May 18, 2013 Fantasy 7 Night Eastern!

[MTmomma]

What about a west coast cruise? Would that save a little?

*sigh* it would, however, road trips through the desert southwest and that whole general area as a child killed any and all desire to set foot back there. I only go back if I can't get out of it, so no intentionally planning that trip. Yes, I am aware that I am maddening! I may look towards other options when I have done everything I want to do in the Carribean.

 

[mammacaryn]

[[[[[[[[

 

[DVC Jen]

Hi everyone. We aren't *official* yet meaning we haven't put our deposit down yet (have to get DDs college tuition paid first) but we are planning on taking this cruise with ya'll.

We sailed last on the Magic this past May 18th and had a blast. If everything works out like we are planning this will be our 3rd DCL cruise. Our first was also on the Magic back in 2006 - the western caribbean.

When I say "us" I mean myself (46 today) DH (49 next month) and our two DD's 23 and 19.

Originally we weren't planning on taking a cruise next summer. We were going to head west to DL, however I think we were bitten big time by the cruise bug this past May so I started digging around looking at different dates and itineraries and this one seems to be a perfect fit for us.

So can I ask everyone to keep their fingers and toes crossed that as soon as that college tuition is taken care of we can start socking away the money for that deposit?

 

[MTmomma]

Hi everyone. We aren't *official* yet meaning we haven't put our deposit down yet (have to get DDs college tuition paid first) but we are planning on taking this cruise with ya'll.

We sailed last on the Magic this past May 18th and had a blast. If everything works out like we are planning this will be our 3rd DCL cruise. Our first was also on the Magic back in 2006 - the western caribbean.

When I say "us" I mean myself (46 today) DH (49 next month) and our two DD's 23 and 19.

Originally we weren't planning on taking a cruise next summer. We were going to head west to DL, however I think we were bitten big time by the cruise bug this past May so I started digging around looking at different dates and itineraries and this one seems to be a perfect fit for us.

So can I ask everyone to keep their fingers and toes crossed that as soon as that college tuition is taken care of we can start socking away the money for that deposit?

I could have sworn I responded to you! Welcome (unofficially of course) to our sailing! Crossing my fingers that you get to sail on the Fantasy with us!

 

[DVC Jen]

I could have sworn I responded to you! Welcome (unofficially of course) to our sailing! Crossing my fingers that you get to sail on the Fantasy with us!

Thank you. Waiting for any vacation is hard enough - but waiting to be able to make it official is KILLER!

 

[MTmomma]

Does anyone have any ideas or preferences on where to have our meet-up? The general consensus seems to be a 3pm time slot. As for location, what are some ideas?

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

Hey, our family is excited. The last 4 members of our family have booked to go with us. So we are officially a group of 19! It doesn't get much better!

 

[mammacaryn]

''''''''

 

[UncleLarry]

I am late to party on this discussion and didn't find any others posts on this topic with my very limited search (only 2 pages) but I don't think the meet up should happen on the first day. The first day is always so hectic. Kids are wound up from traveling and are dying to get into the pool and you are still lugging your carry-on bags around and etc.

I think a meet up on the second day would draw a large crowd. One man's opinion.

I inadvertently posted under my wife's account. The above post expresses my beliefs do not necessarily reflect her views and opinions.

 

[MTmomma]

Hadn't thought about that. We do have a sea day........ most definitely worth considering. The thing about 3pm on embarkation day, is that by then, you can drop your stuff off at your stateroom (they open at 1:30-ish) and everything shuts down shortly thereafter for the lifeboat drill anyway.

 

[amandaw]

I am late to party on this discussion and didn't find any others posts on this topic with my very limited search (only 2 pages) but I don't think the meet up should happen on the first day. The first day is always so hectic. Kids are wound up from traveling and are dying to get into the pool and you are still lugging your carry-on bags around and etc.

I think a meet up on the second day would draw a large crowd. One man's opinion.

Hadn't thought about that. We do have a sea day........ most definitely worth considering. The thing about 3pm on embarkation day, is that by then, you can drop your stuff off at your stateroom (they open at 1:30-ish) and everything shuts down shortly thereafter for the lifeboat drill anyway.

I can see the pro's & con's to both of these positions. But, if I had to choose, I would probably choose one of the sea days instead of embarkation day, too. I just find embarkation day to bit a little hectic especially if you have little kids.

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

I agree with the first sea day. Embarkation day is just WAY too busy and exciting. I probably wouldn't make it on that first day if the meet & great is then.

 

[mammacaryn]

 

[MTmomma]

Im kind of torn on this. On the one hand, embarkation day, it would fit into our plan perfectly right before the muster drill. On the other, first full day is a sea day, and would offer more options. The problem I see (for myself) with the sea day, is I am likely to forget about it. I don't plan sea days, and can be on the veranda, doing the mystery, or randomly catching a movie. I literally have no plan on sea days, which I can see myself realizing 8 hours after the fact, that I have missed the meet!

 

[DVC Jen]

While I am not "official yet" - although my family should be in about 2 weeks or less I would vote on first sea day as well.

Our last cruise (this past May 18th) we had our meet at 3 in the promenade lounge on the Magic. While it worked, it did feel a bit rushed because of the muster drill coming up. Some posters just came and left family doing other things so they were rushing back to be with their families before the drill.

Now with that said.. I am soooooo looking forward to this cruise. Our first cruise left us feeling like we may never want to cruise again. It was over 6 years ago on the Magic and wouldn't ya know it - I came down with a cold (literally started sneezing and feeling bad during sail away) and spend the rest of it in a cold med induced fog. But we tried it again last May (18th) again on the Magic and had a fantasic time.

I am really excited about sailing on the Fantasy... and especially going to the eastern Caribbean. I have always wanted to do that route but was overruled by family. Not this time!

 

[MTmomma]

Ok, figured something out!
I was watching online for the Best Western Cocoa Beach to open up their reservations window, as it kept showing N/A for the second half of May, and the first half of June. Finally, I just called them, as I was starting to get really frustrated. I came up with the 16th and the 17th for 2A1C at $255 including tax. This also includes the cruise parking voucher, which saves 40% on parking AT the port. Bottom line, call the hotel directly to book, if you want a hotel on the beach, for a reasonable rate (for that area, its 109 +tax for Thurs, 119 + Tax for friday night.) Granted we didnt get an "oceanview" room, but really, all we have to do is go outside!
Also, it is still looking like flying into Tampa is the better option for us, as it is cheaper overall with the three of us flying.

 

[DVC Jen]

Hi again... before it even became official we have to say good-by and happy sailing to all of you.

I checked today (thank goodness) on the spring semester schedules for our DD's. It has always been very close to the same for our oldest DD - so I was assuming it would be as well for our youngest (different college) and it is not. She has finals the week of the sail date so there is no way we can make it. Looks like we have to push it back by 2 weeks.

I hope all of you have a fantastic time. Get that eastern Caribbean ready for me because we will be there just a few short weeks later.

 

[MTmomma]

Hi again... before it even became official we have to say good-by and happy sailing to all of you.

I checked today (thank goodness) on the spring semester schedules for our DD's. It has always been very close to the same for our oldest DD - so I was assuming it would be as well for our youngest (different college) and it is not. She has finals the week of the sail date so there is no way we can make it. Looks like we have to push it back by 2 weeks.

I hope all of you have a fantastic time. Get that eastern Caribbean ready for me because we will be there just a few short weeks later.

Awe thats a bummer! Ash and I are facing something similar, as our final week officially ends the 17th, we will most likely be stacking our finals into the M-W slots. Luckily we have the ability to move times around somewhat depending on how you approach the professor! By the time we travel on Thursday the 16th, we will be in DEFINATE need of a vacation!

 

[disneydork3]

We are so excited to be joining you! Me, DH and DD9. We just got off a Dream double dip and fell in love with DCL. Can't wait to see the Fantasy!!

 

[amandaw]

We are so excited to be joining you! Me, DH and DD9. We just got off a Dream double dip and fell in love with DCL. Can't wait to see the Fantasy!!

Welcome! The Dream is what made my family fall in love with DCL, too! It's going to be so nice to do 7 nights on the Fantasy.