May 18, 2013 MAGIC EBTA - Who is with us?

[gonecrusin]

Any hints as to how to book our return air fare from Barcelona? We are either going to fly home 6/1 or do the first Mediterranean cruise and return on 6/8. What options do we have? Should we book both legs of the flight and just not use one of them? Or just book a one way? What carriers do you recommend? I have heard that Air Lingus, Turkish airways or Virgin Atlantic are some of the better airlines. Any suggestions? We are new to this international travel. Thanks

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Hey FAST43! We are Marylanders also. If you don't mind me asking what part? We are located in Ellicott City. This is our first Transatlantic cruise experience and scheduling this type of air arrangements.

 

[gonecrusin]

You will absolutely love the longer cruise.

Thanks! I think you are correct!

 

[kaseyC]

Hey FAST43! We are Marylanders also. If you don't mind me asking what part? We are located in Ellicott City. This is our first Transatlantic cruise experience and scheduling this type of air arrangements.

I'm originally from MD too. My parents still live in Southern MD, the Waldorf area and I lived in Frederick for 8 years after college. Met and married my DH there.

 

[padalyn]

Booked today. This will be our first TA and first 14 night. This is our 13th Disney Cruise. We are DVC members. The members in our party will be: me Susan, DH John and DD Emily (23). The cruise leaves on John's BD and the 22nd is our 37th wedding anniversary. I just retired about a month ago from The Social Security Administration after 37 years of service. I now work at our church as the office administrator for the Youth Ministry. Not much of a retired life but I'm having a great time.

Sorry to ramble but I am so excited and can't wait to meet you all. I'm working my way through the thread but am only on page 21.

you are going to love this cruise!! We used DVC points to book it since it was SO reasonable. Gotta love a good cruise!

Can't figure out how to ask to join the FB group. Can someone invite me (susan reed) please or tell me how to send a request. FB is always a challenge for me. Kids tell me it's because I'm over 50

NEVERMIND! Sent a request thru a different link on an earlier page.

I see someone added you...you should be all set now!

I know that someone was collecting info for the FE exchange. Is a list started yet? I would love to get a feel for how many FE gifts I need to make. If the person who is doing the list would like - I can make a google doc that a link could be added to the first page. I have only run 4 FE exchanges - but I found the google doc worked really well. However, the editing should be handled by one person only - on the first Hawaii cruise it was an open edit...list got seriously messed up!!

Cayla

 

[heatherb819]

I saw this on facebook and thought it was interesting, as I thought the Magic was dry docking after the Med Season.....

The Magic, is due to be dry-docked early next year for standard maintenance. Dry-docking is usually a 2-3 week process, but Jason Lasecki, public relations director for Disney Cruise Line, said the down time this time around may last longer.

I saw this on another post...is there any truth to this???

 

[padalyn]

I saw this on facebook and thought it was interesting, as I thought the Magic was dry docking after the Med Season.....

The Magic, is due to be dry-docked early next year for standard maintenance. Dry-docking is usually a 2-3 week process, but Jason Lasecki, public relations director for Disney Cruise Line, said the down time this time around may last longer.

I saw this on another post...is there any truth to this???

yep, tis true. After she goes to the Med next spring and the season is over, they are dry-docking her and doing a complete refit. She is due to have a new electrical system, all the guest spaces are being redesigned. If you have been on the Dream or Fantasy - you know the cabin door lock system? The Magic will be getting that - plus the "virtual port holes" I have heard are also to be installed (that was a maybe from my sources...but they seemed to think it would happen) The plan is to refit the adult areas as well.

We will be taking the last TA on the Magic as she is today!! There is NO westbound TA listed because they have no idea how long the refit will take. I heard that they are taking her all the way down to the hull and stripping her completely. My sources are very reliable...so I would enjoy her and take a LOT of photos...she won't be the same when she comes back to the states.

 

[heatherb819]

Oh I thought it was going for that major refurb after the Med cruises which would be early fall. The "early next year" statement confused me. I knew it was getting an overhaul, maybe I'm mixed up as I don't stay on top of that stuff very well.

 

[padalyn]

Oh I thought it was going for that major refurb after the Med cruises which would be early fall. The "early next year" statement confused me. I knew it was getting an overhaul, maybe I'm mixed up as I don't stay on top of that stuff very well.

that is what I was told...maybe they have the dates messed up - I can't see them doing it twice...

 

[gonecrusin]

I have booked a Cat 4A. Right now it's only myself, DH and DD (22). My other DD and DSIL may go. How would it be with 5 adults in this room? Usually have a deluxe inside and when we went to Alaska we had a navigator's veranda. Any advise you could give would be great.

 

[MandyGirl]

I know that someone was collecting info for the FE exchange. Is a list started yet? I would love to get a feel for how many FE gifts I need to make. If the person who is doing the list would like - I can make a google doc that a link could be added to the first page. I have only run 4 FE exchanges - but I found the google doc worked really well. However, the editing should be handled by one person only - on the first Hawaii cruise it was an open edit...list got seriously messed up!!

Cayla

It is the same person who started our Facebook page --- Sarah (binkytel)

Here's more details on the FE:
https://sites.google.com/site/onamagicaltransatlanticjourney/home/organized-events/fe-exchange

 

[kaseyC]

I have booked a Cat 4A. Right now it's only myself, DH and DD (22). My other DD and DSIL may go. How would it be with 5 adults in this room? Usually have a deluxe inside and when we went to Alaska we had a navigator's veranda. Any advise you could give would be great.

5 adults would be very tight. I would consider two cabins. Maybe a verandah with an inside across the hall. The 4 A is just a bit bigger than the standard Verandahs. Just enough extra space for the murphy bed that comes out of the the wall.

Keep an eye out because I expect we will see some discounts on this sailing.

 

[heatherb819]

There were discounts last year but not until closer to sailing! Fingers crossed they have them again!!!

 

[padalyn]

I have booked a Cat 4A. Right now it's only myself, DH and DD (22). My other DD and DSIL may go. How would it be with 5 adults in this room? Usually have a deluxe inside and when we went to Alaska we had a navigator's veranda. Any advise you could give would be great.

Unless you have a suite I don't think DCL will LET you put 5 in a room. Only in the multiple room suites are you allowed even 4 adults. just my thoughts...you might want to call DCL or try to put 5 in a cabin on the search thingy online.

It is the same person who started our Facebook page --- Sarah (binkytel)

Here's more details on the FE:
https://sites.google.com/site/onamagicaltransatlanticjourney/home/organized-events/fe-exchange

kewl - thank you!!!

 

[kaseyC]

Unless you have a suite I don't think DCL will LET you put 5 in a room. Only in the multiple room suites are you allowed even 4 adults. just my thoughts...you might want to call DCL or try to put 5 in a cabin on the search thingy online.

No, most Category 4's hold 5 passengers. They have twin/queen, sleeper sofa, upper bunk and a murphy bed. On the new ships, there are some Cat. 8 Oceanview cabins that hold 5.

 

[gonecrusin]

5 adults would be very tight. I would consider two cabins. Maybe a verandah with an inside across the hall. The 4 A is just a bit bigger than the standard Verandahs. Just enough extra space for the murphy bed that comes out of the the wall.

Keep an eye out because I expect we will see some discounts on this sailing.

Thanks! Crossing my fingers for discounts.

Unless you have a suite I don't think DCL will LET you put 5 in a room. Only in the multiple room suites are you allowed even 4 adults. just my thoughts...you might want to call DCL or try to put 5 in a cabin on the search thingy online.

On the Magic and the Wonder all Cat 4 sleep 5. That I did check on but sleeping is one thing and being able to move around is another.

No, most Category 4's hold 5 passengers. They have twin/queen, sleeper sofa, upper bunk and a murphy bed. On the new ships, there are some Cat. 8 Oceanview cabins that hold 5.

Thanks!

 

[Kirbo]

All caught up

Val, love your door magnet design. You're good at this stuff.

to those joining us!

And congratulations to those who are soon to graduate.

 

[Transatlantic H20]

Holy moly, there are a lot of posts! Add us to the list as we just booked. We have 5 adults and 1 child (he'll be 4 1/2) on this cruise. One of these days, I'll catch up on everything that has happened. but for right now, we are excited to join y'all!

Hi! We will have 4 1/2 son going, too!

 

[Transatlantic H20]

Thanks, I hadn't thought about booking a RT FROM Barcelona. Alot of time the RT is cheaper then a one way.

We have our TA asking about the 2013 schedule for the Queen Mary 2 to see about coming home that way. We have to decide if we want to be gone that long.

I'll update the spreadsheet today.

Val

THIS IS what we did. Do we know anyone else who is doing this? We're going out on the magic, and coming back on the queen. Europe without having to face my fear of flying!

 

[binkytell]

you are going to love this cruise!! We used DVC points to book it since it was SO reasonable. Gotta love a good cruise!



I see someone added you...you should be all set now!

I know that someone was collecting info for the FE exchange. Is a list started yet? I would love to get a feel for how many FE gifts I need to make. If the person who is doing the list would like - I can make a google doc that a link could be added to the first page. I have only run 4 FE exchanges - but I found the google doc worked really well. However, the editing should be handled by one person only - on the first Hawaii cruise it was an open edit...list got seriously messed up!!

Cayla

Thanks but I've managed to make a google doc already

 

[padalyn]

Thanks but I've managed to make a google doc already

good deal! They are useful!

Is there a link to it yet? Or are you still just collecting info?