DebbieandJerry

I try to book early. I always watch the prices. They go up; they go down. This cruise in Sept is the first time that our price has gone down below the price that we locked in. So I guess it was our turn.

This is an interesting topic.

Falina, I cannot believe that you finally got to take this vacation. I hope it was everything ... and more!

Enjoy

Happy Anniversary. Have a Blast!

People think we are nuts because we cruise during "hurricane" season. I love it because you get a great vacation at an incredible price! Don't remember if I filled you all in. Our balcony cabin that we originally paid $929/person almost 15 months ago...HA! We now have $252 on board credit and the price that we paid was $599/person

Sounds like a great idea if you want to sample something. I can also see where this is a money making opportunity for the cruise lines!

Exactly what I was thinking. If he can afford to take his entire business on a paid cruise vacation, he can afford to lose a few days of work. So, if it was just him on this cruise, would he have filed a law suit?

I agree that this could be the start of someone's career.

We've done both - early and waited in lines; late and walked straight through. Our vacation begins the minute we hit the Tucson Airport. So getting on the ship early, early isn't as important to us as it had been years ago. We try to get onboard in time to have a nice meal, walk around, get the lay of the land, settle in the room and then hit the sail away party!

Take OBC whenever you can!! Can't wait for your time to fly by.

Very tragic story.

I hope you have an incredible voyage.

I hope you have the best vacation

These statistics won't keep me from cruising. Unfortunately, crime happens. I have always felt safe on a cruise ship. I hope that I don't take safety for granted. I think when you let your guard down, things could happen.

We also love the at sea days. Very well put, Mach

So why are cruises more expensive out of Gavelston?

If we were going somewhere extremely expensive and the only way for us to afford the ship was inside, then I'm sure Jerry would say inside it is. But since we can afford the balcony and we so love it, that truly has become our standard room.

Exactly what I would do. We loved the one time we left out of Tampa. Very easy city to get in and out of. Congrats

Sounds like an amazing cruise ship. Sorry about the custom's experience. Not really the cruise line's fault, though, right?

Love the idea. We usually discuss our next cruise the first day we start our current cruise. So I guess we'll be planning 2014 in a few weeks.

Good to know. I will keep this in mind the next time we return to the Caymans

I think the entire travel industry is trying to lure the family back to family-style vacation. With all of the negative publicity that cruising has been getting, I guess you have to have a marketing tool. I am seeing the Amusement Park trend, and have been seeing this on some of the ships for quite awhile. Then there's the "SERENITY" area for adults that a lot of ships are also advertising. I guess you have to be creative to get the average family to cruise.

Andi, I was thinking about the "pricing" issue on my drive in today. RCL offers the same cruise itinerary that Carnival offers out of Ft Lauderdale to the Caribbean. RCL prices are sometimes 3 times that of Carnival. While I would love to experience the Allure or Oasis, I have to consider the cost. So I look at it like booking a hotel. I sleep and shower in the room. Pretty much everything else is same-same. Is the "hotel" clean? Are the bathrooms clean? Is the food good? I guess the older I get and the more I cruise, I'm stingy about my money because I want to be able to continue doing this. I say, give Carnival a try. Seek out one of their newer ships, but select an itinerary that you really want to travel to.

Thanks for the offer, but not necessary. I spent about an hour on the phone last night with a WONDERFUL Carnival representative. We get to keep of balcony aft (pre-selected) cabin We get a total of $252 on board credit (cost of cruise AND insurance went down) AND if the price continues to drop up to 3 days before sailing -- I continue to call in for more on board credit. Thanks, SARGE, for all of your help!