Christmas Cruises and Dreams Unlimited

[Ashley24]

This is my first time writing on the DIS boards although I have been reading them constantly for months! I went on the Wonder in April and loved it! I have a question about booking a Christmas cruise. We are interested in going next year (2003) and wonder if the prices will go down at all if we book now. The reason why I am asking is because the quote given to me by Dreams Unlimited is 300.00 more than Costco's price. I have heard great things on the board about Dreams like they adjust prices if they go down but I was thinking that the Christmas cruise probably would not get any discount breaks since its a high demand time to go. Is it worth the extra 300.00 to book with Dreams or should I just choose the company who can give me the lowest fare? Any help is appreciated.
By the way, the last time I booked with a travel agency in my town expecting great service and my parents who booked through Travelocity for the same cruise got better service than I did!
Thanks!
Ann

 

[Cheryl-Lynne]

This will not answer your question, but just wanted to let you know that we have booked our cruise for December 6, 2003. I'm glad to hear that we are not the only ones that book so far in advance. Good luck with your booking, and let me know if you are going the same time as us!

 

[Ashley24]

We are looking to go the week of Christmas, December 20-27th, 2003. I would much prefer to save money and go earlier but I am a teacher and feel guilty about taking time off work when so many people feel that teachers get too much vacation time as it is! So, I have to go at the most expensive times of the year (Christmas, Easter or summertime). Would you mind if your child's teacher took a week off work for a cruise??? I am a second grade teacher. I would be interested in anyone's opinions on this subject. Thanks!

 

[jel0511]

Would I mind if my child's teacher took a week off, no. But the question isn't if I or any of your students/parents care(but you must care to even ask!!), it is a matter of if you could get the time off. I say this, because there are a LOT of teachers in my family(mom, brother, sister, 2 sisters-in-law, best friend!!) and I know how hard it is to get more than one day off durng the year. My sister-in-law had to get special permision from the superintendent to take off three days to go to her mother's(my MIL) wedding. Now, all of these people work in different districts, and even in different states, I know it can be very difficult to get vacation approved. If you live in a district that would let you take a week off, go for it. My best friend is getting married in September and her principal is giving her grief about taking time off so soon after school starts(wedding is Sept 21st, school starts Sept 4th)

 

[Ashley24]

You are right about it being hard to get time off. I was thinking of taking a Thursday/Friday off for a 3 night Wonder cruise (Halloween is tempting!). I could then use a personal day and a sick day. I wouldn't mind going to year round schools just so the vacation times would be different than most and I would have more flexibility of when to take a vacation. Who wants to go on a trip when it is the absolute most busiest time and pay top price for it? Don't mean to complain...I love to have time off when my kids do too and most people don't have that luxury! However, after seeing how much the Easter and Christmas cruises cost, compared to other times, it makes me depressed! There is no easy solution for me except to start saving right away and book early!

 

[Tammy_in_NC]

Book with whoever can give you the BEST price !!
Be sure that you are getting the same category cabin
when comapring prices. Also, look at the rebates that
Dreams Unltd is giving. GO WITH THE BEST PRICE !!!!

 

[Ginny]

Ann -

We are booked for that same cruise (20-27 Dec 03) and we booked it last August (LOL)!! We are using Dreams Unlimited and have been very happy with their service and attentiveness. We used DU for our last cruise in Halloween 01, also, and were very happy. Anytime I have had a question or concern they have beeb right there with the answer.

As to your other question, I have no problem with my child's teacher taking a week off from school and would wholeheartedly support him/her. But, I also have no problem taking my child out of school for a week so that we can vacation as a family in a less crowded (and cooler) time frame. My parents did it and the memories that we have from those trips are priceless.

 

[Cheryl-Lynne]

Teachers work very hard during the school year - I help out in my son's classroom as a volunteer on my days off from work. I enjoy taking part in my child's education, as well as helping his teacher. If his teacher decided to take a week off for a holiday, I would understand as I know the price difference for certain weeks is considerable. What is even worse is the exchange for us CANADIANS!!! Ouch!!!

Have a great trip