Having to plan a non cruise vacation.....UUUGGG

[Jenjer]

Is anyone else in the same situation? Planning a non cruise vacation is nowhere as easy or as much fun. The rooms are bigger though 🙂 I am sure the vacation will be great but it makes me miss cruises so much.  Being used to easy evening entertainment options makes a land based trip seem a little bit boring.   

 

I keep looking at 22 and the prices are so high....I know the million reasons why but it makes me sad. 

 

[firefly333]

I have a non refundable cable suite with ocean view this sept. If the cruise doesnt go I'll go and enjoy walking the beach and at least seeing the ocean. It was the last suite available so I took it.

 

Plan a stay oceanfront imo. 

[Ethanol95]

29 minutes ago, Jenjer said:

Is anyone else in the same situation? Planning a non cruise vacation is nowhere as easy or as much fun. The rooms are bigger though 🙂 I am sure the vacation will be great but it makes me miss cruises so much.  Being used to easy evening entertainment options makes a land based trip seem a little bit boring.   

 

I keep looking at 22 and the prices are so high....I know the million reasons why but it makes me sad. 

 

Count yourself lucky you can vacation at all... I wish I could say the same.

[20165]

We went to a cancun all inclusive in Nov.  Wasnt the same, but nice to get away.  Room was bigger...

However, we did manage to get covid.  More than likely from the plane trip back.  Totally sold out plane, shoulder to shoulder.  Not sure how cruise ships get the bad rap when the airlines are putting everyone that flys at risk...

Good luck.

 

[Icesk8rReedy]

I'm going to Dominican Republic at the end of April.  Cost for AI in a super nice resort in total is costing about the same as a cruise.  Much less stuff to do and not the same.  I'll take it though.

[sandebeach]

49 minutes ago, 20165 said:

We went to a cancun all inclusive in Nov.  Wasnt the same, but nice to get away.  Room was bigger...

However, we did manage to get covid.  More than likely from the plane trip back.  Totally sold out plane, shoulder to shoulder.  Not sure how cruise ships get the bad rap when the airlines are putting everyone that flys at risk...

Good luck.

 

Sorry you got sick, my husband refuses to fly anywhere to go on vacation because he is worried about catching covid on the plane. 

[firefly333]

4 minutes ago, sandebeach said:

Sorry you got sick, my husband refuses to fly anywhere to go on vacation because he is worried about catching covid on the plane. 

Me too, I just drove to florida and back. It would have been cheaper for just me to fly solo.

 

After I'm vaccinated I will fly.

[20165]

5 minutes ago, sandebeach said:

Sorry you got sick, my husband refuses to fly anywhere to go on vacation because he is worried about catching covid on the plane. 

Understand the concern.  We felt very safe at the resort, maybe at 50% capacity, i think it was less so very little contact with others and the staff was very diligent with masks, face shields, gloves, etc.  The airline and airports, not so much...

[TheMastodon]

55 minutes ago, 20165 said:

We went to a cancun all inclusive in Nov.  Wasnt the same, but nice to get away.  Room was bigger...

However, we did manage to get covid.  More than likely from the plane trip back.  Totally sold out plane, shoulder to shoulder.  Not sure how cruise ships get the bad rap when the airlines are putting everyone that flys at risk...

Good luck.

 

 

Yeah I'm sure if the middle seats were open it would have made a difference.  

 

 

[mek]

I got my 1st shot yesterday and will get my 2nd the end of the month.  My husband should get his 2nd shot next week, so we are looking at going to Florida for a few days later in March.  

A year ago tomorrow we left on our last cruise - that's the longest we've ever gone without multiple vacations.  I just need a break - even a small one.

[Vera/Lee]

31 minutes ago, sandebeach said:

Sorry you got sick, my husband refuses to fly anywhere to go on vacation because he is worried about catching covid on the plane. 

My husband feels the same way.

[davekathy]

2 hours ago, Jenjer said:

Is anyone else in the same situation? Planning a non cruise vacation is nowhere as easy or as much fun. The rooms are bigger though 🙂 I am sure the vacation will be great but it makes me miss cruises so much.  Being used to easy evening entertainment options makes a land based trip seem a little bit boring.   

 

I keep looking at 22 and the prices are so high....I know the million reasons why but it makes me sad. 

 

We always do land trips and cruises in the same year. Currently for 2021 we've got a July and September land trips reserved, cancelled our June land trip (on Monday) and have a September cruise reserved. We enjoy both types of vacations. Variety. 

[LeeW]

Had a B2B2B on Disney cancelled for this January but with all the flight FCC we already had decided just to go to Florida.  Worked fine - 6 days on the beach and 6 days in Orlando.  Had dinner in restaurants three times, shopped and did a couple of "excursions."  Victory Casino cruise in Cape Canaveral, Wildside Tours dolphin/manatee cruise in Cocoa Beach.  Both handled masks and limited capacity well and we had a great time (and saw lots of critters).  In Orlando decided to skip Disney (although Disney Springs was nice with fewer people in stores).  Sea World has a great promo going - book a day at Discovery Cove and get 14 days at Sea World or Aquatica.  Shifted reservations around a few times due to weather but it was not a problem.  Sea World shows are open but only some roller coasters.  Inside rides are not open.  Fewer shows but 14 day deal meant not doing all on one day.  Aquatica works well - masks in stores/food but not on beach or water slides.  Discovery Cove is a gem - included food, snacks, beverages, wet suits, snorkel gear (we took our own), towels.  Fantastic fish snorkeling lagoon.  Extra cost animal encounters if you want them.  Some stores (notably Orlando Premium Outlet) have lines or long waits to get in.  Saw very little of that at Disney Springs.

 

Stayed at Radisson at the Port in Cape Canaveral and Hilton Grand Vacations Sea World.    Hotels are handling Covid well.  Good separation at pools and may limit room cleaning.  Restaurants may or may not be open at the hotels.  Staff all masked and they want you to wear a mask on property except when in pool and not near other people.  Reasonable.

 

The trip was well worthwhile.  Did require more planning and actually had to decide where to eat all the time.  Florida is open and you will see folks wearing masks in most stores, same as at home.  And even the grocery stores are doing vaccine, plus mass immunization at the Orlando convention center if you qualify (but you would need to stay 3 weeks to get both shots).

[SNJCruisers]

10 minutes ago, LeeW said:

Discovery Cove is a gem - included food, snacks, beverages, wet suits, snorkel gear (we took our own), towels.  Fantastic fish snorkeling lagoon.  Extra cost animal encounters if you want them. 

Was there about 15 years ago and had a great time with my ex.  Isn't a dolphin swim included with your admission price?  It was back then, I think it was 279 pp.

[fandash03]

3 hours ago, Icesk8rReedy said:

I'm going to Dominican Republic at the end of April.  Cost for AI in a super nice resort in total is costing about the same as a cruise.  Much less stuff to do and not the same.  I'll take it though.

Dominican Republic looks good I’ve researched that too with all inclusive where there was evening entertainment ... yep not as much as cruising has entertainment wise would be good too. Enjoy 

[Garyjames220]

3 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

Was there about 15 years ago and had a great time with my ex.  Isn't a dolphin swim included with your admission price?  It was back then, I think it was 279 pp.

There is a swim ticket and a non swim ticket now

[lazydayz]

2 hours ago, fandash03 said:

Dominican Republic looks good I’ve researched that too with all inclusive where there was evening entertainment ... yep not as much as cruising has entertainment wise would be good too. Enjoy 

The Jamaican AI’s usually include nightly entertainment. About as close to a cruise as you get, but with a much bigger room, huge pools, beach access every day and tons of daylight activities.  Some of the Caribbean AI’s also have casinos.  

[SNJCruisers]

40 minutes ago, Garyjames220 said:

There is a swim ticket and a non swim ticket now

Out of curiosity,  what were the two ticket prices?

[Garyjames220]

11 minutes ago, SNJCruisers said:

Out of curiosity,  what were the two ticket prices?

not sure what is was in the past

 

but it’s $149 with out and $199 with and that’s all inclusive. There also giving u a free premium drinks upgrade at the moment worth $40 each

[SNJCruisers]

5 minutes ago, Garyjames220 said:

not sure what is was in the past

 

but it’s $149 with out and $199 with and that’s all inclusive. There also giving u a free premium drinks upgrade at the moment worth $40 each

Wow...I remember it being a long day from like 830-600.  We had all the food, soda and aluminum bottled beers.  They didn't  have hard liquor.

[Garyjames220]

1 minute ago, SNJCruisers said:

Wow...I remember it being a long day from like 830-600.  We had all the food, soda and aluminum bottled beers.  They didn't  have hard liquor.

just had a look at the menu. Drinks are decent and all your fancy cocktails. Wish I was there now instead of snowy Scotland ⛄️ 

[maggieq]

We were hoping to take our trip that we had to cancel in September to aruba in April/May this year.  It is stressful enough to get testing done before flying to Aruba, now we have to test before returning to the US.  That’s not my idea of vacation so will try and get a trip to FL or AZ in the works. We are not looking to do more than be in the sun by a pool with a cold beverage - low key. 

[lovemylab]

9 hours ago, Jenjer said:

Planning a non cruise vacation is nowhere as easy or as much fun.

 

I think it depends on the type of trip you're planning.

 

We used to only do cruises for vacations.  Then we did some AIs and land trips and discoviered that we really enjoyed those too.

 

I find AI resorts very easy to plan.  You pay one price and most packages include airfare, resort & transfers.   The only planning is deciding what resort to go to and the dates, which is no more difficult than choosing a ship and itinerary.

 

A land trip that involves visiting a particular city or multiple destinations can be more difficult as you have to research hotels, transportation, dining, activities and also logistically put things together.

 

In terms of the level of fun, I think any vacation is what you make of it.  We've had some fantastic entertainment at AI resorts.  On non-AI land trips you have complete control over what your evening entertainment is.  We've visited museums, had dinners at fabulous restaurants with an amazing view, gone for nice walks to see the sights all lit up & attended live theatre, comedy shows and sporting events.   Obviously right now these won't all be options due to covid, but I'll be happy if I get to have any sort of vacation in 2021.

 

 

 

[LilBlackDress]

When our September Cruise was canceled my older sister and I and our spouses were going to go visit our mother and other sister in PA. With all the travel restrictions in PA, NJ and Baltimore we gave up the idea of a visit... 
 

My DH has the next 3 weeks off due to another canceled cruise. I didn't try to plan anything this time. It was too frustrating last time!! Now it is going to be a staycation with that yucky white stuff and no beaches 😞 

[cruisin from florida]

When our July 21 Greek Isles cruise gets cancelled, we're going to buy a camper and hit the national parks. Since there's no vaccine on the horizon for me (hubby gets his second shot next week, but I'm not old enough) and international travel, hotels and restaurants seem like an unlikely option, this seems like a good option. We already have the tow vehicle, and travel trailers are pretty reasonable.