A quick update as now back from my cruise. My fears about my dinner sitting were unfounded as when I arrived in my cabin there was a card advising me I had been allocated second sitting on a table of 8.
A bit now about my cruise on Arcadia from Singapore to Dubai, a part sector of her world cruise. I won't go into too much detail as an excellent review has already been written by Sue Kersh.
Two days before setting off from home the upgrade fairy arrived and I was upgraded from an obscured view outside to a deluxe balcony (all balconies on Arcadia are categorised as deluxe). So I set off on my journey a very happy bunny indeed
. The cabin was excellent but I had I paid for a balcony it would not have been my first choice. It was situated forward on the starboard side and was steel fronted, which was not a problem as the balcony was quite spacious. On the times we were sailing south to north I had the morning sun and it was good to have an early morning cup of tea watching the sun rise especially so when we were arriving in port. Also I had some sun for most of the morning but I was the only one using it, two sun lovers would have been fighting for a space in the sun! When travelling east to west there was not really much sun at all but it was still nice to sit out and read. So in a nutshell as a sun lover I would not have chosen this particular cabin for this voyage although I think for shades seekers it would be ideal however I was very grateful for the upgrade and it has spoilt me somewhat for future cruises.
On this occasion I did the ship tours in all the ports and felt they were excellent and represented good value for money. I don't always choose the ship's tours when on a cruise but it does depend on the country and how comfortable I feel going it alone.
The food in the MDR was excellent but I think maybe not quite as much choice as on previous cruises. There has been a lot of discussion about the demise of silver service but quite honestly it wasn't a problem for me, the meals were well presented and as hot as any restaurant meal is by the time it gets to your table, so no complaints from me.
There were a few good acts on in the palladium but by and large I felt that for the sector I was on the entertainment was mediocre. There were however some excellent daytime talks, notably a series of talks by Dale Templar, the series producer of Human Planet and a talk on piracy by the Royal Navy Liaison Officer.
This was the second cruise I have done solo and the second as a sector of a world cruise. I had cruised previously with my late husband and after he died with other family members. Cruising solo is a very different experience but in my view a good way to see the world safely. You do have to make a real effort to chat to people but as I'm sure other single travellers would agree a smile and a few words can start up great conversations
Anyway in conclusion it was an excellent cruise and even with the hefty single supplement I felt represented good value for money, it covered a number of places on my bucket list. Just trying now to decide on my next cruise, so many places, decisions, decisions!!
) and have been allocated freedom dining and waitlisted for late sitting. I will contact the maître’d when I embark but worst case scenario is that I’m stuck with freedom. 
