May 12, 2007 -- Taking the Magic to the Mediterranean -- 14 day Repo Cruise! Part 2

[misseulalie]

Yes, we were cat 12 - cat 9 - don't know why we got it! It was purely random I'm sure.

What did your TA do to keep you in your Cat. 9? My TA told me if I wanted the $200, I would have to go back to my Cat. 12 GTY.

So, what does your TA know that mine doesn't???

 

[AuntyBrat]

We have personally asked the manager and servers in Palo's. They DO NOT get the $10 for tipping. From the $10 about $8 of it goes to added food costs and the remaining $2 goes to tipping. We always add about $10 per person for an additional tip for the good service for brunch or dinner and adjust accordingly up from there.

We usually end up adding at least $10 per person, one time we did $20 extra per person because our server just blew us away. He was so awesome! I like martinis and my friends like wine and he helped pick out martinis and the wine that would go best with each course!! And yes, that was over and above the cost of the drinks. We were so impressed at how good a meal we had for the price. I think each of us came to $60 ($10 fee, $20 tip and bar bill) and we considered it a BARGAIN!!!!

 

[Hoagie Pie]

OK this is the list Disney just sent me:
Bridge to Terabithia
Cars
Deja vu
Invincible
Meet the Robinsons
Pirates 2
Primeval
The Guardian
The Invisible (premieres 4/13/07)
The Prestige
The Shaggy Dog
Santa Clause 3
Step Up
Wild Hogs

Thanks for getting the movie list. I saw all but the Robinsons and Invisible. Isn't that one Rated R too - I don't care just as long as it isn't gruesome.

 

[tig82174]

Can someone please check there online ressies and see what it says. I just checked mine and it has me in a cat 12 gyt no room # and no ressies for anything! They also have me down for late dinner. I am hoping that DCL is messing with the ressies but I just do not know. Thanks!

Oh my!! I was literally JUST going to post and ask if all this price cutting and rebooking was screwing up people's reservations....and maybe it is!!

I'm sure that there hasn't been any kind of dramatic price cut for us in a Category 4.....but I was curious nonetheless....but after the drama of the last fiasco we're not going to bother with any kind of room changes or anything unless it's a dramatic price drop.

Although I will say that the more I see about the cost of all your trips the more I think we're nuts!!! Based on what I'm seeing from some of your dollar figures we're spending three times as much or more for TWO people than some of you are spending for a family of four...AAAAHHHH!!! Thank heavens we planned ahead and actually have the money for this trip and we can afford it....but it's clear that the price differential between the category 4 rooms and the "lower" categories is pretty steep!! We better get a really nice room!!! hehehe

(I'm just teasing, though, we have no qualms about the cost of this trip....and we recognize this is our big trip for this decade...we won't take another trip of this level for a long time to come!)



Erik

 

[milestogo]

We have personally asked the manager and servers in Palo's. They DO NOT get the $10 for tipping. From the $10 about $8 of it goes to added food costs and the remaining $2 goes to tipping. We always add about $10 per person for an additional tip for the good service for brunch or dinner and adjust accordingly up from there.

I totally believe this is true. I think my TA is going with what he was told. I'll plan to tip extra no matter what.

 

[AuntyBrat]

Thanks for getting the movie list. I saw all but the Robinsons and Invisible. Isn't that one Rated R too - I don't care just as long as it isn't gruesome.

The Robinsons was cute (but apparently, YMMV on this one) and my daughter and I were looking forward to The Invisible, so I will catch that one before we go and let you all know. I can always watch it again. Of course, the big thing is going to be POC3. On the 2008 WB Panama cruise it looks like we will be getting Chronicles of Narnia 2 premeEARed on that one!

 

[seaulater]

Oh my!! I was literally JUST going to post and ask if all this price cutting and rebooking was screwing up people's reservations....and maybe it is!!

I'm sure that there hasn't been any kind of dramatic price cut for us in a Category 4.....but I was curious nonetheless....but after the drama of the last fiasco we're not going to bother with any kind of room changes or anything unless it's a dramatic price drop.

Although I will say that the more I see about the cost of all your trips the more I think we're nuts!!! Based on what I'm seeing from some of your dollar figures we're spending three times as much or more for TWO people than some of you are spending for a family of four...AAAAHHHH!!! Thank heavens we planned ahead and actually have the money for this trip and we can afford it....but it's clear that the price differential between the category 4 rooms and the "lower" categories is pretty steep!! We better get a really nice room!!! hehehe

(I'm just teasing, though, we have no qualms about the cost of this trip....and we recognize this is our big trip for this decade...we won't take another trip of this level for a long time to come!)



Erik

Party in Erik's room!

 

[misseulalie]

Just checked my email....


Jennifer,
Just spoke with the Disney agent and he said that you still have cabin 2136 and the $200.00 discount as well. I love it when it all works out like that!

Have a good one!
Kathy

WOW!!!

YEA!!!!!!!!
I LOVE MY TA!!!!

 

[sandyneck]

I had originally posted that my travel agent said I would lose my Cat 9 room if I wanted the credit. After checking the board this afternoon and seeing some of you had luck in getting the credit and keeping your room, I called again, and sure enough, my credit card will have a $200 refund and I will stay in my same room!! This just keeps getting better!! Thanks, as always, for posting this info, I would have never called back

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

Do any of you wonder if the entertainment and possibly even food will be downgraded since they are nearly giving these rooms away just to fill the boat?

 

[cquick]

Good! Medical forms checked off the list - disboard people come in as handy helpers once again!!!!

Connie, dancing???? you'd better watch yourself so you don't get stuck not going out for excursions. How about if we put you in a twirling chair and you move your arms around in the air. We'll take turns spinning you.

Hey! you forgot! I am NOT in the wheelchair anymore, and I don't think Patrick's going to let me use his! I am doing so well now, and only using a cane, I had BETTER be DANCING!

 

[AuntyBrat]

I had originally posted that my travel agent said I would lose my Cat 9 room if I wanted the credit. After checking the board this afternoon and seeing some of you had luck in getting the credit and keeping your room, I called again, and sure enough, my credit card will have a $200 refund and I will stay in my same room!! This just keeps getting better!! Thanks, as always, for posting this info, I would have never called back

Yeah!!! Glad you got the money and got to keep your room!!!

 

[kpros]

sandyneck - are you on the cruise list? Don't want you to miss out on anything.

Ken

 

[cquick]

I would rather have had the 1 bedroom suite on deck 8 and pay more than the family suite on deck 7. BUT, I think Disney does charge quite a bit more for Categories 2,3,and 4.

What we need to do is find out who is in The Walt Disney Suite or the Roy Disney Suite and make friends with them! How about that?

 

[txaggie94gigem]

Do any of you wonder if the entertainment and possibly even food will be downgraded since they are nearly giving these rooms away just to fill the boat?

i DO NOT think anything will be downgraded...i truly think DCL is doing everything they can to help their employees...they live off their tips and if the ship is only half full some will go without tips for 2 weeks! i truly think DCL is just trying to get more people on the ship for their employees to get tipped, which is their livelihood....

i think DCL is making plenty of money off those with the balconies to feed us in the "lower" cabins.... (just kidding!!!)

 

[gydell]

All my ressies are back to normal now. Thanks to everyone for checking. Thank goodness my TA will be back tomorrow! Then I can check on getting the new lower price and keeping my upgrade.

 

[Kissimmee]

I totally believe this is true. I think my TA is going with what he was told. I'll plan to tip extra no matter what.

I certainly don't mean to tell anyone how or what to tip but for the record Disney specifically states that Palo's tip is included. Knowing this we do still leave a modest tip.

From the Disney web site........................

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en_US/help/overview?name=OnboardServicesFAQLandingPage#9

It is customary to give gratuities in recognition of service, which you will most likely be treated to in abundance aboard the ship. As a guideline, may we suggest the following:

Per Guest per cruise 3-Night 4-Night 7-Night
Dining Room Server $11.00 $14.75 $25.75
Dining Room Asst. Server $8.00 $10.75 $18.75
Dining Room Head Server $2.75 $3.75 $6.50
Stateroom Host/Hostess $10.75 $14.50 $25.25
Dining Manager Your Discretion
Room Service Your Discretion
Palo Gratuity included
Vista Spa & Salon Your Discretion
Babysitting Gratuity not expected
Shore Excursions Optional; not included in shore excursion price.
For your convenience, a 15% gratuity is automatically added to bar, beverage, wine and deck service tabs. All gratuities can be charged to your room charge.

At the Walt Disney World® Resort, 15% is the customary gratuity at restaurants and bars.

 

[milestogo]

Thanks for posting that tipping info, we were just looking for it!

good news, Gydell.

very good news, Connie.

 

[BobandLee]

Good Evening All.
Finally got our air reservations.....

just curious....does anyone else have a 10:00 am flight out of Barcelona?
Glad this is Disney's doing and they will make it work out. (fingers crossed)

 

[seaulater]

I certainly don't mean to tell anyone how or what to tip but for the record Disney specifically states that Palo's tip is included. Knowing this we do still leave a modest tip.

From the Disney web site........................

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en_US/help/overview?name=OnboardServicesFAQLandingPage#9

It is customary to give gratuities in recognition of service, which you will most likely be treated to in abundance aboard the ship. As a guideline, may we suggest the following:

Per Guest per cruise 3-Night 4-Night 7-Night
Dining Room Server $11.00 $14.75 $25.75
Dining Room Asst. Server $8.00 $10.75 $18.75
Dining Room Head Server $2.75 $3.75 $6.50
Stateroom Host/Hostess $10.75 $14.50 $25.25
Dining Manager Your Discretion
Room Service Your Discretion
Palo Gratuity included
Vista Spa & Salon Your Discretion
Babysitting Gratuity not expected
Shore Excursions Optional; not included in shore excursion price.
For your convenience, a 15% gratuity is automatically added to bar, beverage, wine and deck service tabs. All gratuities can be charged to your room charge.

At the Walt Disney World® Resort, 15% is the customary gratuity at restaurants and bars.

Yes, you don't have to tip any extra in Palo's, just be aware that they don't get the $10 per person, they only get about $2 out of the $10.