The4OfUs...."Romantic Escape at Sea" Pkg

[Grumbo]

No its not too late.
I am on the March 6th Eastern and after reading this thread I ordered the package with All Season's Travel earlier this week and Disney won't call til 10 days out (This is one of the things that gets me is the discrepancy in info as to when Disney will call) so go for it if you want the package. Its not a problem.

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[rae519]

It's the confusion and discrepancies in what is being told to us when we call DCL that actually was the biggest headache for those poor people on the cancelled cruise (11/02).

There should be ONE SET of rules for everyone and one set guideline for people regardless of who calls (TA, DVC or individual) and that should be it.

But it seems that "your" answer is dependent upon whom is calling and which DCL rep answers the phone. At least that's what the entire thread prior to The4ofUs actually going and having the REAS package were being told -again, many, many thanks for being romantics The4OfUs!!!

I'll give it til 30 days out and then I'm calling. My money is just as good as someone who goes through DU or any other travel agency!!!

Rae (Mom had surgery yesterday, can you tell I didn't get much sleep???????)

 

[The4OfUs]

Originally posted by rae519
It's the confusion and discrepancies in what is being told to us when we call DCL that actually was the biggest headache for those poor people on the cancelled cruise (11/02).

There should be ONE SET of rules for everyone and one set guideline for people regardless of who calls (TA, DVC or individual) and that should be it.

But it seems that "your" answer is dependent upon whom is calling and which DCL rep answers the phone. At least that's what the entire thread prior to The4ofUs actually going and having the REAS package were being told -again, many, many thanks for being romantics The4OfUs!!!

I'll give it til 30 days out and then I'm calling. My money is just as good as someone who goes through DU or any other travel agency!!!

Rae (Mom had surgery yesterday, can you tell I didn't get much sleep???????)

Standing ovation for Rae, you said it perfectly, remember how before I went it was "you can do this" or "no, that can't be done..." - it's so frustrating. Isn't that what computers are for, so they can punch in the question, and everyone gets the same answer? And I agree 100%, my MIL called at 30 days out because we just wanted to get it set up, you pay the money and you have to wait SOOooo long to experience it - something as simple as making reservations can bring the vacation that one step closer, you know? And from what I understand, it really does as the person that my MIL, as well as Juli from this thread, worked with was a joy - beyond helpful, excited, knowledgable, friendly and full of suggestions for things like best times, best rotations, etc. MIL, a long time TA, was terribly impressed and that does not happen alot.

Hope all is well with your mom, Rae, sending good wishes your way...

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I still plan on doing this package... but my cruise is so far out! I am TRYING not to get my hopes up- because I really really want to do this package for a lot of reasons but not least of which is to be able to get palo and spa ressies (that are part of the package) ahead of time and not have to worry about it with my family of 5 when we get there.... for the first time... so we'd be scrambling and maybe not get ressies at all!--- and I'm worried that for some reason within a year from now this pkg will disappear or be changed in some way where it's not as great as it is now.
That would be just my luck.
(Or become so popular that they have to go way up in price.... can you order it and pay for it this far in advance to bypass that possibility?)

 

[rae519]

And that was the biggest problem for the cancelled cruisers and I do understand very well their aggravation when one individual gets a certain discount, rate or treatment, but another gets more and another gets less. From the comments made here during and after that time, nothing was across the board.

This may have been the first time DCL had to cancel a cruise, but the policies should have been in place in the event and an equitable and established guideline for rectifying it should ave been followed.

If it's not "fair for all", then it's not "fair at all".

Rae (had a nap but still on the soapbox!)

 

[han1211]

I had no idea of this. It looks AWESOME!

 

[Muushka]

We are also doing this package on our March 20 cruise. I consider myself queen of frugal (not cheap!) and it seems like it is a worthwile investment. This is our first cruise and just want to step on the ship and take it all in. Not interested in the "Palo Scramble". This way we know in advance what we are going to get and pay a little extra for it.

We think The4OfUs said it best:

I would think of it as a little spot of "you and I" in a whole cruise of "all of us"

Thank you, The4OfUs , for giving us all of your great information.

 

[DreaminDisney]

Originally posted by rae519
It's the confusion and discrepancies in what is being told to us when we call DCL that actually was the biggest headache for those poor people on the cancelled cruise (11/02).

There should be ONE SET of rules for everyone and one set guideline for people regardless of who calls (TA, DVC or individual) and that should be it.

I agree. There was a lot of confusion before this thread......when I called DCL to get info on this pkg, the info I got was apparently inaccurate (was told Palo dinner fee was NOT included) but now we all know now that it is


Rae, I hope your mom is doing well.

Debbie

 

[62travelDisney]

Originally posted by Muushka
We are also doing this package on our March 20 cruise. I consider myself queen of frugal (not cheap!) and it seems like it is a worthwile investment. This is our first cruise and just want to step on the ship and take it all in. Not interested in the "Palo Scramble". This way we know in advance what we are going to get and pay a little extra for it.

We think The4OfUs said it best:

Thank you, The4OfUs , for giving us all of your great information.

We are also 1st time cruisers on March 20 who signed up for this. Have you been contacted yet for ressies? We have not. The4OfUs, if you're reading, Disney should give you a commission on all of the REAS customers you got for them!!!

 

[SeaSpray]

Has anyone done this package, but sailed with another couple whom you wanted to go to Palo with?? Here's our situation: DH and I want to do this package, but on the night we go to Palo, we want SIL & BIL to dine with us. I don't know if they'd be interested in this package or not, but saying they're not, could we make a reservation at Palo for 4 people instead of 2? If anyone has any experience with this, please let me know how it went. Thanks!

 

[Muushka]

Originally posted by 62travelDisney
We are also 1st time cruisers on March 20 who signed up for this. Have you been contacted yet for ressies? We have not. The4OfUs, if you're reading, Disney should give you a commission on all of the REAS customers you got for them!!!

Nope, we have not been contacted yet. Our TA (Sams Club) said they would call us when it got closer (like NOW!). Lets post when we are contacted? Thanks!

 

[The4OfUs]

LOL! You guys are cute, I'm really enjoying helping others as much as everyone helped me before our cruise, it made such a big difference!

You should have heard me on board at the DVC presentation, when they asked members to speak...I did good, I didn't cry, goodness knows I get all choked up when I talk about how much Disney means to our family!!

I wish I had more first hand experience doing the booking, but I guess we're lucky in that DH's mom is our travel agent, so I didn't actually do all this myself...

 

[rae519]

I've decided to call tomorrow and ask DCL about this directly.
We need some answers and since the 4/17 is near capacity.....well, you get the idea!

And I to think The4OfUs should be given something for promoting this so well. Just like I think "inkognito" (Barb and Tony) deserve a free cruise after having over 30 already!!!!!

Rae

 

[kmc33]

SeaSpray -
When I booked the REAS package, I gave the TA the times and days that I wanted to schedule our Palo dinner, brunch, and tea. In fact, the TA came back and told me that she wasn't sure if my DSis and DBIL (our cruise reservations were linked with theirs) were joining us for the meals so she made all of the reservations for 4 people with the understanding that she would change them to 2 people if it would only be DH and myself. In the meantime, DBIL booked the REAS too. So, I changed our dinner reservation to 2 people (he made theirs for two on another night). And they added their name to our brunch and tea reservations so the four of us could go together.

I guess the bottom line is, even if DBIL hadn't booked the REAS, we could have kept all the reservations for 4 people under our reservation.

Hope this helps.

 

[SeaSpray]

Originally posted by kmc33
SeaSpray -
When I booked the REAS package, I gave the TA the times and days that I wanted to schedule our Palo dinner, brunch, and tea. In fact, the TA came back and told me that she wasn't sure if my DSis and DBIL (our cruise reservations were linked with theirs) were joining us for the meals so she made all of the reservations for 4 people with the understanding that she would change them to 2 people if it would only be DH and myself. In the meantime, DBIL booked the REAS too. So, I changed our dinner reservation to 2 people (he made theirs for two on another night). And they added their name to our brunch and tea reservations so the four of us could go together.

I guess the bottom line is, even if DBIL hadn't booked the REAS, we could have kept all the reservations for 4 people under our reservation.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Kim, that was very helpful!

 

[62travelDisney]

Originally posted by rae519
I've decided to call tomorrow and ask DCL about this directly.
We need some answers and since the 4/17 is near capacity.....well, you get the idea!

And I to think The4OfUs should be given something for promoting this so well. Just like I think "inkognito" (Barb and Tony) deserve a free cruise after having over 30 already!!!!!

Rae

Hi Rae519, If you get any info. will you pass it along? Have not yet been called about our 3/20 cruise. Thanks!
Laurie

 

[han1211]

I just called and talked to the Dining Coordinator. And booked it. March 4th. Thanks for all the info about the package.

 

[michael e]

I just returned from the Magic and we had the REAS package. My reason for getting this package was that I liked the features which were: Palo's for 2, Spa massage for 2,(both booked ahead) welcome basket with Korbel, chocolate and picture frame and champagne breakfast in bed. The night of your Palo dinner you get a special turndown service with rose petals and special towel animals. The Palo cost was included and you can bring the Korbel with you with no corking fee.

The value of this package for me was not in the cost of each piece versus the $299 but being able to book ahead Palo and Spa times. The dining coordinator is also helpful, as a courtesy, to help out with your dining rotation, Palo Tea and Brunch ressies. Two less lines to que up for at the start of the cruise and knowing you have the best times for your plans.

I really enjoyed the package and would do it again. Even though they claim that you can reserve between 30 and 45 days ahead I found that the Dining Coordinator really wants to do this 7 to 10 days ahead. They called me with 10 days to go after I called my TA every week starting at 45 days. Everything worked out great and the REAS helped make a great trip.

michael

 

[The4OfUs]

Apparently this is THE package to get if you're from Westford, MA...

*wink*

We're a very romantic town, don'tcha know.... *grin*

 

[michael e]

Must be all the apple trees!!!

michael