October 11, 2014 7-Night Southern Caribbean Cruise on Disney Magic (San Juan)

[Schachteles]

We have been to Grenada, Barbados and St. Lucia on the Queen Mary 2. St. Lucia is an absolutely gorgeous island.We did a Pitons Pleasure Cruise which took us out to the twin pitons on a large catamaran. Had a great crew who served us lunch and drinks. In Grenada, we did a Spice Island Tour, spice being a big part of Grenada's economy. And on Barbados, we did the Catamaran and Turtle tour. We got to swim with turtles in beautiful Caribbean waters.

We were talking about doing the Catamaran and Turtle tour...can you tell me more about it?! Were you able to get close?

 

[gometros]

We were talking about doing the Catamaran and Turtle tour...can you tell me more about it?! Were you able to get close?

We got right in the water with them and we're able to touch them. I'll post some pictures later on when I'm home.

 

[Schachteles]

We got right in the water with them and we're able to touch them. I'll post some pictures later on when I'm home.

GREAT, I'd love to see them!

 

[carmie3377]

We got right in the water with them and we're able to touch them. I'll post some pictures later on when I'm home.

That would be awesome! DH and I saw a sea turtle while scuba diving in Cozumel in May. But we couldn't get very close as it started swimming away from us when we swam towards it. We decided it didn't want our company so we didn't pursue further

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[ccander2011]

Welcome!
7-Night Southern Caribbean Cruise on Disney Magic Itinerary A
Mickeys Magical Southern Caribbean Crew - nominated by Tracy Fryer Vollmers (AKA on DisBoard: scrapbookmomma74)

1. San Juan, Puerto Rico
2. At Sea
3. St. Johns, Antigua
4. Castries, St. Lucia
5. St. Georges, Grenada
6. Bridgetown, Barbados
7. Basseterre, St. Kitts

hi my family has decided to change our cruise date to the 26th of October 2014 on the Disney magic still...we have more family joining us too..so plz take our names off the FE list for this cruise and also the roaming mickey gnome too...I have been trying to find a group on fb and/or on here for Disney magic-October 26 2014 cruise...if anyone can find any group for this plz link it for me...ty in advance

 

[gometros]

That would be awesome! DH and I saw a sea turtle while scuba diving in Cozumel in May. But we couldn't get very close as it started swimming away from us when we swam towards it. We decided it didn't want our company so we didn't pursue further

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I haven't forgotten. Images are all in RAW format. I just need to pick out a few and process them, then upload to Photobucket. I have some pics of St. Lucia to share too.

 

[tigger137]

I agree that something is not right with the 3-night repo taxes & fees. It's $290.91 for 2A 1C. That's HIGH. A normal 3-night on the Dream - taxes & fees are $186.66. A 7-night Southern taxes/fees are $228.66; an Eastern on the Fantasy are $246.36.

Wonder what the deal is??

Wait for it... Wait for it... I can see it coming down the pipe now. Wait for it...

Stand by to receive the typical...

"Thank you for your interest in our operations, we are unable to provide an answer to your question due to overwhelming customer requests to not share that information."...

Response letter.

Well, I've been chasing for a response for several weeks now and just getting holding replies. Eventually yesterday I received pretty much what cwdefouw predicted:

After communication with the department that handles the government
taxes and fees for the different cruise itineraries, it was found that
taxes for Port Canaveral, Florida, and the Bahamas (Disney's Castaway
Cay is a Bahamian island) are higher than other Caribbean ports of call.
As such, the government taxes and fees for the two cruises you will be
experiencing are correct.

I hope this information has been helpful. If you require further
assistance with any other inquiries, please feel free to contact us.

What I'd asked for, repeatedly, was a full breakdown for both cruises showing each individual port charge.

I replied to say this is not an acceptable answer, please provide the detail I've requested. And I copied the e-mail to Karl Holz. I also e-mailed John at DUL asking for his assistance (because he was instrumental in resolving the Panama fee issue in 2008 ), who replied straight away and said he has contacted his Disney sales rep about it.

Anyway, when I got home from work today I received a phone call from an "Executive Correspondent" in Karl Holz's office. He tried to explain the situation to me in what I can only describe as a very Disney way - I don't think he intended to give me any information but expected to just placate me. I certainly don't think he was prepared for the conversation which ensued.

In which, interestingly, he did admit that "We do build a little bit in", because the taxes "fluctuate". But he said that 100 days prior to each cruise they refund any difference. However, he also told me that they have checked and there has been "an error in calculation" for 2 of the ports, that this will be updated and the taxes will be "slightly less". I'm not sure if he was referring to the 7-night SC cruise or the 3-night repo.

I explained that what I am seeking is a full breakdown for each cruise to show how the amount charged for government fees and taxes has been reached, per passenger. He tried in several ways to tell me that they don’t have the figures, and/or they may change, but I refused to accept this. As I said to him, someone at DCL has come up with this figure, they must be able to provide a full breakdown. I don’t care if it is an estimate or if it does change, I want to know how the figures on my reservations have been reached, ie a dollar amount for each port adding up to the total.

He said no-one has asked before – I told him, perhaps not, but I’m asking now and I can’t see the problem in providing me with the information. I said that I am not saying DCL have got it wrong. I am simply asking to be given full information so that I can understand how these figures have been reached.

He finally agreed that they will provide this breakdown - I asked for it to be sent by e-mail. He said that it isn’t that they have refused to provide it, but that they didn’t understand what it was I was asking for and he was seeking clarity.

I know there are some differences between American English and British English, but it would seem Disney English is another language altogether!

If I do get the information (call me a cynic, but I'll believe it when I see it) I will, of course, let you know.

 

[tigger137]

On this cruise we go to St Kitts, St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada and Antigua.

Has anyone ever been to any of these ports and have any highlights to share on them?

Half the health benefit of a vacation is the anticipation.

I'd be interested in any info too please.

The reason we're going on this cruise is because when I was 15/16, I lived on St Kitts for a year and went to high school there. I went back to visit a year later but haven't been since, and thought to call in by cruise would be ideal.

My plan was to show my DH the school I went to, the hotel we lived in when we first arrived, and the house we moved to. But I've discovered that the school has been knocked down and rebuilt, and the hotel is derelict.
At least the house still appears to be there when I look on Google Earth.

 

[chambe4]

How do you get signed up for the FE group? I sent my name and information in for the FE sign up a few weeks ago twice to someone and am not showing signed up yet. Thank you

 

[cwdefouw]

He said no-one has asked before – I told him, perhaps not, but I’m asking now and I can’t see the problem in providing me with the information. I said that I am not saying DCL have got it wrong. I am simply asking to be given full information so that I can understand how these figures have been reached.

I wonder if the response might be better if a bunch of us from the boards send in an identical request? Maybe they would realize that just because no one has asked for the data before, doesn't mean they shouldn't be prepared to give it out when it is asked for.

 

[Silverfox97]

How do you get signed up for the FE group? I sent my name and information in for the FE sign up a few weeks ago twice to someone and am not showing signed up yet. Thank you

Scott doesn't update the lists immediately. We have 5 cruises booked and he's the FE 'admin' for 4 of them. He says he currently has 10+ PMs in his box. He'll do them; don't worry (incidentally, he typically updates them on Fridays).

This cruise is 399 days away. I think there's time

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[Silverfox97]

Well, I've been chasing for a response for several weeks now.

If I do get the information (call me a cynic, but I'll believe it when I see it) I will, of course, let you know.

THANK YOU for pursuing this!!! I had actually forgotten all about it!!

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[RetCM]

just wondering if there will be any halloween decorations we love disney halloween.

I just read for this year (2013) they'll be celebrating Halloween on cruises starting towards the end of September. I hope it's a hit and they continue to do is for our cruise.

 

[Silverfox97]

I just read for this year (2013) they'll be celebrating Halloween on cruises starting towards the end of September. I hope it's a hit and they continue to do is for our cruise.

Me too. However..... They aren't starting them on the Magic this year until the 10/27 cruise. Something tells me we won't get them on this one either; I'll bet it will start with the 1st cruise that leaves after the repo.....

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[ssanders79]

The FE List has been updated.

 

[TifffanyD]

I personally only like celebrating Halloween closer (or on) the actual date...

 

[NWmom]

Well, I've been chasing for a response for several weeks now and just getting holding replies. Eventually yesterday I received pretty much what cwdefouw predicted:



What I'd asked for, repeatedly, was a full breakdown for both cruises showing each individual port charge.

I replied to say this is not an acceptable answer, please provide the detail I've requested. And I copied the e-mail to Karl Holz. I also e-mailed John at DUL asking for his assistance (because he was instrumental in resolving the Panama fee issue in 2008 ), who replied straight away and said he has contacted his Disney sales rep about it.

Anyway, when I got home from work today I received a phone call from an "Executive Correspondent" in Karl Holz's office. He tried to explain the situation to me in what I can only describe as a very Disney way - I don't think he intended to give me any information but expected to just placate me. I certainly don't think he was prepared for the conversation which ensued.

In which, interestingly, he did admit that "We do build a little bit in", because the taxes "fluctuate". But he said that 100 days prior to each cruise they refund any difference. However, he also told me that they have checked and there has been "an error in calculation" for 2 of the ports, that this will be updated and the taxes will be "slightly less". I'm not sure if he was referring to the 7-night SC cruise or the 3-night repo.

I explained that what I am seeking is a full breakdown for each cruise to show how the amount charged for government fees and taxes has been reached, per passenger. He tried in several ways to tell me that they don’t have the figures, and/or they may change, but I refused to accept this. As I said to him, someone at DCL has come up with this figure, they must be able to provide a full breakdown. I don’t care if it is an estimate or if it does change, I want to know how the figures on my reservations have been reached, ie a dollar amount for each port adding up to the total.

He said no-one has asked before – I told him, perhaps not, but I’m asking now and I can’t see the problem in providing me with the information. I said that I am not saying DCL have got it wrong. I am simply asking to be given full information so that I can understand how these figures have been reached.

He finally agreed that they will provide this breakdown - I asked for it to be sent by e-mail. He said that it isn’t that they have refused to provide it, but that they didn’t understand what it was I was asking for and he was seeking clarity.

I know there are some differences between American English and British English, but it would seem Disney English is another language altogether!

If I do get the information (call me a cynic, but I'll believe it when I see it) I will, of course, let you know.

You may not have gotten an answer, but it look like the taxes went down on the repo.

 

[ACDSNY]

You may not have gotten an answer, but it look like the taxes went down on the repo.

Hmm, I wonder when they'll update our existing reservations. I'll be re-shopping mine in November to get the discount and OBC.

The taxes still seem high when compared to the 7 night cruise of $152.44 and the DCL website is now showing $125.40 for the 3 night cruise, but I appreciate the change from our original amount of $193.94.

 

[kendzee94]

You may not have gotten an answer, but it look like the taxes went down on the repo.

You know what they say about the squeaky wheel. Thanks tigger137 for being our squeaky wheel!

 

[ACDSNY]

You know what they say about the squeaky wheel. Thanks tigger137 for being our squeaky wheel!

Thanks tigger137 from us too.