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

[videogal1]

Originally posted by Scott H


Luggage limits on flights these days is pretty limiting. I carry a pack scale to weigh our bags so that we wont be over the 50 lb limit.

I only wish that dog food were considered a mobility aid so it wouldn't count in the total weight of a bag or as carry-on luggage.Stuff a 20# bag of dog food in a suitcase and you've got 2 things:
An inspected bag and not enough undies for a 14-day cruise...

 

[karaeric]

Jindy, how 'bout that rain last night?!?!?! I thought my roof was gonna blow off or cave in! It was like torrential Texas rain, which we NEVER get here in No. CA.

CoMickey, so sorry to hear that! I'm sure your DD appreciated the thought of the cruise for such a special b'day, but we all understand how important school is at that age too. All our thoughts are with your DBF in Iraq!!

Lynda, that is too funny! Just don't pack as many "outfits" for Cash! Seriously, does he have a formal night collar? Or does he not get dressed up because he's working?

Cheers all, Kara

 

[Scott H]

Lynda, do you have to buy a ticket for Cash?? If so wouldn't he also get a couple of 50 lb bags. We could pick up a bag of food for him on the way to the port if needed.

CoMickey, sorry you will not make it, maybe hold off on canceling for a littlebit, things might change. i.e. could she take the tests at another school.

Iraq - money for those jobs is good but not that good, considering the risks, I know a couple of guys who are there now and several who have been to Bosnia, and East Timor.

 

[Tigfanjeff]

Originally posted by Scott H


CoMickey, sorry you will not make it, maybe hold off on canceling for a littlebit, things might change. i.e. could she take the tests at another school.

Agreed on that. Unless you need the cash for the deposit for something, I'd sit on it until the 60 day mark just in case things change.

 

[jin diesel]

Kara, I woke up at 3am and just stared out the window in awe of the wind & rain. We probably won't see that agian for a long time... I think last night was the worst of it!

CoMickey, I was wondering why we hadn't heard from you! Congrats on the new job and moving out of the apartment!! I would be willing to give up my spot on this cruise if it meant DD & I could get out of our tiny apartment and into a house! (Shhh, don't tell anyone I said that ) I hope your DBF stays safe...

Lynda, that was funny! Leave the dog food at home! We can all meet you at the port with dog food.

Kim, we have been super-busy for the past couple of weeks, but tonight we have nothing going on. So Adrienne will get a letter out to Kaylin tonight and I will mail it in the morning.

 

[rcostello1]

jin you beat me to it!

Lynda I'm sure one of us can get the dog food for you in Orlando. I'm not planning on packing any toiletries...I will be visiting walmart or target the Friday before the cruise...I figure for 5 people for 2 weeks we don't need travel size anything--full size!!

Really Lynda just tells us what you need and we'll get it!

I think we might end up on Air Tran going down. I can get one way tickets for $95 today...that's the lowest I've found for one way, plus they have 70lb limit too!!

I wish USAir would either sink or swim. They are our return flight, but we can always switch to JetBlue...

 

[kaylin]

Thanks everyone for the info. Not quite sure what I will do yet! The rental car is a good idea. That way I would'nt have to pay parking for 14 days! 7 days was quite expensive. It would most likely be cheaper to rent.

Jindy- I will let Kaylin know. She has not allowed anyone else to get the mail for the past week beacuse "she is expecting a very important letter!

Hope everyone has a great week. If only I could get over this cold. Surviving on protein shakes and Redline energy drinks!!! It is also getting very busy already. Season has started early this year! I look forward to spending 2 hours on the interstate to get home!!!

Kim

 

[rcostello1]

OK I just booked a minivan from Orlando and dropoff at the port for only $46 after taxes. That's a great deal!!

Also just booked Air Tran for $79 ($95 after taxes) per person to Florida.

Almost done booking...at least I have my Florida transportation done!

 

[jin diesel]

A DCL ship at port in Costa Maya: Princess Star webcam

EDIT: Forget it! Took me so long to post this it isn't there any longer.

EDIT AGAIN: I guess I saved it to my desktop! Here it is for all of you missing DCL:

 

[moocow35]

Thanks Jindy! Great shot, I can even see my stateroom

Lynda, most likely we will taking a towncar, but I plan to request a grocery stop. Please let us know also what we can pick up for you. Don't want you to be short undies!

Robin

 

[Az Pirates]

Originally posted by rcostello1
OK I just booked a minivan from Orlando and dropoff at the port for only $46 after taxes. That's a great deal!!

Also just booked Air Tran for $79 ($95 after taxes) per person to Florida.

Almost done booking...at least I have my Florida transportation done!

Wow, that is a good deal on the mini van. Do you mind me asking who you are using?

I have not even started checking into transportation yet - but we're thinking the minivan might be the best option for us too.
I guess I should go ahead and get some reservations made since those are so easy to change/cancel as our plans firm up a little more.

 

[JenKatt]

Costa Maya was a beautiful stop....

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

Hi All!

Gotta love having a 1 instead of a 2 in the countdown!!

Now a dilemma that maybe you guys can help with. We currently have late seating. (Which we have had on our first 2 cruises.) My father is a diabetic, and we are realizing that the further west we head, the later he will be eating from his regular dinner time.

What are the pros and cons of early vs late seating? We do not mind being rushed, actually we are quick eaters. I know that we would have to be put on a wait list and if worse came to worse request the change once we board. One other thing to throw in, we have already requested a table for just the 3 of us. Not sure if we will get that, but we asked. I wonder if that would mess it all up.

Decisions, decisions
Thanks for any input


Debbie

 

[kellib36]

Hi, everyone!

CoMickey, I'm so sorry to hear you may not be joining us...wishful thinking here.... I, too, agree if you can, wait to cancel til closer to the 60 day mark...just out of principle....who knows, something could change and they'd make an exception just for you....

Lynda, I hope you realize how much we all care about your undies!!! Or maybe its Cash we care about....either way....there are a lot of us driving to the port and if we all get there sporting a 20 lb bag of food, maybe they'll give us our own boarding area.... (gotta keep these crazy people away from the "real'" guests!!)

Kelli

 

[moocow35]

Debbie, our reservation currently reads main dining. For some reason DU always books us for early dinner, and closer to sailing, I always change it to late. I don't know how we could put it together that we "switch" dining times, but if you think of a way, let me know. Either way, I will be switching to late dining. I have done both, and I prefer late dining. There are tables for 4, you might get one of those, but with such a full sailing who knows?

Robin

 

[kaylin]

What do you guys like about the late seating? I have always had early, but have late for this one. I am on a waiting list for early, but won't complain, just happy to be on the cruise. Can't wait till the day when we get our docs in the mail!

I checked into the rental car thing to see about driving up to the port without having to leave my car for 14 days. It does save me quite a bit of money! Then we would be able to fly into Ft. myers. I just have to check the price difference. It seems like it costs more to fly into Ft. Myers than Orlando. Don't know why.

Also, I have decided to go ahead and get passports. I have never done this. I looked it up on the internet, but they make it so confusing. Does anyone have any pointers?

Have a great day!

Kim

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

Originally posted by moocow35
Debbie, our reservation currently reads main dining. For some reason DU always books us for early dinner, and closer to sailing, I always change it to late. I don't know how we could put it together that we "switch" dining times, but if you think of a way, let me know. Either way, I will be switching to late dining. I have done both, and I prefer late dining. There are tables for 4, you might get one of those, but with such a full sailing who knows?

Robin

Thanks Robin. I wish we could figure out a way to do that

I have the same question as Kim, why do you prefer late over early?

Debbie

 

[rcostello1]

I've never had early/main seating, always late. I like late because I never feel rushed. If we want to go to the show we go--sometimes dressed for dinner (formal night), sometimes not.

It always feel like the day is "open" until dinner, and I like having more time before we have to eat. We eat late anyway, plus believe me (a) if you are ever hungry on the cruise you are doing something wrong because (b) there is ALWAYS food available somewhere if you need it for blood sugar reasons or just plain gluttony hehe.

The only drawback to late seating I have found is if your servers are SLOW (last time I thought I was going to die) that dinner can run late and you might miss an early adult activity in the clubs. Didn't happen too often but our last server/asst server combo was miserable, compared to the previous pair we had who were the best on the planet!

 

[rcostello1]

As far as the minivan, here are the details...

I rented from Budget picking up at MCO at 1045 and dropping off at CC5 (by the port) at 1030 the next day. I think it was $38.xx with my discount and $43.xx without the discount. Either way a wonderful price for a minivan for one day.

For coming from San Pedro to Disneyland, I emailed Prime Time Shuttle to ask about luggage vs. people in their vans. I haven't heard back yet but I'll share the info when I do.

They seem very reasonable for rates...we were looking at a private van for 2 groups of us (total of 7) plus all of our luggage. Putting in a dummy date (May 05 was too far out) I had $85 one way.

Will share what I hear!

Rob

 

[Scott H]

Kim, Your local Clerk of Courts should have passport info and they can help with the applications.

Rob, that is a great rate for the mini van. I have also looked at Prime Time Shuttle and will be interested in what they have to say.

We like the late seating for diner as we don't feel as rushed. We usually are not leate evening eaters so it is not the norm for us.