20050514..May 14, 2005...Official Check in Disney's 1st 14 Day thru Panama Canal Part 2

[SandraLee]

Linda,

Do you remember how far the cliff diving (La Quebrea . .) was from where the cruise ships port? All the stuff I read talks about a 'few block walk' from downtown Acapulco. How far will that be from the ships?

The times for the cliff diving is well posted ahead of time. And, you can pay the cover charge to get into the restuarant on your own. I just don't want to spend 4 hours on a bus to see a 20 minute cliff diving show!

Yes, I remember watching it all on Wide World of Sports when I was a kid, too.

Any more thoughts on what to do in Acapulco?

 

[Brisully]

Hello Everyone!!!

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am still around, but have been extremely busy with work. The buttons that Georgie designed are coming along, and I will be giving out an email address soon, so that everyone can tell me how many are in their party.


8 MORE WEEKENDS!!!!!!

 

[BethE]

Whoopie! BethE, you made it to DIS!!!
Welcome dear Friend!

Beth was part of the group of friends that made my 50th onboard the Magic so much fun. :thewave:

I can't wait to see the gang together. Yo, Carol --- you got enough deck chairs on that monster veranda of yours??? I'm gonna be over there annoying you to death.

Kelli, do you think they will get upset if we trall for marlin and sailfish off Carol's veranda? We'd need a wintch to haul it on board...My little Nav hole is too small to fight for the big ones.
OK OK just teasing!

But Seriously: Is anyone in the group doing a weight loss program, such as LA Weight Loss or Weight Watchers? I know I'm gonna need a bit of morale support. I'd like to form a network of diet-buddies to help each other maintain some modicum of impulse and temptation control. If you are interested, please send me a private post.

Thanks, Margaret and everyone for the warm welcome!

Carol has a monster veranda? I definitely want to see that -- and if the monsters aren't too scary, maybe hang out there a bit

As for dieting, sorry Margaret, I'm dieting now but there is no way I'm going to diet on the cruise! I'll try not to over-indulge, but I'm not going to worry about calories or fat or anything like that. I plan to be very active to work off all the good food.

Beth

 

[seaulater]

Linda,

Do you remember how far the cliff diving (La Quebrea . .) was from where the cruise ships port? All the stuff I read talks about a 'few block walk' from downtown Acapulco. How far will that be from the ships?

The times for the cliff diving is well posted ahead of time. And, you can pay the cover charge to get into the restuarant on your own. I just don't want to spend 4 hours on a bus to see a 20 minute cliff diving show!

Yes, I remember watching it all on Wide World of Sports when I was a kid, too.

Any more thoughts on what to do in Acapulco?

Here is some info I pulled off the cruisecritic site. I agree, I think it was about a 10 minute bus ride. Don't not go to the cliff divers just cuz I didn't think they were great, if you are never going again, it's probably worth seeing once in your lifetime. Here's the info:

Walking in Town

The cruise terminal is located in the downtown area, the main square or Zocalo is located 2 blocks to the west when exiting the cruise terminal. The Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad is located here, also many of the older business shops. To the East there is 1 mile of beach from the 100% Natural Restaurant to the first hotel on the Costera Avenue, Excalibur, a few local seafood restaurants.
I always recommend to use your common sense while in Port,you will find the same situations in any place in the world. Don't where flashy jewelry, carry a no more than you will be planning on spending,1 credit card and an ID. Also ask the ship to provide a contact number in case of an emergency, usually they will provide the number of the ship's agent.
Crossing the streets may be a challenge, use the stops lights and get assistance from the police that are there, most local motorists will not stop to let you pass.
Don't go into back roads with a "tourist guide" unless he has an authorized ID from the SCT, it is made on PVC green back ground and aztec sun, make sure it's valid. Many of these so called "tourist guides" have home made ID's and have no oficial recognition from any authority.
The fort of San Diego is in front of the cruise terminal and it's a great place to walk.
If you get lost, hop in a cab, and ask for "La Terminal de Cruceros"
I do not recommend to walk to the cliff divers or flea market, although they are within walking distance, but it's kinda tricky to get there and a wrong turn might ruin your vacation.
Hope the info helps, on my next post I will elaborate more on the different types of "tour guides" you can find inside and outside of the cruise terminal, and why I recommend that you use the "Authorized Ground Transport" service.
If you have a good comment or complaint in refernce to a prior visit, feel free to drop a line and I will pass it on the proper authorities.
__________________
See ya on the pier...
Cliff Divers

For the cliff divers the shows are at 01:00pm then until 07:30, 08:30, 9:30 and 10:30 pm, you have 3 options:

1.-For $3.00 you can walk about 60 steps to the mirador area (up close) but it’s usually crowded and no guarantees of being up front to enjoy the show, wit one drink included.

2.- For $12.50 (afternoon) $16.50(evening) you can have 2 domestic drinks at La Perla Restaurant, you will be in the main terrace table seated and have a great view of the dive.

3.- For $35.00 you can have dinner at La Perla restaurant you will be seated in the lower section of the terrace, a closer view, reservations are required. (let me know if I can assist)

A cab will charge you $8.00 (1 to 4 persons) to $12.00 (5 to 8 persons) each way depending on the number of persons in you group if your interested in seeing the evening show and not be part of an hourly rate arrangement.
__________________
See ya on the pier...

Linda

 

[BethE]

Hi Beth!

Let's hope we each get our own cruise documents.

When I got to the terminal last Dec. they finally had my street address correct, but they still had your city and state listed for me! Considering that I've never even been to your town and it's on the opposite coast from my actual town, it really is mindboggling how they ever got your address down for me.
And it really shouldn't be so hard (four different attempts!) to get it corrected. I'm just glad that they sent my docs to you and not someone I didn't know!

Beth

 

[SandraLee]

Thanks so much. I wish the DCL trip did not do the whole around the city thing. I'll think about it. But, I don't think I can go wrong with just taking a taxi over there, paying for the drinks, and taxi back. I'll decide later and then just cancel the excursion.

Thanks!

 

[seaulater]

Thanks so much. I wish the DCL trip did not do the whole around the city thing. I'll think about it. But, I don't think I can go wrong with just taking a taxi over there, paying for the drinks, and taxi back. I'll decide later and then just cancel the excursion.

Thanks!

Probably part of it was the vendors, then the bus took you to a place where you went to a silver shop and basically you walked through and then they tried to talk you into buying all this overpriced stuff that you could buy cheaper in town, and then they took us to this fabulous hotel around the other side and walked around the grounds and saw the fountains and pools and lobby (no big deal to me). And when we were on the bus, it was overcast, so it wasn't a real beautiful day, so that's probably why I'm not too excited about it. We want to experience something different and I think I booked the shot over jet (if that's the place), but we really want to river raft (if it's available, was that in Acapulco?) Anyway, can't remember, but I booked something! How's that for knowing what's going on?

Linda

 

[karaeric]

I'm sure most of you know this already, but I thought I'd put it out there just in case. For those of you contemplating changing shore excursions that you've already booked, you can do that up until two days prior to sailing. Once you hit 5/12, the excursions you've booked are set. Once on board, you may get lucky and be able to make changes at the shore excursion desk.

Anyone out there sucessfully change excursions once on board? Like switching from one they pre-booked to another one?

 

[BethE]

I took the quiz and got my pirate name: Captain Bess Flint!

I happily join the rest of the Flint clan on this cruise, including my friend (and namesake?) Mad Bess Flint (Kellib)

Beth

 

[karaeric]

We want to experience something different and I think I booked the shot over jet (if that's the place), but we really want to river raft (if it's available, was that in Acapulco?) Anyway, can't remember, but I booked something! How's that for knowing what's going on?

Linda

Right on top of things Linda!

 

[SandraLee]

Well, I'm pretty sure I'm going to change my El Mercado (Acapulco) excursion. All I want to do is see the cliff divers and the more I read the more everyone says to do it yourself in a taxi. The DCL excursion will cost my family $170 -- Way too much. If I wanted the other touring thing, I'm sure it would be perfect.

I copied this from cruisecritic
"So, there you have it. Was it fun? Yes. Was it beautiful? Absolutely. Would I do it again? Yes!! But in a taxi cab. Catch a cab, say La Cabrera, go into the five level restaurant there and buy a drink, or a full meal. Enjoy the show and take a cab back to the ship. I mean it. Even a novice couldn't goof this one up. It's the simplest shore excursion you will ever do. You are no more than five minutes from the ship the entire time."

 

[Scott H]

Well Kids it is almost time to “slide down the dinosaur tail” A'la Fred Flintstone, AKA the end of the work week, well kinda. SCUBA classes everyday this weekend. Hope you all have a great safe weekend.

 

[mvlmeco]

As for dieting, sorry Margaret, I'm dieting now but there is no way I'm going to diet on the cruise! I'll try not to over-indulge, but I'm not going to worry about calories or fat or anything like that. I plan to be very active to work off all the good food.

Beth

Well, that's cool too, Beth. I'm not worried about losing, I just want to keep enough sense about me not to go way overboard (pardon the pun). I know one of the first thing I will do is have a case of Evian delivered to the cabin.

Hugs

 

[Mickey&JoshNut]

I can't believe it...the shore excursion booklet made it to Canada...the only problem....it's for the Eastern Caribean ports & Castaway Cay. Is this the same booklet everyone else got or was there actually one for the Panama Canal crossing cruises????

Scott....you managed to summarize over 700 pages down to 17 pages!!!!!! You da man....I'm willing to trade you 1 drink for a copy of your summary of The Path Between the Seas!!!!

Elaine

 

[krdisneybound]

I was surfing some of the other boards today and found the following:

FIRST: IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SPACE SAVING BAGS, THE FOLLOWING MIGHT BE OF INTEREST:

http://www.spacebag.com/shop_sport.asp?


First disclaimer:
I borrowed this list from another board. It will be promptly returned to that board after the cruise.


Second disclaimer:

This is a compilation of suggested items to pack from various people/sources. I do not claim them as my own. I do not expect anyone to pack ALL of these tips (I won't even pack them all). Take 'em or leave 'em. They aren't gospel.

So, with that said, here's the list of tips/suggestions:

Essential Documents:
Cruise Documents
Passport or Certified Birth Certificate
Credit Cards
Photocopy of passport and credit cards held by spouse / roommate
Air Tickets for return flight
Cash (Small bills, especially)
Travelers Checks (if desired)
Telephone Number of Cruise Agent (toll-free and direct)
Other Important Telephone Numbers
E-mail Addresses (if you're going to use the Internet Cafe)
Telephone Credit Card

Clothing:
Comfortable Walking Shoes
Shoes appropriate for formal wear
Beach footwear (sandals/flip-flops)
Water Shoes (Optional)
More bathing suits than you think you’ll need
Sweater or jacket for the theaters (they can be chilly)
Eyeglasses (if necessary)
Sunglasses
Jewelry/Valuables (as few as possible)
casual clothing
Umbrella
Snorkeling Gear
Small Sewing Kit
Cover-up for travel from pool/beach (remember, ships are air-conditioned)
T-shirts (plan to buy a few of these)
Gym clothes for running/workouts
Hat (could also be purchased)
Underwear (as desired)
Robe (optional)
Light Sewing Kit

If you plan on doing laundry onboard:
Individually packaged detergent tablets
Dryer sheets
Individual Shout stain remover packets or stain sticks
Rolls of quarters for laundry
Mesh Laundry Bag (also great for dirty clothes storage)

Bathroom Items:
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Hair Brush/Comb
Skin Lotion
Makeup Case/Bag
Shampoo (your brand in small plastic bottle)
Deodorant
Sunscreen lotion
Spray on sunscreen for the scalp (if you have your hair braided or are folically challenged)
Aloe for sunburn (in case you forget to use the sunscreen)
Skin so soft insect repellent
Headache medication
Cold and Allergy medicines (just in case).
Bonine or Dramamine for sea-sickness
Papaya Enzyme. chewable tablets, helps digest food in case you eat something that doesn't agree with you, THIS IS A MUST.
Correctal, gentle laxative, for men or women. Nothing worse than have that bloated feeling while on a cruise.
Medicines and prescriptions (in original containers)
Light first aid supplies
Body Powder (optional)
Feminine Products (optional for some)
Stick-Up Air freshener

Camera Equipment:
Film Cameras (one-time-use or regular)
Panoramic Camera (one-time-use)
Underwater Camera (one-time-use)
Lenses, Lens Hoods, and Filters (if necessary)
Flash Attachments (if necessary)
Indoor film (ASA 400 or higher)
Outdoor film (ASA 100 or lower)
Batteries
Digital Camera
Memory Modules / "Digital Film"
Cables (depends on camera)
Laptop for image storage/display (optional - also can be used for watching DVDs)

Personal Electronics (everything else that plugs in or runs on batteries):
FRS Radios
Nightlight (the rooms can be VERY dark)
Extension cord with extra outlets
Light up travel alarm clock
Little flash lights (good for inside cabins to help kids find the bathroom)
Mobile Phone (although it won't work in most ports)
Hair dryer
Batteries
Portable reading light
Portable CD or MP3 Player
GPS (for the super-techies!)
Portable iron or steamer

Miscellaneous:
Don't forget the duct tape for emergency repairs (also makes a good "mute button" for teenagers)
Business Cards (who knows?)
Pen/Highlighter
Recreational Reading Materials
Guide books for ports of call
Journal for keeping a trip diary
Zip lock bags for wet swimsuits, toiletries, etc.
Soft sided cooler to bring off the ship for excursions and beaches (must be packing in luggage in order to bring aboard)
Beach bag
Cork screw if you bring wine for the romantic evenings on the verandah
Your own beverages and mixers and cups w/lids to mix the drinks.
Individual antibacterial hand wipes
Bottles of H20 and you can refill them with the filtered water on deck.
Fanny packs
Some hard candy or Movie Theater Candy (optional)
Binoculars (optional)

Miscellaneous:
If you end up underpacking (not likely) you can always buy something in one of the ship's shops or at a port of call.
A good packing rule: when in doubt, leave it out.
Opt for washable items whenever possible, dry cleaning on the ship can be expensive.
Shoes take up a lot of room in luggage, try to limit the # of shoes you bring to: one pair of walking shoes, one pair of versatile casual shoes, and one pair of dressy shoes (plan on wearing the bulkiest shoes on/off the ship, to save room in your luggage). You might want to consider a good pair of water shoes as well (these should not be too bulky in your luggage).
Have all of your shoes broken in before the cruise.
cruise lines don't allow irons in your stateroom, so try to pack wrinkle-free clothing.
Tape identification info INSIDE your luggage (in case the luggage tag comes off).

 

[Mom2Belle&PeterPan]

Hello May Repo Cruisers! I am on the Fools Repo cruise. I just posted this on our thread, and thought I'd share it with you all too.

"I went through our mail today, and earlier this week we received a special AP passport for DL/DCA!!! (Can you believe I did not see it until today?!) Anyway, it had some descriptions for the special activitities happening for the 50th, so I typed it up and am posting it here! Enjoy!"

~~~~~~~

Enclosed in the Spring Newsletter mailing, is a commemorative DL Resort 50th Anniversary Passport Guide – created exclusively for our Annual Passholders! Inside you'll discover a wealth of special offers and opportunities, many of them just for AP's – so be sure to bring it with you each time you visit the Resort. Also included in the pages of the Passport Guide are sneak previews of all the 50th festivities, including an out-of-this-world new attraction, a spectacular parade, a dazzling fireworks show and lots more!

GOLDEN MICKEY MOUSE EARS!
Be appropriately attired for the 50th anniversary celebration - all the way to the tips of your ears. Purchase your pair of Golden Mickey Mouse ears ($10.00, plus tax, for kids at heart; $9.50, plus tax, for kids) at Fantasyland Mad Hatter, Main Street Mad Hatter, Hatmosphere and other select Resort merchandise locations.

“REMEMBER…DREAMS COME TRUE”
Fireworks Spectacular
Created especially for our 50th anniversary celebrations, this amazing nighttime show takes you on a sight-and-sound journey through five decades of Disneyland adventures. New launch locations add a surprising twist and Tinker Bell actually soars out over the audience during this dazzling pyrotechnical spectacular!

BUZZ LIGHTYEAR ASTRO BLASTERS

Beginning March 17, you’ll be able to navigate your very own Star Cruiser through tricky twists and turns while zapping away with your laser cannon, racking up points as you battle to free the universe from the clutches of the evil Emperor Zurg! When your’re done, you can e-mail your score and photo to family and friends. And starting this summer, you’ll be able to team up with online players for an added dimension of fun!

BLOCK PARTY BASH

Our big 50th anniversary celebration spills over into Disney’s California Adventure park with this street extravanganza that lets you dance and play with stars from the Walt Disney Pictures presentations of the Pixar Animation Studios films “Toy Story”; “Monsters Inc.”,’ “A Bug’s Life” and “The Incredibles.” But it’s not all action – music has a starring role too! We’ve taken some of the greatest party tunes of all time and given them a little “Disney makeover!”

WALT DISNEY’S PARADE OF DREAMS

Featuring the largest cast of Disney peformers ever assembled – including more than 50 Disney Characters – this interactive parade experience stops along the way to share dreams of enchantment, adventure, imagination, laughter, and other worlds. Bursting with energy and filled with surprises, “Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams” is sure to be one of your favorite parts of our 50th anniversary celebrations!

50TH ANNIVERSARY SLEEPING BEAUTY CASTLE

Just in time for the big party, the castle has been restored to its original luster and will be decked out in regal splendor. Sparkling with jewls and topped with five golden crowns, it sets the tone for this spectacular event. By day it glitters and by night it glows with vibrant colors and dazzling lights.

 

[krdisneybound]

Following are a few additional additions for the cruise re: expenses:

Tips onboard ($153 per person minimum, plus tips for room service)
Excursions
Souvenirs
Airfare back to FL/or your hometown
New clothes
Hotel stays before or after the cruise
After cruise expenses if you're staying in CA/DL extra days
Drinks onboard (i.e. bar tab, smoothies)
Internet access onboard (assuming $180 per account established)

If possible, pay for your cruise with a credit card - if any problems arise, your credit card company can help sort out the problem - an added bonus is that you can earn frequent flyer miles or hotel/reward points. If you don't have such a credit card, get one!!

when booking air transportation for the day you disembark the ship, don't book a flight before 12:30PM - if you miss your flight due to delayed disembarkation, the cruise line is not responsible for helping you reschedule another flight.

don't try to save money by skipping travel insurance.
take a moment at the end of the cruise to write thank you notes to members of the crew and staff, who have really made a difference in the success of your vacation; written words of appreciation are sometimes just as important as cash tips.

don't expect everything to be 100% perfect on your cruise - it's not going to be. No matter what happens go with the flow and have a good cruise attitude.

there is a reason why cruise ships do not sell gum onboard.

cruise ships will provide special meals for those on salt-free, sugar-free, low-fat or diabetic diets. If you have special dietary needs, contact Janis (jltraveldreams@cs.com) to arrange this for you in advance, or you can make arrangements with the maitre d' once you're onboard.

your stateroom will have a small electric "cooler" (I hesitate to call it a refrigerator) - you can store fruit, yogurt or other snacks (or beverages) from the buffet for later in the day.

everyone should snorkel at least once in their life.

collect a postcard from each port of call & make notes on the back recalling your experiences there - this is great for scrapbooks!!
when cruising thru the Panama Canal where the sun's rays are intense use an umbrella in addition to sunscreen or sunblock - temperatures can reach well over 120 degrees F.

when snorkeling or scuba diving, put extra sunblock on your, neck, back, arms & legs; also consider wearing a T-shirt to protect your back while you're in the water.

on the night before disembarkation you'll be putting your luggage out for pick-up; make sure you keep a change of clothes for the next morning (folks have been known to disembark in the pajamas because they forgot to keep a change of clothes).

 

[krdisneybound]

We have been using the Coleman space saver bags for a long time and they are really great. We also use them for storage at the house and in our sheds for many items.

 

[karaeric]

Well Kids it is almost time to “slide down the dinosaur tail” A'la Fred Flintstone, AKA the end of the work week, well kinda. SCUBA classes everyday this weekend. Hope you all have a great safe weekend.

Yaaaaabaaaa daaaabaaaa DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I'm outta here too!

 

[krdisneybound]

did Anyone Book Their Cruise Through Dvc??

If So, Have They Sent You Any Information??