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

[DisneyElf]

I think the Part Deux - refers more to the ship returning home - once from CA & now from Europe.

 

[wackywexler]

another newbie

 

[DisneyDiva4ever]

Oh, well, at least I'm shredding all my old receipts! Found my original Repo Bill! Boy I wish I had that bill for this one! j

Oh, I hear ya. If we'd only known how "cheap" Panama really was! My sis has a spreadsheet of all of our family's previous cruise costs broken down into categories & days. It's pretty interesting to look back at. I've really curbed my spending in the last few years. The first cruises I did I bought every article of clothing, every picture...well EVERYTHING! I didn't realize that we'd be coming back and there would be more to buy later. Now I've calmed down a lot! Hopefully, I'll be a good little spender next August! In comparision, I actually spent less on the last 14-day cruise/day than I spent on a couple of my first 7-day trips. Maybe this will encourage some of you that are joining the fools on your first 14-day trip. Don't fret, it IS possible to keep a budget!

Hope everyone is surviving their Monday. I'm in the middle of buying airfare for my trip to The World in Sept. That always gets me in a good mood!

I don't know if I asked this before...but is anyone going on the Feb. 3rd, 2007 Eastern Caribbean? I was booked for that cruise long before the Med. Repo. Just curious, if you're booked, let me know!

Have a Disney Day everyone!
Erica J.

 

[LaurieP]

I'm not the only newbie, am I? I mean, I'd feel really left-out if everyone else went last Aug...Should I worry?

gpb_1, PM me with your image problem. No promises, but I might be able to help, I've had some experience with this.

Hi, Everyone!

I'm another newbie...not only to the long Repo cruise, but to any type of cruise to or from anywhere!! This just sounded too good to pass up. I'll have one (3-day) Disney cruise experience before the big one.

I remember lurking a bit on the Panama cruise board and wanting so much to join in the fun. The planning and anticipation is such a big part of the trip.

I'll be asking a lot of questions I'm sure, as the time draws closer!

LaurieP

 

[rsschneck]

DH and I have been talking and we might cancel the Repo cruise. Anyone else having second thoughts?

We are going on the October 2006 Member Cruise
Booked for the Christmas Cruise 2007 (20th Anniversary)

Not sure if we can swing 2 expensive cruises within 4 months of each other. The Christmas Cruise is a definite. The Repo Cruise we are reconsidering because of cruise cost, air fare cost, would HAVE to do DLP before the cruise and there is expense to that with the train and food (would use DVC points for hotel and park tickets). DH and I have talked about a European trip and would want to see London, Paris, Italy and Germany. So the ports we would see on the Repo cruise aren't what we have ever talked about. The biggest pull to go on this cruise is to cruise with the "fools" again. Sorry, not sure if cruising with the "fools" is worth the $10,000.

Anyone else been re-thinking the Repo Cruise? Can't decide

 

[wackywexler]

I am glad to hear that it is possible to keep costs down, thanks disneydiva4ever!

I have been getting major cold feet too thinking what am I doing??? Going from a 3 day cruise to 14 days?? and traveling to foreign countries and crossing the huge Atlantic Ocean???? Being away from home for three weeks and spending major $$$$$$. What was I thinking???

I then remember the fabulous time my family had on the 3 day and how much we all still talk about it and want to go back. So I am sure it is the right decision for us but the cold tendrils of doubt creep in now and then. We do have a back up cruise booked for Dec 28th through Jan 5th 2008 (New Years Eve Cruise) It is actually same cost as repo but with cheaper airfare and probably cheaper excursions and we booked a balcony. I am certainly drawn to the repo though, double the time for same amount of money.

Thank you to all of you who post your excitement, encouragement and planning tips too!

Looking forward to meeting you!

Alisha

 

[dletz]

Just my thoughts/opinions.

I have always wanted to sail across the ocean. I love the water, and have always thought it would be fun to do. However this cruise is not a must do for me. When I heard rumors about DCL coming out here to CA, I was very interested in them. Then one day it occured to me that if they came out here, they would probably go through the panama canal. As soon as I realized that my mind was made up I would do it, but this was when the rumors just started circulating, so probably 1 to 1 1/2 years prior. I then wasn't active on many disney sites and completely forgot about it, and out of luck, I happened to check these boards about a week before the announcement was made. I called and booked, and there was never a question, I was going. If disney wouldn't give Howard the time off to cruise for two weeks, well then, he would stay home and we would have fun. From day one of booking I was not canceling.

For us there were many mishaps on the panama cruise, though most I wouldn't fault Disney for. It would in no way be termed Perfection, but it was wonderful. I was a little worried about being stir crazy after so many days without touching land. Especially after Disney kept screwing with the schedules and reducing port times.

Another must do place for me is Alaska, if DCL were to cruise there (though I don't expect it to happen until they have more ships) I would be making my reservation as early as possible.

With this one, while its something I would love to do it's not a must do. I'm not thrilled with the ports. I have no problems with the sea days, but I do think this will be a different experience. On the panama cruise, for most, it was about going through the canal, so the whole cruise you looked forward to that point (and for us the ports on the other side). On this one the end point of all the sea days is Castaway Cay followed by leaving the ship They will still be nice (and probably not as relaxing as you would expect at least from my experience on the last cruise) but just not the same feeling.

I would love to visit Europe, but a cruise with 8 ports packed on top of each other to me sounds exhausting. And one of the main points of going on a DCL cruise is for the ship. I think if I were to go on a med cruise it would be with a different line. If I were to go across the ocean, I would prefer Disney.

Another huge factor for us is cost. We are paying slightly less for a cat 11 that we paid for a cat 7 for the repo cruise. I'm not sure how well we will do with an inside cabin. I don't do well with no outside light to wake me up, and I'm worried I may end up sleeping the day away, and being awake all night long. And the biggest unknown at the moment is airfare cost.

We had decided not to book at all, and instead take a trip to DLP next year. In fact we didn't book on day 1. And we spent all that day, and night talking about it. Our biggest problem with booking, was the amount of the deposit. We could use the 1500 for the deposit, or we could use it for our upcoming trip this summer to visit friends and family. Someone ( val ) convinced us to go. So we canceled most of our trip this year, and put down a deposit on this cruise.

At this point in time I think there are 3 things that will stop us from going. Some unexpected financial problems, airfare costs, and Disney not letting Howard go. I will not pay more than 1000 per person for here to barcelona, and florida to home. We will not be spening much time before the cruise, probably only a day or two in Barcelona depending on when we can get flights. I don't want to arrive the day of, so I hope to arrive thursday or Friday. We will stay in Florida and go to WDW through labor day weekend like we did last year as that worked out well for us.

Unfortunately we won't know until May 15 of next year, if Howard can get that much time off. He will have the vacation time, but with still being peak season here, especially as under staffed as they currently are, I worry about getting almost another full week off than he had last year.

We pretty much decided we would book now and if necessary cancel later. It came down to, would we rather continue with our plans for this summer, and then find out we really could have been able to swing going on this cruise next year, or modify our plans for this year, and maybe have to cancel for next year. If prices were still not first tier when we booked the second day, I doubt we would have booked, and I would hate to cancel now, have the prices go up, and then I wouldn't be able to go at all. So for now we will just wait and see.

Donna

 

[DisneyDiva4ever]

rsschneck,

I'm not sure what to tell you on this one. You have some great cruises booked! If I were you, I'd rethink the DVC cruise. It seems you're all set for the Christmas cruise, so that's not a bargaining chip. If you skipped the DVC cruise, you'd havd more of a gap between trips to save up $. The DVC cruise might be really fun, but there will be one every fall....the repo is pretty special. You could just do the repo, with no additional days in DLP and try DLP another time...when you go back and visit London, Germany and Italy. The 14 day cruise is one to remember. It's such a long vacation that you really don't need to add addtional days & that would keep the cost lower for you. I'm not expert, but all I can say is that cruises have come and gone, but I still think about and talk about Panama ALL THE TIME! I know, I know I'm no help! We don't want to lose you! (sniffle)

Seriously though, you have to do what's right for you. I hope things work out for you. No matter WHAT you decide, you'll have some Magical vacations to look forward to!

By the way, I cancelled the 10-day Southern Caribbean cruise in order to go on this repo...so keep that in mind. Sometimes it just takes a little rearranging to find a way to pay the Mouse!

Good luck to you!

 

[rsschneck]

rsschneck,

I'm not sure what to tell you on this one. You have some great cruises booked! If I were you, I'd rethink the DVC cruise. It seems you're all set for the Christmas cruise, so that's not a bargaining chip. If you skipped the DVC cruise, you'd havd more of a gap between trips to save up $. The DVC cruise might be really fun, but there will be one every fall....the repo is pretty special. You could just do the repo, with no additional days in DLP and try DLP another time...when you go back and visit London, Germany and Italy. The 14 day cruise is one to remember. It's such a long vacation that you really don't need to add addtional days & that would keep the cost lower for you. I'm not expert, but all I can say is that cruises have come and gone, but I still think about and talk about Panama ALL THE TIME! I know, I know I'm no help! We don't want to lose you! (sniffle)

Seriously though, you have to do what's right for you. I hope things work out for you. No matter WHAT you decide, you'll have some Magical vacations to look forward to!

By the way, I cancelled the 10-day Southern Caribbean cruise in order to go on this repo...so keep that in mind. Sometimes it just takes a little rearranging to find a way to pay the Mouse!

Good luck to you!

Thanks for the suggestion. DVC cruise is paid with points and we have airfare, just bought AP's, etc. etc. We are really looking forward to the DVC cruise.

We won't cancel yet. Have the deposit on Disney Visa (6 months 0% interest) I figure I will give it a little more time. Just wanting some feedback from others.

I would not want to fly all the way to Europe and not go to DLP. That would be a MUST do if we do go on the cruise.

Donna, we have a cat. 10 booked and I am not too sure if I like the idea of not window either.

 

[ladypoo]

We booked this cruise on the base that Yes, We are going. There are several factors that are going to make the final decision. Both Misti and I work the same schedule, same floor, same everything at the hospital. I dont know if they (the powers that be) will let both of us off for the time needed to make the cruise. We will have the time, but it depends on them.

Another is that school starts back early Aug for the new school term. Dominique will miss the first month of school. We will enroll her when we return. Call it home schooling until then. No backlash from that.

The biggie that really is scary, is that we are two of the most non travelled folks on the board. We have our passports, but have never been out of the country, except for the Disney cruises. We would have to get tickets, go blindly to another country. There is no way we could even think about flying over seas, take a train from France to Barcelona. Straight from orlando to Barcelona is going to be what we will do. Even looking at flights scares me.

The seller on this cruise is the memories of the first Repo. All the Fools we met and had fun with. the ports arent that drawing to me. Going through the straights I am looking forward to.

another thing is, we are paying the same for this cruise as we did for the First repo, started out in the category we wanted this time rather than piddle fart around with upgrading.
No second thoughts here.

 

[DenverVal]

Our biggest problem with booking, was the amount of the deposit. We could use the 1500 for the deposit, or we could use it for our upcoming trip this summer to visit friends and family. Someone ( val ) convinced us to go. So we canceled most of our trip this year, and put down a deposit on this cruise.

Ummm, it didn't really play out exactly like that....

I also was prepared to let April 4th come and go without booking, and had spent almost the whole two weeks after the announcement wrestling with what I wanted to do versus what Disney was offering. Donna and I talked at length about the pros and cons of the cruise, and commiserated about not booking.

It came down to this: I very much want to visit Italy, France, England, Germany, Greece, Croatia and Switzerland. It certainly won't happen in any one trip. I have a friend who recently returned from a week in Italy, spending several days each in Rome, Florence and Pisa. She told me that Rome was wonderful, and she could have planned another week there and not have run out of things she wanted to do. The Med itineraries only offer the better part of a day in this port, and there's travel time to and from the city. A friend of DH's absolutely loves Barcelona, and could vacation there and never leave.

I considered going to DLP in addition to the cruise, but considering that most of the flights are very long overnighters arriving the next morning, I am sure the rest of the day will need to be taken at a slow pace, especially with kids. Then at least 2 or 3 days in the parks, another travel day, and arriving at least a day before the cruise pretty much adds a week to the trip. With a 7-day cruise this itinerary might be doable, two weeks is about as much time away as I can take at once until I tell my work goodbye for good. I also have to consider the welfare of my pets who get left behind.

The 10- and 11-day cruises include ports that I very much want to see, (and some that I am not interested in at all) but they don't offer enough time in any one place. I can't do much more than get a glimpse of each place in each of the days in port, and that isn't what I want. Long story short: I don't want to feel like I am rushing through every town.

And then there's the higher costs associated with them: airfare, excursions, and insurance would be the most significant, but also pre-cruise hotel, food, transportation, and sight-seeing.

I decided that when I cruise Disney, I love being on the ship, being pampered, having my room tidied up for me, being served my meals like I am royalty. The ports have always been a bonus, but I am always stressed out about getting stranded and missing the ship, and prefer the sea days when I can "relax"... this one will have a bunch! I will have sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, and have made a real ocean voyage! So many of the wonderful people I met on the PC cruise will be on this one too. I know I will never lack for things to do or people to spend time with. So I booked the repo. And I apologize again to my good friend Donna for not picking up the phone and telling her I had changed my mind!!!! We were among the friends that Donna was going to visit this summer, and I am sad that it is likely to be an either/or proposition, but I absolutely understand. I look forward to our longer visit aboard ship

I never considered the ports they are offering on the repo, but I have a friend who told me that Cadiz is beautiful, and I already know the Canary Islands are beautiful from pictures. I bought Lonely Planet's book on Spain, and am busy educating myself on what Spain has to offer.

I contacted my favorite travel agent about getting airfare to Europe, because I didn't know whether to book a one-way or the cheaper round-trip. She told me that legally if you purchase a round-trip, you are expected to fly both directions, but in practice, lots of people book the round-trip and either cancel just before the return flight or just don't show up. You won't get any refunds for the unused portion of the ticket. She cautioned me to not tell the airlines that this is my intention, because they will adjust the price to a one-way on the spot. She says they do it because they don't want you shopping for a one-way on their airlines but booking a return on another. She also shops for flights through discounters and often can find unadvertised fares at a substantial savings. Does anyone have experience with these discounter fares? It's something new to me.

So the plan is to fly to Barcelona and explore Barcelona for a few days prior to embarking on the voyage, enjoy two weeks on my favorite ship, and spend a few days in WDW afterwards. I will be ready to go home by then. Two and a half weeks off is a precedent already set by a co-worker, and I will insist on being able to do the same.

I am glad that I booked, though I regularly have doubts about the huge number of unknowns. There are a lot of firsts associated with this trip--first time booking international airfare, first time flying out of the country, first time on a flight this long, first time experiencing Europe, first time on such a vast expanse of water.

I am sorry this post was so long. I guess I am still justifying it to myself. (but I haven't talked myself out of it).

 

[J&B_Disney]

I booked the repo just for the opportunity to sail across the Atlantic! To be able to do that on Disney makes it that much sweeter. I want to see most of Europe at some point and booked the last Med as well to get a taste of it and see if I really want to spend a longer time there travelling around.

I had the Xmas cruise this year already paid for so I cancelled that one and transferred all the money to these cruises. It's actually depressing to phone DCL and CANCEL

It has crossed my mind how much money this is all going to be time I get home but ...

The experience of doing this and the memories we're going to have are going to be amazing and last a lifetime!

I can't wait to sail on the Ship of Fools and to meet you all!

 

[DisneyDiva4ever]

I booked the repo just for the opportunity to sail across the Atlantic! To be able to do that on Disney makes it that much sweeter. I want to see most of Europe at some point and booked the last Med as well to get a taste of it and see if I really want to spend a longer time there travelling around.

This is a great point J&B! Just the act of sailing across the Atlantic is something to tell tales about for years to come. I think that the standards are going to be especially high on this cruise. Afterall, Panama was a top-notch cruise and now the staff knows exactly what we all expect from a 14-day sailing. The menus will be new, the staff will be the best of the best. I agree with some of you that there are lots of unanswered questions, but I'm willing to "wait and see" what happens. I think it makes the journey that much more exciting.

DenverVal, I'm with you on wanting to be on the ship & not rushing through the ports. It wouldn't be a Disney cruise without meals on the ship, shows in the Walt Disney Theatre and quality time at sea.

The biggie that really is scary, is that we are two of the most non travelled folks on the board. We have our passports, but have never been out of the country, except for the Disney cruises. We would have to get tickets, go blindly to another country. There is no way we could even think about flying over seas, take a train from France to Barcelona. Straight from orlando to Barcelona is going to be what we will do. Even looking at flights scares me.

ladypoo, you're not alone here. Like you, I haven't been out of the country except for DCL cruises. I'm sure we'll learn as we go. This is what I love about DCL. It gives even the most paranoid folks in my family the chance to get out and explore the world and still feel safe at night in that cozy little stateroom! We're also going straight from the U.S. to Barcelona to board the Magic. Maybe we'll be on the same flight over! (We have DCL airfare)

Erica J.

 

[ds2Mom]

Hi all!

Just checking in to see how everyone is doing!

Erica - We're probably going to fly in the day before and then right onto the ship, too. DH isn't interested in doing a bunch of places beforehand.....drats.

 

[faireygod mother]

Wow, It is refreshing to know that I am not alone.
I was stationed abroad in Europe so traveling there does not bother me as much as the cost. I am concerned about the airfare and have had to talk myself into the cost.

I was concerned about being bored with 6 days at sea (after my RCCL experience I am a little gun shy) but, some of you have put my mind at ease with regards to being bored.

My resolve is simply that this is a once in a lifetime event. No matter what this will be DCL's 1st repo home from the MED. I have regrets about not being able to do the PC repo (which I hope they do again so I can be on it). I guess even more simply we are going to involved with the making of history and Ladies and Gentleman that makes this all worth while.

So hear is to making history, friends and memories.

 

[wackywexler]

To history, friends and memories!
Thank you FairyGodMother!

 

[Hannosmom]

To friends and memories

 

[dee47]

Anyone who wants help in booking air / hotels / rail PM me. Keep in mind we're 15 months out so air is not an option yet.

 

[J&B_Disney]

Disney quoted me $1,991 (US) for 2 people to fly from Toronto to Barcelona and then from Orlando to Toronto (I had it added on for now). I would still need to get from Edmonton to Toronto but I could do that with Air Miles and spend a night in Toronto visiting relatives. The DCL lady also told me they'll know more in August/September if they could book me directly from Edmonton.

I saw a few weeks ago Air Canada had Edmonton - Barcelona round trip on sale from $818 (CDN) / person but when they add on all the taxes and surcharges it wasn't really any better than Disney's. And I don't want round trip! And who knows what the prices would be for Aug 2007! They sure do get you with the one way flight costs though!!

And then there's Zoom airlines ... that looks promising!

No idea yet what I'm doing for sure but if I end up going with Disney I'll get the $1,991 price ...

And if DCL offers a DLP add-on then who knows!!

Dee (Dee47) ... thanks for the offer ... as I figure out for sure what I'm doing I'll be begging for help probably!

Dee (faireygodmother) ... I have to tell you this but I love your signature, "Hello my name is Dee and I have Obsessive Compulsive Planning Disorder"!!! I think you should start a Planning Anonymous Group for us all because I think that it is contagious and we all have it!!

 

[dletz]

It looks like we could get air from DCL for about 930 from LAX or Orange county and about 950 from Ontario airport. Which actually doesn't sound too bad to me from what I have seen, though I'm really hopeing for under 800 per person, but of course those cost also include transfers.

However we plan to go to WDW after the cruise, so it wouldn't work for us, unless we could extend the flight until Monday, and I don't think Disney would do that. I also would prefer to come in the night before as opposed to the morning of. With that much of a distance and having to change planes at least once (and most of the flights I've seen so far would have us changing twice), I worry about making it in time. I know the ship doesn't leave until Sunday but I would feel like I was missing something if I didn't get on on Saturday.

I think last year the total amout we spent for 3 days at WDW including hotel and transportation was less than 400. Considering it would cost us almost twice that just to fly there, it makes sense for us to stay through the weekend. We did all 4 parks in that time, and really just used it to check out the things we like the best, or that was knew from the last time we were there (which had been 3 years earlier).