Saturday, February 26, 2011

56 DAYS TO GO . . .

     SATURDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2011

     COVERED THE NUMBER OF STATEROOM DESIGNS AND THE NUMBER OF KIDS CLUBS, SO TODAY I THOUGHT I'D COVER THE THE THREE MAIN DINING ROOMS ON THE DISNEY DREAM. 
     UNLIKE MOST CRUISE SHIPS THAT PUT YOU IN ONE DINING ROOM FOR YOUR ENTIRE CRUISE, DISNEY SCHEDULES YOU FOR ALL THREE OF THEIR MAIN DINING ROOMS.  YOUR FAMILY "ROTATES" THROUGH THESE DINING ROOMS TOGETHER ENJOYING A DIFFERENT MENU EACH EVENING.  AND MOST UNLIKE ANYTHING ELSE ON THE SEAS, YOUR TABLE MATES AND SERVERS ROTATE WITH YOU.  YOU CAN ALWAYS BYPASS YOUR SCHEDULED RESTAURANT AND EAT AT ONE OF THE ADULTS-ONLY DINING CHOICES (PALO OR REMY), ONE OF SEVERAL SNACK COUNTERS, ROOM SERVICE OR THE BUFFET RESTAURANT ON DECK (CABANAS).
     YOU WILL LEARN YOUR DINING ROTATION ORDER ON YOUR VERY FIRST DAY WHEN YOU RECEIVE YOUR (ROOM) "KEY TO THE WORLD" CARD.  PRINTED ON YOUR CARD WILL BE THE FIRST LETTER OF EACH RESTAURANT FOR THE NUMBER OF NIGHTS OF YOUR CRUISE IN THE ORDER YOU ARE TO ATTEND.  I.E. - AERR (ANIMATOR'S PALATE, ENCHANTED GARDEN, ROYAL PALACE, ROYAL PALACE).  YOU'LL NOTICE THE THIRD AND FOURTH NIGHTS REPEAT ON THE 4 NIGHT CRUISE.  TWO NIGHTS WILL REPEAT ON ANY CRUISE LONGER THAN 3 NIGHTS, BECAUSE ONE OF THE NIGHTS, DESPITE BEING IN THE SAME RESTAURANT WILL HAVE A DIFFERENT "PIRATE NIGHT" THEMED MENU.  YOUR ROTATION MAY BE BASED ON THE AGES OF THE, OR SOME, OF YOUR PARTY OR THE SIZE OF YOUR PARTY AS WELL, ALTHOUGH YOUR ROTATION ONLY APPLIES TO DINNERS.  YOU WILL ALSO HAVE THE SAME TABLE NUMBER IN EACH RESTAURANT, MAKING IT EASIER FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED.
     THE DREAM HAS TWO DINNER SEATINGS, THE FIRST AT 6:00PM AND THE SECOND AT 8:30PM.  SEATINGS ARE BASICALLY BASED AROUND THEATER SHOW TIMES, WHICH THE DREAM NOW HAS 3 INSTEAD OF 2; 5:00PM, 7:00PM, & 9:00PM, BECAUSE DINNER CAN LAST OVER 2 HOURS.
     THE FIRST MAIN DINING RESTAURANT IS THE LARGE SIZED ENCHANTED GARDEN (www.youtube.com/watch?v=twif5qmwpwe), INSPIRED BY THE GARDENS OF VERSAILLES.  WITH LOTS OF TRELLISES, A FOUNTAIN CENTERED BY A CHERUB MICKEY, GREENERY AND SCENES OF FRENCH HILLSIDES, IT BRINGS THE OUTDOORS IN.  THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE RESTAURANT IS IT'S SWEEPING DAYTIME BLUE CEILING THAT CHANGES DURING YOUR MEAL TO A GOLDEN RED OF A SETTING SUN TO A NIGHTTIME CONSTELLATION OF TWINKLING STARS.  ALSO, FLOWER LIGHT FIXTURES "BLOOM" AND BECOME FILLED WITH COLOR AND SCONCES CHANGE AS WELL.
      THE SECOND MAIN DINING ROTATION RESTAURANT IS THE ROYAL PALACE (www.youtube.com/watch?v=shgp4thkv9a).  THIS LUXURIOUS SPACE IS INSPIRED BY THE PRINCE AND PRINCESSES OF DISNEY FILM.  DECORATED WITH MARBLE, CHANDELIERS, HAND-PAINTED PORTRAITS, GLASS SLIPPERS AND TIARAS, THE RESTAURANT ITSELF WILL MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE IN CINDERELLAS BALLROOM.  GUESTS TEND TO DRESS UP EVEN MORE FOR THIS RESTAURANT JUST BECAUSE OF THE FEEL AND ATMOSPHERE.
      THE THIRD AND FINAL RESTAURANT THAT IS PART OF THE ROTATIONAL DINING IS THE ANIMATOR'S PALATE (www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezcd7a407kg & www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjfm0cxdamo).  THIS IS THE ONE RESTAURANT THAT CARRIED OVER FROM THE TWO ORIGINAL "CLASSIC" SHIPS, BUT IS HARDLY THE SAME AS IT'S PREDECESSORS.  THE ORIGINAL DINING ROOMS ON THE MAGIC AND WONDER WERE ALL BLACK AND WHITE SPACES, AT LEAST WHEN YOU ENTERED, INCLUDING THE WAIT STAFF UNIFORMS.  AS THE EVENING PROGRESSED, EVERYTHING, INCLUDING THE WALLS, THE TABLES, THE WAIT STAFF UNIFORMS, ALL CHANGED SLOWLY TO COLOR, AS THE MUSIC SWELLED AS WELL. 
     THE DREAM'S ANIMATOR'S PALATE IS DESIGNED TO LOOK LIKE AN ANIMATOR'S STUDIO OR OFFICE, WITH LOTS OF LIGHT WOODS LIKE A DRAFTING TABLE AND SKETCHES, DRAWINGS, AND SCULPTINGS ADORNING THE WALLS AND SHELVES.  THE CHAIRS FOR ALL THE TABLES ARE DESIGNED TO LOOK LIKE MICKEY MOUSE WITH THE BLACK, RED AND YELLOW BUTTON SPOTS.  BUT THE REAL ATTRACTION HERE IS "THE SHOW".  AS YOUR DINNER PROGRESSES THE RESTAURANT SEEMS TO MAGICALLY SINK UNDER WATER.  THE PICTURES, CORK BOARDS, AND SCREENS ALL TRANSFORM INTO WINDOWS AND PORTHOLES INTO THE OCEAN AROUND YOU WHERE ALL THE CHARACTERS FROM THE DISNEY FILM "FINDING NEMO" APPEAR, SWIM AROUND THE ROOM, BY ALL THE WINDOWS CONTINUOUSLY AND ACTUALLY INTERACT WITH GUESTS.  NOT EVERY GUEST WILL GET TO TALK TO CRUSH AND HIS FRIENDS, BUT MANY DO, SO IT CAN GET A BIT LOUD WITH THE KIDS (AND ADULTS) REACTIONS.  BUT FOR FANS OF THE SPECTACLE OF DISNEY (LIKE MY SON & I), THIS IS A HIGHLIGHT!
     HOPE YOU'RE HUNGRY.  SEE YA REAL SOON!   ºOº

Friday, February 25, 2011

57 DAYS TO GO . . .

      FRIDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2011

      SINCE I WENT INTO DETAIL ABOUT THE DISNEY DREAM'S DIFFERENT STATEROOMS YESTERDAY, TODAY I THOUGHT I'D GET INTO THE KIDS CLUBS SINCE WE'RE ALREADY "ON-BOARD".  THERE ARE 5 DIFFERENT KIDS CLUBS ON THE DISNEY DREAM.  THE FIRST IS FOR THE YOUNGEST AGES 3 MONTHS TO 3 YEARS CALLED IT'S A SMALL WORLD NURSERY.  THIS IS THE ONLY KIDS CLUB THAT HAS AN ADDITIONAL CHARGE IN THAT THIS IS ACTUAL "BABYSITTING".  THE DECOR IS INSPIRED BY THE IT'S A SMALL WORLD PARK RIDE WITH 3 DIFFERENT ZONES.  ONE IS FOR KIDS TO GET ACCLIMATED, THE SECOND IS THE MAIN PLAY AREA AND THE THIRD IS THE QUIET AREA FOR NAPS ON MATS OR IN CRIBS.  TRAINED COUNSELORS TRY TO KEEP THE CHILDREN ENGAGED BASED ON THEIR AGE AND INTEREST.  ALTHOUGH YOU HAVE TO RESERVE THE TIME YOUR CHILDREN WILL BE IN THE NURSERY (SIZE OF THE NURSERY AND NUMBER OF CRIBS LIMITS AVAILABILITY), THIS CAN BE A REAL SAVING GRACE FOR PARENTS TRAVELING WITH INFANTS AND TODDLERS LOOKING TO GET A LITTLE PRIVATE TIME.
     THE SECOND AND THIRD CLUBS ARE ACTUALLY CONNECTED.  THEY USED TO BE SEPARATED PHYSICALLY AND BY THE CHILDREN'S AGE ON THE DISNEY MAGIC AND THE DISNEY WONDER, BUT HERE THEY ARE CONNECTED LITERALLY AND NOW SHARED AS WELL BY ALL CHILDREN 3 TO 10 YEARS OF AGE (ON THE MAGIC AND WONDER NOW TOO).  THE FIRST IS OCEANEER'S CLUB (www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zmcfpzk6ao).  JUST LIKE THE MAGIC KINGDOM, THE OCEANEER'S CLUB IS SET UP WITH A CENTRAL HUB AND 4 DISTINCT CONNECTING THEMED PLAY AREAS.  THE CENTRAL ROTUNDA IS BASED AROUND A STAGE FOR PLAYS AND PLAYING, STORYTELLING, AND VISITS FROM CHARACTERS.  IT ALSO HAS A 103 INCH PLASMA SCREEN FOR WATCHING MOVIES AND INTERACTING WITH DIGITAL CHARACTERS JUST LIKE "TURTLE TALK WITH CRUSH" (www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixinwnpgoy4). 
     THE FIRST THEMED PLAY AREA IS CALLED ANDY'S ROOM.  IT'S LITERALLY DESIGNED TO LOOK EXACTLY LIKE ANDY'S ROOM FROM THE TOY STORY MOVIES, EXCEPT EVERYTHING IS BIG, SO YOU FEEL SMALLER, OR TOY SIZE AND CAN PLAY AMONGST THE MR. POTATO HEAD, REX, AND OTHER TOYS.
     THE SECOND PLAY AREA IS THE MONSTERS ACADEMY.  THIS AREA IS BASED ON THE MOVIE MONSTERS INC.  IT HAS AN ELABORATELY THEMED MONSTROPOLIS PLAY AREA AND COMPUTERS AROUND THE OUTSIDE WITH UNIQUE INTERACTIVE GAMES.
     THE THIRD AREA IS PIXIE HOLLOW.  INSPIRED BY THE TINKERBELL MOVIES, IT IS A REPLICA OF THE MAGICAL WORLD INHABITED BY FAIRIES, WITH TREES, TWINKLING LIGHT LEAVES, AND ACORN AND MUSHROOM STOOLS.  IT IS DESIGNED FOR DRESS-UP PLAY (INCLUDING COSTUMES), STORYTELLING, AND INDIVIDUAL CRAFT PROJECTS.
     THE FOURTH THEMED AREA IN THE OCEANEER'S CLUB IS THE EXPLORERS POD.  IT'S A SUBMARINE THEMED AFTER THE FILM FINDING NEMO, SIMILAR TO THE CONVERTED 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA RIDE IN CALIFORNIA'S DISNEYLAND.  THE BRIGHT BLUE AND YELLOW SUB IS SURROUNDED BY A SEASCAPE AND FEATURES 16 INTERACTIVE COMPUTER STATIONS WITH VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS TO DISCOVER.
     ALL ACTIVITIES ARE SUPERVISED AND CHILDREN MUST BE REGISTERED (FREE) TO ATTEND SO THEY CAN BE GIVEN A WRISTBAND WITH COMPUTER CHIP TO BE TRACKED IN AND OUT.
     THE THIRD MAIN KIDS CLUB IS CALLED THE OCEANEER'S LAB (www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t-hq9t3sc4).  YOU MIGHT SAY IT'S THE "OTHER SIDE" OF THE OCEANEERS CLUB.  IT TOO IS DESIGNED FOR AGES 3 TO 10 AND CENTERED AROUND A MAIN HALL WITH A STAGE AND 103 INCH PLASMA FOR MOVIES AND INTERACTING WITH CHARACTERS LIKE STITCH ON SCREEN.  IT IS CONNECTED TO THE OCEANEERS CLUB, SO KIDS CAN MOVE BETWEEN THEM AS THEY LIKE.  LIKE THE CLUB, THE LAB HAS DIFFERENT THEMED AREAS.  THE FIRST OF WHICH IS THE MEDIA LOUNGE, DESIGNED FOR KIDS TO BE ABLE TO KICK BACK IN BEAN BAG CHAIRS AND WATCH MOVIES, READ, OR PLAY VIDEO GAMES.
     THE SECOND AREA IS THE ANIMATOR'S STUDIO.  DESIGNED LIKE A WORKING ANIMATION STUDIO, KIDS CAN CREATE THEIR OWN ARTWORK AS WELL AS LEARN HOW TO DRAW DISNEY CLASSICS.  THEY CAN EVEN LEARN HOW TO DESIGN AND BRING TO LIFE COMPUTER ANIMATED CHARACTERS.
     THIRD IS THE EXPLORERS ROOM.  ALL ABOUT TECHNOLOGY, THIS AREA HAS MULTIPLE  COMPUTERS AND HIGH-DEF LCD SCREENS AND IS LOADED WITH ALL THE LATEST VIDEO GAME CONSOLES ON THE MARKET.
     THE FOURTH AREA IS THE SOUND STUDIO.  THIS AREA IS DEDICATED TO KIDS WHO LOVE MUSIC AND ARE INTERESTED IN CREATING IT AS WELL.
     THE FIFTH AND FINAL AREA HERE IS THE CRAFT STUDIO.  THIS MORE OF THE BACK TO BASICS STYLE OF CREATIVITY.  HANDS-ON CRAFT ARTS AND PROJECTS FOR THE MORE TACTILE CHILD.
     THE NEXT AGE LEVEL UP GOES TO EDGE (www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b4tsgst_sg).  AGES 11-13, OR TWEENS, AS THEY'VE COME TO BE KNOWN, NOW HAVE AN AREA ALL THEIR OWN.  BECAUSE DISNEY ALWAYS TRIES TO IMPROVE UPON WHAT THEY DO BEST, THEY FOUND THAT THIS AGE GROUP WAS GETTING STUCK BETWEEN LITTLER KIDS AND TEENAGERS AND DIDN'T FIT IN IN EITHER.  SO NOW THEY GET THEIR OWN SPACE WITH AN ILLUMINATED DANCE FLOOR, NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS FOR GAMES AND DISNEY'S OWN ON-BOARD SOCIAL MEDIA SITE, AN 18' X 5' VIDEO WALL, AND BEST OF ALL, IT'S LOCATED VIA A PRIVATE ENTRANCE IN THE FORWARD FUNNEL OF THE SHIP ABOVE EVERYTHING.
     LASTLY IS THE TEEN CLUB CALLED VIBE.  THIS IS AN INDOOR/OUTDOOR TEENS ONLY CLUB FOR AGES 14-18 (IF YOU'RE STILL IN OR JUST GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL).  IT HAS THE FEEL OF AN URBAN COFFEE SHOP AND STYLISH NIGHTCLUB.  IT'S ALL CENTERED AROUND A HI-DEF 103" LCD SCREEN WITH DIGITAL SURROUND SOUND.  A SEPARATE STAGE HAS KARAOKE AND DANCING ON THE MULTI-COLORED LIGHT UP DISCO FLOOR AND VIDEO WALL.  THERE ARE BUILT-IN WALL PODS FOR PRIVATE MUSIC LISTENING AND COMPUTERS FOR GAMES AND ON-BOARD SOCIAL NETWORKING, AS WELL AS IT'S OWN (NON-ALCOHOLIC) BAR AND BARTENDER.  NEW TO THE DREAM IS VIBE'S OWN PRIVATE SUNDECK WITH LOUNGERS, SPLASH POOLS, FOUNTAINS, POP JETS, MISTERS, PING PONG, FOOSBALL, AND BOARD GAMES.  SO EXCLUSIVE IS VIBE, THAT PARENTS CAN NOT GAIN ACCESS AT ALL AS SOON AS YOUR CRUISE BEGINS.
     THE KIDS CLUBS ON THE DISNEY CRUISE SHIPS TAKE UP WELL OVER 15,000 SQUARE FEET AND BASICALLY ONE THIRD OF THE SHIPS IS DEDICATED TO CHILDREN, FAR MORE THAN ANY OTHER CRUISE LINE.  BECAUSE ALL ACCEPT THE TWEENS EDGE CLUB (FORWARD FUNNEL) ARE LOCATED ON DECK 5, THIS MASSIVE AMOUNT OF CHILDREN'S DEDICATED SPACE GOES ALMOST UNNOTICED UNLESS YOU ARE SEEKING IT OUT.  SO ALL THOSE KIDS YOU FEAR BEING UNDER YOUR FEET AND RUNNING THE HALLS, ARE NOT.  NICE HUH?  AND THIS IS EXACTLY HOW I PICKED THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE FOR MY FIRST CRUISE!
     SEE YA REAL SOON!   ºOº

Thursday, February 24, 2011

58 DAYS TO GO . . .

      THURSDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2011

      THE STATEROOMS ON THE NEW DISNEY DREAM.  AS OF RIGHT NOW DISNEY HAS 9 DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF STATEROOM LISTED FOR THE NEW DISNEY DREAM.  I SAY "AS OF RIGHT NOW" BECAUSE SOME STATEROOMS ARE SOMETIMES RECLASSIFIED BECAUSE OF VIEWS OR BALCONIES OR LAYOUTS OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT HAS USUALLY BEEN COMPLAINED ABOUT TO FORCE A CHANGE OF SOME KIND.
     WE'LL START WITH THE LOWEST CATEGORY AND WORK OUR WAY UP TO THE RIDICULOUS (IN PRICE ANYWAY).  FIRST IS THE STANDARD INSIDE STATEROOM WHICH SLEEPS 3-4 AND HAS 169 SQUARE FEET OF SPACE.  IT HAS A QUEEN SIZE BED, A SINGLE CONVERTIBLE SOFA BED AND SOME HAVE A SINGLE PULL DOWN BERTH (BED).  THE PULL DOWN IS LITERALLY A SINGLE BED THAT CAN BE PULLED OUT OF THE CEILING AT BED TIME WHEN YOU HAVE THE 3 OR 4 THAT NEED TO SLEEP SEPARATELY.  IT FUNCTIONS AS A BUNK BED THAT HAS A LADDER FOR IT STORED IN YOUR CLOSET.  IT ALSO HAS AMPLE CLOSET SPACE, A CHAIR AND DESK WITH DRAWERS AND SHELVES, A STORAGE OTTOMAN THAT CAN FUNCTION AS A COFFEE TABLE, 22" LCD FLAT-SCREEN TV, IPOD DOCKING STATION ALARM CLOCK, REFRIGERATOR, IN-ROOM SAFE, VOICE MAIL PHONE, INDIVIDUAL CLIMATE CONTROL AND PRIVACY CURTAIN TO SEPARATE THE COUCH AREA FROM THE BED IF NEEDED.  THE BEDS ARE ELEVATED TO PROVIDE STORAGE UNDERNEATH AND WALL SHELVING ELIMINATES THE SPACE TAKEN UP BY NIGHT STANDS.  THERE IS A SHOWER/TUB WITH SINK AND TOILET AND ALL LINENS, TOWELS, WASHCLOTHS AND TOILETRIES ARE PROVIDED.
     THE NEW SURPRISE IN THESE ROOMS IS THE NEWEST CRUISE LINE INNOVATION, THE VIRTUAL PORTHOLE.  THE BED LIES AT THE END OF THE ROOM AS YOU WALK IN, BECAUSE IN AN INSIDE ROOM IT'S NOT BLOCKING ACCESS TO ANY VERANDAH (DECK OR PORCH).  OVER THE BED IS A PORTHOLE, ALTHOUGH THIS ONE ISN'T REAL.  IT'S AN LCD FLAT SCREEN MONITOR DISGUISED AS A PORTHOLE THAT SHOWS A REAL TIME VIEW OF THE OUTSIDE OF THE SHIP THAT REFLECTS THE ACTUAL STATEROOMS LOCATION ON THE SHIP, VIA CAMERAS ON MOUNTED AROUND THE SHIPS EXTERIOR.  THE REAL HIGHLIGHT AND INNOVATION HERE IS THAT NOT ONLY CAN YOU, FOR THE FIRST TIME, SEE THE OUTSIDE FROM AN INSIDE STATEROOM, BUT INTERMITTENTLY MANY DIFFERENT ANIMATED DISNEY CHARACTERS APPEAR ON OR IN YOUR PORTHOLE.  PLUS AT NIGHT IF YOU LIKE, YOU CAN SIMPLY TURN IT OFF.  COOL HUH?  THIS WOULD BE A SMALL ROOM FOR 4 PEOPLE I BELIEVE, BUT YOU'RE RARELY IN YOUR STATEROOM ON A CRUISE OTHER THAN BEDTIME.
     THE NEXT STEP UP IS THE DELUXE INSIDE STATEROOM.  THIS ROOM HAS A SLIGHTLY BIGGER DESK AND SHELVING UNIT AND A SLIGHTLY BIGGER CLOSET AS WELL.  THESE FIT IN EASIER AS THERE IS 204 SQUARE FEET IN THE DELUXE, SOME 35 SQUARE FEET BIGGER THAN THE STANDARD.  THE MAIN REASON IS TO FIT DISNEY'S CRUISE LINE EXCLUSIVE "SPLIT BATHROOM".  THIS IS SOMETHING THAT FAMILY'S HAVE BEEN ABSOLUTELY RAVING ABOUT.  THERE ARE, FOR ALL INTENSIVE PURPOSES, TWO BATHROOMS.  THE ONE CLOSEST TO YOUR HALLWAY DOOR HAS A SINK AND TOILET, WHILE THE SECOND, RIGHT NEXT TO IT, HAS A SHOWER & TUB WITH A SECOND SINK.  SO WHEN YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONE GETTING READY AT A TIME, THIS CAN BE A HUGE TIME AND SPACE SAVER.  GENIUS.  MOST OF THE EXTRA SQUARE FOOTAGE IS USED NEAR THE BATHROOMS, CLOSET AND COUCH.  MY SON HAD TO HAVE THE VIRTUAL PORTHOLE, SO SINCE FIRST BOOKING THE STANDARD, I UPGRADED TO THE DELUXE FIGURING IF I'M NOT GETTING A BALCONY, I CAN AT LEAST GET A LITTLE MORE ROOM.
     THE DELUXE OCEANVIEW STATEROOM IS NEXT IN LINE.  THERE IS ALMOST NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DELUXE OCEANVIEW STATEROOM AND THE DELUXE INSIDE STATEROOM OTHER THAN THE LAYOUT.  THE CONVERTIBLE COUCH AND DESK ARE AT THE END OF THE ROOM BECAUSE NOW THERE IS AN ACTUAL 5 FOOT WIDE PORTHOLE LOOKING OUT OVER THE OCEAN, SO YOU CAN SIT ON THE COUCH AND SEE OUT.  THE BED IS NOW PERPENDICULAR TO THE ROOM DOOR INSTEAD OF FACING IT, LIKE IN MOST ROOMS. 
     NEXT UP IS THE DELUXE FAMILY OCEANVIEW STATEROOM.  THIS IS A 241 SQUARE FOOT SPACE THAT SLEEPS 3-5.  SOME HAVE THE UPPER BIRTH PULL DOWN BED, BUT MOST HAVE A WALL PULL DOWN BED (OR MURPHY BED) ALONG WITH THE QUEEN SIZE BED AND CONVERTIBLE COUCH.  IT STILL HAS THE SPLIT BATHROOMS, BUT NOW THE SECOND HAS A ROUND TUB WITH A BUILT-IN SEAT, A RAIN STYLE SHOWER HEAD AND A HAND-HELD SHOWERHEAD.  THERE ARE TWO CLOSETS AND A LONGER DESK AREA WITH A SECOND CHAIR AS WELL AS A BUILT-IN CUSHIONED PORTHOLE WINDOW SEAT.  MUCH EASIER TO FIT MORE PEOPLE INTO THIS ROOM AND SIT COMFORTABLY AS WELL.
     THE DELUXE OCEANVIEW STATEROOM WITH VERANDAH  HAS ALMOST THE SAME SQUARE FEET AS THE DELUXE FAMILY OCEANVIEW STATEROOM EXCEPT THE 246 SQUARE FEET HERE INCLUDES THE VERANDAH.  THE ROOM, INCLUDING THE BATHROOMS, IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE DELUXE OCEANVIEW STATEROOM, EXCEPT NOW THERE ARE SLIDING DOORS OPENING UP TO YOUR PRIVATE BALCONY. THE VERANDAH IS APPROXIMATELY 4 OR 5 FEET DEEP AND 10 FEET WIDE, DEPENDING ON THE ROOM AND IT'S LOCATION ON THE SHIP.
     THE DELUXE FAMILY OCEANVIEW STATEROOM WITH VERANDAH IS A MUCH BIGGER 299 SQUARE FEET THAT SLEEPS 4 OR 5 WITH THE DELUXE ROUND SHOWER SECOND BATH, THE QUEEN SIZE BED, CONVERTIBLE SOFA, UPPER BERTH PULL-DOWN BED, AND MOST HAVE THE WALL PULL DOWN BED AS WELL.  THE DIFFERENCE HERE IS A DELUXE FAMILY OCEANVIEW STATEROOM THAT NOW HAS A 5 FOOT DEEP BY 10 FOOT WIDE OR SO PRIVATE BALCONY. 
     THE CONCIERGE FAMILY OCEANVIEW STATEROOM WITH VERANDAH HAS 306 SQUARE FEET AND SLEEPS 5.  IT HAS A QUEEN SIZE BED, A DOUBLE CONVERTIBLE SOFA COMPARED TO THE SINGLE IN ALL OTHERS, AND AN UPPER BERTH PULL-DOWN BED.  THE BIG DIFFERENCE HERE IS THAT THIS ROOM INCLUDES DISNEY'S SIGNATURE CONCIERGE SERVICE.  GUESTS CAN PRE-RESERVE ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES 120 DAYS PRIOR TO SAILING WITH A DEDICATED CONCIERGE SPECIALIST AND GET ACCESS TO THE SHIPS CONCIERGE SPECIAL SERVICES AND HAVE EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO DEDICATED AREAS INCLUDING SUN DECKS AND LOUNGES.  THE ROOMS ARE APPOINTED IN A MUCH MORE HIGH END STYLE AS WELL.
     LASTLY ARE THE CONCIERGE SUITES, FIRST OF WHICH IS THE CONCIERGE ONE BEDROOM SUITE WITH VERANDAH.  WITH 622 SQUARE FEET, A SEPARATE BEDROOM, A LIVING ROOM, DINING ROOM, FULL SIZE WHIRLPOOL TUB IN ONE OF TWO BATHROOMS, WALK-IN CLOSET, HUGE DECK PLUS ALL THE CONCIERGE SERVICES, THIS IS ONE SERIOUSLY (EXPENSIVE) NICE SPACE.
     NOW JUST IMAGINE THE 1781 SQUARE FOOT ROYAL SUITE.  THERE'S NO WAY TO GET IT ALL INTO PERSPECTIVE WITHOUT JUST SAYING, TAKE A LOOK.  (www.disneycruise.disney.go.com/.../dream-fantasy/suites/concierge-royal-suite-with-verandah)
    EACH STATEROOM IS ASSIGNED A NUMBER, LIKE AN 11 FOR AN INSIDE STATEROOM, BUT THEN IT GETS A NUMBER BASED ON THE DECK IT'S ON OR FORWARD OR AFT. (11A, 11B, 11C)  AND YOU'LL NOTICE EACH ONE HAS A DIFFERENT PRICE POINT BASED ON IT'S LOCATION, SO THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS AND PRICES, BUT THAT MAKES FOR MORE CHOICES FOR EACH AND EVERY PERSON TO SUIT EACH AND EVERY NEED AND BUDGET.  SO GET LOOKIN!
     SEE YA REAL SOON!   ºOº

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

59 DAYS TO GO . . .

      WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2011

      TIME AND WEATHER.  TWO THINGS YOU'D HARDLY THINK YOU NEED TO CONCERN YOURSELF WITH WHEN GOING ON VACATION, BUT NOT EVERYBODY LIVES IN THE SAME TIME ZONE AS THEIR DESTINATION.  YOU MAY NOT LIVE ON THE EAST COAST AND ALREADY BE IN A DIFFERENT TIME ZONE THAN WALT DISNEY WORLD AND PORT CANAVERAL.  OR YOU MAY NOT BE GOING TO CASTAWAY CAY AND NASSAU, BAHAMAS, WHICH IS ON EASTERN STANDARD TIME ALSO.  TRIPS THROUGH THE CARIBBEAN TRAVEL THROUGH AND INTO DIFFERENT TIME ZONES AS WELL.
     WHY DOES THIS REALLY MATTER AT ALL?  WELL DISNEY TIME IS THEIR TIME NO MATTER WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM OR GOING.  MEANING: DEPARTURE TIMES FOR SHIPS ARE THE LOCAL TIME IN PORT CANAVERAL, FLORIDA.  SO PLAN ON IT.  THEY ALSO KEEP THE TIME ON-BOARD OF THE TIME ZONE THEY ARE IN.  SO IF YOU'RE TRYING TO KEEP TRACK OF THE EXACT TIME OR HAVE SHORE EXCURSIONS PLANNED, LIKE DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME, THE CLOCKS CHANGE ON-BOARD.  DISNEY ALSO HAS ACTIVITIES PLANNED ON-BOARD AS LISTED ON THEIR "PERSONAL NAVIGATORS".  THOSE TIMES THAT THEY'RE SCHEDULED TO START DON'T CHANGE, BUT THE TIME ZONE YOU'RE IN MAY.  SO IF YOU DON'T KEEP TRACK OF THE CHANGE, YOU COULD BE AN HOUR OFF FOR SOMETHING IMPORTANT YOU PLANNED ON. 
     SINCE MOST PEOPLE CAN'T USE THEIR PHONE WHILE ON-BOARD DUE TO POOR RECEPTION OR JUST RIDICULOUS INTERNATIONAL OR ROAMING CHARGES, YOU PROBABLY WON'T HAVE IT ON YOU.  SEE?  NOWHERE TO LOOK FOR THE TIME.  SO GET USED TO WEARING A WATCH AGAIN IF YOU DON'T WEAR ONE NOW.  AT LEAST HAVE SOMEONE YOU'RE WITH WEAR ONE, PREFERABLY WATERPROOF TOO.  POOLS, SLIDES, BEACH, OCEAN, LOTS OF WATER, SO A WATERPROOF WATCH IS GOOD.
     ANOTHER PLAN AHEAD, OR AT LEAST FOR, IS WEATHER.  LORD KNOWS WE CAN'T CHANGE THE WEATHER.  AND AS I'VE MENTIONED BEFORE, I COME FROM THE HOTEL BUSINESS WHERE BAD WEATHER BREEDS TONS OF EXCUSES TO BE ABLE TO CANCEL.  UNFORTUNATELY IT'S USUALLY THE OPPOSITE ON A CRUISE.  WHEN YOU HAVE A SHORE EXCURSION PLANNED, BAD WEATHER CAN CAUSE THE COMPANY OR PLACE YOU'RE VISITING TO CANCEL THE EXCURSION FOR YOU WITHOUT ANY SAY FROM YOU AT ALL. 
     BAD WEATHER CAN ALSO CHANGE THINGS THAT ARE PLANNED ON-BOARD FOR YOU, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S TO BE HELD OUTSIDE ON DECK.  RAIN AND BAD WIND CAN FORCE THINGS INSIDE AND CHANGE THE AVAILABILITY, SEATING, AND/OR VISIBILITY OF THE EVENT OR ACTIVITY. 
     MOST IMPORTANTLY, BAD WEATHER CAN CHANGE YOUR ITINERARY OF YOUR CRUISE IN IT'S ENTIRETY.  WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?  CAPTAINS ARE FORCED TO GO AROUND BAD WEATHER FOR THE COMFORT AND SAFETY OF THEIR GUESTS.  THIS CAN MEAN YOU MAY HAVE TO SWITCH PORTS OR GO IN A DIFFERENT ORDER OR IN SOME CASES, SKIP A PORT ALL TOGETHER.  I'VE FOUND THROUGH READING ABOUT IT, THAT THE HARDEST THING IN THESE TYPES OF CONDITIONS IS DOCKING THE SHIP, DESPITE IT'S SIZE AND WEIGHT.  IF IT'S SAFE, THEY'LL TRY, BUT IF IT CAN'T BE DONE, THAT'S THAT.  THEY'LL TAKE THE SHIP BACK OUT TO SEE AND TRY AND KEEP GUESTS OCCUPIED, BUT THOSE THINGS YOU HAD LOOKED FORWARD TO IN PORT, YOU WILL MOST LIKELY NOT SEE AT ALL NOW.
     SO WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT ANY OR ALL OF THIS?  PLAN AHEAD.  CHECK http://www.accuweather.com/, http://www.weather.com/, or http://www.wunderground.com/.  ALL CAN GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT'S UPCOMING FOR YOUR DESTINATION.  YOU CAN ALSO, DEPENDING ON THE TIME OF YEAR YOU'RE CRUISING, CHECK HURRICANE FORECASTS AT: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ OR LOOK FOR YOUR OCEAN WATER TEMPERATURES AT: www.oceanweather.com/data.  HAVING ANY OF THIS INFORMATION CAN MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE AS YOUR TRAVEL DATES APPROACH.  ESPECIALLY IF YOU CHECK CLOSER TO YOUR VACATION AND GET THE MOST ACCURATE FORECAST FOR RAIN, SUN, CLOUDS, AIR AND OCEAN TEMPERATURES, ETC.  BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY, RIGHT?  FOR YOU OVER PACKERS, KNOWING THE WEATHER AHEAD OF TIME CAN CERTAINLY HELP YOU DECIDE HOW MUCH EXTRA OF WHAT THINGS YOU NEED TO PACK!  ;-)  SO KEEP A WEATHER EYE OUT AND THINK SUNSHINE.
     SEE YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
   

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

60 DAYS TO GO . . .

     TUESDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2011

     ADDRESS LABELS AND/OR BUSINESS CARDS.  HUH?  WHY WOULD I NEED THESE?  I THOUGHT THE SAME THING TIL I READ SOME MORE ABOUT THEM AND THEIR USES ON A CRUISE.  WHILE I LOVE TO WRITE, I'M NOT A BIG CHRISTMAS CARD SENDER, AND WITH E-MAIL NOWADAYS, WRITING LETTERS SEEMS TO HAVE BECOME A THING OF THE PAST.  BUT, ON VACATION PEOPLE LOVE TO SEND POSTCARDS. 
     SO, PLANNING AHEAD, INSTEAD OF WORRYING ABOUT NAME SPELLINGS AND CORRECT ADDRESSES, YOU CAN HAVE FRIENDS NAMES AND ADDRESSES ALREADY PRINTED OUT ON COMPUTER ADDRESS LABELS TO AFFIX ON YOUR POSTCARDS WHEN YOU'RE READY. 
     YOU CAN ALSO PRINT YOUR OWN NAME AND ADDRESS ON ADDRESS LABELS TO BRING WITH YOU SO YOU CAN MAIL PACKAGES, LETTERS, OR CARDS TO YOURSELF OR YOUR FAMILY FROM ANY PORTS OF CALL.  ANOTHER BENEFIT OF HAVING YOUR OWN NAME AND ADDRESS PRINTED OUT IS SO YOU CAN GIVE THEM TO PEOPLE YOU MEET ON-BOARD.  YOU MAY BE PLANNING ON MEETING UP WITH SOME PEOPLE ALREADY THAT YOU'VE MET ON-LINE IN DISNEY CHATS OR BOARDS, OR THEY MAY BE JUST FOR THE PEOPLE YOU DINE WITH EACH NIGHT IN DISNEY'S ROTATIONAL DINING.  YOU NEVER KNOW.
      IT'S THE "YOU NEVER KNOW" LOGIC THAT INSPIRED ME TO TRY THE ANOTHER OPTION.  I HAD BUSINESS CARDS MADE UP JUST FOR OUR CRUISE.  AN IDEA I GOT OFF OF ONE OF THOSE DISNEY BOARDS.  I THOUGHT, "THAT'S CLEVER".  SO I DID SOME SEARCHING AND I CAME ACROSS OVERNIGHT PRINTS. (http://www.overnightprints.com/)  NOW THERE ARE TONS OF CHOICES OUT THERE FOR BUSINESS CARDS, ESPECIALLY CHEAP ONES, BUT THIS TURNED OUT TO BE THE BEST DEAL FOR ME THAT I FOUND.  I GOT 100 TWO-SIDED COLOR BUSINESS CARDS WITH WHATEVER I WANTED ON THEM FOR $5!  I GOT THEM IN ORANGE (MY FAVORITE COLOR - GO CLEMSON TIGERS!) AND WITH A STOCK DESIGN ON THEM ON THE FRONT THAT ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE A MICKEY MOUSE HEAD TOO.  I PUT MY NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE # (WHICH IRONICALLY I HAD CHANGED AFTER I HAD THEM PRINTED), AND E-MAIL ADDRESS ON THEM ALONG WITH "CLEMSON TIGER AND DISNEY ENTHUSIAST".  CUTE, FUN, AND COST NEXT TO NOTHING.  NOW I CAN HAND THEM OUT TO WHOMEVER I LIKE ON-BOARD WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT RUNNING OUT OF THEM OR ANYTHING ELSE.  THEY'RE MY OWN ADDRESS LABEL.
     NOW I'M SURE THERE ARE EVEN MORE OPTIONS OUT THERE, THAT I HAVEN'T SEEN OR THOUGHT OF, BUT THAT'S HALF THE FUN.  COMING UP WITH SOMETHING THAT SUITS YOU, OR YOUR FAMILY, PERFECTLY.  REMEMBER, IT'S A VACATION, IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE FUN!  ;-)
     SEE YA REAL SOON!      ºOº

61 DAYS TO GO . . .

     MONDAY FEBRUARY 21, 2011

     AS WE CONTINUE TO PREPARE FOR THE JOURNEY, I THOUGH TODAY I WOULD GET INTO THE MUCH HEATED DEBATE OVER A PASSPORT VS. I.D.  YOU SEE THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL CHANGES TO THE PASSPORT LAWS OVER THE PAST RECENT YEARS.  SOME HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE POST SEPTEMBER 11th SECURITY CHANGES AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN TO TRY TO ENTICE PEOPLE BACK INTO TRAVEL WHILE KEEPING THEM SECURE AND WITHOUT TOO MUCH DELAY.
     THE REASON I SAY PASSPORT VS. I.D. IS THAT ON WHAT'S CALLED A "CLOSED LOOP" ITINERARY, A PASSPORT IS NOT REQUIRED.  A "CLOSED LOOP" ITINERARY APPLIES TO A U.S. CITIZEN, INCLUDING CHILDREN, WHO BOARD A CRUISE SHIP WITHIN THE UNITED STATES, TRAVEL ONLY WITHIN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE, AND RETURN TO THE SAME U.S. PORT ON THE SAME SHIP ARE NOT REQUIRED TO TRAVEL WITH A PASSPORT EVEN IF VISITING A FOREIGN COUNTRY.  THE POSSIBLE PROBLEM LIES IN THAT IF YOU ENCOUNTER AN EMERGENCY IN SAID FOREIGN COUNTRY, YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO FLY HOME FROM THERE, NO MATTER WHAT THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE YOU DO NOT HAVE A PASSPORT.  HOWEVER RARE THE POSSIBILITY, IF IT'S LIFE-THREATENING, YOU STILL CAN NOT BE FLOWN HOME.  OTHER THAN THAT REALLY, YOU'RE O.K. WITH AN OFFICIAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE FOR YOURSELF AND THOSE IN YOUR PARTY (INCLUDING KIDS), AND A DRIVER'S LICENSE ALSO FOR THE ADULTS.
     DISNEY HIGHLY RECOMMENDS GETTING A PASSPORT FOR YOUR TRIP, AND YOU CAN SEE WHY.  THEY DON'T WANT TO BE CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF SOME EMERGENCY HAGGLING OVER SEMANTICS.  IF YOU HAVE ALL THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION, THEY CAN LOOK LIKE THE HERO IN YOUR EMERGENCY.  IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT, THEY CAN LOOK LIKE THE VILLAIN.
     BUT SINCE ALL THE CHANGES IN PASSPORT RULES AND REQUIREMENTS, PRICES HAVE SKYROCKETED.  THEY WENT UP AGAIN THIS PAST JULY.  AN ADULT PASSPORT IS NOW $135 AND A CHILD'S IS NOW $105.  THAT'S AN ADDITIONAL $240 ONTO YOUR TRIP PRICE IF YOU DON'T ALREADY HAVE A PASSPORT.  I DON'T.  WE DON'T.  NEVER HAD ONE.  SAD THAT I NEVER HAD A REASON TO EITHER.  I'VE BEEN TO SOME 46 STATES IN THE U.S. INCLUDING HAWAII, MEXICO, CANADA, PUERTO RICO, BUT NEVER ANYWHERE REQUIRING A PASSPORT.
     SINCE YOU CAN EXPECT A PASSPORT APPLICATION, PICTURES, AND PROCESSING TO TAKE AROUND 6 WEEKS, YOU HAVE TO PLAN AHEAD.  IF YOU NEED IT FASTER YOU CAN APPLY WITH AN EXPEDITED PASSPORT APPLICATION FOR AN ADDITIONAL $60 PER PERSON AND AN ADDITIONAL $15 PER PERSON OVERNIGHT SHIPPING.  NOW YOU CAN SEE HOW IF YOU DON'T HAVE ONE AND CAN'T TAKE THE CHANCE OF JUST WAITING IT OUT, YOU COULD BE INTO SOME SERIOUS CASH.  I SAY CASH BECAUSE YOU CAN'T USE A CREDIT CARD TO GET A PASSPORT EITHER!
     WHICH BRINGS ME BACK TO A BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND I.D.  SINCE WE MAY NOT EVEN GET OFF OF THE SHIP ON OUR ONE DAY IN NASSAU, BAHAMAS, I HARDLY SAW OUR GETTING PASSPORTS AS A NECESSITY.  I DID HOWEVER GET US BOTH NEW BIRTH CERTIFICATES AND SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS.  WAS IT NECESSARY?  NO.  BUT NOW I'LL HAVE 2 OFFICIAL COPIES OF BOTH STORED SEPARATELY TO BE AS SAFE AND SECURE AS POSSIBLE.  BOTH COST NEXT TO NOTHING AND WERE RECEIVED FAR FASTER.
     OBVIOUSLY THIS IS ALL A MATTER OF PERSONAL PREFERENCE.  SOME PEOPLE THINK NOTHING OF THE PASSPORT EXPENSE AND DO IT WITHOUT THINKING.  SOME JUST CAN'T HANDLE THE THOUGHT OF A POSSIBLE EMERGENCY AND GET PASSPORTS OUT OF PURE PANIC.  SOME WORRY ABOUT VERY LITTLE (GUESS WHO I'M REFERRING TO HERE) AND KNOW IT ALL BE O.K.  IT WOULD NOT SURPRISE ME IF THESE RULES AND REGULATIONS CHANGED AGAIN AT SOME POINT, BUT THAT'S WHERE THEY STAND RIGHT NOW.  AT LEAST KNOWING THIS IN ADVANCE GIVES YOU THE CHANCE TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION FOR YOU AND YOURS.  :-)
     SEE YA REAL SOON!   ºOº

Sunday, February 20, 2011

62 DAYS TO GO . . .

      SUNDAY FEBRUARY 20, 2011

      NOW THAT WE'VE STARTED TO TALK ABOUT PREPARATION AND STARTED TOUCHING ON PACKING, TODAY'S TOPIC IS THE DOLLAR STORE.  SOME OF YOU HAVE YOUR EYES LIGHT UP WHEN YOU EVEN HEAR THE WORDS.  "OOOOOH.  LOVE THE DOLLAR STORE!"  OTHERS ARE THINKING, "NOPE.  NEVER BEEN IN ONE."  LIKE ANYTHING IT'S PREFERENCE AND CONVENIENCE.  I FIRST STARTED GOING INTO A DOLLAR STORE WHEN I READ A POLL ON-LINE OF THINGS YOU SHOULD BUY AT A DOLLAR STORE INSTEAD OF A SUPERMARKET.  THERE WAS A LIST OF THINGS YOU SHOULDN'T AS WELL, BUT THAT'S WHAT MADE ME STOP AND THINK.  AND OF COURSE ONCE YOUR IN THE DOOR, THE OPPORTUNITIES INCREASE EXPONENTIALLY. 
     MY SON HAS BEEN SUCH A HUGE DISNEY FAN, AND ESPECIALLY MICKEY MOUSE, SINCE FIRST GOING TO DISNEY IN 2006 THAT I HAVE MY EYES OPEN FOR DISNEY MERCHANDISE IN ALMOST EVERY STORE THAT I GO IN.  I'M NOT A BIG SHOPPER REALLY, BUT MY MOTHER AND SISTER HAVE BEEN AVID YARD SALE AND FLEA MARKET SHOPPERS FOR YEARS.  NOW THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT CAN BE SPENT AT THESE IS NOT MY CUP OF TEA, BUT ONE PERSON'S TRASH IS ANOTHER MAN'S TREASURE.  AND IT'S IN SOME OF THESE PLACES THAT I'VE FOUND SOME THINGS FOR NEXT TO NOTHING THAT HAVE MY SON NOW WORSHIPS.  I FOUND A MICKEY MOUSE CHRISTMAS TREE TOPPER FOR $10 THAT I'VE SEEN ON EBAY FOR CLOSE TO $100, AND A LOT MORE MICKEY THINGS LIKE IT.
     WELL DOLLAR STORES, BEING THAT THERE ARE SO MANY OUT THERE, USUALLY HAVE THINGS THAT WERE SOLD OFF BY BIGGER STORES AFTER SEASON OR SALES AND THEY NEED TO GET RID OF EXCESS INVENTORY.  NOW THESE AREN'T ALWAYS THINGS THAT USED TO COST A DOLLAR.  AS A MATTER OF FACT, THEY USUALLY STARTED OUT AS THINGS THAT COST MORE, HOWEVER SMALL THEY MAY BE.  BUT DOLLAR STORES BY THEM IN BULK AT PENNIES ON THE DOLLAR FROM THESE STORES UNLOADING THE OLD INVENTORY AND STILL MAKE A PROFIT BY SELLING THEM NOW FOR A DOLLAR.
     THIS IS WHERE YOUR TRIP BENEFITS.  LET ME USE MY OWN TRIP AS AN EXAMPLE.  I'VE FOUND PICTURE FRAME MATS FOR AUTOGRAPHS, EASTER TREAT BAGS FOR CANDY FOR KIDS AND STAFF ALIKE (WE'RE SAILING AT EASTER), SWIM GOGGLES, HI-LITERS, MARKERS, PENS, PADS, STICKERS, DECORATIONS, MAGNETS, PLASTIC GARMENT BAGS, YOU NAME IT.  I'M SURE THERE'S MORE THAT I CAN'T THINK OF RIGHT NOW AND MORE THAT YOU WOULD FIND SUIT YOUR WANTS AND NEEDS PERFECTLY.  AND IF YOU'RE INVOLVED IN A "FISH EXTENDER" (I'VE COVERED THOSE ALREADY) ON-BOARD, CHECKING YOUR LOCAL DOLLAR STORES COULD PROVE INVALUABLE IF THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE INVOLVED IN YOUR FISH EXTENDER GROUP.  PLUS THOSE TRAVEL SIZE TOILETRIES CAN ALWAYS BE FOUND THERE.
     SO AS YOU BEGIN TO PUT YOUR PACKING LIST TOGETHER, THE DOLLAR STORE MAY BE JUST THE RIGHT PLACE TO START FILLING THOSE SMALL ITEM NEEDS, GETTING SOME NEW IDEAS, AND STUMBLING OVER THOSE WONDERFUL SURPRISES.
     HAPPY HUNTING AND SEE YA REAL SOON!   ºOº

Saturday, February 19, 2011

63 DAYS TO GO . . .

     SATURDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2011

     SINCE I'VE TALKED ABOUT EXERCISE (OR LACK OF) AND PLANNING FOR YOUR EVER TIGHTENING CLOTHES ON BOARD.  I THOUGHT I WOULD TOUCH ON AN EVER POPULAR SUBJECT OF CRUISE SHIRTS.  SEEMS GENERIC ENOUGH RIGHT?  HARDLY.  AND I'M JUST AS BAD AS MOST OF THE REST OUT THERE, JUST MORE PERSONAL I GUESS. 
     WHEN I FIRST TOOK MY SON TO DISNEY WORLD, I TRIED TO PLAN EVERY DAY'S OUTFITS SO THAT MY SON AND I WERE WEARING THE SAME THING.  PEOPLE LAUGH AND SAY, "REALLY?!"  MY LOGIC WAS ALWAYS, IF I LOSE HIM FOR EVEN A SECOND, I CAN SAY HE'S WEARING THE SAME THING AS ME, ONLY SMALLER!  BUT SINCE I HAVE LEARNED THAT TONS OF PEOPLE DO THE SAME THING, BUT GO A LOT FARTHER.  THERE ARE ENTIRE WEBSITES DEDICATED TO IRON-ONS, SCREEN PRINTING, MADE-TO-ORDER STYLES AND MORE ALL SO FAMILIES AND THE LIKE CAN TAKE THEIR DISNEY TRIPS WEARING THE SAME THING.
      I'M PARTIAL TO EMBROIDERY MYSELF.  I HAVE BEEN CREATING MY OWN LINE OF EMBROIDERED CLOTHING PIECES FOR JUST MY FAMILY AT CHRISTMASTIME EVERY YEAR FOR OVER A DECADE.  EMBROIDERY JUST HAS A MORE PERMANENT FORMAL FEEL TO WHATEVER PIECE OF CLOTHING YOU PUT IT ON.  AND THERE ARE MORE THAN A FEW DISNEY EMBROIDERY CHOICES OUT THERE.
     SO YES, FOR THIS TRIP AS WELL, EVEN THOUGH I'M STILL A COUPLE MONTHS AWAY, I'VE ALREADY BEGUN PLANNING OUR MATCHING OUTFITS.  IT'S TOUGH TO MATCH OUTFITS COMPLETELY, OR AT LEAST EXACTLY.  VERY RARELY DO MEN'S AND BOY'S STYLES MATCH PERFECTLY.  SO SHIRTS CAN USUALLY BE DONE THE SAME AND YOU DO THE BEST YOU CAN WITH SHORTS.  PANTS ARE A LOT EASIER.  THE PROBLEM WITH CRUISES IS YOU'RE USUALLY IN BATHING SUITS, BUT SHIRTS ARE EASY.  I'VE DECIDED ON EMBROIDERED PATCHES THIS YEAR.  I'LL HAVE PICTURES TO SHOW WHEN THE DATES ACTUALLY ROLL AROUND, BUT THAT'S THE POINT.  IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT INTERESTS YOU, PICK WHAT STRIKES YOU.  SEARCH THE INTERNET IF YOU DON'T WANT TO DO ANY OF IT YOURSELF.  JUST TYPE IN "CRUISE SHIRTS" OR "PERSONALIZED" OR "MATCHING".  YOU GET THE IDEA.  SEEK AND YOU SHALL FIND!
     SEE YA REAL SOON!   ºOº

64 DAYS TO GO . . .

     FRIDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2011

     NOW THAT YOU'VE DECIDED TO GET A LITTLE EXERCISE, OR MAYBE YOU HAVEN'T, WHAT ABOUT ALL THAT EATING YOU'RE PLANNING ON DOING ON YOUR TRIP.  THIS IS MY FIRST CRUISE AND THEREFORE MY FIRST FORAY INTO CRUISE SHIP RESEARCH.  YOU KNOW WHAT COMES UP ACROSS THE BOARD WHEN YOU START READING ABOUT CRUISES?  FOOD!  NO MATTER WHERE YOU TURN, THE TALK IS ABOUT THE FOOD AND THE STAGGERING AMOUNTS OF IT.
     ALL DIFFERENT CRUISE LINES CHARGE FOR ALL DIFFERENT THINGS.  BUT THE ONE CONSTANT IS THAT YOU CAN PRETTY MUCH EAT TO YOUR HEART'S CONTENT 24 HOURS A DAY FOR THE INCLUSIVE PRICE OF YOUR CRUISE.  YES, THERE USUALLY ARE SOME PLACES ON BOARD WHERE YOU MAY HAVE TO PAY EXTRA TO EAT, BUT THEY CERTAINLY AREN'T A NECESSITY FOR ANYONE, JUST A CHOICE.
     SO IF ALL THIS FOOD IS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS, HOW DO YOU PREVENT GAINING 10 POUNDS WHILE ON BOARD, AND WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU DO GET PLUMPER WHILE CRUISING? 
     WELL IF THIS HASN'T CROSSED YOUR MIND YET, BE GLAD YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT IT NOW, BECAUSE IT'S ALMOST HARD TO BELIEVE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE CRUISED BEFORE THAT ALL SAY THE SAME THING.  "OH I ATE SO MUCH".  SO DON'T THINK THAT YOU'RE THE FIRST, OR BE THE LAST, OR THAT YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE DOING IT NOW, OR THAT YOU'RE EVEN IN THE MINORITY.  IT'S, WHAT NOW? 
     WELL PLAN FOR IT.  DON'T TRY AND LOOK SLIMMER BY PACKING CLOTHES THAT ARE TIGHTER ON YOU ALREADY.  YOU KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO BE EVEN TIGHTER DAY BY DAY.  CLOTHING ON CRUISES IS CALLED "CRUISE CASUAL".  I DON'T THINK IT'S A COINCIDENCE THAT CLOTHES UNDER THIS CATEGORY ARE USUALLY BIG AND BAGGY.  COME ON, YOU'VE SEEN THOSE UGLY AND LOUD HAWAIIAN PRINT SHIRTS.  THEY'RE PRACTICALLY MOOMOOS.  THAT CAN'T BE A COINCIDENCE.  PANTS ARE USUALLY LIGHT AND BAGGY FOR COMFORT TOO.  I USED TO THINK THAT HAD TO BE BECAUSE OF THE TEMPERATURE, BUT NOW I'M NOT SO SURE.  I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF PEOPLE WERE WEARING MC HAMMER PANTS BY THE END OF A CRUISE! 
     YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOOK RIDICULOUS TO BE COMFORTABLE ON YOUR CRUISE, BUT PACKING CLOTHES THAT ARE AT LEAST A LITTLE BIGGER OR LOOSER MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA IN PLANNING AHEAD.  HECK YOU CAN EVEN BUY THOSE WAIST EXTENDER THINGS JUST TO BE SAFE.  YOU KNOW THOSE BUTTONS NEXT TO A BUTTON THING.  I'M SURE THERE'S AN INFOMERCIAL FOR THEM.  I JUST CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT THEY'RE CALLED.  IT'S A BUTTON THAT CLIPS THROUGH YOUR PANTS NEXT TO YOUR ORIGINAL PANT WAIST BUTTON, THEREBY GIVING YOU AN EXTRA INCH OR TWO IN THE WAIST.  SILLY PERHAPS BUT TRUE.  AND NOW YOU CAN UNDERSTAND HOW SOME MAY NEED IT!  IF YOU'VE BEEN TO A LOCAL BUFFET, YOU'VE SEEN PEOPLE THAT JUST CAN'T ENOUGH.  NOW IMAGINE NOT HAVING TO FORK OVER ANY MONEY AND HAVING ACCESS ALL DAY!  YIKES!  SO BE PREPARED.  (THIS IT THE BOYSCOUT MARCHING SONG.)
     SEE YA REAL SOON!   ºOº

65 DAYS TO GO . . .

     THURSDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2011
             (My Mom's Birthday!)
     EXERCISE.  AH YES, EVERYONE'S FAVORITE SUBJECT.  IF YOU'RE NOT AN EXERCISE JUNKY ALREADY, ODDS ARE THIS IS NOT YOUR FAVORITE TOPIC.  BUT SIMILAR TO A WALT DISNEY WORLD VACATION, YOUR CRUISE IS GOING TO HAVE YOU LOGGING SOME MILES ON YOUR FEET AS WELL.
     BEFORE GOING TO ANY OF THE DISNEY PARKS, IT IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA TO START WALKING.  NO, YOU DON'T HAVE TO START HANGIN AND BANGIN AT THE GYM WITH ALL THE MEATHEADS, BUT YOU SHOULD MAKE AN EFFORT TO BE ON YOUR FEET MORE.  GET OUT OF THE HOUSE IF THE WEATHER PERMITS AT THE TIME OF DAY THAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU.  GO WITH THE HUBBY, WIFE, GIRLFRIEND, BOYFRIEND, KIDS.  WHATEVER OR WHOEVER YOUR TRIP IS GOING TO INCLUDE IF YOU CAN.  ACTUALLY IF YOU'RE KIDS AREN'T GOING TO BE IN A STROLLER, IT'S REALLY A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE THEM START DOING SOME WALKING WITH YOU.  EVERYBODY KNOWS THERE'S NOTHING WORSE THAN A COMPLAINING KID.  ESPECIALLY "PICK ME UP" OR "I'M TOO TIRED", WHEN THERE'S MILES MORE TO GO.
     IF YOU CAN'T GET ON A TREADMILL, OR YOU ALL CAN'T, A NICE WALK AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE, IN NUMBERS FOR A MONTH BEFORE YOUR TRIP SHOULD BE ENOUGH.  YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO 10 MILES EVERYDAY.  THE KIDS PROBABLY COULDN'T ANYWAY.  BUT A MILE COULDN'T HURT OR TAKE THAT LONG.  THAT'S AN EXTRA 30 MILES OF EXERCISE OVER 30 DAYS TIME BEFORE YOUR TRIP AND SHOULD MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN BEING ABLE TO TAKE TREKKING AROUND A HUGE CRUISE SHIP AND EXCURSION TIME ON SHORE AND POOPING OUT COMPLETELY.  ANY EXERCISE OVER AND ABOVE THAT WILL JUST BE A BONUS.
     GOOD LUCK AND GET TO WALKIN!  SEE YA REAL SOON!   ºOº

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

66 DAYS TO GO . . .

     WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2011

     TO USE DISNEY TRAVEL, A TRAVEL AGENT, AAA, OR DO IT YOURSELF?  THERE ARE ADVANTAGES TO BOOKING YOUR TRIP THROUGH ALMOST ANY AGENT YOU FIND.  I GUESS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU IS GOING TO BE FIGURING OUT WHAT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU IS?  lol  ARE YOU TRYING TO SAVE AS MUCH MONEY AS POSSIBLE?  ARE YOU TRYING TO DO AS LITTLE OF THE WORK AS POSSIBLE?  ARE YOU TRYING TO GET THE BIGGEST ON-BOARD CREDIT POSSIBLE?  ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE ONE CALL AND BE DONE WITH EVERYTHING?  ALL OF THESE ARE POSSIBLE.  IT'S WHAT YOUR PREFERENCE IS THAT MATTERS.
     EXPERIENCE SAYS THAT BOOKING EVERYTHING WITH DISNEY WILL COST YOU THE MOST MONEY.  BUT YOU CAN CALL DISNEY AND THEY CAN DO ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING FOR YOU.  THEY'LL HELP YOU PICK YOUR DATES AND THEN ARRANGE YOUR FLIGHTS HANDLE ALL YOUR LUGGAGE, GET YOU FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE SHIP, AND EVEN A DISNEY HOTEL AND TRANSFER IF YOU FLY IN EARLY, AND ALL THE SAME ON THE RETURN AND EVEN MORE BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER IF YOU PREFER.  SOUNDS GOOD RIGHT?  WELL THAT'S WHY IT COSTS THE MOST.  NO WORK.  NO WORRIES.  THE PRICE IS A DRAWBACK IF IT MATTERS.  SO COULD BE THE FLIGHT.  YOU DON'T GET TO CHOOSE.  THEY DO.  SO WHEN PART IS OUT OF YOUR HANDS.  SO GETTING THERE EARLY OR LEAVING LATE, WHATEVER, MAY NOT BE AN OPTION IF THIS IS WHAT YOU CHOOSE.
     AAA FUNCTIONS LIKE A TRAVEL AGENT, AND IS ONE, IN MOST INSTANCES.  YOU'LL WANT A DISNEY "SPECIALIST", BUT THEY OFTEN HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION AND ACCESS YOU COULD WANT.  THERE IS USUALLY AN ON-BOARD CREDIT INVOLVED WITH USING AAA AND SOME SORT OF GIFT ON YOUR CRUISE FROM AAA FOR USING THEM.  IT'S NEVER ANYTHING EXTRAVAGANT, BUT A GIFT OF SOME SORT JUST THE SAME.  AAA IS PAID VIA MEMBERSHIP.  YOU CAN'T AAA TRAVEL IF YOU'RE NOT A MEMBER.
     TRAVEL AGENTS ARE OFTEN WILLING TO DO MORE WORK AND GO THE EXTRA MILE BECAUSE THEY DON'T GET PAID IF YOU DON'T BOOK WITH THEM.  THIS IS WHY YOU CAN OFTEN FIND THE BEST ON-BOARD CREDITS WITH VARIOUS TRAVEL AGENTS.  THE MORE YOU SPEND OFTEN THE BIGGER THE ON-BOARD CREDIT, WHICH CAN BE NICE.  THEY'LL WORK TO FIND YOU FLIGHTS AND COMPARE CAR RENTALS OR TRANSFERS, WORK ON ROOM ASSIGNMENTS.  THEY'LL OFTEN DO A LOT OF WORK FOR YOU IF YOU'RE WILLING TO COMMIT.  THE PROBLEM FOR ME WAS, I DO THE RESEARCH.  AND NOW, INCLUDING THIS DISNEY CRUISE, THIS WILL BE THREE DISNEY TRIPS WHERE BY DOING ALL THE RESEARCH MYSELF, I FOUND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD OFFER ME THAT I COULDN'T GET MYSELF, AND I HAVE.  I DID GIVE UP A BIGGER ON-BOARD CREDIT, BUT I GOT TO HAND PICK OUR STATEROOM, WHICH ONE WEBSITE HAS RATED ONE OF THE BEST ON THE ENTIRE SHIP FOR KIDS FOR THE PRICE AND LOCATION, BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO CHANGE IT.  I COULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT IF I WAS ALREADY BOOKED WITH A TRAVEL AGENT.  AT LEAST NOT AS QUICKLY AND EASILY.
     DOING IT YOURSELF, A LA CARTE, WILL DEFINITELY SAVE YOU THE MOST.  BUT YOU HAVE TO BE PATIENT, AND YOU HAVE TO RESEARCH AND COMPARE EVERYTHING MORE THAN ONCE.  TAKE AIRFARE.  I'VE BEEN LOOKING AT FLIGHTS FOR MONTHS.  FOR TWO PEOPLE ROUND TRIP IT'S BEEN AROUND $500.  THE LOWEST IT'S BEEN HAS BEEN ABOUT $425.  NEVER HIGHER THAN THAT THOUGH, SO I HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BY WAITING, BECAUSE I ALREADY KNOW HOW FAR OUT SPECIALS ARE USUALLY POSTED AND FOR WHAT PERIOD OF TIME, JUST BY FREQUENTLY LOOKING. 
     SO PICK WHAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU AND ENJOY THE RIDE! 
     SEE YA REAL SOON!   ºOº

67 DAYS TO GO . . .

     TUESDAY FEBRUARY 15, 2011

     FE.  FE = A FISH EXTENDER.  NOW THIS TOOK ME A PRETTY LONG TIME TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT THE HELL FE MEANT AND WHAT THE HELL A FISH EXTENDER WAS!  AND I GUESS IF YOU'RE NOT READING UP ON YOUR DISNEY CRUISE, DOING RESEARCH AND READING CRUISE LINE "BOARDS", YOU MAY NEVER HAVE EVEN HEARD THE TERM.  THERE ARE TWO MAIN DISNEY CRUISE LINE BOARDS I'VE FOUND AND GOTTEN A LOT OF INFORMATION AND ANSWERS FROM.  FIRST IS THE "DISBOARDS" (http://www.disboards.com/) WHICH LIKE MOST ON-LINE COMMUNITIES, HAS MULTIPLE AREAS TO CHOOSE FROM.  YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO LOOK AROUND WHEN YOU GET THERE.  THERE ARE AREAS FOR DISNEY WORLD, DISNEYLAND, HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, CRUISES, TRIP REPORTS YOU NAME IT.  THE OTHER IS THE PASSPORTER COMMUNITY (www.passporterboards.com/forums).  THIS IS A BIT SMALLER THAN THE DISBOARDS BUT IT IS ALSO RUN BY THE SAME PEOPLE THAT PRINT THE PASSPORTER GUIDES AND CAN BE EVEN MORE EFFECTIVE AT GETTING ANSWERS FAST.
     IT WAS ON THESE BOARDS THAT I KEPT HEARING ABOUT FISH EXTENDERS.  OF COURSE I WAS TOO EMBARRASSED TO ASK WHAT THEY WERE, SO I JUST SEARCHED . . . AND SEARCHED . . . UNTIL I KNEW EXACTLY WHAT EVERYONE WAS REFERRING TO.  YOU SEE OUTSIDE OF EVERY DISNEY CRUISE LINE STATEROOM IS A FISH MOUNTED TO THE WALL.  IT ALSO IS A KIND OF BINDER CLIP.  DIFFERENT DCL STAFF OR THE LIKE MAY LEAVE YOU A MESSAGE OR PAPER OR SOMETHING SIMILAR THERE IF NEED BE.  WELL ALONG THE WAY FAMILIES AND FRIENDS STARTED USING THEM FOR NOTES AND MORE AS WELL.  BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, PEOPLE ON BOARDS WERE ORGANIZING GROUP ACTIVITIES USING THESE FISH.  BUT WHEN YOU HAVE A WHOLE FAMILY STAYING IN A STATEROOM, THE FISH CAN GET BUSY AND FULL.  SO EACH FISH NEEDED TO HOLD MORE.  SO THE CREATIVE "EXTENDED" THEM. (CHECK www.blog.suchthespot.com/2011/01/disney-cruise-how-to-fish-extender)  SO NOW PEOPLE HAVE WHAT LOOKS LIKE A POCKETED TABLE RUNNER HANGING BY A STRING OVER THEIR FISH WITH POCKETS FOR EACH FAMILY MEMBER. 
     WELL WHAT HAS BECOME SIMPLY KNOWN AS A CRUISES FISH EXTENDER IS A SIGN UP FOR A GROUP ON YOUR PARTICULAR CRUISE FOR EACH MEMBER OF THE GROUP TO LEAVE A SMALL GIFT OR SURPRISE IN THE FISH EXTENDER FOR EVERYONE THAT SIGNS UP.  YES, IT CAN BE BIG, AND I GUESS COULD GET EXPENSIVE, BUT YOUR RECEIVING FROM THAT AMOUNT OF PEOPLE SIGNED UP AS WELL.  PLUS IT'S VOLUNTARY.  YOU DON'T SIGN UP IF YOU DON'T WANT TO DO IT.  THE TRICK IS TO TRY AND GET YOUR GIFTS DELIVERED WITHOUT BEING CAUGHT.  KIDS REALLY GET INTO TAKING PART AND DELIVERING.  IT'S JUST ONE MORE ACTIVITY AND HIGHLIGHT WHILE YOUR ON-BOARD.  IT REALLY MAKES A WHOLE LOT MORE SENSE ON A LONGER CRUISE, PROBABLY 5-7 NIGHTS OR MORE.  PLUS IF YOU'RE SPENDING MORE ON A LONGER CRUISE, YOU'RE PACKING MORE AND PROBABLY THE EXPENSE OF THE FISH EXTENDER GIFTS AND THE SPACE TO BRING THEM ISN'T AS BIG A DEAL FOR YOU EITHER.
     THERE ISN'T A FISH EXTENDER GROUP FOR MY CRUISE THAT I KNOW OF YET.  I'VE CONSIDERED IT, BUT ON A FOUR NIGHT CRUISE, THAT INCLUDES MY SON'S EASTER SUNDAY AND HIS BIRTHDAY, HOW MUCH ROOM AM I GONNA HAVE IN MY LUGGAGE, YOU KNOW?  I WILL BE LOOKING TO SEE HOW MANY FISH EXTENDERS WE SEE WHEN WE TOUR THE SHIP THOUGH.  IF WE TAKE A LONGER CRUISE AT SOME POINT, I WOULD DEFINITELY LOOK TO DO IT.  IT'S LIKE BEING SANTA AND WAITING FOR HIM ALL AT ONCE, NO MATTER WHAT THE TIME OF YEAR!  HOW COOL IS THAT?!
     SEE YA REAL SOON!   ºOº

Monday, February 14, 2011

68 DAYS TO GO . . .

     MONDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2011

     SINCE YOU'RE PLANNING, YOU NEED TO BUDGET.  UNLESS MONEY IS NO OBJECT, AND I PERSONALLY DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT FROM YOU (lol), YOU HAVE TO AT LEAST BE CONSCIOUS OF WHERE YOUR MONEY IS GOING.
     FIRST AND FOREMOST IS TO PLAN AND SHOP EARLY.  WHEN YOU FIGURE OUT YOUR DATES, START SHOPPING THEM.  COMPARE AND CONTRAST.  HAVE SOMEONE SHOP RATES WELL IN ADVANCE FOR YOU AS WELL.  AND BOOK EARLY.  EVEN IF A BETTER DEAL COMES ALONG, WHEN YOU'VE BOOKED CHEAP IN ADVANCE, THOSE MORE CURRENT SAVINGS ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU AS WELL.  YOU CAN ALWAYS RE-BOOK OR CHANGE YOUR RESERVATION TO INCLUDE THOSE NEWER SAVINGS.
     SIGN UP FOR EMAIL SAVINGS FROM ALL THE CRUISE LINES (OR RESORTS, ETC.) THAT YOU'RE CONSIDERING.  BY DOING SO EARLY, THE SAVINGS COME TO YOU,  ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE PLANNING AN OFF-SEASON TRIP.  THE KIDS MAY HAVE TO MISS SOME SCHOOL, BUT THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS COMPANIES OFFER YOU SUCH GOOD DEALS TO DO SO.
     KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR ON-BOARD CREDITS.  THESE ARE BASICALLY REBATES ON YOUR CRUISE PRICE.  A CREDIT TO YOUR ON-BOARD ACCOUNT WHEN YOU ARRIVE.  LET'S FACE IT, THERE ARE ALWAYS ADDITIONAL EXPENSES, SO THE BIGGER YOUR ON-BOARD CREDIT, THE LESS EXTRA EXPENSES YOU'LL HAVE.  SHOP AROUND AND COMPARE THEM BEFORE BOOKING.
     AVOID THE ALL-IN PACKAGES.  IF YOU HEAR ABOUT THE CONVENIENCE OF TRIP, TRAVEL, TRANSFERS AND STAY PACKAGES, ODDS ARE THE CONVENIENCE IS ALL YOU'RE GETTING.  WRITE IT DOWN, THEN GO AND COMPARE THE PRICES OF BOOKING EACH PART THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE INCLUDED, ON YOUR OWN.  99 OUT OF 100 TIMES YOU'LL SAVE QUITE A BIT BY BOOKING "A LA CARTE" OR EVERYTHING SEPARATE.
     CONSIDER BOOKING A SHORE EXCURSION ON YOUR OWN, WHETHER IN ADVANCE OR WHEN YOU GET TO PORT.  REMEMBER, EVERYONE INVOLVED IN YOUR SHORE EXCURSION HAS TO MAKE SOME MONEY.  THE LESS PEOPLE INVOLVED, THE LESS YOU'LL PAY FOR THE SAME EXCURSION.
     DISNEY DOESN'T CHARGE FOR SODA (OTHER THAN ROOM SERVICE), BUT ALCOHOL COSTS PLENTY.  BRING YOUR OWN OR SET A LIMIT IN SPENDING.  ORDER HOUSE BRANDS VS. NAME BRANDS, AND KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR ON-BOARD ACCOUNT SO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'VE SPENT AND BEEN CHARGED.
     AVOID ON-BOARD SHOPPING IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.  THIS CAN BE TOUGH TO DO SINCE THIS MERCHANDISE IS USUALLY AVAILABLE NO PLACE ELSE.  BUT IF YOU "WINDOW SHOP" EARLY AND NARROW DOWN  YOUR CHOICES TIL CLOSER TO THE END OF YOUR CRUISE, YOU'LL PROBABLY ONLY PURCHASE WHAT YOU REALLY WANT AND MAY GET A BETTER DEAL TOWARD THE END AS WELL.  PLUS THERE ARE USUALLY BETTER DEALS TO BE HAD IN PORT(S) IF YOU'RE A SHOPPER.  AND DON'T FORGET TO HAGGLE.  THIS IS A PORT SHOPPING NECESSITY AND TRADITION!
     SEE YA REAL SOON!   ºOº

69 DAYS TO GO . . .

     SUNDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2011

     SINCE YESTERDAY I WENT ON ABOUT COUNTING DOWN TO YOUR TRIP AND THE MANY WAYS TO DO SO, I THOUGHT I WOULD DELVE FURTHER INTO WATCHING DISNEY RELATED TV.  FIRST OFF IF YOU JUST TRIED DISNEY FEATURE FILMS, WHETHER THROUGH PURCHASE OR RENTAL, THERE ARE SOME 200 OR SO.  THAT COULD TAKE A WHILE ALONE.  IF YOU JUST DID DISNEY'S ANIMATED FEATURES, THERE ARE 50 OF THOSE, PLUS THE HANDFUL THAT HAVE BOTH ANIMATION AND LIVE ACTION.  THEN THERE'S THE DOZEN OR SO SMALLER "PART 2's" OR TOON RELEASES, AND LASTLY THE DOZEN PIXAR RELEASES.  IF YOU HAVE KIDS, IF YOU TRIED JUST THE ANIMATED FILMS AND THEIR TIE-INS AND PIXAR RELEASES, YOU COULDN'T GO WRONG.  (www.wikipedia.org/wiki/list_of_disney_animated_theatrical_releases)  THERE'S A REASON ALMOST EVERY ONE OF THEM HAS DONE SO WELL EITHER IN THE BOX OFFICE OR ON HOME VIDEO.  AND NETFLIX CARRIES MOST OF THEM AS WELL, SO FOR A SMALL MEMBERSHIP FEE YOU CAN HAVE MOST DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR, WATCH THEM, AND RETURN THEM WITHOUT THE HIGH DISNEY PRICE OF PURCHASING THEM ALL NEW.  WHILE VCR's AND VHS TAPES ARE DISAPPEARING QUICKLY, I STILL HAVE ONE AND HAVE BEEN BUYING DISNEY VHS TAPES FOR MY SON AT FLEA MARKETS AND YARD SALES FOR $1 EACH FOR YEARS.  EVENTUALLY I'LL HAVE TO REPLACE THEM ALL, BUT THAT'S BEEN AN INVALUABLE INVESTMENT FOR HIM. 
     ANOTHER SOURCE IS THE SURPRISE TV AIRING.  I LOOK UP INTERMITTANTLY WHAT DISNEY SPONSORED OR INFORMATIVE TELEVISION IS COMING ON AT: www.bartlett-sloan.net/tv/agenda.php3?modeagenda=soon.  THIS WILL GIVE YOU ABOUT A TWO WEEK STRETCH OF ANYTHING RELATED TO DISNEY COMING ON TV.  DISNEY CAKE DECORATING, TRAVEL, SITCOMS WITH DISNEY THEMES OR TRIPS, WALT DISNEY DOCUMENTARIES.  YOU CAN OFTEN STUMBLE OVER SOMETHING YOU'VE NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF THERE. 
     I ALSO PURCHASED A 5 DVD SET A COUPLE YEARS AGO ABOUT THE MAGIC KINGDOM, EPCOT, AMIMAL KINGDOM, DISNEY STUDIOS, AND DISNEYLAND THAT'S GREAT FOR GETTING IN THE MOOD.  I FOUND THAT ON-LINE AND IT WASN'T THAT EXPENSIVE AND THAT'S ALWAYS FUN WHEN YOU'RE IN A DISNEY MOOD OR CREATING ONE.
     THE FREE DISNEY PLANNING GUIDE AND DVD IS THE CHEAPEST WAY TO GET CURRENT INFORMATION, BOTH PHYSICAL AND VISUAL, WHEN YOU'RE PLANNING A TRIP AND GETTING IN THE MOOD.  YOU CAN ORDER A NEW ONE OF THESE FROM DISNEY (http://www.disneyvacations.com/) EVERY 6 MONTHS I BELIEVE.  I'VE BEEN HOLDING OUT ORDERING A NEW DISNEY CRUISE LINE DVD BECAUSE I KNOW WE'RE SAILING ON THE NEW DISNEY DREAM AND THE LAST CRUISE PLANNING DVD HAD VERY LITTLE ON THE NEW SHIP AS IT HAD NOT BEGUN SAILING YET.  I'VE ASKED DISNEY ABOUT THE NEW ONE'S RELEASE DATE AND WHAT WILL BE ON IT AND HAVE NEVER GOT A SOLID ANSWER.  SO I'M JUST WAITING TIL CLOSER TO OUR DEPARTURE DATE TO ORDER IT AND HOPE FOR THE BEST AS TO IT'S CONTENTS.  IT SURE COULDN'T HURT AT THAT POINT.  WHAT KID DOESN'T LIKE TO GET MAIL FROM DISNEY?!
     SEE YA REAL SOON!   ºOº   

Saturday, February 12, 2011

70 DAYS TO GO . . .

     SATURDAY FEBRUARY 12, 2011

     COUNTING DOWN TO YOUR TRIP.  THERE ARE VERY FEW TRIPS THAT PEOPLE HAVE COME UP WITH MORE CREATIVE WAYS TO COUNT DOWN TO, THAN SOMETHING INVOLVING DISNEY.  DISNEY WORLD, DISNEY LAND, DISNEY'S IN EUROPE, THE CRUISE LINE, YOU NAME IT. 
     SOME PEOPLE COUNTDOWN BY GIVING THEMSELVES THINGS TO DO ALL ALONG THE WAY UNTIL THEY'RE IN THE HOME STRETCH.  MAKE YOUR OWN LUGGAGE TAGS, CREATE LANYARDS FOR AROUND YOUR NECK FOR PINS, CARD KEYS, TICKETS AND I.D.'s.  MAKE YOUR OWN HATS OR SHIRTS.  CREATE A TRAVEL JOURNAL.  PRINT LOTS OF DIFFERENT COLORING PAGES FOR THE KIDS.  FILL A SPECIAL PIGGY BANK JUST FOR THE TRIP.  SAVE PENNIES FOR PRESSED PENNY MACHINES AND QUARTERS TO PAY FOR THEM.  READ UP ON WALT DISNEY, THE CHARACTERS, THE PARKS AND/OR THE HOTELS.  WATCH ALL THE DISNEY MOVIES FROM FIRST TO LAST, PLAY DISNEY GAMES, OR JUST TRACK YOUR DISNEY DOLLARS ALONG THE WAY.  THE OPTIONS ARE ENDLESS.
     QUITE MORE LITERALLY IS THE COUNTDOWN CALENDAR.  YOU CAN EITHER BUY A CALENDAR SOLELY FOR THIS PURPOSE OR PRINT ONE OUT ON YOUR COMPUTER TO DO THE SAME.  THERE ARE LOADS OF WEBSITES OUT THERE TO PRINT FREE CALENDARS.  THE DISNEY WEBSITE EVEN ALLOWS YOU TO PRINT A PRESCHOOL CALENDAR AND ADD CHARACTER PICTURES AND SYMBOLS ON DAYS YOU CHOOSE.
     THE MOST POPULAR COUNTDOWN IS THE COMPUTER COUNTDOWN.  AND THERE ARE TONS OF THESE.  YOU LITERALLY JUST TYPE IN COUNTDOWN, OR DISNEY COUNTDOWN, OR ANY VARIATION THERE OF, AND YOU'LL GET MULTIPLE CHOICES FROM WHICH TO CHOOSE.  MOST OF WHICH ARE ABSOLUTELY FREE.  AND BY CHOOSING A LAYOUT AND A PICTURE AND YOUR DEPARTURE DATE, YOU WILL HAVE BUILT YOUR OWN COUNTDOWN CLOCK THAT YOU CAN SHOW ON YOUR COMPUTER DOWN TO THE HUNDREDTH OF A SECOND, COUNTING DOWN UNTIL YOU LEAVE.
     THERE ARE A LOT OF HOME MADE CHOICES OUT THERE FOR MAKING YOUR OWN 30 DAY COUNTDOWNS.  CALENDARS WITH CUPS WITH CANDY OR PRIZES IN THEM FOR EACH DAY FOR THE FAMILY AND THE LIKE.  YOU CAN BE AS CREATIVE AS YOU LIKE.  IT ALL DEPENDS HOW CRAFTY YOU ARE AND HOW MUCH TIME YOU'RE WILLING TO PUT INTO IT.  THE COMPUTER COUNTDOWN CLOCK IS THE FASTEST AND EASIEST AND QUICKEST TO CHECK AT ANYTIME AS WELL, BUT DO WHAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU!
     SEE YA REAL SOON!   ºOº

Friday, February 11, 2011

71 DAYS TO GO . . .

     FRIDAY FEBRUARY 11, 2011

     SINCE I'VE TALKED ABOUT RESERVATIONS, BECOMING A CASTAWAY CLUB MEMBER AND STARTING YOUR PREPARATIONS AND PAYMENT, IT SEEMS ONLY NATURAL TO TALK ABOUT THE DISNEY VISA.  THAT'S RIGHT.  IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW IT ALREADY, DISNEY, LIKE SO MANY OTHER COMPANIES, HAS THEIR OWN VISA CARD.  MINE IS PUT OUT BY CHASE BANK, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ALL ARE.  THIS COULD BE A REGIONAL THING, I'M NOT SURE. 
     I BRING THIS UP BECAUSE I ORIGINALLY GOT THE CARD FOR MY SON'S FIRST TRIP TO DISNEY WORLD BACK IN 2006.  THE PROMOTION AT THE TIME WAS, SIGN UP FOR THE CARD AND GET A $50 DISNEY GIFT CARD.  YOU CAN'T BEAT THAT!  I KNEW I WAS GOING TO USE THE CARD, I WAS GOING TO DISNEY, AND THEY WERE GOING TO GIVE ME $50 MORE TO SPEND THERE.  DONE AND DONE.  I THINK NOW THE DEAL IS, GET A $25 GIFT CARD WHEN YOU FIRST SIGN UP FOR YOUR DISNEY VISA.
     ANOTHER PERK WITH THIS CARD IS THAT YOU GET ONE DISNEY DOLLAR FOR EVERY $100 DOLLARS YOU SPEND ON YOUR DISNEY VISA (OR 1%).  DOESN'T SEEM LIKE MUCH, BUT IT ACCUMULATES AS YOU USE THE CARD AND YOUR DISNEY DOLLARS ARE GOOD FOR ANYTHING DISNEY.  THE DISNEY STORE, ON-LINE, AT ALL DISNEY PARKS, AND ON THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE.  WHILE THEY'RE ONLY USABLE AT THESE PLACES, IT FUNCTIONS JUST LIKE CASH AT ANY ONE OF THEM.  SO NOW YOU'RE TAKING CASH RIGHT OFF OF YOUR TOTAL.  IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE USING THE CARD ANYWAY, WHY NOT GET CREDIT TOWARDS SOMETHING DISNEY YOU ALREADY HAVE PLANNED?
     ANOTHER BONUS IS THAT IF YOU USE YOUR CARD TO PAY FOR YOUR TRIP IN FULL, IT'S INTEREST FREE ON THE CARD.  SO NOW YOU'RE GETTING 0% INTEREST ON THE PURCHASE OF YOUR TRIP AND YOU'RE GETTING 1% DISNEY DOLLARS FOR EVERY $100 YOU SPEND TOWARD YOUR TRIP ON THE CARD.  SO BY GETTING THE CARD, USING THE CARD (ESPECIALLY TOWARD YOUR TRIP PURCHASE), AND EARNING YOUR DISNEY DOLLARS, YOU'RE NOT ONLY GETTING YOUR TRIP INTEREST FREE BUT EARNING A REBATE ON THE TOTAL COST AS WELL!
     COMPARING YOUR DISNEY VISA INTEREST RATE TO OTHER CARDS, YOU MAY FIND THAT THIS CARD IS HIGHER FOR NORMAL PURCHASES.  THAT'S ALWAYS POSSIBLE.  BUT IF YOU'RE USING IT OVER A SHORTER AMOUNT OF TIME AND PAYING IT OFF CONSISTENTLY TO EARN DISNEY DOLLARS FOR YOUR TRIP OR THE LIKE, YOU'LL EARN THAT MONEY BACK QUICKLY.
     WHEN YOU'RE READY TO "CASH IN" YOUR DISNEY DOLLARS, YOU JUST CALL YOUR CARD MEMBER SERVICES AND THEY'LL MAIL YOU OUT A CARD WITH YOUR "POINTS" ON IT.  AFTER THAT YOU CAN TRANSFER ANY NEW DISNEY DOLLARS TO YOUR CARD AT ANYTIME JUST BY MAKING A CALL, ALL THE WAY UP TO THE TIME YOU'RE READY TO SPEND THEM.  ONE OF THE LATEST SURPRISES WAS AN EMAIL I RECEIVED IN REFERENCE TO THIS CARD RECENTLY.  CLICK AND REGISTER YOUR CARD AND GET 3X THE DISNEY DOLLARS FOR EVERY PURCHASE OVER $300.  SO AGAIN, USING THE CARD FOR OUR TRIP JUST INCREASED MY "REBATE" BY 3 TIMES THE AMOUNT!  THE PROMOTION DIFFERS SLIGHTLY FOR EVERY CARD HOLDER, BUT IT CAN'T HURT TO ASK.
     THERE ARE ALSO OTHER PERKS FOR HAVING THE CARD.  YOU GET 20% OFF OF THE PRICE OF TOURS IN THE PARKS, 10% OFF OF PARK PURCHASES OF $50 OR MORE, AND ENTRANCE TO A PRIVATE CHARACTER MEET AND GREET CARD MEMBER AREA AT THE PARKS.  THIS LAST ONE WAS A GREAT FIND FOR US WHEN WE TOOK MY SON TO DISNEY WORLD AT BOTH 4 & 6 YEARS OLD.  MOST PEOPLE DON'T EVEN KNOW IT EXISTS AND WE HAD MICKEY AND PLUTO IN A ROOM ALL TO OURSELVES FOR AS LONG AS WE WANTED FOR PHOTOS AND PLAY.  AND WE GOT ONE FREE PRINTED PHOTO OF OUR VISIT WITH THEM TOO!  JUST BECAUSE WE HAD A DISNEY VISA.
     SO YOU CAN SEE HOW QUICKLY THE BENEFITS IF YOU'RE PLANNING SOMETHING DISNEY ADD UP IN YOUR FAVOR JUST BY GETTING ISSUED A DISNEY VISA.  NOW WHEN YOU TRAVEL, YOU SHOULD ALWAYS BRING A BACK-UP CREDIT CARD, JUST IN CASE.  AND MAKE SURE TO LET THE CARD ISSUERS KNOW THAT YOU'LL BE TRAVELLING AND ON WHAT DATES, SO THEY DON'T THINK YOUR CARD HAS BEEN STOLEN AND FREEZE OR CANCEL IT WHILE YOU'RE TRYING TO USE IT OUT OF STATE OR OUT OF THE COUNTRY.  OTHER THAN THAT, START EARNING THOSE REWARDS!
     SEE YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
   

Thursday, February 10, 2011

72 DAYS TO GO . . .

     THURSDAY FEBRUARY 10, 2011

     START A CRUISE BOX.  WHAT'S A CRUISE BOX?  WHATEVER YOU WANT IT TO BE.  I STARTED WITH A CARDBOARD PRINTER PAPER BOX.  THE KIND THAT HOLDS A CASE OF PRINTER PAPER.  PICK WHATEVER YOU WANT.  USE A CARRY-ON PIECE OF LUGGAGE.  A BIG BAG.  GO TO STAPLES AND BUY A BOX THAT YOU THINK WORKS BEST FOR YOU.  THE IDEA IS THAT THERE WILL BE CERTAIN TIMES WHEN YOU HAVE AN IDEA OR SOMETHING IN YOUR HAND THAT YOU KNOW LENDS TO YOUR CRUISE.  SO PUT IN THE BOX.  I'M A PLANNER BY NATURE, SO DOING THIS KIND OF THING SUITS ME TO A T.  I'VE ALREADY STARTED PUTTING TOILETRIES IN MINE!  lol  YOU SEE I DON'T REALLY HAVE MUCH NEED FOR TRAVEL SIZE TOILETRIES, BUT I WILL FOR THE 5 DAYS I'M AWAY.  I FILLED MY SON'S CHRISTMAS STOCKING WITH A LOT OF CRUISE THINGS AS WELL.  SUNTAN LOTION, SWIM GOGGLES, SUNGLASSES, TRADING PINS.  ALL OF THIS KIND OF STUFF HAS ALREADY GONE INTO MY CRUISE BOX.  IT'S NOT LIKE YOU CAN'T GO IN AND OUT OF IT WHENEVER YOU WANT, BUT YOU KNOW WHERE THESE THINGS ARE AT ALL TIMES BY DOING IT AS YOU GO TOO.
     I'VE SAVED A MANILA ENVELOPE AND PIECE OF MAILING CARDBOARD FOR BRINGING SHUTTERS PHOTOS I MAY PURCHASE ON BOARD BACK HOME WITH ME.  I'VE PUT AWAY OUR FLIP-FLOPS, BINOCULARS, PIRATE COSTUMES, NOTE PADS AND THANK YOU NOTES.  IT CONTINUES TO GROW AS THE TRIP GROWS CLOSER AND I CONTINUE TO COME ACROSS THINGS I MEAN, OR NEED, TO PUT ASIDE.  I'M A LIST MAKER, SO IT'S NOT LIKE I WOULDN'T HAVE MORE THAN MY SHARE OF LISTS PRIOR TO PACKING AND LEAVING TO CHECK AND DOUBLE CHECK TO MAKE SURE I HAVE IT ALL, BUT KEEPING IT ALL TOGETHER IS A HELP FOR ANYONE.  PLUS YOU CAN DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT YOUR CRUISE BOX TO BE ABOUT.  IT COULD BE GIFTS FOR YOUR FAMILY FOR ON-BOARD THAT YOU FIND AS YOU COUNT DOWN TO YOUR TRIP.  IT COULD BE THINGS TO HELP BUILD THE ANTICIPATION AS YOU GET CLOSER.  IT COULD JUST BE THINGS TO SAVE YOU FROM SPENDING MORE MONEY WHEN YOU'RE ON-BOARD.  THAT'S THE FUN OF IT.  MAKE IT WHAT YOU WANT.  IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A LABOR OR AN EVERYDAY EVENT.  AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE MORE INFREQUENT IT IS, THE MORE PUNCH IT'S LIABLE TO HAVE.  I OPENED MINE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN WEEKS TODAY.  I DID A PHONE PITCH WITH THE DISNEY VACATION CLUB THE OTHER DAY AND THEY SENT ME OUT THEIR PRINTED MATERIAL PACKET.  INSIDE WAS A KIDS DISNEY COLORING BOOK.  LOW AND BEHOLD, SOME OF THE PICTURES WERE CHARACTERS ON THE CRUISE!  AND I WAS GOING TO BUY A COLORING BOOK ON-BOARD BECAUSE I HEARD IT WAS CUTE AND REALLY INEXPENSIVE (COMPARED TO MOST THINGS ON-BOARD).  NOW THAT'S ALREADY DONE TOO AND I CAN ADD IT TO MY SON'S BIRTHDAY PRESENT ON-BOARD.
     SO HAVE FUN WITH IT.  WRAP YOUR BOX IF YOU WANT.  COLOR IT.  COVER IT IN STICKERS, BELLS, AND WHISTLES.  REMEMBER IT'S A VACATION.  DESPITE ALL THE MONEY AND WORK IT TAKES, IT'S ABOUT ENJOYING YOURSELF, BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER!
     SEE YA REAL SOON!   ºOº

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

73 DAYS TO GO . . .

     WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2011

     THE CASTAWAY CLUB.  AS I MENTIONED YESTERDAY, YOU BECOME A MEMBER OF DISNEY CRUISE LINE'S CASTAWAY CLUB AS SOON AS YOU HAVE TAKEN YOUR FIRST DISNEY CRUISE.  WITH EACH CRUISE YOU TAKE YOU MOVE HIGHER UP THE CASTAWAY CLUB FOOD CHAIN.  1-5 CRUISES IS SILVER.  6-10 CRUISES IS GOLD.  11 OR MORE CRUISES IS PLATINUM.
     ALL 3 LEVELS GET ACCESS TO INSIDER EXCLUSIVES LIKE WEBCASTS, TIPS, INFO AND NEWS JUST FOR MEMBERS.  THEY ALSO GET EARLIER ACCESS TO RESERVATIONS FOR PALO & REMY RESTAURANTS, CHILDCARE SERVICES, SALON SERVICES, AND PORT EXCURSIONS ANYWHERE FROM 90-120 DAYS PRIOR TO SAILING WHERE OTHERS CAN NOT.  THERE IS ALSO A CASTAWAY CLUB DEDICATED PHONE LINE JUST FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SAILED WITH DISNEY BEFORE FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS.  GOLD AND PLATINUM MEMBERS ALSO GET FIRST BOOKING FOR DISNEY'S NEWEST CRUISE ITINERARIES WHEN THEY ARE RELEASED.
     ALL 3 LEVELS HAVE THEIR OWN EXCLUSIVE CRUISE TERMINAL CHECK-IN COUNTER AT ALL PORTS.  A SPECIAL LINE AND LANYARD YOU ARE MAILED ALLOW YOU TO MOVE THROUGH QUICKER THAN THE MASSES.  THERE WILL ALSO BE A WELCOME BACK ABOARD GIFT IN YOUR STATEROOM THANKING YOU FOR THE NUMBER OF TIMES YOU HAVE SAILED WITH DISNEY.  YOU ALSO GET SPECIAL SAVINGS ON-BOARD IF YOU BOOK A FUTURE CRUISE WHILE THERE.  GOLD AND PLATINUM MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO AN ON-BOARD RECEPTION WHERE THEY CAN MEET AND MINGLE WITH SENIOR SHIP OFFICERS, AS WELL AS SPECIAL MERCHANDISE OFFERINGS.  THEY MAY GET A SHIP BOARD CREDIT OR SPECIAL DISCOUNTS IN THE STORES.  PLATINUM MEMBERS ALONE ARE GUARANTEED TO BE SOME OF THE FIRST TO BOARD THE SHIP, GIVEN EXTRA SPECIAL GIFTS, CREDITS, PARTIES, TOURS, AND EXPERIENCES AND COMPLIMENTARY MEALS AT PALO ALSO.
     STATEROOM GIFTS HAVE BEEN EMBROIDERED CASTAWAY CLUB SHOULDER BAGS, WATER BOTTLES, SNACKS & TREATS, KEY CHAINS, LEATHER DOCUMENT HOLDERS, INAUGURAL SAILINGS MERCHANDISE AND MANY MORE.  BUT YOU NEVER KNOW UNTIL YOU GO.  I'M TAKING CARE OF ALL MY OWN GIFTS FOR OUR FIRST TIME AROUND JUST TO MAKE IT FEEL GRANDER AND MORE WELCOMING FOR MY SON.  IF AND WHEN THERE'S A SECOND DISNEY CRUISE FOR US, WE'LL LET YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS.
     SEE YA REAL SOON!   ºOº

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

74 DAYS TO GO . . .

     TUESDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2011

     SINCE I TALKED ABOUT MAKING YOUR PAYMENT ON YOUR CRUISE YESTERDAY, TODAY I THOUGHT I'D GIVE A RUNDOWN ON DISNEY CRUISE LINE'S LATEST CANCELLATION POLICY.
     PRETTY MUCH AFTER YOU'VE BOOKED AND PAID, IF YOU CHANGE YOUR DATES OR GUESTS NAMES, DISNEY CONSIDERS IT A CANCELLATION.  WHY?  BECAUSE THERE'S MORE MONEY TO BE MADE ON CANCELLATION FEES THE CLOSER YOU GET TO YOUR CRUISING DATE.  FOR EXAMPLE: 
     74 DAYS DOWN TO 45 DAYS PRIOR TO SAILING - YOU LOSE YOUR DEPOSIT AMOUNT PER GUEST,
     44 DAYS DOWN TO 30 DAYS PRIOR TO SAILING - YOUR CANCELLATION FEE IS 50% OF THE VACATION AMOUNT PER GUEST,
     29 DAYS DOWN TO 15 DAYS PRIOR TO SAILING - YOU LOSE 75% OF YOUR TOTAL VACATION COST PER GUEST,
    AND ANY CANCELLATION WITHIN 14 DAYS OF SAILING - YOU FORFEIT 100% OF YOUR MONEY (ALL) PAID.
     HAVING WORKED IN THE HOTEL INDUSTRY MOST OF MY LIFE, I CAN TELL YOU THESE ARE CARVED IN STONE.  EVERYONE, AND I MEAN EVERYONE THAT NEEDS TO CANCEL HAS A LEGITIMATE EXCUSE, AND IT'S ALWAYS TOTALLY UNAVOIDABLE.  AND MORE THAN THAT, YOU WOULD BE AMAZED AT THE PERCENTAGE OF CANCELLATIONS THAT ARE TIED TO A CAR ENGINE THAT THREW A ROD OR A DEATH IN THE FAMILY.  SO WHILE YOU'RE PREPARING THOSE EXCUSES I CAN TELL YOU THE ENGINE THROWN ROD MEANS NOTHING.  CAN'T GET HERE?  GET A RIDE.  TAKE A BUS.  START HITCHING.  DEATH IN THE FAMILY IS MUCH MORE SERIOUS AND WHILE SYMPATHETIC, IF YOU COULDN'T FAX ME THE DEATH CERTIFICATE OF YOUR IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER WITH PROOF OF SAME, ALL CANCELLATION POLICIES APPLY.  SOUNDS TOO HARSH?  IMAGINE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE A DEATH IN THE FAMILY WHEN IT'S RAINING OR SOME OTHER TERRIBLE WEATHER THAT'S GOING TO KEEP A FAMILY INSIDE THEIR HOTEL ROOM FOR THEIR VACATION.  COUNTLESS!  SO UNFORTUNATELY, WHILE YOU MAY HAVE AN EMERGENCY, FAR TOO MANY HAVE RUINED IT FOR YOU ALREADY BY WANTING A GUARANTEE OF PERFECT WEATHER AND MORE FOR THEIR VACATIONS INSTEAD OF PREPARING TO MAKE THE BEST OF IT NO MATTER WHAT.
     I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT DISNEY, LIKE MYSELF, HAS CERTAIN EXTREMELY SPECIFIC THINGS THAT THEY MAY ACCEPT AS LEGITIMATE EXCUSES WITH VERIFICATION, BUT DON'T COUNT ON IT.  AFTER ALL, THIS IS A BUSINESS, AND EVERY BUSINESS IS IN IT TO MAKE MONEY AND PROTECT THE BOTTOM LINE.  YOU SCREAM AND YELL AND SAY YOU'LL NEVER BE BACK?  WELL THAT MAY BE ONE OF THE WAYS TO GET SOME OF YOUR MONEY, IF YOU KEEP COMING BACK.  IF YOU'RE A LONGTIME CASTAWAY CLUB MEMBER AND HAVE SAILED WITH DISNEY MANY TIMES, THEN YOU PROBABLY HAVE A MUCH BETTER CHANCE OF NOT LOSING YOUR MONEY THAN SOMEONE WHO HAS NOT.  IF YOU'RE A FIRST TIMER SAYING YOU'LL NEVER COME BACK, YOU NEVER HAVE AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF FIRST TIMERS WAITING TO TAKE YOUR PLACE.  THERE'S NO REAL LOSS THERE.  YOU HAVE TO EARN LOYALTY AND THAT'S WHY DISNEY, LIKE SO MANY OTHERS, REWARDS IT.  SO THAT ROUTINE NEVER WORKS.  AND IT ALL HONESTY, IF YOU'RE SCREAMING AND CURSING TO GET YOUR WAY, I DON'T WANT YOU COMING BACK.  COMPLAINERS ARE LIKE CANCER, THEY SPREAD AS MUCH AS THEY CAN, AND YOU NEED TO CUT THEM OUT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  YOU CATCH MORE BEES WITH HONEY.  THE NICER YOU ARE, THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES WILL BE OF GETTING YOUR WAY, OR AT LEAST SOME HELP AND UNDERSTANDING, NO MATTER WHAT.  GOOD LUCK AND . . .
     SEE YA REAL SOON!   ºOº

Monday, February 7, 2011

75 DAYS TO GO . . .

     MONDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2011

     SINCE THE MAGICAL NUMBER OF 75 DAYS TO GO POPPED UP TODAY, I THOUGHT IT ONLY RIGHT TO TALK ABOUT ADVANCE RESERVATIONS.  LIKE RESERVATIONS AT THE DISNEY PARKS FOR RESTAURANTS AND CHARACTER MEALS AND THE LIKE, THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE ALLOWS YOU TO MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR IT'S FORMAL ALTERNATIVE DINING AT PALO OR REMY, SERVICES AT THE SPA, CHILDCARE FOR THE LITTLINS AND FOR SHORE EXCURSIONS IN ADVANCE.  HOWEVER WITH THE CRUISE LINE, ADVANCE RESERVATIONS ARE BASED ON RETURNING CUSTOMERS.  A MEMBER OF DCL's CASTAWAY CLUB IS SOMEONE THAT HAS CRUISED WITH DISNEY BEFORE.  IF YOU'VE CRUISED 11 OR MORE TIMES WITH DISNEY, YOU'RE A PLATINUM CASTAWAY MEMBER AND CAN MAKE RESERVATIONS 120 DAYS PRIOR TO SAILING.  IF YOU'VE CRUISED 6-10 TIMES WITH DISNEY BEFORE YOU ARE A GOLD CASTAWAY MEMBER AND CAN MAKE RESERVATIONS 105 DAYS PRIOR TO SAILING.  IF YOU'VE CRUISED 1-5 TIMES WITH DISNEY BEFORE YOU ARE A SILVER MEMBER AND CAN MAKE RESERVATIONS 90 DAYS PRIOR TO SAILING.  ALL FIRST TIME DISNEY CRUISERS ARE NOT YET CASTAWAY CLUB MEMBERS AND CAN NOT MAKE ANY OF THESE ADVANCE RESERVATIONS UNTIL 75 DAYS PRIOR TO SAILING.
      AS I HAVE MENTIONED BEFORE, THE REAL PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THAT WITH SO MANY PEOPLE ON YOUR CRUISE HAVING ACCESS TO THESE RESERVATIONS FOR UP TO 45 DAYS BEFORE YOU (OR I) EVER HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE ONE, IT'S VERY POSSIBLE THERE WILL BE NONE AVAILABLE WHEN YOU DO CALL.  THESE ARE ALSO "CUT OFF" DATES FOR WHEN YOUR PAYMENT IN FULL IS DUE ON YOUR CRUISE, BUT I'LL GET INTO CANCELLATION DATES AND PENALTIES TOMORROW.
      I'M PRETTY FORTUNATE IN RESPECT TO THESE RESERVATIONS IN THAT AS OF RIGHT NOW, I'M NOT REALLY MAKING ANY.  IT'S ONLY 4 NIGHTS AND I'M TRAVELLING WITH JUST MY SON, SO I'M NOT LOOKING TO HAVE ANY PRIVATE ROMANTIC DINNERS IN EITHER PALO OR REMY, MAYBE NEXT TIME.  THIS TIME I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO EATING DINNERS WITH MY SON.  I DON'T REALLY PLAN ON BOOKING ANY SPA SERVICES.  YOU DON'T NEED TO RESERVE IN ADVANCE FOR TIME ON A TREADMILL OR IN THE GYM, AND IF I DECIDE ON A DAY PASS TO THE SPA I CAN GET THAT THEN.  I'VE ALREADY REGISTERED MY SON ON-LINE FOR THE KIDS CLUBS AND SINCE HE'S 8 YRS OLD I DON'T HAVE TO RESERVE BABYSITTING IN THE NURSERY.  LASTLY ARE THE SHORE EXCURSIONS, WHICH I'M STILL GOING BACK AND FORTH ON.  THE ONE I'VE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED IS ATLANTIS RESORT'S AQUAVENTURE WATER PARK, BUT THE MORE READING I DO, THE MORE I'M SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING STAYING ON THE SHIP THE DAY WE'RE IN PORT AT NASSAU.  I'M NOT DYING TO GO SHOPPING, ALTHOUGH I'LL PROBABLY GET OFF TO GO GET A BOTTLE AND A CIGAR, BUT I KNOW MY SON IS GOING TO WANT TO RIDE THE "AQUADUCK" WATER COASTER ON BOARD AND PLAY IN THE KIDS CLUBS AND TAKE PART IN THEIR SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES.  SO I'M HOLDING OFF ON THAT AS WELL FOR RIGHT NOW.  SO FOR THOSE WORRIED ABOUT NOT GETTING RESERVATIONS, THIS IS HOW IT ALWAYS OPENS UP FOR YOU.  PEOPLE LIKE ME RESERVE NOTHING, SOME CANCEL, SOME NO-SHOW.  BE PATIENT AND KEEP TRYING.
     ON A SIDE NOTE, I SAVED ANOTHER $25 TODAY BY LISTENING TO A DISNEY VACATION CLUB PITCH ON THE PHONE AND GETTING A $25 DISNEY GIFT CARD FOR DOING SO.  IF WE DON'T END UP BOOKING THE AQUAVENTURE SHORE EXCURSION, THAT'S ANOTHER $300 OFF OF MY ORIGINAL EXPECTED PRICE.  KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN AND PLAN AHEAD AND YOU'LL KEEP SAVING WITH EVERY DAY THAT PASSES.
     SEE YA REAL SOON!   ºOº

Sunday, February 6, 2011

76 DAYS TO GO . . .

     SUNDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2011

     IT'S SUPER BOWL SUNDAY, SO I THOUGHT I WOULD TOUCH ON SPORTS ON YOUR DISNEY CRUISE.  DISNEY CRUISE LINE'S DISNEY DREAM HAS WHAT'S CALLED "GOOFY'S SPORTS DECK" ON TOP WHERE YOU CAN FIND A MINIATURE GOLF COURSE, A BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL COURT, A WALKING TRACK, FOOSBALL, PING-PONG, AND VIRTUAL SPORTS SIMULATORS WHERE YOU CAN PLAY SOCCER, GOLF, TENNIS & BASKETBALL.  ALL HAVE A WHIMSICAL DISNEY TOUCH, ESPECIALLY GOOFY'S GOLF COURSE AND HAVE NOT BEEN TO CROWDED TO PLAY FOR MOST AS OF YET.
     ON ONE OF THE FUNNELS OF THE SHIP, DISNEY HAS A 24' X 14' LED SCREEN CALLED "FUNNEL VISION" OVERLOOKING DONALD'S FAMILY POOL THAT SHOWS TV SHOWS, DISNEY MOVIES AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, BIG SPORTING EVENTS OF THE DAY, DEPENDING ON WHEN YOU ARE TRAVELING.  THE SUPER BOWL SHOULD BE QUITE A SITE ON THAT AS THE SHIP HEADS OUT OF PORT THIS EVENING HEADED FOR NASSAU, BAHAMAS.  THERE PROBABLY WON'T BE ANY ROOM FOR KIDS!  lol
     AS WELL AS TV IN YOUR ROOM OR ON FUNNEL VISION, THE DISNEY DREAM ALSO HAS "687", A CONTEMPORARY SPORTS LOUNGE LOCATED ON DECK 4.  WITH A DOZEN OR SO VARIOUS SIZED FLAT SCREEN TVS AND ONE HUGE PLASMA IN THE MIDDLE OF IT ALL, THIS IS THE PLACE TO CATCH UP ON YOUR FAVORITE GAME OR TEAM ANY TIME OF DAY.
     THIS IS A PLACE I WILL MOST DEFINITELY BE CHECKING OUT AND GIVING A DETAILED REVIEW ON!
     SEE YA REAL SOON!    ºOº

77 DAYS TO GO . . .

     SATURDAY FEBRUARY 5, 2011

     TODAY IT'S DINING AND SHOW TIMES.  I EXPLAINED DISNEY'S ROTATIONAL DINING YESTERDAY, BUT THE REAL REASON FOR IT ALL IS TO NOT ONLY KEEP THE CROWDS DOWN IN THE DINING ROOMS, BUT IN THE THEATER FOR DISNEY'S BROADWAY STYLE STAGE PRODUCTIONS. 
     YOU WILL NOT ONLY BE GIVEN A RESTAURANT DINING ROTATION, WHICH YOU NOW REALIZE WILL PUT GROUPS OF PEOPLE IN ALL THREE OF THE MAIN DINING ROOMS AT THE SAME TIME, SPREADING THEM OUT.  SOME WILL CHOOSE ALTERNATIVE DINING CHOICES AS WELL.  THE NEW DISNEY DREAM HAS SCHEDULED DINING SEATING TIMES OF 6:00PM AND 8:30PM, BUT FOR THE FIRST TIME DISNEY CRUISE LINE HAS SCHEDULED THREE STAGE SHOW TIMES INSTEAD OF IT'S PREVIOUS TWO.  THEY ARE NOW AT: 5:00PM, 7:00PM, & 9:00PM SO YOU CAN ADAPT TO YOUR FAMILY'S NEEDS EVEN BETTER AND AVOID AND KEEP THE CROWDS EVEN SMALLER ON A SHIP THAT'S 50% BIGGER.
     SO LIKE AN ALGEBRAIC EQUATION YOU CAN LOOK AT HOW TWO SEPARATE SEATING TIMES AND THREE SEPARATE SHOW TIMES CAN CREATE 6 SEPARATE "SCHEDULED" GROUPS OF PEOPLE, INSTEAD OF LIKELY ONE MASS MOB MOVING TO A THEATER IN UNISON AFTER DINNER.
     TOTALLY GENIUS AND THE SHOWS ARE FAST BECOMING LEGENDARY ON THE HIGH SEAS.  MAKING OTHER CRUISE LINES ACTUALLY PAY FOR ACTUAL BROADWAY PRODUCTIONS TO PERFORM ON THEIR SHIPS JUST TO COMPETE.  ONLY AT DISNEY!
     SEE YA REAL SOON!   ºOº

78 DAYS TO GO . . .

     FRIDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2011

     TODAY I THOUGHT I'D EXPLAIN DISNEY CRUISE LINE'S ROTATIONAL DINING.  YOU SEE ON MOST CRUISE LINES IT TURNS OUT, YOU EAT IN THE SAME MAIN DINING ROOM FOR EVERY MEAL.  SOME CRUISE LINES ARE SLOWLY MAKING CHANGES TO THIS, BUT MOST ARE FOR MORE CHOICES THAT YOU PAY FOR.  DISNEY HAS THREE "MAIN" DINING ROOMS, OR ACTUALLY RESTAURANTS, NOT TO CHOOSE FROM, BUT TO DINE AT EACH. 
     DISNEY HAS CREATED AN INDUSTRY FIRST IN WHAT IT CALLS "ROTATIONAL DINING".  ON EACH NIGHT OF YOUR CRUISE YOU WILL BE SCHEDULED TO EAT AT ONE OF THE THREE RESTAURANTS.  YOUR ROOM KEY, OR "KEY TO THE WORLD", HAS THE FIRST LETTER OF THE RESTAURANT YOU WILL EAT AT EACH NIGHT IN THE ORDER YOU ARE SCHEDULED TO EAT AT IT.  FOR EXAMPLE:  ON A 4 NIGHT CRUISE YOU MAY HAVE "EAAR", MEANING ENCHANTED GARDEN, ANIMATOR'S PALATE, ANIMATOR'S PALATE, ROYAL PALACE.  THE THIRD NIGHT OF YOUR CRUISE WILL ALWAYS REPEAT THE SECOND NIGHT OF YOUR CRUISE'S DINING RESTAURANT BECAUSE IT WILL BE "PIRATE NIGHT" AND WILL HAVE A DEDICATED PIRATE MENU NO MATTER WHAT THE SHIP OR CRUISE.
     SO NOT ONLY DO YOU "ROTATE" THROUGH THE 3 DIFFERENT RESTAURANTS, BUT YOUR TABLE NUMBER, THE GUESTS YOU EAT WITH, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOUR WAIT STAFF MOVE TO THE NEXT RESTAURANT WITH YOU.  THIS NOT ONLY STARTS TO BREED FAMILIARITY, BUT PREVENTS SOME OF THE MANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS THAT CAN BE RAISED ON A NIGHTLY BASIS BY YOUR WAIT STAFF KNOWING YOUR PREFERENCES, LIKES AND DIS-LIKES.
     YOUR ROTATION CAN BE BASED ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN YOUR PARTY, OR THE AGES OF THE PEOPLE IN YOUR PARTY, BUT YOU CAN ALWAYS REQUEST A PARTICULAR ROTATION.  ALL OF THIS IS BASED AROUND KEEPING THINGS MOVING SMOOTHLY, JUST LIKE IN THE DISNEY PARKS.  YOUR SEATING TIMES (TOMORROW) ARE TO HELP WITH DISNEY'S THEATER PRODUCTIONS SEATINGS.
     SINCE IT BEGAN, THIS PROCESS HAS GOT NOTHING BUT RAVE REVIEWS COMPARED TO ALL OTHER CRUISE LINES!
     SEE YA REAL SOON!   ºOº

Thursday, February 3, 2011

79 DAYS TO GO . . .

     THURSDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2011

     SINCE I TALKED ABOUT SEASICKNESS YESTERDAY, I THOUGHT I WOULD EXPLAIN THE CONSEQUENCES OF BEING SICK WHEN BOARDING OR GETTING A SICKNESS WHILE ON BOARD.  I FIGURED, YOU DON'T WANT TO BE SICK GOING ON VACATION, BUT WHATEVER, YOU'LL MAKE DO.  NOT IF DISNEY KNOWS ABOUT IT.  THEY CAN ACTUALLY REFUSE YOU PASSAGE IF YOU'RE VISIBLY ILL TO REDUCE THE RISK OF TRANSMITTING A VIRUS TO OTHERS.
     SO DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO AVOID BEING SICK UPON DEPARTURE.  GET GOOD REST, ESPECIALLY (HOWEVER DIFFICULT) BEFORE YOU LEAVE.  DRINK LOTS OF WATER.  THIS CONTINUOUSLY NOURISHES THE BODY WHILE FLUSHING OUT THE TOXINS THAT CAN MAKE YOU SICK.  WASH YOUR FACE AND HANDS.  I KNOW WE ALL SAY WE DO, BUT MORE FREQUENTLY THAN THAT!  MOST THINGS YOU CATCH ARE VIA YOUR HANDS AND SOMETHING YOU TOUCHED.  IF YOU'RE NOT AROUND WATER, USE HAND SANITIZER TIL YOU DO WASH THEM.  DISNEY PROVIDES HAND SANITIZER ON-BOARD EVERYWHERE!  THEY'RE NOT TAKING ANY CHANCES AND THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO EITHER.  WHICH IS WHY, JUST LIKE ANYTHING ELSE OWNED BY DISNEY, THEY'RE ALWAYS BUSY CLEANING IT WITHIN AN INCH OF IT'S LIFE.  IT CAN NEVER BE TOO CLEAN. 
     IF YOU DO GET SICK WHILE ON-BOARD, KNOW THAT THE CRUISE LINE IS REQUIRED TO REPORT ANY GASTROINTESTINAL ILLNESS TO THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL (CDC).  YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO VISIT THE MEDICAL FACILITY ON-BOARD AND MAY EVEN BE RESTRICTED TO YOUR ROOM TO AVOID PASSING IT TO OTHERS.
     THE PLUS IS THAT THE MEDICAL FACILITY ON-BOARD IS TOP NOTCH.  IT IS EQUIPPED WITH ALL THE MODERN EQUIPMENT INCLUDING X-RAYS, WITH A FULL LICENSED MEDICAL STAFF OF DOCTORS AND NURSES.
     SO STAY HEALTHY, AT LEAST AS BEST AS YOU CAN RIGHT BEFORE YOU GO.  THERE'S NOTHING WORSE THAN FEELING LOUSY WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO FEELING GREAT.
     SEE YA REAL SOON!   ºOº

80 DAYS TO GO . . .

     WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2011

     SEASICKNESS.  PRETTY MUCH EVERYBODY WORRIES ABOUT IT, EVEN THOUGH VERY FEW ACTUALLY SUFFER FROM IT.  FOR THOSE THAT HAVE SUFFERED FROM SEA OR MOTION SICKNESS BEFORE, BE THANKFUL THAT YOU ARE SAILING ON A LARGE MODERN CRUISE SHIP IN SOME OF THE CALMEST WATERS IN THE WORLD.  TODAY MODERN CRUISE SHIPS HAVE TWO GIANT STABILIZER FINS THAT PREVENT THE WORST WAVE ACTION FROM ROCKING THE SHIP.  AND MODERN MEDICINE HAS PROVIDED MORE THAN ONE REMEDY.
     ONE OF THE FASTEST AND EASIEST WAYS TO DEAL WITH FEELING QUEASY ON A SHIP IS TO GET OUT ON DECK AND TAKE SOME DEEP BREATHS OF FRESH AIR.  LOOK OUT AT A FIXED AN UNMOVING POINT LIKE THE HORIZON.  STAYING IN YOUR ROOM CAN SOMETIMES MAKE IT WORSE.  SEASICKNESS IS CAUSED BY THE CONFUSION BETWEEN WHAT YOUR INNER EAR SENSES AND WHAT YOUR EYES SEE.  SO LOOKING AT SOMETHING STEADY DURING THIS MOTION CAN CONNECT THE TWO, AND HELP YOUR BRAIN GET USED TO THE MOTION SO YOU CAN GAIN YOUR "SEA LEGS".  ALSO, DRINK WATER AND AVOID EATING FATTY OR SALTY FOODS.
     GINGER IS REPORTED TO HELP REDUCE SEASICKNESS.  IT COMES IN PILL AND COOKIE FORM, AND I'M SURE EVEN MORE BY NOW.  I CHECKED MYSELF AND FOUND PILLS IN THE SUPERMARKET, NEXT TO THE VITAMINS, AND THEY SAY GOOD FOR MOTION SICKNESS RIGHT ON THEM.  THESE ARE BEST IF TAKEN JUST PRIOR TO YOUR TRIP AND CONTINUOUSLY THROUGHOUT.
     BONINE, OR THE WELL-KNOWN "DRAMAMINE" (LESS DROWSY FORMULA) ARE NAMES FOR MECLIZINE.  THIS HAS FEWER SIDE EFFECTS THAN ORIGINAL DRAMAMINE.  MANY HAVE SAID THE ORIGINAL PUTS THEM TO SLEEP ALL TOO QUICKLY, WHILE HELPING THE PROBLEM, YOU MISS YOUR CRUISE.  SUPPOSEDLY THE ON-BOARD MEDICAL FACILITY PROVIDES FREE CHEWABLE MECLIZINE TABLETS FROM A DISPENSER NEXT TO ITS DOOR.
     SEA BANDS ARE A NEWER VERY POPULAR CHOICE.  THEY ARE ELASTIC WRIST BANDS WITH A STUD THAT APPLIES PRESSURE TO THE ACUPRESSURE POINT ON THE WRIST, WHICH IS SAID TO PREVENT SEASICKNESS.  SOME SWEAR BY THEM, SOME SAY THEY'RE TOO ANNOYING, SOME SAY THEY DON'T WORK.  AT LEAST THERE'S NO SIDE EFFECTS AT VERY LITTLE COST.
     THERE IS A SEASICKNESS PATCH THAT THOSE WHO HAVE TRIED IT SAY IS FULL PROOF.  BUT YOU CAN ONLY GET IT WITH A PRESCRIPTION AND IT DOES HAVE SIDE EFFECTS FOR SOME INCLUDING DRY MOUTH AND DIZZINESS.
     IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT SEA SICKNESS, YOU CAN ALSO HELP PREVENT IT IN YOUR ROOM SELECTION.  IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE WAYS A SHIP CAN ROCK IT'S: SIDE TO SIDE, FRONT TO BACK, AND UP AND DOWN.  MOST OF THIS IS ELIMINATED BY THE SHEER SIZE OF THE SHIP.  BUT BEING MORE TOWARD THE MIDDLE OF THE SHIP FROM THE FRONT AND BACK AS WELL AS FROM THE SIDES WILL MAKE YOU MORE TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE MOVEMENT, MEANING LESS OF A "SWING".  A LOWER DECK WILL ALSO HELP PREVENT THE MORE DRASTIC MOVEMENTS AS YOUR ROOM HAS LESS DISTANCE TO MOVE, LIKE THE MIDDLE OF A PENDULUM.
     ODDS ARE OVERWHELMINGLY IN YOUR FAVOR, BUT PLANNING AHEAD CAN HELP YOU BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE.  THERE'S ALWAYS A STORY OF SOMEBODY THROWING UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DINING ROOM.  USUALLY THE STUBBORN.  ASK A DOCTOR BEFORE YOU GO IF YOU'RE CONCERNED OR JUST START A REGIMEN OF GINGER PILLS DAYS BEFORE AND FEEL BETTER . . . AND DON'T SIT AT MY TABLE!  ;-)
     SEE YA REAL SOON!   ºOº

81 DAYS TO GO . . .

     TUESDAY FEBRUARY 1, 2011

     TODAY I THOUGHT I WOULD TOUCH ON THE PHENOMENON THAT IS "THE HIDDEN MICKEY".  FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW, AND I WAS ONE AS WELL AT ONE POINT, A HIDDEN MICKEY IS WHAT DISNEY'S IMAGINEERS HAVE BUILT OR DESIGNED INTO SOMETHING AROUND YOU.  IT CAN BE AS SIMPLE AS 3 CIRCLES FORMING MICKEY MOUSES HEAD, UP TO THE FULL OUTLINE OF THE CHARACTER HIMSELF "HIDDEN" IN YOUR SURROUNDINGS.  THESE ARE LOCATED IN ALL THE DISNEY PARKS ACROSS THE GLOBE, THEIR HOTELS, RESORTS, RIDES, RESTAURANTS, YOU NAME IT. 
     THERE HAVE BEEN BOOKS PUBLISHED ON THE SUBJECT(S) AS WELL TOO, FOR THE DIFFERENT PARKS AND EVEN THE CRUISE LINE, NOW THAT FINDING THEM HAS BECOME THE DISNEYITE'S OBSESSION. (http://www.hiddenmickeysguide.com/)  A TRUE HIDDEN MICKEY IS NOT MEANT TO BE SEEN RIGHT AWAY.  THEY WERE INSIDE JOKES BETWEEN DISNEY'S IMAGINEERS AND ARTISTS.  IT WASN'T UNTIL AN ARTICLE IN 1989 DETAILING THE MANY HIDDEN MICKEYS IN THE PARKS THAT IT REALLY EXPLODED.  AND WITH THEIR POPULARITY, SO GREW THE IMAGINEERS DESIRE TO PLACE THEM.  SO OVER TIME THE "HIDDEN" MICKEY BECAME FAR LESS "HIDDEN".  BUT THEY'RE STILL OUT THERE, HUNDREDS, THOUSANDS.  SO WHEN YOU'RE STANDING IN LINE, OR DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH YOURSELF (HARD TO BELIEVE IF YOU'RE AT DISNEY) START LOOKING AROUND.  YOU MAY BE SURPRISED AT WHAT YOU FIND.  OR CONSIDER IT A PART OF YOUR PLANNING FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP TO OCCUPY THE TROOPS.  GIVE THEM PADS AND PENS AND HAVE THEM WRITE DOWN WHAT THEY FIND.  THAT MAY JUST KEEP EVERYBODY BUSY ENOUGH FOR YOU TO ACTUALLY SIT DOWN AND BREATHE.  AHHHH.
     SEE YA REAL SOON!   ºOº