2/01/03 Western

[akterrye]

Cyberkashi: Yes, still planning on the 8:30am snorkling trip. Customs?! I thought we didn't have to deal with customs until we got back to Cape Canaveral. I know on the Eastern we had to clear customs in St. Thomas because it was part of the US, but I didn't think (and thought I read one of Dave's posts) that there wasn't any customs at Grand Cayman or Coz. I'll have to check further. Not to worry about getting off the ship, I've read several trip reports where ppl had the early trip and had plenty of time.


BABYJOSIE98: There is a wonderful Tea with Wendy that you and your daughter would enjoy. I wanted to go, but Eric and my son both said, "That's for GIRLS!" so I didn't get to go!

We're only using Disney Dollars for onboard expenses - last time we spent roughly $600.00 and another $1200.00 off ship. So, once I have the DD taken care of, I'll put aside the off ship fun money in traveler's checks. If I hadn't exchanged real $$ for DD$$, I would have spent it this last week...too many good sales going on!!! *arg* At least Eric gets paid tomorrow and I can go fulfil my shopping need.

cruisinpenguin: That is SO cool! I know I would order 3 T-shirts for my group...now all we have to do is come up with a design. Eric volunteered (he has all the graphics software at work - does a lot of graphic design work for the college - who knew that fell under the job description for 'network administrator?') LOL

 

[Cyberkashi]

Terrye... That is good to know about the early snorkel trip. I haven't booked yet and that leaves my options open.

It is great that there is more than one person who can put together a design. We should post them on the board or send out a copy throught the email list and vote on one or two styles. This is so Cool.

 

[akterrye]

I did a little digging and the early morning customs/imigrations thing was discussed here. It only applies to the Eastern (thank goodness!), so we're good to go for early snorkling at Grand Cayman! WHOOHOO!!!

 

[Cyberkashi]

I was just reading on another thread that Palos has a private room with a large table that will seat 10 or more people. Someone needs to be near the front of the boarding line and go directly to Palos to request it. I expect that a representative from each cabin needs to be present to authorize the charge but I am unclear on this. Maybe someone can volunteer to investigate.

 

[akterrye]

There isn't a charge for High Tea, so only one person would need to make the reservations for however many ppl would be going. They won't need a rep. from each party for charges. It would be different if we were doing brunch or dinner since those incur a charge.

That will make tea reservations a lot easier.

 

[cruisinpenguin]

Laurie...Do they have the nice heavier weight T's? That's the one I got the quote on. Do they have the full range of sizes? I don't think it would be hard to put an order together for 12. We'd buy at least three. What about custom designs and number of colors? I have some ideas I could put together in Photoshop and put up on the board for feedback.

Hi Cyberkashi.....yes the T-shirts are 100% cotton heavyweight 5.6 ounces. I got prices on doing up to 3 colors for imprint. Sizes run from Youth small, med. and large to Adult small, med. large, XL, XXL and XXXL. Prices are on doing 12 pieces (if we do more than 12 pieces prices drop): 1-color imprint $7.96, 2-color imprint $10.73 and 3-color imprint $13.49. Shipping and Handling which is a flat fee of $6.95 will also be added to your order. This price handles mailing via UPS ground and boxing. If anyone is interested in ordering please send me an email at rdflaf@aol.com and we can get a count of how many tee's we're looking at and we can update pricing once I get the final count!! A custom design would be great and if you'd like to work something up that'd be awesome!! My company also does designs but would love to see ideas from all!! Please post your ideas. We will need at least 3 weeks to get the T-shirts done and another week for me to ship them out to everyone so plan on a month which I'd like to get the T-shirts to everyone by mid January so the earlier we start this the better it is for everyone!!
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cruisinpenguin: That is SO cool! I know I would order 3 T-shirts for my group...now all we have to do is come up with a design. Eric volunteered (he has all the graphics software at work - does a lot of graphic design work for the college - who knew that fell under the job description for 'network administrator?') LOL


HI akterrye: Yes please send designs that would be awesome for Eric to work up a design!! Thank you for volunteering him!! Anyone else out there on ideas for our T-shirt?? please feel free to create and post!! Then we all can decide!! Like I mentioned above......the faster we decide on something the better it is all around!! If we do go with making up T-shirts I would love to have a design by the end of September and then we would have the month of October to get them made and shipped and everyone could have their tee's by November. That would work out super!! Please send those designs!! Thanks, Laurie!!

 

[Cyberkashi]

Here is a link to a couple of T-Shirt designs I put together. Email me or post your comments. Gina had suggested to me that we might want to add the word "Kid" on the children's Ts. I could change the text to "Disney Cruising (or Cruisin') Kid" for the kids Ts.

http://www.geocities.com/cyberkashi/Disney_T-Shirt/Graphics/DesignSamples.html

 

[Cyberkashi]

I just read a post on another thread and it said that all reversations at Palo for over 6 people is handled by the manager. So whoever is going to coordinate the tea/brunch should be able to make reservations for all of us in one swoop.

 

[Cyberkashi]

I have received your emails about the the T-shirt designs. Thank you for your positive feedback. I have also recieved a few questions about the legality of using Disney logos on the shirt. I have responded to each of you who posed this question to me but thought it would be useful to post it here.

First, let me say that I am not a lawyer, but have studied some Business Law, and have experience designing promotional materials, websites, and the NASDAQ marketsite, using licensed materials, logos, and intellectual property. Sometimes you need to pay a license fee and sometimes you do not. I feel fairly confident that we do not need to do in this case. Here's why...

We should only have a problem using the logo if either of these statements is true:

1. We are creating these shirts for profitable large-scale distribution.

2. We are representing ourselves as being affiliated with the Walt Disney company.

Neither of these are true in our case. These shirts are for our own private use as members of a non-profit club. The shirt clearly states that we are cruisers--not staff. So we are not presenting ourselves as representatives of Disney.

Large companies typically sue for logo infringement for two main reasons:

1. A profit is being made from their efforts/ownership and they are not getting a piece of the action.

2. Someone is impersonating/misrepresenting the company or portraying it in a bad light.

Disney does not go after all the the message boards (including this one) that use/distribute Disney logos, songs, wall paper, lyrics, graphics, avitars, etc. This is good will and free promotion for Disney as it helps to promote Disney products.

No one is going to come after a group of cruisers who collectively have just given Disney over $250,000 for a 7 night cruise. That would be exceedingly bad press--I could see to that.

Large group getogethers like this one are the type of thing that gets a news item/photo in the Disney magazines and the Disney Vacation Club newsletters. I think they would be happy to see us all in our shirts.

How about this for a headline:

Magic in the Making...One hundred and ten total strangers chat online and meet at last. Their DIS Cruiser T-shirts helped them find each other on the ship and in port. See the group photo on page 10...

 

[Gina]

I'm sure you're right about Disney not caring -- it *would* be really stupid of them to make an issue out of it! Point is moot for me, I just hate t-shirts. But I'll always have my lime green ribbon on somewhere, as always.

Just a very slight reality check here... even if we have 100+ folks who are in this thread and sailing at the same time, if even 15 of them meet I would be surprised. It's just the nature of the whole thing. You get so busy onboard, meet times conflict with things you want to do, the rest of your family wants to do something different, etc. We had just as huge a group amassed for out 2/1 cruise earlier this year, and I think I met 5 of them when it came down to it. We had high hopes and plans for big meets and everything, but it just never worked out. However, you click with the people you click with, and you somehow keep running into those people all week and have little impromptu meets, so it's all good.

I think our best shot at a meet of any kind is going to be the night before at the Radisson! Relaxed, tropical setting, anticipatory, nowhere else to be. Perfect recipe.

-gina-

 

[akterrye]

Green ribbon for me too...no hassles and one size fits all. (And it's easy to take off if you wanna hide from someone - j/k!)

So, Gina, you ain't gonna be meeting us for tea?! *whimper*

I read some other cruise line reviews of Capt. Marvins - re: size of groups that go. The 8:30 groups tend to be smaller, so they go out on smaller boats. The 11:15 groups tend to run 15 - 20 people and they go out on one of the bigger boats. I think that someone from the 11:15 group should represent your interest in being picked up at the tender and do a roll call, if that is the concensous of that group. (Cybercashi - any volunteers?)

I agree with the reality check. I'm traveling with a group of 10 and I know we (as our own little group) have things planned that would probably conflict with a DIS meet. The one thing outside of our *group* that I plan on doing is meeting up with Gina in her favorite bar and buying her a drink to make up for cancelling last year!

OK, I got my Radisson reservations...but I could only get the $79.00/night rate. Oh well.... Count us in for the pre-cruise meet.

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

Hey guys,

Just catching up on the thread. This thing can get away from you.
I had forgot about Tea with Wendy!! That will work. I had not thought about Palo being Adult only even for tea. I still would not mind meeting up with some ladies if we decide to try and get a ressie for some time on our trip.

Gina,
You are right about all the plans to meet. It will be tough when it comes down to really doing it. The Radisson will probably be the easiest since we are just going to be chilling at the hotel.

I switched our dinner to late,but if we decide we can always put Josie in the kids club and they feed her?? Is that correct? I won't do that every night,but if they have something fun going on we may consider doing so.

So has Disney ever upgraded any of you on your past cruises?? Do you not know till you get on the ship? We are a Cat 9 outside on Deck 2 and I have heard if you book early that you may get upgraded to an upper deck to make room on the lower decks as the trip gets closer.

On Embarkment day What deck do we board on?? Just wondering?
Maybe Tuesday Southwest will come out with fares through Feb!!
So far nothing too cheap and I don't want to spend over $200 per person??? They gotta have a special soon!!!

 

[Gina]

So, Gina, you ain't gonna be meeting us for tea?! *whimper*

No, I still want to try and do tea, one or another!! High Tea, Tea With Wendy, whatever

The one thing outside of our *group* that I plan on doing is meeting up with Gina in her favorite bar and buying her a drink to make up for cancelling last year!

Hey, I'm so excited you're coming this time around (and we didn't even plan it that way!!) that I'll buy *you* a drink.

Michelle -- Glad you got your seating changed like you wanted! I think you'll be happy with that. Early seating is just so *early!* And yes, they will take the kids to eat dinner, but it gets tricky timing it right. Or maybe that was just me, with my sense-of-time total deficiency. LOL!

-gina-

 

[Cyberkashi]

We did the Wendy tea last time and were expecting that they actually have a "tea". What happens is that you go into Studio C (family nightclub) and the tables are set with with tablecloths and tea pots. It is kinda cute. I can't remember if there is ice tea or fruit punch in the tea pots, but there is a plate of three chocolate cookies on the center plate.

Wendy comes in after everyone is seated and then tells the group that each table should select a mom or dad to pour the tea while everyone puts a napkin on their lap. Then everyone should eat their cookies in small bites. Unfortunately the instructions are moot, because by the time she comes in, all the tea and cookies have already been consumed. No one comes to serve tea, cookies or replenish. I thought there might be some table service or a tea with little sandwiches or pastries but not so.

Then Wendy tells a cliff notes version of her adventure with Peter Pan (which is about 4-6 minutes long) and everyone lines up for a photo shoot. The tea lasts about 45-50 min., 90% of which is photo opp.

In the Navigator they print when during the week tickets will be available. DH, whom I sent to stand in line 15 minutes before they opened, said he was in line with mostly other DHs who had been sent on the same task. When they open the line, they run out of tickets almost immediately.

If you have never taken your daughter to an afternoon/high tea, she might enjoy this. --Or if she is a big Wendy fan. But if you/she have expectation of an classic/elegant tea, this is not it. BTW, I don't mean to exclude DS. There were a number of DS there, but the experience is more designed to suit DDs.

We will skip this event next cruise.

 

[sitchu2]

One more day and Ill be visiting the world for a week, so if I dont pipe in on any hot topics thats why.

When I come home I am going to be going full steam ahead in excursion planning and I am heavily considering the 11am capt. Marv. I have a 7 year old and I am worried she will be to scared to swim with stingrays. Anyway Ill look into that when this trip is over.

Its off to the beach club and poly, my first time using the dis vacation club, Im too excited!!

Be back in a week Felicia 1 Days 8 Hrs 1 Mins 39 Secs

 

[Gina]

Felicia, have a wonderful time!! Can't wait to hear about it when you get back!

-gina-

 

[Cyberkashi]

AKTERRYE...I read some other cruise line reviews of Capt. Marvins - re: size of groups that go. The 8:30 groups tend to be smaller, so they go out on smaller boats. The 11:15 groups tend to run 15 - 20 people and they go out on one of the bigger boats. I think that someone from the 11:15 group should represent your interest in being picked up at the tender and do a roll call, if that is the concensous of that group. (Cybercashi - any volunteers?)

Okay...I emailed Captain Marvins and their office is 1.5 blocks from where the ship docks. We can get a 3-hr. cruise for the same price as a 2-hr. (even on their website the charge is only $4/person more).

If we have 20 people, we can get a private 34-foot Crusader cabin cruiser for 3 hrs. for $31.50 / person. The boat charge is $550 + $4/person for ground transportation. No difference in price for adults or kids.

The price is less for the adults and greater for the kids than the standard price. We can coordinate a group but I don't think any of us want to guarantee the private rental fee. Depending on your adult/kid mix it may or may not save you money.

I don't mind coordinating a group/rollcall, but we have not yet decided if we are going to go for the 2-hour or the 3-hour tour. I am leaning toward the 3-hr. but the 11:15 is a 2-hour. Perhaps someone else would like to wear the cruise director cap.

 

[Gina]

I'm definitely keeping my Captain Marvin's ressie the way it is... 2 hours is just right. Even if it were to come out the same price, 3 hours is just too long for us. The 11:15 is over just in time for us to have a bit to eat and take a nap.

-gina-

 

[Cyberkashi]

When I reread my post I think I may have made it sound as though the group had not decided on the 2 or 3 hour tour. When I wrote that "we have not decided yet", I just meant my family. I did not mean to imply that anyone else should change their plans. It is because my family may not be on the 11:15 that I was suggesting that someone else may want to volunteer to coordinate. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[akterrye]

I may be way out on a limb here, but I had a radical idea....how 'bout we each make our own Capt. Marvin's reservations for the time we wanna? And, worry about our own transportation to the dive shop.

It's looking, at least for me, that trying to get a huge group of total strangers (and some of you are stranger than others ) together for a meeting is not only difficult, but downright impossible. I think our best bet would be, to restate Gina, a pre-cruise meet at the Radisson and then play it by ear. Heck, some of us might even decide High Tea is too stuffy and head for the nearest bar for a tall, cool one! Which leads me to a REALLY important question:

Gina, ya like beer, right? How about ambers?

Well, off to my first day of school (where I'll sit at big tables with other ppl instead of getting my OWN desk! lol TD is SO lucky!!! I'm jealous!) And, I don't even get to ride da BUS!!!