Are We Nuts?

[willowoodf]

My DH and I are booked on the Westerdam on December 4-11, 2005 (Eastern Caribbean) and we have both been reading this board, and now we feel like we can't wait until December to go on a cruise! We are searching the website of a local travel agency for good deals sometime in the next couple of months. On our December cruise we are in an aft corner suite (yes we know people might look down on us, no we won't be nekkid!) We are pretty sure after that cruise we will be spoiled for life and won't be able to do anything less than a suite, so we are thinking if we book another cruise before that, we will book a lesser room. We haven't even cruised yet and have already been badly bitten by the bug! Are we crazy? If we aren't - or heck, even if we are - any suggestions for what we should be looking for within the next month or three? Mary

[Ziggy7]

My DH and I are booked on the Westerdam on December 4-11, 2005 (Eastern Caribbean) and we have both been reading this board, and now we feel like we can't wait until December to go on a cruise! We are searching the website of a local travel agency for good deals sometime in the next couple of months. On our December cruise we are in an aft corner suite (yes we know people might look down on us, no we won't be nekkid!) We are pretty sure after that cruise we will be spoiled for life and won't be able to do anything less than a suite, so we are thinking if we book another cruise before that, we will book a lesser room. We haven't even cruised yet and have already been badly bitten by the bug! Are we crazy? If we aren't - or heck, even if we are - any suggestions for what we should be looking for within the next month or three? Maryhahaha your not crazy, you have been bitten hard by the cruise buggy! Sorry the only cure is to book your next cruise right away! :)

[azcater]

This is too funny, we did the same thing, booked for Nov, and couldn't stand the wait, so we booked a Aug cruise also. And we've never cruised before!! I thought I was just crazy~

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I agree you are not NUTS at all:D Just hooked badly by that CRUISE BUG. I know it all to well, Fist you have to have one cruise booked, then have two. At one point last October I actually had 4 cruises booked:eek:

Right now it is only 2 but with in the next few weeks we will probably be booking one of the 2 cruises we are looking to plan for 2006.

We checked out cabin 5187 on the Westerdam a few weeks ago it was really nice. We will be in 5187 on the Oosterdam in October. You will really like having a S Suite.

The only suggestion I have is to spend lot of time on this CC board:p

[willowoodf]

Phew! It's not just us. I feel better now... but I still want to book another cruise and right now! :D The DH has already found a cheap one, but it leaves next Saturday. I told him that was a little TOO soon! :eek:

Lisa - we are in 5187 in December. I have read all the posts and looked at all the pictures and am REALLY looking forward to it... we'll be horribly spoiled after that.

I have a brand new credit card with a zero balance and a low interest rate just burning a hole in my pocket.....

Mary

[L454S]

No, you are not alone. A couple months ago DW and I booked a Canada/New England cruise for Oct.2005 and after a few weeks deceided we couldn't wait that long, so we booked the 5/14 Zuiderdam. Now we can't wait for that one....enjoy the illness.

[jazzsea]

No, you are not crazy. The illness that you have is not curable, but it is treatable. Just keep booking cruises and you will feel better almost all the time.

We have cruised three times since January. Rotterdam, Zaandam and Wind Surf. Nothing else planned until January of 2006 on Volendam and June 2006 on Ryndam.

[Krazy Kruizers]

The first couple of weeks in May, HAL's ships will be heading to Alaska, Canada/New England, Europe, etc. Only one ship will be left in the Caribbean in the time frame you are talking about - 2 - 3 months from now - Zuiderdam.

You didn't mention where you are from, if you are driving, or flying, etc.

[discjoker]

No you are not nuts, no you are not alone! I am booked for September and I am having a hard time waiting so I am looking for something short to tide me over. My wife thinks I am nuts, but I know I am not (well if I am then I know I am not alone :D ).

[willowoodf]

I have accepted I have an illness. But it has a great treatment program. And a great support group!! :D

We live in the Kansas City area and we would have to fly to the embarkation point. That of course adds some cost onto it.

The DH really wants to go see Russia or South America. But these cruises are more expensive, and we will have to plan those for 2006 or 2007. Right now we are thinking inexpensive just for a quick treatment program!

A little damper into the mix. I went into the only travel agent in my small town yesterday and they pretty much told me if I didn't have a destination and a time in mind, they couldn't help me. Was that poor customer service or what? :confused: Has anybody encountered that before? I just talked to the receptionist, but I couldn't get past her. That kind of put a hole in my sails - but only briefly. I got home and got back into gear and e-mailed a large travel agency in Kansas City and they have e-mailed me back this morning and I am going to call them back after I have another cup of coffee.

Mary

[cheshire999]

Mary,

You might want to check on cruises going out of Galveston and New Orleans too, they can be very reasonably priced. Enjoy!

[cruznon]

willowoodf,
Nothing wrong with you guys....you've just discovered that cruising is a great way to travel. :D :D
By all means, if you find a cruise before December go for it!
Oh, you'll LOVE 5187! It's amazing.....That incredible balcony is wonderful. Breakfast on your veranda is so glorious.
So, if someone looks down as you're enjoying breakfast or lounging on your huge personal space...who cares? Honestly, the only time we saw people above was at a sailaway. There's ALWAYS the side veranda is you feel the need for privacy. (Also shade in the tropics.)

And, yes, you will be spoiled by 5187. Let us know what you book. :)

After your comments from the TA you described, why not check out an online agency? (A lot more options and better fares perhaps.)

[willowoodf]

We have been looking online and talking with a TA in Kansas City. After reading the threads about online TA's vs. "brick & mortar" TA's I got a little worried about the online ones. From the Kansas City TA, right now we are looking at a 7 day cruise to Alaska on the Ryndam leaving May 29. We can get an inside cabin very reasonably, or an outside category HH, H or E for not too much more. Opinions? I understand the HH is obstructed. We would have to fly to Vancouver and back from Anchorage. The airfare is almost as much as the cruise! I would appreciate anybody's thoughts on what you think of this cruise, the ship, and the cabin choices. Thanks!!

[saltydog28]

Mary,
Welcome to the boards. A few sites you might want to check out are: ~Travelocity--Expedia--cheaper travel--Vacations To Go.~ Explore the sites. You might get an idea on where you would like to go and you can compare prices. And there are plenty more sites.
There is just something about cruising.
Pat.

[HeatherInFlorida]

You're not nuts at all! But that is one of the problems with this board. It's sort of like dangling chocolate in front of me!!!:D Enjoy your cruise and I hope you find another one to tide you over 'til then!

I was in Ft. Lauderdale only yesterday meeting some friends and oggling the Westerdam in port. If you love it, come back and book our group cruise. We have some wonderful plans and you'd meet a lot of nice people you see here on the HAL boards!

[Preacher's Kid]

I can remember in 2002 when I booked my first cruise - it was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience with my best friend, so we booked a 12-day Mexican Riviera/Sea of Cortez cruise on the Ryndam for the spring of 2003. We figured we would get the best cabin that we could afford because we would only be able to afford to do it once.

Well.

That was the first annual Girlfriend Cruise. Last year was the second, a 7-day Caribbean cruise on Maasdam. This year, I'm taking my mother on an 11-day Mexican Riviera cruise - the 3rd annual Girlfriend Cruise - on Celebrity (sorry for jumping HAL ship, but it sails out of my home port of SF), and I'm already bribing my 17-year old son with an Alaska cruise next year in order to get him to graduate from high school. And the 4th annual Girlfriend Cruise will also go next summer.

It seems as though the once-in-a-lifetime experience has morphed into the once-in-a-while experience. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Karenlynne
(in the packing process for our May 4 cruise on Mercury)