Magic Christmas Cruise 2010 (Dec 18th - 29th) - PART II

[discruiser]

Wow...I can't believe how active this thread has become lately.... a sure sign that our cruise will be here soon! I haven't posted much on here at all, and since it's been so long since I have posted, I wanted to re-introduce ourselves.

Sailing in our party are myself, DH, DSis, DS12, DD10, DD6, and DS4. This will be our 6th Disney cruise, and DSis's 1st Disney cruise. Our most recent cruises were the Panama Canal cruise in Aug 2008 and the Thanksgiving cruise on the Magic last year. We are looking forward to our first cruise as Gold members!

We live outside of Houston, TX and are also DVC members. We visit WDW, on average, 1-2 times per year. We have a couple nights booked at the Treehouse Villas after the Christmas cruise. We are also booked on the Dream for March (thanks DVC points!) and Alaska next June.

I am really looking forward to this cruise. After the PC cruise, we found that we really like the longer cruises. The PC cruise was 15 nights long, and we still weren't ready to get off the ship! My kids have no idea that we are doing this cruise (with the exception of my nosy DS12...I think he suspects something may be up!). We haven't decided when we're going to tell them about the trip...I think we may wait until around Thanksgiving time. I'm not sure how the kids are going to react to being on the ship and not at home on Christmas Day. Hopefully they will be as excited as DH and I are!

I sent my pm for the FE's the other day so hopefully we will be on the next updated list.

I am hoping to become more active on here, but now that the kids are back in school, we are busy, busy, busy with all their activities! This cruise will be here before we know it!

Kim

 

[eve adkins]

Just wondering if anyone knows if there is any connection between when you book your GTY cat 12 and who possibly gets upgraded? Do they upgrade those who booked there's first? I personally don't care if we get upgraded but I am hoping we at least have our rooms next to or across from each other. That was something they couldn't guarantee buying that category.

 

[eve adkins]

We're waiting, too! We've got 2 Cat 12s booked (one with 3 people and one with 4). I booked connecting 10's about 2 years ago (the first day bookings for this cruise opened) and just a few weeks ago switched to the 12s after I read on the boards that the 12s had opened up. I was really sad to give up my 10s, but they weren't worth the $4000 that we saved by going to the 12s!! I am anxious and a little nervous to see where we end up!

What confused me was after we booked and I looked through the Disney web site it looked like category 12 was only available in rooms for 3. So wouldn't that mean they'd have to automatically up grade you if one of your rooms had 4 people in it?

 

[discruiser]

Just wondering if anyone knows if there is any connection between when you book your GTY cat 12 and who possibly gets upgraded? Do they upgrade those who booked there's first? I personally don't care if we get upgraded but I am hoping we at least have our rooms next to or across from each other. That was something they couldn't guarantee buying that category.

I wish I knew! We have never booked 12s before and are in the same situation as you. I am hoping for rooms near each other, but since my sister is sailing with us, it wouldn't be the end of the world if we're split up. (She can stay in one room with a couple of the kids so that DH and I can stay together.) We booked this cruise on opening day but just switched to the 12s a few weeks ago so I'm not even sure what they would consider our booking date.

 

[discruiser]

What confused me was after we booked and I looked through the Disney web site it looked like category 12 was only available in rooms for 3. So wouldn't that mean they'd have to automatically up grade you if one of your rooms had 4 people in it?

I believe so. I think we'll get an upgrade to at least an 11 for that one room. I don't think there is any difference between an 11 and a 12 except for location. Hoping they'll keep both rooms the same category but no guarantees! I keep checking DCL's website almost daily to see if our rooms have been assigned yet! And, I think the 12s were still available on the website as of a couple days ago so it may be a while before we hear anything.

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

I was able to get dinner reservations at Palo, but no brunch or high tea. Making the mad dash as soon as we board. We would love to try for high tea. Does anyone make spa reservations prior to cruise? Has anyone done the Alone Time? Opinions or recommendations for spa?

I booked all my spa treatments. That is a high priority for me. I have reservations for a Swedish at the beginning of the cruise and a hot stone at the end. My DH is getting a Swedish after he golfs. We are also doing the Rasul (Love it), which I highly recommend. It is a great opportunity for "couple time".

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

Good luck to all our GTY Disers. I will keep my figners crossed for you.

Thought of the day...Magnets! Please post your magnets. I have some, but I am still trying to work it out. Any ideas will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Happy Tuesday! DWTS Result Show is tonight! Go BABY!

Talk to you soon and take care.

 

[Evans Family]

now that everything is booked - it's time to wait for my room assignment! We booked the gty 12 so i can't wait to find out where on the ship we are going to be?????

Anyone else waiting too???

we are too!

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

I love Dancing with the Stars! We are voting for Jennifer Gray and Kurt Warner. Kurt played football at the local university here so it's like voting for one of our own.

Sounds like your daughter had a great time!

Okay so what do you think? Jennifer rocked it! I enjoyed their waltz. Kurt and Rick (Fox, what a fox) represented well for the sportsmen. I also loved the cutie from the Disney Channel. Poor Situation...It did not work out well for him. I think Margaret Cho is the first to go, but I love her on Diva.

 

[Evans Family]

We have a Cat 12 GTY also. We booked a Cat 12 last year for Christmas. On 10/27, a bunch of people got calls from DCL offering Cat 9s for $150. We were lucky enough to get the call and took the Cat 9 for $150, but a lot of people on our thread didn't get that offer. A good friend of mine not only didn't get the call, but was assigned 2 Cat 12 cabins. So, I know the reality of the Cat 12 gamble . On 11/5, cabin assignments were posted for people who didn't get/take the Cat 9 offer. So, I'm not expecting anything for at least another month.

Was there any rhyme or reason to who got called? Did it matter how many past cruises you had taken or when you made your reservation?

 

[HFC1969]

87

 

[disneycruising]

I am really looking forward to this cruise. After the PC cruise, we found that we really like the longer cruises. The PC cruise was 15 nights long, and we still weren't ready to get off the ship! My kids have no idea that we are doing this cruise (with the exception of my nosy DS12...I think he suspects something may be up!). We haven't decided when we're going to tell them about the trip...I think we may wait until around Thanksgiving time. I'm not sure how the kids are going to react to being on the ship and not at home on Christmas Day. Hopefully they will be as excited as DH and I are!

Kim

Hi Kim

My Dh and I feel the same way, after doing the Panama Canal Cruise (in 2004)... anything under 14 days is not long enough. After 14 days on the ship...7 seems so short. That is why be are doing our first B2B cruise this time, we will also be doing' New Years on the Magic'.

Like your children, mine do not know about the cruise. I am not sure when we are going to tell them yet. My youngest DD (10) is going to be that we are not going the Grandma & Papa's house for Christmas...which we have done all her life. I am hoping that we can convince her that Christmas & New Years on the Magic...is just as good as going to grandma's.

 

[riggins]

Just wondering if anyone knows if there is any connection between when you book your GTY cat 12 and who possibly gets upgraded? Do they upgrade those who booked there's first?

What confused me was after we booked and I looked through the Disney web site it looked like category 12 was only available in rooms for 3. So wouldn't that mean they'd have to automatically up grade you if one of your rooms had 4 people in it?

Was there any rhyme or reason to who got called? Did it matter how many past cruises you had taken or when you made your reservation?

Last year on our thread we compared when everyone booked, their past cruise history, party size, etc. and we weren't able to come up with any rhyme or reason for the phone call offers or the cabin assignments. It really seemed to be random.

Yes, the Cat 12s only sleep 3, so when they let you book one with 4 people, you automatically get an upgrade to at least a Cat 11. We have a family of 4 and this is the 4th time we've booked a Cat 12. The first two times, we were assigned a Cat 10 and last year we got a Cat 9 for $150. So, we've been very lucky (and saved a lot of money!!). I'm crossing my fingers that my luck doesn't run out this time!

 

[DVC4US]

Okay so what do you think? Jennifer rocked it! I enjoyed their waltz. Kurt and Rick (Fox, what a fox) represented well for the sportsmen. I also loved the cutie from the Disney Channel. Poor Situation...It did not work out well for him. I think Margaret Cho is the first to go, but I love her on Diva.

I have to agree with everything you said. It was really a good first night and I can't wait to see the results tonight.

 

[Liz Arjay]

We're waiting, too! We've got 2 Cat 12s booked (one with 3 people and one with 4). I booked connecting 10's about 2 years ago (the first day bookings for this cruise opened) and just a few weeks ago switched to the 12s after I read on the boards that the 12s had opened up. I was really sad to give up my 10s, but they weren't worth the $4000 that we saved by going to the 12s!! I am anxious and a little nervous to see where we end up!

I'm sure your rooms will be great - I don't think there is a bad room on the ship - besides, who spends time in the room? By the way, how do you add photos to the bottom of your post? I want to put my kids' pics on but don't know how.

 

[Liz Arjay]

Liz: In St. Martin, we always go to Divi's Little Bay. It is behind the Divi time-share resort. It's a short cab ride away from the port. I think it was $4 per person each way. The taxi drivers know it well. When you first step across the patio onto the beach, you may be approached by someone from the time share offering to show you around. You are absolutely not obligated to do this. We always politely decline. The beaches on St. Martin are all public.

I like this beach a lot because it is always quiet. Being on the Dutch side of the island, there are very few if any topless guests there. You can rent umbrellas and lounge chairs for $5 apiece. There is a bar where you can get food and drinks. There are bathroom facilities. And the beach is very nice. You get a little more wave action in the winter than you do in the summer, but we really enjoy it there. I told my DD2 that we might try another beach this time for variety. She was not happy about that.

In Barbados, we went to a really great beach. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name. This time, we plan to go over to Accra Beach. The "hot spot" beach to go in Barbados is The Boatyard (Dockyard?). It is close to the pier and lots of the passengers and the crew go there. It tends to be really crowded and very loud. It's not what we look for in a beach, but lots of people have a great time. Taxi's in Barbados are expensive, though.

I haven't been to Guadeloupe or Martinique, so I can't help you there.

Thanks for these tips which are very helpful! I looked into Barbados, and see that the place where the DCL Beach Break excursion goes is only 2 miles south of the pier, so a cheap cab fare or brisk walk. It's called Harbor Lights. The beach is public access. Also, the Boatyard place you mentioned is on the way - about 1.5 miles south. Looks like there is a $15 admission charge to use the inflatables in the water (water trampolines, inflatable "iceberg climbing wall", big slides) that my 3 teenagers would like. Maybe it won't be so loud and crowded in the morning. Another fun attraction is the Mount Gay Rum tour which is about 1/4 mile north of the pier - and only $7 which includes samples! Not sure that is the best for my teens, however...

 

[CrusinLattas]

I checked staterooms again and it looks like there are still available on all catagories except 1 - 3 and 6-7. The Florida Resident Rate probably helped the veranda rooms fill up. Wonder if they will do any other specials before we sail? Our agency got $100 room credits deal that will expire on Wednesday the 22nd that would apply to this cruise. I am just amazed that it is not full - especially at the great price!

 

[Marcy Mouse]

I was wondering if gty 12's with linked ressies have a better chance of an upgrade?

We had about 5 or 6 gty 12 rooms linked for our cruise (friends from DIS boards) last Dec 5, 2009 and we were all upgraded to cat 9's on deck 2 all rooms in a row.

 

[clukas]

I checked staterooms again and it looks like there are still available on all catagories except 1 - 3 and 6-7. The Florida Resident Rate probably helped the veranda rooms fill up. Wonder if they will do any other specials before we sail? Our agency got $100 room credits deal that will expire on Wednesday the 22nd that would apply to this cruise. I am just amazed that it is not full - especially at the great price!

Could you tell which TA has the special $100 incentive to book this cruise? You can PM me if you want.

We have been debating whether we are going on this cruise or the PC cruise in January. Basically whatever we can get the best deal on and we'll go. Since the PC hasn't announced any special deals we might as well take the sure thing.

Do you know what this agent is offering for OBC including the $100?

Thanks

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

I checked staterooms again and it looks like there are still available on all catagories except 1 - 3 and 6-7. The Florida Resident Rate probably helped the veranda rooms fill up. Wonder if they will do any other specials before we sail? Our agency got $100 room credits deal that will expire on Wednesday the 22nd that would apply to this cruise. I am just amazed that it is not full - especially at the great price!

Do you know the Florida Resident Rates? I am just wondering how much they save. When the Wonder finally calls SoCal home, I hope DCL has a California Resident Rate for us. Thanks