I booked a cruise and thought it was a great idea at first, but now I’m getting nervous. This is my first solo cruise, and it’s with NCL out of Los Angeles to Cabo and Ensenada. I have 24 hours to cancel—should I do it? I’m worried about not making it to the ports in time. What do you all think?
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The person who posted this originally shared that they were uncertain about their first solo cruise, and were wondering whether they should cancel after having second thoughts about the trip.
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You should go for it! Traveling always changes you for the better. What’s the worst that can happen? If you don’t like it, you just won’t cruise again, but you might have a blast!
Make sure to ask about local times and check your departure time carefully!
Do you have 24 hours to cancel or is it until embarkation day? If you’re late, the ship will leave without you. What’s making you nervous?
Eli said:
Do you have 24 hours to cancel or is it until embarkation day? If you’re late, the ship will leave without you. What’s making you nervous?
Seems like just some buyer’s remorse to me.
Eli said:
Do you have 24 hours to cancel or is it until embarkation day? If you’re late, the ship will leave without you. What’s making you nervous?
I have 24 hours to cancel for a refund. I’m worried I won’t make it to the port on time if something goes wrong leaving LAX. I also read that most people on Norwegian cruises are over 50, and I’m considering a Margaritaville cruise instead. I’m also concerned about hidden fees.
@Emerson
Wait, is the age of the crowd really a concern for you? Are you like, 12 years old or something? What’s going on here?
I’ve been on a few NCL cruises and I think you’ll have a great time. People of all ages cruise with NCL. I recommend flying into LA the day before your trip to make sure you don’t miss the ship. If you’re worried about missing the ship in the ports, book excursions through NCL—they’ll wait for you if you’re running late. If not, consider getting travel insurance. Enjoy the adventure and let us know how it goes!
Consider flying to LA the day before, stay at a hotel or AirBnB, then board the cruise the next day.
What if everything goes right? Travel anxiety is normal—I’m feeling it too before my 9-night cruise in March. Don’t let it keep you from having an awesome time!
Don’t stress! You’ll have fun! Just don’t spend more than you can afford, and you’ll be fine.
When does the ship sail? You usually have up to 30 days before the cruise to cancel for a good refund. If you’re worried about your itinerary, you could cancel and work with a travel agent. They often don’t charge much, or sometimes nothing, and they can find a cruise you’ll really enjoy. Travel agents are paid by the cruise line for bookings, so it won’t cost you much at all.
@Shawn
The cruise leaves on April 4th.
Emerson said:
@Shawn
The cruise leaves on April 4th.
At this point, I think you only really need to cancel if you can’t find at least 3 things that really excite you about the trip, or if your financial situation has changed and you need the refund for essentials. If that’s not the case, I’d say go on the cruise!
Why cancel? You’re going to have an awesome time!
The itinerary is great for a first-time cruiser. It’s short enough that if you don’t like it, you won’t be stuck for long, but it’s still long enough to experience what cruising is all about. Just don’t overspend on extras like the bar, spa, or specialty restaurants, and you’ll avoid the hidden costs. When you’re in port, stick to the area near the ship or book an excursion with the cruise to make sure you’re back on time. Have fun!
@Cade
Do they charge to use the sauna?
Emerson said:
@Cade
Do they charge to use the sauna?
No, the sauna is free, but you’ll have the option to book massages, facials, and buy beauty products. It’s easy to get carried away if you’re not careful, but you can have a great time without spending extra money!
Emerson said:
@Cade
Do they charge to use the sauna?
Also, be sure to arrive the day before your cruise and stay somewhere close to the port. That way, you won’t have to rush to make the ship. Get to the port early, so once boarding begins, you can get on right away. That’s your best bet for a stress-free cruise. But definitely set aside some money for tips!