SoloAlaska

Keep in mind the turn around time. If you’re out of clean clothes you might want to hand wash a few days worth and send the rest out. I saw some lines state 3 days to get your clothes back. I’d ask your steward how long it would be before sending everything but the clothes on your back out to laundry.

When I travel I always pack underwear, socks, and a tshirt in my “personal item” just in case this happens. That way if they lost my luggage and I need to go shopping I at least have something clean to put on to go. I also try to board early and make sure my carry on isn’t too big to avoid gatecheck. Unfortunately small planes you don’t have a choice.

I’ve been to Rome before so I’m not going to go to any of the big sights this time. Just planning on going to a museum or two. I definitely won’t get bored on a TA, between my embroidery and writing I have lots to keep me busy.

I always use Soak which is a liquid that doesn’t require rinsing after. It comes in some great scents that are also available in Flatter which is a wrinkle release type spray. I started using Soak for my delicates and knits but never leave it at home now when I travel.

Ice cream cones are hard to pass up especially with a grandkid.

I drink scotch and it was $15 for a low end scotch on NCL and the stuff I would normally drink was more. It really depends on what you drink. A better scotch on Celebrity was $11.

Booked my first cruise with NCL and I hope there’s decent “entertainment “ outside the theatre. A 15 day TA and only 2 shows are listed; blazing boots and get down tonight. I know I didn’t book a newer ship but with NCL claiming to have the best entertainment I expect a little better atleast.

Thank you for this. I was debating bringing a particular dress but it always needs a good press. For $5 for the service I will bring it on my TA.

Down 1.6lb this week woohoo. It was a week of crazy hormones which explains why I didn’t loose a little more but I’m really happy with it. Looking forward to next week. Tonight is my last session with my personal trainer so I will have to start working out on my own so I don’t loose muscle mass. Right now I only work out twice a week but because I won’t be working out so hard alone I will need to increase that to 4 times a week. Does anyone else workout regularly?

Depending on the company different things are included. On celebrity it includes bottled water and specialty coffees. Most days I’ll have 2-4 nice coffees, grab 4-7 water bottles, plus the 3-8 drinks. So I’m average it’s worth it for me when I am enjoying myself at that level. I just booked a TA with NCL and the drinks package is absolutely not worth it for me. Water isn’t included and I don’t plan on drinking more than 1-2 drinks a day if at all. The drinks on NCL are way overpriced though. I thought of doing the Starbucks package but since I’ll be in ports in Europe I know I will be drinking more coffee ashore.

Guess I really need to make sure I get my booster.

Thank you so much for your opinion from both ships. I’ve been on the revolutionized Millennium and expect Gem to feel dated. I don’t really go to buffets unless I want to pick up some fresh fruit to go so not concerned about seating there. My focus will be the main dining room for most meals, I will miss assigned dinning times because it keeps me on a regular schedule while traveling. one question, do people hit the dance floor and have fun on Gem? I found my cruise on Millie didn’t really do much in the evenings. Trying to figure out if I should bring my dancing shoes. I travel solo and don’t spend much time in my cabin other than for sleeping. The smaller cabin and lack of chair don’t bother me much. I might try and see if I can have the bed pushed to one side however. I was hoping for better shows but now realize that don’t be a reality. That’s not a deal breaker for me. The only thing that I might struggle to adjust to is the amount of smoking on NCL compared to celebrity. No matter what I am looking forward to 15 days of not having to cook or clean or drive myself. 15 days where I can focus on writing my book (except when possibly sea sick). 15 days of meeting new people. Thank you for your notes on MDR dress. Celebrity in Alaska wasn’t dressy in my opinion but I always got a little dressed up. I might not worry so much for the TA. I have a feeling that getting changed every night for dinner may be overkill for this trip. At least that means I don’t have to pack as much.

I can confirm the company is doing well If you were to order directly from flow in the US you would be paying 3.17 per litre so the cruise line isn’t really marking up above normal.

So happy to see NCL use Flow. It’s a company local to me and always my go to if I am drinking bottled water.

I snap a picture of their name anytime I am really impressed with someone. This way I can add them in my review after the cruise and acknowledge them. This really helps them move up in their career and get raises etc. In my opinion it’s worth more than than few dollars. I am not American though so tipping everyone all the time is not part of my culture. Especially since I’ve already paid for gratuities.

Hey Belle with my meds I can’t eat any big meals so I typically start my morning with a latte, have my breakfast around 10 which is overnight oats with chia seeds and extra protein etc, I then grab some chicken with a little veg around 1 and 3. When I get home from work I’ll have another piece of chicken, I also have a few portions of veggies later in the evening. on weekends or if I’m out I am not nearly that strict though. Just booked my first transatlantic cruise for December and I’m looking forward to the challenge of enjoying without putting on any weight at sea for 15 days.

Ya I'm happier with the colder weather and plan on spending my sea days working on the book I'm writing. I looked at the Epic and it's cheaper if your two but several hundred dollars more as a solo plus the flights where more expensive. I ended up booking the Gem and can't wait. As long as I can find some spots to sit and write and embroider I'll be very happy. Can't wait to explore the ports on the itinerary. Thank you so much for your opinion of the Gem it really helped me see if it would be suitable for my adventure.

I did Alaska in September to Seward on Celebrity Millennium I now carry good meds for the potential issue of sea sickness.

I’ve sailed with Celebrity on Millennium for an Alaskan cruise in September (smaller ship with horrible entertainment) and enjoyed the weather and relaxed vibe. I am not the type to go to the Caribbean or enjoy massive mall feeling cruise ships. I am looking at taking NCL on a 15 day TA from Civitavecchia to NYC in December on Gem. I will be traveling solo and looking to book a guaranteed interior cabin. The ports look amazing but the ship seems a little dated. Anyone have any experience with a long sailing on this ship? Am I missing any red flags? Do you think this is a good fit? Note: posted on TA but was suggested I post here for ship info.

I’ve sailed with Celebrity on Millennium for an Alaskan cruise in September (smaller ship with horrible entertainment) and enjoyed the weather and relaxed vibe. I am not the type to go to the Caribbean or enjoy massive mall feeling cruise ships. I am looking at taking NCL on a 15 day TA from Civitavecchia to NYC in December on Gem. I will be traveling solo and looking to book a guaranteed interior cabin. The ports look amazing but the ship seems a little dated. Anyone have any experience with a long sailing on this ship? Am I missing any red flags? Do you think this is a good fit?

Hi Belle I am Ottawa Ontario

I started cruising just last year when amazing deals were to be had. With the pricing as it is now I am less likely to cruise all inclusive next time I book. As a solo cruiser my ideal destinations have gotten really expensive with the supplement which is not fun. So I am broadening my horizons and considering other destinations for future cruises. I thought Celebrity was my line but am trying RC in 2025 (big family trip) and will probably try a solo on NCL in 2024 if I find a good last minute deal.

It’s really flexible so I would say just follow the body measurements.

The biggest thing I can say is make sure your backpack is waterproof. Not water resistant or using a cover. Rain or shine I am not missing out and my water resistant backpack with a cover on it got soaked during my excursions last year in Alaska. If you don’t have a waterproof backpack then use dry bags or big ziplocks to keep the contents safe. The 25lb magnetic hooks were plenty in my experience. I hung my empty backpack to dry (it’s lightweight) or my raincoat etc. The bathroom door on my ship had a hook which I put my toiletry bag on. Hanging things off the ceiling works really well with the magnetic hooks as well. I got changed every evening for dinner and had a small and medium roller with a backpack. Hiking boots(I did some serious hiking on the trip), casual flats (like light sneakers) for around the ship, dress shoes (for dressing up for dinner), and flip flops or crocs for going to the pool was just the right amount of shoes. My mom is joining me on my next cruise and she needs one less pair of shoes because her around the ship and dress shoes will just be a nice pair of flats since she doesn’t wear heels.

It’s my favourite dress, I’m working on my 4th one. It’s such a flexible pattern I’ve done it with the lightest weight silk to a medium weight linen and they are so different one to another.