February 28, 2009 Bushwacker Banditos Magical Cruise

[Gretel]

Right now we are at CBR but I may change my mind again! How about you? My daughter just found our cruise documents outside by the front door! She yelled upstairs hey mom what did you order? I said nothing and then we realized it must be our documents! Woo Hoo!

 

[ChocoKat]

Welcome Gretel!

I am so pumped today, found out that Wicked is going to Jacksonville and I managed to snag 2 tickets. I love that musical!

 

[3Charbys]

Gretel and family!

So with the 21 day countdown happening here in our house...
I started thinking about the budget again and looked for that post on the guidelines for tipping!

OIIEE!! Just figured out that we should be budgeting for approx $84.00USD per person for the week! YIKES with the way our lovely Canadian dollar is right now that is at least $300.00CAD with a very optimistic exchange rate on my part! UGH!!!

They "suggest"
Restaurant server $28.00
Assistant restaurant server $21.00
Head server $7.00
Stateroom host $28.00
Room service is at your discretion....

We firmly believe in tipping, but somehow this totally slipped from my budget sheet for this little adventure!!! Sigh, there goes my OBC...

Do you all pay with cash or do you do it via the pursers office??

21 days until we fly outta here!!

It was almost 50 here today... I hope it is colder when we are away!!

 

[Gretel]

Do you all pay with cash or do you do it via the pursers office??



We have done both. If you go to the pursers office you can just add it to your room charge and they will print you off a little receipt to put in each persons envelope, then just give each there envelope at the last evening dining rotation.

 

[aan1701]

Right now we are at CBR but I may change my mind again! How about you? My daughter just found our cruise documents outside by the front door! She yelled upstairs hey mom what did you order? I said nothing and then we realized it must be our documents! Woo Hoo!

I am at SSR useing my Developer points from joining DVC in Sep. The thing that sucks is that the bus does not pick me up till 12:45.

 

[TOYS4U2PLAY]

I am at SSR useing my Developer points from joining DVC in Sep. The thing that sucks is that the bus does not pick me up till 12:45.

Don"t worry,
The boat will not leave without you!!!!

 

[donmil723]

My husband and I and my youngest daughter(18) and her best friend willl be on this cruise!

Woo Hoo! Another family joining our cruise!!!! Welcome, Gretel & Family! And to let you (and any others who have recently joined us) know, we are having a meet on Sailaway Day at the Promenade Lounge at 3:00 pm. Is that the right place and time, Johnna?????

 

[3Charbys]

Looking forward to meeting everyone!! Can someone tellmeiIs that cruise meet @ 3pm happening before or after the life boat drill?

 

[jbuckent]

Looking forward to meeting everyone!! Can someone tellmeiIs that cruise meet @ 3pm happening before or after the life boat drill?

Before, someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the life boat drill is at 4:00.

 

[RookieMouse]

Welcome Gretel!!

Reminder: You don't have to be crazy to post here... but it sure helps!!

Wanda, the lifeboat drill should be happening around 4pm-ish, so there's lots of time for meeting everyone. I'm certainly looking forward to it, although I must admit I am a bit apprehensive about what kind of outfit Dave might show up in...

Our cruise docs showed up yesterday, along with our docs for Wilderness Lodge. Two weeks from tomorrow we drive to Calgary (after that the weather can do what it wants)!! Woo Hoo!!!

Happy Friday everyone!!

John

 

[Johnna_Story]

Welcome Gretel!! Jump in and join this crazy bunch of cruisers!!

I'm going to send you a PM right after this post to invite you to share some information for a spreadsheet I'm using to keep track of this crazy bunch.

I think we did decide to try to meet in the Promenade Lounge at 3:00 for our meet; then we can go off to the lifeboat drill and the sailaway party. I'll have some simple activities for the kids - coloring, word search, etc. Bring your pencils and crayons!!

Wanda - yes, those tips will get you! I was very surprised our first cruise at how much they added up. It's a significant part of the budget. Most would argue that it is worth it - they work for very little and depend on the tips, and the servers in particular really become part of your experience. By the second night, they'll know all about you and your kids, what you want to drink, what fruit your kids will and won't eat, etc. They are much more than waiters and waitresses. One time, DS was seasick and I stayed with him in our room during one of our dinners and asked DH to pick up something for me; instead, the server had him call our room and pick something off the menu, and he HIMSELF delivered it to my room. So they really know customer service.

So I do think they earn every penny (and then some!) but - that said - it's a big part of the cost of the cruise.

Another $$ warning - the PICTURES!!! The ships photographers are everywhere and take GREAT pictures - especially with the characters/princesses. And you'll want to buy ALL of them. If you do, just know it will ADD UP!

I actually set out DS's clothes last night - all of his shirts/shorts anyway. Still need the formal night stuff, socks, "unmentionables", etc. Packing for DD will be a weekend project since she has way more clothes than I can manage in one evening. And it will take her about 10 minutes to choose an outfit for each day, so that will be a big undertaking.

Next weekend... pack for me!! DH is on his own...

Ciao for now... Johnna

 

[DMMarla07860]

I'm going to start my packing next weekend while watching NBA All-Star stuff

 

[pit303]

DH (Joe) and I (Maureen) booked this cruise this morning. We were booked on the 10/10/09 cruise but we need an escape now from this cold weather so we decided to move to this cruise. This will be our 6th Disney cruise but our first Eastern

 

[DMMarla07860]

DH (Joe) and I (Maureen) booked this cruise this morning. We were booked on the 10/10/09 cruise but we need an escape now from this cold weather so we decided to move to this cruise. This will be our 6th Disney cruise but our first Eastern

welcome to the group

 

[aan1701]

Don"t worry,
The boat will not leave without you!!!!

I know. It is just not really enough time to enjoy the parks, but since they puck up my bags at 8 in the morrning(way to early in my world) I guess that still give a good 2-3 hours fun in a park. Pit I extend you a very warm welcome. I will hopefully meet you two at Rockin Bar D the first night. I will be missing the meet. Me and DW use the last hour before the drill to relax and enjoy the cabin. . After the drill it is off to the cove and hot tub before I chang for dinner.

 

[donmil723]

Joe and Maureen! It is just DH and I on this cruise too. It is our third DCL and first Eastern!!!! Looking forward to seeing you onboard.

 

[atinkerbellmom]

Another $$ warning - the PICTURES!!! The ships photographers are everywhere and take GREAT pictures - especially with the characters/princesses. And you'll want to buy ALL of them. If you do, just know it will ADD UP!

Okay, I have to jump in here.... Lady Story knows from before the issue I had with pictures. I want all of you to repeat after me........
Buy the package, only stick to the package and walk away..... Repeat the words "I will not do a Tink, I will not do a Tink....." One cruise I spent $1,000 on pictures... It was INSANE So let my problem be a lesson to all of you....

Okay, here is another solution...... Since some of you do not have your formal wear yet; what the heck you can wear jeans now that we are not on the ship...... Since I am not there to fall over-board....

I think I have PMed those of you that wanted to know our plans. If not, PM me and we can chat....

I do really think you are a good group and wish my DH would change his mind....

 

[3Charbys]

Wanda - yes, those tips will get you! I was very surprised our first cruise at how much they added up. It's a significant part of the budget. Most would argue that it is worth it - they work for very little and depend on the tips, and the servers in particular really become part of your experience. By the second night, they'll know all about you and your kids, what you want to drink, what fruit your kids will and won't eat, etc. They are much more than waiters and waitresses. One time, DS was seasick and I stayed with him in our room during one of our dinners and asked DH to pick up something for me; instead, the server had him call our room and pick something off the menu, and he HIMSELF delivered it to my room. So they really know customer service.

So I do think they earn every penny (and then some!) but - that said - it's a big part of the cost of the cruise.

Another $$ warning - the PICTURES!!! The ships photographers are everywhere and take GREAT pictures - especially with the characters/princesses. And you'll want to buy ALL of them. If you do, just know it will ADD UP!

Johnna, we do feel strongly that the servers and all of the staff onboard do make our trips the best they can be... after all you remember the good times the most! These are the people helping to make it the good times!

I just honestly had a "brain-fart" and forgot to budget it in!

Buy the package, only stick to the package and walk away..... Repeat the words "I will not do a Tink, I will not do a Tink....." One cruise I spent $1,000 on pictures... It was INSANE So let my problem be a lesson to all of you....

Tink... I was so sad to know that you will not be joining us on this madcap maniac tour!! You will still have some Magic in your life when you are at the World. I will definitley try out each drink of the day for you

We spent a ton of money on our last cruise in the pix dept... it was on the Eastern itinerary with Princess in 2001 and it was when we got engaged... so in the blush of love and giddiness we bought a TON of the snaps they took!! Yikes our bill was outrageous...not a $1000 bucks mind you!!
As i am standing there in the picture galley and all those shots of my little princess... you KNOW... I will be doing your chant..."Don't do a tink... Don't do a Tink"!

 

[pit303]

welcome to the group

Thank you

I know. It is just not really enough time to enjoy the parks, but since they puck up my bags at 8 in the morrning(way to early in my world) I guess that still give a good 2-3 hours fun in a park. Pit I extend you a very warm welcome. I will hopefully meet you two at Rockin Bar D the first night. I will be missing the meet. Me and DW use the last hour before the drill to relax and enjoy the cabin. . After the drill it is off to the cove and hot tub before I chang for dinner.

Looking forward to many a night at Rockin Bar D see you there

Joe and Maureen! It is just DH and I on this cruise too. It is our third DCL and first Eastern!!!! Looking forward to seeing you onboard.

Looking forward to seeing you onboard also Can't wait

 

[donmil723]

Hey Maureen! I just noticed you had a picture of SSR in your signature. Are you DVC members? We have been members since 2002. Our home resort is BCV.