06/24/2006 - Special Western Cruise - Who Else!?

[musicgirl]

ok, back on task!!!

Has anyone waited on air flights to see if they go down? Well, I know they go down...but what about the rates?

We usually book in Aug., but I always see these deals to Orlando advertised. It seems that the deals are usually if you book only a month or 2 out. I wonder if we waited to get a deal, if we would be risking not getting a flight that we want?

 

[jlawall]

My principal just got back from GC and Sedona and was raving about her trip there!! It sounded amazing but really hot!!.....just like here on the east coast!

 

[dmensing]

JoAnn:

When we were in Sedona and GC last week, we found it very pleasant compared to our east coast humidity. Mid-day it may have gotten to around 90, but low humidity. The elevation in Sedona and the rim of the canyon keeps the temps decent. I was told the bottom of the canyon can reach 120 at times. Phoenix was also hot when we flew in and out, about 106.

I just keep telling myself to remember how I feel right now when I am complaining about the cold in February!

By the way, what part of PA are you in? My wife's family is in Indiana, PA and we are both Penn State grads.

Keep cool!
Dan.

PS: I like the new dog and dogprint smilies! aw: ug:

 

[jlawall]

Hey Dan! My family lives on the southeastern side of PA. I think Indiana is the southwestern side? We're alittle NE of Philadelphia near the Jersery border.

Wow! It's been so hot this weekend. I'm not complaining but.....whew!!

 

[musicgirl]

Jill and those of you waiting on the passport timeline.......we may be in luck for our cruise. It was posted that there has been a change, it looks like 12-06. It is not on the official govt. boards yet. But I guess there is suppose to be an official announcement tomorrow.

Let's keep our fingers crossed!!!!

 

[Jillpie]

Yes, yes! I saw that Lorie, isn't that awesome!!!

 

[jlawall]

Wow, I would love to not need a passport for another year!

 

[musicgirl]

Well, we booked our flights. Not great at $258, but with oil prices, who knows.

I really hope we don't need the passports, but there is no clear answer yet. It is unbelievable that NO ONE and I mean no one has a straight answer.

We know that the state.gov site has taken down the timeline. I have found articles in USA Today and CNN that say it has been dismissed.

However, when I called the National Passport number that is listed on the state.gov site they said that the timeline was still in place. She didn't know of the timeline being taken off. I mentioned the articles and she said that they had not been notified.

I then e-mailed the site, and I basically got the same answer.

My question is this. Let's say I book a vacation on my own for next year and I have no knowledge of the timeline that is now gone. I check the site and it says 1-08. How am I suppose to know about needing a passport?

They need to do something quick because they are going to ruin a lot of vacations through no fault of many people just because of this little loophole.

We're lucky because we can always wait and see in Jan what happens. We'll have time to get them.

I hate it when people post about this on the main board. Because at first it was, You HAVE to have a passport, which was not necessarily true. Now it is everyone going, we DON'T have to have one. I hope they all keep watching.

 

[jlawall]

Hey Lorie,

When I sailed this summer someone from Disney told me I HAD to have a passport which was not true. I'm going to try to at least get my DH and I one just so we have them.

 

[Jillpie]

Lorie, thats terrific about booking your flights!
I just emailed you.

 

[musicgirl]

Joann, that's exactly what I mean.

It drives me nuts to see posts like "WE HAVE TO HAVE PASSPORTS NOW". When it says it is proposed. In further reading, the proposed timeline brought about so many complaints, that it didn't even make it on the "register". I imagine the register is something that starts it in the process of becoming required.

Jill, I think I have to go now with the flights booked. They are non-refundable. Has anybody done their flights as being refundable. When I looked into it, the price for the ticket tripled!!! Ok, why would I pay triple the price? It would be cheaper to not use the original and just book another even though it would be a waste.

I just wish all of the world could be inside my brain!!

 

[RalphieN]

First time cruisers here.

Here's the Stateroom# 6551
Ralph, 40, teacher
Traci, 37, assistant pastor
Elaina, 11
Steven, 9

home: Clermont, Cape May County, NJ

Our friends and their daughter who will be 7 are also going (they are 1st timers as well).

There is so much info here but to be honest, it is a bit overwhelming when trying to plan for a cruise when you have never been on one before.

So, what's the most important advice?

 

[musicgirl]

Welcome Ralph,

Let's see the most important issues. Well my first piece of advice is to browse the posts. There is a ton of info.

You can do a search, that will give you a lot of info, especially about common questions.

Then ask away. The people on the board are incredibly helpful. I've done 2 Wonder trips and 1 Eastern, so I've got some good info help for you as well. If you've been able to read through this thread, you can see that I have no life, only the disboards.

No really, I love to answer questions. I see that you are a teacher. My dh and I are band/music teachers as well. Very Cool!

 

[jtjcwise]

Ralph,

Welcome!

We did a 4 day cruise this past summer, and I found a lot of helpful info here on the DisBoards. We had a great time because the folks here helped me with lots of questions.

My wife is also a teacher. She teaches HS Math. We both are very active in our church, and I run a small nonprofit agency. We have 2 sons who will be with us, they will be 9 & 6.

Again welcome.

Lorie, I have been looking at flights but have not booked. Will probably fly from Columbus or Cincinnati to get cheaper rates than here in WV.

 

[musicgirl]

jtjcwise,

Hey wouldn't that be funny if we ended up on the same flight!!!!


When are you heading down? We are flying Delta on June 22 at 6:00am. Our flight home is 7-1 at 1:40.

Delta is the only non-stop out of Columbus.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Just a quick "Hello". Life has been getting in the way of my Dis Boarding! I HATE that! Anyway to all the teachers, have a great September. We start school tomorrow! I am as ready as I can be, hope you are too. Welcome Ralph and family!

 

[dmensing]

Welcome Ralph!

As Lorie said, reading the boards is the best way to learn quickly. We have the added bonus of Lorie's insatiable desire to research! We are first time cruisers too, but reading the cruising boards for the last year has answered most of my questions and some I didn't even know I had.

Wow, we are coming up on the 300 day mark! Remember when we were in the 600's! Has anyone nailed down any excursion reservations? We are playing with the idea of doing the dolphin swim in Cozumel but there are so many cool things to choose from, I don't know what to pick!

C'ya!
Dan.

 

[Jillpie]

Welcome RalphieN!! Can we call you Ralphie? I love that name, Ralphie! You'll have fun here and I hope we can help answer all your questions.

 

[jtjcwise]

Lorie,

We are planning on flying down on June 22 and staying at Wilderness Lodge for 2 nights.

Then we will be flying back on July 1 in the afternoon.

At least those are the plans at this time.

 

[musicgirl]

Jeff,

You'll have to let me know what flights if you are out of Cols. We can have an early dis meet at the airport!!!