August 20, 2005 - L.A. to Port Canaveral - Eastbound Repo Cruise - The SHIP OF FOOLS Part 2

[jiminyC_fan]

We have flown ONLY Frontier for the last several years. They are based out of Denver. We have never had ANY problems with them. I highly recommend them.

DenverVal, I checked the prices out of Denver as well and didn't get what Dudette2, Jeanne, got from Frontier. I am seriously thinking about calling Frontier and asking why someone coming from Philly can get it so much cheaper that us. I for one will not book until I can get it lower.

 

[invaderzim]

WOW -- it must be because we're leaving the Friday before, but I just went onto Frontier for a flight from Phila to Las Vegas and their fare was $160/pp! I can get it on US Air or United for $109/pp. Big difference for three people.

Oh, well -- guess I'll stick with U.S. Air. Hopefully, they're still flying by next August!

 

[Bmwdsny]

Are there that many of you really buying airlines tickets already??
Why are you doing this so soon...is it because you are obsessed or because of pricing...Will prices go up that much if you wait?? As much i would love to book it, but when you book, that is it...you are stuck with that flight unless you pay those nasty change/cancellations fees and nonrefundable. If i can fool around and make changes throughout the next 11 months, as i can with hotels, and car rentals, i would book the flights now!! Gone are those days!!

Anything can happen in the next 11 months and i don't want to get stuck with unwanted airline tickets.

 

[piglet33]

Well, I talked to DH and he said to go for it so I just booked Frontier for August 17 and got 3 tickets for $267.30 including taxes. I don't think I can do any better for less than $90 at ticket.

Thanks for posting the prices for Frontier, I totally forgot about them and was going to wait for Southwest.

Thanks,

Reneé

 

[mississaugamom]

Originally posted by Bmwdsny
Well i got a call from my mom this morning and she asked me about the nudity deck party business that i was telling my dad yesterday... AHH, I had to give in and told her the joke on her!!!! It was fun while it lasted!!!

LOL - That would have been fun! I love that they actually believed you!!!!

Arlene

 

[ivanova]

Originally posted by Bmwdsny
Are there that many of you really buying airlines tickets already??
Why are you doing this so soon...is it because you are obsessed or because of pricing...Will prices go up that much if you wait?? As much i would love to book it, but when you book, that is it...you are stuck with that flight unless you pay those nasty change/cancellations fees and nonrefundable. If i can fool around and make changes throughout the next 11 months, as i can with hotels, and car rentals, i would book the flights now!! Gone are those days!!

Anything can happen in the next 11 months and i don't want to get stuck with unwanted airline tickets.

There's too good of a possibility that fuel costs will increase in the next year ... I don't see airfares being any cheaper if we wait.

 

[ehtpnt]

:jumping4:

The DH (the lurker) talked to Delta last night. We are using frequent flyer miles and we got a flight out of ABE (Allentown) to Orange County. HE's been to LAX and would rather not repeat that.
We have a flight from MCO to ABE or we will have in The beginning of Oct.
As soon as we get that settled he will be doing the hotel reservations. Can't wait til that is settled.
Melinda we are looking forward to the nude party in the canal. We should arrange for all the Martinis to be free.
What fun that will be. Will be

Estelle

 

[NYGiantsRule!]

Sounds like we are going to have a DIS meet on the plane from Philly to LAX on 8/17/05.


I booked early because of the low fares. There are a large number of US Airways flights from Orlando to Philly that are about the same price, but I am concerned about their future. A few months is one thing, but we are 11 months out. Just have to keep looking. At least this way, the flights are long paid for.

 

[dletz]

What I do is pick a price that I think is a bit lower than average. For example I'd love to get a one way fare for less than 100 including taxes from MCO to La area. I prefer SNA. I will then check ever few weeks or so for the prices. If the price ever gets to my dream price I will book right away, otherwise I will wait. I have booked anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months prior, and have always gotten a price I was willing to live with (not always my dream price, but almost always, a price I was willing to pay). Since it's still early, up till december I'll probably get about once a month or so or when I think about it, then the next few months I'll check closer to every other week. Once it's about 6 months out, I'll check probably once a week mid week. There have been times when I've seen a low price, not booked right away, and it's gone higher, but usually within a month, it gets close to the lower price I had seen, so I just keep checking. If it gets too close, I start to get worried I won't find something cheap enough.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Just bought my airline tickets on Frontier to LAX. It was 87.44 plus 16.66 tax for a total of 104.10 per person. When I tried this morning it said the flight was currently unavailable. When I tried a few minutes later I was able to get the cheap flights. Made me happy! We buy early because of the fear of gas prices. We have never been steered wrong. Plus, I thought that we would have to pay big time for tickets because of the one way fares.

We booked early for this next months cruise and Frontier kept changing the time. I called them and told them I was a little nervous over it and they allowed me to change the tickets for FREE. We are leaving on a Wed instead of a Thursday. Like I said earlier, Frontier is very accomodating. They are a no frills airline but we really don't care. We like the weight limit on the bags and we like the tv on the back of each seat. You pay 5.00 per seat for direct tv.

Now I need to get my ressie in for HoJo's and scope out the possibility of renting a car.

 

[kpgclark]

Did you guys hear all the adjusting the cruise lines are doing this week due to hurricanes??? I'm really starting to wonder if sailing in August is a good idea. We have friends (who are going to be on the repo cruise with us next year) who are on Celebrity's Century now and they are doing a back-to-back cruise with the Magic departing tomorrow. The Century now won't be docking until SUNDAY!! I don't know how they'll make it to the Magic. Please convince me that this repo cruise is a good idea.

 

[Grumbo]

The Magic has been shortened to a 5 day cruise leaving on Monday so your friends will be fine.
Lets face it we board in L.A. They haven't faced any weather that have closed or hurt their ports there. We'll be fine til the Caribbean and we can skirt any poor weather.
This year seems to be an aberration. I am going with the mindset that IF we can't get off of the ship in time it is a free holiday, and make the most of it.
We'll be safe and on the most luxurious hurricane shelter around so I am NOT worried.

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[NYGiantsRule!]

I agree with Grumbo. The news this morning said that this is the first time since 1886 that four storms have hit like this. I don't think it will happen again next year. As long as we don't run out of food and wine, we'll be fine.

 

[izzinmac]

Trust me - being on a ship during hurricane season is a hell of a lot better than being on ground! At least Florida ground! My goal over the next two days - figure out someway to stay on the ground. Not interested in a quick trip to Kansas!!

 

[Bmwdsny]

Oh, i am not to worry about it either...Chances having a hurricane like this year is slim for next year...I was in WDW for 3 weeks last year in August including 7 night cruise, not one hurricane in the forecast then...If you take a history of hurricanes, it doesn't happen every year...gotta admit, I am just glad the repo cruise wasn't this year, though.

Now about the airlines...Is many of you taking the same airlines from MCO to home?? Would it be cheaper if you had the r/t ticket than 2 one way tickets??

Also, what about the car?? If i were to fly to LAX and have the car for a week. i understand if you drop off to another location by the port, it is a hefty fee...otherwise you better off dropping off back to LAX but then what?? Take the shuttle?? It is not like Florida at all!!

 

[Grumbo]

The drop off fee is NOT that big if you're dropping off within the same city.
It was $100 with "some" from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. Some there was no fee within town and some $25 or $35.

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[izzinmac]

About three hurricanes ago, I think I promsed info on shuttle service from DL to the port. Better post it before I go to Kansas. I got a recommendation from the HoJo rep, Willie, for a company he highly recommends. They also do Airport to DL Hotel shuttles. I just did a fake reservation trial for LAX-DL and John Wayne (Orange County) to DL for a family of 4. Their rate for a 7 pax van shuttle is $79.20 total from LAX to DL and $61.50 from John Wayne to DL. As I stated somewhere in the past, they will also provide transport to the port for $18 per person. That is in small groups and 7 pax vans. If we get a group for a bigger bus, it drops to about $11 per person if my calculations are right.

Anyway, for those of you trying to figure out LA transport and don't need/want a rental car, this is an option.

To book with them, got to www.karmel.com click on online reservations, and enter HOJO for the group code, and you will be on the booking page.

To get the shuttle from DL hotels to the port organized, who would be interested in getting a large bus and leave about 9 - 10 am for the port on the 20th? Let me know how many in your group. A few of you already have let me know. When I get feedback I will post a list before finalizing anything.

Bob

 

[Grumbo]

Thanks for you work on this Bob.
Also Good luck with this %*#)*$@)( hurricane.
Have to have a drink next year and you can tell me all about it. I always watch the storm chasers on Discovery Channel. I love watching that crap.
That said, my home and family aren't in the path of it.

Take care and be safe.

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[invaderzim]

Bob: We will have a rental car for the week that we're picking up in Las Vegas, but want to drop it off before Saturday and use ART for a couple of days. So we would be in on renting a bus to the port. A 9:00 a.m. departure seems good since we won't know what embarkation processing will be like there. We will be staying at the Anabella Hotel. There will be three of us.

Also, Grumbo, I thought the drop off fee from LV to LA would be more. $100 is a lot, but for some reason I expected a stiffer fee. Honestly, I'd rather pay that than fly into L.A. and drive back to Las Vegas. Just our personal preference. Plus, the Luxor/Vegas/Blue Man Group tickets are my daughter's graduation gift, so we want as much time as possible there.

So far, the cheapest airfare I have found for us from Phila to Las Vegas one-way (leaving Friday 8/12) is $109/pp through U.S. Air. I will keep checking Frontier, but so far they are rather high )($160/pp). But like others have said, you really do have to check several times a month and you could catch a good deal. The return fare from Orlando to Phl one-way is $87.60 right now. That's a great deal, but too early to book it.

Thanks,

Cathy

 

[DenverVal]

Originally posted by Bmwdsny
Also, what about the car?? If i were to fly to LAX and have the car for a week. i understand if you drop off to another location by the port, it is a hefty fee...otherwise you better off dropping off back to LAX but then what?? Take the shuttle?? It is not like Florida at all!!

We plan to use Disney's transportation. GS assured us that they will be providing transfers from LAX to the port. If they get stuck in traffic, we won't miss the boat.

Cathy, check all the different departure times for Frontier--they vary in price. You may find a cheaper one at a time you didn't consider first.

Does anyone know what time the Magic sails/what time we need to arrive at LAX by? We're thinking of flying out the same day and scooting straight down to the port. The time change is in our favor this direction, and the cheap flight leaves at 7:20 am.