You can take it personally if you want to, but my point is...I don't have money to throw away...I like sure things. Tried and true.
I have great ideas all the time, but I know they are not all realistic. Wish they were!

This sounds like a grand idea!! I would have to know dates and cost before I could give the definate yes, but I sure am interested. My only concern is getting from Utah to Florida - YIKES on the airfare!!

PS: Hey megal80!! It is nice to see someone that is close to home!

Hey yeah, BeckySue! I don't see to many on here from Utah! Hi!

As a Florida resident, who is pretty near to Jacksonville... can I make a suggestion? I think it would be a lot better to go in the spring or early summer because of the weather. I'd rather not be cruising around in the middle of hurrican season. (late summer) This year is supposed to be a bigger storm year than last year. I like the idea though... it depends on the price.

rlsaxe...thanks for working so hard to get this going....I think it sounds wonderful. My sister and I are starting a dessert business in August...and next spring would be great for us. We would love to attend...

Don't count us "less frequent posters" out...we would love to meet some of the talent that is found on cc. I stayed in hiding for a couple of months...reading but never posting. I am out now...so I am posting!!!!

Hey Megal.....I didn't take it personally. I was just messin with ya. To be honest....I have that same fear myself. So many people are interested.....but can you imagine the trust you'd have to have to be the FIRST one to book for the cruise...hoping everyone else will follow along??? Scary!
So nah....I didn't take it personally.

Peacock, thanks for your suggestion. I AM NOT interested in being out at sea for ANY sort of storm! NOOOOOO thank you.

At this point....I'm thinking it might be best to pick a cruise for early next Spring and go with that. Choosing to sail later than sooner might also get us better rates....but who knows!

I think I'll go find a few options, and then come back and post three or four options (with today's listes prices) and we can all put our two cents in about them.

Since this cruise will be for CC members.....it's only fair that we all get a say in it! (although bottom line: we won't be able to please everyone!)

I'll be back!

OOh that would be so much fun!! I would like info for future cruises, unfortunately would not be able to make this year.

rlsaxe, as long as family can come, you can count me in for next year. My dh will be back from the war then, and he promised me a crusie. So cake decorating AND a crusie with my family? You better believe it! I am soooo there!

wolfley....absolutely, family can come! I can't imagine THAT many spouses would stand by and let their wife/husband go on a cruise without them! I know mine would want to come!

I'm glad you didn't take it personally! You are right, you are taking on a lot of responsibility and you would have to trust others to follow through in supporting your idea! I do hope it can work out for you and everyone who is game!

Sounds like fun! I might be able to make it next year. Since we are scattered all over the country, could you compare cruise rates out of Galveston, Texas, also? It's a more central location and maybe the prices would be better. Maybe not. And, yes, I'm in Texas so, of course, I'd rather leave from here!

im reallly interested. Like others just need more information but im definitely down. if out of ny--depending on what part-- i have family and florida same there. florida may be easier. but im game!

good to know. Once my kids are in bed, I'm heading on the computer to do some searching. So, check back!

ok....so I did a search for a cruise the week before AND after Easter 2008 (since many schools have that week off), AND I did a search for late June (since that's when most Northeastern schools let out for the summer.
Here's what I was able to find: (Keep in mind that Easter 2008 is on March 23).

3/17/08 - 5 night Caribbean on Carnival out of Galveston, starting at 649

3/17/08 - 5 night caribbean on Celebrity out of Miami, starting at 649

3/17/08 - 5 night Western Caribbean on Royal Caribbean out of Ft Lauderdale, starts at 699

3/17/08 - 5 nights W.Caribbean on Royal Caribbean out of Tampa, starts at 599


I was only able to find one cruise (3-5 days long) the week after Easter for a smaller budget, and that was:

3/24/08 - 5 night Caribbean on Carnival, out of Miami, starting at 529


Now. moving into June:

6/28/08 - 5 night West Caribbean on Carnival out of Galveston, starts at 589

6/28/08 - 5 night Canada/New England cruise on Carnival, out of New York, starts at 559

6/28/08 - 5 night West Caribbean on Royal Caribbean out of Ft Lauderdale, starts at 649

6/28/08 - 5 night Bermuda on Royal out of NY, starts at 999


6/30/08 - 5 night Eastern Caribbean on Carnival, out of Miami, starts at 599

6/30/08 - 5 night Western Caribbean on Carnival, out of Tampa, starts at 579


Whew! That was a lot! These prices are per person/double occupancy, and government taxes and fees are not included.

So....look the dates over....mull it around in your brain, then share your thoughts.

Thanks!

Not to put a damper on this great plan, but I have a couple of suggestions to consider. I have been lucky enough to take several cruises to various destinations. Also, having been to Cake Camp last year, I can tell you schlepping all that cake stuff even just to Las Vegas was a lot of work.

The Cake Cruise happening this year to Alaska has "demo only" lessons. If you have cruised or travled much, you know how difficult it is to travel with extra 'stuff'. The amount of cake supplies it might require would be difficult to pack and carry. You may not have control over luggage, and you don't want to handy carry all that stuff. The logistics of your own suitcase can be a real pain in the butt.

Also, refrigeration will probably not be readily available, and bringing home a finished product will be very troublesome.

While classes could be great, you might want to consider limiting it to "instructor provided" materials, with no expectation of taking anything home.

A shorter cruise 3-4 days can be less expensive, but air travel will cost more everyday. People will probably want to enjoy the limited access to the 'exotic location'. And remember, while you are in class, you miss time with your family and possibly time ashore.

You will want to carefully construct your agenda around all these 'complications'.

tampa good for me as: low cost and family in Tampa

would have to be AFTER easter or June.

"WOW", sounds like a blast

OMG.....take me with you!! LOL

This sounds like a really fun idea, but as of June 2nd all my vacation is used up for the year. I know all these people are expressing interest but keep in mind they may say they want to go but when it comes down to it at least 80% will probably back out. Trust me I know, I rented an ocean front 4 bedroom beach house for the 1st week in June on Emerald Island, NC. And now I am going on vacation completely alone because everyone backed out(who's going to call 911 if I get bit by a shark while swimming!lol) Anyone want to stay in a beach house for a week? lol

Becky, you should have the pricing for a standard base category such as the cheapest inside stateroom to avoid confusion, I just reviewed some of your prices and I see that some of the prices appear for higher categories of insides while pricing on some others are for oceanview, plus your rates should be better with group rates. There are also significant savings for these same sailings to move it forward by two weeks.

In my previous experience with budget CakeCruises, Royal Caribbean seem to care less and are more obliging when you are on board. Avoid Carnival unless it is a social cruise only, plus they will drop your group off a sailing if a larger group wants more space without even an apology.

I'd love to be there but it would be impossible to be away from home at this time but I have a suggestion. Have the ship supply the baked cakes. They are always baking them for the guests anyway or buy them offshore & decorate them on board. I am sure they could accomodate you. I wish someone would bake cakes for me so I can practice my decorating!

Jasmine

ok....who to answer first.

Joann (I think)....I wasn't thinking of having there be so many classes....I guess....I was thinking more alongthe lines of demos.....no one bringing anything home! That's nuts.

John.....I did a quick search just for the purposes of getting an idea of cost.....not actually exact numbers for each of the various stateroom categories. The prices I listed were from Signature travel Network. At this point, I'm just throwing roundabouts out there before honing in on a date. Thanks for your suggestions and insight.

Erica - so funny you mention it....but I will be in a 7 bedroom ocean front home the first week in August down in Emerald Isle, NC. But, luckily for me, my group of 20 paid up front back in October!

To everyone else.......if it came down to simply a social cruise with maybe just one or two demos.....would those who have expressed an interest, STILL be interested?

And although this is seeming like an overwhleming, at times discouraging task..... I am NOT deterred!

yes, I would still be interested in demos only. As I said before, dh coming home from the war, so I am not looking to be sitting in classes the whole cruise. Just looking for a fun time to meet others from here.

great! And how exciting for you that your husband is coming home! I wasn't thinking that there would be an organized even every day. I'm sure (like someone else said) that people would want to sight see, enjoy the ship's activities, relax, and be with their families.

I spoke with the owner of the company I work for yesterday, and she is onboard to help me with this endeavor. I'm glad, because she has over 20 years experience in the business and great contacts. So, we'll be choosing a date soon. Today we will be talking with various cruiselines to see what they'd be able to offer us. The owner already informed me that Holland America has a culinary training area (something like that) for use of guest chefs, and suggested them right off the bat. I'm sure that's why cakecruise uses them. But we'll see.

I'll be back later today with more information.

One more question to the masses.......is a 7 day cruise ok for many? I know I mentioned it being 3-5 days, but was wondering what many of you thought about a 7 day? Especially if we're talking about a sailing next Spring or early summer.

Ok.....that's it for now.

I think 7 days is better. With 3 day cruises you hardly get settled in & it is time to go. Let's make it worth while & go for the 7 days. I am going to be saving very hard from now on.
Thanks Becky for the trouble you are taking. It will be wonderful for all those who can make it. I really think Royal C gives the best deals & they are so helpful, or maybe I am prejudiced because the Hotel Director on one of their new ships, (wont say which or give his name) is a very dear friend of ours, also A very dear friend is one of their Headline entertainers, so we know & have cruised with them a few times. I like them a lot.

I found a decent RRCL five day cruise on the 24th of March (which is the day after Easter). I really wanted to try to accomodate those (like Doug) that are teachers. The week after Easter is generally vacation time for both students and teachers. Once we get into June, prices increase a decent amount. I also considered over the Christmas break, but again....people have to be willing to pay more for those.
THe five day RCCL leaves out of Ft Lauderdale and goes to Cozumel and Belize.

How does that sound for everyone? 5 Days?

The only 7 day cruise I could find that leaves over Easter break, actually departs ON Easter Sunday or the day before. Both of those cruises are on Holland America, a fine line which has the culinary demo facility on some ships.

So.....the two questions that need to be answered are:
1. 5 day or 7 day cruise?
2. Leave the day before Easter, ON Easter, OR the day AFTER Easter? Do people have a preference?

I really need to secure space soon (like within the next day or two), so if you have a strong preference and are serious about coming....please respond!

Thanks everyone.

Any of those days wold be fine. Where will we be leaving from? Other than that I don't many other ?'s.

Vicky

we'd be leaving from Florida. From Ft. Lauderdale for the five day cruise.