October 30, 2011 Wonder - A Haunting on the High Seas

[stephielela]

Traci,
Welcome to you and your family. What a very lucky girl Bryndi is.

Regarding your question if DCL cruises sell out - it really depends on the cruise. The Hawaii cruise soldout at the first day it was offered to gold and platinum castaway club members, not the general public. Of course people do cancel but those cabins are offered and booked in minutes. That said, I doubt this cruise will sell out completely, some cabin categories might though. Most likely they have or will offer this cruise to cast members at a very reduced price. They may also offer it to the members of the travel industry. One thing to check into is how many days prior to the cruise the bookings are closed, regardless of availability.

If you have not already thought of it, you might want to shop around and see what on-board credits are being offered by travel agencies. I have never used Dreams Unlimited but I understand they offer some good deals, but check around, they do vary from nothing to a lot. The on-board credits really help with things such at the tip charges. While most things are included in the base price, you don't want a huge surprise when they deliver your bill.

Hope you do join us.

They have already offered this as a Travel Agent Appreciation offer, that's how I booked

 

[So Cal Crew]

I got a $25 on board credit from Disney and $200 from Dreams Unlimited. Not sure if that's good or not, but it's better than nothing. What types of credit can you get when you book onboard?

 

[debranator]

Hi Everyone! My name is Traci, and the other members of my family are DH Bret, and DD(10) Bryndi. We were planning on surprising DD with a trip to DL for her birthday, which is 10-29 (also Stef's weddind day I see!), when I came across the Kids Cruise Free offer. We have NEVER been on a cruise, in fact only ferry boats to Victoria B.C.! So last night I sprung the idea on DH and he LOVED it The only problem is, we would need to pay the balance in full by the 16th, or take our chances the closer it gets to cruise time when we will have all of the money.

I found this thread and have read to page 7, and it makes me so excited to think of joining such a great group of people, and making new friends. So here's my question...Do these cruises usually sell out completely? We really wouldn't be able to book any sooner than say Oct. 1st. I would be buying airplane tickets regardless which way we go, but I wouldn't have to cancel our hotel until the week before, and I wouldn't have to buy our parkhoppers until then either. So I am thinking we are just going to pray like heck that there will still be room, and if there is, we will book it, and if there isn't we are still headed to Disneyland I really can't lose, but I REALLY want to do the cruise!!! Please give me your opinions, has anyone booked a cruise at the last "minute"?

Just a quick blurb about our family: I am a kindergarten/first grade teacher at a small private school. DH has worked at 911 for almost 21 years, and we have been married 13 years on 9/12!!! DD is 10, and is a complete tomboy, no princesses or pink for us She will be in the fourth grade, loves sports, movies, and is a very easy going kid. She will be shy at first, but I am hoping that would change on the cruise. This trip is a complete surprise for her. She mentioned randomly a few months ago about wanting to ride in a limo, which I laughed off. Then when DH and I were talking about her upcoming first double-digit birthday I said we should return to DL. Now I say return, because we have been two other times for her birthday, Halloween, and my birthday (Nov. 1st). So the plan is to wake her up on her b-day (29th) and tell her we want to take her to breakfast, and when she walks outside the limo will be waiting. She will think it is taking us to breakfast and a nice drive, but it will take us to the airport We (DH ) have almost let the cat out of the bag four times, and still have more than two months to go, and if we switch to the cruise it will be especially hard. Sorry this has been so long, especially since it is not a done deal, but I was so excited after reading the first seven pages, and figured I would get some feedback on the last minute booking. I would love to have the t-shirts, but will have to wait until the last day to order them.

Anyways, thanks for reading and any advice would be greatly appreciated. I have not a clue about FE's or the gifts to go in them, but I would love to participate if we go!

Happy Cruising,

Traci

Hi Tracy...WELCOME!
I usually never have more than a month before i book a cruise...I am always last minute.
[we had 2 months on this one because my son booked it]...
and...if it is not sold out within the last 6 weeks or so..
it usually is pretty easy to get in.
so..I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

 

[stefanie.cadell]

Hi all! Here I thought the board was quiet, but I'd missed an email notification!! What I've missed!! Oh my welcome everyone!! SO glad to meet you all!

So I think all the planning is amazing & can't wait to put some faces with these names. I love the thought of a m & g preceding the safety drill.. A great chance to grab our shirts & share our enthusiasm!

Just a guess, but I'm thinking Vince & I will be a bit busy on the night before the cruise & won't be available. It''ll also be our wedding night, you'll understand right?

Super excited for us all to meet soon! 81 days left!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[valbob89]

They have already offered this as a Travel Agent Appreciation offer, that's how I booked

Booking while onboard is a great idea. What DCL offers differs from cruise to cruise. I have seen offers of 20% off the list price on some cruises. I think usually they offer 10% off the list price plus a low down pay. Additionally, they offer onboard credit, the amount differs depending on your castaway membership level and the length of the cruise.

This cruise I did book onboard, I booked my verandah room, 10% lower then if I had called DCL and booked that same day and they gave me a $275 onboard credit. When I got home I waited until my TA was offering an onboard credit and other perks and then I moved the reservation to her.

If we don't know exactly what cruise or when we want to go we still book a place holder. I pick the cheapest cruise the farthest out as possible. That way I am paying the lowest down pay and have the maximum time to decide. What I am holding is the discount, lower down pay and onboard credit allowance benefits. When I identify a cruise we want to take I call DCL, or my TA and have them "move" my reservation, along with the on-board booking perks. Anything the travel agency give you is separate from what DCL offers.

 

[stephielela]

Booking while onboard is a great idea. What DCL offers differs from cruise to cruise. I have seen offers of 20% off the list price on some cruises. I think usually they offer 10% off the list price plus a low down pay. Additionally, they offer onboard credit, the amount differs depending on your castaway membership level and the length of the cruise.

This cruise I did book onboard, I booked my verandah room, 10% lower then if I had called DCL and booked that same day and they gave me a $275 onboard credit. When I got home I waited until my TA was offering an onboard credit and other perks and then I moved the reservation to her.

If we don't know exactly what cruise or when we want to go we still book a place holder. I pick the cheapest cruise the farthest out as possible. That way I am paying the lowest down pay and have the maximum time to decide. What I am holding is the discount, lower down pay and onboard credit allowance benefits. When I identify a cruise we want to take I call DCL, or my TA and have them "move" my reservation, along with the on-board booking perks. Anything the travel agency give you is separate from what DCL offers.

That's awesome! I might consider booking something since I know for a fact we will be cruising DCL in 2013... It depends on how much disposable $ I have at the time I suppose.

When I booked this trip, it was through the agency I work for with the appreciation offer, so I got a great deal. Which will make it even more painful to pay full price later lol.

 

[lee122668]

My name is Liana and I think we will be joining everyone on the October 30th cruise aboard the Wonder. With me will be my husband Mike and my daughters Emily age 13 and Clara age 10. This will be our 3rd Disney Cruise. I am super interested in participating in Fish Extenders!!! Love the t-shirts too!! Any other girls my daughters ages??? Looked like lots of boys!!! Went on a Halloween Cruise in 2009...awesome!!! Got to run...chat more later. Someone fill me in on what has been decided so far.

Thanks

 

[stephielela]

My name is Liana and I think we will be joining everyone on the October 30th cruise aboard the Wonder. With me will be my husband Mike and my daughters Emily age 13 and Clara age 10. This will be our 3rd Disney Cruise. I am super interested in participating in Fish Extenders!!! Love the t-shirts too!! Any other girls my daughters ages??? Looked like lots of boys!!! Went on a Halloween Cruise in 2009...awesome!!! Got to run...chat more later. Someone fill me in on what has been decided so far.

Thanks

Yay! Our group keeps growing! Liana, have you looked at the Google spreadsheet? The link is in the first post, and will give you an excellent idea of what's going on so far! I do believe there are several other girls in the same range as your girls!

 

[So Cal Crew]

My name is Liana and I think we will be joining everyone on the October 30th cruise aboard the Wonder. With me will be my husband Mike and my daughters Emily age 13 and Clara age 10. This will be our 3rd Disney Cruise. I am super interested in participating in Fish Extenders!!! Love the t-shirts too!! Any other girls my daughters ages??? Looked like lots of boys!!! Went on a Halloween Cruise in 2009...awesome!!! Got to run...chat more later. Someone fill me in on what has been decided so far.

Thanks

My Girls are 11 and 12. We have several girls in our group but only 3 in our group, that I've seen, that will be in The Edge. I'm sure there will be plenty of girls on board! Welcome to our group!

Cathy

 

[TinkLoverSam]

Hello to all our newcomers!!

Where has the time gone ? It's only 79 days until ou cruise

I would love to do the M&G before the safety drill and pass out the t-shirts then. Still trying to convince my DH that we want them, but I could always just say "uh-huh whatever you say dear" and get them anyway

But I would never do that right? Can we cut off the FEs on Oct 1 with the t-shirts? That way we will have time to make/order any gifts for those that sign up from now until then.

 

[girl_barrie]

Hi all!!!
We just booked this cruise and will be paid & ready to book excursions & stuff tomorrow!!
Nice to meet you all!
I haven't read through the thread yet to get to know everyone, but wanted to pop on and get an intro going.
I am Barrie, hubby is Jack and our son, Jaden will be celebrating his 6th birthday onboard, the day after Halloween!!
We are REALLY excited to participate in the FE!!! LOVE that - and on a Halloween cruise no less!! Gotta come up with something spectacular!!
I'll get caught up on the thread & add our names to the list(s) as soon as I can!!
YAY!!!!!

 

[girl_barrie]

Hi all! Sorry I have been MIA for a hot minute, work got CRAZY but all is well and I am back now, with T-SHIRT info!!!

For everyone who hasn't seen the design, it is on page 7, in post #104. The shirts will be gray.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=40949594&postcount=104

The price is $8 per shirt. I will need final orders including size by October 1st, so my guy can get them done in time for the cruise. This will also give any last minute cruisers and opportunity to order

I think the best way to do it would be for me to just bring the shirts to the ship with me and I will pass them out on the first day... this saves everyone time and money on shipping. I live in LA so it is no problem for me to just bring them along.

Val, maybe you could help me make a spread sheet for shirt sizes/orders? I'm not very savy in that area... that way we could make sure everyone gets accounted for Or of that is really time consuming, I can take email orders or.....??

As for payment, I suppose I could take payment via paypal in advance, or cash on the day of the cruise? Any thoughts? Veteran cruisers, any suggestions?

82 days til we CRUISE!!!!

LOVE the shirts!!! We're IN for them!! Just let us know where to sign up for sizes & where we can send our paypal $$$.
Thank you SO MUCH for making them!!

 

[girl_barrie]

Hi everyone! Count us in!

We are:
Me
Craig (DH)
Brooklyn (DD 10)
Madison (DD 6)

We were on the Oct 23rd sailing but got a better deal on this one so we just switched. We are excited to be sailing for Halloween!

I see some familiar faces from our Hawaii cruise, yeah!

Hi there!!! We're booked on the Hawaii cruise as well!!!

 

[stephielela]

It looks like we have a decent amount of people interested in the Meet and Greet. I haven't contacted DCL yet about it, but let's plan on meeting about an hour before the drill, and we can pass out T-shirts then! I will gather some more information and pass it on once we have something firmed up!

Does anyone know what (if anything) DCL will do for Halloween?

I am looking forward to booking excursions! I am also going to try and book a Palo brunch. What about everyone else?

 

[dzfitch]

Hi I would love shirts for all five of us,they are going to look great !! I would like to know if you are going to have 3x & 4 x for adults.thanks and I can't wait 82 days left !!!

I spoke with my t-shirt guy and he said he has sizes through 6X And also kids sizes!!

 

[dzfitch]

I added columns R, S and T to the spread sheet for shirt orders. You can see my example. We can even add another column for form of payment. Will that work? If not we can delete it and try something else.

That is perfect, thank you!! I see people have already ordered, wonderful!! Thank you thank you thank you!!

 

[stefanie.cadell]

Just made the final payment for the cruise!!!!!!!!!! Updated our stateroom # on the spreadsheet too! Getting ready to narrow down shore excursions. We are wanting to swim with dolphins in Cabo. Any opinions?

 

[TinkLoverSam]

Just made the final payment for the cruise!!!!!!!!!! Updated our stateroom # on the spreadsheet too! Getting ready to narrow down shore excursions. We are wanting to swim with dolphins in Cabo. Any opinions?

No opinions on the dolphin swims but wishing we had a cabin # too! We have been paid in full for a month and still no cabin!

 

[stephielela]

No opinions on the dolphin swims but wishing we had a cabin # too! We have been paid in full for a month and still no cabin!

I am fine without a cabin #... It just fuels the hope that I will get an upgrade

 

[stephielela]

I can't wait to book port adventures! Here is what I *think* I am booking:
Puerto Vallerta: Paradise Beach Adventure- Jack has been talking about going back to the beach since our cruise in May

Cabo: Harbor Cruise and Scenic Stop- We will both do this one
Coastal Highlights or San Jose City and Shopping Tour- I will do one of these, and I will most likely leave Jack on the ship (I assume the Oceaneer Club is open during port days?) They are the same price, so I am not sure which one to do...

Any thoughts? What's everyone else planning?