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

[rbw5t]

Does anyone think there's any chance of a Kids Sail Free offer being extended for this sailing? I've already booked in any case, but have only paid a 10% deposit, and the savings would of course be more than welcome. If they were to add that deal after the PIF date (1/18 right?) are all the people who have already booked and paid just out of luck?

Thanks for any thoughts!

 

[padalyn]

Does anyone think there's any chance of a Kids Sail Free offer being extended for this sailing? I've already booked in any case, but have only paid a 10% deposit, and the savings would of course be more than welcome. If they were to add that deal after the PIF date (1/18 right?) are all the people who have already booked and paid just out of luck?

Thanks for any thoughts!

I doubt it, but one never knows. Some of us used alternative methods to pay for this so that accounts for the early PIF (we used DVC, other military discounts, or TA specials that require full payment at time of booking) Some are just very savvy savers who managed to budget in the money!!!

Congrats on all the PIF folks - see you in 134 days!!

 

[sdlong329]

There are extra phones at guest services, but they are very reluctant to lend them out. If you have a group of 4 adults in one cabin, you might be able to get extras (with a deposit on file I think). We tend to toss them in a drawer (or on top of the cabinets). Just make sure they are off if you do this - the stupid beep of low battery is MOST annoying!

I hope you remembered to CHARGE them from time to time. I would have found a dead battery to be worse than a low battery beep!

Steven

 

[sdlong329]

Does anyone think there's any chance of a Kids Sail Free offer being extended for this sailing? I've already booked in any case, but have only paid a 10% deposit, and the savings would of course be more than welcome. If they were to add that deal after the PIF date (1/18 right?) are all the people who have already booked and paid just out of luck?

Thanks for any thoughts!

I've seen KIDS SAIL FREE for Mediterranean, as well as Mexico ... but not T/A. There are far fewer kids on T/A cruises ... it likely does not make sense for DCL to seek guests from an already slim market.

PIF date changes, based upon category (concierge) or Castaway Club level.

Steven

 

[Yvet]

PIF date changes, based upon category (concierge) or Castaway Club level.
Steven

I thought for these special cruises that the PIF dates are the same for everybody plus more in advance then the normal cruises....

 

[Tink1987]

Been to the Disney store today and just had to pick this up for the cruise.

[/IMG]

He's all ready for swimming - his hat is off and he has his armbands on!

 

[NancyIL]

I thought for these special cruises that the PIF dates are the same for everybody plus more in advance then the normal cruises....

The PIF date for non-concierge guests for this cruise is January 18 - 120 days in advance. Castaway Club status affects when you can book excursions, Palo, etc. I'll probably wait until the week it is due to pay the balance - just in case there is a price-drop before then. Doubtful, I know!

 

[kaseyC]

Been to the Disney store today and just had to pick this up for the cruise.

[/IMG]

He's all ready for swimming - his hat is off and he has his armbands on!

That is one adorable Donald!! I will have to check our local Disney store, my youngest DD would love one.

 

[MandyGirl]

Well, my folks have finally decided how they're going to do their trip. It's a beaut, and I'm so jealous.

They're not only taking the EBTA, they're going to take another cruise out of Barcelona a few days later, and see France, Italy, Turkey, and Greece, ending up in Venice.

Welcome aboard to them! Sounds like a fabulous second cruise!

We have a 5 yr old boy as well (and a 1 yr old girl). Glad to see there will be some new buddies for him onboard!

We are definitely noticing more children on this rollcall than on our WBTA (that was mid-September). I anticipate more children on this one since I know some schools are ending the year during the cruise, and some local private schools around me are actually finished with the year on May 17.

My mother is a knitter, and she's looking for other knitters on her board who live in the area, and might offer suggestions. I know they want to see the Solent Sky Museum (my father is a retired history instructor, and a WWII aviation buff). As to the rest, they figure they'll check it out when they get there. They also might take the train to some neighboring areas.

Your father and my husband definitely need to meet onboard!! I just read this portion to him and his eyes lit up! Our computer room is adorned with WWII aircraft pictures, and any time we have been overseas we have had to visit an aviation museum. His favorite cruiseline to sail is Holland America because we always would end up at tea with some WWII vets and he could listen to their stories for hours.

About the time it looked like things were going to be okay, I was diagnosed with cancer and my husband was diagnosed with a serious coronary problem. I have to go in for a PET/CT this Monday, and I hope nothing jinxes it. My folks deserve a chance to do something special. Crossing my fingers for no new surgery, or at least that it's done by May.

Sending prayers your way. (And sanity.) I know the process and awaiting results can be so stressful.

If they were to add that deal after the PIF date (1/18 right?) are all the people who have already booked and paid just out of luck?

Thanks for any thoughts!

It depends... you can cancel your original booking (lose just the deposit if more than 55 days out still) and book the new cruise with the special rate if that comes out. We are playing that game as well. If it saves more money than losing our deposit, we will go with it. If not, then keep what we are at. I think we have until around March 21 until the cancellation penalty goes to more than just losing the deposit (it jumps to 50% then I believe).

 

[GoofyNewfie]

Last thing left to do is book a hotel in London for Saturday and Sunday night. Any opinion? We were looking at the Marriott in Kensington or the Marble Arch. Thought about using DVC points but they are too high. We are open for suggestions also of what to do and see.

The one piece of advice I can offer is don't think that you need to get a hotel right in the middle of the tourist district. They're generally pricier. The London underground is amazing, easy to use, and, for a day rate, quite cheap with the Oyster card (without is expensive). For those of you with tablets, smartphones, there's a Underground app that works quite well.

 

[sdlong329]

Yes, they can be rough. We are a little later in the year (about 1 week) so we may be alright. The east bound cruise tends to be rougher since the winter waters are still present. take candied ginger along and buy some ginger ale in Texas (they do not have it on board at all!)

We did not have any issues with rough waters in 2010 EBTA. We did have more whitecaps as compare to Caribbean ... but the waves seemed WIDER ... not taller. When we looked at the waves from deck 4, they seemed HUGE (wide, not tall) ... but it was still fairly smooth.

No Ginger Ale on DCL? DW usually gets Ginger Ale once one twice on most DCL cruises (albeit, at a restaurant, not at the soda fountain).

Steven

 

[Tink1987]

The one piece of advice I can offer is don't think that you need to get a hotel right in the middle of the tourist district. They're generally pricier. The London underground is amazing, easy to use, and, for a day rate, quite cheap with the Oyster card (without is expensive). For those of you with tablets, smartphones, there's a Underground app that works quite well.

I second that for the London Underground and not just because I am from the UK. The rest of Europe think we have the most overpriced underground transit system. However, everywhere I have been to in Europe with a underground system is cheaper but is dirty, smelly and have hundreds of homeless people everywhere.

I think London's tube stations are clean, well lit, there are buskers etc but not homeless people.

So sorry I know that's so off topic but I really do feel that London gets a bum deal sometimes compared to other cities in Europe

 

[sdlong329]

I thought for these special cruises that the PIF dates are the same for everybody plus more in advance then the normal cruises....

Yes, you are correct ... but I do not think DCL considers a T/A cruise to be a special cruise. MAIDEN and INAUGURAL cruises have PIF dates which can be 15 - 30 days earlier than Concierge or Platinum PIF dates. I am not sure how they determine which cruises are *special* (ie: Baltics, etc).

NancyIL - You are correct about different booking dates (excursions, etc) for different Castaway Club level ... I thought the PIF date was different also, but you are probably right. PIF date is likely earlier for Suites / Concierge ... not necessarily Castaway Club level. Regardless, special cruises CAN / DO have earlier PIF dates.

Steven

 

[mellers]

Leave it with me and I will have a look this afternoon and send you a DM

Thank you very much, Tink1987!

 

[mellers]

Your father and my husband definitely need to meet onboard!! I just read this portion to him and his eyes lit up! Our computer room is adorned with WWII aircraft pictures, and any time we have been overseas we have had to visit an aviation museum. His favorite cruiseline to sail is Holland America because we always would end up at tea with some WWII vets and he could listen to their stories for hours.

Oh my goodness. These two have to meet! I got your DM, and (after messing things up a bit), got some additional information. I'll DM you a little more information later today.

Sending prayers your way. (And sanity.) I know the process and awaiting results can be so stressful.

Thank you.

 

[mellers]

That's the hotel where we are staying. I plan to take a taxi from the port to the hotel when we get off the ship on June 1st.

Thanks, it sounds like that's the best way.

 

[MandyGirl]

No Ginger Ale on DCL? DW usually gets Ginger Ale once one twice on most DCL cruises (albeit, at a restaurant, not at the soda fountain).

Steven

I didn't ask for any in November on the Magic, but always bring some onboard. I'm a wuss. Figured I better have some with me just in case, and the 2-liter fit just fine. In fact, we had two 2-liters and two wine bottles in the fridge at all times. Just had to be prepared, right?

So sorry I know that's so off topic but I really do feel that London gets a bum deal sometimes compared to other cities in Europe

Love London!! In fact, my grandma was from Haverhill and met my grandfather during WWII. He was a US serviceman, so she came back to the States as a war bride. With thanks to Facebook, I have been able to be in regular communication with that part of the family and hope to get over there in 2014. Haven't told hubby that idea yet LOL. Need to get him over some trips we have for this year before I ask for another.

 

[Tink1987]

Love London!! In fact, my grandma was from Haverhill and met my grandfather during WWII. He was a US serviceman, so she came back to the States as a war bride. With thanks to Facebook, I have been able to be in regular communication with that part of the family and hope to get over there in 2014. Haven't told hubby that idea yet LOL. Need to get him over some trips we have for this year before I ask for another.

Aww that's a cute story

 

[kcashner]

Yeah, I'm waiting for them to drop the price or announce a special rate...about 27 minutes after we enter the penalty period. Joy.

 

[Yvet]

Yeah, I'm waiting for them to drop the price or announce a special rate...about 27 minutes after we enter the penalty period. Joy.

Like they did for the EBTA 2010...