09/08/07 Early Check in September 8, 2007 Western

[CINGULARONE@YAHOO.CO]

A quick note of cell phones. International charges will be applied to your phone even if it is in the room safe.

Last cruise I had just received a new phone/carrier and i had been fooling with the features, shoved it in the safe when we left coverage area

Found out later that someone tried to call while we were at some so carr island, the phone received the call and frowarded the call to VM. Result? Intl charge ding on my bill. It was only $3 0r $6 no big deal, but a learning experience!! Now, unless I'm expecting a call, I turn the silly thing off.

I have heard that there is some kind of relay on the ships now? Anyone know what the carrier is? Coverage & costs?

Ray

I might be able to help (consideing my screenname and all).

Consider taking your cell phone, using it when needed. If you don't need it, don't turn it on. A carrier can only charge you if you 'register' on a site. If the phone is not on........

Not sure that the maritime phone system is on the Magic yet. We (AT&T (formerly Cingular)) are in partnership with the system. Be forewarned, your cell phone might work at sea, it WILL NOT BE CHEAP. I beleive the rates are $6 a minute. This is considerably less expensive than ship to shore, but more than your average minute. If you use your cell phone while at sea, be prepared to pay.

Hope all is well-

 

[Mom2J&P]

Hey CingularOne, we decided to go over there early as well on Saturday, 9/1 @ 4:00ish. Went right up to the Magic and took lots of pics during their life jacket drill. Then we decided to go to FishLips just down from Grills. Also got lots of great pictures as the boat went by. Think husband and I are more excited than kids.

Looking forward to a great and relaxing trip !!!

 

[Bareacuda]

A quick note of cell phones. International charges will be applied to your phone even if it is in the room safe.

Last cruise I had just received a new phone/carrier and i had been fooling with the features, shoved it in the safe when we left coverage area

Found out later that someone tried to call while we were at some so carr island, the phone received the call and frowarded the call to VM. Result? Intl charge ding on my bill. It was only $3 0r $6 no big deal, but a learning experience!! Now, unless I'm expecting a call, I turn the silly thing off.

I have heard that there is some kind of relay on the ships now? Anyone know what the carrier is? Coverage & costs?

Ray

Hopefully I sent the PM to you the right way.
It's from wineotracy... she was on the first 11 day med cruise. So she knows how it works.

Ann

 

[Donnica]

I know each cell company is different but ours (yes AT&T formally cingular) charged $2.99 a minute. Also.... DH, DW, DS , DD actually stands for DEAR Husband,wife,daughter and son but since this is the Disney boards and not another crise lines board Disney certainly fits the bill!!!!

 

[fltink]

No DCL will provide towels.

Bill

Please note, Disney only provides towels for DISNEY run excursions. If you are doing Moby Dick, Captain Marvi's or any other outside provider, you are on your own, unless the private company does towels (most do NOT).

 

[DnJLaw777]

Good Morning!!!

We are packing this morning, I say we loosley, as my wife packs for herself, AND the kids, so all I have to pack is for me and she keeps me on a pretty tight leash as far as what I can pack too. Something that did come up though is childrens hangers and ironing on the boat. I understand that taking your own iron is a no-no and the only place is the ships laundry to iron them yourself. Has anyone ever done that and if so, is it a busy place? and as far as the childrens hangers, are they available in the rooms? my brother didn't know (no kids) but said they were probably readily available. any help would be appreciated.


ALMOST THERE!!!!!!!!!

 

[Donnica]

I have never seen childrens hangers on any cruise ship. We have a steamer/iron that is allowed on cruise ships. It has worked really well for us and is nice to steam the ladies dresses and mens jackets if desired.

 

[Bareacuda]

I use to bring my iron but I now use the ships cleaners. They are cheap and easy to use.
I give them all my stuff on Saturday when we get into our room. And by the next morning.. the laundry fairy delivers.

Ann

 

[ElouA&K]

Hello!

I'm hoping some of the more seasoned cruisers will be able to help me and DH on this one. We are leaving our 4 month old DS at home and will be wanting to check in with grandma regularly.

What is the best way to do so? Should she call us? We call her, from the ship? With our cell phone? phone cards? We don't have a laptop, so that is p[retty much out and plus grandma is not so internet savy and does not have an e-mail.

I've read over what some have posted about cell phones but any other advice should be very helpful!

Thanks!

 

[ladyemmaann]

Hello!

I'm hoping some of the more seasoned cruisers will be able to help me and DH on this one. We are leaving our 4 month old DS at home and will be wanting to check in with grandma regularly.

What is the best way to do so? Should she call us? We call her, from the ship? With our cell phone? phone cards? We don't have a laptop, so that is p[retty much out and plus grandma is not so internet savy and does not have an e-mail.

I've read over what some have posted about cell phones but any other advice should be very helpful!

Thanks!

Hi New DIS

IF you read in your doc pages.. there is a 188 number for emergencys.. While at sea cell phones get no resept.. How to go ship to shore I would call Dis Crusie rep.. get that info.. what cabin, times onboard and off. and leave that with babysitter..
I to am Packing and leaving times, contacts and etc today...


PS.. we found some DIS shirts for 5 bucks.. at DIS store in Mall... Ok their white t-shirts (most of) and we are going near ALOT of water.. So what.. Nice price and DIS char..
off to pack.

 

[msnicky28]

Giavanna88,not sure if i spelled it right? we are first time disney cruisers and young too, 28 and with a 1 year old.. well 13 months, well look out for you ! I'm so excited, everyone on here seems so nice ! As i posted before we are running to get to the pool by 3, do to disney airs poor scheduling.. gee thanks disney so we may be a little late ! But we will be there, if not come find us or where should we try again ? I'm assuming you will wear the green leas all night if we get there after 3 ? well if anyone forgot anything let me know we dont' fly out til sat and i can bring it ! Good luck to everyones traveling plans ! see you there ! K , d and little a

 

[sgtslovak]

Well, we are all packed & as ready as we will ever be. Car service arrives tomorrow morning at 6:30 AM to take us to JFK. Hopefully traffic will be light & we'll make it in 30 minutes. Our flight to Orlando is scheduled to get us there before Noon & then it's off to the Beach club Villas for 4 days prior to the cruise. I can't believe the trip is here already. We are so ready for this vacation!
See you all on Saturday!
Chris & Janet

 

[shoes99]

Well, we are all packed & as ready as we will ever be. Car service arrives tomorrow morning at 6:30 AM to take us to JFK. Hopefully traffic will be light & we'll make it in 30 minutes. Our flight to Orlando is scheduled to get us there before Noon & then it's off to the Beach club Villas for 4 days prior to the cruise. I can't believe the trip is here already. We are so ready for this vacation!
See you all on Saturday!
Chris & Janet

Hey Chris & Janet & Lynn. Have a great trip. We will see you Wednesday night at the Beach Club Villas. Our flight gets in around 4PM.
We are not packed yet, but everything is spread out and ready to get into the suitcases. I'm trying to cut down on cases, but this is a 11 day trip....
My housesitter (really tree sitter) is coming tomorrow night.
DH planted an expensive white birch tree this spring, he feels better that my nephew is going to stay at the house during the week. Whatever works!!

 

[fltink]

Hi New DIS

IF you read in your doc pages.. there is a 188 number for emergencys.. While at sea cell phones get no resept.. How to go ship to shore I would call Dis Crusie rep.. get that info.. what cabin, times onboard and off. and leave that with babysitter..
I to am Packing and leaving times, contacts and etc today...


PS.. we found some DIS shirts for 5 bucks.. at DIS store in Mall... Ok their white t-shirts (most of) and we are going near ALOT of water.. So what.. Nice price and DIS char..
off to pack.

DCL's latest onboard technological advancement is the addition of cell phone service. You WILL in fact, get a signal onboard, however you ARE in international waters so your cell phone company will charge you as such. Here's my advice: The cabin phones are the most expensive of your options so I would avoid those if possible (but still make sure grandma has the number in case of emergency). The CHEAPEST option is to buy international calling cards and use a pay phone at port, however, bear in mind that this is NOT an option at Castaway Cay OR (obviously) on days at sea. The bonus, though, is that Key West is just Florida so cell calls from there are probably free with your calling plan. Check with your carrier for international rates. SOME companies actually allow you to switch your plan to an international inclusive one for just the month. This is often cheaper than paying for the calls on their own. ALL JUST MY OPINION OF COURSE!

 

[fltink]

Ok....deep breath......I have to say, I am like, freaking out! I have approximately a million and one things to do before we leave.....and we leave in just 36 hours! Looking over my list of what I have to do, I realize that it may be helpful for me to share these things with all of you, because maybe they are things you are needing to do too, and you needed a reminder. If not, please ignore my ranting....here I go....
-fill perscriptions
-get someone to bring in our mail
-give the emergency DCL number to a close friend/family
-empty camera memory cards so I have plenty of room...also be sure to pack my camera battery charger!
-buy gum (it is not sold at Orlando International Airport OR the Port OR on the ship)
-get a pedicure!
-pay bills that are due while we are away
-buy candy to bring onboard for when we go to the movies (the snacks outside of the theater are VERY expensive and one of the only items you must pay for onboard!)
-Print out all confirmations (flight, rental car, excursions, etc.) to bring
-Double check for IDs and passports
-Go to the bank and get rolls of quarters for laundry onboard and singles for tipping room service, luggage porters at the port, cab drivers, excursion operators, etc.
-Set my DVR for all the new shows that are starting while we are away
-Finalize call pet care plans for while we are away
-GET READY TO HAVE THE TIME OF MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bareacuda]

You been looking at my list???

Add one more ... weigh luggage empty, to see how much junk I can add to it!


Ann

 

[MamaKoss]

Safe travels to all you diser's who are leaving sooner than end of the week! Can't wait to meet all of you Saturday!
I'm so exhausted right now, I'm gonna cut this short. We are almost packed up; still working on it. Tomorrow night I will get all documents, reservations, passports, blah blah blah together. I still have a bunch to do this week, but we don't leave until Saturday morning early (7:00 a.m. flight to Orlando). Gotta be outta the house by 5:00 a.m. yuk.

I can't believe we are just 4 days away. Seems unreal.

Everyone, get there safe and sound so we can party like it's 1999! I hate that song!

Let's also pray that the hurricanes leave us alone.

Hugs and Kisses

 

[MamaKoss]

Sorry, I also wanted to post a response to the cell phone issue. We are bringing one cell phone with us, just in case. In Floriday (Key West), still in the states so probably okay to use cell phone to call home. I did check with our carrier (Verizon) and was informed that international roaming charges will apply and they are expensive! We of course do not have an international calling plan. Therefore, any calls to our phone or from our phone would be international roaming. According to Disney, the only place you can use your cell phone (or get reception I believe) is in the staterooms. So if you are going to use your phone, it will be from your stateroom. I don't really have a need to call home to check on anyone, so you have to make that choice yourself. I believe fltink might be correct with switching for one month to international with your carrier. Might be cheaper than using your phone with the international roaming charges.

Thank you and goodnight.

 

[zhybrid]

Hi all - We will also be on the 9/8 Magic with you! This is our family's 5th Disney Cruise. We have so much to do this week - I'll keep it short!

Brian & Amy, SPR# 5522
Bailey (6) - his 5th cruise
Carter (13 months) - his 1st cruise!

My wife's parents and her sister's family will be on board, too. This is the 2nd cruise we have all taken together...

Can't wait to get through this week of crazy packing and work... and to have a Magical vacation with all of you...

 

[gaviana88]

Hey everyone! I just want to thank everyone for being so nice! We leave tomorrow afternoon out of Chicago to stay at the Caribbean Beach Resort till Saturday! I can't wait! Hope to meet everyone on Saturday. Thanx again!