I must be crazy! - An October-November 2016 Solo PTR - Update 10/9 2 Weeks to Go - That's a Wrap

13 Weeks to Go

After lasts weeks land based interruption were back to looking at the on water component of this trip.

It’s kind of back to front but I did the Disney component first given the website we’re all on. However, now it’s time to look at the cruise that I’ll actually be on first (I made final payment this week so it’s all systems go)

It will be my first ever cruise so everything will be new and exciting (and potentially vomit inducing – I have gotten sea-sick in the past but have stocked up on all sorts of medication from the Dr so I think I have all my bases covered :thumbsup2)

That’s all well and good I hear you saying but you haven’t even told us which ship you’re on yet.

I’m getting there I promise!

My first cruise ever will be on the Norwegian Getaway – unsurprisingly it’s run by the Norwegian Cruise Line.

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The cruise sails out of Miami and spends 7 nights exploring the Western Caribbean.

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I’ll be in one of their studio staterooms which are designed for solo travellers and which have their own lounge.

GetSolo.JPG


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Now the basics are out of the way it’s time to look at what I’ll be doing on and off the ship.

Let’s start with the most important aspect – the food. I’ll spend three nights in their main dining rooms and have pre-paid for four meals in the specialty dining restaurants (Cagney's, La Cucina & Le Bistro).

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I’ve also got the Ultimate Beverage Package (thrown in as a booking bonus) so I’ll be spending a lot of time in places like this

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drinking things like this

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I’ve also pre-booked one of the week-long passes to the Thermal Suite – they have a limited number of these availability and it’s a little bit of luxury (and quiet) on a massive ship.

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I’ve also got shore excursions booked for 3 out 4 days I’ll be in port.

In Roatan I will be kayaking and snorkeling here…

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In Belize I’ll be exploring the local ruins at Altun Ha

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And in Cozumel I’ll be learning how to cook authentic Mexican food.

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I haven’t booked anything for Costa Maya yet as nothing catches my eye (or budget) so I might just do a little sightseeing before heading back on the ship for some peace and quiet!

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And that’s a short overview of what I’ll be doing, eating and drinking while on the cruise.

There are so many other things to do on the ship – pools, sports activities, casinos – but I’m not planning those in – I actually want to leave some things to the last minute and just do what I’m feeling like at the time.

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And that’s a short overview of what I’ll be doing, eating and drinking while on the Norwegian Getaway - 84 long days and counting...

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Quick Running Update

Oh I almost forgot - I ran my second half marathon this morning (and the last race of that distance before the Avengers Half at Disneyland in November).

Managed to run a PB and shave 3 minutes of my previous time despite the temperature being -2 Celsius (30 Fahrenheit!)

Pre-race trying to keep warm selfie!

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It will be my first ever cruise so everything will be new and exciting

Oh! Didn't know it was your first!
I'll be very interested to see what you think, from a newbie point of view (yours and mine.)

(and potentially vomit inducing – I have gotten sea-sick in the past but have stocked up on all sorts of medication from the Dr so I think I have all my bases covered :thumbsup2)

Like what?

My first cruise ever will be on the Norwegian Getaway – unsurprisingly it’s run by the Norwegian Cruise Line.

Excellent! NCL is the line I'm considering if we don't do DCL.

I’ll be in one of their studio staterooms which are designed for solo travellers and which have their own lounge.

I like that. Cozy.

Let’s start with the most important aspect – the food.

::yes::

I’ve also pre-booked one of the week-long passes to the Thermal Suite – they have a limited number of these availability and it’s a little bit of luxury (and quiet) on a massive ship.

Niiice.

In Roatan I will be kayaking and snorkeling here…

Cool! I'd be right there with ya.
If, say, I was stalking you....

In Belize I’ll be exploring the local ruins at Altun Ha

That should be interesting.
I've never been to South America or Caribbean. But if/when, ruins would be of interest.

And in Cozumel I’ll be learning how to cook authentic Mexican food.

And eat it as well, I presume.

There are so many other things to do on the ship – pools, sports activities, casinos – but I’m not planning those in – I actually want to leave some things to the last minute and just do what I’m feeling like at the time.

Good idea.

Managed to run a PB and shave 3 minutes of my previous time despite the temperature being -2 Celsius (30 Fahrenheit!)

Good for you! Congrats!

Pre-race trying to keep warm selfie!

Still look cute... even though you're trying to not freeze to death.
Didn't know it got that cold in winter over by you.
 
I’ll be in one of their studio staterooms which are designed for solo travellers and which have their own lounge.

GetSolo.JPG


6s_counter-419x366.jpg

This looks like a great set up, mostly because the room doesn't look much smaller than a normal stateroom. It's also cool to see them so accommodating to solo cruisers ... wish others would be the same :rolleyes1

I haven’t booked anything for Costa Maya yet as nothing catches my eye (or budget) so I might just do a little sightseeing before heading back on the ship for some peace and quiet!

When we ported there three years ago it was still being developed big time. We did the Inca (?) ruins on this day. Not sure what else is out there!


Managed to run a PB and shave 3 minutes of my previous time despite the temperature being -2 Celsius (30 Fahrenheit!)

Like a boss! Congrats!
 


Oh! Didn't know it was your first!
I'll be very interested to see what you think, from a newbie point of view (yours and mine.)

I'm sure I'll be able to write many super boring - I mean detailed - updates all about it in what will surely end up being a massively long TR.

Like what?

I've got a couple that apparently prevent sea sickness and others that stop vomiting if you get it - I know one was called Maxolon but the other's name escapes me - I'll look when I get home.

Excellent! NCL is the line I'm considering if we don't do DCL.

I was booked on Royal Caribbean first but NCL seems to have the best offerings for a solo traveller which is why I switched over.

I like that. Cozy.

Cozy is right. But once you've travelled through Singapore and Hong Kong you get used to "cozy" very quickly!


Cool! I'd be right there with ya.
If, say, I was stalking you....

Which you'd never ever do.....

That should be interesting.
I've never been to South America or Caribbean. But if/when, ruins would be of interest.

I quite like exploring the history of a place but I know my limits - one ruins per trip is enough for me - otherwise I end up with ruins fatigue (or temple or church or other type of old building fatigue...)

And eat it as well, I presume.

That too.

Good for you! Congrats!

Thanks.

Still look cute... even though you're trying to not freeze to death.
Didn't know it got that cold in winter over by you.

We get down to -6/-7 in the mornings - which is roughly 20 Fahrenheit I believe. But we don't get snow like you guys (only a slight dusting on the mountains).
 
This looks like a great set up, mostly because the room doesn't look much smaller than a normal stateroom. It's also cool to see them so accommodating to solo cruisers ... wish others would be the same :rolleyes1

I know - that's the only bad thing about travelling solo - most places don't accommodate it and you end up paying the same rate as two people would but shouldering the whole cost yourself!

This was a lot cheaper - if I had booked a standard interior stateroom I'd have to pay the almost 100% surcharge. I think a standard interior was around $1650USD and the studio was only $1150 plus you get the lounge access. So points to NCL for that!


When we ported there three years ago it was still being developed big time. We did the Inca (?) ruins on this day. Not sure what else is out there!

Not a lot apparently - I'll probably do a quick look at the shops and then get back on the ship to make use of the spa!

Like a boss! Congrats!

Thanks.
 


What is this heavenly perk? Maybe Carnival doesn't have that... Of course, we were pretty busy. Luckily you have a ton of energy and won't need to sleep on this trip, right? :tongue:

Not so much a perk as an expensive add-on! Plus I'm planning on sleeping like a baby what with all the spa visits and unlimited cocktails :rolleyes1
 
I'm sure I'll be able to write many super boring - I mean detailed - updates all about it in what will surely end up being a massively long TR.

From you? Massively long is just fine.

I've got a couple that apparently prevent sea sickness and others that stop vomiting if you get it - I know one was called Maxolon but the other's name escapes me - I'll look when I get home.

Probably completely different to what is available here.

I was booked on Royal Caribbean first but NCL seems to have the best offerings for a solo traveller which is why I switched over.

Oh? Didn't know that.
I have some distant cousins who did NCL not too long ago and they swear by it.

Cozy is right. But once you've travelled through Singapore and Hong Kong you get used to "cozy" very quickly!

I like cozy.

Which you'd never ever do.....

Not since the restraining order.

I quite like exploring the history of a place but I know my limits - one ruins per trip is enough for me - otherwise I end up with ruins fatigue (or temple or church or other type of old building fatigue...)

I get that.
When we were in Hawaii, we got waterfall fatigue.

We get down to -6/-7 in the mornings - which is roughly 20 Fahrenheit I believe. But we don't get snow like you guys (only a slight dusting on the mountains).

-6ish is cooler than I thought you'd get. I had it in my mind that winter'd be closer to +5.
 
Quick Running Update

Oh I almost forgot - I ran my second half marathon this morning (and the last race of that distance before the Avengers Half at Disneyland in November).

Managed to run a PB and shave 3 minutes of my previous time despite the temperature being -2 Celsius (30 Fahrenheit!)

Pre-race trying to keep warm selfie!

View attachment 183584

View attachment 183583

Yay! Good for you!!! Congrats!! Your vacation will be a great reward for all of your run training and races. I've still got 2 months before my first half which i'm calling my "practice" race before the wine and dine! Lol
NCL looks like it's going to be nice!!
 
From you? Massively long is just fine.

I'll hold you to that when it's still going 6 months in....

Probably completely different to what is available here.

True.

Oh? Didn't know that.
I have some distant cousins who did NCL not too long ago and they swear by it.

Good to hear. NCL were the first to introduce solo cabins so they're pretty much the industry leader in that respect.

I like cozy.

I don't mind it in small doses - I'm thinking a week in a small room on a cruise ship will be just about at my limit.

Not since the restraining order.

I'm picturing you with a whole wall of framed ones - like personal trophies ;)

I get that.
When we were in Hawaii, we got waterfall fatigue.

The good thing is that I never seem to get theme park fatigue!

-6ish is cooler than I thought you'd get. I had it in my mind that winter'd be closer to +5.

Well it only gets that low in the mornings - our days tend to hover somewhere between 7-12 degrees. But we do have an excellent wind chill factor which usually brings the approximate temperatures back down into the negatives!
 
Yay! Good for you!!! Congrats!! Your vacation will be a great reward for all of your run training and races.

Thanks. Although I'm think I'm going to still have to run quite a bit on the vacation because I plan on eating everything delicious I see!

I've still got 2 months before my first half which i'm calling my "practice" race before the wine and dine! Lol

I'm sure you'll do great in your "practice" half! The worst thing is how addictive they are - I've done two now and have two more lined up this year!

NCL looks like it's going to be nice!!

I hope so. And even if it's not fantastic at least it will have to be better than being at work!
 
I'll hold you to that when it's still going 6 months in....

Pot, meet kettle.

Good to hear. NCL were the first to introduce solo cabins so they're pretty much the industry leader in that respect.

Didn't know that.
But then again, I can't see a time where I'd cruise without Ruby.

I don't mind it in small doses - I'm thinking a week in a small room on a cruise ship will be just about at my limit.

I get that. But... really, how much will you be in there? Sleep, get up, get ready, go. Repeat.

I'm picturing you with a whole wall of framed ones - like personal trophies ;)

:laughing:

Wait........ why am I laughing?

The good thing is that I never seem to get theme park fatigue!

::yes::

Well it only gets that low in the mornings - our days tend to hover somewhere between 7-12 degrees. But we do have an excellent wind chill factor which usually brings the approximate temperatures back down into the negatives!

We've had the occasional day (in winter) in the negatives....


:rolleyes1

Coldest I've felt is -45 with no wind or -40 with 80km/hr wind = -67
 
Pot, meet kettle.

Hi Kettle!

Didn't know that.
But then again, I can't see a time where I'd cruise without Ruby.

Aww...

I get that. But... really, how much will you be in there? Sleep, get up, get ready, go. Repeat.

I think I could cope longer if there was a window or actual daylight - I think that will be the hardest part even if I'm not actually in the room that often.

Although I did think of a possible solution - maybe I need to hang out in the bars and find a solo gentleman with a verandah suite ;)



:laughing:

Wait........ why am I laughing?

So you don't cry?




We've had the occasional day (in winter) in the negatives....


:rolleyes1

Coldest I've felt is -45 with no wind or -40 with 80km/hr wind = -67

But you live in Canada so it's self-inflicted negatives! :laughing:
 
Hi Kettle!

:wave:

Although I did think of a possible solution - maybe I need to hang out in the bars and find a solo gentleman with a verandah suite ;)

See? Problem solved.

Why am I mildly jealous?

So you don't cry?

Knew there was a reason.

But you live in Canada so it's self-inflicted negatives! :laughing:

Not a day goes by (in winter... usually when it's especially cold... always after it snows and I'm shovelling) that I don't curse my parents and wonder why on Earth they decided to settle here.
 
12 Weeks to Go

After last week’s water-based sojourn it’s time to get back on dry land and back to everyone’s favourite topic.

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I had two different food themed posts in mind for this week – an update of ADRs (because of course I’ve played around with them heaps since the 180 day mark) and F&W.

I’ve decided to do the more boring of the two this week and next week we’ll eat and drink around the work.

If you remember back to 95 days ago (yes it’s been that long) I booked my first ADRs and 80 days ago I had completed all the initial bookings.

Back then the plan looked like this.

ADR Part 1.jpg

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Since then things have changed quite a bit – partly when bookings became available for things I hadn’t gotten originally, partly when bookings actually opened for new places like Skippers and Tiffins and partly because I decided I was spending way too much time and money on dining and needed to pare back a little.

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I’ve cancelled all my duplicative ADRs as my plans have firmed (like the extra Sanaa’s and Bomas) and ones for Nine Dragons, Akershus & Sci-Fi. (I’m hoping to fill the Sci-Fi gap with the Star Wars dessert party as soon as they release my dates.)

I’ve also moved quite a few things round to fit in with changing park days and to give myself a few more resort breaks during the day.

I’m sure this will change slightly going forward but it is the almost final plan.

Next week – it’s F&W time!
 
Only mild?

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It seemed unseemly of me to tell you how greatly this distressed me.
I want you all to myself and here you're going off with strange men.

You could always move to Florida...

Nah... I'll stay Canadian, thanks.

everyone’s favourite topic.

::yes::

I’ve decided to do the more boring of the two this week and next week we’ll eat and drink around the work.

Looking forward to next week with great interest!

partly because I decided I was spending way too much time and money on dining and needed to pare back a little.

This is where free dining comes in handy.

I’m sure this will change slightly going forward but it is the almost final plan.

"slightly"


:lmao:

Next week – it’s F&W time!

Yay!
 
My first cruise ever will be on the Norwegian Getaway – unsurprisingly it’s run by the Norwegian Cruise Line.

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She's so beautiful!!!

I’ll be in one of their studio staterooms which are designed for solo travellers and which have their own lounge.

GetSolo.JPG
Is that not just the cutest little cabin EVER?!

Ooooh, I like the color scheme of the Getaway's solo lounge better than the one on the Epic!

Let’s start with the most important aspect – the food. I’ll spend three nights in their main dining rooms and have pre-paid for four meals in the specialty dining restaurants (Cagney's, La Cucina & Le Bistro).
You only listed three! And funnily enough, I'm planning on doing extremely similar. I'm going to definitely be doing the prepaid package for four nights of the specialty dining on my Epic cruise (the same three you mentioned, plus Moderno). And I'm definitely doing at least two nights in the main dining rooms, maybe three. I'm still tossing around in my head the idea of the cirque-themed dinner show they do on that ship. I can't wait to hear what you think of the dining options you've chosen!!!

I’ve also got the Ultimate Beverage Package (thrown in as a booking bonus) so I’ll be spending a lot of time in places like this
WHAT. HOW DID YOU MANAGE THAT?!?! (Do you know the dollar value of the dining package? It's costing me $650 USD!!! Almost as much as the cruise itself!) WHAT SORCERY IS THIS?!

That mai tai, though... I needz it.

I’ve also pre-booked one of the week-long passes to the Thermal Suite – they have a limited number of these availability and it’s a little bit of luxury (and quiet) on a massive ship.

Spa_9.jpg
Isn't it gorgeous?! I seriously considered the week-long pass, but I don't see myself spending more than a day or two there. I was reading that they do a daily pass for $30 on port days. And one of my port days, the ship leaves out at 2pm, so I figured that would be a good day to get it, since that would give me all late afternoon and evening to enjoy it. So please write ALL about the spa so I can figure out if it's worth it!

I’ve also got shore excursions booked for 3 out 4 days I’ll be in port.
I LOVE your selections of shore excursions! Such a great variety!

And that’s a short overview of what I’ll be doing, eating and drinking while on the Norwegian Getaway - 84 long days and counting...
HOW EXCITING!!!!!!!! I'm just as jazzed for your cruise as I am for the Disney parts of your trip!

everyone’s favourite topic.

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You got that right, girl.

I decided I was spending way too much time and money on dining and needed to pare back a little.
What! Blasphemy.

I’ve also moved quite a few things round to fit in with changing park days and to give myself a few more resort breaks during the day.
I can't wait to see your finalized itinerary, and see where there's an opportunity for a DISmeet in our futures!
 

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