We were inspired by Samantha Brown's Carnival cruise so away we go! - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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We were inspired by Samantha Brown's Carnival cruise so away we go!
I am back again to write another PTR about our upcoming annual crusie vacation We go on an annual vacation to the beach every year. For the past four years we have been going on cruises with Eric's parents. This year we choose to do the same....so...here....we....go...(sorry a Batman reference by the Joker...great quote)
Cast:
Me, 31 years old...avid Disney Fanatic and huge fan of traveling especially where beaches are involved
My DBF, Eric, 33, new fan of Disney and HUGE fanatic of the Carribean and the Virgin Islands He loves to travel anywhere just like me but he's a little more reserved about it...
Here we are on our last cruise
Eric's parents are along for the ride again
His dad, just newly turned 55 and is overly happy about it *LOL*
His mother, 53 and just happy to be anywhere on vacation
Both are easy going, super easy to get along with and easiest people I've ever traveled with honestly
I bet you are wondering where the heck I came up with this title??? Well, many of you know I Samantha Brown and Eric and I both the Travel Channel. We have been on three prior cruises and prefer Eastern Caribbean. We love the color of the waters and the islands are amazing here.
When deciding on our next cruise we came across a Travel Channel special last year. I dont know if it was before or after we watched it but I told Eric I wanted to go to the Baths of Virgin Gorda like Samantha Brown did. Eric was in love with that idea as well.
We discussed not doing a cruise in 2010 because back in March Eric got a significant cut in pay due to the economy. But, at least he did not loose his job!!!
We were hit hard financially but had already paid for both vacays for 2009 luckily!
Once we readjusted to his new income we were hesitant to do another cruise. But, looking at other vacays of things we thought we might want to do, they were the same price.
After much thought and planning, we decided that if we booked early we could probably pay it off.
So it began......
We first narrowed down cruise lines. We came up with three. Carnival (which we have sailed with before once on the Glory), Princess and Royal Caribbean.
We decided on three or four different cruises. This process started around July 4th 2009. We spent the weekend with his parents and multiple cruise brochures.
My vote was for a cruise that had Tortola on it because from there I could go to Virgin Gorda. (then I could go to the Baths like Samantha *L*)
Eric's vote was for the same cruise because it was way affordable and it was 8 days instead of 7 which we've never done that before.
His parents always just agree with whatever we want
After a few days of deciding and price comparisons, we decided to get prices on the 8 day cruise and a 10 day cruise we liked.....
At the end of July I was sent as the sacrificial lamb to the Travel Agent. She gave me prices and brochures,etc and I headed home with these for us to decide.
We discussed and contemplated and in the end the 10 day cruise was out. Mainly due to money. I make significantly less than he does and I could not swing that cruise even with his help.
In the end, after much deliberation we choose the eight day cruise on the Carnival Freedom for March 27-April 7th 2010. Much later that we usually go but in the end it was the one that seemed perfect!
Little did we know we had chosen the SAME EXACT CRUISE Samantha Brown and her family took on that special we had seen on Travel channel...this wasn't realized until months later....
Cruise chosen, down payment paid in August.....we were counting down to a VERY FAR AWAY...vacation.......
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and HUGE fanatic of the Carribean and the Virgin Islands
Samantha Brown and Eric and I both 
due to the economy. But, at least he did not loose his job!!! 
to the Travel Agent. She gave me prices and brochures,etc and I headed home with these for us to decide. 
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