March 15-22, 2008 Eastern - Way-Way Early Check In

[Gretel]

Do I need passports for this cruise?

Family of four
Mark
Lisa
Caitlin
Emilee

 

[cozit]

Do I need passports for this cruise?

Family of four
Mark
Lisa
Caitlin
Emilee

Technically? I think that the government postponed that requirement again... *but* they've been warning that they would start to require it for over a year now, so they *could* put that requirement into effect at any time.

You're better off having them and not needing them than risking the rule changing between now and the trip. (http://americanpassport.com/wha.html)

It took my husband two weeks or less to get his replacement passport when he paid for the expidited service.

 

[carolmp]

Gretel,

Welcome to the group! Where in Minnesota are you from? We live in Woodbury.

Carol

 

[Gretel]

We are in Andover, where it is snowing!!!!! I can't wait to get out of the cold and snow!

 

[limati]

Happy Valentine's Day everyone. Hope everyone has a great day. Welcome aboard Gretel.

Lisa

 

[wrightz05]

This time next month I will be somewhere between Pensacola, FL and Port Canaveral!!!!!!

 

[lizg123]

Here's another question from a first time cruiser. Do many of you use the passport holders that hang from your neck? That seems like it might be useful but may be irritating to wear for a long time. What are your thoughts on this?
Thanks.
LizG

 

[carolmp]

Well, I get a headache wearing my work id on a lanyard around my neck, so I'm thinking the passport would be even heavier.

I'm just planning on carrying our passports in my purse while we are travelling to the ship, and then putting them in the safe once we are on the ship. It is my understanding that we don't actually need them on the islands (unless, of course, we miss the ship, where we will then need them to fly to wherever to meet up with the ship. But I'm not planning on missing the ship.) Somebody said that they make copies of their passports and keep those with them while on the island, but I don't know if that is even necessary. I will be bringing my driver's license with me as an alternate photo id.

 

[lizg123]

Have you looked at the shuttle launch page recently? The shuttle launches on the 11th but an Atlas 5 Rocket will launch on Friday, 3/21 at 5:46 p.m. Is there any way we will be able to see it on Castaway Key? (that is if we remember to look for it!) I wish it launched Sat. am.
Here's the website for it:
http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/launches/launchDetails.asp?calendarId=362

Liz G

 

[carolmp]

Maybe if we're lucky, the shuttle launch will be delayed until say, Saturday the 15th....

 

[limati]

That would be too cool Carol. My husband would absolutely love that. He watches the NASA channel when they are in space. We toured Kennedy Space center a few years back. It was awesome.

 

[julie t]

My DD12 is very excited about the possibility of seeing the launch. I hope it is possible. The website states it is set for 5:46 so we should be back on the ship.

Julie

 

[cozit]

Maybe if we're lucky, the shuttle launch will be delayed until say, Saturday the 15th....

You never know... I didn't realize they were going up so quickly/often this winter! One just went up, so I figured there wasn't a chance.

OTOH, I know that there was often at least a week between attempts if one was scrubbed (even if for weather) as of about 5-6 years ago when I had a friend who was working on the computer/tech side of things up here.

Fingers crossed - you never know, maybe we'll get lucky with one or the other.


(one month from right now I'll be tossing the last few odds and ends into the carry-ons, getting ready to head to the airport!!!!)

 

[cozit]

Well, I get a headache wearing my work id on a lanyard around my neck, so I'm thinking the passport would be even heavier.

I'm just planning on carrying our passports in my purse while we are travelling to the ship, and then putting them in the safe once we are on the ship. It is my understanding that we don't actually need them on the islands (unless, of course, we miss the ship, where we will then need them to fly to wherever to meet up with the ship. But I'm not planning on missing the ship.) Somebody said that they make copies of their passports and keep those with them while on the island, but I don't know if that is even necessary. I will be bringing my driver's license with me as an alternate photo id.

I know we needed to show something when we went through the small customs area in Nassau several years ago - but I think it's only the key on board, as IIRC they have the picture displaying software that seems to be almost universal on ships now.

I'll have both anyway. Last time I know we left the birth certificates (and the lone passport) in the safe the whole trip... and only carried the drivers licenses when in Nassau.

 

[happymommy]

Now I'm wondering... Do we need our passports to duty-free shop in St. Maarten or St. Thomas? Or are there duty free shops? The booze is so super cheap - it's about the price for one drink, so it would be cheap even if you bought a bottle of something and only drank a little bit (I like Grey Goose and we got a bottle in the San Juan airport once, we did manage to finish it at Peter Island though!). Rum was only about $7 a bottle, the vodka was only a little less than at home, but I prefer that if I have a drink.
Otherwise, we would leave our passports in the safe in the cabin. I think that it would look silly to hang it around your neck. I carry a purse or backpack anyway.

 

[nlm]

We're having trouble finding Bonine for Kids at a brick & mortar store. CVS & Walgreens have said Bonine for Kids was discontinued, but I'm able to find it at other stores online. I think CVS & Walgreens might have discontinued stocking it in their store - not that the manufacturer discontinued making it!

Anyone else having any luck finding the kids version? Think I'd be safe buying it online?

 

[swilphil]

I bought Bonine for Kids at our local CVS last month. It may have even been on sale. I haven't found Bonine for adults yet, but I haven't looked that hard.

 

[disneycrazy2004]

Can't wait to go cruising We just watched the DVD for the third time and all of us are getting so excited. it is my DH 50th birthday and we hope to make it very special. the kids DS 10 and DD 7 are on a serious countdown. Any suggestion for a great birthday party? thanks

 

[nlm]

I bought Bonine for Kids at our local CVS last month. It may have even been on sale. I haven't found Bonine for adults yet, but I haven't looked that hard.

Thanks Sherri! I thought it was just limited to one store or a chain not carrying it anymore, and not that it was completely discontinued by the manufacturer.

Rather than drive around trying to find it, I'm just going to buy it online.

Nancy

BTW - I've heard that Costco has a generic Bonine for adults that is really inexpensive.

 

[cozit]

Thanks Sherri! I thought it was just limited to one store or a chain not carrying it anymore, and not that it was completely discontinued by the manufacturer.

Rather than drive around trying to find it, I'm just going to buy it online.

Nancy

BTW - I've heard that Costco has a generic Bonine for adults that is really inexpensive.

Thanks for the reminder! I keep forgetting to get the meds... which I *know* from experience would be a *very* bad thing.

Last time I looked I found two empty cartons of Dramamine and one of the less-drowsy (aka Bonine) Dramamine... sigh, Target doesn't re-stock properly apparently... there's *no* way that many should have sold out in a day or two.

Going to use my fingers and phone to do the hunting. Hmm... maybe starting right now... fingers crossed (which might just slow me down