December 19, 2010 - Disney Wonder - 4 Night Bahamas

[HitbyaDumpTruck]

I'd like to think that it's never to early to meet people, so I'm starting the thread for the Wonders 4-night sailing on the Dec 19th. It's going to be my first Disney cruise and I can't wait! Is there anyone crazy like me to book this far in advance?

 

[CUL8R]

Actually, yes...that would be me. I looked for a thread a couple of days ago and didn't see one open yet. I'm new to the boards and didn't know how...some things I couldn't/can't do because I haven't posted enough yet. So I'm glad you were able to get this started.

This WAS going to be our first cruise, but my son's are graduating...one from high school and the other is a promotion to high school...at the end of May. When each of them graduate they get to pick a vacation. Since the economy is so yucky right now and all of the "unknowns" about where the USA will be in another 2 years, they were concerned that we might not be able to go on that vacation. So they chose to go on a cruise for their graduation trip...it will be a cruise only.

BUT...if there are no unforseen troubles, this 2010 trip will be our second, we'll have an upgraded room, we'll spend Christmas at WDW and be celebrating my younger son's and my birthdays. I'm very excited.

My name is Tina, by the way...and I'm looking forward to getting to know you over the next (almost) 2 years on these boards and then put a face to the words on the ship. I'm interested in seeing how many others book this early. I was encouraged to book as early as possible...so I did.

 

[tarheel618]

New cruiser here too and just paid my deposit this morning so 617 days until we sail but who's counting

 

[CUL8R]

Well, hello there, Matey and welcome aboard!

Thar don't be much action on this thread. Me hopes it picks up as our sailin' gets a nigh bit closer. I'd be lyin' if I said I don't be countin' the days 'til we sail either. Until then, I'm happy to be makin' your acquaintance. It's sure to be a Merry Christmas, indeed!

 

[HitbyaDumpTruck]

I have not been on the board much for the last several months due to life hogging most of my attention , but I managed to sneak a few minutes to say 'Hi' to those of you who have introduced yourself so far. I most likely won't be around until after July either due me moving to a new job. While I'm very excited about that I still have to find a place to stay, PDQ too. In any case, I'm glad I'm not the only one count day down till Christmas 2010.

 

[pillow]

Hi all. I just booked this today. We had booked the 11 night Christmas cruise, but my 12 year old doesn't want to be away at Christmas , so we switched to this cruise. It pained me to cancel the 11 nighter (sigh), but at least we'll get a short one in. More later . . .

Jodie

 

[whithouston]

We are looking at booking this cruise using our DVC points...should we, or shouldn't we? Hope to call in the morning to check availability and to ensure that all is well with our points, and I am sure we will be joining everyone! This will be our 4th Disney Cruise!!! The only way to go

 

[pillow]

We are looking at booking this cruise using our DVC points...should we, or shouldn't we? Hope to call in the morning to check availability and to ensure that all is well with our points, and I am sure we will be joining everyone! This will be our 4th Disney Cruise!!! The only way to go

Aaargh! No, don't do it!!! Rent your points for $10 per point on the rent/trade thread, and then use the cash to book your cruise - much more economical. You will use fewer points in order to raise the cash for your trip. We booked with points on our first Disney cruise and then regretted it - used soooo many points.

Jodie

 

[whithouston]

Aaargh! No, don't do it!!! Rent your points for $10 per point on the rent/trade thread, and then use the cash to book your cruise - much more economical. You will use fewer points in order to raise the cash for your trip. We booked with points on our first Disney cruise and then regretted it - used soooo many points.

Jodie

I know what you mean, but we haven't had good experiences in the past with renting out points, plus I don't want to go through the hassle of the use years since the points are going to be a combination of 2010 (borrowed in points) and 2011 points...thank you for the advise though..I will talk with DW about it and see what she thinks...we have booked two other cruises with points in the past...thank you again

 

[pillow]

I know what you mean, but we haven't had good experiences in the past with renting out points, plus I don't want to go through the hassle of the use years since the points are going to be a combination of 2010 (borrowed in points) and 2011 points...thank you for the advise though..I will talk with DW about it and see what she thinks...we have booked two other cruises with points in the past...thank you again

Bummer about your bad experience with renting out points. I've only done it twice and was lucky both times. Now we've sold our large contract (we kept a small 50 point one). Of course after we sold it, my mother decided that she wants to take the entire family on a big WDW trip. Now I'm gonna need to rent some points - ha!

Good luck with whatever you decide! I'm very curious to see the West Coast itinerary for 2011. If its Alaska, we may cancel this trip and replace it with that one. Am anxiously awaiting any news . . .

Jodie

 

[whithouston]

Bummer about your bad experience with renting out points. I've only done it twice and was lucky both times. Now we've sold our large contract (we kept a small 50 point one). Of course after we sold it, my mother decided that she wants to take the entire family on a big WDW trip. Now I'm gonna need to rent some points - ha!

Good luck with whatever you decide! I'm very curious to see the West Coast itinerary for 2011. If its Alaska, we may cancel this trip and replace it with that one. Am anxiously awaiting any news . . .

Jodie

We actually just added on 100 points at Bay Lake, and we got our 2009 and 2010 use year points...so I sorta look at that as an added incentive! Thank you for the insight though! We had the 2009 Thanksgiving cruise booked, but had to cancel due to some unforeseen bills that came up! I think we all know how that is...so when looking at the DVC point chart and how unbelievably of a low season this cruise is, I figured we would get our holiday cruise after all!! What category are you guys booked in again? I am thinking we will go with a Cat. 9...

 

[pillow]

We actually just added on 100 points at Bay Lake, and we got our 2009 and 2010 use year points...so I sorta look at that as an added incentive! Thank you for the insight though! We had the 2009 Thanksgiving cruise booked, but had to cancel due to some unforeseen bills that came up! I think we all know how that is...so when looking at the DVC point chart and how unbelievably of a low season this cruise is, I figured we would get our holiday cruise after all!! What category are you guys booked in again? I am thinking we will go with a Cat. 9...

We're booked in cat 9 as well - love being able to see outside. I toyed with the idea of booking a verandah, but I think I would rather spend the additional funds on margheritas instead of a balcony. This time I asked for a starboard room. Someone pointed out to me that you have better views of Castaway Cay with rooms on that side of the ship. I had never thought of that.

Which Thanksgiving cruise were you on? We're booked on the week long Eastern for this year. We booked when the rates first came out + we had a 10% onboard discount that we used. In total, the price wasn't too bad for all 4 of us. I've never done that itinerary, so I'm really looking forward to it.

J

 

[whithouston]

We're booked in cat 9 as well - love being able to see outside. I toyed with the idea of booking a verandah, but I think I would rather spend the additional funds on margheritas instead of a balcony. This time I asked for a starboard room. Someone pointed out to me that you have better views of Castaway Cay with rooms on that side of the ship. I had never thought of that.

Which Thanksgiving cruise were you on? We're booked on the week long Eastern for this year. We booked when the rates first came out + we had a 10% onboard discount that we used. In total, the price wasn't too bad for all 4 of us. I've never done that itinerary, so I'm really looking forward to it.

J

We were booked on the 4 Night Thanksgiving Cruise...now I am looking at the point charts and thinking of maybe going with a Cat. 11...we stayed in one of those a few years ago and it wasn't bad at all...made for a very nice night's sleep with it being pitch black! Plus, if we go that route..we save 50 points, plus we then have enough to do a quick getaway to Hilton Head over Spring Break, and enough points to get us a night before and after the cruise at WDW...how is that for points management??

 

[pillow]

We were booked on the 4 Night Thanksgiving Cruise...now I am looking at the point charts and thinking of maybe going with a Cat. 11...we stayed in one of those a few years ago and it wasn't bad at all...made for a very nice night's sleep with it being pitch black! Plus, if we go that route..we save 50 points, plus we then have enough to do a quick getaway to Hilton Head over Spring Break, and enough points to get us a night before and after the cruise at WDW...how is that for points management??

I say squeeze as many vacations out of those points as you can! We've never stayed in an interior room before. We switched to a category 12 when sale fares came out on the Mediterranean trip ($4,000 for 11 nights for all 4 of us - probably never see rates like that again!!!!), but then we got lucky and were upgraded to a cat 9. Oh, and on that trip, we met someone who had booked a cat 11 with points (lots of points I might add). When the sale fares came out, she wanted to cancel her points reservation to book the sale cash price, but couldn't. She was not a happy camper! Thats partially where my aversion to mixing cruises and points came from. I keep watching for more of these cat 12 discounts. I saw one over spring break that showed up for a couple weeks and then disappeared. Its always interesting to try and get in the heads of those pricing these cruises!

I love Hilton Head in the springtime. We stayed at the villas there before we bought into DVC. It was a bit cool for the water, but I loved the weather + all the flowers were blooming.

I was thinking that if we do take this cruise, we would stay a few nights pre-cruise as well. We haven't done Universal in years, so I was thinking of possibly doing that for a change.

For this Thanksgiving's cruise, I was able to snag the very last Bay Lake Towers studio overlooking Magic Kingdom the night pre-cruise (this was calling at exactly 9:00am 7 months out), so we bought tickets to MVMCP. We've never done that before - think I'm more excited about it than my kids!

Jodie

 

[pillow]

Signing out for the night. DH is getting jealous . . .

 

[whithouston]

Well...we are officially booked! We went ahead and went with the Cat. 11 stateroom as it will be me, DW, and DS (age 2 1/2 at time of sailing!) We will be in stateroom 6569 (midship.) Anyone else feel free to post your stateroom numbers also! Looking forward to it already!

Scott

 

[whithouston]

We actually changed to a Cat. 9 and now we are in stateroom 2564!! Gotta love having the view!!

 

[whithouston]

Anyone, anyone? Bueller, Bueller???

 

[pillow]

I'm here! At the beach this week.

We're booked in a cat 9 as well - Starboard side further back than you - I think about 6-7 rooms back from the last set of elevators. I like hopping on the elevators and going straight up to the pool and drink kiosk.

Its hard to get excited about this trip right now. Our Eastern cruise is less than 4 months away (I remember when it was as far out as this one). Also, I'm patiently waiting for the 2011 itineraries to be released. We may switch cruises - so much up in the air right now.

Jodie

 

[altiek]

This will be my family's first cruise!!! We are super excited, just wish it wasn't so far away!!!!