11/06/11 Dream 4 Day

[iankh]

Leslie, I bet you'll have to call DCL and do it over the phone as I think the 'make a payment' option on the web site disappears once paid in full. This is assumiing you didn't use a TA, if you did you call them to process it. There is also a 'gift' form DCL has that can be mailed in to buy OBC credits for anyone (who's reservation number you know), but it is probably a little too close to cruise time to risk that.

Phil, that envelope is darling!

Tomorrow is 'finance' day for me, as I attended to all the other errands today. Saved the 'sitting down' one for tomorrow.

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Jackie is absolutely right, just call DCL and tell them you want to put money into your onboard account.

I've given myself several "onboard credits." I have to make a confession, I'm phobic about bills, they really distress me, and post vacation bills especially so.

I've become pretty good at projecting how much we will spend on a vacation or cruise and either prepay or set up funds in advance. I like the post travel freedom. Worst case is there's a small debit or credit amount. The refunded credit amount just covers the other non-prepaid expenses.

However, I'm not completely nuts, I do have a mortgage and also do leverage zero interest rates for large purchases such as appliances.

If you call DCL and put money into your onboard account, you will have to say who it's from and have the opportunity to provide a message. Actually they can't do the credit without it. Their system is set up for such things as gifts only.

Consequently, on past cruises I've come to my cabin to find that some rather extraordinary people have given me onboard credit gifts and wished us bon voyage.

On our last cruise both Eleanor Roosevelt and Eva Braun wished us very kind words and put money in our accounts.

 

[iankh]

Ok, so How do you buy OBC in advance? I searched DCL website to try and prepay tips, etc. and could not find it anywhere.

Yes - Disney jewelry specifically for Disney trips. Got mine too. I have had good luck with the Mickey and Minnie watches from Kohls.com.

Haircut appointment and pedicure appointments schedule for this Friday.

Need to purchase sunblock and print 1 door magnet.

Actually had a dream last night that we were in Nassau at Paradise Island and got really lobster red sunburnt because I forgot to purchase the sunblock. Obviously I was thinking about the sunblock a lot right before bedtime. Heading to Target tomorrow for that last shopping and to start the Christmas shopping.

Worried now about packing. Would love to start tomorrow - but afraid I will turn the kids on to the trip that they still don't know about. How in the world am I going to keep this a secret. I just don't see how I can keep packed suitcases hidden...... I am also a throw it in because type of packer, but we have always driven to FL in the past and this time we have to fly - need to cut way back even though we could totally pack a lot since we have the first 4 checked bags free and then our 2 carry ons each. But for a 6 day trip that sounds a little ridiculous. I am aiming for 2 checked bags and 1 carry on each for the kids, 2 carry on for the adults.

Still sounds like a lot. Oy.

Can you set up a plastic covered bin somewhere that you can just throw things into?

I do end up dumping everything out of the suitcase and packing properly, but I find that I'm much better doing the toss as I remember approach. I suppose I could sit down and make a list, but that's really not my style, nor does it work well for me.

 

[ibouncetoo]

On our last cruise both Eleanor Roosevelt and Eva Braun wished us very kind words and put money in our accounts.

Well, I knew Eleanor ("Nellie" as we call her) was a close personal friend, but Eva Braun? Really?



.

 

[Rather Be At WDW]

Organized my Disney jewelry for packing. Yes, different jewelry on a Disney vacation. Discovered I need a new MICKEY WATCH, will keep my eyes open for one while I shop this weekend.
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Yep, I have Disney Vacation Jewelry, too! Which, reminds me, I need to get one repaired - yikes, time's a wastin'!

Okay, I'm too lazy to look it up - can we wear shorts to lunch??? (oh, and a top, too)

 

[ibouncetoo]

Here's the handy-dandy multi cruise line tip calculator:

http://cruisetip.tpkeller.com/


Yes, you can wear shorts to lunch (top also mandatory).

 

[PHILCT]

Here's the handy-dandy multi cruise line tip calculator:

http://cruisetip.tpkeller.com/


Yes, you can wear shorts to lunch (top also mandatory).

Thanks for the calculator Jackie.

How much does one tip for the Dining Manager, do they get an envelope too ?
Any other suggested people to tip at the end of the trip? (Besides Room Service).

I arranged this cruise by DVC points, so I am not sure how to prepay anything on account? So for now I am planning to pay the excursions and tips on the credit card at the end of the trip.

Phil and Jay

 

[iankh]

Thanks for the calculator Jackie.

How much does one tip for the Dining Manager, do they get an envelope too ?
Any other suggested people to tip at the end of the trip? (Besides Room Service).

I arranged this cruise by DVC points, so I am not sure how to prepay anything on account? So for now I am planning to pay the excursions and tips on the credit card at the end of the trip.

Phil and Jay

Your reservation would have a res number assigned to it. I'm sure if you call DCL you can put a credit on your account.

 

[geffric]

Question??

Two weeks from now , what will you be doing..
HMM it is still late dinner time, then off to Rockin Bar D for some after fun..or is the aquaduck still open??

 

[ladybug23]

Can you set up a plastic covered bin somewhere that you can just throw things into?

I do end up dumping everything out of the suitcase and packing properly, but I find that I'm much better doing the toss as I remember approach. I suppose I could sit down and make a list, but that's really not my style, nor does it work well for me.

Thanks. I was thinking about this today too. I came up with putting things in a moving box, or plastic bin - so we were on the same line of thought. I have a list and will still throw things in last minute. Just the thing I always do.

"Booked" my phone call from Mickey for a few hours before our plane leaves. The kids will have just found out by then, so the call will be yet another fun thing to add to starting the trip.

Thanks for all the information on the ship credits. Not too worried about the end bill this time. I have budgeted for that after cruise credit card bill. But, I will keep the information handy for next time because we are travelling with others and one in particular will be receiving an OBC gift from us.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Thanks for the calculator Jackie.

How much does one tip for the Dining Manager, do they get an envelope too ?
Any other suggested people to tip at the end of the trip? (Besides Room Service).

I arranged this cruise by DVC points, so I am not sure how to prepay anything on account? So for now I am planning to pay the excursions and tips on the credit card at the end of the trip.

Phil and Jay

No tip for the Dining Manager on DCL (no envelope either). Generally one of the Head Servers is also the Dining Room Manager...the other HSs report to him/her. Then there are more levels of Food & Beverage officers above all of them, of course.

Allow me to introduce the F&B Officer on the Dream. (Hopefully he will not be on vacation during our cruise). Should you run into him on the ship be sure and chat, he's very friendly. Ladies and Gentlemen.....

Handsome Daniel (with the Adora-bello Simone, world's best Head Server)

.
There are no other tipped positions, except for tipping room service and/or adding extra tip to your bar bill (15% gratuity automatically added to drinks from the bars/Cove cafe and alcohol in the dining rooms).

I'll be bringing some gift bags (candy/movie munchies) for the kids to give to the club Counselors and to the CMs in the Nursery, and will have a spare one for the team at Guest Services, should we require special help from them. (Those folks have to share tips/gifts with all their team.)

.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Question??

Two weeks from now , what will you be doing..
HMM it is still late dinner time, then off to Rockin Bar D for some after fun..or is the aquaduck still open??

I'm thinking the 'greats' will be down for the night and I'll be showing my neices the adult establishments (geffric---no Rockin Bar D on the Dream, you've got all new names to learn). I'm thinking Meridian will be the best spot for a quiet beverage. OR, I'll be exhausted from a day with the kids and will be in bed too!


(Also sent you a 'message' on facebook about Nassau day)

.

 

[PHILCT]

Your reservation would have a res number assigned to it. I'm sure if you call DCL you can put a credit on your account.

Thanks Ian.

I was just surprised the ONLINE DCL site didn't have a place to do the Prepaid On Account stuff for either the excursions, tips, etc once the reservation got down to the 75 day window in my case (Being a Newbie).

Going through DVC to contact the DCL agent was a slow process.

Phil and Jay

 

[Reto]

SINGLE DIGIT DANCE! Well, at least for me. 9 days until I fly out of here.

Question??

Two weeks from now , what will you be doing..

Plan to stay onboard as well in Nassau. Not sure yet, what exactly I'll be doing. Probably just taking some time to explore the ship and hopefully ride the Aquaduck, if the line isn't too long.

Oh, and if anyone wants to befriend me, Facebook knows me as "Reto Kurmann".

 

[dthogue]

Question??

Two weeks from now , what will you be doing..
HMM it is still late dinner time, then off to Rockin Bar D for some after fun..or is the aquaduck still open??

Ohhh I was driving DD nuts yesterday doing this:

10:30am what will we be doing? Getting to the port
11:00am what will we be doing? Waiting at the Port
12:30pm what will we be doing? Waiting for the Aquaduck
1:50pm what will we be doing? Checking out our stateroom
4:30pm what will we be doing? Waiting for sailaway
6:30pm what will we be doing? Watching the evening show
8:30pm what will we be doing? Eating Dinner

at that point I think she tuned me out and won't answer anymore can't understand why????

I also told her that after today's cruisers checked in there would only be 3 more groups to sleep in our room!!! She really thinks I'm nuts

 

[Joysnote]

Ohhh I was driving DD nuts yesterday doing this:

10:30am what will we be doing? Getting to the port
11:00am what will we be doing? Waiting at the Port
12:30pm what will we be doing? Waiting for the Aquaduck
1:50pm what will we be doing? Checking out our stateroom
4:30pm what will we be doing? Waiting for sailaway
6:30pm what will we be doing? Watching the evening show
8:30pm what will we be doing? Eating Dinner

at that point I think she tuned me out and won't answer anymore can't understand why????

I also told her that after today's cruisers checked in there would only be 3 more groups to sleep in our room!!! She really thinks I'm nuts

>>

Cute!

I see you are doing the half marathon, is your daughter going to do the 5 K? I might sign my DD Maddy up for that, I am doing the 5 K, do not think I am ready for 1/2 marathon yet.

 

[dthogue]

>>

Cute!

I see you are doing the half marathon, is your daughter going to do the 5 K? I might sign my DD Maddy up for that, I am doing the 5 K, do not think I am ready for 1/2 marathon yet.

I'm not ready for the 1/2 marathon yet either, honestly don't know if I can do it, but I'm gonna try, I want to run through the Magic Kingdom My older DD (19) is also going to run the 1/2 as well. My youngest wants to run the 5K, so I guess we will all do that as well. I just wish it wasn't so expensive I bet your DD would love to run the 5K!!

Are you going to do the Castaway Cay 5K? I am planning on it and Brenna is gonna run with me (well she runs, I slog along - its funny, she runs ahead of me then comes back to make sure I'm ok, gotta love it )

 

[Joysnote]

I'm not ready for the 1/2 marathon yet either, honestly don't know if I can do it, but I'm gonna try, I want to run through the Magic Kingdom My older DD (19) is also going to run the 1/2 as well. My youngest wants to run the 5K, so I guess we will all do that as well. I just wish it wasn't so expensive I bet your DD would love to run the 5K!!

Are you going to do the Castaway Cay 5K? I am planning on it and Brenna is gonna run with me (well she runs, I slog along - its funny, she runs ahead of me then comes back to make sure I'm ok, gotta love it )

I did not know there was a Castaway Cay 5 k, is it on every cruise? This is my fifth and I never noticed it before

 

[dthogue]

I did not know there was a Castaway Cay 5 k, is it on every cruise? This is my fifth and I never noticed it before

As far as I know it is - according to the Navigator you meet at the bike rental building, it starts at 9:15am. Brenna was excited to do it, but it is listed as adults only, but she is going to run the course anyway - she will just wait til the group leaves, since the pathways are open to everyone anyway.

 

[geffric]

A Castway Cay 5k?? WOW!! I can walk it.. running is NOT gonna happen for this lady..

Reto - sent you a freind request..

ibounce.. I was just thinking that i need to get my DREAM map out.. everything will be so different..

 

[Joysnote]

As far as I know it is - according to the Navigator you meet at the bike rental building, it starts at 9:15am. Brenna was excited to do it, but it is listed as adults only, but she is going to run the course anyway - she will just wait til the group leaves, since the pathways are open to everyone anyway.

Thanks for the info. We are early risers and are usually one of first on the island so I will look for it. We love riding the bikes all around and going to other side, observation deck etc.