34% full

[Smuggs]

I called ABD this afternoon to see the status on our SW Splendor. They said it is 34% full.

The drop dead (70 days) date is March 19th. Think we are safe to consider it a GO?

 

[Bobo912]

Last time I called they told me my SWS date was 25% booked and I asked them how many is that and the answer was 12. So that means full is 48, which seems high to me. I didn't realize there were any trips other than Gateways that allowed that many. But if that is the case your trip would have 15, and we know trips have gone with fewer than that. Never can tell, but if I were in your place I would be hopeful.

 

[Smuggs]

Last time I called they told me my SWS date was 25% booked and I asked them how many is that and the answer was 12. So that means full is 48, which seems high to me. I didn't realize there were any trips other than Gateways that allowed that many. But if that is the case your trip would have 15, and we know trips have gone with fewer than that. Never can tell, but if I were in your place I would be hopeful.

48 is full!? I thought the big promo with them was no more than 40 per group?
sheesh


Yes, I think SayHello's trip went with 14 or so, I will be counting the days to the 19th!

 

[sayhello]

48 is full!? I thought the big promo with them was no more than 40 per group?
sheesh


Yes, I think SayHello's trip went with 14 or so, I will be counting the days to the 19th!

I'm hoping the rep just couldn't do math. Because that is definitely what they've advertised in the past is no more than 40 people. One of the downsides of the Gateway trips is that they've increased that to 50. If they've increased it to 48, I will not be happy. 39 (in the Med) seemed like a lot!

OK, I just went and looked at the site, and I can't see it saying "at most 40 people" anywhere. PLUS, if you look at the comparisons between the Gateway Italy & the regular & Signature Viva Italia, it says 50 for the Gateway, 44 for the "regular" trip, and 40 for the Signature. Same thing for Knights & Lights. The Gateway London & Paris trip says 50 max, the regular Knights & Lights says 44. I'm going to have to go back to the previous years' brochures & see when that little detail changed....

I think I'll be calling ABD with some questions about this today!

And yes, my SWS trip went with 14 people. So I think, this close, you can start to be hopeful.

Sayhello

 

[Grifdog22]

I think you are safe to go. We are going to South Africa in just over 6 weeks on a 2010 trip (April-May 2011) and we are way past the point of cancellation. I talked to ABD today, for the first time in many months. We have a total of 13, with my two girls as the only kids. The ABD rep. was gracious and said that they will get LOTS of attention from the guides. I noted that was a plural, guides, rather than guide as well.

With only 6 weeks to go, I thought that this would be a final number of participants. The ABD rep. said that she had just talked to a family this morning who was considering this very trip date... so maybe some folks aren't quite as detail/planning oriented as some of us on this board...

 

[Bobo912]

Paid off my trip today and asked about the bookings. Total is now 13, so only one more person has booked since the last time I asked.

 

[Smuggs]

well, since I passed the cancel date I guess we are good to go!



no idea how many are on the trip, but I will be there!

 

[sayhello]

well, since I passed the cancel date I guess we are good to go!



no idea how many are on the trip, but I will be there!

Yay!!!! Congrats!

When do you go?

Sayhello

 

[Smuggs]

May 28th!

Staying the night before at the Embassy suites, then head to the PHX to start the adventure.

 

[Bobo912]

Great news, Smuggs! Please let us know how the Embassy Suites works out for you. You're staying at the one in Tempe, right? We'll be doing the same in July. We're 99 days out, so still have a while to wait before we can relax.

 

[sayhello]

May 28th!

Staying the night before at the Embassy suites, then head to the PHX to start the adventure.

I think you are SO going to LOVE SWS, but then, I'm prejudiced!

Sayhello

 

[dismiss]

I am envious of you guys who are going with small groups.

I just called with a payment today for SWS Aug 6 , and was told tour is full with 43!!!!!!!!!!!. 11 children between 6-13. they don't tell you how many teens as they are considered adults, but I am sure there will be some
my DD is 14.

I thought Aug would not be as crowded as it is HOTTTTTT in the
SouthWest in August. Guess I was wrong
Let us know how embassy suites is. We plan to stay there the day before our trip also.

Dismiss

 

[28willys]

well, since I passed the cancel date I guess we are good to go!



no idea how many are on the trip, but I will be there!

I am being stupid here, but how do you know what your cancel date is? We are leaving for Italy the end of June. Should I assume this trip is still a go since we are almost at 60 days?

 

[Bobo912]

I am being stupid here, but how do you know what your cancel date is? We are leaving for Italy the end of June. Should I assume this trip is still a go since we are almost at 60 days?

ABD guarantees they won't cancel within 70 days of your departure date, unless it a something outside their control, like a revolution, natural disaster, etc. So you are safe!

 

[28willys]

ABD guarantees they won't cancel within 70 days of your departure date, unless it a something outside their control, like a revolution, natural disaster, etc. So you are safe!

Thank you so much for the info. I am super excited now. My parents are traveling with us. My father is in his 3rd week of 8 weeks of radiation treatments for cancer. He is sooo looking forward to this trip. Constantly talking about it, purchasing magazines having to do with Italy, talking to friends who have been there, etc. He would have been devastated had they cancelled.

 

[sayhello]

Thank you so much for the info. I am super excited now. My parents are traveling with us. My father is in his 3rd week of 8 weeks of radiation treatments for cancer. He is sooo looking forward to this trip. Constantly talking about it, purchasing magazines having to do with Italy, talking to friends who have been there, etc. He would have been devastated had they cancelled.

You guys totally deserve a fabulous trip and adventure! I'm so glad you can stop worrying about the trip being canceled, and just focus on your father getting well. You're going to love your trip!

Sayhello

 

[Bobo912]

The date kinda slipped up on me, but I was checking my flight this morning to be sure Delta hadn't switched our seats and discovered that we are within the 70 day no-cancellation guarantee. So SWS here we come!

 

[sayhello]

The date kinda slipped up on me, but I was checking my flight this morning to be sure Delta hadn't switched our seats and discovered that we are within the 70 day no-cancellation guarantee. So SWS here we come!

Congrats!!! I am so looking forward to hearing your report on this trip when you get back!

Sayhello

 

[Bobo912]

We are now at T-42. I just spoke to ABD and there are still only 15 people on our trip. I would like to have another kid or two, since there are only 5, including my own, but a smaller group sound kinda nice. The date just before ours is full with 44 guests, and I'm very glad we don't have that many.

 

[carpenta]

We are now at T-42. I just spoke to ABD and there are still only 15 people on our trip. I would like to have another kid or two, since there are only 5, including my own, but a smaller group sound kinda nice. The date just before ours is full with 44 guests, and I'm very glad we don't have that many.

On our trip last year to Alaska we had 4 kids, one being our daughter and she had a wonderful time. The kids bonded really well. Our up coming trip in June is only 50% full but we are going.