FLchick3

I would like that to be the standard too. It would solve a lot of the problems.

 

What do you think of my idea of a webcam that can be selected from the TV in your room?

No good LOL! I would want to be able to write on the white board myself if looking for an excursion partner. :)

Ok, so through all these posts I have identified the major change…..which is that in the past or on other ships there was a gathering at about 5pm each night for all solo passengers, which allowed everyone access to the white board.

On my cruise we met each night in one of two bars before dinner, so we never did have access to the white board.

I have no issue with not being allowed to hang out in the Studio Lounge, but having our “meeting place” be at the Studio Lounge at 5pm would have resolved the issue.

Calliopecruiser – I generally agree with you. It was not as well organized as it could have been, but I do believe NCL is trying and right now, it sounds like they are doing more than other lines.

I believe the problems stem from people staying in Studio cabins with lots of family onboard and letting the adult family members in to drink the coffee and the kids in to eat all the cookies.

Are you sure it is in all the dailies each day or did I misunderstand? I did not remember it in my dailies so I did a google search. I only was able to find solo meetings mentioned in the day 1 sheets. Are there meetings on the following days I don't know about?

 

I am hoping to do NCL again next year so I really would like to know.

I just got off the Getaway that sailed 9-5-2015. What happened was this: We all met the first evening in the bar and were led to the Studio Lounge. There the Solo Cruise Director handed out a list of activities, some of which had a mark indicating he would be in attendance. There were also some signup sheets for dinners and shows in the Studio Lounge. Those of us in balconies could technically only have access to those sheets that evening…..but the Solo Director gave us his ship phone number so we could call him later and ask about events or get added to events.

I never saw the Studio Lounge again as we were told on this cruise it would be for Studio residents only. The handout that was given to us was more detailed and did have more information than the dailies. There was a dinner every night, a few lunches and a few shows.

Half way through the cruise I noticed a note at the bottom saying there would be a solo gathering at 9am each morning in the buffet area (Solo Director not in attendance) so people could gather if they wanted to and plan their day. As I never attended that I don’t know if anyone showed up or if it was easy or difficult to find the people that did show up.

The Getaway may be different than Epic or Breakaway.

I have just booked cabin 7708 on the Freedom, my favorite cabin, so I am very excited! This question is because I’m curious and I’d like to know for future cruises.

Does anyone have pictures of the balcony for 6710 or 6410 showing how far the railing is from the large side porthole?

Also – what is the difference in balcony size between 7708 and 6710?

Thank you in advance!

Cruiseelady – I remember when the first Studio Lounge on the Epic opened. I believe I read there was no Solo Cruise Director and no daily dinners for all solos. So they have made great improvements from then…..but I completely agree…..they need to iron out the remaining kinks.

While harsh, if the rule becomes only solos who book a studio cabin is let into the lounge I will understand. But for people like me who may get an inside cabin or if I am in the money a balcony one there really needs to be a white board available somewhere so us outside solos can also organize get-togethers.

Yes, I completely agree! I hope NCL reads this thread! :)

Hi Everyone,

Didn’t mean to start an uproar :)

I tend to agree with this:

I mean why do a solo lounge and not let solo cruisers in? Its silly. Its a wonderful thing that they did a solo lounge, it can bring people together and not only during evening get together. So why not let all solos enjoy it?

However, I agree that NCL needs to make a firm decision one way or the other. It seems on some cruises all solos are allowed in and on other cruises they are not.

For me, I wasn’t interested in snacks and coffee…..but it would have been nice to have access to the white board to locate others for excursions etc.

For some (most?) singles alone in an outside, balcony, suite.....the cost is more than the Studio, so I'm not sure cost comes into play like it does for the Haven.

Earl – I agree, the movies in Spice H20 were awesome! Well…..the Breakaway has about 50 Studios vs. the Epic has about 100 Studios (my numbers are not exact!)…..so while it was much smaller, I would find it surprising if both levels filled up.

Howard – Thank you for your sympathy, but I’m not upset and fully expected it could happen. Technically the Lounge is for Studio Cabin people. I spend my days in real life “fighting the system” and I just wasn’t going down to Guest Services to “fight” for a change in access on my card.

That being said, I had a $250 coupon for Norwegian I had to use, it was a good experience overall, we did have social dinners and the ship was awesome…..but I think I’ll be moving back to RCCL. I’ve cruised with them once so far and I think they are a better fit for me.

Everyone has their fit : )

Ah ha!

The Social Cruise Director did mention children taking cookies.....so on the cruise before me someone must have been letting children in.

How did you get in without changing your card? Was the door open?

Great information, thank you!

I am not complaining in any way. I am only curious about others experience:

I was in a balcony cabin on the Getaway.

The Solo Cruise Director said the previous cruise all solos were allowed into the lounge and there has been complaints. The lounge is tiny on Getaway, but I still find that hard to believe. This was my first solo cruise and I wanted to see how it went without asking for anything extra. However, by the end of the cruise, not having access to the “white board” was an issue. Also – the lounge was not open one hour a day as I was lead to believe it would be. All in all, I wasn’t thrilled with the way things were structured, but as the Solo Cruise Director did schedule a dinner each night…..I didn’t want to push the access issue and request my card be coded to allow me access.

What has your experience been with the Epic, Breakaway or Getaway when you did not book a Studio Cabin?

Single Dreamer – did you find Carnival had better rates for solos on balconies, or mostly inside/outsides?

Earl – Yes, I had also heard that I could have my card programmed to let me into the Studio Lounge. The Solo Cruise Director said the previous cruise all solos were allowed into the lounge and there has been complaints. The lounge is tiny on Getaway, but I still find that hard to believe. This was my first solo cruise and I wanted to see how it went without asking for anything extra. However, by the end of the cruise, not having access to the “white board” was an issue. Also – the lounge was not open one hour a day as I was lead to believe it would be. All in all, I wasn’t thrilled with the way things were structured, but as the Solo Cruise Director did schedule a dinner each night…..I didn’t want to push the access issue.

Thank you everyone for the information, it's very helpful!

Cruiseelady & Pami -

Thank you for the information. It's very much appreciated!

Hi Everyone,

I booked a RCCL cruise in 2013 so I could become a Crown and Anchor member and save money on future cruises.

I’m interested in booking my favorite cabin on a ship in October 2016.

Does being a Crown and Anchor member benefit me in any way for a cruise a year away?

Thank you in advance!

LynnTH –

I just came back from my cruise. I took only 95 both down and back. Going to the ship I hit pretty intense traffic once I was in the Miami area. It was 11am Saturday of Labor Day weekend, so I don’t know if it was more crowded than usual.

On the way home there was construction (I think, I did not see an accident) and the first hour I went 10 miles. By the time I was done with that I was way too worn out to try to find/get on 91.

Next time I will just fly to Miami LOL!

Hi Everyone,

I just got off the Norwegian Getaway. I stayed in a balcony cabin, so I was not allowed to go into the Studio Lounge. However, the first day of the cruise all the solos met and were given a schedule by the Solo Cruise Director. Each day there was a dinner scheduled and sometimes a show. Does Royal Caribbean or Carnival do something similar?

Thank you in advance!

Just got off the Getaway. I woke up at 7am four mornings (which is really unusual for me!) Went to Spice H2O and it was completely empty. Lovely quiet time as I only stay in the sun one hour.

Then moved to outside Deck 8 and the giant comfy couches in the shade. I've heard Deck 8 is only quiet in the mornings, but it worked out perfectly for me. :)

Thanks :)

Ok, thank you! I hit the road this morning. :)

Fishywood, yes or no: Do I do this or not? :):)

4. Merge onto I-95 N via EXIT 1B toward Ft Lauderdale.Map

9.2 mi

5. Take the FL-826 W exit, EXIT 12A, on the left.Map

0.7 mi

6. Merge onto FL-91 N / Florida's Tpke N via the ramp on the left (Portions toll).Map

20.2 mi

7. Take Florida's Tpke N (Portions toll).Map

88.4 mi

8. Merge onto FL-70 E / Okeechobee Rd via EXIT 152 toward Ft Pierce / Indian River College / I-95 / US-1.Map

0.9 mi

9. Merge onto I-95 N toward Daytona Beach.Map

206.7 mi

Lynn,

Ok, as long as you aren't driving Jax to Miami the day of the cruise, because we both know thats not a good idea :)

Fishywood,

Yes that’s part of my question…..is any part a cashless toll road? On my way back from Tampa one year we got slightly lost and had to run a cashless toll booth. I never did receive a ticket in the mail, so that’s the up side!