5/11/02 Returnees/Comments & ?s

[Joe & Joanne]

Hi Folks

Finally got back, no sea legs, and busy writing up something for ya'll!

Be back soon!

 

[Hygiene99]

cool thanks Joe it will be great to hear how trip went ?
oh yea we rebooked on board also , for western
may 10th 2003 when is yours ?

 

[atigeg]

Joe and Joanne,
Thanks so much for sending the navigators and Shopping in Paradise to my hubby! You wouldn't believe how many people you've made happy...we almost exceeded our allowable bandwidth on my website on the day we posted them!! I hope your trip was really magical, but I'm sure it was.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[DARWIN91]

Rebooked for the Eastern 5/17/03. Hey Hygiene99 spoke to you on Deck 4 the last night. We were the couple with DD crashed out on the blue lounge chair. Loved those chairs!!!!!

Have some sea legs here and there now for 2 days. Maybe its the alcohol withdrawal (ha ha).

 

[stephmarty]

Marty usually helps me through this but he is still recovering from having to go back to work today!!! I'm still working on the laundry!!!! Just a quick trip report of what I liked and what was OK.

If you have kids (our DD is 13 months) Flounder's Reef staff was exceptional. Even though Mollie require "one on one" care they never beeped us. Eventually we were told she wasn't a "daycare" child but honestly they tried!!!...All of the shows were GREAT! After Mollie got booted from Flounders Reef she sat and watched the shows in amazement...Food was ok (on previous cruises the dinners were 7 courses and fabulous) we did agree that with kids this was perfect. DD could barely make it thru the 3 courses so 7 would be definitely too much...Loved Castaway Cay...The staff was exceptional--On Saturday morning Mollie woke up at 4AM with a fever when we called guest services they didn't have any children's Tylenol but beeped the nurse who sent some to our cabin (no charge that we know of yet!)...Our room was the largest we have ever had on a cruise so far. Mollie loved the animals that our cabin attendant made each night...WE loved the Pizza that was served on the light night buffets (not the Pizza at Pinocchio's), the food at Pluto's dog house was great also...The spa---I could never tell you how great it was. I had the full body massage and the booster treatment. WONDERFUL and best of all no pressure at all to buy any of their products. They never even mentioned them at all...We had a great cruise!!...The only bad thing was Marty got this "mysterious bug" that was going around and we didn't get to do much in Cozumel.

Biggest tips

I got this from someone on the dis board before we left about getting a canvas shoe holder that goes over the door for all your toiletries. Walmart for $6-7...Great. We hung it on our bathroom door and it was perfect for not getting sink cluttered up.---the laynard's that Joe and Joanna gave us were great for holding your key to the world card and driver's license for ID when getting off the ship (they sold them in the gift shop on board for $7 I think)..In Grand Cayman we got a $4 per person cab ride to the (Holiday Inn I think) beach. There was no admission to the beach, they had chairs, umbrellas. We heard several people complaining about they paid around $50 for a bus ride there and 2 drinks.

Would be glad to answer any questions!!

 

[tinkerbell4two]

stephmarty - I'm a first time cruiser taking 18 month DD (Lolo) and 3 1/2 yr DD. DH and I want to know if you took her on your excursions? We plan on doing Key West and Grand Cayman by ourselves and leaving Lolo at Flounder's and then take them both to Cozumel. Also, how easy/difficult was it to make ressies for flounder's? did you have to make all your ressies at sign-up or were you able to drop her off whenever? Lolo is in daycare two days a week. So I hope it helps the CMs and her while at Flounders.
TIA

 

[stephmarty]

We didn't do any excursions...We just got off the ship and did our own thing. In Grand Cayman our cab drivers both going to and coming back from the beach were great. They told us about practically every building we passed and a lot of history stuff.

Reservations for Flounder's Reef...As soon as we got on the ship and made a quick trip to our cabin my husband went and got in line for the reservations. They give you a list of times they are open and you write down what you want. We were probably 4th or 5th in line and we got everything we wanted except 1 night. We only reaquested 2 hour blocks at night (for the shows) and the days at sea 3 hour blocks. I'm sure you wouldn't have any problems if you wanted to add a time later in the week because people cancel (like us). You have to give a 4 hour notice not to be charged for 1 hour.

Something I forgot, I'm not sure where you are from but a definite plus was that we stayed at the Radisson with a "FALL" promotion for less than $60 and we could park our car there all week for free. So considering we would have paid to park at the the port our room only cost 5-6 dollars. They have shuttles that take you to the ship and pick you up for no cost. (If you can't tell I'm a stay at home mom and always looking for a "good deal" ha!) The room was very nice and they had a great pool with waterfalls.

 

[tinkerbell4two]

Thanks for all the great info. Now I know who to post my questions to.

Nicole

 

[Joe & Joanne]

Hi Folks

I just want to thank all of you folks on the boards that helped to make our 23rd Anniversary Cruise one of the best. The Radison was great and whoever posted about bugs around the pool at night needs to go in the middle of May. We did not notice any, but then again maybe it was the Boones Farm

I also have to send a very special thank you to Shirley from "The Perfect Gift". She is absolutely wonderful, personable and a really teriffic person. If you would like a gift for your stateroom or anything, but are not sure of what you want, give her a call and she will help out in any way she can. Phone number is 1-800-950-4559.

To Barb, Tony and Dave: The information recieved from these websites is invaluable. Dave's Tribute Site and the Castaway Club

OK now its back to the disortation on another document. Will post in its entirety when complete.

 

[snelsonbrown]

I want you each to know how overwhelmed I felt when I left the Radisson on May 11th - never in my dreams did I think I would meet up with you guys - I found you each to be such great people and with your smiles -- you couldn't miss having a great time - did you have a drink on me? It wasn't Boone's but what can I say
Anyhow Joe I needed the laugh when I saw your "beautiful" hair =and to the rest of you, I wish each of you a wonderful and magical life - if you ever down here and we can help, just call ok -
To those that we fixed baskets for, I hope they were everything you had hoped for -
anyhow to stay safe and most of all stay happy
Always your friend,
Shirley

 

[Joe & Joanne]

Hi Folks

I almost forgot, oops!

It amazed me that with this crew of over 120 or so folks, we all got along so well together. In todays' world it was such a pleasure to meet everyone with a smile on their faces. And as for Shirley, an immediate friendship has developed....I cannot say enough about what a wonderful person you are and I wore the hair just for you gal!

 

[Joe & Joanne]

HI Folks

For some pics click below

Cruise Pics

Hi Folks
Been busy here since our arrival home in the frozen Northlands of NJ. First of all I wish to thank all those new found friends and DISBoard members who helped to create a “Magic”cal cruise for everyone. Secondly, I wish to thank Shirley from “The Perfect Gift”. The Perfect Gift 1 800-850-4559 I called her with some idea of what I would like and she took that info and created a fabulous gift basket for delivery to our Stateroom. Absolutely perfect, to include the candle and champagne although the pretzels made for some strange bed company?

I will start off with the 10th of May. We left Philadelphia on time and arrived in Orlando about 11:45AM. Happy Limo Happy Limo was there promptly to meet us with a cute sign at the bottom of the stairway. We met our driver Wes who explained the process whereby we would collect our baggage and he would get the Limo. We had booked a Limo and not a Town Car but in retrospect we should have rented a bus, as our baggage (for four) would not fit in the trunk. A minor inconvenience that would be eliminated by Wes on the return trip. The cost for the round trip was $170.00 but we gave him a $20.00 tip. Barb & Tony’s web site has a coupon for Happy Limo Castaway Cay I think that we could have rented a van from AVIS for a few dollars less. Of course we would not have been dropped off at the door, and I would have had to do all the planning, driving and arranging for the trip from the ship back to the RAD and get our return car etc. We arrived at the Radisson about 1:15 PM checked in, made an early reservation for the shuttle to the pier and were eating at poolside around 1:30 or so. The rate for a nice room was $59.00 and a total of $63.10 with tax. This rate was the “fall special” that we found out about on the DIS after reserving a two bedroom suite. We were not disappointed with the room without the Jacuzzi. To be continued

 

[Mjasp]

Stephanie.. Too funny, did Mollie really get booted from flounders? She is the cutest little thing with a smile on her face all the time. Who would think.

To add something to the seven mile beach/holiday Inn thing is that I wrote to Holiday Inn before we sailed after reading on cruise critic that they let you use their beach and facilities, I specifically asked about their pool and they said it was OK. We went across the street to their pool and it is magnificent, a huge beautiful pool and there was only 2 other people there. So after you get enough of beach go to their pool and cool off. It's wonderful.

 

[Hygiene99]

Maybe Molly will Be #1 in her class next time ???

she was very cute was great to meet u guys

peter

 

[SQUIGGLE]

Glad everyone made it home safely.

It was just great to be able to meet so many DISers on board. For those who missed the Boone's Farm party - you don't know what you missed! Right Vicky? But the pointy cups were a necessity.

Sorry some got sick. We got lucky on that one.

The lanyards were absolutely perfect for the KTTW card & ID. Also made it easy to spot "friends". Thanks again Joe.

Also thanks for the tip on the Fall Special. Room was very nice. Will definitely do it next trip.

That reminds me, Joe, did you get room 6076 & 6078 for 5/17/03?

I'm tired of work and need a vacation!!!!!!!!

fran

 

[Joe & Joanne]

Hi folks

Fran, I am pretty sure we are all in a row for the next one. I put out a challenge for all to take up all the rooms on this floor (deck) sorry back to land terminology. We will have the ship rolling and rocking. This time I wont worry about my neighbors I am bringing my CD player next time and gonna p,p out some tunes I know

 

[Joe & Joanne]

Hi folks

Trip report is completed and posted
Trip Report