taphappy

The time and place for the solo dinner the first night should be in the daily program which you'll find in your room.

On the Dec 2nd Gem folks on the Roll Call discussion organized 5 activities to mix and mingle with fellow passengers the first couple of days.

Thanks for the notes about solos on the Gem. I’m booked in an Oceanview sailing on 1/23. I’ll make sure to find out about the solo dinner first night. Was that info in the first day events news?

 

Roz, thanks for the support. I plan on traveling as much as possible. Gotta keep living. [emoji41]

 

Neal

 

 

Neal in Cincinnati.

Neal, I was on the Dec 2nd 2017 Gem as a solo. There was a solos dinner scheduled each night. There were up to 60 people attending (and not all the solos signed up). Important to note is to attend the first night as the time was different from what is printed in the program after the first day. Our host said he usually gets about 10 people. I had a port hole cabin and it was on deck 4. If you take an inside, there's a chance you get on an upper level. Bon Voyage!

My wife passed away a few months ago; I’m starting to plan my first solo cruise. I’m 67 and a fairly active person. I’m looking at an 11 day cruise on the Norwegian Gem leaving New York on 1/23 for the Eastern Caribbean. Very good fares with little, if any single supplement. I’m a fairly experienced cruiser and comfortable planning my own trips.

 

Inside Guarantee vs. Obstructed Oceanview Guarantee, upgrade about $400 or a bit less. My only inside was my first cruise about 25 years ago. Since then, it’s been OV and balcony. Thoughts?

 

If I book an Inside Guarantee, does NCL do upsells, like I’ve gotten before on HAL?

 

I’ve heard from CC that NCL does pretty good with solo cruisers. What’s been your experience?

 

The Gem sails from New York at 6:00pm. Do you think it’s safe for me to fly into NYC on a morning flight that day?

 

I’d appreciate any thoughts you all have to offer. Thanks.

 

Neal from Cincinnati.

Hi

I just returned from the Royal Clipper Grenadines route. There were wet landings in Union Island & Tobago Cays (didn't do the beach in Bequia). There was a dock at the Martinique beach. I brought reef shoes with me - I found them necessary on Tobago Cays. The beach on the far side is rocky and though the beach near the ship's barbecue was mostly sandy bottom where the tender leaves you - I did see a large sea urchins snorkeling in that area.

Hi,

Just returned from the Royal Clipper Grenadines route Dec 12 -19th. Not all tours listed as strenuous were considered strenuous by the passengers who took them. The most strenuous was reported as the volcano tour which had 5 participants. Towards the top it became quite rocky. I had dinner with 4 of the 5 people who just returned from that tour. Some commented that they had wished they had hiking boots for it.

Wow! I had a great week on the Royal Clipper and visits to the ports which had a lot of holiday spirit!!

It was nice to be amongst so many sailing enthusiasts and I liked the noticeable absence of discussions about sea sickness or seeing people wearing medicated ear patches!

It was wonderful meeting you onboard Tschibi and Bad Czech!! Thank you for your friendship.

If there is interest in comment on any particular topic, including visiting the ports without going on tours, please let me know.

Sounded like there were various offers that were available for this particular cruise. Some of the repeat cruisers received "buy one week, get one free"...including solo travelers!

All the best,

Nina

A big thank you to everyone for sharing information about this cruise and Barbados. I'll be thinking of you in paradise!

To my about to be ship mates, may this trip exceed all your expectations. Ahoy & safe travels!!!

I arrive in Barbados on Wednesday and staying at Almond Beach.

Hi,

Many thanks!

Another question: Has anyone used the sports deck platform to swim while the ship is in port? I tried doing this on the Windstar in Bequia, but the current was too strong to be enjoyed...

Hi,

Out of curiosity, on this itinerary, does anyone remember which stops use the zodiacs vs the tenders. Or does it vary?

One step closer to this amazing adventure!

Star Clipper notified me that they're sending me my cruise documents!

I'm smiling.

Hello,

I booked the Royal Clipper in December RT Barbados which has open meal seating. I wonder about how to increase the chance of joining a table of fellow passengers for dinner on a relatively small ship.

When I cruised Windstar, I found that eating breakfast or lunch with fellow passengers happened organically.

But at dinner time it was harder which led to "table for one", even when there was a crew member directing passengers where to sit. Like me, those traveling solo didn't stick to a set schedule for dinner.

I am okay eating alone, but I enjoy hearing about the adventures of fellow passengers over dinner without feeling like a third wheel.

Any suggestions or observations based on your experience on the Clipper ships - solo or not?

I'm taking this cruise solo and I was wondering about joining others for dinner. I want to avoid being a "third wheel"!

On Windstar I found that for breakfast and lunch, joining others happened organically. But it didn't happen often during dinnertime.

In your opinion, what might be the best way to approach this on Royal Clipper? Or do solo travelers simply eat at a table for one at dinner?

Do you look to do any beach combing on your Barbados trips or in the Grenadines? I dare to dream of finding a message in a rum bottle!

Your report made me smile. Thank you so much for the update!

If I wanted to bring back a bottle of rum, do you have any brand suggestions and also where to purchase it (locally or at the airport?)

Welcome home,

Glad to hear that your visit went well!!

Any new discoveries or interesting news from Barbados that you can tell us about?

Nina

Tschibi,

I'm so glad to hear that you booked your cruise.

It would be my pleasure to join you as we spend our onboard credits enjoying some grape juice.

I plan to go easy on the wine the first night. When I travelled by Windstar to the Grenadines from Barbados, the first night - the ship really rocked.

Quite a few passengers were not seen on deck for most of the cruise and they were not honeymooners!

I don't know whether it is typical to have rough seas the first night at sea, but I don't want to take any chances - I think some of my shipmates did!

Nina

A nice surprise - Star Clipper sent me an updated invoice that includes a $100 on board credit. If you are cruising on this date, you might want to check to see whether you are eligible (if you didn't already receive a credit.

Hi,

I received an email from Star Clipper to solo sailors awarding $100 on board credit to new reservations on certain dates, including this one.

(I probably "missed the boat" on this offer as I paid in full last week.)

If you haven't paid in full, you might want to ask about the offer.

Thank you so much! Such a stunning sight!

Many thanks! I feel better taking the taxi to my hotel when I arrive.

This information will also help me decide how I want to travel from the ship back to the airport to go home.

I paid my balance for my cruise today and Clipper tried to get me to pre-pay transfers and tips. I didn't see reason to pay for this far in two months in advance.

Thank you! I did see people talking about Fisherman's Pub. I will look up Island plates. Yes, I am staying near Speightstown for 3 nights ahead of the sail at Almond Beach.

I know people will be staying at Accra, but I booked the solo cruise rate and it didn't include a room stay. Part of my room rate are some free tours and I wanted to be near Heywoods. Many years ago I stayed at condo complex - I believe it was Divi Southwinds.

I would be interested in finding out what the taxi costs are generally from the airport. I saw the rate of $48 posted to Almond Beach, but it didn't list what currency that was in. I want to avoid overpaying...

Hi Everyone,

Would love lunch recommendations, if you have any in Barbados even though I am staying at an all inclusive resort.

Looking for local seafood or vegetarian options. A place where it might be easy to strike up conversation.

Hi,

I haven't seen any "new" news about the excessive seaweed in Barbados. I checked Trip Advisor for recent reviews of Accra Beach and Almond Beach resorts. No mention of the beach other than people are loving it. This is very encouraging!

A quick note of appreciation to those who reached out to share information!!

We have two continents represented on this particular voyage - USA and Europe. Are there others?

Every time there's is a post, it makes this trip feel real.

Wishing you all the best, Nina

Thanks for all your help and clarifying. I guess I have beaches on my mind. I can't wait!

Hi,

I asked Muskatnuss about visiting St. Vincent without spending significant time in a taxi.

Her reply was "It is a very quiet Little Island. VERY caribbean. Just get of the Boat (you will tender) and walk out of the port.

Turn left and walk and walk and walk. Take a map with you (Internet). Somewhere turn right and walk a block up. Then left again. You will come to a church with a marvelous cemetery. This is the Kingstwon Anglican Church.

Go down to the water from here and turn left and walk back to the port area. It is very picturesque. You can also got to the Botanical Garden. I would suggest taking a taxi to it. Maybe walk back".

The beach near the church is volcanic black sand and that she's experienced items becoming stained from it.