Mary49

How is Traditional Dining on Carnival Sunshine and what restaurant? I usually do Any Time dining but decided to change over to Traditional. Thanks for info.

Thanks everyone. Although double credit wouldn't be a main factor in deciding on a cruise, it does make for a good tie-breaker.

 

Princess

Royal Caribbean

Celebrity

Azamara

 

JohnS43, congrats on reaching Platinum - you'll be Elite in no time. I love getting three credits for a suite.

I can only hope Carnival will get on the band wagon and cut us solos some flack. That would be great.

Also, if she hears about a cruise you are going on and says she will love to do the same cruise then tell her to book a solo herself (and pay for it herself).

 

Never offer more help than pointing her to a travel agent or web site, I bet if she finds she has to do all the work herself and pay 100% of the fees herself that somehow she just will not be able to go. No matter how much she begs for help, stick to the basics. If she really wants the cruise she will do the work, if she just wants to ride your coat-tails you will quickly see her drop out.

Thanks Earl, that is another great answer. You are right. I just have to be careful on how I invite someone for company. Make sure they understand that they are paying their own way........ And not allowing them to say that they want to pay me instead of Carnival. I just hate IOUs because you never see the money anyway. I had about a month to go before the final payment and she was still holding out and not paying even a deposit. I just knew I had to do something and I cancelled because she would have had me pay for everything. It would have been just terrible. This certainly was a lesson for me. I just love these boards. Thanks again.

You could tell her that you are sticking to solo traveling only. Plain and simple. But email her this to avoid an argument. And if she still inquires about staying in your cabin again tell her you're solo traveling only.

Thank you rayness. I might just say that. It's so hard to try and find someone compatible to go with on a cruise. It's too much drama about things. I will not do that again anytime soon.

Are you asking me what to do? If you don't answer her she will probably stop calling. Or yes, email her and tell her you have no interest in traveling together and your life's plans have changed and then just

leave it alone.

Thanks Lois.

Hi Mary:)...you emailed her......that is all you need to do....it is up to her

to check her mail.

I am glad you cancelled and whatever you book next? Hope you have

a great time:)

Hi, she is still trying to get in touch with me and I have been ignoring the calls. I hope she isn't thinking of harassing me a little now. I just don't want a confrontation on the phone with her. She should know by now that I don't want to talk to her. How dumb can she be or she must be trying to bother me into talking with her and I won't. You think that she would just drop it. I noticed that the calls on coming in about maybe twice a month. I don't think she will let this go....... Unless she wants me to have a fight over the phone???

Not me. Unless I email her and tell no more calls at my house??

Hi there. I am cruising solo on Carnival Sunshine on Oct. 1 to Bermuda. Anybody joining me?

Just one more thing. Would you book NCL early or wait until the last minute for a better deal? Thank you for the info.

Ok, so I am going to try not to offend anyone but I used to travel with carnival all the time for two reason, price wise and that they used to sail from NY. Literally almost every single time I had problems with rude and inconsiderate people being extremely loud at night in their cabins. Nothing helped, not even calls to the front desk, they would send security over and then after a little bit the noise would start all over again.

 

There came a point that I could not take it anymore, and stopped going on Carnival. After not sailing on NCL for a while I went back to them, and so happy I did, not once had I had this problem with them or the people who sail NCL. MY favorite is NCL Breakaway, since it sails from NY and they are the best when it comes to bringing other solos together.

 

I am platinum on Carnival as well. I honestly don't know if I will ever go back. Maybe someday I will give it another try, who knows!

Okay cruiseelady, I think I'm ready to try NCL next year and see how it works for me. Thanks again for your feedback. I love this board.

After sailing in a studio cabin for the first time this year, I doubt I will ever sail on RCCL or Carnival again as a solo. I love those little studios and the fact that there is a crew member dedicated to solos.

JetSet2B, Thanks so much. You just decided for me for next year cruising. I think I'll will go with NCL and try their solo deals. See how it works out for me.

Do you mean cheapest, or best value? I think Crystal currently offers the best value for solos because of their very low supplement on virtually all cruises (but sadly that will be phased out over the next few years, so book now if you can).

Thank you. How is the dining experience on Crystal?

Would you say that NCL is the best cruise line for solos as far as pricing goes??

The rates are high even with my excellent credit, but it doesn't bother me because #1 I don't use it (just got it for the free $100), and #2 I don't carry balances on my cards.

 

There are lots of different cards out there and it just so happens that this one isn't that great of a value - for me. But there are others that swear by it. All depends on what you want. 1 pt per $ spent except 2 pts per $ on Carnival. There are other ways to get more like Rewards Boost that can help with racking up points.

 

It isn't my card of choice because I have another card that I get 2 pts per $ all the time on all purchases and it's good for any type of travel I want to do. I honestly don't know how much longer I'll be sailing Carnival so I would rather not be tied down with this particular card.

 

But there's no annual fee with the Carnival MC and if you are OK with the rate of return and are confident you'll be with Carnival for a while, then it might work for you.

 

If you do a search on "Carnival Mastercard" you'll find lots of threads on the subject.

That's the only reason I applied for the Card. Got my $100 gift and 5 points already for my cruise. I believe with everything it comes to $150. I will only use it for cruises. I'll see how it goes.

Ok, so I am going to try not to offend anyone but I used to travel with carnival all the time for two reason, price wise and that they used to sail from NY. Literally almost every single time I had problems with rude and inconsiderate people being extremely loud at night in their cabins. Nothing helped, not even calls to the front desk, they would send security over and then after a little bit the noise would start all over again.

 

There came a point that I could not take it anymore, and stopped going on Carnival. After not sailing on NCL for a while I went back to them, and so happy I did, not once had I had this problem with them or the people who sail NCL. MY favorite is NCL Breakaway, since it sails from NY and they are the best when it comes to bringing other solos together.

 

I am platinum on Carnival as well. I honestly don't know if I will ever go back. Maybe someday I will give it another try, who knows!

Oh I'm sorry about that. I have been very lucky regarding noises. I always try to book a room in the middle of the ship and it works for me. I just rebooked my Bermuda trip on Carnival......

Not everyone can get supplemental insurance. I have Medicare, but because I am under 65, I have yet to find one that will accept me. :(

Thanks Bluemoon for your info. :):)

Hi Lois, just a quick question. Do you take out insurance for your cruises. I'm wondering about using like Carnival's insurance because you get your money back if you cancel at last minute.

I'm Medicare Age and United Health as my secondary plan. Would that be enough???? Thank you.

Did you get to hear the "Music Boardwalk" Band? They usually play by the casino and are very good. I hope you didn't miss them. Thank you for your review......

Hi folks, if you have Medicare is it enough coverage for cruising while you are on board; or do you suggest buying into Carnival's coverage? Thanks for any advice. Much appreciated.

Hi folks, does anybody know if you have Medicare would that be enough coverage when you cruise or would suggest buying Carnival's coverage? Thanks for the advice.

Thanks:)...it was in my top 2 cruises ever. And yes, I have booked

another one for next year:D (solo of course;)

 

I have to tell you, my sister and I are cruising together in October and

we are sharing a balcony cabin. It is the first time to share a cabin for me

in more than 10 years.....we are sailing out of Boston, going to New England

and Canada. It will be a new experience for both of us.......we get along

so hopefully everything will go well.:)...we have never cruised together

before.

For a moment I thought you going to say from New York. I have done that cruise out of NY on Splendor a couple of times and it is a nice cruise. Also I think that October would be a good time to go. Enjoy your balcony and take pictures of it (lol)

By the way, I just re-booked my cruise again. Same one. I'm glad I did it.

Hi Mary, yes I went a month ago.....it was in my top 2 cruises ever:)

 

Here is my review if you want to read it:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2344645

Hi Lois, I can almost here it in your voice when reading your review. What a wonderful trip it was for you. I guess you will be going again. (lol) I am so happy for you. Thanks for sharing.:):)

So I thought why not start a thread to see how many New Yorkers are there who cruise solo and from NY terminal.

 

I figured maybe some of us actually like to meet and in a way get aquatinted with each other. That way we may cruise the same sailing but not as roommates. I mean just knowing someone on a cruise might be a bit more fun then not knowing anyone at all. Not that I am saying solo cruise is not fun :)

Hi cruiseelady, I usually stick with Carnival all the time and now I'm a Platinum member. I look at NCL cruises as well. Please convince me about trying one of them Are they better than Carnival? I did notice that they have a free beverage deal. What didn't you like about Carnival? Thanks for the info.

Personally, I would not want to call her back because from what I can tell,

they are not "good friends"......I wouldn't call her back mainly because it

sounds like it could be quite confrontational and I don't like confrontations

(but that is just me).

Hi Lois, I'm definitely finished with her. End of the drama. I don't like confrontations either and that's what I would be afraid of and end up hanging up on her....(lol).

Lois, did you go on your river cruise? How was it? Please let us know.:):)

She could do this because some people take advantage of others. As you said, you're not close. It looks like you're better off without her in your life anyway. Did you book another cruise? :D

Thank you and yes I just looked at the same cruise and it looks like the price dropped from $809 to $799 to Bermuda from NY. I think I will try for this again. Unless I wait a little longer to see what happens. I will keep checking though and keep you guys posted.

This.

 

If she came along with you last time and didn't have to pay, I can see why she may have thought it was the same situation this time unless you clearly said when you invited her, "If you'd like to join me, your half of the fare will be $xxx."

 

I usually cruise solo these days and I asked a friend to come along with me on my next cruise. There are no studio cabins on the ship so I have to pay double occupancy and this is something I want to do for her. When I asked her to come, she said she would pay for half. But, I told her I want only the port fees and taxes for her since that's the only increase in cost to me. But, if I'd expected her to pay for half the cruise, I would have clearly said that to her when I invited her.

 

There are definitely people who will try to take advantage of you if you let them. And if you do let them then they will try again. As long it works for them, they'll keep doing it.

 

I think it was the right decision on your part to cancel the cruise. Personally, I'd call her back and see what she has to say. She can't coerce you into doing something unless you let her. If you want to continue the friendship with her, then call her and hash it out. Explain to her that you expected her to pay for half the cruise and it appeared she wasn't going to do that so you were concerned you'd have to pay for the whole thing. I'll bet she'll say something like that she thought it was the same as last time and since you were paying double occupancy you were just offering the second spot to her. If you don't want to continue the friendship with her, then go ahead and ignore her phone call if that's the way you'd like to handle it.

Hi and thank you. The first time it was already paid up and she still insisted on giving me or mailing some checks to me. I never saw anything. This time Carnival split the bill for her but she hasn't paid up anything not even a deposit which I did. She was still insisting on giving ME the money but I told her that she should pay it to Carnival but she hasn't. I guess I was getting nervous about the whole thing and knew I wasn't going to see anything. Even though she kept saying she was going to pay me this time; I don't believe her anymore soo I cancelled the cruise and just emailed her. No reply on the email. So I'm glad I cancelled. I almost was going to go the other way and just pay for my part of the bill and hopefully she would have had to give Carnival something or I would have gotten my room anyway without her. But was afraid she would have said to me that she would pay me later. How could she do this? I just don't know about people. So that's the end of it. She is not a close friend anyway so I won't miss her. I just don't like IOUs.