"Double Dip Delight" 09.27.2008 - Take 3!

[anc22]

Well, DBK1029 and I are off to WDW tomorrow for a week and half! I'm sure I'll have A LOT to read when I get home! Take care everybody and talk to you all when we get back!

MagicMe - we'll miss you! Don't worry...I'll make sure he calls you!

HAVE FUN!!

 

[zweihund]

I thought of something just now as you guys are talking about cash for tips, etc. Someone might have asked this before but I can't remember the answer. I am still swimming in the aftermath of my bottle of sake and hour of drumming on Rock Band yesterday evening so forgive me if I am a little hazy. Where is a ginger chew when I need one?

When you go to Cozumel or GC, do you exchange money? If so, do you do it before hand or on the boat? We have DCL excursions booked for both, and were figuring we could use a credit card to make any purchases, but I don't know if that is the best option or not. What is everyone else doing?

Happy weekend, all!

 

[Buckeye Gal]

Where is a ginger chew when I need one?

I have always been successful to find them at World Market, Trader Joe's, 80% of the time at Home Goods/TJ Maxx, and in the check-out lane of Target there's a small box of them. I believe I've also read that someone has seen them at Whole Foods, although I've never looked there when I've gone. Shoot....and I was just there this past week.

They now have a new flavor, too! Hot Coffee Ginger. It uses real coffee along with the fresh ginger, mimicking an Indonesian ginger coffee drink, Kopi Jahe. I can't wait to try that one!

Happy Weekend to you, too!

 

[nenner1]

The best format right now is MiniDV Tapes...while DVD & memory sticks are out there...they have not been proven relaible or up to snuff...In order to transfer your tape onto DVD's you can purchase a stand-alone DVD burner which also will transfer your photos to DVD's with slideshows,effects,ect.
SONY makes a good one that is affordable...

hope this answers your questions

charlie

Hmmm....very interesting!
So for once we actually bought the right thing? Wow, we are usually one step behind as far as technology goes.
Oh and Wal-Mart also has a decent price to transfer MiniDV's into DVD's...not that I've done it yet...

As promised, I went through the Roll Call List and gathered stats on the number of children under age 18 by gender.

as of July 24, 2008

FYI, I've included a link to this post under the Interesting Stats in Post #1.

Disclaimer: I did not check my list twice to see who is naughty and....OOPS! Wrong list. I still didn't check the list twice, so the numbers may not be exact, but pretty darn close!

Nice Job, Kimberly..thank you....I love the color coded columns!
I am also liking those numbers on the under 3 crowd...looks like extra Flounders time may not be so hard to come by after all.

I thought of something just now as you guys are talking about cash for tips, etc. Someone might have asked this before but I can't remember the answer. I am still swimming in the aftermath of my bottle of sake and hour of drumming on Rock Band yesterday evening so forgive me if I am a little hazy. Where is a ginger chew when I need one?

Sake and Rock Band....wooooo now *there's* a party!!

When you go to Cozumel or GC, do you exchange money? If so, do you do it before hand or on the boat? We have DCL excursions booked for both, and were figuring we could use a credit card to make any purchases, but I don't know if that is the best option or not. What is everyone else doing?

From what I've read...no exchanges necessary..both ports readily and happily accept $USD. In Cozumel 10 Pesos=1 dollar (though you will likely find prices in USD in the tourist traps, I have read). In Grand Cayman it takes $1.20 ish in USD to equal one Cayman dollar....I have heard you have to watch prices very carefully as some list in USD and some places list Cayman dollar....so something could end up costing about 20% more than you expect! I have also read to be careful with credit cards in Cozumel, but I think using them at the main tourist drags would be fine..just watch if you use it in little independent shops and such. I've read the Rum Cakes are very expensive in GC due to the dollar exchange, so it very well might make good sense to buy them online and just not eat them till after the cruise..instead of buying them in GC...I know I still want to check out the factory though.

I think (cough*cough) some of this info is covered on the port pages in the Passporter.


I think I'm going back to the drawing board for my FE gifts. I have a cute little idea....but I hope someone isn't already doing it. It would be something everybody would not need two of. But I can't tell what it is, so I dom't know if I should do it, or if it is something everyone will like (I know some will like it for sure) Sigh. Oh the delimma!

 

[crissichef]

Spare batteries can be ordered anywhere...these batteries tend to cost some $$$....don't be fooled about cheap batteries...They do not last as long as the more expensive ones....It pays to buy both good tapes & batteries

charlie

Thanks so much Charlie, as it turns out, the best price for the longest use battery is again at B&H. They sell the 4.5 hour battery for $69.95 and the same one is on sale at Best buy for $98.99. I guess I will ahve to bite the bullet and buy the JVC brand one. I see that the camera itself did not come with a battery charger. You have to plug in the whole camera to charge it. B&H had an off brand charger for $19.95. Is this one OK or do I need to go with the JVC brand one? It is $69.95.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...808_CM_BNVF808Mini_AC_DC_Battery_Charger.html

I also bought the JVC MiniDV's from B&H. Are these OK?

I really appreciate all your help here........I owe you a drink!

The camera seems to be very easy to use, small and light! Just what I was looking for.

Thanks,
Crissi

 

[crissichef]

Well, DBK1029 and I are off to WDW tomorrow for a week and half! I'm sure I'll have A LOT to read when I get home! Take care everybody and talk to you all when we get back!

MagicMe - we'll miss you! Don't worry...I'll make sure he calls you!

Have a GREAT TIME.........say hello to Mickey for us!

Crissi

 

[videoman]

Thanks so much Charlie, as it turns out, the best price for the longest use battery is again at B&H. They sell the 4.5 hour battery for $69.95 and the same one is on sale at Best buy for $98.99. I guess I will ahve to bite the bullet and buy the JVC brand one. I see that the camera itself did not come with a battery charger. You have to plug in the whole camera to charge it. B&H had an off brand charger for $19.95. Is this one OK or do I need to go with the JVC brand one? It is $69.95.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...808_CM_BNVF808Mini_AC_DC_Battery_Charger.html

I also bought the JVC MiniDV's from B&H. Are these OK?

I really appreciate all your help here........I owe you a drink!

The camera seems to be very easy to use, small and light! Just what I was looking for.

Thanks,
Crissi

So glad you are happy with your purchase!!!!!!!
As far as the charger goes...you can purchase any one....as long as it fits the type of battery you are looking to charge...

With the tapes the ones you purchased are fine...but one thing to keep in mind is always use the same brand of tapes....changing tape (brands) will cause damage to the heads. This will happen over a period of time since each manufacuter uses different kinds of oil in their tapes...

charlie

 

[FatCat]

I also bring cash to Cozumel in small bills. The reason is that haggling is a national sport. If they ask $5 for something I take out 2 singles.

Money TALKS!!!!

 

[anewmac]

When you go to Cozumel or GC, do you exchange money? If so, do you do it before hand or on the boat? We have DCL excursions booked for both, and were figuring we could use a credit card to make any purchases, but I don't know if that is the best option or not. What is everyone else doing?

We'll just be using the good ol US$$ lol I might exchange a lil at that airport depending on what the rate is. Plus we love to keep the money as a souvenir (well just a lil lmao, not like $20 worth or anything LOL)

I have always been successful to find them at World Market, Trader Joe's, 80% of the time at Home Goods/TJ Maxx, and in the check-out lane of Target there's a small box of them. I believe I've also read that someone has seen them at Whole Foods, although I've never looked there when I've gone. Shoot....and I was just there this past week.

They now have a new flavor, too! Hot Coffee Ginger. It uses real coffee along with the fresh ginger, mimicking an Indonesian ginger coffee drink, Kopi Jahe. I can't wait to try that one!

Happy Weekend to you, too!

OH didnt even think of trying World Market, or Trader Joe's. I was just going to order them online. Thank Kimberly! Oh and that hot coffee one sounds good!

Nice Job, Kimberly..thank you....I love the color coded columns!
I am also liking those numbers on the under 3 crowd...looks like extra Flounders time may not be so hard to come by after all.

I've read the Rum Cakes are very expensive in GC due to the dollar exchange, so it very well might make good sense to buy them online and just not eat them till after the cruise..instead of buying them in GC...I know I still want to check out the factory though.

I think I'm going back to the drawing board for my FE gifts. I have a cute little idea....but I hope someone isn't already doing it. It would be something everybody would not need two of. But I can't tell what it is, so I dom't know if I should do it, or if it is something everyone will like (I know some will like it for sure) Sigh. Oh the delimma!

Ill keep my fingers crossed you get more flounder time!

Thinking ill just buy Rum cakes online to share at work LOL They will never know. Then Ill just buy a few for us there... Erika they are all your on GranD K lol Well not all, I would like to get at least 1 to try.

Im laughing at you describing your F/E gifts, that was my deliema too, somewhat. I would say email or pm another cruiser (not on our cruise) and get their thoughts on it. Just an idea, sometimes having another voice helps. I did that, I didnt even tell Tonya (googles111) what Im doing really and she and I have been friends for 6yrs now LOL. Sorry T youll just have to wait and see!

The camera seems to be very easy to use, small and light! Just what I was looking for.

Thanks,
Crissi

Did you get it already Crissi? would love to see some footage, maybe you can post on youtube just to check it out.

With the tapes the ones you purchased are fine...but one thing to keep in mind is always use the same brand of tapes....changing tape (brands) will cause damage to the heads. This will happen over a period of time since each manufacuter uses different kinds of oil in their tapes...

charlie

Well now I know why my last camcorder went haywire and ate my tapes. GOOD to know. Thanks Charlie... I owe you a drink also!

Love that this cruise thread is full of knowledgeable peeps with a wide range of expertise in different areas!

Hope everyone has a great weekend. Working on magnets this am before the boys get up and boot me off the computer to play icarly, legomaniac and other non educational games LOL.

Later we are working on welcome home signs for E If the Marine Corps keeps there word its actually less time then in my signiture... not much but still LESS! So keep your fingers crossed nothing changes, everything goes well on the convo back to Baghdad, no plane issues, etc. Cuz the last 2 weeks are the hardest

oh and I just realized my cruise ticker is down to the 1 in front of the month also! woohoo!

 

[videoman]

Kimberly.....thanks for the sppedsheet breakdown of the ages....We DD's are so happy that there will be many girls in their age group

charlie

 

[FatCat]

Well I sort of feel better.
Airtran flight price dropped and they gave me a credit of $28 per ticket for future travel good for one year.

No hassle either.

 

[Magic3forme]

Kimberly:

thanks for the age chart. All the kids are excited to meet new friends on the cruise.

I am sooo excited there is a 1 in my cruise counter.

 

[anewmac]

Well I sort of feel better.
Airtran flight price dropped and they gave me a credit of $28 per ticket for future travel good for one year.

No hassle either.

AWESOME Chris so glad the flight issues are looking better for ya!

Oh and I also agree with you haggaling is half the fun while in port!

 

[pit303]

I remember reading it is a good idea to bring $1 bills for tips for room service, bags, etc. How many do you think we should bring?

Crissi

We always bring $50.00 and most times come home with some.

 

[cyndifan]

Kimberly:
Thanks for the age chart.

Drea:
Hoping all goes as planned for DH to get home on time!

 

[crissichef]

Do they have booster seats in the dining room for the kids? My DS3 is too big for the high chairs but too small to sit by himself.

Crissi

 

[zweihund]

Sake and Rock Band....wooooo now *there's* a party!!

From what I've read...no exchanges necessary..both ports readily and happily accept $USD. In Cozumel 10 Pesos=1 dollar (though you will likely find prices in USD in the tourist traps, I have read). In Grand Cayman it takes $1.20 ish in USD to equal one Cayman dollar....I have heard you have to watch prices very carefully as some list in USD and some places list Cayman dollar....so something could end up costing about 20% more than you expect! I have also read to be careful with credit cards in Cozumel, but I think using them at the main tourist drags would be fine..just watch if you use it in little independent shops and such. I've read the Rum Cakes are very expensive in GC due to the dollar exchange, so it very well might make good sense to buy them online and just not eat them till after the cruise..instead of buying them in GC...I know I still want to check out the factory though.

I think (cough*cough) some of this info is covered on the port pages in the Passporter.

Ok, that's good to know. Now I need more tabs for the passporter!

 

[Buckeye Gal]

I'm glad you've found the kid stats helpful...

Okay...I've checked the list not only twice, but it took me 4 times until I got non-conflicting numbers! So these are definitely correct. I'll post a link to this particular post in Post #1 under the Interesting Stats section. Therefore, if we have any additions or unexpected removals, this post will get updated to keep you current.

BTW, I also thought I would share that I found it interesting that it appears that we have 4 sets of twins with us!!! All of them are girls at the ages of 4, 10, 12, and 14!

 

[alleluia5]

When you go to Cozumel or GC, do you exchange money? If so, do you do it before hand or on the boat? We have DCL excursions booked for both, and were figuring we could use a credit card to make any purchases, but I don't know if that is the best option or not. What is everyone else doing?

Happy weekend, all!

I think the others pretty much answered this but I will throw in my 2 cents We didn't have to exchange money at all - used US dollars the whole time - but someone mentioned you have to be careful on prices - some are listed in US and some aren't - so be careful because they sure aren't going to tell you any different

In fact, DH wanted to exchange a dollar to take home (he likes to collect the different currencies) and we had a hard time finding a place that had some - weird (or maybe they were just hiding it).

Anyways - haggling is HUGE, except for the tshirt place - but otherwise - get ready to bargain, bargain, bargain

 

[Magic3forme]

Crissi:

If my memory is correct, there are booster seats in the dining room.