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

[PoohJen]

Why is the Baths excursion cancelled? We are planning on doing the Baths on our own.

 

[BishopFamily]

DCL called us too today because we were on the "A Day at the Baths" excursion. No real indication why they cancelled it but I suspect they received from feedback from the recent cruises to Tortola.

We are also switched to the 7:45 "Tour of Virgin Gorda" excursion.


-- Richard.

 

[jenanderson]

Cheap "Laminated" Magnets

Alright everyone...as we all know, I am trying to save EVERY penny this year. I still wanted new door magnets for this cruise but the cost of any of the laminate materials was just really high for what I wanted to do. So, I got to thinking and came up with a new idea...clear shelf paper!!

Tonight I went out and bought a roll of the self adhesive shelf liner paper, printed out some magnets and "laminated". It works great!

I am laying the print out face down on the adhesive of the shelf liner and then fold the liner over to cover the back as well. Then I just trim it all up.

Shelf paper was really cheap and I got tons of it. Then I just bought the cheap magnet sheets that I cut in little pieces to put on the back of each magnet.

Just thought I would share if anyone else is looking to save a bit of money!
Jen

 

[kritter]

It's raining again....
Actually, pouring, thundering and lightening. So much for going to the carnival tonight. We may go see Transformers instead. We're all busting to see it. DH just looked up weather.com and we have rain until next Thursday Oh wait, it just started to hail

Mind you, we live in Connecticut not Seattle.

I got my package today and I'm not telling what's in it

7 weeks until I'm hanging out at the Radisson!!

Can you believe the WILD weather that we had here in CT tonight????????

We will be a the Radisson to that night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[kritter]

Cheap "Laminated" Magnets

Alright everyone...as we all know, I am trying to save EVERY penny this year. I still wanted new door magnets for this cruise but the cost of any of the laminate materials was just really high for what I wanted to do. So, I got to thinking and came up with a new idea...clear shelf paper!!

Tonight I went out and bought a roll of the self adhesive shelf liner paper, printed out some magnets and "laminated". It works great!

I am laying the print out face down on the adhesive of the shelf liner and then fold the liner over to cover the back as well. Then I just trim it all up.

Shelf paper was really cheap and I got tons of it. Then I just bought the cheap magnet sheets that I cut in little pieces to put on the back of each magnet.

Just thought I would share if anyone else is looking to save a bit of money!
Jen

AWESOME, idea. I will have to do that. Since the laminating at Staples was expensive..........Where did you get the shelf liner?? Walmart??

 

[caitlinsdad]

Can you believe the WILD weather that we had here in CT tonight????????

We will be a the Radisson to that night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

yep upstate got hit hard

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Andrew- DCL just called me about the Baths excursion being cancelled. I changed it to the one you are on.

It's been very hot here today (100) and now we are experiencing a major thunderstorm with some thunder and lightning. I don't think it will last long though.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Caitlin!!!!

DCL called us too today because we were on the "A Day at the Baths" excursion. No real indication why they cancelled it but I suspect they received from feedback from the recent cruises to Tortola.

We are also switched to the 7:45 "Tour of Virgin Gorda" excursion.


-- Richard.

I didn't get any contact at all re the cancellation of the baths trip, maybe it went to TA, or because I am in the UK, however additionally concierge could have contacted by email.-Very dissapointed.

Reading reports the alternative Virgin gorda tour, is rushed its shorter, but apart from that is similar to the baths trip.

Two options on cancellation.

Food, the baths trip had burger etc at the top of the baths maybe poor quality from feedback.

Or too many people doing it on their own and cutting out DCL ,so not worthing running.

 

[DGH]

I notice mine has gone from my reservation today, no contact from DCL.

No contact? In spite of you cat 3 ?

Andrew,
I should lend you my grumpies (=grumpying smilies)

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

No contact? In spite of you cat 3 ?

Andrew,
I should lend you my grumpies (=grumpying smilies)

I Know, someone imho dropped the ball, I would have thought they would ping an email, considering they have phoned from the USA, on lesser things.

FOOD

Ok as we are getting closer, it’s time to think what we will do on-board, so where do you like to eat on the ship apart from Dinner time in the restaurants.

Breakfast….

Do you prefer?

• Topsiders buffet and omelette station
• Lumière's for formal breakfast
• Parrot cay, inside buffet
• Room service,

Or a mixture of these or all of these?

Lunch

• Topsiders buffet and salad station
• Lumière's for formal lunch or brunch
• Room service,

Snack places

What do you prefer?

• Goofys galley
• Pluto’s dog house
• Pinocchio's Pizzeria
• Snacks at Cove café.

And then of course

• Late night snacks at Rocking bar d,
• Pirate night and
• Dessert buffet

We tend to have limited room service for breakfast as we get ready, say coffee etc, it’s a good wake up call, then go to Topsiders. On Sea days we spend longer there, but port days it’s a quick dash. On the 15 night Panama crossing we went to Lumière's a couple of times, the food is good, but we found it slow and was unlucky with servers who made mistakes.

On the 15 night Panama crossing when my 'team' have been up late, I still have got up early and gone to Topsiders by myself, often I find servers I know, and they keep me company, a lot of people still work for DCL since my first cruises, albeit we never request servers in advance, as you have to either request rotation or servers, not both.

For lunch on sea days it’s Topsiders and port days if we go back on for lunch its Lumière's as we are dressed and it’s often near the entrance/exit for port.
Lucky when we have done this we have seen our own servers and they have looked after us.

Overall I find Pluto’s too salty and often too much like McDonald's which I can get anywhere, Pizzas Stephen likes, but the rest of us generally hit goofys as there is a spread of stuff there and we feel it’s healthier.

Late night we have never gone to Rocking bar D, but have gone to Lumière's for the dessert buffet, even if it’s just to take photos and look.

My kids often get cups from the soda station and use them at scoops for ice cream as they are larger, Cover café does have food there, I enjoy a drink in there however must say whenever I have been there the food has always gone, people seem to dive in and take it all quickly.

Now has anyone ever ask for special requests? I have seen at dinner a cheese board put out every night on a table for some cruisers, so they start on that as they arrive. I have had nice Chicken curries at dinner, and Stephen English shepherd’s pie.

Also the kids have had Palo soufflé done Palo style at dinner, really nice.

As we have a Cat 3 this time, I am not sure if we will eat a meal in the room, if we do it would be breakfast, maybe we would use the room more in the Baltic over 12 nights, but I do not want to miss the evening meals in the proper places.


PS Look out for new menu posts this weekend..

 

[gfolchick]

Food (my favorite subject)

We'll start the cruise heading off to the pools and grabbing a bite to eat at Goofy's Galley for the adults, the kids will get Pluto's. That will remain for the week for lunch.

For Breakfast we normally head to Topsiders, but one sea day I'd like to go to Lumiere's for their brunch menu, probably without the kids. On Tortola morning when we have to meet our excursion for 8 am I'll just order Room Service and maybe again on CC Friday.

Dinners we stick to our rotation, although we may be open to try Topsiders for dinner if we feel like it's too rushed after a day in the sun or shore. That's the biggest downfall to early dining for us-it cuts your afternoon way down.

Snacks-a slice of pizza or two from Pinnochio's. After 5 cruises under my belt I wasn't aware until this board that the treats from Cove Cafe were free. I had even gone in there last cruise for a coffee one day so I will definatley pop in there on occassion to check out their offerings. We haven't hit the chocolate buffet since our first cruise back in 2001 so that isn't a must do (although my friend who's traveling with us is a chocolate lover too so maybe I'll have to check it out again, you know-for her-that's what friends do, make the sacrafices!). We usually do check out the late night offerings by Beat Street since we spend our evenings in Rockin D bar checking out the adult entertainment.

Room Service-we never order from them as much as I thought we would. Usually returning from the islands we'll order a snack or late lunch. The food is really good too so I guess we just forget about it. My daughter asked if they could order if we weren't around (she's 12 so I'll give her a lot more freedom this cruise) and I told her we'd just leave money for them to tip.

So, that's our story. What's yours?

BTW: THE SUN IS OUT THIS MORNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We'll see how long is lasts. Fireworks are scheduled for tonight and thunderstorms are still in the forecast...

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Food (my favorite subject)

We'll start the cruise heading off to the pools and grabbing a bite to eat at Goofy's Galley for the adults, the kids will get Pluto's. That will remain for the week for lunch.

For Breakfast we normally head to Topsiders, but one sea day I'd like to go to Lumiere's for their brunch menu, probably without the kids. On Tortola morning when we have to meet our excursion for 8 am I'll just order Room Service and maybe again on CC Friday.

Dinners we stick to our rotation, although we may be open to try Topsiders for dinner if we feel like it's too rushed after a day in the sun or shore. That's the biggest downfall to early dining for us-it cuts your afternoon way down.

Snacks-a slice of pizza or two from Pinnochio's. After 5 cruises under my belt I wasn't aware until this board that the treats from Cove Cafe were free. I had even gone in there last cruise for a coffee one day so I will definatley pop in there on occassion to check out their offerings. We haven't hit the chocolate buffet since our first cruise back in 2001 so that isn't a must do (although my friend who's traveling with us is a chocolate lover too so maybe I'll have to check it out again, you know-for her-that's what friends do, make the sacrafices!). We usually do check out the late night offerings by Beat Street since we spend our evenings in Rockin D bar checking out the adult entertainment.

Room Service-we never order from them as much as I thought we would. Usually returning from the islands we'll order a snack or late lunch. The food is really good too so I guess we just forget about it. My daughter asked if they could order if we weren't around (she's 12 so I'll give her a lot more freedom this cruise) and I told her we'd just leave money for them to tip.

So, that's our story. What's yours?

BTW: THE SUN IS OUT THIS MORNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We'll see how long is lasts. Fireworks are scheduled for tonight and thunderstorms are still in the forecast...

PS Very very hot here, just put on the TV and watch Wimbledon you will see, might get a thunderstorm later.

 

[caitlinsdad]

Big storms came thru last night, but now SUN is ok and it not as humid for a change

 

[jenanderson]

Today is Caitlin's Birthday, I was running around getting some last minitue surprises

Hope Caitlin had a wonderful birthday!!!!

AWESOME, idea. I will have to do that. Since the laminating at Staples was expensive..........Where did you get the shelf liner?? Walmart??

I got the shelf liner at Target but I am sure that Walmart would have it as well. My roll is 18" wide by 24' long...this means that I can do all the magnets I want for only a couple bucks!!!

 

[allardk46]

Hi everyone. Back from France and a long but quick trip.

I am getting soooooo excited about everything. I actually found a dress recently - not easy as I am not exactly a reasonable size lately. But where there is a will there is a way.

Everyone who is starting to pack / pull outfits out - I now have the bug. We have a room that we are trying to turn into a library (cannot afford furniture yet) so I set up the garmet racks I use for the girl's recital. All of my DD's dresses are hanging on it as are mine. I will set up a table soon but do need to where some of the clothes during the summer - LOL

Good to be back and now need to catch up on all the reading

Janeanne

 

[allardk46]

I have been looking at your threads and others on the disboards over the last 2 days. I have learned so much. Can't believe how long you guys have been actively anticipating this cruise! (even though we booked in Jan 08).

You inspired me to join disboards and I hope that it's not too late for us to join your group.

This is our first Disney cruise and our first cruise with our DS (age 8).

Welcome to the DIS boards. It is my family's first Disney cruise as well.

Janeanne

 

[Melcatfish]

Thanks for the countdown Ed, especially as you had to fit it in whilst sorting things for Caitlins birthday. Hope she had a wonderful birthday

I have no shore excursions booked so there is nothing as sure as mine won't have changed!

I am really in full on holiday preparation mode now. I am off to Staples later to buy some printable magnet things, I am working on FE gifts and soring out a couple of things with our airline re child seats. Busy busy busy! The warm weather here has really got me in the holiday mood!

Mel
x

 

[allardk46]

I am so excited!!!!! FedEx just made a delivery with a big box...I opened the box and there it was....oops can't tell you!

I can say it was something I had ordered to make my FE gifts and it turned out better than I could have even hoped for!

Now that it is here, I need to work on the next part of the gift!!!! We have rain here today so it is the perfect excuse to sit and work on the gifts!!!!!

I am just so excited and had to share my happiness!!!!

Jen - you have peeked my interest.

 

[allardk46]

Aug 22nd, with any luck we may see Spectomagic too from that location

I just booked the 22nd as well. Tried for the 23rd as it is my DD birthday but the night before is great. Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us. This seems wonderful.

 

[allardk46]

DCL called us too today because we were on the "A Day at the Baths" excursion. No real indication why they cancelled it but I suspect they received from feedback from the recent cruises to Tortola.

We are also switched to the 7:45 "Tour of Virgin Gorda" excursion.


-- Richard.

We did not get a call from DCL. However, thanks to all you good people we have also booked the 7:45 "Tour of Virgin Gorda" excursion.

Janeanne

 

[DGH]

Food (my favorite subject)

It's also my favorite subject!