May 18, 2013 MAGIC EBTA - Who is with us?

[padalyn]

Hey Folks,

Finally getting a couple minutes to rub together to look at the cruise info. Looking at excursions. There's an excursion called "Unforgettable West Madeira" at Madeira that's 8-8.5hrs. We're only docked for 8.25hrs.

How in the world can Disney guarantee that? I have to assume you need to include some time to get off/on the boat?

Anyone have experience with this sort of thing that could comment? Should I avoid that excursion like the plague? I get it that they guarantee you, but would that simply mean they'll fly us to Gibraltar or would they absolutely wait?

Yep - was on an excursion in St Petersburg we were supposed to sail at 2200, well we didn't get back to the ship until almost 0030! They waited for us, becuase it was a Disney excursion (however, I am sure that having Karl H and Tom W on the excursion didn't hurt!) Go ahead and book it if you want to do that - they will make sure you are safe and onboard. It is the folks that go on their own who get left behind.

Is anybody else flying into Houston on the 16th May and going straight to Galveston?

Just wondering if anybody wanted to organise a shuttle together or even a taxi together?

Only asking because it's quite expensive from IAH to Galveston

We are going into Hobby on the 17th (arriving at 0000 on the 18th actually) if that helps at all.

 

[GoofyNewfie]

Hi Goofy, thanks very much, much appreciated

The Dreams Unlimited TA recommended us Galveston Limo. On the http://galvestonlimousineservice.com/iah.html page, it's $55 per person from IAH. I'll probably have to pick up the 4pm trip. I guess it works for us because it's just us 2. A bigger family would not be cost effective over a car rental from the sounds of it.

 

[MandyGirl]

I thought I would just ask to see if any known special people would be onboard our sailing like on previous Transatlantic crossings... thinking Disney would possibly have something booked since we are within 6 months now and sometimes their special performers have schedules booked months in advance. Ducky Williams, etc. (I specifically asked about Ducky). Either they don't have anything special booked, or I just got the typical canned response:


Thank you for your e-mail.

We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with us.

In order to keep our entertainment fresh and interesting, we continually
evaluate our offerings and look for opportunities to make our cruise
experience even better, as we are committed to producing quality family
entertainment.

Our latest entertainment option, Disney Digital 3-D, in the Walt Disney
and Buena Vista Theatres is receiving great reviews from our Guests.
Also, in addition to the two pianists onboard each voyage, we are now
offering musical talent acts on specific days which may be of interest
to you. Please check your Personal Navigator upon arrival onboard for
performance times.

We will continue to update our entertainment offerings in the future and
thank you for your thoughtful comments. We are committed to offering a
cruise experience that meets the Disney standards of excellence and
provides the type of magical vacation our Guests have come to expect.

Unfortunetly, we do not know the entertainement schedule

I hope this information has been helpful. If you require
further assistance in planning your visit, please feel free to contact
us.

We look forward to sailing again with you and your family!

Have a Magical Day!

Kaylee
Email Communications Agent
Disney Cruise Line

I know I have mentioned this cruise to several friends and family, but when they see the itinerary, they say that looks "boring". So I thought I might be able to give them an idea of what extra special acts might be onboard (in addition to the broadway productions you normally see onboard). No luck in getting any info from Disney or on this page. Guess we will have to wait until onboard and "check your Personal Navigator".

 

[NancyIL]

I thought I would just ask to see if any known special people would be onboard our sailing like on previous Transatlantic crossings... thinking Disney would possibly have something booked since we are within 6 months now and sometimes their special performers have schedules booked months in advance. Ducky Williams, etc. (I specifically asked about Ducky). Either they don't have anything special booked, or I just got the typical canned response:


Thank you for your e-mail.

We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with us.

In order to keep our entertainment fresh and interesting, we continually
evaluate our offerings and look for opportunities to make our cruise
experience even better, as we are committed to producing quality family
entertainment.

Our latest entertainment option, Disney Digital 3-D, in the Walt Disney
and Buena Vista Theatres is receiving great reviews from our Guests.
Also, in addition to the two pianists onboard each voyage, we are now
offering musical talent acts on specific days which may be of interest
to you. Please check your Personal Navigator upon arrival onboard for
performance times.

We will continue to update our entertainment offerings in the future and
thank you for your thoughtful comments. We are committed to offering a
cruise experience that meets the Disney standards of excellence and
provides the type of magical vacation our Guests have come to expect.

Unfortunetly, we do not know the entertainement schedule

I hope this information has been helpful. If you require
further assistance in planning your visit, please feel free to contact
us.

We look forward to sailing again with you and your family!

Have a Magical Day!

Kaylee
Email Communications Agent
Disney Cruise Line

I know I have mentioned this cruise to several friends and family, but when they see the itinerary, they say that looks "boring". So I thought I might be able to give them an idea of what extra special acts might be onboard (in addition to the broadway productions you normally see onboard). No luck in getting any info from Disney or on this page. Guess we will have to wait until onboard and "check your Personal Navigator".

As itineraries go, it certainly is a boring one! I will reserve judgement about the cruise as a whole until after it's over. I sure hope DCL has lots of activities scheduled, because I'm not a lounge by the pool/go to the spa kind of gal.

 

[woody73]

As itineraries ago, it certainly is a boring one! I will reserve judgement about the cruise as a whole until after it's over. I sure hope DCL has lots of activities scheduled, because I'm not a lounge by the pool/go to the spa kind of gal.

I've been on two DCL Transatlantic cruises. IMHO, on those cruises DCL front-loaded the adult activities during the stretch of sea days. So at the beginning of the sea days, there were plenty of activities for adults. But toward the end, there were very few activities. I mentioned this on my comment cards.

Woody

 

[NancyIL]

I've been on two DCL Transatlantic cruises. IMHO, on those cruises DCL front-loaded the adult activities during the stretch of sea days. So at the beginning of the sea days, there were plenty of activities for adults. But toward the end, there were very few activities. I mentioned this on my comment cards.

Woody

By the time we sail - DCL will have had ~ 20 months since the fall 2011 TA to adjust their scheduling. Here's hoping they took your comments seriously, Woody.

 

[MandyGirl]

As itineraries go, it certainly is a boring one! I will reserve judgement about the cruise as a whole until after it's over. I sure hope DCL has lots of activities scheduled, because I'm not a lounge by the pool/go to the spa kind of gal.

We are looking forward to the sea days, but we do steer clear of the sun in our family due to previous melanoma, etc. But trying to lure others, the first question is always "where does it go?". With two young kiddos, we usually hit most character interactions, but for enticing the adults to accompany without children, it's a little more challenging.

I've been on two DCL Transatlantic cruises. IMHO, on those cruises DCL front-loaded the adult activities during the stretch of sea days. So at the beginning of the sea days, there were plenty of activities for adults. But toward the end, there were very few activities. I mentioned this on my comment cards.

Woody

Hoping they listened to you, Woody! I was just surprised by the email response because I was hoping to get just one special name back. We had Ed Alonzo on the Magic earlier this month, and I loved the guitar player who was onboard that week.

With a 15-month old on the WBTA and watching nursery times, we were limited in our "adult without children" time. She could be passed out asleep in her stroller, but we couldn't take the stroller into certain places since they were adult only (such as having a drink and listening to piano music). Promenade was our only late night option there, or deck 9 by the pool which provided many laughs with friends. Hoping since she will be a week shy of turning three we can utilize Kids Club with her more (and 6 year old sister)... plus we will have a grandmother with us this time... but from my cruise earlier this month, the 2-year-old would not let Mommy go anywhere alone and stay with the grandparents. We might have to all pretend we are going to bed, then have a sneak-a-roo so Mommy and Daddy can sneak out and let grandma slip in LOL.

 

[kaseyC]

I hope we have some special guests. On the 2007 WBTA, we had Susan Egan and Jim Brickman. Ducky Williams was on board too but he's on most of the special itineraries.

I enjoy sea days for lounging around and reading but I also look forward to some adult activities for me and family activities for me and the girls.

 

[MandyGirl]

I hope we have some special guests. On the 2007 WBTA, we had Susan Egan and Jim Brickman. Ducky Williams was on board too but he's on most of the special itineraries.

I was wondering if Ducky was on any other recent special cruises. His website had said no Disney sailings in 2012. Hoping to have him on the EBTA since he was not on our WBTA 2011.

 

[padalyn]

I was wondering if Ducky was on any other recent special cruises. His website had said no Disney sailings in 2012. Hoping to have him on the EBTA since he was not on our WBTA 2011.

He was on the first Hawaii and the Fantasy Maiden...sailed as a guest for both. I am sure he was on other sailings as well.

 

[MandyGirl]

He was on the first Hawaii and the Fantasy Maiden...sailed as a guest for both. I am sure he was on other sailings as well.

I've read on the boards about him being on other sailings as well, but have not read much about him being on them recently. His website indicated none booked with Disney Cruises for 2012.

 

[kaseyC]

I've read on the boards about him being on other sailings as well, but have not read much about him being on them recently. His website indicated none booked with Disney Cruises for 2012.

Interesting, because both of the cruises padalyn mentioned were in 2012.

 

[MandyGirl]

Interesting, because both of the cruises padalyn mentioned were in 2012.

Hmmm... so hopefully there IS hope! Odd his website had that posted about no DCL events in 2012. I didn't know if he traveled as a guest and people just saw him, or he was an 'official' entertainment doing events onboard. We had so hoped to have him on WBTA 2011, but didn't. Maybe there is hope

The DCL email reply I posted certainly didn't give any hints of having anyone at this time.

 

[Tink1987]

From Hobby to Galveston with Enterprise, one day (24 hour) car rental, we got $84 all in. When I found a rep who did not try to charge me the $100 drop fee, I snagged it. The previous time I called it came to about $225 for the same dates / times / vehicle because of a drop fee and something else.

Thank you, I just think a car is the best option now. Asked on Trip Advisor and somebody Sao Galveston doesn't have mass transit - so would have to get taxis everywhere!

 

[Tink1987]

The Dreams Unlimited TA recommended us Galveston Limo. On the http://galvestonlimousineservice.com/iah.html page, it's $55 per person from IAH. I'll probably have to pick up the 4pm trip. I guess it works for us because it's just us 2. A bigger family would not be cost effective over a car rental from the sounds of it.

Thank you very much, think we are going to go with the car now

 

[Grandma x3]

Thank you, I just think a car is the best option now. Asked on Trip Advisor and somebody Sao Galveston doesn't have mass transit - so would have to get taxis everywhere!

I'm traveling alone and I hired a car & driver with the option to stop at a market to pick up wine !

 

[MandyGirl]

Thank you, I just think a car is the best option now. Asked on Trip Advisor and somebody Sao Galveston doesn't have mass transit - so would have to get taxis everywhere!

Texas is horrible for mass transit, even in the larger cities when you compare to other places. Definitely correct information you were given about Galveston - would have to use taxis or hotel shuttle /car service. Some hotels have complimentary local shuttle so you don't have to mess with driving, parking, etc. at all once checked into the hotel.

 

[MandyGirl]

stop at a market to pick up wine !

Good plan!!

 

[Tink1987]

I'm traveling alone and I hired a car & driver with the option to stop at a market to pick up wine !

That is one of our plans as well to pick up wine etc

 

[Tink1987]

Texas is horrible for mass transit, even in the larger cities when you compare to other places. Definitely correct information you were given about Galveston - would have to use taxis or hotel shuttle /car service. Some hotels have complimentary local shuttle so you don't have to mess with driving, parking, etc. at all once checked into the hotel.

Hmmm we do need to book our Galveston hotel so will check local shuttle facility! Thanks