Calling All 8/19/06 Special Western Cruisers! AKA "The Cruisin' Castaways" Part 2

[HawkinsCrew]

I'm Leslie, and my dh, dd 10, and ds 2 are traveling. We'll stay at the Polynesian for three days before.

I've finally read enough of the thread to feel comfortable posting! Thank goodness I did or I would have been pretty upset at midnight when I couldn't reserve anything. Thank you for letting me know that the 21st started by Pacific time! I've had a few hours tonight to read and you all sound like a great bunch!

We reserved this trip a year and a half ago (almost) but it didn't really seem real until the final payment (ouch! ) and making the excursions, Palo, spa, and, most importantly, Flounder's Reef reservations. We were able to get Palo brunch, dinner, and tea, but not the excursions in Mexico that my dd 10 wanted. She wanted dolphins in Cozumel and Chacchoben ruins in Costa Maya. I reserved all of us at Playa Mia (anyone know anything about that?) in Cozumel and my ds 2 and I will do the Jugle beach break in Costa Maya and dh and dd 10 will do the dolphins there. My daughter and I will also visit the stingrays first thing Sunday morn at Castaway Cay. My dh and dd will take the walking/kayak tour on Friday. Woo! I'm excited ...or maybe just sleep deprived!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

We only had to stay up until midnight on the west coast.
We got tea and dinner at Palos for 4.
My sister got brunch and dinner at Palos for 4.
We got Stingrays for the kids at 10am on 1st CC day. Sister's kids too.
We got Seahorse Snorkeling on 2nd CC day (DH and me).
We got Fury Catamaran for the six of us.
<we may just do Paradise Beach on or own instead of Fury>
Sister got Tulum ruins for her DH and DD12.
We got the Kohunlich Ruins for 6 of 8 of our two groups.

For some reason, once my sister chose the Tulum ruins for two of her party; she wasn't able to book the Kohunlich Ruins for those two individuals, but the rest of her party could book that excursion. Weird. Maybe they could only book one excursion to ruins?

We had much better luck making these reservations at the 90 day mark than when we took the August Repo last year (our first cruise). Hope everybody else gets what they wanted!!

disneycrazzzy

Well done remeber the August repo was 14 nights and lots of sea days so everything was a lot easier, this cruise is full of experts! and Casterway club members!

The online thing had just started at that time.

We should try a swap shop for anyone who didnt get what they wanted!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I'm Leslie, and my dh, dd 10, and ds 2 are traveling. We'll stay at the Polynesian for three days before.

I've finally read enough of the thread to feel comfortable posting! Thank goodness I did or I would have been pretty upset at midnight when I couldn't reserve anything. Thank you for letting me know that the 21st started by Pacific time! I've had a few hours tonight to read and you all sound like a great bunch!

We reserved this trip a year and a half ago (almost) but it didn't really seem real until the final payment (ouch! ) and making the excursions, Palo, spa, and, most importantly, Flounder's Reef reservations. We were able to get Palo brunch, dinner, and tea, but not the excursions in Mexico that my dd 10 wanted. She wanted dolphins in Cozumel and Chacchoben ruins in Costa Maya. I reserved all of us at Playa Mia (anyone know anything about that?) in Cozumel and my ds 2 and I will do the Jugle beach break in Costa Maya and dh and dd 10 will do the dolphins there. My daughter and I will also visit the stingrays first thing Sunday morn at Castaway Cay. My dh and dd will take the walking/kayak tour on Friday. Woo! I'm excited ...or maybe just sleep deprived!

Well done and hello


OK GUYS WE HAVE DONE IT the DCL ressie website is down!!!

''We're having a problem with our reservation system that will prevent you from booking your vacation package or retrieving your reservation right now. We're sorry for any inconvenience. Please call your travel agent or call (800) 951-3532 weekdays 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. ET or weekends 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. ET and our agents will gladly assist you.

 

[HawkinsCrew]

Well done and hello


OK GUYS WE HAVE DONE IT the DCL ressie website is down!!!

''We're having a problem with our reservation system that will prevent you from booking your vacation package or retrieving your reservation right now. We're sorry for any inconvenience. Please call your travel agent or call (800) 951-3532 weekdays 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. ET or weekends 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. ET and our agents will gladly assist you.

and well done you! Or maybe well done all of us for flooding the poor DCL site!

Thanks for the hello!

I hope most folks are able to reserve what they wanted.

Best wishes everyone!

 

[Walsh clan]

Welcome Leslie! We are staying at the Polynesian too so if we don't see you beforehand I'm sure we'll see you on the bus transfer!

I was only off the board for 36 hours and it has taken me nearly as long to get through the posts! I am delighted you all got what you wanted ... unfortunately we have to wait for another 15 days and hope for the best but for the next cruise that won't be a problem

Terry, the very best of luck tomorrow, if your personality shines through as much as it does on this board then you'll have no worries, and life experiences give you a great education, so 18 years will not be a problem. By tomorrow evening I'm guessing you'll be set up and on your way!

Have a nice day everyone...Moira.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

We are staying at the Polynesian too so if we don't see you beforehand I'm sure we'll see you on the bus transfer!

I ... unfortunately we have to wait for another 15 days and hope for the best but for the next cruise that won't be a problem

We are staying at the Polynesian afterwards for a week, if you havent been before you will love it, it is so nice.

All the best for your ressies, I understand they hold some back and release a bit each time, so get up and logg in by 8am UK time on Monday 5th?.

 

[Reenieny18]

WELCOME ABOARD LESLIE and FAMILY.. so glad you feel comfortable to chat with us.. There is so much info to gain from here.. I was lost my first cruise... but thanks to fellow cruisers.. I feel like an expert.

DEREK..WOW>>> we shut it down.. Is it back up and running>??

TERRY... you have a job to do today to update the list now.

MARTY IS 46 ....hehehe.. I guess he will never be as young as me...!! We are teasing each other this morning..

Tina,, thanks for the weather again.. I had to turn the furnance on again,, it got to 64 in the house

DOREEN

 

[castoff]

First of all.............where were all of you when I was up at 3:00 making my reservations? I had nobody to keep me company.


Dizzyworld: Tell Ron & Alex that Chuck and Tina is looking forward too fishing with them in Castaway. I will probaly be the only girl in the boat for 4 1/2 hours who doesn't know anything about fishing and there isn't even a bathroom.



Andrew: Did you sign up for the fishing trip? If yes, which day and time.


Jen: Are you going parasailing also? First day or 2nd? Like to get more people to help Chicken Tina & chicken Bev complete this task.


Leslie: aboard..........feel free to jump right in.


Terry: I didn't make any brunch reservations, I guess I put all my eggs in one basket. I don't have a plan B so I am pretty sure that this will follow through right?


For those people cruising 75 days out...........don't fret........Trust that plenty is still available for all to enjoy !

 

[castoff]

For Marty

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

First of all.............where were all of you when I was up at 3:00 making my reservations? I had nobody to keep me company.

Andrew: Did you sign up for the fishing trip? If yes, which day and time.

For those people cruising 75 days out...........don't fret........Trust that plenty is still available for all to enjoy !

Stingrays on 20th pm, Brunch 21st am, Dolphins Costa Maya, last min request from kids, Tulum Wed 23, Thursday missed out on high tea, Friday CC Glass bottom boat pm, Palos dinner.

Not bad one missed off and one very late change. PC crashed went internet was slow.

 

[DisCrazzy]

I hope everyone got the ressie's they wanted!
Dh & I were on the computer right at 3 am. We were able to snag the stingrays at Castaway, the Cozumel beach break, & the catarmaran snorkel at Costa Maya.

Jennifer

 

[O'BWV]

Good Morning Everybody!

Happy Birthday Marty!!!

Welcome Leslie & Family Glad you're joining us!!

You won't believe it but I fell asleep at around 2:30 (I think) The last time I remember looking at the clock was 2:21 and the next thing I knew it was 5:30!

Not too bad though, I got to reserve a Palo dinner (no brunch available) and the Fury Cataramaran in Cozumel and the two day float rental at CC! I want to do a couples massage, but was gulping a little at the price $242! That $242 would go a long way towards filling up my 100 lb bag of booze right Doreen

Terry & Doreen - Just so you guys know I did book that excursion for all six of us going. I just don't think I can get off the boat and leave other people's kids behind. I know I would't enjoy myself worrying so they're coming along!

Congrats to all that got what they wanted and my hats off to you for being able to stay awake.!!


-Mary Rose

 

[PoohJen]

Jen: Are you going parasailing also? First day or 2nd? Like to get more people to help Chicken Tina & chicken Bev complete this task.

I LOVE parasailing, and ....wait a minute, I'm pulling Easter grass out of my keyboard....KIDS! get down here right now!

As I was saying....I am not parasailing, as I have done it before. BUT YOU MUST TRY IT ONCE - WHAT A GREAT FEELING to soar like that. And it is so very safe, not scary, very gentle.

DH parasailed on CC last time and LOVED it - and he is TERRIFIED of heights.


Sooo, I booked Kieran (9) and....My MOTHER! Ha! Haven't told her yet, but know she would love it! Frankly, she will love worrying about it for the next three months, asking for constant reassurances, and then she will love the experience and boasting about overcoming her hesitations!


Welcome Aboard Leslie and Family, Fellow Virginians! I know you'll find a very friendly group here! Are y'all flying or driving? We are driving from Va Beach.

To the Syracuse boys - my 3 are Scouts also!

zzzz, why am I so tired today??

 

[PoohJen]

I want to do a couples massage, but was gulping a little at the price $242! That $242 would go a long way towards filling up my 100 lb bag of booze right Doreen

I booked the couples massage, but frankly have been tempted by the good reports I've been reading on cruisecritic (and maybe DIS?) on good, cheap massages on Costa Maya (Cozumel???). Something like $20 for 40 minutes?? ON the other hand, you give up the "spa"mosphere. Hmmm, I don't want to be laying out on a sidewalk on 5th and Main for my massage. Clearly I need to do more research on this. (Anyone else have info?)

 

[SeaSpray]

Well I didn't make it last night...I went to bed shortly after 1am.

However, I guess I missed out on Palo brunch and tea. I was able to book 2 Palo dinners, however, because of our two different reservations. They are each for a party of 4; the first one is Sunday night at 8:30pm which I'll cancel once I get the confirmation from the Group Specialist. The second one is for Tuesday (Costa Maya) night, at 8:30pm.

There were no bruch or tea reservations available to me at all So I'm really hoping that our Group reservation comes through for the Brunch. I also hope I'll be able to book the Tea once we're onboard.

I also booked all 4 of us for the Fury Catamaran!! And I booked a couple of the 2-day Float rentals.

I've also booked the "Couples Choice" in one of the new Vista Spa Villas Hey, if I'm going to get a job, I'll be needing some good spa time on this cruise. But I might downgrade this to a regular Couple's Well-Being massage. The price for the Couples Choice is pretty steep...so I'll have to see how our finances are right before the cruise. But hey, I am staying optimistic, aren't I, considering I didn't even get the job yet. lol

 

[SeaSpray]

For those of you who'd like me to add your Excursions and Reservations to the Cruise Itinerary Page, please send me an EMAIL, so I'll have the information more easily in front of me. My email address is seaspray@brownfamilyvacations.com Thanks!


Ok, I just went through some of the posts from the last 8 hours and tried to update the Itinerary page, but I know I must've missed a few things, and/or some of them didn't include specific info, so I didn't add those.

Please check the Itinerary Page, and let me know if you'd like something added, or even something removed. Thanks

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

Congrates

to all of you who braved the 3AM rush.
And to think us 75 day mark people still will need to attemp this made rush.

you would think instead of 3am edt and midnight westcoast they change it to noon eastern and 9 am west coast.

Ed

 

[Dizzyworld]

So when is anyone going parasailing? We (myself and DD -11) have 11:30 on Sun. I'm a little nervouse because I'm Pooh sized, but with the two of us together the "weight issuse" isn't a real issue according to the guidlines. I have these visions that they can't get us off the platform. Encourage me to keep the reservation and get over it. It would be nice to be with other people though. I am willing to switch the reservation time. Just let me know.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Congrates

to all of you who braved the 3AM rush.And to think us 75 day mark people still will need to attemp this made rush.you would think instead of 3am edt and midnight westcoast they change it to noon eastern and 9 am west coast.

Ed

Its logical but even at that time the DCL website was very slow then crashed.
It was beter here its 8am, but I think sometimes thoose extra seconda to USA cause a big delay

 

[Walsh clan]

We are staying at the Polynesian afterwards for a week, if you havent been before you will love it, it is so nice.

All the best for your ressies, I understand they hold some back and release a bit each time, so get up and logg in by 8am UK time on Monday 5th?.

Yep, that's the plan. It's a bank holiday here so I will be ready and focused to do just that!

Thanks...M.