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

[justmestace]

I guess the one thing that does make me question DCL going to Alaska in 2009 IS the fact that the pools aren't covered. Unless, of course, the Magic comes out of drydock in 2008 with covered pools. Then it'd be a dead giveaway. But by then, they will have released the info anyway.

Don't ya just LOVE all the speculation??? Sure makes life more interesting.

 

[captaincrash]

[ed]

Note to self: make friends.

Real-life friends.

People aren't very friendly around here.

Or maybe it's just me.

Oh well.​

As for Amtrak - we had originally planned to drive, so we should get to Orlando at about the time we had planned anyway. I know they are famous for delays, but according to a watchdog type site I found, this particular train has been less than an hour late each day for the last 3 weeks. I'm hoping that middle of the night travel + not changing trains will help the 'on time' situation.

It took us a little while to get to know folks when we first moved in. Eventually we ran into nice folks while walking our dog in the afternoon - and we eventually hung out with some .... beyond the casual waving when you see a familair neighbor across the street.

The TRUTH.... we rely on family 95% of the time... and neighbors and friends just 5% of the time. Of course, to this day when our dog runs away the first places we check are the friends and neighbors where he has stayed! Maybe 10% of the time THAT's where he's camped out!

As for the train thing. I can't understate the pleasure involved with arriving at your destination comfortable and relaxed. Preparing properly for the train ride can serve to maximize the unique strengths. Driving is not only more personal effort (for the driver) but it is also very confining. Plus lets' not neglect that driving is more DANGEROUS then taking a train or commercial airplane. SO - that said - there's a lot to favor taking a scenic and comfortable train ride. If I could swing something like that more often I would too. It;s just the trains have schedules and limited stopping points. It's rarely convenient... and 2nd ... it takes longer to get anywhere. A car is the most conevnient and fastest way to get around. So - until we get Star Trek style transorters or a Dr Who style Tardis for every home... it's probably the car as everyone's first choice for most transportation needs.

Come to think of it - Alicia is down in San Diego tonite for a meeting... and returning tomorrow in the mid-afternoon. I was going to pull our kids out of school early to drive down to Anaheim to meet Alicia for a mid week Disneyland visit. I kno... I'm a Disney NUT... HOWEVER... I think I'll look into train schedules. Maybe I can swing a train ride to Anaheim and skip driving as we don't need two cars down there for the ride home. Alicia can sort of pick us up from the train station if the timing works out an all!? Now.... what is the number for AMTRAK again?

​

 

[Esteri]

Don't ya just LOVE all the speculation??? Sure makes life more interesting.

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

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

It was also suggested to me that I call the various ports where DCL may go. That's how people figured out the ports for the Mexican Riviera next year.

I do know that they read the DISboard and other fan sites. Whether or not they float out rumors to see the reaction, I agree that they really can't change 2009 right now, but they could change 2010 if the reaction isn't as favorable as they wish.

Actually it was me that found out they were coming to LA. Conformation was obtained by call other ports of call. I took a novel approach and searched for agreements with port authorities and got lucky that LA Harbor Commission publishes their actions online. I have been scanning for similar agreements/proposals with ports that have been named as suspected destinations. I have a feeling DCL has made sure this time that there are no leaks or the port authorities that they are dealing with do not publish on the Internet. I think that our discovery last January forced DCL to release their dates earlier than they wanted too. I too think that where ever they are going is pretty firm at this point, with only contracts to finalized. I see more money to be made in Alaska but think that Northern Europe would be a better choice.

 

[winotracy]

Actually it was me that found out they were coming to LA. Conformation was obtained by call other ports of call. I took a novel approach and searched for agreements with port authorities and got lucky that LA Harbor Commission publishes their actions online. I have been scanning for similar agreements/proposals with ports that have been named as suspected destinations. I have a feeling DCL has made sure this time that there are no leaks or the port authorities that they are dealing with do not publish on the Internet. I think that our discovery last January forced DCL to release their dates earlier than they wanted too. I too think that where ever they are going is pretty firm at this point, with only contracts to finalized. I see more money to be made in Alaska but think that Northern Europe would be a better choice.

I didn't know it was you, just that it was a DISer. It was funny when he said "just call the ports, that's what they did last time" That was a great idea Glad I get to meet the guy responsible!

 

[MrsScooby]

I can't keep up with these posts, but I want to make friends. Our crew:

Me - Kathleen 45 SAHM
DH - Mark 45 patent lawyer who wants to be a pirate (just in case any other patent types out there.)

DS - William - 11. Into sports, (playing & watching), bad words (rrrgh), ipod, video games, computer games & movies.

DDD: Claire -8. Lovely girl- into Hannah Montana, High School Musical, American Girl Doll.

We lived in San Fernando Valley & Agoura for years, now we live in gorgeous Bloomington MN/.

We have almost completely paid off cruise!! I am so excited!! I can't wait for this trip & the canal.

We have been getting the wonderful newsletter...is it archived somewhere? I have a new computer and lost old emails.

We are really pretty boring...but fun too!

Cool
My DH (Darren) and I are patent types
I'm a patent examiner and DH was a patent examiner (now a supervisor).

My DS (Andrew) will be 14 in two months and DD (Kelly) is 10.
With Andrew it's mostly World of Warcraft (computer game) and Kelly loves to read. Both are into Tae Kwon Do.

We spend most of our time commuting back and forth to work or shuttling the kids to their afterschool stuff, so we're pretty boring too

 

[captaincrash]

Actually it was me that found out they were coming to LA. Conformation was obtained by call other ports of call. I took a novel approach and searched for agreements with port authorities and got lucky that LA Harbor Commission publishes their actions online. I have been scanning for similar agreements/proposals with ports that have been named as suspected destinations. I have a feeling DCL has made sure this time that there are no leaks or the port authorities that they are dealing with do not publish on the Internet. I think that our discovery last January forced DCL to release their dates earlier than they wanted to. I too think that where ever they are going is pretty firm at this point, with only contracts to finalized. I see more money to be made in Alaska but think that Northern Europe would be a better choice.

See the bold-faced line above?

I always knew Rodger was a ruckus rowsing mischief maker! <chuckles> And I am not surprised while applauding again at this magnificent bit of sherlock holms work!

On another note - I just picked up a hotel room for the Catalina Jazz Trax festival we're attending this weekend. I wait until the last week to book because everyone there wants multiday bookings at "gouge your eyes out while they grab the money" rates. So - we try for ONE nite stays to capture themost music while enabling a bit of moola conservation.

I got a cozy two room mini-suite with a connecting door <wink> between one bedroom with one queen and the other with two twin beds. It was a whopping cheap price too... $175 for the two rooms on a saturday nite. We used to stay 2 or 3 nites at the hotel Metropole where Alicia's sister likes to stay ... but after a few years we figured out we could do it for a fraction of the price this way. SO effectively, we have reduced our hotel expenses from over $1200 to under $200 with more sleeping space.

However... on the down side. We scramble with flexability each year -ready to take what ever I uncover. Our rooms have NO TV, No A/C, No heat, No telephone, No fridge or microwave, No coffee maker, No "do not disturb door hanger. We do get beds, bathrooms with showers, a few power outlets and a portable fan. AND... we are located above a ROCKIN' BAR and Restuarant which fesatures wild Jazz late into the nite... with a kick in the pants view of the harbor! Oh... and I think the doors have a locking mechanism of some sort too.

OK... gotta run and get the kids!

 

[Esteri]

However... on the down side. We scramble with flexability each year -ready to take what ever I uncover. Our rooms have NO TV, No A/C, No heat, No telephone, No fridge or microwave, No coffee maker, No "do not disturb door hanger. We do get beds, bathrooms with showers, a few power outlets and a portable fan. AND... we are located above a ROCKIN' BAR and Restuarant which fesatures wild Jazz late into the nite... with a kick in the pants view of the harbor! Oh... and I think the doors have a locking mechanism of some sort too.

I've stayed in placed like that. Careful, the shower will strip paint!

 

[sk8ingmom]

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.

People in the know!

I think one has been posted elsewhere from a travel agent saying they think its the Carribean and they were correct on 15 night Panama's last year, there are others.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I got that one too. We must have the same 'people'.

Definitely already waitlisted for "any special cruise" for summer 2009. Especially if it's Alaska. My family has had the opportunity to cruise to Alaska a couple of times, but we've been holding out for DCL to take us there.

I know that at every Castaway Club party, every party we've been to for the people in suites, etc...the Captain has always taken an informal poll, to see where people would like to see DCL go in the future, and Alaska has always been toward the top.

I think they do listen to the responses, and I KNOW that they DO read these Boards. Have had a couple of Captains tell me that they do. Read the DIS, that is.

Oh good,then the captain knows what he's in for when we all board!
Hey, do we know who our captain will be?

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. It can be very brisk and very overcast in the Inside Passage even in the summer. Those inside areas of the ship are going to get very small when 1/3-1/2 of the passengers aren't up at the pool all day.

"The envelope for this stamp would have to be the size of a basketball court," says Cornyn-Selby, who has been nicknamed the High Priestess of Procrastination for her research efforts on self-defeating behaviors. Artist and author Cornyn-Selby lectures nationally and trains corporate executives and FBI agents.

Wow! She must know about the Dis.

 

[PBader]

Actually it was me that found out they were coming to LA. Conformation was obtained by call other ports of call. I took a novel approach and searched for agreements with port authorities and got lucky that LA Harbor Commission publishes their actions online. I have been scanning for similar agreements/proposals with ports that have been named as suspected destinations. I have a feeling DCL has made sure this time that there are no leaks or the port authorities that they are dealing with do not publish on the Internet. I think that our discovery last January forced DCL to release their dates earlier than they wanted too. I too think that where ever they are going is pretty firm at this point, with only contracts to finalized. I see more money to be made in Alaska but think that Northern Europe would be a better choice.

Roger, you are quite the detective.

 

[PBader]

On another note - I just picked up a hotel room for the Catalina Jazz Trax festival we're attending this weekend. I wait until the last week to book because everyone there wants multiday bookings at "gouge your eyes out while they grab the money" rates. So - we try for ONE nite stays to capture themost music while enabling a bit of moola conservation.

I got a cozy two room mini-suite with a connecting door <wink> between one bedroom with one queen and the other with two twin beds. It was a whopping cheap price too... $175 for the two rooms on a saturday nite. We used to stay 2 or 3 nites at the hotel Metropole where Alicia's sister likes to stay ... but after a few years we figured out we could do it for a fraction of the price this way. SO effectively, we have reduced our hotel expenses from over $1200 to under $200 with more sleeping space.

However... on the down side. We scramble with flexability each year -ready to take what ever I uncover. Our rooms have NO TV, No A/C, No heat, No telephone, No fridge or microwave, No coffee maker, No "do not disturb door hanger. We do get beds, bathrooms with showers, a few power outlets and a portable fan. AND... we are located above a ROCKIN' BAR and Restuarant which fesatures wild Jazz late into the nite... with a kick in the pants view of the harbor! Oh... and I think the doors have a locking mechanism of some sort too.

OK... gotta run and get the kids!

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

 

[PBader]

Oh good,then the captain knows what he's in for when we all board!
Hey, do we know who our captain will be?

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. It can be very brisk and very overcast in the Inside Passage even in the summer. Those inside areas of the ship are going to get very small when 1/3-1/2 of the passengers aren't up at the pool all day.

M, I hadn't thought of it like that

 

[winotracy]

Captain Tom is our captain.

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

I can't keep up with these posts, but I want to make friends. Our crew:

Me - Kathleen 45 SAHM
DH - Mark 45 patent lawyer who wants to be a pirate (just in case any other patent types out there.)

DS - William - 11. Into sports, (playing & watching), bad words (rrrgh), ipod, video games, computer games & movies.

DDD: Claire -8. Lovely girl- into Hannah Montana, High School Musical, American Girl Doll.

We lived in San Fernando Valley & Agoura for years, now we live in gorgeous Bloomington MN/.

We have almost completely paid off cruise!! I am so excited!! I can't wait for this trip & the canal.

We have been getting the wonderful newsletter...is it archived somewhere? I have a new computer and lost old emails.

We are really pretty boring...but fun too!

to our group of pirates. We live in Thousand Oaks and work in the SFV (Tarzana). I am sure that we passed on the freeway once or twice. Tell Mark that we are still looking for a Mr. Gibbs lookalike and if not we need as many swabbies as we can muster. We have a DD12 and DD7. DD7 loves AG dolls too. Seems like there is going to be a lot of 7-8yr DDs on this trip. May have to schedule a tea party for them. Don't worry about keeping up most of us can't either. Catch what you can and ask what you don't know. Come check out Friday Night Chat 8pm CDT.

 

[dahuffy]

I was just taking the opportunity to point out how masterful DCL (or Disney in general) can be with this stuff.

I'm hoping for Alaska in 2010 instead (not sure if the bank book can take another expensive cruise in 2009)

Count us in Tom!!

 

[micmse2003]

Due to the problems I've had lately with my healing, I'm seeing my surgeon this coming Thursday, instead of waiting until next Tuesday. Maybe he'll give me the go-ahead to start walking a little. But I'm not holding my breath.

Let us know what happens tomorrow. I will keep my fingers crossed everything is positive. Glad you are being a better patient now.

As forAmtrak - we had originally planned to drive, so we should get to Orlando at about the time we had planned anyway. I know they are famous for delays, but according to a watchdog type site I found, this particular train has been less than an hour late each day for the last 3 weeks. I'm hoping that middle of the night travel + not changing trains will help the 'on time' situation.

I am sure it will be great M!!! It was fun riding the train but maybe I was anxious to get home. It is always better to leave the driving to someone else.

I can't keep up with these posts, but I want to make friends.
We are really pretty boring...but fun too!

Welcome aboard.!!!!!!! Everyone is really nice but I am prejudice.

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!

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

...i haven't fallen off at the end of the earth...shocking?
...while i not been posting, doesn't mean ..i haven't been enjoying
the interacting..kind like sitting quietly...in a party room....watching all
the fun going on & the support offerings, prn.
wowsers...i feel a lil'anxious...about how many already have all their plans
set...* as a reminder..i am not the planner or organizer..or anything
offical..."when it comes to our vacations....that would be my lil'miss ",
who has no time to indulge. actually wee lil' bunch are just begining to
put out christmas trip...on our agendas. therefore, i hope others here,
excuse our messy ways of waiting for the last minute...got to saz,
makes things...alot more exciting....

so that means....we still haven't been assigned our rooms yet,
no airline tickets [even to get there] ....& so forth. the most we
have done..is me complaining to my lil'miss about how everyone
packing....in which she 'happily ever after.....responding by...one
her famous quotes.."have @ it".... . so that tells whre we are.


ps, i did "stick' the suit cases outdoors..for some fresh air...and hinted
her with a sticky note..., "that's nice dear."


oh, mic~mse, ~ mickey all the way { like my jingle? }, it isn't
miss..how you 're sharing your very "thoughful" place..with all of us....
sooo , in the most delightful ways.


.., just becos..they knew the feelings from sharing time together...from
summer practices..thru all the victories..and even the defeats..., the
outcomes were positive! , wonder where they gotten the
idea from?..the meanings of the whole story for me, was a summary~ for
finding the courage to keep on living on..even when we lose those close
to us....& that sorta explained why in our safety depsoits boxes are
wdw tickets..to support those "we" care most....

ps..ask me about the picture...later.

I was just hoping you just had a little rest from all the frenzy of life.

So you are a poet and DO know it!!!!


I have room number, hotel room, transfers, plane ticket to LAX but alas no tickets back home. Airfares have sky-rocketed before I was able to book return trip. Maybe I will have that wait and see attitude like Lil Miss. I bet she snags a bargain when she see one.

How did you know where my extra 30 days of Park hopper Passes were hidden. Mine are in the safety deposit box too. I stocked up while the tickets were a lot cheaper and I got my cast member discount.

Okay .........What picture???

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.

I agree Tracy. Stick and stones can break our bones but rumors can peek our curiosity.

Ever wonder if DCL (or Disney) monitors these sites for reactions to rumors and then plans on the best reactions?

I often wonder where I can apply for that job....

You are soooo right. Get paid for what we are all doing everyday. I guess I almost have a job like that. I listen to reactions of new movies coming out and get paid to do it!!

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.

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!!!

 

[micmse2003]

Alaska in 2009 is about the only thing that might make us rethink this cruise. Two cruises in a row would be hard, and Alaska would be preferred over the PC.

On the other hand, if we do the PC then we can get the onboard booking discount for Alaska. Anyway, time will tell.



So, since the itineraries aren't announced, you just describe what sort of cruise you might like to do and give general timeframes?

Two cruises especially with a discount are always better than one cruise.

Andrew I would also love a longer southern Caribbean DCL cruise. The 10 and 11 nights they did previously dates didn't work out for us. But I am tired of Coz, GC and KW. Would love to see some new ports.

I did the 10 night and loved it. I wish the ports were even further South if DCL is considering the Caribbean.

well I am back for a bit but with work et al.. I didn't even ketchup or read the last five pages.. oh well..

Stace - let us know what the doc says tomorrow..

Alaska?? I can't go in 2009... well 1st year college tution vs alaska cruise.. Hmm.. I may need to think about that..

Trying to get out of here and get home in time to go to the high school for a college night thingy.. but this may be old news but I got a quote from DCL for transfers and airfare and it was $500 per person.. DH is working on the airfare for real.. said he could get one $200 cheaper if we go on Sunday morning at 6 am..

I booked one-way to LAX for $175 a person minus the $75 voucher On Saturday at 8:00 am. from O'hare on UAL. I think $200 for two of us is cheap!!! I bought the transfers from Disney and am staying near the airport. Now the problem is to find something home. One-way from Orlando to Chicago is going for $151. I am patient and will wait.

Actually it was me that found out they were coming to LA. Conformation was obtained by call other ports of call. I took a novel approach and searched for agreements with port authorities and got lucky that LA Harbor Commission publishes their actions online. I have been scanning for similar agreements/proposals with ports that have been named as suspected destinations. I have a feeling DCL has made sure this time that there are no leaks or the port authorities that they are dealing with do not publish on the Internet. I think that our discovery last January forced DCL to release their dates earlier than they wanted too. I too think that where ever they are going is pretty firm at this point, with only contracts to finalized. I see more money to be made in Alaska but think that Northern Europe would be a better choice.

I almost forgot you were the spy for the Dis Board. May I say again what a great job you did.

 

[captaincrash]

I've stayed in placed like that. Careful, the shower will strip paint!

I simply started laughing out loud as i read your comments - and my little girl asked "why are you laughing Daa-Daa?".... well, you have to understand I can't her an internet cruising friend is warning us about the hotel we're going to on the weekend. If I told her you were warning the showers might strip th paint off enameled pots and skin from our bones - she just might have a premature traumatic hollween shock style moment. So, I've elected to simply say - it's "nothing honey".... and at 3 years old - that's enuf fer now.

So.... you say the shower will strip the PAINT off of things, eh? What sort of image can I dredge up...

Below is the Piranah Powerwash High Power PUMP!

Below is a second image of potential interest which I found in my search for a "fitting" image. I found it while searching with the keywords "funny" and "shower":

​

 

[m&m's mom]

Although the Radiance of the Seas has a covered pool, it was an adults only area. I think the kids were allowed in an hour a day.
I was in the outside hot tub a lot and there were always kids in the pool.
Since I have been to Alaska I am more excited about the Hong Kong rumors.

 

[Sarangel]

I can't keep up with these posts, but I want to make friends. Our crew:

Me - Kathleen 45 SAHM
DH - Mark 45 patent lawyer who wants to be a pirate (just in case any other patent types out there.)

DS - William - 11. Into sports, (playing & watching), bad words (rrrgh), ipod, video games, computer games & movies.

DDD: Claire -8. Lovely girl- into Hannah Montana, High School Musical, American Girl Doll.

We lived in San Fernando Valley & Agoura for years, now we live in gorgeous Bloomington MN/.

We have almost completely paid off cruise!! I am so excited!! I can't wait for this trip & the canal.

We have been getting the wonderful newsletter...is it archived somewhere? I have a new computer and lost old emails.

We are really pretty boring...but fun too!

First Welcome to our merry band of Pirates!
Second, aren't the words "lawyer" & "pirate" synonimus? (sp?)
Third, Congratulations of being almost paid off.
Fourth, if you PM Tom31b you'll be given a password to enter the super-secret section of our Website. (tho' you may already have that if you're getting the newsletter...

Ever wonder if DCL (or Disney) monitors these sites for reactions to rumors and then plans on the best reactions?

I've talked to several CMs who say that they do read & monitor these boards. I'm pretty sure that they saw Roger's posts last year (two years ago?) about the Mexican ports and that's what forced them into releasing the West Coast dates and reservations early.

I do know that they read the DISboard and other fan sites. Whether or not they float out rumors to see the reaction, I agree that they really can't change 2009 right now, but they could change 2010 if the reaction isn't as favorable as they wish.

I wouldn't be at ALL surprised to find that they "tested" ideas by floating them as rumors on sites like ours.

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 CRACK cocaine & Stoli Vodka. Seriously... it's entertaining and a content rich web conversation "cocktail party" style squeezed into a short span of time.

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