August 20, 2005 - L.A. to Port Canaveral - Eastbound Repo Cruise - The SHIP OF FOOLS Part 2

[jiminyC_fan]

P.S. I don't have any plans to be bored. How can you be bored resting on deck 4 chairs?

 

[Denise W]

I have wondered about that too. I plan to attend all the talks they have, see movies and shows, read lots of books, and get off at each port to enjoy that diversion. I plan to bring several decks of cards. Does anyone like to play Hearts or Hi Low Jack (I don't know how to play Bridge)? I figure we can get some rowdy card parties going. I also love Trivial Pursuit. Perhaps we can bring that game as well! For me, it will probably be too hot to be outside a lot, so I need stuff to do inside in the air conditioning!!!
Denise

 

[kmiles]

P.S. I don't have any plans to be bored. How can you be bored resting on deck 4 chairs?

I think it's really going to depend on the individual. I'm sure Disney will have TONS to do and I have to say that even after seven cruises on DCL I still have things that I haven't been able to try.

I'm more worried about the five sea days in a row rather than the five sea days.

 

[kmiles]

I mean just to give one example, on the recent 10 days cruise, they posted that they gave out towel again for the CC members. I thought because it was a "special" cruise, Disney should have given a special CC gift other than a typcial towel gift which you can get on a regular Disney cruise..

I think some of this can be answered by perception. Personally, I don't think that Disney ever intended the ten night cruise to become a "special" cruise. Let's not forget that Christmas fell on a Saturday. The typical day where one cruise ends and the next begins. Disney couldn't leave the Magic's schedule like that so they opted to extend one of the cruises and shorten another. This wasn't done to make these sailings "special" but rather to accomodate guests. So, if this is indeed the case, why would they get different Castaway Club gifts?

Another thing to consider is cost. It's much more expensive to order 2,500 of a special guft than it is to order 100,000 of the standard gift. All businesses attempt to control costs and DCL is no exception.

And, this brings up an interesting question. Is Disney looking at the Panama Canal cruises more as a necessity (to get the Magic to the West coast and back) or more of a "special" cruise? After hearing the reports coming from the 10 night cruisers, I'm thinking it may be the latter.

Of course, I could be TOTALLY wrong about all of this!

 

[mickeyfan1]

I understand the bored question. I know there will be people wondering what to do after a few days at sea. I hope that there will be a lot of activities, both indoors and out. Not everyone can sit and read for hours at a time, or go to endless movies. But I can imagine that there will be something to occupy us a lot. I am an avid reader, and while I don't intend to take more than one suitecase, I may end up bringing a small bag full of trashy romance novels and leave them on board when I am done. Having cruised as much as I have, I have always enjoyed being alone on deck, at the pool or elsewhere. I have always wanted to cruise solo simply to be able to do nothing at all all day with out hearing "What are we going to do now?"

As far as gifts, I have never gotten any repeat passenger gifts except for luggage tags from The Big Red Boats. If I get a free towel, that will be great. If I get nothing, that will be great too. I am just along for the ride. But in case DCL is reading here, it would not break my heart to have a 25.00 room credit and a flash light. Or a visor. Or a date with TOm Cruise.

 

[Luv2Dream]

Truthfully, I've been worried about the same thing.

 

[kpgclark]

I just got a reply from Disney for a message I sent a few weeks ago about the repo cruise. I asked when they'll know how many formal nights there will be. They replied that they won't know what they are going to do on the cruise until sometime in the spring. I feel sorry for the May cruisers because that really doesn't give you a lot of time to shop around for a dress.

 

[ivanova]

I think some of this can be answered by perception. Personally, I don't think that Disney ever intended the ten night cruise to become a "special" cruise. Let's not forget that Christmas fell on a Saturday. The typical day where one cruise ends and the next begins. Disney couldn't leave the Magic's schedule like that so they opted to extend one of the cruises and shorten another. This wasn't done to make these sailings "special" but rather to accomodate guests. So, if this is indeed the case, why would they get different Castaway Club gifts?

Another thing to consider is cost. It's much more expensive to order 2,500 of a special guft than it is to order 100,000 of the standard gift. All businesses attempt to control costs and DCL is no exception.

And, this brings up an interesting question. Is Disney looking at the Panama Canal cruises more as a necessity (to get the Magic to the West coast and back) or more of a "special" cruise? After hearing the reports coming from the 10 night cruisers, I'm thinking it may be the latter.

Of course, I could be TOTALLY wrong about all of this!

For a recent cruise that stopped at Antigua there was a special CC gift for return cruisers ... a blanket instead of a towel ... I can see them ordering something "special" for the repo cruises PLUS the Mexican Riviera cruises (so ordering 15,000 or so wouldn't be bad).

 

[ehtpnt]

I've been busy recovering from Christmas and haven't been even on line let alone on the boards. But I have read the last two pages.

The question about the Tsunami really didn't occur to me. That one just doesn't worry me.

I do not expect to be bored. And if someone should happen to bring along Trivial Pursuit I am definately up for it. The best thing about the entire two weeks is that my DH gets away from all the day care things he seems to have to do. And no one will call him and he can sit in one of those great deck chairs on deck 4 and read. He'd be happy doing that for 14 days let alone only 5. And I can sit next to him and read or sew or sleep. And of course there is always BINGO!!

We haven't had much snow just a dusting on the 26th but it has been very COLD. Yesterday we had wind gusts up to 30 mph. Today at least there was no wind.

Estelle

 

[kmiles]

But Marsha, I'll be around to ask you "What are we going to do now?"

I'm sure that Disney will have lots of things planned for the cruise. And, since there is so many of us, it shouldn't be too difficult for us to put our heads together and come up with some fun activities on our own. For instance, we could each bring a bottle of wine and have a wine tasting. (I believe someone may already have mentioned this, non?) Or, we could play hide the Grumbo. Or, pin the tale on the Mark. Ring around the Jazzman?

Whew! I crack myself up!

 

[DisneyElf]

We are planning to bring books (I forgot who else reads SF), music -- and besides - I dare anyone to stay awake on Deck 4 reading in the chairs.

Denise - my sister & I both know how to play high low jack - though it's been a couple of years, and play Trivial Pursuit at home. So we can meet up and play.

The 5 sea days will be broken up by the transit of the canal.

The talks should be different & hopefully they will do different receipes for the art of entertainment. I don't think I can sit through napkin folding again


But - a nice lazy day at sea - beats any day at work

 

[winotracy]

For instance, we could each bring a bottle of wine and have a wine tasting. (I believe someone may already have mentioned this, non?)

This sounds like a great idea! I don't remember seeing it here before. If anyone is interested, I'd be willing to arrange something. I've had 3 wine tasting parties at my house before.

 

[kmiles]

We did this once on another cruise and everyone really seemed to enjoy it. A lot of people tried to bring a bottle from the area where they lived or they just brought a favorite. All in all, we had a ton of wine and lots of happy people!

 

[DenverVal]

I am more concerned about my kids going stir crazy than I am for myself. My older DD didn't care for the kids club too much due to a couple of really obnoxious boys who were always there. Hopefully she will hit it off with her DISer girlfriends and find a way to stay occupied. Who's up for a game of Scene-It? We can pop the dvd in the computer and have a blast! I plan to bring an unfinished quilt top and make good use of the deck 4 chairs. I didn't even get to Studio Sea last time, nor any of the ship's tours. Never took a dip in the quiet pool. Never used the exercise equipment. And I was still too tired to even see straight by the time I got off since I was trying to cram stuff into every minute of the cruise!

This will be my second cruise, so I'll happily take the CC towel!

 

[kpgclark]

How could we do a wine tasting? Where would we have it? How would we get glasses? I think Disney would frown on such an event too. No $$$ for them.

 

[mark & sandra]

As someone said before, a boring day at sea while on vacation, sure beats any day back home at work.

It shouldn't be too hard for Disney to come up with some new and exciting things to do during our extra time onboard and at sea. We have the luxury of hearing what didn't work from the West bounders. If need be Disney can make changes or we could plan some group activities(either Drunk or Naked!!)...Mark

 

[kmiles]

Well, during our cruise one of the individuals we knew from the boards was in the Walt suite. They just asked Disney if they would bring up some wine glasses and not more than ten minutes later they had brought up three huge plastic trays of wine glasses. They even set them out on the tables.

Since we have such a large group each of us could buy a pack of those disposable, plastic wine glasses. They wouldn't take up much room in luggage and can just be tossed when we're finished. Plus, we wouldn't have to worry about getting glasses.

As to where we could have it, well, there's plenty of big spaces on the ship. Anywhere on Decks 9 or 10 would work. The Promenade Lounge or even the larger of the "secret" decks would probably work.

 

["Ginger"]

Thank you Mom2Belle&Peter Pan for the information. I'll check out the Long Beach airport tomorrow.
I looking into flying into LAX on the 19th of Aug. with Airtran, the fare was $344.10 for the 3 of us. I have to wait to book the flights till Jan 3, so I can also book our flight back from Orlando. I did get a grand total, that is if fares hold till 1/3/05, of $606. Not sure if that's good or bad. Anybody know?

On the 7 days cruises there just isn't enough time to do everything I want to do. I could take more than 14 days on the Magic, I love the Rainforest I could go every evening. I'd like to do some of the Adult classes where you learn how to make the beautiful dessert and fold the towels into animals, go to the movies, do some of the morning Spa exercise classes maybe even see some of the shows again without feeling like I missing something that I haven't done yet. There will be plenty of times for Tea and Brunch at Palo and more evening to enjoy there too.
why I may even play a game of Bingo with Estelle, but only 1, at $35 a pop I have to watch my budget. I could organize an early Trick-or-Treat for our kids... Just joking!!!!!!!!
Yes sir, I'm looking forward to this cruise so I can relax and not feel like I'm running around to get everything done.

You know the only time, time actually flies is when you are have a good time.

Y'all don't forget my Birthday is on the 21th of Aug, Ha!Ha! Hint! Hint! Just wish me 48 more.

 

[DenverVal]

Since we have such a large group each of us could buy a pack of those disposable, plastic wine glasses. They wouldn't take up much room in luggage and can just be tossed when we're finished. Plus, we wouldn't have to worry about getting glasses.

Awww, just hang on to the plastic glass they serve the fru-fru drinks in at the sailaway party--I still have mine!

 

[Bmwdsny]

Duplicate again!! Don't know what happened!!