No wbta 2013

[LindaBabe]

Mine was worth her weight in gold when she helped my bereaved roomie get a flight back from Madeira (even though I called her at 10pm, at home.)

 

[lovingthemouse]

...and she did get me home that very next day too!! Long trip from Madeira to Boston... I have her on the watch for the WBTA, when and if it happens!!

 

[MagicMe]

Anyone else getting a little bit frustrated with DCL???? When oh when are they going to announce the Fall 2013 itineraries for the Magic and Wonder???

I really want to get this booking squared away but mostly want to know one way or the other so I can make plans.

Seriously, at this point my 2013 plans are still up in the air Can you imagine??

 

[Piggeldy]

You can use TA's here in the USA I think even if you are in Europe, Asia etc. as people in my DH John's company live all over the world and use a USA TA.

Could it be that this is because they are working for a US company?
I know I have seen quite a number of TAs that don't accept European clients (often only US and Canada) when I started looking for cruises outside of Europe.

Mine was worth her weight in gold when she helped my bereaved roomie get a flight back from Madeira (even though I called her at 10pm, at home.)

Yes, it sounds like that!

From what I have read it sounds as if the whole TA system is rather different in the US. I don't think I have ever heard of a TA who is available all day long - here you'd have to go to the TA office during their business hours (something like 9 to 6 or maybe 10 to 8) to book a vacation. It's likely you could also call them during their opening hours to book something with them but at 10pm you could very likely only talk to an answering machine.
Also I don't think many TA's would spend their time waiting for a booking to open up (especially as with the different time zones that might be an inconvenient time). Maybe they'd have a note on their desk and would book it "first thing in the morning" (or at their first convenient point of time - which might even be later if another client just happend to walk in... usually the customer who is in the shop gets first priority).

Only a small number of TA's specialise in cruises. And even many of those can't book Disney. We booked our Hurtigruten honeymoon with a wonderful travel agency that does specialise in cruises... they can book "everything" from Aida to Windstar but not Disney.

There is a reason they call this country a service desert

I don't know if I might feel uncomfortable dealing with a foreign TA. Different language, different time zone, different legal system - what if the TA I chose isn't trustworthy and runs off with my money, I'd have to sue in the US. I know, I know... unlikely. It's just that I don't trust people easily

 

[thedonduck]

Welcome to Florida! The good thing about living in Orlando is that you'll be near the parks!

I'm hoping to get over there in the next week or so before Spring Break. I'd have liked to go for the Leap Year 24 hour event but my brother was in the hospital for 8 days and didn't get released until yesterday. (he'll be ok)

However waking up and having it be March just brightens my mood. I know when I lived up north in snow/ice country it really made a difference. It just sounded so much better and one knew that Spring really was around the corner. For me, it means we SHOULD get our announcement next month...and I'll be on the Fantasy next month!

It's coming soon folks! I know it is!

My DS's family loves living in Lithia, FL! They've lived there for just under a year. I hope you love it too!

Well we made it here, safe and sound! We got here Monday night, but sadly our stuff couldn't make it until Wednesday because the truck with all of our belongings got caught in the tornadoes in KY. Some of it got damaged, but thankfully nothing that can't be fixed/replaced. The truck driver told us that only our truck and 3 others survived at the truck stop he pulled over in. So, we are incredibly thankful it wasn't worse. I can't imagine the horror everyone is suffering that were affected by the storms.

We have been busy this weeks unpacking and cleaning, but we took time to go to PC to see the Dream leave on Friday. My DS loved waving and saying goodbye to the people on the boat from Fishlips (great restaurant, btw). I cannot wait to get on board again soon (even DH said once we are settled we may need a mini-vacation!!!).

I hope everyone had a great weekend. And if you are one of the lucky ones on the Dream right now, thanks for waving back at my DS, he LOVED it!

 

[liesbeth1012]

I went to the TA who booked our honeymoon... they say they specialise in cruises... Disney? "Oh, we are so sorry, we can't help you with that."

@ Annichan (and other German/European cruisers): How do you book your Disney cruises?



Yes, we will surely book as soon as possible!
We also don't mind the long flight home.

I see you are from Arnhem? My MIL lives close to Emmerich just across the border.

The first cruise WBTA 2011 we booked ourself direct on the site of DCL and rebooked on phone when the restricted GTY came later. We forgot to book a dummy on the cruise and Lynne (Auntlynne) offered us the onboard credit that we missed. So the Hawaii we booked with her.
We met her on the WBTA and before on the board and FB. So she takes Europeans. She knows what we want if the WBTA is coming out. So we book with her. Or book a dummy on board and transfer it to her.

 

[youalleverybody]

Hi Everyone!

We are hoping to be on this elusive WBTA cruise...if it's ever announced!!

We booked a dummy cruise while onboard the Magic last month, and plan to transfer.

Do you think I'll be able to do so myself by calling DCL once the dates are released? Or should I transfer to a Travel agent. I can't help but think that a travel agent will be busy getting a bunch of people booked on the same day new itineraries are released, and it might be faster for me to just call.

I'd love to hear opinions.

 

[geffric]

As I work and cant be on ignore for any length of time,. my TA will handle and email me the results. I trust her completely.
I book onboard and then transfer to the TA.

 

[birkner]

Could it be that this is because they are working for a US company?
I know I have seen quite a number of TAs that don't accept European clients (often only US and Canada) when I started looking for cruises outside of Europe.



Yes, it sounds like that!

From what I have read it sounds as if the whole TA system is rather different in the US. I don't think I have ever heard of a TA who is available all day long - here you'd have to go to the TA office during their business hours (something like 9 to 6 or maybe 10 to 8) to book a vacation. It's likely you could also call them during their opening hours to book something with them but at 10pm you could very likely only talk to an answering machine.
Also I don't think many TA's would spend their time waiting for a booking to open up (especially as with the different time zones that might be an inconvenient time). Maybe they'd have a note on their desk and would book it "first thing in the morning" (or at their first convenient point of time - which might even be later if another client just happend to walk in... usually the customer who is in the shop gets first priority).

Only a small number of TA's specialise in cruises. And even many of those can't book Disney. We booked our Hurtigruten honeymoon with a wonderful travel agency that does specialise in cruises... they can book "everything" from Aida to Windstar but not Disney.

There is a reason they call this country a service desert

I don't know if I might feel uncomfortable dealing with a foreign TA. Different language, different time zone, different legal system - what if the TA I chose isn't trustworthy and runs off with my money, I'd have to sue in the US. I know, I know... unlikely. It's just that I don't trust people easily

I don't know if it working for a USA based company but I do know several TA's active on this board who have European clients.

I deal with my TA via email as we are in different time zones, plus the convenience of having an email trail is better for me than taking notes on a phone call.

 

[LindaBabe]

. . .I don't know if I might feel uncomfortable dealing with a foreign TA. Different language, different time zone, different legal system - what if the TA I chose isn't trustworthy and runs off with my money, I'd have to sue in the US. I know, I know... unlikely. It's just that I don't trust people easily

Obviously, you go with a personal recommendation from people you know. I don't just call someone off the internet or out of the phone book, cold.

I don't know if it working for a USA based company but I do know several TA's active on this board who have European clients.

I deal with my TA via email as we are in different time zones, plus the convenience of having an email trail is better for me than taking notes on a phone call.

AMEN! My computer is my artificial memory, since the old lady doesn't have much of one in her head!

 

[davidls]

Well we made it here, safe and sound! We got here Monday night, but sadly our stuff couldn't make it until Wednesday because the truck with all of our belongings got caught in the tornadoes in KY. Some of it got damaged, but thankfully nothing that can't be fixed/replaced. The truck driver told us that only our truck and 3 others survived at the truck stop he pulled over in. So, we are incredibly thankful it wasn't worse. I can't imagine the horror everyone is suffering that were affected by the storms.

We have been busy this weeks unpacking and cleaning, but we took time to go to PC to see the Dream leave on Friday. My DS loved waving and saying goodbye to the people on the boat from Fishlips (great restaurant, btw). I cannot wait to get on board again soon (even DH said once we are settled we may need a mini-vacation!!!).

I hope everyone had a great weekend. And if you are one of the lucky ones on the Dream right now, thanks for waving back at my DS, he LOVED it!

to Florida, the Sunshine State!!! Glad you made it safe and sound. You are going to love it here. (If you like sunny weather!!!) Now get out there and enjoy your self!!!

 

[davidls]

Hi all! I haven't been on here for awhile. Been keeping up with everyones posts though. It's hard to keep your enthusism up for this cruise when you don't even get a small tid bit of info of when this is going to happen. I do have a couple of other Disney cruises in the works, but I really want this one!!! Come On DCL throw us a bit of info................just something to keep us going until it is actually announced!!! Please!!!

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Good morning everyone!

Gosh, we have been so quiet, we are on page 4 of the Meet Threads. I guess it's because we are so excited just waiting...and waiting...and waiting?

Seriously, DCL probably IS going to announce things soon. We are more than half-way through March, and I suspect they should announce the rest of the itineraries in April. If they wait too long, they run the risk of people going to other lines. Not everyone out there are die-hard DCL fans in the general public. So, financially, I'd think they'd need to make some announcements soon. JMO.

Hey - welcome to Florida TheDonDuck! Sorry to hear your belongings had such a rough ride.

 

[youalleverybody]

Any speculation about where the WBTA will finish?
Port Canaveral? Back to Galveston? Miami?

 

[LindaBabe]

Maybe they don't know, and that's why they can't tell us anything!

 

[Bareacuda]

Im just wondering... just a thought out loud...
I wonder if the ship is sold out for the WBTA??? Just like the last cruise before the WBTA 2011 ????

 

[LindaBabe]

Is there anything posted for the Magic AFTER the WBTA?

 

[youalleverybody]

NOt that I've seen.

I've seen drydock mentioned numerous times.
But then what? We all assume (HOPE!!) the Magic will come back to the US. I guess she could stay there and continue doing Med. cruises.

If it is indeed a Transatlantic after drydock, I'll be curious to see if she leaves from Venice (or whereever drydock happens) or if she goes back down to Barcelona and leaves from there. Either city would be fun to visit for a few days before the cruise.

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Good morning everyone!

Wow, we were way back on page 5. We SHOULD hear within the next few weeks. Only one week left in March, and I'm pretty sure we'll hear something about the rest of 2013 in April. That is speculation of course, and not any knowledge on my part.

Now it's down to:

WHEN in April will they let us know
WHERE will the Magic be?
If a WBTA where from, and where to
And how many of us will be onboard?

Happy Sunday everyone!

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Does anyone have an idea of what a Cat T *might* go for? Solo or 2 people?

I was booked in a solo Cat V for a February cruise but had a friend who was also going to go in a Cat V and she had to change it. She had to book to another concierge cruise further out, but with her hubby. I totally understand the reasons she had to move it.

The problem with concierge of course, is that although you can change dates, you lose the deposit if canceled. So I either need to move it out further or consider the WBTA in a Cat T as there are no Cat V's. I tried looking at the EBTA but concierge is sold out.

I suspect the Cat T solo will be out of my range but just trying to get a feel for what options I have.