Sept. 23, 2012 Pacific Coast - Wonder Cruise

[ADandBsmommy]

There's 8 of us too! (5 adults and 3 kids!)

Prime Time Shuttle will take you but it's $65 each way. Still works out cheaper than the Shore Excursion but I was hoping to get the price per person down even more.

Do they make a 16 person shuttle

Closest rental car thing I found was the airport - someone would have to take a shuttle from the port to the airport, pick up the car, drive back to the port and get us and then do it all in reverse the other way around. Seems like a pain...

 

[jetskigrl]

We are trying REALLY hard to figure out how to get to Balboa Park with all of us (5 adults, 3 kids) and are struggling. We looked at renting a car but nothing is super close

Have you looked at the trolleys? San Diego has a really good transportation system. An all day pass is $5 a person (and you can avoid parking fees and gas). There is a stop right across from the pier (we saw it when we were there last summer for DS's birthday - we took the train down and the station is right there).

http://www.sdmts.com/fares.asp#daypass

DH and I are going to do this and head to Old Town San Diego (and probably some other places).

I just checked and it is easier to take the bus. If you go on the website and select the trip planner, it will tell you what public transportation to use. I tried it and it said it was 11 minutes by bus.

FROM: B ST PIER
TO: BALBOA PARK

1. walk 0.6 mile E from B ST PIER to Broadway at Front St

2. At 10:49 PM take the MTS BUS route 7 La Mesa via University Ave

3. Get off the stop on Park Bl at Village Pl at approximately 11:00 PM.

4. walk 0.1 mile N to BALBOA PARK

Schedules and maps for your routes
Bus route 7
Fare Information
Refer to the fare chart at top of the page.


Total Trip Time = 0 hr. 11 min.

That would make it $40 total for 8 people.

 

[gunka]

I'm thinking about the beer mug for DH. Is it worth it? I thought it would be a cute thing to bring home. Can you buy it onboard or do you have to pre-purchase?

The beer mug is a good idea, we are bringing ours from last time. You buy it on board and can then get 22oz beers for the price of 16oz. When not using you trade it for a token and then get a clean one when you want. At the end of the cruise turn in the token for a clean mug to take home.

 

[ADandBsmommy]

Have you looked at the trolleys? San Diego has a really good transportation system. An all day pass is $5 a person (and you can avoid parking fees and gas). There is a stop right across from the pier (we saw it when we were there last summer for DS's birthday - we took the train down and the station is right there).

http://www.sdmts.com/fares.asp#daypass

DH and I are going to do this and head to Old Town San Diego (and probably some other places).

I just checked and it is easier to take the bus. If you go on the website and select the trip planner, it will tell you what public transportation to use. I tried it and it said it was 11 minutes by bus.

FROM: B ST PIER
TO: BALBOA PARK

1. walk 0.6 mile E from B ST PIER to Broadway at Front St

2. At 10:49 PM take the MTS BUS route 7 La Mesa via University Ave

3. Get off the stop on Park Bl at Village Pl at approximately 11:00 PM.

4. walk 0.1 mile N to BALBOA PARK

Schedules and maps for your routes
Bus route 7
Fare Information
Refer to the fare chart at top of the page.


Total Trip Time = 0 hr. 11 min.

That would make it $40 total for 8 people.

Thanks I will definitely check the bus out. I am just not sure about my littles riding on a bus.

 

[ADandBsmommy]

Ok a couple of quick clothing questions as we have never cruised before. On non formal and semi formal night what is appropriate? I am traveling in a room alone with all three of my kiddos since my dh can't take time off of work right now and would prefer not to pack their entire closets!

Do they need to wear "nice" clothes such as nice pants and a polo/button down every meal or can they stay in their day clothes as long as they are not covered in spots?

Also for myself can I wear dark jeans with a nice shirt or sundresses to dinner?
Gah this packing thing is turning in to a nightmare!

 

[gunka]

If shopping is your thing, lots of good options. Seaport Village and the Gaslamp District (Anchored by Hortons Plaza) are both very close to the port. For an adventure and to hit a Disney Store Outlet - Las Americas Outlet Mall in San Ysidro is a trolley or cab ride away. San Ysidro is on the US side of the International Border with Mexico. Las Americas is the best outlet mall I have ever been to and the Disney Store has amazing bargins and great inventory. If interested check out on google.

 

[gunka]

If shopping is your thing, lots of good options. Seaport Village and the Gaslamp District (Anchored by Hortons Plaza) are both very close to the port. For an adventure and to hit a Disney Store Outlet - Las Americas Outlet Mall in San Ysidro is a trolley or cab ride away.
San Ysidro is on the US side of the International Border with Mexico. Las Americas is the best outlet mall I have ever been to and the Disney Store has amazing bargins and great inventory. If interested check out on google.

Accidentally posted twice and have no idea on how to delete.

 

[westiepups]

Have you looked at the trolleys? San Diego has a really good transportation system. An all day pass is $5 a person (and you can avoid parking fees and gas). There is a stop right across from the pier (we saw it when we were there last summer for DS's birthday - we took the train down and the station is right there).



DH and I are going to do this and head to Old Town San Diego (and probably some other places).

I just checked and it is easier to take the bus. If you go on the website and select the trip planner, it will tell you what public transportation to use. I tried it and it said it was 11 minutes by bus.

FROM: B ST PIER
TO: BALBOA PARK

1. walk 0.6 mile E from B ST PIER to Broadway at Front St

2. At 10:49 PM take the MTS BUS route 7 La Mesa via University Ave

3. Get off the stop on Park Bl at Village Pl at approximately 11:00 PM.

4. walk 0.1 mile N to BALBOA PARK

Schedules and maps for your routes
Bus route 7
Fare Information
Refer to the fare chart at top of the page.


Total Trip Time = 0 hr. 11 min.

That would make it $40 total for 8 people.

That's the information I've been looking for! THANK YOU! The trolley sounds lovely and sure beats lugging the car seats from the shuttle into the zoo. (I did call the zoo and ask if they would hold the car seats for me and they will if anyone else is using a shuttle.)

 

[glindamood]

Good morning! Gorgeous day here but I am going to be running around doing so much I don't think that I will notice too much. I have the grocery run to do plus we are heading to the mall for a bit of bargain shopping - I need a few odds and ends and if I can get them without paying for shipping, that is a good thing.

 

[GromMom]

That's the information I've been looking for! THANK YOU! The trolley sounds lovely and sure beats lugging the car seats from the shuttle into the zoo. (I did call the zoo and ask if they would hold the car seats for me and they will if anyone else is using a shuttle.)

Just a word of caution. Balboa park is huge. Make sure the stop that is noted as Balboa park is really the zoo, as I already saw half a mile walk to the bus on the route mentioned and the zoo is only one part of Balboa park. The zoo is so big it has a tour bus inside, which costs extra. You do not want to get tired of walking before you get there, as it is big and hilly inside.
When you get there don't miss the carousel and mini train outside of the zoo if You have little ones.
Enjoy, this is a world class zoo!
Eta, I just looked on google maps, there appears to be a stop for the #7 bus at park blvd and zoo place,hopefully that is the same line as the sample route . Also If you are on google maps, there appears to be a stop inside the zoo, but that is the zoo's bus.

 

[fshagan]

This is the one I use...

http://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/Main/CL-Disney.php

That's exactly the format I wanted! Thanks!

I did finally figure out that you can hover your mouse over the cabins on the deck plans on the Disney site and get the cabin number to pop up. You would think I would have tried that considering what I do for a living!

 

[crzy4dals]

posted a request for the FB page! Erin K.K.

I am looking into what to do in San Fran. - I think we will get Hop on Hop Off tickets for the first day and then pick what we want to revisit the 2nd day.

 

[fshagan]

Ok a couple of quick clothing questions as we have never cruised before. On non formal and semi formal night what is appropriate? I am traveling in a room alone with all three of my kiddos since my dh can't take time off of work right now and would prefer not to pack their entire closets!

Do they need to wear "nice" clothes such as nice pants and a polo/button down every meal or can they stay in their day clothes as long as they are not covered in spots?

Also for myself can I wear dark jeans with a nice shirt or sundresses to dinner?
Gah this packing thing is turning in to a nightmare!

For the non-formal nights "cruise casual" is the format:

Dinner attire is "cruise casual," meaning no shorts, swimwear or tank tops. Diners at Palo or Remy, the adults-only restaurant, will want to dress more formally than when dining at our other restaurants. The Disney Cruise Line newsletter, Personal Navigator, will be delivered daily to your stateroom with attire advice for each night's dinner.

For the kids, I think as long as they are not in swimming suits you are OK. I haven't cruised Disney in a few years, but I don't think they have changed things too much ... they don't have bouncers who kick little kids out of the dining rooms for not having a tie on (unless Captain Hook has taken over the ship or something). You see some kids in suit and tie and fancy dresses, but not all. I think girls can get away with a nice dress that isn't strictly "formal", and boys with dress pants, a dress shirt and a clip on tie. Or a vest or sweater. Unless your kids are not cute, then they better be in formal gowns and tuxes. (I made that last one up).

The non-formal nights are pretty close to "anything goes" except for the aforementioned swimsuits, shorts and tank tops. You can certainly wear jeans or a sundress to dinner on those nights.

There is another option also, if I'm reading things correctly. Maybe someone can verify this. I guess during dinner time they convert the main "Beach Blanket Buffet" to a table service restaurant for those of us who don't feel like dressing up.

During breakfast and lunch, Beach Blanket Buffet offers the finest in buffet dining; at dinnertime, the restaurant is transformed into a casual yet elegant sit-down restaurant serving Main Dining specialties.

From http://goo.gl/Pk0eo

That might simplify your packing quite a bit with four in your party. The "cruise casual" rules are in effect for that restaurant on those nights, so its a lot less stressful!

 

[4boons]

Cabin Crawl
Tentatively planned for
1st at sea day
approx. 1:00PM
Promenade Lounge

We currently have the following for our cabin crawl:

Standard Inside Stateroom
Standard Inside Stateroom - Sideways Configuration
Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom - connecting to 2nd Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom
Secrete Porthole Stateroom - (aka cat 9 for a cat 10 price)
Partially Obstructed Verandah Stateroom - (aka cat 6 for a cat 7 price)

If anyone has one of the following stateroom catagories and would be willing to open their room for a cabin crawl, we are looking for the following:

Cat 7 - Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with a Navigators Verandah
Cat 5 or 6 - Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah
Cat 4 - Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah
Cat R - Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah
Cat S - Concierge 2-Bedroom Suite with Verandah
Cat T - Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah

If you have any of the above and would be willing to participate, please PM me. For those with GTY or who get an upgrade at the port and would be willing to participate, let me know at the DIS Meet the first day.

Thanks
Bill

 

[BigDisneyOE]

Which trolley stop is nearest to SD Cruise Terminal? I spent an hour trying to work it out with maps last night but gave up.

Gunka - we are staying walking distance to Carlsbad Prem Outlet for a week. Is it any good? I might have to add the Las Americas Outlet Mall otherwise. I'm quite picky about outlet malls as I used to live a kilometre away from the largest one in Europe and it was brilliant, I get to outlet malls here and in Aussie and they just dissapoint. DH reckons the US ones are like the European ones, real outlets.

ADandBsmommy - I hear you on trying to work out what to get kids to wear. We were lucky that my little brother sprang for suits for the boys for his wedding last month, so we will take them. No ties though, they won't do ties. They'll wear the same for semi and formal night (please don't spill your food guys). For myself I do have a sleeveless top but it's designer and I'm wearing a sheer overtop from a NZ design student over the top unless I can find a dress that fits in the US when shopping.

Has any gentleman hired a suit from the company that works with Disney for formal / semi-formal night? DH has suddenly realised he's going to have to lug a suit across continents and is thinking of suit hire. He's been looking at the website all night and trying to justify the cost versus the look. Funny how after 15 months of having this cruise booked he's suddenly surged into 'I want to get my look right'.

 

[ADandBsmommy]

Thanks everyone for clarifying dress code for the kiddos. We have tuxes for formal night because they are just so darn cute and have outfits for semi formal night - I just hated the idea of making them change every other night for dinner as well. Our luggage is going to be out of control and since my oldest is only 8 and special needs they aren't going to be a ton of help lugging their crap around!

 

[glindamood]

Has any gentleman hired a suit from the company that works with Disney for formal / semi-formal night? DH has suddenly realised he's going to have to lug a suit across continents and is thinking of suit hire. He's been looking at the website all night and trying to justify the cost versus the look. Funny how after 15 months of having this cruise booked he's suddenly surged into 'I want to get my look right'.

DH has used them several times and will this time if I can manage to take just 2 suitcases instead of the 3 it would take if we had to bring his suit. The suit is bad but the shoes! Although I was sort of disappointed that I can only get the basic package - they don't even offer the vest and tie options in CA.

Well, I would be the proud owner of two new pairs of jeans - and two tops from the sale rack to boot. Not bad. Next weekend we head to my Mom's (last trip before time to head to CA) so maybe I can get some more power shopping done.

Take care and enjoy your evening!

 

[BigDisneyOE]

DH has used them several times and will this time if I can manage to take just 2 suitcases instead of the 3 it would take if we had to bring his suit. The suit is bad but the shoes! Although I was sort of disappointed that I can only get the basic package - they don't even offer the vest and tie options in CA.

Well, I would be the proud owner of two new pairs of jeans - and two tops from the sale rack to boot. Not bad. Next weekend we head to my Mom's (last trip before time to head to CA) so maybe I can get some more power shopping done.

Take care and enjoy your evening!

Good score on the jeans. I want to buy a pair of NYDJ if I can in the US as they are double the price over here and I'd not pay $160US here for jeans when I can get normal jeans for $30.

I've been packing today. So far I've got about one rollbag packed. I think we'll take two full ones and then go with another stored in one of the bags. We have an allowance for 5 bags of 25kgs each but we will be nowhere near that unless I convince Rich to buy a long armed quilter or another C2.

I must look at the basic suit hire packs again. It's showing everything under the sun on my browser. Whatever he orders he'll need the trousers and maybe the suit jacket bought up a bit.

 

[gunka]

BigDisneyOE - I have only driven by the Carlsbad Outlet and it looks good, but Las Americas is the biggest and has no vacancy.

 

[AussieMumma]

Hi everyone!
I can't believe how close we are now yay

Can't someone give me a rough idea on how much you would normally tip each service on top of the included gratuities please? And is anything not included in the pre paid gratuity? So hard coming from a non tipping country!

Off to join the Facebook group
Ps: HBMomof2, I'm Joanne