Diez (10) Noches Calientes en la Riviera Mexicana/17 de abril 2011 (4.17.11 Wonder!)

[fourmcds]

Hmmm....let me think.
1. Kids Club
2. Kids Club
3. Kids Club
4. Kids Club
5. Kids Club

OK...don't get me wrong. I love my kids but since the majority of my family is in Houston, we don't have the built in baby sitting possibilities I would like. The biggest selling point Ann made to get me to agree to this cruise was the fact the kids should (I really hope so) love the kids clubs and be entertained part of the day while we sail. I have no clue to what I will do with all of the free time but, I know I will enjoy having kids occupied.

 

[mommafox]

Fourmcds Yup, Portland is 4+ hrs north, not a fun drive either. We've been here 10 years, but I'm a Cali girl at heart.

Okay, I'm PACKED. I couldn't take it anymore, people. It's still cold here, so it's not like I need my suits, tanks, or shorts in the meantime. I have one of my kid's packed, but my little one wears her summer clothes year round so I'll have to sneak those from her one night.

I think we are going to hit Six Flags Vallejo (northern Cali near Napa Valley) to get our vacation jitters/excitement out before our big trip. It's a 5 hour drive, but we'll do season passes because it's the closest fun thing to Medford, Oregon. One of the reasons we would love to move back to a big city once the economy gets back on it's feet. In the meantime, we'll settle for a weekend romp to the coasters in Cali.

Oh, and I'm looking forward to:
1. Kids Club (Virdis is on it)
2. Laying by the pool with my eyes closed (thanks to Kids Club)
3. Laying by the pool with a drink (Thanks to Kids Club)
4. Enjoying the time I have with my kids because I actually had time WITHOUT my kids (Thanks to Kids Club).
5. Doing whatever the heck I want when I want to!!!!

p.s. thanks to everyone for their necklace responce, I have a list and I'm getting on it. My daughters are testing my prototypes right now.

 

[True Romance]

Fourmcds
Okay, I'm PACKED. I couldn't take it anymore, people. It's still cold here, so it's not like I need my suits, tanks, or shorts in the meantime. I have one of my kid's packed, but my little one wears her summer clothes year round so I'll have to sneak those from her one night.

I think we are going to hit Six Flags Vallejo (northern Cali near Napa Valley) to get our vacation jitters/excitement out before our big trip. It's a 5 hour drive, but we'll do season passes because it's the closest fun thing to Medford, Oregon. One of the reasons we would love to move back to a big city once the economy gets back on it's feet. In the meantime, we'll settle for a weekend romp to the coasters in Cali.

Oh, and I'm looking forward to:
1. Kids Club (Virdis is on it)
2. Laying by the pool with my eyes closed (thanks to Kids Club)
3. Laying by the pool with a drink (Thanks to Kids Club)
4. Enjoying the time I have with my kids because I actually had time WITHOUT my kids (Thanks to Kids Club).
5. Doing whatever the heck I want when I want to!!!!

p.s. thanks to everyone for their necklace responce, I have a list and I'm getting on it. My daughters are testing my prototypes right now.

Hey Kel, if you head to Six Flags let me know, we have season passes and are only an hour east of the park. Would love to meet you guys there. I have not even looked at their calendar yet to see when they open for the season. Thought about going to Six Flags Magic Mt. on the way home from the cruise, but decided against it.

Love your list, I totally agree with it. Also, my kids would love necklaces too. My kids would be happy with anything. Your FE is actually very similar to my FE gifts

 

[deseriemilburn]

I haven't logged on for soo long because I have been so busy with work! For some gosh for saken reason I thought it'd be a great idea to take 45 high school kids to Disneyland to perform for four days. I teach high school, Spanish and Dance. Anyway, as Stacey on the disboards said, that was anything from a vacation. I'm reflecting back now sadly realizing there was so much I didn't get to see or do, and I was there for 3 days. I've been so preoccupied with that trip that I've put this trip on hold. Now full speed ahead! Weather here in Northern California has been super cold and rainy!! Anaheim had nice weather so that was a nice perk. But, sure can't wait for some nice Mexican weather! Looking forward to seeing and meeting everyone at the Double Tree meet on Saturday and the meet on the ship!

Deserie

 

[True Romance]

I haven't logged on for soo long because I have been so busy with work! For some gosh for saken reason I thought it'd be a great idea to take 45 high school kids to Disneyland to perform for four days. I teach high school, Spanish and Dance. Anyway, as Stacey on the disboards said, that was anything from a vacation. I'm reflecting back now sadly realizing there was so much I didn't get to see or do, and I was there for 3 days. I've been so preoccupied with that trip that I've put this trip on hold. Now full speed ahead! Weather here in Northern California has been super cold and rainy!! Anaheim had nice weather so that was a nice perk. But, sure can't wait for some nice Mexican weather! Looking forward to seeing and meeting everyone at the Double Tree meet on Saturday and the meet on the ship!

Deserie

Deserie, glad to have you back. I bet the trip to DL with the high school kids was an experience. Do you want to pay for and get your wrist bands at the Doubletree?

Virdis, What was the info. on the Cabo Beach Resort Getaway? I know you mentioned it all a while back and I was a little overwhelmed. I was totally confused at all the "getaways". Did you find out what resort the Beach Resort was?

 

[Az Pirates]

I just came across a thread on the main board talking about the new assigned check-in times. I know there were questions about that here, so in case you guys didn't catch it... this seems to be how it works:

I've been told by DCL, and had this confirmed by recent Dream cruisers, that your boarding number is based on the port arrival time you select when you do your online check-in. If your time is, for example, 12-12:30 and you arrive instead at 10:00, they're not going to turn you away but you're not going to get one of the early boarding numbers (unless of course you are lucky enough to get a CM who takes pity on you and gives you a lower number). Your boarding number is assigned by the computer based on when you do your online check-in and what port arrival time you select.

Of course this is talking about FL, but I assume it works the same way in CA

I'm guessing the intent was to try and spread out arrival/boarding times a bit, but if too many folks who got late check-in times show up at 10am anyway, I'm wondering if this new system might be more of a pain than leaving things the way they were?

.

 

[True Romance]

I just came across a thread on the main board talking about the new assigned check-in times. I know there were questions about that here, so in case you guys didn't catch it... this seems to be how it works:



Of course this is talking about FL, but I assume it works the same way in CA

I'm guessing the intent was to try and spread out arrival/boarding times a bit, but if too many folks who got late check-in times show up at 10am anyway, I'm wondering if this new system might be more of a pain than leaving things the way they were?

.

Thanks Sheila for the information, interesting. I think I got the earliest time 10:30-11am. Does anyone have anything earlier? I am still planning on getting to the port by 10am, I will try to persuade my way into one of the early numbers.

 

[fourmcds]

Is anyone else having problems with refunds? I have 2 issues going on and am so annoyed at my TA First, there is the 50ish dollar refund for not going into Mazatlan....still have not seen that show up on any credit card of mine, and I know many of you have already gotten it Then, I cancelled the LA-Vancouver repo and asked for that deposit $$ to be put towards an OBC on my account and was told no problem. I hadn't gotten any confirmation of that so decided to ask my TA about it and it seems it is all just missing I cannot call DCL directly because I have a TA (one I will NEVER use again) and I am missing 550.00+. This has been going on for 10 days now and I finally send a not nice email to my TA demanding an answer today.
Long venting way to ask....anyone else having problems or have any ideas of how to get my $$?
Thanks!!!!
So glad I thought to check into this before I got on board and realized that the $ I was counting on wasn't there.

Thanks for listening!!!

On a positive note....only 11 days of work left for me (and a quick business trip to Portland)!

 

[Jareds_mommy]

We all have 10.30 too

 

[padalyn]

whew - you guys all had me worried about the check in times I keep reading about....fyi:

"Since your travel party includes Platinum or Concierge Guests, you are not required to select an arrival time. You may arrive any time during embarkation hours and board the ship at your leisure after check-in. "

I cut and pasted this from their website....whew.

 

[bitocas]

whew - you guys all had me worried about the check in times I keep reading about....fyi:

"Since your travel party includes Platinum or Concierge Guests, you are not required to select an arrival time. You may arrive any time during embarkation hours and board the ship at your leisure after check-in. "

I cut and pasted this from their website....whew.

you are a very lucky girl.

 

[padalyn]

you are a very lucky girl.

I was really starting to think I had missed something...so I went back in to recheck it. When I first did the online checkin, "disney cruise" was not an option for "what are you doing after the cruise"..so I completed that...then looked at the port check in box.

I have done a few b2b cruises, and this is the first time I saw the disney cruise as a post option. My last b2b was in June 2010, I was unable to complete the online check in for either cruise because of that lack. I am glad they have fixed it!

I have a shuttle pick up time for 845am - I should be at the port by 930...(I can only hope for immediate checkin at that time...)

I just noticed that my signature had cut off some of the bottom lines...all fixed now!

 

[bitocas]

when i complete my on-line chek-in i have prety much all times avaible,i think the erliaest is reserved for concierge and platinum cruisers,but we have a long fligth and we will stay at marriot lax hotel i have a tow car to pick us up at 10:30 a.m and they estimate my arrive to be a 11:10 a.m so i chose the 11-11.30 a.m time to arrive at port.

 

[padalyn]

whem i complete my on-line chek-in i have prety much all times avaible,i tnhink the erliaest is reserved for concierge and platinum cruisers,but we have a long fligth and we wiil stay at marriot lax hotel i have a tow car to pick us up at 10:30 a.m and they estimate my arrive to be a 11:10 a.m so i chose the 11-11.30 a.m time to arrive at port.

you will be fine...I am just anticipating a lot of luggage on my part. I have to do a little shopping at a wine shop before I board. my regular luggage will be super packed as I shift all my carryon stuff into the regular bag to make space for the wine...

Does anyone know if the TSA folks at LA port will be as understanding as in Fl? I find they usually just laugh at me when they scan my carryon luggage! When I did the first TA/Med cruise I carried on 23 bottles of wine...I may top that this time!

 

[mariag481]

Hi everyone,
I have a question for my fellow cruisers.... I'm wondering if there is still a group of people who are considering going to Tesoro (or Karmina) in Manzanillo? I seem to recall there being some discussion a while back about some of us venturing out on our own to one of those resorts, or possibly even another resort? Of course I can't seem to remember what, where, who and also if I need to make any arrangements before we actually leave, which, thanks to Susan's wonderful countdown over on Facebook, is in 19 days! Yikes! and Yeah! at the same time

We've started packing in our house - do anyone else's kids think they need to bring alot of stuff with them (teddy bears, favorite disney stuffed animal, AG dolls and accessories/pets (might get lonely at home), jewelry, books, the kitchen sink, just in case...). With all of the luggage we're bringing, I'm afraid we may look like the Clampetts (From The Beverly Hillbillies for those who may not be familiar with old TV) arriving at the port!

Oh well, it's a good problem to have, I suppose! We're all so happy to be vacationing for 10 whole days!
Maria

 

[padalyn]

Hi everyone,
I have a question for my fellow cruisers.... I'm wondering if there is still a group of people who are considering going to Tesoro (or Karmina) in Manzanillo? I seem to recall there being some discussion a while back about some of us venturing out on our own to one of those resorts, or possibly even another resort? Of course I can't seem to remember what, where, who and also if I need to make any arrangements before we actually leave, which, thanks to Susan's wonderful countdown over on Facebook, is in 19 days! Yikes! and Yeah! at the same time

We've started packing in our house - do anyone else's kids think they need to bring alot of stuff with them (teddy bears, favorite disney stuffed animal, AG dolls and accessories/pets (might get lonely at home), jewelry, books, the kitchen sink, just in case...). With all of the luggage we're bringing, I'm afraid we may look like the Clampetts (From The Beverly Hillbillies for those who may not be familiar with old TV) arriving at the port!

Oh well, it's a good problem to have, I suppose! We're all so happy to be vacationing for 10 whole days!
Maria

can't speak for the kids stuff - but I have often taken lots of stuff along to keep busy - and never even looked at it. There is so much to do and see onboard...don't bother...and the kitchen sink? I think they have an extra or three in the galley

 

[AZAims]

Okay, I'm PACKED. I couldn't take it anymore, people. It's still cold here, so it's not like I need my suits, tanks, or shorts in the meantime. I have one of my kid's packed, but my little one wears her summer clothes year round so I'll have to sneak those from her one night.

To all of you who have started packing already - NOT FAIR!!! I would love to start packing now before work kicks in the 2 weeks leading up to our departure, but we would have nothing to wear! So, I know exactly what I'll be doing on the night of April 15th - laundry & packing. Because I absolutely can't let my husband or kids pack their own stuff. That would be a disaster!

 

[szubieta]

We've started packing in our house - do anyone else's kids think they need to bring alot of stuff with them (teddy bears, favorite disney stuffed animal, AG dolls and accessories/pets (might get lonely at home), jewelry, books, the kitchen sink, just in case...). With all of the luggage we're bringing, I'm afraid we may look like the Clampetts (From The Beverly Hillbillies for those who may not be familiar with old TV) arriving at the port!

Yes, JoJo has been mulling over which Mickey's to bring, I told him he can only take 2 and he's been trying to talk me into 3 plus Minnie because he can't decide. Don't worry we might look like the Clampett's cousins from Cali, I always bring the kitchen sink when I travel.

 

[Susiesark]

Is anyone else having problems with refunds? I have 2 issues going on and am so annoyed at my TA First, there is the 50ish dollar refund for not going into Mazatlan....still have not seen that show up on any credit card of mine, and I know many of you have already gotten it Then, I cancelled the LA-Vancouver repo and asked for that deposit $$ to be put towards an OBC on my account and was told no problem. I hadn't gotten any confirmation of that so decided to ask my TA about it and it seems it is all just missing I cannot call DCL directly because I have a TA (one I will NEVER use again) and I am missing 550.00+. This has been going on for 10 days now and I finally send a not nice email to my TA demanding an answer today.
Long venting way to ask....anyone else having problems or have any ideas of how to get my $$?
Thanks!!!!
So glad I thought to check into this before I got on board and realized that the $ I was counting on wasn't there.

Thanks for listening!!!

On a positive note....only 11 days of work left for me (and a quick business trip to Portland)!

I still have 3 school weeks left of work with my little brats, I mean darling students. And I don't think my Mazatlan refund has come through yet either, but I'll have to double check. I wish we had booked the LA/Vancouver repo. We would have missed just 2 more days of school and stayed on the ship for another week.

 

[Sacdance]

I still have 3 school weeks left of work with my little brats, I mean darling students.

We must teach the same group of kids!!! I can not wait for the next 13 school days to be done.