October 15, 2005 anyone?

[shmoogrrrl]

Yes, I think I read that the drydock was actually in Virginia.

Yep! Norfolk, Virginia. I really think that they should just let us go to Norfolk and ride down with them to Port Canaveral. I won't expect too muchservice during the two days or so that it will take to get there. Just access to some food, the drink service on deck nine and an open pool!

 

[d'Isigny]

It would be nice to think that we could board a little early but I'm not holding my breath. And actually, after waiting in line for a little more than an hour to board last year just to get those Palo / Spa reservations I'm looking forward to a more leisurely boarding experience this time around. We're going to have a car pick us up about 11:00 on Saturday morning (we're going to Halloween Horror Nights on Friday at Universal, so I think we'll need to sleep in a bit!).

Hey Brenda...guess there is really no reason for DCL to allow me on the ship earlier. but, The 'little kid' in me says...LET ME ON THE SHIP - NOW!!!! I WANT SOME...JUMBO 'PEEL AND EAT SHRIMP'...TO BE NEXT ON THE MICKEY SLIDE...SUN...FUN......YEE HAW!!!!!! OK - I feel better now.

Which is it? Do the waiters get all $30.00 ($10/person X 2 and $10.00 tip) or does the cruise line get some of the $10.00/person and the waiter gets only the extra we leave behind?

Hello Nanc...The boards appear to have a 'pet peeve of the week'. Last week, it was debating the dress code...this weeks is - Palo tipping. Next week...who knows? Honestly – am hopeful the ‘amount’ you leave is distributed among all who support Palo…i.e.; servers, wine steward, cook, dishwasher, management staff and others. DCL does not post ‘who gets what’ on the amount you leave. I’d suggest – letting ‘best judgment’ be your guide. You are ‘required’ to leave $10 per person as gratuity/service fee for each person who dines at Palo. Should you feel the need to compensate further…you are free to do so – or not.

Personal experience – we’ve celebrated some wonderful occasions at Palo. Those serving us…made these celebrations – an event that was ‘beyond our expectations’. Sure wish the same experience for you. I can’t wait to hear about your special time at Palo. Pssssst…if you really want to ‘stir up the pot’ on the regular DCL boards….refer to Palo with an “S” on the end. Ohhhhhh – you’ll get a post or two on that alone.

Alright, alright...I'm done being a grumpy! I just get spoiled by the clear-headed common-sense minded Molar Express cruisers and when I venture out into the general boards I usually end up annoyed. Come on vacation...Brenda's on edge because of her drugs and needs some serious R&R!

Brenda…gotta tell ya…you got a few “AMEN’S”, out of me, on your post.

By the way...are we going to try to have a post-tag Dismeet in order to share good natured baseball humiliation with each other? It would be fun to see what kind of pixie dust everyone can sprinkle around the ship. I'll make these suggestions and let's see what you guys think...

First DISmeet - Sunday...1PM Promenade Lounge

Second DISmeet - Thursday evening...someplace... ok...need a little help here on this one. I would suggest Friday but I think that could be really hectic. I'd love to suggest a late Thursday night meet at Sessions over some martinis or even up on deck with a nice bottle of wine, but that's not really feasible for those of you with little ones...so...what do you think...what do you want to do?

A second meet sounds great. A ‘Sea Day’…might be easier to coordinate another meet – so, I’d agree that Thursday works better than Friday. Just go easy on me - feel I’ve gotten enough ‘baseball humiliation’ this year. My D-bak’s ‘got spanked’ by their last road trip – 3 wins in 12 games – OUCH!! I still can’t believe they are only 4 games out of first place (still have my hopes up – 8th inning and we are losing to the Mets – 3 to 1). Yes – my glass is ‘half full’.

Jason and I are pretty flexible as long as it doesn't conflict with our naughty mud treatment!!!

RUN, Jason….RUN!!!!

All kidding aside – we had a blast during our (and, I like your choice of words) ‘naughty mud treatment’. I thought about booking this again – but, am ‘really giving some thought’ in booking some time at the ‘personal spa’. A private veranda, hot tub and outdoor shower…sounds too cool to pass on…oh well – we will see. If anyone hears some details on this…plz feel free to post or e-mail me directly.

As for the fee vs. service charge debate... it's endless and I'm not sure if there is a right or wrong answer and DCL is annoyingly vague. but it's such a subjective topic that I really don't think there is a real answer. It comes down to what you think of the whole experience once you are finished

All I can say…again is – AMEN.

 

[d'Isigny]

So, do you be thinkin' of makin' someone walk da plank tonight? Wait a minute! Has anyone seen Paul?!?

hey...no - pick'n on Paul. If he goes first...who will handle our Yahoo web site - LOL

Sam - saw on a post you are traveling...first, no dental problems - and - safe return home.

See there are others interested in 'Vista Personal Spa' time. Hummm...will others be...lurking around the spa during their 'open house' to see what this is all about???

 

[txaggie94gigem]

as for boarding early, did anyone else see the drydock big makeover of a royal carribean ship that was on the discovery channel? wow! that was a mess...they almost did not get everything done in time to sail...i wonder what they will be doing to Parrot Cay? If i remember right, the last drydock people said a crew just for all the drydock changes came on board but that all the other crew members also remained on board and cleaned things really well...you know things like the biyearly washing of the comforters! do not read the thread about that one!

I seriously doubt we will be boarding early although i think we will all be in line together....we all really need to have the green mickey heads on our carryons or something so we can know each other! I am just glas we do not have to do the ressie rush!!! Although i think that will make the pools more crowded now!

i have a curiosity question....where did the 20,000 leagues under the sea ride used to be at WDW?

 

[txaggie94gigem]

Heads up!

someone on the repo cruise thread posted that they were told the 2007 rates/schedule would be released in October....let's hope it is while we are on our cruise so we can get the discount!!!! they wer also told the iteniaries may include the mediterannean, alaska or back to CA...we shall see!

i would go on the med cruise in a heartbeat but we could not afford to take all the kids!

 

[wayneg]

Please no Med cruises. Where would you board? Spain? it would be full of Spanish people. France? full of French. Germany? Full of Germans. Even worse England? full of English Keep the ships over that side of the Atlantic. The best thing about DCL is it is not advertised here so majority of british people don't know about it.
Recieved my new Digi SLR camera yesterday Canon 350D. I have 6 weeks 2 days before we leave for Florida, I think I will be still reading the instructions on the flight over.

Had some mixed fortune with plans for next years trip to Florida. We were planning similar to year 2 weeks Orlando then 1 week Western Itinery. Karen couldn't get the dates we wanted off work so we can only do the 3 night cruise. Good news is we can stay for a total of 25 nights instead of usual 21. This will be Aug so maybe not the best month for cruising anyway.

20,000 Leagues was opposite Winnie ride and Mrs Potts.

Hope we can board early as Karen will want us there at daybreak whatever time we can get on.

Wayne

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

My past two cruises on the Wonder I was informed that the $10 per person was the tip for our servers at Palo since they are not part of our normal tip group??? So I figured a $40 tip for our table for 4 was sufficient?

This trip is already expensive enough for a single Mom! I am just lucky to be there period! Guess I could stash a bit extra for Palo tips? I wish we knew for sure what the deal was??????


I don't think they will let us on early...I will be in line early for sure!

 

[SamR]

hey...no - pick'n on Paul. If he goes first...who will handle our Yahoo web site - LOL

Hey, I'm not pickin' on him! Just implying that as a Cubs fan, he might better maintain a low profile around a first mate who is a Cardinals fan, and is just a wee bit grumpy at the moment!

Sam - saw on a post you are traveling...first, no dental problems - and - safe return home.

Thanks!

...will others be...lurking around the spa during their 'open house' to see what this is all about?

Oh my, I sure hope we learn something before then! If not, the spa 'open house' could be overrun by curious DISer's!

 

[shmoogrrrl]

All kidding aside – we had a blast during our (and, I like your choice of words) ‘naughty mud treatment’. I thought about booking this again –

I think that I am the only person onthe planet that thought that the bath was overratted. All that hard marble and mud didn't make either my husband or me feel 'amourous' at all. I also thought that the steam area was WAY too hot and our shower didn't work very well.

 

[SamR]

Even worse England? full of English Keep the ships over that side of the Atlantic. The best thing about DCL is it is not advertised here so majority of british people don't know about it.

Ahh yes, the Americans and the British..."Two peoples separated by a common language."

Recieved my new Digi SLR camera yesterday Canon 350D. I have 6 weeks 2 days before we leave for Florida, I think I will be still reading the instructions on the flight over.

The 350D is what is also referred to as the Digital Rebel XT, right? I have the previous model (300D), the Digital Rebel, and I have been very happy with it. I've only had it for a few months, so I am still very much in learning mode as well. Unfortunately, I have not had as much time to play with it as I would like. I took a bunch of pictures during spring soccer/baseball season, and with "fall" soccer now starting, I'll be taking a lot more in the near future. Hopefully, that practice will have me ready for my first big test: The Molar Express.

If you need an extra resource, I just started reading the following book on using the Digital Rebel (XT): Canon Digital Rebel Field Guide. I haven't gotten into it very far yet, but it looks pretty good so far.

Did you get it with the kit lens (EF-S 18-55)? Any other lenses?

 

[PearlandPaige]

I think that I am the only person onthe planet that thought that the bath was overratted. All that hard marble and mud didn't make either my husband or me feel 'amourous' at all. I also thought that the steam area was WAY too hot and our shower didn't work very well.

I haven't experienced this myself, but I would have to agree. Steamy heat and dirt have never spelled romance for me, either. Now if it were chocolate instead of mud...

I've never seen this little icon, but I had to insert it because it's so cute. Reminds me of my kitties.

 

[oybolshoi]

I solemnly swear that despite my bad mood last night I in no way suggested, mentioned, encouraged, ordered, or coerced anyone, especially Paul, to walk the plank! I even managed to control myself last year during the World Series when the Cardinal went down in flames... we were on the Magic that week and would you believe the couple we were paired with for dinner were from Boston? It could have been verrrrry ugly, but somehow all of us managed to stay polite.


Kevin, I am all over that private treatment suite idea at the spa...I cannot wait to find out more about it...how much...how long...how private??

 

[llyolf]

I solemnly swear that despite my bad mood last night I in no way suggested, mentioned, encouraged, ordered, or coerced anyone, especially Paul, to walk the plank! I even managed to control myself last year during the World Series when the Cardinal went down in flames... we were on the Magic that week and would you believe the couple we were paired with for dinner were from Boston? It could have been verrrrry ugly, but somehow all of us managed to stay polite.


Kevin, I am all over that private treatment suite idea at the spa...I cannot wait to find out more about it...how much...how long...how private??

well now that I'm back from walking the plank (giggle giggle) just wanted to say hey y'all... Our family decided to make the most of the last weekend before school starts for Lily to get down to our family in Maryland... we bookended the weekend with a couple days on both ends... had great weather.... and got to get some golf in with the FIL... well we call it golfing...


Brenda, I read your last statement too fast and thought you said pirate treatment suite... jeesh

I think I undertipped our last dudes... yeah.. I think we gave them a tootsie roll each... not really.... actually that was my pre-DIS days and our jaws hit the floor when we saw the recommended tips... "Back in PA we could tip $1"

Anyway.... have a great rest of your Tuesday...
Paul

P.S. those of you reading this from work....



GET BACK TO WORK!!!!

 

[wayneg]

Did you get it with the kit lens (EF-S 18-55)? Any other lenses?

Hi Sam
Yes, Got the 18-55. My brother has 5 or 6 lens I can borrow but he lives over 200 miles from me and don't know if I will see him before Oct. You will not miss me at the port, I am the one weighted down with SLR, lenses, Compact digi, underwater camera, Video camera, Laptop, Gameboy & 3 cellphones (I am sure this list will get longer)

I have to ring universal tomorrow, they can't renew our annual passes on the net, $99 each to renew for the year. Tickets cover both parks for our 21 nights this year and 25 nights next year so should get value out of them. I wish Disney was this price.

Go to Netherlands this weekend for 3 nights so hoping for good weather.

Wayne

 

[SuzieDizney]

Hi!!
We are cruisin October 15 with y'all!! This is an awesome thread, lots of great info....just have to leave a couple of hours to read it all...WOW!!

Just wanted to say "Hey" from Kentucky!!

1st time cruiser
Suzie

 

[wayneg]

Welclome Suzie from the UK. :thewave:

 

[oybolshoi]

Welcome aboard the Molar Express, Suzie! We've had a rash of broken teeth on this cruise thread, and renamed the ship accordingly. Be sure to check out our Yahoo group...I can't access the link while I'm at work, but I'm sure one of these other fine folks can provide it for you... the group lists all kinds of helpful information including the DISmeets and Distag that we're setting up.

Glad to have you with us...you're going to love sailing with the Mouth...I mean Mouse!

Yes, Sam...I did that on purpose! I haven't made a really bad joke in such a long time that I couldn't resist!

 

[SamR]

I can't access the link while I'm at work, but I'm sure one of these other fine folks can provide it for you

Here it is: DCL-October-15-cruisers

I haven't made a really bad joke in such a long time that I couldn't resist!

I've been expecting one. By my latest measurements, we're about a quart low on bad puns!

well now that I'm back from walking the plank (giggle giggle) just wanted to say hey y'all...

Welcome back, Paul! How was the swim?!?

 

[cntkg1]

Welcome Suzie!!! Glad to have you join us!!!

Nancy

 

[txaggie94gigem]

Hi Suzie!!! Welcome aboard the Molar Express!!! You will have a great time...do you have kids? Lots of us have kids and have listed info about our families on the yahoo site...we look forward to finding out more info and meeting you on board. You are going to have the time of your lives!!!

We bought a couple rafts today on clearance for castaway cay and bought some clothes for my 8 year old...we will save them for the cruise and then he will wear them for school...schmoogirl...our daughter will be in nice dresses and outfits the whole cruise too! she is our only princess and she is very spoiled!!!

i am picking up some extra hours at work for more spending $$$ so we shall see...hopefully i will not be to exhausted for the trip!!!