Check out the LEVEL8 website to view all of their amazing products and use code: MerCruisesSolo for 10% off your purchase! Website link: bit.ly/Level8MerCruisesSolo. Check out their Amazon storefront here: amzn.to/4fV323J
Solo cruiser here as well. My favorite hotel (upper floors facing Bayside and the port to watch the ship's AM arrival) and my favorite NCL ship. I love the aft balcony cabins and have sailed with her many times between 2015 and now. Can't wait to try her new 2025 schedule. Main dining room breakfast on the last day is the best. Love your sun hat- it's very cute.
I was hoping I'd have a direct view of the port, but it was just out of view of the ships unfortunately, but loved the Intercontinental! The Sky is great, would love to try an aft balcony on her sometime! 😊
Congrats on 3K+ subs Meredith! 👍 Great to be able to take off on a little weekend cruise. I've fallen in love with cruising over the last year and your adventures encourage more. 🙂 Keep up the great content. Cheers!
Yes! NCL compare to other cruise lines! The difference on what to expect , it will be very useful. I have travel in MSC , Cranival and Royal and i can see how MSC is so different from the others, but I haven’t travel in NCL or Virgin, or Holland, etc so I wouldn’t know what to expect. Maybe do a Serie Vlog with few videos. 💕
Future Meredith!! That was a funny intro to your commercial. Can’t wait to see six months ago Meredith or 3 weeks ago Meredith or two weeks in the future Meredith! Also loved the edit to the music at the beginning
Love your channel!! I just booked my 1st solo cruise on the NCL Encore November 15-22, 2025!! Can't wait!! Also, NCL is opening up a new port in my hometown of Philly in 2026 so I can't wait for that as well!!
The Encore is great, I hope you have an amazing time! And I live in Philly, have been here for almost 12 years 😂 I was SO excited to hear about the port coming in 2026, I’ve already booked! Can’t wait!! 🙌🏼
@MerCruisesSolo WOW!! That's awesome!! Small world!! Lol!! Philly is great!! Born and raised in the city, and I live in Delco now!! I'm staying in a studio cabin, so I'll have exclusive access to the studio lounge, which I heard is great!!
I was in the Bahamas back in July. Looked like a fun weekend trip. I haven't been to NCL's private island yet but looks like somewhere I would enjoy and I like that your drink package carries over to the island. The Baja spice chicken sandwich looked really good.
The sandwich was SO good! I really enjoy Great Stirrup Cay - though I haven't been to any other cruise line private islands, this one is in my opinion really great!
I love the quick 3-4 day cruises. So much fun and nice little getaway. Yes I have burned my eyelids more than once. Not fun at all. Now all of my hats are UV rated and so is my clothing and always wear sunglasses. I had been diagnosed with skin cancer at 36 and was told my eyes also had UV damage. I was from generation where we laid out slathered in baby oil and thought tanning beds were greatest invention when they first came out lol. Not so bright in hind sight but UV clothing helps a lot as do rated hats and of course tons of sunscreen.
I can relate to so much of what you said! I spent my fair share of time in tanning beds when I was younger 😬now trying to make up for it by using sunscreen as much as possible, but when it's so hot out it sweats off of you immediately! I think I have a UV protectant hat, will have to bring that with me in the future!!
I am a solo traveler. Just went to Alaska last month and had a solo room to myself for a great reasonable price. Now, my group that I went with last month is planning on going to Hawaii in 2026. I called the travel agent with NCL and they gave me a price. OMG! Way too expensive for a solo room. I wonder how people can afford to travel alone. Any suggestions or advice are much appreciated. I am 64 years old and want to travel as much as I can. Thank you. Your videos are great!
@@christinelisi6964 the Hawaii NCL cruises are very expensive in general, so I would expect to see higher prices especially for solo travel! It really depends on the itinerary and time of year, you can find really great solo travel deals on certain ones - check out the website CruisePlum which has an easy way to search for solo cruises with a low single supplement!
Another very well done and informative video, young lady!! Thank you! Between airfare and single supplement, your cost must add up rapidly. How do you find/choose cruises to get the best value for your money? CruisePlum? Last minute? Cruise line email specials?
@@TheViewfromBethlehem I use CruisePlum a lot, but NCL is great about offering itineraries with a very low solo supplement! I also use points or miles to book flights and set alerts to get notified for price drops, and I book hotels through Expedia where I get great deals and perks for having status. Lots of way to find deals, but it can definitely add up! That’s why I still have (and very much appreciate) my regular day job, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to afford to travel as much 😊
Hey Mer! Yes , I have experience sunburned in my eyelids, and I’ve also seen others too, specially when we are cruising is when i see it the most. My suggestion even though you wore a hat, make sure your sunglasses are also UV-blocking sunglasses. The hat will protect you from the sun coming from above not the reflection from the water, the ground, etc. I use grape seed oil, rose hip oil, coconut oil, hemp seed oil, to help my skin heal after sun exposure. Give it a try.
Hi Meredith, did you see an area where wheelchairs were being provided with assistance in the Miami terminal? I requested a wheelchair to board and unboard. On my next cruise out of Miami, I will be on the NCL Pearl.
Yes, there is definitely wheelchair assistance provided at the Miami terminal! I am not sure if you need to reach out in advance so I’d recommend contacting NCL directly, but I know it is available 😊 have a great cruise!
@MerCruisesSolo yes before each of my cruises with NCL I submit a request, but I wondered how easy it is to find that area in Miami because I will be in a Penthouse Suite on the Pearl and I don't want the Wheelchair delaying me boarding with other Haven and Suite guests in the separate boarding routine.
@@rgruenhaus any guests requiring special assistance will board first! Whether you board with Haven/Suite guests or as part of the regular boarding with assistance you will be at the front of the line 😊
@@toyawomble2810 the cost will vary significantly depending on the cabin and time of year. But yes, the Sky did offer the drink package as an option to include during booking!
Thanks for the video. I'm going solo on a 15 day trip aboard Sky in Asia end of March. Did you use the WiFi? I've seen other reviews that say it's not great. I don't drink so the package isn't worth it and the WiFi alone is $350 for the trip.
@@scottdowler8316 I did use the WiFi and it was alright, but not great. It also definitely depends on where your itinerary is. I just got back from an Asia cruise on the Spirit and the WiFi was very bad in many ports and just “okay” in others, so it can vary depending on whether Starlink is supported in the port you’re at. Hope you have a wonderful cruise! I loved my Asia itinerary and the Sky is a great little ship! 😊
Sending you lots of good luck, hope you're able to make it!! This was my 5th time there (to be fair I don't always choose to get off the ship) and every time I have been fortunate to not have it cancelled, but I know it happens often!
have you travelled on Princess Cruises? that's our preferred Cruise Line but it's lovely to follow your voyages with different Cruise Lines. Do you pay for all the cruises yourself or do you have a way of using points etc as in flying options. How many cruises would you do a year or does it vary on destination, cost?
@@lorettamcnaught8552 I haven’t tried Princess yet, but hope to soon! I pay for cruises myself but I do occasionally use credit card points and/or miles to pay for flights! I typically do about 6-8 cruises a year, depending on how long they are, as I have a full time corporate job with a set amount of PTO.
You are doing what I dream of. I so bad want to cruise solo but I have never done anything alone and am afraid it will make me anxious. Please give me pointers on how to handle the being alone. I am married but my husband doesn't like to go as much as me.
@@reigle4 solo cruising is so much easier than solo travel on land because the ship is contained and safe and you have activities, dining, entertainment, music, etc. all there on offer so you just have to choose what you’re in the mood for and go! It’s so easy to meet people just by striking up a conversation around the ship 😊
Check out the LEVEL8 website to view all of their amazing products and use code: MerCruisesSolo for 10% off your purchase! Website link: bit.ly/Level8MerCruisesSolo. Check out their Amazon storefront here: amzn.to/4fV323J
All of the food you had looked delicious 🤩 And the ship looks beautiful too! Well done Meredith, great vlog 😁
Thanks so much, Ben! I know you're missing that cruise food 😜
I've cruised on SKY twice! I LOVE the smaller NCL ships
Solo cruiser here as well. My favorite hotel (upper floors facing Bayside and the port to watch the ship's AM arrival) and my favorite NCL ship. I love the aft balcony cabins and have sailed with her many times between 2015 and now. Can't wait to try her new 2025 schedule. Main dining room breakfast on the last day is the best. Love your sun hat- it's very cute.
I was hoping I'd have a direct view of the port, but it was just out of view of the ships unfortunately, but loved the Intercontinental! The Sky is great, would love to try an aft balcony on her sometime! 😊
Congrats on 3K+ subs Meredith! 👍 Great to be able to take off on a little weekend cruise. I've fallen in love with cruising over the last year and your adventures encourage more. 🙂 Keep up the great content. Cheers!
Thank you so much! It's hard not to love it! 🤩
Would you consider a video where you compare and contrast Holland America Line with Norwegian? All the best.
@@oldgadfly8398 great idea, I will definitely consider this!
Yes! NCL compare to other cruise lines! The difference on what to expect , it will be very useful. I have travel in MSC , Cranival and Royal and i can see how MSC is so different from the others, but I haven’t travel in NCL or Virgin, or Holland, etc so I wouldn’t know what to expect. Maybe do a Serie Vlog with few videos. 💕
@@MerCruisesSolo Great, thanks. Have a great rest of the week!
Perfect timing. I'm headed on the Sky solo over Labor Day. Thanks for the preview!
@@brianz6888 yay! Have a great cruise!
"let's go boat daddy" 😂
Well, that was a fun little getaway...thanks for taking us along. 🙂
@@rhondalyn100 thanks so much for watching! 😊
Thank you for sharing, I have sunburned my eyelids as I fell asleep in the sun not fun. Lots of moisturizer. 😂
Yes, I really put my eye cream to good use after this trip 😂
WOW... Nassau port has really been improved since I was last there. Needed it badly!
I keep looking at the 3-4 day cruises for NCL and am waiting on one that fits my work schedule/budget
@@chadcampbell8393 it’s a great weekend getaway if you can find the right deal!
Thanks for sharing your video…. Another great job Mer!!
@@northwestman1 thank you! 😊
Future Meredith!! That was a funny intro to your commercial. Can’t wait to see six months ago Meredith or 3 weeks ago Meredith or two weeks in the future Meredith! Also loved the edit to the music at the beginning
😄 Thank you!!
great video never knew about weekend cruises but it sounds fun
Love your channel!! I just booked my 1st solo cruise on the NCL Encore November 15-22, 2025!! Can't wait!! Also, NCL is opening up a new port in my hometown of Philly in 2026 so I can't wait for that as well!!
The Encore is great, I hope you have an amazing time! And I live in Philly, have been here for almost 12 years 😂 I was SO excited to hear about the port coming in 2026, I’ve already booked! Can’t wait!! 🙌🏼
@MerCruisesSolo WOW!! That's awesome!! Small world!! Lol!! Philly is great!! Born and raised in the city, and I live in Delco now!! I'm staying in a studio cabin, so I'll have exclusive access to the studio lounge, which I heard is great!!
I will be on the NCL Jade next month on a Canada cruise from Boston! Can't wait, it's holding me over until my 2 week Alaska adventures in October!
@@theneverendinghighway love the Jade!! 😊
It will be nice when the pier is done at GSC
@@LaszloBagi I agree!
Work starts soon ❤
@@DieterDoesntDiet 🙌🏼 yay!
Editing is getting good! 👏
@@jeewilly321 thanks G, high praise! 😄
I was in the Bahamas back in July. Looked like a fun weekend trip. I haven't been to NCL's private island yet but looks like somewhere I would enjoy and I like that your drink package carries over to the island. The Baja spice chicken sandwich looked really good.
The sandwich was SO good! I really enjoy Great Stirrup Cay - though I haven't been to any other cruise line private islands, this one is in my opinion really great!
New subscriber. You do a great job on your videos.
Thank you so much! 😊
I love the quick 3-4 day cruises. So much fun and nice little getaway. Yes I have burned my eyelids more than once. Not fun at all. Now all of my hats are UV rated and so is my clothing and always wear sunglasses. I had been diagnosed with skin cancer at 36 and was told my eyes also had UV damage. I was from generation where we laid out slathered in baby oil and thought tanning beds were greatest invention when they first came out lol. Not so bright in hind sight but UV clothing helps a lot as do rated hats and of course tons of sunscreen.
I can relate to so much of what you said! I spent my fair share of time in tanning beds when I was younger 😬now trying to make up for it by using sunscreen as much as possible, but when it's so hot out it sweats off of you immediately! I think I have a UV protectant hat, will have to bring that with me in the future!!
I am a solo traveler. Just went to Alaska last month and had a solo room to myself for a great reasonable price. Now, my group that I went with last month is planning on going to Hawaii in 2026. I called the travel agent with NCL and they gave me a price. OMG! Way too expensive for a solo room. I wonder how people can afford to travel alone. Any suggestions or advice are much appreciated. I am 64 years old and want to travel as much as I can. Thank you. Your videos are great!
@@christinelisi6964 the Hawaii NCL cruises are very expensive in general, so I would expect to see higher prices especially for solo travel! It really depends on the itinerary and time of year, you can find really great solo travel deals on certain ones - check out the website CruisePlum which has an easy way to search for solo cruises with a low single supplement!
@@MerCruisesSolo Thank you so much.
I was in THE sky in March, beautiful ship ( a little bit small ) but we had a good time.
@@juanurena7702 she is a cute little ship! 😊
Enjoy your cruise😎 Regads from Norway 😀
Thank you :)
Great video! I am not new to cruising but soon to be new to solo cruising. I will be on the NCL Joy next year. Was that a solo cabin?
Thanks! This was just a regular oceanview cabin 😊 but the solo designated oceanviews would be the same exact size!
I did a short cruise out of Miami on Pearl last Christmas. I'm doing it again (on Pearl) this year. It was a good time.
I have yet to sail on the Pearl, that sounds like a great way to spend the holidays! ☺
Another very well done and informative video, young lady!! Thank you! Between airfare and single supplement, your cost must add up rapidly. How do you find/choose cruises to get the best value for your money? CruisePlum? Last minute? Cruise line email specials?
@@TheViewfromBethlehem I use CruisePlum a lot, but NCL is great about offering itineraries with a very low solo supplement! I also use points or miles to book flights and set alerts to get notified for price drops, and I book hotels through Expedia where I get great deals and perks for having status. Lots of way to find deals, but it can definitely add up! That’s why I still have (and very much appreciate) my regular day job, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to afford to travel as much 😊
Hey Mer! Yes , I have experience sunburned in my eyelids, and I’ve also seen others too, specially when we are cruising is when i see it the most. My suggestion even though you wore a hat, make sure your sunglasses are also UV-blocking sunglasses. The hat will protect you from the sun coming from above not the reflection from the water, the ground, etc. I use grape seed oil, rose hip oil, coconut oil, hemp seed oil, to help my skin heal after sun exposure. Give it a try.
Those are great suggestions, thank you so much! I couldn't believe that happened, but in that sun and heat anything is possible! 😊
@@MerCruisesSolo AWW THANKS FOR THE REPLY! I really enjoy the channel, hope my suggestions work for you! 💕
Great video as always! Link for the portable fan?
The exact one I have is no longer available, but here's a very similar one that I found! amzn.to/3SUdLSk
Hi Meredith, did you see an area where wheelchairs were being provided with assistance in the Miami terminal? I requested a wheelchair to board and unboard.
On my next cruise out of Miami, I will be on the NCL Pearl.
Yes, there is definitely wheelchair assistance provided at the Miami terminal! I am not sure if you need to reach out in advance so I’d recommend contacting NCL directly, but I know it is available 😊 have a great cruise!
@MerCruisesSolo yes before each of my cruises with NCL I submit a request, but I wondered how easy it is to find that area in Miami because I will be in a Penthouse Suite on the Pearl and I don't want the Wheelchair delaying me boarding with other Haven and Suite guests in the separate boarding routine.
@@rgruenhaus any guests requiring special assistance will board first! Whether you board with Haven/Suite guests or as part of the regular boarding with assistance you will be at the front of the line 😊
Excellent video, thank you. What was the cost for the cruise, did Sky offered drink package?
@@toyawomble2810 the cost will vary significantly depending on the cabin and time of year. But yes, the Sky did offer the drink package as an option to include during booking!
@@MerCruisesSolo
Thank you.😊
Thanks for the video. I'm going solo on a 15 day trip aboard Sky in Asia end of March. Did you use the WiFi? I've seen other reviews that say it's not great. I don't drink so the package isn't worth it and the WiFi alone is $350 for the trip.
@@scottdowler8316 I did use the WiFi and it was alright, but not great. It also definitely depends on where your itinerary is. I just got back from an Asia cruise on the Spirit and the WiFi was very bad in many ports and just “okay” in others, so it can vary depending on whether Starlink is supported in the port you’re at. Hope you have a wonderful cruise! I loved my Asia itinerary and the Sky is a great little ship! 😊
Hey Mer ! What’s the sticker they put on your cruise card for ?🤔🧐☺️
@@MrKn1214 it was to verify that I did the muster drill check-in! 😊
@@MerCruisesSolo oh really 😲?! It must be something new, ha !
We are sailing on the Sky as well. How is the air condition in the rooms?
I had no issues with the AC, it worked great!
What will you use if you are going to Alaska, in terms of level 8, specially with all the heavy clothes
I would use the larger checked bag in the same style! Here’s a link if you want to check it out: amzn.to/4atzWq0
Sunburnt eyelids, no. But in Hawaii, the bottoms my feet got sunburnt. 😊
😳 wow, now that I have never experienced - ouch!!
@@MerCruisesSolo yeah, put a crimp in my walking style for a bit. That sun is unbelievable!
did you know royals coco cay is right next to stirrup cay
@@Cory69 yes, I did! I have not cruised on Royal or visited Coco Cay yet. Maybe someday!
We have been on NCL many times and we have never been to Great Stirrup Cay because of weather... maybe in January 2025 with our next cruise attempt!
Sending you lots of good luck, hope you're able to make it!! This was my 5th time there (to be fair I don't always choose to get off the ship) and every time I have been fortunate to not have it cancelled, but I know it happens often!
Nice video, but if you want your channel to grow you need to position the camera for some long shots of you walking around. It is what it is...
have you travelled on Princess Cruises? that's our preferred Cruise Line but it's lovely to follow your voyages with different Cruise Lines. Do you pay for all the cruises yourself or do you have a way of using points etc as in flying options. How many cruises would you do a year or does it vary on destination, cost?
@@lorettamcnaught8552 I haven’t tried Princess yet, but hope to soon! I pay for cruises myself but I do occasionally use credit card points and/or miles to pay for flights! I typically do about 6-8 cruises a year, depending on how long they are, as I have a full time corporate job with a set amount of PTO.
You are doing what I dream of. I so bad want to cruise solo but I have never done anything alone and am afraid it will make me anxious. Please give me pointers on how to handle the being alone. I am married but my husband doesn't like to go as much as me.
@@reigle4 solo cruising is so much easier than solo travel on land because the ship is contained and safe and you have activities, dining, entertainment, music, etc. all there on offer so you just have to choose what you’re in the mood for and go! It’s so easy to meet people just by striking up a conversation around the ship 😊
Good morning, excellent video, what is the name of the hotel you stayed in Miami, thank you for your help.🚢🛳️
@@mayesty23thank you! I stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel in Miami, very close to the cruise port!