Hi Jayne,

having a roomshare is a great idea, I already have a room, if another solo is still needing a room for the night before.

I am staying at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver on Burrard St, walking distance to the port.  

Let me know if anyone is interested.   

Jayne:

Thanks for the heads up about YWCA. That sounds like a great option.

 If there are any other solos who would like to consider this option, I'd be willing to do a roomshare.

I'm probably coming to Vancouver a couple days prior to disembarking on the cruise. I've never been to Vancouver and want to check it out.

Suzy

Hi didwor, there are a few  singles in our group from Australia I see you were inquiring about pre cruise trips in Vancover before the cruise. Some of us are getting to Vancover a few days before we sail and we will definately be doing some day trips , proberbly the train to Whistler and a trip to  the Capilano Suspension Bridge, If time permits we may  even go to Vancover Island on the ferry.  

We are staying at the YWCA Hotel  in downtown Vancover, we have stayed at YWCA's all over the world and have found they often have very affordable day trips. If not one of our group has been to Vancover several times and says she can guide us!

You are very welcome to join our group on day  trips, as is any one else in Vancover the week before the cruise, Jayne

There are usuallly several groups who organize a get-together/get-to-know you party the night before the cruise, and I suspect this cruise will be no different.  Olivia hosts a get-together as well at the host hotel.  As we get closer (I know, are we there yet??) those postings will appear.

Glad to have you aboard!

Is it Sept yet?  I am ready to pack my bag and explore new territory.  I too am traveling solo and plan to arrive in Vancouver a few days early to discover the sights and places to shop and places to eat in the gay community apparently on Robson St and nearby Chinatown.  I will wait for the Olivia updates and perhaps a group of us can meet.

Faith:

I forgot to mention the dancing. If you like dancing you'll like the cruise. Anything from formal classes to nightclub dancing until all hours of the night. That is one of my favorite parts of Olivia. Cause I just love to dance.

Suzy

Suzy,

 Thanks so much for the information.  I am sure I will have more questions in the near future and it is nice to be able to ask you.  To be truthful I am so excited (and nervous).  If you have done this 5 times and still going back, it really sounds like a good deal.  

 Faith

Labradoodle01:

You will not regret checking this one off your "bucket list." This will be my 5th cruise as a solo. Every time I've collecting wonderful and lasting friendships. I could spend a year traveling the country to visit them all. So fear not and jump right in with any questions you may have. The first full day at sea, Olivia organizes a Solos meet and greet, so you get to assess the solos scene. You will be given a lovely piece of bling (solos' dog tag) which you can choose to wear or not. I have found that by the end of the cruise, some of the couples start to covet your dog tag because they see how much fun we have. At meals, tables are reserved for solos so you never eat alone. At the evening shows, seating is set aside for solos so you never sit alone. Excursions are designated for solos if you so choose, but trust me you'll never be alone even if you elect to go on the other excursions.

Ask any other questions you like,

Suzy

THanks for sharing that there will be a "pre-trip" in Vancouver that will be organized thru Olivia. I have not yet purchased my plane ticket as I would like to explore some of the city before leaving on the cruise. I'm also traveling solo so if anyone wants to form a group or wait until communication comes from Oliva on options...I would be in!

 Denise

aaahh...good info, I can not afford the land trip (although I would have loved to go on one)and the cruise, hence, to start I am doing just the cruise.

I will look up the excursions. I know folks who have been to alaska on cruises and have some recommendations as far as those are concerned. 

Yea, 9 months of distractions from work and other issues going on,  I am starting to really look forward to this.  

this trip will be my gift to me for my birthday, christmas and pre-retirement.....wooo hooo! 

Nine months of anticipation and participation in this Connect Board.............to get you all hyped up for what will be one of the best times of your life!!!!    Shortly Olivia will be announcing if they are going to do a "pre-trip" in Vancouver and area, and you may be interested in that, but if you've already got your flights booked that may not be possible.

 Next will come in August when they send out our documentation and we get to book shore excursions for each of the stops.  In the meantime you can go on the Holland America site and look at a similar cruise and see what shore excursions are offered for those trips.  They will be similar to the ones offered for our trip, so you can plan and DREAM!!!

 All the best to you this New Years and see you in 2012.

 H & G