Ugggg. Anyone else perplexed?

[AlexandNessa]

Now, don't get me wrong. I do love me some DCL, but boy, booking them is not for the faint of heart or pocketbook. Really. We can all admit that, can't we?

I have wanted for what seems like forever (but maybe more realistically for only past 2 years, but that's "forever," right? ) to do the Panama Canal cruise.

And I would still have my heart set on the PC if the date for it weren't just so sucky. I must mention that my sweet husband's birthday is January 6, and even HE doesn't want to cruise then. Weather. So early in the year to suck up 2/5ths of our vacation. Plus, only 3 months after our WBTA (two 2-week cruise final payments on one Disney Visa? ). Ugh.

So, now I am thinking that the 10-night MR looks really good. Spring. Six months in between cruises instead of three months. OK. Sounds like a plan?

Except that my dear hubby has grown quite accustomed to those mid-ship Cat 3s (now in 2011 Cat Ts?) and will not sail without one, and the suite prices are really getting pretty bad for regular run-of-the-mill Caribbean, much less special sailings. But they have us sucked in.

Couple this with the Gold/Platinum pre-bookings (we're silver) getting the first crack at those staterooms and probably the best prices, and the fact that I am pricing a 14-night HAL cruise (with better suite perks than DCL) cheaper than I am pricing a 5-night Wonder AND my deposit is fully refundable on HAL. And I'm thinking .... "Am I crazy?" Really? I must be, right?!

Life is short. On my deathbed I don't really want to regret not doing something, and I thank the Sweet Lord in Heaven that THIS of all things is what is preoccupying my mind today (even though, honestly, I really DO have more important things to worry about).

I just wish I weren't sucked up into the "9/28 booking or bust" craze. I can't help myself. Even though, realistically, I *know* it's probably not a good idea, I will be on that phone on 9/28, while simultaneously screening DIS threads to see categories, cruises, hold times, and prices for all who have gotten through.

Or maybe we just want to do a little Dream cruise instead in the fall?

Am I the only one driving myself crazy over this?

I can't be. This is the DIS.

Right?

 

[lbgraves]

You aren't the only one and I can book on the 21st. One minute I want to do the cruise and the next I am asking is this really a good idea. There are two sides to everything and reading the negative comments puts the doubt into my mind...until the kids come in and ask me if we are booked to go to Alaska yet on the Wonder. We have never been on that ship and the thought of seeing what they have only seen in pictures makes them smile a lot. Thus...the draw of DCL for my family.

 

[DisneyCruiser83]

You are surely not the only one. I am driving my husband CRAZY! I am constantly going back and forth between using a TA or booking on my own, what to do if we don't get our first choice category or even first choice cruise option, what our breaking price point is, what will be available as second/third options for the dates we want, ect...ect...ect...

It really is very stressful, and my husband just keeps telling me to remain positive and things will work out, but sometimes it is hard to see the forest beyond the trees! I just wish booking the vacation was as relaxing as taking the vacation.

Good luck to everyone on the 21st and 28th!

 

[gismo1554]

Im not getting caught up in this but did for the TA one and there are still rooms available! I think this is one of the troubles with the special cruises, everyone clammers for them, but I think what you have to also think about is that people also book and cancel so you just have to keep hope that something will come up. Saying this we didn't make the last Panama cause missed first booking and waited for something to come up. I see it all as fate! The stress of last year I can't handle again so I'm not bothering. Just try not to get too wound up with it all. If it doesn't happen then it isn't meant to be! (Easier said than done I know)

 

[kcashner]

I don't know how one is supposed to choose anything without prices!!! Yes, I'm suffering from too many options, too far in the future, uncertain family schedules so far ahead, etc.

 

[Tami0220]

I have always (and my always is about as long as your always, maybe a year more) wanted to do a PC cruise. And have ALWAYS even back when it was the big red boat wanted to do a DC. You are so right about the prices though. I'm not a DVC member, not even a silver CC member. I am a virgin DCL'er. If if werent for the fact that I am a charter Disney Visa member I wouldnt be able to do any of these cruises. I have been saving my rewards since day 1 and buy everything, even $2 purchases with my VISA. My family thinks I'm nuts but I gotta do it. I really hope they dont take advantage of us with pricing.

 

[Julylady]

Well, this will probably be an unpopular reply. When the Alaska itineraries came out last week, I call my Mom and fellow cruiser to discuss. We googled the anticipated prices and then compared to a similar Celebrity Infinity cruise out of Seattle. After many phone calls back and forth, on Monday morning, we booked a May 09 Celebrity Alaska cruise. Yes, we have taken two Celebrity cruises in the past so I know what I am going into. But, we have also taken 7 Disney Cruises with the most recent being the WB Panama.

For us, it come down to cost. We can take both the Celebrity Cruise and a 7day vacation to WDW next August for what the one Disney Alaska cruise would cost us. In the end, it was a no-brainer.

Donna

 

[AlexandNessa]

Well, at least I am among good company here.

Well, this will probably be an unpopular reply. When the Alaska itineraries came out last week, I call my Mom and fellow cruiser to discuss. We googled the anticipated prices and then compared to a similar Celebrity Infinity cruise out of Seattle. After many phone calls back and forth, on Monday morning, we booked a May 09 Celebrity Alaska cruise. Yes, we have taken two Celebrity cruises in the past so I know what I am going into. But, we have also taken 7 Disney Cruises with the most recent being the WB Panama.

For us, it come down to cost. We can take both the Celebrity Cruise and a 7day vacation to WDW next August for what the one Disney Alaska cruise would cost us. In the end, it was a no-brainer.

Donna

Donna, you are not unpopular with me! We feel the same way about HAL. As much as we love DCL, HAL and Celebrity are both very good products. Honestly, 5-night Wonder cruise 5/30/10 in a Cat 3? $5787 or something ridiculous. On HAL's Oosterdam in a deluxe suite for 14-nights in the Mexican Riviera on 4/24/2010? $5290. And that includes free laundry, pressing, dry cleaning, a concierge lounge, etc.

I am having to ask myself what in the sweet heck am I doing???

 

[wdwfan16]

Well, this will probably be an unpopular reply. When the Alaska itineraries came out last week, I call my Mom and fellow cruiser to discuss. We googled the anticipated prices and then compared to a similar Celebrity Infinity cruise out of Seattle. After many phone calls back and forth, on Monday morning, we booked a May 09 Celebrity Alaska cruise. Yes, we have taken two Celebrity cruises in the past so I know what I am going into. But, we have also taken 7 Disney Cruises with the most recent being the WB Panama.

For us, it come down to cost. We can take both the Celebrity Cruise and a 7day vacation to WDW next August for what the one Disney Alaska cruise would cost us. In the end, it was a no-brainer.

Donna

Where did you find these?

 

[lbgraves]

They are in the newspaper articles that are linked in the main announcement thread from 9/11. It is stuck at the top of this forum and the information is in the first post.