Big Doodle Cruise News -UPDATE 2

UPDATE - DKers are still signing up!!!

Elizabeth (Bailey) & dh Jim - newbies - the latest cruisers to sign up!!!!

Ann (Oliver & Rosie) & husband Bill - repeats

Lisa (Daisy) & her daughter Nicole - newbies

Nicky* (Riley & new puppy Boris) - newbie - Our 1st ever international cruiser!!!

Dori (Rua) - repeat

Doris (Knox) - repeat

Leslie (Halas) & her mom, Judy - newbies

Ronna (Murphy & Wilson) - neewbie

Laurie (Fudge & Vern) and husband, John - repeats

Jane (Guinness & Murphy) and her husband, Dave and son, Tim (my cruise crush) - repeats

Myself - repeat and dh, Bob - newbie

So far 19 people and 9 cabins!!!!!

We still have Suzanne Smith that is in NEED of a cabinmate!!!!!!

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There will be a cruise in Oct. 2013 - not a sanctioned DK event but a Doodle Cruise as the last one was. EVERYONE is welcome. All that is required is that you contact:

Susie or Shel Perlin

Cruise Planners of Florida

www.cruiseplannersofflorida.com

941-729-0113 or international 877-724-2483

You will book seperatly and then we will be linked together for dining. I'm encouraging everyone to sign up for early dinner for easier socalizing.

They will help you to select your cabin - and you will make a deposit on your credit card of around $200. - I don't suggest the early saver fares as they are not refundable - most other deposits are 100% refundable up till final payment is due.

We are sailing on Oct. 13, 2013

6 nights on Carnival FREEDOM out of Ft Lauderdale, FL

Key West, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios - 2 sea days

Hotel and airline assistance will come later

TRY to stay on deck 7 is you can!!!!

THERE WILL BE A DOODLE CRUISE 2014!!!! We will begin planning as soon as they open up those dates for reservations, should happen early 2013. PLEASE - if you want on this DK Cruise - we will book as a group - so watch for more info.

JOIN the Doodle Lovers Cruise Group as this will be the last post on the front page!!!!

1st I hope that everyone will realize that getting a group together on a cruise ship is a daunting task. Each cruise line is different in how they handle this and it isn't a simple thing - last cruise we were booked as individuals and later we were grouped for dining. We booked in Aug for an October cruise - at this point we are WAY behind the 8 ball. This time I was trying to book us as a Group which would get us perhaps some on board credit (free money on S&S card) of some other perks. Sadly - on the Oct. 13, 2013 cruise - suites are VERY limited and for balcony cabins - I'm not sure how much "grouping" we can do.

I'm very frustrated at this point and have asked the Travel Agent to check to see if the ship has more availability on the Oct 27, 2013 sailing. She will let me know tomorrow. Don't get me wrong - we can all get on the 13th sailing - but I can't promise that our rooms will all be central in location to each other.

QUESTION: How important is it to YOU to have all the cabins close together? If you fear smoking - you might have to opt for a Spa cabin.

For each type of Cabin there are different categories - so a Balcony can be different in price based on ship local - forward, middle, aft and by deck. Last time we all were on deck 7 which I believe was an 8C - so if we try to group people will have to be willing to spend the same as their neighbor.

QUESTION: If availability was better the 2nd or 3rd week of January, 2014 - would you still go?

Also - the hotels in Ft Lauderdale are more expensive - but will be in a BETTER (safer) location, we could have a great time in FtLdle the night before we cruise.

Lastly - when we pull the trigger on this cruise - you HAVE TO BE READY to decide - you can always back out later but we cannot "hold" the group cabins for long.

I'll be back to you tomorrow. For now I'm going to sip a cocktail and try not to have my head explode.

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Permalink Reply by Laurie, Fudge, and Vern on October 17, 2012 at 5:54pm

Suzanne, Just sign up and enjoy the fun!!

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Permalink Reply by Lisa, Daisy & Dexter on October 18, 2012 at 8:58am

Well DD is getting cold feet about the trip (because of the pregnancy contingency). If she decides to not go then I guess I will have to wait for the big 2014 Doodle cruise with DH. I think the excitement of it all made her say yes to fast. You know, the last big fun thing to do with Mom before a baby enters the picture.

Sad about it, am really looking forward to going but totally understand. :0(

I will keep you updated.

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Permalink Reply by Jane, Rooney & Stuart on October 18, 2012 at 9:13am

Lisa - don't let her cancel - she doesn't even know IF she'll be excpecting at that point and it she is and isn't too far along - she can have a nice relaxing time with her mom. OR grab F or Joanne to be your cabinmate!!!

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Permalink Reply by Laurie, Fudge, and Vern on October 18, 2012 at 9:28am

Nooooooooooooooooo. Lisa, Please come!!!

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Permalink Reply by Ronna, Murphy & Wilson on October 18, 2012 at 4:15pm

Lisa you have to come!!! Yes, F and/or Joanne should be your cabinmate!

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Permalink Reply by Jane, Rooney & Stuart on October 21, 2012 at 6:38am

Hey everyone - Suzanne Smith would love to cruise - she is looking for a cabinmate! Suzanne - friends and family is also welcome so ask around - we'd love to have you!!!

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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin on October 21, 2012 at 2:42pm

My DH wants to plan a vaca next summer to go see his family again.. in Mass. So as we were talking about "his" summer vaca, he "opened the door" for me to mention the doodle cruise.

I nicely stated...since we are visiting your family AGAIN, I think I will book us on the Doodle Cruise for October..his reply...OK!

WHAT? talk about an easy sell...I guess after 30 years (next april) I know how to play my cards..hehe

SO, WE ARE GOING ON THE DOOLE CRUISE.....I am so excited!!!! Can't wait to me everyone!!!