KC's Western PRE trip report

[King Charming]

The spreadsheet allows the kids to have some input in the planning whils also covering all of the anticipated costs Here is what our budget for four peolpe looked like eight weeks prior:
Gas round trip 100 Kids allowance 50 Tulum Ruins 388 Luggage 45
Tips 305 Parking 96 T-shirts 200 Passports 407
Dress clothes 400 Ship photos 100 Extra tips 50 Gift 50
Extra Kids $ 50 Motel nite prior 60 Booze to take 50 Booze to buy 75
Dog Boarding 150 Parasailing 285 Internet connection 100 Pepsi 10
Ziplock/trash bags 10 shoe holder 4 Glow necklaces 10 Fish extender 25
Yankee trade 30 Meds 20 Water shoes 20 Underwater cameras 20
Watches 15 Cab fares 80
(When I typed it out it was spaced real pretty, sorry)

As you can see, the important stuff like fish extender and Yankee Trade items have been included, while other notable items like on board services (Palo, spa) aren't even listed. Back (way back) when I thought we could do this for only $ 1500 (silly me), trip insurance was dismissed quickly as being way too expensive for a free trip. Some listings, like parking and motel will eventually be combined, while gasoline costs continue to be anyone's guess. Some items are there to conform to what we want during our vacation. I'm the one who wants the photo package. Although a T-shirt says you have been there, a picture with Mickey proves you had fun. On and around the ship there are some unique backgrounds, and since you can pick and choose your photos, even receiving a refund for unwanted photos, I'm sure to want them. Even though I've read somewhere that some of the pics are not part of the package (w/ Characters or the Capt), I'm sure to want one or two of those too.

 

[Hypermommy]

So- good thing we aren't staying overnight in Key West, then, huh? Wouldn't want you to go having any flashbacks on HyperMommy!

The problem there is that I wouldn't be nice. I'd be dancing around him in a circle poking him with a stick and singing "you can't get me, nannie, nannie, boo boo!"

 

[Mozart]

Gas round trip 100 Kids allowance 50 Tulum Ruins 388 Luggage 45
Tips 305 Parking 96 T-shirts 200 Passports 407
Dress clothes 400 Ship photos 100 Extra tips 50 Gift 50
Extra Kids $ 50 Motel nite prior 60 Booze to take 50 Booze to buy 75
Dog Boarding 150 Parasailing 285 Internet connection 100 Pepsi 10
Ziplock/trash bags 10 shoe holder 4 Glow necklaces 10 Fish extender 25
Yankee trade 30 Meds 20 Water shoes 20 Underwater cameras 20
Watches 15 Cab fares 80

You're only going to spend $125 on booze for a 7 night cruise?

Good luck with that!

 

[MassDisLovers]

The problem there is that I wouldn't be nice. I'd be dancing around him in a circle poking him with a stick and singing "you can't get me, nannie, nannie, boo boo!"

I can't wait to meet you guys !

 

[King Charming]

DW will have to have the internet package. Even though there are several "hot spots" on shore that can be used for free, this is supposed to be a vacation, and dragging around a laptop in a backpack ain't happening. Of course she'll bring the machine. She has to download all the digital pictures she takes every day so the camera's memory card will be freed up again. My wife is an internet junkie, getting and sending hundreds of Emails a day. She also has her own website and weekly newsletter. 250 internet minutes for the whole week will sure cramp her style; whatever will she find to do with her time?
I guess the T-shirt line item qualifies as shopping. I'm realistic enough to know that gobs of dollars get spent on momentos, T-shirts, and whatever looks good right now. It is impossible to predict the "opportunity to spend" on things I didn't know we needed or wanted. I like buying T-shirts because they are both souvenirs and clothing. An inexpensive way of says "look where I've been, done, ate, or drank". This version of "the sheet" has soared past $3K. My family has gotten used to my tightfisted ways and I appreciate the fact that they are good at shopping and carefully consider how they spend our money. Conversely, I could care less how (arcade) the kids spend their allowance or any other money they have saved from my unashamed bribery for them not smoking, drinking, or doing drugs. I've been doing it for years and hopefully they will still be qualified to receive it years from now. My youngest once saved up fifty bucks to buy a rather large stuffed "Stitch" that he had to have when I told him no. I guess he really did "have to" have it. Hey, has anyone seen my wife or my credit card?

 

[Hypermommy]

I think she went into that shop just up the street. Don't worry.... I'm sure she's just buying you a drink

 

[King Charming]

The return cruisers know a good thing when they see it, it's called Palo, and we have been shut out. Just another indicator of how full our ship will be. I was trying to discourage DW anyway, not wanting to spend the extra when free food is served at all the other restaurants. Castaway Cay Club members get to make reservations at the 90 day mark, while us first timers wait until day 75. I think it should be this way. Return guests should receive a few perks. (Un)fortunately, by the time DW tried to make ressies, everything was mostly full. They say that a few slots are available for day of departure bookings, but it's not as if we are missing a port or something important, so it's no big deal. I bet "the powers that be" will figure a way to increase seating soon because it is so wildly popular, even after recently raising the surcharge. I'm sure the returnees also scooped up all the evening and sea day slots for the other amenities like the spas and salons. Being the new kid on the block has a steep learning curve; thanks to the numerous folks who post trip reports or answer questions to educate a fool like me.

 

[King Charming]

So what else is cool about this particualr cruise? Well, there will be a full moon on Sunday, the second evening. That may make strolls on the deck a tad more romantic. Monday is DW's Bday and formal night. She is so happy about the timing of that one, for sure. There is a space shuttle mission going up on Thurs., but if it is delayed two days, we will be back in ports and should have no trouble seeing it from anywhere. (Since re-scheduled) Oh yeah, the two festivals in the port of call. And new friends. Thanks to the DIS boards, DW has been in contact with several families (and collected pictures) so we will know several folks and will have something to talk about with them. The "Very early roll call" thread for our cruise is so busy that there will probably be 2.3K postings with 33-35K views prior to sailing. The weather during April is cooler than summer and hurricane season doesn't start till June. So many little things are combining to make this a truely spectacular trip.

 

[King Charming]

I've totally amazed myself with the volume of this here babble fest. I knew there were a few modest (?) money considerations I wanted to warn other first timers about because I am still awed by the array of costs that accompany a cruise. For others some of these costs are less, sometimes alot more (you aren't going by yourself, are you?). I'm crying about the total cost, and I didn't even pay for the stateroom OR airline tickets. I also wasn't aware of my need to document the experience, but with all these thoughts rattling around, I thought if I could write them down, it might allow someone else that peace of mind that comes with having all your bases covered. I guess it was also the enjoyment of reading the pre trip reports from others that told you what to expect, as well as the building anticipation of having so wonderful a time. Ya know dear, I don't think we really need...

 

[4newtocruise]

Hey! I finally got a chance to read this pre-trip report! Great Job, I'm lovin it!

Sure glad my husband doesn't have one of those spreadsheets, or I'd be in trouble.

And, another thing.....DON'T TALK TO MY HUSBAND ABOUT HOW MUCH THIS CRUISE REALLY COST US! I've been, you know, sweeping some costs "under the rug"! He may try and go overboard!

And hey, you can take two of those drinks off the bar bill.....it's my treat one night!!!

-Joan

 

[King Charming]

So in a moment of mind numbing stupidity, I've made gentle inquiries into the availability/costs of an upgrade. DCL told me to contact the travel agency that made the original booking, so I did. A verandah sure would be a nice place to go for a smoke. With less than two months to go, the ship has gotten very full. I think the kids clubs are nearing capacity because when you check on-line, a cabin for 4 (cat 5 only) is $8K+, but other staterooms (in 3 dif cat's) show up at better rates if you tell them that there is only two of you. I think I've finally gotten used to the idea of all the costs, and having almost 5 grand cash available come cruise time when only a few weeks ago I was charging the cost of the passports has softened my edges considerably. So if we are really gonna do this, and funding will be soon forthcoming, and not be as big an issue, well, there's really no harm in asking. I don't expect they will sell many of those few remaining verandah cabins at that rate and I might be able to side up there. The 75 day mark is history, which is the deadline for completing payment. If rooms are going to open up, now would be the time to check. I've been told that the normal price difference is around $1500, but I probably would not upgrade unless I could get it for 1/3 of the price. The cat 11 rooms are not listed again, and I hope that part of the DCL marketing plan is to sell off as many as they can early, then wait for upgrade requests so that they have more less expensive rooms to offer. I guess the "GTY" rooms are like this. Even though DW will surely be near the head of the line at check-in and will automatically offer to pay a discounted "surcharge" for an upgrade, it will be something new to dream about this week. Who knows, with cancellations and timimg, maybe a few hundred dollars can buy alot of cruising for a lucky few, either now or on departure day. I'd love to know the cut-off date for no longer charging full price for a cabin upgrade in an effort to maximize occupancy rates. In fact, I would think that day of departure discounts are the secret nobody talks about. Folks who miss the boat so to speak, or cancel late, lose a big percentage of the cost as a nonrefundable fee; hence the need for trip insurance. The break even costs for DCL have already been met since the room has been paid for once already. Rather than allow the room to go empty, a motel manager friend of mine says getting ANYTHING extra increases the bottom line. More importantly, a free or deeply discounted upgrade generates enormous goodwill. I've read that DCL cruises can be half full of repeat Disney cruisers, so they must be doing several things right. It's a "no brainer" when it comes to building more and larger DCL ships.

 

[King Charming]

What a good transition - too funny! Today she started lobbying for the 2nd cruise! Will "wonder's" ever cease? It seems a local plumbing company needs a programmer to drag them into the 21st century. A much better website, shopping carts, on-line payments, etc. is the sort of stuff they want. Even after seeing a "big box" quote from an out-of-towner, I'm sure the plumber will shudder when he sees the estimate DW gave them; but who better to understand 70 dollars an hour if I can come over TODAY! Even at a lower rate, this job will eat hours, which could easily translate into a need for the passports again. DW does speak French, we have both done Disneyland, California, and "the World", there is another park somewhere "over there", so maybe...

 

[lyn9856]

What a good transition - too funny! Today she started lobbying for the 2nd cruise! Will "wonder's" ever cease? It seems a local plumbing company needs a programmer to drag them into the 21st century. A much better website, shopping carts, on-line payments, etc. is the sort of stuff they want. Even after seeing a "big box" quote from an out-of-towner, I'm sure the plumber will shudder when he sees the estimate DW gave them; but who better to understand 70 dollars an hour if I can come over TODAY! Even at a lower rate, this job will eat hours, which could easily translate into a need for the passports again. DW does speak French, we have both done Disneyland, California, and "the World", there is another park somewhere "over there", so maybe...

Don't forget there are some more also, not just France, but Hong Kong and Tokyo too Now that will really test the spreadsheet!
Love the thread. You guys are brilliant. Can't wait for your trip report(s)

 

[King Charming]

I was checking around on different cruise sites and found only cat 5 & 6 staterooms available for our cruise date, but the Magic Eastern for the week just before our April 19th western AND the eastern the week after had most all categories of staterooms still open! There isn't any port that is "special" or highly interesting on the eastern (to me) and the rest of the cruising world (based on these bookings) agrees. Sounds like the ideal situation for folks looking to be 'bumped up" over there. Maybe that's the draw, going to less popular ports but having the ship less crowded. A beach is a beach, right? Wow, maybe I'm on to something here. Let's see, lines are bad, crowds are worse, love to be pampered and waited on, there's that Disney angle - yeah, I can suddenly see why even a slightly less full ship is more important to some folks than the ports you stop at. Especially for those repeaters who might not care where they go, or if they have been there before, as long as they are going AGAIN!

 

[King Charming]

Some of these "prep for cruise" costs are one time fees. Similar to getting ready for a trip to "the World", once these obligations have been met, subsequent visits become easier to justify. When you already have matching luggage and passports, good walking shoes, a digital and/or video camera, and formal clothes, these pre-trip costs come down quite a bit. Unfortunately, I am a cruise virgin who has been steadily shelling out money. This week it was for DW's semi formal dress, a bump in the spreadsheet for the kennels (up 100 to $250), and new spreadsheet lines for agreeing to a salon visit for DW (if avail), and for door magnets and cruise T-shirts that DW did the artwork for. This puts us over $3.5K, or about the cost of a free one week stay at a sanitarium.
Purchased at the local craft store, magnetic sheets and iron-on transfers will allow us to print the images on our printer. DW has posted many of the pictures on the DIS board thread about our cruise, and several other families also have plans for the April "Showers of Happiness" image she created. In fact, she has been posting on the boards quite often since we found out when we were going. Inasmuch as I'd love to tease her about this newfound habit, the info she has gleaned has been priceless (and free). I too found the offer to read these valuable tips irresistible and soon found myself reading many, many interesting threads. Hopefully I have some useful insights and an interesting way of approaching a brand new type of Disney vacation. Hey, do we... aw, never mind.

 

[Hypermommy]

Don't forget there are some more also, not just France, but Hong Kong and Tokyo too Now that will really test the spreadsheet!
Love the thread. You guys are brilliant. Can't wait for your trip report(s)

And the new park in China that's rumored... but it'd have to be France first! Je veux aller au Paris!!!!

 

[King Charming]

It turns out I'll be one of the best dressed pirates on the ship wearing glasses. I had kinda hoped to dress-up on pirate night, and had acquired a cool hat to wear over the bandanna they give you, and an eye patch & earing. I expected the rest of my pirate garb to consist of a cool T-shirt and anything else I could run across. But DW, ever efficient (and occasionally thrifty), has managed to borrow her boss's Halloween costume from last year, and it is rather complete. With the long hair coming out of the bandanna, white pufft shirt, vest, sash, and cutlass, I will only need to tear the bottoms of an old pair of black jeans and go barefoot. I've even got a stuffed parrot to mount on my shuolder. Now I am NOT the kind of person who dresses up for Halloween, but what the heck, a Disney party plus a killer costume should add up to a memorable evening. You there, pass that rum over here...

 

[Hypermommy]

Arrrgggghhh, ye'll not be gettin' this rum from me, Cap'n! And don't bother brandishin' yer cutlass 'cause I've seen it afore. As fine a blade as it is, it not be cold steel I be spongin' fer in trade for me rum. Ye'll have to come up with some'at else to bargain with! Eh, what's that? Ye wish to parlay? Well, I might could consider an accord. What be ye offerin'?

 

[pixidustmom]

It turns out I'll be one of the best dressed pirates on the ship wearing glasses. I had kinda hoped to dress-up on pirate night, and had acquired a cool hat to wear over the bandanna they give you, and an eye patch & earing. I expected the rest of my pirate garb to consist of a cool T-shirt and anything else I could run across. But DW, ever efficient (and occasionally thrifty), has managed to borrow her boss's Halloween costume from last year, and it is rather complete. With the long hair coming out of the bandanna, white pufft shirt, vest, sash, and cutlass, I will only need to tear the bottoms of an old pair of black jeans and go barefoot. I've even got a stuffed parrot to mount on my shuolder. Now I am NOT the kind of person who dresses up for Halloween, but what the heck, a Disney party plus a killer costume should add up to a memorable evening. You there, pass that rum over here...

Sounds like a great constume. Those pictures should be great to see.

 

[King Charming]

I've run into a small conflict; part of me wants to start posting the first few pages (13 single space typed so far, actually about half way), and the rest of me wants to skip forward to the finish and see how this all turns out. Will this actually be worthwhile? If folks can afford the price of a stateroom, will they care about my grousing about the associated costs? I kinda feel like I'm in the doldrums; most of the planning has been done weeks ago, but there are still many weeks to go before we start packing stuff. Sure, things are getting done, like ordering fish extender stuff to pass out, black dress shoes are being broken in, and DW finally settled on a formal. Unfortunately, time seems to have slowed WAY down. I've hit the nadir of my "off season" and have way too much time on my hands. It doesn't help that I haven't heard from the traval agency, even though its only been a few days (still). Waiting on a tax refund check and wondering will it get here before or after we leave? With a Feb postmark I anticipate an early April arrival. Even with tax checks only taking 5 weeks from postmark to deposit two years in a row, I budgeted 6 to 7 weeks this year. I usually play they waiting game fairly well (another acquired military talent). So why is a laid back, type Z person like me suddenly so impatient? This trip is turning into a much bigger deal than I first assessed, thats why. The fear of the unknown has been replaced with the smugness of knowledge. I no longer worry about missing out on something simply because I didn't know about it. The initial panic of the rising costs will be replaced by stacks of Jacksons. And the worry of alienation at the hands of a bunch of snobs has been erased by the welcome we have received from our fellow cruisers and other board members. Now that I've adjusted my thinking and gotten used to these concepts, I'm ready to leave my confort zone and embrace a brand new way of traveling and sightseeing. Where's a fastpass when you need one?