Sept 18 2010 WB TransAtlantic Pirates/Capt Jacks Re-Repoing Repossession Cruise Pt.3

[MrsMork]

Yes, we saw the Candlelight Processional. We got the package and ate at Chefs de France for the first time. I highly recommend Chefs. Everything was great. DD1 had the creme brulee and it was at least 3 times as large as the ones on DCL!

We also did the Sunrise Safari (our first time). It was a great experience as well. Do it if you get the chance. Our tour was run by the Curator of the animals at AKL. Very interesting information about how the animals are trained for their safety and the safety of the handlers.

We also enjoyed the Very Merry Christmas Party and Osbourne Lights.

The only thing we were not thrilled about were the crowd levels on the weekends and week before Christmas. Guess for the past twenty or more years we have gone at off peak times!

So lots of new experiences this trip. Just when I think I have seen all that WDW has to offer, I find new things.

All those things sound wonderful!!

We like to go the first two weeks of Dec. All that Christmas magic is going on and it is still considered off peak.

 

[LittleDisneyLovers]

WOW, so much has been happening while we've been away for Christmas!
I really feel for you all who have lost money with the Airfares, finger's crossed you can get it back!
The whole accidental OBC is a bit unfair, I'm sure karma will take care of it one way or another. I'm very happy for the ones who got it, and hope that something equally as good will come to those who didn't (including us!).
Sarah, Sorry to hear of your Grandfather, such a horrible time to deal with tragedy!
Good Luck to everyone still looking for hotels and airfares, We have our airfares from Australia to London, but need to book from London to Barcelona. Have booked Novotel Barcelona City for the 1 night before the cruise. We will only have 1 night in Barcelona so not planning on much after 32 hours travelling!
And as for new years resolutions, Good Luck to all of you trying to lose weight, including me!!! (After I just finished off the caramel macadamia tart I made for dinner last night!)
The new site looks great, we are so lucky we have tech savvy people on our cruise!
Will try and check in more often so I don't have to spend hours reading the pages I've missed, Hayley.

 

[pilk]

Just putting all the pertinent dates in the new 2010 calendar and noticed that the due date for the final payment is 120 days out from the cruise --5/21/10. (And the travel agent wants it 2 days prior to that.)

On our 7 day cruises the due date was 75 days out, so you really had to make sure that you were paid in full 90 days out so that you could book your excursions 90 days out.

Looks like that won't be an issue for this cruise even with having Gold Castaway booking privileges!

Wonder why the paid in full date is so far out?

I just checked the info from ou TA. They have our final payment due June23. Looks like I better call to double check. My luck they screwed up and gave us the wrong date.

Jon

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Lynne Im sure it will all be OK. Probably just scarmongering!

hhhhmmmmm .. thats what we thought about Globespan

Ofcourse i did

oh no ..... hopefully they will get it sorted out .... everything crossed for you Lynne ..... hopefully you booked with CC though.

Ahoy,

The transatlanticpirates.com website is back online. We've pretty much started the site from scratch as we are using a different technology to build the site, it's entirely database driven.

The first thing we built was a new rollcall page, but since many of the people previously on the list have dropped the cruise, we'd like for everyone to sign-up again. It's simple and painless to use the submission form, which posts directly to a database and is immediately updated on the site. The only part that takes any manual effort is uploading pictures, instructions for this are on the sign-up form.

Still to come.... lanyard sign-up, fish extender exchange, secret Mickey, and much more.

Buckeye Goofy and su_kraft
aka Glenn and Sue

Just off to sign up ..... thanks for taking this on

Hello pirates!

I'm thinking of going on the transatlantic crossing. We were on the Magic just before Christmas for our first cruise ever and I enjoyed it so much, I started thinking about the next cruise. The transatlantic cruises seem to get so much for your dollar so I'm thinking about it and need to convince a friend to go with me before I can commit.

So I'm popping in to sub to this thread and to say hi and really, really hope to see you guys on board in September.

Hi - hope you decide to join us

Were going on a disney cruise this year!!

WE ARE GOING ON A DISNEY CRUISE THIS YEAR !!!!!!

 

[pjpoohbear]

What is anyones thought process on booking a round trip ticket and only using the EB portion?

I saw the Air Berlin flight (one way) for $430 ish. I have been tracking the Aer Lingus, which were at around $500 (one way) for the week we are looking at, last year. But they have not gone below $645 ish yet (including $30 fuel surcharge.)

Then when checking round trip fares, Iberia has a RT with a non-stop to BCN on the 16th of September out of JFK for $703.00. The EB trip is just 8hrs, I would arrive in BCN at 9am and get to my hotel just before noon. How much trouble is there if you don't show up for the return flight?

Pj

 

[MrsMork]

What is anyones thought process on booking a round trip ticket and only using the EB portion?

I saw the Air Berlin flight (one way) for $430 ish. I have been tracking the Aer Lingus, which were at around $500 (one way) for the week we are looking at, last year. But they have not gone below $645 ish yet (including $30 fuel surcharge.)

Then when checking round trip fares, Iberia has a RT with a non-stop to BCN on the 16th of September out of JFK for $703.00. The EB trip is just 8hrs, I would arrive in BCN at 9am and get to my hotel just before noon. How much trouble is there if you don't show up for the return flight?

Pj

I really don't think they will come drag you off the ship and make you fly home. I htink people do this all the time. Some lucky person waiting for standby will be thrilled.

 

[pjpoohbear]

I am going to keep an eye on Iberia, they are doing an early spring sale right now and a similar RT ticket is $610 USD.

Pj

 

[acourtwdw]

Has anyone used Flycheapabroad.com? They have one way from our local airport for $700. It's a great deal even with stopping in Detroit and New York. Just curious...

 

[woody73]

I am going to keep an eye on Iberia . . .

We flew on Iberia years ago from Paris to Seville R/T, and liked it.

But during the last DCL Med cruises, I recall reading many bad reviews, which surprised me.

YMMV

Woody

 

[pjpoohbear]

Woody, my plan is to get on the plane, have a light meal (which I will bring,) and then to fall asleep with a little aid. If they don't lose my luggage I would be happy. The flight is on a 767-300, and the configuration is a 2-3-2, I will hope for a window seat on either side and a good nap. Non-stop is a magic word to me for this flight. I am not a high expectation flyer, I am fairly easy going during travel. At this time it is a code share flight with AA, and the equipment listed is shown as an AA plane.

I sleep fairly well on my LA to NYC flight after the Pan Can repo last year, I could have use more sleep but it was only a 5.5 hr flight.

Pj

 

[woody73]

At this time it is a code share flight with AA, and the equipment listed is shown as an AA plane.

That's a plus.

Woody

 

[sandiedvc]

What is anyones thought process on booking a round trip ticket and only using the EB portion?

How much trouble is there if you don't show up for the return flight?

I have been wondering about this as well.

You probably know already that this is called "throwaway ticketing" and prohibited by most airlines contract of carriage. The airlines reserve the right to go back and charge you for what the one way ticket would have cost and may do something with your frequent flyer miles.

HOWEVER, I when I searched this on the internet I couldn't find anyone that actually had been penalized. The consensus seemed to be that if you were a one time offender you were OK.

They did suggest not giving a frequent flyer number when booking. Some said to call and cancel the return leg and tell them that "something" happened to change your plans and that you would call and rebook the remainder when you were sure of your plans.

Others said just not to show up...

I don't know what the answer is, but it is a heck of a lot cheaper to book R/T than one way!

I still have to book my air as well, so have been struggling with this question as well!

 

[pjpoohbear]

Kathy,

I guess, I could say something came up, lol. A fabulous cruise instead of a cramped airline seat trip across the atlantic back, .

I am thinking of calling the day I get to Barcelona, and then they would have time to re-sell that seat.

Pj

 

[woody73]

I am thinking of calling the day I get to Barcelona, and then they would have time to re-sell that seat.

Airlines already overbook when possible.

Woody

 

[GOS]

I have been wondering about this as well.

You probably know already that this is called "throwaway ticketing" and prohibited by most airlines contract of carriage. The airlines reserve the right to go back and charge you for what the one way ticket would have cost and may do something with your frequent flyer miles.

HOWEVER, I when I searched this on the internet I couldn't find anyone that actually had been penalized. The consensus seemed to be that if you were a one time offender you were OK.

They did suggest not giving a frequent flyer number when booking. Some said to call and cancel the return leg and tell them that "something" happened to change your plans and that you would call and rebook the remainder when you were sure of your plans.

Others said just not to show up...

I don't know what the answer is, but it is a heck of a lot cheaper to book R/T than one way!

I still have to book my air as well, so have been struggling with this question as well!

We've decided to do this for our return trip to the UK. We booked direct with Virgin and they were OK when we said we wouldn't use the return ticket to the US.

 

[sandiedvc]

We've decided to do this for our return trip to the UK. We booked direct with Virgin and they were OK when we said we wouldn't use the return ticket to the US.

This is interesting. Apparently Virgin has two different Contracts of Carriage depending on which country site you use to book the airfare.

The US site has a CofC similar to the rest of the US major airlines. The UK site does not and doesn't mention throwaway ticketing that I could find.

Good news for you all! Why does the US do these things?

 

[sandiedvc]

Kathy,

I guess, I could say something came up, lol. A fabulous cruise instead of a cramped airline seat trip across the atlantic back, .

I am thinking of calling the day I get to Barcelona, and then they would have time to re-sell that seat.

Pj

LOL! I was thinking along the lines of a similar scenario! I was thinking of making the return flight far enough out that I could cancel/postpone when we got back so I wouldn't have to deal with it on vacation.

We have several other wild cards in the mix. We mentioned the trip at my DH's company party in Dec, and the boss says that we should combine it with a trip to London on business so they would pick up DHs trip as far as London.

We also have a small amount of airfare credit on Continental that we have to book or lose by Feb. It would work to get us back home from MCO.

We also still have airfare thru DCL. Guess I need to make sure when I need to cancel without incurring a penalty!

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Have any of you checked out www.skyscanner.com for cheap flights - we have booked one way tickets with BMI for our flights back from Orlando ...... lots of flight changes though.
But only costing us £400 each. We are flying from Orlando to Washington to London to Manchester.

 

[manascarfan]

Happy New Year Everyone.

Happy New Year All!

We recently returned from a family get together at WDW. Really good to have both girls and our SIL together. DD1 & SIL live near Toronto so we don't get to see them enough!

We had never been to WDW in December and really enjoyed it. We also got to stay DVC Concierge at AKL and now I am really spoiled.

Now the holidays are over and back to real life. Just finished catching up on the laundry, mail, and DIS and getting over the cold/virus that I always seem to bring back with me from Florida.

I finally organized all the papers I had been collecting about the WBTA in a notebook. (Funny how different DH and I are. I say "FINALLY" and he said "you are already doing that?" )

We were at AKV Kidani from 12/24-1/1 as well

Yes, we saw the Candlelight Processional. We got the package and ate at Chefs de France for the first time. I highly recommend Chefs. Everything was great. DD1 had the creme brulee and it was at least 3 times as large as the ones on DCL!

We also did the Sunrise Safari (our first time). It was a great experience as well. Do it if you get the chance. Our tour was run by the Curator of the animals at AKL. Very interesting information about how the animals are trained for their safety and the safety of the handlers.

We also enjoyed the Very Merry Christmas Party and Osbourne Lights.

The only thing we were not thrilled about were the crowd levels on the weekends and week before Christmas. Guess for the past twenty or more years we have gone at off peak times!

So lots of new experiences this trip. Just when I think I have seen all that WDW has to offer, I find new things.

The crowds were overwhelming, we just tried to go to the less busy parks. Although Christmas Day we were at Magic Kingdom from 7am-11pm and it poured in the morning.

 

[sandiedvc]

Looks like you can book very reasonable one way flights on Lufthansa's website.

One way IAH to BCN about $700.

They do have options for those wanting to go thru New York area airports:

Newark/Dusseldorf/BCN $516

or JFK/Munich/BCN $526

Those are the no refund prices. Looks like you can add another $75 to those New York fares and gain some flexibility!

Baggage allowances just changed on 12/31 to only one free bag, 2nd is $50.

Hope this helps someone.