April 15, 2006 - Spring Break -

[Marypoppinsiam]

Hey everyone, hopefully everyone had a wonderful & safe New Years Eve. I can't believe that we are getting closer to the cruise date.

D- sorry you had to pay so early, but hey just remember you can get all the chocolate covered strawberries you want, while the rest of us can just hope to get just one. Thanks for the little note about dining times. I was wondering when we might be able to do Palo (that is if there are still times avaliable).

Kimmie- it was great hearing from you. By the look of your post numbers I think you are living on this board. I am sure you have learned lots. Please share any good tips if you find some.

John- we are getting closer aren't we? Let me know when we finally hit 100 days.

Until next time-

 

[kathyfm1]

My "newbieness" really shows. We will not be staying on Deck 9 in the pool. I got confused with Cat 9 and Deck 9. Looks like Deck 2. Very excited.

 

[djs113]

Kathy

sent you a PM

- David

 

[djs113]

Mary

as many choc covered strawberries as you want - I will send to your cabin

Happy New Year all

- D

 

[joksten2000]

Hi Mary, when you wake up tomorrow morning the count will be at 100 I'm really excited. I think I'll pack a few more things tomorrow. Sun tan lotion and sandals

 

[djs113]

What excursions are you all planning to go on?

So far

we plan to do

- Go by ourselves over to Megan's Bay in St Thomas

- Stingray excursion at 11am on Castaway Cay

- St Maatin - undecided - we did French Rendevous last year to Orient Bay Beach

- D

 

[joksten2000]

I decide to pay the Cruise off early, didn't have a Disney credit card when I put a deposit on the cruise, so I decided to try and get my deposit back and pay with the Disney credit card to get the $50 room credit. DU didn't think Disney would do it, but guess what? They did.

When I get up tomorrow morning it will be 99 days good Bye Triple digits, bite the dust. Plan no excursions. Looking for us, we'll be camped out at the adult pool or the rain forest 15 hours a day.

 

[MV_Photon]

St. Thomas:

• chartered the Marlin Prince (45' Viking) for 3/4-day
  
• might try a quick hop over to Watermelon Cay National Park for a snorkel

St. Maarten:

• keep an eye on the ship while the horde swarms ashore
• ensure that the beer doesn't get stale or warm
• spa discounts!

Castaway Cay:

• early lap of the Snorkel Trail
  
• Windsock Bar at Serenity Bay
  
• Castaway Air Bar at Serenity Bay
  

 

[djs113]

Kevin!

where have you been hiding ???


- david

 

[MV_Photon]

Hi, David et al --

Just lurking.....

Time to gear up now that the countdown is into double digits. Already plotting to make on-line Palo & Spa reservations 90 days out, which is apparently 1/15/06. Wish I knew what time of day DCL opens those bookings, and if they'll do so on a Sunday.

We're actually "downgrading" from our usual Cat 3 Suite, where the concierge staff had catered to our every whim. The upside: the children will have their own stateroom (and we'll have our own sans children ), and we're bringing along their old babysitter (who's now a 23-yo school teacher) to keep them occupied all week.

Looks like the worst day will be Wednesday 4/19, since the entire ship will need to clear US Customs in St. Thomas (USVI) because we'll already have been to a foreign port (St. Maarten).

~ Kevin

 

[djs113]

Kevin

bookings open at 12 midnight - west coast time / 3am for us east coasters

yes they even open them up on sundays - its all automated

many people on other threads have had late night, online parties, chatting til 3am to book their ressies

What cabin is your usual cabin? That Customs thing is very annoying, dragging the kids still in their PJs for a whole 15 minute exercise in the theater

- D

 

[Marypoppinsiam]

Hey guys!! I can't believe it is finally down to double digits. I better get planning on what excursions (if any), personally a beach, a chair, an umbrella and a good girlie drink will suit me fine. But knowing my boys they will want to do something. I can't make my reservations until 75 days out- I hope their will be something left in the Palo.

Hey question for you guys- what do you do for tuxes? Do you rent one on the ship or do you purchase one? I have been on ebay and the prices are cheap for a tux but I don't really want to lug one around in my luggage (takes up valuable space for suveniers.) So what do you guys do?

Talk to you later-

 

[MV_Photon]

Mary --

On our second Disney cruise, we rented tuxes for both boys on-board. That was pricey (>$70 each), and there was no option to custom fit. (See the photo from Christmas 2003 in my signature, above.)

Since then, we have all purchased tuxedo suits via eBay. My brand-name, "Super 150 wool" tuxedo has already paid for itself many times over. Serviceable, brand-new youth tuxes can be found for ~$35, but we purchased premium outfits for less than the cost of one rental.

Since we drive to/from the port, we don't hesitate to bring a lot of baggage.....including at least one empty duffel that'll mysteriously be filled en route home.

 

[djs113]

I own my tux

I bought my son a tux for last year's cruise - will need to buy another new one for him - surely he has grown out of it

We bought matching Mickey vests/bow ties for our tuxs

The formal pics came out very cute

Less than 50% of the men will wear a tux on Sunday night - most wear suits

- D

 

[MV_Photon]

David --

Thanks for the scoop about reservations. I'm too old to stay up that late......still feels like "jet lag" from New Years Eve. Might just set an alarm, though.....

No need to book any excursions on this trip. However, I might try to hit Palo for either brunch or dinner most every day, and the ladies will surely want to attend high tea.

We've previously booked Cat 3 Suite #8546. Fabulous, except when they're tossing around deck chairs overhead at dawn. For this voyage, we have a block of staterooms on Deck 6 forward. The grandparents have bailed on us, so I'm tempted to upgrade; does San Birch still reign over Cat 1-3?

 

[djs113]

Morning all,

as many of you are getting ready to pay your final balances - I had one thought

If any of you still have your reservations directly with Disney, I highly recommend moving it over to the travel agent I use - she is out of Dallas / Ft Worth. I have used her for all my past cruises, she is wonderful!

Everyone who has done this in the past, has saved a significant amount of money from her, which means more money to spend on the sailing !!

Kathy just moved her reservation over to this travel agent and saved a nice sum as well.

There is no downside in getting a quote from Carol - only limitation on moving a reservation - is that it can only be transfered over to an agent before the final balance is due.

If anyone is interested, PM me and I will send you her website info / phone number.

Can't hurt to get a quote, dosn't cost a thing

Enough of my public service announcement

- D

 

[Kimmielee]

I used David's TA and saved a bundle too! She's been great to work with and I also highly recommend her!

 

[djs113]

DVC Maria just switched to my TA as well

Another happy cruiser

Think of all the extra money everyone will have to spend on the cruise !!

- D

 

[joksten2000]

93 Days and counting down. Very exciting, Almost as exciting as the Stock Market. Just made enough 4 a few more cruises whoopee

 

[Marypoppinsiam]

Hey John maybe you can give me some advice, my stocks are just holding steady with no major bump this time.

Thanks for the countdown, I know I can count on you!!