April 17, 2004 -- anyone going with us?

[rae519]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=5246115#post5246115

Interesting thread - we actually will be passing the Wonder on it's trip back to Port Canaveral! Now that is something to "party about" (as if we will need an excuse!)

Rae

 

[jeanie]

Hi,

What are the immigration papers for that were included with the docs? It's the ones that say Welcome to the Island of the Bahamas?

Can we fill them out ahead of time? Who do we give them to?


Thanks,

 

[Skuba2]

Hey Jeanie--

Welome to the group. I don't know if it is any consolation, but I believe you will be ok with Delta or any other airline. I believe I am right in saying that they don't just leave you stranded due to overbooking. They will generally ask for volunteers to take a later flight with compensation. The compensation goes up as time passes with no takers. They just can't close the doors on paying passengers. I think that is the give and take of overbooking. I grew up a TWA brat and have seen it happen many times. You may not get seats together, but even that is usually fixed once you board. Especially if you have younger kids. For me, I used to laugh. I don't mind if I don't sit next to my 5 year old---it would be like having a free babysitter. LOL!! But I always remind the gate agents I don't think the people around my 5 year old will be very happy about having to entertain her for 3 hours.


Anyway, there are also a small amount of seats that are left unassigned for the gate agents to use at their discretion. So, go early, check-in as early as possible and ask for seats. Also, I would maybe note on your reservation that you are traveling with children and would like seats together. Like I said earlier, the stewards/stewardesses will more than likely try and get you together.

The only problem I find traveling to Florida is they don't pre-board families with small children since there are so many going to Florida. You are either that or an elderly person. I hated going thru a full plane trying to carry an infant and a car seat over everyone's head. The car seats don't travel well down the center aisle. So generally, they must be lifted over the heads of the seated passengers.

Good Luck and see you on the Magic!!!

Deb

 

[outahere]

jeanie...........

You can (and should) fill out all your docs ahead of time. They will collect everything when you check in at the port. The Bahamas immigration form is necessary because we will be stopping at Castaway Cay, which is part of the Bahamas.

Ed

 

[rae519]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Fill those documents out at home and come as a family together to the desk at the Port - have everything ready, people, passports and paperwork!

Otherwise you will be there for a very long time and people behind you will begin to get that look in their eye that says not so nice things!!!!!!!!

This is probably my biggest pet peeve about check-in!!!! Not people who have attempted to fill out documents and have one or two questions about what to write, but those who come to the desk and say, "What do I have to do?" They stand around and fill out each person's paperwork, then search for their identification and often have to run around the terminal to find the person who has wandered off, gone for coffee, bathroom, photo with character and we stand there waiting and waiting and waiting.

Not PMS-ing, just been there too many times to count!
And the funny part is most of THEM are standing in the Castaway Club line and should know the routine from having cruised before!

This isn't about jeanie's question - and I do not mean any disrespect to her about this or to anyone else who may have a document question - this is just a hot topic with me especially with people who just don't bother doing anything and expect DCL to do it all for them! (I think you may know the type)

Jeanie - each person has to fill them out and we turn them in at the Port. If you have any questions, I can tell you what to put where...that's if I know!!! IF you are traveling by DCL bus, they will have you get your paperwork together prior to arrival.

Rae

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by Skuba2
You may not get seats together, but even that is usually fixed once you board. Especially if you have younger kids. For me, I used to laugh. I don't mind if I don't sit next to my 5 year old---it would be like having a free babysitter. LOL!! But I always remind the gate agents I don't think the people around my 5 year old will be very happy about having to entertain her for 3 hours.

Deb

Ohhh, yes! What a wonderful way to travel!!!!!
This happened to us on a DCL bus 3 years ago! There were 3 seats left and we were told to board. Michael was 5. No one offered to move so Tom had a seat way in front, Michael was in the middle and I was in the back row. The teenaged girl that wouldn't move "enjoyed" Michael talking for the time it took to get from AK to Port! Meanwhile, Tom slept and I read! What a lovely way to reach the Port! Then during the cruise when he saw her, he'd go over to talk! I bet she "loved" it! Next time she might reconsider allowing a parent to sit with their child instead of being "stubborn"!!! (tee hee hee!)

Rae

 

[outahere]

When I changed my air reservation last week on JetBlue, the agent (jokingly) asked if I wanted one seat in the front of the plane, one in back and the third in the middle...... and I told him "no, thanks"...........

WHAT WAS I THINKING ?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Ed

 

[rae519]

For those who have inquired, Andy and I have set our 50th Birthday Celebration cruise date - April 30, 2005 (Eastern) - welcome aboard to all who are interested!

Rae

 

[oreo's mom]

Hi Rae,


I think there is a duplication on your list. I am Cruise Crazy's mother also known as Oreo's Mom. Cuts the size of the group down a little. Looking forward to meeting everyone onboard.

Helpful hint. Paste made of baking soda removes shrimp cocktail sauce from clothing .

Counting down and packing.

Oreo's Mom

 

[ehtpnt]

Thanks for the print out of the plans Rae. One question...is Zebra Stripes DD really 98? Chuckled when I saw that.

Oreo's Mom-- I laughed out loud when I saw your post about a paste of baking soda. With my ability to wear my food that is a very important piece of information.

I don't remember filling out the information for the Bahamas when we cruised in 2002. Is this new or do I just not remember having done it before? And Rae you will be pleased to know that DH and I filled out our docs yesterday. So he has them paper clipped to our passports. If you do them before you get to the counter no one gives you dirty looks and it takes not time at all to get done. So everyone listen to Rae and besides if you don't listen there will be nobody except Rae and I allowed near the shrimp. So there...

Talk to you all later. Estelle

 

[rae519]

Ohhh, my! Am I redfaced over that one! Took care of those details and hopefully, now everything is "hunky dorey".

Estelle - your DH is a good man! I just got together all the "incidentals" and only have clothing to pack now!

Remember to bring list:

SEA SAFE
suntan lotion
aloe gel
camera
film
batteries
small flashlight or nightlight for bathroom visits
medication in original containers


Anyother suggestions?

Rae

 

[rae519]

If anyone wants to post excursions they are on, let me know.
We have elected to only do the St. John Trunk Bay excursion since I chose the REAS package (gotta economize somewhere!)

I also posted who is dining with whom and when. If you want me to edit yours, let me know.

Rae

 

[outahere]

We starting getting the "incidentals" together yesterday. I would add Immodium (with all that shrimp and other rich food, ya never know!), Anbesol and an emergency dental filling kit. Dentists are really tough to find at sea!

Ed

 

[ZebraStripes]

Originally posted by ehtpnt
One question...is Zebra Stripes DD really 98? Chuckled when I saw that.

Hah That is too funny. She does act older than her age, but closer to 13 than 98!!

We are going on the dolphin excursion in St. Maarten. Still looking for two seats if anyone decides not to go. In St. Thomas we have chartered Sail Jester. Can't wait.

 

[lsutigger2]

Okay, I get to eat shrimp - filled out our docs yesterday at DH's suggestion!! I hope we did them correctly - one question for all you veterans - my "birth certificate/passport" name is Theresa Jane, everyone who knows and loves me calls me "Janie". The docs have "Janie" on them but everything else (drivers license and passport) have "Theresa" on them. Will I have to pitch a fit to get on board?? Should I call DCL?? Docs are safe with passports in a large envelope that has everything else in it - car rental reservation, airline e ticket, etc, etc, etc.

Excursions: I took the "Grayline" approach since DH and I have never been on a cruise before. On St. Maarteen - Island Drive and Explorer Cruise, On St. Thomas - St. John Island Tour for me, DH is playing golf at Mahogany Run with luv2dreams DH!, and on CC parasailing ! (Yikes, don't know what I was thinking !!)

Packing is underway - personal items and some of the extra stuff (camera, Mardi Gras beads, bathing suits, etc.) DH has his wardrobe together and all items purchased. I'll work on mine later.

It's gone to be fun, fun, fun, !!

 

[klStacker]

I think I would call DCL and check to see if your docs having a different name is a problem. I've never had this problem because my docs always have the same name as my birth cerificate, but I seem to remember hearing that the names are required to be the same. It may not be a problem, but I think I'd want to know now instead of when your ready to board.

 

[lsutigger2]

Thanks for the info - I'll call in the morning and check it out.

I agree, better to "fix" it now and not at time of boarding - Rae will have eaten all the shrimp!

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by lsutigger2
[BI agree, better to "fix" it now and not at time of boarding - Rae will have eaten all the shrimp! [/B]

Now how did I mess this up?????

Okay, folks, forget what I said - don't fill anything out, take your time and do it at Port........

(Step away from the shrimp and no one will get hurt!)

Rae

 

[Luv2Dream]

Rae, Is that 4/30/05 cruise on the Magic or Wonder? Eastern or Western? Unfortunately it's just after Mary's April vacation as she's off the third week of April. Boo hooo.....I would still love to do the Panama Canal though. I've got the luggage out but I haven't had a spare moment to pack....I'm really pushing the limit here....Hopefully I'll get into full swing in the next couple of days. Otherwise, I'll just be naked and that would NOT be a pretty sight....

 

[rae519]

4/30/05 - Magic Eastern - that gives us 3 days at sea which we love, plus St. Thomas (our favorite island), St. Marten and CC.
I agree about the Panama Canal - and Andy and I spent a lot of time on the phone about this, but we look at (1) COST and (2) TIME OF YEAR. PLUS we were both a little tired of waiting to hear what Disney was going to do - so we made the decision.

On this cruise, Tom and I decided against the excursion to Pinel Island because of the "clothing optional" part - so please pack so we don't have to hide our eyes!!!!!!! I guess we will just walk around St. Marten for a hour or so then head back to the ship. I hope a good movie is playing that afternoon!

Hugs!
Rae