Yurita Posted July 27, 2015 #1 Share Posted July 27, 2015 Here’s my story, and what would you do? I have always wanted to book Princess’ 10 day Caribbean itinerary visiting 1. Ft. Lauderdale 2. 2. At Sea 3. At sea 4. Antigua 5. Barbados 6. St. Lucia 7. St. Kitts 8. St. Thomas 9. At sea 10. Princess cays However, due to the amount of days and work, I have never made any reservation. Looking for a cruise for the month of November, I came across HAL 8 day eastern itinerary, which is not as nice as Princess’ but it’s still extremely exciting, it’s also an 8 day and about $700 cheaper . Since the price was so good, I went ahead and booked it taking advantage of the great sale. Everything was perfectly stable. We were already making tour reservations, began doing our cruise search and getting excited about our HAL cruise when my sister just surprised us with her pregnancy, and her due-date, which coincides with our HAL sailing date. Since my mom will be taking care of the house, my dogs and also my sister’s dogs during her labor, I do not want to take a cruise and leave my mom with so many responsibilities plus my sister’s. So, I might have to cancel HAL itinerary, which is absolutely unique (because it won’t be repeated by the cruiseline). Since my Bday is the month of October, I have googled all October Caribbean cruises and came across Princess’ original itinerary. I have 2 options, cancel HAL and go with Princess or leave everything as it is (since my payment with HAL is not until Sept 15)… if any of you were in my shoes, what would you do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted July 27, 2015 #2 Share Posted July 27, 2015 Sounds like you should be around for the birth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oxypete Posted July 27, 2015 #3 Share Posted July 27, 2015 (edited) When we faced a similar situation, we put family first and stayed home. We found the same itinerary several years later. It worked for us. Edited July 27, 2015 by oxypete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2BeOnaBoat Posted July 27, 2015 #4 Share Posted July 27, 2015 (edited) Here’s my story, and what would you do? Cancel the HAL and find a 4 day or 5 day in Oct and book them as a B2B then come home and take care of sis. Edited July 27, 2015 by 2BeOnaBoat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJSailors Posted July 27, 2015 #5 Share Posted July 27, 2015 IMHO - family first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husky61 Posted July 27, 2015 #6 Share Posted July 27, 2015 What others on this forum might do might not necessarily be right for you.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shredie Posted July 27, 2015 #7 Share Posted July 27, 2015 What others on this forum might do might not necessarily be right for you.:) That's true. Have you asked your mother what she thinks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmak8 Posted July 27, 2015 #8 Share Posted July 27, 2015 Family first. There will always be more cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yurita Posted July 27, 2015 Author #9 Share Posted July 27, 2015 That's true. Have you asked your mother what she thinks? Since we've had very difficult times this year, my mother does not want me to cancel our cruise. She thinks I should wait until my payment is due and sis' delivery date gets closer to see what happens. I do want to stay around for the birth, no doubt. Thank you all taking your time and answering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted July 27, 2015 #10 Share Posted July 27, 2015 Since we've had very difficult times this year, my mother does not want me to cancel our cruise. She thinks I should wait until my payment is due and sis' delivery date gets closer to see what happens. I do want to stay around for the birth, no doubt. Thank you all taking your time and answering. Thats a good idea. Nothing wrong with getting some advice regardless of where it was from. Nothing said here means you have to heed it. :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisin' Chick Posted July 27, 2015 #11 Share Posted July 27, 2015 And baby might surprise everyone and decide to make an appearance a few weeks early. Unfortunately you want know before final payment if that's the case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in CA Posted July 27, 2015 #12 Share Posted July 27, 2015 If it were me, I'd put family first. There'll always be another cruise and possibly unique itinerary. On the other hand, you can always book and pay for the cruise. With "cancel for any reason" Insurance, you can get a credit for the cost of the cruise minus the cost of insurance. Babies often surprise by arriving early. No way to know ahead of time. The bottom line is: do what's right for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pablo222 Posted July 27, 2015 #13 Share Posted July 27, 2015 … if any of you were in my shoes, what would you do? Find (or pay) a friend to take care of your dogs. Board the dogs somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdsqrl Posted July 28, 2015 #14 Share Posted July 28, 2015 I'd go. "Family first" is a catchy little motto, but essentially it's meaningless since you have no role here. Unless you're actually delivering the baby, I don't see why you need to be present. The baby will still be there when you get back. In fact, I'd give it about 10 years because babies and toddlers are a total bore. Wait til it becomes a real person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Woobstr112G Posted July 28, 2015 #15 Share Posted July 28, 2015 Family first.....:):):) Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickays Posted July 28, 2015 #16 Share Posted July 28, 2015 Babies are very unpredictable. We had a cruise booked with 2 sets of friends when both were told that their daughters were expecting babies. One said it was fine because the due date was 3 weeks before cruise and the other said it was fine because due date 1 week after cruise. Yes - you guessed it. Baby due before cruise arrived 2 weeks late (grandma had 1 week of cuddles before leaving) and baby due 1 week after cruise arrived 3 weeks early (grandparents had quick cuddle and then goodbye). Your cruise is for 8 days, so baby could arrive before you leave, while your away, or when you come home. It would be up to you to decide if you really need to be there or if 8 days away would not be a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illyria Posted July 28, 2015 #17 Share Posted July 28, 2015 I'd say go on vacation as planned. There will be plenty of people around to help just as your sister gives birth (and there's no guarantee that the baby won't be early or late anyway). You can be around to help her when you get back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ar1950 Posted July 28, 2015 #18 Share Posted July 28, 2015 Since we've had very difficult times this year, my mother does not want me to cancel our cruise. She thinks I should wait until my payment is due and sis' delivery date gets closer to see what happens. I do want to stay around for the birth, no doubt. Thank you all taking your time and answering. Is this one of those occasions where Mother knows best? More to the point, what do you really want to do? If I were you (but, I am not) I would do that. Just sayin'. :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Shelly97060 Posted July 28, 2015 #19 Share Posted July 28, 2015 Have you talked to your sister to see what role she wants/ expects you to play in relation to the birth of the baby? I would talk with her, it may be that she is perfectly fine with you going on vacation as planned - in particular since babies rarely arrive as planned. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shredie Posted July 28, 2015 #20 Share Posted July 28, 2015 I'd go. "Family first" is a catchy little motto, but essentially it's meaningless since you have no role here. Unless you're actually delivering the baby, I don't see why you need to be present. The baby will still be there when you get back. In fact, I'd give it about 10 years because babies and toddlers are a total bore. Wait til it becomes a real person. I think you'll hear about that one. LOL. If mom and your sister say go, then you should consider it, I think. They don't want to feel guilty for ruining what could be a great vacation for you. Get someone else to watch your dogs, and that will be one thing you don't need to worry about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mek Posted July 28, 2015 #21 Share Posted July 28, 2015 Only you know what is best for you and your family, but unless this is a high risk pregnancy or there are other factors you haven't mentioned, then I would do as others have suggested and hire someone to take care of your pets. The baby might arrive before or after your cruise and you've hinted that you really need this trip. I'm all for family, but there are times when you have to put yourself first and do what's best for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzsnooze Posted July 28, 2015 #22 Share Posted July 28, 2015 Here’s my story, and what would you do?I have always wanted to book Princess’ 10 day Caribbean itinerary visiting 1. Ft. Lauderdale 2. 2. At Sea 3. At sea 4. Antigua 5. Barbados 6. St. Lucia 7. St. Kitts 8. St. Thomas 9. At sea 10. Princess cays However, due to the amount of days and work, I have never made any reservation. Looking for a cruise for the month of November, I came across HAL 8 day eastern itinerary, which is not as nice as Princess’ but it’s still extremely exciting, it’s also an 8 day and about $700 cheaper . Since the price was so good, I went ahead and booked it taking advantage of the great sale. Everything was perfectly stable. We were already making tour reservations, began doing our cruise search and getting excited about our HAL cruise when my sister just surprised us with her pregnancy, and her due-date, which coincides with our HAL sailing date. Since my mom will be taking care of the house, my dogs and also my sister’s dogs during her labor, I do not want to take a cruise and leave my mom with so many responsibilities plus my sister’s. So, I might have to cancel HAL itinerary, which is absolutely unique (because it won’t be repeated by the cruiseline). Since my Bday is the month of October, I have googled all October Caribbean cruises and came across Princess’ original itinerary. I have 2 options, cancel HAL and go with Princess or leave everything as it is (since my payment with HAL is not until Sept 15)… if any of you were in my shoes, what would you do? I would go ahead with your plans to cruise. Things have a way of working out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jac199 Posted July 28, 2015 #23 Share Posted July 28, 2015 I understand being torn. If I were in your shoes, I would ask myself how I would feel being so far away during the birth of my niece or nephew. Would I be distracted wondering how things are at home? Will I later regret not being there for the birth? I would want to ensure I would be at ease with whichever choice I made. Yours is a tough decision, but I am sure if you give yourself the time you will realize what you really want to do; what feels right for you. By the way, an early congratulations and Happy Birthday. :) -Janine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sueandkent Posted July 28, 2015 #24 Share Posted July 28, 2015 Can you go in October? ALthough a bit different itinerary the Regal Princess does a 10 day repositioning from NYC to Aruba, Antigua, St. Thomas and then back to FLL. I know it's not all your ports but some of them, it's still 10 days and it's before baby (unless baby is early). Departs OCt 24th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UandMe4Ever Posted July 29, 2015 #25 Share Posted July 29, 2015 Babies and toddlers ARE real people..How rude of you :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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