And pay the money for the travel insurance. If bad things happen and you get delayed, and heaven forbid, miss the boat, the insurance will help get you to the boat.

Heard awful tale of someone last year who got appendicitis during the cruise, and they ended up paying small fortune because of having to change flights, etc.

Insurance all the way!!  I live a fair distance away, and crossing 2 countries in the middle of winter is risky.  I planned ahead last year, and came in the night before the cruise.  It cost more with the hotel and all, but it was worth it for the peace of mind it gave me. 

Don't forget to get your vaccinations.  Call the Public Health Office (if you're in Canada), they have a list of all the counties and what the risks are and what shots you'll need.  Even if you had your shots last year, you may need a booster this year.

I love planning all this stuff, it gets me even more excited about the cruise!!!  

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Ships & Dip V referral ID: theWoodpile4
"If you want to talk, just come and knock...."

TinaMack:

That was my basic thinking last year and it worked out fine. This year I admit I'm giving the 'what ifs' their due consideration. My only concerns would be major storm, airport or airline delays.

Well there haven't been any problems with those lately so you should be fine scooting in under the wire...

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~Kes

Desperate times call for desperate measures
Open your mind to all life's little pleasures
The hole in this world could be healed if by chance
everyone just stood up, took their pants off and danced

~Bruce Guthro

I must have just woken from a Coma!  How long has this been going on? (Ships & Dip). I had no idea anything like this was happening. Do you think I'm too late to get tickets for this year?

 " On the 4th of July, 1806, We set sail from the sweet cove of Cork. We were sailing away, with a cargo of Bricks, for the Grand City Hall in New York. Twas a wonderful Craft, she was rigged fore and aft, and oh how the wild wind blowed her. She stood several blasts, she had 27 masts and they called her the Irish Rover."

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Right where I am....On the Sunny Side of the Street!

Just a couple questions if anyone can help.Easiest way to travel between Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, and where to stay in Miami. (At hotel recommended by sixthman?) We plan to arrive the day before, I would be a nervous wreck coming in same day especially with the weather at that time of year. Thanks for your help.

Can't answer the first question as we flew into Miami directly last time and are doing the same this time.  The hotel recommended by sixthman is very nice, but pricey for our finances anyway.  Last time for SDIII Sixtman had several different host hotels in different price ranges.  One was the Red Roof Inn on Lejune.  It wasn't fancy by any means, but was cheap.  We stayed there on the night before the cruise and again on the night we got back and then flew home the next day.  It has a very nice patio area and pool.  Last year about a dozen of us "Dippers" made friends.  We all took cabs to the Sixthman pre-party, hung out there a while, but then ended up going back and hanging out at the RRI.  We ordered a bunch of pizza's, had the cabbie stop by and we got several 12 packs of beer and just hung out until about midnight.  It was a blast.  We're already making plans to stay there again this time.

 

 

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Karla with a K




"At the end of the day, you just gotta say it's alright"

We're flying into FLL too, as we did last year.  Last year we rented a car thru www.carrentals.com, and drove to South Beach where we had a small but servicable room reserved at a small hotel.  Got the room thru www.bookit.com for less that $100  My husband wanted to be fairly near the starting line of the Miami Marathon that ran the morning of the cruise.  (he ran the 1/2 marathon....I guess so he wouldn't feel so guilty about the massive amount of beer and food he would be consuming in the coming week!  I had no such qualms!)).  We did find the location great, but kind of loud late since we were in a room very close to the street, and Sat. is definitely party night in SB!  Met some others there for pre-S&D, and have become buds with some!  Anyhow, this year, we are renting a car again, and staying close to the Miami airport with a cheap Priceline 3 star hotel.  Got it for $95 total.  We dropped the car off last year at their SB location and taxied to the port.  I found this is better than the very busy airport drop offs and closer to the port.  We went with Thrifty.  I know Hertz has a real close to the Port drop off, but the total car rental was more.  We needed the car to get to the marathon, but you may want to drop the car once you get to Miami, and taxi to your hotel, and taxi to the Port.  Some hotels do have shuttles, but heard they can get pretty backed up.  I had also checked into www.vrbo.com  (vacation rentals by owner) and found some good lodging possibilities.  Might be worth checking them out.  Good Luck!!  BTW, my sixthman ID is marylea912 if you want to use it as a referral....please!!  Need more info, e-mail is same as referral @roadrunner.com.

this is our first year and we just booked flights from buffalo to ft lauderdale return with Delta for $380 US total for two people.  We are driving to buffalo from hamilton. I I found flying to ft lauderdale way cheaper than Miami and it seems many airlines don't fly to Miami at all.  We are going on Thursday Jan 29th and returning on Feb 8th.  We will spend 3 nights at the beginning in Miami and then the last two nights in Ft Lauderdale.  I have never been to Florida before and figure this is my chance. 

I will be booking rooms at a Hostel.  I have found many for a double bed private room with bathroom for approx $60 US a night.  As long as I have a place to sleep, I am happy. 

 any suggestions on what are must do's in Miami or Ft lauderdale would be appreaciated. 

 Audrey 

I am in the process of looking for similar flights.  We will drive to Buffalo from Cambridge.  Are the flights you have booked for that price direct or have stopovers. And is that only $380.00 for both of you. That is incredible.

Karen

no they haved stopovers but the total time there and back is about 5 1/2 hours each way.  We go on the 29th and return on the 8th.  that is way better then 24 hours driving.

Pepper, I think your most cost effective way to travel between the cities, and find accommodations, might be to stay in Ft. Lauderdale.  I think I remember reading that hotels there will offer shuttles to the Miami port, and that it isn't a long drive at all.  Something to look into.  Of course if you stay there, you'll miss the pre-board party...., just saying.

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Ships & Dip V referral ID: theWoodpile4
"If you want to talk, just come and knock...."

According to my count, we have only 100 days to go until we set sail! Woohooo!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Eva

Eva - I was just going to post the same thing.  100 days to go!!!   Are we having an OKP meet-up at some point?  There was talk of that a while back.  It would be fun to do that the first or second day so we know who our fellow GBS fans are as we walk around the ship all week. 

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I've had the time of my life and the life of my times in the Company of Fools!

That would be fun.  Even though I don't post alot - it would great to meet other fans. 

Celtic, I know you from the S&D V Board and you were so right about the small venue.  Rochester NY was awesome.

Yikes - 100 days to lose weight......I should get right to it - right after I finish my McChicken sandwich and fries :)

Yes, that losing weight thing......how exactly does one do that again? If only wishes would work, LOL.

My husband and I would love to meet up with everyone so we too can recognize our fellow OKPers.

 I can hardly wait!

 

Eva