MONDAY MARCH 14, 2011
GET THERE EARLY! WHERE? THE TERMINAL. SOME PEOPLE, AS IS RECOMMENDED BY MANY, FLY OR DRIVE TO THE PORT (CANAVERAL IN THIS CASE) THE NIGHT BEFORE THEIR CRUISE. THE LOGIC IS THAT JUST IN CASE SOMETHING WERE TO GO WRONG, YOU'D HAVE THE TIME TO STILL MAKE YOUR CRUISE AND NOT RISK MISSING IT. SO IF YOU'RE ALREADY NEARBY YOU CAN PRETTY MUCH PICK WHEN TO LEAVE FOR THE PORT.
SOME OF US CAN'T FLY IN TIL THE SAME DAY AS OUR CRUISE, FOR A PLETHORA OF DIFFERENT REASONS. SO YOU MAY BE LIMITED TO ARRIVING AT THE PORT BASED ON YOUR FLIGHTS ARRIVAL TIME IN ORLANDO OR WHATEVER OTHER AIRPORT YOU CHOOSE.
WHAT I CAN SAY IS, IF YOU CAN, TAKE AS EARLY A FLIGHT AS POSSIBLE. I KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THE LOGIC OF, "I DON'T WANT TO BE WAITING AROUND FOREVER". BUT, YOUR VACATION STARTS AS SOON AS YOU ARRIVE. I'LL USE MYSELF AS AN EXAMPLE. I LIVE NEAR ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. AND IT'S AIRPORT, WHICH MEANS I HAVE TO FLY SPIRIT AIRLINES (KING OF THE EXTRA FEES). I CAN ARRIVE AROUND 8AM OR AROUND 2PM. I COULD PROBABLY HAVE A FEW MORE OPTIONS IN BETWEEN ON OTHER AIRLINES IF I FLEW OUT OF PHILADELPHIA AN HOUR AWAY, BUT YOU GET THE IDEA.
MY SON AND I WILL MOST LIKELY BE ON OUR FLIGHT FROM A.C. TO ORLANDO BY 6AM, ARRIVING AROUND 8-8:30AM. WHY, DISNEY CRUISE LINES TRANSFER BUS SERVICE ISN'T EVEN OPEN YET? THE ANSWER IS SO WHEN IT DOES OPEN AND THE FIRST BUSES START LOADING AND TRANSPORTING PEOPLE TO THE PORT, WE'RE ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE ON THEM.
A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO ARRIVE AT THE PORT EARLY, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T TOO. BY ARRIVING EARLY, YOU AT LEAST GIVE YOURSELF THE BEST OPPORTUNITY YOU CAN TO BE ONE OF THE FIRST ON-BOARD. EXCLUDING THE V.I.P.'s WHO ALWAYS BOARD FIRST, THE FIRST TO CHECK-IN AT THE PORT GET THE LOWEST BOARDING NUMBERS. THIS IS LITERALLY A CARD WITH A NUMBER ON IT THAT TELLS YOU WHAT NUMBER TO LISTEN FOR AS THEY START BOARDING. FIRST IN THE TERMINAL, FIRST ON THE SHIP.
WHY DOES IT MATTER? I'LL GIVE YOU A FEW REASONS. WE'VE BEEN AT THE AIRPORT AND TRAVELLING SINCE 5AM, LUNCH SOUNDS GOOD RIGHT ABOUT NOW. IF YOU'RE ONE OF THE FIRST ON, YOU KNOW THERE'S NO CROWDS AT THE BUFFET OR COUNTER SERVICES, BECAUSE MOST AREN'T ON YET. AND BELIEVE ME, THEY'RE ALL GOING TO EAT ONCE THEY'RE ON-BOARD. SECOND, AS IS GROWING IN POPULARITY, IS RIDING THE DISNEY DREAM'S NEW "WATER COASTER" THE AQUADUCK. IF YOU'RE ON EARLY AND ALREADY EATEN LUNCH, YOU CAN HEAD TO THE POOL AND RIDE THE DUCK BEFORE THE LINES START TO GET BIG. AND FROM ALL REPORTS, THE LINES ARE PRETTY BIG FOR MOST OF THE CRUISE, SO PICKING AND CHOOSING WHEN YOU WANT TO RIDE, WITHOUT WAITING A LOT THAT IS, CAN BE A REAL TIME SAVER. THIRD, REMEMBER, THIS IS THE VACATION YOU PAID FOR. YOU CAN'T GET INTO YOUR STATEROOM TIL 1:30PM, AND WHILE YOUR LUGGAGE MAY ARRIVE FAIRLY EARLY, DISNEY ONLY GUARANTEES YOU'LL HAVE IT BY 5PM. SO WHY NOT GET ON-BOARD EARLY, EXPLORE THE SHIP, GO TRY TO MAKE FORMAL DINING RESERVATIONS, GO TO GUEST SERVICES, CHECK OUT THE RESTAURANTS OR BARS. THERE'S PLENTY TO SEE AND DO. YOU COULD HAVE AN EXTRA 3 OR 4 HOURS ON-BOARD IF YOU PLAN ON IT. IF THIS WERE A DISNEY THEME PARK, YOU WOULD NEVER GIVE UP 3 OR 4 HOURS IN THE PARK AS IF IT WERE NOTHING. SO GET THERE EARLY. PUT UP WITH THE CROWD IN THE TERMINAL OR THE LINE YOU MAY HAVE TO WAIT IN, IF YOU WANT TO GET A FEW EXTRA HOURS IN ON THE SHIP WE ALL CAN'T WAIT TO SEE.
SEA YA REAL SOON! ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "PETER PAN". LOVE THE MOVIE. LOVE THE RIDE.
Monday, March 14, 2011
41 DAYS TO GO . . .
SUNDAY MARCH 13, 2011
UPGRADES. YOU'VE ALL HEARD OF THEM. SOME PEOPLE PRACTICALLY DEPEND ON THEM. OTHERS JUST CONSIDER THEM AS LIKELY TO COME ACROSS AS A UNICORN. BELIEVE ME, COMING FROM THE HOTEL INDUSTRY, THEY DO EXIST, AND SOMETIMES CAN BE JUST AS VALUABLE AS THAT LEPRECHAUN'S POT O' GOLD.
ALL UPGRADES ARE BASED ON AVAILABILITY. NO MATTER HOW YOU SLICE IT, IT STILL COMES DOWN TO WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE OR NEED THE SPACE TO BE ABLE TO GIVE SOMEONE A BIGGER AND/OR BETTER ROOM; WHETHER ON LAND OR ON THE OCEAN.
LIKE ANYTHING IN REFERENCE TO YOUR CRUISE, YOU CAN REQUEST AN UPGRADE AT ANY TIME ON YOUR RESERVATION. NOW THAT OBVIOUSLY DOESN'T GUARANTEE YOU ANYTHING, BUT IN MOST CASES IT CAN'T HURT. I SAY MOST BECAUSE, SOME EMPLOYEES MAY READ THAT REQUEST AND JUST THINK YOU'RE TRYING TO GET SOMETHING FOR NOTHING, AND MAKE SURE YOU DON'T GET IT. REMEMBER IT TAKES ALL KINDS.
ANOTHER OPTION ON A DISNEY CRUISE IS TO BOOK A "GTY" STATEROOM. YES, "GTY" MEANS GUARANTEE. YOU ARE GUARANTEED A STATEROOM TYPE EQUAL TO WHAT YOU BOOKED OR PAID FOR. THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T REQUEST OR RESERVE A PARTICULAR ROOM NUMBER, BASICALLY SAYING IT DIDN'T MATTER TO YOU, YOU MAY BE UPGRADED. WHY? LIKE ANY HOTEL OR CRUISE SHIP, THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO BOOK THE CHEAPEST ROOM POSSIBLE OR THE LOWEST PRICE ROOM FOR THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THEIR PARTY. SO INSTEAD OF TELLING PEOPLE, "NO, I'M SORRY, ALL WE HAVE IS THE MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE ROOMS." BUSINESSES CONTINUE TO BOOK THOSE ROOMS FOR THE MOST PART AT THAT LOWER PRICE UNTIL THEY ARE SOLD OUT AND CHOOSE WHO TO UPGRADE INTO THE LARGER MORE EXPENSIVE ROOMS WITHOUT PAYING FOR THAT HIGHER RATE ROOM. THUS YOU HAVE AN "UPGRADE". THE LOGIC ON THE DISNEY CRUISE IN TAKE A "GTY" RESERVATION IS THAT YOU'RE WILLING TO SACRIFICE A PARTICULAR DECK OR LOCATION ON THE SHIP FOR YOUR ROOM WITH THE HOPE OF BEING UPGRADED FOR YOUR SACRIFICE, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE SHIPS, THE DREAM IN PARTICULAR, ARE SELLING CONSTANTLY.
WHAT HAS BECOME THE REAL PROBLEM WITH THIS SUPPOSED SACRIFICE IS THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF CRUISE SHIPS, PEOPLE ARE REFUSING UPGRADES. BECAUSE THE DISNEY DREAM HAS THE NEW VIRTUAL PORTHOLES IN THEIR INSIDE STATEROOMS, FAMILIES WITH KIDS ARE SAYING THEY DON'T WANT TO BE UPGRADED, FOR THE SAKE OF THEIR CHILDREN. WHY WOULDN'T THAT HELP MORE FAMILIES GET THE UPGRADE THEY HAD HOPED FOR? WELL SO MANY PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO RESERVE THESE INSIDE STATEROOMS WITH THE "MAGICAL PORTHOLE" THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, INSIDE STATEROOMS ARE NOW SELLING FOR MORE THAN STATEROOMS WITH OCEAN VIEWS OR BALCONIES! IT'S SIMPLE SUPPLY AND DEMAND. MORE PEOPLE WANT THEM, SO THE PRICE GOES UP. AND I WAS ONE. I'M BIG ON VIEWS, AND WOULD HAVE LOVED A VERANDAH ON THE WATER, BUT I KNEW MY SON REALLY WANTED THAT VIRTUAL PORTHOLE WITH IT'S APPEARING ANIMATED CHARACTERS. SO I SAID TO MY RESERVATIONIST, "I DON'T THINK I TAKE AN UPGRADE. MY SON WOULD BE UPSET." HER REPLY WAS, "YOU'D BE AMAZED HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THAT NOW."
YOU CAN ALWAYS ASK IF ANY UPGRADES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE TERMINAL WHEN YOU CHECK IN AND AT GUEST SERVICES WHEN YOU'RE ON-BOARD, BUT ON SOLD OUT CRUISES, LIKE PRETTY MUCH EVERY DREAM SAILING, THERE'S NOWHERE TO UPGRADE YOU TO. SHIPS, LIKE HOTELS, HAVE TO KEEP SOME ROOMS EMPTY FOR UNFORESEEN EMERGENCIES. SO, BECAUSE OF THE UPSIDE DOWN VALUES OF THE NEW DISNEY DREAM, YOU WOULD SAVE MORE MONEY, BY REQUESTING THE LARGER OCEAN VIEW STATEROOM TO START. UNBELIEVABLE HUH? BUT REMEMBER, LIKE ANYTHING ELSE, IT NEVER HURTS TO ASK!
SEA YA REAL SOON! ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "BAMBI". FOUND A VHS COPY AT A FLEA MARKET FOR $1.00!
UPGRADES. YOU'VE ALL HEARD OF THEM. SOME PEOPLE PRACTICALLY DEPEND ON THEM. OTHERS JUST CONSIDER THEM AS LIKELY TO COME ACROSS AS A UNICORN. BELIEVE ME, COMING FROM THE HOTEL INDUSTRY, THEY DO EXIST, AND SOMETIMES CAN BE JUST AS VALUABLE AS THAT LEPRECHAUN'S POT O' GOLD.
ALL UPGRADES ARE BASED ON AVAILABILITY. NO MATTER HOW YOU SLICE IT, IT STILL COMES DOWN TO WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE OR NEED THE SPACE TO BE ABLE TO GIVE SOMEONE A BIGGER AND/OR BETTER ROOM; WHETHER ON LAND OR ON THE OCEAN.
LIKE ANYTHING IN REFERENCE TO YOUR CRUISE, YOU CAN REQUEST AN UPGRADE AT ANY TIME ON YOUR RESERVATION. NOW THAT OBVIOUSLY DOESN'T GUARANTEE YOU ANYTHING, BUT IN MOST CASES IT CAN'T HURT. I SAY MOST BECAUSE, SOME EMPLOYEES MAY READ THAT REQUEST AND JUST THINK YOU'RE TRYING TO GET SOMETHING FOR NOTHING, AND MAKE SURE YOU DON'T GET IT. REMEMBER IT TAKES ALL KINDS.
ANOTHER OPTION ON A DISNEY CRUISE IS TO BOOK A "GTY" STATEROOM. YES, "GTY" MEANS GUARANTEE. YOU ARE GUARANTEED A STATEROOM TYPE EQUAL TO WHAT YOU BOOKED OR PAID FOR. THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T REQUEST OR RESERVE A PARTICULAR ROOM NUMBER, BASICALLY SAYING IT DIDN'T MATTER TO YOU, YOU MAY BE UPGRADED. WHY? LIKE ANY HOTEL OR CRUISE SHIP, THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO BOOK THE CHEAPEST ROOM POSSIBLE OR THE LOWEST PRICE ROOM FOR THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THEIR PARTY. SO INSTEAD OF TELLING PEOPLE, "NO, I'M SORRY, ALL WE HAVE IS THE MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE ROOMS." BUSINESSES CONTINUE TO BOOK THOSE ROOMS FOR THE MOST PART AT THAT LOWER PRICE UNTIL THEY ARE SOLD OUT AND CHOOSE WHO TO UPGRADE INTO THE LARGER MORE EXPENSIVE ROOMS WITHOUT PAYING FOR THAT HIGHER RATE ROOM. THUS YOU HAVE AN "UPGRADE". THE LOGIC ON THE DISNEY CRUISE IN TAKE A "GTY" RESERVATION IS THAT YOU'RE WILLING TO SACRIFICE A PARTICULAR DECK OR LOCATION ON THE SHIP FOR YOUR ROOM WITH THE HOPE OF BEING UPGRADED FOR YOUR SACRIFICE, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE SHIPS, THE DREAM IN PARTICULAR, ARE SELLING CONSTANTLY.
WHAT HAS BECOME THE REAL PROBLEM WITH THIS SUPPOSED SACRIFICE IS THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF CRUISE SHIPS, PEOPLE ARE REFUSING UPGRADES. BECAUSE THE DISNEY DREAM HAS THE NEW VIRTUAL PORTHOLES IN THEIR INSIDE STATEROOMS, FAMILIES WITH KIDS ARE SAYING THEY DON'T WANT TO BE UPGRADED, FOR THE SAKE OF THEIR CHILDREN. WHY WOULDN'T THAT HELP MORE FAMILIES GET THE UPGRADE THEY HAD HOPED FOR? WELL SO MANY PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO RESERVE THESE INSIDE STATEROOMS WITH THE "MAGICAL PORTHOLE" THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, INSIDE STATEROOMS ARE NOW SELLING FOR MORE THAN STATEROOMS WITH OCEAN VIEWS OR BALCONIES! IT'S SIMPLE SUPPLY AND DEMAND. MORE PEOPLE WANT THEM, SO THE PRICE GOES UP. AND I WAS ONE. I'M BIG ON VIEWS, AND WOULD HAVE LOVED A VERANDAH ON THE WATER, BUT I KNEW MY SON REALLY WANTED THAT VIRTUAL PORTHOLE WITH IT'S APPEARING ANIMATED CHARACTERS. SO I SAID TO MY RESERVATIONIST, "I DON'T THINK I TAKE AN UPGRADE. MY SON WOULD BE UPSET." HER REPLY WAS, "YOU'D BE AMAZED HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THAT NOW."
YOU CAN ALWAYS ASK IF ANY UPGRADES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE TERMINAL WHEN YOU CHECK IN AND AT GUEST SERVICES WHEN YOU'RE ON-BOARD, BUT ON SOLD OUT CRUISES, LIKE PRETTY MUCH EVERY DREAM SAILING, THERE'S NOWHERE TO UPGRADE YOU TO. SHIPS, LIKE HOTELS, HAVE TO KEEP SOME ROOMS EMPTY FOR UNFORESEEN EMERGENCIES. SO, BECAUSE OF THE UPSIDE DOWN VALUES OF THE NEW DISNEY DREAM, YOU WOULD SAVE MORE MONEY, BY REQUESTING THE LARGER OCEAN VIEW STATEROOM TO START. UNBELIEVABLE HUH? BUT REMEMBER, LIKE ANYTHING ELSE, IT NEVER HURTS TO ASK!
SEA YA REAL SOON! ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "BAMBI". FOUND A VHS COPY AT A FLEA MARKET FOR $1.00!
Friday, March 11, 2011
42 DAYS TO GO . . .
SATURDAY MARCH 12, 2011
I WAS GOING TO COVER THIS UNDER BEING ON-BOARD, BUT I GUESS IT'S STUFF YOU HAVE TO PACK, SO I'LL GET INTO IT NOW. DOOR DECORATIONS. I DIDN'T HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THIS WAS ALL ABOUT. I JUST FIGURED PEOPLE HUNG STUFF ON THEIR DOORS. WOW. IT'S WAAAAAY BIGGER THAN THAT. THE STATEROOM DOORS ARE ALL METAL AND DISNEY HAS "OUTLAWED" TAPING OR STICKING ANYTHING TO THE DOORS TO PROTECT THEIR PAINT JOBS. THE ONLY OTHER WAY TO DO IT IS WITH MAGNETS. AND BOY DO THEY USE MAGNETS. (www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=838817) THERE ARE WEBSITES AND THREADS DEDICATED JUST TO DISNEYITES AND DECORATING THEIR DOORS WITH MAGNETS.
EACH DISNEY CRUISE LINE STATEROOM DOOR HAS A "PORTHOLE" ON IT WITH THE ROOM NUMBER IN IT. WELL "DISSIGNERS" HAVE COME UP WITH DESIGNS FOR MAGNETS THAT GO AROUND THE PORTHOLES MAKING THEM LOOK LIKE WHAT EVER CHARACTER YOU WANT. AMAZING. AND I HAVE TO ADMIT, I'VE ALREADY PRINTED OUT 2 FOR OUR TRIP MYSELF. YOU PRINT THEM OUT ON MAGNETIC PAPER AND CUT OUT THE SHAPE. I CHOSE A CAPTAIN MICKEY (MICKEY EARS WITH A SHIPS CAPTAIN'S HAT) THAT LUCKILY MY SON SAW ON-LINE AFTER AND LOVED! THE SECOND WAS A BIRTHDAY MICKEY (MICKEY EARS WITH A BIG BIRTHDAY PARTY HAT ON) FOR MY SON'S BIRTHDAY ON-BOARD.
WHAT YOU DO BEYOND THAT IS ALL UP TO YOU. THERE ARE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF DESIGNS OUT THERE. CHECK PASSPORTER BOARDS OR DISBOARDS OR JUST TYPE IN DISNEY CRUISE DOOR MAGNETS. IT'S LITERALLY THAT EASY. YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO MISS THEM. AND THERE ARE MAGNETS FOR EVERY TASTE. BIG, SMALL, ROMANTIC, ADVENTUROUS, COUPLES, FAMILIES, EVERY CHARACTER DISNEY EVER MADE, PERSONALIZED, PHOTOS, SKETCHES, YOU NAME IT. I WAS SHOCKED AT THE AMOUNT. SOME ARE REALLY IMPRESSIVE TOO. I SAVED SOME I PROBABLY WON'T EVEN USE, BUT I'LL USE EM FOR SOMETHIN. WHETHER IT'S FOR YOU OR THE KIDS OR FOR A COMPETITION ON-BOARD (AND YES PEOPLE ARRANGE THEM) YOU CAN DECORATE YOUR DOOR IN ANY WAY YOU CHOOSE.
NOW AS YOU MAY EXPECT, SOME, MANY, DON'T DECORATE AT ALL. BUT THE REAL ADVANTAGE TO PUTTING SOMETHING, ANYTHING, ON YOUR DOOR IS THAT IT'S SPECIFIC TO YOUR ROOM AND YOU AND YOUR PARTY CAN PICK OUT YOUR DOOR EASIER IN A LONG HALLWAY OF THE SAME DOOR AFTER THE SAME DOOR AFTER THE SAME DOOR. ANOTHER ADVANTAGE? THEY'RE MAGNETS. THEY'RE NOT THAT BIG AND THEY'RE FLAT. HOW MUCH ROOM CAN THEY REALLY TAKE UP IN YOUR SUITCASE? I HAVE A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT TAKE PLANNED FOR OUR DOOR SINCE IT'S MY SON'S BIRTHDAY, BUT I'LL SAVE THAT FOR LATER. TIL THEN, START SEARCHING FOR THE MAGNETS THAT SAY YOU.
SEA YA REAL SOON! ºOº
WE SQUEEZED IN TWO MOVIES TONIGHT. "ALICE IN WONDERLAND" AND "CINDERELLA". I ALWAYS THOUGHT CINDERELLA WAS A LITTLE TOO GIRLY FOR ME, BUT WATCHING IT AFTER ALL THIS TIME, IT REALLY IS A CLASSIC. PLUS THE THEME SONG IS THE DISNEY DREAM CRUISE SHIP'S HORN!
I WAS GOING TO COVER THIS UNDER BEING ON-BOARD, BUT I GUESS IT'S STUFF YOU HAVE TO PACK, SO I'LL GET INTO IT NOW. DOOR DECORATIONS. I DIDN'T HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THIS WAS ALL ABOUT. I JUST FIGURED PEOPLE HUNG STUFF ON THEIR DOORS. WOW. IT'S WAAAAAY BIGGER THAN THAT. THE STATEROOM DOORS ARE ALL METAL AND DISNEY HAS "OUTLAWED" TAPING OR STICKING ANYTHING TO THE DOORS TO PROTECT THEIR PAINT JOBS. THE ONLY OTHER WAY TO DO IT IS WITH MAGNETS. AND BOY DO THEY USE MAGNETS. (www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=838817) THERE ARE WEBSITES AND THREADS DEDICATED JUST TO DISNEYITES AND DECORATING THEIR DOORS WITH MAGNETS.
EACH DISNEY CRUISE LINE STATEROOM DOOR HAS A "PORTHOLE" ON IT WITH THE ROOM NUMBER IN IT. WELL "DISSIGNERS" HAVE COME UP WITH DESIGNS FOR MAGNETS THAT GO AROUND THE PORTHOLES MAKING THEM LOOK LIKE WHAT EVER CHARACTER YOU WANT. AMAZING. AND I HAVE TO ADMIT, I'VE ALREADY PRINTED OUT 2 FOR OUR TRIP MYSELF. YOU PRINT THEM OUT ON MAGNETIC PAPER AND CUT OUT THE SHAPE. I CHOSE A CAPTAIN MICKEY (MICKEY EARS WITH A SHIPS CAPTAIN'S HAT) THAT LUCKILY MY SON SAW ON-LINE AFTER AND LOVED! THE SECOND WAS A BIRTHDAY MICKEY (MICKEY EARS WITH A BIG BIRTHDAY PARTY HAT ON) FOR MY SON'S BIRTHDAY ON-BOARD.
WHAT YOU DO BEYOND THAT IS ALL UP TO YOU. THERE ARE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF DESIGNS OUT THERE. CHECK PASSPORTER BOARDS OR DISBOARDS OR JUST TYPE IN DISNEY CRUISE DOOR MAGNETS. IT'S LITERALLY THAT EASY. YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO MISS THEM. AND THERE ARE MAGNETS FOR EVERY TASTE. BIG, SMALL, ROMANTIC, ADVENTUROUS, COUPLES, FAMILIES, EVERY CHARACTER DISNEY EVER MADE, PERSONALIZED, PHOTOS, SKETCHES, YOU NAME IT. I WAS SHOCKED AT THE AMOUNT. SOME ARE REALLY IMPRESSIVE TOO. I SAVED SOME I PROBABLY WON'T EVEN USE, BUT I'LL USE EM FOR SOMETHIN. WHETHER IT'S FOR YOU OR THE KIDS OR FOR A COMPETITION ON-BOARD (AND YES PEOPLE ARRANGE THEM) YOU CAN DECORATE YOUR DOOR IN ANY WAY YOU CHOOSE.
NOW AS YOU MAY EXPECT, SOME, MANY, DON'T DECORATE AT ALL. BUT THE REAL ADVANTAGE TO PUTTING SOMETHING, ANYTHING, ON YOUR DOOR IS THAT IT'S SPECIFIC TO YOUR ROOM AND YOU AND YOUR PARTY CAN PICK OUT YOUR DOOR EASIER IN A LONG HALLWAY OF THE SAME DOOR AFTER THE SAME DOOR AFTER THE SAME DOOR. ANOTHER ADVANTAGE? THEY'RE MAGNETS. THEY'RE NOT THAT BIG AND THEY'RE FLAT. HOW MUCH ROOM CAN THEY REALLY TAKE UP IN YOUR SUITCASE? I HAVE A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT TAKE PLANNED FOR OUR DOOR SINCE IT'S MY SON'S BIRTHDAY, BUT I'LL SAVE THAT FOR LATER. TIL THEN, START SEARCHING FOR THE MAGNETS THAT SAY YOU.
SEA YA REAL SOON! ºOº
WE SQUEEZED IN TWO MOVIES TONIGHT. "ALICE IN WONDERLAND" AND "CINDERELLA". I ALWAYS THOUGHT CINDERELLA WAS A LITTLE TOO GIRLY FOR ME, BUT WATCHING IT AFTER ALL THIS TIME, IT REALLY IS A CLASSIC. PLUS THE THEME SONG IS THE DISNEY DREAM CRUISE SHIP'S HORN!
43 DAYS TO GO . . .
FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2011
HOW DO YOU PREFER TO DINE? WHAT DO I MEAN? WOULD YOU LIKE TO KEEP IT AS INTIMATE AS POSSIBLE? ARE YOU HOPING IT WILL BE JUST YOU AND YOUR FAMILY? OR ARE YOU WILLING TO EMBRACE THE IDEA OF A SHIP AND DINING ROOM FULL OF FELLOW CRUISERS THAT ARE TRYING TO HAVE THE SAME GREAT TIME YOU ARE? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? WELL YOU CAN REQUEST EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE HOPING FOR AT DINNER. NOW WITH 4,000 PEOPLE ON-BOARD, YOU CAN'T BE GUARANTEED ANYTHING. IT'S JUST NOT POSSIBLE TO GUARANTEE EVERYONE'S REQUEST, BUT LIKE A JIGSAW PUZZLE, THEY TRY TO PUT ALL THE REQUESTS TOGETHER FOR EACH SEATING. FOR EXAMPLE: ALL I REQUESTED WAS THAT OUR ONE NIGHT IN ANIMATOR'S PALATE THAT WE BE SEATED NEAR A SCREEN WHERE CRUSH TALKS TO THE DINERS FOR MY SON'S SAKE. THE SACRIFICE? I SAID I DIDN'T CARE HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE AT OUR TABLE, BIG OR SMALL, MADE NO DIFFERENCE. IF I KNEW THAT REQUEST COULD BE HONORED AT A TABLE OF 20, I'D BE PERFECTLY FINE WITH THAT.
YES YOU RUN THE RISK OF HAVING SOME NO COOTH HILLBILLIES, OR SCREAMING UNSUPERVISED KIDS AT YOUR TABLE, BUT WHO ARE WE TO COMPLAIN? WE PLAN ON DRESSING UP FOR EVERY DINNER. MY KID WOULD WEAR A TIE TO SCHOOL EVERYDAY IF HE COULD. BUT THAT COULD TURN SOME PEOPLE OFF JUST LIKE THE OPPOSITE COULD. IT'S LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING NEW PEOPLE, SEEING WHERE THEY'RE FROM, AND HEARING SOME OF THEIR STORIES. PLUS YOU'RE ALL EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING AND ENJOYING IT ALL TOGETHER. AND IF YOU MAINTAIN A SENSE OF HUMOR, YOU COULD ALL GET A GOOD LAUGH AT THE NOT SO ENJOYABLE PARTS WHEN THEY COME UP.
THE POINT IS TO KNOW THAT YOU CAN MAKE A REQUEST TO SIT IN THE GROUP THAT YOU PREFER, AND DISNEY WILL MAKE THE EFFORT FOR YOU, SO BON APPETIT!
SEA YA REAL SOON! ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "THE ADVENTURES OF ICHABOD AND MR. TOAD".
HOW DO YOU PREFER TO DINE? WHAT DO I MEAN? WOULD YOU LIKE TO KEEP IT AS INTIMATE AS POSSIBLE? ARE YOU HOPING IT WILL BE JUST YOU AND YOUR FAMILY? OR ARE YOU WILLING TO EMBRACE THE IDEA OF A SHIP AND DINING ROOM FULL OF FELLOW CRUISERS THAT ARE TRYING TO HAVE THE SAME GREAT TIME YOU ARE? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? WELL YOU CAN REQUEST EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE HOPING FOR AT DINNER. NOW WITH 4,000 PEOPLE ON-BOARD, YOU CAN'T BE GUARANTEED ANYTHING. IT'S JUST NOT POSSIBLE TO GUARANTEE EVERYONE'S REQUEST, BUT LIKE A JIGSAW PUZZLE, THEY TRY TO PUT ALL THE REQUESTS TOGETHER FOR EACH SEATING. FOR EXAMPLE: ALL I REQUESTED WAS THAT OUR ONE NIGHT IN ANIMATOR'S PALATE THAT WE BE SEATED NEAR A SCREEN WHERE CRUSH TALKS TO THE DINERS FOR MY SON'S SAKE. THE SACRIFICE? I SAID I DIDN'T CARE HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE AT OUR TABLE, BIG OR SMALL, MADE NO DIFFERENCE. IF I KNEW THAT REQUEST COULD BE HONORED AT A TABLE OF 20, I'D BE PERFECTLY FINE WITH THAT.
YES YOU RUN THE RISK OF HAVING SOME NO COOTH HILLBILLIES, OR SCREAMING UNSUPERVISED KIDS AT YOUR TABLE, BUT WHO ARE WE TO COMPLAIN? WE PLAN ON DRESSING UP FOR EVERY DINNER. MY KID WOULD WEAR A TIE TO SCHOOL EVERYDAY IF HE COULD. BUT THAT COULD TURN SOME PEOPLE OFF JUST LIKE THE OPPOSITE COULD. IT'S LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING NEW PEOPLE, SEEING WHERE THEY'RE FROM, AND HEARING SOME OF THEIR STORIES. PLUS YOU'RE ALL EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING AND ENJOYING IT ALL TOGETHER. AND IF YOU MAINTAIN A SENSE OF HUMOR, YOU COULD ALL GET A GOOD LAUGH AT THE NOT SO ENJOYABLE PARTS WHEN THEY COME UP.
THE POINT IS TO KNOW THAT YOU CAN MAKE A REQUEST TO SIT IN THE GROUP THAT YOU PREFER, AND DISNEY WILL MAKE THE EFFORT FOR YOU, SO BON APPETIT!
SEA YA REAL SOON! ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "THE ADVENTURES OF ICHABOD AND MR. TOAD".
44 DAYS TO GO . . .
THURSDAY MARCH 10, 2011
NOW THAT YOU'VE FIGURED OUT WHAT YOUR PACKING. FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU'RE EATING. HOW? IT'S AMAZING HOW DETAILED THE INFORMATION OUT THERE IS ALREADY ABOUT WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO EAT ON YOUR CRUISE.
FOR STARTERS, YOU CAN LOOK AT THE MENUS OF EVERY RESTAURANT IN THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE ROTATIONAL DINING, INCLUDING ALL THOSE ON THE DISNEY DREAM; ANIMATOR'S PALATE, ENCHANTED GARDEN, & ROYAL PALACE. THE MENUS STAY THE SAME EVERY NIGHT BECAUSE YOU ARE ROTATING THROUGH A DIFFERENT RESTAURANT EVERY NIGHT AND NOT SEEING THE SAME MENU. EACH PERSON EACH NIGHT SEES A DIFFERENT MENU. SO YOU CAN GO ON THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE WEBSITE (http://www.disney.cruise.go.com/) AND LOOK AT YOUR PARTICULAR SHIP AND EACH PARTICULAR RESTAURANT AND SEE THE INDIVIDUAL MENUS. THE DISBOARDS AND OTHER WEBSITES ON-LINE HAVE ACTUAL PICTURES OF THE CURRENT MENUS ON-BOARD AS WELL. THEY HAVE THE DRINK SPECIALS, THE APPETIZERS, THE SOUPS AND SALADS, THE MAIN COURSES AND SIDES, BREADS, AND DESSERTS ALL LISTED SO YOU AND YOUR PARTY CAN START TO THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU MAY ORDER IN ADVANCE. THE REAL ADVANTAGE HERE IS TO BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT YOU WOULD NOT WANT TO EAT IN ADVANCE AND PLAN AROUND IT, WITHOUT FEELING RUSHED OR PRESSURED ON THE SPOT. THE MENUS ARE DEFINITELY MORE REFINED DINING. THEY'RE CLOSER TO GOURMET THAN THEY ARE TO AVERAGE AMERICAN. SO THOSE OF US WITHOUT COMPLETELY REFINED PALATES MAY FIND IT HARDER TO PICK SOMETHING THAT YOU'LL LIKE. OBVIOUSLY YOU CAN HAVE DINNER AT THE COUNTER SERVICE SPOTS OR GO TO THE BUFFET ON DECK (WHICH IS WAITER SERVICE AT DINNER) IF YOU FIND YOU JUST WONT LIKE YOUR MEAL, BUT IT'S WELL WORTH TRYING. THE AMBIANCE, THE SERVICE, THE "SHOW" OF IT ALL, AND THE RARE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE GREAT CHEFS SERVE YOU MEALS YOU WOULDN'T OTHERWISE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EAT IS SOMETHING YOU SHOULD CHERISH. LOOK AT EVERY MENU. SEE WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE. YOU CAN ALWAYS ORDER BASIC STEAK OR CHICKEN OFF OF THE MENU ANY NIGHT AT ANY RESTAURANT FOR THOSE WHO ARE FAINT OF HEART.
I'VE DONE EXACTLY THIS ALREADY. WANT AN EXAMPLE? MY SON AND I ARE ALLERGIC TO MUSHROOMS. I ALREADY KNOW WHAT MEALS OR COURSES HAVE THEM IN THEM AND KNOW TO AVOID THEM. EVEN BETTER IS THAT MY SON GOT TO LOOK AT THE MENUS (HE'LL EAT ALMOST ANYTHING) AND PICTURES OF COURSES SO HE COULD PICK EXACTLY WHAT HE WANTED. IT SURPRISED EVEN ME. A GOLD AND RED BEET CARPACCIO? DOUBLE BAKED SPINACH SOUFLEE'?! BUT HE GOT TO READ EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS, AND SEE PICTURES OF THEM AS WELL. NO MYSTERY AT ALL. TELL ME THAT ISN'T AN ADVANTAGE. NOW FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE PICKY EATERS, LIKE MY BROTHER AND HIS BOYS, YOU CAN AVOID SOME HEADACHES AND INEVITABLE COMPLAINING JUST BY PLANNING AHEAD A LITTLE. THERE'S SOMETHING EVEN FOR THE MEAT AND POTATOES CROWD. SO DON'T JUST SAY IT'S DIFFERENT AND I DON'T WANT IT. TAKE THE TIME TO SEE EXACTLY WHAT YOUR CHOICES ARE AND YOU MIGHT JUST SURPRISE EVEN YOURSELF.
SEA YA REAL SOON! ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "SONG OF THE SOUTH". GREAT FLICK ALTHOUGH DISNEY DOESN'T EVEN ADMIT TO MAKING IT ANYMORE! lol
NOW THAT YOU'VE FIGURED OUT WHAT YOUR PACKING. FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU'RE EATING. HOW? IT'S AMAZING HOW DETAILED THE INFORMATION OUT THERE IS ALREADY ABOUT WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO EAT ON YOUR CRUISE.
FOR STARTERS, YOU CAN LOOK AT THE MENUS OF EVERY RESTAURANT IN THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE ROTATIONAL DINING, INCLUDING ALL THOSE ON THE DISNEY DREAM; ANIMATOR'S PALATE, ENCHANTED GARDEN, & ROYAL PALACE. THE MENUS STAY THE SAME EVERY NIGHT BECAUSE YOU ARE ROTATING THROUGH A DIFFERENT RESTAURANT EVERY NIGHT AND NOT SEEING THE SAME MENU. EACH PERSON EACH NIGHT SEES A DIFFERENT MENU. SO YOU CAN GO ON THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE WEBSITE (http://www.disney.cruise.go.com/) AND LOOK AT YOUR PARTICULAR SHIP AND EACH PARTICULAR RESTAURANT AND SEE THE INDIVIDUAL MENUS. THE DISBOARDS AND OTHER WEBSITES ON-LINE HAVE ACTUAL PICTURES OF THE CURRENT MENUS ON-BOARD AS WELL. THEY HAVE THE DRINK SPECIALS, THE APPETIZERS, THE SOUPS AND SALADS, THE MAIN COURSES AND SIDES, BREADS, AND DESSERTS ALL LISTED SO YOU AND YOUR PARTY CAN START TO THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU MAY ORDER IN ADVANCE. THE REAL ADVANTAGE HERE IS TO BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT YOU WOULD NOT WANT TO EAT IN ADVANCE AND PLAN AROUND IT, WITHOUT FEELING RUSHED OR PRESSURED ON THE SPOT. THE MENUS ARE DEFINITELY MORE REFINED DINING. THEY'RE CLOSER TO GOURMET THAN THEY ARE TO AVERAGE AMERICAN. SO THOSE OF US WITHOUT COMPLETELY REFINED PALATES MAY FIND IT HARDER TO PICK SOMETHING THAT YOU'LL LIKE. OBVIOUSLY YOU CAN HAVE DINNER AT THE COUNTER SERVICE SPOTS OR GO TO THE BUFFET ON DECK (WHICH IS WAITER SERVICE AT DINNER) IF YOU FIND YOU JUST WONT LIKE YOUR MEAL, BUT IT'S WELL WORTH TRYING. THE AMBIANCE, THE SERVICE, THE "SHOW" OF IT ALL, AND THE RARE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE GREAT CHEFS SERVE YOU MEALS YOU WOULDN'T OTHERWISE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EAT IS SOMETHING YOU SHOULD CHERISH. LOOK AT EVERY MENU. SEE WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE. YOU CAN ALWAYS ORDER BASIC STEAK OR CHICKEN OFF OF THE MENU ANY NIGHT AT ANY RESTAURANT FOR THOSE WHO ARE FAINT OF HEART.
I'VE DONE EXACTLY THIS ALREADY. WANT AN EXAMPLE? MY SON AND I ARE ALLERGIC TO MUSHROOMS. I ALREADY KNOW WHAT MEALS OR COURSES HAVE THEM IN THEM AND KNOW TO AVOID THEM. EVEN BETTER IS THAT MY SON GOT TO LOOK AT THE MENUS (HE'LL EAT ALMOST ANYTHING) AND PICTURES OF COURSES SO HE COULD PICK EXACTLY WHAT HE WANTED. IT SURPRISED EVEN ME. A GOLD AND RED BEET CARPACCIO? DOUBLE BAKED SPINACH SOUFLEE'?! BUT HE GOT TO READ EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS, AND SEE PICTURES OF THEM AS WELL. NO MYSTERY AT ALL. TELL ME THAT ISN'T AN ADVANTAGE. NOW FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE PICKY EATERS, LIKE MY BROTHER AND HIS BOYS, YOU CAN AVOID SOME HEADACHES AND INEVITABLE COMPLAINING JUST BY PLANNING AHEAD A LITTLE. THERE'S SOMETHING EVEN FOR THE MEAT AND POTATOES CROWD. SO DON'T JUST SAY IT'S DIFFERENT AND I DON'T WANT IT. TAKE THE TIME TO SEE EXACTLY WHAT YOUR CHOICES ARE AND YOU MIGHT JUST SURPRISE EVEN YOURSELF.
SEA YA REAL SOON! ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "SONG OF THE SOUTH". GREAT FLICK ALTHOUGH DISNEY DOESN'T EVEN ADMIT TO MAKING IT ANYMORE! lol
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
45 DAYS TO GO . . .
WEDNESDAY MARCH 9, 2011
YOUR CARRY-ON. IT USED TO BE THAT THIS WAS JUST A WOMAN CARRYING A PURSE. THEN IT TURNED INTO A GUY CARRYING SOMETHING FOR HER OR MAYBE A BACK PACK WITH A FEW IMMEDIATE ESSENTIALS. THEN WHEN LUGGAGE CONTINUED TO GROW AND DEVELOP, CARRY-ON BAGS BECOME PERFECT SMALLER VERSIONS OF YOUR LARGER SUITCASES. SO IF YOU DID IT RIGHT, YOU COULD PACK EVERYTHING IN YOUR CARRY-ON WITH MAYBE ONE SMALL EXTRA AND NOT NOT HAVE TO CHECK ANY BAGS AT ALL WITH YOUR AIRLINE. WELL LET'S REMEMBER AIRLINES ARE IN THIS BUSINESS TO MAKE MONEY TOO. SO THEY STARTED CHARGING FOR EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN TO MAKE THAT MONEY BACK. THEY LOWERED THEIR WEIGHT LIMITS ON CHECKED BAGGAGE FORCING YOU TO BRING MORE BAGS. THEY LOWERED THE SIZE LIMITS ON WHAT BAGS COULD BE CARRIED-ON WITHOUT PAYING FOR THEM. SOME ARE JUST CHARGING FOR CARRY-ONS PERIOD. IF YOU HAVE TO PUT IN THE OVERHEAD COMPARTMENT, YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. MY HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED.
SO NOW YOUR CARRY-ON BAG AND IT'S RESTRICTIVE SIZE LIMITATIONS HAS BECOME MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER. WHAT YOU HAVE TO BRING IN YOUR CARRY-ON, WHICH CAN ONLY BE THE SIZE OF A BACK-PACK NOW, HAS BECOME VITALLY IMPORTANT. LET'S NOT FORGET THAT AFTER 9/11, BASICALLY NO LIQUIDS AT ALL ARE ALLOWED IN IT, UNLESS THEY'RE TEENY TINY. SO PICK WISELY.
FIRST, YOU SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE A PEN AND PAPER IN THERE. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU'RE GOING TO NEED IT. IF YOU DON'T HAVE A WALLET ON YOU, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR I.D. IN YOUR CARRY-ON; PASSPORTS, LICENSE, BIRTH CERTIFICATE, CREDIT CARDS, CRUISE DOCUMENTS, CHILD TRAVEL WAVERS, ANY PAPERWORK PERTAINING TO YOUR CRUISE.
SECOND, MEDICINE. OBVIOUSLY IT HAS TO BE ABLE TO PASS SECURITY CHECKS, BUT YOU DON'T WANT MEDICINE YOU CAN'T BE WITHOUT FOR MOST OF A DAY TO BE PACKED IN YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE WHERE YOU CAN'T GET TO IT.
THIRD, CAMERAS,BATTERIES AND FILM. I SAY PLURAL HERE BECAUSE IT MIGHT BEHOOVE YOU TO BRING MORE THAN ONE. MAYBE A DIGITAL, A DISPOSABLE, AND A VIDEO CAMERA IF YOU HAVE ONE OR CAN BORROW ONE. YOUR PHOTO OPS START AS SOON AS YOUR TRIP DOES AND YOU DON'T WANT TO BE CAUGHT WITHOUT YOUR CAMERA....EVER.
FOURTH, SUNGLASSES, PRESCRIPTION GLASSES AND/OR CONTACTS AND THEIR SOLUTIONS, ETC. YOU'LL BE GOING FROM INSIDE TO OUTSIDE, FROM HOT TO COOL, LIGHT TO DARK, ALL IN ONE DAY, AND ALL IN A DAY WITHOUT YOUR LUGGAGE UNTIL IT'S DELIVERED TO YOUR STATEROOM.
FIFTH, IF YOUR NOT TRAVELING WEARING ONE, CARRY-ON A BATHING SUIT. YOU MAY HAVE HOURS TO SPEND ON-BOARD BEFORE YOUR LUGGAGE SHOWS UP AND THE SUNDECKS, POOLS AND SLIDES WILL BE OPEN. WHY NOT ENJOY THEM? PLUS AN EXTRA PAIR OF SHORTS OR SHIRT JUST IN CASE YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR LUGGAGE TO CHANGE FOR DINNER.
SIXTH, SOMETHING TO KEEP THE KIDS OCCUPIED, AGE DEPENDANT OBVIOUSLY. IF THE KIDS AREN'T BIG ENOUGH TO CARRY THEIR OWN BACK PACK, WHICH YOU SHOULD TRY IF YOU CAN AND NEED THE EXTRA BAG, BRING SOMETHING(S) TO KEEP THEM CALM.
SEVENTH, CASH AND/OR TRAVELER'S CHECKS. SEEMS HARD TO BELIEVE YOU'D BE WITHOUT THEM, BUT ON A CRUISE YOU DON'T REALLY NEED THEM SO YOU CAN EASILY FORGET THEM. THEN WHEN YOU'RE IN PORT OR LOOKING TO TIP SOMEONE CASH, YOU COULD BE WITHOUT THEM.
EIGHTH, SUN PROTECTION. STRONG SUNTAN LOTION (SMALL TRAVEL SIZE IS LEGAL TO CARRY-ON), LIP BALM, HATS, SHIRT. BE PREPARED FOR THE SURPRISING STRENGTH OF THE SUN AS YOU GO SOUTH. IF YOU'RE NOT, YOU COULD BE SUNBURNED FOR AN ENTIRE TRIP.
NINTH, ELECTRONICS, CORDS, AND CHARGERS. WHATEVER ELECTRONIC DEVICES YOU FEEL YOU HAVE TO HAVE WITH YOU ON YOUR VACATION, YOU'LL PROBABLY WANT TO KEEP AN EYE ON THEM AND HAVE THEM IN CASE YOU NEED THEM ON YOUR LONG DAY WITHOUT YOUR CHECKED BAGS. WHETHER IT'S PHONES, PALMS, IPODS, GAMES, LAPTOPS, WHATEVER.
LASTLY, SNACKS. YOU COULD BE TRAVELING FROM EARLY IN THE MORNING UNTIL YOU FINALLY GET ON THE SHIP IN THE AFTERNOON. DEPENDING ON HOW TOUGH YOUR CREW IS WITHOUT FOOD, IT COULD BE 8, 9, OR 10 HOURS BEFORE YOU CAN GET ON-BOARD TO GET TO THAT BUFFET. PACKING A FEW EMERGENCY TRAVEL GOODIES COULD PREVENT A MAJOR MELTDOWN AT SOME POINT.
SOUNDS LIKE A LOT, BUT ODDS ARE YOU'LL HAVE MORE THAN ONE PERSON TO HELP, AND NOT EVERYONE NEEDS ONE OF EACH, BUT YOU WILL WANT TO PLAN AHEAD FOR YOUR CARRY-ON. WITHOUT THIS BAG, YOU MIGHT NEVER GET ON-BOARD!
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "MELODY TIME". FUNNY HOW IF YOU'RE NOT SEARCHING OUT THESE TITLES, OR DON'T ALREADY KNOW THEM, THERE'S SOME YOU PROBABLY WOULD HAVE NEVER HEARD OF.
SEA YA REAL SOON! ºOº
YOUR CARRY-ON. IT USED TO BE THAT THIS WAS JUST A WOMAN CARRYING A PURSE. THEN IT TURNED INTO A GUY CARRYING SOMETHING FOR HER OR MAYBE A BACK PACK WITH A FEW IMMEDIATE ESSENTIALS. THEN WHEN LUGGAGE CONTINUED TO GROW AND DEVELOP, CARRY-ON BAGS BECOME PERFECT SMALLER VERSIONS OF YOUR LARGER SUITCASES. SO IF YOU DID IT RIGHT, YOU COULD PACK EVERYTHING IN YOUR CARRY-ON WITH MAYBE ONE SMALL EXTRA AND NOT NOT HAVE TO CHECK ANY BAGS AT ALL WITH YOUR AIRLINE. WELL LET'S REMEMBER AIRLINES ARE IN THIS BUSINESS TO MAKE MONEY TOO. SO THEY STARTED CHARGING FOR EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN TO MAKE THAT MONEY BACK. THEY LOWERED THEIR WEIGHT LIMITS ON CHECKED BAGGAGE FORCING YOU TO BRING MORE BAGS. THEY LOWERED THE SIZE LIMITS ON WHAT BAGS COULD BE CARRIED-ON WITHOUT PAYING FOR THEM. SOME ARE JUST CHARGING FOR CARRY-ONS PERIOD. IF YOU HAVE TO PUT IN THE OVERHEAD COMPARTMENT, YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. MY HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED.
SO NOW YOUR CARRY-ON BAG AND IT'S RESTRICTIVE SIZE LIMITATIONS HAS BECOME MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER. WHAT YOU HAVE TO BRING IN YOUR CARRY-ON, WHICH CAN ONLY BE THE SIZE OF A BACK-PACK NOW, HAS BECOME VITALLY IMPORTANT. LET'S NOT FORGET THAT AFTER 9/11, BASICALLY NO LIQUIDS AT ALL ARE ALLOWED IN IT, UNLESS THEY'RE TEENY TINY. SO PICK WISELY.
FIRST, YOU SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE A PEN AND PAPER IN THERE. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU'RE GOING TO NEED IT. IF YOU DON'T HAVE A WALLET ON YOU, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR I.D. IN YOUR CARRY-ON; PASSPORTS, LICENSE, BIRTH CERTIFICATE, CREDIT CARDS, CRUISE DOCUMENTS, CHILD TRAVEL WAVERS, ANY PAPERWORK PERTAINING TO YOUR CRUISE.
SECOND, MEDICINE. OBVIOUSLY IT HAS TO BE ABLE TO PASS SECURITY CHECKS, BUT YOU DON'T WANT MEDICINE YOU CAN'T BE WITHOUT FOR MOST OF A DAY TO BE PACKED IN YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE WHERE YOU CAN'T GET TO IT.
THIRD, CAMERAS,BATTERIES AND FILM. I SAY PLURAL HERE BECAUSE IT MIGHT BEHOOVE YOU TO BRING MORE THAN ONE. MAYBE A DIGITAL, A DISPOSABLE, AND A VIDEO CAMERA IF YOU HAVE ONE OR CAN BORROW ONE. YOUR PHOTO OPS START AS SOON AS YOUR TRIP DOES AND YOU DON'T WANT TO BE CAUGHT WITHOUT YOUR CAMERA....EVER.
FOURTH, SUNGLASSES, PRESCRIPTION GLASSES AND/OR CONTACTS AND THEIR SOLUTIONS, ETC. YOU'LL BE GOING FROM INSIDE TO OUTSIDE, FROM HOT TO COOL, LIGHT TO DARK, ALL IN ONE DAY, AND ALL IN A DAY WITHOUT YOUR LUGGAGE UNTIL IT'S DELIVERED TO YOUR STATEROOM.
FIFTH, IF YOUR NOT TRAVELING WEARING ONE, CARRY-ON A BATHING SUIT. YOU MAY HAVE HOURS TO SPEND ON-BOARD BEFORE YOUR LUGGAGE SHOWS UP AND THE SUNDECKS, POOLS AND SLIDES WILL BE OPEN. WHY NOT ENJOY THEM? PLUS AN EXTRA PAIR OF SHORTS OR SHIRT JUST IN CASE YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR LUGGAGE TO CHANGE FOR DINNER.
SIXTH, SOMETHING TO KEEP THE KIDS OCCUPIED, AGE DEPENDANT OBVIOUSLY. IF THE KIDS AREN'T BIG ENOUGH TO CARRY THEIR OWN BACK PACK, WHICH YOU SHOULD TRY IF YOU CAN AND NEED THE EXTRA BAG, BRING SOMETHING(S) TO KEEP THEM CALM.
SEVENTH, CASH AND/OR TRAVELER'S CHECKS. SEEMS HARD TO BELIEVE YOU'D BE WITHOUT THEM, BUT ON A CRUISE YOU DON'T REALLY NEED THEM SO YOU CAN EASILY FORGET THEM. THEN WHEN YOU'RE IN PORT OR LOOKING TO TIP SOMEONE CASH, YOU COULD BE WITHOUT THEM.
EIGHTH, SUN PROTECTION. STRONG SUNTAN LOTION (SMALL TRAVEL SIZE IS LEGAL TO CARRY-ON), LIP BALM, HATS, SHIRT. BE PREPARED FOR THE SURPRISING STRENGTH OF THE SUN AS YOU GO SOUTH. IF YOU'RE NOT, YOU COULD BE SUNBURNED FOR AN ENTIRE TRIP.
NINTH, ELECTRONICS, CORDS, AND CHARGERS. WHATEVER ELECTRONIC DEVICES YOU FEEL YOU HAVE TO HAVE WITH YOU ON YOUR VACATION, YOU'LL PROBABLY WANT TO KEEP AN EYE ON THEM AND HAVE THEM IN CASE YOU NEED THEM ON YOUR LONG DAY WITHOUT YOUR CHECKED BAGS. WHETHER IT'S PHONES, PALMS, IPODS, GAMES, LAPTOPS, WHATEVER.
LASTLY, SNACKS. YOU COULD BE TRAVELING FROM EARLY IN THE MORNING UNTIL YOU FINALLY GET ON THE SHIP IN THE AFTERNOON. DEPENDING ON HOW TOUGH YOUR CREW IS WITHOUT FOOD, IT COULD BE 8, 9, OR 10 HOURS BEFORE YOU CAN GET ON-BOARD TO GET TO THAT BUFFET. PACKING A FEW EMERGENCY TRAVEL GOODIES COULD PREVENT A MAJOR MELTDOWN AT SOME POINT.
SOUNDS LIKE A LOT, BUT ODDS ARE YOU'LL HAVE MORE THAN ONE PERSON TO HELP, AND NOT EVERYONE NEEDS ONE OF EACH, BUT YOU WILL WANT TO PLAN AHEAD FOR YOUR CARRY-ON. WITHOUT THIS BAG, YOU MIGHT NEVER GET ON-BOARD!
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "MELODY TIME". FUNNY HOW IF YOU'RE NOT SEARCHING OUT THESE TITLES, OR DON'T ALREADY KNOW THEM, THERE'S SOME YOU PROBABLY WOULD HAVE NEVER HEARD OF.
SEA YA REAL SOON! ºOº
Monday, March 7, 2011
46 DAYS TO GO . . .
TUESDAY MARCH 8, 2011
SENDING STUFF AHEAD. HUH? YEAH THAT WAS PRETTY MUCH MY ANSWER WHEN MY RESERVATIONIST SAID YOU CAN MAIL SOMETHING AHEAD TO YOURSELF ON THE SHIP. THERE ARE SOME LIMITATIONS ON WHAT YOU CAN SEND, BUT THIS CAN OBVIOUSLY HELP WITH HOW MUCH YOU HAVE TO PACK IN EACH BAG OR HOW MANY BAGS IN GENERAL.
YOU CAN'T MAIL ANY FOOD PRODUCTS, BEVERAGES, CHEMICALS, OR ANY BAGGAGE. ANYTHING ELSE IS FAIR GAME. YOU CAN BOX UP PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING, ADDRESS IT TO YOURSELF, MAIL IT, AND IT'LL BE WAITING FOR YOU AT THE SHIP WHEN YOU ARRIVE.
SOME PEOPLE MAIL HOLIDAY DECORATIONS, ROOM DECORATIONS, DOOR DECORATIONS, GIFTS OR SURPRISES FOR PEOPLE IN YOUR PARTY, TOYS FOR THE KIDS, STUFF FOR THE BEACH OR POOL. THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS REALLY. YOU KNOW WITH MAILING YOUR PAYING FOR EXACTLY WHAT YOU MAIL AND HOW MUCH IT WEIGHS. WITH LUGGAGE, THERE'S A LIMIT FOR EACH BAG. IF YOUR BAG IS OVER THE AIRLINE'S WEIGHT LIMIT, YOU GET FINED. THESE "FINES" CAN BE UPWARDS OF $100! I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU'RE MAILING IN A BOX TO THE SHIP, IT'S NOT GONNA COST A HUNDRED DOLLARS TO DO IT. SO PRACTICALLY SPEAKING, IT'S WORTH LOOKING INTO, WHETHER FOR SPACE IN YOUR LUGGAGE OR TO JUST LIGHTEN THE LOAD. I'LL GET INTO WHAT I'M MAILING AHEAD WHEN I GET TO THAT SPECIFICALLY ON ANOTHER DAY. IN THE MEAN TIME . . . SMILE!
NEXT IN OUR MOVIE RUN IS "MAKE MINE MUSIC" & "FUN AND FANCY FREE".
SEA YA REAL SOON! ºOº
SENDING STUFF AHEAD. HUH? YEAH THAT WAS PRETTY MUCH MY ANSWER WHEN MY RESERVATIONIST SAID YOU CAN MAIL SOMETHING AHEAD TO YOURSELF ON THE SHIP. THERE ARE SOME LIMITATIONS ON WHAT YOU CAN SEND, BUT THIS CAN OBVIOUSLY HELP WITH HOW MUCH YOU HAVE TO PACK IN EACH BAG OR HOW MANY BAGS IN GENERAL.
YOU CAN'T MAIL ANY FOOD PRODUCTS, BEVERAGES, CHEMICALS, OR ANY BAGGAGE. ANYTHING ELSE IS FAIR GAME. YOU CAN BOX UP PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING, ADDRESS IT TO YOURSELF, MAIL IT, AND IT'LL BE WAITING FOR YOU AT THE SHIP WHEN YOU ARRIVE.
SOME PEOPLE MAIL HOLIDAY DECORATIONS, ROOM DECORATIONS, DOOR DECORATIONS, GIFTS OR SURPRISES FOR PEOPLE IN YOUR PARTY, TOYS FOR THE KIDS, STUFF FOR THE BEACH OR POOL. THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS REALLY. YOU KNOW WITH MAILING YOUR PAYING FOR EXACTLY WHAT YOU MAIL AND HOW MUCH IT WEIGHS. WITH LUGGAGE, THERE'S A LIMIT FOR EACH BAG. IF YOUR BAG IS OVER THE AIRLINE'S WEIGHT LIMIT, YOU GET FINED. THESE "FINES" CAN BE UPWARDS OF $100! I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU'RE MAILING IN A BOX TO THE SHIP, IT'S NOT GONNA COST A HUNDRED DOLLARS TO DO IT. SO PRACTICALLY SPEAKING, IT'S WORTH LOOKING INTO, WHETHER FOR SPACE IN YOUR LUGGAGE OR TO JUST LIGHTEN THE LOAD. I'LL GET INTO WHAT I'M MAILING AHEAD WHEN I GET TO THAT SPECIFICALLY ON ANOTHER DAY. IN THE MEAN TIME . . . SMILE!
NEXT IN OUR MOVIE RUN IS "MAKE MINE MUSIC" & "FUN AND FANCY FREE".
SEA YA REAL SOON! ºOº
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