8/17/08 Captain Jack's Repossession Repo Cruise to PC thru TPC Part 16

[captaincrash]

Tom, it sounds...........................................like an adventure. Have a great time!

Now you KNOW I'll have pictures to share when I git back come monday (or tuesday)! As for the adventure... yeah... the places we stayed at in the past two years were well below our minimum standards. However, we're driven to sort through the lowest priced places for giggles.

Well... I'll tell ya now... the scariest place we tried was a DIRT CHEAP place called the Hermosa. The rate was something like $70 or $80 for a room with beds sleeping the bunch of us. At the time we had previously styed at the Metropole for $345 + 12% room tax = $379 a nite. At those kind of prices we could take our pick of Ritz Carltons or 4 Seasons landmarks. And trust me - the Metropole was NO COMPARISON otherwise to a 5 star or 4 diamond property. So - driven by a desire to minimize the deepness of the gouging we were exposing ourselves to - we started trying these other properties.

It was more or less random which properties accepted single nite stays first. And it varies every year.... as the hotel we got this year used to always be sold out solid - but we snapped it up at a pretty good price. Frankly, even without the amenities of other properties they could have charged us a LOT more for two rooms. Of course.... I might be singing a different song as Esteri has warned - cheap sleeps like ours have been known to be cheap for a reason. Not withstanding the paint stripping POWER shower warnings.

Anyways - to be clear - we're not staying 3 nites aswe used to be required... inorder to secure a reservation at th Metropole - and we're dodging friday traffic and another nite of hotel by going for saturday nite only. Frankly, our way IMO is the smartest way of enjoying the most jazz at the lowest price while minimizing the number of hitch-hiking roaches. My spouse is fastidious about searching our bags when unpacking to ensure nothing uninvited returns home with us from ANY trip. Even to the "nice" hotels. We once saw something on 20-20 or 60 minutes which spoke of how the 4 and 5 star hotels had bed bugs and other unusual parasites because there was an eclectic international patronage. Which - in general surprised us. It was enough to make a case for buying a motor home to travel instead of doing any hotel room anywhere. Yeah... AS-IF Americans were any "better" at resisting bugs n' parasites then anyone else inthe world... <snif>

bed bug found above - and bed bug bites below

OK... anyone a jazz fan? ... his weekend the line up we're attending includes =

Saxaphonist Jackiem Joyner

Guitarist/Singer Ray Parker Jr.
Mr. Ghostbusters

Danish Saxophonist Michael Lington

Guitarist Lee Ritenour with Extra Special Guest Patrice Rushen

British Keyboardist Oli Silk

Saxaphonist Marion Meadows

and maybe we'll stay for the following ... and maybe not...

Debut Saxaphonist Jesse Jay

JAZZ ATTACK
with
Richard Elliot,
Peter White & Rick Braun

oh.... here are two curious CONTRASTING descriptions of the hotel we;re about to stay at on Catalina... no drinking anything while reading as I'll not be responsible for any cleaning bills from liquids choked up while you're laughing or hospital bills from a serious chocking incident.​

I really wished that I had known about this web site before I stayed at this horrible place. I really wished I had taken pictures of the rooms so I could have posted them. Our first night was in room 1. It looked like at one point someone tried to renovate the closet. You could look up to the rafters and stuff was falling into the closet. The room was down the hallway, so it was very dark and the only fresh air you could get was from the bathroom window. The room smelled bad as well. I really didn't want to take a shower; the bathroom was horrible. We asked for a change of room. We were then sent to room 4. The only positive about this room was it had sunshine. Plenty of sun because the blinds were broken and you couldn't shut them. Paint was peeling off the walls and please don't open the door on the bathroom vanity if you have a weak heart. When you open the door to leave, you had to look a broken TV's and washing machines along with various other trash. The owners should be ashamed to rent rooms and not put money back into the place. If they did, it would have great potential. It is pretty bad to have a hotel room and do everything in your power to stay out as late as you could so you didn't have to go back to the room. I will never go back.

This TripAdvisor Member:
Liked: When I gave my key back to the front dest
Disliked: It was dirty and horrible

...and THIS review....​

We have stayed here ... several times in the past and the experience has varied. The old place has a great, old town personality and when you get a good room, you end up with a great experience. During or prior stay we began to notice the place was becoming quite run down and in need of some major cleaning and repairs. We decided to stay here one more time and see how things were coming along and GREAT NEWS! Beginning on April 1st 2007 the place came under new management. They have cleaned up the entire property beyond belief. Now, don't get me wrong, this is an old property and all but the suites are very basic with NO TVS OR PHONES. This is what a get away is all about however, so we found it a major plus. The old charm of Avalon still lives here unlike most of the newer properties in town that are no different than staying in Los Angeles for the most part. The little bar and grill downstairs is a locals hangout and it was very entertaining to mingle with them including Spencer Davis who is known to come by and play a few tunes from time to time. There is also a nightclub attached to the downstairs bar and grill where they will feature entertainment on the weekends as soon as it gets remodeled and a new sound and lighting system installed. The new manager is a local musician and promises to bring the true musical flavor of the island to this little room. The local sound company owner who we talked to as he was doing the installation of the new system told us that the room should be complete by early May and will be the nicest and best equipped room in Avalon for music, DJ or other events. The system is said to be the most up to date of any in Avalon and very high quality while not taking away from the old-town, Avalon feeling of the property. Because the building is very old and the walls are the old style Avalon (very thin) type, don’t plan on going to bed early on the weekends as the hotel will be rockin and’a rollin till 11 or 12pm on those nights but hey, this is why we come to Avalon. This creates a great venue to mingle with the locals and other Avalon nightlife and we’re sure this will be a whole lot of fun come our next visit. We look forward to summing back in the summer for an extended stay!
And to the new managers Rodger and Kathy, thanx a bunch for the great job of cleaning up our favorite little place in Avalon!
LONG LIVE THE REAL FLAVOR OF AVALON

Below is a scathing review from May of 2006:​

We took our high school senior class of about fifty kids and their chaperones to spend a night at the Hotel. We booked the entire hotel for a Monday night. When we arrived, the rooms were not cleaned, and the management said that they could not accomodate all the people, that most would have to sleep on the floor. To add, there were no pillows, sheets, or blankets for most. Most of the girls were disgusted and checked into another hotel, freeing up space for the boys. The rooms were terrible. This place must have been really something fifty years ago, but it was obvious little or no maintenance has been done in the last quarter century or so. My room (#5) had a constant loud droning sound that I thought came from the washer/dryer just outside my door, but I discovered the noise came from some other mechanical source that made sleeping impossible! I joked that they could conduct a CSI training lab in most rooms since "mystery fluids" were everywhere. Sick! Holes in the carpets. Lack of working curtains and blinds that compromised privacy. Managers smoking by the rooms with the smoke wafting inside. Room lights not working. Broken furniture. I am confident that the Catherine lures people to book by making the web site pictures look attractive. The place does look good from fifty yards away. But I know that they would rarely get repeat customers. Their MO must be to conduct business with first time/only time travelers. Cross this place off my list.

So maybe we'll reconsider out hotel options tomorrow....
< sober chuckles followed by an abrupt clearing of the throat >​

 

[LITTLEKID58]

GM

Presently 72 going up to 92 here in Sunny Central Florida

and prayers to everyone who is going to need it today

aboard to all the newbies

Have a great Thursday

 

[sk8ingmom]

If ya think the posting thread is a frenzy .... try chat! It's like a cruise meet thread on CRACK cocaine & Stoli Vodka. Seriously... it's entertaining and a content rich web conversation "cocktail party" style squeezed into a short span of time.

Here I thought Margarita was the official chat beverage.

Note to self: buy vodka




and crack.

 

[goofyforlife]

I got yelled at on the main cruise board for this, but I would have no interest in cruising on Magic to Alaska, at least not in its current configuration.

I totally agree with you. I sailed on a Wonder 4 day in Dec 04 and it was pretty breezy and chilly on our sea day and all the inside events/activities were mobbed and the theatre was too filled to seat everyone for movies.... It was a madhouse inside.

Here I thought Margarita was the official chat beverage.
Note to self: buy vodka
and crack.

Hmm your dh does work close to some neighborborhoods that could easily accomodate both purchases....

But i thought RUM was a pirates drink of choice.... GO RUM RUNNERS!!!!

 

[captaincrash]

Here I thought Margarita was the official chat beverage.

Note to self: buy vodka

and crack.

<edited>​

Hmm your dh does work close to some neighborborhoods that could easily accomodate both purchases....

But i thought RUM was a pirates drink of choice.... GO RUM RUNNERS!!!!

I've gone back to edit out the offending VODKA entry in favor of RUM Z& Krispy Kremes!​

Kathleen & Family....

May I add my voice in welcoming your family to our gang of pirates, swabbies and wenches (plus the young'ns).

<edited>​

. If ya think the posting thread is a frenzy .... try chat! It's like a cruise meet thread on Krispy Kremes & RUM. Seriously... it's entertaining and a content rich web conversation "cocktail party" style squeezed into a short span of time.

!

 

[captaincrash]

ed.




That's a GREAT description of chat, Tom. Thanks for the Laugh.

 

[arlenesp]

Did anyone else get e.mails saying its not ALASKA in 2009 and they have got it wrong?

Got the same one.

Why would another TA be someone "in the know"? I heard the rumors of Alaska from a high-ranking officer at DCL last week, someone who was correct about the first PC cruise, even told me which month to plan my trip to DL so I could go to DL and on the Magic. I had also heard the Caribbean from others at DCL because guests wanted the 7 night summer sailings. Since the rumor is that the Wonder will be doing 7 night cruises too, I tend to believe in Alaska for the Magic.

My point was simply that they are all rumors. I choose to believe in the Alaska one based on my experiences, but they are all rumors.

This topic of Alaska has been brought up over and over again.I have heard the pros and cons. I tend to agree with M that the ships just aren't built with Alaska in mind. The ships just don't have the space inside to accomodate so many people.

As for the longer cruises in the Caribbean, if they send the Magic again somewhere else in 2009 they really need to look into throwing some longer trips with the Wonder. 3 summers in a row without the 7days will just cause alot of dissent. I remember a heated thread in Jan when Roger "leaked" the secret. I never thought about all those cruisers that only have the time in the summer to take advantage of the 7day cruises.
Not in the least interested in a Hong Kong itinerary. I just we will just have to wait and see.

 

[Downrivermama]

Morning all!

So I've seen High School Musical a few too many times.
I went to a new aerobics class at the gym tonight - some funky mix of latin, belly dance and club. Anyway, the instructor didn't call it by its real name, but we did jazz squares. In the midst of sweating and trying to follow choreography all I could think was, "Who doesn't love a good jazz square?"

Yes, I was the crazy woman laughing in the back of class tonight.
Sometimes I just crack myself up.

I think that is funny! Of course I need a 12 step HSM program!

Last night at the PTO meeting I was asking for reimbursement for the postage I paid to send off Box Tops 4 Education. I made a comment that I felt it was important for the PTO to pay because we are all in this together! The VP said are we going to break out in song and I said sure,"Wild Cats in the House!" And I started waving my arms. DD was mortified. Mission accomplished!

Okay Tina, how many trips did or are planning for WDW this year??????You are making me very jealous.

Well, we did a couple of days before our cruise in Feb. I wanted to stay on the coast and go to Kennedy Space Center, but dd wanted to go. Than a long weekend in July and now in 2 weeks. One of my fellow PTO officers is going next Thurs, which is weird because our school has a break starting Oct 25-31?

For next year the week of April 28th and than DLH in Aug before the TOAL. I still have some points left too! I'm wondering , do they put something in the water?

You know I think I need a 12 step program for Disney too!

Stace hope everything goes well today.

Roger so you are the rabble rouser!

 

[Downrivermama]

Tom, there was a guy on QVC hawking his home remedy book. He said dryer sheets between the mattress and mattress pad would get rid of bed bugs, because they don't like the chemicals in the sheets. And he said to put double sided tape around the outside of the mattress and it would trap them when they flee.

OK, I need a QVC 12 step program too! But I didn't buy the book.

 

[jhryb]

I just spent the past 1.5 hours trying to get caught up again (lesson learned). I felt like I was reading a good drama when I read that "Big News will be announced on Tue Oct 9th". I continued to read anxiously until I discovered that the announcement had to do with DCL going to Alaska and Hong Kong. Now it seems that some are suspicious that the news could be incorrect...What will happen next?
Right now I can't think beyond the PC. Maybe just Maybe my family will enjoy the cruise so much that they will agree to Alaska????
Yesterday I booked our flights from Toronto to LAX on AA. Today I booked our flights from MCO to Toronto on WestJet. I am thrilled that the combined price of both flights came to only $2200 for the 4 of us. I actually expected to pay more.
Now I better get back to work

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

You are right Andrew. I think Disney exactly knows how to get free publicity and hype for free!!! I think the Big Piece of Cheese over the Mouse knows for sure!!!

Whilst not 'discounting the Dis podcast and its firm hints, yesterday, I posted there is a growing 'swell' that it is NOT Alaska in 2009, and even not the Med, but actually longer Caribbean cruises to the south of the Caribbean, maybe like the 10/11 day Wonder ones a year back.

Today there is a post on the main cruise forum from a cruiser on the Wonder saying the Magic is staying closer to home, and not the Med, this ties in, it points to the Caribbean now.

 

[allshookup]

Just join in, we are a pretty fun bunch......of course that is just my opinion

Mine too!

[SARCASM] Now DCL would never float competing rumors with different sources to create a frenzy so that when booking opens on January 31, their phones and computer systems will crash, the ships will be overbooked and a ton of free publicity will be had [/SARCASM]

Nah!

I haven't gotten any

I never get any!

Just contact your travel agent and ask, some are taking wait lists.

In the Med, Captain said Alaska was 'too cold'' and he hinted Northern Europe.
He also said about the MED, We will be back.


I think they do like to play a bit however at this stage they are likely to have firm plans for 2009 and wouldn't be able to change them, I bet they are costing them and working out prices and contacting food and shore excursion operators.

Before the Med cruises do you remember the DCL website it had a daily contest with clues where it was going, some were real many were red herrings.

I think they love to play.

I however in my opinion is narrowed now to three;-

1/ Caribbean-longer trips to the south.
2/ Northern Europe
3/ Alaska.

I wish they would do NY to Bermuda, but I'm sure I'm in the minority with that one!

Kathleen & Family....

May I add my voice in welcoming your family to our gang of pirates, swabbies and wenches (plus the young'ns). We have berths and needs a pleanty fer more hands on board! Plus - the low roar of chucklin's not quite LOUD enuf yet - so welcome, Welcome, WELCOME aboard! May I be among the first to welcome you back to California come August!....

I've slowed down a bit myself - but am keeping up fer the most part (playing ketchup more than posting). The posting pace now is fairly relaxing - so it's a good time to step forwad to say hello! AND... it's a nice time to toss in a few more postings as ya get ta know a few folks more directly - or at least join in a few relaxing conversations and exchanges.

I assume you know about the friday nite chat sessions? If you can drop in around 7-8:30PM California time you should see the PEAK of the gathering. Chat is like a weeks' worth of posting in 90 minutes ... minus my images & animations. I don't show until after 8PM on account of AYSO soccer practice til 7:15PM. And chat seems to start a little after 6PM and runs sometimes as late as 11:30PM California time. Just ask SIL who complains we keep him up til 2:30AM in NY some fridays! <chuckles> HOWEVER... that said.... on CHAT ... ya gotta watch for the COLOR of the folks you are trying to address in conversation - plus you might want to select a COLOR for your screen ID so folks chatting directly with you will have an easier time of spotting your comments. If ya think the posting thread is a frenzy .... try chat! It's like a cruise meet thread on Krispy Kremes & RUM. Seriously... it's entertaining and a content rich web conversation "cocktail party" style squeezed into a short span of time.

At any rate.... welcome to the crew! Now - jump to and lets start swabbin' those decks!!!! Haul those lines!!! And start tappin' that keyboard!!!!

OMG you hit the nail on the head!

Nah. I think we were running out of stuff to talk about.

This group?

Hi everyone! Been keeping up, but trying to get stuff done in real life too so not posting much.

I'm excited! Got my DVC membership card last night and confirmation of 2 ressies! The past couple of weeks have been strange so really need something to look forward to! Although we are doing a quickie WDW trip on the 25th!

Stace hope things get better for you.

M love your "tough love" approach!

Hope things become un-strange for you!

Here I thought Margarita was the official chat beverage.

Note to self: buy vodka



and crack.

I've gone back to edit out the offending VODKA entry in favor of RUM Z& Krispy Kremes!​

I like Krispy Kremes & Rum better. I like cake too!

 

[PBader]

Now you KNOW I'll have pictures to share when I git back come monday (or tuesday)! As for the adventure... yeah... the places we stayed at in the past two years were well below our minimum standards. However, we're driven to sort through the lowest priced places for giggles.

So maybe we'll reconsider out hotel options tomorrow....
< sober chuckles followed by an abrupt clearing of the throat >​

Tom I agree sometimes you do get what you pay for. Hope it works out for you all. At least we know where you went in case we don't hear from you for awhile.


They put minimum stays in the hotels around here for Derby. Marriott down the block is usually around 300 or so. Derby time 2400 a night 3 night minimum. So I guess it is all relative.

 

[PBader]

Here I thought Margarita was the official chat beverage.

Note to self: buy vodka




and crack.

Vodka has gotten me into trouble in chat a couple of times. The white russians snuck up on me.

 

[PBader]

Booked my airfare home on the 6th last night.

One more thing off that list of mine (Do you all think it will ever quit growing?)

 

[captaincrash]

Tom I agree sometimes you do get what you pay for. Hope it works out for you all. At least we know where you went in case we don't hear from you for awhile.


They put minimum stays in the hotels around here for Derby. Marriott down the block is usually around 300 or so. Derby time 2400 a night 3 night minimum. So I guess it is all relative.

Well...

... here's the story. After rereading the trip advisor reports for the CATHERINE and several other places similarly priced - I called this morning to cancel and rebook in our wisely choosen alternative. Calling the place I wanted they said they had the room we were interested in at the price as stated. SO - they would even hold it til 5PM with no charge card to allow me time to cancel the other place. How nice, eh?

SO - in calling the Catherine there was no answer at 9:05/9:10AM when they're supposed to start answering. SO I left a message that we were canceling. Later in the morning I redialed while driving = here was a class trip to a punkin patch today... and someone answered at the Catherine... however oddly they answered simply with a hello. Normally a business answers with the name of thier business. So I asked, "is this the Catherine?".... they said "NO". Perplexed I said I was sorry for the misdial and hung up curious. I redialed automatically and got an answering machine stating it was the catherine. I figured something was wrong with the cellular towers in the sticks were I was driving... so I waited til noon when I was home again.

Calling again - the same thing happened. The same agitated lady answered and declared it was not the catherine. I redialed and got the machine stating it was the Catherine. This time I left a 2nd message expalining what was happening - followed it with an email - and called the chamber of commerce seeking guidance and help. They reassured me the conduct at the catherine was not uncommon and they would help me if I filed a complaint - they would see to it the owner got word and that they would back me up that I was cancelling on time.

The other hotel we're staying at has A/C, heat, mini-fridge, a gas BBQ on the patio, cable TV, and half a dozen glowing reviews on Trip Advisor. Plus i'm even getting an email confirmation that I'm INSIDE thier 14 day cancelation period. Shucks.... just take my money seein' as I git all the amenities for a few dollars more. What I am not getting is the 2 bedrooms with queen and 2 singles. I got 2 full sizes which might be a little tight - but I am saving some cash.

Anyways... here's a web shot of where we're going instead...

I just noticed....... $2400 a NITE with a 3 nite minimum! WOW! That's more then what I recall seeing for NYC New Years' rates for the 2000 Times Square thing. I'm astounded with those rates! For the comparable 30 day rate... 2400 x30 = 73,000 a month you could probably rent ANY of those movie star style luxury estates out here in Malibu! Yeah - I see the ads for them at $40 and 50,000 a month and wonder which businesses will be leasing them as summer residences for their CEO's mistress(s)?

Now to book my jet ferry ... but that will have to wait - I'm pickingup the kids now to runover to Disneyland - we're playing hooky to mee Alicia on her way back from San Diego - to keep her company while she waits out traffic at the park! Enroute - I may swing by the ferry pier to pick up reservations. I wanna use a new ferry service but can't find them on the web. This new service is much closer to home for us (shorter drive) then the other services and the boats are catamaran jet boats. TTFN!​

 

[yargrnhoj]

You know I think I need a 12 step program for Disney too!

1) Admit that you are powerless over Mickey Mouse
2) Believe that a power greater than you (Mickey Mouse and Disney parks/cruise line) can restore you to sanity
3) Make a decision to turn your will and your life and your bank account over to the care of Mickey Mouse
4) Make a searching and fearless inventory of all your Disney collectibles
5) Admit that you are always planning a Disney vacation
6) Be ready to have Mickey remove you of all remaining funds in your bank account
7) Humbly ask Mickey for an upgraded room
8) Make a list of all the attractions you must see and all the dinner reservations you must make
9) Make those reservations right at 7AM, 120 days prior to your trip
10) Continue to take personal inventory of your Disney collectibles and admit you need more, much more
11) Seek through the DIS ways to improve your contact with Mickey Mouse, praying for knowledge of how to find that secret porthole room and the power to get out of GTY status
12) Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, send this message to all of your friends who are not yet Disney addicts


Of course, my 12-step program involves the 12 steps from the bus stop to the turnstiles at WDW...

 

[yargrnhoj]

Note to self: buy




and crack.

Well, you did say you wanted to meet some of your neighbors... There ought to be a few more places to find crack in Washington D.C. than Alaska.

Maybe try the Mayor's house.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

1) Admit that you are powerless over Mickey Mouse
2) Believe that a power greater than you (Mickey Mouse and Disney parks/cruise line) can restore you to sanity
3) Make a decision to turn your will and your life and your bank account over to the care of Mickey Mouse
4) Make a searching and fearless inventory of all your Disney collectibles
5) Admit that you are always planning a Disney vacation
6) Be ready to have Mickey remove you of all remaining funds in your bank account
7) Humbly ask Mickey for an upgraded room
8) Make a list of all the attractions you must see and all the dinner reservations you must make
9) Make those reservations right at 7AM, 120 days prior to your trip
10) Continue to take personal inventory of your Disney collectibles and admit you need more, much more
11) Seek through the DIS ways to improve your contact with Mickey Mouse, praying for knowledge of how to find that secret porthole room and the power to get out of GTY status
12) Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, send this message to all of your friends who are not yet Disney addicts


Of course, my 12-step program involves the 12 steps from the bus stop to the turnstiles at WDW...

To keep a sense of reality always remember point 6. -Before you go bankrupt!

 

[PBader]

Well...

... here's the story. After rereading the trip advisor reports for the CATHERINE and several other places similarly priced - I called this morning to cancel and rebook in our wisely choosen alternative. Calling the place I wanted they said they had the room we were interested in at the price as stated. SO - they would even hold it til 5PM with no charge card to allow me time to cancel the other place. How nice, eh?



[CENTER[

Now to book my jet ferry ... but that will have to wait - I'm pickingup the kids now to runover to Disneyland - we're playing hooky to mee Alicia on her way back from San Diego - to keep her company while she waits out traffic at the park! Enroute - I may swing by the ferry pier to pick up reservations. I wanna use a new ferry service but can't find them on the web. This new service is much closer to home for us (shorter drive) then the other services and the boats are catamaran jet boats. TTFN! [/CENTER]

Tom, it looks very nice, even if you may be a little tighter on the space. Enjoy. (BTW, that Catherine place sounds pretty screwy )

Enjoy DL, you make me jealous getting to get a Disney fix so often.