December 12 - 19, 2009 Western Magic

[MemoryMakers2669]

Which Captain Marvins? 2.5 or 3 hr? We are doing 3 hr with them also.

Not sure how long it lasts....just the island tour. Is there a difference? We are taking the 10:45 I believe!

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

If you do the trolley tour on your own, you can get on and off as often as you'd like at any site. You basically have a ticket for the loop, but can take as long as you'd like to do it. If you do it thru DCL, you stay on the trolley and just ride the loop. Cheaper on your own too.

Captain Marvin's island tour is great.

Yup, that is the plan, we will get on and off and see everything. We live right outside of D.C. and we have a tour mobile just like that, so know how to use it well. Can't wait!

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

I was going to say something about the Terminal drop off thing. My sister and her friend went on a Carnival cruise I believe, out of Port Canaveral and I picked them up right at the cruiseship door pretty much! So, I do believe others that aren't on teh cruise are allowed in the parking lot.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

So, to the cruise. We prepaid our tips. I'm not sure this sits well with me. One, I like to tip to level of service, and I'd like to do more if we receive exceptional service, but I don't understand AT ALL who gets what from the money I paid. I will feel wrong about not tipping, I know I will. But, leaving a dollar here, a dollar there feels cheap and odd. My current plan is to assume that my prepaid gratuities will cover the people who take care of me at meals, the employees in the kids' clubs, and the people who take care of my room. I know there is a gratuity added in when you buy a drink. The only additional tips I am planning on are for room service and porters. But again, I'm not sure I feel good about that.

Any feedback, suggestions?

I am right there with you. We had no choice but to pre-pay the tips. We love tipping our "people" at the end of the cruise. We have always had great experiences with all of them, even our cabin steward and we always hand them cash directly. So to not be able to do that, isn't going to set well with us at all. We will most likely give them some cash as well!

And shoot,never thought about the people that will have my kids all week..should we be tipping them as well?? There are so many of them though!

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Bevtoy's tip guide link helped a lot; thank you! I noticed that it shows that kid's club is not included. I read on the kid's club threads that they are required to pool and share ANYTHING they receive, including gift cards, etc. So, I guess I should plan to do some additional tip there of some sort, and not worry about it going to any one person.

Based on these numbers, I may assess service through the week and then plan to add some extra on the last day in one shot, so I'm not leaving spare change, as it were. Does that make sense, or will my servers and room host resent me all week? Never done this before.... sorry for the stupid questions!

KCashner, well said, as always.

Orlando,

Knowing your situation, we've discussed before, and I told you we have traveled in similar situations. I felt the tip that was already pre-paid was inadequate for our servers/cabin attendant. I added to what was taken out of our fare as pre-paid tips.

I give the head server $5 per cabin. JMHO, but flipping my lobster out of the shell unwarranted is not in my tip forte. However, if he assisted at our table more than that, I would tip accordingly.

As far as Palo tipping goes, not touching that one with a ten foot pole.

We're scaling down this trip. We're also just going to rotate a shirt with the same pants/skirt. I'm not bringing outfits for each of the 6 of us for under 2 hours out of 7 days/nights when the room in my suitcase is at a premium. And, frankly, nobody will notice or remember that I might have worn the same dress. DH declared he's not taking a jacket.

3 Days till party, 11 till we leave!

 

[Juney]

I know there are lots of obvious items .. clothes, sunscreen, electronics, etc. But what are those convenience items that might be overlooked?
I have started placing things in a box and so far my box includes:

walkie-talkies
permanent markers (for pillowcase)
click able sharpies for autographs
projection alarm clock
shoe organizer
zippie bags
large clips
highlighters
Binoculars

 

[Scooby3x1y]

I know there are lots of obvious items .. clothes, sunscreen, electronics, etc. But what are those convenience items that might be overlooked?
I have started placing things in a box and so far my box includes:

walkie-talkies
permanent markers (for pillowcase)
click able sharpies for autographs
projection alarm clock
shoe organizer
zippie bags
large clips
highlighters
Binoculars

walkie-talkies - Don't always work well on the ship, if your kids are in the kids clubs, they can't have them in there.
permanent markers (for pillowcase)
click able sharpies for autographs
projection alarm clock I don't get this one. There is a clock inthe room.
shoe organizer Great, especially if there are a lot of people in a room, the small bathrooms get cluttered with toothbrushes, toothpaste, creams, etc. Also great to hold chargers so they don't clutter the desk....etc.
zippie bags There are so many things we use them for - all sizes too. I usually just throw them in the gallon bag, and they can be stuck anywhere.
large clips Don't get this one either. If you're using them to hang things up, huh, I still don't get it. We will bring shoelaces, several pairs to make a make shift clothes line, when you're trying to dry 6 swimsuits at a time. The one in the shower doesn't get enough air circulation.
highlighters - For the navigators. I haven't done this in the past, but I can see a real use for it. You see something that you want to do, but never can I find where I read it in those few pages
Binoculars To me this is personal preference, but anything you can see with them, ie dolphins, etc, you can see without them. To me just another thing to bring.

It is easy to get caught up in bringing tons of things that you don't need other for a second or two. However, if it makes your life easier, everyday, then maybe it is worth it.

 

[Scooby3x1y]

I will say, one of my favorite if you have connecting rooms is bungee cords to hold the two doors open. They will not stay open by themselves.

 

[bevtoy]

The 3:000 Pm DISer meet is at the Promenade bar correct?

 

[bevtoy]

Pack your prescription medicines in original bottles. Make sure you have extra batteries or a battery charger for your camera. Baby wipes for at port days. I also carry hand sanitizer. Take a copy of your credit card(s) and the customer service number in case of loss of theft.

I know there are lots of obvious items .. clothes, sunscreen, electronics, etc. But what are those convenience items that might be overlooked?
I have started placing things in a box and so far my box includes:

walkie-talkies
permanent markers (for pillowcase)
click able sharpies for autographs
projection alarm clock
shoe organizer
zippie bags
large clips
highlighters
Binoculars

 

[Scooby3x1y]

The 3:000 Pm DISer meet is at the Promenade bar correct?

Yep

 

[HallsofVA]

Yup, that is the plan, we will get on and off and see everything. We live right outside of D.C. and we have a tour mobile just like that, so know how to use it well. Can't wait!

We're in the DC area too. Where abouts are you?

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Take a copy of your credit card(s) and the customer service number in case of loss of theft.

I can't even stress how important this is. Or, you can email them to yourself, especially if your phone has email capabilities.

On the Med cruise, my dad has his stolen in the Barcelona airport. By the time we landed in JFK (about 9 hrs), he had over $900 charged on one card, and almost $3,000 total. It took us months to get the charges to stop entirely, but it was critical that we notify the card companies immediately.

We wouldn't have been able to do that for another 8 hours had I not had the info with me.

 

[Scooby3x1y]

We're in the DC area too. Where abouts are you?

Can I just say, I LOVE the DC area. We spent 2 weeks around and in DC last summer. Yes, during the heat wave in June....

 

[Shoog]

Not sure how long it lasts....just the island tour. Is there a difference? We are taking the 10:45 I believe!

ours is snorkel and sting ray city - I guess it won't be the same tour you are taking.

 

[pamrob]

KCashner, well said, as always.

Orlando,



We're scaling down this trip. We're also just going to rotate a shirt with the same pants/skirt. I'm not bringing outfits for each of the 6 of us for under 2 hours out of 7 days/nights when the room in my suitcase is at a premium. And, frankly, nobody will notice or remember that I might have worn the same dress. DH declared he's not taking a jacket.

3 Days till party, 11 till we leave!

We're with you on this trip. Mark is not bringing a suit. He is bringing dress slacks and a dress shirt & tie. I believe I only packed one dress. I am bringing a pair of slacks and a couple of nice capris for dinner. With a large family things add up quickly.

 

[poohfriend]

I will say, one of my favorite if you have connecting rooms is bungee cords to hold the two doors open. They will not stay open by themselves.

provide something to hold doors open.

can anyone confirm?

 

[GoBison]

Pack your prescription medicines in original bottles. Take a copy of your credit card(s) and the customer service number in case of loss of theft.

The copy of your credit cards thing is a great idea. I always take a copy of my passport and drivers license, but never thought of my cards. Good advice.

And I had planned on taking one of those medicine organizers for my daughters meds... this seems to go against what you are suggesting. Can I ask why? With all that she is on, the bottles are going to take up a ton of room.

 

[Orlando36]

Thanks for all the advice and info on tipping; I feel much better.

re. the prescriptions, yes they should be in their original bottles. It identifies the substances, and then proves that you are not carrying controlled substances on board without a prescription.

Ok, pillowcases and permanent markers?!? I have no idea what this is about....

Finished putting together and bagging all FE gifts yesterday, bought a new camera on Black Friday, and bought the last clothes we need today. Finally, I can begin gathering all the loose ends together and packing! Two weeks from this moment, we'll be relaxing at dinner after a fun visit in Key West!

 

[Scooby3x1y]

The copy of your credit cards thing is a great idea. I always take a copy of my passport and drivers license, but never thought of my cards. Good advice.

And I had planned on taking one of those medicine organizers for my daughters meds... this seems to go against what you are suggesting. Can I ask why? With all that she is on, the bottles are going to take up a ton of room.

Just photo copy the labels, serves the same purpose, 1. In case you are asked for proof they're yours, and in case you need to replace something while you're gone.