4/10/2010 eb ta "bound for barcelona"

[joius24]

I did some serious already planning/buying for the FE's already ..... so I am no too excited about the possibility of the "rules - as they were explained to me" changing.

Being a NEWB however - has its disadvantages..... I took the explanation given to me first and ran with it.... I would really like to not have to wait till really close to the cruise to plan/prepare/create... I have been seriously treasure hunting over the past few days

Is there any way that we have some kind of conclusions about the FE rules/process if at all possible? I am still treasure hunting.

 

[Dishy24]

So Dishy24 and I have been checking DCL everyday for the military discounts to come out. Well today that came out!!!!

I was able to change our 2 CAT 12's to 2 CAT 5's and only had to pay $550 total!!! Then on the Med we upgraded one of our two 12's to a CAT 5 for $175. We are keeping the other 12 on the Med bc we got too good of a deal at $2200 for 4 of us! The girls will be with grandma anyway for both cruises so it will just be Craig and I left up to the Disney gods!

So grandma and the girls are in 7082 for the TA and the Med and Craig and I are in 7080 for the TA and CAT 12 GTY for the Med.

Ok to look up stateroom reports for these rooms. DH and I have never had an outside room let alone a verandah. So excited!!!

Add me to the list of people doing the "Happy Dance"!!! The Military Discount is not available on Cat 4 rooms-- so I switched to Cat 5 (deck 7) BUT DH (Dino) decided to join us so I booked 2 connecting Cat 5 rooms, added DH & am STILL getting a $2,005 CREDIT!!!!

So We (Tricia, Dino & Gavin) will be in 7580 & My parents (Pat & Mike) will be in 7582.

I can't believe I JUST found out about the Military Discount a few months ago (Dad is retired Marines) and has been on 4 other Disney Cruises with us! Oh well.. at least we have it now!!!

PS: I JUST ordered a FE on ebay a few days ago (with all 5 of our names on it--- had a feeling DH may join us!) So, we will be using 1 FE hanging outside of room 7580)


Meanwhile-- all of our excursions & booked items are all mixed up since I now hold 2 reservations. They kept me & Gavin on the original one (and added Dh) and Mom & Dad have a new one. All Mom's SPA reservations are now in Dino's name... I hope he enjoys his facials! lol I really need to call them tomorrow to sort this all out!

 

[Michelle2]

I did some serious already planning/buying for the FE's already ..... so I am no too excited about the possibility of the "rules - as they were explained to me" changing.

Being a NEWB however - has its disadvantages..... I took the explanation given to me first and ran with it.... I would really like to not have to wait till really close to the cruise to plan/prepare/create... I have been seriously treasure hunting over the past few days

Is there any way that we have some kind of conclusions about the FE rules/process if at all possible? I am still treasure hunting.

Which rules were you not too happy about? I would feel so bad, this is supposed to be all fun and excitement!
I hope that I didn't mislead anyone in the description. I think we should all nail down a date and plan.

Add me to the list of people doing the "Happy Dance"!!! The Military Discount is not available on Cat 4 rooms-- so I switched to Cat 5 (deck 7) BUT DH (Dino) decided to join us so I booked 2 connecting Cat 5 rooms, added DH & am STILL getting a $2,005 CREDIT!!!!

So We (Tricia, Dino & Gavin) will be in 7580 & My parents (Pat & Mike) will be in 7582.

I can't believe I JUST found out about the Military Discount a few months ago (Dad is retired Marines) and has been on 4 other Disney Cruises with us! Oh well.. at least we have it now!!!

PS: I JUST ordered a FE on ebay a few days ago (with all 5 of our names on it--- had a feeling DH may join us!) So, we will be using 1 FE hanging outside of room 7580)

Yay! Congrats...I am SUPER seriously green with envy right now!

 

[Michelle2]

http://www.foxnews.com/search-results/m/28313359/new-fees-for-checked-luggage.htm#q=baggage+fees

That is awful!!! My main carrier is Delta too....might just have to switch to SW more often.

I agree 40 cabins is not that big a number either. The FE cabin count has been underway for awhile, however, and the list of cabins already reached 40 a couple of days ago on Lynne's website.

The FE cabin count could increase to 50+ if we keep the list open to March 1st, and that is about an month before we sail. People on the main thread said the FE wasn't fun when they had to do 60-70+ cabins, and that sounds scary to me. That's why I posted the reminder date from our original thread for February 1st.

Yeah, you are right about the count going up closer to the cruise. It could get to over 50 staterooms. But everyone is so different in that respect. Like I said, I have done 120 staterooms before (could have been more, I forget exactly) and I had no problem with it.

I never saw the February 1st deadline on the first thread, but I could have totally missed it if someone suggested it. I wasn't aware of anything being decided for sure though. If everyone wants to do a Feb 1st deadline we can do that.

I would suggest that we make a list of people who want to go together to do FE's. I have to say while it was nice not to do any prep really on the PC cruise for FE because we did groups and ordered larger items, I personally already have things for this cruise on their way. So I think if some people want to go together (like we are with the Lanyards) as a FE item - that is great (so I guess I am doing it both ways ) let connect those people together but not make it mandatory to be part of a group.

I am not in charge of the FE group (who is?) but I have a few other ideas too I can throw out if no one cares.

Krisann

I would love to hear your ideas on the FE. The sooner we start nailing things down, the better.
I am supposedly the one in charge, but Lynne has been doing the FE list, so I am not sure anymore. I had always thought it was simply just giving gifts to all the participants on the list, but if people want to join up in groups they can. I just don't want it to get so complicated that we don't know who is doing what anymore. Let me know what you think.

 

[PrincessMonkey]

Absolutely, Michelle!

We do not want our FE plans to fall apart.

I hope the other people who are involved in making FE gifts will join this discussion.

Well, you won't find us wearing lime green, but I have two Minnie Bride hats and Dr. Dave has a Mickey Groom top hat that we will wear after big day and may have on the ship.

 

[PrincessMonkey]

Lynne, please add both of us (2 adults) to the ones-who-will-wear-DISgroup-lanyards list.

Thanks!

 

[disneymum2201]

I have booked a taxi for our group of 5 in Madeira with a company that has lots of positive reviews on cruise critic. I have been very impressed with my contact so far. They do the west tour in 6ish hours. We can stop for as long as we like and where we like. I have been on too many large tour buses and had to wait for each of the 50+ people to get on and off even for short photo stops it all takes time also long lunch breaks. A large coach going uphill through mountains would be very slow. The flower parade is from 4pm -6pm. Depending on how we go re time our driver is going to bring us back to watch the last hour of the parade.

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

My preference would be that everyone in the group give to every cabin (or every person as they see fit) and we lock down the list by February 1st.

I hate to exclude anyone, it's not in my nature but the rest of us have to plan and have time to prepare. If there are enough newcomers after Feb. 1 to make a second exchange list, great!

I also don't think it should be mandated what time of day the gifts are dropped off. Coming back to gifts at the end of the day is fun too. Assigning days I agree with.

All that said, if we go in a different direction, I won't kick up a fuss.

 

[realfam]

I have booked a taxi for our group of 5 in Madeira with a company that has lots of positive reviews on cruise critic. I have been very impressed with my contact so far. They do the west tour in 6ish hours. We can stop for as long as we like and where we like. I have been on too many large tour buses and had to wait for each of the 50+ people to get on and off even for short photo stops it all takes time also long lunch breaks. A large coach going uphill through mountains would be very slow. The flower parade is from 4pm -6pm. Depending on how we go re time our driver is going to bring us back to watch the last hour of the parade.

This sounds like a great idea. How did you find the taxi tour as for our family maybe interested in something like this. We'd appreciate any help finding something similar.

Alex

 

[thossink]

...Those smoke stacks on thossink's logo are great - it used to look like Stitch had been allowed to play with the design.

My brain went dead and I posted the wrong one. Then I couldn't get back to it.

 

[grlzmom]

I would love to hear your ideas on the FE. The sooner we start nailing things down, the better.
I am supposedly the one in charge, but Lynne has been doing the FE list, so I am not sure anymore. I had always thought it was simply just giving gifts to all the participants on the list, but if people want to join up in groups they can. I just don't want it to get so complicated that we don't know who is doing what anymore. Let me know what you think.

Personally I don't think 40-50 cabins is a huge number (maybe because we too have been in a 100 plus cabin group).

I agree some cutoff date should be set and a new group could be formed after that for late bookers. If there is a split between some who want Feb1 and some who want March1, consider February 15th as a compromise

Please don't make it complicated. I really don't want to be assigned a certain date or time to drop off treats, I've never done it that way before. Some people want to deliver on certain days as maybe there gift if themed for a certain day or port or night?

My experience has been that when people want to gift as a group, they have just figured it out among themselves.

Keep it simple!

 

[joius24]

My preference would be that everyone in the group give to every cabin (or every person as they see fit) and we lock down the list by February 1st.

I hate to exclude anyone, it's not in my nature but the rest of us have to plan and have time to prepare. If there are enough newcomers after Feb. 1 to make a second exchange list, great!

I also don't think it should be mandated what time of day the gifts are dropped off. Coming back to gifts at the end of the day is fun too. Assigning days I agree with.

All that said, if we go in a different direction, I won't kick up a fuss.

Mrs Gumdrop... I am with you.....I agree on all of your FE suggestions/feedback...Mid Feb deadline latest. (but I too will go with the masses). I am excited to participate with ALL the cabins! wooooo whoooo!

I didnt mean to say it was anyones fault about my confusion...it was not the deadline so much but the possibilty of changing the # of cabins (making smaller groups) when I already purchsed some supplies to do ALL cabins. ...Like I said...the newbie want to do it right...I not only have obsessive vacation planning disorder for the cruise - but for FEs as well I am glad I found this little group o'crusers!

If this is my worst delemma of the day...I am truly blessed

 

[Dishy24]

If this is my worst delemma of the day...I am truly blessed

I agree!!!

 

[bound2travel]

I emailed DCL asking for specifics on theme nights and formal/semi-formal nights. Yes, Pirate night is the night we are in Madeira

Anyway, this is their response.

14-Night Transatlantic Eastbound Cruise
*Nights 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 14: cruise casual
*Nights 2 & 8: "formal night" - formal wear for men: tuxedo or suit;
for women: gown or dress
*Night 9: pirate night with deck party - cruise casual or bring your
best pirate outfit!
*Night 13: "semi-formal night" - semi-formal wear for men: suit/jacket;
for women: dress or pantsuit.


Notice Night 2 is both cruise casual AND formal? As there is no Night 3, I suppose they meant that night for formal. Also noticed they did not specify any themes except for pirate night.

I was hoping we had gotten wrong information about Pirate Night but their email confirms it. Oh well.

Kristi

 

[bound2travel]

I like the Feb. 1st deadline simply because what i'm making will take time to make (possibly more than 6 weeks due to work schedule). If I start in early Feb. and then more cabins are added later, I may not be able to get the same supplies for the later items than for the earlier items.

As to number of cabins, I'll go with the majority.

I also don't want a specific date or time to deliver. I may decide to deliver to everyone early on - but that thought is just me.

I just want happiness and peace.

Kristi

 

[Yvet]

I have booked a taxi for our group of 5 in Madeira with a company that has lots of positive reviews on cruise critic. I have been very impressed with my contact so far. They do the west tour in 6ish hours. We can stop for as long as we like and where we like. I have been on too many large tour buses and had to wait for each of the 50+ people to get on and off even for short photo stops it all takes time also long lunch breaks. A large coach going uphill through mountains would be very slow. The flower parade is from 4pm -6pm. Depending on how we go re time our driver is going to bring us back to watch the last hour of the parade.

What, where and for how much is this tour.
Please share more info with us because it sounds great!!!

 

[Yvet]

Very good site for exchange rates:
http://www.xe.com/ucc/

We already have Euro's so we don't need to exchange them anymore.

My question is for all of you: Why why why do you want to leave the States with a couple of hundred euro's???
In my opinion is around €100 enough and then go to an ATM for more wehen you need more...
What is the reason for getting a couple of hundred €??

Tip: When you go to your bank just don't accept bills over the amount of €50.
Everything above the amount of €50 will almost never be accepted by stores or cabs......

 

[Dishy24]

Well, you won't find us wearing lime green, but I have two Minnie Bride hats and Dr. Dave has a Mickey Groom top hat that we will wear after big day and may have on the ship.

OK, I HAVE to ask... Do you always call your fiance "Dr. Dave"?

 

[Happy Goofy]

We would be interested in the Extended Tour- We might as well see all we can. You said it was a VW van. My husband is 6'2" -I guess he can sit up front with the driver. Let us know what we need to do ? thanks for getting this information.

 

[spyles]

I emailed DCL asking for specifics on theme nights and formal/semi-formal nights. Yes, Pirate night is the night we are in Madeira

Anyway, this is their response.

14-Night Transatlantic Eastbound Cruise
*Nights 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 14: cruise casual
*Nights 2 & 8: "formal night" - formal wear for men: tuxedo or suit;
for women: gown or dress
*Night 9: pirate night with deck party - cruise casual or bring your
best pirate outfit!
*Night 13: "semi-formal night" - semi-formal wear for men: suit/jacket;
for women: dress or pantsuit.


Kristi

Kristi -

That matches up to what was posted previously:
4/12 (3rd Night): Formal Night - Prince and Princess Theme
4/16 (7th Night): Villians Menu -- perhaps new show that night??
4/17 (8th Night): Transatlantic Formal Night
4/18 (9th Night): Pirate Night - Madeira
4/22 (13th Night): Semi Formal Capt Gala

Thanks for your diligence! I think that really "seals the deal" on what dress attire is on what night.

-Steve