EBPC December 9, 2012!!! Who's in????

[Manon_Paul_Nina]

At this point, I am not planning on spilting the list into smaller groups. The cutoff date will be Oct 28th for new people to sign up - so there really is no telling the exact number of participants til then. For our gifts, I have been making them as staterooms are added so that I don't have to do them all at once.

Ok then i have a lot of work on hands! But i will be fine in the end...
Working with oilpaint so have to start by now if i want things to be coverd with a topcoat by then!!!

 

[WVURunner]

Oh, wow, OK. First, I was wrong, I need to do 5 pages per night to finish in time for the cruise. It's not that it's not interesting, it's that I stay home with two small kids and have zero time to myself and 15 things I'd like to do, but at the same time, I'm exhausted by 9pm.

The documentary was not bad, but they spent tons of time talking about the failed tries, the dirt, the dirt, more about the dirt. Then, in the span of 5 minutes, the canal is almost done, has hydraulic gates and, voila! There it is, like magic. We still have another documentary on our Netflix queue.

5 pages a day sounds so much more doable for me! You had me nervous with 10..I wasn't sure if i would finish it in time! I might not have kids yet but my days are usually pretty packed. One thing i love about cruises is that I can always find time to read. I loved reading and I miss it.

 

[socababy]

Speaking of passports....

Mine expires in April. I realize that some countries require you have at least 6 months left on your passport to accept it (I'll have 4 months left on it when we return to Miami). However, I've looked at that list of countries and we're not going to any of them.

That being said, I don't want to be standing at check-in at the LA port and have a CM tell me that they won't accept my passport because it doesn't have 6 months left on it.

That means I should send it off by September 1 at the latest just to be sure that I'll have it back in time to head to LA.

It just annoys me to no end that I'm basically going to be double paying for 8 months of validity on my passport. They really should make the new expiration date 10 years from your current expiration date if you're renewing it within 12 months of that date or something.

Does it matter though since we are on a closed loop cruise, leaving from a US port and arriving at a US port? Technically, a passport isn't required for this cruise, is it? You have me thinking since dd's passport expires in March 2013. I didn't want to renew hers yet since the kid's passports are only good for 5 years and I don't want to be double paying for any amount of time either.

 

[LindaBabe]

Does it matter though since we are on a closed loop cruise, leaving from a US port and arriving at a US port? Technically, a passport isn't required for this cruise, is it? You have me thinking since dd's passport expires in March 2013. I didn't want to renew hers yet since the kid's passports are only good for 5 years and I don't want to be double paying for any amount of time either.

You need a passport just in case - you have to fly home from a foreign port. Happened to two different friends of mine, when one each of their parents passed while they were out of the country on Disney cruises.

dthogue We are CC Gold members and the Disney website says we can begin booking on August 26th.

Ok, if golds can book on the 26th, which is 15 days after the platinums, then I would expect the silvers to be able to book 15 days after that, and the new cruisers, + 15 more days - roughly 26 September.

 

[WVURunner]

Ok, if golds can book on the 26th, which is 15 days after the platinums, then I would expect the silvers to be able to book 15 days after that, and the new cruisers, + 15 more days - roughly 26 September.

I thought silvers were September 10th? I remember my DH making a joke that we were going to be spending our 1 yr anniversary booking things? But i could be wrong

 

[WVURunner]

Speaking of passports....

Mine expires in April. I realize that some countries require you have at least 6 months left on your passport to accept it (I'll have 4 months left on it when we return to Miami). However, I've looked at that list of countries and we're not going to any of them.

That being said, I don't want to be standing at check-in at the LA port and have a CM tell me that they won't accept my passport because it doesn't have 6 months left on it.

That means I should send it off by September 1 at the latest just to be sure that I'll have it back in time to head to LA.

It just annoys me to no end that I'm basically going to be double paying for 8 months of validity on my passport. They really should make the new expiration date 10 years from your current expiration date if you're renewing it within 12 months of that date or something.

I had to get a new passport right before my honeymoon due to the fact it was expiring within 6 months of traveling and then three months after I got back..I had to get a new passport due to my name change! Bad timing!
Does anyone know if they will stamp your passport? My new passport is boring and empty and I would love a stamp from a South American country. Old last name Emily was more exciting and traveled a lot more than new last name Emily who appears to be old and married!

 

[socababy]

You need a passport just in case - you have to fly home from a foreign port. Happened to two different friends of mine, when one each of their parents passed while they were out of the country on Disney cruises.
.

Right, I totally agree. I guess my point/question is that I cannot imagine that they would prevent someone from boarding the cruise with less than 6 months left on their passport since it isn't required nor would I imagine they would prevent someone to fly back home in case of emergency just because they have less than 6 months left on their passport. Am I wrong in thinking this?

 

[Started With a Mouse]

Does it matter though since we are on a closed loop cruise, leaving from a US port and arriving at a US port? Technically, a passport isn't required for this cruise, is it? You have me thinking since dd's passport expires in March 2013. I didn't want to renew hers yet since the kid's passports are only good for 5 years and I don't want to be double paying for any amount of time either.

I cannot find the link, but I remember reading something about needing a passport on this cruise, as we are visiting a 'distant port' (Cartagena), to keep within Maritime laws, going from one US port to another. We paid the $500 for our family (including the oh so fun "don't smile kids" photos).

 

[skayrobe]

I have been reading all of your posts about the Disney sponsored trips off the Wonder. I see the sign up dates are staggered, does this mean first time cruisers will have a hard time getting booked? I think my husband will be interested in Mayan ruins so should I be looking elsewhere for this excursion. Thanks Sherry

 

[Started With a Mouse]

We've made arrangements to go on up to Disney World for a few days, so we could see all the Christmas decorations and go to the Candlelight Processional. Thus, I started checking flights back to San Francisco from Orlando on the 27th. We chose the non-stop on United for $255/person, one way. Even with paying $25 for a suitcase, we'll still beat the Southwest flight prices that ranged between $349 to $394 - with stops at Midway or Denver. Now I just have to hope that United doesn't change this flight!

I love SW, however, United was much cheaper for us too. Since we're so near the holidays, isn't that the peak season for airline travel, so they are less likely to change/cancel flights? (fingers crossed) I have only a handful of experiences flying United, but they were all pre 9/11.

 

[dthogue]

I thought silvers were September 10th? I remember my DH making a joke that we were going to be spending our 1 yr anniversary booking things? But i could be wrong

Sept 10th would be correct - 15 days after the Gold on the 26th - happy anniversary great way to spend it

 

[WVURunner]

Sept 10th would be correct - 15 days after the Gold on the 26th - happy anniversary great way to spend it

Thanks, I read the PP wrong..I thought it said new cruisers were on September 26th. I don't want to miss our window! And I cant think of a better way to spend it..eat year old cake and book excursions!

And I am loving the new droid dis app

 

[skayrobe]

I got The Panama Canal a History and Description of the Enterprise, downloaded free for the Kindle. I am about 45% done. It is really a great book. I knew very little about the Canal. Thanks for the tip about Netflix documentaries. I will try and catch those after I finish the book. Sherry

 

[socababy]

Well I found this regarding passports and yes it does look like everyone will need passports for this trip. I guess I will need to renew dd's passport before we go since it expires 3 months after we get back.

US Passports on Cruises
It depends on your itinerary:
Cruises that begin at a US port and end at the same US port: No passport required
Cruises that begin at a US port and end at a different US port: Passport required
Cruises that begin or end at any foreign (non-US) port: Passport required


Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Do_you_need_a_passport_to_go_on_a_cruise#ixzz20WMiXheV

 

[jsails]

We did a Mexican Riviera cruise this past December and another friend and I made gingerbread houses. We said that "termites" ate mine - I'm married to one of the "termites." I took pix each day as the house got smaller and smaller. It was delicious! Because you are not allowed to take the house off the ship, Sandy gave hers to the Guest Services staff. She and her husband were also "termites."

I think you have to go to Guest Services to make a reservation. I am assuming they will do it early in the trip so you'll have plenty of time to eat it.

Hi, Doug and Shirley! Are you doing this cruise? We will not know if we are until sometime next week (I hope). We would love to cruise with you again. What fun that would be!

Judy

 

[LindaBabe]

I thought silvers were September 10th? I remember my DH making a joke that we were going to be spending our 1 yr anniversary booking things? But i could be wrong

If you know a real date, then that's what it is - mine was a GUESS-TIMATE!

I have been reading all of your posts about the Disney sponsored trips off the Wonder. I see the sign up dates are staggered, does this mean first time cruisers will have a hard time getting booked? I think my husband will be interested in Mayan ruins so should I be looking elsewhere for this excursion. Thanks Sherry

I think someone on this cruise is arranging a private tour to the Mayan Ruins from Costa Maya.

 

[Cruise]

Does it matter though since we are on a closed loop cruise, leaving from a US port and arriving at a US port? Technically, a passport isn't required for this cruise, is it? You have me thinking since dd's passport expires in March 2013. I didn't want to renew hers yet since the kid's passports are only good for 5 years and I don't want to be double paying for any amount of time either.

Well I found this regarding passports and yes it does look like everyone will need passports for this trip. I guess I will need to renew dd's passport before we go since it expires 3 months after we get back.

US Passports on Cruises
It depends on your itinerary:
Cruises that begin at a US port and end at the same US port: No passport required
Cruises that begin at a US port and end at a different US port: Passport required
Cruises that begin or end at any foreign (non-US) port: Passport required


Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Do_you_need_a_passport_to_go_on_a_cruise#ixzz20WMiXheV

You answered your own question before I could.

This doesn't count as a closed loop cruise cause....well, there's no loop. We're going one way, down the highway.... wait, that's not right either. But yeah, no loop.

Glad this came up now in case anyone needs to get their passport! But, like I said, there's a list of countries that has the 6 month requirement somewhere and we're not going to any of them. I would say I'd give DCL a call and try to verify that it would be okay with the April expiration, but as we all know from reading the boards, what you're told by one CM one day doesn't necessarily line up with what another CM might tell you another day.

I guess when I do the math, the $110 renewal comes out to less than $1/month... so I'm losing $8... big whoop. I just like to rant on the point of the matter!

 

[Travelbee]

Glad you enjoyed having Lito as a server! I'm torn between requesting to have him again or taking the opportunity to meet another new person...but taking the risk of a not so great server. Decisions, decisions.

I'd request him again in a heartbeat! Been on the Wonder 3x and he is the first good server we've had. We already told him we'd be back at his table in December and will be bringing some Detroit Redwings gear for him (he's apparently a diehard fan). We also ran into Paula from Jamaica, who is also one of our favorites on the Magic. She just recently switched to the Wonder - if we had known, we'd have requested her. Too bad she'll be on vacation over this cruise.

At this point, I am not planning on spilting the list into smaller groups. The cutoff date will be Oct 28th for new people to sign up - so there really is no telling the exact number of participants til then. For our gifts, I have been making them as staterooms are added so that I don't have to do them all at once.

I just checked the list and it's up to 44 families. I'm not so worried about gifting part but more concerned how to bring everything home! May I suggest splitting the list and people have the option to be on both lists? This worked well on our cruise last year.

You have me thinking since dd's passport expires in March 2013. I didn't want to renew hers yet since the kid's passports are only good for 5 years and I don't want to be double paying for any amount of time either.

DD's passport expires on 2/28/2013. I was thinking how lucky that I squeaked this one in before getting a new passport...

Right, I totally agree. I guess my point/question is that I cannot imagine that they would prevent someone from boarding the cruise with less than 6 months left on their passport since it isn't required nor would I imagine they would prevent someone to fly back home in case of emergency just because they have less than 6 months left on their passport. Am I wrong in thinking this?

This makes total sense to me!!

Glad this came up now in case anyone needs to get their passport! But, like I said, there's a list of countries that has the 6 month requirement somewhere and we're not going to any of them. I would say I'd give DCL a call and try to verify that it would be okay with the April expiration, but as we all know from reading the boards, what you're told by one CM one day doesn't necessarily line up with what another CM might tell you another day.

I guess when I do the math, the $110 renewal comes out to less than $1/month... so I'm losing $8... big whoop. I just like to rant on the point of the matter!

In this perspective, I guess it's really no big deal. Does anyone know if a renewal can be done strictly by mail or do I have to make an appointment to apply in person?

 

[socababy]

:



In this perspective, I guess it's really no big deal. Does anyone know if a renewal can be done strictly by mail or do I have to make an appointment to apply in person?

Kids passports cannot be renewed by mail like an adult one can be. It is considered a new passport when a child gets theirs 'renewed.' I was going to Costco anyway this morning so I got the pic done. Dd's current passport has a pic from when she was 3 months old. She definitely looks different now. I plan on going to the post office next week.

 

[Moby]

Originally Posted by dthogue
At this point, I am not planning on spilting the list into smaller groups. The cutoff date will be Oct 28th for new people to sign up - so there really is no telling the exact number of participants til then. For our gifts, I have been making them as staterooms are added so that I don't have to do them all at once.

I just checked the list and it's up to 44 families. I'm not so worried about gifting part but more concerned how to bring everything home! May I suggest splitting the list and people have the option to be on both lists? This worked well on our cruise last year.

Great idea! Since this is my first FE, I'd prefer to be in a group of under 50 families, so I don't bite off more than I can chew! I was very hesitant to join in the first place, partly because I need to have my gifts completed well before the October 28 cutoff date, so I'd be thrilled to be split into a group that has an earlier closing date as well as a group that isn't too large.