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

[adnil530]

I'm confused, Platinum was a couple of weeks ago. Tonight is gold.

Gold can start booking tonight.

Is anyone looking at the Tour of The Rosario Islands? I've done a little research. Some of these tours visit an aquarium. It doesn't look the Disney excursion does? Since it's just me and my daughter and our first time to Columbia, I'd rather book through Disney.

Linda

 

[BethC1952]

That is what I heard also. I imagine the island would be too busy/full with 2 ships? (Even though our ship is going to empty)

This is our first Disney cruise, but I know we will be doing more, so will get a chance at CC later.

The island would be way too crowded. You'll just have to book another cruise that goes to CC! My next two cruises won't go there, since one is to Canada and the other is this one. The Transatlantic in May will stop there before we head out into the open ocean!

Beth

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Started With a Mouse]

Do DCL ships sail at capacity? Just curious. I know ours has several discouraging factors:

Doesn't go to Castaway Cay
14 nights (a lot of people can't take that much time off work)
Right before Christmas
Repositioning (added airfare & lodging, possibly rental car)

 

[Gdes1]

Is anyone looking at the Tour of The Rosario Islands? I've done a little research. Some of these tours visit an aquarium. It doesn't look the Disney excursion does? Since it's just me and my daughter and our first time to Columbia, I'd rather book through Disney.

I looked at that on another site before DCL posted the excursions for our cruise. I was excited, as it's really the only thing we want to do in Columbia at all (with our kids and their ages, etc.) But the DCL excursion sounds like an awful lot of just riding around in a boat without visiting much of anything. Plus it's horrendously expensive, though I can't say I'm surprised.

I would consider booking it separately, but with so much travel involved to get there, I'd be worried about being left behind if we couldn't get back in time for some reason.

 

[adnil530]

I looked at that on another site before DCL posted the excursions for our cruise. I was excited, as it's really the only thing we want to do in Columbia at all (with our kids and their ages, etc.) But the DCL excursion sounds like an awful lot of just riding around in a boat without visiting much of anything. Plus it's horrendously expensive, though I can't say I'm surprised.

I would consider booking it separately, but with so much travel involved to get there, I'd be worried about being left behind if we couldn't get back in time for some reason.[/QUOTE]

That would be my concern also. Lots of time doing boat rides. Hmmmm. I may book it to have it and look closely at what else is offered.

Linda

 

[DVCinderella]

The island would be way too crowded. You'll just have to book another cruise that goes to CC!

Do DCL ships sail at capacity? Just curious. I know ours has several discouraging factors:

Doesn't go to Castaway Cay
14 nights (a lot of people can't take that much time off work)
Right before Christmas
Repositioning (added airfare & lodging, possibly rental car)

Our ship is definitely not sailing at or near capacity, and it doesn't look like the 12/19 Dream is either.

I just finished reading a lengthy thread that discussed tendering to CC when the ship can't dock due to inclement weather. Apparently most other cruise lines with private islands do tender their guests ashore, because unlike DCL they don't have a dock. I can see why DCL wouldn't tender in bad weather...if it's that rough for for a big ship, I'm not sure I'd want to be on a small tender anyway! Plus if the weather continues to deteriorate, it might be impossible to get the passengers back to the ship.

But if we have good weather, why can't DCL tender the relatively small amount of people off the Wonder to CC? They don't need to tender the staff or supplies, because all of that is provided by the Dream. I don't know how it would work with the KTTW cards, though, if the hard lines are running to the Dream. I'm sure there's someway IT could figure it out! Maybe issue us all temporary cards that link to a Dream account?

There should be plenty of tender boats available to rent from local Bahamian islands. I know DCL already tenders locals for hairwrapping, etc...why not use those boats?

 

[Cruise]

Our ship is definitely not sailing at or near capacity, and it doesn't look like the 12/19 Dream is either.

I just finished reading a lengthy thread that discussed tendering to CC when the ship can't dock due to inclement weather. Apparently most other cruise lines with private islands do tender their guests ashore, because unlike DCL they don't have a dock. I can see why DCL wouldn't tender in bad weather...if it's that rough for for a big ship, I'm not sure I'd want to be on a small tender anyway! Plus if the weather continues to deteriorate, it might be impossible to get the passengers back to the ship.

But if we have good weather, why can't DCL tender the relatively small amount of people off the Wonder to CC? They don't need to tender the staff or supplies, because all of that is provided by the Dream. I don't know how it would work with the KTTW cards, though, if the hard lines are running to the Dream. I'm sure there's someway IT could figure it out! Maybe issue us all temporary cards that link to a Dream account?

There should be plenty of tender boats available to rent from local Bahamian islands. I know DCL already tenders locals for hairwrapping, etc...why not use those boats?

I'm guessing it's a case of logistics and customer service. While the PC cruise might not be sailing at capacity, I'm guessing there will be at least 1000 guests aboard, if not more. That's still quite a few people to add to the island. Not only does that add to work/lines, I'm sure DCL has considered the possibility that quite a few of the Dream guests might complain about the added numbers cutting in to "their" island time. At the end of the day, you can't make everyone happy. Since the PC cruise has never advertised a stop at CC as being part of the itinerary, and the Dream passengers assume they get the island to themselves, I can see where DCL might think this could cause some ill will with the Dream passengers.

As far as everyone getting on and off correctly... I can just imagine the nightmare of some kid getting back on the wrong ship and sailing off without his parents. And there's probably all sorts of insurance and liability issues involved with using the tenders that bring the locals to the island for services. I'm guessing that's just considered their mode of transportation (like us driving to work in the morning) and is in no way associated with or insured by DCL.

For all we know, DCL did actually consider it, looked at the options, and decided it would be a nightmare to get the docking/tendering/KTTW cards/lines all working right. As far as I know, they've never had two ships unload on the island at the same time. But I could be wrong.

 

[DVCinderella]

I'm guessing it's a case of logistics and customer service. While the PC cruise might not be sailing at capacity, I'm guessing there will be at least 1000 guests aboard, if not more. That's still quite a few people to add to the island. Not only does that add to work/lines, I'm sure DCL has considered the possibility that quite a few of the Dream guests might complain about the added numbers cutting in to "their" island time. At the end of the day, you can't make everyone happy. Since the PC cruise has never advertised a stop at CC as being part of the itinerary, and the Dream passengers assume they get the island to themselves, I can see where DCL might think this could cause some ill will with the Dream passengers.

As far as everyone getting on and off correctly... I can just imagine the nightmare of some kid getting back on the wrong ship and sailing off without his parents. And there's probably all sorts of insurance and liability issues involved with using the tenders that bring the locals to the island for services. I'm guessing that's just considered their mode of transportation (like us driving to work in the morning) and is in no way associated with or insured by DCL.

For all we know, DCL did actually consider it, looked at the options, and decided it would be a nightmare to get the docking/tendering/KTTW cards/lines all working right. As far as I know, they've never had two ships unload on the island at the same time. But I could be wrong.

Even if both ships sail at half capacity, that's still less than the Dream at full capacity (which we know the island can handle). Although, yes, I agree that some Dream passengers might think we were imposing if they had to "share" the island. They should realize that their ship has capacity for 4k guests, and there's no guarantee when you book a cruise that you're not going to sail at full capacity, or have an empty island.

On a postivie note, some Dreamers might think it cool to see 2 Disney ships at the same time, and the inevitable horn battle. I'm only saying...if both cruises end up being half or less-than-half full, and the weather is good, it would be nice if the Wonder was also allowed to stop there too.

I know this is a long shot, but we can always hope for some Disney magic.

I have no first-hand knowledge, but I can't imagine DCL makes the locals arrange for their own tender to the island. I'd be surprised if the tenders were not rented & insured by DCL.

 

[dthogue]

I'm confused, Platinum was a couple of weeks ago. Tonight is gold.

oops, jumped myself up a level climbing back down to reality!

 

[LindaBabe]

Even if both ships sail at half capacity, that's still less than the Dream at full capacity (which we know the island can handle). Although, yes, I agree that some Dream passengers might think we were imposing if they had to "share" the island. They should realize that their ship has capacity for 4k guests, and there's no guarantee when you book a cruise that you're not going to sail at full capacity, or have an empty island.

On a postivie note, some Dreamers might think it cool to see 2 Disney ships at the same time, and the inevitable horn battle. I'm only saying...if both cruises end up being half or less-than-half full, and the weather is good, it would be nice if the Wonder was also allowed to stop there too.

I know this is a long shot, but we can always hope for some Disney magic.

I have no first-hand knowledge, but I can't imagine DCL makes the locals arrange for their own tender to the island. I'd be surprised if the tenders were not rented & insured by DCL.

There's a small doubledecker ferry from Abarco that brings the local workers.

Consider that Castaway Cay is north east of Miami so the ship would have to pass Miami to go there, and then come back. Combined with the fact it would be a LONG sail from Colombia to Castaway (it's two sea days from Cozumel, and that's closer than Colombia), Costa Maya is a much more logical stop.

Our ship may have all the cabins sold and still not be at capacity. For example, my cabin holds 3 but will only have me (and Dimples) in it.

 

[Travelbee]

Am I the only one who is having a hard time with the website? It's not letting me make Palo reservation or excursions. Didn't the system open for gold CC member at midnight EST?

 

[dthogue]

Am I the only one who is having a hard time with the website? It's not letting me make Palo reservation or excursions. Didn't the system open for gold CC member at midnight EST?

Hey there - won't let me on either to make reservations Going back to bed, gonna try again around 3:00 - that is when it opened last year when we booked our Dream reseravations.

 

[Travelbee]

Hey there - won't let me on either to make reservations Going back to bed, gonna try again around 3:00 - that is when it opened last year when we booked our Dream reseravations.

Interesting. Maybe they changed it to midnight PST? Does anyone know for sure?

 

[goiu]

I just tried logging on too, but wouldn't let me. It used to be EST. So, must've changed. Bummer! I'll stay up 30 more minutes since it's only 10:30p here. Good luck everyone! Actually, do we know which nights are what? I don't know when to book Palo.

 

[Relaxin']

I got in, but I had to trick the website by clicking on planning centre and booking my reservations.

 

[4everluvDisney]

I have been trying to book since 12 midnight but no can do....
Really want to book Palo for brunch for our Anniversary on the 10th.
Wish me luck....

 

[Cruise]

Many people over on the main cruise board are reporting the same problem. Could be the that new site features have messed it up in some way.

 

[goiu]

I got in, but I had to trick the website by clicking on planning centre and booking my reservations.

Couldn't log in normally until I did what you suggested. Thank you!! Got Palo booked and our excursion. Does anyone know what nights Formal/Semi and Pirate nights are?

 

[4everluvDisney]

Still can't get in but, does anyone know if you book an excursion today can you still cancel without penalty? My husband and I can't make up our minds on a couple and would hate to book and not be able to change it if we so decided (of course if it isn't sold out).

 

[goiu]

Still can't get in but, does anyone know if you book an excursion today can you still cancel without penalty? My husband and I can't make up our minds on a couple and would hate to book and not be able to change it if we so decided (of course if it isn't sold out).

I think you have up to 3 days before the cruise to cancel without penalty. So, you have awhile!