UPDATE: WE BOOKED IT!! I Won A Cruise!!!

[infobahn]

Welcome to the *I won a cruise* club.

I won my first DCL cruise, and was lucky enough (I think) to have the ship break down and get 50% off our next DCL cruise.

Do the math! Sweet!

 

[kamgen]

Dh and I were joking about how cool it would be if we could take the cruie for "4" and make it 2 cruises for 2!! LOL!!!

Kamy

 

[kamgen]

Well, I got the information today regarding what I actually won!

Here is is:
I won a 7 night cruise for 4 people in a Cat 11, airfare, transfers, taxes and port charges.

Problem: we have to take it by Dec. 15 of this year and the entire summer is blacked out. So, that leaves us with 6 choices in Sept-Nov.

Problem 2: DH is out of vacation time at work, so we are not sure what we are going to do. DCL will not let me use it next year.
So we are dealing with that right now...on top of trying to decide who to invite. LOL!

Don't get me wrong, I am not upset about the Cat, they even said we can pay for the upgrade. The cruise is free and that is awesome. I am just so stressed now.

Any advice or words of encouragement?

Also, should we take the Eastern or the Western??

HELP!

Kamy

 

[confal1]

I am sure that everything will work out. Maybe your DH could speak with whoever at work and see about time off without pay if that is feasible. Maybe his boss is a Disney Fanatic. Maybe you should offer to take the boss and his wife on the cruise with you. Or you could have a drawing for the people you really want to go. Have a Disney themed party night and invite only the people you would feel comfortable vacationing with and put everyone's name in Capt. Hook's Hat and have a drawing to see who will win the big vacation. Just a thought. Good Luck. We are doing the 4 day cruise in Nov. after a 5 night stay at the B.C.

 

[prymsu]

if I were you I would take the western cruise. That itinerary costs much more than the eastern because it is so new. I priced it for my family both ways, and the western was almost nine hundred dollars more.

if hubby is out of vaca time, then have him take unpaid time off. This is too big of a prize to pass up, especially since it includes the airfare and transfers.

Wow, you really were lucky. Good luck trying to decide. I would for sure take someone - nieces or newphews - anyone since all the extras that can rack up are included.

if your hubby can't take off unpaid time, maybe another option would be to auction it off, if they will let you transfer it, and then you can take that money, go when you want, and not have to worry about who to take...

just my thoughts, and be sure to keep us posted...

 

[markºoº]

I hope things work out for you husband - I've been able to take off without pay occassionaly when I needed extra time.

I would consider just the two of you going alone or taking 2 kids along. Four adults in a Cat 11 sounds a little crowded. The single bathroom and small room might be a challenge when getting ready for dinner, port, etc.

Good luck on getting time off and enjoy!

 

[iloverags2]

I'm sure if DH explains the situation to the boss (won a cruise, I mean c'mon, who wouldn't let him go?), they would give him unpaid time-off, or even borrow on next years vacation.

As for which itinerary, I would suggest Western. Key West is way too cool to pass up, and the sites to see in Cozumel are awesome. And to reiterate what was already said, this is the more expensive of the two 7-day itinieraries, so your win would be going further.

Just wanted to say again, if you take a 3rd and maybe even 4th person, be sure it is not a couple (due to sleeping arrangements), and think about taking kids even.

I'm sure all will work its way out for you, and you will have the cruise of a lifetime! Enjoy

 

[Bellewish]

Congratulations!! While I really liked you DH, what about a girls only cruise? You and 3 of your girlfriends, mother, sisters, etc?

Just a thought!!

 

[Mjasp]

That girlfriend cruise sounds great. I have vacation and I'm a girl.

LOL

Your girlfriend,
Joanna

Good Luck

 

[kamgen]

Sorry girls.
I can not think of spending a week in the Caribbean without my fabulous dh!

We are still trying to figure it out. I will post when we know.

Thanks everyone!

Kamy

 

[kamgen]

DH was able to get the week off (but he will be working major overtime)!!!
I am so happy!!!

We are booked on the 7night Western Oct 12-19!!!!!


Just wanted to tell everyone! And thanks for all your advice.

Kamy

 

[iloverags2]

Congratulations! I knew all would work out well for you. Now, inquiring minds want to know...did you go for a romantic, you and DH only cruise, or are you inviting 3rd and possibly 4th person?

I am just so happy for you!!! Enjoy!!!

 

[infobahn]

Excellent!

Now, don't forget to read the Magical Disney Cruise guide (see the link below). It rocks and helped us have a great time.

Really, what's a little overtime, anyway?

 

[kamgen]

Cindy,

Dh has two younger cousins (13 & 15) who would never get an opportunity to do anything like this. (It is a long story)

We are going to call their mom (dh aunt) and ask if they could miss school, etc.

If not, we have a list of kids! And some "volunteers" from the DIS boards! ROFL!!!!

Kamy

 

[iloverags2]

How excellent for you to offer it to DH's cousins. My DH's brother is in the same situation, and DH & I often take his three children out to the movies, dinner, shopping, etc. We are trying to plan a trip to WDW and bring them along.

Glad you guys are working everything out! Have a blast!

 

[Twinave]

The ONLY thing better then a Disney Cruise is a FREE Disney Cruise. Hope you have a fabulous time!

 

[kamgen]

For those who do not know how I won it:

A local radio station was on the inaugural cruise and they had to search for "Mickey's Golden Envelope" which had a free 7 night cruise for a fmailuy of four in it. If they found it, they could bring it
home and give it away to one lucky listener.
They found it and spent the next week qualifying people who were the 25th caller when they played the DCL horn.

I qualified on a Wednesday. I was so happy. But the drawing wasn't until the following Tuesday.

On Tuesday morning, about 6am, the phone rang. Dh and I ,still tired from our Memorial Weekend camping trip, just let it ring. I heard a voice on the answering machine and something clicked. I bolted downstairs and picked it up! Sure enough, it was the radio station wanting to know if I liked Disney and wanted to go on the cruise! I won!!! I was freaking out! I ran upstairs and dh could not believe it!

Well, that is how I won the cruise! We are sailing on Oct 12!!

Thanks everyone for all your good wishes!
And keep trying with those radio contests!

Kamy

 

[cruisinpenguin]

Kamy: Simply Awesome!! Enjoy your "FREE" 7 night Western cruise!! October is a nice time to cruise....the weather should be fantastic!!
Enjoy, Laurie