4/10/2010 eb ta "bound for barcelona"

[rbcheek]

.....Has there been anymore talk of a meet at the MCO hotel? That's where we will be staying and it might be fun to meet some people before going onto the ship. My flight comes in at 5 something on Friday night and my aunt doesn't have her information yet as DCL doesn't seem to have booked her flight out of LAX yet. I'm flying out of Sacramento myself.

We also will be arriving from San Diego at 5:30 on Friday evening and staying at the MCO hotel. I have not heard of any meet there but it would be nice.
I don't recall seeing more than 4 families staying at this hotel.
I don't know too much about this hotel, but maybe we can meet at one of the restaurants.

 

[sdlong329]

We heard many good things about Princess, so we had high expectations. Our expectations were met. ... A self-serve kiosk next to the front desk. Just swipe your room card to get a copy of your stateroom account without standing in line. Brilliant!

Woody - Was your ship a 5 star ship? We sailed on Princess and Holland America - liked them both - think each was a 5 star ship. Most cruise lines have multiple ships, of varying ratings. I've found that a cruise line with a ship rating of 5 stars is not the same as a sister ship with a 4.0 rating. I try to compare ships of equal ratings, not just cruise line vs. cruise line. Of course, DCL only has 5.0 ratings.

I've often thought about a self-serve kiosk, as you've mentioned ... even asked DCL about the possibility. DCL's response was that they'd prefer to provide first hand experience with the guest, personally (like pouring ketchup for the kids at dinner). Then there is the issue of security. If someone finds a lost card, they have access to your account ... possibly stateroom number ... name ... who knows what else. I am sure name and stateroom number can be blocked, but I am okay to receive personal service. Glad you had a good experience.

What other things do you guys do to help with the motion sickness?

a) Stay on land!
b) Mid-ship cabin (reduces impact of bow to stern rocking)
c) Ginger Ale is always good - though never had the need
d) Drink, drink, drink till the ship stops rockin'

Will you partake in the Drink of the Day?

---Yes, especially if it's a Day of Drink!

Speaking of Travel Insurance ...

Who can offer names of places / companies they have used - other than Disney?

 

[Dishy24]

Hey All-
Gavin & I left yesterday for 10 days in Naples, FL... even though it is a bit on the chilly side here (mid 60's... it still beats the heck out of winter in CT!) Just wanted to pop in & say hello!!!
Tricia

 

[KrisannB]

Who can offer names of places / companies they have used - other than Disney?

we have used both Travel Guard and Travelex - both have several different policies.

Krisann

 

[KrisannB]

Hey All-
Gavin & I left yesterday for 10 days in Naples, FL... even though it is a bit on the chilly side here (mid 60's... it still beats the heck out of winter in CT!) Just wanted to pop in & say hello!!!
Tricia

Have Fun!

Krisann

 

[Happy Goofy]

I want to start working on my FE gifts and want to put names on them but I am unsure what is the final list. I don't want to leave anyone out. Could someone post the final list or PM it to me Thanks

We were at the port today and the Magic and the Wonder were both there , which is very unusual but since the Magic had problems it could not get here on schedule. The Wonder was at the Disney dock so the Magic had to dock at the gambling ship dock. Tonight the Wonder left first and pulled along side the Magic and the people were yelling and singing together. The Wonder played When you wish upon a star and then the Magic followed. They did this several times- even the people watching on the shore were singing. It was really neat

 

[joius24]

Who can offer names of places / companies they have used - other than Disney?

I purchased mine through my AAA agent.. It is by Access America and it was much less than the one disney offered.

I do not understand the repreated references to cougars. Can someone fill me in?
Jan

Cougars: Awesome single women who are not getting older, but getting better ....and may spend some of thier time checking out the poolside view aboard ship

 

[woody73]

sounds like you had a good experience. Were there many children? Do they have things for kids?

Not too many children because school is in session. I heard there were 300 children (out of 2,400 passengers).

On sea days, there were Youth activities from 9am to 12pm, 2pm to 5pm, and 7pm to 10pm. Teen activities were from 9am to 12pm, 2pm to 5pm, and 7pm to 1am.

On port days, Youth and Teen activities were from 8a to 5p (enabling parents to spend the day ashore), plus the evening hours.

Woody

 

[woody73]

Woody - Was your ship a 5 star ship?

Yes.

I've often thought about a self-serve kiosk, as you've mentioned ... even asked DCL about the possibility. DCL's response was that they'd prefer to provide first hand experience with the guest

The self-serve kiosk was very convenient, especially on the last night when there are typically very long lines at Guest Relations.

Sure, security is a concern.

On RCI, we could check our shipboard account on our stateroom TV, like at many hotels.

Glad you had a good experience.

Thanks.

Woody

 

[DisneyHeather]

ttpai & DisneyHeather.



Motion Sickness: I travel with SeaBands and Bonine in my carry-on. But all I've ever done with them is give Bonine to other passengers. Holland America always has crystallized ginger on a serving cart as you exit the dining room after dinner. I gave up on it after a couple of nights because it was so strong. I've had a few queasy moments in really rough seas--but always got through them unaided.

I think we OD'd on the Bonine last time that's why I want to try to use only the bands if I can. I'm sure we'll be fine because honestly once we had the bands we were pretty much ok and probably didn't need the pills anymore.

We also will be arriving from San Diego at 5:30 on Friday evening and staying at the MCO hotel. I have not heard of any meet there but it would be nice.
I don't recall seeing more than 4 families staying at this hotel.
I don't know too much about this hotel, but maybe we can meet at one of the restaurants.

I don't know much about this hotel either but it would be great if we could meet up somewhere there. I'll PM you once I hit that magic 10 post number or you can PM me if you want and we can figure something out.

 

[DisneyHeather]

Remember to read the first 10-15 posts on page 1 & 2 of this thread. It contains a WEALTH of information gathered by various guests ... and is often updated on a regular basis!

PS: Don't forget about travel insurance!

Thank you very much. I'm interested in one of the tastings...I think your the one I'm supposed to PM once I can do that, right? And I do have the travel insurance I booked it through DCL when I booked the cruise back in October 2008

 

[DisneyHeather]

Woody - Was your ship a 5 star ship? We sailed on Princess and Holland America - liked them both - think each was a 5 star ship. Most cruise lines have multiple ships, of varying ratings. I've found that a cruise line with a ship rating of 5 stars is not the same as a sister ship with a 4.0 rating. I try to compare ships of equal ratings, not just cruise line vs. cruise line. Of course, DCL only has 5.0 ratings.

I've often thought about a self-serve kiosk, as you've mentioned ... even asked DCL about the possibility. DCL's response was that they'd prefer to provide first hand experience with the guest, personally (like pouring ketchup for the kids at dinner). Then there is the issue of security. If someone finds a lost card, they have access to your account ... possibly stateroom number ... name ... who knows what else. I am sure name and stateroom number can be blocked, but I am okay to receive personal service. Glad you had a good experience.


a) Stay on land!
b) Mid-ship cabin (reduces impact of bow to stern rocking)
c) Ginger Ale is always good - though never had the need
d) Drink, drink, drink till the ship stops rockin'


---Yes, especially if it's a Day of Drink!


Who can offer names of places / companies they have used - other than Disney?

Sorry for the multiple posts but I'm still trying to hit that 10
I think Option D sounds good to me....I think that's what was lacking that first night on the last cruise.

 

[DisneyHeather]

Ok this post is just so I can hit that 10 number.

I've seen all the cougar talk....which I'm not as I'm 31 but is there a singles mixer or anything on the Disney cruises? My aunt and I are both single and something like that could be fun. Just curious not like the cruise won't be a blast without that.

 

[bound2travel]

Cougars: Awesome single women who are not getting older, but getting better ....and may spend some of thier time checking out the poolside view aboard ship

I love this description. Thanks for posting it.

Kristi

 

[bound2travel]

Ok this post is just so I can hit that 10 number.

I've seen all the cougar talk....which I'm not as I'm 31 but is there a singles mixer or anything on the Disney cruises? My aunt and I are both single and something like that could be fun. Just curious not like the cruise won't be a blast without that.

I believe there is usually something in the navigator about a singles "meet and greet" but the one time I stopped by - I didn't really see anyone.

I was thinking we should have our own disboards singles meet and greet. Not sure when a good time would be, but I think it would be fun.

Kristi

 

[bound2travel]

This all started as some friendly joking after I made a comment about one of the cruiser's son. Because we are a fun group, we've been having some fun with the term ever since. Personally, I've loved all the fun.
In fact, I want to find a pendant or earrings of a cougar or panther because of it -

Kristi

 

[woody73]

I'm curious.

Is this a cougar cruise?

Woody

 

[ibouncetoo]

We also will be arriving from San Diego at 5:30 on Friday evening and staying at the MCO hotel. I have not heard of any meet there but it would be nice.
I don't recall seeing more than 4 families staying at this hotel.
I don't know too much about this hotel, but maybe we can meet at one of the restaurants.

As you face the check in desk, to your right is a lounge/bar and to your left is a fairly large lounge area with chairs and couches...it's a great spot to meet people (either with bar service or without...whichever works best for your group.

I believe there is usually something in the navigator about a singles "meet and greet" but the one time I stopped by - I didn't really see anyone.

I was thinking we should have our own disboards singles meet and greet. Not sure when a good time would be, but I think it would be fun.

Kristi

The singles meet (lunch?) on the ship often has more crew (officers) than passengers, I've been told. It's a good opportunity to meet and talk to them! Perhaps this is were the cougars should all meet up!

.

 

[JLSE50]

.....
Cougars: Awesome single women who are not getting older, but getting better ....and may spend some of thier time checking out the poolside view aboard ship

Yes, that I "get" but why are they called "cougars" ?

 

[stlkeeler]

Ok this post is just so I can hit that 10 number.

I've seen all the cougar talk....which I'm not as I'm 31 but is there a singles mixer or anything on the Disney cruises? My aunt and I are both single and something like that could be fun. Just curious not like the cruise won't be a blast without that.

So, is it your aunt that is the cougar? If you use joi's definition all single women are cougars...