Are you free to travel?

Rocky · Jun 18, 2009

Here is a copy of a post I made on a forum where people seek out cruise partners. I think most of the posters there are looking for love, or whatever.
Anyhow, without further ado, this is the deal... (And quite a deal it is. Wait 'till you see the prices.)

I have recently retired and discovered that I like going on cruises.
So far, I have found traveling partners amongst local friends.
There are a couple of cruises at the end of the year that are really interesting and inexpensive, so I am looking for someone else who is interested in going.
If you're interested, read on.

Here goes.
There are two cruises and I'm thinking of doing both, one after the other.

12 nights departing November 9, 2009 on
Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas
Cheapest Inside $639
55+ Rate $549

DEPART
Mon Nov 9 Malaga, Spain 5:00pm
Tue Nov 10 At Sea
Wed Nov 11 Funchal, Madeira, Portugal 7:00am 5:00pm
Thu Nov 12 Tenerife, Canary Islands 8:00am 6:00pm
Fri Nov 13 Santa Cruz, Tenerife, Canary Islands 8:00am 5:00pm
Sat Nov 14 At Sea
Sun Nov 15 At Sea
Mon Nov 16 At Sea
Tue Nov 17 At Sea
Wed Nov 18 At Sea
Thu Nov 19 At Sea
Fri Nov 20 Nassau, Bahamas 9:00am 5:30pm
Sat Nov 21 Miami, FL 7:00am

The second one leaves LA. I found a flight for $130 US on Nov 21 from Miami to LAX, will spend one night in LA then board the next cruise on Nov. 22.

30 nights departing November 22, 2009 on
Princess' Star Princess

Brochure Inside $5,590
Our Inside $1,720
You Save 69%

DEPART
Sun Nov 22 Los Angeles, CA 4:00pm
Mon Nov 23 At Sea
Tue Nov 24 Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Noon 7:00pm
Wed Nov 25 At Sea
Thu Nov 26 Acapulco, Mexico 7:00am 4:00pm
Fri Nov 27 At Sea
Sat Nov 28 San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua Noon 7:00pm
Sun Nov 29 Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica 7:00am 6:00pm
Mon Nov 30 At Sea
Tue Dec 1 Manta, Ecuador 5:30am 6:00pm
Wed Dec 2 At Sea
Thu Dec 3 Lima (Callao), Peru 7:00am 10:00pm
Fri Dec 4 Pisco, Peru (San Martin) 7:00am 6:00pm
Sat Dec 5 At Sea
Sun Dec 6 At Sea
Mon Dec 7 La Serena, Chile 7:00am 6:00pm
Tue Dec 8 Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile 6:00am 6:00pm
Wed Dec 9 At Sea
Thu Dec 10 At Sea
Fri Dec 11 At Sea
Sat Dec 12 Punta Arenas, Chile 6:00am 7:00pm
Sun Dec 13 Ushuaia, Argentina Noon 8:00pm
Mon Dec 14 Cape Horn (Cruising) 8:00am 9:00am
Tue Dec 15 Port Stanley, Falkland Islands 8:00am 6:00pm
Wed Dec 16 At Sea
Thu Dec 17 At Sea
Fri Dec 18 Montevideo, Uruguay 8:00am 5:00pm
Sat Dec 19 Buenos Aires, Argentina 8:00am 5:00pm
Sun Dec 20 At Sea
Mon Dec 21 At Sea
Tue Dec 22 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 7:00am

The idea here is to cruise at a reasonable price (as illustrated by the prices of the two above cruises) and to do that, one needs a traveling partner, what with the prices being based on double occupancy.
I'm not looking for a girlfriend, a boyfriend, or anything else but what I describe, a traveling partner.
I'm easy going, quiet and respectful and would expect the same from partner.
We don't have to love each other.
Getting along in a respectful fashion would make it a good deal for both parties involved.
I'm an open book, so anyone who wants more info, is welcome to contact me.
I'm also open to other cruises.
The biggest inconvenience and cost can be getting to points of departure and getting back home from the point of arrival.
The flight to Europe, I can get pretty cheap from where I live, the Dominican Republic.
The flight back from Rio is not so easy, and so far am looking at close to 1K US. but that's of no consequence to anyone but myself.
If I know I have a traveling partner for either or both mentioned cruises, then I will work that much harder at getting my other arrangements worked out.
Feel free to ask questions or suggest other cruises, other than cold weather cruises.
Regards, Marco.

So...........Are you free to travel?

Rocky · Jun 18, 2009

Go on, treat yourself...

Maybe just one of the cruises?
Say goodbye to stress and hello to world class pampering, not to mention the food, my Lord, the food, so much, so exquisite... I'm drooling just thinking about it.....

Bronxboy · Jun 18, 2009

Sounds so good. It is just the time that I do not have.

I wish you luck in your search. Have fun.

apostropheman · Jun 18, 2009

I wish I could go....

Bronxboy said:
Sounds so good. It is just the time that I do not have.

I wish you luck in your search. Have fun.

but it's not reality for me at this time.

The trip looks like a sure winner and Marc would be a blast to travel with...and your laptop would be tuned to perfection before you return

:bunny::bunny:

Rocky · Jun 18, 2009

Bronxboy said:
Sounds so good. It is just the time that I do not have.

I wish you luck in your search. Have fun.

Ya gots ta make the time..........
Only one life to live, you know.
I thought that cruises were for nerds and honeymooners.
Man, was I ever wrong.
I have never felt so relaxed and excited at the same time.
It's the "Cruise Drug".......

Bronxboy · Jun 18, 2009

Rocky said:
Ya gots ta make the time..........
Only one life to live, you know.
I thought that cruises were for nerds and honeymooners.
Man, was I ever wrong.
I have never felt so relaxed and excited at the same time.
It's the "Cruise Drug".......

I have been to many places in my lifetime but have never done a cruise.

I plan to sometime in the future.

AlaninDR · Jun 18, 2009

Rocky said:
Ya gots ta make the time..........
Only one life to live, you know.
I thought that cruises were for nerds and honeymooners.
Man, was I ever wrong.
I have never felt so relaxed and excited at the same time.
It's the "Cruise Drug".......

"Newly weds and nearly deads" was actually how you phrased it. How does it feel to be nearly dead? Or has your status in life changed?

LuvtheDR · Jun 18, 2009

AlaninDR said:
"Newly weds and nearly deads" was actually how you phrased it. How does it feel to be nearly dead? Or has your status in life changed?

I remember the conversation at the Chinese restaurant well......"you are going to go on a CRUISE??? OMG....I'd never.....blah, blah, blah!"

Aren't you happy that I put that thought in your head???? :cheeky::bunny:

Rocky · Jun 18, 2009

LuvtheDR said:
I remember the conversation at the Chinese restaurant well......"you are going to go on a CRUISE??? OMG....I'd never.....blah, blah, blah!"

Aren't you happy that I put that thought in your head???? :cheeky::bunny:

You women have a way of corrupting me.
I was such a sweet innocent child until you started putting all those funny ideas in my head.

apostropheman · Jun 18, 2009

hmmmmmm

AlaninDR said:
"Newly weds and nearly deads" was actually how you phrased it. How does it feel to be nearly dead? Or has your status in life changed?

LuvtheDR said:
I remember the conversation at the Chinese restaurant well......"you are going to go on a CRUISE??? OMG....I'd never.....blah, blah, blah!"

Aren't you happy that I put that thought in your head???? :cheeky::bunny:

Rocky said:
Ya gots ta make the time..........
Only one life to live, you know.
I thought that cruises were for nerds and honeymooners.
Man, was I ever wrong.
I have never felt so relaxed and excited at the same time.
It's the "Cruise Drug".......

Marc,

it sounds like your life is turning into a parody of a Seinfeld episode! :cheeky::bunny::bunny:

Rocky · Jun 18, 2009

AlaninDR said:
"Newly weds and nearly deads" was actually how you phrased it. How does it feel to be nearly dead? Or has your status in life changed?

The thing is, at that time, I didn't realize I was one of the nearly deads.
Now that I know, I get to go on cruises and have the time of my life.
But that's not all... My memory is so bad, that each time I go on a cruise, I think it's the first time, so it's that much more of a thrill.

LuvtheDR · Jun 18, 2009

Rocky said:
You women have a way of corrupting me.
I was such a sweet innocent child until you started putting all those funny ideas in my head.

OH PULLLLLEEEAAASSSSEEE!!!!!!! Pretty sure you accomplished that all by your little self!!

No es mi culpa!

I'm just sayin'! :bunny:

Lapurr · Jun 19, 2009

I'm not a cruise gal, but departing from Spain would cost me a fortune, but We could possibly meet you in Nassau, Fri Nov 20, Bahamas 9:00am 5:30pm.
We have been talking about that being our next destination..and would have to be in November for me. We have been all over Jamaica last 2 trips, but am missin DR...but Nassau is on th list.

Rocky · Jun 19, 2009

JDJones said:
Has anyone here seen the article or story about the woman who spent all of her time on cruise ships, because it was much cheaper than a retirment home, got waited on hand & foot all day, and got to meet new people every week??

My mother, rest her soul, did the same thing for the last 15 yrs of her life or so. She was a cruise expert.

As a matter of fact, yes.
Just yesterday a friend was telling me about a deal she found, where you pay $30K US per year to live on the cruiseship.
Apparently several cruiseships offer such deals, although I have not researched it, what with me being so happy, living here in paradise, but I can see how it could be a great deal for some folks.

Rocky · Jun 19, 2009

Lapurr said:
I'm not a cruise gal, but departing from Spain would cost me a fortune, but We could possibly meet you in Nassau, Fri Nov 20, Bahamas 9:00am 5:30pm.
We have been talking about that being our next destination..and would have to be in November for me. We have been all over Jamaica last 2 trips, but am missin DR...but Nassau is on th list.

What with all the charters that fly into POP, I can easily get to Europe on a one way for some odd $250 US.
My plan would be to catch a cheap flight from wherever I land in Europe to Marrakesh ($150 US) and hang out there for 10 days or so, then grab the ferry over to Spain, going by "The Rock" and then it's a hop, skip and a jump to Malaga where the cruise begins.
So far, the only thing that would be expensive for me is getting back from Rio.
Am having trouble finding anything under $1K US.
Being 3 days before Christmas may have something to do with the high prices.

Of course, the cruises are so incredibly cheap, as is the flight from Miami to LA, that it would help to compensate for the expensive flight home from Rio.
All I need is a traveling partner and it's a done deal.

judyisnice · Jun 20, 2009

Well this sounds like a good time.....But I plan to be in the DR at that time...and just how old are the nearly dead???
A few of us are only salt & pepper and must count for a little,lol...lol

Sure does seem like one should look at this befor just saying no...tell me more.

judyisnice · Jun 20, 2009

Sorry to bug....what do you think the fixed cost would be???

I'v een to Spain years ago...also the rock ,we diden't get to go on the ferry as the waves to high.

Thanks

Judy

Rocky · Jun 20, 2009

judyisnice said:
Sorry to bug....what do you think the fixed cost would be???

I've been to Spain years ago...also the rock ,we didn't get to go on the ferry as the waves to high.

Thanks

Judy

I'm not sure which fixed costs you mean, but this is what I have planned.

One way flight to Europe (anywhere) $250 US
Expenses $50
Flight to Marrakesh $150 US
10 days in Marrakesh $500 US (Morocco's real cheap)
Travel to Malaga, including Ferry $100 US
Cruise cost, tax included, $600 US
Expenses & tips $150 US (I'm not much of a drinker)
Expenses at Arrival in Miami $50 US.
Flight to LAX $130 US
Hang out one day in LA, including hotel $200 US
Cruise around South America, tax included $1,850 US
Expenses $400 US
Flight home from Rio including expenses $1,000 US (ugh)
Grand total = $5,420 US
From my point of view, I can deduct more than half of that for what I would normally spend at home during that period of time, so the whole trip would cost me approx. $2,500 US.
If the 30 day cruise comes down in price and I can find a cheaper flight home, I could easily save another $500 US.

What would your point of departure be?
I could look into the costs of getting to Malaga and getting back from either Miami or Rio, depending on which cruise interests you, if not both.

Rocky · Jun 22, 2009

One down, one to go.

It appears that I have found a traveling partner for the first leg of the journey, from Spain to Miami.
If anyone is interested in that giant 30 day cruise around South America, please send me a note/PM/email.

Are you free to travel?

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