Travel Planning OCD: It’s Economical
Paris apartment–$85/night. Thank you, obsessive compulsive disorder!
When planning our trip to Europe, I made train reservations months in advance. I booked hotels ahead of time, I searched for the best flight deals–and found a really reasonable mid-summer flight from JFK to London Gatwick. I reserved an apartment for two weeks in July on January 14th. Everything was done in advance, and everything was very, very reasonably priced. I highly recommend super-obsessive planning as a great way to save money on travel.
However, with all the travel I’ve been doing, it seems I’ve gotten a little lax in the planning department. You see, I completely forgot to book a hotel for my one night in New Orleans post-cruise, before a 6 am flight. Yes, you read that correctly–I forgot. What is happening to me?
And do you know what is really expensive? A semi-last minute hotel room on a Saturday night in a major port city that just had two ships pull in to port. I think I figured I’d just book at the place I’m staying pre-cruise. Nope–they have a two night minimum stay. And yes, I called and explained that I’d be staying for three nights pre-cruise. They didn’t care.
My other option was the hotel inside the airport. You know, like in Orlando. Well guess what? The airport doesn’t have a hotel inside of it. Most airports don’t, in fact. And with a 6 a.m. flight, I didn’t feel good about staying at a Motel 6, where they may or may not have a concierge desk or valet to make sure that I get in a airport transfer taxi at four in the morning. And so, for approximately the cost of two nights in a Paris apartment, I’m staying in a convention center chain hotel on the New Orleans riverfront, directly across from the casino I have no intention of visiting. Sure, it’s a short walk from the ship to the hotel to drop off my bags for the day. Yes, they will have a desk capable of calling a taxi for me. And absolutely, it will be the easiest thing to do. But damn, it was expensive. I remember my experience in Queensland, Australia was so different, private airport transfers Sunshine Coast were so responsive without a doubt and the hotel rooms were readily available at great pricing.
Yes, this time, I chose safety and convenience over thriftiness. I’ll ask it again–what is happening to me?
What’s happening is that you’re traveling more often than you used to, I’d bet. Same thing has happened to me. I used to be wicked OCD about my travel planning, now I’m still planning right up until the time I leave. The more often you travel and the busier you are, the more you have to fly by the seat of your pants. Consider the positive side though: It means you have a rich, fulfilling life! 🙂
Gray, I think you are correct. And that is a very, very good thing. I’m kind of looking forward to a less-structured trip. For example, I just learned that there’s a parade in NOLA on my last day in town post-cruise. Since I didn’t have anything planned, I can consider going! Or not. Depending upon how I feel that day.
Wow–I what HAS happened to me? Ha! 😉
I agree- you are planning more trips now. When you were planning the Europe vacation, that was ALL you were planning (other than Language Arts lessons for 8th graders- groan). Now you have several’confirmed’ trips, and other possible trips, and a book, and several blogs on the table at once. AND you are more relaxed about the details- YAY!!! I’ve been thinking about you and your cruise the past few days. We had offered to pay for the honeymoon as our wedding gift to our son and his fiancee (wedding is in late June) and they just told us the want a Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean! They are doing one out of Ft. Lauderdale. Seems like everyone but me is getting to go places right now. OK- time for the pitty party to end. I hope you have a marvelous time!
How nice of you–and what a lucky son you have! My husband’s parents paid for our honeymoon…and it was a cruise, too! Though to Alaska–we didn’t want to do the Caribbean in the summer. It seemed like a bad idea. Does Royal Caribbean sail out of Ft. Lauderdale in the summer months? The only cruises I’ve found in the caribbean in July and August are on Carnival…and I won’t sail on Carnival, so that rules out going on a cruise with my husband. Ever. Unless we do a Mediterranean cruise, which we just might do!
I’ll be sure to report back with my thoughts on the cruise and the cruise line. Do you know the ports your son is looking at?
And yes, you are right–because of my several trips (and everything else that’s going on in my world) I’m almost forced to be less OCD about planning. Which, again, I think is a good thing. And I’m generally happier–so it’s a win win! Though the happiness may have something to do with the lack of lesson planning–ha!
Yes- RC does do cruises out of Ft. Lauderdale in the summer. They sail on July1- this is the one they picked (wouldn’t be my choice, but …)
http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/cruiseDetails/itineraryAndPricing.do?packageCode=AL07W075&sailDate=1120701&selectedCurrencyCode=USD
He would probably have picked Alaska, but he took his Grandmother on an Alaska cruise for his graduation present (he is -usually- a good boy!)
You and hubby could do a cruise of Scotland/England (esp. the Scottish islands) or a Rhine cruise, or French canals, or Scandinavia and Russia, or an Asian (China, Vietman, etc.) or even a Hawaii cruise…. oh my, now I’m getting travel-sick again.
Hi Tracy,
I just noticed this on the CC NCL board and thought of you. Might impact your travel in NOLA next week!
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1552925
Thanks! Fortunately, I sail (on Royal Caribbean) on Saturday. Whew! Good thing I picked that sailing–I was debating between the two, as I liked the NCL itinerary better (but not the NCL price, which would have been nearly $500 more for me as a solo cruiser…)
Your son’s cruise goes to two of the three same ports as the one I’m on–Jamaica and Cozumel. You’ll hopefully be able to tell him many things about his choice upon my return. To be honest, I picked this sailing based on price and departure port. And the fact that it goes to Cozumel. I figure I can have fun–and learn something…and take photos…and find things to write about…almost anywhere. So why not Jamaica and Grand Cayman, right? The price was right, so it won!
I’d love to do all of the cruises you are describing, but sadly airfare is going to make that a ‘someday’ dream. Definitely not this year, anyway. Unless I go alone in May! Ha!
You go THIS Saturday?? Have a BLAST! 🙂
Glad to hear that the road closure won’t impact your travel!
Oh wait no–NEXT Saturday. Not tomorrow. I leave for New Orleans on Wednesday morning and sail out on Saturday the 28th. 🙂