11/01/03 Eastern Cruisers, I know you're out there!!!

[twhipple]

Sweetspot - there is a dolphin swim excursion on the Eastern. It's in Anguilla. It is something you can do on your own too. I do want to go to Anguilla and the dolphin swim sounds like fun, but I'm not sure if I want to go with DCL and be stuck with a set time. If enough of us wanted to go, we could share a taxi (they are actually small vans) or split the cost of a car for the day. If some wanted to just do shopping or the beaches and some wanted to do the Dolphin Swim, we could still share transportation until we got to Anguilla. We could all meet later in the day to go back. I wouldn't mind seeing other sites in St. Martin (other than just between Phillipsburg and Marigot in a bus (I would not recommend trying this. It was a cheap way to go, but not fun at all!).

Last year we did a DIS meet on Sunday during lunch. Half of the DISers had lunch together, the other half just stopped in to say hi. Goofysgirl, did you come by and join us or were you just on the same cruise? I do think that Saturday after we leave is more fun. We could order a few cheese and cracker trays from Room Service (if we can get it that soon after departure), BYO drink (I'll have my Asti!). I heard that Room Service will deliver to the secret deck on 7 if you just tell them.

 

[goofysgirl]

We were one of those people who forgot where and when to meet on the last cruise. I am terrible after a few minutes on vacation I forget my own name! This time I will write down when and where

 

[Thumpersmom]

Wow! I haven't checked the boards in a few days. You guys have been busy. We had our pre-cruise BBQ Saturday and it was a ton of fun!! Our travel agent and the Disney Cruise Rep. gave a ton of prizes and I passed out Mickey Money for different things and then we had an auction of prizes. We also had a scuba guy come and five of our cruisers had their first lesson. It was great to talk about the cruise and everyone is sooo excited and ready to go. All but one couple have their airfare (some as low as $130 roundtrip!!) and everyone is booked into before and/or after cruise stays at WDW.

Masonpips- Thanks for doing a list! We do have a change to make on our cruisers. My FIL/wife backed out but another couple-friends of my middle brother took their cabin. They are mid 30's no kids. The herrera's second son was born in Feb.

We are up for a meet just tell us when and where.

Kristina

 

[Masonpips]

The un-official Nov 1 cruise list:

jel0511 - Lori, DH (mid-30's), DD (5), DS (2.5)
masonpips - Debby, dh (37), DS (6), DD (4)
debralisa - Debbie, dh (mid-30's), DS1 (6), DD1 (4), DD2 (3), DS2 (~2)
sweetspot, DH (30's) and DS13, DS11 and DD8
savsawmom - Theresa, dh (mid-30's), DD (6), DS (3)
Thumpersmom - Myself, DH (35), DS (7)
+ My parents-(mid 50's)
+ Friends (30's)
+ Brother, SIL( both 32) and my niece (4)
+ Brother and girlfriend (27 and 23)
+ Michelson's - DS (1) (friends)
+ Foss's-grandparents of the Michelson's
+ Herrera's- DS1 (turns 3 in December), DS2 (9 mos)
+ Garcia's-grandparents of the Herrera boys plus another grandson (8)
twhipple (35) and dh (48)
grimgrinnin, dw (32)
goofysgirl, dh, DD1 (15), DD2 (12), DD3 (8)
lruggiero, dh, DS (4), mom, DNiece1 (16), DNiece2 (14)
esietz (Ephie), dh (Steve) (mid 30's) DS1 Nathaniel (10), DS2 Jonah (almost 7)
dis4me, dh (30 somethings) DD1 (8), DD2 (7), DS (1)
CRenze, SIL, DNephew1 (12), DNephew2 (10)

 

[SweetSpot]

twhipple:

Thank you for the information on the Dolphin Swim. I hadn't looked over the excursions yet for this year and hadn't realized that they had added new ones since last year. The DCL excursion seems really long at 7.5 hours and from the map I looked at it seems like a good distance to travel. I'm not sure I could get everyone to agree on going.


Masonpips:

Thank you for updating the list. Hopefully we will be adding more as the date comes closer.

 

[CRenze]

THANKS for the list. It will be helpful. I'll print it when we get closer and give it to the kids (and keep a copy for myself of course).
I think the meet would be great. A perfect opportunity to put a face to a dis name. Just make sure to let us know a definate when and where.
I CAN'T WAIT!

 

[strasfamily]

This is my first time posting, so I hope I am doing it right!

I just booked me and hubby (both 37) and my daugher (5) for the 11//1/03 cruise! I am so excited! We will be coming from Phoenix and staying at the Radisson the night before.

Question - what will the weather be like at that time of year?

 

[SweetSpot]

It's so good to have you along strasfamily! It's going to be a great time.

We were on the Nov. 2nd Eastern last year and rebooked for this year same week (NJ schools are off that week. It will become very obvious as you hear many passengers announced are from NJ) because I wasn't getting off the ship until I was sure I was getting back on. The weather was absolutely beautiful last year. It was still short weather in FL and very warm beach weather the entire time on the ship and at all the ports. Plan on living in shorts and bathing suits. We were also very lucky and didn't see a drop of rain the entire week. Lets hope we are all as lucky this time around.

 

[Thumpersmom]

Welcome to our new cruisers strasfamily!!!!


We are leaving this afternoon for a trip to Disneyland! My mom and DS went yesterday and are having a blast! We are staying at The Disneyland Hotel and will take advantge of the great weather and spend some time in the Neverland Pool. Also going to check out the X-games at DCA, it is the last weekend for this. We will be there until Monday night and plan to get our fill until the cruise. We will check in when we get back!

Now I am off to work and counting the hours down until 3 pm!

Kristina

 

[twhipple]

I actually love Disneyland more than I love Disney World (only been on DCL once so I can't put that one on top - yet!). Have a glass of wine for me at the vineyard in DCA!

My husband is leaning towards doing the Dolphin Swim excursion with DCL. Unless anyone else is interested in getting something together for Anguilla and can help me convince him, I may have no choice.

Tracy

 

[grimgrinnin]

Hi strasfamily,

We are also from Phoenix, and will be staying at the Radisson on 10/31 too!

We'll probably take the non-stop Southwest flight Friday night.


Can't wait!


grim

 

[strasfamily]

Hi Grim!

Do you have kids as well? We have a daughter who is 5. We booked a non-stop as well but on America West. I am still trying to figure out transportation - I think I will check into renting a car.

I was going over the previous posts and there was talk about trick or treating at the Radisson. Is that still happening? When I booked the cruise - I totally spaced out about Halloween, and feel really bad that my daughter is going to miss it. But then I think, we are going on a Disney Cruise! That is much better!

Question - when I booked my cruise, I told my travel agent that we wanted early seating. Does this mean they just note it, or can we actually get it? He didn't say anything, but then I read on a previous post that someone was waitlisted for the early seating. I would think my TA would have said something if it wasn't available.

 

[lruggiero]

Welcome StrasFamily

We have second seating and I actually requested it. Last year we had first bur since our cruise was cancelled and we were put ont he 4 bight we had to take what was available and I was soooo upset but it worked out so well for us that I wouldn't dream of asking for anything else (but that's just us)

My 4yo son does not have patience for a sit down meal and we don't really have too many babysitters at home so when we have a chance to have an uninterrupted dinner for a week while he is at the club, we are jumping on it. We fed him by room service and then sent him to the club around 7:30. Worked out well.

I have never been to St Marten and would love to take advantage of amything that everyone can suggest as long as it is relatively inexpensive.

Also, Deck 7 sounds great to me...

Let's try to get a list of who is staying at the Radisson on Friday nite so perhaps we can get a jump on the "meet"

Lori

 

[Masonpips]

Welcome strasfamily! I'll add you to the list and repost it for everyone too.

We will be at the Radisson with our friends from Tampa (kids ages: 6, 5 (turning 6 on the cruise), 4 & 3) so your dd will fit right in! As will lruggiero's DS (4).

I definitely think the 4 of us should plan something for Friday night for the kids and trick or treating. Last year on the Magic we all brought things (a lot of us ordered from Orientaltradingcompany.com) and did our own trick or treat. We could do that in our rooms and then meet at the pool for a mini-party?

Here's the lists thus far:

On the Magic:
jel0511 - Lori, DH (mid-30's), DD (5), DS (2.5)
masonpips - Debby, dh (37), DS (6), DD (4)
debralisa - Debbie, dh (mid-30's), DS1 (6), DD1 (4), DD2 (3), DS2 (~2)
sweetspot, DH (30's) and DS13, DS11 and DD8
savsawmom - Theresa, dh (mid-30's), DD (6), DS (3)
Thumpersmom - Myself, DH (35), DS (7)
+ My parents-(mid 50's)
+ Friends (30's)
+ Brother, SIL( both 32) and my niece (4)
+ Brother and girlfriend (27 and 23)
+ Michelson's - DS (1) (friends)
+ Foss's-grandparents of the Michelson's
+ Herrera's- DS1 (turns 3 in December), DS2 (9 mos)
+ Garcia's-grandparents of the Herrera boys plus another grandson (8)
twhipple (35) and dh (48)
grimgrinnin, dw (32)
goofysgirl, dh, DD1 (15), DD2 (12), DD3 (8)
lruggiero, dh, DS (4), mom, DNiece1 (16), DNiece2 (14)
esietz (Ephie), dh (Steve) (mid 30's) DS1 Nathaniel (10), DS2 Jonah (almost 7)
dis4me, dh (30 somethings) DD1 (8), DD2 (7), DS (1)
CRenze, SIL, DNephew1 (12), DNephew2 (10)
strasfamily, dh (37), DD (5)

At Radisson on Halloween:
masonpips - Debby, dh (37), DS (6), DD (4)
savsawmom - Theresa, dh (mid-30's), DD (6), DS (3)
lruggiero, dh, DS (4), mom, DNiece1 (16), DNiece2 (14)
strasfamily, dh (37), DD (5)

also, we are looking at excursions in St. Thomas w/savsawmom. We looked at shoretrips.com and like this one: http://www.shoretrips.com/common/search4.asp?rcode=CAR&lcode=STT&tcode=001144, you can also book it direct via: http://www.vi-fun-n-sun.com/newhorizons/newhorizonshome.html (cheaper here too)

We've also looked at private boats that hold 6. We'd have two rented and have room for up to 4 more folks. One of the places we contacted was this: www.sailwinifred.com

Is anyone interested in something like this? My family would volunteer to be split (2 and 2) during the sail time if another family of 3 or 4 wanted to be together.

We haven't reserved anything yet, just looking around!

 

[dis4me]

Hi Masonpips.Have you ever chartered a yacht?Those trips look like fun. BTW We may be at the Radisson pre cruise as well. If we are my kids would love to participate in the halloween fun.Did you do this on the cruise last year. We sailed the week after Halloween but I thought it would have been so much fun tohave a miniHalloween party on board.

 

[grimgrinnin]

Hi strasfamily,
Nope, no kids. It will be just the 2 of us.


I just heard that there is no longer an Avis counter at the Radisson by the port. I'm trying to figure out how this will affect us. We were going to get in late 10/31, drive to the Radisson, return the car at the Avis counter at the hotel, then take the hotel shuttle to the Ship.

Anyone know if there's a shuttle at the new Avis location that goes to the Radisson?

grim

 

[twhipple]

Where is the Avis counter now? Do they still shuttle you to the port? We're taking Avis for our October 16th cruise, but not staying at the Radisson. Will you be able to drop the car off on 10/31 (are they still open) or will you have to take it back in the morning? If you have to take it in the morning, you can get a ride to the port. I'm assuming you have a one day rental so that may be the best choice. That way if you need any beverages to take with you, etc., you have a car to go to the store in the morning.

 

[grimgrinnin]

Someone on a mailing list I subscribe to mentioned the Avis location moving about a mile away. I just checked the Avis website, and the address is the same as the Radisson Resort (8701 ASTRONAUT BOULEVARD), so I don't know for certain. Guess I'll have to make a phone call.

I was planning on renting the car the evening of 10/31 at MCO and returning it the morning of 11/1. I guess it will work out either way, as long as there's an Avis shuttle.


grim

 

[SweetSpot]

This was posted a couple days ago about Avis moving on 8/1. Dave's site says Avis is now 1 1/2 miles away from the Raddison now.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=416203

I believe his site also says that Hertz is now the closest to the port for your return to the airport. This is the link to Dave's page on car rentals.

http://www.dcltribute.com/carhire/

Avis was at the Raddison when we were there last year and it did make it seem convenient especially because you had both shuttles to use to get you too and from the port. We drove from NJ to FL and had our own car and opted to park at the port. I found it well worth the money not having to deal with the stress of trying to get a spot on the shuttle.

 

[strasfamily]

I guess Budget is the closest to the port now - I believe 3 miles away on the same street as the Radisson. I booked with them as they have a counter at the airport as well and I called to verify that they do have a shuttle to the port. Hertz has an off-airport site and may cost a little bit more.