09/16/06 Double Scoop Group- see ya real soon!!

[sirena]

Joannel, did you spend that much on a 7 nt?

I spent really little on the 4 nt cruise for the 4 of us - about $500 including tips, nursery, drinks (we usually just ordered one with dinner), photos, laundry and souveniers but we did not do any excursions. The excursions are going to add up for sure this time. Does anyone know how much is tip for a 7 nt?

 

[seashells]

Ive got 1200-1500 budgeted for the three of us, my kids have saved $600 so far between the two of them for this trip.

I saw on this site that the min tip is $76 per person for 7 day.

What is the rainforest??

As for photos, even the food Ill be taking snap shots of, Ive got friends who want to see every meal I eat!!

 

[seashells]

Found this interesting...

Chacchoben Ruins (Costa Maya)
Disney Me $69 DD10 $69 DS6 $59 Total $207.00
Chacchobenruins.com Me$43 DD10 $43 DS6 $43 Total $129.00
Savings $78.00

Atlantis Submarine (Cozumel)
Disney Me $89 DD10 $89 DS6 $57 Total $235.00
Direct w/Atlantis Me $79 DD10 $45 DS $45 Total $169.00
Savings $66.00

As long as these companies will allow me to book last minutes I will book direct and save (okay not really save but have more to spend elsewhere on the cruise

I understand Disney has to mark up a bit but I found it unfair to charge adult rates for kids 10 and up when the tour company recognizes 10-13 as kids rate.

 

[JOANNEL]

Yep we spent a lot. Excursions are expensive, if you have 4 and take a $65-$80 excursion at each stop it adds up. I also can't pass on any pictures my kids are in. This shouldn't be as bad since the kids will not be with us.

I also take tons of pictures. I wish I was more creative in the scrap booking. I just buy lots of stickers.

The non disney excursions make me nervous. What is you get stuck in traffic? We took a taxi on Grand Caymen to Hell after we got back from Stingray city. The traffic was so bad we only had a half hour to spare to get back on the ship. Even our taxi driver was nervous? Do you guys know what pier we come into in Cozmel? The disney used to use the one by Carlos & Charlies. The RCCL was no where near that. The kids took a taxi back into town.

 

[gssmks]

Found this interesting...

Chacchoben Ruins (Costa Maya)
Disney Me $69 DD10 $69 DS6 $59 Total $207.00
Chacchobenruins.com Me$43 DD10 $43 DS6 $43 Total $129.00
Savings $78.00

Atlantis Submarine (Cozumel)
Disney Me $89 DD10 $89 DS6 $57 Total $235.00
Direct w/Atlantis Me $79 DD10 $45 DS $45 Total $169.00
Savings $66.00

As long as these companies will allow me to book last minutes I will book direct and save (okay not really save but have more to spend elsewhere on the cruise

I understand Disney has to mark up a bit but I found it unfair to charge adult rates for kids 10 and up when the tour company recognizes 10-13 as kids rate.

I have a couple questions:

1. Does the amounts for booking yourself include transportation from the ship to the excursion site? Disney's does.

2. I am assuming you found these figures on the internet. Would the site let you go ahead and reserve this on your own now? If so, why are you waiting until you get there?

 

[seashells]

I have two criteria that have to be met to book direct.

1. The excursion has to be easily reached from where the ship drops me off

2. I need to know that there is a cancellation/refund policy if there is bad weather and the ship can not stop at these destinations or if they will allow me to book a few days in advance when I am sure about the destinations.
(Maybe on line from the ship)

Ive sent emails to the companies to find out this info, I'll let you know when I get a response.

Im not a gambler so I would need to make sure all the bases are covered. I just thought Id share what I learned.

 

[sirena]

I've looked and read great reviews about Ivan's company - the native choice(Chacchohobenruins.com). I already sent them an email inquiring about transportation arrangements. They do pick you up but I think you have to take a taxi ride (5 min) to their pick up location. You need only to send them an email to make your reservation. They will confirm by email and hold spaces for you. You do not have to pay upfront. Right now they only accept cash. I forgot to ask if all ages have to pay since I have a 4 y/o and a 19 month old.

 

[sirena]

What about budgeting for rebooking? I am thinking about booking onboard to get the disct and incentive. I know for a 7 nt it's 10% disc and $200 credit. Is this true for a 4 nt as well?

 

[ericamanda01]

We already have a 0% intrest credit card lined up for rebooking while onboard. DH and I didn't when we were on our last cruise and we regreted it. We booked our next cruise (this one) a month later and lost out on the $200 credit. Oh well live and learn. After we pay off the cruise I am going to call and put credit on our room, but I am a little paranoid. I'm scared that it will get lost in the system some how, so I will only put enough to cover the tips.

 

[dzneprincess]

I've looked and read great reviews about Ivan's company - the native choice(Chacchohobenruins.com). I already sent them an email inquiring about transportation arrangements. They do pick you up but I think you have to take a taxi ride (5 min) to their pick up location. You need only to send them an email to make your reservation. They will confirm by email and hold spaces for you. You do not have to pay upfront. Right now they only accept cash. I forgot to ask if all ages have to pay since I have a 4 y/o and a 19 month old.

Sirena there are a couple of families doing the tour with Ivan and David on our upcomnig cruise

 

[dzneprincess]

What about budgeting for rebooking? I am thinking about booking onboard to get the disct and incentive. I know for a 7 nt it's 10% disc and $200 credit. Is this true for a 4 nt as well?

4 nt is only $100 SBC and no disc

 

[dzneprincess]

We already have a 0% intrest credit card lined up for rebooking while onboard. DH and I didn't when we were on our last cruise and we regreted it. We booked our next cruise (this one) a month later and lost out on the $200 credit. Oh well live and learn. After we pay off the cruise I am going to call and put credit on our room, but I am a little paranoid. I'm scared that it will get lost in the system some how, so I will only put enough to cover the tips.

I dont wanna hear that mess! I told yall to book it! Even if you had to cancel later but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...LYMI

 

[sirena]

Sirena there are a couple of families doing the tour with Ivan and David on our upcomnig cruise

If you hear their comments, please let me know. Do you know of anyone donating supplies for the school? I want to make sure I have time to do both.

4 nt is only $100 SBC and no disc

Then I guess I will have to book a 7 nt then

 

[gssmks]

Good news everyone!!!! I just got home from WW. Even with the cheating for Mother's Day, I lost 5.2lbs!!!!!!!!!! While I'm sure most of this is water loss where I gave up carbonated drinks, I'm still celebrating.

 

[sirena]

That's excellent. Keep it up and you'll be all slim down for the cruise.

 

[seashells]

Congratulations!!!

 

[dzneprincess]

Gail that is awesome!!!!!!!!

 

[JOANNEL]

Good job Gail. I won't tell you what I ate today, but we did OUtback for dinner it's my mother's 85th birthday.

 

[ericamanda01]

I dont wanna hear that mess! I told yall to book it! Even if you had to cancel later but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...LYMI

Two words...shut it!

 

[gssmks]

Thanks guys! I still have a lot more to go, but it's a good start. It has me motivated to work harder this week. Our group leader said that it's hard to have two big weight losses in a row, but I'm going to give it a try.