June 8, 2011 – Mediterranean

[mickymania]

Are we going to do a cruise meet?

We would love to do a cruise meet. Also, in the past we have posted pictures as a way to get to know each other better before the cruise.

Wendy

 

[Zoom]

Roll Call:

Chris44..... Chris, Dmom, DD (13)
Nvcruiser..... 3AD Jenny,Harriett,Marsha and Kristie
Pxlbarrel..... 4AD
Zoom..... 2AD, 1CH Cielo, Ed, Josh(11)
Amyren..... 4AD, DD Amy,Jason,Masie(3 1/2), David and Jane
Ebony..... 2AD
Mehaul..... 2AD, 2DD (7,10)
The Nichoson's..... 2AD, DS (13)
Truegray..... 1AD, DD(13), DS(17)
Jedipup..... 2AD, DS(5)
Mickymania..... 2AD
Jeffport..... 5AD, 3 DS (16,11,4) 2 DD(14,3)
Coach P..... 4AD
When I grow up..... 2AD, DGS(11)
GenieDana(Rosemarie Wilson)..... 1AD, 2GDs Shelby(16), Andrea (13)
Goofy4u..... 1AD, DD (14)
StephenKay..... 2AD, DD(16)
Ssisk@remax.net..... 2AD, DS(11)
Jenna..... 6AD, 2DD (7 1/2, 5)
Tbower54..... 2AD, 2DS (7 1/2, 3)
Annekevdbroek..... ???

Please let me know if i missed anyone, also if you want me to add your names.

 

[mehaul]

Roll Call:

Chris44..... Chris, Dmom, DD (13)
Nvcruiser..... 3AD, 1CH
Pxlbarrel..... 4AD
Zoom..... Cielo, Ed, Josh(11)
Amyren..... 4AD, DD(3 1/2)
Ebony..... 2AD
Mehaul..... 2AD, 2DD (7,10)
The Nichoson's..... 2AD, DS (13)
Truegray..... 1AD, DD(13), DS(17)
Jedipup..... 2AD, DS(5)
Mickymania..... 2AD
Jeffport..... 5AD, 3 DS (16,11,4) 2 DD(14,3)
Coach P..... 4AD
When I grow up..... 2AD, DGS(11)
GenieDana..... AD, 2DNieces (teens?)
Goofy4u..... 1AD, DD (14)
StephenKay..... 2AD, DD(16)
Ssisk@remax.net..... 2AD, DS(11)
Jenna..... 6AD, 2DD (7 1/2, 5)
Tbower54..... 2AD, 2DS (7 1/2, 3)
Annekevdbroek..... ???

Please let me know if i missed anyone, also if you want me to add your names.

Looks good.

 

[pxlbarrel]

So where is everyone staying? We'll be in Barcelona 3 nights prior to cruise. We just booked our hotel and we're staying at U232 Hotel.
http://www.u232hotel.com/

We'll be in Barcelona the day before the cruise and we're staying at the AC Diplomatic (unless I find a cheaper alternative we're all happy with). When we get back, we'll be staying at the Hilton Diagonal Mar for one night before heading home. The Hilton had a deal for weekend stays, $121 EU and that includes breakfast. Unfortunately, I couldn't get that for our day before the cruise (it being a Tuesday ... LOL)

I've been looking at the Hotel Emma (talk about a weird looking hotel) and their rates seem ok. I'm just not sure where they're located in relation to Las Ramblas or anywhere else. Take a look at their site ... it looks very futuristic ... or very 60's. A friend stayed at their hotel in Madrid (I forget which room mate it was called) and said it was very nice.

 

[nvcruiser]

Roll Call:

Nvcruiser..... 3AD, 1CH

Please let me know if i missed anyone, also if you want me to add your names.

Guess I forgot to update you all on my end! Oops! So, we are now in 1 room, and there are 4 adults, no kids. It'll be myself (Jenny), my great-aunt (Harriett), and our friends (Marsha and Kristie). It'll be my 3rd cruise, Hari's 2nd, Marsha's 2nd Disney, and Kristie's 1st. We're all so excited. I'm from North-eastern Nevada, while they're all from Utah. We're interested in doing the FE, as long as it's not too huge. My last cruise the group was about 30 and that was about the highest I'd be willing to go again. Can't wait to get on that beautiful ship and enjoy life a bit more!

 

[pxlbarrel]

Does anybody have an idea of how well this cruise has sold? Just read that one of the cruises in September has been cancelled (well, bought up by a private company) and all the cruisers are out of luck. That's kind of scary ....

 

[amyren]

So where is everyone staying? We'll be in Barcelona 3 nights prior to cruise. We just booked our hotel and we're staying at U232 Hotel.
http://www.u232hotel.com/

We are staying at Hotel Cuatro Naciones
http://www.h4n.com/hotel-overview.html
It is definitely NOT the Ritz but DH and I have stayed there before so we know what to expect. It's clean, safe and right on La Rambla! Seriously great location. We are paying 98 Euro for our room, I'm pretty sure that includes breakfast (it did last time).

Roll Call:


Amyren..... 4AD, DD(3 1/2) Amy (me), Jason (DH), Maisie (DD), David (aka Papa aka my dad), Jane (aka Honey aka my mom)

BTW just paid off the cruise this morning!!!

 

[Zoom]

We'll be in Barcelona the day before the cruise and we're staying at the AC Diplomatic (unless I find a cheaper alternative we're all happy with). When we get back, we'll be staying at the Hilton Diagonal Mar for one night before heading home. The Hilton had a deal for weekend stays, $121 EU and that includes breakfast. Unfortunately, I couldn't get that for our day before the cruise (it being a Tuesday ... LOL)

I've been looking at the Hotel Emma (talk about a weird looking hotel) and their rates seem ok. I'm just not sure where they're located in relation to Las Ramblas or anywhere else. Take a look at their site ... it looks very futuristic ... or very 60's. A friend stayed at their hotel in Madrid (I forget which room mate it was called) and said it was very nice.

I checked Hilton for our stay and it's around $230/nt. , waaay over our budget. You're right Hotel Emma is kinda weird looking hotel but it's ok i guess, I tried to get a quote for a 3 night stay (for 3 people) but it's requiring me to book 2 rooms..., seriously?

Does anybody have an idea of how well this cruise has sold? Just read that one of the cruises in September has been cancelled (well, bought up by a private company) and all the cruisers are out of luck. That's kind of scary ....

I just checked the website and looks like every Category is still available... I'm really hoping for a FREE upgrade .

 

[amyren]

I just checked the website and looks like every Category is still available... I'm really hoping for a FREE upgrade .

Me too. We still don't have a cabin number! Our reservation is GTY or whatever. I'm not sure if that's good or bad but I'm hoping for an upgrade!!

 

[Zoom]

Me too. We still don't have a cabin number! Our reservation is GTY or whatever. I'm not sure if that's good or bad but I'm hoping for an upgrade!!

We're GTY too! Here's a for us!!

 

[amyren]

We're GTY too! Here's a for us!!

Pour on the pixie dust! Here's hoping we get bumped up.
Do you know how GTY works? From what I understand we are on hold for now but when does Disney typically assign cabins to those with GTY status?
Also, just curious did you book direct with Disney or through a travel agent? We booked with Dreams Unlimited.

 

[pxlbarrel]

We were upgraded in Dec 09 to a verandah for free ... that was really nice. I wouldn't say no to another one.

 

[pxlbarrel]

I checked Hilton for our stay and it's around $230/nt. , waaay over our budget. You're right Hotel Emma is kinda weird looking hotel but it's ok i guess, I tried to get a quote for a 3 night stay (for 3 people) but it's requiring me to book 2 rooms..., seriously?



I just checked the website and looks like every Category is still available... I'm really hoping for a FREE upgrade .

Yeah, I think the Hilton's promotion ended on January 31st. As for the Hotel Emma... I thought it had rooms where you could add 1 bed so you could fit 3 people. Maybe they've been taken? Or maybe it was a totally different hotel. I've looked at so many in the past 2 weeks, they're all beginning to look the same.

 

[JeffPort]

As of today, we are all paid up on our 11C GTY rooms ... and hoping for an upgrade as well.

I believe this June 8 cruise is very under-booked. My guess is that Disney is going to use this cruise to try out their newly-announced 'Last Minute Bookings' marketing effort (where they basically offer Florida Resident rates to all people willing to fill the boat with only 30-90 days notice).

I'm going to be watching closely for the next month to see if they open up any promo fares before our bookings become non-refundable (90 day window).

 

[JeffPort]

My guess is that Disney is going to use this cruise to try out their newly-announced 'Last Minute Bookings' marketing effort (where they basically offer Florida Resident rates to all people willing to fill the boat with only 30-90 days notice).

Wow ... That prediction sure came true pretty quickly! I see tonight that Disney has published their new "Restricted/Non-Refundable" last-minute fare structure for our cruise.

2 Adults / 2 Children in an Oceanview Stateroom for $5427
2 Adults / 1 Child in a Balcony Stateroom for $5375

If these new fare types sell well, it probably doesn't bode well for those of us hoping for a complimentary upgrade.

 

[Zoom]

Pour on the pixie dust! Here's hoping we get bumped up.
Do you know how GTY works? From what I understand we are on hold for now but when does Disney typically assign cabins to those with GTY status?
Also, just curious did you book direct with Disney or through a travel agent? We booked with Dreams Unlimited.

This is the first time we booked a guaranty room. We booked this with our DVC points. From what i read here at the boards assigning cabins varies, it could be months before the sailing or sometimes you don't find out til you get to the port. We were upgraded once from oceanview to a balcony room before (booked thru DCL direct), we got a call about 2 weeks prior to the sailing.

As of today, we are all paid up on our 11C GTY rooms ... and hoping for an upgrade as well.

I believe this June 8 cruise is very under-booked. My guess is that Disney is going to use this cruise to try out their newly-announced 'Last Minute Bookings' marketing effort (where they basically offer Florida Resident rates to all people willing to fill the boat with only 30-90 days notice).

I'm going to be watching closely for the next month to see if they open up any promo fares before our bookings become non-refundable (90 day window).

Wow ... That prediction sure came true pretty quickly! I see tonight that Disney has published their new "Restricted/Non-Refundable" last-minute fare structure for our cruise.

2 Adults / 2 Children in an Oceanview Stateroom for $5427
2 Adults / 1 Child in a Balcony Stateroom for $5375

If these new fare types sell well, it probably doesn't bode well for those of us hoping for a complimentary upgrade.

I agree with you, i thought deals/special offer won't be available til end of this month or March. The new R/NR fares is pretty good deal. I still hope for free upgrade.....

 

[mehaul]

I think at this point the "Magic" is not going to Tunis. Found this on the UK travel web site:




We advise against all but essential travel to Tunisia.

The situation in Tunisia is now calmer but demonstrations are expected to continue and incidents of violence are still possible.


A State of Emergency was declared on the afternoon of 14 January under which it is illegal for more than two people to congregate in a public place, including in cars. A nightly curfew has been imposed in the Greater Tunis area between the hours of 20:00 and 05:00. Local curfews may be imposed in other areas of the country too. These restrictions remain in force until further notice and could be subject to change. You must respect the curfew and listen for announcements about any changes to the curfew requirements. You may also encounter roadblocks. If so, approach slowly and do not cross any boundaries without permission.


The situation is unpredictable and may change quickly. British Nationals in Tunisia should take responsibility for their own security, monitor the situation closely, stay away from demonstrations and large gatherings of people, public buildings (such as Government offices, the Presidential Palace), exercise caution, and observe instructions given by local security authorities and tour operators.


There is a general threat from terrorism in Tunisia. Attacks cannot be ruled out and could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by British expatriates and foreign travellers. See Safety and Security - Terrorism.

It's official Tunis out, Palermo in. Bummer, we did Palermo on our 2007 Disney Med Cruise. It was nice, but wanted to step foot on a different continent this time.

 

[pxlbarrel]

Yeah, I just got a call from DCL saying Tunis is out and Palermo is in... and they're working on "port adventures" right now.

 

[Zoom]

Did a research on Palermo, found out there's a nice beach that is about 10 min drive from the port... It's Mondello beach. I know my son will be a little bit disappointed that we're not going to Tunisia anymore..... he's been telling friends that he's going to Africa

 

[amyren]

Yep, I was just emailed this link from my TA.
I'm disappointed that it looks like we aren't going to north Africa but so relieved that we may have a new port instead of a day at sea

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/cruises-destinations/europe/