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

[padalyn]

Hi Cayla

We're flying to Paris too, upon arrival in Barcelona. Have you done the EBTA with DCL before? What time do we get off the ship? How long does it take to clear customs? We're looking at an 11am flight. This way, twin DD3 and DS3's nap times won't be totally off-kilter. Have you found an affordable place in Paris?

See you soon.

Cheers,
Teri

Hi Teri -
We are staying in Barcelona for three days before flying to Paris. We are staying at the Disneyland Hotel at DLRP while there. When I sailed into Barcelona in 2005 it was the first time DCL was there; the times were much longer of course. Being the first time no one was really ready for us Disney folks....that seems to be resolved from what I have heard. But, 11am will be cutting it very close.

In any way - an 11am flight is pretty dicey. Find out how far it is from the port to the airport (I recall driving about 30 minutes to get into the city from the port and then later taking about the same amount of time to get to the airport). I am sure we will clear customs pretty quickly. It never really seems to be an issue no matter where DCL goes. The longest I have ever known was about 45 minutes delay in NYC. Seems there were some issues with a passport.

As I understand it, all our passport info is transmitted to the receiving port a couple of days before we arrive, This gives the local government time to clear us all. So, if you have any international issues - resolve them prior to sailing (LOL)

If you are an EU citizen you will breeze through more quickly. Those of us from the states will spend some time in lines. The process seems to be pretty standard -
A) fill out forms at breakfast...
B) wait to disembark....
C) find luggage in the heap/pile/disorganized mess...
D) grab porter to carry luggage...
E) stand in line to speak to customs agent...
F) find your ride to where ever you are headed.

Time spent? About 1.5 hours usually.

Now that I have scared you...don't fret - seriously! A couple of days into the cruise, head down to guest services. Explain what time your flight leaves (don't change the time - they will check!) give them your flight info and ask for "early off". If they are doing this - you will be given ARIEL luggage tags. YOU WILL HAVE TO TAKE YOUR OWN LUGGAGE OFF most likely. This is a benefit in many ways - you don't have to get it out into the corridor the night before. Disadvantage? You have to haul it off the ship and most likely won't have breakfast at all that morning. The morning the ship docks (usually pretty early - like 6am) You will be headed to a meeting location DCL will assign (usually one of the larger flat areas - like beat street or the other adult locations). You will meet there at what ever time they tell you with all your paperwork completed. Sometimes the customs agents are onboard, sometimes not. You disembark whilst the rest of us are eating, and zip through customs and onto the next part of your journey.

If you do NOT have an early flight - they will refuse you "early off" too many folks have asked to be allowed off early without a 'real' reason to do so. This is why they check your flight info.

I hope this all helps...stay calm and keep cruising - all will work out!

 

[valbob89]

I'm throwing myself into the debate ;-)

My suggestion and also the most honost one is:
Base it on $ amount spend for the cruise.
Every $ is a point or whatever so that way if you do cheap cruises or always discounted cruises you get what you paid fir and if you always cruise suites you get earlier what you paid for...

I hope my post didn't come across as sour grapes. I started cruising after the tiers had been implemented and knew the score. I knew that we'd take forever to get to gold simply because we can't cruise much and because a 3-day cruise doesn't appeal to us. But it does seem a particularly fair way of doing it . Amount spent actually makes a lot of sense. (And it would likely mean even longer before we'd hit the next level as we have done two KSF cruises and now a TA, not typically very expensive )

DCL is not going to change the program, they may add an upper level (this is from way up the line of management (Karl H actually)) but they have no plans on changing it.

Cayla

Throwing in my two cents...this being cruise # 30 with Disney, I was platinum before it was cool. Of the 30, less than 5 were 3 or 4 night. the first was the inaugural Magic, the Wonders' 10 year anniversary, the Dream inaugural, and a last minute Mother's Day that we booked 3 days before we sailed. I cruise disney because I love it and have not cruised any other cruise line in the last 15 years. The debate will continue between nights and cruises, but like Cayla said, I don't believe the program will change.

Someone said that no matter what DCL does (or doesn't do) someone won't be happy, and I believe they are absolutely correct. I just hope they don't take away. I felt really bad for the silver level cruisers when they stopped inviting them to the acknowledgement party.

The idea of giving points for amount of money spent is an interesting one, sort like the Disney Visa rewards charge card.

Apparently DCL isn't the only cruise line looking at their loyalty program, Princess sent me an e-mail this evening announcing a new Captain's Circle Tier level. They are basing their loyalty levels on both number of cruises and days sailed. Members are eligible for a higher level on the next cruise following the necessary cruises and or cruise days. Land portion of cruise tour does not apply.

 

[twopeasonepod]

Thanks so much for posting, Paul!!! Since I seem to be organizing this now, I am pleading with any of you here on DISboards to PM me to offer your cabins. I think we have about seven or eight or so, pretty decent, but not all categories are covered...

Do you have 5A yet? That's what we have. DH was only lukewarm about the whole thing, but I bet I could convince him if you don't have one yet.

 

[MissAndrea]

No one has mentioned the Till We Meet Again lunch in quite a while. I see the time and place is still tentative. Just wanted to make sure we are still doing it.

 

[Carys]

There wasn't too many of us doing early dining last time I checked, but I'm with you in that I don't want to go to bed stuffed. I'd rather sit and watch a show stuffed.

Happy to have you join the early eaters.

We agree! We like to have dinner and let it digest while we're sitting watching the show, then we feel up to the rest of the evening entertainment. Otherwise we're both getting tired and stuffed by the end of dinner, and kind of useless for the rest of the evening. We don't usually do both breakfast and lunch though. We usually do a late breakfast or early lunch and then call it good until dinner, or we just snack during the day and don't do proper meals. On the Panama Canal cruise we did, I had to skip dinner some nights because I was stuffed already, so learnt that lesson

We've now booked a Barcelona tour on arrival and Montserrat/Cava tour for the next day, plus a flamenco show the first night, so that's a few more pieces in place!

 

[MandyGirl]

Having only cruised on Dream and Fantasy with DCL I have never experienced a character breakfast.

So will there be a character breakfast on Magic on the EBTA? And is it worth doing (I don't have kids.... other than me!)

I don't know for a fact about this EBTA, but DCL had a character breakfast on our 7-nt Magic cruise 11/2012 and on Magic WBTA 09/2011. I understand they occur on the cruises with 3+ sea days (I know some who had it on the 6-nt Magic cruises recently). I would still go even without kiddos for the experience. You will be sitting at your normal dinner table with the same tablemates/servers I believe.

I own dresses, but I am not bringing any. I'll be dressed similarly to you.

Same for my mother-in-law who is with us.

Someone said that no matter what DCL does (or doesn't do) someone won't be happy, and I believe they are absolutely correct.

Absolutely agree. Unfortunately with almost everything in life, there is someone who is in disagreement or unhappy with a decision.

No one has mentioned the Till We Meet Again lunch in quite a while. I see the time and place is still tentative. Just wanted to make sure we are still doing it.

Maybe twopeasonepod or Yvet can let us know?
Do we need to sign up so Lumiere's can be given a tentative count (assuming it is still planned for there)? I believe it is in conjunction with the Secret Mickey reveal where we exchange one final gift - Lumiere's on final sea day. (We were given one side of Lumiere's where we were all seated, just like for PJ Breakfast. Held during a time the restaurant was open anyway.)

We agree! We like to have dinner and let it digest while we're sitting watching the show, then we feel up to the rest of the evening entertainment. Otherwise we're both getting tired and stuffed by the end of dinner, and kind of useless for the rest of the evening.

When we started cruising, we originally did early dinner then show, but I would be tired and go to bed so hubby would end up going to the show by himself. Reversing it guarantees he has a date for the show now. The cruise we have after EBTA has most port days scheduled with a return to the ship at 7:00 -- so I think EBTA will get us in the late dining mode. (That cruise is 12 nights, only 2 sea days, so quite the opposite of EBTA.)

 

[MandyGirl]

Itinerary Including Calendar of Events (DIS activities included)

Day Date (Port) Event

[*]Friday 17th (Galveston PreCruise)

[*]Avg High/Low: 82/73F, Sunset 8:06pm

[*]7:00 p.m. Tremont Rooftop Bar

[*]Tremont Hotel Group Rate (info)

Tremont Rooftop Bar --- Pre-cruise Meet-and-Greet

Website
http://www.galveston.com/rooftopbar/

Join your fellow cruisers staying in the Galveston area at 7:00ish Friday evening at Galveston's only rooftop bar. Sunset will be at 8:06p.m. You will need to purchase your own beverages here.

Happy Dance!!

Our pre-cruise meet for those in the Galveston area is one month from today!! And hopefully my family is above 30,000 feet at this exact moment in time as well for our flight south!

I thought I would give the Tremont Rooftop Bar a heads-up of how many to expect just in case they might want to have additional staffing. Could you just reply on the thread if you are planning to attend? Thanks so much!

 

[gramfrog]

Do you have 5A yet? That's what we have. DH was only lukewarm about the whole thing, but I bet I could convince him if you don't have one yet.

We may have a 5A-- I will check on the Facebook page. Are you fore, aft, middle of the boat? Which deck? Thanks for considering! (and you can also be a traveler with us, seeing other peoples' cabins, if he says no!)

 

[gramfrog]

Has anyone booked a bus tour to Montserrat for the disembark day, June 1? One which would allow the EBTA luggage to stay on the bus until after the tour? That would solve the getting in to port early and the hotel not being ready for us...

 

[SaraCat]

Happy Dance!!

Our pre-cruise meet for those in the Galveston area is one month from today!! And hopefully my family is above 30,000 feet at this exact moment in time as well for our flight south!

I thought I would give the Tremont Rooftop Bar a heads-up of how many to expect just in case they might want to have additional staffing. Could you just reply on the thread if you are planning to attend? Thanks so much!

Terry and I will be attending!

 

[MandyGirl]

Productive morning already

- Had to call DCL for a couple of clients' families, so I asked about our EBTA entertainment. Still got the "our guests will be magically surprised" answer regarding any special onboard entertainment like we had in the past. (Such as Ducky, Charro, etc). We knew some in advance previously but no such luck yet for this one.

- FYI on Tremont Rooftop Bar: It *is* technically a bar, so guests must be 21+. I have given them a ballpark number based on our precruise hotels in the area and they said no problem accommodating. (Thought I would call them too - this "one month away" thing has me all giddy!!)

As far as watching the ship sail into port the following morning, he said because of other buildings you only get a small snippet of seeing her sail into port. He suggested walking down to the harbor area -- which is what I did in September to watch the Magic sail into port the first time. I am literally planning on leaving the Tremont lobby around 5:45am to walk the two blocks, grabbing coffee on the way, and start holding back tears seeing the Magic slowly meander her way into port. I know my husband will remain in bed (he knows I am crazy like this) but if anyone else is crazy like me and wanting to walk down to the pier area, we could definitely meet in the lobby! Lots of places to watch from down there that I found in September, and yes, there is a Starbucks on the way...

Okay. Off to kindergarten field trip

 

[MandyGirl]

Any more updates to add?
Any luck for Lysand for a rideshare from IAH to Galveston?

All are arriving 5/17 unless otherwise indicated:

Galveston
Precruise Meet: 7:00 pm on 5/17 at Rooftop Bar of Tremont
SNOWHITE7 (Tremont starting the 14th)
Tubbsteruk (Tremont starting the 15th)
MandyGirl (Tremont)
binkytell (Tremont)
Tink1987 (Tremont)
BigHugsForEeyore (Tremont)
chrisandedfromCT (Tremont)
Goofynewfie (Tremont)
Lysand (Tremont) - arrive IAH at 7:30 on Friday night from Toronto - rideshare anyone?
Maza (Tremont)
gonecrusin (Tremont)
wickesy (Tremont)
mboekhoff (Tremont)
SaraCat (Tremont on the 17th)
Goofy39.3 (Harbor House on 16th and 17th)
DavidaTN (Galvez)
NancyIL (Galvez)
Grandma x3 (Galvez)
JenDen (Candlewood Suites)
StephenKay (Candlewood Suites on 16th and 17th)


Houston Hobby Area
Viking53 (Hampton Inn Hobby Airport)
ThePedersonFamily (Hampton Inn Hobby Airport)
birkner (Hampton Inn and Suites, League City near Hobby)
WVURunner (Springhill Suites)
geffric (Country Inn & Suites)
ramadden13 (tbd)
1stDC2013 (Lives near Hobby)


Houston IAH Area
kaseyC (IAH Marriott)
Kirbo (IAH Marriott)
kris3kid (IAH Marriott)
Carys (IAH Marriott)
MissAndrea (Hyatt North Houston)
bobbiwoz (Town Place Suites)
sumeto (Country Inn & Suites By Carlson)
steve_woodward (Country Inn & Suites 5/16,17)
StephenKay (Country Inn & Suites 5/15 then to Galveston)


Other (Houston Area)
tobyjasper1970 (Magnolia Houston) on May 17th
SaraCat (Lancaster Hotel in Houston on the 16th May and then moving to the Tremont on the 17th)

 

[MandyGirl]

Anyone else needing to update for Lanyard Nametag Insert? (You provide your own lanyard)

Deadline is approaching...

Lanyard Team


Current update:

The results of this survey as of February 24 indicate that it would not be a feasible option to create lanyards. However, we will still create lanyard inserts where people can insert a common DISboards identifier into the clear pouch.

To receive a lanyard insert, please follow the instructions on this form by the April 20 deadline
As stated above, we will not be providing actual lanyards due to survey results in February. However, if you do need a "nametag pouch" to place the nametag in, the form has a question about that. This pouch will not be the sealable pouch like the one DCL provides for Castaway or DVC Members, but rather one like this - an insert to hook onto your own personal lanyard of your choosing (one that Disney provides or your own favorite lanyard you bring from home). Otherwise, feel free to place the nametag in the existing DCL badge holder that comes with your lanyard when boarding.

 

[Viking_53]

Hi all,

I've been reading some conflicting information about the currency used in Gibraltar.

It looks like they have their own (the Gibraltar Pound), but some things I have been reading say they will accept British Pounds as well. The exchange rate looks to be fairly close to each other against the dollar.

I want to get some currency before we leave on our trip (both Euro's and Pounds). My back has actually ordered some Gibraltar and UK pounds for me (don't have to buy them, but they wanted to have them on hand just in case).

I think I'd rather have British Pounds, as from other things I have read, it looks like the Gibraltar Pound is harder to exchange in Europe.

At any rate, I wanted to throw this question out the group, particularly to those of you who have been to Gibraltar before.

Thanks!

 

[Tubbsteruk]

Hi all,

I've been reading some conflicting information about the currency used in Gibraltar.

It looks like they have their own (the Gibraltar Pound), but some things I have been reading say they will accept British Pounds as well. The exchange rate looks to be fairly close to each other against the dollar.

I want to get some currency before we leave on our trip (both Euro's and Pounds). My back has actually ordered some Gibraltar and UK pounds for me (don't have to buy them, but they wanted to have them on hand just in case).

I think I'd rather have British Pounds, as from other things I have read, it looks like the Gibraltar Pound is harder to exchange in Europe.

At any rate, I wanted to throw this question out the group, particularly to those of you who have been to Gibraltar before.

Thanks!

British pounds are absolutely fine in Gibraltar and are accepted everywhere.

The only thing I would say about spending in Gibraltar is DO NOT use euros..

They are readily accepted but the general conversion is 1.5 euros to each pound which is a very poor rate.

Paul

 

[twopeasonepod]

No one has mentioned the Till We Meet Again lunch in quite a while. I see the time and place is still tentative. Just wanted to make sure we are still doing it.

Oops, that is me. Last day, noon at Lumiere's. Partnered up with the Secret Mickey reveal!

Please PM me to sign up so I can give them a head count once we board.

 

[Viking_53]

British pounds are absolutely fine in Gibraltar and are accepted everywhere.

The only thing I would say about spending in Gibraltar is DO NOT use euros..

They are readily accepted but the general conversion is 1.5 euros to each pound which is a very poor rate.

Paul

Thanks Paul - I appreciate the information!

 

[DisneyMouseHouse]

Private Mixology and Private Chocolate Tasting​

I have now sent EMAIL to everyone who has currently signed up for either and/or both of these events - just a quick reminder to everyone......


1) Private Mixology - CHECK THE LIST LINK I SENT YOU IN THE EMAIL, PLEASE! If your DATE is still incorrect, please send me an e-mail to disneymousehouse@disboards.net OR PM me here or on FB - (Beverly Gaston Gustafsson) - I know I messed up on a few, but I THINK I have it all fixed now This is IMPORTANT as I will begin SOON to provide this list to DCL, even though the class will NOT close for signups unless we reach a total of 80 people (we are ONLY 7 away from this!)

2) Private Chocolate Tasting - I SENT OUT AN EMAIL A FEW MINUTES AGO! This has a link to the doc you can see on Google. Please let me know if you would prefer a different date and I will TRY to accomodate you - with just meeting the minimum for two classes, it will be a bit harder to switch you around, but I will do my best!

If you DID NOT receive an email from me for either class and you think you should have, please get in touch with me ASAP - thanks!

 

[gramfrog]

Do you have 5A yet? That's what we have. DH was only lukewarm about the whole thing, but I bet I could convince him if you don't have one yet.

I checked, TwoPeasInOnePod, and we DO NOT have any 5A or any ocean view porthole cabins yet--- we would love to include yours! LMK what DH says.... it helps tremendously to see cabins if one might think of booking another Disney cruise sometime... THanks!

 

[gramfrog]

Also posted this morning on Facebook:
CABIN CRUISERS UPDATE: aka Stateroom tours We have a dozen cabins to view, thanks to all of you! <YAY!> Curiously, no one seems to be occupying an oceanview (porthole) room-- categories 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 5A. If you wish to participate, please LMK by PM me or leave a message below. Also looking for a sideways inside. Date not set yet; the activities for this cruise seem to be front-loaded, so perhaps on the sixth or seventh day. Or eighth... I will let those participating know onboard by message to your fishie clip outside your door. Sound good? We have been graciously allowed the view of a 1BR Suite category T-- anyone in Roy or Walt game?