billylen

It's absolutely safe, but IMO it's a long boring walk....Could you provide more details about your date and plans in Boston?

Will be there on the 9th; I like to roam around and see what I see. To me th ebest way to get the "feel" a place is to walk its ground. But if its boring maybe your suggestion of taking local transit, at least until I find more interesting surroundings is a good one.

Will pick up (or download) a map to get my bearings before I get there.

Thanks for the suggestion!

Will be in Boston for the first time in a couple of weeks. Was wondering if it is safe to walk from the ship to the South transit station?

Once or twice a week I get a fax offering a free cruise and airfare! Some specifically add the RC logo and others will list a variety of lines to choose from. I have never called any of these "generous companies" because as others have said there is no free lunch.

The mood on the ship is very relaxed and happy (no one HAS TO COOK!) and they put up the Christmas decorations at some point during the week so you can get a family pic in front of the tree and use it as a holiday card too.

I concur! Cruised the transatlantic last year (Spain to New Orleans) and the ship was relaxed; the food was good the commpany was stellar. (Add to that I was cruising solo).

The bonus were the Christmas Decorations that were popping up all over the ship. If I am reading right you experienced a loss. I find that a cruise is a great way to celebrate and reflect. Hope you have a similar experience.

I've been fortunate to cruise on a couple of T/A and Hawaii cruises with multiple days at sea. Add to that I cruised solo most off the time. I have found that the days pass way too fast although when you're looking at it prior it may not seem that way.

There are usually as many activities as you can stand with a variety to choose from. You can also just lay back read, eat and sleep! (true)

As another poster suggested by getting together with other CC'ers that is a good one. I've met many great folks and often you will find others with similar interests.

Happy Cruising!

Visited CocoCay for the first time a few months ago. Like another poster said depending on what interests you there are lots of activities. I did not rent a cabana but from what I saw I did not see the value in it.

What I enjoyed the most (don't judge) was finding that right hammock under the right palm... it was GREAT!

Go figure... :)

The OP was careful to mention that gratuities were paid. This raised a question for me. I am cruising solo soon and am considering skipping MDR for specialty and WJ. I amways struggle with do I still pay gratuities or not. I do believe in tipping but only for service provided. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I stumbled upon this post and glad to see it's not only me. I too traveled on Rogue back in May on a flight from Vancouver to LAX! It was horrible. I am 6'3" and although the seat was tight that is not my real issue. The flight attendants were pretty dismal. And on my flight there were many of their co-workers on the same flight. They spent time with one another and did not pay attention to their responsibilities. I'm not talking about food and drink I mean the real stuff they are there to do.

There was this one funny thing though...the flight attendant read the pre-flight instructions in English and French. She butchered the French...really...and her English wasn't that hot either...

Lesson learned...

Although reception has improved greatly (speed is a little better), sometimes reception can be hit or miss the further one is from the center of the ship. I have been on some ships where it does receptionis great ship-wide and others where there was no reception once you closed the cabin door.

After seeing so many shows on so many ships I find that I look for that performer that goes beyond that "cookie cutter" approach to the packaged shows. to be honest that does not happen often but when it does, wow! You can usually tell on the first night if you will have that experience on a ship. Headliners can be hit or miss too. By the way this has been true on every line I have been on not just Royal. So I have learned to play a game; if it's bad I look to see just how much of a train wreck it can be....and that becomes my entertainment lol!

I'm now at the magic 55 number and have cruised solo 6 times now. My first was Alaska and the longest was a repositioning South America to California. I too was a little concerned the first time, would I be the odd man out would I get lonely and so on.

What I have found is that I have a great time. I have met some pretty fantastic people and some I even keep in touch with to this day.

I hope you have a similar experience and just relax and let each day happen....

We just did St Martin on our own a couple of weeks ago. We took the water taxi downtown and did a little shopping. Didn't really get anything but at least walked around. We then grabbed a local bus for $2 pp, really a passenger van, and went to Maho Beach to see the planes come in.

When I visited a few months back I too took the local "bus" (actually a van) for a couple of bucks and watched the planes land at Maho. It is right on the beach. Not for everyone but it allowed me to get a flavor of public transit and watch some of the locals get about. Glad I checked out... and yeah the plans actually do land overhead!

A few years back I booked the Chichen Itza tour but it originated in Progreso. It was a long tour and as others have stated if it is booked through the cruise line you will not get left behind. What I remember is that the bus stopped at a tourist trap going and coming back. just be aware there will be plenty of opportunity to purchase "stuff" when you get to the site so you may want to avoid the trap.

I am no help on the car rental but I see you will be in NOLA mid December, be sure to check out the Reveillon Dinner specials around town! I don't think the 2013 list has been release yet, but it is great value for amazing food.

WOW, this is bonus information THANKS! :)

Also thanks for the info regarding Hertz....

Will be staying in NO for a couple of days after my cruise. Was wondering if there are rent a car companies near the port that pick you up and then you can drop off at the airport without a one way drop charge. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Was glad to find your review and hung on every word. I was on the Enchantment when she repositioned to Florida a couple of months ago. Your praise of the crew and the assessment of Chops was spot on!

I was concerned because of the age of the ship but my experience was fantastic and I continue to have special memories of the time and the good fellow passenger and crew that I encountered. Glad you for the most part enjoyed her too. And yeah, the Blairs were great as well.

The only thing is we did not make Coco Cay (my third time missing that port). Hope to eventually get to see what the fuss is about.... :)

Thanks again for your detailed account

Ah yes, the Serenade! That was the first ship that on which I cruised solo (Alaska). Single dad here and I too was a little apprehensive for many reasons. I had the best time and met many great folks. Sense then I have cruised many times solo and each time has been a fantastic experience.

Like another poster said, sorry for your loss; I find cruising is also a great time to center and reflect.

On a side note, I did invite a buddy to join me a year ago. I learned a hard lesson: NEVER do that again! (Unless it is a relationship or they have their own cabin!) :)

Serenade is a great ship, one of favorite, if not my favorite class of ship.

(I wrote that in case she reads these posts)

I sailed with her in August. I do not remember any other CDs, but I remember her!

Great energy, hope she will be up and about soon!

I suspect she will!