June 16, 2007 MedHead Cruisers

[auntsue1]

I like that Lauren!

Sue

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Carol - 1st - very nice meeting you

We stayed in a GV at SSR for a family reunion at thanksgiving last year. (there were also 2 other 2BRs in our group). the GV is huge!!! and very nice. I had some concerns about the bus service before I went (reading some of the threads) but we never had any trouble. Being so close to DTD is nice - when we stay closer to the parks we never seem to make it there. The spa and the pool were also great. There is a huge advantage staying at some of the "closer" DVC spots, but SSR has other nice benefits too. Once again - the GV is very nice and very big!

Have a great time!

We also like to go to a lot of the other resorts just to look at them or shop or eat. It was nice when we stayed at Saratoga because we could just walk to Downtown Disney and then get on a bus to whatever resort we were headed for as opposed to transferring buses at a park. And the spa at Saratoga...very, very nice.

I like that Lauren!

Sue

You'll have to help us out this time and arrive a couple days early just to be safe. Otherwise we'll have to do yet another cruise and try to get you there on time.

 

[pillow]

Okay since everybody is offering suggestions about WDW and where to stay, I need some advice. We are planning a trip to WDW July 2008 with a 4 day Wonder cruise after. The cruise has already been booked for the July 27th sailing. My DH was able to get a Cat. 3, I am very excited. I think we will spoiled forever. Anyway, we are DVC members and our home resort is Sarasota Springs Resort. We want to try and get one of the 3 bedroom villas. I have not been to WDW in a very long time and do not know the layout of the area with all of the hotels. Should we stay at SSR or try for another resort? My DH family will be with us at WDW. We will be celebrating my DMIL's 80th birthday. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I hope that everyone is having a great weekend. I am envious of those who have got all of their pictures together and have started scrapbooking. I still have pictures on my memory cards and my DH's computer.

Oh, I just love the Beach Club. Our home resort is Saratoga, but we haven't stayed there yet. AK is great for the animals, but will they have a GV done when you travel (not sure what the construction scedule is). My vote is Beach Club - for the fantastic pool (sandy bottom and lazy river) and great location.

I'm antsy for another trip. I really need to get a darned job!!

Jodie

 

[auntsue1]

Jodie, Please keep us up to date. Is this the cruise that has the option with the train ride with the domed ceiling for viewing?

Seriously folks, do we have enough interest for 2009? Boy that seems so far away but so did the Medhead cruise. That would be FUN! We'd have to start saving (unless of course one is wealthy & I'm not!)

Who started this idea? Jodie? Steph? Maybe you all don't want a group going along with you?'

Lauren, Yes if my DB goes I'll have to rearrange his office hours myself so he can leave a day early. I'm not doing that again! We're still collecting the information for the Disney Travel Insurance so we can get our refund for some of the time we missed on the cruise. I was on hold for 1hr 9minutes & 2 seconds with US Airways last Monday just to get a letter from them that their flight was late to Philadelphia because of Pittsburgh Airport shutting down for Airshow practice!

 

[Worktoplay]

There is one little problem with doing Alaska in 2009......we don't know where the disney ship is sailing in 09 yet and sooo many of us have the dummy cruise booked just waiting! Hmmm....

Marie

 

[pillow]

Jodie, Please keep us up to date. Is this the cruise that has the option with the train ride with the domed ceiling for viewing?

Seriously folks, do we have enough interest for 2009? Boy that seems so far away but so did the Medhead cruise. That would be FUN! We'd have to start saving (unless of course one is wealthy & I'm not!)

Who started this idea? Jodie? Steph? Maybe you all don't want a group going along with you?'

Lauren, Yes if my DB goes I'll have to rearrange his office hours myself so he can leave a day early. I'm not doing that again! We're still collecting the information for the Disney Travel Insurance so we can get our refund for some of the time we missed on the cruise. I was on hold for 1hr 9minutes & 2 seconds with US Airways last Monday just to get a letter from them that their flight was late to Philadelphia because of Pittsburgh Airport shutting down for Airshow practice!

OK guys, I already have my trip BOOKED for next summer - 08 that is! It sails from Vancouver to Seward - 7 nights. Sue, we're not planning on doing the planned "cruise tour" that includes the domed train. We looked at all the tours the cruise offered, but we decided that they were overpriced and that we'd rather plan our own tour. You can do the domed train on your own which is what we're planning to do. All of this is contingent on (1) my husband keeping his job at Capital One amongst all the layoffs, (2) Capital One continuing to pay decent bonuses, and (3) us cutting back on our spending and our frivolous "lets go to Disney" trips. I was ready to go out to dinner tonight, thought about Alaska, and decided to cook at home. That was a BIG DEAL for me. Unfortunately, I'm kinda an instant gratification kind of person. Yikes, this feels too much like some weird Disney type of therapy.

SO, if we do go in 08, I can pass my itinerary on to everyone for 09. Or if you guys change your mind, you can always tag along with us in 08. This is a very pricey trip though - think I figured 17K for us (2 adults, 2 kids) and 12K for my mom/stepdad. Its all the fun stuff that drives the price up - like white water rafting, bear viewing, helicopter trips to a glacier, etc. You can get the price down, but I'm thinking that if you go to Alaska, you should see and do as much as you can. Ok, enough for now.

Jodie

 

[pillow]

OK - heres a link to get you excited . . .

http://www.kenaifjords.com/

These tours are out of Seward (where the cruise ends, and only a couple hours from Anchorage). I like the Fox overnight option (again pricey).

And here is the link of one of the hotels on our itinerary . . .

http://www.talkeetnalodge.com/

Jodie

 

[auntsue1]

Wow that is pricey but like you said it's worth it! That would be nice for a bunch of us to go. I agree if you can do the domed train on your own then this would be worth it if it's cheaper. Thanks for the links!

Sue

 

[smillingjack]

Hi Patricia,
There was a line marked "Online check-ins", we jump into that line where there were just three ahead of us. It went well. We flew into Gatwick and spent the afternoon being lazy because my son was wiped out from partying.
Our flight to Orlando was fine, arrived early and bags arrive from check in at Barcelona. Glad you made it safely.

Count us in for any reunions! And if anyone is coming to WDW, we can make arragements to meet. We live about 80 minutes West.

Cheers and stay well. It was so much fun.

Jack (smillingjack)

 

[smillingjack]

Hi Jodie,
The same applied to our cruise of the Med. Total costs were raised somewhat by the shore excursions but while your there you should "do it".

We are considering Alaska next year. I think the train would be nice, just checked and it is over 2K/person for a 7 night adventure. I would fly into Anchorage or Fairbanks.

Keep all the information coming, it is wonderful reading.

Jack (smillingjack)

 

[Lqqieee]

Teresa so happy you made it home safely! I didnt see you post here so I was worried! It was so nice meeting you and your family on the Florence excursion and then seeing you guys on the Les Baux excursion....good times!

 

[smillingjack]

Marie I was talking with DCL this past week about the future cruises. If you book one then each time you change it they charge you $75. Now that is not a lot but if you do it over and over then it ads up.

We are in limbo waiting to see what happens.
Nice to see all the posts thus keep up. We are in for a reunion at any time.

Stay well,
Jack (smillingjack)

 

[smillingjack]

Hi Stephanie,
When you and Taylor at WDW next year we will come over and see you for a bit, but not enough to mess up your plans.

We are all for a reunion, please keep us informed. Also, agree about Boardwalk, it really a nice experince. The walk to EPCOT is short and brings you into the world places (wrong name but I can't think of it).

We are AK this Dec. just before Christmas to check it out.

Sure enjoyed all that we did.

Stay well and keep us up to date.

Jack (smillingjack)

 

[pillow]

Hi Jodie,
The same applied to our cruise of the Med. Total costs were raised somewhat by the shore excursions but while your there you should "do it".

We are considering Alaska next year. I think the train would be nice, just checked and it is over 2K/person for a 7 night adventure. I would fly into Anchorage or Fairbanks.

Keep all the information coming, it is wonderful reading.

Jack (smillingjack)

I'm a little "toured out" after the Med cruise. I think we prefer to tour on our own (I felt a little trapped on the tours). Here is the website for the Alaska railroad . . .

www.akrr.com

You can of course book each piece separately rather than do one of their pre-packaged tours. When I looked at airfares, it seemed cheaper and easier to fly in and out of Anchorage. Have fun planning.

You mentioned in a previous post about shopping around for good Disney cruise pricing. I'm curious to know where you looked and who had the best pricing.

Jodie

 

[smillingjack]

Hi Jodie,
I agree fully about "toured out". My daughter comes up with some real deals. She got a 7 day Disney Western next Oct. for $680. They have since raised the price. She will be here in FL this week. But she finds deals. I will get her to send you something.

I think the railroad in Alaska would be nice. I am not to keen on a cruise from Vancouver to Anchorage. We are somehat flexible in dates at this point. Andrew is just starting his freshman year at college and has no idea what he will be involved with a year or so from now.

One thing nice about the Med cruise was that at least the costs were spread out over a period of time. For us almost 10 months, which is a lot better than one lump bucket full!

Keep the information coming.

Jack (smillingjack)

 

[Worktoplay]

Marie I was talking with DCL this past week about the future cruises. If you book one then each time you change it they charge you $75. Now that is not a lot but if you do it over and over then it ads up.

We are in limbo waiting to see what happens.
Nice to see all the posts thus keep up. We are in for a reunion at any time.

Stay well,
Jack (smillingjack)

Thanks for the info Jack, I did not realize that. I booked March 15th during spring break, I thought it would be a nice time of year to go to the Carribbean but I'm waiting to see what happens next month. I'm supposed to go condo hunting with my DH in Scottsdale and if we purchase something I'm sure I'll be spending most of my holidays there. We'll see.

I will be in Disney however from July 18 - 23 with both of my sons my son's girlfriend, my stepdaughter and her fiance. It should be fun, but I'm going to be mighty broke after back to back vacations!

Marie

 

[smillingjack]

Hi Marie, Wow you are going to have a good time with all those kids.

I'd be quite careful of real estate purchases. I have no idea what it is like in AZ but can tell you it is awful all over FL except for small inexpensive homes.

Please check with DCL on the costs or re-booking. The way the cost of cruises are escalating it is going to be hard for me to use my DVC points.
This networking is good because we all learn something.

Keep well and safe.

Jack

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Seriously folks, do we have enough interest for 2009? Boy that seems so far away but so did the Medhead cruise. That would be FUN! We'd have to start saving (unless of course one is wealthy & I'm not!)

Who started this idea? Jodie? Steph? Maybe you all don't want a group going along with you?'

Lauren, Yes if my DB goes I'll have to rearrange his office hours myself so he can leave a day early. I'm not doing that again! We're still collecting the information for the Disney Travel Insurance so we can get our refund for some of the time we missed on the cruise. I was on hold for 1hr 9minutes & 2 seconds with US Airways last Monday just to get a letter from them that their flight was late to Philadelphia because of Pittsburgh Airport shutting down for Airshow practice!

I think I'd have to start saving in the past. Or maybe I can rob a bank. That's always a good option. Good luck with the insurance crap. So lame. I think it was Patricia who first proposed this. I'm sure she would love us all tagging along!

There is one little problem with doing Alaska in 2009......we don't know where the disney ship is sailing in 09 yet and sooo many of us have the dummy cruise booked just waiting! Hmmm....

Marie

If only Disney would do Alaska....

Thanks for the info Jack, I did not realize that. I booked March 15th during spring break, I thought it would be a nice time of year to go to the Carribbean but I'm waiting to see what happens next month. I'm supposed to go condo hunting with my DH in Scottsdale and if we purchase something I'm sure I'll be spending most of my holidays there. We'll see.

I will be in Disney however from July 18 - 23 with both of my sons my son's girlfriend, my stepdaughter and her fiance. It should be fun, but I'm going to be mighty broke after back to back vacations!

Marie

See you there.

What are everyone's guesses on where the new ships are going to sail?

 

[Skallywag]

How did you know that Alaska is something I have always wanted to do. Cannot think of that next year as have the Panama sorted out but have also booked a dummy Disney one for late 2008 and will wait and see what they are planning. Was never told when we booked this that Disney charge $75 for changing the date. We booked on board and feel they should tell people about this.

Please keep us informed if anyone is planning a reunion and especially Alaska or Hawaii would be great.

Had to buy a new computer as mine is getting old and creeky just like I feel at the moment. Need another holiday and just think Monday is Palermo day.

Managed to retrieve my personal filing cabinet but still cannot find my address book on AOL just wonder where these things hide.

Bren

 

[JsMom2]

When I booked my dummy reservation onboard, Leslie said that there was no limit to the number of times it could be changed. But she did warn me that that could change at any time. I called DCL and changed mine to the Dec cruise the day after we got back, and there were no charges. I wonder if I got in just before the change, or if they give you a few day after sailing to make a final decision?

If they are going to charge a fee to change, then the onboard booking manager will need longer hours, as folks will need more time to make the right decisions. Either that, or they need to allow you to put a deposit down that can be applied to a future cruise once the schedules come out. After all, they are earning interest on our deposits while we await the itineraries!

If anyone is interested in a Russia/Scandinavia cruise, we are going on the Crown Princess for a 10 day sailing next June. The cruise price was quite reasonable, and the Crown Princess looks like a beautiful ship. PM me if you'd like more info.