June 16, 2007 MedHead Cruisers

[Jeff Spencer]

We'll see what the prices do. We didn't book our 1st Med cruise until just a few months before departure and got a considerable discount. The same type of thing may happen again this time with the worldwide economic slump.

 

[pillow]

We'll see what the prices do. We didn't book our 1st Med cruise until just a few months before departure and got a considerable discount. The same type of thing may happen again this time with the worldwide economic slump.

I seem to remember you guys doing what we did and booking the cat 12 discounted price. We switched to cat 12 about 6 weeks before the cruise and only paid $4,000 for the 4 of us. If a cheap cat 12 fare is offered, I would definitely consider going if I could find a decent airfare price. I would opt for the Northern Europe trip though so that I could spend a few days in London beforehand. I would probably omit the shore excursions as well and do things on our own. We spent LOTS of money on those - not sure I would go that route again. My favorite day was when we shared the private driver with you guys in Marseilles!

Jodie

By the way, we're renting our Spring Break 1 bdrm at the Beach Club if anyone wants it - Sunday, April 5th - 5 nights - $2,000. The kids want to see the Grand Canyon so we're doing that instead.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

It's rare that we do cruise line shore excursions...we did one on our Mexican cruise this summer only because Disney had bought up all the slots on the tour we tried to book ourselves. We did one Disney tour on the Med cruise and it was the worst tour of the trip.

My wife would love to stay at the Beach Club! Unfortunately, we're doing our spring break trip in mid March.

Your kids should love the Grand Canyon. Are you staying at one of the lodges? We stayed in the Maswik Lodge a couple of years ago...hiked down the Bright Angel Trail, visited the other lodges and just gawked at the many lookouts around the south rim.

 

[pillow]

Your kids should love the Grand Canyon. Are you staying at one of the lodges? We stayed in the Maswik Lodge a couple of years ago...hiked down the Bright Angel Trail, visited the other lodges and just gawked at the many lookouts around the south rim.

Yes, we're staying at the Kachina lodge (sp) next door to El Tovar. We're staying 2 nights in Page near Lake Powell, 2 nights at the Grand Canyon, 2 nights in Sedona, 1 in Flagstaff and 1 in Phoenix. Mike and I have been to Sedona, but the kids haven't. We're really looking forward to it. I think we've decided to do WDW every other year since there are so many other places we'd like to go. I would take a trip a month if I could!

Jodie

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Yes, we're staying at the Kachina lodge (sp) next door to El Tovar. We're staying 2 nights in Page near Lake Powell, 2 nights at the Grand Canyon, 2 nights in Sedona, 1 in Flagstaff and 1 in Phoenix. Mike and I have been to Sedona, but the kids haven't. We're really looking forward to it. I think we've decided to do WDW every other year since there are so many other places we'd like to go. I would take a trip a month if I could!

Jodie

Hi Jodie & Jeff,

Jeff, we would love to go too, only if they have the Cat 12 special like last time Would love if my DH joined us, but he doesn't fly well.

I have my fingers crossed for a last minute special

Happy & Healthy New Year to you all.

 

[taysmom]

Happy new year to everyone! I am booked on the sept. 10 repo, but if a cheap cat 12 opened up on the med, I'd do that cause they have new stops!

Hope everyones 2009 is great....can't be any worse than 2008!

 

[Worktoplay]

Hi Everyone...and Happy New Year!

At this point we are renting a house on Hilton Head Island this summer in late June and then going to the Grand Canyon in July. I will definitely be following the prices on the med cruise though....if it's cheap enough it would be wonderful to go back!

Marie

 

[pillow]

Hi Everyone...and Happy New Year!

At this point we are renting a house on Hilton Head Island this summer in late June and then going to the Grand Canyon in July. I will definitely be following the prices on the med cruise though....if it's cheap enough it would be wonderful to go back!

Marie

Hi Marie. We are doing the Grand Canyon in April. Can't wait to go!! Where are you staying?

Jodie

 

[Worktoplay]

Jodie,

We bought a condo in Scottsdale a year and a half ago. We live in PA so it is basically our vacation property for now. Whenever we go out there we explore around but have not yet been to the grand canyon. We are planning to go in late July because I'll be out there with both of my sons. I think its a trip neither one should miss. I have not yet booked a hotel, but it will be in the South Rim since that is where we will be driving to from the Phoenix area. I suppose it could be chilly when you go in April. Sedona should be beautiful probably in the low 70's. You said you've been there before, I highly recommend the Pink Jeep tours, my son loved it last April when we were there, he was 13 at the time.

Let me know what you think of the Kachina Lodge. I've read if you are on the second floor there are great views!

Marie

 

[pillow]

Jodie,

We bought a condo in Scottsdale a year and a half ago. We live in PA so it is basically our vacation property for now. Whenever we go out there we explore around but have not yet been to the grand canyon. We are planning to go in late July because I'll be out there with both of my sons. I think its a trip neither one should miss. I have not yet booked a hotel, but it will be in the South Rim since that is where we will be driving to from the Phoenix area. I suppose it could be chilly when you go in April. Sedona should be beautiful probably in the low 70's. You said you've been there before, I highly recommend the Pink Jeep tours, my son loved it last April when we were there, he was 13 at the time.

Let me know what you think of the Kachina Lodge. I've read if you are on the second floor there are great views!

Marie

I noticed that hotels on the south rim book FAST! We originally thought about going in June, but all rooms for 4 were booked during the time we wanted to go. You'd better book now. Good luck!

Do you ever rent your condo? We're planning on staying in the Phoenix area for a night or two. Let me know.

Jodie

 

[Worktoplay]

Thanks for warning me about how quickly they book up. I have rooms booked at El Tovar. Nothing at Kachina was available and I put in plenty of dates as we will be there in April, May and July. We don't have the largest of rooms but I don't think we'll be in the room except to sleep. I definitely think its worth staying in the park.

We don't rent our condo yet....right now my husband likes to know he can go out there when ever he can get away. I'm sure that will wear off some day.

In the past when we would visit we stayed at the Westin Kierland. It's a great family hotel, very centrally located and close to great shops and restaurants.

Have a great trip!

Marie

 

[pillow]

Thanks for warning me about how quickly they book up. I have rooms booked at El Tovar. Nothing at Kachina was available and I put in plenty of dates as we will be there in April, May and July. We don't have the largest of rooms but I don't think we'll be in the room except to sleep. I definitely think its worth staying in the park.

We don't rent our condo yet....right now my husband likes to know he can go out there when ever he can get away. I'm sure that will wear off some day.

In the past when we would visit we stayed at the Westin Kierland. It's a great family hotel, very centrally located and close to great shops and restaurants.

Have a great trip!

Marie

We wanted to stay at El Tovar, but it was booked. I'm sure you'll love it!

And thanks for the tip on the Phoenix lodging. Right now we're booked at the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak resort (I read where they have a nice pool complex for the kids). I'm gonna go check out the Westin now.

Jodie

 

[Worktoplay]

Jodie,

I'm sure you'll be happy no matter where you stay. It's a great time of year to visit Arizona. Make sure you post and tell me what I can't miss at the Grand Canyon. We are only spending 1 night there this trip. My neighbors are traveling with us and they are going on to San Francisco as her husband works for the Phillies and they are traveling with the team that week.

Marie

 

[pillow]

Jodie,

I'm sure you'll be happy no matter where you stay. It's a great time of year to visit Arizona. Make sure you post and tell me what I can't miss at the Grand Canyon. We are only spending 1 night there this trip. My neighbors are traveling with us and they are going on to San Francisco as her husband works for the Phillies and they are traveling with the team that week.

Marie

I sure will. That Westin looks beautiful. We got a great rate at the Hilton - $160, so I think we'll give it a shot.

J

 

[carolmb]

Hi All,
I hope that everyone had a fantastic holiday. I have a question about some DVC points that will expire at the end of August. I posted to rent the points on the DVC thread. I was wondering if any of you have rented or transfered points and could give me some advice.

Our trip to WDW this past summer was great thanks to all of you that offered me your great advice. We are looking forward to our scheduled Baltic cruise in June 2010.

Thanks,
Carol

 

[pillow]

Hi All,
I hope that everyone had a fantastic holiday. I have a question about some DVC points that will expire at the end of August. I posted to rent the points on the DVC thread. I was wondering if any of you have rented or transfered points and could give me some advice.

Our trip to WDW this past summer was great thanks to all of you that offered me your great advice. We are looking forward to our scheduled Baltic cruise in June 2010.

Thanks,
Carol

Hi Carol. As a matter of fact, I just rented out some points. I also just got slapped on the wrist for posting something I shouldn't have, so I can pretty much tell you anything you want to know. If you go to the rent/trade board, just read all the instructions. They are pretty specific about what you can state and what you can't (hence the wrist slap). You can email me at jodie.pillow@comcast.net if you have questions.

Jodie

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Hi Everyone, I just want to thank you all for the cards, & the PMs and good cheer. It has meant a lot to me.

Below is my trip report form last week. We had a blast almost as good as the Medcruise, but not quite. LOL

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2102411

 

[Skallywag]

Hi Everyone, Sorry not posted or read much lately as while we were away at Christmas computer decided to stop working and took a while to get up and running again. Think it was having a sulk because we had gone to warmer climate.

Luckily have a neighbour who is a wizzard with all this technology so apart from losing my personal filing cabinet and contacts am back to near normal if ever I could be.

How is everyone, busy planning next trips by the sound of it. Think we will be staying in this country in 2009 as the exchange rate not in our favour at the moment.
Still we were very greedy haviing two trips in 2008 so cannot complain.

Bren

 

[pillow]

Jodie,

I'm sure you'll be happy no matter where you stay. It's a great time of year to visit Arizona. Make sure you post and tell me what I can't miss at the Grand Canyon. We are only spending 1 night there this trip. My neighbors are traveling with us and they are going on to San Francisco as her husband works for the Phillies and they are traveling with the team that week.

Marie

Hi Marie,

We just got back yesterday from Arizona. We had a wonderful time! We only spent 1 night at the Grand Canyon too. You definitely want to take the bus up Hermit Road. We also hiked the Rim Trail in the opposite direction to Yavapai (sp?) point. It had snowed a couple inches the night before, so it was really beautiful. We wanted to hike the South Kaibab Trail into the canyon but were afraid of the snow and ice. My guidebook says that its one of the best hikes in terms of views, so you might want to consider it. Also, if you can enter through the East entrance, there are tons of beautiful overlooks since the road runs parallel to the canyon for quite some time. We also stayed in Page for a few nights so that we could do the boat tour to Rainbow Bridge as well as visit Antelope Canyon. We also took a still water float trip from there on the Colorado River.

If you get a chance and are in the area, I highly recommend a visit to Jerome. It sits high up on a mountain - beautiful views, great art galleries, neat town in general. Sedona was so crowded with people and construction, we wished we had stayed in Jerome instead!

Here are my pics -

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AauGzVy1cuGLMAA

Jodie

 

[Worktoplay]

Jodie,

That's for your post. Your pictures are wonderful, I can't believe it snowed.
My plans changed and instead of going to GC in July, we're going in May. How was Kachina? I had El Tovar in July but it wasn't available in May so we got rooms at Kachina. Were you satisfied with the location?

My college son really wants to go to Antelope Canyon, he's a picture buff, but we only have 2 days. I am leaning to just doing GC? Would you agree that driving from Scottsdale to Antelope Canyon then driving to GC spending the night and leaving to go back to Scottsdale the next afternoon would be too much driving?

Also, my stepdaughter is joining us and she's be about 20 weeks pregnant. Is there any trails that she she can do at the GC that would be acceptable for a pregnant person or should we stick to the shuttle bus?

Do you need to make a reservation for dinner at the Grand Canyon?

Thanks for all your help.

Marie