January 8, 2011 - 7 Night Western Caribbean Sailing

[DisneyGyrl]

Getting a little bit closer!!! Any GTY people get their assignments yet? Just curious!!!!

 

[Sir William]

Any suggestions for our group name? I did realize we are setting sail on Elvis's birthday but the only reason I know that is one of my BFFs has the same birthday. I'm a Beatles fan myself, lol.

I'm not an Elvis fan either (been to Memphis twice but never to Graceland). I'd rather see us have a name (if we want one) more oriented on Disney, the Magic, or the Caribbean.

 

[WarrFamily5]

Okay, I'll fix -- under which name do you wish to be listed and what are the kids ages, as well as all your names and cabin number?

I did think it odd that there were two very similar user names on here but when I do up the list, I just go down the entries to ensure everyone's in there. I also noted the ages seemed similar, but thought it just a coincidence.

I think I am not used to a family where more than one member comes onto these boards! My own DH and DD will not even open up a guidebook, let alone come here. Good for you!

I have been informed by the Boss that we will be listed under W-Family for the FEs since she has more posts than me?!? The old saying is when the Wife is happy . . .!

 

[Tatiana]

Amy Fran!

 

[Tatiana]

A quick question to the people who have done this cruise before... Do you have to pay to get on and off the ship at each port? Yesterday I heard about a friend going on a cruise (not Disney), and it ended up costing a few thousand extra because of unexpected costs of getting on and off the ship to enjoy the ports. Please let me know if you have heard of this with Disney Cruise Line.

Thanks!

 

[runeash]

How do you get free dining at WDW with disney cruise. I have 4 1/2 year triplets so I took advantage of the kids sail free. It is only applicable on cat 4 and up so I end finding the lowest in cat4 ie 4E that allow 5 people. It came to $4388 including taxes and port charges + $200 onboard credite, ie 2 paying adults and 3 kids free, is that a good deal at all? I am coming a night before through SW so any recommendation on the hotel, not sure if WDW is worth price considering I will stay one , but dining plan is tempting

Hi Everyone! This is my first time posting, so I hope it goes okay.

We're going on this cruise too! It will be me, my hubby, DD who will be turning 13 on the cruise, and DD 9. This will be our 3rd Disney cruise. We did this same cruise back in 2007, and loved it. Heck, we'd love ANY Disney cruise. We will also be going to WDW Port Orlean FQ for 4 nts. prior to the cruise.

We were originally booked on this same cruise in Dec. 2010, then I got an e-mail about the "kids sail free" special. Couldn't resist that offer, besides, it meant that we also would get the free dining at WDW which we weren't getting with our Dec. trip. So here we are, sailing with you all in January.

Just a tip to anyone flying Southwest. Once you make your reservations, check your flights DAILY. My flights went from $1357 for the 4 of us, to $913. I couldn't believe how the prices fluctuate sometimes on a daily basis. It's great that SW lets you change your res. w/o penalty. They give you a credit to use on a future flight made w/i a year from the date the first res. was made.

Glad to see a Rhode Island family in the group. We're in MA not far from RI at all.


Lori

 

[w-family]

A quick question to the people who have done this cruise before... Do you have to pay to get on and off the ship at each port? Yesterday I heard about a friend going on a cruise (not Disney), and it ended up costing a few thousand extra because of unexpected costs of getting on and off the ship to enjoy the ports. Please let me know if you have heard of this with Disney Cruise Line.

Thanks!

It is my understanding that all your ports charges were included in what you paid for the cruise. I don't recall paying anything above and beyond that for goin on-shore 5 years ago when we wnet on the cruise. I think that is the "port charges" that they charged you.

 

[w-family]

Getting a little bit closer!!! Any GTY people get their assignments yet? Just curious!!!!

we haven't; we told that we would be assigned a month before, but I keep checking on-line.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

A quick question to the people who have done this cruise before... Do you have to pay to get on and off the ship at each port? Yesterday I heard about a friend going on a cruise (not Disney), and it ended up costing a few thousand extra because of unexpected costs of getting on and off the ship to enjoy the ports. Please let me know if you have heard of this with Disney Cruise Line.

Thanks!

We haven't paid anything on our last cruise in March. Maybe they went on one of those bargain cruises?

 

[Katekins13]

We are getting very excited... but also a bit nervous now... is anybody in the same boat as us and this is their first cruise so they are unable to book Palo/excursions until 10/25? I know that for Palo if they do not show any availablity, to try as soon as we get on ship..but what about excursions? What if none of the ones that interested us are open? Are we just out of luck? Even if we are, of course it will still be wonderful, but figured I'd see if anybody had any comforting words or advice..lol..

Also - we are planning on making our FE gifts, but with all the wedding plans going on (not to mention our pre-honeymoon in WDW in November) and then the holidays - those gifts might not be homemade, but store-bought... is that really bad?

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

FE gift are whatever you want them to be! Don't fret the small stuff!

 

[Sir William]

We are getting very excited... but also a bit nervous now... is anybody in the same boat as us and this is their first cruise so they are unable to book Palo/excursions until 10/25? I know that for Palo if they do not show any availablity, to try as soon as we get on ship..but what about excursions? What if none of the ones that interested us are open? Are we just out of luck? Even if we are, of course it will still be wonderful, but figured I'd see if anybody had any comforting words or advice..lol..

Also - we are planning on making our FE gifts, but with all the wedding plans going on (not to mention our pre-honeymoon in WDW in November) and then the holidays - those gifts might not be homemade, but store-bought... is that really bad?

We can't book anything either until Monday, though I heard that they set aside a certain number of vacancies for each group (Gold, Silver, first timers, etc) so that there should be some openings available when we become eligible and then they also keep a bunch set aside for booking aboard. I don't know that for sure, but it seems both reasonable and fair.

My FE gifts are store bought. Working full time and going to school full time doesn't leave me much time to be very creative. I'm just trying to find things that are practical or fun, and don't take up much space when I pack my suitcase.

 

[lbgraves]

A quick question to the people who have done this cruise before... Do you have to pay to get on and off the ship at each port? Yesterday I heard about a friend going on a cruise (not Disney), and it ended up costing a few thousand extra because of unexpected costs of getting on and off the ship to enjoy the ports. Please let me know if you have heard of this with Disney Cruise Line.

Thanks!

No, you do not pay anything to get off the ship. We have been on the western, eastern and panama canal cruises and have never had to do this. I've never even heard of this happening before. Perhaps they didn't know that they would have to pay for excursions in each port???

How do you get free dining at WDW with disney cruise. I have 4 1/2 year triplets so I took advantage of the kids sail free. It is only applicable on cat 4 and up so I end finding the lowest in cat4 ie 4E that allow 5 people. It came to $4388 including taxes and port charges + $200 onboard credite, ie 2 paying adults and 3 kids free, is that a good deal at all? I am coming a night before through SW so any recommendation on the hotel, not sure if WDW is worth price considering I will stay one , but dining plan is tempting

The only way you can get the dining plan through DCL is to book the land & sea packages both through DCL. I doubt that you can get the free dining unless you book that portion yourself with WDW.

As far as the cost of the cat 4 at $4388 -- that is a VERY good rate. I only booked this cruise because when I saw that kids were free and checked online a couple months ago the cat 5 was $35xx. We usually pay around $4000 before OBD of 10% to book a cat 8. The cat 10s were then listed at $3700 so that is GREAT!!!

.... I know that for Palo if they do not show any availablity, to try as soon as we get on ship..but what about excursions? What if none of the ones that interested us are open? Are we just out of luck? Even if we are, of course it will still be wonderful, but figured I'd see if anybody had any comforting words or advice..lol..

Palo only releases 50% of their resies but ALL of the excursion spots are released the first day anyone can book which might be 120 days now for Platinum CC Members. It has alwasy been done this way, even before you could book online and had to call in. That's why the dolphin excursions are usually gone first.

You can go to the excursion desk after you board and request to be waitlisted for an excursion and they will notify you if you are able to book it. There are also always cancellations, just keep checking online every day. People get sick onboard and can't go on excursions too so you never know when a spot will open up.

We can't book anything either until Monday, though I heard that they set aside a certain number of vacancies for each group (Gold, Silver, first timers, etc) so that there should be some openings available when we become eligible and then they also keep a bunch set aside for booking aboard. I don't know that for sure, but it seems both reasonable and fair.

That rumor has been around even before the CC had levels, kind of like an urban legend. The fact that DCL doesn't do this has been the reason for many posts complaining about it on the main board. Also, not all of the 50% of Palo resies are available when you board but they do have a waitlist and they could call you with just a couple hours notice if they have a cancellation to see if you are able to dine there that day. They hold some of that 50% aside for concierge guests who haven't done anything online prior to the cruise. Once those guests have had their chance to book, then the remaining resies go into the pot for everyone else and Palo starts calling people who are on the waitlist.

 

[speedo]

We are getting very excited... but also a bit nervous now... is anybody in the same boat as us and this is their first cruise so they are unable to book Palo/excursions until 10/25?

Yep I am also booking on the 25th at midnight. I went ahead and paid off the balance so I would not have to worry about that part. The only thing I really want is Palo for dinner on the 12th for my sister's b-day so keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[lbgraves]

For those who are going to be making their ressies this weekend here is an update for Palo. As of right now Palo resies are as follows:
[Times in red are not available]

DINNER:
Day 1 - 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 8:30
Day 2 - 6, 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 8:30, 9
Day 3 - 6, 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 8:30, 9
Day 4 - 6, 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 8:30, 9
Day 5 - 6, 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 8:30, 9
Day 6 - 6, 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 8:30, 9
Day 7 - 6, 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 8:30, 9

BRUNCH:
Day 2 - 10, 10:30, 11
Day 3 - 10:30, 11, 11:30
Day 6 - 10:30, 11, 11:30

As far as I an see only the Key West Golf excursion is closed to any new reservations so that looks good for you all!

I always recommend to book your Palo brunch first since there are fewer slots available for that. For those who are first timers, make sure you confirm your reservation. When it comes up that you have made the reservation after selecting the day and time you MUST scroll to the bottom of the screen and hit confirm again. I missed that the first time I used the online system and never got a confirmation number so I didn't have a reservation.

 

[Katekins13]

Thank you so much for posting this!!!

For those who are going to be making their ressies this weekend here is an update for Palo. As of right now Palo resies are as follows:
[Times in red are not available]

DINNER:
Day 1 - 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 8:30
Day 2 - 6, 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 8:30, 9
Day 3 - 6, 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 8:30, 9
Day 4 - 6, 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 8:30, 9
Day 5 - 6, 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 8:30, 9
Day 6 - 6, 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 8:30, 9
Day 7 - 6, 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 8:30, 9

BRUNCH:
Day 2 - 10, 10:30, 11
Day 3 - 10:30, 11, 11:30
Day 6 - 10:30, 11, 11:30

As far as I an see only the Key West Golf excursion is closed to any new reservations so that looks good for you all!

I always recommend to book your Palo brunch first since there are fewer slots available for that. For those who are first timers, make sure you confirm your reservation. When it comes up that you have made the reservation after selecting the day and time you MUST scroll to the bottom of the screen and hit confirm again. I missed that the first time I used the online system and never got a confirmation number so I didn't have a reservation.

 

[WarrFamily5]

I'm not an Elvis fan either (been to Memphis twice but never to Graceland). I'd rather see us have a name (if we want one) more oriented on Disney, the Magic, or the Caribbean.

Next Sir William you'll tell me you're a Beatle's fan?!? And as for Disney, Magic or Caribbean oriented? That's original? LMBO!!

How about the "Magical Disney Caribbean Cruise"?

As long as I am on the Boat, I'm happy!!

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

How about "The Snowbird Express"?

 

[Sir William]

Next Sir William you'll tell me you're a Beatle's fan?!?

Nope! Sorry. Not a particularly big Beatles fan either, but I like them a whole lot better than I do Elvis.

And as for Disney, Magic or Caribbean oriented? That's original? LMBO!!

I don't care if we have something original or not to call our group - I would just prefer it not refer to Elvis. I don't really care if we call ourselves much of anything.

As long as I am on the Boat, I'm happy!!

That's my outlook as well.

 

[luv2cruz24]

How do you get free dining at WDW with disney cruise. I have 4 1/2 year triplets so I took advantage of the kids sail free. It is only applicable on cat 4 and up so I end finding the lowest in cat4 ie 4E that allow 5 people. It came to $4388 including taxes and port charges + $200 onboard credite, ie 2 paying adults and 3 kids free, is that a good deal at all? I am coming a night before through SW so any recommendation on the hotel, not sure if WDW is worth price considering I will stay one , but dining plan is tempting

I booked the WDW portion on my own, not through DCL. We were originally booked on the same cruise in Dec. 2010 cabin 6046 for $4,106, and WDW for 4 nts. prior with NO free dining plan. Our SW airfare was a whopping $1357 for 4 of us. When I saw the "kids sail free offer" I changed our res. to Jan. and got a cruise price of $3,272 same category, free dining plan at WDW, and SW airfare of $918. We were so excited to get such great savings.

When we flew in the day before we stayed at the Radisson at Port Canaveral. It was nice, especially since we got upgraded to a suite due to a toilet problem in our original room. They also provide shuttle service to the ship.