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

[heatherb819]

Welcome!!! Just added you to the FB page!

 

[sdlong329]

I heard John Charles for the first time on the Fantasy last week. I would definitely love to hear him again!

- We LOVE John Charles! We've seen him several times ... including the Fantasy last week. We picked up a DVD of his either earlier this year, or last year. He's a great guy and excellent entertainer!

I am getting so excited, how could anyone possibly think the sea days are boring then?? This is exactly why we booked this cruise we wanted time with the ship

-When we booked out first T/A for 2010, we were nervous about the number of sea days. We later found the 6-day stretch of sea days to be MAGICal ... we were ecstatic! It was the most relaxing time of the cruise. We did a B2B cruise on the Wonder in 2011 (13 nights), as well as two separate 7-day cruises on the Fantasy (earlier this year) ... and can say we did not enjoy them as much as we did, as compared to those SIX MAGICal / WONDERful sea days!

Steven

 

[kaseyC]

We have now paid in full

Congrats!!

We're IN (and PAID IN FULL)!

After much wrangling ... we're committed! Well, committed to the T/A, that is!

We were on the 2010 EB T/A on the Magic ... loved the 6 sea days in a row! We've been on the Fantasy twice since the Maiden Voyage, and we're in the mood for some vibes from the DCL classic ships. That means, I want CHOCOLATE NIGHT and CHARACTER BREAKFAST!

DW (Donna) and I are DCL Platinum ... no kids in tow. Our "child" is a young adult, and sailed DCL with us when he was a young 'un! We have owned DVC since 1994 (Old Key West and Animal Kingdom).

We will be flying Southwest to Houston (from PHL) the night prior to embarkation ... we usually meet other DISers in the Southwest Terminal at PHL airport. Looks like we have a *little* time to read through the previous posts ... will sign up for whatever we can ... though we will not be doing FE's this cruise.

I sent a request to be added to the FB page.

Stateroom: V-GTY
Dining: Second

Steven

Welcome!

 

[sdlong329]

Based on this rollcall and when I have been spot-checking cabins, I don't believe our EBTA is selling well at all either.

- Not uncommon for an EB T/A cruise ... DCL will sell a BOAT load of rooms within 90 - 120 days of sailing. Hopefully, those who DO book in that window will have previously booked air fare ... or suffer the wrath of outrageously expensive international air fare!

Some people have issues (or preferences) with EB vs. WB ... the thought being ... EB T/A cruises loose 1 hour per day on sea days (WB gains one hour). There are (US residents) who prefer the EB T/A to a WB, since they do not have to worry about jet lag (or sightseeing prior to the cruise). With an EB T/A, you are free to spend your post-cruise time in Europe sightseeing on the same internal clock as you had on the ship. If you fly to Europe for WB T/A, you are instantly hit with jet lag ... either prior to the WB T/A, or during pre-cruise sightseeing.

As for discounted / available staterooms at the port ... DCL will oversell Cat 11C staterooms online, and upgrade them as necessary, in order to fill up the ship. If you have an existing DCL reservation and are not upgraded prior to arriving at the port, I would not expect an upgrade (though anything is possible) ... especially if you have selected a specific stateroom. DCL treats a T/A cruise like a repositioning cruise ... it promotes the cruises at the ultimate destinations. On the other hand, Cunard (as an example) sails 6-day T/A cruises every week ... they MUST fill up their ship(s) at rack rates ... or terminate the season of T/A cruises.

All in all, everyone has their own strategy ... some do better than others. No matter, I will be happiest when I am on the ship!

Steven

 

[MandyGirl]

- Not uncommon for a T/A cruise ... DCL will sell a BOAT load of rooms within 90 - 120 days of sailing. Hopefully, those who DO book in that window will have previously booked air fare ... or suffer the wrath of outrageously expensive international air fare!


Steven

Absolutely agree. Gotta play the game right Book airfare when it's good, watch the cruise rates, and book at the appropriate time.

Our WBTA 2011 went out with no upgrades available at port.

 

[MandyGirl]

Should probably clarify - when I looked at our WBTA 2011 rollcall a week or so ago to compare it to where we are now (in terms of months prior to embarkation), it was a larger rollcall and much more active at 6 months prior than where we are now at <5 months. I just don't think many are seeing Galveston as a destination to take a cruise from, hence already releasing the military, interline, etc rates. Those being released so early surprised me - they were not released that early with our WBTA last year - literally 4 days prior to final payment (a welcome surprise for many).

It will be interesting to see what specials come out closer to sail date and what the GTY rates will be (if/when) they come out.

 

[MandyGirl]

Ah - just saw your edited version. I hear ya about WBTA vs EBTA. We were holding out for WBTA but decided on EBTA after seeing possible dates and our school schedules. Figured EBTA was easier for us with scheduling by basically starting just before summer break. I'll miss that extra hour a day though!

We luckily had no jetlag for WBTA because we broke it up. Spent some time in NYC first, so we just had that 6+ hour flight to BCN. Pushed ourselves (and kids) to stay awake and tour Barcelona a few days, and we all transitioned beautifully. I was amazed, especially with it being the kiddos' first time overseas in that direction. I still get funny looks when people ask if we are taking our kids with us (ages 6 and 2) but they just go with the flow thankfully.

 

[LuvsTheSun]

Hi! We're Lynne (me) and Terry (DH) from NY and will be sailing the EBTA with everyone in May, followed by a BTB Med. the following week. This will be our 5th & 6th DCL cruise, and our second TA voyage (first time was WBTA in 2010). Looking forward to meeting everyone in the spring and getting to know you in the months ahead. Any cruisers onboard from the 2010 WB? I will try to catch up on past posts, but many pages to read, so please be patient I will also request to be added to FB page. Happy Holidays!!!!

Lynne

 

[Tink1987]

We're IN (and PAID IN FULL)!

After much wrangling ... we're committed! Well, committed to the T/A, that is!

We were on the 2010 EB T/A on the Magic ... loved the 6 sea days in a row! We've been on the Fantasy twice since the Maiden Voyage, and we're in the mood for some vibes from the DCL classic ships. That means, I want CHOCOLATE NIGHT and CHARACTER BREAKFAST!

DW (Donna) and I are DCL Platinum ... no kids in tow. Our "child" is a young adult, and sailed DCL with us when he was a young 'un! We have owned DVC since 1994 (Old Key West and Animal Kingdom).

We will be flying Southwest to Houston (from PHL) the night prior to embarkation ... we usually meet other DISers in the Southwest Terminal at PHL airport. Looks like we have a *little* time to read through the previous posts ... will sign up for whatever we can ... though we will not be doing FE's this cruise.

I sent a request to be added to the FB page.

Stateroom: V-GTY
Dining: Second

Steven

Welcome!

 

[Tink1987]

- Not uncommon for an EB T/A cruise ... DCL will sell a BOAT load of rooms within 90 - 120 days of sailing. Hopefully, those who DO book in that window will have previously booked air fare ... or suffer the wrath of outrageously expensive international air fare!

Some people have issues (or preferences) with EB vs. WB ... the thought being ... EB T/A cruises loose 1 hour per day on sea days (WB gains one hour). There are (US residents) who prefer the EB T/A to a WB, since they do not have to worry about jet lag (or sightseeing prior to the cruise). With an EB T/A, you are free to spend your post-cruise time in Europe sightseeing on the same internal clock as you had on the ship. If you fly to Europe for WB T/A, you are instantly hit with jet lag ... either prior to the WB T/A, or during pre-cruise sightseeing.

As for discounted / available staterooms at the port ... DCL will oversell Cat 11C staterooms online, and upgrade them as necessary, in order to fill up the ship. If you have an existing DCL reservation and are not upgraded prior to arriving at the port, I would not expect an upgrade (though anything is possible) ... especially if you have selected a specific stateroom. DCL treats a T/A cruise like a repositioning cruise ... it promotes the cruises at the ultimate destinations. On the other hand, Cunard (as an example) sails 6-day T/A cruises every week ... they MUST fill up their ship(s) at rack rates ... or terminate the season of T/A cruises.

All in all, everyone has their own strategy ... some do better than others. No matter, I will be happiest when I am on the ship!

Steven

If these GTY rates come out then are we better not 're-booking' and holding out for an upgrade? We did book on the first day in an 11C but I guess that doesn't matter, i.e it will be a random selection of offered upgrades?

 

[Tink1987]

Hi! We're Lynne (me) and Terry (DH) from NY and will be sailing the EBTA with everyone in May, followed by a BTB Med. the following week. This will be our 5th & 6th DCL cruise, and our second TA voyage (first time was WBTA in 2010). Looking forward to meeting everyone in the spring and getting to know you in the months ahead. Any cruisers onboard from the 2010 WB? I will try to catch up on past posts, but many pages to read, so please be patient I will also request to be added to FB page. Happy Holidays!!!!

Lynne

Welcome

 

[Tink1987]

Just wanted to pop on and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. Really looking forward to meeting you all next year - not long to go until we can say it will be this year!

Only 13 hours for us to go in the UK now, hope Santa is kind to you all, have a great day and enjoy the time with your loved ones. x

 

[woody73]

. . . Any cruisers onboard from the 2010 WB?

We were on the 2010 WBTA.

Woody

 

[ThePedersonFamily]

Just wanted to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas!! Looking forward to all the fun of the holidays and very very excited for the New Year!! Have a great one!!

 

[heatherb819]

Christmas Blessings to all! May you all have a very merry Christmas! Wishing you safe travels and a healthy holiday!

 

[Yvet]

Hi,

We are also joining this cruise.
We are Emiel and Yvette from The Netherlands and we are traveling together with Donna & Steven.
In 2010 we already have done the EB TA crusie and we loved loved loved the 6 sea days in a row!!!!

I already have a question:
We are a week before the cruise in Orlando and we want to leave from Orlando to Houston on May 16th.
I checked airfare and because most of the carriers are not flying international some of them doesn't ring a bell at me.

I have looked and it looks like Southwest is our best deal, all flights i can find are in the $200 per person range.
But Southwest has the 2 free bags policy.

I also have seen Spirit airlines and there the flight would cost $108 per person but you have to pay (a lot) for bags $20 for the $9 fare club and then $20 for your carry-on $18 for the first checked bag and $25 for the seond checked bag (that would make $73 extra per person) so we would only save around $20 per person compared to Southwest.
Plus i have understood that Spirit isn't a great airline.....

Could you help me out with some advice and tips??

 

[nitrame]

Hi,

We are also joining this cruise.
We are Emiel and Yvette from The Netherlands and we are traveling together with Donna & Steven.
In 2010 we already have done the EB TA crusie and we loved loved loved the 6 sea days in a row!!!!

I already have a question:
We are a week before the cruise in Orlando and we want to leave from Orlando to Houston on May 16th.
I checked airfare and because most of the carriers are not flying international some of them doesn't ring a bell at me.

I have looked and it looks like Southwest is our best deal, all flights i can find are in the $200 per person range.
But Southwest has the 2 free bags policy.

I also have seen Spirit airlines and there the flight would cost $108 per person but you have to pay (a lot) for bags $20 for the $9 fare club and then $20 for your carry-on $18 for the first checked bag and $25 for the seond checked bag (that would make $73 extra per person) so we would only save around $20 per person compared to Southwest.
Plus i have understood that Spirit isn't a great airline.....

Could you help me out with some advice and tips??

IMHO I would choose southwest as it has the free bag policy. The only thing is they do not assign seats and so may be worth it to pay the extra 10 for early bird check in. Also need to know any arrangements you are making for Houston. There are two airports in Houston and southwest flies into the other one it is called Houston hobby. Just don't want to make rental car or hotel arrangements at the wrong airport.


And welcome...

 

[MandyGirl]

Hi,

We are also joining this cruise.
We are Emiel and Yvette from The Netherlands and we are traveling together with Donna & Steven.
In 2010 we already have done the EB TA crusie and we loved loved loved the 6 sea days in a row!!!!

I already have a question:
We are a week before the cruise in Orlando and we want to leave from Orlando to Houston on May 16th.
I checked airfare and because most of the carriers are not flying international some of them doesn't ring a bell at me.

I have looked and it looks like Southwest is our best deal, all flights i can find are in the $200 per person range.
But Southwest has the 2 free bags policy.

I also have seen Spirit airlines and there the flight would cost $108 per person but you have to pay (a lot) for bags $20 for the $9 fare club and then $20 for your carry-on $18 for the first checked bag and $25 for the seond checked bag (that would make $73 extra per person) so we would only save around $20 per person compared to Southwest.
Plus i have understood that Spirit isn't a great airline.....

Could you help me out with some advice and tips??

Welcome aboard!!

Definitely go with Southwest. Higher ratings, including higher safety ratings with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Also, multiple flights per day in case one gets cancelled for some reason you have backup. I've flown Southwest into Hobby twice in the past 4 months - great little airport. Would definitely recommend Southwest. No frills, but gets you where you need to be a better percentage of the time than most carriers.

I'll be flying Spirit in a few months one-way for international, and not looking forward to it, but it was half the cost of American Airlines and AA was wanting too many AAdvantage miles for that portion of the trip. A friend just got off of Spirit from Orlando with nothing but complaints, so I am really hating purchasing the one-way ticket I did, but had overshot another budget already.

 

[MandyGirl]

Hi! We're Lynne (me) and Terry (DH) from NY and will be sailing the EBTA with everyone in May, followed by a BTB Med. the following week. This will be our 5th & 6th DCL cruise, and our second TA voyage (first time was WBTA in 2010). Looking forward to meeting everyone in the spring and getting to know you in the months ahead. Any cruisers onboard from the 2010 WB? I will try to catch up on past posts, but many pages to read, so please be patient I will also request to be added to FB page. Happy Holidays!!!!

Lynne

Welcome aboard, Lynne and Terry And Merry Christmas!!

 

[Tink1987]

Hi,

We are also joining this cruise.
We are Emiel and Yvette from The Netherlands and we are traveling together with Donna & Steven.
In 2010 we already have done the EB TA crusie and we loved loved loved the 6 sea days in a row!!!!

I already have a question:
We are a week before the cruise in Orlando and we want to leave from Orlando to Houston on May 16th.
I checked airfare and because most of the carriers are not flying international some of them doesn't ring a bell at me.

I have looked and it looks like Southwest is our best deal, all flights i can find are in the $200 per person range.
But Southwest has the 2 free bags policy.

I also have seen Spirit airlines and there the flight would cost $108 per person but you have to pay (a lot) for bags $20 for the $9 fare club and then $20 for your carry-on $18 for the first checked bag and $25 for the seond checked bag (that would make $73 extra per person) so we would only save around $20 per person compared to Southwest.
Plus i have understood that Spirit isn't a great airline.....

Could you help me out with some advice and tips??

Welcome aboard

Hope everyone has had a very nice Christmas Day