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

[DisneyDiva4ever]

Scratch, that was a nice description of Ian. It made me LOL! Ian told our group that he comes around when Disney needs him. Sounds like he does lots of misc. jobs in England and cruises every so often....maybe there's hope we'll sail with him again!

I've just finished reading all of the latest threads on the Med. cruises. Is anyone else almost feeling strange that you're willing to pay for the repo cruise? It's tough to explain. I guess everyone wishes the prices were better, but it's seems like most people are REALLY fed up with DCL. It's sad. There are so many fun people that won't be cruising to Europe because of the money. I wonder if bookings are going to be slow this time around. I swear, I haven't read hardly ANY positive posts about the Med. cruises! You just have to wonder what the next week or so will really be like. I almost feel strange getting excited about going because of all of the angry cruisers out there. It's going to be interesting, that's for certain.

Perhaps when people start booking their rooms, we can start celebrating!

Anyone with me?

 

[kcashner]

From one of those who brought the Magic back home in 2005----I wish I could be with you, but DD's school schedule won't allow it. May you have as Magical a cruise as we did. DCL made it really special. Much pixie dust to all! The sea days are the BEST.

 

[bridgemanva]

We too are planning to be on the August Repo cruise and are veterans of the PC August Repo. While we were on the Magic on that cruise we booked our upcoming 8/19/06 trip and had decided at that time to cruise each summer at this time -- it's the perfect pre school year start up vacation for us - totally recharged for the new school year. When I heard about the Med Cruise rumors I faxed DCL/IC to request a cat 7 which is our usual accomodation; I however did not receive a post card so I contacted a TA to put in the request.

I'm also disappointed with the level of negativity directed at DCL and the Med cruises. I expected the prices to be quite a bit higher with energy costs skyrocketing everywhere; establishing a new route Disney had to negotiate ports that have standing agreements with other cruiselines and needs to create an entire support structure that meets Disney Standards in economic, political and social markets that are quite different and also not have the luxury of negotiating long term plans as this is a trial into these markets.

I know my family and I are quite fortunate to be able to make this trip -- I'm in process of renting out our DVC points to support us in paying for this trip; Spring Break 2007 will be visit to Grandma's as opposed to a trip to WDW; and Thanksgiving 2007 we'll be celebrating at home. I'm not crying the blues here renting our DVC supported our PC cruise and now will contribute to this trip and has provided us with many great family memories over the years. I have heard alot over the years from folks about Disney being over priced etc. I have never begrudged a penny I've spent with Disney the quality of experiences and calibre of staff and accomodations have always seemed worth it.

I apologize for the digression but wow that needed expression.

We're looking forward to this next trip of a lifetime for our family. And getting to know some of our fellow DISers.

 

[RobinMarie]

I'm also disappointed with the level of negativity directed at DCL and the Med cruises. I expected the prices to be quite a bit higher with energy costs skyrocketing everywhere; establishing a new route Disney had to negotiate ports that have standing agreements with other cruiselines and needs to create an entire support structure that meets Disney Standards in economic, political and social markets that are quite different and also not have the luxury of negotiating long term plans as this is a trial into these markets.

I agree with you. I think a lot of people were hoping for a more affordable vacation and are just expressing it. It is an awful lot of negativity though. I'm sure it'll die down soon.

 

[MouseKids]

Bridgemanva (or anyone who knows) -- I've been researching the DVC and am wondering about why some people use their points for cruises directly and others rent the points out. Would it make sense to buy into DVC now to use the points for the Med cruise?

Thanks for any help!

 

[bridgemanva]

Each time I've compared the cash cost vs. the point value as rentals it's been more cost effective to rent our points with usually minimum of a 20% cost savings. I've met some great people renting points. and it's been relatively simple process each time.

 

[Scratch42]

Would anyone like to start a petition with me? We NEED to make sure the Ian (the funniest CM ever) is on our cruise! I should just write Disney and tell them that they must have him on this trip. He was such a great entertainer last August. Anybody else an Ian fan? Our family loved watching him dance ....in fact he almost ran me over at the pirate party he was dancing so wildly. Lots of fun.

When I get the phone call to see if I get my Cat 3, I will definately make the request that Ian join us once again!



I too was a little shell shocked to the pricing but then again, it will have been 2 years since the last Repo and prices are definately going up!

It's a lot further to Europe than to California!

As for buying into DVC just to go cruisin' NO, DVC is only good if you plan to travel every year or every other year on vacation.

I know a lot of people rent out their points, but I also have talked with a lot of people who use their points just for cruisin' and are happy.

I believe it's a personal decision.

j

 

[mickeyfan1]

BEings that Ian is now working for Holland America, I do not think that DCL will be able to schedule him!

 

[Haley'smom]

One of our favorite parts of the 7 day eastern were the (3) sea days....so being that there are 6 sea days on the repo....what special activities were there on the past repo (especially since no one got to use the deck 4 comfy chairs )? I know that the activities will change I am just looking for ideas. TIA

 

[Perdita&Pongo]

The bookings haven't even opened yet and there are 4 pages to this thread already! Thanx for starting it Erica.

Can't wait for 4/4!

 

[Scratch42]

One of our favorite parts of the 7 day eastern were the (3) sea days....so being that there are 6 sea days on the repo....what special activities were there on the past repo (especially since no one got to use the deck 4 comfy chairs )? I know that the activities will change I am just looking for ideas. TIA

The reason that no one got to use the chairs is due to the fact that if someone was on their way, they would usually run into someone, start up a conversation and then notice that they were late for an activity thereby having to forfeit lounging! We did manage to loung in the Main Lobby area!

As for activities, LOTS! Cooking Seminars, Wine/Tequilla/Martini Tastings, Behind the Scenes, Ducky Williams just to name a few. Plus there was sitting by the pool just talking!

j

 

[DisneyElf]

I still remember the night we were in Alcapulco -- we got back from the excursion - and was tired - so Benita & I went up to get some Hot Coco at 11 PM to bring back down to the stateroom. Ran into everyone up at the drink station and ended up talked til after 2:30 AM -- got to see the people from the pub crawl come in --

Heh - Dan - we still have those pics of the bugee jumping

Marsha - maybe Ian will be done with HAL contract and will want to sail with us again

In terms of pricing - yeah - its a bit steep - and as Robin said - paying it off monthly is like a car payment BUT - heh - I DON"T have a car payment (bought a used '94 DODGE Shadow - 2 years ago - and have only put 5000 miles on it). It pays to live close to your work.

PLUS -- odds are - we have always talked about going to Europe - esp. since we have passports - but prob. wouldn't have gone for years - now we have an incentive program.

 

[wackywexler]

Hi we are hoping to join you, me, DH, DD12 and DS10 . Our TA faxed in our request a few days before DCL closed the waitlist. She heard they were so swamped she is not sure they will be able to get to everyone. I hope that they do get to us. The only problem is that at the time prices weren't out so we requested cat 6 ,but after the prices were posted it became clear that we could only afford cat 9. Our TA is saying that if DCL does call her they won't allow that change and we will have to wait till it is open to the general public, is that really the way it works? If so I will be so scared about the pricing rapidly rising. It was difficult to know what to request not knowing the pricing, we enjoyed our cat 5 on the 3 night but this is of course a whole lot more money. Wish us luck and send pixie dust!

 

[Scratch42]

Pixie Dust to All!

Basically, even with the waitlist, there still is not guarantee!



This could be all us of come April 4th!

j

 

[DisneyElf]

I agree - tons of Pixie Dust for all of us - for next week .

 

[BAP]

I'm glad I finally found this thread. I've been directed around so much to find this thread I was beginning to feel like a member of the Amazing Race. I feel I've finally found the Pit Stop.

We're looking forward to being on the return voyage and we hope to start some new and lasting friendships. We cruised on the Magic when she returned from California last year and met many of the people that have posted here so far.

BAP

 

[Perdita&Pongo]

BAP - Did you used to have a different user name here on The DIS (or elsewhere)?

 

[Mickey02]

I am wondering if I should take the morning of April 4th off. I can't really call from work. I am a little concerned about trying to book through a travel agent because they will be booking for soooo many people. Any thoughts?

 

[Scratch42]

Personally, I would stay home!

As a matter of fact, I'm gonna warn them that I'll be late that day!

j

 

[DisneyElf]

Yup .. I can feel the illness creeping up ... unless I get my call beforehand and safely have my cabin onboard.