Advice for solo cruiser on first Transatlantic
I’m 37F. I’m trying to decide between two itineraries, both on Odyssey of the Seas. This will be my first RC ship as I’ve only taken several solo trips on Carnival. Both itineraries have stops in areas of Italy and Spain.
One would be departing in May from NJ to Rome. The other would be departing from Rome and back to NJ in Oct.
I would likely add 4-5 days in Rome with rental car/ hotel. Idk how comfortable I’ll be driving in Europe but idk if I want to spend a crap ton on ride shares. I’m just not sure if I want to start in Rome or end in Rome. I’m leaning towards ending in Rome as I typically make friends on board and might find things to do with other cruisers when I arrive. Possibly. However it would be very anticlimactic to have a long flight home after such a great trip.
I’ve looked into the exchange rate and know not to exchange currency at airport or on the cruise.
Besides that, what advice would you have for a solo travelled who hasn’t been out of the country? I technically have been to Kyiv when I was really young but everything was handled for me and I don’t remember it
Open to advice on everything from RC, to your favorite port excursions in those areas, to must see places in Rome, to anything and everything.
It’s going to be an expensive trip. I’m budgeting for $5500. The cruise, onboard expenses. The combined flights right now are averaging $750, cruise is $2800 (14 days), cheap hotel and car for 4 days is $500 plus I’m guesstimating $1500 spending/hotel deposits etc. Not sure if that’s estimating too low or too high.
Thanks so much in advance.