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

[lillygator]

do you guys think the wine package is worth it?

 

[ibouncetoo]

How is Cheri? Tell her we miss her.

.

We've been playing phone tag...but we're having dinner on Tuesday night. I'll nag her about posting!

When we were at DCA last May, my 15 year old daughter and her friend did TOT 13 times in a row! I stayed outside and took pictures everytime as they ran off and ran back on to go again! They completed 13 trips in just a little over 2 hours!

SHE'S BAAAAAAACK.........

 

[fourmcds]

do you guys think the wine package is worth it?

I think it is a bit overpriced (if I remember correctly), but this year we considered splitting it with our tablemates and making it more realistic. The nice thing about it is that the wine will follow you if you don't finish it. I think Scott just bought 1 bottle of wine for our first cruise and it lasted all 3 dinners. This time, we'll probably do the smaller wine package and see how it does. I haven't really looked into it in a while, as far as prices, kinds, etc...but it certainly makes it easier. Karen...or anyone who may know...are you allowed to bring your own bottle of wine to dinner? Do they charge a corkage fee or anything? If you can do that, that might be the best deal...

 

[gydell]

For those who have done the repo's in the past...what type of special things do they have for sale? I remember the first PC cruise people were sleeping out in line waiting to get pins. Did they change policies and such now so it isn't as much of an issue? I would probably want a full set of any special pins they have (actually both girls would want a set, so make that 2). Drinks, we'll probably do a wine package with dinner and then hopefully have our own stuff with an occasional drink in the clubs. DCL doesn't monitor what you bring on in ports, do they? They just monitor what you bring off when disembarking, right? (ok, now I sound like a heavy drinker, which we are not, just wondering)

They had forms in our rooms to fill out if we wanted any of the pins. First forms turned in got pins. I think there was a limit.

 

[lillygator]

I think you can bring a glass with you but if you bring the bottle it's like $15 corkage fee.

 

[granmaz]

Anybody going to pay tips before the cruise? That could help with budgeting. John wants to use the onboard credit, but I think I would be penny pinching then about spending anything else on the cruise. We had an odd glass of wine in December, but we don't drink other that that. I imagine the wine packages will be a bit different for our cruise, but for us I think buying a glass when we want one will be better value.

Shutters was a problem as I know I will want some photos, but John won't - well probably only one and that will cause an arguement!! I got 2 last time(after much discussion and annoyance on my part) and one is framed and one is in a box and I wish I hadn't persuaded John to get that 2nd one!!!

 

[figment52]

No expert here Marilyn, but I would not miss the Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Space Mountain, and the Matterhorn. Many others are different, but I personally found these better - and there is no Matterhorn in WDW. I also enjoyed California Screamin at CA.

The one other thing at CA that I would definitely see is the Alladin show. It was awesome. If you have time, the other duplicates are fun for comparison, and I liked Nemo too, but the line was sooooo long - and no FP.

How did I do Californians?

That is an understatment. That show is a "don't miss." I wish they would bring it to Florida.

 

[lillygator]

Anybody going to pay tips before the cruise? That could help with budgeting. John wants to use the onboard credit, but I think I would be penny pinching then about spending anything else on the cruise. We had an odd glass of wine in December, but we don't drink other that that. I imagine the wine packages will be a bit different for our cruise, but for us I think buying a glass when we want one will be better value.

Shutters was a problem as I know I will want some photos, but John won't - well probably only one and that will cause an arguement!! I got 2 last time(after much discussion and annoyance on my part) and one is framed and one is in a box and I wish I hadn't persuaded John to get that 2nd one!!!

I plan on paying for the tips ahead of time and have it out of the way. I wonder though, do they still give you slips of paper to put in the tip envelopes?

 

[lillygator]

That is an understatment. That show is a "don't miss." I wish they would bring it to Florida.

how long is the show and is it run all day?
What's so special about the front row?

 

[gydell]

Shutters was a problem as I know I will want some photos

We usually buy the largest package they have! We are going to try and cut down this year since Brent is not as interested in the characters. But I am sure we will be buying some!

 

[fourmcds]

They had forms in our rooms to fill out if we wanted any of the pins. First forms turned in got pins. I think there was a limit.

Thanks! That certainly sounds a lot easier than sleeping out in the hallway

I think you can bring a glass with you but if you bring the bottle it's like $15 corkage fee.

well, 15.00 fee per bottle isn't that bad. Hmmm, now I wonder what to do. I'll have to go back to budget/planning and rethink all of this!

Anybody going to pay tips before the cruise? That could help with budgeting. John wants to use the onboard credit, but I think I would be penny pinching then about spending anything else on the cruise. We had an odd glass of wine in December, but we don't drink other that that. I imagine the wine packages will be a bit different for our cruise, but for us I think buying a glass when we want one will be better value.

Shutters was a problem as I know I will want some photos, but John won't - well probably only one and that will cause an arguement!! I got 2 last time(after much discussion and annoyance on my part) and one is framed and one is in a box and I wish I hadn't persuaded John to get that 2nd one!!!

I don't know if we are prepaying the tips, but we are going to try and make sure that we have enough in our account to cover tips and other things we plan on doing on board. My goal is to get off the ship without having to charge anything!

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Lisa/Calmom....thanks for cleaning out some PMs.....I was able to send mine to you now. I know how it gets filled up quickly. I had all my many lists saved in mine.....had to delete them. I made printed copies and saved them in my email folder.....just in case there is a question later.

Kaylee.....those are truly words of inspiration and wisdom.....thanks so very much Kaylee.

I feel good enough to do my treadmill today!

Way better day than yesterday!

 

[fourmcds]

how long is the show and is it run all day?
What's so special about the front row?

I think it runs like most stage shows, a few times through the day. I can't answer the front one question, but it really was a great show. Just very entertaining with great effects and such. One of the best Disney stage shows we have seen in the parks (Lion King on Broadway certainly was the best). Speaking of shows....does anyone else like the "opening act" for Beauty and the Beast at MGM (or Hollywood Studios)? We often pop in just to see that part and then leave before the real show starts.

 

[fourmcds]

Lisa/Calmom....thanks for cleaning out some PMs.....I was able to send mine to you now. I know how it gets filled up quickly. I had all my many lists saved in mine.....had to delete them. I made printed copies and saved them in my email folder.....just in case there is a question later.

Kaylee.....those are truly words of inspiration and wisdom.....thanks so very much Kaylee.

I feel good enough to do my treadmill today!

Way better day than yesterday!

You are very welcome!

Now, can I motivate myself to get on that treadmill?! I did make it to my tap class this am and boy our routine this year is a killer, so that will be good. At least once a week I'll get a good workout.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

We usually buy the largest package they have! We are going to try and cut down this year since Brent is not as interested in the characters. But I am sure we will be buying some!

I always buy the $200 package and upgrade to the $300 package....always! I should just buy the $300 one, but I always try to lessen the pics I take and then when I see them, I have to have them and end up adding on.

Even though we have done 5 cruises now, I still love all my different pics with each different outfit and people and days. I have the album and I have lots of loose photos, but I wouldn't give them up for anything. Every once in a while I look at them all and just go ahhhhhhhhh! I will definitely get the $300 package to start with on this cruise.

 

[HollyTyler]

I know it has been a long time since I have been on the boards and you probably think we have canceled our trip. This is not so. I am afraid that I have been dealing with a pretty bad case of depression and have not been up to doing much of anything. I just wanted everyone to know that I am getting it under control and hope to be back to my old self before long. I want those that have stated interest in Fish Extenders to know that I will be starting to sew again very soon and have not forgotten them if they want one. Hopefully I can get myself to sit down at the sewing machine in the next couple of weeks.

To those on my Fish Extender committee I have not forgotten that either if it is still being done. I will try and get some information together soon.

I haven't even felt like reading the boards and after finding out all the pages I have missed I will not be trying to get caught up but will try and stay caught up from now on. If I have missed anything of importance I hope that someone will PM me and let me know.

Carol

Take care of yourself and know we're all thinking of you here.

 

[granmaz]

Gydell, was it you who said which of the 2 excursions to see the divers in Acapulco would be the best one? Can you remind me?

I think we will do that one and something in Cabo. Other than those we will just walk off the ship in Aruba and Puerta Vallarta. Well, I am still pondering a zip line, but in all honesty I don't think that will happen!!!

 

[gydell]

I always buy the $200 package and upgrade to the $300 package....always! I should just buy the $300 one, but I always try to lessen the pics I take and then when I see them, I have to have them and end up adding on.

Even though we have done 5 cruises now, I still love all my different pics with each different outfit and people and days. I have the album and I have lots of loose photos, but I wouldn't give them up for anything. Every once in a while I look at them all and just go ahhhhhhhhh! I will definitely get the $300 package to start with on this cruise.

Yeap, that's us and then we add 8x10s to it!

 

[gydell]

Gydell, was it you who said which of the 2 excursions to see the divers in Acapulco would be the best one? Can you remind me?

I think we will do that one and something in Cabo. Other than those we will just walk off the ship in Aruba and Puerta Vallarta. Well, I am still pondering a zip line, but in all honesty I don't think that will happen!!!

The cliff divers is the one at La Perla's or the restuarant.

I am signing my DD up for the zip-line in PV. She has always wanted to do it but doesn't get the chance.

 

[lillygator]

well, they will take photos with your own camera as well won't they?
I'm sure we'll end up with too many.
Kaylee, I too, hope to walk off the ship with no charges but, we'll see what happens. I just wonder how much actual cash to bring. I am so used to using my debit card for everything and I hate carrying cash, but I figure spending money for each port....(cabs, etc).....I am not sure if the restaurants take cc's.