October Trip - Mexico Cruise - Planning

Cruise. Just listening to the word makes me happy. I was introduced to the world of cruising in 2007, taking NCL’s Pride of Hawaii. It was an incredible deal about $1200 a person, including the flights from Washington DC. Maybe it was Hawaii, maybe it was just the great treatment on board, but from that moment on, I was hooked. And to all of you who cringe when I said NCL, I know. Since then I’ve been on many other, and better cruise lines (with Azamara being my favorite).  

So when it comes to getting ready for my 11^th cruise (and the 4^th this year), I was already excited. This cruise is also special because it is a charted cruise. We enjoy our chartered cruises a lot. When it comes to cruising my philosophy is pretty simple: on none-chartered cruises the goal is to either explore (and then one books according to the itinerary) or to relax; in that case, a balcony is usually the cabin I’ll go for. In charted cruises, when you have already paid a hefty premium on the normal cruise prices, one is rarely in the cabin, apart from sleeping. In that case, I will go for a cheap inside cabin. This is exactly what we are going to have on this cruise.

I enjoy planning for a vacation almost as much as I enjoy the vacation itself. Searching for the best deal around, mulling over flights’ and hotels’ options to choose from, balancing between price and comfort, all of those makes me excited. I also have become quite good at that over the years.

This cruise leaves from San Diego, which means we needed to get a transcon flight. The days of a cheap transcon flight seem to be over, although deals are still to be found here and there. I am still not sure if the " book in advance strategy" is working, but for a vacation that is set in stone, and moves on the water, I always try and book 6 to 9 months in advance. The boat does not wait for anyone, and I do want to arrive in somewhat comfort to the boat.

For this trip, after watching the price fluctuate for several weeks, about nine months out, I’ve booked us on AA flights through DFW to SAN. I have used the 20$ off Entertainment book coupon and grabbed what I though was a decent price of $280 for the flights. I know there are better deals to be had if one is truly flexible; I still believe that less than $300 for a transcon is a decent deal.

Of course, we had to do the song and dance of a schedule change when AA wanted to have us leave San Diego in the late afternoon and getting us home way after midnight. That would not work. A quick call to AA sort it out and we actually got a better flight than we have originally booked, leaving slightly later from San Diego, but getting us slightly earlier home to DCA.

Booking hotels is an art. I am sure you’ve read my previous posting and know already I’m a Hilton guy. As soon as I know I need a place I book, fully refundable rate of course, in as many hotels in the area I think I might want to stay in. Booking as far in advance as possible, using every discount I’m eligible to (corporate, AAA and MVP) usually result in great prices. Since my flirtation relationship with Priority Club, I am doing the same for them, although it will take quite a bit to convince me to stay in a Holiday Inn.

Than the weekly, and then daily price checks begin. Usually about 3 months in advance and then about 2 weeks in advance prices fall again. Re-booking at the new price is usually easy and without a problem. Word of advice though, do not book two MVP room at the same time, that seems to confuse the heck out of the Hilton system, and every change or cancellation will have to be over the phone.

The fun part (which is where I am now) come about a week to several days before the actual arrival day – figuring out where do I want to stay and cancel all the other reservations. Both priority club and Hilton promos for Q4 are not of a great value to me, so despite waiting to see what the day will bring, in the end it did not influence the final decision much.

This time around, after finding a great deal on the Indigo hotel (99$ AA rate, was available only for a couple of hours, while normal rates are around $295, or $170 advance purchase), I am going to give it a chance. I have never been to an Indigo before. Other options included the Holiday Inn and Hampton Inn with the only redeeming factor is having a shuttle from the airport and walking distance to the port. I’ve decided to forgo that in lieu of trying what is portrayed to be a boutique hotel. The other options included some Hiltons, Doubletree, Hamptons and the Embassy suites. However, considering the price I’ll stick with the Indigo, at least for now.

New York City - Part 4 and Final

It is about time to let you my readers (if I have any) know what I actually did in New-York. While hotels’ and restaurants’ reviews are nice, they are not much of a trip report. Unfortunately, most of my time in the city was quite boring. As it was a work trip, most of the time was spent, well, working. Not a very glamorous way of enjoying a new place, but there you have it.

On the other hand, over the weekend, my partner had joined me. I had Friday morning to myself, as he was traveling into the city by bus. Usually, the bus trip is uneventful, however this time, traffic was jammed. It took him 6.5 hours to get into the city. He swore that we are using the train next time. Of course, the fact that on the way back, I had left two hours later and got home at the same time did not help. We will see if that holds water when we actually need to book the next trip.

Anyway, Friday morning, I’ve decided to go to the MOMA. A friend at work recommended that I would check out the Talk to Me exhibition. Tickets to the museum are quite expensive, at $25 dollars. There is a discount if you buy them online, but as I had no printer, I decided just to buy them on site. Friday morning was supposed to be rainy, but as I looked out of the window in the morning, it wasn’t that bad and I, foolishly, decided that just a rain coat will suffice. By the time I got to the museum on foot it was light rain. The line for the tickets was reasonable (about 10 minutes).

Kinetic Sculpture

I enjoyed some of the exhibitions in the museum. I don’t mind if someone calls two horizontal lines on a blank piece of canvas are; but putting on the wall in a museum is too much for my taste. That said, there is enough of other kinds of arts to make the visit worthwhile. The free audio guide also provides a lot of information on the exhibits. If you want to avoid the long lines for the guide at the entry level – just take the elevators to the sixth floor. There is another audio guide station there with virtually no line at all. It is also easier to go from the top floor down.

By the time I finished with the museum it was pouring rain. As I was looking outside, I was sorry that I did not bring an umbrella, but was sure I’ll be alright. Long story short, by the time I got back to the hotel, I was soaking wet. Everything was wet up to my underwear. Of course, the rain had stopped as soon as I got to the hotel.

By that time, my partner had arrived, and we went to the lottery line for the Book of Mormons. I have been trying the lottery for the show the whole week without much success. Contrary to the Priscilla’s lottery, this one was always packed – I assume about 300 people at least each time. We have tried for every show during the weekend, but did not win.

We went to TKTS and got excellent tickets for Billy Elliot. We have been meaning to see the show for a very long time and never got the chance to see it. As the show had been ongoing for a while, it is possible to find such good seats at 50% off. The show was incredible. Very good use of the stage and props, and the dancing was great. I highly recommend the show. I am going to see it again this year when it gets to the Kennedy Center, and I am already excited about seeing it again.

The next morning, after another failure at the lottery, and nothing quite interesting at TKTS (which had no lines at all), we went to the Highline. The old train lines were restored to a community space. The space itself is not much, but the idea and utilization around of it makes it unique.

In the evening, we got another TKTS ticket for Sister Act. The show was just OK. We paid too much for the tickets we had (last row of the orchestra). After seeing Billy Elliot the night before I guess most things will pale in comparison. I believe there are much better options on Broadway.

So there you have it, my NYC trip. Next month it is a cruise to the Mexican Reverie on the Holland America’s Oosterdam. See you all next month.