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

[skoi]

Hi all,
I'm chiming in for my parents, who are booked on this cruise but not on the internet. They want one of the certificates you are getting. Do you need to know what they want for personalization now? They are pretty excited to go thru the Canal. They are:

Jerry - 83
Bea - 79

Ok, a little info on us. I've recently booked this cruise (Friday) and am now in the (scary!) planning stage.

This is our first DCL cruise. Dh has always wanted to see the PC, so mentioned this as an idea a few weeks ago. A 14 day cruise has me a little nervous, but excited too!!

Welcome aboard to our new shipmates!

I'll be getting a list together (again-- I love my lists and charts ) of people interested in Costa Maya, brunch, and Cartagena, though to be honest I know little about this port except the reviews I've read on Cruise Critic and Trip Advisor, and will PM interested parties. Don't worry, I do have experience organizing Palo brunch, did this in the middle of husband being deployed to Afghanistan, and having youngest son in and out of the hospital with kidney issues, surgery, and complications from the surgery. And I have used the tour company in Costa Maya before and they were excellent.

And as to the 14 day cruise making you nervous-- relax. The longer the cruise, the better, IMHO. The first time we booked, it was supposed to be a 4 night because we had never cruised and dh didn't want to go (too much Love Boat as a young teen, I guess) and Oldest dd was afraid to go on a ship out of sight of land . Then I researched more and switched to a 7, based on the better deck party they offered way back in 2003. Since then, we've mainly done seven nights, but also one 11 night Med (just me, and oldest dd and ds) a 14 night Transatlantic which was Heaven (just me and oldest dd), one 4 night (disaster) and a back to back 4 and 3 night on the Dream-- which was nice, but not nearly as good as an actual 7 night with different menus and different shows.

My in-laws are currently on a 30+ day cruise out of San Diego, to Hawaii, Bora Bora, etc. If I could afford it, I would so be there. Darn our bad number choices for the Mega Millions! We'd have booked back to back to back Disney cruises, and thrown in a couple of exotic sailings on Princess or HAL, maybe a river cruise in Europe or two, Tauck has a great one from Budapest to Istanbul that I'd be on in a minute if i could afford it.

 

[dthogue]

Ok, a little info on us. I've recently booked this cruise (Friday) and am now in the (scary!) planning stage.

This is our first DCL cruise. Dh has always wanted to see the PC, so mentioned this as an idea a few weeks ago. A 14 day cruise has me a little nervous, but excited too!!

We're in Central NJ. Dd will be 5 and ds 3 at sailing. They're very outgoing kids so I'm hoping they'll spend 4-5 days of this cruise in the clubs so dh and I can enjoy some adult time.

We're flying EWR-LAX on 12/7 and returning 12/25 MIA-EWR on United. I was able to book with points (saving us $3,466). We'll be staying in LA on Friday and Saturday nights and staying with family in Miami and celebrating Christmas eve with them.

FYI - someone else mentioned United stays covering their party's baggage fees. The rules have changed - if you're Silver Status they cover only your baggage fee. If you're Gold+ then your entire party's are covered. Worth knowing.

Welcome to our thread - glad you found us. I too am nervous about 14 nights on the ship - keeping my fingers crossed for smooth sailing and WARM weather. My DD is so excited about the 5 sea days in a row

 

[dthogue]

Happy Monday Morning,

Hope everyone had a good weekend! I spent some time yesterday reading all the MR trip reports hoping to get an idea of what might be offered for at least some of our days on the Wonder. I was thinking that since the ports on the MR were the same ones we are making, the days activities might be similiar as well as the menus in the DR - just a guess on my part, I could be totally off base on that.

Has anyone else noticied though that our times in port seem to be very short compared to the MR cruises - I hope that changes and we have more time in port, the one excursion I looked into is longer than our port time

Is anyone intertested in doing a FE exchange? It hasn't been mentioned, so I thought I would throw it out there to see if there is any interest.

 

[skoi]

I noticed the shortened port times too, and wondered how that would impact some of the excursions. There was one I was thinking about that's longer than the time in port.

I read some MR reports a few weeks ago and they made even more excited.

I also can't wait for the sea days on board. When oldest dd and I did the TA last May, they had a lot of activities during sea days. And more days at sea mean more opportunities to eat at Palo.

 

[BethC1952]

Ok, a little info on us. I've recently booked this cruise (Friday) and am now in the (scary!) planning stage.

This is our first DCL cruise. Dh has always wanted to see the PC, so mentioned this as an idea a few weeks ago. A 14 day cruise has me a little nervous, but excited too!!

We're in Central NJ. Dd will be 5 and ds 3 at sailing. They're very outgoing kids so I'm hoping they'll spend 4-5 days of this cruise in the clubs so dh and I can enjoy some adult time.

We're flying EWR-LAX on 12/7 and returning 12/25 MIA-EWR on United. I was able to book with points (saving us $3,466). We'll be staying in LA on Friday and Saturday nights and staying with family in Miami and celebrating Christmas eve with them.

FYI - someone else mentioned United stays covering their party's baggage fees. The rules have changed - if you're Silver Status they cover only your baggage fee. If you're Gold+ then your entire party's are covered. Worth knowing.

Hi abbyar, and welcome!

It's nice to have more people from New Jersey joining us. Where are you in Central NJ?

We found that it was MUCH cheaper to fly out of Philly, so that's what we're doing. We'll have a friend drop us off there and pick us up when we return. Right now we're thinking of spending two nights in Miami and coming home on Christmas, but that may change. We may go to spend Christmas with my brother in Jacksonville.

I'm really excited about this cruise! I love the idea of all the sea days. It will be DH's first time to California, too!

Beth

 

[abbyar]

We're in Somerset County - 30 minutes to EWR, 90+ to Philly.

We flew out of Philly once, on a trip to Chicago. Dh swore never again. Plus with the 2 kids in a 6 hour flight, I'd like to minimize car time that afternoon.

Looking forward to the cruise - hoping to shop in Cartegena.

 

[abbyar]

I've read on some of the other threads that it's worthwhile to have things pressed/cleaned once on board. What is the general opinion of our experienced cruisers?

I'd love to have shirts/dresses pressed so I can maximize vacation time. Will probably have to do laundry half way through the cruise (combo of not enough clothing and don't want to pack too much), and would love to have the staff do my wash for me. Or, if it's astronomically expensive, I can wash in the facilities on board.

Any opinions?

 

[LindaBabe]

I've read on some of the other threads that it's worthwhile to have things pressed/cleaned once on board. What is the general opinion of our experienced cruisers?

I'd love to have shirts/dresses pressed so I can maximize vacation time. Will probably have to do laundry half way through the cruise (combo of not enough clothing and don't want to pack too much), and would love to have the staff do my wash for me. Or, if it's astronomically expensive, I can wash in the facilities on board.

Any opinions?

Wash your smalls and let them press your dresses and his suit(s).

How many activities there are depends a lot on the cruise director. In January 2011 on the WBPC, we had Clayton - SO glad I had lots of books, there were times I was actually bored. He does not have a good grip on scheduling, if you ask me. On the Transatlantic in September, on the other hand, with, I believe, Peter - I felt like I needed my planner there was so much I wanted to do.

Still a question mark for me on this cruise - I haven't found a room mate yet.

 

[abbyar]

Thanks Linda!

Your post has me wondering.... How much should we 'plan' for this trip? I feel like we have a good grip of shore days - we'll probably go on shore for all, or at least most, on this trip, as there are many new places to see and we'll have so many at sea days. And of course we'll check out Palo for one or two meals. But otherwise, I'm hoping the kids club will keep them running. My kids love the pool, but the first day or two will probably be too cold to swim. I'm hoping we'll be busy, but still have time to relax - I'm so used to planning every minute of our Disney trips (one reason why dh wanted to cruise this year).

 

[abbyar]

PPs noted on the thread that prices have dropped on this cruise - anyone know how much? I'd like to tell dh how much we "saved".

 

[dthogue]

I've read on some of the other threads that it's worthwhile to have things pressed/cleaned once on board. What is the general opinion of our experienced cruisers?

I'd love to have shirts/dresses pressed so I can maximize vacation time. Will probably have to do laundry half way through the cruise (combo of not enough clothing and don't want to pack too much), and would love to have the staff do my wash for me. Or, if it's astronomically expensive, I can wash in the facilities on board.

Any opinions?

I have never used the laundry service, but depending on how DH's suit travels, I might have it pressed. I'm guessing that I'll do laundry at least once, maybe twice. Hope I have better luck on the Wonder than I did last November on the Dream - I couldn't for the life of me get the washer to work - it locked and wouldn't start - had to call maintenance to come help me!

Here is a price list for laundry services - says it is current as of Dec 2011:

FYI-Laundry service price list

Services
Regular service: Next day 5 p.m.
Same day service: Add 50 % to dry cleaning surcharge. Picked up before 9 am, returned 5 pm
Express service: Add 100 % express cleaning surcharge. Call for pickup, returned in 3 hours.

Pressing only service is 50% of Dry Cleaning price.

Dry Cleaning
Suit (2 Piece) $ 7.00
Suit (3 Piece) $ 9.00
Coats $ 7.00
Pants $ 4.25
Jackets $ 4.50
Shirts $ 3.50
Ties $ 2.00
Sweaters $ 4.00
Blouses $ 4.00
Evening Dress $ 8.00
Skirts $ 4.50

Laundry

Shirts $ 3.00
Pants $ 3.50
Socks $ 1.00
Undershirts/bras $ 1.25
Pajamas $ 4.00
Handkerchiefs $ 0.75
Undershorts $1.25
T-shirts $ 2.50
Blouses $ 3.50
Slips $ 3.00
Nightgowns $ 3.00
Short Pants $ 2.50
Sports Shirts $ 2.50

 

[skoi]

Thanks for putting up the laundry list. I had it somewhere but couldn't find it.

We do wash on vacation because it means we can pack less.

I have used the ship's laundry once. Oldest dd dropped Beef Wellington on her orchid and white formal gown and while head server and assistant server attacked her with club soda, it didn't all come out. No issues with the laundry. Gown was back by bedtime and they did a nice job on the stains.

 

[Chernabog#1fan]

Hi - at this time, I have not booked the cruise yet, but we are planning on doing this cruise. I have to try to get the time off of school approved for the kids.

Has anyone else ben able to get time off approved by the schools?

 

[socababy]

Hi - at this time, I have not booked the cruise yet, but we are planning on doing this cruise. I have to try to get the time off of school approved for the kids.

Has anyone else ben able to get time off approved by the schools?

I went to the school office in January before this cruise was even confirmed to be happening and got approval to take the kids out for 2 weeks. My kids will be in 4th, 2nd and dd is in pre school. The secretary said now is the time to do it while they are in elementary school.

 

[DVCinderella]

Hi all,
I'm chiming in for my parents, who are booked on this cruise but not on the internet. They want one of the certificates you are getting. Do you need to know what they want for personalization now? They are pretty excited to go thru the Canal. They are:

Jerry - 83
Bea - 79

This will be their third DCL cruise, all on the Wonder. I will watch this thread for them (unless I can talk my DH into joining them) to see what other things you come up with.

Ok, a little info on us. I've recently booked this cruise (Friday) and am now in the (scary!) planning stage.

This is our first DCL cruise. Dh has always wanted to see the PC, so mentioned this as an idea a few weeks ago. A 14 day cruise has me a little nervous, but excited too!!

We're in Central NJ. Dd will be 5 and ds 3 at sailing. They're very outgoing kids so I'm hoping they'll spend 4-5 days of this cruise in the clubs so dh and I can enjoy some adult time.

We're flying EWR-LAX on 12/7 and returning 12/25 MIA-EWR on United. I was able to book with points (saving us $3,466). We'll be staying in LA on Friday and Saturday nights and staying with family in Miami and celebrating Christmas eve with them.

FYI - someone else mentioned United stays covering their party's baggage fees. The rules have changed - if you're Silver Status they cover only your baggage fee. If you're Gold+ then your entire party's are covered. Worth knowing.

Welcome! "Gilland18" and "abbyar", I have added both your parties to our roll call in Post 77 (Page 6).

Kim, I have also added your parents for 1 PC certificate in Post 79 (Page 6).

 

[dthogue]

Hi - at this time, I have not booked the cruise yet, but we are planning on doing this cruise. I have to try to get the time off of school approved for the kids.

Has anyone else ben able to get time off approved by the schools?

Luckily our school has a pretty liberal leave policy - students are allowed 10 days off each school year for educational purposes - as long as its not scheduled during the state testing time frame. My DD will be in 9th grade, so I am a bit worried. I plan to talk with her teachers right after school starts in the Fall and let them know our plans. Our school runs on a block schedule, meaning she will only have 4 classes each semester and hoping she a light schedule this fall.

 

[DVCinderella]

PPs noted on the thread that prices have dropped on this cruise - anyone know how much? I'd like to tell dh how much we "saved".

The only one I've kept track of since the beginning is the Cat 5C:

As of 1/26 - $3402 (A), $1526 (C)
As of 2/12 - $2870 (A), $1428 (C)
As of 3/03 - $2296 (A), $1330 (C)

Also, in case anyone is interested, there are now Cat IGT's available for this cruise at $980 per adult (restrictions apply).

 

[So Cal Crew]

Hi - at this time, I have not booked the cruise yet, but we are planning on doing this cruise. I have to try to get the time off of school approved for the kids.

Has anyone else ben able to get time off approved by the schools?

Summer and Autumn are in middle school and for us, California Education Code offers independent study for kids that miss school. I think it was originally set up for children athletes trying out for the Olympics and children actors that missed a lot of school. We just sign a contract in the office and get our work form the teachers. The school gets paid so the office and teachers are happy and we don't have to play catch up when we get back. I don't think the schools are required to have independent study contracts, but I haven't heard of 1 in my area that doesn't and I know a lot of families that have use the program over the years.

 

[abbyar]

What are IGt rates?

 

[skoi]

What are IGt rates?

This means inside guaranteed. You get at least an inside cabin at that price. Must pay in full at time of booking. Can't cancel or change if a better deal comes along. You might get upgraded to something better, or be on deck two or one in a tiny inside cabin. Of course, right now we're in two 11Cs which is exactly that.

So what does everyone think? Will they offer a kids sail free or something? We saved one fare on the Med 2010 (was just me and the two oldest kids) by rebooking the kids sale free for oldest ds. We booked an inside gty, and didn't get upgraded, but others who booked the same did. Don't care about the upgrade (though I love my verandah), and can live with an inside cabin and I know this because my two longest cruises (11 day Med and 14 day TA) were in cat 11s.