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

[gydell]

My DD ask me if I was sure that we were not behind the ship kicking and at meal times they are going to throw food over to us! This is turning out to be an inexpensive vacation.

 

[NHdisneylover]

They are almost paying us to go! But, like others have said I think the service and quality will be just as high as always. Why? Partly because some people in the high end rooms did pay a lot for this trip and deserve to get their $$$ worth. Also, there are many newbies on this trip. It is in DCLs best interest to impress all of the new cruisers and build their client base to fill those new ships (and keep the rest of us comming back for more also). Cutting the service/quality would be a terrible PR move and very unDisneylike. I have no worries.

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

Yes, my husband said that he expects the quality of the cruise to be the same in order for DCL to protect its reputation and the Disney name.

We had a difficult time on our last cruise due to several things I will not elaborate on, but suffice it to say that amoung other things, fresh paint and small boys do not mix.

Anyway, DCL was kind enough to send us 3 days of park hopper tickets and two new pairs of little boy pants for our troubles . That was for 10 people. The cost was minimal to them, but is worth $2K to us, and protected their reputation with us. They do try to help everyone have a pleasant sail.

 

[roserae]

Cutting the service/quality would be a terrible PR move and very unDisneylike. I have no worries.

I agree, cutting quality is just not the Disney way. That's why we all like them so much. I've never been on a cruise before, but am a frequent traveler to the parks. I have no reason to expect any less from the cruiseline. They have a reputation to uphold.

Just curious...what is the capacity for guests on the ship? I have no idea. Never been on ANY cruise, so it is a mystery to me.

Also, is it because we are first-time cruisers, but I see people have multiple ressies for Palo's, but it will only let us do one dinner. We'd love to do the brunch too.

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

Roserae, you are right across the hall from us. We have a 5 year old boy (and with 6 older sisters, girls are not a problem for him!) We'll try to keep our partying down--LOL--no difficult considering the two little ones with us!

I think you are very brave to go on a two week cruise for your first cruise! I'm sure you will have fun, though, as it is Disney!

 

[tig82174]

They are almost paying us to go! But, like others have said I think the service and quality will be just as high as always. Why? Partly because some people in the high end rooms did pay a lot for this trip and deserve to get their $$$ worth. Also, there are many newbies on this trip. It is in DCLs best interest to impress all of the new cruisers and build their client base to fill those new ships (and keep the rest of us comming back for more also). Cutting the service/quality would be a terrible PR move and very unDisneylike. I have no worries.

I couldn't agree with Hadley more!!

First---You can look even to the treatment and service you get in the All Star Resorts and Pop Century to see that Disney is not necessarily a "you get what you pay for" company in the truest sense. Sure rooms are smaller and it's a very different experience than it is for the high end resorts....but the service is generally still excellent and they work to make sure you have the best experience possible.

Second---As one of the people in a higher end room, Hadley's right, we are paying more (gladly!). Disney won't shaft us just because others who were less able/willing to fork out the cash are in lower price rooms. Plus...when we're all sitting in a theater or up in the pool...we're not wearing our stateroom numbers on our shirts....so once you're out of your cabin we're all just guests trying to have an amazing magical cruise experience...and Disney knows that and will treat us as such.

And finally---DCL is adding 2 more boats----which stands to reason that there will be more "big" trips like this one in the future...maybe even bigger at some point, who knows. So Disney needs to create some crazy buzz about how amazing this trip was so that future big endeavors will sell like hotcakes. Clearly the last Panama cruise was incredible...as evidenced by the fact that so many people speak so highly of it....AND by the fact that next year's PC Cruise is already completely sold out. Disney is going to try to re-create that magic for us this time around, I have NO doubt. In fact, Jason and I are convinced that this cruise will likely be one of the most amazing in DCL history and we're SOOOOO thrilled to be a part of it!!



Erik

 

[NHdisneylover]

I'm not sure what the deal is with Palo. In the past I could book one brunch, one tea and one dinner online. This time as soon as I booked the dinner it would not let me book anything else. I was shocked. I would have booked brunch (which we have never had) if I had known this would happen. It seems that somehwere along the line DCL suddenly switched to a one booking of any kind per non suite reservation. Oh well. We'll try on board, and while we enjoy Palo there is more than enough for us to do without it.

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

Erik, I totally agree with you, in spite of my initial reservations. I also think you should go into PR. That last post was amazing!

 

[mom_rules]

Hi Susie - welcome! We usually stay at the Hyatt the night before the cruise. It is easy and very convenient and you don't have to rent a car. They included breakfast in the morning and we paid $229.00. We are all excited and there is a lot to catch up with, but don't stress.

Just rebooked the Hyatt for the night before-they are down to $160 plus taxes.-You might want to check their site.

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

With our late booking, and having to coordinate babysitting, we were only to book Palo for the last night, when it is sitting in port, but hey, it might be a nice way to end the cruise.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Plus...when we're all sitting in a theater or up in the pool...we're not wearing our stateroom numbers on our shirts....



Erik

Picturing someone doing this!

 

[tig82174]

I'm not sure what the deal is with Palo. In the past I could book one brunch, one tea and one dinner online. This time as soon as I booked the dinner it would not let me book anything else. I was shocked. I would have booked brunch (which we have never had) if I had known this would happen. It seems that somehwere along the line DCL suddenly switched to a one booking of any kind per non suite reservation. Oh well. We'll try on board, and while we enjoy Palo there is more than enough for us to do without it.

Hadley,

Call DCL and see what is up or have your TA do it. We have both a dinner and a brunch booked. Every stateroom is supposed to be able to prebook one of each.


Erik

 

[tig82174]

Erik, I totally agree with you, in spite of my initial reservations. I also think you should go into PR. That last post was amazing!

Actually a large part of the work I do is kinda like P.R.....and I do a lot of public speaking and lecturing and writing speeches and lobbying documents and things like that...I get paid to be persuasive....so I'm sure that's where that comes from...but it's good to see those who know me outside work recognize that talent so I know I'm at least doing what I'm good at!!



Erik

 

[tig82174]

Picturing someone doing this!

LOL... I know

While I was typing it I was thinking of Tyra Banks. Not that I ever really watch her talk show....but I have seen clips that recently after the drama of People magazine publishing a picture of her in a bathing suit and calling her fat....she recorded a series of episodes of her talkshow where all the women in the audience and herself wore the same one piece red bathing suit with their weight in big white numbers across their chest....to re-instill pride in their bodies in women and to prove that weight is just a number.

I imagine all of us in red bathing suits with our stateroom number on them!


Erik

 

[Hygiene99]

Scott, have they reduced the points?


Cat 12 no insurance no air!
2 adults to go on this trip....

WOW

14-NIGHT TRANSATLANTIC CRUISE - EASTBOUND
May 12-26, 2007
(Ship: Disney Magic)
Stateroom: 2 Adults
Total Price: $ 1,867.72


Deb, you could downgrade! from your cat 10 SPH we all know there are no 12's left.
Are there?

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

Luckily, my red bathing suit would be big enough to fit a-l-l t-h-o-s-e numbers needed...

 

[txaggie94gigem]

With our late booking, and having to coordinate babysitting, we were only to book Palo for the last night, when it is sitting in port, but hey, it might be a nice way to end the cruise.

we are at Palo on the last night too! we thikn it is a great way to end the cruise and to be honest i hate the menu on the last night...there is nothing we like on it so Palo ends our cruise on the best note!

we are also hoping to get more ressies for palo brunch and another dinner but when to do it? with all the new menus i really don't want to miss a night so we just don't know yet.....

 

[txaggie94gigem]

Luckily, my red bathing suit would be big enough to fit a-l-l t-h-o-s-e numbers needed...

AMEN SISTER!!! (for me not you!)

so who was organizing that lose 50 pounds before we cruise diet again.....

 

[txaggie94gigem]

what roration do i need to request if i want lumieres on night 2?

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

In my best horschak (remember Welcome Back, Kotter?) ME ME ME OH ME! I'm organizing to lose 50 lbs before the cruise. You'll know I'm successful if the boat doesn't tip a little toward the starboard side.