This video is part of a series! If you’d like to go back and watch the first video of boarding day on the HAL Volendam, click here: th-cam.com/video/_Zxu2ucw5Nw/w-d-xo.htmlsi=CZl1STRXitG-GlMQ
I have been traveling solo for many years now and after the first cruise it has been the best way to travel IMO. I do vet lost alot still but I just laugh at myself. I go directly to the Ocean Bar or Crows nest and pat myself on the back for another good day with a cool drink or an Irish coffee. I love being in charge of my days. I meet folks on excursions and enjoy the company. Otherwise I am on my own by choice. Love Holland America ships and ambience. I just started watching your site and enjoying your comments. Maybe I will be brave and go to the Orange party alone too!!
Meredith, I very much appreciate when you talk about the "struggles" or downsides of solo cruising. That is what is helping me to prepare for my first solo cruise this coming January. I can see myself not wanting to leave the ship on port days (fear of wandering around alone) but I am going to try to do it because of your thoughts about it. Please continue sharing the downs as well as the ups about solo cruising. I believe there are many solo cruisers (and first timers like myself) who can benefit from your thoughts and observations. Thanks so much. 🙂
@@rhondalyn100 thank you, Rhonda! I appreciate hearing that so much! I am so glad to hear that sharing my thoughts is not only helping others but that my fellow travelers are going through some of the same struggles 🙂
Yes I agree. That's what keeps me from solo cruising. I do t think I would ever go out and adventure on my own, I'm a very cautious person. I worry about getting into a cab by myself. I love your vlogs Mer and sharing how it is to solo cruise as a woman alone. Your giving me more courage to try it! Thanks
Your videos are really great, I enjoy them a great deal! I have had the opposite problem in the past when travelling with even a small group - how do I politely ditch these people and go have some adventure on my own! 🙃 I love to see new things and take it all in, and sometimes the group decision making (if the others aren't very independent) is a wee bit tedious, and even the personalities after too much time together can be uninteresting after a while (hahaha, the bad tippers, the glass half empty folks, the ones who won't stop talking, the ones who just want to follow others around....hahaha, we are all different!). I love that you go out on your own and do your own thing. Obviously it is also fun to share experiences with others, but it truly can go both ways in that regard. Thank you so much for your videos, they are very well done! :-)
I totally agree! That's exactly why I like to travel solo, so I don't have to be stuck with other people I don't agree with trying to all compromise 😄 so glad you're enjoying my videos!
@@MerCruisesSolo I am Canadian and live on the St Laurence River, about an hour away from Quebec City. You would definitely enjoy more time in Quebec City, it is truly an amazing place! The area in the video you saw just after Montmorency Falls, with the little villages by the water, was Ile D'Orleans, one of the very oldest parts of Quebec, with farming communities that have the same families living in them as those who settled there back in the 1600s - only a half hour drive from Old Quebec. ;-)
Your videography continues to be breathtaking! You present the story line in a fluid and cogent fashion that takes the viewer along with you through your day and creates the feeling of actually being present on the cruise experiencing the sights and excitement of cruising.
I love staying on the ship while everyone else gets off! Especially in the Caribbean...been there, done that. I'm going on my first solo cruise in November to the Southern Caribbean and I plan to stay onboard the whole trip. I enjoy your videos immensely!
@@lorifisher thanks so much, Lori! I do the same - have been there so many times and done most of what there is to do, so a lot of times I am cruising more for the ship than the ports in the Caribbean!
We did this cruise on the HAL Zuiderdam in September. My wife and I really enjoyed exploring Charlottetown, walked everywhere, charming town with the churches, the parks, the old Victorian houses, the restaurants, etc. We found a great restaurant for fresh fish and chips, that gave you a choice for the type of fish, haddock, cod or halibut- it was great. Then, we found Cows creamery, I love ice cream and have had great ice cream and gelato all over the world, and Cows was outstanding. Then, in the afternoon, we did a ship excursion, Fun with Falcons, and it was great. There was only about 15 of us in a small bus, and only a short 15-20 ride from the ship. Your experience on your excursion did not seem that great. We had looked at it, but it did not interest us, and I’m glad we did the one we did. I’ll keep watching, I enjoy your videos.
@@martyptx sounds like you definitely made the right choice on your shore excursion! I would choose something different next time, but hopefully sharing my experience will help others make a decision! Thanks for watching and commenting 😊
@@MerCruisesSolo Hi Mer, excursions are hard to determine what are best for you. I don't know if you noticed on your HAL cruise, but they have port profiles videos (about 5-8 minutes long) on each port for the cruise on you stateroom television. We always watch them, and found them very helpful to guide us on things we might want to explore. Of course, they would be helpful to view when you are reviewing excusions before the cruise, but they apparently are only available on the ship. I have suggested to the cruise and travel director on two cruises now to have them available pre-cruise. They both agreed and indicated they would include the info on their cruise reports. I totally agree with you that sharing your experiences are very helpful to those who view your videos!
@@martyptx I didn’t know that! I’m not sure I turned my TV on once during this cruise so never would have found those, but wish I had! That would have been super helpful, thanks for the tip! Hope they make them available pre-cruise 😊
As a solo i love the "I'm not doing anything today vibe", I'm on holiday, i don't want to be told to be here at this time, then we go here, if i can't walk of the ship and around the port i stay onboard and relax.
Again, another wonderful video. Your honesty is so refreshing and I appreciate how you share your thoughts about solo cruising. I (Christel) have been on 3 solo cruises and also just go on excursion and not sure if I would just go and explore on my own. My first solo cruise was in early 2022 (after Covid ) to the ABC Islands and it was not completely booked. My excursion wasn't until 2 pm and I had the pool deck (including Lifeguard, lol) all for myself. It was awesome. Makes you feel like you own the ship, right? Thank you for sharing the fun of the Orange Party. Off to the next port. Stay safe -
@@KikiB90 you said it perfectly, Christel - it feels like you have the whole ship to yourself, it’s such a great feeling, like we are VIP or something 😆 thanks so much for your kind words!
I've been in that bar hop pre-party. It was fun seeing what it looked like on a different ship and also how it looked from a different perspective. That said, I think our group had the same level of fun and enthusiasm. A different crew, but the same vibe! A great way to just have some silly fun with a small group before heading to the main party.
Great video once again. You are true to yourself and tell us as it is. No powder puffing just to make it better. Love that! So happy you had fun on the Pub Crawl & Orange Party!!
Thanks for sharing your feelings about self-exploration. I will say, I have found that your videos contain a nice balance between ship and shore experiences. So, bravo for "forcing" yourself to have that balance. 👍 Cheers!
I have enjoyed watching your videos regarding this particular cruise as I was on it also and it is like reliving the experience all over again. My daughter and I enjoyed meeting you at the Bar Hop and the Orange night was one of our favorites. Highly recommend it.
@@kimberlyrasmussen3208 hi Kimberly! I remember you and your daughter, it was wonderful to meet you both, we had SO much fun! Thank you so much for watching and reliving the cruise through my videos 😊
As a solo Cruiser I totally understand your feelings about getting off in a port by yourself it's unnerving to be by yourself you certainly have more courage when you're with someone but you force yourself to do it because you don't want to miss out on a beautiful experience❤
@@Skyflower25 you’re so right! Sometimes I find myself in more of an adventurous mood than others, but every day is a great day on a cruise, regardless 😊
Also thank you for sharing your honest feelings about cruising solo. You (along with Zach the Travelling Man) were my inspirations for my venture into solo cruising. Maybe it's just me, but having done it a couple times now I've found getting off the ship and exploring (on excursions or just on my own) to be the easiest part. It's on the ship, particularly on sea days, where I've felt more awkward.
@@jdb316 that’s so interesting! It’s fascinating how different everyone’s experiences can be. I love hearing that you find it easier to explore in port, as that is really the whole we reason we (most people, anyway) cruise at all! 😊 thanks so much for watching and I’m so glad to hear that me and my fellow vloggers have inspired you to try solo travel!
Great video! Been binge watching your videos to prepare for my first solo cruise in November on Discovery Princess. Really think I should give HAL a try now.
I am definitely one of those who can't wait to get off the ship and explore and get lost! For me personally, I rarely book excursions and try to get off the beaten path and become a local. If I book an excursion, it is typically an unsafe port/area. Enjoyed the video as always. I have another cruise already booked in November, but I am trying to fit in another in September.
@@NowBoardingVlogs I love that! And am a little envious 😁 it’s amazing how different we all are, but that’s what makes the world go round. I hope that the more I travel the more I’ll get the urge to explore more and let myself get lost. There’s no such thing as too many cruises, hope you get to do another in September, it’s right around the corner!
@@kr1234566 I have those same feelings, despite what you see in my videos I am also very shy by nature and find it hard to get out of my shell to go meet people; having a balcony to escape to but still feel close to the ocean and have fresh air anytime you like is so worth it to me! 😊
Thanks for sharing your solo cruising videos. You are encouraging me to start traveling solo soon since traveling with someone who is incompatible with your likes and dislikes can be a nightmare.
@@MrXR77 You are so right, and that is one of the main reasons I travel solo, always on my time and my schedule with no worries about compatibility or compromise 😊 so glad to hear you are going to try solo travel, I think you’ll enjoy it!
Glad you somewhat enjoyed your outing on our beautiful little island of PEI. Sometime you'll have to come back and see our beach down east, just a few mins past the town of Souris call Singing Sands. The sand squeaks as you walk on it
@@marlenellewellyn9987 it was so beautiful and I will definitely be back! The beach you described sounds fascinating and just the kind of place I’d love to visit 😊 thanks so much for watching!
Oh gosh this is exactly how I feel - love solo travel. The main issue is I enjoy myself too much relaxing in my cabin or in the ship but lack the omph sometimes to get off
At Wood Island, they should have pointed out the osprey nest that I believe was behind you as you were filming there! Maybe the birds didn't nest this year! The restaurant you noticed at Point Prim is reknown locally for its cuisine! Come back to the Island for a longer sray!
Oh wow, no, they didn’t mention an osprey nest, maybe it wasn’t there! I’ll definitely have to come back and visit for a weekend, such a beautiful island! 😊
I will be on my first solo in Feb. I also prebooked my excursions so I guess ill find out what I actually end up doing. Im much older than you but I'll call it uncertainty, not fear 😮
@@sarasue56 good way to look at it! I like to prebook excursions most of the time as well so I get into the one that interests me the most. They can sell out!
Did you find the crowd on Volendam to be mostly 60+? That would be typical of Holland America; it generally draws an older crowd (though less so on its Alaska cruises).
@@jdb316 on this cruise I did not! Because it was a holiday week for both Canada and the US, I believe the crowd was a bit younger on average compared to the typical HAL crowd. Lots of multigenerational families!
I did my first HAL cruise this past year and I have to say that HAL really knows how to throw a party! The Orange Party Bar Hop may honestly be the best cruise line organized party at sea! Thanks for sharing your experience so that others can see how much fun it is! I'd love to hear if you have experienced any cruise line parties at sea of a similar caliber? Happy cruising!
I think I agree with you on it being the best organized party at sea! Other lines throw parties like 70s, 80s, Latin Night, Glow/Neon Party, etc., but I think HAL just knocked it out of the park with the bar hop and then the orange party itself, so much fun!! The one comparison I’d make is Virgin Voyages Scarlet Night - that is also an amazing party at sea! 😊
@@MerCruisesSolo Thanks for the tip regarding the Scarlet Night party! I'll be sure to attend if I ever sail Virgin 👍 I have to say that I loved the energy/vibe of the Bar Hop, but it did catch me off guard as I never would have would have expected it from a cruise line that traditionally is considered to have a more laid back cruising atmosphere. It was a very pleasant surprise indeed!
@@paulwinge4173 this was a completely sold out sailing! 😊 in fact they were offering refunds and cruise credits ahead of embarkation if folks wanted to cancel, because they overbooked!
I’d love to cruise solo. Married but I think it’s important to have time alone sometimes. My wife does many girl trips, but I’m not into the guy trips…I’d rather spend time on my own. What scares me most (or terrifies me actually) is the dining alone aspect. It makes me so self conscious, it really scares me away. Afraid I’d do room service and just “hide” at meal times. How did you get over that? I know you have your kindle…which I would also definitely do…I’d still feel awkward… think people feel sorry for me (when I’m actually at my happiest, most at peace).
The only opinions that matter are your own! It's common to see people dining alone, but these days I truly don't notice anyone looking at me or staring and if anything, I would say they're jealous 😆 just bring a book, enjoy your food and/or the lovely view outside, and don't pay attention to anyone else around you! Each time gets easier until eventually you realize you don't even notice anyone else anymore!
@@jasonfreeman1963 there were a lot of available excursions, and the bus was not completely full so I don’t think they fully sold out, but it definitely did seem like a popular choice!
@@Parkhopper1985 yes 😂 it was a fly, they were SO annoying out on the pool deck at times. I think people had spilled some fruity drinks and it attracted them! 🪰
Nah, we can't do the bar hop. That first glass would knock us out. Too old and way out of practice. We'll do the frozen cocktail of the day, but that's about it. 😅
During the Orange Party how come Rocky Top wasn't sang. How can you have an Orange Party with singing Rocky Top? I did get some strange looks and some laughter and some eye rolls and heading nodding no (probably most of the crowd, they were Vanderbuilt and Crimson Tide fans) when I asked this question in Belfast Northern Ireland during a July 12th parade. The Orange Parade Marching Bands did not play the University Of Tennessee Theme Song. Just a lot of unknown bag pipe music. So disappointing.
Please look up the definition of the word "epic" before using it improperly again. Nothing about a cruise could even remotely be considered "epic" using the actual meaning of that word.
![ไข้ขึ้นเลย! เมื่อแฝดโดนจัดเต็มวัคซีนครบ2เดือน🤒 [cc] แดนแพทตี้ SS2 | EP.54 |](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/z2VHItnyyvY/mqdefault.jpg)
This video is part of a series! If you’d like to go back and watch the first video of boarding day on the HAL Volendam, click here: th-cam.com/video/_Zxu2ucw5Nw/w-d-xo.htmlsi=CZl1STRXitG-GlMQ
Great commentary. Thanks for sharing.
I have been traveling solo for many years now and after the first cruise it has been the best way to travel IMO. I do vet lost alot still but I just laugh at myself. I go directly to the Ocean Bar or Crows nest and pat myself on the back for another good day with a cool drink or an Irish coffee. I love being in charge of my days. I meet folks on excursions and enjoy the company. Otherwise I am on my own by choice. Love Holland America ships and ambience. I just started watching your site and enjoying your comments. Maybe I will be brave and go to the Orange party alone too!!
you definitely should! Such a great time!
Thanks Mer for sharing how it is to be a solo cruiser as a woman, the downs and ups! You are giving me the courage to try it!
Meredith, I very much appreciate when you talk about the "struggles" or downsides of solo cruising. That is what is helping me to prepare for my first solo cruise this coming January. I can see myself not wanting to leave the ship on port days (fear of wandering around alone) but I am going to try to do it because of your thoughts about it. Please continue sharing the downs as well as the ups about solo cruising. I believe there are many solo cruisers (and first timers like myself) who can benefit from your thoughts and observations. Thanks so much. 🙂
@@rhondalyn100 thank you, Rhonda! I appreciate hearing that so much! I am so glad to hear that sharing my thoughts is not only helping others but that my fellow travelers are going through some of the same struggles 🙂
Yes I agree. That's what keeps me from solo cruising. I do t think I would ever go out and adventure on my own, I'm a very cautious person. I worry about getting into a cab by myself. I love your vlogs Mer and sharing how it is to solo cruise as a woman alone. Your giving me more courage to try it! Thanks
@@amandagraves5468 thank you so much, I'm so glad to hear that!!
Your videos are really great, I enjoy them a great deal! I have had the opposite problem in the past when travelling with even a small group - how do I politely ditch these people and go have some adventure on my own! 🙃 I love to see new things and take it all in, and sometimes the group decision making (if the others aren't very independent) is a wee bit tedious, and even the personalities after too much time together can be uninteresting after a while (hahaha, the bad tippers, the glass half empty folks, the ones who won't stop talking, the ones who just want to follow others around....hahaha, we are all different!). I love that you go out on your own and do your own thing. Obviously it is also fun to share experiences with others, but it truly can go both ways in that regard. Thank you so much for your videos, they are very well done! :-)
I totally agree! That's exactly why I like to travel solo, so I don't have to be stuck with other people I don't agree with trying to all compromise 😄 so glad you're enjoying my videos!
@@MerCruisesSolo I am Canadian and live on the St Laurence River, about an hour away from Quebec City. You would definitely enjoy more time in Quebec City, it is truly an amazing place! The area in the video you saw just after Montmorency Falls, with the little villages by the water, was Ile D'Orleans, one of the very oldest parts of Quebec, with farming communities that have the same families living in them as those who settled there back in the 1600s - only a half hour drive from Old Quebec. ;-)
Your videography continues to be breathtaking! You present the story line in a fluid and cogent fashion that takes the viewer along with you through your day and creates the feeling of actually being present on the cruise experiencing the sights and excitement of cruising.
what a compliment, thank you so much!! 😊
If we ever end up on the same ship solo, you are more than welcome to explore the port with me. Company is always welcome!
I love staying on the ship while everyone else gets off! Especially in the Caribbean...been there, done that. I'm going on my first solo cruise in November to the Southern Caribbean and I plan to stay onboard the whole trip. I enjoy your videos immensely!
@@lorifisher thanks so much, Lori! I do the same - have been there so many times and done most of what there is to do, so a lot of times I am cruising more for the ship than the ports in the Caribbean!
We did this cruise on the HAL Zuiderdam in September. My wife and I really enjoyed exploring Charlottetown, walked everywhere, charming town with the churches, the parks, the old Victorian houses, the restaurants, etc. We found a great restaurant for fresh fish and chips, that gave you a choice for the type of fish, haddock, cod or halibut- it was great. Then, we found Cows creamery, I love ice cream and have had great ice cream and gelato all over the world, and Cows was outstanding. Then, in the afternoon, we did a ship excursion, Fun with Falcons, and it was great. There was only about 15 of us in a small bus, and only a short 15-20 ride from the ship. Your experience on your excursion did not seem that great. We had looked at it, but it did not interest us, and I’m glad we did the one we did. I’ll keep watching, I enjoy your videos.
@@martyptx sounds like you definitely made the right choice on your shore excursion! I would choose something different next time, but hopefully sharing my experience will help others make a decision! Thanks for watching and commenting 😊
@@MerCruisesSolo Hi Mer, excursions are hard to determine what are best for you. I don't know if you noticed on your HAL cruise, but they have port profiles videos (about 5-8 minutes long) on each port for the cruise on you stateroom television. We always watch them, and found them very helpful to guide us on things we might want to explore. Of course, they would be helpful to view when you are reviewing excusions before the cruise, but they apparently are only available on the ship. I have suggested to the cruise and travel director on two cruises now to have them available pre-cruise. They both agreed and indicated they would include the info on their cruise reports. I totally agree with you that sharing your experiences are very helpful to those who view your videos!
@@martyptx I didn’t know that! I’m not sure I turned my TV on once during this cruise so never would have found those, but wish I had! That would have been super helpful, thanks for the tip! Hope they make them available pre-cruise 😊
As a solo i love the "I'm not doing anything today vibe", I'm on holiday, i don't want to be told to be here at this time, then we go here, if i can't walk of the ship and around the port i stay onboard and relax.
@@melthebelgian.5837 yes! Some of my favorite days on a ship have been just like that 😊
You do a great job of filming and editing! Really enjoy your videos. Feels like being right along with you..
Thank you so much!! 😄
Thank you for sharing with us! ❤😊
Again, another wonderful video. Your honesty is so refreshing and I appreciate how you share your thoughts about solo cruising. I (Christel) have been on 3 solo cruises and also just go on excursion and not sure if I would just go and explore on my own. My first solo cruise was in early 2022 (after Covid ) to the ABC Islands and it was not completely booked. My excursion wasn't until 2 pm and I had the pool deck (including Lifeguard, lol) all for myself. It was awesome. Makes you feel like you own the ship, right? Thank you for sharing the fun of the Orange Party. Off to the next port. Stay safe -
@@KikiB90 you said it perfectly, Christel - it feels like you have the whole ship to yourself, it’s such a great feeling, like we are VIP or something 😆 thanks so much for your kind words!
I've been in that bar hop pre-party. It was fun seeing what it looked like on a different ship and also how it looked from a different perspective. That said, I think our group had the same level of fun and enthusiasm. A different crew, but the same vibe! A great way to just have some silly fun with a small group before heading to the main party.
@@MatthewMehren I love to hear that, because I will definitely be looking for a repeat on the next Holland America ship I cruise on! 😄👏🏼
I get it. For sure going out solo port etc. can be scary My fear is missing ship cause I’m lost somewhere
Great video once again. You are true to yourself and tell us as it is. No powder puffing just to make it better. Love that!
So happy you had fun on the Pub Crawl & Orange Party!!
@@1sburdett1 thank you, Suzie! I like to be transparent and honest so you get a true sense of what solo travel is all about 😊
Thanks for sharing… I always enjoy your videos
Thanks for sharing your feelings about self-exploration. I will say, I have found that your videos contain a nice balance between ship and shore experiences. So, bravo for "forcing" yourself to have that balance. 👍 Cheers!
@@johnbuckley8324 thanks so much, John! I do try to find a balance, I’m glad you think so! 😊
7:10 That's me 🤣 PEI looks beautiful! I'm so surprised it's so green. Pub crawl looks so fun!
@@TravelWithBen121 one of these days I’ll take a page out of your book and get lost 😂
love lance (we call him sir lancelot)...great guy and still keep in touch :0)
I have enjoyed watching your videos regarding this particular cruise as I was on it also and it is like reliving the experience all over again. My daughter and I enjoyed meeting you at the Bar Hop and the Orange night was one of our favorites. Highly recommend it.
@@kimberlyrasmussen3208 hi Kimberly! I remember you and your daughter, it was wonderful to meet you both, we had SO much fun! Thank you so much for watching and reliving the cruise through my videos 😊
As a solo Cruiser I totally understand your feelings about getting off in a port by yourself it's unnerving to be by yourself you certainly have more courage when you're with someone but you force yourself to do it because you don't want to miss out on a beautiful experience❤
@@Skyflower25 you’re so right! Sometimes I find myself in more of an adventurous mood than others, but every day is a great day on a cruise, regardless 😊
Gosh that party looked so fun
@@MathewLauren it was a blast!!! 🍊
Also thank you for sharing your honest feelings about cruising solo. You (along with Zach the Travelling Man) were my inspirations for my venture into solo cruising. Maybe it's just me, but having done it a couple times now I've found getting off the ship and exploring (on excursions or just on my own) to be the easiest part. It's on the ship, particularly on sea days, where I've felt more awkward.
@@jdb316 that’s so interesting! It’s fascinating how different everyone’s experiences can be. I love hearing that you find it easier to explore in port, as that is really the whole we reason we (most people, anyway) cruise at all! 😊 thanks so much for watching and I’m so glad to hear that me and my fellow vloggers have inspired you to try solo travel!
I can image what is to feel like a “ Queen of the Ship “ the whole ship is there for you ONLY 😊🤩😍👍
@@MrKn1214 🫅🏻😄
Great video! Been binge watching your videos to prepare for my first solo cruise in November on Discovery Princess. Really think I should give HAL a try now.
HAL was great! I am also looking forward to trying Princess at some point 😊
@@MerCruisesSolo We love HAL but had our worst ever cruise on Princess.
@@robertpendzick9250 oh no! Sorry to hear that! I usually hear good things about Princess but have yet to give them a try!
Wow, definitely a great video, I know I would probably be like you and just want to stay on the ship all the time.
it is so easy to do! Nothing better than having the ship to yourself!
Looking forward to the rest of this series.
I hope you were able to see the Celtic Thunder band/show.
@@pileofstuff I was! They were awesome! Will share a clip in an upcoming video 😊
Good form. Thanks for sharing.😌
@@scottwilbur25 thanks, Scott! 😊
FYI…PEI has fantastic golf courses and the lobster is unbeatable!
I am definitely one of those who can't wait to get off the ship and explore and get lost! For me personally, I rarely book excursions and try to get off the beaten path and become a local. If I book an excursion, it is typically an unsafe port/area. Enjoyed the video as always. I have another cruise already booked in November, but I am trying to fit in another in September.
@@NowBoardingVlogs I love that! And am a little envious 😁 it’s amazing how different we all are, but that’s what makes the world go round. I hope that the more I travel the more I’ll get the urge to explore more and let myself get lost. There’s no such thing as too many cruises, hope you get to do another in September, it’s right around the corner!
Thank you for sharing the good and difficult parts. I want to try a solo sometime I am shy and anxious sometimes so I definately need a balcony
@@kr1234566 I have those same feelings, despite what you see in my videos I am also very shy by nature and find it hard to get out of my shell to go meet people; having a balcony to escape to but still feel close to the ocean and have fresh air anytime you like is so worth it to me! 😊
Thanks for sharing your solo cruising videos. You are encouraging me to start traveling solo soon since traveling with someone who is incompatible with your likes and dislikes can be a nightmare.
@@MrXR77 You are so right, and that is one of the main reasons I travel solo, always on my time and my schedule with no worries about compatibility or compromise 😊 so glad to hear you are going to try solo travel, I think you’ll enjoy it!
Happy to see your video comes out, can you tell us also the date you were on the ship? Thank you
@@trikynguyen3680 yes, I was on the ship from June 29 - July 6! 😊
Glad you somewhat enjoyed your outing on our beautiful little island of PEI. Sometime you'll have to come back and see our beach down east, just a few mins past the town of Souris call Singing Sands. The sand squeaks as you walk on it
@@marlenellewellyn9987 it was so beautiful and I will definitely be back! The beach you described sounds fascinating and just the kind of place I’d love to visit 😊 thanks so much for watching!
@@MerCruisesSolo the beach is actually called Basin Head Beach, if you want to look it up on google.
Oh gosh this is exactly how I feel - love solo travel. The main issue is I enjoy myself too much relaxing in my cabin or in the ship but lack the omph sometimes to get off
@@np7360 me too, I can totally relate! Something about being on the ship just makes me want to relax and curl up with a good book! 😊
At Wood Island, they should have pointed out the osprey nest that I believe was behind you as you were filming there! Maybe the birds didn't nest this year! The restaurant you noticed at Point Prim is reknown locally for its cuisine! Come back to the Island for a longer sray!
Oh wow, no, they didn’t mention an osprey nest, maybe it wasn’t there! I’ll definitely have to come back and visit for a weekend, such a beautiful island! 😊
I will be on my first solo in Feb. I also prebooked my excursions so I guess ill find out what I actually end up doing. Im much older than you but I'll call it uncertainty, not fear 😮
@@sarasue56 good way to look at it! I like to prebook excursions most of the time as well so I get into the one that interests me the most. They can sell out!
Love your narration ……
@@sail2day822 thank you! 😊
Did you find the crowd on Volendam to be mostly 60+? That would be typical of Holland America; it generally draws an older crowd (though less so on its Alaska cruises).
@@jdb316 on this cruise I did not! Because it was a holiday week for both Canada and the US, I believe the crowd was a bit younger on average compared to the typical HAL crowd. Lots of multigenerational families!
I did my first HAL cruise this past year and I have to say that HAL really knows how to throw a party! The Orange Party Bar Hop may honestly be the best cruise line organized party at sea! Thanks for sharing your experience so that others can see how much fun it is! I'd love to hear if you have experienced any cruise line parties at sea of a similar caliber? Happy cruising!
I think I agree with you on it being the best organized party at sea! Other lines throw parties like 70s, 80s, Latin Night, Glow/Neon Party, etc., but I think HAL just knocked it out of the park with the bar hop and then the orange party itself, so much fun!! The one comparison I’d make is Virgin Voyages Scarlet Night - that is also an amazing party at sea! 😊
@@MerCruisesSolo Thanks for the tip regarding the Scarlet Night party! I'll be sure to attend if I ever sail Virgin 👍 I have to say that I loved the energy/vibe of the Bar Hop, but it did catch me off guard as I never would have would have expected it from a cruise line that traditionally is considered to have a more laid back cruising atmosphere. It was a very pleasant surprise indeed!
@@BenFyvie completely agree! 😊
Quick question, Meredith. I know the Volendam carries a little over 1,400 guests at full capacity. How full was the ship during your cruise?
@@paulwinge4173 this was a completely sold out sailing! 😊 in fact they were offering refunds and cruise credits ahead of embarkation if folks wanted to cancel, because they overbooked!
Try small group tours!
I’d love to cruise solo. Married but I think it’s important to have time alone sometimes. My wife does many girl trips, but I’m not into the guy trips…I’d rather spend time on my own. What scares me most (or terrifies me actually) is the dining alone aspect. It makes me so self conscious, it really scares me away. Afraid I’d do room service and just “hide” at meal times. How did you get over that? I know you have your kindle…which I would also definitely do…I’d still feel awkward… think people feel sorry for me (when I’m actually at my happiest, most at peace).
The only opinions that matter are your own! It's common to see people dining alone, but these days I truly don't notice anyone looking at me or staring and if anything, I would say they're jealous 😆 just bring a book, enjoy your food and/or the lovely view outside, and don't pay attention to anyone else around you! Each time gets easier until eventually you realize you don't even notice anyone else anymore!
Not sure how many excursions were available this one might be the only one that people wanted to so
@@jasonfreeman1963 there were a lot of available excursions, and the bus was not completely full so I don’t think they fully sold out, but it definitely did seem like a popular choice!
Did you see that bug on your chair at 5:20
@@Parkhopper1985 yes 😂 it was a fly, they were SO annoying out on the pool deck at times. I think people had spilled some fruity drinks and it attracted them! 🪰
That cardigan ruined that beautiful dress you should’ve left it in the room❤❤❤
well it was too hot to leave it on for long, so I ended up carrying it around with me most of the night 😆
Nah, we can't do the bar hop. That first glass would knock us out. Too old and way out of practice. We'll do the frozen cocktail of the day, but that's about it. 😅
@@howardosden3112 😂 I hear you! It definitely didn’t taste quite as strong as they claimed it to be, but I wouldn’t blame you for avoiding that one 😆
During the Orange Party how come Rocky Top wasn't sang. How can you have an Orange Party with singing Rocky Top? I did get some strange looks and some laughter and some eye rolls and heading nodding no (probably most of the crowd, they were Vanderbuilt and Crimson Tide fans) when I asked this question in Belfast Northern Ireland during a July 12th parade. The Orange Parade Marching Bands did not play the University Of Tennessee Theme Song. Just a lot of unknown bag pipe music. So disappointing.
@@edeter2260 my sister who lived in eastern TN for many years and is a huge Vols fan would agree with you! 😂
Please look up the definition of the word "epic" before using it improperly again. Nothing about a cruise could even remotely be considered "epic" using the actual meaning of that word.
@@geraldarcuri9307 that is just your opinion and I disagree.