Rockin & Rollin to Tortola – April 25th Eastern

[sunburnin]

I figure I owe the DisBoards a trip report since I’ve taken so much from it over the past few months leading up to my cruise. I’ll leave the traditional trip report up to some of my sailing comrades since I couldn’t do it justice like others I’ve seen on here. I will however offer up some random thoughts and bits of advice that I found of interest. I hope you find this useful!!!

Crew: Me38, DW40, DS6, DD4

Tortola Stuff (Start with the important topic right?):

• They pride themselves on the laid back atmosphere and not having any chains on the island. I like it that way.
• We were there 7 years ago with Windjammer Barefoot Cruises and the island is exactly the same. That’s a great thing in my opinion!!!
• The port was average compared to St Thomas, with a tent city close by with retailers. Walk a bit further to some real stores for some nicer shopping.
• Cabs and busses were really close at the end of the pier. Not a long walk there.
• They drive on the left. It is British. Just saying so you don’t freak out.
• It is hilly –you’ll have some fun hilly winding roads to get from point to point.
• We did the Cane Garden Bay beach break with lunch excursion. Do this on your own for a lot cheaper and less rushed.
• Cane garden bay is awesome – but crowded on cruise day. Not over crowded, just busy.
• Friends did their own excursion to the Baths and loved it!!!!! They boated over so I think they avoided the hills/climb that others had some issues with.
• Get your passports stamped at the customs/immigration house and the marina close by.

Cabin Stuff:

• We were upgraded from a Cat 5 to a Cat 4. This happened sometime in the last week unbeknownst to me… what a surprise at the port!!! so for folks asking if you get upgraded at the port… YES!
• We loved the room size and would have been just fine in a normal sized room.
• We used the Veranda every day but not for more than 5-10 minutes tops. I got it since I thought if my daughter napped we could sit out there. Never happened. It was used most on port days for the great views while we got ready. I’d book it again if the price was right, but would be just as content with a window or inside cabin.
• Storage!!! What the heck do some of you people pack? HA! I was scared that we’d have no room for our stuff from all the tips about shoe hangers, space bags, etc. We WAY overpacked and still had PLENTY of room for our stuff. We used the trunk and drawers. Brought extra hangers but didn’t need it. The bathrooms had lots of space for storage with the shelves on the wall and the nice ledge below the sink. All our luggage fit neatly under the bed as well. I’m afraid to ask what others pack that they run out of space.
• Hair Dryer – I have no hair, so this is per my wife. She brought her own dryer and never used it. She thought the one in the cabin was fantastic. Very powerful and did the job well!

Weather Stuff:

• Wow did we have some wind for the first 48 hours. Holy Smokes!!!! The seas were rough for sure at 12-16 ft per the bridge channel and we were moving up, down, left, right, forward and back. Yikes. I’m sure every ship in the area those days had the same problems and we just got a bad straw. Fortunately it was sunny and warm so the decks still had activity. I tried to take my son up on Deck 10 but the wind was so crazy we had to lean into it to walk and shooting a basketball was worthless. Go figure.
• They had to shut the Mickey pool down (I was told) a few times since the waves were so harsh and bouncing the kiddies around. That was a fun site to see all the waves in the pools. The goofy pool was up to the stage a few times.
• Even the crew commented on the rough conditions and they were selling lots of Dramamine and seabands on board. Our room included.
• The rest of the cruise was great. We had the typical spring rains on Tortola and St Thomas, but just scattered showers for the most part. The sail back was smooth as ever. We saw both extremes I suppose.

Food Stuff:

• As I posted on another thread I thought the food was great. I’m not a food connoisseur so I’ll let the experts chime in but for us average Joes I was very pleased with everything.
• The night we most needed casual and quick dining was Friday and it had the least options. That was annoying. Castaway key is a blast and we stayed as long as we could before the kids tired out. Then we had to start packing and decided to go to the early show so the kids could get to bed early (we were supposed to have main dining). I’d have loved for Topsiders to be open, but only Pluto’s was open. Bummer. That’s the busiest day and the one I most didn’t need to be in a full sit

-down mode for 1.5 hours.

Logistics Stuff:

• Stayed at the Radisson. Great place!
• Note that they don’t start pick ups FROM the ship until 8:00am so don’t rush off too quick. We did and had to wait ~20 minutes for the first shuttle (with other fine folks).
• I was blown away by customs and getting off the ship. Within 10 minutes we left our cabin, were off the ship, had a porter find our bags and literally walked past the customs agent. I think he glanced at one of our four passports. I’m guessing the risk is low considering the security on ship with all the photos etc and the fact we were a family with small kids. Great process!!!!!
• Shuttle picked us up right at 8:00am… we were at WDW a bit after 10 checking into our resort (Port Orleans). That includes time to load the car, get coffee/donuts and drive to mouseville.
• Too busy of a day on Friday with the wonderful Castaway Cay, needing to pack, wanting to get kids to bed early and not wanting a formal sit down meal (read above).

Entertainment Stuff:

• Shows were great! Don’t miss them! My favorite was Disney Dreams. Kids loved them all too.
• Saturday – All Aboard
• Sunday – Golden Mickey’s
• Monday – Twice Charmed
• Tuesday – Pirate Night – also premiered Disney Earth in the theater.
• Wednesday – Sigmund and Alfred, Sigfield and Roy, Seymore and Alvin…. I can’t remember their names.
• Thursday – Disney Dreams
• Friday - Farewell
• Fun story – My son and I stepped out to get a snack before the golden Mickey’s. They pulled my son over to be interviewed on the red carpet while I was in line. My wife had no clue and was still in the theater when he pops up on the big screen. That was a fun surprise.
• Characters are ALL OVER THE PLACE. Don’t fret about getting a photo op. There were some long lines. My daughter and I waited 25 minutes for the princesses on Monday. Wait until Thursday when they do it again and the lines are shorter if you want. Either way there are tons of ops for photos with the same characters so look for offbeat times.
• Pillow Cases – do it!!!!!! Cheap easy souvenir.

We booked #2 on board!!!!!! Dummy date for 2011 for now.

I’m sure there’s a ton more, but I’m spent!

Please ask any questions here or PM me. Happy to help out after getting help from all of you the past few months!!!!!

 

[msmith07101]

Great info! Heading to Tortola on 5/23! You said friends did the baths excursion on their own...do you know who they used??

 

[adnil530]

We were on this trip also. Awesome report Great job!

Linda

 

[sunburnin]

Great info! Heading to Tortola on 5/23! You said friends did the baths excursion on their own...do you know who they used??

I'll catch up with them later this week and let you know.

From what I recall, they took a ferry near the Magic right over to Virgin Gorda. The snorkeled at the baths, ate, and got to climb/hike all over the area. They still felt rushed, but not like others I've heard.

Actually, for some reason I always felt a tad rushed on the tours. I'll do my own thing next time.

 

[tm2924]

Sounds like you had fun. Did you happen to save any of the Navigators to post?

 

[sunburnin]

Sounds like you had fun. Did you happen to save any of the Navigators to post?

Yup! We saved all of them, plus the port fact sheets, etc. When I get settled in this week I'll scan them and post them up (if my ship mates don't beat me too it. Some seem more tech savy.)

 

[DarthVader92]

[*]Note that they don’t start pick ups FROM the ship until 8:00am so don’t rush off too quick. We did and had to wait ~20 minutes for the first shuttle (with other fine folks).
[*]I was blown away by customs and getting off the ship. Within 10 minutes we left our cabin, were off the ship, had a porter find our bags and literally walked past the customs agent. I think he glanced at one of our four passports. I’m guessing the risk is low considering the security on ship with all the photos etc and the fact we were a family with small kids. Great process!!!!!
[*]Shuttle picked us up right at 8:00am… we were at WDW a bit after 10 checking into our resort (Port Orleans). That includes time to load the car, get coffee/donuts and drive to mouseville.

Just a couple of questions.
1. Which Shuttle did you use to Port Orleans?
2. Could you briefly explain how you got to WDW and how long?
3. Did you go to a park once you got to WDW and what time did you arrive?

You see, I am going on the July Tortola Cruise and we plan to use DCL Bus Service from PC to Kidani Village, check-in, got to Hollywood Studios and I am trying to figure out what time I would most likely get to the park.

 

[msmith07101]

I'll catch up with them later this week and let you know.

From what I recall, they took a ferry near the Magic right over to Virgin Gorda. The snorkeled at the baths, ate, and got to climb/hike all over the area. They still felt rushed, but not like others I've heard.

Actually, for some reason I always felt a tad rushed on the tours. I'll do my own thing next time.

Thanks!

 

[tm2924]

Yup! We saved all of them, plus the port fact sheets, etc. When I get settled in this week I'll scan them and post them up (if my ship mates don't beat me too it. Some seem more tech savy.)

That would be great.

 

[disney minnie]

How was the shuttle for the Radisson to the port?

 

[frdeb1999]

Thanks for your TR! Looking forward to seeing the navigators when posted!

 

[sunburnin]

Just a couple of questions.
1. Which Shuttle did you use to Port Orleans?
2. Could you briefly explain how you got to WDW and how long?
3. Did you go to a park once you got to WDW and what time did you arrive?

You see, I am going on the July Tortola Cruise and we plan to use DCL Bus Service from PC to Kidani Village, check-in, got to Hollywood Studios and I am trying to figure out what time I would most likely get to the park.

Good questions

1) We drove ourselves, so I had to rely on the Radisson shuttle to get me back to my car first, then driving ourselves.
2) We left our room around 7:20 and we're out of the terminal by 7:35. Great process there. We then had to wait until 8:00 for the Radisson shuttle to come pick us up. Had I known that I'd have slept in an extra 20 minutes. They don't start picking up for Disney until 8:00 although we did see them leaving the Carnival cruise earlier. Say it took 10 minutes to load the shuttle and luggage, then 5 minutes to drive to our car - they dropped us of nicely right in the parking lot where the cruise visitors stay. From there we loaded the car, stopped for coffee and donuts (we skipped breakfast on the ship) and hit the road. I think it was ~60 minutes total drive time to Port Orleans. We passed a DCL bus on the way there so they were obviously running ahead of us. I'm not sure when they start, but early I think. If you drive yourself you have to stop for tolls and that's what took us longer on the road. I think I was at Port Orleans around 10?????
3) We got checked in, took a disney transportation bus to Magic Kingdom and were in the park at 10:40. Positive about that because we saw the start of the 10:45 show at the castle.

I honstly think if you are taking a DCL bus you'll shave a LOT of time off that total trip - though I was quite pleased with our route. Eat a quick breakfast on the ship and catch the earliest bus and you'll be in the park by 9:30? Someone can confirm this I'm sure.

Have fun!!!!

 

[sunburnin]

How was the shuttle for the Radisson to the port?

Great!

Sign up early for the time you want. I think I called 4-5 months ahead and we were on the 10:30am shuttle over. First one starts at 10:00. They fill up based on total # of passengers, not total families.

I thought it was really organized. They have a coordinator that gets all the parties near the shuttle pick-up then reads from the list. One family at a time brings their luggage to the trailer and then boards the bus. This makes sure no bags are left behind as you watch your bags load and then they watch you load. 5 minute ride from there.

At the terminal the porters are right there and they just take the luggage all at once to the ship. You don't have to touch your bags after you leave the Radisson. Just do a double check to make sure they were unloaded.

It's first come first serve on the way back, but of course some dumb-a$$ families don't understand that concept and jumped the line. idiots.

 

[sunburnin]

Hi All!

I still owe navigators and Bath info from my friends and will get those to you early next week. Sorry for the delays. Catching up at work is about as fun as I expecte.

A few more random notes from our trip:

Kids Clubs:

• My kids (6&4) loved it the first day (sunday) but then wanted to hang with us most of the rest of the cruise.
• They did go back a few times and had fun. The staff is great! They really help with any fears the kids have.
• I found they most liked the times a character was going to be there with them. i.e. Dancing with Snow White, reading with Belle, Captain Hook, etc.
• Everyones kids are different, but just sharing what my kids enjoyed most and would stay for.

Other:

• Power strip - we brought one and its a good idea. Much easier to charge camera batteries with and or blackberry's cellphones, etc.
• Safe - really liked the use of this in the room and that you only have to set the code once for the whole week and don't have to swipe a card. Good stuff.

 

[Mulan2]

Thanks sunburnin! We'll be on the 8/15 to Tortola. We are also thinking of the Tortola tour. It's really expensive to do the tour with lunch, about $100 more for our family of 4 So we're of thinking of skipping the lunch and doing the shorter tour. What kind of lunch did they give you?

 

[RLccweems]

Thanks for all the great info...I'd love to see any pics if you have any to share.

 

[caitlinsdad]

Thanks sunburnin! We'll be on the 8/15 to Tortola. We are also thinking of the Tortola tour. It's really expensive to do the tour with lunch, about $100 more for our family of 4 So we're of thinking of skipping the lunch and doing the shorter tour. What kind of lunch did they give you?

Stop by the 8/15 thead to tortola if you get a chance

 

[IrishCowboy]

Thanks...looking forward to navigators

 

[gonecrusin]

Do you know of anyone that went on the Jeep Adventure that could give a review? Thanks! I really enjoyed reading your TR.

 

[churchlady]

Subbing! We're on the 5/23/ Tortola!