June 5 to June 24: Barcelona to Dover AND First Baltic cruise BACK 2 BACK CRUISERS

[padalyn]

I figured I would start a thread for us BACK 2 BACK folks on the mini reposition and first Baltic cruise....who else will be there with me????

screen name(s) other name(s) cabin
{Padalyn} Cayla & TBA!! (6502)

{Scott H & Lynn G} Scott & Lynn (5522)

{MV Photon} Kevin & Eileen (7120)
Brian & Brendan (7121)

{Yensidfan} Faith, Pete, Courtney, Peter (7512)

{wrabitdad} Bob, Dale and Gordy

{seaulater} Linda & Jamie (6067)

{classicalcinderella} Mary, Wayne, Lisa, Amy (7054)

{TammyAlphabet} Tammy, Chris, Layla (5009)

 

[MV_Photon]

Ahoy, mates!

We (DH, DW, DS-14, & DS-12) have also booked the back-to-back:

• Barcelona-to-Dover, 5 June
• Northern European Capitals, 12 June

We have reserved a "Secret Verandah" Stateroom (Cat 7) + opposite Standard Inside Stateroom (Cat 11). The same pair of cabins we had in the Med 7/07.

In advance, we plan to spend a few days in Barcelona, as that was a highlight of our trip last time.

As before, I will map out itineraries for each port-of-call in picayune detail. I just can't help myself....

BTW -- We also took a 13-day British Isles cruise aboard NCL 7/08. Nice, but we're glad to be back with DCL!

 

[Scott H]

Oh us tooooo, Lynn got us in for both this morn, same stateroom for both cruises, KEWL!!!!!!

 

[Yensidfan]

We are also booked on the repositioning cruise to Dover and the 1st Baltic Cruise. Looking forward to seeing many of you again. Looks like many of the 2007 1st Med cruisers are cruising with us again.

Faith

 

[Lynn G]

Yes, we are booked for both in stateroom 5522! Good to see that you will be on these also Cayla!!!

MV Photon - you must be near us also, either next to us or on the other side of the ship! These rooms are few in number!

From the 12-night thread, there are several other back to back'ers. Maybe they will find their way over here also.

 

[Scott H]

Dosn't look like many of us on this repo cruise so far, big boat for just our four parties, I call dibbs on the Mickey Slide.

 

[Lynn G]

I have learned a few other cruisers on these cruises - hope they make it over here eventually!

Hope everyone has a great day!

 

[dylan'smom]

We're still thinking of doing this -- can i jump in here just to ask a question (or 2 )??

We've been on 6 DCL cruises but have never done a back-to-back. Did you guys all get the same cabin for both legs? Or is it better to have a change? Is there an advantage either way?

Thanks for any opinions -- it sounds fantastic!!

bev

 

[Scott H]

We're still thinking of doing this -- can i jump in here just to ask a question (or 2 )??

We've been on 6 DCL cruises but have never done a back-to-back. Did you guys all get the same cabin for both legs? Or is it better to have a change? Is there an advantage either way?

Thanks for any opinions -- it sounds fantastic!!

bev

This is our first B2B, and it is our understanding that if you have the same stateroom you don't have to pack up and move. This seems easier to me, but just my thoughts.

 

[padalyn]

I got room 6502 for both!!!!

As far as not moving - it is much easier. There is a period when you are not allowed into your room, or off the ship...kinda a no man's land of a couple of hours. It was especially interesting to eat with everyone, then just go and hang out at the pool and watch the crew do their thing. They are amazing! We spent most of the time just hanging about watching the land crew load food, and clean the ship.

If you decide to leave the ship, you have to go through the reboard process of checking in again. We opted to stay onboard, guest services checked the 100 or so people in a couple of hours before everyone else, since our documents were already done, and we had rooms.

It was a lot of fun, but sad to see a lot of the TA folks leave.

I will edit the first post to include room numbers and names if everyone would like me to.

 

[Lynn G]

Cayla, are you saying that it is better not to get off? The DVC person I booked with told me that we had the choise of getting off, but she kept on pushing that there would be NO ammenities on board if we decided to stay. But it sounds like fun to me to hang out together, we could save some food from breakfast so we would not starve .

 

[Scott H]

Cayla, are you saying that it is better not to get off? The DVC person I booked with told me that we had the choise of getting off, but she kept on pushing that there would be NO ammenities on board if we decided to stay. But it sounds like fun to me to hang out together, we could save some food from breakfast so we would not starve .

Why leave from breakfast???? we could bus tables.

 

[padalyn]

Why leave from breakfast???? we could bus tables.

lol...

I personally will stay on the ship unless there is something special in Dover I wish to see. As far as amenities, the drink station is open, and the breakfast seating for us would be the last one usually - so when we are done it is really only about 2 hours before things start up again. As far as stuff to do...I found watching was the most amazing part. The crew realize we are there and have to work around us, so I moved as they came to the section I was in. The pool areas are the "safest" but hanging out on the balcony above the atrium was really interesting. The chairs are comfy, good lighting, and a good book - life doesn't get better!

They prefer if we get off the ship, less people to work around. I found the crew were understanding and thought it was interesting to have us there. They sing and play games...there was music pumped over the PA system in areas. We chatted with a few of the crew, it is as unusual for them as it is for us. The novelty is enjoyed by all I felt.

 

[dylan'smom]

Sounds really great!! So getting off in Dover might be sort of fun, but hanging out onboard sounds too cool....

But since we still don't know if we can do this & will be booking later than you guys the rooms may end up being different, I'm thinking. If we are not able to get the same room on each cruise, and have to pack it all up, do we then send the luggage all off the night before like everyone else? Then go through customs and back in again? That would be so weird to do that then bring it all back on, but I can't imagine dragging it all around the decks either!!

Anyone had to do that before or know what the rules are?
Thanks!!!!
bev

 

[wrabitdad]

Dosn't look like many of us on this repo cruise so far, big boat for just our four parties, I call dibbs on the Mickey Slide.

OK, if Scott's calling dibs on the Mickey slide, we're calling dibs on the Palo brunches.

Hi All,

Count us in for the "Mini Repo" (really like that description) and the 1st Baltic.
Our TA got us in the same cabin which is great, did the same on the 1st transatlantic-1st Med.


We've really gotten hooked on being on DCL's first new itineraries. We really tried to see if we could add a Med because of the new ports this time, but I guess we really do have to go to work sometime.

For those that asked: if you're doing a B2B and have to change cabins you need to pack things up and then your cabin steward will move it to your new cabin (we had to change when we did the B2B eastbound Panama Canal-5 Night this August-September). I would talk to your cabin steward, some other B2B'ers said they didn't have to pack up the closet, things were just moved on the hangers (we didn't learn this until after ).

If you're in the same cabin you can access your cabin during the changeover time, wander the ship (there are no services available, pool closed, etc. we used it as quiet time to do computer work/read in the comfy chairs on deck 5 atrium) or go ashore. It is a great opportunity to see what goes onboard during those changeover hours. For the transatlantic-Med B2B we spent the entire day ashore in Barcelona. If you stayed onboard you simply went to Guest Services to check back in (they need to re-enter credit card info, etc.), if you choose to go ashore you checked back in at the terminal like a regular new passenger (remember to take your passports with you!). DCL will provide specific information in your cabin about what process will be available to B2B'ers.

If there are more questions, ask, we'll try to answer if we can.

Can't wait to see everyone, it's looking like another DisBoard reunion cruise.

Bob & Dale (DW) and of course Gordy

 

[padalyn]

Sounds really great!! So getting off in Dover might be sort of fun, but hanging out onboard sounds too cool....

But since we still don't know if we can do this & will be booking later than you guys the rooms may end up being different, I'm thinking. If we are not able to get the same room on each cruise, and have to pack it all up, do we then send the luggage all off the night before like everyone else? Then go through customs and back in again? That would be so weird to do that then bring it all back on, but I can't imagine dragging it all around the decks either!!

Anyone had to do that before or know what the rules are?
Thanks!!!!
bev

Bev - I think that Bob answered your question about the change of rooms. I did change rooms on the TA/Med cruise, it took all of 10 minutes. The steward brough a rolling cart, took all the drawers out of the "new" room (after it was cleaned) and brought them to my "old" room. We switched the drawers, loaded the hangers on the top and he put it all away. I then spent the next hour decorating the door with all the magnets I had brought. The laundry does stay open, so I took advantage of that as well. I seem to recall doing the recheck in about an hour after breakfast. The system has to be reset and all the personal data erased from the prior cruise, thus re-entry of all the information is needed. We just stopped at guest services and they had one person designated to cover that.

OK, if Scott's calling dibs on the Mickey slide, we're calling dibs on the Palo brunches.

Hi All,

Count us in for the "Mini Repo" (really like that description) and the 1st Baltic.
Our TA got us in the same cabin which is great, did the same on the 1st transatlantic-1st Med.


We've really gotten hooked on being on DCL's first new itineraries. We really tried to see if we could add a Med because of the new ports this time, but I guess we really do have to go to work sometime.

For those that asked: if you're doing a B2B and have to change cabins you need to pack things up and then your cabin steward will move it to your new cabin (we had to change when we did the B2B eastbound Panama Canal-5 Night this August-September). I would talk to your cabin steward, some other B2B'ers said they didn't have to pack up the closet, things were just moved on the hangers (we didn't learn this until after ).

If you're in the same cabin you can access your cabin during the changeover time, wander the ship (there are no services available, pool closed, etc. we used it as quiet time to do computer work/read in the comfy chairs on deck 5 atrium) or go ashore. It is a great opportunity to see what goes onboard during those changeover hours. For the transatlantic-Med B2B we spent the entire day ashore in Barcelona. If you stayed onboard you simply went to Guest Services to check back in (they need to re-enter credit card info, etc.), if you choose to go ashore you checked back in at the terminal like a regular new passenger (remember to take your passports with you!). DCL will provide specific information in your cabin about what process will be available to B2B'ers.

If there are more questions, ask, we'll try to answer if we can.

Can't wait to see everyone, it's looking like another DisBoard reunion cruise.

Bob & Dale (DW) and of course Gordy

Glad to have you Bob, Dale & Gordy - do you want your room number posted? I will add you to post #1 as just a name unless you want it posted.

If everyone remembers what Linda did with the list of who is who - I will start a spread sheet with that info, but due to school I will not be able to take on a lot of extra stuff. If someone else wants to do the mini navigator thing that would be great.

 

[Scott H]

I think Bob and Dale just take Gordy on these trips so they can have an extra baggage allowance.

 

[padalyn]

I think Bob and Dale just take Gordy on these trips so they can have an extra baggage allowance.

hmm - maybe they are on to something!

 

[Scott H]

Bumping us up.

 

[Lynn G]

Good Morning Cruisers!

This thread is a respite after the crazyness of the 1st Baltic (anyone else notice that it is "Batlic" ) thread!

Cayla - how is school going?

Have a great day!