11/13/04 Eastern Cruise only We Did It

[cjsmom97]

Ok....starting from the top

Me and DH w/2 boys (then ages 7 & 4)
Brother & SIL w/DD (age 5) and DS (age 4)
SIL & BIL w/DD (age 8)
Brothers friend w/DW and 2 girls (ages 4 & 5)
as for the others and there ages.... All I need to say is that they do not qualify for the senior discount, yet!

I used to have an AIM name but I will have to sign up again. I will let you know when I do that.

My travel agent called DCL today and they are extending the other rooms we have for another month!! That means that we can have even more people go!! Yes, there are some people that we know that ISN'T going! We have checked the Disney Cruise site for the most current prices and it seems that they have gone up a bit from what we have on hold now. I love finding a good deal.

Anyone find a great rental car rate from the Port to the airport on the return?

The other thing that I was looking for is some info on was Insurance. We found the trip assist through Access America was the best buy so far. Kids are free under that plan. Anyone else have info?

 

[cjsmom97]

Hey house_of_princesses!

We are practically neighbors!!

 

[house_of_princesses]

A Big Welcome, Cjsmom97! In relation to the DIS, I guess you can say we're next door neighbors!

Glad you found us here, and happy to hear about your great deals! Makes the vacation that much more magical. You've got quite a crew coming along. Most of them from around our neck of the woods? The COLD neck?

Is this your first cruise? Are you going to spend time at WDW before or after our cruise? Driving or flying south?

You asked about car rentals. With the size group you have, I'd look into a livery service that perhaps has vans or large limos. Compare that to the car rental.

Hope you have fun here on the DIS! Lots of friendly people, more information than you could process!

 

[CarnotaurDad]

A huge welcome to the board!!!

As for the rental cars, at last glance, Budget was about $39 + taxes for one way from port to airport......doesn't seem too bad....

 

[disneydreamer1970]

Welcome aboard cjsmom97!!!! That is quite a crew you have!! I am glad to hear that you have sons....for a while I have been the only one with a boy!! My DS will be 13 at the time of the cruise, and my DD will be 1 week shy of her 4th birtdhay!! Guess you can't guess where we are celebrating!!!

Is there still a chat planned for Tuesday?? DS was pretty sick this past Tuesday and I wasn't able to join in...

 

[cjsmom97]

Thanks everyone!!

Yes, we are all from these **brrrr** parts. All but my SIL's parents are still living in the area. They have retired to North Carolina.

For the most part, it will be the first cruise for everyone (except my dad and step-mom and my aunt)

We plan on doing WDW for the week following the cruise. My aunt has a timeshare and has invited us to stay.

We are flying down the day before the cruise to get a little more rest before the day of the cruise. We have rented a condo on the beach for the night (another great deal).

We only need 3 rental cars for the ride back to Orlando and one of them is a minivan. The best rates I can find for the minivan is 69.46 (with the taxes and fees) through Budget. The best I could find for National was 70.41. We have already booked the other 2 cars (full size) through National for 36.06 (with fees). Both have unlimited mileage. I have played with all kind of codes, so much that I have started going crosseyed!!

If someone sees something better (especially for the minivan), please let me know!! We have seen specials for 34.99 but the dates don't apply or there is a 3 day minimum.

We are trying to keep all of our costs to a minimum on things like rentals. We are hoping to start construction of our new home next spring so if we can cut a few corners on the trip, it sure would help.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

what a week. we now have more people going woohoo. i have seen all types of winter weather this week. freezing rain snow and yes sub zero temps. im home now and it feels like a heat wave at 38 degress lol. alomst there

 

[feenie]

Ok!! The girl I work with and her sister are going!!! they made their deposit! So we will have 2 more with us for sure! Both are first time cruisers. I have to try really hard not to talk her ear off while we are supposed to be "working"!!
I can't take much more of this cold! I am SOOOO glad that it is finally above freezing here today.
We have been watching our friends three kids this past week while the bums were in Florida so at least our car had the benifit of a garage for what will hopefully be the coldest week of the winter...

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

WTG Feenie. the more the marrier. its only 299 more days til the cruise

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

looks like there is going to be more DD then DS. oh well. where are the men when we need them LOL. im hoping to get 1 family to go. i hope but money is tight with some. cya next week on here everyone

 

[GrayFal]

If you are around tonight, lets chat on AOL IM.....anyone who needs an invite or wants to add their IM name to our "list" please pm me on this board....just include your DIS board name so I know who you are.

Lets think of questions related to "Days at Sea" - what to do....what is worth your time to do and what isn't - best places to hang out - spa stuff - kids day at sea programs.

So tonight after Frazier let's chat at 9:30 eastern, 8 :30 central....after H_O_P karate!

feenie, i asked KY to add your friends to our list.....

 

[disneydreamer1970]

Thank you all who chatted last night!! Y'all have wonderful idease for a rookie cruiser like myself!! I can't wait until next week!!!

Have a great week everyone!!!!!!

Trish

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

its a pitty i cant join everyone on the tuesday nite chats. i have to drive all week long. week in and week out. but a job is a job. i hope to get a chance to chat with everyone soon. i also can wait til the cruise. cya around the boards.

 

[Favorite Auntie]

I am sitting here in a tropical heat wave....12 degrees! And my parents are going on the Wonder on 2/1/04. It's just not fair! I have to wait sooooo long for my cruise.

 

[cantsitstill]

We just booked this cruise last weekend! It's me, DH, DS12 and DS10......and will be our second, but 1st 7-day. My parents are coming, too - it'll be their first cruise. It's kind of a late celebration of our 20th anniversary and their 40th. It's so exciting to find others that are in the same boat! Keep in touch all - it's a while off, but we'll make it!!!!

 

[CarnotaurDad]

Welcome, cantsitstill (love the name!),

We are a lively bunch who can't sit still either......

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

Welcome, cantsitstill
the more the marrier. if you send me a private massage ill add your screen name and DS's and your parents to the main page list. i hope this becomes a great cruise for all of us.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

if you havent please add you names to these lists please

http://www.casshew.com/cruisebydate.htm

http://www.majesticnetworks.net/whoisgoing.html

thanks

 

[cjsmom97]

I just added ours to the list...

By the way, we added on two more rooms yesterday!! And. we just checked the DCL site and our room is $560 more. That is just since November. Is this typical? Just curious... If anyone knows someone that is interested in going, we still have a couple more rooms on hold at the lower rate. I just love finding a bargain!

By the way, here is the ones to add to our list...

Step-Brother and 2 DD (6 & 8)
Step-Sister and DS (10) **
Step-Sister and DS (12) **

**They are rooming together

Hopefully, there are more to come. Hope to chat later...

 

[cantsitstill]

Yeah cj! 2 more boys - and the same age as ours! I noticed 2 girls going, too - same age (from the house of princesses)