06/24/2006 - Special Western Cruise - Who Else!?

[FantasiaMM]

Oh Musicgirl, sorry you had such a hard time. Hopefully DCL will be able to work it out for you tomorrow.

We got pretty much everything we wanted. I too couldn't believe how quickly the palo times got booked. I really feel sorry for passengers that aren't CC members.

On a side note, if we booked an excursion for CC on Friday, but after visiting on Sunday decide we don't want it can we cancel it without a penalty? Up until when can you cancel excursions without incurring the entire cost?

As far as cancelling the excursion, I spoke to DCL today with the exact question -- per DCL, you must cancel 48 hours PRIOR TO SAILING, once you sail -- you buy it whether you go or not. Not the answer I wanted to hear!

Beth

 

[FantasiaMM]

Lorie,

I am sorry you had such a hard time with ressies. I wasn't concerned with Palo because I prefer to eat with my DS and DM in the dining room. But I know you were frustrated. Was DCL able to help you? I'm disappointed they would not just reserve for you!!! I sure hope you have everything straight!!!

Since we are having our great DIS "excursion" to the beach in CM, I only booked the Bottom Fishing for Castaway on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. hopefully, after our DIS lunch meeting! The earlier time was already gone. This is the only excursion my DS has asked to do. He loves fishing! I could never find the "teen" outing for Castaway Cay anyway. What time was it? Maybe, it was full before I got in??? Guess, there may be availability once onboard for day 2. Not sure if he will want to go anyway. I was laughing at your post about your DS saying "ok, I'll stay 15 minutes and then I'm going to the courts" about the sail away DIS meet -- I thought maybe you had been talking to my DS instead. I think he is afraid I'll embarrass him by acting WAY too EXCITED at the sail away party!!!!

I also booked parasailing on Friday...Something we want to do -- but makes me very nervous!!! Still up in the air about it! ha!ha!

 

[wendilyn]

Rebecca, we're going to go on David and Ivan's tour also, they mentioned meeting at 9 am, is that when they told you? what ages are your children? I'm try to drag mine too! (dd13,DD16,DS 19)

Fantasiamm- the CC teen trip is called the wild side
I've been looking for beaches at coz that have jet skis, parasailing, etc, and it looks like there's a bunch! We've been to Mr. Sanchos, but htye don't have parasailing. we'll probably go to
Nachi-Cocom since they have it all.

Wendy

 

[BethA]

I'm still hoping my family will want to do the D&I tour. If I sign up now is there a penalty for cancelling?

We have used Tiffany and Happy Limo and were pleased with both.

Beth

 

[BethA]

What is the date we will be in CM and what time is everyone's tour?

Is anyone taking things along for the school children? Is it just school items or other things?

Thanks.
Beth

 

[rebcam]

The email from David and Ivan told us to meet at their place in town at 8:30, or 1 hour after the ship docks. They monitor the ship's arrival time and will adjust accordingly, if the ship is late or early. We are in Costa Maya on Tuesday, June 27th. My kids are DD 7, and DS, 11. If they get bored, they are just going to have to humor us!

Rebecca

 

[barbarac]

Rebecca - I booked Tiffany for the ride to the port - We're staying in the WDW Swan the night before - I used Happy Limo the last time - they were ok but the driver was very very tired on the trip home. I called Tiffany's number & spoke to a very nice guy who has been on many Disney cruises & gave me some info about Costa Maya. So I'm sticking with Tiffany - about $245 for my whole trip (3 legs).

Barbara

 

[musicgirl]

Minnie-What?!!! your ds will be embarrassed to be seen with you in your lime green hat, lime green shirt, shorts, socks shoes talking to others dressed in lime green calling each other Hi Musicgirl, Hi Minnie7701?

I think we need to "convince" the teen boys that they can have a basketball sail away game AFTER we all meet!!! And embarrass them all!

Wendy-we'll just add you to the list of 6-20 anniversaries, even though it's a birthday it's still cool!!!

Oh I feel soooooo bad for you, school is not out until 6-21???? Now, I love a snow day (we didn't get any-we were robbed!) but going to school until 6-21 is pure punishment!!!!

 

[musicgirl]

Here's my reply from the regular board of my post about my ressie problems.


Maybe we could get a thread started that would stay at the top of the boards (is that what they call a sticky thread?).

It could have a list of things to check out if you are having problems getting ressies. That way, someone up at 3am (I'm not bitter, really!) who runs into these problems will at least be able to check out and try to correct since it is 3am and there is no one to help!!!

They still have no idea why I can not book. Honestly, I think the CM that I talked to has no clue. She insisted that I should be able to book since I was able to get an excursion.

BTW, in dealing with them helping me try to get a brunch, DCL got 2 thumbs down. She of course went through the whole, well they can not just give you one since all the ressies are taken.

Well we all know that's not true. When I mentioned this, of course she went through DCL trying to be fair so that those boarding can get ressies, blah, blah, blah. I will just have to go try on the 1st day, blah, blah, blah.

Does she realize I've already discussed this will 1000+ disers???? I'm sure she was telling the others around her, "I've got another one of THOSE disboard people on the phone".

She kept telling me to check back on the ressie system to see if anyone has cancelled. I kept reminding her that it wouldn't do any good because I still couldn't get past continue!!!!

To be honest, I think I knew more about the system then she did. She kept telling me that perhaps I couldn't get one because there weren't any ressies left. No, no, no. when it's not available, it goes bye bye!!!!

ARGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!

She also informed me that there was nothing DCL could do. Please.......this is 2006, they can figure out a way to set aside a brunch for me. Maybe they might have to right it on a piece of paper. Oh the horror!!! Not in the system, why how dare I mention that!!!

When I FINALLY convinced her that I still couldn't book, she said she would have to talk to someone on Thursday since it was 8pm Mon and all techies were gone and she wouldn't be in on Tues. or Weds. EXCUSE ME!!!!!! Find someone else then please!!!!

As I said, 2 thumbs down on this one DCL. I have to admit, in the 3 cruises and the one upcoming, this is the 1st time I have been disappointed.

 

[carole88]

Lorie - Sorry you haven't gotten the problem resolved yet. Have you tried to make a reservation on another computer? I'm still convinced that it has to do with your browser. I know that DCL told you it doesn't, but they don't seem to know to much technical info.

 

[wendilyn]

Lorie: such a bummer, i would also recomend trying another computer, I had betterluck on my mac at school (shh!) than at home.
I spoke with DCL CC today to try and fine the Coz teen cruise, she couldn't find it either, and is suppose to look into it and call me back. HOWEVER, she did say that they didn't think disney would be going to coz until June!
I read some cruisesritic reviews about the beaches, and many lost almost all of their sand! But, most are back open now. They do say that the reef snorkeling was badly damaged and could take years to recover!

I'm still trying to find out what night is pirate night, we may have to wait until the first double dip comes back to hear!
Wendy

 

[wendilyn]

Princess VIJA: Forgot to mention about canceling ressies. We were also told you needed to cancel 48 hours prior to our cruise, however last year onboard they told us if there was a wait list and they sell your spot you would get a refund, And we did!

 

[musicgirl]

Well, here's the latest scoop and I'm kinda mad at myself, but I'm really mad at DCL because there are way too many things wrong with this system and when you call to talk to someone to solve the problem, they should know what they are talking about.

I was able to get in on internet explorer and proceed on my computer at home. I didn't realize we had another browser set up. I also didn't know foxfire WAS mozilla. Soooo many people tried to get me to try this, and I was convinced that is was something else because that is what the CM kept telling me.

#1-They need to have ressie specialist to talk to. This girl had me convinced that I should be able to make ressies on my computer with the current browser. I was told that she couldn't get through on her computer with my ressie # so why would I think anything different.

#2-If people can not make ressies with certain browsers, why don't they tell you this? Did they ever think to put a note in with the letter telling about when you can do the on-line booking? All it has to say is....For those using Mozilla foxfire, you probably will not be able to get through on some of the ressies.

#3-If there are this many problems, they need to put it on hold and fix it. It doesn't really sound like they are trying to fix the glitches to me.

#4-If it had been a matter of the ressies were just simply gone, I would not be so bent out of shape. But to see that they were available and I couldn't get one, that's what did it.

#5-Since they are continuing this, they need to be able to help when a problem like this comes up. Even if they could have said, we'll hold a spot for you until we the safety drill, I would have been happy.

I will simply check everyday to see if anyone cancels. Do they open extra time slots when it is time for the newbies to sign up?

Oh well, enough of all this nonsense, I know I keep saying that, but I promised I would update you if anything happened. thanks for letting me vent!

 

[musicgirl]

Wendy-interesting info about going to Coz. If they aren't going to Coz until June, why won't they announce this? Also, the next western has not been told anything different. This is in 1 1/2 weeks, shouldn't they have been told by now if they are not going to Coz.

Jill just got an e-mail from Eagle Ray in Coz. concerning our trip. They sound very busy which is a good sign. Wendy, you had asked about going on this, and you are certainly welcome to join us since going out on a boat will give us better snorkeling at the reefs farther out.

 

[musicgirl]

Ok, I just got an e-mail responding to the one I sent them at 6am on Sun.
Here is the "magical" response.

I'm sorry that you are disappointed that you could not get a brunch reservation. But due to the popularity, the reservations run out quickly.

Please check back on the reservation board or reservations once you board for possible openings.

Have a magical day.


Let's just say, my response took at least 30 min. to type.

 

[FantasiaMM]

Minnie-What?!!! your ds will be embarrassed to be seen with you in your lime green hat, lime green shirt, shorts, socks shoes talking to others dressed in lime green calling each other Hi Musicgirl, Hi Minnie7701?

I think we need to "convince" the teen boys that they can have a basketball sail away game AFTER we all meet!!! And embarrass them all!

Wendy-we'll just add you to the list of 6-20 anniversaries, even though it's a birthday it's still cool!!!

Lorie,

Doesn't take much planning for me to embarrass my DS (atleast now that he is a teen) but I'm definitely going to make him come to our sail away meet. After all the boys meet and we thoroughly embarrass them, they can shoot hoops all evening!!!!

I am sorry about your experience with DCL and your ressies. I do agree that it concerns me that they are not willing to give you "personal" service if you are having problems booking online -- I called and asked them to help me book one excursion on Sunday morning because I couldn't get to my PC until later that morning -- they said if I could not get into the online system, I would have to wait until I boarded the ship - period. I actually told the rep that I had always been pleased with Disney service and I thought that was ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! My first Disney disappointment. But, I did get to my PC and I was able to book my excursion -- just didn't get my preferred time choice.

I think they may open more slots at the 75 day mark for non-CC club members. Just my personal hunch -- you should try then!

B.B. (another Beth)

 

[BethA]

Well, I just booked the David and Ivan tour for my dad, my younger son, my nephew and myself.

 

[Minnie7701]

MG - sorry to hear you are having bad customer service with DC. But I am not at all surprise....I would highly suggest asking to speack to manager and bringing it to their attention. I called the other day to ask a simple question about my flight information. The lady on the phone told me I had to speak with my travel agent. I told her she was out of town and was only looking to see if it was a possibility to ask for a certain flight time? She was rude to me, but guess what...I asked to speak to manager and ofcourse no one was available I had to leave message. But go figure at exactly 5pm Manager called me back was very sorry and so on and gave me the information I needed to know.

 

[Minnie7701]

MG - sorry to hear you are having bad customer service with DC. But I am not at all surprise....I would highly suggest asking to speack to manager and bringing it to their attention. I called the other day to ask a simple question about my flight information. The lady on the phone told me I had to speak with my travel agent. I told her she was out of town and was only looking to see if it was a possibility to ask for a certain flight time? She was rude to me, but guess what...I asked to speak to manager and ofcourse no one was available I had to leave message. But go figure at exactly 5pm Manager called me back was very sorry and so on and gave me the information I needed to know.

 

[musicgirl]

BB and Minnie-it sounds like I'm not the only one having customer service problems. But when you are used to great customer service, it's kind of a shock when they won't even try or are simply rude. No company is perfect when it comes to employees, that I understand. But some of the policies really need to be changed.

Well, I'm up way too late for a school night!! Jill might be on soon. We're never on at the same time!! LOL!