smileygirl_68

Officially on board, in spice having fizz (theme). Wearing flamingo outfit (theme). A further comedy incident occurred (now also a theme) where the late transfer dropped me off at the wrong flipping ship! I was trying to barge my way on allure of the seas but thankfully I was shooed away by a porter!! So I was very hot, very sweaty and tottering about in my heels with a bit of a rage going on, until I bumped into buddy number one...see pic.

In other comedy news, my bag was first off the carousel, I was delighted. But then my transfer to the port didn't turn up so after several phone calls they sent an entire coach just for me...yay!

I'm writing this on board my flight from Manchester Airport (that's the one in England in case you were wondering) for the very short hop to Barcelona. Just 2 hours so not much time for drinking but I'll do my best ...alcohol will be a recurring theme in this review so for readers of a sensitive nature, please look away now.

Bit of background. I went on my first solo trip in December 2015, the Epic med b2b for Christmas and new year. I had a ball, rarely left the ship and became totally hooked on solo cruising. Oh, I'm Amanda by the way.

So last July, a year ago exactly I took a second trip on the Epic round the med (another theme!) and met some amazing people (I won't mention their names, don't want them getting big headed!) who were all travelling solo. Spread across the world, we kept in touch, each meeting one or more of the others at various reunions or cruises (ah, big shout out to Christmas and New Year 2016...the cabana on GSC, the serenaded fake engagement, the illnesses, the silent stalker and championship doggy top trumps.) What's that, two consecutive Christmas and New Year back to backs, if you do it again it might become a theme you say? Too late, beat ya to it...2017 Epic east/west booked it packed it .....you know the rest. Also shout out to the 'Scottish incident' May '17, never has pool been played so badly, drinks been consumed so colossally and love for our friends made so magnificently)

Due to the ludicrous amount of fun, alcohol and like minded silliness we've got up to (smoking cigars in a yurt, a true romance and some clog-based comedy to name but a few) we decided to have another reunion to celebrate our cruise-aversary....which brings me nicely back to where I started.

I arrived at the airport bright and early (430am) expecting to breeze through check in, fly past security and get myself nice and comfy in the exec lounge for a couple of hours of free flowing fizz and food. But it was not to be...low cost carriers and cattle class masses resulted in a mere 40 minutes of luxury in the lounge. I chugged a couple of glasses of champagne but really didn't do it justice....booo!

I am quite a nervous flyer (that means I sweat, swear, panic and cry) and have tried booze, pills and hypnotherapy with limited success. I'm determined not to let the anxiety stop me from travelling though so I bought an app that's been highly recommended. I listened to the podcasts for a second time yesterday, and played one whilst we took off. Now call it mumbo jumbo if you will, but I am sat here, zero sweats, no f-bombs, not a panic in sight and those tears are firmly locked away. I am delighted and have ordered 2 bottles of grossly overpriced fizz to celebrate. Clearly the 'low cost' in low cost carrier is not a theme!

Knowing that there'll be a wait to get into my studio cabin once on board, I have planned ahead and packed the following items into my hand luggage (translation for my American cousins: 'carry on bag')

Flamingo flip flops

Flamingo purse (x2) one for cash and one for no reason other than it looks fabulous

Flamingo cover up

Flamingo towel clips

Flamingo straws

Anyone notice a theme?

In other news I have a selfie stick. Despite being the proud bearer of opposable thumbs I am not down with the kids and need assistance to take a selfie. I had a go on the plane. Even the stick cannot circumvent my failure to grasp the basics of a selfie, in that it should include yourself. See' self omitted from picture' picture below. I'm the triangle of pink flowers, bottom left. I was also treated to the annoying (and pointless) self congratulatory fanfare from the low cost airline..hopefully it was in recognition of their 'on time' status as opposed to 'nobody died of a heart attack whilst checking the prices of the drinks'

Next up...getting from the airport to the port and hooking up with my cruise fam....cannot wait to see them!

Drink wine and prosecco too, that stirs things up nicely. I've never had a problem being 'one of those drunk people'....

The freestyle dailies have the time and location of the solo meet ups, usually 5pm or 6pm so you can go along and meet the other solos. A host will organise dinners as a group most evenings...that's been my experience on the Epic so I think they probably do that on most ships.

Hi,

 

 

 

There are 8 of us from the UK sailing out of Venice next Sunday on the Star.

 

For 6 of us this is our first ever cruise. When we booked our cruise it was before it became all inclusive.

 

I have a few questions that I hope you experts will be able to answer.

 

1) I don't have a credit card. So will it be ok if I bring US dollars on board and have these put on my on board account.

 

2) My wife wants to know what the weather is like on the upper deck on the evening/night so we can have a drink in the Bier Garten.

 

3) Are the Galleria shops reasonably priced or expensive.

 

4) Are there any free coffee's/cakes at the Atrium Cafe.

 

5) Are the ports of Kotor, Corfu Town, Santorini, Mykonos and Dubrovnik all within walking distance or are there taxis/buses available.

 

 

 

Many thanks.

 

 

 

Graeme

Hi

I'm from the UK too and always use my debit card (not credit card) for my onboard account so you could do that if you don't want to mess with cash

Do the solo host pop up at all solo gatherings at the lounge? Otherwise, how is her availability for questions, etc? Thanks in advance!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

The dailies have the solo gathering time in the schedule, usually at 6pm in the lounge. The host is there each evening and people usually have a few drinks (or more!) and then head for dinner around 7pm. The host puts a sign up sheet on a board so you can add your name if you want to be part of the group dinner the following night. If you go to the first gathering the host will explain how it all works. And as others have said, you may meet a few people you want to spend more time with and can then organise your own dinners or whatever activities you might want to do together. I've done a few solo trips on the Epic and that first solo meeting really does set you up for the rest of the trip. I'm off again in July and then b2b for Xmas and new year and have had the best fun imaginable on every trip...relax and enjoy!!

I think you'll be fine, I've done this trip 3 times on the Epic (so different itinerary but same port times) and had 1030am flights each time. I've used taxis and NCLs transfer coaches and had loads of time to spare...I'm doing the trip again in July, same situation and flight times. Hope this info helps you decide what to do!

Those guys might also carry "murses", if you ever wondered what a purse that a man carries is called. [emoji23] I also love "mandals", which I've never heard before.

In the UK it is called a 'man-bag', since we call a ladies purse a 'handbag'...!

i would think "mandals" would be acceptable (i.e. birkenstocks, etc.)

'mandals'....my new favourite word, brilliant!

I guess it depends on what you wanted the cabana for...I was there over Christmas and booked for a group, it was great being together, coming and going as we pleased, waiter service and food plus floats, loungers etc. We absolutely loved it (we were a group of solos who reunited after a previous cruise) but I doubt I'd get one just for me, it might feel a bit secluded but if that's what you're after then it would be perfect

I was on board as a Solo doing B2B and overall had a fantastic time. However the solo hosts on both weeks told the group they could no longer book the group dinners that have been a key part of every other trip I've done on the Epic. The reason (excuse?) didn't make any sense, centred around it being busy these two weeks...pah! Various people complained and of course nothing was done so we took it on ourselves to make group bookings to make sure people weren't alone. Considering the time of year, there are many people travelling solo for a variety of reasons and I would have thought it especially important to look after solo guests. Anyway, it didn't spoil my trip but it was a pretty poor show by NCL...

merry &£!!@#$ christmas!!!

Hi

I was there last week and there were certainly some beach wheelchairs (big bouncy tires) waiting for people who might need them. We had a large cabana and they specifically had a sign saying no wheelchair access even though there was a ramp to get in. I agree with the comments that you should contact NCL so there's no surprises or disappointment to spoil any of your trip.

Again, simply demand they hold your (insert name of lubricant) until you've chuggernauted your (insert name of daft American brew)

So, for the first time, I have been caught up in the unlimited drinking package - I have managed to avoid it until now.

 

I am a non drinker.... so, can I order a rum and coke (Pepsi) and have them hold the rum?

 

Or, another way to ask... can I get just plain soda with the alcohol package?

 

thanks in advance for your answers.

 

 

Gale

As a 'water only ' girl I appreciate your dilemma. I've found that demanding they hold your rum til you've drank the coke works like a charm

I've stayed in both inside and studio. Of course inside is a bit bigger, more storage space but the studios are perfect for a solo trip. I've never had any issues with the solos and there's the bonus of access to the studio lounge too. Studios are compact but still comfortable and have everything you need!

I transferred for a 1020am flight no problem, if you're off around 7 there are plenty of cabs and takes about 20 min

It most definitely is...my 'friend' is quite partial to a cafe patron every now and again [emoji4]

I'd recommend avoiding the water and sticking to the booze..

Upto 8 in the large price and 2 others can join for $50 extra. I've booked ours for a group of solos who met on a previous cruise so we're all paying towards it and that works out pretty reasonable. We'll be there on NYE too, can't wait!