The Widows List goes sailing
We began planning our first Widowslist.com Cruise in August. We wanted to sail the Caribbean Islands on the most luxurious ship we could find during Chicago's coldest, snowiest season.
Our Travel Agent, Cary Travel Express, in Cary IL, suggested a seven-night-trip the first week in February, when the weather's good and top season prices haven't begun.
The first hitch was learning that lone travelers pay what travel professionals call the "Single Supplement" and I call "The Widow's Penalty." Because we use a double room, we pay for two.
I solved that problem by inviting my daughter Beth, co-host on this Web site and a professional photographer, to join me. My blog entries and Beth's photos will appear on this Web site in the following days.
We chose to travel on Holland America Lines (HAL) because my husband and I enjoyed a wonderful trip to Alaska on it's Noordam ship many years ago. Cary Travel booked us on HAL's newest ship The Eurodam, and we we were stunned by its luxury and beauty.
I searched online myself for the cheapest American Airlines flight to and from Ft. Lauderdale, where the ship departed and returned. (I later learned from fellow sailors that Jet Blue also is a fine airline that offers excellent values if it flies to your destination.)
There was another setback with baggage. You MUST pack a case too big for carry-on if you're going away for eight days, and that's expensive. Beth's bag was over the 50- pound limit--and on American Airlines those few pounds pushed the luggage price from $25 to $50. Mine slipped under the limit for $25. We brought snacks on the flight--but the Boston Market beef and chicken sandwiches others bought for $10 on board didn't look bad.
I intervened again when our travel agent told us her preferred hotel. I called the reservations desk , explained that I am a senior widow, and a member of AARP, and they dropped the price our agent had quoted for one night before sailing by $45. The hotel also arranged very inexpensive pickup at the airport, delivery to the wharf, and a return to the airport at the end of the cruise.
I advise everyone to do the same and not totally depend on your travel agent to book everything without question.
We always use American Taxi (847-272-8000) to get us to and from O'Hare and they have never disappointed us. (They also accept senior discount chits.)
Beth and I were especially glad my old Journalism college chum, Barbara Madden Peterson, who was widowed nine months ago, decided to join us.
Our plane was on time, we arrived in Ft. Lauderdale early enough to have a riotous dinner with three men friends who live in Miami, and we were ready for sailing the next morning.
Stay tuned. More sailing news later.......
See Widows List: Travel
See Widows List: Great Advice
Our Travel Agent, Cary Travel Express, in Cary IL, suggested a seven-night-trip the first week in February, when the weather's good and top season prices haven't begun.
The first hitch was learning that lone travelers pay what travel professionals call the "Single Supplement" and I call "The Widow's Penalty." Because we use a double room, we pay for two.
I solved that problem by inviting my daughter Beth, co-host on this Web site and a professional photographer, to join me. My blog entries and Beth's photos will appear on this Web site in the following days.
We chose to travel on Holland America Lines (HAL) because my husband and I enjoyed a wonderful trip to Alaska on it's Noordam ship many years ago. Cary Travel booked us on HAL's newest ship The Eurodam, and we we were stunned by its luxury and beauty.
I searched online myself for the cheapest American Airlines flight to and from Ft. Lauderdale, where the ship departed and returned. (I later learned from fellow sailors that Jet Blue also is a fine airline that offers excellent values if it flies to your destination.)
There was another setback with baggage. You MUST pack a case too big for carry-on if you're going away for eight days, and that's expensive. Beth's bag was over the 50- pound limit--and on American Airlines those few pounds pushed the luggage price from $25 to $50. Mine slipped under the limit for $25. We brought snacks on the flight--but the Boston Market beef and chicken sandwiches others bought for $10 on board didn't look bad.
I intervened again when our travel agent told us her preferred hotel. I called the reservations desk , explained that I am a senior widow, and a member of AARP, and they dropped the price our agent had quoted for one night before sailing by $45. The hotel also arranged very inexpensive pickup at the airport, delivery to the wharf, and a return to the airport at the end of the cruise.
I advise everyone to do the same and not totally depend on your travel agent to book everything without question.
We always use American Taxi (847-272-8000) to get us to and from O'Hare and they have never disappointed us. (They also accept senior discount chits.)
Beth and I were especially glad my old Journalism college chum, Barbara Madden Peterson, who was widowed nine months ago, decided to join us.
Our plane was on time, we arrived in Ft. Lauderdale early enough to have a riotous dinner with three men friends who live in Miami, and we were ready for sailing the next morning.
Stay tuned. More sailing news later.......
See Widows List: Travel
See Widows List: Great Advice
I've been enjoying reading about your cruise. I was not able to get to the last meeting for I too was on a cruise. When you spoke of the costs of luggage on a plane don't forget about Southwest Airlines, they have direct flights to Ft. Lauderdale and Miami (from some cities) and do not charge for luggage. I also took Stretch Limo (866 425 0976) from Northbrook to Midway -- for three passengers they charged us $33.00 apiece -- that included the tip!
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