9/27/14, Returning to the Southern Caribbean

[sdlong329]

I know their new stuff is not for me but I bet the wind tunnel will be packed from open to close. Probably have to reserve a time to do it.

But it does make a person wonder what cruise lines will be doing next? They keep trying to out do each other. I do like the ice skating rink many RCI ships have. I would do that or roller skating rink. Kids would really eat that up!

I responded to Cruise Critic's post on FB. In essence, what I said was, some cruise lines are going about cruising the wrong way. They are now trying to compete with land based attractions ... instead of trying to develop a better cruise. Many of the "attractions" being offered on some of these cruises can be found within 30 minutes of most major cities or vacation destinations. So, instead of me going into Philadelphia, up to New York City or over to Atlantic City (even Las Vegas) ... I can now fly to a port, spend thousands of dollars to go on a cruise ... where I will likely have to PAY a surcharge to experience these attractions (just like I would in a land based facility). My point is ... WHAT'S THE POINT OF CRUISING ... if you are not enjoying the physical act of cruising?

Perhaps, the answer to my concerns comes down to the numerous surcharges imposed by some cruise lines ... including charging $25 for a steak in the Main Dining Rooms ... charging for a soft drink at dinner in the Main Dining Rooms ... charging for a lounge chair at poolside. Some of these cruise lines are not focusing on the act of cruising itself, but rather, focusing on how they can earn more money. On the other hand, if they were to focus on the act of cruising itself, they would be able to develop a better experience ... whether or nor thei opt to levy a surcharge for some of the cruise experiences.


Steven

 

[Va-NanaTink]

I responded to Cruise Critic's post on FB. In essence, what I said was, some cruise lines are going about cruising the wrong way. They are now trying to compete with land based attractions ... instead of trying to develop a better cruise. Many of the "attractions" being offered on some of these cruises can be found within 30 minutes of most major cities or vacation destinations. So, instead of me going into Philadelphia, up to New York City or over to Atlantic City (even Las Vegas) ... I can now fly to a port, spend thousands of dollars to go on a cruise ... where I will likely have to PAY a surcharge to experience these attractions (just like I would in a land based facility). My point is ... WHAT'S THE POINT OF CRUISING ... if you are not enjoying the physical act of cruising?

Perhaps, the answer to my concerns comes down to the numerous surcharges imposed by some cruise lines ... including charging $25 for a steak in the Main Dining Rooms ... charging for a soft drink at dinner in the Main Dining Rooms ... charging for a lounge chair at poolside. Some of these cruise lines are not focusing on the act of cruising itself, but rather, focusing on how they can earn more money. On the other hand, if they were to focus on the act of cruising itself, they would be able to develop a better experience ... whether or nor thei opt to levy a surcharge for some of the cruise experiences.


Steven

Hear hear!! Seriously, they CHARGE MORE for a lounge chair?. That's why I cruise!! Smh

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Happy Friday everyone!!
The weekend is almost here.


Anybody have plans?

We may do a mini golf on Sunday. Saturday I want to watch the ship pull out on the web cam.
Most of the rest of the weekend I will be looking on line at curtains, medicine cabinets, wall paper borders, earth tone paint colors, shower doors, hot tubs and such. I have a few months, but I like to decide on some things ahead of time. That's my weekend.

Hope all of you have good weekends planned too,

Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Ok, it's been awhile since we did a question of the day, so here is one for today.


Do you have a ritual you always do to help pass the time before a cruise?
OR
If this is your first cruise, are you doing anything special to pass the time until we cruise?





My answer:

I make a countdown chain and hang on the wall. Each morning I take off 1 link until it gets to #1 and then it's time to go.
I number every link and some will say, fill out paperwork, get suitcases out, make FE gifts, pack suitcases.
If grandkids were going I would add things like a pizza night and watch a Disney movie, do a scavenger hunt for some pirate attire for the party and stuff like that.

I usually do the last 60 days but this time I started it at over 300 days out.

Kathy

 

[Maji31]

Do you have a ritual you always do to help pass the time before a cruise?

Done 2 cruises so far. No rituals. However, I learn from each one as far as my planning and whatnot. I know for sure now that I want to get to leaving port at least a day ahead. To fly and get on ship all in one day is just too much! We were exhausted and missed most of our first day. Fish extender stuff needs to be mapped out, or I go CRAZY buying more and more thinking I don't have enough! Until I pack and then I'm "ut oh-no room!".

 

[sdlong329]

Do you have a ritual you always do to help pass the time before a cruise?

1) When we are cruising with close friends, we start to see what we can pick up (locally) to use as small gifts for our cruise friends. Sometimes it is Disney related (ie: one friend likes Sorcerer Mickey and D23, so we buy D23 Sorcerer Mickey merchandise online, we also buy a current D23 magazine as a gift). Sometimes, it's Philadelphia Tastykakes, or sugar-free chocolates for friends visiting from Europe.

2) We try to calculate how much $ will be on our Disney Visa Rewards Card ... to use as spending money on the cruise. We generally try to may sure we have enough "rewards money" to cover the cost of the gratuities.

3) We calculate the remaining cost of the cruise, then set up a monthly charge to our Disney Visa Rewards Card ... which gives us 6 months of no payments, no interest on those charges. That means, we are not burdened with a huge lump sum payment 30 days before sailing. It results in an easier cash flow ... as well as more Disney Visa Rewards dollars!

4) For cruises out of Florida or California, we try to see if we can sneak in a few days pre or post cruise ... especially if they link up with Extra Magic Hours. If we are sailing out of Port Canaveral, we try to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge Concierge (DVC members only), as the service it top notch ... and also primes us for pampering on the ship.


Steven

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Just saying hello to everyone.

We just watched The Hobbit. I didn't see it in the theater. I liked it.

Anybody else see it? Did you like it?
Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Question of the day:



What port are you looking forward to the most ?




My answer:

Honestly havn't decided yet, we are sooooo excited to see all of them since they are all new to us. But if I had to pick just one and according to my question I do, I will say St. Kitts.

No specific reason why. After I studying all of them better I know I would have a better answer. Guess I better start researching more.

Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Check It out!!


http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/d...=18637&CMP=VAN-DCLFY13Q3MagicEnhancements0001

 

[Cindyrellablue]

Question of the day:

What port are you looking forward to the most ?

I am also looking forward to St. Kitts as I have never been there before.

I will say though, St. Lucia was absolutely amazing and the tour we did with Cosol was one of the best I've ever been on with a cruise ship. I felt like we did everything, from local foods (we stopped by a woman's house and had a lunch sampling of homecooked yums), to walking through banana groves where our guide passed out the fruit, visiting the volcanic stinky sulphate pools and even taking a boat to a beach between the Pitons (snorkel gear was passed out for a few extra dollars). Heck, we even stopped at a lady's house on the way back to the ship for homemade bread and cheese to snack on. My husband's favorite part though, the van full of drinks that followed us around and set up at every stop!

Barbados, we did a cave exploration excursion and was able to climb into a very scary dark cave. We went pretty deep and at some parts were walking through muddy water and crawling due to the ceiling being so low. There were crickets with super long legs that covered the walls and bats overhead in some areas...it was like being in a nightmare! I would never do it again...but glad I did it once!

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

I am also looking forward to St. Kitts as I have never been there before.

I will say though, St. Lucia was absolutely amazing and the tour we did with Cosol was one of the best I've ever been on with a cruise ship. I felt like we did everything, from local foods (we stopped by a woman's house and had a lunch sampling of homecooked yums), to walking through banana groves where our guide passed out the fruit, visiting the volcanic stinky sulphate pools and even taking a boat to a beach between the Pitons (snorkel gear was passed out for a few extra dollars). Heck, we even stopped at a lady's house on the way back to the ship for homemade bread and cheese to snack on. My husband's favorite part though, the van full of drinks that followed us around and set up at every stop!

Barbados, we did a cave exploration excursion and was able to climb into a very scary dark cave. We went pretty deep and at some parts were walking through muddy water and crawling due to the ceiling being so low. There were crickets with super long legs that covered the walls and bats overhead in some areas...it was like being in a nightmare! I would never do it again...but glad I did it once!

\

You can keep the cave tour

But the other sounds like fun.

Kathy

 

[cmhand30]

Just found thread. We are booked for this cruise. On my phone right now will do proper intros when I get home.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Just found thread. We are booked for this cruise. On my phone right now will do proper intros when I get home.

So happy you found us!!

I am Kathy and I am cruising with my husband Greg and no kids this cruise.
Looking forward to meeting you when you get home to post.


Kathy

 

[cmhand30]

Thanks for the friendly welcome!

1) Number of adults / children in your group: 2 adults
2) Names of adults in your group: Charleen & Charles
3) Ages of children in your party (at your discretion): NONE
4) General location of where you currently live: Painesville, Ohio. But moving to Clermont, FL so I can do my Disney College Program.
5) Castaway Club Level: Silver
6) Disney Vacation Club owner?: Since 2009, at BLT

There is my start. I actually am leaving for WDW in the morning to retrieve DS20 from college. (He goes to Florida Southern College in Lakeland, 40 miles from WDW).
DH is currently unaware that the deposit was placed on the cruise. Bless his heart. He said do it, then when I had my TA do it and told him the total he said he needed to think about it more. I have a year to pay for it.
I am a nurse that went back to college to go into Travel & Tourism. I will be doing a DCP at WDW beginning in August and then hope to go full/part-time in January. So I will be working to pay for the cruise.
I'm going to go back to reading from the start again. Nice to meet you all!

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

I know where Clermont is!! We live a few miles from there. We are about 10 miles from WDW and go there about every weekend. I am in Davenport. Pretty close to Clermont actually.

Maybe sometime we can meet up and say hello at WDW once your all settled in.

Kathy

 

[Va-NanaTink]

Just found thread. We are booked for this cruise. On my phone right now will do proper intros when I get home.

Welcome, glad to meet you!

It is just dh and I on this cruise, we are empty nesters. Funny I have some friends named Charleen and Charles who live in Ohio and charleen is a nurse going back to school for travel and tourism. They have a son in school in Lakeland too, maybe they know each other... :rofl:

Glad to see you and Chuck, Charleen. I saw where y'all be there in WDW in October! Cool beans! There is a FBI page for this cruise, I will add you!!

 

[Va-NanaTink]

Thanks for the friendly welcome!

1) Number of adults / children in your group: 2 adults
2) Names of adults in your group: Charleen & Charles
3) Ages of children in your party (at your discretion): NONE
4) General location of where you currently live: Painesville, Ohio. But moving to Clermont, FL so I can do my Disney College Program.
5) Castaway Club Level: Silver
6) Disney Vacation Club owner?: Since 2009, at BLT

There is my start. I actually am leaving for WDW in the morning to retrieve DS20 from college. (He goes to Florida Southern College in Lakeland, 40 miles from WDW).
DH is currently unaware that the deposit was placed on the cruise. Bless his heart. He said do it, then when I had my TA do it and told him the total he said he needed to think about it more. I have a year to pay for it.
I am a nurse that went back to college to go into Travel & Tourism. I will be doing a DCP at WDW beginning in August and then hope to go full/part-time in January. So I will be working to pay for the cruise.
I'm going to go back to reading from the start again. Nice to meet you all!

Ok added you to fb page.

Where is your stateroom?

 

[cmhand30]

I know where Clermont is!! We live a few miles from there. We are about 10 miles from WDW and go there about every weekend. I am in Davenport. Pretty close to Clermont actually.

Maybe sometime we can meet up and say hello at WDW once your all settled in.

Kathy

We will definately have to meet! I will be working Merchandise somewhere in WDW in August.

Welcome, glad to meet you!

Glad to see you and Chuck, Charleen. I saw where y'all be there in WDW in October! Cool beans! There is a FBI page for this cruise, I will add you!!

Stephanie, I keep "running" into you. LOL. I think we are 6126? I don't have my phone with me right now to look it up. I think we are right below you.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

We will definately have to meet! I will be working Merchandise somewhere in WDW in August.


Sounds great to me.

Kathy

 

[sdlong329]

FWIW, I received an e-mail with tidbits of information (and a few pics) of rooms at DVC's Villas at Grand Floridian. Nothing official yet, but sales are guesstimated as opening in early May, with first occupancy in the fall.