November 11, 2006 - MAGIC - Special Western "Double Dip" Cruise 11/11/06

[Vanvmom]

Regarding the school supplies, I would guess it is likely a matter of the supplies just not being available. Or should I say, not as available as they are to us for the prices we pay for them (no Staples right down the street, with CHEAP pencils and paper). Either way, I'm sure that Ivan will steer us in the right direction (supplies vs. a cash donation).

Also, regarding the Dune Buggy Excursion in Cozumel...

A friend of mine took this excursion in 2004 and said it was INCREDIBLE! In fact, she sent me a web-link about the cruise they took. Unfortunately, it contained some discouraging news. Per this one company's website (and I'm not sure if it is the company DCL contracts with, or a competitor):

2006 Update:
The "route" previously used by the Cozumel Dune Buggy Tour was badly damaged in Hurricane Wilma. Since then, one of our competitors took the liberty of clearing a route that was incorrectly defined and performed without government permission. Since this area is protected by state and federal environmental protection agencies, they were fine heavily. All tour operators have been told that the road will not open until the company in fault pays this fine.

Cozumel Dune Buggy Tours is also using Jeeps and Trackers to compliment the guests who wish to book when all the dune buggies are reserved. We reserve the right to replace a jeep or tracker for a dune buggy that is in the shop or waiting for spare parts. The cars in the region used all the existing spare parts in the area. We have ordered a lot of parts that have not yet arrived. We have been told that there is a spare parts shortage in the whole area and they are making them as fast as they can. While waiting for spare parts, we are replacing them temporarily with trackers and jeeps.

I'm sure it is still a GREAT excursion, otherwise it would not be offered. Plus, this 2006 update may have been posted in January, and by Nov. all will be back to normal. I'm really not trying to discourage anyone at all, I'm just one of those people who likes be aware of the potential condition of things post-hurricane.

 

[TiggersPal]

clynne & TiggersPal, look who's waiting to meet us at Disneyland!

THe person who posted the second photo says he SOUNDS just like Capt. Jack!

OH MY GOD that boy is DELICIOUS!!!!! Love those lips - cutier than Johnny anyday!

Ok, let's leave tomorrow!!!!​

 

[TiggersPal]

Re: school supplies....Are they available locally, but too expensive? Or, are they expensive and physically unattainable? (Just wondering if cash would be easier...)

Thank you, Wendy, for checking about transportation for all of us!!!

Thanks for the pics, Jackie! Getting really excited, but have a busy week before we hit the road Friday. Hoping that in my daydreaming I don't forget to pick up one of the kids somewhere...

Carolyn

I agree - money would be easier...but not as good?

THANK YOU WENDY!!!! I wasn't trying to rush you , I assure you. Just curious....

 

[woody73]

I agree - money would be easier...but not as good? . . .

For those of you who would like to do something nice for the schoolchildren, I applaud you.

DW and I do a fair bit of travel, and learn as much as we can to enhance the travel experience. In January, we went to the L.A. Times Travel Show. It is a two day event with exhibitors and guest speakers.

At one presentation, three travel writers (Pauline Frommer and two others whose names escape me at the moment) discussed what is an appropriate gift or donation to a village or school. Their first point was to check the local cost of living, because you don't want give something that's out of line. How do you do that? One writer would ask a local what a loaf of bread costs. That gave her an idea of what things cost in relation to what she paid at home.

Their second point was that money (in an appropraite amount) was the best gift. The school or village could use it in the most useful way, based on what they need.

The writers said the worst thing travelers could do is give logo clothing from the U.S. They said travelers visit remote places to see places that are not spoiled by commercialism. And if you give the people Tommy Hilfiger, Polo, or Disney clothing, you will be altering the landscape of what future travelers will see. (Would David and Ivan have been so enthusiastic about ruins as children if they grew up with a Gameboy or Nintendo? Is a homemade meal with a local family as meaningful if they are wearing DCL cruisewear? You get the idea.)

So, to answer TiggersPal's question, according to the travel writers we met, money in an appropraite amount is the best gift.

That's my two cents -- which in some places in the world will buy a loaf of bread.

Woody

 

[ibouncetoo]

Thanks Woody, you make a very good point.

 

[Vanvmom]

I have news from Ivan that requires quick response... this is his message:

Dear Mrs. Van Vorhis,

It's true that we can arrange pick up at the Costa Maya port. I must mention however, that since the port is private we have to cover a fee of $7USD per person to enter the premises. In this case our tour would cost $50USD p/p, instead of $43USD p/p.
Right now we have arranged transportation from the village, but we can still change that. In the past we have been able to make good deals with the port administration and port transportation. I'm wondering if everyone in the list that you gave me would be willing to pay $45USD p/p including our tour and pick up at the port.

So far we have confirmed your reservations at $43USD p/p starting from our location at the village. Getting to our location would cost you $3USD p/p more. If everyone in the list agrees we can start negotiating tomorrow and hopefully we can repeat the same deal using the port transportation. In this case instead of paying $43USD for the tour and $3USD for transportation to get to our location, you would only pay $45USD for our tour starting at the Costa Maya port. At the end of the tour we would also offer you the choice to go back to the port or to the village at no extra cost.

Please note that we will do our best to get this deal and hopefully it will work for everyone on the list.

Very best,
Ivan Cohuo

So, please let me know ASAP if you are booked on this excursion and are willing to pay $45 for the tour and transportation. Thanks!

 

[woody73]

. . . So, please let me know ASAP if you are booked on this excursion and are willing to pay $45 for the tour and transportation. Thanks!

Count us in. From experience, it is definitely worth it to not have to negotiate with taxi drivers at the port.

Woody

 

[ibouncetoo]

Peg and I are IN!

 

[clynne]

Count us in. From experience, it is definitely worth it to not have to negotiate with taxi drivers at the port.

Woody

Negotiate?? I was thinking we were going to have fight each other for the taxi!

Four of us are in, but I already emailed you that, Wendy....

Again, thank you for coordinating!!!

Carolyn

 

[clynne]

Their second point was that money (in an appropraite amount) was the best gift. The school or village could use it in the most useful way, based on what they need. Woody

Thank you, Woody, that was a much more articulate way of expressing my concern. I like the gesture of physically handing gifts, but I would be stressing about whether I gave them what they really needed/wanted. And, for me, it's too much personal recognition. Just like to slip in a little "help" and be on my way....

(Two more nights!!!)

Carolyn

 

[Hannosmom]

Count the six of us in, Wendy.

And, thanks for the insight, Woody.

Carolyn, I am so jealous, I want to go! Ummm, 6 hours on a plane....telling DH I am leaving for the weekend....telling Sarah I am going to DisneyLand without her.....nope, better stay home. Have a great time! Take lots of pictures, I want to see teary eyed Peg on the Peter Pan ride.

 

[clynne]

Well, Linda, you don't have to tell DH you'll be gone, just leave a note. Bring Sarah with you and to break up the flight, fly to Phoenix tomorrow and drive with those crazy AZ chickies on Friday. You'd have to be prepared to stop at the outlet mall on the way, though...

Wish you could come, too....

Carolyn

 

[TiggersPal]

Woody - thank you! I agree - one must be aware of the cultural shifts when traveling. And I personally like the idea of the people who are with the children deciding what their "needs" are. While its a nice thought to bring stuff to them, what if they needed medical supplies in the nurses station? Things like that... so money it is for me!

Wendy - thanks for taking the time and effort to keep lists, make contacts and responses to Ivan. Appreciate your time, energy, effort and heart!



Linda - I agree - fly out now, and drive over with us!!!! I know - it would be great just to drop everything and do that wouldn't it? It would be fun though!!!

 

[mom2of2]

Hi All
I joined this thread a while back and although I have read through the majority of it I haven't made it all the way through!
I'll give you a little background info on us.
My DH,me and 2 sons went on our 1st cruise in November and LOVED it so much that we not only booked a 7 day but we booked an additional cabin and decided to bring DM along and celebrate our 10th anninversary as well.
I was then asked by a friend a few months ago if I would go on another 3 day with her to check out Castaway Cay's newest addition as well as some other research (she's a TA) So we just got off the Wonder on Sunday but I really missed my men and although we did tons of adult things it just wasn't the same.
I'm getting super excited now about the November cruise since my DH will get to see the Flying Dutchman and we get to do Costa Maya and Cozumel.
My Mom who has NEVER snorkeled in her life called me last night to tell me that she ordered and rec'd her prescription snorkle mask and how wonderful it is. She getting excited which really boosts my excitement.
Then today I was doing some searching and was planning on having a basket done by Shirley for my kids and Mom's cabin, as well as Anniversary decorations for us when I saw that www.giftsofalifetime.com was offering something special for our cruise dates. I'm going to look into that as well.
I'm going to ask about photography as well so I can let you all know about that if you are interested.
Going on the Wonder the other day was just what I needed to get me super excited about the Magic!!!!!

 

[TiggersPal]

Hi All
I joined this thread a while back and although I have read through the majority of it I haven't made it all the way through!
I'll give you a little background info on us.
My DH,me and 2 sons went on our 1st cruise in November and LOVED it so much that we not only booked a 7 day but we booked an additional cabin and decided to bring DM along and celebrate our 10th anninversary as well.
I was then asked by a friend a few months ago if I would go on another 3 day with her to check out Castaway Cay's newest addition as well as some other research (she's a TA) So we just got off the Wonder on Sunday but I really missed my men and although we did tons of adult things it just wasn't the same.
I'm getting super excited now about the November cruise since my DH will get to see the Flying Dutchman and we get to do Costa Maya and Cozumel.
My Mom who has NEVER snorkeled in her life called me last night to tell me that she ordered and rec'd her prescription snorkle mask and how wonderful it is. She getting excited which really boosts my excitement.
Then today I was doing some searching and was planning on having a basket done by Shirley for my kids and Mom's cabin, as well as Anniversary decorations for us when I saw that www.giftsofalifetime.com was offering something special for our cruise dates. I'm going to look into that as well.
I'm going to ask about photography as well so I can let you all know about that if you are interested.
Going on the Wonder the other day was just what I needed to get me super excited about the Magic!!!!!

I am so happy you've decided to be excited with us! Can you join us for chat next Tuesday? I really love the folks I've met on this thread and I've gotta tell you - THANK YOU!!! For reminding me of the baskets I was going to order and never got a call back from Shirley (left two messages...)

ALSO can I ask on behalf of my sister Ibouncetoo what company your mom used in ordering her mask? We've had several talks about what she's going to do for the Dolphin swim (she's blind as a bat without her glasses) and parasailing that we're booked up for.

I am just in case going to check out the website for the "other" basket company. I know Shirley does a great job - but when someone doesn't return my calls - it makes me a little nervouse that they'll come through. (Customer service ya know?)

Can anyone tell me if this experience happened to them with her? Thanks everyone!

 

[CJLKIM]

I am so happy you've decided to be excited with us! Can you join us for chat next Tuesday? I really love the folks I've met on this thread and I've gotta tell you - THANK YOU!!! For reminding me of the baskets I was going to order and never got a call back from Shirley (left two messages...)

ALSO can I ask on behalf of my sister Ibouncetoo what company your mom used in ordering her mask? We've had several talks about what she's going to do for the Dolphin swim (she's blind as a bat without her glasses) and parasailing that we're booked up for.

I am just in case going to check out the website for the "other" basket company. I know Shirley does a great job - but when someone doesn't return my calls - it makes me a little nervouse that they'll come through. (Customer service ya know?)

Can anyone tell me if this experience happened to them with her? Thanks everyone!

I have Shirley's email, AIM screenname, cell phone and reg. phone if you want to try her again....just let me know....

 

[TiggersPal]

I have Shirley's email, AIM screenname, cell phone and reg. phone if you want to try her again....just let me know....

Thanks, I did send an email first...then two phone messages and today when I left another I realized she has her cell phone listed on the voice mail for "emergencies"... if I don't hear from her by end of next week - I'll call her cell number as my last resort. I had a thought that the time difference might have been an issue, and then Jackie mentioned she had employee problems.

Although her leaving me a return voice mail would have been nice. My initial "guilt" at my earlier post prompted some introspection, and I have to say since I was in a customer service capacity for years and years, it's a pet peeve of mine not to have some reciprocity... especially when my first voice mail indicated that I'd be purchasing more than one basket - maybe she's growing too fast and can't handle all the business?

 

[miatamel]

TiggersPal, I don't have a dawg in this fight -- I used Shirley last year for our first and only cruise and was satisfied just fine -- but I saw on some thread something called ************dotcom that said they specialized in Disney cruise baskets. I checked out their website and I didn't quite understand how they were in NJ and specialized in FL cruises, but they had nice pictures so you might could e-mail them and see what the deal was. Just as another option....I checked out that giftsofalifetime site as posted above, but that was waaaaay outta my league, price wise....

 

[miatamel]

okay, that link keeps getting asterisked out and I'm not savvy enough to know why, so if TiggersPal or anyone else wants to know what I said, pm me!!

 

[TiggersPal]

This isn't a fight by anymeans...just communicating my concern at this point... thanks!