Christmas/Holiday 2011 on the Wonder: 8 night Mexican Riviera 12/18/2011

[Silly Little Pixie]

For the new folks joining us, here's a post from the Sticky at the top of the main forum that explains Fish Extenders a bit, and has a link to an ongoing thread about it:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33184281&postcount=2

Any other questions please ask! You will need 10 posts to pm me if you are interested in joining. I will need your:
First names of all cruisers
Ages of kids
Cabin # or guaranty status
Email address so I can send you the link to our spreadsheet.

I may not get back to you with the link until Sunday night or Monday. I'm in San Diego this weekend so I just have my iPhone with me.

Christine

 

[SanDeeKath]

Hi all,

My daughter carries a rescue inhaler with her and as of this summer, an epi pen too (doh!). She just keeps in a purse that is on her at all times. I doubt we'll need the epi since they thought her anaphylaxis at the arboretum was related to a plant allergy, but still, we can't take any chances.

On our last cruise, they asked us to fill out a form to ok self-administering the inhaler and epi. They would NOT administer any meds for her and made it very clear that either she is capable of giving it to herself (and we sign the waiver) or we will be called to give it to her. Luckily, she knows what to do.

Katherine

 

[Dchachos]

Thank you all again. I discovered another section of the forum that deals with disabilities and all things Disney. It has many many many threads dealing with special needs kids and special needs adults. It was very informative.

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

I have updated the FE list on post #151.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=42307022#post42307022

I sent PMs to check your email, all those who have signed up! The link has been sent to the spreadsheet.

Christine

 

[Tinkerbellll]

QUESTION about online check-in, etc: Next Tuesday I am paying off our cruise, and it is my understanding that at midnight on Tuesday I can log on and do the online check-in. Is that when I find out when I can board the ship? And, is that when I can try getting a reservation at Palo, spa services, etc.? Since I live in California, do I call at midnight, or is it earlier ....or later than midnight? I have read a lot about this on the threads but am still confused.

Also, I talked to my husband about upgrading our room. We are currently in a room with a solid white wall for the veranda, and there seem to be many 4B and 4A rooms still available. Not sure if the white wall matters that much, but I think I would prefer seeing more of the ocean than less of it. Didn't really realize this when we first made our reservation. Any thoughts?

Is this the type of upgrade I try and do at the port on the day of departure since it may be less expensive than upgrading it now?

It's getting closer, and I am so excited to finally be able to book my spa day!

 

[Brooklyn]

Secret Mickey Gift Exchange Update: ​

Please fill out the following form in order to sign up for the Secret Mickey exchange. Please fill out the form for each member of your family who wants to participate. If you have any questions please send me a PM

SECRET MICKEY FORM​

Please take time to fill out the following information thoroughly. The more info you give the better your Secret Mickey will understand what you like. You will receive your Secret Mickey assignment November 18th. The deadline to sign up is Nov 14th. Gifts should have a value of approx. $25.00 - $30.00 total. Toward the end of the cruise we will plan for a "Meet your Secret Mickey" gathering. *Please fill out the following information seperating for each person particiapting in your family.

Thank You!​

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Tinkerbelll,

If you are interested in an upgrade I'd definitely keep an eye on the inventory. On my last MR cruise it eventually sold out entirely with KSF and I expect no less from this one. You can't count on those being available at the port. The only thing I will tell you about whitewall verandahs is that smaller kids won't see over it quite as well. The only time we had one was in the aft suite. Not an issue for us but it might be for smaller kids.

Yes, once you're paid in full then you can book Palo, excursions, etc. For once being on the West Coast is an advantage because that's 9 pm for us! I always pay a day or two ahead as I'm not sure how quickly DCL upgrades your status online to be eligible to book. Someone else who has paid same day might know better.

Christine

 

[Tinkerbellll]

Good idea! I didn't think about paying a couple days ahead to make sure my account was all settled by booking day. Thank you!!!

 

[SanDeeKath]

Final payment is so exciting! This whole new world of reservations opens up to you to cushion the blow of your CC taking a major hit!

I agree that upgrades are going to be pretty rare, IMHO, because this is a huge holiday week to cruise. I am surprised at the availability of balcony cabins though. I think Disney priced this cruise too high from the get go. But in the end, they will fill the whole ship no matter what. Remember the passenger manifest closes 72h before sailing, which means no new people can sign up to sail within 72h of Dec 18th. That means Disney will do everything it can to fill up the ship even up to 3d before the sail date. They are not going to take chances because empty cabins are a huge loss.

Upgrades are usually last minute cancellations (last 3d) when hopefully people have insurance to cover the fact that they are not going to be able to go. That's pretty unlikely, but that's usually where those upgrades come from at the ports.

Katherine

 

[Dchachos]

Yes, once you're paid in full then you can book Palo, excursions, etc. For once being on the West Coast is an advantage because that's 9 pm for us! I always pay a day or two ahead as I'm not sure how quickly DCL upgrades your status online to be eligible to book. Someone else who has paid same day might know better.

Christine[/QUOTE]



I have paid in full but still have to wait until 10/4/11 to make any reservations for Palo or excursions. This is what I get when I try:

Sorry, access to My Cruise Plans is not currently open for this reservation. Access is available 120 days prior to embarkation for Platinum Castaway Club members and Concierge Guests, 105 days prior for Gold Castaway Club members, 90 days prior for Silver Castaway Club members and 75 days prior for all other Guests. Also, please note that access to My Cruise Plans closes 3 days before your cruise departure date.

So it depends on more than your payment. I know at 8:59 on Tuesday I will be ready to start clicking away

Dianne

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Sorry for any confusion. I meant if you paid in full on the payment due date which was also your date for booking extras.

 

[Double Trouble]

I've attached 3 links below to historical weather for San Pedro, Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo the time of our cruise. Hopefully it will give you some idea of what to "possibly" expect.

Disclaimer: I am not a weatherman, nor do I play one on TV!

San Pedro, CA (KTOA-Torrance Airfield...close by the port): http://www.wunderground.com/history...n+Pedro&req_state=CA&req_statename=California

Manzanillo (MMZO): http://www.wunderground.com/history...ty=Manzanillo&req_state=&req_statename=Mexico

Puerto Vallarta (MMPR): http://www.wunderground.com/history...erto+Vallarta&req_state=&req_statename=Mexico

Cabo (MMSD): http://www.wunderground.com/history...International&req_state=&req_statename=Mexico

Pray for sun!

 

[Dchachos]

Hello I feel like a little kid all over again. Remember waiting for Christmas how it seemed like forever? That's me waiting for this cruise. Everyday I am online looking up something about the cruise. Or making yet another list of things to bring with me. At this point I will need 15 stateroom and about 16 pack mules to bring everything. I know less is better and I will narrow it down as it gets closer.

My question today is the dress code in the dining room says cruise casual and that jeans are okay. Do people really wear jeans. Are we going to stick out like a sore thumb wearing jeans and everyone else in dressier pants?

I am going to get the boys suits for formal night, they are so excited. They like wearing suits right now. They also are looking forward to pirate night. The oldest didn't want a costume until I told him that most everyone will be wearing one. Now he wants one. He is at the age that he likes to do what everyone else is doing. That is why I worry about the jeans.

Okay I think that is it for today.

 

[Tinkerbellll]

Hello I feel like a little kid all over again. Remember waiting for Christmas how it seemed like forever? That's me waiting for this cruise. Everyday I am online looking up something about the cruise. Or making yet another list of things to bring with me. At this point I will need 15 stateroom and about 16 pack mules to bring everything. I know less is better and I will narrow it down as it gets closer.

My question today is the dress code in the dining room says cruise casual and that jeans are okay. Do people really wear jeans. Are we going to stick out like a sore thumb wearing jeans and everyone else in dressier pants?

I am going to get the boys suits for formal night, they are so excited. They like wearing suits right now. They also are looking forward to pirate night. The oldest didn't want a costume until I told him that most everyone will be wearing one. Now he wants one. He is at the age that he likes to do what everyone else is doing. That is why I worry about the jeans.

Okay I think that is it for today.

I feel like a kid, too!!!! The men in my life are all going to wear a suit for formal and semi-formal night...different shirt, different ties, same suit! My daughter and I are going to have fun shopping for formal dresses, and we can't wait. So, you are not alone. My 7 year old son and daughter are definitely dressing like pirates. My oldest may actually get into the spirit of things once it gets closer. We'll see. I am hoping that jeans on casual nights is OK, too. Good question.

 

[SanDeeKath]

Got my 2 DD's pirate costumes in the mail today. OMG they are soooooo adorable. DH and I really need to work on ours though. Blech. Cheapy looking stuff -- need to send back to Walmart and try something else.

Hmmmmm, I really don't recall people wearing jeans to the dining room on casual nights. I think there were lots of khakis around though. I dunno. 2 of the 3 restaurants are pretty "dressy looking" with nice decor and white table cloths and all. Parrot Cay is like a bad 80s restaurant with whitewashed decor and an echoing hall-like atmosphere. So maybe I can see jeans in that restaurant. I am sure no one would say anything if you DID do the jeans thing. Maybe ask on the main board (the first Wonder MX sailing group just gets back tomorrow since the season just started).

Katherine

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

In March I saw a couple folks wearing jeans on cruise casual nights. One of our traveling companions wore a pair with a polo shirt one night and he didn't look out of place. I myself never wore any but as long as they are dressy and not faded/torn then I don't see a problem.

 

[chernabogfamily]

We have seen people in jeans and people in khaki pants. On our Alaskan cruise this summer, when we received our cruise docs there was a blurb that sais "Please no jeans in the dining room". We have always worn Docker style pants anyway, but that was the first time I have ever received info regarding jeans.

We are a family that loves to dress up, so you will see us decked out in our tuxedos and evening gowns (my 11 yr old son LOVES suits and tux's). Let me rephrase that...he loves the attention he gets from girls when he wears either of them.

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

We have seen people in jeans and people in khaki pants. On our Alaskan cruise this summer, when we received our cruise docs there was a blurb that sais "Please no jeans in the dining room". We have always worn Docker style pants anyway, but that was the first time I have ever received info regarding jeans.

We are a family that loves to dress up, so you will see us decked out in our tuxedos and evening gowns (my 11 yr old son LOVES suits and tux's). Let me rephrase that...he loves the attention he gets from girls when he wears either of them.

Wow, I have never seen that blurb before. If it was there I never noticed. We've never worn anything but dockers and skirts. If it's there again on the docs for this cruise I'll be sure to point it out to my DH incase he gets any bright ideas from his buddy who got away with jeans!

 

[Brooklyn]

Our girls like to get dressed up every night! We are going on the 7 night Halloween Cruise at the end of the month and I told my husband this morning we need a longer cruise because the girls have more dresses than nights! The 8 night will help. Halloween and pirate night are causing the girls to only bring 5 dresses...they could not decide today! lol The Christmas will be better and then Hawaii will be ideal!

 

[Tinkerbellll]

Officially paid in full as of today!