Anyone having second thoughts ??

[COLLEYBERRY]

Anyone else having second thoughts about the cruise they have booked.??
Everything about our next cruise is in place, except final payment.
Excited about the itinerary, money already set aside, the flights scheduled are perfect for our plans.
Just a little voice in the back of my mind saying maybe we should hold off.
Our income is secure enough ,( well as secure as anyone's these days) but maybe we should wait a year to see if things settle down .

The other little voice is saying" life's short ,dance while you can"
Just wondering how others are feeling?

[jmps]

I was having thoughts like this prior to final payment on our next cruise. We made it thru and am now glad we decided to proceed. Having most everything prepaid really helps.

[ger_77]

Colleyberry, life is short - eat dessert first. With that in mind, cruise while you can; if the economy takes another big dive you will have some beautiful memories of your "last cruise" for years to come.

We thought for a few moments that maybe we chose the wrong time to book a cruise, particularly because we are paying for 6 people. Those moments quickly passed when we took into consideration that DH had a sextuple bypass 12 yrs ago (was told he'd likely need a do-over in about 10 yrs), he had a cancer scare, and our youngest son is about to move to Japan for a few years. The money's set aside for the trip of a lifetime for our family and we're using it. Whatever happens after that will happen. Enjoy your time onboard whatever cruise you choose.

Smooth Sailing! :):):)

[emilygrace]

Life is short. Dance while you can.

[dchip]

Go now you never know what tomorrow will bring!!!

Cheers, Denise

[middle-aged mom]

Colleyberry, much as I'd like to help you out, only you can determine whether or not to spend money on a vacation, as you know your own situation best. U.S. President Obama tell us he sees a glimmer of hope (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123937844769608771.html) across the economy, but I'm not sure that he speaks for Canada as well.

[Kween Karen]

I was having second thoughts for awhile....I had paid in full but still had time to cancel with full refund. Then I decided to go for it. I want to travel.....and this is my DREAM itinerary.....67 days in the South Pacific! If the economy takes another dive this may be the only trip I get.....but at least I will have this one.....and the memories!!

[hulamoon]

I think it is perfectly normal to wonder if you are doing the right thing by yourself. There were several conference calls in my head before the final payment.

[Pokeynose]

I was giving second thoughts about our upcoming cruises because of the economy. Then I had some not so good news medically and thought, the h--l with it. Who knows what tomorrow will bring, enjoy life while you can. We're not that young anymore so we'll take whatever good times or bad times God gives us. I can't wait for Sept. and even more so Jan. when we will be joined by two of our beautiful g-daughters, we have 6. We all have to make our own decisions and we've made ours.:D

[CowPrincess]

HAL has screwed up our "next" cruise, and we are now in the process of trying to find a replacement vacation. Our financial situation is stable but we are not wealthy. We need to watch what we spend. Having said that, we are committed to vacations.... our family situation precluded any kind of vacation for six years, and now that we can travel, we are maintaining it as a priority.

It IS scarey to spend that money. I empathize totally. What is more scarey (to me) is to miss the chance to seize the moment. Life is uncertain. None of us knows whether we will be able to vacation again (for any kind of reason).

[Gator83]

Anyone else having second thoughts about the cruise they have booked.??
Everything about our next cruise is in place, except final payment.
Excited about the itinerary, money already set aside, the flights scheduled are perfect for our plans.
Just a little voice in the back of my mind saying maybe we should hold off.
Our income is secure enough ,( well as secure as anyone's these days) but maybe we should wait a year to see if things settle down .

The other little voice is saying" life's short ,dance while you can"
Just wondering how others are feeling?



No second thoughts from me. I just continue to travel and help stimulate the economy. If more people did that then things might change...LOL.

[Koshlong]

:) My theory is "I WANT to go now, I can AFFORD (sorta:)) to go now, and I'm HEALTHY (sorta:)) now". Who knows if all three will be true next year? I'm going NOW.:D

[geoherb]

No second thoughts or regrets about our most recent cruise on the Westerdam last month--except for the fact that we could only stay one week. We met several folks on the ship who had been on the week before or were staying the following week.

We don't have any cruises currently booked, but I'm saving up for the next one.

[sapper1]

Anyone else having second thoughts about the cruise they have booked.??
Everything about our next cruise is in place, except final payment.
Excited about the itinerary, money already set aside, the flights scheduled are perfect for our plans.
Just a little voice in the back of my mind saying maybe we should hold off.
Our income is secure enough ,( well as secure as anyone's these days) but maybe we should wait a year to see if things settle down .

The other little voice is saying" life's short ,dance while you can"
Just wondering how others are feeling?

I have gotten a sense of how much you love cruising so I think I know what your final decision will be. ;) On that note, what date are you scheduled to be in SJ.? I want to mark it in my notebook so I don't schedule anything conflicting that day.

[Creeks]

In 2007 my DH and I took four cruises. Yes, we had to dip into savings,
but just wanted those trips. He was not well at Thanksgiving time,
and died two weeks later. I am so glad we took those trips together,
and I have many happy memories from them. Late last year I took
the transatlantic we had already booked. It was hard, going alone,
but people were friendly and I enjoyed sitting on the balcony watching
the seas. So now I have less money but wonderful memories...........

[Taxguy77]

Colleyberry, life is short - eat dessert first. With that in mind, cruise while you can; if the economy takes another big dive you will have some beautiful memories of your "last cruise" for years to come.

We thought for a few moments that maybe we chose the wrong time to book a cruise, particularly because we are paying for 6 people. Those moments quickly passed when we took into consideration that DH had a sextuple bypass 12 yrs ago (was told he'd likely need a do-over in about 10 yrs), he had a cancer scare, and our youngest son is about to move to Japan for a few years. The money's set aside for the trip of a lifetime for our family and we're using it. Whatever happens after that will happen. Enjoy your time onboard whatever cruise you choose.

Smooth Sailing! :):):)

There's no guarantee you can safely walk accross the street or take a bath.:(
Your plans sound GREAT, go with them. Cutbacks can be worked out over time, but some things (son going to Japan for years) require attention NOW! Will you still be alive then? Abel to travel? Or your son? Pray everything OK, but!!! you never know.:(

[Pokeynose]

In 2007 my DH and I took four cruises. Yes, we had to dip into savings,
but just wanted those trips. He was not well at Thanksgiving time,
and died two weeks later. I am so glad we took those trips together,
and I have many happy memories from them. Late last year I took
the transatlantic we had already booked. It was hard, going alone,
but people were friendly and I enjoyed sitting on the balcony watching
the seas. So now I have less money but wonderful memories...........

Creeks, I'm so sorry for your loss. Keep those memories. I almost lost my DH in 2002. I made him retire so we could spend more time together since he traveled the world for 45 yrs. No regrets so now we will live for today not tomorrow.:)

[I'mHooked]

In 2007 my DH and I took four cruises. Yes, we had to dip into savings,
but just wanted those trips. He was not well at Thanksgiving time,
and died two weeks later. I am so glad we took those trips together,
and I have many happy memories from them. Late last year I took
the transatlantic we had already booked. It was hard, going alone,
but people were friendly and I enjoyed sitting on the balcony watching
the seas. So now I have less money but wonderful memories...........

and the tears being to flow....sorry for your loss...I bet you wouldn't trade those memories for anything...except the obvious.

[mudscraper]

Take your cruise. Who knows what tomorrow may bring.
A few months ago my BIL was talking about a trip to Hawaii.
Tonite he lies in bed with Stage 4 lung cancer. Hospice is involved and he may not live through the weekend. Go for it.


Rich

[sail7seas]

Creeks, So sorry for your loss but a big thumbs up for your wonderful outlook.
I'm happy for you to have those precious memories.

DH and I (so far) plan to continue with our cruising plans. Unless something dramatic happens in our lives to change our thinking, it is our hope to continue to cruise as often as we are able.

We've all had the ups and downs of life and the longer we live, the more of it we experience. Cruising is definitely high on our list of 'ups' in life. :) :D

[Taxguy77]

Several years ago, we were planning a trip (non-cruise) to South America. 'DW is from Peru, and we had a flight to Lima; were planning to go to Chile and through the Lake Country to Argentina.
DW was diagnosed with cancer :eek: so we attacked that and got a refund on our tickets to help pay med.bills. A couple of years later (DW has had a full recovery) some friends showed us a trip almost what we had been planning, and we went with them on a wonderful trip.:) (Even tho the "tour guide" was incompentent.)
MORAL: Put first things first! What's important to YOU? money or family?

[lorekauf]

I just continue to travel and help stimulate the economy. If more people did that then things might change...LOL.
Hey..I'm doing my best to stimulate the economy:D.

[I'mHooked]

Take your cruise. Who knows what tomorrow may bring.
A few months ago my BIL was talking about a trip to Hawaii.
Tonite he lies in bed with Stage 4 lung cancer. Hospice is involved and he may not live through the weekend. Go for it.


Rich

I'm sorry your family is going through this but thank God for hospice.

[gemgia]

Take your cruise. Who knows what tomorrow may bring.
A few months ago my BIL was talking about a trip to Hawaii.
Tonite he lies in bed with Stage 4 lung cancer. Hospice is involved and he may not live through the weekend. Go for it.


Rich

Rich,
My heart goes out to you and your BIL.
I lost my dearest friend to lung cancer when she was only 45. (On her birthday, her son's birthday and also her wedding anniversary.) We never know what tomorrow may bring.

[pipedreams62]

I was unable to pull the trigger and canceled my New England cruise this summer. It's funny I booked the trip,but somehow subliminaly I think I knew I wasn't going. I always have flights booked and all side trips booked long before the cruise. I guess I kept hearing the doom and gloom on the three networks all day and caved in?

Now it seems things might be on the upswing,I'm still thinking I could sneak a cruise in this summer.

On a different topic,the summer Caribbean cruises (you know save money by driving to the dock) are really expensive. I could fly to Seattle and take a cruise for as much as a 7 day Caribbean cruise is. Plus there's no HAL ship in the caribbean for the summer:(.

I'm curious who flys to 100 degree florida in the summer to take a cruise?

To all those who have booked go for it,don't do what I did.


sorry for babbling

[wwinfl91]

We leave next Saturday on the Zuiderdam for an 18 day Panama Canal cruise. We had made our final payment a few days before we ended up finding a new house and buying it. We have spent the last 2 weeks loading a PODS container with a life's worth of books (both of us are readers), craft supplies (my wife's) and bookcases and other things (you all know the kinds of things you accumulate in 35 years of marriage) and still haven't come close to empting this house which is a good thing because we need to come back to it after the cruise and try to sell it.

Anyway back to topic, after we made the decision we almost cancelled which would have meant we would have lost, I think, 50%, of our cruise costs and would have missed a cruise we wanted to take. We talked it over and decided after the work we had been doing we deserved to reward ourselves and do things we wanted to do while we still could.

We will be sitting somewhere in the shade with a cold drink when the Zuiderdam sails out of Ft Lauderdale on Saturday and worry about everything else when we get back.

Part of my and I guess our attitude is my wife spend a large portion of two years going through Cancer surgery and treatments and right now is a Cancer Survivor and is cancer free. But her disease came on us suddenly and made us realize that life is short and you need to do all you can while you can.

Have a great next cruise.

[sail7seas]

IOn a different topic,the summer Caribbean cruises (you know save money by driving to the dock) are really expensive. I could fly to Seattle and take a cruise for as much as a 7 day Caribbean cruise is. Plus there's no HAL ship in the caribbean for the summer:(.

I'm curious who flys to 100 degree florida in the summer to take a cruise?

To all those who have booked go for it,don't do what I did.


sorry for babbling

Sorry you cancelled your Canada/New England cruise. Hopefully there will be another opportunity for you to take that great cruise.

We are the 'who' that flies to FLL to cruise in the summer. :) For years, every summer DH and sailed the Caribbean in the summer, winter, spring and fall. We love it four seasons. We only stopped because HAL stopped having a ship in the Caribbean more than 6 months of the year.

When my doctors would not let us travel to Europe last July to sail Eurodam, we chose to go to a resort stay in FLL for a week or so. It was wonderful!

[pipedreams62]

Sorry you cancelled your Canada/New England cruise. Hopefully there will be another opportunity for you to take that great cruise.

We are the 'who' that flies to FLL to cruise in the summer. :) For years, every summer DH and sailed the Caribbean in the summer, winter, spring and fall. We love it four seasons. We only stopped because HAL stopped having a ship in the Caribbean more than 6 months of the year.

When my doctors would not let us travel to Europe last July to sail Eurodam, we chose to go to a resort stay in FLL for a week or so. It was wonderful!


Yes S7S a HAL ship would make it too easy for me. I also am afraid I'll take one of those other lines and be let down,on the other hand I could go with an open mind and maybe it will be great.

My New England cruise got too expensive because I wanted to go to some Red Sox games prior to the cruise. After adding up tickets for the games eating and Boston hotels it was more than the cruise. Perhaps I can just take the cruise and forget about the games (how do I do this?:))

[KathyPet]

Colleyberry, When I am dying I don't want to be thinking "Oh Darn I never got to see (Fill in the blank).

[sail7seas]

My New England cruise got too expensive because I wanted to go to some Red Sox games prior to the cruise. After adding up tickets for the games eating and Boston hotels it was more than the cruise. Perhaps I can just take the cruise and forget about the games (how do I do this?:))

How can a RED SOX fan come to Boston and not go to Fenway Park? The owners made some wonderful changes to Fenway over the winter..... looks fabulous!

Whatever you decide to do, hope you enjoy.

[PaulMcn]

I say go for it ! My first post here, but i strongly beliwv in CRUISE NOW! its a wonderful vacation, and really awesome value! beats a land trip anyday!

[sail7seas]

Welcome, Paul.

That's a nice list of upcoming cruises you have. :)

[Rutland Gate]

For a lot of us (our friends and We) this is a way of life we can afford. Don't deny us that on the basis that we shouldn't have the money, we earned it.

[debnjoe1438]

:) My theory is "I WANT to go now, I can AFFORD (sorta:)) to go now, and I'm HEALTHY (sorta:)) now". Who knows if all three will be true next year? I'm going NOW.:D

Well said:D

[COLLEYBERRY]

Thank you all so much. Your replies and stories have certainly put things in perspective.Voices are quiet now:)

It 's decided ,if we have the chance to "sit it out or dance " we should all simply dance. Memories are indeed priceless.

We have our health, each other and the means to go now .I'll simply do a Scarlett and worry about tomorrow,tomorrow.

Creeks I am so sorry for your loss,your post struck a particular cord ,you see, ours is aTransatlantic cruise. Thankyou for replying.

Mudscraper, prayers for your BIL and family.

Wwinfl9l and Taxguy77 so glad your wives are now enjoying good health.

Pipedreams,I think they should give free cruises to people who spread laughter.:) Hope your next one is soon.

Once again everyone, thankyou.

Hey Kathypet ,looks like I am going to see Ireland before I die afterall :)




w

[orangearmy]

My DW and SIL both hit a milestone birthday this year, so last summer My BIL and myself decided to celebrate by cruising the Panama Canal on the Westerdam this year for their birthdays. Since then the company I worked for went into recievership and although I found new work with the econmy tanking I got laid off from that job. Now My BIL faces a possible lay-off, I am not working yet, but the one thing we decided was that there was no way we would miss this trip. You only live once and might never get this chance again.

[COLLEYBERRY]

I have gotten a sense of how much you love cruising so I think I know what your final decision will be. ;) On that note, what date are you scheduled to be in SJ.? I want to mark it in my notebook so I don't schedule anything conflicting that day.


Hi Sapper.

We are arriving in Saint John, Sept 17 (it's a Thursday) According to the itinerary the ship docks at 11:00 am and departs 7:00 pm.

So wish we could get you and DH ( by the way how is he feeling?)on board for a luncheon or something. But I think it is quite diffficult to arrange this ,something about giving up your first born or such:D

Looking forward to finally meeting a real live CCer:) A coffee and chat somewhere on that lovely Saint John harbourfront would be very nice .

Colleen

[DizzyDallasDi]

Hi Colleen! Do I have second thoughts? Oh my, yes...but I'm going because of all the reasons others have said. I'll go and do and see as long as I can. It's what I love and I don't want to be sitting in a rocker someday thinking, boy, I sure wish I'd have seen or done such-and-such. I am extremely fortunate that I have the funds to travel in style 2 or 3 times a year and I treat myself like royalty when I go. :)

It's normal to wonder if decisions are right when spending lots of money is involved. Especially in these times when all we hear on the news is gloom and doom about the economy and jobs being lost right and left. In fact, my company had a pretty substantial lay off on Monday and my boss was one of the people whose job was eliminated. Thankfully, she was offered another position at the company and took it. I've been in a funk all week because lots of people I've worked with for years are now without a job and I'll miss my former boss so much...she was a terrific manager.

Life throws curveballs and you never know when one is coming. They're inevitable and there's nothing you can do to avoid them. However, you are in charge of your happiness and fulfillment...no one else knows what it is that will fulfill your life more than you. If traveling the world makes you happy, then go and do it while you can!

Diane

[COLLEYBERRY]

Thankyou Diane,your post made my eyes well up.( must be tired:))

You are so right ,sometimes we just need to give ourselves permission to be less concerned with the "what ifs" .

We love to cruise,we love the time together,and the cost has been well covered. So shut up little voice,I am going on a cruise !!!:D

Enjoy that ' wake view 'girlfriend and thanks for the pep talk.

Colleen

[COLLEYBERRY]

My DW and SIL both hit a milestone birthday this year, so last summer My BIL and myself decided to celebrate by cruising the Panama Canal on the Westerdam this year for their birthdays. Since then the company I worked for went into recievership and although I found new work with the econmy tanking I got laid off from that job. Now My BIL faces a possible lay-off, I am not working yet, but the one thing we decided was that there was no way we would miss this trip. You only live once and might never get this chance again.


Have a wonderful cruise, orangearmy. Happy birthday to the lucky ladies with two such thoughtful husbands.

Wishing good things for you and BIL on the job front. H:)ppy Sailings.

[COLLEYBERRY]

Colleyberry, life is short - eat dessert first. With that in mind, cruise while you can; if the economy takes another big dive you will have some beautiful memories of your "last cruise" for years to come.

We thought for a few moments that maybe we chose the wrong time to book a cruise, particularly because we are paying for 6 people. Those moments quickly passed when we took into consideration that DH had a sextuple bypass 12 yrs ago (was told he'd likely need a do-over in about 10 yrs), he had a cancer scare, and our youngest son is about to move to Japan for a few years. The money's set aside for the trip of a lifetime for our family and we're using it. Whatever happens after that will happen. Enjoy your time onboard whatever cruise you choose.

Smooth Sailing! :):):)


Your' family cruise " sounds lovely . What special time for you all.
Thanks for posting Ger 77

[COLLEYBERRY]

I was giving second thoughts about our upcoming cruises because of the economy. Then I had some not so good news medically and thought, the h--l with it. Who knows what tomorrow will bring, enjoy life while you can. We're not that young anymore so we'll take whatever good times or bad times God gives us. I can't wait for Sept. and even more so Jan. when we will be joined by two of our beautiful g-daughters, we have 6. We all have to make our own decisions and we've made ours.:D

Have a wonderful cruise in Sept as well as that special family time in Jan.
Sounds great ,just like your attitude . H:)ppy Sailing

[Pettifogger]

I don't have to worry about "second thoughts" because I don't generally book until after final payment date. But if I did, I wouldn't just say to myself, "Go for it!" Maybe a few too many people have been doing that for the past couple of years.
I've never regretted a vacation, but I didn't take very many until I got old. Then I woke up one morning and told myself, "You've been saving all your life for your old age; this is it, Buster!" Now I take twice as many vacations, but I no longer have to save for my old age!

[kellygarrett]

Your right , too many people run scared and that makes things worse. If you have the means and want the trip whats the worse that can happen? Ask yourself that when ever you question a concern or worry that you have and go from there in making a decision.

[dandro]

No second thoughts here...both DH & I have worked many many many years to get where we are now, it's time to reward ourselves for having worked so hard, being married for 25 years and raising 2 beautiful children that are now out on their own. This is OUR time once again. :)

We have saved up for this cruise...who knows when we will do it again. Hopefully we won't have to wait another 25 years, we'll be over 80!:eek:

[sapper1]

Hi Sapper.

We are arriving in Saint John, Sept 17 (it's a Thursday) According to the itinerary the ship docks at 11:00 am and departs 7:00 pm.

So wish we could get you and DH ( by the way how is he feeling?)on board for a luncheon or something. But I think it is quite diffficult to arrange this ,something about giving up your first born or such:D

Looking forward to finally meeting a real live CCer:) A coffee and chat somewhere on that lovely Saint John harbourfront would be very nice .

Colleen
According to the port schedule, the Constellation will be the only ship in port that day so things won't be too crowded. You will be at the brand new Pugsley Terminal which will be opening in early June.
Long Wharf, where you docked last year will soon have its own lovely new terminal building as Irving Oil is going to build their world headquarters building on the wharf and incorporate a new cruiseship terminal as part of the project. I have seen the mockups of the area and it is going to be quite an asset to the waterfront.
I have marked the date---have a dental appt early AM but will keep the rest of the time clear until we decide where and when to meet----it can be before or after any shore excursions you plan to take-----your call.
My husband is doing a lot better now and since you are familiar with SJ you will have a visual when I say he can walk from Market Square through the Pedway up to Brunswick Square and back. His physiotherapist met him at our gym this week and went through a lot of things he should and shouldn't be doing so we will now be able to get back to our routine of four days a week at the gym.

It is looking better and better for our August cruise. Unless there is a major setback I would say it is a go. We still have a month until final payment and if he continues to improve at this rate it will be a no brainer----economy or no economy-----do what you can for as long as you can, because the day will come soon enough when you can't. I added this last bit so nobody could complain that my post was too off topic.;)

[happy cruzer]

I don't have to worry about "second thoughts" because I don't generally book until after final payment date. But if I did, I wouldn't just say to myself, "Go for it!" Maybe a few too many people have been doing that for the past couple of years.
I've never regretted a vacation, but I didn't take very many until I got old. Then I woke up one morning and told myself, "You've been saving all your life for your old age; this is it, Buster!" Now I take twice as many vacations, but I no longer have to save for my old age!

I too now book last minute. DH stays glued to the news channels so he always thinks now is not the time to spend money. So now I book something very affordable to look forward to way out there and do a last minute booking for the bigger trips. It's just part of how priorities change.

[Taxguy77]

I don't have to worry about "second thoughts" because I don't generally book until after final payment date. But if I did, I wouldn't just say to myself, "Go for it!" Maybe a few too many people have been doing that for the past couple of years.
I've never regretted a vacation, but I didn't take very many until I got old. Then I woke up one morning and told myself, "You've been saving all your life for your old age; this is it, Buster!" Now I take twice as many vacations, but I no longer have to save for my old age!

You're not old with that attitude.:cool:

[COLLEYBERRY]

According to the port schedule, the Constellation will be the only ship in port that day so things won't be too crowded. You will be at the brand new Pugsley Terminal which will be opening in early June.;)


Thanks for the info Sapper, good news about hubby (sounds like he's working hard,good boy:))

I am going to contact Celebrity and see what they say about inviting guests on board (no harm in asking ). It may indeed prove to be too complicated or a definite 'no go' in this day and age.

Anyone ever had success in doing this??

It would be fun for you to tour the ship and they may view it as advertising
of their product.

You are not on any 'watch list ' are you Sapper ??:D:D

[GmaPajama]

We haven't been re-thinking what's already booked, but are considering a lesser category for future bookings. We were spoiled on our very first HAL with an SA on the Westerdam, and haven't looked back. Till now - with an economy that's taken so much from us. If we decide to squeeze in a cruise we're considering for this fall, I think we'll bite the bullet and go for a VA Guarantee. We know how fortunate we've been to always sail in suites ... and are thinking a category change now might be the right thing to do, since we've promised our kids they won't have to support us in our old age. :)

[jbhcw]

Pipedreams, I'm one of those who is doing a summer cruise and not on a HAL Ship:eek:

The final payment is due this month and whether to cancel, for a lot of reasons has been on our minds. DH just had a birthday this week, he's not gettng any younger- so we talked and made the decision to do this cruise and not do one in December of this year. He said no to that as we had been asked to cruise with friends.

I just retired late last year, about the time the market tanked, and the economy has been on my mind since then. I am one of those that needs to stop watching TV and reading all the editorials:eek:

I also in a way feel guilty about so many vacations, and worry about my boys who both work for the same company! But when you really think about it- now is the time to do it if you can swing it in any way. We are both retired and getting older as I type.

The kids are young, have good educations, they'll manage and survive! Soooo we are headed to the Liberty this summer because we will be with very dear friends, and we have the grand oasis booked, but that will be it until next April and the Zaandam and I've got that on a monthly payment schedule:)

We are not promised tomorrow and I do feel blessed to be able to live out some of my dreams now while I'm able.

[fridayeyes]

My DH lost his job in the tech bubble debacle on April 15, 2001. We had already booked and paid for and 10-day cruise to Alaska on the maiden voyage of Celebrity's Infinity. We went, we were very careful about shipboard expenses and it still stands out as one of our most wonderful memories.

Cheers!

Friday

[scopewest]

It's our 25th wedding anniversary and I wanted to do Hawaii this year since that's where we originally wanted to go on our honeymoon but didn't. Then the economy went downhill and I scaled back to seven days in Mexico (again) since it was more economical but we'd still be eating dinner in PG on our anniversary (and thanks to these boards I've already made that reservation online).

I would like to point out my TA just informed me the TAXES on our cruise just went down and HAL gave us the $20 refund. Pays for one dinner!

[Susie51]

Thanks to all of those who have posted to this thread. There have been many encouraging thoughts.

My sister and I are taking Mom on a surprise cruise for her birthday (If you see her on Westerdam this week, "mum's the word"). We want to do this for her while she is still able to travel. So my advice is take the cruise.

[sapper1]

Thanks for the info Sapper, good news about hubby (sounds like he's working hard,good boy:))

I am going to contact Celebrity and see what they say about inviting guests on board (no harm in asking ). It may indeed prove to be too complicated or a definite 'no go' in this day and age.

Anyone ever had success in doing this??

It would be fun for you to tour the ship and they may view it as advertising
of their product.

You are not on any 'watch list ' are you Sapper ??:D:D

That would be great fun if it could be pulled off. We have never sailed Celebrity but have heard good things about them. I am happy to report that due to the fact that I used good judgement and did not try to stowaway during my visit onboard the Eurodam, I am not on any watch list.

[usha]

Don't let those second thoughts steal your fun.
Gopher it!:)
http://www.borev.net/gopher.jpg

[Pokeynose]

Don't let those second thoughts steal your fun.
Gopher it!:)
http://www.borev.net/gopher.jpg



I really loved this one. Thanks.:)

[bookpusher]

It is hard to spend the money for a cruise right now and not have some serious second thoughts as to the cost.....but, some of our happiest memories are from the cruises we have taken. These memories are worth their weight in gold! So, my advice is to go and each and every day of your cruise wake up and tell yourself how lucky you are to be there and then get up and make another beautiful memory. We just got off the Zuiderdam and that is what I did...I tried to make a special memory each day.......no matter what we will never regret the money we used to make these happy memories. Happy sailing!

[kryos]

Anyone else having second thoughts about the cruise they have booked.??
Everything about our next cruise is in place, except final payment.
Excited about the itinerary, money already set aside, the flights scheduled are perfect for our plans.
Just a little voice in the back of my mind saying maybe we should hold off.
Our income is secure enough ,( well as secure as anyone's these days) but maybe we should wait a year to see if things settle down .

The other little voice is saying" life's short ,dance while you can"
Just wondering how others are feeling?
Listen to the second voice. It makes a lot more sense.

We all worry about our security. That's natural. But you can spend your life so worried that you miss out on a lot of opportunities to enjoy life.

My job is nowhere near as secure as your's sounds. My company is in Chapter 11 right now. But, I've been looking and even been on a few interviews. Until I am actually in the street, I'm not gonna worry. And, even if I do lose my job, I'll get a nice severance package, Unemployment Compensation, etc. ... so it's not like I'm gonna be destitude. I will certainly take the cruises I've already booked ... just probably won't book another for a couple of years.

Live your life and don't worry unnecessarily. Of course, I realize that's easier said than done ... but I certainly wouldn't cancel a cruise on a "what if" type proposition.

Just my advice.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[kryos]

We are not promised tomorrow and I do feel blessed to be able to live out some of my dreams now while I'm able.
That's the best piece of advice I've read on these boards in a long time. I think there is nothing sadder than someone who keeps saying "I'll do this later ... when I retire ... when the kids are on their own ... when this happens, when that happens." By the time they do it, if they do it at all, they are too old or too sick to truly enjoy it. I look at some of the people on the ships being honored at the Mariner ceremony and I think it's so sad that many of them with a lot of days are barely able to stand up to receive their medals. This one woman comes to mind ... she was getting her 500 day medal ... and the hotel manager had to help her stand up on her walker to receive it. I remember thinking ... please, dear God ... if I'm ever gonna get one of those, let it be while I'm still healthy enough to enjoy my cruises.

I say that tomorrow will take care of tomorrow. That's not to say be irresponsible with money. But it is to say that one should put something aside for themselves and for their pleasure. If money's tight, there are ways to have fun and economize too. Simply be very, very careful with onboard expenses, formal shore excursions, shipboard accommodation choices, etc. But, for God sake ... if you like to cruise, go now. Don't wait until you may be too elderly or too infirm to enjoy it.

Just my opinion ...

Blue skies ...

--rita

[pipedreams62]

Don't let those second thoughts steal your fun.
Gopher it!:)
http://www.borev.net/gopher.jpg



http://bungalowdreams.fibergeek.com/img/caddyshack_carl.jpg

[Love the beach]

That's the best piece of advice I've read on these boards in a long time. I think there is nothing sadder than someone who keeps saying "I'll do this later ... when I retire ... when the kids are on their own ... when this happens, when that happens." By the time they do it, if they do it at all, they are too old or too sick to truly enjoy it. I look at some of the people on the ships being honored at the Mariner ceremony and I think it's so sad that many of them with a lot of days are barely able to stand up to receive their medals. This one woman comes to mind ... she was getting her 500 day medal ... and the hotel manager had to help her stand up on her walker to receive it. I remember thinking ... please, dear God ... if I'm ever gonna get one of those, let it be while I'm still healthy enough to enjoy my cruises.

I say that tomorrow will take care of tomorrow. That's not to say be irresponsible with money. But it is to say that one should put something aside for themselves and for their pleasure. If money's tight, there are ways to have fun and economize too. Simply be very, very careful with onboard expenses, formal shore excursions, shipboard accommodation choices, etc. But, for God sake ... if you like to cruise, go now. Don't wait until you may be too elderly or too infirm to enjoy it.

Just my opinion ...

Blue skies ...

--rita
I absolutely agree! My next door neighbor had been looking forward to retirement-- and travel-- he turned 65 last June-retired-and in July was diagnosed with brain cancer. That definitely influenced our decision to book another cruise for this year ( took one in Jan.).