Sept. 11, 2011 It's never too early to Dream

[tessasmom]

You know tessasmom, like you said if you are going to go you might as well as do it the way you want to. After all it is your vacation and you might not get to go again for a while. On our first cruise DW and I couldn't make up our minds as to which stateroom to get - inside stateroom and save some money - or a stateroom with a veranda, (which I must say is the way we wanted to go.) Well, we got the veranda stateroom, and we were not sorry we did. So I say go for it!!!
As for the smoking, well I am an ex-smoker and I cannot stand it any more. I don't know how I did it - smoke I mean. I stopped over 20 years ago - best decision I ever made. I don't have anything against the smokers who choose to smoke. That is their decision to make.
It has been some great weather down here in Florida. We are getting some much needed rain this morning. I don't think it will last all that long though. It is still suppose to get up to around 78 today. Can't complain about

that!!!!

Congrats to quitting smoking!! That's a HUGE accomplishment!! Like you said, it is each persons own decision to make. I just hope that smokers & non smokers are considerate in their actions around their fellow cruisers.
You lucky dog! 78 degrees, I'm SO jealous! Have a great day!

 

[tessasmom]

Good morning, cruisemates! I hope everyone had a great weekend! My DH and I just returned home last night from a long weekend at WDW! We were there for the Princess Half Weekend and had a blast!! It definitely didn't last long enough though! I'm so ready for this cruise!

Good morning UGAfan! That sounds like tons of fun! Fun stuff never lasts long enough! I with you on the cruise...can't wait!!

 

[davidls]

I gots a question. Who is in charge of the Fish Extender, and how many are signed up? I'm thinking of joining and need to know how many are signed up.

 

[tessasmom]

I gots a question. Who is in charge of the Fish Extender, and how many are signed up? I'm thinking of joining and need to know how many are signed up.

Good question!! I asked that a few pages ago and got no response...we are signed up, but would love a head count at this point since I keep running into great FE gifts lately! I can't remember who was in charge.?

 

[ragdoll]

Well, hello everyone! I was beginning to wonder where everyone was. Starting a new month makes our cruise seem even closer.

 

[JustTJ]

Sorry everyone, I have been MIA for a bit. I'll update the list this afternoon and post the current FE list


March 1st, just when I thought spring is just around the corner, we got hit yesterday with freezing rain and then lots of snow. It was a SNOW DAY from school for my kids yesterday. Then today, I see a news report that says "Brace Yourself - Colder Than Normal Spring Is On The Way". The kids did have fun playing in the snow yesterday though

 

[JustTJ]

FE LIST UPDATE ​

Periodically I will post a new update with the list of participants thus far. Here's the list of of Today:

-JustTJ (Judy) & DS8
-milpreston (Michelle), DH(Eric), DS12 & DS8
-DisneyDee27 (Dee Dee) & SIS(Myla)
-shannon1984 (Maybe?)
-ClarabellecowFan (Kelley), DH(Brett), DD13, DS4 & DD17
-CdianDreamer (Tanya) & DH(Rob), DD13, DS7, DD6
-ladyj0212 (Julie), DH (Daniel) & DD3
-gerberdaisy1234 (Regina), DH, DD12 & DS9
-LuvtheEars Tiffany & friend Kaye
-tessasmom Julia, DH & DD18mths
dennismcneely (Dennis), DW (Monica) & DD9



5 Single Adults
8 Couples
3 Teens
10 Children
1 toddler




If you would like to participate in this FE Gift Exchange, but are not yet on this list, just send me a pm with your family's/travel party's names, ages of children, and stateroom number (if you have an assigned stateroom as of now), and your email address. A final master list will be emailed directly to all participants closer to our cruise date.

 

[tessasmom]

THANK YOU Judy!! I'm going to try to call the FE people by their real name if that's ok so I can get them right by Sep!

I am so excited about doing my first FE and have seen so many things lately I could use! Just so you can add it, DH's name is Sam.

I know what you mean about the ice storm. We had that yesterday. Ugh!

Hey, has anyone thought about if they will do anything for our sailing because it will be the 10 year anniversary of 9/11? I was thinking of trying to design a door magnet to pay tribute. Thoughts?

 

[JustTJ]

THANK YOU Judy!! I'm going to try to call the FE people by their real name if that's ok so I can get them right by Sep!

I am so excited about doing my first FE and have seen so many things lately I could use! Just so you can add it, DH's name is Sam.

I know what you mean about the ice storm. We had that yesterday. Ugh!

Hey, has anyone thought about if they will do anything for our sailing because it will be the 10 year anniversary of 9/11? I was thinking of trying to design a door magnet to pay tribute. Thoughts?

I think about that anniversary quite often (part of the reason I was SO nervous about flying down this time). I've set the worries asside, but hadn't thought about a door magnet in memormium. I'll think on that one myself.

 

[tessasmom]

I think about that anniversary quite often (part of the reason I was SO nervous about flying down this time). I've set the worries asside, but hadn't thought about a door magnet in memormium. I'll think on that one myself.

I was very uneasy about flying on that day too. Then we decided to go down on the 8th to do the parks a bit before the cruise. Like DH says, it can happen any day. Let's just live our lives to the fullest! He's right.

 

[gerberdaisy1234]

to all the newbies! Glad to have everyone. I am going to try to get tickets for the Kennedy Space Center for after the cruise from my congressman. Has anyone else ever tried this? Or David, since you live there do you know anything about this? I'd really like to visit but visiting for free would be even better

Thanks again for this info. I called our congressman's office. They gave me the name and email of the person in the office to send the request. She called to check the ages of the children. Said she was emailing my request. She called back yesterday to say that they said it was too early to request. She has to resubmit in July. So she said I can call her back to make sure she remembers since it is so far away. So if you have not heard back yet, that might be why.

Good morning, cruisemates! I hope everyone had a great weekend! My DH and I just returned home last night from a long weekend at WDW! We were there for the Princess Half Weekend and had a blast!! It definitely didn't last long enough though! I'm so ready for this cruise!

Did you run the half? Have you done the Marathon weekend in January before?


Does anyone know if you can see pirate night fireworks from port side verandah? We were starboard other two cruises and watched from out verandah. (I think I have the sides right. We were on the side opposite from were we exited on CC but you could see the beaches from verandah and at Nassau we could see Atlantis.) This cruise we are on the opposite side (I think it is port). What do you see from the port side at Nassau?

Thanks,
Regina

 

[UGAFan0829]

Did you run the half? Have you done the Marathon weekend in January before?

Thanks,
Regina

Hi, Regina!! I did do the half!! I've never done Marathon weekend--only the Princess. Though, I am trying to talk my husband into training to do the half with me in January of next year, but I'm not so sure he's going for it. If not, then I'll probably do the Princess again. I wish I could do both!

 

[tessasmom]

Hi, Regina!! I did do the half!! I've never done Marathon weekend--only the Princess. Though, I am trying to talk my husband into training to do the half with me in January of next year, but I'm not so sure he's going for it. If not, then I'll probably do the Princess again. I wish I could do both!

I give you a lot of credit! Even a half marathon is beyond me!

Woke up today with a hackey cough and sore throat...ugh! I need me some warm sunshine to cast away my cold asap!!!

 

[tessasmom]

Hey! Has anyone else priced out their ressie if they booked it today? I just did and our category has gone up $700 since I rebooked a higher category this past Sunday! I'm glad I didn't wait any longer!! Wow!

 

[JustTJ]

Hey! Has anyone else priced out their ressie if they booked it today? I just did and our category has gone up $700 since I rebooked a higher category this past Sunday! I'm glad I didn't wait any longer!! Wow!

I tried to do that yesterday too, but couldn't as my CAT is no longer availabe.
Has anyone been charged the Fuel Surcharge yet. Those who are not paid in full, might get it added on. Or when is the 1/4 that will affect our sailing? So Glad we are all paid in full!

 

[gerberdaisy1234]

I tried to do that yesterday too, but couldn't as my CAT is no longer availabe.
Has anyone been charged the Fuel Surcharge yet. Those who are not paid in full, might get it added on. Or when is the 1/4 that will affect our sailing? So Glad we are all paid in full!

You are scaring me How much is this fuel surcharge you are talking about? What is the 1/4? You've got me thinking 1/4 of the price, what?!?! Would the interest on the credit card be better than the fuel charge?

 

[gerberdaisy1234]

You are scaring me How much is this fuel surcharge you are talking about? What is the 1/4? You've got me thinking 1/4 of the price, what?!?! Would the interest on the credit card be better than the fuel charge?

LOL okay I realized the 1/4 you were talking about was the quarter barrel price. Do you know what price the surcharge starts at?

 

[SuperRob]

Hey! Has anyone else priced out their ressie if they booked it today? I just did and our category has gone up $700 since I rebooked a higher category this past Sunday! I'm glad I didn't wait any longer!! Wow!

I locked in with our deposit as soon as we could, around the middle of last year. I noticed a couple days ago that an Inside Stateroom (Cat 11A) became available, and it was $30 more than our Cat 6A Verandah.

That room is gone again, but looking at the prices of the Cat 5D, the prices SKYROCKETED in the last week. The 5D that was around $1750 is now over $2400.

Just goes to show you. Book early.

 

[JustTJ]

Sorry I should have explained the quarter thing. It means the time of year. BUT I have just read the sticky on the fuel surcharges, and according to DCL they STOPPED charging fuel surcharges as of all bookings made as of Dec. 1. 2008 through to the end of 2010. Their notice of this states
The elimination of the fuel surcharge for new bookings applies to sail dates through the end of 2010. The company will continue to closely monitor fuel prices. Reinstatement of a fuel surcharge may be necessary in the future.

Since there has been talk on the main board recently about fuel surcharges, but I haven't SEEN any formal DCL info about it, I wonder if they are now charging or are going to start charging it?

So based on this, any of us who booked this cruise prior to Dec. 31st 2010, will NOT have been and will not be charged a fuel surcharge. But for those of us who booked AFTER Dec. 31st, it's still questionable? It used to be that if the price per barrel of oil was above $70.00 on the date the quarter began and which included the cruise date, then the Fuel surcharge would stick for those that already paid it. But if the price was below $70 then those that paid it would get it back in the form of an OBC.
I would think that if we haven't paid it yet, then we WON'T be charged it. Even if DCL decides to reinstate a FSC, those who are already booked, paid in full or not, are LOCKED in to their booking price.

 

[JustTJ]

I locked in with our deposit as soon as we could, around the middle of last year. I noticed a couple days ago that an Inside Stateroom (Cat 11A) became available, and it was $30 more than our Cat 6A Verandah.

That room is gone again, but looking at the prices of the Cat 5D, the prices SKYROCKETED in the last week. The 5D that was around $1750 is now over $2400.

Just goes to show you. Book early.

LOL, I remember when I first went to book this cruise, I WANTED an inside stateroom, so we could experience the VIRTUAL PORTHOLE . But even then the prices of an inside were MORE then even a CAT 9 Ocean View. So I booked the Ocean View. I don't remember exactly how much difference in price but I'm sure it was a couple hundred dollars difference. Enough anyway to make me say it wasn't worth it to me, over an Ocean View. It's all about Supply and Demand. Those Virtual Portholes were a HUGE draw, and thus the higher price.