Jammin' to Jamaica - Aug 30 2014 ~ Fantasy ~ 7-Night Western
- Thread starter LiseG
- Start date
sweetlovin'
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2006
- Messages
- 6,115
Hello everyone!! My family and I were on the Fantasy in May and we went ahead and signed up for another wonderful vacation on August 30, 2014 aboard the Disney Fantasy!! So far there will be 3 adults in our crew in stateroom 8102: Skip (63), Gloria(62) and me, Whitney (27). We may be adding another stateroom and people as well. And we will be celebrating my mom, Gloria's birthday on August 30th! Looking forward to meeting you guys and exchanging FE gifts!!
Welcome to the group. I am between trips at the moment, so I was glad to catch you.
This should be a fun trip.
sweetlovin'
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2006
- Messages
- 6,115
Just back from Jamaica yesterday. Off to Singapore tomorrow. The weather was ok, but is seems in Montego Bay and Falmouth, it was rainy in the afternoons. Not at all in Kingston however. My understanding was that they were having a bit of rain, but not rainy season. It would be an afternoon shower that cleared up 40 minutes later.
CLASS: Overall, it was a pretty island, but they have a huge class problem. So race isn't an issue, but you are either rich or poor. There is not much of a middle class. Also, the interest rates are insane over there, so most people buy the land and start in stages of building houses. The family comes into money, they submit a plan to build to the government. If they run out of the money while building, they simply stop, instead of getting lending money. There are a lot of unfinished houses, but when the family comes into money again, they will start building again. if you have bought the land, but made no attempts to build after two years, you have to resubmit the plan to the government. The reason is because the government wants your house up to code against hurricanes. You will notice that Jamaica is very mountainous. I didn't realize until I got there, but as you look up into the hills, the people with the money are higher up and the houses are more luxurious than the ones toward the road.
CURRENCY: Our dollar at the moment is a little weaker that Jamaican dollar. Some exchanges go a little as American 94 cents to Jamaican 100.00 which translates to $1 over there. So at the moment, just take 2 zeros off the end and add a little more on top. Most places take American money and were honest with the cost, but please make sure if you are buying things there to take off the two zeros and think. I gave Nico a $10 bill and he came back with 2 $100 Jamaican dollars. I quickly said, "Nico, you bought an $8 Sprite???" He just looked at me, but in general anywhere from $130 to $250 for a bottle of soda should be correct. Translating to American dollars $1.30 to $2.50 would be a bottled water or soda.
CRIME: The larger cities can be rough, but I equate Kingston to Chicago here. Even at the resort my mom was being offered drugs by the guys that work there. There is a house with 32 rooms that was stopped in the process by a "street medicine man" So if you see the abandoned house, to me it looks like a Haunted Mansion. Kingston is too far from Falmouth anyway, so I doubt Disney takes us in there, but the other areas can be dodgy or sketchy in the cities as well.
SCHOOLS: All of the kids from primary through college wear uniforms. However, what they call college is our high school. Their high school would be considered our middle. So, the way to pass from their high school (middle) to college (high school) is to take an exam given by the government. You can be younger or older entering depending on passing that test.
There are 3 Universities on the island University of West Indies is the one I remember off hand. University of Southern Caribbean I think was another, but don't quote me on that.
SCENERY: The water is pretty warm and very blue for the most part. The sand isn't as white as Fiji, but cleaner than the North Carolina beaches or the beaches on the Jersey Shore. I past Dunn Falls and horseback riding that we have seen other cruises offering. It's a pretty safe area and completely unto itself off a main HWY not far from the Falmouth Port. Maybe 30 minutes ride on a bus.
FOOD: Our resort was all inclusive and the food was ok at best. However you will see a ton of KFC and apparently the chicken has no hormones ever. KFC is the best KFC in any area (so I am told) and all of the boys and dads and moms agreed. (I don't like fried chicken) They also have Burger Kings and a few other local chains. KFC is pretty dominant though. Other than that, we ate at the resort most of the time, so I didn't buy food off the street or stop and get food most anywhere else. Plus, since I don't like food that much, I am not the best person to ask.
Hope this helps. It was fun watching the USA play Jamaica Friday night at the game. USA won by a goal towards the end of the game. Nico's team didn't play well against the first team for them, but the last two teams they played better. We went to where the Embassy were and played at a private catholic school, and then against a club in the poorer sections. The 3rd game was a private club in a rougher neighborhood. It was a great experience and definitely good for the boys to see other parts of the world. I told them they were able to experience first hand the good, bad, and ugly.
CLASS: Overall, it was a pretty island, but they have a huge class problem. So race isn't an issue, but you are either rich or poor. There is not much of a middle class. Also, the interest rates are insane over there, so most people buy the land and start in stages of building houses. The family comes into money, they submit a plan to build to the government. If they run out of the money while building, they simply stop, instead of getting lending money. There are a lot of unfinished houses, but when the family comes into money again, they will start building again. if you have bought the land, but made no attempts to build after two years, you have to resubmit the plan to the government. The reason is because the government wants your house up to code against hurricanes. You will notice that Jamaica is very mountainous. I didn't realize until I got there, but as you look up into the hills, the people with the money are higher up and the houses are more luxurious than the ones toward the road.
CURRENCY: Our dollar at the moment is a little weaker that Jamaican dollar. Some exchanges go a little as American 94 cents to Jamaican 100.00 which translates to $1 over there. So at the moment, just take 2 zeros off the end and add a little more on top. Most places take American money and were honest with the cost, but please make sure if you are buying things there to take off the two zeros and think. I gave Nico a $10 bill and he came back with 2 $100 Jamaican dollars. I quickly said, "Nico, you bought an $8 Sprite???" He just looked at me, but in general anywhere from $130 to $250 for a bottle of soda should be correct. Translating to American dollars $1.30 to $2.50 would be a bottled water or soda.
CRIME: The larger cities can be rough, but I equate Kingston to Chicago here. Even at the resort my mom was being offered drugs by the guys that work there. There is a house with 32 rooms that was stopped in the process by a "street medicine man" So if you see the abandoned house, to me it looks like a Haunted Mansion. Kingston is too far from Falmouth anyway, so I doubt Disney takes us in there, but the other areas can be dodgy or sketchy in the cities as well.
SCHOOLS: All of the kids from primary through college wear uniforms. However, what they call college is our high school. Their high school would be considered our middle. So, the way to pass from their high school (middle) to college (high school) is to take an exam given by the government. You can be younger or older entering depending on passing that test.
There are 3 Universities on the island University of West Indies is the one I remember off hand. University of Southern Caribbean I think was another, but don't quote me on that.
SCENERY: The water is pretty warm and very blue for the most part. The sand isn't as white as Fiji, but cleaner than the North Carolina beaches or the beaches on the Jersey Shore. I past Dunn Falls and horseback riding that we have seen other cruises offering. It's a pretty safe area and completely unto itself off a main HWY not far from the Falmouth Port. Maybe 30 minutes ride on a bus.
FOOD: Our resort was all inclusive and the food was ok at best. However you will see a ton of KFC and apparently the chicken has no hormones ever. KFC is the best KFC in any area (so I am told) and all of the boys and dads and moms agreed. (I don't like fried chicken) They also have Burger Kings and a few other local chains. KFC is pretty dominant though. Other than that, we ate at the resort most of the time, so I didn't buy food off the street or stop and get food most anywhere else. Plus, since I don't like food that much, I am not the best person to ask.
Hope this helps. It was fun watching the USA play Jamaica Friday night at the game. USA won by a goal towards the end of the game. Nico's team didn't play well against the first team for them, but the last two teams they played better. We went to where the Embassy were and played at a private catholic school, and then against a club in the poorer sections. The 3rd game was a private club in a rougher neighborhood. It was a great experience and definitely good for the boys to see other parts of the world. I told them they were able to experience first hand the good, bad, and ugly.
maiyoli
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2012
- Messages
- 110
Just back from Jamaica yesterday. Off to Singapore tomorrow. The weather was ok, but is seems in Montego Bay and Falmouth, it was rainy in the afternoons. Not at all in Kingston however. My understanding was that they were having a bit of rain, but not rainy season. It would be an afternoon shower that cleared up 40 minutes later.
CLASS: Overall, it was a pretty island, but they have a huge class problem. So race isn't an issue, but you are either rich or poor. There is not much of a middle class. Also, the interest rates are insane over there, so most people buy the land and start in stages of building houses. The family comes into money, they submit a plan to build to the government. If they run out of the money while building, they simply stop, instead of getting lending money. There are a lot of unfinished houses, but when the family comes into money again, they will start building again. if you have bought the land, but made no attempts to build after two years, you have to resubmit the plan to the government. The reason is because the government wants your house up to code against hurricanes. You will notice that Jamaica is very mountainous. I didn't realize until I got there, but as you look up into the hills, the people with the money are higher up and the houses are more luxurious than the ones toward the road.
CURRENCY: Our dollar at the moment is a little weaker that Jamaican dollar. Some exchanges go a little as American 94 cents to Jamaican 100.00 which translates to $1 over there. So at the moment, just take 2 zeros off the end and add a little more on top. Most places take American money and were honest with the cost, but please make sure if you are buying things there to take off the two zeros and think. I gave Nico a $10 bill and he came back with 2 $100 Jamaican dollars. I quickly said, "Nico, you bought an $8 Sprite???" He just looked at me, but in general anywhere from $130 to $250 for a bottle of soda should be correct. Translating to American dollars $1.30 to $2.50 would be a bottled water or soda.
CRIME: The larger cities can be rough, but I equate Kingston to Chicago here. Even at the resort my mom was being offered drugs by the guys that work there. There is a house with 32 rooms that was stopped in the process by a "street medicine man" So if you see the abandoned house, to me it looks like a Haunted Mansion. Kingston is too far from Falmouth anyway, so I doubt Disney takes us in there, but the other areas can be dodgy or sketchy in the cities as well.
SCHOOLS: All of the kids from primary through college wear uniforms. However, what they call college is our high school. Their high school would be considered our middle. So, the way to pass from their high school (middle) to college (high school) is to take an exam given by the government. You can be younger or older entering depending on passing that test.
There are 3 Universities on the island University of West Indies is the one I remember off hand. University of Southern Caribbean I think was another, but don't quote me on that.
SCENERY: The water is pretty warm and very blue for the most part. The sand isn't as white as Fiji, but cleaner than the North Carolina beaches or the beaches on the Jersey Shore. I past Dunn Falls and horseback riding that we have seen other cruises offering. It's a pretty safe area and completely unto itself off a main HWY not far from the Falmouth Port. Maybe 30 minutes ride on a bus.
FOOD: Our resort was all inclusive and the food was ok at best. However you will see a ton of KFC and apparently the chicken has no hormones ever. KFC is the best KFC in any area (so I am told) and all of the boys and dads and moms agreed. (I don't like fried chicken) They also have Burger Kings and a few other local chains. KFC is pretty dominant though. Other than that, we ate at the resort most of the time, so I didn't buy food off the street or stop and get food most anywhere else. Plus, since I don't like food that much, I am not the best person to ask.
Hope this helps. It was fun watching the USA play Jamaica Friday night at the game. USA won by a goal towards the end of the game. Nico's team didn't play well against the first team for them, but the last two teams they played better. We went to where the Embassy were and played at a private catholic school, and then against a club in the poorer sections. The 3rd game was a private club in a rougher neighborhood. It was a great experience and definitely good for the boys to see other parts of the world. I told them they were able to experience first hand the good, bad, and ugly.
Wow thanks for the info
maiyoli
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2012
- Messages
- 110
Hello everyone!! My family and I were on the Fantasy in May and we went ahead and signed up for another wonderful vacation on August 30, 2014 aboard the Disney Fantasy!! So far there will be 3 adults in our crew in stateroom 8102: Skip (63), Gloria(62) and me, Whitney (27). We may be adding another stateroom and people as well. And we will be celebrating my mom, Gloria's birthday on August 30th! Looking forward to meeting you guys and exchanging FE gifts!!
Welcome
LiseG
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 17, 2009
- Messages
- 1,160
Just back from Jamaica yesterday.
FOOD: Our resort was all inclusive and the food was ok at best. However you will see a ton of KFC and apparently the chicken has no hormones ever. KFC is the best KFC in any area (so I am told) and all of the boys and dads and moms agreed. (I don't like fried chicken) They also have Burger Kings and a few other local chains. KFC is pretty dominant though. Other than that, we ate at the resort most of the time, so I didn't buy food off the street or stop and get food most anywhere else. Plus, since I don't like food that much, I am not the best person to ask.
It's good to know if we get tired of Palo and Remy we can go to KFC
switched to this cruise today after discussing options. we were booked on the oct 2014 magic from miami which will now be the wonder. decided to go back on the fantasy instead and were thrilled to snag the last available cat. v! very excited
LiseG
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 17, 2009
- Messages
- 1,160
jcjen519 Glad you made the switch. I'll add you to the cruisers list on the first post. Who's traveling? Are you celebrating any special occasions or interested in joining the FE group?
If you have any youngsters/tweens/teens, we have a KID THREAD started for this cruise.
KIDS ONLY - Aug 30 2014 ~ Fantasy ~ 7-Night Western
Glad you made the switch. I'll add you to the cruisers list on the first post. Who's traveling? Are you celebrating any special occasions or interested in joining the FE group?
If you have any youngsters/tweens/teens, we have a KID THREAD started for this cruise.
KIDS ONLY - Aug 30 2014 ~ Fantasy ~ 7-Night Western
Thanks! it will be myself, my husband and our son who is not quite 4 but will be 5 on this cruise....hard to believe!
no celebration. it is kind of a do-over cruise since the april 2013 cruise ended up being myself and son and sister in law. husband ended up not being able to go (work) very excited to go back on the fantasy! loved every second of it. hoping pj will be on the concierge team, he was so great with the kids!
LiseG
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 17, 2009
- Messages
- 1,160
It's great your hubby will be able to make the trip. DD Sabrina was nearly 4 on our first Disney Cruise. We cruised again the following year for her 5th Bday. She just loved the Oceaaneers Club each time. I know your son will have an even better time being a lillle older next time. I can't wait to board the Fantasy. Sabrina will be 13 and excited to be at the Edge again but on a different DCL ship.
It's great your hubby will be able to make the trip. DD Sabrina was nearly 4 on our first Disney Cruise. We cruised again the following year for her 5th Bday. She just loved the Oceaaneers Club each time. I know your son will have an even better time being a lillle older next time. I can't wait to board the Fantasy. Sabrina will be 13 and excited to be at the Edge again but on a different DCL ship.
its great when they love the kids clubs! we took evan when he was a little over 2 and then in April he was a little shy of 4. he loved it and asked to go to the clubs! i think he is going to have an even better time at 5 too. cant say enough good things about the fantasy! very excited to be going back!
maiyoli
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2012
- Messages
- 110
That is awesome I can't believe they had a dcl Pixar cruise. I would of love to have gone. When was it? Will they have a different one? And what kind of Pixar Activities did they have?
LiseG
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 17, 2009
- Messages
- 1,160
There were four Pixar cruises last fall, Pacific Coast Cruises. There were different note-worthy Pixar exec, producers and artists on each cruise. Harley Jessup was on our cruise. At his Meet & Greet he signed Tow Mater hand gliding for Chuck and I in the Pixar books that showed up in our cabin the day before (given to Chase VISA holders, I think). He was very nice and was visiting and signing various things. He and his wife dined nightly at an adjacent table.
In SF, three Pixar VIPs came on board for a panel discussion. They shared some stories of how Pixar started and lots of side stories. It was so casual, it felt like we were sitting at coffee with them while they reminisced... very cool!
There were Pixar art exhibits highlighting initial concepts to final pieces for all the Pixar films. Of course they showed all the Pixar movies and the characters were aboard. It was awsome!
Here's some more info: 2012 Disney Cruise Line Announces Pixar Inspired California Coastal Cruises/
AnnicaJ
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2011
- Messages
- 21
Hi all, this is Annica finally checking in
I will be in stateroom #8563.
As Kathy wrote, I was on the DIS PCC 4.0 and this one will be my second Disney Cruise.
I'm looking forward to meet you all!
AnnicaJ
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2011
- Messages
- 21
We can't wait to meet you!
I'll add you to the cruisers list on the first post! Are you interested in the FE?
Sure, sign me upp for the FE
LiseG
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 17, 2009
- Messages
- 1,160
Sure, sign me upp for the FE
You're signed up
Any celebrations I should note? Is this your 2nd Disney Cruise?
AnnicaJ
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2011
- Messages
- 21
Yes, it's my second Disney cruise
Nothing special to celebrate...other than life itself and being able to spend time with good friends
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