2010 Podcast Cruise - Help us decide

[WebmasterJohn]

Hey Gang

We have been going back and forth on a couple of options for dates for the 2010 podcast cruise.

One of our biggest problems is because DCL changed how they handled group space for 2010 cruise and beyond we could not get group space and pricing until this past week. This means we could not secure the absolute lowest price on every sail date we wanted.

We are looking at a few choices for sail dates and the issue comes down to a good price versus when the kids are off from school.

So, we are going to let you help us decide.

Which of these factors best describes your position on this - cost versus kids off from school? The majority will help us decide the date.

Thanks
John

 

[A.Mickey]

Well, selfishly I'm going to say cost; but I think the best for everyone will be a time when parents don't have to worry about taking their kids out of school.

 

[DVCsince02]

For me, it's cost. My eldest will be in 1st grade so I'm not worried about taking her out of school yet.

 

[NWOhioAngela]

Cost is King for me.

Also, the time that the kids are out of school is also hurricane season, which makes me less likely to want to travel then.

 

[DVCsince02]

Excellent point Angela. Hurricane season scares me.

 

[scarlett873]

I'm not 100% sure that I can go yet, but price would be my biggest concern since you don't have "traveling to China for our adoption" as a choice on that poll...

 

[figment3258]

School dosn't matter for us we home school! Low price please. Thanks!

 

[Becx N Gav]

No kids (currently) so price for us.

 

[tickledtink33]

I feel selfish but I also voted for price. I was recently on the DCL website looking at prices for 1 person during the summer in case the 2010 podcast cruise was scheduled during that time. The difference in price from what I am paying for this podcast cruise and a summer 2010 cruise was HUGE!. The difference in price for a cat 11 for 1 person in June was $500 and in July and most of August was $700. This was for the same 4 night cruise in the same stateroom category.

 

[MM32830]

While price is always a consideration, another determining factor would be how much of a price spread between best price and dates with children out of school. I'm sure we'd like to accommodate as many as possible.



________________
Armand

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I'm voting for the date kids are out of school. However, with four of us going...price is always an issue. So if the other option is more popular, it's easier for us to take the kids out earlier in the school year than towards the end when they have so many tests and activities scheduled.

 

[WebmasterJohn]

I feel selfish but I also voted for price. I was recently on the DCL website looking at prices for 1 person during the summer in case the 2010 podcast cruise was scheduled during that time. The difference in price from what I am paying for this podcast cruise and a summer 2010 cruise was HUGE!. The difference in price for a cat 11 for 1 person in June was $500 and in July and most of August was $700. This was for the same 4 night cruise in the same stateroom category.

Kim, this is exactly our issue. The 4-night sailings in the summer of 2010 are crazy expensive. Even if we look for the least expensive summer date it is still so much I feel bad asking people to pay it.

But I know some people on the boards were disappointed they couldn't go this year becuase they couldn't take the kids out of school.

I just bought 20 quick pics for the powerball here in Florida - the top prize is $65 million - if I win the cruise will be on me

 

[DVCsince02]

I just bought 20 quick pics for the powerball here in Florida - the top prize is $65 million - if I win the cruise will be on me

You realize you will be held to that..... (BTW - I call dibs)

 

[WebmasterJohn]

While price is always a consideration, another determining factor would be how much of a price spread between best price and dates with children out of school. I'm sure we'd like to accommodate as many as possible.



________________
Armand

We're talking at the very least a 50% increase in price.

For example - a category 11 stateroom for 2 people on a 'cheaper' cruise would be about $1000 - for the summer cruises it would be at least $1500..on up. The spread gets larger for highter category staterooms.

Also, for 2010 Disney Cruise Line is not selling category 12 staterooms - so the cheapest would be a cat 11.

 

[A.Mickey]

We're talking at the very least a 50% increase in price.

For example - a category 11 stateroom for 2 people on a 'cheaper' cruise would be about $1000 - for the summer cruises it would be at least $1500..on up. The spread gets larger for highter category staterooms.

Also, for 2010 Disney Cruise Line is not selling category 12 staterooms - so the cheapest would be a cat 11.

I feel a bit less selfish saying cost will be a factor, then. I doubt I'd be able to go if it was planned for the summer; I wouldn't be able to justify the added cost.

 

[astrodrummergirl]

well, either way its still unlikely i'll ever get to go on a podcast cruise, but i'm holding out for a DLRP meet...

 

[MonkeyPants]

I just bought 20 quick pics for the powerball here in Florida - the top prize is $65 million - if I win the cruise will be on me

I go with price...no kids here, but with my job its actually harder for me to take time off when kids are out of school since everyone else I work with wants that time off.

 

[maiziezoe]

Another "low cost".

I have no problem taking my daughter out of school.

Hurricane season scares me too!

 

[tickledtink33]

Kim, this is exactly our issue. The 4-night sailings in the summer of 2010 are crazy expensive. Even if we look for the least expensive summer date it is still so much I feel bad asking people to pay it.

But I know some people on the boards were disappointed they couldn't go this year becuase they couldn't take the kids out of school.

I just bought 20 quick pics for the powerball here in Florida - the top prize is $65 million - if I win the cruise will be on me

The prices weren't too bad for the last week of August but I know this date won't be popular as many school districts have already started classes and those that havn't will probably start the following week.

I just hope that if the majority vote is for when the kids are out of school that the folks who vote for this put there money where their vote is and book the cruise. It would stink if they voted for kids not in school and then decided that the cruise was too expensive. The cost of a 4 night cruise during summer of 2010 for a family of 4 (2 adults + 2 children) is currently pricing at $4447.68 for a cat 11 smaller inside and $5787.68 for a cat 6 balcony. If this is what works best for your family than yes, place your vote accordingly. But be aware that this is about how much the cruise, without airlfare, will cost.

Edited to add that these prices are for dates in July.

 

[georgemoe]

No kids but I think the needs of parents with kids in school should be considered.

As far as DW and I, cost is a priority but before that it is hurricane season. She will not step foot on the water (ship) during hurricane season.

Here is an idea and I'm not trying to be anti Disney.

Have you considered making the 2nd podcast cruise Universal/RCCL? Does it have to be DCL? It may not be an option given the timing but it would certainly help in the $cost$ area.

Please don't kill me for the idea.