4/20/2008, April 20, 2008 - Anyone with us?

[outahere]

Hmmmm..... Nassau is different for everyone. If you've never been there, I would suggest getting off the ship. We've never done any of the excursions there, so I can't help on that one. However, when we were there in April, we took a taxi over to Atlantis and paid for the Dig/aquarium tour. The taxi was $4 per person and I think the tour was around $30 per adult and $25 per child (sorry.... I don't remember the exact prices). After we went through there we wandered around the grounds for a while (it is a HUGE resort) and then headed back to the port. Before we got back on the ship, we went down the street and went through the Straw Market. As I recall, the DCL excursion that gives you full access to the water park, pools and beach was $150 per adult and a little less for a child (you can only book it on the ship). It included transportation and lunch, but is pretty pricey. They were selling full access passes, at Atlantis, for a little over $100 per adult. If you want full access, with 4 people it would probably be less expensive to get a room at Comfort Suites.

Many years ago (mid-eighties - before Atlantis) I went there on the SS Norway and I remember taking the horse-drawn carriage ride, which was interesting. Not sure how that is these days.

As for the dolphin swim.... I agree with you on the Discovery Cove idea. At least there, it is an all day event. We've never done it but friends of ours did a few years ago, and they still rave about it.

Whatever you decide to do, please make sure you're back on the ship in time to sail. I have seen people left on the pier because they didn't make it back in time. Once they pull out, you're stuck - and it's a LONG swim to Castaway Cay.

 

[mommykds]

Thanks for the information regarding lines. I think we'll aim for 9:30/10 am to get to the port.

Our plans now are to fly in and stay at Cape Canaveral Sat night. Then we are heading over to WDW for four nights. I just cant seem to give up park time. We splurged this year and bought PAP's for us girls (we girls will be making three trip this year,so that's how I justified it)

I have seen prices for summer cruises (thats why we are doing April)
but would try and scrape up enough money to do a 7 nighter in the summer. I just thought it was ridiculious the amount they want for xmas or easter.

Hoping that during our April 08 cruise they will have the itinerary for summer 09 ( so we can rebook) and it has the 7 night cruises back, if not I may think about going on a different cruise company if we do indeed love cruising.

I agree. The cruise was going to be it but I couldn't give up my park time either so I added 5 days at WDW. I was thrilled when DH agreed to it. We are also upgrading to AP's this August so the park is "free" in April.

I was checking airfare for NY to MCO & I am getting nervous that everyone from NY, NJ, MA, & CT will be planning the same thing I am!

 

[outahere]

I agree. The cruise was going to be it but I couldn't give up my park time either so I added 5 days at WDW. I was thrilled when DH agreed to it. We are also upgrading to AP's this August so the park is "free" in April.

I was checking airfare for NY to MCO & I am getting nervous that everyone from NY, NJ, MA, & CT will be planning the same thing I am!

We usually add a couple of days, after the cruise, at WDW. Just haven't gotten around to making the ressies yet.

I don't think Jetblue or Southwest have opened up reservations for April yet, but once they do, they will probably be cheaper than what you're seeing right now. I usually start checking the Jetblue web site every day starting in September, and try to get our ressies as soon as they open the dates. I waited too long this past trip and ended up paying for it, big time!

 

[Disney1fan2002]

PAGE 3!!!!

We can't let this happen. We need to keep this thread on page 1 at all times. we need more people to join us, they won't be able to find us on page 3!

 

[mommykds]

Bumping us back up!

 

[Magic4UsZ's]

Sorry i havent been talking much, been planning our Oct trip.
But I still found us!!!!!!

 

[outahere]

We just got back from a week on NCL's Norwegian Pearl in Alaska and we spent the whole week comparing our experience to DCL. I will say that both cruise lines have their pluses and minuses. The one thing we did like about NCL, was the Freestyle Dining. It was great to be able to schedule dinner when we wanted to eat, and not have a set time each day. DCL definitely has better shows and entertainment. The NCL shows were not family oriented at all, and my DW spoke with the Cruise Director about one of the shows being totally inappropriate for kids, of any age. They were new to the Pearl and he promised to speak with them and tell them to "tone it down". If anyone has any questions - fire away.

Just fyi for anyone watching airfares....... Jetblue has their schedule open through February, so it shouldn't be more than another month or two before they open up the April schedule.

 

[mommykds]

Just bumping us back up!

I am waiting for April air on either SWA or JB.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Airfare is usually ridiculous for school vacation weeks. We plan on driving, and not even LOOKING at airfare.

Now I need to figure out where to park.

Keep your eyes on the Travel Channel. They have been ariing a Disney Cruise special this month. I TiVo'd it the other night, so I can watch it over and over again, until April!

 

[outahere]

Airfare is usually ridiculous for school vacation weeks. We plan on driving, and not even LOOKING at airfare.

You are absolutely correct on this one....... Jetblue just opened up March and April 2008 and their prices for the week we're cruising are RIDICULOUS!!!!! Depending on the flight, it is as much as $800 per person, roundtrip from Boston. Southwest hasn't opened up April yet, but I'm betting their prices will be just as bad.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Just bumping off page 3.....

 

[aa4mom]

I was beginning to think we were the only family going April 20. I started a thread last week (search did not work) and was going to bump it up today there aer four of us me dh dd14,dd 11 ( will almost be 12 on cruise.) This is our 2nd cruise. I tried to get the 7 night Western, but it was booked I am looking forward to the 4 night though.
We will be flying in on the 19 and staying at the Radisson. We were able to get AirTran out of Logan at reasonable rates. I'm not crazy about the airline, but the price was right.

 

[aa4mom]

It doesn't look like a very crowded ship. It is April vacation in Mass. Maybe everyone is on the April 19, 7 night cruise. I tried for that cruise, but it was sold out (or at least paying through DVC was sold out.

 

[outahere]

It doesn't look like a very crowded ship. It is April vacation in Mass. Maybe everyone is on the April 19, 7 night cruise. I tried for that cruise, but it was sold out (or at least paying through DVC was sold out.

Welcome aboard!!

We looked into the 7 night a couple of weeks ago and even though it wasn't sold out (paying cash), almost every category is in GTY status. We don't like to book a GTY because we're afraid of what cabin we might end up with. After 5 DCL cruises, we know which areas of the ship we like, and those we don't.

Because of the ridiculous airfares, we ended up cashing in some of our Delta Skymiles and got free tickets. We're flying down Friday evening, staying at the Hyatt that night, and then probably going to the Radisson on Saturday.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Welcome aa4mom! My Ds is 11, he will be almost 12 at the time of the cruise.

We are getting so excited! The kids absolutely love the Disney Cruise, and for us, the 4 day is a perfect amount of time.

We are driving, there is no way we can afford airfare x's 5 for that week.

It looks like the ship will be full of Mass. people! Maybe they can put the Red Sox on the big screen for us! LOL

 

[aa4mom]

I am so excited. I just got the mail and there were my passports!!

We were set to drive to Florida, even got the maps from AAA. I just happened to look at Priceline one day and AirTran had some affordable fares- non-stop no less.

I was ready to drive, but dds wanted no part of a road trip. We drove to Philly last summer and it was torture for them. Luckily, DVC points pay for the cruise, so airfare is the only real expense. Until we hit the ship

 

[aa4mom]

196 days left

but who's counting.......

 

[mommykds]

I was beginning to think we were the only family going April 20. I started a thread last week (search did not work) and was going to bump it up today there aer four of us me dh dd14,dd 11 ( will almost be 12 on cruise.) This is our 2nd cruise. I tried to get the 7 night Western, but it was booked I am looking forward to the 4 night though.
We will be flying in on the 19 and staying at the Radisson. We were able to get AirTran out of Logan at reasonable rates. I'm not crazy about the airline, but the price was right.

Hi! My oldest DD will be 12 too. This is our 1st cruise.

Welcome aa4mom! My Ds is 11, he will be almost 12 at the time of the cruise.

We are getting so excited! The kids absolutely love the Disney Cruise, and for us, the 4 day is a perfect amount of time.

We are driving, there is no way we can afford airfare x's 5 for that week.

It looks like the ship will be full of Mass. people! Maybe they can put the Red Sox on the big screen for us! LOL

Same for us. Airfare for 5 was just too much. Are you stoping mid-point or driving down straight? We've done both in the past. Ths time we decided to drive to Savannah GA on day 1 & drive the rest day 2. We have to take the kids out of school for 3 days to do the drive. (driving 4/18-4/19, coming home 4/28-4/29).

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Are you stopping mid-point or driving down straight? We've done both in the past

Oh, we drive straight through. It works out great, because we time it so the kids are sleeping for the bulk of the trip. DH does the overnight driving (11-7). So, I drive until 11pm, then take over from him in the morning. I have to drive or be sleeping, otherwise, I get sick.


DS will have to show your DD around the ship! This will be his 3rd cruise on the Wonder. The kids absolutely love it. He cannot get enough of the Oceaneer's Lab, and don't be heartbroken if your kids want to skip dinner with the family in favor of staying in the kid's club.


Has anyone planned what they want to do for excursions?? We are definitely going to do the banana boat ride, and DH wants to do the stingray experience. We will stay on the ship in Nassau. The kids have more fun on the ship and it is great when the ship is not crowded.

 

[mommykds]

bumping us back up!

Marie,
I'd like to drive straight through too but I am not sure we can make it!