The MAGIC is Back!!! ~ WBTA 2014 ~ Come & join the fun!

[MandyGirl]

1. Has anyone figured out the best way to determine what's a reasonably priced airfare to get to/from Barcelona and P.R.? I can't seem to find any historic pricing info.

2. What's the best airfare tracker/notification site out there (Kayak?)?

Thanks

Congrats on booking! That's us as well - only 7- and 14-night cruises so far on any of the cruiselines we have traveled.

Airfare - For the EBTA this summer we were able to get one-way airfare on Iceland Air from Barcelona to DFW (including a stopover in Iceland) for $550 each. I think we are cashing in AA miles this time and visiting elsewhere pre-cruise in Europe prior to WBTA.

Coming home from San Juan, you now have Southwest flying into SJU relatively new), and we have purchased tickets on American and Jet Blue in previous years for as low as $99 one-way from the Florida area. We may be trading in points for Southwest to come home.

I watch kayak but also peek in on other websites, and when I do see a good airfare then I also look at the airline's website directly. For example, the same $550 airfare we booked on Iceland Air directly was showing $200 more per person on cheapoair.com for the exact same flights.

 

[JessicasMom]

1. Has anyone figured out the best way to determine what's a reasonably priced airfare to get to/from Barcelona and P.R.? I can't seem to find any historic pricing info.

2. What's the best airfare tracker/notification site out there (Kayak?)?

Thanks

Thanks for the Alaska info...very helpful hints.

Last time we flew to Barcelona, it was around $500pp EWR > BCN. I think we booked on cheapoair.com. My new favorite tracking site is Hipmunk.com. I like their layout and the info is pretty current. Over the last few months, I'd been following airfare for three different groups of family members to Seattle and home from Vancouver, and Hipmunk was the easiest/best tracker, by far. However, I did find a great price drop on an airline's own site, booked the flight, then rec'd a Hipmunk notification about 8 hrs. later, so it's not fool-proof. I always check the airline sites first, anyway, but also use Expedia to see the various combinations out there. For one of our groups, it was cheaper to book two one-way flights on different airlines, which I wouldn't have known about if not for an Expedia check (but I won't pay their service charge unless there's no other option). It's quite a game the airlines make us play .

 

[lilpooh108]

I just have never witnessed this sort of behavior on any of the other cruiselines we have been on. (Yes, I said it out loud, we cruise other lines other than Disney - waiting for the flames now.)

Sigh. So sorry people's hard work is being treated like this.

Isn't this just craziness??? This is a wonderful vacation that people plan and save for, only to have petty nonsense cast a shadow on the fun of it all. No flames here....we're doing NCL next month and I am always open to other lines for a great deal. I love DCL for the longer cruises but am even beginning to reconsider this one. There are obviously some people in the group that thrive on drama and don't want the experience to be "Magical"...I just don't get it .

I am not that active on this thread at all, but for a reason --- in joining a few months back I noticed that there was some drama. It really did turn me off and I unsubscribed b/c vacations are supposed to be fun and not full of clique-drama -- not that I even know who the cliques are since I avoided those posts. See no evil, hear no evil, YKWIM?

I really hope that the *vibe* will be different/is different going forward.

Happy thoughts ... happy thoughts.

C'mon people -- 14 days on the reimagined Magic! *Free* food! No washing dishes! You get to start out in Barcelona, full of more wonderful food. Oh yeah, and some architectural in the middle of all that amazing seafood. What's there to drama about

My strategy is always to use miles for the one-ways. Some people book a RT and then just don't use the other half and it's cheaper. We only fly United (to get Premier status), so we book 330 days out (which is their window). Other airlines have different time frames.

We're using miles too for this trip.

For anyone booking RTs and throwing away one leg-- don't put in your frequent flyer mile account number for the trip if you plan on throwing away one leg. There's some talk on the Flyertalk forums that the fine print says the airlines can charge you for the one-way, etc. I've never done this, but thought I'd put it out there in case anyone is doing it this way. If you have FF accounts w/credit cards attached (like me), that might become an issue.

K wait, whaaaa????

Hazel and Annie are banned? I obviously haven't been around to know why (I'm on vacation at Cedar Point!).

Who is organizing the FE now?

 

[LindaBabe]

Good Morning Happy Cruisers. At least I guess we're happy cruisers, what the HECK is going on around here? Can someone clue me in?

I've been awol because of renovations and starting a new business.

My countdown calendars weren't counting, so I deleted them, and only remade the closest one, but still on this cruise.

Happy Day, all!

 

[MandyGirl]

I am not that active on this thread at all, but for a reason --- in joining a few months back I noticed that there was some drama. It really did turn me off and I unsubscribed b/c vacations are supposed to be fun and not full of clique-drama -- not that I even know who the cliques are since I avoided those posts. See no evil, hear no evil, YKWIM?

I really hope that the *vibe* will be different/is different going forward.

Happy thoughts ... happy thoughts.

That may have been while I was on EBTA/Europe vacation for 5 weeks. It does put a damper but it will still be a great cruise anyway! And I say this just having my tonsils out yesterday as an adult -- there are far worse things to be snippy about; being healthy and alive to travel is an amazing thing to not take for granted!

Who is organizing the FE now?

I believe I read from the Facebook thread that Pat (PFlamingo) is taking it on. She was our WBTA 2011 FE coordinator and did a fantabulous job!

Good Morning Happy Cruisers. At least I guess we're happy cruisers, what the HECK is going on around here? Can someone clue me in?

I've been awol because of renovations and starting a new business.

I believe I read Hazel and Annie, who were on our WBTA 2011 and fabulous positive contributors, have been turned in as a supposed troll. They have spent years on this board helping others have magical vacations, and also organized the FE on the first Magic Med cruise in June. Subsequently the email address they used on page one in organizing FE was also removed.

I'm like you - been traveling a lot this summer, and yesterday just had my tonsils out, so have recuperation time in bed to read (and plan vacations!).

 

[gramfrog]

Alaska was great--we did the train in Skagway and enjoyed it (it's a small little town, but seemed to be more real than the other ports. If you walk up the RR tracks after crossing the bridge near 2nd Street you can find little areas where the salmon congregate (if they're still running) and get up close enough to touch the fish -- a very small salmon run compared to Ketchikan. Skagway Brewing company wasn't anything special, but it was fun stop to grab a meal and drink locally brewed beer. We rented a car in Juneau and went up to Mendenhall Glacier, but they run bus service up there too (be sure to check out the bear viewing platform while there). There's the famous Tracy's crab shack in Juneau -- good place to sit down and grub (it's literally a shack and it's outside dining only). Ketchikan had 1000s of salmon running -- best viewed if you take the trail along historic Creek Street and when it gets to the ladder (non-obvious, but it's at the bridge) be sure to go across the street and continue to follow the river (way easier to view the fish).

THANKS! Great info!!

 

[Pinky166]

The FE is now being organised by Pat (PFlamingo), all the information Annemarie had is in the process of being handed over to Pat.

The email address is no longer in use so new cruisers wishing to sign up to the FE please PM Pat. (PFlamingo). If you had already signed up through the email address then you don't need to do it again.

Pat is dealing with a family illness at the moment so give her time and i'm sure when things are calmer she will post here with an updated list and reply to any PM's.

 

[Pinkocto]

Hi everybody, it's been ages since I posted but I'm still coming. I'm going to try to catch up but it will be a while. I was starting to think about airfare and figured this is where I'll hear the best info.

 

[Pinkocto]

Connie and I are going to make pins again for the 2014 WBTA cruise Each pin is 4.6 Euros or $6.50 US Dollars. Pins need to be prepaid on PayPal before August 1, 2014.

Please mark the PayPal payment as a gift to either Noel Birkner for US Dollars at birkner@needinfo.com or Connie van Maaren ( p.vanmaaren@chello.nl) for Euro payments.

Be sure you put either your DIS of FB name in the PayPal notes so we know where the payment came from and can properly credit you.

Pins will be distributed at a location to be determined later on the ship.

If you have any questions, you can either PM Connie or Noel.

Here are pictures of the logos and the actual pin from 2010.

I definitely want one please, thank you for doing this

 

[birkner]

I definitely want one please, thank you for doing this

Please PM me your stateroom number and your first and last name.

 

[LindaBabe]

Sorry to hear about Hazel and Annie. They certainly enhanced the pleasure of the scrapbooking group on the last cruise we shared, and this old lady, for one, will NOT believe they are "trolls" whatever that is.

On the other hand, I am Thrilled to hear PFlamingo is on this cruise! She's all the things I wish I was - smart, creative, WELL ORGanized.

It's getting to be like old home week on this cruise!

 

[Con5421]

Welcome to all new cruisers.

In a few days or trip to Vancouver begins and on monday we will go on the Alaska cruise. I have a blog about or trip it's in Dutch but there's a translate program on the blog. If you like you can take a look at the blog.

http://patconcruise.blogspot.nl

 

[lilpooh108]

And I say this just having my tonsils out yesterday as an adult -- there are far worse things to be snippy about; being healthy and alive to travel is an amazing thing to not take for granted!


I believe I read from the Facebook thread that Pat (PFlamingo) is taking it on. She was our WBTA 2011 FE coordinator and did a fantabulous job!

Totally agree -- I'm having my 2nd surgery this year for a health issue and being happy & healthy is something I no longer take for granted. This cruise is a major motivation for me to exercise and get better after my surgery.

Please PM me your stateroom number and your first and last name.

Sounds great. WE LOVE pins around here. Will be PM'ing you

 

[MagicMe]

And I say this just having my tonsils out yesterday as an adult -- there are far worse things to be snippy about; being healthy and alive to travel is an amazing thing to not take for granted!

Hope you are feeling better!

Pat is dealing with a family illness at the moment so give her time and i'm sure when things are calmer she will post here with an updated list and reply to any PM's.

To Pat - I hope things work out soon for you. thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

Welcome to all new cruisers.

In a few days or trip to Vancouver begins and on monday we will go on the Alaska cruise. I have a blog about or trip it's in Dutch but there's a translate program on the blog. If you like you can take a look at the blog.

http://patconcruise.blogspot.nl

Loved my trip in 2011!!! Vancouver is a beautiful city and can't say enough about our experience with Alaska! I hope to do this cruise again in the future!! ENJOY!!!

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

And I say this just having my tonsils out yesterday as an adult

Haven't been on this thread much in the last few months. But just saw this. As someone else who had their tonsils out as an adult - I sure can commiserate.

And welcome to all of our new cruisers!

 

[scottishwee35]

Sorry to hear about Hazel and Annie. They certainly enhanced the pleasure of the scrapbooking group on the last cruise we shared, and this old lady, for one, will NOT believe they are "trolls" whatever that is.

On the other hand, I am Thrilled to hear PFlamingo is on this cruise! She's all the things I wish I was - smart, creative, WELL ORGanized.

It's getting to be like old home week on this cruise!

LindaBabe

hello your name ring bell that I have met u on Panama Canal 2008? Is that right and you did serve wonderful scrap book.

Scottishwee35

 

[Goofy Adpi]

For those of you that were on the 2011 or 2010 WBTA, or any other "extended" cruise, how do the wine packages work? Is it twice the 7-day price? Can you get a smaller amount?

Also, are there any prohibitions of sharing a wine package with another group? I know it wouldn't be done through DCL, but if two cabins made arrangements would DCL frown upon that?

TIA

 

[PFlamingo]

Hi Everyone!

Haven't been here in a while, as things have been a bit complicated lately, so I haven't read through the recent posts. I'm going to be taking over the FE Exchange from Hazel and Annie. Claire will be updating the info on page 1 soon. Basically, you can pm me here or on Facebook from the WBTA 2013 page with your info if you want to join. Hazel and Annie have sent me all the information they have, so if you have already sent them a request, you won't need to message me.

At the moment, I'm in Orlando, because my mom was admitted to the ICU Friday with a broken hip. I'm staying at their place, looking after my dad, getting him to and from the hospital every day, and making sure he eats and gets enough rest himself. It's been a rough few days, as Mom is elderly and has had quite a few complications they've had to sort out before they can operate on her hip. The surgery is tentatively scheduled for tomorrow, barring any new complications. We are hopeful that it will go well and she will soon be on the road to recovery.

That said, I will do my best to keep up with any requests to join the FE, here and on FB. Thanks for your understanding and patience!

PS Hey Linda, just saw your post. You are such a sweetie! Thanks for the compliments!

 

[MRAven]

Hi Everyone!

Haven't been here in a while, as things have been a bit complicated lately, so I haven't read through the recent posts. I'm going to be taking over the FE Exchange from Hazel and Annie. Claire will be updating the info on page 1 soon. Basically, you can pm me here or on Facebook from the WBTA 2013 page with your info if you want to join. Hazel and Annie have sent me all the information they have, so if you have already sent them a request, you won't need to message me.

At the moment, I'm in Orlando, because my mom was admitted to the ICU Friday with a broken hip. I'm staying at their place, looking after my dad, getting him to and from the hospital every day, and making sure he eats and gets enough rest himself. It's been a rough few days, as Mom is elderly and has had quite a few complications they've had to sort out before they can operate on her hip. The surgery is tentatively scheduled for tomorrow, barring any new complications. We are hopeful that it will go well and she will soon be on the road to recovery.

That said, I will do my best to keep up with any requests to join the FE, here and on FB. Thanks for your understanding and patience!

PS Hey Linda, just saw your post. You are such a sweetie! Thanks for the compliments!

I hope everything goes well with your Mom. .

 

[lilpooh108]

At the moment, I'm in Orlando, because my mom was admitted to the ICU Friday with a broken hip. I'm staying at their place, looking after my dad, getting him to and from the hospital every day, and making sure he eats and gets enough rest himself. It's been a rough few days, as Mom is elderly and has had quite a few complications they've had to sort out before they can operate on her hip. The surgery is tentatively scheduled for tomorrow, barring any new complications. We are hopeful that it will go well and she will soon be on the road to recovery.

I hope everything goes well.