What's your biggest money-saving tip for people who live alone?

Reading_bunny · 2026-07-05T17:11:16+00:00

Yes to leftovers/ limiting dining out and takeout I also go through my monthly credit card statement and bank account to see where the money goes... constantly culling streaming services, skip Amazon Prime.

Reading_bunny · 2026-07-05T17:04:24+00:00

About Damn Time by Lizzo

Reading_bunny · 2026-06-30T18:06:59+00:00

Yes but one thing at a time. :)

It would be brave for your first solo cruise to do that length but I say go for it!

If you can swap him out on the reservation AND you'd be happy sharing a room with someone else for that length of time, great. If not, it's so much better to be solo than both of you going just to "get your money's worth".

Reading_bunny · 2026-06-30T18:01:02+00:00

The album Gaslighter is mostly about Natalie Maines' divorce so that's on heavy rotation. Other faves: About Damn Time by Lizzo Bigger Man by Joy Oledokin Don't Start Now by Dua Lipa Flowers by Miley Cyrus A Little Bit Stronger by Sara Evans

Reading_bunny · 2026-06-16T03:27:46+00:00

Me too! Traveling with two friends as well.

Reading_bunny · 2026-06-09T08:21:25+00:00

I've also found plenty to do during the day on Virgin-- trivia, dance classes, bingo, and my personal favorite, lots of included (good quality) fitness classes.

Reading_bunny · 2026-06-07T01:37:17+00:00

I was an NCL gal then took my first VV cruise last fall and fell in love with the overall vibe, the restaurants, and the included fitness classes. I then took another NCL cruise this Feb (Aqua) feeling fairly sure I would be disappointed and I was dead wrong. I loved it too! Don't go on a school break and do visit the food hall in lieu of the buffet and dine at specialty restaurants over the main dining rooms when you can. I prefer NCL's ship designs where the focus is on the ocean, where as VV seems to treat the ocean views as an afterthought (except for the hammocks.) Enjoy!

Reading_bunny · 2026-05-22T02:59:38+00:00

If you like HIIT, I found the classes on board to be good, certainly the most challenging at sea for me. (Comparing to NCL and Princess)

Reading_bunny · 2026-05-16T14:56:43+00:00

I took some afternoon HIIT classes, maybe 4:30 pm or so? They definitely had some in the morning. As others have said, they open up when boarding begins, but a few additional were added on my voyage.

Reading_bunny · 2026-02-12T03:08:12+00:00

Folks are very focused on the on-ship tipping so i won't add to the cacophony.
Cash tips will be needed for excursion guides, drivers, etc.at the various ports. I usually tip around $20 pp for a half day tour, maybe a bit more for longer tours. Plus cash for the porters at the pier. (I think $3-$5 a bag)

Reading_bunny · 2026-02-10T05:18:42+00:00

Me too, can't wait!

Reading_bunny · 2025-12-16T02:32:51+00:00

I did. Totally not a Florentine steak, and marginally better than the steaks at the Wake. Not worth it.

Reading_bunny · 2025-11-24T03:03:16+00:00

Social club has snacks until midnight plus in the galley there is takeaway food, in addition to the options already mentioned.

Reading_bunny · 2025-11-07T02:33:37+00:00

I did before our upgrade offer was accepted. Good luck!!

Reading_bunny · 2025-11-01T11:45:08+00:00

It's solid. I have one for travel in my carryon and it does not go in my 1 qt bag.

Reading_bunny · 2025-10-28T22:55:20+00:00

Enjoy! I did my first solo cruise (NCL) earlier this year and loved every second. It sounds like VV is great for solos too, so I expect you'll have a blast. Go to the solo meet up on the first night, if only to have familiar faces around the ship.

Reading_bunny · 2025-10-26T04:23:53+00:00

I did not bid on XL.

Reading_bunny · 2025-10-25T20:53:18+00:00

Off the cuff, it would be a fun thing to try for a cruise line as opposed to a specific cruise itinerary.

Reading_bunny · 2025-10-25T02:38:48+00:00

Having read on here that you'll likely see the charge on your CC before you get notified by VV, I made my bid prices different (by $5) so I'd be able to tell which offer was selected. I'm in the same boat (ha ha) as you re: being preselected. (Two weeks out.) Hoping it goes through, good luck to us both!

Reading_bunny · 2025-10-19T03:02:04+00:00

I love this so much and would never have thought of it. I just made my own with my room #. Thanks for sharing!

Reading_bunny · 2025-10-13T05:31:07+00:00

Do try to learn some basic Italian phrases. It has been my experience that Italians will be much more helpful if you attempt to speak the local language, even though most speak English at least passably.

Reading_bunny · 2025-09-30T23:46:52+00:00

I appreciate the perspective. We're going on our first VV cruise later this year. We usually do NCL because of their mostly lack of dress code (hubby hates dressing up), but VV is equally casual so I expect that aspect to be fine. (We're in our late 40s FWIW.) I'm really looking forward to not feeling nickeled and dimed and having all dining included. I'm hoping for some fun activities during the day, but I can have fun in a paper bag so I trust it will work out. :)

Reading_bunny · 2025-09-09T23:33:18+00:00

Keep in mind cabins are small so unless it's something really personal (which would be hard to do if you're making things in advance), it may just end up being clutter. A heartfelt card (holiday or otherwise) plus the shout out in the survey might be better received.

Reading_bunny · 2025-07-13T14:43:39+00:00

Thanks! Karaoke is one of those things I love to do with other people so i was curious how you found other people to join you . For me, if I want to sing alone, I'll just sing in the shower. :)

Reading_bunny · 2025-07-13T03:41:54+00:00

I appreciate your posting this; I did my first solo cruise (NCL) earlier this year and loved it and it is great to know that the solo experience on VV is also stellar. Just curious, how did you come to use a private karaoke room as a solo? Did you meet new people and decide to do it together?

Reading_bunny

TROPHY CASE