August 16, 2011, Disney Dream - Part 4

[jenanderson]

Thanks for the advice I am so new to this board. I have a hard time even finding replys to questions I ask

Sometimes it is so hard to keep up with the boards when you are new. If you have more questions...feel free to ask (and ask again if you don't find your answer).

 

[rantnnravin]

Anyone at POP the night before the cruise?
Or if anyone's in the BW area, we're doing dinner at Kouzzina if anyone's interested in a pre-cruise mini-meet.

 

[jenanderson]

You guys are all posting great photos! I may have to post when I get back from work.

Laurie - Your pages are GREAT! I can tell how much work you put into them. Thanks for sharing!

Alright - time to go in to work. Don't chat too much today while I am gone!

 

[lauriegs]

Hey Laurie,
Are you guys doing AKL before or after the cruise?

unfortunately, we'll be there before the cruise - I see you all will be there after. bummer!

after the cruise we'll be taking the long drive back home!

 

[lauriegs]

Hey See ya in Disney we are also going to AKl before the cruise we get in on the 13. Have fun getting ready.

are you at Jambo or Kidani? we are dvc, and are booked at Kidani..

 

[mnncoop]

Is anyone renting a room at the comfort suites at Nassau to use the Atlantis paradise resort? Is it worth it? I understand the water park at Atlantis is great! It beats the Dcl excursion price.

I am not doing this during this trip as I have a timeshare in the bahamas and stay on Paradise Island every may.

We have done this before as it is a much cheaper option. THen paying for a day pass at the Atlantis.
I believe they limit you to two adults and two kids but you can call and ask.

 

[rantnnravin]

I actually got us a comfort suites room for the second leg of our B2B (AAA $149 bas price/$212 w/taxes & fees -- still waaaayy better than the direct day pass or excursion price for the 3 of us)

On OUR Nassau day, we plan to do a rum run and return to the ship for the mixology class - this way we can put the rum to good use

 

[lauriegs]

I actually got us a comfort suites room for the second leg of our B2B (AAA $149 bas price/$212 w/taxes & fees -- still waaaayy better than the direct day pass or excursion price for the 3 of us)

On OUR Nassau day, we plan to do a rum run and return to the ship for the mixology class - this way we can put the rum to good use

so jealous of the B2B - would love to do that someday!!

we're staying on board for Nassau day, depending on what's going on with the family, maybe I'll join you for the mixology class.
(DH doesn't drink, so I don't have anyone to share a cocktail with)

 

[Minniemouse07]

Who was looking for a cabana on CC??

Someone posted this on Cruise Critic ...

If you try and book cabana #21 on Castaway you won't find it online. It's reserved for "ship use"--they use it for weddings. If no one books it by the first day of the cruise, it becomes open to everyone else.

..maybe it would work?

 

[Dizney73]

We have always re-booked onboard and transfered to a TA!!

Thanks! I saw that someone mentioned needing a TA's business card? Do I need that do a transfer when we get home or can I just have my TA's info?

 

[Shelebeen]

so jealous of the B2B - would love to do that someday!!

we're staying on board for Nassau day, depending on what's going on with the family, maybe I'll join you for the mixology class.
(DH doesn't drink, so I don't have anyone to share a cocktail with)

We haven't decided about Nassau yet, we may do the Hilton beach day, do a short trip into town (to hit DI and Delsol), but most likely will spend most of the day onboard as well.... I am thinking about the mixology class... sounds fun... and I love Mojitos~ have been experimenting with making them here this summer.

 

[Pudo]

Thanks! I saw that someone mentioned needing a TA's business card? Do I need that do a transfer when we get home or can I just have my TA's info?

I never do because I book with All Seasons Travel. I just tell them to give it to Chuck and they know who I mean.

 

[mnncoop]

are you at Jambo or Kidani? we are dvc, and are booked at Kidani..

We are also DVC member and we will be in Kidani Village you won't miss us we are traveling with a group of 25 New Yorkers.

 

[sherreis]

Hi Everyone...

I still need to find rental car (SUV if possible) from MCO to Port Canaveral. The rates that I found are very high

I'm wondering if you can share the code that you find the cheapest for any rental car agencies. Thanks so much!

I got a great rate last night for a full size through Rental Car Momma. Was going thru Budget @ $177 for the 3 days and last night changed to Thrify @ $123.63. I have been checking daily to find decent car rental rates. I'm happy with this one! Now, my problem is still what to do with my little bit of time difference cause we fly in so early next Saturday and arrive at MCO at 9:25 AM.

You get 3 main benefits: 10% discount, on-board credit, and reduced deposit amount. Booking on-line is 20%, on-board you only need a 10% deposit to book.

Most will book a "dummy" date (one we don't intend on sailing) to get the benefits and then when the 2013 rates come out change the booking to the 2013 date. The new booking retains the obc and reduced deposit.

And, I agree with assigning it to the TA when you rebook. Between the DCL onboard credit and the Disney Visa OBC, and the TA's OBC, every littel bit helps. Plus, our TA is so very helpful when you have questions.

How was it being on a cruise over Thanksgiving? Was the ship decorated for Christmas? I'm very curious!!!

Yes, it is. If I find my last family picture from 2009 - I'll post a pic.

We are also going. Can't wait.
We are George and Brenda with 3 DSs Michael 15, Anthony 11, and Nicholas 10.

We are doing the kayaking and parasailing on one day and the snorkeling the other. We are also going to universal (haven't been in 5 years) before the cruise and AKL after.

Some great excursions! Welcome! I have a DS 11 (Daniel) and a DS15 (Joey) too.

Does anyone here scrapbook? I used to traditional scrapbook, but have really gotten into digital scrapbooking - love it!! this past month I finished the book of last August's cruise --just in time to go on another one!

anyone mind if I post some of the pages I made?

I absolutely LOVE your pages. And, PLEASE post some more or send us a link to look at them. I haven't scrapped in years and plan on getting back into it in the near future. In fact, for Mother's Day, DH and the boys got my a nice gift certificate to the scrapbook store so I can get started again. I keep thinking of going digitial, but, I sit in front of a computer all day at work (or when taking breaks from work like right now ), so I wasn't sure if I would want to sit in front of computer to do digital scrapping. Maybe, I'll try a little - could take my laptop with me to football practice with DS11.

When you rebook onboard you get DCL OBC and then if you transfer it to your TA you get their OBC!! I love trasnfering it to my TA for the extra OBC!!

That's cause you have such a great TA!!!

oooOOOOOHHHHHhhhhh Look at all these lovely families!!!
I guess i should post a pic of us so everyone can say "hi" if you see us:

Me (Lisa) and Bob:

(she would love to email/chat with any other EDGE kids - she's 11 going into 6th)

I have a DS11 if she's interested in emailing a boy. Daniel is going into 6th grade too. So gald to be done with elementary school.


OK - break time took longer than I expected. You all have been super chatty today.

 

[Dizney73]

As far as booking onboard: you get the OBB OBC, 10% discount, and you only need to put down 10% deposit (instead of 20%). It seems the very best deal is to move a previously booked-onboard dummy date to a new date on the 1st day those cruises are released. That's the best of all scenarios!

Thank you for the onboard booking info! When I move my previously booked onboard dummy date does the 10% discount apply to that cruise price as well? And I get to keep the onboard credit (except maiden voyages it appears).

So I should book as far in advance on board as possible to give me time to move th dummby date? If I really want a 2013 cruise... I want a dummy date of late 2012?

 

[sherreis]

One more thing before I go back to working....


Tell me about shopping on Nassau.

 

[Dizney73]

You get 3 main benefits: 10% discount, on-board credit, and reduced deposit amount. Booking on-line is 20%, on-board you only need a 10% deposit to book.

Most will book a "dummy" date (one we don't intend on sailing) to get the benefits and then when the 2013 rates come out change the booking to the 2013 date. The new booking retains the obc and reduced deposit.

ahhhh... I should have read on! Thank you so much for this info! I think we will do this! Do I need my tA's info in advance?

 

[Maryrn11168]

The pictures are great!

Laurie, I love the pages!! I would love to start that after the cruise!

 

[Dizney73]

As a follow-up to the rebooking question I have a tip that may save you some time. Normally when rebooking you choose a date and category that doesn't matter so you choices are kind of irrelevant. My point being, there really isn't any need to sit down with the on-board sales person.

If you are booking a dummy date then just call the sales desk extension, tell them who you are, what you want, and tell then to put the deposit on the stateroom account. If you want a TA to have the reservation them in the message include that information.

For instance, I will call and tell them to put us on the 12/08/2012 Magic sailing in a category 9 (at the moment the least expensive) with cruise insurance, charge it to my room and give the reservation to All Seasons Travel. Done! No waiting in line at the sales desk for an hour or more to book a date I don't intend to keep.

Keep in mind that your deposit is 10% so when booking a dummy date it makes sense to choose an inexpensive cruise. Typically the beginning of December is very reasonable.

Jeff

Thanks so much! That is a great tip! I thought that I had to go to the resrvations desk... but now I know better! You have been incredibly helpful!

 

[Minniemouse07]

Okay...more rebooking questions.

Say I book a dummy date for a 3 day in early December (which qualifies me for $100 OBC plus the 10% down/10% discount)...if I end up switching to a 7 day (understanding that I will have to pay any additional deposit $$) does the OBC credit get adjusted to $200?

I would assume that if I booked a 7 day dummy booking and downgraded it to a 3 day my OBC would be reduced but I'm not sure DCL would allow the adjustment the other way.

Is it okay to just rebook me & dh on the dummy date and add the kids later or should the kids be on the reservation from the start?