November 15, 2008 7 night Western 11/15/08 11-15-08

[Waltworshiper]

We got an airline employees discount and upgraded from a cat 9 to a 5. I have also heard they may be offering military discounts.

 

[jeast]

They are. I saw military rates on Travelocity. They were really good. I guess our cruise has plenty of space left!

 

[tamihaught]

Does anyone know if you can get a refund if you are military if you booked through Costco??

 

[bambilin]

Hello all, I spoke with Treva of DCL today. She said she sent an email to the ship's coordinator to try to set up a meeting time and place for us. She has not heard back yet and she said she will follow up. She said she was trying to arrange for a room, light refreshments and a visit from at least one DCL officer to speak to the group. Apparently they are not used to this kind of a request, so she has kind of had to scramble around looking for somebody to put it together. This was super easy to arrange on my last two cruises (on NCL) , sorry this is taking so long!

Will keep you all posted!

 

[Waltworshiper]

Tami,
We had booked with a TA we thought could handle an interline res, turns out they couldn't, even they didn't know they couldn't until last week. It was a nightmare getting it changed over, the agency had to release it back to DCL, and since we had already made final payment, we still had to pay the TA commission on the full price of the cruise, even though they knew from the beginning it would be at a reduced rate. Apparently Disney didn't ask what agency they were from when they called to check if they were able to book it, big misunderstandings all around. Next time I will book directly through DCL since I ended up doing everything myself anyway. DCL had to cancel the original res, and rebook it, luckily, they were able to transfer our brunch res and excursions over to the new res. All in all it still ended up being less for our family in 2 cat 5's than it was in 2 cat 9's. Not much less, but still less, so I am glad for the more or less free upgrade. Like I said, next time I will book directly through DCL. We are not eligible for any booking credits anyway since we are getting the interline discount. At least my TA and Disney were very helpful at getting it all straightened out for us. I don't know what kind of rate the military discount is, but since final payment was made, and if you are receiving any booking credits, it may not be worth it to change. Also , if you can get Costco to release the res, you would still owe them their commission,

 

[tamihaught]

Thanks Sharon! I am happy with what I have so I had better leave it alone. I can't believe November is coming so fast!!

 

[coastiewifern]

Well I emailed dreams unlimited and asked them to apply the military rate. Within 2 hours it was taken care of with a simple email. I was very happy with the new rate and the difference will be returned to our credit card! We did consider upgrading instead but I am not sure. The economy is in the toilet and we just bought a new car yesterday. We are booked in a cat 11 and we were fine with that. We have 2 kids 6 and 9 so it will be tight when we are all in there but I figure we won't be in there much.

Question: Is getting an upgrade going to get you a bigger cabin? I don't care about a window. In your experience is it worth it? The other thing is I am very prone to sea sickness. I have heard it is better to be lower in the boat and in the middle for less rocking.....is that true? Currently that is where we are.....
seeking opinions

 

[izma]

well...it's my first Disney Cruise, but as I understand it as you go up in categories, you don't necessarily go up in square footage. you might get a window, but I am not sure if this will help or worsen any sea sickness you might experience, or whether you'd get much of a view.

I am betting we don't do much except sleep and change our clothes in our room!!!!

Personally, I'm sticking with what I have. If the upgrade fairy visits...so be it!

there's my 2 cents!

Les

 

[Disneyday]

I have been having trouble with my internet and have not been able to Dis for a while
Our rooms are 2075 and 2077. I don't think the upgrade fairy will visit us as I specifically asked for a low floor midship. We were originaly on deck 7 forward but since I am prone to motion sickness, I swapped it. Did I do the right thing? As Alice keeps reminding me, 'We are on the deck where the poor people drowned first on the Titanic'

I have some pretty stupid questions for those of you who have cruised before.
Will I be able to walk in high heel shoes on the marble floors in the dining rooms or do I need to find something more sensible?
Do you take your handbag to dinner with you?
I know they are dumb questions but this is how my brain works
Sue

 

[Waltworshiper]

Christie,
I was glad to hear you had no problems with your discount!!!

Tami,
You might want to check into it, it doesn't hurt to ask. I don't know what the military discount is, but the interline rate is quite a substantial savings, and unfortunately for us, not many are authorized to book it. The military and the Florida Resident rate, I think, can be booked by any agency. The reason we upgraded our cabin was my brother in law wanted a balcony, a little extra floor space, and since they are paying for our trip, who am I to argue!!! If it was up to my husband and I we would probably be in the cat 9. I too am prone to seasickness and being up higher is worrying me, I am stocking up on seasick remedies.

 

[tamihaught]

Sharon, what is an interline rate? I think I will call Costco and see if they offer further savings for military families. We are in a Category 4 so I don't think there is much room to upgrade except for a suite. I doubt that would happen.

Sue, I wore heels for our last cruise and I do take my little purse with me.

 

[disneycruisen]

We just got the FL residents discount and are booked in Cat 9 and recieved over $1300 credit, lost $50 obc by the discount was worth losing the obc.

Definately look into it if you are a FL resident!

 

[izma]

I know you can't wear shorts to dinner...how about capri's? It seems all my daughter has are shorts, capri's and jeans and I know she won't be all that keen on wearing a dress every night.

If she had a dressy set of yoga pants and a snazzy yoga jacket would this be OK?

 

[Waltworshiper]

Tami,
My husband works for US AIrways and is offered a "travel professionals" discount, what is called the interline rate. Most cruise lines offer up to 50% off if available(we did Alaska before the kids came on Holland America), as well as the hotels at Disney during selected times, some all inclusive resorts, etc. We stayed for our 10th anniv at Sandals Dunns River in Jamaica for less than 1/2 off what my girlfirend payed staying at the same time. Of course it has its downside too, most places you have to book almost last minute to get the deals. We were doing this cruise even if we didn't get a discount.

 

[tamihaught]

Sharon, my friend's husband flies for Alaska. She was waiting to see if anything was going to be offered at a discount. Her husband said that he usually checks the week or two before the cruise. I might suggest that she check now or is there an even greater discount right before like she was talking about?

 

[Waltworshiper]

Tami,
As far as I know, the interline rate is the same whether they book the week before or when it opens up. If they wait, they chance not going. I've never heard of a cheaper interline waiting until a week or two out, but stranger things have happened. We got ours a little over 2 weeks ago. With the Florida Resident, interline, and the castmembers all out there trying to get a big discount, I didn't want to chance waiting. A lot of times this is how Disney fills a ship. There is an interline desk at Disney she can call for the reservation, if she doesn't have it the number is 407-828-3111. At the time we booked, they had rooms from cat 5-10 available at a discount. She will have to prepay tips, but I like that being taken care of, more I can spend on other things on the ship.

 

[MermaidsMom]

Hello,
We just reserved the November 15th cruise! Nothing like waiting until the last minute. It will be our first and I would like to know how to sign up for the cruise meet, or is it too late? Thanks for any info!

 

[MermaidsMom]

Is there another thread that is more active than this one? Other cruise dates seem to be posting all day long! Maybe there is something for this cruise date I haven't found yet?

 

[izma]

We're all packing...that's why there's no posting

You're absolutely welcome to join our cruise meet! We're not sure where yet but it's being worked on.

Lots of us will be wearing lime green rubberband bracelets so that we "recognize" each other. We ordered them from ebay - the link is posted somewhere back.

We are a small but fierce bunch. Glad to have you join us!

Les

 

[Disneyday]

Hi Memaidsmom
I love the slogan on your signature, I tend to go with 'but its once in a lifetime' it works every time LOL.
How many of you are joining us, is it just you and DH?

Would any girls like to chat to Alice (10)? She is not the most outgoing of girls and would like to get to know some of the other kids pre-cruise.

Can you believe it is less than 6 weeks!

SEE you all soon
Sue