November 3, 2012 - Election Escape Eastern!!

[ntheory]

I booked an extra cabin for DD and friends who's friends are now not comming. It looks like DCL wont let me move her into my cabin as they have a limit of 3 in those staterooms. So I can't cancel her state room. Ironicaly it is actually cheaper to keep the 2nd stateroom due to the early booking onboard credit!
I guess we can put DS and DD in the second stateroom and have one for ourselves! DW's only concern is they are next to each other but not adjoining.

How old are your kids, again???

 

[princess81499]

The Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino sells day passes for $35 plus tax. I am thinking my kids are going to get frustrated with the pools on the ship and thinking of doing this from say 10-2 while in port. Pools/beach included. Figured we just get a light lunch nachos or something.

Trying to get a definite as to what port we are docking in?? Does anyone know??? I want something not too far from port if I am going on my own, rather than thru DCL.

Welcome to our newbie. We also have an active facebook group if you would like to join.

Hey Amy - any luck yet figuring out which hotel the Disney excursion is going to? I am still not sure what I am doing in any of the ports.

 

[Va-NanaTink]

WOOO HOOOO!
Got everything on our wish list, (admittedly small..)

We have Brunch at Palo's at 10AM on the first sea day,

Remy's at 6PM on Pirate night (we don't really enjoy that menu, and late seating we never feel like enjoying the party) so, this way, we can go to Remy's then head back to the room to don our pirate gear for a fun-filled evening at the party! Win-win!!!

The walking tour in San Juan...

This is the first time that we did not have to go on a waiting list for something (usually Palo's brunch!)

It's feeling REAL now!

 

[scootch]

Hey Amy - any luck yet figuring out which hotel the Disney excursion is going to? I am still not sure what I am doing in any of the ports.

Unfortunately no... the second agent I know was more knowledgeable(at least she had heard of the excursion ) but read all the information she had and it just says, "use of resort pool". She said she would pass the question along but suggested I continue to try to email them. I have yet to recieve any response from my email, maybe I will send out another one today. I will likely just go to the Marriott, but for safety issues(dh doesn't go on our cruises) was thinking this excursion might work for us as it also includes a buffet lunch and transportation. I have done Comfort Suites/Atlantis twice via taxi, but it does make my 12 year old fairly anxious. If I find anything out, will be sure to post it.

 

[scootch]

Someone on the cruise board said it might be the Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort. They do have a buffet restaurant, so possible??

 

[princess81499]

Unfortunately no... the second agent I know was more knowledgeable(at least she had heard of the excursion ) but read all the information she had and it just says, "use of resort pool". She said she would pass the question along but suggested I continue to try to email them. I have yet to recieve any response from my email, maybe I will send out another one today. I will likely just go to the Marriott, but for safety issues(dh doesn't go on our cruises) was thinking this excursion might work for us as it also includes a buffet lunch and transportation. I have done Comfort Suites/Atlantis twice via taxi, but it does make my 12 year old fairly anxious. If I find anything out, will be sure to post it.

Thanks Amy! Please keep me posted. Right now I am leaning towards the Isla Verde Escape or just doing Old San Juan (fort) on our own. I did go to college there for one semester, but that was a long time ago. Hoping if we do our own thing - my memory of the area will come back. I do remember walking around where all the cruise ships dock. Not sure my youngest would be thrilled with that though.
What are you thinking for St Thomas? I am thinking of the full day to honeymoon beach or the Magens Bay beach break.
It stinks that I will be gold for this trip, but it doesn't benefit me with the bookings for August 5th. Our 5th cruise leaves on August 24th.

 

[ntheory]

I booked an extra cabin for DD and friends who's friends are now not comming. It looks like DCL wont let me move her into my cabin as they have a limit of 3 in those staterooms. So I can't cancel her state room. Ironicaly it is actually cheaper to keep the 2nd stateroom due to the early booking onboard credit!
I guess we can put DS and DD in the second stateroom and have one for ourselves! DW's only concern is they are next to each other but not adjoining.

So, we shouldn't count the 'friends' on the FE list, right?? (Steph and Cara) Just making sure I have the right numbers on everything.

 

[Va-NanaTink]

Finished my online check-in and got 11 AM port arrival...but since we will be at the resort, we won't be arriving at 11, so we didn't take it, leaving it for someone who will be.

It's getting real now!!!

 

[ntheory]

Finished my online check-in and got 11 AM port arrival...but since we will be at the resort, we won't be arriving at 11, so we didn't take it, leaving it for someone who will be.

It's getting real now!!!

I have most of mine done, too!

I'll be getting at the port ASAP. I want on the boat as soon as they open that door.

 

[gaporee]

SOoo jealous of everyone who were allowed to check in already.

Our check in date isn't until August 20th!

Anyways, 105 Days!

Finished my online check-in and got 11 AM port arrival...but since we will be at the resort, we won't be arriving at 11, so we didn't take it, leaving it for someone who will be.

It's getting real now!!!

 

[ntheory]

SOoo jealous of everyone who were allowed to check in already.

Our check in date isn't until August 20th!

Anyways, 105 Days!

I had to smile when I looked at your information on the FE list - I have a 7 year old (will be on the cruise) daughter .... named Jaydin. If they become friends, it could get confusing!

 

[disneyfan888]

This week has been filled with cruise preparing fun!
Our red t-shirts arrived, hopefully tomorrow we will get them done!
We were able to book everything we wanted including a cabana at serenity bay
And, we did our online check in and are set to board from 11:00-11:30
My husband and I are so happy!! Can't wait to set sail, so close, yet it will go by so slow since everything is set and done. I guess we have to wait

 

[bfosbenner]

How old are your kids, again???

DD will be 16 on Nov 14
DS 7 in Sept

 

[bfosbenner]

No Cara, No Steph,
may be a replacement.

So , I pay in full and now when I log in I cant get cruise activities to do anything? I called DCL to make Palo res and they said I must do it online.

 

[gaporee]

That's funny. I just told my DD Jayden yesterday that there will be a girl age 7 with the same name. My daughter is actually 7 right now but will be 8 before the cruise. She usually refers to herself as Jade, Jady or 'JD'.

I had to smile when I looked at your information on the FE list - I have a 7 year old (will be on the cruise) daughter .... named Jaydin. If they become friends, it could get confusing!

 

[scootch]

Thanks Amy! Please keep me posted. Right now I am leaning towards the Isla Verde Escape or just doing Old San Juan (fort) on our own. I did go to college there for one semester, but that was a long time ago. Hoping if we do our own thing - my memory of the area will come back. I do remember walking around where all the cruise ships dock. Not sure my youngest would be thrilled with that though.
What are you thinking for St Thomas? I am thinking of the full day to honeymoon beach or the Magens Bay beach break.
It stinks that I will be gold for this trip, but it doesn't benefit me with the bookings for August 5th. Our 5th cruise leaves on August 24th.

Got a response via email....

I would be happy to assist you.

In order to provide an accurate response to your email message
regarding, Isla Verde Beach Escape (SJ-32) ,we need to conduct
additional research.

We appreciate your patience while we process your request and look
forward to contacting you shortly.

So will keep everyone posted if I hear back from them. At least someone is looking into it. I keep going back and forth.... Marriott/DCL Isla Verde. I did ask on trip advisor about travel time from marriott and traffic and got response that traffic should be no issue and about 15 min taxi ride. I know my youngest will not eat the PR buffet and she is 10 so adult price. I can do Marriott so much cheaper and when we did Atlantis twice on our own, I really liked being able to get there and get back when I wanted to, instead of being on a particular schedule. So St. Thomas, I am going to try for the full day also.

 

[Va-NanaTink]

I have most of mine done, too!

I'll be getting at the port ASAP. I want on the boat as soon as they open that door.

I would love to as well and we usually stay at the Hyatt at the airport and are among the first at the port. We always get boarding group 2 that way. But this time we added three days at BLT before the cruise and know the buses from the resort don't even leave the resorts until after 11.

Upside is no hanging around in the terminal with no place to sit for a couple of hours and being able to almost walk straight into our stateroom. Both ways have pros and cons!

This cruise makes us platinum so next year we will be in the concierge area, I guess!

 

[scootch]

I would love to as well and we usually stay at the Hyatt at the airport and are among the first at the port. We always get boarding group 2 that way. But this time we added three days at BLT before the cruise and know the buses from the resort don't even leave the resorts until after 11.

Upside is no hanging around in the terminal with no place to sit for a couple of hours and being able to almost walk straight into our stateroom. Both ways have pros and cons!

This cruise makes us platinum so next year we will be in the concierge area, I guess!

I went in with another family and have arranged a limo for nearly the same price as disney transfers... might want to look into a towncar or something. They are picking us up at 930am.

 

[ntheory]

DD will be 16 on Nov 14
DS 7 in Sept

So .... I'm curious (because I, too, have a 16 yo and a 7 yo and know my kids) .... will your 7 yo be ok in the room alone? My 16 yo stays out until the teen club closes, but my 7 yo goes to bed much earlier.

 

[ntheory]

That's funny. I just told my DD Jayden yesterday that there will be a girl age 7 with the same name. My daughter is actually 7 right now but will be 8 before the cruise. She usually refers to herself as Jade, Jady or 'JD'.

I call my daughter Jady all the time. Her other nickname is Jadybug. So, is your dd in 2nd grade? Mine is.

I would love to as well and we usually stay at the Hyatt at the airport and are among the first at the port. We always get boarding group 2 that way. But this time we added three days at BLT before the cruise and know the buses from the resort don't even leave the resorts until after 11.

Upside is no hanging around in the terminal with no place to sit for a couple of hours and being able to almost walk straight into our stateroom. Both ways have pros and cons!

This cruise makes us platinum so next year we will be in the concierge area, I guess!

Oh my. That would drive me nuts! LOL! We're staying at the Radisson at the Port - so, like 5 minutes from the port.

Yippee!!!! You won't need a boarding time next year, either.