20041218-cruise-friends-memories

[WDWLVR]

Great to see so many new cruisers joining us. If you haven't already (and if you haven't managed to read through all the notes on this thread) we'd like some information.

gaRry is keeping a cruise list and I'm gathering up info for a monthly news letter.

If you are interested in participating in the newsletter please drop me an e-mail at marygums@covad.net and include you DIS name, real name, names of those traveling with you, birthdays, anniversary date, cabin #, early or late seating, and anything special you want to share about yourself (which cruise is it #wise, are you DVC, anything like that). If you have favorite ports you'd like to talk about give me that info as well. I'm more than happy to put the newsletter together, but I'd like some info from everyone else.

I'm hoping to get the first issue done this week!

 

[LAMPSKIES]

O.K., so last night myself and DW are talking about "the holidays". We had such a good time last Thanksgiving at WDW with just us. Myself, DW, and DD's 13 and 11. Ya, family is nice but you can never seem to please both sides for holiday dinners and such......Soooooo I called DCL today and got a quote for the 10 night x-mas cruise. Catagory 6 verandah for the 4 of us with transfers was 9229.00. WOW!!! Seeing how I used our 50% voucher from our "cancelled Nov. 30 2002 eastern" and recieved a "free upgrade". Our 7 night Eastern 2003 was 3300.00 for a cat 6 verandah.......Well, that's only 19.00 per day between now and then.....right?????

 

[Mjasp]

Now thats a positive attitude. You should try putting it away every week, but if you do, I'm sure you'll spend it before final payment is due.

Edited to add...What about your shipboard account, 10 days on board? Give me the math please to figure out how I can do it.

 

[LAMPSKIES]

My ship board account I like to call "gold". As in plastic gold... lol!! We seem to spend a couple of hundred dollars a day on the ship on internet, drinks and arcade. It's the shopping in the ports that kills me.

 

[outahere]

If you're still undecided about this 10 day cruise, here may be some incentive....... the quote LAMPSKIES got is over $1200 higher than what we booked for (same category - 6) when the reservations opened up at the end of June. Sure looks like the prices are climbing very quickly. Just my humble opinion, but if you are even thinking about going, it might be worth it to put your deposit down now, before the prices go even higher. If you change your mind before the 60 day final payment date, you will get a full refund.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by Mjasp
Edited to add...What about your shipboard account, 10 days on board? Give me the math please to figure out how I can do it.

Here's my plan.

Starting in November I'm going to call DCL each pay day and purchase $50.00 in shipboard credits. That will give us $1,500 for our cruise. I also plan to use a the same system to pay for the cruise. I think $1000 should be more than enough for DS and I. If we both enjoy the cruise, I plan to book another for August 2005 while onboard.

If I treat the payment and credits as a bill, I won't risk using the money for something else.


Can you buy vouchers for mixed drinks in advance? What about smoothies for the kids? I think I read some place that Carnival does this, I was wondering if DCL did also. What about tips?

 

[Mjasp]

The mixed drinks go right on your ship board account, so you will be indirectly paying for them upfront when you put money down on the shipboard credit

 

[LAMPSKIES]

outahere.........I have 2 DD's that will be 14 and 12 and they are telling me that they change the prices for the under 18 ages the 14 yo is going to be 1612 and 12 is 1412.....just wondering if that is the price difference???

 

[LAMPSKIES]

I also just called for a quote and thay didn't know that that will be our 4th booking with DCL......they didn't ask a name so they didn't have a clue that I had sailed with them before.

.......They did tell me that the verandah is already 75% sold out for that sailing.

 

[Kabuli1]

Lampskies, I was going to say the same thing - that older kids and transfers might have been the difference between your's and outhere's cabins. I'd be thrilled to have you join us - this is a wonderful bunch of people! I booked thru DU and got their standard per stateroom credit - which helped a little. About two weeks ago All Seasons was offering a $250 onboard credit and some others her have found some "deals". I'm sure you'll hear about those. We have two cabins, a cat 8 and 11 so that we don't have to "room" with our very large children (18, 21). And our two were about the same as what you were quoted for 4 in a cat. 6. Seems to me when I asked about 4 of us "adults" in a verandah stateroom it was similar to what you were quoted. I'd love a verandah - but not at the cost of having 2 college kids in the room with me! Let us know when everything is settled!

It's wonderful to see new folk joining us! I hope everybody is enjoying their weekend!

Karyn

 

[tinksdad]

Originally posted by Dancind
snip..I'm sure my DH would love to keep track of anyone who's interested in scuba diving excursions. He was disappointed in the DCL excursion on St. Martin on our last October cruise, and is doing lots of research to find the best dive shops at our ports. He will organize his (and DD's) scuba excursions and I know he would be thrilled to have company, and it is cheaper than the DCL excursions. I can't remember his DIS boards name, he hardly ever gets on, but PM me if you scuba!

Meant to add, we would be happy to organize the 13-14 crew. Since they now have a separate group for this age in Common Grounds, seems like a natural split. My DD is an e-mail whiz, she could do group e-mailings to everyone.

My lovely bride told me this thread was getting wild. As she mentioned above, I and DD will be doing at least three scuba trips on this cruise. Most likely St. Thomas, St. Lucia, Castaway Cay and maybe Antigua. I will be happy to coordinate a group of interested parties for diving if its wanted.
Don't get in on this board much, but I have to say after reading the last 24 pages the excitement is getting to me too. Even though its more than a year away.

Party on!!

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

You guys post to often. I checking this board every few hours and there is always many new posts! I thought I was nuts. LOL I just wish this cruise was sooner. I am so glad there will be kids my age on this cruise.
Bye for now,
Matt

 

[jilljill]

Originally posted by Donalds_best_pal
You guys post to often. I checking this board every few hours and there is always many new posts! I thought I was nuts. LOL I just wish this cruise was sooner. I am so glad there will be kids my age on this cruise.
Bye for now,
Matt

I was thinking I was nuts too!!!
Now for 2004 to get here to say we have less than 1 year to go. Yeah!!!!!

 

[LAMPSKIES]

O.K...........I did it!!!! I put a hold on a verandah room.....room 6110 this morning. I'm booking thru DCL. When we got cancelled for our Nov. 2002 saiking DCL called to notify us directly. The outher couple booked thru a TA and had to notify the TA. We also recieved an upgrade with each of our bookings. We always sail "off peak". Now, let the party begin.....

P.S. I didn't tell DW and DD's I wonder how long I can keep it quiet????

 

[Mjasp]

Well, its been awhile did you tell them yet? LOL

Have fun

Joanna

 

[LAMPSKIES]

O.K., here's what I was told.......I put my ressie on hold and I am going to send in my deposit......If I book thru DCL and pay my deposit I can cancell at any time. Soooooo while on our Nov. 29 2003 Eastern sailing I am to see about the pricing for this cruise. Get a quote with ship board credits....If it's a better deal they told me I could cancell and rebook then.....Sound right????

 

[Mjasp]

Sounds right, But I think you did the right thing as this is a "hot" cruise and I don't think by November there will any cabins left and if there are the price difference will outweigh the on board credit.

Joanna

 

[LAMPSKIES]

I agree.....but it boesn't cost anything to try......the one thing I have found out was free from DCL.....information. lol I'm just going to make monthly pmts. on the balance and if something comes up and we can't go that will be a good chirstmas club account!!!!lol 480 days.......a lot of things can change!!!!!

 

[outahere]

LAMPSKIES........ yes, I think the age of the kids (at least the 16 year old) could be the difference. I still think it would be a wise move for anyone, even thinking about going, to put down a deposit now. If the verandah rooms are 75% booked already, this cruise will probably be sold out by this Christmas, if not before.

Anyone have any ideas on how to let Santa know to deliver to the Magic?

Is it time to pack yet?

 

[wdwgoose]

santa ??????????????????????????
$23.64 per day JUST pays the cruise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NOW are we doing anything else??????? scuba?? shopping??
ohh yaaa tips??????? the price of boonesfarm luckily is still
$ 2.69 per bottle YES anyone on base get it cheaper case price?????????
this is a long weekend cannt wait to go to work on monday yess


list updated anyone esle or maybee MORE info on the ones I have?????????????



gaRry