Oct 30 2010 7 Night Western (PART 2)

[livingis2me]

Woohoo !! Just 1 Month till our Cruise !! ​

30 days!!! Somebody please wake me up when we're all packed and ready to go!

 

[Fastpaks]

Me too!!
I hope they bring in some extra help. I'm pretty sure that the children do not actually count in there head count of 100. So there will most likely be well more than 100 when you consider all the other ships in port that day. From what I've read on cruise critic they don't seem to handle crowds over 75 very well.
Sorry I don't mean to sound negative. It's just that we are all paying a lot of $ to enjoy this place and we should be treated well, busy or not...

I wonder if there is a polite way to let the server know that the size of his tip will depend greatly on how well they keep the drinks flowing.

I don't think that is unreasonable. From what I read, there will be a lot of ppl going to the bar. SO I guess we will be familiar with each other.

 

[nenner1]

I have read they like to take cash when you get there.

Ron and I have talked briefly about this wonder if you all have heard anything about it...but we read on Cruise Critic that Mexico is cracking down on American dollars being used as currency and is allowing pesos only. What a pain in the butt!

Obviously we have a confirmation from Nachi saying we owe so much in American dollars so I'm not concerned with that- just the taxi rides. Reports have been mixed. Some say they had to use pesos, some say dollars are still OK. I doubt the cab drivers take credit cards....so hopefully this isn't the issue it's being made out to be (there have been several similar threads over there recently).

Hey, quick question... did we ever decide if we should bring TOT bags?? I don't remember.... I am getting old!

Thanks!

Jen will answer this better, but I think she will be getting a gross of about 50 TOT bags for those who need them. I think most people who did reply said they would be bringing there own which is why she decided to only get 50 instead of 100.

Ron

Yes, he is correct I will be ordering 50 ToT bags. Hopefully that will be enough. Gauging from the response I got here from those planning to bring their own bags, it should be. So for everyone whose child is bringing their own ToT bag onboard, do bring it to our Dis ToT too so the purchased bags can go to those without a bag at all!

30 days!!! Somebody please wake me up when we're all packed and ready to go!

Well you'd better get up now, you've got some work to do....

 

[Pudo]

I have read they like to take cash when you get there. I also wonder though how they faired getting hit with back to back tropical storms. I have checked other websites that talk about them .. and it would seem that the marketing company that handles their stuff hasn't been as fast at answering things as of late. I'm still concern about our HUGE group being too much for them to handle.

Yeah, just not a big fan of carrying cash onboard.

Funny story: In 2002 Missy and I got married in WDW at the Wedding Pavilion. A couple of days later we went on a 3 day DCL cruise for our honeymoon (my first, her second DCL cruise).

We drove down so at the port I dropped them off and went to park the car. When I paid for the parking I had a big wad of cash (around $500) of which I paid for 3 days worth of parking, but unfortunately left the rest of the cash on the passenger seat in my excitment to get on the ship.

A couple hours later while the ship was still in port I realized that I don't have the money and that it is still in the car!!! Holy S*** Batman!!

I called Guest Services and had to get special permission to leave the ship. I never ran so fast in my life. I got the cash and all was well, but I was surprised to find out later that "Cash is King" every except for on the ship.

At least I got the cash, that much sitting on the seat in the open would have been an open invitaton for a "smash and grab". How much fun would it have been to come back to a smashed car window?

Every since then I don't like to bring cash with me.

 

[JKSWonder]

Ron and I have talked briefly about this wonder if you all have heard anything about it...but we read on Cruise Critic that Mexico is cracking down on American dollars being used as currency and is allowing pesos only. What a pain in the butt!

Obviously we have a confirmation from Nachi saying we owe so much in American dollars so I'm not concerned with that- just the taxi rides. Reports have been mixed. Some say they had to use pesos, some say dollars are still OK. I doubt the cab drivers take credit cards....so hopefully this isn't the issue it's being made out to be (there have been several similar threads over there recently).

Where would you change money from U.S. Dollars to pesos? Is there a place at the port? I would hate to change money before we leave only to find I am stuck with with a bunch of pesos because we could not dock for some reason or another.

DH, however, would probably be thrilled to be stuck with some pesos. He collects foreign money. Though he would be less than thrilled with not going to Nachi!

 

[dizney-cruiser]

We go to Cozumel all the time and have never had any issues with using cash

 

[Pudo]

Looks like the cat is finally out of the bag. Just got an email from our TA that the 2012 itineraries will be released shortly.

Quote from email:

Lead-time between Disney Cruise Line's® announcement of itineraries/sail dates and the opening of 2012 for booking is anticipated to be a matter of days. Based on last year's timing, we expect the announcement and subsequent opening very soon.

We are hoping for a repo that would include Hawaii. <fingers crossed>

 

[figmentnnemo]

If anyone is diving in grand cayman, the morning tour time was moved to 7:45 a.m. from 9:30 a.m.; just got a call from DCL.

 

[figmentnnemo]

We will be at BCV before and AKV after. Staying on points. Anyone else there?

We're at AKL after too! AKL & BLT before. We're trying to switch to AKL the whole time.

 

[tinkerbelltwins]

Has anybody paid the Nachi Cocom excursion in full? I like paying stuff upfront so that I don't have to worry about it while on vacation.

We are taking a limo after the cruise from port to WDW staying at BCV which I just paid in full

The only outstanding cost I haven't covered is the Nachi Cocom excursion.

As a whole, it is probably not a good idea since it might be hard to get my money back in the case of cancellation, but I'm ok with that risk.

Jeff

Jeff,

I will email Katie at Island Marketing and ask her if it is possible to pay in full beforehand. I think you are right, the risk is if you paid the full amount and for whatever reason DCL decided not to dock there on that date. The contract language says that the "Refunds due to Operators cancellations other than inclement weather cancellations or Ships not calling Port will be refunded by the Tour Provider at time of Tour."

Beth

 

[Pudo]

We're at AKL after too! AKL & BLT before. We're trying to switch to AKL the whole time.

We are BLT before and BCV after. Going to Chef Mickey's the morning of the cruise before we take the DCL bus to port.

 

[tjbaggott]

Here's a question for you all.
I had a doctor's appt. this afternoon, and while there, mentioned to her about our Caribbean Cruise, and asked if there was a requirement for vaccines of any sort. She told me if we were going to spend time in the Caribbean, even for part of a day, and eating food in port there (Nachi), then YES. We would all need HEP A vaccines. Well, I myself don't need it as I already have antibodies to HEP A. But my DH and boys will need it. (and our Health Insurance wont' cover for travel vaccinations). Anyway, are all YOUR thoughts on this? I have the script, and our own private insurance might cover the cost of the med itself. I personally think I will get this for them, I would rather be safe than sorry, but am surprised I've not heard it discussed before, or has it?

Next question is, How do I tell my boys they need this shot, but can't (don't want to) tell them yet, as they don't know about this SURPRISE trip.

 

[kristieuk]

Gosh, I have never hear of vaccinations as a given for any Caribbean travel. Off to have a look what the advice is from the UK perspective....

 

[kristieuk]

Hmmm, says the same thing, just a recommendation. We have been to mainland Mexico a couple of times which carries similar recommendations I see now, but we were never advised at the time. In fact, I was pregnant the second time, and I specifically asked if there was anything I needed to know / do. The dr said if we were not going off the beaten track, there was really no need to do anything at all. Ugh, will contact dr again and see if it is necessary - or even available for the kids.

 

[figmentnnemo]

I'm confused--didn't we already pay for our lanyards??

:(this is in regards to lanyards but I will welcome input from anyone!)

I have been working diligently on the lanyards as we wind down the sign ups and proceed to the next step. A thought occurred to me today that hadn't previously. And that is by dividing the cost down to each lanyard if someone does not pay for theirs then the cost per person for everyone else changes. If some have already paid then they would have to be responsible to send me additional $, etc. Others may then want to pull out if the cost is not exactly what was quoted, continuing the snowball. And we aren't even at final payment yet, so people could possibly still drop out of the cruise altogether. (Would hate to see that happen, but it could). So this could be a logistic nightmare.

As much as I would love to be in the position to absorb the extra cost should this occur, it could possibly add up to a very substantial amount. I was already not taking into account other supplies I would have to purchase like cardstock, and ink for example. So I was already facing some out of pocket expense. I'm just concerned that this could end up being a mess or a huge headache splitting it up per lanyard.

Does anyone have any solutions or ideas? Experience on past cruises? My last cruise did a "Lanyard team" where each member made a flat contribution ($10) and then enough lanyards were purchased for everyone to have one. In exchange for their contribution, these members usernames were listed on the backside of the nametags. If we wanted to do this option we would need roughly 20 volunteers to chip in $10/each. The order will cost appx $200.

Or I could add a "buffer" amount to the final cost and divide that amount up equally. For instance If the order costs $200, I would add say $30 on top and divide $230 up amongst those participating. That way if someone ends up not paying, their shortage would come out of the "buffer". If everyone does pay, then that money could go towards other supplies (the ink etc. or even ToT candy). Of course there is the chance that any shortage may exceed the buffer too, but I would feel a lot more comfortable knowing we have some cushion.

And although I would not be making the order until after receiving payments and theoretically could pull the plug and just refund everyone if too may people drop out I don't really want to worry about the mess that might be as well. I picture myself wandering the boat trying to find people at midnight on night 1 with one of those change dispensers on my hip. LOL!

So anyway I need everyone's feedback or any ideas you have, no matter how small. Thanks for your help and continued support!

 

[figmentnnemo]

Can anyone point me to the spot where I could read about the Fish Extenders? I am soooo confused.

I've got mine on order from Stiches 'N Bows on Etsy.

 

[nenner1]

I'm confused--didn't we already pay for our lanyards??

Yes, that is an old post. Its all good, should have plenty of $$$ for candy. Shopping this weekend for it, in fact!

 

[JKSWonder]

Here's a question for you all.
I had a doctor's appt. this afternoon, and while there, mentioned to her about our Caribbean Cruise, and asked if there was a requirement for vaccines of any sort. She told me if we were going to spend time in the Caribbean, even for part of a day, and eating food in port there (Nachi), then YES. We would all need HEP A vaccines. Well, I myself don't need it as I already have antibodies to HEP A. But my DH and boys will need it. (and our Health Insurance wont' cover for travel vaccinations). Anyway, are all YOUR thoughts on this? I have the script, and our own private insurance might cover the cost of the med itself. I personally think I will get this for them, I would rather be safe than sorry, but am surprised I've not heard it discussed before, or has it?

Next question is, How do I tell my boys they need this shot, but can't (don't want to) tell them yet, as they don't know about this SURPRISE trip.

Would you be comfortable with lying and telling them it's a shot for something else? Like a flu shot? That's probably what I would do....my conscience is flexible with that kind of thing!

The CDC guidelines says it's recommended for unvaccinated people. It's on the CDC children's schedule of recommended vaccines, and my pediatrician is the really cautious sort, so I think they already had their 2 doses before they turned 2 years of age. I'm going to check their records when I get home and then call the doctor if I don't see it listed.

 

[tjbaggott]

Would you be comfortable with lying and telling them it's a shot for something else? Like a flu shot? That's probably what I would do....my conscience is flexible with that kind of thing!

The CDC guidelines says it's recommended for unvaccinated people. It's on the CDC children's schedule of recommended vaccines, and my pediatrician is the really cautious sort, so I think they already had their 2 doses before they turned 2 years of age. I'm going to check their records when I get home and then call the doctor if I don't see it listed.

LOL, I just tried something out on the 7yr old. He came to me asking, yet again" for me to use my credit card to purchase something he wants, thats costs $5.00 for his online game (Wizards 101). We've only allowed that once before, and I think THAT was a mistake. But instead of answering him right away, I told him I was at the doctor today and the doctor told me that he and his brother and Dad all need a shot (vaccine). He asked why, angrily, and I just replied with "Because the Doctor said so". Then he asked What for. I told him honestly, "Hep A". And told him it was a disease that could make him very very ill if he got it, and the vaccine would make sure he didn't get it. Hmmmmm, he thought about it then told me, "Are you sure it's just one shot? Because the last time you told me it was one shot, it ended up being TWO shots!". I assured him it is just one shot, without a doubt. Then bargained with him. If he gets the vaccine, no tantrums/complaints, I will reward that with the $5.00 Wizard game purchase, and he happily agreed.
That was probably not good parenting, but I'll work with what seems to work on this one! Now we'll see if the 13yr old will buy into the "Because the Doctor Said so" bit.

 

[tinkerbelltwins]

Just heard back from Katie at Island Marketing. The answer is "no", they don't allow payment in full ahead of time. So everyone going to Nachi, do remember to bring cash or travelers checks to pay off your balance when you get to the entrance. They don't accept credit cards there. Previously in an email I voiced my worries about the large size of our group and asked if would they have enough staff on hand. Katie reassured me that they would be adequately staffed to accommodate our large group. Time will tell, I guess.

Also, I'm planning to meet with Sheri sometime next week to work out the activities for the Pirate Treasure Hunt. I heard from a few people with some fun ideas for the 10 and unders. If anyone else has a bright idea, do pass them along to me in a PM. The kids will do an activity to earn a group clue, and so on until they find the treasure. Judy (what doesn't she do?!) is in charge of the treasure chest loot. PM her if you have any questions about that -- we aren't going too overboard as we know the kids will get lots of goodies thanks to the TOT and the FEs. Main thing is for the kids to have fun. One of my twins can get shy in a group so not sure if she will get right in there and participate. If not, oh well!

Beth