2/15/2013 - 8 Night Western Cruise, Galveston, TX

[I❤MICKEY]

So disappointed. Tried to get the Mickey call tonight. Epic fail. It won't allow you to schedule a call after 8:00 PM local time. So I fibbed and said I was in Hawaii. I wanted the boys to get the call before bed. They sat on the sofa watching cars in their jammies but the call never came. We have no blocks or anything like that on our phone. We've had no issues with Disneyland calls. Any one else try to get the call? Did it work for you?

I guess we will try again for tomorrow.

 

[juliefsu]

We are also flying out from sfo on thur afternoon. The 4ish united flight to IAH. Would be funny if we are on the same flight
Betsy

We are flying out Thursday morning. We figured if something happened to our flight we would have more options to get on another.

 

[I❤MICKEY]

So disappointed. Tried to get the Mickey call tonight. Epic fail. It won't allow you to schedule a call after 8:00 PM local time. So I fibbed and said I was in Hawaii. I wanted the boys to get the call before bed. They sat on the sofa watching cars in their jammies but the call never came. We have no blocks or anything like that on our phone. We've had no issues with Disneyland calls. Any one else try to get the call? Did it work for you?

I guess we will try again for tomorrow.

Epic, epic fail. The phone rang an hour later than what was scheduled. Both kids were in bed. Guess, we will schedule for tomorrow.

 

[KPetty725]

So disappointed. Tried to get the Mickey call tonight. Epic fail. It won't allow you to schedule a call after 8:00 PM local time. So I fibbed and said I was in Hawaii. I wanted the boys to get the call before bed. They sat on the sofa watching cars in their jammies but the call never came. We have no blocks or anything like that on our phone. We've had no issues with Disneyland calls. Any one else try to get the call? Did it work for you?

I guess we will try again for tomorrow.

Was originally scheduled for 6pm on Friday (right during dinner) but I forgot I changed my phone number so I got an email saying it didn't go through. Rescheduled it for Saturday morning and it came through only about 2 minutes late. Keira (6) was super excited but Sierra (3) couldn't have cared less. Ah well....

5 more days!!!

 

[duck_widow]

We are from the Bay Area as well.. Flying out Thursday afternoon from SFO I will wear my green mickey ring (it can't be missed). Finally got seats together on the airplane with my son..yeah!

So are we. I wonder if we're on the same flight? We're on United 1604 leaving at 12:13pm.

 

[duck_widow]

I just discovered that my kids' passports are EXPIRED!!!!!!! Thank God I got an appointment for Monday by phone at our regional passport office. Now I need passport photos!!

Worst case scenario, you can use their birth certificates.

This is from the State Department website:
"Closed Loop" Cruises: U.S. citizens who board a cruise ship at a port within the United States, travel only within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same U.S. port on the same ship may present a government issued photo identification, along with proof of citizenship (an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization). Please be aware that you may still be required to present a passport to enter the foreign countries your cruise ship is visiting. Check with your cruise line to ensure you have the appropriate documents."

http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/lang_eng/eng_sa.html

Passports are preferred, especially if you have an accident or need to leave directly from a foreign port. We've opted to use birth certificates for our kids on our past cruises. And this cruise only has one foreign port (Castaway Cay).

 

[Gina]

Worst case scenario, you can use their birth certificates.

True. Just make sure you decide that before you hand the birth certificates over for passport renewal!! Even if they swear they can get the passports back in a couple days. *That* would be very not-good, to have neither passports nor birth certificates if they weren't to come back in time, and you never know what delays can happen... Especially with a government agency!

 

[jzandmeplus3]

Can't believe we are cruising this Friday!! Super excited for the trip, but not about packing. I always dread packing. Can not wait for a phone/email/text free vacation with the exception of our Orlando and Key West days, Our family NEEDS that. We're flying out of Seattle on Thursday morning, staying at Houston Marriott at airport and taking DCL transfer to ship on Friday,anyone else doing that? Fingers crossed for nice weather! See you all on the ship!

 

[Wshop]

We are flying out Thursday morning. We figured if something happened to our flight we would have more options to get on another.

I love it! You are already thinking of contingency plans. I am going to keep my fingers crossed its not one of those super foggy days at SFO.

 

[hudson3709]

Well I just dodged a bullet. Was phoning to confirm with the limo and hotels this morning... And 2 of my rooms I booked for Dec 14 not Feb 14!!! Fortunately they had 2 rooms available and the price wasn't anymore than I paid online.

$200 isn't to bad for a lesson learned compared to what it could have meant.

 

[KPetty725]

Well I just dodged a bullet. Was phoning to confirm with the limo and hotels this morning... And 2 of my rooms I booked for Dec 14 not Feb 14!!! Fortunately they had 2 rooms available and the price wasn't anymore than I paid online.

$200 isn't to bad for a lesson learned compared to what it could have meant.

Eek! Good thing you called to confirm!

Praying for good weather for all flying in! Heck, for those of us driving too! I hate driving in yucky weather. Ok, might as well add a prayer for good weather during the whole trip and returns as well! LOL!

 

[Justacruiser]

So disappointed. Tried to get the Mickey call tonight. Epic fail. It won't allow you to schedule a call after 8:00 PM local time. So I fibbed and said I was in Hawaii. I wanted the boys to get the call before bed. They sat on the sofa watching cars in their jammies but the call never came. We have no blocks or anything like that on our phone. We've had no issues with Disneyland calls. Any one else try to get the call? Did it work for you?

I guess we will try again for tomorrow.

go on-line and request the call again. Select NOW and the call will come shortly. Allow an hour byt it shouldn't take that long. See you on the boat!

 

[glorib]

Doing some last-minute crafting today before I start putting things into suitcases! Tie-dye Mickey head shirt and hopefully a banner decoration for our door! I gotta stay busy because I totally have ants in my pants with excitement!

 

[FloridaFun]

I got my FE's done!

Off to a Chinese new Year party and then hope to pack when I get home!

 

[MKCQuilt]

I got my FE's done!

Off to a Chinese new Year party and then hope to pack when I get home!

WOW! these are amazing!

 

[MKCQuilt]

We are from the Bay Area as well.. Flying out Thursday afternoon from SFO I will wear my green mickey ring (it can't be missed). Finally got seats together on the airplane with my son..yeah!

Crandleys are leaving out of Oakland on Thursday afternoon and staying near Hobby airport that night. We have Disney transfers from the airport to the ship.
See you all there!

 

[elmo2200]

Worst case scenario, you can use their birth certificates.

This is from the State Department website:
"Closed Loop" Cruises: U.S. citizens who board a cruise ship at a port within the United States, travel only within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same U.S. port on the same ship may present a government issued photo identification, along with proof of citizenship (an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization). Please be aware that you may still be required to present a passport to enter the foreign countries your cruise ship is visiting. Check with your cruise line to ensure you have the appropriate documents."

http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/lang_eng/eng_sa.html

Passports are preferred, especially if you have an accident or need to leave directly from a foreign port. We've opted to use birth certificates for our kids on our past cruises. And this cruise only has one foreign port (Castaway Cay).

If we do birth certificates we would save $400 !!! I'm calling Disney, hopefully they can tell me if that will work.

 

[SnipsNSnails]

Hi everyone! Thanks to those who asked about my ankle. It's still sore but I can limp along. It's much better than yesterday so I'm thinking that it should just keep getting better. I'm going to keep it wrapped and stay off it the best I can. I'm hoping I'll be uch better by the time we sail.

Beth - No I won't be doing any driving. We're taking my parents van and my mom loves to drive so I'm guessing she will do the majority with my dad driving when she wants a break. I don't care to drive and they know that, though I would if it were necessary.

I can't believe that we only have 2.5 days until we start driving. I have so much to do tomorrow.

Stephanne

 

[Gina]

Yikes, did you guys see this?? The Carnival Triumph had a fire in the engine room and has been drifting in the Gulf on emergency generator power. They were supposed to be back in Galveston on Monday -- Now they're going to tow the ship to Progresso, won't get there until Wednesday, and fly all the people back wherever. What a nightmare!!

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1786353


As much of an initial hassle and expense as they can be, it's a good example of why passports are a good thing to have... you never know what's going to happen!! That just stinks so much... and they've had to let the people on the next two cruises that they have no ship to cruise on.

 

[KPetty725]

Yikes, did you guys see this?? The Carnival Triumph had a fire in the engine room and has been drifting in the Gulf on emergency generator power. They were supposed to be back in Galveston on Monday -- Now they're going to tow the ship to Progresso, won't get there until Wednesday, and fly all the people back wherever. What a nightmare!!

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1786353

As much of an initial hassle and expense as they can be, it's a good example of why passports are a good thing to have... you never know what's going to happen!! That just stinks so much... and they've had to let the people on the next two cruises that they have no ship to cruise on.

Yikes! I would've been ok with the forced extra days to avoid a hurricane because everything was still working but that sounds miserable! No power? Where are they sleeping? Not going to think about possibilities like this! If you ignore it, it will go away. hehehe