From WDW to DL With Love - January 06, 2011 part 2

[disfaninca]

Us too

Great!! Looks like we might have a pretty good group at the port!!

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

We will be staying at the Radisson at the port also. We should definitely organize a meet, we can't let everyone staying at WDW have all the fun!

We were going to stay at the Radisson but since DD wants to hit up the rides...decided we better stay at the resort. Have a great time at the meet!

 

[DVCinderella]

Hello fellow PC cruisers!

My family and I will be joining you on Jan 6th…me, DH, DS-5, DD-5 and DG (Dear Grandpa). We will be in adjacent Cat 6A staterooms and our dining seating is Main. We also plan to spend 2-3 nights at DL afterwards.

I’ve hesitated in joining because I can’t follow the thread everyday. So if I ask something that’s already been discussed, please bear with me. I do have a lot of questions swirling through my head.

Here are a few things I’ve been thinking of (in no particular order):

1) Shipping in Advance - I just learned about shipping a box in advance…and since we have 2 staterooms, we can ship 2 boxes…but I’m wondering what to send. I’ve read the FAQ, and I know you can’t ship foods and liquids. I was thinking of maybe beach toys, pirate costumes/accessories, detergent, drier sheets. I’d love to hear what others have shipped in the past, or are planning to ship for this cruise.

2) Discounts/Incentives - I’ve read that this cruise isn’t selling well, and that discounts/incentives may be offered when the balances are due in September (as people drop out). How does this work/affect those of us with existing reservations? Would we have to cancel and rebook to get such offers? And I guess that might result in us losing a desired stateroom or cat? If we booked thru a travel agent, can they get us any possible discounts without sacrificing our existing ressie? Or are upgrades the only possibility for existing ressies?

3) Young Children & Oceaneers Club - I saw the education thread for those bringing school-age children (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2304047). My twins will be in Kindergarten, and 1 month away from their 6th birthday. Anyone else with children this age? DH and I have cruised on the Wonder twice before we had kids, so I don’t have any experience with the OC. But my kids did well socially in Preschool, and I know they will love interacting with other children onboard. My concern is how will OC keep them occupied for 15 days? Not that I plan to leave them in their the whole time but if anyone has done the longer cruises before, does OC really have enough activities to keep the kids from getting bored?

4) Young Children & Ports-of-Call – I have never been to any of the ports-of-call (except CC, which we know is kid-friendly!), but I was wondering how parents with young children are planning to handle the ports-of-call? What will be our most kid-friendly activities/tours?

5) Cell Phones – Sprint is our carrier, and I see they have a cruise package, where you can use your cell on board for $2.49/min (cheaper than the $6.95/min to use DCL phones). We have a Sprint business rep for my job, and I have a question into him re texting. But in the meantime, I was wondering if anyone has used their cell phone on board or in any ports, and if you didn’t already have an international or cruise package as part of your service, was it easy to add & remove just for the cruise? Did the service work? Were the fees what you were promised, or did you spend much more than you expected?

That’s about it for now…looking forward to getting to know the group, and being as active on this thread as I can. Thanks in advance for your answers, advice, and patience (in case I can’t keep up!).

 

[poohs4me]

I was just looking at the main DIS DCL page and found this information. It's listed for the 2011 Mexican Riveria cruises so I would think it would be the same for our cruise. At least you can see the types of excursions they MAY be offering for 3 of the 5 ports.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/cruise-new/cr-port-Cabo-San-Lucas.cfm

How exciting!! Thank you for posting

We will be staying at the Radisson at the port also. We should definitely organize a meet, we can't let everyone staying at WDW have all the fun!

Us too!!

 

[Happy Goofy]

A lot of people from the TA stayed at the Country Inn and Suites and we went there for a precruise meet and to pass out the lanyards. We were able to use their breakfast room.
We are about 5 minutes from there so we would love to join a pre cuise meet.

 

[LindaBabe]

Radisson for me and one of my room mates. The other is staying at the Hyatt and coming out on the cruise line bus.

 

[accola]

We're booked at the Residence Inn the night before - meeting would depend on the time and what we are up to - typically we stop at Wal Mart / Liquor Store and sometimes drug store, re-pack things a little for boarding and grab some food.

 

[disfaninca]

Hello fellow PC cruisers!

My family and I will be joining you on Jan 6th…me, DH, DS-5, DD-5 and DG (Dear Grandpa). We will be in adjacent Cat 6A staterooms and our dining seating is Main. We also plan to spend 2-3 nights at DL afterwards.

I’ve hesitated in joining because I can’t follow the thread everyday. So if I ask something that’s already been discussed, please bear with me. I do have a lot of questions swirling through my head.

Here are a few things I’ve been thinking of (in no particular order):

1) Shipping in Advance - I just learned about shipping a box in advance…and since we have 2 staterooms, we can ship 2 boxes…but I’m wondering what to send. I’ve read the FAQ, and I know you can’t ship foods and liquids. I was thinking of maybe beach toys, pirate costumes/accessories, detergent, drier sheets. I’d love to hear what others have shipped in the past, or are planning to ship for this cruise.

2) Discounts/Incentives - I’ve read that this cruise isn’t selling well, and that discounts/incentives may be offered when the balances are due in September (as people drop out). How does this work/affect those of us with existing reservations? Would we have to cancel and rebook to get such offers? And I guess that might result in us losing a desired stateroom or cat? If we booked thru a travel agent, can they get us any possible discounts without sacrificing our existing ressie? Or are upgrades the only possibility for existing ressies?

3) Young Children & Oceaneers Club - I saw the education thread for those bringing school-age children (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2304047). My twins will be in Kindergarten, and 1 month away from their 6th birthday. Anyone else with children this age? DH and I have cruised on the Wonder twice before we had kids, so I don’t have any experience with the OC. But my kids did well socially in Preschool, and I know they will love interacting with other children onboard. My concern is how will OC keep them occupied for 15 days? Not that I plan to leave them in their the whole time but if anyone has done the longer cruises before, does OC really have enough activities to keep the kids from getting bored?

4) Young Children & Ports-of-Call – I have never been to any of the ports-of-call (except CC, which we know is kid-friendly!), but I was wondering how parents with young children are planning to handle the ports-of-call? What will be our most kid-friendly activities/tours?

5) Cell Phones – Sprint is our carrier, and I see they have a cruise package, where you can use your cell on board for $2.49/min (cheaper than the $6.95/min to use DCL phones). We have a Sprint business rep for my job, and I have a question into him re texting. But in the meantime, I was wondering if anyone has used their cell phone on board or in any ports, and if you didn’t already have an international or cruise package as part of your service, was it easy to add & remove just for the cruise? Did the service work? Were the fees what you were promised, or did you spend much more than you expected?

That’s about it for now…looking forward to getting to know the group, and being as active on this thread as I can. Thanks in advance for your answers, advice, and patience (in case I can’t keep up!).

Welcome aboard! Looking forward to getting to know you!!

I don't really have any answers to your questions. But it would be very nice if they had some kind of deal going on if the ship doesn't fill up. If the price is right, we definitely would like to upgrade. Keeping our fingers crossed!

 

[accola]

Hello fellow PC cruisers!

My family and I will be joining you on Jan 6th…me, DH, DS-5, DD-5 and DG (Dear Grandpa). We will be in adjacent Cat 6A staterooms and our dining seating is Main. We also plan to spend 2-3 nights at DL afterwards.

I’ve hesitated in joining because I can’t follow the thread everyday. So if I ask something that’s already been discussed, please bear with me. I do have a lot of questions swirling through my head.

Here are a few things I’ve been thinking of (in no particular order):


3) Young Children & Oceaneers Club - I saw the education thread for those bringing school-age children (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2304047). My twins will be in Kindergarten, and 1 month away from their 6th birthday. Anyone else with children this age? DH and I have cruised on the Wonder twice before we had kids, so I don’t have any experience with the OC. But my kids did well socially in Preschool, and I know they will love interacting with other children onboard. My concern is how will OC keep them occupied for 15 days? Not that I plan to leave them in their the whole time but if anyone has done the longer cruises before, does OC really have enough activities to keep the kids from getting bored?

4) Young Children & Ports-of-Call – I have never been to any of the ports-of-call (except CC, which we know is kid-friendly!), but I was wondering how parents with young children are planning to handle the ports-of-call? What will be our most kid-friendly activities/tours?

5) Cell Phones – Sprint is our carrier, and I see they have a cruise package, where you can use your cell on board for $2.49/min (cheaper than the $6.95/min to use DCL phones). We have a Sprint business rep for my job, and I have a question into him re texting. But in the meantime, I was wondering if anyone has used their cell phone on board or in any ports, and if you didn’t already have an international or cruise package as part of your service, was it easy to add & remove just for the cruise? Did the service work? Were the fees what you were promised, or did you spend much more than you expected?
.

#3 & #4 - We will have a Kindergarten boy (6 yrs) at time of the cruise and a 9 yr. old girl. We have done two 7-day cruises with them and they have done fine - not always in the clubs (they also love swimming in the pools), but kept busy - especially when we're typically only on the ship for a couple days in a row since we typically get off in the ports at least for awhile. Ports - we did a beach type excursion that didn't have an age restriction which worked well, but typically like to do a little more than that. Because of that and the kids ages on prior cruises (1st was when they were 2 and 5), we have booked private snorkeling excursions in St. Maarten, St. Croix and St. Thomas before and haven't ever had issues. Last time we were in St. Thomas we just took a cab and the ferry over to St. John to enjoy the beaches. I did look at some of the Mexican ports and didn't see anything right away that we will for sure sign up for - our daughter wants to do the zip-line (she says you just grab on and then boom - there you go) somewhere so we'll probably investigate age restrictions with providers directly.

#5 - Cell phone: I have Verizon and have used it in St. Thomas / St. John / Nassau; rates charged were as quoted - not too bad since USVI and Bahamas, I'll have to look up rates for some of the PC ports though before we go. Haven't used it on the ship (other than while in Port) - turn it off on purpose to avoid the international / at sea charges. I had to call and request them turn on the international feature but haven't ever cancelled it - there isn't any ongoing charge.

 

[Tami0220]

Welcome DVCinderella and family!! Dont have answers to anything but #1 I plan on shipping FE, FE gifts, and door decorations. They COMPLETELY fill the box!! lol Also bringing an empty rolling suitcase for beverages. See you soon.

 

[tinkryansmom]

Welcome DVCinderella !!


I am with Tami on the shipping question - I am hoping to be organized enough to ship our FE, FE gifts, beach toys and door magnets and signs -

does anyone know the current box size limit?? is it 12" x 12" x 12" ??

Also is anyone organizing silicone bracelets for FEs?? I would be willing to take that on - color? slogan? Kids vs. adults?

 

[ACDSNY]

Welcome DVCinderella and family

tinkryansmom - I'm looking forward to SWA schedule opening up June 15th too. Looks like we'll be leaving on Jan 4th now.

Wish me luck on booking our rooms through DVC in the morning...our first choice will be Boardwalk view studios and second will be Animal Kingdom savanna view studios.

 

[DCLtravler]

I did look at some of the Mexican ports and didn't see anything right away that we will for sure sign up for - our daughter wants to do the zip-line (she says you just grab on and then boom - there you go) somewhere so we'll probably investigate age restrictions with providers directly.

I did the zip line in PV on our last DCL cruise in Mexico, but you had to use your hand as your break so there was an age restriction. I don't know if there is another one, but I have to tell you, that one was AWESOME!! We cannot wait to go back and do it again! Last time I had my mom take my DD to do the swim with the Dolphins while my sis, bro-in-law and I did the zip. This time, I told my DD she has to come with me I am the dare devil and she is...well...more cautious (isn't it supposed to be the other way around?)!


Welcome DVCinderella


RE: OC--We went on our first DCL 7-day cruise when DD was 6 and she was never bored. The clubs have a lot of activities and there are also all of the family things like the car race, the frog race, the dancing, the autographs...she stayed quite entertained!! She was so busy that it took her over half of the trip to realize that the food on deck 9 was FREE---man, you should have seen her face when she figured that one out!

 

[CruznLexi]

You can have our villa at Kidani gave it up yesterday for one at BCV. We are coming Jan 2.

 

[aan1701]

Welcome to the new family. Sorry I really can't help as we don't have kids, and we don't use our phones on the ship.

 

[shushh]

Sorry to keep asking about flights... but I really don't have a clue about domestic flights within the States.

We're trying to get from Washington DC to Orlando on Jan 2. Currently the cheapest available flight (at a reasonable time!) is with Jetblue at $105 one way with taxes. This went up by about $12 compared to 2 days ago!

So my questions are:
1) How much do prices fluctuate? or do they just keep going up?
2) Is this a reasonable price?

Alan, specifically for you...does SW flight direct from Washington to Orlando?

Thanks heaps everyone!

 

[granmaz]

Hello fellow PC cruisers!

My family and I will be joining you on Jan 6th…me, DH, DS-5, DD-5 and DG (Dear Grandpa). We will be in adjacent Cat 6A staterooms and our dining seating is Main. We also plan to spend 2-3 nights at DL afterwards.

I’ve hesitated in joining because I can’t follow the thread everyday. So if I ask something that’s already been discussed, please bear with me. I do have a lot of questions swirling through my head.

Here are a few things I’ve been thinking of (in no particular order):

1) Shipping in Advance - I just learned about shipping a box in advance…and since we have 2 staterooms, we can ship 2 boxes…but I’m wondering what to send. I’ve read the FAQ, and I know you can’t ship foods and liquids. I was thinking of maybe beach toys, pirate costumes/accessories, detergent, drier sheets. I’d love to hear what others have shipped in the past, or are planning to ship for this cruise.

2) Discounts/Incentives - I’ve read that this cruise isn’t selling well, and that discounts/incentives may be offered when the balances are due in September (as people drop out). How does this work/affect those of us with existing reservations? Would we have to cancel and rebook to get such offers? And I guess that might result in us losing a desired stateroom or cat? If we booked thru a travel agent, can they get us any possible discounts without sacrificing our existing ressie? Or are upgrades the only possibility for existing ressies?

3) Young Children & Oceaneers Club - I saw the education thread for those bringing school-age children (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2304047). My twins will be in Kindergarten, and 1 month away from their 6th birthday. Anyone else with children this age? DH and I have cruised on the Wonder twice before we had kids, so I don’t have any experience with the OC. But my kids did well socially in Preschool, and I know they will love interacting with other children onboard. My concern is how will OC keep them occupied for 15 days? Not that I plan to leave them in their the whole time but if anyone has done the longer cruises before, does OC really have enough activities to keep the kids from getting bored?

4) Young Children & Ports-of-Call – I have never been to any of the ports-of-call (except CC, which we know is kid-friendly!), but I was wondering how parents with young children are planning to handle the ports-of-call? What will be our most kid-friendly activities/tours?

5) Cell Phones – Sprint is our carrier, and I see they have a cruise package, where you can use your cell on board for $2.49/min (cheaper than the $6.95/min to use DCL phones). We have a Sprint business rep for my job, and I have a question into him re texting. But in the meantime, I was wondering if anyone has used their cell phone on board or in any ports, and if you didn’t already have an international or cruise package as part of your service, was it easy to add & remove just for the cruise? Did the service work? Were the fees what you were promised, or did you spend much more than you expected?

That’s about it for now…looking forward to getting to know the group, and being as active on this thread as I can. Thanks in advance for your answers, advice, and patience (in case I can’t keep up!).

Hi and welcome. Sorry I can't answer any of your questions, but the others will!!!!

 

[aan1701]

Alan, specifically for you...does SW flight direct from Washington to Orlando?

Thanks heaps everyone!

I will do what I can to help. First off you will find both non stop and direct flights from the DC. area. I believe we have one or two flights to Orlando from Washington Dulles, and several more from Baltimore. Just go to our website on 6/15/10 to check it out remember the time change. Any other questions feel free to ask.

 

[LindaBabe]

Shushh, I would sure jump on $102, if it was me!

Good Morning, Everyone

Still hunting a room mate for my cousin . . .

Still working on my renovation project - first potential buyer comes today

Happy day, all!

 

[granmaz]

Well I have started looking at post cruise accommodation. Are not the DL hotels taking bookings yet? If not why ever not?? I'm really thinking we won't afford that though.

Could there be something going on from Monday 24th like a convention? Candy Cane Inn has rooms for the weekend but not the Monday. Hojo's prices rise considerably on that Monday and I would have thought the weekend rates would be higher really. We did want to stay a few days into that week but I am surprised here.