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

[allardk46]

Hi Everyone. Just checking in. We went to my MIL's cottage for the week. It is on Lake Ontario. We did some boating, jet skiing but the weather was not that great. So the girls and I went shopping for the cruise. We have all the formal dresses, shoes and some outfits. We are getting sooo excited. -

The girls and I also started making some things for our door. We are having fun and with less the 6 weeks left _ YEAH!!!!!

 

[allforpooh]

OK over planning mode here, but has anyone thought about alternative ports?

We are travelling in peak hurricane season, and so there is an increased chance of being diverted for safety reasons to alternative ports in the advent of an hurricane in the Eastern itinerary way.

Whilst overall the occurrences are very low, in 2005 we sailed through the back end of a hurricane in Mexico, and last year, we diverted course a bit for our last two days due to a hurricane just passing through the Caribbean.

Now I presume if we changed route the most likely thing would be swapping to a Western route, with Cayman and Cozumel, but there is the chance of Nassau.

Anyone have contingency plans on what you would do there if we had to change route?

When we went in 2004 the Cayman Islands was hit pretty bad, so the port was changed to Costa Maya...the only draw back to this change was we ended up arriving in San Juan late in the day instead of early and left at midnight. Since we were not comfortable walking around San Juan late at night we didn't get to see much of that port.

I guess we would just go with the flow if that happened again....

Denise

 

[caitlinsdad]

We were lucky on our 2006 Aug Douple dip cruise, but I agree no to Costa Mayo, sad excuse for a port. We would stay on the ship if that is one of the alt ports.

We had fun in cozumel and would go there again. or better yet 2 stops at Castaway Cay would be nice

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

Whose looked over the new menu,s?

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2214851

What do you think? what do you want to try or have? What do you want to avoid.

WOW !! I love to dream about the menu we'll sample !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DGH will love fajiitas and everything which mixes "sweet" with "salted" !! He is a PASTA GUY though - and I really hope that Disney has trained his chefs to PROPERLY cook pasta !!! We had some pasta dishes on past cruises that were not much different from a good WARM GLUE !!! HAHAHA , those Italian people !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Myself I love any kind of fish /seafood !!! The second half of an Italian couple !!!!!!!!!

I feel sorry for those who don't like fish - or suffer from allergy ...

BUT I know that , EVERY MEAL - IN EVERY RESTAURANT !!- you can always get a good plain steak or chicken ... even if it's NOT written on the menu !!

and , SORRY AGAIN !!!!!!!!, I DO love mushrooms !! In Italy FRESH mushrooms nowadays are difficult to purchase ... and very pricey !! but to me ... a fresh mushroom as big as a steak IS HEAVEN !!!!

Cannot find many desserts that appeal to me !! I'll ask for the old "Mickey bar" from the kids menu !!!
This time have to try some icecream ...


laura

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

We were lucky on our 2006 Aug Douple dip cruise, but I agree no to Costa Mayo, sad excuse for a port. We would stay on the ship if that is one of the alt ports.

We had fun in cozumel and would go there again. or better yet 2 stops at Castaway Cay would be nice

OMG !!! WE cruised the day after hurricane Charlie ...the cruise was fun anyway ... but embarkation was a bit of a problem and we visited ONLY ports where we had already been !!!
It was fun though - as we were with lovely old friends ...

I don't like to think about hurricanes and rough seas ...
I am a person who , seeing a storm , would say : Maybe we get some rain !!!

SOOOOO HOPE that we can visit Tortola , as we never did !!!

NO WAY ?? that we could end visiting NEW ports in case of rough sea ?? I mean NEW ports , not the old Cozumel, St Marteen, Nassau ...

laura

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

Today is my last day at school on my contracted hours but I am doing a days supply teaching tomorrow and then I am done for the summer! Woo hoo! DH finishes on Friday as well. It is an early break up for us in the UK this year, usually there would be one more week left.

Have a great week
Mel
x

WOW !! GLAD you can enjoy Summer from now on !!

I'm going to school one more day ( or two) this week , to talk to my head teacher about my teaching position - we have new regulation in Italy re teaching hours ...

Apart from that

I should be on holiday ............ until September 3rd !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

laura

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

Tried it but did not seem to recognize my DCL reservation number ?

SAME WITH US !!!!

I so wish to know my cabin # ............ but DCL site , when I click "RETRIEVE RESERVATION" .............. keeps saying only
GUARANTEED !!!!!!!!

Should I call our TA ?? or just ... be good and WAIT !!???!!!

laura

 

[allardk46]

I have a few questions that I hope a few of you can help with.

1) This is our first DCL and we are making FE gifts. We are keeping them simple but you all are making me quite nervous - what is the norm?

2) Does anyone know of a thread that shows examples of decorated doors on the ships? My DD's and I are making some decorations but wanted to get more ideas. (Jen - thanks for the tip on clear contact paper - works great as does rolls of magnetic paper)

3) For those that are shipping things a head of time - do you have the address? When should everything be sent to the port by? Is there a size limit?


Thanks for the help with any of these - Janeanne

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I'm trying to remain optimistic that our route will remain as is and any hurricanes will stay away for the week. I made the mistake of voicing this same concern out loud in front of the kids and now they are paranoid about water getting in our room since we're on deck 1.

I did purchase the Passporter just in case. If we went to Cozumel instead I would love to try ziplining, but our friends would NOT be interested in joining us for that. They are more beach people. The biggest disappointment for us if we had a new route would be losing the charter catamaran snorkeling in Tortola. I was going to start reading trip reports and making notes "just in case". I would hope to avoid Costa Maya-we did that in November 2005 and hated it. I'd probably stay on the boat at that point.

If it were Nassau...we've been going to Atlantis every Febrauary for the past 4 years so we wouldn't head there. I read one report where the family went to Cable Beach which seemed like an option. They also have a Segway tour there that I wouldn't mind taking, but the kids wouldn't be able to participate.

Fingers crossed for smooth seas.

My only planning in case of hurricane involved getting travel insurance.

it would be disappointing to miss BVI or castaway cay. We missed the second castaway cay stop on the special 5-night magic cruise on 9/1/2009, and just sat out at sea somewhere off of miami. the only other time we were affected by weather was that same 2005 PC eastbound. I suppose we have been pretty lucky compared to other reports I read on the dis.

We are going to miss the outfit! It was really fun having everyone match...the good news is that I have found 2 other matching outfits!!!



I haven't gotten my paint yet! I hope it comes soon because I would LOVE to paint the dresser in my entry!



Yea Mel! I bet you feel good being done with your teaching - great that you will be able to enjoy the summer now!!!



I hate to even think that we could possibly have bad weather!!! We are just going to think HAPPY THOUGHTS and know that we are going to do everything we planned.

Finally took a few moments to go through all the menus...sounds like many of us are in agreement...way too many mushrooms! I also think there is even a bit too much seafood. While I do like a bit of seafood, I think that there are too many there. Keeping in mind that many people cannot eat seafood, I would have liked to have seen a good steak dinner here and there.

I know we will not go hungry but right now I don't feel like there are LOTS of things that stand out to me. There are things here and there that look good but few that look great to me.

This is exactly waht happend to us on our August 2006 cruise, we were supposed to be on a Western Carribean cruise, but Hurricane Ernesto was headed to all the same islands about a day or two before we where so our cruise changed to an Eastern and we have done that itinerary ever since. While it is a bummer when it happens it really isn't the worst thing. You still have a great cruise, your ports of calls are just different. I would say the worst part were the lines for the shore excursion desk as soon as you boarded. You literally had an entire ship trying to rebook shores excursions all at the same time. Disney did however do a great job by having the shore excursion sheets all printed out and then they handed them out to everyone in line. So there was no need to figure out what you wanted to do before you got into line.

When we went in 2004 the Cayman Islands was hit pretty bad, so the port was changed to Costa Maya...the only draw back to this change was we ended up arriving in San Juan late in the day instead of early and left at midnight. Since we were not comfortable walking around San Juan late at night we didn't get to see much of that port.

I guess we would just go with the flow if that happened again....

Denise

Yes its a fact of life and the weather that we are sailing at an ''increased'' chance of bad weather so swaps of ports must be considered, but hopfuly not needed. As posted before I have missed a port once and also had route changes, but lets hope we have sunny weather.

SAME WITH US !!!!

I so wish to know my cabin # ............ but DCL site , when I click "RETRIEVE RESERVATION" .............. keeps saying only
GUARANTEED !!!!!!!!

Should I call our TA ?? or just ... be good and WAIT !!???!!!

laura

Don't call TA, although I am aware of people nagging TA or DCL and getting it, but i don't condone it as it will get assigned, the norm is and always has been most ie the peak of assignments is 35 days not 30 days as reported on the main forum. They say its 30 days but recently getting earlier, its always been 35 days.

But people do cancel cruises all the time and DCL know that so on odd occasions they wait a bit longer to assign, i am aware of people getting GTY Tickets and find out at port.

Keep keeping your reservation on the DCL website it can happy any time of any day, just pop up no fanfare just there.

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

i am aware of people getting GTY Tickets and find out at port.

Andrew , I SO hope this is not our case !!!
I don't care as much about my cabin # itself ...

BUT I am on the FE list !!!!! and also we are waiting to know our # to link up tables at dinner with Bev ...

If we don't get our # ...

laura

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Andrew , I SO hope this is not our case !!!
I don't care as much about my cabin # itself ...

BUT I am on the FE list !!!!! and also we are waiting to know our # to link up tables at dinner with Bev ...

If we don't get our # ...

laura

For dinner and linking ressies you do not need your stateroom number just your ressie number, so you can do that now, I personally expect about 95% sure you will get a stateroom number this week, in fact any time now.

The issue as you say is inconvenience on FE exchange good luck, i feel an upgrade coming on!

 

[gfolchick]

Kristen-THANK YOU!!! I can't wait to go shopping.

Allards-We're new to the whole FE too. I've made some items and bought some. I know that doesn't help much. I've spent a lot of time perusing threads that have pictures of items received to get an ideas. There is a mix of handmade, party favors (beach or pirate), and hometown. No one here has given any indication of what they have planned; it's just fun to participate and come back to goodies no matter how big or small they are.

I will say that I wanted to do some candy, including I like to give candy to staff members, and I'm trying to figure out how to keep it from melting from boarding time until we can get in the room. My latest thought is that I will bring a small cooler bag. I can put the candy in there with a zip lock and once onboard go to the beverage station for some ice to keep it chilled until we can get into the rooms. I also have chocolate coins for DS who is allergic to milk and all nuts so I need to try to keep them from melting at various times before the cruise-like on arrival into Orlando (we're staying offsite and can't get into rooms until 4pm and we land at 10 am), then again on Friday when we check out of timeshare and head to Cape Canaveral for the day-luggage will again be in the car.

 

[jenanderson]

Hi Everyone. Just checking in. We went to my MIL's cottage for the week. It is on Lake Ontario. We did some boating, jet skiing but the weather was not that great. So the girls and I went shopping for the cruise. We have all the formal dresses, shoes and some outfits. We are getting sooo excited. -

The girls and I also started making some things for our door. We are having fun and with less the 6 weeks left _ YEAH!!!!!

Sounds like you guys had a great time! Isn't it fun to get all the important things you need for the cruise???

We are almost done with the clothing part of it...just need a couple little things for everyone and we should be good!

WOW !! I love to dream about the menu we'll sample !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

laura

Laura - I love to dream about the menus too! I actually copied all the photos of the menus and put them into one file, printed it out and continue to dream about the food!!! I have circled some dishes, put question marks by other, crossed some out and I am sure in the end...even with all my planning...I will still study the menu when I get on the ship and order something completely different!!!

I so wish to know my cabin # ............ but DCL site , when I click "RETRIEVE RESERVATION" .............. keeps saying only
GUARANTEED !!!!!!!!

laura

No cabin number here either!!! What category are you waiting on? I wonder if we can figure out if some categories have been assigned their GTY and what categories are still waiting.

I have a few questions that I hope a few of you can help with.

1) This is our first DCL and we are making FE gifts. We are keeping them simple but you all are making me quite nervous - what is the norm?

Do not get nervous...there is a huge range of different gifts people get and give. My first cruise we just did little trinkets and it was fine. This cruise I have done something totally different because I had the time to do it. It is not going to matter because the FE is so much more about the excitement of just finding the gifts there when you come back to your room.

2) Does anyone know of a thread that shows examples of decorated doors on the ships? My DD's and I are making some decorations but wanted to get more ideas. (Jen - thanks for the tip on clear contact paper - works great as does rolls of magnetic paper)

Glad the contact paper and magnets are working for you! I know that there are photos out there that show decorated doors but I haven't looked for them for you yet...I will try to post photos of our door from our last cruise a bit later!

3) For those that are shipping things a head of time - do you have the address? When should everything be sent to the port by? Is there a size limit?

There are very specific directions about this if you look on the FAQ thread on the main cruise page. I will be sending my box BY Friday of this week!

Thanks for the help with any of these - Janeanne

Andrew , I SO hope this is not our case !!!
I don't care as much about my cabin # itself ...

BUT I am on the FE list !!!!! and also we are waiting to know our # to link up tables at dinner with Bev ...

If we don't get our # ...

laura

Laura - There are a bunch of us waiting on our cabin number who are a part of the FE. I am just keeping my fingers crossed that we all get them soon! Here is some extra pixie dust for us all!!!! I know that we will hear soon!

 

[bbaltes]

RE: Cabin numbers. I just did my online checkin yesterday, and my cabin number showed up on my documents... check it out...

Ben

 

[jbm02]

I have a few questions that I hope a few of you can help with.

1) This is our first DCL and we are making FE gifts. We are keeping them simple but you all are making me quite nervous - what is the norm?

2) Does anyone know of a thread that shows examples of decorated doors on the ships? My DD's and I are making some decorations but wanted to get more ideas. (Jen - thanks for the tip on clear contact paper - works great as does rolls of magnetic paper)

3) For those that are shipping things a head of time - do you have the address? When should everything be sent to the port by? Is there a size limit?


Thanks for the help with any of these - Janeanne

Hi Janeanne
This is our first time doing the FE too. I'm nervous too. I hope that our stuff doesn't seem too amateurish compared to those who have done this before...!!
I've seen posts of doors but can't figure out the search function to find them again!! Duh. I have our magnets saved but haven't printed them out yet... Jen, can you send again how you did your magnets with contact paper??? (once again, seraching through old posts and can't find it!! Grrr)

This time next month will be the night before the cruise!! WOOOHOOOO Who else will be hanging out at the Radisson pool (and laundry room?LOL)????



As for alternate schedules, nope, never even thought about it! We just have our fingers crossed that we'll have great weather and everything will turn out fine. If not, it will just be an adventure that we'll never forget, right?! Seriously, this is our first vacation in 3 years. While we are looking forward to the scheduled ports, we're really most looking forward to having fun together and relaxing!!

For those who are still in GTY status, my fingers are crossed that it means you're on the "gonna get an upgrade" list!!

We just got home from tae kwon do - still have dinner to make and then lunches for camp tomorrow!
Have a great night everyone
Jude

 

[gfolchick]

This time next month will be the night before the cruise!! WOOOHOOOO Who else will be hanging out at the Radisson pool (and laundry room?LOL)????
Jude

We'll be at the Radisson on Friday night. My plan is to hang out by the pool after visiting Cape Canaveral for the day. Maybe bring pizza from next door (Kelsie's) and have a cocktail. I will also need to make a run to grocery store or WalMart/Walgreens for some last minute items. The kids may want to go visit the go carts and mini golf at RaceTraxx, about a block walk away.

 

[jenanderson]

RE: Cabin numbers. I just did my online checkin yesterday, and my cabin number showed up on my documents... check it out...

Ben

Hello Ben!

Could you please send me your cabin # so that I can update our FE list? Where did your cabin number show up? I have tried retrieving my reservation to do my online documents but no cabin # shows up. When I go to my reservation, it still does not give me a cabin #. Also, what category did you book a GTY? I am trying to figure out what categories have been assigned.

Also, I sent you a PM about the lanyards...check it out and let me know when you want to get your lanyards.

Thanks and we will see you soon!!!
Jen

 

[uncw89]

Hi Janeanne
This is our first time doing the FE too. I'm nervous too. I hope that our stuff doesn't seem too amateurish compared to those who have done this before...!!
I've seen posts of doors but can't figure out the search function to find them again!! Duh. I have our magnets saved but haven't printed them out yet... Jen, can you send again how you did your magnets with contact paper??? (once again, seraching through old posts and can't find it!! Grrr) I was looking for this earlier today as well!This time next month will be the night before the cruise!! WOOOHOOOO Who else will be hanging out at the Radisson pool (and laundry room?LOL)????



As for alternate schedules, nope, never even thought about it! We just have our fingers crossed that we'll have great weather and everything will turn out fine. If not, it will just be an adventure that we'll never forget, right?! Seriously, this is our first vacation in 3 years. While we are looking forward to the scheduled ports, we're really most looking forward to having fun together and relaxing!!

For those who are still in GTY status, my fingers are crossed that it means you're on the "gonna get an upgrade" list!!

We just got home from tae kwon do - still have dinner to make and then lunches for camp tomorrow!
Have a great night everyone
Jude

Hi! This is our first time doing the FE as well. I hope my gifts are OK. I also hope I don't duplicate anyone's gifts!

We will also be at the Radisson the night before. One month from today!!!

 

[princessh]

Hi eveyone!!! We will be staying at the Radisson the night before too. Kristin will also be there. It is going to be a busy place!!! We are going to dinner with Kristin and her family at Grills

Still no docs here. Hope they arrive soon!!!!

 

[tiqr]

Help I messed up.....

I am scheduled for Wednesday morning to distribute our exchange, but I have a schedule conflict. Is anyone able to trade Sun, Mon or Tues FOR Wednesday - with me?

I would be most grateful if someone is able to switch days with me. (Jen - I didnt want to put this on you - and I wasnt sure of the email distribution so I am sending it out to everyone on the boards.....)

We are getting closer!!!!!!