March 15-22, 2008 Eastern - Way-Way Early Check In

[limati]

Hi back at ya Nancy! I just hope we filled everything out okay We had our pictures taken at Walgreens. It was 7.99 for two pics. At the post office where we applied for our passports, the pictures were $15.00.

I really enjoy reading the trip reports. There are some talented and funny writers around here

 

[nlm]

I just hope we filled everything out okay We had our pictures taken at Walgreens. It was 7.99 for two pics. At the post office where we applied for our passports, the pictures were $15.00.

Okay - so I filled out our applications online and printed them out. Now all we need are the pictures, and the $400 or so in fees , and I'll be ready to mail them out.

Thanks for the Walgreens hint. I've also heard that Costco is a pretty good place to get the pictures done. I think I'll check them out first, but I'll definitely keep Walgreens as a backup - just in case!

 

[carolmp]

Yeah, there's that "hidden" cost to the cruise!

We just got our pictures taken at the post office. I had heard some horror stories about wrong picture size and such. I didn't want to deal with it. Then we only had one stop to make at the post office instead of the stop at Walgreens and the stop at the post office.

Now that I have my passport, I'm thinking I'm going to need more stamps in it than just those from the cruise..... I'm going to need some from Europe too! I need to get full use out of it!

 

[limati]

Where are you March 15 - 22 cruisers? I was wondering if those of you with kids are on spring break at that time or not. We're going to need to take ours out for a few days. Also, are you flying in the day before or arriving on cruise day. We were originally booking flight and transfers from Disney, but I'm thinking it would be good to arrive a day early in order to be ready to sail on Saturday a bit less rushed. I think I would like to have more control over flight times.

Lisa

 

[carolmp]

Hi Lisa,

There doesn't seem to be too many of us yet. I think most of the posts at the beginning of the thread either cancelled or never actually booked!

Yes, we are going during our Spring Break time. We are taking the kids out a day early, so we are flying in on Friday. Our only other cruise (the Big Red Boat - 4 day sea/3 day land) we missed the boat. We had plane problems in Cleveland (not my favorite city anymore) and we just flat out missed it. So we aren't taking any chances of flying in the same day. We have a room at the Best Western in Cocoa Beach for Friday night. We should get into Orlando around 1:00 in the afternoon and are renting a car and driving to the port. Initially we were going to take the transfers, but with the early arrival time, I didn't want to hang out at the airport all day. I figured we may as well get out of there and be on our way.

If you are going to book your own air, I would do it as soon as possible. I booked mine about 6 weeks ago, and the cost has already gone up $150 a ticket. I also know that a friend of mine was trying to go somewhere for Spring Break last year and she couldn't find any flights at all. They were all sold out. I had initially booked through Disney, but I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't get a direct flight. This way I booked my own air with a direct flight, so it will be a little easier than travelling all day. Also, because I booked early enough, I saved $150 a ticket on the Disney price.

So your school isn't on Spring Break that week?

On a completely different topic, where in Kentucky are you from? We are driving down to Smokey Mountain NP and Mammoth Cave NP in mid August. Do you have any tips for us?

Carol

 

[limati]

We live in Northern Ky. - across the river from Cincinnati.

We were in the Smokies last month. I absolutely love the mountains. Stop in at the Sugarland visitor's center. There's loads of information there and the rangers are very helpful. There are many hiking trails (beginner to advanced). I got some wonderful pictures. Cade's Cove is beautiful and you can drive/park,walk many areas.

Mammoth cave is great too. It's been a while since I've been there.

My kids have a weird spring break this year. It runs from a Thursday to a Thursday. They would have missed school no matter what week we picked. My sister's kids are off the week of the 15th.

Lisa

 

[happymommy]

Hi! Just chiming in from Maryland. After countless trips to WDW (and DH is so sick of theme parks, bless him, I frequently take kids without him even), we were looking for something different this spring break. My kids are in private school here in Maryland. They always have spring break mid-March. I looked into all-inclusives, but after taking family to (a not all inclusive but 5 star resort in) Mexico in 2004, it was difficult as DS has food allergies. I thought, a cruise is like an all-inclusive - kids activities - yeah! I trust Disney with his allergies. So I booked us 2 cat 10's connecting (weird thing is, it was the same price as if we all shared one cat 10 by a few dollars!). I don't care about a window - would have loved a veranda but that would be $3000 more AND we'd share a room! No way.

We'll come in the day before (waiting for Southwest, as we're close to BWI). So much planning! Where to stay night before (I'll have to pull them out of school, as I'm not flying in the evening, but maybe I'll send them to school and fly after 5pm). Plus they don't go back to school till the Tuesday after Easter, so gotta maybe stay in Orlando a couple nights after cruise, right? We'll see, DH won't go for it! But who knows?

Happy to be here!

 

[carolmp]

Welcome, HappyMommy! It's nice to get more people signed up.

We too are taking the kids out of school a day early and flying in the night before. I didn't want to take the chance. Lucky you to have the extra days off. Our kids start back up right away on Monday. We spent Thanksgiving at WDW one year. It was kind of strange not spending the time with family, so we decided that we wanted to be home for Easter.

If you're like me, you will quickly become addicted to this board!

 

[limati]

Our kids will miss the Friday before and the Mon., Tues., and Weds. of cruise week. They are off Thurs of cruise week to the following Thursday. They will have time to make up any missed work before they go back. We usually follow the public school system's days off, but it's different this year.

We are flying in the night before. We found a pretty good rate for a flight out of Dayton, OH (about half the cost of the Cincinnati airport. I want to be able to get to port early.

Happymommy, never hurts to ask! Maybe he'll still be feeling the "Magic"

Lisa

 

[nlm]

Where are you March 15 - 22 cruisers? I was wondering if those of you with kids are on spring break at that time or not. We're going to need to take ours out for a few days. Also, are you flying in the day before or arriving on cruise day. We were originally booking flight and transfers from Disney, but I'm thinking it would be good to arrive a day early in order to be ready to sail on Saturday a bit less rushed. I think I would like to have more control over flight times.

Lisa

Hi Lisa!

I haven't been around much - been in North Carolina and Florida over the last few weeks. Things should quiet down now - until another Florida trip over Labor Day weekend.

My kids are on spring break that week. I'm going to take DD10 out on the Friday before because we're driving down (12 hours). We're planning to leave around 4 or 5am so we can get there around dinner time. Last time we cruised, we pulled our older daughter out of school at lunch time (11:30), didn't get on the road until 12:30 and pulled into our hotel (Radisson) at 1am. We were wiped on Saturday - the whole day was a bit of a blur. This time, we're just keeping her out of school and taking off as early as possible.

It's not a bad idea to come in the day before - I've heard horror stories of delayed planes and people missing or just making the boat.

BTW - I'm trying to compile a list of cruisers on page 1. Do you want me to add you and your family?

Nancy

 

[pop5]

Hi all! We are still on for this spring break cruise. We just got back from a 4 night Wonder last week. It was just not long enough. We talk about the cruise all the time around my house.

 

[limati]

Nancy,

That would be great if you could add our names. There are nine of us sailing together (though none of them are quite as ocd about researching and planning as I am!).

Our group is: Lisa, Mike, Dylan (13), Katie (thisclose to 10)
Tamie, Steve, Turner (15), Emma (10)
Betty (nana)

My husband has rheumatoid arthritis - he couldn't take that long of a drive. After this, my kids probably won't want to travel any other way!

Lisa

 

[limati]

Hello pop5

I'm jealous! I have been addicted to the dis board for a few weeks now. Did you just love your cruise? I'm am trying not to overload the kids with details to keep the experiences they'll have full of surprises (it is hard sometimes). I even got dh, dd, ds, and me matching shirts for the boys and dresses for the girls. I found some great deals on a Disney shopping site.

Lisa

 

[pop5]

Hey Lisa, you and your kids are going to love this cruise. We did this same one this past march and had such a great time. I am looking foward to a great dis group. Nancy, my group consist of myself, dh, 4 ds's(14,10,7,6) and my 2 step sons(23 and 24) and my parents. I have been on 2 dcl cruises so far and I am finding as soon as I get back from a cruise I get right back on these boards. I really cant help it but I spend way too much time here. Paige(from Alabama)

 

[limati]

My sister saw someone yesterday that had on a DCL t-shirt. She asked her about it and the lady said they had a great time!

I went on a couple of Carnival cruises before I got married. I loved those cruises, but I can't wait to see my family enjoying themselves (especially my mom).

Pop5 I have one teenage son (a.k.a. Eating Machine). How do you feed all those boys? LOL I bet there's never a dull moment. Do your kids like the kid's clubs?

Lisa

 

[nlm]

I added Lisa and Paige to the list of cruisers on page 1. Please PM me for corrections/additions.

Paige - I'd love to hear some more details about your recent 4 day cruise.

Nancy

 

[pop5]

Thanks Nancy. How do we get to this page?? We really had a good time. It was very hot. It really makes you appreciate the longer cruise though. You feel like you are trying to fit everything in. The food was good and we saw Hercules and enjoyed that. My favorite time was spent in the rainforest room! Love it!! Paige

 

[Worktoplay]

Hi All, We too will be joining you on this cruise! It will be myself, Marie and my DS Jeff who will be 13 on this cruise. We've sailed with Disney 3X so far. We went on the Med Cruise on June 16th and I booked this while on board. Any savings helps especially during spring break.

I can't wait to meet everyone.

Marie

 

[nlm]

Thanks Nancy. How do we get to this page?? We really had a good time. It was very hot. It really makes you appreciate the longer cruise though. You feel like you are trying to fit everything in. The food was good and we saw Hercules and enjoyed that. My favorite time was spent in the rainforest room! Love it!! Paige

Paige,

The list is on page 1, post #8. Here's the link: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=18086505&postcount=8.

Rainforest room, huh? Did you get a day pass or a week pass? I was thinking about doing that last cruise, but never got around to it. Since we will have more ship time on this cruise, I've been giving it a thought. Did you do anything else in the spa?

Nancy

 

[nlm]

Hi All, We too will be joining you on this cruise! It will be myself, Marie and my DS Jeff who will be 13 on this cruise. We've sailed with Disney 3X so far. We went on the Med Cruise on June 16th and I booked this while on board. Any savings helps especially during spring break.

I can't wait to meet everyone.

Marie

Hi Marie!



I'll add you and Jeff to our list of cruisers on page 1. Our small group is really starting to grow fast!

How did you enjoy the Med Cruise? Did you do a trip report?

Nancy