*Sept 10th 2011 WB Transatlantic* From Spain to Space Mountain-Taking the Magic Home

[ebony]

Hi everyone
Just popping in to say hello.
It has been a few weeks since I posted, which means that
our countdowns are getting smaller ..
Just wondered how many people are staying at the Rennaissance
at the airport the night before the cruise ?.

 

[Pinky166]

EXACTLY It really tarnished the whole thing.

Such a shame!

I was thinking I could perhaps construct a DIY alternative using incontinence sheets from work inside plastic sealed bags

That made me LOL! Let me know if it works.

We are not too bad with British Airways thank goodness, we get a decent sized handbag, unlimited weight carry on and 23 kg hold luggage.

Just purchased some ultra lightweight new hold suitcases at the weekend at 3 kg each, which saves us 2.5 kg each compared to our old ones

Oooh where did you get your 3kg cases from? I want some lightweight ones but all the one's I have found see to be very expensive £120+ each!

I bought a lovely expensive pink hard shell case with 4 wheels that is so easy to push about a year ago but it got split on my flight to FL last month!

On a different note: I have now rebooked us with a TA for the OBC. Booking directly with DCL gave $25 OBC for booking online and $50 OBC for paying in full with Disney VISA. Booked a new rsvp with Dawn Moseley (Cruise Vacation Outlet) and get the same OBC as above but also another $225 OBC from her TA... for a total of $300 OBC. After booking with Dawn, she conference called DCL so I could cancel the original reservation and she could snag our original cabin at that time. This will be our ninth cruise, and I'm so glad I finally found a TA I feel comfortable with. She was truly great. So, all in all, I just rebooked our cruise with the exact same cabin and have an additional $250 OBC we did not have previously. My guess is that with the new interline policy, interline rates will not come out prior to penalty period, and if they do, since we are an inside cabin, we would not get the same quiet area we are after... so we are taking the gamble. I have already decided that prior to the WBTA, I am going to have the next one picked out so we can take advantage of onboard booking! (And just do it without telling hubby... LOL!)

More bar bill money.

Buckeye Goofy.....I love the idea of using a suitcase! I can just picture now a mass crowd of cruisers coming back to the boat at the end of the day lugging suitcases on board sloshing with their favorite "beverages"! Now that the secret has been let out, I'm sure lots of people will be using this idea! lol I think it might be worth it just to stand out on deck and watch people coming back just to see if any are carrying suitcases!

Love to hear what people have done on other cruises! Just when you think you have heard it all......!

DisneyDeb

I am definately taking a suitcase to Morrisons with me......

 

[squitty]

Hi everyone
Just popping in to say hello.
It has been a few weeks since I posted, which means that
our countdowns are getting smaller ..
Just wondered how many people are staying at the Rennaissance
at the airport the night before the cruise ?.

Hi Jan....we are staying at the Renaissance the night before..

 

[susie2]

hi, we are staying at the renaissance the night before as well, susie

 

[squitty]

On a different note: I have now rebooked us with a TA for the OBC. Booking directly with DCL gave $25 OBC for booking online and $50 OBC for paying in full with Disney VISA. Booked a new rsvp with Dawn Moseley (Cruise Vacation Outlet) and get the same OBC as above but also another $225 OBC from her TA... for a total of $300 OBC. After booking with Dawn, she conference called DCL so I could cancel the original reservation and she could snag our original cabin at that time. This will be our ninth cruise, and I'm so glad I finally found a TA I feel comfortable with. She was truly great. So, all in all, I just rebooked our cruise with the exact same cabin and have an additional $250 OBC we did not have previously. My guess is that with the new interline policy, interline rates will not come out prior to penalty period, and if they do, since we are an inside cabin, we would not get the same quiet area we are after... so we are taking the gamble. I have already decided that prior to the WBTA, I am going to have the next one picked out so we can take advantage of onboard booking! (And just do it without telling hubby... LOL!)

Great news Mandy.

 

[Dgentrysim]

I know everyone's been talking about wine/champagne that you can stock up on at Morrison's in Gibraltar.....but does that include beer also? That will determine whether we take 1 or 2 suitcases to collect our provisions!

Thanks!

DisneyDeb

 

[Goofy Adpi]

Wow, you look away for a lil while (just a couple of months really) and the board explodes. It might take me until I leave to catch up on everything.

I’ve come back, slightly embarrassed at how far behind I am, to ask for some expert guidance. I’m currently booked in one of the secret porthole rooms (thank you disboards! ) and I’m super excited about that. But then I saw that they have a “guaranteed verandah” for just a little bit more money (under $100). This seems like a no brainer, but I wanted to make sure that I’m not missing something before I re-book and cancel my old/current reservation.

Also, Expedia.com is offering a $300 on-board credit if you book by March 7th. I’ve looked around and this seems to beat everyone else out there. Are there any glaring downsides to booking with Expedia.com? I’ve checked for topics on Expedia and there are mixed reviews.

Thank you!

 

[Pinky166]

Wow, you look away for a lil while (just a couple of months really) and the board explodes. It might take me until I leave to catch up on everything.

I’ve come back, slightly embarrassed at how far behind I am, to ask for some expert guidance. I’m currently booked in one of the secret porthole rooms (thank you disboards! ) and I’m super excited about that. But then I saw that they have a “guaranteed verandah” for just a little bit more money (under $100). This seems like a no brainer, but I wanted to make sure that I’m not missing something before I re-book and cancel my old/current reservation.

Also, Expedia.com is offering a $300 on-board credit if you book by March 7th. I’ve looked around and this seems to beat everyone else out there. Are there any glaring downsides to booking with Expedia.com? I’ve checked for topics on Expedia and there are mixed reviews.

Thank you!

Welcome back, i'm afraid I don't know the answer to your question but if you do change to a verandah can you let me know just before you do it as I would love to snag your secret porthole room.

 

[Goofy Adpi]

Welcome back, i'm afraid I don't know the answer to your question but if you do change to a verandah can you let me know just before you do it as I would love to snag your secret porthole room.

Will do!

 

[Pinky166]

Will do!

Thank you.

One more post & you will be able to PM and add pics etc should you wish.

Which state room # are you in at the mo?

 

[kj_connections]

Also, Expedia.com is offering a $300 on-board credit if you book by March 7th. I’ve looked around and this seems to beat everyone else out there. Are there any glaring downsides to booking with Expedia.com? I’ve checked for topics on Expedia and there are mixed reviews.

Thank you!

Thanks for this tip! My original booking is with Expedia - but the promotion I got was only $100 OBC. I'm trying to see if I can get the new promotion of $300 OBC - I may have to cancel and rebook.

So far I've been happy with Expedia - I can always get through to them by phone without waiting too long. I have dealt with different agents though, and I've found that some are less knowledgeable than others.

 

[Tod&Copper]

I know everyone's been talking about wine/champagne that you can stock up on at Morrison's in Gibraltar.....but does that include beer also? That will determine whether we take 1 or 2 suitcases to collect our provisions!

Thanks!

DisneyDeb

You'll definitely need 2 suitcases lol, Morrisons stock every kind of alcohol. In the UK, our "alcohol" aisle has everything in it, you don't have to go to a separate liquor store. Champagne, wine, spirits, beer, lager etc all in one place

I shop in Morrisons at home, I thought it was hilarious that it was identical to the one at home, with the exact same offers and you could even shop in pounds sterling too, so we didn't have to exchange a lot of sterling for euros for the Gibraltar day off. (They accept euros as well)

I love Gibraltar so much, one of my favourite ports. I think the duty free swarovski shop helps

 

[Goofy Adpi]

Thank you.

One more post & you will be able to PM and add pics etc should you wish.

Which state room # are you in at the mo?

Huh... good question. I've got all the other details memorizied, you'd think I'd know what room I'm in.
After looking it up I have discovered that I'm in 5522.

 

[Pinky166]

Thanks for this tip! My original booking is with Expedia - but the promotion I got was only $100 OBC. I'm trying to see if I can get the new promotion of $300 OBC - I may have to cancel and rebook.

So far I've been happy with Expedia - I can always get through to them by phone without waiting too long. I have dealt with different agents though, and I've found that some are less knowledgeable than others.

Fingers crossed you get the better OBC too.

You'll definitely need 2 suitcases lol, Morrisons stock every kind of alcohol. In the UK, our "alcohol" aisle has everything in it, you don't have to go to a separate liquor store. Champagne, wine, spirits, beer, lager etc all in one place

I shop in Morrisons at home, I thought it was hilarious that it was identical to the one at home, with the exact same offers and you could even shop in pounds sterling too, so we didn't have to exchange a lot of sterling for euros for the Gibraltar day off. (They accept euros as well)

I love Gibraltar so much, one of my favourite ports. I think the duty free swarovski shop helps

Oooh thanks for that, i'll bring extra £'s in that case.

Oooh I love the sound of the Swarovski shop. Is it easy to find?

Huh... good question. I've got all the other details memorizied, you'd think I'd know what room I'm in.
After looking it up I have discovered that I'm in 5522.

I'm the same, always have to look it up.

 

[Fontabel]

Wow, you look away for a lil while (just a couple of months really) and the board explodes. It might take me until I leave to catch up on everything.

I’ve come back, slightly embarrassed at how far behind I am, to ask for some expert guidance. I’m currently booked in one of the secret porthole rooms (thank you disboards! ) and I’m super excited about that. But then I saw that they have a “guaranteed verandah” for just a little bit more money (under $100). This seems like a no brainer, but I wanted to make sure that I’m not missing something before I re-book and cancel my old/current reservation.

Also, Expedia.com is offering a $300 on-board credit if you book by March 7th. I’ve looked around and this seems to beat everyone else out there. Are there any glaring downsides to booking with Expedia.com? I’ve checked for topics on Expedia and there are mixed reviews.

Thank you!

We have the guaranteed balcony. We have not done this on Disney, but do it often on other cruises and it usually works out with an upgrade. We snatched it up because the price was so much cheaper than the lowest category of balcony by over $1500 for the two of us. It is always a risk, in that you don't usually get your stateroom number until right before, but worth it for the savings.

We have used Expedia for other travel, hotels, airfare, but not for cruises. My DH's mom is a cruising TA, so we usually use her.

 

[Dgentrysim]

Mary....I think it might be best if we take 2 suitcases and 2 backpacks then! lol We had a HUGE bar bill last cruise so maybe we can save a little money to pay for the HUGE bill we get when I start buying the pictures on the boat!

The swarovski shop sounds great! I'm looking forward to going to Morrison's now!

DisneyDeb

 

[Tod&Copper]

Oooh where did you get your 3kg cases from? I want some lightweight ones but all the one's I have found see to be very expensive £120+ each!

I bought a lovely expensive pink hard shell case with 4 wheels that is so easy to push about a year ago but it got split on my flight to FL last month!

Argos of all places. Antler revelation nexus suitcases. 4 wheeled. Item number for easy reference: 286/5951 £54.99

 

[Tod&Copper]

Oooh thanks for that, i'll bring extra £'s in that case.

Oooh I love the sound of the Swarovski shop. Is it easy to find?

Yes, the swarovski shop is really easy to find, its on the main street or high street (whatever it's called I can't remember )

Walking up towards the town centre when you leave the port, there is a town square as such and you head up to the right along the main street, which leads eventually up towards the cable car.

The swarovski shop is not far up the main street on the right hand side.

I know it's sad, but I love to pop my head into M&S and Monsoon as well but its the same price as home in there, so no duty free bargains

 

[Tod&Copper]

Mary....I think it might be best if we take 2 suitcases and 2 backpacks then! lol We had a HUGE bar bill last cruise so maybe we can save a little money to pay for the HUGE bill we get when I start buying the pictures on the boat!

The swarovski shop sounds great! I'm looking forward to going to Morrison's now!

DisneyDeb

Our bar bill wasn't too bad, we picked up some duty free spirits at our stopover in London, wine at the supermarket in Las Ramblas (that we stumbled upon by accident which was really cheap for wine ) and then bought more in Gibraltar. Any savings on our bar bill goes towards the compulsory trip to diamonds international in St Maarten lol

I love my cabin which is usually down at 7501 or 7503, as it only takes me 2 mins to run down 2 flights from quiet cove pool to top up the glasses or grab another cold one of the cooler and dash back up.

There is definitely a theme for this cruise, sounds like we are all going to be a merry bunch

 

[steamboat will]

Hey Sarah

I'm sorry to hear someone spoiled the fun of the Scavenger Hunt

Both Abby and i loved doing it!!!

Some People!!!!

SW