June 15 - June 22 2013 Eastern Fantasy

[TIGGER/POOH4]

Good morning fellow cruisers. Another month has gone by.
We now have only

months to go to the Fantasy.

 

[4newtocruise]

Renting a car one way is usually cheaper than using DCL transport if you have a 3 or more people. If you decide to rent a car then you have to drop everyone off at the port and then return the car and shuttle back to the port. DCL transport from the WDW reports is by far easier and less stressful but you will get to the port later usually after 1pm. One other option you can look at is to hiring a limo to the port. Using a limo you can control when you get to the port and make a stop along the way which some use to pick up some alcohol.

You sold me when you mentioned the alcohol part!

I like the limo idea. I think I would be too confined at SS without a car.

Our last cruise we took the shuttle from the hotel - disaster! It took forever for the time we got up in the morning. The cruise before that we rented a car and DH dropped us all off at the port then Hertz shuttled him back to join us. That wasn't too bad.

 

[4newtocruise]

Good morning fellow cruisers. Another month has gone by.
We now have only

months to go to the Fantasy.

I like to see single digits!!

 

[KSDisneyDad]

Anyone ever use Ground Transportation?

We are thinking of using it instead of renting a car but I'm not sure if it's even any cheaper than getting a rental car. Also, I'm thinking we won't get to the port early if we are coming from SS. A last option would be to use the transportation to the Hyatt than use transportation from there to get to the port.

What do you think?

We've done a car service and have rented a car. We prefer the car rental. Like you, we stay a few days before or after the cruise. (This cruise we are actually staying at AKL before the cruise two nights and after the cruise 3 night at BLT.)

The car rental helps us get around WDW (we dislike the buses) and we also visit the outlet mall to check for any potential "bargains" and make a stop somewhere for bottled water and again for some alcohol to carry onboard. For our family of 5, the rental car provides us with a significant cost savings and gives us a lot of flexibility.

My parents used the Disney transportation from the port to the airport on the last cruise and thought it was very easy and convenient. It worked well for them as it was just the two of them. Since we were staying a few extra days, we of course did the car rental thing again.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

I like to see single digits!!

(the DIS like button).

 

[KSDisneyDad]

Happy Labor Day!

Welcome any new families I've missed since I've last been on! It's been a while. Just moved into a new home so it's been busy!

Looks like our cruise is just about full! I tried to add a friend for my daughter and they said no for our category that it was full!!!!! Guess I'll keep trying.

Yes, keep trying. As you can see, there's been a few on this thread drop out already. As final payment date gets closer, more will cancel. This happened on our cruise this past summer. Months before final payment date, there were only verandah staterooms or higher showing on the DCL website. By the time the cruise rolled around, there were plenty of cabins available in all categories and Disney had to offer discounts to try to fill up the ship. We were able to save over $600 from our Day 1 booking price with one of those discounts. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a repeat.

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

Happy Labor Day!

Welcome any new families I've missed since I've last been on! It's been a while. Just moved into a new home so it's been busy!

Looks like our cruise is just about full! I tried to add a friend for my daughter and they said no for our category that it was full!!!!! Guess I'll keep trying.

You should check this morning. Wow, all cats all open from 11c on up.

 

[4newtocruise]

Wow, they did!

Unfortunately, my DS (10) was so against a friend coming with my daughter. Who knew? You would think he would enjoy the break from his sister.

 

[SDGoofy]

Yes, keep trying. As you can see, there's been a few on this thread drop out already. As final payment date gets closer, more will cancel. This happened on our cruise this past summer. Months before final payment date, there were only verandah staterooms or higher showing on the DCL website. By the time the cruise rolled around, there were plenty of cabins available in all categories and Disney had to offer discounts to try to fill up the ship. We were able to save over $600 from our Day 1 booking price with one of those discounts. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a repeat.

We're in a cabin that holds five but only have four. Been checking trying to add my sister but so far (including today) no such luck. Good idea about checking before full payment is due.

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

Wow, they did!

Unfortunately, my DS (10) was so against a friend coming with my daughter. Who knew? You would think he would enjoy the break from his sister.

I gave up a long time trying to figure out my kids DD13 and DS10.

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

We're in a cabin that holds five but only have four. Been checking trying to add my sister but so far (including today) no such luck. Good idea about checking before full payment is due.

Have you been trying online? Some DISsers have reported issues with this type of change on the site and had success calling guest services. Here is some pixie dust going out to you in getting your sister added to your cabin.

 

[SDGoofy]

Have you been trying online? Some DISsers have reported issues with this type of change on the site and had success calling guest services. Here is some pixie dust going out to you in getting your sister added to your cabin.

Called guest services - no luck bu will keep trying. If not my sister might just meet us for our week at Disney World after the cruise. Thanks for the pixie dust.

 

[4newtocruise]

We're in a cabin that holds five but only have four. Been checking trying to add my sister but so far (including today) no such luck. Good idea about checking before full payment is due.

I checked that same day and was able to add on. Are you sure your in a room that holds 5? I thought all in my category did but found out when I called that I was in a room that was for only 4. Just a thought.

 

[4newtocruise]

Called guest services - no luck bu will keep trying. If not my sister might just meet us for our week at Disney World after the cruise. Thanks for the pixie dust.

Oh, see you called. Keep trying!

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

Good morning fellow cruisers. Another week has gone by.
We now have only

weeks to go to the Fantasy.

 

[SDGoofy]

I checked that same day and was able to add on. Are you sure your in a room that holds 5? I thought all in my category did but found out when I called that I was in a room that was for only 4. Just a thought.

I did verify our cabin holds 5. We are in a Cat 8C (family oceanview) so there aren't as many of those on each deck so maybe that is why I couldn't add on. Just a guess on my part though.

 

[bobbi565]

Hi All!

Don't know if anyone else had been considering the Lord Sheffield Pirate Day Cruise in St. Maarten, but I just booked it, and they're offering a "Hurricane Season Special" right now. If you book between now and the beginning of November, the adult price of the 3 hour cruise, usually $70, is $55, and the children's price, usually $49, is $40! That's a pretty hefty savings.

 

[4newtocruise]

Hi All!

Don't know if anyone else had been considering the Lord Sheffield Pirate Day Cruise in St. Maarten, but I just booked it, and they're offering a "Hurricane Season Special" right now. If you book between now and the beginning of November, the adult price of the 3 hour cruise, usually $70, is $55, and the children's price, usually $49, is $40! That's a pretty hefty savings.

Sounds fun! Did you ever get feedback you were looking for?

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

Hi All!

Don't know if anyone else had been considering the Lord Sheffield Pirate Day Cruise in St. Maarten, but I just booked it, and they're offering a "Hurricane Season Special" right now. If you book between now and the beginning of November, the adult price of the 3 hour cruise, usually $70, is $55, and the children's price, usually $49, is $40! That's a pretty hefty savings.

Sounds good. Congrats on scoring the deal. Thanks for the heads up but we are going for the Bernard's tour for St Maarten. We want to tour the island and hit Maho beach to watch the jets land over your head.

 

[bobbi565]

Never got any feedback on the DIS, but read some reviews on Cruise Critic and Trip Advisor, and it sounds pretty good!