Magical EBTA 2017

[SwingDancingAnn]

Well, now that I've read all of the posts in this thread (and responded to several of them), I should probably introduce myself!

Hi all! My name is Heather, I'm new to the forums and still figuring my way around. My wife and I booked the EBTA cruise today!!! We are so excited. lol, I think this is our 5th Disney Cruise if I'm counting right... we did the Panama Canal last May and it was amazing (we've also done a 3 day, the southern Caribbean, western Caribbean, and a few other non-Disney cruises)... so excited to have another cruise to look forward to! AND - we're headed to Aluani at the end of next month!

My wife does genealogy and some of her ancestors were from Karlshamn, Sweden, so we're planning on staying in Copenhagen for a night or two and then taking a train to Karlshamn. Is anyone familiar with the area? Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Oh, and I would love to participate in candy exchanges, fish extender exchanges, and any other group activities... I'm also a coloring and crafting junky and would love to get together with other colorers and crafters - maybe we could arrange some fun projects to do. The crafting workshops on the ship are fun, but they're usually geared towards really basic skill levels. I'd be happy to host a small craft or coloring meet!

Oh, I'm also an avid collector of Disney Animator Dolls and my absolute favorite Disney character is Stitch... although Lilo comes in as a very close second.

Can't wait to meet all of you!!!

Hi Heather!

I would LOVE to be part of the coloring and crafting group... That would be SO MUCH FUN! I totally agree with you, while the ship workshops are fun... They were pretty basic. I'll definitely make sure to pack my coloring and watercolor painting stuff. (If you enjoy wine and cocktails maybe we can call it coloring and cocktails).

This is only our 2nd Disney Cruise. Last May we were on the Westbound Panama Cruise... And we're hooked after that.

You wouldn't happen to also be into dancing would you?... Particularly swing dancing. On the Panama cruise they had dancing lessons throughout the week and I had so much fun, I went home and started dancing. I would love to find other social dancers. I may try and post something to see if there are any other dancers on the cruise.

I'm looking forward to coloring with you.

 

[SwingDancingAnn]

I was wondering if anyone wanted to get together to do some scrapbooking; maybe organize some make n takes.

I don't scrapbook, but I plan on brining my coloring books and water color painting stuff. There was another cruiser named Heather who also mentioned she's interested informing a group to do crafty/coloring type of stuff.

 

[SwingDancingAnn]

On our 2010 EBTA, people on the DisBoards self organized a cabin tour. We got to see just about every type of cabin on the ship. Is anyone interested in that?

I would totally be in for a cabin tour. Where do I sign up?!?

 

[SwingDancingAnn]

On our 2010 EBTA, people on the DisBoards self organized a cabin tour. We got to see just about every type of cabin on the ship. Is anyone interested in that?

This sounds great! This will only be my second Disney cruise so it would be really cool to see what the other cabin options are like. Count me in. How do I sign up?

 

[SwingDancingAnn]

We will be in Amsterdam for only 9 hours (9.00am - 6.00pm). I hope DCL will publish the Port Adventures soon. But my advise for must-see-places is:
- A boat tour through the canals
- Rijksmuseum, van Gogh Museum (probably long waiting lines)
- Anne Frank House
- A trip to the small villages Volendam/Marken
- A trip to the flower show in the Keukenhof
- Guided tour Red Light District of Amsterdam

The Cruise Terminal is about 10 minutes walk away from the city center of Amsterdam. You can do all the must-see-places on your own. But when DCL offers a package of a few must-see-places it is nice to do that.

When you have more questions, I will be happy to advise you.

Rudisdey, how many of those items on your list do you think I could squeeze into 9 hours?... Also, would you recommend doing a bike tour? I love to be outside and physically active... So I thought this could be a really fun way to experience the city. Any recommendations you have would be a huge help. Also, do you have a favorite baker or coffee shop? I have a passion for great European pastries and food in general... So if you have and favorite bakeries/ breakfast/ lunch/ brunch spots, I would love to hear what they are.

 

[SwingDancingAnn]

I will be on the cruise also together with my wife and friends from Florida. We live in the Netherlands in a town just 6 miles from the centre of Amsterdam. When there are any questions about the interesting spots in Amsterdam, I am happy to answer your questions the next months.

Do you recommend doing a bike tour of Amsterdam? I love to be outside and active and thought this could be a really fun way of experiencing the city. A cruise on the canal is also at the top of my list as well as going to see the small villages... And DEFINITELY I want to get a taste of the food in Amsterdam... Especially if there are any must eat at bakeries and pastry shops. I have a passion for food (i even have a food blog) So please share your favorites.

 

[SwingDancingAnn]

Hello Fellow Cruisers!

I just finished reading all of the posts. Thank you all for your contributions. I've learned so much already.

I'm Ann from Southern California and this will be our 2nd Disney cruise. Our first cruise was May 2016, on the West bound Panama Canal cruise aboard the Disney Wonder.

I will be traveling with my the rest of my "A-Team"... My husband, Andy and my boys, Andrew (12) and Austin (8).

Also along for the ride will be my husband's side of the family, which includes my:
mother-in-law and father-in-law
Sister-in-law and brother-in-law
And their five kids (4 girls ages: 18, 14, 12, 10 and 1 boy age: 16)

Interests:

Are there any DANCERS in this group???
I really enjoy Social Dancing (right now I'm especially into swing dancing, East Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Charelston)
On the westbound Panama Canal cruise, Disney organized 1 hour ball room dancing lessons in the middle of the day. It was super fun, except there wasn't any time allotted afterwards for open dancing to practice what we had just learned, and to experiment and just have fun. I wish there had been some afterwards for social dancing. I think would be SO fun for a group of us to learn some social swing dancing basics that we could use at all the weddings we attend and then hit the dance floor to practice and just have fun together.
Or if there's a group of you who already know how to dance, we can organize our own dance party. This was one aspect that was severely missing for me during the last Disney cruise. I seemed to be the lone dancer in my bunch. Please let me know if you have ideas on how I'd find other fellow dancers on this cruise. (I tried going to the evening disco, but there was never anyone there. Everyone seemed to be asleep. So I'm thinking we might want to have something a little earlier in the day).

Tip: There's actually going to be a week long swing dancing celebration while we're in Copenhagen, called Lindy Exchange Copenhagen. On the day we're docked, there's a parade planned as well as an evening dance party with live bands. Let me know if you're interested in joining me for this event.

Food and Drink: I have a huge passion for food. So much so that I even teach cooking classes and have a food blog where I share my favorite recipes and kitchen tips and tricks. So I would be really interested in any food and drink related groups. In case you're curious... (www.CreatedToCook.com/blog)

Coloring and Watercolor Painting:
It would be lots more fun to do with with a group of like minded creatives. So count me in on these type of groups.

I'd also LOVE to take part in Fish Extenders and the Candy Exchange.

On the Panama Cruise they had an EXCELLENT improve class. I'm hoping they offer another one like it on this cruise.

Question for Veteran Cruisers: I have a sensitivity to motion sickness. The Panama Canal cruise seemed fairly calm. What can I expect on a transatlantic crossing??? I'm a little worried being out in the open ocean. I wore sea bands on the Panama Canal Cruise... But I'm not sure if they would work if conditions were really rocky. (Dramamine makes me sleepy and nauseous... And all the medications seem to have similar active ingredients). I just want to be prepared in case of emergency.

Well... That's enough about me. I can't wait to meet some of you in person.

 

[Rudisdey]

Do you recommend doing a bike tour of Amsterdam? I love to be outside and active and thought this could be a really fun way of experiencing the city. A cruise on the canal is also at the top of my list as well as going to see the small villages... And DEFINITELY I want to get a taste of the food in Amsterdam... Especially if there are any must eat at bakeries and pastry shops. I have a passion for food (i even have a food blog) So please share your favorites.

I think Disney Cruise Line will offer Port Adventures with a cruise on the canals and a visit to small villages outside Amsterdam.
I am still awaiting for these Port Adventures. Than I can give you all more advise to do.

Only when you are an experiences biker, I advise to do a bike tour. The inner city of Amsterdam is full with cars, taxis, motors, scooters and it is a jungle for tourists on bikes.

You can combine visits to museums with a canal cruise. But visiting also small towns outside Amsterdam will be difficult.
When you want to taste bakeries/bread, this is my favorite: http://www.vlaamschbroodhuys.nl/en
They have a few stores in Amsterdam. The one in the Haarlemmerstraat is the nearest to the cruise terminal.

More questions? Please ask, I will be happy to advise all the EBTA cruisers about Amsterdam

 

[bobbiwoz]

Hello Fellow Cruisers!

I just finished reading all of the posts. Thank you all for your contributions. I've learned so much already.

I'm Ann from Southern California and this will be our 2nd Disney cruise. Our first cruise was May 2016, on the West bound Panama Canal cruise aboard the Disney Wonder.

I will be traveling with my the rest of my "A-Team"... My husband, Andy and my boys, Andrew (12) and Austin (8).

Also along for the ride will be my husband's side of the family, which includes my:
mother-in-law and father-in-law
Sister-in-law and brother-in-law
And their five kids (4 girls ages: 18, 14, 12, 10 and 1 boy age: 16)

Interests:

Are there any DANCERS in this group???
I really enjoy Social Dancing (right now I'm especially into swing dancing, East Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Charelston)
On the westbound Panama Canal cruise, Disney organized 1 hour ball room dancing lessons in the middle of the day. It was super fun, except there wasn't any time allotted afterwards for open dancing to practice what we had just learned, and to experiment and just have fun. I wish there had been some afterwards for social dancing. I think would be SO fun for a group of us to learn some social swing dancing basics that we could use at all the weddings we attend and then hit the dance floor to practice and just have fun together.
Or if there's a group of you who already know how to dance, we can organize our own dance party. This was one aspect that was severely missing for me during the last Disney cruise. I seemed to be the lone dancer in my bunch. Please let me know if you have ideas on how I'd find other fellow dancers on this cruise. (I tried going to the evening disco, but there was never anyone there. Everyone seemed to be asleep. So I'm thinking we might want to have something a little earlier in the day).

Tip: There's actually going to be a week long swing dancing celebration while we're in Copenhagen, called Lindy Exchange Copenhagen. On the day we're docked, there's a parade planned as well as an evening dance party with live bands. Let me know if you're interested in joining me for this event.

Food and Drink: I have a huge passion for food. So much so that I even teach cooking classes and have a food blog where I share my favorite recipes and kitchen tips and tricks. So I would be really interested in any food and drink related groups. In case you're curious... (www.CreatedToCook.com/blog)

Coloring and Watercolor Painting:
It would be lots more fun to do with with a group of like minded creatives. So count me in on these type of groups.

I'd also LOVE to take part in Fish Extenders and the Candy Exchange.

On the Panama Cruise they had an EXCELLENT improve class. I'm hoping they offer another one like it on this cruise.

Question for Veteran Cruisers: I have a sensitivity to motion sickness. The Panama Canal cruise seemed fairly calm. What can I expect on a transatlantic crossing??? I'm a little worried being out in the open ocean. I wore sea bands on the Panama Canal Cruise... But I'm not sure if they would work if conditions were really rocky. (Dramamine makes me sleepy and nauseous... And all the medications seem to have similar active ingredients). I just want to be prepared in case of emergency.

Well... That's enough about me. I can't wait to meet some of you in person.

What a great post! Cannot wait to meet you!

These were taken 1/2 way through EBTA 2013. The churning was just the ship's activity, the Atlantic was smooth and beautiful!

It was a bit shaky as we approached Europe, but nothing "bad." Maybe Tom used Dramanine one day, but it was precautionary.

 

[SwingDancingAnn]

What a great post! Cannot wait to meet you!

These were taken 1/2 way through EBTA 2013. The churning was just the ship's activity, the Atlantic was smooth and beautiful!

It was a bit shaky as we approached Europe, but nothing "bad." Maybe Tom used Dramanine one day, but it was precautionary.

View attachment 209416 View attachment 209417

Hi Bobbi!

Thank your to the photos of the Sea. Hopefully this will be another smooth and beautiful trip.

A friend mentioned to me that down by the nurse's station, Disney has a box with packets of something called "Sea Calm"... And she says that it's like nothing you can get in he states. It supposed to get rid of motion sickness without the drowsy effect. Have you or anyone you know tried this "Sea Calm?"

 

[SwingDancingAnn]

I think Disney Cruise Line will offer Port Adventures with a cruise on the canals and a visit to small villages outside Amsterdam.
I am still awaiting for these Port Adventures. Than I can give you all more advise to do.

Only when you are an experiences biker, I advise to do a bike tour. The inner city of Amsterdam is full with cars, taxis, motors, scooters and it is a jungle for tourists on bikes.

You can combine visits to museums with a canal cruise. But visiting also small towns outside Amsterdam will be difficult.
When you want to taste bakeries/bread, this is my favorite: http://www.vlaamschbroodhuys.nl/en
They have a few stores in Amsterdam. The one in the Haarlemmerstraat is the nearest to the cruise terminal.

More questions? Please ask, I will be happy to advise all the EBTA cruisers about Amsterdam

Hi Rudisdey,

Thank you SO MUCH for your insightful response to my questions. I'm SO excited... And after looking at the bakery website that you shared I'm already getting hungry. The photos of the fresh baked breads and other goodies looked AMAZING!

Question:
Do you recommend exchanging currency on board the ship? Or would I get better exchange rates off the ship? Or is it ok to use US Dollars? I'm SO inexperienced when it comes to currency exchange and what is considered best practices. Any insight from you OR anyone else on this board would be grately appreciated.

 

[ImprovGal]

On the Panama Cruise they had an EXCELLENT improve class. I'm hoping they offer another one like it on this cruise.

Question for Veteran Cruisers: I have a sensitivity to motion sickness. The Panama Canal cruise seemed fairly calm. What can I expect on a transatlantic crossing??? I'm a little worried being out in the open ocean. I wore sea bands on the Panama Canal Cruise... But I'm not sure if they would work if conditions were really rocky. (Dramamine makes me sleepy and nauseous... And all the medications seem to have similar active ingredients). I just want to be prepared in case of emergency.

Well... That's enough about me. I can't wait to meet some of you in person.

Hi! I'm booked for this cruise as well. It's my 4th transatlantic and they were so much fun I booked this one as soon as it was released.

On both of the 2016 crossings, we had the multisession improv classes like you had on WBPC. Ours led up to short public evening performances in Fathoms, which I think I heard your cruise may not have had. My understanding is that the classes were well-received. I made sure to tell the cruise directors how much I enjoyed them, and put a little note on the comment card as well. On the WBTA in September I got the impression that they will be offered again on the TA and PC cruises, provided DCL has the instructor on the sailings.

 

[Rudisdey]

Hi Rudisdey,

Thank you SO MUCH for your insightful response to my questions. I'm SO excited... And after looking at the bakery website that you shared I'm already getting hungry. The photos of the fresh baked breads and other goodies looked AMAZING!

Question:
Do you recommend exchanging currency on board the ship? Or would I get better exchange rates off the ship? Or is it ok to use US Dollars? I'm SO inexperienced when it comes to currency exchange and what is considered best practices. Any insight from you OR anyone else on this board would be grately appreciated.

My brother used to work at that bakery so I know the quality of the bakery.
I think it is better to exchange dollars to the foreign currencies at a bank in the USA when possible. Maybe on the airport from where you leave to Orlando/Port Canaveral. During the cruise you must have Euro's (Porto Delgada, Amsterdam), Pounds (Portland, Dover) and Crowns (Denmark).
You can also choose to get the local currency from cash dispensers at the banks in those cities. I don't know if DCL offers interesting rates for the foreign currency.

 

[SwingDancingAnn]

Thank you ImproveGal... Do you do happen to perform improve in your life off the cruise ship?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Updating interest list in local Candy/Snack exchange



SwingDancingAnn
Pawdoc
KJET54
Expedition EverestI
Poookie
Deb T
scottrob
bobbiwoz
tmullem93
cali cruiser
Maple Det
Shawnadb
Tinked

 

[SwingDancingAnn]

Hi! I'm booked for this cruise as well. It's my 4th transatlantic and they were so much fun I booked this one as soon as it was released.

On both of the 2016 crossings, we had the multisession improv classes like you had on WBPC. Ours led up to short public evening performances in Fathoms, which I think I heard your cruise may not have had. My understanding is that the classes were well-received. I made sure to tell the cruise directors how much I enjoyed them, and put a little note on the comment card as well. On the WBTA in September I got the impression that they will be offered again on the TA and PC cruises, provided DCL has the instructor on the sailings.

Hi ImprovGal!

You made me SO HAPPY with your message.

The Improve classes and Dance classes that Disney offered were some of the highlights of my trip... And here's the kicker, neither of them were things I had planned on doing before going on the cruise. They were things I had never even done before in my life... And in all honesty, they were both things I was kinda terrified of doing in public.

But the AMAZING part was that the fear was all in my head. Once I was in the class and committed to fully participating, it was SO MUCH FUN!... while the classes were slightly challenging... But in the best kind of way. It was the kind of challenging that helped to bring about transformation in my life in a way I didn't even know I wanted, but desperately needed.

The concenses in both the dance classes and improve classes were that they were NOT long enough... And that we wished they had offered more classes. If I remember correctly, I think they only offered like 3 or 4 improve classes, that ran about an hour each, during our 2016 Westbound Panama Cruise.

The improve games we played were such a WONDERFUL bonding experience with the other cruisers in the class. It really gave you a sense of people... And I even made a couple of friends I still keep in touch with from the class.

Greg Triggs was the instructor for our improve class. He was an AMAZING teacher and really brought out the BEST in everyone. I'm really hoping he'll be on our EBTA cruise... (Fingers crossed).

So to those of you who are reading this and never considered taking and Improve class or Dance class... But are a bit curious... JUST DO IT... Even if the thought of it scares you. You'll be glad you did. It might just change your life, like it did mine...

 

[SwingDancingAnn]

My brother used to work at that bakery so I know the quality of the bakery.
I think it is better to exchange dollars to the foreign currencies at a bank in the USA when possible. Maybe on the airport from where you leave to Orlando/Port Canaveral. During the cruise you must have Euro's (Porto Delgada, Amsterdam), Pounds (Portland, Dover) and Crowns (Denmark).
You can also choose to get the local currency from cash dispensers at the banks in those cities. I don't know if DCL offers interesting rates for the foreign currency.

Hi again Rudisdey,

A friend mentioned to me that I should definitely make sure I have a Dutch Pancake while I'm in Amsterdam.

I also have this crazy idea that I'd like to stay a bit longer in Europe on my own. Nine hours in Amsterdam and 24 hours in Copenhagen just doesn't seem like enough time.

Do you think it's safe to travel solo as a woman in this part of Europe? Also, how expensive are flights from Copenhagen back to Amsterdam? (If it's too expensive, I may just have to stay put in Copenhagen).

What are some other places in in Amsterdam and Copenhagen you'd recommend experiencing if I had a few extra days.

A friend recommended that I check out this FREE walking tour of Amsterdam:

http://www.neweuropetours.eu/amsterdam/en/home

Have you done or heard of this walking tour?

 

[ImprovGal]

Hi ImprovGal!

You made me SO HAPPY with your message.

The Improve classes and Dance classes that Disney offered were some of the highlights of my trip... And here's the kicker, neither of them were things I had planned on doing before going on the cruise. They were things I had never even done before in my life... And in all honesty, they were both things I was kinda terrified of doing in public.

But the AMAZING part was that the fear was all in my head. Once I was in the class and committed to fully participating, it was SO MUCH FUN!... while the classes were slightly challenging... But in the best kind of way. It was the kind of challenging that helped to bring about transformation in my life in a way I didn't even know I wanted, but desperately needed.

The concenses in both the dance classes and improve classes were that they were NOT long enough... And that we wished they had offered more classes. If I remember correctly, I think they only offered like 3 or 4 improve classes, that ran about an hour each, during our 2016 Westbound Panama Cruise.

The improve games we played were such a WONDERFUL bonding experience with the other cruisers in the class. It really gave you a sense of people... And I even made a couple of friends I still keep in touch with from the class.

Greg Triggs was the instructor for our improve class. He was an AMAZING teacher and really brought out the BEST in everyone. I'm really hoping he'll be on our EBTA cruise... (Fingers crossed).

Yes, Greg Triggs is the person who ran the workshops on the EBTA and WBTA sailings this year. He is indeed a fantastic teacher and is incredibly supportive. I do perform improv professionally part-time, but still enjoyed the workshops as opportunities to learn how to teach, as well as become a better performer. If he's back onboard for the crossings, he plans to offer the classes again and hopefully be able to block a bit longer time than 30-45 minute blocks for each installment.

You asked about the potential for rough seas on the cruise. That's certainly always a possibility. The WBTA in September was fairly smooth. The EBTA in May, however, had a stretch of rough sea conditions as we crossed that was disruptive enough to affect the mainstage rehearsals of Twice Charmed. We had a more northerly route across, though -- Nova Scotia to Dublin. The 2017 route is straight from Port Canaveral to the Azores, and that may bring us smoother sea conditions. I don't take any medication for seasickness, but I do bring ginger candies and crystallized ginger with me and eat that to stave off nausea.

 

[Rudisdey]

Hi again Rudisdey,

A friend mentioned to me that I should definitely make sure I have a Dutch Pancake while I'm in Amsterdam.

I also have this crazy idea that I'd like to stay a bit longer in Europe on my own. Nine hours in Amsterdam and 24 hours in Copenhagen just doesn't seem like enough time.

Do you think it's safe to travel solo as a woman in this part of Europe? Also, how expensive are flights from Copenhagen back to Amsterdam? (If it's too expensive, I may just have to stay put in Copenhagen).

What are some other places in in Amsterdam and Copenhagen you'd recommend experiencing if I had a few extra days.

A friend recommended that I check out this FREE walking tour of Amsterdam:

http://www.neweuropetours.eu/amsterdam/en/home

Have you done or heard of this walking tour?

I have never been in Copenhagen before. So I cannot give any advise about Copenhagen.
There are cheap flights from Copenhagen to Amsterdam with SAS Airlines and KLM. With luck you can book a ticket for less than 100 euro.
It is save to travel in Western Europe on your own.
You can easily spend more than ony 9 hours in Amsterdam. There is a lot to see in the Netherlands and you can travel to easily by train or rental car.
The Dutch Pancakes are fabulous. We are used to it and it is really different from the pancakes in the USA.
I do not know the free walking tour but it takes you to the famous spots in Amsterdam. But it will be quick visits with ony 2.5 hours for the tour.
When you lijke meseums, we have famous ones in Amsterdam like the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Musuem. Only these 2 can take more than one day.

Saw also your post about dancing. My wife (also on the cruise) is an experienced Ballroom and Latin dancer. She has more than 30 years dancing classes.

 

[Lonnstar]

Hello all,

Thanks for sharing all your thoughts and ideas about the upcoming transatlantic cruise. There is a wealth of information shared by all of you that really helps us to get off to a good start with planning.

My two daughters (aged 5&7) and I will be joining you all on our first transatlantic cruise and 3rd Disney cruise. On our previous trips I had a hard time convincing the girls to leave the ship in ports so I figured a transatlantic cruise with many sea days would suit them perfectly.

We would love to join the Pin Trade and FE although we are new to the board and need to post first

We are looking forward to meeting you all soon!