12/09/06 Cruise Continued ~ Pirating Bananas DIS Geekorama Part 2 Part 2

[becka]

John - I saw the update on your Dad and I hope you continue to get good news. I figure by now I have probably missed you but have a great trip!

I know this is probably not the place to come to to get good rational advice but I will toss this out here anyway. DH and I will be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary this upcoming May 24th. We originally had planned long ago to take a week long Disney cruise to celebrate but the Med sailings prevented that. That is actually how we ended up on the Geek cruise.

Well we really would like to get away for a few days around our anniversary not only because it is our anniversary but because we are just at one of those points where it would probably be very beneficial to get away just the two of us to reconnect and have some fun. It looks like the 3 night DCL cruise that leaves on 5/24 is on sale and it would now only cost us $998 for the 2 of us in a Cat 12. We had been looking at some Carnival 4 night cruises that are just about $50 less but we just were not too excited about them.

The plusses would be obvious but there seem to be a lot of reasons why we should not go. The price is still really high when you consider airfare (right now over $500 total for the 2 of us), a car to the port, a night in a hotel the night before the cruise, tips, etc.. I figure we are looking at close to $2200 for just a 3 night cruise! We will have that money from our tax refund but we had planned to use it to pay for all of our November WDW vacation and to use some it to pay down a credit card balance.

Plus I would have to take 3 days vacation from work when I am already pretty low on vacation. The kids could stay with my parents but with DS's new food allergies it seems like an awful lot to ask. Plus Allie has been acting weird lately and has not been the easiest kid to take care of. We have never left DD overnight with my parents and while she knows them she has not seen them since Thanksgiving - that is a long time for a 2 year old. If she has a bad time there will be nothing we can do because we can't come home early and/or even call to see how she is. Plus I figure DS may be really, really upset if we go on the "Mickey boat" without him.

I just don't know what to do. Part of me thinks that we should take the time (and spend the money ) to get away. 10 years of marriage is something we should celebrate. Another part of me says that we can keep it lowkey and celebrate it without spending $$$$. Are we going to look back someday and wish we had taken this trip?

So what would you guys do in my place?

 

[brack]

BTW . . . Dad is doing better every day - they found some polyps in his stomache (caused the anemia) and hopefully they will come back benign.

And in case you were wondering (Lisa)

BUCKEYES WIN!​

They did but I bet you were holding your breath for that last two minutes!

 

[brack]

So what would you guys do in my place?

Cruise!

 

[goofyforlife]

So what would you guys do in my place?

Becka

i know how it is to need that mommy/daddy "alone time"....

It's just a little far for you to get to a boat to cruise....

Is it possible to find some alone time closer to home? Maybe a B&B with a hot tub or something like those hotels in the Poconos with honeymoon suites and other activities..... Maybe even Niagara Falls...

I know i had plans that i wanted to happen for our 10th last year.... Well Elvis and Las Vegas never happened but i did get to sail with all you guys a couple months later and it was one if not the best vacation we've taken.

~~Kristina

 

[MrsMork]

Becka, we, of course, are always in favor of a Disney Cruise! But, with all the circumstances you described I think Kristina may have some good thoughts. A three day weekend at t bed and breakfast can be a wonderful way to reconnect. Bed and breakfast hosts are very good at pampering you, yet giving you lots of space. Lots less money, less time for your parents to deal with the kids, less vacation time used. You could easily prepare 3 days worth of snacks, food, etc for DS so your mom won't have to fret about what he can and can't have. You would be able to talk with the kids by phone if you need to, although for a reconnect weekend I would advise not call them, but give let your parents know that if they absolutely have to call they can. You will also be guilt free when you return instead of thinking how "bad" it was to do the Mickey Boat without DS.

 

[87Heel]

Hey, Becka,
I think time away is a great thing. But I'll add my voice to those saying that the 3-day DC may not work for you right now. I bet you can find something fun nearby.... Visit St. Louis or KC and do all the tourist stuff. Have a cheesy, campy time with the shows in Branson. You get the idea.

 

[dh chrisva]

Becka,

I know your not crazy about Carnival, but Carnival and RCCL both have ports in New Orleans and Galveston which I believe are alot closer than Florida to you. Also like Kristina mentioned there's Niagra Falls or maybe the Mountians of Tennesse (Gatlinsburg) which maybe nice in the spring.
Of course what about Branson. You are there afterall (MO) i know my parents liked it but not sure if its your cup of tea....

 

[pjpoohbear]

John - I saw the update on your Dad and I hope you continue to get good news. I figure by now I have probably missed you but have a great trip!

I know this is probably not the place to come to to get good rational advice but I will toss this out here anyway. DH and I will be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary this upcoming May 24th. We originally had planned long ago to take a week long Disney cruise to celebrate but the Med sailings prevented that. That is actually how we ended up on the Geek cruise.

Well we really would like to get away for a few days around our anniversary not only because it is our anniversary but because we are just at one of those points where it would probably be very beneficial to get away just the two of us to reconnect and have some fun. It looks like the 3 night DCL cruise that leaves on 5/24 is on sale and it would now only cost us $998 for the 2 of us in a Cat 12. We had been looking at some Carnival 4 night cruises that are just about $50 less but we just were not too excited about them.

The plusses would be obvious but there seem to be a lot of reasons why we should not go. The price is still really high when you consider airfare (right now over $500 total for the 2 of us), a car to the port, a night in a hotel the night before the cruise, tips, etc.. I figure we are looking at close to $2200 for just a 3 night cruise! We will have that money from our tax refund but we had planned to use it to pay for all of our November WDW vacation and to use some it to pay down a credit card balance.

Plus I would have to take 3 days vacation from work when I am already pretty low on vacation. The kids could stay with my parents but with DS's new food allergies it seems like an awful lot to ask. Plus Allie has been acting weird lately and has not been the easiest kid to take care of. We have never left DD overnight with my parents and while she knows them she has not seen them since Thanksgiving - that is a long time for a 2 year old. If she has a bad time there will be nothing we can do because we can't come home early and/or even call to see how she is. Plus I figure DS may be really, really upset if we go on the "Mickey boat" without him.

I just don't know what to do. Part of me thinks that we should take the time (and spend the money ) to get away. 10 years of marriage is something we should celebrate. Another part of me says that we can keep it lowkey and celebrate it without spending $$$$. Are we going to look back someday and wish we had taken this trip?

So what would you guys do in my place?

Becka, GO!

Set up a menu plan for Nat, make ahead what you can, freeze, etc. Allie will be with her brother and will adjust. You need the time with Arron. It's three days.

Hugs Pj

 

[becka]

Thanks guys! I actually have to a little bit at the Branson idea. That thought had actually occurred to us. In fact I was calling it the "Return To the Scene of the Crime" plan. DH and I actually met there while in college. College of the Ozarks is about 2 miles south of Branson so we are more than familiar with the area. In fact that is where we spent all of our pre-married days and we were even married there. We had also considered checking out a B&B in Eureka Springs, AR for a few nights since that would be closer to my parents then Branson.

I think in the end that may be what we ended up doing but the price drop on that 3 night cruise had me wondering.

 

[brack]

Thanks guys! I actually have to a little bit at the Branson idea. That thought had actually occurred to us. In fact I was calling it the "Return To the Scene of the Crime" plan. DH and I actually met there while in college. College of the Ozarks is about 2 miles south of Branson so we are more than familiar with the area. In fact that is where we spent all of our pre-married days and we were even married there. We had also considered checking out a B&B in Eureka Springs, AR for a few nights since that would be closer to my parents then Branson.

I think in the end that may be what we ended up doing but the price drop on that 3 night cruise had me wondering.

We love Branson! Annette and I have had a few 3 -4 day minitrips to Branson. It's a great getaway place.

 

[becka]

I know lots of people love it but Branson was never really our thing. We saw a lot of the shows because we were bored and because we could see them for free but I don't think we would actually ever have paid for them. Our general idea was to just go there to relax and to be a little silly doing things we did back when we were dating. Mini-golf, a movie, dinner at a favorite restaurant (and this time we could order what we wanted without having to worry so much about the $$$ ), walking around campus, driving to the park where we used to park our car and......talk , walking down to the Point like we used to to.... talk some more.

 

[goofyforlife]

driving to the park where we used to park our car and......talk , walking down to the Point like we used to to.... talk some more.

Hey wait you don't want any souvies on this trip do you?.....

 

[87Heel]

Hey wait you don't want any souvies on this trip do you?.....

I thought that staying home and pricing was dangerous!!

 

[pjpoohbear]

A pricing we will go, a pricing we will go......

 

[becka]

Hey wait you don't want any souvies on this trip do you?.....

Hey I didn't say I would do those things NOW! I just meant that DH and I seemed to "talk" a lot while we were in college. Boy I sure wish I was that young and talkative again.

 

[kimerinc]

John - I saw the update on your Dad and I hope you continue to get good news. I figure by now I have probably missed you but have a great trip!

I know this is probably not the place to come to to get good rational advice but I will toss this out here anyway. DH and I will be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary this upcoming May 24th. We originally had planned long ago to take a week long Disney cruise to celebrate but the Med sailings prevented that. That is actually how we ended up on the Geek cruise.

Well we really would like to get away for a few days around our anniversary not only because it is our anniversary but because we are just at one of those points where it would probably be very beneficial to get away just the two of us to reconnect and have some fun. It looks like the 3 night DCL cruise that leaves on 5/24 is on sale and it would now only cost us $998 for the 2 of us in a Cat 12. We had been looking at some Carnival 4 night cruises that are just about $50 less but we just were not too excited about them.

The plusses would be obvious but there seem to be a lot of reasons why we should not go. The price is still really high when you consider airfare (right now over $500 total for the 2 of us), a car to the port, a night in a hotel the night before the cruise, tips, etc.. I figure we are looking at close to $2200 for just a 3 night cruise! We will have that money from our tax refund but we had planned to use it to pay for all of our November WDW vacation and to use some it to pay down a credit card balance.

Plus I would have to take 3 days vacation from work when I am already pretty low on vacation. The kids could stay with my parents but with DS's new food allergies it seems like an awful lot to ask. Plus Allie has been acting weird lately and has not been the easiest kid to take care of. We have never left DD overnight with my parents and while she knows them she has not seen them since Thanksgiving - that is a long time for a 2 year old. If she has a bad time there will be nothing we can do because we can't come home early and/or even call to see how she is. Plus I figure DS may be really, really upset if we go on the "Mickey boat" without him.

I just don't know what to do. Part of me thinks that we should take the time (and spend the money ) to get away. 10 years of marriage is something we should celebrate. Another part of me says that we can keep it lowkey and celebrate it without spending $$$$. Are we going to look back someday and wish we had taken this trip?

So what would you guys do in my place?

Becka, you are right about the rational advice. Steve and I ALWAYS, go away for our anniversary, but we go somewhere within driving distance because we prefer to spend the big bucks with DD. We go to Jackson Hole. I would take time away, but make it a few hours drive instead of a huge plane trip for 3 days. just MHO.

Kim

and P.S.. IM on Im ON!!!! it works!!!

 

[MrsMork]

I know lots of people love it but Branson was never really our thing. We saw a lot of the shows because we were bored and because we could see them for free but I don't think we would actually ever have paid for them. Our general idea was to just go there to relax and to be a little silly doing things we did back when we were dating. Mini-golf, a movie, dinner at a favorite restaurant (and this time we could order what we wanted without having to worry so much about the $$$ ), walking around campus, driving to the park where we used to park our car and......talk , walking down to the Point like we used to to.... talk some more.

Now this seems like a perfect 10th anniversary to me. Reliving the memories of when you were getting to know (and love) each other sounds great to me. Walks, talks, mini-golf, parking the car and, um..talking.

 

[MrsMork]

So, now you got me thinking, Becka. October will be our 40th. Wonder if we should park the car somewhere and see if there is still room in there for us to talk. Hmmmm. Maybe we should take the motorhome!

 

[lillygator]

Becka - I would go somewhere a bit more local....(and I have serious issues with airfare costs - so keep that in mind). For a 3 nighter to cost that much (total), I would rather save it and get a couples massage or something on your next family cruise!! .....no pricing allowed!

 

[Jhalkias]

Hello everybody!

Writing to you from the beautiful lobby at Disney's Vero Beach!

Free Wi-Fi this year, but I have to walk over to the lobby.

I won't be on long, as it has been a long travel day.

After we got here, about 5:00, Sophia and I were going in the gate to the pool, and the couple ahead of us looked at us and said "Aren't you on the WB Repo cruise??"

Now what kind of coincindence is that?

Got to meet Tiggerhappy and her husband who are down here to catch some baseball Spring training. I am terrible, and would have never recognized someone from pictures! They are on our WB thread.

Hope Utah is doing well in the pagent!

Our HS team Lost in the state semi-final tonight . . .