5/27/06 "Il pochi il fiero i blabbermouths" We *will* sail again Part 13

[scuba diver]

Question for Jim. Was the HAL cruise literally half the price of DCL? Was your cabin comparable to what you usually get on DCL? It used to be, if you compared a DCL cabin to the other cruise lines' suites (about the same size), the price was comparable. But maybe DCL has gone up more.

Here are our details.

Sharon and I were in a VB suite on Zuiderdam (outside with vernada) which is basically a CAT 6, our standard. Room was 249'. It was a little smaller, but not by much. It had a couch and desk, but it was just a little shorter. We paid $1047pp which includes all port taxes and fees.

Matt and Lisa were in a K room (inside cave) which is a CAT 11. It seemed just about the same as DCL. We paid $804pp, out the door.

Total for the 4 of us was $3702 for prime time Thanksgiving week.

I can't tell you what that week would have cost on DCL, but for the same week in 2008, a CAT 6 is $2560 pp out the door (according to AllSeasonsTravel).

But remember, HA does not come with 100 of your best DIS friends!

 

[kikipug]

But remember, HA does not come with 100 of your best DIS friends!

Awww... are you working in MasterCard's Marketing department now?

We're now into the real work of booking our family cruise... on NCL, the $49pp fuel surcharge goes into effect on all cruises booked after 12/1. Not a HUGE deal for the 4 of us, but when you look at how much that adds for the 22 of us, that's like paying for an extra passenger. A family friend who is a travel agent is working out all our details... she's got 15 cabins reserved for us, and she'll sell out whatever we don't end up using.

It's probably going to end up that all 4 of us will be in 1 cabin... with us paying for 1/3 of Mom & Dad's cruise, plus the fact that we have the airfare costs to get to Boston, I just don't want to spend any more than we have to... besides, I have a feeling that the kids will end up with my older nieces and nephew along the way, anyway. As long as every 'body' has a bed, we're good. It won't be DCL, but in this case, it truly doesn't matter. I haven't been on vacation with my brother, sister and parents since I was 9. (Cruise to Bermuda, as a matter of fact!!)

 

[kikipug]

Found a cool website this morning... Befuddlr... I think our photo buffs will find it cool... and might even want to submit their handiwork... and I know that those of us who just need a diversion at some point during the drudgery (yeah, that's me...) might like it too!!! They even have a section of Disney photos on there...

 

[CajunGirl2]

Hi everyone!

Sounds like everyone is busy planning their vacations for summer '08 already. I must say that I'm a bit jealous! Still not sure what we'll do.

We had an ok Thanksgiving. A little bit too much togetherness for my family which wound up with everyone having ill-feelings by the end of the week. Let's just say that I won't be doing any vacations like that with my mom again.

Last night we went to see Hannah Montana & the Jonas Bros. I was fortunate enough to score tickets through TicketMaster on the pre-sale date. We had a good time but are all tired today. It was a nice family outting. The arena is very nice and our upper-level seats were near the stage. That was our first time there. If my memory serves me correctly, that's where Lisa will compete early next year.

Ang

 

[scuba diver]

Hi everyone!

We had an ok Thanksgiving. A little bit too much togetherness for my family which wound up with everyone having ill-feelings by the end of the week. Let's just say that I won't be doing any vacations like that with my mom again.

Ang

As an old friend told me once, "fish and family both spoil in three days"!

 

[kikipug]

As an old friend told me once, "fish and family both spoil in three days"!

Its funny, my sister and I were just talking about this in light of our 7-day cruise together in June... we figure that we'll tell the kids that dinner together will be mandated on our 2 'at sea' days only. (Monday & Friday) Other than that, anyone who wants to sightsee, excursion, etc. together can... anyone who wants to do their own thing... fine too.

 

[RachelTori]

As an old friend told me once, "fish and family both spoil in three days"!

so true!

Hi everyone!

Sounds like everyone is busy planning their vacations for summer '08 already. I must say that I'm a bit jealous! Still not sure what we'll do.

We had an ok Thanksgiving. A little bit too much togetherness for my family which wound up with everyone having ill-feelings by the end of the week. Let's just say that I won't be doing any vacations like that with my mom again.

Last night we went to see Hannah Montana & the Jonas Bros. I was fortunate enough to score tickets through TicketMaster on the pre-sale date. We had a good time but are all tired today. It was a nice family outting. The arena is very nice and our upper-level seats were near the stage. That was our first time there. If my memory serves me correctly, that's where Lisa will compete early next year.

Ang

Angie, We were thinking of your family last night. We heard all the reports about the bogus tickets -- a little media overkill -- but I knew you'd gotten your's through TicketMaster. Isn't that Arena great?! It's a wonderful place for a concert -- and a gymnastics competition!

 

[whnim64]

Hi everyone. I hope you're all doing well. I had a great time on the Wonder with my daughters and friend. Unfortunately, the other friend went a little wild with lots of drama, and my DD's 20 yr. friendship with her is over. I've re-booked for Larry, Caleb and me for (fill in date here when 2009 is released). It's good to know that HA, NCL and RCCL get passing marks, as we may try them in the future. I'm going through OCP withdrawl, as we don't have any trips planned for next year, and 2009 is questionable at this point. We are definitely doing another girls' cruise in 5 years.

 

[WDWLVR]

Sandi - so good to see you posting. Sorry to hear about the drama on your last cruise but I hope you and you DD had a good time despite it. Speaking of your DD how is she doing? How are you doing?

 

[whnim64]

Sandi - so good to see you posting. Sorry to hear about the drama on your last cruise but I hope you and you DD had a good time despite it. Speaking of your DD how is she doing? How are you doing?

Mary, thank you for asking. Kristen is doing well. Her hair is growing back and is about 1/2 inch all over now. The 5 weeks of radiation really tore her up, but we left for Cocoa Beach the day after her last radiation. She had a relaxing cruise, and I think it helped a lot for her to not worry about anything and do nothing. She had her first full body CAT scan today, so we'll be anxiously awaiting the results. Other DD is the one whose friend caused the drama. Kristen had a bit of a meltdown from her sister talking about the baby so much (she's 20 weeks along), so we don't discuss her sister's pregnancy with her right now. I'm doing well and ready to cruise again, hopefully with some of our DIS friends! Even though we had a good sized DIS group for our girls' cruise, we never even met with each other or recognized anyone on board .

 

[Dancind]

Sandi, thanks for the update on Kristen. PPD for a good CAT scan report.

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Morning all - I seem to be much more behind this year than last - perhaps because I have no Scuba visit to push me along to planning...but then Sandi posts an update on Kristen and we realize that the Christmas season is about family.

PD for a good result.

 

[CajunGirl2]

I feel like I'm a little bah-humbug this year. I hate to say this but part of me is looking forward to when my kids find out about Christmas. We definitely are not parents that go overboard at Christmas ... at least I try not to do so. We do try to remember the reason for the season. This year I'm at odds ... Emily doesn't have a big wish list ... probably only 4 items on her list. Anyway, I've researched a couple of the items that she has asked for & the reviews are horrible. The toys fall apart or do not work the way they are supposed to.

Have any of you ever felt this way?

Ang

 

[CajunGirl2]

Hi Sandi! Thanks for checking in. Glad y'all had a good trip. We will keep Kristin our our prayers.
Ang

 

[whnim64]

This year I'm at odds ... Emily doesn't have a big wish list ... probably only 4 items on her list. Anyway, I've researched a couple of the items that she has asked for & the reviews are horrible. The toys fall apart or do not work the way they are supposed to.

Have any of you ever felt this way?

Ang

When Caleb was younger and not sure of what he wanted, or I needed more ideas, we'd go shopping for an Angel Tree gift for a child the same age. As we walked through the store he'd see lots of 'other' things to put on his list in place of the original ones. Plus he got to pick out something to give to another child that might not get much. It's one way to get more ideas of what to give.

 

[whnim64]

If you could add some extra PD and prayers for Kristen's fiance, it would be appreciated. They noticed his eye was starting to bulge, so he had a CT scan on Wednesday. They found a mass growing on his pituitary gland. He had an MRI today, but I don't know anything else. He has no insurance, so he waited to go to the doctor. Now they're worried about his medical bills, too. Surgery is certainly in his future. Thanks.

 

[chip&dale&fun]

If you could add some extra PD and prayers for Kristen's fiance, it would be appreciated. They noticed his eye was starting to bulge, so he had a CT scan on Wednesday. They found a mass growing on his pituitary gland. He had an MRI today, but I don't know anything else. He has no insurance, so he waited to go to the doctor. Now they're worried about his medical bills, too. Surgery is certainly in his future. Thanks.

Of course Sandi - I am so sorry.....

 

[ohiominnie]

Have any of you ever felt this way?

Ang

Yes! I have! My kids have been fairly protected from anyone bursting their Santa bubble. KT was suspicious about Santa during 6th grade's Christmas, and knew for SURE last Christmas (7th grade). Nick is in 5th grade now and as far as I know, he still totally believes.

I've loved KT being in on the secret. She's really helped me pick things out for Nick from Santa. Santa has never been huge in our house. In fact, he only brings a few things. We exchange on Christmas eve--the presents to each other from each other. Santa comes Christmas eve and we open his gifts Christmas morning. There is a definite discrepancy in the amount WE give vs. Santa. I figure, we should get most of the credit!

The kids, ON THEIR OWN, have only ever told Santa ONE thing they want for Christmas. We never told them only to ask for one thing! Santa usually tries to get them to ask for more, but they never do. Last year Nick asked Santa for a CALENDAR with kittens! So far, they have always gotten what they've asked for from Santa (usually Playmobil) since they aren't so greedy as to make out a long list! Of course, now that KT knows, she uses that to her advantage knowing Santa has always come through. This year she is threatening to ask Santa for a Cricut scrapbooking machine! I told her it's too expensive and she says, "I'll ask Santa for it then."

 

[ohiominnie]

Sandi,
Prayers and Pixie Dust that things keep going well for Kristen and now for Kristen's fiance.

 

[CajunGirl2]

Sandi,
Prayers and Pixie Dust that things keep going well for Kristen and now for Kristen's fiance.

Ditto! We will keep both Kristen & her fiance in our prayers.
Ang