8/10/2008 - Mexican Party Cruise - Who's Here??

[CustardTart]

Congrats!!! As first time DCL cruisers we still have to wait till May 27 to book any excursions!!! AAAHHHHH! I hope there are still some good ones left for us!

Getting excited!!!!!

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you...

 

[andriade]

Wow!!! I know South Kensington quite well tho' I don't get up to town as often as I'd like anymore! We live in the 'burbs - 15 mins south on the train from Victoria Station and 15 mins drive from the rolling countryside. It's a lovely location TBH...

Laguna Beach has an art festival on whilst we're there and, as a dealer, I really want to make that trip. I'm always on the look out for interesting, saleable works that no one else stocks...

I know what you mean about how parks that aren't Disney not feeling such great quality. Whilst I think the Warner Bros tour is something different and worth doing, I'm opting for the Universal VIP tour on the advice of my DD who did it when she travelled the world during her GAP year. We've actually been to Disneyland before - we spent a week there with the family at New Year 2005 and had a wonderful time. What would you say are the best on-site eateries? I fancy Steakhouse 55, Napa Rose and the Vineyard Room. Also which Character brekkie would you recommend?

I just want to add a 'tacky' tour (I need to see that Hollywood sign) to our itinerary and I'll be happy...

I think your restaurants of choice are very good. The Minnie Mouse Breakfast at Disneyland is quite good. I have eaten there a few times. I also really enjoyed Goofy's Kitchen. I ate there for breakfast and lunch when we stayed there in January. My kids loved it!

I understand your need for the tacky tour! I did plenty of that myself while I lived in London. I might even have my "Mind the Gap" shirt I got at the Underground Museum.

I am sure you will love the Warner Bros. tour. Those things are great for people who love television and movies.

I have been to the art's festival before and it is great fun. Are you going to see Pageant of the Masters? That was soooo amazing!

 

[jd99]

Good morning or should I say "buenos días!"

I'm delighted to say I've just been able to make all our Palo, excursion and spa reservations for this cruise!!!

Sooo excited right now, I'm gonna have to do a banana boogie!!!

Karen - why so early. Are you in a suite on this cruise too? Can't find the smilie for jealous or I'd be using it right now!

 

[CustardTart]

Karen - why so early. Are you in a suite on this cruise too? Can't find the smilie for jealous or I'd be using it right now!

Sorry, Jeff! Yes, we're in a Cat. 3. It's all courtesy of the weak dollar - plus the fact that our two eldest kids are now gainfully employed and no longer a drain on our finances!!! That vacation budget just goes further than it used to...

 

[jd99]

Sorry, Jeff! Yes, we're in a Cat. 3. It's all courtesy of the weak dollar - plus the fact that our two eldest kids are now gainfully employed and no longer a drain on our finances!!! That vacation budget just goes further than it used to...

Good for you. We upgraded at the port to a Cat3 on our second cruise. LOVED it. Spoiled us big time. I booked a Cat 9 on the next cruise almost to bring us back to earth so that we didn't get to the point that we HAD to go suite or not go!

 

[CustardTart]

Good for you. We upgraded at the port to a Cat3 on our second cruise. LOVED it. Spoiled us big time. I booked a Cat 9 on the next cruise almost to bring us back to earth so that we didn't get to the point that we HAD to go suite or not go!

I know what you mean about the spoiling! We upgraded to an aft Cat. 3 when we did our 25th Wedding Anniversary/ Vow Renewal cruise last September. OMG I loved that room so much that I waitlisted for a Cat. 3 should one pop up for this cruise too. As luck would have it, we're back in that same suite and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't over the moon about that!!!

On my first cruise I was in a Cat 9 with my DD and we had a fantastic time - it was just so fab to be on the ship...

 

[jd99]

I know what you mean about the spoiling! We upgraded to an aft Cat. 3 when we did our 25th Wedding Anniversary/ Vow Renewal cruise last September. OMG I loved that room so much that I waitlisted for a Cat. 3 should one pop up for this cruise too. As luck would have it, we're back in that same suite and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't over the moon about that!!!

On my first cruise I was in a Cat 9 with my DD and we had a fantastic time - it was just so fab to be on the ship...

Yes, we have done Cat 5, Cat 3, Cat 9 and this cruise is an 8 GTY (hoping to get bumped to a 6). Our nov. 08 cruise is a 5 again. Hoping on one of these we can sneak in to a port upgrade to a 3.

 

[andriade]

If we are going to get upgraded, when do you think it will happen? After the final deposits or before?

 

[jd99]

If we are going to get upgraded, when do you think it will happen? After the final deposits or before?

We've never booked a GTY room before, but my understanding is that if you have a GTY room it usually doesn't get assigned until about a month out. However, I continue to check pretty much every day!

 

[bcnb103]

Hi all it has been a while since I was on. I am getting so excited I have had my kids looking over the excursions. We can book in 14 days woohoo!
There has been a change to who is all going with us. It will be me and DH and DD17 and DFS17 and DS22 months. My 13 year old son decided he didn't want to go again he didn't feel that the teen scene was for him yet (he just turned 13) so we are going to be bringing our foster son instead. With passports being on hold again (I just found this out) it will be a lot easier to bring him and it will be a great experience . Anyone else with teens? And is there anyone that has brought a 22 moth old....any suggestions etc.

 

[CustardTart]

Hi all it has been a while since I was on. I am getting so excited I have had my kids looking over the excursions. We can book in 14 days woohoo!
There has been a change to who is all going with us. It will be me and DH and DD17 and DFS17 and DS22 months. My 13 year old son decided he didn't want to go again he didn't feel that the teen scene was for him yet (he just turned 13) so we are going to be bringing our foster son instead. With passports being on hold again (I just found this out) it will be a lot easier to bring him and it will be a great experience . Anyone else with teens? And is there anyone that has brought a 22 moth old....any suggestions etc.

Hi! DH and I are travelling with our teenage DS - he'll be 15 and this is his first cruise. I'm just crossing all my fingers that The Stack is going to be his thing. Whether it is or not, he's chosen to do the Teen Surf Safari at Cabo...

No suggestions for the 22 month old I'm afraid - DS15 is my baby...

 

[jd99]

Hi all it has been a while since I was on. I am getting so excited I have had my kids looking over the excursions. We can book in 14 days woohoo!
There has been a change to who is all going with us. It will be me and DH and DD17 and DFS17 and DS22 months. My 13 year old son decided he didn't want to go again he didn't feel that the teen scene was for him yet (he just turned 13) so we are going to be bringing our foster son instead. With passports being on hold again (I just found this out) it will be a lot easier to bring him and it will be a great experience . Anyone else with teens? And is there anyone that has brought a 22 moth old....any suggestions etc.

Our now 4 year old DD went on her first cruise when she was about 30 months. She loved Flounders because she was a "big girl" in there and got to pretend-help with the babies. The counselors were really really great. She didn't really warm up to the Oceaneer's Club on our last cruise but are hoping she does better this time. She's a real mommy's girl but the folks in Flounders never had a hard time getting her to come in happy. In case you don't know, they have a one-way mirror where you can watch them after you drop off to see how they acclimate -- and you can even come back and check in on them that way without them seeing you.

 

[andriade]

Hi all it has been a while since I was on. I am getting so excited I have had my kids looking over the excursions. We can book in 14 days woohoo!
There has been a change to who is all going with us. It will be me and DH and DD17 and DFS17 and DS22 months. My 13 year old son decided he didn't want to go again he didn't feel that the teen scene was for him yet (he just turned 13) so we are going to be bringing our foster son instead. With passports being on hold again (I just found this out) it will be a lot easier to bring him and it will be a great experience . Anyone else with teens? And is there anyone that has brought a 22 moth old....any suggestions etc.

I haven't cruised with a 22 month old but I have been to WDW 4 times with babies. I was always worried about there age. My DS was 9 months old when we first went there. He did great. My daughter was that same age when she went for the first time as well and she did great. I think Disney tries to cater to children of all ages and it that makes all of the difference.

You will have a blast. I can't believe your tween doesn't want to go!

My 12 yo niece would love to go in his place. She is so sad she can't come with us. There's no room is our cabin.

 

[CustardTart]

Giving us a little *bump*...

I'm off tomorrow morning to WDW for a week or so before Double Dipping for four days!!!

Hope you all have a great couple of weeks and I'll pop by once I return...

PS: I've updated my pre-trip report - here's a link if you're interested...

 

[jd99]

Hey Karen
Have a great trip!
jeff

 

[jd99]

Hey - found us on page 3. Can't have that or else no one new is going to find us!

 

[andriade]

We are closing in on the 3 month mark pretty soon. I can't believe it is coming! Anyone doing their own excursions on not Disney's? Each one i look at, I can't believe it can cost so much. I have been to Mexico on a cruise before but I don't remember the excursions being that expensive.

 

[andriade]

Helloooooo? Is anyone venturing out on their own while in Mexico?

 

[jd99]

I think we are going to stick with Disney excursions. We dont' generally do that in the Caribbean but we are less familiar with the Mexican ports....so we think we are probably going to be safer this time with regard to timing and such.

 

[bcnb103]

We are going to do our own thing in Cabo. After going to Mexico the last time on Disney we feel that Cabo is going to be the best place to do our own thing. Everything is right there basicly in walking distance. My kids have gone through the book and picked out some things they would like to do but I still havent figured out what we are going to do or allow them to do at the other ports. We did the coastal tours type thing last time and swam with the dolphins. With the baby this time I don't want to get stuck somewhere and have a cranky baby.