May 13.2006 Eastern

[DrCavin]

This thread is difficult to find, so I had to subscribe to it. Now if we keep posting to it, it will should be on the first page

Everyone have their passports yet? We will be sending our info in shortly.....

 

[Piglet_Pooh99]

Very excited to say that we will be on this cruise!! Our first dis cruise was in May 2002 for our honeymoon. I've been waiting to go back everysince we docked the last time. This trip will be for our 4 year anniversary. We were in a category 9 last time and loved it, however I really wanted to spoil us this time so we are staying in a 1 bedroom suite. room 8548 yeah category 3!! I'm soooo excited!!! Even though we now have two little ones, my parents will be coming down to babysitte while we go just the two of us. They are too young to allow us to enjoy it anyways. Can't wait to keep in touch with you guys! Have a great day!

 

[DeeCeeSW]

My DH and I both need to renew and I would like to send them in sooner than later, so we will go to our local library on Sunday to drop off our applications. They take pics there too ($8 for the 2). Our DS's passport expires 7/06, so we can still use his, even though his pic was taken at 4 months old!

 

[SQUIGGLE]

Welcome to our group Piglet_Pooh99. Will you be celebrating your anniversary while on the cruise?
We've had our passports for a while. Has anyone heard "officially" from DCL or TA that we need them? A friend going to Cancun in November was told by TA it would be a good idea to get them now.

Everyone take care.

fran

 

[DrCavin]

Welcome to our group Piglet_Pooh99. Will you be celebrating your anniversary while on the cruise?
We've had our passports for a while. Has anyone heard "officially" from DCL or TA that we need them? A friend going to Cancun in November was told by TA it would be a good idea to get them now.

Everyone take care.

fran

All Seasons Travel sent us an email about a month ago or so indicating that we will need them. I have been reading on the Aruba bullentin board lately because of the Natalee case & that board has a sticky post at the top stating passports will be required in 2006. I do not know why DCL has not posted something more informative about it, they basically state that it is the cruisers responsibility to know what documentation will be required.

We will see many people whining once the deadline approaches & they "just realized" they have to have passports for everyone...

 

[Piglet_Pooh99]

Yes it is confirmed that as of December 31st 2005 passports will be required for all cruise/air travel to and from the Carribbean, Bermuda, Central America, and South America.

As of December 31st 2006 you will be required to have a passport for all travel via air and sea to or from Mexico and Canada

As of December 31st 2007 passports will be required for all land, air, and sea border crossings.

I think the 3rd one will have the biggest effect. I'm from Port Huron, MI and the Blue Water Bridge is there to cross over to Sarnia, Canada. We would go over there all the time just to have dinner and to many people there.

Well I hope I could be of some help to everyone. I am a travel agent on the side so I got the inside scoupe as soon as it was released. When I booked this trip the Disney agent informed me of the new rules and then a day later I got the email defining the new rules from my travel agency I work for.

And to answer your question, yes we will be celebrating our anniversary on board. Its May 18th! And did I read one of your posts correctly that Mothers day also falls while we are cruising? How awesome is that! Well I hope you all have a great day!

Katie

 

[SQUIGGLE]

I'm wondering what the new Passport rules will mean for anyone close to borders. I know a lot of people from Florida just take their boats over to the Bahamas for the weekend; some even fly over for the day.
Yes, Sunday, May 14 is Mother's Day. I'm sure happy with my present!

fran

 

[DrCavin]

I'm wondering what the new Passport rules will mean for anyone close to borders. I know a lot of people from Florida just take their boats over to the Bahamas for the weekend; some even fly over for the day.
Yes, Sunday, May 14 is Mother's Day. I'm sure happy with my present!

fran

I guess if they currently have to show someone a bc/photo-id, then they will have to present a passport. At least they can say that they would be using them frequently, its the people who only plan on doing a Disney cruise that kind-of get in a hard position to justify. For us it will be close to $400+, which comes out to be about 10% of our cruise cost.

I am actually surprised it has taken the US this long to require passports & has spoiled many travelers.

Somehow I don't think I will have it so easy for Mothers day by saying, well I brought you on the cruise what more do you want? I guess I will have to order room service & pass it off as me making breakfast in bed

Wonder if DCL will have something special for all the Moms on the cruise?

I bet Palo reservations & brunch will go quick that day!!

How many first-time DCL cruisers do we have? This will be our second DCL cruise.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

I was hoping to have brunch at Palo on Mother's Day. I think you are right, it will fill up quickly. This is our first DCL cruise. We booked in January, cancelled in March bc we decided to take another trip to WDW this October, had remorse, then booked again in May. Amazingly, I was able to get the same cabin I had originally requested, and the cost is actually LOWER. I don't know how that happened, but I am very happy about it!

 

[SQUIGGLE]

We cruised over Mother's Day a few years ago. I don't remember them doing anything special. I think the Navigator had a "Happy Mother's Day" heading.
This will be our 7th DCL cruise - and I can't wait!!

fran

 

[Piglet_Pooh99]

This is the one time that being in a suite will pay off. I get to make my reservations for everything at 105 days out instead of 95 like everyone else so I know I will have success getting into Palo for mothers day. I think I will haveto do our spa appt for that day too. The first two full days are at sea aren't they? I'm getting so excited. This trip just won't come fast enough.

 

[DrCavin]

The first 2 days are sea days, arriving at in St. Maarten on Tuesday morning. What a site to wake-up & see St. Maarten!!

The online reservations is 105 for concierge guests, 90 for castaway members, & 75 for first-time cruisers. It will be interesting to see how this works out, so far seems like it is working well.

 

[SQUIGGLE]

I hope all are well. Our cruise is getting a little closer each day - thank goodness!
Anyone thinking about what excursions they would like to do yet?
fran

 

[DrCavin]

I hope all are well. Our cruise is getting a little closer each day - thank goodness!
Anyone thinking about what excursions they would like to do yet?
fran

We were thinking of which excusions to do before we even got off the ship last time

My DD wants to swim with dolphins, so we are going to look into that. I would love to go to St Johns for the day, have heard the most beautiful beaches in the World...

Seeing the planes land in St. Marteen has my interests as well, for those who have never heard of this, all I can say is WOW....

Take care everyone...

 

[SQUIGGLE]

We are leaning toward going to St John too. Went there a few years back and it is absolutely fantasic. I have a picture of Trunk Bay on my wall at work; so I know why I have to be there - to pay for my cruises!

fran

 

[SQUIGGLE]

We have another month down.
I hope everyone has a Happy & Safe Independence Day!
fran

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Hi all,
We're already thinking about transportation to the port next May...can't decide if we should fly in the night before and stay in/near the airport then rent a car and drive to the port or fly in, rent a car and stay near the port. There's also the option of flying in the morning of the cruise and taking the DCL shuttle (or still renting a car). Any advice from past cruisers? The less stress I have to deal with the better!

 

[Verandah Man]

For less stress, I would suggest flying in the day before and either stay near the airport if you arrive late, or get a room near the port if time permits. We did this before our first cruise and were so glad we did, especially since there was bad weather on embarkation day.

 

[DrCavin]

If at all possible fly in prior. It will be less stressful than flying in day of, the first day is pretty long to begin with I cant imagine doing that after flying for 2 hours or more.

We stayed near PC & rented a SUV from MCO. Then had a mini-Dis meet at Grills on Friday night. On Saturday we drove to the terminal & I unloaded the SUV & left rest of family to get us checked in while I returned the rental. Works out very well!!! I think I paid about $50 for the SUV & about $65 for the hotel room.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Thanks for the advice. I think we will fly in the night before. Unfortunately, my DH will probably have to work that day, so we will more than likely get into MCO after 9pm. I don't know if he will want to drive to PC at that point, so maybe we'll stay near the airport with a rental and drive to the port in the morning. Maybe I can convince him to leave work a little earlier. Reading the posts I see that I can check in for the whole family, that's good!