°o° °o° °o° 9/11/09 DCL Announcement Discussion Thread °o° °o° °o°

[mousemom11]

TVEPFOX,
These dates are for the Magic. The Dream will have 3, 4, and 5 night sailings from P.C. to the Caribbean through the summer.
PrincessDuck,
Thanks for laying out those itineraries for everyone!
As you can see, there are no Eastern/Western 7 - night sailings in the summer -- big, big letdown to those of us who couldn't get one next summer and now can't get one in 2011 either!

I wouldn't assume that. I checked and the 2011 schedule for the Dream is not posted yet on the website - there are no 3, 4, or 5 night 2011 sailings listed. Karl definitely said on the webcast this morning that the Dream would be doing 3, 4, 5, and 7 night sailings in 2011. I think the 7-night Caribbean sailings that we see on the 2011 schedule right now are only the Magic sailings. So let's not jump to any conclusions at the moment about whether or not there will be 7-night Caribbean sailings the summer of 2011.

 

[TVEPFOX]

I wouldn't assume that. I checked and the 2011 schedule for the Dream is not posted yet on the website - there are no 3, 4, or 5 night 2011 sailings listed. Karl definitely said on the webcast this morning that the Dream would be doing 3, 4, 5, and 7 night sailings in 2011. I think the 7-night Caribbean sailings that we see on the 2011 schedule right now are only the Magic sailings. So let's not jump to any conclusions at the moment about whether or not there will be 7-night Caribbean sailings the summer of 2011.

Thanks for the update. Those of us in the NE with kids can't do disney's schedule with school.

I'm so mad about summer 2010 no 7 nights Carribean and the crazy prices for 5 days we're going to RCCL.

Let's hope summer of 2011 will give us 7 night Carribean cruises that fit our schedule.

 

[dato63]

Seattle is about 3 hours south of Vancouver. You can take www.quickcoach.com or the amtrak up, or rent a car. We live 30 mins from Vancouver and only ever fly out of Seattle or Bellingham. Bellingham is a great LITTLE airport that is just 30 mins south of the border, and about an hour to the cruise port.

And yes, they are doing Twilight here - we actually got to visit the New Moon set one day and met them all - best day of a 13 yr olds life!
Security is VERY tight around the sets though, but I work in the film industry and was owed a favour
They start Breaking Dawn in March 2010 and are currently doing Eclipse. So it will all be LONG done before you come to town for a cruise, and most has been done in a studio, so there isn't much you can go see.

Wow - this information is very helpful. Thank you for sharing!

 

[Marty Moose]

Out of curiousity I started pricing flights from PHL to Vancouver...$581+ pp! Yikes!! I'm wondering if maybe Southwest to Seattle and renting a car to drive to Vancouver would be a better way to go? Looks like it's about a 3-4 hour drive. Anyone else thinking along those lines?

 

[DisneyCruiser2008]

Out of curiousity I started pricing flights from PHL to Vancouver...$581+ pp! Yikes!! I'm wondering if maybe Southwest to Seattle and renting a car to drive to Vancouver would be a better way to go? Looks like it's about a 3-4 hour drive. Anyone else thinking along those lines?

Is is any cheaper to Bellingham? The PP said it's closer to Vancouver than Seattle... and there is a shuttle.... I am going to price it out too.

 

[shoes99]

I wouldn't assume that. I checked and the 2011 schedule for the Dream is not posted yet on the website - there are no 3, 4, or 5 night 2011 sailings listed. Karl definitely said on the webcast this morning that the Dream would be doing 3, 4, 5, and 7 night sailings in 2011. I think the 7-night Caribbean sailings that we see on the 2011 schedule right now are only the Magic sailings. So let's not jump to any conclusions at the moment about whether or not there will be 7-night Caribbean sailings the summer of 2011.

Any idea as to where the Dream will be on april 10, 2011.
Its my 65th birthday, and I want to celebrate.
Michele

 

[Marty Moose]

Is is any cheaper to Bellingham? The PP said it's closer to Vancouver than Seattle... and there is a shuttle.... I am going to price it out too.

A quick search on Expedia showed Bellingham as MORE expensive than Vancouver! But that's just a real quick search with dummy dates for next summer...

 

[dato63]

Although this isn't totally accurate.. I'm going to interpolate Alaskan cruise prices from previously posted prices : - article says that a standard inside (cat11) starts at $939

(Closest rates I can find on a 7d-magic at random are below) [this isn't a great comparison because different months, different itinerary (i.e. not caribbean).. but, just something i was running through my mind because i was curious]
7d magic prices:
cat 11 - 899 (kids 599), cat 10 1279 (739), cat 9 1449 (789), cat 8 1629 (789), cat6 1959 (849), cat5 2119 (849), and cat 4 2849 (849)

You can also interpolate a little bit from a 5-day Wonder in 2010 (June, high season) - For 2a/2k on a 5d, the cat11 (4700), cat10 (4900), cat9 (5300), cat8 (5500), cat6 (6200), cat5 (6500), cat4 (7400)

That would put, a 7d-alaskan on the wonder, compared to the magic price for 2a/2k at appx (assuming ~$40 more pp)
cat 11 ~ 3150 (939+939+639+639)
cat 10 ~ 4190
cat 9 ~ 4636
cat 8 ~ 4996
cat 6 ~ 5776
cat 5 ~ 6096
cat 4 ~ 7556
cat 3 ~ 9671 (estimated, cat4*28% more)

That, would price the 7d Alaskan just below the 5d Wonder.. (we all know how much we're grumbling about how expensive those are already).. So, it might be a possibility..
Again, this is just a guess.. but it helps me frame it in my mind if I'm going to end up taking the kids.. The cat6 veranda 7d being ~ 6k for the 4 of us, I could probably go for.. I wouldn't be surprised if it was so much more.. but then again, I wouldn't be surprised if it was pretty close [competition and all, perhaps]

I hope your estimates are close. I'd book that!

What are the odds (do you think) of the cruise to Alaska selling out fast?

Is Disney still doing the 50% deposit offer?

 

[DisneyCruiser2008]

A quick search on Expedia showed Bellingham as MORE expensive than Vancouver! But that's just a real quick search with dummy dates for next summer...

EEK!!! How long of a drive is it from Vancouver airport to the port, I wonder? I hate the thought of renting a car.... but I don't know about a 3 hour shuttle ride from Seattle to Vancouver either...

 

[smeecanada]

EEK!!! How long of a drive is it from Vancouver airport to the port, I wonder? I hate the thought of renting a car.... but I don't know about a 3 hour shuttle ride from Seattle to Vancouver either...

They just finished the new Skytrain link in prep for the Olympics. Hop on at the airport - off in Downtown Vancouver. Should just be a cheap cab ride from the Skytrain station to your hotel. Other than that it's probably about a 45min drive.

 

[DisneyCruiser2008]

Although this isn't totally accurate.. I'm going to interpolate Alaskan cruise prices from previously posted prices : - article says that a standard inside (cat11) starts at $939

(Closest rates I can find on a 7d-magic at random are below) [this isn't a great comparison because different months, different itinerary (i.e. not caribbean).. but, just something i was running through my mind because i was curious]
7d magic prices:
cat 11 - 899 (kids 599), cat 10 1279 (739), cat 9 1449 (789), cat 8 1629 (789), cat6 1959 (849), cat5 2119 (849), and cat 4 2849 (849)

You can also interpolate a little bit from a 5-day Wonder in 2010 (June, high season) - For 2a/2k on a 5d, the cat11 (4700), cat10 (4900), cat9 (5300), cat8 (5500), cat6 (6200), cat5 (6500), cat4 (7400)

That would put, a 7d-alaskan on the wonder, compared to the magic price for 2a/2k at appx (assuming ~$40 more pp)
cat 11 ~ 3150 (939+939+639+639)
cat 10 ~ 4190
cat 9 ~ 4636
cat 8 ~ 4996
cat 6 ~ 5776
cat 5 ~ 6096
cat 4 ~ 7556
cat 3 ~ 9671 (estimated, cat4*28% more)

That, would price the 7d Alaskan just below the 5d Wonder.. (we all know how much we're grumbling about how expensive those are already).. So, it might be a possibility..
Again, this is just a guess.. but it helps me frame it in my mind if I'm going to end up taking the kids.. The cat6 veranda 7d being ~ 6k for the 4 of us, I could probably go for.. I wouldn't be surprised if it was so much more.. but then again, I wouldn't be surprised if it was pretty close [competition and all, perhaps]

I was kind of thinking around 6K for a category 6 as well... I hope you are right. I think we paid over 7K for our category 6 Mex. Riv. in 2008 so I would be happy with this!!

 

[Marty Moose]

Although this isn't totally accurate.. I'm going to interpolate Alaskan cruise prices from previously posted prices : - article says that a standard inside (cat11) starts at $939

(Closest rates I can find on a 7d-magic at random are below) [this isn't a great comparison because different months, different itinerary (i.e. not caribbean).. but, just something i was running through my mind because i was curious]
7d magic prices:
cat 11 - 899 (kids 599), cat 10 1279 (739), cat 9 1449 (789), cat 8 1629 (789), cat6 1959 (849), cat5 2119 (849), and cat 4 2849 (849)

You can also interpolate a little bit from a 5-day Wonder in 2010 (June, high season) - For 2a/2k on a 5d, the cat11 (4700), cat10 (4900), cat9 (5300), cat8 (5500), cat6 (6200), cat5 (6500), cat4 (7400)

That would put, a 7d-alaskan on the wonder, compared to the magic price for 2a/2k at appx (assuming ~$40 more pp)
cat 11 ~ 3150 (939+939+639+639)
cat 10 ~ 4190
cat 9 ~ 4636
cat 8 ~ 4996
cat 6 ~ 5776
cat 5 ~ 6096
cat 4 ~ 7556
cat 3 ~ 9671 (estimated, cat4*28% more)

That, would price the 7d Alaskan just below the 5d Wonder.. (we all know how much we're grumbling about how expensive those are already).. So, it might be a possibility..
Again, this is just a guess.. but it helps me frame it in my mind if I'm going to end up taking the kids.. The cat6 veranda 7d being ~ 6k for the 4 of us, I could probably go for.. I wouldn't be surprised if it was so much more.. but then again, I wouldn't be surprised if it was pretty close [competition and all, perhaps]

I like these figures! I'd love a Cat. 9 and these rates would be doable! Although I'm guessing that the starting rates that they are advertising will be for the earlier cruises (in May when school is still in session and maybe the last one in late Aug?) and the prices will increase somewhat (hopefully not TOO much) in between...peaking in July. That seems to be the case with other lines...

 

[rhinosbiggestfan]

Is there a way I can watch the actual podcast? It takes me to the Alaska page evey time. I want to see the actual announcment!

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Someone asked about Vancouver hotels?

The Pan Pacific is a 5* hotel that is attached to the cruise port and the EASIEST choice. You will pay about $300/nt here I would think.
Across the street (small street) is the Fairmont Waterfront hotel - its about a 4.5*, maybe a 5* hotel, and going to be very pricey too.

There are tons of options in Vancouver, but in cruise season you are looking at at least $150 on priceline/hotwire for a 4* hotel.
There are some hotels that are cheaper, but cheaper is NOT better in Vancouver most of the time. For instance, you will find a Howard Johnsons that you will want to RUN away from, even though their website makes it seem very nice.

When people are at the point of booking, there are a few of us who can help you out.

 

[DisneyCruiser2008]

Someone asked about Vancouver hotels?

The Pan Pacific is a 5* hotel that is attached to the cruise port and the EASIEST choice. You will pay about $300/nt here I would think.
Across the street (small street) is the Fairmont Waterfront hotel - its about a 4.5*, maybe a 5* hotel, and going to be very pricey too.

There are tons of options in Vancouver, but in cruise season you are looking at at least $150 on priceline/hotwire for a 4* hotel.
There are some hotels that are cheaper, but cheaper is NOT better in Vancouver most of the time. For instance, you will find a Howard Johnsons that you will want to RUN away from, even though their website makes it seem very nice.

When people are at the point of booking, there are a few of us who can help you out.

Thanks... this is great info. If we are going to spend money on a flight, I'd love to come up a couple days early and maybe take a day trip to Victoria...

 

[mickeyteachers]

We just got back from Alaska. We stayed at the Hyatt in Vancouver. It was very nice. Parking at the Pier is really strange. You park in this dirt lot that has a fence around the lot. At first we were a little worried about leaving the car. But, it was ok. The port is not very nice. We went on Royal Caribeen and did not like it. We missed Disney.

 

[mousemom11]

Thanks... this is great info. If we are going to spend money on a flight, I'd love to come up a couple days early and maybe take a day trip to Victoria...

Victoria is beautiful. The Butchart Gardens are incredible and there is a history museum (can't remember the name of it now) that I just loved. And, of course, tea at the Empress Hotel. There is also a lot of stuff to do in Vancouver. Stanley Park is huge and has a great aquarium. I love the Capilano Suspension Bridge and the Grouse Mountain Skyway. Chinatown is a wonderful place to explore.

 

[pillow]

We just got back from Alaska. We stayed at the Hyatt in Vancouver. It was very nice. Parking at the Pier is really strange. You park in this dirt lot that has a fence around the lot. At first we were a little worried about leaving the car. But, it was ok. The port is not very nice. We went on Royal Caribeen and did not like it. We missed Disney.

Hi there. I remember you from the Medhead trip! What didn't you like about RCCL. We were thinking of maybe doing this instead of Disney since its a point to point trip instead of roundtrip. I wanted to do Denali and some other things once in Alaska.

Jodie

 

[DisneyCruiser2008]

FYI regarding getting to Vancouver... I just read this on another board....

We just got back from our cruise on Tuesday. There is an Amtrak train that goes from Seattle to Vancouver. We flew to Seattle and took the train from one to the other and it took approximately 2-3 hours but was a beautiful ride. The train goes right up the coast and is only $30.00 per person. There is a train station in Bellingham as well so you could fly there and take the Amtrak the rest of the route. We took a cab from the station to the cruise terminal in Vancouver - approximately 7.00 cab ride and less than 15 minutes.

Amtrak was cheap, beautiful ride and very comfortable.

 

[Galactus]

Its right downtown Vancouver. Expensive

We just came off NCL on our Alaskan cruise. It costs about $25/day to park right at the Port. It is the underground parking lot at the Pan Pacific hotel which is where the pier is at.