September 12, 2009 ~ Last Call for Tortola! Thread 2

[nskjerven]

OH......by the way......no fuel surcharge refund (OBC) for us...

.

did you pay it when you booked? is that why you would think you would get a refund for it???

sorry I'm just a clueless roommate here

 

[granmaz]

Yay! We just extended our pre-cruise Disney stay! I finally get to do Animal Kingdom!!

Is there a restaurant there we should definitely try? I'm wanting to get some ADR's set up.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

We loved breakfast at Tusker House. Get an 8am or close seating, and you are at that end of the park at rope drop, so first on the Safari.

Of course there is Animal Kingdom Lodge too you can get to before or after your day at the park. Boma is a great buffet, and I have heard excellent reports of Jiko.

Flametree is BEAUTIFUL. I don't think many people stop to appreciate the beauty of the restaurant. I have a photo tour of it on my Mouse Manager site in the dining section.

Not only are the seating areas, very nice, there is a motif of predator and prey. The chairs are painted like various predators and the tabletops are painted with prey.

I wish I had noticed this Ian. I will look next time. We had 2 very grumpy and annoying boys and 2 other tired children, plus their parents who were a bit frazzled. Also it was scorching and humid. Not exactly condusive to look at the surroundings. Next time I will go and enjoy the surroundings.

Life is good...

--Kay

OH......by the way......no fuel surcharge refund (OBC) for us...

.

Oh TUT. You might have known that would happen!

 

[JLSE50]

crap, I've been called out. ok I'll do it soon, is the link on the 1st page Jan

Yes, Ma-am! The link is right by the list of activities.
(need a saluting smilie here)

Jan

 

[iankh]

I wish I had noticed this Ian. I will look next time. We had 2 very grumpy and annoying boys and 2 other tired children, plus their parents who were a bit frazzled. Also it was scorching and humid. Not exactly condusive to look at the surroundings. Next time I will go and enjoy the surroundings.

I think the Animal Kingdom is the most beautiful and fully themed of the 4 parks. I think a good portion of it and the stories and back-stories that are part of the facades goes unnoticed.

That's why we love our "secret" spot. Most people are so busy rushing around it goes unnoticed. But there are many such spots like that in the park.

 

[granmaz]

I think the Animal Kingdom is the most beautiful and fully themed of the 4 parks. I think a good portion of it and the stories and back-stories that are part of the facades goes unnoticed.

That's why we love our "secret" spot. Most people are so busy rushing around it goes unnoticed. But there are many such spots like that in the park.

I love the theming. I tried to point out the 'fossils' in the paths etc when we were there with the family, but I don't think they were too bothered.

Africa is wonderful.

 

[iankh]

I love the theming. I tried to point out the 'fossils' in the paths etc when we were there with the family, but I don't think they were too bothered.

Africa is wonderful.

I agree with you. We love Africa. We can spend some very pleasant time just sitting, enjoying a nibble and soaking in the atmosphere. If you know where to go, it can be extremely peaceful.

I like the courtyard at Tusker House, because you can hear the sounds coming from the "upstairs" dwellings. Same thing in our secret spot.

I thing that the atmospheric sounds that are piped in add to the experience.

 

[ibouncetoo]

did you pay it when you booked? is that why you would think you would get a refund for it???

sorry I'm just a clueless roommate here

Based on when people booked, they were charged the fuel surcharge and that was paid at final payment. DCL has been refunding it (in the form of a OBC) for the last quarter, but 9/17 (or 18) was the 'review' date for the next quarter. Oil hit $70 about a week ago.

.

 

[Kgroo]

Can we use it for the Champagne Girls.....that would be one heck of a tasting. WOOHOO!

I like a lot - helps with that pesty need to get up and refill your wine glass

Sorry - meant to quote the pic of the mother of all wine glasses in here

 

[pfishgirl]

OH......by the way......no fuel surcharge refund (OBC) for us...

.

We didn't get one either, however, supposedly we never paid one. They DCL CM said since we booked this cruise while on a cruise last year we didn't have the charge. I did notice on our Dec 2010 ressies it says Fuel Charge right on the Paper Reservation.. Our September one, doesn't.. But, our friends who booked later then us, Did pay it, and got a OBC..

 

[pfishgirl]

I am curious to know... How many of us are Castaway Club Members and How many DCL cruises have you been on?

This is the big number 10 for us!!! So anyone going to the CC Trivia Party thing can use us DH keeps teasing me.. saying I'm more excited to be able to say " We can be used Now" for the trivia paper then going on the actual cruise..

This is the 13th Cruise I have been on and 12th for Hubby.. I did the Big Red Boat YEARSSSSS ago.. and DH & I did NCL for our "Official" Honeymoon and 1 year Anniversary.. And we did Carnival (total free cruise for us) because he is in an incentives program and had the points for a free cruise.. Next year will we have a Free cruise on Royal Caribbean...

 

[iankh]

I am curious to know... How many of us are Castaway Club Members and How many DCL cruises have you been on?

This is the big number 10 for us!!! So anyone going to the CC Trivia Party thing can use us DH keeps teasing me.. saying I'm more excited to be able to say " We can be used Now" for the trivia paper then going on the actual cruise..

This is the 13th Cruise I have been on and 12th for Hubby.. I did the Big Red Boat YEARSSSSS ago.. and DH & I did NCL for our "Official" Honeymoon and 1 year Anniversary.. And we did Carnival (total free cruise for us) because he is in an incentives program and had the points for a free cruise.. Next year will we have a Free cruise on Royal Caribbean...

This will be our 4th cruise. We've taken two 4-night DCL cruises and then the westbound Panama. In 2010 we have the eastbound transatlantic booked.

Our first 4-night was done as an experiment, because we did really think we would like a cruise. We were wrong.

I'm currently researching Alaskan cruises, and have zeroed in on RCL. We'd stick with DCL, but no Alaska in the cards.

It is interesting to see just how much cheaper another cruise line is.

 

[granmaz]

These B2B cruises will be our 3rd and 4th with DCL, and any cruiseline for that matter!!

I wish I had talked John into cruising before, but he just wasn't interested.

I have been looking at other cruise lines for the future, so will be interested in your thoughts of RCCL.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Monica.....I just sent you a PM....I checked my reservation and I'm not yet linked for dinner with anyone. Are you? Just following up.

 

[iankh]

These B2B cruises will be our 3rd and 4th with DCL, and any cruiseline for that matter!!

I wish I had talked John into cruising before, but he just wasn't interested.

I have been looking at other cruise lines for the future, so will be interested in your thoughts of RCCL.

Marilyn,

I know you didn't mean my thoughts, but I'd be interested in hearing about any experience anyone has had on RCCL as well.

I've been poking around on cruise critic and it seems very much related to the ship rather than the line.

For a base of comparison, I also read poster reviews of DCL. To get a real yardstick (or a metre stick for our metric friends) I like to read the negative reviews of DCL. It gives me a frame of reference for people's thoughts, because I do have first-hand experience with DCL.

Focusing on the Alaskan cruise reviews, RCCL seems to fare pretty well.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

I am curious to know... How many of us are Castaway Club Members and How many DCL cruises have you been on?

This is the big number 10 for us!!! So anyone going to the CC Trivia Party thing can use us DH keeps teasing me.. saying I'm more excited to be able to say " We can be used Now" for the trivia paper then going on the actual cruise..

This is the 13th Cruise I have been on and 12th for Hubby.. I did the Big Red Boat YEARSSSSS ago.. and DH & I did NCL for our "Official" Honeymoon and 1 year Anniversary.. And we did Carnival (total free cruise for us) because he is in an incentives program and had the points for a free cruise.. Next year will we have a Free cruise on Royal Caribbean...

This is lucky number 7 DCL cruise for us....we have never cruised any other line and probably never will. But we definitely have the DCL cruise bug. We try to cruise DCL once a year and do WDW twice a year. We don't plan any other vacations except long weekends away at the beach.....usually Bethany Beach in Delaware and sometimes Virginia Beach.

 

[granmaz]

Marilyn,

I know you didn't mean my thoughts, but I'd be interested in hearing about any experience anyone has had on RCCL as well.

I've been poking around on cruise critic and it seems very much related to the ship rather than the line.

For a base of comparison, I also read poster reviews of DCL. To get a real yardstick (or a metre stick for our metric friends) I like to read the negative reviews of DCL. It gives me a frame of reference for people's thoughts, because I do have first-hand experience with DCL.

Focusing on the Alaskan cruise reviews, RCCL seems to fare pretty well.

Ann and Albert, who were on the PC cruise are cruising to Alaska next month. I can't remember who they ae cruising with, but worth getting some feedback from them too.

 

[LindseyLou2222]

This will be our 2nd cruise, and 2nd with Disney. We cruised a 4 day for our honeymoon last year and fell in love with cruising.
We have a 14 day European cruise planned with Celebrity for 2010. Unfortunatley, I just can't justify spending the money Disney is asking for their European trips.

 

[woody73]

I'm currently researching Alaskan cruises, and have zeroed in on RCL. We'd stick with DCL, but no Alaska in the cards.

I have been looking at other cruise lines for the future, so will be interested in your thoughts of RCCL.

. . . I'd be interested in hearing about any experience anyone has had on RCCL as well.

Focusing on the Alaskan cruise reviews, RCCL seems to fare pretty well.

We went on a B2B Alaska cruise last month on HAL. We were on a B2B2B (46-night) South America cruise on RCCL earlier this year.

If you have any specific questions, I'll try to answer them.

Woody

 

[ragdoll]

I hesitated to post this as I don't want to be a downer. DH had some scary test results this week and may be dealing with some serious health issues. A biopsy is being done on the swollen lymph nodes in his chest on Monday. A CAT scan also showed several masses.

Obviously DH's health takes priority. If we make this cruise it will be DCL #15 for us.

Needless to say, I am a wreck.

Now back to your regularly scheduled trip planning. Have fun!

Donna

 

[LindseyLou2222]

I hesitated to post this as I don't want to be a downer. DH had some scary test results this week and may be dealing with some serious health issues. A biopsy is being done on the swollen lymph nodes in his chest on Monday. A CAT scan also showed several masses.

Obviously DH's health takes priority. If we make this cruise it will be DCL #15 for us.

Needless to say, I am a wreck.

Now back to your regularly scheduled trip planning. Have fun!

Donna

Donna,
So sorry to hear this. I hope you get the best news you can. I will keep you and your DH in my prayers.