7/18/2010 Mickey's Baltic Ballyhoo!! Part 4

[RJAYL]

OMG....you almost made me spit tea all over my computer.
I have a feeling the head of DCL may live across the road from us in FL. There's a street across from us that houses Disney execs and since they have a Private Road sign posted on the fence we haven't had the nerve to venture over there and look around. Besides I have a yellow Land Rover down there, not likely that I'll blend in with the ones who live there.

I will send you the eggs!

 

[Doingitagain]

I don't know if you saw my post on the other board, but they are charging $14k for a category 3 for a seven night sailing for four people. That is over 35% higher than our Baltic cruise when you calculate a per night charge.

We put in a waitlist request for a special 2011 itinerary when we were on the Magic early August (squeezed it in before they closed the waitlist). Unfortunately, they gave us a date we can't do because DH is still teaching. Not sure what to do on Monday to get the date changed (although still thinking that we may switch to another line with this kind of pricing, our kids are adults now and we don't feel obliged to do DCL).

I am posting here because we have a bunch of experienced cruisers and I am tired of the complaining on the other threads. I just want some helpful communication.

Any thoughts?

 

[RJAYL]

I don't know if you saw my post on the other board, but they are charging $14k for a category 3 for a seven night sailing for four people. That is over 35% higher than our Baltic cruise when you calculate a per night charge.

We put in a waitlist request for a special 2011 itinerary when we were on the Magic early August (squeezed it in before they closed the waitlist). Unfortunately, they gave us a date we can't do because DH is still teaching. Not sure what to do on Monday to get the date changed (although still thinking that we may switch to another line with this kind of pricing, our kids are adults now and we don't feel obliged to do DCL).

I am posting here because we have a bunch of experienced cruisers and I am tired of the complaining on the other threads. I just want some helpful communication.

Any thoughts?

That actually sounds right for DCL & a cat 3! My first DCL cruise was a 7 night eastern & was about 20K for 6 in a cat 1

The Med in 2007 was pricey about 25K (4K per person average) so are the currently booked cruises for this summer!

My best deal was the EB repo where I must have hit the waitlist right or G_D was smiling down on me as it cost about the same as the first 7 night eastern as it did for 15 nights!

Go figure!

I have a 7 nighter booked for our April vacation in 2011 on NCL Epic in 3 cabins a Penthouse with a connecting balcony and a inside stateroom across the hall 3 staterooms 6 people for 9K on a brand new ship!

With All concierge & butler & courtyard privaledges!

 

[MI-MINI]

Good Morning- I haven't posted in a while, just lurking & reading lots of interesting cruise info- I continue to be amazed at how much you all know! Everything I've learned here will definitely make the trip all that much better!

Well, I don't know much about DCL to share back, but in honor of "Speak Like a Pirate Day" I'll offer up my favorite pirate joke instead:

"What kind of socks does a pirate wear?"
"Arrrrrgyl!"

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Good Morning- I haven't posted in a while, just lurking & reading lots of interesting cruise info- I continue to be amazed at how much you all know! Everything I've learned here will definitely make the trip all that much better!

Well, I don't know much about DCL to share back, but in honor of "Speak Like a Pirate Day" I'll offer up my favorite pirate joke instead:

"What kind of socks does a pirate wear?"
"Arrrrrgyl!"

Well, welcome back, you wont catch me lurking,


Well actually its quite nice really,

ANYWAY


I RECEIVED MY POST TODAY AND I HAVE MY RESERVATION FOR THE DISNEY MAGIC.

TICKETS !!!!



Now I have your attention.


Booked my car park for this cruise a few days back, its now up on Dover port website, and the cark park tickets and 'mirror hanger' came through today.

Nice, says DISNEY MAGIC, and our cruise dates, so thats a little bit cheaper and far less travel than flying to the USA.

What is everyone booking???

Some 'views'

7-Night Mexican Riviera Cruise

Puerto Vallarta
Mazatlan
Cabo San Lucas

PV Nice port we had a great private tour there, traditional Mexican purchases can be made at Walmart across the road, very cheap.
Cabo been there twice, missed it once, due to the weather, it changed a lot between my visits, a lot more commercial now, nice port, glass blowing factory views and sea-life is great.

Mazatlan didn't do.

10 nights and PC

Manzanillo, Mexico

Why? bar a safe haven, we went there in 2005 instead of Cabo, (good for DCL to provide at short notice an alternative, but personally nothing there, it just fills up a day. Tours just drove around!

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

So pleased to see this, always thought why didn't DCL go to Costa Rica, its so nice we went with Princess and went to the rain forest far better than Acapulco, a good one, said its just one cruise!! I would do the repo just for this! (Arbua is great as well had a nice private tour)

Alaska

Is it me or, does anyone think these cruises are the leftovers the poor mans lunch. Going on Tuesdays we know they dropped out of the running on Glacier bay, but the seem to have got poor port days times etc even unsure on the port availability one morning, If I wanted to book Alaska it wouldn't be this cruise, imho. Its a bit like when they started in the Med, lets say not the best ports or days, IE La Spezia, Italy is not the best port for Florence, Pisa, but they have improved now with Malta and Tunis.

 

[RJAYL]

I have a feeling that i will not be sailing DCL in 2011 as my gold status kicks in after this summer's cruises and I doubt I will be able to book any of the suites on the new ship untill I have that status!

I will be all set for next falls round of bookings! However I am sad as I would have liked to see the changes to CC that will be done by the end of next summer!

Those Beach Cabana's sound really nice!

Oh well 2011 will be another year to try new ships on different cruise lines for less money!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I have a feeling that i will not be sailing DCL in 2011 as my gold status kicks in after this summer's cruises and I doubt I will be able to book any of the suites on the new ship untill I have that status!

I would say, never say never. I feel with the new CC tiers they have devalued the suite perks, at the same time, they are increasing the cost of the suites considerably, then when people do not book, they then offer upgrades cheap at port, This as they say in the lion king is the circle of life, or rather, short sighted as more people will hold back, more people can get the same as concierge in booking Palo and shore trips. Then then get the service on the ship at far last price than the people booking first day.
I feel sorry for DCL, as they have got this wrong. They will loose suite bookings, so if you want one go for it, Alaska of course is where verandahs and suites will go fast as some of it is 'sail by' not a port experience.


I will be all set for next falls round of bookings! However I am sad as I would have liked to see the changes to CC that will be done by the end of next summer!

Those Beach Cabana's sound really nice!

Yes and no, CC is wonderful in the first place, you have everything, do you need one? Now my guess cost will open at $600 ish, now, they might go fast, they might not and DCL will raise or reduce the cost as they see demand.

At CC we swim, cycle, go to Cookies etc, have a bed, don't need a Cabana, we had one at Discovery Cove, we used it about 50%, it was nice had good views, a private locker, personal service drinks etc, but we still had lots of other things to do so got reasonable value. At Blizzard Beach, they have these, personal areas, like a Cabana $250, i saw a few in use, many not, I had considered, but glad I didn't, we found four beds under a roof type shade, but used them for clothes, and never sat on them, and maybe where there 10 mins all day. It depends on what you want, people will buy for novelty, but who knows,

Oh well 2011 will be another year to try new ships on different cruise lines for less money!

Yes, I personally feel its getting a lot of ''one way traffic'' from DCL what they dictate.

• Do not know prices in advance.
• Do not know the new Stateroom Cats in advance.
• I feel this is a back door price increase exercise, the best locations will be favorites and go up.
• The CC tiers are overall an improvement but not fair, IE you!
• Alaska There are far better cruises out there at better prices and better ships, and they are catching up on kids clubs and service, and moved ahead on facilities, if demand stays up, they will get away with it, but it might come back to bite them, too much dictating.

.

 

[RJAYL]

Yes, I personally feel its getting a lot of ''one way traffic'' from DCL what they dictate.

• Do not know prices in advance.
• Do not know the new Stateroom Cats in advance.
• I feel this is a back door price increase exercise, the best locations will be favorites and go up.
• The CC tiers are overall an improvement but not fair, IE you!

I am over! Well almost err maybe not! Even RCI gives suite guests double credit for each cruise! Breath, Breath, yeah I am over it!

• Alaska There are far better cruises out there at better prices and better ships, and they are catching up on kids clubs and service, and moved ahead on facilities, if demand stays up, they will get away with it, but it might come back to bite them, too much dictating.

So do you want to go egg Bob Iger's House with me & Barb?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I am over! Well almost err maybe not! Even RCI gives suite guests double credit for each cruise! Breath, Breath, yeah I am over it! [/COLOR]So do you want to go egg Bob Iger's House with me & Barb?

Did you notice they added another answer on their CC club FVQ, re longer cruises, I received a 'standard; reply to my complaint, but many people have given them ''feedback''.

I think as said its all ''one way'' and currently what some of the things they have done, has upset a lot of people.

Now, there must come a tipping point where people just say goodbye, There are modern ships out there will considerable facilities, floating city's and resorts, but are on average cheaper. They also have had the best port slots for many years and the buying power for contracts.

Being relatively small in the cruising industry they have less leverage, and can be squeezed out by the big boys.

The devaluing of concierge, buy allowing others not paying for suites, to book at the same time, and introduce a tipped position in concierge, then offer very cheap suite upgrades in port, all will make their most loyal and high paying customers feel ''unloved'' the tipping point might not be seen for a while, maybe with Dream around in 2011, maybe with four ships in 2012, but they cannot continue to dictate and not listen to the buying public, its bordering on arrogance now. We are Disney we can do what we want and anyone must accept our terms. Offering trips with places like Manzanillo, Mexico will not appeal to the experienced cruiser.

 

[jilljill]

Do not know the new Stateroom Cats in advance.

Here's a site that has the new stateroom categories. http://www.yourmagicaljourneys.com/dcl/newcabincat.htm
It's just a shame that DCL can't be on top of things and get this info out to the public instead of others doing their legwork for them.

 

[jilljill]

I am over! Well almost err maybe not! Even RCI gives suite guests double credit for each cruise! Breath, Breath, yeah I am over it! [/COLOR]So do you want to go egg Bob Iger's House with me & Barb?

Let's go and we'll jump on a 3 day cruise to get you to gold.

 

[jilljill]

Good Morning- I haven't posted in a while, just lurking & reading lots of interesting cruise info- I continue to be amazed at how much you all know! Everything I've learned here will definitely make the trip all that much better!

Well, I don't know much about DCL to share back, but in honor of "Speak Like a Pirate Day" I'll offer up my favorite pirate joke instead:

"What kind of socks does a pirate wear?"
"Arrrrrgyl!"

Have I put your info in the first thread? That is if you wanted posted in the first thread.

We went on a Baltics cruise last summer and are really looking forward to going again and seeing Oslo and Stockholm, 2 ports we didn't see last time. I'm just very disappointed in the time we arrive in St. Petersburg, 12:30 is way too late in the day to be arriving and I thought 10:30 was too late to arrive as first posted and then they changed it to 12:30. That really cuts out a lot of time for sightseeing the first day.

 

[Caropooh]

Let's go and we'll jump on a 3 day cruise to get you to gold.

That thought had actually crossed my mind to reach gold!

 

[jilljill]

That thought had actually crossed my mind to reach gold!

It's crossed mine to get to platinum, but I need 2 to do that.
I see a Ballyhoo takeover on the Wonder a couple of weekends to get the needed cruises to reach the next CC level.

 

[RJAYL]

Did you notice they added another answer on their CC club FVQ, re longer cruises, I received a 'standard; reply to my complaint, but many people have given them ''feedback''.

I think as said its all ''one way'' and currently what some of the things they have done, has upset a lot of people.

Now, there must come a tipping point where people just say goodbye, There are modern ships out there will considerable facilities, floating city's and resorts, but are on average cheaper. They also have had the best port slots for many years and the buying power for contracts.

Being relatively small in the cruising industry they have less leverage, and can be squeezed out by the big boys.

The devaluing of concierge, buy allowing others not paying for suites, to book at the same time, and introduce a tipped position in concierge, then offer very cheap suite upgrades in port, all will make their most loyal and high paying customers feel ''unloved'' the tipping point might not be seen for a while, maybe with Dream around in 2011, maybe with four ships in 2012, but they cannot continue to dictate and not listen to the buying public, its bordering on arrogance now. We are Disney we can do what we want and anyone must accept our terms. Offering trips with places like Manzanillo, Mexico will not appeal to the experienced cruiser.

I feel the pain and as for the new ships it is true I was very impressed by a 4 year old carnival ship we were on this summer no it was not Disney but the food was better then the DCL Repo of 2008 and there supper club! My wife will not stop talking about it, totally first rate 5 star experience! Not to mention they had a water slide I could use!

It also taught me that I do not need a suite (Dont get me wrong I love the Living room & Dining room of the Roy & Walt but I got 3 (THREE!) cabins for half the price of the Roy on a 7 day!

Now I am booked on NCL Epic during its innaugural year with a Suite (about 500 to 600 sq ft) a connecting Balcony and an inside stateroom across the hall for half the price of the Roy as well! It is good to experience new things!

I really do want to go on the RC Oasis or Allure just to see what they are like!

 

[RJAYL]

Let's go and we'll jump on a 3 day cruise to get you to gold.

That thought had actually crossed my mind to reach gold!

It's crossed mine to get to platinum, but I need 2 to do that.
I see a Ballyhoo takeover on the Wonder a couple of weekends to get the needed cruises to reach the next CC level.

Come on Ladies I travel with 4 kids! All of which have busy schedules! Not to mention my sons Hockey which has my winter's tied up untill 2011-2012.

Then there is the Dog the Cat & the Bird!

 

[Caropooh]

Come on Ladies I travel with 4 kids! All of which have busy schedules! Not to mention my sons Hockey which has my winter's tied up untill 2011-2012.

Then there is the Dog the Cat & the Bird!

Go by yourself! You'd only need 1 person in the group to be Gold!

 

[jilljill]

Come on Ladies I travel with 4 kids! All of which have busy schedules! Not to mention my sons Hockey which has my winter's tied up untill 2011-2012.

Then there is the Dog the Cat & the Bird!

Go by yourself! You'd only need 1 person in the group to be Gold!

Caro, you beat me to it. That's right, only 1 needs to be at the next level.
I don't think our spouses would mind if we took a cruise or 2 together.

 

[RJAYL]

Go by yourself! You'd only need 1 person in the group to be Gold!

Caro, you beat me to it. That's right, only 1 needs to be at the next level.
I don't think our spouses would mind if we took a cruise or 2 together.

I know you are joking because You have met my wife! now maybe if I took all the kids!

 

[Caropooh]

Caro, you beat me to it. That's right, only 1 needs to be at the next level.
I don't think our spouses would mind if we took a cruise or 2 together.

Heck Barb, you and I took my 25th anniversary cruise together!