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

[njmom23grls]

To answer the Skype question -

I think you may find that getting a calling card and calling from Martinique is your least expensive option. It sounds like you are only talking about 1 or 2 quick calls. I don't know what the current internet rates are on Disney BUT i just returned from Royal Caribbean and figure the rates *may* be comparable. RCCL is .65 per minute (cheapest per minute package of 500 minutes brought the cost to .33 per minute) - however their internet service was so painfully slow that I don't think you could have skyped. (It took 11 minutes just to check in online and print a boarding pass or 13 minutes to check email that type of thing) - it was like this all week whether I went at midnight or at 7 am. Again I don't know what Disney's rates are or how fast their internet/satellite connection is but given Christmas will be a sea day and a lot of people online - it will likely be slow. I tried to use Ovoo to video chat at home and wasn't able to ever secure a good connection. I ended up using my cell phone (At & T) - turned off the data roaming section and was able to call home on Thanksgiving for about (roaming fees, ship fees etc.) $4.00 per minute. Most of the ports had pay phone with international dialing instructions in multiple languages on the dock (assumedly for ships crew)

 

[momssurprise]

Great picture! And y'all's tans look really good...did you take this pic the day you got the tan?

I think I got sprayed either Wednesday night or Thursday night and this was Friday. You need a full day for the stuff to activate, or that is the way I understand it!

 

[StJohnfamily]

I am amazed how quick Zazzle is with the t-shirts they create. I ordered them on Friday night and got them today. Now the only problem is that the female shirts are too small.

Say it isn't so!!! I ordered mine over the weekend and am hoping it fits!

 

[colkath2005]

Hi everyone
Just catcing up internet was down all morning.
This time next week we should be at the airport hotel.
Although today Gatwick Airport is closed due to heavy snow, its supposed to open again tomorrow morning. So lots of fairy dust needed so that this gets sorted by next week!
Still running around getting last minute details sorted before my last 2 shifts this weekend.
Iv'e told myself I am only going to check the cases once more the night before we leave and thats it!
Taking the boys to get their new glasses after school today. Had laser eye surgery in July so for the first time since I was 11 I am going without glasses!
Dog went vets today so she is all ready for kennels.
My to-do list is slowly getting smaller.
Colette

 

[StJohnfamily]

I think I got sprayed either Wednesday night or Thursday night and this was Friday. You need a full day for the stuff to activate, or that is the way I understand it!

You look beautiful!!! The spray tan looks so natural. I may have to try that, instead of the tanning beds. I have to go to them or I might scare every one with my beautiful Northwest tan Here in the NW we like to say that we rust in the winter from all the rain

 

[pennymike]

Christmas!!!!

December 1st welcomed us with our first snowfall today upon waking! NOW it feels like Christmas is coming!

So glad to hear Zazzle shirts are showing up in record time....was nervous about the chances of them arriving in time! Hope they fit! Otherwise I may be the one running the 5K in the hoochie tank top!

Am getting excited to get more organizing done this weekend.....Might have to organize the Med cruise memorabilia so I can use my file box... Just the motivation I needed!

Enjoy your days everyone, and travel safely, those of you beginning your journeys!
Penny

 

[momssurprise]

This summer I used the Jergen's lotion that has the gradual color in it. It actually works really well! But I only used it on my arms and legs so once I put my swimsuit on my "tan" might look funny. Plus, sometimes when you get in the water for any length of time it begins to come off and you look a tad splotchy. Nothing too horrible looking, but you can just see it begin to wear a little. The thing I liked about it was that I was moisturizing and coloring at the same time.

I use the Jergens too, usually starting in Spring when I start wearing skirts without boots. I still have probably half a tube, I was considering using it, but IDK if I am getting the spray tan instead. The color from the spray tan was nice, but it was also splotchy in a few places. Not bad.

 

[thegales]

Hi everyone
Just catcing up internet was down all morning.
This time next week we should be at the airport hotel.
Although today Gatwick Airport is closed due to heavy snow, its supposed to open again tomorrow morning. So lots of fairy dust needed so that this gets sorted by next week!
...

A colleague was supposed to fly out of Gatwick today to return to the states, but she just told us the airport was closed. She did not sound optimistic about tomorrow.

But I would think next week for your family will be fine again.

 

[momssurprise]

You look beautiful!!! The spray tan looks so natural. I may have to try that, instead of the tanning beds. I have to go to them or I might scare every one with my beautiful Northwest tan Here in the NW we like to say that we rust in the winter from all the rain

In terms of time, the spray tan is less of a commitment b/c you would only go once, but it is not a BASE like the beds would be. Also better for the skin?

 

[TheBeadPirate]

Hi all,

I know I asked this question many many pages ago but I can't find the posts, so please forgive me for asking this again.

DH would like to call his family on Christmas (a day at sea). So I am trying to help him pick the most cost-effective option.

If we get the cheapest internet package (not sure how much that is or how many minutes- anyone know?), could he use Skype or Google Phone to call home?

Or would it be cheaper for him to use the ship phone to call home?

I guess the other option is to use his cell phone, but I'm a little nervous about how those charges shake out. I'm afraid of getting hit with a charge from the ship AND from Verizon and worried it would end up costing more than just calling direct from the ship.

The other option I am trying to encourage is calling from Martinique on Christmas Eve. I remember someone saying there are pay phones all around the island. Can you buy international calling cards in the states to use at those phones? Or can you easily find calling cards in Martinique to use at those phones? Perhaps credit cards are an option too but again I'm just so nervous about the unknown charges that I'd rather have the calling card paid for upfront before we make the call.

By the way, we are not talking about making lengthy calls. Two calls totalling about 10 minutes max. So I don't want to agonize over this but at the same time I don't want us to end up with a $100 phone bill either if we can help it!

If any of you have used any of the above options for calling home (Skype, ship-to-shore, cell phone, or calling cards at the islands), I'd love it if you would share your experience with me and how affordable it was.

DH and I would really appreciate it. I'll have to bookmark this post this time

Kimberly

HI Kimberly. We just got our AT&T bill with the charges for our 10/17 & 11/7 cruises on it. Rick had to stay in touch for work calls. Cruise ship roaming was $2.49 a minute (same as Verizon's rate- I Googled it). This was anytime we were at sea. And the Bahamas rate was $1.99 a minute (Nassau and CC). Our bill for 8 nights on cruises was $142- but alot of that was a conference call. There were no other charges from the ship for those calls.

I believe ship to shore is $6 a minute(using the boat's phone).

 

[BBQMommy]

Researching food in Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe presently.
Side note: There is a cat sleeping on my FE.


Caryn

 

[Three at Sea]

Amy sent ours out today and we recieved our first one also..

Anyone else tanning for the cruise? We admit it.. we are.. Can't handle being fired like a lobster while on vaca so we are trying to lay down a bit of base before we go.. I know.. I know its not very but seeing my pastey white bod in a swimsuit is

.

I'm pretty white and pasty also, but I'm going for the fake spray tan...those tanning beds burn my bum

 

[BBQMommy]

For the record, no fake baking here -- I am 33% freckles/33% faded farmer's tan/33% screaming pale - kind of like a Beagle.

Here is a link for an aerial of Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe. You can see the cruise dock. The item I was searching is the Central Market, approx. 3-4 blocks east of the ship:

http://wikimapia.org/15670962/Central-Market


Caryn

 

[BBQMommy]

One needs to pull up/go larger on the map to see the ship at port.

 

[Three at Sea]

hi there, noticed on the first page of this thread that the DIS meet on embarkation day is 2pm, but where is the meet (I think it says TBD for now)? Want to make sure I don't miss making everyone's aquaintance in person!

On another note, after much discussion with DH, we have decided to break the news of the cruise surprise to our DD9 TONIGHT instead of Dec 12. We are getting our Christmas tree tonight, so figure after it is decorated it is a good time to spring the news. She is getting invites to parties and talent shows that I'm running out of reasons to say she can't go. And I want to be able to talk about the cruise in the house without looking over my shoulder, whispering!

I have to admit that I'm scared she will not be as appreciative as I'm hoping (I guess the youtube video showing those kids being disappointed that they are going to WDW and not Dick's House has freaked me out). Please wish us luck!

 

[momssurprise]

hi there, noticed on the first page of this thread that the DIS meet on embarkation day is 2pm, but where is the meet (I think it says TBD for now)? Want to make sure I don't miss making everyone's aquaintance in person!

On another note, after much discussion with DH, we have decided to break the news of the cruise surprise to our DD9 TONIGHT instead of Dec 12. We are getting our Christmas tree tonight, so figure after it is decorated it is a good time to spring the news. She is getting invites to parties and talent shows that I'm running out of reasons to say she can't go. And I want to be able to talk about the cruise in the house without looking over my shoulder, whispering!

I have to admit that I'm scared she will not be as appreciative as I'm hoping (I guess the youtube video showing those kids being disappointed that they are going to WDW and not Dick's House has freaked me out). Please wish us luck!

Good luck and let us know how it goes! We are still planning to wait until Dec 16 to tell our DD9, but I can certainly appreciate the advantages to telling. Can't wait to hear about the reaction.

 

[momssurprise]

hi there, noticed on the first page of this thread that the DIS meet on embarkation day is 2pm, but where is the meet (I think it says TBD for now)? Want to make sure I don't miss making everyone's aquaintance in person!

Ooops, missed this, I think the embarkation meet is at Mickey's pool, so the kids can bond in Mickey's pool or waiting in line for the slide.

The official meet is the next day, our first full sea day and I think Disney has not yet told Joanne where we can meet? If I recall correctly?

 

[momssurprise]

Researching food in Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe presently.
Side note: There is a cat sleeping on my FE.


Caryn

Caryn, are doing an excursion in Guadeloupe and wandering in search of fun French food or just wandering Guadeluope sans excursion? Wendy

 

[Three at Sea]

hi another DCL-newbie question.

We're planning to get to the port early to see if we can score a spot in Group 2 embarkation, because I want to change our Palo reservation to another night (the slot we have is not ideal but better than nothing).

Once we board the ship, can I go try to do this right away, and where do I go - ie/I'm guessing Guest Services desk? Will it be open ~1-2pm?

 

[itutorfortravel]

hi there, noticed on the first page of this thread that the DIS meet on embarkation day is 2pm, but where is the meet (I think it says TBD for now)? Want to make sure I don't miss making everyone's aquaintance in person!

On another note, after much discussion with DH, we have decided to break the news of the cruise surprise to our DD9 TONIGHT instead of Dec 12. We are getting our Christmas tree tonight, so figure after it is decorated it is a good time to spring the news. She is getting invites to parties and talent shows that I'm running out of reasons to say she can't go. And I want to be able to talk about the cruise in the house without looking over my shoulder, whispering!

I have to admit that I'm scared she will not be as appreciative as I'm hoping (I guess the youtube video showing those kids being disappointed that they are going to WDW and not Dick's House has freaked me out). Please wish us luck!

I hope you enjoy telling your DD tonight about the cruise! My DD has always been excited about our cruise news, but "shock" is a better way to describe her initial reaction...I've seen so many videos of kids jumping up and down and screaming when they find out they are going....not my girl...she has the deer in the headlights look - LOL. When it sinks in she gets VERY excited, jumps up and down and can't stop talking and thinking about it. The constant thinking about it is why we waited until just last weekend to tell her - ha ha! I've learned to accept that she's not going to be one of those kids that go wild when the news is broken. But I have to say that this year tears were not what I expected. And I'm talking good tears. She was soooo happy. She knew we had been considering the trip but I believe she had all but given up on our going. Please let us know how your DD reacts tonight and I hope you enjoy the "reveal" as much as she does! And yes, I have to say you will likely enjoy your trip preparations much more after she knows. This week I have been able to do things out in the open, like gaher stuff for packing...it's really relieved a lot of stress for me!