No wbta 2013

[ThePhantomsGirl]

A navagator varanda DOES have an open space, like an alway opened window, is that correct?

For a navigator's veranda think large, large open porthole. It does give shelter, but one has to stand to look out. Personally I prefer an open veranda, but I can see where the navigator's veranda has some positive features. You can still be outside in the rain unless it's blowing IN the opening. It will block off some of the wind.

The Wonder has the oval openings, the Magic has the round ones.

 

[Virginia5073]

Patiently waiting to book this cruise.

 

[Grumpy1234]

 

[LindaBabe]

My experience on the 2011 WBTA was

- there were SO many interesting activities, I wish I'd brought my planner! Lectures on ports of call, animation lectures, animation classes, cooking classes, tastings, fitness classes, movies (never got to ONE), shows, etc. Oh my gosh! IT was FABULOUS - like a smorgasbord.
- while we couldn't sign up for extra Palo's in advance, many people who wanted them got them - either by signing up on the first day or by wait listing to take cancellations.
- it was definitely warm enough and calm enough to enjoy being out of doors - look at the route - we start out at about the latitude of the carolinas and end up south of Florida.

 

[annichan]

Thanks for your informative replies everybody! I don't doubt there will be enough to do for me on board, it just always takes a little longer to convince DH. But as long as there will be some beer tastings and a couple of nice movies in the cinema and preferably also some soccer or Formula 1 on TV somewhere, I'm sure I'll be able to convince him!

Sounds great! But how do you know the exact sail date, or rather, which date is your guesstimate?

My experience on the 2011 WBTA was

- it was definitely warm enough and calm enough to enjoy being out of doors - look at the route - we start out at about the latitude of the carolinas and end up south of Florida.

Your're right, I never even thought about that! I just thought "Atlantic Ocean in October" and my mind conjured up images along my own home's latitude, but that is about as far North as Newfoundland ...

 

[magic123]

I figure by the time this cruise gets closer, most of us will have "met" people we might like to share dining tables with.

I haven't been on a TA cruise before, but I suspect getting two Palo brunches or dinner would be doable

Holly when the time comes, and a date is announced Dan has volunteered to organise the Diser link dinning resseis with DCL, And at that point those who want to sit with particular people will be organised into groups and other who just want to be with other Disers will also be organised. And I must say Dan did an excellent job last year, and it's so much nicer to sit with people who have a common interest and of couse we are such a merry bunch !!

RE Palo tea/brunch
We never managed to get a ressie for Palo tea, like so many others this proved impossible even though we went on a wait list once on board. The brunch ressie's proved just as problematic, they were fully booked at our reservation window. The way we overcame this was, the magic's got a small private room that holds about 16/18 and there were quite a few Dis group brunches in this room. I must say I think this worked out better and was very soicalable. But be aware that DCL will only let you have one tea and one brunch ressie ( once on board if they have room they let you book more, but this didn't happen for us )
But if you are booked on a group brunch and later find a ressie just for your group DCL will cancel your group brunch

But the good news is it's no problem getting dinner ressies, we went twice. You are only allowed to book one before the cruise, but they seem to be no problem getting more once on board. After you board the ship you can go and see if they have space and go on a wait list, so you just have to see what happens

margaret

 

[sssteele]

Well ok, just to keep this thread bumped, here are a few (hopefully not too boring!) questions from a Transatlantic Cruise newbie:

- Some of you said how it was great having a verandah for the Atlantic crossing - but then again, as far as I understand the WBTA's were always in September and now it'll probably be October. Might it not be too cold on the Atlantic by then to really use a verandah? Or should we think about Navigator's Verandahs, maybe?

- With all the many sea days, I guess there will be even more activities scheduled than on a "normal" 7-day cruise? Not that I'm afraid I'll be bored, but DH is a bit!

- And another question concerning the many sea days: This should make it relatively easy to get Palo brunch reservations, right? Do they maybe even allow more than one reservation per person? (I kind of expect the answer to this one to be "no", but then again I guess it won't be much of a problem getting a second reservation by being on the waitlist?)

- I read somewhere (I think in a trip report) that for prior Transatlantic cruises, DISers linked their reservations in advance so they would share tables at dinner. I would absolutely love if you/we did that again on this thread! I would love to know in advance who we are going to sith with.
We had one bad (or should I say just very strange) experience with tablemates on our first cruise.
But then after the first dinner, to my neverending relief, some DISers we had met on the cruise thread invited us to come sit with them instead. There were 12 of them and they all kindly agreed to let DH and me squeeze in for the remaining 6 nights. That was the best table ever, we had so much fun!

Thanks for the questions...DH and I have not done TA before, and any information shared will be so helpful.

We have had some good and one terrible dining experience, and would love to link dining with some other like-minded Dis couples.

On at least one previous cruise, a group of 10 or so had a ressie for Palo brunch in addition to their individual ressies on another day. Great fun.

Hi annichan! DH and I were looking at the ship and wondering if a navigator veranda was the way to go, too!

We also had an uncomfortable dinner table on a European Cruise we were on, it was on RCCL, and ever since then, we've always booked "anytime" seating, when DH and I have sailed without family. I know that's not an option on DCL, but because it's Disney, we weren't particularly worried. I'm glad you had such a great resolution when you had a problem.

I hope someone answers your questions about Palo, it will be something we want to try on this cruise.

I wish they would hurry and announce the cruise....I want to book!

Bobbi

We've never had a Navigator's veranda and have wondered if it would be a good option for the TA.

I figure by the time this cruise gets closer, most of us will have "met" people we might like to share dining tables with.

I haven't been on a TA cruise before, but I suspect getting two Palo brunches or dinner would be doable.

I still want an open veranda. Even if it's too cold to go outside, I love having morning coffee sitting on the sofa looking out. Also to me, even having to bundle up, knowing I can be out on my veranda in the middle of the ocean is intriguing.

I will likely be fairly social, but I have something called Meniere's disease (a vestibular problem). Quiet time is important as I can get overwhelmed with tons of people, which in turn can trigger an Meniere's attack. (vertigo, loss of balance, etc.) Therefore having a veranda when I do need that time will make me feel like I'm not missing as much.

I do have a friend who absolutely loves the navigators verandas, and when she's on the classic ships always books one. She swears by them.

I also have vertigo issues, but also ringing in the ears, etc. Have never had a diagnosis of Meniere's, but I too sometimes feel overwhelmed in a very noisy space.

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

I also have vertigo issues, but also ringing in the ears, etc. Have never had a diagnosis of Meniere's, but I too sometimes feel overwhelmed in a very noisy space.

Meniere's is not all that common, although BPPV (Benign Positional Paradoxical Vertigo) which has many of the same symptoms can be. BPPV is when the crystals in the ear get moved and then causes those symptoms. Usually only lasts a week or so and can be alleviated by exercises or positional maneuvers to put them back.

I had a difficult time with Menieres, and even had brain surgery as a last resort treatment. (proof that I had a brain in there - ) I've lost a great deal of my hearing in my left ear, and have definite balance issues. Doing much better now, but I have to watch getting overtired, overwhelmed, etc. So if you all see me walking crookedly, I may not be tipsy from drinking - LOL!

 

[LindaBabe]

. . . I had a difficult time with Menieres, and even had brain surgery as a last resort treatment. (proof that I had a brain in there - ) I've lost a great deal of my hearing in my left ear, and have definite balance issues. Doing much better now, but I have to watch getting overtired, overwhelmed, etc. So if you all see me walking crookedly, I may not be tipsy from drinking - LOL!

At least you can laugh about it All the same, it must be a pain in the neck - er - above the neck.

 

[LindaBabe]

. . . I had a difficult time with Menieres, and even had brain surgery as a last resort treatment. (proof that I had a brain in there - ) I've lost a great deal of my hearing in my left ear, and have definite balance issues. Doing much better now, but I have to watch getting overtired, overwhelmed, etc. So if you all see me walking crookedly, I may not be tipsy from drinking - LOL!

At least you can laugh about it All the same, it must be a pain in the neck - er - above the neck.

 

[Pinky166]

Hey

I'm so sorry i've not been around here to keep the list updated but i've just been so deflated since the "non" announcement that i've not been on the DIS much at all. Anyway I will try to be a bit more positive, I know the cruise will happen but I just want it booked NOW!

I've just been through the pages i've missed and updated the first post, I would like to say a big to the following:

Justand = Andrina & Justin
Annichan = Annichan & DH
Bobbiwoz = Bobbi & Tom (DH)
Piggeldy = ? & DH
Stenogoddess = Lauren - Solo ?
Surf2di4 = Robin & Karl
DisneyDream2b = Names/solo ?
Ravensilverlight = Names/solo ?
Gilson = Names/Solo ?
Virginia5073 = Names/Solo ?

 

[gilsan]

Hey

I'm so sorry i've not been around here to keep the list updated but i've just been so deflated since the "non" announcement that i've not been on the DIS much at all. Anyway I will try to be a bit more positive, I know the cruise will happen but I just want it booked NOW!

I've just been through the pages i've missed and updated the first post, I would like to say a big to the following:

Justand = Andrina & Justin
Annichan = Annichan & DH
Bobbiwoz = Bobbi & Tom (DH)
Piggeldy = ? & DH
Stenogoddess = Lauren - Solo ?
Surf2di4 = Robin & Karl
DisneyDream2b = Names/solo ?
Ravensilverlight = Names/solo ?
Gilson = Names/Solo ?
Virginia5073 = Names/Solo ?

We are gilsan and include me-Tracy DH-Jay and DD-Georgia (6)

I just read a TR for the EBTA and now I really want to go on this cruise!

 

[Grumpy1234]

Sounds great! But how do you know the exact sail date, or rather, which date is your guesstimate?

It is based on the assumption that the cruise will follow the same pattern as the 2011 WBTA and that the Magic is already shown in schedules for Gibraltar, Madiera and one of the ports the other side of the pond. If they are correct the census was that it would leave from Barcelona on the 13-10-2013. On top of of that I am a great believer in PMA for the PMT

 

[Pinky166]

We are gilsan and include me-Tracy DH-Jay and DD-Georgia (6)

I just read a TR for the EBTA and now I really want to go on this cruise!

Thanks, i'll amend the info on the first post.

 

[lovingthemouse]

Claire- good to see you. I understand your sentiments perfectly. Hard to keep posting when you feel deflated, and there is nothing tangible to post about. I suspect that once the announcement is official, this thread will pick up speed quickly.

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Once DCL announces this cruise, we'll all be posting like crazy!

It is the deflation that we all felt with the "non-announcement" that slowed this thread down. We WILL have our day of excitement soon.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thanks for including DH and me!

On the Games board, we have a Gamers meet tentatively scheduled for the end of Sept. early October 2013. I expect to leave that meet and head to Europe with DH!

When LindaBabe posted the sort of activities that were scheduled on Sea days, I e-mailed the post to DH. We've usually gone to movies while on DCL, so that would be something we would be pencilling in!

 

[Piggeldy]

- there were SO many interesting activities, I wish I'd brought my planner! Lectures on ports of call, animation lectures, animation classes, cooking classes, tastings, fitness classes, movies (never got to ONE), shows, etc. Oh my gosh! IT was FABULOUS - like a smorgasbord.

That is great to hear!
While I never get bored (I am what my mom calls "socially awkward" while some of my friends call me misanthropic, which of course is not true... I just don't know how to make small talk, I am very polite and will always smile and nod, I just don't start conversations easily, unless I know you well and then I won't stop talking) DH is a lot more... social?! He needs to do stuff while you can just put me in the corner with a good book and pick me up for dinner.

But... then there is that teeny, tiny language barrier. He always insists that he speaks English well, unfortunately that's still open for discussion I am sure he will manage and as there is no way we are ever doing Aida, he will have to get used to it.

I just hope the WBTA won't be much more expensive than the EBTA.

 

[babydiver]

Hey

I'm so sorry i've not been around here to keep the list updated but i've just been so deflated since the "non" announcement that i've not been on the DIS much at all. Anyway I will try to be a bit more positive, I know the cruise will happen but I just want it booked NOW!

WELCOME BACK...

It will be such a relief to hear something from Disney and get things started.

On a happy note: have you seen the change in Castaway Cay cabin gifts? Someone on another Disboard has posted a photo and it's a lovely blue rucksack. so much easier to use than the tote bag. And the key ring has changed too.

Plus no more silly metal drinks containers...that are either too cold to hold or way too hot!!

Got rid of the very sugary rice krispy flip flops too and now have ChipNDale healthy snacks - pretzels and cheesy biscuits

Can't wait to get mine!

 

[davidls]

WELCOME BACK...

It will be such a relief to hear something from Disney and get things started.

On a happy note: have you seen the change in Castaway Cay cabin gifts? Someone on another Disboard has posted a photo and it's a lovely blue rucksack. so much easier to use than the tote bag. And the key ring has changed too.

Plus no more silly metal drinks containers...that are either too cold to hold or way too hot!!

Got rid of the very sugary rice krispy flip flops too and now have ChipNDale healthy snacks - pretzels and cheesy biscuits

Can't wait to get mine!

Yyyuuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmmmmmyyyyy Chip -n- Dale pretzels and chessy snacks. My granddaughter loves these. She offered me some one time when we were at WDW and now I gots to buy me some everytime we go over!!! This is a BIG hit for me!!!!

And a big WELCOME BACK to Pinky 166. We knew you were out there!!! Glad to hear from ya'll again!!!

Like everyone else, DW and I are anxiously awaiting for DCL's announcement for this cruise!!! And DW and I would like to sign up for the seating at the dining table with all of our DIS friends on this cruise. I'm sure we will need several tables!!!!