March 26, 2011 - Eastern Caribbean Magic and FE Exchange!

[KristiMc]

Hello!!

We just got back from a trip to WDW Feb. 7-12 so now I need to start planning (ok - obsessing) about our next trip.

My name is Kristi and my DH (Steve) and I have been on one cruise (3 night Bahamas on the Wonder) way back in November 2000. At that time I was 16 weeks pregnant with our now oldest Matthew who is 8 and will be almost 10 when we cruise. Our little guy is Shawn who will be 6 in 2 weeks and will be 7 on the cruise.

We loved the Wonder back in 2000 and have always said that we would do a week long cruise when the kids were a little older.

I can't wait to get to know other members of the DIS who are going to be on the same cruise.

 

[IrishCowboy]

I have added your thread to the cruise meet list

 

[Psychodisney]

We booked today! It will be me, DH, DS17, DS15 and DD11. We've done a Western and 3 3days....looking forward to the Eastern!

 

[KristiMc]

Hi Psycodisney! Glad to see another DIS member will be on the cruise. I'm so excited about the trip, though I think I am driving my DH nuts already with all the info that I am telling him. I like to plan

 

[Psychodisney]

I think all of us crazy people here like to plan. The journey is just as fun as the destination! I'm just hoping that when the school calendars come ou that I picked the right week. Also, in the back of our minds is the high school sports calendars and potential spring break tournaments. Hopefully, we'll be there!

 

[Spokavegas]

We too, are planning to cruise Mar 26th to the Eastern Caribbean! Haven't booked yet, and I was nervous that everyone else in the world already had....so you've set my mind at ease a teensy bit!

We are DVC members (joined on the 4 Day in Feb 2008), and we're hoping to book a verandah room next week with points!

 

[KristiMc]

We too, are planning to cruise Mar 26th to the Eastern Caribbean! Haven't booked yet, and I was nervous that everyone else in the world already had....so you've set my mind at ease a teensy bit!

We are DVC members (joined on the 4 Day in Feb 2008), and we're hoping to book a verandah room next week with points!

We just put our deposit down last week. We are thinking about joining DVC. We rented points from a member and stayed at BLT in February. It was so nice being able to walk to MK.

 

[Spokavegas]

Anyone else surprised that there aren't more posts here yet?

I haven't even booked yet, and I know there's gotta be more Spring Break DIS Cruisers than us!

Ready to start planning.....

 

[KristiMc]

Anyone else surprised that there aren't more posts here yet?

I haven't even booked yet, and I know there's gotta be more Spring Break DIS Cruisers than us!

Ready to start planning.....

I was just thinking about this yesterday. Maybe more of the DIS Cruisers are trying out the Dream next year?

 

[Psychodisney]

I think there may be a lot of people who don't know when their spring break is next year. There was a thread on the Theme parks board asking people when their breaks were. A few people who typically have Easter week reported their week was changed because Easter is so late next year. Maybe people are waiting until school calendars are confirmed?

I agree about being ready to start planning! I plan on booking my rental car and room at the port right away...hoping to get the best price. I'll hold off until the Southwest schedules get released for airfare.

Also planning to rent out some of my points for next year to offset the cruise fare.

 

[Spokavegas]

We lucked out- our Spring Break was posted earlier this year.....and I was JUST about to look up when Easter was to see if it was while we were on the cruise- but if it's late, it won't be.

So, we're using points instead of renting them out- and I know there's many debates on this---but here's an added dilemma we're running into. (We bought into DVC with the idea of using our points for our next cruise- so that's why we're not renting- it sounds like a real hassle!?) We're booking a verandah room, and will have to pay for one of our kiddos in our fam of four.....but with the new cat breakdowns, this means a steel wall verandah.....as a the plexiglass one would require we pay for TWO people in our fam. ($2000 as opposed to $1000) If we were to forego the verandah and stick with oceanview....it's still about $1000 ($40 difference in total)- so we're better off having the steel wall version than no verandah at all- yes?

We're never stayed in one before, and our youngest DS (5) is somewhat of a monkey, so I'm a little scared- especially since he won't be able to "see" thru the verandah. We've decided he won't be allowed on the balcony w/out us....but are we crazy? Is it worth it? And which Deck do you guys think is better- 5 or 6? Where r u guys booked currently? Does DVC let me request a particular stateroom?

Any feedback for me as we head into booking next week??

Thank you so much, fellow DISers!

 

[KristiMc]

Easter is April 24th next year. Our spring break is usually the week after but they moved it to the last week in March next year. I was so excited to see that. Orignially I told DH that we could go to WDW and not have to take the kids out of school (I refuse to go during a holiday), but we decided to do the cruise instead. I love the parks - but I'm excited to have a more relaxing vacation for once.

We are booked in room 6608 which has a verandah. DH really wanted one. The only other cruise we were on (3 night Wonder) in 2000 we were upgraded to a room with a verandah and he loved sitting out there at night.

I am a little worried about the 6 year old (he is also a monkey) but with the clear walls I think he should be fine. He will also not be out there without one of us.

 

[Spokavegas]

Haha! My DH spurred the verandah choice as well!! He was actually fairly adamant about it- even when his closest friend wanted to get a connecting room with his fam....DH held fast and said, "Sorry dude. We really want a verandah on this cruise." Our last cruise was the 4day Wonder in Feb 2008.

So, you think its still worth it with the steel wall?

I just checked our school calendar again- and the March 26th starting Spring Break is no longer on the website? Yikes. We're still going then....if we gotta take them out of school, well......

 

[Spokavegas]

Kristi-

I just realized our boys are nearly the same ages! We have a DS 8 and our youngest turns 6 in one month. Cool!

We'll be traveling with my DH's cousin from FL that we went with last time as well. They have one DS- who'll be 7. Cousin's DH is in the AF, so they'll be coming by way of Korea, and before they leave for Korea this July- they're TAKING THE DISNEY MED CRUISE at the end of May! Lucky ducks! The itinerary looks ahhh-mazing! We'll wait until our two are old enough to really remember it all and understand the history of what they're seeing b4 we do something like that---but for them, it was the perfect time since they have a full month off and have always wanted to see some of Europe!

 

[KristiMc]

That is cool that our boys are the same age. Shawn just turned 6 last week and Matthew will be 9 the end of April.

I would love to do the Med cruise also. I have not even checked out those prices, but I am sure they are too high for us.

I would think the steel wall would still be nice - maybe not when you are sitting - but to stand and look out would be nice.

 

[Psychodisney]

We love the verandah too. It offers a nice quiet outdoor space. We're on Deck 6 too with a cat 5c and 11b.
We chose to rent our points this time for a few reasons. But mostly because if we need to cancel it will be easier. We also rebooked while onboard our last cruise (2/10) so we have an OBC and I hate paying DVC a $95 booking fee.

 

[KristiMc]

We are in a 5c on deck 6 also. Will your 11b, be right across the hall? That is a good way to do 2 rooms. So that you have a verandah, but only paying for one.

 

[Spokavegas]

Psycho....

Can you give me the lowdown on how you rent your points.....and how much you get for them?

 

[KristiMc]

DCL show on the Travel Channel right now. I have seen it many times but I still like it.

 

[Spokavegas]

I sure wish they'd do an updated one....that one is from 2005 I think. Still applicable, but geez.

Different time zones: I'm watching Travel too- went looking for Disney, found highlights of fried food. A guy is making "chicken fried bacon." Lord, have mercy.

We are way off topic- so I'll make a Mar 26th related post. Uhhh......

What kind of excursions are you looking at for St. Maarten and St. Thomas?