1/28/2013 5 - Night Bahamian Cruise, Miami FL Who's going?

[samanthas mom]

That's good then! I guess it wouldn't make sense as would still have airfare paid for etc.

PS
Thanks for answering my post and introducing yourself, I appreciate that....its quite quiet here and on other posts I posted on, not sure why.....

 

[Futurist]

Greetings and salutations, all!

My DW, Jacky (the Lady Jay) and I will be joining you on the cruise. This will be our fifth cruise, all with Disney, including last year's Fantasy Maiden Voyage, which was a blast. We had nothing planned for this year, are going to be staying near Ft. Lauderdale for the winter, and have been on the three other Disney ships, but never the Wonder. Moreover, we found a really good deal for a guaranteed booking for a Navigator's Veranda for this cruise, so thought we'd sign on. We've been to the ports before, but are really just going for the boat.

The thread seems quiet so far, but I suspect it will heat up as we get closer to the date.

I'm busy working to pay for the cruise, and my DW is getting ready for Christmas, which is virtually a full-time job for her, so please forgive me if I don't drop in that often, but I wanted to say Hi:

Hi!

All the best,
Richard

 

[samanthas mom]

Hi Richard and Jacky!

Nice to meet you! Seems there are lots of good deals happening re our cruise and that you guys booked a really nice room! You two have done lots of Disney cruises, that's another good sign that Disney cruises must be great! I love cruises but have only done Carnival and my last one was many years ago. I did know that 4 days wouldn't be enough as I tried one before so I made sure I booked 2 back to back! Have a great Christmas!

 

[samanthas mom]

Welcome! Sounds like the only thing you are missing is pirate costumes!

We've only sailed once before, on the Magic. But we did learn a few good tips.


*Eat lunch in Parrot Cay, the first day (and others if you want the buffet). They serve the same lunch buffet but you are seated at a table and a server gets your drinks and keeps them filled. More relaxing than the regular buffet, in our opinion. Quieter too.

*Directly after the lifeboat drill, get up to deck 10 to find a spot to watch the Sail Away Party from above. Generally less crowded and you get a good view of everything. But, you need to get there early to get a spot by the railing. We are going to bring our cameras to the lifeboat drill this time

*Bring your own booze in your carryon. It is allowed by DCL, as long as you carry it on. This way, you get what you like and it is much cheaper.

*Check the navigator bar hours for 2 for 1 deals. They are sometimes listed in one of the bars just before dinner service.

*The Disney shows are not to be missed and children CAN sleep through really loud music and pyro techniques, if you are willing to hold them while they sleep. DD fell asleep halfway through every night, she was zonked, so we didn't have to miss any of the shows. Her normal bedtime was around the same time as the shows.

Thanks for the tips they will come in handy!

 

[Futurist]

The subject of "tips and secrets" are perennial threads on the DISboards - it's part of the ethos of this group of people to want to help others with their cruise, and outside as well! You should look through recent posts to find recent threads. However, before our first Disney cruise, I spent many hours collecting and collating tips from other cruisers, and posted them in one place. Some of these may be a bit dated, but most are still accurate. The ones that are less likely to be accurate relate to shows and ship policies, so if you're unsure about something, check.

OTOH, suggestions like taking one dollar bills for tipping on board are absolutely accurate.

I originally posted the entire list as a Word document on my own website for download, but deleted it some time ago. However, all of the tips and suggestions are still given in the original post.

I hope this helps!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1907765

All the best,
Richard

 

[samanthas mom]

The subject of "tips and secrets" are perennial threads on the DISboards - it's part of the ethos of this group of people to want to help others with their cruise, and outside as well! You should look through recent posts to find recent threads. However, before our first Disney cruise, I spent many hours collecting and collating tips from other cruisers, and posted them in one place. Some of these may be a bit dated, but most are still accurate. The ones that are less likely to be accurate relate to shows and ship policies, so if you're unsure about something, check.

OTOH, suggestions like taking one dollar bills for tipping on board are absolutely accurate.

I originally posted the entire list as a Word document on my own website for download, but deleted it some time ago. However, all of the tips and suggestions are still given in the original post.

I hope this helps!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1907765

All the best,
Richard

Thank you Richard! These tips are great! I am going to use alot of them.

I must say the door decorating and luggage tags really got my attention and my creativity flowing. I am excited about spending some time after xmas, with my daughter, designing a few things for our door! I am also going to try to make some princess luggage tags for her luggage that she is getting for xmas.

I am curious is anyone else here going to decorate their doors?

 

[Futurist]

Thank you Richard! These tips are great! I am going to use alot of them.

I must say the door decorating and luggage tags really got my attention and my creativity flowing. I am excited about spending some time after xmas, with my daughter, designing a few things for our door! I am also going to try to make some princess luggage tags for her luggage that she is getting for xmas.

I am curious is anyone else here going to decorate their doors?

My DW and I always decorate our door, partly because it's fun, partly to let people know where we are, and partly to make it easier to find our own door! There are a number of threads started by people who are graphic artists (or that way inclined) as well as Disney buffs, and who volunteer their time to customize previously designed artwork with your name and message.

I suspect that these kind-hearted people get burned out eventually, so you may have to hunt around to see who is currently doing things. Meanwhile, one of them, who goes by the DIS name of milliepie, has posted a number of designs on photobucket. The password is DISfriends, and here's the link:
http://s628.beta.photobucket.com/user/milliesky/library/

As well, check out one of her threads here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2897587

Or (and I'm researching this as I go), there's an entire thread devoted to these magnificent, generous people:
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2430332

Hope this helps!

Richard

 

[samanthas mom]

Thanks Richard, I really appreciate all your help These are going to be helpful. I can't wait to get started!

 

[samanthas mom]

Is anyone doing a Fish Extender for this cruise? I am not sure how the process starts of getting people together to do it

Hi Tinkerbelle 920 - I finally found out what a fish extender is. (i think anyway!) I would be interested in joining if one gets going!

 

[Futurist]

Hey Samantha's Mom,

My DW and I live in Toronto for most of the year, and near Ft. Lauderdale for the winter months. Whereabouts in Ontario do you all live?

Richard

 

[samanthas mom]

Hey Samantha's Mom,

My DW and I live in Toronto for most of the year, and near Ft. Lauderdale for the winter months. Whereabouts in Ontario do you all live?

Richard

Born and raised and lived my first 38 years in Toronto! I live in Brantford now. I am flying out of Toronto. My friends all fly out of Buffalo now as much cheaper, I looked into it but decided that better to go T.O. as I know it..

 

[RedxPanda]

I did some digging and came across this post over on cruise critic about a parking garage near the port. We are not fond of the high price of the port parking, and are willing to try off site parking.

Review: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=36244421&postcount=187

I also found a promo code 89898, that gave $2 off the website reservation. The total came out to just under $45!

HTH some of you. I think at least one other is driving to POM.

 

[samanthas mom]

I did some digging and came across this post over on cruise critic about a parking garage near the port. We are not fond of the high price of the port parking, and are willing to try off site parking.

Review: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=36244421&postcount=187

I also found a promo code 89898, that gave $2 off the website reservation. The total came out to just under $45!

HTH some of you. I think at least one other is driving to POM.

Thanks for sharing this info. I was debating whether to drive or fly.....flying this time but keeping this for future trips, maybe on a summer trip as will have more time to drive and see sites on the way. I am curious though re: what it costs to park right at port?

 

[RedxPanda]

Thanks for sharing this info. I was debating whether to drive or fly.....flying this time but keeping this for future trips, maybe on a summer trip as will have more time to drive and see sites on the way. I am curious though re: what it costs to park right at port?

Miami is $20! I think PC is $15. We used Park n Cruise when we sail out of PC. Around $6 a day, in comparison.

 

[samanthas mom]

Miami is $20! I think PC is $15. We used Park n Cruise when we sail out of PC. Around $6 a day, in comparison.

Wow, that's expensive! Looks like you found a great deal!

 

[RedxPanda]

Got our cruise docs in the mail today! Keep an eye out for yours.

 

[ImprovGal]

Just booked this cruise as a B2B with the 1/24 one as a birthday solo getaway trip! I'm looking forward to returning to the Wonder.
I was very happy to see that Palo brunch was still available.
I was looking at Cozumel excursions and am torn between Mexican Cooking vs. Salsa & Salsa. I did the Cabo Salsa & Salsa excursion last year and wouldn't mind doing that again. Has anyone done the Mexican Cooking one? I don't care about beach time so that isn't a factor.

 

[samanthas mom]

Just booked this cruise as a B2B with the 1/24 one as a birthday solo getaway trip! I'm looking forward to returning to the Wonder.
I was very happy to see that Palo brunch was still available.
I was looking at Cozumel excursions and am torn between Mexican Cooking vs. Salsa & Salsa. I did the Cabo Salsa & Salsa excursion last year and wouldn't mind doing that again. Has anyone done the Mexican Cooking one? I don't care about beach time so that isn't a factor.

Welcome! We are b2b on same cruises and celebrating a bday too! Sorry can't help you re those excursions as this is our first Disney cruise.

Your picture is interesting! What is it and how much did it shrink? I guess we can still ask for seconds? Can you do that at Palo's?

 

[ImprovGal]

Welcome! We are b2b on same cruises and celebrating a bday too! Sorry can't help you re those excursions as this is our first Disney cruise.

Your picture is interesting! What is it and how much did it shrink? I guess we can still ask for seconds? Can you do that at Palo's?

My signature picture was actually from a dining event one year at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival. The event was advertised as a 3-course luncheon and that photo was course 1 of 3. The chef was there to push his new cookbook that happened to feature canapes. Guest Services and Festival Management made it right, though.

On the ship you can most definitely ask for seconds or multiple items for courses or whatever. In the main dining rooms, however, the pacing is such that if you want to try multiple items, order them at the beginning as a server might not be able to go back and get another of that rock shrimp cheesecake appetizer, for example, when they are already in mid-entree service. You most certainly won't go hungry at Palo!

 

[RedxPanda]

We just booked Mr Sanchos Beach Club all inclusive for Cozumel. I think they have a cooking class option too.

Less than 3 weeks to go!