11/06/11 Dream 4 Day

[vmedisneymom]

We will be in Cocoa Beach Area too staring the 4th YEAH!!!

We will be at the Hilton.

 

[Joysnote]

So I just learned that my step-Dad has a subdural hematoma. He needs surgery and he won't be able to travel for several months. Recall that this cruise was to be me, DH, my mom and my step-Dad - our Dream without kids cruise. Fortunately, I bought travel insurance and so I am assuming our money will be refunded but I ran into some surprises when I called DCL.
We had originally booked this cruise while on another disney cruise and more than a year in advance. So, we got a great rate and OBC which I would like to transfer to another cruise, say 6 months or a year from now. The DCL agent I spoke with said that was not possible and that this cruise would just be a cancel and we would lose all of the perks completely - no OBC, no rate break, nothing - which seems very cold to me. I mean, clearly, this was beyond our control. This is our 5th cruise with Disney so it's not like we aren't loyal.
Has anyone ever had to do this? I know there are some very veteran DCL cruisers on this cruise and I am looking for info. Please help.

>>

Sorry about your step dad, I never had to cancel but I did hear if you change the cruise that you book on board that you will lose all of the perks, just get your money back like you said or just roll it over to next cruise, but no OBC or discount. I hope you can get some better news though, I know it is very disappointing on top of already bad news with his illness.

 

[dthogue]

The time for the cruise was really getting close - it seems like time is dragging on! Come on Nov. 4 - we head to Orlando then Cocoa Beach! Yay!

We leave on the 4th too - although we are staying near Downtown Disney and then driving to the port Sunday morning.

Time seems to be dragging and flying by at the same time. I'm in countdown mode - only one more Friday to work

 

[Joysnote]

We leave on the 4th too - although we are staying near Downtown Disney and then driving to the port Sunday morning.

Time seems to be dragging and flying by at the same time. I'm in countdown mode - only one more Friday to work

>>

It is really strange for me because we booked this cruise, since it is our 20th anniversary, way back in Feb of 2009 and we never dreamed we would be living here in the Orlando area when it came time to sail. So much of the pressure is off of booking our resort and making ADRs etc before and after trip, flights etc. My parents who are also sailing with us, it is their 60th anniversary, are flying in Nov 1 so I am just getting ready for their visit. We have lived here in Florida now for about two months and I still go to WDW about 5 times a week. just love it!

 

[bellebud]

So I just learned that my step-Dad has a subdural hematoma. He needs surgery and he won't be able to travel for several months. Recall that this cruise was to be me, DH, my mom and my step-Dad - our Dream without kids cruise. Fortunately, I bought travel insurance and so I am assuming our money will be refunded but I ran into some surprises when I called DCL.
We had originally booked this cruise while on another disney cruise and more than a year in advance. So, we got a great rate and OBC which I would like to transfer to another cruise, say 6 months or a year from now. The DCL agent I spoke with said that was not possible and that this cruise would just be a cancel and we would lose all of the perks completely - no OBC, no rate break, nothing - which seems very cold to me. I mean, clearly, this was beyond our control. This is our 5th cruise with Disney so it's not like we aren't loyal.
Has anyone ever had to do this? I know there are some very veteran DCL cruisers on this cruise and I am looking for info. Please help.

I'm in a similar situation... our dear, lifelong friends have a 6yo ds who is dying of leukemia. At this point, we're most likely not going on the cruise because, thankfully, he's holding on longer than anyone thought (they discharged him from St. Judes about 4 weeks ago). We don't want to be out on a cruise in case he passes when we're away. ANYway... I called Disney cruise about it. Because it's not "family", we won't be covered by the Insurance we bought thru Disney, but after our claim is denied, we just call Disneycruise and they credit all of our cost (minus the Insurance cost) for a future cruise. I didn't have an OB credit or anything, but I have to say, I'm VERY happy about this. I honestly thought we'd be out tons of money. I don't know if all cruise companies do this (give you a full credit if you must cancel last minute), but I'm happy. I know we'll be out a lot of money for the airfare, but what can you do? Life happens. I do hope you get everything you want. Good luck!

 

[bellebud]

>>

It is really strange for me because we booked this cruise, since it is our 20th anniversary, way back in Feb of 2009 and we never dreamed we would be living here in the Orlando area when it came time to sail. So much of the pressure is off of booking our resort and making ADRs etc before and after trip, flights etc. My parents who are also sailing with us, it is their 60th anniversary, are flying in Nov 1 so I am just getting ready for their visit. We have lived here in Florida now for about two months and I still go to WDW about 5 times a week. just love it!

omg! I'm soooooo jealous!!!! Good for you

 

[Joysnote]

omg! I'm soooooo jealous!!!! Good for you

Thanks, it is really nice here, housing prices are very affordable, utilities and taxes very cheap. Almost everyone I have met is from somewhere else too, so people are very friendly and open to meeting new people and making friends. It is like being on vacation all of the time.

 

[bellebud]

Thanks, it is really nice here, housing prices are very affordable, utilities and taxes very cheap. Almost everyone I have met is from somewhere else too, so people are very friendly and open to meeting new people and making friends. It is like being on vacation all of the time.

so what town do you live in, if you don't mind saying? we want to move to florida. it's a matter of when. we're always looking for recommendations of nice places to live so we can check them out in the meantime.

 

[Joysnote]

so what town do you live in, if you don't mind saying? we want to move to florida. it's a matter of when. we're always looking for recommendations of nice places to live so we can check them out in the meantime.

Windermere, very close to WDW basically just North of MK but not traffic I can just zip into the back side of WDW and maybe not see another car.

 

[ladybug23]

>>

Sorry about your step dad, I never had to cancel but I did hear if you change the cruise that you book on board that you will lose all of the perks, just get your money back like you said or just roll it over to next cruise, but no OBC or discount. I hope you can get some better news though, I know it is very disappointing on top of already bad news with his illness.

This is not exactly true. When you book onboard and then roll that cruise over to another cruise, you still maintain the OBC and the discount. I know as I have done this as many of my friends have too. In fact there were 20+ of us on the November 2010 cruise together. We all wanted to rebook for December 2012, but the 2012 schedule was not yet out - so when discussing this with the on ship CM that does the booking, she said book this here now to get the best rates, then move that cruise to the new dates once we release that itenerary. You will still have your OBC and still receive the 10% discount when you move to the next cruise.

So, in March this year we were able to move our 12/11 cruise to 12/12 and we all got our 10% of the rates plus we kept our OBC.

Did you also know that if you transfer to a travel agent when you book it that you are also eligible to receive any promotions that travel agent is giving out? Done this for 3 cruises myself. Booked onboard to get the 10%, plus the OBC - transferred my reservations to Costco - where they give me $150-$250 cash card (depends on price paid) upon return from my trip AND if I want trip insurance - I can buy it through Costco within 7 days of transferring to them and their insurance is half the cost as Disney and way better coverage.

so my November 2010 cruise I got 10% on board booking discount, plus $200 OBC plus $250 costco cash card. I actually paid less for that cruise than I did for the same exact room and week back in 2008. My cruise next year on the fantasy will be similar except only $100 more than our 2008 cruise - which considering 4 years later....I would say $100 is not bad for inflation and the price of my kids getting more expensive.

 

[ladybug23]

All that said.....I totally understand your frustration with not being able to keep your discount and OBC from this trip if you cancel.

Think of it this way. You bought the trip protection, you are going to use that insurance. The only way the insurance can process that is if the trip is actually cancelled. Once you cancel you are no longer eligible to the discount and OBC. Unfortunately, it has to be that way or else you would not get a refund. Since you are no longer within the window to cancel the trip with a full refund you cannot simply just move it to another future reservation.

I KNOW - IT SUCKS! I mean, have a heart - it isn't like you are cancelling because you don't feel like it or because you had something better come up.

Now - did you know that someone else can book a trip onboard for YOU and you would still get all the perks and discounts? I know this because my uncle was on our last cruise and he booked rooms for 8 more of his family members not on that current trip (his daughters, their hubbys and kids) and he got the discount and OBC for ALL the rooms because he was booking them on ship and putting the down payment down.

Did you also know that if you book onboard you get a little certificate good for inviting a friend to join you and they will receive the OBC as well? They have to book the same cruise within 30 days of your return and then fax the certificate and they get the same OBC.

 

[bellebud]

Windermere, very close to WDW basically just North of MK but not traffic I can just zip into the back side of WDW and maybe not see another car.

ahhhh, Windermere is on my list. I've heard nothing but good things!

Good for you - enjoy your life there (like I need to tell you that).

 

[geffric]

BUMP.. 2 weeks from today I am flying into MCO and going to OKW.

 

[goofystitchfan]

BUMP.. 2 weeks from today I am flying into MCO and going to OKW.

Ohhh. we are 2 weeks from tomorrow flying into MCO and going to SSR

 

[ACDSNY]

Wish me luck...I need to get rid of the sinus infection and ear infection I came home with almost two weeks ago. The casinos in Nevada were so smokey I came home from our Grand Canyon trip with a massive sinus headace that hasn't quit since. Fying on Halloween may be very painful.

Will be on vacation soon!!!

 

[PHILCT]

Today I packed up the luggage and a box to be shipped out, curious to see what would fit and not fit with the Trip List Plan and all the Fish Extender Stuff.

I may reluctantly have to do one more piece of luggage and just pay for the extra checked bag. (Flying on Delta). But if I do go for a second checked piece of luggage, I better not fill it up !

I am wondering what I can get away with for taking on as a "personal bag", that would fit under the seat if need be. What is the largest "personal bag" you have ever taken on a flight, besides your carry on?

(Now I am staring at my sandals and crocs that I wish I could fit in an extra bag !)

Pack Rat Phil

 

[iankh]

Two weeks from today we'll be on our way to the airport.

I supposed I need to get into gear this weekend and start doing something in prep for this trip.

Yesterday, I went to the bank and changed some bills into singles. It's for my "tip wad" as I'll start handing out tips from arrival at the airport onward starting with the shuttle driver in Chicago, the skycaps, the porters at DCL, room service, etc.

Even if I say so myself, I think I'm being even more fashion forward than I usually am with the rubber band around the huge roll of singles.

Today I need to take some things into the dry cleaners. I might start to face the part of packing I hate the most, organizing the electronics. This means completely draining batteries and recharging them. I need to figure out exactly how many electronics do two people really need?

I'm hoping that in the end, all we have are two cases, our big duffle and the rolling garment bag, plus my big travel backpack in which I pack electronics and is our carry-on.

When did packing become so complicated?

 

[bellebud]

Hello all,

As I've posted before, we weren't 100% sure we were going on the cruise, because of our dear friends little boy who has leukemia.

Fortunately for the family, our little friend has been holding on, and his family are able to make precious memories with him every day. So we're not going on the cruise, since it's just not the right time.

Anyone doing the FE gift exchange, please take us off your list (we were on the b2b 11/6 and 11/10 cruises). I'll send out an email too from Tammy's final lists. (thanks again Tammy for organizing all of it).

Hope you all have a fantastic time aboard the Dream!

Liz

 

[Joysnote]

Hello all,

As I've posted before, we weren't 100% sure we were going on the cruise, because of our dear friends little boy who has leukemia.

Fortunately for the family, our little friend has been holding on, and his family are able to make precious memories with him every day. So we're not going on the cruise, since it's just not the right time.

Anyone doing the FE gift exchange, please take us off your list (we were on the b2b 11/6 and 11/10 cruises). I'll send out an email too from Tammy's final lists. (thanks again Tammy for organizing all of it).

Hope you all have a fantastic time aboard the Dream!

Liz

Sorry you won't make it but happy he is holding on, I am sure you will be glad you were there for your friends.

 

[goofystitchfan]

Hello all,

As I've posted before, we weren't 100% sure we were going on the cruise, because of our dear friends little boy who has leukemia.

Fortunately for the family, our little friend has been holding on, and his family are able to make precious memories with him every day. So we're not going on the cruise, since it's just not the right time.

Anyone doing the FE gift exchange, please take us off your list (we were on the b2b 11/6 and 11/10 cruises). I'll send out an email too from Tammy's final lists. (thanks again Tammy for organizing all of it).

Hope you all have a fantastic time aboard the Dream!

Liz

Liz,
I will be thinking of you and yours friends and saying a prayer.