April 11th 2009 Magic Eastern Easter cruise--UPDATED WITH ROLL CALL PG 1

[PPFQP]

I just noticed ... all of our countdown tickers say

2 months ... 2 weeks... 2 days

until our cruise!

2 cool!

 

[kellimomo3]

I think a roll call is a great idea. If everyone PM's me with their names and children's names and ages, I will amend the original starting post to the thread to include the roll call and then anyone joining out thread can pm me to add their group. Does that work for everyone??

Kelli

 

[itutorfortravel]

I just noticed ... all of our countdown tickers say

2 months ... 2 weeks... 2 days

until our cruise!

2 cool!

Hey, yeah that IS cool!

 

[PPFQP]

I just booked the Radisson for the night before our cruise. We stayed there for 3 nights in Dec. 2007 and LOVED it. Very nice property. I've been watching the rates, but I found a really good deal tonight. $90 for a room with 2 double beds, $120 for a 2-room suite (that's what we stayed in last time). It has a king-sized bed and whirlpool tub in the bedroom, and a pull out sofa in the second room. There's also a fridge and microwave. It's the same rate with or without AAA, but with the AAA rate, you can cancel up to the day before.
I checked Country Inn & Suites and the lowest rate I could find was $147 and Residence Inn was $169. Even though these include breakfast (the Radisson doesn't), we still come out ahead. We'll only eat a light breakfast that morning before we get on the ship and definitely wouldn't spend that much on breakfast!
I thought that was a great rate - other times I've looked it's been $149-$179 for the same room. (All the rate are pre-tax, so be sure to budget the extra amount for tax.)
Anyone else staying at the Radisson Fri night?

 

[itutorfortravel]

Hey! I saw that rate at the Radisson a couple days ago and was tempted as well...so you've stayed there and liked it? We are currently set up to stay in Melbourne for a couple nights before the cruise at an oceanfront hotel just to get the vacation started but I may change my mind. The pool at the Radisson looks wonderful!

 

[PPFQP]

Hey! I saw that rate at the Radisson a couple days ago and was tempted as well...so you've stayed there and liked it? We are currently set up to stay in Melbourne for a couple nights before the cruise at an oceanfront hotel just to get the vacation started but I may change my mind. The pool at the Radisson looks wonderful!

Yes, we loved staying there. They treated us very well and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. We stayed there for 3 nights before our cruise, with my parents, in laws and my brother and his fiancee. The pool area is lovely, and we thoroughly enjoyed sitting around the pool and visiting. The whole resort has a nice, tropical feel - you feel like you are at a destination rather than a chain hotel.

One downside is that this rate does *not* include breakfast. They did have a breakfast buffet when we were there, but I thought it was kind of pricey for what it was. The other downside is that this is NOT at the beach. No ocean view, no walking on the sand. It's not far away, but it's not right there. It is definitely very close and convenient to the port, though.

I'm pretty sure you can park there and use the shuttle no matter what rate you have. BUT, I would recommend calling and getting your name on the list for the shuttle if you want to be on the first early shuttle. At least that is how it worked when we stayed there in Dec. 2007. We probalby won't use the shuttle -- either use our rental car or arrange a private shuttle for our whole group.

 

[kellimomo3]

Hi guys!
I updated the first posting to give you an idea of how the role call would work. I need you all to PM me with your family's info so I can add you. Once it's complete, it will be a great way to see who is on our cruise in one location!

kelli

 

[itutorfortravel]

hey kelli, i just emailed you our family's info

 

[Freddyfishstix]

I just booked the Radisson for the night before our cruise. We stayed there for 3 nights in Dec. 2007 and LOVED it. Very nice property. I've been watching the rates, but I found a really good deal tonight. $90 for a room with 2 double beds, $120 for a 2-room suite (that's what we stayed in last time). It has a king-sized bed and whirlpool tub in the bedroom, and a pull out sofa in the second room. There's also a fridge and microwave. It's the same rate with or without AAA, but with the AAA rate, you can cancel up to the day before.
I checked Country Inn & Suites and the lowest rate I could find was $147 and Residence Inn was $169. Even though these include breakfast (the Radisson doesn't), we still come out ahead. We'll only eat a light breakfast that morning before we get on the ship and definitely wouldn't spend that much on breakfast!
I thought that was a great rate - other times I've looked it's been $149-$179 for the same room. (All the rate are pre-tax, so be sure to budget the extra amount for tax.)
Anyone else staying at the Radisson Fri night?

We are staying at the Raddison as well. Our rate was not quite as good but it probably equals out because it included the parking for the week. Are you driving in or flying? We will be there only on Friday night. We hope to see you there.

 

[kellimomo3]

We are staying at the Coronado Springs resort at Disney for three nights prior to the cruise. We will be taking a limo (surprise) from the resort to the port arriving around 10am Saturday morning. What time are you all planning to arrive?

 

[itutorfortravel]

Hello everyone! We are currently booked at the Hilton Oceanfront for 2 nights before the cruise. DD has off school on Friday and we'll be taking her out of school on Thursday to drive down and hopefully beat some of the Easter weekend traffic!

 

[PPFQP]

We are staying at the Raddison as well. Our rate was not quite as good but it probably equals out because it included the parking for the week. Are you driving in or flying? We will be there only on Friday night. We hope to see you there.

Just a note - parking (and the shuttle) are included in ANY rate, so it might be worth another look.

Check the website and see if you can get the lower rate. Or call them and see if they will work with you. With the regular "hot deals" rate, there was a $25 cancellation fee, but I got the same rate with AAA, and no cancellation fee. (Not that we are planning to cancel anyway, but I am always wary about it!)

We are flying in on Friday morning and staying over Friday night. We'll see you there!

 

[sdzm]

Sorry, I'm new to this . . . what does PM mean?

 

[kellimomo3]

Sorry, I'm new to this . . . what does PM mean?

private message. click on my name in the left and it will give you send a private message as an option. let me know if it does not work!
Kelli

 

[sdzm]

private message. click on my name in the left and it will give you send a private message as an option. let me know if it does not work!
Kelli

It only allows me to see a public profile and your previous posts.

 

[itutorfortravel]

It only allows me to see a public profile and your previous posts.

Hi, I think it might not allow you to send a private msg. until you have reached 10 posts...

 

[Alicia87]

Would love to find out if anyone on here has kids in DD18's age range.

 

[sdzm]

I need to keep posting so that I can send our family info.

My niece who will be traveling with us is 18

 

[sdzm]

I need to keep posting so that I can send our family info.

My niece who will be traveling with us is 18

OOPS! She is already 19.

 

[itutorfortravel]

OOPS! She is already 19.

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