Dec 1, 2005 Wonder Cruise?

[mylilnikita]

deez1966: Your family will enjoy the dolphin encounter!! If you go to www.dolphinswims.com, it is the website for the dolphin encounter. The prices are a little bit cheaper than going through Disney. I decided to go through Disney, because it was just easier as we all met on the ship at a certain time then all went together. If you do it on your own, I am not sure how much the ferry would be, maybe another Dis'er can answer that one. Take at least 2 underwater cameras, take one in the "pen with you since being a family, they will put you together in the pen, they have a couple small groups take turns going in. Sorry I ramble, anyway, take a camera in the water with you, hand another camera to a person waiting in the next group, unless your group is last and have them take pictures as well. The website should show the prices for the picture packages, but I bought 2 small pictures and had another person take some of DD and I and I had one in the water with me and had one of those pictures made into a Xmas card of my DD kissing the dolphin.
My DD loves the club on the ship!! Every day, the parents will receive a Club navigator for the day's activities, so you will know where your DD is at all times when she is in the club.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

Doing great here. Can't wait to go already! We just booked our airfare and car and both came in way under budget so now I'm excited!

We probably won't do any excursions, but we did book a room at Atlantis for the Nassau day. We stayed there 2 years ago and the pools and slides are so worth the money. Other than that Nassau did very little for me in January. Seems that all the ports have the same types of stores and tee shirts. I just LOVE the crystal clear water though so I want to do the beach Nassau and CC days! Who knows when we will get out there again!

Happy planning all!!!

 

[PixiePop]

Doing great here. Can't wait to go already! We just booked our airfare and car and both came in way under budget so now I'm excited!

We probably won't do any excursions, but we did book a room at Atlantis for the Nassau day. We stayed there 2 years ago and the pools and slides are so worth the money. Other than that Nassau did very little for me in January. Seems that all the ports have the same types of stores and tee shirts. I just LOVE the crystal clear water though so I want to do the beach Nassau and CC days! Who knows when we will get out there again!

Happy planning all!!!

Can you tell me a little about booking at Atlantis? Do you pay for a room for the day so that you can access the facilities? I am not sure how that works. Do you call the resort yourself?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[FFerret]

Gllad to hear y'all are doing well!

Had a bit of a scare these past few months. Mr. FFerret's been offered a couple of spiffy positions recently that were pretty lucrative deals. Bad news is that he'd lose vacation time for this year... Meaning NO Disney til 2006. I feel like I've been holding my breath for weeks now.

As it's turned out the company he's been with for years has just now decided to give him a promotion to keep him, so all in all we get to keep our Disney plans

Hurray!

He's the ship agent operations manager (he schedules pilots, barges, etc) for most of the big tankers here in Houston. When I told him in March we're going on a cruise for vacation his first reaction was GREAT, ANOTHER SHIP

As far as excursions go we're not planning on any, but we're gearing towards renting a scooter at Nassau.

Vroom Vroom!

 

[RichNKatHolly]

Can you tell me a little about booking at Atlantis? Do you pay for a room for the day so that you can access the facilities? I am not sure how that works. Do you call the resort yourself?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Yes, we paid in advance through Atlantis by calling their reservation line (the prices are the same as online - I can't find a discounted rate there for anything). We will have a room (although maybe not until 3pm) and can use the entire facility including the pools and slides. Then we can shower in the room, check out and head back to the ship for dinner. Or, if it is a late stay we can come back after dinner (probably not though).

I have read that alot of people head there the day we arrive and pay about $150 for a day room but there is no guarantee one will be available so we figured why chance it. Also, if for some reason we do not dock in Nassau, we will be out the $$. It's a risk so you have to be OK with all the possiblities.


FFFerret - Glad your plans will remain the same! Although, more money now can mean a better trip next year too. Good luck to your DH!

 

[PixiePop]

Thanks for the info. I think we are going to look at reserving a room at the Comfort Suites instead. I have been doing some research and it looks like I can get a cheaper rate and you still have access to everything at Atlantis.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

Thanks for the info. I think we are going to look at reserving a room at the Comfort Suites instead. I have been doing some research and it looks like I can get a cheaper rate and you still have access to everything at Atlantis.

Yes, that's a great option as well! Good luck!

 

[PixiePop]

Thanks. Before I book it, I wanted to make sure that we would be at port on December 2nd. Does anyone know if that is correct?

Thanks for your help.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

You got it! Dec 2nd will be Nassau, 3rd will be CC and 4th we're disembarking. Hopefully all will remain that way by the time we cruise!

 

[PixiePop]

Well, I made a reservation at the Comfort Suites. I think I got a pretty good rate ($152). I am starting to get more excited now that I actually booked something.

I hope everyone is doing well.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

Well, I made a reservation at the Comfort Suites. I think I got a pretty good rate ($152). I am starting to get more excited now that I actually booked something.

I hope everyone is doing well.

Are you getting excited now or what? $152 was the lowest rate I could find as well! Have fun!!!

 

[RichNKatHolly]

So, who's packed already???

 

[mylilnikita]

DD and I aren't packed yet. But I have been keeping a list of what we will need. We will be going down a couple days early to visit Epcot, Magic Kingdom and Sea World and I was finally able to book the flight yesterday through Southwest. Then monday, I will be going to a photo store to pick up some self adhesive postcard backs to make my own postcards. So little by little, it is all starting to come together.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

DD and I aren't packed yet. But I have been keeping a list of what we will need. We will be going down a couple days early to visit Epcot, Magic Kingdom and Sea World and I was finally able to book the flight yesterday through Southwest. Then monday, I will be going to a photo store to pick up some self adhesive postcard backs to make my own postcards. So little by little, it is all starting to come together.

Well, we aren't either, but I haven't started my list yet. Glad you got to wait for SW rates. I got too nervous and booked with USA3000 (not a major airline so I worry a bit,but it was still $90 savings over SW for our 5 tickets) a bit over a week before SW published. I had been watching all other rates go up and up so I got antcy. We are flying Thanksgiving weekend so I thought it best not to wait too long. We will be in Orlando from 11/25 so maybe we'll seeyou in the parks! We plan on doing SeaWorld too on the 26th. I heard great things about the park.

I'd love some info on those postcard backs. Will you have your pictures printed somewhere inthe parks to use, or do you bring a photo printer and a digital camera? I may bring my digital and look for a Kodak printer at a local drugsture, etc. Any info would be great!

Thanks!

 

[FFerret]

We're driving to Atlanta first from Texas for Thanksgiving, then down to Florida on Sat. Hoping and praying that gas will be well back in the $1.xx range by then.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

We're driving to Atlanta first from Texas for Thanksgiving, then down to Florida on Sat. Hoping and praying that gas will be well back in the $1.xx range by then.

Well, wouldn't that be wonderful! I paid $2.53 today for regular! We have significantly reduced the amount we drive. Nothing like just stayin' home!

 

[deez1966]

Did you see that National released some better rates for car rentals Aug 14-Dec. 15. Enter WWeb in the promotion area and you can still use the coupon from mousesavers for another $20 off.

I lucked out about a month ago and got an intermediate from Nov 26-Dec 4 for 202 total, this new deal is still a bit higher but it might work for others.

We are staying at POP the 25th and 26th then moving to Beach Club from 27-1, then on to the cruise, so we decided to get the car at the Car Care Center on Saturday afternoon to save the extra charges and let Magical Express take care of our luggage and us Friday night since we dont get in until 10pm.

MD.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

Thanks for the head's up! Is National onsite? I would be wiling to pay a few more $$ for onsite. Right now the best I've gotten was with Thrifty. $180 for 11/25-12/5 midsize. That is total with taxes. Before that I was getting nothing under $250! This was with the Magiccard discount.

I believe we have hit the 4 month mark!!! Can't wait. Just going through my dining plans for the land part of the trip. I cannot believe how much it is going to cost! Better start saving!

 

[deez1966]

Yes, National is on site, plus with the Emerald Club getting your car is super easy, keep checking them, you never know their price might go down to a good range for you.

 

[FFerret]

Well, wouldn't that be wonderful! I paid $2.53 today for regular! We have significantly reduced the amount we drive. Nothing like just stayin' home!

Just to brag I got a tankful at Walmart yesterday at $2.139 a gallon