dcwalker

44! Just today booked Nov 10 Journey on the Ecstasy. Five ports, three I haven't been to, six sea days! Woo. Can. Not. Wait.

I bought it at Dicks Sporting Goods, in the store, not online, for about $5. It's a small hard plastic box with a hinge opening that seals shut. It has a caribiner clip that I attached to the strap of my swimsuit and a cord that I looped around my neck. It's small so only held my ship card and cash. I left my phone on board. It would have been nice to have, to take pictures of the huge, and hugely bold, iguanas that were roaming the beach and scaring people. The next time I'll get the case that straps to your arm and holds your phone.

Last week I took a cab to Coki Beach, $20 round trip for one, and snorkelled right at the beach. Easy sandy entry, lots and lots of fish and lots of variety, but no turtles.

Yeah! You came back. Loving this review.

Just want to report back. Went to Coki Beach in St. Thomas. Walked up to the cab area and said I wanted a cab to Coki, was told oh, this family does too, just wait with them, got in the cab with them and a bunch of other people (I guess it was more of a bus) , and at Coki kind of attached myself to this family - shared an umbrella and a couple of lounges - and had my money and ship card attached to me in a waterproof case and enjoyed a couple of hours of snorkelling. Worked out great.

I love Ecstasy. I love the lido outdoor seating along the sides and above Serenity. The size suits me. So many cruisers sing the praises of Pride. I wish I felt the same; Baltimore is very convenient for me.

Not to hi-jack the thread and make it about solo, but just wanted to respond to iggipolka's concern about dining. I ate alone every meal, either on the lido deck (Ecstasy has really nice outdoor space for that) and dinner in the dining room. Never was awkward. The dining room servers acted like it was quite usual and natural for me to be there alone. That really put me at ease.

I started reading this because I like to cruise out of Charleston and the Sunshine will be in Charleston starting next year. But then - there's so much more reason to read it! Number one, your style is great and so are your pictures. AND I was on the Ecstasy at the same time you were on Sunshine. AND I was doing my first solo! Not the cruiser you are, this is only my 7th. Past cruises were with spouse or spouse and kids. Yes. I too am hooked on solo, but alas I am not divorced. Do you think wanting to cruise solo is grounds for divorce?

Loving your review. Great job. One thing I want to note is that I also just wandered around San Juan and after an excursion, wandered around Phillipsburg in St. Maarten. These two ports are great for solo women - no (unusual) fear of stranger danger. And last - I keep looking at your pictures of San Juan and St. Maarten to see if I can find myself! Thanks for the review.

In that case hoping they are on the Conquest next month:)

. . . and on Ecstasy in 4 days!!!!!!!!!!!!

10 according to my hub app; 11 according to online check-in. Either number works for me!!!!!!!!!!

my hub app says 14 til ecstasy - really really want these days to fly by

I offer to watch their stuff while they go together, if the will watch my stuff while I go. I have always been able to goo out and enjoy myself without worrying.

I had been wondering about this approach. Thanks for the insight, poolreader.

This kinda case can hold anything from a phone to cash and cards and just straps round your arm out of the way

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Universal-Waterproof-Armband-Case-Swimming-Sport-Arm-Band-Cover-For-Iphone-6-Plus-5s-Underwater-Capa/32450832883.html

 

There are also similar ones with both the wrist or arm band as well as a neck strap so you can use them multiple ways. I have used several brands for doing underwater photography with my iphone.

This is exactly what I had in mind, something I could secure on my arm. But the ones I found were so much more expensive. Thanks.

Well, looks like the consensus is keep your stuff with you. OK. I bought a little waterproof case at Dicks Sporting Goods today. It's only big enough for my sail and sign card and some cash. I should be able to attach it to the shoulder strap of my swimsuit. My phone I can leave onboard for one day. Thanks, everyone.

What I've found in Mt. Pleasant is hotels that will let you leave your car (if you have one, of course) there for the duration of the cruise and you take Uber to and from the port. So, just find a hotel and use Uber. It's quite reasonable. And I don't think these hotels are building any extra expense into the room cost. They just say sure ok you can leave (or not, some don't allow it) your car here, but we won't babysit it for you.

I bought a waterproof case for my phone and ID that hangs around my neck. I also have a slightly larger pack (from AquaVault) that locks around the arm of a beach chair (and can't be cut) to hold other stuff while I'm in the water. Handy at the pool on the cruise ship as well.

Thanks. If it hangs around your neck, do you worry about it getting away from you while swimming or snorkeling?

I lost a similar amount of weight and ended up with the same problem. And I refuse to have surgery for it. I'm glad that the extra skin is on my thighs and upper arms and not quite so prevalent on my torso. This happened a few years ago and looked into it and realized that not a lot can be done short of surgery. I walk about an average of 8 miles a day and I bike. I have thigh muscles. You just can't see them because of all the skin. So after thinking that now I'll have a great swimsuit bod, I looked hideous from the hips to the knees. I bought a couple of cheap little shorts to wear over my swimsuit to cover up the worst of it. So it's ok. Now I'm 63 and this doesn't bother me so much, because, hey, I'm an old(ish) lady with jiggly arms and thighs. Big deal. Tony UK, congratulations on the weight loss and taking control of your health. I hope you can come to terms with the extra skin, that nasty badge of accomplishment.

I'm going on my first solo cruise in three weeks. Solos, what do you do with your cash (for getting back to the ship) and your phone while you snorkel?

Aah. Of course! The Carnival site. So I just need 32 Washington St.

Awesome, bobsfamily! Thank you so much.

Good for you! Have a blast.

28! Ecstasy, here I come. The closer it gets, the farther it seems!

Thanks teknoge3k. I think what happened last time is that we looked for that line and told the port guys that's what we wanted and port people just kept waving us along - with driver and passengers all being inexperienced, we didn't know how misdirected we were. Wishing I had some info, specific landmarks to prevent that again.

It's me again! The only thing I'm worried about is who will watch my stuff while I'm snorkling at the beach?

Conversation starts with..."Guess what I'm doing next week?" Ha! That is funny.

The best part of going on a cruise solo is there's no one to worry about except YOU! Yes! Exactly - that's what I'm looking forward to.