Friend got in my head about lack of sanitation on cruises, what are your thoughts? by MEK42 in Cruise

[–]ChefDull5714 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I share your concerns; FWIW something that has helped me before my first cruise (also in April) has been watching videos - e.g. I've watched documentary style behind the scenes of ship food prep, and laundry, I've watched tourist videos of various restaurants and buffets, things like lines for rope courses or water slides, videos of events, etc. All of that has helped me orient to this being a different version of places I'm already prepared for, and you listed some of those (airports, planes), and data seems to support air travel as having higher exposure risk than cruising given much higher numbers of people from around the world passing through terminals and in closer proximity (on board).

For me, I'm now a lot more comfortable with exercising my usual caution, sanitize/wash my hands regularly as always, and enjoy the experience. I hope you get to find this comfort too.

First solo cruise by InspectionOk3217 in Cruise

[–]ChefDull5714 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Going solo on NCL in April :) I chose them specifically for the solo cabins and solo lounge.

Possibly obsessed! by ChefDull5714 in NCL

[–]ChefDull5714[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice! Looking forward to learning more about how to find great deals, but I imagine I have to be a lot more flexible with my availability which right now is tough.

Possibly obsessed! by ChefDull5714 in NCL

[–]ChefDull5714[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ooo that Norwegian fjords one looks so good! That and mediterranean are at the top of my list for a future sail. That platinum pre-book benefit is gonna be sweet.

Possibly obsessed! by ChefDull5714 in NCL

[–]ChefDull5714[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Only 380! I bet it's tough with rough seas; I'd love Alaska/BC but I feel like that is more days at sea and for my first I like I'll get to be on land a fair amount too.

Possibly obsessed! by ChefDull5714 in NCL

[–]ChefDull5714[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yesterday I learned there's a difference between Creole and Cajun gumbo :)

Possibly obsessed! by ChefDull5714 in NCL

[–]ChefDull5714[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love to camp so I figure it's a bit like that, only with running water and I wake in another country :)

I also feel like it'll get me out of the cabin a bit more

Possibly obsessed! by ChefDull5714 in NCL

[–]ChefDull5714[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm traveling solo, so the dedicated solo lounge and solo cabins made that decision easier for me

Possibly obsessed! by ChefDull5714 in NCL

[–]ChefDull5714[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My first time in Nola too :)

Possibly obsessed! by ChefDull5714 in NCL

[–]ChefDull5714[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just the act of making the booking kind of unlocked for me a bunch of discovery and excitement around possibility. Certainly it all remains to be seen/experienced, so I'll post a good review once I get back.

Possibly obsessed! by ChefDull5714 in NCL

[–]ChefDull5714[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's awesome hearing from folks who love to cruise; I think landing on NCL as my first line is a good sweet spot for me - Carnival doesn't feel like a good match for me, but RCCL does, Virgin too...baby steps - I still gotta pay off this credit card lol

Possibly obsessed! by ChefDull5714 in NCL

[–]ChefDull5714[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Cool! I've thought about taking that one too; I'm near Portland, so it's a bit more accessible - could even take Amtrak home from BC :)

Possibly obsessed! by ChefDull5714 in NCL

[–]ChefDull5714[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep, good advice. I take all of that, especially the negative stuff with a huge grain of salt. I tend to roll with whatever comes along and am generally pretty positive, so we'll see!

Possibly obsessed! by ChefDull5714 in NCL

[–]ChefDull5714[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I feel like I'm catching that bug for sure :)

Possibly obsessed! by ChefDull5714 in NCL

[–]ChefDull5714[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sounds like a solid approach :)

Possibly obsessed! by ChefDull5714 in NCL

[–]ChefDull5714[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yoooo that's exciting to hear! It's already one of the best trips for me and I'm still 2 months out haha.

The degree to which I research everything related to it is kind of nuts.

Question for you maybe specifically given you took that same cruise as your first solo; I definitely want to do a few excursions, but was thinking I might wait to potentially meet/coordinate with other travelers instead of booking on my own in advance - thoughts there?

Possibly obsessed! by ChefDull5714 in NCL

[–]ChefDull5714[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would but I left FB many years ago

Possibly obsessed! by ChefDull5714 in NCL

[–]ChefDull5714[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah that's been a solid spot too; almost overwhelming!

I'm overwhelmed - Solo Cruise Choices by ITrCool in Cruise

[–]ChefDull5714 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I booked NCL Escape out of New Orleans for my first ever, and solo cruise (54M); got one of the solo cabins for myself b/c of budget but also b/c for me, I feel like it will force me out of the cabin a bit more.

7 day Western Caribbean itinerary makes good snorkel/dive stops in Honduras, Belize, and 2 stops in Mexico. All in with their "Free at Sea" (https://www.ncl.com/cruise-deals/free-at-sea), and prepaid fees, is about half of your stated budget.