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

[jilljill]

I saw that, and I think I kinda get it now- but is it just for children to participate in, or adults too?

If it's adults, I'd be game- sounds like fun!

(thank you for the reply)

MI Mini, look through this too. There were lots of fun ideas.

I was just getting ready to post the links but I see that I was beaten to it.
We've never been on a cruise that had a FE but we probably won't be participating due to luggage restrictions and we like to keep our luggage to a minimum since we use the tube to go into London from the airport. I've seen the amount of 'loot' that some people get and there's no way I want to have to figure out how to get the stuff home.
I hate to say this (but know I'm safe here) but with everything that people are posting they give as FE gifts it's seems that some are thinking they have to 'top' others so they give the best or most gifts.

 

[RJAYL]

I saw tubs when looking at the plans for each cat. type.

Those Concierge & Deluxe family Ocienview staterooms have round showers and I guess a tub at the bottom interesting? You are right the remaining staterooms have regular shaped tubs!

They put those concierge family staterooms next to just about every suite with connecting doors.

I just noticed that the family stateroom that's between the Roy & the Walt connects to both cabins. Plus the Roy & Walt each connect to the cabin on the other side as well. Not sure I'd want to pay the price DCL charges and have a suite with 2 connecting doors when I'm only using the suite in the middle. That could be a very noisy cabin depending on the neighbors.

Please provide the link as I cannot see a deckplan that show connecting rooms.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I was just getting ready to post the links but I see that I was beaten to it.
We've never been on a cruise that had a FE but we probably won't be participating due to luggage restrictions and we like to keep our luggage to a minimum since we use the tube to go into London from the airport. I've seen the amount of 'loot' that some people get and there's no way I want to have to figure out how to get the stuff home.
I hate to say this (but know I'm safe here) but with everything that people are posting they give as FE gifts it's seems that some are thinking they have to 'top' others so they give the best or most gifts.

I think on this thread we are all adult and experienced so able to discuss it openly, and I agree with you there does seem to be a percentage, who do feel they have to 'top' others. -But would also counter it that there are so many nice and generous people around.

I have always made it clear I do not do FE, not that I am against it, or for it, but the same as you, until this cruise its been luggage issues on flights, that was the decider. I think on your side its logical from a seasoned traveller, to consider the luggage constraints.

However whilst making it ''known'' I do not do it, some people have dropped off nice gifts, Julie, here, and CapatainCrash come to mind. He gave me a nice book last night, not to upstage, but as he didn't want anything in return, and ensured that occurred. We had a good chat and a friendship, that was more important to me.

FE are a lot of fun for thoose who enjoy it, and another aspect to cruising, it adds value to some, and creates friends.

Hopefully as usual this is balanced, and my personal feelings, and posted to experienced cruisers on this thread.

One nice idea from the Panama cruise, which was simple but nice, was kids all got a lot of post cards from their home town and had a swap one morning, we got some, but we got it wrong, there was so many doing it on that cruise, we ran out quickly, but it was nice to see peoples home town and didn't take up too much space and educational to the kids.

Those Concierge & Deluxe family Oceanview staterooms have round showers and I guess a tub at the bottom interesting? You are right the remaining staterooms have regular shaped tubs!

Please provide the link as I cannot see a deckplan that show connecting rooms.

I think we are all still taking in all of the information, I have looked at all the rooms at length but after ten years of Cat 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12, its still hard to take on the new ones.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Those Concierge & Deluxe family Ocienview staterooms have round showers and I guess a tub at the bottom interesting? You are right the remaining staterooms have regular shaped tubs!

Please provide the link as I cannot see a deckplan that show connecting rooms.

This is a good one.

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/cruise/photos/DisneyDreamDeckPlan.jpg

 

[jilljill]

Those Concierge & Deluxe family Ocienview staterooms have round showers and I guess a tub at the bottom interesting? You are right the remaining staterooms have regular shaped tubs!

Please provide the link as I cannot see a deckplan that show connecting rooms.

The round tubs are a bit bizarre and they look small. When you are looking at the deck plans you have to hover your cursor over a particular cabin and it will tell you the cat. type, cabin number and if it connects to another and will even give the cabin number it connects to. Don't click on the Mickey head stickies as they are just a general description, you have to hover over a cabin.

 

[jilljill]

One nice idea from the Panama cruise, which was simple but nice, was kids all got a lot of post cards from their home town and had a swap one morning, we got some, but we got it wrong, there was so many doing it on that cruise, we ran out quickly, but it was nice to see peoples home town and didn't take up too much space and educational to the kids.

I love the postcard idea for an exchange. We'd be up for that.
For our Baltics cruise we took postcards from our hometown and a picture book about the state (it's a really small state so the book was also small ) and gave them to our StP guide and Anastasia and they were very much appreciated, this was in addition to their gratuity. We also gave our driver a postcard along with his gratuity). We found out our guide had spent a couple of months on the east coast, between New York and Washington DC, so she drove thru our state a couple of times and thought the book was wonderful.

 

[Madisonznana]

I think on this thread we are all adult and experienced so able to discuss it openly, and I agree with you there does seem to be a percentage, who do feel they have to 'top' others. -But would also counter it that there are so many nice and generous people around.

I have always made it clear I do not do FE, not that I am against it, or for it, but the same as you, until this cruise its been luggage issues on flights, that was the decider. I think on your side its logical from a seasoned traveller, to consider the luggage constraints.

However whilst making it ''known'' I do not do it, some people have dropped off nice gifts, Julie, here, and CapatainCrash come to mind. He gave me a nice book last night, not to upstage, but as he didn't want anything in return, and ensured that occurred. We had a good chat and a friendship, that was more important to me.

FE are a lot of fun for thoose who enjoy it, and another aspect to cruising, it adds value to some, and creates friends.

Hopefully as usual this is balanced, and my personal feelings, and posted to experienced cruisers on this thread.

One nice idea from the Panama cruise, which was simple but nice, was kids all got a lot of post cards from their home town and had a swap one morning, we got some, but we got it wrong, there was so many doing it on that cruise, we ran out quickly, but it was nice to see peoples home town and didn't take up too much space and educational to the kids.



I think we are all still taking in all of the information, I have looked at all the rooms at length but after ten years of Cat 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12, its still hard to take on the new ones.

Although I will probably be quite jealous of the FE gifts, I don't think I will play either. It does get to be so much more to pack into the suitcases and that bit of stress that comes with being a procrastinator is not fun either! Postcards could be fun, even though Murrieta does not seem to have any, and cards from the town next door Temecula wine country is always fun for kids!

 

[Marla Hellwig]

Just my thoughts on FE, first cruise was small - about 20 staterooms, and had no problems getting stuff there or back

Second cruise - which was the pod cast cruise that one was huge like 200 + staterooms, as I joined late, mine was small and basically could be used while on board, didn't have any problems getting it packed to fly out - and didn't really have a problem getting stuff packed to come home, but as I was in severe pain from toe injury I really don't remember. I did pack so willy nilly and not careful (you know, flattening clothes etc, to come home, my checked suitcase was a few ounces over the limit - the gentleman that was helping me with wheelchair and such - he said forget it our scale must be off and winked at me

Did enjoy both exchanges and am up for it - do have some ideas already

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I love the postcard idea for an exchange. We'd be up for that.
For our Baltic cruise we took postcards from our hometown and a picture book about the state (it's a really small state so the book was also small ) and gave them to our StP guide and Anastasia and they were very much appreciated, this was in addition to their gratuity. We also gave our driver a postcard along with his gratuity). We found out our guide had spent a couple of months on the east coast, between New York and Washington DC, so she drove thru our state a couple of times and thought the book was wonderful.

Postcards was simple, but very well received and as said educational, we underestimated the appeal and ran out, it doesnt really add weight. Simple to pack.

Although I will probably be quite jealous of the FE gifts, I don't think I will play either. It does get to be so much more to pack into the suitcases and that bit of stress that comes with being a procrastinator is not fun either! Postcards could be fun, even though Murrieta does not seem to have any, and cards from the town next door Temecula wine country is always fun for kids!

I have the luxuary of driving to the port this time but still have the size of my boot (trunk) to consider. With 4 in the car. Postcards are fun and as above easy.

Just my thoughts on FE, first cruise was small - about 20 staterooms, and had no problems getting stuff there or back

Second cruise - which was the pod cast cruise that one was huge like 200 + staterooms, as I joined late, mine was small and basically could be used while on board, didn't have any problems getting it packed to fly out - and didn't really have a problem getting stuff packed to come home, but as I was in severe pain from toe injury I really don't remember. I did pack so willy nilly and not careful (you know, flattening clothes etc, to come home, my checked suitcase was a few ounces over the limit - the gentleman that was helping me with wheelchair and such - he said forget it our scale must be off and winked at me

Did enjoy both exchanges and am up for it - do have some ideas already

It does depend on how many are involved, I am sure others will join this thread as we get closer, the Med 07, thread had about 1,500 posts in its first year, ended up at cruise time over 18,000 posts.

Luggage is the issue, we always go with four large cases, and tend to come back with six, I couldn't fit ours in our hire car in August, on the way home, had to take photos and gifts out, and put them on the seats with the kids to check in.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

Yep, depends on how many on the cruise that are participating

I have seem some that do each person in stateroom, or just a per stateroom gift. Unless there is a stateroom that has people not related

For both, our was per stateroom, unless 2 friends were sharing a stateroom

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Yep, depends on how many on the cruise that are participating

I have seem some that do each person in stateroom, or just a per stateroom gift. Unless there is a stateroom that has people not related

For both, our was per stateroom, unless 2 friends were sharing a stateroom

Yes these are all variables, if its a low number participating its manageable, but I remember the Panama repo there was considerable participation, Julie will remember, I think she organised or was part of the organisation.

I refer often to the Med, 07 cruise, as that is a better reference point and this cruise meet thread is similar in make up to that one, and not ''hectic' like the Repos, that could get mad, (OK they were mad!).

The Med had a FE exchange at a lower level ,and worked well I understand.

There was a gift exchange form your home town on the first sea day, that didn't work well for us, Stephen my son was left out, and he was unhappy, then there were other issues. We put a lot of effort into our gifts, and I know who got ours and they were pleased. We saw that. I didn't want any disappointment from people receiving our gifts, so might go slightly over the top to ensure its good. The kids have 'Hamleys' toys from Regent street, Die cast London buses, and Taxis etc, as a reflection of London, and a large photo history book and reference on London.

I remember rushing from the first meet as it clashed between our Character breakfast and Palo Brunch.

I must say as a seasoned cruiser, and six DCL cruises under my belt, my family and me are a bit set in our ways the way we do things on the cruise.
The first thing I always consider is it’s a family holiday (vacation) we have limited time together at home, so the kids have my priority, and generally take up all my time.

We like to do certain things, like shore trips, and things on the ship, as well as Palo, so that eats into time, and it always seems to go so so fast. We are generally running form one thing to another, The kids like the fact we can catch up, in fact, get in advance of our movie releases, for example they watched UP three months before its UK release. So often they are up, late at night to 1am etc, watching movies.

For our first four DCL cruises, we had two cruises, where we shared the evening meals tables with other cruisers, and two by ourselves. We found as a family we enjoyed being on our own more, and for example my DS, didn’t play up when we were on our own, but did with other people. We do drink wine, and sometimes dependent on the other families there, it can cause a little embarrassment, as they might not booze but feel obliged to do so. So we decided on family only evening meals from cruise 5 onwards.

 

[RJAYL]

This is a good one.

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/cruise/photos/DisneyDreamDeckPlan.jpg

Thanx Andrew, it was a good one!

Yup from the looks of it they actually reduced the number of Cat 3's no Cat 2's & reduced the occupancy leval of the Cat 1's?

Oh well I will try for a Presidents week (yup 7 days) vacation in 2012 when my oldest will be a freshman (not that he isnt already) in college & thus not able to cruise with us! That way we will meet the 5 persons restriction!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Thanx Andrew, it was a good one!

Yup from the looks of it they actually reduced the number of Cat 3's no Cat 2's & reduced the occupancy level of the Cat 1's?

Oh well I will try for a Presidents week (yup 7 days) vacation in 2012 when my oldest will be a freshman (not that he isn't already) in college & thus not able to cruise with us! That way we will meet the 5 persons restriction!

Sounds good and logical, reading your posts last night and updating myself on the Dream I was swinging slightly towards it, but I think price, less suites as you say, long queues for Aquaduck ride, needs fastpass, and no need for concierge on a 3/4 nighter, is putting me back off it again.

With 11 nights in a Midship old style,Cat 3 in 2011, I think thats enough. (After 12 on this one in 2010).

 

[RJAYL]

Sounds good and logical, reading your posts last night and updating myself on the Dream I was swinging slightly towards it, but I think price, less suites as you say, long queues for Aquaduck ride, needs fastpass, and no need for concierge on a 3/4 nighter, is putting me back off it again.

With 11 nights in a Midship old style,Cat 3 in 2011, I think thats enough. (After 12 on this one in 2010).

I am actually a bit disapointed in the new ship (maybe the fantasy will be better) but that is life! The New ships also seem to be narrower than other current ships the RC Liberty & Carnival Glory which were my cruises this past year had double even triple hallways for the inside staterooms on most decks, making them a good bit wider then the Dream!

I have been looking at pictures of RC's Oasis & it is funny that a ship with all that space & all those amenities does not have 1 water slide!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I am actually a bit disappointed in the new ship (maybe the fantasy will be better) but that is life! The New ships also seem to be narrower than other current ships the RC Liberty & Carnival Glory which were my cruises this past year had double even triple hallways for the inside staterooms on most decks, making them a good bit wider then the Dream!

I have been looking at pictures of RC's Oasis & it is funny that a ship with all that space & all those amenities does not have 1 water slide!

I was looking at others, and they have so much, Mini Golf, wave pools, rock climbing, top deck outdoor theater, now yes Disney doesnt want to copy, but should have included thoose as standard. If you are going to add slides, it might be best to have a few. With one DCL will make a queue, and as people believe, it has a queue, that will make it even worst!! IE Palo brunch booking, Cinderellas Royal Table at MK, The Disney patrons, love a fight to get on first, be first, snag that Palo seat. These boards make that worse hyping it up a bit more.

I can foresee issues on that slide, limited to one ride, or a fastpass. I remember Halloween on the Magic, it was a disaster for us, everyone downstairs in the Atrium, on a hot sunny day at 3pm, all for some small bits of candy!! I took the kids to the empty pools and said I Would buy them some!"

Now I think its silly of DCL to cut back on concierge, they do one good think and add a lounge, but then reduce the numbers and the people allowed in them.

Concierge customers have been milked, imho, a lot recently $18k for this cruise $19k for the Med, in 2011, for a Cat 3, when there are cheap upgrades at port. All you have to do is go on 10 cruises and you get early booking for free.

I do hope they have thought out their strategy, whilst I am so pleased they are coming back to the Med in 2011, I actually think they have overdone that a bit, would have been better, if it was Eastern Med, or Baltic again.

Fantasy is supposed to be a twin of Dream, the same as Magic and Wonder are twins, it saves construction costs. We shall see. They will have 5 times more capcapicty in 2012 than now, will everyone be willing to pay for it, with better alternatives around, subsidized by Casinos and drink.

 

[RJAYL]

I was looking at others, and they have so much, Mini Golf, wave pools, rock climbing, top deck outdoor theater, now yes Disney doesnt want to copy, but should have included thoose as standard. If you are going to add slides, it might be best to have a few. With one DCL will make a queue, and as people believe, it has a queue, that will make it even worst!! IE Palo brunch booking, Cinderellas Royal Table at MK, The Disney patrons, love a fight to get on first, be first, snag that Palo seat. These boards make that worse hyping it up a bit more.

I can foresee issues on that slide, limited to one ride, or a fastpass. I remember Halloween on the Magic, it was a disaster for us, everyone downstairs in the Atrium, on a hot sunny day at 3pm, all for some small bits of candy!! I took the kids to the empty pools and said I Would buy them some!"

Now I think its silly of DCL to cut back on concierge, they do one good think and add a lounge, but then reduce the numbers and the people allowed in them.

Concierge customers have been milked, imho, a lot recently $18k for this cruise $19k for the Med, in 2011, for a Cat 3, when there are cheap upgrades at port. All you have to do is go on 10 cruises and you get early booking for free.

I do hope they have thought out their strategy, whilst I am so pleased they are coming back to the Med in 2011, I actually think they have overdone that a bit, would have been better, if it was Eastern Med, or Baltic again.

Fantasy is supposed to be a twin of Dream, the same as Magic and Wonder are twins, it saves construction costs. We shall see. They will have 5 times more capcapicty in 2012 than now, will everyone be willing to pay for it, with better alternatives around, subsidized by Casinos and drink.

Dont Disagree, a couple of things the Quiet Cove pool looks much bigger than current & I think they still have a Mickey Slide so that & the AquaDuck makes for 2 & I have a feeling that there will be height restrictions on the AquaDuck or must go with a parent! I am thinking of going to Typhoon Lagoon in April they have a similar water coaster I will have to check out the requirements!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Dont Disagree, a couple of things the Quiet Cove pool looks much bigger than current & I think they still have a Mickey Slide so that & the AquaDuck makes for 2 & I have a feeling that there will be height restrictions on the AquaDuck or must go with a parent! I am thinking of going to Typhoon Lagoon in April they have a similar water coaster I will have to check out the requirements!

Good points, whilst Mickey slide, yes is there, and a slide, its not really imho, in the same leauge, and for ''little' kids only who couldn't /wouldn't ride Auqa,yes looks like two at a time Kid and larger kid.

 

[jilljill]

Dont Disagree, a couple of things the Quiet Cove pool looks much bigger than current & I think they still have a Mickey Slide so that & the AquaDuck makes for 2 & I have a feeling that there will be height restrictions on the AquaDuck or must go with a parent! I am thinking of going to Typhoon Lagoon in April they have a similar water coaster I will have to check out the requirements!

Aquaduck is a minimum of 48", I already checked that out when DD & I were looking at everything on DCL.
It's so hard to tell the size of any of the pools since I'm sure the pics aren't to scale.
DD did notice the hand for the MM slide as we were looking at the Aquaduck simulation. At least there will be 2 slides, 1 each for big kids and little kids.


I'm still thinking of booking it in 2011 since DD wants to use the teen area before she's 18 in 2012. It looks like a great space for them.
Now I just need to get out the calendar and pick a date. I'll just have the TA price it out, since it can have a hold put on it, and then decide from there.

 

[jilljill]

Here it is 7:30 on H'ween night and we just had our 7th kid 5 minutes ago. What happened to the days of getting 50-60 kids or more?!?
I gave the kid 2 handfuls of candy.

 

[RJAYL]

Aquaduck is a minimum of 48", I already checked that out when DD & I were looking at everything on DCL.
It's so hard to tell the size of any of the pools since I'm sure the pics aren't to scale.
DD did notice the hand for the MM slide as we were looking at the Aquaduck simulation. At least there will be 2 slides, 1 each for big kids and little kids.


I'm still thinking of booking it in 2011 since DD wants to use the teen area before she's 18 in 2012. It looks like a great space for them.
Now I just need to get out the calendar and pick a date. I'll just have the TA price it out, since it can have a hold put on it, and then decide from there.

Wont work for me Allen turns 18 in January of 2011

Here it is 7:30 on H'ween night and we just had our 7th kid 5 minutes ago. What happened to the days of getting 50-60 kids or more?!?
I gave the kid 2 handfuls of candy.

we just give full size candybars 1 each I think we bought a 30 pack!