8/15/09-Eastern-Tortola Treasure Seekers #4

[Melcatfish]

I am watching the exchange rate as have a few hunred dollars to pay off and of course the exchange rate makes a difference. Luckily I paid all but $675 off when the exchange rate was much better (around $1.75 to the pound as opposed to $1.47 ish at the moment)

The Visa rate has crept up to $1.48 today, it seems like forever that I have been saying we will pay off if it hits $1.50 but as it is nearly time for Castaway Club members to make ressies I will pay off sometime next week whatever the rate!!!!

I am really getting into full planning mode. I printed off the most recent Eastern Navigators to get an idea (yeah I know schedules can and do change but I wanted an example) so I could work out what activities Isabelle may enjoy at the club and an idea of when our ideal Palo times might be. Definitely want to do Brunch and Dinner, not sure about High Tea - it's reviews are quite mixed.

Darren is definitely trying his best to humour me but he is just not as into Disney as me. When we get there I hope though he will remember the things he did like such as great service, nice food etc... plus seeing the fun our DD's will have oh and of course the beer tasting I am planning on booking him into!

Mel
x

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I am watching the exchange rate as have a few hunred dollars to pay off and of course the exchange rate makes a difference. Luckily I paid all but $675 off when the exchange rate was much better (around $1.75 to the pound as opposed to $1.47 ish at the moment)

The Visa rate has crept up to $1.48 today, it seems like forever that I have been saying we will pay off if it hits $1.50 but as it is nearly time for Castaway Club members to make ressies I will pay off sometime next week whatever the rate!!!!

I am really getting into full planning mode. I printed off the most recent Eastern Navigators to get an idea (yeah I know schedules can and do change but I wanted an example) so I could work out what activities Isabelle may enjoy at the club and an idea of when our ideal Palo times might be. Definitely want to do Brunch and Dinner, not sure about High Tea - it's reviews are quite mixed.

Darren is definitely trying his best to humour me but he is just not as into Disney as me. When we get there I hope though he will remember the things he did like such as great service, nice food etc... plus seeing the fun our DD's will have oh and of course the beer tasting I am planning on booking him into!

Mel
x

Well good luck, I will have a look around on Saturday as to times of trips etc, and report back.

Also DCL are on their first Tortola trip this week, so look out for reports from Saturday.

 

[Melcatfish]

Well good luck, I will have a look around on Saturday as to times of trips etc, and report back.

Also DCL are on their first Tortola trip this week, so look out for reports from Saturday.

Great.

Andrew do you happen to know what times are available for Brunches? I know it is only on sea days.

Mel
x

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Great.

Andrew do you happen to know what times are available for Brunches? I know it is only on sea days.

Mel
x

For Brunch Palo is open from 10.30am to 1pm, on the Magic (wonder is slightly different) its 90 min slots so the last one is 11.30am

May I recommend going for the earliest slot as some of its a buffet and like any buffet its best when its put out and some things run out near the end.

Now only issue with this is people on second sitting character breakfast who might have a back to back if you wish to do both as they are also held on the sea days in two sittings starting approx 8.15am

When booking online remember to 'confirm' and 'confirm' again, if you do internet shopping its like a shopping basket first then checkout, you might think you have selected it but if you do not do the second confirm you do not get it.

 

[jbm02]

Hi Everyone,

Just thought we would pop in and say hi to everyone!

We don't seem to be able to get on here too much. I am glad to see a few LIer's are sailing with me. Maybe we should meet before we get to the cruise.

Have a good day!

Dawn

Dawn, PoohJen and Mephamkickliner
Not LI, but still NYS. We're near Albany...

 

[caitlinsdad]

I just received my weekly newsletter from Passporter and they are celebrating their 10th anniversary onboard the Magic this week. There is a "Window Seat" on their boards with pictures taken from the cruise with lots of pictures of Tortola. I wasn't sure if I was allowed to post the link to another disboards. passporterboards.com/forums/window-seat-real-time-photo-trip-report-passporter/index2.html

Hoping that the returning Disboard cruisers will post trip reports. There aren't too many for Eastern sailings as it is.

Quick question: I bought the Passporter (even though I've cruised 5 times with Disney). They were saying that you may only be allowed to pre-book one reservation at Palo now, does anyone know if this is true? I'm planning on staying up to midnight on the 17th to book brunch and dinner but if this is the case I'll have to decide which takes first priority and then go to Rockin Bar D on embarkation to book the other.

My plan is to book the brunch as dinner at Palo didn't go well for my dw.
.

 

[PoohJen]

Dawn, PoohJen and Mephamkickliner
Not LI, but still NYS. We're near Albany...

Hi jbm02 - my brother went to Sienna! And, btw, we're gonna book the Doubloon snorkel too! Looks like fun! I see you have a 13 yo; my twins will be 12 1/2 at the time of sailing.

 

[Melcatfish]

For Brunch Palo is open from 10.30am to 1pm, on the Magic (wonder is slightly different) its 90 min slots so the last one is 11.30am

May I recommend going for the earliest slot as some of its a buffet and like any buffet its best when its put out and some things run out near the end.

Now only issue with this is people on second sitting character breakfast who might have a back to back if you wish to do both as they are also held on the sea days in two sittings starting approx 8.15am

When booking online remember to 'confirm' and 'confirm' again, if you do internet shopping its like a shopping basket first then checkout, you might think you have selected it but if you do not do the second confirm you do not get it.

Thanks for the info especially about confirming, yes I do a little bit (well ok a lot of internet shopping and I have an internet shop so I appreciated the analogy!)

Unfortunately it looks as if Flounders opens at 11 a.m. on Sea day so that would be our earliest option I think, hopefully the very first guests won't have anihilated the buffet by then!

Mel
x

PS Is it your booking slot tomorrow Andrew?

 

[jbm02]

Hi jbm02 - my brother went to Sienna! And, btw, we're gonna book the Doubloon snorkel too! Looks like fun! I see you have a 13 yo; my twins will be 12 1/2 at the time of sailing.

Hi! Practically all of our family went to Siena - my DH, DSis, dad, FIL, SIL, BIL, uncle, etc etc!! LOL (I'm the black sheep - Providence here). Big family basketball cheering section at the games.
The dubloon excursion sounds like so much fun. We're not real "beachy" (too pale!) so I think we'll be beached out from the baths on Tortola to really enjoy Maagens Bay. So the dubloom trip is for us.
I can't wait to start booking everything!!!
gotta run - have a great day everyone
Jude

 

[Melcatfish]

Arghhh stressed out. The villa booking we have for the 5 days after the cruise (we are at OKW for five days BEFORE we go on the cruise) has been cancelled

Now I have to find somewhere for my family to say that is within budget and will still give us what we need. Having been in one room on the cruise we were so looking forward to the space in a villa and our own pool. It means if the kiddos are tired they can go to bed and we could chill out in the pool or in the games room.

If anyone has any recommendations let me know - we were paying £80 GBP per night which at todays rate is around $115 a night I think. That was for the Cleremont area on the High Grove development where we have stayed before.

Oh No I knew it was a bad move to start getting excited!

Mel
x

 

[TonytheWop]

Arghhh stressed out. The villa booking we have for the 5 days after the cruise (we are at OKW for five days BEFORE we go on the cruise) has been cancelled

Now I have to find somewhere for my family to say that is within budget and will still give us what we need. Having been in one room on the cruise we were so looking forward to the space in a villa and our own pool. It means if the kiddos are tired they can go to bed and we could chill out in the pool or in the games room.

If anyone has any recommendations let me know - we were paying £80 GBP per night which at todays rate is around $115 a night I think. That was for the Cleremont area on the High Grove development where we have stayed before.

Oh No I knew it was a bad move to start getting excited!

Mel
x

Have you checked on EBay. There are plenty of villas and condos for rent in Orlando at rates comparable to what you had. I have used Ebay often and never had a problem.
You may even look at a condo in Daytona and spend 5 days at the beach.
In August the weather is better at the beach than inland in Orlando where it rains practically every afternoon. Good Luck !!

 

[caitlinsdad]

15 weeks until the August 15 th, 2009 Tortola Treasure Seekers Cruise



Let the Party Begin


Welcome to the Weekend

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

Have a good weekend Ed !!!

RELAX and dream all of you !!!!

Wish I were HERE !!!

Ciao, laura

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Have a good weekend Ed !!!

RELAX and dream all of you !!!!

Wish I were HERE !!!

Ciao, laura

Great pictures!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Thanks for the info especially about confirming, yes I do a little bit (well ok a lot of internet shopping and I have an internet shop so I appreciated the analogy!)

Unfortunately it looks as if Flounders opens at 11 a.m. on Sea day so that would be our earliest option I think, hopefully the very first guests won't have anihilated the buffet by then!

Mel
x

PS Is it your booking slot tomorrow Andrew?

Its still good at 11am but like any buffet its best when it opens it is refreshed the worst bit is say post 12.30pm when they will not refresh, so if running later and you want that dessert, then take it to your table!

Yes I am booking at 5am Saturday morning!!!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Arghhh stressed out. The villa booking we have for the 5 days after the cruise (we are at OKW for five days BEFORE we go on the cruise) has been cancelled

Now I have to find somewhere for my family to say that is within budget and will still give us what we need. Having been in one room on the cruise we were so looking forward to the space in a villa and our own pool. It means if the kiddos are tired they can go to bed and we could chill out in the pool or in the games room.

If anyone has any recommendations let me know - we were paying £80 GBP per night which at todays rate is around $115 a night I think. That was for the Cleremont area on the High Grove development where we have stayed before.

Oh No I knew it was a bad move to start getting excited!

Mel
x

I cant help, our villa I know is empty during this cruise so we go in fresh, it was £600 for 10 nights so a bit of a deal when booked last year, but now is far more expensive.

I would suggest posting on the UK PLANNING FORUM, they will help.

 

[bridegirl]

Is it midnight tonight or midnight tomorrow?

And fyi if anyone is waitlisted - we JUST cancelled an extra category two that we arent going to use

We still have a category one and one category two that we are using

If anyone has the 105 days out info - pls PM me - I always have trouble finding this link!

Thanks,
Susy

 

[caitlinsdad]

105 Days
Excursions, Palo Dining, Kids Club
Suite Guests, Romance Plan 05/02/2009

90 Days
Excursions, Palo Dining, Kids Club
Castaway Club Members Only 05/17/2009

75 Days
Excursions, Palo Dining, Kids Club
All Cruise Line Guests 06/01/2009

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

105 Days
Excursions, Palo Dining, Kids Club
Suite Guests, Romance Plan 05/02/2009

90 Days
Excursions, Palo Dining, Kids Club
Castaway Club Members Only 05/17/2009

75 Days
Excursions, Palo Dining, Kids Club
All Cruise Line Guests 06/01/2009

All ressies done at 5.12 local!

 

[uncw89]

Cool! Did you find out about the St T island tour? Are they going to have one?