October 15, 2005 anyone?

[BABYJOSIE98]

We have never had to have a passport and I have been to Mexico twice and on 3 cruises...Guess I was spoiled... Atleast I don't need it for this Disney cruise!

Do any of you know anything about St.Marteen????? How about driving on the Island?? We are thinking about renting a car now since we want to go to the stable and to the beach?

Do they drive on the other side of the road??? Car rental seems to be much cheaper than the taxi will be for all the stops we want to make. Since Gary is going he can do all the driving. It would be kind of fun to explore the island? Any opinions??

 

[SamR]

I know they last 10 years...

Don't shoot the messenger , but children's passports are only good for five years. Also, to make matters just a little worse, beginning a couple of months ago, they tacked on a $12 "security surcharge", both to initial applications and renewals. So, the total is now $97 (adult), $82 (child), and $67 (renewal).

On the other hand, I agree with Brenda that I do find my passport a more convenient means of ID than having to tote around my BC. My wife and I just renewed ours a few months ago (slipping in before the "security surcharge"), and I have toyed with the idea of just biting the bullet and getting them for the kids. But I keep having difficulty convincing myself to cough up that 3 * 82 = $246 total.

 

[wayneg]

AT LAST I have something cheaper in UK. Just checked prices here. Adult 10 year $75 (although same price for a renewal), Child 5 year $45 Extended another 5 years free if details have not changed.
Just wish I could get gas for the same price as US. It now cost us around $7.56/£4.08 Gallon.
Wayne

 

[SamR]

Do any of you know anything about St.Marteen????? How about driving on the Island??

No personal experience here, but allow me to quote from my favorite guidebook (Passporter):

"As with many ports, the real pleasures are found outside of town. Most destinations are within a half-hour drive of Philipsburg, and a rental car is the way to get there."​

So, the Passporter folks think you have the right idea!

Do they drive on the other side of the road???

Another quote from the Passporter:

"American and Canadian drivers will be happy as the island follows U.S. driving practices (right-hand side), but beware of speed bumps through towns and resorts."​

 

[SamR]

I am still having teeth problems. Next appointment 22nd June.

Sorry to hear that, but if misery loves company, how about this for a coincidence: June 22nd is the date I return to my oral surgeon for my implant! Ouch! Bring on the IV sedation!

It now cost us around $7.56/£4.08 Gallon.

Now you're making me feel bad for complaining about having to pay $2.25 per gallon a couple of months ago! (It has dropped a bit...I paid $2.12 per gallon for today's fill-up.)

 

[wayneg]

Now you're making me feel bad for complaining about having to pay $2.25 per gallon a couple of months ago! (It has dropped a bit...I paid $2.12 per gallon for today's fill-up.)

To fill our BMW and van it now costs around $180.
Maybe we should both ride these instead
Wayne

 

[jenmack]

WOW I don't think I will ever (maybe just a little ) complain about gas again. Wait till I tell my DH this one. It really makes you appreciate what you have or don't have. I filled up our minivan this morning. $1.94/gallon.

 

[wayneg]

Its not just gas, don't get me going on Rip-off Britain. I am considering replacing the BMW with a Mercedes soon. UK cost $40K, US cost $30k.
I will be buying a new camera in next few weeks Canon 350D, UK price at discount store $1,200, US price $900. I know a lot of Americans like Tony Blair (I wish you would take him) but his government has increased tax after tax.
Deep breaths, calming down, thinking of cruise.
Wayne

 

[SamR]

I will be buying a new camera in next few weeks Canon 350D...

350D - Also known as the Digital Rebel XT? Good choice! I purchased its predecessor just a few months ago (Digital Rebel) and have been very pleased with it. I'm still very much in learning mode...I purchased it when I did to allow plenty of time for learning/experimentation before the cruise.

Just as a sample, here are a couple of recent pictures from my Rebel:

The originals look a bit better, as the dimensions and JPEG quality have been reduced on these to minimize the file sizes for posting.

 

[shmoogrrrl]

Anybody on the Molar Express looking forward to Revenge of the Sith or are Jason and I the only Star Wars geeks on this ship?

We are! I can't WAIT!

 

[SamR]

Good morning, everyone!

We reach another big milestone today:

150 Days and Counting! ​

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

Great pictures! I am going to rent the car so we have more freedom to explore the island. I think all the taxi charges would be too much. I am just glad to know they drive on our side of the road....

I was looking on line and Hertz has a pick up around the port area?? I will have to check it out!

We leave Tuesday for Orlando!! Woo Hoo!

Bye

 

[llyolf]

so has anybody spent the day and a half reading the 35+ pages of the less than week old 14 Day Repo cruise Live From reports? wow! they've already had lots of ups and downs! so now only the Wonder will be in Port Canaveral for 3 or 4 months... I read they "only" have 400 kids on the repo cruise... almost everyone responding to that said "Oh that would be GREAT!!!"... somehow, somewhere, there is a little voice in me that says that it's not quite the same without the kids.... seems like everyone and their sister/brother are up in arms about the debacle of trying to get LE (Limited Edition) pins for the cruise. (They even had an Adult Slumber Party/waiting line).

Later,
Paul

150!!!! yay!!!

Like the sunflower seed company says:
Eat, Spit, Be Happy!

 

[VA_mouseman]

Independence Air finally posted October flight information. At this moment, I can't recall the DCL info on when to book a return flight (Oct. 22). Is 12:00 noon too early?

FYI, for those in the DC area, Independence (www.flyi.com) flies direct from Dulles to Orlando. Haven't booked yet, but airline tickets for our family of four is looking to be $667 ($74 per person per flight, plus taxes).

Our tentative plan is to fly down Friday night and stay at a hotel near the airport, then take the DCL shuttle Saturday morning.

 

[llyolf]

VA_mouseman: if I can't find cheaper direct flights, I may choose Independence also... My DW has family in DC and in Western MD (Cumberland) so we might be able to drive down (4 hours from PA) and do it that way.... but hopefully the SW flights from Buffalo will come down.... I also have Rochester, Cleveland and even Pittsburgh I can fly from... Buffalo/Rochester are about 2 1/2 hours from me... pittsburgh is like 3-4 hours and IAD/BWI are like 6 hours (but have the family half way)... would you say I am in the middle of nowhere?

Eat, Spit, Be Happy!

Thanks,
Paul

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

VA Mouseman,
Noon would be fine for a flight. We have always been back to the airport by 10:00 am....They get you off the ship by 8:30 and on the busses and you are out of there.... So sad...

I did see the Repo cruise thread,but did not have time to read all of it. I can't believe only 400 kids!! That is a long time to be on a ship. I can't say I would want to do a 14 day sailing??? Most kids are still in school and people don't want to pull them out the last 2 weeks. That is a lot of school too miss and so I bet that was a big factor. I don't mind taking mine out for 3-5 days,but not that many. Too much open sea for me!

I can't believe how close it is getting....Just think I booked this a year and a half out and it seemed so far away.........

 

[SamR]

...so has anybody spent the day and a half reading the 35+ pages of the less than week old 14 Day Repo cruise Live From reports?

I've been trying to check it once or twice a day. I figure if I fall more than a day behind, I will never catch up! This is day 5 of the cruise, and that thread is on its 41st page!

The pin fiasco is amazing. I collect pins, but there is no way that I would get in a line at 2:00 in the morning, or stand in a line that runs the length of deck 3!

One interesting rumor for those that haven't read the thread: One of the cruisers reported that at the Castaway Club meeting the Captain said that there would be some changes to the Magic during its dry dock, and that they would share some of those changes later in the cruise. I figure it is worth monitoring the thread just for that!

Lastly, it is certainly good news that the track for tropical storm Adrian (which I guess will change names when it crosses into the Caribbean) should keep it well away from the Magic. Of course, one has to wonder if it is a bad omen to already have a tropical system anywhere near the Magic before the official start of hurricane season!

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

How exciting!!

Well I don't think we will be going to the Halloween party this year. We are going to just fly down Thursday evening. With me going to Orlando next week and taking off some days this summer with Josie I am using quite a bit vacation. So If I would go down early on Thursday that would be 7 more vacation days in October and that would about wipe me out.

Sounded good,but I did not think about how much time I have left..I am spoiled working for Wash U cause we get almost 4 weeks vacation a year!! I take it too,but I don't like to get it down to less than 3 days in case the kiddo gets sick or something?? That is ok...I will be just happy to go and be at MK on Friday.... Unless....I can work a Sat to make up a Vacation day!! Hmmmmm....See my brain is always working on a way out..LOL

Sam,
Let us know if you read anything about changes to the MAGIC!

 

[sara]

Hi everyone! I've been away for awhile and there is a lot to catching up to do!!! Spent a week in sunny Aruba with DH, celebrating ten years! I'm slowly coming back to reality.

About dry dock...stretching...what does that mean? Sounds scary to me. But, I guess they know what they're doing. It will be interesting to hear what the Captain says about it.

We booked our flights already. One less thing to worry about. Now, of course, I'm secretly wishing I added a day or two. Our community airport rarely has any specials, actually, the price has gone up and up. For that reason, I'm glad I already booked it. BJ98, I remember the great airfare last fall. We took advantage of it, grabbed it and left within a week. I hope you get those rates again!!!

I can't decide what to do in St. Marten? I'm leaning toward the beach, but it would be nice to explore the island. Any ideas?

Sam R, great pictures!

BJ98, have a great time in Orlando! You are so lucky!!!

Have a great week/weekend!

Sara

 

[sara]

ps I *lost* the yahoo website link. Anyone have it handy? I promise I will bookmark it this time!