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Welove2cruise2
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Posted: Mon Aug 4th, 2008 02:41 am | 1st Post |
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Hi All: We're considering going on the Dawn repositioning cruise on 11/2 from NYC to MIA. We live in Massachusetts. Typically when we sail from NYC we drive to Providence and catch the bus, but of course those cruises come back to NYC, and we take the bus back to RI to get our car. In trying to plan this I'm having a really hard time. We're planning to use Delta Frequent Flyer miles (one way tickets will be 50,000 EACH but we rarely fly, have tons of miles from American Express, so we may as well use them). We could drive our car to RI and take the bus, but the flights from MIA to PVD are at least 9 hours long, with long layovers. Our other option is to take a limo to RI to get the bus, and then fly to Boston -- 6 1/2 hour flight (with layover), so a little shorter. Haven't figured out how we'll get home yet (limo or ride from DS or DD).
Now I know why we cruise round-trip from Boston or NYC!! This is such a hassle! Not to mention the flying/baggage issues that I haven't even had time to investigate...
We could also transfer Membership rewards to another airline (I haven't looked at that yet) so it doesn't necessarily have to be Delta.
How do you folks handle going on repo cruises? The price is GREAT for the cruise, but now I'm wondering if all this other stuff is worth it. What kind of hassles are we going to have with luggage and flying? Will we make a noon flight out of Miami if the ship docks on time (I think it's 8 AM)??
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kimdave68
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Posted: Mon Aug 4th, 2008 03:13 am | 2nd Post |
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12 is plenty of time. The ship is docked well before 6AM. Most were off by 8AM and that's even after a fire! (last Nov)
p.s. I'll be on the ship then. It'll be lots of fun! 
Last edited on Mon Aug 4th, 2008 03:14 am by kimdave68
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Welove2cruise2
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Posted: Mon Aug 4th, 2008 03:19 am | 3rd Post |
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Maybe I should look at earlier flights? How far is it from the port to the airport? Is it easy to get a cab?
Is our rolling garment bag considered over-sized? I have a feeling it's going to cost more for our luggage to fly than for us...
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BeckyThane
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Posted: Mon Aug 4th, 2008 03:21 am | 4th Post |
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Welove2cruise2 wrote: I have a feeling it's going to cost more for our luggage to fly than for us...
I have you considered buying a ticket for your luggage? Just stack it up in the seat and strap it in, baby! 
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seawitches
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Posted: Mon Aug 4th, 2008 03:28 am | 5th Post |
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we fly to the port, and fly home from the other port, take cabs and limos in between. This is the usual for us poor folks that don't live near a port.
The only problem with a repo is..... sometimes you get dinged with open jaw air tickets... OUCH... and other times you don't>>> I haven't figured that out yet either.
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kimdave68
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Posted: Mon Aug 4th, 2008 03:32 am | 6th Post |
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Rule of thumb when going home is not to get an earlier than 12PM flight. Ship happens. An evac on the last evening cut you too close. There could be <gulp> mechanical issues with the ship. Granted getting from GSC to MIA could probably be accomplished with a single genny: use every towel for a sail and the electrical power for hotel (heaven forbid they have to close the casino on the last night!)
But you get the idea.
Size/weight limits are specifically defined by your airline. Check their website!
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PCD_Barb
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Posted: Mon Aug 4th, 2008 07:15 am | 7th Post |
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Welove2cruise2 wrote: How do you folks handle going on repo cruises? The price is GREAT for the cruise, but now I'm wondering if all this other stuff is worth it. What kind of hassles are we going to have with luggage and flying? Will we make a noon flight out of Miami if the ship docks on time (I think it's 8 AM)??
We've only been on one similar repo; NCL Spirit "Big Apple to Big Easy". Our advantage was being able to drive right into NYC.
It would be more important to me that my luggage gets on that cruise ship! Definitely avoid anything outgoing with connecting flights, if at all possible! I vote for the bus.
Personally I'd be saving the miles for the flight home. Like others have stated, best to schedule home bound for the afternoon.
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nhrich
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Posted: Mon Aug 4th, 2008 12:50 pm | 8th Post |
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| Another option is to check flights from Ft. Lauderdale. Many passengers fly to/from there for Miami cruises. Also, if you're close enough to Boston, Entertainment Tours runs the bus from there as well.
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Welove2cruise2
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Posted: Mon Aug 4th, 2008 04:30 pm | 9th Post |
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Thanks, you've given me a lot to think about, as well as some assurances.
Becky, I actually have enough FFM to "buy" a ticket for the luggage! LOL
Rich, we were planning to take the Entertainment Tours bus to NYC from Providence (or Boston). How far is it from the port to Ft. Lauderdale? If we flew from FLL, we could fly in to Manchester, NH, which is much closer to our house, and a much easier drive...
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nhrich
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Posted: Mon Aug 4th, 2008 04:36 pm | 10th Post |
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| It's usually about a half hour from the Miami pier to Ft. Lauderdale airport. If you want to fly back to MHT, Southwest has a non-stop going out at 2:50 PM if you wanted to use that option instead of Delta. Since you're closer to MHT, you'd be better off taking the South Station bus down than going to Providence.
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vreihen
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Posted: Mon Aug 4th, 2008 05:04 pm | 11th Post |
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Welove2cruise2 wrote: How far is it from the port to Ft. Lauderdale? If we flew from FLL, we could fly in to Manchester, NH, which is much closer to our house, and a much easier drive...
I seem to recall that my in-laws flew to/from FLL back in the spring, and NCL had shuttle service from the Fort Lauderdale airport to/from the pier. If you didn't know this already, it may be one less leg of ground transportation to worry about arranging for if they still offer this service.
I have a stupid question. Are you sure that the bus will be running from Providence for a repo cruise? If they don't, it might make the decision a little easier.....
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Sparkylok6
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Posted: Mon Aug 4th, 2008 05:05 pm | 12th Post |
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Southwest is only 24,000 points per ticket RT....I think they let you use only 1 way tickets too. Amex will transfer Reward Points to your Southwest Reward account.
Southwest lets you check in 2 bags per passenger at no additional charge..plus you can take carry ons.
Good Luck.
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nhrich
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Posted: Mon Aug 4th, 2008 05:08 pm | 13th Post |
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vreihen wrote: Welove2cruise2 wrote: How far is it from the port to Ft. Lauderdale? If we flew from FLL, we could fly in to Manchester, NH, which is much closer to our house, and a much easier drive...
I seem to recall that my in-laws flew to/from FLL back in the spring, and NCL had shuttle service from the Fort Lauderdale airport to/from the pier. If you didn't know this already, it may be one less leg of ground transportation to worry about arranging for if they still offer this service.
I have a stupid question. Are you sure that the bus will be running from Providence for a repo cruise? If they don't, it might make the decision a little easier.....
It's running. I double checked that this morning before I responded. I wasn't sure either.
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shoreguy
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Posted: Mon Aug 4th, 2008 06:40 pm | 14th Post |
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Sparkylok6 wrote: Southwest is only 24,000 points per ticket RT....I think they let you use only 1 way tickets too. Amex will transfer Reward Points to your Southwest Reward account.
Southwest lets you check in 2 bags per passenger at no additional charge..plus you can take carry ons.
Good Luck.
Southwest is doing everything to keep the cost down so they don't have charge for that second bag.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRImv2qn-xE&feature=related
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MrLee
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Posted: Mon Aug 4th, 2008 06:54 pm | 15th Post |
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I'm on that cruise also. I'm taking NCL transfers from the pier to FLL. It's $20 per person and I don't have to worry about finding a cab.
I took this same cruise last year and had no problem.
BTW, the NCL tours are now up for this cruise for anyone who may be interested.
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kimdave68
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Posted: Tue Aug 5th, 2008 12:05 am | 16th Post |
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Oh heavens yes! FLL>>>MIA bigtime.
FLL has free wifi handed out off a T3
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MrLee
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Posted: Tue Aug 5th, 2008 12:11 am | 17th Post |
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And it works great!! 
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Welove2cruise2
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Posted: Tue Aug 5th, 2008 01:44 pm | 18th Post |
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Sparkylok6 wrote: Southwest is only 24,000 points per ticket RT....I think they let you use only 1 way tickets too. Amex will transfer Reward Points to your Southwest Reward account.
Southwest lets you check in 2 bags per passenger at no additional charge..plus you can take carry ons.
Good Luck.
Karen: I'm guessing they won't let me use rewards for that non-stop flight from FLL to MHT, but I'm going to call them today -- before I transfer the points from Amex! If they won't allow me to use points, it's still a really good price for one way! Love that Southwest doesn't have the baggage restrictions of other airlines -- however, that could all change between now and November 15th!
I'm going to call Entertainment Tours to double check on that bus -- yes, it's listed on their website, but I want to make sure it's accurate!
Transfer from the pier to FLL sounds great! I suppose we'd book that after the cruise is booked?
I'm going to call the local limo company and see what they'll charge us from home to the bus station -- but since this cruise leaves on a Sunday, perhaps we can have one of our kids drive us -- if I can get them up that early!
Great information, everyone! You've all really eased my worries! Now all I have to do is break the news to my boss that I'll be gone for two weeks in November!
Last edited on Tue Aug 5th, 2008 01:48 pm by Welove2cruise2
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Welove2cruise2
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Posted: Tue Aug 5th, 2008 07:08 pm | 19th Post |
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Damn, looks like I missed that great sale price... I'll probably call them tonight and see if they'll still give me the price that showed this morning, but I'm not holding out hope. DH is gonna be mad at me...
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MrLee
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Posted: Sat Aug 9th, 2008 05:38 pm | 20th Post |
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| Something else to consider. If you're taking a later flight as some of us are, the Everglades tour from NCL picks you up at the pier and drops you off at the airport.
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Welove2cruise2
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Posted: Sat Aug 9th, 2008 05:52 pm | 21st Post |
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Well, looks like we won't be doing this after all -- the price jumped and we decided it wasn't worth an extra $1700 to go... Plus I was trying to convince myself it wouldn't be a big deal to be out of work for two whole weeks, but in the end it would have caused major hassles in my office. So now we're booked with friends on the Dream on 10/26 -- the last cruise to Bermuda.
I appreciate everyone's suggestions, and we'll definitely keep a repo cruise in mind when I'm able to get away for two weeks!
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