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

[KarenNY]

We got a stateroom assignment-2080-first time in a cat 9 for us.

 

[beerhider]

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?

Taxis are VERY easy to get. They will be lined up at Havensight, awaiting the onslaught of cruisers. Taxis are usually big 12 passenger vans or pick up trucks that have open air seats in the back with a custom roof on the top. All taxi rates in STT are set by the govt. You can check out taxi rates on www.vinow.com which gives other great info about STT, STJ and STX. From Havensight to Coki is probably $7 PP one way if there are more than two of you going. The taxi drivers will wait up to 15 minutes to try to fill up a cab instead of just taking 2-3 people, but are not allowed to wait longer than that. If they drop you at Coki, CA or anywhere, you can ask them to come back at a certain time to get you and they will be there. Or, get any of the many available taxi drivers that hang around to take you. The vinow website also has info on the prices for Coral World. How much you pay depends on whether you do the additional things they offer, like touch sharks or sting rays.

 

[beerhider]

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....

Coki is my favorite beach. When you pull into the parking lot where I parked my rental car, there are junker cars and trash, but you will see that at other places in STT as well. The parking lot where the taxis drop you off is just a turn around. The changing rooms and bathrooms there leave a lot to be desired, that is for sure, but I have also found that to be the case at all the beaches. Coki is a small beach. On the end near Coral World there are rocks with good snorkeling and most families hang there. Bring a dog bisquit or bread to attract the fish if you want them up close and personal. Coki Beach Scuba Dive shop and a restaurant are there too. At the other end of the beach are a few more places with food and drinks that are pretty raggy looking, but that never bothers me. There is almost always a guy playing rasta music and I find that to be very cool to be in the water listening to music. There are also chickens on the beach occasionally, which I found hilarious. Coki is nice in that there is an option of going to Coral World too. If you want a beautiful beach without the local flavor, then go to Meagan's. It is huge and very clean.
If you'd like to see pics from my most recent trip, go to :
http://community.webshots.com/album/568785524WwVVBX?vhost=community

 

[beerhider]

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?

You can snorkel from shore on any of the beaches. Look for the areas on the sides where there are rocks and bring bread or a dog bisquit to have the fish eat from your hands. This last trip in October, I saw sea turtles at Coki and a sting ray at Trunk Bay in STJ. At every beach you will see plenty of tangs and other typical tropical fish. Almost all the beaches will rent snorkel gear if you didn't bring your own, although I prefer my own breathing tube! Visit www.vinow.com for a message board and good info on the USVI's.

 

[beerhider]

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!!!

You wouldn't want to ride a bike on STJ as the hills are straight up. It's a very hilly island. The reef bay trail is a popular hike and they have a ranger led hike, but I think it's on Thursdays. You catch a taxi up centerline rd in the middle of the island, hike down to see the petroglyths (way cool), then to the sugar mill ruins. You end at the beach and a raft picks you up to take you back to Cruz Bay. Don't know if there are any charters that do that if you aren't on a ranger day. You can hike just as far as the petroglyths and go back, but it's up hill on the way back. Best and easiest snorkeling to get to are the beaches at Hawk's nest, Trunk Bay, Caneel and Cinnamon. That is the order in which they go along the road. I forget which, but Trunk or Caneel charge admission. Cinnamon is the site of a great campground. If you ever decide to go to St John with your family and want an affordable place to stay, Cinnamon is it. Big army tents on platforms with cots, bedding, coleman stove and coolers. It is definitely the most pristine beach there. www.cinnamonbay.com

 

[sharen24]

Hi everyone. We are so excited to be joining you on this trip. We had to evacuate our home on Saturday due to the fires in Yorba Linda, California so we weren't entirely certain we would be able to make it. Looking back now it is kind of funny that I was more worried about packing my passport and cruise clothing than I was about anything else in my house. I kept thinking "my cruise documents are being delivered on Monday. What if my house isn't there?" Fortunately, the fire stopped about 2 blocks away so we have no damage. Just a lot of ashes and smoke. Can't wait to meet you on the cruise.

 

[alaskanmommy]

Welcome Sharen24!! Glad to hear your house didn't get consumed by the fires!! I'll bet a cruise is exactly what you need right now!! Bring on the magic!!!

 

[NAB]

Welcome Sharen24!!! The more the merrier.

It is snowing here and the roads are very icy. Just got back from swimming lessons with the kids and slid right though a red light. I am ready for my vacation now.

I just hope we don't have this kind of weather when we have to go to the airport. It is two hours away on the open highway. We are flying out of Buffalo because it is cheaper.

Beerhider-- thanks for all the info about St.Thomas. Last time we just stayed and looked in the shops at port.

 

[frdeb1999]

Welcome sharen 24!! So glad there was no damage to your home!

 

[frdeb1999]

Thanks so much for the info Beerhider!

 

[Forever42]

DH and I are very glad we have everything paid off, since my company's going through restructuring right now and I lost my job.

But we're still going to go, and have a great time on the cruise and work through this.

 

[bubbasmom99]

So sorry to hear that Kathleen! I work in financial services and our industry is getting hit HARD. Every day I wake up to find new headlines of layoffs in other companies and wonder when the other shoe is going to drop here.

We're not exactly prepared, from a financial standpoint, but mentally, I'm bracing for whatever is to come. Thank goodness this cruise was saved for and planned for long ago.

 

[princssdisnygina]

DH and I are very glad we have everything paid off, since my company's going through restructuring right now and I lost my job.

But we're still going to go, and have a great time on the cruise and work through this.

I am sorry to hear that as well! My mother works for GM and may lose her job too! But... like you... we are still going to go and have a great time!

 

[Forever42]

Thanks guys! DH came home and took me out to lunch. I felt like a lush but man, a beer at lunch with some fries felt nice.

And Joy, that line describes us exactly - we're not completely prepared financially, but I was starting to prepare mentally and we have saved above and beyond for the stateroom bill, so we're still going to have a nice time.

Good luck to all of you as well in these times. But let's go and relax and enjoy ourselves at the same time.

 

[bubbasmom99]

I just called The Perfect Gift and ordered my gift baskets for the kids! They are super reasonably priced compared to Disney's prices. I got each of them a mesh beach bag filled with sippy cup, shovel, pail, rake and sand molds, their favorite candy, bubbles, pirate eyepatch and earring, and then a coloring book/crayons for Sarah and binoculars for Nick. It's about $40 each, and I think it's worth it since I won't have to cart it there or buy it, esp. the sand toys.

I am sooooo excited!

 

[NAB]

I am hearing you on the money front. And our dollar if falling fast so there won't be many extras this trip. That is why we didn't book any excurisons either. They are so expensive and we can create our own fun and adventure.

Just as long as it is warm and I don't have to shovel like I had to do this morning for an hour.

Hoping to use our room credit to buy pictures this time round.

And yes we are leaving all our troubles behind for at least a week.

Where is Disney Lady today with our bold count down. Hope she is not sick!

 

[Disney Lady]

Another Red Letter Day -- 15 Days until our cruise!!!!!!!
Sorry to hear about all the bad money worries . Everyday my DH has a job is a good day......auto industry......wouldn't you know.....
On the good news: I got my Mousefest registration stuff . Basil Fox got his yesterday. He is closer to Ann Arbor, MI (Northville). I am in Troy so it took an extra day! Thanks to Jennifer and Richard Marx of PassPorter!!!!! Is anyone else going to rush off the ship to go to WDW for Mousefest?????
Thanks for all the info on St. Thomas. We are doing the small 3 hour tour and then maybe a little shopping or just going back to the ship sounds like fun to me!
Have been getting my pins together to do some trading. I am also going to sew some patches on my Dis Colorbaseball hat that I plan on wearing into the terminal. Then it is the FIRST Hidden Mickey sighting I will be looking for----Joy----with the wonderful bracelets.....Thanks!
Am MUCH better today. Still have the racking cough but it is coming along. The steroids and all of you'll prayers and pixie dust must be doing the trick. How is our Flu girl? I hope better. When kids get sick it is the PITS!!! Here is some pixie dust for you !Pluto wants you to be better, too.
Have a nice night. LD

 

[Disney Lady]

14 Days!!!!!!That sorts out to be two 7 day "weeks" until we cruise!!!!!
Seems like someone should be just about ready to depart for WDW . What is going to be our FIRST party to "see Mickey?" Is it going to be a party from Canada, Hawaii or Alaska?
We don't leave until Friday, December 5, so it won't be us!
Have a Magical Day. LDcheer2: :

 

[hawaiian mickey]

aloha,
We have only 12 more days
hawaiian mickey

 

[princssdisnygina]

ONLY 11 DAYS FOR US!!!