February 2, 2014 - Dream

[iloverags2]

This will be our first cruise as well my 12 year old and 8 year old are super excited. We are also interested in the fish extender let me know how to join the fun. Counting down the days

Welcome aboard!!!! The link to the Google doc for the FE can be found here. (The post is on page 6 of this thread.)

So as I mentioned before, we were initially on the 10/20 Magic cruise that is now cancelled. I'm kicking myself for not keeping that in place, as I had a gut feeling for the past couple of months it would be cancelled. Argh! I would have had a free cruise! Oh well...I'm just happy to be sailing!

 

[iloverags2]

Wow! It totally slipped my mind to do check-in at midnight (after thinking about it all day yesterday!)...and I was up until 1:30 a.m. Sheesh! So here I was awake again at 4:00 a.m. or so, and it finally hits me around 4:45 a.m. that "OMG! I NEED TO DO ONLINE CHECK-IN!"

Envisioning all my desires long gone, I am thrilled to report we have a 10:30 a.m. port arrival time, a Palo reservation for the day and time we had hoped for, and I snagged Cabana #9 on the Family Beach for CC day! (There were about six or so cabanas available on the family beach and a couple available on Serenity Bay.)

 

[iloverags2]

Y'all are going to be tired of hearing from me, but have to share this with everyone! While looking at all my documents and making sure everything was squared away, I decided to see what the sailing looks like as far as how many folks are on the ship by looking at the categories still available for sale and staterooms still out there. In doing so I noticed the rate had gone down! So, what's one to do but update their booking and reselect the same category and stateroom. I'm getting a $96 refund!

As an FYI, we are in a category 5B. It has been a good morning here!

Oh, one thing I should note - those PATs prior to 11:00 a.m. are relatively new. I'm not sure if it's DCL's system or what, but even though it allowed me to choose 10:30 - 10:45 for my PAT, my documents state 11:00 - 11:15 a.m. Not sure if I will call DCL regarding this or not since the time difference is so miniscule. Just a heads-up.

 

[raiponce]

Whew! Wedding has come and gone - we had the most magical day!! Beautiful weather, beautiful location and our wonderful friends and family really made it perfect for us... and now we get to focus on our honeymoon at sea and on land!

Just took a peek at the FE doc to see what we were at - 40 already?! Will there be a cut off? My crafting skills are pretty strong, but I'm worried about how much we'll have to make and transport... what is the average size for a FE group?

Can't wait to cruise!

 

[iloverags2]

Whew! Wedding has come and gone - we had the most magical day!! Beautiful weather, beautiful location and our wonderful friends and family really made it perfect for us... and now we get to focus on our honeymoon at sea and on land!

Just took a peek at the FE doc to see what we were at - 40 already?! Will there be a cut off? My crafting skills are pretty strong, but I'm worried about how much we'll have to make and transport... what is the average size for a FE group?

Can't wait to cruise!

Congratulations on your wedding! Best wishes for a wonderful life together!

I'm not sure what the average is. We have participated in ones with as a few as 9 staterooms, and one that had almost 40 staterooms - yes, staterooms! Multiply that by all the people in those and you get the picture.

I think if we start pushing 20 staterooms, we should start thinking about splitting the group maybe? I'm fine either way, but that's because I'm local and don't have to fly or travel far. Easier for me to lug stuff around.

Cutoff should probably be around the first of the year (one month prior is a good time frame). Any latecomers can be added on with the understanding not everyone may be able to participate with them. That usually seems to work pretty well, and I don't mind being the person to handle that when the time comes.

Anyone else have thoughts on a cutoff date?

Still waiting on DCL to process my refund...I'm guessing they have their hands slightly full right now with all the displaced 10/20 cruisers, so I'll be patient.

 

[iloverags2]

Sweet! So, my $96 refund hit my account this morning...there was an extra $16.92 that hit as well. I figured it was an adjustment for port taxes; after looking up what a current reservation would be and then looking at my last payment receipt, sure enough the port taxes and fees had gone down since I booked and that's where that $16.92 came from!

So, depending on when you booked and what you paid in port taxes and fees (if you have already paid in full), y'all might be looking at a refund. For those of you who have not PIF yet, you may see your amount due adjusted slightly lower. (Again, this all depends on when you booked and what the port taxes and fees were at that time. Your booked rate will never go up, but it could go down slightly due to this!)

 

[cbowmanmadison]

Congratulations on your wedding! Best wishes for a wonderful life together!

I'm not sure what the average is. We have participated in ones with as a few as 9 staterooms, and one that had almost 40 staterooms - yes, staterooms! Multiply that by all the people in those and you get the picture.

I think if we start pushing 20 staterooms, we should start thinking about splitting the group maybe? I'm fine either way, but that's because I'm local and don't have to fly or travel far. Easier for me to lug stuff around.

Cutoff should probably be around the first of the year (one month prior is a good time frame). Any latecomers can be added on with the understanding not everyone may be able to participate with them. That usually seems to work pretty well, and I don't mind being the person to handle that when the time comes.

Anyone else have thoughts on a cutoff date?

Still waiting on DCL to process my refund...I'm guessing they have their hands slightly full right now with all the displaced 10/20 cruisers, so I'll be patient.

Hi all-
On page 6, Carol G talked about a cutoff date being 2 months prior to the cruise, which is Dec 2nd. I think that because of the holidays, we were thinking folks might want to know the final numbers sooner than later. Or does the group want to negotiate on a December 15th cut-off date for the FE exchange? Thoughts? Today, we have 14 cabins and 40 people signed up. Thanks, Cheryl

 

[iloverags2]

Hi all-
On page 6, Carol G talked about a cutoff date being 2 months prior to the cruise, which is Dec 2nd. I think that because of the holidays, we were thinking folks might want to know the final numbers sooner than later. Or does the group want to negotiate on a December 15th cut-off date for the FE exchange? Thoughts? Today, we have 14 cabins and 40 people signed up. Thanks, Cheryl

I'm good with whatever date! And I will be happy to handle a latecomers list as well.

 

[cbowmanmadison]

I'm good with whatever date! And I will be happy to handle a latecomers list as well.

Thanks Cindy!

 

[iloverags2]

I noticed all the cabanas on CC are now booked! Anyone here going to be our neighbors? We are in #9 on the Family Beach!

 

[courtneydisney]

I am so excited for this trip - we're spending 8 days at WDW before and for 3 days after the cruise...and I think it will be an engagement celebration once we get on the ship!

I've got my FEs all planned out - they're small, but hopefully will be cool for people to receive.

 

[courtneydisney]

Is there a DIS meet scheduled for our cruise? I've not yet done an FE exchange, would a meetup be organized on the same thread as the FE?

 

[iloverags2]

I am so excited for this trip - we're spending 8 days at WDW before and for 3 days after the cruise...and I think it will be an engagement celebration once we get on the ship!

I've got my FEs all planned out - they're small, but hopefully will be cool for people to receive.

Is there a DIS meet scheduled for our cruise? I've not yet done an FE exchange, would a meetup be organized on the same thread as the FE?

Exciting (engagement celebration!)! Will expect deets on that once we board! I'm the same...my FEs are small, but so cute and hopefully all will like them.

I don't believe a meet-up has been organized yet, but I definitely think we should do one. Embarkation day is always popular, albeit difficult (due to people trying to get on the ship and all the activities going on). Maybe we can plan one for around 2:30 or 3:00ish on that day (more of a hi, nice to meet you, my stateroom number has changed kind of thing), along with another laid back get together either on Nassau or sea day.

Looking forward to meeting everyone!

 

[Carol G]

Bummer - we may end up changing our cruise dates.
DIL has a problem with work schedule. Looks like a 3 night cruise. Luckily we have a few days before final changes can be made. I'll let you know ASAP if we'll still be with all of you.

 

[Carol G]

Final decision made. :-(
We were looking forward to meeting all of you. Elyssa was also looking forward meeting kids at the Oceaneer Club.

Bon voyage! Enjoy your cruise. We may see you around. As you get off, we'll be getting ready to go aboard.

 

[potts0601]

I PIF today!!!!!!! YAY!!!!! WOOHOO!! Can you tell I'm a little excited!!

 

[iloverags2]

Final decision made. :-(
We were looking forward to meeting all of you. Elyssa was also looking forward meeting kids at the Oceaneer Club.

Bon voyage! Enjoy your cruise. We may see you around. As you get off, we'll be getting ready to go aboard.

Bummer! I was looking forward to meeting you. Glad you were able to salvage a trip still. We will leave the ship in good shape for you.

I PIF today!!!!!!! YAY!!!!! WOOHOO!! Can you tell I'm a little excited!!

Yay!!! Best feeling!

 

[potts0601]

Ok!! I need to know all the kids in the FE Group favorite color... Working on our FE gifts!!

 

[iloverags2]

Ok!! I need to know all the kids in the FE Group favorite color... Working on our FE gifts!!

I added favorite color to the heading of the children's column. If everyone could go back and add this, it might work better that way!

I'm getting way too antsy for this cruise to get here!

 

[potts0601]

I added favorite color to the heading of the children's column. If everyone could go back and add this, it might work better that way! I'm getting way too antsy for this cruise to get here!

Thanks so much!!!!!