Podcast Cruise 4.0 - 12/08/2012

[WebmasterJohn]

 

[OKW Lover]

Done!!!

 

[mdvlprof]

PCC 4 is getting close. Sign up for credentials - done.

 

[OKW Lover]

Yes, I know that we are still over two months away from PCC 4.0. I just wanted to remind everybody to be thinking ahead to your next DCL cruise. There is a discount if you book on board. So take a look at the calendar and your vacation schedule. Also take a look at the various ships/itineraries.

What we do is to check out some likely times to see what looks good and offers the best pricing. On board we book the cruise to take advantage of the OBC and booking discount. Plus we specify Dreams as our TA.

Can't decide on a future cruise? Consider booking a "dummy" date. Something that you can have your TA move later once you decide when you're actually going to sail again.

So. Next rainy day spend some time thinking about future vacations.

 

[sdlong329]

There is a discount if you book on board. So take a look at the calendar and your vacation schedule. Also take a look at the various ships/itineraries.

What we do is to check out some likely times to see what looks good and offers the best pricing. On board we book the cruise to take advantage of the OBC and booking discount. Plus we specify ... our TA.

Can't decide on a future cruise? Consider booking a "dummy" date. Something that you can have your TA move later once you decide when you're actually going to sail again.

So. Next rainy day spend some time thinking about future vacations.

Excellent reminder!

All too often, when we are on the ship waiting in line to book our next cruise, we are STUCK behind someone taking 60+ minutes to discuss untold dates, ships, itineraries, etc. Had they merely looked online in advance, they would likely know what might be of interest, as well as a ball park pricing.

If anyone wants to book a dummy cruise, there are two advantages in booking a 3 or 4 day cruise as far out as possible:

1) Shorter cruises require a lower deposit. Booking a 3-day cruise does not restrict you from changing your cruise to a longer cruise, nor does it restrict you from changing to another itinerary, or longer cruise.

2) Booking a cruise with a distant sailing date provides maximum time to make up our minds (at leisure) ... while also allowing us to wait for the release of new sailing dates.

REMEMBER: If you merely want to check pricing on one or more cruises (or stateroom categories), you can fill out a form (at the ADVANCE CRUISE SALES DESK) ... they will generally get a written quote back to you within 48 hours. This is a great way to avoid waiting in a long line!

Steven

 

[DSNYDREAMER]

I'm definitely doing the DU transfer from the Swan/Dolphin to the port. But I haven't signed up yet because I'm wondering about the transfer from the port to the airport. Does DU do several transfers spread throughout the morning? Or do they run them all first thing after disembarkation? My flight isn't until 3-ish, so I really don't want to leave for the port with the first wave at 8am or whenever. Could I get a later transfer if I went with DCL rather than DU? Would it be worth it to get a one-way car rental to spend a couple of hours in the Port area?

Thanks for any opinions/info you could give me!

Sayhello

In the past the busses have left the port around 9am, if more than one is needed they would all leave at the same time. DCL busses will run as long as needed, typically by 10ish they have all departed for the airport and/or wdw.

 

[ssanders79]

We've reached the cutoff day for the Fish Extender sign up. I would like to finalize the FE list (direct link) as soon as possible.

If you have signed up please review your information and let me know if there are any changes you would like to make.

More importantly please make sure you have indicated how you wish to participate in Fish Extender gift exchange : Only PCC Staterooms, Only Non-PCC Staterooms, or All.

Even if your information looks good please send me a PM (click here to PM) to verify you are still participating.

I added a new column to keep a record of the confirmations.

***Sorry for multiple postings of this message, but with so many PCC4.0 threads I want to make sure everyone see it.

 

[sayhello]

In the past the busses have left the port around 9am, if more than one is needed they would all leave at the same time. DCL busses will run as long as needed, typically by 10ish they have all departed for the airport and/or wdw.

Thanks, Tracey. I guess I have some more thinking to do! Although I already signed up for the WDW to port transfer.

Sayhello

 

[sdlong329]

I guess I have some more thinking to do! Although I already signed up for the WDW to port transfer.

This certainly is NO GUARANTEE! In speaking with John (DU) via e-mail, I was forewarned ... nothing is guaranteed, and we are to anticipate arrival on or about 1 - 2 PM (or earlier). Granted, a bus could leave earlier, but would not be permitted on port property until 11AM.

We are flying in LATE on the evening prior to embarkation. Accordingly, we will not have access to Magical Express, nor would we have easy access to Swan / Dolphin (and would miss any events, due to our late arrival). In our instance, we determined it would be best to catch a free hotel shuttle back to the airport, and catch one of the DCL transports, which depart regularly, when each bus reaches capacity.

I guess it depends where you are staying. If you are at Swan / Dolphin, you could utilize DU transfers to save a little $, but would not be guaranteed departure / arrival time. If you are staying near the airport, I suggest a hotel shuttle to the airport. If you are staying on WDW property, you are in the same situation as Swan / Dolphin ... in that bus schedules can and DO vary.

Hakuna Matata!

Steven

 

[sayhello]

This certainly is NO GUARANTEE! In speaking with John (DU) via e-mail, I was forewarned ... nothing is guaranteed, and we are to anticipate arrival on or about 1 - 2 PM (or earlier). Granted, a bus could leave earlier, but would not be permitted on port property until 11AM.

We are flying in LATE on the evening prior to embarkation. Accordingly, we will not have access to Magical Express, nor would we have easy access to Swan / Dolphin (and would miss any events, due to our late arrival). In our instance, we determined it would be best to catch a free hotel shuttle back to the airport, and catch one of the DCL transports, which depart regularly, when each bus reaches capacity.

I guess it depends where you are staying. If you are at Swan / Dolphin, you could utilize DU transfers to save a little $, but would not be guaranteed departure / arrival time. If you are staying near the airport, I suggest a hotel shuttle to the airport. If you are staying on WDW property, you are in the same situation as Swan / Dolphin ... in that bus schedules can and DO vary.

Hakuna Matata!

Steven

Thanks for your input, but I think you missed the point of my post. I'm trying to figure out what to do to get back to the airport after the cruise. I already have my plans for prior to the cruise. I'm arriving mid-afternoon the day prior to the cruise, and taking Super Shuttle to the Dolphin. I've arranged to take the DU transfers to the port on embarkation day, as I think it will be fun to travel to the port with a bus full of DISers. Timing really means nothing to me. I'm already on vacation, so I don't care if I get to the port at 11 or at 2, as long as I make it to the ship before they leave!

The only thing I'm still trying to figure out is on disembarkation day. My flight isn't until mid-afternoon, and I'm not a big fan of sitting around in an airport (done way too much of that). I'd like to take the DU transfers again, to travel with other DISers, but I'm afraid they'd be leaving a bit too early for me. (Although it's cheaper if you buy a round-trip ticket). So I might go with DCL transfers just for the option of leaving a bit later, even though it's a bit more expensive. That's the decision point. I'm not sure where you got this whole thing about DU transport being NO GUARANTEE, as I'm pretty darn sure I'm guaranteed a ride from the Swan/Dolphin to the port, which is all I care about.

Sayhello

 

[sdlong329]

OH CRUD! My mistake (debarkation)!

(No Guarantee) I was referring to timing ... getting to the port by a specific time.

(Debarkation) I'd use some of the same mindset for debarkation, as well. I am guessing DCL would have more buses running from "X" AM till "Y" PM (almost allowing you to select the departure time and bus of your choice). We were in a similar situation on a TransAtlantic cruise. We did not want to get off the ship too early ... and were one of the last to wander off the ship. We had DCL transfers to the airport, from Barcelona. As it turns out, we were the only two people on a 55-passenger motor coach ... it was like we were in a huge LIMO (well, not really).

I am sure DU will eventually post guidelines for transfers. When that happens, you might want to look into whether they have a time-frame for operating their buses (ie: last bus leaves at 11AM, 1PM, etc). If this time frame works for you, it sounds like your decision will be simple.

 

[NancyIL]

Thanks for your input, but I think you missed the point of my post. I'm trying to figure out what to do to get back to the airport after the cruise. I already have my plans for prior to the cruise. I'm arriving mid-afternoon the day prior to the cruise, and taking Super Shuttle to the Dolphin. I've arranged to take the DU transfers to the port on embarkation day, as I think it will be fun to travel to the port with a bus full of DISers. Timing really means nothing to me. I'm already on vacation, so I don't care if I get to the port at 11 or at 2, as long as I make it to the ship before they leave!

The only thing I'm still trying to figure out is on disembarkation day. My flight isn't until mid-afternoon, and I'm not a big fan of sitting around in an airport (done way too much of that). I'd like to take the DU transfers again, to travel with other DISers, but I'm afraid they'd be leaving a bit too early for me. (Although it's cheaper if you buy a round-trip ticket). So I might go with DCL transfers just for the option of leaving a bit later, even though it's a bit more expensive. That's the decision point. I'm not sure where you got this whole thing about DU transport being NO GUARANTEE, as I'm pretty darn sure I'm guaranteed a ride from the Swan/Dolphin to the port, which is all I care about.

Sayhello

Do you mean Mears? I've never seen Super Shuttle at MCO.

I am staying at the Swan and my roommate is staying at Bonnet Creek, so it wouldn't have been convenient for us to use DU's transfers. Therefore, we reserved two one-way car rentals from WDW to the port and back to WDW.

 

[sayhello]

Do you mean Mears? I've never seen Super Shuttle at MCO.

I am staying at the Swan and my roommate is staying at Bonnet Creek, so it wouldn't have been convenient for us to use DU's transfers. Therefore, we reserved two one-way car rentals from WDW to the port and back to WDW.

Nope, I mean Super Shuttle. According to their website, they do transfers from MCO to the Dolphin, and I have it booked for my arrival. They'd better operate there!!

http://www.supershuttle.com/Locations/MCOAirportShuttleOrlando.aspx

Sayhello

 

[sayhello]

OH CRUD! My mistake (debarkation)!

(No Guarantee) I was referring to timing ... getting to the port by a specific time.

(Debarkation) I'd use some of the same mindset for debarkation, as well. I am guessing DCL would have more buses running from "X" AM till "Y" PM (almost allowing you to select the departure time and bus of your choice). We were in a similar situation on a TransAtlantic cruise. We did not want to get off the ship too early ... and were one of the last to wander off the ship. We had DCL transfers to the airport, from Barcelona. As it turns out, we were the only two people on a 55-passenger motor coach ... it was like we were in a huge LIMO (well, not really).

I am sure DU will eventually post guidelines for transfers. When that happens, you might want to look into whether they have a time-frame for operating their buses (ie: last bus leaves at 11AM, 1PM, etc). If this time frame works for you, it sounds like your decision will be simple.

Sounds good. Assuming I can still book DU transfers at that point!

Sayhello

 

[NancyIL]

Nope, I mean Super Shuttle. According to their website, they do transfers from MCO to the Dolphin, and I have it booked for my arrival. They'd better operate there!!

http://www.supershuttle.com/Locations/MCOAirportShuttleOrlando.aspx

Sayhello

Very interesting! They must be new in Orlando, as Mears has pretty much had the monopoly on shuttle service in the past.

 

[sayhello]

Very interesting! They must be new in Orlando, as Mears has pretty much had the monopoly on shuttle service in the past.

I couldn't say, as I've always just done ME before. I wish Super Shuttle would come to Columbus!

Sayhello

 

[chirurgeon]

DCL does on board airline luggage check in. If we are using Dreams transportation to the port can we use the onboard check in?

Kim

 

[OKW Lover]

DCL does on board airline luggage check in. If we are using Dreams transportation to the port can we use the onboard check in?

Kim

Don't know why you couldn't. Are you using DCL transfers after the cruise?

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[OKW Lover]

Just reading some posts from a group of friends that were on the 10/20 Fantasy sailing that returned to port (late) today. Apparently there was a lot of rocking and rolling last night. Some reported that everything on counters/desktops were thrown to the floor. At least one reported being thrown out of bed.

Glad Disney has a month to get the ship ready for us.

 

[sayhello]

Just reading some posts from a group of friends that were on the 10/20 Fantasy sailing that returned to port (late) today. Apparently there was a lot of rocking and rolling last night. Some reported that everything on counters/desktops were thrown to the floor. At least one reported being thrown out of bed.

Glad Disney has a month to get the ship ready for us.

Amen!

Sayhello