MaryS

I upgraded for free today to ocean view from an interior on Empress. Spent 2 days trying to get through. Finally got through after calling 3 times today and waiting over an hour each time I called. Traveling solo so not having to pay for the upgrade is nice. Upgraded 2 weeks ago for our (my sister & myself) cruise on Rhapsody in August to the Greek Isles. Went from ocean view deck 4 to aft balcony deck 7 (the big corner balcony in the back 7652) for only 100 pp.

#stillgoing 54 days Empress to Bermuda (5/4/20), 164 days Rhapsody of the Seas Greek Isles (8/22/20) out of Venice.

KS Watersports is the only company that I know of that does parasailing. Their web site is: https://www.kswatersports.com/ Also check out https://www.gotobermuda.com/ and https://www.islandtourcentre.com/ for other fun stuff to do.

I really wanted to do the trapeze but I chickened out too when I saw the ladder to the trapeze platform.

Great review so far. I'm sailing Empress for the first time to Bermuda solo in May. Can't wait!

@AshleyDillo Thank you for an awesome blog. I have never laughed so much. I had so much fun following along with you this week. Makes me wish that I didn't have to wait until May to cruise.

Bermuda Public Forecast Issued At: 4:30 pm Friday, November 15, 2019 SaturdayHi 25 / 77Lo 22 / 72Sunny Periods SundayHi 25 / 77Lo 22 / 72Sunny Periods MondayHi 26 / 78Lo 23 / 73Mix of Sun and Cloud TuesdayHi 25 / 77Lo 22 / 72Sunny Periods

I did a solo 5 day Bermuda cruise on Anthem in September. It was my second solo cruise from Cape Liberty (I live in PA so only a little over an hour drive) and I loved it. I had a balcony cabin on deck 11 and it was all mine. When I got on board (around 11) I went to 270 for lunch then made my way to the solarium to sit back and relax with a drink until the cabins were ready. I really enjoy the solarium just to relax with a book. The Solarium bar staff took very good care of me. I signed up for IFly and loved it! If you do IFly bring your phone & ask some to take your picture or video (that's the only thing I didn't do). I also did Northstar and the bumper cars. I would have tried the trapeze but the ladder to to platform looked scary. I did my time dining in the MDR and had my own table which was my choice. The tables are so close together that I was able to meet and talk to other people if I wanted to. I also bring my e-reader. I got along really well with the wait staff on the 1st night so I requested their section for the rest of the cruise. I went to all the shows and hung out at the Music Hall & the Pub. The best part about cruising solo is that you can do whatever you want whenever you want to. It is fine to feel excited & nervous. I still do until I stepped on board the ship then I just relaxed. I have 2 cruises in 2020 that I'm doing solo 7 day Empress of the Seas to Bermuda out of Cape Liberty in May & 7 day Rhapsody of the seas to the Greek islands out of Venice in August. You will have a wonderful time!

Have a wonderful cruise!

I loved IFly. I was all set to sign up again before I even got my suit off but they said on the 5 day cruise you could only sign up once ☹️. If I had known I would have given someone my phone to video me. Oh well next time.

Power in Bermuda is back up & running. The airport is open too.

I am also on this cruise and I just added a pair of jeans some capris & long sleeve shirts to my suitcase (might throw in a sweatshirt too). I'm ready wherever we go.

If you have never been to Bermuda before I would recommend that you take a tour of the Island. There will be plenty of taxis & tour vans at the port. Not sure of the rates bur rates are gov't regulated. If you want to go on your own there are 2 public transit (ferry & bus) routes to use. 1) Take the Ferry to St George I think it leaves at 9:30AM. once in St George go up to the bus stop heading to Hamilton (just ask any local for directions). Get on the 10 or 11 bus always greet the driver with a good morning/afternoon and let them know that you want to get off at the Aquarium/Zoo. You can catch the 10 or 11 bus back to Hamilton then the ferry back to Dockyard. 2) Take the Ferry to Hamilton then walk 2 blocks up to Church St to the bus terminal and take the 10 or 11 bus to the Aquarium/Zoo. You can catch the 10 or 11 bus back to Hamilton then the ferry back to Dockyard. If you are on Facebook join the Bermuda Bound group. They are a wonderful bunch of locals and expert Bermuda visitors. I am also on the Sept 21st Anthem cruise.

I love going to the MDR for breakfast on every cruise everyday. Oh I will graze at the Windjammer after the MDR breakfast for a little pastry or muffin. I don't think I've ever had lunch in the MDR. I'm not really a lunch person. I always go the the MDR for dinner too. I like getting to know the waitstaff.

If you click on the person icon at the top right of the app it will take you to your info page. You can view your SetSail Pass. It does state that you must bring your original travel documents to the port. So I will still bring my printed SetSail Pass. You can't add your picture from the app for Anthem yet. You have to do that online.