WBPC May 6th 2013 Wonder

[Rikersmom]

It is very possible that there will be an "early flight" option for guests to sign up to be in the first group to leave the ship in California. My friends used this when returning from the Hawaiian cruise, and they made it to the airport in record time.

 

[neg58]

It is very possible that there will be an "early flight" option for guests to sign up to be in the first group to leave the ship in California. My friends used this when returning from the Hawaiian cruise, and they made it to the airport in record time.

I'm an optimist. I look for a parking spot in the front row at the mall at Christmas, and sometimes there is one. If you don't look, you'll never get to park in the front. I just assume things will work out and they usually do.

Nancy

 

[Meghatron]

Here is my take on this very strange situation. Since no one has asked DCL for a private space, which can be done, if anyone wants to go, just go. Who will stop you? It's a public room. No one can stop you. If you missed the sign up time, big deal, just go.

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That is, in fact, the exact point many of us have been trying to make. I am sure I could crash the "closed" CG event with my family, but I simply don't wish to participate in an event that has turned out to be a bait and switch, nor do I want to risk the smallest possibility of my family made to feel unwelcome by a single person.

There are several of us that are working out a different time/place meetup that is more casual, like the "closed" CG was originally presented before it was closed without an announced upper attendance limit. We will post when there is a consensus.

 

[aan1701]

I guess I don't look at it as crashing. You are walking by and see the bar and say to yourself, hey I feel like a cocktail. So you get one. Not crashing in my eyes.

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[Jackson's grammie]

this whole discussion is too exhausting for me - I'm on a no stress vacation - personally the boas stay at home and drinks on my veranda with a chesse platter is much more appealing.

 

[vakamalua]

Oh my, what a kerfuffle over ladies getting together to drink champagne!

Who knew that offering to keep a simple list of ladies wanting to dress up and socialize over a drink would cause so many hurt feelings, angry posts and accusations of unreasonableness, arbitrariness and exclusivity?!



As I said in January, I’ve participated in several kinds of ‘Champagne Girls;’ in a passenger’s suite where everybody brings their own bottle, at a DCL official champagne tasting for a fee, and in the Promenade Lounge where everyone can just order a drink. All have been fun; none have an unlimited capacity. I thought it would be fun to have a get together on the WBPC. Since no one else had come forward since the beginning of the thread, I volunteered to keep a list of those interested.

Since I don’t have a lot of time for the following the DISBoards and/or chatting on Facebook or working with DCL to plan a private tasting, I chose the simplest form of CGs—getting together in the Promenade Lounge. This was also based on feedback from past cruises where some women didn’t sign up for an ‘official’ CG event because they didn’t want to pay the fee involved or feel pressured to drink alcohol. No one ever questioned this simple approach or the method of signing-up.

I kept the list of those who posted in the thread or PMed me, as I requested. Having experienced a CG meet like this before which can overwhelm the PL space and bar, I made the judgment call to limit the size before the number got unwieldy. The difference from the first day meet is that no activities are ever scheduled in the PL on embarkation afternoon, it is usually over quickly as everyone goes off to get settled and relatively few people order from the PL bar at that time. All seems very reasonable to me. Of course, I had no idea that so many potential CGs were out there who had not gotten in touch with me. In fact, I still have no idea how many there are.


Soooo, at this point, before the mob appears at my door with torches…

As has been mentioned, we all agree that the Promenade Lounge IS a public space. Let’s just open the WBPC Champagne Girls meet to everyone who wants to come, with no sign-ups, limit or capacity.

In the interest of my time and feelings, I’m more than happy to relinquish any ‘coordinating’ role (keeping a list, bringing name tags, planning an ice breaker, etc.). I hope this answers questions about how we got to this point; if anyone still needs to express her unhappiness with me, please PM me so the thread can move on to other topics. And if you prefer an alternative CG meet, I’m sure you’ll have a great time; that’s what CGs is all about.

See you soon…

 

[cruzisme]

Hi all
Posted this on cruise critic board too
Am looking for 6--8 adults to join us for a tour with a well known and tripadvisor recommended tour operator named Dora.
Will be in an air-con van with driver and tour guide(Englishspeaking)
Will be touring the famous fort
, the monastery, old town and more.

Cost: for 6 people, it will be $65 usd per person.
If 8 people, the cost will be $60 per person.
If you want to join us or need some more info pls email me at
cdntravelgal1 at hotmail dot com with Disney Wonder Cartegena in subject line
Hoping to hear from you.

 

[kbishop2013]

this whole discussion is too exhausting for me - I'm on a no stress vacation - personally the boas stay at home and drinks on my veranda with a chesse platter is much more appealing.

Here here! I honestly can't commit to anything because my family is far too spontaneous (or crazy-crazy works), I just hope to raise a glass with all you lovely folks at some point!

 

[Meghatron]

Oh my, what a kerfuffle over ladies getting together to drink champagne!…

All I've seen, both here and on FB, is people quite rationally working out their confusion about how this was presented as opposed to how it was intended, especially given the chosen public location. I have yet to encounter anyone whose feelings were hurt; it's definitely not me or anyone in my family. The Wonder is too wonderful to be a passenger on to bother about admission to a meetup. I just wanted to offer my spot to someone who had missed out, and to answer people's legitimate questions when they came up.

Let’s just open the WBPC Champagne Girls meet to everyone who wants to come, with no sign-ups, limit or capacity.…

Which sounds like exactly what most of us assumed it was to begin with based on the information available for the last several months. I really don't think anyone was expecting you to take on anything other than reminding people of a date and time (like Game Night or PJ Breakfast), and I'm sorry there was the impression that more was expected of you.

I'm sure keeping it open will also make the Promenade bartenders quite happy, especially with that auto-gratuity they tack on. We'll make up for the DISmeet with a 100 people and no one buying, LOL!

 

[cruzisme]

Hi all
Posted this on cruise critic board too
Am looking for 6--8 adults to join us for a tour with a well known and tripadvisor recommended tour operator named Dora.
Will be in an air-con van with driver and tour guide(Englishspeaking)
Will be touring the famous fort
, the monastery, old town and more.

Cost: for 6 people, it will be $65 usd per person.
If 8 people, the cost will be $60 per person.
If you want to join us or need some more info pls email me at
cdntravelgal1 at hotmail dot com with Disney Wonder Cartegena in subject line
Hoping to hear from you.

Hope this doesn't get lost in the champagne discussion!

 

[Meghatron]

Okay, so I am debating getting a Dooney & Bourke satchel onboard. I have a wristlet from 2011 and it's held up very well, but I am more than a little wary because of the reports of bags coming apart that I keep seeing pop up every once in a while, especially when the response from D&B is anything less than a free replacement or repair.

So are they REALLY worth the money? I have never had a dependable, use every-single-day purse or bag that was an investment at this level. It would be a considerable chunk of my personal savings (especially after this cruise, LOL) and I know so many people who buy expensive things just for the brand with no regard for quality. DH and I are willing to invest $$$ in stuff that is well made and will last for a long time; I just don't know if D&B qualifies.

What has been your experience?

 

[Brixton]

This will be my 5th cruise on DCL that ends here. It has been the same every time. If anyone thinks they will be off the ship by 7:30 may I suggest visiting about 20 miles to the south and go to Fantasyland. Ha ha ha. Sorry had to do it. Honestly I serious doubt it will happen.

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My lowly SoCal pass is not as good as your Premier Pass!

I look forward to meeting all of you...four weeks from today!

 

[aan1701]

My lowly SoCal pass is not as good as your Premier Pass! I plan to meet our ride at 10/10.30...in no hurry to leave the Wonder.

I am glad there's resolution on the CG meet & look forward to meeting all of you...four weeks from today!

5/20 is a black out date? I only have the premier because of out three weeks at WDW. It really is a money save despite its big price tag. I think after my trip to DL on this upcoming Friday is my break even day. So after Friday everyday I go is Icing on the cake.

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[braysmommy]

Any book recommendations? Time to load a few books on my iPad for this trip.

I just finished Wild which was a very good book.

 

[cwdefouw]

Another question re SAS shuttles. I looked again on their website but saw that they don't accept reservations for after 6pm. We are supposed to land at 5.29 so I don't think we would make that with bag collections and probable delay.

Does anyone have a name of a car transfer service instead for Fort Lauderdale Airport to Miami South Beach? I think Brixton has one booked. Other than that would just a taxi outside the airport do? I prefer to have something booked really though sometimes that doesn't always work out.

GO Airport Shuttle is a Shared and Private Transportation Service out of Fort Lauderdale Airport...

http://www.go-airportshuttle.com/

We are using them for a private car to the Marriott Biscayne Bay. Cost is $86.25 for two people, tip included.

Their online reservation system allows you to pick your exact hotel.

 

[Politzania]

Any book recommendations? Time to load a few books on my iPad for this trip.

I just finished Wild which was a very good book.

If you want topical reading, I can recommend The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914 by David McCullough. It's a VERY detailed look at the building of the Canal - tho it felt a little rushed near the end.

I'm on the Kindle Daily Deal email list & have picked up some good stuff from them - also the monthly deals.

If you like science fiction - I can give oodles of recommendations..

 

[granmaz]

GO Airport Shuttle is a Shared and Private Transportation Service out of Fort Lauderdale Airport...

http://www.go-airportshuttle.com/

We are using them for a private car to the Marriott Biscayne Bay. Cost is $86.25 for two people, tip included.

Their online reservation system allows you to pick your exact hotel.

Thank you, that is a great help.

 

[kbishop2013]

If you want topical reading, I can recommend The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914 by David McCullough. It's a VERY detailed look at the building of the Canal - tho it felt a little rushed near the end.

I'm on the Kindle Daily Deal email list & have picked up some good stuff from them - also the monthly deals.

If you like science fiction - I can give oodles of recommendations..

I have that and added "Cruising through the canal" by Richard Dietrich for a lighter version. I've been gathering e books on my iPad for a month now, and looking at it, I can only observe that I am a total nerd. There is a few scifi books (hey, good ones, like Enders Game!), but also "Gone Girl" by G. Flynn, "The Fault in our Stars", by j. Green, and "The Light Between Oceans" by Stedman.

But if cornered, the two most enjoyable books I've read this year were World War Z by Brooks and The Passage, by Cronin. Because I'm a nerd. Neither are lighthearted cruise reading - zombies and vampires.

 

[neg58]

Okay, so I am debating getting a Dooney & Bourke satchel onboard. I have a wristlet from 2011 and it's held up very well, but I am more than a little wary because of the reports of bags coming apart that I keep seeing pop up every once in a while, especially when the response from D&B is anything less than a free replacement or repair.


What has been your experience?

I have a D&B 'everyday' purse. I bought it for myself for my birthday last year. It is pink (the most important thing in a purse for me) and is a 'bucket' style. The fabric outside is not coated, so it is a little dirty. Also, where it is connected to the bottom has a small rip and is frayed.

I don't care. I love it and use it every day. I get a ton of compliments on it, and I'm genuinely surprised when I get them as nothing else I own generates compliments (well, my pink shoes sometimes do). It was $90 at Marshall's, so about 1/2 price. I have used it for 9 months, so I consider that I've gotten my money out of it and now is it 'free.' It is not going to last forever, maybe another year, but I've enjoyed every minute I've had it so worth it to me.

Buying something on board is always going to be risky as you can't just return it like you can to a store, but I think most of us have had good experiences with the quality of products purchased from Disney.

Nancy

 

[DVCTigger]

Okay, so I am debating getting a Dooney & Bourke satchel onboard. I have a wristlet from 2011 and it's held up very well, but I am more than a little wary because of the reports of bags coming apart that I keep seeing pop up every once in a while, especially when the response from D&B is anything less than a free replacement or repair.

So are they REALLY worth the money? I have never had a dependable, use every-single-day purse or bag that was an investment at this level. It would be a considerable chunk of my personal savings (especially after this cruise, LOL) and I know so many people who buy expensive things just for the brand with no regard for quality. DH and I are willing to invest $$$ in stuff that is well made and will last for a long time; I just don't know if D&B qualifies.

What has been your experience?

I have a medium size bag that I got in 2010 (lucky to have had a TON of OBC!) and have not had any problems with it at all. It is my everyday bag and I love it. I also have a wristlet and a small over the shoulder bag. I will never need another purse again! I agree they are a lot of money. Pretty sure DH would not have let me get any of them if it was his money, but since it was OBC, I was able to talk him into letting me get them!