Hey,
First timer headed on solo-cruise - NCL Escape, NY to Bahamas, March 17th-24th. I've read all the literature but still not quite sure what to expect. I've read where people recommend buying excursions ahead of time but others say if traveling solo, you're better off waiting to get on the ship to join up with other solo-travelers. Any advice from those who have gone solo?
If there are any others on this cruise, please reach out.
JohnnyBahama
Hi Johnny, make sure to join the roll call for your cruise over here on our roll call page. https://cruiseline.com/rollcall you'll be able to find fellow cruisers there!
Check out both and decide for yourself. My only caution is, that if you book an independent excursion you should check out their reputation first.
Welcome to the Forum, Johnny.
Normally, I would suggest booking the excursions well in advance in order to guarantee the tours you want.
In this case, though, considering the dates, I would suggest waiting until you are onboard and strike up a new friendship or two.
MEET N GREETS FOR SOLOS are scheduled all the time. They appear in your dailies. I would suggest you schedule your tours way in advance, to get the actual tours you want to do. If you meet a kindred spirit, so much the better. If not, at least you're on a tour you wanted to do to begin with. You're on megaship...you wait too long, and about 4000+ of your newest friends will fill it up b4 you.
Welcome to cruising! Hope you have a wonderful adventure.
Welcome aboard. I would check out some of the available excursions in advance and see what is available and then decide from there. You might find an available excursion that catches your eye and book right away or get an idea of what your looking for and then refine and decide once on board.
We've been thru this how many times? booking onboard leads to...confusion, lines at the excursion desk, and poor choices. those tours aren't exactly cheap. reading reviews of people who ACTUALLY took them is incredibly useful. doing it at home in comfort and peace n quiet leads to better choices. Wandering thru the "atrium" and watching people milling around the excursion desk (and complaining at Guest Services) is always good for a laff. To each his own.
I know you are on your trip as I type this, but this could help someone else.
I always book my shore excursions in advance. I like to look at the videos, descriptions and reviews. If you are trying to go on a popular excursion you run the risk of it being sold out by the time you get on the ship. The good thing is if you change your mind you can get a refund if you cancel 24 hours before the excursion. Also, you will always find people to chat with on the excursion so you will never truly be alone.
NCL is great for solo travelers. Their studio cabins are amazing and the events they have for singles almost guarantees that you will find others to connect with.
Welcome!
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