January 8, 2011 - 7 Night Western Caribbean Sailing

[Katekins13]

OK so I was setting around last night trying to think of a good FE gift. I came up with something I thought would be good for all ages. I don't want to ruin the surprise so bear with me on this.

If I'm not over stepping any boundaries here.

Could I get :
Your Cabin number
Favorite Disney Character or Favorite color if I can't find the character
Initials of each person in the Cabin (last is fine but first and last would be preferable)

What I have in mind will be OK even if I don't personalize them or even have your favorite color or character but I would love to make them unique to each person .

Hello!

We will be in 2558

My favorite character is Stitch and color is Blue. My initials will be KMB

Jamie (my then hubby) doesn't actually have a favorite character...crazy, right?!? His favorite color is blue and his initials are JAB

BTW - great idea asking this info b/c might come in handy for some of us other people who are making FE gifts..lol..

 

[Katekins13]

I'm going to do some research on the general cruise board, but I figured I'd also ask it here... has anyone who has previously cruised out of Port Canaveral rented a car instead of taking shuttle service? We are thinking of renting a car because we would like to make a liquor store stop (or any store that carrys liquor if it's really early) on the way. I'm thinking what we would have to do is rent one-way from MCO - Cape Canaveral area, use a car company that has shuttles to the port (looks like Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz and Thrify from what I can tell from research online) and figure out how those shuttles work..lol.. Then for the way back do a one-way rental from Cape Canaveral to MCO. I've also considered doing a lincoln towncar (does anyone have any suggestions on who might be cheapest for this) but the only thing that might hold us back from that is if we get a late flight home we were thinking of hitting downtown Disney in between getting off the cruise and an evening flight. So if did a towncar, would probably only be one-way and then a rental car on the way home.

Any suggestions/tips would be great!!!

 

[Goldeelox9]

Hey Guys....

I am a Disney Travel Agent and I JUST GOT this email a few minutes ago!!!!

Magical news! Book a verandah stateroom and kids ages 17 and under, traveling with two full-fare Guests in the same stateroom, sail FREE* on most 7-night Caribbean cruises from Jan. 8 — March 5, 2011, excluding Feb. 19, 2011.

THIS INCLUDES OUR CRUISE!!!

 

[ddpaints]

too bad it doesn't apply to DVC members using points

 

[cmclaura]

That's always my first thought but then, we don't have a verandah stateroom, so it doesn't apply to us here.

I'm starting to get excited.

Katie -- we always do the car rental thing as we have stops to make and friends to see.

This time, we're using Thrifty from MCO to Cape Canaveral and got a $19/day + $17 drop charge + tax rate. As we're staying in Orlando for 2 nights prior to the cruise, this worked out the cheapest for us.

Coming back, we're using Budget and got a $34/day rate + tax. I couldn't get anything cheaper from Thrifty for that time period.

My advice is try mock reservations at all the companies websites and see what works best. You can also try reservation codes which you can find online (Google: Avis discount code, etc....). One good thing to do is join the club of whichever car rental company(ies) you're going with. You might get a discount or upgrade coupon but you will get speedier check in, as they'll have all your info already available. Some have express check ins at MCO; don't expect the same at CC, the offices are just too small.

Don't waste money on any prepaid tolls they offer unless you're going lots of places as you'll overpay.

And always check with your credit card companies to see if they offer any free insurances on rental cars. Ours (we have Chase Disney Visa) does and it saves us having to pay any CDW or LDW insurance charges when we rent. That can add another $15 or more to each day of your rental, so it's a good savings.

I'm so cheeeeeeeeeeap! But I look at saving every penny so it can be used to excursions and things onboard. It pays off for us in the end.

 

[ddpaints]

yeah we don't have one either. We are going on the cheap this time (according to DH who had the veranda his last cruise). I was afraid of a veranda with small kids even if they are "safe". I'm never in the room anyway so why waste points on something I wouldn't use.

 

[ddpaints]

Forgot to say that I too am getting excited. We are set to go to Ocean City MD the weekend after Labor Day and DH keeps calling it the forgotten vacation because I haven't planned anything for that trip.

 

[Goldeelox9]

That's always my first thought but then, we don't have a verandah stateroom, so it doesn't apply to us here.

I'm starting to get excited.

Katie -- we always do the car rental thing as we have stops to make and friends to see.

This time, we're using Thrifty from MCO to Cape Canaveral and got a $19/day + $17 drop charge + tax rate. As we're staying in Orlando for 2 nights prior to the cruise, this worked out the cheapest for us.

Coming back, we're using Budget and got a $34/day rate + tax. I couldn't get anything cheaper from Thrifty for that time period.

My advice is try mock reservations at all the companies websites and see what works best. You can also try reservation codes which you can find online (Google: Avis discount code, etc....). One good thing to do is join the club of whichever car rental company(ies) you're going with. You might get a discount or upgrade coupon but you will get speedier check in, as they'll have all your info already available. Some have express check ins at MCO; don't expect the same at CC, the offices are just too small.

Don't waste money on any prepaid tolls they offer unless you're going lots of places as you'll overpay.

And always check with your credit card companies to see if they offer any free insurances on rental cars. Ours (we have Chase Disney Visa) does and it saves us having to pay any CDW or LDW insurance charges when we rent. That can add another $15 or more to each day of your rental, so it's a good savings.

I'm so cheeeeeeeeeeap! But I look at saving every penny so it can be used to excursions and things onboard. It pays off for us in the end.

Check with your travel agent. It is cheaper to book the kids sail free offer and the Balcony then some of the inside cabins!

yeah we don't have one either. We are going on the cheap this time (according to DH who had the veranda his last cruise). I was afraid of a veranda with small kids even if they are "safe". I'm never in the room anyway so why waste points on something I wouldn't use.

Again...I just booked one today and the Cat. 5a was cheaper then the 10b!!!

Forgot to say that I too am getting excited. We are set to go to Ocean City MD the weekend after Labor Day and DH keeps calling it the forgotten vacation because I haven't planned anything for that trip.

Hey you are in MD???? WHere??? Me too!

 

[Sir William]

Hey you are in MD???? WHere??? Me too!

And I'm just down the road from you...in Fairfax, VA.

 

[Sir William]

My husband had an idea (not saying it's a great idea, mind) --

What does everyone think about sharing the cost to rent a cabana and having a little party while we're at Serenity Bay? That's if we can get one. I guess whoever has the earliest excursion booking slot would be the one to try to book it.

Let's discuss and see if there's any interest.

I've actually been pondering on this for the last few weeks.

I think its a good idea, though I fully understand that those with children will want to remain on the family beach.

 

[ddpaints]

I'm up in Rising Sun about 2 miles from the PA line. Not the place I would really like to be but it was the closest place we could find to where I have my horses boarded and the cheapest place to board the horses. I moved from OH to DE about 7 maybe 8 years ago. Then we bought this house and got married. All because of a little Disney Magic.

BTW My DH is in Richmond right now on a project so not too terribly far from you Bill. I went down there this summer when he had to work one weekend. Long drive but had fun while we were there.

I don't think the offer would apply to the points. I guess I could have DH call.

 

[Sir William]

Forgot to say that I too am getting excited. We are set to go to Ocean City MD the weekend after Labor Day and DH keeps calling it the forgotten vacation because I haven't planned anything for that trip.

I'm with you! I'm going to Las Vegas in December to attend a luxury travel expo (for a class I'm taking) and I rarely think about i. But I'm really excited about the cruise and think on it all the time. But that may be because the cruise will be a celebration of my retirement the week before. Of course, DW isn't retiring so she isn't as excited about the cruise as I am.

 

[ddpaints]

Of course, DW isn't retiring so she isn't as excited about the cruise as I am.

Congrats on your retirement

 

[cmclaura]

Lots of East Coasters here. We're just outside Philadelphia and my best friend lives in Dumfries, VA, so I'm often driving past your homes.

I'll wave next time!

 

[scrappinsandie]

Magical news! Book a verandah stateroom and kids ages 17 and under, traveling with two full-fare Guests in the same stateroom, sail FREE* on most 7-night Caribbean cruises from Jan. 8 — March 5, 2011, excluding Feb. 19, 2011.

I applied this yesterday and I am just waiting for $1500 to be applied back to my credit card! NOw I can pre pay the tips and some extra money so I won't end up with a huge bill at the end of the cruise!

Sandie

 

[Goldeelox9]

Sandie....That is sooo awesome! I am glad that someone I "knew" got to use the discount!

 

[ddpaints]

Lots of East Coasters here. We're just outside Philadelphia and my best friend lives in Dumfries, VA, so I'm often driving past your homes.

I'll wave next time!

Laura, My DH was born and raised in North Philly. Small world huh?

 

[Sir William]

Lots of East Coasters here. We're just outside Philadelphia and my best friend lives in Dumfries, VA, so I'm often driving past your homes.

I'll wave next time!

And my DW is from Cherry Hill.

Small world indeed.

 

[cmclaura]

Uh oh, looks like we'll be having discussions about cheesesteaks amongst our spouses. Joe is a Philly boy. I'm from NYC originally, and that's a completely different issue.

 

[Sir William]

Uh oh, looks like we'll be having discussions about cheesesteaks amongst our spouses. Joe is a Philly boy. I'm from NYC originally, and that's a completely different issue.

I hope not!

If that happens, we'll all get hungry for a cheesesteak and then we'll have to find one...and even if the Magic does have cheesesteaks then we'll have to endure the eternal comparisons to the real and original Philly cheesesteak.

Now I'm hungry.....