From WDW to DL With Love - January 06, 2011 part 5

[Shoshie]

There was a large organised event by a group which does them in the Disney parks too. I was wondering if this is the same.

Yup -- same group.

 

[zakerdog]

Ok - this is probably right in front of my nose, I know I have seen it before but I cannot find it now!! In case of an emergency at home, how does someone contact the ship to get a message to you?

My second question of less urgency - does anyone know if you don't have enough hangers in the closet will they bring you more?

We still do not have any cruise documents, I am not worried, I figure I have my confirmation number and have done the online check in but it bugs me that Disney doesn't allow extra delivery time for out of country guests. You would think at the least the amount of money we are spending they could courier them to you?

 

[Tigfanjeff]

Ok - this is probably right in front of my nose, I know I have seen it before but I cannot find it now!! In case of an emergency at home, how does someone contact the ship to get a message to you?

My second question of less urgency - does anyone know if you don't have enough hangers in the closet will they bring you more?

We still do not have any cruise documents, I am not worried, I figure I have my confirmation number and have done the online check in but it bugs me that Disney doesn't allow extra delivery time for out of country guests. You would think at the least the amount of money we are spending they could courier them to you?

1-888-DC-AT-SEA

If you don't have enough hangers, you can ask and they will definitely try and round up some.

If you don't have the luggage tags, and you've done the online check-in, give them a call. See what they can do. Being 8 days out, you should have gotten them.

 

[zakerdog]

1-888-DC-AT-SEA

If you don't have enough hangers, you can ask and they will definitely try and round up some.

If you don't have the luggage tags, and you've done the online check-in, give them a call. See what they can do. Being 8 days out, you should have gotten them.

Thanks for the info.

My TA has been in touch with DCL and actually had them re-issue the luggage tags - still don't have them! DCL wanted I think $50 to re-issue the entire package and another $40 to courier them to the TA who would have to turn around and courier them to us Very poor system. My TA has been wonderful and I am not really concerned, I will carry the luggage on the ship if I have too but I am sure they will tag them at the port.

 

[valbob89]

I would like to buy laundry detergent ahead of time for the cruise, we are stopping at Publix to pick up some other things so I figured I might as well grab it there instead of overpriced onboard. Does it matter if it is liquid or powder? Any suggestions?

For the last two cruises, My wife carried those launcher sheets that provide soap for the washer and a dryer sheet for the dryer. She puts 5 or 6 in a zip lock bag and packs them with the clothes. They take up almost no space, can't spill, and work. Doesn't get better than that!

The machines onboard are HE so you should either have HE soap or only use half as much. If you have liquid in travel size you'd need to be doing 2 loads, have something to store the 2nd half in or throw half of it away. I've heard a number of people on board complaining the laundry sheets left spots on their clothes. Don't know if it is the DCL machines, the way they used them, or the product.

Current Nassau forecast for Friday January 7th is a high of 76, low of 63 and Sunny. Not exactly scorching, but definitely passable beach weather

To cold for me. I was so hoping not to have to bring those wet suits. If you get 2 glasses of wine into me sometime I'll tell you about the time I got stuck in a wet suit I was trying on and had to call Bob into the dressing room - I am lucky the little ladies working the dressing rooms didn't call the vice squad.

Ok - this is probably right in front of my nose, I know I have seen it before but I cannot find it now!! In case of an emergency at home, how does someone contact the ship to get a message to you?
DCL says to have them call 1-888-DC-AT-SEA, calling international 732-335-3281. Don't panic but on the last two DCL trips I was on they lost the ability to send or receive phone calls (I am sure they had radio contact for emergencies) for a couple of days - blamed it on the satellite.
My second question of less urgency - does anyone know if you don't have enough hangers in the closet will they bring you more? Yes

We still do not have any cruise documents, I am not worried, I figure I have my confirmation number and have done the online check in but it bugs me that Disney doesn't allow extra delivery time for out of country guests. You would think at the least the amount of money we are spending they could courier them to you?

You don't have to have the documents to get on-board. Print the on-line docs and you have almost everything. The only doc they take from you is the credit card authorization sheets and they have copies of that there. They also have luggage tags for those who need them/more. That said, I would be nervous too, and even if the website says all your on-line check-in is complete, I would give them a call and let them know. Note the name of the person you speak with. Check they have your correct mailing address and names. You want to make sure your registerred name and passport names are the same spelling. You don't need to deal with any problem at the dock.VacationsToGo has increased the available rooms to now include all three categories. Two weeks ago they said it was sold out. My pet peeve. In the past, we have had to cancel a DCL cruise the week of the cruise because Bob was put in the hospital. I called and cancelled our sold cout veranda room and we did not get anything back from DCL, got some back from another insurance purchased separately. DCL does not count that paid in full cruise toward my CC designation.

 

[Tracyvp]

Yup -- same group.

Yes, it is definitely the same group, and if I'm not mistaken, Shoshie is in a position to know! :

 

[KayR]

I signed up with Tracy for the scavenger hunt but I will probably doing this solo as DH has to do some work on the cruise (The only way he could get enough time off - darn US vacation times ).

If there is anyone else who is interested in the scavenger hunt and is also likely to be solo - I am up for making up a team. Anyone want to to join me?

--Kay

 

[WDW Princess 71]

The machines onboard are HE so you should either have HE soap or only use half as much. If you have liquid in travel size you'd need to be doing 2 loads, have something to store the 2nd half in or throw half of it away. I've heard a number of people on board complaining the laundry sheets left spots on their clothes. Don't know if it is the DCL machines, the way they used them, or the product.

Thanks for the advice Val- does it matter if it is HE powder or HE liquid? I will probably just get whatever one is the most compact size if it doesnt matter.

 

[DCL_FAN_TAC]

Or VIA which cities I've got money that says you end up in the miserable mess of an airport that is Birmingham, Alabama.

There's a reason it's called Birmingham-Shuttlesworthless

Birmingham is a sad little 'port, but much better than it was The up-side, too small to get lost

Safe travels to YOU!

Aruba Banana Bus - Pickup time and location have been confirmed - 9 AM at the terminal where we dock. Front page has been updated if you forget!

Thanks Linda for all your efforts! I've added it to my handy-dandy cruise planner calendar. Our family is looking forward to this excursion!!

Rainy rainy day here in Houston -- lightening struck close this morning & the thunder vibrations shook some artwork off the wall (which in turn crashed into more glass items which then fell other 6 ft) -- DD said 'that is the closest we'll get to experiencing an earthquake in OUR home', when I lived in CA as a child, my parents had everything bolted to the walls

One week from this afternoon we will be in official vacation mode! Safe journeys to those already enroute...see you all REAL soon...

Tahara

 

[Tracyvp]

Update to "Scavenger"Adventure on the High Seas!​

This challenging "adventure" is part Scavenger Hunt, part brain teaser and all fun! You'll go on "quests" where you get to explore the whole ship, find out stuff about some crew members that you might not otherwise know, and compete with other DISers of all ages for bragging rights!

Date: Saturday, January 15 (a sea day)
There is NO COST to participate in this event, and it is open to all ages.
No more than one team per Stateroom.
I (Tracy) will deliver the game packets to your staterooms the morning of the event.
The answer sheets will be due back to stateroom 6500 at 10pm that night, and the "Scavenger"Adventure team will have the results for us the next day. There will be a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbon awarded.

There will be two "interactive" quests; one will require the players to meet the "Scavenger"Adventure crew members at a time/place to be designated on the game packet, the other will require them to use their WAVE phones to send a text message to the staff members. All of the details will be in the game materials.

Deadline to PM me to let me know you want to participate is Sunday, January 2. Their staff is printing all the game packets and bringing them with them. Once they leave they will have no way to print more game packets.

For more information as to what this event is and how this popular event is run in the parks, check out our Cruise Website event page here
Our "Adventure on the High Seas" will be more casual than that but it gives you a general idea of what "quests" can entail and how much fun it is!​

 

[DCLtravler]

I signed up with Tracy for the scavenger hunt but I will probably doing this solo as DH has to do some work on the cruise (The only way he could get enough time off - darn US vacation times ).

If there is anyone else who is interested in the scavenger hunt and is also likely to be solo - I am up for making up a team. Anyone want to to join me?

--Kay

I'll be your partner! That is, assuming it does not conflict with anything else...I imagine the DCL events will repeat, but we have a high tea and brunch ressie.

Well, DD is with me now (her dad had Christmas this year) and I FINALLY got to see her reaction to "the perfect Christmas present" and the present that was to garner me the "Mom of the Century" award. I can now say what it is!!
I have worked with Disney Planet Challenge for about 10 years and have become very close to the director of that program. On Disney Channel (if you watch it, you already know this), they often have contests to win a visit to the set of one of their shows...For the past few years, that is all DD talks about "that would be so cool to see a show...that would be so cool to see a show..." I tried and tried, but DC shows are next to impossible to get tickets for, and if you do, there is no guarantee that you will get in (you stand in line with your ticket and then they let people in one by one until they run out of space).

So...I asked my friend if she could get audience screening access to DC shows and SHE CAN!! Not only can she do it, but she can pick ANY show AND the tickets are for private guests of Disney Channel (guaranteed access with no waiting in line)! I was able to pick DD's favorite show (well, next to favorite show since Demi is in rehab and SWAC is still on hold with no notice on when they will begin) and the date (one of the choices happened to fall on her 13th birthday)! She will also get to meet the stars, take pictures and get autographs!!!

This gift was from Santa (in our family "if you don't believe, you don't receive," so she is a "Believer") so it was in a beautiful bejeweled box wrapped in sparkly ribbon. Inside the box was a note, a t-shirt to get autographed and fabric pens...She cried!! It was GREAT!!!

Thanks to everyone for all of your messages. I am updating the program constantly and WILL have it ready, so keep the updates coming

I hope you all have a great day today...time for me to go "wash that gray right out of my hair" and beautify for the BIG day!!

~Melissa

P.S. For those of you who are wondering, the reason I get the "Mom of the Century" award even though the gift was from Santa is because I was the one who took the initiative to contact him and ask for the gift in the first place

 

[DCLtravler]

I signed up with Tracy for the scavenger hunt but I will probably doing this solo as DH has to do some work on the cruise (The only way he could get enough time off - darn US vacation times ).

If there is anyone else who is interested in the scavenger hunt and is also likely to be solo - I am up for making up a team. Anyone want to to join me?

--Kay

Okay Kay, after reading the update, I would love to be your partner! I have nothing scheduled for that day. Do you want me to PM Tracy or do you want to do it??

 

[KayR]

Okay Kay, after reading the update, I would love to be your partner! I have nothing scheduled for that day. Do you want me to PM Tracy or do you want to do it??

That's fab!

I had to re-read it too! Just checked my calendar and I have nothing planned that day also. Perfect!

I believe we can have up to 4 people in a team, so we can have up to 2 more people if there are any other solo's who would like to do it.

I'll PM Tracy as I have her PM open at the moment.

--Kay

 

[OH 6]

Hi! Spent 6 hrs at 2 different vets this morning and our corgi Bandit needs a spleenectomy. Sigh. He is 13 1/2 and is usually very peppy---not this morning---wouldn't get up and won't eat---x-rays show a mass on his spleen. The earliest they can open him up is on Thursday. Our breeder will be watching our dogs while we are on the trip and she will take great post-op care of him. I am just really worried that there will be a rupture before Thursday and he'll die. I am so not ready to say good-bye to my Ban-dog! He won't eat the chicken and rice I just cooked for him but he will eat cheese. This is so hard!

Sending and for Bandit and a for you! Detection is great progress, they're often misdiagnosed, so be thankful you know what's happening.

Have had a similar situation in the past...keep him calm (no jumping) so there's less chance of a rupture and keep him eating. At the first sign of any other change, get him back to the vet.

Know that he's in good hands while you're away and then spoil him when you get home.

 

[aan1701]

Or VIA which cities I've got money that says you end up in the miserable mess of an airport that is Birmingham, Alabama.

There's a reason it's called Birmingham-Shuttlesworthless

I would not bet on that one. All my planing does not include going to Birmingham. Not even a thought. I think I have it almost figured out. Need to look at some numbers today at work then I will know more.

 

[valbob89]

ChipperMerlin - 5510 - Shirley & Doug Pearson
Dolphingirl 47 - 6002 - Corinana Ball & Graham
Izma - 7012 - Jackie & Frank Haack
PBader - 5516 & 5135 - Paula & Alan & Carol & Bob
Stephsong - 5639 - Marie Taylor
Tami0220 - 7618 - Tami & Mike Simpson
THEMaster - 8056 - Barbara & Larry
Tinkryansmoms - 6040 & 7002 - Steve, Tammy, Kari , Emily, Johnna, Neil, Ryan , Linden
TJFrack - 6555 - Jill & DH
ValBob - 6572 - Valerie & Bob Vanderheiden

January 14, 2011, Friday – Punta Arenas, Costa Rica

We are looking forward to a great day on our Costa Rica Manuel Antonio National Park private tour.
The Wonder is scheduled to dock in Costa Rica at 7:30 a.m. and depart at 6:30 p.m. We plan to meet on the dock, near the aft gangway, at 7:35. We will be holding up a sign with a safari Goofy picture on it.
Odyssey Tours, operated by the Ramirez brothers, Alvaro and Diego, will be waiting for us at the end of the pier holding up a sign for our group.
www.odysseytourscr.com / info@odysseytourscr.com
Phones: (506) 8319 1315 (506) 8994 6245. Fax (506) 2635 2221
The cost of this full-day tour, with park entry fee and lunch included is $85 per person plus tip. Children under 8 years old receive 15% off, under age 3 are free. Oddessy Tours accepts credit card payments and US dollars.
The tour starts as soon as possible, and returns at 5. It includes a narrative of the geologic features, national history, local botany, and about the towns and sights we will pass on the way to the park. Once at the park we will spend about an hour walking through the rain forest park of Manuel Antonio with a nature guide. After the forest we will have about an hour to relax and enjoy the beautiful Manuel Antonio beach, equally good for snorkeling, swimming and just laying on the sand. There we will find new clean restrooms, complete with both inside and outside showers to wash the saltwater off and to change.
The tour includes a lunch stop at a quality restaurant where we can choose among traditional Costa Rican favorites, or, if you prefer, more familiar foods: burgers and fries or sandwiches.
On the way back to the ship we will have an opportunity to stop at a number of photo opportunities and souvenir shopping spots
Wear comfortable walking shoes, remember, this is a rain forest, it is recommended you wear long pants and a light-weight water resistant jacket. You may wish to bring/wear bug spray. For the beach you’ll need the usual essentials, including a towel. If you want to mail postcards from Costa Rica, bring you addresses and a pen.
Valerie & Bob Vanderheiden
Cabin 6572

This tour is still open – for a very limited time – PM if you wish to join us.

 

[Tigfanjeff]

I would not bet on that one. All my planing does not include going to Birmingham. Not even a thought. I think I have it almost figured out. Need to look at some numbers today at work then I will know more.

And rule #1 of standby flying is? Well, after avoid ANYWHERE with weather delays?

I've flown from Newark to New Orleans via Houston and Salt Lake City.

 

[RRBB]

I would like to buy laundry detergent ahead of time for the cruise, we are stopping at Publix to pick up some other things so I figured I might as well grab it there instead of overpriced onboard. Does it matter if it is liquid or powder? Any suggestions?

The machines onboard are HE so you should either have HE soap or only use half as much. If you have liquid in travel size you'd need to be doing 2 loads, have something to store the 2nd half in or throw half of it away. I've heard a number of people on board complaining the laundry sheets left spots on their clothes. Don't know if it is the DCL machines, the way they used them, or the product.

I purchased a large package of Dropps and have lots of extras if anyone would like some - 3 loads/$1.

 

[aan1701]

And rule #1 of standby flying is? Well, after avoid ANYWHERE with weather delays?

I've flown from Newark to New Orleans via Houston and Salt Lake City.

Ah see this is were I maybe able to educate you slightly Jeff. Sometimes weather delays work in a non revenue travelers favor because the paying passengers will try to get on something earlier, I can open a lot of seats on flights. Sometimes it won't, that is why I need to look at numbers at work. Heck, we are thinking about taking our last flight to Houston on Monday and picking up our bags there about 1 in the morning and then rechecking them at 4:30 in the morning and going to New Orleans then on to MCO. The numbers say no problem with this plan. Just going to be tired by the time I get into MCO. All the numbers I have seen have indicated no trip to Birmingham is going to happen.

 

[Tigfanjeff]

Ah see this is were I maybe able to educate you slightly Jeff. Sometimes weather delays work in a non revenue travelers favor because the paying passengers will try to get on something earlier, I can open a lot of seats on flights. Sometimes it won't, that is why I need to look at numbers at work. Heck, we are thinking about taking our last flight to Houston on Monday and picking up our bags there about 1 in the morning and then rechecking them at 4:30 in the morning and going to New Orleans then on to MCO. The numbers say no problem with this plan. Just going to be tired by the time I get into MCO. All the numbers I have seen have indicated no trip to Birmingham is going to happen.

True, but I don't see Philly or BWI on your plan for some reason

I thought SWA had direct from Houston to Orlando.