ALL ABOARD!
The details have been finalized for the Pike 2027 Cruise and 4 couples have already booked. This is going to be an opportunity that you don't want to miss. Besides telling old stories, rekindling friendships, and enjoying a week away from everyday life, we have the opportunity to create some epic tales all over again! We are going to be sailing on Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas leaving on January 30, 2027 from New Orleans for 7 nights returning on February 6, 2027. The ship visits Falmouth, Jamaica; Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico with 3 days at sea. Mariner of the Seas is a nice ship with plenty of things to do.
I know it is a year away, but the prices can change. The price jumped up a bit a month ago, but has come back down. An inside guaranteed cabin (they pick your cabin at random) starts at $1,050.00 for 2 people in a cabin. Oceanview guaranteed cabin start at $1,250.00 for 2 people. Balcony guaranteed cabins start at $1,750.00 for 2 people. It costs $100.00 to $200.00 extra to pick your own cabin. There are also various room upgrades in each cabin category.
All of these rates include port taxes and fees. Crew gratuities are $129.50 per person in addition to the rate. For those unfamiliar with cruises, there is little difference between the cabins other than having a window or not or an outside balcony. The price for one person in a cabin is almost the same as 2 people per cabin so not much savings for solo passengers. The deposit amount is $500.00 per cabin. The balance is due 90 days before the sail date. You can purchase trip insurance for only $128.00 per cabin if that give you peace of mind. You can also pay $163.00 per cabin extra, which will allow you to cancel the cruise up until November 1, 2026 with no penalty.
The main dining room restaurants, buffet restaurant, and various casual dining options are all included in the basic price. Coffee, tea, lemonade, and juices are included. The only things that are not included, other than crew gratuities, are shore excursions at the ports, bar drinks, cokes, and specialty restaurants (Chops Steakhouse, Giovanni's Italian, and Izumi Sushi).
Unlimited drink packages have a regular price of $105.00 per person per day plus an 18% gratuity. However, the drink packages are always on sale. The Black Friday sale price this year was $56.99 per person per day plus an 18% gratuity. If you book a drink package at one price and it goes on sale at a better price, just cancel the package and rebook it at the better price. Drink packages can be added anytime up until sailing. Individual drink prices are about $8.00 for a beer and $14.00 - $16.00 for mixed drinks plus 18% gratuities. I suggest booking without any additional packages and add them when they go on sale.
Documentation required to cruise is either a Passport or an Enhanced Drivers License plus a certified original birth certificate. An original marriage certificate would be necessary if your last name differs from your birth certificate if you don't have a passport.
We have a travel agent (Ashley Trichel) will be handling the booking for us. Ashley's number is 318-355-3487 is the person to contact. I suggest that you text her first and let her know that you are interested in booking with the group associated with Everett Tolbird. She has a full time job, but will get back to you quickly. Let her know if you have sailed on Royal Caribbean before since it may give you a small discount. There may also be a discount for police, EMT, or military personnel.
Booking now will guarantee you a really great price on the trip. Of course, you can wait if you just can't commit right now. However, prices and cabin availability will be more restrictive as the date gets closer.
Everett Tolbird is the point person for this. He can be contacted at 318-732-5068 or Geaux4Scuba@aol.com. We will probably create a GroupMe on Facebook for people that book the cruise to let them know about specials, etc.