A 4WT Cruise.....

[DianaB]

We've all admired the pictures that Marilyn has taken on her cruise and the idea has come up about having a 4WT cruise in a couple of years. That would be in 2011 and should give us time to start saving our money so we can go. What does anyone think?

Marilyn, could you give us an idea of what a cuise for 3 or 4 days would cost? Nothing too specific, just a ball park figure. Those of us who live further would also have to have enough for airfare as well.

So, what do you think? Are you interested? As the time gets closer we'll get more specific about where we're going and what it will cost.

[Tiramisu]

I would love, love, love to meet and spend time with y'all, but I'm claustrophibic, afraid of deep water, suffer with motion sickness, and don't ever want to fly again.

[Janet]

I think it would be wonderful, but it would all depend on how much it would cost and if I could actually save up that much. The money is the biggest issue for me and the dogs would be the second.

[Gina]

Sounds good to me, I have been on several cruises they are lots of fun. But lately I hear so much trouble aboard.. Not putting a damper on it. Keep me in the loop..

[Lindsey]

I'm in We'll see where I'm living by then!

[gja1000]

I'm in too! I said I would never go on another cruise - but I would go with ya'll!

[Blueyes]

Count me in! Sounds like a blast! Are husbands optional?

[Marilyn]

Here are two samples of the same cruise on different dates just to get an idea. This is for traveling in 2010. They don't have much online for 2011, yet. The rates are lower in January, and if we go to Mexico, the weather will be warm there even at that time of year.

http://www.carnival.com/Itinerary.as...Date=2/25/2010


http://www.carnival.com/Itinerary.as...ailingID=47913

Rates are based on two people per room. I personally, due to being claustrophobic, would really perfer to have a balcony or suite. I need to be able to walk outside whenever I feel like it. Hopefully someone would be able to share with me if we don't bring our spouses.

The interior rooms are the least expensive and have twin beds, which would probably be the most comfortable for people who don't know each other well to share. The other rooms have one king or one queen bed, however, the balcony rooms and suites have couches that can be used as beds. If sharing a bed is a problem.

If we get serious about doing this, we can check other itineraries, leaving from other ports, and other cruise lines. I've heard that Royal Carribean is better than Carnival. Hubby and I were on Carnival.

BTW, if we have a group that wants to go, I'm in!!

[Marilyn]

Another thing to factor in, right now you can cruise to the Carribean and The Bahamas with a photo ID and a certified birth certificate. I've heard that as of June of this year, a passport will be required. You can obtain a passport through the post office. Here's a link to information and fees. It's best to plan ahead and apply well before you travel. It can take a while to get one the regular way, which is the least expensive.

http://www.usps.com/passport/

I can check with our travel agent and see if what I heard about June is correct and let you know.

Once you get a passport, it is good for 10 years. Mine happens to expire April 26, 2011, so I will be doing a renewal of mine around the time of our trip, too.

[DianaB]

You can count me in to go. I think that if spouses want to go that that would be alright! I'd like to make some friendships as a couple with you guys. After all, I talk about Glen so much you already know him!! LOL

I think that we have enough interest to go that we should look around and figure out what we want to do. We need to figure out a month and January, February, or March would work great for us. With Glen being a farmer we couldn't go too much later than that. You know, we have to get our crops in!!

The prices that were on the links look good to me. It looks like a single person could go for less than $800 (not including arifare) and a suite would cost a little over $1,600. Of couse we want to save extra in case prices change.

Oooooo!!! I'm excited!!!

[Tiramisu]

I'm excited for y'all. If you sail out of Galveston, I can chauffeur you from airports and get to spend time with you that way!

[gja1000]

Originally Posted by Tiramisu

I'm excited for y'all. If you sail out of Galveston, I can chauffeur you from airports and get to spend time with you that way!

Sandy, that would be GREAT! I'd rather you be along, but I understand why you can't.

Can you believe it! Here we are talking about a 4WT cruise, and Gary's sisters called last night and asked us to go on a cruise the first week of November. I can't go (don't want to either) because I have a conference I have to attend in St. Louis the middle of October and another conference in Atlanta the middle of November. I think Gary is going to go with them, even though, like me, he really doesn't care for cruises, but he wants to go with his sisters. Kinda like me going with my 4WT "sisters".

[Marilyn]

I think we should all start saving and communicate with each other about preferences on itineraries. Find out which husbands would want to be included and see how it works out. We can all play around on the cruise websites and communicate what we find as we continue to plan. We have plenty of time to refine things.

This is exciting. I was so upset about missing the meetup in Chicago. That one came on so suddenly with Melissa's wedding so close. This one we can plan around once we pinpoint the time. I like the idea of traveling in January or February because it's a little less expensive, many of you will have a nice break from the cold weather, and it's not such a busy time.

Sounds great to me!!!

[gja1000]

Just a note for thinking about my work schedule. Although I can get off work at almost anytime - it would be better for me if we scheduled around a weekend, e.g., Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon I will not be in school the first two weeks in January, so the timing wouldn't matter then - but after the middle of Jan., then I will be in classes and again.

Let's all keep looking around, there are some great bargains!

[Tiramisu]

OK, I'm getting over my initial reminder of my fears and am thinking about joining you! If I'm not penniless after Roxann's wedding and if I can drive to the ship and if I don't have to wear a bikini (HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA) and if ..... I'm trying because I know y'all can't have too much fun without me!