Calling All 8/19/06 Special Western Cruisers! AKA "The Cruisin' Castaways" Part 2

[Mjasp]

Doreen...So sorry to hear about Marty's mom. My deepest sympathy to your family.

All our best
Joanna

 

[castoff]

Doreen: I am so sorry for your loss. Your family will be in our thoughts & prayers. If you just need an ear I am a phone call away.

 

[Walsh clan]

Doreen,

My deepest sympathy to you, Marty and your family.

Your are in our thoughts and prayers.

Moira.

 

[SeaSpray]

First of all, Doreen, please express my sympathies to Marty and all of your family.

Secondly, WELCOME to Princess Crazy and her family!!


Jeff: Thanks for that info regarding how the booking process works online. I haven't had the opportunity to book any DCL reservations online yet, so it's really helpful to know what to expect I'll probably be up early on this Sunday to start booking our reservations and excursions. And yes, this cruise is FINALLY becoming a reality!! Booking so far in advance can make it seem like it'll never get here, but here we are now, only a few months away from the cruise!

Bev: Welcome back from the Freedom of the Seas!! My niece and her husband and their friends are going on that ship this fall. I *almost* booked it too, but just can't do it due to everything else we have going on here this year. I hope all of you who are cruising next year on RCI have a wonderful time!!

Andy: I'm glad you're starting to feel better. Enjoy the rest of your cruise!!!


This morning I've posted most of the pictures that I took this past week at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Here's a link directly to my web site, and the AKL page: http://www.brownfamilyvacations.com/html/AKL comments.htm

I still have the parks and restaurants pictures to add.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I know on this cruise we have booked the private area for Palos for dinner and brunch, after help here I contacted DCL to see if they would consider for the Med cruise in 2007.

The Bad news on Palos from DCL was a firm No, not until 30 days before the trip, for booking the private area in Palos. Its funny as on this Cruise we have booked for private dinner and brunch and we are still over 90 days out.

Their first response was positve so I am dissapointed their second is a no.

I cannt remember who booked it, firstly is it still ok on this one and how come they did it this time but not the next?

 

[PoohJen]

Doreen, our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

Doreen, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family

 

[msdisney53]

Doreen: Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family

Tina: thanks for the info,after rereading some of the posts I was able to figure out what to do,so yesterday I mailed out my package

Terry: welcome back looking forward to seeing your pics

Andy: glad you're feeling better

My DD called me when she got home from school today,seems if our cruise package had arrived and before I called her back she had opened it and everything inside. I guess she was a little excited
Lots of goodies:
some snacks (which were already opened by guess who?)
sunscreen,hand sanitizer,combs,first aid kit, mending kit,night light,
folding hamper,cameras,batteries,photo albums
Thank you thank you thank you
Denise

 

[SeaSpray]

I know on this cruise we have booked the private area for Palos for dinner and brunch, after help here I contacted DCL to see if they would consider for the Med cruise in 2007.

The Bad news on Palos from DCL was a firm No, not until 30 days before the trip, for booking the private area in Palos. Its funny as on this Cruise we have booked for private dinner and brunch and we are still over 90 days out.

Their first response was positve so I am dissapointed their second is a no.

I cannt remember who booked it, firstly is it still ok on this one and how come they did it this time but not the next?

Andrew, I think the confusion comes from the fact that while I've been in contact with the proper Group Specialist person at DCL and she assures me that our request "will not be a problem", it is in fact not officially booked yet. She has my (our) request on file and in July will send me the confirmation. The Group Specialist is only handling this for me (us) at this point because we're a large group cruising together.

I hope this clears up the misunderstanding, and I apologise if I didn't make it clear that we are not "officially" booked yet.

I do plan on emailing her this evening however, because I'm concerned about what would happen if for some reason we do not get the private dining room and none us having had made Palo reservations, because we were depending on the private room. lol I'll let you know what her reply is. But in all of her previous emails to me, she assured me that our group bookings for the private dining room would not be a problem.

 

[mickeymom923]

Doreen - I'm so sorry to hear about Marty's mom. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Take care.

Bev

 

[zack&alexmom]

Doreen - so sorry to hear about Marty's Mom. I am only 20 minutes away so let me know if you need anything. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

Linda


My package went out yesterday and I think it should arrive today or tomorrow.

 

[Walsh clan]

Terry,

I love your photographs of AKL! It looks like a fab place to go to and now I am starving and it's only 8am!

M.

 

[SeaSpray]

Hi everyone:

I have to cancel this cruise. Not for anything negative, we simply need to use the money for other things at this point. I am very sorry that I won't get to meet all of my new cruising friends, or to sail with my old cruising friends, but I'm positive that you all will have a Wonderful and Magical time.

If one of you would like to continue with the group reservations for the private dining room at Palo I would be more than happy to send you the Group Specialist's contact info.



Oh, and here's a countdown from me for the last time:


13 weeks to go!!!

 

[castoff]

Hi everyone:

I have to cancel this cruise. Not for anything negative, we simply need to use the money for other things at this point. I am very sorry that I won't get to meet all of my new cruising friends, or to sail with my old cruising friends, but I'm positive that you all will have a Wonderful and Magical time.

If one of you would like to continue with the group reservations for the private dining room at Palo I would be more than happy to send you the Group Specialist's contact info.

Terry: I am sorry. This cruise just isn't going to be the same without you. I know this must have been a difficult decision.

 

[Walsh clan]

Hi everyone:

I have to cancel this cruise. Not for anything negative, we simply need to use the money for other things at this point. I am very sorry that I won't get to meet all of my new cruising friends, or to sail with my old cruising friends, but I'm positive that you all will have a Wonderful and Magical time.

Terry, would have loved to have met you on the cruise but I'm sure there will be other times.....

Moira.

 

[SeaSpray]

Well, two good things so far this morning:

First of all when I called my travel agent this morning I found out that I have until June 4th to cancel and get a full refund, and not this Sunday as I had originally thought. So... I did not officially cancel yet.

Secondly, thanks for the phone call Tina! LOL I was wondering who was calling so early in the morning. lol I did end up calling John at work, and it seems that we may have worked out a possible solution. Your pep talk was very helpful.

I have some phone calls to make today, basically to see if I can/want to work for a temp agency to just make a few dollars, which would cover the difference between canceling this cruise or not. The decision now is in my hands, I guess. And the good thing is that I really do not need to bring in much money per week in order to cover some unexpected expenses that have arisen in the last couple of days, and which would then allow us to still go on this cruise. This financial crunch is a somewhat temporary thing for us, and canceling the cruise just seemed like the logical way to un-crunch our checkbook.

I know, I know... I've "cancelled" this cruise a couple of times already over the last year and a half, theoretically. I just haven't ACTUALLY cancelled it yet, but I was this close ---> <-- to canceling this morning, which is why I posted about it. Only time will tell if we really end up on the Magic on August 19th, or not.

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

Terry,


I hope it works out for you.

You have done so much for the cruise, it would be a shame for you not to be go at this point.

We all understand whatever your decsion will be.


Ed

 

[Buddy Bear]

I know, I know... I've "cancelled" this cruise a couple of times already over the last year and a half, theoretically. I just haven't ACTUALLY cancelled it yet, but I was this close ---> <-- to canceling this morning, which is why I posted about it. Only time will tell if we really end up on the Magic on August 19th, or not.

I just wanted you to know that we were close to canceling too. Unfortunately I was downsized quite awhile back and it wasn't until just recently that I found a great job 10 minutes from home so with some major financial juggling we made final payment the other day.

The reality is that my wife "kept the ship afloat" while I was out of work so this cruise is all about her. I am going to spoil her as much as humanly possible.

Canceling this cruise would have been a severe disappointment since I wanted to show her how much I appreciate all she has done while I was out of work by making this a most "Magical" cruise.

Decisions like this can be tough, but "All you need is faith and trust... and a little pixie dust".

Financial troubles will come and go, but this cruise and its memories will last a life time

Jeff

 

[Mjasp]

Terry...I'm glad you may be back onboard. Although we won't be on this sailing (and we miss you) I know how long you've waited to cruise on this sailing. 2 years to be exact LOL You have done so much planning, not only for you but also your fellow cruisers. Now get that job and get sailing.

By the way, after this cruise GET ANOTHER JOB, and book the Explorer of the Seas some of us are going on next year. There will be NO airfare, so that will save some dollars.

Good Luck
Joanna

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Andrew, I think the confusion comes from the fact that while I've been in contact with the proper Group Specialist person at DCL and she assures me that our request "will not be a problem", it is in fact not officially booked yet. She has my (our) request on file and in July will send me the confirmation. The Group Specialist is only handling this for me (us) at this point because we're a large group cruising together.

I hope this clears up the misunderstanding, and I apologise if I didn't make it clear that we are not "officially" booked yet.

I do plan on emailing her this evening however, because I'm concerned about what would happen if for some reason we do not get the private dining room and none us having had made Palo reservations, because we were depending on the private room. lol I'll let you know what her reply is. But in all of her previous emails to me, she assured me that our group bookings for the private dining room would not be a problem.

Thanks for that after your information I contacted them by E-mail and they were positive and said OK we will consider it but it needs to be rechecked at 30 days fine. Now its we will not consider until 30 days, so they in just two communications changed their mind, I didn't start asking the 2007 cruisers until the first positive response, I am rather disappointment in DCL's change and attitude.

I felt like cancelling both cruises.