It is with a heavy heart that I write this - my family (Tinkermom3 and kids) and I will NOT be cruising with you.
Due to other vacations that we have planned, our kids' school schedules (the school district moved teacher conferences around since we booked), DW's possible work schedule (large training session at her job where she presents to a lot of folks), and the economy in general (I will likely get a very very small bonus in 2/2009), we had to make some changes.
We have a WDW trip planned for 12/18 - 12/23 this year that we just won't change. We had a Christmas WDW trip planned for 3 years ago, but had to cancel due to a life-altering health event that happened to DW. So canceling again is out of the question. We also have a WDW/Vero Beach trip planned for 7/2009. We are DVC members, and were able to get one of the beachfront cottages at Vero for 5 nights. Being the beach-loving people that we are, we couldn't pass that up. And since we're spending all that money GETTING to FL, we couldn't NOT go to WDW. We will try to do it on the cheap (staying offsite in another timeshare we have) but it's hard to do 5 days in WDW completely cheap. So the trip that had to give is the 10/2009 cruise.
Our plan was to get into the Tier 1 pricing for the 2/2010 cruises that went on sale last week. Well, if any of you priced out the 2010 Caribbean itineraries, you know there was not a bargain to be found. Within 5 minutes of when online booking started, the cost of a Cat 4 (what we are already in) was over $3000 more than what we paid. A Cat6/Cat11 combination cost over $2500 more. We have friends traveling with us in a Cat 7, and the price of that cabin had gone up $900 for 2 people. So, back to the drawing board - we had to do something to cut costs.
Apparently we weren't the only ones who thought 2010 pricing was ridiculous. The TA we were using couldn't believe the price increases. The Disboards had many threads (and continue to do) on the prices, and folks began looking at other cruise lines. On a whim, we decided to look at
Royal Caribbean....
And that's where we ended up. We are now on the 2/6/2010 Eastern Caribbean sailing on their yet-to-be-launched Oasis of the Seas. We got a balcony stateroom and an inside room (5 in the party) for $625 more. Our friends are now in an unobstructed balcony room compared to their Cat 7 for actually $100 less (they booked
DCL way after us). Yes, our costs went up. But yes, I also get to push the cruise into another "bonus year" and can pay it off in less than 3 months, which is important. It also stretches out our vacations a bit, and instead of wanting to go on another Disney vacation in early 2010 (like we would if we cruised in 10/2009), we will probably not go again until 10/2010 or 12/2010.
So, I hope you all have a great trip. This was very difficult. We loved the DCL Magic. We were able to get the same stateroom, and we felt we now knew the ship. Maybe we'll be back when they announce the new ships and itineraries...!
Boy oh boy did I ever get the hugs and kisses from the both of them that day.
......WOW!!! so sorry to see everyone go.... 
...but I hope you all enjoy your other plans.
sad1: ) next time. We're all really excited! We did the 4 day for our first cruise and loved it! 
Maybe I can work out one of the easier type homemade gifts! Michaels, here I come!
