November 13, 2011 Mexico on the Wonder

[stampinshauna]

Shauna, might it be more difficult for people to find our group if we change the name of the thread?

I'd just add the name to the title, but keep the date.

Cruising Mexico with Mickey & Amigos

Word ideas: Mickey, WONDERful, DIScovering, Amigos, Fiesta, Mexico, etc. Somehow we just need to put some together something catchy.

 

[lucky1]

I like: Cruising Mexico with Mickey

 

[lucky1]

I was just viewing a post on the main board and it was mentioned you can not check in before your allotted check in time. Something new, since they did not have this before.

We got 11am checkin time.

 

[Kman34]

Nice check-in time...we cannot do anything until Tuesday so I hope we don't get a late check-in time.

Getting excited!

 

[lucky1]

Nice check-in time...we cannot do anything until Tuesday so I hope we don't get a late check-in time.

Getting excited!

Not really sure why we have an early check in time, because it means waiting around in the terminal for a while. Probably not a lot to do and we don't need to be there early to try to get an upgrade. I know when we sailed out of PC we got there early 1. to get an upgrade 2. to hang out and see the model and try to get an early boarding number. WE never got an early boarding number even getting there at 10am.

 

[stampinshauna]

We're taking a DCL transfer from Disneyland to the port. I wonder what time they get us to the port. I haven't completed my online check in yet and I don't know if it is really that important to get an early time if we don't get there early. Anyone know?

 

[lucky1]

Shauna - I just saw it posted on a board, that they will not allow you to check in prior to your port arrival time. But wonder if that was for PC only because there are so many guests on the Dream.

 

[lucky1]

My goal is to keep this tread on the front of the page..

See how everyone answers these: (My answers in Blue)

1. What are you most looking forward to on the cruise? relaxing, being away from work and letting someone else worry about the little stuff.

2. Main or late dining on the Cruise? main

3. Are you a reader? if so then, A good book to get you ready for the cruise or one that would be good to read on a lounge chair watching the ocean go buy? Yes and I finished cruise confidential, which makes you think about how cruise crew lives. I have a kindle so I plan to load it up with different books. But am looking for recommendations.

4. What question do you want answered before getting on the cruise?

 

[lise maltais]

My goal is to keep this tread on the front of the page..

See how everyone answers these: (My answers in Blue)

1. What are you most looking forward to on the cruise? Doing my own stuff while the kids do their own stuff!!!!

2. Main or late dining on the Cruise? Main

3. Are you a reader? if so then, A good book to get you ready for the cruise or one that would be good to read on a lounge chair watching the ocean go buy? Yes and I finished cruise confidential, which makes you think about how cruise crew lives. I have a kindle so I plan to load it up with different books. But am looking for recommendations.
Definately OUTLANDER by Diana Gabaldon

4. What question do you want answered before getting on the cruise?
How much should I budget for the extras?

 

[lise maltais]

Wow!!!!
Only 2 months and 2 weeks left!!!

 

[lucky1]

4. What question do you want answered before getting on the cruise?
How much should I budget for the extras?

excluding excursions and the Crew Tips...Here are a few extra's I remember, others please join in. I would suggest at least budget $100/day. You could do a lot less, if you don't drink or buy pictures.

Specialty coffee in the Cove or dinning room runs about $3 - $5
Pictures - Photo CD of all your pictures will run about $400
Picture Prints are $15/6x8 and $20/8x10. (There is multiple opportunities a day to get your picture taken)
Drinks - $4- $10/drink
$2-5/bag for tipping porters at the port to assist you
$2 tip each time we call Room service (You could charge this, but we like giving cash)
$15/person Wine or Whiskey tasting opportunity
$50-$500 for a spa treatement

 

[lise maltais]

Thank you, that is helpful.
I will bring my camera.

excluding excursions and the Crew Tips...Here are a few extra's I remember, others please join in. I would suggest at least budget $100/day. You could do a lot less, if you don't drink or buy pictures.

Specialty coffee in the Cove or dinning room runs about $3 - $5
Pictures - Photo CD of all your pictures will run about $400
Picture Prints are $15/6x8 and $20/8x10. (There is multiple opportunities a day to get your picture taken)
Drinks - $4- $10/drink
$2-5/bag for tipping porters at the port to assist you
$2 tip each time we call Room service (You could charge this, but we like giving cash)
$15/person Wine or Whiskey tasting opportunity
$50-$500 for a spa treatement

 

[lise maltais]

How much if you remember is a glass of red wine?

Thank you, that is helpful.
I will bring my camera.

 

[Kman34]

1. What are you most looking forward to on the cruise? Trying to relax and let someone else handle the details of a trip.

2. Main or late dining on the Cruise? Main

3. Are you a reader? if so then, A good book to get you ready for the cruise or one that would be good to read on a lounge chair watching the ocean go buy?
I like to read & will read anything not dealing with finance or stocks.

4. What question do you want answered before getting on the cruise?
What's the best hotel to stay at the night before our cruise (close to the pier).

 

[lucky1]

How much if you remember is a glass of red wine?

Seems like it depends on the type/brand of wine.. Expect at least $6 to $15.
There is also Wine packages, where you can buy a bottle and have it with every dinner. They will store it for you.

 

[dsinger44]

1. What are you most looking forward to on the cruise? Spending time with DH while kids are in the kids club, eating whatever I want without looking at menu prices

2. Main or late dining on the Cruise? Late (although we might try to change when we first board... not sure... we did late last time and liked it because we went to early shows while the kids were awake and could enjoy... actually skipped Pirate nite dinner, though, to get a good spot at a table for the Pirate show, but I hear the dinners on Pirate nite are really fun... so--- still unsure...)

3. Are you a reader? if so then, A good book to get you ready for the cruise or one that would be good to read on a lounge chair watching the ocean go buy?
Not sure yet... open to suggestions...one of my favorite parts of the last cruise was waking up before the rest of the family and reading on the balcony!

4. What question do you want answered before getting on the cruise?
What's the best nite to book Palo? What excursions should I book (currently deciding between Pirate Ship and Las Caletas in Puerto Vallarta...)? I took this same cruise in February, so if there are any quesitons I can answer, please let me know...

Shauna - I know that you asked about the Puerto Vallarta beach excursion - we did it last time and really enjoyed it... but - remember, it's a Pacific Coast beach - so water is not as clear and warm. I have pictures, but not sure how to post them...I can e-mail them to you, if you'd like... maybe I'll post on the FB site... The hotel was really nice and the pool was great - the slides are probably too fast for real young kids (my 3 year old at the time went but was scared and wouldn't go a second time). It also goes into the deep end of the pool, so they would need to be able to swim to the side...The food wasn't that great - drinks were very strong.

We're getting closer everyone... can't wait!!

Dawn

 

[lucky1]

What's the best hotel to stay at the night before our cruise (close to the pier).

I want to know that too... But everything I have seen from Trip reports and information on these board... you have a few choices...

Depends on if you want to do a park and cruise or just a place to say

We have been looking at the Doubletree and Crown Plaza. We will be staying 2 nights and hopefully using the park and cruise feature. Doubletree has queen beds and crown Plaza only has doubles.

 

[lucky1]

What's the best nite to book Palo?


Dawn

Hi Dawn... I think it really goes to personal choice. Here is my thinking.
1. Don't want to miss Formal night (Kind of fun to do this with DD9) - but in some cases it works out because then we can just dress semi formal for Palos and not worry about the formal wear

2. Don't want to do it on pirate night. Hate missing that fun in the dining room.

3. Don't want to do it on a day when we have spent the whole day at the beach. We are doing the PV beach excursion.

So I think we currently have it booked on Thursday which is either Semi formal or regular rotation.

Laura

 

[stampinshauna]

Sorry that I've been a bit MIA lately. My heart just isn't in this cruise right now. We are dealing with some employment issues and have debated about cancelling this cruise. It's so hard to know what to do right now, as the cancellation policy goes into effect on Monday. We're hopeful that a new job will allow some time off (even if it means unpaid), but we aren't to that point yet. We need some pixie dust! If only we had a few more weeks to figure it out (which would give us some time to get through some interviews and hopefully some job offers). We don't want to cancel and then find out we could have gone, but we'd also rather not loose our deposit. The air is already booked, so we'd have to pay a change fee. Ugh. I hate taking a gamble. We're leaning towards just planning on the cruise and hoping that it will all work out. We're also hopeful that after our Disneyland trip next month that we'll have a new job!

Dawn--thanks for the info on PV. If you want to post some pics on the FB page that would be great. As far as Palo, in the past I've chosen based on the menus. I like to go to each restaurant's main dinner (like in Animators Palate you want to go the night of the show dinner), and DCL doesn't tell you your rotation until you board, so I pick from the other menus (Captain's Gala, Till We Meet Again, etc.--you can look at past Wonder Navigators and menus here on the DIS). I wouldn't skip Pirate Night since you missed it last time. Or, you could always just pick a day and then when you find out your dining rotation you can pretty easily switch your day once you board the ship.

 

[stampinshauna]

1. What are you most looking forward to on the cruise?

Not having to figure out what to fix for meals, not worrying about work, having DH around all of the time, celebrating my mom's b-day

2. Main or late dining on the Cruise

Main

3. Are you a reader?

I read every day, but mostly things like Hop on Pop, Where's Spot, or board books (that's all the kids allow me time for these days).

4. What question do you want answered before getting on the cruise?

Who's going to join in on the Fish Extender fun? Info here: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42099786&postcount=143