Magic Christmas Cruise 2010 (Dec 18th - 29th) - PART II

[CrusinLattas]

Safe, easy travels, Joann ---->


Liz - The Aquarium in Guadeloupe is fairly close to the port. My book says it is $12 for adults and $7 for children 5-12 and free under 5. It is near the Bas du Fort Marina just east of Pointe-a'-Pitre where we are docked. Per cruisecritic "Cruise ships tie up at the Centre Saint-John Perse terminal, which is adjacent to Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe's major city."

Found a neat website: http://www.caribbeanportreviews.com/Guadeloupe.htm


It says:

The ship docks at the Centre Saint-John Perse terminal in Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe's main city. The downtown area is only 1 block away.

What is there to do?

Guadeloupe is fun to explore and Pointe-a-Pitre is a quaint town to spend time in. The local food (a blend of French and creole) is excellent and enjoying lunch in a sidewalk cafe is an excellent experience. The Central Market is another must see. Loaded with tropical flowers, fruits, spices, staples, souvenirs, and many more items, it is a sensory treat. The Guadeloupe Aquarium is world renowned for it "walk through" treatment of some of its largest tanks. You actually walk through a glass enclosed tunnel at the bottom of the aquarium (much like at Atlantis
on Paradise Island). There is a huge shark exhibit that is fascinating.


SO - I am thinking if it is a port review that the Aquarium is possibly within walking distance. Maybe.

Caryn

Great information Caryn! This is our first time to Guadeloupe, so I'm just going off what I have read as well - it seemed like it would be fairly easy - if not, well it will be an adventure!

 

[CrusinLattas]

Is there a limit to how many bags/luggage/boxes/etc. you can tag?

I would like to do a flat of water. Also, if I ship my FE stuff to my friend in Cocoa in advance, can I tag it the day I'm boarding to be put in my room?

Am I better off filling up a bunch of duffle bags with stuff to be loaded onto the ship?

Was going to save one duffle for wine and margaritas...to be carried on?

I'm starting to think I'm glad we are driving the RV and wondering where I will put it all in the stateroom!

Here is what DCL says about bags:
Baggage, Valuables and Other Possessions
Each Guest may bring aboard the ship a reasonable amount of clothing and personal effects without charge, not to exceed two bags per person. All Guest baggage must be stored in the Guest's stateroom and must be labeled with the Disney Cruise Line baggage tag.

That being said, It is not like the airlines where they are baggage police with the size and number - the trick is finding a place for everything in your room! We have sent packages to our rooms before with Christmas decorations - so that does not require a tag - just detailed information on a lable for the warehouse folks to get it to the right ship.

We usually buy our water on the ship with the deal they have that includes the little cooler - I forget how much it is, but I do remember it is reasonable! My weakness is a need for Diet Dr. Pepper - so we usually bring a couple cases of that! I doubt we will find any at the ports we are visiting! (I always load up at Key West on the western route!)

 

[TheBeadPirate]

Do any off you all do pin trading? We never have, but DD9 had a blast with it at Disneyland this summer so I thought we might try it on the cruise.

I am a pin trader! There's also pin trading in the atrium (at least on the Wonder) every night.

For those interested, AG has free shipping right now through November 7. $50 min purchase. I wish.

I calculated (did I say that? what a dork) how many patches we need -- if wearing every day, 4 patches per adult. Each box contains 4 patches. Several years back my MD miscalculated and when I went to the pharmacy to pick up my bill was over $600. I about croaked. Fortunately, the pharmacist helped me figure out what we really needed.

I was really waiting for you to tell us that AG came out with matching patches for the dolls.

That's awesome about the MV on the Fantasy. We are going on the Dream in Aug just to get a look at the new ships. We wanted to do the MV on the Dream but it was too close to the Christmas cruise and there was no way we were cancelling that.

We're doing the MV on the Dream and I really wish we weren't now. It's turning into a big pain in the rear. There are so many things set aside for "VIPs" that no one can get Palo or Remy for dining and excursions/CC things are becoming VERY limited. We have friends who are Platinum that are going also and they were blocked out of everything except the one Palo they get with their Platinum status (and it's on the first night!) Not anything near worth the premuim price and no-cancellation policy Disney had for it.

OK, opinions, please --

Trying to figure out the logistics for the hanging of three stockings Christmas Eve. We are in a Nav Cat 7. We would like to hang them in the part of the cabin near the bed (away from the sitting area where DD6 will be sleeping). Are there knobs on the closets that will allow for hanging? Any suggestions where were could put them? I have 2 Command hooks, but was hoping to use them in the bathroom.

Thanks!

Caryn

There's one hook on the closet door, but no handles. I'd do the additional Command hooks also. I know Disney has asked for no adhesive on the doors but has anyone used the Command hooks there? I have a new dry erase board to hang and would prefer to do that instead of trying to find and attach magnets to it (since then I could hang other decorations from it for pirate night, etc)

Is there a limit to how many bags/luggage/boxes/etc. you can tag?

I would like to do a flat of water. Also, if I ship my FE stuff to my friend in Cocoa in advance, can I tag it the day I'm boarding to be put in my room?

Am I better off filling up a bunch of duffle bags with stuff to be loaded onto the ship?

Was going to save one duffle for wine and margaritas...to be carried on?

You get 2 luggage tags per person. I'm not sure if there's a way to get more. We're just getting bigger suitcases. We fill up 4 bags on a 4 night(although 2 are our regular flight carry ons)- so there's a hunt on for BIGGER!


I am now officially caught up!

 

[momssurprise]

Seasick patches for AG dolls -- if they think of it, they will be more expensive than the prescription!

 

[CrusinLattas]

I found some hooks with suction cups on the back I used last year and they worked just fine to stick to the room walls - I think Christmas morning the stockings were too full and Santa left them on the floor, but the decoration worked fine without the weight and no need to worry about leaving marks. I think I found them either at Wal-mart or Michaels - don't remember which one, but that is were I got all my decoration stuff. I will probably use them again this year!

 

[CrusinLattas]

That is good to know! I had not thought about that side of the maiden voyages!

 

[Meemous]

You will get a rewards card, kind of like a credit card to use. You can request it now and then add any add'l Disney dollars to it over the web that you may earn between now and the sailing date.

You may also be able to request multiple cards so that you could give a separate one to each child, the only drawback being that you would have to keep up with all of them.

P.S. I would not wait until 2 weeks before you sail to request it just in case it takes longer. Like I mentioned earlier, you can add Disney $'s to a card you already have by transferring them over the web.

HTH!

Thank you! I called today and requested the card.

 

[Meemous]

Well, I finally SOLD my house and finished signing the paperwork today! I am very thankful to have that out of the way. One less stressor to contend with.

I've read that in Barbados and Guadalupe that the residents there don't take kindly to Americans and/or tourists in general and can be quite rude, so to date I haven't scheduled any excursions for those two ports.

Does anyone have any insight or experiences to relate that are favorable?

I'm on the fence about these locations.

~Lorrie

 

[momssurprise]

I am a pin trader! There's also pin trading in the atrium (at least on the Wonder) every night.

Yay -- I'm excited for this.

IThere's one hook on the closet door, but no handles. I'd do the additional Command hooks also. I know Disney has asked for no adhesive on the doors but has anyone used the Command hooks there? I have a new dry erase board to hang and would prefer to do that instead of trying to find and attach magnets to it (since then I could hang other decorations from it for pirate night, etc)

Can we attach the Command hooks to the walls? Or will DCL get cranky?

You get 2 luggage tags per person. I'm not sure if there's a way to get more. We're just getting bigger suitcases. We fill up 4 bags on a 4 night(although 2 are our regular flight carry ons)- so there's a hunt on for BIGGER!

Ebags runs good sales and if you do the live chat and say you saw an extra 20% off last night when you were looking they will give you a code for an extra 20% off. I haven't tried to ask for 30%...

 

[momssurprise]

Yay -- I'm excited for pin trading.



Can we attach the Command hooks to the walls? Or will DCL get cranky?


Ebags runs good sales and if you do the live chat and say you saw an extra 20% off last night when you were looking they will give you a code for an extra 20% off. I haven't tried to ask for 30%...

 

[momssurprise]

Sorry for the double post. I totally messed it up then got an error message so I reposted.

 

[CrusinLattas]

Sorry for the double post. I totally messed it up then got an error message so I reposted.

That's one way to get your posts number higher!

 

[momssurprise]

That's one way to get your posts number higher!

Whatever works...

 

[Liz Arjay]

----------------------------------
Barbados: http://www.caribbeanportreviews.com/Barbados.htm
Martinique: http://www.caribbeanportreviews.com/Matinique.htm
Guadeloupe: http://www.caribbeanportreviews.com/Guadeloupe.htm
St.Maarten: http://www.caribbeanportreviews.com/StMaarten.htm
St. Thomas: http://www.caribbeanportreviews.com/StThomas.htm

Caryn[/QUOTE]

Thanks, BBQMommy, for the info on Guadaloupe and the websites. Very helpful! The open air market sounds like fun and easy, and probably very interesting. I have heard the poverty there is quite visible and can be upsetting to kids - but maybe a good education as well.

I have also heard that the residents of Martinique and Guadaloupe are a bit on the unfriendly side, but after the smiles and warmth of the DCL crew members, I'm sure it seems especially so!

Also, probably just the love/hate relationship of being somewhat dependent upon foreign currency and tourism.

Speaking of which - is anyone bringing foreign currency or should dollars work everywhere (with credit card backup)?

 

[momssurprise]

I think you will need Euro for Guadeloupe and Martinique (or use your credit card, if possible). Obviously, dollars are the currency in St. Thos/St. John. Not sure abt St. Maarten.

I tend to use my cc as much as possible when overseas, the exchange rate is usually better than you'd get at a port side exchange place, without the cost of the ATM.

 

[BBQMommy]

Looking at my Frommer's Caribbean Ports of Call, 7th ed.:

Barbados: Barbados Dollar is official currency. Exchange 2 Barbados Dollar to 1 US Dollar, though most stores take travellers checks or US Dollars and if staying for 1 day from a cruise ship currency conversion is not really worth it

Guadeloupe: Euro is official currency, easy use of credit cards and many ATMs in Pointe-a'-Pitre

Martinique: Euro is official currency, easy use of credit cards and many ATMs in Fort-de-France, with two places to change money right in town along with ATMs.

St. Thomas: US Dollar

St. Maarten/St. Martin: US Dollar widely accepted on both sides, though official currencies are florin/guilder-St. Maarten and Euro-St. Martin.

----------------------------------------------------

As we will be wandering on our own in Guadeloupe and Martinique I am thinking of obtaining some Euros before the trip for ferry/taxi/bus tolls, etc.


Caryn

 

[Lolobellica]

So after reading the posts on ths forum, I am starting to have some irrational fears, I picture that this cruise experience is going to be like a Thanksgiving Day Sale on acid!

People everywhere, not being able to find a deck chair, families rushing to order room service and the cheese platter!

My kid crying and clinging to my pant legs, my husband whining that I packed too many shoes as he carries my luggage.

Getting lost on one of the islands and not getting on the boat, or worse yet missing something fun!

Ok, I know totally not going to be the case, but it felt good to vent.

Going to eat some chocolate now....

 

[TheBeadPirate]

So after reading the posts on ths forum, I am starting to have some irrational fears, I picture that this cruise experience is going to be like a Thanksgiving Day Sale on acid!

People everywhere, not being able to find a deck chair, families rushing to order room service and the cheese platter!

My kid crying and clinging to my pant legs, my husband whining that I packed too many shoes as he carries my luggage.

Getting lost on one of the islands and not getting on the boat, or worse yet missing something fun!

Ok, I know totally not going to be the case, but it felt good to vent.

Going to eat some chocolate now....

Step back from the computer and take a deep breath!

Forget your husband(well, not really) and realize that the best money spent on the cruise is the porter! Before and after! We found out today(never had a line in customs before) that if a porter has your bags you follow him- if he cuts line, then you do too! Sorry all the people behind us, but it was well worth the $10 to skip right on out of customs without waiting all that long!

And I had the cheese platter twice this trip- it's dwindled to almost nothing now. It has currently 1 diagonal slice swiss, 1 diagonal slice cheddar, 1 diagonal slice meunster, 1 baby bell, 2 quarter slices of smoked round gouda and a bunch of grapes(think about 10 on a stem) and half a plate of crackers. And I got different crackers each time.

 

[decked out]

So after reading the posts on ths forum, I am starting to have some irrational fears, I picture that this cruise experience is going to be like a Thanksgiving Day Sale on acid!

People everywhere, not being able to find a deck chair, families rushing to order room service and the cheese platter!

My kid crying and clinging to my pant legs, my husband whining that I packed too many shoes as he carries my luggage.

Getting lost on one of the islands and not getting on the boat, or worse yet missing something fun!

Ok, I know totally not going to be the case, but it felt good to vent.

Going to eat some chocolate now....

I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

 

[tinkmischief]

Well, I finally SOLD my house and finished signing the paperwork today! I am very thankful to have that out of the way. One less stressor to contend with.

I've read that in Barbados and Guadalupe that the residents there don't take kindly to Americans and/or tourists in general and can be quite rude, so to date I haven't scheduled any excursions for those two ports.

Does anyone have any insight or experiences to relate that are favorable?

I'm on the fence about these locations.

~Lorrie

I can only speak to Barbados but I have found it to be exactly the opposite! That being said....If you say "Good Morning" or something similar to a Bajan and they only say "ok" back to you please don't think they are being unfriendly. It's just their very short version of thanks you too They say it amongst locals too When you leave the expensive hotels and touristy beach area you are reminded that it is indeed a third world country. If you choose to use their (plentiful) public transportation you will probably come across the extreme poverty especially close to Bridgetown. The people serving you drinks may not have had power in their house for a week or any other sort of typical island hardship but I have never had an unfriendly experience. I have nothing but love for the island and for the people ...ok I will admit my ex was Bajan and I am still close to his family So we will be spending a good part of the day with family that still lives on the island. This will be my son's first trip to Barbados and the first time he will meet any of his relatives that still live there so we are very excited. Am actually calling them this weekend to let them know I'm finally making good on my promise to bring him for a visit.
Sorry to go off on a tangent I am very easily distracted these days with half my brain on the Halloween party I am throwing @ DS's school and the other half on the cruise