May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!! Part 2

[calmom]

This makes me so happy. I know how frustrated you were. I want you teo tell us the story on how you git it fixed!!

It had been so frustrating - to quickly recap: I was on the Magic Jan. 20 sailing and we filled out a fax request. I requested a suite for panama canal. I called on Monday the 29th and the 30th to make sure they knew I would take two connecting cabins as well. When I called at 5am PST on the 31 to see what IC had done, they still had me as waitlisted (so the OBC/discount was tied to the waitlist reservation). The CM told me IC was still making calls so we made two new reservations for connecting 9's. He said I could call later to transfer it (the discount/credit) over after seeing if IC ended up calling. By 3:30 that day, I had read enough on these boards to know there was no way I was getting a suite and I called back (on the 31st) to do the transfer. I was told I couldn't b/c there was only gty available. Over the past two weeks, I have spoken to just about every DCL superviser with no luck. One, named Heidi, was so rude. When I told her how I was on the phone at 5am to ensure I got my reservation, she told me that was impossible since the phones didn't open until 8am. I had just about given up when my sister called my on the 14 of Feb. She as well was on the Jan. 20 sailing and she had requested the EB panama. She said she never heard from DCL so she just called and DCL forgot to book her. She then proceeded to tell me that a supervisor got her -on Feb. 14 - two connecting 8's on the EB with 1/31 pricing and the OBC/discount. JUST LIKE THAT! Well, that sent me over the edge. I wrote a pretty pointed email/letter - just crazy how 10 supervisors told me it "couldn't be done" and then on Feb. 14 - on a SOLD OUT CRUISE - my sister got the 2 cabins at first tier pricing because they saw they "made a mistake." Thanks again Lisa for trying to help. I'm just so relieved as we could really use the extra discount/OBC.
Lisa

 

[calmom]

\

I spent an extra few hours at SJC this morning because of the fog. My SWA flight which was suppose to depart at 8:05 AM didn't leave until 10:30 AM. I have been gambling all day and am about $5K and 2 1099's ahead. Got to pay for this cruise!! We will be skiing at Squaw over the weekend. DH flies in 10PM tonight so we go to Squaw in AM. Hate the drive in winter!!

Flying was so smart! It took us 6 1/2 hours to get to Old Greenwood in Northstar. $5K up? That is great. What is 2 1099's??

Have fun! Lisa

 

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

Well, I want to share with everyone the plans I just made for my summer...
I'm going to Hawaii! I've only been once before, about 20 yrs. ago, and I was only there for 2 1/2 days (my brother's wedding). I've always wanted to go back and I've wanted to dive there--so in May I get to do both! We'll be cruising over Memorial Day weekend (7 days).

My friend & I are going on the NCL Pride Of Aloha, which stops at Kauai, Hilo, Kona and Maui and we'll dive at each stop except Hilo. We're doing the cheapest category so the price is really reasonable, I think, for being able to island-hop, get in some dives and only have to unpack once.

BTW, I didn't know (until I looked it up on Cruise Critic) that there apparently were problems with food and service when the ship was launched in 04. It sounds like things have straightened out now, according to the article I read.

Has anyone here been on Pride Of Aloha or know anything about it?

 

[been2marceline]

I too have had allergies my whole life. I think the Midwest is probably a terrible place to live if you have them. I tried the shots - and maybe it was my inconsistency with them that did not work. Never seemed to help. All I ended up with was a big bump on my arm every time I got one that got all warm!

These days I am just used to being stuffed up most of the time. Claritin doesn't help. Zyrtec makes me nutty (I don't even drink coffee often) and gives me funny dreams. Flonase seems to help a bit if I do it regularly. I usually don't do much until the "heavy" spring/fall season.

The shots didn't work for me either. I had very bad reactions to them and ended up having to take benadryl again with them and tons fo scar tissue in both of my upper arms.

I have been very lucky with the Claritin and the Nasacort. However, we are having a pseudo spring and my allergies have been flairing up the last few days. We always seem to have this false spring in California in February; all of the fruit trees bloom and it is so lovely for a few days, (77 today!) And then we get hit with a very winter like storm and all of the blooms get blown all over the place! We do need the rain tho'

But today was lovely!!

Karen, wife of been2marceline

 

[tigger137]

How are you dealing with the airfare. My GF is a TA and we were looking at it and could afford the cruise, but not the airfare!!

Pity those of us who have to pay transatlantic airfares for EVERY cruise or trip to WDW!

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

I don't know...18 months to convince yourself that you have pirate size naughty bits instead of mickey mouse size naughty bits and wanting to have 500k posts sounds like are trying to make up for something they lack...

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

Well, I want to share with everyone the plans I just made for my summer...
I'm going to Hawaii! I've only been once before, about 20 yrs. ago, and I was only there for 2 1/2 days (my brother's wedding). I've always wanted to go back and I've wanted to dive there--so in May I get to do both! We'll be cruising over Memorial Day weekend (7 days).

My friend & I are going on the NCL Pride Of Aloha, which stops at Kauai, Hilo, Kona and Maui and we'll dive at each stop except Hilo. We're doing the cheapest category so the price is really reasonable, I think, for being able to island-hop, get in some dives and only have to unpack once.

BTW, I didn't know (until I looked it up on Cruise Critic) that there apparently were problems with food and service when the ship was launched in 04. It sounds like things have straightened out now, according to the article I read.

Has anyone here been on Pride Of Aloha or know anything about it?

Enjoy your trip!

 

[ibouncetoo]

I don't know...18 months to convince yourself that you have pirate size naughty bits instead of mickey mouse size naughty bits and wanting to have 500k posts sounds like are trying to make up for something they lack...

I just don't get the zillion posts thing!

 

[disneylover5]

I have several Mickey watches - but keep looking for a "perfect" one. I want a traditional one with the Mickey arms that move, but not cheap. I have had trouble finding one that I really like. Most of the non-cheap ones (my everday watch is a Citizen Eco-drive) like the Citizen ones just have Mickey on them, but not the moving arms. I also want it to be fairly waterproof for swimming - as I don't like to take it off at the pool. If anyone finds one like that, let me know!

I love searching this kind of stuff out. I will be on the lookout!!

Ohhhhh . . . I will have to sneak over there sometime.

That will just kill them, if someone from here got the 25,000 or 30,000. I don't like that thread very much.....this is so much more fun!!

What???? A government worker who was slow!?!?!?!?! When did this start happening? Geez, next thing you know, going to the DMV will be a major undertaking!!!

Imagine our lives....living in DC

Hey thanks, I'll look into that. I probably would like to have a room to shower in before going back to the boat. That's a great price. I would need two rooms to cover seven people. I'll check out TravelZoo.

Travelzoo only offers these special rate 4-8 weeks before when they are not booked......There are always day rooms as well

I don't know...18 months to convince yourself that you have pirate size naughty bits instead of mickey mouse size naughty bits and wanting to have 500k posts sounds like are trying to make up for something they lack...

Again, exactly why I am on this thread instead of that one!!!

It had been so frustrating - to quickly recap: I was on the Magic Jan. 20 sailing and we filled out a fax request. I requested a suite for panama canal. I called on Monday the 29th and the 30th to make sure they knew I would take two connecting cabins as well. When I called at 5am PST on the 31 to see what IC had done, they still had me as waitlisted (so the OBC/discount was tied to the waitlist reservation). The CM told me IC was still making calls so we made two new reservations for connecting 9's. He said I could call later to transfer it (the discount/credit) over after seeing if IC ended up calling. By 3:30 that day, I had read enough on these boards to know there was no way I was getting a suite and I called back (on the 31st) to do the transfer. I was told I couldn't b/c there was only gty available. Over the past two weeks, I have spoken to just about every DCL superviser with no luck. One, named Heidi, was so rude. When I told her how I was on the phone at 5am to ensure I got my reservation, she told me that was impossible since the phones didn't open until 8am. I had just about given up when my sister called my on the 14 of Feb. She as well was on the Jan. 20 sailing and she had requested the EB panama. She said she never heard from DCL so she just called and DCL forgot to book her. She then proceeded to tell me that a supervisor got her -on Feb. 14 - two connecting 8's on the EB with 1/31 pricing and the OBC/discount. JUST LIKE THAT! Well, that sent me over the edge. I wrote a pretty pointed email/letter - just crazy how 10 supervisors told me it "couldn't be done" and then on Feb. 14 - on a SOLD OUT CRUISE - my sister got the 2 cabins at first tier pricing because they saw they "made a mistake." Thanks again Lisa for trying to help. I'm just so relieved as we could really use the extra discount/OBC.
Lisa

So, you still have the 2 staterooms, CAT 9....but now with the OBC and 10% discount?? AWESOME!! I know what a big difference it makes. I am so happy for you!!!!

 

[Bobbybear68]

Well, I want to share with everyone the plans I just made for my summer...
I'm going to Hawaii! I've only been once before, about 20 yrs. ago, and I was only there for 2 1/2 days (my brother's wedding). I've always wanted to go back and I've wanted to dive there--so in May I get to do both! We'll be cruising over Memorial Day weekend (7 days).

My friend & I are going on the NCL Pride Of Aloha, which stops at Kauai, Hilo, Kona and Maui and we'll dive at each stop except Hilo. We're doing the cheapest category so the price is really reasonable, I think, for being able to island-hop, get in some dives and only have to unpack once.

BTW, I didn't know (until I looked it up on Cruise Critic) that there apparently were problems with food and service when the ship was launched in 04. It sounds like things have straightened out now, according to the article I read.

Has anyone here been on Pride Of Aloha or know anything about it?

We sailed on the Pride of Aloha in October of 2004. We had read all about all the problems with service and such from the people on cruisecritic and were wary. But we had the best time. Service was great. People were friendly. It was our first trip to Hawaii and I don't regret sailing on the Pride one moment. NCL freestyle cruising is definitely different, but I thought it worked well with the Hawaii cruise.

 

[chunkster20uk]

Just to let you know that my wife UKANGEL hasn't forgotten you all, she is rather unwell, I had to take her to hospital yesterday. She is back at home and I am sure she will get back on here as soon as she can.

 

[grlzmom]

Anyone out there who has done a 3 or 4 night cruise to Nassau and went on property at Atlantis? We're doing it with the family this Halloween and would like some help geting info on what the best way to do this would be. Do we need to get a room at the hotel? I've heard that Disney excursions don't let you access every area at Atlantis!?!

The other cruise thread is only 5 pages and no one seems to know. So I'm asking here because DISers Know Best!

Thanks.

We rented rooms at Atlantis when we sailed on 1/14/07 Wonder. We kept checking for the best rates and at the last minute got a special through Travelzoo for 159 per room per night (four persons per room). Somehow we got lucky and they didnt charge any taxes or resort fees as these usually add quite a bit to the room total (others on our cruise were charged the high tax and 10 per person housekeeping fee). These rooms were nonrefundable, so if for some reason the ship didnt dock, we would have been out the money. We booked the week before sailing.

We were off the ship early and to Atlantis by about 9:30. Took taxis which cost 4 per person each way. No problems getting there or getting back. The kids loved the slides, dig, etc. Food was expensive and you cant pay cash, room charge only (we brought snacks - chips, cookies, etc. with us). We stayed until about 5 and the kids actually went to the rooms to shower and change. We were surprised, the rooms were filthy and not all I expected (dingy worn carpet, etc.).

I have read that you can now buy day passes to Atlantis for about 85 per person. However our rate worked out much better.

We would definately consider doing it again.

 

[pjpoohbear]

Just to let you know that my wife UKANGEL hasn't forgotten you all, she is rather unwell, I had to take her to hospital yesterday. She is back at home and I am sure she will get back on here as soon as she can.

Wish her well for us!

Pj

 

[tiggerhappy]

Just an fyi for those that have a passport renewal in 2008...

From the http://travel.state.gov/passport site:

Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip and/or have two to four blank visa/stamp pages. Some airlines will not allow you to board if these requirements are not met.


I've not been able to find that list of countries requiring this, but thought the info needed to be shared.

 

[disneylover5]

Looks like our Eastbound Pirates got in a little trouble....no 500,000 posts for them if this continues!!

Originally Posted by lbgraves
Please don't skim this since my mod hat is on temporarily this morning.

OK...good morning everyone first of all. Although the good natured joking around here is fine, there seems to be a lot more posts containing sexual innuendo lately. I know that most of these references are the result of typos that were difficult to resist commenting on and noone has set out to make explicit comments however this has led to threads being closed in the past. We do have to remember that the DIS boards are considered to be a family board. I know that both of my kids will sit with me looking at the pictures but now DS & DD can read and they will ask questions about what something means. Many have posted that their kids also look at the boards with them. I know that this is one thing that I like about the DIS boards. Just ask yourself if you would want to explain something read here to your child...no matter what age they are.

Thank you and now back to the fun of catching up from last night!

 

[ibouncetoo]

Well, I want to share with everyone the plans I just made for my summer...
I'm going to Hawaii!

Congrats! Sounds like great fun!

Just to let you know that my wife UKANGEL hasn't forgotten you all, she is rather unwell, I had to take her to hospital yesterday. She is back at home and I am sure she will get back on here as soon as she can.

Tell her we're all wising her a speedy recovery!

 

[pahrumpgirl]

First, goodmorning one and all. Congratulations to the new baby and hope that all that are feeling , get better soon.

DH and I have gotten the material and will definately start on the fish extenders this week. The differences this time are white backs and black and red pockets. We looked for other Disney fabric but didn't find anything we liked as well so went with the same. They do not make a yellow Duck cloth, let alone a Mickey yellow so the bias tape had to be the same.

I have also put together some instructions on how to make them and have sent them to PJ to be put on the web site. So, anyone wanting to know how I make mine can find the instructions there. If you are unsure about something please feel free to PM or email me and I will be happy to try and make it clearer.

For those 18 people on our list, I will PM you as I finish yours and let you what I will need in order to get them to you.

It is snowing here again today. UGH! But it is supposed to be in the 50's by next weekend. That is good news. But we will wait and see.

Hope everyone has a great weekend

 

[granmaz]

Just to let you know that my wife UKANGEL hasn't forgotten you all, she is rather unwell, I had to take her to hospital yesterday. She is back at home and I am sure she will get back on here as soon as she can.

I had missed her!!!! Sorry she is ill. Hope she is better soon.

 

[grlzmom]

I still dont have an invite to the other side, but would love it if someone would invite me.

 

[disneylover5]

I still dont have an invite to the other side, but would love it if someone would invite me.

I don't understand?