Recent ABD add-on Med cruisers please help!

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Sorry for the cross post, but I wasn't sure where it would be best to ask--here or the DCL threads.

I've been scouring these boards (and the product brochures) but haven't found anything recent about the extras that are included in the ABD Add-on packages for the Med cruises. I would really appreciate any recent cruiser help.

--Are they still paying the *ship* gratuities?
--Is the cruise photo CD still included?
--Did they drop the complimentary group dinner at Palo? (looks like it from the brochures)
--Is there still a case of free bottled water for the room?
--Are there any at sea activities other than the two receptions and the animation lesson? (i.e. ship tours, etc?). Seems like the at sea days are so empty of ABD activities.
--Anything else you can think of that is included that isn't mentioned in the materials?

I haven't seen any trip reports so if you've written one or plan to write one, please let me know. I'd love to hear how the cool/special ABD factor weighs in these itineraries. We just got back from ABD Scotland and there were so many cool VIP type things in that trip, but I'm just not seeing it in the add-on itineraries and wonder if I'm missing something . . .

 

[sayhello]

Sorry for the cross post, but I wasn't sure where it would be best to ask--here or the DCL threads.

I've been scouring these boards (and the product brochures) but haven't found anything recent about the extras that are included in the ABD Add-on packages for the Med cruises. I would really appreciate any recent cruiser help.

--Are they still paying the *ship* gratuities?
--Is the cruise photo CD still included?
--Did they drop the complimentary group dinner at Palo? (looks like it from the brochures)
--Is there still a case of free bottled water for the room?
--Are there any at sea activities other than the two receptions and the animation lesson? (i.e. ship tours, etc?). Seems like the at sea days are so empty of ABD activities.
--Anything else you can think of that is included that isn't mentioned in the materials?

I haven't seen any trip reports so if you've written one or plan to write one, please let me know. I'd love to hear how the cool/special ABD factor weighs in these itineraries. We just got back from ABD Scotland and there were so many cool VIP type things in that trip, but I'm just not seeing it in the add-on itineraries and wonder if I'm missing something . . .

I took the add-on in 2010, so I can't really answer as to what is or isn't included anymore. But I did write a Trip Report!

http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37329956&postcount=39

Sayhello

 

[pihanettie]

Sorry for the cross post, but I wasn't sure where it would be best to ask--here or the DCL threads.

I've been scouring these boards (and the product brochures) but haven't found anything recent about the extras that are included in the ABD Add-on packages for the Med cruises. I would really appreciate any recent cruiser help.

--Are they still paying the *ship* gratuities?
--Is the cruise photo CD still included?
--Did they drop the complimentary group dinner at Palo? (looks like it from the brochures)
--Is there still a case of free bottled water for the room?
--Are there any at sea activities other than the two receptions and the animation lesson? (i.e. ship tours, etc?). Seems like the at sea days are so empty of ABD activities.
--Anything else you can think of that is included that isn't mentioned in the materials?

I haven't seen any trip reports so if you've written one or plan to write one, please let me know. I'd love to hear how the cool/special ABD factor weighs in these itineraries. We just got back from ABD Scotland and there were so many cool VIP type things in that trip, but I'm just not seeing it in the add-on itineraries and wonder if I'm missing something . . .

I was thinking about this add-on as well for this past summer and had called Disney Cruise line and asked many of those questions. You can call them, too. Yes, to the water, yes to the photos, no to everything else but I did not ask about the ship gratuities. I think the ABD add-ons for this year are over, aren't they? If so, call them about next year - things might have changed (they often do).

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Thanks so much for the quick replies!

I took the add-on in 2010, so I can't really answer as to what is or isn't included anymore. But I did write a Trip Report!
http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37329956&postcount=39Sayhello

Awesome--thanks for the link & can't wait to read. One of the things I'm struggling with is trying to figure out whether the add-on experience has the same type of special factor that the regular ABDs do. From the itineraries for the 9 day Med, I'm just not seeing those type of experiences, which is why I was looking for some input from previous adventurers.

For example, on my recent ABD Scotland we had a visit to Glamis Castle. Anyone can do that on their own, but with ABD we had a private lunch, a private tour (seeing areas most people can't), and had a chance to do archery on the castle grounds. It was amazing. So much fun, and such a special experience that we wouldn't have been able to replicate on our own. You should have seen the other tourists looking at us enviously, LOL. Can you speak to this a little? Is there a lot of special "magic" that is not visible in the written itineraries or is it just the same excursion in a smaller group? (Which is how it is reading right now). Any insight would be appreciated

I was thinking about this add-on as well for this past summer and had called Disney Cruise line and asked many of those questions. You can call them, too. Yes, to the water, yes to the photos, no to everything else but I did not ask about the ship gratuities. I think the ABD add-ons for this year are over, aren't they? If so, call them about next year - things might have changed (they often do).

The last time I called about 2014 they didn't have the info yet, but I'll try again. I've heard that they aren't doing the shipboard gratuities or Palo (which is really disappointing in light of the big price increase every year) but haven't been able to confirm. I'll try calling again . . . thanks!

 

[sayhello]

Awesome--thanks for the link & can't wait to read. One of the things I'm struggling with is trying to figure out whether the add-on experience has the same type of special factor that the regular ABDs do. From the itineraries for the 9 day Med, I'm just not seeing those type of experiences, which is why I was looking for some input from previous adventurers.

For example, on my recent ABD Scotland we had a visit to Glamis Castle. Anyone can do that on their own, but with ABD we had a private lunch, a private tour (seeing areas most people can't), and had a chance to do archery on the castle grounds. It was amazing. So much fun, and such a special experience that we wouldn't have been able to replicate on our own. You should have seen the other tourists looking at us enviously, LOL. Can you speak to this a little? Is there a lot of special "magic" that is not visible in the written itineraries or is it just the same excursion in a smaller group? (Which is how it is reading right now). Any insight would be appreciated

It would be easier if I knew which itinerary you were looking at (ie, what ports does that cruise go to?)

For my cruise, there were lots of those "special" activities. In Sorrento, we went to a farm, had a demonstration (that some of the kids participated in) on making mozzarella cheese, then made our own pizza. It was wonderful! Then we were taken on a boat ride around Capri, and got to swim in the Mediterranean. On Corsica, we went to a little restaurant, high up on a hill (OMG, the views) and then afterwards, we visited a little church where we were entertained by an a capella group singing traditional Corsican songs.

We also got a lot of "Front of the Line" access in Italy (the Vatican, St Peter's Basillica, the Accademia where the David is).

Sayhello

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

It would be easier if I knew which itinerary you were looking at (ie, what ports does that cruise go to?)

For my cruise, there were lots of those "special" activities. In Sorrento, we went to a farm, had a demonstration (that some of the kids participated in) on making mozzarella cheese, then made our own pizza. It was wonderful! Then we were taken on a boat ride around Capri, and got to swim in the Mediterranean. On Corsica, we went to a little restaurant, high up on a hill (OMG, the views) and then afterwards, we visited a little church where we were entertained by an a capella group singing traditional Corsican songs.

We also got a lot of "Front of the Line" access in Italy (the Vatican, St Peter's Basillica, the Accademia where the David is).

Sayhello

Those are all great things to know! I'm looking at the 9 night Med right now: http://www.adventuresbydisney.com/europe/mediterranean-9-night-venice-cruise/ One of the days in athens is pretty much the same day as the regular ABD (and sounds good), but then there are days like the one in Rhodes, which doesn't seem to have much.

 

[sayhello]

Those are all great things to know! I'm looking at the 9 night Med right now: http://www.adventuresbydisney.com/europe/mediterranean-9-night-venice-cruise/ One of the days in athens is pretty much the same day as the regular ABD (and sounds good), but then there are days like the one in Rhodes, which doesn't seem to have much.

Yes, the day in Athens is the same as the day in Athens on the regular ABD, minus dinner. And it *is* a really great day!

I haven't been to Rhodes, but I think the itinerary has some definite potential. The walking tour of ancient Rhodes and the Valley of the Butterflies sounds interesting... But I've never been, so I can't say for sure.

Anyways, I was going to mention that you are correct; the Sea Days *are* pretty thin as far as ABD is concerned. I think that's a shame, but I assume they want to give folks time to enjoy the ship.

Sayhello

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Yes, the day in Athens is the same as the day in Athens on the regular ABD, minus dinner. And it *is* a really great day!

I haven't been to Rhodes, but I think the itinerary has some definite potential. The walking tour of ancient Rhodes and the Valley of the Butterflies sounds interesting... But I've never been, so I can't say for sure.

Anyways, I was going to mention that you are correct; the Sea Days *are* pretty thin as far as ABD is concerned. I think that's a shame, but I assume they want to give folks time to enjoy the ship.

Sayhello

Great to hear about Athens! I think the Santorini day on the ABD add-on is like one of the days on the Greece ABD, too.

I think what's troubling me (and holding me back) is the descriptions in the itinerary of the days in the ABD cruise add-on that don't happen to overlap with an existing ABD don't sound very exciting when compared to the regular ABDs. It's hard to tell whether it's a marketing problem (i.e. someone not as good wrote them) or whether they didn't develop the program on those non-overlap days as well as they do a typical day in a regular ABD.

From the way these days are written, they sound like nothing more than a couple of regular excursions put together (Kusadesai, Rhodes, and Venice in particular).

I'm assuming there is something cool or special about the walking tour of Rhodes and visit to the butterfly gardens, but it's not clear from the material--i.e. something like meeting with a naturalist or getting a chance to go behind scenes or something like that which would enhance the experience.

I guess what I'm hoping that someone will chime in and say they did one of the cruise add-ons this year, and it was awesome with all kinds of special touches that aren't mentioned in the literature.

If so, call them about next year - things might have changed (they often do).

I called, and they do have the info now so thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, it has changed but not in a good way. They have indeed stopped covering the shipboard gratuities and no longer do a Palo dinner. You still get the water and 2 CDs (I'm assuming this means you get the DCL CD as well as a CD of pics the Adventure Guides have taken, but I didn't ask her to clarify).

It's disappointing that as the prices have been going up the past couple of years, things like this are trimmed away. Seems like a pattern with ABD in general though (start big and gradually take away) the most galling example was the ABD Alaska Add-on changes they did that I wrote about a while back in another thread, but a few of us were talking about it on the Scotland trip. It's funny, but for me even "little" things like Palo can be a mental tipping point. I know it's all about maximizing profitability, but a $20 Palo charge . . . really?

I've been crunching numbers for the MED cruise add-ons, and when compared to the regular ABDs, it's pretty crazy. I'll put my thoughts together at some point and post when I get a chance, but I've been spending way too much time on this--although for a family of 4 the 9 night add-on is almost $10,400 so it's justified.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

But I did write a Trip Report!
http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37329956&postcount=39
Sayhello

Great trip report! Had a chance to read it last night. I think I've read it before actually, but for some reason it didn't show up when I searched again recently. Anyway, it was so great to read a TR about the add-on. I think this might be the only one? Sounds like a fantastic trip. I actually did the same 12 night cruise in 2011 so it was good to get a sense for how the ABD differed from my own experience with Port Adventures. You've taken so many ABD trips--I'm so jealous! What has been your favorite? We've done Ireland and Scotland, and I *loved* both, but Scotland was really incredible.

 

[sayhello]

Great to hear about Athens! I think the Santorini day on the ABD add-on is like one of the days on the Greece ABD, too.

Oh, I didn't see they did Santorini also. Does it do the volcano hike, swimming in the Aegean and Oia? Those were great!

I think what's troubling me (and holding me back) is the descriptions in the itinerary of the days in the ABD cruise add-on that don't happen to overlap with an existing ABD don't sound very exciting when compared to the regular ABDs. It's hard to tell whether it's a marketing problem (i.e. someone not as good wrote them) or whether they didn't develop the program on those non-overlap days as well as they do a typical day in a regular ABD.

From the way these days are written, they sound like nothing more than a couple of regular excursions put together (Kusadesai, Rhodes, and Venice in particular).

I'm assuming there is something cool or special about the walking tour of Rhodes and visit to the butterfly gardens, but it's not clear from the material--i.e. something like meeting with a naturalist or getting a chance to go behind scenes or something like that which would enhance the experience.

I would call ABD and specifically ask them those questions. They should be able to give you more of those details.

I guess what I'm hoping that someone will chime in and say they did one of the cruise add-ons this year, and it was awesome with all kinds of special touches that aren't mentioned in the literature.

I called, and they do have the info now so thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, it has changed but not in a good way. They have indeed stopped covering the shipboard gratuities and no longer do a Palo dinner. You still get the water and 2 CDs (I'm assuming this means you get the DCL CD as well as a CD of pics the Adventure Guides have taken, but I didn't ask her to clarify).

Yes, it means the CD from Shutters (any pics you have taken around the ship) and a CD of the pics from the Adventure Guides. Although they've started doing the Guides' pics on "the cloud" so it may not be a physical CD.

It's disappointing that as the prices have been going up the past couple of years, things like this are trimmed away. Seems like a pattern with ABD in general though (start big and gradually take away) the most galling example was the ABD Alaska Add-on changes they did that I wrote about a while back in another thread, but a few of us were talking about it on the Scotland trip. It's funny, but for me even "little" things like Palo can be a mental tipping point. I know it's all about maximizing profitability, but a $20 Palo charge . . . really?

I've been crunching numbers for the MED cruise add-ons, and when compared to the regular ABDs, it's pretty crazy. I'll put my thoughts together at some point and post when I get a chance, but I've been spending way too much time on this--although for a family of 4 the 9 night add-on is almost $10,400 so it's justified.

I'm going to add here, that if it's policy issues you're upset about, most of these are DCL changes, not ABD. In the case of the add-ons, DCL runs the show, and ABD is almost like a contractor providing the trip services for DCL. Part of the Palo issue may be the problem with getting the private dining area for multiple nights on the shorter cruises. It only holds like 14 people, so if you have 40 Adults on the add-on, it would require multiple nights, since you can't all go together. I really think that one was more of a logistics issue than a cost thing.

As far as Alaska is concerned, they don't do those add-ons anymore. I think they realized that it was just too costly for the number of port days on an Alaskan cruise, and that people weren't willing to pay that much. The value just wasn't there like there is with the Med cruises.

Sayhello

 

[sayhello]

Great trip report! Had a chance to read it last night. I think I've read it before actually, but for some reason it didn't show up when I searched again recently. Anyway, it was so great to read a TR about the add-on. I think this might be the only one? Sounds like a fantastic trip. I actually did the same 12 night cruise in 2011 so it was good to get a sense for how the ABD differed from my own experience with Port Adventures. You've taken so many ABD trips--I'm so jealous! What has been your favorite? We've done Ireland and Scotland, and I *loved* both, but Scotland was really incredible.

Thanks! I don't remember seeing any other posts on the DIS for the add-ons. Hopefully someone will chime in who has been on one lately.

As far as my favorite ABD, for years it was Southwest Splendors (now called Cowboys & Canyons). I still think it's an absolutely fabulous itinerary, and one everyone should do. See America! I never knew just how gorgeous and varied the desert was until I took that trip. It was really amazing. However, the Greece trip that I took this Summer really is up there. I haven't decided yet, but the Greek Odyssey may actually replace SWS as my favorite trip. An absolutely amazing itinerary to an absolutely fascinating place, with a lot of different activities. The hotels were great, *especially* the last one on Crete! What a gorgeous place. And the food was *really* good! I highly recommend that trip!

I'm toying with taking the Scotland trip next year. Tell me me what was incredible about the trip! Help me decide! I'd love to hear that.

Sayhello

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Oh, I didn't see they did Santorini also. Does it do the volcano hike, swimming in the Aegean and Oia? Those were great! Sayhello

Oops...just realized I was looking at the 12 night cruise for the Santorini day add-on. I was also considering that tour until I saw the price of $3699pp!

I would call ABD and specifically ask them those questions. They should be able to give you more of those details. Sayhello

ABD and not DCL? Okay, good to know.

I'm going to add here, that if it's policy issues you're upset about, most of these are DCL changes, not ABD. In the case of the add-ons, DCL runs the show, and ABD is almost like a contractor providing the trip services for DCL. Part of the Palo issue may be the problem with getting the private dining area for multiple nights on the shorter cruises. It only holds like 14 people, so if you have 40 Adults on the add-on, it would require multiple nights, since you can't all go together. I really think that one was more of a logistics issue than a cost thing. Sayhello

Good point about Palo logistics, but they could have just comped a dinner or brunch. Also, doesn't apply to eliminating the shipboard gratuities, but there might be something to the DCL v. ABD running the show for these type of ship things. It's more just a trend I was observing, or maybe, rather a trend I hoped I wasn't observing.

As far as Alaska is concerned, they don't do those add-ons anymore. I think they realized that it was just too costly for the number of port days on an Alaskan cruise, and that people weren't willing to pay that much. The value just wasn't there like there is with the Med cruises. Sayhello

Yep, I was one of the people who wrote the letters to ABD about the itinerary changes re cost. Initially they tried lowering the cost, but it must not have helped fill the trips. The big deal breaking factor for me in not doing the BAD add on for Alaska last summer was that they eliminated the exclusive helicopter and dog sled part of the itinerary.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Hopefully someone will chime in who has been on one lately.Sayhello

I hope so too!

As far as my favorite ABD, for years it was Southwest Splendors (now called Cowboys & Canyons). I still think it's an absolutely fabulous itinerary, and one everyone should do. See America! I never knew just how gorgeous and varied the desert was until I took that trip. It was really amazing. However, the Greece trip that I took this Summer really is up there. I haven't decided yet, but the Greek Odyssey may actually replace SWS as my favorite trip. An absolutely amazing itinerary to an absolutely fascinating place, with a lot of different activities. The hotels were great, *especially* the last one on Crete! What a gorgeous place. And the food was *really* good! I highly recommend that trip! Sayhello

The Greece trip is on my radar after investigating the cruise ABDs--that last hotel is amazing looking! I was looking at it to do the cost analysis I mentioned. C&C has't been on my radar, but I'll have to look into that one. For 2015 my big focus has been on China, but the prices for 4 are pretty steep--trying to swing it

I'm toying with taking the Scotland trip next year. Tell me me what was incredible about the trip! Help me decide! I'd love to hear that. Sayhello

I'm going to try to put together a short TR at some point--on my very long list of things to do--but it's a combination of the (1) itinerary, which covers many different corners of Scotland that are not typically on a group tour, (2) the activities, and (3) the fullness of the experience.

(1) I've been to Scotland 6 or 7 times traveling extensively for work, and when I saw the itinerary, I immediately jumped on it, booking the day before it went on sale to the public (insider). I'd been waiting for an opportunity to share Scotland in a bigger way with my family (DH had been twice, DD once, and this was the first for DS), and I knew there was no way I could replicate this type of tour on my own. Going from Skye to Lewis to Dunottar would be very difficult. I've done it with a private guide, but then there's the . . .

(2) Activities. I mentioned the archery at Glamis Castle, but there was also the Canoeing in Loch Ness, launching from Urquhart Castle (ABD is the ONLY company who can do that) that really enhance the experience. I'd been to both castles before, but the archery and canoeing made the experience so different and special. This is I think the hallmark of a great ABD itinerary (and what I would have hoped to find in the cruise add-ons). Unfortunately our group didn't get to have dinner at Edinburgh Castle, but I know that would have been a unique experience for me as well (my only disappointment with the trip--wish I'd known ahead of time about the Tattoo conflict for late July and August tours so I could have scheduled a June or early July trip).

(3) Fullness of the experience. What I really loved about this trip--and what I think ABD usually excels at--is the amazing balance between sightseeing (in terms of seeing things like castles, museums, etc), and breaking it up with activities like hiking (which was the highlight of the trip for me), canoeing, archery, scone making, etc. and cultural experiences like the dancers, the visit to the tapestry studio (which none of us were looking forward to but turned out to be the highlight of the day), and other "surprises" that I don't want to ruin. For this trip because of the movie tie there were also other little things that really enhanced the experience. It surprised me how much I liked the movie tie-in part, which was very subtly done, but a cool add almost more for adults than for kids.

 

[sayhello]

The Greece trip is on my radar after investigating the cruise ABDs--that last hotel is amazing looking! I was looking at it to do the cost analysis I mentioned. C&C has't been on my radar, but I'll have to look into that one. For 2015 my big focus has been on China, but the prices for 4 are pretty steep--trying to swing it

China is also on my radar, but I'm really going to have to work myself up to that long a flight. I may be looking at it for 2015, also.

I'm going to try to put together a short TR at some point--on my very long list of things to do--but it's a combination of the (1) itinerary, which covers many different corners of Scotland that are not typically on a group tour, (2) the activities, and (3) the fullness of the experience.

(1) I've been to Scotland 6 or 7 times traveling extensively for work, and when I saw the itinerary, I immediately jumped on it, booking the day before it went on sale to the public (insider). I'd been waiting for an opportunity to share Scotland in a bigger way with my family (DH had been twice, DD once, and this was the first for DS), and I knew there was no way I could replicate this type of tour on my own. Going from Skye to Lewis to Dunottar would be very difficult. I've done it with a private guide, but then there's the . . .

(2) Activities. I mentioned the archery at Glamis Castle, but there was also the Canoeing in Loch Ness, launching from Urquhart Castle (ABD is the ONLY company who can do that) that really enhance the experience. I'd been to both castles before, but the archery and canoeing made the experience so different and special. This is I think the hallmark of a great ABD itinerary (and what I would have hoped to find in the cruise add-ons). Unfortunately our group didn't get to have dinner at Edinburgh Castle, but I know that would have been a unique experience for me as well (my only disappointment with the trip--wish I'd known ahead of time about the Tattoo conflict for late July and August tours so I could have scheduled a June or early July trip).

(3) Fullness of the experience. What I really loved about this trip--and what I think ABD usually excels at--is the amazing balance between sightseeing (in terms of seeing things like castles, museums, etc), and breaking it up with activities like hiking (which was the highlight of the trip for me), canoeing, archery, scone making, etc. and cultural experiences like the dancers, the visit to the tapestry studio (which none of us were looking forward to but turned out to be the highlight of the day), and other "surprises" that I don't want to ruin. For this trip because of the movie tie there were also other little things that really enhanced the experience. It surprised me how much I liked the movie tie-in part, which was very subtly done, but a cool add almost more for adults than for kids.

Thank you!!!! This is precisely what I needed to hear. These points are also what draws me to ABD, and I just hadn't gotten it all together in a concise paragraph like these. I had a sense of it from the Trip Reports I'd read, but you concentrated it just right. Thanks! I am *that* close to pulling the trigger on this trip.

Sayhello

 

[Tozzie]

I am going to give you my perspective being loyal to ABD in fact I took 2 ABD trips before I ever took a cruise take it for what it is worth but I don't think the cruise add on is worth the money.

I haven't done the ABD MED add on but I have done 2 DCL MED cruises and I booked all of my excursions through DCL and I had great trips and didn't miss the "special" ABD things. On my first DCL MED cruise I did some of the most expensive excursions that were offered and spent about 1/3 of what I would have if I had done the add on. I booked the Vatican tour through DCL we didn't wait in line at either the Vatican or the collesium (I know I can't spell it), the excursion I booked included lunch at a "5 star" restaurant and lunch was very nice and it was in a Hotel in rome, we had a private room and it was a 3 course meal with beverages. I didn't want to go to Florence when we went to La Spezia so I booked the cooking lesson in tusacany which actually was a cooking lesson, wine tasting and tour of olive oil making. We ate the pasta we made along with a roast with potatos and veggies and I think 9 of us polished off 6 bottles of vine that was made at this small winery. In Naples, I booked Mount Vesuvius tour that included climbing to the volcano, a lunch with wine tasting and touring of Pompeii.

One of the reasons that I didn't book the Add on with my first cruise is 2 of excursions on the ABD I absolutly didn't want to do so I did not book it and when the cruise was over I was glad that I didn't book the ABD Trip.

I know you are looking at a different itinerary than the one I took but I just wanted to give you an idea of what you can do without ABD.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

China is also on my radar, but I'm really going to have to work myself up to that long a flight. I may be looking at it for 2015, also.
Thank you!!!! This is precisely what I needed to hear. These points are also what draws me to ABD, and I just hadn't gotten it all together in a concise paragraph like these. I had a sense of it from the Trip Reports I'd read, but you concentrated it just right. Thanks! I am *that* close to pulling the trigger on this trip.
Sayhello

So glad it helped. I do plan to put something a little longer together, but I'm up to my ears in work right now. Sigh. Anyway, Scotland is a fabulous trip, and I don't think you'd be disappointed. Pull away

I am going to give you my perspective being loyal to ABD in fact I took 2 ABD trips before I ever took a cruise take it for what it is worth but I don't think the cruise add on is worth the money.

I haven't done the ABD MED add on but I have done 2 DCL MED cruises and I booked all of my excursions through DCL and I had great trips and didn't miss the "special" ABD things. On my first DCL MED cruise I did some of the most expensive excursions that were offered and spent about 1/3 of what I would have if I had done the add on. I booked the Vatican tour through DCL we didn't wait in line at either the Vatican or the collesium (I know I can't spell it), the excursion I booked included lunch at a "5 star" restaurant and lunch was very nice and it was in a Hotel in rome, we had a private room and it was a 3 course meal with beverages. I didn't want to go to Florence when we went to La Spezia so I booked the cooking lesson in tusacany which actually was a cooking lesson, wine tasting and tour of olive oil making. We ate the pasta we made along with a roast with potatos and veggies and I think 9 of us polished off 6 bottles of vine that was made at this small winery. In Naples, I booked Mount Vesuvius tour that included climbing to the volcano, a lunch with wine tasting and touring of Pompeii.

One of the reasons that I didn't book the Add on with my first cruise is 2 of excursions on the ABD I absolutly didn't want to do so I did not book it and when the cruise was over I was glad that I didn't book the ABD Trip.

I know you are looking at a different itinerary than the one I took but I just wanted to give you an idea of what you can do without ABD.

Thank you so much for the insight. I really appreciate it, and you are basically saying what I've been thinking. I'm a loyal ABDer also, but the cruise add-ons just aren't adding up for me I went on the Med cruise in 2011 and I had much the same experience as you did with the Port Adventures--sounds like we might have done the same on in Rome actually. I'd rate it as a 5 star, too. And like you mentioned, there are also some things missing from the 9 day cruise that are holding me back (Delios for one). Thanks so much for chiming in!

 

[sayhello]

So glad it helped. I do plan to put something a little longer together, but I'm up to my ears in work right now. Sigh. Anyway, Scotland is a fabulous trip, and I don't think you'd be disappointed. Pull away

My TA is on vacation, but as soon as he's back, I'm going to talk to him about it!

Thank you so much for the insight. I really appreciate it, and you are basically saying what I've been thinking. I'm a loyal ABDer also, but the cruise add-ons just aren't adding up for me I went on the Med cruise in 2011 and I had much the same experience as you did with the Port Adventures--sounds like we might have done the same on in Rome actually. I'd rate it as a 5 star, too. And like you mentioned, there are also some things missing from the 9 day cruise that are holding me back (Delios for one). Thanks so much for chiming in!

I think one of the things for me is, when I did the ABD add-on in 2010, it was $2,399 per person for a 12-day cruise! (With no single supplement!) Honestly, especially since I got a total steal on the cruise, it was a no-brainer. (I have to admit, I mostly signed up for the cruise just so I *could* do the ABD add-on). How much are they asking for the ABD add-on for 2014?

Sayhello

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

My TA is on vacation, but as soon as he's back, I'm going to talk to him about it!

I think one of the things for me is, when I did the ABD add-on in 2010, it was $2,399 per person for a 12-day cruise! (With no single supplement!) Honestly, especially since I got a total steal on the cruise, it was a no-brainer. (I have to admit, I mostly signed up for the cruise just so I *could* do the ABD add-on). How much are they asking for the ABD add-on for 2014?

Sayhello

Keep me posted on what you decide--it's hard going wrong with any of the regular ABDs, but I suspect it's going to be hard to beat Scotland for me

Wow, that is such a bargain compared to now. I wouldn't hesitate at that price either. The 9 night Med cruise add-on I was looking at is $2599, and get this: the 12 night cruise I was looking at is $3699!!! That is what I was talking about with the rising prices and trimming away of what is included.

I was shocked by the 12 night price, especially since the regular Greece ABD with hotels, etc. is about $5000 with one more touring day (the 12-night Med cruise has 7 port days, the regular ABD has 8 days of activities). So in other words, for the 12 night cruise add-on you are only paying $1300 less than the regular ABD, which includes one more touring day, 9 nights of hotel accommodations, more meals and all the transportation between the cities, including a plane ride! Stunning, especially since I priced out the hotels and one of them was about $400 per person per night.

The pricing of the add-ons seems way off--I did an analysis of it all, but haven't had a time to put it together. This is just a part of it.

 

[paddles]

I've crunched the numbers for the ABD cruise add-ons, and agree, they seem pretty high. I really wanted to do the 12 night Med cruise (with Greece) and ABD add-on, but it would have been just too expensive.

We are doing Czech Republic/Germany ABD next summer instead.

As a Marketing professional, I understand pricing is not based on cost, but on perceived value and what Consumers are willing to pay. If they're selling out, then they'll continue to raise prices or if not, just cancel the add-ons (like Alaska) if certain profitability thresholds aren't met.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I've crunched the numbers for the ABD cruise add-ons, and agree, they seem pretty high. I really wanted to do the 12 night Med cruise (with Greece) and ABD add-on, but it would have been just too expensive.

We are doing Czech Republic/Germany ABD next summer instead.

As a Marketing professional, I understand pricing is not based on cost, but on perceived value and what Consumers are willing to pay. If they're selling out, then they'll continue to raise prices or if not, just cancel the add-ons (like Alaska) if certain profitability thresholds aren't met.

Yes, that's the 12 night one I was looking at too (I was also looking at the 9 night). I agree about perceived value, it's just that when there are two similar products offered by the same company that seem so out of whack you have to scratch your head. Of course, I'm probably among the small percent of people who analyze this kind of stuff For the ABD cruise add-on product, I think you are paying for the small boat experience and not necessarily for the value of port adventures.