July 28, 2007 - "Rome-ancing the Mouse Cruisers" -11 days!

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Rest up and take it easy.

Hope your head feels better tomorrow

Good night

Thank you still bad must be the BP

As the days for the final payment drew closer we reviewed where we were at, the airfare had held constant - a lot for a family of 5, the excursion prices were way higher than we expected, and the mobility impaired person in our party was locked out of so many excursions that the trip wasn't worth it. With an estimated cost of almost US$6000 per person, we just can't do it, so we cancilled our reservation. So there are 3 cabins available on deck 6. We hope all of you have a wonderful, wonderful time!

Sorry to loose you

And we are off to Barcelona in 86 days. We got everything we wanted this morning as far as tours are concerned. Not the first choice night at Palo, but we are quite happy. Will be making arrangements to celebrate our son's 18th birthday at dinner on 7/28. What a great way for him to start a trip. Really looking forward to meeting some of you during the cruise. Be well everyone and see you in 90 days.

Sounds good

I am gone a few hours and you guys have been busy playing

Busy thread

I know how you feel - I don't have high blood pressure but I had a splitting headache this morning from not sleeping and being in front of the computer does not help.

Get some very much needed, deserved rest. Hope you feel better. I think we have all acoomplished a lot.

I am also liking the idea of this Rainforest Room - too bad we did not look into it for our West Coast cruise where the weather was not cooperating and we could have taken advantage of it.

I am hoping for great weather so I can sit/lie (lay?) down on a lounge chair on sea days (perhaps w/a nice tropical drink).

Thank you

 

[formerCPer]

Hi All,
I've finally had an opportunity to review our reserved selections for excursions, and the great information provided by Andrew, Photon and others has me leaning towards changing to private tours in several ports.

Our family of four is interested in splitting costs with others in our group if you have an existing ressie or are considering switching as well. Our southern accent is slight, but our southern hospitality is grand. Send me a PM if interested.

Brian
formerCPer

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Hi All,
I've finally had an opportunity to review our reserved selections for excursions, and the great information provided by Andrew, Photon and others has me leaning towards changing to private tours in several ports.

Our family of four is interested in splitting costs with others in our group if you have an existing ressie or are considering switching as well. Our southern accent is slight, but our southern hospitality is grand. Send me a PM if interested.

Brian
formerCPer

Brian I would encourage you and others to consider this, Sallies post a while back and Photons threads cover the benefits, If you need to know my companies let me know I can give you contact.

All my trips are full bar, THREE people for the Day 9 - Marseille, France - Sunday, August 5, 2007 A Private Tour-Marseille, Aix en Provence, ETC.

We can get a van of 7, I have 4 in my familiy.

 

[ddmhnl]

What do you think my chances are of getting an upgrade? I have a Cat 8 room (no room assginment until check-in?) and I am a Newbie cruiser.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

What do you think my chances are of getting an upgrade? I have a Cat 8 room (no room assginment until check-in?) and I am a Newbie cruiser.

Upgrades are few but thing's in your favour:-
New cruiser-most upgrades are to new cruisers to hook you in and try to get you to buy a higher Cat next time.
Med Cruise- Is not full.
Lower Grade, the lower the grade the better chance, Cat 8's have Cat7,6,5, to upgrade to. Above that theres limited rooms. Cat 12/11/10/9 have more chance than you of upgrade.
GTY, - A gurantee room assisgnement has a better chance of upgrade, as you havent been formally assigned a room, if at your level they cannot fit you in, you will be upgraded.

BUT, its a big but, upgrades are not that frequent with DCL as they sell there cruises to very high capacity.

 

[AnnaS]

Has anyone booked any spa treatment? If so, did you book through the website? I can't seem to get on and book anything.

I will have to call as soon as I have a few minutes.

 

[kidcoos3]

What is the Rainforest Room?

I called DCL this morning. They have no record of my having paid for our second room. I have a copy of the confirmation from my travel agent - I was sitting with her while she did it - evidently DCL took the info and never applied the payment. Now I have to wait until tomorrow to see my TA and get this fixed. I better be able to book the excursions that I already booked for our other cabin (one cabin paid for with points and one cabin paid by Disney Credit Card - or should I say should have been paid for with Disney Credit Card)

Wish me luck tomorrow - I am just upset that I spent the time calling DCL to make sure that all was set up correctly - Castaway Club etc. and the person told me that yes, everything was fine, I shouldn't have any trouble booking my excursions - and what do you know, it wasn't all fine.

Well, I went to see my TA today. She was amazed that I had a problem - I used AAA and they have quite a cozy relationship with Disney. She called them and they said that my credit card was declined. She asked why they hadn't called her or told me that when I had talked to DCL several times in the last few days - no answer. I called my bank (Disney Vacation Club Visa ) and they said that the card had expired (no, expires 8/08) and that it was declined because it was a large purchase (and the dirt bike that DH bought a couple of weeks ago wasn't?) and they thought it could be a security issue. Last time someone spent $20 on gas in a town that we didn't live in they called me right away - no one could call us and ask us about it Quite an unhappy camper was I. So once that was taken care of, my TA tried to book the exursions for me while on the phone with whoever so that it would all be taken care of - but they said they couldn't do that. Once I got to a computer I could use, I logged in to book the excursions for the 2nd room - I couldn't get the same early time in Palermo as my other cabin. I called DCL and they told me I would have to cancel the early ressie and add the later one to my first cabin - I said no way am I going to cancel anything without knowing that I can definitely get the later time. She said there was nothing she could do so I asked for her supervisor - they made the change and now both of us are on the later reservation. That is fine - I didn't have a big preference of times for the 1/2 day excursions. I just think it is horrible that I had to go through this run around. I am mad at DCL and Disney Vacation Club Visa (Chase), but then again I am a spoiled kid who gets to go on this trip

Thanks for everyone's support I think I am done complaining for now

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Well, I went to see my TA today. She was amazed that I had a problem - I used AAA and they have quite a cozy relationship with Disney. She called them and they said that my credit card was declined. She asked why they hadn't called her or told me that when I had talked to DCL several times in the last few days - no answer. I called my bank (Disney Vacation Club Visa ) and they said that the card had expired (no, expires 8/08) and that it was declined because it was a large purchase (and the dirt bike that DH bought a couple of weeks ago wasn't?) and they thought it could be a security issue. Last time someone spent $20 on gas in a town that we didn't live in they called me right away - no one could call us and ask us about it Quite an unhappy camper was I. So once that was taken care of, my TA tried to book the exursions for me while on the phone with whoever so that it would all be taken care of - but they said they couldn't do that. Once I got to a computer I could use, I logged in to book the excursions for the 2nd room - I couldn't get the same early time in Palermo as my other cabin. I called DCL and they told me I would have to cancel the early ressie and add the later one to my first cabin - I said no way am I going to cancel anything without knowing that I can definitely get the later time. She said there was nothing she could do so I asked for her supervisor - they made the change and now both of us are on the later reservation. That is fine - I didn't have a big preference of times for the 1/2 day excursions. I just think it is horrible that I had to go through this run around. I am mad at DCL and Disney Vacation Club Visa (Chase), but then again I am a spoiled kid who gets to go on this trip

Thanks for everyone's support I think I am done complaining for now

Not good, what I call TEFLON moments where everyone blames the next person. All the best.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Has anyone booked any spa treatment? If so, did you book through the website? I can't seem to get on and book anything.

I will have to call as soon as I have a few minutes.

I didnt book anything, but had a nose around Sunday am seemed ok.

 

[MrsJobba1]

Well, I went to see my TA today. She was amazed that I had a problem - I used AAA and they have quite a cozy relationship with Disney. She called them and they said that my credit card was declined. She asked why they hadn't called her or told me that when I had talked to DCL several times in the last few days - no answer. I called my bank (Disney Vacation Club Visa ) and they said that the card had expired (no, expires 8/08) and that it was declined because it was a large purchase (and the dirt bike that DH bought a couple of weeks ago wasn't?) and they thought it could be a security issue. Last time someone spent $20 on gas in a town that we didn't live in they called me right away - no one could call us and ask us about it Quite an unhappy camper was I. So once that was taken care of, my TA tried to book the exursions for me while on the phone with whoever so that it would all be taken care of - but they said they couldn't do that. Once I got to a computer I could use, I logged in to book the excursions for the 2nd room - I couldn't get the same early time in Palermo as my other cabin. I called DCL and they told me I would have to cancel the early ressie and add the later one to my first cabin - I said no way am I going to cancel anything without knowing that I can definitely get the later time. She said there was nothing she could do so I asked for her supervisor - they made the change and now both of us are on the later reservation. That is fine - I didn't have a big preference of times for the 1/2 day excursions. I just think it is horrible that I had to go through this run around. I am mad at DCL and Disney Vacation Club Visa (Chase), but then again I am a spoiled kid who gets to go on this trip

Thanks for everyone's support I think I am done complaining for now

Im so glad you managed to get things sorted. ixiedust:

The excursions that I booked that had 2 different times (ie an am one or a pm) I actually chose the PM. The reason being is that a lot of the shops etc in the med tend to close in the afternoon for siesta. (normally some time between 1-4) So we got the PM excursions therefore in the am we could get of the ship and wander around the ports / towns and do a bit of shopping.

 

[MrsJobba1]

Has anyone booked any spa treatment? If so, did you book through the website? I can't seem to get on and book anything.

I will have to call as soon as I have a few minutes.

Hi Anna,

If I remember I think Lynn booked a SPa Villa yesterday and Kyla booked something too.

I think I'll settle for the rainforest room - anyone know how much an 11 night pass would cost? $15 x 11 = $165 IS there normally some discount for a pass?

Then I'll look out for discounts on port days for any other treatments

 

[LynnTarrant]

yes I have a spa villa booked for the 3rd august and a pedicure for the first sunday at sea

 

[AnnaS]

yes I have a spa villa booked for the 3rd august and a pedicure for the first sunday at sea

You booked it through the website? You had no problems?

A few times I kept getting web site not responding and the other times, it never loads up.

Thank. If I don't change my mind - will keep trying or call.

 

[salliep]

Hi Everyone!
It's been a busy week for me... I am so happy to hear that everyone is pretty well settled!! I booked Parlemo For Kids without a problem yesterday....poor Andrew.. he's stuck with us again !!
I wanted to try to book a Palo Brunch after readng all your positive comments, but none came up- all booked out. Im hoping they did save some for the first timers and I will be able to slide in.
I also booked 2 spa visits
Well, I just wanted to say hi
Almost time for 24 ( we love that show!!!)
Sallie

 

[salliep]

You booked it through the website? You had no problems?

A few times I kept getting web site not responding and the other times, it never loads up.

Thank. If I don't change my mind - will keep trying or call.

HI Anna
I booked the spa about an hour ago on line and didnt have any problems- try again
Sallie

 

[disneylover5]

Hi Everyone!
It's been a busy week for me... I am so happy to hear that everyone is pretty well settled!! I booked Parlemo For Kids without a problem yesterday....poor Andrew.. he's stuck with us again !!
I wanted to try to book a Palo Brunch after readng all your positive comments, but none came up- all booked out. Im hoping they did save some for the first timers and I will be able to slide in.
I also booked 2 spa visits
Well, I just wanted to say hi
Almost time for 24 ( we love that show!!!)
Sallie

I thought I would try for brunch again on the 75 day limit....maybe they will open some up then??

Was is the rule about booking more than 1 Palo? Now that I have all three of my reservations with a dinner.....it looks like I can not book anymore Palo...

Anyone else have this??
Lisa

 

[AnnaS]

On my son's laptop right now and cannot navigate/type on this keyboard.

Will not even attempt to book spa right now.

Someone mentioned started a tween/teen thread. Would it be just a whole new thread like this one? and just titled July 28th tween/teens or something?

Okay screen is going up and down. Will just read disboard for a few minutes and try to not respond to anything

 

[jlawall]

Yes, I definitely was able to book the spa yesterday but VERY LIMITED OFFERINGS!

Whew! What excitement yesterday! All I can say is that I AM VERY PSYCHED RIGHT NOW!! Time will be flying now, I'm sure!!!

 

[kidcoos3]

Im so glad you managed to get things sorted. ixiedust:

The excursions that I booked that had 2 different times (ie an am one or a pm) I actually chose the PM. The reason being is that a lot of the shops etc in the med tend to close in the afternoon for siesta. (normally some time between 1-4) So we got the PM excursions therefore in the am we could get of the ship and wander around the ports / towns and do a bit of shopping.

That is a good plan - now we are afternoon in Palermo and morning in La Spezia - I may end up trying to get a private for La Spezia.

 

[MrsJobba1]

I thought I would try for brunch again on the 75 day limit....maybe they will open some up then??

Was is the rule about booking more than 1 Palo? Now that I have all three of my reservations with a dinner.....it looks like I can not book anymore Palo...

Anyone else have this??
Lisa

Lisa I have a palo brunch and dinner booked.

I believe you are allowed 1 of each, dinner, brunch & tea (if you can ever get them )