May 30, 2009 - Western Cruise Magic

[brucechase]

How do you guys figure out your upgrades? do you request them?

I was assigned a room number when we first booked our trip do they upgrade those?

And yes I know very little but ....what does GTY mean?

You know by looking on the Disney Cruise website and getting your room number. Then (and this is important) you look up a stateroom report (or check the ship layout I sent with the FE List) and see what category that room is in. On your reservations page, the listed category will not change - mine still says Cat12 even though I am in a Cat 10. If you picked your room number and it is still that number, then you haven't been upgraded. Most of us who were upgraded had picked a Cat12 GTY (guarenteed at least that cat). Since there are only 13 Cat 12 rooms and on this board alone they sold over 30 of them, that means most of those people would have to be upgraded. You must still book a category that you are comfortable in though, by booking GTY you leave it all up to the mouse - where on the ship your room is and what category.

 

[sebamt]

Someone please tell me again when/where our cruise meet is scheduled. I seem to remember something about the terminal before sailing, but I've just lost my mind and don't know where to look for it.....Thanks!

I'd also like to know the plans for a meet in the terminal. We're spending the night in the MCO airport, but plan to be at the terminal around 10:30 am. How will be recognize each other? Should we wear something green? (bracelet, t-shirt, name tag?)

 

[loveysbydesign]

We'll have on our Lime green cruise t-shirts so we should be easy to spot!

 

[CarolinaBlue]

I found this:

Hi All,

Someone mentioned about the Meet and Greet. This is what we planned earlier on. It's from my post on 3-4-09 Post #302

I'm thinking it would be awesome if we could all get together before we get on the ship. Those of us staying at the Raddison will leaving at 10 on the shuttle. Last time, we unpacked our carry ons and waited for a short time to go in. When we did, our carry ons were checked and we were sent up stairs in the waiting area. We had an hour or so before we could get on the ship. So, I think if everyone gets to the port before the ship starts boarding, we could meet in the waiting area. What do you all think? I found out last cruise, which was our first, that it is hard to meet when we got on the ship because we are all curious to see the ship and look around to see what's new. Now, if we can't get together at the port. I do think we should plan another place to meet and greet each family.

Therefore, we are meeting in the waiting area before we board. Everyone should be wearing some kind of green, shirt, bracelet or the Mickey Ears. My family will be weaing lime green Mickey Ears. Hope this is helpful to all. Have a great week! Carolyn

Meeting at the terminal is OK...but that only works for people who get there early. You'll need to be a lot more specific than meet in the waiting area--you'll want a time and place--like 11:15 by the seating area right outside the bathroom hall. Problem is that not everyone can get to the terminal early or wants to. We've met and talked with Dis-ers in the terminal, but it's not a great time for the big meet.

The traditional Dis-meet times/places are 3 or 3:15 either in the Promenade Lounge or pick a side by the Goofy pool. If you meet by the pool, it is harder to hear each other, but the kids can swim. There's nothing happening in the Promenade Lounge at this time. It is sort of a "wait till after the safety drill" time when moms tend to unpack, kids swim, etc. The meet is a good time to make any room changes to the fish extender lists, just say hello, etc. By 3, everyone should be on the ship.

I'll go with whatever the gang decides....

We discussed it awhile back- I thought you were in on the discussion too? But maybe not.
anyway we came to a general consensus between us that the meeting on the ship later really didn't go so great in the past. Although it may work at the Promenade better- both times we did it on the ship on our previous cruises it was on deck 10! Which was not good- no one stayed long enough so there was always a "portion" of the group there but not everyone at once- because everyone would come, get overly hot and leave then others show up a bit later. KWIM? Plus it was kinda hectic to do that so shortly before getting the life vests on- especially for those with early dining it was cramping them on time.

When we talked about it before- atleast those that discussed it back then- all said they planned on being there early so it seemed like in the terminal before we boarded would be a better place to get together. Personally I don't see why we couldn't plan BOTH times/places and that way anyone who missed the first meeting could go to the 2nd one and some could go to both to make sure they got to meet everyone? Inside sounds like it would be better than on deck 10 and by the pool would work since I know many people their kids wnat to go straight to the pools (our youngest always does- and DH takes her there while I unpack like a mad woman having JUST got our luggage about that time LOL)

We could do both times? Would that work better for everyone? Those that come early- meet in the terminal- those that come late meet in the lounge or by pool (whatever you all decide) and some could go to both if they wanted to?

 

[loveysbydesign]

This is our 1st cruise and I know my kids are going to want to swim as soon as we board. Not sure when/where is the best time to meet as we've never done this before!!!

 

[loveysbydesign]

Just got this email from my TA
"Greetings,

Do you have friends or family that would want to join you on your May 30 Disney Cruise Line® Vacation? We have very limited access to Category 12 Inside staterooms on this sailing. These rooms are limited to a maximum of three passengers per room and will not last long. The rate has gone up but it is still a bargain at $2506 for 2 Adults and 1 Child"

 

[Claw]

Just got this email from my TA
"Greetings,

Do you have friends or family that would want to join you on your May 30 Disney Cruise Line® Vacation? We have very limited access to Category 12 Inside staterooms on this sailing. These rooms are limited to a maximum of three passengers per room and will not last long. The rate has gone up but it is still a bargain at $2506 for 2 Adults and 1 Child"

Thats interesting..I wonder if they haven't yet filled from ppl theyve moved or does this mean more upgrades.. also if you have a teen that would like to chat w/ mine DD 17 during the next week before we sail pm me and I'll give you her facebook ,myspace, e-mail or whatever. looking back at past posts I am glad to see it sounds like we have a good group of teens w/ similar faith/parental beliefs.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I will be wearing my lime green panama canal shirt with a lime green silicone bracelet.

 

[CO Lacrosse Mom]

Just got this email from my TA
"Greetings,

Do you have friends or family that would want to join you on your May 30 Disney Cruise Line® Vacation? We have very limited access to Category 12 Inside staterooms on this sailing. These rooms are limited to a maximum of three passengers per room and will not last long. The rate has gone up but it is still a bargain at $2506 for 2 Adults and 1 Child"

I was just coming to post this! We must have the same travel agent. Glad that we paid even less than this. Hope that it also means we might still get upgraded. We have three cat 12 rooms that were not upgraded at all from GTY - just want a split bathroom - please!

 

[kcashner]

So...thoughts for cruise meet....terminal before boarding ??? time ???11:15

Other thought 3 pm starboard side of Goofy pool?

These are my proposals. The pool is hard to hear, but the kids can be swimming. I've never done anything in the terminal, but there seemed to be interest there. What do you guys think? Either, both, other ideas...just don't care???

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Ditto- must have the same TA also- got the same email.

About meeting: it wasn't really discussed further about meeting onboard at the promenade lounge but we can still do that too if y'all want to? As I mentioned before the general consensus was everyone (who posted atleast) was coming early so we'd meet in the terminal. I'll try to take a photo later tonight and post the shirts we'll be wearing. We'll probably have on lime green wristbands too if I can find them from the last cruise. LOL I'm just planning on migrating towards anyone wearing lime green- hope they are DIS'ers and I don't embarrass myself! LOL

Crazy busy around here getting everything, and everyone, ready for our trip. We're leaving early Friday morning!!! Gotta get everything done here, everything ready, still haven't packed (which is way way behind for me LOL), more dr appts, haircuts, you name it- plus get all the pets to their "home away from home" (various places) for while we're gone, etc. etc. ETC.! I'm a little bit in freak out mode with so much to do... it's not as simple as just packing up clothes in suitcases since this time it's a road trip and staying (and eating) in our camper for a week at WDW first- yanno? Lots more to do, lots more to pack and lots more shopping to do- even for food. LOL

calgon- take me away!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

So...thoughts for cruise meet....terminal before boarding ??? time ???11:15

Other thought 3 pm starboard side of Goofy pool?

These are my proposals. The pool is hard to hear, but the kids can be swimming. I've never done anything in the terminal, but there seemed to be interest there. What do you guys think? Either, both, other ideas...just don't care???

11:15 at terminal before boarding is fine with me. I don't think even if we're one of the first there (parking at port) that we'd be boarding before then, right?

3pm at promenade lounge is what I'm hearing has worked well for others (I went and looked at other threads about this subject). Atleast I know that's gotta be far better than on deck 10 like my past 2 cruises! If y'all want to do it by the pool- that's fine. Atleast I know my DH always takes our youngest to the pool pretty much first thing after we eat when we get onboard. We do have early dining and if our luggage arrives by then I'm usually unpacking everything in the room while he takes her (atleast her) to the Mickey pool. I'm sure I can tear myself away (if the luggage is there) long enough to meet for a bit. It would probably be a good idea to have an onboard meet too- especially to make sure if there are any room # changes we can get that noted on our FE lists- right? And plus that's an extra meet for anyone who is NOT able to make the terminal meet, before boarding, at 11:15am- right?

What say you all?

 

[liliagm]

11:15 at terminal before boarding is fine with me. I don't think even if we're one of the first there (parking at port) that we'd be boarding before then, right?

3pm at promenade lounge is what I'm hearing has worked well for others (I went and looked at other threads about this subject). Atleast I know that's gotta be far better than on deck 10 like my past 2 cruises! If y'all want to do it by the pool- that's fine. Atleast I know my DH always takes our youngest to the pool pretty much first thing after we eat when we get onboard. We do have early dining and if our luggage arrives by then I'm usually unpacking everything in the room while he takes her (atleast her) to the Mickey pool. I'm sure I can tear myself away (if the luggage is there) long enough to meet for a bit. It would probably be a good idea to have an onboard meet too- especially to make sure if there are any room # changes we can get that noted on our FE lists- right? And plus that's an extra meet for anyone who is NOT able to make the terminal meet, before boarding, at 11:15am- right?

What say you all?

Those 2 look fine, We could "start" our meeting at the terminal for those who get there early and then continue at 3pm at the Promenade lounge and hopefully everybody will be there by that time....

 

[grlzmom]

I booked the cruise in Feb. after rate drop. Just joined the forum site. Well I have a fish extender ordered so if anyone has extras we would love to join in the fun but if no extra I completly understand. We will be in stateroom 5506 for those generous enough to pass along extras.

I added you to our FE names! We have a 17 year old daughter. If you PM me, I can give your her facebook name.

Bruce, thanks so much for keeping the FE list so up to date and organized.

Getting close

 

[kcashner]

I have never (in 20 cruises) seen boarding start before 11:40...more typically it's 11:45, so 11:15 should be fine. There is a lounge area outside the hallway you would use to get to the bathrooms--let's try to find each other there. That seems a little easier than just saying "the terminal."

 

[loveysbydesign]

If we're returning a rental car at Budget what time would you recommend we drop it off so we can still meet in the terminal...10:00???

 

[erinlees_mommie]

We are still hoping to go to Cozumel and I am wondering since we have booked through DCL if we tip the driver to the excursion and back? Also do we use US$$ ?
How about if we get off at GC ? And we just pick up a taxi...do you pay in US$ ??

THANKS..I am getting nervous and excited...DD still doesn't know

Meeting would be FUN!! I don't know about any specific times but just look for the crazy parents with the a 4 yr old little blonde girl decked out in cruise wear That will be us..LOL

Which beach is the best for snorkeling and playing at GC ?

Better go..hubby is dying for some ice cream and to watch Taken ! AHHHHHH SO GLAD HE IS HOME FINALLY...we mailed his passport renewal off and it is there and being processed..just hoping it comes in time now !!

11 days and counting !!!

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I have never (in 20 cruises) seen boarding start before 11:40...more typically it's 11:45, so 11:15 should be fine. There is a lounge area outside the hallway you would use to get to the bathrooms--let's try to find each other there. That seems a little easier than just saying "the terminal."

Great, sounds like a perfect place to meet in the terminal. We will see you all early birds, there at 11:15, and then possibly at 3:00 on the ship!

 

[sebamt]

Great, sounds like a perfect place to meet in the terminal. We will see you all early birds, there at 11:15, and then possibly at 3:00 on the ship!

I agree. That sounds like a great plan

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Okay we will try to find the area you're talking about. We've only been at that port once (our first cruisein 2006) because our last cruise was the repo bringing the magic back. But I'm sure I can find it- just find the bathrooms right? LOL