8/24 Roll Call!!

[ducklite]

We work with a shelter and often have a bunch of animals in the hosue. I use food coloring on top of their heads (Smear it into the skin) to tell them apart when I can't easily do so) It fades after a couple of days and is harmless.

Anne

 

[KAMLEM]

I have 2 of the AAA Caribbean Travel Guides because I requested one for St. Thomas but they just sent that one again. I spoke to a woman in the AAA office and she said that they don't have anything to cover St. Thomas. If anyone would like my extra copy please email me at kamlem@attbi.com and I will mail it to you. I have no need for two.

Grannymary-We planned on the butterfly farm but then decided to rent a jeep for the day so we'll probably still go but not as part of the excursion. I like to have the freedom to come and go as I please so the jeep works out much better for us. We'll probably do the butterfly farm and the beach, most likely Magen's Bay.

 

[Celebrategoldens]

Everytime I look at one of our posts with the countdown running I get excited! I am looking forward to meeting all of you. GrannyMary, do you still openings for people to go and eat brunch at Palos? My DH isn't interested, so I thought I might go with you guys.
Can't wait to meet everybody!

 

[ducklite]

Goldens-

I still have two openings to have tea at Palo's if you are interested.

Anne

 

[grannymary]

Mary Ann,

I hope you mean High Tea at Palos'..As Anne wrote she still has 2 opening.
I was thinking of during Brunch with my adult DD, but she is a little shy and hasn't given me a answer yet.

 

[wcarp]

kamlem,
went to magen't bay several years ago. It was beautiful. very calm and clean also not crowded.

Btw, do we need to take our own beach towels? I'm guessing if we're doing our own excursions we need to provide all our own stuff?

thanks,
wanda

 

[wcarp]

has anyone considered going from St. Martin to Anguilla? There is a ferry that takes you over takes about 30 min. Once there you can visit dolphinfantseas a place where you can swim with dolphins or stingrays. My daughter really wants to do this but I'm not sure?
wanda

 

[appink]

Wanda,

From what I can gather you do not need to take towels from home. Just ask your room steward for them

Patti

 

[ducklite]

We're bringing our own towels for a bunch of reasons...I"ve given up on trying to pack light being one of them LOL!

Also I have a new STITCH towel that I got at the Disney Store that I can't wait to use

Anne

 

[sharond150]

Does anybody have adivce about whether it's better to take the "Disney" excursions or book stuff on your own? I have heard that it's not difficult to book "tour taxis" to do the tours that seem to be rather expensive through Disney? I don't want to save a few dollars and regret it, though! I have the same questions about snorkeling and beach visits. Any advice would be most welcomed! You folks have been so helpful so far!

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by sharond150
Does anybody have adivce about whether it's better to take the "Disney" excursions or book stuff on your own? I have heard that it's not difficult to book "tour taxis" to do the tours that seem to be rather expensive through Disney? I don't want to save a few dollars and regret it, though! I have the same questions about snorkeling and beach visits. Any advice would be most welcomed! You folks have been so helpful so far!

The biggest single advantage I can think of in booking through DCL is that if there is traffic or breakdown or such and you are late returning to the ship they will either hold it for you or arrange to get you to it. Not so with non DCL booked tours. So be sure to leave plenty of tiem for "just in case".

We're going to do the Under Two Flags tour in St. Maarten and the Charlotte Amalie Walking Tour in St. Thomas (we enjoy history, sociology, and architecture). After the tour in St. THomas we'll probably get back on teh ship, have lunch, then grab our son who is not going with us on the tour and walk around some in the port area.

Anne

Anne

 

[sharond150]

How "easy" is it to get off and on the ship during port days? I know the ship docks right at Castaway Cay but at the other two stops, it docks away from the port.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by sharond150
How "easy" is it to get off and on the ship during port days? I know the ship docks right at Castaway Cay but at the other two stops, it docks away from the port.

Not to my understanding. They way I understand it, there is no tendering on the Eastern criuse (ours), and they pull right to the dock at all ports of call. So it should be as easy as swiping your room key, showing your ID, and walking up the gang plank.

Anne

 

[grannymary]

ONLY 17 MORE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by grannymary
ONLY 17 MORE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For me it's even less--we leave after work on 8/20 to head to the Hilton by the Philly airport. For any of you flying out of PHL, the HIlton offers length of trip parking for FREE if you stay there the night before. They have a free shuttle back and forth to the airport a well. My flight is at 9:00am, and PHL is TERRIBLE for security lines, you really need to be there 2 hours before your flight. So we decided to spend the night before at the Hilton rather than take the chance of hiting traffic on I-95 and being late.

So two weeks from right now I'll be in a security line at PHL.

I'm getting REALLY excited!! (Not about the security line of course )

Anne

 

[sharond150]

Thanks for the tip about the Philly Hilton. I'm not far from the airport but sometimes I pay more for parking on a long trip than I would for a night at the Hilton! We have a 6:30 AM flight on 8/22

 

[pgavin]

Hi girls, 17 more days!!!!!!!! we are leaving 8/19 for Mrytle Beach, staying there for 3 days driving down to Florida on the 23 and staying at the Raddison by the pier. Then we are catching the shuttle to the ship. Mary, hope your knee is healing. My husband has a strained muscle in his back and will be nursing it. I can't wait. Work is getting to me anticipation of this vacation. Talk to you all soon. Pam

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by sharond150
Thanks for the tip about the Philly Hilton. I'm not far from the airport but sometimes I pay more for parking on a long trip than I would for a night at the Hilton! We have a 6:30 AM flight on 8/22

I've flown in and out of PHL several times recently, and instead of improving, I think the security lines are worse than ever. Allow yourself AT LEAST two full hours at the airport. Yup, that means getting there at 4:30 am

Anne

 

[Credit Man]

Good morning, all! We are doing the single digit dance as we leave for WDW on 8/17 for some fun before our cruise. We are taking the Autotrain and arriving at Boardwalk Villa's on the 18th. Spending the night of the 23rd at the Raddison.
This sure is getting exciting.

 

[grannymary]

Credit Man,

Hope you enjoy your week b4 cruise!!
See you and yours on 8/24/02
Grannymary