8/17/08 Captain Jack's Repossession Repo Cruise to PC thru TPC Part 3

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I share your fustration... as I imagine many of us do....

... or at least those who have guarantee assignments. I have 9 cabins in my group now - and 8 are guarantee assignements - plus the one assignment (mine) is NOT what I want.

To be fair to DCL - this particular sailing is not like most other sailings - no question about it. And I only can hope that they sort throught this in an equitable manner. I really don't think DCL does this intentionally with the boiler plate - and the slipped acknowledgements that folks ARE getting their assignments .... somehow.

At any rate - we'll just have to wait an' see how this unfolds, eh?

I Bet they are reviewing lists of any quotes not taken up now and freed up and quickly see if they can come up withsomething now with mutliple room requests that requires a lot of logistics but they will keep reviewing it as people chop and change, fall out, cancel, upgrade etc and like a big game of chess it will come out later with the final result, hope its good for you.

 

[Joel110]

I think I saw this question asked somewhere, but didn't see a reply. I plan on transfering my reservation to a TA just for an OBC, otherwise, I wouldn't bother. If you switch control to a TA, do you lose ability to book your own Palo/excurisions/spa and other reservations online? I know you can't call DCL w/questions when held at a TA, but just wondered if my online access/planning is unavailable too. Anyone sure on when the latest a ressie can be transfered to a TA? I think I saw anytime before you make your final payment?

Thanks.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I think I saw this question asked somewhere, but didn't see a reply. I plan on transfering my reservation to a TA just for an OBC, otherwise, I wouldn't bother. If you switch control to a TA, do you lose ability to book your own Palo/excurisions/spa and other reservations online? I know you can't call DCL w/questions when held at a TA, but just wondered if my online access/planning is unavailable too. Anyone sure on when the latest a ressie can be transfered to a TA? I think I saw anytime before you make your final payment?

Thanks.

You can switch and you still do all the ressie stuff for trips and palos yourself the TA doesnt do that. You cannot transfer after you pay in full.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I think I saw this question asked somewhere, but didn't see a reply. I plan on transfering my reservation to a TA just for an OBC, otherwise, I wouldn't bother. If you switch control to a TA, do you lose ability to book your own Palo/excurisions/spa and other reservations online? I know you can't call DCL w/questions when held at a TA, but just wondered if my online access/planning is unavailable too. Anyone sure on when the latest a ressie can be transfered to a TA? I think I saw anytime before you make your final payment?

Thanks.

You can definitely still have online access, book your own palo, excursions, spa, etc. even if you use a TA. I transferred to a TA on the last cruise and was able to do those things online- no problems.

 

[captaincrash]

I Bet they are reviewing lists of any quotes not taken up now and freed up and quickly see if they can come up withsomething now with mutliple room requests that requires a lot of logistics but they will keep reviewing it as people chop and change, fall out, cancel, upgrade etc and like a big game of chess it will come out later with the final result, hope its good for you.

You got it...

I can only imagine their IC staff are tackling their biggest challenges within the limitiations of their business model. And whether they are doing anything "special" for anyone or not... I can only imagine. Well... you know some folks are fortunate in having special problems or challenges which CAN be addressed by IC. I have seen a few moments of gracious courtesy extended by DCL beyond their normal limits - but their conduct as such is very limited. I received one such act of courtesy on this TPC sailing - and the supervisor who approved it said he got slapped on the wrists for it - but the idea of him really getting in trouble is not too believable. They know what they are doing... all the time at the managerial level in my opinion (for the most part). And I suspect they keep track of their clients and their history (via CC number!).

As such ... if they had a file on me... they must know that in the past I have had my polite gripes which were relentlessly voiced (it's my nature). IE... on the last sailing I was quoted an upgrade price that was insanely cheap. After waiting 15 minutes on the phone (after accepting their bargain offer) a supervisor came on to say their system had an error in it and the upgrade price was incorrect - and they would not honor it. I politely cross queried them and asked for his supervisor. I eventually went to a programming supervisor and still got nothing. In the end I asked for a notation to be left in my file to appeal for a courtesy concession in the future where I could get something to make up for this gaff on their part. I was clearly offerred the rate - it was in their computer system - and they were nice enough to be truthful. That much I can credit them for as it was all communicated with a quality of candor and professionalism that cannot be faulted to them. I really don't mind dealing with professionals even if I can't get what I want!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Yes a big logisitcs problem to be resolved over the next 18 months with some pixie dust hopfully for everyone! Bet any new cruisers will if lucky to book get GTY's and the odd lucky cruiser get assigments were it cleaerly can be done say connecting rooms. but they wouldnt wish to assign someone now from GTY, that could then block a connection of a number of rooms.

They do to know who will cancel, but their business model works on the basis of x% cancelling, so leaving more GTY's should mean more people getting what they want later.You might get penciled in now but wait to see if a better line up becomes available maybe an upgrade, but they woulnt wish to do that until then end, as another cruiser might want the higher cat, and pay, or even you might upgrade and pay.

 

[jonesing]

Ahh....

... but you CAN buy extra luggage enroute. Or rather - you can from most ports. It may not MATCH what ya got now - but certainly you can get the likes of a cargo bag - and probably on wheels to boot. On more then one ocassion has my spouse found things to buy which exceeded our existing capacity. And if you can't find the right size luggange for special oversized or odd-dimension treasures... then you can resort to a box. I actually pack a roll of sturdy packing tape. Yeah.... you can get a roll from the ship - but you'll have to wait if you're packing on the last day. THey only have so many rolls to go around and it may be busy. I bring one roll for my own use (or the use of DIS neighbors and friends) which also serves well for hanging some stuff in the cabin where there are otherwise no attachment points. Door decorations/Banners/flags/etc.

yup, we got a small tote bag while in port last time. And that was after freeing up space in the main bag because we didn't have the diapers, pouches of formula and wipes to bring back. This time we're getting AT3 Sierra-Lite duffels which will hold a bunch of stuff AND will colapse down and fit under the bed!

 

[Enna]

I Bet they are reviewing lists of any quotes not taken up now and freed up and quickly see if they can come up withsomething now with mutliple room requests that requires a lot of logistics but they will keep reviewing it as people chop and change, fall out, cancel, upgrade etc and like a big game of chess it will come out later with the final result, hope its good for you.

Still, there are the same number of rooms as there are on any other cruise. DCL is used to having large blocks of GTY cabins that need to be assigned in light of requests made. Though it seems illogical on one level, I think having more GTY cabins allows the staff more leeway to meet as many requests as possible.

Keeping my fingers crossed that all the DISers on GTY status are blessed with heaping helpings of pixie dust when cabin assignements are made!

 

[justmestace]

You can switch and you still do all the ressie stuff for trips and palos yourself the TA doesnt do that. You cannot transfer after you pay in full.

When I've transferred to a TA in the past, I could no longer access my reservation online, and she had to book Palo, etc. Is there a difference with travel agents?
I talked to my TA (for this cruise) about it, and she said that if I wanted it, she'd give me the "code" so that I could access my reservation..

 

[arlenesp]

There are several ways to tie dye a Mickey head. Here's the one we used: http://www.graenit.com/tiedye.htm. This makes a more "abstract" head. But uses only rubber bands and is pretty easy to do.

You can also trace a Mickey head on the shirt (using a paper plate or something), baste around it, andpull the threads up very tightly (like a drawstring). This makes a more "perfect" head. But requires needle and thread.

There's also a swirl Mickey head - it's referenced on the thread we got the link to earlier.

Once you get comfortable with how to use dye you can start to do different sorts of things. Here are the shirts I did for our Aug'06 trip.

This is one is a two step process where you die the shirt and then remove the dye to make a pattern.

Oops. There I go again. Um, I'm just a little passionate about wearable fabric art. It's probably way more than you really want to know. I'll be quiet now.

Thanks. this is the one I bookmarked

 

[justmestace]

And yes, Judy....I am devoting today to getting caught up on here, and I really *hope* to stay that way!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

When I've transferred to a TA in the past, I could no longer access my reservation online, and she had to book Palo, etc. Is there a difference with travel agents?
I talked to my TA (for this cruise) about it, and she said that if I wanted it, she'd give me the "code" so that I could access my reservation..

All you need is your DCL ressie no and to register at DCL website with your name e-mail and birthday. You loose the ability to make payments online thats through your T/A but you can access everything and since 2005 I think you have to do it, not the T/A

 

[tiggerandpooh]

hey finally got the banner to work, now i feel official

 

[jonesing]

They make a mint on this one would be nice if they could photopass you and not print but you could bring up on a computer or in your room and order.

You know, I thought about that! Would save on lots of wasted paper and photo inks/developing chemicals! It would also mean you could have multiples prints made aboard ship. We had to get our collective photosets, scan them at home and then have Sam's or Wolf produce reprints. Of course they were bent out of shape at actually having to deal with a photo release But we did get the pictures.

 

[justmestace]

Okay...I cheated....I read the Cliff's Notes.

ANDY! Did you post a picture of the Pirate Build-A-Bear??? I want to see it.


I had to buy a bunch of cards at Hallmark yesterday (lots of February and March birthdays and anniversaries) and they have a talking plush cat, a hippo and a bear that you can buy for $9.95 with the purchase of three cards. The cat is absolutely hysterical and (trust me) irresistable!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

You know, I thought about that! Would save on lots of wasted paper and photo inks/developing chemicals! It would also mean you could have multiples prints made aboard ship. We had to get our collective photosets, scan them at home and then have Sam's or Wolf produce reprints. Of course they were bent out of shape at actually having to deal with a photo release But we did get the pictures.

I hope they have photopasss soon at DCL surley after having it in the parks it must be easier to transfer across and use your DCL KTTW card as the pass!!!!!! You will always have it! It wuld save money and also save you looking through all thoose pictures and so many get lost.

 

[jonesing]

You can definitely still have online access, book your own palo, excursions, spa, etc. even if you use a TA. I transferred to a TA on the last cruise and was able to do those things online- no problems.

Good to know...I was going to transfer mine today.

 

[jonesing]

I hope they have photopasss soon at DCL surley after having it in the parks it must be easier to transfer across and use your DCL KTTW card as the pass!!!!!! You will always have it! It wuld save money and also save you looking through all thoose pictures and so many get lost.

hmmm I hadn't even thought about the KTTW! You're right though, everyone has one!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Good to know...I was going to transfer mine today.

I have transfered mine in the past and had no problem.

 

[got2travel]

hey finally got the banner to work, now i feel official

looks good on ya too