2015 out!!!

[luv2sleep]

To an extent, they did this back in the spring or summer. It was a survey by postcard invitation that was really port extensive. They asked what I thought about Nassau. I had to give it the highest rating! They asked if I would go to this or that port and if not, why not, and which ones I had been too. I also had to turn down San Juan. Bleh. So they appeared to be quite interested in where we wanted to cruise to. It took me a while to finish and submit it. They were also interested in the ages of the group travelling. (All 30+)

Deleted. Was responding to a different post.

 

[HEMI]

Help a newbie understand the rates please!!!!

We are going on our first cruise in January 2014. Assuming we will love it I would like to book for the kids spring break at the end March 2015.

In order to get the best rates, do I book now when the rates are released or wait until I am on board and book with the 10% discount?

Can I move it to a travel agent later?

If a better price comes along can I ask for it to be matched?

It is 100% refundable deposit?

We are a family of 6 (2 adults, 4 children ages 2-9) so unless there is some sort of secret I'm unaware of we will need 2 staterooms (likely veranda)

Thank you!

 

[Silverfox97]

To an extent, they did this back in the spring or summer. It was a survey by postcard invitation that was really port extensive. They asked what I thought about Nassau. I had to give it the highest rating! They asked if I would go to this or that port and if not, why not, and which ones I had been too. I also had to turn down San Juan. Bleh. So they appeared to be quite interested in where we wanted to cruise to. It took me a while to finish and submit it. They were also interested in the ages of the group travelling. (All 30+)

Have you been to San Juan??? My fave port is St John followed by San Juan. Rich history, clean, safe, friendly people and so much to do!!!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[luv2sleep]

I've mentioned this a lot before, and at the risk of being flamed, CC isn't all that to us. The activities and stuff are fun, but the water is so gross. I am happy to miss that port in exchange for different/better ports. The same places on current itineraries will never draw us. We will just have to repeat the repos and Alaska until they go back to NY or Hawaii or somewhere else. Can't wait for the second half to get announced!

Ok right post.....so the water is gross???? I've never been. Ugh. I guess we won't be swimming. I went to this place once that had a protected lagoon and the water was gross. At Aulani it seemed so so. I prefer ocean without breakers because it tends to get murky. Is this how CC was?

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

We are planning on booking Alaska for June 2015 also. I'm really hoping that these rates don't come out till January. We are on the Fantasy New Year's Eve cruise and I want to get a dummy cruise booked before the rest of 2015 comes out.

Sounds like me to a T! I am down a dummy cruise and need to move or reshop mine when I'm on the Magic in January so I also hope they don't release the next batch until after then. I know, totally selfish of me - lol If they do then I'll come up with another plan so it's all good!

Have you been to San Juan??? My fave port is St John followed by San Juan. Rich history, clean, safe, friendly people and so much to do!!!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Hey there! We (DH & I) also really loved sailing in and out of San Juan when we cruised with Carnival years ago. It's a nice port to come into and we enjoyed walking around, going to the fort, etc. My DS would love to sail there as well.

Heather

 

[su_A_ve]

Yeah. We start the third week of Aug on a Tuesday in Tampa. Our spring break is super early - 2nd week of March.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

We start AFTER labor day (NJ) We go all the way till around June 20th though.

In the past, the last two weeks in August have been ideal for DCL or WDW, but it seems just the last week. And then again, some specials are not even offered.

Our problem for example is that all summer camps end in the middle of August. So the last two weeks is ideal to go on vacation. In my case, I cannot take the last week of August though

 

[su_A_ve]

Ok right post.....so the water is gross???? I've never been. Ugh. I guess we won't be swimming. I went to this place once that had a protected lagoon and the water was gross. At Aulani it seemed so so. I prefer ocean without breakers because it tends to get murky. Is this how CC was?

CC water was crystal clear on August 2012 when we went and on both stops.

 

[owensamo]

Ok right post.....so the water is gross???? I've never been. Ugh. I guess we won't be swimming. I went to this place once that had a protected lagoon and the water was gross. At Aulani it seemed so so. I prefer ocean without breakers because it tends to get murky. Is this how CC was?

We've been to CC 11 times and never had a problem with the water. It's crystal clear first thing in the morning, but does get murky later in the day in the family lagoon because as people swim, they kick up the sand. Serenity Bay is an unprotected beach, and may stay clearer, but having kids, we haven't had much opportunity to spend time there.

 

[sweetlovin']

We start AFTER labor day (NJ) We go all the way till around June 20th though.

Wow that is late. Our kids get out the week before Memorial Day.

 

[MichelleVW]

Ok right post.....so the water is gross???? I've never been. Ugh. I guess we won't be swimming. I went to this place once that had a protected lagoon and the water was gross. At Aulani it seemed so so. I prefer ocean without breakers because it tends to get murky. Is this how CC was?

Water isn't gross at all...just was there 2 weeks ago and it was beautiful!!

 

[cris0809]

Have you been to San Juan??? My fave port is St John followed by San Juan. Rich history, clean, safe, friendly people and so much to do!!!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

I also really like San Juan, not sure what the PP means by saying "bleh" about it.

 

[cris0809]

Ok right post.....so the water is gross???? I've never been. Ugh. I guess we won't be swimming. I went to this place once that had a protected lagoon and the water was gross. At Aulani it seemed so so. I prefer ocean without breakers because it tends to get murky. Is this how CC was?

We've never found the water gross, even after it was churned up by hurricanes. The adult beach is on unprotected side of the island so it gets seaweed and is not as clear but the family beach has always been beautiful.

 

[holula]

With the Wonder in Miami, they really should have looked at 6-night and 8-night cruises to get it to the Southern. In the link someone posted that had the brochure of sailings, DCL lists a 6-night Western on the Wonder on 10/11/2014 that goes to GC, Cozumel and CC. Maybe run that cruise on Sun-Sat and put CC at the beginning as to not interfere with the Fantasy's Friday spot in CC. Then, for Sat-Sun on an 8-night, they should have gone as follows (again, CC could be moved to accommodate schedules): Sat - Miami Sun - at sea Mon - at sea Tue - Aruba Wed - Curacao Thu - at sea Fri - at sea Sat - Castaway Sun - Miami They could even have done some deeper Eastern islands like Barbados, St. Lucia, or Grenada with the extra day in there.

I would have loved this! Or just go to some different islands on an Eastern/Western. Add Belize or something to a Western. Mix it up a little.

 

[twopeasonepod]

Ok right post.....so the water is gross???? I've never been. Ugh. I guess we won't be swimming. I went to this place once that had a protected lagoon and the water was gross. At Aulani it seemed so so. I prefer ocean without breakers because it tends to get murky. Is this how CC was?

I know opinions vary widely. If you are used to anything on the east coast or gulf, CC will be gorgeous. If you live in Hawaii, there is a different level of comparison. We spent a week at Siesta Key last year and I can see how popular it can be, but it's not for us. I do realize though, that not everyone can afford to go to Hawaii. I also agree that manmade lagoons, including the one at Aulani, don't impress.

The water didn't stop us from swimming or anything, it's just not a "wow" beach, IMO.

 

[Silverfox97]

I know opinions vary widely. If you are used to anything on the east coast or gulf, CC will be gorgeous. If you live in Hawaii, there is a different level of comparison. We spent a week at Siesta Key last year and I can see how popular it can be, but it's not for us. I do realize though, that not everyone can afford to go to Hawaii. I also agree that manmade lagoons, including the one at Aulani, don't impress. The water didn't stop us from swimming or anything, it's just not a "wow" beach, IMO.

I agree about Siesta Key and what not for sure & I live here (Tampa). While I've never been to Hawaii (yet), nothing compares to St John IMHO. Not even St Thomas, even tho they are near each other. Hawaii looks incredible.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[sweetlovin']

I know opinions vary widely. If you are used to anything on the east coast or gulf, CC will be gorgeous. If you live in Hawaii, there is a different level of comparison. We spent a week at Siesta Key last year and I can see how popular it can be, but it's not for us. I do realize though, that not everyone can afford to go to Hawaii. I also agree that manmade lagoons, including the one at Aulani, don't impress.

The water didn't stop us from swimming or anything, it's just not a "wow" beach, IMO.

I have been to Fiji, so I knew exactly what you meant when you said that. I went with a group to Jamaica and they were amazed at how clean the water was, and I was thinking, it's nicer than Jersey Shore, but it's not the remote Fiji islands. (Sorry Jersey Shore peeps)

CC for me is a completely different thing. Not perfect water or whatever, but it's a Disney Island. You get to walk around and meet characters in their swim gear. It was beautiful at Christmas time, decorated with all the Disney touches that I loved.

So, I understand what you mean about the water and the beach. For me, CC is more about the atmosphere.

 

[sweetlovin']

I agree about Siesta Key and what not for sure & I live here (Tampa). While I've never been to Hawaii (yet), nothing compares to St John IMHO. Not even St Thomas, even tho they are near each other. Hawaii looks incredible.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

UGH! Now i have to go to St John!! Just to compare

 

[jelliott04]

I'm confused. I see a response above that it might be cheaper to book later - is that true? I have a dummy reservation which I want to change to 7 days on the Fantasy for President's Week 2015, which is a pretty popular week. Cheaper to book tomorrow or wait? Thanks.

This is also Mardi Gras week. We'll see you onboard!

 

[twopeasonepod]

I agree about Siesta Key and what not for sure & I live here (Tampa). While I've never been to Hawaii (yet), nothing compares to St John IMHO. Not even St Thomas, even tho they are near each other. Hawaii looks incredible.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Yes! Would love to trade CC for St. John any day of the week! Looks picturesque! We are spending New Year's at St. Pete this year (after Christmas at WDW) and I am actually happy that it's not a time for swimming. It's just meh.

 

[Silverfox97]

CC for me is a completely different thing. Not perfect water or whatever, but it's a Disney Island. You get to walk around and meet characters in their swim gear. It was beautiful at Christmas time, decorated with all the Disney touches that I loved. So, I understand what you mean about the water and the beach. For me, CC is more about the atmosphere.

For us too I don't think it's crappy, but for swimming/snorkeling, it's St John all the way!!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards