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

[woj68]

Want to meet at Fishlips the night before boarding???

Cheri, how about you??? Are you staying near the port again???

Thanks for the offer Deb, but we didn't want to make any dinner plans yet cuz we're not sure how long we'll be at KSC.

I noticed that I wrote we're staying at Comfort Inn & Suites. Wrong, it's Country Inn & Suites.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Yes, Ian, I did mean directly from the ship. I know in Dec '07 when we had OUR OWN BUS* to the airport, we were able to drop people off for a couple of flights before noon and I know I've been in the airport and through security in enough time for a 11:30AM flight. I was hoping for encouragement from folks who have done that.

Deb, Cheri will be in WDW with us pre-cruise.

Thanks for the update Jackie.

Peg and Jose plan to arrive on Thursday and stay at the Hyatt Thu and Fri night, so Jose can have a day to sleep BEFORE his vacation starts! Peg will read books, maybe swim and shop until the rest of the crew arrives Friday afternoon/evening. Peg & Jose are doing Kenedy Space Center after the cruise, then heading to WDW for a few days after that. I (they) don't know where they are staying Sat in CocoaBeach/PC yet. I just mentioned to her yesterday that she may want to look at reserving a car also...I hear those rates are going up.

I had planned to go back to the Hyatt the night before the cruise, as I thought Peg would want the family there together for dinner that night and the commute to the ship. But she just said that wasn't necessary, so I can stay and play at WDW all day Friday! (We haven't decided where we are putting Dianne that night!)

This means we could organize some kind of group transport from WDW to PC Saturday AM. I'll check out some of the limo options. I'm pretty sure there were at least 15 of us in the Hummerzine last May and we had a van follow behind with the luggage. I know my share wasn't any MORE than DCL and probably less and it was WAY more fun! I've also done the above mentioned* BUS. My cruise-mate hired an entire bus for us to go from SSR to PC and then from PC to MCO. We only had about 22 people and our share was $30 each way...would be less with a bigger group (the bus probably holds 50-60). I'll try and get contact info from her. Anyway...stuff to think about.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Thanks for the offer Deb, but we didn't want to make any dinner plans yet cuz we're not sure how long we'll be at KSC.

I noticed that I wrote we're staying at Comfort Inn & Suites. Wrong, it's Country Inn & Suites.

That sounds like a good plan, I know you'll have a great time there.

 

[KayR]

Thanks for the offer Deb, but we didn't want to make any dinner plans yet cuz we're not sure how long we'll be at KSC.

I noticed that I wrote we're staying at Comfort Inn & Suites. Wrong, it's Country Inn & Suites.

What kind of rate did you get? I was wondering about staying there the night before. Do do you know if they allow parking during the cruise?

-Kay

 

[ibouncetoo]

What kind of rate did you get?
-Kay

I was wondering this also, if you will share that info.

Deb, also what kind of rate did you get for your ocean side place? I want to share this info with Peg as they'll need a place for the night after the cruise.

I sent off the e-mail asking about the bus.

.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

I was wondering this also, if you will share that info.

Deb, also what kind of rate did you get for your ocean side place? I want to share this info with Peg as they'll need a place for the night after the cruise.

I sent off the e-mail asking about the bus.

.

The hotel is on the oceanfront. I just have a regular room....but they usually try to get me an oceanfront room if available. I'm paying $99 for Thurs and $117 for Fri night. Here's their info if Peg is interested:

Holiday Inn
COCOA BEACH-OCEANFRONT
1300 NORTH ATLANTIC AVENUE
COCOA BEACH, FL 32931 UNITED STATES
Hotel Front Desk: 1-321-7832271

 

[iankh]

I would panic with a 10am flight. I suppose though that the ships very rarely if at all are late docking.

That's why I wanted to know if after a cruise or after WDW. If after a cruise, the flight should be in the afternoon.

 

[iankh]

Yes, Ian, I did mean directly from the ship. I know in Dec '07 when we had OUR OWN BUS* to the airport, we were able to drop people off for a couple of flights before noon and I know I've been in the airport and through security in enough time for a 11:30AM flight. I was hoping for encouragement from folks who have done that.

Deb, Cheri will be in WDW with us pre-cruise.

Peg and Jose plan to arrive on Thursday and stay at the Hyatt Thu and Fri night, so Jose can have a day to sleep BEFORE his vacation starts! Peg will read books, maybe swim and shop until the rest of the crew arrives Friday afternoon/evening. Peg & Jose are doing Kenedy Space Center after the cruise, then heading to WDW for a few days after that. I (they) don't know where they are staying Sat in CocoaBeach/PC yet. I just mentioned to her yesterday that she may want to look at reserving a car also...I hear those rates are going up.

I had planned to go back to the Hyatt the night before the cruise, as I thought Peg would want the family there together for dinner that night and the commute to the ship. But she just said that wasn't necessary, so I can stay and play at WDW all day Friday! (We haven't decided where we are putting Dianne that night!)

This means we could organize some kind of group transport from WDW to PC Saturday AM. I'll check out some of the limo options. I'm pretty sure there were at least 15 of us in the Hummerzine last May and we had a van follow behind with the luggage. I know my share wasn't any MORE than DCL and probably less and it was WAY more fun! I've also done the above mentioned* BUS. My cruise-mate hired an entire bus for us to go from SSR to PC and then from PC to MCO. We only had about 22 people and our share was $30 each way...would be less with a bigger group (the bus probably holds 50-60). I'll try and get contact info from her. Anyway...stuff to think about.

OK ... we will be flying back from the cruise to Chicago. I plan to book a flight at about 1PM back to Chi-Town.

 

[ibouncetoo]

OK ... we will be flying back from the cruise to Chicago. I plan to book a flight at about 1PM back to Chi-Town.

And that would be like a....what airline?

 

[iankh]

And that would be like a....what airline?

It will probably be on SWA, or so I think. I may end up on AA, and pay for the baggage. The plus side of AA is that they fly out of O'Hare which is 13 miles away and therefore a much cheaper cab ride.

SW is out of Midway, which would be at least a $60 cab ride.

I have to consider how we will get to and from the airport.

 

[Tink rules]

Ian... don't you remember that Donna and Harry had a special time to get off if they were taking an early flight??? I'm sure she can tell you this, but I'd miss you at breakfast

 

[iankh]

Ian... don't you remember that Donna and Harry had a special time to get off if they were taking an early flight??? I'm sure she can tell you this, but I'd miss you at breakfast

We should easily be able to make a noon flight. We have usually been off the ship by 9AM in Florida.

 

[JLSE50]

Hi Jan, I just checked out page one.....what a fantastic job you are doing. Thank you so much!!!!

I just wanted to note that John and I fit into all five categories that you have mentioned......FE, SATS, CG, OGAA, B2B. We're doing it all!!!! So please add the additional initials after our name. Thank you so much once again.

Got 'cha.

thanks for the kind words

 

[JLSE50]

DEB! I was just going to start hunting you down, girl!

JAN, you can put all three of those jumpy guys next to me on page one also.

Happy "President's Day" everyone. I'm off today, but not because we are closed...it's one of my unpaid 'furlough' days. Hope to get some chores done as I've done nothing but play all weekend. We'll see............

done!

 

[woj68]

What kind of rate did you get? I was wondering about staying there the night before. Do do you know if they allow parking during the cruise?

-Kay

We got the AAA rate which was $125 for 2 queens or 1 king which is $14 less than the rack rate of $139/nt. I wanted to go through Hotwire but i was worried I wouldn't get this hotel. So I went and booked it through the hotel instead. They do have a cruise & park rate which is posted below. Also, Hertz car rental is located right next door to the hotel which makes it a lot more convenient if you plan on renting a car. If not, they have a shuttle to the port which costs $4/pp.


Cruise with Parking Special-Guest Room

PRICE:
159.00 US Dollar (USD) Per night Tax excluded For 1 nights per room

ROOM DESCRIPTION:
Our Guest Rooms Feature:
-Complimentary Wired and Wireless High Speed Internet
-2 Phone Lines
-Desk with Ergonomic Chair
-Side Wing Lounge Chair
-Microwave
-Fridge
-Coffee Maker
-Iron/Board
-Hairdryer

FEATURES:
Our Park & Cruise Shuttle Package offer a hassle free experience for guests. We provide the hotel stay, 3,4, or 7 day hotel parking voucher and include Round Trip Shuttle Transportation to two guests from the hotel to the Port Canaveral Cruise Terminals and back the hotel. Guests saving $15.00 per day leaving their car while on their cruise. Port Canaveral Parking is $15.00 per day, 7 day cruise parking at Port Canaveral is $135.00 = Huge a savings with our Park & Cruise Shuttle Package.

Shuttle Transportation for addtional g3,4, or 5 guests occupaying a guestroom is $

INSTRUCTIONS:
Rate may not be booked for more than 30 nights.
1 night minimum stay required.
Guarantee required.

GUARANTEE POLICY:
Credit card holds accepted
Travel agency holds accepted

CANCELLATION POLICY:
Cancel today thru Sep 09 2009 = No penalty
Cancel Sep 10 2009 thru Sep 11 2009 = 176.49 USD.

 

[JLSE50]

To take the thread in a slightly different way, but a little bit related..

Does anyone know, if you do an organized DCL snorkel tour, do they provide the flippers. Neil and I have our own sets, but are contemplating not bringing the flippers (just our masks and snorkels) to save luggage space.

-Kay

ANYTHING YOU WANT TO DISCUSS IS OK.

The excursions we have taken have provided all the gear. We took our own a couple times but you are right, the fins take up a lot of luggage space. The last time I took only mask and snorkel and used their fins.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Ian... don't you remember that Donna and Harry had a special time to get off if they were taking an early flight??? I'm sure she can tell you this, but I'd miss you at breakfast

HEY! You'll be missing EVERYBODY if you don't BOOK THIS CRUISE!

Are you still considering WDW in Oct for F&W Festival too?

.

 

[ibouncetoo]

It will probably be on SWA, or so I think. I may end up on AA, and pay for the baggage. The plus side of AA is that they fly out of O'Hare which is 13 miles away and therefore a much cheaper cab ride.

SW is out of Midway, which would be at least a $60 cab ride.

I have to consider how we will get to and from the airport.

Remember, if you go with AA and use DCL transportation back to MCO, you can check your bags all the way through from when you leave them outside the stateroom door on Friday night till you hit O'Hare.

Though, there's still that group transport option out there too.

 

[iankh]

Remember, if you go with AA and use DCL transportation back to MCO, you can check your bags all the way through from when you leave them outside the stateroom door on Friday night till you hit O'Hare.

Though, there's still that group transport option out there too.

Thanks for the reminder. I wonder if I can book one-way transportation via DCL back to MCO?

Our really big problem is here in Chicago. I would much prefer to fly on SWA, but I just don't see how we can manage the luggage via public transportation.

I think we will probably have 2 bags each, or at least a garment bag and 2 other bags of varying sizes, plus the cameras, etc.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Thanks for the reminder. I wonder if I can book one-way transportation via DCL back to MCO?

.

You most certainly can.

.