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

[Mom2Belle&PeterPan]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EILEEN!!!

 

[rsschneck]

Lisa F - What cabin do you guys have now? Category and room number if you know. What travel agent did you use?

My parents went with Allseas and have a Category 11 room #2639 (I would need to double check on that). They would like to upgrade and have had no luck in doing so. I wonder if everyone had the same TA if they could do a switcheroo? PM me if you would like to try.

Went to pediatrician yesterday for routine check. They suggest Hep. A for everyone as a precaution. We talked and I told her about the upcoming trip. She said it wasn't necessary and as long as we were not planning to eat off the ship there should be no problem. The vaccines are a precaution.

Paul- I hope all is well. We have not seen you on the boards lately. Let us know if there is anything we can do. I hope you and your wife are okay!

 

[invaderzim]

I took Victoria for a checkup today and inquired about HEP A vaccination. Initially the office told me 'not to worry about it' but gave me the health dept.'s number just in case.

When I called the health department, they emphatically stated we ought to receive the HEP A vaccine 2 - 4 weeks prior to traveling.

I am calling the pediatrician on June 1st to ensure they have the vaccine and arranging an appt. for the shot the next month.

I know this has been discussed before, but wanted to share my experience today.

I have mentioned this a couple of times before on this thread. We started our series of Hep A shots last August when we took that cruise. It is two shots -- 6 months apart. Both our family doctor and my daughter's pediatrician recommended it -- even though we were taking a cruise and probably not eating off the ship, they said it was better safe than sorry. And we felt that with all the Norwalk Virus outbreaks and who knows what else, a Hep A shot couldn't hurt. We are scheduled to have our second set this week and then we will be set for a few years.

 

[invaderzim]

Since HepA is a required vaccination for kids these days our DD (14yo) is covered.

Still trying to figure out if DH and I should bother with HepA shots or not. It's too late for me and my 7 day Western I'm doing on carnival this weekend So assuming I survive that cruise then I'll see if I need HepA for the repo cruise.

My daughter also has the "required" Hep shots -- I forget the type of Hep shots they are, but they are a series of three shots over a few months. However, that is a different type of Hep than the one you get when going to foreign countries. The one we got for foreign travel was a series of two shots over six months and especially recommended when travelling to Mexico.

 

[Lisa F]

Lisa F - What cabin do you guys have now? Category and room number if you know. What travel agent did you use?

My parents went with Allseas and have a Category 11 room #2639 (I would need to double check on that). They would like to upgrade and have had no luck in doing so. I wonder if everyone had the same TA if they could do a switcheroo? PM me if you would like to try.

We used allseas also. If that is your parents' cabin # then that is a cat 12. Part of the reason I want the 11 is because it's on the higher decks. BUT I just did my hourly check of the DCL website to see what availability there is looking for that 11 and there IS a cat 9 available right now, but they are only doing GTY cabins now (which is what we have). I bet if they call first thing in the morning and insist that the TA call disney and check availability they will be able to grab it!

Lisa

 

[mark & sandra]

Lisa, room 2639 is a Cat 10 in Passporters book...Mark

 

[mark & sandra]

How'd it go today with AllSeasons Lisa?...Mark

 

[rsschneck]

They are in 2639 and I believe they were charged as a cat. 11. Regardless they are on deck #2 and you wanted to be on a higher deck. My Mom does not pursue the travel planning like I do. I will have her check again tomorrow about the cat. 9.

 

[ivanova]

My daughter also has the "required" Hep shots -- I forget the type of Hep shots they are, but they are a series of three shots over a few months. However, that is a different type of Hep than the one you get when going to foreign countries. The one we got for foreign travel was a series of two shots over six months and especially recommended when travelling to Mexico.

Oh great. And I'll be in Mexico TWICE next week. Am I going to regret not having at least one of the shots before leaving??

 

[ivanova]

Maybe I should mention....

I'll be out of the country 2/26 thru 3/6 (Western Caribbean on Carnival's Elation without DH and DD ... mean me huh??) so for everyone emailing me about pins & medallions ... I'll respond to the bazillion emails when I get home (some time between 3/7 and 3/14 )

 

[RobinMarie]

My daughter also has the "required" Hep shots -- I forget the type of Hep shots they are, but they are a series of three shots over a few months. However, that is a different type of Hep than the one you get when going to foreign countries. The one we got for foreign travel was a series of two shots over six months and especially recommended when travelling to Mexico.

I believe you are talking about HEP B shots. I got them years ago when working directly with people in facilities - 1 shot, one shot 1 month later and another shot six months after that. Its been a lot more than 10 years and I am probably due for a booster if I am to remain immune.

Here is some more info on Hep A

http://www.saskatoonhealthregion.ca/your_health/ps_itc_vaccine_hepa.htm

Hepatitus A (Havrix) Vaccine

What is hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus
It is spread by eating or drinking food or water contaminated with human feces
Symptoms can include: lack of appetite, nausea , tiredness, fever, and jaundice
About 25% of people with hepatitis A require hospitalization
Less than 1 out of 1000 infected people with hepatitis A will die
What does Havrix vaccine contain?

Havrix vaccine contains formaldehyde, aluminum hydroxide, neomycin, 2-phenoxyethanol, polysorbate, bovine serum, amino acids and formalin
It is propogated in MRC-5 human diploid cells
The plunger of the pre-filled syringe contains latex
Who should receive the vaccine?

Travellers (1 year of age or older) to countries with poor sanitation (client must purchase).
Residents (1-15 years) of some rural or remote Canadian communities which lack adequate sanitation.
Residents in certain institutions, such as correctional facilities and facilities for developmentally challenged persons.
Gay men with anal-oral contact.
People who use oral or intravenous street drugs.
People who have hepatitis C.
Hemophiliacs.
Transplant recipients.
People with HIV.

Who should not receive the vaccine?

Infants under one year of age
Anyone who has had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any of the vaccine components.
Pregnant women, unless recommended by a physician.
People with moderate to severe illness may have to delay immunization.
When should the vaccine be given?

The initial dose is followed by a booster 6-12 months later
International travellers should begin immunization at least one month before departure
May be safely given with other vaccines
How effective is the vaccine?

Within 4 weeks, 95*100% are protected
The vaccine will provide some protection even if given just prior to departure
How long does the protection last?

At least 20 years
How is the vaccine given?

By injection into a muscle (leg muscle in children under 2 years)
What might be felt after receiving the vaccine?

Mild soreness and redness near the injection site (4-7%).
Headache, achiness, fatigue, fever, nausea, loss of appetite or vomiting (0.8-13%).
Rarely, fatigue, diarrhea, sore muscles or joints, or severe allergic response (<0.01%).

 

[RobinMarie]

Oh great. And I'll be in Mexico TWICE next week. Am I going to regret not having at least one of the shots before leaving??

To avoid Hepatitis A
The old colonial rule still holds today; if you can cook it, boil it peel it you can eat it, or otherwise forget it". Do not drink water or ice of unknown quality.

 

[Lisa F]

They are in 2639 and I believe they were charged as a cat. 11. Regardless they are on deck #2 and you wanted to be on a higher deck. My Mom does not pursue the travel planning like I do. I will have her check again tomorrow about the cat. 9.

Okay, mark says it's a cat 10 and I'd buy that. I figured if it was layed out like a cat 11 but on deck 2 it was a cat 12. They also appear to have some cat 6 cabins available. Trying to convince dh to go for it, he's not biting I'm still waiting for a cat 11. One shows up on the site but when you try to book it, it's not valid.

I spoke to 2 people at all seasons yesterday, neither of whom could find my paperwork. I am going to give them a call today!

 

[Lisa F]

Well, we have booked our plane tickets (jet blue allowed us to book exit row seats online for the flight to CA... DH, who is 6'3, couldn't be happier!) and we booked a 3 night stay at the HoJo (in my newfound ability to search for posts instead of just threads I discovered that is the place to be) so we are pretty much all set! The difference between a cat 11 and our current cat 9 will pay for the trip to DL. We HAD been planning on the Grand Californian but with our cruise costing so much we decided to scale back. At the HoJo we can do DL for around $550 for both of us including room and admission, woohoo!

I pm'd Bob but does anyone know if there is still room on the bus of HoJo fools to the port?

 

[pampat]

Hi Pam....we just had 8 inches of snow fall Sunday into Monday this week.

Check out this link from a blizzard we had a few years ago...I use our table on our back deck to measure.....the ruler was buried!!!

NY weather in winter pretty much guarantees at least one big snowstorm but most of the times...many!!!

http://community.webshots.com/album/62947968hYWWJd

MJ

THanks for the photo's. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed looking at them. And the strange thing is, as I look out of my office window, the snow is falling very hard! We've had clear blue skies for a couple of days, very cold though, and the view from my window matches your photos!!! I don't think we will be quite so buried as you were though!

Happy snowday.

Pam

 

[pampat]

Pam-I'm in the same boat as you...for now anyway. 4-9...and I think I will hold at that.

I;m promised a big, big party next year, so I'm going just one further before I stop for good!

Pam

 

[kmiles]

OK, where is everyone today???

 

[gassmandy]

I was thinking the same thing, "k"!!

 

[Grumbo]

I was thinking the same thing, "k"!!

Waiting for gassmandy and izzi to post.

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[mickeyfan1]

Here is the latest info regarding Fly I (Independence Air)

Independence Air strikes deal, gets new lease on life
By Marilyn Adams, USA TODAY
Independence Air, a struggling low-fare start-up that some rivals had written off, has won more time from creditors to expand its flights from Washington, D.C.
Independence, based at Washington Dulles Airport, said Tuesday it has renegotiated contracts with most of its creditors, postponing or eliminating tens of millions of dollars in aircraft lease payments.

The restructuring involves giving planes back to owners, but the airline didn't announce service cutbacks. It means Independence can continue plans to transform into a discount carrier like JetBlue, which flies Airbus jets from New York's John F. Kennedy Airport to Florida, the West Coast and elsewhere.

From Washington, Independence flies to cities east of the Mississippi River. It flies mostly small, 50-passenger regional jets, but it uses 132-passenger Airbus A319 jets from Dulles to Florida destinations. From March 1 to May 1, Independence will launch Airbus A319 service to Las Vegas, San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and San Jose. (Fare Compare: West Coast routes could be a win for the little guy)

The restructuring means a reduction in its regional-jet fleet to 58 from 82. The airline plans to double to 12 its fleet of A319s in the coming months.

Independence CEO Kerry Skeen said in an interview it isn't yet clear which destinations will be dropped.

The new deals with creditors give Independence more time to see if its business plan will fly. Previously called Atlantic Coast Airlines, Independence last June became the USA's first all-regional jet discount carrier. For 14 years before that, its regional jets mostly fed United Airlines flights from Dulles. After United filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection two years ago, it sought cheaper rates from Atlantic Coast. The companies couldn't reach a deal and parted ways amid a court fight. Atlantic Coast reinvented itself as Independence.

Under its new restructuring, $70 million in regional jet rent payments due between now and January 2007 have been deferred. Almost $95 million in other payments have been eliminated because planes are being returned to owners

"There's no guarantee for any airline out there right now," Skeen said in an interview. "But I'm encouraged by the traction we're gaining."

Independence planes were flying half full in January, but Skeen said flights this month are running nearly 65% full, and the Airbus flights to Florida are even fuller.

Earlier this year, Independence had submitted a bid to resume regional-jet service for United at Dulles. Tuesday, Skeen said that's not an option now.

Ed Shapiro of Par Capital Management, Independence's largest shareholder, questioned Tuesday in an interview whether it can ultimately avoid bankruptcy court. The airline, he said, remains a "high-cost, low-fare carrier."