KRF326RN

Looked into Allegiant. The problem is the limited days it flies. We'd have to leave two days earlier than planned and stay two days longer. That would put us in NOLA three days before and five days after. The savings from a cheaper flight would quickly be gone and probably doubled in extra cost staying an additional five days. I've never really looked at Allegiant before....definitely interested in using it for another vacation for sure!

Cabin….this may have been my hardest decision. At first, balcony on the lido. Close to the food, pool, etc. But then, we want to relax. I’ve heard how busy the lido deck always is. I want to be prepared. I want to expect that the lido will be awful-long lines, people everywhere, etc. If it’s not, great, if it is, I prepared for it. So this got me thinking…what do we want out of this vacation? What is the expectation on sea days? What is important to us….hmm, we want DD to go to Camp Ocean…DS will be at his camp or hanging out…he’s totally fine (prefers) to do his own thing. That leaves me and DH…relaxation, no plans, no cell phones going off constantly…HEAVEN! This led me to a spa balcony. Now, let me be very clear. We are NOT spa people. I don’t like people touching me. Not a hugger, not a pedicure person, not a “touch your shoulder because I care” person. I do care, but touch is not my love language. But, the non random-people-touching-me activities in the spa sound perfect! Also, DS takes 45 minutes showers. He can have the tiny shower in the cabin and DH and I will shower in the spa-problem solved! I think the spa will be a getaway for us. The balcony was already a must. We will sit out there a LOT. Again, we like to be together and do nothing. Just sit. I prefer not to have 3000+ of my new closest friends around me while I sit and do nothing. But that’s just me. But then, I realized that of the Cloud 9 spa balconies there are some better than others that don't have the Serenity Deck directly above you (more to the side)…no people hanging over…but, it’s so HIGH…what if we get sea sick? Then, considered the cove balcony…private, second deck, sounds good…but, you’re on a floor with a bajillion rooms…crowded is what I feel all the sudden…uggh...was getting stressed, but then, I remembered…this is VACATION and we’re so very blessed that we have the ability to be making this decision. I mean really, first world problems much? Lido balcony vs Cloud 9 Spa Balcony vs Cove Balcony on a 7 day cruise….wow girl, rough life…get over it and go with your heart. Cloud 9 Spa Balcony it is! I think...

Yeah, but it is not like there are in LARGE Northwast AR. towns/cities. LOL

 

:D:D:D

Hey now, we surpassed 500K a year ago! :D

Is Tulsa the closest airport to you? How about any other airports?

Look into other low-cost airlines as well; Southwest is no longer the cheapest option. Even with paying bag fees, other airlines work out cheaper sometimes.

Look into booking one-way tickets. That way you are not locked into a particular airline and can get the best price for each way.

For eg.: Allegiant Air flies from Tulsa to NO for $33 on Sunday, May 29. You do have to pay for baggage but it could still save you a lot of money.

 

$600 is a lot of money; personally speaking of course.

It would buy me a better room or excursions or drinks package or many other possibilities for that matter.

Tulsa is the closest airport (almost) there is one in NWA, but very limited. Allegiant doesn't fly to NOLA from here, but I will check into it. The main reason for flying is the drive back. $600 is a lot of money to me, too. Planning out (402 days to be exact) allows me to be able to budget for it, but I do get what you're saying. I'm definitely about getting the best bang for my buck! Thanks for the ideas..will for sure look into other options!

So, day one….first day of vacation. Think we’ve settled on flying. Still waiting for those flight prices to come out, but looking at this year, I think we’ll go for it.

The day leaving for vacation is so exciting, right? We'll drop off the pup at the vet to board, load up the car, and stop to eat. Cracker Barrel of course, isn't that where every good Southerner eats on vacation? Then we'll head to Tulsa!

We’ll park in long term parking ($6/day). We’ve parked here before and never had a problem. Of course, we don’t leave valuables in sight and our car doesn’t scream “Hey, I’m big and fancy come see what I’m hiding!” at all…A hail storm would be our most likely damage and it’s really the wrong time of year for that. But I digress…

Now, one of my favorite parts….I LOVE airports. Getting through security and weighing bags, of course stress me out, but the hustle and bustle/crazy energy in an airport has always been so exciting for me. We’ll get the bags checked (fingers crossed nothing is too heavy!) and relax a bit before boarding. A short 3 ½ hour flight and we’ll land in NOLA.

Haven’t figured this part out, but I assume I can get a taxi to the hotel? Come to think of it, I think I saw where it’s like $14/pp? And hotel…hmmm, I’ve just started looking, but I think I might take my chances on a Hotwire/Priceline name your price location. Seems that you can get good locations for a great price (depending on Mardi Gras and any other festival going on). Still working on that part. Seems like there are several good threads on that topic on CC that I need to spend some time reading. We will spend 3 nights in NOLA post cruise, so we’ll probably just relax and plan to embark as soon as possible the next morning!

Actually now that I read that paragraph again, since we’re staying in NOLA post cruise, maybe we should just get a cheaper “by the airport” hotel for that first night? I really only want to get off the plane, take a shower (plane germs creep me out a little), eat somewhere (just simple is fine), and sleep. Opinions welcome!

Always love to see the enthusiasm for a first time cruiser! I'm skipping the fly/drive question, because we always fly. I've never been 10 hours away - but I'd probably still fly.

Now, for Cheers. Many will say get it. I will not. You need to ask yourself - how much will you really drink? How many days will you be in port away from the ship? What are your normal drinking habits? Are both adults drinkers?

We did fine by bringing soda and wine. My husband bought beer by the bucket and ordered a beer or two each night. We would never have spent $800 on drinks.

We did get bottomless bubbles for our teen boys and one adult.

Have fun planning!!

 

 

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On a normal day to day basis, we're not big drinkers. DH drinks beer when watching football games, camping, or after a long hot summer day working in the yard. I drink 3-4 glasses of wine a month and a mixed drink or two when I'm out with my girlfriends. We are HUGE soda/specialty coffee/bottled water drinkers. However, on vacation, all that goes out the window. We stayed 5 days at a resort where everything was covered except drinks and we spent well over $800. We weren't falling down drunk, but sitting around a pool all day, it's easy to consume 5-6 adult beverages plus several other drinks.

This is our first cruise, I think we'll do it this time, and see where we are at the end. I'm not interested in making sure I get my monies worth, we'll just drink what we want and see at the end if it was a good decision.

Cheers or no Cheers….hmm…at first, no way. We were driving, we’d get the Bottomless Bubbles and carry on 2 bottles of wine/soda allowance and get what we wanted as we went. Now, flying…no carrying wine and soda cans…$804 for Cheers….but not having to worry about it, getting what we want when we want it…not feeling guilty if that mixed drink taste like bananas (yuck!) and I want to throw it out…pretty appealing…And then the updated version…milkshakes and coffee? Powerade and water…I think it’s a no brainer for us. Not that I’m a HUGE drinker, but I usually don’t due to the high price. A mixed drink with gratuity looks to be $10.30, that’s only 39 drinks over 7 days ($402/adult). And, doesn’t account for milkshakes, specialty coffee, wine, sodas, bottled water, Powerade…Again, we’re in for Cheers. The math makes sense to me. Unless I'm missing something...am I? :cool:

Also, if you are an hour from tulsa then you are close to me. We drive to new Orleans several times a year and love taking highway 65 through southeast arkansas, it is very interesting.

I grew up (well, 2nd through 7th grade) in NE Arkansas...yes, "interesting"...:D We had a knock off Dairy Queen and a teeny tiny WalMart. One stop light town, for real...I bet the SE isn't much different.

Where are you thinking about staying in New Orleans?

 

:) Happy planning!!

No decisions there yet...thinking Hilton Riverside?

403...but at least it's booked!

Surprised how many of you voted for driving! I think I romanticize the drive. I’ve seen too many movies that make it all seem glamorous and fun. But the reality of a car breaking down, getting lost, parking, etc…that does stress me out. I LOVE to fly. Always have. The excitement of the airport, the people watching, the way the plane feels, guessing what everyone’s plans are. I really do love it. Still not sure which way we’ll go. Waiting for those prices to come out and some decisions on excursions to make that decision.

Next decision…Cheers or pay as you go?

So planning is my jam….in that, I’ve planned vacations (down to what we’ll eat) that we’ve never taken. I really love to plan. Friends have let me plan their vacations for them. So fun!

To prepare (and pass the time) for this trip, I’ve planned to do a pre trip review. It will help me stay organized and I’d love to share (and learn from you) all the ins and outs, do and donts, what to pack vs what to leave at home…well, you get the drill.

First planning post….fly or drive? We only looked to sail out of New Orleans. We have never been (even though we have family about two hours from NOLA….) and hear it’s a must do. DS loves to explore new places. At first, we were all about driving. It’s 10 hours. Not great, but doable. I started planning it out…what stops, leave a day early possibly, etc. Then I started thinking about the drive home. That already depresses me. The drive down, you’re super excited. The drive back, AWFUL. I refuse to fly anything but Southwest because I am NOT paying for my bags to fly. Tulsa is a little over an hour away…I did the math….gas/hotel/food/etc vs flying (still adding in food) and parking at the airport vs parking at the port…it would cost about $600 more…that’s probably worth it, right? But we’re planning to spend 2-3 days in NOLA after the cruise…we’ll need a car, right? Well, maybe not…I hear it’s easy to get around on foot and public transportation…thoughts? :confused:

Today, I booked our first cruise, so very excited. I’ve spent hours and hours pouring over these forums and can’t wait…just 404 days!

We are a family of four…hubby work in public service and gives all day long to everyone. He works hard and has serious decisions to deal with on a daily basis. When he’s home, he’s the best dad. He loves his kids and to be outdoors. He’s a fly fisherman and would love to retire to Colorado and fish all day, every day. I’m a RN and work administratively overseeing our population health product lines. No more “heads in beds”, it’s all about the quality of care. I love what I do, seriously love what I do-but a break from the politics is much needed (thus this vacation!). We have two kiddos, 15 year old son who wrestles for his state winning high school team and is currently a purple belt MMA fighter. He loves sports and video games. Typical teen boy. Last, but certainly not least is our 7 year old daughter…our total surprise in many ways. She’s an opinionated fireball and we love it. She’s never still, currently in gymnastics and swimming. I think we’re moving from swimming to dance…NEVER sits still!

I plan to use this thread for all things planning our upcoming trip. I find it helps pass the time and is half the fun of the trip.

Next post...fly or drive? :eek: