Top 5 Solo Picks - September 15, 2017

A number of cruilines aided in IRMA rescue effort

"Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it." - Helen Keller

We have all watched the devastation of hurricane Irma with concern and sadness, so a bit of context for the Caribbean sailings you will see listed. As hurricane recovery continues, be aware that itineraries may change. While some ports are closed, others may have their cruise infrastructure restored faster than you might imagine. The islands depend on tourism, so cruise visitors will be welcomed. If you're flexible, you can get a great deal AND make a difference with your travel dollars.

Here are my Top 5 Solo Cruise Picks today!

Why these sailings? There my be solo cabins, reduced/waived single supplements, a great deal overall, or simply good value on an itinerary solos can't usually afford. Fares below INCLUDE TAXES, and are subject to availability.

October 10, 2017 - 12 night repositioning cruse from Quebec City to Fort Lauderdale on the Zuiderdam
Obstructed oceanview - $1420 CAD solo
Inside - $1397 CAD solo

October 21, 2017 - 10 night repositioning cruise from New York to Fort Lauderdale on the Regal Princess
Balcony - $1329 CAD solo
Inside - $1199 CAD solo

October 22, 2017 - 6 night repositioning cruise from New York to San Juan on the Celebrity Summit
Obstructed oceanview - $1015 CAD solo

November 4, 2017 - 7 night Caribbean cruise sailing roundtrip from San Juan on the Celebrity Summit
Balcony - $1706 CAD solo
Obstructed oceanview - $1235 CAD solo

November 25, 2017 - 7 night Caribbean cruise sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale on the Nieuw Amsterdam
Balcony - $1724 CAD solo
Obstructed oceanview - $1052 CAD solo
Inside - $1013 CAD solo

If you see something you like, please contact me and I can send you more details.

Cheers,
Roberta

About this newsletter: With so many solo travellers looking for affordable ways to travel, without the dreaded single supplement, I am always watching for specials. Periodically, when I have time, I summarize a few into an email to send to those who may be interested.

Want this news as soon as it comes out? Just email me with the word "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line. Actually, any email works fine. A human will read it (this one), not a bot.

Want more?
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cruisetravelbug
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Request a quote: https://www.cruiseshipcenters.com/en-CA/RobertaWestwood/contact

4 Royal Caribbean ships providing aid

The Adventure of the Seas, just one Royal Caribbean ship providing aid

Details are emerging on how Royal Caribbean is responding to the crisis in the Caribbean caused by hurricane Irma.

Two ships, the Adventure of the Seas and the Majesty of the Seas, are carrying supplies into disaster zones, and carrying evacuees out. Both ships are headed to St. Maarten at this time. The Majesty will also call at St. Thomas.

Two more Royal Caribbean ships, the Empress of the Seas and the Enchantment of the Seas, have also been made available to assist in rescue and relief missions in Florida as needed.

These fully staffed ships, loaded with provisions for now cancelled cruises, are well poised to make a huge difference to thousands.

Awesome stuff Royal Caribbean.

Norwegian Sky to the rescue

The Norwegian Sky in calmer waters

Norwegian Cruise Line announced this morning that they are deploying Norwegian Sky from her current position off the coast of Cancun to St. Thomas, in the US Virgin Islands, to retrieve approximately 2,000 travelers who were unable to evacuate the island prior to the storm.

This rescue mission is being coordinated with the Governor of St. Thomas and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association. Current plans are for the ship to arrive in Miami on September 14th.

In the statement on NCL's website (click on the Weather Alert tab on the home page), the company premises this announcement this way, "Acting as a responsible corporate citizen and supporting the destinations that our ships operate in is a core value of Norwegian Cruise Line. In the wake of this devastating storm, we will be deploying Norwegian Sky..."

My 2 cents: From where I sit, Norwegian Cruise Line is doing an outstanding job of responding to this emergency. I have seen a story in the news about a passenger claiming to be left to their own devices in Florida. Not true. Every passenger aboard Norwegian's sailings that were cut short by 2 days prior to the hurricane were given a refund for the remaining days of their cruise, an offer of 50% off a future cruise, and an invitation to sail away from the storm on the Norwegian Escape. Today, the Escape is tied up outside of Cozumel, giving those who have secured flights today or tomorrow morning to disembark, if they wish. Or, they can stay aboard.

There are two sides to every story, and I don't know more than this, but I confess to my back getting up when I hear disparaging remarks about an organization that is doing so much to help their passengers and the general public alike in rescue missions like this.

Believing in the good of people, and am thankful for visionaries in positions of power who can move mountains (or cruise ships) to serve the greater good.

Related stories:
How NCL helped 4000 guests escape IRMA

How NCL helped 4000 guests escape Irma

The Norwegian Escape's distinctive hull

Norwegian Cruise Line's brilliant strategy: after cancelling cruises on 2 ships, the Norwegian Escape has sailed from the now-closed Port of Miami with 4,000 passengers aboard from both ships who weren't able to easily get home.

Destination: unknown.

Return: unknown.

Situation onboard: a whole lot of people relieved to be sailing away from the storm.

The irony, of course, is that they have escaped Hurricane Irma on the Escape!

Hurricanes and travel agents

Hurricane Irma
Source: NASA SPoRT (public domain)

Thinking of all those impacted with this crazy weather.

Those cruising in the Caribbean at this time will find their itinerary changed, or their cruise cancelled. Some may be stranded to need their flights changed.

Now ask me if it's worth booking your flights with a travel agent.

Would you rather stress over trying to get your flights changed yourself, or know someone is doing that for you?

Travel agents have access to teams of air experts at their air wholesalers who can do amazing things.

If your airline has already rebooked you, your travel agent either knows, or can quickly find out, and can inform you.

If your travel agent knows you'll be stranded overnight, they might have already grabbed one of the last hotel rooms available.

Imagine the relief of getting an email, text or phone call from your travel agent, informing you of your new flights, while those around you stand in lines, sit on floors next to power outlets, and generally look miserable. You, however, can go to the bar.

(I obviously don't have anyone impacted, this time, or I wouldn't have time to write this).

For the love of cities

Paris will steal your heart...
Photo: Paul Marshman

I'm delighted to share this city-loving travel content from one of the travel industry's top bloggers (he's also a client). Paul Marshman, aka The Travelling Boomer, has a way with words.

Long before I coined "cruisetravelbug", I was, and still am, "citytravelbug"... I love city travel, living like a local, exploring local haunts, hanging out in sidewalk cafes and coffee shops (a few bars too). What cities inspire you? I hope you enjoy Paul's piece, and if you're left craving a city break, I can help you plan your trip.

The world is full of cities. Big cities, small cities, pretty cities, rough cities – they come in every shape and size. But now and then, you travel to a city that really captures your imagination, a place where every street corner seems to hold something magical. I’ve had that experience, and I imagine you have too.

So I thought it would be fun to look at some of those special cities around the world — cities that will steal your heart and leave you with warm memories that last for year. The list isn’t long; not that many cities pass the test, at least in my judgement. In fact, a few cities that others rhapsodize about have left me a bit cold... [read more].

Want to plan a city break? Please contact me.

Top 5 Solo Picks - September 4, 2017

"The end of labour is to gain leisure." ~ Aristotle

With this perspective, I wish you a Happy Labour Day with a little inspiration on how to spend your next vacation.

Here are my Top 5 Solo Cruise Picks today!

Why these sailings? There my be solo cabins, reduced/waived single supplements, a great deal overall, or simply good value on an itinerary solos can't usually afford. Fares below INCLUDE TAXES, and are subject to availability.

October 4, 2017 - 11-Night Canada / New England Cruise from Quebec City to New York on the Crown Princess
Inside - $2266 CAD solo

November 4, 2017 - 13-Night Caribbean Cruise roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale on the Oosterdam
Balcony - $2155 CAD solo
Oceanview - $1375 CAD solo
Obstructed oceanview - $1291 CAD solo
Inside - $1124 CAD solo

November 6, 2017 - 13-Night Transatlantic Cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome) to San Juan on the Jewel of the Seas
Inside - $1286 CAD solo

September 15, 2018 - 8-Night Asia / Japan Cruise roundtrip from Shanghai on the Quantum of the Seas
Studio balcony (SD) - $1153 CAD solo
Studio inside cabin with virtual balcony (SI) - $958 CAD solo

February 1, 2019 - 8-Night Australia Cruise roundtrip from Sydney on the Explorer of the Seas
Inside - $1220 CAD solo

If you see something you like, please contact me and I can send you more details.

Cheers,
Roberta

About this newsletter: With so many solo travellers looking for affordable ways to travel, without the dreaded single supplement, I am always watching for specials. Periodically, when I have time, I summarize a few into an email to send to those who may be interested.

Want this news as soon as it comes out? Just email me with the word "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line. Actually, any email works fine. A human will read it (this one), not a bot.

Want more?
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cruisetravelbug
"Like" my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cruisewithroberta
Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertawestwood/
Request a quote: https://www.cruiseshipcenters.com/en-CA/RobertaWestwood/contact

My Pick: Rhodes on the Pacific Princess

My pick of the day ~ a lovely cruise to Croatia and Greece, roundtrip from Venice, on the smallest ship in the Princess fleet, the much coveted Pacific Princess, with just 335 cabins.

One of the reasons I adore this itinerary is because it sails to Rhodes, where I have spent quite a bit of time. Rhodos is a well preserved ancient walled city, once the domain of the Knights Templar.

November 11, 2017: 12-Night Mediterranean Cruise, roundtrip Venice, on the Pacific Princess

Want more information? Please contact me.