August 22nd 2009 Western Carribbean Anyone?

[Ski-and-Sea]

Made reservations for this cruise last week and I am already jumping out of my skin!

This will be our first cruise of any kind - it'll be me, DW, DD13, DS12 and DS8. I am getting a little stressed out right now - having never been on a cruise before, much less a Disney cruise, and checking out these boards, I have an awful lot to learn between now and August 22, I can see that.

Can anyone give me a summary of the important stuff that I've missed in this thread and maybe save me the time of reading 70 pages of posts? Please forgive me if that sounds pushy - I've gathered that there's a meet at 2:30 on the promenade deck - is that on Saturday? I'm sure we will attend that meet, it'll be nice to meet a bunch of fellow cruisers right off the bat. I also see a Fish Extender group being organized, we'll probably pass on that this time around. ANything else? I see references to T-shirts and stuff too.

And how is it that some of you have already made Palo reservations? I thought the window for making reservations only opened up 90 days before departure (around May 22?), or 75 days for first-timers like myself.

Thanks in advance for any help - I think I might need alot of it before I'm through, but the DISboarders are so helpful it definitely relieves alot of stress in the planning.

Welcome......a DCL cruise is a great introduction to cruising.

My advice is to purchase a copy of the Passporters Guide to DCL. This is a great way to learn all the in's and out's of DCL.

Also, print out copies of the 7-day western Navigators so you get an idea of what is offered each day of the cruise.

The other decision you will need to make is what kind of shore excursions you want to do at each of the ports. Do you want to go on snorkeling excurions, lay on the beach kind of excurions, sight seeing excursions, etc.

Some of us are able to book things now because we are staying in suites and we can book at 105 days. Funny enough, I only got my letter from DCL about that only last week. Talk about cutting it close on the reminder.

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

Forgot to mention......we're staying at the Radisson at the port the night before. We're flying in that day but on a late flight so we won't get there until dinnertime.

 

[Aurora's Mommy]

we live 25 minutes out side Philly in Levittown,

Howdy neighbor , we're just down the road in Newtown!

This will be our 5th Disney cruise, never met another British family onboard yet, not many do the cruises as they are not widely sold here. With the poularity in cruising I am suprised Disney still don't sell through many of our travel agents.

We've only ever been on the one cruise, but we didn't meet any British families either. But, then again, I doubt we talked to everybody !

Made reservations for this cruise last week and I am already jumping out of my skin!

This will be our first cruise of any kind - it'll be me, DW, DD13, DS12 and DS8. I am getting a little stressed out right now - having never been on a cruise before, much less a Disney cruise, and checking out these boards, I have an awful lot to learn between now and August 22, I can see that.

Can anyone give me a summary of the important stuff that I've missed in this thread and maybe save me the time of reading 70 pages of posts? Please forgive me if that sounds pushy - I've gathered that there's a meet at 2:30 on the promenade deck - is that on Saturday? I'm sure we will attend that meet, it'll be nice to meet a bunch of fellow cruisers right off the bat. I also see a Fish Extender group being organized, we'll probably pass on that this time around. ANything else? I see references to T-shirts and stuff too.

And how is it that some of you have already made Palo reservations? I thought the window for making reservations only opened up 90 days before departure (around May 22?), or 75 days for first-timers like myself.

Thanks in advance for any help - I think I might need alot of it before I'm through, but the DISboarders are so helpful it definitely relieves alot of stress in the planning.

Welcome aboard! You are where I was 3 years ago before our first cruise, except I had booked a year and a half before, so I obsessed for much longer! We only booked this time around at the beginning of April, and I never went back and read all the posts, so I'm not the right person for a summary. I, too, plan to relieve stress, so I completely understand if you have alot of questions.

 

[ragtopday]

We just got back from a 4 Day cruise on the Wonder - my first Disney cruise! It was the DIS Unplugged Podcast cruise with about 300 of us from the DIS who listen to the podcast - a fabulous time! I can't wait to go for 7 days in just 3 months, which was the only thing that made it OK to leave.

We would love to participate in the Fish Extender exchange - how do I sign up for that?

Thanks - let the countdown begin!

 

[wayneg]

Sorry not a lot of time again, another early start tomorrow. Typical, I want to be winding down for our trip to Florida next week and I am busiest I have been for weeks.

Mike, added you to list here Just make sure I have it all correct when you get time.

Kristen added FE to list on my website but could do to let Maria(Maza) know. She is compiling the main list. PM her just incase she misses this post, Thanks. Great having 2 cruises close together, we did it last year, one at Easter and one in August.

Have a great weekend everyone. Hope I can get my work done tomorrow and have Sunday off.

 

[Donald Applecore]

Graduated Today!!!

 

[trimix]

Graduated Today!!!

Congratulations! Good luck getting a job!

I hope you have a much easier time than I had when I earned my CS degree in 2001 - it wasn't pretty back then...

 

[wayneg]

Graduated Today!!!

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Aurora's Mommy]

Graduated Today!!!

Congrats!

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

Congratulations!!!!!!

 

[julielouhoo]

Graduated Today!!!

WOW!!! I bet that feels GREAT!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

 

[megtay]

Hello,
We are going on out very first cruise on the 22nd August and cannot wait
My Husband is in the Royal Navy and spends a lot of time on ships so wasn't best pleased when I told him I was booking a cruise
He's slowly coming around to my way of thinking after forcing him to read hundreds of tips and cheats from this website-so thank you all x
I will defo be bringing an over the door shoe holder and an extension lead

Thanks for all your help and look forward to meeting you all on the ship x


DH DD DS

 

[sandyh67]

Hello,
We are going on out very first cruise on the 22nd August and cannot wait
My Husband is in the Royal Navy and spends a lot of time on ships so wasn't best pleased when I told him I was booking a cruise
He's slowly coming around to my way of thinking after forcing him to read hundreds of tips and cheats from this website-so thank you all x
I will defo be bringing an over the door shoe holder and an extension lead

Thanks for all your help and look forward to meeting you all on the ship x


DH DD DS

We are Sandy, Jim and crew of kids- welcome!
Is your name Meg??

 

[wayneg]

Hello,
We are going on out very first cruise on the 22nd August and cannot wait
My Husband is in the Royal Navy and spends a lot of time on ships so wasn't best pleased when I told him I was booking a cruise
He's slowly coming around to my way of thinking after forcing him to read hundreds of tips and cheats from this website-so thank you all x
I will defo be bringing an over the door shoe holder and an extension lead

Thanks for all your help and look forward to meeting you all on the ship x


DH DD DS

Welcome to Disboards and welcome to our cruise.
Added you to our list here let me know if you want any names or hometown adding.

Mike, sorry I am not getting any time to do a summary, its now almost 1am. We leave for Florida on Thursday and so much to do before we go.
Main things are the Dismeet 2:30pm in Promenade Lounge
Gift exchange for anyone interested.
Things in common:
There are a few of us from UK, a few families are into scouting, and few are nurses.
Not sure if Maria(Maza) is doing something in Palos, I have last few pages to read again when I get time.

 

[Mackie Mouse]

Graduated Today!!!

BRAVO!!!! Can't wait to celebrate together in three months

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

Welcome to Disboards and welcome to our cruise.
Added you to our list here let me know if you want any names or hometown adding.

Mike, sorry I am not getting any time to do a summary, its now almost 1am. We leave for Florida on Thursday and so much to do before we go.
Main things are the Dismeet 2:30pm in Promenade Lounge
Gift exchange for anyone interested.
Things in common:
There are a few of us from UK, a few families are into scouting, and few are nurses.
Not sure if Maria(Maza) is doing something in Palos, I have last few pages to read again when I get time.

Wayne, can you update your website for us.......DS's name is Robbie; DD's name is Kristine and we're staying in room 8030.

Thanks!!

 

[shelleyr25]

Hi guys!

I have also been a bit MIA lately...my reign as PTA (Queen) President is coming to an end and there are lots of events going on at school and lose ends to tie up!!

2:30 in the P. Lounge sounds fun...we will be there

As for the shirts...I think Cafe Press is the way to go, I have ordered from them a number of times and have been happy with the sizing, quality and shipping. This way everyone can get exactly what they want..now, we just need someone to set up the page with the logo....

When school is finished and I get my dd off to camp I can really begin to focus on this trip!!

 

[Pixiedustdawn]

Has anyone noticed the prices of the excursions have gone up?

I have not yet paid for this cruise, so I am unable to see the excursion prices.

I did pay for my August 8th cruise and just went to book some excursions and they went up from last week by $10.00 pp!!

For example;

Old Town trolley on Key west was $24pp now $34pp.

Grand Cayman Island Tour was $29pp now $39pp.

I am hoping they lowered them back down to the original prices for this cruise.

Can someone let me know please.

Thanks
Dawn

 

[wayneg]

Has anyone noticed the prices of the excursions have gone up?

I have not yet paid for this cruise, so I am unable to see the excursion prices.

I did pay for my August 8th cruise and just went to book some excursions and they went up from last week by $10.00 pp!!

For example;

Old Town trolley on Key west was $24pp now $34pp.

Grand Cayman Island Tour was $29pp now $39pp.

I am hoping they lowered them back down to the original prices for this cruise.

Can someone let me know please.

Thanks
Dawn

Old Town Trolley or Conch Train Tour $32
Grand Cayman Island Tour $39

Only thing we are considering is Castaway Cay Bottom Fishing, still $117 same as it was last time I looked, not seen any increases in prices I have looked at myself.

You don't need to be logged or paid up in to see prices just look at the excursions page http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en_US/ports/overview?name=PortsOfCallOverviewPage

 

[wayneg]

Wayne, can you update your website for us.......DS's name is Robbie; DD's name is Kristine and we're staying in room 8030.

Thanks!!

Done that but what about you and DH? have I missed your names? forgotten them? or don't you want us to know?