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

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

FedEx just came with a delivery! I almost have all the "parts" of my FE gift.

MY curiosity is IMMENSE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! huge !!!!!!!!! ENORMOUS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

laura

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

REALLY ??? A LOT OF IT !!!!!???

I HOPE it was worth it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I mean ... here on our beaches ... some not so well looking "girls" just make fun of themselves .....


laura

On last years 15 night repo cruise, at Cove cafe, I can only describe what they were wearing as 'String' I think Mel would call that a Stingkini, and in most cases, ....how can I put this... well 'no' to answer your question.

All on a Disney cruise,

 

[PoohJen]

Since we are asking questions...I will ask some that will help me (and possibly others) with budgeting:
Jen

Hi Jen,
here's my two cents!
1. How much does a smoothie cost? Are there other treats kids/teens like to buy and how much does that cost?
Dunno, but I know my friend was travelling with lots'o'kids, and thought the smoothies were included, so let the kids get them every night at dinner. Boy, was he shocked at his final bill! My kids know I'm too cheap (I've gone to making them order water at restaurants! No $2.50 per kid for a soda, I don't care how many refills come with that!

2. Do you let your kids play video games? Do they cost money? How much would you let your kids budget for? (I would like to say no video games but will check into it for them).
No, I don't let them play video games in the game room (i.e., I don't give them money) b/c (1) as noted above, I'm too cheap and this trip has cost thousands $$$$; we have plenty of video games at home! (2) they do play video games in the kids' areas (Lab, Quest, etc) for free and (3) I believe Quest/Stack give the kids a 'free' time in the game room one night.
3. What are some of the extras you pay for on the ship and (if you don't mind sharing)...how much do you budget for?
Bingo (I may play 3 games), a drink of the day once or twice. I don't drink coffee, etc (i.e. the Cove Cafe), and we'll bring beer, wine coolers on board with us (but we never seem to drink them! Too full!).

4. I know about tipping for the main group (stateroom host, server, etc), who else do you tip for the cruise? People with your luggage (when and how much)? Room service? Anyone else?
Yes, we tip porters and room service. I keep a wad of singles in my OverTheDoorShoeHolder for room service tips. Also, tips for excursion guides.

Feel free to add any other information about what you budget for while on the cruise.
My budget helpers:
I get pins in bulk from ebay (official pins, I am very careful about that!); we all trade those with crew.

We bring bottled water, beer, wine coolers with us (I may bring a bottle of wine for DMom this trip), but as we are driving to the port, this is easy for us to do/pack.

 

[jenanderson]

Hi Jen,
here's my two cents!
1. How much does a smoothie cost? Are there other treats kids/teens like to buy and how much does that cost?
Dunno, but I know my friend was travelling with lots'o'kids, and thought the smoothies were included, so let the kids get them every night at dinner. Boy, was he shocked at his final bill! My kids know I'm too cheap (I've gone to making them order water at restaurants! No $2.50 per kid for a soda, I don't care how many refills come with that!

I had to laugh at this! DD now eats off the "adult" menu and knows that if she gets an adult meal, she cannot get a pop! I am too cheap as well!

However, DD LOVES smoothies and will want to budget some of her own personal money towards these.

I also agree about the video games...we have tons at home and there is no need to pay extra on the ship to play them. I had thought maybe one night I would let them play but have decided that it is something that doesn't need to go into the budget!

I love to hear how others spend or budget for what they spend on the ship. I am very willing to spend money on some items (some photos, budget excursions, one or two drinks) but I am very conservative about other things (bringing our own wine/alcohol on board, no fancy coffee, etc).

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I had to laugh at this! DD now eats off the "adult" menu and knows that if she gets an adult meal, she cannot get a pop! I am too cheap as well!

However, DD LOVES smoothies and will want to budget some of her own personal money towards these.

I also agree about the video games...we have tons at home and there is no need to pay extra on the ship to play them. I had thought maybe one night I would let them play but have decided that it is something that doesn't need to go into the budget!

I love to hear how others spend or budget for what they spend on the ship. I am very willing to spend money on some items (some photos, budget excursions, one or two drinks) but I am very conservative about other things (bringing our own wine/alcohol on board, no fancy coffee, etc).

Thanks for sharing!

Smoothies were $3.75 + tip 15%

 

[PoohJen]

1. Will you use the internet on ship,? Nope. And I will bury my blackberry deep in the bowels of the ship. or at least the bowels of my suitcase, stuffed under my bed. And all colleagues have been told I will be unreachable!


2. Will you try to see a Disney film on board? We'll watch the premiere movie, as that is part of our 'family time' evenings. I always have the best intentions to watch more movies, and we don't see any Disney films for months leading to the cruise, so we can see them "for free", but then I never go! Doh! I think I am always too excited on the cruise to sit still and watch a movie, there's always too much more to do. But DH and the kids always make time for a few films.


3. Will you go to any other entertainment other than the main shows, i.e. Studio Sea, Beat Street, with Rocking bar D or Diversions? Will you want to see some sport? I want to try some of the evening adult entertainment this time around. We have watched football in the past; I don't know that there's any "must see" sports that week for us.


4. What food do you wish to try for the first time on the cruise?My family is pretty much "plain vanilla" "meat and potatoes" types. Ok, the kids will barely even do meat and potatoes - they're "all pizza, all the time"! So, I'm hoping we'll all try something just a little out of our comfort zone.

5. Do you know Port and Starboard, forward, aft, and midship, and what a tender is? Yup!


6. Will you rebook onboard if so for what cruise.Probably. We want to sail the new ships in 2011 for DS's high school graduation. So we'll book as late out as possible.


7. Will you purchase a photo package, or single photos, formal pics, or bring your own only. We may buy one family photo.


8. Will you get to port early/late, and if early try to get a Palo slot or change dinner early/late rotation? Port Early Early Early!!! That first day is part of the vacation! May try to change days for Palo brunch.


10. Non DCL, Tell us something about you that we do not know already, something special. I just love that all my boys - including DH - and my mom are all still such big Disney fans. It's so much fun that Disney is a big "family" thing for us.

 

[PoohJen]

Hi Everyone!

DH's parents live 45 minutes from WDW and are celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary. They aren't coming on the trip with us. But...does anyone have any ideas for celebrating w/ them the day before the cruise? Maybe a nice restaurant with the grandparents and kids at one of the Disney hotels or DTD (not the parks)? Maybe one of the fireworks on the lake type thing? (I imagine those are already booked???).

TIA!

 

[gfolchick]

Hi Everyone!

DH's parents live 45 minutes from WDW and are celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary. They aren't coming on the trip with us. But...does anyone have any ideas for celebrating w/ them the day before the cruise? Maybe a nice restaurant with the grandparents and kids at one of the Disney hotels or DTD (not the parks)? Maybe one of the fireworks on the lake type thing? (I imagine those are already booked???).

TIA!

1. Ohana's for dinner-try to time it close to Wishes or watch from beach at Poly
2. For more upscale dining, California Grill and view fireworks from up there
3. For fun, Hoop De Do Review-they acknowledge anniversaries and birthdays.

50 Year Anniversary-that is something to celebrate!!

 

[gfolchick]

Did anyone read the post on the main boards about making a milkshake in a Castaway Club bottle? Not a fruit smoothie, but it's free

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

1. Ohana's for dinner-try to time it close to Wishes or watch from beach at Poly
2. For more upscale dining, California Grill and view fireworks from up there
3. For fun, Hoop De Do Review-they acknowledge anniversaries and birthdays.

50 Year Anniversary-that is something to celebrate!!

The only issue is i think you will find these and most ADR's have gone due to free disney dinner plan and online ADR booking,

 

[Melcatfish]

Haha - a stringkini - that is a new one. I was wondering if any of the men would be spoting a mankini but in all honesty i do hope not!

Another gorgeous day here in the UK - we don't often have prolonged good weather but it was lovely again today. i worked this afternoon in the nursery again with the 3 and 4 year olds, we had great fun doing some messy play and then out in the nursery garden for a while too

I hope all the poorly children are feeling better now,

Mel
x

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Haha - a stringkini - that is a new one. I was wondering if any of the men would be spoting a mankini but in all honesty i do hope not!

Another gorgeous day here in the UK - we don't often have prolonged good weather but it was lovely again today. i worked this afternoon in the nursery again with the 3 and 4 year olds, we had great fun doing some messy play and then out in the nursery garden for a while too

I hope all the poorly children are feeling better now,

Mel
x

I am not getting my 'Borat' thong, or 'Bruno' pants.

Weather nice except on the Tube.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

PS Films on Virgin Atlantic in August

• STAR TREK
  [*]KNOWING
• ALL'S WELL, ENDS WELL
• FAST & FURIOUS
• FRENCH FILM
• GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST
• IS ANYBODY THERE?
• LOOKING FOR ERIC
• MISS MARCH
• NEW TOWN KILLERS
• OBSERVE & REPORT
• THE SOLOIST
• X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE

First two are for me!

 

[kritter]

Hey Everyone....

Another raining day here in lovely CT...Can you tell how happy I am?? NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well Hanna seems better today. A bit grumpy and moody but that is all..Her color and eyes look sooo much better. Took the kids to the dentist this morning for their check-up and then came home and they packed up three suitcases and a HUGE Bag full of stuffed animals, etc. to go and have a sleep-over tonight over my parents house. They were sooooo excited.


So Bruce and I are going to go out for Italian food and then out to a movie....YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow, night the kids want to have dinner with my folks too so Bruce and I will get chinese food. The house is soo quiet right now I do not know what to do.....LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[CastawayJ]

1. Ohana's for dinner-try to time it close to Wishes or watch from beach at Poly
2. For more upscale dining, California Grill and view fireworks from up there
3. For fun, Hoop De Do Review-they acknowledge anniversaries and birthdays.

50 Year Anniversary-that is something to celebrate!!

Thanks for the ideas -esp. restaurants near the fireworks. We've done Hoop de Doo before - great fun - and DS was chosen to be up on stage - so cute!

You're right, Andrew, about the late date ressies; my BIL's best man is a restaurant mgr at WDW, so maybe...if I really really really need a ressie...would I dare ask?

OOPS...This is PoohJen!!! Didn't realize it was under DS's log in! Doh!

 

[Melcatfish]

Hello all!

Izzy is at nursery all day today which is a rarity when I am not working but she has sports day this afternoon so I added the afternoon session on to her schedule so she didn't miss it! Olivia is having her nap so I am taking the time to enjoy my lunch and browse the boards!

I am loving all the questions, it is getting me in the cruise mood each day to think about it all! So here are a few more...

1) I know there are HUNDREDS of "best tips and secrets" in threads on the Dis boards but I want to know what each of you think is the ONE best tip for the cruise (or if you are a first time cruiser which tip you have read that sounds most useful \ good to know

2) If it was all paid for you which DCL itinerary past, present or future would you like to sail on?

3) If you were in charge of DCL which route that they have NEVER sailed would you like to see as a new cruise?

4) If you could pick ONE stateroom gift (excluding photo packages and spa things) as a freebie for this cruise what would you pick.

5)Are you doing anything special to prepare for this cruise?
Mel
x

 

[Melcatfish]

and here are my answers:

1) I know there are HUNDREDS of "best tips and secrets" in threads on the Dis boards but I want to know what each of you think is the ONE best tip for the cruise (or if you are a first time cruiser which tip you have read that sounds most useful \ good to know

The one I am going to try this time is getting to port early with swimming things in carry to swim before the pool gets crowded.

2) If it was all paid for you which DCL itinerary past, present or future would you like to sail on?

I would love to have done lots but the one that broke my heart to miss is next summers Baltic. DH is looking forward to this cruise but he is not as Disney mad as the rest of us and I know had it been within price range he would have been very happy to go on the Baltic cruise as they are all places he really wants to go.

3) If you were in charge of DCL which route that they have NEVER sailed would you like to see as a new cruise?

Well I would love to do Alaska one day with DCL but also I have always had a hankering to do the old fashioned transatlantic ocean liner voyage from Southampton into New York so that would really float my boat too!

4) If you could pick ONE stateroom gift (excluding photo packages and spa things) as a freebie for this cruise what would you pick.

Chocolate covered strawberries and whatever they come with. If I could order those on their own I would definitely have them!

5)Are you doing anything special to prepare for this cruise?

I started out at New Year saying I wanted to lose a stone (14lb) before the trip to Florida, I beat that and am up to 23lb loss so far which I am VERY happy with

Of course as well in the preparations have been the fish exchange gifts which I have not done before and which is great fun

Mel
x

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

Thanks for the ideas -esp. restaurants near the fireworks. We've done Hoop de Doo before - great fun - and DS was chosen to be up on stage - so cute!

You're right, Andrew, about the late date ressies; my BIL's best man is a restaurant mgr at WDW, so maybe...if I really really really need a ressie...would I dare ask?

OOPS...This is PoohJen!!! Didn't realize it was under DS's log in! Doh!

You could also try to get ADR for the Polynesiam LUAU at the Poly , my friend could book for a family of 4 yesterday !!!!
Imho the later seating is the best !! it could be a nice way to celebrate : CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!

laura

Ciao , laura

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

1) I know there are HUNDREDS of "best tips and secrets" in threads on the Dis boards but I want to know what each of you think is the ONE best tip for the cruise (or if you are a first time cruiser which tip you have read that sounds most useful \ good to know

We get free beverages from the beverage station / and keep one or two in the mini fridge TOGETHER with those giant COOKIES DCL puts on a little table aside the station.

2) If it was all paid for you which DCL itinerary past, present or future would you like to sail on?
We wanted so much to do a BALTIC cruise - but cannot due to DGH job , those dates cannot fit in ...his work schedule !!!

3) If you were in charge of DCL which route that they have NEVER sailed would you like to see as a new cruise?
Definitely a cruise to Hawaii islands !! Disney is already building a mega resorts there !!!

4) If you could pick ONE stateroom gift (excluding photo packages and spa things) as a freebie for this cruise what would you pick.
I always love DCL decorations , such as BON VOYAGE or HAPPY BIRTHDAY !! It's lovely when you open your cabin door and find that someone has ordered decorations for the trip !! you enjoy them all cruise long ; I have brought home a couple of those ... nice memories !!!

5)Are you doing anything special to prepare for this cruise?
It's our FIRST FE thing and I love it !! I'm also doing some exercises at home each day ... I come from a very rough year of heavy treatment for big health issues [now everything is over and I want to celebrate !!!!) ... so I wish to feel "new" for this ( long dreamed for) cruise !!!

Loved the questions !!!!!!!!!!!! laura

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

So Bruce and I are going to go out for Italian food and then out to a movie....YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW !! I'm so glad that Hanna is better !!!
It's lovely that you can go out for dinner !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ITALIAN food ???? Where are you going to eat ???

HAVE FUN !!!!!!!!!!!! laura