09/13/09 SSMC09 S.S. Member Cruise 2009 - Part 2!

[WDWLVR]

I am sorry if I have asked this question before. I searched my posts on both threads and could not find where I asked it. Hmm.. I am just not sure.

So, here it is.

What is not included as part of your payment for the cruise?

alcohol, palo, spa, excursions, ????​

I am trying to finalize our budget for this vacation and I am not sure what else to include as far as expenses during the cruise.

Tips for dining are included - realizing that we may want to give something a little extra for those really outstanding folks.

What other tipping needs to be considered?

What else would I need to budget for???

You might want to include money for photos in your budget. We've had some great ones taken over the years especially the lifestyle photos.

Some examples of photos we've bought:

Another thing to budget for is tips for the porters. For both when you drop off your luggage and when you are leaving the ship at the end of the cruise. They make life so much easier for you.


One last thing is that they usually have Member Cruise specific items in the gift shop (t-shirts, polo shirts, pins, etc.).




PDFG and all our friends who need it.

 

[wltdsnyfan]

Mary,

If forgot about pics and the porters. Glad you posted that. I can add to my list.

How are you feeling?

take care
flo

 

[WDWLVR]

Mary,

If forgot about pics and the porters. Glad you posted that. I can add to my list.

How are you feeling?

take care
flo

I'm feeling a bit worn out but not too bad. Not eating much right now. I did leave work at 3:30 to go to the doctor for blood work so at least I didn't have too long a day (started at 7:15).

Just not feeling 100% prepared for the cruise but I'll get there. I've been making my lists so that should help.

 

[Donald is #1]

Hey there. It's been about a week since I was on last- and I've been thinking about something that someone posted to me- they said don't overpack!

Hmmm.... Ok- time for a little truth here- I am certainly the overpacking type!! What kind of clothes do we actually need for the cruise?! Dressy nights? Casual?

Don't forget- I'm traveling with three kids- so that automatically qualifies me for the I will bring too much club!!

Thanks,

Carrie

Me too! I definitely overpack!

I say you can never pack too much! The only problem is that if you are flying, you are really restricted to how much luggage you can bring!

BUT if you are driving, pack whatever you want!!!!

OK, that is a bad sign. I'm driving so I guess that I can really overpack!

 

[FaithTrustnPixieDust]

You might want to include money for photos in your budget. We've had some great ones taken over the years especially the lifestyle photos.


Another thing to budget for is tips for the porters. For both when you drop off your luggage and when you are leaving the ship at the end of the cruise. They make life so much easier for you.


One last thing is that they usually have Member Cruise specific items in the gift shop (t-shirts, polo shirts, pins, etc.).


PDFG and all our friends who need it.

Thanks for the information. About how much do the photos cost?

 

[dvc4life]

PDFG and all our friends who need it.

Mary - what a cool photo! Where and how did you have this one taken? I have never seen a photo like this and would love to have one of my and DH too. Thanks!

 

[WDWLVR]

Thanks for the information. About how much do the photos cost?

The large 8x10's were $19.95 last year. I know they also have some photo packages available to save you money. I think it was 5 8x10's for $85.

Mary - what a cool photo! Where and how did you have this one taken? I have never seen a photo like this and would love to have one of my and DH too. Thanks!

Chris this was a very unique experience and one I'm not sure how it happened. It was on our 2006 Double Scoop Cruise (aka the Blabbermouths). It was a 7 day cruise and on the 5th day we got an invitation is our message fish to join the Captain on the bridge after our CC day. We were told how to reply and when/where to meet. There were about 10 of us taken in to meet the two Captains and a photographer there to take the picture.

 

[dvc4life]

Thanks for the information. About how much do the photos cost?

They have pre-paid packages you can buy. Starting like at $150.00 and going up. If my memory serves me correct, I think like a single 8x10 is $20-25and 5x7's are $10. They are kinda pricey, IMO, but I love me some pictures, and I always buy a package of some kind. I just checked and the package I bought was $169 plus an extra 5x7 for $10. We got 7 8x10's and like 6 5x7's. Trying to count the photos on our wall of vacations, but this is pretty close. The only thing that stinks is that it is so hard to choose. So be sure if there is one you really don't like to be sure and discard it so you don't keep looking at it. Once you buy a package you can also upgrade it or switch photos out if you like another one better, or down grade it as well.

We cruised just last October on the Halloween cruise so I don't think prices could have changed that much.

Hope this helps.

 

[dvc4life]

The large 8x10's were $19.95 last year. I know they also have some photo packages available to save you money. I think it was 5 8x10's for $85.



Chris this was a very unique experience and one I'm not sure how it happened. It was on our 2006 Double Scoop Cruise (aka the Blabbermouths). It was a 7 day cruise and on the 5th day we gotu an invitation is our message fish to join the Captain on the bridge after our CC day. We were told how to reply and when/where to meet. There were about 10 of us taken in to meet the two Captains and a photographer there to take the picture.

OMG, how cool is that . What a great opportunity for you and Mark to do that. You were so lucky. Maybe someday we will get that chance, just like you. Congrats!

 

[djstweety]

Diane,

It says 10 days before on the DVC site.

take care
flo

Thanks for the info.

Wow! You all are just chatting so much out here that it is taking me forever to catch up on posts when I miss a day.

Congrats Sue and Marsha on the and

Had my second quiz tonight. Another 10/10. I wasn't 100% sure about a couple of the answers but I just worked through trying to rationalize my answers. They were sort of tricky the way they were worded. I was so hesitant to hit the submit button but what a relief when I saw I got them all right.

As for getting ready for the cruise.....I do not have my FE or the FE gifts finished, I have nothing packed yet, do not have the suitcases down out of the attic, and I do not even have my packing list put together. You may all laugh but I am starting to get a little stressed about not being prepared at this point. I should have at least started a list.

Because this is our first cruise I feel a little out of my element. I am worried I will not be prepared and will forget something. But if I really stop and think about it whatever I pack for our regular WDW trips would be sufficient for this cruise. Just have to make sure I bring those passports!

Maybe if I use a little my classwork will be finished, my SAS 70 audit at work will be over, my FE stuff will be ready, and my suitcases will be packed. Oh one more and all the planning will be done for my Webelos den for this upcoming year. Yikes! I have not even thought about that yet.

I could use one of those Fu Fu drinks you all refer to right now!!

I just can not believe it is here already. This summer is flying by.

Good night and have a great Thursday!!!!

Wow you are a very busy person..you do need this trip. here is a

Dianne,

Did you ever get the t shirts that you ordered from disney.com? I was just there looking at t shirts and I remembered your post of going back and forth between Disney and UPS.

take care
flo

No nothing yet, I recieved one item that was shipped seperate, the rest is who knows where, we have e-mailed and called the Disney store and have not heard back from them yet as to if they found the package and re-shipped it yet.

The large 8x10's were $19.95 last year. I know they also have some photo packages available to save you money. I think it was 5 8x10's for $85.

I wonder if you by 5x7's what kind of deal you could get?

Chris this was a very unique experience and one I'm not sure how it happened. It was on our 2006 Double Scoop Cruise (aka the Blabbermouths). It was a 7 day cruise and on the 5th day we got an invitation is our message fish to join the Captain on the bridge after our CC day. We were told how to reply and when/where to meet. There were about 10 of us taken in to meet the two Captains and a photographer there to take the picture.

 

[MEAGON2222]

WHEN I GO ON THIS NEXT CRUISE I WILL PICK THE ONES THAT MEAN THE MOST TO ME BUT CURTIN ONE YOU MOST HAVE.

 

[FaithTrustnPixieDust]

Again, thanks for the information. Gosh, what would I do without all of you to give me the details.

Well, I am happy to report that after work I picked up goodies for the kids FE gifts. Sitting here bagging them up.

I have the house all to myself this evening and I am bagging up FE gifts for kids.

Have a good evening.

Lisa

 

[manascarfan]

Good Morning Everyone

Happy Friday Anyone with any special plans for the weekend? We are going to look at some kittens for the kids, they have been bugging me for over a year. Have a great weekend.

 

[WDWLVR]

Good morning everyone - happy Friday!

My only big plans for the weekend is getting together with my Godmother and some other of my Mom's friends. Since my Mom was an only child a few of these women were like aunts to me.

 

[WDWLVR]

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Tip Of The Day

Does anyone remember this from staying onsite.?There used to be a channel called the tip of the day. Back in 2005 I counted down the last month to the cruise with some of these. Some don't apply any more but with so many new cruisers I thought it would be good to share the ones that still work.

Your printer and a set of address labels can save you lots of time on the cruise itself.

Many people before they go on vacation will type up address labels to apply to their postcards. That way you and your family have the addresses at hand and you just peel and stick onto the postcard, write your private message and then send.

Here's the tip - and credit goes to Karen (ohiominnie) since she shared it with us on the 10 day and it worked great. At the end of the cruise you will get color coded luggage tags to put on your luggage. Information needed is:

• Number of pieces of luggage (1 of 3, 2 of 3, 3 of 3)

• Stateroom number

• Name

• Address (including city, state and zip code)

Make those up in advance on your address labels. Then when you have to pack it will make it a little quicker. Plus by being printed it is easier for the porters who unload the ship to help keep your pieces together. Tag measures 4 inches wide by 2.5 inches tall to help you figure out which size label to use.

An extra tip for scrapbookers. The front of these tags feature different characters. Tags of all colors are available at a table by guest services. So stop on by and you can pick up some cute tags for your scrapbook.

 

[wltdsnyfan]

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Tip Of The Day

Does anyone remember this from staying onsite.?There used to be a channel called the tip of the day. Back in 2005 I counted down the last month to the cruise with some of these. Some don't apply any more but with so many new cruisers I thought it would be good to share the ones that still work.

Your printer and a set of address labels can save you lots of time on the cruise itself.

Many people before they go on vacation will type up address labels to apply to their postcards. That way you and your family have the addresses at hand and you just peel and stick onto the postcard, write your private message and then send.

Here's the tip - and credit goes to Karen (ohiominnie) since she shared it with us on the 10 day and it worked great. At the end of the cruise you will get color coded luggage tags to put on your luggage. Information needed is:

• Number of pieces of luggage (1 of 3, 2 of 3, 3 of 3)

• Stateroom number

• Name

• Address (including city, state and zip code)

Make those up in advance on your address labels. Then when you have to pack it will make it a little quicker. Plus by being printed it is easier for the porters who unload the ship to help keep your pieces together. Tag measures 4 inches wide by 2.5 inches tall to help you figure out which size label to use.

An extra tip for scrapbookers. The front of these tags feature different characters. Tags of all colors are available at a table by guest services. So stop on by and you can pick up some cute tags for your scrapbook.

Mary/Karen

Thanks for the luggage tag tip.

Take care and have a great day.

flo

 

[dvc4life]

Good Friday Morning.

We could have all kinds of plans for the weekend if we decide to go do them. Tonight our oldest DD is in the Bill Riley Talent Search Show over at her high school, which we will be going to. This show has been going on for years and years here in Iowa. What it is is small towns around Iowa have these talent searches and the winners then go to the State Fair where they compete for scholarships against the other winners from around the state. Kids, dance, sing, play instruments, etc. There are some really talented kids out there. Becca is going to sing, which, to me, she is pretty good. Let's hope she does well.

As for tomorrow, our school town is having their yearly celebration, called Ogden Fun Days, so we can go to that. My uncle is having his 60th b-day party, our youngest DD is to dance at the park at Fun Days, there is a band in the park that night and the parade in the morning.

Sunday I need to stay home and clean! I will probably try to can some more green beans too. Busy, busy.

 

[cquick]

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Tip Of The Make those up in advance on your address labels. Then when you have to pack it will make it a little quicker. Plus by being printed it is easier for the porters who unload the ship to help keep your pieces together. Tag measures 4 inches wide by 2.5 inches tall to help you figure out which size label to use..

THIS IS A WONDERFUL TIP! I DIDN'T DO THIS LAST TIME WE CRUISED, AND MY HANDWRITING IS HORRIBLE!!!

I always take a little pile of homemade cards with our names, disboard names and email on them to hand out to new friends, so that we can correspond after the cruise!

 

[MEAGON2222]

Today, is friday. I dont have alot going on this weekend. I am hoping to relaxe

 

[cquick]

Good Friday Morning.

We could have all kinds of plans for the weekend if we decide to go do them. Tonight our oldest DD is in the Bill Riley Talent Search Show over at her high school, which we will be going to. This show has been going on for years and years here in Iowa. What it is is small towns around Iowa have these talent searches and the winners then go to the State Fair where they compete for scholarships against the other winners from around the state. Kids, dance, sing, play instruments, etc. There are some really talented kids out there. Becca is going to sing, which, to me, she is pretty good. Let's hope she does well.

As for tomorrow, our school town is having their yearly celebration, called Ogden Fun Days, so we can go to that. My uncle is having his 60th b-day party, our youngest DD is to dance at the park at Fun Days, there is a band in the park that night and the parade in the morning.

Sunday I need to stay home and clean! I will probably try to can some more green beans too. Busy, busy.

GOOD LUCK TO YOUR SON!!!
​

I LOVE THE IOWA STATE FAIR! We are originally from Sterling, IL. My best friend's daughters both live in Des Moines! AND my DH's nephew lives in Cedar Rapids.