Andrea57spins

3 hours ago, ecslady said:

I've cruised solo several times.  On Oasis, I was seated at a two top, but they are so close together you can have a conversation with the tables next to you.  I've also been seated at tables with couples or other solos.  Just go to the MDR when you board, and ask bout where you are seated for dinner and table size and table mates. If it's not to your liking, ask to change.

So much amazing advice.  I think I am more confused now than before.  LOL.
 

I think I have a lot of soul searching to do before making a decision. I thank everyone for their words of wisdom. 

3 hours ago, depplep said:

My two cents. What is the lesser of two evils for you?

I think being embarrassed that I am alone is greater….so the lesser is being afraid of being with people I don’t click with. 

3 hours ago, allyfree said:

Don't be afraid of sitting with strangers - you will all be in the same boat - literally ! It's only for a meal, not to be joined at the hip for your entire vacation. And if you feel you don't have anything to talk about - just order extra food and you'll not be able to talk 😁 If you don't enjoy it, don't go back ... no harm done. Then again, you may meet some really nice people that'll you'll enjoy chatting to. Whatever you do, have a great trip x

Good advice! And I can EASILY order lots of food so I don’t have to talk.  LOL

11 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

You didn't ask me, but FWIW, based on recent experience, there are far more 2-tops in the MDR than in the past and the days of sitting you with strangers when you want to be alone (as a couple or solo) are pretty much over. On my last cruise (Indy), my wife and I were in an area that was just multiple rows of 2-tops. Hope this helps.

It helps…..I’m just not sure I want to be alone.  My kids tell me I’m crazy because  they go to restaurants alone all the time.   I think I might feel strange. 

Just a random question about Solo dining.  Are you at a table by yourself or at one of those big tables with a bunch of strangers?  I have a December cruise booked which I was originally going on with my forever cruise buddy.  Unfortunately, she can't go.  I decided not to cancel and go with me, myself and I just like you.  LOL   I am just not sure what to do about dinner.  I don't care for the Windjammer Buffet, I think I would feel weird sitting alone, and I'm afraid of being put at a table with a bunch of strangers....and we don't click.  What's your opinion?  Great review!

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Following. Have a great cruise!

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Hi

 

Here is the room service menu

 

 

 

 

 

 

OMG You are the best! Thank you so much!

Could you please post a picture of the in room dining Breakfast menu? When cruising we like to have breakfast while lounging around the room in the morning. Slow starters is an understatement!

Thanks so much for doing this! I am so excited.......

Just a safety note, many people get injured walking down stairs. Most industrial facilities require that employees for good reason use hand rails when using stairs. Two of the plants I have worked at will send you home the first time they catch not using hand rail and fire you the second. Slip, trips and falls can cause more permanent injury than a couple of bad days of noro virus. At least be aware that not using hand rails is not all benefit without any risk. I use the hand rails out of habit and I have never gotten noro on a cruise, now home that is another story.

I am a "self proclaimed" germ-a-phobic using wipes in the cabin before touching ANYTHING. I swipe the light switches, phone, TV remote, etc. I never use the elevator and always take the stairs, and I agree with you that it is very dangerous using them without using the hand rails. What I do is pull my sleeve down and use that to protect my hand from actually touching the rail. If I do not have a sweater or wrap with me, I try to wash my hands as soon as possible after touching.

Yeah....I know, I'm a little crazy.....but it works for me!

Ship - GEM

Deck - DECK 11

Stateroom # - 11152

Stateroom Category – MINI SUITE

Starboard or Port Side - AFT

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) –

VERY QUIET WITH MINIMAL HALLWAY ACTIVITY. BACK OF SHIP.

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - NO

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. –

NO OBSTRUCTIONS. CLEAR BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF THE WAKE

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? -

LARGER THAN REGULAR MINI SUITES. BALCONY CONTAINED ONE LOUNGE CHAIR, TWO REGULAR CHAIRS AND A SMALL TABLE.

Was wind a problem? - NO

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - NO

Any specific problems with this cabin? -

FIRST NIGHT (4:00 A.M.) HEARD OVERHEAD NOISE FROM GARDEN CAFE. DD HEARD NOTHING. AFTER FIRST NIGHT HEARD NOTHING.

Any other comments? -

FABULOUS SMELL OF FRESHLY BAKED BREAD WAFTING FROM SOMEWHERE ON THE SHIP. I READ ABOUT THIS AND WAS SKEPTICAL - BUT IT'S TRUE!

THIS WAS AN UPGRADE FOR US AND WE LOVED IT....BUT....WOULD NOT BOOK THIS CABIN AGAIN. WOULD RATHER STAY IN A REGULAR BALCONY AND SPEND THE EXTRA CASH ON OTHER STUFF.

I am so excited! Thanks to all who responded.

Would love to hear more opinions.

Good or bad decision? The price for my Gem cruise came down considerably. Since I already made final payment they won't give me an OBC but did upgrade me from a regular balcony to an aft-facing mini suite on deck 11. I know "The Great Outdoors" is right above...does the good outweigh the bad? I took the deal.

We stayed in Aruba last week and took the Segway tour to the California Lighthouse. There were five of us who were all beginners. They picked us up at our hotel and took us to Moomba Beach where our guide, Danny gave us a quick lesson on how to ride the segways. After we were all comfortable on them, we headed north toward the lighthouse sometimes on the road but mostly off road. The segways are amazing because it was so easy to use them even when we were going uphill. We pulled over at times to look at the scenery and have some water. As far as I'm concerned this is the best way to get to the lighthouse. We passed a group of bicyclists who were pedaling hard to get there. We could tell that one of the guys was not too happy cycling so I told him that we weren't pedaling because we were on vacation. :)

Did you book and pay for this way ahead of time......or once you got to Aruba from the hotel? Not sure when to book for a November, 2014 visit. Usually cruise, but will be there for 5 days in November.

Thanks!

Not sure if she is coming in that morning, or earlier, but her first cruise out of NYC is March 23rd- and I will be on it! :D

I HOPE, HOPE, HOPE you will be doing a review when you return! So excited for my Splendor cruise in July.

Have a fabulous time!