DCL/ABD Med Cruise May 15, 2010

[DisFan10]

Never fear! I totally plan on doing a very indepth, picture-filled Trip Report as soon as possible after my return! So you'll get a *very* good idea of what the trip is like!

Sayhello[/QUOTE]


Yes, those AbD guides are THE BEST!! Do you think you can post your reports & photos on a daily real-time basis?

 

[stingmom]

our TA called us when ABD made the add-on announcement. We reviewed the itineraries and they weren't all ones we were interested. At least not for $9k! hope you have a wonderful time though! We'll be managing our own tours this time!

 

[sayhello]

Yes, those AbD guides are THE BEST!! Do you think you can post your reports & photos on a daily real-time basis?

I can try, but I'm not going to guarantee anything! I don't have a laptop, so I'd have to see how much Internet time costs on the ship's PC's. I doubt I could load pictures to them... I'll check it out & do my best!

our TA called us when ABD made the add-on announcement. We reviewed the itineraries and they weren't all ones we were interested. At least not for $9k! hope you have a wonderful time though! We'll be managing our own tours this time!

Thanks, stingmom. The ABD add-on definitely isn't for everyone. But for me, it's perfect!

Sayhello

 

[Bobo912]

I can try, but I'm not going to guarantee anything! I don't have a laptop, so I'd have to see how much Internet time costs on the ship's PC's. I doubt I could load pictures to them... I'll check it out & do my best!

Thanks, stingmom. The ABD add-on definitely isn't for everyone. But for me, it's perfect!

Sayhello

Prices for internet Access on the Disney Magic:

$0.75 USD per minute pay as you go
$55 USD for 100 minute plan ($0.55 per minute)
$100 USD for 250 minute plan ($0.40 per minute)
$150 USD for 500 minute plan ($0.30 per minute)

 

[sayhello]

Prices for internet Access on the Disney Magic:

$0.75 USD per minute pay as you go
$55 USD for 100 minute plan ($0.55 per minute)
$100 USD for 250 minute plan ($0.40 per minute)
$150 USD for 500 minute plan ($0.30 per minute)

Thanks, Bobo912! Now how many minutes do you think it would take me to type up my reports???

Sayhello

 

[WeLoveABD]

I surrrrrrrre wish they did the ABD for the Baltic cruise! There are 83 or so options just for the ports on that cruise--it would be great to just sign up for an ABD add on, to take the guess work and hassle out of this process. SayHello--maybe you can get a Twitter account and save some money on your reports (or use those Disney reward bucks!)

 

[Bobo912]

Thanks, Bobo912! Now how many minutes do you think it would take me to type up my reports???

Sayhello

LOL I shudder to shudder to think how much it would cost! As much as I would love to see your real-time trip report, I think you will be much too busy having fun to even think of us.

 

[Christyvoltron]

If ABD cancels (for the 5/15 11 night cruise) what happens then -- do we have to get at the end of the line for shore excursions? I wish I had more faith that they would go as scheduled and not cancel as they are wont to do -- and what is the minimum number required for non-cancellation because my friend called ABD and was told that there are 28 spaces available for this trip which means only 12 of us are signed up -- this is the one thing I absolutely HATE about ABD -- I don't think we should have to worry about this stuff, frankly.

 

[Tozzie]

If ABD cancels (for the 5/15 11 night cruise) what happens then -- do we have to get at the end of the line for shore excursions? I wish I had more faith that they would go as scheduled and not cancel as they are wont to do -- and what is the minimum number required for non-cancellation because my friend called ABD and was told that there are 28 spaces available for this trip which means only 12 of us are signed up -- this is the one thing I absolutely HATE about ABD -- I don't think we should have to worry about this stuff, frankly.

I think the Cruise add on has much less of a chance of being cancelled than any other ABD trip. ABD does not have to guarantee many things for the crusie add on that they would have to on other trips so the overhead is lower for them. This is only my opinion but that is what I think.

 

[sayhello]

If ABD cancels (for the 5/15 11 night cruise) what happens then -- do we have to get at the end of the line for shore excursions? I wish I had more faith that they would go as scheduled and not cancel as they are wont to do -- and what is the minimum number required for non-cancellation because my friend called ABD and was told that there are 28 spaces available for this trip which means only 12 of us are signed up -- this is the one thing I absolutely HATE about ABD -- I don't think we should have to worry about this stuff, frankly.

How long ago was your friend told that there was only 12? I was told 16 were taken, and then you were 17 & 18. Shoot. I called DCL a couple of days ago, and they now won't tell what the count is. Honestly, if the ABD is cancelled, I'm probably cancelling the cruise, because, as you said, we'd be at the end of the line for cruise excursions, and would have to scramble. And really, I don't want to organize this myself. Doing the ABD, with the continuity of the 40 people & the 2 guides, and not having to worry about excursions is really the main reason I signed up for it. They've changed the ABD policy so that they won't cancel the add-on less than 90 days ahead of time, which is the last day to cancel the cruise and get a 100% refund on the cruise. I'd have to make up my mind pretty quickly, but, realistically, either I'd switch to the earlier in May sailing if they'd give me everything at the same price, and the ABD was on for that one, or I'd take the refunds, cut my losses, and do something else. I signed up for the ABD on a cruise. Not for a cruise that I added ABD to. And I've been really upfront with them about that. I'm sure not everyone looks at it this way, but I do. Friday is Pay in Full day. It will be interesting to see what happens then. 90 days out is Feb 15th...

I think the Cruise add on has much less of a chance of being cancelled than any other ABD trip. ABD does not have to guarantee many things for the crusie add on that they would have to on other trips so the overhead is lower for them. This is only my opinion but that is what I think.

This is true. Not the commitment to the hotels that the regular ABD's have. I sure hope you're right about that. I know that the Supervisor I spoke to said multiple times that they really want this ABD add-on to go, and are going to work very hard not to cancel it. I was feeling pretty safe with 18 (since my other trips went with 14 & 15) but 12 is a whole 'nother kettle of fish.

Sayhello

 

[sayhello]

I surrrrrrrre wish they did the ABD for the Baltic cruise! There are 83 or so options just for the ports on that cruise--it would be great to just sign up for an ABD add on, to take the guess work and hassle out of this process. SayHello--maybe you can get a Twitter account and save some money on your reports (or use those Disney reward bucks!)

A lot of people have said they wish they were doing it for the Baltics. Maybe 2012? Twitter? Won't go near it! Blech!

LOL I shudder to shudder to think how much it would cost! As much as I would love to see your real-time trip report, I think you will be much too busy having fun to even think of us.

I'll *think* about you! ("Whoa! Wait until I post *THIS* picture on the DIS...." )

Sayhello

 

[glassslipper2004]

Sayhello -

I'm so excited for you for the ABD/cruise combo. It sounds like a luscious dessert with extra cherries on top - everything you could want!

You might want to check out the cruise section of the Dis. There are hundreds of people posting on there, and I really enjoyed my pre-cruise chats - it was a big change to start posting on this board, where there are so many fewer posters. Of course, keep posting here too!!

You might ask them if there is a better deal for internet time on the ship. When I cruised a few years ago, there was a unlimited use package that wasn't too bad. They might have changed it, but it's worth looking into.

Finally - where are you going to be in Israel? Have you been before? Any tips? We have decided to do a trip to Israel in April (instead of an ABD this summer) - the opportunity came up to travel with a group and we just couldn't say no. I can't wait!

Take care and keep us posted on the cruise news!

 

[sayhello]

Sayhello -

I'm so excited for you for the ABD/cruise combo. It sounds like a luscious dessert with extra cherries on top - everything you could want!

Thanks, glassslipper! I like your description. Yummy!

You might want to check out the cruise section of the Dis. There are hundreds of people posting on there, and I really enjoyed my pre-cruise chats - it was a big change to start posting on this board, where there are so many fewer posters. Of course, keep posting here too!!

You might ask them if there is a better deal for internet time on the ship. When I cruised a few years ago, there was a unlimited use package that wasn't too bad. They might have changed it, but it's worth looking into.

I actually have started posting in the DCL forum. It's been a long time since I posted in a fast-moving forum like that! A lot of it is Orlando/Port Canaveral/Caribbean/Bahamas centric, so I skip a lot, but there is some very good info there. I'll see what the deal is re: the internet packages, but honestly, I don't want to spend *too* much of my vacation time online! Doing the Trip Reports lets me re-live my vacation & share it with others. But first I need to live it!

Finally - where are you going to be in Israel? Have you been before? Any tips? We have decided to do a trip to Israel in April (instead of an ABD this summer) - the opportunity came up to travel with a group and we just couldn't say no. I can't wait!

Take care and keep us posted on the cruise news!

I'm actually visiting family in Israel, so I'm not going to be doing as much sight-seeing as you probably will. I'll be primarily in the Tel Aviv area, and hope to make it to Jerusalem again. I haven't really decided what else I'd like to do while I'm there, I may let them decide where they want to drag me! I have been there before, but it was 30 years ago when I was a student. I really loved Masada and swimming in the Dead Sea. The old city in Jerusalem is a must. And I've heard Tel Aviv has some great museums. How long are you going to be in Israel? Do you know where you'll be visiting?

Looking forward to hearing about *your* trip!

Sayhello

 

[Christyvoltron]

She called on Sunday or Monday. And we, like you, booked this cruise BECAUSE of the ABD add on not the other way around. We will be really bummed if they cancel.

 

[Bobo912]

This is true. Not the commitment to the hotels that the regular ABD's have. I sure hope you're right about that. I know that the Supervisor I spoke to said multiple times that they really want this ABD add-on to go, and are going to work very hard not to cancel it. I was feeling pretty safe with 18 (since my other trips went with 14 & 15) but 12 is a whole 'nother kettle of fish.

If they are really committed to not cancelling this trip, they have one option open to them that they don't have for the other trips. They have have a guest list of everyone who has booked the cruise and they can send them direct offers with discounts for the ABD add-on. If their intent is to use this as a marketing tool for ABD, it would be to their advantage to fill up the trip even at a reduced rate. Who knows what they're thinking though? Their actions don't always seem logical.

 

[sayhello]

If they are really committed to not cancelling this trip, they have one option open to them that they don't have for the other trips. They have have a guest list of everyone who has booked the cruise and they can send them direct offers with discounts for the ABD add-on. If their intent is to use this as a marketing tool for ABD, it would be to their advantage to fill up the trip even at a reduced rate. Who knows what they're thinking though? Their actions don't always seem logical.

Yep. All of that is very true. But thinking logically will get you every time! I'm just taking a wait & see philosophy this time. Since this vacation is early in the season, I'm hopeful I can re-do something else on my own if I have to. At this point, my only actual loss will be a couple hundred dollars on the airfare. (The rest is refundable or reusable). I was willing to take that gamble, as there's no way I'm waiting to the end of February to buy my airfare. Who knows, my trip insurance might even cover that. But I'm not counting on it. I *HOPE* this trip goes, I really do, but I won't be devastated if it doesn't. And I will really have to think long & hard before booking with them again if they can't even pull this off...

Sayhello

 

[abdmom]

If they are really committed to not cancelling this trip, they have one option open to them that they don't have for the other trips. They have have a guest list of everyone who has booked the cruise and they can send them direct offers with discounts for the ABD add-on. If their intent is to use this as a marketing tool for ABD, it would be to their advantage to fill up the trip even at a reduced rate. Who knows what they're thinking though? Their actions don't always seem logical.

I'm booked on the 5/15 cruise, but not on the ABD. Their pricing for the ABD is not reasonable for a family larger than 2. They've already sent out emails to those who are on the cruise, just a couple of days after it was announced.

Considering that the accommodations and meals are already taken care of, and the already available menu of shore excursions, I'm not really seeing how the ABD add-on can be successful in its current incarnation. Disney already has excellent shore excursions in its regular complement. People who go on cruises already have the opportunities to get to know their fellow passengers. Much of the value of ABD is lost when it is put on a cruise. I suspect that unless you are someone like sayhello who cruises alone or someone who doesn't want to research shore excursions, they are not going to get a lot of takers for the ABD add-on. This is a shame, since I think ABD has a great product. I just think that this was not thought through sufficiently. I do hope that the ABD does go on the 5/15 cruise. I'd like to meet sayhello and maybe get a glimpse of my favorite ABD guide.

Final payment for me for the cruise is tomorrow, 120 days out. Sayhello, is your final payment not until 90 days out? I'm not able to book shore excursions until 75 days out - DCL newbie.

 

[abdmom]

I *HOPE* this trip goes, I really do, but I won't be devastated if it doesn't. And I will really have to think long & hard before booking with them again if they can't even pull this off...

This is another point. How can they be successful and build a customer base if they continue to cancel trips? Turning off someone like you who has traveled with them multiple times, is definitely not in their best interest.

I cruise frequently - Cruise lines never cancel a trip. They change their pricing, just like DCL did for this cruise. If they really want ABD to be successful and survive long term, which I hope it does, cause I'm hoping to do a couple or 3 ABD trips when my youngest is older, they're really going to have to work on their marketing/pricing strategy.

 

[sayhello]

I'm booked on the 5/15 cruise, but not on the ABD. Their pricing for the ABD is not reasonable for a family larger than 2. They've already sent out emails to those who are on the cruise, just a couple of days after it was announced.

Considering that the accommodations and meals are already taken care of, and the already available menu of shore excursions, I'm not really seeing how the ABD add-on can be successful in its current incarnation. Disney already has excellent shore excursions in its regular complement. People who go on cruises already have the opportunities to get to know their fellow passengers. Much of the value of ABD is lost when it is put on a cruise. I suspect that unless you are someone like sayhello who cruises alone or someone who doesn't want to research shore excursions, they are not going to get a lot of takers for the ABD add-on. This is a shame, since I think ABD has a great product. I just think that this was not thought through sufficiently. I do hope that the ABD does go on the 5/15 cruise. I'd like to meet sayhello and maybe get a glimpse of my favorite ABD guide.

Final payment for me for the cruise is tomorrow, 120 days out. Sayhello, is your final payment not until 90 days out? I'm not able to book shore excursions until 75 days out - DCL newbie.

abdmom, my final payment is due tomorrow. But even at that, everything is still refundable until 90 days out. I had that confirmed SEVERAL TIMES by both DCL and ABD.

I'm a DCL newbie, too. Is it 75 days out for the shore excursions? Ah, you're right. I just looked at the planning center, and it says March 1st. So I'd be no worse off excursion-wise, being a newbie, than if I'd never signed up for the ABD add-on. I don't know. I may look at the excursions, see if there are ones I'd like to do if the ABD falls through, but if I don't get them, then I'm screwed, because I can't cancel at that point. I kind of like having my excursions already guaranteed. The whole idea of logging on on March 1st in a frenzy of excursion hunting is not appealing. This whole tiered approach to who gets to sign up when sucks, in my opinion, although I understand why they do it.

Sigh. I still have a month to decide. I may feel differently come Feb 15th, who knows? Or they may not cancel. Either way, I'm paying today, and I'll worry about the rest of it next month. I'm paying today instead of tomorrow for 2 reasons. 1) With my luck something would come up tomorrow, and I wouldn't be able to pay. And 2) it's a year today since I had my bloodclot, and I think paying for this cruise/ABD today is a nice sort of symbolic thing. Yes, I'm corny, but there you go.

Sayhello

 

[abdmom]

Sigh. I still have a month to decide. I may feel differently come Feb 15th, who knows? Or they may not cancel. Either way, I'm paying today, and I'll worry about the rest of it next month. I'm paying today instead of tomorrow for 2 reasons. 1) With my luck something would come up tomorrow, and I wouldn't be able to pay. And 2) it's a year today since I had my bloodclot, and I think paying for this cruise/ABD today is a nice sort of symbolic thing. Yes, I'm corny, but there you go.

Congratulations on beating the blood clot.

Talk about corny. Today's my father's 74th birthday, but he died 10 years ago. He was a big history buff and had always dreamed of a Mediterranean cruise. He had one booked for a few months after he died. This is why I'm taking my cruise, with my children, now.