9/10/2012 ~ 6 WONDERful nights ~ VC to L.A.

[Tehanna]

Sorry to spam the board, but I just found a new TR for last year's September repo cruise!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2879815&nojs=1#usercptools

 

[NHdisneylover]

Hi everybody.

I am just dropping by to tell you that we have dropped this cruise and the one before it to Alaska The costs just added up to be too high for us when we had to factor in airfare, excursions of some sort (we wanted to see Alaska while there because it is likely to be a one time only trip) and airfare both across the Atlantic and then again across the country.

We have booked a cruise on the Fantasy and a week at WDW with deluxe dining for the same week for substantially lower cost (and less in airfare)but more boring ports (but we can do them on our own for essentially no cost and be happy).

I hope you all have a lovely time--it will be an amazing cruise I am sure

 

[suzanneaz]

We used to have Sea World passes but they expired and I dunno what happened! My DW and DD have a girl scout thing on Saturday but I can definitely break away for a bit and get some photos for you, no problem! Looking forward to it. Email me at bklawyer@cox.net and I'll get you all my info so we can hook up.

Thanks,

Dave

Dave, Our schedule has gone crazy and now I am not really sure what it is. I think we may have to wait until the cruise to meet. Thanks for your willingness to help! Look forward to meeting you n Sept.

 

[giftcard]

Has anyone heard of Gold Star before? They have deals on lots of tourist stuff. There's a food tour I've got my eye on and a hop-on, hop-off bus tour.

Sorry to spam the board, but I just found a new TR for last year's September repo cruise!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2879815&nojs=1#usercptools

Love trip reports!!!

Hi everybody.

I am just dropping by to tell you that we have dropped this cruise and the one before it to Alaska The costs just added up to be too high for us when we had to factor in airfare, excursions of some sort (we wanted to see Alaska while there because it is likely to be a one time only trip) and airfare both across the Atlantic and then again across the country.

We have booked a cruise on the Fantasy and a week at WDW with deluxe dining for the same week for substantially lower cost (and less in airfare)but more boring ports (but we can do them on our own for essentially no cost and be happy).

I hope you all have a lovely time--it will be an amazing cruise I am sure

Too bad! Have an amazing time on the Fantasy!!!!

Cheers,
Marsi

 

[*tinker*bell*]

Sorry to spam the board, but I just found a new TR for last year's September repo cruise!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2879815&nojs=1#usercptools

Awesome can't wait to read it

 

[cyclenut]

Hi everybody.

I am just dropping by to tell you that we have dropped this cruise and the one before it to Alaska The costs just added up to be too high for us when we had to factor in airfare, excursions of some sort (we wanted to see Alaska while there because it is likely to be a one time only trip) and airfare both across the Atlantic and then again across the country.

We have booked a cruise on the Fantasy and a week at WDW with deluxe dining for the same week for substantially lower cost (and less in airfare)but more boring ports (but we can do them on our own for essentially no cost and be happy).

I hope you all have a lovely time--it will be an amazing cruise I am sure

Enjoy your trip aboard the Fantasy! When are you sailing?

 

[Sillysox]

Hey all! Has anyone considered those one-day or two-day "Hop On, Hop Off" SF Tours? (http://www.allsanfranciscotours.com/body.asp?tour=SFO-B0009&page=TourDetails or others I assume.) The bus drops you off at all the touristy places and another comes around every thirty minutes. And it's pretty inexpensive. Sounds too good to be true. Opinions?

That does look like a good idea. I'm thinking we will probably do this. I did do a search to find comparison prices and found that the different tour busses do vary in what route they take. For example the bus that Dave has linked to here does a stop at Disney Family Museum but does not cross the Golden Gate Bridge as far as I can tell. I found this one: http://www.bigbustours.com/eng/sanfrancisco/custompage.aspx?id=tour_of_san_francisco that does cross the bridge, but doesn't stop at the Disney Family museum. (although it stops at the Exploratorium, which looks like it's a short walk away from the Disney museum.)

So i guess, make sure if we book a tour bus, it covers the bases we want...Food for thought..

 

[sweet tooth12]

Thanks for the link, the 2 day price for Hop On Hop Off is the same as a single day price, $28, think this will be on my short list. Ele


Disney Wonder Sept 10-16, 2012

 

[Luv2Diz]

We are seriously thinking about booking this cruise. Our first cruise ever!

I am trying to find a reasonable way to get to Vancouver from the Portland area. It seems ridiculous to pay $152 for a 1 hour 10 minute flight. And I don't really want to spend 9 hours riding Amtrak. I'll be contacting the TA on Monday to see what she recommends!

 

[Tehanna]

We're going from Portland to Vancouver on Amtrak. You are right, it is a long train ride (8 hours with a very late arrival the night before), but we're using it as a time to wind down and enjoy some of the lovely coastal scenery.

Still, I totally understand it may not be for you.

We considered car rental, but what we found was $250+ for a one way trip on Expedia. Hotwire had better pricing at around $100, but I don't know if it included everything. If you do go the car rental route, it's worth noting that it is only about a five hour drive. If you can find a reasonable one-way car rental price, that might be a decent alternative. You would also have total control of when you leave and arrive, and not have to worry much about things like where your liquids are in your luggage (also a plus with Amtrak over flying).

 

[sanjuan60]

hi all, This cruise was scheduled for me, but alas I may have to change to a future date to cruise disney. My question for all is
Has anyone thought about or heard of any news of pacific coastal cruises in 2013 or ?

have a wonderful cruise! The entertainment of disney is just fantastic!

 

[sweet tooth12]

....
We considered car rental, but what we found was $250+ for a one way trip on Expedia. Hotwire had better pricing at around $100, but I don't know if it included everything....

I've gotten terrific one way rental car prices through Costco, click 'travel' on their website, then go to rental cars. Might be worth a try.
I checked into Amtrak too but would have boarded in Chemult and it's just too long for me and a midnight arrival did not appeal, whenever I've ridden Amtrak the train is usually late, so was also reluctant about that, luckily I had an airline voucher that covered the fare. You might want to check Greyhound too, some of the Amtrak routes put you on a bus for Seattle to Vancouver. Ele

 

[cyclenut]

hi all, This cruise was scheduled for me, but alas I may have to change to a future date to cruise disney. My question for all is
Has anyone thought about or heard of any news of pacific coastal cruises in 2013 or ?

have a wonderful cruise! The entertainment of disney is just fantastic!

Hope all is well. The only 2013 sail date I've seen so far is the May 2013 repo cruise out of LA.

There will very likely be another repo cruise in September of 2013, most likely to LA. The question is, how long will it stay there.

 

[ByKnight]

Sorry to spam the board, but I just found a new TR for last year's September repo cruise!


Thanks I love to read about what to expect on this cruise

We are a family of four and I booked this cruise a few months ago but have just stumbled onto the DISboards and I am enjoying the information I am gathering. My Wife and I are planning on surprising our two kids 9 and 11 years old with this trip. they have been to Disneyland 4 times and have always wanted to do a Disney cruise but I have always given them a huge list of why we could not go.

Well now they are not so excited about our trip as we live in Victoria BC Canada and I have told them for our holidays this year we are going to Vancouver (which for us we have been to hundreds of times) I am trying to describe all of the most boring things to do like hanging out in the Park, or Hiking a mountain, I am doing this with great enthusiasm and they are trying to be excited. But they are so disappointed with what they think is our plans.

On the 10th of September we will get them up early and take the 1 and a half ferry ride to Vancouver and they when we arrive at the terminal we were going to tell them about the trip.

Does anyone have any suggestions on the best way to surprise our kids or some creative ways to reveal the truth. I am open to suggestions.

Looking forward to meeting many of you on the cruise

BK

 

[ByKnight]

okay I am going to move the FE list to here so that it is easier to find

***FE list - if I missed anyone and/or if you want to be included let me know,
I need the following information from all participants:
The people traveling in your party, I shall add on the names and ages (if you wish, for the kids this can be helpful for people doing individual gifts)
and the stateroom number(s) if/when you have that info***

1. *Tinker*Bell* - Lorena 22, Jason (DBF) 22 Stateroom: 2015
2. Sillysox - Ruth 31, Heath 36 (DH), Maya (DD) nearly 10, Ashton (DS) nearly 8 Stateroom: 5520
3. Imangineer2Be - Emily, David (DH) Stateroom: 6315
3. TorontoGirl - Tarin, Donny (DH) Stateroom: 5022
4. giftcard - Marsi, BFF Keri
5. captainmattsparrow - Matt 24, Hillary 24
6. Tehanna - Mary Ann, Jay (DH) 40 Stateroom: 6130
7. Hollywood Glitter -
8. bklawyer - Dave, Jess (DW), Allen (DS) 13, Alex (DD) 11 Stateroom:
9. YenSid1222 - , DM Stateroom:
10. Mickey's Jedi - Suzanne, Steve(DH), Samantha (DD) 11, Sabrina (DD)6 Stateroom:
11. Shirk - Patti, Charles (DH) Stateroom 5137
12. suzanneaz - Suzanne, Jim (DH), Catherine (DD) 6, Elizabeth (DD) 4 Stateroom:
13. Squirrel - Virginia, Kathy (DM) Stateroom:


***We shall divide the group into a smaller group for anyone who wishes to not participate in the large group, that way everyone wins (PM me or post here or send me a link on FB to let me know if you want to be in the smaller group*** (idea may need to be revisted as the group changes and grows )

If you are planning on trying for an upgrade at the port I will take a white board along to put on my door and any changes can be listed here as well while we are still in Vancouver I can update both this list and the FB list

I would like to be part of the FE list if I am not to late coming to the Party.

 

[Tehanna]

We are a family of four and I booked this cruise a few months ago but have just stumbled onto the DISboards and I am enjoying the information I am gathering.

Welcome!

My Wife and I are planning on surprising our two kids 9 and 11 years old with this trip. they have been to Disneyland 4 times and have always wanted to do a Disney cruise but I have always given them a huge list of why we could not go.

I would like to be part of the FE list if I am not to late coming to the Party.

Do you mind terribly if I ask the genders of your children? I've got something gender specific planned for part of our gifts.

On the 10th of September we will get them up early and take the 1 and a half ferry ride to Vancouver and they when we arrive at the terminal we were going to tell them about the trip.

Does anyone have any suggestions on the best way to surprise our kids or some creative ways to reveal the truth. I am open to suggestions.

Oh my goodness, I have seen so many wonderful ideas on the boards. Things ranging from surprising them at breakfast with toy boats and a scavenger hunt, to suggesting a visit to the Disney ship once it comes into view and revealing the trip at the last second.

There has also been a couple of posts with some... er, unexpected reactions from kids, and parents who wished they had done a surprise reveal a few weeks ahead of time so the kids could join in on the anticipation. Obviously you know how your kids would react better than anyone. I can't wait to hear how you do it, if you feel like sharing.

Here's a great thread I found with some scavenger hunt clues:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2697900

Here's the thread I found discussing some of the pros and cons of surprising early vs. day of the cruise:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2510160

 

[ByKnight]

Do you mind terribly if I ask the genders of your children? I've got something gender specific planned for part of our gifts.

Thanks for the links to the scavenger hunt and the pros and cons to surprising your kids.

My kids are both young girls who have told me for years that their dream vacation would be to go on a Disney Cruise. This repositioning Cruise is perfect as we are meeting friends in Disneyland from Sept 16th to the 25th that was the only time that worked for our friends and so when I discovered that this cruise was arriving the same time as our friends flights I decided we could not miss this opportunity.

I will keep you informed on the plans for revealing this trip to our kids whether we do it in advance or at the cruise terminal.

 

[giftcard]

I will keep you informed on the plans for revealing this trip to our kids whether we do it in advance or at the cruise terminal.

Good luck w/ the reveal (whether it's before or at the terminal)! I love the idea of a scavenger hunt!

FYI - we have a group on Facebook as well. The link is at the top of page 10.

Cheers,
Marsi

 

[msbiscuit]

My kids are both young girls who have told me for years that their dream vacation would be to go on a Disney Cruise.

Welcome to the group!

What fun for you to be able to plan such a great surprise! Love the idea of a scavenger hunt!

 

[WoodysMIL]

Just a heads up for those of you who have booked this as a B2B cruise with the 9/3 cruise...I got excited and thought to myself what a great idea! So I started looking into it and also posted on another board about my plans. Well...it wasn't too long before I had quite a few people posting that that particular B2B schedule is not possible due to violations of the PVSA Laws (Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 (sometimes abbreviated to PVSA, Passenger Services Act, or PSA) it says:
No foreign vessels shall transport passengers between ports or places in the United States, either directly or by way of a foreign port, under a penalty of $200 (now $300) for each passenger so transported and landed.

So I decided to check with a good friend of mine who happens to be the former chief counsel for the U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD). She did in fact confirm that doing the B2B Sept. 3 and Sept. 10 would be a direct violation of the US Laws. She confirmed that if you go ahead and keep your booking and plan on the B2B that the chances are very good that you will get booted off in Vancouver and then you will loose out on your 2nd leg of your cruise. She personally knows people who this has happend to on other cruise lines.

If you booked the B2B with a TA it is very possible that he/she is not completely aware of the PVSA laws and that is why nothing was said. Same if you booked the cruise yourself directly with DCL.

At any rate...I think we're going to stay on the safe side and do just the Seattle/Alaska/Vancouver route on Sept. 3.

By all means I'm not trying to cause an uproar...just passing on the information that I found out. I would hate for anything to happen at last minute to any of you that could dampen your cruise experience.

I would highly suggest, that if you do have this B2B booked that you contact DCL directly and discuss this issue with them.

Again...I'm just passing on information that I have learned.