*Sept 10th 2011 WB Transatlantic* - From Spain to Space Mountain - Part 5

[Beauty & the Best]

Happy Monday Everyone!!!! I have decided that I am not checking for my stateroom until 30 days out. If it happens before then, I'm sure I'll hear about it from y'all.

There's at least 73 staterooms available; 2 categories are selling as GTY; 4 of those staterooms are 1-bedroom concierge, including the largest of these, the handicapped far aft with the GIANT balcony (8602 and 8102).

Hoping some of you get pixie dust!

Okay, so apparently there are 875 rooms, so that is over 90% of the rooms sold which is actually higher than I would have thought... I know this is selfish, but I hope they don't sell ANYMORE!! I want upgrades and no crowds. It would be pretty hard for most people to do a last minute, 2 week, TA cruise, I would think...

okay, remember I said "at least;" DCL doesn't always show all available staterooms in a category - it could have lots more still available. I wouldn't believe that we are at 90% capacity right now (but the prices seem to indicate that we could have more than I suspect, as they don't have fire-sale pricing).

as of two and a half weeks ago we were at 75% capacity, so i wouldnt be surprised if we were creeping towards 90%.

I spoke to someone who used to work in the industry (he often loaded inventory for the agencies online as part of his job) & I asked him about this recently. He says that DCL will never make it public how many rooms they actually have left on the ship.

Why? Well, in the words of Dr. Marsh, "That's proprietary." Apparently inventory is very proprietary information for the cruise lines - they don't want other cruise lines finding out and adjusting their prices accordingly.

So, when you see available cabin #'s for sale, that is not all of the cabins available for sale, they usually only put about 10 cabins per category when they may have 80 available.

Anyhow, as someone else said, lots of the rooms will be occupied by couples instead of families so even if full, the ship will be less crowded than on a 7 night Caribbean cruise.

Where is the cape may clam bake?

It is at the Beach Club & is an indoor buffet. Its not really a clam bake technically, its just a seafood buffet that features lots of the items that would be at a clam bake like steamers, mussels, crab legs, corn, potatoes, etc. We really like it

DD 15 and I went shopping yesterday at one of my favorite places - the Container Store. I can't seem to leave that store without major shopping damage! We have a sunroom right off our kitchen that has become a major junkroom of DH's, and we are reclaiming the space for a library/homework room! They had lots of storage containers for papers in different colors - almost went with the Dis Green but decided on orange and will be repainting the room a Tuscan orange (we think!). The room is mostly windows (9 wall windows and 3 big skylight windows) so it won't be as shocking as it sounds! Next, she saw a DSW shoe store and had to stop in. She's a shoe fanatic, me not so much, and this is the first time I was ever in a DSW but OMG, the shoes they had! And the prices, esp with the further clearance! I found the cutest platform wedges! And she had been looking all over Barcelona for a shoe with a low heel and ankle strap like the flamenco dancers wear and found the cutest pair in a tan color! So cute! Now I know where all the women hang out on a Sunday afternoon - at DSW trying on shoes!

Good for you! I love Container Store and DSW! Container Store has the best wrapping papers. Too bad for me we don't have either here in Sarasota But we are going to visit DSW in Tampa this Thursday...sadly no Container Store in Tampa though.

You may have mentioned this, but do you live in Houston? I have to ask b/c when we lived in Houston the Container Store and DSW were right in the same area at the Galleria.

 

[MandyGirl]

Just a heads-up for those with kiddos under age three.... I added this to the front page of the thread (post 19 with the JVD, PJ breakfast, and tshirt info). It is what we had talked about previously, and mentioned again today on Facebook.

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Toddler Meet-Up (Too young for Kids Club)​

informal "toddler meet-n-greet" for the kiddos too young for Kids Club (under age three) on the first sea day from 10:00-10:30. (Sunday - the day between Barcelona and Gibraltar) That way they get a chance to meet, Moms get a chance to meet (and/or Dads), etc. Planning on the area in the shade by the toddler splash area. No sign-up necessary - just a place so that we can meet before lunch/naps/cranky time This will help us recognize one another the remainder of the cruise as well.

We are planning on the area on Deck 9 Port in the shade by Mickey's Splash Pool. Depending on weather, they may or may not get wet, but we could always walk them down to Flounders to see it or Kids Club to play a little indoors.

The other timeframe mentioned was same day, same place, 1:00-1:30 for those who could not attend 10:00... but not as many may attend then. We are mainly aiming for the 10:00 slot first for Toddler meet-n-greet. We also realize that is the ten-year anniversary of 9/11 and hope a memorial service will be available onboard. Speculation is a memorial service will be broadcast live by DCL... New York Time... which would be after lunch. Therefore, the previously discussed 1:00 timeframe may have many watching the memorial.

Also remember that you can accompany your under-three kiddos to the Kids Club when you see activities that look like they would be fun - we just can't leave them since too young (or not potty trained). And don't forget to pre-book your nursery hours!

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[sinnika]

It is at the Beach Club & is an indoor buffet. Its not really a clam bake technically, its just a seafood buffet that features lots of the items that would be at a clam bake like steamers, mussels, crab legs, corn, potatoes, etc. We really like it



Good for you! I love Container Store and DSW! Container Store has the best wrapping papers. Too bad for me we don't have either here in Sarasota But we are going to visit DSW in Tampa this Thursday...sadly no Container Store in Tampa though.

You may have mentioned this, but do you live in Houston? I have to ask b/c when we lived in Houston the Container Store and DSW were right in the same area at the Galleria.

The ship had a "clam bake" for the last sea day lunch at topsiders on the 10 nt med! They had shrimp, crab legs, stone crab legs, I think sushi too though I'm not a sushi eater. They were also grilling steaks and what looked like fish in the back outside topsiders. The grilled steaks were not mentioned on the navigator so unless you happened upon them, you wouldn't have known. I had lunch after doing my Alone Time spa treatment and DH was napping. I told him about the steaks and he went up but it was 2pm and they had just closed the grill down.

I live near Houston in a small town called Fulshear. The population sign still reads 715, but we have grown alot in the last 5 years! We got the first and only traffic light in town about 8 years ago. Yes, that is where we shopped, at the Galleria. Did not make it into the mall as we were worn out from our Container store and shoe shopping experience!

 

[MandyGirl]

I know Disney is conservative on the times they tell you not to book a flight back before on the day the cruise ends, but for anyone that has done this before, could you make a 10:35 am flight. Time to book my flight back while I decide if I want to stay 2 days extra or not.

I say it is hit or miss. We have made an 8:30 flight after disembarking a cruise in San Juan, but this past week flying out of Denver.... we arrived at the airport 2.5 hours prior to our departure time, and finally made it to the gate just a couple minutes before preboarding (and this was Southwest... which boards 20 minutes prior to pushback). Ticket counter and TSA lines were horrendous. We had no bathroom or snack stops - just went directly to gate. TSA can truly make or break your flight time.

 

[m_kasch]

A little off topic, but Casey Anthony now has to come out of hiding and back to Orlando (or at least Orange County) to serve 1 year of probation on her check fraud convictions.

At least the judges are doing everything they can do to compensate for the jury in this case...

On a more Disney note, I'll be eating at the Cape May Clam Bake on Sunday! I'm going to see my DH for the weekend. My MIL and I are going to tea on Saturday (one of our favorite things!!) and then Cape May Sunday. I'm hoping to go to the water park on Saturday also to work on my tan...I LOVE floating around the lazy river all day!!

 

[dylan'smom]

I know Disney is conservative on the times they tell you not to book a flight back before on the day the cruise ends, but for anyone that has done this before, could you make a 10:35 am flight. Time to book my flight back while I decide if I want to stay 2 days extra or not.

We've done this with DCL a couple times, actually, with no problems & DCL is used to people having early flights. They have you check in at GS for early departures & you usually walk your own luggage off around 7am & take the 1st bus (if it's DCL transport). 10:30 will work usually, but I wouldn't go any earlier - ya never know about the hwy in between & you & the airport.

The ship had a "clam bake" for the last sea day lunch at topsiders on the 10 nt med! They had shrimp, crab legs, stone crab legs, I think sushi too though I'm not a sushi eater. They were also grilling steaks and what looked like fish in the back outside topsiders. The grilled steaks were not mentioned on the navigator so unless you happened upon them, you wouldn't have known. I had lunch after doing my Alone Time spa treatment and DH was napping. I told him about the steaks and he went up but it was 2pm and they had just closed the grill down. :sad1

Those grilled steaks outside on the deck were really a treat for DH!! They are cut thin, but were totally accommodating with his med. rare too. Love those little surprises they throw in!


.

 

[sue l]

Good Morning everyone. Hope you all had a nice weekend. We went to the Bronx Zoo on Saturday on a bus ride from my company. It was HOT, but we had a good time anyway. Drank lots of water, ice cream. I was surprised how many animals we saw that were actually moving and not plopped in the shade. I love the zoo.

My sister and I have decided to boycott formal nights. If our tablemates object then we will just go to Topsiders for dinner on those nights. Since our DH's are not coming we don't feel like dragging dresses and heels and pantyhose. More room in the suit cases for other things. I hate, hate, hate dressing up anyway. Will bring nice pants and dressy jeans. My teddy bear insisted on coming the cruise to keep me company at night. He has his Mickey Mouse t-shirt on already. I hate sleeping alone.

 

[Chris&Jeremy]

DD 15 and I went shopping yesterday at one of my favorite places - the Container Store. I can't seem to leave that store without major shopping damage!

We were at the Container Store yesterday too poking around the travel stuff! I am a big fan of Eagle Creek's packing stuff, especially the pack-its, which get 15-20 shirts and pants in a small compact space.

REI was next door so it was a stop to look at shoes (Mandy - saw some Keens and also Merrells on clearance but nothing I liked).

..and then it was next door to Borders for their going out of business sale. Bought Freakanomics and 3 of Malcom Gladwell's books (Blink, Outliers and What the Dog Saw). I need to get back into reading!

 

[sue l]

woo hoo. One more week until we go to Disneyland. So excited, I can't wait. I will say hi to Mickey for everyone and tell him how excited we are to go on the cruise.

 

[LindaBabe]

My teddy bear insisted on coming the cruise to keep me company at night. He has his Mickey Mouse t-shirt on already. I hate sleeping alone.

Yeah, that.

..and then it was next door to Borders for their going out of business sale. Bought Freakanomics and 3 of Malcom Gladwell's books (Blink, Outliers and What the Dog Saw). I need to get back into reading!

Love Gladwell - did you read Tipping Point?


Experienced TA travelers - will a sweater be adequate or do I need some kind of jacket?

 

[karentan]

I spoke to someone who used to work in the industry (he often loaded inventory for the agencies online as part of his job) & I asked him about this recently. He says that DCL will never make it public how many rooms they actually have left on the ship.

not sure about the current occupancy rate, but i was told we were at 75% capacity two weeks ago by a DCL CM while on a work related thing at head office

 

[melonz]

]A little off topic, but Casey Anthony now has to come out of hiding and back to Orlando (or at least Orange County) to serve 1 year of probation on her check fraud convictions.

At least the judges are doing everything they can do to compensate for the jury in this case...[/B]

On a more Disney note, I'll be eating at the Cape May Clam Bake on Sunday! I'm going to see my DH for the weekend. My MIL and I are going to tea on Saturday (one of our favorite things!!) and then Cape May Sunday. I'm hoping to go to the water park on Saturday also to work on my tan...I LOVE floating around the lazy river all day!!

I'm surprised at that as bill Shaeffer (wftv) thought that the judge wouldn't be able to impose that as judge Strickland originally signed for probabtion to be started her first day in jail. I'm glad they managed to do that. It still astounded that she got away with it.

RIP little Caylee

 

[sinnika]

We were at the Container Store yesterday too poking around the travel stuff! I am a big fan of Eagle Creek's packing stuff, especially the pack-its, which get 15-20 shirts and pants in a small compact space.

Yes, I also love those Eagle Creek packing folders! I also use ebags packing cubes and have an ebag 26" motherlode junior rolling duffle that I love, love, love!!! I found an interesting currency and passport organizer there from baggalini that has 5 zippered compartments and lays flat, and you can put it through a belt as it has loops for that too! Pretty cool! Much better idea than my money belt I was planning to use! It was $9.99. I always frequent the travel section there, but try to shop on line for deals (Rei carried the 18" packing folders in a funky color last year on sale so I bought 3 for us)!

 

[karentan]

A little off topic, but Casey Anthony now has to come out of hiding and back to Orlando (or at least Orange County) to serve 1 year of probation on her check fraud convictions.

i did wonder what happened to her.....

 

[Chris&Jeremy]

Love Gladwell - did you read Tipping Point?

I read Tipping Point about ten years ago when it first came out. Is there any reason to re-read it before going into Blink or Outliers just as a refresher?

 

[Beauty & the Best]

The ship had a "clam bake" for the last sea day lunch at topsiders on the 10 nt med! They had shrimp, crab legs, stone crab legs, I think sushi too though I'm not a sushi eater. They were also grilling steaks and what looked like fish in the back outside topsiders. The grilled steaks were not mentioned on the navigator so unless you happened upon them, you wouldn't have known. I had lunch after doing my Alone Time spa treatment and DH was napping. I told him about the steaks and he went up but it was 2pm and they had just closed the grill down.

I live near Houston in a small town called Fulshear. The population sign still reads 715, but we have grown alot in the last 5 years! We got the first and only traffic light in town about 8 years ago. Yes, that is where we shopped, at the Galleria. Did not make it into the mall as we were worn out from our Container store and shoe shopping experience!

Thanks for letting me know about the onboard clam bake. That would be a nice treat if they do it for our cruise.

I have never heard of Fulshear.....which freeway would you take to get there? - which direction is it from Houston? My brother in law and mother in law both live in Conroe area.

On a more Disney note, I'll be eating at the Cape May Clam Bake on Sunday! I'm going to see my DH for the weekend. My MIL and I are going to tea on Saturday (one of our favorite things!!) and then Cape May Sunday. I'm hoping to go to the water park on Saturday also to work on my tan...I LOVE floating around the lazy river all day!!

That sounds wonderful. I hope you have a fab time!!!

 

[granmaz]

Experienced TA travelers - will a sweater be adequate or do I need some kind of jacket?

Linda, if last year's is anything to go by one sweater will be quite adequate. I won't be taking a jacket as such, but we do have our lightweight roll up little showerproof cagoules anyway as we will be staying in Orlando for 5 weeks afterwards and it can be rainy then. Last year they were never unrolled so hopefully this year they won't be either.

 

[Chris&Jeremy]

Did you guys see this Disney blog post today? You can now buy DCL merchandise online!

DCL Merchandise Online

 

[birkner]

Experienced TA travelers - will a sweater be adequate or do I need some kind of jacket?

If last years weather holds true, a sweater will be fine but I would keep checking the weather. I brought a light jacket to use anyway but that is me.

 

[heatherLOVESmickey]

We were at the Container Store yesterday too poking around the travel stuff! I am a big fan of Eagle Creek's packing stuff, especially the pack-its, which get 15-20 shirts and pants in a small compact space.

Yes, I also love those Eagle Creek packing folders! I also use ebags packing cubes and have an ebag 26" motherlode junior rolling duffle that I love, love, love!!!

I have been intrigued by these backing cubes and the like. How are they better than just packing your stuff in your bag? If I could justify I would probably buy but I can't figure out how it is any better, other than organizationally, to have these than to just put the stuff in my bag. Any insight would be appreciated!