two. (I really couldn't believe it so I had to test it on a couple of different websites, including Princess' website.)

I'll miss having a balcony, but I'll treat myself to the Sanctuary. I'm fairly confident that this will be my only time in a suite (unless the upgrade fairy visits me), so I plan to enjoy all the perks.

Anyway, I thought I'd share this price info with everyone. Like I said, I never pay attention to the single supplement, I just look at the price and if it's reasonable and within my budget, I'll book.

As to the shows, I attend a lot of theatre in real life solo, (live and film) so I have over the years grown less self-conscious about this. So much so that I often go see something solo even if I know someone has expressed interest in seeing it with me.

 

Do folks have similar experiences?

omgosh! I totally do this. I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one!

Where do you normally stay when you are in Barcelona? I would love to go back, my hotel was ok, but I would like to find a different one....not to expensive. Thanks

This year (May) I rented an apartment in the Born area. It was wonderful and my apartment was right down the "street" from Palau de la Musica. Great location and central to so many places in the Gothic Quarter and Plaza Catalunya and Las Ramblas. -- If you are interested, I found a spa right up the street that is not only fabulous, but you would not believe how crazy low their prices are. It is a very nice place, but apparently the going rate for spa services is nothing like what we have at home (or the crazy prices on cruise ships).

One downside to travelling solo is booking a hotel room for a single. Oftentimes this means you get a small room with a courtyard view. -- No wonderful balconies. And, I guess I'm just too cheap to pay for a double - which may or may not be a balcony room.

The nice thing about booking an apartment is that I can make sure it has a balcony (also, make sure it has an elevator unless you really like to climb stairs). I don't really use the kitchen to cook as I LOVE eating out in Barcelona as that is part of the experience for me. But, I know people who save a lot of money by taking advantage of the kitchen. -- I don't really cook much at home so there's not much of a chance I'll do so on vacation. - I used "Friendly Rentals" to book my apartment and will use them again for my June 2013 trip.

But, because I have early morning flights, I check out of the apartment the day before and spend one night at a hotel. The hotel staff will ensure I have a cab waiting for me at 4am so I can be at the airport in time for check-in.

I prefer Hotel Colon. I've stayed there twice and I'll stay there again in June for my last night in Barca. They are located right across the plaza from the Cathedral and they are convenient to most everything in the Gothic Quarter. Staff there are wonderful and they take good care of me.

If you are on Facebook, "Like" them. They are good at posting information on what is going on in Barcelona - AND - they post beautiful pictures that will make you want to rush out and book a flight. :)

I also cruise solo most of the time and have never had a problem. I even "ran around and toured" Barcelona 2 days by myself and never felt uneasy. Planning on "touring" Europe alone in May 2013......just use common sense

Good for you. I've travelled solo to Barcelona twice in the past two years. I love that city. Feb 2012 I went to Paris by myself for 9 days and had a wonderful time. -- There is so much to see! And, May 2012 I spent 5 days in Valencia and 9 days in Barcelona. I'll be back in June 2013 after a rare (for me) non-solo cruise from Southampton to Barcelona. My sister will be with me on the cruise but will only stay a couple of days in Barca after the cruise. I'll be staying on for a week before I have to head back home (to work).

I'm busy planning my next solo vacation. It looks like it will be a Southern Caribbean cruise in late-Feb. I was thinking of spending a week in Florence but the cruise will provide more relaxation for me.

For, the OP, I endorse the "common sense" rule. And, listen to your gut. If something or some person seems odd or makes you uncomfortable, move along. Don't worry about manners or being polite - just find an exit.

I do like the idea of asking a crew member to find you an escort back to your room. -- It reminds me of the solution if you have someone following you in your car. Don't drive home - drive to a police station.

Looks like you're in luck. This is from their website....

ALASKA

• Juneau: Diamonds International
  
• Juneau: Royal Jewelers
  
• Ketchikan: Treasures of Alaska
  
• Skagway: Diamonds International
  
• Skagway: Tanzanite International
  

CARIBBEAN

• Antigua: Diamonds International
  
• Aruba: Diamonds International
  
• Barbados: Diamonds International
  
• Grand Cayman: Island Companies
  
• Key West: Tanzanite International
  
• Ocho Rios: Jewels & Time at Island Village
  
• Ocho Rios: Jewels & Time at Taj Mahal Plaza
  
• San Juan: Blue Diamond II
  
• St. Kitts: Kay's Fine Jewelry
  
• St. Lucia: Harry Edwards
  
• St. Maarten: Goldfinger Jewelry
  
• St. Maarten: Majesty Jewelers
  
• St. Thomas: Diamonds International
  

Bermuda

• Crisson Jewellers
  

Is St Martin the only island where you can buy the Parazul bags? My sister purchased one for me last winter, and I'm going on a Caribbean cruise in November, and I'd like to find a store to purchase them. Our ports are Curacao, Antiqua, Bermuda and Grand Cayman.

Hi TessM - My Avatar pic is our new puppy who's grandparents are from Pt. Barrow. Maybe you can say 'hi' to them for me???...............lol! We named her Tanaraq, which means in Alaskan/Eskimo/Inuit Indian 'granddaughter of the tundra'. We call her Tana. Thought her name was very appropriate.

What a great story and a cute puppy. I'm sure I'll have time over the three days in Barrow to find a pup or two to say "hi" to. My little boy (13 yo Norfolk Terrier) will be in "camp" while I'm away. Fortunately for me, and him, he LOVES to go to camp. But, I'll be missing him.

Also, that's a perfect name for that little girl.

Day 1: Fly to Barrow

Day 2: Barrow - Tour Barrow - Arctic Ocean - Midnight Sun stroll on the beach

Day 3: Barrow - Birding and Point Barrow

Day 4: Barrow/Anchorage

Day 5: Anchorage - Saturday market

Day 6: Anchorage/Seward (early train -not much time in Seward - walk the town? - get on that DAM ship)

Day 7: College Fjord -- MY 50th Birthday!

Day 8: Glacier Bay

Day 9: Haines - Float trip thru Eagle Reserve

Day 10: Juneau - Whale watching (Capt Larry) - Shrine of St. Therese

Day 11: Ketchikan - Misty Fjords Flightseeing (Island Wings)

Day 12: Sea Day

Day 13: Vancouver - pick up rental car and drive home

I was on the Diamond last June. I got off the ship on a Saturday 11 pounds heavier than when I got on. But, by the following Thursday, I had lost those 11 pounds.

And, I haven't a clue how many calories I consumed. -I'm in the camp of "I don't want to know." I didn't really ever "pig out" but I never deprived myself of anything I wanted either.