BeachDiva101

I'm a solo traveler too.  I do 5 day cruises.  I'm going on a 5 day Sensation cruise on Monday.  I got a good deal because it originally was going to Cuba, but cruise line had to cancel that, so a lot of people cancelled the cruise altogether.  The best deal I ever got was through NCL.  2 years ago in October after the big hurricane wiped out the eastern islands, no one wanted to switch to a western caribbean cruise, so again people cancelled cruise.  I got a balcony with no single supplement and with a sale price!    Thanks for your review.  Looks like you had a fun time! 

Enjoying your review!  The shrimp on that ship looks so good!  I love a good shrimp cocktail.   Ok, I have been to st. Maarten twice - once to orient bay beach and once to mullet bay beach.  Can someone explain/educate me on great bay, Holland house, I have never heard of this.  Sounds like another good beach.  Thanks for taking time to post photos, looks like you are having a great time.

The waiting is the worst.  That’s the one negative about cruising, when the weather goes bonkers and the cruise lines have to wait until last minute to inform you of the cruise plan.  To all those with Bermuda cruises, hang in there.

I did it 3 weeks out.  I am a solo traveler and NCL had a great deal of NO single supplement plus a great sale price and I got a balcony.  I was able to choose my room too.   I do agree with Saint Greg about it being only a week out because you might get stuck with whatever room they have left. (under pool area, below all the kitchens, next to crew work areas)  See what ship you want to go on and check out the deck plans and call to see if what rooms they have left.  I always have to pick my room because I am a very light sleeper, but if this is not a problem for you, and you don't have any preferences about staterooms, then I say go for it and have a great time!  Happy 20th anniversary!!!  Congrats!

@PelicanBill Thank You.

@Brina424 I’d be nervous too, especially if I had my grandparents with me. My one and only experience with bad weather is the cruise line cancelled our cruise.  I realize that does not help you, and I don’t want to add to anxiety. Call Royal and see if or what their Plan B is.  The waiting is the worst.  Sending you good thoughts and wishes.

7 minutes ago, soonernstlouis said:

Something you won’t hear me say soon:

 

 

LOL!

October 2018 Carnival Conquest - Margaritaville was very packed and extremely loud.  We walked thru Margaritaville and then  walked down to Jack's Shack.  The water was much better down at Jacks Shack - no seaweed.   The water in front of Margaritaville had a lot of seaweed.  Jack's Shack was packed by the time we left to go back to the ship at 3 pm.  Walked back down the beach to go back and we walked back thru Margaritaville to go on ship and we wanted to check out the pool to take a dip, and someone working there was fishing out a used tampon from the pool.  Needless to say we did not go in the pool. Yikes!  We had a fun day at Jack's Shack.  There is a guy with a bunch of different kinds of inflatable mats and you pay $10 and you can use any of the mats or toys all day.   Happy Sailing everyone!!

Turn right Jerry!!  Turn to the right!!

8 hours ago, CruisinCrow said:

 

Yes, there are umbrellas on the beach.  If you can't find one available, just ask at the towel hut and they will set one up for you.

Thank you.

TD 10 has me worried, I’m flying to Miami on Sunday 9/22 to board ship Monday 9/23. Nassau on Tuesday, Half moon cay on Wednesday, Grand Turk Thursday. Glad I bought insurance.

6 hours ago, CruisinCrow said:

 

We just got back yesterday.  I'll post some pictures once I get them all sorted.  The resort is definitely ready for some updating but we had a nice day there.  The pool bartenders are great.  Ask them to make you a Sky Juice, it's a traditional Bahamian drink with coconut water.  When we first got there, the pool umbrellas were not set up yet but we asked at the towel hut and they set one up for us.  For lunch there is an indoor buffet and an outdoor grill where you can get burgers and conch fritters.  The beach is beautiful and there are several hammocks.  Non-motorized watersports (sailboats, paddle boats and kayaks) are included but they were not running when we were there because of the wind.  Just be aware that availability is dependent on the weather.  The activity staff had activities going most of the day, such as beach Olympics, water balloon toss and Caribbean dance lessons.  There are changing rooms to use before you leave, if you want.

 

Enjoy!

Thank you for your response.  One question - do they have umbrellas down on the beach with lounge chairs??  That's where I want to be, but I need shade.   Glad you liked the beach.  Thanks again. 

Reading a good book in the Serenity Area (adults only) of the ship.

Half moon cay

We loved it.  We rented a cabana/bungalow for $200 #8  it is for 4 people.  There was 2 of us.   Very small inside, table 4 small chairs, a/c, they delivered drinks (2 sodas, 2 waters per each person). They also gave us small veggie and fruit tray and chips and salsa and guacamole and sour cream. There is loungers out in front of your cabana. There is rocks as you get into water but once you are in water a ways out no rocks. We went in October 2018 so it was not crowded at all.  We were the only ship there. There were no people out in the extra loungers in front of our cabana, so our view was not blocked in any way.  The food area was crowded when we walked by it.  

18 hours ago, ferryg said:

I felt that I had plenty of closet space in that cabin, and I'm a terrible over packer.  

So am I, that’s why I was worried 

Great thread!!  Thanks to all who posted photos!  Loved the retro 1980’s photos! 

On 8/20/2019 at 8:09 AM, mouche said:

Horse Shoe Bay Bermuda

Beautiful beautiful photo, this is on my bucket list!

I always shop cruises for the itinerary first and foremost.  I’m also a solo traveler.  Carnival is usually cheaper than other cruise lines and they have a lot of older ships, and I always know that going into it when I pick a cruise.  I sailed the Fascination in June 2019 and it is an old, old ship, I splurged for my niece and got a balcony on deck 5 and the vibrations in the morning as we got into port were very loud.  We still had a great time.  My niece loved it, she snorkeled at every island we visited.  The cruise was a gift for her college graduation. I’m sailing on anther fantasy class ship in 9 days - sensation. I liked the itinerary so, fantasy class it is.  I always say, a day on a cruise ship is better than any day at work.  If I had more money, I would cruise a different line, and I have with really good sales or no single supplement.  Happy sailing everyone!  

Being from CA I always think the better cruises leave from FL.  My first cruise was a 3 day to Ensenada.  Definitely a booze cruise because a lot of people don’t bother getting off the ship because Ensenada is kinda a crappy port.  So people just party for 3 days straight on the ship. That was our experience.  My least favorite cruise I’ve taken. 

Thank you Sunnyd for posting the video of the standard balcony room.  I personally think the stateroom is ugly.  I don't like the bed/couch combo thing either.  I'm still going to sail on her though.  I love that it is adult only.  I will wait and read reviews after people have sailed on her to hear other peoples opinion.   Thanks.

SunsChild57:  Thank you for posting photos.   Worldspan: Thank you for your opinion of the room.  I'm booked in cabin #8030 for April 2021.  little worried though as you stated the closet space is ok for a shorter cruise, my cruise I'm going on is 8 nights.  I have sailed on this ship before and know how old it is.    Thank you to all who responded.

10 days! 9-23-19 on Sensation!

After 15 cheers drinks, what's next?  The floor!!

1 hour ago, Jamman54 said:

 

I believe they mean the Wet Lizard unless there is another place that I don't know of. It;s right by the tender pier and is a perfect husband day care facility. it is owned by the same people who own the Bearded Clam in Nassau. 

 

 

 

 

"perfect husband day care facility" LOL!!!  I've never been there.  That's hilarious!

1 hour ago, Jamman54 said:

 

I cruise a lot solo, and I have tried to book a solo studio on NCL and every time it always works out that with the single supplement for an inside cabin by myself is cheaper.