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

[StephenKay]

Just checking out prices ready to make a decision onboard.

Got me thinking, I don't think I have ever seen concierge available for this cruise, right from booking window?? Has anyone else noticed??
Yet on all the repo cruises next year there is still availability.

Maybe I'm just reading too much into it but all this secrecy about entertainment
Onboard has my head working overtime

Btw I don't need to know I like surprises

Morning Sarah,

I have already booked for next years EBTA, however the first thing I want to do is to make a new reservation onboard and then cancel the original ressie. In doing so I will probably change the Cat of at least one stateroom. Whilst I won't save anything, it will make my wife and daughter happy, it's 2 staterooms for the first time, Mary and I in one and daughter and friend or cousin in the other.

As for entertainment, Disney Cruise Line think they are being oh so special not telling us, however remember that DCL is not really "known" outside of North America, most people don't even know they have cruise liners that come to Europe and should be doing more to advertise whats onboard like RCCL and others are doing in Europe in a big way. I think the not "telling" is more to do with "booking" acts at specific timelines rather than it being so special. That said they generally have something of note, such as singers from favourite classic movies, even Charro was a laugh. It will be unusual, as previously they get the bigger acts to join the in the Caribbean and on the EBTA that's not possible, who knows, however whatever they have we always have the stage shows to look forward too. We shall just have to wait to check in.

Off to do some packing.

 

[Carys]

This time in two weeks, I will be frantically packing for my flight to the United States the following day. Yikes! I really can't believe it's so soon. All my paperwork is sorted except for making extra passport photocopies. Sea sickness wrist bands have been purchased in case of illness.

My friend said to me in the lift at work today - it's only 2 weeks til your cruise right? I couldn't even say anything in response I was grinning so widely

So great to see the list of movies, thanks for finding that out!

We also had the WBPC cruise booked for next year, but the dates were looking a bit early to suit us so I'll be keen to check out the discount on the EBPC later in the year. Or maybe even another Transatlantic...

Great, now I'm going to start dreaming about the next cruise and I haven't even set sail on this one yet!!

 

[MandyGirl]

Hi everyone! I just found you guys today - boy am *I* late to the party I actually just booked the cruise last week and am very excited to be leaving in less than 3 weeks.

I live just outside Dallas in Richardson, Texas.

I am trying to figure out how / where to register for group outings and would love some advice (preferably PM so as not to hog up the boards!) on my next steps ;-)

Can't wait to meet everyone! I'm avid on FB, so you'll probably see me more on that side of the media.

Welcome aboard!

I sent you an email last night Definitely read page one where the event organizers have each event's info and the embedded links. Let me know how many for PJ breakfast and I can add you to that list. If you are overnighting in Galveston and want to come to Tremont, just show up. Too late for name badges (they are already printed and in my hands). Just contact each person via the method indicated. Make some quick posts to get to 10 so you can send private messages here. And I hear ya about Facebook --- some of us (like myself) use facebook for many aspects of life and work, but some don't use facebook at all so the decision was made about a year ago for this thread to keep the main details on DIS. We try to keep both places updated (and of course you have the rollcalls going on CruiseCritic, etc).

I am crazy busy these next several days for sure - about to get dressed to pick up one family from this rollcall who landed from London yesterday - and being tourists with them Thurs/Fri (translation: Work on their YEE HAW with a British accent! Billy Bob's later today....) Better wake the others in my house up!!

 

[p17blo]

Does anyone else think the ESTA scheme is a waste of time? I just updated my document and firstly noticed that I hadn't updated it last time I flew to the US so that in itself is ridiculous, but then I added my flight details, where I will be staying for 8 hours (ie the first night hotel) but there is no mention of flight dates etc.

It just doesn't make sense to me. I guess it is generally covering you for travel to the US for 2 years, but why make me fill out flight and hotel details that are meaningless? Let's assume they want to find me on May 28th? Are they going to look at the hotel I was in on May 17th? Surprisingly they won't find me.

It just actually seems a way to tax people entering the US, $14 every two years. I think I prefer the old Visa Waiver Forms.

 

[MandyGirl]

It just actually seems a way to tax people entering the US, $14 every two years. I think I prefer the old Visa Waiver Forms.

Made me think of departure taxes when flying out. Speaking of.... I need to look at the countries we are visiting post cruise and flying out of... we were almost short in Costa Rica a month ago for departure taxes and hate the credit card fees!

 

[kaseyC]

Hi everyone! I just found you guys today - boy am *I* late to the party I actually just booked the cruise last week and am very excited to be leaving in less than 3 weeks.

I live just outside Dallas in Richardson, Texas.

I am trying to figure out how / where to register for group outings and would love some advice (preferably PM so as not to hog up the boards!) on my next steps ;-)

Can't wait to meet everyone! I'm avid on FB, so you'll probably see me more on that side of the media.

Welcome!!

 

[Kirbo]

Hi everyone! I just found you guys today - boy am *I* late to the party I actually just booked the cruise last week and am very excited to be leaving in less than 3 weeks.

I live just outside Dallas in Richardson, Texas.

I am trying to figure out how / where to register for group outings and would love some advice (preferably PM so as not to hog up the boards!) on my next steps ;-)

Can't wait to meet everyone! I'm avid on FB, so you'll probably see me more on that side of the media.

Glad you found us!

 

[NancyIL]

My friend onboard the Magic this week found the 20% off flyer at deck four. Certain cruises. Posted a pic on the fb page that he sent me of the flyer.

MandyGirl's list of 20% off select cruises which she posted on Facebook (4 available after our cruise) included in 2013:
the EBPC on Sept 14 on the Wonder, LA to Galveston;
and in 2014,
the WBPC on May 2, Miami to San Diego on the Wonder,
the EBPC Sept. 12 on the Wonder, San Diego to Port Canaveral,
and the EBTA on May 13, Port Canaveral to Barcelona.

I wish I could take advantage of one of the 20% off cruises in 2014, but I am already committed to 2 major trips earlier in the year. I recently moved a dummy booking to a Dec. 2014 4-night Magic cruise out of Miami. If I sail with DCL in 2014, that's as exciting as it's going to get!

 

[geffric]

I have already booked for next years EBTA, however the first thing I want to do is to make a new reservation onboard and then cancel the original ressie.

me too..a rt is cheaper than a 1 way air flight ..so since I am going on the WBTA 2014, I figured it was cheaper to book the EBTA 2014 too..

How is that for rationalization?? Plus since I am taking Son#1 on this trip, to make it even I need to take son #2 on the next..LOL

 

[StephenKay]

me too..a rt is cheaper than a 1 way air flight ..so since I am going on the WBTA 2014, I figured it was cheaper to book the EBTA 2014 too..

How is that for rationalization?? Plus since I am taking Son#1 on this trip, to make it even I need to take son #2 on the next..LOL

If my wife doesn't do "away" with me before then I expect to be doing both also, together of course. Your right a return is the best way to go and 26 days of cruising to boot at a good price.

 

[p17blo]

Made me think of departure taxes when flying out. Speaking of.... I need to look at the countries we are visiting post cruise and flying out of... we were almost short in Costa Rica a month ago for departure taxes and hate the credit card fees!

Ah yes, but we have to pay that too - In the UK the figure that amounts to departure (an arrival) tax and 'other fees' equates to £332.99 (over $500) for an economy fare, and £505.99 (over $800) for a Business Class fare. Don't even get me started on that - Grrrrr.

 

[Uomeasmile]

I sent you an email last night Definitely read page one where the event organizers have each event's info and the embedded links. Let me know how many for PJ breakfast and I can add you to that list.

Thanks so much for telling me! Silly Yahoo! mail sent it to my Spam folder ... GRRRR. For PJ breakfast, please add one - it's just me! I'll post around the DIS boards and get to 10 fast. I need to get with Binkytell and all the fun exchange groups, if that's still an option. Thanks!

 

[gonecrusin]

Thanks so much for telling me! Silly Yahoo! mail sent it to my Spam folder ... GRRRR. For PJ breakfast, please add one - it's just me! I'll post around the DIS boards and get to 10 fast. I need to get with Binkytell and all the fun exchange groups, if that's still an option. Thanks!

If you want to participate in Bunco or Scavenger hunt/s just let me know.

 

[Uomeasmile]

RE: Flights one Way

Here is what I am doing (as a matter of fact, AT THIS VERY MOMENT!! <grin> ):

Checking the ONE WAY award miles on my airline that I have the most FF points. Here's the thing - even if I have to PAY to "add miles", it still is much better than buying a one way (because as everyone here has no doubt discovered, the one way fares to Europe are generally the same price as the round trip). And here's the even BETTER part - the one way Business Class awards for travel are generally even more abundant (especially on Tues and Wed) ... and for my airline (American), it was only like $550 to add the additional miles necessary for Business Class. So that was a no brainer.

Hope that helps (for anyone not needing several tickets ...)

 

[Uomeasmile]

If you want to participate in Bunco or Scavenger hunt/s just let me know.

PLEASE PLEASE sign me up for Bunco and Scavenger Hunts. Even as a grown up, the thrill of the scavenger hunt never quite goes away ....

My motto for this cruise is: FREE YOUR INNER MOUSEKETEER!

My favorite Mouseketeer, incidentally, were (of course) Karen and Cubby!

 

[NancyIL]

RE: Flights one Way

Here is what I am doing (as a matter of fact, AT THIS VERY MOMENT!! <grin> ):

Checking the ONE WAY award miles on my airline that I have the most FF points. Here's the thing - even if I have to PAY to "add miles", it still is much better than buying a one way (because as everyone here has no doubt discovered, the one way fares to Europe are generally the same price as the round trip). And here's the even BETTER part - the one way Business Class awards for travel are generally even more abundant (especially on Tues and Wed) ... and for my airline (American), it was only like $550 to add the additional miles necessary for Business Class. So that was a no brainer.

Hope that helps (for anyone not needing several tickets ...)

Welcome! I really like that American Airlines lets you book one-way award flights for half of the roundtrip mileage. My roommate and I are using miles for our coach flights home from Barcelona (I am on 4 AA flights ), and I have a paid ticket on American to Houston. We leave 2 weeks from today, so guess I'd better print my packing list so I can start thinking about getting ready!

 

[Viking_53]

Welcome! I really like that American Airlines lets you book one-way award flights for half of the roundtrip mileage. My roommate and I are using miles for our coach flights home from Barcelona (I am on 4 AA flights ), and I have a paid ticket on American to Houston. We leave 2 weeks from today, so guess I'd better print my packing list so I can start thinking about getting ready!

We are using United miles coming back home (actually flying Air Canada back from Frankfurt).

United started letting you book one way tickets (both domestic and international) using miles a little while ago - I think it was when they merged with Continental.

 

[gonecrusin]

PLEASE PLEASE sign me up for Bunco and Scavenger Hunts. Even as a grown up, the thrill of the scavenger hunt never quite goes away ....

My motto for this cruise is: FREE YOUR INNER MOUSEKETEER!

My favorite Mouseketeer, incidentally, were (of course) Karen and Cubby!

I'll never grow up!

Added you to both. Sent you a PM asking for your cabin#.

Take care!

 

[p17blo]

My favorite Mouseketeer, incidentally, were (of course) Karen and Cubby!

Who?

 

[MissAndrea]

Whiteboard -

Will be on cabin 6040 (unless a huge pile of pixie dust lands on us, no upgrades )

I can put the FE lists on my door as well - if needed - just let me know before sailaway


Cayla & Cathy

Cayla-
I just wanted to verify that this is your room number. I wrote this down last night on my own itinerary info but today am working on a spreadsheet for FE gifts and noticed your room as 6140 (Team Mickey worksheet).