September 30, 2012 Dream vacation

[Momto3cuties]

Thank you both for those great explanations - I think I've got it all sorted out in my head now. It would be completely silly not to rebook, even if we decide not to do another cruise, the deposit is refundable...I am right about that, right? So, the deposit is 10% of the cruise? Never thought to just book two of us for now to lessen the deposit -



We actually cut $300 by booking two connecting ocean views vs a family verandah (for 5). There were no ocean views for 5 left, our TA said they go fast. We dabbled with the verandah, but since we weren't sure how much we'd use it, we figured the space would be nicer. Only other cruising experience with the 5 of us was in a huge family promenade on RCCL's Freedom of the Seas, so anything smaller might have been a shock.

Sonya - next door stateroom neighbors! How funny, I am sure we will see a lot of each other

 

[IknowDoYou?]

We actually cut $300 by booking two connecting ocean views vs a family verandah (for 5).

I know that some families - when their kids get a bit older and more trustworthy - get an Ocean View or Veranda room for Mom and Dad, and an Inside Stateroom (directly across the hall) for the kids, since that room would be cheaper than getting a second Outside or Veranda room. You have to book one of the adults in the Inside room, but switching the keys is an easy fix.

Food for thought when your kids get older.

 

[IknowDoYou?]

It would be completely silly not to rebook, even if we decide not to do another cruise, the deposit is refundable...

One more thing to think about (sorry for all of the random thoughts), is that you're not restricted to rebooking one trip. What we ended up doing a few trips back was putting a deposit down on two dummy dates. What this allowed us to do was lock down a hard date (once we had time to actually go thru our schedule), and keep one "floater" dummy date on the ready for when new cruise dates are announced (typically in the fall). What we found when we only had one was that it had already been locked, and we didn't have the opportunity to get the best fares for a later cruise, so we ended up having to pay more than we should have because we couldn't book that year's cruise until after we sailed again (with the locked up rebook).

Does that make sense?

With that said, this only really works for people who plan on cruising frequently (at least once a year). The good news is that you only have to do it once, because after the initial double-down, you will fill that "floater" slot the next time you're cruising, as your next immediate cruise will already be locked, but the bad news is that you have to double up on the deposit whenever you decide to go this route. Again, it's fully refundable, though.

Hopefully this doesn't muddy things up.

Ryan

 

[PatsMinnie]

Hi all! Just wanted to share that I updated the FE googledocs list with our new stateroom #. We were able to get the military deal, but had to be reassigned to a different room.

I hope everyone is getting excited, because our cruise will be here before you know it!

 

[mamiof2]

I have just joined and recently booked our cruise and would love to participate with the FE gifts! Is it too late?

I was looking back thru previous posts and came across this. i realized they are not on our FE list. I'm wondering if they are still interested and how many people. ??

twilliams771, are u still interested in the FE? We havent heard from you in a while!

 

[MinnieDiva]

Hi all! Just wanted to share that I updated the FE googledocs list with our new stateroom #. We were able to get the military deal, but had to be reassigned to a different room.

I hope everyone is getting excited, because our cruise will be here before you know it!

Glad to see it worked for you!!

 

[hamm1207]

Welcome back Ryan!! I have been super busy lately, so I haven't even really been keeping up with the roll call list very well (my parents and grandparents were here visiting for a little over a week). I think, being that you did the smart thing and allowed people to add themselves to the list, that the FE list is up to date for the most part.

I think a 9/1 soft cut off date sounds perfect for the FE list.

I've updated the roll call list, and I sure hope I didn't leave anyone out!

Today, I finished the purchases for the FE gifts, now it's on to putting them together and packing them up!

 

[hamm1207]

Is anyone doing the bottom fishing at Castaway (morning session)? Clint is doing the fishing excursion alone, and I thought it would be nice if he knew someone else fishing with him.

 

[Rather Be At WDW]

. I think, being that you did the smart thing and allowed people to add themselves to the list, that the FE list is up to date for the most part.

Although they're still on the FE list, didn't TwoWDWFools have to back out?

This cruise will be here before we know it!

 

[hamm1207]

We will be staying at WDW for 3 days prior to the cruise (at POR).

If you like the movie "Princess and the Frog" request a room in one of the renovated Alligator Bayou. They are themed after the movie! I'll have to see if I can find some pictures of when we stayed there in April...

 

[mamiof2]

could someone who knows how, please change the spelling of my board name on the FE list from miamiof2 to mamiof2. i have no idea how spreadsheets work. Thanks! (Just in case someone labels something or needs our board names.) "Mami" is spanish for Mommy. When my kids were real little I spoke to them 100% in Spanish. Lately i've been slacking quite a bit in that department! Anyway, thanks to anyone who can change that spelling for me

 

[Rather Be At WDW]

could someone who knows how, please change the spelling of my board name on the FE list from miamiof2 to mamiof2. i have no idea how spreadsheets work. Thanks! (Just in case someone labels something or needs our board names.) "Mami" is spanish for Mommy. When my kids were real little I spoke to them 100% in Spanish. Lately i've been slacking quite a bit in that department! Anyway, thanks to anyone who can change that spelling for me

I think I changed it. Please let us know if I made it worse!

 

[hamm1207]

I have added names to the lanyards! Please check the roll call list--if your line is missing info please let me know that missing info! I will add names as I receive them, and a note will be made on the roll call list.

Again, the special customized lanyards are a gift from us, and they are for all disboarders cruising on this cruise. Please let me know the first names of those traveling in your party so that I can customize your lanyards. Thanks!

 

[mamiof2]

I think I changed it. Please let us know if I made it worse!

Thanks! perfect!

 

[mamiof2]

Although they're still on the FE list, didn't TwoWDWFools have to back out?

Yes, true! Someone who knows how should probably delete them! Thanx.

 

[mindelmouse]

OK....so I'm here now...MinnieDiva was visiting me in NJ and I for the first time in my stinkin' life decided to go with an impulse....I decided to hop on this cruise with you all. All in one day, I booked our room, booked airfare for my mom to come up and watch the kids, booked our flights to Fl and a hotel room at WDW pre cruise....I don't know what came over me

It must have been the thought of an adults only cruise with some of my favorite people in the world and to think I met them on the Magic in 2010...who would have thunk it. Glad to be joining you!!!

 

[mamiof2]

I decided to hop on this cruise with you all. All in one day, I booked our room, booked airfare for my mom to come up and watch the kids, booked our flights to Fl and a hotel room at WDW pre cruise....I don't know what came over me

Great! welcome! Love the spontaneity!

 

[hamm1207]

OK....so I'm here now...MinnieDiva was visiting me in NJ and I for the first time in my stinkin' life decided to go with an impulse....I decided to hop on this cruise with you all. All in one day, I booked our room, booked airfare for my mom to come up and watch the kids, booked our flights to Fl and a hotel room at WDW pre cruise....I don't know what came over me

It must have been the thought of an adults only cruise with some of my favorite people in the world and to think I met them on the Magic in 2010...who would have thunk it. Glad to be joining you!!!

Awesome, i love the spontaneous vacations!!!

Welcome to the cruise!

I am making lanyards for the cruise. At some point, please let me know your first names, so that I can personalize your lanyards.

 

[mindelmouse]

Awesome, i love the spontaneous vacations!!!

Welcome to the cruise!

I am making lanyards for the cruise. At some point, please let me know your first names, so that I can personalize your lanyards.

Mindy & Jim Room 9558 - tried to update googledoc, but it wouldn't let me.

 

[akheila]

Welcome to the cruise...I love spur of the moment choices like that! That is how we ended up on a back to back and time at WDW!

Booked Palo brunch last night, we thought it worked out well, we won't miss any of the dining rooms with our daughter and all the yummy looking food on these boards pushed the decision!
This morning we received our room assignment on the second half of our sailing, no upgrade but its ok.