October 20, 2012, Disney Fantasy, Eastern Caribbean-Who's with us?

[Renysmom]

All of you may book when the window opens for those who have sailed the least. If they are newbies, you all book when they book.

Not sure how it works if there are concierge rooms involved.

Good Luck! Hope you get what you want.

You can call have your cabin unlinked from the rest book your excursions and then call back and have them relinked. As for Palo and Remy all rooms have to be PIF and within their window to book so again you can unlink and book and hope that you can then link with them when and if they get a reservation.

 

[ScrappinGran]

Renysmom, sent you a pm, so I can join the FB group. I am getting so excited! I feel like I live here on the Cruise Forum! I am anxious to book our excursions, but can't until August 7th. Guess that is because we are first time cruisers. It's hard to be patient!
Is there going to be a meet up of us somewhere, so that we can meet each other?

 

[INDY1919A4]

Hopefully everyone will get their Reservations.. But I do know that Disney does hold a fair number back for the day of actual sailing and if you get down to the Palo reservation desk right after boarding there is a good chance of getting a reservations..

 

[onecoolpilot]

Renysmom, sent you a pm, so I can join the FB group. I am getting so excited! I feel like I live here on the Cruise Forum! I am anxious to book our excursions, but can't until August 7th. Guess that is because we are first time cruisers. It's hard to be patient!
Is there going to be a meet up of us somewhere, so that we can meet each other?

I know what you mean. We're waiting for July 21st for ours. I can just hear everything getting scooped up by gold, platinum and concierge cruisers

As for the meet, I remember seeing it mentioned a few times but I don't recall anything being arranged.

 

[Bear3412]

I can just hear everything getting scooped up by gold, platinum and concierge cruisers

No worries currently, things are wide open, well except cabanas. Must not have many platinum's or the Gold's are taking their time. Gold could book the other day. Good luck to all.

 

[INDY1919A4]

No worries currently, things are wide open, well except cabanas.

This not a complaint just an open thought.. But when I first heard of the Cabanas and what you get I really thought they cost alot for what your were getting. But they seem to be wildly popular..

Anyone have any personal experience with one of these Cabanas.. PROS..?? CONS...??

 

[lewiskids004]

You can call have your cabin unlinked from the rest book your excursions and then call back and have them relinked. As for Palo and Remy all rooms have to be PIF and within their window to book so again you can unlink and book and hope that you can then link with them when and if they get a reservation.

Great idea!! I'll give this a try!! Thanks for the info!

 

[lewiskids004]

Were you guys able to book palo after you paid for the cruise? It's not allowing me to book until the cruise is paid for. well I guess we may have to wait.

 

[Renysmom]

This not a complaint just an open thought.. But when I first heard of the Cabanas and what you get I really thought they cost alot for what your were getting. But they seem to be wildly popular..

Anyone have any personal experience with one of these Cabanas.. PROS..?? CONS...??

They are very expensive that is for sure. Most who book are either large families w/multi cabins or friends who are sharing the cost.

Were you guys able to book palo after you paid for the cruise? It's not allowing me to book until the cruise is paid for. well I guess we may have to wait.

You have to be PIF in order to book anything

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

You have to be PIF in order to book anything

Like Kelly wrote, you have to be Paid In Full to book excursions and Palo through DCL.

This was a cruise I really, really wanted to make happen. So as soon as we had the extra cash, we paid it off. (months ago) I am bad at slowly widdling away "extra" money.

 

[danandnan]

Well Saturday we did our on line check in made our Palo resivations andset up all our excurisons. We are ready to sail

 

[Renysmom]

Well Saturday we did our on line check in made our Palo resivations andset up all our excurisons. We are ready to sail

Yea Dan

 

[ethanash1]

Was anyone planning on booking Honeymoon Beach and Turtle cove Sail at St Thomas??
Or has anyone done this excursion before? I'm all about trying to save money, and searched the web for a cheaper way to do this.... Without any luck.
Anyone have any advice? if I can't get it cheaper, I'll book it through DCL. My fear is that I'll get off the ship and the SAME trip will be offered at the dock for 1/2 price! That happened in Cabo last year!

 

[JOANNEL]

Was anyone planning on booking Honeymoon Beach and Turtle cove Sail at St Thomas??
Or has anyone done this excursion before? I'm all about trying to save money, and searched the web for a cheaper way to do this.... Without any luck.
Anyone have any advice? if I can't get it cheaper, I'll book it through DCL. My fear is that I'll get off the ship and the SAME trip will be offered at the dock for 1/2 price! That happened in Cabo last year!

We are doing it through DCL. I am a big chicken to book non DCL. We did it in Alaska and it was wonderful. All the reviews I have read have been very positive!!!

 

[onecoolpilot]

This not a complaint just an open thought.. But when I first heard of the Cabanas and what you get I really thought they cost alot for what your were getting. But they seem to be wildly popular..

Anyone have any personal experience with one of these Cabanas.. PROS..?? CONS...??

I don't have any personal experience with it yet, but I thought I would throw this out there.

Copied from another post:

Originally Posted by Chim in response to the question "Is it worth the cost?"
If you have the means, yes. We had it both days of stops and well worth it, especially if you have 4 or more people, or little kids. Or like to nap like me.

It is pricey, but also think about the perks. Private beach area. The little cottage to relax in out of sun. You have your own showering area to rinse of sand. Hammock to nap in. Stocked fridge with sodas and Evian included (which they try to sell you as you leave the boat). Also snorkel gear. That might not seem like much, but at $25 bucks a person to rent, it adds up. Plus 1 hr bike rental.

And how could I forget your own personal call button to have someone bring you fruity cocktails

Beach toys if you are in the family cabanas
Locked safe
Sunscreen
Refrigerated washcloths

I'm in the same boat as you. They seem really expensive for what you're getting, but we were lucky enough to find someone that is willing to split the cost of one on this trip, so we'll give it a shot. Unless it impresses the hell out of me in October, it's not likely we'll do one again.

 

[Bear3412]

I'm really not trying to be a Debbie Downer, however I just posted this on another thread, and thought it was only fair to share with my cruise mates.

Castaway Cay is the most challenging port for the captain of the Fantasy. Several factors affect the ability to dock including waves, wind, and current.

Here is a link to a poll discussing when the "ship" was unable to dock at CC. Keep in mind the larger ships are more difficult to dock IN WIND due to the sail effect.

http://www.disboards.com/poll.php?do=showresults&pollid=27501

Unfortunately October doesn't fare well. Although last year, which I believe most of this data reflects, I hope was an unusual year with all the storms.

Here is the full thread link with the poll.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2854575

 

[Bear3412]

Also please tell me this is / will not occur on our sailing.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2952508&highlight=facebook

I'm not on Facebook. What am I missing, if anything?

TIA

 

[Renysmom]

I'm really not trying to be a Debbie Downer, however I just posted this on another thread, and thought it was only fair to share with my cruise mates.

Castaway Cay is the most challenging port for the captain of the Fantasy. Several factors affect the ability to dock including waves, wind, and current.

Here is a link to a poll discussing when the "ship" was unable to dock at CC. Keep in mind the larger ships are more difficult to dock IN WIND due to the sail effect.

http://www.disboards.com/poll.php?do=showresults&pollid=27501

Unfortunately October doesn't fare well. Although last year, which I believe most of this data reflects, I hope was an unusual year with all the storms.

Here is the full thread link with the poll.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2854575

I've sailed three times during this time frame on DCL and we have never not docked at Castaway. Remember we are cruising at the end of Hurricane season. This makes a huge difference.

You need to go into the cruise with a "it is what it is" attitude. The Captain will do everything he can to get us where we are going. He will avoid storms and bad seas as much as possible.

 

[INDY1919A4]

You need to go into the cruise with a "it is what it is" attitude. The Captain will do everything he can to get us where we are going. He will avoid storms and bad seas as much as possible.

Big time agree with this, we were on a Disney cruise where we dodged a couple Hurricanes by going Eastern vs Western (Our Official Mystery Cruise) ..

Sure it was a major change, but we had a great cruise out of it while any poor slob stuck on a land resort in the path of those storms were trying to get out of those places or hunker down before the storms hit.

The real sad part is there were alot of people LOUDLY complaining about the changes in the schedules.. They could have been in some overcrowded Airport desperate to overpay for a crowded flight, instead of on the deck of a cruise ship while the captain chased the sun..

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Well Saturday we did our on line check in made our Palo resivations andset up all our excurisons. We are ready to sail

Yea!!!!