Sept 25, 2004 - someone's gotta be coming!

[MarcyIn Florida]

Originally posted by wnissen
Ivan is really crazy, no? With the current projected path taking it through Grand Cayman and right next to Key West, it's now looking like we'll be on a seven-night cruise to Cozumel and back!

A tour of Mexico cruise wouldn't be so bad.

The only thing getting me through these 3 hurricanes is knowing I'll be on the shp, with food and babysitting at my disposal. Everything else for me -- ports, CC, etc. -- is just icing on the (lava) cake.

Marcy

 

[kcashner]

As to the idea that we might do 2 weeks of this mess next year on the repo cruise.....

First, we'll be sailing from the west coast--hurricanes aren't an issue there. Secondly, we've done 4 or 5 other cruises during hurricane season without any of the "mess" that's going on now. Unfortunately, this is a really bad hurricane year. I do think it's the first time that they've had extended cruises, etc. We've had some "mystery" cruises before, but DCL really goes out of their way to be sure that we have a good trip. THe funny thing is that the seas are usually very calm where we are--as the captain is taking us away from anything bad. The news that Castaway might be open for us is great--I had about written that off.

See you all soon......
Kathryn

 

[allears]

Hi guys,

Just two bits of good news.

First, the personal good news. Finally got our docs today! That's cool enough, but our TA called before brining them over, to tell us that we have been upgraded from a Cat 4 to a Cat 3! Woooooohoooooooo! The screaming here still hasn't stopped!

So thes stupid storms better cut it out, cause we're on that cruise come you know what and high water.

The second piece of good new is for us all. We got an e-mail from DCL in response to one we sent a couple of days ago and here is one little piece......

"Currently, the Disney Magic sailing for September 25, 2004 will sail on the scheduled itinerary."

It sounds like CC just might be a go, barring Ivan making some sort of move over it.

There seems to be a lot of pixie dust in the air tonight!!!

 

[fourfoxesinpa]

At what point do I call my TA and follow up on our documents? Does a delay mean you might have received an upgrade?

Thanks!
Jamie

P.S...the TA is my cousin so I know she's not holding onto the documents but I don't want to bug her.

 

[wnissen]

Allears, that is great! You must feel so lucky. We were hoping for an upgrade, possibly because of people cancelling due to hurricanes, but weren't expecting it. Congrats.

And I have to admit that even I, the pessimist, am getting a little excited at the thought of Castaway Cay still being there. I figured there wasn't any sand left on the beaches, let alone having all the buildings intact with minor damage. Sounds incredible, in both senses of that word. Here's hoping.

Walt

 

[dinnysuw]

Hurricanes Hurricanes go away come again another day! my kids have been chanting this for the last 3 days! thought maybe if we incorporated it into our daily thoughts now and then just maybe....this along with a good power prayer to the Big Guy upstairs!!! i am convinced that i am a jinx and somehow contributed to this bizarre hurricane season-first time ever we cruise and we pick the worst season in history! oh well, great news about CC! i asked before but i think it got missed-does anyone know when we put the disney luggage tags on if we are arriving the night before cruise? do we put on after we arrive in FLA and before we board?
thanks
darcy

 

[mmorizio]

Originally posted by dinnysuw
Does anyone know when we put the disney luggage tags on if we are arriving the night before cruise? do we put on after we arrive in FLA and before we board?
thanks
darcy

I would leave them off until the 25th. They might confuse the airport luggage handlers, and since you can't check your luggage through to the ship unless you fly in the day of the cruise (don't ask me who does that), there's really no reason to.

The exception is if you're staying at a WDW resort and taking the DCL bus - then you can, I understand, let the front desk know what you're doing, leave your stuff in the hallway the night before, and the hotel will allegedly whisk your bags away while you sleep and send them ahead to the ship. I haven't done this myself, nor do I personally know anyone who has.

 

[two-foxes]

Originally posted by mmorizio
The exception is if you're staying at a WDW resort and taking the DCL bus - then you can, I understand, let the front desk know what you're doing, leave your stuff in the hallway the night before, and the hotel will allegedly whisk your bags away while you sleep and send them ahead to the ship. I haven't done this myself, nor do I personally know anyone who has.

We did this for the land/sea package.....I don't think they'll do a room pickup at a WDW resort unless you are on the package. I will say it was the easiest, least stressed trip ever doing that package.....and we did it in Oct with perfect weather!

We are short a luggage tag anyway as we have 5 suitcases for the 2 of us (1 big, 1 carryon for each of us and 1 just for our snorkle/dive gear. Those darn fins are huge!) Going past the 2 suitcase limit.....I simply refuse to rent a wet suit though (yuck!), and I love my fins!

 

[MickeyzGirl]

Hello everyone. I just found this site & spent the last two hours reading all past posts. Let me just say...I am sooo excited I can't stand it. I-Tawnya (32) will be traveling with my DD-Mishayla (10) & my sweetie-Chris (35) . This is our 1st cruise EVER. At first I was a bit pouty because I got outvoted 2:1, no park...just cruise. But now I can't wait. . I would love to join in on afternoon tea & please sign Chris & I up for the brunch. My only worry is that the brunch might conflict with the character breakfast. There is no way I'll be missing "MY" main attraction. Anyone have an idea how to figure out the date of that? We are doing late seating for dinner & are traveling with a 10 yo. I know there is a way they assign these things, but I think the answer is kept with the secret location of "The Holy Grail". M-I-C (See you real soon) Tawnya

 

[two-foxes]

Tawnya, I obviously can't add because I didn't realize that in 14 days or so, we'll be on the same cruise!!! I swear I have had my coffee!



OK....For anyone who wants to do the Palo brunch, I am not sure exactly how I can reserve group brunch.....We should set a time and day now....Monday the 27 at 1030 (Tim's Birthday!!!), lets say. If you want to go, send me a PM by Thursday, Sept 16. I will make a ressie for that amount when we board. PLEASE email your stateroom ## as well, in case they need that at the time of the ressie for proper billing (I promise I will not come needlessly pounding on your door for any reason!)

If I cannot get that time slot at the time of the ressie, I will call your room with the time that I was able to get. If you can't make it, it'll be your responsibility to cancel your portion of the ressie to avoid a no show charge.

If any vets have a better suggestion or past experience with this, please let me know! But I figure if we all want to do it together, this may be the best way....

 

[Angellelopez]

What time is everyone meeting for the tea? What time for the embarkation meeting? And lastly when is the Palo Brunch?



I am so excited I cannot stand it. Everynight I am up until 1am reading about DCL and all there is to do.

 

[Angellelopez]

Originally posted by two-foxes
We did this for the land/sea package.....I don't think they'll do a room pickup at a WDW resort unless you are on the package. I will say it was the easiest, least stressed trip ever doing that package.....and we did it in Oct with perfect weather!

We are short a luggage tag anyway as we have 5 suitcases for the 2 of us (1 big, 1 carryon for each of us and 1 just for our snorkle/dive gear. Those darn fins are huge!) Going past the 2 suitcase limit.....I simply refuse to rent a wet suit though (yuck!), and I love my fins!

You mean that on DCL we can only have two pieces of luggage each? I have not gotten my papers yet and did not read that anywhere on the posts.


I personally will have two suitcase one carry on and one larger one. My husband will have one carryon and one large suitcase and another bag with his medication and apnea machine. My daughter will need a suitcase and a bag for her diapers and medicine for asthma. Not to mention I was going to pack a bag with my snorkel gear and fins. So that would put me at 8 bags for a family of three. My mother is also coming and she will have one large and one small suitcase. Not to mention we will have my daughters small umbrella stroller and her carseat as we will be in FLorida two days before the cruise.

 

[wnissen]

Originally posted by Angellelopez
You mean that on DCL we can only have two pieces of luggage each? I have not gotten my papers yet and did not read that anywhere on the posts.

If you don't have your "docs" within two weeks before the cruise, you should probably give your travel agent a call. But yes, you only get two pieces of "checked" luggage that they will take at the port. Anything else you will have to put through the xray machine and carry on the ship. When your room is available (sometime in the afternoon) then you can drop off the carryons. Sometime in the evening, your checked luggage will show up. Hope someone will correct me if I got something wrong.

Walt

 

[kcashner]

Rooms are available about 1:30 to drop your carry ons. Checked luggage can arrive any time, but we usually have it before 3. We usually arrive at the port about 11. They start delivering luggage essentially right away, and really try to have it all delivered to your cabin before the safety drill. However, the official line is that it will be delivered by 7 (or something like that). We've always (10 Magic cruises) had it before 5, no matter what time we got to the port.

You can have 2 checked pieces of luggage per person. Your husband's medical equipment will not count as a piece, whether you check it or carry it on. You can carry on as many pieces as you like, but remember that you will have to drag them around till the cabins are available--thus, it is smart to pack only what you really want/need in the carry ons. Then add swim suits. One of the best times to swim is between boarding and the safety drill--the pools are empty.

Label your carry ons with your name on some sort of luggage tag--just for safety in case you leave it somewhere. Put the cruise tags on the checked pieces.

So...you can have 6 checked pieces for a family of 3, PLUS your carry ons.

To answer another question--you put your cruise tags on when you are leaving WDW for the cruise (since none of us are on the land/sea). DO NOT put them on when you leave home if you are going to WDW first. You will need to claim them at baggage claim, take them to your transportation to WDW....and then put the cruise tags on when you leave WDW.

We have been able to put them outside our room at the resort and call the bellman, then not see them till we were on the cruise. Of course, that only works if you are taking the WDW bus to the port. However, again since we are not on a land/sea combo, DO check with the bellman at your resort. Simply ask the bell captain whether your bags will be held at the bell station for you to give to the DCL transportation people or whether they will get them to the bus for you. You want to be clear on this point as you don't want to get to the port and find that your bags are in the luggage storage area at the resort!

 

[kcashner]

Another thought...as I re-read these posts.....Yes, it is helpful to know everyone's room numbers when you make the Palo ressies, but they can and will deal with the billing at the brunch. You just need to make the server aware of which billings go together (if husb and wife) or that everyone is separate. They will bring a "bill" at the end of the meal which you will sign and will be charged to your KTTW card. This will include the $10 for the brunch plus any alcohol anyone may have ordered, and has a place for you to add any additional tip. Of course, they will accept any additional tip in cash also. Of course, that leaves the issue of anyone who doesn't show up--in that case, you do need a name and cabin number on the ressie!

Are we still coordinating a group for tea on Thursday? I'm getting anxious to be on the ship!

The best news I've heard is that they think the 9/19 Wonder will be going to Castaway. I'm planning to call DCL on 9/17 (before we leave home) to ask what status is...will try to post then. I don't want to bug them now, but if they know we won't be going to CC, there are things I'll leave at home (like snorkel gear.)
Kathryn

 

[MickeyzGirl]

Angelle-Each person gets two pieces of luggage. Carry-ons don't count. Call DCL reservations & let them know you have two people with medical conditions. They will make a note of it. It is my understanding, bags for medical supplies don't count. Check & make sure. FYI-The rooms are small, not a lot of space for empty suitcases. Try under the bed. If they don't fit you should be able to contact your room stewart & they will store them for you. Contact them again when you are ready to pack & they will bring them to you. Since this is our first cruise, I'm passing on what I've been told. Someone please verify or clarify.

 

[dinnysuw]

KCASNER-Kathryn-have you recieved your docs yet? I hadn't seen a post saying you had and I was wondering if you got your upgrade? That hurricane Ivan is making me soooo nervous for poor florida! I am all for palo tea on thursday-just name a time and how we go about reserving and i am there!
darcy

 

[LimeyAngel]

ooooooooooooh .... high tea <perk>. I wanna come - LOL Please let me know what I need to do to join the Thursday tea party. Thanks

 

[MickeyzGirl]

Who is reserving the Tea party? I would love to go, just not sure who to tell.



GOD BLESS AMERICA TODAY
Please watch over our troops.

 

[mmouse37]

Jill.....we would love to do brunch on Mon....only problem is that I do not have my stateroom yet as I am now on a Cat 6 GTY....but I can follow you to make the ressies as by then I will know what cabin we have.

Are the guys going to the Tea on Thursday??? I would also like to do that but I don't think hubby would be into high tea!!!! He would rather snooze by the pool or on Deck 4!!! Out of 10 DCL cruises I have never done the wine tasting or the high Tea.....!

I am sure some of us will bumb into each other in the terminal....not sure what I am wearing yet but I will have a DCL visor and/or DCL pins on.

Mickyzgirl......nice to meet you!!! Glad you found these boards.....I'll send you a PM!!!

Are you guys going to have embarkation lunch in Parrot Cay or Topsiders...or does it depend on the weather??? We ususally eat in PC because it is so much cooler....

MJ