Linda216

Thanks everyone!  I’m getting off a ship in Miami and thinking about a 2pm flight out of fort Myers. Off at 10am at the latest, puts us at the airport around 12:30pm.  Thinking that should work well.  Lmk if I’m missing something...I know you guys have all the ins and outs on this stuff. 

Wow Brenda!  That’s great info!  So if I’m seeing cheaper flights into FLL, not only can I rent a car for about $50, but the rental co will get me to the port for free?  Looks like if I spend more to fly into Miami I’d have to pay about $20/person to get to the port! Is that all correct? Thanks for your help. 

@Lovetocruise2002 good info. Thanks!!  If we drove it would only be $500 total.  But geez it was bad.  Ice storms, flooding, high winds, multiple accidents.....?

@AGSLC5 yeah we tend to visit my in laws during feb break every year and had some delta cash we could use the last two years. This feb we drove and it really stunk! (From Michigan). So I’m hoping we don’t have to do that again. But it’s an option. (It cost us $500 to drive total).  
Regarding hotels...we’re lucky and can dodge that bullet at least. Staying with in laws for a few days before and after the cruise.  So at least there’s that. 

@tiny260 thanks for the app recommendations.  That should have been part of my question!  I have been looking at the flights on google calendar daily but an app with alerts on my parameters would be nice. 
Any other tips on scoring a decent price on flights is greatly appreciated!  Love this blog community.  

@tiny260 I’m finally within my 330 day window and flights are super high.  Do you find the 80-120 days can truly be a sweet spot for prices?  I heard that on the podcast too and I’m hopeful maybe flights might soften a bit.  ?. It IS over Presidents’ Day week so.....but we can be flexible w days.  

@Vee2525 it IS nice on the budget.  That’s what I keep reminding myself.  I can’t believe the 4 of us can go for $1300.  And it’ll be way easier to say yes to the drink package and other fun additions. 
I really thought I’d never book an inside room but my girls wanted the Pullman beds and the ones with a window were deck 2 and $300 more.  We choose an inside room on deck 9 (easy walk to pool deck) for less money and better location!  

Heres a quick peak of a curtain on Adventure of the Seas:
https://goo.gl/images/XQ6XbU

Is there a curtain dividing the sleeping area from the sitting area?  I know we’re talking tight quarters, and I’m prepared.  But I just caught the eye of a curtain in some inside stateroom pics and thought that would be a nice feature.    (I’ll be on the navigator).  
Also if anyone wants to chime in with why they love the inside rooms, I wouldn’t stop you from sharing.☺️ While I think I’m happy with my choice, it’s hard not to doubt oneself.  We’re a family of four that has a 16 ft camper, so I’m telling my girls the stateroom will be like a ‘big camper’. (And they wanted separate Pullman beds so that actually kept us in the cheap rooms)  I love how it kept our cost down and we can add some packages now.  TIA! 

Ohhh. That sounds perfect.  You’re making the case for the drink package. I mean if I have 3 fruity drinks in the day, 3 glasses of wine in the evening, maybe a baileys and coffee....bottled water all day....why wouldn’t I, right? 

Ohhh. That sounds perfect.  You’re making the case for the drink package. I mean if I have 3 fruity drinks in the day, 3 glasses of wine in the evening, maybe a baileys and coffee....bottled water all day....why wouldn’t I, right? 

I’ll have to pack wigs and hats. ???

I’ll have to pack wigs and hats. ???

The good thing about that is you can take advantage of Black Friday deals!  I locked in 2018 rates then re-booked my our drink package on black Friday, then got a good deal on an excursion I was interested in on Cyber Monday.  

We get hair dryers?!?!   Score!!! ?

Plus...if we love cruising, it gives up something to work up to.  A 7 night with a balcony would be an amazing upgrade for trip #2. ?

It's actually very easy to just go out out into the ship and find a quiet nook to relax in at any of the public venues. Navigator has lots of spaces for curling up with a book or smartphone/tablet, or sitting and watching the ocean go by. Off the top of my head I would say the Solarium and its cantilevered whirlpools, the Viking Crown Lounge with its great views, the Windjammer, the Schooner Bar (one of my favorite places to just hang out and people watch on a quiet morning), or little spaces outside the shops and dining venues in the Royal Promenade where chairs and tables are set up.
Definitely wander the ship if you wake up early one day. The Promenade especially is super quiet and empty, even as guests are up in the gym or the Windjammer for early breakfast, and it's a great time to just stop and admire the design and all the little details they put into the space.

@Vee2525 it IS nice on the budget.  That’s what I keep reminding myself.  I can’t believe the 4 of us can go for $1300.  And it’ll be way easier to say yes to the drink package and other fun additions. 
I really thought I’d never book an inside room but my girls wanted the Pullman beds and the ones with a window were deck 2 and $300 more.  We choose an inside room on deck 9 (easy walk to pool deck) for less money and better location!  

After this picture I had the beds separated since I was solo.  That makes the cabin feel a lot bigger.  
I've done a lot of camping over the years from small trailers to small, medium and large motorhomes.  That experience goes a long way to surviving a confined cabin on a cruise.
If you can, consider proximity to public restrooms.  If a restroom is just around the corner that makes it easier.

@twangster   Geez you’re room is just down the hall from where I booked! Love seeing your pics.  Really helped me know I choose a good first cruise trip for our family.  Thank you! 

I have used multiple types  of cabins depending on who I am with, # of port stops, and most important my balance of cost/return on investment. I have done inside multiple times for two reasons. 1)my one daughter is prone to motion sickness and with her we do mid ship, middle and lower level. 2) with the kids we were never in the cabin but to sleep, shower and dress. Also there has never been a curtain in any of our inside rooms. As a side note, depending on the amount of work the cabin steward has (how messy things get), you may want to tip a few extra dollars mid cruise. Seemed to give us a lot of extra attention from him/her. Actually, once/twice I was so embarrassed on the state of the room, I asked him to bypass us.  

I know when we were in Navigator several years ago, we had an Inside Stateroom (#9341) -- there was not a curtain .... of course, that may have changed between then and now ...... As for why we love them, we figure, you're only in the cabin to s&*%, shower and sleep .... so why spend the money..... but that's our thought, I'm sure there are those that look at things in a completely opposite way.

Is there a curtain dividing the sleeping area from the sitting area?  I know we’re talking tight quarters, and I’m prepared.  But I just caught the eye of a curtain in some inside stateroom pics and thought that would be a nice feature.    (I’ll be on the navigator).  
Also if anyone wants to chime in with why they love the inside rooms, I wouldn’t stop you from sharing.☺️ While I think I’m happy with my choice, it’s hard not to doubt oneself.  We’re a family of four that has a 16 ft camper, so I’m telling my girls the stateroom will be like a ‘big camper’. (And they wanted separate Pullman beds so that actually kept us in the cheap rooms)  I love how it kept our cost down and we can add some packages now.  TIA! 

Thanks @twangster! 

@Matt Please do!!!!   You’d make my day with that news. ☺️