May Med Magic - May 15 2010 - Meet thread

[STLUCIELADY]

I need to introduce you to my wife.

She couldn't fit everything she needs for an overnight stay in a carry-on, much less a two week trip!

LOL Jeff! I did a 7 week cross country road trip out to Cali from Florida with 3 kids and I only had 2 carryons for the 4 of us. When we go on the 4 night DCL to the Bahamas my husband and I share a carryon. We are pros at packing. We only take clothes that match along one theme like black, tan or brown. That way you only need 2 pair of shoes (I know for a girl that sounds awful but it can be done) You can mix it up a bit with a splash of color here and there. Jewelry and scarves/shawls go a long way and take up so little space. I also use the space bags so I take all the air out of the bag and I can take more that way. I pack palmolive to wash something in a hurry in the bathroom sink and have 2 small clothepins with an over the shower rod hanger. I can use the clothespins to keep the dividers closed too. I take one of the Purex all-in-ones so I can do a load of wash in the middle if it is a very long cruise. I have found that you actually wear very little of what you take or you wear it just because you packed it. I hate lugging around luggage. I hate luggage getting lost. This time I'll have my little netbook so that will be much easier to pack. My daughter will pack the same way. In fact she has been packed for awhile now.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

You people kill me. You're packed for a trip that doesn't start for another 2+ months?!?!?! I'll pack the night before we leave.

On another note, I've been reading some in the 4/24 med cruise thread to pick up any info they get that might be useful to us. What I'm seeing now is a bit depressing to me. Now that DCL is making room assignments, people are getting mad because they're not getting some on-board credit or someone is getting a better upgrade then they are, etc., etc. The way I see it, DCL is damned if they do and damned if they don't. To me, ANY upgrade is welcome. So what if prinny27 or Travelbee gets a better upgrade than me? I'd be happy for you. If I get anything more than what I paid for, good for me! Also, I know a lot of folks on here got an on board credit that I didn't get because you booked by a certain time. Good for you! I guess that's a downside of discussion forums like these where we share information...we know things that we'd not otherwise know which might make some envious. Anyway, I got that off my chest. I'm happy.

 

[jojo6617]

You people kill me. You're packed for a trip that doesn't start for another 2+ months?!?!?! I'll pack the night before we leave.

On another note, I've been reading some in the 4/24 med cruise thread to pick up any info they get that might be useful to us. What I'm seeing now is a bit depressing to me. Now that DCL is making room assignments, people are getting mad because they're not getting some on-board credit or someone is getting a better upgrade then they are, etc., etc. The way I see it, DCL is damned if they do and damned if they don't. To me, ANY upgrade is welcome. So what if prinny27 or Travelbee gets a better upgrade than me? I'd be happy for you. If I get anything more than what I paid for, good for me! Also, I know a lot of folks on here got an on board credit that I didn't get because you booked by a certain time. Good for you! I guess that's a downside of discussion forums like these where we share information...we know things that we'd not otherwise know which might make some envious. Anyway, I got that off my chest. I'm happy.

Jeff I totally agree some people are never happy, I will welcome any upgrade I’m offered with open arms, I just love getting something for nothing.

Also can you book wine tasting now if so how, or do you have to wait until you board?

joanne

 

[jedijill]

You could give some folks a million dollars and they would be upset that they had to got to the bank to cash the check.

I won't pack until the last minute either. I just looked at Delta's website and I can only have one checked bag (I refuse to pay $50 for a second!) and a carry on and a personal bag. Gotta figure out how to get all my electronics in my "personal" bag.

Jill in CO

 

[nursemanager]

We are from Arkansas City (Ark City), Kansas which is south of Wichita. Denver is a fantastic city. Our son and family live in Greeley. We are heading your way (actually, the slopes) on Saturday for a family ski trip.

 

[jedijill]

We are from Arkansas City (Ark City), Kansas which is south of Wichita. Denver is a fantastic city. Our son and family live in Greeley. We are heading your way (actually, the slopes) on Saturday for a family ski trip.

Sounds like fun! It's been snowing up in the mountains all week. In fact, one of the guys who works for me took a "powder day" today to ski at Mary Jane. Which mountain are you guys skiing? The weather should be nice this weekend. We are supposed to get 1-3 inches of snow tomorrow in Denver.

Jill

 

[abird]

Jeff, I just realized that I never mentioned that our daughters have their own room (GTY). We both are late seating. Also, we're tossing around the FE idea, but still aren't sure if just one from each room gives out gifts or if both should give gifts. Also, do we just give one gift for the whole trip (which would be 17 gifts at the present count)? Thanks, Anne

 

[tripodjw]

Jeff, I just realized that I never mentioned that our daughters have their own room (GTY). We both are late seating. Also, we're tossing around the FE idea, but still aren't sure if just one from each room gives out gifts or if both should give gifts. Also, do we just give one gift for the whole trip (which would be 17 gifts at the present count)? Thanks, Anne

FE's are usually a gift from an entire room and go to each room on the list. you only need to give one gift to each room for the entire cruise, unless you want to do more.

You can give one gift or many small ones. One delivery or multiple deliveries. It is totally up to you providing you give a gift to each room on the list (if the list becomes too big we'll slit it into two smaller lists).

On my last cruise I gave out a small party bag (like at Kid's birthday parties). in it i put a few pieces of candy, a multicoloured pen, a non-sharpening pencil, a mini notepad, some stickers (just for cabins with kids) and a pirate eyepatch.

I bought multipacks of everything (10 pencils for a dollar type thing) and ended up spending approx $1.50 per room.

Some people spend around a dollar per room, others spend up to 5 dollars. It is totally up to you. The whole point is to have a little bit of fun and not how much you spend. It is very exciting going back to your room and finding little gifts in the pockets of the FE. We're two adults and we loved it.

We received all sorts of stuff including candy, a mini bottle of rum (alcohol was pre-agreed), mini first aid kit, magnets, pens, notepads, temporary pirate tattoos, homemade mini-scrapbooks, rink coolers, freezable shot glasses.

 

[tripodjw]

Jeff I totally agree some people are never happy, I will welcome any upgrade I’m offered with open arms, I just love getting something for nothing.

Also can you book wine tasting now if so how, or do you have to wait until you board?

joanne

Quite. If people aren't happy with a cat 12 then they shouldn't book a GTY. Anything better is a bonus and upgrades are based on the need of DCL to move people around to fill space. As far as i can tell its random.

I'm hoping for an upgrade, but hey i'm happy in a cat 12. Even if i get allocated a cat 9 I will probably enquire about cheap upgrades at port anyhow. If i upgrade then depends on availability and cost.

 

[sayhello]

You people kill me. You're packed for a trip that doesn't start for another 2+ months?!?!?! I'll pack the night before we leave.

I won't wait *quite* that long, but if I started packing now, I'd have half my house packed by the time I left. I always think of "one more thing" to throw in!

On another note, I've been reading some in the 4/24 med cruise thread to pick up any info they get that might be useful to us. What I'm seeing now is a bit depressing to me. Now that DCL is making room assignments, people are getting mad because they're not getting some on-board credit or someone is getting a better upgrade then they are, etc., etc. The way I see it, DCL is damned if they do and damned if they don't. To me, ANY upgrade is welcome. So what if prinny27 or Travelbee gets a better upgrade than me? I'd be happy for you. If I get anything more than what I paid for, good for me! Also, I know a lot of folks on here got an on board credit that I didn't get because you booked by a certain time. Good for you! I guess that's a downside of discussion forums like these where we share information...we know things that we'd not otherwise know which might make some envious. Anyway, I got that off my chest. I'm happy.

Yep, I saw that, too. The thing is, one of the biggest complainers is complaining because she & her Travel Agent were up to call in and get her reservation the *minute* booking opened for the TA. And now she's complaining because she paid top dollar for her room and a) people are now paying way less for those rooms and b) people who got GTY's for those rooms are getting upgrades and she didn't. It's like she totally doesn't get it. She booked immediately (I assume) to guarantee she'd get on the cruise and get the room she wanted. She accomplished that. To now say she should get a discount because people who were willing to wait & take their chances (or just didn't care back then) are getting discounts doesn't make sense. She paid top dollar for a reason. Not other people's fault she now regrets those reasons. And the whole idea of a GTY is that you don't know where you'll be assigned, and you might get an upgrade, you might not. But you pay less money. Obviously, that wasn't her priority when she made the reservations way back when. It's like it's Disney's fault, or the other cruisers' fault that she's changed her mind about what's important. You pay your money, you take your chances.

I'll be happy if I get an upgrade, but if I don't, I'll be happy, too. I saved a ton of money (a serious TON of money) by doing the Cat 12 #GTY, and if I end up with a Cat 12, that's what I paid for! The rest is gravy. (Of course, that wouldn't stop me from checking into an upgrade at the port!)

Sorry for the rantlet!

Sayhello

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Also can you book wine tasting now if so how, or do you have to wait until you board?

Joanne,

Only on board at Guest Services. I plan to sign us up on Embarkation day AFTER we make a bee-line to the Palo reservations desk to either book or get on the waiting list for brunch.

 

[jedijill]

I won't wait *quite* that long, but if I started packing now, I'd have half my house packed by the time I left. I always think of "one more thing" to throw in!

Yep, I saw that, too. The thing is, one of the biggest complainers is complaining because she & her Travel Agent were up to call in and get her reservation the *minute* booking opened for the TA. And now she's complaining because she paid top dollar for her room and a) people are now paying way less for those rooms and b) people who got GTY's for those rooms are getting upgrades and she didn't. It's like she totally doesn't get it. She booked immediately (I assume) to guarantee she'd get on the cruise and get the room she wanted. She accomplished that. To now say she should get a discount because people who were willing to wait & take their chances (or just didn't care back then) are getting discounts doesn't make sense. She paid top dollar for a reason. Not other people's fault she now regrets those reasons. And the whole idea of a GTY is that you don't know where you'll be assigned, and you might get an upgrade, you might not. But you pay less money. Obviously, that wasn't her priority when she made the reservations way back when. It's like it's Disney's fault, or the other cruisers' fault that she's changed her mind about what's important. You pay your money, you take your chances.

I'll be happy if I get an upgrade, but if I don't, I'll be happy, too. I saved a ton of money (a serious TON of money) by doing the Cat 12 #GTY, and if I end up with a Cat 12, that's what I paid for! The rest is gravy. (Of course, that wouldn't stop me from checking into an upgrade at the port!)

Sorry for the rantlet!

Sayhello

I so totally agree. I went and read the thread. Disney also allowed her to apply the military discount to her room so she isn't even paying the top dollar that she agree to when she booked! Now she thinks military should trump everyone with the GTY rates.

I'm happy as long as I am on the ship.

Jill in CO

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Yep, I saw that, too. The thing is, one of the biggest complainers is complaining because she & her Travel Agent were up to call in and get her reservation the *minute* booking opened for the TA. And now she's complaining because she paid top dollar for her room and a) people are now paying way less for those rooms and b) people who got GTY's for those rooms are getting upgrades and she didn't. It's like she totally doesn't get it. She booked immediately (I assume) to guarantee she'd get on the cruise and get the room she wanted. She accomplished that. To now say she should get a discount because people who were willing to wait & take their chances (or just didn't care back then) are getting discounts doesn't make sense. She paid top dollar for a reason. Not other people's fault she now regrets those reasons. And the whole idea of a GTY is that you don't know where you'll be assigned, and you might get an upgrade, you might not. But you pay less money. Obviously, that wasn't her priority when she made the reservations way back when. It's like it's Disney's fault, or the other cruisers' fault that she's changed her mind about what's important. You pay your money, you take your chances.

I'll be happy if I get an upgrade, but if I don't, I'll be happy, too. I saved a ton of money (a serious TON of money) by doing the Cat 12 #GTY, and if I end up with a Cat 12, that's what I paid for! The rest is gravy. (Of course, that wouldn't stop me from checking into an upgrade at the port!)

Sorry for the rantlet!

Sayhello

EXACTLY what I wanted to post in their thread but thought better of it since I'm not on that cruise. Better we rant in our own thread.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

snip...

We received all sorts of stuff including candy, a mini bottle of rum (alcohol was pre-agreed), mini first aid kit, magnets, pens, notepads, temporary pirate tattoos, homemade mini-scrapbooks, rink coolers, freezable shot glasses.

Thank you for the great description Jane! Rum is good

BTW, I'm now caught up on the FE list and Roll Call. Also added another link to the Corsica section for an open top bus tour similar to the Petit Train I already had there. I've got a roll call pic on my computer at home that I'll upload after I get home. Any other useful link you ladies and gents come across, send them my way to share.

On the upgrades, we've been upgraded on two of our three DCL cruises. On the first Med cruise, we were upgraded from the Cat 12 GTY to a Cat 11. Still inside but we were happy. For our Mexican Riviera cruise we were upgraded from a Cat 11 to a Cat 9 and we were tickled to death. On all of our cruises, we spend almost no time in our cabin other than sleeping there so it really doesn't matter to us where we are as long as it's not a noisy location.

 

[sayhello]

EXACTLY what I wanted to post in their thread but thought better of it since I'm not on that cruise. Better we rant in our own thread.

Amen!!!!

On the upgrades, we've been upgraded on two of our three DCL cruises. On the first Med cruise, we were upgraded from the Cat 12 GTY to a Cat 11. Still inside but we were happy. For our Mexican Riviera cruise we were upgraded from a Cat 11 to a Cat 9 and we were tickled to death. On all of our cruises, we spend almost no time in our cabin other than sleeping there so it really doesn't matter to us where we are as long as it's not a noisy location.

From my POV, really the only reason I care about the upgrade at all is that I'd like to have the porthole. I have a real problem waking up in the dark, and it would just make my mornings a LOT easier if I had the window. Other than that, as you say, the cabin is mostly just for sleeping in, so it's not that important.

Sayhello

 

[Travelbee]

I'll be happy if I get an upgrade, but if I don't, I'll be happy, too. I saved a ton of money (a serious TON of money) by doing the Cat 12 #GTY, and if I end up with a Cat 12, that's what I paid for! The rest is gravy. (Of course, that wouldn't stop me from checking into an upgrade at the port!)

Sayhello

Totally agree with all of you. We've been on 3 DCL cruises and have not been upgraded once. I still had a blast on all three trips! Like a PP, we were hardly in our room (except when DD had to do homework). Besides, we were fully prepared to pay $8k for the Aug 2010 sailing, which we booked on opening day to get the SPH during a summer sailing. So in my mind, we've already saved $6k from switching thanks to DCL's promotion!

 

[dvcspain]

Hello!!!!

we are going to be at this cruise too,

with my DW conchi and my DS David (4 years old)

we are from spain and we know Pilar7 is from spain too, maybe our childs can play together!!!.

we've just arrived so i didn't read everything so i don't know all of you sorry, maybe aboard.

Pilar a ver si podemos contactar, write in english please.

i want to be aborad the disney magic now!!!!!!

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Welcome dvcspain!

Check out the website link in my signature below. Have you cruised with Disney before? Are you familiar with Barcelona? If so, can you give us any inside tips?

 

[trampslady]

....Me and my hubby have arranged drivers with rome in limo for La Spezia, Naples, and Civitavecchia. We are going to have a guide for Pompeii and the Vatican. In reviewing your notes and photos from 2007, I saw that your clan also had a guide in Florence. We are definitely going to Florence from La Spezia, but I had not planned a guide for certain. Thoughts?

Also...and this is a big one.....would you do Pisa? My husband thinks we need the obligatory photo, but I think we would enjoy either more time in Florence to soak up the city versus just whizzing through museums, or Jany at Rome in Limo suggested maybe Lucca. Thoughts?

THANKS!

 

[sarahgirl]

When we all get our room assignments I will be interested in one thing though. I have never gotten an upgrade to a Cat 9 room in the 3 previous times that I have been on DCL and I have never heard of a solo cruiser getting one so I will be interested to see if any of our solo cruisers here or in any of the other trips get one. Just trying to figure out DCL alittle bit more.