May 18, 2013 Magic EBTA Part Two - From Tejas to España

[MandyGirl]

Yikes! I'm paying $120.99 for a 2-day rental of an economy car, including taxes, but that is from Houston Hobby.

Just quoted $263 for a one day, one way car hire. That's the most expensive I have heard of for an economy ever!

Oh my, Stevie! Our's is about $80 for one way from Houston Hobby. Try piecing two together --- one from IAH to HOU, then again HOU to Galveston. Pain in the rear, but should work out cheaper. What day are you flying in?

I do like the open seating for breakfast or lunch. I do prefer to be waited on, rather than buffets, and it's a chance to meet people!

My last 2 cruises were on the Dream, I've never been on the Magic, and I forget what the Wonder was like. I can't wait to be on the Magic!

Ditto on enjoying the open seating. Makes it enjoyable to dine with others! My last cruise was me, my 2 year old, and my parents. They preferred buffet, I preferred dining room. So she and I often dined alone, and we had someone join us one day. (Yep, even a 2 year old seemed inviting LOL!)

I agree, I much rather be waited on! I hate the buffets. The buffet in the mornings always seems so chaotic and it stresses me out. I must rather start my day in a nice and relaxing setting while being waited on. I also enjoy a nice and slow pace lunch in the quiet. I believe the only time I ate lunch in the buffet during the EBPC was during embarkation and I don't ever remember eating breakfast there. I have also never shared a table with another party during breakfast or lunch. I didn't know they do that?

And a buffet juggling a kiddo is even more hectic! Hubby and I do enjoy dining outdoors overlooking the wake if we are in the shade, as we love fresh air, but overall definitely enjoy the dining room.

It seems to me, you go to a MDR that has seating for lunch, and they ask if you want to be seated with others. I say yes.

Yep! That's also similar how they do it for Freestyle cruising on NCL.

I usually eat breakfast in the buffet on port days, but prefer the dining room when I'm not rushed for time. I also prefer to eat lunch in a dining room, although I don't mind snacking at the food venues by the pool. Then I hightail it out of there if it's crawling with kids.

Or even room service on port days - automatic wake up call if we are oversleeping

We prefer the MDR's as well. We didn't even discover the joy of seated breakfasts and lunches until the 5th day of our P&O cruise and regretted going to the buffets for most of our trip.

It's addictive, isn't it!

I don't know who is onboard but I do know Alfred and Seymour
Are not on the ebta, they are flying to Europe to do the European cruises though.

I asked again the other day when calling for something, and no news yet. They weren't even showing A&S - Disboards keeps us up-to-date

We are also at The Tremont starting 14th.

I will get you added!!

 

[EjeG]

You're not having a great weekend are you! I'm up early our time today because we are off to a bit photography show. I'm buying a new lens which I'm super excited about and some other little accessories as well

Hope you get to catch up on sleep tonight then?

Ohh what did you get? Did you get a new lens? New gear always makes me happy

Myself waiting for battery to charge (for 6 hours) for the wireless module for my new Wacom Intous5 tablet (Love my DW, of course she got a new one to but she settled for a smaller model but she think she want the wireless to, but figure get one to start out and see how it works before buying to and they don't work well.. Have a friend that had some issues with his)

 

[EjeG]

Hmm, he got a tripod for christmas this year and a few books the year before when he got the camera. He has two lens, one goes to 300? (if that makes sense) He always mentions wide angle or fish eye lens? why are men so hard to shop for?

we are especially if they are into photography so many toys (and so much money )

300mm yes makes sense.. Can never go wrong with a wide angle. Love my 11-16mm f/2.8 Tokina (except it's for a crop sensor camera like the D3000 and I now have a full frame camera so have to set my camera in crop mode to use it).

Personally I'm not a big fan of fish eye perspective but there are some that really like it and can compose well with it.

I assume he got Lightroom or Aperture to manage the pictures he takes and process them?

 

[EjeG]

I'm not gonna lie, I am not sure what you mean when you ask if the 3100 is a full frame, so I have no clue. Can you rent lenes? That might be a cool idea to one of each for the trip and see if he likes any other them and if he does, maybe I will have a x-mas gift for him! How much do they run?

The D3100 is a crop or DX sensor camera (and not a FX or full frame camera). It just denote the size of the sensor (the thingie that captures the light inside the camera that makes the picture).

Full frame cameras have a sensor that is 1.5x size of a crop frame (full frame refers to 35mm equivalent size, ie old film size). Ok technical mumbojumbo over.

But yes you can rent lens, one of my favorite places to shop for lenses here in the US to rent is borrowlenses.com but I also tend to check/compare prices at lensrentals.com (usually looses out but sometimes they have stock when the other place does not). Both also offers used gear for sale and think both offers gift card purchases (at least borrowlenses does) so you could buy a gift card and give him.

 

[EjeG]

Sorry I got carried away!

Renting lenses is quite popular now. For our last cruise, we rented 2 lenses, that if we had bought, would have cost us £2000. We rented them for 7 days for £120 It is a really good way to get a feel for a lens as if you buy one for hundreds and don't like it, you will get a good resale value but not all of your money back.

The people I rent from in the UK recommend these people in the US:

http://www.lensrentals.com

Let me know what you decide and if you want any help

Talk about cameras and lenses and all that. Guess there was no other interest for photowalk on the ship that you saw?

If anyone is interested to join I wouldn't mind leading, if someone else want to lead I be happy to just join... If not than I will just go

 

[SophiaMax]

Hello all, this is my first post. I have been reading for a few days now. Wow, you guys are organized, this is unbelievable! Thanks for all of the great info. This will be my families second Disney cruise, we were on the Fantasy last May. We will be traveling with our 3 year old son and 5 year old daughter. My husband is a little concerned about being "disconnected" from his office while crossing the Atlantic. Does anyone know if there are satellite type phones that can be used when there is no cell service?

 

[Kirbo]

Hello all, this is my first post. I have been reading for a few days now. Wow, you guys are organized, this is unbelievable! Thanks for all of the great info. This will be my families second Disney cruise, we were on the Fantasy last May. We will be traveling with our 3 year old son and 5 year old daughter. My husband is a little concerned about being "disconnected" from his office while crossing the Atlantic. Does anyone know if there are satellite type phones that can be used when there is no cell service?

to the DisBoards and to our cruise!

I don't know the answer to your question (I am definitely not one of the organized folks on here, but I've hooked up with them so that I can pretend to be organized). My DH is also worried, but I've told him there's nothing to be done about it and to just let go

 

[MandyGirl]

Welcome aboard!!

I'm sure you have read the first page - also be sure to list yourself on rollcall or any other events! We have lots of us with kiddos your age

Phone - I have no clue. I have to check in with work stuff once in Barcelona (and via internet at sea - hopefully minimally) but I think on our facebook page we had some discussing phones not too long ago. Hopefully they will see your question here

Hello all, this is my first post. I have been reading for a few days now. Wow, you guys are organized, this is unbelievable! Thanks for all of the great info. This will be my families second Disney cruise, we were on the Fantasy last May. We will be traveling with our 3 year old son and 5 year old daughter. My husband is a little concerned about being "disconnected" from his office while crossing the Atlantic. Does anyone know if there are satellite type phones that can be used when there is no cell service?

 

[SaraCat]

Talk about cameras and lenses and all that. Guess there was no other interest for photowalk on the ship that you saw?

If anyone is interested to join I wouldn't mind leading, if someone else want to lead I be happy to just join... If not than I will just go

I am still very interested in a Photowalk, I've been meaning to ask if it was still going ahead.

I went to the photography show on Monday and bought a new wide angle lens - it was a difficult decision, Liked the Sigma 10-20mm and the Tokina but after mulling it over and reading a few reviews I went with the Sigma.....still wondering if I chose the right one!

Next on my photography wishlist is a 120-400mm but it won't be in time for the cruise.

 

[padalyn]

Hi All

My DW and I are regular DCL cruisers and have done a couple of WBTAs in the past, I already know some of you from WBTA 2011 and my Wife's DisName is Tod&Copper (Mary).

I am currently at home with a lot of spare time, having recently retired from the Royal Air Force and just wondering what to do next.

The opportunity has arisen to do the EBTA, but I would be doing this without my DW as she doesn't have the annual leave to be able to go on this trip and has to stay at home with DD who will be doing her final High School exams during this time.

I would love to do this solo and take the trip as an opportunity to chill, see some of my favourite ports and enjoy a great voyage and beat the cool Scottish spring/summer

Our only concern is that, being a solo traveller, the cruise may be chalk and cheese compared to what we usually experience on DCL, as a family or cruising with friends.

Swithering whether to book or not. Are there any other solo cruisers out there on this trip or would I be able to join a DIS linked dining so I'm not sitting on my own?

From reading the info at the beginning of the thread, I can see there are a few of the great usual activities on board that I can join in with.

Does anyone have any input of their experiences going solo on a long cruise?

Thanks

having sailed solo, you will be fine. Not only are the Dis folks a lot of help and very social. The CM will also make sure you are not "moping" around!! I actually was finally able to just sit and read after 3 days into the 10 day cruise - the CM's were all worried that I would not have folks to talk to!

Hello all, this is my first post. I have been reading for a few days now. Wow, you guys are organized, this is unbelievable! Thanks for all of the great info. This will be my families second Disney cruise, we were on the Fantasy last May. We will be traveling with our 3 year old son and 5 year old daughter. My husband is a little concerned about being "disconnected" from his office while crossing the Atlantic. Does anyone know if there are satellite type phones that can be used when there is no cell service?

nope - if you want a sat phone, you bring a sat phone. You CAN make phone calls using Cellular At Sea - very expensive. Check on the DCL site for the cost. (last I recall it was about 4.00 a minute WITH my roaming package)

 

[padalyn]

if I am doing this right...we have:

52 cabins
with 54 women participating (2 cabins without adults participating?)
with 41 men particpating
with 25 female children
with 14 male children
with 1 infant


did it get this right?

PLEASE someone check my numbers! We need to know the total of cabins, total of adults of each gender and children of each gender....

Thanks all!!

Cayla

 

[Tod&Copper]

Hello all, this is my first post. I have been reading for a few days now. Wow, you guys are organized, this is unbelievable! Thanks for all of the great info. This will be my families second Disney cruise, we were on the Fantasy last May. We will be traveling with our 3 year old son and 5 year old daughter. My husband is a little concerned about being "disconnected" from his office while crossing the Atlantic. Does anyone know if there are satellite type phones that can be used when there is no cell service?

Hi there,

Your husband is right to concern if he needs contact with work the transatlantic is not the place to be as DCL has not the greatest signal strength for ship board wifi and the Internet cafe eats dollars so quickly just logging on. That said my phone started to ring mid transatlantic last time and I received messages, then it all stopped. If you need to be in touch it can be costly.

See you onboard.

 

[dee slack]

Talk about cameras and lenses and all that. Guess there was no other interest for photowalk on the ship that you saw?

If anyone is interested to join I wouldn't mind leading, if someone else want to lead I be happy to just join... If not than I will just go

I am still very interested in a Photowalk, I've been meaning to ask if it was still going ahead.

.

I'm still interested in a photo walk. I don't have fancy camera's like you, but like to get some interesting shots for my scrap booking.

 

[kaseyC]

Hello all, this is my first post. I have been reading for a few days now. Wow, you guys are organized, this is unbelievable! Thanks for all of the great info. This will be my families second Disney cruise, we were on the Fantasy last May. We will be traveling with our 3 year old son and 5 year old daughter. My husband is a little concerned about being "disconnected" from his office while crossing the Atlantic. Does anyone know if there are satellite type phones that can be used when there is no cell service?

Welcome!!

 

[WVURunner]

Cut off date is in April but not many new people signing up since PIF or discounts come out so next week I'm on annual leave so I will message everyone then with there group. At the moment it's 4 groups of 13 cabins. I do have lots of requests not to display children's names so it will stay private��

What are you planning to do with the cabins that want to be on every list? I know my two cabins want to give to everyone and and I get the feeling there are a few others as well. This messes up the 4 groups of 13 cabins.

we are especially if they are into photography so many toys (and so much money )

300mm yes makes sense.. Can never go wrong with a wide angle. Love my 11-16mm f/2.8 Tokina (except it's for a crop sensor camera like the D3000 and I now have a full frame camera so have to set my camera in crop mode to use it).

Personally I'm not a big fan of fish eye perspective but there are some that really like it and can compose well with it.

I assume he got Lightroom or Aperture to manage the pictures he takes and process them?

I am not sure what he uses to process them as it is on his computer and he ignores me when he is working on them. He is just starting to get into photography. Somewhere, I can't find it now, DH sent me an email about a lens he was looking at. If i can find it, I will post it and see what you think.

The D3100 is a crop or DX sensor camera (and not a FX or full frame camera). It just denote the size of the sensor (the thingie that captures the light inside the camera that makes the picture).

Full frame cameras have a sensor that is 1.5x size of a crop frame (full frame refers to 35mm equivalent size, ie old film size). Ok technical mumbojumbo over.

But yes you can rent lens, one of my favorite places to shop for lenses here in the US to rent is borrowlenses.com but I also tend to check/compare prices at lensrentals.com (usually looses out but sometimes they have stock when the other place does not). Both also offers used gear for sale and think both offers gift card purchases (at least borrowlenses does) so you could buy a gift card and give him.

Thanks for explaining, DH and I have no pataiance and are not the best at explaining things, esp. to each other.

Talk about cameras and lenses and all that. Guess there was no other interest for photowalk on the ship that you saw?

I know DH was interested and I think (I hope), I expressed his interest on here?

 

[WVURunner]

Is anyone getting hammered? We still have rain here but my boss said they got over 12" outside of Pittsburgh. She will be working form home today.

 

[kaseyC]

I'm so tired of snow and so ready for this cruise!


Group Palo Brunch request will probably be going in tomorrow. I'm still waiting for info from one party. I sent a couple of PMs but it looks like they haven't logged onto Dis for awhile.

 

[Kirbo]

I'm so tired of snow and so ready for this cruise!


Group Palo Brunch request will probably be going in tomorrow. I'm still waiting for info from one party. I sent a couple of PMs but it looks like they haven't logged onto Dis for awhile.

Is it someone on the FB page?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Is anyone getting hammered? We still have rain here but my boss said they got over 12" outside of Pittsburgh. She will be working form home today.

We just got 4-6 inches. It looks rather nice right now.

 

[padalyn]

nothing in north NJ yet....