I Might Be Going Solo!

[karinad]

My sister and her dh are booked on The Joy for the Panama Canal Cruise in Oct. My dh and I usually cruise together and have been on many great cruises all over Europe, etc.! My dh wasn't the most pleasant passenger on The Jade last yr, so, he said that he really don't want to go! I just had a partial mastectomy and will be undergoing radiation in the next month and I feel I will need and deserve a cruise! My question is this: Since there's a big chance that he won't go, there's always that chance that he'll change his mind. I did a fake booking on NCL and it says that the rate is a special rate for solo passengers. For example: If there are 2 of us in a balcony cabin, the total is $2890. If there's only me, the rate is $1800. These are both sailaway rates.

 

If I would book for 2 of us and he doesn't show, the most I'd get back is port charges??? If I book a solo and he decides he wants to go, and I had to add him in (I know it goes on ship capacity, too, if the ship isn't full) does he pay the rate I did or the current rate? Has anyone had this issue or similar?

[MotownVoice]

I say leave the curmudgeon home.

 

Commit to it and plan on having a great time discovering yourself on your own and with fresh, new strangers.

 

If he decides he misses you he can prove how much by booking a flight and meeting you at one of the stops.

[smplybcause]

If you book him and he no shows you get the taxes/fees back. If you book solo and want to add him 1) there has to be life boat capacity available and 2) since you booked at a discounted solo rate it would be repriced to the current rate 

[SeaShark]

Sorry to hear of your health issues...I hope all goes well for you.

 

You are correct. If you book for 2 and he doesn't show, you only get back port taxes & govt fees. 

 

If you book single and he decides to go, you can't count on that being allowed as your section of the ship might be at lifeboat capacity. IF he can, they would give him current pricing...your booking would not "hold" a price for him.

 

 

It may be possible to save a little by booking your DH as guest #3 in your sister's cabin. If you are on the 12 day cruise they are offering 3rd guest sails free. Once onboard, he would just stay in the cabin with you. If he has to cancel, you'd still get the port fees and taxes back.

[waterjock]

SeaShark you found the solution to her problem. The only problem is will they let them add a third person as they have

made final payment for the oct cruise.

[karinad]

3 hours ago, SeaShark said:

Sorry to hear of your health issues...I hope all goes well for you.

 

You are correct. If you book for 2 and he doesn't show, you only get back port taxes & govt fees. 

 

If you book single and he decides to go, you can't count on that being allowed as your section of the ship might be at lifeboat capacity. IF he can, they would give him current pricing...your booking would not "hold" a price for him.

 

 

It may be possible to save a little by booking your DH as guest #3 in your sister's cabin. If you are on the 12 day cruise they are offering 3rd guest sails free. Once onboard, he would just stay in the cabin with you. If he has to cancel, you'd still get the port fees and taxes back.

Thankful! I'm hopeful for just getting radiation and be done! I do like your idea with booking him as a third person, but, they booked a Sailaway rate, too, and I doubt if that would apply. Great idea, though!!!

[karinad]

4 hours ago, MotownVoice said:

I say leave the curmudgeon home.

 

Commit to it and plan on having a great time discovering yourself on your own and with fresh, new strangers.

 

If he decides he misses you he can prove how much by booking a flight and meeting you at one of the stops.

Thanks for the laugh! It is my thought, though, that I would only have to worry about myself and it would be cheaper with not getting him airfare, too! I'm very open to just joining my sister and dh by myself!

[karinad]

4 hours ago, smplybcause said:

If you book him and he no shows you get the taxes/fees back. If you book solo and want to add him 1) there has to be life boat capacity available and 2) since you booked at a discounted solo rate it would be repriced to the current rate 

Getting the taxes and port charges back for a now show in the case of a Panama Canal cruise, the port charges and taxes are high! I think that for 2 people it showed them as over $900.!

[karinad]

57 minutes ago, karinad said:

Getting the taxes and port charges back for a now show in the case of a Panama Canal cruise, the port charges and taxes are high! I think that for 2 people it showed them as over $900.!

I tried to correct this, but I couldn't. I will re-write it

 

The port charges and taxes for this Panama Canal cruise is over $900. for 2 people It's quite an addition or subtraction for the price of the cruise!

[Vyhanek]

Ship won't be at capacity the capacity in October where lifeboats are an issue in a double cabin.   That only happens when quads are booked a on school holidays, etc.   

 

I'd book as a solo and add him in if he changes his mind.

 

[cruisequeen4ever]

Personally, I’d go either way to celebrate, but I’d roll the dice on hubby possibly going. Even though the cruise might end up costing a bit more if he cancels, better that than booking solo and him deciding to go but possibly not being able to due to the cruise being sold out. Have you asked him his thoughts? Wishing you great health!

[Nola26]

Tell him the deal: I am booking solo. If you decide to come later it will be about $1,500 more, but I am booking so I can enjoy myself after the year I have had.

 

You deserve a break from the curmudgeon, take it.

[karinad]

9 minutes ago, Nola26 said:

Tell him the deal: I am booking solo. If you decide to come later it will be about $1,500 more, but I am booking so I can enjoy myself after the year I have had.

 

You deserve a break from the curmudgeon, take it.

I'm going to have to have an answer soon from him! I'm afraid to bring it up and I hate to use the "cancer card" for it. I would just not say anything and book it solo if I knew that I could do things on my own (luggage, flights) because I don't know how I'll be after radiation. I figure that I should be through it by the beginning of Oct. The cruise is the end of Oct. The rate has been dropping the past couple weeks, but we all know how that goes! I hate to have it hanging over my head and I do need something to look forward to after treatment. Of course, I always get travel insurance. I am the one that does all the bookings for our vacations, so, it's not the planning. He'd be lost there! I think I'd be fine once I got on the ship and met up with my sister and her dh. I do appreciate the cheerleading! I wouldn't be a 3rd wheel with my sister, because her dh is somewhat handicapped and not only that, she ends up going to things alone, so she's glad for my company.

 

Sorry, I don't mean to unload all this, but if I write it down it could help convince me! Like I said, one more time I'll ask and if there's any bull, I hope I could get on the plane and he wouldn't hear a word from me for 13 days! It sounds good! Right!!!

[ollienbertsmum]

I am from a family of solo female travelers.  It really is more simple and actually more enjoyable than you think.   I say ask him one more time and then you have your decision.  No using the ‘cancer card’.  Just “I am going, do you want to come or not because I need a decision by ...” 

 

My DH went through a phase of not wanting to fly.  He really meant it because when our youngest graduated he sat on a bus for 48 hours in order to get there by land.  However, I digress.  As a result I took two family trips with my dear brother in law and sister in law.  They were delightful companions and on the trip to Japan we had a blast.  

 

As to air travel.  Don’t even hesitate.  Make sure that when you book your flight you request assistance.  You really are looked after.  Even so, travel as light as you can, use the money you saved on DH’s fare to use  ship laundry service and cut down on luggage.  Keep hand luggage to the smallest of shoulder bags to cut down the struggle on the journey.  People really do not notice if you are an outfit repeater - and if anyone does,  it will probably be because they like what you are wearing.  

 

What people do notice is when you need assistance. I really found that out when I have had the occasional op or bone break.  If you think that you might be struggling,  use a walking stick.  That will make sure that you are not trampled in a stampede to the gate.  

 

Life is for enjoying.  If DH is happier at home, then so be it.  Just don’t let his preference stop you enjoying your cruise.  

[karinad]

I'm the OP and I'm real close to book this cruise as a single and leave dh at home! Why waste money when someone says they don't want to go! The things that I'm hesitant of is flying on my own, making connections and handling luggage. I did fly once on my own on a short flight to my sisters, also, getting to the port. The shop leaves from Miami. I think I could fly into either FLL or MIA....never there, either. Any suggestions I'd be grateful for or just encouragement!

 

I'm also a little hesitant because I just got the word today that my radiation treatments will go into the 3rd week of Oct. The cruise leaves on the 27th. I have no idea how these treatments will affect me. I've heard that they could leave you tired and fatigued months after. Obviously, I would buy insurance and if they'd leave me like that I would cancel.

 

I wouldn't be on the cruise alone. My sister and her physically challenged husband will be there. Him and my dh were good buddies with travelling years ago and dh used to love to go. Since my brother in-law became physically challenged,  this is one of the reasons he doesn't want to go!

 

Thank you for letting me think this out in witting! It sure helps!!!

[ollienbertsmum]

I also think that writing things down helps. 

 

I have already encouraged you.  I would say again that I am sure that you will be supported through the airport.  Don't let that part put you off. 

 

However my reservation would be the timing, so soon after your treatment.  I am not sure that insurance would cover you.  It may be that you have looked through the small print, but my insurance would treat that as a preexisting condition and so you could not claim on cancelling for the effects of treatment.  

 

If you check with your insurance company and they say you would be covered I say go ahead.  Book assistance at the airport and you will be fine.  If not,  I think you need to persuade your sister to go again with you in  a few months and so enter the treatment with a treat ahead of you.  

[karinad]

47 minutes ago, ollienbertsmum said:

I also think that writing things down helps. 

 

I have already encouraged you.  I would say again that I am sure that you will be supported through the airport.  Don't let that part put you off. 

 

However my reservation would be the timing, so soon after your treatment.  I am not sure that insurance would cover you.  It may be that you have looked through the small print, but my insurance would treat that as a preexisting condition and so you could not claim on cancelling for the effects of treatment.  

 

If you check with your insurance company and they say you would be covered I say go ahead.  Book assistance at the airport and you will be fine.  If not,  I think you need to persuade your sister to go again with you in  a few months and so enter the treatment with a treat ahead of you.  

Thank you for more of your encouragement!   You have been a great help, again! We have been talking about this cruise to be what will get me through all this. The timing/surgery was a little later than I was hoping for, but could still work out. Yes, I would get a policy that would cover pre-existing conditions. We're hoping to get in the trip before snow start falling! Thank you again!!! I will check into getting airport assistance before I book.

[julig22]

3 hours ago, karinad said:

I'm also a little hesitant because I just got the word today that my radiation treatments will go into the 3rd week of Oct. The cruise leaves on the 27th. I have no idea how these treatments will affect me. I've heard that they could leave you tired and fatigued months after. Obviously, I would buy insurance and if they'd leave me like that I would cancel.

 

I had radiation a few years back and the only fatigue was wanting a nap in the afternoon - not sure if it was the radiation or just the afternoon drive that made me drowsy.  Had a couple of friends who also had treatment with no problem, so hopefully you will be lucky as well.  You might want to look into taking quercetin while you are having treatments - there are some studies that show it helps in a number of ways. 

[Megalyn]

I have had several coworkers continue working full schedules through radiation, in an atmosphere where they were encouraged to take off as much as they needed.  Both felt good enough to continue normal hours.  They were lucky enough that the radiation site was only a few miles away so minimal travel time.

 

I do have experience with needing help in the airport.  I injured my knee the day before leaving on an Alaska cruise.  I was flying solo.  Just notified the airline in advance you will need assistance. You can request a wheelchair and the escort will take you through security and deliver you right to the gate.  Check your bag so you don't need to drag it around.  

 

You can do it!  You deserve the break and can totally handle it solo!

[jaja]

On 8/21/2019 at 7:27 PM, MotownVoice said:

I say leave the curmudgeon home.

 

Commit to it and plan on having a great time discovering yourself on your own and with fresh, new strangers.

 

If he decides he misses you he can prove how much by booking a flight and meeting you at one of the stops.

 

 

Yup !!!!  Go and enjoy.  Last few cruises, DH didn't want to go...so I went !!!  Loved it !!!!  

[WickedRed]

Book as a solo!  I've met a number of married solo cruisers through the years.  They for whatever reason cruise without their significant others.  IF he decides to come later, you can either add him OR tell him to get his own room if any are available.  lol!  Also NCL has solo gatherings every night.  Might be worth a visit to one of those, so you want to meet more people on the ship.  Making a new cruise friend to cruise with in the future if DH doesn't really like to cruise. 

[ramdoggiesmom]

Karinad, I do hope you can go, with or without hubby! Im sure your Doctor can tell you if it’s advisable or not. For me that would be the deciding factor.  If you decide to go, as suggested, pack your carry on as light as possible. Carrying around the weight can tire you out. Don’t be shy about asking for someone’s assistance, people are generally willing to help someone who asks. As for trip insurance, we made  the same trip the first part of April of this year. Last November my Mom had a serious heart attack & was told at the same time she may have cancer. I looked at travel insurance then and found a policy on the NCL website that would give you back 95% of your cruise fare if you had to cancel with no pre existing condition clause. It was about $700 for two of us. I didn’t buy it, why I’ll never know, really dumb on my part. She was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer the day before we were to leave. But in typical fashion she would not hear of us canceling our trip. 

Hope to hear back that you can and are going and then a trip report when you return!

[emdia43]

An other plan might be to reschedule your radiation to start right after you get back..... that would eliminate several of the potentials for problems. 

[MJSailors]

     Wishing you much good luck in arriving at a decision wether to take this cruise or not based on your health and not necessarily your DH’s decision to go with you.

I hope you do feel up to going on the cruise. 

      To make your solo  travels more comfortable for you,I am offering some things to consider.

If your hubby is not driving you to the airport, hire a car and driver to get there. The driver will deliver you curbside and unload your luggage for you. 

Arrange for a car and driver to meet you at the Florida airport. Again, the driver will take care of the luggage for you.

 Consider arriving a day before the cruise and booking a recognized hotel (Hilton,Marriot etc) near the airport or pier.Trip Advisor.com is a good resource for finding a good hotel in a good area. Try to get a hotel that serves dinner or has room service so that meals are easy for you to arrange. Inquire at the front desk to arrange transportation to the pier the day of the cruise. Many hotels offer a shuttle service for a fee,but if you do not want to put up with waiting or crowds, ask for a taxi to pick you up. Again, the driver will assist with your luggage.

At the end of the cruise,you can make the same travel arrangements or get a taxi to take you directly from the pier to the airport.

     Treat yourself with comfortable ctravel arrangements both pre and post cruise. It will make your travel to and from the ship less tiring. Now that my DH and I are in our sixties, we travel the most easy way possible. Our mantra is - comfort is most important !  It also helps us handle the bit of anxiety we feel about embarking on a journey. This is something we did not have when we were younger travelers,but it is something that we are determined to handle now  because we still want to go to the places on our “bucket list”. 

      If you do join your sister and her hubby on this interesting cruise, I hope that you will come back and post something on CC about your experience

. From the responses you have received so far, I think you have a number of supporters on this forum!

      Best wishes for a full recovery and a Bon voyage !

 

     

[Lbicklel]

From my experience with radiation, you’ll likely be tired. But a cruise might be the perfect R&R.  I’d just make sure someone can help with luggage handling. I think I’d go if it was me. The main thing my radiation oncologist said in the last few weeks of treatment and first several weeks after was to take it easy and not push too hard. I can’t think of a better way to take it easy than on a cruise.