FEB 20, 2010 Western MAGIC Cruise

[lubyshell]

I have to pack too, will try and start doing that tonite. We are staying at Bay Lake Tower Friday since we have DVC and points to spare, we arrive in Orlando around 11:30 am.

 

[jtravisl]

I've gotten a lot of good information from a PassPorter's guide I picked up at the bookstore. I'd like to confirm their recommendations....anyone have an opinion?

Assuming a family of 4 on a 7 day cruise:

Dining room server $112
Dining room asst server $84
Dining room head server $28
Stateroom host/hostess $112
Misc - porters/guides $30
Total $366

 

[Kathy Q]

I've gotten a lot of good information from a PassPorter's guide I picked up at the bookstore. I'd like to confirm their recommendations....anyone have an opinion?

Assuming a family of 4 on a 7 day cruise:

Dining room server $112
Dining room asst server $84
Dining room head server $28
Stateroom host/hostess $112
Misc - porters/guides $30
Total $366

If I understand it correctly, your cabin will be charged $84 per person for tips for the 7 day cruise (at the end). It's $12 per day per person.

If you are happy with the Matre 'd you can tip them on top of that since they aren't included in the "group" tip. You can also slip your wait staff something extra if you've had exceptionally good service. So the base tip for a family of 4 on a 7 day cruise would be $336.

This is my first Disney cruise but that's what I was told. Someone else, please post if I've misunderstood.

Thanks!

Kathy Q

p.s. Right now I'm scheduled to land at 9:55 on Friday night but I'll probably try to jump on an earlier flight if they'll let me. I'm staying at the airport Marriott and one of my son's friends is giving me a ride to the port on Saturday. I should check in at the ship between 12 - 1.

 

[shinez]

We used this website to calculate, cause I hate to think!!
http://cruisetip.tpkeller.com/
I am soooooooooooo psyched to go!! Kids are bugging me to pack, so, I'll have to do that tomorrow...thankfully my sister is taking the girls to see 'Dear John' tomorrow afternoon...DD read it a few weeks ago and is now a Nicholas Sparks fan...oh, Boy!!
We're staying at the Raddison at the Port- we'll be in around 4- kids can't wait to swim... me, at 65*, forget it!!
Got to tuck my baby boy to bed, then "LOST"!! Whoo hoo!!

 

[Kathy Q]

We used this website to calculate, cause I hate to think!!
http://cruisetip.tpkeller.com/
I am soooooooooooo psyched to go!! Kids are bugging me to pack, so, I'll have to do that tomorrow...thankfully my sister is taking the girls to see 'Dear John' tomorrow afternoon...DD read it a few weeks ago and is now a Nicholas Sparks fan...oh, Boy!!
We're staying at the Raddison at the Port- we'll be in around 4- kids can't wait to swim... me, at 65*, forget it!!
Got to tuck my baby boy to bed, then "LOST"!! Whoo hoo!!

Hi Shauna,

Adds up to the $84 pp for 7 nights that Disney said they charge...

Kathy Q

 

[BethC1952]

If I understand it correctly, your cabin will be charged $84 per person for tips for the 7 day cruise (at the end). It's $12 per day per person.

If you are happy with the Matre 'd you can tip them on top of that since they aren't included in the "group" tip. You can also slip your wait staff something extra if you've had exceptionally good service. So the base tip for a family of 4 on a 7 day cruise would be $336.

This is my first Disney cruise but that's what I was told. Someone else, please post if I've misunderstood.

Thanks!

Kathy Q

p.s. Right now I'm scheduled to land at 9:55 on Friday night but I'll probably try to jump on an earlier flight if they'll let me. I'm staying at the airport Marriott and one of my son's friends is giving me a ride to the port on Saturday. I should check in at the ship between 12 - 1.

They don't actually "charge" you the tips. You pay them voluntarily. On the next to the last night you'll find envelopes in your room for each tipped position, and there will be recommended (suggested) amounts per person. You do the math and then put in the envelope however much you want to tip. We've never tipped less than the suggested amount, and usually tip more since we've almost always received amazing service. You can either put cash in the envelope or you can go to Guest Services and charge the tips to your room. They'll give you receipts to put in the envelopes so that the individual people know what you've given them.

I had planned on finishing my packing tomorrow night, but we'll be babysitting for the grandkids, and may not get much done. While the almost ten-year old is usually pretty helpful, I don't think I can do much with a pair of toddlers trying to help too!

Now I'm going to head off to bed. Going back to work today was quite a shock to my system--I like those days off!

Beth

 

[Kathy Q]

They don't actually "charge" you the tips. You pay them voluntarily. On the next to the last night you'll find envelopes in your room for each tipped position, and there will be recommended (suggested) amounts per person. You do the math and then put in the envelope however much you want to tip. We've never tipped less than the suggested amount, and usually tip more since we've almost always received amazing service. You can either put cash in the envelope or you can go to Guest Services and charge the tips to your room. They'll give you receipts to put in the envelopes so that the individual people know what you've given them.

I had planned on finishing my packing tomorrow night, but we'll be babysitting for the grandkids, and may not get much done. While the almost ten-year old is usually pretty helpful, I don't think I can do much with a pair of toddlers trying to help too!

Now I'm going to head off to bed. Going back to work today was quite a shock to my system--I like those days off!

Beth

Thanks Beth!

I think because I'm on a TA rate they just charged me ahead of time at $12 a day. It's already pre-paid on my bill.

Tomorrow wll probably be the big packing day for me. This whole FE thing has changed my packing strategy... LOL

Kathy Q

 

[HillSil]

I'm all packed.
Really, everything of mine is packed except for the clothing. Hubby and #2 are leaving tomorrow, so I have to get them taken care of today. #1 is all packed except for putting it in a duffel. Then there's me - mom, cook, chauffeur, accountant, TA, etc. Always last . Don't feel too sorry for me. Today I'm starting my...um...spruce-up. Tomorrow, after going to airport, will finish mani/pedi. Then I'll pack Friday, clean house, p/u child @ school. Then off to FLA for some r&r. I should be sick by Monday-it always happens.
I'm beginning to get nervous about not taking my computer w/me. Repeat...it will be good for me. It WILL be good for me.
Can't wait to meet all of my new friends!
-Hillary, in NH where it finally looks like Long Beach, NJ

 

[Imaginationsetfree]

Safe travels everyone!!! Looking forward to meeting all of you!

 

[BethC1952]

I'm all packed.
Really, everything of mine is packed except for the clothing. Hubby and #2 are leaving tomorrow, so I have to get them taken care of today. #1 is all packed except for putting it in a duffel. Then there's me - mom, cook, chauffeur, accountant, TA, etc. Always last . Don't feel too sorry for me. Today I'm starting my...um...spruce-up. Tomorrow, after going to airport, will finish mani/pedi. Then I'll pack Friday, clean house, p/u child @ school. Then off to FLA for some r&r. I should be sick by Monday-it always happens.
I'm beginning to get nervous about not taking my computer w/me. Repeat...it will be good for me. It WILL be good for me.
Can't wait to meet all of my new friends!
-Hillary, in NH where it finally looks like Long Beach, NJ

If you get really desperate for a computer, you can come to my room and visit mine. I never travel without it, mainly for downloading and processing my pictures, and burning them off onto DVD's, but I also have to do a little bit of work when I get back to WDW after the cruise.

I'm glad that it's finally snowing where you are. Here in Long BRANCH, NJ (Long Beach is another town much further down the coast line), we have no new snow accumulation and no more snow predicted until Monday night. I won't have to worry about that one at all! The problem now is ice. Everything is covered in it, and it looks beautiful, but it's really treacherous for walking!

Beth

 

[wld4mky]

Whew! I am 99% packed. We leave in the am!!
So looking forward to meeting everyone.
Guess it is not going to be too warm in Fla. but warmer than home in any case. See ya Sat. !!!!! When we sail away to paradise.

 

[kbmo4444]

Kids and I 100% packed. DH will pack 1 hour prior to leaving for airport tomorrow. Working my last 12 hour shift todaythen I'm on vacation Mani/pedi tomorrow morning and then off to the airport in the afternoon. Can't wait to meet everyone

 

[BethC1952]

Kids and I 100% packed. DH will pack 1 hour prior to leaving for airport tomorrow. Working my last 12 hour shift todaythen I'm on vacation Mani/pedi tomorrow morning and then off to the airport in the afternoon. Can't wait to meet everyone

My stuff isn't packed, but it's all ready in one corner of my closet. Jim is another one who would pack on his way to the airport if he could. At least this time he remembered that he really needs to pack shoes/sneakers. I'm tired of having to buy them when we get wherever we're going. They aren't the best of souvenirs!

Packing will happen tonight if the babies cooperate and go to sleep on time (yeah, right), or tomorrow night. We will leave first thing Friday morning and be in Florida in time for a late lunch or early dinner.

I can't wait to meet everyone on board! This cruise will be so much fun!

Beth

 

[shinez]

Hillary!!
I too are feeling anxious about no computer/iphone...yikes!!! WE can do it!! Just give me a lounge chair and a trashy novel! My airport ritual is always the same, buzz thru security and then off to the bookstore to pick up some trashy magazines- National enquirer and Star!! LOVE IT! Come to our room if you want sloppy seconds!!
Today I have a ga-zillion things to get done- Mainly packing!! Promised the girls to have their lists by noon, then they can lay out their stuff and I can review and edit...control freak!!
Gotta stop the paper, mail, finish the cheesey pillowcases that I made for the kids to get autographs on, do a last load of laundry and fold, and cash in all our jars of change and the kids "cruise cash" fund that they have been collecting since Fall...oh boy!! Luxury problems!!!
Here in Maine our 6-10 inches turned into 1.5 inches...next life I am sooo going to be a weathergirl! Smile, point and lie...

So, now I ask you...it's almost OUR turn, so whos ready!!


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[lubyshell]

So, now I ask you...it's almost OUR turn, so whos ready!!


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[/QUOTE]

ME ME ME , I AM SOOOO READY

 

[BethC1952]

I already bought my "plane read". I have the latest Danielle Steel book, but I can't remember the name of it. I'll be finished by the time we board, so it's up for grabs if anyone wants it! I tried to talk my DIL into lending me her copy of the next Twilight book, I think it's "Eclipse", but she isn't quite finished with it, and probably won't be before I leave. It's hard-cover anyway, so I guess I really don't want to drag it along and have to bring it back again!

I am SO ready to get away. It's been two years since Jim and I had a vacation together away from the "younger generations". We've earned this one for sure!

Beth

 

[hollypoast]

I'm ready, I'm ready.... the girls fly out tomorrow AM and the boys in the afternoon. Finishing up my packing today!

Shauna- thanks for the reminder about the mail, almost forgot about that.

I envy everyones airplane reading. I doubt my 3 year will afford me such a luxury. O'well.

Florida will seem like a heat wave for us after the Wisconsin winter we've had this year.

We are looking forward to meeting everyone. This is my first experience with a DIS listserv/community and you all have certainly added magic to my planning/anticipation for this vacation. Thank you! See you in a few days.

 

[HillSil]

Yeah! A Book exchange (or magazine or trashy newspaper). I'm bringing a couple of books that won't stress my brain too hard Also dragging, "Cruise Confidential" which may tax my brain, but I'm not betting on it.

I'm soon to be in true vacation mode so, I've decided to bring my own hammock. D'ya think there's somewhere to hang it in the cabin or by the pool
Hope those who are leaving soon have an easy trip. See you in 2 1/2 days!
-Hillary, who did miss the snow but is really excited for warmer weather.

 

[hollypoast]

Yeah! A Book exchange (or magazine or trashy newspaper). I'm bringing a couple of books that won't stress my brain too hard Also dragging, "Cruise Confidential" which may tax my brain, but I'm not betting on it.

Cruise Confidential? I've never heard of it... a travel guide or trashy novel?

 

[shinez]

Okay-
Just totally revised our plans switching our dolphin program to Grand Cayman, which includes the Turtle farm, so where is a good beach in Cozumel?? Thanks guys!!