April 29, 2012 ~ Aloha! ~ Wonder to Hawaii- who is with me?

[birkner]

Well I got a bit of great news today. As some of you may already know, we have been planning this vacation all along but I haven't actually gotten approval from my boss to do it because after I've done so many long vacations recently (September 2010 Med/WBTA, May 2011 Repo/Alaska, etc.) my boss basically told me he didn't want me taking anymore vacations that were longer than 10 work days (2 weeks)....and, of course, because DCL decided to start the Hawaii cruise on a SUNDAY, rather than a Saturday...it ends on a Monday...which means it will require ELEVEN work days (ugh!!). So Jason and I have been scared to tell my boss in case he said no....we even have been preparing contingency plans that included seeing if DCL would let us disembark in Ensenada and then find our way home a day early from either Tijuana or San Diego if we had to!!

Well, I talked about it with my boss today and he said I can have the eleven days. WOO HOO!!! (I'm sure it didn't hurt that I mentioned that this would formally be our honeymoon probably....but still...it's a big load off not to have to worry about that!!)

Wonderful news!! Thanks for sharing it with us!!

 

[mickeymom923]

Hi Bev! Do you still have a non-smoking, double queen, marina view at the Double Tree available at that price? I would love to be able to save a few bucks (to spend on the cruise of course ). I already reserved this type of room for the 3 of us, but the AAA rate I was given was $179.20 plus tax (guaranteed, unless I don't produce my AAA card ). With tax, the total for one night is $204.41. If available, do you think I can transfer my reservation to your block to get the lower rate? Thanks for any info you can give me. Please feel free to PM me.

Mary

Hi Mary,

I sent you a PM. Yes I can definitely work with you to help you save money.

Bev

 

[Scott H]

Yes our rate a double tree is refundable, can cancel before 5:00 on checkin day, sorry I don't recall if it was AAA or AARP or some other rate, or we got lucky on the day we made the reservation.

 

[mickeymom923]

Well I got a bit of great news today. As some of you may already know, we have been planning this vacation all along but I haven't actually gotten approval from my boss to do it because after I've done so many long vacations recently (September 2010 Med/WBTA, May 2011 Repo/Alaska, etc.) my boss basically told me he didn't want me taking anymore vacations that were longer than 10 work days (2 weeks)....and, of course, because DCL decided to start the Hawaii cruise on a SUNDAY, rather than a Saturday...it ends on a Monday...which means it will require ELEVEN work days (ugh!!). So Jason and I have been scared to tell my boss in case he said no....we even have been preparing contingency plans that included seeing if DCL would let us disembark in Ensenada and then find our way home a day early from either Tijuana or San Diego if we had to!!

Well, I talked about it with my boss today and he said I can have the eleven days. WOO HOO!!! (I'm sure it didn't hurt that I mentioned that this would formally be our honeymoon probably....but still...it's a big load off not to have to worry about that!!)

Erik and Jason,

This is great news. You'll have alot of people celebrating with both of you.

Bev

 

[castoff]

Well I got a bit of great news today. As some of you may already know, we have been planning this vacation all along but I haven't actually gotten approval from my boss to do it because after I've done so many long vacations recently (September 2010 Med/WBTA, May 2011 Repo/Alaska, etc.) my boss basically told me he didn't want me taking anymore vacations that were longer than 10 work days (2 weeks)....and, of course, because DCL decided to start the Hawaii cruise on a SUNDAY, rather than a Saturday...it ends on a Monday...which means it will require ELEVEN work days (ugh!!). So Jason and I have been scared to tell my boss in case he said no....we even have been preparing contingency plans that included seeing if DCL would let us disembark in Ensenada and then find our way home a day early from either Tijuana or San Diego if we had to!!

Well, I talked about it with my boss today and he said I can have the eleven days. WOO HOO!!! (I'm sure it didn't hurt that I mentioned that this would formally be our honeymoon probably....but still...it's a big load off not to have to worry about that!!)

Sounds like a nice boss !! Did you mention to your boss that you were taking your honeymoon with 200 plus friends ?

Yes our rate a double tree is refundable, can cancel before 5:00 on checkin day, sorry I don't recall if it was AAA or AARP or some other rate, or we got lucky on the day we made the reservation.

Good to know. Thanks

 

[castoff]

Has anyone seen the thread about the packing cubes ? I have never heard of them before seeing the thread. I ordered a set and I am excited to see if they really help with packing and keeping clothes wrinkle free.

 

[gydell]

Has anyone seen the thread about the packing cubes ? I have never heard of them before seeing the thread. I ordered a set and I am excited to see if they really help with packing and keeping clothes wrinkle free.

We use them and the only problem we have is because you can get so much more in you suitcase you have to be careful of the weight.

 

[birkner]

Has anyone seen the thread about the packing cubes ? I have never heard of them before seeing the thread. I ordered a set and I am excited to see if they really help with packing and keeping clothes wrinkle free.

We use them and the only problem we have is because you can get so much more in you suitcase you have to be careful of the weight.

I stopped using them because of the extra weight. I found it cheaper to pay for ironing as I can get more clothes in my suitcases.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I only use the flat ones for shirts. and pants. I don't use the other cubes. It seems too bulky. I returned all but the flat ones and have been using them for the last couple of years.

 

[dylan'smom]

I stopped using them because of the extra weight. I found it cheaper to pay for ironing as I can get more clothes in my suitcases.

I'm with you on this!!

I used to use the cubes, and also I would put everything on plastic hangers, cover with plastic dry cleaning bags (I bought a spool online), and unpacking was a breeze, nothing was wrinkled and it popped into the closet easily - even DH could do it!! But now.....the weight thing has changed my life -- everything goes in w/o a hanger anymore, and I use an occasional space bag in small suitcases, but that's it!!

Everything comes out wrinkled, but like you said, have it pressed - avoid those annoying weight issues!! Traveling is stressful enough...now I'm stressed on the other end! JK!


.

 

[dylan'smom]

But then, you can always just do this:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDn9l20NlWw





Wow - my 1000th post...I sure talk a lot! But then I guess it took me 11 years. ;]

 

[tig82174]

Sounds like a nice boss !! Did you mention to your boss that you were taking your honeymoon with 200 plus friends ?

Actually yes I did....my boss is also gay and he and his partner had a ceremony several years ago. I actually work for an AIDS healthcare organization managing our LGBT Health Education & Advocacy program....so it's a pretty gay-friendly place and so everyone is very excited that all of us gay employees who are in relationships have hte chance to get married and go on real honeymoons now!

 

[mickeymom923]

Okay, so far the guaranteed group rate at the Doubletree in San Pedro is $139 per room single or double occupancy + 14.065%. I have a contract and reserved a # of rooms. I received the revised contract today so please if you are planning on staying at the Doubletree and want to take part of this guaranteed rate, please PM me; email me at Bweiss923@aol.com or call me at 215-219-5400. For those who did contact me, I already have you on my list.

For those of you who want to stay at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, I have fantastic rates that I negotiated with them and also have a contract with. The deluxe rooms feature a porthole either facing the ocean or facing the parking lot. The awesome price for a deluxe room is $160 + 15.065% tax. The inside room has no windows and the price is only $139 + 15.065% tax. I can also get you discounted prices for the Super Shuttle from LAX to the Queen Mary. Hungry? No problem, you can also get a discounted rate on a full breakfast for only $8 instead of $14. To get this great offer, please PM me; email me at Bweiss923@aol.com or call me at 215-219-5400. While staying at the Queen Mary, you can take a tour of the Queen Mary. Other optional sightseeing tours would be whale watching or dolphin watching; Knott's Berry Farm or visiting Catalina Island.

For those of you who inquired about the Hyatt Regency, their price is $175 + tax. Breakfast and parking are extra charges.

I also have pricing on Portofino Inn and Suites located within walking distance of DisneyLand. Their deluxe rooms with 2 queen size beds are $89 + tax. If you are interested in a King suite with a bunk bed, the price is only $109 + tax.

I'm still waiting on prices from the Candy Cane Inn in Anaheim and Paradise Pier and the Grand Californian.

If everyone that is interested in saving money and want to stay in any of these hotels could let me know within the week, that would be great as I have to confirm the # of rooms with these hotels. If I need more rooms, I can get them at the same rates instead of waiting 6 months and getting higher rates.

Looking forward to meeting everyone.

Bev aka mickeymom923

 

[LindaBabe]

I just had an idea that I want to run by you all. Instead of a group tee shirt, how do you all feel about a group hawaiian shirt? I just spoke with a company that makes Hawaiian shirts and patterns to order. They can take a group logo, have an artist mock-up a fabric design for us, have fabric printed with our approved design and then manufacture shirts for us. The shirts would cost about what a tee-shirt purchased on-board cost, approximately $25 if we order 150 or more. They can make them as small as XS or as large as 4XL.

The company is called Custom Hawaiian Shirt Shop and Becky is going to send me a sample shirt so I can see the quality of their product. Once I get it I'll wash the shirt a few times and see how it fares. Then I'll let you all know. We'll post photos.

I want to e-mail her the different logos people have come up with and she will let us know what she thinks they will look like made up as fabric. They can be as many colors as we want and they can have any words printed with the pictures that we want. I think they might also have stock tropical patterns (hibiscus, vines, etc.) so we don't just look like walking billboards.

I don't want the company to go to a lot of work if there isn't any interest so I'd really appreciate honest input.

Val

Love the idea! I think we'd each get one and maybe a couple teddy bear sized ones as well.

 

[AlohaDisney]

I just had an idea that I want to run by you all. Instead of a group tee shirt, how do you all feel about a group hawaiian shirt? I just spoke with a company that makes Hawaiian shirts and patterns to order. They can take a group logo, have an artist mock-up a fabric design for us, have fabric printed with our approved design and then manufacture shirts for us. The shirts would cost about what a tee-shirt purchased on-board cost, approximately $25 if we order 150 or more. They can make them as small as XS or as large as 4XL.

The company is called Custom Hawaiian Shirt Shop and Becky is going to send me a sample shirt so I can see the quality of their product. Once I get it I'll wash the shirt a few times and see how it fares. Then I'll let you all know. We'll post photos.

I want to e-mail her the different logos people have come up with and she will let us know what she thinks they will look like made up as fabric. They can be as many colors as we want and they can have any words printed with the pictures that we want. I think they might also have stock tropical patterns (hibiscus, vines, etc.) so we don't just look like walking billboards.

I don't want the company to go to a lot of work if there isn't any interest so I'd really appreciate honest input.

Val

I like this idea Val! I would be in for a shirt!

 

[hamm1207]

I just had an idea that I want to run by you all. Instead of a group tee shirt, how do you all feel about a group hawaiian shirt? I just spoke with a company that makes Hawaiian shirts and patterns to order. They can take a group logo, have an artist mock-up a fabric design for us, have fabric printed with our approved design and then manufacture shirts for us. The shirts would cost about what a tee-shirt purchased on-board cost, approximately $25 if we order 150 or more. They can make them as small as XS or as large as 4XL.

The company is called Custom Hawaiian Shirt Shop and Becky is going to send me a sample shirt so I can see the quality of their product. Once I get it I'll wash the shirt a few times and see how it fares. Then I'll let you all know. We'll post photos.

I want to e-mail her the different logos people have come up with and she will let us know what she thinks they will look like made up as fabric. They can be as many colors as we want and they can have any words printed with the pictures that we want. I think they might also have stock tropical patterns (hibiscus, vines, etc.) so we don't just look like walking billboards.

I don't want the company to go to a lot of work if there isn't any interest so I'd really appreciate honest input.

Val

I love the idea! My husband and I both love Hawaiian shirts, so if it's a Disney Hawaiian shirt we'll love it even more!

 

[Pixiegran]

I just had an idea that I want to run by you all. Instead of a group tee shirt, how do you all feel about a group hawaiian shirt? I just spoke with a company that makes Hawaiian shirts and patterns to order. They can take a group logo, have an artist mock-up a fabric design for us, have fabric printed with our approved design and then manufacture shirts for us. The shirts would cost about what a tee-shirt purchased on-board cost, approximately $25 if we order 150 or more. They can make them as small as XS or as large as 4XL.

The company is called Custom Hawaiian Shirt Shop and Becky is going to send me a sample shirt so I can see the quality of their product. Once I get it I'll wash the shirt a few times and see how it fares. Then I'll let you all know. We'll post photos.

I want to e-mail her the different logos people have come up with and she will let us know what she thinks they will look like made up as fabric. They can be as many colors as we want and they can have any words printed with the pictures that we want. I think they might also have stock tropical patterns (hibiscus, vines, etc.) so we don't just look like walking billboards.

I don't want the company to go to a lot of work if there isn't any interest so I'd really appreciate honest input.

Val

We'd each be interested in one (two total). Great idea.

 

[gdaneowner]

I just had an idea that I want to run by you all. Instead of a group tee shirt, how do you all feel about a group hawaiian shirt? I just spoke with a company that makes Hawaiian shirts and patterns to order. They can take a group logo, have an artist mock-up a fabric design for us, have fabric printed with our approved design and then manufacture shirts for us. The shirts would cost about what a tee-shirt purchased on-board cost, approximately $25 if we order 150 or more. They can make them as small as XS or as large as 4XL.

The company is called Custom Hawaiian Shirt Shop and Becky is going to send me a sample shirt so I can see the quality of their product. Once I get it I'll wash the shirt a few times and see how it fares. Then I'll let you all know. We'll post photos.

I want to e-mail her the different logos people have come up with and she will let us know what she thinks they will look like made up as fabric. They can be as many colors as we want and they can have any words printed with the pictures that we want. I think they might also have stock tropical patterns (hibiscus, vines, etc.) so we don't just look like walking billboards.

I don't want the company to go to a lot of work if there isn't any interest so I'd really appreciate honest input.

Val

This sounds like an awesome idea.
We would be interested!.. We would need 4.. two adult sizes and 2 kids sizes!

 

[Pixiegran]

Has anyone seen the thread about the packing cubes ? I have never heard of them before seeing the thread. I ordered a set and I am excited to see if they really help with packing and keeping clothes wrinkle free.

I have used to Eagle Creek cubes and folders for years..probably 8 cruises. I love them. We use the cubes mainly for underwear. I can put a weeks worth of all necessities (female style) in a half cube including any special slips etc for formal night. The folders are awesome. I put much more in them than they say and they still come out great. I use only small size suitcases. The largest we own that is for cruising only is like 3 sizes down from the largest available. My daughter and I cruise together and both have had multiple types of arthritis for decades and can't lift diddlysquat..... The largest "cruise only" one will hold 4-6 folders. The small ones hold only 2. I always have one case for all non folding items--shoes, costume pieces etc. I really love these! The padded cubes are awesome for electronics...we have chargers, cables, all the necessities for cameras, lap top, kindle, cell phones etc. one big BUT - I don't fly so weight is not a issue!

 

[ibouncetoo]

I just had an idea that I want to run by you all. Instead of a group tee shirt, how do you all feel about a group hawaiian shirt? I just spoke with a company that makes Hawaiian shirts and patterns to order. They can take a group logo, have an artist mock-up a fabric design for us, have fabric printed with our approved design and then manufacture shirts for us. The shirts would cost about what a tee-shirt purchased on-board cost, approximately $25 if we order 150 or more. They can make them as small as XS or as large as 4XL.

The company is called Custom Hawaiian Shirt Shop and Becky is going to send me a sample shirt so I can see the quality of their product. Once I get it I'll wash the shirt a few times and see how it fares. Then I'll let you all know. We'll post photos.

I want to e-mail her the different logos people have come up with and she will let us know what she thinks they will look like made up as fabric. They can be as many colors as we want and they can have any words printed with the pictures that we want. I think they might also have stock tropical patterns (hibiscus, vines, etc.) so we don't just look like walking billboards.

I don't want the company to go to a lot of work if there isn't any interest so I'd really appreciate honest input.

Val

LOVE THIS! We'd be in for this, sister doesn't like wearing t-shirts, so this would be great.

.