August 28, 2010 Pirates of the Barbary Coast - 11 nights in the Mediterranean

[CustardTart]

Well, it looks like we will be going on an Alaska cruise that year too. But it won't be with DCL. Steve's family is going and they want a casino onboard. Steve's DB and DBIL love going to the casinos. Plus they would like a ship that has a cigar/cognac type lounge. It has been really tough trying to find a cruise line with everyone's wants. Steve wants to make sure that we cruise Glacier Bay and definitely wants to do a helicopter ride on top a glacier. He also wants to go dog sledding. Me? I want a ship that has great accommodations and service, like DCL. My DSIL's want great 5-star type dining and a great spa. Plus they keep talking about activities like cooking classes. The activities may be important. Steve's DM is going and will be 77 that year. She may go back to the ship early or even choose to stay onboard some days. I know she says she is not doing anything like a dogsled tour. I'm totally confused.

PLUS, I am like you and hate the cold and snow. So I am skeptical of the whole thing. But many people have told me that the summers aren't that bad in southern Alaska. Some friends of ours said that the highs were in the 70's their entire cruise.

That's a tough call - I find it hard enough when I plan for the 6 of us!!! Good luck at finding something to please most of the people...

BTW we did dog sledding the Alps - and I can 100% confirm once was definitely enough!!! OMG if you can get past the rather strong smell of pee and poop as they just plough through it there's the fact that it's VERY physical! Those dogs are strong and the sleds heavy - I actually had to sit it out as I could tell it would have wrecked my back...

That's good news about the temperatures - maybe I should just check out my Alaska guidebook before consigning the trip to the scrap heap!!!

 

[eva]

That's good news about the temperatures - maybe I should just check out my Alaska guidebook before consigning the trip to the scrap heap!!!

Here are some links on weather.com that you might want to look at:

Skagway
Juneau
Ketchikan

It appears that the averages for August are in the 60's. That's probably not too bad. We are thinking of going the beginning of June, which appears to be a bit cooler. Steve will love it. He loves cool weather and snow.

 

[CustardTart]

Here are some links on weather.com that you might want to look at:

Skagway
Juneau
Ketchikan

It appears that the averages for August are in the 60's. That's probably not too bad. We are thinking of going the beginning of June, which appears to be a bit cooler. Steve will look it. He loves cool weather and snow.

Thanks, Eva! I can definitely cope with those temps - I'm from England for goodness sake!!!

 

[eva]

BTW we did dog sledding the Alps - and I can 100% confirm once was definitely enough!!! OMG if you can get past the rather strong smell of pee and poop as they just plough through it there's the fact that it's VERY physical! Those dogs are strong and the sleds heavy - I actually had to sit it out as I could tell it would have wrecked my back...

That sounds horrid. Maybe the girls will just let the guys go on that excursion. But I am a bit excited about a helicopter ride. I've never done that.

 

[CustardTart]

That sounds horrid. Maybe the girls will just let the guys go on that excursion. But I am a bit excited about a helicopter ride. I've never done that.

Yes, I'm with you - I prefer to flightsee rather than dogsled in the cold...

I've only been in a helicopter once before - a friend and I went to New York for her 40th back in December 1999 and we included a heli tour of NYC in our trip. It was fantastic (if a little noisy) so if it's offered via DCL - I'm doing it!!!

 

[eva]

Bump! Yikes! We were almost on page 3!

 

[eva]

Karen, Did the add-on go through?

 

[CustardTart]

Karen, Did the add-on go through?

Would you believe I have not heard back from our guide!!! I am going to try again a little later but it's very frustrating!!!

 

[eva]

Would you believe I have not heard back from our guide!!! I am going to try again a little later but it's very frustrating!!!

That's crazy. Our guide is usually so good about getting back with us.

 

[CustardTart]

That's crazy. Our guide is usually so good about getting back with us.

It's certainly driving me a little loopy!!!

This is the first time I've actually used her to purchase. We bought this contract resale and inherited another guide who she took over from last year. She rang me when she made the switch and when BLT was released... She also left a message on our machine when we stayed at BLT last September - so I know she knows I exist!!! Anyway, I've just tried again and the phone switched to her voicemail after quite a few rings, so I've left another message!!! I know the messages are date stamped and I've mentioned that we're interested in the VGC points offer so... We'll have to see. I think I may just give up and ring our original guide who we got when we bought through DVC direct.

It's a complicated story - we initially decided to buy VWL resale but that took ages to go through. So much so, that I lost my nerve and bought SSR direct with DVC when they were heavily discounting the price and the exchange rate was $2/£!!! So that contract ended going through before the resale and we received a September use year. The resale was a December UY. All our add-ons to date have been on the original DVC contract so have a September UY - this time I wanted to even things up a little and purchase an add-on with the December UY. It's no big deal really - I just want to buy the points!!!

 

[CustardTart]

I did it - rang and left a message with the original guide. Now let's see who gets back to me first...

UPDATE: Received an email from Stephanie, the first guide I phoned, and she is going to get back to me tomorrow or Saturday!!! Looks like I shall be getting those points after all...

 

[eva]

I did it - rang and left a message with the original guide. Now let's see who gets back to me first...

UPDATE: Received an email from Stephanie, the first guide I phoned, and she is going to get back to me tomorrow or Saturday!!! Looks like I shall be getting those points after all...

Good Job! Way to keep at them!

 

[CustardTart]

Good Job! Way to keep at them!

And I'm usually so laid back, too!!!

Anyway, Stephanie called and we have our points!!! She was quite surprised that we were interested in VGC being Brits BUT my view is, if you're going to fly 9 hours to MCO what's the extra 2 to LAX???!!! I'm SOOOOOOO excited!!!

Anyway, that's it for us. I think the only other add-on that would ever interest Richard is if they developed the GF or Poly...

Now I've got to get a move on - we have dinner ressies in just over an hour and I haven't even started getting ready!!! I just had to share first...

 

[eva]

Anyway, Stephanie called and we have our points!!! She was quite surprised that we were interested in VGC being Brits BUT my view is, if you're going to fly 9 hours to MCO what's the extra 2 to LAX???!!! I'm SOOOOOOO excited!!! :

Congrats!

Anyway, that's it for us. I think the only other add-on that would ever interest Richard is if they developed the GF or Poly...

I say that every time!

 

[CustardTart]

Giving us another little *bump*..

We usually do the wine package when we're onboard the Magic but I'm thinking this time, as we're in Europe, we'll bring wine onboard with us. As we're in southern Spain for the week before, we'll bring some Spanish choices onboard initially and then will collect a few bottles at the different ports of call to try at dinner... The only thing I can't recall is the corkage charge - any ideas???

 

[eva]

Giving us another little *bump*..

We usually do the wine package when we're onboard the Magic but I'm thinking this time, as we're in Europe, we'll bring wine onboard with us. As we're in southern Spain for the week before, we'll bring some Spanish choices onboard initially and then will collect a few bottles at the different ports of call to try at dinner... The only thing I can't recall is the corkage charge - any ideas???

Karen, I don't think they offer the wine package on any cruises longer than 7-days. It is listed on the site as 7, 4, or 3 day. But I am sure that I read on the cruise board that it will not be offered on the Med cruises. And I totally agree with you about bringing some wine onboard. I think we will do that at a couple ports too. The corkage fee is $15. I feel that is not really an issue. The up charge on a bottle of wine onboard has got to be more than that. I know that DCL charges $47 for a bottle of Banfi Chianti Classic Reserve. We buy that quite often here in the states for about $16 a bottle. $15 added on top that that is still cheaper than what DCL is charging. Another one we drink quite often is Mumms Cordon Rouge Brut Champagne. Onboard they are charging $61. Here I pay about half that. But we may just pour a glass in the room and then order another by the glass at the table. We'll see. Steve is not a major wine drinker.

But we will be out of the luck the first two nights. We arrive the morning of the cruise and will be going straight to the port. I did find out that we have until 9:00 pm to get on the ship if we are delayed. Our flight is suppose to arrive at 8:55 am. So if all goes well, we will probably get to port around 10:30 am or so. They are requesting that all are onboard by 4:00 pm for the 5:00 pm drill. But if a delay happens, we can still check-in directly on the ship anytime from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm. I think we should be fine. If not, we will find a way to Malta and join the ship there. So if we do not show up for dinner the first night, you know pretty much what happened.

 

[CustardTart]

Karen, I don't think they offer the wine package on any cruises longer than 7-days. It is listed on the site as 7, 4, or 3 day. But I am sure that I read on the cruise board that it will not be offered on the Med cruises. And I totally agree with you about bringing some wine onboard. I think we will do that at a couple ports too. The corkage fee is $15. I feel that is not really an issue. The up charge on a bottle of wine onboard has got to be more than that. I know that DCL charges $47 for a bottle of Banfi Chianti Classic Reserve. We buy that quite often here in the states for about $16 a bottle. $15 added on top that that is still cheaper than what DCL is charging. Another one we drink quite often is Mumms Cordon Rouge Brut Champagne. Onboard they are charging $61. Here I pay about half that. But we may just pour a glass in the room and then order another by the glass at the table. We'll see. Steve is not a major wine drinker.

Oh, I didn't know that!!! Glad we'd decided to do something different then!!! Just gotta get some kind of secure protective carry case...

But we will be out of the luck the first two nights. We arrive the morning of the cruise and will be going straight to the port. I did find out that we have until 9:00 pm to get on the ship if we are delayed. Our flight is suppose to arrive at 8:55 am. So if all goes well, we will probably get to port around 10:30 am or so. They are requesting that all are onboard by 4:00 pm for the 5:00 pm drill. But if a delay happens, we can still check-in directly on the ship anytime from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm. I think we should be fine. If not, we will find a way to Malta and join the ship there. So if we do not show up for dinner the first night, you know pretty much what happened.

I'm sure you'll be fine but let's keep everything crossed just in case...

 

[CustardTart]

Just had to share!!! I checked our DVC account online a few minutes ago and our VGC points are in situ!!! It's a good feeling...

 

[eva]

Just had to share!!! I checked our DVC account online a few minutes ago and our VGC points are in situ!!! It's a good feeling...

Congrats!

We have 6 contracts and just paid off contract number 4 this weekend. Two more to go. We should have those paid off in about a year. Next month we will have the 12 months zero financing for our OKW extension paid off. I think that is why Steve is not willing to buy any more points. He can see the points almost paid off and isn't willing to take on anymore debt. We usually take DVC financing, but pay it off in 2 or 3 years instead of 10.

 

[CustardTart]

Congrats!

We have 6 contracts and just paid off contract number 4 this weekend. Two more to go. We should have those paid off in about a year. Next month we will have the 12 months zero financing for our OKW extension paid off. I think that is why Steve is not willing to buy any more points. He can see the points almost paid off and isn't willing to take on anymore debt. We usually take DVC financing, but pay it off in 2 or 3 years instead of 10.

So congrats to you too!!! I don't think non-US purchasers are offered finance - which is probably just as well otherwise I'd be out of control!!!

Now tho' I can just relax and focus on our cruise. Hoping to book our pre-cruise week very soon and then I can focus on flights.