May 19 - 24, 2014 San Diego to Vancouver

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I love the ships/service, and this itinerary is fantastic for us since its close and there's a lot of sea days at a great price, but have no desire to see the Caribbean and was underwhelmed by Castaway Cay (Maui is nicer, IMHO, and I lived there for half my life). I can't see getting past Gold Castaway Club membership if they don't start finding a way to successfully run some different itineraries.

I totally agree. I'm not a big Caribbean fan, having grown up going to Hawaii all the time, I'm very biased I would love to see DCL return to the Baltics, do Norway, Asia, etc. We've done the Med on DCL, Alaska, and NY/Canada last year, and Mexico the first year they ran it out of Los Angeles.

 

[Thnlk]

We really loved the Panama Cruise. It really was much more than we expected.

We are doing East bound Panama cruise in 2014. This is one that we have been wanting to do for some time

 

[Huney]

I totally agree. I'm not a big Caribbean fan, having grown up going to Hawaii all the time, I'm very biased I would love to see DCL return to the Baltics, do Norway, Asia, etc. We've done the Med on DCL, Alaska, and NY/Canada last year, and Mexico the first year they ran it out of Los Angeles.

How is the Caribbean different than Hawaii? I grew up there in Hawaii too, and the pictures of the Caribbean make it look so nice lol. It's not as far south as Hawaii right? Mao is the water cold? We won't really get in the ocean in San Diego (well, my kids will, but they don't really know any different at this point lol), because its too cold.

 

[lilpooh108]

I love the ships/service, and this itinerary is fantastic for us since its close and there's a lot of sea days at a great price, but have no desire to see the Caribbean and was underwhelmed by Castaway Cay (Maui is nicer, IMHO, and I lived there for half my life). I can't see getting past Gold Castaway Club membership if they don't start finding a way to successfully run some different itineraries.

I completely agree. We spent a few days in Nassau in 2005 as a part of a graduation trip from graduate school and I hated it. I didn't understand the big appeal of the Atlantis and the beaches there were just OK. Added to the environment (people peddling random things, safety issues), it just wasn't relaxing like Hawaii. While we like Castaway Cay, the 1st time I went there I told my husband that I didn't see the big deal since it wasn't as nice as Maui. The Caribbean is just not our "thing."

I totally agree. I'm not a big Caribbean fan, having grown up going to Hawaii all the time, I'm very biased I would love to see DCL return to the Baltics, do Norway, Asia, etc. We've done the Med on DCL, Alaska, and NY/Canada last year, and Mexico the first year they ran it out of Los Angeles.

Would love another itinerary to Baltics, but we're seriously waiting for Asia. We're booked on the WBTA and this SD to Vancouver cruise for 2014 mostly because none of the ports next year really excite us. Since we just want to be on the ship anyway, it's much cheaper to be on a repo cruise.

If they did a roundtrip Tokyo (or whatever the closest port is), we'd definitely do a combo of Disney Sea and a Disney Asia cruise. Here's to hoping

 

[taaren]

I totally agree. I'm not a big Caribbean fan, having grown up going to Hawaii all the time, I'm very biased I would love to see DCL return to the Baltics, do Norway, Asia, etc. We've done the Med on DCL, Alaska, and NY/Canada last year, and Mexico the first year they ran it out of Los Angeles.

Yep, I'd definitely sign on for a Baltics/Norway cruise. Mexico I'm not excited about, but I'd probably go on one since its close and another opportunity to get on the ship relatively cheaply (eg. no airfare).
I like that they did the NY/Canada cruises, and all the Northeast residents seemed super excited about it and they seemed to have sold fairly well (I don't remember seeing heavy discounts, etc), so I'm not certain why they cancelled those. Next time I go to New England though, I have my eye on a horseback riding tour of Vermont ... love those New England fall colors. That was my favorite part of living in the midwest the few years I was doing my B.A.

 

[Huney]

I was just looking over my dd's school calendar for next year, and saw that the Monday after we debark is Memorial Day. I wonder if flights will be more because of that, and also, if I can talk dh into staying in Vancouver another night

 

[lilpooh108]

I was just looking over my dd's school calendar for next year, and saw that the Monday after we debark is Memorial Day. I wonder if flights will be more because of that, and also, if I can talk dh into staying in Vancouver another night

Hey thanks for figuring this out!!! We were just talking about whether to stay in Vancouver and make a trip out of it. I think this will factor in.

 

[HeyyCali]

I was just looking over my dd's school calendar for next year, and saw that the Monday after we debark is Memorial Day. I wonder if flights will be more because of that, and also, if I can talk dh into staying in Vancouver another night

I'm so glad you pointed that out! I am trying to get my plans for Vancouver set up right now!

 

[Kidlette]

I've gotten a quote from the DCL and have emailed a TA to see if we can get a better price or OBCs.

I know you've already stated that you aren't going, but I just thought I'd give you a little info for future planning. Or, I know you said you're looking to possibly go without your friend, so maybe this will help with that. Anyway, as a previous travel agent (and hopefully opening my own agency soon), I can tell you that Disney does not allow discounting on their product. Sometimes a travel agency can discount using their commission, for example, if they're getting $100 commission they could discount your cruise or trip by $50 and essentially give-up 50% of their commission to you. Most agencies don't do this anyway, but those that do are not allowed to do it on the disney product. The only way for an agency to get Disney cheaper than Disney themselves is if they've booked a group on a Disney Cruise at a set rate and the normal rate goes up. The agency with a group will have their rate locked in for how ever many cabins they held while the general public sees the rates increasing. Unfortunately, that's the only way to get a "cheaper price" on a Disney cruise. Also, with regards to OBC, etc - it's the same situation. Any booking promo that includes a credit is something coming from Disney direct - any agency (be it a TA or Disney castmember) who books with that rate code would receive that credit. Moral of the story, unless you can find a travel agency with group rates on a Disney cruise, you're better off booking direct with Disney, and, "discounts" on Disney products don't exist. Anyway - I hope that helps! I hope you're able to find a sailing

Question??? Where is everyone coming from? What city or State? I'm from Victorville, Calif.

Oh wow, we're fairly close! We live in San Jacinto (unfortunately), which is in Riverside County (unfortunately).

Hey there, I was wondering if you had talked to Disney and if they had released any suggestions for hotels in the San Diego area yet? I know we are still far out, but I also know how time slips away and all of a sudden it is time to get on the ship.

I may give them a call myself today to see if I can get any answers.

Ryan and I were both born and raised in San Diego, so we're happy to help with answering anyone's questions on hotels, the area, etc. Booking a hotel and transfers through Disney is great, but expensive (more than it should be). You might be better off booking without going through Disney, if you're willing. Anyway, hotel is really going to depend on the type of experience you want to have, type of hotel, and how much money you do or don't want to spend on a room. There are a lot of GREAT places Downtown (specifically in the Gaslamp Quarter, near the ball park, and near Seaport Village) that are FABULOUS, but they're not cheap. We've stayed there a lot on trips back to the area, but we stopped going a while ago because it got too expensive. Problem is, even if you can find a hotel reasonably priced, most of the hotels in downtown have $30 to $50 PER NIGHT parking fees!!! NO JOKE! Just be sure to check the parking and "resort fees" before making a reservation and you should be fine.

 

[kew423]

We decided to go ahead and fly into Los Angeles Friday night and spend Saturday and part of Sunday at Disneyland then the adults will take the train down to San Diego (mom-in-law will take the kids back to San Diego in her car). Luckily we will all stay at mom-in-law's house Sunday night and then take a shuttle to the Wonder!

So excited!!

 

[kew423]

Nothing has changed.

25 adults
1 infant
8 kids under twelve
6 kids twelve to seventeen
13 staterooms

If you want to participate in the FE and have not sent me an email please send an email to Kew423@msn.com.
In the subject of the email put something like "Signing up for FE May 2014" so I don't trash it.

I need to know:
Names, ages and gender of passengers
Stateroom number
DisBoard ID
Email Address
Alcohol OK?
Disney favorite characters or likes for each person
Favorite color for each person


Thanks!
K

 

[markheardjr]

Wife and I just signed up. We were on the Magic 6/1/13 Med cruise. We wanted to book this one and the future cruises rep never got us the information. We called 3 weeks after and DCL still honored the on-board price, so we're booked!!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Wife and I just signed up. We were on the Magic 6/1/13 Med cruise. We wanted to book this one and the future cruises rep never got us the information. We called 3 weeks after and DCL still honored the on-board price, so we're booked!!

Welcome and congratulations on your Med Cruise. You must have had a great time to have booked another sailing.

I have added you to the roster on the first page.

 

[Jackson's grammie]

I have just made a reservation for sat and sun nights at the Catamaran Resort and Hotel . It is near Seaworld and about 10 min from SD proper. Looks very nice. Its a 4 star and the 2 nights for a reg. room comes to 380 using promo code P15. It does have a parking charge but not as bad as the other hotels. You can also get a breakfast package. we didn't because we are going to seaworld and will want to get an early start.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Does anyone else get excited when they come here and find new threads to read. Silly I know, but its the little things.

I ended up booking the Hilton Airport, I think. Rate was high, but they do have shuttle from the airport and they had "availability" and the deposit was refundable, so if I find something better, then I can make a change.

It is hard to compare as some have shuttle service, some have breakfast, so it is often a tradeoff for the room rate as to what is the best deal.

 

[lilpooh108]

Wife and I just signed up. We were on the Magic 6/1/13 Med cruise. We wanted to book this one and the future cruises rep never got us the information. We called 3 weeks after and DCL still honored the on-board price, so we're booked!!

Same thing happened to us for the guy working the 6/1 Med. I even skipped the quote part and just gave him my CC. He booked only 2 rooms, the 3rd was wrong and we all never got emails The call center "fixed" it but it was nerve wracking there for 15 minutes on hold.

 

[lilpooh108]

Does anyone else get excited when they come here and find new threads to read. Silly I know, but its the little things.

My DD and I talk about this cruise everyday. She likes to pretend to order room service and discuss Character Photo Op schedules She's only 4. Poor thing has been brainwashed (by me!)

 

[Jackson's grammie]

Good morning everyone. I don't think life has been this quiet for a year. In just a month when we get ready for the new school year that will change drastically. I am taking advantage of this quiet time and starting the fe's for the cruise.

 

[taaren]

My DD and I talk about this cruise everyday. She likes to pretend to order room service and discuss Character Photo Op schedules She's only 4. Poor thing has been brainwashed (by me!)

We just moved into a new house, so we're ripping out carpet and getting new furniture, etc. (We left all our old junk behind since it was hand-me-down cheap stuff.) My DS6 says to me "Mom, can we make my room look like the room on the cruise ship?" He alternates between that and talking about what he wants to do at the parks, which friends he wants to ride which rides and eat which character meals with.
The amount of advertising Disney sends to our house since we're DVC doesn't help, but most of the time he comes up with this stuff all on his own!

 

[lilpooh108]

My DS6 says to me "Mom, can we make my room look like the room on the cruise ship?"

Uh, hello. Please tell him that this is only THE BEST IDEA EVER We're doing the girls' rooms next year and I asked DH where I might find one of those tableside lamps from the cruise cabin and he thought I was bananas....

He alternates between that and talking about what he wants to do at the parks, which friends he wants to ride which rides and eat which character meals with.

Love it We do this too....it's so fun to pretend along with them.

Good morning everyone. I don't think life has been this quiet for a year. In just a month when we get ready for the new school year that will change drastically. I am taking advantage of this quiet time and starting the fe's for the cruise.

You are on top of it!