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

[JessicasMom]

Welcome aboard.
2nd, technically you could do it in one bag and a carryon, if you're willing to do some of these.
a) do Laundry half way through
b) mix and match
c) limit your shoes
d) wear things more than once
e) use the toiletries provided and take travel sizes of the other things you use

Totally agree . One of the things I love about DCL is the laundry facilities. I can't imagine 14-days at sea w/o doing laundry at least once (for us, it's been 2-3x). DH took two pair of dress pants, one jacket, two dress shirts and two ties, along with his casual clothes. I wore a skirt/sweater set for every dressy occasion (alternated two skirts) and wore a lot of the same casual clothes over and over. Nobody minds, because we're all in the same boat . I took one pr. dress shoes, walking shoes, and flip flops; DH had a pair of sneakers, dress shoes, and flip flops, which was just enough. One suitcase and one carry on each.

There are lots of packing hints and lists on the boards-worth doing your research.

Funny...my mother made it clear she loved the soap onboard, so the cabin steward made sure she had extra toiletries every day . She lugged home far more than she took!

Oh, the luggage stories I could tell from last year's WBTA ...lost luggage that didn't arrive until Madeira, too-small rental car in Orlando (packed in like sardines with luggage on laps...painful!), having to buy another carry-on in Walmart (because Mother just had too much stuff!)....the family knows to make a real effort to condense this time!

 

[lbrown62]

Thanks all for the great info and suggestions. We usually pack way to much and use half of what we take. I think that with your suggestions, we can weed thru much of what we think we just can't live without and take just what we need.

Thanks again and can't wait to meet you all.

Linda

 

[skoi]

Thanks all for the great info and suggestions. We usually pack way to much and use half of what we take. I think that with your suggestions, we can weed thru much of what we think we just can't live without and take just what we need.

Thanks again and can't wait to meet you all.

Linda

One year (on a seven night) oldest dd took at least two outfits for everyday. One for the daytime, one for dinner. She didn't wear half of them. She hasn't done it again. This year, since she'll be making her own way to meet us in LA, I'm sure she'll pack lighter.

 

[LindaBabe]

Totally agree . One of the things I love about DCL is the laundry facilities. I can't imagine 14-days at sea w/o doing laundry at least once (for us, it's been 2-3x). DH took two pair of dress pants, one jacket, two dress shirts and two ties, along with his casual clothes. I wore a skirt/sweater set for every dressy occasion (alternated two skirts) and wore a lot of the same casual clothes over and over. Nobody minds, because we're all in the same boat . I took one pr. dress shoes, walking shoes, and flip flops; DH had a pair of sneakers, dress shoes, and flip flops, which was just enough. One suitcase and one carry on each.

There are lots of packing hints and lists on the boards-worth doing your research.

Funny...my mother made it clear she loved the soap onboard, so the cabin steward made sure she had extra toiletries every day . She lugged home far more than she took!

Oh, the luggage stories I could tell from last year's WBTA ...lost luggage that didn't arrive until Madeira, too-small rental car in Orlando (packed in like sardines with luggage on laps...painful!), having to buy another carry-on in Walmart (because Mother just had too much stuff!)....the family knows to make a real effort to condense this time!

That was EXACTLY the situation I was thinking about when I wrote that post. One of our table mates had nothing but her "carryon" for the first 4 days of the cruise - and she looked JUST FINE!

 

[BethC1952]

OT- how do you like your tablet? I had a mini (Acer) and it was horrible. I do some writing and I'm looking for something light to take. Would a tablet be a good buy?

I actually have two (well, really three, but that's a story for another day). I bought a Herotab C7 from Amazon for a great price (which is powered by Samsung stuff inside). I love it, but it's a bit heavy to throw in purse to carry around every day. Then I upgraded from a Nook Color to a Nook Tablet, added an Android card (if you're interested I'll PM you the information, it doesn't void your warranty) and now I'm in tablet heaven. It has wifi, a microphone, awesome sound, all the Nook features including HD Netflix and Hulu and Android tablet capabilities. So I'll be taking the Herotab because I have a case with a keyboard for it and can keep my journal easily, and the Nook Tablet because I never leave home without it these days!

Beth

 

[JessicasMom]

That was EXACTLY the situation I was thinking about when I wrote that post. One of our table mates had nothing but her "carryon" for the first 4 days of the cruise - and she looked JUST FINE!

Yep, several people had the same problem . My mother AND niece had nothing but their carry-ons until then. Thankfully, we were in Barca for two days prior to sailing, so (once we decided British Airways' customer service was worthless and she'd probably have to tape napkins together for clothing the entire trip), we were able to pick up a few outfits at El Cortes Ingles. We totally lucked out, because they are plus-size ladies and we found an American brand, with a number of things on sale! Mother also found a beautiful dress (Spanish) that she never would have bought otherwise (great for Palo). But there were definitely things they needed in their suitcases that they had to do without. It was a lesson well learned! At least there won't be an internat'l flight for any of us this time.

Speaking of flights, it appears we'll be taking United out of PHL, BNA, and AUS and all meeting in Houston for the flight to LA (SNA, not LAX). It would be nice if Southwest would come out with their winter rates, so I could finalize things. I'm delighted we can avoid LAX . We'll be renting a car and....the rest is up in the air .

 

[skoi]

I read SW is releasing the rest of the year sometime in May. I want to say May 21, but I'm not completely sure if that's accurate.

Thanks for info on the tablet. I carried a 10 inch Acer mini around in a purse for a year or so. If it's lighter than that, that's enough.

 

[LindaBabe]

Yep, several people had the same problem . My mother AND niece had nothing but their carry-ons until then. Thankfully, we were in Barca for two days prior to sailing, so (once we decided British Airways' customer service was worthless and she'd probably have to tape napkins together for clothing the entire trip), we were able to pick up a few outfits at El Cortes Ingles. We totally lucked out, because they are plus-size ladies and we found an American brand, with a number of things on sale! Mother also found a beautiful dress (Spanish) that she never would have bought otherwise (great for Palo). But there were definitely things they needed in their suitcases that they had to do without. It was a lesson well learned! At least there won't be an internat'l flight for any of us this time.

OOOOOOh El Cortes Ingles! One of the reasons I HOPE next year's WBTA starts in Barca!! (That, and all the stuff we DIDn't get to see)

 

[BethC1952]

I read SW is releasing the rest of the year sometime in May. I want to say May 21, but I'm not completely sure if that's accurate.

Thanks for info on the tablet. I carried a 10 inch Acer mini around in a purse for a year or so. If it's lighter than that, that's enough.

I'll look at the specs when I get home and let you know how much it weighs. It's definitely lighter than my 16" laptop!!! And it means one less suitcase, since my electronics all fit in my purse!

Beth

 

[dthogue]

Thanks for all the packing tips - I am a total over packer - I am hoping to scale back this trip, since we have to pay baggage fees I'm hoping to only check one suitcase and have 3 carry ons - we'll see how that goes.

Sounds like everyones travel plans are coming together - many of us waiting patiently for May 21st and SW to open their flights - I'm hoping the fares aren't sky high

 

[JessicasMom]

OOOOOOh El Cortes Ingles! One of the reasons I HOPE next year's WBTA starts in Barca!! (That, and all the stuff we DIDn't get to see)

Right? I love that store, and I really think Barca is one of the prettiest European cities (although I could love Venice, too, if that's where we embark )

I read SW is releasing the rest of the year sometime in May. I want to say May 21, but I'm not completely sure if that's accurate.

Thanks! I hadn't heard anything.

I am a total over packer

I literally had my husband pile everything on the bed that he wanted to take, then made him remove half. I'M not the overpacker...HE is!

 

[BethC1952]

I'll look at the specs when I get home and let you know how much it weighs. It's definitely lighter than my 16" laptop!!! And it means one less suitcase, since my electronics all fit in my purse!

Beth

The tablet weighs 1.6 pounds. I bought it from Amazon.

Beth

 

[bugsgrandma]

Sounds like a good idea to me too! I need to do the same and remove half. I am still checking pretty much daily to watch SW airlines for flights to LAX for December. They seem to be dragging their feet, but maybe they won't be cancelling flights like I have read from some of the posts.

 

[bugsgrandma]

Just checking to see if anyone has been through the Panama Canal before. I watched a special about the canal a couple of weeks ago and it looks like an amazing thing to go through the locks. I can hardly wait.

 

[JessicasMom]

Just checking to see if anyone has been through the Panama Canal before. I watched a special about the canal a couple of weeks ago and it looks like an amazing thing to go through the locks. I can hardly wait.

Is this your first Disney cruise?

 

[bugsgrandma]

Is this your first Disney cruise?

No, this will be our 4th cruise, but the 1st going thru Panama Canal. We are going on Fantasy to Western Caribbean last of Sept and have been to WC on Magic 2 times.

 

[dthogue]

Sounds like a good idea to me too! I need to do the same and remove half. I am still checking pretty much daily to watch SW airlines for flights to LAX for December. They seem to be dragging their feet, but maybe they won't be cancelling flights like I have read from some of the posts.

SW flights for December will be released on May 21st according to their website

 

[bugsgrandma]

SW flights for December will be released on May 21st according to their website

thanks for info. I signed up on SW to get notifications. Hopefully, that will help too.

 

[JessicasMom]

Ok, taxes done....back to the fun stuff!!!

I see we're going to be in PV on Guadalupe Day; it looks like quite a more festive day than normal. But it's only a short day in port, so I don't know how much we'll be able to see/do. Anyone planning anything specific yet?

Reservations made in Anaheim (hmmm...wonder why? ) pre-cruise. Definitely getting excited! Now, I should probably tell my boss I'm taking those two weeks off...

 

[Moby]

We booked a Deluxe Oceanview (9B) on the Fantasy for Dec 2012 to Eastern Carib (7 nights), but for an additional $400 we can do the PC cruise (14 nights) instead if we book IGT. Help me decide which cruise to take.

We sailed to Mexican Riveria on the Wonder in Dec 2011 so the PC cruise would be a bit of a repeat as we'd be on the same ship going to a few of the same ports (Cabo & PV) BUT the price is fantastic and 14 nights sounds heavenly! We had a superb time on the MR cruise, but booked the Fantasy to try out a different ship with different shows/activities as our family LOVED the dinner shows each evening.

Are there additional activities/shows on a 14 night cruise?

On the Wonder, we loved our Deluxe Oceanview room (2550)on deck 2, so I'm not sure what to expect with an IGT inside cabin. Are IGT cabins located on a particular deck?

We like to fly on Southwest, but since Dec rates don't come out until May 21 do you think the IGT rate will still be available? We're from Nevada so airfare will be spendy.

I apologize for my rambling thoughts/questions, but I got quite excited when I discovered the PC cruise at such a reasonable rate. Now I'm not sure which cruise to take! Thanks for any help you can give.