She Sails Away

Well, I’m here in Fort Lauderdale at the hotel. From my window I can see a distant Celebrity cruise ship at the terminal but I can’t see much else. It looks like there might be other cruise ships further away. I have a great view of the airport and planes taking off!

I got up at six this morning, tended to the cats, (who were very upset about the site of the suitcases), and then drove 100 miles to the ever-chaotic Atlanta airport. We had a mysterious hour long delay in taking off but here we are. Safe and sound.

check out time tomorrow is at 11 and my boarding time is 12:30. I’ve had two stern emails from Royal Caribbean, reminding me not to show up before my designated time. But I don’t really see an option. Once I check out, I don’t feel comfortable sitting around the lobby and this is not a hotel where you can get out and walk around, especially with two suitcases.

When I did my solo in March on Odyssey, I came to this same cruise terminal in Fort Lauderdale with the same situation. I flew in the same day and landed at 10 o’clock in the morning and my boarding time was not until 230.

I planned to sit around the airport for a few hours but eventually I decided that was crazy and I just went ahead and took a cab over to the terminal. I walked up to an 11 AM line that was being filed into the building and showed the staff member there my boarding pass and she ushered me in. I told her twice, “I’m not supposed to board until 230. Is this ok?”  She put a finger to her lips and said, “honey, I’m not checking your time so let’s just not say anything, OK?“ I was on board the ship and having lunch by noon! Wouldn’t it be lovely if that was the same case tomorrow?

photos from home and the plane.

17 minutes ago, IRMO12HD said:

@She Sails AwayEnjoy!  I completed my first solo cruise last August -- just a four-night on Freedom -- I truly loved it!  I followed that up with a 7-Night on Oasis with my daughter.  It was fun to introduce her to cruising, but it did feel a bit odd to shift from solo mode!  My husband doesn't really care to cruise (unless there is a theme or planned activities), so I embarked (literally!) on my own and found it really suits me.  I love having the freedom to do exactly what I want to do, be as sociable (or un-) as I choose, and explore on my owns.  I'm probably more extrovert than introvert, but do cherish the choice.

 

 

Well said! I will say, one of my favorite things about solo cruising is not having to negotiate when or if we eat and where. Or how long we stay at the table. I mean my husband is very easy to travel with, but anytime you travel with others, that’s one area you constantly have to talk about. It’s lovely to skip a meal or just go eat on the spot as soon as I’m hungry.

1 hour ago, ellcee said:

My favorite game to play while solo traveling as woman is how many times I hear "YOU'RE SO BRAVE TO TRAVEL ALONE".

 

sigh.

Paying $$$ for a luxury vacation and great food—-brave? HA. And yes, some people at work said the same thing! Funny.

But some look at me with great pity as though realizing my marriage is in a shambles and I just don’t want to say so. Because that’s the only reason we would take separate vacations, I guess?

Someone else suggested my motive was being unhappy at home.

I guess solo traveling is not as common as I thought it was? There really is no reason behind it other than wanting to go have a terrific vacation. My husband and my family are behind me 100% and excited for me.

I’m doing that cruise starting Saturday. I’ll try to remember to fill you in.

Those are so fun!

I think your best chances for noisy cabins are cabins that are directly underneath the pool deck, or directly above or below the theater or bars, as those stay open late and have live music. I generally choose a cabin on one of the floors that has only cabins and I try to choose a floor that has cabins below and above. I hope that helps. 
 

I’m not sure what those gray areas are either, but I think they may be storage areas or laundry rooms or things like that.

I second Publix for great subs! They have a nice little lunch counter there with a few options.

if you opt to hand over your roll on carry-on bags to the Porter, make sure your tote bag that you keep with you has your vaccination card and passport and phone charger in it, just on the minuscule chance your bag does go missing. I have done many cruises with Royal and have never had a bag lost. But you do want to  keep those important things close by. I second the recommendation to throw a swimsuit and flip-flops, sunglasses and a hat into your tote bag… Embarkation day is the perfect day to hop into the hot tubs, swim, or try out the Flowrider. It’s much less crowded than the rest of the week.  Also don’t forget to make those show reservations as soon as you get on board! 
 

if you enjoy smoothies and light snacks, the vitality spa café is another option. Very limited choices there but light and healthy snack options such as smoothies and small sandwiches. Cafe Promenade will also have small sandwiches and small desserts and specialty coffees.

Thank you! Now that it’s almost here I just can’t wait. Congratulations on your upcoming 50th!

inserting a photo of hubby and me because of course I’m taking him along virtually on the cruise. Last time I did a solo cruise, we did a FaceTime call every night from some scenic location on the ship and we both looked forward to that. Another fun thing I did last time that I plan to do again is track down all of the art on the ship and take pictures and text them to my son, who is an art student. We had a big laugh over some of those art pieces, such as the one below from Odyssey.

Hi, everyone! First time blogging here but long time Royal Caribbean traveler. So excited to be back to cruising. My husband and I went on Freedom of the Seas in November after he spent a very long year recovering from Covid. I was on the Odyssey in March and had a wonderful time on my first solo cruise. Headed to the Allure on Saturday for an eight night trip to Aruba, Curaçao, and Labadee. First time visiting all of those ports. Third time on the Allure, although it’s been over 10 years since I was last there. My kids were little back then and we loved every minute of that cruise! They especially loved the rock climbing wall and Flowrider.

My husband doesn’t want to take time off from work right now and he’s not an avid cruiser like I am, so I am embarking on some solo cruises this year.

Let me just say this solo cruising thing is a weird paradox for me. I’m very introverted and can get a little uncomfortable in certain situations by myself, such as staying in a hotel room by myself or riding in a taxi cab alone. I mean it’s not that big of a deal, I would just rather not do those things by myself. I’m fine with solo cruising though, and I just love everything about being on these beautiful cruise ships and experiencing all they have to offer. Not to mention lying by the pool and looking out at the beautiful water and all of the lovely locations we visit. On my first solo cruise on the Odyssey a few months ago, we went to Cozumel and Costa Maya. I did not get off the ship. There was nothing there I really particularly wanted to see, and I spent both of those days by the pool watching movies and looking out at the people snorkeling on a beach nearby. It was lovely.  I spent that cruise disconnecting and relaxing and really just enjoying the moment.

Some solo cruisers are interested in meet and greets and making friends and connections. I wouldn’t call myself anti-social, but I’m not looking to find friends on this cruise or advertise that I’m traveling alone. I am just not that outgoing. I intend to go and enjoy the entertainment in the venues and my first time ever boardwalk balcony. I’m looking forward to being able to see the aqua theater from my balcony as well as people zip-lining overhead, and people walking around down below and riding the carousel and things like that. 

I consider myself an active person and I will be rock climbing, swimming, hitting the gym and the walking/running track, tracking down all of the small wonders, doing the scavenger hunts, things like that. I’m planning to get off the ship in all of the ports and explore. I have a paid excursion in Curacao to go see the caves and the historic district. I also have an all-day pass on the Alpine coaster on Labadee! I debated long and hard about doing the dragons fire zip lining experience, but decided I didn’t want to spend that much time tied up with that one event. But who knows, if there are spots still left at the last minute, I may change my mind!

I took my Covid test this morning live on the phone with EMed and passed. Packing my bags now and full of excitement! Looking forward to great food, hopefully beautiful weather, new adventures, lots of photos and video (I’m breaking in a new GoPro!) relaxation, shows, and beautiful Allure of the Seas! 

On 5/9/2022 at 12:33 AM, 10-42 said:

I know, I hate it when that happens:

Yes…my husband is the same. He couldn’t help.

-Swimsuit and flip flops

-phone and charger for texting family and sharing pics

-my own shampoo, bar soap, lotion

-a lanyard—hate carrying seapass in my pocket.

And: hairbrush. I forgot to pack this last cruise. No problem, right? Just buy one at the airport. Wrong. Every gift shop in ATL airport had no hairbrushes. ONE shop had a small men’s plastic comb. I got it. Landed in Fort Lauderdale. Same story in all their airport shops. Identical Story at hotel gift shop and by now it was too late to find a taxi just to drive around looking for a drug store. On board the Odyssey we asked at guest services where we could buy a brush. Nowhere. No combs, either.  Went to the salon on board and pleaded to buy a brush. Nope.

i have long hair and it was a rat’s nest relying on that little comb for two days. In Nassau we left the ship specifically to buy a brush. Success. Never again will I take that for granted!

When you get to port, you’ll see a line specifically for the 1230 group. Plenty of staff to ask for guidance where to go if you need it.

You have the option of giving your luggage to porters. Bring those luggage tags—you have to print them beforehand—that RCCL sends you. I think they are part of your “cruise documents” email.

Tip the porters. Your bags will show up at your room much later. Have a carryon packed for the short term. Documents, passport, vax card, swimsuits, stuff like that.

inside the terminal they check your passport/ID and vax card, and scan your Set Sail pass. They also check your negative Covid test papers (or app).

once cleared, you’ll board the ship at your appointed time. Find your muster station, watch your safety video, finish all that up on your rccl app, and you’re free!

explore the ship, find some lunch, put on a swimsuit and hit the pool deck! Cabins are usually ready around 130.

I would plan to be back on ship at least an hour early. Always make sure you know ship time vs. local time so there’s no confusion. (Sometimes there is a difference.) You can always ask the staff at the gangway for clarification.

First time in Spain this fall on Wonder of the Seas Transatlantic. Any recommendations for shore excursions in Valencia and/or Cartegena? Any specific tips?

We did a Selfie Scavenger hunt on Odyssey. You make a list of locations and objects around the ship, then you have a set amount of time to get selfies with those things and return to the start line. All team members have to be in each photo—no splitting up. I think we had 20 minutes.

the list of selfie locations/things included

picture of you with a lifeboat visible in the background 

inside a shower

In an elevator with the day of the week tile showing in the photo

with a bartender

with any crew member from Brazil (hint: check Flowrider first!)

with various landmarks on ship, like a statue or an arcade game

things like that. It was fun! Put a time limit on it and see who returns with the most photos. Lots of fun seeing everyone’s pics, too!