I love credit cards so much! v2.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[MKTokyo]

Bank churners, any reason to keep Fidelity or Ellevest open? Trying to simplify my weekly account check ins.

Fidelity is the only one I kept because it has fee-free ATM privileges, including international ATMs, with no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements. But, I also have a brokerage & a Roth with them. It might not make sense if you don't hit the ATM that much and have your investments elsewhere.

 

[emchen]

I usually sandwich it inbetween, even if the after is only 1 night. I like to be there prior, even if I just stay at the hyatt mco. If I have time we do WDW for a couple nights. Then after the cruise I go back to wdw to ease the depression.

Thank you, I just booked the 4 nighter in April cuz of this discussion and this post in particular! Lol! So if the "after" is only 1 night, would you go back to WDW for essentially an abbreviated day?

Currently we will have 3 nights at DRR (Riviera resort) prior. Figure we will keep to Epcot (2 days) and Hollywood Studios (1 day).

Sandwich 4-d DCL Bahamas.

AKL Jambo after... 1/2 day at AK.

Depart 1230 MCO next day.

One question, realistically, when can I expect to get back to WDW when disembark is 0730 for the cruise in Canaveral? It's been three years since we've been on a DCL...or any cruise for that matter.

 

[mmmears]

And I highly recommend a Norwegian Cruise (not the cruise line, the country). It combined the scenery of Alaska with the culture and history of a European cruise. The Norwegian Fjords Cruise on DCL Magic has been our favorite cruise so far.

I totally agree. Alaska was wonderful, but Norway was even better.

 

[tink1970]

One question, realistically, when can I expect to get back to WDW when disembark is 0730 for the cruise in Canaveral?

Assuming the ship docks on time...a couple of questions:

1) Will you be eating the final breakfast?
---if so, early or late seating?
2) Will you do walk off or DCL transportation?

I've walked off after skipping breakfast as early as 7:30 but breakfast in the MDR will push back your departure as will DCL transportation.

So if you walk off and have your own transportation you could be at WDW by 8:30-ish. If you take DCL busses then it will be dependent on how they schedule the drop off busses. Sorry this isn't a definitive answer but gives you sort of an idea, I hope.

 

[afan]

I don't understand the whole "slider" thing. I would happily give the one they sent me to someone if I knew where it was. I don't love the MBs, and the added feel of the slider just wasn't a positive addition for me.

I should have called/chatted with them to get an ap slider after I didn't get one when I picked up my AP band in the parks. Seems silly now that my pass has a little over a month left on it. I'd like it because I could use it to help keep the band on instead of one of my bit belt sliders.


In other news, on Monday I'm back to temp for a month or so at the same place again. It's good money but I wish they'd figure out that they need someone to keep the two departments from falling behind instead of bringing me in for 4-5 weeks and then I'm off for two and then back again. Clearly they don't understand this puts a wrinkle in my churning. My CIP points are pending for the card I got in July. It'll be nice to have over 100k in points but I need more

Also, I was looking at my chase offers to remind myself of the Michael's one so I can use it tomorrow and I saw a new one for CVS, 10% and had it on 2 cards. Not sure if it'll get used or not, CVS is a specific destination 20 min away that's not by anything and past the places I go. I wish we had more of them out here.

 

[EACarlson]

Who pays cash for SW flights That’s so “non-churner” LOL! (Kidding)

But seriously - booking with points makes this 1,000x more flexible!! It’s simply amazing.

Sometimes I book flights just in case - because it’s so flexible, who cares!!! Haha

I booked one way on points and one way in cash. Didn't have enough URs to cover roundtrip and SW is the only direct flight from MKE to DAL. Plenty of Delta SMs and MRs to use, trying to save those for Air France Business or Delta One to Paris in 2021.

 

[Haley R]

I agree with the other poster that said longer RCCL Cruises aren’t party cruises. We did a 7 night western Carribean on Oasis and a 9 night NYE cruise on NCL Escape and neither were a party cruise.

So far Oasis has been our favorite ship and Disney our favorite service. Food was similar on all 3.

Definitely don’t rule out RCCL as a party cruise. They sail very similar itineraries to Disney for less than half the price at times. Way more to do on their Oasis class ships too. I think the majority of Alaska cruises won’t be party cruises either.

And I highly recommend a Norwegian Cruise (not the cruise line, the country). It combined the scenery of Alaska with the culture and history of a European cruise. The Norwegian Fjords Cruise on DCL Magic has been our favorite cruise so far.

I would love a Norwegian Cruise. It sounds really pretty. I won’t rule out Royal Caribbean now that so many of you have said the longer ones aren’t as bad. I’ve just heard some horrible things but I’m guessing they were short cruises and most likely during spring break or something.

 

[Haley R]

I totally agree. Alaska was wonderful, but Norway was even better.

What time of year is the Norway one usually at and where does it sail out of?

 

[Haley R]

I should have called/chatted with them to get an ap slider after I didn't get one when I picked up my AP band in the parks. Seems silly now that my pass has a little over a month left on it. I'd like it because I could use it to help keep the band on instead of one of my bit belt sliders.


In other news, on Monday I'm back to temp for a month or so at the same place again. It's good money but I wish they'd figure out that they need someone to keep the two departments from falling behind instead of bringing me in for 4-5 weeks and then I'm off for two and then back again. Clearly they don't understand this puts a wrinkle in my churning. My CIP points are pending for the card I got in July. It'll be nice to have over 100k in points but I need more

Also, I was looking at my chase offers to remind myself of the Michael's one so I can use it tomorrow and I saw a new one for CVS, 10% and had it on 2 cards. Not sure if it'll get used or not, CVS is a specific destination 20 min away that's not by anything and past the places I go. I wish we had more of them out here.

Thanks for mentioning that. Dh got the CVS offer on his CF. That should work for gcs right?

 

[afan]

Thanks for mentioning that. Dh got the CVS offer on his CF. That should work for gcs right?

It did when I had it last fall. Haven't seen it on there since then.

 

[mmmears]

What time of year is the Norway one usually at and where does it sail out of?

Only Summer. I think the one Bernina took is either out of Dover or Copenhagen. The one we took went to Iceland as well, and that one started in Copenhagen and ended in Dover. Used MRs for those flights.

ETA - Disney only goes there in summer. Viking offers cruises in winter, too, but it can be rough (not sure if you saw all the footage from the one caught out at sea for 2 days). Summer is cold enough for me; I can't imagine what winter feels like.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

Also, I was looking at my chase offers to remind myself of the Michael's one so I can use it tomorrow and I saw a new one for CVS, 10% and had it on 2 cards. Not sure if it'll get used or not, CVS is a specific destination 20 min away that's not by anything and past the places I go. I wish we had more of them out here.

Freaking 5% on my CSR--will need to check dh's CF once he's home

 

[Alexle2007]

Okay good lol. We most likely won’t do royal Caribbean or carnival cruises

I am not sure why you wouldn’t do RCCL. DS had a terrific time on the Allure of the Seas and he excited to spend his 13th birthday celebrating on the Harmony of the Seas. They are definitely family cruises and not party cruises. We had done Disney lines and have enjoyed them but RCCL has so awesome onboard activities that DCL doesn’t and the pools are not like a can of sardines in the family section unlike DCL. I think Carnival has been stepping up their game with some of the newer ships and trying to be more family friendly.

 

[Haley R]

Only Summer. I think the one Bernina took is either out of Dover or Copenhagen. The one we took went to Iceland as well, and that one started in Copenhagen and ended in Dover. Used MRs for those flights.

ETA - Disney only goes there in summer. Viking offers cruises in winter, too, but it can be rough (not sure if you saw all the footage from the one caught out at sea for 2 days). Summer is cold enough for me; I can't imagine what winter feels like.

I forgot about how cold it gets. We’d want to do a summer one then too. The problem with MRs is we don’t currently have any plans to get any more Amex cards so I’m not sure we’ll get very many of them.

 

[Haley R]

I am not sure why you wouldn’t do RCCL. DS had a terrific time on the Allure of the Seas and he excited to spend his 13th birthday celebrating on the Harmony of the Seas. They are definitely family cruises and not party cruises. We had done Disney lines and have enjoyed them but RCCL has so awesome onboard that DCL doesn’t and the pools are not like a can of sardines in the family section unlike DCL. I think Carnival has been stepping up their game with some of the newer ships and trying to be more family friendly.

That’s good to hear. I had only heard bad things about them so I just assumed they were all like that.

 

[mmmears]

Freaking 5% on my CSR--will need to check dh's CF once he's home

10% on my Hyatt. Nothing on any of DH's cards. Chase doesn't love us. Oh, and no Michael's either.

 

[mmmears]

I forgot about how cold it gets. We’d want to do a summer one then too. The problem with MRs is we don’t currently have any plans to get any more Amex cards so I’m not sure we’ll get very many of them.

I was just kidding you about the MRs. But it really is what we used to book those flights. We used URs for 2020, though, so they also work.

 

[Haley R]

I was just kidding you about the MRs. But it really is what we used to book those flights. We used URs for 2020, though, so they also work.

Lol we have a decent amount of URs. I just got my CIP and Dh will get the CIC next so it’s hard for me to switch gears to MRs right now haha

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Anyone else read online that DCL is tightening up the placeholder deals? Sounds like no more OBC starting this week (depending on which ship you're sailing). I guess this has to do with the new ships coming online in 2 years...

I didn't see that. Will have to go look for the info. They (Disney) are really getting way too big for their britches and I'm just over here watching.

 

[bernina]

What time of year is the Norway one usually at and where does it sail out of?

Good memory @mmmears !

Our cruise was in May and left out of Dover. It was 7 nights.