May 18, 2013 Magic EBTA Part Two - From Tejas to España

[kaseyC]

No problemo!!! Learning experience for me especially as I am coordinating group brunches on next year's WBTA. Now you just have to tell me everything else you know about doing it

YOU ROCK by the way!!

ETA: side note -- just booked a trio of dinners on our Med cruise at a discount and no VAT. Not sure if your's has the same online booking deal going....

Is that the Cagney's, LaCucina and LeBistro deal? If so, yep we booked it too.

 

[MandyGirl]

Shouldn't be VAT on (onboard) Med stuff anyway. It's similar to US taxes as long as things are bought in international waters - I do however, remember being in some ports that mandate local taxes charged, so maybe, if you can choose to drink (or at least buy them) when not in dock.

A discount is always worth having though, shame I'll be back at work whilst you enjoy another week on Magic

Interesting - thanks! I'm not on the Magic for our Med cruise - on a different cruiseline. That board (CruiseCritic) was suggesting to book in advance online to save the VAT plus get the discount for booking all three restaurants (versus waiting to book onboard). Either way, saved us about $24 booking in advance plus a bottle of wine. And if it saved VAT too, that is just bonus I'm happy with just the $24 saved and free vino

 

[MandyGirl]

Is that the Cagney's, LaCucina and LeBistro deal? If so, yep we booked it too.

Yep! Booked it, asked permission later But we still have $200 obc to spend once onboard... gotta figure that one out too

 

[kaseyC]

Is there anyway I can get an idea of who will be participating in (leaving books) for the Book Swap? I know there are a lot of us who use E-readers or tablets to read. I trying to figure out what size bag to use to hold the books for swapping outside my cabin.

 

[birkner]

Is there anyway I can get an idea of who will be participating in (leaving books) for the Book Swap? I know there are a lot of us who use E-readers or tablets to read. I trying to figure out what size bag to use to hold the books for swapping outside my cabin.

On the Hawaii cruise there were two shopping type bags, one for books and one for magazines.

 

[Aunt Gram]

I'm sorry to hear you find this unsettling but the possibility of this
happening Was posted on both

the 1st page of this thread and the website.

I can send a email asking for you to be removed just let me know??



Things like this have definately put me off heading up activities/events again.

When I saw the other couple's reservations, I did not recognize the names and called Disney thinking there was an error. I didn't want this couple to somehow lose their reservations. I regret that I didn't fully read the information posted on page one before I wrote the post.

 

[kaseyC]

On the Hawaii cruise there were two shopping type bags, one for books and one for magazines.

Great idea!!! I didn't think about a one for magazines too. Did they use canvas shopping bags or paper/plastic?

 

[Kirbo]

Thanks for thinking of us! We try to just have a tabletop for six so we can regroup and really enjoy our time together. When I am working, I see clients from 7am - 9:30pm, so on those days (only W T F normally), I don't even see the boys except for a short time in the morning. Vacation is the only time we can consistently have dinner together!

But you are very sweet for offering!

I'm sorry guys, my inexperience with group bookings. I know I mentioned on here and FB that the brunches had been confirmed. I forgot to mention that each Group is booked under one person's last name. For Group # 1 it's Paul's and Group # 2 it's me. So, the booking will show up under our bookings( Paul's and mine) as Palo Brunch Private Room.

No worries, like I said, I really should have had more faith! You are super to take on the reservation-making for us all

Maybe I should start stockpiling my magazines to bring on the trip. I can leave a few in the bag. I plan on bringing plenty of books to read, but the last two cruises we were so busy that I didn't read at all (and I love to read!). So, although I plan on being in it, I have no idea if I'll really be reading much.

 

[woody73]

. . . But we still have $200 obc to spend once onboard... gotta figure that one out too

I'll be glad to help out.

Is there anyway I can get an idea of who will be participating in (leaving books) for the Book Swap?

My DW and I will have books and magazines to swap.

Woody

 

[woody73]

. . . Did they use canvas shopping bags or paper/plastic?

On one Transatlantic, the organizer used a canvas bag with a draw cord at the top. She attached a small cardboard sign saying, "For DIS members only." It did not say "Book Swap" so as to help prevent non-DISers from helping themselves.

Even though many people used e-readers, some of them had a magazine or two (to donate or swap) that they read on their flights. Also, some of them liked the convenience of having a magazine at the pool. It's no big deal if it gets wet or is left unattended.

Woody

 

[birkner]

Great idea!!! I didn't think about a one for magazines too. Did they use canvas shopping bags or paper/plastic?

They used Canvas type that you use at the grocery store. I know she took the books and magazines that no one claimed home to donate to the local hospital where she is a volunteer. Woody's idea is also excellent so random people don't just take the books and magazines.

 

[padalyn]

Thanks, MandyGirl!
For all of you great souls who have agreed to show your category of cabins aboard, or for those who have asked to be included, we will be Cabin Cruising on Friday, 10AM (Pirate's night), the seventh day at sea. That will give y'all another week to be better informed should you wish to book a cabin category on a new cruise. We will be gathering just outside of Quiet Cove on Deck 9, forward at 10 sharp and walking down the levels from there. LMK if you need more info. Thanks!

Just to confirm, the date is May 23?

Are you celebrating an event onboard?


Please reply within this thread (not a PM) and I will add to post #1 and our personal DIS navigator! Wedding anniversary? Birthday? First Cruise? If you have an exact date of the celebration, please include it and I will add it on our calendar of events for that date. Otherwise it will be added as an additional "Celebrations" just below the calendar. I have added celebrations to a different rollcall I am helping with, and I know some people book cruises to celebrate end of chemo, kicking cancer in the rear, etc -- so if you have something to celebrate you would like to share, just reply and I will keep a list to add to post #1!

This trip is my graduation present (masters in nursing education) from my amazing fiance

Afternoon,

I was wondering if many other cruisers were looking for upgrades at the port via the supervisors desk, whilst I am happy with the GTY cabin it would be nice to get a nicer view for the two weeks and was wondering as I am cruising solo do I have to pay the 200% upgrade price for being a solo cruiser or simply the difference on the agreed price list. I may have to ask this on the main boards as it's a fairly one off occurance.

Starting my travels 3 weeks tomorrow.

I was sailing solo a couple of years ago, when I asked about upgrades they told me the single sup. was applicable to the port upgrade. Sorry

Since I couldn't PM, I've been on Facebook more but I love that there is activity here too. (Not always the case once our Facebook group was active.) 10 posts, now I can PM. Yay!

Although I am late and not on the original FE list, please PM me if you would like to exchange gifts. Facebookers - sorry about the cross post. Also, I don't mean to intrude on the existing plan so no pressure AT ALL.

Now to start packing...
Jennifer

we will exchange with you...cabin number? Kids genders pls?


Cayla

 

[StephenKay]

Shouldn't be VAT on (onboard) Med stuff anyway. It's similar to US taxes as long as things are bought in international waters - I do however, remember being in some ports that mandate local taxes charged, so maybe, if you can choose to drink (or at least buy them) when not in dock.

A discount is always worth having though, shame I'll be back at work whilst you enjoy another week on Magic

Paul,

I was thinking like you until 2010 when a group of irate guests were swarming the Guest Services desk at the later part of the cruise. It seems that DCL have been told by the Spanish goverment that taxes are due to any ship the sets sail from Spain and returns to Spain. I don't know if this affects cruises to Venice also but I think it will, probably some Euro law somewhere. Anyway people started to"lose it" big style at GS and then a repeat notice was printed out explaining it to the guests that night, it had been there when we boarded also. If you go on to DCL now and ask for a 7 night wine package for the EBTA it is some $10 cheaper than if you book it for the Med Cruises, I know because I did this the other week. So the moral of the story is, if your doing a B2B then better to purchase items on the EBTA cruise as I am. I should say I am not doing a B2B, my wife wants me to go home for a week then return on the 2nd Med. Spoil Sport!!!

 

[p17blo]

Thanks, MandyGirl!
For all of you great souls who have agreed to show your category of cabins aboard, or for those who have asked to be included, we will be Cabin Cruising on Friday, 10AM (Pirate's night), the seventh day at sea. That will give y'all another week to be better informed should you wish to book a cabin category on a new cruise. We will be gathering just outside of Quiet Cove on Deck 9, forward at 10 sharp and walking down the levels from there. LMK if you need more info. Thanks!

Just to confirm, the date is May 23?

Am I missing something, or should that be 24th? Everything else (description from Gramfrog and Front Page) refers to Friday 24th.

I get confused easily so would really appreciate re-confirmation that the cabin cruisers tour is Friday 24th?

 

[p17blo]

Paul,

I was thinking like you until 2010 when a group of irate guests were swarming the Guest Services desk at the later part of the cruise. It seems that DCL have been told by the Spanish goverment that taxes are due to any ship the sets sail from Spain and returns to Spain. I don't know if this affects cruises to Venice also but I think it will, probably some Euro law somewhere. Anyway people started to"lose it" big style at GS and then a repeat notice was printed out explaining it to the guests that night, it had been there when we boarded also. If you go on to DCL now and ask for a 7 night wine package for the EBTA it is some $10 cheaper than if you book it for the Med Cruises, I know because I did this the other week. So the moral of the story is, if your doing a B2B then better to purchase items on the EBTA cruise as I am. I should say I am not doing a B2B, my wife wants me to go home for a week then return on the 2nd Med. Spoil Sport!!!

Hah - well I didn't know that.... That sounds like an abuse of European VAT treaty to me. But I suppose little that we can do about it other than complain to Belgium! Anyone fancy that? I guess you wouldn't know if that only applies to cruises, say if you take a flight from Balearics to Mainland I wonder if the inflight food/drinks are subject to VAT also.

Food for thought...

 

[bobbiwoz]

Unfortunately, the day we disembark, is our celebration day! Happily, it is our 45th Wedding anniversary!

Bobbi

 

[gramfrog]

Am I missing something, or should that be 24th? Everything else (description from Gramfrog and Front Page) refers to Friday 24th.

I get confused easily so would really appreciate re-confirmation that the cabin cruisers tour is Friday 24th?

Yes, the Cabin Cruisers will meet at 10AM on Friday, May 24 on Deck 9 outside Cove Cafe.

 

[p17blo]

So it looks like the 'two new ships' announcement has been leaked early and as most people correctly predicted it isn't actually 2 new ships, it's just details of what upgrades will be fitted during magic/wonder dry dock.

All very interesting though including:

The Magic will also receive the AquaDuck waterslide along with some enhancements in way of the AquaLab as found on the Disney Fantasy. In addition, a new water play area for infants and toddlers will be re-themed to the Nephews’ Splash Zone. A brand new water slide called the Twist N’ Spout will also be introduced to the ship, which ‘splashes off in one direction, then loop-de-loops the opposite way.’

I assume Wonder will be given similar touches.

i look forward to seeing the upgrades next year when I (plan to be) am back onboard

 

[gramfrog]

Just to confirm, the date is May 23?


Cayla

No; the Cabin Cruisers is Friday, May 24, at 10AM; meeting outside the Cove Cafe on the ninth deck!

 

[Kirbo]

Unfortunately, the day we disembark, is our celebration day! Happily, it is our 45th Wedding anniversary!

Bobbi

That's wonderful! Congratulations