Any friends left?

[Tandyc]

We are all here for each other, to support and help one another!

I just wanted to add my hug to the list.

Having just returned from the beautiful Magic ship, I want to add that there are cm from all over the world on the ship. They all seem to get along so well and make each day so special. I kept thinking throughout the cruise that if the world could get along they way the staff seems to it would be a better place. These boards do have times when tempers get hot and things might get typed a little to quickly,( think then type) , but for the most part there is so much help and support here I think it's worth putting up with the low points.

Tandy

 

[tecdavidt]

The customs thing, well, one cruise we went over our allowance. It was on a 7 day eastern. My husband wrote out a list of each item we bought and we had the receipts. Families can combine custom limits so it is the amount over that limit. Since we had 5 in our party the limit was huge and so was my spending, lol. Duty really wasn't bad. You pay duty only on the overage of what your allowance is. For us that year we paid $90. Not at all what we were expecting. Just do some reasearch on the internet to help you figure out what you might be expecting and bring cash to pay the duty. *It was on the morning of debarkation that we had to go to the customs agent and settle the duty. The man loved how organized my husband was. So don't panic, it really is not a big deal. Unless you go WAY overboard on spending.

Personally, I didn't find the prices in Nassau to be good. In fact, I thought they were higher than back here in the states. Price what ever you plan to purchase at home then compare prices when you shop in port. IMHO the jewelry prices in St. Maarten are fantastic. St. Thomas is good and I never buy jewelry on the western. Probably because I need to save up for my next eastern shopping trip.

As far as knock offs. I bought my husband a Rolex in St. Maarten and I was afraid I was taken. We had the watch appraised at our local Rolex dealer and it was the really deal and we did get a great price. So far, the same has been for my jewelry so that has been a relief but I always have that small voice in my head questioning-- is it real?

Have a great cruise. Kathy

 

[HappyMommy2]

Hi Princess!

Sorry I can't help you with customs but I wanted to say I think you're a great asset to this board, and I hope you won't let your "controversial" posting experience bother you for even one more instant. People here voice their opinions, sometimes a little too bluntly, but mistakes and overreactions on all sides are quickly forgiven and forgotten.

I enjoy the DISboards, and especially this DCL board, so much. 99% of the posters here are kind and sincere. Another board I used to frequent (on an entirely different site) got so nasty, I had to stop posting there. A person could post, "My dog died today, hugs please" and 15 people would jump on them, saying things like "What a bad attitude! Stop it with the self-pity and move on!"
It is so different here, at least for the most part!

Please post a report and photos when you get back from your trip! Happy sailing!

Janet

 

[natdencro]

Life is way too short to argue! Quite right in previous posting: if you cant say something nice about people, then dont say anything at all!

Regarding customs.................... we did buy more than anticipated, but found no problem with customs.(No one asked). Anyway..........I think Grumbo's good lady bought up all the bargains in the Caribbean! Hehe. Isnt that right Graeme?Nat

 

[twhipple]

Princess I think you are missing my point. I wasn't ripping on you I was showing you concern. I was afraid after reading all of your threads that you had set your hopes to high for this cruise and there was a chance that you would be let down if things didn't go as planned. Take a look at Stepharoonie (sorry if I have the name wrong). She did the same thing before and right after the cruise she was so angry and initially didn't want to cruise on Disney again. She did come around, but imagine the vacation she had.

I don't want this to happen to anyone and reading this thread, I can see that you are a genuine person.

My point also with my cruises was that I DID have a great time, despite the bad things happening.

I want you to have a good time. I'm jealous that you are going on a cruise so soon and I have to wait for October, but I do hope it's everything you've dreamed of and more.

 

[ericamanda01]

What's that proverb.....Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Well I know that I can't even throw a fit let alone a stone. So no worries here, you can count me as a friend!
Or your defender or comic relief, whatever is needed!
By the way I am so jealous you leave so soon. Have a great time!

 

[CheapMom]

OMG- I just read that WHOLE angry thread. I have been on the recieving end of that harshness a few times too.
It aint fun- but it can be funny.
As I see it- you had a valid frustration and vented a bit and then all heck broke loose-
We are all friends here- please stay and post and read and have fun while planning your cruise- it is a great way to get excited and learn and stay informed regarding your vacation.
Here are some links to some threads where I got swiftly and thoroughly bashed. I find them utterly hilarious now.
If you haven't seen this first one yet- fire up some popcorn now.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=493907
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=543095&perpage=10&pagenumber=1

 

[westjones]

Hi! I just wanted to say I love this board, but at time things can get a little 'sticky'. I was on a thread once about 'formal' night and gave my opinion and things got very silly!

I just 'unsub' from threads when they get ugly. There are enough threads on this board to enjoy that you don't need to spend time reading the nasty stuff (when it happens, and usually the threads stay pretty nice and VERY helpful).

So my suggestion is to go to the User CP section and unsub yourself from that thread (and you can do that, even though you started it) and just ignore it all together and go on with other threads.

Hope you have a wonderful vacation and I hope you continue to enjoy the boards.

DJ

 

[kristen821]

princess-

I am sorry about your last post. I was very disappointed in these boards and reaction of posters to the point that I wasn't going to get back on the board but I have to admit I am addicted. I do want to make it clear that nobody was mad (at least me) on the opinion of posters on the original question it was the opinion of posters on our personal lifes. But that said that was the first time on the board that I have seen something that aggressive. I think I am going to stay layed back and not post for awhile and just read. Have a great trip and I hope you and your future husband have a very happy and blessed life together!

 

[Greysword]

I am unaware of the link Passporter has, but I went straight to the US Customs page and clicked on publications. This is what I found...


This site is the Know Before You Go page, and seems to have a lot of great info!

http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/travel/leavingarrivinginUS/vacation/know_brochure/

A link from the above page is the What You Must Declare page:

http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/travel/leavingarrivinginUS/vacation/know_brochure/declare.xml

A quote on this page answers your last question about the camera:

"Register Items Before You Leave the United States
If your laptop computer was made in Japan - for instance - you might have to pay duty on it each time you bring it back into the United States, unless you could prove that you owned it before you left on your trip. Documents that fully describe the item - for example, sales receipts, insurance policies, or jeweler's appraisals - are acceptable forms of proof. To make things easier, you can register certain items with Customs before you depart - including watches, cameras, laptop computers, firearms, and tape recorders - as long as they have serial numbers or other unique, permanent markings. Take the items to the nearest Customs Office and request a Certificate of Registration (Customs Form 4457). It shows Customs that you had the items with you before leaving the U.S. and all items listed on it will be allowed duty-free entry. Customs inspectors must see the item you are registering in order to certify the certificate of registration. You can register items with Customs at the international airport from which you're departing. Keep the certificate for future trips."

An example of Form 4457 is at:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/leavingarrivinginUS/certificate_of_registration.xml

Another link which is between the Know Before You Go and the What You Must Declare
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/leavingarrivinginUS/vacation/

You can call the local US Customs office yourself for specific question.

Hope this helps a little!

 

[jgalecpa]

See.

Now that was a traditional helpful DIS post.

Information needed was provided.

I think, along with religion and politics, Marital status, dress codes and "why does DCL do..." probably are best avoided.

One of my dear friends, BD, was banned from these boards.

I miss his humor everyday.

Jim

PS Glad you're here :

 

[Greysword]

Oh...so THATS the controversial post!! Quack, the duck comes down hard by Barbara!!

Grumbo, I read it while eating lunch. And think, I wasted a Sunday watching part of a nice peaceful hockey game when I could have been on here instead

Anyway, I guess the emoticons we have are there to help us get our point across without allowing others to read stuff into it. Powerful buggers, aren't they (sounds like some sort of pokemon japanamation construct, huh? Call the emoticons! LOL).

Anyway, I hope you don't have any hard feelings from all of this, Princess. It is great to hear your opinions!!

G'day mate

 

[Hygiene99]

Please do not feel beat up...

I would just throw the *** Passporter Away...

Peter

 

[Grumbo]

Natdencro said...

Anyway..........I think Grumbo's good lady bought up all the bargains in the Caribbean!

Watch it Nat or we'll start telling everyone how you and Dave were off the ship in St Maarten and within 15 minutes had bought a $100 glass thingy and another digital camera
THEN you really started shopping!!!!

Hey Princess I had read 15 posts on your "angry" thread and could see the way it was going to go. Don't worry about it. This group doesn't like ANYONE dissing DCL even when sometimes they deserve it You were wrong but YOU HAVE THAT right Heck I utilize MY right to be wrong often

I think jgalecpa had a thread that beat yours.

He complained about President Bush's religious beliefs and why he wore capris to church where the minister wouldn't marry previously divorced couples and topped it off with a question as to why DCL wouldn't upgrade the happy couple who werent' permitted to be wed from a Category 12 to the Roy Disney Suite.
Think they locked that thread too

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by Grumbo
I think jgalecpa had a thread that beat yours.

He complained about President Bush's religious beliefs and why he wore capris to church where the minister wouldn't marry previously divorced couples and topped it off with a question as to why DCL wouldn't upgrade the happy couple who werent' permitted to be wed from a Category 12 to the Roy Disney Suite.
Think they locked that thread too

Cheers,
Grumbo

Ooooh, yeah! I remember THAT one! How can you forget???

 

[Princess49]

Makaylee- your daughter & hubby ARE cute! There is a little girl in one of my gymnastics classes her name is Sydney & I swear she could be the identical twin to your daughter!! I actually thought it was her until I saw that you are in Utah!!!


Twhipple--- Did you say jelous?!?!?! YOU are the one going to Disney Land in 9 hours!!! I am the jelous one!! TAKE ME WITH YOU! thanks so much for your well wishes!

Kristen- thatks for understanding- I know what you mean- I wanted to dissapear for a while too- but as soon as I read a post I HAD to say something! I can't help it- I just love the boards! And THANK YOU, for the well wishes for my FUTURE husband & I!!!

LOL- cheapmom, I read some of those posts- They are funny to me- I guess that other one will be soon- I just took a look at it & it's locked- LOL- who would have thought that lil' ol' me would start something that turned into such a warzone! I'm glad it was locked- I was wondering for a while if there was a way to do it myself because the insults just kept coming!




Thank you SOOOOO much for all of the hugs!! I appriciate it & I still maintain my DISdork status(as my bf calls me) and cannot peel myself away from the computer no matter how upset I was!! And thanks for the customs advice-- Hopefully*for the sake of my bank account) I will not go over the limit! & I'm probably getting all worried for nothing!! It's almost time to start packing!! YAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!! Thanks again- hugs returned & I just love you guys!!

 

[makaylee]

Originally posted by Princess49
Makaylee- your daughter & hubby ARE cute! There is a little girl in one of my gymnastics classes her name is Sydney & I swear she could be the identical twin to your daughter!! I actually thought it was her until I saw that you are in Utah!!!

Princess, you teach gymnastics? Thats great. Gymanstics is the only activity I put dd in that she doesnt complain about. She loves it. Shes been doing it over a year total and shes still in the beginer class, but she has fun and thats all that counts. It also might have something to do with the fact that inbetween moves she was out of it for 6 months, I just now got her back in.~~ Bad mom! Bad!~~

 

[Princess49]

Makaylee- I love teaching gymastics!! It is a great sport it teaches SO many important fundamentals that are used their entire athletic lives! I actually teach non-competitive gymnastics for kids who just want to have fun- no being told you weren't born with the the talent or forced to compete when you don't want to. It's a perfect place for kids! There's no pressure & I think that a lot of kids end up leaving gymastics because of the pressure, so it's great! Hey, if you ever have to move to NY you have a place to keep gymnastics! & keep in mind if she doesn't turn out to be an olympic gymnast that cheerleading is SOOOO huge in this country right now & there are amazing college scholarships available & one day down the line her tumbling background could land her a spot on the team! Keep up the good mom, oh, & a bad mom wouldn't have put her back in at all, you're GREAT!

 

[kristen821]

I used to teach tumbling and I miss it. It is so fun watching the kids improve and how proud they are of themselfs. It is very hard work and dealing with some of the parents was very difficult when they want thier children to do more then you think is safe for them to try or when they yell at them for not doing something right I give you credit for being an instructor. I think it is something great for kids. I was in gymastics for years and loved it. In high school I was on the diving team and used my tumbling for that too. I actually got my son a 14ft. trampoline for his birthday and did a flipflop on it today it felt so good to do it again of course with the help of the trampoline! I'm sure my neighbors think I'm crazy but hey it was fun!

 

[makaylee]

Thank's for making me feel better. Things were just so hectic when we first moved here and it didnt help that I didnt know anyone and had no way of getting recommendations for a good gym. I finally got info on two different ones and picked the one that was supposed to be no pressure, they seem very good at what they do, but theres no pushing to "be the best" They also have a new really nice gym with lots of different equipment. She loves it. She goes 2 times a week for an hour and a half aday. I stay there and read, im affraid to leave her. It would be horrible if she got hurt and I wasnt there. Im one of the few parents that stays though, that kinda shocks me. Do many of your parents stay?
We tried cheerleading last year and she hated it. After I spent all the money on the uniform (wasnt cheap) and pom poms she decided it was boreing. Oh well I just sucked it up, I didnt want to make her keep doing something she didnt want to do. Well I'm gonna stop now, I've been going on long enough, sorry
Thanks for the encouragement