November 5th 2011 Eastern on the Magic

[Daniellenbella]

I cannot keep up with everyone! I miss coming on a couple days and I can't catch up! I'm going to have to respond page by page...

Alyssa, That is very cool that you were a zoo keeper! My mother would love to talk to you! She is an animal lover, retired from the corporate world at 40 and went to school to be a vet tech. She loved her job (can't work now due to medical reasons), loves doing wild animal rehab (squirrels, birds, mice, etc), and is part of a national animal rescue program that responds to natural disasters. She even went to NO after Hurricane Katrina to help the rescued animals.

clj1410- thanks for sharing the pics! I would love to be anywhere Disney for Halloween. I thought we were going to be able to do it this year but didn't realize that the NJ Teacher's convention would be the following week (instead ofo the first wk of Nov). Guess we missed our chance last year

Kathy LTR-the bridge pics are awesome, thanks for sharing those! along with the others

Gma Kathy- thank you for the pics of the boat & CC, I love seeing what we have coming.

Matt-going to Sea World sounds like a great plan! Have fun!

 

[Daniellenbella]

Alyssa, the chains are really cute! I made my daughter a Disney themed countdown flip book for our DW vacation in 2010 so we'll start using that about 30 days out. Right now she is using it to countdown to my birthday.

Oh boy those pics of the water make me nervous. I was never worried about getting seasick until we went to Key West several years ago and we rented a small boat and the sea was rough that day. I was so ill, my mom was sure I was pregnant. So now I get nervous whenever I go on any boat, I don't want to relive that feeling again, especially for 7 days! I will most likely bring something and take it as soon as we get on the boat, as a just in case, then see how the boat moves.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Kathy,
3 & 4 day cruises are less on board credit. 7 day is the only one with $200. I think the 14 day TA is $300 OBC.

No discount for any level for transportation or the cruise, just fun gifts and special tour syou can choose from that nobody else can do.


Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

I spent part of my morning looking at our cruise clothes and found some i had forgot i had, hope they still fit

Then got groceries and came home to find Minnie limping and she put her paw up for me to look at. She is like alittle kid when she gets hurt. She runs to Mommy and looks at me like I got a boo boo, please make it better.
looks like a bee sting.

Finally its almost 1:30 P.M. and I am finishing my breakfast together with my lunch.

Back this evening,

Have an awesome day all,

Kathy

 

[LovesToRun]

Hi All,

Boy, it's a hot day today!! But, I'm loving it. We don't get days like this very often... it's supposed to be up to 90 today.

I'm sure to most of you, this might sound crazy, but when we get these super hot days, I wait to go running outside until it's the hottest part of the day. I don't do that because I LOVE to run in the heat (because I really don't), BUT I know at the Castaway 5K, it'll be HOT, so the only way I get a chance to get myself used to running in the same kind of heat I'll be running the Castaway 5K in, is mid-day when we get these super hot days. haha. My non-running friends think I'm nuts, but I look at it as a way of acclimating myself. Although, once our warm weather is gone, I'll be back to running in the colder temps, so by the time we go on the cruise, my body will probably not be used to running in the heat anymore. But, I what is fun when I run in the heat here, is I imagine myself running on Castaway Cay, and that makes my run SO much more fun and pleasant. So, I just got back from a run and it is about 84 degrees right now.... boy was it HOT. But, I did well, and I just thought about our Disney Cruise most of the time.

Well, we are having friends over soon for the rest of the day, so I won't be back here until later this evening, probably.

Kathy, sorry to hear about Minnie! Oh, I hope she is OK. If it is a bee sting, hopefully the sting will be gone soon, and she'll be back to her normal self.

And, that is GREAT you got cruise clothes!! I still need to get out and do that... I'm not really that big into shopping, so I always put off the shopping part of our trip until last minute.

And, that makes sense about the OBC for the shorter cruises... and now I remember that when we booked the Panama Canal cruise, we got a $300 OBC because it was a 15 night cruise. So, for those of you 1st time cruisers wanting to book a future cruise on board, now we have it clarified that the OBC's you get depend on the length of cruise, but for sure the 7-day are $200 OBC, which is great. Helps pay for the Gratuities at the end of the trip!!

Take care everyone. Hope you all are having a fun weekend.

Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

here is what I found. So I guess your level also affects the OBC. It didnt use to.

Onboard Booking Discounts -

The following discounts are only offered if you rebook onboard or transfer an existing OBB to a new date in addition to the 10% discount off cruise fare only. Category 11C/old 12s are receiving both 10% and OBC.
Silver.................$100 for 3-6nt cruises.........$200 for 7nt or longer cruises
Gold...................$150 for 3-6nt cruises.........$275 for 7nt or longer cruises
Platinum.............$250 for 3-6nt cruises..........$350 for 7nt or longer cruises


This link will take you to Navigators to look at. Some things may change but for the most part if you look at a recent 7 day Eastern it will be pretty much what we will have, although entertainers or bands can change often.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/cruise-new/cr-stateroom-navigator.htm



Kathy

 

[Daniellenbella]

I found a Navigator on line from March of 2011 for a 7 day Eastern so all thse tasting should be the same. I only looked through Monday but here is what I found for tastings.

Martini
Wine
Margarita and Tequila
Whiskey
Beer
Cognac


I do believe some of these may repeat, especially on sea days. It didnt give aprice but it did say to sign up for it. So when your Navigator comes tin the evening and you see the next day has atasting you want, I would go right then and sign up.

Kathy

Thanks Kathy, Mike & I will be looking into doing a couple of these as well. I am really hoping Isabella likes the clubs so we can get away and do some of the adult activities.

 

[Daniellenbella]

Hi All,

I'm sure everyone knows this, but for the first time cruisers, in case you don't, while you are on the ship, you can book a future DCL cruise, and by doing this, you get 10% off the cruise, plus a $200 on board credit and you only need to put down 10% depost rather than a 20% deposit, which is also really nice! It is really a great perk because DCL never (at least to my knowledge) ever gives percentage discounts outside of booking on the ship.

The only discounts you can get outside the ship is from time to time, they'll do promotions where kid's sail free, but other than that, booking on the ship is the best way to make your next cruise even more affordable.

We always book our next cruise on board, which is great for two reasons. 1) we get the discount and on board credit, which is great and 2) as soon as we get off the ship, we already have our next cruise to look forward to!

I'm writing this because we always figure out before we get on the ship which cruise we want to book by looking at the DCL site and see what is offered, and what prices they are, etc., so that way when we get on the ship, we won't spent a lot of time trying to figure out what we want to book, and also, when you are on the ship, sometimes you can get SO excited that if you don't logically think it through before you get on the ship what you can afford in your budget, or what works time-wise, etc, if you wait to think about your next cruise while you're on the ship, you may end up booking something that you realize later on that you wish you hadn't because of budget or time or even itinerary.

But, you can change your cruise without pentalty (at least for now you can), so that is good. So, if you do end up booking a cruise on the ship, and then you get home and realize that particular cruise won't work, as long as you are within the time you can change without penalty, you can move your cruise to a different date/ship/itinerary, etc.

We've only done that once (it was actually for this cruise!!). We had originally book the 7-day Eastern for December of this year, but long story short, we moved it to the Nov 5-12 without penalty.... and it became a birthday cruise.

So, we are already now figuring out our future cruises so we can book on board in November. I am hoping that the 2013 itineraries come out before Nov 5 so we can choose from those itineraries as well.

Now, I have a question for everyone.

I keep reading a lot of negative reviews on the main DIS boards about the Dream. I am sure we won't go on the Dream because for us, it doesn't make sense to fly so far just to go on a 3, 4 or 5 day cruise, plus, we just really love the 7+ day cruises. But, the Fantasy will be doing 7 day cruises. Knowing the Fantasy is a sister ship to the Dream, with all the negative reviews (not ALL are negative, but a lot are negative), I'm wondering if any of you are going to book a future cruise on the Dream or Fantasy?

We are considering booking a cruise on the Fantasy just to give it a try.... but in all honesty, we really really love the smaller ships, so we're still up in the air about booking the Fantasy. We might also wait to book the Fantasy for a couple years so there is time for the ship and the CM's to get all the kinks out by it being so new.

Anyway, just wondering if people have plans to re-book on board, and if so, which ship/itinerary?

We are probably going to book another Mexican Riviera cruise... it's just SO close for us to get to, and right now the MR is very affordable compared to the Caribbean cruises. So, we'll probably do that, but my DH does want to book the Fantasy for next year, but we are still weighing that decision out.

Take care,
Kathy

I doubt we'll book while on board, this cruise is so expensive I don't see us doing another one for quite awhile. Does it get billed to your on board account also or is it something you pay separate for? That may be the deciding factor.

 

[clj1410]

I doubt we'll book while on board, this cruise is so expensive I don't see us doing another one for quite awhile. Does it get billed to your on board account also or is it something you pay separate for? That may be the deciding factor.

It does not get billed to your on board account, we normally use our Disney Visa to re-book, but you can use any credit card.

We will probably rebook whilst onboard, just to take advantage of the 10% off and the $200 OBC. We always can change the date or cancel later if we decide, but we will not be able to get the 10% discount or $200 OBC once we get off the ship!

Daniellenbella, we love Halloween at Dinsey too, love MNSHP,Disney really knows how to do Halloween.

We are also taking advantage of the NJ teacher convention week! Last year i think 75% of the ship was from NJ

 

[clj1410]

I am not sure if anyone may be interested in this, but...........

If you are looking for a ocean view, but do not want to pay the price,then there seems to be a SPH room available on the DCL website. If you don't know what a SPH room is:

"Secret Porthole Rooms are limited, they are located on Deck 5 and there are only 6 of them. They were originally Category 8 staterooms with a Porthole and a Split Bathroom but because the portholes have obstructed views they were later reclassified down to a Category 10 room"

So you can get an outside room for the price of a cat 10a. Anyway i was on the DCL website and one of the SPH rooms keeps popping up! If you are interested in this room, i would call DCL asap to see if it is available.

Good luck, i hope someone can snag it

 

[LovesToRun]

I doubt we'll book while on board, this cruise is so expensive I don't see us doing another one for quite awhile. Does it get billed to your on board account also or is it something you pay separate for? That may be the deciding factor.

You have to put your cruise deposit on a credit card and you cannot put it on your onboard acccount. The deposit is only 10% of the base cruise fare, and not the 20% you have to put down when you book off the ship, so it's definitely a good deal if you can make it work. So, if your base fare if $3,000, you would only have to pay $300 deposit instead of $600 deposit, which is pretty significant.

We have never done this before, but on the main DIS boards, I have read that some people who want the cruise discount for a future cruise, but aren't sure when they can go on a future cruise, they will go ahead and book a cruise while on board, but book out the farthest possible date (so for example, book Dec 2012, but book what is cheapest for that month (so the deposit is low)... so for example, the first or second week of Dec 2012 is probably pretty low compared to the second half of December.

So, that way, they have the 10% discount, the $200 OBC (if it's a 7-day), and only paid 10% deposit as opposed to 20%. Then, the as the cruise gets closer, but they are still in the "cancellation/move date with no penalty" period, they will then move their cruise date to another future cruise, to say Dec 2013, and you still have all the benefits (10% off, $200 OBC, etc), and then they keep moving the cruise booking until they finally get to a point where they are able to actually go on a cruise again, and then they re-book that cruise for the one they actually want.

People call this a "dummy booking" or something along those lines.

So, for example, in your case, if you guys can't go on another cruise until like 2014, then you can book a cruise on board for Dec 2012 (book at the cheapest date in Dec). Then, sometime next year when the 2013 dates come out, move your Dec 2012 booking to Dec 2013 cruise (you will still have the 10% off, $200 OBC, etc), then in 2013 when the 2014 dates/itineraries come out, and you feel then you can make a cruise work, then you pick out the cruise you want, and then move your booking to the cruise you want, and then you have your 10% off, $200 OBC, and only 10% deposit.

Like I said, we've never done this, but just from what I've read on the main DIS boards, a lot of people do this, and it seems to work totally fine. So, I can't speak from experience, but I'm only relaying what I've read a lot of people do.


Another thing you can do, too, if you aren't comfortable booking on board, even if it was a "dummy booking", is you could just wait for a Kid's Sail Free promotion comes out, which is a way better deal than the 10% off, $200 OBC, and 10% deposit, because you could potentially save a couple thousand dollars, depending on your stateroom category. I know that DCL doesn't come out with Kid's Sail Free promos often, but when they do, it's a very good deal and discount. But, I do know for sure (because it happened to us) that if you book on board, and you have the On Board booking perks (10% off, $200 OBC, etc), and you have DCL or your TA move your reservation to get the Kid's Sail Free promo, you will loose your booking on board perks because the 10% off & $200 OBC do not apply if you book the Kid's Sail Free promo. Not sure if I'm making sense...

That said, if it's too hard to book on board, just wait and watch for a Kid's Sail Free promo, and if you can make those dates and itinerary, then that would be a way to make the cruise totally affordable, and a better deal than the On Board booking perks.

We are doing the Mexican Riviera 8-day Christmas cruise, and got the Kid's Sail Free promo, and as a result, that 8-day Christmas cruise is cheaper than our Nov 7-day Eastern.... because we are only paying the price of 2 adults, rathern than 2 adults and 2 kids.

Hope this all helps!

-Kathy

 

[Switzert]

I have talked to Kathy on other forums and thought I would come over here and see what was going on.

Upgraded based on Kathy's Room recommendation to an outside verandah on deck 7, it happened to be right near the room assigned to a couple we are traveling with. I tried to get them to upgrade to an outside room, but they said they could just use ours. Which is true. We mostly upgraded because my DW and DD(4) travel like six people.

It is nice to see some kids my DD age, my DW was worried. The only other cruise we took was in OCT in Hawaii and it was filled with 60-80 year olds. Nothing wrong with that but it changed the dynamics of the cruise.

We are still trying to figure out the fish extender, and magnets. I post pictures of my DD and her countdown chain tomorrow.

Ship looks to not be packed full which might be nice when we upgraded we had the choice of 12 staterooms in our cat. checked other CATs and they were similar. Not a lot of Guaranty rooms like we originally had. Did anyone else notice their Guaranty turned into an assigned room?

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Hi Tim,

so glad to see you deicded to post here. There are so many nice families here to get aquainted with and like you said, kids close to your DD's age.

I will be waiting to see that photo tomorrow. Everyone here has been sharing family photos and its great!! So nice to have a face to go with the names here.

We have a GTY room, guess I will zip over and see if we have our room assignment yet. Usually they are given out around the 30 day mark. I will post if we do.

Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Good morning everyone,
hope your all having a great weekend.

We are in our 9th day of 90+ temperatures which actually sets a record.
Those in hotter states are probably laughing at our 90+ temps since with the humidity your always way hotter than us. But for us, this is hot.

Not much happening here today, just doing laundry. So I will pop in and out all day today.

Kathy we have booked on board then changed out date twice and kept all our discounts and OBC. Only have to put down such a small deposit makes it really tempting knowing we can keep pushing it out if we need to. Having a cruise to look forward to even 2 or 3 years away really helps make daily life more fun.

Back later,

Kathy

 

[Daniellenbella]

Thanks for the info Kathy! We'll just have to see.

Welcome Switzert! Glad you are joining us!

So, yesterday I tried for a couple hours to get some pins to trade on ebay. I made the mistake of letting Isabella watch with me and she now is obsessed with it! I ended up winning an auction last night, $18 for 25 pins & free shipping so now I don't need to buy anymore, but Isabella is driving me nuts wanting to continue to bid.

Also on ebay I found something I think I'm going to get to do my door decorations. They are wall applications, and one is a big black board style Mickey head. then there are smaller red & black heads. So I'm thinking I can put them on poasterboard and then glue magnets/magnetic paper to back.

Next chore--FE's. I told my DH about them the other night, he is not quite as excited as I am. But Isabella will love it.

Right now we are enjoying some football. We have a family fantasy league, even Isabella has a team. And DH & I are also in a league with friends. So we've been looking forward to the season starting.

 

[Daniellenbella]

I've read they decorate the ships the second week in November-is that us? Or will it begin with the Nov.12 cruise?
Anyone doing any cruise shopping? I've found a few sale things I couldn't resist with Labor Day sales. I also set aside a book I've been wanting to read for pool-side lounging.

Did you get a response to this? Or have you found the answer? I would LOVE to see the boat decorated for Christmas (I assume you mean Christmas). I also saw a recommendation of using a Christmas stocking as the FE and that I could do!

As for shopping, I've been looking, but haven't really bought anything. I did get Isabella a bathing suit for $.80 at Kohl's We are actually good for dinner clothes so I've resisted buying anything fancy. I've bought things for events (weddings/funerals) the past couple of years that I've only been able to wear once or twice, so I'm going to plan to bring those.

 

[GreensboroKG]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the info on the rough seas/Seabands. Loves to Run - Kathy -- those were some waves on your Panama cruise. The water looked beautiful but rough. Am glad you made the best of it and still had a great time.

Momx4 Kathy - thank you for the info about the Seabands. If 99% of your cruises have been calm seas then we'll probably be fine. I am hoping all the hurricane energy is burnt out now - end of Oct and then has an abrupt stop for the week of our cruise. I also plan to head to the Dr to see if there's anything she can prescribe. We have some antinausea medication from one time when our son was really sick but I am hoping he won't need it. I sometimes get light-headed from allergies (GSO is the allergy capital of NC) and just hope I adjust and get sea legs quickly. My brother, who is visiting this weekend from NY, worked on commercial fishing boats while going to college. He said once you have sea sickness the OTC meds don't really help. So I just want something with us so that we'll be prepared.

DH is smoking babyback ribs today. My brother heads back to NY tomorrow AM. It was good seeing him and having him spend some time with our DS. He is a police officer in NY and has a busy schedule so we don't see him often. We took him and my parents to "Corntacular" -- a nearby NC farm that had a corn maze, haunted house, hay rides, a "corn cannon" and petting zoo. It is a lot fo fun for the kids. Peter asked to go again today. Will have DH post some pix of it later when he downloads the camera.

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone.

9/11 - never forget.

 

[LovesToRun]

Good Morning, everyone,

Like Kathy (gma), we are also having 90 degree temps, which is so unusual, but we are loving it!

I know today is a solemn day for many remember back on 9/11, but just wanted to give my condolences for anyone who knew someone who lost their life that day. With so many people on the East Coast on these boards, I'm sure it's more likely an East Coaster knew someone who died in 9/11 vs. us here on the West Coast.

But, our very closest long-time friends (we've known them now for 22 years...) were supposed to be on American Airlines Flight 11 from Boston to LA on 9/11! So, this day, we always call them and just say how grateful we are they are still here! But, our friends (a husband and wife) live in LA, and they were in Boston. They had AA Flight 11 booked for the morning of September 10 to fly home, but there were horrible thunderstorms that day in Boston, so lots of flights were cancelled, including our friends AA flight 11. So, American Ailines re-booked them on AA flight 11 on Tuesday September 11. But, our friend had a really important meeting for work in LA on the morning of September 11 that she really could not miss. So, on September 10, they literally went to every ticket counter at Boston Logan International airport to find any airline that was flying out of Boston that day that had space so they could make it back to LA by the evening of Sep 10. They finally found a US Airways that had space and was flying out (not direct), but to LA with a layover, so they bought two 1-way plane tickets on the spot for the US Airways flight, and did get out the evening of Sep 10. If it hadn't been for her meeting, she and her husband would have been on AA Flight 11 on 9/11. They still have their boarding passes for that flight and keep them as a reminder how precious life is!

Anyway, but my heart truly goes out to anyone who did know someone, loved one, friend, acquaintance, etc, who parished on 9/11.

Just wanted to take a moment to observe this day.

Take care,
Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Hi all, good to have some new posts to read today.

Danielle, I have a few Disney pins displayed on a cork board on the wall. My son had some cast member only pins he gave me plus a few Award pins he received from some big shots at WDW when he worked there.

Last year on our way home from WDW Delta lost one piece of our luggage and of course it had about 8 pins I had just bought and one my husband got me for an anniversary present.
This year all pins will be in carry on and they can just check them at security, I am NOT loosing them again!!


Off to change the laundry around, again,

back later,
Kathy

 

[NC2WDW]

Have any of you ever typed something, went away for a min, then get logged out. Yuck, that just happened to me.

JetFlyer had recommended "Relief Bands". In case any of you were planning on buying something, here is my research. The Relief bands are expensive but had batteries you could buy so it was reusable. That has been replaced by a disposable model that costs $150. Not buying 3 of those, for "just in case". Reviews on sea bands look decent so I will buy those and they are FSA eligible. About me and sea sickness. In 2004 at Myrtle Beach SC, we went on a dolphin watch cruise with hurricane Charley out brewing. I spent the entire time on the back, hurling, DH was fine! Took the same trip in 2008, no hurricane, and I was fine. The point is, you never know what to expect and I would rather be prepared for myself and the kids.

As for the Christmas decorations, I have read that they start decorating the 2nd week of November. I just don't know of that considers us or not. However, Castaway Cay isn't decorated until the end of November, I do know that.