January 14, 2012 Eastern Carribbean Cruise

[JenGC]

oie! I need a vacation

 

[hgon76]

Hello!! Switched to this cruise from a nov 2011 cruise we had booked! We've done this same cruise/same week 2x (2009 & 2010) & we loved it!! So we figured best to stick w/ what works!!!! Would've done it again this January but went on a BIG family trip (15 of us) to Disney World instead. Now I NEED a cruise to decompress!! Anyway, as of now it's me, DH, DS 16, DD 9. But, my dad is thinking of doing another BIG family trip & joining us. Which would then make it 16 of us all together!! Can't wait!!

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

Hello!! Switched to this cruise from a nov 2011 cruise we had booked! We've done this same cruise/same week 2x (2009 & 2010) & we loved it!! So we figured best to stick w/ what works!!!! Would've done it again this January but went on a BIG family trip (15 of us) to Disney World instead. Now I NEED a cruise to decompress!! Anyway, as of now it's me, DH, DS 16, DD 9. But, my dad is thinking of doing another BIG family trip & joining us. Which would then make it 16 of us all together!! Can't wait!!

Welcome!
I noticed you are from MA--where in MA?

 

[JenGC]

Hello!! Switched to this cruise from a nov 2011 cruise we had booked! We've done this same cruise/same week 2x (2009 & 2010) & we loved it!! So we figured best to stick w/ what works!!!! Would've done it again this January but went on a BIG family trip (15 of us) to Disney World instead. Now I NEED a cruise to decompress!! Anyway, as of now it's me, DH, DS 16, DD 9. But, my dad is thinking of doing another BIG family trip & joining us. Which would then make it 16 of us all together!! Can't wait!!

WELCOME! I'm glad you switched cruises! My daughter, mother and I are going to WDW the first on January (2011) and I am excited! Im not sure if I could handle 15!!!

 

[shwarren70]

Hello!! Switched to this cruise from a nov 2011 cruise we had booked! We've done this same cruise/same week 2x (2009 & 2010) & we loved it!! So we figured best to stick w/ what works!!!! Would've done it again this January but went on a BIG family trip (15 of us) to Disney World instead. Now I NEED a cruise to decompress!! Anyway, as of now it's me, DH, DS 16, DD 9. But, my dad is thinking of doing another BIG family trip & joining us. Which would then make it 16 of us all together!! Can't wait!!

Welcome aboard!

 

[hgon76]

Welcome!
I noticed you are from MA--where in MA?

Acushnet......near Fairhaven, New Bedford area. About an hour SE of Boston. I see you're from MA as well. Where abouts??

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

Acushnet......near Fairhaven, New Bedford area. About an hour SE of Boston. I see you're from MA as well. Where abouts??

We are in Pepperell, about an hour northwest of Boston on the NH border, near Nashua NH.

 

[StarGazer99]

Hello!! Switched to this cruise from a nov 2011 cruise we had booked! We've done this same cruise/same week 2x (2009 & 2010) & we loved it!! So we figured best to stick w/ what works!!!! Would've done it again this January but went on a BIG family trip (15 of us) to Disney World instead. Now I NEED a cruise to decompress!! Anyway, as of now it's me, DH, DS 16, DD 9. But, my dad is thinking of doing another BIG family trip & joining us. Which would then make it 16 of us all together!! Can't wait!!

 

[JenGC]

It is 407 days, 19 hours, 50 minutes and 2 seconds until Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 5:00:00 AM (Chicago time) UNTIL WE SAIL!!!!!!

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

1 year from now I will be starting to get very excited!

 

[hgon76]

Hope you all have a wonderful time. We've decided to wait 3 months & do the Fantasy in April. It's the kids vacation week & a lot less stressful to not have to take my oldest out of school. (he'll be a junior in high school). So have fun!!

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

Hope you all have a wonderful time. We've decided to wait 3 months & do the Fantasy in April. It's the kids vacation week & a lot less stressful to not have to take my oldest out of school. (he'll be a junior in high school). So have fun!!

I don't blame you. It's hard taking them out of school when they get older, and vacation weeks work better. Have a great time!

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

OK, let's just say that I am so glad we are not cruising this year. We always fly down on the Wednesday before. Tomorrow is Wednesday and we are expecting over a foot of snow where I live.
This Saturday will be 1 year until we sail!!!
Has anyone started planning yet?

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

Hi Everyone-I'm not sure if anyone is interested, but the Residence Inn in Cape Canaveral has opened its bookings for the night before our cruise. I just reserved a 1 bedroom suite for $139+tax. AAA rates aren't out yet, but I doubt that by the time they are out, that it will be much better than this rate.

 

[JenGC]

Hi Everyone-I'm not sure if anyone is interested, but the Residence Inn in Cape Canaveral has opened its bookings for the night before our cruise. I just reserved a 1 bedroom suite for $139+tax. AAA rates aren't out yet, but I doubt that by the time they are out, that it will be much better than this rate.

Ohh cool! I think I am going to stay at Disney this time and let the bus bring me in. If we fly in (BIG if), then we wont have to deal with our luggage at all from the time we get to the airport until we land again in Nashville!

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

Ohh cool! I think I am going to stay at Disney this time and let the bus bring me in. If we fly in (BIG if), then we wont have to deal with our luggage at all from the time we get to the airport until we land again in Nashville!

I hate dealing with luggage too, especially when flying because I always worry it won't make it to my destination

We are pretty sure we are going to fly in on Wednesday, stay at WDW somewhere on Wed. and Thurs., then drive to the port Friday and stay there the night before. We'll hit Wal-mart and go to dinner while there. After the cruise we are hopping the DCL bus back to MCO, but we'll fly Southwest so (as of now) we can't use on board check in--maybe by the time we go...

I have the rental car booked already, got a great rate, and the hotel. All that's left is the WDW portion and the flights. My TA is going to run a few scenarios when the dates open up for WDW--where we stay will depend on the # of VISA points we have to use. Hopefully gas is not skyhigh or that flight will have a scary price tag
I have been dreaming of the trip a lot lately--3 snow days and toe school delays in 2 weeks--and another one probably this week--AND it's below zero to boot! Carribbean air sounds amazing right now....

 

[JenGC]

I hate dealing with luggage too, especially when flying because I always worry it won't make it to my destination

We are pretty sure we are going to fly in on Wednesday, stay at WDW somewhere on Wed. and Thurs., then drive to the port Friday and stay there the night before. We'll hit Wal-mart and go to dinner while there. After the cruise we are hopping the DCL bus back to MCO, but we'll fly Southwest so (as of now) we can't use on board check in--maybe by the time we go...

I have the rental car booked already, got a great rate, and the hotel. All that's left is the WDW portion and the flights. My TA is going to run a few scenarios when the dates open up for WDW--where we stay will depend on the # of VISA points we have to use. Hopefully gas is not skyhigh or that flight will have a scary price tag
I have been dreaming of the trip a lot lately--3 snow days and toe school delays in 2 weeks--and another one probably this week--AND it's below zero to boot! Carribbean air sounds amazing right now....

I am hoping to make this cruise as simple as possible. I was trying to save money last time and rented a car. I thought it would give me more freedom. Well driving around wasnt a big deal. It isnt that complicated down there I just had more problems with the transportation from the cruise to the hotel! First we waited over an hour for Raddison to send a van to get us while we watched three go to the other cruises. so I canceled my reservation that night and went to WDW with a friend. Turning the car rental in there was horrible. I thought going to Shades of Green would be much less time consuming since it was on property. First, I couldnt find it and no one could give me good directions, then second, they didnt have anyone at that desk! THEN I had to take a taxi because I was running out of time to get to the airport! $60 for the taxi. This time, we are just going to let Disney do the driving. No cars, no tolls, no dropping things off, no waiting for people to pick you up, nothing! I am not sure if I can add on any days to go to WDW. I will have to take Friday off because I am one of those worry warts that is scared they will miss the boat due to airplane delays. We get back on Saturday so that might be one day we could spend at the parks and if we fly, half of Sunday. I would love to have more days than that. But then again, it would depend on where I am working. I am thinking I might be able to work my business full time. THAT would be a blessing! Then I could take a few more days off. Hmmmm decisions decisions. :

 

[wonkadeb]

I thought I read in the Passporter 2011 DCL book that Southwest was included in the onboard check-in list now. I may be wrong, but it is worth a call to find out.

Thanks for the info about the Residence Inn. We are considering staying at the MCO Hyatt the night before the cruise. Anyone have any experiences there?

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

I thought I read in the Passporter 2011 DCL book that Southwest was included in the onboard check-in list now. I may be wrong, but it is worth a call to find out.

Thanks for the info about the Residence Inn. We are considering staying at the MCO Hyatt the night before the cruise. Anyone have any experiences there?

We will be flying in on Southwest too. They don't participate in the on board check in yet....
No experience with the Hyatt MCO for us.

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

20-25 inches due between today and tomorrow. Oh Joy! I need a vacation.