09/18/11 - DVCers Take Over the Dream (S.S. Member Cruise 2011) - Thread #4

[Truffle]

Good night all, and Happy Valentine's Day!

 

[DizDragonfly]

Karen, did you run off someplace? Or are you playing with your Mac?

I was reading dining reviews and drooling.

 

[DizDragonfly]

I certainly wouldn't blame you if you were off playing with it. Is there anything you don't like about it?

I guess the only thing I don't like is that with Windows 7 you could see all your open windows down in the little bar at the bottom. So, if I had two browser windows open, they were easy to switch between. I haven't found a way to do that with my MacBook yet. It may be an easy fix, but I haven't figured it out.

 

[DizDragonfly]

Ohh! I got a too!

LOL Congrats!!

 

[Hoosier John]

OK, how can I put this nicely???

Please remember that DCL does not allow people to board the ship once they have reached their 24th week of pregnancy.

With 7 months to go, that is kinda a little over the 24 week limit.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day.

So how about going out for a nice round of miniature golf instead?

Yes!!! That should be the only hole in one you should be thinking of!!!

Too funny guys ... What a team

PS (forgot about that being a problem)

 

[Hoosier John]

Maybe now.

Ohh! I got a too!

Good job Dan ... A solo Double! Where did everyone else go?

 

[Hoosier John]

I have read that if I went on a "regular" DCL cruise rather than the superfantabulouslyawesomeness that is known as the SSMC 2011 there would be a meeting/presentation for DVC members where you could get door prizes and raffles and other free and fun stuff. Also that there is a sales pitch meeting for non members where they also do giveaways and a sales pitch to join our elite group.

Since this is the Member's Cruise and DVC is already loading us down with gifts and stuff, do either of these meetings still take place on this cruise?

I do not wanna come across as greedy but I am a true DVC/Disney junkie and I need my fix and will take all the free and fun stuff I can get my hands on; either for myself or to give out to friends and family...

I realize that the first step is admitting you have a problem. If I did have a problem then I would admit it, but I do not so quit nagging me about it and get me a Mickey Bar already!

Hi Andy,

There is also a DVC raffle, where you answer a trivia question each day and drop it in the drum (by the DVC sales office) for chances to win. I've never known any one who has won (either this or the one Debbie talked about at the presentation) and can't even remember what the prizes were.

Also they have a DVC sales office onboard, if you're willing to risk the purchase of more points. There they have a small bar (gratis) in the waiting area. After we succomed and purchased points at Bay Lake Towers, I went back and got a refill! It has been suggested to do this early because they (in the past) have held a reception for those who did purchase, in the Walt Disney Suite. By the time we purchased, the event was over. Live and learn.

 

[Luckymomoftwo]

Debbie, you can watch me, Terrie, Shawn & Milford in May (maybe I can bring on a huge DISBOARD FLAG, and wave it as we're heading out )

Oh that's right! I'll definitely have to watch when you guys set sail!!! I'll watch for your huge DISBOARD FLAG!

Thanks Julio and Debbie-did you call Radisson directly or go through AAA or ARP or something else? We are going to WDW in May for the D23 week end and got a good deal on a car through Hotwire. This is the 4th time we went through them and we always get a good deal. This time the car is with Hertz-they don't tell you what rental company until you book it.
Is anyone else going to the D23 week-end?
Vicki

Junior and I both work for our local government and I have a gov't ID, so we get the $99/night rate at the Radisson. I think the regular rate is still only $119 if you just go on their website and book it. And for the rental car, we just go straight to the website and use a coupon from the Entertainment book. We book it at about the same time we book the member cruise, so it's super cheap since it's so far in advance.

For those who are taking part in the FE madness, how many have done it before? It seems to me that there will be far more things received than given, based upon sheer numbers. Will we need an additional bag for that stuff too? That would be a single bag for our stuff, another bag for the DVC swag, and yet another one for the FE stuff, right?

We usually need one extra (medium size bag) for all the DVC/DCL freebies and FE's. Well...last year I think we needed that AND a duffle bag.

Anybody can roast beef...

At least it was sunny today and a bit warmer than it has been! I am really grateful for that!

It was so nice to open the door to let the dog out and not get blasted with cold wind that took my breath away. I actually stood with the door open for a minute because the breeze actually felt nice at 40 some degrees!

We're supposed to hit 50 on Thursday, but it's supposed to rain. All this snow AND rain?! On top of frozen ground?! Oh what a mess THAT'S going to be!

 

[Luckymomoftwo]

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! ​

 

[robynchic]

For _each_ guest? I heard the extra bag part, but I wasn't thinking that was for all four of us. I'm planning on packing "lite", but I'm a pack rat by nature. So, it's going to be a struggle for me.

Hmmmm, pack rat AND a night owl ... I'm thinking my inner animals may be in conflict ...

My definition of "pack lightly" is to make sure I have multiple uses for anything I bring. I have a couple of skirt/dresses that have the elastic smocking on the top bit- one can double as a swimsuit cover up and a skirt, the other as a dress and a skirt. Jeans can be worn at *least* twice, and I'm hoping to find/make an Infinity Dress for fancy dining evenings. The only thing I don't wear more than once is undies

I'm a light-packing queen. The stuff I don't pack light is my cosmetics (foundation, finishing powder, ~ 13 different eye shadows, a blush, highlighter, bronzer, 8ish brushes and 3 lip glosses) and hair care (hair care = shampoo, conditioner, comb (2 of them!), mousse, and a special towel JUST for my hair. If I get a new dryer, then I'll also bring a dryer and diffuser). Wow, just listing that stuff made me realize I sound so vain...I'm really not.

Oh, and if anyone is looking to buy stock, get some in Neutrogena- I slather on the SPF 50-70 (skin cancer running in the family will make you paranoid)

 

[Hoosier John]

My definition of "pack lightly" is to make sure I have multiple uses for anything I bring. I have a couple of skirt/dresses that have the elastic smocking on the top bit- one can double as a swimsuit cover up and a skirt, the other as a dress and a skirt. Jeans can be worn at *least* twice, and I'm hoping to find/make an Infinity Dress for fancy dining evenings. The only thing I don't wear more than once is undies

I'm a light-packing queen. The stuff I don't pack light is my cosmetics (foundation, finishing powder, ~ 13 different eye shadows, a blush, highlighter, bronzer, 8ish brushes and 3 lip glosses) and hair care (hair care = shampoo, conditioner, comb (2 of them!), mousse, and a special towel JUST for my hair. If I get a new dryer, then I'll also bring a dryer and diffuser). Wow, just listing that stuff made me realize I sound so vain...I'm really not.

Oh, and if anyone is looking to buy stock, get some in Neutrogena- I slather on the SPF 50-70 (skin cancer running in the family will make you paranoid)

Wally, Andy, Dan, and Ian tell me one pair of underwear can go 4 days if you rotate and flip them properly!

You probably already know there are (or at least were on previous ships) hair driers in the cabins, but I understand they leave a lot to be desired. Still if you bring your own, power capacity and plug compatibility may be an issue.

I've never been a fan of their "seaweed" shampoo and conditioner (and the latest photos look to be the same natural stuff), but I suffer through anyway. Lara orders an extra towel for her hair, but it isn't anything special.

Lara makes me leave my cosmetic at home, when we travel.

 

[robynchic]

Wally, Andy, Dan, and Ian tell me one pair of underwear can go 4 days if you rotate and flip them properly!

You probably already know there are (or at least were on previous ships) hair driers in the cabins, but I understand they leave a lot to be desired. Still if you bring your own, power capacity and plug compatibility may be an issue.

I've never been a fan of their "seaweed" shampoo and conditioner (and the latest photos look to be the same natural stuff), but I suffer through anyway. Lara orders an extra towel for her hair, but it isn't anything special.

Lara makes me leave my cosmetic at home, when we travel.

I'll admit, I'm a bit...obsessive? About my hair. I have naturally curly hair and I treat it very delicately, which is why I have a special shampoo, conditioner, mousse and towel for it. Depending on the quality of the water on the ship, I may have to use the products on the ship; otherwise, my hair will become a matted, tangled mess very quickly!

 

[beeadude]

Julio or Debbie-When you booked the Radisson did you have to book the cruise special in order to get the van to the port and free parking? There was a big price difference for that. I found a good rate through Southwest airlines as well as AAA.
Thanks again-Happy Valentines Day
Vicki

 

[robynchic]

Julio or Debbie-When you booked the Radisson did you have to book the cruise special in order to get the van to the port and free parking? There was a big price difference for that. I found a good rate through Southwest airlines as well as AAA.
Thanks again-Happy Valentines Day
Vicki

DISCLAIMER: I don't know the deal about the Radisson- this is my experience with the Quality Inn & Suites

I know with the Quality Inn & Suites, it was only an extra $30 to park at the Radisson and get the shuttle.

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

For those who are taking part in the FE madness, how many have done it before? It seems to me that there will be far more things received than given, based upon sheer numbers. Will we need an additional bag for that stuff too? That would be a single bag for our stuff, another bag for the DVC swag, and yet another one for the FE stuff, right?

I've done the FE's before but we didn't have nearly as many cabins as we do for this cruise. The amount of items depends on whether people give cabin vs individual gifts and if the deliver just one day or all days.

Oh man! So, I figure I can pack just three or four days of clothes. Plus, two nicer outfits per person for dinners. If I do only three days worth, I'll have to do laundry on the ship twice. So, I'm thinking I'll do four. Well, if I do laundry twice, then I won't have to worry about doing it again at WDW before we leave. Maybe I will just do three days worth. You see the questions that torture me!?!

Do you usually dress up for the dinners?

Good night all, and Happy Valentine's Day!

Congrats on both the Swan and Pirate. You all stay up way too late for me.

I guess the only thing I don't like is that with Windows 7 you could see all your open windows down in the little bar at the bottom. So, if I had two browser windows open, they were easy to switch between. I haven't found a way to do that with my MacBook yet. It may be an easy fix, but I haven't figured it out.

If you use firefox instead of Safari you can have the multiple tabs kind of like Windows except the bar is at the top.


HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY .

 

[robynchic]

Tigger-

I usually dress up for dinner. I feel like if I'm going to go to a restaurant that feels nicer, then I may as well dress up for it. Especially for formal and semi-formal nights.

 

[Carmouse10]

I guess the only thing I don't like is that with Windows 7 you could see all your open windows down in the little bar at the bottom. So, if I had two browser windows open, they were easy to switch between. I haven't found a way to do that with my MacBook yet. It may be an easy fix, but I haven't figured it out.

Hiya!

Four finger swipe down will show you all the open windows on the Mac, four fingers up will take you back to where you were. When you have it showing all the windows, click any window and that becomes the active one on top. If you press "Command T" it will open a new tab in Safari, very similar to how windows does.

 

[Luckymomoftwo]

Julio or Debbie-When you booked the Radisson did you have to book the cruise special in order to get the van to the port and free parking? There was a big price difference for that. I found a good rate through Southwest airlines as well as AAA.
Thanks again-Happy Valentines Day
Vicki

Per Robert at The Radisson Resort at the Port, QUOTE: "The shuttle to and from the ship and parking during your cruise are complimentary no matter what rate room you book."

After he said that, I just said "Ok thanks, bye". And then thought I should have asked what the difference was for the cruise special rate they advertise. I THINK it includes breakfast. For some reason I think that's what I remember them saying last year when I called and asked. lol

That's great that you found a good rate through Southwest!!

Happy Valentines Day to you, too!!

 

[mousefan64]

Hello

 

[lpotter]

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I was reading last night that it is best to shop for airfare about 3 months out. Not sure if there is any merit to that, but I am going to keep looking. I haven't found any really incredible rates for airfare yet! So for now.. I will just be patient and bide my time..