This Could Be Financially Dangerious If.........

[Ret MP]

I'm getting closer and closer to entering the danger zone, "between two preferred cruise terminals and a bunch of local (Gulfport) casinos.  We just received a tentative move-in date of November 28th.  My wife is already looking at future cruises.  I guess I'll just have to go with the flow and enjoy counting my pennies.  

[Engineroom Snipe]

1 hour ago, Ret MP said:

I'm getting closer and closer to entering the danger zone, "between two preferred cruise terminals and a bunch of local (Gulfport) casinos.  We just received a tentative move-in date of November 28th.  My wife is already looking at future cruises.  I guess I'll just have to go with the flow and enjoy counting my pennies.  

 

You are like a squirrel who has gathered a bunch of acorns running back to his tree.

 

You run the gauntlet of casino and cruise predators trying to take them from you as you do your best to keep them.

 

Good luck!

 

By the way, I never heard anyone regretting their empty pockets on their death bed.

 

🤣

[Ret MP]

2 hours ago, Engineroom Snipe said:

 

You are like a squirrel who has gathered a bunch of acorns running back to his tree.

 

You run the gauntlet of casino and cruise predators trying to take them from you as you do your best to keep them.

 

Good luck!

 

By the way, I never heard anyone regretting their empty pockets on their death bed.

 

🤣

Thank you

[Mikew0805]

On 9/24/2023 at 7:23 PM, OCSC Mike said:

 

I actually have Allure's 1st cruise out of PC on hold... just because there were some good prices last week and it sort of fits my wife's schedule. Waiting for her to decide; she has until Tuesday.

I see it's on your list, so you must have decided on it. I am jealous... My first on Allure once she gets to PC is the day after Thanksgiving. UGH. I am on Indy's last sailing out of PC on Oct 20, and I will miss that ship, (one of my faves) but really looking forward to Allure.

[OCSC Mike]

14 minutes ago, Mikew0805 said:

I see it's on your list, so you must have decided on it.

Yeah, with less than an hour left on our 7 day courtesy hold my wife finally said “book it!” She was really torn with some work stuff but made peace with it.

 

17 minutes ago, Mikew0805 said:

I am on Indy's last sailing out of PC on Oct 20, and I will miss that ship, (one of my faves) but really looking forward to Allure.

 

We enjoyed 11 nights on Indy last year and would sail her again but I do prefer Oasis class. Looking forward to Allure and a couple restaurants we may never see again… but I’m just happy to be squeezing in another October cruise. Only our 2nd ever not during summer or spring break.

[doghog]

On 8/14/2023 at 8:29 AM, Ret MP said:

I wouldn't consider cruising out of New Orleans or Tampa. 

What's wrong with leaving from Tampa?

[OCSC Mike]

2 minutes ago, doghog said:

What's wrong with leaving from Tampa?

Nothing except the stupid bridge that keeps Voyager class and above from porting there.
 

Sorry, I know you weren’t asking me, I just wish I had a 2nd port with such a short drive… but not a fan of smaller ships.

[doghog]

3 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

Nothing except the stupid bridge that keeps Voyager class and above from porting there.
 

Sorry, I know you weren’t asking me, I just wish I had a 2nd port with such a short drive… but not a fan of smaller ships.

Thanks. We are getting ready to book a B2B on the Radiance for March 2025 leaving from Tampa.  

Edited October 4, 2023 by doghog

[OCSC Mike]

12 minutes ago, doghog said:

Thanks. We are getting ready to book a B2B on the Radiance for March 2025 leaving from Tampa.  

I’ve never actually sailed from there but I’ve heard good things.

[Ret MP]

58 minutes ago, doghog said:

What's wrong with leaving from Tampa?

That's the only reason^^^^^

[Ret MP]

Well, it's been a busy few weeks.  We sold and closed on our home in Oxford, AL.  On the same day that we closed on the house, we received an email that the apartment had been vacated and the move-in date of November 28th is official (they are going to completely refurb it).  We have received a few move-in questionnaires and the apartment #.  This is so exciting, so exciting we booked another cruise out of Canaveral on another cruise line.  As I've said, this could get financially dangerous for me.

 

Life is good!

[Krazyfuntimes]

On 10/3/2023 at 7:57 AM, Ret MP said:

I'm getting closer and closer to entering the danger zone, "between two preferred cruise terminals and a bunch of local (Gulfport) casinos.  We just received a tentative move-in date of November 28th.  My wife is already looking at future cruises.  I guess I'll just have to go with the flow and enjoy counting my pennies.  

How long were you on the wait list? I never knew this was a thing and am thinking might be a great idea to get on the list now. Thanks!

[perfect match]

11 hours ago, Ret MP said:

Well, it's been a busy few weeks.  We sold and closed on our home in Oxford, AL.  On the same day that we closed on the house, we received an email that the apartment had been vacated and the move-in date of November 28th is official (they are going to completely refurb it).  We have received a few move-in questionnaires and the apartment #.  This is so exciting, so exciting we booked another cruise out of Canaveral on another cruise line.  As I've said, this could get financially dangerous for me.

 

Life is good!

I’m so happy for you that you finally got a move in date! Hope you have a great view from your newly refurbished apartment. Another cruise booked is the icing on the cake. You’re right -life is good! Enjoy it! 

[Ret MP]

45 minutes ago, Krazyfuntimes said:

How long were you on the wait list? I never knew this was a thing and am thinking might be a great idea to get on the list now. Thanks!

We were put on the list in mid-August and were officially notified that our couple's apartment was vacated on October 16.  It was the first time they had a waitlist for a couple's apartment.  I don't know what it looks like now.  I don't think there is now or has been a waitlist for a single apartment, but I don't know that for sure.  Go to AFRH.GOV and give them a call and maybe set up a tour.  That's what we did and it solidified our decision to make the move even with the unknown wait.

 

The list of needed verification documentation and medical evaluations (this is a government-run entity, after all) was quite extensive and took about a month to do. They evaluated it, and they said it could take up to 5 weeks to hear back.  But, we were accepted about a week after submitting all the documents and evaluations.  So, my point, it takes time just to apply and be accepted, then you are either put on the waitlist or they will assign an apartment when you are accepted into the facility. 

 

EDITED IN:  BTW, we were #1 on the wait list from start to finish. 

Edited October 31, 2023 by Ret MP

[Ret MP]

7 hours ago, perfect match said:

I’m so happy for you that you finally got a move in date! Hope you have a great view from your newly refurbished apartment. Another cruise booked is the icing on the cake. You’re right -life is good! Enjoy it! 

Yep, my daughter and son-in-law really wanted to try the Mardi Gras because they have never cruised that cruise line and they are/were impressed with the Youtube vlogs of the ship.  So, we decided to tag along, in Nov 2024.  I'm violating my own promise to myself never to cruise them again.  But, I am a forgiving soul LOL, and I will do anything for my family, close friends, and inner circle.  

[barbeyg]

21 hours ago, Ret MP said:

Well, it's been a busy few weeks.  We sold and closed on our home in Oxford, AL.  On the same day that we closed on the house, we received an email that the apartment had been vacated and the move-in date of November 28th is official (they are going to completely refurb it).  We have received a few move-in questionnaires and the apartment #.  This is so exciting, so exciting we booked another cruise out of Canaveral on another cruise line.  As I've said, this could get financially dangerous for me.

 

Life is good!

Congrats!  You will love the MS Gulf Coast.  Great food, friendly people, interesting little towns to explore (Bay St Louis/Ocean Springs) and fun festivals.  🙂

[Ret MP]

T minus 7 days and a wake-up and I'll be in my new home state, residence, gambling experience, and cruise ship terminal locations.  All is ready at the launch pad for launch in Danville, IN with a 2 stage U-Haul rocket and vehicle towing dolly, with a layover in Huntsville and at the recovery location in Gulfport.  

[LobsterStalker]

8 hours ago, Ret MP said:

T minus 7 days and a wake-up and I'll be in my new home state, residence, gambling experience, and cruise ship terminal locations.  All is ready at the launch pad for launch in Danville, IN with a 2 stage U-Haul rocket and vehicle towing dolly, with a layover in Huntsville and at the recovery location in Gulfport.  

Congrats 

Sounds like an exciting and significant life change ahead 

Hope you enjoy the next phase to the fullest !

 

Cheers

[joeyancho]

Ret MP.  Thank for your service to our country.  God bless.

[Ret MP]

On 10/30/2023 at 10:38 PM, Krazyfuntimes said:

How long were you on the wait list? I never knew this was a thing and am thinking might be a great idea to get on the list now. Thanks!

 

On 10/30/2023 at 11:22 PM, Ret MP said:

We were put on the list in mid-August and were officially notified that our couple's apartment was vacated on October 16.  It was the first time they had a waitlist for a couple's apartment.  I don't know what it looks like now.  I don't think there is now or has been a waitlist for a single apartment, but I don't know that for sure.  Go to AFRH.GOV and give them a call and maybe set up a tour.  That's what we did and it solidified our decision to make the move even with the unknown wait.

 

The list of needed verification documentation and medical evaluations (this is a government-run entity, after all) was quite extensive and took about a month to do. They evaluated it, and they said it could take up to 5 weeks to hear back.  But, we were accepted about a week after submitting all the documents and evaluations.  So, my point, it takes time just to apply and be accepted, then you are either put on the waitlist or they will assign an apartment when you are accepted into the facility. 

 

EDITED IN:  BTW, we were #1 on the wait list from start to finish. 

Just an update:

 

We actually started the process (gathering the required documentation, and getting all legal documents (POAs, Advance Directives, Medical documentation that we can live independently, (You can't move in if you can't live independently but the home will increase their services as you need them), etc) in July.  That included a tour of the facilities.  On November 1, we were notified that the apartment was ready for move-in, however, we had already made ALL arrangements to move in on November 28, which is what we are doing.  So about one month of this total time has been a result of our doing, not theirs.  They, the management of the "Home", have done nothing but bend over backward to be accommodating toward us.  

 

I think my wife is looking for and trying to convince me to cruise out of NOLO on a smaller ship.  But, I'm sticking to my guns, ya right!

 

 

[Ret MP]

It's done, we are all moved in.  Just a few more boxes to unload/empty and a bunch of stuff to organize and put away. I'm blown away by how great this place is.  Best decision of my/our lifetime.  On day two we spent the day at the local casinos with my daughter and son-in-law.  And to top it all off:

 

[CruiseIreland]

Congratulations and I wish you many years of health to enjoy loads of cruises and, maybe, a little gambling! 👏👏👍👍.

[kiawah75]

Congratulations! My father in law (20 years Navy) lived there until he passed last year. We would come to visit and stay in the guest apartments. We loved the gym, pool, hydration station, etc. The staff was wonderful to my father in law. And he made some great friends while he lived there. Lots to do in the area and as you have found out, not too far to do some cruises.