bhsolo

6 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

 

I am In St Thomas today. Allure is docked in Crown Bay, Mariner is docked at Havensight. A few weeks ago Allure docked at Havensight. 
 

It is accurate to say most of the time Royal (and X) dock in Crown Bay, it isn’t absolute. 
 

We had no problem today getting transportation anywhere we wanted to go and back again. 

Thank you! 

Just checked and we will be the only ship in port. I would say I could follow the CB vs WICO on vinow but it says Mariner was to be CB today and you see it at WICO (Havensight). So my head swirling was accurate, I thought I was losing it so I appreciate all of this information.

Do the taxis in town say which port they are going to? Do you flag them down? I'm used to just flagging a taxi down and saying where I want to go lol

My head is swirling with some contradictory St. Thomas information, so I come to you helpful cruisers. I'll be on Explorer when we dock in St. Thomas at the end of April...but which dock is it? Some sites are stating all of Royal no matter the class docks at Crown Bay but then others say only Oasis class docks at Crown Bay and all other ships dock at Havensight. My fingers are crossed for Havensight so I can walk around on my own but if it's Crown Bay I'll need to do some more research. Does any one know which dock? If it is Crown Bay is it easy to get taxis around CA back to the port? Do they stop at specific areas or just flag them down?

Thank you!!

21 minutes ago, Broons77 said:

@robtulipe - How did you like the cabin?  We're in one on Anthem in a couple of weeks and it's our first time in an interior cabin.  Hoping we like it enough to book them again to save some $$$.

I had a studio one on Ovation when I went to Alaska and thought it was great. I liked knowing what was happening outside, didn’t feel claustrophobic, could turn it on and off, close the curtain, etc. Since I wasn’t planning to spend a lot of time in the cabin it saved me quite a bit of money I put towards excursions. 

It sounds like you have a lot on your plate and could use some time away. You most certainly can eat in the MDR, either regular or my time dining with RCL. Just tell them you want a table by yourself and they will give you a two-top. Wherever I eat, I usually bring a book or journal with me to "keep me company". That may also help some of your SAD because you will have a different type of companion. Last time I brought 5 books with me and finished them all. Sometimes people would ask what I was reading but for the most part people just let you be how you want. Much less than if you were at an event or such where you are almost forced to make small talk. I would look for a cruise where the towns and/or excursions excite you.

Pros: You do what you want, when you want, how you want. Feel like going to the show or eating early - go for it. Want to hold up in your cabin and order room service on the balcony - yours for the taking. Want to do an excursion or cruise talk or walk around town to that random store you read about your DH normally wouldn't want to - now is your chance. Want to just sit by the pool and become a prune because you are never leaving the hot tub - that works too. Want to listen to podcasts all day or go to the gym super early or late and then walk along the promenade - have at it. 

Cons: You have to ask someone else to spray sunscreen on your back (which every person I have ever asked, I usually go for moms, is more than happy to help with). If you get up to go to the restroom or pool, you'll want to finish your drink/food or get a new one once you return (good thing about cruising is there is always plenty of food and drinks/water bottles are easy). Not going to lie, sometimes it can get lonely/wonder what you are missing out on when you see big groups. 

I realize it is scary, there are always a bit of nerves for me including excursions, but then when you get through it you have an incredible feeling of strength and power. That's what you hold on to, that you've done it before and you can do it again. 

Just going to chime in, nothing wrong with her head being in a book if that is how she enjoys her time. My last cruise, I finished 4 or 5 books. I was in heaven reading by the pool, met some nice people who asked how the book was/chatted for recommendations, and felt such relaxation and joy.

OP are you looking at studio cabin vs. regular cabin? Sometimes the studio cabin is more expensive than a regular cabin, probably because there are fewer. However, I've always been able to book a regular cabin - bonus is you get double points that way - as a solo without issue. Try giving RCL a call, they may be able to help further than the website.

I got a great deal a week ago, one of the "sales", for 11.99/day for Surf for one device on Allure in October.

You'll love it and will randomly meet people. Sometimes because you all sit in the same area of the pool or did an excursion together and other times because you saw a show. I go with the philosophy of if I meet people great, if I don't not a worry. I bring lots of books with me, go to the gym, pick excursions I would enjoy, etc. 

The best part of solo travel - you get to do what you want, when you want, how you want. Don't feel like going to a show, don't go. Want to play bingo every day, go for it! You are going to find a strength inside of you you didn't know was there.

3 hours ago, c-leg5 said:

Maybe previous thread will help. 

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2792237-walk-to-mahahual-beach/

 

Thanks! Not exactly enticing to do the walk with this information, good to know.

12 hours ago, tallyho8 said:

I never felt safer than taking a taxi in Costa Maya and walking the malecon. The very worst thing I have ever seen happen is someone coming up to you asking if you want to buy some trinkets. A simple no and they go away.

Can you walk from the port to the malecón and back to the port? I don’t mind it being a 45-minute walk but wondering if it’s a nice walk or eh. 

This is so helpful! Google maps shows all of these as a nice walk. Is it truly a nice and safe walk? I like to explore on foot, and Costa Maya is new for me, so I’m hoping so. 

Thank you for your review, especially Cozumel. Was debating what to do there, going solo, and am now thinking Paradise Beach might be nice. Easy to get a taxi back to the ship?

I LOVE traveling on a cruise solo, felt completely safe, and made some great friends. I traveled to Alaska on Royal Caribbean and am planning a Caribbean one, balcony - non solo cabin just regular size and have to pay for it, on Royal again. People were more impressed than anything I was traveling solo and a lot of times people are alone because the other person is doing something else. It's also A LOT easier to get a chair by the pool. I bring spray sunscreen with me and ask a kind soul to spray my back, and inevitably they are always happy to help. 

Whenever I travel, no matter the type of trip, I take the same safety precautions. Including, I don't drink as much, don't leave my food/drink unattended (great thing about a cruise is you can always get new food if you do), and for excursions I'll either walk around the port by myself or I'll take a cruise line excursion depending on the country and what I'm doing.

It's understandable to feel anxious/nervous/paranoid, especially if this will be your first solo trip. But once you do it, you'll be hooked. The best is you get to do what you want, when you want, and how you want. The only person you have to answer to is you. You want all dessert for dinner - go for it because nobody will know. You don't feel like seeing the show everyone is raving about because it doesn't interest you or you'd rather read your book, with a glass of wine, on your balcony - go for it! There is an inner strength and power that comes with solo travel.

I was about to book the St. Petersburg one, however that port is a 50/50 chance of it being open due to COVID. That's not a chance I was willing to take since it's the main reason for that trip, something to think hard about. 

Northern Europe and New England/Canada might be roughly the same price once you figure flights in so I'd go with the most exciting ones for you, timeline that works, and excursions you would like. 

Thanks all! With the Russia not a for certain I decided to go completely opposite and head to the Caribbean. As others mentioned, not point in this cruise if it's a 50/50 and with Covid out of control there it's not a chance I was willing to take. 

I am looking into the June 26 Voyager of the Seas Scandinavia & Russia Cruise. I found shore excursions for the other ports but am unable to find any excursions for St. Petersburg. I googled and found a random one but am unsure if it's new and before I book the trip I would like to see what the excursions are. Does anyone know where to find the St. Petersburg excursions? Thank you!

I had a great time cruising Royal solo. I read a lot of books, met a bunch of people either by the pools or through excursions, ate in the Solarium for dinner, went to the shows, and overall had a really nice time. I didn't do the singles meet and greet thing as I wasn't very interested in that. I'm looking to book another solo cruise with Royal soon.

10 minutes ago, Ethanol95 said:

 

My 250% comment (probably an exaggeration looking back at it), was made comparing the cruise fare of a booking for 2 people, looking at per person rates. The exact same selection criteria except booking for 2, decreases the cruise fare per person to $461 in a normal balcony cabin. That's vastly different comparing it to the studio ($976), which i think is almost a 100% increase. 

You need to go through the whole booking to see what the actual discount is. That is the only way to truly know the difference because you are not including taxes, fees, discount on second person which is sometimes part of a solo cabin depending on how the discount works. Also, the studio balcony may be slightly bigger than a smaller/partially obstructed balcony.

2 hours ago, farmersfight said:

 

I see that you are in Hoboken, NJ. Have you considered a cruise on Anthem OTS that sails out of Bayonne, NJ. Just down the road from you. Anthem is another of RCL's Quantum class ships and has the studio balcony cabins. Before the virus hit, I was seriously considering a 12 day Southern Caribbean cruise on Anthem out of Bayonne, NJ. In a studio balcony of course!

I know people who have and loved it. I haven’t because I don’t have the length of time needed and I like to explore lots of different areas. Though if a really good deal comes along I may jump or do a fall cruise up the coast to use my FCC. Was supposed to be On a European cruise this past May 😟

5 hours ago, farmersfight said:Oh also, I'm guessing that the Solarium was glass enclosed (hence the name) while Vibe was out in the open on the aft end of the ship.

Yup! On Ovation to Alaska it was great because you could still open the windows and get great photos/breeze but also stay warm/comfortable. By the hot tubs there were wings on which you could walk out to the sides if you wanted some fresh air. It’s in the front of the ship, made for a great opportunity to see the wildlife. 

4 hours ago, farmersfight said:

As I understand, RCL's Solarium is the adults only venue? And, was there a charge for the Solarium restaurant (a la cart or part of a dining package) or a charge to use the Solarium itself (like NCL charges for their Vibe Beach Club)?

Yes, it’s adults only with a few hot tubs, relaxing/sitting pools, a bar, and waiter service. The restaurant was nice for breakfast and lunch buffet, then dinner was a combined service. Buffet for apps and dessert and the waiter will bring your entree. 

There was no charge to use the solarium or eat in it. The only charge is if you decide to upgrade your entree. 

18 hours ago, farmersfight said:

Yeah, I may have a problem with the bed if it is "short" as I am 6' 4". But if my feet hang over the end of the bed, I won't care.

 

Lastly, how was your overall solo experience on an RCL ship and more specifically, on an RCL Quantum class ship? For example, did they have solo meet-ups and/or activities for solos like NCL does?

 

Thanks in advance.

RCL was great for a solo experience and sq ft wise the solo cabins - interior and balcony are slightly larger than NCL. I wanted the opposite of NCL in which I didn't feel the need for the lounge and didn't want to have a lot of solo meet-ups and activities for solos. I just wanted to be on vacation and if I met people naturally (which I did, that would be great) but if I didn't I was perfectly content. I believe I did see meet-ups every morning and maybe for a happy hour each day on the itinerary but never want. My room steward was great, waiters were perfectly fine, I never felt I was treated any differently being a solo. Though I was not impressed with the main dining room experience as I thought that was a bit rushed and just awkward. It could have been because it was sail-away day but I didn't feel the need to go back. I did enjoy the Solarium restaurant, without ever feeling rushed.

Oooh that is tempting with NCL. I think you are talking about the Solarium on RCL, the adults only section? If so, they still have it and it's fantastic! My favorite place to go on the ship and can just stay there all day.

If you need a hotel, you could do the W in Hoboken for a night and then it's a really quick uber ride over. Doing that would cost you less than 1 night of hotel in the city. I do know many people who leave their car at the Bayonne port for the length of the cruise. Feel free to message me if you would like to talk about options/need more info. Happy to help.

Have you checked RCL out of Bayonne? I know they have the Quantum ships with studios that leave from there. Not sure what is scheduled for this year but it is another option that is a short taxi ride away. 

I did on Ovation last year to Alaska and thought it was a great space. I liked the location, it had a lot of hidden storage space, and I never felt closed-in because of the virtual balcony. It was bigger than a porthole and gave me a great outside view. 
 

Now if you are tall that could be an issue. I am 5’ and the bed was fine. But if I were much taller it would be an issue. It’s a small room but they do make good use of the space. I was actually surprised as to how nice of a size the shower was. I would stay in one again. 
 

If you have any questions please ask. Happy to go into more detail.