-=*September 10 2011, Westbound Transatlantic from Barcelona to Port Canaveral*=-

[AnkaG]

WOW! I haven't been here in a while, I was soooo busy with work.. But I missed a LOT of action! I'll make sure to come back more often!

For our pre-cruise plans, my in-laws are in Portugal, so they'll probably come meet us in spain and we'll spend a week around Barcelona.

We will be celebrating our anniversary on the cruise as well. We were on our honeymoon for our first disney cruise, and we'll be celebrating our SECOND anniversary on this one! Too bad I missed the table organisation... It would have been nice to sit with all of you guys, but I guess 8 is the max. Let me know if some space comes available for my DH and I!

I am so so excited and cannot wait to meet you all (and my fellow Quebecoise AnKaG! )

Thank you again!!

Melia

Bonjour Melia!!!!

Where are you from in Québec?

 

[Meliador]

Bonjour Melia!!!!

Where are you from in Québec?

Hi Anka!

I've left Quebec some time ago, but I used to live in Montreal....I don't go back often enough!! Planning on driving this summer to go visit with family!!

I'm sure there should be tables big enough to accomodate all of the "Anniversary People!" However, I will defer to Ella, who has taken many, many DCL cruises (Hello Platinum CC girl!! )

Best,

 

[EllaEnchanted]

WOW! I haven't been here in a while, I was soooo busy with work.. But I missed a LOT of action! I'll make sure to come back more often!

For our pre-cruise plans, my in-laws are in Portugal, so they'll probably come meet us in spain and we'll spend a week around Barcelona.

We will be celebrating our anniversary on the cruise as well. We were on our honeymoon for our first disney cruise, and we'll be celebrating our SECOND anniversary on this one! Too bad I missed the table organisation... It would have been nice to sit with all of you guys, but I guess 8 is the max. Let me know if some space comes available for my DH and I!




Bonjour Melia!!!!

Where are you from in Québec?

Hi Anka!

I've left Quebec some time ago, but I used to live in Montreal....I don't go back often enough!! Planning on driving this summer to go visit with family!!

I'm sure there should be tables big enough to accomodate all of the "Anniversary People!" However, I will defer to Ella, who has taken many, many DCL cruises (Hello Platinum CC girl!! )

Best,

Hi Anka and Melia.....YES we would love to have you at the "anniversary table." I always say the more the merrier. DCL can put tables together for us....we can do a big group. YEAH!!!!!

Happy to have you join us....tell us more about yourself. Who are you travelling with? How many cruises have you taken?

It's just me and DH John travelling. This will be number 14 for me. We'll be platinum after our Oct 2010 B2B Bahamas cruises....a four night and a three night. Then we're booked on the maiden voyage of the DREAM and we're doing the La - Vancouver as a B2B with the first Alaska. I'm so excited to be doing those. Then we're doing this one. I have another one that I'm going to book after this....anoter DREAM in Nov 2011. I'm booking that one this week.

Can you tell we just love being onboard DCL.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

So I see our tablemate and my freind Kat has not popped on her yet. I hope she joins us soon.

You're all going to love Kat and Jim, they are good people and a lot of fun and laughs. This will be our third cruise with them. We met in 2001 on our first cruise, an Eastern. DCL sat us at an "anniversary table" at the time. We had such a great time, we sailed with them again in 2001 on a Southern. That was one of my favorite cruises to date. I'm a big turtle lover and collector....plus I have four live ones at home....and we snorkeled with sea turtles in Barbados. That was and still is one of the highlights of my life. I was so thrilled.

Kat called me and said they wanted to do this cruise. I said, if you're doing it then we have to do it also....so here we are!!

 

[EllaEnchanted]

John and I went out in the hurricane winds and torrential rain yesterday. We had tickets to "Jesus Christ Superstar" at a local Theatre. I love live shows. This one was excellent. Ted Neeley played JC. He was so believeable. He even looked the part. Everyone sang beautifully....very powerful performance. Despite the weather, we had a good time.

 

[scothen]

Hi Scothen! I actually live in Long Beach IN, next to Grand Beach MI...I work in Chicago though. It's a long commute...but living in the vicinity of the beach (Lake Michigan) makes it worthwhile.

As i've never taken a transatlantic cruise, I honestly don't know what is the best under the circumstance. I can only speak of what I'm currently mulling over: as of now, planning on flying Weds night to get there on Thurs am, spend the whole of Thur-Fri to visit around Barcelona. If we can leave a day earlier, so much the better. I just don't know yet if DH or I can swing that, job-wise. In terms of hotels...I don't know what my fellow DISers think about booking hotels through Disney as an add-on to the cruise, but my initial sense is that the prices are higher than if I handled that part directly with the hotel. I've started looking at hotels on Trip Advisor. After looking at the map of Barcelona, DH and I concluded that we'd rather be closer to the places we want to visit, versus being by the port or on the beach. So that means a place on Las Rambla, possibly near the Gothic neighborhood. So far I've looked at (1) Hotel 1898, (2) Hotel Casa Camper; and (3) Hotel Montecarlo. The last 2 hotels I found out through reading posts on the DIS board. The first hotel I found out through good reviews in the TripAdvisor website. At the end of the day, it all depends of the number of people traveling, and how much you want to pay. It looks like there are many options at various price-points.

Best,

Melia,

I actually grew up in Crown Point, IN, and am familiar with the part of the state you are from. Do you ride the South Shore in to the city?
Thank you for the tips. I was looking to come in to Barcelona on Thursday as well. I hope to get to meet all of you on the cruise.

Scot

 

[Meliador]

John and I went out in the hurricane winds and torrential rain yesterday. We had tickets to "Jesus Christ Superstar" at a local Theatre. I love live shows. This one was excellent. Ted Neeley played JC. He was so believeable. He even looked the part. Everyone sang beautifully....very powerful performance. Despite the weather, we had a good time.

OMG Ella!! Are you guys doing ok? We read about all of the Eastern Seaboard storms...and how many people are still out of power. I'm praying that you are safe!!

I read on another post today that last week's stop at CC was cancelled due to 50knots wind. Now that's some serious wind!! I've sailed before on smaller yachts, and sailing in 20+ knots can be downright dangerous. However, on ships like DCL with all these fancy stabilizers, we should be ok! Btw, DH hopes he can get an "engineering" tour of the ship. I'm sure they don't let people on the bridge (for safety/security reasons), but I'm wondering if they allow some visits around the ship...

I had no idea you were taking all of these wonderful cruises! (including the Dream Maiden Voyage! Major Yay!!! ).

You know, taking all these cruises carry a great responsibility....you'll have to share your impressions of those travels, and tell us how these trips went!!

best,

 

[Meliador]

Melia,

I actually grew up in Crown Point, IN, and am familiar with the part of the state you are from. Do you ride the South Shore in to the city?
Thank you for the tips. I was looking to come in to Barcelona on Thursday as well. I hope to get to meet all of you on the cruise.

Scot

I know where you're from Scot!! Just had my car serviced in nearby Merrillville last week!! And yes, I do take the SouthShore into the city. I have to take a very early train (like 5:50am), but it's very convenient. Come summer though, I like to drive in town. How about you? Do you work in the Loop?

I'm assuming you guys will be flying out of ORD on the Weds night? Do you plan to fly on AA or UA?

I'm already starting to monitor costs for the flight, but it won't open until Sept...so in the meantime, I try to "extrapolate" on the costs, based on what I see for September of this year. I'm so excited....so unbelievable. Let me know which hotel your family ends up choosing! I'd very much like to compare notes...

Best,

 

[Meliador]

So I see our tablemate and my freind Kat has not popped on her yet. I hope she joins us soon.

You're all going to love Kat and Jim, they are good people and a lot of fun and laughs. This will be our third cruise with them. We met in 2001 on our first cruise, an Eastern. DCL sat us at an "anniversary table" at the time. We had such a great time, we sailed with them again in 2001 on a Southern. That was one of my favorite cruises to date. I'm a big turtle lover and collector....plus I have four live ones at home....and we snorkeled with sea turtles in Barbados. That was and still is one of the highlights of my life. I was so thrilled.

Kat called me and said they wanted to do this cruise. I said, if you're doing it then we have to do it also....so here we are!!

Nothing better than joining friends and sharing an experience as special as DCL! I love the idea!

I was in Tortola these past few years, and I saw turtles *every* time I went snorkeling there. Big turtles! Like those that are 2ft in diameter. They're so gracious....how they raise their neck to check you out...and then they might get curious and get even closer...until they bow and dive back in the deep. You're so right Ella...it's very special. If you like doing that...then you may want to consider doing the snorkeling at the Indians in BVI. Norman Island is pretty good too, but I've seen turtles at the end of the day there, not in plain daylight (I've been chartering sailboats in BVI for many years). However, maybe you've already done that....if you haven't...there is a gorgeous secluded beach in BVI that's worth visiting...I don't think it's on DCL excursions...but if a few people share a taxi, we can easily get there. Sort of a secret though...

OK, I have a question on the "mechanics" of the cruise, and as an expert Ellla, I'm hoping to benefit from your views...I've read many threads/posts about tipping. In general, I think it's fair to say that people can have strong views/be very emotional about it. Some people seem to say that they're not really responsible for the employer/employee relationship between DCL/CM...and tipping should reflect good as well as poor service. Here were my thoughts on that...let me know if I'm plain wrong or else, as the last thing I want is to deprive hardworking individuals from their $$:

1) while it's true that we're not in charge of the employer/employee relationship between DCL/CM, the system is designed in a way where a material portion of the CM's compensation comes from the tips. I think it is something that would be hard to ignore, no matter how much we tried.

What is your experience about service vs tipping? Before we reduce tips, shouldn't we at least try to share our views with GS, and give the chance to the CM to "make it right?" I always err on the "generous" side when it comes to tipping. I'm "knocking on wood" here, but I can't recall an instance where I had to reduce the usual tip I would give b/c of bad service. Sure sometimes we can get a "bad apple"....but I've been taught by my mother that with a smile and a polite demeanor, we could easily get out point across.

Am I mistaken here or am I being totally Polyanna?

What has been your past experiences on DCL, especially on longer cruises?

Thankyou thankyou my friend!!!

 

[Carys]

Well I'm not from a tipping culture, so the easiest and most comfortable thing for me is to pre-purchase tips and then not think about them again until the envelopes come out. I think kiwis in general just want to know what the whole price is, pay it beforehand, and forget about money while on vacation. I think if Disney just made tips compulsory to pre-purchase and included them in the up front price, you'd be hard put to find a kiwi who'd complain.

If I were to get bad service, then I'd be taking up the issue not because of the tips, but because DCL is alot of money to pay to have a mediocre holiday, so I'd expect DCL to sort their staff out. We had wonderful servers on our cruise last year, I hope my luck next year holds

 

[EllaEnchanted]

OMG Ella!! Are you guys doing ok? We read about all of the Eastern Seaboard storms...and how many people are still out of power. I'm praying that you are safe!!

I read on another post today that last week's stop at CC was cancelled due to 50knots wind. Now that's some serious wind!! I've sailed before on smaller yachts, and sailing in 20+ knots can be downright dangerous. However, on ships like DCL with all these fancy stabilizers, we should be ok! Btw, DH hopes he can get an "engineering" tour of the ship. I'm sure they don't let people on the bridge (for safety/security reasons), but I'm wondering if they allow some visits around the ship...

I had no idea you were taking all of these wonderful cruises! (including the Dream Maiden Voyage! Major Yay!!! ).

You know, taking all these cruises carry a great responsibility....you'll have to share your impressions of those travels, and tell us how these trips went!!

best,

I'm fine. We were lucky. I think people on Long Island in New York don't have power for many days. We are used to living rural in the mountains....we have our own generator, we have a snow plow on a big truck with huge tires, we're ready for whatever the elements bring. Thanks for asking and being concerned.

DH will be able to take a tour of the bridge, DCL offers tours of a lot of areas of the ship including the galley too. Just check your "Navigators" that are delivered under your door every night while you're having dinner. The following day's activities are listed in each Navigator. Many people bring highlighters to make it easier for them to schedule activities. NOTE: You will want to do many things and only get to about half of them for real. I always want to do so much that I overschedule and never get to everything. That's why I keep cruising though....gotta go back and do it again. Don't forget to schedule some down time to so that you can relax when you want. Deck 4 has lounge chairs and a strolling promenade if you want to sit or walk. It's my favorite deck because it's so close to the water. Deck 9 has all the pools, there are three of them....kids only, families, adults only....with the quiet cove cafe....again adults only. You can get specialty coffees and pastries in there and just sit and read a book or go online because it's a wifi hot spot if you pay for the internet connection. One thing is, you definitely will not be bored.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Nothing better than joining friends and sharing an experience as special as DCL! I love the idea!

I was in Tortola these past few years, and I saw turtles *every* time I went snorkeling there. Big turtles! Like those that are 2ft in diameter. They're so gracious....how they raise their neck to check you out...and then they might get curious and get even closer...until they bow and dive back in the deep. You're so right Ella...it's very special. If you like doing that...then you may want to consider doing the snorkeling at the Indians in BVI. Norman Island is pretty good too, but I've seen turtles at the end of the day there, not in plain daylight (I've been chartering sailboats in BVI for many years). However, maybe you've already done that....if you haven't...there is a gorgeous secluded beach in BVI that's worth visiting...I don't think it's on DCL excursions...but if a few people share a taxi, we can easily get there. Sort of a secret though...

OK, I have a question on the "mechanics" of the cruise, and as an expert Ellla, I'm hoping to benefit from your views...I've read many threads/posts about tipping. In general, I think it's fair to say that people can have strong views/be very emotional about it. Some people seem to say that they're not really responsible for the employer/employee relationship between DCL/CM...and tipping should reflect good as well as poor service. Here were my thoughts on that...let me know if I'm plain wrong or else, as the last thing I want is to deprive hardworking individuals from their $$:

1) while it's true that we're not in charge of the employer/employee relationship between DCL/CM, the system is designed in a way where a material portion of the CM's compensation comes from the tips. I think it is something that would be hard to ignore, no matter how much we tried.

What is your experience about service vs tipping? Before we reduce tips, shouldn't we at least try to share our views with GS, and give the chance to the CM to "make it right?" I always err on the "generous" side when it comes to tipping. I'm "knocking on wood" here, but I can't recall an instance where I had to reduce the usual tip I would give b/c of bad service. Sure sometimes we can get a "bad apple"....but I've been taught by my mother that with a smile and a polite demeanor, we could easily get out point across.

Am I mistaken here or am I being totally Polyanna?

What has been your past experiences on DCL, especially on longer cruises?

Thankyou thankyou my friend!!!

I just wrote a nice long answer and then by accident deleted the whole thing. So this time is going to be shorter.

The jist of it was....Melia, please tell me the name of the beach in Tortola. I will be happy to take a cab and go swimming with the sea turtles. I was in Tortola this past September and just did an island tour. It's breathtakingly beautiful. I would love to see the turtles this time when we stop there.

Tipping vs. Service....DCL has failed if their service is just good....they strive for EXCELLENCE. They are known for providing that personal touch to everyone who sails. They will have earned the recommended amounts that DCL will suggest you tip. I have ALWAYS gone over that amount because the crew deserved it. They have a formula of a recommended amount for each category times the number of days on your cruise times the number of persons travelling with you. The categories to be tipped are the head waiter, the waiter, the assistant waiter and the stateroom host/ess. You will receive an envelope to hand out on the last night of your cruise. You can prepay the recommended amounts if you prefer. Naturally, bartenders and cocktail waitresses are at your discretion.

If, by chance you run into a problem with anything....you contact guest services and they will immediately remedy it. You are treated like royalty on DCL. That's why they cost more than other cruise lines. You can cruise on other lines and pay less, but you won't get the personal attention that you get onboard DCL. We have never crusied with anyone else and we won't. We have lots of friends that have tried and compared. This is what they say.

One example, the first night of dinner I get asked what I would like to drink. When I arrive at the table it's there waiting for me on the rest of the cruise. I'll get asked on the first night how I like to take my coffee after dinner and for every other night of the cruise, it will just show up the way I like it after dinner. If I prefer something different, I just have to let them know and it's no problem, they will get it. If I want mozzarella sticks on my table everynight for dinner, I just have to ask for it once and they will be on my table every night without ever asking again. Also, even if you are not travelling with kids, ask for the kids menu the first night and you will get it every night thereafter. Sometimes you just don't feel like having gourmet and want to keep dinner simple. The key is pamper, pamper, pamper. That's how DCL treats you.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Well I'm not from a tipping culture, so the easiest and most comfortable thing for me is to pre-purchase tips and then not think about them again until the envelopes come out. I think kiwis in general just want to know what the whole price is, pay it beforehand, and forget about money while on vacation. I think if Disney just made tips compulsory to pre-purchase and included them in the up front price, you'd be hard put to find a kiwi who'd complain.

If I were to get bad service, then I'd be taking up the issue not because of the tips, but because DCL is alot of money to pay to have a mediocre holiday, so I'd expect DCL to sort their staff out. We had wonderful servers on our cruise last year, I hope my luck next year holds

This will be DCL cruise number 14 for me and I have yet to have a bad experience or a problem with anything. At the end of the cruise DCL will give you a survey. They want you to rate them. They listen to what you have to say and they take your suggestions. Every cruise gets the Excellent rating from me right on down the line because they deserve it.

 

[AnkaG]

Hi Anka and Melia.....YES we would love to have you at the "anniversary table." I always say the more the merrier. DCL can put tables together for us....we can do a big group. YEAH!!!!!

Happy to have you join us....tell us more about yourself. Who are you travelling with? How many cruises have you taken?

My husband and I will be on our second cruise, for our second anniversary! We got married on aug. 29th 2009, and we had our honeymoon on the magic for a western car. cruise. We didn't have a great weather, but it was sooooo awesome, that the rain didn't bother us too much (other than in Grand Cayman where our tour was canceled, and they only told us once we were on the island... and it was POURING rain!!!)

So I am really looking forward to getting to know you guys. Thanks for the spot on the table! By the way, we are French Canadian, but our English is really good, we both work in English (but since it's not my first language, please forgive my spelling and things like that!! )

Ok, gotta go back to work! I used to come here sooooo much when planning my first cruise, I SERIOUSLY must have read 100 trip reports. Now I try to pace myself, because it CAN be addictive!

Bonne journée!
Anne-Karine

 

[BigHugsForEeyore]

.

 

[Meliador]

Welcome on board Sarah!! Must be so much fun to take a family trip...and across the Atlantic like our ancestors (at east mine....though I suspect they were travelling "steerage"... )!!

Anka: I too am French Canadian...so totally hear you re: syntax. Though I "turn on" lights....I still "close" them!

Hope all is well with everybody getting on board the WBTA. I can't wait 'til we're at the one year countdown, then we'll have to get this thread moving!

Best,

 

[Meliador]

Hi Ella!! Hope all is well in your neck of the woods!

Beach that I'm referring to in To-To-la is Smugglers' Cove, separated from Long Bay Beach by a mountain called the Sugar Loaf. It's about 2 miles (going through Hills) from Sopers' Hole. So basically it shouldn't be that much more expensive than taking a cab from Road Harbour to Sopers Hole. Take a look: http://www.bareboatsbvi.com/t_beaches_smugglers_cove.html

I read something on another post about Long Bay Beach now being nasty and rocky. I really don't understand what has happened b/c that beach used to be absolutely stunning...so we'd need to be on the lookout for changes to the cove.

Take care!

 

[BigHugsForEeyore]

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[CINGULARONE@YAHOO.CO]

Our cruise holiday is now even better!!!

We've booked 6 nights at the 'Wilderness Lodge' and bought a 5 day Park-Hopper ticket (which includes the water parks) - this will be our first time at WDW! I feel ready to explode with excitement!

But some help please - what is the best way to get from Port Canaveral to WDW? Can we add transport to our cruise package for that journey only or is there a bus that goes that way anyway? I did a search but it seems most people go from WDW to Port Canaveral instead and I couldn't find the right info. We really don't want to do car-hire. Thank you for any help/advice given.

I am quite surpirsed that you can book this far out. The last I looked, Disney was only taking reservations through December of this year. I guess I will need to book for us as well.

The easiest way is to take the Disney shuttle (bus) from the ship directly to your hotel.

Hope all is well-

 

[BigHugsForEeyore]

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