December 12 - 19, 2009 Western Magic

[bevtoy]

After reading how particular they are I think I am going with a extra suitcase also.

I was thinking about the same thing, mostly because I haven't ever given this much in my FE's in the past. BUT....I think I've decided with an extra suitcase, leaving us plenty of room for souvie's.

 

[bevtoy]

Castaway Cay Club members now get their own boarding line? When did this start?
Members-only line for boarding process:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/cruise-new/CastawayClub.htm#back

 

[kcashner]

Castaway Cay Club members now get their own boarding line? When did this start?
Members-only line for boarding process:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/cruise-new/CastawayClub.htm#back

The site that you have linked is not an official DCL site, and the wording they have used is a little different than that on the DCL site. For many years there has been a "members only" check in line for CC. It's not always any shorter than the "normal" line. This is still in effect, and is that the link is sort of mis-implying.

This is the statement from the DCL site:
Exclusive Cruise Terminal Check-In
Sail through the boarding process in a separate, members-only line.

It does say "boarding" process, but it also says "check in."

What IS new as of October is that Platinum CC members are allowed to board with the concierge group (automatic boarding number 1). This applies only to those people sharing a cabin with a platinum member. If you have 2 cabins and a platinum booked in only one, the second cabin does not get the priority boarding. Again, from the DCL site with "platinum" checked:

Priority Check-In at Cruise Terminal
Enjoy concierge priority boarding check-in at the cruise terminal.

And, yes, I am totally insane.....5 weeks from now my leaves will all be cleaned up and I will be at my muster station on the "Beautiful Disney Magic." Do you think I've heard way too many Cruise Director speeches?

Shipping stuff to the ship works fine, but it's not cheap. Even if your airline charges for bags, it might be less expensive to pay the extra baggage fee. If you're on an airline that doesn't charge (GO Southwest!), I wouldn't even think of shipping stuff.

 

[bevtoy]

The link is to the DIS board..... by Dreams Unlimited...where we are posting now, they got it wrong.... wow thats unusual for them.

The site that you have linked is not an official DCL site, and the wording they have used is a little different than that on the DCL site. For many years there has been a "members only" check in line for CC. It's not always any shorter than the "normal" line. This is still in effect, and is that the link is sort of mis-implying.

This is the statement from the DCL site:
Exclusive Cruise Terminal Check-In
Sail through the boarding process in a separate, members-only line.

It does say "boarding" process, but it also says "check in."

What IS new as of October is that Platinum CC members are allowed to board with the concierge group (automatic boarding number 1). This applies only to those people sharing a cabin with a platinum member. If you have 2 cabins and a platinum booked in only one, the second cabin does not get the priority boarding. Again, from the DCL site with "platinum" checked:

Priority Check-In at Cruise Terminal
Enjoy concierge priority boarding check-in at the cruise terminal.

And, yes, I am totally insane.....5 weeks from now my leaves will all be cleaned up and I will be at my muster station on the "Beautiful Disney Magic." Do you think I've heard way too many Cruise Director speeches?

 

[kcashner]

The link is to the DIS board..... by Dreams Unlimited...where we are posting now, they got it wrong.... wow thats unusual for them.

It's not quite wrong..just that you have to read the wording very carefully. DCL implies that the "boarding process" includes the check in. Which is sort of true, but.....not exactly the way most of US interpret it.

 

[Scooby3x1y]

It's not quite wrong..just that you have to read the wording very carefully. DCL implies that the "boarding process" includes the check in. Which is sort of true, but.....not exactly the way most of US interpret it.

How did they wind up breaking up the CC member status? Or tiers? I was following the thread, then got tired of it.

 

[Shoog]

Just got back from Walmart, Pirate shirts for kids are $1 in the clearance and $1.50 for adults.

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Just got back from Walmart, Pirate shirts for kids are $1 in the clearance and $1.50 for adults.

I couldn't find any....what section?

 

[pamrob]

I couldn't find any....what section?

Visited two local WMs this week. Both had the Tshirts with the other Halloween leftovers. One store priced at $2, the other at $1 midweek. One store had tons of candy, the other none.

 

[kcashner]

How did they wind up breaking up the CC member status? Or tiers? I was following the thread, then got tired of it.

There was no "wind up." DCL announced the program and people on the boards started griping immediately. Basically, the status is based on the number of COMPLETED cruises. If you have multiple cruises booked ahead, you can call and make sure the later reservations reflect the current status after you've done the earlier cruises. 1-5 cruises = silver. You get the CC check in line, gift in cabin, and rebooking offer. You can book reservations and excursions at 90 days....basically the same as it's always been except no reception with officers. 6-10 = gold. Starting in 2011, you get a higher onboard credit for rebooking on board. You can book excursions earlier (105 days, I think), and you get "extra" gifts in your cabin. 11+ = platinum. You get all of the above + priority boarding, can make reservations at 120 days out, a "special experience" which is explained with a letter in your cabin, one food treat delivered to your cabin, and ONE free Palo dinner for each adult in the cabin. Starting in 2011, higher OBC for cruises rebooked on board.

If you are gold or platinum and move a current onboard booking to 2011, you do get the higher OBC.

Gold and Platinum have a CC reception with officers, silver does not. Everyone gets a lanyard that designates their status, and it is printed on their KTTW card.

The numbers we've been told are that on any given cruise, about 1/3 of cruisers are silver, 10%-15% are gold and 3% are platinum. Obviously these numbers are higher on specialty cruises. Of the CC membership, something like 12% are gold and 1.5% are platinum. The reason for the difference between the "membership" numbers and the "sailing" numbers is that golds and platinums obviously sail more.

There was much griping...people insisting it should be based on number of sailed days rather than number of cruises, that it was just unfair, etc. Seems to have died down considerably. People who book suites are torked because some of the CC platinum benefits are a lot like the concierge benefits.

 

[pxlbarrel]

Could I buy in on one of those wristbands?

After all these years of wishing I could be on a Disney cruise, I can hardly believe that it's about a month away.

 

[bevtoy]

I will add you to the database for 1 adult bracelet.

Could I buy in on one of those wristbands?

After all these years of wishing I could be on a Disney cruise, I can hardly believe that it's about a month away.

 

[Scooby3x1y]

There was no "wind up."

I meant the discussion. I know DCL isn't going to change what they've already announced. More or less I was inquiring because among all of the discussion, it was hard to tell what was DCL policy and what others were saying was true.

 

[kcashner]

There's a chart at the Castaway Club section of the DCL web site detailing what each level gets. Frankly, I like it...but people at the silver level are not happy at missing the reception. They don't remember the "old days" when the reception was worth going to. When it became 800-1000 people on each cruise, it had to be scaled down just from the space issue!

 

[Shoog]

I couldn't find any....what section?

Ours were right up front by the registers. They were marked at $4 but rang up at $1 and $1.50. Ask an employee where they are at - I am sure they are on sale until gone.

 

[Floridasunshine]

After reading the responses I believe I will also take an extra suitcase with the gifts in them instead of mailing. This is my second cruise - the first was with both my daughters and the grandchildren. This one is with my youngest daughter and a friend of hers - both young adults. I have never gone on a cruise by myself but have alot more vacation time than most of my family. Has anyone gone by themselves and if so how was it. I am considering the Alaskan cruise - your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I can not wait. All of us had the flu shot several weeks ago in hopes that this would help ward off any illness -

 

[kcashner]

After reading the responses I believe I will also take an extra suitcase with the gifts in them instead of mailing. This is my second cruise - the first was with both my daughters and the grandchildren. This one is with my youngest daughter and a friend of hers - both young adults. I have never gone on a cruise by myself but have alot more vacation time than most of my family. Has anyone gone by themselves and if so how was it. I am considering the Alaskan cruise - your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I can not wait. All of us had the flu shot several weeks ago in hopes that this would help ward off any illness -

I'm doing both trans-Atlantics by myself as my traveling buddy is now in college. If you enjoy spending time alone, you'll be fine. Obviously you'll be seated with others at dinner. There are activities on the ship for "single parent or sailing single" with the cruise staff. I'll be totally good! I suspect you will too.

 

[Scooby3x1y]

All of us had the flu shot several weeks ago in hopes that this would help ward off any illness -

We know two people now that got the h1n1 flu shot and came down with the h1n1 virus.

 

[Juney]

I'm the only person in my house that hasn't had the H1N1 virus. I have no idea how I escaped it


Is anyone concerned about water temperature for the water excursions? We are scheduled to do the dolphin adventure in Grand Cayman and my husband and daughter are scheduled to do the underwater scooters in Cozumel. As I look at the temp highs and lows, I'm not convinced I want to do any of it.

 

[bevtoy]

We know two people now that got the h1n1 flu shot and came down with the h1n1 virus.

I was talking to a Dr. friend today and asked him who should get the shot, so I say how about you? Hes says no he doesn't want it, now go figure......
I understand that the virus changes after awhile and the old shots then will not protect from the new changed virus.of course I have a limited understanding of viruses.