hrwi

My sister is turning a big number in June of 2019 and there are four of us that would like to cruise for that. Ideally we'd get one suite with a balcony and four single beds. And I would like to book it super early, then set it up so the three of us who aren't the birthday girl could pay it off over the next two years. That way we can prepay for drinks and tips and all the fun stuff.

How soon can I start seeing bookings for then? I see April 2019 ships on schedules, so can I assume july of this year?

They are the same for all US entrants, and no one cares or even asks if you fulfill them.

Go to jambu.com and see if any of their vegan offerings float your boat (had to throw in that pun).

 

I have a couple of their vegan shoes and sandals; one of them has been my staple for European travel. They don't make it anymore (bought them in 2011), so I can't point you to those specific ones.

 

Also, hit the sahalie.com website and look at their shoes and sandals. They have lots of Jambu, but others, too. Just weed out the leathers...

I was just going to recommend jambu. I didn't get vegan ones (or assume I didn't), but I got some cute black sandaly mary janes for $17 at costco! I'm planning to wear them with dresses in the evening and walking at ports (also in October).

So excited to hear more - I'll be sailing this one in the fall, and was a bit invested in your private escort onto the ship!

I checked a few weeks ago and the prices were exactly (within $10, but I feel like exactly to the dollar) what I was seeing on the airline's website. I still have some time so I'm hedging my bets, but I've heard there are deals to be had.

I called and talked to someone - and she said "southwest flight xx for $414" which is the flight and dollar amount I was seeing online. She did give me a few options of airlines and airports (I'm partway between two).

Yeah, I left this out of the OP for simplicity, but their original response was "Please have a seat in the red chairs* and we'll come talk to you in a few minutes."

 

*red chairs = u-shaped spot behind cordons, with zero other people there. My adrenaline shot through the roof, thinking someone had stolen my identity and used it for felony money laundering. (Like I said, deviation from the plan = IndyGirl panic mode.) The revision to "Just go have a seat [in the non Red Chairs of Doom section], and we'll escort you onto the ship." calmed me down as it made the mistaken felony charges less likely, but I was still anxious enough to post the question!

This is *so* me. Mind jumps to worst possible conclusion.

Nice! Have a great time!

At the top bar, where it says "find your roll call", there is a pull down with line, ship, date. It works quite well.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/rollcalls/

Oh I didn't even see that part, thanks. So excited to get to the "substance" of it I guess I skimmed over that!

Wow, thank you! How long do you estimate each of these to take?

I am not going to buy until prices drop either. I do google's "fare tracker" which is great, but you have to commit to a specific flight. I also have an app called "hopper" that I tell it the dates I want to get to tampa and it tells me when prices drop or raise, and will even speculate that I could get a better price by waiting. The only thing is, for all of these, I do NOT want to fly spirit air, and that's the cheapest. But add bags in and it's not cheaper and becomes much more stressful. But minor issue!

The rumor is that 6-8 weeks prior is the best time to buy, but being a planner that seems to close for me!

Definitely worth a call. Particularly since they seem to be able to do more in the system - they might be able to give you your preferred time.

Thanks! Just got one!

139. Not soon enough!

No, you don't have to be paid off. If you click on "manage", then "my booking", it'll show your entire party, and then where it says "cruise details" , it shows there. Mine has a time now, but I believe before that it was a clickable link to choose time.

I picked mine yesterday or the day before and I'm about 140 days out. Maybe it's 150? I honestly didn't even check until that day and don't remember seeing that option.

I don't think that with fixed time dining you could do this. You are locked in to your dining time and you can't then go and check in to YTD, because you don't have that as your dining time.

Good to know. 24 hour pizza for him then! ;)

We are fortunate to live in lobster country, so we have them several times a year anyway. I'm certain he won't starve.

This is great to hear. I have a 14 year old son, and we have early dining. I wonder if he could return (particularly on lobster night)? We could see a show and come back for dessert (I would happily eat dessert a couple of hours after dinner, rather than right after).

Sorry to hijack your thread, but does anyone have speculation on whether that might work?

I haven't sailed yet, but I'm planning to do the social media one. I will check my email in port at night, twice - even for the international overages it won't be $16/day.

Thanks for the reminder. Just checked with fareviewer and found a $400 drop (for five travelers) since booking. Here's hoping that the form I filled out works properly and quickly! That's all of our prepaid tips right there.

I'm also considering going to NYC (maybe train from boston to get it?) to get on Horizon to Bermuda. That's a route they're doing next year, but I don't know if it'll ever be again.

I haven't heard of this, but I'm very interested in hearing if anyone else knows. I've got big imaginary plans for summer 2019. ;)

I gave my kids a disney trip a few years ago for christmas. I had a bunch of small gifts, like sunglasses, a mini toiletry kit, and then worked up to a disney t shirt and a new backpack - with a "ticket" for the vacation in it. I just made an old fashioned looking ticket that said "disney february 11-16" or whatever date. The ticket turned out super cute - let me see if I have any photos of it.

My husband has had issues with a whale watching boat, but not a larger ship. He has had great success with sea-bands (so I'd assume any knock offs too). Also don't tell him I told you! ;)

I have not been on my cruise yet, but I did just buy some of these for my kids: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NBW8BVP/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The only thing they will need to carry is the card, and these if the card is waterproof, they can just swim or be in kids club and not worry. I got an extra for myself or my husband, whoever doesn't have pockets.