February 21, 2009 Magic Western Caribean

[mc2]

Hi!
We're still working on ours - although I did just notice tonight that my 2009 Birnbaum's Guide to Disney Cruise Line has the departure times listed for the different excursions. For any of you who may be first time Disney cruisers like us and don't already know that type of information and want me to look it up for you, just post the excursions and I'll find the info in the book.

Am I correct in understanding that a) you don't get billed until the cruise, and b) you can cancel excursion bookings, spa, etc... without penalty up to 2 days prior to the cruise departure?

Thanks!

 

[stacieps]

We looked at some pictures of Paradise Beach in Cozumel today and decided we'd go there. We did the dolphin encounter at Chankanaab in August, so this will be just a fun beach day for us.

In Key West we've decided to rent an electric car and tour the island on our own. We walked all the way to the Southern Most Point in the August heat, so this will be a nich change of pace!

We aren't planning anything in Grand Cayman. Last time there we did Stingray City, so this time we'll just wing it.

I'm just glad we've made our decisions about port activities (and happy that they inexpensive!).

We have our flights, our hotel for Friday night, and our transportation booked, so I guess we're all set!

I'm anxious for February to get here. Then I'll be anxious to see if we can take advantage of the $99 bounce back DCL is giving us.

 

[strega7]

will we be able to use the 99 dollar bounce back, or is it tooo late since we already paid for our cruise? I assumed it would be for new bookings only. Marci

Oh yeah, Key west we are doing trolly on our own, Cozumel we booked a dolphin swim, Grand Cayman we are going to just wing it....probably cab to a beach, most likely 7 mile beach. I am so ready to go, I almost can't stand it.

 

[stacieps]

will we be able to use the 99 dollar bounce back, or is it tooo late since we already paid for our cruise? I assumed it would be for new bookings only. Marci

My travel agent was able to add the code to the booking without changing anything else and told us we'd get a voucher for the bounce back while on board.

 

[mc2]

We were able to add it as well. Is it for a limited number of rooms (e.g. do they set aside a certain number of rooms per cruise that are valid for the second cruise)? In other words, is there a chance that there won't be any rooms left by the time we get our vouchers (if everyone in January/February reserves before we board)? Or is it pretty much a guarantee that if you want to book it, you can probably get a reservation at some point during the time period?
Just curious!

 

[stacieps]

We were able to add it as well. Is it for a limited number of rooms (e.g. do they set aside a certain number of rooms per cruise that are valid for the second cruise)? In other words, is there a chance that there won't be any rooms left by the time we get our vouchers (if everyone in January/February reserves before we board)? Or is it pretty much a guarantee that if you want to book it, you can probably get a reservation at some point during the time period?
Just curious!

Bookings for the $99 rates start April 6 and go through May 30 for cruises August 13 to December 17. So bookings with the voucher start a couple days after the last eligible cruise returns. It looks like everyone will have an equal chance of booking. I plan to have a couple of dates chosen and will call on April 6 and see how it goes.

 

[mc2]

Thanks for the info, Stacie! That is great news. I wanted to figure out how it was going to work before getting my hopes up that we might have at least half of a chance of booking the second one. ;-)

 

[Hanny&AlsMom]

Hello,
I haven't posted here for some time. I just thought I should let you know that we have changed our cruise plans, and are now sailing at Christmas, 2010 . I hope you all have a magical cruise - it will be here before you know it!

Carolyn

 

[drskw]

They are doing the same thing for DVC members who have booked with points for the same time period. They can book a 3 night as well for just 23 points per person. Sounds like the phone lines for Disney Cruise line will be pretty busy April 6th !!!!!

 

[tracyz]

Stopping in to say hello! The countdown is getting exciting! And speaking of exciting, I am soooo pumped about the bounceback deal! Another cruise that I can justify paying for!!

As far as shore excursions, we're leading toward Stingray City in Grand Cayman and the Dolphin Encounter at Chankanaab in Cozumel. When we did our 3 night last time we didn't do any excursions. This time we're going to just go all out I think.

 

[stacieps]

We are finally into double digits --- 99 days to go!

 

[DMMarla07860]

Hey, haven't been posting here lately, but still am going on this cruise and then the one after this, so I am realyl excited for both

 

[pouncingpluto]

Hey... what's the bounceback thing??? Specifically for those of us who booked on DVC points?

 

[mc2]

Here is the link from the DCL website:
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/d...alOffers/detail?name=SpecialOfferBEDetailPage

No mention of the DVC points in the offer (and I have no idea what the points are/how they work, so I am useless for info there!), but if you call they can probably give you the scoop.

Good luck!

 

[drskw]

The DVC "bounce back offer" is listed on the DVC members website and is called "Sail with Mickey for a Minnie Price" ! In reading the fine print is states that a voucher will be given to members on the cruise if they have booked by the deadline. I also booked ahead of this offer but would assume that since I am ahead of the deadline we would be included.

 

[pouncingpluto]

Sweet... thanks guys... I hope it works out for us and we get our vouchers! I'd totally fly down for a 3-night.

 

[pouncingpluto]

Soooooo... when can those of us who are CC members book Palo, etc.? Friday (Thursday night) at midnight? Saturday (Friday night) at midnight?

 

[mc2]

Soooooo... when can those of us who are CC members book Palo, etc.? Friday (Thursday night) at midnight? Saturday (Friday night) at midnight?

Hi! Saturday the 8th was considered 105 days prior, so bookings were available at 12 am EST (so midnight Friday night EST) for the people booking 105 days out. If you get access at 90 days out, then that would be Sunday the 23rd (at 12 am EST, or midnight EST on Saturday night). If look at the "Cruise Plans" section of your reservation online, it will tell you the date that you are able to start booking things - go online at 12:01 am that day, and you should be good to go!

 

[pouncingpluto]

Oh cool, thanks! After I posted, I realized that I had my countdown widget set to the Friday (the day we fly down/ spend the evening in Epcot) rather than the day we board the ship.

I didn't realize the cruise plans thing said the date... that's great, thanks!

Now I just have to make sure I can get logged in and everything. I have to be careful because I have a problem with my login, which is that my birthdate is one day off, and there's no way to fix it. So it conflicts with my CC info, and this has caused trouble before. I have to make sure to log in with another userid!! (That's the only solution tech support was able to give me... sign up for a new id.)

 

[tracyz]

Tonight at midnight for CC members to make reservations. Do you know what that means??? 90 DAYS TO GO!!!