What would you do? Moving placeholder

[KGmomoftwins]

Unfortunately dh has had to undergo 2 spinal surgeries this week and has about 6 weeks of tough recovery ahead of him. It’s been a rotten year for us with this and his t1d diagnosis. Anyways paid in full for our end of august cruise is this Sunday the 21. He still wants to go but long story I did not get insurance but only a geoblue health plan. I want to move it (booked with placeholder) to spring break March 29-April 7. Our choices are.
4n magic Progresso out of Houston
5n dream out of FL castaway Nassau
7n fantasy eastern (I think this is outrageously overpriced and have already been in her)
Which one will give the most enjoyable experience in regards to crowds we usually cruise in the summer. We are just looking for the Disney experience trivia, crafts, kids club, characters and relaxation.
Second question is if dh rallies and wants to go what are the odds that I would be able to book the double dip on the magic a month out? Looking now lots of veranda rooms are still open. Thank you all for the suggestions

 

[holula]

Normally I’d be for the longer cruises but you say it’s overpriced.

I would pick Dream as FLL is a really easy airport. Very close to the port also.

 

[sadiecatie]

Just wanted to pop in and say it’s not out of the realm of possibility that he’ll feel totally ready to go in August. I don’t know his specific issues or general health, but I had back surgery in February and was fully released to normal activity 2 weeks ago (at 12 weeks) - back to lifting weights, cycling, and did my first run this week. Feeling psyched to head on our cruise in 3 weeks. It might be a nice thing for him to look forward to at the end of recovery.

 

[KGmomoftwins]

Just wanted to pop in and say it’s not out of the realm of possibility that he’ll feel totally ready to go in August. I don’t know his specific issues or general health, but I had back surgery in February and was fully released to normal activity 2 weeks ago (at 12 weeks) - back to lifting weights, cycling, and did my first run this week. Feeling psyched to head on our cruise in 3 weeks. It might be a nice thing for him to look forward to at the end of recovery.

That’s what he said. I’m glad you are recovering well gives me hope! I wonder how easy it is to book at the 30 day mark. He had a laminectomy lumbar and 2 cervical discs removed and artificial put in.

 

[RedHead0186]

Well I love the Fantasy and 7-night itineraries, so that would be my pick but you don't seem too keen on it, lol. My second choice would be the 5-night, it's still a good cruise length and I like the Dream as well.


Best wishes to your husband for a good surgery and speedy recovery!

 

[sadiecatie]

That’s what he said. I’m glad you are recovering well gives me hope! I wonder how easy it is to book at the 30 day mark. He had a laminectomy lumbar and 2 cervical discs removed and artificial put in.

Ah that’s tough that it’s two locations - mine was just lumbar. I would guess similar restrictions (no BLT - bending, lifting, twisting), which is hard for as long as you’re under restrictions! Sending positive vibes for a speedy and smooth recovery for him.

 

[cvjw]

My husband had 2 separate laminectomies and could have easily done a cruise 2 months after surgery. Neither of his recoveries took 6 weeks.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

We sailed at spring break for the first time this year and wow it was incredibly crowded. I don't know how it would compare with end of August, but by that time a lot of school systems are already back in session, so the late summer one may be better crowd-wise. I kind of agree it may work out nicer to stick with it in August as scheduled, but with the expectation he likely won't be up for any strenuous excursion activities. If he's feeling like he can manage, it would be nice to look forward to that. It may even help encourage him through whatever PT he'll need.

If you do decide to change, I would take the 5 night Dream. We were in Progreso this spring and so many of the excursions had major issues - it sounded like some of the beach type ones were nothing like described, and our trip to the ruins ran way longer than it was supposed to. There were busses still arriving nearly 2 hours after all-aboard time. Maybe they will have worked out some kinks by then, but I'd still prefer an extra day + CC.

 

[KGmomoftwins]

My husband had 2 separate laminectomies and could have easily done a cruise 2 months after surgery. Neither of his recoveries took 6 weeks.

Did he have them done at the same time? The neck surgery was not a laminectomy it was removing discs and putting artificial in.

 

[auntlynne]

Do any of the three alternatives appeal to you?
How do you feel about Spring Break?
Does your placeholder run out before next summer - if not, could you just do your current cruise plan then?

If his DMT1 is under control and the back surgery was for chronic issues, not an acute injury and he thinks he will be okay, perhaps consider just sailing as booked. Can you add Disney cruise insurance (or other) before PIF date?

And, again, would it put too much strain on you if he couldn’t help with bags, kids…

 

[KGmomoftwins]

We sailed at spring break for the first time this year and wow it was incredibly crowded. I don't know how it would compare with end of August, but by that time a lot of school systems are already back in session, so the late summer one may be better crowd-wise. I kind of agree it may work out nicer to stick with it in August as scheduled, but with the expectation he likely won't be up for any strenuous excursion activities. If he's feeling like he can manage, it would be nice to look forward to that. It may even help encourage him through whatever PT he'll need.

If you do decide to change, I would take the 5 night Dream. We were in Progreso this spring and so many of the excursions had major issues - it sounded like some of the beach type ones were nothing like described, and our trip to the ruins ran way longer than it was supposed to. There were busses still arriving nearly 2 hours after all-aboard time. Maybe they will have worked out some kinks by then, but I'd still prefer an extra day + CC.

This is great info thank you! We would want to do the ruins but not if it’s like this.
I know I’m just so afraid of being out money. I just wish I had another week to make a decision but that’s why I’m thinking if things look good just rebooking for august. The cruise has not gone up since I booked and tbh I guess I don’t care about the money. Life is short.

 

[KGmomoftwins]

Do any of the three alternatives appeal to you?
How do you feel about Spring Break?
Does your placeholder run out before next summer - if not, could you just do your current cruise plan then?

If his DMT1 is under control and the back surgery was for chronic issues, not an acute injury and he thinks he will be okay, perhaps consider just sailing as booked. Can you add Disney cruise insurance (or other) before PIF date?

And, again, would it put too much strain on you if he couldn’t help with bags, kids…

The dream appeals for Castaway cay and that it’s 5 nights. I really wanted to do the magic in august specifically for tangled and the double dip. I’m not sure how I feel about spring break worried about crowds but it would be nice yo leave upstate NY end of March lol
Our girls will be 11 and are very helpful so that not an issue but good thought!
I have not been able to find insurance to cover the pre existing conditions. When I booked the cruise he was not having all these health issues and I usually wait to book insurance to see how much our pre cruise stay and airfare will be. Anyways you need to book preexisting conditions within 14 days of paying anything

 

[auntlynne]

Here’s an idea. State out loud, “we are going ahead with the vacation as planned.” See how it makes you and your husband feel - maybe sleep on it overnight. If you feel iffy, change. If you feel peace, keep it. It might be the push to get him physically well enough.

Did the surgeon give any guidelines? Okay with getting in water? (Incision should be healed, I imagine.)

 

[cvjw]

Did he have them done at the same time? The neck surgery was not a laminectomy it was removing discs and putting artificial in.

Not at the same time. A couple of years apart. He could have cruised a couple months after both surgeries. He was back to normal quickly after both.

 

[KGmomoftwins]

Here’s an idea. State out loud, “we are going ahead with the vacation as planned.” See how it makes you and your husband feel - maybe sleep on it overnight. If you feel iffy, change. If you feel peace, keep it. It might be the push to get him physically well enough.

Did the surgeon give any guidelines? Okay with getting in water? (Incision should be healed, I imagine.)

I’m going to ask the surgeon tomorrow I was just so happy he was done and ok didn’t think to ask. He did say he would really need to commit to physical therapy starting in 3-4 weeks. Which he will

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

This is great info thank you! We would want to do the ruins but not if it’s like this.

We did Chichen Itza plus Cenote Swim. I figured if we're going to see ruins, I wanted to see those. If I had a redo, I would pick smaller lesser known ruins much closer to port. It was described as 2 hours 10 minutes away, but was at least 30 minutes beyond that, and in retrospect, even if it hadn't been delayed, that is a long drive each way in an 8 hour period. There was a lot of road work going on. I have never been anywhere as crowded as the entrance at Chichen Itza - the guide said 'oh yeah, spring break makes it extra busy.' Funneling into the restroom area, I thought about the crowd crush tragedy in Korea that was in the news several months ago. The time at the ruins was maybe 40 minutes, trying to hear a guide in a group of 50 people in the beating sun with clouds of dust blowing in our faces. I had to bail out almost immediately since one of my kids got sunscreen in his eye. Then we drove to a cenote. It was incredible and super refreshing with how hot it had been at the ruins, but we only had 40 minutes to change, shower, get life jackets, get in the cenote and swim, get out, return life jackets, have the included lunch, and be back on the bus. We were getting back past 5:30pm, and while we had late dinner seating, many on the bus were stressing about running back to their rooms, changing for pirate night, and getting to dinner!

I absolutely loved the cenote portion of the trip, but the entire thing was just way too far from the port. If I ever get there again I would choose the lesser known ruins that are closer to the port, and/or just focus on cenote and tubing activities (I think there was a cenote plus river tubing) . Anyway, I know your post wasn't about reviewing excursions to ruins at the Progreso port, but just in case you do end up at Progreso, that's my $0.02.

 

[KGmomoftwins]

We did Chichen Itza plus Cenote Swim. I figured if we're going to see ruins, I wanted to see those. If I had a redo, I would pick smaller lesser known ruins much closer to port. It was described as 2 hours 10 minutes away, but was at least 30 minutes beyond that, and in retrospect, even if it hadn't been delayed, that is a long drive each way in an 8 hour period. There was a lot of road work going on. I have never been anywhere as crowded as the entrance at Chichen Itza - the guide said 'oh yeah, spring break makes it extra busy.' Funneling into the restroom area, I thought about the crowd crush tragedy in Korea that was in the news several months ago. The time at the ruins was maybe 40 minutes, trying to hear a guide in a group of 50 people in the beating sun with clouds of dust blowing in our faces. I had to bail out almost immediately since one of my kids got sunscreen in his eye. Then we drove to a cenote. It was incredible and super refreshing with how hot it had been at the ruins, but we only had 40 minutes to change, shower, get life jackets, get in the cenote and swim, get out, return life jackets, have the included lunch, and be back on the bus. We were getting back past 5:30pm, and while we had late dinner seating, many on the bus were stressing about running back to their rooms, changing for pirate night, and getting to dinner!

I absolutely loved the cenote portion of the trip, but the entire thing was just way too far from the port. If I ever get there again I would choose the lesser known ruins that are closer to the port, and/or just focus on cenote and tubing activities (I think there was a cenote plus river tubing) . Anyway, I know your post wasn't about reviewing excursions to ruins at the Progreso port, but just in case you do end up at Progreso, that's my $0.02.

This was super helpful!!! I really appreciate it and I’m sorry it was not the best for you! I think we all have those experiences with travel. We went to Maine in what we jokingly call fogust everything we had planned was cancelled because of dense fog. I wish they would keep the magic out of New Orleans all spring and then move to nyc ahhhh one can hope!