October 17, 2009 Western

[MommyTo5]

It doesn't sound like you're behind at all! Park days planned, dining planned, hotel activities planned - what's one little van ride to worry about?

I wish my plans for the entire week were that detailed! I finally started on our port transportation arrangements, but I still need to change our post-cruise flights... oh, and I also need to contact Disney to cancel the night of 10/24 too. I'm thinking that we should probably just fly home on Saturday instead of Sunday.

I am behind... very behind! I'm hoping to finish most of these things by tomorrow. I'd like to get back to packing! LOL

 

[missusem]

Packing!! WOW..!!

I'm still here in Oslo (our family is relocating to Aberdeen scotland -but I'm here waiting for my VISA) and I can hardly wait to get our new house in order so I can pack for my cruise..

The plans for the period are more or less done (except our stay in Miami -- anyone recommend nice places in Miami to stay?) so I'm really just laying on the excitement! And thinking about FISH EXTENDERS!!

 

[missusem]

okay double posting.. not good.




Here's a QOTD -- are you hoping for an upgrade for your room? What category are you booked in?

 

[momsully]

Here's a QOTD -- are you hoping for an upgrade for your room? What category are you booked in?

We would love an upgrade. We are booked in a Cat 9 and my parents are in a Cat 6. The kids would really like a balcony room. Is it cheaper to do this at the port or should I try to do this ahead of time.

We are flying in on Thursday and staying at AKL for 2 nights prior to the cruise. MNSSHP on Thursday night - not sure about Friday. DS birthday is Thursday and mine is Saturday so we need to run over to will call Saturday am to get my bday gift card prior to heading to the port as well!

 

[AnkaG]

We are in a category 6, pretty excited about the balcony!!!

I didn't know upgrade was a common thing... did you guys ever get an upgrade? I read somewhere that it's not always a good thing because they can put you in a noisy room or something like that...

 

[yazee1]

Monica,

Did you hear back on the minimum age yet?

Here's a quote from the email I received from Fatfish...

The skis can hold up to 600 pounds, however we always recommend placing 3 people on a ski if you are fairly small people. The comfort level of the ski
while riding with 3 larger people is not always enjoyable. You can drive the ski if you are 16 years or older and you can ride the ski if you are 5 years or older.

 

[yazee1]

It's not necessary. For the cash that you do take, I'd recommend bringing lots of small bills (ones and fives) since you will usually be given your change back in that country's currency!

On that note, I used the ATM in Cozumel to get some cash not thinking about the fact that the ATM would issue pesos!

 

[yazee1]

We are in a category 6, pretty excited about the balcony!!!

I didn't know upgrade was a common thing... did you guys ever get an upgrade? I read somewhere that it's not always a good thing because they can put you in a noisy room or something like that...

Upgrades are definitely not a common thing. It's just news when it does happen. That being said, yes, we did receive an upgrade once. On our first cruise, we booked two adjoining category 9 rooms but were upgraded to two connecting category 6's. We didn't find out about it until check-in so it was a delightful surprise.

 

[lucky1]

We are booked in a Cat 12 room, so yes we are hoping for a Upgrade. If the ship does not sail full, we are hoping to be able to upgrade (for a fee) at the port, if we don't have a room that is acceptable. Otherwise we will be happy because we will be ON A CRUISE!!

DH has a formal on how much he would pay to upgrade for a Split bathroom, how much for a window and how much for a Veranda.. Not counting on anything at this point.


Angie - thanks for the offer, not sure if you would like us crashing will all our luggage. DH got a pin code for free dinning during that time, so we are look at that too.

Laura

 

[lucky1]

We booked our plane tickets. We are arriving on Oct 14th.

Now just need a place to stay and figure out the logistics on getting to the port.


Laura

 

[MommyTo5]

Here's a QOTD -- are you hoping for an upgrade for your room? What category are you booked in?

We would LOVE an upgrade!!! We were in connecting SPH rooms (which are actually Cat 8s, but are classified as Cat 10s due to the obstructed views) on our first two cruises, but booked Cat 11s this time to save some $$.

Actually... I did have a set of SPHs booked for this cruise the day it opened up for booking. Then, I decided that it would be fun to cruise the week before (special itinerary), so I grabbed the SPHs for that cruise and cancelled this one. Then - I decided that I wanted to go on the Transatlantic, so I cancelled the 10/10 Eastern and booked the TA instead. When we cruised last Fall, we bought DVC and had enough developer points for one of the cabins we'd need on this cruise, so we went ahead and booked it (again) thinking it would be fun to have a duel WDW/DCL trip.

At this point, I'm actually scared to death to be in a cat 11 without any natural light... I just couldn't bring myself to pay the difference between the cat 9 & cat 11 --- times 2! I remember that it seemed like a lot at the time I booked.

If you see someone crying at the door of the SPH rooms during the cruise, that will be me! It's actually killing me that I gave up *our* rooms only to rebook the same cruise months later.

I'm hoping that some pixie dust will land on us... I would really, really appreciate an upgrade. If we can afford it and are able to arrive early enough, we also might consider a paid upgrade at the port.

 

[frndofpooh]

If you see someone crying at the door of the SPH rooms during the cruise, that will be me! It's actually killing me that I gave up *our* rooms only to rebook the same cruise months later.

I'm hoping that some pixie dust will land on us... I would really, really appreciate an upgrade. If we can afford it and are able to arrive early enough, we also might consider a paid upgrade at the port.

We have one of the SPH rooms and, like you, we booked it the day it opened for booking. Although it's not one of the connecting rooms that you had before, we promise we'll take good care of it. If you want, feel free to come by anytime!

Even if the pixie dust doesn't come your way, recent reports are that there are many paid upgrades available at the port. Hopefully, the price difference from an 11 to a 9 or 8 won't be very much. Either way, you'll be on a Disney cruise!

 

[lucky1]

We would love an upgrade. We are booked in a Cat 9 and my parents are in a Cat 6. The kids would really like a balcony room. Is it cheaper to do this at the port or should I try to do this ahead of time.

We are flying in on Thursday and staying at AKL for 2 nights prior to the cruise. MNSSHP on Thursday night - not sure about Friday. DS birthday is Thursday and mine is Saturday so we need to run over to will call Saturday am to get my bday gift card prior to heading to the port as well!

momsully - Wow 2 birthdays in one trip Make sure you wear your birthday button on Saturday, so we can all wish you a happy birthday at the port.

From what I heard it is cheaper to upgrade at port (day of the cruise) than to do it ahead of time, unless they call you with an upgrade offer.


Also We just booked our MNSSHP tickets last night, so we will be there also Now we just have to decided on a hotel and a way to get to the port.

Laura

 

[Pennyb123]

So.... how much do upgrades usually cost at the port, and who do you ask about them??

 

[lucky1]

So.... how much do upgrades usually cost at the port, and who do you ask about them??

Penny - There has been plenty of threads on this on the main cruise board. (Which I have been studying to gain some insight) I think it is anyones guess and there isn't guarentee that you can even upgrade when you get to the port. When you check in at the port, you ask at that point. When you upgrade at port they charge you based on your cat booking vs what room you end up in, so if booked a Cat 12 and got upgraded Free to cat 9, then if you wanted to upgrade to Cat 6, you would pay the difference from 12 to 6, vs from 9 to 6.

I read one persons theory on this.. is that you pay $50/day at port to go from inside to window room. And then you pay $100/day to go from Window to veranda room.

I just read a report where a person was on the wonder back to back and had booked a Cat 12 room and was upgraded to a cat 11 for free prior to the cruise. At the port for the 4 day cruise, they went from a 11 to a CAT 3. While onboard they learned the night before the next cruise that a CAT 1 was available, and learned it would cost 10K to upgrade for the 3 days cruise from a Cat 12. When they got to the port, they inquired and got the room for $1800 to upgrade.

Some of these stories are interesting.

Laura

 

[missusem]

I love all these upgrade stories!!! We're happily in the same room we cruised in before and of course, an upgrade to CAT 3 but we're only 3 people so as long as we get to keep our verandah, we're happy .


Here's another QOTD: Favourite Disney movie SONG???

 

[lucky1]

Update on the FE List.

Here are the DISer that have indicated they want to participate in FE exchange or mentioned they are create a FE in the group.
At this time the Cut Off for FE Signup will be September 1. (unless the group decides on a different date) This will give a month time for those participating to plan.

ankaG (Anne-Karine) 2 travelers
bourgie 4 travelers (2 Kids)
doberlady (Debbie) 4 travelers (2 kids)
Jeanneg (Jeanne) 2 travelers
kerikson (Kim) 4 travelers (2 Kid)
lucky1 (Laura) 3 travelers (1 kid)
missusem (Sue) 3 travelers (1 kid)
yazee1 (Monica) 5 travelers (3 kids)

8 DISer's with a total for 27 people.

If you are interested in participating send me a PM or post on the Yahoo group. ( I will update the spreadsheet on yahoogroups this weekend)

Here is an interesting post on FE: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32651483&postcount=378

Laura

 

[lucky1]

Here's another QOTD: Favourite Disney movie SONG???

There are so many to choose from... How about When you wish Upon a Star?

I am ready for the cruise!

 

[AnkaG]

favorite song is really a hard question!!! Because my favorite movie is Lion King, I guess I have to say Hakuna Matata! I really like the Pocahontas song "paint with all the colors of the wind". And my soonDH says it's "prince ali"... and we just watched Aladdin after thinking of that song! Genie is such a great character! LOVE him!

 

[AnkaG]

Here is an interesting post on FE: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32651483&postcount=378

Laura

thanks for the post, it was really interesting. i didn't think of the zip tie, but I guess it's true that unfortunately some ppl steal stuff... even on a disney cruise

I started looking at little gifts here and there... it's really exciting!