An opportunity for myself and a guest to go on a cruise was recently offered to me. I accepted without reservation, invited a friend and waited for the paper work to arrive. I recently received the paper work, and it’s time to get to work on it.
I logged into the site, registered with the enclosed ‘secret code’ and entered my information. Next I called my friend for her passport number and other pertinent info. While on the phone, I entered her data and proceeded to the section for cabin selection.
We compared decks. Which deck is better? I’ve never been on a cruise, she has so, I’m taking her advise as to deck level. The higher up on the ship, the better I was told. Got it. Deck 10 it is. Unfortunately, Deck 10 is full. We have a choice of Decks 9, 8 and 7. We start with Deck 9, at least I thought I was looking at available cabins on that deck. Oops. Here’s a clue, if the cabin numbers start with a 7 or 8, one is not on the right page.
We go back and forth, which side of the ship, port or starboard? Closer to the center or towards the back? Where are the elevators? Gee, this is hard work! Finally, I am on the page for Deck 9. We agree on a cabin. I check to make certain my information is correct and verify my friend’s info, continue.
ALL questions are answered, all the blanks are filled out and the small fee for taxes and port fees are paid. I clicked on the accept all the terms button and waited for the confirmation. Yippee. We’re in!
We talk for a few more minutes before disconnecting. I mark out the dates on my calendar, watch a little TV and then go to bed, secure in the knowledge that I have a fantastic vacation to look forward to in a few months.
The next morning, I find an email with the message from my friend with the line: ‘So sorry’. Not a good start to the day. First off, I need my coffee before I read any further. Coffee in hand, I open the email . . .
“I’m so sorry Fran, my son kept calling me last night while we were talking. I ignored the calls. I just spoke with him. He popped the question to his girlfriend last night and the wedding is on the day we return from the cruise. It is going to be up north. I am so sorry that I won’t be able to go on the cruise after all. Call me as soon as you can. Again, I am so very sorry”
WHAT THE F*&%??? Crap. Now what am I going to do? The ticket is non-refundable/non-transferable. D$&&, SH&@. I can’t even think. I quickly send off an email to the company hoping to find out if I can change my guest since I just registered last night.
Who else am I going to take? I start to go through names in my head. My daughter can’t go, she’s having a baby in the fall so that won’t work. Another friend is going to visit family around the time. This is terrible. I slowly drink my coffee and envision possible cabin mates.
Then, it his me. Wait a minute, today is April 1. Could this perchance be a BIG FRIGGIN’ JOKE?
I immediately call my friend. First words out of my mouth, “is this a joke?”
Peels of laughter ring through the phone. She just can’t stop. “I hope you haven’t deleted me” she said.
“Good one” I reply. “You got me. No, I didn’t delete you but, did send an email to find out if I could change my guest!”
More laughter and then she said “You’ve made my day! This is one of my favorite days of the year.”
I’m glad I could make someone’s day. I just got pranked by one of the best. Have you ever had a really GOOD joke played on you for April Fools Day?
Just remember . . . payback is a bitch. Watch out, I might not wait until next year!
Any ideas people???