Ahoy! Sailing the Wonder 2/8/09

[cbmeadors]

We drive straight thru as well from Cincinnati area, google maps says 14 hours but we usually make it in 12 or 12 1/2.

I am a night person and have found the drive to be much easier at night. We will leave about 10 pm with kids in PJ's. This helps us avoid Atlanta traffic. When driving to WDW there is a great rest stop near Gainesville that is clean. It has a large family restroom with benches where we can change clothes and brush teeth etc.

If you are diving directly to Port Canaveral look at going across from Knoxville thru Columbia and down thru Jacksonville. For us it only adds about 7 miles vs driving thru Atlanta. As an added bonus you avoid the toll roads thru FL and it is still 70mph virtually the whole way.

I looked from Chicago and it added about 30 miles so would be something to think about and decide it would be be work the miles to avoid Atlanta and the tolls.

If you go thru GA don't forget the bypass around Macon. The state trooper who pulled me over was nice enough to explain that the bypass cuts off 15 miles and is 65 mph vs 55. Then he gave me my ticket and told me to have a nice trip.

I don't know if we are going to pass anyone we are going to go to Kennedy Space Center the day before the cruise then staying at the Radisson. Does anyone know how early they will let you check in to the Radisson? We hope to check in before going to the Space Center.

 

[hedwig]

Have been reading this thread for awhile, and I am sorry I haven't posted until now! We are first time cruisers and can't wait until the 8th! You have all been very helpful, and my kids DS(10) DD(8) are excited there are kids their age on the cruise.

Just wanted to say hi, and after this cold weather-Feb 8th can't come soon enough!

 

[cbmeadors]

Escort out to sea!

 

[kcashner]

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I don't know if we are going to pass anyone we are going to go to Kennedy Space Center the day before the cruise then staying at the Radisson. Does anyone know how early they will let you check in to the Radisson? We hope to check in before going to the Space Center.

IF your room is ready, they will allow you to check in any time. If your room is not ready, they will hold your luggage for you and you can check in after the space center. Normal check in is after 3 pm, but they will allow earlier than that IF they can. They're really nice.

 

[kcashner]

Let me make sure I understand what you're suggesting as far as driving---you go thru Macon, continue down I-75 thru Valdosta, and pick up I-10 toward Jacksonville? You then pick up I-95 to 528? 528 is a toll road, but you'd avoid part of the toll sections.

I'm missing something--how are you avoiding Atlanta? Going thru Columbia...then how are you getting to Macon?

I was actually wondering if this would be a more efficient way of getting there....

 

[cbmeadors]

If you go thru Columbia you wouldn't be going thru Macon.

I think I remember seeing you are from Louisville, so go across 64 to Lexington and then south on 75 to Knoxville. Then take 40 towards Ashville and then I-26. From I-26 you take I-95 south. I-95 to FL-528, 528 is not a toll road east of I-95.

From Louisville I think it would be about 35-40 miles extra but you avoid Atlanta and the state troopers in Macon.

Have to decide it is worth the extra miles for not. For us in Cincinnati it is less than 10 miles extra to go that way.

The I-10 thing would only be about 10 miles extra for you to avoid the tolls on the Florida turnpike and on 528 from the turnpike to I-95 but you would still be going thru Atlanta. I have never done this, don't know the speed limit or traffic on I-10.

I hope this helps.

 

[cemeb4dk]

Ok so has anyone gotten their documents yet? I have read between 20-25 days before cruise we should be getting them. We are three weeks out, so I am assuming this comming week. Just wondering.

 

[ljm23]

We haven't received docs, did get the DCL bus vouchers.

POTD
Michael and BIL at Pirate Night 2/08

 

[nokidz]

Docs are about two weeks out on average.

 

[3littleHalls]

We don't have our cruise docs yet. Our park/WDW resort stuff is here. I need to start packing. Our kids don't know about the cruise part and won't tell them till we see boat! So, I am packing a separate suitcase for that. DH and I getting very excited!! Does everyone carry their meds on? I have 2 with food allergies requiring epi-pens. We are checking the kids out of school a couple of hours early. I am sending a note with the kids on Monday with our dates gone. I have already talked with their teachers and they are all ok with it. Ok, now I am rambling...too excited

 

[kcashner]

Thanks--that makes a lot more sense (the directions)....I was trying to put together the Macon comments with your directions and it just wasn't adding up. I couldn't get any sense out of the map programs on line either.....NOW it all is clear.

Documents usually come about 2 weeks before cruising--no worries. There is NOTHING in the document pack that you need except the luggage tags. Everything else is available on line. You don't even have the Bahamas form any more (yeah!) Even if you don't get the luggage tags, they are available both at MCO and at the port.

Did you get bus vouchers separate from your documents (odd?) Or are you talking about Magical Express bus vouchers? Just curious--DCL bus vouchers used to come as part of the documents pack.

Yes, you want to carry on your meds, especially your epi-pens. What if something happened and you needed them....and they were safely stored in your checked luggage. Remember that your luggage may not arrive at your stateroom until 5 pm. Sometimes it's there as soon as you have room access....sometimes not for several more hours. ANything you might need should be in your carry on.

 

[2gr8brits]

Is anybody ready yet??!! I went to the Thirty-One Regional meeting today in Myrtle Beach and this was my view. Now the temp outside was 28 degrees so the beach was not too inviting, but seeing the surf, sand, trees, made me even more ready to the Bahamas!

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/2gr8brits/100_2065.jpg
As far as the travel talks go - we head down I-95 to Jacksonville and we have been told to get on US 17 and bypass road construction in Georgia. The drive down on the "I" is never really that bad

 

[elmo2200]

We will be driving from Arlington, TX. Last time we flew. I tried to convince DH to let us fly instead of the 18hr drive. He gets like $72 per person round trip because he works for Fedex. Now he is stressed over what vehicle to use. We both drive large trucks that guzzle gas. Rental car would cost about $275 for 2/4 to 2/18. We may just take his Chevy but it isn't as comfortable as my Dodge... He is thinking about buying a Maxima and sell my truck when we get back. I love my big, tall Dodge. I rule the road!!!

Anyway now I forgot what I was really going to say.... We plan to leave on the 5th and stay 2 nights at Hilton Sandestin about an hour after Pensacola I think. The Grayton Beach area is supposed to have clear water like the caribbean. DH can fish and we can snorkel, etc. On the 7th we will head to Cocoa Beach and the Radisson.

Today's pic - Radisson at the Port 2/2008

 

[anetnmike]

Hello all!
Yes, 3littleHalls and anyone else who may be wondering-take your meds with you in your carry on. ESPECIALLY an Epi-pen. If you have an allergy worthy of treatment with an Epi-pen, keep it near you. We all want to meet up safe and healthy!

 

[2gr8brits]

How are you guys geting the picture to show within you post?
I don't relly like links

 

[Finkelly]

I read a thread by doing a search of loading images. I think if you click on the image icon it will place image tags on it and then it should work. I can't load images. Still a baby with only 4 posts. Try that. If it doesnt work, wait for a more experienced diser to help.

Does anyone know if you are suppose to sign kids up for activities in the club now, like flubber,...on the ship.....or do you just go?
I read in Birnbaum to sign them up online or when you load the ship. The only thing I can find to do online is to register. Do they ever fill up?

Regarding the pic from Myrtle Beach....very jealous. The view out my window right now is MORE SNOW I can't even believe it! Well, we started our 20 day countdown this morning. We FLY out of Albany on 2/8 at 11:50 and are in Orlando by 3:00. That is well worth the $$ and time for us considering it is a 24 hour drive from where we live. Those of you close enough to dive within a day are VERY lucky! Someday when we have more time, we will make the venture in 2 or 3 days maybe and enjoy the sites. I printed out your travel tips for when that day comes. Although not sure if any apply to where we are coming from.

 

[2gr8brits]

Regarding the pic from Myrtle Beach....very jealous. The view out my window right now is MORE SNOW

Yes the pic of MB, SC was beautiful, but remember that the weather was in the 20's all day - really cold for us here.

was it in our discussions about carrying a bag with water and "other" drinks onboard or was that in another thread I was reading? We carry that bag on right? Wouldn't want to check at the curb because of breakage - right??!!

With the 20 day count here, my OCD, Type A, obsesive compulsive, etc . . . tendancies are really kicking in! while DH sits back and chills and wtches me run around in a tizzy!

 

[pjpoohbear]

Krista, you host your photos on Photobucket, so under each photo there are four address tags, the DIS displays photos by using the tag, which should be the last one in the list.
[IMG]http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/pjpoohbear/Picture2.png
"Simply" click on that tag and it should note that it was "copied" or highlight the tag and right click to copy, then go directly to the post you want to add it to and paste that tag into your post. This is the method I am using to post this ......

We leave on Saturday at noon for Orlando, spending a night in a pirate ship bed at CBR, lol.
Pj

 

[ljm23]

Finkelly, we are from NY too, Beacon/fishkill area. SNOWING here AGAIN today! I hope you're mistaken that your flight is the 8'th because that's the day we cruise and if you don't get to Orlando til 3pm there's a good chance you won't make it on the ship to leave port at 5.
We always go down a day early, especially in the winter when a storm can mess up your travel.
We're travelling down from JFK on the 7'th, renting a car and spending the night before at the Radisson at the port.
This way if something goes wrong weather wise we have some flexibility.

On posting pics, if you use photobucket and copy the code listed as "Direct Link" and put that in the popup that comes up for the image icon (making sure not to have two http://s) then your image should show up in the post without having to click a link.

 

[Finkelly]

Yes, I meant we are leaving the 7th. I have the 8th on my brain!! And you can just call me Kelly. All my screen names are Finkelly so I just forgot to refer to myself with my real name. Technology today sometimes gets us all thinking we aren't human anymore! I'll be sending pics soon. Also staying at the Radisson. Hope its nice enough to swim, although the kids never seem to care.

Regarding DH-he is out on the snowmobiles with the kids in the backyard while I am also running around in a tizzy. But I guess I would rather be warm in a tizzy than cold on a snowmobile myself. But don't tell him that!

Hopefully I will pic soon. Thanks for the better info. I didn't say it too well. Hope to see your pics soon.