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 $1200 a person, including the flights from Washington DC. Maybe it was Hawaii, maybe it was just the great treatment on board, but from that moment on, I was hooked. And to all of you who cringe when I said NCL, I know. Since then I’ve been on many other, and better cruise lines (with Azamara being my favorite).
So when it comes to getting ready for my 11th cruise (and the 4th this year), I was already excited. This cruise is also special because it is a charted cruise. We enjoy our chartered cruises a lot. When it comes to cruising my philosophy is pretty simple: on none-chartered cruises the goal is to either explore (and then one books according to the itinerary) or to relax; in that case, a balcony is usually the cabin I’ll go for. In charted cruises, when you have already paid a hefty premium on the normal cruise prices, one is rarely in the cabin, apart from sleeping. In that case, I will go for a cheap inside cabin. This is exactly what we are going to have on this cruise.
I enjoy planning for a vacation almost as much as I enjoy the vacation itself. Searching for the best deal around, mulling over flights’ and hotels’ options to choose from, balancing between price and comfort, all of those makes me excited. I also have become quite good at that over the years.
This cruise leaves from San Diego, which means we needed to get a transcon flight. The days of a cheap transcon flight seem to be over, although deals are still to be found here and there. I am still not sure if the " book in advance strategy" is working, but for a vacation that is set in stone, and moves on the water, I always try and book 6 to 9 months in advance. The boat does not wait for anyone, and I do want to arrive in somewhat comfort to the boat.
For this trip, after watching the price fluctuate for several weeks, about nine months out, I’ve booked us on AA flights through DFW to SAN. I have used the 20$ 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.
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