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On 8/7/2022 at 12:50 PM, smokeybandit said:

The rule is if you drink in public spaces you have to share. Other than that, you're good!

 100% correct.

12 hours ago, Traveling Mike said:

Women or men will be looking to sleep with you because you are solo.

I'm not sure whether or not to be relieved or offended that this hasn't happened to me yet on a cruise....

That's a lot. I'm so sorry about your cat. That's an awful thing to come home to. Hope you all are all okay now and can make up for this soon.

38 minutes ago, Pattycruise said:

when you get on the car lines you might say “handicapped” to get on the garage line

Any chance you know if it matters whether or not you have a handicap sticker? I have a pretty obvious hand disability and never had a parking sticker for it because I don't want to take away from anyone with a worse disability. Just curious, this may be a time it would be helpful. 

Is Prime a casino thing? and yay for a blog!!!

I'm finally starting to feel the excitement of a booked cruise after 3 canceled solo trips! The first two were canceled by Royal in 2020 and then this past January I chickened out and canceled my upcoming March cruise. I just wasn't ready. Was talking to a work friend one day and saying I had all of these FCC's I needed to use but the thought of cruising solo after basically being alone for two years did not interest me at all. She said she was interested and we booked. This isn't necessarily my dream itinerary but when we booked in March flying didn't sound so good and neither wanted the extra expense of hotels and flights. Luckily it's Oasis so there is plenty to see and do.

The Ship - Oasis, first time on this ship for me!!! Out of NJ, about an hour and change from my Long Island home. I love the idea of getting in my car after the cruise, even better it's a Sunday, traffic wise. 

The Where - Orlando, Nassau and CocoCay. 

The Who - 2 ladies above 40, that's all y'all need to know. 

Staterooms - We have 2 balcony staterooms on the 12th floor. I don't think I've been that high in a while. Solo rooms tend to be lower but no solo room for me this time. I love this friend but not enough to share a room and thank goodness she's on the same page.

Drink Package for both of us - I have dreams of making this package work for me and 100% forget that even in college and part of the pandemic learning to make fun cocktails I have a low tolerance. Wish me luck. Ordered water for the room because I had extra OBC. I drink a lot of water anyway.

3 Night Dining Package - I had a ton of OBC so I got this for both of us. I'm a little picky. I don't hate the MDR but can't do it every night, I've done Unlimited Dining but that's also too much food wise. 

Excursions - Orlando, not getting off the ship. I don't see a purpose and we have a perfectly good ship to run around or relax on.

Nassau - forgot the exact name but the VIP Cabana for 2. Unlimited drinks and plenty of food. Gonna have to run to guest services Day 1 because it won't let me add my friend's name and when I bought it said "for 2" - now the price is double. Worst case scenario I'll buy it for her without telling her. This is something I wanted to do so it's not her fault if I messed it up.

CocoCay- we did the beach club. From what I hear we'll be able to find loungers with little issue. She's looking forward to the food. I just want to be served and be lazy. Maybe I'll paddle board if I can find it, maybe I won't leave the lounger, we'll all find out that day.

Randoms - I booked 2 days for casitas. I hear mixed reviews but yet again, I had extra OBC and if it means not having to be mad at seat savers well then it's worth it to me. Booked a massage for myself because, duh, vacation.

It's helped to read all your blogs and how you've all fared - whether covid wasn't a big deal to you or not. Thanks for sharing (and if you made it this far, thanks for reading!)

1 hour ago, RogerC1 said:

 

Also isn’t the soda self serve? Curious why a gratuity would be added to that. 

Depends on the ship for self serve and even when it is, someone's got to keep everything stocked.

Loved reading all of it! Happy you wrote it after and lived in the moment  - any blog is a good blog. The piano got me. You had a piano, on a ship, in your room. A ship. Happy Anniversary, you guys are a beautiful couple!

A big part of traveling solo is managing expectations. Figure out where you're most comfortable being alone and when it's important to be near people. If you read, bring plenty of books. If you like to watch stuff, download material onto your devices. Do any activity you want to, don't let being alone hold you back. 

@PoochI have long and thick hair and same. Once the hat goes on, it's on for the day in any sort of humid weather. 

I know I'm not the only person who's got more than one app and/or side before at Chops. I feel like they are pretty generous. I've never asked for another main before.

I don't think I understand the logic here but okay. Maybe this is phase 1?

Toothbrush and toothpaste.

16 hours ago, endofturn said:

A new one, enjoy! 

 

https://www.insider.com/what-is-a-cruise-like-reality-vs-expectation-disappointing-photos-2022-7

Happened to see this last night. So dumb. I'll give her the chair thing but it just seems like she was destined to hate her cruise.

33 minutes ago, natalie.gonzalez said:

For me, it was a super pain in the ass.

I've heard this from others too so you're not the only one. It's always been super easy for me and I've used it since 2018. 

I've redeemed 2x for my next cruise and it usually takes a few days to a few weeks to show up in my OBC.

16 minutes ago, Jolly Ogre said:

I am so so sorry that you are in that type of position.

That being said.... and I really don't mean to be flippant, mean or rude, however, even the President can take time off.

I was in the military and there is a chain of command for a very good reason so that one single not replaceable.

I am currently in the medical field and I can take time off. There is always another doctor, nurse, staff to take over.

What happens if you were to get hit by a bus?? Would the universe collapse?

I have worked and still do with life of death situations and I can take time off. If you can't then there is a flaw in the business plan that should be addressed. 

If that entire company solely depends on you for one day of the year you have to be Santa Clause and you can miss a day in Sept. 

Please please find a way to enjoy your cruise!

Facts to everything you've said. I'm slowly talking myself out of attending because at the end of the day my work isn't my life and no one remembers my work stuff and I don't want to miss out on life stuff. 

(it's a once a year board meeting that because of my position I can't have someone fill in but no one dies if I miss anything.)

I thank you for that, @Jolly Ogre. Sometimes we all need a little perspective. 

10 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Yes, there can, but not likely 4 in a row

okay.

2 hours ago, Jolly Ogre said:

The major reason I go on a cruise is to get away from work

100%. but sometimes you have something you can't miss. I have a once a year meeting on my first day of my cruise in Sept that no one else can cover - debating the pros and cons of missing it. 

@YellowBrickRoad super helpful info, thank you!

1 hour ago, smokeybandit said:

A PCR test can pick up virus remnants from 3 months prior though.

Promise that's not what I'm debating or saying. My point was more that there could be false negatives so my warning was just in case OP took the pre cruise test and it was positive...but OP is saying it's something else so it doesn't matter.

I know 3 people (they were family and all around one another) who all tested negative with at home tests but when they got the PCR tests they tested positive. They were told not all home tests catch everything.

I'm not suggesting you do anything either way just warning you it's possible to test positive still. Please don't come at me with debates. It's anecdotal. I'm not here for it. 

Being sick sucks, the flu sucks, viruses suck - hope you feel better soon and enjoy your cruise.

Edited: this was in late may 2022.

9 hours ago, Dh609g said:

If I pre paid for soda package will I have a gratuity bill at the end or is it already included?

already paid - 18%. You're free to add more if you choose but once you bought the package, you're done.

I really like Jamie's but echo the garlic rolls. Not worth it to me!

10 minutes ago, Nicci said:

so I’m hoping being only one person they will find space for me (unless they would prefer to keep tables for more people = buying more)…

Was never an issue for me.