[llama]

We didn't do a Disney cruise, but our cruise in June in Europe was probably the most memorable holiday we've ever had. Definitely something to think about - I'd recommend it. If it absolutely HAS to be Disney - well then go for it - but it makes you think when you could be on the Queen Mary for much less money. Have you checked VacationstoGo.com?

Vigo, Spain has the most amazing mall I've ever seen - right on the dock - after two weeks of cathedrals and castles, it almost brought tears to my eyes - some women knelt - some wept. It was hysterical to see all the husbands (mine included) trailing behind with about 40 bags apiece!

[WishUponAStar]

Originally Posted by llama

We didn't do a Disney cruise, but our cruise in June in Europe was probably the most memorable holiday we've ever had. Definitely something to think about - I'd recommend it. If it absolutely HAS to be Disney - well then go for it - but it makes you think when you could be on the Queen Mary for much less money. Have you checked VacationstoGo.com?

Vigo, Spain has the most amazing mall I've ever seen - right on the dock - after two weeks of cathedrals and castles, it almost brought tears to my eyes - some women knelt - some wept. It was hysterical to see all the husbands (mine included) trailing behind with about 40 bags apiece!

Llama, I would definately consider a non-disney euro cruidse, who did you book it through?

[Alaine]

That's a tough decision. It sounds like a great deal. Only $2,000 more to double the cruise. But the downside is you'll have to wait until 2010. I know I couldn't do it. And you'll have to consider double spending money, cost of living increase. My mother loves those Europe cruises. She goes every other year. It's a 5 week cruise including everything for $5,000. a person. It sounds like to me that you really want the longer cruise and you really want Europe so I would wait & go in 2010 and cancel the 2009 trip. We just went to Disney and it was our first vacation in 4 years because little week end trips. We really appreciated it so much because it was such a long time between trips. I'm very lucky now I guess because my b-day is in 2 weeks and hubby says I can pick a trip out, book it for my bday but we won't go until April.....I think Aruba sounds good this time. Nice & relaxing vs WDW

[WishUponAStar]

I've had a day to think about it and I am friends with someone who worked for Continental so I talked to them. I didn't realize that one way tickets can be JUST as much as round trip tickets. I checked those dates for THIS summer and 2 one-way tickets to England, plus 2 one way tickets form Barcelona to NY will cost us a little over $3,000. That's almost as much as the cruise.

To be honest, I may be better off just keeping this cheaper 4 night cruise for June '09and PROMISING myself to book either a European trip, Tokyo trip, or African Safari for Spring Break or Summer of 2010. I've been saying I want to go to Tokyo for 4 years now, it's about time I get on that train. I have a good knack for booking things overseas 'a la carte' better, I can usually find good deals.

[dixie]

Originally Posted by WishUponAStar

I used to travel to London every year while I was in college and I LOVED it there, it used to be my favorite city in the world. But I've never been to other places in England.

Hon, you are always welcome at mine!!!

Wish, do the Euro, you know you want to!! have you been to Barcelona before, I haven't but Paul has and its fab he says- I like the sound of the one cruise much better than the other one, Sweden and Norway just dont do it for me and Finland? no-Russia sounds good, but the other cruise sounds real good.

[llama]

Originally Posted by WishUponAStar

Llama, I would definately consider a non-disney euro cruidse, who did you book it through?

We book all our cruises (except Disney we did those on points) with VacationstoGo.com. They've done 6 cruises for us and we've never had one problem. Of course, we are fortunate that we don't have time restrictions, so we usually check out the 90 day ticker. Seriously, for this cruise - we could choose between The Norwegian Jade (14 days) or The Queen Mary (12 days) for virtually the same price - $1,600.00 per person. We had an outside deluxe balcony. We chose the Jade because of the Freestyle Dining and was 2 days longer - plus we worried that the Queen Mary might be a little too formal for us. The ship was gorgeous, the food great, our cabin was comfortable. The Spa was the best I've ever experienced on a cruise (even better than Disney's). Our agenda was: Southampton, England (where Towncar T was happy to remind me the Titanic left from), Malaga, Spain, Barcelona, Spain, Nice, France (met Tom there for the day), Florence, Italy, Rome, Italy, Lisbon, Portugal, Gibraltar and Viga, Spain (home of the mall - or Shrine of Viga as I like to call it) then back to Southampton and straight to Heathrow. It was just a great vacation. I try to find the ones that begin and end at the same place. Southampton was perfect for us (albeit the Titanic). We're planning to do the Greek Isles next October.

Now you know I love Disney - but I've come to realize that you can have pretty terrific vacations without being on a Disney ship.

[cinderbella]

Hmm..I forgot about airfare.

[dixie]

Llama I am using this info too, can I just ask, your air fare was on top of this $1600 fare wasn't it, and the Vacationstogo are they a Canadian travel company or are they in the UK?? That cruise sounds just what Paul and I are looking for and the places we would like to visit too- in fact at this very moment Paul is wading through a ton of cruise brochures that I sent for from the net/

[llama]

Originally Posted by dixie

Llama I am using this info too, can I just ask, your air fare was on top of this $1600 fare wasn't it, and the Vacationstogo are they a Canadian travel company or are they in the UK?? That cruise sounds just what Paul and I are looking for and the places we would like to visit too- in fact at this very moment Paul is wading through a ton of cruise brochures that I sent for from the net/

Yes - the air fare was on top of the $1,600.00. (Lucky you!) VacationsToGo is an American firm (but they serve Canada as well and show prices in both currencies). I honestly don't know if they service the UK. I'm sure a local travel agent could probably find you a similar cruise or get the info. We always use the "90 day ticker" - so you have to be a bit flexible - but being in England it would be so much easier! (BTW - if you arrive the night before we found a very inexpensive yet nice hotel - The Ibis - right near the port - not fancy, but very clean. I would say that at least half the people on our cruise were from England or Scotland. I believe the Norwegian Jade is still making that same cruise.

Dixie - I just checked the site and they do serve International customers. Scroll down the home page and you'll see "International Visitors" on the left-hand side - then they have a phone number for customers in England. I don't see any Med. cruises leaving from Southampton right now, but I would think that come Spring they'll start again.

Here I am again- I checked in "find a bargain" and put in next June - our identical cruise is there on the Norwegian Jade it's at about $3,000. but that will come down as the time gets closer.

[dixie]

Thanks very much Llama much appreciated- in fact one of the brochures I sent for (which I was reading last night)features ther Norweigan Jade and another Norweigan J something or other- those ships look super and the itenary is just what we are looking for- thanks so much for the advice.