Eastern Med with 84 year old Dad--how much is too much

[Mom2008]

Instead of a resort, I'm thinking renting a house (single story) on a beach someplace might be an option. Maybe someplace with a nice porch overlooking the dunes where he could sun himself while the kids play on the beach.

 

 

Autocorrect responsible for most typos...

 

Hmmm, that's certainly an option, though one of the things he likes about cruising is all the food that's included and the variety available, but again, he'll be cruising with my other siblings, so this trip, (house or small resort) could be an opportunity to have some local food. We could hire a cook :D

[zoncom]

I do not think OPs caught $500 reduction in PP allowance.Europes out on 2K. Renting a condo and cooking, cleaning for 7,not a vacation, no way.What if you book unsuitable All Inclusive and are stuck on tiny island for a week? Cruising Caribbean with long multiple flights makes no sense when you can have same situation in Hawaii with only one flight. Seems logical to me. The April 28 Celebrity Solstice 10 night shows on a discount cruise site for $1274 Outside.Taxes only $100 more.This eligible for Celebrity 1-2-3 offer We are not allowed to mention agency name. Begins V. .2 days HNL, cruise islands,then back to Vancouver.This will sell out so book now if interested.

Edited December 5, 2013 by zoncom

[ducklite]

Hmmm, that's certainly an option, though one of the things he likes about cruising is all the food that's included and the variety available, but again, he'll be cruising with my other siblings, so this trip, (house or small resort) could be an opportunity to have some local food. We could hire a cook :D

 

For the $12k he has offered, you could rent an amazing four BR/five bath villa for a week on a Caribbean island or even Hawaii that would come with a housekeeper and cook.

 

 

Autocorrect responsible for most typos...

Edited December 5, 2013 by ducklite

[Mom2008]

For the $12k he has offered, you could rent an amazing four BR/five bath villa for a week on a Caribbean island or even Hawaii that would come with a housekeeper and cook.

 

Total price has to include airfare and everything else, but I'm having trouble finding something like this. I'm on information overload trying to do research on the internet. Cruise Critic has been great for cruise info, airbnb dot com for info on renting a house or condo, other than that, it's hard to find something with useful information.

 

I think the appeal of cruising is you know what you're getting, thousands of other people have done it so you can read their reviews, and it's not new or different. Easy peasy.

 

Leaning towards Hawaii, but even the cruises there are $$$

[Mom2008]

I do not think OPs caught $500 reduction in PP allowance.Europes out on 2K. Renting a condo and cooking, cleaning for 7,not a vacation, no way.What if you book unsuitable All Inclusive and are stuck on tiny island for a week? Cruising Caribbean with long multiple flights makes no sense when you can have same situation in Hawaii with only one flight. Seems logical to me. The April 28 Celebrity Solstice 10 night shows on a discount cruise site for $1274 Outside.Taxes only $100 more.This eligible for Celebrity 1-2-3 offer We are not allowed to mention agency name. Begins V. .2 days HNL, cruise islands,then back to Vancouver.This will sell out so book now if interested.

 

That's a great repositioning cruise ending in Vancouver, would only need one way airfare. Five+ days at sea...not sure. Thanks for the info.

[boulders]

For the $12k he has offered, you could rent an amazing four BR/five bath villa for a week on a Caribbean island or even Hawaii that would come with a housekeeper and cook.

 

 

Autocorrect responsible for most typos...

 

You won't find something like that in Hawaii.

 

I'd recommend either an Alaskan cruise out of Vancouver, a land vacation in Hawaii or a land vacation in Hawaii coupled with a repositioning cruise between Honolulu and Vancouver. Hawaii is best seen by land. The POA cruises are a poor and expensive option. For land vacations, check out the tripadvisor forums.

Edited December 6, 2013 by boulders

[Mom2008]

For land vacations, check out the tripadvisor forums.

 

Thank you. That's a good start.

[zoncom]

Was looking at my Princess Cruise Atlas over weekend. Shows 15N Hawaii rt on Grand Princess OCT 2,14. I have never seen this advertised anywhere. Only one sailing. Think of all the airfare you would save! Atlas is free, order online.Great reading.

[Mom2008]

Just thought I'd give an interim update. Daughter's boyfriend has let us know he will not be able to come on a trip with us. For a variety of reasons, we have gone back to the idea of a cruise.

 

It will just be the six of us: Dad (84), myself and hubby (52/50), daughter 19, son 16 and daughter 12.

 

We are narrowing it down to the last two weeks of March (spring break), for a seven-day cruise somewhere warm, Caribbean or Bahamas, with a departure port that has not very expensive airfare from Vancouver, Calgary and Winnipeg. Probably Florida, but could be Houston (Galveston) or New Orleans. We'll stay in a hotel for one night at each end, to keep it relaxing. That's what we did when we went to Mexico, and it was very low-stress.

 

We will go for balconies, probably a bigger ship as it will have more choice of activities, my Dad likes shows and good food. At sea days are great too.

 

I saw discount tickets, $589 for a balcony on Norwegian Epic (original price $3,999, though I have a hard time believing that), and it's hard not to jump at something like that.

 

We want a warm place to sit in the sun, snorkel, visit a bit, low key. Martinique would have been fun, it's French territory, so we could say we were in France :D, and we could speak French there, but cruises that go there start in places with expensive airfare, so not in our range. We like cultural experiences too (well, I and my husband and Dad do).

 

At this point, affordable airfare to departure port is a big deciding factor.

 

I'll let you know if there are any further developments.

 

Thanks everyone.

[Sherlock43031]

Just thought I'd give an interim update. Daughter's boyfriend has let us know he will not be able to come on a trip with us. For a variety of reasons, we have gone back to the idea of a cruise.

 

It will just be the six of us: Dad (84), myself and hubby (52/50), daughter 19, son 16 and daughter 12.

 

We are narrowing it down to the last two weeks of March (spring break), for a seven-day cruise somewhere warm, Caribbean or Bahamas, with a departure port that has not very expensive airfare from Vancouver, Calgary and Winnipeg. Probably Florida, but could be Houston (Galveston) or New Orleans. We'll stay in a hotel for one night at each end, to keep it relaxing. That's what we did when we went to Mexico, and it was very low-stress.

 

We will go for balconies, probably a bigger ship as it will have more choice of activities, my Dad likes shows and good food. At sea days are great too.

 

I saw discount tickets, $589 for a balcony on Norwegian Epic (original price $3,999, though I have a hard time believing that), and it's hard not to jump at something like that.

 

We want a warm place to sit in the sun, snorkel, visit a bit, low key. Martinique would have been fun, it's French territory, so we could say we were in France :D, and we could speak French there, but cruises that go there start in places with expensive airfare, so not in our range. We like cultural experiences too (well, I and my husband and Dad do).

 

At this point, affordable airfare to departure port is a big deciding factor.

 

I'll let you know if there are any further developments.

 

Thanks everyone.

 

smart kid..

[zoncom]

Argee with Sherlock. On the air; I flew from FTL to Seattle last yr. on Southwest for $90 total. Just happened to catch a sale. Many daily flites, some non stop Book online.. Epic goes to Mexico. Will be a party ship..Something to consider is hospitals in foreign countries. My GFs 85 yr old Mother died of septic shock (infection),in Dubai hospital after being dragged on trip . If anything happens to Dad he will be put off ship.You can do the 15N Hawaii rt from California for $999 on Princess. Sales come in January.

[Mom2008]

Argee with Sherlock. On the air; I flew from FTL to Seattle last yr. on Southwest for $90 total. Just happened to catch a sale. Many daily flites, some non stop Book online.. Epic goes to Mexico. Will be a party ship..Something to consider is hospitals in foreign countries. My GFs 85 yr old Mother died of septic shock (infection),in Dubai hospital after being dragged on trip . If anything happens to Dad he will be put off ship.You can do the 15N Hawaii rt from California for $999 on Princess. Sales come in January.

 

Thanks Z. That's one amazing airfare deal. If only I had a crystal ball to know when cheap flights are coming up.

 

Yes, Epic's March 16 sailing is western Caribbean, Cozumel and Costa Maya. The ship itself is huge, so no matter what, it will be crawling with people, but it's a five star ship, so I'm hoping there will be enough for everyone to do, and we'll get a balcony, so Dad will have a nice place to hang out.

 

I'll have to research the best insurance options for Dad, as our family is covered.

 

Just to compare, we have my FIL's travel agent checking out deals for us, she's the one who booked our trips to Alaska and Mexico, for 13 and 14 people each time.

[Mom2008]

Quivering with excitement. About to hit send on the email to the travel agent confirming our booking on the Norwegian Epic, March 16 out of Miami. Price including port fees is up to $889Cdn, we'll get some on board credit of about $44 each. Taxes are $114.51 per person. We'll get the two balconies (aft category BA)for that price and one inside (aft IB) for $589. Balconies are next to each other, inside cabin is across the hall. I see the price on the website I was checking is up to $849US ($910Cdn), it sure goes up fast, I thought they would go down.

 

Next, she'll look at airfare and we'll figure out the other details.

 

The rooms seem tiny to what we had on the Zuiderdam, and much smaller than the Neptune Suite we had on the Osterdam, but the extra inside suite means there's an extra space if someone needs a time out or a place to freak out (love my family).

Edited December 18, 2013 by Mom2008

[hansolosmom]

Glad you found something- I hope you have a great time

[Mom2008]

Turns out I didn't hit the send button. Ended up feeling a little skeptical, why did that cruise price go up so much after getting the quote from the local TA. Then I created a new login name, and low and behold, the quoted price went back down again. Didn't give me much confidence in booking a cruise through that online place (something like holidays to go dot com but starts with a v).

 

So I thought, I wonder what TAs CC recommends, and found this: http://www.cruisecritic.com/shipshop; and decided to call the second one.

 

Since I already knew what I wanted, the initial agent said she would transfer me to a NCL specialist. The agent I got has sailed on the Epic more than once, and done our itinerary many times as well. Perfect. She has so much info to give us, got great prices, it's all working out.

 

We saved over $1,000 from what we were quoted from the local TA. I think it's better to go with an online TA if they can transfer you to someone who is really familiar with your ship and/or itinerary. When I told the local TA about the lower prices, she was very gracious and said of course, book it if it's cheaper online.

 

Have to keep an eye on the falling Canadian dollar though, if it takes more of a nose-dive, I'll have to pay full fare ASAP. It's down to 93 cents on the US dollar, down from 94 last week, and I've heard it could go down as low as 88 cents.

 

I can breathe easier now. Next step...airfare.

 

Again, thanks for all your help and advice, this is such a fun adventure already.

[dorisis]

Good luck finding reasonable airfare. And I am sure you and your family will enjoy the Epic. You have worked hard researching so many choices and your family will have a wonderful cruise thanks to you.

[Mom2008]

Only 25 more days until we sail. We fly out of Seattle on the Friday, stay Saturday night in Miami, and sail on the 16th. We stay in Miami on Sunday the 23'rd and fly back on the 24th. There were many different legs, most expensive was from Winnipeg, and I got a cheap flight back to Vancouver without going through Seattle on the way back. Total cost for airfare was $600pp average.

 

My daughter will fly the whole way with my Dad on the way there, and I'll accompany him all the way home, stopping in Winnipeg to visit for a few days before heading home.

 

I'm just working on nailing down the excursions. We will do a swimming with dolphins, just not sure whether to do it in Ocho Rios, Cozumel or Costa Maya. Dad is excited about doing this.

 

All six of us are getting very excited. I am having the kids do some research on each port, my youngest is doing a project on dolphins, she's an animal lover. I'm on the roll call, and we'll go to the meet & greet.

 

It's all coming together.

 

We were excited to read about an app you can use onboard the Epic to text each other on the ship http://www.ncl.com/downloads/iconcierge

 

I'll keep you posted if there's any other good news.

[middlehaitch]

Oh Hooray Hooray

 

I am so very glad you have posted back with what has been planned. It sounds like you will have a great time. Air fares are a killer aren't they.

We often spend more on air and pre/post cruise hotel etc than on the cruise. Being pushy I know, but please post back and tell us how much fun you had.

happy cruising to the whole family

Cheers, h

[Gloria Mundi]

Thanks for letting us know your plans! I know you went back and forth a lot and really worked to make sure it was something your Dad could enjoy.

 

I hope you post later and let us know how it went.

[Mom2008]

Oh Hooray Hooray

 

I am so very glad you have posted back with what has been planned. It sounds like you will have a great time. Air fares are a killer aren't they.

We often spend more on air and pre/post cruise hotel etc than on the cruise. Being pushy I know, but please post back and tell us how much fun you had.

happy cruising to the whole family

Cheers, h

Yes, airfare can be a killer. And I definitely will post back after the trip and let you know how it all went.

Thanks for letting us know your plans! I know you went back and forth a lot and really worked to make sure it was something your Dad could enjoy.

 

I hope you post later and let us know how it went.

 

Yes a lot of work wen tinto this. And my Dad is so excited, and we're basing everything on him having a good time, since it's his treat and he deserves it. The kids too are looking at this as an opportunity for bonding and doing activities together as a group.

 

Of the $12k we have set aside for this trip, only just over $8k has been paid so far for airfare and cruise costs (we've pre-paid the gratuities). We've got enough left over to make sure the pre- and post- and excursions are memorable too.

 

Makes me think though, that since we live in Vancouver, in 2015 we might look at deep discounts for cruises that leave (or start or end) from home and avoid the pre- and post-cruise costs.

[Mom2008]

Another little pre-trip update. We have booked our hotels. I got a great price of $150/room at the Mariott Airport Miami by bidding at Priceline. And I got to use my Mom's airmiles to splurge on the Hilton Bentley South Beach for one night when we get back from the cruise

 

I did a lot of research on Trip Advisor and booked our driver, Garnett, for $25pp for the whole time we're in port. Depending on how Dad feels, we'll visit a plantation, do some swimming, try some jerk, buy some rum, spices and vamilla, and listen to some reggae music.

 

In Ocho Rios, we have booked the Temazcal Mayan sweat lodge experience, which has had rave reviews. $80pp for a 4.5 hour experience. Dad is really looking forward to it, and he will do a modified version because of his previous heart surgery.

 

Costa Maya, we will find a beach and relax while the kids play in the ocean.

 

We take a bus to Seattle on Friday so we can fly out Saturday morning, and are staying at the Fairmont Olympic, a nice hotel, to celebrate my daughter's 12th birthday, so we splurged a bit, $200 for the room.

 

The main unknown is what we'll spend for meals outside the cruise. But there's still money left over for that.

 

I'll post a review when we come back. Now if I can just stay calm and go to work each day, and be patient for the 14th to roll around.

[middlehaitch]

Oh Mom2008, I am so excited for you. You have done so well getting everything arranged and booked I do hope you get a chance to relax once you are on the cruise.

Take advantage of any sea days to just lay back on a lounger, book in one hand; drink of choice in the other, even if it is just for a couple of hours. You deserve it.

We too have to do at least one over night pre and post cruise. To help offset the cost of eating out we have a good big breakfast at a ABC type chain then a snack for lunch (grocery store bought fruit, granola bars etc) or a Subway, and do another chain like Dennys for dinner. I will even do fast food like McD's if it saves a bit of money,and I really hate that kind of food, so I can sample a bit of local food when in port.

I have taken the Vancouver to Seatac bus once for a flight to the UK. Sealed prepackaged food is OK going accross the border, oranges aren't ( I inadvertantly tried). It is quite a boring ride this time of the year when all you see is rain but they do have free wifi that may help your 12 yr old daughter pass the time.

Please do post after your cruise. I am dying to hear how everything went - such great excursions. If I am slow with a reply it will be because I am on my Caribbean 22-5 April

Bon Voyage to all, h.

[cruise_bunnies]

Mom2008, so glad to hear that everything is shaping up for your cruise. I'm sure you and your extended family are going to have a great time. Have a blast!

[Mom2008]

Oh Mom2008, I am so excited for you. You have done so well getting everything arranged and booked I do hope you get a chance to relax once you are on the cruise.

Take advantage of any sea days to just lay back on a lounger, book in one hand; drink of choice in the other, even if it is just for a couple of hours. You deserve it.

We too have to do at least one over night pre and post cruise. To help offset the cost of eating out we have a good big breakfast at a ABC type chain then a snack for lunch (grocery store bought fruit, granola bars etc) or a Subway, and do another chain like Dennys for dinner. I will even do fast food like McD's if it saves a bit of money,and I really hate that kind of food, so I can sample a bit of local food when in port.

I have taken the Vancouver to Seatac bus once for a flight to the UK. Sealed prepackaged food is OK going accross the border, oranges aren't ( I inadvertantly tried). It is quite a boring ride this time of the year when all you see is rain but they do have free wifi that may help your 12 yr old daughter pass the time.

Please do post after your cruise. I am dying to hear how everything went - such great excursions. If I am slow with a reply it will be because I am on my Caribbean 22-5 April

Bon Voyage to all, h.

 

You're right, I do have to figure out the food thing. My Dad wants to bring sandwiches on the plane from Winnipeg, my sister says no. He's diabetic and doesn't want to worry about them running out of food. I'm not sure whether to ask the airlines, or US Customs, or...I know fruit can be a problem. We'll have to plan carefully. It's a 4-hour bus ride for us, so we'll need to pack something to eat. We're lining up games for the kids to play, on the bus, in the plane, and in the lineups that we may encounter on the ship. Freestyle cruising means there's no set dining time, and there can be lineups. Also, for entertainment, we should get there half an hour before the show to get a good seat, then we have to sit and wait. Kids can disintegrate into slap and tickle games, which sets dh on edge "shhhh, people are looking at you!" LOL.

 

And I'm not sure if, flying out of Winnipeg, my Dad goes through US customs at the Winnipeg airport or when he lands in Denver. I think we do US customs at the airport in Vancouver, when we fly out of Vancouver (which we're not doing this time).

 

Have a great trip and thank you for the good wishes. I realize I have to take a deep breath once the trip starts, and calm down from the frenzy of planning, which has been fun. Some family members are anxious and I have to learn not to react to their worries. I will find a meditation to keep me calm. My Dad is actually good to talk to, he's got a great sense of humour and is well-educated, so he's a lot of fun. He's leaving the planning to me, so that's good, though he has a tendency, now that Mom is gone, to want to be overly generous and spend more than he has (my brother set the limits for this trip, otherwise my Dad was initially "the sky's the limit, anywhere you want to go is fine" hence the original topic).

Mom2008, so glad to hear that everything is shaping up for your cruise. I'm sure you and your extended family are going to have a great time. Have a blast!

 

Thank you. We are looking forward to a fun time. I am bringing a hard cover note book and I will start writing down my experiences as they happen, as I have found that if I wait until after it's finished, I forget half of what happened. And much of the fun afterwards is remembering.

 

I plan to collect the digital photos into a book form and have it printed through Lulu or something, and give a copy to my Dad and make copies for the kids, as a souvenir.

 

A friend once told me, take photos when everyone is happy, and those are the memories that get carved in their brains. I have only good memories of our last two cruises, but my son tonight was reminding us of some meltdowns that happened on our cruise to Alaska. I had forgotten.

[middlehaitch]

Hi Mom2008,

Nearly time to go, you must be frantically packing.

Only store bought pre packaged food through security. Your dad can get a sandwich, fruit, and snacks once through security at Winnipeg Airport. I am quite sure the USA have the security check at Winnipeg (just like they do at Vancouver).

Is it the Quick Shuttle you are taking? That is the one I have used, they were nice and friendly, and the buses were quite new with comfortable seats.

I think I have followed you on this journey because you sound like such a good family and I have found your dad quite interesting.

Go have fun,

Cheers, h.