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

[SeaSpray]

Terry: All of your ideas for meets sound great. I especially like the meet after the safety drill, Palo's brunch and the adult pool.

Denise

Thanks Denise! As it gets closer, we can make the final plans, especially the reservations for Palo, because those would be more difficult to get at the last minute. Also, I'm sure we're all open to any other suggestions that anyone else may have The more meets, the more opportunities for all us to get together. And this way, if we miss some, there will still be others to go to.

 

[Verandah Man]

And for Andy: 7 weeks to go!!

Thanks for my countdown Terry!!!

 

[castoff]

Hello Everyone
Did anyone see this? http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1065616 Interesting when I called my Doctor about it she said that she would send us to a have a blood test first to see if we were immune to Hep. A . She then told me check with my Insurance company because most don't pay for it and it's about 100.00 for the shot. We are having blood drawn tomorrow, only takes a couple of days and she says we would only need one shot. Amazing how each person is being told a different thing.

 

[RobinMarie]

I called the Health Department last year before our Repo cruise and they said it is DEFINITELY recommended. Our insurance covered it.

I had never heard of the combo HepA&B shot. That's a first!

 

[castoff]

I called the Health Department last year before our Repo cruise and they said it is DEFINITELY recommended. Our insurance covered it.

I had never heard of the combo HepA&B shot. That's a first!

DH just talked with insurance company 100 percent covered so if we need them we will get them. Wonder if Doctor will do them without the pre-screening? Not like I want to get poked twice if I don't have to.

 

[SeaSpray]

Hello Everyone
Did anyone see this? http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1065616 Interesting when I called my Doctor about it she said that she would send us to a have a blood test first to see if we were immune to Hep. A . She then told me check with my Insurance company because most don't pay for it and it's about 100.00 for the shot. We are having blood drawn tomorrow, only takes a couple of days and she says we would only need one shot. Amazing how each person is being told a different thing.

I hadn't seen that specific thread, but I had read the other one about immunizations. Before we cruised back in 2004, our pediatrician said we really didn't need any additional immunizations. But I called just now (only 2 years later) and he said they do now recommend Hep A. Both of my DSs already had the Hep B shots when they were going into middle school.

So, little do they know it right now, but next Tuesday afternoon, Craig and Robby will be getting their first dose of Hep A.

The pediatrician said that it takes 30 days for the first shot to take effect, and it offers protection for a period of time (didn't ask how long, but apparently long enough to cover our cruise time). Then 6 months later you get the second shot and you are then covered for life. So this first shot will give them protection during the cruise in August Now to call and get DH and I in for our shots!

Here is the link to the information published by the CDC regarding Hep A:

http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-hep-a.pdf

 

[Buddy Bear]

Not sure if any of you are aware of this or not, but I posted the info about the Med/European Disney cruise back in January, over on the regular cruise board! I was right Here's a link to the thread that now has over 48 pages and over 700+ posts http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1017505

The news of the Magic's itinerary for next summer is old news, and no surprise to me

I am not sure this should be about who posted what at a given time, but if it is I posted this - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=977425 - a good six weeks before the above post.

 

[Mjasp]

I am not sure this should be about who posted what at a given time, but if it is I posted this - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=977425 - a good six weeks before the above post.

??? And your point is? Not being sarcastic here, but why?

 

[RobinMarie]

DH just talked with insurance company 100 percent covered so if we need them we will get them. Wonder if Doctor will do them without the pre-screening? Not like I want to get poked twice if I don't have to.

There was never even a question of being pre-screened when we got the shot. There was a lot of discussion with the FOOLS on the August Repo. cruise and I knew no one who was pre-screened before recieving the vaccine. HTH

I am not sure this should be about who posted what at a given time, but if it is I posted this - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=977425 - a good six weeks before the above post.

Hey how about that Buddy! I remember that thread.

There was a lot of speculation about summer 07. I think we were even speculating about it last August on board. Our servers kept saying we knew more than we did. We were hoping for them to be able to confirm the Med. but they said they are always the last to know. I've been on my Travel Agent's waiting list for summer 07 since September! (just came across the email)

Here are our tentative plans for Costa Maya. My plan is to arrange directly through them. Is anyone else interested?

http://www.chacchobenruins.com/wst_page7.html
We invite you to join us in a journey from the myth of creation to the collapse of the great Maya civilization.

Explore the secrets of the ancient ceremonial center of Chacchoben, experience the harmony of nature and history in a two hour guided tour.
Your tour includes:

Round transportation in air conditioned van, travel insurance, native local guide, entrance fee, guided tour at the ruins, bottled water at the begining of the tour and beer or soda at the end.

If required we'll also provide bug spray.Price: $43.00 per person

Duration: 3.5 to 4 hours

 

[SeaSpray]

I am not sure this should be about who posted what at a given time, but if it is I posted this - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=977425 - a good six weeks before the above post.

Hi Buddy: I'm not exactly sure what you mean when you say "not sure this should be about who posted what at a given time...." What did you mean???

Anyway...I do remember your thread, I read back in December, and found it very interesting, and basically substantiated what I then heard from my TA in January

The reason I posted the link to *my* thread here last week was because it was the day that DCL was announcing the dates, ports, and rates of next summer's cruises. My information (from my TA) was the EXACT dates of the cruises, including the fact that the summer cruises would be alternating 11-night and 10-night cruise, not 7-night cruises as many people had speculated, and the exact dates of the repo cruises. I didn't know the ports for any specific days, however, or, of course, the rates. It was just one of those "I guess my TA was right all along!" moments Nothing more, nothing less.

I'm so glad to see you posting back on this thread though!!! Have you and your family decided on any excursions yet?? We haven't made any final decisions, there's still plenty of time

 

[SamRoc]

Is anyone doing the Costa Maya Beach Break excursion? My friend booked this for her family, but we are leaning tours the ruins tour. Would like to give her some more info if anyone else has ever done the beach break. Thanks!

 

[RobinMarie]

Just read this yesterday about Costa Maya http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=956034&highlight=costa+maya

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

So far I dont have a clue about any excursions for us.

DW and I and dd(9). Staying near ship or onboard is looking good, but then the ruins would be an interest to me but not the rest of the faimly, so who knows. A lot of research to do I guess.

 

[Buddy Bear]

I'm so glad to see you posting back on this thread though!!! Have you and your family decided on any excursions yet?? We haven't made any final decisions, there's still plenty of time

No, nothing yet. We have been to Costa Maya last November and it really wasn't that exciting. If Cozumel is still not available in August we are hoping for Grand Cayman. All in all, we just like being on the ship, the excursions are an after thought and not that big of a deal. Thanks for the welcome back.

 

[SamRoc]

I just talked to a friend who was in Mexico last summer. She said it was really hot and she did the ruins tour. She said there was no shade and she actually got sick from the heat. I know my kids would love to see these though. I was thinking of maybe arranging a private tour now and as soon as the ship docks we can leave when we want if it gets too hot. I think its an hour to the Chacchoben ruins. If the ship docks at 730 in costa maya and we arrange an 8am tour we should be able to be back to the ship or mahahual beach by 11. It sounds like a good plan but who knows if it will work!

 

[castoff]

There was never even a question of being pre-screened when we got the shot. There was a lot of discussion with the FOOLS on the August Repo. cruise and I knew no one who was pre-screened before recieving the vaccine. HTH
[/I]

RobinMarie: We wen't this past Saturday and got our 5 tubes of blood taken. I am feeling quite frustrated ..........This past year I had liver problems and had these same these same tests I am sure of it. I remember them needing to take 5 tubes before. When I called my doctor's office in the first place they said I had to be screened first before they could decide to give us the shot. Now keep in mind I have gone through 3 doctor's in a year in this office because they keep leaving the practice. At this point I am not even sure they are even reading my chart. Ugh ! We now have to wait a week to find out.

 

[castoff]

No, nothing yet. We have been to Costa Maya last November and it really wasn't that exciting. If Cozumel is still not available in August we are hoping for Grand Cayman. All in all, we just like being on the ship, the excursions are an after thought and not that big of a deal. Thanks for the welcome back.

Buddy Bear: back to posting on this thread. I have also heard Costa Maya wasn't really exciting. I was thinking we would get off the ship, take some pictures and get back on and hopefully enjoy the empty ship to ourselves. Was there anything in Costa Maya that you did that you couldn't in Cozumel?

Robin Marie: I am really starting to look at excursions for Cozumel again since I think this cruise will be going there. The only one we have our minds SET FOR 100 percent is the fishing one at Castaway. Would really like it if the boat was filled with our group. We are planning that for the first day. DH wanted to go first cruise but it was cancelled because of weather and last cruise we were busy getting married. So first stop, we are going fishing.................Anyone done this one before or interested?

 

[SeaSpray]

On our cruise in 2004, we had excursions at almost every port. We enjoyed them all, but I think this cruise is going to be a bit more laid back. I'd like to do the Stingray Adventure on Castaway Cay on one of the CC days, and maybe the Fury Catamaran on the Cozumel day. I know some of us had talked about booking the catamaran together, so that'll be fun if we can get a group together. Other than those, I am looking forward to relaxing and maybe just exploring the ports by foot a little.

 

[SeaSpray]

RobinMarie: We wen't this past Saturday and got our 5 tubes of blood taken. I am feeling quite frustrated ..........This past year I had liver problems and had these same these same tests I am sure of it. I remember them needing to take 5 tubes before. When I called my doctor's office in the first place they said I had to be screened first before they could decide to give us the shot. Now keep in mind I have gone through 3 doctor's in a year in this office because they keep leaving the practice. At this point I am not even sure they are even reading my chart. Ugh ! We now have to wait a week to find out.

Tina: I was a little frustrated this morning myself! When I called to make appointments for DH and I for the Hep A shots, the phone receptionist said she'd never had anyone call to request it before, so she had to put me on hold to speak to a nurse. Then she came back on the phone a few times, asking me WHY I wanted us to get these shots, asked where exactly we were cruising to, etc. I explained to her about the recommendations on the CDC web site, the fact that my pediatrician recommended them for DSs, etc, and they *finally* let me book the appts! I love our doctor, and the office he works out of, and have never had a problem in the least with making appointments for various things over the years, so I was surprised that I was questioned so much about this. At any rate, we have appts for May 1st, but she told me to call a week in advance and speak to a specific nurse to make sure they have the vaccine at the office for us! She said it's not something they keep a quantity of, on hand. Ah whatever, just give us our shots. lol

 

[mickeymom923]

Hi everyone,

Just got back from the Tampa Travel Trade Show. Please count me in for the cruise exchange but someone (Tina) lol will have to explain it to me. I have no idea about any excursions that we might do. Maybe I can just hang out with my true love, M I C K E Y.

Bev