7th January 2007, 4 Night Wonder Cruise

[mandymouse]

Kelly ~ I hope Carolin has a fab birthday

Happy 12th Birthday Carolin, have a great day !!

Love Mandy, Paul, Kerry & Becky xx

 

[Cruisin]

Sounds good to me Robin ~ shall we PM you with our email addresses and when you've got everyones, will you then send the list to us ??

Mandy

Sure I can do that if you'd like.

 

[Cruisin]

I hope you have a Happy Birthday today Carolin.

 

[poohfriend]

I'm in on the email exchange! I'd hate to lose touch.

The cruise was my gift to DH for our anniversary in July. We were married 7/20/1991.

I'm thinking of asking for an anniversary cake one evening...maybe. I guess it will depend on our dining companions if we'll want to do that.

I'm sure all of you married-so-long folks understand this. We really need this vacation alone. And even as finances get tighter with the houses, I am so thankful the cruise itself is paid for. (I still have to pay for transportation to the port!) We're arriving the day of the cruise and I don't see much need for excursions. I have almost $200 in onboard credit. I'll use the visa reward dollars to pay tips and think I'll still have about $100 for misc. stuff. DH and I are not big drinkers, so I really think we won't spend a lot of money!!! We're just hanging out and being with each other without all those crazy distractions!!!!

I'm so glad we're under the 100 day mark. Hope with me that our house sells and the cruise will be a great celebration all the way around.

I have a lot of reasons to enjoy and GO on this cruise despite the stresses!

Because I'm a travel agnt, I can deduct a portion of the cost of my cruise as research/business expense (on taxes). It should also be great for my business to have a second DCL cruise, because the more I know, the better advice I can give my clients that don't do the DIS boards! They really rely on my experience to help plan their vacations. Anyone can book a vacation, but offering something extra in the way of tips/organization is where I'm trying to differentiate myself. I'll be excited to hear what each of you enjoys most on this cruise, so I can offer even more tips for various types of travelers. I'm still debating the value of cash back or onboard credit offers. So many on the main board really seem to book because of them, but my typical client doesn't seem to care. (Maybe it's because they don't know better.)

For a client going to WDW in October, I paid for their kids breakfast at the Castle, because the family wasn't sure they wanted to experience bfast that was $120! Me taking $45 of the cost away from them will mean their twin girls will have breakfast with Cinderella on thier 8th birthday. I had no problem giving a portion of my commission to them to help create a family memory. And I cannot WAIT TO see pictures. They are excited too!

With DCL, Maybe I can offer onboard credits with a suggested purpose: photos or bahama mamas, or a spa treatment. Any suggestions from you experienced travelers? Like I said everyone can book their own vacations, I want to help MAKE the vacation full of great memories.

Okay I've rambled , please excuse me. I do appreciate any feedback you can offer!

jennifer

 

[Cruisin]

Jennifer, a cake to celebrate your anniversary is a good idea. Just make sure that you have it down on your booking that you are celebrating your anniversary and they will bring you a special cake on whichever evening you would like.

Betsy, that's something you could do for Mike too. It could be a surprise. Of course the rest of us would be in on the surprise

We did that with my parents on our cruise in January and they were really surprised. They brought them out a really nice cake too. We had no room for cake but they had it delivered to their cabin for them along with napkins and forks for later.

All at no extra cost.

 

[Cruisin]

Jennifer we have gone on cruises where we spent no extra money other than tips and the embarkation photo which I always buy.

No excursions, no alcoholic beverages, no extra photos. We had a lovely cruise even without all of those extras.

 

[Cruisin]

 

[mandymouse]

Happy Monday Everyone

Robin ~ I'm sending you a PM with my e-mail details

Jennifer ~ It sounds like you and your hubby are going to have a lovely, romantic cruise

I hope that you sell your house soon

Mandy

 

[sunny_medford]

I'm in on the email exchange! I'd hate to lose touch.

The cruise was my gift to DH for our anniversary in July. We were married 7/20/1991.

I'm thinking of asking for an anniversary cake one evening...maybe. I guess it will depend on our dining companions if we'll want to do that.

I'm sure all of you married-so-long folks understand this. We really need this vacation alone. And even as finances get tighter with the houses, I am so thankful the cruise itself is paid for. (I still have to pay for transportation to the port!) We're arriving the day of the cruise and I don't see much need for excursions. I have almost $200 in onboard credit. I'll use the visa reward dollars to pay tips and think I'll still have about $100 for misc. stuff. DH and I are not big drinkers, so I really think we won't spend a lot of money!!! We're just hanging out and being with each other without all those crazy distractions!!!!

I'm so glad we're under the 100 day mark. Hope with me that our house sells and the cruise will be a great celebration all the way around.

I have a lot of reasons to enjoy and GO on this cruise despite the stresses!

Because I'm a travel agnt, I can deduct a portion of the cost of my cruise as research/business expense (on taxes). It should also be great for my business to have a second DCL cruise, because the more I know, the better advice I can give my clients that don't do the DIS boards! They really rely on my experience to help plan their vacations. Anyone can book a vacation, but offering something extra in the way of tips/organization is where I'm trying to differentiate myself. I'll be excited to hear what each of you enjoys most on this cruise, so I can offer even more tips for various types of travelers. I'm still debating the value of cash back or onboard credit offers. So many on the main board really seem to book because of them, but my typical client doesn't seem to care. (Maybe it's because they don't know better.)

For a client going to WDW in October, I paid for their kids breakfast at the Castle, because the family wasn't sure they wanted to experience bfast that was $120! Me taking $45 of the cost away from them will mean their twin girls will have breakfast with Cinderella on thier 8th birthday. I had no problem giving a portion of my commission to them to help create a family memory. And I cannot WAIT TO see pictures. They are excited too!

With DCL, Maybe I can offer onboard credits with a suggested purpose: photos or bahama mamas, or a spa treatment. Any suggestions from you experienced travelers? Like I said everyone can book their own vacations, I want to help MAKE the vacation full of great memories.

Okay I've rambled , please excuse me. I do appreciate any feedback you can offer!

jennifer

Wow, Jennifer, sounds like you put a lot of yourself into planning vacations for others. It sounds fun, I think I half of the excitement of vacation is in the planning, and you get to do that part all the time! VERY COOL!

We are not going to any character breakfasts while in the world prior to the cruise. I flip-flopped back and forth about this and then decided against it. We will only be there for 3 days, and I do want to go to prime time diner or whatever its called. Other than that we will play it by ear. Taking a chance, I know, but we are a pretty laid back crew...EVERY ONE of us!

I think it would be a wonderful surprise to get a cake delivered for your anniversary...maybe splurge on a double massage for yourselves?

Cora's b-day is Dec 27th and I thought about celebrating her b-day on the trip, but decided it wasn't appropriate as we are giving the vacation to each of the kids for christmas, why should she get special treatment during the vacation. So I will find some time before christmas to have a party for her where she can invite a few friends! Like we all have so much spare time between Thanksgiving and the cruise, I somehow need to find enough to host a party for a bunch of 5-6 yr olds!

 

[sunny_medford]

I found the $2500 mistake in my account and it was NOT my fault. The bank actually owes it back to me along with $75 they charged me for bounced check fees. I get to call them today and tell them! What a great feeling that's going to be. "Uh, Hello. I found a mistake you made in my account and you owe me nearly $2600. Here's my proof. On such and such a day You cashed a check from my account that wasn't written from that account." Should be interesting, don't you think? Now I can pay off my trip!

 

[disallday!]

I hope you have a great time and that Carolin's birthday party goes well

We had a really good time, poor Carolin though. We bought her an Ipod and she opened it up last night, couldn't find the actual Ipod... Coming to find out, we got the box for the floor display. Why didn't someone have the smarts to mark the box "floor display"!? DH is riding back up there (almost a two hr drive round trip ) to get it. Hopefully they will refund us since we paid for a new unused one and the return trip for this nonsense

Let us know how you get on at the baby shower, and if you play any funny games

We had a blast there! They played the game Robin had posted about and holding a cell phone and baby. That game went over well! There were lots of other games and food! My good eating habits went out the door over the weekend. Between the baby shower, birthday cake, and Carolin chose to eat her birthday lunch at a buffet restaurant... I prob gained 5 lbs.

 

[disallday!]

We sold all our motorcycles and got a new toy...an RV. We pick it up Monday!! DH and I are very excited about the new travel possibilities!!

That sounds wonderful!! Have fun getting your new toy today! If you decide to head up the coast to try it out, give me a ring

 

[mandymouse]

Wendy - that's great news about finding the mistake by the bank - it must be a great relief & woohoo ! You can pay your cruise off

I used to love organising kiddie parties, my two used to enjoy bouncey castle parties at the local sports centre, followed by loads of cakes, sweets and ice-cream (LOL).

I agree, half the fun of booking a holiday is planning it. We're usually laid back too, we don't have an itinerary, we usually decide which park we're going to the night before. We're happy to eat at counter service restaurants and we only make ADR's for special occasions like birthdays.

I'm getting excited now, thinking about all our plans

Mandy

 

[disallday!]

I found the $2500 mistake in my account and it was NOT my fault. The bank actually owes it back to me along with $75 they charged me for bounced check fees. I get to call them today and tell them! What a great feeling that's going to be. "Uh, Hello. I found a mistake you made in my account and you owe me nearly $2600. Here's my proof. On such and such a day You cashed a check from my account that wasn't written from that account." Should be interesting, don't you think? Now I can pay off my trip!

Good job Don't you just love being right!

 

[disallday!]

Thanks you guys for Carolin's birthday wishes! I shall pass them on to her when she gets out of practice this afternoon!

Robin... I'll email you my info shortly! It sounds like a great idea, just in case something fails on the disboards

Wow... it seems like July 20th is a busy day for a couple of us here. If I have it right, there are two anniversaries (Betsy & Jennifer's) and a birthday (me!)! I really think it's neat that on the night Betsy got married, I decided to make my grand entrance. I find it neat anyway

CW & I had a wonderful time kayaking, it was great alone time. We stayed with the other couple half of the time, the other half we spent alone! It was neat to see all of the wildlife out there!

 

[disallday!]

I'm getting excited now, thinking about all our plans

How are you making out packing? I love buying little odds and ends for the cruise!

 

[Cruisin]

 

[disallday!]

Hi Robin!

 

[poohfriend]

I found the $2500 mistake in my account and it was NOT my fault. The bank actually owes it back to me along with $75 they charged me for bounced check fees. I get to call them today and tell them! What a great feeling that's going to be. "Uh, Hello. I found a mistake you made in my account and you owe me nearly $2600. Here's my proof. On such and such a day You cashed a check from my account that wasn't written from that account." Should be interesting, don't you think? Now I can pay off my trip!

all the way to the bank baby!

(i've had this happen before and the bank was quick to fix it. I THINK THEY SHOULD GIVE YOU AN EXTRA $75 dollars for pain an suffering -- but they won't. Why do they charge us when we make an mistake and offer a 'sorry' when they do?"

 

[mandymouse]

How are you making out packing? I love buying little odds and ends for the cruise!

To be honest I could pack in no time now. We have got our clothes sorted and I think the girls need a pair of shoes each and then we're ready to go. Last week I bought a skull ring for Pirate Night (I love buying little bits like that).

I'm trying to get Christmas finished off now, I am hoping to have most things bought by the end of this month

Glad Carolin had a great birthday, shame you've got to sort her IPod out again

Mandy