? for last minute cruisers on NCL

[Zeno]

Here is my problem. I am freezing in Toronto and would seriously love a cruise BUT for medical reasons I can't go anywhere until my DR gives the OK late in March. (I have good reason to be optimistic that everything will be OK.)

All you last minuters or TA's how easy (or hard) is it to get an NCL cruise in the last 2 weeks before April sailings - probably beginning of April or middle? At what point do they stop booking - one week before, two weeks before??? - Assuming of course that the ship is not full.

I am hoping air won't be too big a problem since we could fly into Miami or Fort Lauderdale same day or a day or two before.

[firefly333]

I'm finally seeing some discounts on the Norweigan Dream for April 7th, which is the last time it sails out of Galveston. Dont know if you are just interested in flying out of Florida or not?

 

I think Ft. Lauderdale is easier than Miami but that's a personal preference.

 

You should be easily able to grab a last minute fare within 2 weeks of some sailing. Iv heard they cannot sell for the last 72 hours because the ship has to turn in its manifest to obtain clearance to go.

 

Are you thinking the NCL Pearl? I see you have been on the Sun several times, so might as well step up to the Pearl if you have to pay expensive airfare anyway from Canada. Iv heard the Pearl is awesome.

[Zeno]

I'm finally seeing some discounts on the Norweigan Dream for April 7th, which is the last time it sails out of Galveston. Dont know if you are just interested in flying out of Florida or not?

 

I think Ft. Lauderdale is easier than Miami but that's a personal preference.

 

You should be easily able to grab a last minute fare within 2 weeks of some sailing. Iv heard they cannot sell for the last 72 hours because the ship has to turn in its manifest to obtain clearance to go.

 

Are you thinking the NCL Pearl? I see you have been on the Sun several times, so might as well step up to the Pearl if you have to pay expensive airfare anyway from Canada. Iv heard the Pearl is awesome.

 

Definitely thinking about the Pearl! I really like the look of their 9 Day itinerary. Air fares from Canada to Florida vary wildly from very reasonable to ridiculous - so my plan is as soon as soon as I get Dr's OK - I will get my TA to "hold" a cruise for me and then contact the airlines to see if there are any compatible, reasonable airfares. Once I have an airfare booked I will lock in on the cruise.

[melika091900]

Definitely thinking about the Pearl! I really like the look of their 9 Day itinerary. Air fares from Canada to Florida vary wildly from very reasonable to ridiculous - so my plan is as soon as soon as I get Dr's OK - I will get my TA to "hold" a cruise for me and then contact the airlines to see if there are any compatible, reasonable airfares. Once I have an airfare booked I will lock in on the cruise.

 

 

have a great time, I hope you get to go.....

 

 

Melissa

[sailorgin]

Zeno...

 

Not to rub it in or anything but I am leaving Toronto on March 1st for Miami for Pearl sailing March 2nd. The best airfare came from getting the air and cruise together through my TA. Im driving from Ottawa a few days ahead to stay with relatives but i wanted to be in the Miami area because you never know with our winters here....especially in Toronto

[Zeno]

Zeno...

 

Not to rub it in or anything but I am leaving Toronto on March 1st for Miami for Pearl sailing March 2nd. The best airfare came from getting the air and cruise together through my TA. Im driving from Ottawa a few days ahead to stay with relatives but i wanted to be in the Miami area because you never know with our winters here....especially in Toronto

 

I will probably ask my TA about that when the time comes but in my experience I am pretty good at finding the lowest air fares. We will probably try to fly down the day before (We did this on our last cruise and it was so much more relaxing and less stressful than hoping the weather will be fine and the flight will not be delayed.)

I hope you have a great cruise in March!

[BeachBumMama]

I used to always book last minute. Most times there are great rates because they want to get rid of the cabins. I'll keep fingers crossed the DR gives okay.

[SHINEMAN]

Zeno...

 

Not to rub it in or anything but I am leaving Toronto on March 1st for Miami for Pearl sailing March 2nd. The best airfare came from getting the air and cruise together through my TA. Im driving from Ottawa a few days ahead to stay with relatives but i wanted to be in the Miami area because you never know with our winters here....especially in Toronto

 

do you mean you are driving to florida? tough going south right now.

[mbisson]

Hi Zeno,

can't really help you with the cruise info but just want to let you know I'll be thinking of you and hope everything is OK

 

take care

-Monte

[Zeno]

Hi Zeno,

can't really help you with the cruise info but just want to let you know I'll be thinking of you and hope everything is OK

 

take care

-Monte

Thanks Monte - actually I am now feeling a LOT better than I did even before I became ill (fully recovered from

surgery, very good response to medication and diet changes!). My specialist and GP have been very pleased with my progress - so unless the specialist changes anything in March, I WILL be taking some kind of vacation early in April. I would like a cruise; my husband would like an island vacation. So I guess we will see which works out best.

[Smellytoes]

The 11 day western caribbean on the Dawn leaves April 12. It still seems to have plenty of cabins available. That might be something to look into.

[cruisingfromMN]

Hi Zeno, I know you're talking about Miami and the Pearl, but come join us on the Star 8 day out of LA on April 15th. Good luck with your results!

[jaycor]

we live in toronto as well and now always drive to Buffalo and fly out from there.

The rates to San Juan were half the price on Jet Blue.

And it is so much easier driving across the Border when you return then going through customs at the airport.

[Zeno]

we live in toronto as well and now always drive to Buffalo and fly out from there.

The rates to San Juan were half the price on Jet Blue.

And it is so much easier driving across the Border when you return then going through customs at the airport.

 

Thx for this interesting info! Our first NCL cruise (on the Sky) was out of San Juan and the airfare from TO was really excessive. Does Jet Blue have direct flights from Buffalo to San Juan?

[Orator]

You might want to call the Latitudes @ NCL. They will get you a good last minute price. We got a balcony (BB) on the Jewel 13 days prior to sailing for $1170 for two plus a $75.00 onboard credit. Good luck.

[Zeno]

You might want to call the Latitudes @ NCL. They will get you a good last minute price. We got a balcony (BB) on the Jewel 13 days prior to sailing for $1170 for two plus a $75.00 onboard credit. Good luck.

 

That's excellent! I may try.

[travelmoxie]

Hi Zeno!

 

We are from London, Ontario and always fly out of Buffalo either on AirTran or JetBlue. The nice thing is they both have frequent sales on flights - we flew into Houston for $59 one way a couple of years ago - compare that to $200+ (also one way) out of Toronto.

 

Good luck with everything. I hear you on the weather - I've just about had enough myself. Keep smiling - its supposed to warm up this weekend.

[cruisequeen10]

Hope you have a passport

[Zeno]

Hope you have a passport

 

Had one since I was 18 - just have to double check to make sure that it does not need to be reissued soon - I think I have another 2-3 years on the current one.

[rochelle_s]

Zeno,

We are just back from a Dream cruise out of Houston and flew Southwest out of Buffalo....we paid $79 each way and with taxes it came to $200 US total...that was cheaper than what we would have paid for the taxes alone flying Air Canada out of Toronto. I feel Southwest has a brilliant set-up.....easy to check in and board. Also there are deals to be had in Buffalo.....you can get a hotel for $89 for the night before your cruise and that includes parking for your car while you are away. Let me know if you are interested and I will get the name and info for the hotel if you like or check with your TA.

[Zeno]

Zeno,

We are just back from a Dream cruise out of Houston and flew Southwest out of Buffalo....we paid $79 each way and with taxes it came to $200 US total...that was cheaper than what we would have paid for the taxes alone flying Air Canada out of Toronto. I feel Southwest has a brilliant set-up.....easy to check in and board. Also there are deals to be had in Buffalo.....you can get a hotel for $89 for the night before your cruise and that includes parking for your car while you are away. Let me know if you are interested and I will get the name and info for the hotel if you like or check with your TA.

 

That's amazing - I think I will also check other southwest fares from Buffalo - just in case the cruise does not work out - we are keeping ALL our options open because of the necessity of doing everything at the last minute.

[Zeno]

Hi Zeno, I know you're talking about Miami and the Pearl, but come join us on the Star 8 day out of LA on April 15th. Good luck with your results!

 

Everyone keeps giving me so many tempting ideas!

[Zeno]

Zeno,

We are just back from a Dream cruise out of Houston and flew Southwest out of Buffalo....we paid $79 each way and with taxes it came to $200 US total...that was cheaper than what we would have paid for the taxes alone flying Air Canada out of Toronto. I feel Southwest has a brilliant set-up.....easy to check in and board. Also there are deals to be had in Buffalo.....you can get a hotel for $89 for the night before your cruise and that includes parking for your car while you are away. Let me know if you are interested and I will get the name and info for the hotel if you like or check with your TA.

 

Rochelle - yes I am definitely interested in getting the name of the hotel you stayed at. I had never really considered flying from Buffalo but given that we are going at the last minute, I think I should be prepared for all possibilities and with a couple of people suggesting it - it seems pretty doable. Thanks so much for this info.

Everyone has been just great and given me lots to consider.

[Zeno]

ARRGH! I am having major difficulties posting.

 

At any rate - thanks everyone - I have a lot tempting ideas now.

 

Rochelle:

Yes I am definitely interested in getting the name of the hotel you stayed at. I had never really considered flying from Buffalo but given that we are going at the last minute, and a couple of people have suggested it I think I should be prepared for all possibilities. Thanks so much for this info.

[Zeno]

NOW all my posts finally appear!