Is $16,500 too much?

[vossjemi]

holy c$%p!!!!

Ditto!!! Seriously though, if you can afford it and that is what you want, why are you asking any of us? Do what you want to do.

p.s. Did I get a good deal on my 4 day category 10 SPR Wonder Cruise for 4 people....it cost $1447.40? I'm going to use the $15,000 I saved for the next payment on my private jet. Or maybe I should use it as part of the down payment on the private island I'm considering.

 

[cjsmith]

I'm completely jealous! Can I ask how old your kids are? My boys are 8 1/2 and 10 1/2 now, and I'm wondering when they'll be ready for Europe.

My daughter will have turned 17 on June 7th, my one son turned 15 on 4/15 and my youngest, a son will turn 13 on June 30th. We actually were going to take them 2 summers ago and when we sat them down to talk to them, the oldest balked at having to "learn stuff" after just getting out of school! Well that was the end of that and we left them in NY with my parents and went on out own again!
My first trip to Europe was with my grandparents to visit all our relatives in Denmark (my mom came here when she was 12) when I was about 11 1/2 and though I loved every moment of it I do remember things more when I traveled to England with my high school at age 16. Your kids would enjoy it to a point but I would wait another couple of years. It's a lot of walking and touring in Europe and sometimes kids can get bored easily.
We've let them pick things to do and have had them research the different countries we're going to. My 15 year old had picked going to AMsterdam and can't wait to see the Anne Franke house as he loved reading the book and studies it in school. My oldest is really into photography and has requested going into Paris so she can get some amazing black and white photos. The youngest can't wait to ride a double decker bus in London and wants to go to the Tower of London.
I figured that the cruise was a great way to go. We go back on the ship at night and whoever needs to can nap and the others can still be out and about. It's not Disney, so the kids will find the ship experience very different. I'm hoping that they enjoy Princess. We really did but did find that we spent a lot of time comparing them and Princess seemed to come up short in many areas. One thing that I did love was that their were really balconies are on the ship not the small verandahs that Disney has.

PS: only been down here in Naples for just about 6 years, from Long Island prior to that!

 

[NYDisneyMom]

I figured that the cruise was a great way to go. We go back on the ship at night and whoever needs to can nap and the others can still be out and about. It's not Disney, so the kids will find the ship experience very different. I'm hoping that they enjoy Princess. We really did but did find that we spent a lot of time comparing them and Princess seemed to come up short in many areas. One thing that I did love was that their were really balconies are on the ship not the small verandahs that Disney has.

PS: only been down here in Naples for just about 6 years, from Long Island prior to that!

Thanks for taking the time and answering my question! I was thinking of waiting til my boys were 15 and 13 to 'do' Europe, and everything you wrote pretty much confirms that, I may even wait til their 16 and 14 -- my plan right now is to take a summer tour..starting from England and making our way down to Italy.

Lots of LI'ers moving down south...cost of living here is ridiculous!! The only thing keeping me here right now is my mom and the schools.

 

[my3kids]

The Europe trip sounds wonderful. I know people here have done the Disney cruise multiple times but with so many ships and so many places to see I can't imagine doing the same trip over and over. I love the idea of combing a land/sea trip through Europe. I'm not sure we'd have as much time in some places as I'd want on a ship, but you combining some sights ahead of time gives a great blend. Nice idea!

 

[cjsmith]

Thanks for taking the time and answering my question! I was thinking of waiting til my boys were 15 and 13 to 'do' Europe, and everything you wrote pretty much confirms that, I may even wait til their 16 and 14 -- my plan right now is to take a summer tour..starting from England and making our way down to Italy.

Lots of LI'ers moving down south...cost of living here is ridiculous!! The only thing keeping me here right now is my mom and the schools.

The schools here in Naples are great. The cost of living is unfortunately just about the same here. I moved for the weather!

 

[KelleyD]

Boy, this thread got me a little down. I have been fine with the price I am paying - as long as I kept everything seperate.
You know cruise cost "x" - ok I can handle that. Airfare will cost "y" - OK not too bad - On the boat, excursions (not that many on eastern) and drinks and ARCADE (dang that arcade) I am fine when they are all seperate...but when you add them together - oh man!!! What am I thinking??????

No more of this talk!!!!
I'd rather not know the total cost!

 

[RichNKatHolly]

Boy, this thread got me a little down. I have been fine with the price I am paying - as long as I kept everything seperate.
You know cruise cost "x" - ok I can handle that. Airfare will cost "y" - OK not too bad - On the boat, excursions (not that many on eastern) and drinks and ARCADE (dang that arcade) I am fine when they are all seperate...but when you add them together - oh man!!! What am I thinking??????

No more of this talk!!!!
I'd rather not know the total cost!

Yup, ignorance is bliss!!!!!

 

[xlRacerXlx]

Not sure how that's gonna work since cat. 1 & 2 are the only catagories that allow 6 people per room.

2 rooms interconnected

 

[kcarl021]

Haha! If you have to ask, then yes it is! That's my philosophy!