EBPC December 9, 2012!!! Who's in????

[dthogue]

Is it too early to buy airfare for this cruise? Saw a decent price out of Miami, and I'm thinking it's probably not getting any lower. What does everyone think?

Will be in touch with everyone in the Palo group and for the Costa Maya tour soon.

The dreaded airfare dilemna - it is such a gamble - you never know. We bought our tickets to LA 2 week ago as well - I paid $141.00 per person from PHL. I figured it wasn't going to get any cheaper than that so I bought them. I want to fly SW home, so I'm patiently waiting til May to buy those tickets. The good thing with SW is that if the price decreases, I can rebook and get a credit - not so easy with all other airlines.

My thought is if you find flights that work for your schedule and at a price you can live with, then go ahead and book! I'm with you though, I don' think the prices are going to go down too much!!

 

[dthogue]

Hi all,
My husband and I are trying to decide on this trip. We are scheduled on the Fantasy for the Sept 29th trip to WB Caribbean with all of the family , but wanted to try one on our own. I keep reading about the certificate and wanted to know what it is. Also, we are both retired and will be in our 60's by the time we sailed and wanted to see if there are others with like interests to us to maybe pair up with for dinner. Hope to be sailing with you all.

Linda

Hi Linda - welcome to our thread. Hope you and DH decide to join us - sounds like it is going to be an amazing trip - for us a once in a lifetime experience.

If you go to page 6, post number 79, there is a link to the certificates that DVCinderella is ordering for us - its a special Panama Canal Certificate to commerate our cruise.

 

[lbrown62]

Thanks so much for the info. I will check that out. We are still trying to work out details and get as much info on flights, transfers to ship etc so make our decision from.

Linda

 

[DVCinderella]

Is it too early to buy airfare for this cruise? Saw a decent price out of Miami, and I'm thinking it's probably not getting any lower. What does everyone think?

We booked our return flight from Miami a few weeks ago. When I saw $125, I didn't think it was going to get any lower. Even with an additional $25pp for baggage, it's still pretty good for 2 days before Christmas. I just checked it again, and it's up to $290. Hopefully I caught the low!

 

[skoi]

We booked our return flight from Miami a few weeks ago. When I saw $125, I didn't think it was going to get any lower. Even with an additional $25pp for baggage, it's still pretty good for 2 days before Christmas. I just checked it again, and it's up to $290. Hopefully I caught the low!

Wow! Great price. When I first looked at the Miami flight it was about $300. Now I'm seeing it as 189.

Has anyone ever flown out of Ft Lauderdale? If so- better or worse than Miami? Is it worth the extra drive time from the port?

 

[socababy]

I was sitting here shocked at what cheap prices everyone has gotten for their airfare. It took me ahwile to figure out that I am paying a ridiculous amount because I am flying all the way back to California. Cross country flying is super expensive!

 

[So Cal Crew]

I'm still waiting for Virgin America to post their fairs for December. Not sure when they come out. I've seen where you can get a one way non-stop from Fort Lauderdale to LAX for $130 - $220. The down side is, there are only 2 flights a day. One in the morning (7:20 am) and one in the evening (7:30 pm) and you have to drive the 35 - 45 minutes to get there instead of the 15 -20 minutes to Miami. Plus once I'm home I have another 40 minute drive home instead of 15 -20 from John Wayne. Looks like prices now are about double that and with 4 of us, it adds up to a few more excursions and cocktails. I'm thinking for a little more of my time, we can save a little money. Who wants to rush home anyways? I guess for now, I'll just sit and wait.

 

[skoi]

I'm still waiting for Virgin America to post their fairs for December. Not sure when they come out. I've seen where you can get a one way non-stop from Fort Lauderdale to LAX for $130 - $220. The down side is, there are only 2 flights a day. One in the morning (7:20 am) and one in the evening (7:30 pm) and you have to drive the 35 - 45 minutes to get there instead of the 15 -20 minutes to Miami. Plus once I'm home I have another 40 minute drive home instead of 15 -20 from John Wayne. Looks like prices now are about double that and with 4 of us, it adds up to a few more excursions and cocktails. I'm thinking for a little more of my time, we can save a little money. Who wants to rush home anyways? I guess for now, I'll just sit and wait.

We've given up on John Wayne for the flight out, and will soon grab the $141 tickets to LAX from Philly on Orbitz, so if they go down, we'll get the difference refunded. We're not going to be driving, so traffic, etc doesn't matter (I have horrible memories of leaving LAX and having to drive through horrible traffic in a rental car one time, and with strange men another time when I was doing research on my dissertation and another paper in grad school-- nightmare stuff, especially since on the dissertation trip to LA-- I was almost beaten up by Neo-Nazi Skinheads, no wonder I'm afraid to go to back.)

For those who observe Christmas-- what are you doing about preparations before? Because we're Eastern Orthodox, technically we're supposed to be fasting for 40 days before Christmas (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish), but that's not happening. But I make tons of cookies and candy, and always have a huge crowd over. Wondering how to get all of this in and decorate when we're going to be gone 17 days in December.

 

[socababy]

I told the kids that this trip is part of their Christmas presents so all I will need is to get a few things which I plan on having done by Thanksgiving! I hosted Christmas dinner at my house this year and I have already told my inlaws that I won't be doing it this year! LOL They said that's okay and that they would kindy give me Thanksgiving dinner instead.

We've given up on John Wayne for the flight out, and will soon grab the $141 tickets to LAX from Philly on Orbitz, so if they go down, we'll get the difference refunded. We're not going to be driving, so traffic, etc doesn't matter (I have horrible memories of leaving LAX and having to drive through horrible traffic in a rental car one time, and with strange men another time when I was doing research on my dissertation and another paper in grad school-- nightmare stuff, especially since on the dissertation trip to LA-- I was almost beaten up by Neo-Nazi Skinheads, no wonder I'm afraid to go to back.)

For those who observe Christmas-- what are you doing about preparations before? Because we're Eastern Orthodox, technically we're supposed to be fasting for 40 days before Christmas (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish), but that's not happening. But I make tons of cookies and candy, and always have a huge crowd over. Wondering how to get all of this in and decorate when we're going to be gone 17 days in December.

 

[skoi]

I told the kids that this trip is part of their Christmas presents so all I will need is to get a few things which I plan on having done by Thanksgiving! I hosted Christmas dinner at my house this year and I have already told my inlaws that I won't be doing it this year! LOL They said that's okay and that they would kindy give me Thanksgiving dinner instead.

Good idea. I think I'll try that with the kids.

I always have all the holidays, but maybe I can get out of the big deal for Christmas. Since oldest dd will be away before we leave, I guess we'll have to hold off and decorate the tree on Christmas Eve.

 

[BethC1952]

For those who observe Christmas-- what are you doing about preparations before? Because we're Eastern Orthodox, technically we're supposed to be fasting for 40 days before Christmas (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish), but that's not happening. But I make tons of cookies and candy, and always have a huge crowd over. Wondering how to get all of this in and decorate when we're going to be gone 17 days in December.

Our apartment will be decorated before we leave. Last year I had to have everything ready the week before Thanksgiving because we left home on Thanksgiving morning. At least this year I get a couple of extra weeks! We visit my sister-in-law for Christmas, and told her that we won't be there this year. She was very agreeable, and suggested that perhaps we join them for New Year's weekend instead. I strongly suspect that she's planning something for our anniversary, the actual date of which falls that weekend. She's been asking us for two years what kind of a party we want for our 40th, but we're really not party people and would rather just relax and enjoy the day, especially since we're doing exactly what we want to do to celebrate--taking a lovely, long cruise somewhere warm, and then spending a day or two in Miami!

Beth

 

[dthogue]

I'm still waiting for Virgin America to post their fairs for December. Not sure when they come out. I've seen where you can get a one way non-stop from Fort Lauderdale to LAX for $130 - $220. The down side is, there are only 2 flights a day. One in the morning (7:20 am) and one in the evening (7:30 pm) and you have to drive the 35 - 45 minutes to get there instead of the 15 -20 minutes to Miami. Plus once I'm home I have another 40 minute drive home instead of 15 -20 from John Wayne. Looks like prices now are about double that and with 4 of us, it adds up to a few more excursions and cocktails. I'm thinking for a little more of my time, we can save a little money. Who wants to rush home anyways? I guess for now, I'll just sit and wait.

We will be flying from FT Lauderdale as well - still trying to decide if we want to rent a car or just take the shuttle. The shuttle services that I checked into are not allowed to pick up passengers from the Port and take them to the Miami airport - something about permits

We've given up on John Wayne for the flight out, and will soon grab the $141 tickets to LAX from Philly on Orbitz, so if they go down, we'll get the difference refunded. We're not going to be driving, so traffic, etc doesn't matter (I have horrible memories of leaving LAX and having to drive through horrible traffic in a rental car one time, and with strange men another time when I was doing research on my dissertation and another paper in grad school-- nightmare stuff, especially since on the dissertation trip to LA-- I was almost beaten up by Neo-Nazi Skinheads, no wonder I'm afraid to go to back.)

Because we're Eastern Orthodox, technically we're supposed to be fasting for 40 days before Christmas (no meat, dairy, eggs, fish), but that's not happening. But I make tons of cookies and candy, and always have a huge crowd over. Wondering how to get all of this in and decorate when we're going to be gone 17 days in December.

Good luck with the flights - what day are you flying? We don't plan to drive either - shuttles all the way for us

We will decorate our tree on Thanksgving weekend (we have an articial tree). My middle DD will be home and I know she will want the tree up. As for presents, I hope to have that all done before we leave - I only have to buy for my girls and it probably be a gift card Christmas.

I was sitting here shocked at what cheap prices everyone has gotten for their airfare. It took me ahwile to figure out that I am paying a ridiculous amount because I am flying all the way back to California. Cross country flying is super expensive!

I was amazed (and thrilled) to find our airfare from PA to CA for $141/pp. I couldn't beleive that we could fly cheaper to CA then we could to Orlando - go figure

 

[skoi]

We will be flying from FT Lauderdale as well - still trying to decide if we want to rent a car or just take the shuttle. The shuttle services that I checked into are not allowed to pick up passengers from the Port and take them to the Miami airport - something about permits



Good luck with the flights - what day are you flying? We don't plan to drive either - shuttles all the way for us

We will decorate our tree on Thanksgving weekend (we have an articial tree). My middle DD will be home and I know she will want the tree up. As for presents, I hope to have that all done before we leave - I only have to buy for my girls and it probably be a gift card Christmas.



I was amazed (and thrilled) to find our airfare from PA to CA for $141/pp. I couldn't beleive that we could fly cheaper to CA then we could to Orlando - go figure

I think we'll do most of the decorating before, as well.

We're flying out on Thursday before, and going to Disneyland. Oldest dd is flying from Atlanta on the first flight she can take after her finals are over, so we won't know until she gets her schedule.

 

[DVCinderella]

I just wanted to let everyone know that the quantities listed next to your names in Post 79 are only being used as a guide...specifically to help us gage if we are going to clear 50 certificates (which is the first level at which the price will decrease).

As we get closer I will confirm all quantities before placing the order.

 

[DanieD0909]

Hi Everyone,

I'm so sorry but we have had to cancel this cruise

So my mom and I will not be going and now we do not need the certificates for crossing either.

But the good news is that my hubby and I are expecting a baby in October!!

This would have been an awesome cruise ~ I hope you all have a great time!

 

[skoi]

Hi Everyone,

I'm so sorry but we have had to cancel this cruise

So my mom and I will not be going and now we do not need the certificates for crossing either.

But the good news is that my hubby and I are expecting a baby in October!!

This would have been an awesome cruise ~ I hope you all have a great time!

Congratulations and sorry you'll have to miss this one. Good luck.

 

[BethC1952]

Hi Everyone,

I'm so sorry but we have had to cancel this cruise

So my mom and I will not be going and now we do not need the certificates for crossing either.

But the good news is that my hubby and I are expecting a baby in October!!

This would have been an awesome cruise ~ I hope you all have a great time!

Sorry you won't be joining us, but what a wonderful reason! Congratulations!

Beth

 

[abbyar]

We're interested in the Ruins excursions, Cartagena, and Brunch. Thanks!

 

[Gilland18]

Hi all,
I'm chiming in for my parents, who are booked on this cruise but not on the internet. They want one of the certificates you are getting. Do you need to know what they want for personalization now? They are pretty excited to go thru the Canal. They are:

Jerry - 83
Bea - 79

This will be their third DCL cruise, all on the Wonder. I will watch this thread for them (unless I can talk my DH into joining them) to see what other things you come up with.

 

[abbyar]

Ok, a little info on us. I've recently booked this cruise (Friday) and am now in the (scary!) planning stage.

This is our first DCL cruise. Dh has always wanted to see the PC, so mentioned this as an idea a few weeks ago. A 14 day cruise has me a little nervous, but excited too!!

We're in Central NJ. Dd will be 5 and ds 3 at sailing. They're very outgoing kids so I'm hoping they'll spend 4-5 days of this cruise in the clubs so dh and I can enjoy some adult time.

We're flying EWR-LAX on 12/7 and returning 12/25 MIA-EWR on United. I was able to book with points (saving us $3,466). We'll be staying in LA on Friday and Saturday nights and staying with family in Miami and celebrating Christmas eve with them.

FYI - someone else mentioned United stays covering their party's baggage fees. The rules have changed - if you're Silver Status they cover only your baggage fee. If you're Gold+ then your entire party's are covered. Worth knowing.