It’s about time we post an actual cruise itinerary! It seems like it’s a long way off, but counting the months on my fingers, it’s almost eight and a half months away! Eight and a half months ago was last August but it seems as if that was only yesterday.
Keep in mind, neither Tom nor I have ever been on a cruise! Crazy, huh? We’re committed to six cruises so far and waiting to book more as they become available. How do we know we’ll enjoy cruising? Here are some good reasons that aided us in making this huge leap:
1. We both have been boat owners, most of our adult lives, with neither of us experiencing seasickness, even during rough waters.
2. We tend not to overeat since we both follow a strict low carb, gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free organic diet. Thus, we won’t be tempted by the endless array of food. Although we enjoy nice meals, we tend to eat to live, rather than live to eat.
3. We are easily entertained and rarely feel bored or antsy.
4. We are friendly and sociable. We won’t have trouble meeting people, whether together or alone. My sister, a seasoned cruise passenger, warned us to be careful not to commit to hanging out with another couple until we are certain that we like them. This will avoid feeling “stalked” by a not-so-fun couple while constantly trying to figure a way to “ditch” them or, as Tom says, “Vice versa.”
5. We are not claustrophobic, but we have booked BALCONY CABINS or MINI SUITES on all of our cruises thus far. The thought of sitting together on the balcony overlooking the expanse of the sea with morning coffee in hand or later in the day at Happy Hour is deliciously appealing.
6. We aren’t interested in souvenirs and trinkets nor will we always follow the pack as they get off at each port for organized tours and overpriced activities. If we find an event, particularly appealing, we’ll partake. Since our journey will keep us traveling for years to come, we won’t feel a need to “pack it in” at each port. We can always return at a later date and experience the area if it’s especially enticing.
7. Our expectations aren’t too high. We will be cruising as a means of transportation when possible, and know that at times, modes of transportation can be unpredictable.
With the above in mind, we feel confident we’ll enjoy cruising, meeting other travelers, partaking of those activities we find appealing, and most of all, spending time together, talking, laughing, and sharing our story.
We booked all of our cruises, as mentioned previously with Vacations to Go, with the help of the best cruise guy on the planet, Joaquin Contreras, at 800-338-4962, extension #7338. (We are not in any manner associated with the company, other than as customers, but have been thoroughly impressed with their pricing and quality of service).
In the future, we’ll post all of our cruise itineraries at the time of departure as well as posting our activities and photos during each cruise.
As mentioned in a prior post we are provided with a price guaranty enabling us to enjoy the benefit of any reduced pricing up to 90 days before we sail when the final payment is due. This is a particularly popular cruise and the price may not drop substantially until that time.
In any case, we are satisfied with the BALCONY price which translates to $306 a day, plus taxes and tips (for both of us) which is the most expensive of all of our future cruises. The Panama canal is under construction and Tom was particularly interested in seeing it during this time. Of course, I am delighted to join him!
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