August 18, 2010...Can't wait for the MAGICal Mediterranean!!!

[pirateluv]

We are thinking of the Alaska cruise next summer, and we are interested to see the 2012 tours. I am a bit mixed about Alaska, I have watching the discussion about Disney route and the "inside passage" on the main board. However, any cruise is still a good cruise. lol-Joan

 

[jel0511]

Prob not for us, as I don't think we'd sail DCL again until 2012 and will be onboard the Dream in Apr 2011, so we'll book anything then.

pirateluv - we've decided on NCL for next summer over DCL due to price and itinerary. We do have Aug 16th booked with DCL, but most likely will be canceling for NCL.

 

[MinnieDiva]

We're interested in the possibility of Hawaii, and I'd love an Eastern Med as well.

 

[pirateluv]

Prob not for us, as I don't think we'd sail DCL again until 2012 and will be onboard the Dream in Apr 2011, so we'll book anything then.

pirateluv - we've decided on NCL for next summer over DCL due to price and itinerary. We do have Aug 16th booked with DCL, but most likely will be canceling for NCL.

We're interested in the possibility of Hawaii, and I'd love an Eastern Med as well.

I agree, that's why we are mixed on the Disney itinerary to Alaska. Hawaii, sounds wonderful too! Decisions, decisions......
-Joan

 

[crzy4dals]

I love deliveries at the door! pacsafe backpack, camera strap and wallet delivered!

 

[mindelmouse]

We haven't really discussed anything yet. We may want to try another line too. However, I'd love to try the Dream, but a 3 or 4 day cruise, just doesn't do it for me...it's way too short...I think they're wasting the ship on the short itineraries. When they put it on longer one's I'll consider it.

 

[pirateluv]

I love deliveries at the door! pacsafe backpack, camera strap and wallet delivered!

Ooohhh! Me too! I have a new pacsafe purse to bring!
-Joan

 

[Cliffside]

We;re flying out of Newark on Monday night.

So Mindy did you come up with a good cover story.

I can't tell my daughter who you are. She is the worst at keeping secrets. I hope she doesn't recognize you from the beautiful website Mary created.

 

[Cliffside]

I believe by prepaying your gratuities, they're not really gratuities. Meaning, gratuities should be for good service or excellent service. If you prepay your gratuities and your server or room steward or whomever is great, you can add more money to the gratuity. What happens if the person is mediocre or horrible? You have no way of knowing that precruise. You're not required to leave anything if you're not happy with them, but once you've paid for them, you're kind of stuck. I'm rather pay at the end and reward those that deserve it. JMHO

I agree with you. We usually charge it to our ship board account and then just get slips of paper to give outin the envelopes.

 

[K8T]

We will book something, probably the Med next year, I have had a look at the end of August again, as they are really cheap.

It could be that the 2012 itineraries will be out by then. We have done Eastern Med and it is great. Our best was the Holy Land with Celebrity, we did debate to do something similar this year but on a Cunard Ship, but OH thought it could be a bit volatile in Jerusalem. It is OK when it is just two of us getting out of trouble, but not so good with a child!

We have heard today a friend is moving to Egypt this summer (he is a geologist and finds oil!), so I think we may go out and see him. He also said Tunis is great (he has worked in North Africa), definately Sidi bou Said and Carthage if nothing else - Mind you he speaks arabic, having spent so much time out that way, he also said that you are safe with the taxis in Tunis, it is very touristy.

I agree, 3 and 4 day cruises are too short, we don't do 7 days for the same reason, Our June 7 day repo, was hardly long enough to get unpacked!!

Kate

 

[Cliffside]

Anybody planning to re-book while onboard?

We're looking at a dummy reservation as a placeholder until 2012 is announced.

kim

We are already booked on a 5 night Dream for next August. We booked on board last November and it is one of the few cruises where the price has gone up. I wish it was a longer cruise but we are really excited to try the new ship. We will probably add some days on the vacation to spend at DW.

Susan

 

[pixie08]

We are also booked on the 5 night double dip next June. In am not crazy about the itinerary besides the 2 CC days, but really excited about the boat!

In terms of 2012 I would love if they did a Hawaii tour, then I would do two weeks, one at the DVC and one on DCL! Dan and I went to Maui for our honeymoon and it was amazing!

 

[mindelmouse]

So Mindy did you come up with a good cover story.

I can't tell my daughter who you are. She is the worst at keeping secrets. I hope she doesn't recognize you from the beautiful website Mary created.

not yet...you can just be people I know from worK

 

[pixie08]

I am trying to access the excursion possibility that is planned in port. Is it possible to just walk out to taxis and hire one for the day? Has anyone done this? Is it safe? Especially with kids? How cost effective is it compating to hiring a rpivate driver in advance? I am thinking about doing it in all ports if possible.
One of the reasons I want to keep it flexible is because we have the freedom to choose to do what we want when we want. Another: trying to save some money. the cost of 500 for 5 is steep if we do it in several ports.
I really need some guidance.

Thanks, Irene

Hi Irene,

Not sure if you saw this yet. It may be helpful to you!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2474712

 

[MacG]

Just wondering, can a portion of OBC be used to pay for gratuities? I don't want to have any OBC leftover...

Paying them 6 months ago was one way to reduce sticker shock when the room bill comes up at the conclusion of the cruise....

kim

 

[GratefulDad]

Just wondering, can a portion of OBC be used to pay for gratuities? I don't want to have any OBC leftover...

I'm fairly certain the Onboard Credit is applied to your account as a credit, and any charges you incur (tours, gratuities etc...), as long as you charge them to your account, can make use of the OBC.


Mike

 

[MinnieDiva]

Just wondering, can a portion of OBC be used to pay for gratuities? I don't want to have any OBC leftover...

I cannot even fathom having any leftover!
kim

 

[ejw]

Hello,
We've never been on a Disney Cruise, and have never done the FE. We signed up for it, and I'm sure there's information somewhere along the threads, but are these gifts to be made or bought, and are there separate gifts for the adults vs. kids? Any guidance would be appreciated. BTW I see you live in Rockaway Park, we live in Island Park (Long Beach) so we're practically neighbors We're also on the same deck (7578).


Mike

Hi Mike, we are practically neighbors. my SIL lives in oceanside and we are in your neck of the woods often. If you are a long time resident, then i have to mention island park had one of the best bakeries...custom bake shop. I really miss that place. Have you eaten at Panchos on long beach road. someone recommended the place to me.

nice to see you are also on the same deck as us.

Re: fish extender gifts....will re-iterate what others have said....they can be bought or made, can be the same or different for adults and children, can be anonymous or not, can be given out on any day. on our last cruise i bought the gifts but for this cruise we are making them. (will be something for pirate night)

looking forward to meeting you and your family, ellen

 

[ejw]

Wow: That would be cool to see, but sooo expensive. Anybody here going on the Dream?
-Joan

Hi Joan, we are also sailing on the dream next year. 5 night double dip on july 5th. we'll spend july 4th weekend at disney. on the med cruise i want to try to rebook this one to get the booking-on-board benefits. we'll also put a deposit down with a dummy date and wait to see what gets announced for 2012. our philosophy is that it never hurts to put a deposit down.

ellen

 

[K8T]

Can I ask,

If you book two cruises on board, can you get the reduced deposit twice? and is the OBC only once or for each one?

Thanks

Kate