WBPC May 6th 2013 Wonder

[aan1701]

That s what I've been told... We will see it and can navigate by it.

Right on.

Sent from my iPhone 5 using DISBoards

 

[granmaz]

Our last two PC cruises we stopped in Aruba which is further away from the canal than Cartagena. We went at top speed to get to outside the canal where we stayed for the night. I think like Alan that it will be slow this time. The last times we also took on fuel very early morning. It is amazing to see all the ships anchored just waiting for their turn. Some wait days for a slot. It is quite eerie actually seeing them all there.

DCL and other no doubt other cruise lines pay top money to transit at the best time so you will probably find we are moving very slowly when you wake up. It seems to take ages to get from when we anchor for the night to the first lock, a few hours. Plenty of time to get up and find a spot if you want. Drinks and pastries served on deck from the early hours.

 

[LindaBabe]

Good Morning, happy Cruisers!

I am a Dooney Girl I have 10 of their non-Disney bags and can say nothing but good thing about of the non-Disney bags.The Cruise line bags are not of the same quality. I purchased the Fantasy satchel in October 2012 while on the Fantasy and in late Jan. 2013 the lining around the zippered pocket was ripped and frayed. I did not abuse the bag-I carry it every day from the time I purchased it. I sent the bag to Dooney expecting it to be replaced and was offered a credit of $117.50 to apply towards the full retail price of one replacement item valued at $235.00 or greater. Also $7.50 for shipping and taxes were to be paid by me. I declined the offer and the bag was repaired and returned to be. I am very unhappy with the repair job and will bringing the bag with me on this cruise to return it back to Disney Cruise Line. I would recommend a non-Disney bag in a split second. The cruise line collection has been nothing but a HUGE disappointment to me. I also purchased the Disney Parks Retro satchel in Nov. and I am hold my breathe as to how it will hold up.

Sounds like you got a dud! I'd be REALLY annoyed with Dooney, if I were you.

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?

If you want an expensive bag that will last for EVAH, buy coach. They're real leather. Dooneys are made from some form of plastic/vinyl. They're cute, no doubt about that, but in the end, just another polymer bag made in china.

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?! . . .

There is something I am having trouble wrapping my head around. Previous Champagne Girl groups have charged a fee collected in advance and included things like champagne, feather boas, etc. They have also reserved space via DCL prior to the cruise for their group alone.

I think I am missing something here - what is the point of "signing up" folks to meet in a space open to all cruise passengers, and if all are going to the bar (like other cruise passengers) in this public space?

Whether or not the Promenade has activities going on at the same time, it is a public area, not reserved by any one group. So theoretically can't anyone stop in and buy a drink during your meet?

. . .

Grumpy Grandma here. The thing you all need to remember is that the promenade lounge is in heavy use all day everyday after embarkation day, beginning fairly early in the morning with the cruise director's daily show. Among the activities held there are toddler dance parties, trivia, name that tune, crafts, dancing lessons, music and dancing, scavenger hunts begin and end there etc.

On the December PC, we had to move our "yankee swap gift exchange" from the Promenade to Preludes, in front of the walt theatre. Talk about uncomfortable!

I think your VOLUNTEER hostess on this event was very well intentioned and following a protocol often used in the past. It's unfortunate that her efforts were so misunderstood and criticized.

On a personal level, house selling is not going well at all. House buying is an adventure. But the weather and pleasures of family, outweigh all the headaches.

Happy Day, all!

 

[Politzania]

HA HA HA! Wow. Can you tell I'm tired and it's been a long day, or what? That's one of my better oopsies. So glad you corrected me! But now I have quite the mental image of someone in a turban out on deck providing us all with our star charts and predictions of our future. (Which might be better suited to Pirate Night, actually.)

Star charts & palm readings would be a great addition to Pirate Night - anyone know how to read a tarot deck?


Thanks for the confirmation on the Southern Cross - the bit of web research I'd done indicated it could be seen from Key West during certain parts of the year, so I assumed we'd be able to see it as well. We'll be at about 10 degrees north latitude between Cartegena and the Panama Canal - well south of the 25 degrees that BoosGram's link mentioned.

 

[houseofduck]

I don't know if any of you have read the Kingdom Keepers books by Ridley Pearson. They are aimed at young teens but are a great read for Disney lovers.

Thanks for the suggestion. We just downloaded the first of the series for our children. We probably will get "Dark Passage" for the cruise. I wasn't sure if we had to read the first to understand the rest!

 

[Alexis Green]

UPDATE ON THE MIXOLOGY CLASS!
Disney emailed me back! Since we have 56 people signed up we will have TWO classes. The 1st group will be on 05/15 at 2:00 pm in Diversions and the 2nd group will be on 05/16 at 2:00 pm in Diversions. The maximum capacity for each group is 40! The price now be $15.00 per adult. As long as we only have 40 people per group and there are open spots you may choose to attend both! Please let me know ASAP who wants to attend which date! I'll be posting this on the Facebook and sending out an email to those who already have signed up.

 

[Mom323]

UPDATE ON THE MIXOLOGY CLASS!
Disney emailed me back! Since we have 56 people signed up we will have TWO classes. The 1st group will be on 05/15 at 2:00 pm in Diversions and the 2nd group will be on 05/16 at 2:00 pm in Diversions. The maximum capacity for each group is 40! The price now be $15.00 per adult. As long as we only have 40 people per group and there are open spots you may choose to attend both! Please let me know ASAP who wants to attend which date! I'll be posting this on the Facebook and sending out an email to those who already have signed up.

Sent you an email. The 15 th for us, please. Thanks

 

[Politzania]

UPDATE ON THE MIXOLOGY CLASS!
Disney emailed me back! Since we have 56 people signed up we will have TWO classes. The 1st group will be on 05/15 at 2:00 pm in Diversions and the 2nd group will be on 05/16 at 2:00 pm in Diversions. The maximum capacity for each group is 40! The price now be $15.00 per adult. As long as we only have 40 people per group and there are open spots you may choose to attend both! Please let me know ASAP who wants to attend which date! I'll be posting this on the Facebook and sending out an email to those who already have signed up.

Please sign Scott and me (Tracey) up for the 5/16 2 pm class - many thanks!

 

[Robin"D"]

15th for Angel & Robin please. Cabin 6590 / thank you for doing this

Robin & Angel "D"

UPDATE ON THE MIXOLOGY CLASS!
Disney emailed me back! Since we have 56 people signed up we will have TWO classes. The 1st group will be on 05/15 at 2:00 pm in Diversions and the 2nd group will be on 05/16 at 2:00 pm in Diversions. The maximum capacity for each group is 40! The price now be $15.00 per adult. As long as we only have 40 people per group and there are open spots you may choose to attend both! Please let me know ASAP who wants to attend which date! I'll be posting this on the Facebook and sending out an email to those who already have signed up.

 

[Brixton]

UPDATE ON THE MIXOLOGY CLASS!
Disney emailed me back! Since we have 56 people signed up we will have TWO classes. The 1st group will be on 05/15 at 2:00 pm in Diversions and the 2nd group will be on 05/16 at 2:00 pm in Diversions. The maximum capacity for each group is 40! The price now be $15.00 per adult. As long as we only have 40 people per group and there are open spots you may choose to attend both! Please let me know ASAP who wants to attend which date! I'll be posting this on the Facebook and sending out an email to those who already have signed up.

15th & 16th for us, please, I've never been to one! I don't have Facebook, but will send a PM. Thanks for organising this, I realise it's challenging with a group this large

 

[heatherLOVESmickey]

I haven't been on the DIS boards much. I'm working on reading through them and catching up but since dinning linking needs to be sooner rather than later I thought I should post this ASAP.

I'm interested in linking my reservations for late dinning with other DISers. I have been on our Facebook group and it seems that the late dinning is not currently linked but there seems to be some interest. Is there interest in linking and/or being the contact person?

I have never been the contact person before but I'm able and willing to figure it out and do it.

I'm not sure the easiest way to do this... maybe PM me or send me a Facebook message (Heather Johannessen) if you want to be in charge. I will call DCL tomorrow to find out what information I need from everyone to link the dinning.
If I don't hear from anyone by the time I call DCL I'll just assume I'll do it and let you know what information you need to message me in order to link up our dinning.

Our first DCL cruise was a transatlantic and a highlight of our experience was dinner and getting to know folks. I hope to have a similar experience again.

 

[roseburghughes]

Thanks for the suggestion. We just downloaded the first of the series for our children. We probably will get "Dark Passage" for the cruise. I wasn't sure if we had to read the first to understand the rest!

Book 5 "Shell Game" is also about Disney Dream Cruise Ship, as is book 6 "Dark Passage".
Books 1-4 feature each of the 4 WDW Theme Parks even though they bounce around between all the parks. I saw something online about Book 7 will be the last in series and feature Disneyland. I have only read book 1. It was a quick read as I found it in Young Adults section of the bookstore. I found out about Ridley Pearson when I found "Peter and the Starcatchers" co-written with Dave Berry.

Sent from my iPhone,

Tim

 

[granmaz]

Thanks for the suggestion. We just downloaded the first of the series for our children. We probably will get "Dark Passage" for the cruise. I wasn't sure if we had to read the first to understand the rest!

I think reading them in order is the best as the same people appear, getting older, and older story lines are mentioned too as you go through them. However maybe the ones on the cruise ship are a bit different in that respect with being away from the parks.

Yes, he did say that no. 7 would be the last book and set in Disneyland. What a shame. Though of course you can't go on forever and the children in the books really could possible be married with kids by now!!!

The film Disney after Dark really should have been Ridley Pearson's work but they didn't have him do it, just used some of his ideas!! Shame.

 

[CarolAnnC]

There is something I am having trouble wrapping my head around. Previous Champagne Girl groups have charged a fee collected in advance and included things like champagne, feather boas, etc. They have also reserved space via DCL prior to the cruise for their group alone.

I think I am missing something here - what is the point of "signing up" folks to meet in a space open to all cruise passengers, and if all are going to the bar (like other cruise passengers) in this public space?

Whether or not the Promenade has activities going on at the same time, it is a public area, not reserved by any one group. So theoretically can't anyone stop in and buy a drink during your meet?

If we compare the embarkation day meet at 3pm in the same location, there is no "sign up" and I for one have met people "outside" the DIS at some of those meets in the past.

I believe it is not in the spirit of the DIS to lay claim to a public area and shoo away anyone who wants to participate, specifically those who were unable to "sign up" in advance. What is the harm if someone wants to bring a relative or two, even at the last minute that day?

Please enlighten me, in case I am missing something here....

Grumpy Grandma here. The thing you all need to remember is that the promenade lounge is in heavy use all day everyday after embarkation day, beginning fairly early in the morning with the cruise director's daily show. Among the activities held there are toddler dance parties, trivia, name that tune, crafts, dancing lessons, music and dancing, scavenger hunts begin and end there etc.

On the December PC, we had to move our "yankee swap gift exchange" from the Promenade to Preludes, in front of the walt theatre. Talk about uncomfortable!

I think your VOLUNTEER hostess on this event was very well intentioned and following a protocol often used in the past. It's unfortunate that her efforts were so misunderstood and criticized.

The only reason I am responding here to what I had thought was a resolved, dead issue is because you quoted me so I assume this was directed at me.

Though I was not attending, I saw some folks were turned away and I don't think anybody here had seen a limit number to be allowed (28 people) nor a cut off date.

As far as the venue, it perhaps may have been better to choose another location and time than the one you said is so very busy with children's activities etc. For our "Secret Mickey" on the Hawaii cruise (not sure if you were there) we had it in the Cadillac Lounge with room and seating for all. We had our Champagne Girls in Studio Sea and I would guess there were at least 75 ladies (and some male helpers) present.

I truly do understand the undertakings of being a volunteer, with the time involved, commitment, trying to keep all parties happy, and being the one doing all the followup. I spent 14 years 24/7, 365 days a year doing volunteer work myself. But it can be very rewarding as long as you know what you may be getting into, lol.

How about if you want to direct more particulars to me directly, we can take this to PM? Hope this calms down whatever made you "grumpy" reading my post, LOL! As far as I know the issue has been resolved with the first group now allowing anyone to attend if they desire, and a second group actually being formed on Facebook. So as far as I know all is well...

 

[icemoca]

Do you know if the board airline booking is available for Los Angeles airport? Last year, the board airline booking form was included in the booklet, but there was no form this year.

 

[Politzania]

Ok - as a special treat, Scott and I are thinking of booking an Exotic Rasul spa visit - but I'm getting conflicting info.

According to what I've read here on various DISBoards threads, you can book it for $89 and 2 people can attend, but on the Disney website, it says $89/adult - can anyone help clarify?

 

[McPheronsLoveDisney]

Ok - as a special treat, Scott and I are thinking of booking an Exotic Rasul spa visit - but I'm getting conflicting info.

According to what I've read here on various DISBoards threads, you can book it for $89 and 2 people can attend, but on the Disney website, it says $89/adult - can anyone help clarify?

My Dh and I did the exotic rasul in march on the magic and the $89.00 is per couple they have it marked wrong on the website. On board it shows $89.00 per couple on their spa sheet. All you need to do is book one person and both of you show up together!! Thats what we did

 

[Politzania]

My Dh and I did the exotic rasul in march on the magic and the $89.00 is per couple they have it marked wrong on the website. On board it shows $89.00 per couple on their spa sheet. All you need to do is book one person and both of you show up together!! Thats what we did

Thanks for the clarification - it seems worth the $89, but not twice that!

 

[McPheronsLoveDisney]

Thanks for the clarification - it seems worth the $89, but not twice that!

Your welcome ! Its worth the money in just the products they give you to use!!

 

[corbett744]

Hi all. I've been away for 2 weeks on vacation, and returned to a busted computer, needless to say... I'm a bit out of touch. Is there any earth shattering news since anout 3/25 that I should be aware of while I try to catch up? Thanks. Cindi