12/04/2010 Eastern MAGIC - CHIP 'N' DALE'S CRUISIN' NUTS

[bluemoon1070]

Does anyone know of a great resource for information on our ports and the excursions? I just ordered the passporters DCL book and am hoping it has the information we are looking for. On our last cruise we just walked around Nassau and wasted a bunch of time, so we are hoping to have more information going into the ports this time.

 

[taswira]

bluemoon1070 - Passporter's guide to DCL is excellent! One of the great things is how it rates places and excursions.

Meanwhile, I recently updated the Resources page of our website. There is a good U.S. Virgin Islands Guide link, plus St. Thomas and St. Maarten.

 

[cyndixo]

I am so excited for this trip. All of my FE gifts are delivered or en route! I may have gone a bit over the top. Didn't want to say "overboard" because that's just silly when talking about a cruise. I've ordered TOO many custom items. I have the FE. And for my kids, I have custom outfits for embarkation, pirate night (although we're doing the Caribbean route with floral shirts), formal night, and one other random day. I've ordered custom pillowcases with their names on them and the 'munks for autographs and purchased photo mats for us. Have I forgotten anything? Thank goodness we're driving!




Cyndi: Small world. Most 3ID I hear about are Ft. Stewart soldiers instead of Benning.

Yeah I know Bill graduated West Point 2003 and was sent to Ft. Benning. He was 3ID, 1-15th, I flew that flag the whole year he was deployed in Iraq. His buddy and best friend there with him was KIA Dec. 20, 2005 and that really took alot out of him. After he returned to states he transferred to the Army Futures Center. He is out now.

 

[bluemoon1070]

Can you all confirm if there are 1 or 2 formal nights on the cruise? And how on earth do you keep your dress clothes from getting full of wrinkles. They don't have irons and ironing boards do they?

 

[taswira]

Can you all confirm if there are 1 or 2 formal nights on the cruise? And how on earth do you keep your dress clothes from getting full of wrinkles. They don't have irons and ironing boards do they?

There is one formal night and one semi-formal (ie. cocktail dress, etc.) night.

Yes, there ARE irons and ironing boards in the laundry rooms aboard. I guess I'm pretty good at packing. I always "dress for dinner" (including formal and semi-formal dress) but I never iron. And no, I don't look wrinkled and disheveled.

Here is the quote from DCL's site regarding laundry services:
"Onboard laundry and dry-cleaning services (with stateroom pickup) are available for a charge. There is also a self-service Guest Laundry Room with coin-operated washers and dryers, along with detergent and ironing equipment. For safety reasons, the provided irons or steamers may be used in the laundry room only; personal irons cannot be brought aboard."

 

[Magic3forme]

also there is dry cleaning available on the ship, and it is very reasonable. in the past John just has his shirt pressed for formal night.

 

[tinkluvr12]

For semi night I took a crinkle skirt that way it was supposed to be wrinkled We read in the passporter how to fold the men's dress shirts with tissue paper then we used the tissue to wrap up breakable souvenirs for the trip home. Also I always travel with a small spray bottle. I spritz the clothes, shake them and hang them to dry the day before we wear them. Quick and easy "ironing".
Also learned keeping your dressy clothes in the dry cleaning bags before folding and packing keeps the wrinkle to a minimum.

Hope it helps.

 

[drskw]

Dana here, of Mickey and Goofy...... looks like this thread is really taking off. So excited that the cruise is getting closer!
For formal and semi formal clothes, the dry cleaning bags work super well for reducing wrinkles, but be sure only one item in each. We tried several in each ( for some crazy reason I thought that would magically work ) but it defeats the purpose. We ended up sending all our shirts out to be pressed on the very first day, they came back perfect and the cost of pressing was very reasonable. As mentioned there are irons in the laundry rooms on board ............ I have actually met some great people while ironing, lol .....makes the time pass quickly.
Hope everyone is having a great summer, and we look forward to meeting you all in December!

 

[drskw]

Hey bluemoon1070
We are using our "free" cruise from the BLT add on that we did on our last cruise. If I want this cruise to remain free, I have to avoid the add ons setting in while under the magical Disney spell. The only upgrade I was able to work out, was moving up to a balcony stateroom, for a price of course. I assume you are in GTY status as well ............ so I guess we have to wait to even see where our room will land.
Just a shout out to a fellow DVC member

 

[Magic3forme]

we took the money off instead of the cruise from our BLT purchase! with 5 people, nothing is easy. although the idea was tempting~

 

[taswira]

To the DVC members here - - Do DVC points "convert" to your advantage for a DCL cruise, or is it more beneficial (when possible) to book and pay separately to cruise? I've heard pros and cons and just wondered.

 

[taswira]

Another Birthday Nut has been added at the top of the Birthday Nuts list.

 

[taswira]

Want to keep our thread highly visible as we get closer to sailing. So . . a 'munk pic of the day - - In preparation for our 'Munks Fitness Walk, Dale attempts some push-ups to help him get in shape.

Have a nutty but magical day everyone!

 

[bluemoon1070]

We find DVC points to be a much better use for cruises than paying cash. Especially when considering upgrading to a nicer room. It is much less points to upgrade from a inside room to a outside with balcony then it would be to pay cash. This is one of the best surprises with being a DVC member, I think. For Adventure's By DIsney trips, I find that paying cash is morer reasonable then using points (but we haven't done one yet).

 

[taswira]

We find DVC points to be a much better use for cruises than paying cash. Especially when considering upgrading to a nicer room.

Can you use DVC points to upgrade even if you did not book the cruise using points, or not?

 

[bluemoon1070]

Thanks everyone for the wrinkle advice. It is much apprecaited. You can check us out on the cruise and let us know if they worked lol

 

[Magic3forme]

Since we are brand new DVC members, I have no idea about the points! I am hoping to learn more too.

Where is everyone staying the night before?
We are thinking the Radisson because it offers free parking and free shuttle service. and it is soo close to the Port!

 

[taswira]

I think Radisson would be a good choice. It's popular the night before sailings though, so you may want to make your res early.

I'm staying home the night before the cruise - lol. Bummer. I'd rather be in Port Canaveral to meet up with some Nuts the evening before, but can't justify spending the money when I live an hour from the port.

 

[Donald_Quackers]

I'm staying at the Radisson before the cruise.

My plans are flying in on friday, picking up a rental and heading to DTD, where we normally eat at Rainforest to start vacation, do some light shopping/walking around before heading to the Radisson. We're going to pick up some liquor to take onboard, and enjoy the hotel for the night.

Then return the car in the AM and use the rental shuttle to go to port.

 

[bluemoon1070]

I don't think you can use points to upgrade if you made your original purchase with cash. Even for this cruise, since we didn't technically use points to purchase the cruise, we have to pay cash to upgrade.

Chris and I are spending the week before the cruise at Boardwalk Villas and then our other couple is flying into Orlando on Friday and we will drive down on Saturday morning.