Sept 13, 2012 Dream to the Bahamas

[TifffanyD]

Honestly, I'm not sure, I've read mixed stuff again. I've heard people have written categories like Clothes or Gifts as categories, but were then asked to either list it out or explain what was in each category. Customs mentions that if there is no purchase price, you would just estimate a fair market value. So I would make my best determination regarding value.

My mind wasn't set one way or the other, I was just wondering what other people do before deciding. In searching the board and other websites, it seems answers are all over the place. I'll probably just play it safe and also ask Customer Service on board. We didn't buy anything last cruise and aren't planning on buying anything this cruise, so I didn't really think about it. But when I came across a thread topic of declaring gifts, it made my ears perk up because we should be getting a gift this time. But it's all good. Either way, whatever we do will be done in good faith and, if it's done incorrectly, it would be an honest mistake. Just wanted to make sure all bases were covered!

I *think* the customs form was the thing that said to list categories. Listing every single thing out would be crazy bcz we buy pins and such. We just make sure we have a few diff categories

 

[TifffanyD]

Wow you buy nothing?? Not even like pictures? I wish I could resist!!! I bet your folio is really low!!!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

I *think* the customs form was the thing that said to list categories. Listing every single thing out would be crazy bcz we buy pins and such. We just make sure we have a few diff categories

Sounds good. Thanks!

Wow you buy nothing?? Not even like pictures? I wish I could resist!!! I bet your folio is really low!!!

We didn't buy pictures or anything last time. The only money we spent was on tips! We might just splurge on something this time...haha!

 

[TifffanyD]

Sounds good. Thanks!

We didn't buy pictures or anything last time. The only money we spent was on tips! We might just splurge on something this time...haha!

Only tips? That's amazing!!! We decided to start prepaying our tips since even when we have onboard credit we spend more than that. No credit this time tho and we will be trying to be thrifty. What kind of thing would you splurge on? There's pictures, bingo, drinks of the day and/or alcohol tastings, Palo, stuff from the giftshops, the spa..... um that's all I can think of now. We might need to splurge on mixology cause it's fun to mix drinks and not clean up after. But we really need to keep costs low since it was a last minute trip!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Only tips? That's amazing!!! We decided to start prepaying our tips since even when we have onboard credit we spend more than that. No credit this time tho and we will be trying to be thrifty. What kind of thing would you splurge on? There's pictures, bingo, drinks of the day and/or alcohol tastings, Palo, stuff from the giftshops, the spa..... um that's all I can think of now. We might need to splurge on mixology cause it's fun to mix drinks and not clean up after. But we really need to keep costs low since it was a last minute trip!

It was our first cruise ever last time and we didn't want to be nickeled and dimed, so we decided to only experience what was included. This time around, even though I don't drink (anymore), I do want to try the drink of the day and/or drinks at the lounges. I love spas, but will probably pass to save time and money. We'll expect to forego pictures again, but the family does want to try bingo. It's hard not to buy souvenirs or gift shop items, but we have so many things like that already, it's not a critical purchase for us. We like spending money to go on vacation, but I don't like wasting money while on vacation. I like coming back home with lots of memories and cash still in my pocket!

 

[JBeanBunny]

Only tips? That's amazing!!! We decided to start prepaying our tips since even when we have onboard credit we spend more than that. No credit this time tho and we will be trying to be thrifty. What kind of thing would you splurge on? There's pictures, bingo, drinks of the day and/or alcohol tastings, Palo, stuff from the giftshops, the spa..... um that's all I can think of now. We might need to splurge on mixology cause it's fun to mix drinks and not clean up after. But we really need to keep costs low since it was a last minute trip!

How do you pre-pay tips? Last time we cruised they were pre-payed for us because of a discounted cruise rate... But it was so convenient, I'd like to do it again! Do you just call DCL and give them the amounts and your card #, or can you do this onboard from the guest services desk?

 

[TifffanyD]

How do you pre-pay tips? Last time we cruised they were pre-payed for us because of a discounted cruise rate... But it was so convenient, I'd like to do it again! Do you just call DCL and give them the amounts and your card #, or can you do this onboard from the guest services desk?

I did it through my travel agent but I would try calling DCL and just tell them you want to pay them

 

[LenaN4fun]

I did it through my travel agent but I would try calling DCL and just tell them you want to pay them

I prepaid my gratuities over the phone with dcl

 

[RN_Mom]

Ugh can time go any slower!?

 

[Cruisefanattic87]

We can officially say that we are going on our cruise next week! So excited!

 

[DisPrincess26]

It looks like there will be a lot of us Floridian DIS people on this cruise. Me and my family just decided on the spur of the moment to book this cruise about 2 weeks ago. We had NO idea that we would be going on another DCL so soon (We just went on a 7 day eastern Caribbean in February), but when I saw the "Florida resident" deals, we just could NOT pass it up!

Me and my Mother have already been dreaming of going on another cruise for a few months, and we cannot believe our dream has come true! We are all so excited to be taking another DCL, and especially one that fell into out laps last minute.


Has anyone cruised during "hurricane season" before? I am a slight bit nervous, but am hoping for the best.

​

Here's hoping Tink sprinkles a little extra pixie dust on our cruise, and keeps all bad weather, storms, rough seas, and rain away from us, and gives us beautiful weather!

 

[mom+3girls]

It looks like there will be a lot of us Floridian DIS people on this cruise. Me and my family just decided on the spur of the moment to book this cruise about 2 weeks ago. We had NO idea that we would be going on another DCL so soon (We just went on a 7 day eastern Caribbean in February), but when I saw the "Florida resident" deals, we just could NOT pass it up!

Me and my Mother have already been dreaming of going on another cruise for a few months, and we cannot believe our dream has come true! We are all so excited to be taking another DCL, and especially one that fell into out laps last minute.


Has anyone cruised during "hurricane season" before? I am a slight bit nervous, but am hoping for the best.

​

Here's hoping Tink sprinkles a little extra pixie dust on our cruise, and keeps all bad weather, storms, rough seas, and rain away from us, and gives us beautiful weather!

I cruised 5 weeks after Katrinia. The day before our cruise there was a hurricane setting just off the coast of FL but when we woke up the next morning she was gone and we went cruising. It was a great trip no problems with the weather.
the weather is the risk you take booking a cruise this time of year. But you can't beat the price.

I was in Palm Coast FL this past weekend and the weather was great hope it holds out for us

See you all in 10 days

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Has anyone cruised during "hurricane season" before? I am a slight bit nervous, but am hoping for the best.

We cruised last year immediately after Irene. We had considered cancelling our cruise because Castaway Cay was closed following the hurricane. However, we decided to go and hoped for the best. We didn't even know until our first night at dinner that Castaway Cay had re-opened and that we would continue our itinerary as scheduled. We were so happy!

In terms of safety, the captain knows how to sail around storms. The biggest issue we could possibly encounter is a change of itinerary. The cruise or two immediately before ours last year had two days at Nassau and none at Castaway. We may also have a day at sea if one or both ports are inaccessible. Generally, though, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Disney sails through this season every year, year after year. My only suggestion would be to pay attention to impending weather when at Nassau (however possible that would be!). I know during Irene last year, other cruise lines had to depart their ports early and left behind a number of passengers. And, basically, you are responsible for your own way home or to another port.

We'll be keeping an eye out on the weather this next week, but it will be fine, regardless of the forecast!

 

[TifffanyD]

It looks like there will be a lot of us Floridian DIS people on this cruise. Me and my family just decided on the spur of the moment to book this cruise about 2 weeks ago. We had NO idea that we would be going on another DCL so soon (We just went on a 7 day eastern Caribbean in February), but when I saw the "Florida resident" deals, we just could NOT pass it up!

Me and my Mother have already been dreaming of going on another cruise for a few months, and we cannot believe our dream has come true! We are all so excited to be taking another DCL, and especially one that fell into out laps last minute.


Has anyone cruised during "hurricane season" before? I am a slight bit nervous, but am hoping for the best.

​

Here's hoping Tink sprinkles a little extra pixie dust on our cruise, and keeps all bad weather, storms, rough seas, and rain away from us, and gives us beautiful weather!

Welcome to our group!!!

We sail during hurricane season just about every year!! Last year our western became a modified eastern but besides that, no big changes.

I kind of hope we get some sort of activity on ours... not rough seas sick but ANY change to the itinerary would be welcomed by me!

 

[schimj]

Well, it's offical...FE Group 2 is now closed. To the participating cabin, I'll pm you our details since it is just the 2 of us.

I only have 7 shifts left at work after today before the cruise!!!! I was able to move some hours around next week, so I won't even need to take time off for the crusies, but I will be working 10 hr shifts Sun-Wed. I think the reward is better than the punishment though.

 

[pdwimmer]

Are you doing more than just the cruise??? I can't imagine flying out for 3 nights!! The time and cost seems like a lot!

I travel coast to coast for a living. So I am on a plane nearly everyday. Not a big deal to me. I am using all travel points for airfare, car, and hotel the day before we leave. Seriously, not a big deal. I sometimes fly out at 4 in the morning to work and am home in time to make dinner for the kids. Just happy to get some decompression time.

 

[pdwimmer]

Well, it's offical...FE Group 2 is now closed. To the participating cabin, I'll pm you our details since it is just the 2 of us.

I only have 7 shifts left at work after today before the cruise!!!! I was able to move some hours around next week, so I won't even need to take time off for the crusies, but I will be working 10 hr shifts Sun-Wed. I think the reward is better than the punishment though.

Hi, you don't have to include me on gifts, but I'd like to give a gift to the other parties that joined. This is pdwimmer: Trish, Derek, Spencer (11) and Nancy (5). Room 7024

 

[pdwimmer]

What a relief! I am finally done with all me FE shopping. This just means that the cruise is almost here. Starting to get the suitcases down.

You are so much more organized than I am. I won't even start packing until about 3 hours before the plane leaves. Given, my suitcase is always partially packed due to work, but still. I am a serious procrastinator!

 

[pdwimmer]

I know you posted this a couple weeks ago, but I'm SO glad you did! I bought the LARGE Animator dolls (Rapunzel and Snow White!) for my *future* nieces/flower girls on a whim and realized that... I don't want to carry those aboard with ALL of the other stuff I need to bring!!! I'm going to ship those along with the flower girls baskets and rose petals to their stateroom to get them out of my hair! Thanks again for posting this info!!!

Glad it helps out with the stress level a bit.

 

[TifffanyD]

I travel coast to coast for a living. So I am on a plane nearly everyday. Not a big deal to me. I am using all travel points for airfare, car, and hotel the day before we leave. Seriously, not a big deal. I sometimes fly out at 4 in the morning to work and am home in time to make dinner for the kids. Just happy to get some decompression time.

Well having it paid for helps a LOT!!! When you travel in and out on the same day for work... is it a direct flight? I once did connecting (2 flights) to NC and back in one day during a tropical storm. NEVER. AGAIN. All for a lunch and a 2 hour meeting where I sat and smiled, then handed out pens.