7/18/2010 Mickey's Baltic Ballyhoo!! Part 5

[jilljill]

I would take that as a challenge, Barb!

They have no clue that I did a pub crawl in Dublin, not once but twice.


I walked all over the city, I didn't end up crawling anywhere.

 

[Celestine]

They have no clue that I did a pub crawl in Dublin, not once but twice.


I walked all over the city, I didn't end up crawling anywhere.

In that case you weren't doing it correctly! Have survived the overnight gales, but lots of garden debris to clear away and our cat was distinctly unimpressed as she was out all night - her choice - she didn't come home so couldn't get in as we don't have a cat flap

Celestine

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Did I miss something happening?


You've mentioned the Tuesday departure before, out of curiosity what's wrong with them?

Depends on your requirements, the other cruise lines have been there, done that, etc for many years, so they all have all the best days and slots, now DCL ,starts and tried to get a deal, but all the ''best'' stuff has gone.

Now it depends on what everyone wants, most people like to cruise starting at a weekend, as it uses less vacation time off work. IE if it leaves Tuesday and you need to take a plane, you use more of your holiday time up traveling, whereas Saturday departures you can fly up/down using the weekends and less time off work.

For me if I booked Alaska it would have to be a two week break so:-

• Saturday leave fly USA, say New York,
• Tuesday ( or late Monday) fly to Canada,
• Tues>Tuesday Cruise,
• Then Tuesday>Saturday something else,

Otherwise if it was cruise only it would be

• Fly UK Monday>Canada,
• Tuesday Cruise
• Next Tuesday fly back overnight
• Work Thursday,

So I only 'save' two days from work on that, instead of just a week,

Whats happening is (we haven't been fully 'posting' this as It was a rumour), it appears DCL is cutting down the Magic trips to Europe in 2011.

Basically the Magic cruises 7/30/2011, are no longer available on the website, or by DCL agents to book, it appears to be heading back to PC and the Caribbean far earlier than originally announced, If thats confirmed, my cruise 7/30/2011 is canceled, so I am considering alternatives. I assume they took a decision very recently and before its announced are contacting ports of call on the transatlantic route, for revised days, 7/30>8/13. Also Dream is in port on some Saturdays which causes issues with Magic re starting 7 night Caribbean cruises early. Those are easy, as DCL has contracts with thoose ports of call, and can be reinstated without issue, and they can say back by popular demand!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

In that case you weren't doing it correctly! Have survived the overnight gales, but lots of garden debris to clear away and our cat was distinctly unimpressed as she was out all night - her choice - she didn't come home so couldn't get in as we don't have a cat flap

Celestine

It was bad but not too bad, they say 73mph, some big gusts, but nothing blow away bar lots of leaves in the gullies everywhere.

 

[RJAYL]

I had to read this 3 times to see that I was reading it correctly for a 4 day cruise. That's totally insane!
Please tell me you politely told them 'no thanks'. I don't think you are that crazy.

THey have a five day over new years as well, I did not bother asking $$$$$!

Yes I told them no thanks!

I weill wait for a 7 day before I blow the Dough!

As I could get away with a single cabin as my DS will be in college an unable to travel with us!

Again I have to state how DCL missed the boat with the new Royal suite's you might as well be in a Cat T with an attached Cat V you will have less wind on your veranda the only thing missing will be the Jucuzzi on the Veranda! The lack of any 2 bedroom Cabins on this ship is a real bummer!

I migh

 

[RJAYL]

Depends on your requirements, the other cruise lines have been there, done that, etc for many years, so they all have all the best days and slots, now DCL ,starts and tried to get a deal, but all the ''best'' stuff has gone.

Now it depends on what everyone wants, most people like to cruise starting at a weekend, as it uses less vacation time off work. IE if it leaves Tuesday and you need to take a plane, you use more of your holiday time up traveling, whereas Saturday departures you can fly up/down using the weekends and less time off work.

For me if I booked Alaska it would have to be a two week break so:-

• Saturday leave fly USA, say New York,
• Tuesday ( or late Monday) fly to Canada,
• Tues>Tuesday Cruise,
• Then Tuesday>Saturday something else,

Otherwise if it was cruise only it would be

• Fly UK Monday>Canada,
• Tuesday Cruise
• Next Tuesday fly back overnight
• Work Thursday,

So I only 'save' two days from work on that, instead of just a week,

Whats happening is (we haven't been fully 'posting' this as It was a rumour), it appears DCL is cutting down the Magic trips to Europe in 2011.

Basically the Magic cruises 7/30/2011, are no longer available on the website, or by DCL agents to book, it appears to be heading back to PC and the Caribbean far earlier than originally announced, If thats confirmed, my cruise 7/30/2011 is canceled, so I am considering alternatives. I assume they took a decision very recently and before its announced are contacting ports of call on the transatlantic route, for revised days, 7/30>8/13. Also Dream is in port on some Saturdays which causes issues with Magic re starting 7 night Caribbean cruises early. Those are easy, as DCL has contracts with thoose ports of call, and can be reinstated without issue, and they can say back by popular demand!

However Andrew that does bring up the idea of an earlier Med with a transatlantic B2B hmmmmm!

 

[RJAYL]

They have no clue that I did a pub crawl in Dublin, not once but twice.


I walked all over the city, I didn't end up crawling anywhere.

Me thinks thow protest 2 much!

Any Hefalumps or wuzels?

 

[RJAYL]

Good Morning All!
Rainy busy day for me in Boston off to Hockey soon!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

However Andrew that does bring up the idea of an earlier Med with a transatlantic B2B hmmmmm!

Good Morning All!
Rainy busy day for me in Boston off to Hockey soon!

We havent been blown away (yet) the Neddles off Isle of Wight recorded 100 mph winds but Heathrow was 63 MPH. Minor flooding, Dover is closed to all cross chanel ferries.

What we know 7/30/2011 Med 11 cruise onwards are suspended for booking, (confirmed).
TA September still has booking on the website.

Now is that a msitake?

Option 1/

Change of ports in Med, to encourgage better bookings, maybe Eastern Europe.

Option 2/ They havent suspoended the TA, but will do, and Magic heads back 7/30 to PC.

Too late for another Baltic run???

 

[jilljill]

Andrew I had thought maybe they would be doing the Baltics in August, that's not too late to do them. So now you get to sit and wait once again to see what you are doing.

 

[jilljill]

In that case you weren't doing it correctly! Have survived the overnight gales, but lots of garden debris to clear away and our cat was distinctly unimpressed as she was out all night - her choice - she didn't come home so couldn't get in as we don't have a cat flap

Celestine

Me thinks thow protest 2 much!

Any Hefalumps or wuzels?

It was done properly, 1 pint in each pub. Hit the oldest and the smallest pubs in the city too. They tried to get us to do karaoke in 1 pub but that wasn't happening.



Nice to hear that you and Andrew both survived the winds. I had on BBC1 radio this morning and they were talking how bad it was and all the flooding that happened.

 

[Caropooh]

Depends on your requirements, the other cruise lines have been there, done that, etc for many years, so they all have all the best days and slots, now DCL ,starts and tried to get a deal, but all the ''best'' stuff has gone.

Now it depends on what everyone wants, most people like to cruise starting at a weekend, as it uses less vacation time off work. IE if it leaves Tuesday and you need to take a plane, you use more of your holiday time up traveling, whereas Saturday departures you can fly up/down using the weekends and less time off work.

For me if I booked Alaska it would have to be a two week break so:-

• Saturday leave fly USA, say New York,
• Tuesday ( or late Monday) fly to Canada,
• Tues>Tuesday Cruise,
• Then Tuesday>Saturday something else,

Otherwise if it was cruise only it would be

• Fly UK Monday>Canada,
• Tuesday Cruise
• Next Tuesday fly back overnight
• Work Thursday,

So I only 'save' two days from work on that, instead of just a week,

Whats happening is (we haven't been fully 'posting' this as It was a rumour), it appears DCL is cutting down the Magic trips to Europe in 2011.

Basically the Magic cruises 7/30/2011, are no longer available on the website, or by DCL agents to book, it appears to be heading back to PC and the Caribbean far earlier than originally announced, If thats confirmed, my cruise 7/30/2011 is canceled, so I am considering alternatives. I assume they took a decision very recently and before its announced are contacting ports of call on the transatlantic route, for revised days, 7/30>8/13. Also Dream is in port on some Saturdays which causes issues with Magic re starting 7 night Caribbean cruises early. Those are easy, as DCL has contracts with thoose ports of call, and can be reinstated without issue, and they can say back by popular demand!

I guess for me the whole "Tuesday Departure" doesn't matter. We'll drive or take the train from home to Vancouver either Monday night or Tuesday morning. Andrew and I could both still work on Monday and come back from the cruise and work on Wednesday. I realize that's not an option for most. Speaking of which, when we fly to London our flight leaves at 6:50PM on Wednesday July 14. I'll be working until 2:00 that day. I have to because I can't afford to use another vacation day.
I still don't see how what day you are in a port matters. My sister lives in Sitka Alaska. Their economy thrives on the cruise industry. Never once has she said to me,' those poor people on ZZZ lines, they are coming here on XXX day. They are really missing out on things.'

Interesting on the 2011 Med cruise......

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Andrew I had thought maybe they would be doing the Baltics in August, that's not too late to do them. So now you get to sit and wait once again to see what you are doing.

The strange thing is lack of information on this, we can now be ''open' on this as its not a rumour, but fact, people who booked on Med cruises in 2011 for end July and August are being contacted and asked if they want to move, if they were going to offer an alternative Baltic etc, you would expect that to be offered now. I wouldn't do the Baltic twice in a row even if it was from Dover, ( if its still there today). Something else maybe.

It was done properly, 1 pint in each pub. Hit the oldest and the smallest pubs in the city too. They tried to get us to do karaoke in 1 pub but that wasn't happening.



Nice to hear that you and Andrew both survived the winds. I had on BBC1 radio this morning and they were talking how bad it was and all the flooding that happened.

Not as bad as predicted, but nasty all the same, roofs off, tress down Dover closed.

I guess for me the whole "Tuesday Departure" doesn't matter. We'll drive or take the train from home to Vancouver either Monday night or Tuesday morning. Andrew and I could both still work on Monday and come back from the cruise back and work on Wednesday. I realize that's not an option for most. Speaking of which, when we fly to London our flight leaves at 6:50PM on Wednesday July 14. I'll be working until 2:00 that day. I have to because I can't afford to use another vacation day.
I still don't see how what day you are in a port matters. My sister lives in Sitka Alaska. Their economy thrives on the cruise industry. Never once has she said to me,' those poor people on ZZZ lines, they are coming here on XXX day. They are really missing out on things.'

Interesting on the 2011 Med cruise......

Yes understand your travel arrangements for Alaska, I feel however Tuesdays isn't a good choice for many who have long travel arrangements.

The Med, we were talking a little in code last night as then it was a rumour, and we are all seasoned travellers, but now we know that DCL have suspended some Med cruises in 2011 starting with mine in 7/30 we do not know the replacements.

I would expect the Magic is going back to Florida with an early TA leaving 7/30 arriving 8/13, but, and a bit but, the West TA in September is still on sale?

 

[jilljill]

I just read this in a Mouse for Less email:

Disney Cruise Line announced the character that will be featured on the stern of the Disney Dream. It's Sorcerer Mickey! All Ears is also reporting that the new ship may be able to plan several melodies on the ships horn with new technology.

I found it rather interesting aobut the ships horn.

 

[jilljill]

For us a Tuesday departure for a cruise, or any vacation, doesn't matter. Since DH usually works 6 days a week and has off a night during the week he always has to take extra vacation days. Even for us doing the 3 day cruise in Jan. he has to take 5 days vacation even tho we are leaving here Wed. and coming back Monday. It's just the nature of working in retail and we've always had to deal with it.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

MAGIC SUMMER 2011.

Just a guess this, but its very doable, it fits, with the Dream schedule.

Magic
Jul-30 Transatlantic
Aug-13 PC/7 Night Eastern
Aug-20 Western
Aug-27 Eastern
Sept-3rd Western
Sept-10th Eastern
Sept-17th Western
Sept-24th Back to normal/Eastern
Dream at PC.
2nd Aug
7th-Aug
12th Aug
16th Aug
21-Aug
25th -Aug
28th Aug
Sep-01
Sep-4th
Sept 9th
Sep-11
Sept 15th
Sep-22
Sept 25th
Sept 29th

 

[Flora Fan]

Need advise from those who travel the Atlantic from time to time. Trying to avoid jetlag as much as possible.

Would you prefer to arrive in London at 6:00 a.m or 6:00 p.m. and why do you think it is better?

Thanks for the help.

 

[bellelinus]

Need advise from those who travel the Atlantic from time to time. Trying to avoid jetlag as much as possible.

Would you prefer to arrive in London at 6:00 a.m or 6:00 p.m. and why do you think it is better?

Thanks for the help.

I always fly overnight to arrive in the AM -- it's better for me because I get a dose of sunlight right away to help reset my circadian rhythm and I can try to stay awake until 9 or so and then sleep until morning. At that point I am re-set. I try to at least doze a few hours on the plane but try not to sleep the next day until evening regardless of how tired I am.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Need advise from those who travel the Atlantic from time to time. Trying to avoid jetlag as much as possible.

Would you prefer to arrive in London at 6:00 a.m or 6:00 p.m. and why do you think it is better?

Thanks for the help.

I always fly overnight to arrive in the AM -- it's better for me because I get a dose of sunlight right away to help reset my circadian rhythm and I can try to stay awake until 9 or so and then sleep until morning. At that point I am re-set. I try to at least doze a few hours on the plane but try not to sleep the next day until evening regardless of how tired I am.

Due to flight schedules we always fly 'daytime to USA' and 'Overnight' back.

The overnight back is a killer, but maybe the best option.

Firstly you must know your body, and your limitations, how tiered do you get, dependent on that amend what I post here.

If you can ''cut down on sleep''.

For arrivals AM. Go to your hotel have a quick nap say 8am>12 noon, then ensure you get out and about in the sun, very active, go to bed 10pm.

For arrivals PM -IE noon onwards, stay up, do not sleep, try to get through to 9pm.

Some rules:-

• Set watch to UK Europe time at airport before you board the plane.
• Think,eat, drink,sleep to that.
• Eat if you can eat at airport not plane.
• Even if the plane offers free drinks, try water only, or one booze drink.
• Do not over booze, or over eat. No soda. (has effects).
• Seat position where in the plane is important, comfort, quite, avoid walkways, galley area, restroom area.

If you know you cannot sleep on a plane, then don't try, keep active and really wear yourself out.

 

[RJAYL]

Good Morning All