Wild Turkeys and Dancing Banana Heads Cruise 11/25/06

[feenie]

Happy Tuesday morning!!
We had a great long weekend! It was nice having an extra day, we took total advantage and did NOTHING!! It was awesome!!
Sunday morning I got up early and made my palo ressies for cruise week 2.
I was able to get high tea, so DH is happy

I think a 3pm Dis-Meet in the promenade lounge is a great plan.
We met there on our last cruise and it worked really well. everyone should be on board, have eaten lunch and had a little time to unpack and unwind...

DH and I watched the DCL special on the travel channel.... (for like the 10th time!) I wish they would update it, but its still fun to watch!

 

[sptweedle]

Jeff, I can answer part of your question. Based on what I have read on trip reports, everyone gathers at the theater. The Customs Officials will essentially go row by row and look at everyone's information, and then you are free to leave. It does occur REALLY early, as soon as the ship docks. No one is allowed to go ashore until the entire ship has been cleared. For those with early excursions, they will be cleared first. You can go in your pajamas (and many do).

And Dandy, it IS the morning after Pirate Night!

Is this a one shot deal, another words, if you ain't there, you ain't goin, or is it something that occurs throughout the day. I probably have the same dilema as Jeff, a 9 year old, a 25 month old and a 10 month old.

Also, what paperwork do they look at, the same stuff you need to get on the boat, birth certificates, DL's?

This process does not sound fun.

Steve

 

[TiggerKing]

Is this a one shot deal, another words, if you ain't there, you ain't goin, or is it something that occurs throughout the day. I probably have the same dilema as Jeff, a 9 year old, a 25 month old and a 10 month old.

Also, what paperwork do they look at, the same stuff you need to get on the boat, birth certificates, DL's?

This process does not sound fun.

Steve

Steve: It is a one shot deal, but not in the way you are thinking. NO ONE is allowed to leave the ship until EVERYONE has cleared customs. From what I understand, other than the getting up early part, it is a pretty painless process. You just show passports or birth certificates.

Hopefully, Kathy will chime in with a little more information soon.

 

[woogal]

Now I am starting to get a little nervous about this trip. I really need to know when karaoke night is. If you guys are gonna be singing love songs, I soooo what to be there......!!!!

Hey Denise ... Wally has to sing a love song, too, y'know. Might want to relay that to him!!!

I think we need to put out an APB on Lampy ::cop: ... RON!! WHERE THE HECK ARE YOU???

 

[sptweedle]

Steve: It is a one shot deal, but not in the way you are thinking. NO ONE is allowed to leave the ship until EVERYONE has cleared customs. From what I understand, other than the getting up early part, it is a pretty painless process. You just show passports or birth certificates.

Hopefully, Kathy will chime in with a little more information soon.

OK, I thought that was true about no one leaving the ship until everyone was cleared, but what threw me was why they let excursion people go first, if everyone has to be cleared what difference does it make the order that they are cleared? That's more of a rhetorical question, I was just confused as to how it's done.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[TiggerKing]

I think we need to put out an APB on Lampy ::cop: ... RON!! WHERE THE HECK ARE YOU???

Ron may have gotten kidnapped at Bristol the weekend before Labor Day. You know how those Tennessee people can be about "foreigners" from up north coming into their territory! Either that, or he had a REAL good sales weekend at the dealership!

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Sorry to tell you sleepy heads that when we went last month it all started at 6:30 a.m. On a previous cruise it was 6:00 a.m.

If you have a morning excursion, you will be the ones to report to the WD theater first. Your entire cabin must be present, with photo ID and birth certificates or passports, people from outside the US go to one of the clubs, dont remember which one.They have a CM that will be at the end of the rows and will tell you when to get up and walk down by the stage and show your stuff to the custom agents. Sometimes they will ask you a question about where you were born or your birthdate. Then you are off!!
it really is very quick once they get started, unless someone doesnt bring their documents with them, that brings everything to a dead stand still.

They will have coffee, juice and a few pastries near the entrance to the theater for you if you want , which is nice and you will be checked in as you enter the theater. Nobody will be allowed off the hsip until ALL rooms have been accounted for. They will stamp your hand too and if you dont have a hand stamp, you wont be let off the ship, so you cant sneak off if you dont go through customs, you wont get off the ship!!!

YES, it is after Pirate night, bad move on DCL's part in my opinion.


If your still confused just PM me and I will try to make it a little more clear for you.

Kathy

 

[woogal]

Thanks Kathy. So, we go down there at 6:30, get "checked in", they dismiss us all once everyone is accounted for ... and then we can do whatever we want until we choose to leave the ship, correct?

Also, when we get on the ship, will there be a problem with sending formal wear to get pressed in time to get back the next evening for dinner? I asked Mom if she wouldn't just mind too much ironing all of our stuff before they take us to port. Apparently, she WOULD mind ...

 

[JanDave]

Hi Banana Head/Wild Turkeys! You have all been busy these past few days posting. I was in the Detroit area spending time with my 17 month old GD and Alyssa, my goddaughter who has Down syndrome. (By the way, she has cruised on the Wonder twice!)

First of all, WELCOME 3Turners and J&C's Mom. We're looking forward to meeting you. It's me, DH Dave, friends Bob and Gitta.

Kathy: Love the pics of you and your family.

Anyone staying at SSR the night before the cruise? Or somewhere close by? Perhaps we can plan a meet Friday afternoon/evening or Saturday morning before we leave for port. Let me know.

Ok, what's the "other board"? Cruise critic? Just curious!!!

I purchased Pirate shirts through disneystore.com for the 4 of us. That's about all of our costume, in addition to the bandanas given to us at dinner.

Shell -- I can't remember -- Are you and Mutt taking a tour with Godfrey or Sunny Liston? We're touring with Sunny with a 9am pick up at the ship. We toured with him last year and had a lot of fun.

Besides all the good stuff other possters have mentioned at the port, there are characters at port. I've seen Chip and Dale, Donald Duck and Minnie Mouse. I've got a great pic of Alyssa and Minnie Mouse taken at the port.

Dutchsmommy and U2Pixies - we are DVC owners. We first bought 180 points at Hilton Head in 2001, then an additional 100 points at SSR in 2004. We plan to buy more in a couple of years. One reason we bought DVC is that we can deed the points to our kids. Potentially, our great-grandkids can vacation with the points we bought. My kids think that's a great inheritance. On board, DVC reps will be hosting an informational meeting and meet one-on-one. Plus, they will offer incentives. It's worth the time to attend. My DH can tell you in about 10 minutes why DVC is so great. We've referred lots of cruisers to DVC. No incentive for us, but it's a great vacation tool.

I'm all for meeting at the Promenade Lounge at 3pm for the same reasons Kathy posted. I've met there for 3 cruises now and it works out real well for all.

RunaOO -- Your Secret Santa idea sounds interesting. DIS friends of ours will be on the 11 day Wonder and they are doing a secret cruiser.

Jeff -- Everyone has to go through customs at St. Thomas or none of us get off the ship. Arrival times at the theater are staggered. You will receive notice of your time. I've done this twice and last year's customs inspection went smoothly and quickly. Many kids and adults are in their pjs.

Denise -- I will keep your daughter in my thoughts as she is serving our country in Iraq.

Well, I have to get back to work.

Have a great day, everyone!

Jan

 

[TiggerKing]

DW and I will likely be staying somewhere on Property for Friday night before the cruise, and probably on Saturday after we get off the boat. I have not made reservations as yet, but last time we stayed at Pop Century, and I may shoot for there again.

 

[dkmjgal]

Jan- we are staying at Saratoga Springs the night before and the night after. We made reservations for the Candlelight Processional in Epcot the night before the Cruise. We are eating at Teppanyaki in Japan at 5:45 and then we are off to the 8:15 Processional. I would think that there would be some way we can meet up before heading to Port. Maybe breakfast or something?

Uugghh - I was worried about having to be at the Promenade lounge at 7:15am for our excursion in St. John...now I find out that we will be meeting somewhere else even earlier Yikes. Oh well...we're not going on this cruise to get any sleep anyway!

Can anyone please tell me why I can't get the song Photograph out of my head!!!

See you later-
Kelly

 

[TiggerKing]

Jan- we are staying at Saratoga Springs the night before and the night after. We made reservations for the Candlelight Processional in Epcot the night before the Cruise. We are eating at Teppanyaki in Japan at 5:45 and then we are off to the 8:15 Processional. I would think that there would be some way we can meet up before heading to Port. Maybe breakfast or something?

Kelly, I was trying to think of something to surprise DW with on that Friday night, and I never thought about the Processional. I wish I had thought of it in time to get reservations, as I am quite sure they are gone by now!

Hey Mutt, I need a banana that is kicking itself or hitting itself in the head!

 

[LAMPSKIES]

Ron may have gotten kidnapped at Bristol the weekend before Labor Day. You know how those Tennessee people can be about "foreigners" from up north coming into their territory! Either that, or he had a REAL good sales weekend at the dealership!

O.K., O.K., I'm here......yes, Bristol was AWSOME!! Put 1786 miles on the vette that weekend! 32mpg at 85 mph.......

Here is the navigator with the immagration procedures......

 

[feenie]

For some reason on our last cruise I totally missed the customs/immigration thing on St Thomas day when we were planning for it. I was totally suprised. The line at 7:15 when we went streched out to the atrium area. It was crazy. Then when we got into the theater we had to sit in the seats for another 10-15 minutes. Not a big deal, I was just suprised that I missed knowing about it after combing the disboards daily for the year before the trip.

 

[dkmjgal]

Kelly, I was trying to think of something to surprise DW with on that Friday night, and I never thought about the Processional. I wish I had thought of it in time to get reservations, as I am quite sure they are gone by now!

Hey Mutt, I need a banana that is kicking itself or hitting itself in the head!

Tiggerking - it wasn't easy and I called on the first day. I still think you should try though. Are you staying at Disneyworld before and after the cruise? It's worth a shot. If you're not too particular about where you want to eat and at what time just call and find out what's still available. Good luck!

Kelly

 

[TiggerKing]

Tiggerking - it wasn't easy and I called on the first day. I still think you should try though. Are you staying at Disneyworld before and after the cruise? It's worth a shot. If you're not too particular about where you want to eat and at what time just call and find out what's still available. Good luck!

Kelly

Yes, we are going to be staying at Pop Century on Friday, and I am not sure where on the Sat. we return. I may still give it a shot.

O.K., O.K., I'm here......yes, Bristol was AWSOME!! Put 1786 miles on the vette that weekend! 32mpg at 85 mph.......

You know, they barely do that speed AT the track! I know you had a good time. I need to get tickets to that race sometime in my lifetime!

 

[favoriteslave]

Lampy Glad to see you survived. Please check in more often. We need you to use your special powers to get the dinning rotation that we want. Plus aren't you buying the first round?

 

[pgfour]

Good evening Nanas & Wild Turkeys!

Once again -- we've been very busy on the boards!

I will help add to our post count. . .

Wendy -- glad to hear you enjoyed the LSU game! We are Nebraska Cornhusker fans -- my dad has season tickets. I really love college football.

Shell -- How's the fantasy football starting out so far? I'm actually a Raiders fan (which explains why I like college football more these days!!! ). Someday they may be good again. For now, my Sundays are more productive.

That's it for now!

Cheri

 

[pgfour]

HI again!

Must add some more. . .

Mutt, what's not to love about Def Leppard???? You gotta go see them! Maybe I need to take a road trip to Ohio! Granted, I do listen to 80's Hair bands on the satellite radio, so I could be biased! (I also love KISS -- so what does that say about my taste in music??? )

Speaking of "lost youth," I got to have the day off from work for my birthday today! (One of the perks of working for yourself!) I went to lunch with my parents & sister and did some shopping at Kohl's. DH also took me out for dinner last night and brought dinner home tonight.

Cheri

 

[pgfour]

Cheri,
The dinner on Friday night sounds great!! Count us in!! How about breakfast in the morning and then board the bus for the cruise too??

Sounds great! Hopefully we'll get to be on the first bus out.