October 19, 2008 4 day Bahama - anyone else?

[Justthe8ofus]

Now, I need some opinions if you all don't mind.
So if you got through all that I would really appreciate opinions and any experiences that you all have had.
Thanks in advance!

If it were me I would fly. 2 1/2 hrs vs 2 days...

I have driven from Orlando to Boston with a 12 month old. I have driven from Orlando to Dallas with a 2 yr old and a 12 month old and being PG. I am not a big fan of the long car ride. With gas, tolls and hotel are you really saving $$ by driving? How about your sanity?

I fly from Orlando to FLL and Miami for cruises. That's my $.02

 

[queenbee99]

I am hoping for that one...and hoping for an early showing of HSM 3....Tink's new movie comes out the 28th so I think we miss that one...and it is a DVD....

Well Beverly Hills Chihuahua opens on 10/3! That looks so cute and funny. I would probably plan on that being offered.

 

[queenbee99]

This is something I went thru...It is about a 12 hour drive for us...but if we flew it is about 7 hours...maybe more once you factor that we have to drive 2 1/2 hours to the airport, 2 1/2 hour flight, getting to the airport early, delays and such etc...then we also factored in cost both ways...we decided since we are going to drive this time since we have to drive to the port...but I would just weigh the cost/time factor and go from there...

Hey everyone,

Just saw the changes in the itinerary. I don't know if I am upset about this or not. I guess it really didn't matter because we didn't have any excursions planned. Oh yea, we are in stateroom 8520 and have main dinner seating (whatever that means, we requested early seating because of DS so I guess that is what it is.)

Now, I need some opinions if you all don't mind. Here is the dilemma: Our plans were to drive down to Florida from NJ. (We have done this for the past 3 trips with really no problems. We have had DS on 2 of those trips.) We planned on leaving in the early morning hours of 10/17 probably around 1-2 am. I have to work the night before til 1215 am so we would be leaving after that. Anyway our plans were to drive until we got to Santee,SC where we would get a room for the night and pick up the next morning. We would then drive to the Port where we have a room booked for the night of the 18th.
On returning from the cruise, we have reservations at Old Key West until the 26th. Then we would pick back up and start the drive home, again stopping in SC overnight.
Here's the dilemma part: I was searching airfares today just for the heck of it and found Jet Blue flying out of Newark for $89 each way. The 2 nights in SC would cost us a little over $200. DH says it cost us around $400 to drive down the last time (May) So now I am not sure what would be better to do. If we flew we would probably end up renting a car for transportation to and from the airport in Florida just because it is less of a hassle with the baby and it's easier to be on our own schedule.

I am leaning toward flying(even though I am not crazy about it) because we'd be there quicker, but I am nervous about flying with DS. DH thinks (and I am tending to agree) that we should fly so that we can test out DS on a shorter flight because we are going to St. Maarten in March and that is about a 5 hour flight.

So if you got through all that I would really appreciate opinions and any experiences that you all have had.
Thanks in advance!

 

[Elasta-Girl]

Beth I can't see your pics. Is it just me?

Here are some pics from our May Magic cruise

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/565648737rtPWYf?vhost=good-times

Dang! They were there yesterday, but now they are gone. Must be some board protocol I don't know about. I'll figure this out when I'm home later tonight. Love your family shots - you are so cute!!

 

[PrincessaJasmine]

I just called DCL reservation line and they could not tell me when pirate night will be on our sailing. After putting me on hold for a few minutes, the agent said he would have someone call me back with the information.

PJ

 

[JustinsMommy07]

Thanks Mary & queenbee we booked the flight Now all I have to do is figure out how to pack all our stuff into 1 suitcase each. I was planning on having the car to leave extra stuff in while we were on the cruise!

 

[Justthe8ofus]

Dang! They were there yesterday, but now they are gone. Must be some board protocol I don't know about. I'll figure this out when I'm home later tonight. Love your family shots - you are so cute!!

Thanks Beth! I look forward to seeing your pics. No pressure though.

 

[Justthe8ofus]

Thanks Mary & queenbee we booked the flight Now all I have to do is figure out how to pack all our stuff into 1 suitcase each. I was planning on having the car to leave extra stuff in while we were on the cruise!

yeah! One less thing to worry about.

 

[queenbee99]

Oh yeah...that was one of the deciding factors too! I never pack lightly! LOL...My 4 year old has more suitcases then me!

Thanks Mary & queenbee we booked the flight Now all I have to do is figure out how to pack all our stuff into 1 suitcase each. I was planning on having the car to leave extra stuff in while we were on the cruise!

 

[queenbee99]

Please let me know what you find out...someone posted on my post in the regular cruise thread that he was told 2nd night pirate night and 3rd night formal night too...

I just called DCL reservation line and they could not tell me when pirate night will be on our sailing. After putting me on hold for a few minutes, the agent said he would have someone call me back with the information.

PJ

 

[PrincessaJasmine]

I still haven't received that phone call from DCL.

If what tiggerhappy posted is correct, with Pirate Night on Nassau night, this really messes me up. I had booked Palo brunch on Sea day and Palo dinner on original Nassau day (Night 2). When the itinerary was changed, they also changed my Palo ressies--moving dinner to night 3 (Nassau) and keeping brunch on Sea Day, of course, which is now Day 2. Since this is our first DCL cruise, I wanted to experience all of the dining rooms and didn't want to miss Pirate Night in the dining room with my sons. Now it looks like I might have to choose between Palo and Pirate Night unless I go for eating Palo brunch and dinner on the same day. What a dilemma! Boy, isn't life rough for us?

PJ

 

[queenbee99]

ok so if you have the brunch on your sea day then you WON"t miss pirate night at dinner....we will cause that is when our Palo dinner is....Formal night is on your Palo night...I am jealous you got brunch AND dinner...there were no brunches available when I booked...

I still haven't received that phone call from DCL.

If what tiggerhappy posted is correct, with Pirate Night on Nassau night, this really messes me up. I had booked Palo brunch on Sea day and Palo dinner on original Nassau day (Night 2). When the itinerary was changed, they also changed my Palo ressies--moving dinner to night 3 (Nassau) and keeping brunch on Sea Day, of course, which is now Day 2. Since this is our first DCL cruise, I wanted to experience all of the dining rooms and didn't want to miss Pirate Night in the dining room with my sons. Now it looks like I might have to choose between Palo and Pirate Night unless I go for eating Palo brunch and dinner on the same day. What a dilemma! Boy, isn't life rough for us?

PJ

 

[queenbee99]

Another person called and was told the same thing as me...they posted on my thread in the regular cruise forum....

I still haven't received that phone call from DCL.

If what tiggerhappy posted is correct, with Pirate Night on Nassau night, this really messes me up. I had booked Palo brunch on Sea day and Palo dinner on original Nassau day (Night 2). When the itinerary was changed, they also changed my Palo ressies--moving dinner to night 3 (Nassau) and keeping brunch on Sea Day, of course, which is now Day 2. Since this is our first DCL cruise, I wanted to experience all of the dining rooms and didn't want to miss Pirate Night in the dining room with my sons. Now it looks like I might have to choose between Palo and Pirate Night unless I go for eating Palo brunch and dinner on the same day. What a dilemma! Boy, isn't life rough for us?

PJ

 

[queenbee99]

I forgot to add the guy told me even if I had Palo on Pirate night I wouldn't miss the deck party...what is it I will miss at dinner on Pirate night? My dd will miss it since she wouldn't be dining with us at Palo...

 

[mclewes]

Wow.. I go away for a few days and I feel out of the loop, I have to try and change my CS resv. too. I guess I'll keep both in case things change again. I've become obsessed with making iron ons for the kids shirts and magnets for the door! I also got all of my docs filled out and I'm trying to get organized(not my strongest trait) now that the kids are back in school....
Cograts on the new baby

 

[PrincessaJasmine]

Okay, I just called DCL again. They told me that Pirate Night is Nassau night. The agent said this was now finalized.

So, I'll now have to decide whether to keep my Palo dinner on that night and miss Pirate Dinner in the dining room. My Palo ressie is early enough that I won't miss the party. My sons will also probably still dine in the dining rooms as my DMom and DSis are travelling with us and might enjoy a night alone with the boys

BTW, what actually happens in the dining rooms on Pirate Night?

PJ

 

[Elasta-Girl]

Okay, I just called DCL again. They told me that Pirate Night is Nassau night. The agent said this was now finalized.

So, I'll now have to decide whether to keep my Palo dinner on that night and miss Pirate Dinner in the dining room. My Palo ressie is early enough that I won't miss the party. My sons will also probably still dine in the dining rooms as my DMom and DSis are travelling with us and might enjoy a night alone with the boys

BTW, what actually happens in the dining rooms on Pirate Night?

PJ

I'm happy with that change!! We have an afternoon snorkeling excursion in Nassau and then early dining, so I was afraid I'd be super rushed to get ready for the formal night. How many of you are bringing pirate costumes? I doubt we'll do much for that night other than enjoy the creativity of others I'm curious about what happens at dinner too!

 

[CastleCreations]

Hello all...I have some sad news...I will have to bid you all goodbye....We aren't sailing on the October 19th cruise with you all....We had a change of plans...
I just scored a room on the 7 nite Western...yahoo!!!!

Can you tell I'm excited!! I found that the florida resident rate for the western is actually less than I paid for the 4 night. Disney actually gave me money back. I only lose the money paid for the snorkel excursion that I booked, but it's only 50 dollars. I'm sorry to leave you all but I know you will all have a great time...
Oh the bad news...I have to wait until November 1st to cruise...boo hoo...so I have 2 weeks longer than planned to wait...now I need to go and change my ticker...LOL

 

[Justthe8ofus]

Hello all...I have some sad news...I will have to bid you all goodbye....We aren't sailing on the October 19th cruise with you all....We had a change of plans...
I just scored a room on the 7 nite Western...yahoo!!!!

Can you tell I'm excited!! I found that the florida resident rate for the western is actually less than I paid for the 4 night. Disney actually gave me money back. I only lose the money paid for the snorkel excursion that I booked, but it's only 50 dollars. I'm sorry to leave you all but I know you will all have a great time...
Oh the bad news...I have to wait until November 1st to cruise...boo hoo...so I have 2 weeks longer than planned to wait...now I need to go and change my ticker...LOL

congrats! Have a blast. Make sure to look into early voting because the election will be during that week.

So they let you change dates today without a fee? I had to pay $85pp to change from the 9/7 wonder to this sailing.

 

[Justthe8ofus]

Okay, I just called DCL again. They told me that Pirate Night is Nassau night. The agent said this was now finalized.

So, I'll now have to decide whether to keep my Palo dinner on that night and miss Pirate Dinner in the dining room. My Palo ressie is early enough that I won't miss the party. My sons will also probably still dine in the dining rooms as my DMom and DSis are travelling with us and might enjoy a night alone with the boys

BTW, what actually happens in the dining rooms on Pirate Night?

PJ

I wonder what time they are planning on leaving Nassau? We won't be staying late if Pirate night is that night.

Nothing goes on at dinner. On my 2 Magic cruises a lot of people did dress up. I have heard that the Wonder cruises are much more casual and not as many people dress for pirate night. I guess we will find out.