bhsolo

Preparation is also your friend. The more familiar you are with the areas the more confident you will feel. What I also do is prepare an idea of each day. One must do in the morning, another in the afternoon and find things to fill in (restaurants, random places to stop, etc). Plus this way I understand the transit. I usually keep it pretty loose but it helps me to go with a plan instead of feeling overwhelmed by everything. 

London and Paris was my 2nd solo trip 9 years ago and it was FANTASTIC!!! From London to Paris I took the bullet train and from there public transport to my hotel which was right by the louvre. Now, I will say it gave me one of my most laughable moments of trying to get my LARGE suitcase through those turnstyles. If you have a large suitcase, take a taxi lol. As for the language barrier, I didn't, and still don't, speak French but as with going to any foreign country I learned a few key phrases including hi, thank you and goodbye. For the most part people speak a lot of English or you can figure it out. They are also very used to English only speakers traveling there. I think the language barrier would be difficult if you were going to the suburbs but in Paris itself, not an issue at all. 

I highly recommend reading Rick Steve's book on Paris as that was so helpful with figuring out where to go, how to get there and interesting things to do. I got around using public transit, only took a taxi to the airport home, ate in the restaurants and had a blast. For the restaurants I would bring a book to read while I waited or my journal and go through my pictures. This way I could delete some and write down what I took a picture of. You'll be amazed at how much you don't remember once you get home. Also, if you are concerned about what you are ordering put the google translate app on your phone so you can easily figure it out. 

I loved every moment of it, ate a lot that I still can picture and practically taste (gelato, lemon tart, mont blanc from Cafe Angelique, macarons, tomato/mozz on a fresh baguette, the farmers market cheese) and relished my time there. When I went there was no Google translate, google maps was just becoming, Facebook was sort of there, Instagram didn't get exist, etc. Now you have much more help beforehand and at the ready. Just remember, it's like any big city so you should stay aware of your surroundings and what you are doing. As I like to tell people - just because you are on vacation does not mean others are. I say go for it and have a blast whether someone joins you or not.

4 minutes ago, FaithPlus1 said:

 

On my last cruise that I took solo I did the same thing with dinners. Breakfasts I always did buffet. Lunch was either very early or very late. I deliberately always took a very late dinner in the dining rooms (I never cared for dinner buffets) when it was empty. Service was faster, I could get a table with a view, and it was empty.

Interesting. I never thought about doing a late dinner so I could get a table with a view. Next time I may try that. This time I was so rushed at dinner it was too much. Think I was in and out in under 15 minutes...yes, I did write them about it along with the comment from the waiter of not to fill up on bread...

2 hours ago, mef_57 said:

Sounds like you had a great time. The solarium on an Alaska cruise (particularly if early or late season) would be welcoming.  I will admit that I still prefer the dining room service, but I am not totally averse to the buffet - if it isn't a feeding frenzy of food hogs. I know that is very judgemental, but it too hectic I can't focus on what to choose so I walk away hungry. It isn't relaxing.  When I go off hours - say after missing lunch due to shore time, it seems calmer and I can enjoy any fresh seafoods, sushi or salads.  Being gluten free, I need to take a bit more time to read the ingredients and make the right choices.

I love the Alaska region and am going to have to hold back some vacation and money to do a back to back from Vancouver one year. 

Glad your solo trip was a success!

Not judgmental at all. I think I enjoyed it because I did go on the off hours like you said. I would wait until after 1:00PM/1:30PM on a cruise day or go after an excursion, and then if I did dinner it was always 7:00/7:30 when most of the little kids were done and all of the adults were in the dining room. I once saw the craziness you mentioned and I turned right around. I think I kept hitting it at just the right times where I could leisurely enjoy seeing what the food was, seeing it be brought out fresh, and not deal with the frenzy.

I was surprised to see the Royal ship had a gluten free buffet section in the Windjammer for every meal and desserts that were clearly labeled gluten free and behind the glass so they wouldn't touch other desserts. Was really impressed by this.

I returned from my solo cruise and am already trying to book another. I was on Ovation of the Seas, inside studio, to Alaska via Seattle roundtrip. It was very relaxing when I wanted it to be with excursions that I truly enjoyed, and I did have fun with the range of peoples reactions - shock, admiration, and no comprehension.

Before I left I said no matter what I was not going to the buffet for dinner. The first night I went to dinner and it was bleh and rushed. So the next night I went to the Solarium restaurant, just lovely. After that I went to the buffet for a few days because I met great people (ended up playing card games with the people next to me), the mood was right, I wasn't hungry enough for a sit down dinner, loved the huge salad bar and it's what I wanted to do. And since this was my trip I did what I wanted. The last two nights I went back to the Solarium Restaurant and again very good. All of this to say - you can think one way before you get on board and then completely change your mind. 

The inside cabin with the virtual balcony (big tv turned on its side) was perfect for my inside room. I felt I had an oceanview, without the price, was big enough for me but I'm 5' so anyone very tall may have an issue with the bed length. I also was only in the room to sleep and change as I basically lived in the Solarium. That is the 16+ area and it had great views, was very relaxing, had a bar, fabulous pools and I loved we could open and close the windows as needed. The amount of whales I saw while in there was incredible. 

I was just on RCCL Ovation and basically lived in the Solarium. It is 16+, very serene, beautiful views and beyond relaxing. 

14 minutes ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

Folks would joke about us being use to the rain, but we would tell them that it never rains that hard in Seattle.  Ironically, when we were driving in one of the  downpours, my phone received the first alert about possible flash floods, even before the local residents phones received their alert.

I met a Barry from Hoboken on a coastal cruise last September - could that be you?

Yup, last week was a doozy of doozies with the downpours. Those usually happen a bit later in the summer. Glad to know when I'm in Seattle that won't be as much of a thing.

Unfortunately, not me :(.

1 hour ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

I was just in your neighborhood (NYC) this past week!

Re shuttle to Pike Place Market / DTSeattle - no shuttles are offered.  You will have to use hired transportation (Taxi, Uber/Lyft) or public transportation with a bit of walking).

AWWW man. Hope you had a good time even with the rain last week.

Thanks, good to know I'll plan to do a lyft. 

I buy it as soon as I put a deposit down. Then modify and increase it as soon as I buy flight, get hotel, etc. That way I stay within what is usually a short window (depends on insurance and policy) for the pre-existing condition clause.

10 hours ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

 

Thank you my friend for the kind words.  I am glad to help my fellow CC friends as they pass through Seattle's Pier 91.

I have to agree, thank you for all of your help!

I was also wondering if I could bother you for another question. Do you know if there were any shuttle dropoffs to downtown - preferably to Pike Place? Since I have lots of time before my red-eye flight back home was going to do some more exploring and while I could take a lyft (though I'll definitely be out there by 8:30AM thank you for that helpful tidbit!) figured a shuttle without a tour might also be easy. 

Thanks again!!

Wow! Do they have a separate line if you are grabbing a lyft/cab to downtown? Is there a shuttle by chance? 

I have a red red eye back east so was planning to use port valet and then head downtown to hang out for a bit. 

I'll be heading on Ovation for the the Alaska June 21 departure and am curious what type of gym equipment there is. I assume treadmills and weights but are there ellipticals and arc trainers? Also, I thought I read at one point it was extremely crowded but curious what the current cruisers think.

Just trying to wrap my head around what will be available as I probably won't take a class. 

Thanks!

1 hour ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

It seems well organized.  The ride share drivers (Uber/Lyft) have their own pick-up area which is under the control of the pier's traffic control staff.  I am sure that the drivers want to meet up with their ride passengers as quickly as possible and it all works!

 

FYI - For all passengers arriving to start their cruise, the embarking drop off area for all passengers (including Uber or Lyft)  is in the driveway area of the Pier 91 terminal building.  The Uber/Lyft ride share pick-up area is ONLY used in the morning for the departing cruise passengers due to traffic congestion. 

 

Thank you for all of this information, both with embarking and departing, so helpful.

16 minutes ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

You are correct that it would be the same taxi queue, and that if you took the taxi to any other destination that it would be metered.  In your case Uber or Lyft might be an option.  If you did use either of these services I would suggest walking the .04 mile (7-10 mins) to the 'shared ride' pick-up area rather than waiting to ride the shuttle van.

Oh interesting about the shared ride and shuttle van (didn't even think about a shuttle van to go downtown). Does it become chaotic with all of the lyft vehicles or is it pretty seamless?

Thank you for all of this information, greatly appreciated!

Would this be the same line to stand on if I were going to Pike Place or does that get separated out? I have time for some exploring after the cruise, planning to use Port Valet, so thought it would be good to go downtown and also hit the Underground tour. I assume that would be metered and that the ship doesn't do just a dropoff downtown. Or am I better off using a different service?

I have a good quality Nikon waterproof camera in red (if I drop it I can easily find it) that has given me great shots while whitewater rafting in the Grand Canyon, playing in the ocean and beach in Aruba, hiking in Utah and good snow pictures when out and about. It's a great camera to have, especially depending on your excursions, so you don't have to worry about it getting wet or dropping it. Fast, lots of frame choices including motion, ocean, sand, etc. It's also very compact though I do recommend getting the floating strap if you are doing any water excursions.

I bring a waterproof camera with me on trips especially when weather or adventure is involved. It has come in extremely handy as it is small, takes great pictures, I don't have to worry about it when I am on the beach or go in the ocean, hiking, rafting, etc or if it is very cold out. My sister used it in Iceland when her camera with different lenses ended up freezing and was shocked how good the pictures came out. I believe mine is a Nikon with lots of scenery options - night, snow, fireworks, beach, etc. It is nice not having to worry about my phone and still keeps on going even after a few drops on rocks and in the water. 

If you go that route I do recommend getting the floating camera strap in a bright color. Makes it easy to spot if you drop it and also easy to find in your luggage if you take it off.

I will be on the Ovation in June. Currently I have the whale watching one booked because I heard how incredible it is to do in Juneau. However, I am also doing the Glacier Wilderness Safari in Skagway so am wondering if it's worth doing two types of whale/animal watching experiences? If you think the Skagway would suffice here are my other two options. The reason I originally didn't pick these is I figured I would be seeing lots of glaciers.

Mendenhall Glacier River Rafting

Mendenhall Glacier Hiking

Thoughts? Opinions? 

I asked the same question a bit ago, I also don't want a helicopter or train ride, and based on responses I booked the Glacier Wilderness Safari. If you search for my thread there is a lot of helpful information in there with some other ideas too.

Oh wow I did not realize they had breakfast there as well. This is very exciting. What types of food is there for breakfast? I assume it's different from Windjammer and 270.

Also, when people say romantic at night - would it be awkward as a solo cruiser or not noticeable?

Thank you for this very helpful information! Super happy to hear it's open on embarkation day as well as for breakfast and lunch. This is my type of food.

Thank you for all of your help! I've decided to go with the Glacier Wilderness Safari in Skagway. Most likely I'll do the whale watching wildlife quest or some sort of hike, without Mendenhall Glacier, in Juneau.

Thank you for the Glacier Wilderness Safari info. I've narrowed it down between that and the Chilkoot hike and raft.

Thanks for all of your thoughts and please keep them coming. As of right now, obviously this can change, I'm not interested in spending all of my time on a train. But will take a look at maybe a combo Yukon Tour along with these excursions still.

While I haven't cruised solo, first one coming up in June and am doing the MTD, I have been traveling solo for 10+ years. If I am at a table by myself I like to bring a book or I also have a journal to write down my thoughts. What's also really helpful is to go through my photos and write down what they are/why I took them. This way when I get home I have the details instead of trying to remember.