October 5, 2008 Wonder Cruise!

[pls5286]

When is everyone planning on getting to FLA? The kids and I are leaving out either Fri after they get out of school and driving half way (it is about an 8 hr drive) or we will make the entire drive on Sat depending on sports schedules...last year we had picture day for soccer on Sat and I was DD's coach so i kinda had to be there. We are planning on staying in Coccoa on Sat night and getting to PC bright and early Sun morning around 1030 or 1100. If we drive on Sat the entire way, it will take us 10 or 11 hrs because I have to make frequent stops because of health issues, so I am hoping we can leave Fri.

 

[BCVOwner2002]

When is everyone planning on getting to FLA? The kids and I are leaving out either Fri after they get out of school and driving half way (it is about an 8 hr drive) or we will make the entire drive on Sat depending on sports schedules...last year we had picture day for soccer on Sat and I was DD's coach so i kinda had to be there. We are planning on staying in Coccoa on Sat night and getting to PC bright and early Sun morning around 1030 or 1100. If we drive on Sat the entire way, it will take us 10 or 11 hrs because I have to make frequent stops because of health issues, so I am hoping we can leave Fri.

We are arriving on Saturday and will be staying at the Airport Hyatt and then heading to the port on Sunday morning. We will be spending a few nights after the cruise at BCV. I couldn't imagine being that close Disney and not visiting. Plus owning DVC makes it easy too!

 

[pls5286]

OK....I have a plan...I vote we plan a coup and just take over the ship...Who is with me? I need a major disney fix....I am so ready for Oct!!!!

Patty

 

[Lora]

I've not checked in for a long time... we've been getting ready to move. I have not scheduled a flight yet because we were not 100% sure of our location and things have been a little hectic. I noticed that fares went down recently. I hope they stay that way long enough for me to book my flight.

I'm planning to arrive on the 4th and stay over as close to the port as we can. That's another thing I have to do soon....hotel reservation. We have no excursions booked because we still need to pay the balance on our cruise. I'm not sure what I even want. I know I want to do something for dd's birthday while we're there.

 

[BCVOwner2002]

We're getting closer! 11 weeks or 77 days from today we will be on our way to the port!!

 

[gamomof2]

We thought about taking a taxi to Cable Beach when we docked in Nassau. Has anyone gone there before?

 

[gamomof2]

Has anyone tried to log onto DCL tonight? I'm getting a system down message.

 

[lisaradz]

Yep, I got the system error message too. What happens if we can't login when it's time to make ressies for Palo and excursions? We are sooooo close to the 75 day mark. I will be so bummed if I can't get ressies.

 

[gamomof2]

I was able to get on this morning and make Palo and Castaway cay excursion reservations. Both girls will be doing the Wild Side teen excursion. DH and I have Palo on the CC night at 6:30.

 

[BCVOwner2002]

We made reservations weeks ago and none of them are showing up on our itinerary! Looks like I'm going to need to call DCL again!

 

[yellowfish78]

...they might be making upgrades to the system. Just remember to refresh your screen if you have problems at the 75 day mark. I went to check mine and none were there, but after refreshing, they appeared.

Is it wrong that I think they should do a Wild Side adult version?? I'd love to do a kayaking tour around the island...and I don't see one for adults!

It also looks like that Bob and I might be the only ones arriving the day of. Pray for good weather in CLE and MCO for us! No hurricanes! (We'd love to leave a day early, but it's kinda hard to do when we have to entertain 150 wedding guests. )

 

[lisaradz]

I was able to get on this morning and make Palo and Castaway cay excursion reservations. Both girls will be doing the Wild Side teen excursion. DH and I have Palo on the CC night at 6:30.

I tried and it still says try back at 75 days, so I guess I'll just have to be patient until 9:00 tonight!

 

[BCVOwner2002]

...they might be making upgrades to the system. Just remember to refresh your screen if you have problems at the 75 day mark. I went to check mine and none were there, but after refreshing, they appeared.

Is it wrong that I think they should do a Wild Side adult version?? I'd love to do a kayaking tour around the island...and I don't see one for adults!

It also looks like that Bob and I might be the only ones arriving the day of. Pray for good weather in CLE and MCO for us! No hurricanes! (We'd love to leave a day early, but it's kinda hard to do when we have to entertain 150 wedding guests. )

They were having issues with their website yesterday but for some reason, everything I reserved was gone. The CM I spoke with was able to see everything that I did the day that I was logged in and saw what activities but for some reason they weren't on the itinerary which meant we weren't having brunch at Palo and DGS wasn't doing Oceaneers Lab, etc. Luckily, she was to do something in the system and everything looks okay now except Palo brunch is now at 10:30 instead of 11:30! Oh well! As long as we get to go I'm happy!

I agree! While I may not be able to do it this year with my back, I would love to see a Wild Side for Adults! That would be another great option.

I'm sure on Saturday, your wedding guests won't mind if you tell them to just leave the gifts, enjoy the meal and don't forget to turn out the lights when they leave Just kidding, but I'm sure you'll be fine arriving on the Sunday. On our last cruise a few people I knew didn't arrive until the afternoon and they had time to spare. One said it worked out better since all of the crowds were gone!

Well, does everyone have their passports yet? DH and I need to do that either today or tomorrow.

 

[lisaradz]

Yippeee! I was able to make my Palo dinner ressies last night.

About the passports . . . Am I clueless? I keep checking the Disneycruise website and it still says that you need either a passport OR birth certificate with photo id. Do you guys know something that I don't know? We have not even applied for a passport because we didn't think that we needed it.

 

[yellowfish78]

http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/index.shtm or http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

CURRENTLY:
U.S. citizens need to present either (a) a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document; or (b) a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.
LATER:
On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document.

Currently passports are not required if departing from the US. Note that without passports, you cannot fly home from an island if a problem arises that would require you to come home or leave early.

So if you don't have a passport, required documents are drivers license, birth certificate and if the names don't match on those two documents - something that would match them (like adoption papers, marriage license).

Notorized letters (or sole custody paperwork) are required if only one parent is traveling with children or if parents are not traveling (if grandparents are taking the kids for example).

That was a lot. Sorry!!

 

[BCVOwner2002]

We decided we might as well just get our passports now since the timetable for needing one keeps changing. Annmarie

 

[yellowfish78]

Luckily, she was to do something in the system and everything looks okay now except Palo brunch is now at 10:30 instead of 11:30! Oh well! As long as we get to go I'm happy!

I'm sure on Saturday, your wedding guests won't mind if you tell them to just leave the gifts, enjoy the meal and don't forget to turn out the lights when they leave Just kidding, but I'm sure you'll be fine arriving on the Sunday. On our last cruise a few people I knew didn't arrive until the afternoon and they had time to spare. One said it worked out better since all of the crowds were gone!

Well, does everyone have their passports yet? DH and I need to do that either today or tomorrow.

We have ours! Since we are close to Niagara Falls, I made Bob get his a while ago. I've had mine since my last cruise.

We'll see you at brunch! Ours is at 11:30am too!

I think our 11:30am arrival will work out wonderfully - the "DISboards" crowd will be gone, people will just start to be boarding and the lines should be just right!

Anyone doing matching shirts for arrival day? (We are cheesy - I know! We'll also be in Bride and Groom Ear baseball hats!)

Some onboard things that we might be doing - will we see anyone at any of these?
Sunday: Match your Mate
Monday: nothing interesting during the day for us here...
Tuesday: Beer Tasting and Martini Tasting! (You think they'd space these out more! ) Might not make the beer tasting - we'll still be on the island.
Wednesday: Cooking Demostration

 

[lisaradz]

http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/index.shtm or http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html



Currently passports are not required if departing from the US. Note that without passports, you cannot fly home from an island if a problem arises that would require you to come home or leave early.

So if you don't have a passport, required documents are drivers license, birth certificate and if the names don't match on those two documents - something that would match them (like adoption papers, marriage license).

Notorized letters (or sole custody paperwork) are required if only one parent is traveling with children or if parents are not traveling (if grandparents are taking the kids for example).

That was a lot. Sorry!!

Thank you! Now I feel much better! We will definitely get them if we decide to book another cruise.

I just found out something totally cool about our cruise. My kids saw the preview for Beverly Hills Chihauhau when we went to see Wall-E. To tell you the truth my 5 year old liked the preview more than the Wall-E movie. Anyway, it comes out Oct. 3. I read that when a movie comes out they show it on the cruise. My kids would be soooooo thrilled if they get to see the Chihauhau movie on the cruise. Just an added bonus to all of the other AWESOMENESS (ok not really a word) But it just fits!

What shore excursions did everyone decide on? We just reserved the stingray one at CC from 11:00 - 12:00.

I'm getting so excited! I don't know how much longer I can keep this from the kids!

 

[yellowfish78]

Thank you! Now I feel much better! We will definitely get them if we decide to book another cruise.

I just found out something totally cool about our cruise. My kids saw the preview for Beverly Hills Chihauhau when we went to see Wall-E. To tell you the truth my 5 year old liked the preview more than the Wall-E movie. Anyway, it comes out Oct. 3. I read that when a movie comes out they show it on the cruise. My kids would be soooooo thrilled if they get to see the Chihauhau movie on the cruise. Just an added bonus to all of the other AWESOMENESS (ok not really a word) But it just fits!

What shore excursions did everyone decide on? We just reserved the stingray one at CC from 11:00 - 12:00.

I'm getting so excited! I don't know how much longer I can keep this from the kids!

It's a word! At least hear it is!

For Castaway Cay, we decided on the singrays at 9am and waverunners at 11:15am. Palo the next day for brunch only at 11:30am.

How about spa treatments? Anyone reserve any of those? I'll be getting my hair cut (as soon as I get on board) but other than that, I'm not sure about doing any treatments...

 

[pls5286]

Yellowfish, we will be swiming with you and the stingrays. Immediately after, we are going on the glass bottom boat ride. While in Nassau we wanted to do the historic city tour (the Junkaroo tour) but for some reason it is not being offered on our cruise, so we are doing the scenic harbor cruise. I have my Palo brunch for 1030, so we are set!