November 1, 2008 "Election Day Castaways!"

[princesspaige]

I don't think the screen could be read from that distance but you never know!

I only have to keep this secret 16 more days ... 16 days from now we will be on our way to MCO then a short ride to PC for the night.

Hey anyone planning on doing laundry on the cruise? I am!

We will definitely doing laundry as I am hoping to only pack for 3, maybe 4 days, except for our dinner clothes which will be a new outfit each night. I need the extra suitcase space for all my souvies DH doesn't realize I will be buying...

 

[Preslj]

hey all,
i've been lurking here for a bit now. i have my cruise booked for the Nov. 1st western carribean. I'm really excited because I've never been on a cruise let alone a Disney cruise! however, i'm travelling alone . I'm actually a cast member at Disney, and was not able to find anyone to come with me but did not want to give up the opportunity to go. Does anyone have any advice for me on how to meet people, or make the most of my cruise without getting lonely? Any advice for a solo cruiser would be greatly appreciated!

thanks all!

 

[princesspaige]

hey all,
i've been lurking here for a bit now. i have my cruise booked for the Nov. 1st western carribean. I'm really excited because I've never been on a cruise let alone a Disney cruise! however, i'm travelling alone . I'm actually a cast member at Disney, and was not able to find anyone to come with me but did not want to give up the opportunity to go. Does anyone have any advice for me on how to meet people, or make the most of my cruise without getting lonely? Any advice for a solo cruiser would be greatly appreciated!

thanks all!

Let me be the first to welcome you to our cruise!! We are meeting as a group at 3:00 on embarktion day at the promenade lounge. This would be a great place to start to meet the rest of us...

 

[Preslj]

that does sound good! thanks. i'm assuming most of you are parents. i'm single and am 25. is there anyone else close to my age?

 

[jblb1020]

Ok I straightned out my reservation with Florida Tours but I have a question regarding grat. The woman I spoke with today at Florida Tours said that when we tip the 20% it is each way on the total price. We are paying $295.00 for a ten passanger van and that means $59.00 to the driver taking us and $59.00 to the driver bringing us back to the airport. Does this sound right? I am thinking that's a 40% tip.

 

[stampinshauna]

Preslj--
There will be a great variety of ages, so don't worry. DH and I went on our first DCL cruise 4 years ago when we were both 24 and there were plenty of young and old, single and married, with kids and no kids, so you'll fit in just fine. We made great friends with the couple we were seated by at dinner who were celebrating their 25th anniversary. Age doesn't matter--we are great long-distance friends now. We are actually going to meet up with them for the first time since we met in 2004 before the cruise in WDW and will cruise with them next year. Come to the meet, but also just start chatting with people on the ship. I have found that people on the cruises are so friendly, just ask where someone is from, if they've cruised before, or something like that and you'll find tons to talk about. I miss getting off the ship because people in the real world don't seem so friendly and willing to talk.

jblb1020--I'd think it would be 20% of the portion of the trip, so it is more like $150 each way so 20% of that ($30) for the tip would be sufficient, unless you feel that you should tip more for outstanding service or whatnot.

 

[plutospup]

Preslj, glad to have you aboard! You have been added to the manifest on page one which means... You are an official "Election Day Castaway"! We look forward to meeting you at our DIS Meet Saturday 3pm in the Promanade Lounge.

Wuv Tigger... DW plans on doing laundry, which probably means I have been volunteered to help. She's done laundry on our past cruises, and it has worked out just fine. There is an iron, and ironing board in the laundry room. I've used it, and again it works just fine for our immediate needs.

Who will get post 2000?

 

[eyes4mickey]

Ok I straightned out my reservation with Florida Tours but I have a question regarding grat. The woman I spoke with today at Florida Tours said that when we tip the 20% it is each way on the total price. We are paying $295.00 for a ten passanger van and that means $59.00 to the driver taking us and $59.00 to the driver bringing us back to the airport. Does this sound right? I am thinking that's a 40% tip.

No, Definately not. The total is $295 round trip, you are to pay 20% of the trip each way so, each driver would get 20% of $150. I never heard of tipping on something you didn't receive which would be tipping on the return trips fare.
I'm taking Florida Tours too.

 

[feenie]

hey all,
i've been lurking here for a bit now. i have my cruise booked for the Nov. 1st western carribean. I'm really excited because I've never been on a cruise let alone a Disney cruise! however, i'm travelling alone . I'm actually a cast member at Disney, and was not able to find anyone to come with me but did not want to give up the opportunity to go. Does anyone have any advice for me on how to meet people, or make the most of my cruise without getting lonely? Any advice for a solo cruiser would be greatly appreciated!

thanks all!

Welcome Aboard!!!
One thing that they do have is a singles lunch with the cruise staff on sea days. (maybe port days too, but I noticed it on the sea days) That gives you a good opportunity to meet other people who are adults who may or may not be traveling with kids, but also to get to know the cruise staff. They are the people who run the entertainment on the ship and its great when you get to know them and can joke with them.
Also having "dis" friends on board it great!!
Its wonderful walking down the hallway and seeing people you can say hello to! Plus it makes the events more fun when you may not get picked to do something, (like say Match your Mate, DCL's version of the Newlywed game!) but one of your fellow dis'ers is.
There are several of us who are traveling w/o kiddos too. DH and I don't stay away from the "family" events, because those can be fun too.

 

[LBIGirl67]

Be careful on your ressies with FL tours. I was originally quoted with my reservation one price but with mixup told another....after being very firm with them about honoring my original res., they agreed to the first price.
As for tipping, it should be per leg of trip the tip is based on. If the price is $300 round trip they split the $60 tip. You can't guarantee the same driver each trip so make it fair. Hope this helps some of you.

 

[muffin07]

No, Definately not. The total is $295 round trip, you are to pay 20% of the trip each way so, each driver would get 20% of $150. I never heard of tipping on something you didn't receive which would be tipping on the return trips fare.
I'm taking Florida Tours too.

Hi,
We are taking Fl Tours too, and I don't understand how you figure out
the tip. Our round trip cost 230.00, and I figure out that each driver should
get 25.00 tip, so the total would be 230.00 plus driver #1 25.00 driver #2
25.00 that is total of 280.00. Hope I calulated it right.
Muffin07

 

[plutospup]

This is where we will be... very soon!

 

[LBIGirl67]

O.K....Total subject change. I JUST CAN'T CONTROL MYSELF THOUGH...

The Phillies are going to win this game and head to the World Series...OMG !!! What if I can't watch the games? What will I do...oh the panic !! Someone quick please tell me that it'll be over before we leave?

 

[plutospup]

It's possible we might see the World Series on the Dumbotron!

Wow, hard to believe but the Fightin' Phils might be headed for the World Series! I still remember the crowds running wild on Broad St following the 1980 LCS where the Phils beat Houston. My English Comp paper didn't get finished until the following morning right before class!

 

[mindelmouse]

I think everyone is vying for the 2000 post.

We are planning on doing laundry. We have 4 packets of tide, we have shout and I'll bring some bounce in a ziploc.

Welcome to our new friend. I did this same itinary on my first cruise, different cruise line, 19 years ago when I was your age. I was with one friend, but we met most friends at our dinner table. Don't worry you'll meet plenty of people. I would love to talk with you about your experience as a cast member...it was something I always dreamed of doing and never did.

We got the same price from FL Tours as we were originally quoted 230 and the 20% tip should be 20% of 230 split between each driver...There's no law that says you must give that much if you're unhappy with your driver.

I love these dancing bananas

 

[bfosbenner]

FL tours? We are walking to prepair for all the great food.

 

[LBIGirl67]

OMG !!! PHILLIES WIN....WOOOHHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!


Sorry, dusting off her Mike Schmidt jersey as we speak...

 

[bfosbenner]

I had a Pete Rose (taboo) shirt somewhere. It probably became a dust rag.

 

[plutospup]

GO PHILLIES!

World Series Schedule: October 22 -31st. No WS on the Dumbotron. However, it could be a rowdy night in Cocoa Beach Oct 31st!

 

[LBIGirl67]

I JUST GOT NOTICE I WON LOTTERY FOR WORLD SERIES TIX VIA THE RAFFLE.....

I had to register online to try to get tix, I am able to purchase 2 tix for a game in Philly...omg, how much could this cost...eewww..or make me !!!