runner2013

Thanks everyone for your replies. It sounds like they do a few things here and there, and the rest would be up to me. That works...:)

Hello all,

I've been thinking of doing a solo cabin on the Epic and was curious if there are 'dedicated' crew members for the solo lounge who 'plan' activities, excursions, etc for us folks. Anyone have any info they can pass along would be much appreciated.

I've sailed solo several times on different ships, including NCL, but this will be my first time in a Studio room with the attached lounge.

Thanks

Booked in a solo room for this cruise leaving from Miami over the Holiday. Any other solo's joining me?

here is a link to a comprehensive list you can find on tripadvisor.com seattle forum.

There are multiple walk up type shuttles including a new one called

speedishuttleseattle.com

which shows $15.99 to downtown hotels. They may also be good for exclusive vans for small groups of people. Here are your options;

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g60878-c50949/Seattle:Washington:Cruises.From.Seattle.html

Thanks for the link... very helpful...

Loving your review and your pictures are wonderful.

I'll be solo on the Pearl Sept 4th this year for an Alaskan cruise from Seattle and your review is making me even more excited to go.

Very happy to read the Moore Hotel was clean and close to a lot of the sites in Seattle. That was one, along with Hotel Five, I was looking at for a pre and post cruise stay.

I was also hoping the Pearl had gatherings every day for us solo cruisers.

Was that the case?

Thanks so much for everything.

Patty

I would take a taxi. Probably the easiest.

As I said earlier, I don't want to take a taxi...

Thank you everyone for all the information.

It doesn't matter whether its a private or shared ride to be honest.

I usually leave myself an extra hour or so from the airport to hotel for late pickups or several drop offs before reaching my destination. That way i'm not in a time crunch or worried about missing my plane when it's time to come home.

I'll be sure to take a look at all your suggestions and pick what -hopefully- will work best for me.:D

Why is a taxi out? Anyway there are STILA towncar/limousines parked next to the taxis at the airport. Much more comfortable and cost the same.

Because I don't want to take a taxi....that's why its out.. Can you walk up and get into one of the limo's or do you need to make an appointment in advance?

 

My question for everyone concerns the shuttle service to/from the hotel. QUOTE]

 

 

When you say "to/from the hotel" do you mean to/from Seatac or the pier?

 

I'm local and I've used eastsideforhire several times in the 3-4 yrs since I found them, and Shuttle Express many times over the past 25 yrs. Never a problem with either.

For me, it's just a short ride in a car or van so I go for the cheapest. (10 minutes hotel/pier, 30 minutes airport/hotel)

 

I meant to/from airport to hotel.. sorry for the confusion....thanks for your response.. I;m glad to know there have been positive experiences recently with two of the shuttle services.

Hi all,

I will be flying into Seattle Sept 2016 for a cruise on the NCL Pearl.

Right now I'm tentatively leaning towards the Hotel Five for my lodging. (I don't want to rent a car to do sightseeing and from what I've found online I should be able to get to the Space Needle/and Pikes Market relatively easy from here.)

My question for everyone concerns the shuttle service to/from the hotel.

I've found Eastsideforhire, Shuttle Express, and Seattle Express which all looked promising in the beginning, but after reading the reviews for all of them it seemed as though none of them were very good/reliable.

Can anyone who's taken them recently offer some insight as to which may be my best option, or perhaps recommend another company I haven't mentioned? For personal reasons I don't want to take the rail system and a taxi is out as well.

I'll be traveling solo this trip so there won't be lots of luggage, stroller, etc to take with me.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

So I booked a 10 day Mexican Riviera cruise which turned out to be about $3800, with air.

 

 

Yesterday I was just looking at my account on Princess and it just happened to be the Twice as Nice sale.

 

I asked if I could cancel and rebook, they said yes.

 

so my total fair went down to $3300 and we got $500 onboard credit instead of $100 YIPPEEEE

I have a Panama Canal trip booked and the price went down over $400.00 and I received more obc than what I originally started with... Definatly nice right before Christmas...

I got upgraded to a Ocean View Cabin today......Thank You , upgrade fairy :)

Congrats.. enjoy your trip....

Either one (if you use a TA they need to call). But I have found that the guarantees are not always available for solos to book, which is likely why people are seeing more than 200%. But I've done this on Royal three times with success.

Thanks for the tip, i'll have to give it a try...:D

This is when you call them-- often some categories are not price for singles (in my experience guarantees). If you call, they will allocate a room for you. I've now done this three times successfully.

Denatravels are you referring to last minute trips or trips in general? I have a cruise website I use so should I ask my TA to call Royal and see what they can do for me or just call RC directly?

Travel nap and Lois, I value your opinions as I've followed both of you on CC. While SS is a factor, it's not the only factor and I agree with paragraph 2 of travel nap. Right now, I'm looking at a Princess cruise and this summer, too. I haven't traveled with them in a while. They look like they price certain cruises for solos, whereas I haven't seen a favorable Carnival rate in ages. My go to line is indeed NCL, and I start with a studio, but have a great PCC who usually gets me upgraded to a balcony. I'm also disappointed in RCCL. Even the new ships with a few studios have zero availability. I hope that sends a message to RCCL to expand that category. Finally, my assumption, perhaps incorrect, is that those cruises that are 200% above other solo rates are either "lesser" ships or poorer itineraries. I know this is not always true, but suspect it is so in the Caribbean, where itinerary ranks second to itinerary for me. Thanks again. Still haven't seen a ranking......lol

I agree with you when it comes to Royal Caribbean. I like them but their prices are out of control. I've actually priced inside rooms that are not only the full 200 percent but even more than that! I have a Christmas trip this year I'm doing but after that I'm going over to NCL (which I've cruised on before and really like) and giving Princess a try as well. Those two lines also seem much more solo friendly when it comes to solo get togethers and such.

I hope you find something to your liking as well.

Leaving in 15 days for my Christmas cruise on RC Independence of the Seas. I'm so excited to be cruising again I booked another one for the Panama Canal on the Coral Princess for April 7th of 2017 this morning. :eek:

Great video, thanks for posting. I'll be on her in a few weeks, now I'm even more excited to go...:D

Hello, I will be skipping this year (due to too many concerts and a new piano) but will return next December.

 

I was looking the Escape which would mean flying from PHL to MIA on 12/15 (this would be 5th anniversary of my NCL Epic trip) but am now considering

the 8 night 12/18/16 Breakaway from NYC- note there is around a $450 price difference with the Breakaway being greater- which coincidentally could be the margins between NYC and FLA travel charges for me.

 

Is anyone doing either of these? Does the Breakaway one with the 12/18-12/26 one seem more family oriented? Would the 12/17 Escape be a better option for solos?

I'm doing the Dec 24th -Dec31st 2016 trip on the Escape.. I have a studio room so I can take advantage of the singles lounge.. I specifically chose this so that I could meet some other singles to hopefully hang out with for the trip. That's what I'm looking for.

For you I'd say what is more important?. Price difference, family orientation or access to a lounge where you can meet other singles..Think about what would make you the happiest and then make your decision.

I've always used cash for my account. I put in as much as I 'assume' I will spend (usually $25-$50.00) a day and just check it as the week goes on. I also set aside a small amount in case I want to splurge on something special..

Never had any issues settling the account when the trip was over.

My biggest fear is dining solo. Something tells me I'm going to feel awkward being all dressed up sitting there waiting...waiting...and waiting for the next course to be served. I worry that people will be looking, etc. I read where some people bring along their kindle to read during the meal.

Please HELP!!

I've eaten at a small table alone and really enjoy it. I can take my time enjoying a drink before I order, giving the waiter/waitress time to catch up on the other tables and just enjoying the atmosphere (or the daily planner) while I wait.

As far as anyone looking at me goes, I read a quote I think is perfect for us solo's. "What anyone else thinks of me is none of my business"

Go, relax, and enjoy yourself... :)

Have a wonderful trip...you will love sailing as a solo....:D

Have a wonderful trip!! :)

Shoot...yes I should have specified. I do have my time dining. I am going to go to the dining room when I board and request a table alone.

 

I wouldn't think it'd be an issue, because like you all said, I'm alone. I just know people can seem funny about what others do in the dining room.

 

I dine alone a lot when I am home, it doesn't bother me. Just thought I'd ask. I'm very excited about this trip!

SMN, why would you worry about how someone else feels when they are in the dining room. if your sitting and reading quietly alone bothers them, then that's their issue not yours.. I'm sure they won't be worried how you feel with their behavior.

I'm sat and read alone and had a lovely time. Do your own thing and enjoy yourself. :D

If you are seated at a table with someone else, I think it is rude and antisocial to read and totally ignore him/her/them. Whether or not you care about that type of antisocial behaviour is a different question. I know today there are a lot of people who believe that level of selfishness and lack of social manners is acceptable, but I don't. Of course, f there is no one else at your table, it's not rude at all.

 

If I wanted to eat alone, I would not accept being seated at a table with others, and would be very upset if someone else was seated at my table. If that meant I couldn't eat at the MDR and I wanted to eat solo, I'd eat somewhere else. Ignoring the person across the table from me would not be an option for me.

The Original Poster did specify she has MTD and will request sitting alone.. She is aware it's rude to zone out and just read when there is someone across from her....;)

Single gal doing a Christmas cruise from Ft. Lauderdale Dec 24th on Royal Caribbean Independence...

Anyone else??