Is $629.00 out of the ordinary for a cat 11 gty?

[AnnMorin]

I was just checking on how full our sailing is and noticed that the Cat. 11's are only $629.00 pp, they are all gty status. That seems like such a great deal I was thinking about trying to talk DH in giving his parents the trip for Christmas/anniversary/bday etc. Granted I don't have an extra $1250.00 lying around but we did just get a home equity line. They have been talking forever about how they have wanted to go on a cruise but can't afford it and it would be nice to have them join us (as long as we were several decks apart ) so my question is before I start the campain to Jay is $629.00 as great of a deal as I think it is or should I just wait and send them another time? thanks Ann

 

[yourtravelpro]

What is the sailing date?

 

[gduvall]

You didn't say how long the cruise was. $629.00/pp is very good for a 7 day cruise.

 

[AnnMorin]

It is the 12/13/03 seven day eastern magic. We booked almost a year ago but we are in a cat. 6 so I have no idea if that is a good price for a cat.11. It seems extreemly inexpensive for a seven day cruise.

 

[jkovick]

Ann- when we booked a cat 11. for the 11/29 the price was $799 which we thought was a bargain. $629 is a steal!

 

[mickeyboat]

Our 3/6 7 day was $799 as well. I would love to have gotten it for $629. Maybe I should see if the price of ours has gone down too. What a generous thing to do for DH's parents. They must be very special people!

Denae

 

[AnnMorin]

And if they had the means I know they would never give a moments hesitation on spending it on my son (they are the best grandparents in the world) My mother in law is a great "mom" to me and nothing would make me happier than to surprise her with this. I called Jay at work and he said we will discuss it tonight. He is hesitant as MIL is a nurse andmay not be able to get out of rotation that close to Christmas. They are coming here for thanksgiving so if we decide that we are able to swing it we will approach them about it then and get their approval before booking it. It would be terrible to book it and have her not be able to get the time off. The home equity line is at only 4 percent interest and would only cost me like $50.00 a month to repay it. We have never spent that kind of money on them before but they are getting up there in age, it just seems like this low price is a "sign" to go ahead and send them. I know they would never go alone and have wanted to join us on our three previous cruises but they could never afford to do so. I was never in the position to do so for them before either but I just keep thinking I could just draw like a thousand on the line and pay the other $250.00 cash... Well Jay said we will discuss it which is not a "no". I wonder how hard it would be for her to get the week off? They went away in September but I am sure she must get more than one week a year for vacation.

 

[SeaSpray]

I think that would be a WONDERFUL gesture, Ann!! It sounds like your DIL's are very special people, and you're right, they're not getting any younger. I so much regret not being able to take my mother on a nice vacation, as an adult. Let us know what you and your DH decide. I hope she's able to get off of work, if you do decide to do this

 

[mickeyboat]

I sure hope your DH agrees. Just think how much your MIL and FIL would enjoy watching your children enjoy their vacation, and how they could relax and enjoy themselves as well. My MIL was also like a mother to me. I moved 800 miles away from my family to my husband's hometown. I missed my family terribly but my MIL always made me feel like I was another one of her daughters. She was a blessing to my children and taught me a lot about being a good mother. She passed away in 2002 with her husband, three daughters, my husband and myself at her side. I feel privileged to have had her as a part of my life, and although my children will not remember her, I will make sure they know how much she loved them.

ANYWAY (sorry for my rambling), Ann, please tell your husband how important this is to you. You will be making lifetime memories. "You can't take it with you," so you might as well make the most of it while you can.

Good Luck!

Denae

 

[tkd lisa]

Ann, I agree, it's a good deal and I think if DH agrees, you should do it. We have booked our in-laws on the 10 day cruise with us. Lots of money, but same reasons as yours. They'd never afford it, never go without us, etc.

Lots of luck!

 

[HooKooDooKu]

$799 for Cat 11 is DCL's standard off-season (i.e. cheapest) rate for the 7 day cruise.

Except for this promotion, the only time I've ever seen a 7 day offered for less was when Disney was offering some VERY STEEP discounts for ALL catagories for onboard-rebooking just after 9-11.

 

[ChattyKathy]

I agree with everyone else here, I think its a good idea....Take them while they are still here and able to go. You never know what the future holds anymore.
I would give my right arm just to beable to see/talk to mine....
Good Luck!!


Kathy

 

[bffttsiu]

Are you going to pay for their airfare also or are you all going to drive down?

 

[AnnMorin]

But I guess that is a good point, I better look into air too, they would not be able to drive down as we live in MA.. We are flying out on Friday and have a room at the Wyndham, I guess I could look into getting them one there too, they certainly could share our rental car-I could just bump up to a van or something.
We have taken them on many trips before but they were more local like a week at cape cod. This just seems like such a great price, I don't know if it is doable but wanted to see, we only have two and a half weeks, I think I will zip over to southwest's sight now and see what the airfares are going for. I certainly would not give them the gift and say oh but you need to buy your airfare, we would have to pay for that too, I would not want to burden them with that expense. Now their bar bill.. that is their problem

 

[figment52]

Just a thought but look at expedia or priceline or one of those for airfare.

I have seen DCL do this one other time when they were trying to quietly fill the ship at the last minute - it tis usually only for FL and GA residents but if you can get it that is great.

I hope it all works so you can take them...DCL is all about multi-generational vacations and your children would remember it for a lifetime.

PIXIE DUST coming your way

 

[alexandrew]

what an excellent gift!!!

Does this price, at $629.00, include port charges and taxes Ann? If so, W@W!!!!I just checked www.allseastravel, what I usually thought was the benchmark for low pricing. The price I saw for cat. 11(not sure if gty) was $2235 for 2 adults 12/13 Eastern...non FL res...

 

[AnnMorin]

The 629.00/pp does include port charges but not taxes, but the port charges are the big one.
Ok I checked both Delta and southwest and it looks like the best fare I can get is 244.00 per person for them (we only paid 148.00 per person but that was a long time ago) anyhow Jay said to go for it as long as I can be sure his mom can get the time off. I decided to call his dad to ask so we could at least surprise her on Thursday. He is going to call the nursing home tonight and speak to the head nurse to say what we are trying to do. He was very excited but also very hesitant. She had asked for this weekend off and as they are understaffed they told her no way possible. She is only allowed two weeks off a year and has taken them (it is in a calender year) but he thought maybe if he explained how special this trip is they will say ok) What he does not know is Jay said if they can not join us this time that when we book for next year in Jan. we are going to book a cabin for them right away, then she will have 11 months to get the time off, he agreed that life is too short and they are to special to not make this happen. I do so hope this can work out for this trip though, what a surprise that would be! Either way come Thursday his mom will be surpised with a cruise, we will either tell her that she is joining us in two weeks or that we are booking them to join us next year.

 

[SNicksed]

Good for you!!! What a great thing!

 

[plutospup]

Good Luck Ann! What a great gift. I can't wait to hear how she reacts.

 

[AnnMorin]

The bad news FIL called there is no way she can get any time off until Feb..... I was bummed..
the good news..
Jay said when we are on board we will look into booking a cat.3 for next year so all of us could be together, ( there is only MIL, FIL, me mike and jay) if we can do it we will make a fancy card and give them that for christmas this year. we are going to look into next Dec, Jan, or Feb..... wish us luck!