KC & the double dipping band. Nov 14-21

[King Charming]

It was GREAT! We had the time of our lives, again. In addition to the regular this is what we did, where we went, what we fought about type TR, we will include stories, observations, opinions, and other random babblings.

To those of you who read the PTR, I am sorry, and will try to do better. Those of you who missed it also missed out on learning about Mickey's favorite machine, DisneyRebates, my campaign, how to get an upgrade, and a host of other related topics. Go waste some time over there. But not now, please stay and waste your time here first, THEN go read the other.

Our group consists of my dear DW (aka Hypermommy), and our two eating machines (aka DS16 & DS14). and me. I share them with Mickey whenever possible.

Anyway, the cruise bug bit me hard when we won a 7 day DCL cruise and went on a western in April 08. We treated it as the trip of a lifetime and went all out. I answered the mysterious question 'How much does a 'free' cruise cost? Answer- $4.5K, but wanted to do it again anyway. There was alot we could cut out this time, especially doing the same route, so we booked 14 months out. Plenty of time to plan, save, and enjoy having something to look forward to. Or so I thought.

And this is something else we need to get clear right from the start. While I promise to post often, and actually finish in a timely manner, this is gonna be a long one. I found I enjoy writing these, and since this will be the last one for a very long time, I intend to make the most of it. You'll also have to put up with DW's input from time to time, as this will be a tag team effort, and the photos she will post. You'd think w/ over 1200 pics taken, at least a few would be viewable. You decide.

Remember, y'all are requested to add your own opinions/lies/corrections often. There's no sense in me having all the fun....

[kris-co]

Can't wait to hear about it!

[praisehisname]

Looking forward to it!

[TotallyAngelic]

signing in for this one and looking forward to it .... I so enjoyed your last trip report !!!!!

[Desi]

While on our cruise (with you)
While sitting, just observing others and their fun and knowing our fun and what we were doing. I come to the realization that EVERY single family was having a different vacation experience. Even tho we were all on the same boat, the experience was so different for everyone. I think that is what made me fall in love with Disney cruising.
We absolutly loved our DIS group. Which added to our experience greatly.
Look forward to comparing notes with your TR.

[Tinkerkell123]

Yay! I was looking for a TR from y'all yesterday! Subbing now... Can't wait!

[MassDisLovers]

Hey there KC .... it's your Campaign Manager reporting for (reading) duty. Hope the holidays were great for you and the family!

[big jack 2002]

We had such a great time--in part--because we were enjoying your PTR and Denise did such a great job with the spread sheets. Everyone was so nice. I made a photo scavenger hunt for our group. Strangers helped them find things they needed!! A great group of people were on our cruise!!
Thanks for all of your family's hard work! We can't wait to read more of your trip report.
Barbara

[gomagic]

Looking forward to reading your report. My mom and I had a great time on this cruise!

[King Charming]

Thank you so much for your warm welcome. It's so nice to know I'm not the only fool who reads TR's to help me plan ahead. We had a large and extremely chatty DIS group with us, and I hope more of our fellow Double Dip Delight cruisers stop by and post. (If y'all aren't doing your own TR, feel free to post your experiences here).

Anyway, before we get started, I want to share a pertinent story. The short version is that after 20 years in Tallahassee, we moved to Orlando DURING cruise month! My carefully saved money disappeared in deposits, moving trucks, and gas going the 250 miles back & forth. As you might expect, this impacted the cruise budget considerably. Oh well, at least we still get to go.

Nov 1-10 were spent packing everything up, finding a place to live, and getting stuff turned on. Most of the move was 11-13. The rest of the stuff can wait till we get back. You better believe I was SO looking forward to the 14th.

That morning was so surreal. This was the day we'd been waiting on for too long, but nothing seems right. I woke up in a new city (and house), no dogs (being cared for in Tally), and only a short drive to the port. It should be easy to get there by 10 (like we talked about), but suddenly we're in no hurry at all. Everybody shot out of bed this morning, but nothing seems to be getting done or loaded. Why does "pm" suddenly seem like an acceptable arrival time? Man, this was too different than what I expected. But I go with the flow and we eventually pull out the driveway before 10. In no time we are in Cocoa Beach, where the liquor stores are now open, then on to the port.

Despite the construction, there were enough signs/people to easily direct me to the rear luggage drop off area. In less than 4 minutes, the family, bags, and $10 porter tip are in the rearview mirror, and I'm following the orange cones to the parking area. It's a 2 minute walk across the street to the terminal. Check in was quick and easy, but I turn around and leave afterwards. Time for a walking tour of the port area, snooping around, making last minute phone calls, and mostly savoring the idea that I could finally relax; no more deadlines. As I re-entered the terminal bldg, I realized that the metal clips on my suspenders are no longer setting off the metal detector. This makes life so much easier during the week. Thanks DCL for fine tuning the machine.

Back upstairs, they are loading 8-12(?), so we head over to the photo area. Five minutes later we are done AND they are calling our number. Sixteens may now board! What great timing.

[Tinkerkell123]

Hi King Charming! I can't find the thread to your PTR. Can you post a link? You mentioned there was some info there I was interested in, but can't find it now!

[mommyarewegoingback]

Yeah! King Charming's TR! I'm onboard.

[King Charming]

Ahh, about the PTR. Theres a thing or two you might want to consider before hunting it down to read. Even though the how to get an upgrade post was based on reported facts and common sense, quite a bit of the PTR was, shall we say, imagineered. Even though Mickey and I get together to drink cheese wine every once in a while, some stuff, like DisneyRebates, should never be spoken of again. We'll get a link up soon.

Extra Bonus!! For a different take on the same cruise, please read 'Vow renewal on the double dipping western magic 11/14-TR', written by Mommyarewegoingback. She was sweet enough to slip a photo of me in it, but then it gets alot better. Plus, it actually has a theme, something you'd never find here. Come enjoy it with me.

OK, it's 1pm as we board, bypass the the photos, get announced (oh, so cool), and get the welcome aboard speel from a CM. Topsiders is full, the room will be ready soon, and the weather tomorrow will be beach perfect! We drag our booze bags up to deck nine and grab a table. Pluto's and Pinchocio's have short lines and provide a tasty lunch, then we check out our stateroom.

The room we first booked was a cat 11 for $4K, because I know that 4 people won't fit in a cat 12. A month later I rebooked a GTY 12, saving a few hundred, and knowing we'd get at least the 11 we need. Then we waited. Around the 100 day out mark DCL starting offering military discounts. I've been told this is one of the first things they do when a cruise doesn't sell well. Soon after came a call from our TA (who stays on top of this stuff) saying DCL is offering Fla res discounts. Would I like a GTY 9 for a grand less, a GTY 6 for the same amt, or a cat 5 for a few hundred more? A VERANDAH?? For no extra money? Not aware of our household move yet, we went w/ the 6. Then around the 30 day mark, room assignments came out and we got a cat 4! I guess the week prior to Thankgiving is a slow travel period and the reason why the DD was scheduled then. Any hope of ANOTHER upgrade, or pay at the port deal was unrealistic, but I would have loved to title this TR 'From a cat 12 to Walt's room'.

[LisaSp]

...I remember enjoying your last TR. Look forward to this one!

[TotallyAngelic]

wow ..... fantasic upgrade