From WDW to DL With Love - January 06, 2011 part 3

[JenKatt]

I saw the DCL excursion is via a water taxi from the marina to Medano Beach, then the kayaking, then return to Medano Beach to take the water taxi back to the tender area at the marina- so did you just stay at Medano and walk into town when you arrived there instead of taking the water taxi back to the marina? I was wondering if they allowed that or not.

I honestly don't remember. I think we did. But I was tired and hungry after kayaking and just wanted to go eat and drink. Maybe ask on the main board?

Jen, do you want me to put this meet on the first page with you as point person? (Not to add to your stress level or anything)

Yeah that's fine. It's very preliminary planning at this point. It's really not that much stress as I'm getting the conceirge team to book it for me. I'll just need a head count for it.

 

[glindamood]

Throwing this out to the group... in '05 Seaulater was on our boat and she was a megaplanner/ organizer. She did so much. One of the coolest things she did was host a welcome party for the DISboards. She contacted DCL prior to us getting on board and reserved Diversions for us for a few hours. Everyone brought a bottle of wine, etc from their local area (or a bottle they really liked). We had staff to help us open them and DCL provided food. I'd be willing to set this up if y'all are interested. We could do it the first sea day. (Actually I won't be setting up, Jeff and I are bound to use conceirge as much as humanly possible this cruise for what we're paying for the suite).
Let me or Jeff know what you think. School starts tomorrow so my stress level until the end of December is astronomical as I start my "scholarly paper" i.e. mini thesis and practicum. I'm going to need every tasting, buffet and massage on board after this semester!

Isn't Seaulater awesome?? She was on our Southern cruise on the Wonder and did so much. And an awesome idea about Diversions as well - would love, love, love to attend. I have managed to bring wine from MI (yepper, on the plane) with no issues so I would be all over that one.

And best of luck with school. December will be here before you know it.

Does anyone know if when we actually book shore excursions when we can, does it tell you the departure/return times? I see when you browse them now it only says the duration, but not when they depart. It would be helpful to know about planning anything else at the port on our own if time allows- anyone know?

Yes, it will give times then - some of the shorter excursions even have two different times to choose from. Do you know your booking date? I am platinum so will be able to book Sept 8 (I think) and would be happy to get times for you if you let me know.

Well, Monday here and we are off an running for another week from*&#%*. I will try and keep up. Take care and everyone have a good week.

 

[LindaBabe]

Good Morning, Happy Cruisers!

 

[JenKatt]

Isn't Seaulater awesome?? She was on our Southern cruise on the Wonder and did so much. And an awesome idea about Diversions as well - would love, love, love to attend. I have managed to bring wine from MI (yepper, on the plane) with no issues so I would be all over that one.

And best of luck with school. December will be here before you know it.



Yes, it will give times then - some of the shorter excursions even have two different times to choose from. Do you know your booking date? I am platinum so will be able to book Sept 8 (I think) and would be happy to get times for you if you let me know.

Well, Monday here and we are off an running for another week from*&#%*. I will try and keep up. Take care and everyone have a good week.

Gail,

could you do this regardless? I'm booking at 120 days, but there's a fair amount of people who aren't. I don't know if you can do all the excursions, but whatever information anyone, not just you, can post for everyone else would be great. I'll post what we find on the few excursions we are booking from DCL

thanks
jen

 

[glindamood]

Gail,

could you do this regardless? I'm booking at 120 days, but there's a fair amount of people who aren't. I don't know if you can do all the excursions, but whatever information anyone, not just you, can post for everyone else would be great. I'll post what we find on the few excursions we are booking from DCL

thanks
jen

I just offered to get times for anyone, I think I can get that after i book ours - I think. We are not doing things in every port either so I guess we shall see. I do know it doesn't work with Palo ressies though.

 

[JenKatt]

No it doesn't work with Palo, but I think the excursions are more what people need to plan port days, especially since we aren't in port long anywhere. No biggie if you can't, maybe between all of us booking on the 8th we can get a list together for people

 

[orlandothebeagle]

Thats great, Im bummed cause I will be on our ta when they open stuff up to book, usually I dont bother but I would have like to have booked something for my 40th, oh well, whats to be to be and all that.

 

[DisneyCruiser83]

There are some excursion times listed in the FAQ on the main thread under Shore Excursions. There is a link to some information under the Mexican Riviera cruises. It is Dreams Unlimited information, and I don't know how accurate it is, but it should give you some idea as to what to expect. HTH!

 

[hawkaye19]

Planning to be PIF next week...

Looking at the excursions, I am glad we have a sea day after Costa Rica, 7-10 hrs in the heat of the rainforest should just about do me in (Acapulco was murder in 2008)

We usually travel in March and April, so this should be a bit cooler down south

Has anyone cruised in January before and any recommendations on what to wear in LA (May 2008, we were surprised at DL by the people wearing 'winter gear, it was an unusually cool May)?

Looking forward to finally seeing all of you

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Thanks to Gail, Jen, and anyone else who is able to book their shore excursions early for offering to post the times on here. That would be so incredibly helpful. Some of the shorter ones intrigue me, but I want to know what time they are offered so I can tell if I'll be able to do other stuff on my own too.

Regarding advice for weather in LA in January, I lived in San Diego and spent 3 "winters" there, and the best advice is to be prepared for anything like in Orlando. This year we returned to 35 degrees in Orlando. It was 80 before our cruise. Anything can happen. January is usually comfortable enough for pants and short sleeves, but there were times when I was at the beach and hot, and times when I was in Uggs and a coat. For this cruise, especially if you are doing FL before and CA after, the best advice is to bring a well-rounded wardrobe so you are covered for anything.

 

[Tinkerbel129]

For anyone who might be renting any kind of vehicle at any of the ports.....takes pictures.....just read this and thought it was worth sharing, better safe than sorry, could affect drink of the day funds...


http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1253848

 

[WDW Princess 71]

For anyone who might be renting any kind of vehicle at any of the ports.....takes pictures.....just read this and thought it was worth sharing, better safe than sorry, could affect drink of the day funds...


http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1253848

Wow that is really scary! I want to rent jet skis in on of our ports. We did it in January on CC and liked it a lot, but it was quite expensive and I'm up for something new too. But after reading this, not sure. Anyone rent skis in another port without problems?

 

[aan1701]

For those interested in the CR "Rafting" trip. My friend at DCL just told me that it is limited to 100 people. Just so you know. Since this is the only excrusion I am interested in, this is the only one I asked to know the limits. My friend is curently trying to find out the theme nights. Stay tuned.

 

[Tinkerbel129]

I think the only excursion I have narrowed down is in Cabo....hoping to get an early whale watching (have to wait till gold bookings) and then a walk to CaboWabo. Anyone else planning to do whale watching?

 

[granmaz]

I think the only excursion I have narrowed down is in Cabo....hoping to get an early whale watching (have to wait till gold bookings) and then a walk to CaboWabo. Anyone else planning to do whale watching?

I would like to do whale watching, but am a little worried about the size of boat and rough seas!! I know I can be sea sick on small craft!!

 

[poohs4me]

For those interested in the CR "Rafting" trip. My friend at DCL just told me that it is limited to 100 people. Just so you know. Since this is the only excrusion I am interested in, this is the only one I asked to know the limits. My friend is curently trying to find out the theme nights. Stay tuned.

Is it really a level I-II? Do you know? We are interested in this as well, so thank you for the information. We will sign up right a way.

 

[DisneyCruiser83]

I think the only excursion I have narrowed down is in Cabo....hoping to get an early whale watching (have to wait till gold bookings) and then a walk to CaboWabo. Anyone else planning to do whale watching?

DH and I really want to do whale watching, but are unsure about the accommodations. We will be booking through DCL for that in case DH has trouble with it. We have had success in the past not getting charged for things he is unable to do. I hope the whales are feeling active the day we are in port!

 

[Poohbug]

I think the only excursion I have narrowed down is in Cabo....hoping to get an early whale watching (have to wait till gold bookings) and then a walk to CaboWabo. Anyone else planning to do whale watching?

That's funny because I was just wondering if I took a whale watching tour, would I still have time to check out Cabo Wabo. I would take the kids with me on the tour but probably not a good idea to take them to the Wabo.

 

[WDW Princess 71]

For those interested in the CR "Rafting" trip. My friend at DCL just told me that it is limited to 100 people. Just so you know. Since this is the only excrusion I am interested in, this is the only one I asked to know the limits. My friend is curently trying to find out the theme nights. Stay tuned.

Wow 100 spots? I wonder how many other excursions are that limited? I guess I better not hold my hopes up too high, I'm not booking til Silver and I assume on this particular cruise most of us are CC members if not higher level ones. then again I am so indecisive with some of these so many sell outs will help force me to narrow down something else. Keep us posted about the theme nights too if you find out!

poohs4me, Class I-II rapids arent really that engaging. I just did that class last week on the Colorado River in Utah, and I've never been rafting before so i had a blast, but if i were to do it again i'd want bigger rapids. The fact that you have to drive 2 hours away for that, I dont think I'm going to do it. If I had never been rafting, sure, but since I have now, I think for a 4-hour round trip drive, I want more challenge.

 

[LovesToRun]

I did not find it hard at all to find the Port Adventures once I took Jens instructions. On the home page just go to cruises and destinations. Then from the drop down menu select Port Adventures. Once on that page there is a drop down menu for every port DCL goes to. Hope that helped.

I agree! It is easy to find the additional port adventures.

I just found all the additional ones, and there are way more port adventures for each port we're going to than the 4 or 5 listed on the "port adventures" tab under each port we're going to for the PC Cruise. I was really happy to see this... Lots more choices... although, still not a lot of choices for kids under the age of 10 for Costa Rica... but lots more choices for the other ports!