August 25 2012

[Pudo]

Thanks! I know it's pricey and that's okay by me. hubby not so much....yet

Although I totally agree with Frank I do have to add that both concierge and platinum book online at the 120 day mark. Since DCL has one of the highest return business rates in the cruise industry there are actually quite a few, present company included, that have sailed 10 or more times so being concierge wouldn't necessarily "guarantee" a cabana since you would be competing against all other concierge and platinum guests.

That being said, I would think there is a likely chance you would get one, especially if you spoke with the shore-side concierge service.

 

[Pudo]

The PC webcam looks nasty with some really dark clouds overhead. I am really crossing my fingers for good weather and reasonable seas for us .....

Yeah, I noticed that too. Hopefully it clears out for us next week. The Weather Channel isn't showing much activity in the Caribbean. With any luck that won't change.

 

[krisgils33]

Although I totally agree with Frank I do have to add that both concierge and platinum book online at the 120 day mark. Since DCL has one of the highest return business rates in the cruise industry there are actually quite a few, present company included, that have sailed 10 or more times so being concierge wouldn't necessarily "guarantee" a cabana since you would be competing against all other concierge and platinum guests.

That being said, I would think there is a likely chance you would get one, especially if you spoke with the shore-side concierge service.

oh, i know there is no guarantee, but there would definitely be a better chance than what we have now (we're still silver for one more cruise after this).

 

[FJS961]

oh, i know there is no guarantee, but there would definitely be a better chance than what we have now (we're still silver for one more cruise after this).

I would say NEAR guarantee. Here is what you do: you pay your cruise off before the 120 day mark. you call the shoreside concierge and tell them that you REALLY want a cabana. you go on at midnight of your booking window and get one. on the outside chance you can't get one online, the shoreside concierge team will be looking for one for you on the 120 day window. knowing that you want one and asked them for one early, can't see why you wouldn't get one of the ones they seem to 'hold back'

For our cruise, quite a few were gone by 6am EST when I was leaving for work. There were a few it seemed for about a week or so if I remember right and then they were pretty much sold out online. Like I said earlier, we have first timers going concierge who told me a couple weeks ago that they called shoreside and they got them a cabana. Go figure.

 

[Pudo]

I would say NEAR guarantee. Here is what you do: you pay your cruise off before the 120 day mark. you call the shoreside concierge and tell them that you REALLY want a cabana. you go on at midnight of your booking window and get one. on the outside chance you can't get one online, the shoreside concierge team will be looking for one for you on the 120 day window. knowing that you want one and asked them for one early, can't see why you wouldn't get one of the ones they seem to 'hold back'

For our cruise, quite a few were gone by 6am EST when I was leaving for work. There were a few it seemed for about a week or so if I remember right and then they were pretty much sold out online. Like I said earlier, we have first timers going concierge who told me a couple weeks ago that they called shoreside and they got them a cabana. Go figure.

Yeah, I totally agree it should be a near certainity. I would definitely do it since the staterooms are VERY nice, the service is the best, the concierge lounge and sundeck are also nice perks. It is really a great experience.

Sarah got a kick out of the Royal suite. She especially loved relaxing in the master bathroom jacuzzi while watching TV. The cool part is the TV is embedded into the master bathroom mirror which amazed her. The bathroom also has little lights in the ceiling which look like star lights in the night sky that made for a wonderful ambiance to watch Phineas & Ferb .

 

[FJS961]

The R is definitely a treat but the T is awesome. Last year we sailed twice on the Dream (march and august), once in the Roy like Jeff and once in a T. We really liked the layout of the T we had. The classic ships have the 'better' two bedroom layout which is great but I do like the centralized concierge area with the lounge.

We recently decided that our kids aren't ready for a Med cruise so we moved the deposit we had to another Fantasy eastern next July - slim pickings with rooms, got the last T on deck 12. I think there is more availability right now for THIS cruise.

 

[beachbratt]

The PC webcam looks nasty with some really dark clouds overhead. I am really crossing my fingers for good weather and reasonable seas for us .....

yes today we are having one of those rare early rainy days it started at our house at about 9:30 in the morning we usually don't see rain till after 3:00 pm it then kept moving to you got it the coast and YES hopefully next week we have clear skies and calm seas

 

[Pudo]

Do you remember the stateroom number of the T with the awesome layout? I want to book a T on our next.cruise.

 

[Pudo]

The Fantasy is leaving now http://www.portcanaveralwebcam.com/

See you next week.

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

The Fantasy is leaving now http://www.portcanaveralwebcam.com/

See you next week.

We will be webcam stars next week

 

[FJS961]

We will be webcam stars next week

Jeff, thanks for that link, cool to see them zoom in on the waving passengers.

As far as the 1 BRs, I don't know if they have different layouts. On deck 11 the verandah is covered with plexiglass - good or bad I don't know. I like the decor of the new T's

 

[Pudo]

Jeff, thanks for that link, cool to see them zoom in on the waving passengers.

As far as the 1 BRs, I don't know if they have different layouts. On deck 11 the verandah is covered with plexiglass - good or bad I don't know. I like the decor of the new T's

I was going to book a T for this cruise but the $17k price gave me sticker shock. Fast forward 18 months and I am starting to come around to the fact that it is what it is so I'll probabably book one for 2014.

We do have a 2013 7 night Eastern (6/29/13) booked but it will probably be pushed out. Missy wants to do some things in FL that we have never done before like Vero Beach and Tampa Busch Gardens. She also wants to go to Disneyland so between the two land trips I don't see a cruise happening until 2014

 

[Susiesark]

I was going to book a T for this cruise but the $17k price gave me sticker shock. Fast forward 18 months and I am starting to come around to the fact that it is what it is so I'll probabably book one for 2014.

We do have a 2013 7 night Eastern (6/29/13) booked but it will probably be pushed out. Missy wants to do some things in FL that we have never done before like Vero Beach and Tampa Busch Gardens. She also wants to go to Disneyland so between the two land trips I don't see a cruise happening until 2014

I'm currently booked on the 5/13 repo cruise from LA to Vancouver. If you do that one, you can do Disneyland (my home away from home) for a few days, which is Memorial Day weekend, then cruise and enjoy Canada. Not sure if I'll keep the rezzie because of school and work schedule.

 

[Pudo]

I'm currently booked on the 5/13 repo cruise from LA to Vancouver. If you do that one, you can do Disneyland (my home away from home) for a few days, which is Memorial Day weekend, then cruise and enjoy Canada. Not sure if I'll keep the rezzie because of school and work schedule.

We did the 15 day August 2008 repo through the Panama Canal that went from LA to Port Canaveral in a 1BR suite on the Magic. It was one of the few repos that didn't cut into any school time. The LA to Vancouver would be nice, but we would miss too much school. We sailed over Halloween (2010) and that cut into about 5 days of school. It was a royal pain to make up all the classwork and homework so we vowed never to vacation during the school year again.

The plan, at the moment, is to go to Disney after school ends, but before Girl Scout Summer camp starts which will be the last week of June into July 4th.

 

[Susiesark]

We did the 15 day August 2008 repo through the Panama Canal that went from LA to Port Canaveral in a 1BR suite on the Magic. It was one of the few repos that didn't cut into any school time. The LA to Vancouver would be nice, but we would miss too much school. We sailed over Halloween (2010) and that cut into about 5 days of school. It was a royal pain to make up all the classwork and homework so we vowed never to vacation during the school year again.

The plan, at the moment, is to go to Disney after school ends, but before Girl Scout Summer camp starts which will be the last week of June into July 4th.

I SO want to do a PC cruise, but the timing of them sucks. They are either May or October, NEVER a good time for us. (I work for the school district). Maybe when I retire (and if I have money, and if I'm not too old to enjoy it.)

 

[FJS961]

here is a link to see what is happening with storm / weather activity

http://www.weather.com/news/weather-hurricanes/tropics-watch-hurricane-season-2012?pageno=4

 

[Filmguy]

OK, Last minute shopping done, bags packed, limo is here at 10am in the morning. its now our official, "We can't sleep night"

 

[Susiesark]

OK, Last minute shopping done, bags packed, limo is here at 10am in the morning. its now our official, "We can't sleep night"

I still have a few days (and nights) of stressing, then I'm ready for my Drink of the Day! Flying all day of Friday, getting to the hotel late.

 

[JKSWonder]

OK, Last minute shopping done, bags packed, limo is here at 10am in the morning. its now our official, "We can't sleep night"

We did the last minute shopping and packing today too. We don't leave until Thursday, but I'm waking up multiple times each night anyway.

Safe travels to you and your family!

 

[FJS961]

Safe travels to those en route or leaving soon.

We are leaving after an early day of work on friday, 5:40 flight in around 830pm MCO

There is a disturbance on the eastern atlantic that is predicted to be hurricane Issac and move west. I am praying it doesn't interfere with us!