April 19, 2008 - Western - VERY Early Roll Call - Anyone??!!

[dis2cruise]

I booked with DCL out of JFK and it was $455.30 pp and that included transfers to and from the port and arriving at MCO on the 18th. Still really high but the best price I have seen. An extra $50 pp would make the flight a non-stop. Still debating about that though.
Still waiting to see if Southwest is a better price.

wow, that is much cheaper, when did you book that???

I am still waiting for sw then after that I can relax and then
figure out what to do at each port (the fun stuff)

 

[wdhinn89]

wow, that is much cheaper, when did you book that???

I am still waiting for sw then after that I can relax and then
figure out what to do at each port (the fun stuff)

Sorry messed up. Reply below.

 

[wdhinn89]

wow, that is much cheaper, when did you book that???

I am still waiting for sw then after that I can relax and then
figure out what to do at each port (the fun stuff)

We booked the airfare about 2 1/2 weeks ago. IMO JFK is better because there is a chance of getting a non-stop flight with Delta. Out of ISP all the flights with Delta are with a stop.

 

[MassDisLovers]

Our group will be 2 families from Mass - Jim, Karen, Meaghan and Kelly, on our 4th Disney cruise and Jennifer, Joe, Siobhan and Eoin on their first. We can't wait!

 

[TJeff]

SOX VS ROCKS!!!

GO RED SOX!

 

[yogibigdog]

I had a great time on my western cruise. It wasn’t Disney but we still had fun. Service was no where near Disney but the ship less than a year old which was nice.

Went inland from Cozumel to the Mayan ruins at Tulum. Yes, the ferry from Cozumel inland can be very rocky. The ruins are interesting and the setting was beautiful. I even had a chance to swim there. It was a long day and it was hot so I would not recommend this for young children. I see Disney says 8 and older and I can see why but we enjoyed.

In Grand Cayman went on an island tour and swimming with the stingrays. The tour was interesting they took us all around the island. One stop was the rum cake factory it was very bust there hard to move in the store. It is mostly a shop but you can look in the front windows and watch them make the cakes. We also stopped at the Turtle farm. There are a lot of turtles. Then off to the stingrays. It was about a 30 minute boat ride to the sandbar. I went with the ship’s excursions and they used Kirk tours. Everyone who worked on the excursion was great when we got to the sandbar there were a lot of stingrays. I think we spent about an hour out there. There was only one child on the excursion she was about 4. She went right in with the stingrays but her dad had to hold her because the water would have been close to being over her head.

Shopping is better in Cozumel. Due to exchange rate in Grand Cayman it takes $1.25 US dollar to equal there money. The tourist areas still take US dollars but the prices were higher.

We had the smoothest seas out of the 6 cruises I have been on previously. The weather was picture perfect.

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[4newtocruise]

In Grand Cayman went on an island tour and swimming with the stingrays. The tour was interesting they took us all around the island. One stop was the rum cake factory it was very bust there hard to move in the store. It is mostly a shop but you can look in the front windows and watch them make the cakes. We also stopped at the Turtle farm. There are a lot of turtles. Then off to the stingrays. It was about a 30 minute boat ride to the sandbar. I went with the ship’s excursions and they used Kirk tours. Everyone who worked on the excursion was great when we got to the sandbar there were a lot of stingrays. I think we spent about an hour out there. There was only one child on the excursion she was about 4. She went right in with the stingrays but her dad had to hold her because the water would have been close to being over her head.

Sounds wonderful! What company was this through - NativeWay? Sounds like the tour I want to do through them.

-Joan

 

[wdhinn89]

I just called again an got a different CM. He said the same thing. West coast stay at the Hyatt is complimentary if arriving the day before the cruise. East coast has a hotel charge of $185 or $175 depending on date. Would you mind asking your mom to double check that info. Maybe they changed their policy recently but if not maybe she can get some sort of code for the complimentary stay. Thank you so much for all your help and info.

Diane

Any info? Have you spoken to your Mom?

Thanks
Diane

 

[yogibigdog]

Sounds wonderful! What company was this through - NativeWay? Sounds like the tour I want to do through them.

-Joan

The cruise line used Kirk tours.

 

[yogibigdog]

Any info? Have you spoken to your Mom?

Thanks
Diane

I will confirm that the "free" night only applies to the west coast. Everyone else will pay around $189.00 for most nights at the MCO Hyatt booked through DCL.

 

[Tinkified]

Sorry to all the persons hanging onto the "free night" question...I did have it slightly wrong....but it ends up being about the same regardless...read on!

I did clarify this info with my mother. This came to me from her from DCL. My apologies for my error (but happily it still definately ends up working out)....but I would think that when a customer calls DCL inquiring about a no charge in regards to the hotel at the airport, you would think a CM would chime in with the correct related information. You know, kinda say, "well sir, that is partially correct...." and go from there.

ANYWAY.....If you fly in prior to cruise day on DCL sponsored air, which is deviating from the itinerary and opt to stay at the hotel in the airport, you DO pay for the hotel, but DCL will NOT charge you the $50pp deviation fee for the deviation.

Sorry for the confusion....but in the end you are saving the same amount...Here is where our math classes pay off...if you are going to pay lets say, $200 for the one night in the room at the airport and DCL doesn't charge you the deviation fee of 50pp...for a family of 4 it is a savings of $200 Now if you are a family of 4 and the hotel is only180 a night and DCL doesn't charge the 50pp deviation fee...then you are ahead of the game..I am sure you all can go on with the math.

Hope this helps clarify info...and helps someone save some money!
Michelle

 

[wdhinn89]

Sorry to all the persons hanging onto the "free night" question...I did have it slightly wrong....but it ends up being about the same regardless...read on!

I did clarify this info with my mother. This came to me from her from DCL. My apologies for my error (but happily it still definately ends up working out)....but I would think that when a customer calls DCL inquiring about a no charge in regards to the hotel at the airport, you would think a CM would chime in with the correct related information. You know, kinda say, "well sir, that is partially correct...." and go from there.

ANYWAY.....If you fly in prior to cruise day on DCL sponsored air, which is deviating from the itinerary and opt to stay at the hotel in the airport, you DO pay for the hotel, but DCL will NOT charge you the $50pp deviation fee for the deviation.

Sorry for the confusion....but in the end you are saving the same amount...Here is where our math classes pay off...if you are going to pay lets say, $200 for the one night in the room at the airport and DCL doesn't charge you the deviation fee of 50pp...for a family of 4 it is a savings of $200 Now if you are a family of 4 and the hotel is only180 a night and DCL doesn't charge the 50pp deviation fee...then you are ahead of the game..I am sure you all can go on with the math.

Hope this helps clarify info...and helps someone save some money!
Michelle

Thanks

 

[TJeff]

Tinkified,
We are flying in on Thursday night and was looking to stay at the Hyatt for two night prior.
I did call DCL and they said only the night before could be had for 185.
The thur night would be 250 ish.

Also, on the backside, the night after the cruise, DCL said they were already sold out. The hotel still has avail, I'm just assuming that the alloted # of rooms that DCL had are gone.

Could you check and see if this is the correct info?
or are they playing that game with me only answering the questions I have and not explaining how to get two nights before and one after for the cheaper rate.

Thanks
Jeff

 

[TJeff]

Does anyone know when we can board the vessel? (I forgot)

I'm trying to book a rental car and would like to know when I should be returning it so I don't get charged a second day rental for being late.

 

[conny264]

On our last 2 Cruises we could board around 12.
Have agreat weekend.
Conny

 

[yogibigdog]

Does anyone know when we can board the vessel? (I forgot)

I'm trying to book a rental car and would like to know when I should be returning it so I don't get charged a second day rental for being late.

The DCL terminal usually is open by 10:30 am. They let you in and you get your card telling you your boarding group. Then you can check in. They usually start letting you on the ship around noon sometimes a bit earlier.

 

[Tinkified]

TJeff: My only info I have is in regards to the staying at the hotel airport the night before and using DCL air with no charge for the deviation fee....nothing to do with the prices that the Hyatt charges because unfortunately, they can charged whatever they want....I am sure, as you assumed, that DCL has a certain number of rooms blocked off for their use. I will double check with my mom. She doesn't go back to work until Monday.

One other thing to consider...staying at a Disney resort...transportation thru magical express would still be used and if you stay at a value resort..all star movies, muic and pop-century, you have a very good chance of getting a room for under 150 a night. That might be the cheapest route if you are needing 3 days total. Plus as an added bonus, they will check you in for the cruise at your hotel...no waiting in lines at the port. Just one more thing to think about!

Good luck..I will let you know what my mom finds out. Also, I don't know for sure but I think people are let on the boat @ 11ish. I have heard earlier, but I think 11 is your safest bet. Check with the main board, someone will know there for sure.

PS. are you using a TA for your ressies? If not, and you are doing this all by yourself, this is what a travel agent does...all the legwork, frustration, phone calls etc...it is their job. I know a lot of people use the internet...and the internet is what caused my mom's small private travel agency business to close...but having someone do all the legwork, push for the best deal etc is what they do for no charge. Why not pass all the work on....Just doing my part to keep all the travel agents in the world busy and of course, just my 2 cents!


Michelle

 

[yogibigdog]

Tinkified,
We are flying in on Thursday night and was looking to stay at the Hyatt for two night prior.
I did call DCL and they said only the night before could be had for 185.
The thur night would be 250 ish.
The group space or "blocks" of rooms are usually for one night before or one night after a sailing date. Of course they would perfer you stay onsite at Disney World

Also, on the backside, the night after the cruise, DCL said they were already sold out. The hotel still has avail, I'm just assuming that the alloted # of rooms that DCL had are gone.
Yes, DCL has a block of rooms once they are booked you would have to reserve your own room at a standard rate

Jeff

Hope that helps

 

[rantnnravin]

One other thing to consider...staying at a Disney resort...transportation thru magical express would still be used and if you stay at a value resort..all star movies, muic and pop-century, you have a very good chance of getting a room for under 150 a night. That might be the cheapest route if you are needing 3 days total. Plus as an added bonus, they will check you in for the cruise at your hotel...no waiting in lines at the port. Just one more thing to think about!

is this true even if you book the hotel separately? i thought it was only for land and sea- we're booked at AKV for two nights prior to the cruise and this would be great if we didn't have to wait for check-in at the port
but don't we still have to wait for our boarding cards anyway?




ETA- fwiw, we have/had (i need to cancel, since we just got AKV) a room booked for the friday night at the hyatt with AAA rates and it was $206 total w/tax.

 

[yogibigdog]

For those still wating for Southwest it still looks like Nov. 8th is the day.

From Southwest:

We are currently accepting air reservations through March 7, 2008. On November 8, we plan to open the schedule for purchase through May 9, 2008. This date is subject to change!