Fantasy Holiday Cruise 12/21/13

[McPackers]

We are signed up for this cruise. We just came back from the Fantasy's First Christmas cruise and had a wonderful time. My son request the Fantasy for Christmas 2013.

I'm interested in joining the FE.

 

[Gansleclan]

Yeah!
My dad booked the cruise as Christmas gift for my mom! We are so happy we can all be together on Christmas with Disney

Gretchen,

When you have their information (room #, etc...) if they would like to be added to the lists, let me know. Since the FE is a different list, let them know about it as well.

In addition, please know that the FB page is up and running for those in your family interested!

Becky

 

[Gansleclan]

Hi everyone, we are a family of four from Newfoundland, Canada & are booked on the Christmas Cruise as well! So excited.....this will be our 9th Disney cruise, but our first ever Christmas one. My name is Edith, my DH is Darren & my 2 DD's are Mallory (14) & Mackenzie (11). We sailed a back to back on The Fantasy in August & September & it was amazing! Can't wait to sail on her again & Looking forward to meeting all of you!

Edith,

Welcome! I saw that you were unable to find the FB page, and it looks like it might only be accessible by invitation only. If you send me a message to my gmail account with your FB information I will do an invite. My gmail address is rebeccagansle@gmail.com.

In addition, I will put you on the list here on DISboards, please also let me know if you are interested in participating in the FE's as I have them listed seperately.

Becky

 

[Gansleclan]

Hi Becky!

GREAT IDEA! We did this for the maiden voyage and still have it going. Great place to talk (keep it as a private group), make plans, etc. that is not in a public forum. More privacy for those of us with kids to talk freely and make plans. We were able to post FE Sign up and excel sheet with names and room numbers etc. Group Plans such as a Private Champaign Tasting we were able to book.

One way we kept it private was the request had to come from here first then in the request on FB they had to tell us room number and DIS Name for confirmation.

-J

Jamielynn,

That is great that you have the experience with the FB pages. Tonja Parkin has set one up, and anything you can add to the page would be wonderful. She has it set up invite only and if you would like me to add you send me your information to my gmail account, and I will add you ASAP. My address is rebeccagansle@gmail.com.

Becky

 

[Gansleclan]

Hey everyone! So excited we're less than a year away from the cruise. I have a question for you all. We want to spend one day in WDW to see the new MK. What we're trying to figure out is should we spend the day before or the day after the cruise there.

We're also trying to figure out what to do for transportation from MCO to the port and back and to a resort and what our cheapest option would be. (We're DVC members, btw)

Thanks for the help in advance!

Dave,

I would call Disney and ask. Brian and I have done our cruises both ways leaving Disney World, taking their bus to the cruise which worked out well. In the past, you would would just a different bus back if you decide to do MK after your cruise. Sorry, I can't be of any more help...but we have lots of people on here who have done multiple cruises!

Becky

 

[Gansleclan]

We are signed up for this cruise. We just came back from the Fantasy's First Christmas cruise and had a wonderful time. My son request the Fantasy for Christmas 2013.

I'm interested in joining the FE.

McPackers,

I know myself as well as others would love to hear about your experience this Christmas. I will need more information such as your names, age of your son, cabin number if known and any interest you have to add you to the list.

As you have seen in a few postings below yours, we are adding a FB page (thanks to Tonja Parkin) and if you are interested please email me at rebeccagansle@gmail.com, your interest of being added.

Thanks!
Becky

 

[Gansleclan]

All,

I just had an "aha" moment after speaking with Brian. Versus time it may take sending a personal email for an invite to our facebook list, you can contact either myself at Rebecca Blackmon Gansle or Tonja McDonald Parkin on FB, and leave us a message to be added to the FB private list.

I will be updating this site with both our current passenger interests list as well as FE list in the next few days.

I look forward to speaking with all of you in the next few months as we plan our cruise.

 

[Gansleclan]

Dear Cruisers,

I have been asked by several parents of younger children about not including their childrens names on any future spreadsheets. I definitely can see the issues in regards to this, and am going to comply with their requests. The future lists, will include DISboard name, childrens sex and age, cabin numbers as well as any specific interests.

I will still be keeping a second list, that is available to all with childrens names if one wishes to personalize an FE gift.

In the future, I will ask all new members of the list to PM me any personal information. As well as those who wish do so, who have currently added.

We are still workout the FB list issues, and Tonja will be posting later today regarding this.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Becky

 

[parkinfamily]

I have searched also & can't find the Facebook page!

It is a private page...by invite only.

please private fb message me (Tonja McDonald Parkin) with:
DisBoard name:
Cabin # if known:


Security measures put in place due to a request from some families. Thanks!

 

[parkinfamily]

It is a private page...by invite only.

please private fb message me (Tonja McDonald Parkin) with:
DisBoard name:
Cabin # if known:

Security measures put in place due to a request from some families. Thanks!

Or go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/disneychristmasfantasy/

The board should be findable now. What is your FB name?

 

[parkinfamily]

Thank you for setting up the FB page and helping us all. Unfortunately our search of "Disney Christmas Fantasy 2013" does not yield any results on facebook. Is it some setting issue?

-------------------------------------------------

Go to the link now...it should be working!

Https://www.facebook.com/groups/disneychristmasfantasy2013/ (edited!)

What is your name on FB?

 

[Gansleclan]

I am going to suggest trying one of these links:

disneychristmasfantasy2013@groups.facebook.com (emails)

http://www.facebook.com/groups/disn...members/#!/groups/disneychristmasfantasy2013/ ( I believe you can send a message to get added this way)

If anyone who has recently gotten on FB, please help with this, or wait until Tonja gets back on here to figure this out.

Go to the link now...it should be working!

Https://www.facebook.com/groups/disneychristmasfantasy/

What is your name on FB?

 

[ps17]

Just got back from Fantasy 2012 Christmas cruise. It was absolutely phenomenal. We would love to go on the 2013 cruise even for an increased price BUT, the cruise is not just expensive - it is EXORBITANT. Cant imagine that they would sell the cruise out at the rates. We are talking 30% type increase in prices from 2012.

Anyone else have perspective on this? For those of you that booked this cruise, did you also pay ridiculously high prices?

We would love to make it happen, but that price tag is very high. Thoughts?

 

[Gansleclan]

Just got back from Fantasy 2012 Christmas cruise. It was absolutely phenomenal. We would love to go on the 2013 cruise even for an increased price BUT, the cruise is not just expensive - it is EXORBITANT. Cant imagine that they would sell the cruise out at the rates. We are talking 30% type increase in prices from 2012.

Anyone else have perspective on this? For those of you that booked this cruise, did you also pay ridiculously high prices?

We would love to make it happen, but that price tag is very high. Thoughts?

Dear PS17,

We booked our cruise at the end of 2011, as my husband had a travel restriction at work for 2012 and 1/2 of 2013, because of union renegotiations. We have 2 cabins, one a handicapped category 4 for my husband and me, and a second being a category 11 for my mother and daughter. Our deposit was $300 per person, which is what we paid in 2010. When comparing other ships traveling at the same time next year though there was a increase in the rate with Disney, it was not an issue to us given that you pay upgrades for food, drink, etc. on other ships such as Carnival. We also took into consideration the economy, and the prices for food and fuel have also increased in a year.

We have several families on this list who also just left the Disney Fantasy cruise this Christmas and perhaps and they can give you more insight than we can. I also understand that money can be saved if one books online while on a cruise. For our family personally, we have just budgeted the cost of this cruise over the months until the last payment is due, it has meant not seeing our favorite sushi chef as frequently as we like, being more creative with eating at home, or we find coupons for our favorite restaurants.

Becky
Gansleclan & Grandma

 

[parkinfamily]

Just got back from Fantasy 2012 Christmas cruise. It was absolutely phenomenal. We would love to go on the 2013 cruise even for an increased price BUT, the cruise is not just expensive - it is EXORBITANT. Cant imagine that they would sell the cruise out at the rates. We are talking 30% type increase in prices from 2012.

Anyone else have perspective on this? For those of you that booked this cruise, did you also pay ridiculously high prices?

We would love to make it happen, but that price tag is very high. Thoughts?

We booked ours on our cruise to Alaska this past summer...so we enjoyed a 10% discount, and a $200 ship credit! This allowed us an inside cabin for a much more reasonable price. I do know that we had friends looking yesterday ( Saturday) at an OceanView room, and this morning, there were only Verandah rooms available...it's selling out fast.

This is a vacation that is important to our family, so we, as the Gansleclan, planned way ahead, budgeted accordingly, and have been finding creative ways to enjoy entertainment and other luxuries in the meantime!

 

[parkinfamily]

I am going to suggest trying one of these links:

disneychristmasfantasy2013@groups.facebook.com (emails)

http://www.facebook.com/groups/disn...members/#!/groups/disneychristmasfantasy2013/ ( I believe you can send a message to get added this way)

If anyone who has recently gotten on FB, please help with this, or wait until Tonja gets back on here to figure this out.

The correct link is https://www.facebook.com/groups/disneychristmasfantasy2013/ (the name of our group--edited in the above post as well)

click here and request to join the group! I'll add you as soon as I receive your request!

Sorry this has been confusing.

 

[cubancruise]

Just got back from Fantasy 2012 Christmas cruise. It was absolutely phenomenal. We would love to go on the 2013 cruise even for an increased price BUT, the cruise is not just expensive - it is EXORBITANT. Cant imagine that they would sell the cruise out at the rates. We are talking 30% type increase in prices from 2012.

Anyone else have perspective on this? For those of you that booked this cruise, did you also pay ridiculously high prices?

We would love to make it happen, but that price tag is very high. Thoughts?

We just did the Christmas cruise also. I booked them both (the 2012 and 2013) on board the Wonder in 2011. We were keeping the 2013 as a "maybe"---but are, as of today, planning on making that final payment come October! At that time, they were both he same rate---we used to do a family verandah and "transitioned" to two ocean views or two insides a few cruises ago---normally connecting. We have also used DVC points and "point and cash" combos a few times. We had 275.00 on board credit this time (not sure what it is for the Dec 2013)

 

[ps17]

Cuban: Well, FYI, you definately should keep the 2013 cruise because you are getting a GREAT deal. A cruise for a group of 6 (connecting verandas) that cost us 12K is now upwards towards 16K (and BTW, verandahs are all that is left for the most part).

 

[Gansleclan]

Dear Cruisers,

I have worked on this today with Brian's help, and I think we got it! As you will notice we have gone to an anonymous list, with children's names not being listed at the request of several of our families. As time gets closer and you do need a name for personalization of an item we will be happy to provide that for you.

There are still several holes in the sheet as I am not aware by either your DISboard name or information you have shared what your cabin number is or what state/country you live in.

At this time we have approximately 20 cabins interested in participating in activities, with 19 specifically for FE's. If this should change I can update with a few key strokes. In addition, we are looking for someone to possibly host a tour of cabins so different size accomodations can be viewed, girl scout/boy scout badge exchanges, as well as activities both on and off the boat.

One family shared with me their experiences with meeting for dinner before sailing and events that occurred on the boat, to do these types of things we only need volunteer to host.

Here is the spreadsheet, please let me know any changes you have via the list or PM.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...&fprt=false&tfe=yh_253&gsessionid=C93bdlqSsqA

 

[Gansleclan]

Dear Cruisers,

We have tried to remove all previous google spreadsheet links on this DISboard site. In doing so, they have all become anonymous in regards to children's names, and the most recent link is #119.

In addition, our FB page site is thriving however please remember to allow admittance one needs to contact either Tonja, Brian or me with your DISboard name and room number to verify that you are on the cruise list. If you have not done this, you will not be allowed admittance.

If you have any questions please let us know.