August 22nd 2009 Western Carribbean Anyone?

[Aurora's Mommy]

Count us among the aimless wanderers around Key West. We'll be standing in line to get a picture of the kids at the southern-most point of the US. We'll get a key lime pie on a stick. We'll get a picture at the end of Route 1. And, we have to get a picture at the corner of Caroline and Whitehead, as I know Caroline Whitehead, and she collects such pictures.

We also will be looking for pirate t-shirts for the kids for pirate night. I actually had a really cute black t-shirt for Paige, with a pink sparkly skull and crossbones, but I can not find it anywhere. It's driving me nuts!

Plan to spend sunset on the ship, watching the action on the dock as we pull away.

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

The current forcast for TS (almost hurricane) Bill keeps it well offshore. So we might have rougher than normal seas leaving Port Canaveral, but other than that issue the forecast looks great for our cruise!

Six days from right now we'll be enjoying the sailaway party! See you all soon!

That's actually not a bad thing.....I find it rocks you to a deep sleep at night. And to be honest, I don't like when the sun is blaring during the sailaway party, it can be too bright and too hot on deck.

Okay, finished the FE gifts (lord knows where I'm going to pack them). Got the suitcases down from the attic. Now sorting through which clothes to bring.

 

[BlueMarlin]

For those of us looking to shop duty free, I did a quick comparison of the Disney Cruise Line Liquor Shop Price List to the State of Michigan Minimum Shelf Price Guide, just to satisfy myself. The results:

The Worst

BRAND NAME PROOF Bottle MI State SHIP Discount
APPLETON WHITE (JAM) 80 1000 ML $15.99 $14.95 7%
JOHNNIE WALKER GREEN LABEL 86 750 ML $59.95 $56.95 5%
MAKER'S MARK BBN 90 1000 ML $33.97 $32.95 3%
PYRAT XO RESERVE 80 750 ML $24.95 $35.95 -44%
Very strange the Pyrat is marked up $10 in the duty free.


The Best
BRAND NAME PROOF Bottle MI State SHIP Discount
STOLICHNAYA 80 (RUS) 80 1000 ML $26.70 $9.95 63%
BEEFEATER GIN (ENG) 94 1000 ML $24.95 $12.95 48%
1800 ESSENTIAL SILVER 80 750 ML $34.96 $18.95 46%
CAPT MORGAN SPICED RUM (P R) 70 1000 ML $19.97 $10.95 45%
GILBEY'S 80 1000 ML $11.95 $6.95 42%
JIM BEAM 80 1000 ML $21.97 $12.95 41%
BACARDI LIMON 70 1000 ML $19.97 $11.95 40%
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE (ENG) 94 1000 ML $29.99 $17.95 40%
TANQUERAY (ENG) 94.6 1000 ML $27.94 $16.95 39%
JOSE CUERVO CLASICO 80 1000 ML $24.48 $14.95 39%
JOHNNIE WALKER RED LABEL 80 1000 ML $31.49 $19.95 37% GLENFIDDICH-12 YR 80 1000 ML $46.96 $29.95 36%
DEWAR'S WHITE LABEL 80 1000 ML $30.97 $19.95 36%
SMIRNOFF 80 80 1000 ML $16.98 $10.95 36%
CAPT MORGAN'S PARROT BAY 42 1000 ML $16.98 $10.95 36%

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

He told her that the rule of thumb is when your A$$ gets wet, you stop flushing!!! You definitely need comic relief when your immediate family is comprised of 24 people!!!

That is priceless.....you totally deserve a cruise as a reward.

Denise....I totally sympathize with sounds being magnified when you are home alone. Last summer I had four nights home totally by myself and while I was thrilled during the day I was so happy to have my two cats with me at night. If I heard a noise and the cats didn't move a muscle then it was okay.

 

[stsomewhere]

For those of us looking to shop duty free, I did a quick comparison of the Disney Cruise Line Liquor Shop Price List to the State of Michigan Minimum Shelf Price Guide, just to satisfy myself. The results:

The Worst

BRAND NAME PROOF Bottle MI State SHIP Discount
APPLETON WHITE (JAM) 80 1000 ML $15.99 $14.95 7%
JOHNNIE WALKER GREEN LABEL 86 750 ML $59.95 $56.95 5%
MAKER'S MARK BBN 90 1000 ML $33.97 $32.95 3%
PYRAT XO RESERVE 80 750 ML $24.95 $35.95 -44%
Very strange the Pyrat is marked up $10 in the duty free.


The Best
BRAND NAME PROOF Bottle MI State SHIP Discount
STOLICHNAYA 80 (RUS) 80 1000 ML $26.70 $9.95 63%
BEEFEATER GIN (ENG) 94 1000 ML $24.95 $12.95 48%
1800 ESSENTIAL SILVER 80 750 ML $34.96 $18.95 46%
CAPT MORGAN SPICED RUM (P R) 70 1000 ML $19.97 $10.95 45%
GILBEY'S 80 1000 ML $11.95 $6.95 42%
JIM BEAM 80 1000 ML $21.97 $12.95 41%
BACARDI LIMON 70 1000 ML $19.97 $11.95 40%
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE (ENG) 94 1000 ML $29.99 $17.95 40%
TANQUERAY (ENG) 94.6 1000 ML $27.94 $16.95 39%
JOSE CUERVO CLASICO 80 1000 ML $24.48 $14.95 39%
JOHNNIE WALKER RED LABEL 80 1000 ML $31.49 $19.95 37% GLENFIDDICH-12 YR 80 1000 ML $46.96 $29.95 36%
DEWAR'S WHITE LABEL 80 1000 ML $30.97 $19.95 36%
SMIRNOFF 80 80 1000 ML $16.98 $10.95 36%
CAPT MORGAN'S PARROT BAY 42 1000 ML $16.98 $10.95 36%

Is this what you were doing when you were suppose to be working?

 

[stsomewhere]

I finished making the FE. Matt did help with some off the ironing.

SOme how I got the directions mixed uo. So , I hand sewn on the pockets.
Erik told me he was working....
Now, I see he was comparing bottles of alchol.

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

Is this what you were doing when you were suppose to be working?

Consider it his community service hours for the good of our cruise

 

[julielouhoo]

I need a favor... i recently went on the cruise and there was a part of the ship i wanted a picture of but i missed. if anyone can help me out let me know, all it would take is 2 seconds of your time.

I'll help you, so long as the part of the ship you need isn't the under side!!

 

[julielouhoo]

For those of us looking to shop duty free, I did a quick comparison of the Disney Cruise Line Liquor Shop Price List to the State of Michigan Minimum Shelf Price Guide, just to satisfy myself. The results:

The Worst

BRAND NAME PROOF Bottle MI State SHIP Discount
APPLETON WHITE (JAM) 80 1000 ML $15.99 $14.95 7%
JOHNNIE WALKER GREEN LABEL 86 750 ML $59.95 $56.95 5%
MAKER'S MARK BBN 90 1000 ML $33.97 $32.95 3%
PYRAT XO RESERVE 80 750 ML $24.95 $35.95 -44%
Very strange the Pyrat is marked up $10 in the duty free.


The Best
BRAND NAME PROOF Bottle MI State SHIP Discount
STOLICHNAYA 80 (RUS) 80 1000 ML $26.70 $9.95 63%
BEEFEATER GIN (ENG) 94 1000 ML $24.95 $12.95 48%
1800 ESSENTIAL SILVER 80 750 ML $34.96 $18.95 46%
CAPT MORGAN SPICED RUM (P R) 70 1000 ML $19.97 $10.95 45%
GILBEY'S 80 1000 ML $11.95 $6.95 42%
JIM BEAM 80 1000 ML $21.97 $12.95 41%
BACARDI LIMON 70 1000 ML $19.97 $11.95 40%
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE (ENG) 94 1000 ML $29.99 $17.95 40%
TANQUERAY (ENG) 94.6 1000 ML $27.94 $16.95 39%
JOSE CUERVO CLASICO 80 1000 ML $24.48 $14.95 39%
JOHNNIE WALKER RED LABEL 80 1000 ML $31.49 $19.95 37% GLENFIDDICH-12 YR 80 1000 ML $46.96 $29.95 36%
DEWAR'S WHITE LABEL 80 1000 ML $30.97 $19.95 36%
SMIRNOFF 80 80 1000 ML $16.98 $10.95 36%
CAPT MORGAN'S PARROT BAY 42 1000 ML $16.98 $10.95 36%

I, for one, really like how you spend your leisure time!!! Now I'll race you to the spirits shop!! Seriously, thanks for taking the time to do that, it will help me sort what I am going to bring. Is it correct that if you buy it on the ship, you can open it aboard, but can't carry off any that are open and unfinished??? As if.....

 

[julielouhoo]

The point of this story? When we first got married, Mark was working many nights. Jim Cantore was doing mostly late nights way back then. Many a night, I have slept with Jim Cantore!

Denise that is so funny!! Until I remembered that it was during the same time that I was sleeping with Jim Cantore!!! I can't fall asleep when Jack isn't home either.

KC ~ thanks for the sympathy!! It was a mess!! We really need this cruise!!

Terri

 

[Maza]

I, for one, really like how you spend your leisure time!!! Now I'll race you to the spirits shop!! Seriously, thanks for taking the time to do that, it will help me sort what I am going to bring. Is it correct that if you buy it on the ship, you can open it aboard, but can't carry off any that are open and unfinished??? As if.....

Terri...i dont think you can drink any liquor you buy o the ship. they deliver it to you on the last night/morning as you leave

 

[Maza]

btw...I am actually at work...on an admin day. I have no idea what i am supposd to be doing . i have done all the paperwork i had to do...and its 9.30. what shall i do now? I have so much still to do at home! at what point do you think it will be ok to ask if i can go early? lunchtime? supposed to be here until 20.00 hrs

 

[Aurora's Mommy]

Denise that is so funny!! Until I remembered that it was during the same time that I was sleeping with Jim Cantore!!! I can't fall asleep when Jack isn't home either.
Terri

Jim, how could you?! I always suspected he was a player! Do you remember how he had hair back then?

btw...I am actually at work...on an admin day. I have no idea what i am supposd to be doing . i have done all the paperwork i had to do...and its 9.30. what shall i do now? I have so much still to do at home! at what point do you think it will be ok to ask if i can go early? lunchtime? supposed to be here until 20.00 hrs

Ok, let me see if I can figure this out. There is a 4 hour time difference between you and me (I think). 20.00 hours I'm assuming is military time, so that means you have to be there until 8 PM your time, which would then be 4 PM my time? Which means you still have more than 8 hours left . Of course, that is provided my math is correct.

So, let's see, what can Maria do for the rest of the day? As per KC's suggestion you can post what you will be doing this time next week!

Better yet, hope the powers that be spring you early .

 

[Aurora's Mommy]

5

Today I have to take Paige and her best friend (oddly also named Paige) to Chuck E. Cheese because my Paige is devestated that she will be missing Paige's birthday party on Friday. But next week on this day, I'll be enjoying Palo Brunch, and then what I'm sure will be a lovely party in the Walt Disney Suite.

 

[BlueMarlin]

Terri...i dont think you can drink any liquor you buy o the ship. they deliver it to you on the last night/morning as you leave

Yea Terri, sorry. This is for the 1 (yes count it ONE) duty free bottle you get to bring back into the USA from the Caribbean. The good news is, if you scroll back about 500 posts, that DCL is the only line that allows you to bring on board. So it is kind of like the Pot discussion scene in Pulp Fiction.

Its legal to own it, and its legal to drink it if you have it, in designated areas (your room or in a drink of the day reused glass ). Its legal to bring on board -- so long as it is not from Grand Cayman -- but only in a carry on sized bag. Its not legal to buy it onboard and drink it onboard unless it is in a glass from a bar.

For all of the detailed destructions, go back about three to four weeks in the discussion. Some of our mates were looking for FLA shops between the airport and cruise port. There are about three shops between the Cruise Port and Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach, less than one mile past the ship and down US1.

 

[BlueMarlin]

so long as it is not from Grand Cayman

Also, you can bring it back on board by hand from Key West or Mexico, the ship does not accept deliveries of mystery bottles. So if you cannot get it done before you go, you can stock up in Key West. Guessing that Tequila will be cheaper in Mexico, but then again I guessed that Rum would be cheaper in the Caribbean, and Pyrat is 33% cheaper off the shelf in Michigan.

I will actually not be bringing that much on the ship with me, because I will be saving up to stock up in Florence, KY on the way home at Party Town. Many wonderful elixirs in Bourbon country that you cannot get north of the Mason-Dixon line. They keep it all for themselves.

 

[BlueMarlin]

What to do today... We took the posted Navigators and turned them into an Excel Sheet with five columns, one for Family and one for each member, and listed the things that person might want to look into for the day on each tab. That is the other thing I was doing yesterday, instead of putting in O.T. on a Sunday - as a salaried employee, as Christi pointed out.

Today we were looking at the Origami Class, the Cakes and Desserts classes, the Castaway club party, Family Magic Quest at 2p and/or the Suite Reception. Then hitting two Captains Receptions, family disco fever, and the Golden Mickey's Afterparty followed by the Cabaret Show. Oh yea, and some rest and relaxation, too.

To answer my own question from about 750 posts ago, regarding the entertainment not being all Broadway Musicals. The answer is that the Cabaret Shows are each of the entertainers doing what they do best, other than singing and dancing. So that is where you get the juggler, magician and comedian type acts. Disney really is the best of both worlds, Thank's Uncle Walt.

 

[sandyh67]

Not sure if anyone posted this recently, but saw the talk about alcohol

You CAN carry on alcohol onto the ship- you cannot put it in your checked luggage but there is no limit as to what you can carry on. Kristen and I did this in May on the podcast cruise- we had a rolling cooler full of wine and alcohol- carried our own wine to dinner each night, no problem doing that either. You can carry a bottle of wine to dinner and they will uncork it for you, but charge a uncorking fee of $20 I think.
So there you go!
We will be making an alcohol run when we arrive in Orlando on Friday

 

[sandyh67]

btw...I am actually at work...on an admin day. I have no idea what i am supposd to be doing . i have done all the paperwork i had to do...and its 9.30. what shall i do now? I have so much still to do at home! at what point do you think it will be ok to ask if i can go early? lunchtime? supposed to be here until 20.00 hrs

Cant you tell them you really need to "work" from home today!

I am in the office today too, thinking of how much I have to do at home- as my patients are not showing up today LOL- that's what happens sometime at clinic- so much depends on the weather!

 

[sandyh67]

Wondering how many twilight fans there are involved in the FE exchange- I just might have a little something extra for my fellow twihards