Rare A&L_Ont Posted August 23, 2018 #1 Share Posted August 23, 2018 Every book a cruise 4 days before you set sail? We never have, that is until yesterday. We booked it at 5:30pm and had no intention of going anywhere until our October sailing. In fact that cruise is still listed as my next muster in my signature. So why did we book it? We were taking Owen to his week long hockey camp yesterday morning, and next week is his last full week of summer holidays. Lisa asked him what he wanted to do next week; you know see some friends or have a pool party etc... His response, was “we could go on a cruise”. He said it with the most sincere tone in his voice and perhaps a slight curl of a smile. Lisa laughed out loud, followed by the comment “here we go”. I took it as a challenge. Can I find a cruise that leaves in 3 or 4 days, with flights, and be back in time for the start of school. Initial searching was bringing up nothing, or sailings that weren’t more than 3 or 4 days. I called RC in the morning and they said nothing was available on Oasis or Allure. Snake eyes, nada, no go. We picked Owen up this afternoon and told him the truly regretful news on the way home. I thought I’d try calling RC one last time before dinner. Well Wendy the lovely agent said, I have one balcony room left for the sailing that will hold three. I confirmed with Lisa and Owen, and then booked it. Immediately after hanging up Lisa asked me, “so where are we sailing to exactly” and my response was “I’m not exactly sure”. We had a great laugh!! The ship is the destination after all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teaysvalley Posted August 23, 2018 #2 Share Posted August 23, 2018 We'll be with you. One more work day! Safe travels getting there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare A&L_Ont Posted August 23, 2018 Author #3 Share Posted August 23, 2018 So now some quick details. Only Lisa, Owen and myself are going on this cruise. Sharon will be feeding Lucy. We are in a balcony cabin on deck 12, starboard and aft. It should be an interesting experience for Owen as he has only known the suite life. Truth be told, we haven’t been in a balcony cabin since 2006, so it will be interesting for all of us. No Genie, no Suite Lounge, no Diamond Lounge in the evening with Owen, but there are 2 flow riders so all is great in my eyes. As for my posts and scopes, you all know the routine by now. Follow along and experience a last minute booking through my eyes. OMG, time is ticking. Our cabin and location. If I zoom in on it, maybe it will be larger. LOL. Our itinerary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare A&L_Ont Posted August 23, 2018 Author #4 Share Posted August 23, 2018 We'll be with you. One more work day! Safe travels getting there. See you there. Don’t be late. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mac_tlc Posted August 23, 2018 #5 Share Posted August 23, 2018 Andrew, you da man !!! I love that itinerary. I assume scopes will be forthcoming? mac_tlc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare A&L_Ont Posted August 23, 2018 Author #6 Share Posted August 23, 2018 Let’s be honest, most cruisers are a little OCD. No you say? You know planning them years in advance, perfect cabin selection, countdown clocks, roll calls, packing lists, clothing pairing, shoe marching, label making, post it note using, portable shoe holders on the back of a washroom etc... I am holding my right hand in the air and it’s confession time. I have been guilty of a few of those mentions, just not all for cruising. I might ;) be a planner when it comes to my live reviews. As a past English Major I come by it honestly. Had I put more effort into my University assignments I’d have been an Honours Student, but I think I had more fun than they did. Other review titles I quickly came up with, but decided not to use. Allure Live - What’s a D5? Allure Live - Once you go balcony, you never go back. Allure Live - Lisa, can you wear these purple shirt and khaki pants for a week? You might want to try a last minute cruise one day. After to follow our adventures you might not want to. Heck we might never do it again. Let’s just wait and see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Want2Cruise 701 Posted August 23, 2018 #7 Share Posted August 23, 2018 This is great. We booked the Allure yesterday for end of September. I thought that was last minute :'). Looking forward to your review. Have a great cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare A&L_Ont Posted August 23, 2018 Author #8 Share Posted August 23, 2018 Andrew, you da man !!! I love that itinerary. I assume scopes will be forthcoming? mac_tlc Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare A&L_Ont Posted August 23, 2018 Author #9 Share Posted August 23, 2018 woohoo! what a way to end the summer :) I'm following along on another of your adventures Indeed. What a way to end it. Thanks to Owen. :) This is great. We booked the Allure yesterday for end of September. I thought that was last minute :'). Looking forward to your review. Have a great cruise. Just wait to see what we have accomplished so far. We haven’t been on Allure for a few years, it will be great to return. Enjoy her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longhorn Cruiser Posted August 23, 2018 #10 Share Posted August 23, 2018 We did that same Itinerary on Allure last month. It was great. Look into the excursion to Little French Key on Roatan. We did the VIP package and it was great. https://www.littlefrenchkey.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sunset Glow Posted August 23, 2018 #11 Share Posted August 23, 2018 Our itinerary. Loved snorkeling at West Bay beach on Roatan. Best snorkeling we've done in the Caribbean. Even better than Bonaire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frick_&_Frack Posted August 23, 2018 #12 Share Posted August 23, 2018 Can't wait to see how you pull this one off! And, interested to see what you do at these ports (since I haven't planned a thing for my cruise). I know, I just lost my membership in "Overplanners Anonymous" ;p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare A&L_Ont Posted August 23, 2018 Author #13 Share Posted August 23, 2018 Ok, everything from here on in is live and not written in advance. Right now I’m am at a dealership getting some service done to my car. Then the office for a bit. We hung up the phone with the agent last night. Next move, book flights from Detroit to Fort Lauderdale. Lisa was on it. While she was completing that I was printing our invoice. After that we needed a hotel for the night before. The Hyatt on 17th Street came through as always. Got a room for $165, not a bad price either. Boarding docs for cruise printed as well Lisa continued moving her typing fingers fast and furiously to see if we could access our cruise planner. It was active within 20 minutes of hanging up. It opened for us yesterday and closes tonight at 11:59. Four freakin day’s. Oh crap. To quote Clark Griswold “This is crazy, this is crazy”. I’m lovin the adrenaline rush. This was accomplished in minutes. We also booked specialty dining and some shows before our dinner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ace1zoe2 Posted August 23, 2018 #14 Share Posted August 23, 2018 Looking forward to this one. We’ll be on Allure on the same itinerary in October. If you have time would you let me know when/we’re the Meet & Mingle is? Trying to figure out about what time our Cabin Crawl will be. Also could you post whether or not the casino has a Wheel of Fortune slot machine. Hoping so for our Slot Pull. Love your reviews! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare A&L_Ont Posted August 23, 2018 Author #15 Share Posted August 23, 2018 I finished my packing last night. And then the less important stuff. Got this done this morning. Lists do help. LOL. Lisa is a great planner. Do you think she knows yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishgal432 Posted August 23, 2018 #16 Share Posted August 23, 2018 I travelled in a balcony on Harmony with my sister and her friends after having only done Sky/Star class. The only thing I missed was getting walked off at disembarkation! There were a few other things, but they were minor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frick_&_Frack Posted August 23, 2018 #17 Share Posted August 23, 2018 Maybe you can smuggle the kitty aboard? See how she does on the Flow Rider? :'):') Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domb23 Posted August 23, 2018 #18 Share Posted August 23, 2018 I’ll be on the same sailing!! Talk about two extremes.....2 yrs for me, 4 days for you. Too funny!! See you on board!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prekteacher Posted August 23, 2018 #19 Share Posted August 23, 2018 Looking forward to reading this Live trip report. I really enjoyed your Alaska review. My husband booked this itinerary for our spring break next year when Allure moves to Miami. I am very curious about your port excursions for Roatan and Costa Maya. It is a great day when you can book a cruise and plan for it in 4 days! Enjoy another wonderful adventure with your family. Barbara Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alter Ego Posted August 23, 2018 #20 Share Posted August 23, 2018 What a great surprise! Need a distraction as I wait to leave on my own cruise at end of September. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robo1098 Posted August 23, 2018 #21 Share Posted August 23, 2018 I am envious. I’ve always wanted to book a last minute cruise. Someday when I’m working less I hope it will happen. Have a great Cruise. Following along Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zencruisers Posted August 23, 2018 #22 Share Posted August 23, 2018 Following along. How exciting to book a cruise with little lead time while trying get everything taken care of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Scurvy Pirate Posted August 23, 2018 #23 Share Posted August 23, 2018 Can you save/post the cruise planners? I am going in October and it would be most helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelfool Posted August 23, 2018 #24 Share Posted August 23, 2018 This is awesome! Thanks for taking us along once again!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramja96 Posted August 23, 2018 #25 Share Posted August 23, 2018 Andrew - you are my hero. I want to go on a cruise at the drop of a hat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now