Teachers, educators and parents who can't do the 2010 podcast cruise

[WebmasterPete]

Hey everyone,

I've been formulating some ideas about ways to do something 'cost conscious' for those who are unable to make the Dec 2010 podcast cruise. One of the things I'm thinking of is setting up something with Universal and Royal Caribbean on their new 'land/sea' packages. The cost of those (7 days) is much less than the cost of a 4 day Disney cruise. Would there be any interest in doing something like that? I'd be looking at a late June thru July 2010 time frame.

I know that some people are 'purists' when it comes to Universal - but I'm thinking if we could put together a really good Podcast group that we'd have a blast, it would allow those who can't do the Dec cruise to participate and we wouldn't break the bank in the process (I can negotiate A LOT more out of Universal/RCCL than I can out of Disney, trust me). Not asking for solid commitments, just an idea as to whether or not there would be any interest in this before I pitch it.

Thanks,
Pete

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Count me in. I don't have more concern over the financial aspect of it (of course, I am on a teacher's salary though), but the dates. NJ teachers are in the classroom from early Sept. through mid-June. This year we get out on the 19th, just as an example. I'd love to participate in a podcast event and know Sean would as well. If there was something the last week of June or anytime before school starts, we're in.

Thanks so much for thinking about us, Pete!!!! It means so much to me!

 

[magic2go]

Hi Pete!

I think this is a great idea. We've been looking at a "first time" cruise for our family next year - since three of us have never been on one. We keep looking at Disney, but they are so expensive for even a 3 or 4 day cruise!

We're also more locked into the school year now that our daughter is getting older and is in middle school.

Thanks for thinking of us all!

 

[wishspirit]

I think it is a good idea, especially as I would graduate in 2010, so have most of June/ July free.

Only things that would worry me:
1) How much- student budget and all
2) How long- sea sickness means the idea of doing a week kinda scares me!
3) Who else would go- since many of the 'hard core' Dis-ers are already on the Dec 2010 cruise through hell or high water, I would worry that a lot of the people I am good friends with wouldn't be there. I am quite shy (not Yvet shy ), so I'd need some friendly faces!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Hey Pete, I'd be very interested in this. My girls in particular are extremely interested in the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter to open at Universal. We've also done Royal Carribean before and liked it. If there was a RCCL/Universal land/sea package at the time that Harry Potter was open the girls would be bouncing off the wall. Plus, Dana isn't the biggest of Disney fans, but she loves cruising. She'd rather see and do something else besides Disney every time.

 

[mainegal]

I could like the price of a non-Disney cruise.

My first and only cruise was on the Seawind Crown / Vasco de Gama. I am eager for another cruise.

You say that Disney has the best cruise product, but isn't RC good, also? Would it be a more "adult" cruise than the Disney cruise with all the charaters?

 

[ragtopday]

I really appreciate that you are thinking about this - it's the sort of "above and beyond" that puts you a notch above!

I would definitely be interested in this, although I'm still planning on going on the December Podcast cruise (sans kids, if I can get someone to take them!) as well. I have never been to Universal and think my kids would enjoy it. Also, the chance to try out another cruise line is attractive as well.

I'll look forward to seeing what you can come up with - thank you!!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Oooh, that 7 night Eastern Caribbean cruise looks nice. We've been to CoCo Cay on the 4 night cruise we went on, and thought it was nice. I'm really curious to see St. Thomas and St. Maarten after hearing you talk about them so much.

 

[WebmasterPete]

Just for clarification, this would be a land/sea package - meaning three days at Universal and 4 days on RCCL. The price point of the entire package (hotel/cruise/transfers/park admission) would be substantially less than a similar Disney package, although I can't quote even a rough estimate at this point. Again, we have negotiating leverage with Universal that I don't have with Disney and I think they would give us VERY aggressive pricing on this. I just felt terrible that so many people were upset about the timing of the next podcast cruise as that was my call to do it in December. I've been thinking about alternatives for a few weeks now, and this seems to me like the best option.

As for the 'family friendly' aspect of RCCL - they have made great strides over the last few years to enhance their product to be much more amenable to kids and teens. Exactly how far they've gone with it I'm not sure, but I plan to do a land/sea package with them this summer for review and I'll get a much better idea of it then.

Thanks,
Pete

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Dave, I agree with you on the Harry Potter issue. That was my thought because I have no desire to go to Universal other than to see this new area for Potter fans. I'd love it if we went and it was open! I believe it is supposed to open in the fall of 2010???

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Thanks Pete, my mistake on the cruise. Sorry for any confusion.

I can reiterate that we've taken the 4 day cruise on Royal Caribbean out of Port Canaveral in 2007. Our girls were 2 years younger at that time (6 and 9), and we didn't have any concerns about the cruise not being family friendly. At that time the cruise was on the Sovereign of the Seas. That ship is no longer at Port Canaveral (and has been decommissioned I think), and the new ships are from what I've heard an upgrade.

Plus, Harry Potter would be open at Universal next year too (I think they're shooting to be open early 2010), and we were already planning on going to that.

 

[TXYankee]

Pete,

I am not a teacher, but my DH is not a Disney fan the way I am. He says "no way Jose" to a Disney cruise. Since the Podcast cruise is in Dec, it is close to the Holidays and we travel to visit family. He would be much more open to a RCCL sailing.

This could also work for those of us with "non Dis" partners!

 

[Launchpad11B]

Me and Alicia are going on PCC 2.0, but we would sail with DISers on RCCL as well. As long as the ship has my DIS friends on it, we're there!!!

 

[Stitchmistress]

I would love to go, the timing would be right for us as well as I am planning a trip to Orlando summer 2010. My only problem would be to get DH on a cruise! We went 13 years ago on a 4 day cruise, and he was unimpressed to the point that he said he would never do it again. He loves Universal though!

 

[remark44]

This sounds like fun to me. We did Disney last Nov and going back this Sept. I think my husband may protest another Disney trip next year. If the price is right I would definitly consider this trip.

Thanks Pete.

 

[experiment_627]

We have been looking for an excuse to go to Universal and do RCCL (or I guess I have been trying to drag Stephan to try it would be more accurate). Even though we will be on 2.0, if timing and price work out, I'd love to do this too.

Pete - you really do rock.

 

[Willow1213]

I would be interested in this as well. My fiance going to start teaching this fall (hopefully) so now I need to have an educator friendly travel schedule. We went to Universal this past trip for a day which left me wanting to explore more. I have also always wanted to try their hotels (FOTL access doesn't hurt either!) I love the idea of RCCL instead of Disney, because it seems there are more "adult" centered things on their cruises. Please keep us posted!

 

[Tonya2426]

We have been looking for an excuse to go to Universal and do RCCL (or I guess I have been trying to drag Stephan to try it would be more accurate). Even thought we will be on 2.0, if timing and price work out, I'd love to do this too.

Me too!!! I've never been to Universal and have been wanting to go so this would be just the thing for me.

And to be perfectly honest, I have been on two 4 day cruises on the Wonder and would love to try a different ship. I love to try new things and researching a trip is half the fun. (I have researched the Wonder to death.)

As long as I am with my peeps, I am good to go.

 

[jeanigor]

I think, if the price was right, I could swing 2.0 and something along these lines. I've always had a good thrill at Universal...not the same as Disney, but good none-the-less.

 

[tickledtink33]

I would be interested. I love traveling with my dis friends. I've been wanting to go back to Universal Studios for a while now. It's been a number of years since I've been there.