11/27/04 the sequel.....

[CurtS]

Thank you, April! Great information! The Quality Suites sounded perfect. I checked the price tag through AAA and it was only $117 per night. From what you describe, it sounds like there would be more than enough room for our crew. Because of fire regulations, we always have to book two rooms (not State law, just that most motel chains know our kids), so that sounds like a really good deal! Ironically, I taught a computer class today and one of my students was a nurse who works part-time and is taking classes to be a travel agent (I think it's more a matter of being burned out than really being interested in planning). You would do a great job as a travel agent--you've got a lot of inside information.

I got something from CCL Saturday offering a 2 category upgrade if we book by March 31, 2006. Boy, everyone is making this trip planning hard! Plus, it was 7 below zero wind chilll when I left this morning for work, so I'm REALLY in the mood to book something way South!

Thanks again for all of the help and information.

Tracey--I hope you get over your cold before the holidays. I hope all goes well for your grandfather.

To Everyone--Have a Safe and Merry Christmas!

Curt

 

[CurtS]

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Curt

 

[NJ Cruisers]

Merry Christmas!!!

 

[NJ Cruisers]

wow ... look at that ticker thing. It says 22 days until my next cruise. Do you think they are paying for it too? I could do another one in January .. I WISH

Diane

 

[NJ Cruisers]

OK .. Wake up Diane ... it says 22 SINCE the cruise ... I have to get rid of that thing!! I don't want to know old cruises.

 

[Popovich]

I hope everyone had a great Christmas!!! The kids big present from Santa was a two person indoor basketball game. They haven't stopped playing it. I think I'm going to hear the pounding of basketballs and the buzzer in my sleep!! I don't know how many more years of Santa that we'll have. Nicole at 8 is starting to question things a little! So we'll enjoy it while we can.

We'd look at doing another cruise line for a different itenerary but it would be in '07. Our vacation budget is shot for next year, so I don't think we'll be cruising in '06 . We have an Easter trip to Hilton Head with Greg's family and a summer trip planned to the Outer Banks then a 4 day trip to Cedar Point in late summer. One of the families we met onboard this year may join us at Cedar Point which would be great . So next year I'll be in Cleveland and reading posts about your trips !

I think we'll probably do at least one more Disney cruise. We had such a great time this year. We rebooked onboard for Nov 17th '06 but will change it to a date in '07 or beyond.

April, I can't wait to hear about your trip. Have a great time!!

Hope all is well. Stay warm!

Gailyn

 

[dzneprincess]

Hi everyone! I just wanted to pop in and wish everyone a Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!

 

[april riddle]

Happy New Year everyone!
It is hard to believe that in just a couple of weeks I will back on a ship! I am really looking forward to this trip and have met some really great people over at Cruise Critic.
I hope everyone survived Christmas this year - my living room and family room is still overrun by lego and video games. My boys go back to school on Monday so everything will be put back in order this weekend.
I do have a second cruise booked for 06 - four day soverign of the seas over New Year's. this is a secret and only I know that it is going to happen. We have a trip to Myrtle Beach planned for the summer.
Gailyn I love Cedar Point - went every summer when I was a kid. Grew up an hour from Detroit so we would go at least once a summer. I used to love that huge ferris wheel. Someone told me that it wasn't there anymore. Do you know if it is?
I hope you all have a wonderful 2006 - happy and prosperous! Take care April

 

[kim bremner]

Happy New Year as well!!! We just returned from visiting our daughter in Guatemala. She is amazing and we are hoping to have her home soon. RCCL is still my favorite, this year is out due to adoption and adjustment time. We are in for RCCL in 2007 if any of you are going. Very interested in the new ship they are coming out with, looks fabulous! Thinking of you all and missing you too.
I can't remember when I last posted, but we did a one week on Carnival Pride 11/27 of 2005. It was fun but just OK!
How is everyone?

 

[dtuleya]

Hi Kim, congrats on your baby girl! Bet you're planning her first cruise already!

We'll be cruising sometime in June 2007 on RCCL for our DS graduation from high school (along with all his buddies and their families), but we might be heading out from one of mid-atlantic ports to save on airfare.

Hope everyone is having a great new year!

 

[dzneprincess]

Kim!
That is wonderful news! Congratulations! I am headed out on the Wonder next Sunday (1/22) if anyone would like to request anything please PM me and I would be glad to help out!

 

[traceycooper]

Happy New Year everyone!
I'M GETTING MARRIED THIS YEAR!!!
I'M GOING HOME TO DISNEY THIS YEAR TOO!!
Its nice to be able to say 'THIS' year now
Can anyone recommend nice restaurants in Disney & any nice 'extras' that i can book?

 

[CurtS]

That is great news, Kim! Congratulations! The whole Spielman gaggle wish you the best--what a great way to start the new year!

And to all--a very belated Happy New Year!

Tracey--it's good to hear that you're coming back across the pond to visit with Mickey and friends!

Amanda and April--I'm jealous. I wish we were going on another one this year, but it looks like RCCL some time in 2007. We thought about CCL this year, but Steph's still not convinced that it's suitable for children (all of my efforts to convince her otherwise has failed--she thinks that I'll be on board, dressed up nicely in my Snow White outfit and some guy will wisk me away to a casino, never to be seen again).

We also decided against WDW this winter. I got a book called "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World" and, after reading it, I was frightened to go on any of the rides! I think we'll wait until the littlest ones get a bit older and the shortest ones get a bit taller. A cruise seems like a bit more practical for the moment--no worry about people getting too lost (well, they are kinb of in a confined area). Plus, there's something for everyone with the wide age ranges right now. Let us know when everyone is cruising for 2007.

Hope everyone is having a great new year! And congratulations, again, Kim to you and your family!

Curt

 

[CurtS]

...oh, and by the way, I don't know ANYTHING about an Indianapolis football team!

Curt

 

[april riddle]

Hi everyone - Congrats to Kim and her family on their new addition. We got back this afternoon from Mariner of the Seas. The trip was really great and we truly enjoyed every minute on it. The kids had fun. We have decided that we will try one of the bigger Carnival ships for our next cruise. We had a great time but sometimes it was difficult to find the customer service that we had on both the Magic and our Carnival cruise in June. The ship was huge too and I think if we do go RCCL it will not be on one of the Voyager fleet. Bigger is not always better. The Captain was awesome - always getting on the intercom with Chinese proverbs and he also could be found in the English pub playing his guitar and singing. He also sang Brown Eyed Girl at the Farewell show. The food was very good the kids were not that impressed with the kids clubs but that doesn't really mean much because they didn't like Disney's either. The sports deck was amazing with the basketball court, putt putt, inline skating and rock wall. We did not ice skate but the Ice Show was very good. Our room was huge - we had a Jr. suite and it was 290 sq feet and the balcony had two regular chairs a table and a lounge - very cool. It seemed much much larger than our balcony room on the Magic. We had very thick robes supplied by the room stewart. I did not have withdrawal symptoms this afternoon like my last two cruises so I am not sure whether it was that particular ship or that I was ready for vacation to be over. Last Friday we went to Discovery Cove - all I can say is that if you ever get the opportunity to do it - don't hesitate to do it. It is very pricy but I felt that it was money well spent. By the way we missed the Grand Cayman's due to high swells and we couldn't tender. That was very disappointing. Cozumel is a mess but they are doing a great job getting it back in order. Well that is all - Amanda was getting on the Wonder as we were leaving the Mariner this morning. The weather in Orlando this morning was absolutely beautiful. Hope this helps - if you want any more info just let me know. Hey Curt - Panthers season just ended boo hoo!

 

[traceycooper]

Glad you had a great cruise, i just talked my parents into going to discovery cove last night!!! We have been twice before but parents have not.
Wish the weather was beautiful over here - its FREEZING, oh well 9 months left to go!!
Curt - not sure if it was you who gave me the number for 'Arts shuttle' when we cruised, but can any of you guys give me a good taxi firm & prices to take us from Orlando to Clearwater & back again? Not sure if 'Arts shuttle' is based at Port Canaveral so they might not be suitable.
Take care everyone Tracey xxx

 

[dtuleya]

Love your sparkly siggy Tracey - how did you do it?

 

[traceycooper]

I got the instructions from the vmk boards on dis, it took me ages, sorry cant remember how i did it!!

 

[CurtS]

April: at least the Panthers went one game longer than the Colts! Well, like my other beloved team--the Cubbies: "Just wait until next year". You've got me thinking about Carnival again instead of RCCL. I've heard really good things about both, but CCL regularly sends bargains through e-mail while RCCL seems to have just fallen aside.

Tracey--I've heard Art's is okay, but we didn't use them. We used Southern Elegance (www.southernelegancelimosines.com). They did an excellent job! The driver wasn't very talkative (although he likely didn't have much of an opportunity with our bunch), but he was very helpful and offered to stop on the way to the Port in case we needed anything like last-minute adult beverages. They also had a huge Goofy for Caleb and Cameron. I would highly recommend them.


Curt

 

[april riddle]

My mother has offered to babysit for a week next January so we can go for a mommy/daddy cruise so I am almost sure I am going to book Carnival from Ft. Lauderdale to Colon Panama, Belize and Cozumel (it is an 8 day cruise). I will let you know.
Tracey we booked through Florida Tours - very professional and was waiting for us at the hotel and the port.