JANUARY 27, 2007 "PAL MICKEY" Western Magic ROLL CALL

[taswira]

FL Resident discounts are usually not available for higher categories, for specific staterooms (if you have a favorite one), or if you have already paid DCL in full for your cruise. Plus there are always only a limited number of staterooms available at the discount, but please do post whatever you find out.

When FL Resident rates are released, they base the "discount" on a reduction off the current price, so those who book a year or more ahead may not necessarily always have paid more anyway.

 

[sap1227]

We have sailed with the FL Res rate 4 times and always in a Cat 5 or 6 and if you have paid in full they will give you a refund of "ShipBoard Credit".

The price of our cruise has really not gone up much, for the exact same details (my family):
To Book Today: $3204.20
When we Booked (Oct 2005): $2779.20

So it has only gone up $425!

I am hoping for the best (I would love to bump our Cat 11 upto a 5 or 6 for just a little bit more), if it does not happen, that is OK too! Our Cruise will be Great either way!!

 

[taswira]

I always prefer a particular stateroom in Cat 7 and have never been able to get that at the FL Res rate, although I did get it at TA rate twice so that was a huge benefit and I was quite happy!

Since there are a limited number of Cat 7 and therefor they don't need to work last minute to fill them, they are usually not offered at FL Res discount. Are they offering FL Res rate now even when a category has filled?

 

[taswira]

Looking on DCL's website, Cat 8 is the only thing showing as available at all for our cruise date now. Of course, there are always cancellations just before the "final payment due" date, so things may open up for those hoping for an upgrade.

 

[brady961]

We are getting the discount even though we paid if full. HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

edited: they are going to credit our credit cards. I ask them to split to discount so both disgal and I will receive credit on cards. HOORAAYYYY

 

[sap1227]

Looking on DCL's website, Cat 8 is the only thing showing as available at all for our cruise date now. Of course, there are always cancellations just before the "final payment due" date, so things may open up for those hoping for an upgrade.

I just looked and for 2 Adults and 2 Children I am showing Cat 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11 available--but no luck for your Cat 7, probably

 

[taswira]

Well, as I expected, they do not offer ANY discount on Cat. 7. However, they offered Cat. 5 for $698 LESS per stateroom than what Holly and I paid, so . . .

I "sacrificed" my favorite Navigator Verandah to "upgrade" us to the Cat. 5, same deck, primarily for that nearly $700 refund. Nice! While they would only refund it to the credit card on which it was purchased, I will purchase each of us shipboard credits in that amount. So we should be all set for tips, onboard purchases, etc.

We are now in 7106 and I updated the list. Anyone else with stateroom number changes, please let me know so I can correct the list. Thanks!

 

[taswira]

I just looked and for 2 Adults and 2 Children I am showing Cat 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11 available--but no luck for your Cat 7, probably

Yeah - Maybe it shows more when you looked because I only specified 2 adults. Don't know . . .

But as I just posted, I went ahead and upgraded us to the Cat 5 for nearly $700 less, so Holly is HAPPY.

 

[GSCM_DisneyScout]

Well, as I expected, they do not offer ANY discount on Cat. 7. However, they offered Cat. 5 for $698 LESS per stateroom

Congratulations!

For grins and giggles, I checked the cat 5 rooms on either side of the rooms my parents and I have and they're still available. Maybe they'll upgrade my MIL's cat 11 across the hall into one of the cat 5 rooms. I don't know. How likely are they to make that kind of an upgrade? It's is quite a few categories.

I just compared our reservation prices when we booked last February to what the current prices are for the rooms we reserved. (Of course, we booked on board, so I'm assuming that helped.)
For our three rooms, we saved $966.80, $505.60 and $824.80.

Kim

 

[GSCM_DisneyScout]

I've heard that Castaway Club members get gift stuff in their rooms during the cruise. What kind of stuff? Do they just do it for adults or kids, too? My kids are Castaway Club members (at least I assume they are since they've cruised before), but two of them are staying with my MIL, who is not a Castaway Club member. Will they still be recognized as Castaway Club members and get something?

Kim

 

[sap1227]

Yeah - Maybe it shows more when you looked because I only specified 2 adults. Don't know . . .

But as I just posted, I went ahead and upgraded us to the Cat 5 for nearly $700 less, so Holly is HAPPY.

That is great!!!

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

they offered Cat. 5 for $698 LESS per stateroom than what Holly and I paid, so . . .I "sacrificed" my favorite Navigator Verandah to "upgrade" us to the Cat. 5, same deck, primarily for that nearly $700 refund.

I am happy! (can you tell?!!!) Actually I am thrilled!!!

I know Shari was a bit worried I'd be upset we would have to give up the Navigator's Verandah to get upgraded - I'm VERY happy! I've not sailed so the difference between the enclosed verandah and the open air one isn't something I'd consider a downside. I know Shari loves the Navigator's - but an open air one sounds TERRIFIC to me!

The just under $350 price difference is incredible - I figure it pays my tips and gives me some spending money.

Ah...by the way - I've decided not to do the Tullem Ruins tour - mostly because the ride there between the ferry and bus sounds a bit long and well...not fun.

I can't wait for this cruise to get here!!

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Well I don't have to explain any furthar as you can use your imagination what happened for most of the trip. I'm sure that it doesn't happen everytime but I thought I would pass along the info., because that is what we remembered most about that excurtion.

Thanks! I've decided to NOT do the Ruins tour because after talking to Shari and your input...it's probably not the best way to see the ruins. Plus it's Pirate's Night that night and I don't want to be worn out after all the jostling on ferries and busses. Someday I'd like to do one of the cruises with the stop in Costa Maya!

Maybe I'll take the money I would have spent on that and do a hot stone massage...

 

[taswira]

I've heard that Castaway Club members get gift stuff in their rooms during the cruise. What kind of stuff? Do they just do it for adults or kids, too? My kids are Castaway Club members (at least I assume they are since they've cruised before), but two of them are staying with my MIL, who is not a Castaway Club member. Will they still be recognized as Castaway Club members and get something?

Kim

The Castaway Club "gift" is one per stateroom - They figure it goes to the Castaway Club ADULT member who booked the cruise. On the last 9 of my 10 prior cruises the gift was a nice DCL Castaway Club beach towel. I can always use another one as I have given many away to family and friends and I use them as bath towels at home, etc, but I am hoping they have a new and different gift this time. They also usually give 2 Castaway Club pins even if there is only one person in the stateroom. I already gave one to Holly and to brady - LOL.

A person is not a Castaway Club member until they are on at least their 2nd cruise. Since you only receive ONE CC gift per stateroom, that can create a problem, especially with children.

 

[GSCM_DisneyScout]

A person is not a Castaway Club member until they are on at least their 2nd cruise. Since you only receive ONE CC gift per stateroom, that can create a problem, especially with children.

Thank goodness for wonderful people and their eBay auctions.

I've picked up a few items on eBay that say Castaway Club that I'm planning to give to my kids for Christmas. I've seen canvas totes, canvas backpacks, cups, mesh bags, lanyards, pins, etc. Are these more give away things, or is there somewhere to buy Castaway Club stuff? I figure I can give the Castaway Cay lanyards to my kids for Christmas and then give the ones we used from the last cruise to my parents, brother, and mother-in-law.

There's an auction on eBay for the new spa soaps from the cruise, and others with the luggage tags they give out for disembarkation. (sp?) It's amazing what people will try to auction off.

Kim

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

It's amazing what people will try to auction off.
Kim

That's because it's amazing what people will BUY!

I love eBay anyway - I get a lot of stuff on there (and sell) - it's just people need to be careful with both buying AND selling.

 

[taswira]

I love eBay anyway - I get a lot of stuff on there (and sell) - it's just people need to be careful with both buying AND selling.

Yes, you definitely have to be careful. I have heard some real horror stories!

Regarding Castaway Club merchandise: I know there has also been a lot of counterfeit/fake Castaway Club stuff out there, but if you are only seeking items for your kids that say "Castaway Club" and you don't pay much for them, it probably does not matter if they are not genuine.

I am not on E-Bay because I don't want to get hooked, and I know I would!

 

[brady961]

sorry you had to give up your favorite stateroom, but HOORAY for being able to upgrade and save almost 700.00. should be well worth with that amount in saving.

 

[Cruising canuck]

Are these upgrades only available to FL residents? I phoned and there is no upgrade available for our Cat 9 for the $ we paid. I probably don't qualify.

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Are these upgrades only available to FL residents? I phoned and there is no upgrade available for our Cat 9 for the $ we paid. I probably don't qualify.

Yes, I'm sorry they are only for Florida residents. Probably not nice of us to go on and on about them - but it is a perk that happens sometimes. Can't always tell when they are going to do them or IF they will. I assume they do them when they haven't totally filled up the ship - or as much as they'd like. So they offer the Florida Resident discounts hoping people who haven't booked will jump on them. Plus it has the effect of making the lower cats open up as people often will take the upgrades rather than just the discounts. Shari and I lucked out with both an upgrade and a discount mostly because they don't discount Cat 7's.

I know once in awhile they'll offer them last minute to Florida residents at incredible deals - but those people have to be able to go with short notice. I know Shari and I were told about one in September for the 10 and 11 day cruises that was a really good price. If we'd not already booked this - it would have been a consideration. (aside from being hurricane season....)