1/15/2005

[kellimomo3]

Hello everyone!
I thought we had to wait until 60 days out to book excursions. Is that correct??

We are giving our kids the cruise for Christmas so unfortunalty we will miss out on having the kids communicate with fellow DIS kids before hand. But...there will be a couple weeks between Christmas and the cruise so we can hook them up then. Remeber, I have three boys who will be: 8, 6 1/2, 4 1/2.

FlynnStone,
Jason would love having a little buddy in the club!

Bye guys.....

Kelli

 

[FlynnStone]

Likewise... this trip is a Christmas present for my kid (DS ages 12 and 4).

And we are waiting until 60 days out for the excursions.

 

[Houzer]

Hello everyone! Just a thought I want to pass on for you to think about. My friend and I have been talking with our friends and family who cruise quite often and it was suggested that if we are not fussy not to book our excursions until we disembark the ship. We have been told that there is always people waiting to take you on excursions on the dock you just need to know what you want to do and what company. It was suggested because you may not want to do something that day or your kids many not want to. Also pending what the weather is like you may chose not to. You can only do this if it doesn't matter what you do and you have a few ideas. You can't have your heart set on one things is basically what I am trying to say. Has anyone else ever done this before. I would love to hear some feed back other then from friend and family. Houzer

 

[mark & sandra]

I'm not sure if you have to wait until the 60 day mark to book excursions directly. If you want to do the dolphin swim in Cozumel, you can book directly at www.dolphindiscovery.com .(Disney only offers the dolphin encounter, they costs about the same and the swim is much better). If you want to book a snorkle and stingray swim directly in Grand Cayman, you can book directly with Captain Marvins www.captainmarvins.com . I waited until 1 week out and was able to book both directly with no problems.

 

[Houzer]

Bump!

 

[mark & sandra]

People, People, we're slipping up here. Yesterday was our 7 month mark. Only 7 more months till we'll be cruising. Have you all heard that soda is now free onboard?...Mark

 

[karebear1]

How could we ALL miss this date?!?!?! Shame on us!!

I've heard about the soda- too bad they don't have diet soda that is caffiene free!

 

[kellimomo3]

I did notice we had passed the 7 month mark. EXCITING!! I just can't wait until Christmas when we tell our kids so I can talk about the trip with them!

I love that the soda is now free. I am a Diet Coke lover and was thinking about purchasing the soda sticker for myself but now I don't have to.

Does anyone know how to go about putting money in your shipboard account before you make your final payment on the cruise? Have most of you paid in full or are you waiting? Is there any advantage to paying before the November date? We already have the money set aside in a separate bank account so it would be simple to just pay now, but is there any advantage to us for doing that? Otherwise, I might as well leave it in the bank and accumulate a little more interest.

Let me know what you think.....

Thanks guys!
Kelli

 

[Houzer]

I just have to tell you all that my secretary reminded me yesterday about the cruise date and I got so excited I had a hard time working the rest of the day! She thought it was pretty funny...she got her work done!
We haven't paid in full as of yet we have been watching the exchange rates so that we can get the best rate for our money so we have to pay as little exchange as possible.
I also was wondering about putting money on our account just to make life easier for us? Any suggestions?
We have also been told ( there are two families going) that starting in October we should call in every once in a while and see if there are any deals on the cruise. We were told by one of the DLC staff that they offered a deal for Canadians last year. The deal was if you payed it right then they gave it to you almost at par, great for those of you who are headed from Canada. Well I better check out the rest of the thread. I am going to try to be on my toes next time around! Houzer
:thewave:

 

[mark & sandra]

Houzer check out AllSeasons site. They are a good place to start checking for rates since they list them right there. Last year they saved me 600.00 from all the other companys. Their site is www.allseastravel.com . I usually wait till due date at 60 days out to pay my bill in full. I have a rewards credit card and every dollar spent goes towards a free airplane ticket. I keep the exact money I spend on the card in a checking account and pay the bill each month completely, so no finance charges. I even time my purchases, using the card just after the month closes so that I get 60 days of free time. I haven't paid for a flight for my family in 4 years...Mark

 

[pershing]

I was wondering if there are going to be any other single Moms like me with kids, out there, going with just their kids. If there are, I'm wondering if anyone would be interested in a 'girls night out' at Palo's.

I skipped it on our Wonder Cruise 'cause I wasn't going to make a reservation for 1 (and I had a seasick child!) So, I'm just throwing it out there, 'cause I don't want to miss out on Palo's this time! (Is it called Palo's on Magic?) Anyway- I WILL make a res for one this time if I have to.

----

I, myself, am booked through All Seas and have found them to be very professional. I did pay it all in advance, but I have a Standard Inside and the rumors are too strong about advance payers getting upgraded for me to ignore. If we don't get an upgrade, oh well. However considering cat. 12 and 11 are GTY already (for family of 4), the probability is rising.

I haven't booked any excursions yet. I'm not sure if I will, 'cause last time my kids didn't want to leave the ship.

By the way, Jet Blue just came out with their prices for our part of January. No real deals yet that I can see, but everyone whose flown with them have glowing reviews about their service: No first class so everyone has expanded leg room, TV screens on the back of every chair with free headphones, no snack cart clogging the aisle as they serve you as if you were in a restaurant. Really, people just go on and on.

 

[kellimomo3]

Don't forget to log on tomorrow so you can see your timer break the 100's mark instead of the 200's. Okay, so the little milestones thrill me a little!!!!!


Kelli

 

[Houzer]

Well everyone we are out of the 200 and on our way downon the counter!!!!!!!!!! Yahoooo!!



HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!

 

[mark & sandra]

For anyone keeping count. It's only 28 more weeks till we sail !!!


Mark

 

[Houzer]

+ =


28 WEEKS YIKES! We're falling behind on our thread everyone! Here is a great big BUMP!
Pauline

 

[big jack 2002]

We're still discussing excursions. The DGD's want the Royal Dolphin Swim or Excursion. I think it will depend on the age limit. One will be 6, one 7, and one 9!!

 

[Phyllisi]

I paid the remaining balance of this cruise two days ago! We have $200.00 shipboard credit which will cover most of the tips. It is time for me to save for the extras during the trip.

Does anyone know if Limner's still does brunch on Key West day? We ate there on our last Western cruise and the crêpes were yummy.

 

[pershing]

It will be our first time at Key West, so I can't help you with that question. Sorry!

I've been reading up on the Beaches in Cozumel. I'm not sure if I could handle a snorkel excusion with 3 young DSes so I'm planning a day at the Beach.

The three beaches talked about the most are: Playa Sol, Mr. Sanchos', and Paradise Beach.

So far, I've gleened that you pay for Playa Sol and there's a pool, playground, petting zoo?, etc. Mr. Sanchos' is free and I'm unclear about activities so far and Paradise Beach has a Water Trampoline and a floating Iceberg the kids can play on, but people disagree on free or cost there. So I'm still working on it but we may just start at Paradise Beach as I think my oldest would love the Iceberg and the two youngest would love the trampoline.

Any one else thinking about a beach day on Cozumel?

 

[kellimomo3]

Hi Pershing,
We are also planning to spend the day at Paradise Beach in Cozumel. Everything I have read has led me to believe that this is the best choice for us. We also have 3 young Dsers. I'm sorry I know I should remember, but what are the ages/sexes of your kids??? We have threee boys 4 1/2, 6 1/2 & 8.

Kelli

 

[pershing]

Yeah! The more I think about it, the more I'm settled on Paradise Beach myself. Now to work on what to do at Grand Cayman!

My boys are: 6, 8, and 9 however the 8 year old has Autism. Most kids his age don't notice anything different about him until they realize he doesn't talk much. Today, a boy at the beach played with him for 2 hours, chatting away until he finally said to me, 'he doesn't talk much, does he?'

My youngest more than makes up for it. He, on the other hand, never stops talking! Everybody teases me that he's gonna be the future president 'cause he 'works' the beach and by the time we leave everybody says goodbye to him by name. I can never get the concept of not talking to strangers across to him.


kellimomo3-

Are you signing up for an excursion in Key West? I'm thinking no on that one. Although a Butterfly Farm was mentioned. Still, we have one of those here in Mass. in Westford. Amazing how we don't do things in our own backyard that we'd do on vacation.