7 minutes ago, HuliHuli said:

I'm along time United customer and they have been willing to keep rolling each reservation over to my next trip each time I've been cancelled.  No fees ever.

Great to know, thanks. United will be my airline of choice because they are the only commercial airline that services our small airport here in Muskegon. They (United Express) have a couple of flights a day to/from Chicago O'Hare. I can fly anywhere once I get to O'Hare.

3 hours ago, Sailing12Away said:

"Frozen", not cancelled. Go away Elsa, send in Moana.

3 hours ago, mtwingcpa said:

I bought 2 or 3 photos on one of my first cruises, but thereafter I've been an avoider. 😕  

Never too late to "change course" (again, pun intended). Hopefully, all of us will be solo cruising again sooner rather than later. And, we can take advantage of the many photo ops (who cares if we're solo).

7 hours ago, Mo Jito said:

In the past when I’ve sailed solo, I’ve avoided the ship’s photographers. I didn’t think I’d want to buy photos of just me standing alone or posed next to a costumed staff member. But I’ve realized that I’ve come home from my solo trips with lots of pictures of beautiful places and interesting things, but very few photos of myself experiencing those places and things. 
 

So I’ve decided that on my next solo sailing, I am going to take advantage of every photo opportunity available, and I am going to do it with gusto. I will pose with whatever character or creature awaits at the end of the gangway in every port - be it pirate, lobster, moose or Viking. And I will put on my fancy duds and strike a pose on the grand stairway or beside the grand piano. I treasure the memories of my solo cruises just as much as I treasure my  memories of cruises shared with family and friends, and I’ve decided it’s time to have some of those solo moments packaged up in the same kind of official memento I’ve taken home from shared trips.

 

How about other solos - do you take advantage of photo opportunities with official ship’s photographers, or do you do your best to avoid the pirate at the end of the gangway?

I haven't sailed solo (yet). I will just be "embarking" (pun intended) on sailing solo. But, I think you have the right attitude. Absolutely get in those photos! You're right, later on, you'll have those photos to spark certain memories of past solo cruises. And, as you mentioned, I'm sure you have plenty of photos (& memories) of past cruises shared with family and friends.

3 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

We are going to have to agree to disagree on this concern.  I have booked several standard balcony cabins on HAL ships and none of those appeared to be the size of the photo of that single cabin on Pearl Mist.  

 

 

I'm not familiar with HAL (never cruised with them). My statement that standard balcony cabins on a large cruise ship are approx 185 sq ft, is based on what I have experienced on Carnival & Princess.

In regard to the size that appears in the photo of the Pearl Mist's single stateroom, please see @new_cruiser's post (#43) above. Yeah, we can respectfully agree to disagree. But a stateroom that is over 200 sq ft for a solo is still "roomy", in my book.

21 hours ago, skywonder said:

Lets keep our fingers crossed!

🤞

On 3/31/2021 at 1:13 PM, Cindy said:

I just rebooked again for Hawaii in April of 2022, and I’ve actually gone so far as to pull out my old list and sketch out a plan for the trip. My husband said it was nice to see me doing what I do best...obsessing over a cruise that’s over a year away!🤣

 

We’ve scheduled this one cruise SIX times! The first cancellation was for Dry Dock, but the rest were COVID related. This is the first time since our April 11, 2020 sailing was cancelled I’ve really felt optimistic we’ll get to go.

Hi Cindy,

I just noticed your avatar (Texas A&M) and that you live in Houston. Did I touch base with you before? If I am repeating myself, I apologize. I went to Texas A&M at Galveston (1978-1982) and lived, worked in Houston for many years before retiring.

6 hours ago, madgran said:

I hope you did not take that the wrong way.  I was just messing around and the vodka tonic did not help.  Peace and happiness.

No, I didn't take it the wrong way. Being that we are named after the original Rat Pack (Sammy Davis Jr, Dean Martin & Frank Sinatra) who are all men, I just wanted to point out that we don't gender discriminate. We have multiple ladies in our CC Rat Pack.

Hmmm...messing around and vodka tonic. You may be CC Rat Pack material.

5 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

The photo that you included in your post as being "roomy" fails to meet my definition as "roomy".

 

That photo is the final nail on any thought that I had on sailing on this ship in one of those solo cabins.  

What's your definition of "roomy" for a solo cabin? It surely can't be NCL's massive 99 sq ft studios. The single staterooms (category SGB) on Pearl Mist are over 200 sq ft. A standard balcony cabin on a large cruise ship is around 185 sq ft. So yes, I would still consider Pearl Mist's single staterooms "roomy".

The final nail on any thought that I had on sailing this ship is the price.

6 hours ago, madgran said:

I want to join the Mickey Mouse ---OOPS---Rat Pack Club.    Are you the president?   Is it  like The little rascals  He Man Woman haters club.   

 

Founder. Nope, the CC Rat Pack does not gender discriminate.

On 3/26/2021 at 12:06 PM, Marine Mom said:

You are 100% correct!  

Hi @Marine Mom.

I'd like to invite you to check out our community "Rat Pack" in the Floataway Lounge forum.

We have a great group of folks in the CC Rat Pack and I think you'd fit right in. Don't worry, although our group is named after the real Rat Pack (Sammy Davis Jr, Dean Martin & Fran Sinatra), which are all men, we do not gender discriminate (we have ladies in our group currently).

If your interested, just go to our thread and place a post. Absolutely no pressure. I just have a feeling that you are "like-minded" with us in the CC Rat Pack and would fit right in.

@HuliHuli, @Sailing12Away

2 hours ago, Trimone said:

That’s Asia, to get into Singapore is difficult enough!

You said cruise industry, which would include Asia and Singapore.

5 hours ago, DCGuy64 said:

Fun fact: real champagne doesn't cause headaches. I once spent a week visiting a friend in Lyon, France. Her mother is from Reims, in the heart of champagne country. My friend's aunt visited while I was there and she brought, and we consumed, copious amounts of champagne. As she said "le bon vin ne fait pas mal a la tete." (Good wine doesn't cause headaches) 🙂

 

Thanks for the info (I'll have to remember that, lol). But I have a feeling that 2017 Andre "champagne" at $6.49 a bottle may not be real champagne.

11 hours ago, Sailing12Away said:

Great picture! Looks like everyone was having fun since everyone has a smile on their face (albeit with mud in between their teeth...).

55 minutes ago, oteixeira said:

CDC:  We are going to shortly release new guidelines!!
Everyone:  Can you give us any sort of timeline on these?
CDC:  

Everyone:

CDC:

Everyone: Yea....thanks.

 

This is about how it's been since October.

 

 

@oteixeira, I invite you to take a look at our CC Rat Pack thread in the Floataway Lounge;

If interested in joining us, just post in the thread. I think you will find other "like-minded" folks in the CC Rat Pack. Absolutely no pressure...

@HuliHuli, @Sailing12Away

6 hours ago, Trimone said:

How can the cruise industry work without covid passports.

Source: Royal Caribbean Blog dated March 1, 2021

Royal Caribbean Group CEO says no decision yet if passengers will need to get vaccine to cruise

So far Odyssey of the Seas is the first ship to require the vaccine for its sailings from Israel. Cruises on Quantum of the Seas from Singapore do not require the vaccine.

6 hours ago, CaptainHazelwood said:

How about "we the fed are going to keep providing research, data and guidance, but we'll leave it up to  each state to decide how to proceed in a safe manner?"  God bless America (again).

Ahhh yes; the DeSantis/Abbott style of government...

8 hours ago, mianmike said:

Mayor Daniella: "I was impressed by the Director's knowledge of the industry and her empathy to the economic hardships that the loss of this business has caused".

CDC Director: "this is a multi-agency decision. The Department of Transportation is involved".

DOT: "The Department of Transportation is not involved".

CDC Director: "there is impending doom. I'm scared".

2 hours ago, CaptainHazelwood said:

🤣  Rat Pack material?

 

@farmersfight

Maybe not for you but more my speed (I'm not a champagne connoisseur). Can you imagine the hangover after a night drinking that stuff?

price: $6.49

23 hours ago, Traveling Mike said:

Now with that said NCL is the ones that are really catering to Solo Cruisers.

I agree. Also, I have found that RCI has become very "solo friendly". They have those studio balcony cabins on their Quantum-class ships. On top of that, they frequently run their "60% off the 2nd guest" sale which effectively lowers our solo supplement down to 40% and allows us to book the larger regular cabins (for me, balcony cabins).

Then with Celebrity's (owned by RCI) new ships the Edge & Apex, there are those Single Infinite Veranda staterooms. Edge has 16 and Apex will have 24. To compare, RCI's Quantum-class ships have 12 studio balcony cabins.

But, I give full props to NCL for really looking out for us solo cruisers. With the numerous studio cabins on their BA & BA+ class ships (although tight at only 99 sq ft), the studio lounges and the assigned solo director. I will be trying NCL's solo program out as I am booked on Norwegian Encore & Norwegian Getaway.

5 hours ago, Lois R said:

Yes, I have looked at Windstar multiple times but have ended up going back to Silversea.

I might decide to give Windstar a try down the road.

Also, if you would like to try a cruise up here on the Great Lakes, look into Pearl Seas Cruises and the small cruise ship Pearl Mist. This small cruise ship has multiple single balcony staterooms that are very roomy. But, the cruises are very pricey ($$).

20 hours ago, ILgirl said:

Just booked an 8 night Eastern Caribbean on one of Celebrity's newer ships, the Edge, for 11/6.  Hoping that ships are allowed to sail from Ft. Lauderdale by that time.  This is my first solo.  I was able to book one of their single staterooms with an Infinite veranda.  Total cost including drinks, internet and tips is $2,100.  I don't have experience in previously booking solo but for 8 nights, this seems pretty reasonable.  I think it is because of the availability of solo cabins.  When I looked at itineraries/pricing on their older ships that do not have solo cabins, the single supplement was basically double.  Their two newest ships are Edge and Apex.  Just thought I would pass this along in case anyone wanted to check it out.  I've been on 7 or 8 Celebrity cruises and have always been pleased with their product.

I was attracted to Celebrity as well (as a solo cruiser).  I'm booked in one of those Single Infinite Veranda (SIV) staterooms on Celebrity Apex. Really looking forward to it (never sailed with Celebrity before).

Celebrity has gotten "solo friendly" with their new ships, Edge and Apex. Celebrity put 16 SIVs on Edge and then upped that # to 24 on Apex. Shows that Celebrty is increasing their marketing toward us solos.

Good luck and my fingers are crossed for you 🤞 that your Edge cruise will sail.

18 hours ago, Lois R said:

I am way over 50--- 63 actually. My favorite line is Silversea. Why? I LOVE the small ship experience, with food and service that are always amazing.😃

I have sailed with them 3 times and have deposits down on 3 more.

I am hoping all 3 will be able to sail.

 

I sailed Mass Market for many years (Celebrity) and for larger ships they were fine but once

I stepped out of that genre? I love the small ships too much to go back to those big ones.

 

I also love River cruising.......have sailed on both Uniworld and AMA Waterways....totally

different experience than ocean cruising.......even smaller!

Have you looked at Windstar Cruises? They have the small cruise ships & I think they offer good solo supplement discounts.

26 minutes ago, Sailing12Away said:

On Kuai my sister had her heart set on the Jeep mudbuggy tour from NCL, so we slept in late for a change and did that the afternoon of day one. The four of us shared a buggy together and you hit a ton of spots straight from there jurassic park film which was neat. But you will get filthy. I had to throw out my shorts and tank top when I got home, the mud didn't wash out. I had a permanent stripe from where the seatbelt was across my chest and on one butt cheek where I kept bouncing off the seat. You have the option of borrowing clothes from the company - so take advantage of that if you care about your stuff.

 

A Jeep mudbuggy tour? Throw me in that mud pit!

7 hours ago, Sailing12Away said:

On Maui the shuttles to all the car rentals were right there when you got off the ship, so super easy to get to the car pickup. We drove halfway to Hana with a bunch of short stops along the way for short hikes and photos with waterfalls. Then drove into Lahaina to the Maui brewery for lunch and beers. Then headed up the mountain to catch the sunset. When we eventually drove back to the airport to drop the car back off, we ended up taking a taxi back to the port - but I'm sure an Uber/Lyft would have been a bit cheaper.

 

We had did the sunrise on our first visit to Maui, so on the POA we opted for the sunset views. But both are stunning and quite the experience. The book I referenced above is a bit outdated at this point - but waterfalls and beaches don't move. So use it for those references - not any of the restaurants or stores that may have closed since then and you'll be fine.

Cool 😎, thanks. I should literally follow in you guys' footsteps when I"m there. Q: did you guys also rent a car during the PoA's other over-nighter?