The Med Thread - All Sailings - Mediterranean

[MrsJobba1]

I've not had my breakfast yet, but spent the morning scanning the excursions

Yay for me they've got a short one to Pisa

but dh is going to be upset I can't see any scuba diving

 

[EPCOT_VA]

OK, here's the scoop.

You can book shore excursions up to 105 days in advance based on the following guidelines.

105 Days - Concierge Level Guests (Stateroom Categories 1-3)
90 Days - Castaway Club Member (People who have sailed previously on DCL)
75 Days - First Time Disney Cruisers (The rest of us)

Does anybody have a guess as to how likely it is that "the best" excursions will be completely booked before they get to the 75 day group?

 

[profdsny]

Does anybody have a guess as to how likely it is that "the best" excursions will be completely booked before they get to the 75 day group?

My guess it tours won't be completly booked until the time of the cruise, because I would imagine that if a tour gets close to be full, they'll just add on another tour bus, guide, etc. I would imagine they will try to accomodate as many as possible. However, I wouldn't be surprised if some get canceled if there is little interest.
I like the idea of private tours, however since there is only the 2 of us, the prices aren't terrible for what you will get(and it is an aniversary tour). Our biggest interest is in Italy, with Florence, Rome, and Naples. We've been to Nice and Monte Carlo, so will do that on our own. The others we will just wing. Maybe just take a bus or cab into the city and do it on our own.
But, does anyone have an idea how someone can do 2 tours at a port? There are some places it would be hard to choose.

 

[OurDogCisco]

OK, here's the scoop.

You can book shore excursions up to 105 days in advance based on the following guidelines.

105 Days - Concierge Level Guests (Stateroom Categories 1-3)
90 Days - Castaway Club Member (People who have sailed previously on DCL)
75 Days - First Time Disney Cruisers (The rest of us)

Does anybody have a guess as to how likely it is that "the best" excursions will be completely booked before they get to the 75 day group?

Well, I was misinformed yesterday. The rep told me that Castaway Club Members book at 105 days. She even gave me my date at 105 days out. So, I'll have to call back.

Anyways, I con't think the tours will book up at all.

 

[Skallywag]

Do Disney send a brochure to us giving details and timings of the exursions. We never received anything on our last cruise but hope in view of the number to choose we get somemthing thrugh the post.

Timings would also be helpful i.e. morning or afternoon if you want to plan anything else.
Brenda

 

[mom_rules]

Isn't there also something about having to have paid in full before booking excursions etc?

 

[OurDogCisco]

Timings would also be helpful i.e. morning or afternoon if you want to plan anything else.
Brenda

When I called DCL yesterday, they said that they didn't have the times yet.

In fact they didn't even have the tours loaded into their computers yet. At least my rep couldn't find it.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Isn't there also something about having to have paid in full before booking excursions etc?

I believe you are correct.

 

[MrsJobba1]

Do Disney send a brochure to us giving details and timings of the exursions. We never received anything on our last cruise but hope in view of the number to choose we get somemthing thrugh the post.

Timings would also be helpful i.e. morning or afternoon if you want to plan anything else.
Brenda

Hey Brenda,

DCL do send out a fact file detailing the day you can book Palo & Excursions (at least they did last year for my western)

I also recieved a letter a month ago saying that 5 months before you sail you'll recieve a "complete set of brochures that will help you plan pack and prepare for a vacation of a lifetime. "

Helen xx

 

[Skallywag]

Hi Helen,
Thanks for that information we booked through DU but have never had any information concerning excursions or brochures. Must check up on this as would like to be able to browse.

Brenda

 

[AnnaS]

We also have early seating and requested 6 pm. I also thought of switching to late - but we can't eat that late and my "kids", lol are denitiely not kids - then again, they can eat late, us parents can't.

We are also planning on eating at Topsiders when and if we come back too late for 6pm. As of now, dinner when in Rome, will probably be off the Magic.

Does anyone know when formal/semi-formal will be? Hopefully Sea days?

 

[EPCOT_VA]

Well, I was misinformed yesterday. The rep told me that Castaway Club Members book at 105 days. She even gave me my date at 105 days out. So, I'll have to call back.

Anyways, I con't think the tours will book up at all.

The info that I got came from the "My Cruise Plans" section of www.disneycruise.com. I did a cut and paste on the text below.

Reserved Shore Excursions

You may not reserve shore excursions at this time. Please return 75 days prior to embarkation. If you are a Castaway Club member, you may return 90 days prior to embarkation. If you are a Concierge Guest, you may return 105 days prior to embarkation.

 

[Doingitagain]

I finally have some information to share! I just got off the phone with DCL:

1. When I called in months ago to book a hotel prestay, they made us get 2 rooms for a family of four and said they didn't have suites available. I checked again a few days ago, and they said they could waitlist for a larger room. Today, I noticed my "balance due" dropped $660 and I called and found out that we cleared the wait list and have one room for four rather than two rooms. The web site says the room has a maximum occupancy of three, so they probably will bring in a rollaway. I think that if you have a baby as a fifth person, you could also get just one larger room like this.

2. The CM said they are starting to clear airfare also. She said they will likely be chartering full planes from JFK and Florida.

3. She said a vacation planning book (with excursions) should come to us about 135 days before our cruise date.

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

I look forward to the vacation planning book.

 

[Skallywag]

I look forward to the vacation planning book.

Just a warning to non US cruisers not to get excited about the vacation planning book. It looks as if not only are they not advertising these cruises over here we are not to get the information.

I think this is a disgrace and have told them so in an email. If anyone can clarify this for us would be most grateful otherwise will seriously consider cancelling and sail with a company who does treat all passengers the same.


Unfortunately, due to International Privacy Laws, our Vacation Planning
Kit and brochures can only be mailed to guests who live in the U.S.,
Canada, and Puerto Rico.

Sorry to lead off like this but it is Monday morning, cold and I am very upset.

Brenda

 

[MrsJobba1]

 

[Rogillio]

This trip is getting vewry expensive! So far we have:

$13,632.00 Cat 5 room

$3,617.08 RT air from Huntsville, AL to Barcelona

Hotel in Barcelona: ~ $300

Shore excursions: ~$2,500

Tips, taxis, walkin' 'round money, souvenirs etc: ~$2,000

Estimated total: $22,000.00

Dang. No wonder my wife is upset with me for booking this thing. Oh well, it's just money right? Money has no value to you spend it…at least that's what I tell my wife.

~Mike

 

[scottishwee35]

Aye, feel like that

Scottishwee35

 

[disneylover5]

Unfortunately, due to International Privacy Laws, our Vacation Planning
Kit and brochures can only be mailed to guests who live in the U.S.,
Canada, and Puerto Rico.


Brenda

If it helps, I will get extra ones and send them to whoever requests them. Send me a PM with your address and I will keep it.

Merry Christmas!!

 

[profdsny]

Few things I noticed on today's posts.

One, something about chartered flights? Sounds interesting, but, I would think IF they are going to do that, they better announce real soon. My guess is that a lot of people are booked by now. I would have been also if AirFrance and American Express would renew their agreement for rewards points.

Also, the cost: I suspect that there is a point that some my reach soon where this thing is just going to be too expensive. The excursion are expensive and I can see on some where a family of 4 might spend $1,000 just for a day in a port. I'm guess that there are going to be some groups that figure this is much more than they want to spend, and back out.