WBPC May 6th 2013 Wonder - Pirates Pillaging and Plundering the Panama Canal again...

[Happy Goofy]

Was able to get Palo last night and did not book anything for PV. We are not beach people and we already did the non beach things the last two times. Did book a Harbor Cruise in Cabo and hope to go to Senor Frogs while we are there. Hope everyone got what they wanted. Now we are waiting for hotel info from Steven. Has anyone heard anything about that?

 

[kmitchel]

I think there are two zip line excursions in PV. The Extreme Canopy and the Outdoor Adventure.

 

[cwdefouw]

I think there are two zip line excursions in PV. The Extreme Canopy and the Outdoor Adventure.

That is correct, I forgot about the "Outdoor Adventure" since when I initially looked at it months ago, it seemed a little too extreme for me.

The websites for the actual vendor for these two are as follows...

Extreme Canopy Adventure... http://www.vallarta-adventures.com/tours/extreme-zip-line-canopy-adventure

Outdoor Adventure... http://www.vallarta-adventures.com/tours/outdoor-adventure

 

[granmaz]

I have just done our online check in. Now this time John wants to use a Debit card to pay the onboard account as he has loaded it with $'s. However on the form there isn't a place for a Debit card, only cash or other. Now I am thinking one of the 'others' could be a Debit card so I clicked that but it didn't ask for a card number. Do you know if they accept Debit cards?

I guess we can ask at check in and add the number there. Otherwise John will be a bit annoyed if he has to use a Credit card end up not using the loaded $ card!!!

 

[Lexa]

Us too!
No Salsa and Salsa excursion available for Cabo.

Still need to wait till Feb 5th to book for us!

 

[Rikersmom]

Marilyn,

I have never had any trouble changing the method of paying. I have used Disney gift cards and the Disney Visa Rewards card.

As long as your debit card has a major credit card logo, Disney just charges it as a charge card. If it is a bank credit card that requires a PIN, Disney probably won't take it.

Hope this helps,
Karen

 

[pilk]

I would be way to nervous to drive from Orlando to Miami the day of the cruise! It is a several hour drive, isn't it? What is there is a traffic delay?? We plan to rent a car the day before the cruise and drive to Ft Lauderdale. Shuttle from there to port morning of cruise.

It's about a 3.5hr drive depending on traffic and your speed. The way I figured we would have to make the journey at somepoint, either the night before or the night after. By making it the day of we just eliminate checking into another hotel and it gives us another night at WDW.

Jon

 

[GoinPlaces63]

I have just done our online check in. Now this time John wants to use a Debit card to pay the onboard account as he has loaded it with $'s. However on the form there isn't a place for a Debit card, only cash or other. Now I am thinking one of the 'others' could be a Debit card so I clicked that but it didn't ask for a card number. Do you know if they accept Debit cards?

I guess we can ask at check in and add the number there. Otherwise John will be a bit annoyed if he has to use a Credit card end up not using the loaded $ card!!!

We had an issue like this on our last cruise. I called and everything was fine.

 

[WestCoastNovaks]

Count me in for Champagne Girls!

 

[Jcmh]

Got all our Port Adventures booked last night + Palo Brunch and Dinner. For those who wanted to know what excursions are being offered. I will try to list the ones that are NOT being offered and then you can compare this to the general list for the three ports other than CC.

Cartagena Not Listed: The two "Cartagena by Private Vehicle" tours.

Puerto Vallarta Not Listed: Banderas Bay Private Sailing Charter, Private Vans-Puerto Vallarta, Yelapa and Majahuitas, plus all of the whale watching ones.

Cabo Not Listed: Cabo Dolphin Kids, Cabo Del Sol Golf, Cabo Dolphin Trainer, Cabo My Way-Private Vehicles, Deluxe Villa Escape, Cabo Canopy Adventure, Mexican Fiesta and Folkloric Show, Salsa and Salsa, plus all of the whale watching ones.

My first impression is that the Puerto Vallarta zip line adventure (Extreme Canopy Adventure) is the only option for zip lining on this cruise as they are not offering the one in Cabo. So if you want to zip line at PV, BOOK EARLY. There were 4 times ranging from 7:45 AM to 9:15 AM for this so there will hopefully be plenty of spots available.

Obviously with the short stop in Cabo, that is the likely reason there are so many not listed.

Hope this information helps in planning...

This is very helpful. Thank you so much!

 

[MrsMork]

I have just done our online check in. Now this time John wants to use a Debit card to pay the onboard account as he has loaded it with $'s. However on the form there isn't a place for a Debit card, only cash or other. Now I am thinking one of the 'others' could be a Debit card so I clicked that but it didn't ask for a card number. Do you know if they accept Debit cards?

I guess we can ask at check in and add the number there. Otherwise John will be a bit annoyed if he has to use a Credit card end up not using the loaded $ card!!!

Our debit card has a Mastercard logo and the one we had before had Visa logo, so we would just list it as MC or Visa, whichever it is.

It's about a 3.5hr drive depending on traffic and your speed. The way I figured we would have to make the journey at somepoint, either the night before or the night after. By making it the day of we just eliminate checking into another hotel and it gives us another night at WDW.

Jon

I'm sure you will be fine and saving checking into/out of another hotel will be a plus. I'm just a nervous old lady and want to be right there where less can go wrong!!

 

[Meghatron]

I'm sure you will be fine and saving checking into/out of another hotel will be a plus. I'm just a nervous old lady and want to be right there where less can go wrong!!

This is exactly why we are flying in on the 4th and not the 5th!

 

[Lexa]

I have just done our online check in. Now this time John wants to use a Debit card to pay the onboard account as he has loaded it with $'s. However on the form there isn't a place for a Debit card, only cash or other. Now I am thinking one of the 'others' could be a Debit card so I clicked that but it didn't ask for a card number. Do you know if they accept Debit cards?

I guess we can ask at check in and add the number there. Otherwise John will be a bit annoyed if he has to use a Credit card end up not using the loaded $ card!!!

I paid the reminder of $$ for our cruise with Debit Card and I always pay onboard account with Debit card. They have it on file so I don't need to do anything while online check-in.

 

[Lexa]

This was posted on FB and I thought I would copy here again for some of you who might missed it before:

GROUP HOTEL: If you have not contacted me with interest in Group Discount at the DoubleTree Grand Hotel (Biscayne Bay), please do so quickly. Currently, DISers have expressed interest (to me) for 4 or 5 rooms for 5/4, as well as 9 rooms for 5/5. Once we get interest in 10 rooms, I can re-confirm interest with everyone, and physically sign the contracts. *** I will have to personally guarantee the rooms. Once you book your room (direct with the hotel, with our secret password), you will not be able to cancel.

Currently, the website is offering a discount for online booking. The last time I checked, our rate was even lower than their current promotion.

If you posted on DIS or FB that you had interest in a room, but did not get a response from me ... YOU ARE NOT ON THE LIST. Please contact me via PM through DIS (sdlong329) or FB (Steven) if you have interest. Let me know how many rooms you want, and for which date(s). Remember, we only get group discount for the days we have 10+ rooms. If we do not get 10 rooms for 5/4, you are still able to book directly through the hotel, at the online discount rate.

***Please do not book with the hotel directly, if you want to secure a group rate. If people book directly with the hotel, it will make it harder for us to book our group at discount / group rate.

Link for reference:
http://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/ho...n-grand-hotel-biscayne-bay-MIABSDT/index.html

 

[aan1701]

On our two previous PC cruises (one in May and one in January) we had VERY calm seas. It was such a smooth trip both times, you hardly felt the ship even move. Fingers crossed that we will have the same luck on this cruise.

While this is true, I just plan for the worst and hope for the best. After all I did choose to take my vacation out on the ocean, thus I need to expect some rocking and rolling. It doesn't bother me if its rough. I actually enjoy it.

Sent from my iPhone 5 using DISBoards

 

[sdlong329]

As of TODAY, the current base rack rate for the DoubleTree Grand is $179, plus taxes. We are able to secure a GROUP rate of $149, plus taxes. You are able to choose an upgrade (ie: view), depending on availability, at additional cost (deal direct with the hotel for selection).

Our group discount rate is lower than the current discount rate offered online.

IF YOU PREVIOUSLY EXPRESSED INTEREST IN A DISCOUNTED, GROUP RATE ROOM, please contact me within 24 hours (via PM) to confirm your interest in the room. Remember, discounted rooms cannot be cancelled (once you book, you are staying at the hotel, and sailing on the cruise).

If you did not previously express interest in a discounted, group rate room, but have interest or questions, please contact me within 24 - 48 hours (via PM). If you opt to book a room, you will be issued a password, which will enable you to book the room at discount, directly with the hotel. Remember, discounted rooms cannot be cancelled (once you book, you are staying at the hotel, and sailing on the cruise).

http://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels/florida/doubletree-by-hilton-grand-hotel-biscayne-bay-MIABSDT/index.html

Steven

PS: The hotel (near the port, vs. airport) was selected by the majority of DISers back in June. As a reminder, I am not making one cent from organizing the discounted rooms ... nor do I receive any discounts or perks from the hotel.

 

[speedo]

Cabo Not Listed: Cabo Dolphin Kids, Cabo Del Sol Golf, Cabo Dolphin Trainer, Cabo My Way-Private Vehicles, Deluxe Villa Escape, Cabo Canopy Adventure, Mexican Fiesta and Folkloric Show, Salsa and Salsa, plus all of the whale watching ones.

Obviously with the short stop in Cabo, that is the likely reason there are so many not listed.

Hope this information helps in planning...

Not sure the reason it is not listed online but we were able to book the Cabo Sol Golf through the shore side concierge, at least they said they were able to book it. Not sure if it is a glitch in the planning center online or if the concierge is mistaken. I guess we'll see what happens.

 

[Disjanny]

I wanna be a Champagne Girl too! Sounds fun!

Count me in as well!

 

[Disjanny]

It was warm when we went in May of 2008 until we got to Cabo. It was VERY windy and most people had light jackets on that day. It was also cold (well, cold for someone who lives in Florida) the morning we arrived in LA, but we just went to the airport.

Thanks. Still trying to figure out what to pack and how much luggage to bring. Thankfully I'm in a room by myself so more space! I'm flying to Miami but end up close to home. I live about 20 minutes from Disneyland.

 

[vakamalua]

If you want to be a Champagne Girl, just post. I'll be keeping the list updated, so far:

Vakamalua
Megatron (?)
GoinPlaces63 (mother, daughter)
Happy Goofy
Brixton
Lexa
Mom323
*Tinker*Bell*
ravensilverlight
corbett744
annichan
West Coast Novaks
Disjanny