That Fantasy can't steal our Magic! March 30, 2012

[UMTerp]

Sorry everyone I messed up the end of our old thread!!! I responded to some messages before I saw the end.

Sorry I've been offline for a while.

LV Disney Fan(atic) - We took the Native Way tour a number of years ago. It was really good. You should have a great time!

Dylcal - My kids were both born in Fairfax Hospital. I grew up in New Carrollton, MD and we had a boat in Annapolis when I was growing up. It is a small world!

brat5063 - Small world (more)!! My mom lived in Lusby, MD in your neck of the woods!

UMTerp

 

[UMTerp]

OK, here we are!!!!! Time to update our roll call with this new thread.....

karajeboo,

Would you add us please?

UMTerp - Brenda, Jim, Matthew (17), Ashlyn (14)

Thanks!

UMTerp

 

[Dylcal]

Sorry everyone I messed up the end of our old thread!!! I responded to some messages before I saw the end.

Sorry I've been offline for a while.

LV Disney Fan(atic) - We took the Native Way tour a number of years ago. It was really good. You should have a great time!

Dylcal - My kids were both born in Fairfax Hospital. I grew up in New Carrollton, MD and we had a boat in Annapolis when I was growing up. It is a small world!

brat5063 - Small world (more)!! My mom lived in Lusby, MD in your neck of the woods!

UMTerp

It sure is a small world!

 

[karajeboo]

Anyone interested in splittling a private charter excursion in Grand Cayman? I think we are going to book a private charter with Tammi and Tori (froglady23) and we could lower the cost if we get another family. I'm looking at Fat Fish Excursions right now. I researched all these charter companies on trip advisor and really like this one.......

It's $700 for up to 8 people (we currently have 5), so a family of 3 would be great!!!! I have the email from FatFish that I can email you if you are interested.......

Thanx!

 

[JWBmom]

Anyone interested in splittling a private charter excursion in Grand Cayman? I think we are going to book a private charter with Tammi and Tori (froglady23) and we could lower the cost if we get another family. I'm looking at Fat Fish Excursions right now. I researched all these charter companies on trip advisor and really like this one.......

It's $700 for up to 8 people (we currently have 5), so a family of 3 would be great!!!! I have the email from FatFish that I can email you if you are interested.......

Thanx!

kara- can you give more information on what is involved with this excursion?

 

[karajeboo]

kara- can you give more information on what is involved with this excursion?

It's Fat Fish Adventures and here is part of the email:

Our Private Boat Charter begins at 8:00am. You will enjoy your tour on our 30ft. Concept Luxury Speed Boat. The cost is $550US for 5 people (or less) for a 4 hour tour, $600US for 6 people and $700 US for up to 8 people. This is a private tour only for your group.
The tour includes a stop at Stingray Sandbar where you will feed, pet, play and kiss the Southern Stingrays. The next stop will be snorkeling along the Reef where you will see a variety of marine wildlife. Your third stop will be at Starfish Beach which is called that because of the starfish that hang out there. And your last stop will be at a beach bar/restaurant, where you can relax and purchase food and some very delicious island cocktails! - if you choose to.

All prices include transportation to and from the George Town Harbour. We pick up our guests at the entrance to the Hard Rock Café. This meeting spot is very easy to see and is a 2 minute walk from the cruise ship terminal.

 

[kikids]

After reading on the main boards about getting an additional OBC by transferring an existing reservation made on board to a travel agent, I started looking into Dreams Unlimited. But one question I can't find the answer to on the boards is this....when Dec. 31 comes along do I still book all my own Disney Excursion reservations or do they make those for me???? I'm a bit of a control freak when it comes to vacation planning and I don't really understand how much control I'm losing by putting the reservation in an agent's hands.

Cindy

 

[JWBmom]

After reading on the main boards about getting an additional OBC by transferring an existing reservation made on board to a travel agent, I started looking into Dreams Unlimited. But one question I can't find the answer to on the boards is this....when Dec. 31 comes along do I still book all my own Disney Excursion reservations or do they make those for me???? I'm a bit of a control freak when it comes to vacation planning and I don't really understand how much control I'm losing by putting the reservation in an agent's hands.

Cindy

Cindy,
You will book your shore excursions yourself through the Disney website.
At least that is what my TA told me when I asked-I am a total control freak myself and the only reason I booked with a TA was for the OBC
Wanted to add- it is my understanding that you have to have your final payment in to book the shore excursions early- (someone correct me if I am wrong)

 

[JWBmom]

It's Fat Fish Adventures and here is part of the email:

Our Private Boat Charter begins at 8:00am. You will enjoy your tour on our 30ft. Concept Luxury Speed Boat. The cost is $550US for 5 people (or less) for a 4 hour tour, $600US for 6 people and $700 US for up to 8 people. This is a private tour only for your group.
The tour includes a stop at Stingray Sandbar where you will feed, pet, play and kiss the Southern Stingrays. The next stop will be snorkeling along the Reef where you will see a variety of marine wildlife. Your third stop will be at Starfish Beach which is called that because of the starfish that hang out there. And your last stop will be at a beach bar/restaurant, where you can relax and purchase food and some very delicious island cocktails! - if you choose to.

All prices include transportation to and from the George Town Harbour. We pick up our guests at the entrance to the Hard Rock Café. This meeting spot is very easy to see and is a 2 minute walk from the cruise ship terminal.

Let me think about this one- how soon do you need to know?
We want to go to Stingray Sandbar, but we were also hoping to see the turtles as my dd loves them!

 

[Dylcal]

Cindy,
You will book your shore excursions yourself through the Disney website.
At least that is what my TA told me when I asked-I am a total control freak myself and the only reason I booked with a TA was for the OBC
Wanted to add- it is my understanding that you have to have your final payment in to book the shore excursions early- (someone correct me if I am wrong)

No you are right, you have to be paid in full in order to book excursions.

 

[karajeboo]

After reading on the main boards about getting an additional OBC by transferring an existing reservation made on board to a travel agent, I started looking into Dreams Unlimited. But one question I can't find the answer to on the boards is this....when Dec. 31 comes along do I still book all my own Disney Excursion reservations or do they make those for me???? I'm a bit of a control freak when it comes to vacation planning and I don't really understand how much control I'm losing by putting the reservation in an agent's hands.

Cindy

I used DU last cruise and I gve them this reservation too. I don't book any excursions through DCL, I do them on my own - DCL (and all cruise lines) mark them up quite a bit. But you do book your own no matter what.

Did y'all see that effective Sept 19th, new DCL alcohol policies? Only ONE bottle of wine or champagne per person may be brought on board OR 6 bottles of beer per person. So basically they have adopted the same rules as other cruise lines. So much for that "savings" that we saw...... I just hate that they are losing their identitiy and doing what everyone else does.....

 

[JWBmom]

Did y'all see that effective Sept 19th, new DCL alcohol policies? Only ONE bottle of wine or champagne per person may be brought on board OR 6 bottles of beer per person. So basically they have adopted the same rules as other cruise lines. So much for that "savings" that we saw...... I just hate that they are losing their identitiy and doing what everyone else does.....

I saw that today!
I wonder if my kids can bring some on- it does say per person

 

[kikids]

Wow, if that policy does change, I'll definitely need that extra $200 OBC from DU! It doesn't say anything about bringing rum/vodka/gin etc on board or buying it at the ports and bringing it on which I always did at Nassau without any problems. ???

What do you mean 'Is that light rum in my Aquafina bottle?', I wouldn't do that!

 

[JWBmom]

What do you mean 'Is that light rum in my Aquafina bottle?', I wouldn't do that!

 

[bonrea]

After reading on the main boards about getting an additional OBC by transferring an existing reservation made on board to a travel agent, I started looking into Dreams Unlimited. But one question I can't find the answer to on the boards is this....when Dec. 31 comes along do I still book all my own Disney Excursion reservations or do they make those for me???? I'm a bit of a control freak when it comes to vacation planning and I don't really understand how much control I'm losing by putting the reservation in an agent's hands.

Cindy

Someone please elaborate on this. Can you point me in the correct direction for doing this via a TA and getting the OBC?

 

[kikids]

Someone please elaborate on this. Can you point me in the correct direction for doing this via a TA and getting the OBC?

In a nutshell I booked my cruise on board when I was on my last cruise. I think this got me like a $400 OBC, but I don't remember exactly. I did not list a travel agent at that time. Now, at this point, if I transfer the reservation to a travel agent I am eligible to receive a partial or full credit from the receiving agency as well. With DU it's an extra $200 for this cruise.

If you already have a travel agent, or listed it when you booked your cruise, then your OBC's are all set.

My understanding though, is that if I want to change my stateroom or anything major, I need to go thru DU now, I can't just do it via the website or call Disney. This is why I asked the excursion question.

To get in on it, all I did was email Dreams Unlimited and they sent me an email link to fill out to transfer my reservation to their hands. There is probably a lot more about it (and transferring to agencies other than DU) on the main cruise boards but that's the jist.

 

[bonrea]

To get in on it, all I did was email Dreams Unlimited and they sent me an email link to fill out to transfer my reservation to their hands. There is probably a lot more about it (and transferring to agencies other than DU) on the main cruise boards but that's the jist.

WOW! I love the savings of booking while on board. This would increase the OBC and save more. I guess I'll have to call DCL to find out what my current OBC would be for this cruise.

Thanks much.

 

[karajeboo]

I saw that today!
I wonder if my kids can bring some on- it does say per person

Hmmmmm, well, since I'm already turning her college fund into a therapy fund.....

Wow, if that policy does change, I'll definitely need that extra $200 OBC from DU! It doesn't say anything about bringing rum/vodka/gin etc on board or buying it at the ports and bringing it on which I always did at Nassau without any problems. ???

What do you mean 'Is that light rum in my Aquafina bottle?', I wouldn't do that!

Oh believe me..... I will be cheating like heck this trip!!!!!

In a nutshell I booked my cruise on board when I was on my last cruise. I think this got me like a $400 OBC, but I don't remember exactly. I did not list a travel agent at that time. Now, at this point, if I transfer the reservation to a travel agent I am eligible to receive a partial or full credit from the receiving agency as well. With DU it's an extra $200 for this cruise.

If you already have a travel agent, or listed it when you booked your cruise, then your OBC's are all set.

My understanding though, is that if I want to change my stateroom or anything major, I need to go thru DU now, I can't just do it via the website or call Disney. This is why I asked the excursion question.

To get in on it, all I did was email Dreams Unlimited and they sent me an email link to fill out to transfer my reservation to their hands. There is probably a lot more about it (and transferring to agencies other than DU) on the main cruise boards but that's the jist.

Yes, this is correct. But DU was very good about helping me to secure the dining rotation I wanted last time......

 

[kikids]

Kara, speaking of dining rotations. Are these still the current dining rotations?
APPLAPL
LAAPLAP
PLLAPLA
The only one I would not want is the third, we weren't crazy about Lumieres/Tritons. I like Animator's Palate but my understanding is that the 'show' where the walls change only occurs once even if you eat there three times. Is that true?

Cindy

 

[karajeboo]

Kara, speaking of dining rotations. Are these still the current dining rotations?
APPLAPL
LAAPLAP
PLLAPLA
The only one I would not want is the third, we weren't crazy about Lumieres/Tritons. I like Animator's Palate but my understanding is that the 'show' where the walls change only occurs once even if you eat there three times. Is that true? Cindy

Yes, this was the case on the Eastern...... They call it a "show dinner." I think the walls change each time but the actual "show" with Sorcerer Mickey, only occurs once. Or DO the walls change each time??? Now I can't remember!!! Anyone????

Someone on another thread said the roations for the Western are APLLAPL, PLAAPLA, LAPPLAP. Anyone?

Funny, AP was my least favorite of the dining rooms, I guess because I felt like I was eating in a 1950's kitchen when there was no show. The black plastic chairs were weird. Lumiere's was okay, but I actually enjoyed PC the most - I thought it had the best atmosphere...... We had a great rotation on the Eastern though. We were in PC for Pirate Night and Lumiere's for formal night..... trying to request something similar this time but the rotation is so much different!