EBPC December 9, 2012!!! Who's in????

[BethC1952]

We also decided not to cancel and rebook, even though the savings would be significant. We like our room (a sideways 11B on deck 6) and don't want to lose it. We'd be happy with an upgrade, but will be very satisfied right where we are.

First day plans? Get unpacked and settle in, meet our fellow cruisers and get ready for two awesome weeks!

Happy Easter and/or Passover to who are celebrating today!

Beth

 

[BigHugsForEeyore]

I'm back from WDW & DCL - we got home this morning

We decided not to change to the lower rate either. I'm not sure if I can make the 11hrs 30mins flight out to LA. Right now I am crippled from the 7hr 45min flight home last night. Going out was 9hrs 30mins and I was in tears the last 4 hours of it. I have Fibromyalgia and the pain I get in my legs from flying is making us rethink this. I tried flight socks but they just made it fell like I had lost all blood circulation in my legs (I have Raynaud's too) so I can't win either way.

We want to go SO badly on this cruise, I'm thinking I will just suck it up and deal with it, but for now, the no change cruise rate is not for us, but it's a great deal for eveyone one else who went for it.

to all the new cruisers!

 

[dthogue]

We also decided not to cancel and rebook, even though the savings would be significant. We like our room (a sideways 11B on deck 6) and don't want to lose it. We'd be happy with an upgrade, but will be very satisfied right where we are.

Beth,

My thoughts exactly - we thought about switching, but we are very happy with our 11b location on deck 6 as well, and like you I would be happy with an upgrade, but if not I like where we are! The rate is great, but the need to pay in full at time of booking and non-refundable stops me from booking it.

Maybe we should charter the United Flight to LAX - DISer's take over United

 

[dthogue]

I'm back from WDW & DCL - we got home this morning

We decided not to change to the lower rate either. I'm not sure if I can make the 11hrs 30mins flight out to LA. Right now I am crippled from the 7hr 45min flight home last night. Going out was 9hrs 30mins and I was in tears the last 4 hours of it. I have Fibromyalgia and the pain I get in my legs from flying is making us rethink this. I tried flight socks but they just made it fell like I had lost all blood circulation in my legs (I have Raynaud's too) so I can't win either way.

We want to go SO badly on this cruise, I'm thinking I will just suck it up and deal with it, but for now, the no change cruise rate is not for us, but it's a great deal for eveyone one else who went for it.

to all the new cruisers!

Sarah,

Welcome home - hope you had a great trip. So sorry to hear you are in such pain from flying - I hope you are able to come up with something that will allow you to travel to join us on the cruise

 

[SquirePM]

I still cannot decide on the EBPC or the EBTA.
I went on the EBTA in 2010 & 2011, so - know it/love it.
However, I went on the EBTA in 2010 & 2011, so - been there, done that.
Is it time for something else, something more special?

Shall I presume that no one is afraid of the End of the World on 12/21/2012?
Do you suppose that the low rates reflect that others feel that way and therefore don't want to be near the epic center of THE END in Maya Land?
Why else would Dec. EBTA be half of WBTA in Spring 2013?

And I wonder about Christmas decorations on a ship, on the sea, in the sunny south, with tempertures of 80's. As a Old time New Englander it seems somehow out of place.

I'm just waiting to decide. Maybe if it goes down again? Possible?
Or, at least until I see what I have left after Tax Day.

Sarah,
Sorry about your leg problems. Might I suggest a layover in Boston.
I don't have a spare room, just a pull out couch, but you and your Mum are welcome to drop in enroute to LA if it would help.

 

[JessicasMom]

If you decide on PHL check the United flight that leaves around 8am - its non stop and the fares weren't too bad, although they have gone up since we purchased our tickets. We will be flying home on Southwest as well, just waiting patiently for them to open up December dates.

Good luck coordinating all your flights - must be a challenge

And you wouldn't be the only DIS'ers on that flight !

Maybe we should charter the United Flight to LAX - DISer's take over United

Sounds like the NE will be well repped! Actually, I'm looking at an AA flight that connects in Dallas, where we can meet up with my mother and take the second flight into LA together. Jess will probably be flying direct from Austin to LA. Still researching....so many different prices. Great multi-city rates are available if we could get the first flight out of Miami on the 23rd, but I don't think Mickey could have us ready for an 8:30am departure. That's the challenging part.

I'm back from WDW & DCL - we got home this morning

We decided not to change to the lower rate either. I'm not sure if I can make the 11hrs 30mins flight out to LA. Right now I am crippled from the 7hr 45min flight home last night. Going out was 9hrs 30mins and I was in tears the last 4 hours of it. I have Fibromyalgia and the pain I get in my legs from flying is making us rethink this. I tried flight socks but they just made it fell like I had lost all blood circulation in my legs (I have Raynaud's too) so I can't win either way.

We want to go SO badly on this cruise, I'm thinking I will just suck it up and deal with it, but for now, the no change cruise rate is not for us, but it's a great deal for eveyone one else who went for it.

I'm so sorry you had such a difficult time ; nobody enjoys those long flights, but it's even worse when you're in pain. Is it possible to break the trip up; maybe spend a day on the East Coast before continuing to LA?
If not, nobody would blame you for trying some yoga moves in the aisle! (as if there was any extra room in the aisle!!!!)

 

[BethC1952]

Shall I presume that no one is afraid of the End of the World on 12/21/2012?
Do you suppose that the low rates reflect that others feel that way and therefore don't want to be near the epic center of THE END in Maya Land?
Why else would Dec. EBTA be half of WBTA in Spring 2013?

And I wonder about Christmas decorations on a ship, on the sea, in the sunny south, with tempertures of 80's. As a Old time New Englander it seems somehow out of place.

If the Maya were right‚ what better place to be than the epicenter of the action doing something as wonderful as cruising on a beautiful ship with friends and family?

You get used to Christmas decorations and warm weather in December VERY quickly LOL!!!

 

[BethC1952]

Sorry, duplicate post got past me!

Beth

 

[skoi]

Sarah-- sorry to hear about the difficulties you had with flying. Would agree with a pp-- is it possible to break up the trip? Even stay at a hotel by whatever airport you'd fly into? Or would it be better to get it all done at once?

We were originally booked on the EBTA for 2013, but when I kept seeing the announcements on the board that prices were going down, we decided to book this one even though it was still more expensive than the TA. Oldest dd and I did the 2011 EBTA and had a great time, but we wanted to try the PC. I seemed to remember that prices for prior PC cruises were high and they sold out quickly, so I was thinking this might be last opportunity we have for our six of us to do this together

 

[BigHugsForEeyore]

Sarah,

Welcome home - hope you had a great trip. So sorry to hear you are in such pain from flying - I hope you are able to come up with something that will allow you to travel to join us on the cruise

Sarah,
Sorry about your leg problems. Might I suggest a layover in Boston.
I don't have a spare room, just a pull out couch, but you and your Mum are welcome to drop in enroute to LA if it would help.

I'm so sorry you had such a difficult time ; nobody enjoys those long flights, but it's even worse when you're in pain. Is it possible to break the trip up; maybe spend a day on the East Coast before continuing to LA?
If not, nobody would blame you for trying some yoga moves in the aisle! (as if there was any extra room in the aisle!!!!)

Sarah-- sorry to hear about the difficulties you had with flying. Would agree with a pp-- is it possible to break up the trip? Even stay at a hotel by whatever airport you'd fly into? Or would it be better to get it all done at once?

Thank you for your replies and comments. I'd like to do the direct non-stop flight, just to get it over and done with, instead of dragging it out over two days.

I looked at using my air miles to upgrade to first class flying out to LA, as they have the beds and I can lie down, and having my legs up helps with the pain.

Or the other alternative is, to book economy and book our seats at each end of a row of 4, with 2 empty seats in the middle, then I can put my feet up across the empty seats. I was thinking that no one chooses a seat between two strangers, unless the flight is full. Of course that is a risky choice as we may end up with someone else sat on our row. Of course they would regret it when I try to talk to them for the full length of the flight and when I grip their hand on take-off!

Shall I presume that no one is afraid of the End of the World on 12/21/2012?
Do you suppose that the low rates reflect that others feel that way and therefore don't want to be near the epic center of THE END in Maya Land?
Why else would Dec. EBTA be half of WBTA in Spring 2013?

I don't think anyone is afraid of Dooms Day. I think it's because this cruise was released too late - only 6 months before the paid in full date. Also with it finishing two days before Christmas when everyone probably already has plans and it ending in Miami and not Port Canaveral, are all adding to why it's not filling.

Though if when we are in Costa Maya on 21/12/12, and we see a bright shiny orb erupting out of the top of one of the pyramids, standing around taking photos might not be the best idea!

 

[smootenloopers]

Shall I presume that no one is afraid of the End of the World on 12/21/2012?

When I go out, I want to go out crusing on DCL!

 

[JessicasMom]

I still cannot decide on the EBPC or the EBTA.
I went on the EBTA in 2010 & 2011, so - know it/love it.
However, I went on the EBTA in 2010 & 2011, so - been there, done that.
Is it time for something else, something more special?

Shall I presume that no one is afraid of the End of the World on 12/21/2012?

We've done two TA's ourselves and will do a third, if DCL ever lists the 2013 WBTA , but we're also looking for something "more special". I keep checking out other lines (with better prices ) but I keep coming back to this sailing.....and now, we're getting REALLY excited about it! No turning back.

My DH and DD are both thrilled that we'll be in Costa Maya on 12/21/12 and think it's a bonus...no fear, just fun!

 

[abbyar]

What was the timing on prior Year's PC crossings? I also find it odd that this cruise used to sell out and now looks half empty.

 

[skoi]

I know there was a WB last January.

I have to agree with others that it's the relatively short notice, bad timing, and weak economy. Even city/county workers are being laid off here and haven't had raises since 2009. That's unheard of in our city, at least since the 1970s. Dh's entire department is being eliminated next month, but thankfully he was able to transfer over at the same level (less income) to Department of Child Welfare.

 

[LindaBabe]

Still looking for a room mate - but I think I'm going to pull the trigger while we're on the Hawaii and book it as a single. The price can't be beat!

 

[lbrown62]

Hi all,
I haven't flown since 9/11 and also haven't packed for a 2 week trip. I am trying to decide how much to bring so as not to overload the bags and pay overages. Can anyone give me any ideas on how much is needed for that long so as not to overpack?

Thanks,
Linda

 

[LindaBabe]

Hi all,
I haven't flown since 9/11 and also haven't packed for a 2 week trip. I am trying to decide how much to bring so as not to overload the bags and pay overages. Can anyone give me any ideas on how much is needed for that long so as not to overpack?

Thanks,
Linda

Welcome aboard.

First off, if you're where you can fly Southwest, 2 bags each fly free.

2nd, technically you could do it in one bag and a carryon, if you're willing to do some of these.
a) do Laundry half way through
b) mix and match
c) limit your shoes
d) wear things more than once
e) use the toiletries provided and take travel sizes of the other things you use

I do take two bags, but neither one of them weighs anywhere near 50 pounds because I can't lift that much.

 

[skoi]

Welcome aboard.

First off, if you're where you can fly Southwest, 2 bags each fly free.

2nd, technically you could do it in one bag and a carryon, if you're willing to do some of these.
a) do Laundry half way through
b) mix and match
c) limit your shoes
d) wear things more than once
e) use the toiletries provided and take travel sizes of the other things you use

I do take two bags, but neither one of them weighs anywhere near 50 pounds because I can't lift that much.

All great tips, and I especially agree with what was bolded. Shoes used to kill us when we cruised, but now each female takes "dress shoes" and Crocs (which I admit to wearing to Palo brunch). Male family members the same, actually, though oldest dd and dh bring or wear their running shoes. We used to sometimes take four pairs of shoes for a 7 night (each outfit has its own shoes).

We did a lot of mixing and matching/ washing and rewearing on our 14 day cruise. We love to dress up on formal night, but dd wore the same gown twice, and I wore the same outfit as well. Will probably do the same this trip, though I'm hoping dd will be able to wear her dress uniform one night.

 

[BethC1952]

I have also been known to wear Crocs to Palo brunch...and dinner and will be doing it again. Black pants are great for mix-and-match for dinners. We will definitely be doing laundry at least once. We use the provided toiletries and for this cruise my laptop will stay home and I'll just take my tablet. I usually carry one bag just for my electronics, but not this time!

Beth

 

[skoi]

I have also been known to wear Crocs to Palo brunch...and dinner and will be doing it again. Black pants are great for mix-and-match for dinners. We will definitely be doing laundry at least once. We use the provided toiletries and for this cruise my laptop will stay home and I'll just take my tablet. I usually carry one bag just for my electronics, but not this time!

Beth

OT- how do you like your tablet? I had a mini (Acer) and it was horrible. I do some writing and I'm looking for something light to take. Would a tablet be a good buy?