Crazy planning mom

26 minutes ago, FlyerTalker said:

 

IMHO, the "experts" have little real understanding of the underlying systems.  I can't tell you the number of times I have found Peter Greenberg (who is basically a media personality and producer) absolutely 180 degrees WRONG about what he's pontificating.  And he's not the only one.

 

They like giving neat, pat answers delivered in an air of authority.  But there are few neat pat answers when it comes to travel, especially air pricing.  It is a continuously dynamic system, with very sophisticated algorithms being used by the airlines.

 

It's a bit late for you, but let's give this suggestion for the future and for others.  By the time you book your cruise, you should already be researching air pricing for your trip.  Don't wait for "a couple months out" to start your process.  Note trends and prices - note variance for dates a day or two off from "cruise day", when demand is strongest.  And keep up the research.  Plus, aside from the most restrictive "basic economy" tickets, most tickets from the major carriers can be changed if pricing goes down, with the difference refunded in the form of a travel credit.  So you can buy a ticket for $300, and if the price drops to $250, you can pocket the difference as a credit.

 

And my biggest suggestion for all:  Remember that hope is not a strategy.

 

 

I actually did start looking a couple months ago and should have pulled the trigger then.  I did purchase my ticket going down a while ago because we are flying down during President's week.  Good advice regarding re-booking for a credit if the prices do go down.  I actually was able to do that for a non-cruise trip earlier this year.

Yes, I booked my cruise far out.  The travel experts I have seen on TV and online say to book airfare  a couple months out but that never works for me.

Thank you all for your feedback.  I just booked my flight.  Due to the flight times and prices, I decided to stay an extra day in Florida after my cruise.  I have a small apartment there.

I am looking to fly from Fort Lauderdale back to New York after a cruise in early March.  The fares right now seem quite high

and not as many flights as in the past.  Note- I have had 2 bad experiences in Spirit and avoid them.

Do you think fare will go down during Balck Friday or Travel Tuesday?  Kayak is saying not to wait but to buy my tickets.ss

We had an Oceanfront room  at the Reef.  It was in much less busy crowded area than the Outrigger Waikiki.  We enjoyed eating  at Duke's there but after all the crowds was glad we were staying at the Reef.  

Mortons is a very nice steakhouse chain.  We have gone to our local Morton's in NY multiple times for special occasions.

2 hours ago, CruzerDeb said:

Thanks! I actually just looked at NCL, and I love the itinerary and the ship looks amazing. However, I’m interested in October and they’re only sailing Jan-April and Dec. 😢

If the specific itinerary is important, keep in mind that October is hurricane season and ports can be changed.

8 hours ago, CruzerDeb said:

I’m looking for cruises that sail out of San Juan. I’ve sailed once on Celebrity (Reflection), but never RC. We felt our X cruise was a little quiet, but I can’t really judge because it was a 900 person post-Covid cruise. Thoughts on a more lively cruise? Ships currently on that itinerary are Summit and Rhapsody of the Seas. 

I know you asked about Royal and Celebrity but Norwegian's newest ship, the Viva will be sailing out of San Juan.

6 hours ago, CrossM2 said:

I was curious about this because it looks like the porthole opens to a balcony?

https://youtu.be/0AJdIuVF-3w?si=zpsMgdax-MVbP20k

Also look for a porthole veranda on Apex.

That's what we have on our next cruise.  It's small  covered balcony but your room won't get hot.

Thanks for posting.  We will have a porthole veranda cabin on our Apex sailing.

You seem like Royal the most.  Why not do a B2B on Utopia or as someone suggested try Celebrity.

I enjoy both Royal and NCL although havent sailed on those ships.

Depending on when you are sailing, the Icon is more likely to have more kids if that matters to you.

Delete

I am sorry that you are missing Kotor but you are right, safety first.   Curious to hear your review of the Rooftop Grill.

22 hours ago, lurkernj said:

I’m on the Apex in 4 days and no menus for me (not sure if that’s the same cruise as mcat). There haven’t been any menus for a few weeks. I’ve even tried the current cruise and don’t see any menus. I was able to see them 2-3 weeks ago

Can you share the menus on the Apex after you return?

6 hours ago, mtempelaar said:

4 of us going on Enchantment on 10/30.  Rome --> Athens with a Kusadasi stop.   I am Jewish and American.   My husband and his brothers are not.  We are going, but cautious. In Turkey, I don't expect problems, but my husband also offered me one of his "Made in Holland" orange shirts for the day (I said yes) and the guys will just speak Dutch all day 😉   

 

After a really bad experience in Germany years ago with a protest that was a little too robust, I told them all that if I don't feel right in a port, I'm getting back on the ship.   

 

I don't expect any problems though.

I am a Jewish American and loved Ephesus.  Also had some tea at a Kusadasi cafe.    We dress in normal Western attire, though.  Enjoy!

There have been bomb threats in Paris this week but that’s Paris.

Celebrity doesn't sail from Victoria but Vancouver.  I think sailing from Vancouver also gives you more time in Ketchikan than sailings from Seattle.

Why not do Celebrity one way and Princess or HAL (with Glacier Bay) the other way?

We did a diy land tour during covid.  It is definitely doable.  You can use the Alaska Railroad if you want to do this.  We rented a car and found it easy driving for the most part.   The Kenai Fjords cruise was definitely a highlight.  McKinley View Lodge was a good place to stop for lunch and souvenirs on the way to Denali.   My husband and son ziplined outside Denali and loved the views.

1 hour ago, spedrson said:

Don,

 

We are starting in Vancouver and ending in Seward. We are spending one night there with a private Kenai Fjords excursion. This trip is primarily for my father-in-law with the idea that this will be his only opportunity to go to Alaska so we are prioritizing his wish list. Denali is very important to him as is hiking on a glacier. One day in Anchorage will be spent going to Matanuska Glacier to hike and then making some stops on the way back. Any recommendations that you have for stops on the way would be appreciated! Anchorage is a home base for us. One day will be spent in Anchorage to go to an Orthodox church and visit a museum or two and the last day we will go to Independence Mine State Park. We are spending 3 days in Denali with the hopes that one of those days will be clear with a good view of the mountain, we will hike another day and on the 3rd day we will do the Tundra Wilderness Tour. We'll spend 1 night in Talkeetna before heading home to take a scenic flight tour with the backup of going the next morning if the weather is bad.   

My husband and son used Mica Guides for Matanuska Glacier and recommend them.  You definitely need crampons for this walk but this was a highlight.  It was a glacier you would walk on without a helicopter. Although, your helicopter idea from Talkeetna is an excellent idea because the mountain is out very often.  We enjoyed the Brewing Company in Denali.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Enjoy!  Are you going to spend anytime in Australia after debarking?

I am glad to hear that RCL is giving back compensation for the day missed in Nassau.

I am sorry for the OP's kid missing Nassau but if Atlantis is a bucket list destination for you, book a quick weekend trip to the Bahamas.