Help! My husband wants to cancel!!!

[Timmys_mom]

The first day of a strike cannot occur until August 19th. At this point the two sides are still negotiating. Company says flights will not be interrupted, unions say otherwise.

 

Can't tell you much more than that right now.

[AppleValleyCruisers]

I have first hand experience with this one. I had just returned from a cruise to Tahiti late one Sunday night this past May. I was supposed to go back to work the next day, Monday. Come to find out Monday morning, I was laid off. Just like that.

 

I had just spent quite a bit of money on vacation and had another cruise booked for this September, with my parents. Final payment was due in July and I debated cancelling it, but decided not to. My main reasoning was that I'd hopefully have a job by sailing date, and I didn't want to give up the memories that would be made on the cruise. My two favorite sayings are "Memories are souvenirs of life" and "Learn as much as you can, no one can repossess what is in your mind".

 

It is now early August, and I still don't have a job, in fact, haven't even heard any responses to resumes/applications, but with those two thoughts, I am going to go and enjoy my cruise and life's new souvenirs. Whatever happens in the future, I'll always have those souvenirs with me and no one can take them away.

 

Christine

 

Wow, a very admirable attitude Christine:) Good post!

[AppleValleyCruisers]

The first day of a strike cannot occur until August 19th. At this point the two sides are still negotiating. Company says flights will not be interrupted, unions say otherwise.

 

Can't tell you much more than that right now.

 

Shelly, I heard on KARE that NWA may be bringing over Champion Air assets to cover. So it seems that NWA mgmt is worried about delays, cancellations etc.

[Chele60]

Truthfully, have you considered just how much fun your husband will have while on vacation if he is worried about his job situation? Or are you only thinking of how diappointed you will be if you don't go on this cruise? Also, I'm hearing a lot of how you are going to try to convince your husband, but are you willing to listen to his arguments?

 

I think this calls for a time of sensitivity. If your husband is at all concerned or worried about his career, then perhaps it is best to cancel and re-book at a later date. Life is short, yes, but y'all made it to 10 years without cruising, right? Certainly you can make it to 11? And if you should be able to convince your husband to go along with you and cruise, and he gives into you, and puts on a happy face while worrying the entire time he's on vacation, how fair is that? Or has that even crossed your mind?

 

I've had to cancel vacations at the last minute and understand the disappoint the goes along with it, but never regretted it because when I was able to re-plan I was in a better state of mind and was that much better to enjoy to myself. It can be a bitter pill to swallow now, sure. But let's face it - vacations on an extreme budget while counting pennies are just plain sucky.

[crz~enthusiast]

My husband is a budget worrier so we had the budget nailed down way ahead of time. We had a budget of about $600 for a 7 nighter. Come night 6 we were at about $350. We are partiers. We each took 2 bottles of wine/champagne for celebratory purposes. 2 in the carry on and 2 in the checked luggage. We were never questioned. We also had a shampoo bottle full of malibu which we wnjoyed mixing by the pool. There are many spill proof bottles to use if you get creative. We took our wine or champagne bottles to dinner and were never charged the dining room corking fee of $10. If you don't finish the bottle it mysteriously reappears the next evening. We spent about $40 on photos and the $140 on tips the rest on alcohol in the evenings. it was much less than we expected to spend. I was surprised that the drinks aren't anymore expensive than any bar in Baltimore. There are always daily specials and free happy hours if you read your Capers carefully. Go and Enjoy. Things have a way of working out

[Timmys_mom]

It is very heartening to see how many people out there have been able to cruise without filing Chapter 13 when they return.

 

chele60 - I can understand why you think I am being self-centered. However, we have been waiting for the other shoe to drop at NWA for three years now, and we could wait another 30 more. Or, we can live our lives in a manner which is not dictated by the management team at NWA. I have known my husband for 12 years - and I have handled the finances during our entire marriage. If I felt for a moment that this would doom us to pauper's prison, I would never push the issue. We will be cruising with two of his favorite sisters and their husbands. If nothing else, this will be a wonderful opportunity for him to pour a stiff drink and toast adieu to a great career in the aviation industry and take the first step down a new path. The importance of my happiness is equalled only by his.

[coolestwife]

We will be cruising with two of his favorite sisters and their husbands.

 

:eek: I hope his other sisters don't read this board!:p

 

Seriously though, if you guys have already paid for most of it then maybe you should go. Just keep saving those pennies and have a couple of yard sales, maybe see if there is anything you have that you can sell on e-bay (the snowmobiles would probably fetch a good amount). And besides, you are right...you could be waiting another 30 years for a resolution! I say go for it!

[cruizinwoman]

I say go. Last April '04 DH and I were in a terrible place. I'd been laid off from the telecommunications world and had to have surgery on a life-threatening problem I didn't even know I had... We were stressed out about everything and desperately needed a break. It was a fresh start on things and we got over the hurdle.

 

On the cruise, we didn't gamble (casino or bingo), we didn't drink a lot, we didn't do expensive shore tours, but we did have a terrific time and enjoyed the time away from "the real world"...

 

If the cruise is paid for and all you have to do is save a few dollars to shop/drink/play with, then go for it. Life is too short.

[VentureMan_2000]

I'm not a big drinker, I don't gamble and any souveniers will be purchased in the countries we visit - not at the ship's gift shop. Our excursions are booked privately.

 

I think you should go, but it sounds like YOU (and Hubbie?) really aren't willing to give up the extras on the cruise.

 

If you can't go on the cruise and only spend money on cocktails, then I say don't go.

 

The ship is full of entertainment, food, activities, pool, sauna, gym. My wife and I never book activities... we can't afford them. We just enjoy the ship and ports.

 

Souveniers... Excursions... ??????

 

Cancel all the Excursions and do not plan on purchasing anything in the Ports but a beer or cocktail, taxi, etc. No Souveniers! If you can do this, and promiss your Hubby you WILL do this, he may feel more comfortable going.

[themom]

When I sail I always take zip lock bags with me. Then at each port of call I look for shells and odd shaped rocks from the Ocean. I bring them back for my flower garden and my neice she brings back a bag of sand from each port. The cost is the price of the ziploc bag.Not everyone has a stone or shell from a different country.

Also be sure and take photos of the 2 of you at each port having fun.We take our own water from the ship and we get some fruit from the buffet. This way if we do get hungery we have something to munch on before we get back to the ship.

Yes you will spend some money but it won't have to be your life savings to have fun. ;)

Dreaming of cruising and cruising to make my dreams come true.

[MGilly]

I'm sorry your financial situation is so tenuous right now. Perhaps my story might help put things in perspective for you.

 

In 1982, I was diagnosed with cancer. A lot of surgery followed, along with radiation and chemotherapy. At that point, DH and I had been married only about 5 1/2 years, and we had two very small children. We decided that, while it's always a good idea to save for a rainy day, why save everything for a day you may never live to see? You never know what the future holds, so sometimes you just have to enjoy life while you can. About two years ago, the cancer returned (after 21 years!). Again, I went through surgery and chemotherapy. After we traveled to Las Vegas to celebrate the end of chemo, DH's position in his company was eliminated. We had already planned it, so we took an Alaskan cruise, and went on a road trip up north to visit family. We thought the cancer was finally gone. Well, it returned last September, and I had surgery AGAIN in October. Chemotherapy followed - again. Unfortunately, because of the radiation all those years ago, healing did not happen the way it should have. I'm STILL not able to eat anything and am hooking up to IV nutrition every night. Hopefully, that will last for only a couple more weeks, though! There's no sign of any cancer (YEA!), and we've got a cruise - with a couple of days in San Juan post-cruise - planned for December. DH just started a new job this week (yes, we'd planned this cruise while he was still unemployed), and things are finally beginning to look up.

 

The point of all of this is that life really IS too short. While my DH was "on hiatus" from his career, he became a substitute teacher to bring in some money. We were beginning to dip into savings, but we knew that we needed to celebrate life, so we scheduled this cruise - and we're bringing our kids with us! Our son is now 26, and our daughter is 23. How much longer will they want to travel with us? Life is so precious, we'll be celebrating in the southern Caribbean this holiday season and thanking G-d for the opportunity to enjoy it.

 

Go on the cruise! As others have already said, it's not mandatory that you spend a bunch of money onboard ship. We don't plan to either. Once you're onboard, it costs nothing to lay out on a deck chair, breathe in that warm Caribbean air, listen to the steel drum band, feel the warm ocean breezes, and know just how lucky you are to be alive.

[ladysail2]

Very well said, MerrylG, especially your last line.

 

Hugs to you!

[JudyKa]

I'm sorry your financial situation is so tenuous right now. Perhaps my story might help put things in perspective for you.

 

In 1982, I was diagnosed with cancer. A lot of surgery followed, along with radiation and chemotherapy. At that point, DH and I had been married only about 5 1/2 years, and we had two very small children. We decided that, while it's always a good idea to save for a rainy day, why save everything for a day you may never live to see? You never know what the future holds, so sometimes you just have to enjoy life while you can. About two years ago, the cancer returned (after 21 years!). Again, I went through surgery and chemotherapy. After we traveled to Las Vegas to celebrate the end of chemo, DH's position in his company was eliminated. We had already planned it, so we took an Alaskan cruise, and went on a road trip up north to visit family. We thought the cancer was finally gone. Well, it returned last September, and I had surgery AGAIN in October. Chemotherapy followed - again. Unfortunately, because of the radiation all those years ago, healing did not happen the way it should have. I'm STILL not able to eat anything and am hooking up to IV nutrition every night. Hopefully, that will last for only a couple more weeks, though! There's no sign of any cancer (YEA!), and we've got a cruise - with a couple of days in San Juan post-cruise - planned for December. DH just started a new job this week (yes, we'd planned this cruise while he was still unemployed), and things are finally beginning to look up.

 

The point of all of this is that life really IS too short. While my DH was "on hiatus" from his career, he became a substitute teacher to bring in some money. We were beginning to dip into savings, but we knew that we needed to celebrate life, so we scheduled this cruise - and we're bringing our kids with us! Our son is now 26, and our daughter is 23. How much longer will they want to travel with us? Life is so precious, we'll be celebrating in the southern Caribbean this holiday season and thanking G-d for the opportunity to enjoy it.

 

Go on the cruise! As others have already said, it's not mandatory that you spend a bunch of money onboard ship. We don't plan to either. Once you're onboard, it costs nothing to lay out on a deck chair, breathe in that warm Caribbean air, listen to the steel drum band, feel the warm ocean breezes, and know just how lucky you are to be alive.

 

God be with you, Merryl, and I wish you many more wonderful warm cruises.

[LetsSail]

Some of you may recognize my name - my DH works for Northwest Airlines. Many of you have probably read about the current labor situation there. Our final payment is due 8/12 and the DH called me today to tell me he thinks we should cancel. :( He fully expects to either go on strike or get laid off, and while we have saved all the money we need for the tickets, etc., he is concerned about how much we will need to spend aboard the ship. Losing his job will be uncomfortable for a while, but not devastating.

 

I don't think it is necessary to spend an additional $1,000 on-board. I'm not a big drinker, I don't gamble and any souveniers will be purchased in the countries we visit - not at the ship's gift shop. Our excursions are booked privately. But his argument is that he doesn't think he will enjoy the cruise if he is keeping a budget.

 

We scheduled this cruise with two other couples to celebrate our 10th anniversaries and I WANT TO GO!!!! I need some solid advice from all the veterans!

 

I am flying to Rome on Aug 20, the same day your husband's union is going on strike. NWA says they are going to keep their schedule, but I doubt that.

 

Do me a favor:) --urge your hubby to urge the union not to strike. You know changing careers for him may me a blessing. I changed careers at age 45, went back to school and am now making more money and I never have to worry about going on strike or getting laid off.

 

I know if has been tough for your family to keep having to take cuts, but the ailine industry is getting more competitive and NWA is going under. Either they cut costs or they go under.

 

I would not want to work for the big airlines right now.

 

 

 

Jim

[Leo Jay]

I know you said hubby was ok to go either way, as long as there wasn't a lot of extra money involved, but just FYI:

 

I noticed that one of the travel policies I was considering the other day that had a provision for cancellation due to job loss!

 

 

 

IMG's Patriot T.R.I.P. policy provides covers the cost of the trip, up to $20,000, for cancellation due to:

Employer termination or layoff. You must have been employed with the same employer for at least one year, and you must have worked at least 30 hours per week, excluding time off for paid vacation and holidays, for the entire period of employment.

 

 

I found that interesting. I've no idea whether that's a standard provision among carriers or not -- it's the only policy I've noticed it in... not that I've been reading them that closely. This one just jumped out.

[vicocala]

Leo Jay,

 

 

I am not a lawyer, but I think a strike (which is basically the employee refusing to go to work) is not a layoff or a termination.

[Timmys_mom]

LeoJay - thanks for the tip. I'll check my insurance. DH is so low on the totem pole that any job cuts the union agrees to will leave him without one (and I am still hoping there will be an agreement). However, for the first time since all the negotiations started, NWA mentioned severance packages for furloughed workers. That would make all the difference in the world.:)

 

MerrylG - my thoughts and prayers are with you.

 

Let's Sail - 94.2% of union members voted to strike. I doubt if my DH could change their minds even if there was time to do so.

 

As this drags on and the atmosphere at NWA becomes unbearable, I am more and more convinced that going forward with this cruise is exactly what he needs. He is coming home tonight for a three-day weekend (if he can get on a flight!). I can't wait.

[Hebejeebe]

I don't think it is necessary to spend an additional $1,000 on-board. I'm not a big drinker, I don't gamble and any souveniers will be purchased in the countries we visit - not at the ship's gift shop. Our excursions are booked privately. But his argument is that he doesn't think he will enjoy the cruise if he is keeping a budget.

 

$1,000 is a lot to spend on the ship if all of your excursions are booked privately. Perhaps you should create a budget and see if he thinks that a lesser expenditure would still be fun. You don't have to make it a hard budget but if you can have lots of fun at $400 you would still save a lot if you spent $500 rather than the full $1000. Bottom line though is that if he is going to be completely stressed out on the ship then neither he nor you will enjoy the trip.

[ladycaveat]

I'm sorry your financial situation is so tenuous right now. Perhaps my story might help put things in perspective for you.

 

In 1982, I was diagnosed with cancer. A lot of surgery followed, along with radiation and chemotherapy. At that point, DH and I had been married only about 5 1/2 years, and we had two very small children. We decided that, while it's always a good idea to save for a rainy day, why save everything for a day you may never live to see? You never know what the future holds, so sometimes you just have to enjoy life while you can. About two years ago, the cancer returned (after 21 years!). Again, I went through surgery and chemotherapy. After we traveled to Las Vegas to celebrate the end of chemo, DH's position in his company was eliminated. We had already planned it, so we took an Alaskan cruise, and went on a road trip up north to visit family. We thought the cancer was finally gone. Well, it returned last September, and I had surgery AGAIN in October. Chemotherapy followed - again. Unfortunately, because of the radiation all those years ago, healing did not happen the way it should have. I'm STILL not able to eat anything and am hooking up to IV nutrition every night. Hopefully, that will last for only a couple more weeks, though! There's no sign of any cancer (YEA!), and we've got a cruise - with a couple of days in San Juan post-cruise - planned for December. DH just started a new job this week (yes, we'd planned this cruise while he was still unemployed), and things are finally beginning to look up.

 

The point of all of this is that life really IS too short. While my DH was "on hiatus" from his career, he became a substitute teacher to bring in some money. We were beginning to dip into savings, but we knew that we needed to celebrate life, so we scheduled this cruise - and we're bringing our kids with us! Our son is now 26, and our daughter is 23. How much longer will they want to travel with us? Life is so precious, we'll be celebrating in the southern Caribbean this holiday season and thanking G-d for the opportunity to enjoy it.

 

Go on the cruise! As others have already said, it's not mandatory that you spend a bunch of money onboard ship. We don't plan to either. Once you're onboard, it costs nothing to lay out on a deck chair, breathe in that warm Caribbean air, listen to the steel drum band, feel the warm ocean breezes, and know just how lucky you are to be alive.

 

Oh my goodness . . . . all I can say is bless you and your family. Your story sort of puts things into prospective . . . life is so precious . . . one should do what one feels is important. I admire your spirit and my thoughts and prayers are with you . . . .

[MGilly]

Thanks, you guys! Right now, things look really good, and I'm checking out the possibility of booking ANOTHER cruise maybe in April. I'm the designated family-reunion-planner, and that's going to be in July 2006. The last one I planned (the first one we ever had!) was aboard the Carnival Imagination. Wow! What a blast! Twentynine very happy people, laughing and thoroughly enjoying themselves. Unfortunately, this time, the "landlubbers" want to go to either the Outer Banks of North Carolina or Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Some of the family feels VERY STRONGLY about one or the other, and I'll have to decide where we go. <sigh> I'm sure I'll be able to think much more clearly about this once I've got some warm Caribbean breezes blowing my way. <grin>

 

(I guess you can tell that we've firmly adopted the stance that you can't take it with you, so you might as well enjoy it while you can! And enjoy we shall!!!)

 

Meanwhile, I really hope the OP and her hubby come to a decision they'll both be happy with. (You know what I'd choose!) I CAN tell you that even though our financial situation was a bit shaky when we went on that Alaskan cruise, I never saw my husband so relaxed and happy as when we were on that ship. And when we first started cruising, I had to practically drag him kicking and screaming to go! Now, he gets ALMOST as excited about cruising as I do!

[brn2crz]

We too are self-employed.While not seasonal...Its break-through product,that takes some time to introduce in this market in Texas...Wet/Dry built-in central vacuum...

Anyway...I work as a mangement consultant part time to make ends meet.We have a 5 yo starting K this year,who was just diagnosed with Asthma:(

 

Things were very slow over the summer,and I kept debating about canceling...All though,I don't I ever would have...I would have just tried to work more..But DH gets a little tense:D

 

Two days after deadline passed...jobs started coming out the woodwork,and right now he has more than he can handle:)

 

I told him....I would have really been ticked if I would have cancelled and all this work came :eek:

 

Good Luck in you trials.....And have a great trip

[mzloolue]

We booked our upcoming cruise in anticipation of selling a house. Well, the house has not sold, I am laid off from work until probably September, we have three kids in college this year, but we are still going.

 

Our cruise was very modestly priced and concerning spending money on board, I have more junk in the house than I can handle already, so I sure don't need to buy more while on this trip. I have clothes, I have more than enough jewelry, I even have a bottle of vanilla!!!

 

If I wanted to gamble and drink (which I don't) I would just drive down to Tunica where I could gamble with better pay outs and the drinks are free.

 

What do I honestly need to buy? Nothing at all!!

 

Would the money that we are spending on this trip be enough to save us from destitution, if it came to that? Well, of course not.

 

However, hopefully, we will be able to bond as a family, make some great memories, rest, relax, regroup, and be ready to come back home and fight the good fight. :)

 

P.S. How to save six hours.

1. Drive to Tunica.

2. Park your car at the casino of your choice.

3. Walk to the door.

4. Open the door and throw all your money inside.

5. Walk back to your car and drive home.

:eek:

[Leo Jay]

Leo Jay,

 

I am not a lawyer, but I think a strike (which is basically the employee refusing to go to work) is not a layoff or a termination.

 

:rolleyes:

 

Our final payment is due 8/12 and the DH called me today to tell me he thinks we should cancel. :( He fully expects to either go on strike or get laid off...

 

:cool:

[Ichellebereel]

I just want to say before I go to bed, that I am so glad I read this thread because I was really down. I planned a group cruise last October from August 22, 2005 and 4 days in Orlando post-stay. I have 39 people in this group in which 6 are my children. 3 week ago my husband called me and told me, when he got to work they told him the company lost their contract and he was laid off on the spot. I tried to pull out of the post stay but cost to much to cancel and my finances are very low. I don't have enough time to tell you guys everything that has happen to my family since June and things are still coming aganist me. But after reading this board I can go the bed with some reassurance that everything is going to be alright. I thank all of you guys for this board. I gain a little more hope after reading these threads.

 

 

Thanks so much and goodnight,

Rochelle

[mc'smom]

I just want to say before I go to bed, that I am so glad I read this thread because I was really down. I planned a group cruise last October from August 22, 2005 and 4 days in Orlando post-stay. I have 39 people in this group in which 6 are my children. 3 week ago my husband called me and told me, when he got to work they told him the company lost their contract and he was laid off on the spot. I tried to pull out of the post stay but cost to much to cancel and my finances are very low. I don't have enough time to tell you guys everything that has happen to my family since June and things are still coming aganist me. But after reading this board I can go the bed with some reassurance that everything is going to be alright. I thank all of you guys for this board. I gain a little more hope after reading these threads.

 

 

Thanks so much and goodnight,

Rochelle

 

Rochelle

Keep your spirits up! Everything happens for a reason... You will come out of this.. Keep your chin up and keep smiling..