Received letter from DCL-Puerto Quetzal

[LibertyBelle]

Originally posted by Andrew DEREK UK
I think with everyone knowing the cruise would be released on may 5th and be a certain sell out, many people booked fast, but the cost and the changes have made people reassess their commitments.

The cost was not an issue for us, it was the changes. We are just not fans of that many sea days (equal amount is fine, but very lopsided not so much). I agree that the cruise is for the atmosphere and the Canal, so that is why I went with another cruise line (that I love just as much as DCL) that goes through the Canal and has only 7 sea days (the canal) and 6 ports. I just hope that someone as excited about the DCL repo as tecdavidt seems to be got our spot on the cruise and has a wonderful time. I know it will be great, we just went with what was right for us, which is all anyone can do...

WRH3MD have one for us... Consider this though once you arrive in LA, Dinseyland (Magic Kingdom anyway) does not serve alcohol and you have already spent the money on the cruise so Club 33 (which does serve) will be just another doorway in New Orleans Square... LOL have fun!

 

[DonnaDavid]

We've researched our options and decided to stick with the repo cruise for now. Hopefully, they will make changes in the itinerary or announce enough new and special activities that I won't have to worry about this expensive vacation being a disappointment, especially to my kids. This will be my 3rd DCL cruise; although I'm looking forward to spending extra time on the ship, I'm hoping for a little less time than is currently scheduled.

 

[MM2U2]

Just back from a weekend at the Disneyland Hotel. According to the Fabulous Disney Babe: It's financial and safety. If it's safety that Disney removed Guatemala then I am okay with that. My parents visited this port (Puerto Quetzal) about five years ago. They were at the port for four hours and simply shopped in a tent set up next to the port. I speculate that Disney cannot add another port such as Cost Rica because these Central American ports booked up years in advance. Being that this is a cruise full of parents with young kids, maybe Disney was concerned about their safety in questionable ports such as Guatemala and found out it was too late to add another port.
Still debating about keeping this cruise.

 

[MM2U2]

I should clarify that the Fabulous Disney Babe is usually correct. Being from So. Cal. we always hear about Disneyland rumors that turn out to be true from her. She is a Disney "insider" that I wrote to trying to find out the real reason for the change in the Repo cruises. www.fabulousdisneybabe.com

 

[JenKatt]

"Babe's" rumors about DL may be true, but she has not been accurate about WDW on many accounts.

 

[MM2U2]

Thanks for the information, JenKatt! She (Fab) usually does get it right about DL. I always felt that Guatemala was eliminated due to security and money issues. However, I will be cautious about Fab's insight in the future.

 

[TMTIP]

We feel the same way about so many sea days (too many in a row). We were very excited when we booked but now we are deciding what to do since we are not thrilled about so many sea days in a row. Don't get me wrong, we love sea days but not that many straight. When we cruise I enjoy a nice (just about equel) mix of sea days and port calls. I guess we are going to wait it out for a few months and see if Disney decides to add and ports, if they don't we are going to cancel.

 

[mickeyfan1]

Something else to think about.

Disney has never sailed the Canal. A lot of other cruise lines have. They are the ones with the berths scheduled in advance, there is only so much room at the ports and if Disney can't get in, there is nothing they can do about it.

I do understand that a lot of people cruise for the ports. I booked this, my 13th cruise, for the canal. I may not get off the ship anywhere. I am one who loves to be on the open water, and while in port sitting by the pool is fine. This isn't a cruise for everyone, and I can see a lot of families having really bored kids after the first week. I am confident that Disney will have some special on board activites for everyone to help aleviate the boredom.

While it is a long way off, now is the time to think about how your kids will be after 7 days, with 7 days to go. If they are the type that needs to be entertained but get tired of the smae thing over and over, this might not be for them, and that may end up ruining the adult trip. Picture yourself driving in a large RV for 15 days with your kids, making stops only ervery few days. What is going to keep them happy during the drive time? Granted the ship is a lot larger, but it can be the same effect.

Also, Disney will most likely tweak our itinerary again, maybe a few times between now and then. They make make changes after the May shakedown. Or they may not. I know I will be happy no matter what and looking forward to meeting all my new Dis family.