Bringing Home the Magic - Part 2 - 8/18/07 - 9/01/07- list of cruisers on page 1

[gismo1554]

we are thinking about downgrading to a cat 12 gty. the price is great and would save us over $2,000. we currently have a SPH room. has anyone on this cruise done this and have you gotten your new cabin yet? wondering if disney is upgrading when assigning the new cabin.

thanks, ellen

We have a GTY 12 but no cabin number yet. On the EB cruise I had a Cat 12 and was given a Cat 11 I think (rm 6643?) The room was OK, a bit noisey when the boat was docking but otherwise fine.

 

[DisCrazzy]

we are thinking about downgrading to a cat 12 gty. the price is great and would save us over $2,000. we currently have a SPH room. has anyone on this cruise done this and have you gotten your new cabin yet? wondering if disney is upgrading when assigning the new cabin.

thanks, ellen

We also downgraded to a GTY cat 12 from a cat 11. It saved us alomost $1500.00.
When my TA called to do the downgrade for us, the Disney castmember told her that there were only 2 cabins that had not been assigned already. So, I figure it's almost guaranteed that we will get bumped back up to at least a cat 11 if not higher. For the money that I'm saving, it is worth the chance!
Also, I don't think we will find out our cabin numbers until about 30 days out.

Jennifer

 

[gydell]

Gydell, I just read a trip report from someone regarding the EB repo that was fairly negative. I know that nothing could be done about the weather or the seas, but did you find the food to be bad and housekeeping services to be terrible as that trip report suggested? I know that people can go on the same cruise and have vastly different experiences, but that trip report was surprising.

We had the best service we have ever had, both in the dining room and the cabin. I am going to ask for the same servers next time! I did hear several people complaining about their servers, mostly not gettting refills on drinks at dinner and being assigned a large table and having to wait on the entire table to arrive. We always do a table for 4 so we do not have this problem. As far as the food, my dd(34) said the food was much better than years past. I am very picky so I live on chicken fingers and fries for dinner, they even ordered me a pizza from Palos one night just so I could have variety in my food. We did not like Topsiders this year at all!

 

[Mmouse1964]

Ellen, we just booked our cruise a couple weeks ago, as a cat 12, gty. we still have no idea about our cabin number. Since there are four of us, I'm hoping we get bumped up to at least an 11. curious about when we will hear.

 

[bellelinus]

Personally the weather wasnt an issue for me. The service was fantastic. The entertainment was brilliant and the food was amasing. I didn't find anything I didn't like except being off the ship. I think its just a very different experience to the Caribbean cruises. I loved it! There was so much to do and so many new experiences.

We had the best service we have ever had, both in the dining room and the cabin. I am going to ask for the same servers next time! I did hear several people complaining about their servers, mostly not gettting refills on drinks at dinner and being assigned a large table and having to wait on the entire table to arrive. We always do a table for 4 so we do not have this problem. As far as the food, my dd(34) said the food was much better than years past. I am very picky so I live on chicken fingers and fries for dinner, they even ordered me a pizza from Palos one night just so I could have variety in my food. We did not like Topsiders this year at all!

Thanks for the reassurance -- I wasn't about to cancel the cruise, but I was surprised by that trip report. You are right that anyone can have a bad experience or be extra tough customers, so no different from any other cruise.

 

[rikimuk]

Hello - Hello!!!

I just booked the cruise yesterday - the Cat 12 price was irresistable!! None of my family is able to join me - but DH said Go, you deserve it!! What a guy.
So far all I've got is L.A. to Paris air arriving 8/15. I've yet to get confirmation on the train from Paris to Barcelona - overnight 8/17 - 1/18.

I am so excited!!!!! Imagine 6 sea days!!!!

I need to read back to see what's going on.

Myself and my sister booked this cruise whilst on the trip over to the med and I cant wait now. Hopefully we will get upgraded which will be cool.
My husband is not coming this time and has told me to go and enjoy myself so I jolly well will.lol

Lindsay

 

[rikimuk]

gismo WELCOME! We could use some good resources here. DO you mind us picking your brain?

I would love to know what shore excursions you did, or if you did something on your own. I am very interested in Gibralter. I would love to do it on my own and looking at the map I have a bunch of questions. Again WELCOME

Hi Lindsay (Sarah's sistrer) here. We did the gibralta rock tour by bus and dolphin watching. Both were really good to be honest. We saw a number of dolphin as well. The rock tour took us by bus around gibralta then up to the caves where we had time to explore. We then saw the Tailess Monkeys and took photos of them and came back to the ship. The rock did not look very pleasant to walk down and we didnt try the cable car because we dont like hights.

We didnt do any trips at the other ports just walked around on our own.

Any other questions?

Lindsay

 

[GrayFal]

we are thinking about downgrading to a cat 12 gty. the price is great and would save us over $2,000. we currently have a SPH room. has anyone on this cruise done this and have you gotten your new cabin yet? wondering if Disney is upgrading when assigning the new cabin.

thanks, Ellen

Ellen, I think you have to decide how important that little slice of daylight would be for you.
Would you be okay with an inside cabin and no light?

Check out the 'other' repo thread to see what others got - Cabins were assigned to GTY people about 6 weeks before sailing.

We will be leaving for Barcelona in 80 Days!

 

[GrayFal]

Hi Lindsay (Sarah's sistrer) here. We did the gibralta rock tour by bus and dolphin watching. Both were really good to be honest. We saw a number of dolphin as well. The rock tour took us by bus around gibralta then up to the caves where we had time to explore. We then saw the Tailess Monkeys and took photos of them and came back to the ship. The rock did not look very pleasant to walk down and we didnt try the cable car because we dont like hights.

We didnt do any trips at the other ports just walked around on our own.

Any other questions?

Lindsay

Welcome Lindsay and Sarah!

I am doing the rock with a few friends....after we tour at the top, did u see taxi's available to take back to the ship if we like?
We are going to take the cable car UP.....so I thought we might taxi down.

 

[gydell]

Welcome Lindsay and Sarah!

I am doing the rock with a few friends....after we tour at the top, did u see taxi's available to take back to the ship if we like?
We are going to take the cable car UP.....so I thought we might taxi down.

There are no taxis at the top. You either do your own tour with the van or you walk if you do not do DCL tour. I highly recommend the van tour. There were three of us and we rented the entire van so we could do our own thing. The vans hold 7-8 people, so if you know other people to share with it helps. We got the cost down to 16 pounds each. The DCL tour involves lots of walking as the buses can not go up all the narrow roads. The vans take you all the way. Taxis are NOT easy to find in Gilbartar.

 

[DenverVal]

we are thinking about downgrading to a cat 12 gty. the price is great and would save us over $2,000. we currently have a SPH room. has anyone on this cruise done this and have you gotten your new cabin yet? wondering if disney is upgrading when assigning the new cabin.

thanks, ellen

Hey, if you have an SPR, then our DIS group scored four of the six! We just snagged one of the SPRs that became available over the weekend. Mississaugamom and dletz also have one. We "downgraded" from a cat 9 and saved $900. I am very happy with this. I wasn't willing to roll the dice with downgrading as far as the 12, because I very much want a window. Ours is a party of four, so we would be upgraded to at least an 11, but I am not ready to sail in an inside cabin. I like sitting on the couch and watching the sea go by.

Our kids are emailing, yes? We'll be neighbors!

 

[Mmouse1964]

what's an spr? This is our 4th cruise. We have had cat 11, 10 and last time a 9. We would love the split bath and window again, but an inside cabin beats staying home. Anxiously waiting to see what we get, or hopefully we can upgrade cheaply?

 

[GrayFal]

There are no taxis at the top. You either do your own tour with the van or you walk if you do not do DCL tour. I highly recommend the van tour. There were three of us and we rented the entire van so we could do our own thing. The vans hold 7-8 people, so if you know other people to share with it helps. We got the cost down to 16 pounds each. The DCL tour involves lots of walking as the buses can not go up all the narrow roads. The vans take you all the way. Taxis are NOT easy to find in Gilbartar.

Thanks, at least it is downhill on the way home

 

[happyfeet]

Myself and my sister booked this cruise whilst on the trip over to the med and I cant wait now. Hopefully we will get upgraded which will be cool.
My husband is not coming this time and has told me to go and enjoy myself so I jolly well will.lol

Lindsay

Hi Sarah & Lindsay,you obviously had a great time,looking forward to meeting you both onboard,
sue

 

[bellelinus]

what's an spr? This is our 4th cruise. We have had cat 11, 10 and last time a 9. We would love the split bath and window again, but an inside cabin beats staying home. Anxiously waiting to see what we get, or hopefully we can upgrade cheaply?

SPR are secret porthole rooms . . . they are really cat 8 cabins with portholes (and the split bath) but are categorized as cat 10 because of some obstructions in the view. You can read more about them here:

http://www.disneycruiser.info/pics.htm

 

[kplatt]

Any single/solo parents or any singles out there interested in matching up for Palo ressies,wine,rum tastings,hic....

Sue

Hi Sue, I'm traveling with DS17 and DD15, so, yes, basically I'm cruising solo, as I know they will have friends from previous cruises on board. I've already booked a solo Palo dinner on the 28th, and would welcome a warm body on the other side of the table!

Maybe we should start a solo cruiser thread, or maybe a separate meet!

 

[gismo1554]

Thanks for the reassurance -- I wasn't about to cancel the cruise, but I was surprised by that trip report. You are right that anyone can have a bad experience or be extra tough customers, so no different from any other cruise.

I think as long as you accept that things may be a bit rough weather wise you'll love it!

 

[gismo1554]

Hi Sarah & Lindsay,you obviously had a great time,looking forward to meeting you both onboard,
sue

Definately did! I can't wait! Still trying to sort out airfare ect

 

[bellelinus]

I think as long as you accept that things may be a bit rough weather wise you'll love it!

Thanks - having sailed the Caribbean during hurricane season with one nearby (and watching the windows in Disney Dreams open and shut on their own during the show due to the boat pitching) I have no problems with rough weather! Luckily none of us get sea sick. Thanks again for your comments.

 

[gismo1554]

There are no taxis at the top. You either do your own tour with the van or you walk if you do not do DCL tour. I highly recommend the van tour. There were three of us and we rented the entire van so we could do our own thing. The vans hold 7-8 people, so if you know other people to share with it helps. We got the cost down to 16 pounds each. The DCL tour involves lots of walking as the buses can not go up all the narrow roads. The vans take you all the way. Taxis are NOT easy to find in Gilbartar.

Not sure what DCL tour you're on about but the one we did (the Rock Tour)
This had very little walking. You were driven to Europa Point which you had 10 mins to take pics from then up to St Michaels cave which you could walk around for 30 mins then to the ape santuary to take photos. There you did have to go down about 20 steps to see the apes but the taxi met you right there next to them. It then took you back to the boat (and if time like on ours they take you to the border and then back to the boat). Very little walking but was $49 each which is roughly £24 this did however include entrance to St Michaels. The tour was around 2 hours long. It was a brilliant tour really enjoyable and you got to see a lot of the rock as well as some of the town.