Jammin' to Jamaica - Aug 30 2014 ~ Fantasy ~ 7-Night Western

[LiseG]

On our first Disney cruise we didn't stop at Castaway Cay. We wanted beach time, so we picked the Cozumel Beach Break . The beach was nice. The pool was OK. The buffet was fine. Free beer mixed and soft drinks... that works.

Looking at the photos, I see they've really fixed it up plus added a water park and lots of other activities. Maybe someone has been there since the remodel/expansion.

Thanks for the recommendation Lise. I read some reviews and like you said...they were mixed. I'll look into it.

I looked at this, does look good so think it's likely we'll give it a go.

It is Mexico and it's not Disney... but it's water, sand and sun

and, if you like, bottomless cerveza and of course someone to drive you home

 

[UK mum of 4]

Paid in full

 

[anderson08]

Paid in full

Congrat!

 

[UK mum of 4]

Those of you that. Drive to the port, where do you recommend parking the car?

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Those of you that. Drive to the port, where do you recommend parking the car?

I'm parking at the port just for the ease of not having to deal with a shuttle.

 

[KJTY]

Those of you that. Drive to the port, where do you recommend parking the car?

We park at the port. I'll spend a little more for the easier/ lazier route!

 

[LiseG]

I know when we fly out of Portland we usually take advantage of a "Park, Stay, Fly" special at one of the airport hotels. We get 10-14 days free parking with one nights stay and enjoy being close to our flight. Sometimes we use the room before the flight ... other times when we get back. Eitherway it's nice to have a place to regroup, a friendly shuttle driver and at virtually the same price it would be to leave the car in the cheapest airport lot.

Lately we've been staying at La Quinta (My travel agent's special...$89 with breakfast and parking). DD13 Sabrina loves the pool, and they start breakfast with waffles at something like 4 am - great for those early am flights.

I spotted a number of "Park, Stay, Cruise" opportunitues at Cape Canaveral. I'm sure folks on our cruise have done this before. If you want to see the list I found, click HERE

 

[UK mum of 4]

I know when we fly out of Portland we usually take advantage of a "Park, Stay, Fly" special at one of the airport hotels. We get 10-14 days free parking with one nights stay and enjoy being close to our flight. Sometimes we use the room before the flight ... other times when we get back. Eitherway it's nice to have a place to regroup, a friendly shuttle driver and at virtually the same price it would be to leave the car in the cheapest airport lot. Lately we've been staying at La Quinta (My travel agent's special...$89 with breakfast and parking). DD13 Sabrina loves the pool, and they start breakfast with waffles at something like 4 am - great for those early am flights. I spotted a number of "Park, Stay, Cruise" opportunitues at Cape Canaveral. I'm sure folks on our cruise have done this before. If you want to see the list I found, click HERE

Thanks Lise, we are staying at WDW the night before so don't really need a room but I have been recommended park n cruise on the Facebook site and they seem pretty reasonable so booked them. Just don't like the idea of $15 a day at the port! I need to plan things every day to help the time go and I'm running out of things to plan now!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I have stayed at the Radisson three times prior to cruises for their Free Parking option. It doesn't matter which room you book, anyone can leave their car there.

It works well!

This time we live only 3.5 hours from port so we are driving up the day of rather than the night before.

 

[CarolyninCO]

How much money do u think is enough for the cruise? I was thinking 3-5k but idk?!?!

This is my first DCL, so I'm sure others can provide better info, but I made a spreadsheet (or list) of all the expenses I know for sure. Here's what I included (your list will be different):

tips (the standard + concierge + room service)
BBB appointment
massage
hotel night before
transportation to/from port
cabana
excursions

For excursions, we're going to do them on our own, so I went to their websites and got prices. I added in transportation to those as well as food. (estimates). I also added estimates for souvenirs.

Then I add 10%. I'd rather come home with money than be surprised.

DCL experts: did I miss anything?

 

[KJTY]

This is my first DCL, so I'm sure others can provide better info, but I made a spreadsheet (or list) of all the expenses I know for sure. Here's what I included (your list will be different):

tips (the standard + concierge + room service)
BBB appointment
massage
hotel night before
transportation to/from port
cabana
excursions

For excursions, we're going to do them on our own, so I went to their websites and got prices. I added in transportation to those as well as food. (estimates). I also added estimates for souvenirs.

Then I add 10%. I'd rather come home with money than be surprised.

DCL experts: did I miss anything?

I'm thinking about upgrading to concierge next time we cruise. Can you give me an estimate on what the extra concierge tips are? Are they included in automatic gratuity or given by the individual? Also are the cabanas worth it?

Thanks

 

[sweetlovin']

I'm thinking about upgrading to concierge next time we cruise. Can you give me an estimate on what the extra concierge tips are? Are they included in automatic gratuity or given by the individual? Also are the cabanas worth it?

Thanks

I'm concierge on the Dream this Thanksgiving. I'd like to know as well...

 

[FeliciaL]

Plane tickets are booked! It took over an hour to book four tickets . DH had travel certificates that were going to expire so I had to use those to pay for a majority of the airfare. Royal PITA! I have my fingers crossed that the linking and cross referencing of four separate tickets means that the airlines do not interfere with your reservations at all.

The boys are getting so excited about summer. It will nice to have the trip to look forward to at the end of summer.

We have to figure out excursions. With a little guy, our options are somewhat restricted for adventures.

I have no preference for the cruise name.

 

[CarolyninCO]

Plane tickets are booked! It took over an hour to book four tickets . DH had travel certificates that were going to expire so I had to use those to pay for a majority of the airfare. Royal PITA! I have my fingers crossed that the linking and cross referencing of four separate tickets means that the airlines do not interfere with your reservations at all.
.

I feel your pain. We used miles from three different accounts and I had to book each segment separately. I have 5 confirmation numbers for 3 people.

 

[LiseG]

How much money do u think is enough for the cruise? I was thinking 3-5k but idk?!?!

This is my first DCL, so I'm sure others can provide better info, but I made a spreadsheet (or list) of all the expenses I know for sure. Here's what I included (your list will be different):

tips (the standard + concierge + room service)
BBB appointment
massage
hotel night before
transportation to/from port
cabana
excursions

For excursions, we're going to do them on our own, so I went to their websites and got prices. I added in transportation to those as well as food. (estimates). I also added estimates for souvenirs.

Then I add 10%. I'd rather come home with money than be surprised.

DCL experts: did I miss anything?

I'm a excel junkie and love to plan. I have a Cruise Expense Planning spreadsheet and a Packing Spread Sheet if anyone wants them.

 

[CarolyninCO]

I'm a excel junkie and love to plan. I have a Cruise Expense Planning spreadsheet and a Packing Spread Sheet if anyone wants them.

Yes, please! Some people collect stamps, I collect spreadsheets.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I'm going to have about $3,000 for spending money but I have a few high dollar things planned with the spa and dining.

At least I don't think I'll top what I spent last cruise though with buying dvc on board

 

[UK mum of 4]

I'm a excel junkie and love to plan. I have a Cruise Expense Planning spreadsheet and a Packing Spread Sheet if anyone wants them.

I'd like them please.

 

[LiseG]

If anyone is still looking for airfare or likes travel tips.... lately, I've been liking Airfarewatchdog.com.

Like many other sites they offer fare alerts, but they take it further. The City-to-City Fare Alerts have been very helpful in getting an idea what a "good" or "great" price is this year.

I don't like the search function (I use Kayak), but I love that the site sends me Departure City Fair Alerts, a list of airfares from my airport to various cities.
Who knew I could go to Denver Colorado for $118 RT.

Airfarewatchdog also has Arrival City Fare Alerts ... great if you planning a family reunion

I signed up for their Airfare Insider and saw this fun article on packing I want to share with you: 9 Packing Tips for Lazy People
I like their idea of having laundry baskets to toss items into for pre-packing!

Lise

 

[TECHJPM]

Wanted to stop by here and put the word out... I am taking last counts on T-Shirts. Please denote Size,M/F,Adult/Child...