Space A - Someday!

[IRMO12HD]

Has anyone used / considered the use of Space A as a means to get to / from a cruise?  Obviously, it would mean padding time on the front and/or back ends of a cruise, but could also present an opportunity to take advantage of last-minute cruise pricing.  Thoughts?  As a clarification, I'm retired, so recognize that the time element is not as much of a factor for me.

[Roger88]

8 minutes ago, IRMO12HD said:

Has anyone used / considered the use of Space A as a means to get to / from a cruise?  Obviously, it would mean padding time on the front and/or back ends of a cruise, but could also present an opportunity to take advantage of last-minute cruise pricing.  Thoughts?  As a clarification, I'm retired, so recognize that the time element is not as much of a factor for me.

No sure it will work, especially these days when Coronavirus is like everywhere. No one is going to wait for last minute to make an exclusion. In any case, I hope there will be other people who could help you with your question 

[IRMO12HD]

Just now, Roger88 said:

No sure it will work, especially these days when Coronavirus is like everywhere. No one is going to wait for last minute to make an exclusion. In any case, I hope there will be other people who could help you with your question 

I agree, @Roger88, that this won't happen for a long while -- if at all, I guess, since Space A is on indefinite hold for my category -- but I'm curious as to whether it has been used in the past by anyone.  When Covid-19 is a thing of the past (or at least under control), and cruise travel returns to some semblance of normal, perhaps it will be a more logical question.  Right now, it's just a dream . . . but one that I enjoy thinking about.

[USN59-79]

It has been used in the past, but not by me.  We have cruised around Japan on the Diamond Princess with a couple from Washington State who used Space A to get to and from Japan.  They enjoyed spending a few days before the cruise in Japan and didn't care if they got home a few days later after they got off the ship.  They lived not far from McChord AFB and were able to park their car there when flying.

[IRMO12HD]

On 2/17/2021 at 2:04 PM, USN59-79 said:

It has been used in the past, but not by me.  We have cruised around Japan on the Diamond Princess with a couple from Washington State who used Space A to get to and from Japan.  They enjoyed spending a few days before the cruise in Japan and didn't care if they got home a few days later after they got off the ship.  They lived not far from McChord AFB and were able to park their car there when flying.

Thanks, @USN59-79; that is exactly the input I was hoping for :-)

[DiplomatOne]

On 12/13/2020 at 1:27 AM, Roger88 said:

No sure it will work, especially these days when Coronavirus is like everywhere. No one is going to wait for last minute to make an exclusion. In any case, I hope there will be other people who could help you with your question 

The concept is great,  however if you are on a time schedule it may be a challenge,  remember rank has its privilege.  On duty, anyone with travel orders, family emergencies etc. have priority. Also if you're disabled Veteran  your spouse ( or companion) is not able to accompany you,  it's a solo flight for you. I woul not consider Space-A if you are planning of cruising. Good luck. 

[IRMO12HD]

On 4/15/2022 at 9:39 AM, DiplomatOne said:

The concept is great,  however if you are on a time schedule it may be a challenge,  remember rank has its privilege.  On duty, anyone with travel orders, family emergencies etc. have priority. Also if you're disabled Veteran  your spouse ( or companion) is not able to accompany you,  it's a solo flight for you. I woul not consider Space-A if you are planning of cruising. Good luck. 

Thanks for the input, @DiplomatOne.  As I mentioned in my original post, I am retired -- as an Army retiree, I am Category 6, which is the "lowest" category, but not at all dependent on rank -- just seats available and time of sign up.   I would not use it if I was on any kind of set schedule, but was interested to hear of (any) others' experiences with it, and could see using it with flexible back up (i.e., refundable commercial flights).

[USN59-79]

On 4/15/2022 at 9:39 AM, DiplomatOne said:

The concept is great,  however if you are on a time schedule it may be a challenge,  remember rank has its privilege.  On duty, anyone with travel orders, family emergencies etc. have priority. Also if you're disabled Veteran  your spouse ( or companion) is not able to accompany you,  it's a solo flight for you. I woul not consider Space-A if you are planning of cruising. Good luck. 

I am not sure why my spouse couldn't accompany me if I am a disabled veteran.  I am a retired Navy person who also happens to be 100% disabled due to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.  Are you saying that my wife could not accompany me on a space-A flight?