August 29th, 2009--Eastern Magic...Let's Get it Started!

[My4PhillyGirls]

Hi Joe,
We just celebrated our 20th on a NCL cruise ( with the kids ) But thank god for the kids club and adjoining cabins we had a great time.
Now, we are joining you guys for our first Disney cruise
Me DH 45
DW 45
DS 15
DS 7
DS 7
We are from Montreal and are in adjoining Cat 9 on deck 2.

Welcome to the Group,

When we get to our 20th in 2010, We will have a freshman in college and two still in school. If my wife would have her way they probably would come with us.

When DCL comes out with the 2010 dates (maybe today), I probably will look at a 4 Night Cruise and have relatives watch the girls.

I see that you have two children that are 7, are they twins? Because I am a twin also. Also if memory serves me correct, we may have other twins sailing on this date.

Joe

 

[TonytheWop]

Welcome to the Group,

When we get to our 20th in 2010, We will have a freshman in college and two still in school. If my wife would have her way they probably would come with us.

When DCL comes out with the 2010 dates (maybe today), I probably will look at a 4 Night Cruise and have relatives watch the girls.

I see that you have two children that are 7, are they twins? Because I am a twin also. Also if memory serves me correct, we may have other twins sailing on this date.

Joe

Yes they are identical twins and a handful to say the least !!
I would love to leave my teenager and that teenage attitude at home but he is looking more forward to this cruise than we are.
Somehow we can't get anyone to volunteer to watch the twins ?
Can't figure why since they are such good boys !

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Hi Joe,
We just celebrated our 20th on a NCL cruise ( with the kids ) But thank god for the kids club and adjoining cabins we had a great time.
Now, we are joining you guys for our first Disney cruise
Me DH 45
DW 45
DS 15
DS 7
DS 7
We are from Montreal and are in adjoining Cat 9 on deck 2.

Welcome Aboard the Roll Call!!

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Hi Everybody!

I am so excited. My dh booked us on the RCCL Monarch of the seas for 4 days before our disney cruise. I get to cruise for 11 days!! I am glad the Disney cruise is 2nd though so I have something to look forward to in case the RCCL isn't such a great cruise. Our cabin is a porthole room that is only 122 sq ft. We have 4 people we will squish into that cabin. Oh well, I get to go to Nassau where I have wanted to go for a long time.

Sounds like you have a great husband!!

Lucky you - great husband and cruising for 11 days!! I wouldn't worry about the small cabin - think of it as a training exercise. I WOULD try to get a cabin near the laundry though. Lol.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Hello Everyone,

Now as the real planning begins, I am wondering whether we should:

1) Get our plane tickets early if the price is good?
2) Stay extra days before the cruise and go home the day we get back to PC?
3) Arrive a day early and come back home maybe on Labor Day when school starts the next day

On our two previous cruises we have come in the day before and stayed in Florida for a couple of days when we got back to PC and it helped with the depression of the cruise being over.

Any thoughts???

Joe

My plan is to fly in a little early and do maybe 3 days in the parks before the cruise. Afterwards we'll probably fly home that day or stay overnight and fly back on Sunday morning, depending on flight times/prices.



So since we return right before Labor Day next year, I'm anticipating crowded parks so we'll try to avoid that be flying in early instead.

Thanks for the response.

A few years ago when we went to DW, it too was very crowded the Sunday before and on Labor Day. Since the children were smaller we stayed the rest of the week and on the Tuesday after Labor Day you could almost park at the front of the parks.

We too will come in early (how early I don't know). I would like to come in a week early and do the parks because we have 5 days of Park hoppers available. Then we can meet up with the rest of our family maybe the day before the cruise and drive down to PC early Saturday morning.

Joe

Sounds like the planning's underway!!

I would have started looking at airfare for August already. Never would have thought of driving again. It's been years since we drove but we use to do it all the time especially when the kids were young - much easier to bring all their stuff!

Honestly, I think airfare has gotten cheaper than 10 years ago (from NYC) - even with the raise in airfare, it's about the same level as a decade ago and now with the gas prices and the convenience and speed of flying...

However, just traded in my parents' old minivan for a new Town & Country for a great deal with all the cash back incentives. It comes with the entertainment package. So, can anyone say road trip?

Thinking of driving down to Miami early with my parents. Maybe spend a few days at the Vero Beach DVC (no park passes) and have DH fly down right before the cruise. Trying to figure out whether to drive back with DH over the long weekend or if my parents will stay longer in Florida and drive themselves back later...

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

I have started looking at airfares but we are unable to book until at least next week because the websites won't let you.

I have been checking the rates using earlier dates and times to get an estimate as to what they might look like.

Flying midweek of course typically will save you a few bucks but we may be locked in to coming down on the weekend before the cruise with trying to calculate vacation days and scheduling conflicts.

Joe

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

I went to the DCL site this evening and noticed that some of the cabin prices have gone down. My price didn't go down because I booked before the fuel surcharge. But my mom's room went down by a few bucks

If if goes down anymore, I will contact my TA to see have the reservation adjusted.

Joe

 

[TonytheWop]

I went to the DCL site this evening and noticed that some of the cabin prices have gone down. My price didn't go down because I booked before the fuel surcharge. But my mom's room went down by a few bucks

If if goes down anymore, I will contact my TA to see have the reservation adjusted.

Joe

Hi Joe,
I just checked on my cat.9 and it seems to be the same price.
Which category did you notice the drop in ??

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

Hi Joe,
I just checked on my cat.9 and it seems to be the same price.
Which category did you notice the drop in ??

Before yesterday, I hadn't checked the prices in about three weeks. Since that time the price went down by only $18.00 in Cat 7 but it went down by about $200.00 for Cat 6.

It is still $50.00 more than I paid back in December of 2007.

If you booked recently, you won't see a price change.

Joe

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

I checked the prices today and they are back to where they were a few weeks ago. Either they changed or I must have put the wrong ages in the search

Joe

 

[CruisinEars]

Well, my dh cancelled our RCI cruise and I think we will be postponing this cruise until 2010 or 2011. We have decided to remodel the kitchen and my dh (and me too ) really want to go to Europe and do a Med cruise. Maybe not on DCL since the prices are so high, but on another line. I am bummed since I fell in love with the caribbean on our last cruise, but I really need a new kitchen and really, really want to do a Med cruise.

 

[justhat]

We booked a 2010 Baltic today and did a Med in 2007 so I hear you on wanting to do those itineraries!

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

Well, my dh cancelled our RCI cruise and I think we will be postponing this cruise until 2010 or 2011. We have decided to remodel the kitchen and my dh (and me too ) really want to go to Europe and do a Med cruise. Maybe not on DCL since the prices are so high, but on another line. I am bummed since I fell in love with the caribbean on our last cruise, but I really need a new kitchen and really, really want to do a Med cruise.

Enjoy your new kitchen! We are hanging in there in preparation for this cruise. If we were not celebrating a High School graduation and the promotion to High School for another child, we would probably wait until the new ships arrive.

Joe

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

I have begun the search for reasonable air fares in preparation for the cruise. While prices aren't crazy high, I believe they might drop a little bit. I will watch to see when folks start booking before I commit.

If I can hold off to the Spring, then I will use my airline vouchers to get discounts on some of the tickets.

What's going on with everyone else?

Joe

 

[ryan840]

Our friends who have booked their cruise will be in 8084 and her screenname is Fabumouse. Her husband and 2 kids are sailing too. I don't know if she wants their names posted or anything, so I'll let her do that, if she ever comes to join the thread!! I need to remind her about that.

Hi, my name is chopped liver and I'll also be on this cruise! I'm a friend of Justine and Fabumouse and they dragged me along for the ride.

This will be our first cruise and we just booked the 14 night Transatlantic in 2010 as well.

Crew: Me, DH, DS6 and DS3. We're super excited, it can't get here fast enough.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Well, my dh cancelled our RCI cruise and I think we will be postponing this cruise until 2010 or 2011. We have decided to remodel the kitchen and my dh (and me too ) really want to go to Europe and do a Med cruise. Maybe not on DCL since the prices are so high, but on another line. I am bummed since I fell in love with the caribbean on our last cruise, but I really need a new kitchen and really, really want to do a Med cruise.

Sorry we won't sail together but I know you will enjoy your new kitchen much longer.

Have fun planning that Med cruise.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Hi, my name is chopped liver and I'll also be on this cruise! I'm a friend of Justine and Fabumouse and they dragged me along for the ride.

This will be our first cruise and we just booked the 14 night Transatlantic in 2010 as well.

Crew: Me, DH, DS6 and DS3. We're super excited, it can't get here fast enough.

You're such a great friend - willing to make the sacrifice and be "dragged" along! LOL!!

I'm green with jealousy about the TA!!!

I'm super excited also!!

 

[SleepyatDVC]

I have begun the search for reasonable air fares in preparation for the cruise. While prices aren't crazy high, I believe they might drop a little bit. I will watch to see when folks start booking before I commit.

If I can hold off to the Spring, then I will use my airline vouchers to get discounts on some of the tickets.

What's going on with everyone else?

Joe

Haven't looked yet.

Seriously thinking about driving this summer. Got my folks a new Town & Country and thinking road trip.

But even if we do drive, it might only be one way. My folks would drive back while we were on the cruise.

OR maybe we park the car at the terminal (or a stay & park hotel) and drive home over the long weekend?

Either way, DH would fly down just before the cruise.

Haven't figured out any logistics yet and it is kind of driving me a bit nuts.

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

Haven't looked yet.

Seriously thinking about driving this summer. Got my folks a new Town & Country and thinking road trip.

But even if we do drive, it might only be one way. My folks would drive back while we were on the cruise.

OR maybe we park the car at the terminal (or a stay & park hotel) and drive home over the long weekend?

Either way, DH would fly down just before the cruise.

Haven't figured out any logistics yet and it is kind of driving me a bit nuts.

I just bought an 09 Buick Enclave in August and while I love the ride, I have a eight hour rule. If I have to drive more than eight hours, I'm flying

Right now flights out of philly are around $300.00 for US Airways. But when I was tracking it last year, it dropped a little when SW airlines came out with their rates.

On another note, I am looking at my rental car options. I love National because I'm an Emerald member and just walk up to a car and drive away. But I will most likely use another rental agency after debarkation because they don't offer shuttle service.

Anyone have any preferences for rental cars after the cruise? And how long does it take it pick up the car when going to the counter? I would like to take the earliest flight home as possible, like 12:15 pm.

We are driving from the port to MCO and flying home.

Thanks,

Joe

 

[ryan840]

You're such a great friend - willing to make the sacrifice and be "dragged" along! LOL!!

I'm green with jealousy about the TA!!!

I'm super excited also!!

LOL, I deserve a medal if you ask me.

I'm totally lost as to this thread, is there anything I would find out by going back and reading from the beginning or was it mostly just chit-chat?