July 18 Tortola cruise part 3

[jlawall]

It sounds like our travel home was "hit or miss." The GG experience was nice but we had difficulty b/c our room ressie was linked with the GG and it doesn't seem like Disney is organized enough to handle changes with the GG agents, not sure why.

The actual dinner and fireworks was great. It was much more than we expected and a fun "night before the cruise" activity........thx so much to Lissa for organizing.........I found the events we did with DISers were so special b/c we were able to talk in a small group and follow up on our conversations........

So, I would encourage people to book the GG experiences (as long as you don't plan to modify your room ressies too much like I did.)

 

[jlawall]

Hey just wanted to say Hope everyone made it home safe and sound. I really want to thank everyone for the fun FE gifts! My kids had a ball with them! That really was alot of fun. And GeorgiaJamie....Wow! Thankyou notes! I am really impressed. Take care everyone. Hope to See you real soon!

I agree! FEs were so much fun, but I'm going to have to "up my game" to keep up with some of you.......so many thoughtful ideas (but we didn't have a lot to bring home b/c my family was eating the candy all week!)

 

[jlawall]

Team Fisher? I think took a hit at the terminal customs building, somehow taking two of their bags and loading them into a transfer company town car and driving off. I hope they or someone has an update on this unfortunate event. We are praying that the company or persons involved did/will contact them.

They had an awlful time b/c a porter put their luggage in a private car and it drove away and was delivered to the wrong person's house........they did get it back but probably had the worse day ever returning from their cruise.

Word to the wise............be very proactive when getting off the ship to make sure your luggage is all together, b/c the porters try to move your stuff as quickly as possible so they can assist other guests.......

 

[lwilliam]

Lucy doesn't have a countdown to anything and she is very sad

 

[BomaGreg]

Lucy doesn't have a countdown to anything and she is very sad

You can do what I'm doing, and set up a date for when I plan to go again, then just hope that I can talk my wife into going along with it as the date gets closer.

 

[Eeyore18]

Thanks to everyone for the FE gifts- it was so fun to do and the kids loved seeing what was inside when we returned to the room. We also had a great time with our table mates "Noahsmom" and family. That was pretty great that Disney sat us together-w/out even knowing!
It was sad coming home-but we had an even worse time today- we had to put our beloved Dakota to sleep today. He came back from boarding and his arthritis really was really bothering him.. He couldn't even get up on his back legs yesterday. The whole family went to the vet this morning-it was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. We were blessed with 14 years with him, I just need to keep thinking that.
We had a great cruise though- so we'll enjoy the memories!

 

[jlawall]

Thanks to everyone for the FE gifts- it was so fun to do and the kids loved seeing what was inside when we returned to the room. We also had a great time with our table mates "Noahsmom" and family. That was pretty great that Disney sat us together-w/out even knowing!
It was sad coming home-but we had an even worse time today- we had to put our beloved Dakota to sleep today. He came back from boarding and his arthritis really was really bothering him.. He couldn't even get up on his back legs yesterday. The whole family went to the vet this morning-it was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. We were blessed with 14 years with him, I just need to keep thinking that.
We had a great cruise though- so we'll enjoy the memories!

 

[Dizzyworld]

Thanks to everyone for the FE gifts- it was so fun to do and the kids loved seeing what was inside when we returned to the room. We also had a great time with our table mates "Noahsmom" and family. That was pretty great that Disney sat us together-w/out even knowing!
It was sad coming home-but we had an even worse time today- we had to put our beloved Dakota to sleep today. He came back from boarding and his arthritis really was really bothering him.. He couldn't even get up on his back legs yesterday. The whole family went to the vet this morning-it was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. We were blessed with 14 years with him, I just need to keep thinking that.
We had a great cruise though- so we'll enjoy the memories!

How very sad for all of you.

 

[lwilliam]

So sorry, Eeyore18

Anyone else return home from Disney?

 

[MrsG]

Lucy doesn't have a countdown to anything and she is very sad

You can do what I'm doing, and set up a date for when I plan to go again, then just hope that I can talk my wife into going along with it as the date gets closer.

Well, you can join us and JoAnn #1 on the 7/18/10 Baltic Cruise. If it's anything like the Med, it will be fabulous!

Thanks to everyone for the FE gifts- it was so fun to do and the kids loved seeing what was inside when we returned to the room. We also had a great time with our table mates "Noahsmom" and family. That was pretty great that Disney sat us together-w/out even knowing!
It was sad coming home-but we had an even worse time today- we had to put our beloved Dakota to sleep today. He came back from boarding and his arthritis really was really bothering him.. He couldn't even get up on his back legs yesterday. The whole family went to the vet this morning-it was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. We were blessed with 14 years with him, I just need to keep thinking that.
We had a great cruise though- so we'll enjoy the memories!

What you did is the most unselfish gift you can give to your suffering pet. Although it is so hard on us, it is the most humane. He's probably running around without pain in that big meadow in the sky.

 

[lwilliam]

Thursday, July 30, 1998 (11 years ago)
Disney Cruise Line launches first ship, the Disney Magic

 

[Dizzyworld]

....Good thing you didn't do the ferry to Virgin Gorda - Rachel was really sick on the way over (and she doesn't suaully get sick at all). And coming back, Shirley, her kids, and we were thinking we were going overboard. I was looking for life jackets.

We have definately decided we are fine with no veranda but need to be more middhip next time. Too much rocking up front!

I also forgot to say had a great brunch with our Thursday group! You guys are too fun! (Even though Ramule's wife admitted she thought we were a littel crazy!)

When we got home, I discovered that Alex had filmed a little of the ferry trip back to Tortola. Still scary. (I have no idea how to post it.) It was one of the few times that I was worried that someone else was taking risks with our lives. There was a ferry boat that capsized in the Inner Harbor here at home and people died. That kept running through my mind.

As for the veranda, it was the kids who have nixed it over the past few years since we just don't use it (plus my negative experience with cigar smokers). Anyway, the kids really like the location of deck 2 where we were this trip. (We were in the aft area.) They liked being so close to the drink station and food since they spent more time there than at the other end of the ship.

Brunch was a lot of fun. Terrific group of people to share the experience with in the private room. Glad we were able to do it together. I can't believe we didn't take a group picture.

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

It was sad coming home-but we had an even worse time today- we had to put our beloved Dakota to sleep today. He came back from boarding and his arthritis really was really bothering him.. He couldn't even get up on his back legs yesterday. The whole family went to the vet this morning-it was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. We were blessed with 14 years with him, I just need to keep thinking that.
We had a great cruise though- so we'll enjoy the memories!

I'm so sorry! It's been a year since one of our cats was killed, and the girls still talk about her all the time. I remind them of the great life we all had with her.

 

[disnutz]

You know Shirley - it is odd that you bring that up. I said to Mike the other day, as I was describing the awful adventure, that all i could think about was the Inner harbor accident!! I truly was a little afraid, and so was he. He admitted that all he could think about was the fact that we would be trapped in there.

Definately scary!

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

Well, you can join us and JoAnn #1 on the 7/18/10 Baltic Cruise. If it's anything like the Med, it will be fabulous!

We are very tempted and hoping the prices drop a bit.

As for the veranda, it was the kids who have nixed it over the past few years since we just don't use it (plus my negative experience with cigar smokers). Anyway, the kids really like the location of deck 2 where we were this trip. (We were in the aft area.) They liked being so close to the drink station and food since they spent more time there than at the other end of the ship.

Brunch was a lot of fun. Terrific group of people to share the experience with in the private room. Glad we were able to do it together. I can't believe we didn't take a group picture.

I think this was our last verandah. The guy next to us (who also was up until 2 a.m. throwing -- yes throwing -- his kids up against the wall in some bizarre game) smoked cigars and cigarettes the entire cruise, so I did not get to enjoy the verandah at all. I really wish DCL would only allow smoking on verandahs on half the ship.

 

[jlawall]

I just want to put in a plug the verandah.........so far, we've never had a problem with the verandah........we usually book one room with and one w/o and it works out good (we get the best of both worlds.)

When the outdoor sailaway was cancelled, we just stayed in the room and had our party there!

 

[BomaGreg]

What I want to know is when we're going to start seeing all the pictures rolling in!!!

 

[3princessMommy]

Hi Everyone!!!!!

I'm actually going through DIS withdrawal I think! I can't believe that it's been so long since I looked at this thread!!!!

We are, of course, still in travel mode for another week and a half or so. But I do need to find a laundrymat - what I did on the ship isn't going to last me much longer.

I'm glad that most everyone made it home safe and sound. We managed to get all our luggage - and GUESS WHAT!!!! An extra perk of using the Magical Express and onboard check-in -- YOU DON"T HAVE TO PAY ANY AIRLINE BAGGAGE FEES!!!!!!!! I KNOW that at least one of our bags was over 50lbs. And we had five bags - so that should have been $60 alone. But not one penny of a charge! And no headaches of hauling luggage - I am sooooo doing that again! Forget FL Tours and go with the MOUSE!!!!

Dolphin excursion - No major algae problems this time around. The dolphins are great and the trainer staff is wonderful. When our DD7 freaked out about the large dolphin and refused to get back in the water, one of the staff offered to let her kiss the "baby" dolphin. That worked like a charm! My critique of this excursion:

1) Not well organized - no one guiding you or telling you where to go. It's not a big place and standing around looking quizzical will get someone to point you in the right direction. But, with the prices you're paying, it seems to me there should be a little more organization.

2) Photos and video are high-way robbery (without even a smile! the photo staff wasn't terribly excited about their jobs I guess.) Don't be fooled that there's a discount for additional photos. We were going to buy 4 - one for each person in our family. They told us that the first photo was $15, two would be $20, three $25, etc. However, when we went to buy them - they said - NOOOOO - It's $15 for the first picture of each person. If you buy one picture of 4 people - it's still $15 each! OUCH!!!! Of course, you're not allowed to have your camera in the water, so if you want a memory of kissing a dolphin, better bring some cash!

3) Tour operator doesn't run regular shuttles back to the ship (despite the sign at the exit that says they do). There were folks that ended up sitting in the hot sun for more than 40 minutes for the shuttle to finally arrive. We were one of the last families and we still waited 20 minutes. This was unacceptable and we told Disney so.

overall - great experience to touch/play with a dolphin. But this was VERY expensive and not terribly well organized. Glad we did it, but won't do it again.

Second Greg's assessment of Brewer's Bay on Tortola and Trunk Bay on St. John. LOVED both beaches. But Brewer's Bay is not the best for really young kids - that would be Cane Garden. But it is much better for snorkeling and scenery.

We absolutely LOVED meeting everyone at GG and SSR before the cruise. The Palo Brunch was really a highlight of our cruise. I really hope we can all cruise again together!!!!

Greg, Alex really missed seeing Abby on Saturday morning. We almost had to drag her off the ship. PM me contact info and Alex will send her an e-mail.

We booked the 2010 Christmas cruise to the Southern Carribbean. I hope someone will join us! It sounds awesome!!!!

We loved the verandah - but it's not worth the several thousand dollars extra over the cat 9's. So we're going back to the big windows.

Thanks to everyone for the wonderful FE gifts. The girls LOVED them all! And I'm using the notepads and other goodies to try and keep me organized now in the final days before we pack out two-year's worth of foodstuffs and other essential items for our next foray to Sub-Saharan Africa!

Thanks to all you DISers for a fantastic cruise!!!

 

[ibouncetoo]

Hi Everyone!!!!!

Dolphin excursion - No major algae problems this time around. The dolphins are great and the trainer staff is wonderful. When our DD7 freaked out about the large dolphin and refused to get back in the water, one of the staff offered to let her kiss the "baby" dolphin. That worked like a charm! My critique of this excursion:

1) Not well organized - no one guiding you or telling you where to go. It's not a big place and standing around looking quizzical will get someone to point you in the right direction. But, with the prices you're paying, it seems to me there should be a little more organization.

2) Photos and video are high-way robbery (without even a smile! the photo staff wasn't terribly excited about their jobs I guess.) Don't be fooled that there's a discount for additional photos. We were going to buy 4 - one for each person in our family. They told us that the first photo was $15, two would be $20, three $25, etc. However, when we went to buy them - they said - NOOOOO - It's $15 for the first picture of each person. If you buy one picture of 4 people - it's still $15 each! OUCH!!!! Of course, you're not allowed to have your camera in the water, so if you want a memory of kissing a dolphin, better bring some cash!

3) Tour operator doesn't run regular shuttles back to the ship (despite the sign at the exit that says they do). There were folks that ended up sitting in the hot sun for more than 40 minutes for the shuttle to finally arrive. We were one of the last families and we still waited 20 minutes. This was unacceptable and we told Disney so.

overall - great experience to touch/play with a dolphin. But this was VERY expensive and not terribly well organized. Glad we did it, but won't do it again.

This was the DCL excursion that was so badly organized or had you done this on your own? I can't believe DCL would not have transportation back to the ship as soon as their excursion was over. That would make me really mad!

This same company has allowed us in the water with our underwater cameras at another location. Plus I was pretty sure a previous DCL Tortola group was allowed to also. Although the camera isn't a big issue for me, as ONE of their photos is all I really need. I'm very glad to hear that the alge is no longer an issue.

Thanks for your report.

.

 

[MickeyMo'sBo]

The ones on Castaway are on the new Canon -- the others are cheap Kodak disposables.

Link to Gallery
http://isgrenphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/9081748_GAWfw/1/604808301_tyA99