March 25, 2006- Anyone else?

[Minnie328]

4 of us snorkeled in Cozumel and only DW got the lice.

There's lice?!? Like, head lice?

 

[gimpeaux]

Minnie328 - No, not like head lice. In fact, not even lice at all. They are tiny jellyfish sometimes found in the Caribbean which can sting and cause a rash, and which are not so affectionately known as "sea lice." This thread from the DCL Forum FAQs tells you all about it, as well as a product called "Safe Sea" people can apply (with or without sunscreen) that repels them.

 

[minneapolismickey]

Thanks for the info on the lice, jellyfish and safe sea lotion. I'll buy it today. I do not need two little boys who are forever afraid of swimming in the ocean because of little jellyfish!

 

[lflynn]

Does anyone know the name of the place where the dolphin excursion is? I see it is booked through DCL but I was hoping I could call directly and make plans to go on my own.

 

[dlf246]

Does anyone know the name of the place where the dolphin excursion is? I see it is booked through DCL but I was hoping I could call directly and make plans to go on my own.

Keep in mind, I have not been to Costa Maya, but we have been researching heavily (I should join OA Overplanners anonymous)... and I think:
1) it takes place at a dolphinarium at Uvero Beach
2) the best way is to book through cruise line if you want certainty of a booking.
3) You can "walk up" at the Uvero Beach and get tickets.
4) DCL "Jungle Beach break" goes to Uvero Beach (but this does not guarantee dolphin excursion, and latter is paid separately)
5) I'm pretty sure the place does not allow direct online reservations because they have not set up for credit card.
6) (Now the sad news), within a few days of allowing Costa Maya excursions on DCL site for 3/25 cruise, the dolphin encounter (& observation) do not appear on excursions to reserve (you can add to "wish list" on general site... but I think that has no reserving function). Some, like myself, think DCL either did not set up the excursion for March cruisers, or there is a software glitch.

Hope this helps.. If anyone HAS made a reservation, please tell the rest of us how.

 

[geffric]

History of Castaway Cay.. http://outside.away.com/outside/magazine/0199/9901blackbeard.html

 

[myboysmom]

gimpeaux, your payment went into the mail this morning. Thanks again for your efforts in this area.

Does anyone know if you can pick up the "Safe Sea" at Florida drug stores? I really don't want to go running around looking for it up here. This sounds sort of like our wonderful "swimmers itch" that certain Wisconsin lakes are known for. Little snail larvae cause the itch, like the little jelly fish larvae do in this case.

 

[geffric]

Does anyone know if you can pick up the "Safe Sea" at Florida drug stores? I really don't want to go running around looking for it up here. .

I don't know about FL, but I found it at the local Dive shop here in NW suburban Chi.. you can also order it from the web at Drugstore.com http://www.drugstore.com/templates/brand/default.asp?brand=43844&aid=336064&aparam=xsp487744 or Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=pd_sl_aw_tops-1_blended_8565889_2/002-8889297-8288810?search-alias=aps&keywords=safe%20sea or Dive Shop at http://www.divesports.com/mall/safesea_safeseaspf30.asp

 

[gimpeaux]

One way I know you guys are great is that everyone who wanted wristbands has already let me know that your checks are or will be on their way today. Wow!!!

We just ordered our Safe Sea from drugstore.com last night. We got the kids SPF 30+ version for all of us. I couldn't tell what the difference between the kids version and the other version was except that the kids version says it is for "sensitive" skin. From what I've read on other threads, it goes on very thick, it must be applied an hour before going in the water, and you need to cover every part of yourself, including parts you wouldn't cover with sunscreen (if you get my drift....).

 

[minneapolismickey]

gimpeaux- I also dropped check in the mail today. Ditto on the thanks for all of your efforts. Looking forward to Ann Arbor conversation!

I ordered Safe sea last night off of the internet too. I "googled" safe sea and found the cheapest bottle with SPF 30 was less than $10. I think that amazon was a few dollars more, so may be worth a quick internet comparison.

I've been anxiously awaiting March to be here. We're almost there...

 

[geffric]

Bump.. how can we be on page 2???


This is IT!!! THE month for our cruise..


Four weeks from today... I will be rushing to finish up things for the qtr at work..suitcases will be out, lists made and remade and remade again. Clothes for the trip washed and staged..

I am sure that at least one of the boys will have a last minute crisis of some sort..

oh well... talk to ya soon..

 

[myboysmom]

I have already started the washing and sorting and double checking the lists!

I can't believe that today is March 1, 2006! Only a few more days (after counting down in years, and then months) until we are on our much awaited cruise.

 

[dlf246]

I am sure that at least one of the boys will have a last minute crisis of some sort

Oh, how I dread that possibility. The only thing a overplanner cannot plan...

As you can see from signature line below, this will be my 6th cruise, and we have yet to postpone due to illness, last minute crisis.... but that day will come. I hope it doesn't for anyone on this thread!!

 

[gimpeaux]

Hear, hear! Let's have good DIS karma for us all.

I am starting to realize it was much easier and more fun to come up with the list of what to take than it's going to be to pack it....

 

[gimpeaux]

If you have not yet ordered any of our one-of-a-kind neon-green wristbands, with "Disney 3/25/06 Magic" embossed in navy blue (or if you've decided you just need to have some more), we still have 6 left -- 2 adult and 4 medium. Just $2.40 each.

We apologize for this short commercial interruption, and now return you to our regularly scheduled cruise meet thread....

See you all in just 24 days!

 

[Minnie328]

I'm doing the March dance!!!!

You know, March is really a good month....... no more braces, a , and OUR CRUISE!

What more can you ask for?

 

[geffric]

So Minnie328 what is the first time you are gonna do when you get your braces off?? Eat an apple, eat some ribs, or go to DCL??

Tee Hee..

dlf246 i wasn't thinking about illness, that is banned from March 15 on.. (LOL) but Eric is famous for the 10 pm night before , oh I forgot XXX ( like this whole project that he had months to work on) and I have to have it 'cause it is due tomorrw at school-type of thing... oh well ..

Do we want to set up a time to chat in real time before we cruise? All we have to do it pick a time window and go to one of the DIS board chat rooms.. What do you think?

 

[geffric]

Check this out... post 24.. it is the wrist bands for the 4-29 cruise..

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=656727&page=162&pp=15


Woo HOO ... ours is sooooo much closer...

 

[Minnie328]

Geffric-- hmm...I guess the first thing I'll be doing is going back to school , but right after that I'll be on the Magic...

 

[myboysmom]

For those of you traveling NWA. I saw this in the Star Tribune:

A traveler's guide to anticipating a strike
Kara McGuire, Star Tribune
Last update: March 01, 2006 – 9:15 PM

Q What if Northwest Airlines' pilots strike?A An overwhelming majority of NWA pilots have authorized a strike if the airline follows through with its pay cut and other workplace changes. Today, a bankruptcy judge is expected to rule on the company's request to void the flight attendants' and pilots' labor contracts. If the judge throws out the pilots' contract and the union strikes, Northwest would try to block the strike.

But it's unlikely that the pilots would go on strike immediately after a judge's order. A waiting period of five to seven days is common, said Terry Zats, owner of Carlson Companies franchise Village Travel in St. Paul. He's seen his share of strikes during his 27 years in the business.

Q What happens if I have a flight booked on Northwest Airlines?
A Travel agents will honor your booking and find you a new flight, Zats said.

Even so, "there's just not enough empty seats to put everybody" on other flights, said John Rose, president of Marathon Travel in Stevens Point, Wis. Travelers won't be out of luck, but they probably won't get where they want to be on time, he said.

Q Can I get a refund?
A Northwest's responsibility is to refund the unused portion of the ticket, even if it's a nonrefundable one, provided you can't fly through no fault of your own.

If you're having trouble getting a refund from the airline and you paid with a credit card, your refund is protected by federal credit laws. Write to your credit card company within 60 days of the first monthly statement showing the charge for the airline ticket and the card company should credit your account even if the airline doesn't, according to the Department of Transportation's Aviation Consumer Protection's website (http://airconsumer .ost.dot.gov).

Q Can I fly on another airline using my Northwest ticket?A Check with Northwest's partner airlines American, Continental, Delta, Hawaiian or KLM first, although changing your ticket to one of these airlines could cost you.

During past strikes, other carriers have also honored Northwest tickets, depending on availability. Expect it to cost you $50 each way.

Q Is my winter getaway package safe?
A You may get to your destination later. A disappointment, but not a disaster, unless, say, your destination is a cruise ship. If you purchased your airfare separately and your ship sails within two to three weeks of the strike's start, it may be wise to look into a new flight, Rose said. If it's part of a package, whoever sold you the package should take care of it.

Q What about travel insurance?

A If you purchased travel insurance before the pilots' vote authorizing a strike, then your ticket should be safe. "If you went out and said, 'Wow, I'm concerned, I'm going to buy travel insurance now, just in case there's a strike,' well, that doesn't fly," said Dan McGinnity, vice president of Travel Guard trip insurance.

Q What if I'm planning a vacation and want to fly Northwest?

A Rose and Zats are confident that a pilot strike won't happen. "There's too much to lose for the public, airline employees and the Twin Cities area," Zats said.

The fact that the carrier is in bankruptcy makes the chance of a strike even less likely, Rose said. Is he still booking Northwest flights for their customers? "Absolutely," he said.


KARA MCGUIRE