Need help convincing Husband!

[Stinasmom]

We will be first time cruisers (booked June 11, 2005 7-night outta LA) and I am dying to book another DCL cruise for Dec 2006 out of Florida. I want to do it now and save $$$ convinced that with DS4 and DD8 this will be the best vacation we've had yet.

DH can't understand booking another cruise without even experiencing it first. Can any Dad types out there help me with some reasons that a Disney Cruise is the best for families (we do plan to tack on WDW to the second cruise and, for that matter, Disneyland, Legoland, etc to the first).

Some of the reasons I have tried are:
-built in childcare! We can have alone time for dinners or even in the afternoon in the cabin! (you'd think that would have gotten him right there!)
-all inclusive food (he gets frustrated spending so much at restaurants)
-activities included

Any other ideas to win him over to our side?

Thanks!

 

[pppiglet]

Stinasmom....you are the only person on this board (other than Monstro) who is going on the same cruise as we are. I too am hoping to get my DH to book another, but we will probably wait til we've tried this one first since we haven't cruised before. If we like it when on board, we will (hopefully!) rebook then, but for 2007 for our 25th anniversary. Doesn't look like a Dis meet in our future, but hope to run into you on the cruise. Do you have a room number yet? As of now we are in 7570. Good luck convincing your DH to book another!

Debbie

 

[logan1_2000]

Its not just the name of the ship--it is the power that takes you over while you are on-board. I think he is perfectly justified in saying right now that he doesn't even know if he will like it. He just hasn't cruised yet. By night three he should be ready to re-book on board and get the $200 shipboard credit.

So he can kick himself later for having waited as the price went up. It is fully refundable deposit between now and summer, anyway. At current interest rates, the lost interest adds up to a sandwich. Actual prices? My Cat. 8 in April is currently priced $1500 more for three of us than when I booked it. So waiting really does cost.

The rest of your reasons are dead on. The reason to do it now is it will leave enough extra in his pocket, at no risk because of it being refundable, to pay for excursions and all the onboard extras.

 

[jrabbit]

Just tell him that being on the ship feels so romantic and that with the kids in the club's you'll be "in the mood" most of the time on board. Oh yea, tell him you're getting "hot and bothered" right now just thinking about it and you need him to help you "get over it". Opps...that's the guy in me talking.

OK the dad in me says that the kids will have a great time. You will spend a lot of time having fun with them and they will be off in the clubs by themselves a lot too having a great time. My billfold doesn't like the results of this - booking another cruise because we're all having such a great time and making wonderful/magical memories. But my family and I all love being on the ship

Now for the glutton in me. Since the food is all paid for, I'll be trying a lot of different dishes onboard. If I don't like something I'll ask for and try something else. And the deserts ...ah...I'll be enjoying them. There are a lot of good ones on the ship. The downside to the food is that you gotta take the stairs to work off some of those calories (they don't count while on the ship do they ). That's why staying on deck 2 is a good thing - lots of stairs up to deck 9 - the first two days are killers but then you're in shape and they're not a big deal.

 

[Stinasmom]

jrabbit--I think you are right on the money! And while I am "convincing" him, may be I can swing a trip to Hawaii too!

logan1_2000-- thanks for the idea that the refund may be refundable! That certainly takes much of the risk out of the whole decision! I have a message into the TA right now!

I am a "stay-at-home" mom, and the way I see it, any vacation where we can get occasional breaks from the kids is a real vacation! I love the idea of doing all the fun stuff too, like the parks, but quiet time to read a book or dinner with just my husband are such luxuries! DH is at a Jazz Educators convention with some of his best buddies right now, let's just say he is not as starved for excitement as I get!

Thanks for all your input. Maybe we'll see some of you on that December 17th 2006 cruise I plan to book today!

 

[alexandrew]

deny him one of those basic needs unless he relents....

 

[LindaBabe]

Suggest you wait until you get on board and have enjoyed a few days. My husband was a reluctant cruiser until he had a beer during sailaway;-) He was the first guy in line to rebook on our last sea day! Besides, if you rebook on board, you get a discount AND shipboard credit!!!!

 

[Stinasmom]

to my husband that is!
I did it, I booked a second cruise before even taking the first. And I have all of you to DISers to blame for getting me so excited.

Paid around $2800 for family of 4, 4-night Bahamian on Wonder for 12/06 cat 9. Does that sound good to all you repeat cruisers? Hope so. The "refund policy" of my TA is that they hold back 10% but will apply it to a future booking with them. Hope that is good policy too.
Would have loved to booked while cruising for on board credit, but by then, the cruise would likely have cost more than $200 more than today. Besides, getting DizDollars from Visa anyway.

 

[8 Ears]

We were not even docked in Nassau on our first 3-day when DH said to book a 7-day....enough said!!

 

[dzneprincess]

EWW why would your TA hold back 10%??? That is not good. You should have booked directly with DCL, there is no cancellation fee up until the 75 day out before the cruise. PS I booked my 2006 cruise the day the rates were released, it has almost doubled in price. I cant believe your TA will keep $280 of your dollars if you decide not to go. I do not agree with that. I always go with DCL directly to lock in the price, THAN I have time to research my TA but I almost always use DANA at www.micdan.com who usually comes in with the lowest price for me and my family. She saved me almost $400 on my 06 cruise, but of course I have 2 cat 10s booked for 2 adults and 4 kids. Oh and the best part, the is not crummy holding back of 10%. Why would they di that to you? I dont understand it. DCL does not charge that fee?

 

[ivanova]

to my husband that is!
I did it, I booked a second cruise before even taking the first. And I have all of you to DISers to blame for getting me so excited.

Paid around $2800 for family of 4, 4-night Bahamian on Wonder for 12/06 cat 9. Does that sound good to all you repeat cruisers? Hope so. The "refund policy" of my TA is that they hold back 10% but will apply it to a future booking with them. Hope that is good policy too.
Would have loved to booked while cruising for on board credit, but by then, the cruise would likely have cost more than $200 more than today. Besides, getting DizDollars from Visa anyway.

when you are onboard, rebook with DCL - and ask the DCL rep what their policy is - I don't think TAs are "allowed" to holdback 10%, I think they have to refund 100% if you cancel before DCL's deadlline.

Once you book onboard then research various TAs to see which can give you the best rate. Then after you return home transfer your ressie (made onboard) to the TA of your choice ... just make sure the TA you decide on doesn't charge you for cancelling

 

[ivanova]

is the TA holding back 10% of the deposit you paid ($100 of the $1000 dep for 4 people) or 10% of the WHOLE cruise fare ($2800)? If it's the latter, they are covering their lost commission!! Not sure the cruise lines let TAs do that........

 

[Laliox]

- you can't feel the boat moving
- family fun while the kids aren't in your hair
- exclusive 18 or older pool
- amazing resturants
-castaway kay!
i need say anymore!