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 Lisa, Daisy & Dexter on October 17, 2012 at 12:28pm

She finally contacted me...she needs my Birth Certificate (I am going to get a passport but don't have one now) and the typical info, address, DOB, CC info, Blood type, weight, underwear color...only kidding on the last 3 items.

Anyway when I get home from work I will be calling her with more info.

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Permalink Reply by Nicky, Riley & Boris on October 17, 2012 at 12:33pm

I just sent all my passport details....she now know everything there is to know (well not quite everything!) I can't believe I'm going to actually meet you all : )

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Permalink Reply by Doris, Knox & Flash on October 17, 2012 at 12:55pm

I am so glad that both of you are joining us next year! If my count is right, we currently have 8 "old" travelers (me, Dori, Jane, Laurie, John, Jane F, Dave, and Tim) and 7 of you newbies (Ronna, Nicky, Leslie, Judy, Lisa, Lisa's daughter, and Bob--Jane's DH)! That's so exciting, as I think it will make this cruise totally different than the first!

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Permalink Reply by Jane, Rooney & Stuart on October 17, 2012 at 1:02pm

Has any one heard if Ann and Bill might come? Last I heard they were thinking about it.

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Permalink Reply by Jane, Guinness and Murphy on October 17, 2012 at 1:22pm

I think they're still trying to see if they can put it all together, but the definitely want to come. I'll see them on Sunday and I'll see if they've decided.

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Permalink Reply by Ann ~Oliver & Rosie on October 17, 2012 at 2:58pm

Jane & Jane! Bill and I just booked today!!! (Actually Bill is away in Atlanta, so I just went ahead and booked :)We'll also have a balcony, I don't know which rooms yet. But the travel agent knew exactly who the Doodle Cruisers were!

Can't wait to meet some of the others that will be along.