Help! My husband wants to cancel!!!

[cruizinrican]

I have to agree with an earlier post, we also take many cruises a year ( up to 4 a year if we can swing it) so sometimes by the time we buy the tickets, it doesn't leave us thousands to spend. We have cruised and spent as much as $10 grand (hint stay out of art auction) or as little as $180. This is all aboard ship expense from your sail and sign card. We spent additional when we got off the ship but minimal. I think that cruise we spent the $180 on, off we spent about $250. We still did things, drank, bought trinkets, rented a Jeep and even had a meal or two on islands. Always do execursions on your own, they cost less and I think it brings you a little closer to each islands culture and ways.

 

I hope it works out for you all and you do get to go.;)

 

Cruizinrican

[zydecocruiser]

1-800-DIVORCE...

 

You'll get at least half the cruise and will get to go. Of course, your attorney might get the other half. :eek:

[gtalum]

More important than anything else is the knowledge that you're only guaranteed today. You're not guaranteed tomorrow.

[Gallivanting Souls]

I'm not in your shoes oviously...

 

-But thinking about were were are financially right now and all the mishaps and disasters that have come to my family recently, I wish I would have cancled our families trip and done it later.

(death in family, had to fly/hotel in CO)

(DH's truck broke down today)

(DH didn't get a pay check for a couple of weeks because he's self employed)

 

It goes on and on. If I would have known I was going to hear the same storey almost every day about how I was going to use the money for... Or I could have used the money for...

 

Also he used to work in the grocery biz. Strike pay was only $12- per day and that was only if you walked the picket line. I don't know about you, but I don't have a years salary saved up...

There are cruises all the time, every week...

 

The biggest reason couples fight is over money. Do yourself a favor and cancel if you can. Reschedule later. And when you cancle, tell whoever you booked to keep you in mind or on their mailing list for future cruises and deals!

 

That's just my 2cents worth.

[barbemm]

Hi,

I read your post and feel terrible that your husband even suggested it. What better time to go away and get away from the stress of a strike. Belive me you will forget all about any problems for the week on the ship.

 

As for spending on the ship..we have sailed 12 times and our sail and sign bill is never more than $250 and $180 of that is in tips...granted we rarely drink, but do have a few virgin pina coladas...and a trip to the beach is basically cab fare...in cozumel a cab to a decent beach is about $14 each way, and it's for two to 4 people not per person..so grab two friends and hop in a cab..if all 6 of you are going they charge an extra buck for each person over the 4..the beaches like paradise beach and san francisco beach are free admission...

 

grand cayman is a $3 cab fare per person

 

i never book carnival excursions, always do them on our own..not only do we save money to be able to afford two cruises a year, and we have never been disappointed....anyway, stay out of the casino...the shows, the lounges are all free...kareoke nights are a blast...you can find many ways to have fun on a ship without spending a fortune...and worse case scenerio, your sail and sign card goes on your credit card and you have a full 30 days after you return to pay it off...go and have a great time...your anniversary only comes once...I realize it's the 16th so it's past your final payment...I am curious to know what you decided..

Barb

[mc'smom]

No word on this from Timmy's Mom ?

 

I wonder how she made out with cinvincing her husband..

 

I feel for them..

[lojill]

I think whatever descision you make will be a good one. Have faith into thinking everything will be okay. Remember when you loose faith that means you don't trust your beliefs. If you believe then things will come to past. It may not happen when you want it to or the way you like it but it will always work out for the best. SO GO ON THE CRUISE.

[2funcruzin]

Well how did your weekend go with DH? What did you guys decide to do? Did you ask DH to read the posts like you said you would? I hope all went well.

[Timmys_mom]

We had a very long talk about the pros/cons of going. We determined that going was not going to be the factor that makes or breaks us, we have adequate savings/options to get us through for a while, we would lose the $500 we put down, his sisters eagerly :D volunteered to smuggle mass quantities of beverages aboard (to keep him at .08 for an entire week) and to also be respectful of our financial situation. My brother-in-law is a pilot for Sun Country (he'll be on the cruise) and had been laid off for a year after 9/11 - he strongly endorsed going, just for mental health reasons.

 

My DH even came up with a "theme" for our trip. His sister's DH's name is Pedro, so we are all going to purchase "Vote for Pedro" shirts and he will have one that says "I'm Pedro. Vote for Me". I was glad to see that he was getting into the spirit of the trip.

 

Finally, I think the best reason we came up with is that for the last two years he has worked either in Duluth, Milwaukee or Detroit (we live in St. Paul), and for as long as I have known him (12 years) he has worked either 2nd or 3rd shift, while I have worked days. We saved a lot of money on daycare, but we never had a "normal" marriage. This pending career change is a turning point in our lives in more ways than one. We have chosen to celebrate the opportunity - rather than grieve the loss. I'm kind of hoping we can sneak into the chapel and have a private "vows renewal" ceremony (it's the romantic in me!). I'm not sure how I will like having him underfoot all the time though :D !

 

Now I just have to learn how to buy plane tickets........:confused: ;) I never did it before, any suggestions?

 

Two more days 'til strike deadline. I am still hoping they offer voluntary layoffs with severance - that would be a dream come true.

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who shared their stories - even those who suggested we cancel. Each one gave me something to think about, if only to remind me that "this too, shall pass," or even "but for the grace of God, go I." You guys ROCK! I am amazed that so many people who do not know me would show so much kindness and compassion. I never dreamed that my appeal would rack up so many replies.

 

I guess the name of our ship is appropriate - we sail on the Miracle on October 23!

 

P.S. I also learned that interline and military discounts are the same, therefore, this will not be our last cruise. :)

[BUDLIGHT]

:D :p :o :)

 

GLAD THINGS HAVE WORKED OUT, I WAS WAITING TO READ THE OUTCOME.

ENJOY YOUR CRUISE.

I USE SOUTHWEST.COM

[CordovaMom]

Shelly,

 

I'm glad you're going, my brother works for NWA in Detroit, he's constantly worried about his job as well, the good news is that God doesn't close a door without opening a window, and throughout his shaky career within the airline industry, God has always kept a window of opportunity open for him. Have fun on your cruise and good luck to your husband.

[mc'smom]

Congratulations and HAVE FUN !

 

 

be sure to give us an update when you return !

[bsdmhutch]

I normally use one of the well known TRAVEL CITY type websites. In fact, I had to call them on Monday 'cause USAir canceled one of my flights for December and re-booked it at a time that would have been cutting it close coming back from the cruise. They were very good about going to USAir and getting us on a better timed flight. The customer service was VERY good.

[winewanderer]

Congratulations!!!

 

For airfare try http://www.sidestep.com. They are an airfare consolidator and you can often get great deals. I've purchased tickets a couple of times that way.

 

Also, don't forget to check the little guys like Jetblue, etc. Not sure where they fly where you are but you can check. Companies like that won't show up on websites likke Expedia.

 

Have a great time.

[coolestwife]

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!:d :d :d :d :d

[travellady]

Timmy's_Mom, I've been watching this thread and hoping you 2 would make the decision to go. I make decisions like this from a relative perspective due to my past and several tragedies that occured one right after the other. I lost my sister, my brother-in-law, and my dad all within a year. All were young. Those events made me realize life is very short, and I needed to do what I wanted to do because tomorrow I may not be able too.

 

We often worry too much about the small stuff. Granted, losing a job isn't really small stuff, but it is a setback you can get through. And, your trip is paid for. You don't have to by those pictures onboard (we rarely do anymore), the drinks are not what makes the cruise (OK, that's my opinion as I rarely drink), there's plenty to do in port without taking expensive excursions. There is much fun to be had for little or no cost.

 

Enjoy this time with your husband, reconnect, and be thankful you have this time to share.

[2funcruzin]

I'm so glad you guys chose to go!!! You need the vacation just to unwind. Good luck to you and your husband and know that you are not alone in your journey and things may not turn out the way you want them but everything will be ok because God has his hand in it.

 

Smooth Sailing to ya!

[Carnival Queen]

Timmys_mom: Believe me....I know how you feel. My husband works for American and it's tough all over the airline industry. However....I think you should go!! Sounds like everything is paid for. The first time we went on a cruise, we spent less than $200 on the ship. Really, you don't have to buy anything on board. Bring your own liquor/soda, stay out of the casino, no bingo, don't have to buy the pictures. You can still have a blast! We don't know what the future holds with the airlines....I think you should go and enjoy. Not trying to be a bummer, but if he's laid off.....it might be awhile before you can go again.

 

Ditto for me - you don't have to spend much at all - definitely go and ENJOY!;)

[helpme]

Hi Timmys mom one good tip that saved us alot of money on the islands was we took a small soft sided cooler bag, and sandwich bags with us, and on a morning everyone ordered sandwhiches and fruit off room service plus ice. So we had our own picnic to take on the island and just picked up beer and pop which was cheap it saved us alot of time looking for somewhere to eat so you can just find that beach and relax and enjoy. By the way no one has ever checked bags getting off the ship on yes off no. We never bought one lunch on the islands.

[Chele60]

So glad to hear that things have worked out for the best, and that everyone is looking forward to a wonderful time. Hopefully all else career-wise will follow suit.

 

Enjoy come October!

[ladycaveat]

Was wondering how your husband is doing since some at Northwest have gone on strike and some haven't. Sure hope he wasn't effected . . .

[KenMo]

Now I just have to learn how to buy plane tickets........:confused: ;) I never did it before, any suggestions?

 

Hi Timmys_mom....it's me again, the wife of an AA employee. This is just a suggestion, even though I don't recommend it: Can you still fly non-rev even if he's on strike? That would save you airfare, but the big down side is you could get bumped...not worth taking the chance to me. Another suggestion is: On AA, if we buy a positive seat, we get a 20% employee discount. Maybe NWA has something like that?

 

Good luck and enjoy your cruise!!!

[bonniemari]

TM-I have not read the entire thread and I hope all is well with you and you're family. I want to tell you a similar story (well kind of )

 

Almost 9 years ago we were scheduled to go on the Sensation (our first cruise) on Jan, 1997. On December 7, 1996 my DH found out the company he had worked for over 30 years was closing all their stores. Even though after 30yrs he was 100% vested and had a great retirement acct we were still concerned because for tax reasons part of that he could not touch until he was 59 1/2. He was 54 at that time.

 

But we decided to go anyway and I can tell you that almost 9 years later, 16 cruises, many land vacations and so many other wonderful things in our lives to count- things are better than ever. We now own our own retail appliance business (the one with the lonely guy) that did close to 4M last year and out of 700 stores our stores (we have 2) are in the top 5 in the country.

 

So I say go for it and things always have a way of working themselves out and I am sure with your DH experience, he like my DH, will only go on to bigger and better things.

 

 

Good luck and am I sure all will work out just fine with you and your family.

[Timmys_mom]

I last spoke to him about three hours ago and he was outside of Chicago - he's almost home! We really don't know what being on "strike status" means right now. I highly doubt if NWA would let us fly non-rev. Before all this happened we were planning to non-rev to Tampa the day before, but I am now searching the internet for cheap fares.

 

I heard on the news that NWA had offered 26 weeks severance, with medical and flight benefits for that period. Would have been great for the DH and me, but the union turned it down. :( Oh, well.

 

The kids decorated the driveway with chalk signs and lights (a big red heart on the garage!) so that he gets a big welcome home when he arrives, even though we will be in bed. I know he is very, very sad right now - so I hope it helps.

 

My apologies to anyone holding NWA tickets right now. I hope this mess gets cleared up soon so that we can move on. Until then, I have the cruise to look forward to!:D :D :D :D

[Juliadlf]

I last spoke to him about three hours ago and he was outside of Chicago - he's almost home! We really don't know what being on "strike status" means right now. I highly doubt if NWA would let us fly non-rev. Before all this happened we were planning to non-rev to Tampa the day before, but I am now searching the internet for cheap fares.

 

I heard on the news that NWA had offered 26 weeks severance, with medical and flight benefits for that period. Would have been great for the DH and me, but the union turned it down. :( Oh, well.

 

The kids decorated the driveway with chalk signs and lights (a big red heart on the garage!) so that he gets a big welcome home when he arrives, even though we will be in bed. I know he is very, very sad right now - so I hope it helps.

 

My apologies to anyone holding NWA tickets right now. I hope this mess gets cleared up soon so that we can move on. Until then, I have the cruise to look forward to!:D :D :D :D

 

Too bad they had to strike but hopefully things for your family will turn out okay and you'll find reasonable airfare for your cruise.

Does your DH have to walk the picket line for the duration of the strike?