Auto Posted November 30, 2018 Report Share Posted November 30, 2018 It seems I have more money than sense and patience, and knowing that the summer 2020 schedule is coming soon, I am concocting a plan... I floated the idea of a cruise with my wife and I, and her two sisters and their husbands (sans all of our kids) in the not-too-distant future. My wife just rolled her eyes (but didn't say no) and at least one of her sisters is on board (pun intented). 2019 doesn't work, so it would have to be 2020. Also, this aligns with the 5th and 10th anniversaries of my two sisters in law. We're tied to the summer, and specifically late June/early July due to work and school schedules. So here's my plan: secretly book a cruise as soon as the announcements are made, and then present the plan as a fait accompli at an opportune time (did I just hear sleigh bells?). I have the cash flow to float the deposits for all three cabins, especially for a 4 or 5 night cruise, which would probably work best for all involved. Make refundable deposits, and no down side, right? I mean, other than my wife will probably kill me for not talking to her. Then she'll cool off, bring me back to life, and enjoy the cruise. My question is then, which ship/itinerary would you recommend, especially since neither of the sisters has cruised before? We'll be coming from the midwest, so no port is all that more easily reached than another. Being on these boards is such a bad influence... jjbescher and SpeedNoodles 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted November 30, 2018 Report Share Posted November 30, 2018 Great plan, IMO. What could go wrong ? Maybe Mariner would be a good choice since it has all the new bells and whistles ? Auto 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baked Alaska Posted November 30, 2018 Report Share Posted November 30, 2018 I have not seen refundable deposits being offered lately. Probably can still get via TA, non suite? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cez Posted November 30, 2018 Report Share Posted November 30, 2018 Just now, Baked Alaska said: I have not seen refundable deposits being offered lately. Probably can still get via TA, non suite? You can add refundable as an option at the end of booking process. It cost me a total of ~ 100 US for balcony on Anthem (Nov '19) Baked Alaska 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melski94 Posted November 30, 2018 Report Share Posted November 30, 2018 Navigator is also supposed to get the bells and whistles. A Freedom class is great as it is a good size but not too big and Independence is currently doing 5 night cruises. This summer Symphony is doing some 3 and 4 night cruises. I wonder if an Oasis class will continue that into 2020. I don't think you can go wrong with any Amped ship. Allure, Freedom and Explorer will be Amped in 2020 but if you can book a Amped ship prior to new features being released to the public, you can get an even better deal. Just thinking Oasis prices right now are a good deal but once they announce its new features, I believe the pricing will go up. Just now, Baked Alaska said: I have not seen refundable deposits being offered lately. Probably can still get via TA, non suite? I just did a mock booking on Harmony. You see the refundable deposit option after you fill in guest names. It said, "add refundable option for $xxx". Kind of a pain to go all the way to add in names before you see this. I would also suggest a TA as it would be easiest to book. Baked Alaska 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted November 30, 2018 Report Share Posted November 30, 2018 1 hour ago, Auto said: My question is then, which ship/itinerary would you recommend, especially since neither of the sisters has cruised before? We'll be coming from the midwest, so no port is all that more easily reached than another. You can never go wrong with Oasis class MikeK and cookingyo 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted November 30, 2018 Report Share Posted November 30, 2018 Just now, Matt said: You can never go wrong with Oasis class I beg to differ, and not just because I'm the Oasis Denier. If the OP's sisters have never cruised before, Oasis class could be overwhelming. I'm going to second the vote for Mariner, since that is already doing 4-night sailings, or one of the Freedom-class ships that have been AMPED. Freedom is plenty big for a first-timer (I should know! And seems @Ray's wife feels that way, too ), with more than enough to do and enjoy. Sweety 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auto Posted November 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2018 31 minutes ago, Cez said: You can add refundable as an option at the end of booking process. I may or may not have experimented with this a time or 20 as I developed my plan 29 minutes ago, melski94 said: Independence is currently doing 5 night cruises. That is one that caught my eye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auto Posted November 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2018 9 minutes ago, JLMoran said: 14 minutes ago, Matt said: You can never go wrong with Oasis class I beg to differ That didn't take long JLMoran and Lovetocruise2002 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KJ1231 Posted November 30, 2018 Report Share Posted November 30, 2018 I booked two cruises next year before telling my DW. One for our anniversary and her birthday; the other with our 4 kids, SIL and 2 grandkids - she got over it pretty quickly Auto 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGSLC5 Posted November 30, 2018 Report Share Posted November 30, 2018 2 hours ago, Auto said: I may or may not have experimented with this a time or 20 as I developed my plan That is one that caught my eye Auto ,Problem is Indy doesn't do 4-5 nighters in the summer. It moves back to Europe during the summer. 4-5 nighters in the summer is so hard to find. You will be limited to 4 nights on Marner, 4 Nights on Navigator, or sometimes Adventure does a 6 night Canada out of NJ.. I know Anthem won't be here but you can't go wrong with Mariner or Navigator both will have awesome upgrades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auto Posted November 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2018 1 hour ago, AGSLC5 said: Problem is Indy doesn't do 4-5 nighters in the summer. It moves back to Europe during the summer. Well, that would be a problem... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melski94 Posted November 30, 2018 Report Share Posted November 30, 2018 2 hours ago, AGSLC5 said: Problem is Indy doesn't do 4-5 nighters in the summer. It moves back to Europe during the summer. 4-5 nighters in the summer is so hard to find. Just looking at this year's schedule of June/July 4-5 night sailings, there are sailings on Mariner, Navigator, Enchantment, Grandeur and Anthem. That narrows down your choices! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auto Posted December 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2018 10 hours ago, melski94 said: Mariner, Navigator, Enchantment, Grandeur and Anthem I know Anthem is going to Europe in 2020, which is a bummer, because I really wanted to check her out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hope Posted December 3, 2018 Report Share Posted December 3, 2018 I read when the summer 2020 Caribbean dates are to be released but can't find it, as I recall should be this week. Anyone know the date? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auto Posted December 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2018 3 hours ago, Hope said: I read when the summer 2020 Caribbean dates are to be released but can't find it, as I recall should be this week. Anyone know the date? According to the website, Short Caribbean should be released on or about Dec 3 and other Caribbean sailings on or about Dec. 10. Baked Alaska 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hope Posted December 3, 2018 Report Share Posted December 3, 2018 Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auto Posted December 5, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2018 The short Caribbean sailings have been released...Looks like Navigator out of Miami or Mariner out of Port Canaveral. Thoughts on either? Prices are within $10 of each other per person. Last night I did some mock bookings and refundable deposits were going to cost about $600/room. Today, since the "sale" is over, it is only $80/room. Overall price (NRD) is exactly the same with or with out the 60% BOGO NRD offer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 5, 2018 Report Share Posted December 5, 2018 36 minutes ago, Auto said: The short Caribbean sailings have been released...Looks like Navigator out of Miami or Mariner out of Port Canaveral. Thoughts on either? Prices are within $10 of each other per person. Once Navigator is AMPED in January that's going to be a tough call. At this point the safe bet is Mariner simply because it's been AMPED already. Once we see Navigator AMPED that is subject to change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auto Posted December 5, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2018 18 minutes ago, twangster said: At this point the safe bet is Mariner simply because it's been AMPED already I am kinda leaning that way, mostly due to impatience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted December 5, 2018 Report Share Posted December 5, 2018 7 hours ago, Auto said: The short Caribbean sailings have been released...Looks like Navigator out of Miami or Mariner out of Port Canaveral. Thoughts on either? Prices are within $10 of each other per person. Last night I did some mock bookings and refundable deposits were going to cost about $600/room. Today, since the "sale" is over, it is only $80/room. Overall price (NRD) is exactly the same with or with out the 60% BOGO NRD offer. In addition to what @twangster said, I'd put more of an emphasis on which port is easier to get to. Port Canaveral/Orlando is much easier for me since I live in Orlando, but I'd also wager Orlando is cheaper to fly to for most people as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auto Posted December 5, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2018 7 minutes ago, Matt said: Port Canaveral/Orlando is much easier for me since I live in Orlando, but I'd also wager Orlando is cheaper to fly to for most people as well. Just checked airlines, and that is a fact, plus non-stop flights WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted December 5, 2018 Report Share Posted December 5, 2018 3 hours ago, Auto said: Just checked airlines, and that is a fact, plus non-stop flights For that reason alone, I'd book the Port Canaveral sailing. Granted, you could fly to Orlando and rent a car to Miami. Might still be cheaper than flying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auto Posted December 5, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2018 getting ready to send an email to MEI and get the YOLO ball rolling... Matt and WAAAYTOOO 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auto Posted December 6, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2018 June 2020 on Mariner for 4 nights! Now to plot for the big reveal! JLMoran and tdcackler 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted December 6, 2018 Report Share Posted December 6, 2018 20 hours ago, Auto said: getting ready to send an email to MEI and get the YOLO ball rolling... Thanks for supporting our sponsor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auto Posted December 6, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2018 10 minutes ago, Matt said: Thanks for supporting our sponsor! And thanks for the point out to a good company! I follow another podcast that also is sponsored by them, so I guess two opinions must be worth something. WAAAYTOOO and Matt 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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