Jim_Iain – East meets West Equinox Caribbean – B2B2B -March 14 to April 4

[hcat]

37 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Just as we were on approach to Charlotte we got a text from Celebrity.  Unless time stamp is incorrect they sent it at 8:30pm.  
 

we leave here for FLL in 30 minutes and may spend a couple days in FLL.   We have to figure all that out probably tomorrow.  
 

 

Good lord...long day for you and such disappointing news.

Enjoy what you can in FLL...not much else anyone can say!

Keep us  posted after you have time to process and relax,,,

 

[sweetp0618]

If you're staying in FL, you may want to use Priceline name your price.  There are websites that will help with your bidding strategy.  We were in Miami pre-cruise in December and were able to get a beautiful 4.5 star hotel with taxes and fees for < $100.  Good luck!

[PTC DAWG]

Hang in there

[Cdresser]

So very sorry you got caught by this at all but worse since it was mid-trip to FLL.

[BBsails]

So sorry to hear about your cancellation, Jim and Iain.  Hope you can enjoy some Florida sunshine while you're there.  My mother always said "bloom where you're planted."

 

I'm reading the =X= cancellation terms.  For comparison, my husband and son were supposed to fly to San Diego early tomorrow morning to board a HAL ship for a seven-night RT cruise to Mexico.  The cruise was cancelled late this afternoon.  HAL is offering a full refund of the cruise fare.  Because the cruise was cancelled so close to departure, each guest is also receiving an FCC equal to the base cruise fare paid for the cancelled cruise.  In addition, there is an application form to recover any airline change fees incurred.  This seems to be much more generous than the =X= offer.  Just sayin'. 

[TPCRUISER2]

My heart goes out to you! I do think the planets will line up for the two of you again in the future! Hoping good people get good things in return! Enjoy your time in Florida! Beautiful weather, actually a little warm.

[h20cruzer]

Oh my, so sorry to hear especially when you are in route. I guess it’s a new adventure what you do next. You could always rent a car and spend a few days in the Keys.

I was on the Reflection TA APR 24 and cancelled. Over 70 underlying health conditions. I was so looking forward to that TA.  Let’s hope,this doesn’t hang around to long and we can all get back to cruising.

Self quarantining in Marin.

Norma

[mac_tlc]

9 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Just as we were on approach to Charlotte we got a text from Celebrity.  Unless time stamp is incorrect they sent it at 8:30pm.  
 

we leave here for FLL in 30 minutes and may spend a couple days in FLL.   We have to figure all that out probably tomorrow.  
 

 

Sorry that your cruise(s) got cancelled. If they made the decision just a little sooner you could have avoided the flight. At least it was in First Class 🙂. 
 

Was looking forward to your blog of the trip. You are a great storyteller with a good dose of common sense, would enjoy cruising with you.

 

Safe travels and maybe enjoy FLL for a couple days.

 

mac_tlc
 

 

[PelicanLvr]

Hey, what do you say we all help these two "westcoasters" enjoy some "sunshine state".  The song lyrics could be changed to:

 

"My bags are packed,... I'm already there"

 

Jim & Iain, you sound like really well-traveled guys, so you have probably done much of the below suggestions, but maybe others will chime in with other ideas.  Enjoy a month in Florida.  There's lots to do and this is a wonderful weather month there.  

 

Alternate vacations ideas (now that you already flew there):

 

East Coast

1.  Miami Beach - of course -the obvious

2. Islamorada (mid way down the keys)  & Key west - fun places with great food - we just got home from 10 days driving down the Keys last Sunday  

3. Palm Beach - The Breakers Hotel

4. Jupiter - Jupiter Beach club

5.  Vero Beach - check out the hotel Costa d'Este - owned by Gloria Estefan - great beach & Great Cuban food too there

6. Space Center - Great tour there

7. Amelia Island (now your're right at the top of FL) - check out Elizabeth Point Lodge

8. Cumberland Island - take the ferry from Amelia Island just into Georga to GreyField Inn - former home (now small lovely inn) of the Carnegies.  Only hotel on the whole island!

West Coast:

1. Naples - (not the itialian one); fanciest town on the West Coast - good restaurants, but not our favorite

2. Sarasota & Long Boat Key - Great beaches and lovely town 

3. Everglades airboat - stop on the trip across to west coast.

4. St. Petes - good museums, good beach and fun town.

 

 

 

[twoflyers]

1 hour ago, PelicanLvr said:

Hey, what do you say we all help these two "westcoasters" enjoy some "sunshine state".  The song lyrics could be changed to:

 

"My bags are packed,... I'm already there"

 

Jim & Iain, you sound like really well-traveled guys, so you have probably done much of the below suggestions, but maybe others will chime in with other ideas.  Enjoy a month in Florida.  There's lots to do and this is a wonderful weather month there.  

 

Alternate vacations ideas (now that you already flew there):

 

East Coast

1.  Miami Beach - of course -the obvious

2. Islamorada (mid way down the keys)  & Key west - fun places with great food - we just got home from 10 days driving down the Keys last Sunday  

3. Palm Beach - The Breakers Hotel

4. Jupiter - Jupiter Beach club

5.  Vero Beach - check out the hotel Costa d'Este - owned by Gloria Estefan - great beach & Great Cuban food too there

6. Space Center - Great tour there

7. Amelia Island (now your're right at the top of FL) - check out Elizabeth Point Lodge

8. Cumberland Island - take the ferry from Amelia Island just into Georga to GreyField Inn - former home (now small lovely inn) of the Carnegies.  Only hotel on the whole island!

West Coast:

1. Naples - (not the itialian one); fanciest town on the West Coast - good restaurants, but not our favorite

2. Sarasota & Long Boat Key - Great beaches and lovely town 

3. Everglades airboat - stop on the trip across to west coast.

4. St. Petes - good museums, good beach and fun town.

 

 

 

Great Suggestions!!

 

I'd like to embellish on #2, so here goes!!

1/  Rent a convertible car at the FLL airport

2/  Buy a couple of baseball caps and a tube of sunscreen

3/  Head out on I-95 and drive until you run out of highway - in Coral Gables - and begin your Keys adventure via US 1 South

4/  Key Largo - take a detour to Card Sound Road and enjoy a cold beverage at Alabama Jack's, a funky South Florida bar/restaurant  

5/  Islamorada -  begin the 113 mile Overseas Highway and keep the camera handy 

6/  Marathon - you're about halfway to Key West maybe a stop for a late lunch 

7/  Continue onto Key West and stay in one of the quaint, historic inns that dot the city

8/  Enjoy the many wonderful restaurants and sights, and most of all have fun!!  

 

TripAdvisor can give you plenty of info for restaurants and sights to see. 

The South Florida weather forecast for the next few days is the best that we can offer - sunny and comfortable.

 

Enjoy!

 

[GaryS1210]

Seafood Festival in Marathon today and tomorrow. Good times! 

[micheleata]

Sorry to hear the bad news.   Was really looking forward to your trip review.   Hope you try to make the best of it!

[Jim_Iain]

13 hours ago, garyl62 said:

My text came at that same time, just before that I received an email, and about 45 minutes before that I got a call from the SSide Concierge.  All saying the same thing.  Good luck Jim!

Well getting things straightened out.    We are staying until Monday as our options for today were really limited.   Just extended my stay which of course was another headache.    They said they couldn't give us the same rate even though it was available on line.   The desk agent was helpful and suggest I go back to my room and book on line and then come back to see her and she would keep us in the same room.   10 minutes later all set.

 

Now to figure out what we are going to do for the next couple days.

 

Reports from guest at the hotel are that the airport is a mess today with all the cancellations. 

[goofysmom99]

Kennedy Space Center is having a SpaceX launch at 9:22 AM tomorrow so look northeast at that time.  You should be able to see the contrail and if you drive a little bit North, you should be able to see it.

[abritinva]

Well that sux!  You and Iain are still 'healthy, wealthy and wise' so i'm sure good times are ahead. 

[ecslady]

May be it's time to avoid the airport and rent a car and do a cross country trip back to California.  Then, we can all follow your adventure along, since we won't have any live threads to follow for a while now.😀

[GeorgiaPeach51]

Well, that’s the pits.  Kind of surprised the hotels are not practically begging people to book.  I’m surprised you got grief over the same rate.  I hope you find something pleasant to do other than sit in a phone line waiting for human interaction.  Really sorry your beautiful trip has ended like this.

[81Zoomie]

1 hour ago, goofysmom99 said:

Kennedy Space Center is having a SpaceX launch at 9:22 AM tomorrow so look northeast at that time.  You should be able to see the contrail and if you drive a little bit North, you should be able to see it.

I just read the Space Center is closing to visitors

 

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

So sorry you got caught unawares by this.  I would second the advice to rent a convertible and drive the Florida Keys.  Maybe check out Everglades National Park before starting out.  Good luck to you both.

[Covepointcruiser]

The virus has also hit Florida so be careful where you go.

[keesar]

Looking at flights to Florida out of New England.  Fares are really cheap and one of them I am considering has over 100 empty seats.  I could get a couple of rows for myself.    It may make sense as the local casino is closed and work has closed as well.  

[WonderMan3]

I'd go to the beach (if it's nice enough weather). Lots of space to spread out and not be near people.

[Jim_Iain]

13 minutes ago, WonderMan3 said:

I'd go to the beach (if it's nice enough weather). Lots of space to spread out and not be near people.

Weather is beautiful.    Sunny and a nice 80F.    Humidity is suppose to pickup later this afternoon. 

[Jim_Iain]

36 minutes ago, keesar said:

Looking at flights to Florida out of New England.  Fares are really cheap and one of them I am considering has over 100 empty seats.  I could get a couple of rows for myself.    It may make sense as the local casino is closed and work has closed as well.  

 

Planes are going out of here pretty full as everyone trying to get home but better availability on Monday.   I suspect Miami and Fort Lauderdale are going to see a huge drop in their local business.   I spoke to a housekeeper today and she said she only got 3 days work this week and it was really hurting.

 

 

[goofysmom99]

1 hour ago, 81Zoomie said:

I just read the Space Center is closing to visitors

 

Launch is still planned for tomorrow.  I usually stand in my yard to watch or drive over to the beach.