August 28, 2004 "LOST AT SEA" Cruise

[SeaSpray]

Speaking of this insurance, I just wanted to mention that I called and bought the insurance on Monday morning, gave them all the info and my credit card number, and I had the policy in the mail on Wednesday! It was mailed from Richmond, VA. I was surprised to see the paperwork so soon. So far they get a good grade from me for price and customer service.

 

[Mary Anne]

SeaSpray, I just went out to the AAA website but couldn't find any link. Can you point me in the right direction?

 

[SeaSpray]

Originally posted by Mary Anne
For some reason I feel like the 26 week mark is the halfway point; even thoug I didn't book at 52 weeks out! Just feel like we're on the downhill swing.

Since we've given up our "Easter" trip this year, we are thinking about using that saved money, and I use the term saved money loosly and now thinking of staying in Disney for the week-end after the cruise. I'm leaning towards the Poly concierge too. We did that after the last cruise and it was really great! We are thinking of not doing Disney World at all the next year 2005 (doing Disneyland instead) and then in 2006 getting the DVC GrandVilla for 5 nights and inviting some family to go with us.

I am going to check on the AAA insurance now too!

Everyone have a great week-end!

You're right, now that we're past the halfway mark, it does seem like it's getting closer and closer all the time. Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but I am enjoying this planning phase and don't want it all to rush by too quickly.

That'd be great to see you at the Polynesian after the cruise! I'm thinking that this will be a really nice way to end our vacation.

We won't be doing anything related to Disney next year either :/ But we are going on a cruise in 2005. We're planning on going on Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas with 2 of my brothers and SILs. It's a 9-night cruise to the Caribbean. This cruise will have some advantages for us though, including not having to fly (this ship will be sailing out of Royal Caribbean's new NJ port), so we won't have airfare or pre- or post-cruise hotel expenses since we can stay at my father's house in NJ. We are also "Crown & Anchor Society" members which is their repeat customer program, and they give out coupon booklets for discounts on the ship, plus free drink coupons, a gift, party, etc. Probably similar to Disney's Castaway Club program. Then again, maybe I'll have to plan at least a short trip to Disney somewhere next year

 

[SeaSpray]

Originally posted by Mary Anne
SeaSpray, I just went out to the AAA website but couldn't find any link. Can you point me in the right direction?

Sure, here it is! www.accessamerica.com/aaa I decided to call Access America using their 800 number since I wasn't able to find it from AAA's web site or from Access America's home page. I was concerned that this program was no longer available, but it is.

Note: On that page, click on the tab near the top that says "Travelers" then on that page, look to the column on the left for the heading "Trip Assist Family Care". This are their policies that include Children Under 18 Free. I went with the "Comprehensive" policy and it was only $121. for the 4 of us. Before I called, I went through the motions of "purchasing" online, I entered all of our info, then got the price quote, then called the 800 number, gave the person the same info, and they came up with the same price. Then I decided to purchase the policy right then. I just looked back at our paperwork from our cruise last year when it was just DH and I, and we paid $100 just for insurance for 2 of us, and that cruise was MUCH MUCH less expensive than this cruise. (They base the cost on how much they need to cover your trip for, plus the ages of the adults).

 

[Mjasp]

WOOHOO 6 months 26 weeks. It is getting closer. Anyway do we all realize that as we get to June we will stop rushing for the cruise to get here because that means summer will be over. I think it is good that we are cruising so late, so we can enjoy the summer and enjoy the last week of summer in style.

DCL has a Western Itinerary for the week in April 2005 that I am looking for and this cruise will be the 2nd Western for us, so time to change.

Wish RCCL would come out with their April 2005 schedule.

Also may look into the Norwegian Dawn out of NY for that week also.

My other option is a Wonder 4 day, but don't know if I want to go all the way to Florida for a 4 night cruise.

Joanna

 

[Mary Anne]

OK, I've been doing my insurance homework today. Seems that since I've booked with DVC points, I need to buy my insurance through them. If anything happened, I'd get $5.00 per point back. Seeing of how it's costing me 470 points that would mean we'd recoup about $2350. Not enough to pay for another cruise, but at least we wouldn't be out all those points. Cost was $117, which was compatible to AAA. I'm going to talk to my DH this weekend.

 

[SeaSpray]

Joanna: I agree with what you said about enjoying the summer, then still having the cruise to end it with I can understand wanting to do a different itinerary next time. I'm waiting for RCI to come out with their summer 2005 dates. My SIL is a teacher so they can only cruise in the summer. Our RCI ship was next to the Norwegian Dawn last summer, in NYC, and it looked like a beautiful ship I know what you mean about flying to Florida for a 4 night cruise. Originally we were thinking of a 4 night Disney cruise but within a few days we realized it'd be much more worth it do a 7 night cruise since we'd have to pay the same airfare, pre-cruise hotel, post-cruise hotel, etc. just to get to Florida anyway. We also knew we wouldn't want to have to get off the ship any sooner than a week.

Mary Anne: I don't blame you for wanting to insure those DVC points! That would be a big loss for you if you had to cancel and it wasn't covered. Would the AAA Access America plan cover your points, or just the DVC plan?

 

[MoranClan]

hello gang..

Just received Cabin Number..

8586..

Hopefully its on the side that faces castaway Kay..Like my last Cabin Number 8544..I dont know If they dock differently each time..


More of my info still coming in..

The Morans..

Bobby, Cindy, Katie, Jessie, and Bobby Jr.

 

[ThreeCircles]

Bobby--

I think you can check which side of the ship your cabin is on at the DCL web site. They give maps of the whole ship.

I guess the only uncertain point would be which way the ship docks. I've seen it "pull in" and "back in" at Castaway Cay.

 

[Mjasp]

Bobby...If I am reading the DCL brochure correctly, you are on the starboard side. Aft of the ship. Seems like a real nice location as it is just below Topsiders Buffet, very close to the Mickey Pool for a quick 1 flight up and you are there.

Talk to you all later, its off to Brownies, lucky me.

 

[Caren90]

Hi Everyone,
Just thought I would check in. I have not posted in a while, but I love getting that e-mail telling me someone has posted on the thread. Finally only six more months. I can't wait to see my SPH room again.
It sounds like we are going to have a very nice group of people on this cruise. I keep putting off looking into excursions but I think it might be time to start some planning.
I had a question about the AAA insurance, can you by it even if you booked a looong time ago?
Caren

 

[SeaSpray]

Originally posted by Caren90
Hi Everyone,
Just thought I would check in. I have not posted in a while, but I love getting that e-mail telling me someone has posted on the thread. Finally only six more months. I can't wait to see my SPH room again.
It sounds like we are going to have a very nice group of people on this cruise. I keep putting off looking into excursions but I think it might be time to start some planning.
I had a question about the AAA insurance, can you by it even if you booked a looong time ago?
Caren

Hi from West Bridgewater

Yes, you can book the travel insurance that I've referred to, even if you booked a long time ago. I booked our cruise last summer, and bought the airfare several months ago. The only time, I believe, that you won't be covered, unless you buy the insurance right away, is "pre-existing illnesses". For example, my DH has diabetes. I think if we had a reason that we couldn't cruise and had to cancel at the last minute, and it was BECAUSE of his diabetes, the insurance wouldn't cover us. (I happen to know that his is extremely unlikely to happen because his blood sugar levels are very well managed). The only way you can get travel insurance that covers pre-existing illnesses is to buy the insurance within 7-10 days of when you book it.

I hope this helps!

 

[lynr]

Seaspray:

I tried the website for the AAA insurance and my rate quote was $261.00, did I do something wrong? You said you price was $121.00 right?

Lyn

 

[Mjasp]

SeaSpray...Where (what was it called) is the original post about the insurance? If we can find that link, then we could get the web address from there.

thanks

 

[SeaSpray]

I posted the link this morning, but here it is again www.accessamerica.com/aaa

When you go to this page, click on the "Travelers" tab near the top, then look to your left, in the column you will see "Trip Assist Family Care". These are the coverages that include Children Under 18 Free.

Ok, here's how/why my policy is $121. I'm 42 now, DH is 40. Our trip, the part that we'd need covered if we had to cancel, for example, on the day before we flew to Florida, is a total of approximately $5000. The cruise itself is $4055. Our airfare is $860. That's just about $5000. So....for $5000 worth of coverage for DH and I, it's $121. DSs are free. You can enter your own info on their web site to get a price, or give them a call on their 800 #.
Note: When I first was entering info, I put down a trip value of $10,000. because after paying for the Radisson, all extra meals not included in the cruise, the Polynesian for after the cruise, the limos, souvenirs, drinks, etc., that's how much this trip will end up costing us. BUT, we only need to insure that first $5000. because THATS the amount of money we'd be out, if we had to cancel the cruise. The other $5000 would never be spent because we'd be home, and not on the cruise. I hope I explained this ok. lol

**Oh yeah, one more thing, when figuring out a price online, be SURE to click the little "Free Child" box underneath where you enter your kids' names and ages!!!** I didn't do this the first time and they added in an extra $50 for each of my DSs.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask me. Also, I know this was brought up before, but this is supposedly for people who have AAA, but you do not have to have booked your trip through AAA (which I didn't, I booked through All Seasons). Some people have said they don't have AAA and were able to purchase this insurance anyway, so when you call, ask about it, and if you don't have AAA you might be able to get it anyway.

 

[lynr]

SeaSpray:

Thanks for the great tip. I see what I did wrong, I forgot to check the box that my son is free. My insurance was $123 for $4500 worth of insurance.
What a great price, much cheaper than anything else I have looked at.

Lyn

 

[Karel]

The bonus came and I've paid off the down payment. Waiting for the tax refund to pay another big chuck.

Now I have to start saving for the tips, since I hate putting them on the credit card. The change jar is overflowing and I need to get to the bank next week to count it. Trying to decide whether to get it changed into DD to put on the shipboard account.

I'm very excited because now I really feel like we're going. It's so far away still that I'm trying to concentrate on the 'here and now' but it is nice to have something to look forward to.

I'm checking Mousesavers for any special WDW rates. Hope some come out because we'd like to stay at Beach club before the cruise.

My husband says I can start packing in JUNE! Of course, most of the summer stuff we'll be wearing in July and August so packing won't be as fun as when we go in November.

 

[SeaSpray]

Lyn: I'm so glad it worked out. I was doing it wrong at first too. I was insuring the entire trip, which made the price twice as much, then I forgot to check the "Kids Free" box. LOL When I finally was sure that I had the right price, that's when I called the 800# and purchased it over the phone, and the rep came up with the same exact figure that I did.

Karel: I know what you mean about paying it off. We've been making payments each month and will have it paid off about a month or two before the final payment would've been due. I've created an Excel spreadsheet with all of our expenses related to this vacation, and it's nice to see the "PAID" columns adding up, and the "Remaining to be Paid" columns going down.
I've been watching the Resorts Board a lot too. I initially had us booked at a regular lagoon view room at the Polynesian for after the cruise, but then I read a thread about concierge, and the more I thought about it, and figured out the difference in price, I finally decided to change over to lagoon view concierge. We've never stayed concierge at a Disney resort before, but I think it'll be fun, and convenient for us, too. I hope some good discount rates come out for that time period. Right now at least I have the AAA discount.


Everyone: It feels like spring is right around the corner! It's in the high 40's and very sunny. I don't want the next 6 months to fly by because I enjoy the little day to day things of life, but it will be nice to have this winter overwith.

Have a great weekend, all!

 

[ThreeCircles]

Originally posted by Karel
My husband says I can start packing in JUNE!

Wow! Travis and I usually pack the night before! Although, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone.

Karel--

I don't know if you've been able to check out the Disney Magic August 28th Cruise List site at <a href="http://threecircles.net">ThreeCircles.net</a> or not but we would be happy to add your groups info! A picture would be great too!

In fact, it would be great to add pictures of everyone who is on the list! (Hint, hint! ) That way, we'll be able to recognize each other in passing once we get onboard!

Jason

 

[SeaSpray]

Originally posted by ThreeCircles
Wow! Travis and I usually pack the night before! Although, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone.

In fact, it would be great to add pictures of everyone who is on the list! (Hint, hint! ) That way, we'll be able to recognize each other in passing once we get onboard!

Jason

Hi Jason:

I'm sort of a last-minute packer too. I make sure that everything is bought, washed, and ready to go ahead of time, but I like actually packing the suitcases only the day/night before.

As for pictures, I have a lot of them on my web site. Can you capture one of them and add it to your site, or do you need me to specifically email one to you? Most of those pictures are a couple of years old, except for the cruise pictures, which were last summer. Let me know. Thanks!