ecomerford
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2007
It all began last Fall. With my youngest DS5 entering all-day kindergarten, my DW had returned to the work world. With a little extra cash and a lot of extra stress, we decided this was the year wed finally get the hell away from Michigans long winter. Now, DW is usually our family planner, because, well, shes rather good at it. But with her extra workload, we decided it was time for yours truly to step up and plan this vacation. Now, Im not a complete goof I somehow manage all right at work but those organizational skills seemed to evaporate as soon as I pull into our driveway. Anyway, I start by checking out potential destinations. Caribbean, definitely
but the options are endless, so I start asking people for input. We were looking for something where we could relax and the kids would have a great time. Surprisingly, the Disney cruise keeps popping up.
Now, I know this is DIS Board blasphemy, but Ive never really thought of myself as a Disney person. In fact, the only time wed discussed a Disney cruise was within the context of, Is the Disney cruise an acceptable substitute for skipping the parks (with all of those long lines and sticky Orlando days)? You see, Im not really a crowds person or terribly patient either. But after the FOURTH person said, Youd love a Disney cruise I relented. As it turned out, my DW had received the Disney cruise kit the year before, so we popped the promo DVD in and sat back.
An hour later we were online booking our cruise: January 26th, 7-Night Western on the Magic. Porthole room 5010, just down from the Oceaneer Club. Perfect. It was already November 7th, so wed better book our flight too (even though its 11 PM at this stage). I had done ZERO research at this stage, except whatever it said on the Disney site. They said you should be at the port by 2PM on sailing day, so since there was a 9AM flight that got in at 11:30, I jumped on that one. All set.
The next couple of days I started getting into DEEP research mode (work, what work?). I soon started to question my 9AM flight. On November 9th I was looking over the flight with my DW when she said. 9PM, why are we flying at 9PM? Oh, %$^#! It had been late, and obviously Id picked the wrong flight. I went to change my flight on NWA.com and it coyly informed me that Id be looking at a $100 change fee plus $65 fare difference PER TICKET for a total of an additional $660! Double %$^#!! This is crazy. These tickets are months away and I just booked two days ago. Ill call customer service and Im sure theyll understand. Thirty minutes, two CSRs, and one supervisor later they didnt understand. Time to pull out the big guns direct emails to the CEO of Northwest and the Director of Customer Service. I explained myself in brief, non-inflammatory email, and PRESTO! I get a call at home the next day (a Saturday!) from the CEOs office (yeah, right) to change my flight. So, while I was at it, I had them change it to a Friday afternoon flight.
That weekend I discovered the DIS Boards. Wow. This was the Disney cruise info mother lode. I soon found the trip reports and started reading and reading. The more I read, the more excited I became for our coming trip. Excel spreadsheets were created, tips amassed, excursions planned, Navigators printed. I found Halloween costomes at 75% off for Pirates Night. I even started to post ... with smiley faces. Who are you, and where is my husband? asked DW.
Fast forward to the day of departure (Thank God, you say!). I had resolved before the vacation to try to minimize stress and just go with the flow. That meant leaving for the airport with plenty of time. We actually got through security 90 minutes before our flight. Hmmm, time for a glass of wine and some nachos before the flight.
The flight was uneventful and got in on time at 5:50. Based on my DIS research, I had booked a car through Budget since it was on the airport. While DW waited for the luggage, I got checked in at the Budget desk. Despite the long line, I was still done long before our luggage came off the carousel (45 minutes after we landed). Eventually we loaded into the massive Ford Crown Vic and hit route 528 for Cape Canaveral. Forty-five minutes later we pulled into FishLips parking lot for a delicious fish dinner (another DIS reco).
After stuffing ourselves, we headed for our hotel Country Inn and Suites. Highly recommended on the board, it did not disappoint. We had booked a kids suite, and it was perfect. The almost totally separate kids room had bunk beds, a twin, and its own TV/VCR. While DW tucked our tired boys in, I headed out to Publix and ABC Liquors to pick-up supplies.
Now, DW and I like our wine. It is one of those simple pleasures in a complicated world. So I researched the Premium Wine Package. Basically, its only a deal if you get the most expensive wine every night, and the list didnt really excite: a lot of medium-bodied wines (two Pinots but only one Cab???) that would be $8-12 at retail. Seven bottles for $340 (with tip) didnt sound too fantastic. Instead, I figured we could buy nice $20 wines at retail, pay the $15 corkage fee at dinner, $5 tip, and still come out ahead.
Having done my research, I knew to bring a collapsible cooler and that ABC Liquors was the place to go. What it lacked in ambience (more 7-11 than wine store), ABC made up for in selection and price. So many interesting options that I kept switching my selections. Thirty minutes later, I left with 8 reds and 2 whites. I worried whether I had over-bought I neednt have worried. I headed back to the hotel and settled in for a restful night.
NEXT Sail-away Day
Now, I know this is DIS Board blasphemy, but Ive never really thought of myself as a Disney person. In fact, the only time wed discussed a Disney cruise was within the context of, Is the Disney cruise an acceptable substitute for skipping the parks (with all of those long lines and sticky Orlando days)? You see, Im not really a crowds person or terribly patient either. But after the FOURTH person said, Youd love a Disney cruise I relented. As it turned out, my DW had received the Disney cruise kit the year before, so we popped the promo DVD in and sat back.
An hour later we were online booking our cruise: January 26th, 7-Night Western on the Magic. Porthole room 5010, just down from the Oceaneer Club. Perfect. It was already November 7th, so wed better book our flight too (even though its 11 PM at this stage). I had done ZERO research at this stage, except whatever it said on the Disney site. They said you should be at the port by 2PM on sailing day, so since there was a 9AM flight that got in at 11:30, I jumped on that one. All set.
The next couple of days I started getting into DEEP research mode (work, what work?). I soon started to question my 9AM flight. On November 9th I was looking over the flight with my DW when she said. 9PM, why are we flying at 9PM? Oh, %$^#! It had been late, and obviously Id picked the wrong flight. I went to change my flight on NWA.com and it coyly informed me that Id be looking at a $100 change fee plus $65 fare difference PER TICKET for a total of an additional $660! Double %$^#!! This is crazy. These tickets are months away and I just booked two days ago. Ill call customer service and Im sure theyll understand. Thirty minutes, two CSRs, and one supervisor later they didnt understand. Time to pull out the big guns direct emails to the CEO of Northwest and the Director of Customer Service. I explained myself in brief, non-inflammatory email, and PRESTO! I get a call at home the next day (a Saturday!) from the CEOs office (yeah, right) to change my flight. So, while I was at it, I had them change it to a Friday afternoon flight.
That weekend I discovered the DIS Boards. Wow. This was the Disney cruise info mother lode. I soon found the trip reports and started reading and reading. The more I read, the more excited I became for our coming trip. Excel spreadsheets were created, tips amassed, excursions planned, Navigators printed. I found Halloween costomes at 75% off for Pirates Night. I even started to post ... with smiley faces. Who are you, and where is my husband? asked DW.
Fast forward to the day of departure (Thank God, you say!). I had resolved before the vacation to try to minimize stress and just go with the flow. That meant leaving for the airport with plenty of time. We actually got through security 90 minutes before our flight. Hmmm, time for a glass of wine and some nachos before the flight.
The flight was uneventful and got in on time at 5:50. Based on my DIS research, I had booked a car through Budget since it was on the airport. While DW waited for the luggage, I got checked in at the Budget desk. Despite the long line, I was still done long before our luggage came off the carousel (45 minutes after we landed). Eventually we loaded into the massive Ford Crown Vic and hit route 528 for Cape Canaveral. Forty-five minutes later we pulled into FishLips parking lot for a delicious fish dinner (another DIS reco).
After stuffing ourselves, we headed for our hotel Country Inn and Suites. Highly recommended on the board, it did not disappoint. We had booked a kids suite, and it was perfect. The almost totally separate kids room had bunk beds, a twin, and its own TV/VCR. While DW tucked our tired boys in, I headed out to Publix and ABC Liquors to pick-up supplies.
Now, DW and I like our wine. It is one of those simple pleasures in a complicated world. So I researched the Premium Wine Package. Basically, its only a deal if you get the most expensive wine every night, and the list didnt really excite: a lot of medium-bodied wines (two Pinots but only one Cab???) that would be $8-12 at retail. Seven bottles for $340 (with tip) didnt sound too fantastic. Instead, I figured we could buy nice $20 wines at retail, pay the $15 corkage fee at dinner, $5 tip, and still come out ahead.
Having done my research, I knew to bring a collapsible cooler and that ABC Liquors was the place to go. What it lacked in ambience (more 7-11 than wine store), ABC made up for in selection and price. So many interesting options that I kept switching my selections. Thirty minutes later, I left with 8 reds and 2 whites. I worried whether I had over-bought I neednt have worried. I headed back to the hotel and settled in for a restful night.
NEXT Sail-away Day
I love it so far! 
I really like your writing style and look forward to lots of updates! It sounds like you'd be a really fun family to cruise with!
