Mooney Panama Canal Cruise! April 21, 2023

[tankman]

Carl & Ann Sharon here at Houston Tank Specialists/Houston Mooney Services.

We have come up with a way to do two of the fun things we love to do!

Fly in our Mooney and Cruise the seas!

This  was the cruise we announced at the Mooney Max in June.

This is a Royal Caribbean Cruise.  They are one of the elegant cruise lines! Not a booze cruise!

The cruise leaves out of Galveston Texas and ends in Los Angeles by way of the Panama Canal.

This will be an exciting way to see a piece of history we have all read about!

These prices may only hold through mid-December.

 

*** We have an update, these prices will hold until December 22!  These prices are about $500 below the advertised rates!!!!!

Once leaving Galveston, the itinerary will be stops in: Georgetown Grand Cayman, Cartagena Colombia, Colon Panama, San Juan Del Sur Nicaragua, Puerto Vallarta Mexico and ending in Los Angeles!

Check this out!

Talking Mooneys and cruising!

What could be better!

 

Flyer 4 - Panama Canal 2023[77344].pdf

Edited December 6, 2022 by tankman
correction

[DonMuncy]

I am going.

[201Mooniac]

Will definitely look into this, I love cruising and love talking Mooneys!

[Pinecone]

I was all set to book this, but travel agent did not call back.

So I was looking and found a different cruise to book, that overlaps.

Maybe another time.

 

EDIT -------------

Pat did try to contact me.  I was actually on board Enchantment of the Seas using wifi calling.  When my phone would go into lock, it would suspend the wifi connection for some reason, so I did not get incoming calls, unless my phone was open and being used.  I asked her to text me, as those get queued, but she left a voice mail.

Some here told her about my comment  about lack of contact, so she called me and we connected.

When we got into the Chesapeake Bay and I had a normal cell connection, her voice mail popped up.

[carusoam]

Hey Carl and Ann!

That sounds very interesting!

Looking forward to the pics!

Best regards,

-a-

[Patrick Lyons]

Excellent Idea... I will do a quick intro.  I also enjoy cruises and flying and look forward to meeting the faces I see on Mooney space.

Been flying a mooney since 1967 an F model currently a 91 201-J.

I hit the follow topic button soo please keep me in the planning loop.

Patrick Lyons   N9135W  based at H Houston  AXH

[DonMuncy]

Patrick,

Glad to see you signed up for the Panama Canal cruise. I look forward to seeing you.

[DonMuncy]

I just found out that our travel agent put aside a few balcony cabins before the price went way up. The current price (before taxes and port fees) is $3,430 per person.

She has 2 or 3 balcony cabins for $1,500 per person, but Royal Caribbean will only allow her to keep these cabins at that rate until December 21, 2022. If a $450 per person deposit is not put on these cabins by that date, the cruise line will take them back into their inventory to sell at the higher rate. It would be great to have more MSers on board with us to talk Mooneys, and it would be a great Christmas gift for your wife.

I would be glad to pass on questions or orders, but I am fairly ignorant of how the system operates, so you may want to contact her directly.

 

Pat Brewer/Owner

Travel Planners

We Shop the World for YOU!

972-243-1186

Email: Pat.TravelPlanners@gmail.com

[tankman]

Hello All,

As Don M. said Royal Caribbean is raising their prices.  It is now over twice the price that we have here for the cruise!

If any doubts, go ahead and place a deposit that is refundable until January 20th!

This is one of those rare opportunities that have substantial savings!

Carl & Ann

[Pinecone]

The way things work is, travel agents can put a hold on blocks of room a couple of years in advance and sell them at whatever price they want, but their price to the cruise line is fixed.

But, normally about 120 days before the cruise, any unsold rooms have to be either paid for or returned to the cruise line.

So, in this case, this travel agent still has some rooms available, but needs them booked before she has to return them or pay for them.

The price that the cruise line offers to the public (or spot sales through travel agents) is dynamic.  Like air fares.  The less cabins, the higher the price.  But prices can fall as you get closer.  Many times, when the travel agent rooms are returned to the cruise line, the prices drop, as there are more room available.  Also, you may see price drops once you get to 90 days before the cruise, as full payment is required.  And many people cancel instead of paying.  

There is also a site called Cruise Compete, where you post what you are looking for, and travel agents bid for your booking.  Some give you a lower fare, some give you more on board credit (for drinks and specialty dining and excursions).  I found my normal travel agent this way.  She was not the cheapest, but based on what she wrote, I felt we could have a good long term relationship.  And we have.  She is very responsive, and has been able to get things straightened out when things went sideways.

Just letting you know how it works.

[DonMuncy]

1 hour ago, Pinecone said:

 But prices can fall as you get closer.  Many times, when the travel agent rooms are returned to the cruise line, the prices drop, as there are more room available.   

 

Nobody can predict the future with accuracy, but thus far, the price on this particular cruise has gone up. My guess is that since COVID has subsided somewhat, the demand for cruise travel has been increasing.

[Pinecone]

Prices normally go up as time goes on and more more people book.  Just like hotels and airlines.

 

[tankman]

Hey, Anthony!

You need to come and go with us!

 

 

[tankman]

Hey Guys,

There is one balcony cabin still available!

This opportunity ends on January 20th!

We have a good sized group already signed up.

This is one of those deals that won't come around again.

Contact Pat for details.

 

 

[carusoam]

Please remember to post pics!

I look forward to Jealously watching!

Best regards,

-a-