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

[mstinson14]

Good Morning to y'all also

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Good Morning to y'all also

And to you y'all.

 

[bellelinus]

And to you y'all.

Ha ha, Mr. Brit, you know that "y'all" stands for "you all" right? So you want to say "and to you all" or "and to y'all" not "and to you y'all"! Come on, just stick to your own phrases, like telling us something is "mint"

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Ha ha, Mr. Brit, you know that "y'all" stands for "you all" right? So you want to say "and to you all" or "and to y'all" not "and to you y'all"! Come on, just stick to your own phrases, like telling us something is "mint"

Wassup?

 

[MrsScooby]

Hi all,
Just dropping in to say hello.

I finally have my cochlear implant surgery scheduled for December. It gets turned on either late December or early January. I should be hearing pretty well by the time July, 2010 rolls along

I am so looking forward to this cruise

What have I missed

 

[MrsScooby]

Andrew or Julie or anyone else, do you have the fax number to IC so I can send in a brunch request. I'm taking over the one brunch request list that Mike had and need to re-request the private dining room.

DH and I were hoping to get a brunch in Palo's private dining room. If your group is full are there any others here that want to try to get a group together for Palo brunch

Even if we can't get the private room it would be fun to go as a group

 

[bellelinus]

Wassup?

Arrrrgh!

 

[bellelinus]

Hi all,
Just dropping in to say hello.

I finally have my cochlear implant surgery scheduled for December. It gets turned on either late December or early January. I should be hearing pretty well by the time July, 2010 rolls along

I am so looking forward to this cruise

What have I missed

That's terrific, Laurie! I guess when I see you later this month it will be the last time I can whisper things about you without you hearing me

 

[bellelinus]

DH and I were hoping to get a brunch in Palo's private dining room. If your group is full are there any others here that want to try to get a group together for Palo brunch

Even if we can't get the private room it would be fun to go as a group

Honestly, I think so many people from the original plan (Mike of course, Joann, maybe Izzi?) may not be going now that there may be spots . . . you should ask Barb.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Arrrrgh!

All my days..........

DH and I were hoping to get a brunch in Palo's private dining room. If your group is full are there any others here that want to try to get a group together for Palo brunch

Even if we can't get the private room it would be fun to go as a group

Honestly, I think so many people from the original plan (Mike of course, Joann, maybe Izzi?) may not be going now that there may be spots . . . you should ask Barb.

I have done it quite a few times, its nice, but only limited to the 14, now book at 10.30am, as it takes soooooooooo much longer, as you are chatting, and everything is ordered in bulk, and so takes longer, I think we often have done the 10.30am all though to 1pm, and missed all those lovely desserts.

The Mrs and I, prefer now to go it alone, and get there for 10.30am, when its fresh, photos of our recent cruise and Palo Brunch are on the DCL photo of the day thread.

With hygiene standards needing to be very high nowadays any buffet I prefer to go when it opens, and its fresh as you do not know everyone else's standards.

I did find the Private room rather hot, in there with the sun coming in through the large windows, they do have blinds but it defeats the object of the setting.

We had two brunches in August, concierge fixed that up for us, and we were in at 10.20am and out say 11.30am. PJ fixed one server for us on all of our visits, and checked we were ok all the time.

I must say I prefer that personal service, if you book the private room you do not know if you can get it to 30 days and then they cancel your same meal booking, ie Private room brunch they cancel your own brunch you cannot have two.

This can mess up your schedule a bit, I remember in the Med I had Character breakfast, Dis meet and Palo brunch within 60 mins of each other. I try to avoid a clash.

I know / expect to get Palo through the concierge team so its best also that I do not take any place, as it might be harder to get for others, and therefore better for thme ot be included in the private room.

 

[Madisonznana]

Hi all,
Just dropping in to say hello.

I finally have my cochlear implant surgery scheduled for December. It gets turned on either late December or early January. I should be hearing pretty well by the time July, 2010 rolls along

I am so looking forward to this cruise

What have I missed

Good news Laurie!!

 

[Celestine]

For the craft show you are going to can you explain the 'make & take' part of your sentence? To me that means you actually go to the show and make things there and take them home, is that correct? If so that's different from a craft show here where you buy things others have made.
Just trying to get a bit of an education.

You are dead on about make & take - we made boxes in the shape of a slice of xmas cake, cards which look a bit like a christmas cracker shape & a gingerbread hanging decoration using a big shot & sissix shape. Lauren spent an hour at the brownies & guides stand where she made even more stuff! THere were lots of things to but to - both for you to make & already made (mainly in the Xmas area)

Celestine

 

[danfromca]

The only aggressive discounts were on the transatlantic crossings with free kids or free tips on thoose, the early late Meds had some low level discounts, and DCL, did the 'standard' discounts, the same as Caribbean sailings of Cat 12 offers, where a few people decided to downgrade to take advantage of thoose back door discounts, Our 7/28/2007, Cruise was a best seller.

We might see a little 'offers' for the Baltic, no one knows how many people book and then cant find the cash, or an family event stops them from traveling. But I understand the Baltics overall are filled up the same as 'holiday' season Cruises, and better than standard Caribbean cruises. As posted before, we had adverts and editorials on the Meds 2010 and 2011 here with some offers, but no offers for the Baltic.

We even have the DREAM in our national papers today.

I agree that our 7/28 cruise was a best seller and ultimately sold out. I guess it depends on your definition of "aggressive" discount.
I was one of those who downgraded to category 12 when they released those discounts about 60 days before the cruise. Unfortunately, I don't have all my records from then, but the discounts were substantial. My records show a credit of $2800 in downgrading our category 11 to a 12 for 3 people - that would have been about a 35% discount. That fits my definition of aggressive

There's no doubt the Baltics are doing better than the Med cruises (especially those that are not during peak times). But it's also true that there is availability in virtually every category on our cruise right now. And it's true that there are other cruise lines doing comparable itineraries for less than half the price. If they have a high drop-out rate come March, and don't have a sudden rush of customers, it's a safe bet we will see category 12 pricing (or other deals) come Spring because they'll do whatever they need to to fill the ship.

 

[eeyorelvr10]

Hi All! Just doing a -by. Saying hi and checking in so you all know I'm alive. Hi all - hope to be back later on this evening as I'm looking forward to an evening of me time home alone. Fingers crossed that life doesn't follow the path its taken the last few months.

I love the expression, "when is it me time?"

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I agree that our 7/28 cruise was a best seller and ultimately sold out. I guess it depends on your definition of "aggressive" discount.
I was one of those who downgraded to category 12 when they released those discounts about 60 days before the cruise. Unfortunately, I don't have all my records from then, but the discounts were substantial. My records show a credit of $2800 in downgrading our category 11 to a 12 for 3 people - that would have been about a 35% discount. That fits my definition of aggressive

There's no doubt the Baltics are doing better than the Med cruises (especially those that are not during peak times). But it's also true that there is availability in virtually every category on our cruise right now. And it's true that there are other cruise lines doing comparable itineraries for less than half the price. If they have a high drop-out rate come March, and don't have a sudden rush of customers, it's a safe bet we will see category 12 pricing (or other deals) come Spring because they'll do whatever they need to to fill the ship.

Yes, understand.

Some points I consider is:-

The first and 2010 Med cruises started at a very high price on average per day against other cruises.

The Baltic also is very high per day,

The Med for 2011 has reduced on non suite rooms.

So on the 07 there was more room to discount.

The next issues is that as the cruises are in Europe, and the majority of people cruising are from the USA, there could well be more people 'falling out' due to cost, not being able to raise airfare, or not aware of the Airfare cost, (no research).

So rather than aggressive discounts, I would describe it as more room to discount.

Now in the Caribbean and Bahamas, the often have the Cat 12 back door discount, but it is now part of the process and expected so not under the microscope. After PIF in 07, there was some Cat 12 discounts on the Med, nothing abnormal against Caribbean trips.

The Transatlantics ''bombed'' and needed Free tips, free kids, 3rd/4th person at a token price.

So what happens with ours,

Judging by availability, but no publicity in the UK, (But we have offers on the Med), also GTY status on many bookings, I think DCL expect a percentage fall out and might be over booking to compensate for that.

With this economy, and so many other factors, no one can predict anythnig, numbers out etc, I would prefer a less than full ship, but I expect it to be 100% full. I expect the small Repos Barcelona<>Dover not to sail full, and the Transatlantic, mainly the early 2010 one to have issues, more discounts, as the weather most likely will be terrible on that one.

You are so correct on DCL vs Other cruise lines prices, My sister just completed a Baltic cruise, on RCCL 5 of 6 ports the same, she paid less than 25% of my cost. Now yes she wasnt in a suite, but had a nice room got a deal and went.

Now yes she had to pay for all drinks/ Soda, bar water fountain, and a lot more catch pennies, but overall, it was a fine deal, you can sail the Baltic for a lot lower price.

DCL must be happy with price and income coming back to the Med in 2011, but i expect, whilst they will be in Europe with the Magic in 2012, there will be changes...

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Hi All! Just doing a -by. Saying hi and checking in so you all know I'm alive. Hi all - hope to be back later on this evening as I'm looking forward to an evening of me time home alone. Fingers crossed that life doesn't follow the path its taken the last few months.

I love the expression, "when is it me time?"

Hi Hi bumped into any cruisers recently??

 

[Celestine]

Hi all,
Just dropping in to say hello.

I finally have my cochlear implant surgery scheduled for December. It gets turned on either late December or early January. I should be hearing pretty well by the time July, 2010 rolls along

I am so looking forward to this cruise

What have I missed

That is so exciting Laurie - I hope it all goes well

Celestine

 

[jilljill]

And to you y'all.

Ha ha, Mr. Brit, you know that "y'all" stands for "you all" right? So you want to say "and to you all" or "and to y'all" not "and to you y'all"! Come on, just stick to your own phrases, like telling us something is "mint"

Andrew if you want to do this right it's 'all y'all'. I find myself saying that sometimes. So you should have said, "And to all y'all.".

 

[jilljill]

Can everyone who was on Mike's brunch list send me a PM so I know who to contact when the times comes? Thanks,

 

[danfromca]

Yes, understand.

Some points I consider is:-

The first and 2010 Med cruises started at a very high price on average per day against other cruises.

The Baltic also is very high per day,

The Med for 2011 has reduced on non suite rooms.

So on the 07 there was more room to discount.

The next issues is that as the cruises are in Europe, and the majority of people cruising are from the USA, there could well be more people 'falling out' due to cost, not being able to raise airfare, or not aware of the Airfare cost, (no research).

So rather than aggressive discounts, I would describe it as more room to discount.

Now in the Caribbean and Bahamas, the often have the Cat 12 back door discount, but it is now part of the process and expected so not under the microscope. After PIF in 07, there was some Cat 12 discounts on the Med, nothing abnormal against Caribbean trips.

The Transatlantics ''bombed'' and needed Free tips, free kids, 3rd/4th person at a token price.

So what happens with ours,

Judging by availability, but no publicity in the UK, (But we have offers on the Med), also GTY status on many bookings, I think DCL expect a percentage fall out and might be over booking to compensate for that.

With this economy, and so many other factors, no one can predict anythnig, numbers out etc, I would prefer a less than full ship, but I expect it to be 100% full. I expect the small Repos Barcelona<>Dover not to sail full, and the Transatlantic, mainly the early 2010 one to have issues, more discounts, as the weather most likely will be terrible on that one.

You are so correct on DCL vs Other cruise lines prices, My sister just completed a Baltic cruise, on RCCL 5 of 6 ports the same, she paid less than 25% of my cost. Now yes she wasnt in a suite, but had a nice room got a deal and went.

Now yes she had to pay for all drinks/ Soda, bar water fountain, and a lot more catch pennies, but overall, it was a fine deal, you can sail the Baltic for a lot lower price.

DCL must be happy with price and income coming back to the Med in 2011, but i expect, whilst they will be in Europe with the Magic in 2012, there will be changes...

I agree on all counts. DCL is starting at a high price point (and while I'm not fond of that, the fact that I'm a gold castaway club member attests to the fact that I appreciate the value).

So I expect the key question is to what degree they are overbooking. Like you, I do expect the ships to sail full come July. It's just a question of how they will get there - and if they'll have to do some discounting to make that happen.

I also agree that DCL must be happy with the profitability on the European cruises. I'm sure they will be even if they do have to discount to fill the ship.

Here's a fun aside regarding profitability.....

I took a 4 night Carnival cruise last month. On the sea day they had an "excursion" that included a back-stage tour of the ship (including galley and the bridge, believe it or not). The head chef was "boasting" how he was about to place the weekly order for food - spending $180,000.
Based on the size of the ship and crew, that means he was feeding everyone for under $10/day. And let me tell you, DCL could learn a thing or two from Carnival regarding food - not that I have a problem with DCL food, but Carnival definitely beats DCL on variety (at the buffet, more choices in the dining rooms, longer service hours, and a much more substantial room service menu). I won't comment on quality - I'm not enough of a gourmet to compare - both are fine on that score.