Sept 4-8 2005 Wonder S.S. Member Cruise! Part 2

[cgcw]

Walker & I went shopping last night for cruise clothes for the "boys" in my family. Walker came home and wanted to start packing all of his "fancy" clothes. Cameron, on the other hand, vetoed most of the selections. What we are going to do with him, I don't quite know. I think I'll casually mention to him that he will be the only one NOT dressed nicely and he'll feel really out of place. That should do it (but I bet he keeps tabs on anyone he sees whose dressed the way he'd rather be dressed. ).

Anyway, DH was reading the proper attire guidelines on the DCL site. Will he feel out of place if he doesn't bring a jacket with for dinner?

 

[alikat99]

Amy - yes I believe the port still opens at 10:30. We'll be looking at getting there early. For those of you driving over from WDW - anyone want to meet up for breakfast and then do a convoy over to the port? We'll be hitting church first but then are open.

Chris has some gift certificates for Perkins that someone from church gave him for doing some extra stuff. So, I think that we'll head over there between 8 - 8:30am. Then, we figure we'll head over after breakfast.

 

[alikat99]

I've read we can bring a carryon bag with our bathing suits in it so that if the kids decide they want to swim, they can. Other than that, I think we'll just get ourselves familiar with the ship.

We plan on doing the same thing. I figure that since i don't have to do the ressie rush this time, we can eat lunch then go on over to the pool with the girls. I'm sure that Madison will love the Mickey ear and Emily will want to go down that Mickey slide. Does anyone know if they are really strict about the slide. Emily is tall enough, but she's not quite 4 yet. She won't be 4 until Oct 5th. If not, I'm sure that she'll have fun in the pool.

 

[alikat99]

I've read somewhere that the crew really loves chocolate and other goodies, so I was thinking about making up a few goodie bags with some candy & maybe a small gift card.

 

[bonzie1]

As far as tipping... I almost wish the point charge per person was less, and that tips weren't included in our cost... We do try to give extra if the service is good, but sometimes feel the pressure to always give more. This cruise will be no exception, especially since the gratuities have been prepaid.

 

[WDWLVR]

Mary, based on your experience, does the crew prefer the pre-paid phone cards over other extras (like Wal-Mart)?

Cindy - we've only given phone cards and they have been well received. I do hear that they like WalMart cards too since WalMart is one of the places the crew bus goes when they dock in port.

Phone cards seem to be a hit with the international crew (think your servers and room steward) so they can call home. WalMart cards seem to be a hit with the American/Canadian crew (think the kids counselors) so they can buy music and toiletries.

 

[WDWLVR]

I have heard that the staff especially loves it when the children do a thank you card in their own way. What I have heard many people do (and those of you who have cruised with children please chime in) is that they ask their child to pick the one or two people in the clubs who have helped them the most - then they give the gift card to the child to give to them,

 

[cgcw]

Cindy - we've only given phone cards and they have been well received. I do hear that they like WalMart cards too since WalMart is one of the places the crew bus goes when they dock in port.

Phone cards seem to be a hit with the international crew (think your servers and room steward) so they can call home. WalMart cards seem to be a hit with the American/Canadian crew (think the kids counselors) so they can buy music and toiletries.

Thanks, Mary. I'll plan on both.

 

[HookdonWDW]

What denominations of gift cards/minutes on phone cards are usually given? I think I'll get some of each also.

 

[Scott H]

I forgot about the tips being included. In the past we have just tipped and might just plan on getting some of the phone cards for an additional way of saying thanks.

As other have asked, what denominations and is there a special brand of calling card to get???

 

[HookdonWDW]

Walker & I went shopping last night for cruise clothes for the "boys" in my family. Walker came home and wanted to start packing all of his "fancy" clothes. Cameron, on the other hand, vetoed most of the selections. What we are going to do with him, I don't quite know. I think I'll casually mention to him that he will be the only one NOT dressed nicely and he'll feel really out of place. That should do it (but I bet he keeps tabs on anyone he sees whose dressed the way he'd rather be dressed. ).

Anyway, DH was reading the proper attire guidelines on the DCL site. Will he feel out of place if he doesn't bring a jacket with for dinner?

Cindy,

Will Cameron go for the short sleeved button up over a t-shirt look? This was very popular with Sam and his buddies last year. They could wear whatever t-shirt they wanted underneath, button up the shirt and tuck it in when required, and then unbutton & untuck it later on so they could do their pre-teen rebellious thing .

Sam found out that one of his teachers HATED the button down shirts, and preferred the polos (his old school had a strict dress code, his new one has uniforms)... bad mistake. I thought it was strange when he dug out every button down he owned during the last month of school.

 

[HookdonWDW]

Mary,

Do you know what the Mass schedule is at the Shrine? I'd really like to go to Mass on Saturday, but I know it'll clash with the PI Party.

Lisa

 

[WDWLVR]

Mary,

Do you know what the Mass schedule is at the Shrine? I'd really like to go to Mass on Saturday, but I know it'll clash with the PI Party.

Lisa

Daily Mass at the Shrine
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. and 12:05 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Vigil Mass
Regular Sunday Mass
7:30, 9:30, 11:30 and 6:00 p.m.


We plan on going to the 7:30 am one on Sunday.

 

[seaulater]

I forgot about the tips being included. In the past we have just tipped and might just plan on getting some of the phone cards for an additional way of saying thanks.

As other have asked, what denominations and is there a special brand of calling card to get???

We got the 60 minute pre-paid phone cards at that $100 store I seem to visit every weekend!!!

Linda

(P.S.................that would be Sam's Club!!!)

 

[dbond]

LOL! I like your Sam's Club better, mine is a $200 store!

 

[alikat99]

I know what you mean. I can't ever seem to get out of Sam's without spending at least $200.

 

[Scott H]

Oh No, a new name for Sam's Club, actually we were over $300 last visit, darn those printer cartridges for Lynn's scrapbooking efforts. Note: Walmart up .31 and over $50 per share.

 

[bonzie1]

If Sams Club were nearby... we would be spending there too!

Right now, Walmart has become our 100-200 dollar store. The problem is that sometimes we go more than once a week!

 

[WDWLVR]

Important things to look for in a phone card:


It must be for international calling. Otherwise it won't do much of the crew very good.

Also the minutes listed on the front are for US minutes. The number for international is much lower than that.

 

[cgcw]

Important things to look for in a phone card:


It must be for international calling. Otherwise it won't do much of the crew very good.

Also the minutes listed on the front are for US minutes. The number for international is much lower than that.

Thanks. I wouldn't have known to look for that.


$100, $200, $300 --- do I hear $400 I can just about spend that going into Sam's to buy only milk It's definately to our benefit for Gary to stop on his way home from work than for me to go by myself. DH is definately a list shopper, I'm the impulse shopper in our house.

The thing with Sam's Club is if you see it today, you HAVE to buy it today because it won't be there next time. Do they have a marketing gimmick, or what?