Sept. 23, 2012 Pacific Coast - Wonder Cruise

[jetskigrl]

Yes this time it would be much easier to meet up since it will just be dd and I. I just got confirmation today from my MIL that she is free to watch the boys. Now of course I think in the back of my mind that I will end up booking regardless of what promotions come out but I really want to wait until after the PIF dates come and go to see what they offer. I can't imagine if the cruise is undersold that they would raise the prices from what they are right now. Hopefully I don't end up eating those words.

I hope I don't eat my words too but I think there is a very good chance for more discounted fares. I was playing around with dummy reservations to see what rooms are taken (I was looking at verandahs though since we have VGT) and nearly every room I picked was available. Meaning I picked ones that weren't listed and they still came up as available...whole blocks of them. I was looking at 5's though since that is what I am hoping for. But I was also checking Navigator's verandahs (since that is what I am expecting to get ) and there were still plenty of those too.

The price actually went down since we first booked it so we rebooked at the lower price. Then they offered VGT so we rebooked again. I was joking with our TA that she was probably really happy to book the VGT for us since it means we can't change it anymore

 

[erbie]

I hope I don't eat my words too but I think there is a very good chance for more discounted fares. I was playing around with dummy reservations to see what rooms are taken (I was looking at verandahs though since we have VGT) and nearly every room I picked was available. Meaning I picked ones that weren't listed and they still came up as available...whole blocks of them. I was looking at 5's though since that is what I am hoping for. But I was also checking Navigator's verandahs (since that is what I am expecting to get ) and there were still plenty of those too.

One of the Royal Suites is still available and eight Cat T's. How many Cat T's are there? Not a whole lot more than 8, I'd bet. They'll have to start upgrading soon, I think. Last time we booked a 6A and got a 5D. Maybe there will be a lot of Pixie Dust on this one! I'll definitely be looking at port upgrades if we don't get moved up from our 11B GTY. I wonder if there's any way to find out how undersold the cruise is.

 

[bbangel]

We would love some pixie dust for an upgrade (even though we will be happy with what we booked). Here's hoping we all get some unexpected surprises! I'm now paid in full so I'm all ready to book extras on Monday

 

[AussieMumma]

Alrighty, help out this newbie.....what are PIF's GTY's VGT's and GT's??

I paid in full for the cruise on Tuesday! So what do I do now? I can't book anything until the 10th of July is that right?

 

[glindamood]

Alrighty, help out this newbie.....what are PIF's GTY's VGT's and GT's??

I paid in full for the cruise on Tuesday! So what do I do now? I can't book anything until the 10th of July is that right?

PIF = Paid in full

GTY = Guarantee, meaning if you book a particular category and ended up with a GTY status (meaning no cabin number) you will be assigned at least the category you chose and sometimes higher.

VGT = Verandah guarantee - those were the specials fares they published last spring and have extra 'strings' attached as in your had to pay in full when you booked. You will be assinged no less than a verandah room but I don't think you can change it. There are also IGT (inside guarantee) and must be something that designates a porthole guarantee - PGT maybe??

GT - I am assuming that would just mean a guarantee.

Hope that helps. I will say, the PC that the Wonder did last January was way undersold and they did military (something I think that should be offered on EVERY cruise, bless our service people) and castmember discounts. They could upgrade us but I am happy where I am (and maybe happier where I am than another location not of my choosing as I do prefer to be forward. Clueless how I will feel about being aft (in one of the cabins across the back on the Fantasy) in December but we shall see. Guess I will pack my walking shoes...

Have a good day everyone.

 

[erbie]

GTY = Guarantee, meaning if you book a particular category and ended up with a GTY status (meaning no cabin number) you will be assigned at least the category you chose and sometimes higher.

VGT = Verandah guarantee - those were the specials fares they published last spring and have extra 'strings' attached as in your had to pay in full when you booked. You will be assinged no less than a verandah room but I don't think you can change it. There are also IGT (inside guarantee) and must be something that designates a porthole guarantee - PGT maybe??

There was also OGT, I think, which was for outside guarantee. Nothing less than a double small portholes.

I also will be happy with the level I booked. I've only once booked anything other than an 11/12, and I was upgraded on the 6a I booked to a 5c or d. That was for the CA-Vancouver repo last year and it was glorious having a verandah going under the Golden Gate Bridge. On the PC, our 12 (now 11c), was too close to some painting they were doing and the fumes were making dd and me have asthma attacks, so they moved us to the only other room they had, which was a porthole room that another family had just vacated because of construction noise. We didn't mind the noise because we could breathe! And the porthole didn't hurt either.

This time, as every time, I'm just happy to be on the ship!

 

[glindamood]

Well, the 'outside' isn't very descriptive as verandahs are on the outside too but you are correct - that is what it was!

I will take our sideways cabin and be a happy camper as I am so looking forward to this trip, I can hardly wait!

 

[BigDisneyOE]

Morning all.

Firstly Happy Matariki to everyone. Today is the first day of the Maori New Year. Matariki is marked by the before dawn sighting of a cluster of stars called the Pleiades. It only happens once a year and they rise in Mid Winter.

Matariki is like our NZ Thanksgiving. We remember those that passed away during the previous year and give thanks for the harvested food for the winter. It's a pretty big deal here and the Kindy has been working up to this event for since the start of school year in Feb.

Obviously the Kindergarten has been celebrating Matariki this week. The big event was we hosted another Kindergarten for a Powhiri. A Powhiri is a formal meeting with ceremony and protocol. One little girl bravely stood at the doors of our kindy as the visiting kids arrived and did the Karanga (she called out loudly in Maori welcoming the visitors). The visiting kids came into the kindy building and our kids performed a Haka (the 'war dance' you see on the rugby, if you watch that, or anything cultural progrma from NZ usually features the Haka). Then the 'chief' (one of the little boys) did the Whaikōrero. That's the speech, which he did half in Maori and half in English. The kids from our kindy did a waiata (that's Maori for song), in Maori. The chief from the other side responded in kind and the other side did a waiata too. Then the chief from the other side gave a koha (a gift), which was accepted. Everyone lined up for the Hongi (where the kids press noses twice, to give the breath of life) and say 'Ki Ora (hello) - that took some doing with about 80 kids and my Alex flashing his t-shirt at all the girls he liked the look of. Finally the guests went to eat the Hākari (feast) first, which is what you do in Maori custom. Our kids were really good waiting, despite the fact a lot of the goodies were getting gobbled up. Then, being kids, they all went outside and played.

So that's the cultural part of this episode over. However when you guys meet Alex (in particular) don't be suprised if he wants to do a Hongi to give you the breath of life - he's very into his Maori Kapa Haka lessons!

Today I have Oli home as he's got some sort of virus where he's coughed himself silly and swollen his tonsils a bit. He seems right as rain apart from coughing and waking himself up all night and being particularly clingy. So Alex went to kindy with Oli's girlfriend. They seem to have a part-share in this wee girl, I don't know if that's going to play out well in the future when they are teens tho'!

Oli and I are making our FE today. That's the theory. Thought we may as well do something cruise related.

AussieMumma - yep, it's 10th July for us newbies to book from memory. Which excursions were you looking at?

Gail - yep, military should be always on a discount. Period. I'd like to see it extended to friendly nations to the US military too as there are a lot of countries like Aussie and NZ that support the US overseas and those personnel's families would probably love to do a DCL cruise but it's way beyond their meagre means. I'd also like to see a police discount, because policing seems to be a thankless job and those people maintain the social norms.

Erbie - I hear you on asthma attacks, paint is terrible. The only hesitation we had with going VGT was that Alex and I get asthma and get wheezy with tobacco smoke, so we are hoping we don't have chain smokers on the next verandah.

 

[glindamood]

SO cool to see the counters down below 100!

Marian - How did the FE turn out? I also hope that Oli is back to his usual self and back to school by the time you read this. And thanks for the culture informatin exchange - I think that is all so very interesting. Just another added benefit of the DIS and great fellow cruisers that are willing to share.

Not much news to report - wedding shower this weekend so a quick trip to see my Mom tomorrow as well. Not looking forward to a 6 hours 'sit' but it will be OK as I never really looked forward to the ride before the surgery either, my 'sitter' gets ansy.

Take care!!

 

[erbie]

So excited! SIL, FIL, and MIL just booked and we paid in full. We took DH off our res, put his sister on, and then moved our other dummy date to this with him and his parents so they could get the discount. We'll be able to book two more dummies on this one, so we're not losing our OBD, really. MIL and FIL went with us in 2002, but this will be SIL's first time. the kids are going to be SO excited because they adore their auntie and their grandparents. dd10 has been at sleepaway camp all week so when I pick her up tomorrow, I'll tell her. Maybe it will help with the disappointment of having to leave camp.

Bring on Sunday night! Can't wait to see if I can get a Palo brunch. Is there anyone who is gold or platinum who can see if there are any left?

 

[jetskigrl]

Morning all.

Firstly Happy Matariki to everyone. Today is the first day of the Maori New Year. Matariki is marked by the before dawn sighting of a cluster of stars called the Pleiades. It only happens once a year and they rise in Mid Winter.

Matariki is like our NZ Thanksgiving. We remember those that passed away during the previous year and give thanks for the harvested food for the winter. It's a pretty big deal here and the Kindy has been working up to this event for since the start of school year in Feb.

Obviously the Kindergarten has been celebrating Matariki this week. The big event was we hosted another Kindergarten for a Powhiri. A Powhiri is a formal meeting with ceremony and protocol. One little girl bravely stood at the doors of our kindy as the visiting kids arrived and did the Karanga (she called out loudly in Maori welcoming the visitors). The visiting kids came into the kindy building and our kids performed a Haka (the 'war dance' you see on the rugby, if you watch that, or anything cultural progrma from NZ usually features the Haka). Then the 'chief' (one of the little boys) did the Whaikōrero. That's the speech, which he did half in Maori and half in English. The kids from our kindy did a waiata (that's Maori for song), in Maori. The chief from the other side responded in kind and the other side did a waiata too. Then the chief from the other side gave a koha (a gift), which was accepted. Everyone lined up for the Hongi (where the kids press noses twice, to give the breath of life) and say 'Ki Ora (hello) - that took some doing with about 80 kids and my Alex flashing his t-shirt at all the girls he liked the look of. Finally the guests went to eat the Hākari (feast) first, which is what you do in Maori custom. Our kids were really good waiting, despite the fact a lot of the goodies were getting gobbled up. Then, being kids, they all went outside and played.

So that's the cultural part of this episode over. However when you guys meet Alex (in particular) don't be suprised if he wants to do a Hongi to give you the breath of life - he's very into his Maori Kapa Haka lessons!

Wow, that is so cool!!! What a great cultural learning experience for them

Well, I got an email from DCL reminding us that our booking window is opening on Monday....and I have nothing to book (that feels so strange, LOL). I asked DH if he wanted to do Palo again since we don't have to worry about where the kids will be, but he said he really didn't want to. He said it was nice last time, but it was just so much food...all the time....so he wants to make this cruise less about food and avoid booking extra food. Oh well, I'm OK with that. But I am going to insist we book a Palo brunch when we go on the Fantasy since we haven't done that one before

So no excursions or Palo to book. I guess I'll just take care of our online check-in and be done.

 

[peja]

I called Disney Cruise Line today for a variety of reasons and the lady on the other end was able to tell me that we are only at 50% capacity. Which is super nice...I do not want a crowded ship....YIPPPPEEEE!!!!

 

[socababy]

I called Disney Cruise Line today for a variety of reasons and the lady on the other end was able to tell me that we are only at 50% capacity. Which is super nice...I do not want a crowded ship....YIPPPPEEEE!!!!

Wow, that is awesome! Come on GTY rates!! I was looking on the disney site playing around when I discovered that early dining was still an option. I knew that the ship must not be too full if I could still choose early dining as an option. I don't think dd would make it to late dining.

 

[glindamood]

Bring on Sunday night! Can't wait to see if I can get a Palo brunch. Is there anyone who is gold or platinum who can see if there are any left?

It appears to me that brunch is wide open on both sea days but then again, the booking system is different than it used to be but I presume, since it gave me the option for all times that they were all available. And, how fun you have more family joining you.

Well, Happy Friday everyone. My bag is packed for the most part, just those last minute things to throw in and I will be headed to Ohio later this afternoon. I need to shop tomorrow for the bridal shower as I have not don that yet (bad Gail) but it isn't Sunday yet....

 

[GromMom]

Hi all, just wanted to introduce myself as my sister and I are booking this trip for our families! We are disney cruise newbies and are excited for this trip. I'm just curious about the fe gifts and postcards, are they homemade only (fe) or can you buy the gifts? Normally I love to make stuff, but as my little grom it's only 7 weeks old, the best I may be able to do is buy some small dollar store stuff, I saw something there the other week that would be perfect (before we even decided on this trip).
Also so you leave postcards blank or write in them?
Also is there a limit on people, eg i'd be happy to buy say 25 items at a dollar each but less likely to be excited about 100 or if there is a lot of people do you just scale down your gifts? I'm just afraid I'm going to sign up and end up stressing about finding cool stuff that is not lame for a ton of people. If there are lots of folks I may just try the postcard thing since I live in sunny san diego and can get postcards easily.
Thanks, I'm really excited about this trip, I've heard so much cool stuff about pirate night and am stoked for the pixar theme.

 

[BigDisneyOE]

Hi all, just wanted to introduce myself as my sister and I are booking this trip for our families! We are disney cruise newbies and are excited for this trip. I'm just curious about the fe gifts and postcards, are they homemade only (fe) or can you buy the gifts? Normally I love to make stuff, but as my little grom it's only 7 weeks old, the best I may be able to do is buy some small dollar store stuff, I saw something there the other week that would be perfect (before we even decided on this trip).
Also so you leave postcards blank or write in them?
Also is there a limit on people, eg i'd be happy to buy say 25 items at a dollar each but less likely to be excited about 100 or if there is a lot of people do you just scale down your gifts? I'm just afraid I'm going to sign up and end up stressing about finding cool stuff that is not lame for a ton of people. If there are lots of folks I may just try the postcard thing since I live in sunny san diego and can get postcards easily.
Thanks, I'm really excited about this trip, I've heard so much cool stuff about pirate night and am stoked for the pixar theme.

Hello and welcome. You must be busy with a new baby.

Last updated FE list there are 30 people on it, mix of kids and adults. Gail is in charge of the list, so as new people come on she'll add to it and reissue the list. I guess if the list gets too big it gets spilt - I've seen a lot of discussion on splitting size and it's usually around 15 - 20 cabins (but there may be up to five in a cabin or only one or two).

If you do a search on Fish Extenders on the DisBoards and there's plenty of information and ideas for gifts. People do a mix of bought and handmade, whatever they are comfortable with. For me I'm doing handmade with some store bought stuff as well. I'm not adding up cost as I know I've spent well over $50 already and I haven't bought my material yet and that'll take it up over a hundy. For me it's my chance to showcase my country, that's important so I'm not focussed on cost (plus our dollar stores are more like $2- $10 stores thesedays). Is there something you could showcase from SD? Like a candy or something that you can get from a factory outlet? Dunno much about the postcard thing yet.

We need to determine as a group when the cut-off date is for the FE. Personally for me I'm flying out to the US on 8 September and won't have any time the week prior to make new stuff, so I'd like something like the 28th of August, or 23rd to make it a month prior to sail date.

Gail - I got the math worked out and then did the cutting and some sewing of my FE. I've made it pirate theme and pretty generic as I'm going to use it in the kitchen afterwards. I'm hoping to get to the sewing centre in Wellington while the kids are at Kindy on Monday to look at a new sewing machine as I need more capabilities that the old one at home. Hope your long drive goes okay, get out every once in a while and have a walk around to help with stiffness.

Erbie - good news on the family all coming! I did have to read your message a few times to work out how you worked the logistics! How did DD take the news when you picked her up from camp?

Peja - I'm happy with 50% full too. Even 70% would be good, I can't imagine a full ship because I kind of don't want to do so!

JSG - I'm with you on the food. Part of me says if something is free at Palo to book it but then I'll be so over other people's food after nearly two weeks away I'll more be interested in getting home to my own kitchen!

Oli's still ill here and really clingy. Last night he ended up in bed with me again at 0230. He didn't get back to sleep until 0400 as he wanted cuddling. DH recamped to Oli's room and then at 0500 Alex woke up with a bad dream and DH had to decamp again to Alex's room as Alex was scared. I think Alex is a bit unsettled at the moment with all the impending trips away and the thought he might be missing Kapa Haka with his teacher Matiu. He keeps asking me how many sessions he'll miss. Oh boy.

 

[GromMom]

Hello and welcome. You must be busy with a new baby.

Last updated FE list there are 30 people on it, mix of kids and adults. Gail is in charge of the list, so as new people come on she'll add to it and reissue the list. I guess if the list gets too big it gets spilt - I've seen a lot of discussion on splitting size and it's usually around 15 - 20 cabins (but there may be up to five in a cabin or only one or two).

If you do a search on Fish Extenders on the DisBoards and there's plenty of information and ideas for gifts. People do a mix of bought and handmade, whatever they are comfortable with. For me I'm doing handmade with some store bought stuff as well. I'm not adding up cost as I know I've spent well over $50 already and I haven't bought my material yet and that'll take it up over a hundy. For me it's my chance to showcase my country, that's important so I'm not focussed on cost (plus our dollar stores are more like $2- $10 stores thesedays). Is there something you could showcase from SD? Like a candy or something that you can get from a factory outlet? Dunno much about the postcard thing yet.

We need to determine as a group when the cut-off date is for the FE. Personally for me I'm flying out to the US on 8 September and won't have any time the week prior to make new stuff, so I'd like something like the 28th of August, or 23rd to make it a month prior to sail date.

.

BigDisneyOE,
Thanks for giving me an idea of the approximate cost, funny thing is if I'm making something I generally buy tons of stuff and spare no expense, but when I buy something I want a good deal, kind of like I will spend $20 to make goodies for an office potluck, but don't want to spend more than $10 if I buy something premade

I'll have to talk with my sister and see if we want to collaborate on the fish extender, since we'll be in adjacent rooms, or if she wants to participate on her own or not at all and then I will PM Gail if we opt in

I'm so excited for our first Disney cruise, any free time that's not spent with the baby is now for doing research on what are the must-dos.

I like to crochet so I'm already thinking of making everyone in my family a green "ooooh the claw is our master" alien hat, at least I'll do it for my son and my niece, since they have smaller heads and I can knock those out fairly quickly aside from that now I'm kind of excited at the prospect of potentially doing the fish extender and what kind of goodies I can come up with

 

[BigDisneyOE]

GromMom - I'll send you a PM with something in it! Might give you an idea for your FE.

Gack - it's raining hard with gale force winds blowing in from Antartica tonight and it's set to continue tomorrow. DH's marathon in Wellington is on 'rain or shine' tomorrow.

 

[AussieMumma]

We got our new fur baby today! She is so easy going and quiet, not at all like the children
I will upload some photos to photobucket so I can share them on here.

Welcome to the group and the cruise GromMom!

With the FE, I was wondering if we could add everyone's country/state to the list? Just so that I'm not giving Aussie themed gifts to other Aussies etc.
What do you all think?

 

[BigDisneyOE]

AussieMumma - Just you wait, I reckon the dog is sussing you guys out. It took Choco a week to find her bark and now she thinks she's allowed an opinion on everything.

Sounds sensible having a State/Country field. I think you are the only Aussies at this stage AussieMumma. Given the capacity of the cruise it could be just your family and ours representing the South Pacific.

I was supposed to get my head around Photobucket in March to share my Thailand pics and still haven't gotten around to it. My To Do list grows and grows and this year is just worse than previous years.

Oh crikey - the weather in Wellington is worse than up here on the Kapiti Coast. "A gust of 133k was recorded at Mt Kaukau behind the Wellington suburb of Khandallah at 4pm and maximum gusts over 100k were recorded at Kelburn, Wellington Airport and on the waterfront, according to Metservice forecaster Melissa Roux." DH is really tense and cranky about this marathon now. Off to bed with him as he starts running at 0700 tomorrow.