A little "Insider Information" about ABD and ABD/DCL ***UPDATE*** on page 3

[EllinK]

What did ABD offer for the Baltic cruise in 2010?

 

[sayhello]

What did ABD offer for the Baltic cruise in 2010?

They didn't. It was the first year ABD tried the add-ons, and they only offered it for the Med cruises.

Sayhello

 

[sayhello]

Thanks so much for the insight, Kevin. Last year they released the ABD Add-ons at the same time as the regular ABDs (May 22), so I'm hoping they hold to recent history. I wouldn't think that they could wait much longer than June for regular ABDs, since that leaves in some cases less than a year for planning.

Actually, for a long while, they released the new ABD's in early August. Late May has only been the date for the last couple of years.

Sayhello

 

[DisneyKevin]

I'm back to let you know that I have heard that the ABD add ons may be released sooner than originally thought.

Sayhello's info could quite possibly be true.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I'm back to let you know that I have heard that the ABD add ons may be released sooner than originally thought.

Sayhello's info could quite possibly be true.

That's great, Kevin! Thanks for following up.

 

[sayhello]

I'm back to let you know that I have heard that the ABD add ons may be released sooner than originally thought.

Sayhello's info could quite possibly be true.

Sayhello

 

[calypso726]

We are booked on the 11 day Norway/Iceland too. I was, still am really hoping for embedded Norway ABD add-on. I think it would be insane not to offer it for at least the Norway part of the cruise since they already have trained guides. Several others on the FB cruise page have expressed the same interest.

 

[sayhello]

We are booked on the 11 day Norway/Iceland too. I was, still am really hoping for embedded Norway ABD add-on. I think it would be insane not to offer it for at least the Norway part of the cruise since they already have trained guides. Several others on the FB cruise page have expressed the same interest.

I don't think it would work to only offer it for part of the trip. The model is for the add-on to cover all the port days. Not to say they wouldn't do it, but they haven't done a partial cruise yet. I hope they work out an itinerary for you guys!

Sayhello

 

[EllinK]

We are booked on the Baltic cruise and have long wanted to try ABD so I'm very interested in what might be offered as a tie-in. I have a question about past ABD/DCL tours -- are they limited in number of guests (like ABD) or are they seriously overrun (like DCL excursions?). We've stopped using DCL excursions because they are just too many people to have a meaningful experience.
Thanks for your info...

 

[sayhello]

We are booked on the Baltic cruise and have long wanted to try ABD so I'm very interested in what might be offered as a tie-in. I have a question about past ABD/DCL tours -- are they limited in number of guests (like ABD) or are they seriously overrun (like DCL excursions?). We've stopped using DCL excursions because they are just too many people to have a meaningful experience.
Thanks for your info...

They are run just like an ABD, with a limited number of people. In 2010 it was 40 people on the Med Cruise. I'm not sure whether the limit is 40 or 44 now, but it shouldn't be more than that. Several times on the Amalfi coast, we had DCL buses just behind us. I couldn't believe how many people would pile out of those buses as our group of 39 loaded back onto ours.

Sayhello

 

[EllinK]

Fantastic to hear that enrollment on the ABD tours are limited. I'm guessing you need to sign up pretty quickly with only 40-44 spots available. What was pricing like when you did it?

 

[sayhello]

Fantastic to hear that enrollment on the ABD tours are limited. I'm guessing you need to sign up pretty quickly with only 40-44 spots available. What was pricing like when you did it?

The pricing was pretty low that first year. I think they've realized now that they're popular, and the pricing for the add-ons has taken quite a jump since.

The price per adult was $2399. I believe the child price was a couple of hundred dollars less. But again, that was the first year, and I wouldn't look for that to be the price any more!

And yes, it's been reported here that the dates do sell out fairly quickly.

Sayhello

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

The pricing was pretty low that first year. I think they've realized now that they're popular, and the pricing for the add-ons has taken quite a jump since.

They sure have! The add-on for the 9 day MED this year was $2599 per "Disney" adult (i.e. anyone over 12!). I think the 12 day was more like $3200.

 

[wdwtheplacetobe]

Would Love to see Copenhagen again! I believe Tivoli Gardens was where Walt got the idea for IASW....

 

[JsMom2]

Any info on the number of nights we can expect in Copenhagen? We are B2B on the 7 night Norway and 7 night Baltic. Last time we were in the Baltics we did all the ports on our own, so an ABD add on would be awesome this time!

 

[sayhello]

OK, so first, it's definite, the new ABD/DCL add-ons and pre-trips will be on the Website and on sale on June 18th.

BUT!!! I just got my brochure, and it has some information on all of the add-ons & pre-days for 2015!

Cruise add-ons:

5-Night Med Magic - August 10
7-Night Med Magic - August 14, 22 & 29

7-Night Magic of the Baltic - May 30 & June 13
12-Night Magic of the Baltic - July 22
12-Night Magic of the Baltic with Germany - July 10

Pre-Cruise Experiences:

Barcelona Escape - August 12, 19 & 26
Copenhagen Escape - May 27, June 10, 17 & 26
London Escape - July 8, 20 & August 1

I'll make more detailed posts on each ABD, but I wanted to get the word out there. There are, of course, no prices listed, but I've been told that the prices are still strictly per person, not double occupancy (or triple or quad). And the price is the price, and won't go up as the spots sell.

Sayhello

 

[calypso726]

I'll make more detailed posts on each ABD, but I wanted to get the word out there. There are, of course, no prices listed, but I've been told that the prices are still strictly per person, not double occupancy (or triple or quad). And the price is the price, and won't go up as the spots sell.
Sayhello

WOO HOO! Thanks for sharing! I am looking forward to seeing what the Copenhagen and London Escapes will entail! We are on the June 29th sailing of the 11 night Norway/Iceland/Scotland cruise.

 

[sayhello]

5-Night Mediterranean Magic
Spain, France, Monaco & Italy

Highlights include:

• Enjoy lunch along the Riviera in Monte Carlo, then explore magnificent Monaco
• Marvel at the Renaissance art and architecture of Florence, including Michelangelo's David and the Ponte Vecchio, and be treated to a gelato making demonstration
• Visit the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican
• Experience the best of Rome with visits to the Forum and the Trevi Fountain
• Receive a photo CD of all the pictures taken by the ship photographers
• Be or Guest at two private receptions

 

[sayhello]

7-Night Mediterranean Magic
Spain, Italy, France & Monaco

Highlights include:

• Learn to make mozzarella and pizza at a local Italian farm
• Take a private boat cruise around Capri -- and go for a swim in the sparkling Mediterranean Sea
• Enjoy lunch along the Riviera in Monte Carlo, then explore magnificent Monaco
• Marvel at the Renaissance art and architecture of Florence, including Michelangelo's David and the Ponte Vecchio, and be treated to a gelato making demonstration
• Visit the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican
• Experience the best of Rome with visits to the Forum and the Trevi Fountain
• Receive a photo CD of all the pictures taken by the ship photographers
• Be or Guest at two private receptions

 

[sayhello]

7-Night Magic of the Baltic
Denmark, Estonia, Russia, Finland & Sweden

Highlights include:

• Learn about Estonia's rich history through visits to Tallin's Kadriorg Palace (built by Peter the Great)
• Tour St. Petersburg by boat, stopping along the way to see such historic sites as Peterhoff Palace (an UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the ornate Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood
• Explore the expansive art collection of St. Petersburg's Hermitage Museum
• Enjoy lunch amidst the picturesque grounds of Helsinki's Kiala Manor
• Take a narrated journey through Helsinki with stops at such architectural landmarks as Temppeliaukio Church and the Senate Square

There is a very reliable 'rumor' that the ABBA museum will be included on the day in Stockholm!

Sayhello