20050514..May 14, 2005...Official Check in Disney's 1st 14 Day thru Panama Canal Part 2

[Scott H]

Jen, makes sense as, in reality , a majority of folks traveling are not the A minus personality like me in the planning dept.

We will get back to Miami on 2/18 and I can make a call from the hotel that night. Definitely booking the diving excursions, and not sure just yet about the others.

Hope you lucky Floridians aren’t having too hard of a time with the sub 50 weather.

 

[seaulater]

Hey Guys and Gals, Do you think there will be a rush for the excursions at the 90 day availablity mark???

When we went on the 10 day Christmas Cruise most of the excursions were sold out before we ever got on board. It was because over 1,100 passengers were repeat cruisers and knew about booking before they got on board. I kept telling our "grown" kids that they needed to book their excursions. They procrastinated, and then when they were on the ship everything they wanted to do was not available. We are having alot of repeat cruisers on the PC cruise according to what the cruise director told me on the Christmas cruise.

Now, most people don't know that Disney changed from the 60 days to 90 days, so I think we are okay at first. However, I would sure get them booked ASAP, even if you think you might cancel. Remember, they don't charge you until we go and you can cancel a couple of days before without penalty.

Just my two cents worth (and then some)!

Linda

 

[Scott H]

Thanks Linda and Laurie, We will see, as you say there will be several repeat cruisers so the word may be out. A few days should not matter that much. Diving may not be that popular. Just all us DIS folks cramming up the phone lines....

 

[SandraLee]

So, are you saying you can book excursions at 90 days (if paid in full), but cancel within 3 days of cruising and not get charged?

I still have until the 60 day mark to pay in full. Not sure when we are going to do it. Got to look at the calendar.

 

[karaeric]

Thanks Linda and Laurie, We will see, as you say there will be several repeat cruisers so the word may be out. A few days should not matter that much. Diving may not be that popular. Just all us DIS folks cramming up the phone lines....

Scott, I sent you a PM with a possible solution for your dilemma...

I agree with Linda, I'm not taking any chances. Even though I don't need to be paid in full until the 60 day mark, I will be paid up and ready to book at 90 days. Though to put things in perspective, most of the excursions we did on the 10-day were not booked up and we almost always had people that said they had just booked the day before. DH and I tend to do the more physical excursions, like mountain biking, kayaking, etc. I guess those are less popular?

 

[Hygiene99]

I don't want to burst anyone's bubble here, we are on the eastbound and I'm planning the wine tasting there. I got the list from Disney today for food and it's not just a few dollars each. You cannot bring room service to the clubs without being charged for it. Disney policy. Deck 7 aft cannot be used except for vow renewals and weddings. Deck 9 and 10 cannot be used either because of the other cruisers. About the cheapest I can do the food will be $3.00 per person with cheese only. Any desserts, snacks or other hor d'oeuvres start at a minimum of $7 per person. It's not discouraging us yet, but just thought you'd like to know.

Tracy

Thanks Tracy, When we went on the Inuagural Western Trip.

We had it out on Deck 7 Aft Verandah.. Some people Brought some of those cheese plates from room service and A Good time was had by all for an hour or so.. Ice is always plentiful..

Peter

 

[spros]

I don't want to burst anyone's bubble here, we are on the eastbound and I'm planning the wine tasting there. I got the list from Disney today for food and it's not just a few dollars each. You cannot bring room service to the clubs without being charged for it. Disney policy. Deck 7 aft cannot be used except for vow renewals and weddings. Deck 9 and 10 cannot be used either because of the other cruisers. About the cheapest I can do the food will be $3.00 per person with cheese only. Any desserts, snacks or other hor d'oeuvres start at a minimum of $7 per person. It's not discouraging us yet, but just thought you'd like to know.

Tracy

Hey Guys:

I think we should go for Sessions - lots of room to mingle. As for food, considering the amount of free wine I'll be drinking, I'll gladly put a $10 in the kitty for something to eat.

 

[first timers]

When we went on the 10 day Christmas Cruise most of the excursions were sold out before we ever got on board. It was because over 1,100 passengers were repeat cruisers and knew about booking before they got on board. I kept telling our "grown" kids that they needed to book their excursions. They procrastinated, and then when they were on the ship everything they wanted to do was not available. We are having alot of repeat cruisers on the PC cruise according to what the cruise director told me on the Christmas cruise.

Now, most people don't know that Disney changed from the 60 days to 90 days, so I think we are okay at first. However, I would sure get them booked ASAP, even if you think you might cancel. Remember, they don't charge you until we go and you can cancel a couple of days before without penalty.



We tried to book an excersion in advance, were told in was sold out, but were able to book it when we boarded the ship. The excersion desk said they hold back a few slots to be reserved on board. Alex

 

[Mickey&JoshNut]

Bonzie1 - we also are extending our trip to include a stay at the Grand Californian Hotel. Originally we were planning on 2 nights but decided last night to extend it to 3 nights. I'm so excited, I can't wait.

Since I'm relatively new to this cruise & forum (it's taking some time to catch up on the previous 175 pages!!) but I'm assuming there are going to be a few of us extending our vacations at Disneyland. How many people are going to Disneyland after and are you getting a Disney shuttle to the Resorts?

rcostello1 - I sent you a PM about the Fantasmic viewing.

Elaine

 

[karaeric]

We tried to book an excersion in advance, were told in was sold out, but were able to book it when we boarded the ship. The excersion desk said they hold back a few slots to be reserved on board. Alex

Alex, good information! I always wondered if DCL did that, but have never needed to find out for sure.

 

[NEM]

So, do you still need a cat 3 person to get sessions or can just anyone do it? I am more than happy to make the reservation for the group if need be. Anyone know??

Michelle aka NEM

 

[Hygiene99]

Hi all A Quick count of Jen and Jeff"s list say that we have about 221 people

on it for those of you who may not know here is a link to the list
http://www.tiggerfan.net/canal/ You may email them your info and a picture and they update it when ever they have time..

 

[moocow35]

You all have been very busy here! I go away and come back to 13 pages! I've been in Florida enjoying the 75+ degree weather for two days, then...it turned quite cold there. DARN! My flights on Sunday were canceled back to New York, so I had to stay another day down there! LOL What a mess I came back to though. I can't wait to stay down there permanently! The good new is, ground breaking will be on February 1st, and my superintendent said without delays, my new home should be ready in August! Whoo Hoo!

Ken, if you haven't seen La Nouba yet, you are really in for a treat! I've seen it twice and it is amazing!

Scott, your comment about Boons Farm Wine brings back a lot of memories! We would get adults to buy the apple wine for us in High School!

Whoever is doing the list for the wine party onboard, please add me to the list. DD may also tag along? I doubt Connecticut has a wine, but I have a bottle of home made wine my boss gave me which I will save and bring along. I have no problem paying the $10.00 or whatever for the food. Sounds like a good time meeting all my DIS friends.

MEB51, my sister might be on this cruise, and her DD is 13. Long story, but I won't be talking to my sister before the cruise, and she wanted nothing to do with the message board. But Olivia is a wonderful girl, very outgoing, and I'm sure will be in the stack the first possible minute. Your DD will have a blast!

I am very interested in the balcony seating depending on which night and time. Rcostello1, I sent you a PM.

I got an email from Dreams about the excursions being up on their site. I haven't checked it out yet, but will be calling them to pay in full this week.

Robin

 

[Regina]

Robin you were in FL during the blizzard? I hate you.

I have no problem with paying for the wine tasting party. Just let us know what the arrangements are.

 

[seaulater]

Scott, I sent you a PM with a possible solution for your dilemma...

I agree with Linda, I'm not taking any chances. Even though I don't need to be paid in full until the 60 day mark, I will be paid up and ready to book at 90 days. Though to put things in perspective, most of the excursions we did on the 10-day were not booked up and we almost always had people that said they had just booked the day before. DH and I tend to do the more physical excursions, like mountain biking, kayaking, etc. I guess those are less popular?

You don't have to be paid in full to book your excursions. A couple of people on the 10 day cruise had to call back 2 or 3 times in order to get the right person so they could book their excursions, because the CM's weren't clear either. they finally "talked to a supervisor" and got their excursions booked without being paid in full. (I did the same thing). Make sure to ask them to FAX you a confirmation of your excursions.

Linda

 

[seaulater]

We tried to book an excursion in advance, were told in was sold out, but were able to book it when we boarded the ship. The excersion desk said they hold back a few slots to be reserved on board. Alex[/QUOTE]



One of our kids tried to book the pirate excursion in St. Lucia a week before, with no luck. The kids got first in line before the shore excursion desk opened on that Sat., but they didn't open any additional spots and they were first on the waiting list for either the morning or afternoon, but never did get to go. I guess it depends on the excursion.

I know there are always alot of people trying to get into the popular ones, but they are long gone (taken by people like me that book on the first possible day!)

Linda

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

I have an excursion booking question...

Somewhere I read that they are going to have an online option for booking...has anyone heard that?

On 2 other DCL cruises we have never done an excursion, I take it that we just call or fax the excursions that we are interested in. If you fax it, are you able to get a confirmation?

Lastly, when/if we ever get the booklet from DCL, will it list the time for the excursions?

Thanks for any help!! This is getting more and more exciting!

Debbie

 

[moocow35]

Robin you were in FL during the blizzard? I hate you.

I timed that one pretty good didn't I? I really enjoyed the sunny 75+ degree days, even ran the air conditioning in the car and the hotel room. Now I am freezing! I kept hoping Delta would tell me sorry, no flights for a couple more days. LOL

Robin

 

[Hygiene99]

Robin Are you Near Foxswoods Resort and casino

that is where Im Working Building A 70 lot subdivision For the Indians

Tribe Members recieve the lots via a lottery sytem. not sure how it all works But that is what I know. Also foxswoods puts on a lunch Buffett for the workers in the Community center price $4.00 AUCE

Have only made it once ..

Glad u are well and missed the storm...

Peter

 

[moocow35]

Thanks Peter, not really glad to be home, but glad to be safe! I am way south of there. I live in Norwalk, which is along the coast bordering New York. The lunch sounds really good, and can't beat $4.00 all you can eat.

Oh, I don't want to go to work tomorrow! There has got to be a better way...lottery perhaps?

Robin