BeachGal

@Wafa I do a lot of solo travel, and I echo what @Ampurp85 says.  The best part of solo travel is being able to do what you want to do.  I love traveling with friends and family, but there is truly a freedom to being on your own.  The wonderful part of a cruise is that you can be around people or just enjoy your own company and a good book.  When I want to meet folks, I find that doing the trivia is a great way to strike up a conversation(I love Schooner Lounge). 

I'm not sure what you need in terms of 'being catered to' as a solo traveler.  Whether you are with companions, or by yourself, your trip is what you make of it.  I don't feel as if I am treated any differently being a solo traveler.  I may have to pay a bit more for my room, but I do a lot of work to find fares that work within my budget.  

Tips that work for me as a solo traveler:  I'm a bit of an introvert, so I keep a book with me so that I always have something to do.  In terms of excursions, if I don't know the port well, I make sure to book a tour through RCI.  If I am comfortable after the tour, I might wander on my own in the city.  You will love your trip.  Do lots of research about your ports and find the things you want to see before you get on board.  Last, but not least, enjoy yourself!

@Babsy47 thank you for an awesome review.  I also love the washy-washy guitar players at the entrance of the WJ.  If you go out on Navigator again, the suite entrance is a roped off area to the left of the main entrance.  Once you show your docs they raise the ropes, scoop you in and w/in about 5 minutes you are on the ship.  I love the idea to use the porters on the way out as well.

I noticed on the list that my next cruise on Navigator is listed as Aug. 20... should be June 20 (2022)

With all of the supply chain issues that I'm pretty sure we've all experienced lately, I think it is a valid excuse.  Hope you found some other yummy foods to enjoy!

Safe and wonderful travels to you both.  Looking forward to reading about your journey.

I hope so... I'd love to go back

@10-42 on a trip along the Mexican Riviera, ship time moved forward two nights in a row to keep up with local time, and then back to PST on the way back to LA.

On 5/3/2022 at 11:12 AM, Patchy said:

Schooner has both… the lavender daiquiri is rum based and is one of their signature cocktails.   They also make a lavender martini (vodka based) for Chops.   The martini is personally my favorite cocktail onboard and I learned the proportions last August on Odyssey and have been making them at home ever since!

Oh, I didn't know Chops had a vodka version!  I see some lavender daiquiri/martinis in my future.  Thnx for the info!!

I'm doing a wine tour when I'm there in June - On my last cruise I didn't get off the ship in Ensenada because there just wasn't much that interested me.  Many more interesting excursions on this June cruise.

Just stunning, and so much snow.  Both times I've been to Alaska have been in August, and although the scenery is still incredible, it is much more summer-like. I might have to rethink my next visit there for the start of the season.

16 minutes ago, EmersonNZ said:

Does anyone find it strange they often place a smoking section around the running track? As someone who uses the running track a few times a cruise this really annoyed me. Being as (not) fit as i am when I'm running I need all the air I can get and breathing in second hand smoke is not really helpful

A good training program includes a few sprints, so before you get to the smoking area, take a deep breath of fresh air and RUN!  All kidding aside, I either walk around the promenade deck or just suck it up and go to the gym (ugh!)

39 minutes ago, Cruiser4Life said:

… still have no idea why they call it a daiquiri.

A daiquiri is usually a rum base, whereas a martini's spirit is gin or vodka.

Safe travels... can't wait for the pics and videos!

44 minutes ago, CableKC said:

Just following up on this.

Does anyone know how much the cost is for the Unlimited Dining package for a 4 night Cruise on the Navigator of the Seas going out of LA?

I was thinking that for a 3 night cruise, it may not be worth it.  But for a 4 Night Cruise, it may be worth it ( depending on the price ).

I paid just over $100 for the UDP for a 4-night cruise.  I'm a little tired of the MDR, so I thought the price was right to try the restaurants on board.

@GatorCruiser Enjoy!  You picked a good time to visit. The Mouse House may be a little more crazy than normal due to Grad Nights and middle school end of year parties, but the weather should be good.  Let me know if you have any other questions.

@GatorCruiser it really depends on your preferences and how much time you have at your disposal.  Do you want to be closer to beach/touristy areas, or away from the fray? Will you have a car, or is family helping you get around? LA traffic is insane on a good day, and jaw-dropping crazy on other days.  Give yourself lots of time to get where you are going, and make sure you check traffic on an app (I just use Google maps to see where problem areas are).  In terms of a hotel, I would always go with a brand name (Hilton is my safe go-to) because there are a lot of creepy ones in the beach areas.  When are you on Navigator?

No matter how stuffed I am, I always have to peruse the desserts.  One little bit of heaven was a cup of lemon meringue with a raspberry sauce running through it. Oh my gosh!! Tart lemon and sweet raspberry... I'm drooling right now just thinking about it!!!

28 minutes ago, twangster said:

The only mistake you can make with respect to an Alaska cruise is not booking one.  

So true!!  Whichever ship you choose, you can always come back and try the others.  I've done the trip twice on small-ish ships and look forward to a future trip on one of the larger ships. But to be honest, once you reach the inside passage, you will just want to watch the beauty around you and you might not be so concerned about the activities a larger ship offers. 

11 minutes ago, BowTieBrigade said:

Right, any real distance will be frustrating. I try to split my runs between the track and treadmill to avoid losing my mind. 

Yes!

Wow!  I had to put my glasses on to make sure I was seeing that price correctly!!

Walking/jogging tracks are not standard across the fleet and are based on the size of the ship.  A mile on an Oasis class ship will take approx. 2 laps.  On Radiance, you will need just over 6 laps to equal a mile.  Hope that helps.

17 minutes ago, FrHoffard said:

We are going on our 1st cruise in October, 4 nights on Navigator to Catalina and Ensenada.  The hubby is worried he won't like cruising so I picked a short one.  We are flying down from AK for and going to spend a few days in LA before the cruise.  I researched a while before deciding which one we wanted to try our sea legs on!  

You picked a great one.  Catalina is a beautiful spot, and Ensenada has a lot to offer as well. Plenty to do on the ship, so you won't be bored!  Enjoy your trip.

You can drop your bags with the porters (I have done it as early as 11:00), and stroll over to the Iowa.  Navigator is right behind Iowa at the dock.  It would be no more than a 5 minute walk. On the picture above, you can drop your bags off in front of that gray, tent-like structure and then head over.

So sorry you are dealing with this, but glad that you caught it early.  Hoping you get this resolved in a satisfactory manner!

22 minutes ago, Matt said:

Serenade and Radiance are doing a pacific coast cruise this month. It’s a great one-off itinerary 

Definitely a great itinerary.  If I didn't have this pesky job, I'd book it right away.