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Catnip
Charter Member
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Posted: Tue Apr 29th, 2008 08:14 pm | 1st Post |
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Are you loyal to a certain cruise line and only cruise with that line, or do you like variety and try different cruise lines?
Do you base your decision on something specific like the itinerary, or the ship itself, or the price?
Although I have cruised mostly on RCCL, I am not tied to that line and I prefer to try different cruise lines to see what each of them has to offer.
My decision is usually based on a little of everything, but not one thing in particular. I think the ship itself may be the first consideration, followed by the itinerary and price.
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33 previous cruises..
Next up: Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3-09/ QM 2 11-09/ Queen Victoria 1/10
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
When only cops have guns, it's called a "police state"
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BeckyThane
Habitual Cruiser 2500+
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Posted: Tue Apr 29th, 2008 09:02 pm | 2nd Post |
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I think my decision matrix would go something like this:
Port of Embarkation/Disembarkation --> Date --> Itinerary --> Ship --> Price
Itinerary & Ship might be interchangeable, depends on the ship.
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Catnip
Charter Member
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Posted: Tue Apr 29th, 2008 09:27 pm | 3rd Post |
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Do you mostly cruise one line, Becky, or do you like to compare different lines?
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33 previous cruises..
Next up: Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3-09/ QM 2 11-09/ Queen Victoria 1/10
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
When only cops have guns, it's called a "police state"
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BeckyThane
Habitual Cruiser 2500+
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Posted: Tue Apr 29th, 2008 10:30 pm | 4th Post |
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I've been on Costa, Princess, Norwegian and Carnival -- variety is the spice of life! 
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Texas SECEDE!
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Catnip
Charter Member
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Posted: Tue Apr 29th, 2008 10:38 pm | 5th Post |
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BeckyThane wrote: I've been on Costa, Princess, Norwegian and Carnival -- variety is the spice of life!
I have to agree. I know quite a few passengers prefer sticking to the same line, but in my way of thinking that would get pretty boring after a few years. I like to go and compare different lines!
____________________
33 previous cruises..
Next up: Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3-09/ QM 2 11-09/ Queen Victoria 1/10
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
When only cops have guns, it's called a "police state"
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kathy32259
Funnel Deck Cruiser
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Posted: Tue Apr 29th, 2008 11:15 pm | 6th Post |
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I have only sailed on Carnival. The reason.....the price. When I compared pricing, Carnival always won hands down. Did I mention I am a balcony snob.....
The first thing I have to do is look at the dates, then the price, then the ship. Notice I have been on the Triumph 5 times. Four of those sailings were over New Years Eve and the Triumph was the least expensive sailling out of FL. Also I am a much bigger fan of the Eastern Caribbean rather than the Western - so that also comes into play.
Now that I said all that - right now I want a really CHEAP cruise, close to home, and the dates must work, I don't care where it goes - cause I am having withdrawal....
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hstrybuf
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Posted: Tue Apr 29th, 2008 11:54 pm | 7th Post |
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Price is always a big factor with me! I have a general idea of what time of year I can and want to go, then start looking at all the mainstream lines. I look at itineraries hoping for something new or a port that I'd like to visit again. I'm not loyal to any line having sailed on RCI, Carnival and Princess so far. I also have not done a repeat on any one ship.
When I start narrowing things down, price is usually the deciding factor. My two Princess cruises and one on RCI were the exceptions. I booked with friends on one and groups on the others.
I don't care for the summer or when kids are likely to be on break from school, so I avoid those times when I can. I also don't like cruising with large groups of any kind so I check around to see if any are booked on any of the sailings I'm considering at the time.
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Deb
"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My pics: http://community.webshots.com/user/hstrycrsr
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Catnip
Charter Member
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Posted: Tue Apr 29th, 2008 11:59 pm | 8th Post |
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hstrybuf wrote:
I don't care for the summer or when kids are likely to be on break from school, so I avoid those times when I can.
I also don't like cruising with large groups of any kind so I check around to see if any are booked on any of the sailings I'm considering at the time.
I do do summers or holiday sailings for that very reason, Deb. They are usually more expensive anyway....
I don't like the mega-groups, either. But I always forget to check! Do you have a website that you can check about groups?
____________________
33 previous cruises..
Next up: Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3-09/ QM 2 11-09/ Queen Victoria 1/10
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
When only cops have guns, it's called a "police state"
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hstrybuf
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Posted: Wed Apr 30th, 2008 12:07 am | 9th Post |
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There used to be a site that told you about groups, but I don't believe it exists anymore. Usually I Google the dates in various forms to see what comes up and check all the larger boards to see what they have planned.
That reminds me, I got an e-mail from one of the boards I haven't visited in a long time. Celebrity Constellation with a "unique" itinerary and supposedly the only sailing like it next year. Frankly, I wouldn't book with a group again (I said that after my second group cruise, but did it anyway on my last cruise) and the itinerary didn't look that unique to me. I didn't bother checking the prices.
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Deb
"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My pics: http://community.webshots.com/user/hstrycrsr
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Catnip
Charter Member
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Posted: Wed Apr 30th, 2008 12:10 am | 10th Post |
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hstrybuf wrote:
That reminds me, I got an e-mail from one of the boards I haven't visited in a long time. Celebrity Constellation with a "unique" itinerary and supposedly the only sailing like it next year.
Holy cow! My mom and I are booked on the Connie next March! It was a nice itinerary, but I didn't think it was that unique....... Wonder if they changed it since I booked it..........
____________________
33 previous cruises..
Next up: Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3-09/ QM 2 11-09/ Queen Victoria 1/10
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
When only cops have guns, it's called a "police state"
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hstrybuf
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Posted: Wed Apr 30th, 2008 12:16 am | 11th Post |
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| It was a southern itinerary. I already deleted the e-mail so I can't refer back to it, but I agree. The itinerary just wasn't THAT unique. I'd like to do a southern again, but I hate having to fly to San Juan to do it or embark at a mainland port and take a longer cruise right now.
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Deb
"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My pics: http://community.webshots.com/user/hstrycrsr
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Catnip
Charter Member
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Posted: Wed Apr 30th, 2008 12:20 am | 12th Post |
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I refuse to fly to San Juan for a cruise. This was is a 10-day that departs from Ft. Lauderdale.
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33 previous cruises..
Next up: Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3-09/ QM 2 11-09/ Queen Victoria 1/10
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
When only cops have guns, it's called a "police state"
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mrdawson
Funnel Deck Cruiser
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Posted: Wed Apr 30th, 2008 12:33 am | 13th Post |
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Timing is usually the big issue for us....both are managers so end of months are usually out and we don't have much vacation so we have to optimize the time we have so I usually don't let price stand in the way....that said you usually won't find anyone who scours the internet more than I to find the absolute best price on whichever cruise I decide on....
And that makes it nice as well cause Gabriele doesn't care when or where we cruise to, all she whats to know is when and what kind of clothes to pack...other than that I get to pick them all!
Thats how I came upon Best Price Cruises and usually use them cause I have NEVER found anyone who can beat their prices!
I did however use FamilyMan (Tim) to book our cruise with them to Mexico next year to celebrate their buying a travel agency but I will "expect" massive amounts of free cocktails when we cruise to make up the difference!  
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Mike
So many Pots....so few spoons!!!!
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Family Man
Super Cruiser
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Posted: Wed Apr 30th, 2008 07:02 am | 14th Post |
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mrdawson wrote: I did however use FamilyMan (Tim) to book our cruise with them to Mexico next year to celebrate their buying a travel agency but I will "expect" massive amounts of free cocktails when we cruise to make up the difference!
I thought you told me you didn't drink?!?! 
I am sure we will have more than a few together Mike! 
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Tim
Cruise Planners/American Express
Future:
CCL Paradise 1/9/09
Celebrity Infinity to Alaska 5/22/09
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Catnip
Charter Member
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Posted: Wed Apr 30th, 2008 02:22 pm | 15th Post |
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mrdawson wrote:
I did however use FamilyMan (Tim) to book our cruise with them to Mexico next year to celebrate their buying a travel agency but I will "expect" massive amounts of free cocktails when we cruise to make up the difference!
Uh, oh............better clear out all your credit cards, Tim!!!!! 
____________________
33 previous cruises..
Next up: Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3-09/ QM 2 11-09/ Queen Victoria 1/10
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
When only cops have guns, it's called a "police state"
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mrdawson
Funnel Deck Cruiser
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Posted: Wed Apr 30th, 2008 04:54 pm | 16th Post |
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Family Man wrote: mrdawson wrote: I did however use FamilyMan (Tim) to book our cruise with them to Mexico next year to celebrate their buying a travel agency but I will "expect" massive amounts of free cocktails when we cruise to make up the difference!
I thought you told me you didn't drink?!?!
I am sure we will have more than a few together Mike!
I don't drink............ I gulp!!! which reminds me of my favorite Aussie saying.....Miss, Miss.....More Piss!!!
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Mike
So many Pots....so few spoons!!!!
CTT Master Pot Stirring Advisor
Classy AND Stylish!!
1/09 X Solstice Eastern Carib
6/09 Mariner OTS Mex Riv
5/10 CTT Azul Sensatori AI Party, Riviera Maya
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Cubechick
Funnel Deck Cruiser
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Posted: Thu May 1st, 2008 12:36 am | 17th Post |
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All of our cruises have been on NCL but that started out mainly because of destination.
We love Bermuda, and we live in MA, that's meant sailing NCL.
The second criteria is port of emabarkation because we don't want to fly. That means we've branched out to leaving from NYC, but again only through NCL because by now we really like Freestyle. We contemplated HAL's Noordam this year as it was for a similar Caribbean itinerary as the Gem but far cheaper. After reading posts on the HAL board on CC I was concerned that they were geared to a more formal customer base than we want to be, so I ponied up the extra dough and stuck w/ NCL.
So tied for second has become cruise line. We really like NCL.
Back to the destination theme, we will finally fly to a cruise for the first time when we sail the NCL Pearl to Alaska next year. A destination we've been toying with for years.
Honestly, we may stop cruising if we hit the point that the itineraries are no longer interesting to us! (And if they stop offering good/interesting cruises that are driving distance!)
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"The early bird gets the worm. Yet, it is the second mouse that gets the cheese."
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NCL Gem 1/14/09 (formerly Jade cruise)
NCL Pearl 6/7/09 Alaska at last!!!!!
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xpcdoojk
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Posted: Thu May 1st, 2008 04:31 pm | 18th Post |
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I have cruised several different lines. Carnival once, Celebrity twice, Holland America once, and RCI where we will be diamond after our next cruise. We generally cruise for the destination as the first criteria, and the second criteria is the best value to go to that destination. I have no cruiselines on my list of cruiselines I will not do. However, I don't think they are all exactly equal though. For example on my one Carnival cruise we had a good vacation despite several small things that went poorly. I loved the price which was downright cheap. The value was high on a bang for the buck basis and I would go again. My wife on the other hand would need convincing as she would require it to be a lot cheaper to go again. I loved Celebrity outside of the wine sommoliers which drive me insane with their snobbery and lack of real knowledge. However, Celebrity is a bit boring with not as many activities as I prefer. For port intensive sailings they are still my favorite. If I am doing the Med, Celebrity is going to always be my preferred choice. Holland America was a cruise to a destination and represented the best priced/valued option at the time we went to South America. I had heard a great deal of negativity over the years about blue hairs in scooters, but the reality was not like that at all. Yes the age was older, but that is true on all cruiselines on 16 day itineraries. The food in the Lido was the best buffet I have had on a cruise (where I avoid the buffet). The dining room was good about the same as everybody else. That brings me to Royal Caribbean which has the prettiest ships (IMHO) and the most fun activities. I am not a sit in a chair by the pool person. I need to do something, play a game or rock climb or surf. I am almost 50 and I always spend several hundred dollars in the arcade. I think I have spent a total of about twenty bucks in the casino total for all cruises. I know I am not normal. The loyalty program for RCI though is a pretty strong inducement for me to book RCI. The perks are easy to get used to and they are my preferred line all other things being equal.
That all said, I still cruise for a novel experience. I get bored going to the same places cruise after cruise and I prefer to go to a new place. That is why most of my cruises are not to the Caribbean. That said my next cruise is on the Independence of the Seas because I want to surf for 6 days crossing the Atlantic. It is going to a couple of ports in France that I haven't done before, but mostly it has the wave pool and I want to experience it one time.
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jc<----- Proud member of the O crew
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Catnip
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Posted: Thu May 1st, 2008 04:49 pm | 19th Post |
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xpcdoojk wrote: However, Celebrity is a bit boring with not as many activities as I prefer.
For port intensive sailings they are still my favorite. If I am doing the Med, Celebrity is going to always be my preferred choice.
Holland America was a cruise to a destination and represented the best priced/valued option at the time we went to South America. I had heard a great deal of negativity over the years about blue hairs in scooters, but the reality was not like that at all. Yes the age was older, but that is true on all cruiselines on 16 day itineraries.
That brings me to Royal Caribbean which has the prettiest ships (IMHO) and the most fun activities. I think I have spent a total of about twenty bucks in the casino total for all cruises. I know I am not normal. The loyalty program for RCI though is a pretty strong inducement for me to book RCI. The perks are easy to get used to and they are my preferred line all other things being equal.
I've only been on one Celebrity cruise, but I really enjoyed it and am really looking forward to our Jan cruise on the Solstice! Looks like a fab ship! 
I've been on HAL once, also. I heard all the stories about the geriatric crowd, but was surprised to see the good majority of cruisers on that 7-day Caribbean cruise was families with children and couples in the 30-60 age group. I would sail HAL again.
I totally agree about RCCL's ships being the prettiest on the high seas. I LOVE all the glass, the open & airy public spaces and the layout of the ships are easy to navigate. The interior decoration is not loud & garish, but subdued and classy. They also have wonderful perks for their Diamond members.
But, I really would like to try one of the "premium" lines like Seabourne or Crystal!
____________________
33 previous cruises..
Next up: Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3-09/ QM 2 11-09/ Queen Victoria 1/10
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
When only cops have guns, it's called a "police state"
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xpcdoojk
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Posted: Thu May 1st, 2008 05:03 pm | 20th Post |
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I am too poor to try those!
Of course, if you want to pay, I will help you and Leland check it out. I will buy the wine!
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jc<----- Proud member of the O crew
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Catnip
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Posted: Thu May 1st, 2008 05:06 pm | 21st Post |
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xpcdoojk wrote: I am too poor to try those!
Of course, if you want to pay, I will help you and Leland check it out. I will buy the wine!
____________________
33 previous cruises..
Next up: Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3-09/ QM 2 11-09/ Queen Victoria 1/10
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
When only cops have guns, it's called a "police state"
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mrdawson
Funnel Deck Cruiser
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Posted: Thu May 1st, 2008 06:41 pm | 22nd Post |
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xpcdoojk wrote: I am too poor to try those!
Of course, if you want to pay, I will help you and Leland check it out. I will buy the wine!
And I will bring one of those east indian "Wine Snobs" from Celebrity for JC to play with! "Dis a a berry goot vine do drink with yooor veel sir"
____________________
Mike
So many Pots....so few spoons!!!!
CTT Master Pot Stirring Advisor
Classy AND Stylish!!
1/09 X Solstice Eastern Carib
6/09 Mariner OTS Mex Riv
5/10 CTT Azul Sensatori AI Party, Riviera Maya
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tommycruiser
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Posted: Thu May 1st, 2008 07:53 pm | 23rd Post |
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We have cruised carnival,princess,celebrity,ncl, and rccl and we tend to book by if friends are going and islands once in a while it will be the ship like we had to try the Freedom of the seas now I can say been there done that.
The next one which will be because of the ship will be the genisis class I have to have a balcony room over looking central park
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PRINCESS 3 TIMES
CELEBRITY 1 TIME
CARNIVAL 5 TIMES
NORWEIGN 4 TIMES
RCCL 6 TIMES
Nov 2nd 2008 carnival pride
Feb 8th 2009 carnival valor
August 17th 2009 Diamond princess 12 day alaska
CARNIVAL DREAM B2B FEB 6TH AND 13TH 2010
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Catnip
Charter Member
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Posted: Thu May 1st, 2008 08:36 pm | 24th Post |
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Do you have a favorite line, Tommy?
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33 previous cruises..
Next up: Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3-09/ QM 2 11-09/ Queen Victoria 1/10
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
When only cops have guns, it's called a "police state"
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Pixiedustdawn
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Posted: Tue May 6th, 2008 09:08 pm | 25th Post |
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Since we can only travel when school is out, we run into high prices to begin with.
We decided that cruising from a close port is what works for us. No flying!
We are not dedicated to any one cruiseline, but we do love Disney. I haven't seen any real good perks since I have been cruising with NCL so far. We did like the gifts we received from Disney upon boarding and their repeat guest parties were wonderful. Loved that they freely gave out cans of soda and bottled water for the taking.
Dawn
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