12/6/08 Eastern ~ ***CURRENT ROSTER pg 68, post # 1007!

[memouselily]

When is the formal dinner again? Is it Monday or Tuesday? Thanks.

 

[bubbasmom99]

We will be docking at Havensight. I called in to check shortly after you posted this Joy.

Wooohooo!! I was not looking forward to tendering.... this might influence my shore excursion plans... hmmmm.....

 

[bubbasmom99]

When is the formal dinner again? Is it Monday or Tuesday? Thanks.

I think it's the 2nd night (Sunday)....

 

[winotracy]

I think it's the 2nd night (Sunday)....

Yes, Sunday for formal, Thursday for semi formal and Tuesday for pirate night.

 

[memouselily]

Thanks

 

[beerhider]

We will be docking at Havensight. I called in to check shortly after you posted this Joy.

Thanks for the follow up on where we are docking. I have been to St Thomas four or five times and just want to put in my two cents for people that want to know what to do there. If you want to shop, there are tons of shops right at Havensight, near the ship. It is about a mile walk to Charlotte Amalie for many more stores. I did not find the jewelry prices to be that much better than here and since there are many ships in port that day, CA will be mobbed. I avoided CA on cruise ship days. If you like to look at tons of watches and gold, then this is for you. However, the beaches are spectacular in STT. You can grab a taxi quite cheaply to get to Coki Beach and go to Coral World while you're there if you choose or go to Meagans. I know they say Meagan's is one of the top ten beaches in the world, but I prefer Coki. Much smaller and a local feel. At Coki you can get a daquiri for $8 delivered to you. Rent a beach chair for $5 or sit in the sand.
Instead of paying top dollar to ride the tram to the top of Mountain Top (right across from Havensight), take a taxi, probably cheaper. Typical touristy shop at the top, but the view is fabulous. If you're hungry while you're there, grab a Patty (dough stuffed with conch, chicken, beef, etc.) for $4 or great ribs/chicken off one of the trucks. The restaurants are very expensive, with the exception of the Green House, right on the harbor in CA. There is also plenty of time to take a ferry from Red Hook, about a 20 minute taxi ride from Havensight, to St John. 80% national park, so much more pristine beaches and better snorkeling. Trunk Bay is very popular with it's underwater trail, but Hawk's Nest is just as nice and closer to town. If you just want to walk around Cruz Bay, which is where the ferry drops you off, there are great shops there with much better variety than in STT. Walk a little bit up the street for Mongoose Junction shops. Eat THE BEST chicken and coleslaw at the open air chicken place across from the open air bar called "Caps" on the way to Mongoose Junction. For $10 it can't be beat. Or, if there is a woman named Gladys right across from the ferry in the little park who has her van open, that food is out of sight too.
One final note, prepare for Island Time. No one that waits on you will be very speedy and may be downright rude to you if you don't start the conversation with a "good morning, or good afternoon". Literally EVERYONE starts a request with that and it gets a smile and good service every time. STT is my favorite island by far. Enjoy your time there!

 

[memouselily]

Ok--another question. I have heard about the teas and such for little girls. My dd 3yo, loves the princesses. How do I go about finding out about these for something we might be able to do that is special? Thank you again for your advice and help.

I am getting a little nervous though. Our docs and luggage tags haven't come yet, but our TA says keep calling back to make sure.

 

[frdeb1999]

I have the gamit of kids in age ranges missing school and they have been great about helping us. We notified them already last year to make sure this would'nt be a problem. They are getting everything together so it can all be finished pretty much prior to the cruise. So we will be good to go!

 

[frdeb1999]

Joy, I hope your feeling better and it turns into nothing!! The whole family here has been battling the MD crud as we call it. It's everywhere here and it's wicked!! Pixie dust for no one getting sick!!

 

[frdeb1999]

Beerhider....I'm a big chicken when it comes to taking taxi's and such. How hard is it to get a taxi from port to coral world? And would it be cheaper doing so then doing the excursion through DCL?

 

[bubbasmom99]

Okay, beerhider -- where have you BEEN during my manic planning phase? I haven't been able to get much of an opinion on ANYTHING on St. Thomas... So I was, then wasn't, going to do Coki Beach and Coral World... heard it was kinda icky there -- any recent reviews on that?

Now I am thinking Coral World and an island tour with a stop at Mountain Top...

I am feeling okay -- just swabbed my nostrils with that Zicam stuff and am flooding the vitamin C....

 

[hawaiian mickey]

aloha,
Just got our docs
Only 14 days more to go

hawaiian mickey

 

[POR0907]

beerhider,

Thanks so much for all the info on St Thomas. This site is fantastic for info on the ship, but much harder to find info in the islands. We've already booked a snorkel excursion with Disney for St. Thomas, but may need to change that anyway now that we have one kid in a cast. May do St Thomas on our own and hit one of the beaches, do you recommend any beach for snorkeling from shore?

 

[beerhider]

I received mine last Friday by FedEx. I also got my ME tags because we are staying at POR for one night when we get of the boat. They came by UPS.

We did most of it on line. It was a ticket like booket that listed our names, cabin, the DLC policies, insurance etc. and luggage tags for the ship.

Too bad you aren't staying at POR before the cruise! We would have seen you there!!

 

[beerhider]

Talked with DS's home room teacher about the days he will miss and got the green light. In fact she said I'm all for life experiences, one less thing I have to worry about.

Don't I wish my kids had THAT teacher!! I tried to sell it that way, but the teachers are forced to prioritize the scores the school gets after our state testing....it is a shame to lose sight of what education could be in favor of testing. I don't get it!
But for a week, their education is of the world!

 

[princssdisnygina]

It's Getting closer! ONLY 13 DAYS FOR US!

I could definitely use the warm weather! Its only 27 here this morning! BUURRR!!!
I am ready for some Christmas at and on Disney!!

Still hoping for an upgrade ... eventhough its looking slim! Its ok, we will try and upgrade once at port, and even if we dont... I am still happy to be on the ship!

 

[frdeb1999]

We have 14 days til we leave!! And we too can't wait for some warmer weather....22 here this morning and snowing on and off! Can't wait for some sunshine!

 

[Reneeaiko]

9 more days and we are on a jet outa here!!

 

[alaskanmommy]

One week to go for us!! And then last night DD 6 came down with the flu. Poor child. DH and I are hoping that we don't get it as well. We usually don't, but some pixie dust might be helpful just in case.

I'm trying to look at this as a blessing in disguise, at least we have a week until we leave. Hopefully this means she will be "flu-ed" out for our trip! And... while I have TONS of work to do before I leave my job for 3 weeks, I am planning on getting a lot of stuff done around the house today to jumpstart my packing and organizing.

Beerhider, thanks so much for the info on St. Thomas and St. John! I think we will end up going to St. John as we are all about nature and the beach and snorkeling. Do you know if there are bike rentals and or biking/hiking trails on St. John??? That's something we would really love to do, just not in a tour group.

I hope everyone has a great week and I am totally looking forward to the SUN as we have not seen it much here in the last year or so. We had an incredibly sun-less summer so we haven't seen any real sun since September of 08 when we went to WDW!

Happy packing and here's to everybody staying healthy for their vacation!!!

 

[alaskanmommy]

Hey Reneé~
I thought you guys are leaving the day after us??? That would make it 8 days!!!