Sept 18 2010 WB TransAtlantic Pirates/Capt Jacks Re-Repoing Repossession Cruise Pt.6

[birkner]

I'm Back from Disneyland! We had a great time!!!! Thanks for all of the well wishes! We had tons of for our trip! I thought there were going to be tons of people because we went for the WOC premier weekend but it didn't get crowded until Monday (and boy did it get crowded that day!). Both Saturday and Sunday were amazing; it felt like we owned the park (exaggerating a bit...but not much). On Saturday, we did 10 rides in 2 hours. On Sunday, we did 14 rides in 2 1/2 hours. We even had tons of pool time. So I highly recommend the weekends. got2travel, I think you can squeeze in a trip to the land before we head to Spain.

Sadly I wasn't able to see WOC but was able to do the Fantasmic dessert package. Loved it! I'll go back to see WOC - and I hope I can go back soon. This was my first time at the Disneyland Hotel. I think I still prefer the Grand Californian but I loved the theming at the Dland Hotel. It was very cute.




We're thinking of doing the Segway tour but haven't figured out which day yet. I'll work on it this week and see if we can do it on the same day as you.



Speaking of the Ramblas food market..We are planning to do a cooking class (appropriately titled Cook and Taste, cost is 60 euros, and is rated #5 on tripadvisor.com of things to do in Barcelona) and a tour of the Boqueria can be added to the class for 12 euros. I've heard such wonderful things about this market and can't wait to have a tour of it prior to the cooking class. The cooking class is about four hours and is participatory. Eveyone in the class helps to cook the meal and then you eat the food you prepared together. If anyone is interested in signing up together so we could have a Dis group let me know and I'll contact the company for available dates/times. Here's the website if anyone is interested: http://cookandtaste.net/ (The site has a FAQ page)





Thanks for the info Kimberly! I will definitely be looking into this. I had a massage/facial in a cabana on CC on the WBPC in 2008 and really enjoyed it. I would love to do this on a port day! I get to sign up for all of my stuff this weekend. I'm going to put it on my list.

OK now back to catching up on what I missed on the boards this weekend. I think I have 25 more pages to read...

Sounds like you had a wonderful time at DL. We might be up for the cooking class if you were going to do it on Friday afternoon. Keep us posted.

Just my thoughts...

 

[birkner]

If you're not doing an excursion in Tortola, it looks like Road Town itself has some nice places to walk around. This is what we will be doing. We did the Land and sea excursion last time and can recommend that.

http://www.b-v-i.com/roadtown.htm

Thanks for the link, I will check it out. Decision, decisions. Any other DISers out there have any more thoughts on Tortola?

 

[nacho1337]

Also, in anticipation of keeping the cruise, I had a lengthy discussion with DCL today over the fuel surcharge. They refused to remove it so I told them to move my booking to something in 2011 and I'd be calling them back tomorrow to move it back to this cruise. They finally agreed to reprice my trip at today's rates, but without the fuel surcharge. I ended up getting a refund of $140. The surcharge was $224, so I'm still out $84, but hey $140 will buy me a lot of Drinks of the Day!

I have been try to get ride of fuel surcharge since they said they were not going to charge it. I did not have to fight with them the said they would adjust the price to the current price, but the price has always being higher then the fuel surcharge price

I was at the doctor again for my wrist again. I'm still having pain, but now I have swelling in the hand and wrist. The doctor went back and looked at the MRI again. The arm was clear, but the wrist is fuzzy. So I need to get another MRI. It least the person that took my MRI said i was having problems holding still because of the pain, so my doctor prescribe me xanax for the MRI. I still not looking for another MRI. I will let you know the results when i get them.

Stephen

 

[birkner]

I have been try to get ride of fuel surcharge since they said they were not going to charge it. I did not have to fight with them the said they would adjust the price to the current price, but the price has always being higher then the fuel surcharge price

I was at the doctor again for my wrist again. I'm still having pain, but now I have swelling in the hand and wrist. The doctor went back and looked at the MRI again. The arm was clear, but the wrist is fuzzy. So I need to get another MRI. It least the person that took my MRI said i was having problems holding still because of the pain, so my doctor prescribe me xanax for the MRI. I still not looking for another MRI. I will let you know the results when i get them.

Stephen

I have never been sure if we were charged the fuel surcharge. How do you know if you are going through a TA?

So sorry you are still having issues with your wrist. It must be so frustrating to not have a clear answer. pixidust: for some resolution and less pain!!

 

[Terapin]

It sure mounts up thats for sure when there is a few of you.
I am really hoping that we can get out and about and enjoy walks or runs in the ports.

I am hoping that, too. Just be out and about and seeing things unique to each area we are visiting.

If you're not doing an excursion in Tortola, it looks like Road Town itself has some nice places to walk around. This is what we will be doing. We did the Land and sea excursion last time and can recommend that.

http://www.b-v-i.com/roadtown.htm

Thanks for the link!

It does add up. Since it is just DH and I we will do DCL in a couple of ports, on our own in a couple.

DH and I did some lovely excursions when we were on our honeymoon in January. Our favourite was the Greycliffe Wine and Cheese. So yummy and really interesting.

 

[birkner]

For those of you who are following Phil, Emma & Ben's Med Cruise videos', day three, part one and two are up on Youtube:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2482390

 

[nacho1337]

I have never been sure if we were charged the fuel surcharge. How do you know if you are going through a TA?

So sorry you are still having issues with your wrist. It must be so frustrating to not have a clear answer. pixidust: for some resolution and less pain!!

I book the first day the cruise was available. So i know i have the fuel surcharge

 

[birkner]

I book the first day the cruise was available. So i know i have the fuel surcharge

So did we but TA claims we do not have a surcharge. I just thought the port fees of $348.30 per person were high but she says do not include a surcharge.

 

[nacho1337]

So did we but TA claims we do not have a surcharge. I just thought the port fees of $348.30 per person were high but she says do not include a surcharge.

It got to be in there. Right now when you book the port fee are $69.30 per person. Even with the surcharge your taxes seem really high.

 

[birkner]

It got to be in there. Right now when you book the port fee are $69.30 per person. Even with the surcharge your taxes seem really high.

We are in a category 4, do you think that makes a difference?

 

[KrisannB]

Sorry everyone I know I have PM from people but I had to leave to go out of town where I did not have access to the boards since last week at the last minute for family issues(West Virginia doesn't get good coverage for cell service!) but I am home now and will get back to those who PM'ed me - I am on page 73 trying to catch up! This may take me awhile.

Krisann

 

[kcashner]

It got to be in there. Right now when you book the port fee are $69.30 per person. Even with the surcharge your taxes seem really high.

There's something funky going on with the way they are splitting out the charges. My invoice also shows the $348 in taxes and port charges. However, when I go to the DCL site and put in my reservation (dummy) again, it shows $69 in taxes, but the totals are the same. Since it is only the total that counts, ......I think it's ok.

 

[kcashner]

Oh yeah, I forgot why I checked in here. I got an upgrade on my European cruise! DCL has redeemed itself.

On the EBTA, I was rather miffed. My dinner partner was on her second DCL cruise in 10 years....I have more than 10 times that number of sailings. We had both booked the same category, and were both sailing solo. She got a very nice upgrade and I didn't. I know that the pixie dust lands where it will, but there's something amiss when loyalty is not only not being rewarded, but lack of loyalty is. In any event, on the European trip I'll have DD along and she's VERY happy to hear of the upgrade. MANY on our cruise meet were equally "dusted." Here's hoping for the same good luck for all of us on the WBTA!

 

[birkner]

There's something funky going on with the way they are splitting out the charges. My invoice also shows the $348 in taxes and port charges. However, when I go to the DCL site and put in my reservation (dummy) again, it shows $69 in taxes, but the totals are the same. Since it is only the total that counts, ......I think it's ok.

I just spoke with DCL and was told that is ALL they have been charging so I fired off an email to our travel agent. This is an additional $560.00 exactly so I am pretty PO'd right now.

We already got dinged $200 by DCL her not changing our ressie in time to this cruise so I am pretty ticked off right now. I think I am doing DCL cruises my own from now on.

On our NYE 2007 cruise, we spent over $25K with her and she really didn't do much as I booked on board and transferred to her. She also didn't really do any work or send a nice gift, just a mediocre one.

Sorry to take my frustrations out on you guys, but hey $560 is a a Spa Villa for us!!

Just my thoughts...

 

[acourtwdw2]

I just spoke with DCL and was told that is ALL they have been charging so I fired off an email to our travel agent. This is an additional $560.00 exactly so I am pretty PO'd right now.

We already got dinged $200 by DCL her not changing our ressie in time to this cruise so I am pretty ticked off right now. I think I am doing DCL cruises my own from now on.

On our NYE 2007 cruise, we spent over $25K with her and she really didn't do much as I booked on board and transferred to her. She also didn't really do any work or send a nice gift, just a mediocre one.

Sorry to take my frustrations out on you guys, but hey $560 is a a Spa Villa for us!!

Just my thoughts...

We havnt used a travel agent in 10 years. I think the only time you really need one is when you go to a foreign country that you dont feel comfortable about either the language or the relationship they have with the USA.

I would contact the owner of the travel agency and ask them to fix your account including the over charge from before.

 

[birkner]

There's something funky going on with the way they are splitting out the charges. My invoice also shows the $348 in taxes and port charges. However, when I go to the DCL site and put in my reservation (dummy) again, it shows $69 in taxes, but the totals are the same. Since it is only the total that counts, ......I think it's ok.

Mine comes out to exactly $560 MORE than I paid. That fact is what I really upset about coupled with the $200 penalty DCL gave us for TA not booking within the re-booking window comes to $760.

Sorry for the vent, guys

 

[birkner]

We havnt used a travel agent in 10 years. I think the only time you really need one is when you go to a foreign country that you dont feel comfortable about either the language or the relationship they have with the USA.

I would contact the owner of the travel agency and ask them to fix your account including the over charge from before.

This is a TA I have used for years for many other cruise trips. This is the first time she has ever let us down so I am going to see what she does. I only use her for cruising so this may be the last time she books for us.

We haven't cruised much in the last couple of years so she may just not feel we are worth paying attention to anymore?

I have emailed TA and since she is owner, we will have to wait and see. If this is not resolved to my satisfaction, I will have to see what steps I can take next.

 

[mdwoodman]

Thanks for this information; very helpful ! We aren't arriving until Saturday the 17th and taking disney transportation to the port; do you think we would have time for this type of tour rather than hop-on hop off bus ? Definitely will have to check this out.

We are getting ready to book our excursions this weekend – YAHOO! Does anyone have personal experience as to which of the following excursions are “better.” Some of the excursions are very similar; it’s hard to decide which to do (it seems especially true in Gibraltar). Any input is appreciated!

Gibraltar—We have all the “rock” tours narrowed down to City Under Seige vs. Rock Tour (or is another one “better” ??).

Madeira—Catamaran Whale/Dolphin vs. 4x4 Landrover vs. Views and Parks. This one is hard. We really want to see Madeira, but we also would love to do the whale watching!

St. Maarten – trying to force ourselves NOT to do the 12-Metre Regatta again (had so much fun we want to do it again, but we want to do something new!) Our choices are Under 2 Flags, Seaworld Explore Coral Reef, Rib Boat, Island Drive & Explore, Tiki Hut Snorkel.

Tortola—Tortola by Land and Sea, Catamaran Sail & Snorkel, Virgin Island Sail & Snorkel Beach Adventure, Tour of Virgin Gorda

THANKS AGAIN !

We're doing Gibraltar, Madeira, and St. Maarten on our own. We've done the "Under Two Flags" tour and were very disappointed.

In Tortola, we're doing the Virgin Island Sail & Snorkel.

 

[mdwoodman]

We are in the process of finalizing our excursions and I have to say, wow Disney sure charges families a lot. Comparing apples to apples it almost feels wrong how much they inflate the costs. Rant over.

I think we are going to most of the ports on our own, being super-conservative about time management.

In Madeira it seems easy enough to take a taxi or walk the 1/2 mile. From the town centre the cable car can be taken to Monte for only 9 euros, and we will visit the garden and take the toboggans down (about 10-15 euros pp).

The toboggans only take you half-way down, but there is a bus that takes you right back to town for 2 euros. We plan on touring the Mercado dos Lavradores, a fruit/fish/craft market, and eating lunch somewhere near the market. We may also visit the Madeira Story Centre, or the Blandy's Wine Lodge, or the Quinta de Palheiro Ferreiro (Victorian garden) depending on how the kids are doing. It seems very doable, and fairly inexpensive.

Disney is charging $155 for a similar thing. With 5 people the difference is pretty steep. If it were just DH and I we would likely save the hassle and take the DCL excursion. It's just hard on families to absorb that difference. I certainly don't judge folks who afford the DCL excursions...

just thought I'd share my planning so far!

We have reservations at Blandy's Wine Lodge for 1600 (if I remember correctly ) so that we can spend the day wandering around.

 

[eeyorelvr10]

Disney is charging $155 for a similar thing. With 5 people the difference is pretty steep. If it were just DH and I we would likely save the hassle and take the DCL excursion. It's just hard on families to absorb that difference. I certainly don't judge folks who afford the DCL excursions...

just thought I'd share my planning so far!

This is exactly the reason when we were on the Med in 2007 that we chose to do 3 port days on our own. We had 6 of us and the excursions would have killed us. So I chartered a personal bus in Naples, Palermo and Pisa (yes we climbed it). Worked out much better for us and the coaches were fantastic. DCL is not very nice on the excursions but hey, that's why I have DIS friends. I would have eaten the $$ if not for my DIS friends and blogs where they all mentioned how easy it was to tour on your own. I especially loved it in Naples where we visited Pompeii, Herculeaum and Mt Vesuvius in one day. And made it back to the ship before DCL's excursions. So don't feel bad, sometimes you just have to go your own way and don't be surprised if your ahead of the DCL excursions. I'm amazed at how often we got to miss lines and experience more than they did.