03/01/2008 Eastern!!

[MAD on Disney]

Thanks, Brenda.
- Mike

 

[atinkerbellmom]

Okay Mike, all of the questions you asked, I will address in my detailed e-mail to you new cruisers. I will actually get off the boards and try to finish it now. It is in my draft folder. I sat one day and typed this detailed e-mail for almost 2 hours and lost it in cyber space with a wrong stroke of the finger, so I understand. If I do not get it finished tonight, it will be addressed. In the e-mail I address getting off the plane to port, to ports of call, through customs, through customs again and back on the plane. Oh sorry, but I did not include how to fit the underwear in the suitcase.

 

[atinkerbellmom]

OOOPS, sorry to shout....

does anyone have any tips about phone cards or making calls to shore.....or feelings about whether it's necessary to bring two-way radios on the ship?

thanks for the help,
rani

Okay, thanks Brenda, I'll take this one. How did you know I would have an opinion. We really do need to get together on the ship. So thanks my friend.........

Rani- It is sooooo exspensive to call from the ship. In your e-mail I even adress the 800#. To get calls onto the ship will cost you about $38 just to connect and is a little over $8 a minute. To make calls out is just as exspensive. Your cell phones are suppose to work better on the ship now that they have some new type of reciever, but you still pay international roaming charges. This cost differs among cell phone providers, so you have to check with them. I know when we were in port in Mexico, I went to check my voicemail and it all came through in Spanish (no big deal as I speak it) but only got to the first two prompts before I lost signal. When we got our bill, it was $16 and I did not even get a chance to check the voicemail. The only time it is not a big deal with your sail phone is the day you are leaving Port and the early morning you get back. On the Western, you do have Key West where it is US charges. You can call room to room free on the ship and the kids can use house phones for free to call the room, but I do think that is the only phone talking you will do. Phone cards are the same as needing to make an international call, so it has to be an international one. Still you can not call from the ship even with a calling card as you will still get charged the huge connection fee to your stateroom account.
Now did you guys know that St. Thomas is like calling Puerto Rico, so a little cheaper than calling from the other ports. Here you can use a calling card in this port without being charged huge international fees, but it has to be done off the ship.
Two Way radios do not work on the ship in all spots because of the metal in the walls, sort of like not working on elevators. I have heard of people whom bring these very exspensive ones only to find out they do not work. Text messaging does not work either.
Some people buy one of the internet packages they have on the ship, but we do not do this. They now have internet on the ship for you to use your lap top, but you still have to buy a package and I hear it is sooooooo slow, you will use up all your minutes just trying to connect.
In otherwords, Rani, you are on vacation with your family. You need to just talk to everyone else when you get back. We have a rule in our family, we will talk to you when we get back. I have all of my family with me, so if something major happens, clean up the mess or put the person on ice. There is nothing we can do in the middle of the Ocean. Sure in the heck can not swim to shore.

 

[Micday]

Just checking in !!

Ladies and Mike,

What are you (your wife and you) wearing to formal night ?? James has given his approval for a new dress if he helps pick it out. My old cocktail dresses no longer fit ( somehow I've developed breast ??) Madison is all set and soooo looking forward to it. James has a tux, are the guys wearing tuxes ?

Madison has a cute pirate costume, we are working on ours.

I got stuff to make Door magnets but I'm not very creative, I envision it in my head but it does not seem to look the same once I phyically do it !

I got phone cards for the CM's that go that extra mile. Does anyone else do this ? Should I forget the phone cards and just give extra cash ??

Mike I love the smiley's but I'm to lazy to push that extra button to get them, sad but true.

This trip and you guys are my motivation to get up this early for work.

We are thinking about just going to the beaches at the ports so do we have to take a taxi to them or are they in walking distint ?? James said he's going to the nude beaches while Madison and I snorkel.

Well I have to go now, see you later.

Michelle

 

[feiste]

Could the Mommies of Grace and Michaela let them know that Kailyn has not forgotten them. She just hasn't had any computer time recently.

Uh-oh, self imposed no computer time, or mom and dad imposed no computer time?

 

[feiste]

While you veteran cruisers have been pretty helpful, I have some previously asked questions which remain unanswered (or perhaps I missed the answer, and now you must suffer for my ignorance). The key ones that I would like a response on are: (1) Do we pack a week's worth of clothes, or plan on doing laundry? (2) Brenda, are the black Mickey ears the ones that make that round thing on the door into a Mickey head, and if so, could we get a set? (3) Does anyone want us to make them some magnetic door signs? (is anyone planning on bringing a Johnson Rod? (Just kidding)

Let me start with this. I HATE (that will cover the smiles portion of this post)


In case I didn't mention it my girls will be swimming, swimming, and then they will go have some ice cream, and then they will be swimming. For the amount of time that they spend in their real clothes I could probably pack them two outfits each for the whole week, two pairs of pj's two dinner outfits, and 7 swim suits. Although I will probably not go that drastic I will not be packing a full weeks worth of clothes either. The kids will have one formal outfit each, and two or three other skirt/dress combos for dinners. Casual clothes the girls will have 3-4 pairs of shorts each and 5-6 t-shirts. Swimsuits, as many as I can fit. With this I will have completely overpacked for them. Some outfits are only worn for two or so hours so I consider that good for another wear.


DH will wear dress pants and sports coat for formal and semi-formal night, as well as Palo. Possibly a suit formal night, but I doubt it. Other than that he will bring dockers and polo type shirts for dinners. Shorts, 3-4 pair, and I have no idea how many shirts he brings. Two or three swimsuits as well.

I will bring three or so dresses (we are doing Palo twice and then we have formal and semi-formal night) And three pairs of dress slacks. Probably 4 or 5 dress shirts to go with. (kind of silly considering that you are only in you dinner clothes for 2 hours at a time). I'll bring three to four pairs of shorts, and 2 or three capri type pants to put on for the evenings and shows. 6 or 7 tops to cycle thru with both of those.

The way I look at it I am changing clothes 3 to 4 times a day - 5 if you include pjs! I have no problem packing less and wearing it more often because you are never in one outfit very long! On our last 7 day cruise our table mate brought three dinner outfits. One for formal, one for semi formal, and one dress to wear the other 5 nights.

For what it's worth I have never been under packed !

 

[feiste]

While you veteran cruisers have been pretty helpful, I have some previously asked questions which remain unanswered (or perhaps I missed the answer, and now you must suffer for my ignorance). The key ones that I would like a response on are: (1) Do we pack a week's worth of clothes, or plan on doing laundry? (2) Brenda, are the black Mickey ears the ones that make that round thing on the door into a Mickey head, and if so, could we get a set? (3) Does anyone want us to make them some magnetic door signs? (is anyone planning on bringing a Johnson Rod? (Just kidding)

OOps! I forgot to mention that I think we will take you up on the door sign offer, because as I mentioned I am talentless in the arts and crafts department ! As a Girl Scout Leader that presents challenges for me sometimes.

Let me know what you need from me, for help with the sign. Thanks for the offer!

Jennifer

P.S. Anyone want GS cookies? They are coming in the Saturday before we cruise! And yes I know that I'm shameless when it comes to GS Cookies.

 

[ranidayz]

While you veteran cruisers have been pretty helpful, I have some previously asked questions which remain unanswered (or perhaps I missed the answer, and now you must suffer for my ignorance). The key ones that I would like a response on are: (1) Do we pack a week's worth of clothes, or plan on doing laundry? (2) Brenda, are the black Mickey ears the ones that make that round thing on the door into a Mickey head, and if so, could we get a set? (3) Does anyone want us to make them some magnetic door signs? (is anyone planning on bringing a Johnson Rod? (Just kidding)

Mike,
I totally appreciate the offer for the signs...I'm actually doing my best at making my own.....I'm not getting the magnetic paper...I'm just having it printed at Staples and laminated...then putting mag tape on it.

Thanks so much for the offer,
Rani

 

[ranidayz]

total side note: remember when GS cookies had like 40 in the box and cost $1.25? I remember.......

thanks for the past several info posts -- they had tons of great and helpful info...

tink: I love the rule about being on vacation and leaving us alone.....DH is the one in constant contact. Can you mail stuff from the islands? The kids have travel notes to send -- they're really cool -- thinking maybe I can scan them and you can print them at home -- self-mailers...

get this: DS9 pirate outfit is MISSING!!@!! so much planning - gone...next to plan b and plan c which is figuring out what plan b is......

 

[feiste]

And it just wouldn't be right to leave without asking some brand new questions as well, so here they are:

(1) Could someone clue us in on the "Customs morning" that I think someone mentioned earlier. (It's much easier for me to have you take the time to explain it in detail than for me to search the Boards.)

(2) What are the pros (presumably a price break) and cons to booking the next cruise while on board, and how far in advance can you book while on board? (MY WIFE ASKED THIS QUESTION!!! So unlike her. I think she asked it an hour ago, but I only recently regained consciousness.)

I will help with question number 2:

The pro to booking onboard would be the price break. You get 10% off as well as a (usually) generous stateroom credit for that next cruise. When we rebooked last March the credit was $150 for this upcoming 7 day cruise. When we got back we switched to AAA, and now we get all the benefits that they offer as well. $150 more in stateroom credit, 10% off in gift shops and so on. The deposit is $250 per person. As I said we are planning to rebook while on board, but I do not think that we are planning to go on another cruise until 2010. The 2010 dates have not yet been released. When the dates are released we will transfer our 2009 reservation to 2010. We will retain our onboard booking credit at whatever the current offer is. For example :

Let's say we rebook for 2009 while we are on board and the offer is 10% off and $150 stateroom credit. As long as we hold that reservation that is the offer that we will keep.

Now, when the 2010 dates open up and we decide to change our reservation, but the OBC booking offer is now 5% discount and $75 per stateroom. That would now be the offer we receive.

Dreams Unlimited works very closely with DCL. They are aware of dates opening up ASAP. If you transfer your OBC to DU and tell them your intentions (when you really want to sail, what stateroom you want, what dinner seating you want and so on) then you have a very good chance of getting it. Booking with DU is how we got the Secret Porthole room for our 2007 cruise. I would love to have a SVR for 2010.

FWIW - I do think that with the new ships coming DCL is going to cut the OBC down a bit. JMHO.

Jennifer

 

[feiste]

total side note: remember when GS cookies had like 40 in the box and cost $1.25? I remember.......

Last night at our meeting I asked the girls what trip the wanted to take with the money earned for GS cookies. The answer "Disney World!" I told them that they needed to sell 1200-1500 boxes each and then we could talk about it

this: DS9 pirate outfit is MISSING!!@!! so much planning - gone...next to plan b and plan c which is figuring out what plan b is......

OH NO ! How did this happen?

 

[atinkerbellmom]

Okay for a person whom has so many post, I have a question Jen, how do you quote multiple messages in a post. This is one reason I get a little longer winded. I know how to do one and edit out the lines I do not want of the PP, but do not know how to quote multiple ones in one post?????? Did I ever tell you guys, I am not very computer smart??????

 

[atinkerbellmom]

Oh by the way, the lady paid me the cost of the pillowcases last night. She said she forgot.... For those of you whom PMed me and asked, I wanted to let you know. I had not commented because I was actually a little sad that someone would have not at least just paid for the case and the shipping. So, now I am a little more . Johnna if you peek back in, I am taking your advice. NO MORE PILLOWCASES as it had been a little bit of a side bar effecting my own trip. SO CRUISEMATE focused now. Thanks guys for the PMs, those did make me .

 

[ejkjmom]

Just checking in !!

Ladies and Mike,

What are you (your wife and you) wearing to formal night ?? James has given his approval for a new dress if he helps pick it out. My old cocktail dresses no longer fit ( somehow I've developed breast ??) Madison is all set and soooo looking forward to it. James has a tux, are the guys wearing tuxes ?

Madison has a cute pirate costume, we are working on ours.

I got stuff to make Door magnets but I'm not very creative, I envision it in my head but it does not seem to look the same once I phyically do it !

I got phone cards for the CM's that go that extra mile. Does anyone else do this ? Should I forget the phone cards and just give extra cash ??

Mike I love the smiley's but I'm to lazy to push that extra button to get them, sad but true.

This trip and you guys are my motivation to get up this early for work.

We are thinking about just going to the beaches at the ports so do we have to take a taxi to them or are they in walking distint ?? James said he's going to the nude beaches while Madison and I snorkel.

Well I have to go now, see you later.

Michelle

This is Ron, Brenda had to go out of town today. As far as formal night goes, last year I rented a tux from Disney. I will do the same again this year. If anyone else goes this route, make sure you try it on right away in case it doesn't fit. I had to have mine altered last year. At St. Thomas the beach we went to was about 1/2 to 3/4 mi. from the ship. We took a water taxi coming back. You'll definitely need a taxi to get to James beach.

 

[ranidayz]

[/QUOTE]OH NO ! How did this happen?[/QUOTE]

Umm, I think it probably had something to do with him wanting to be a zombie REALLY bad for Halloween and permenantly misplacing the pirate costume so I couldn't force him to wear it....and then forgetting where it was misplaced.....

soooo not the biggest deal in the world -- I got it on super clearance -- of course....

 

[feiste]

Okay for a person whom has so many post, I have a question Jen, how do you quote multiple messages in a post. This is one reason I get a little longer winded. I know how to do one and edit out the lines I do not want of the PP, but do not know how to quote multiple ones in one post?????? Did I ever tell you guys, I am not very computer smart??????

There might be an easier way than mine but...

Obviously I first start by hitting quote on the post.

Then I delete the things that I don't want in the material that I am quoting.

I then copy the end quote symbol that shows up at the end of the post and then paste it where at the points where I want to stop quoting, and add my own feedback.

I then copy and paste the beginning quote symbols at the beginning of each segment where I am going back to the OP, to make sure that their writing shows up as quote again.

As I am reading what I wrote it sounds confusing, and I apoligize if I am not making myself clear .

I think I have also posted quotes from multiple posters before, but I cannot remember right now how I did that. I will fiddle with it tonight, and let you know what I come up with.

Back to work

 

[feiste]

OH NO ! How did this happen?[/QUOTE]

Umm, I think it probably had something to do with him wanting to be a zombie REALLY bad for Halloween and permenantly misplacing the pirate costume so I couldn't force him to wear it....and then forgetting where it was misplaced.....

soooo not the biggest deal in the world -- I got it on super clearance -- of course....[/QUOTE]

That is hilarious!

 

[Micday]

Good evening everyone !!

I was just surfing the web looking at car rates. I still have the best deal I can find reserved but it never hurts to check. Are any of you guys renting ?


I'm finally taking the weekend off, but I'm cleaning house not cruise shopping. Maybe I can reward myself if I do a good job ?

Michelle

 

[ejkjmom]

Hi to all....
I've been gone all day today...don't know if anyone missed me or not
and...we are leaving tomorrow for the rest of the weekend..we are going to Colo to watch a hockey game..never have been to one before, and now that the date is here, I'm thinking, that maybe never being to one, is not such a bad thing

Hope everyone has a great weekend..I will check in yet tonight and tomorrow before we leave ...

 

[MAD on Disney]

Okay, I never should have griped about any fellow cruisers not responding to me, because now I feel compelled to do the same.

Micday,
If my wife's were growing, there is no way I would be on a different beach than her, topless or not. In fact, I would find some way to have the kids in the club and keep the two of us holed up in the cabin for the entire week; to heck with port days anyway! By the way, do you suspect any kind of special diet or combination of common household ingredients for your new condition? I've been meaning to try out some new recipes. I hope it's not Alice in Wonderland candy or some other such thing that's hard for a husband to come by.

Feiste and Tink,
Kailyn's lack of computer time are a combination of too much homework (it's schoolwork that became homework because of a less than stellar effort to complete during school hours), the novelty of e-mail starting to wear off for her, and Daddy monopolizing the computer to waste time on the DIS.

Micday,
I have no idea what my wife is thinking for her and the kids for formal and semi-formal night (yes, I leave it to her, go ahead ladies, let me have it). I am thinking gray or khaki slacks, a button shirt, tie, and sports jacket for formal night (not very formal, but in my job, that's as dressy as I get, I have no true suit, and I'm too cheap to shell out cash for a tux). For semi-formal night, I will go with the same thing (saves on packing), but possibly lose the tie or jacket. Tink will be embarrassed for having invited such an underdressed individual to dine with her.

Feiste,
For the door sign(s), what I need depends in part on what you want. Do you want me to decide most things and just shoot you something, or do you want to give guidance? Do you want a single family sign or signs for each member of the family? What information do you want; just first names or family name, or also cruise dates, room numbers (which is risky, because you could get upgraded), etc.? I already have your names, but I would suggest at a minimum letting me know favorite Disney characters or movies for each of you, and perhaps some photos (I know your website proclaims to contain your best family photos, but I didn't know if you had some others, perhaps even Disney photos). I think you have my e-mail address already, but if not, let me know. I'll try to get something to you in time for you to look at and comment back for changes. I'll just bring the finished sign(s) with me and give it/them to you on the ship. By the way, how can you say that you are talentless, your website is awesome? (and I thought Macs were for the creative types)

Tink,
Thanks for the very informative e-mail. I am looking forward to the next one.

Feiste,
Thanks for the info about on-board booking.

Feiste,
If you really do start planning a trip to WDW, and you are not a regular, let me know and I'll try to return the favor of giving advice. While we do not go as often as some, we have made six trips to WDW since 1994. We love (okay, I love and DW tolerates) giving advice and helping people plan for WDW trips.

Ejkjmom,
I read the post from Ron about you being gone just before I read the one from you about being back. You will be missed, and welcome home.

All,
If I've missed responding to someone or something, let me know.

- Mike