SATURDAY MARCH 19, 2011
BIRTHDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS. AS MANY OF YOU PROBABLY ALREADY HAVE, OR HAVE AT LEAST HEARD OF OR EXPECTED, DISNEY IS THE HOME OF CELEBRATIONS. THEY'VE EVEN GEARED AD CAMPAIGNS AROUND THE FACT THAT SO MANY GO TO DISNEY TO CELEBRATE. WHETHER IT'S TO THE PARKS OR ON A CRUISE, THE NUMBERS CELEBRATING SOMETHING VS. JUST VISITING, IS INCREDIBLE. AND NOBODY DOES CELEBRATIONS LIKE DISNEY.
ALTHOUGH THE INFORMATION IS MUCH MORE READILY AVAILABLE NOW, THERE ARE STILL VAST NUMBERS THAT THINK THEY CAN ONLY CELEBRATE AT DISNEY IF THEY PAY MORE FOR IT. THIS COULDN'T BE MORE UNTRUE. YES, YOU CAN PAY EXTRA TO HAVE A SPECIAL CAKE MADE OR HAVE THEM DECORATE YOUR ROOM FOR YOU, OR SEND A SPECIAL GIFT. BUT DID YOU KNOW THAT BY JUST GOING TO GUEST SERVICES AT ANY OF THE PARKS AND TELLING THEM WHAT YOU'RE CELEBRATING, THEY'LL GIVE YOU A FREE BUTTON TO WEAR DESCRIBING YOUR OCCASION? AND JUST BY WEARING THAT BUTTON AROUND THE PARKS OR YOUR HOTEL, DISNEY EMPLOYEES (CAST MEMBERS) WILL CONSTANTLY SHOWER YOU WITH ATTENTION, AND SOMETIMES MORE. WHEREVER YOU GO TO EAT, TELL THEM OF YOUR CELEBRATION. THERE'S ALMOST ALWAYS A SPECIAL DESSERT COMING YOUR WAY BECAUSE OF IT.
THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE IS NO EXCEPTION. BECAUSE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT'S "FREE" FOR YOUR PARTICULAR CELEBRATION IS LESS AVAILABLE FOR DISNEY CRUISES, IT'S BEST TO CONTINUE TO ASK THOSE THAT MAY HAVE HAD THE SAME CELEBRATION, OR PLAN LITTLE THINGS YOURSELF AS WELL.
I AM CELEBRATING MY SON'S 9th BIRTHDAY ON-BOARD. I TALKED EARLIER ABOUT HOW YOU CAN SEND THINGS AHEAD TO THE SHIP TO YOURSELF ON-BOARD. I FOUND THIS KIDS BIRTHDAY PRESENT ON THE DISNEY STORE CLEARANCE SECTION CHEAP (DISNEY GRAM PERSONALIZED MICKEY MOUSE BIRTHDAY PLUSH). IT'S A 19" STUFFED MICKEY WEARING A BIRTHDAY HAT AND HOLDING A SATIN GIFT BOX, A PERSONALIZED FELT MICKEY TAG, AND A PERSONALIZED BIRTHDAY CARD. BEST OF ALL IT COMES IN A BOX THAT LOOKS LIKE IT IS WRAPPED IN LIGHT BLUE PAPER WITH YELLOW RIBBON AND SAYS "DISNEY SPECIAL DELIVERY". I ALSO FOUND THIS DISNEY CRUISE BIRTHDAY PIN ON-LINE (www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/disney-cruise-line-its-my-birthday-pin) THAT I PINNED ON THE MICKEY INSIDE THE BOX. I INCLUDED A BIRTHDAY CARD, A COLORING BOOK AND DISNEY TISSUE PAPER AND AM SENDING IT ALL AHEAD TO THE SHIP FOR OUR ARRIVAL.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE OFFICIALLY DOES FOR A CHILD'S (OR ANY ONE'S) BIRTHDAY, BUT THEY ASK IF YOU HAVE A CELEBRATION ON-BOARD AT EVERY TURN. I'M HOPING TO HAVE MY SON'S BIRTHDAY "BOX" DELIVERED TO HIM IN THE DINING ROOM AT DINNER ON HIS ACTUAL BIRTHDAY NIGHT (HE WAS BORN AT 6:53PM).
THERE ARE LOTS OF GIFT OPTIONS ON THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE WEBSITE TO HAVE DELIVERED TO YOUR PARTY AS WELL, DEPENDING ON WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR, WHAT THE CELEBRATION IS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY PROBABLY, WHAT YOU'RE WILLING TO SPEND. SOME INCLUDE ROOM DECORATIONS THAT YOUR ROOM ATTENDANT WILL HANDLE FOR YOU. I'M PACKING MINE. MY SON'S 8. I CAN DECORATE WHEN HE'S ASLEEP OR WHILE HE'S AT THE KIDS CLUBS. EITHER WAY I'LL FIND THE TIME AND HIS BEING A BIG DISNEY FAN MEANS I ALREADY HAVE A LOT OF DECORATIONS AND PARTY SUPPLIES THAT WILL SUIT THE OCCASION PERFECTLY. I'M EVEN PACKING PARTY HATS FOR OUR FELLOW DINERS AT DINNER.
I'VE BEEN TOLD ON THE PHONE TO BE SURE TO REMIND THE CAST MEMBERS AT GUEST SERVICES, THE RESTAURANTS, THE KIDS CLUBS, ETC. THAT MY SON IS CELEBRATING HIS BIRTHDAY. NO MATTER WHAT YOUR CELEBRATION, DISNEY SPECIALIZES IN MAKING YOU FEEL LIKE THE CENTER OF THEIR WORLD. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT. LET THEM DO WHAT THEY DO BEST. THEY KNOW HOW MUCH YOU'VE SPENT TO BE THERE, AND THEY KNOW HOW MUCH YOUR FAMILY'S VACATION MEANS TO YOU. CELEBRATE, AND LET DISNEY HELP. IT'S A VACATION!
SEA YA REAL SOON! ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "MARY POPPINS". JULIE ANDREWS IS THE GREATEST. HER BEAUTIFUL SMILE AND BEAUTIFUL VOICE MAKE ANY MOVIE WORTH WATCHING!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
36 DAYS TO GO . . .
FRIDAY MARCH 18, 2011
MANDATORY LIFE BOAT DRILLS. HAVING NEVER CRUISED BEFORE, WHEN I FIRST HEARD ABOUT THESE, I WAS A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED THAT SOME 20 - 40 MINUTES OF MY FIRST DAY WAS GOING TO BE GOBBLED UP BY A SAFETY DRILL. I SAY 20 - 40 MINUTES BECAUSE I'VE SEEN THEM BLOCKED OFF ON DISNEY'S PERSONAL NAVIGATORS FOR 30 AND 45 MINUTES BOTH, AND HEARD PEOPLE SAY THEY WERE DONE IN 15 MINUTES. SO I GUESS TIME WILL REALLY TELL.
UNTIL RECENTLY, EVERY SINGLE PASSENGER HAD TO GO TO THEIR STATEROOM AND PUT ON THEIR LIFE JACKETS AND THEN REPORT TO THEIR ASSEMBLY STATIONS. EACH INDIVIDUALS ASSEMBLY STATION IS PRINTED ON THEIR LIFE JACKET AS WELL AS ON THE BACK OF EACH STATEROOM DOOR WITH DIRECTIONS ON EXACTLY HOW TO GET THERE. YOU KNOW, LIKE WHEN YOU WERE IN SCHOOL AND THERE WAS A FIRE DRILL.
WELL NOW YOU DON'T HAVE TO PUT ON YOUR LIFE JACKET AND GO. THIS RULE HAS BEEN CHANGED. SUPPOSEDLY FOR ALL CRUISE LINES, IT IS NO LONGER MANDATORY. EITHER WAY, YOUR LIFE JACKETS ARE STORED IN THE TOP OF YOUR CLOSET, SHOULD YOU NEED THEM. A COMMANDING VOICE WILL COME OVER THE INTERCOMS AND SPEAKERS TELLING YOU TO REPORT TO YOUR ASSEMBLY STATION FOR THE MANDATORY BOAT DRILL. ALL ACTIVITIES OF ANY KIND ARE SUSPENDED ON ALL SHIPS DURING THIS PERIOD, SO YOU WON'T BE MISSING ANYTHING.
WHILE YOU MAY NOT BE REQUIRED TO WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET ANYMORE, IT MAY BE A GOOD IDEA TO AT LEAST PAY ATTENTION TO HOW TO "UNFOLD" IT (THEY'RE FOLDED INTO LITTLE SQUARES) AND PUT IT ON. YOU NEVER KNOW. BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY. WHEN EVERYONE IS GATHERED AT THEIR MUSTER STATION, ATTENDANCE WILL BE TAKEN WITH YOUR KEY TO THE WORLD CARD TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS THERE THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE. IF NOT, THEY WILL PAGE THE MISSING, AND ALL WILL HAVE TO WAIT FOR THEIR ARRIVAL.
ONCE EVERYONE IS INDEED ALL ASSEMBLED, A DISNEY CAST MEMBER WILL GO OVER THE SAFETY STEPS TAKEN IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. WHERE TO GO AND WHEN. HOW THE LIFE BOATS WILL BE HANDLED AND LOADED, ETC. HOWEVER UNLIKELY, REMEMBER, THERE ARE 4,000 PEOPLE ON-BOARD. THAT'S A LOT TO ORGANIZE IN A HURRY, SO PAY ATTENTION!
ANOTHER, MORE REALISTIC, USE FOR THE BOAT DRILL IS TO ALREADY START TO GET TO SEE AND KNOW SOME OF YOUR FELLOW PASSENGERS. YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THEM IN THE TERMINAL ALREADY, OR AT THE BUFFET, OR AT THE POOL. SAY HELLO. INTRODUCE YOURSELF. INTRODUCE THE KIDS. IT'S A VACATION. ENJOY IT AS MUCH AS YOU CAN. YOU'RE JUST GETTING STARTED!
SEE YA REAL SOON! ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "THE SWORD AND THE STONE". A LESSER KNOWN FILM, BUT ONE THAT ALL LITTLE BOYS END UP LOVING.
MANDATORY LIFE BOAT DRILLS. HAVING NEVER CRUISED BEFORE, WHEN I FIRST HEARD ABOUT THESE, I WAS A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED THAT SOME 20 - 40 MINUTES OF MY FIRST DAY WAS GOING TO BE GOBBLED UP BY A SAFETY DRILL. I SAY 20 - 40 MINUTES BECAUSE I'VE SEEN THEM BLOCKED OFF ON DISNEY'S PERSONAL NAVIGATORS FOR 30 AND 45 MINUTES BOTH, AND HEARD PEOPLE SAY THEY WERE DONE IN 15 MINUTES. SO I GUESS TIME WILL REALLY TELL.
UNTIL RECENTLY, EVERY SINGLE PASSENGER HAD TO GO TO THEIR STATEROOM AND PUT ON THEIR LIFE JACKETS AND THEN REPORT TO THEIR ASSEMBLY STATIONS. EACH INDIVIDUALS ASSEMBLY STATION IS PRINTED ON THEIR LIFE JACKET AS WELL AS ON THE BACK OF EACH STATEROOM DOOR WITH DIRECTIONS ON EXACTLY HOW TO GET THERE. YOU KNOW, LIKE WHEN YOU WERE IN SCHOOL AND THERE WAS A FIRE DRILL.
WELL NOW YOU DON'T HAVE TO PUT ON YOUR LIFE JACKET AND GO. THIS RULE HAS BEEN CHANGED. SUPPOSEDLY FOR ALL CRUISE LINES, IT IS NO LONGER MANDATORY. EITHER WAY, YOUR LIFE JACKETS ARE STORED IN THE TOP OF YOUR CLOSET, SHOULD YOU NEED THEM. A COMMANDING VOICE WILL COME OVER THE INTERCOMS AND SPEAKERS TELLING YOU TO REPORT TO YOUR ASSEMBLY STATION FOR THE MANDATORY BOAT DRILL. ALL ACTIVITIES OF ANY KIND ARE SUSPENDED ON ALL SHIPS DURING THIS PERIOD, SO YOU WON'T BE MISSING ANYTHING.
WHILE YOU MAY NOT BE REQUIRED TO WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET ANYMORE, IT MAY BE A GOOD IDEA TO AT LEAST PAY ATTENTION TO HOW TO "UNFOLD" IT (THEY'RE FOLDED INTO LITTLE SQUARES) AND PUT IT ON. YOU NEVER KNOW. BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY. WHEN EVERYONE IS GATHERED AT THEIR MUSTER STATION, ATTENDANCE WILL BE TAKEN WITH YOUR KEY TO THE WORLD CARD TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS THERE THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE. IF NOT, THEY WILL PAGE THE MISSING, AND ALL WILL HAVE TO WAIT FOR THEIR ARRIVAL.
ONCE EVERYONE IS INDEED ALL ASSEMBLED, A DISNEY CAST MEMBER WILL GO OVER THE SAFETY STEPS TAKEN IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. WHERE TO GO AND WHEN. HOW THE LIFE BOATS WILL BE HANDLED AND LOADED, ETC. HOWEVER UNLIKELY, REMEMBER, THERE ARE 4,000 PEOPLE ON-BOARD. THAT'S A LOT TO ORGANIZE IN A HURRY, SO PAY ATTENTION!
ANOTHER, MORE REALISTIC, USE FOR THE BOAT DRILL IS TO ALREADY START TO GET TO SEE AND KNOW SOME OF YOUR FELLOW PASSENGERS. YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THEM IN THE TERMINAL ALREADY, OR AT THE BUFFET, OR AT THE POOL. SAY HELLO. INTRODUCE YOURSELF. INTRODUCE THE KIDS. IT'S A VACATION. ENJOY IT AS MUCH AS YOU CAN. YOU'RE JUST GETTING STARTED!
SEE YA REAL SOON! ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "THE SWORD AND THE STONE". A LESSER KNOWN FILM, BUT ONE THAT ALL LITTLE BOYS END UP LOVING.
37 DAYS TO GO . . .
THURSDAY MARCH 17, 2011
WHEN YOU CHECK IN AT THE PORT FOR YOUR DISNEY CRUISE, YOU WILL NOT ONLY BE GIVEN YOUR KEY TO THE WORLD CARD, BUT YOU WILL BE GIVEN THE FIRST DAYS "PERSONAL NAVIGATOR" (www.disneycruiser.info/navigate.htm). THIS IS YOUR BIBLE. EVERY CRUISE LINE AND INDIVIDUAL CRUISE HAS IT'S OWN PRINTED AND PUBLISHED "NEWS PAPER". THEY ALL LOOK DIFFERENT, HAVE DIFFERENT NAMES AND LAYOUTS. DISNEY'S IS CALLED THE NAVIGATOR.
THE COVER PAGE WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE TIMES OF SUNRISE, SUNSET, ALL-ABOARD, DEPARTURE, THE NIGHTS THEATER SHOWS AND GAME SHOWS AS WELL AS ANY ADDITIONAL SHOWS, PARTIES, DINING OR SHOPPING INFORMATION.
THE INSIDE 2 PAGES WILL PRIMARILY BE BAR GRAPHS OF THE TIMES COVERING THE ENTIRE DAY, USUALLY STARTING AROUND 7AM GOING TO ABOUT 3AM. THE INDIVIDUAL BARS REPRESENT ACTIVITIES, DINING, AND EVENTS SEPARATED BY GROUPS. ONE BAR FOR ADULTS, TEENS, TWEENS, THE OCEANEERS CLUB, THE OCEANEERS LAB, WHATS PLAYING ON FUNNEL VISION OVER THE POOL, OR IN THE MOVIE THEATER, IN THE CLUBS, INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES OR CLASSES, WHERE CHARACTERS CAN BE FOUND AND WHEN. IT'S LOADED. AND THE ADVANTAGE TO HAVING EVERYTHING BROKEN OUT INTO AGES OR GROUPS OR LOCATIONS IS THAT EACH INDIVIDUAL CAN EASILY FIND WHAT INTERESTS, OR IS GEARED TO, HIM BEST.
ONE OF THE BEST TIPS I'VE FOUND OUT THERE YET IS TO BRING HI-LITERS WITH YOU ON YOUR CRUISE. YOU MAY FIND SEVERAL USES FOR THEM, BUT NUMBER ONE IS FOR THE NAVIGATOR. CERTAIN BARS MAY BE COLORED ON IT ALREADY, BUT BY HI-LIGHTING WHAT YOU'RE INTERESTED IN, IN A FLASH YOU KNOW THE WHERES AND WHENS. THERE'S ONLY MY SON AND I ON OUR CRUISE. I'M BRINGING A YELLOW AND BLUE HI-LITER. YELLOW FOR ME. BLUE FOR HIM. IF THE ACTIVITY IS SOMETHING FOR BOTH OF US? YELLOW AND BLUE MAKE GREEN. SIMPLE HUH? BUT EFFECTIVE. IF YOU'RE NOT INTERESTED IN PACKING YOUR DAYS WITH ACTIVITIES THIS MAY NOT MATTER TO YOU. BUT, JUST LIKE DISNEY PARKS, YOU ALWAYS SEE PEOPLE STANDING AROUND POINTING AT AND STARING AT MAPS. BY READING OVER AND HI-LIGHTING YOUR INDIVIDUAL POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS, BOTH YOU AND YOUR PARTY CAN KNOW WHAT YOU'RE CONSIDERING, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, KNOW WHERE YOU'LL BE AND WHEN.
ANOTHER ADVANTAGE IS THAT, JUST LIKE I HAVE POSTED HERE, MANY NAVIGATORS TO TRIPS SIMILAR TO YOUR OWN CAN BE FOUND SCANNED AND POSTED ON-LINE. THIS GIVES YOU THE CHANCE, IF YOU LOOK, TO GET AN IDEA OF WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE OFFERED ON YOUR CRUISE FOR DIFFERENT AGES AND EVEN ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THEM BEFORE EVER EVEN BOARDING. OR YOU MAY FIND A DESCRIPTION OF SOMETHING YOU DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WAS OFFERED AND NOW KNOW TO TRY AND PLAN FOR IT. WHETHER IT'S ANIMAL TOWEL FOLDING OR WINE TASTING OR A BARTENDING COURSE OR A SHOPPING SEMINAR, KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. THE MORE YOU KNOW, THE BETTER OFF YOU'LL BE!
SEA YA REAL SOON! ºOº
TONIGHT'S FILM IS "101 DALMATIANS", ANIMATED OF COURSE. :-)
WHEN YOU CHECK IN AT THE PORT FOR YOUR DISNEY CRUISE, YOU WILL NOT ONLY BE GIVEN YOUR KEY TO THE WORLD CARD, BUT YOU WILL BE GIVEN THE FIRST DAYS "PERSONAL NAVIGATOR" (www.disneycruiser.info/navigate.htm). THIS IS YOUR BIBLE. EVERY CRUISE LINE AND INDIVIDUAL CRUISE HAS IT'S OWN PRINTED AND PUBLISHED "NEWS PAPER". THEY ALL LOOK DIFFERENT, HAVE DIFFERENT NAMES AND LAYOUTS. DISNEY'S IS CALLED THE NAVIGATOR.
THE COVER PAGE WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE TIMES OF SUNRISE, SUNSET, ALL-ABOARD, DEPARTURE, THE NIGHTS THEATER SHOWS AND GAME SHOWS AS WELL AS ANY ADDITIONAL SHOWS, PARTIES, DINING OR SHOPPING INFORMATION.
THE INSIDE 2 PAGES WILL PRIMARILY BE BAR GRAPHS OF THE TIMES COVERING THE ENTIRE DAY, USUALLY STARTING AROUND 7AM GOING TO ABOUT 3AM. THE INDIVIDUAL BARS REPRESENT ACTIVITIES, DINING, AND EVENTS SEPARATED BY GROUPS. ONE BAR FOR ADULTS, TEENS, TWEENS, THE OCEANEERS CLUB, THE OCEANEERS LAB, WHATS PLAYING ON FUNNEL VISION OVER THE POOL, OR IN THE MOVIE THEATER, IN THE CLUBS, INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES OR CLASSES, WHERE CHARACTERS CAN BE FOUND AND WHEN. IT'S LOADED. AND THE ADVANTAGE TO HAVING EVERYTHING BROKEN OUT INTO AGES OR GROUPS OR LOCATIONS IS THAT EACH INDIVIDUAL CAN EASILY FIND WHAT INTERESTS, OR IS GEARED TO, HIM BEST.
ONE OF THE BEST TIPS I'VE FOUND OUT THERE YET IS TO BRING HI-LITERS WITH YOU ON YOUR CRUISE. YOU MAY FIND SEVERAL USES FOR THEM, BUT NUMBER ONE IS FOR THE NAVIGATOR. CERTAIN BARS MAY BE COLORED ON IT ALREADY, BUT BY HI-LIGHTING WHAT YOU'RE INTERESTED IN, IN A FLASH YOU KNOW THE WHERES AND WHENS. THERE'S ONLY MY SON AND I ON OUR CRUISE. I'M BRINGING A YELLOW AND BLUE HI-LITER. YELLOW FOR ME. BLUE FOR HIM. IF THE ACTIVITY IS SOMETHING FOR BOTH OF US? YELLOW AND BLUE MAKE GREEN. SIMPLE HUH? BUT EFFECTIVE. IF YOU'RE NOT INTERESTED IN PACKING YOUR DAYS WITH ACTIVITIES THIS MAY NOT MATTER TO YOU. BUT, JUST LIKE DISNEY PARKS, YOU ALWAYS SEE PEOPLE STANDING AROUND POINTING AT AND STARING AT MAPS. BY READING OVER AND HI-LIGHTING YOUR INDIVIDUAL POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS, BOTH YOU AND YOUR PARTY CAN KNOW WHAT YOU'RE CONSIDERING, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, KNOW WHERE YOU'LL BE AND WHEN.
ANOTHER ADVANTAGE IS THAT, JUST LIKE I HAVE POSTED HERE, MANY NAVIGATORS TO TRIPS SIMILAR TO YOUR OWN CAN BE FOUND SCANNED AND POSTED ON-LINE. THIS GIVES YOU THE CHANCE, IF YOU LOOK, TO GET AN IDEA OF WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE OFFERED ON YOUR CRUISE FOR DIFFERENT AGES AND EVEN ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THEM BEFORE EVER EVEN BOARDING. OR YOU MAY FIND A DESCRIPTION OF SOMETHING YOU DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WAS OFFERED AND NOW KNOW TO TRY AND PLAN FOR IT. WHETHER IT'S ANIMAL TOWEL FOLDING OR WINE TASTING OR A BARTENDING COURSE OR A SHOPPING SEMINAR, KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. THE MORE YOU KNOW, THE BETTER OFF YOU'LL BE!
SEA YA REAL SOON! ºOº
TONIGHT'S FILM IS "101 DALMATIANS", ANIMATED OF COURSE. :-)
38 DAYS TO GO . . .
WEDNESDAY MARCH 16, 2011
YOUR "KEY TO THE WORLD CARD" (ROOM KEY), STATEROOM LIGHTS AND ROOM SAFE. YOUR "KEY TO THE WORLD" CARD IS ONE OF THOSE PLASTIC HOTEL ROOM KEYS. EXCEPT ON A DISNEY CRUISE YOUR CARD HAS A DISNEY CHARACTER'S PICTURE ON IT, INDICATING HOW MANY TIMES YOU'VE CRUISED WITH DISNEY BEFORE, YOUR NAME, YOUR STATEROOM NUMBER, WHAT TIME YOUR SCHEDULED FOR DINNER, AND IN WHAT ORDER YOU WILL "ROTATE" THROUGH THE RESTAURANTS ON WHAT NIGHTS. SO IT HAS A LOT OF VALUABLE INFORMATION ON IT, SO IT IS TO BE GUARDED. BUT MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVEN THE AFOREMENTIONED IS THAT THIS IS YOUR CRUISE CREDIT CARD. ALL CHARGES YOU INCUR ON-BOARD ARE CHARGED TO YOUR ROOM THROUGH YOUR KEY TO THE WORLD CARD. SO YOU CAN SEE HOW LOSING IT CAN BE SUCH A BIG DEAL. YOU MAY EVEN WANT TO CONTROL OR REMOVE SPENDING PRIVILEGES FROM THE KIDS ROOM KEYS SO THEY DON'T RUN UP A SURPRISE BILL ON YOU.
NEW TO THE DISNEY DREAM IS THE AUTOMATIC LIGHT SWITCHES. NOW THESE AREN'T AUTOMATIC AS IN THEY AUTOMATICALLY GO ON. IT'S MORE THE OPPOSITE. THERE'S A SLOT FOR YOUR ROOM KEY JUST INSIDE OF YOUR STATEROOM DOOR. WHEN YOU ENTER, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO PUT YOUR KEY IN THE SLOT, THEREBY ENABLING THE POWER TO YOUR ROOM LIGHTS. WHAT THAT MEANS IS, WITHOUT A KEY IN THE SLOT, NO LIGHTS. TURN THE SWITCHES, NO LIGHTS. THE IDEA IS REALLY THAT WHEN YOU LEAVE YOUR ROOM, YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE KEY, AND THEREBY NOT UNNECESSARILY LEAVING THE LIGHTS ON AND WASTING ELECTRICITY. AFTER ALL, IT'S A BUSINESS, AND DISNEY'S TRYING TO MAXIMIZE THEIR PROFIT LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE. SMALLER BILL, BIGGER PROFIT.
WHERE THE PROBLEM HAS LIED WITH THIS SYSTEM IS IN THAT SAY WIFE'S KEY IS IN THE SLOT. HUSBAND IS IN THE SHOWER. WIFE WANTS TO RUN UP TO THE DECK AND TAKES HER KEY. HUSBAND IS NOW IN THE SHOWER IN THE DARK. LUCKILY, ALTHOUGH DISNEY DOESN'T ADVERTISE IT, IT WAS QUICKLY SURMISED THAT ANY CARD WITH A MAGNETIC STRIPE IN THE SLOT WILL KEEP THE POWER TO THE LIGHTS ON. SO, FOR THE MOST PART, THIS ENERGY SAVING ATTEMPT HAS BEEN CIRCUMVENTED AND IS ALMOST MUTE NOW, AT LEAST TO THOSE THAT KNOW ABOUT IT.
THE THIRD IN-ROOM ABILITY OF YOUR KEY CARD IS TO OPEN THE SAFE IN YOUR ROOM. EVERY STATEROOM HAS IT'S OWN SAFE LOCATED INSIDE YOUR CLOSET. IT'S ROUGHLY THE SIZE OF A SHOEBOX (14"wX6.5"hX9"d). YOU PICK A 4 DIGIT CODE AND USE YOUR ROOM KEY. BUT ONLY THE SAME CARD WILL DO, SO PLAN IT OUT.
A LOT OF PEOPLE WEAR LANYARDS AROUND THEIR NECKS WITH PLASTIC POUCHES FOR ROOM KEYS AND ANYTHING ELSE SMALL THEY MAY WANT (NOT MUCH) TO CARRY ON-BOARD. WHEN YOU KNOW THIS IS THE ONE THING YOU HAVE TO HAVE, YOU HAVE TO PLAN AROUND WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO PUT IT BASED ON WHAT YOU'RE WEARING AND WHEN. IT'S ABOUT THE ONLY THING YOU REALLY NEED TO PLAN AROUND MOST OF THE TIME. HAVE ONE POCKET AND YOUR SET! lol
SEA YA REAL SOON! ºOº
TONIGHT'S DISNEY MOVIE IS "SLEEPING BEAUTY". ONE OF THE CUTEST PICTURES I EVER GOT WAS MY SON ALL ALONE WITH SLEEPING BEAUTY IN EPCOT. IMPROMPTU ONES ARE ALWAYS THE BEST.
YOUR "KEY TO THE WORLD CARD" (ROOM KEY), STATEROOM LIGHTS AND ROOM SAFE. YOUR "KEY TO THE WORLD" CARD IS ONE OF THOSE PLASTIC HOTEL ROOM KEYS. EXCEPT ON A DISNEY CRUISE YOUR CARD HAS A DISNEY CHARACTER'S PICTURE ON IT, INDICATING HOW MANY TIMES YOU'VE CRUISED WITH DISNEY BEFORE, YOUR NAME, YOUR STATEROOM NUMBER, WHAT TIME YOUR SCHEDULED FOR DINNER, AND IN WHAT ORDER YOU WILL "ROTATE" THROUGH THE RESTAURANTS ON WHAT NIGHTS. SO IT HAS A LOT OF VALUABLE INFORMATION ON IT, SO IT IS TO BE GUARDED. BUT MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVEN THE AFOREMENTIONED IS THAT THIS IS YOUR CRUISE CREDIT CARD. ALL CHARGES YOU INCUR ON-BOARD ARE CHARGED TO YOUR ROOM THROUGH YOUR KEY TO THE WORLD CARD. SO YOU CAN SEE HOW LOSING IT CAN BE SUCH A BIG DEAL. YOU MAY EVEN WANT TO CONTROL OR REMOVE SPENDING PRIVILEGES FROM THE KIDS ROOM KEYS SO THEY DON'T RUN UP A SURPRISE BILL ON YOU.
NEW TO THE DISNEY DREAM IS THE AUTOMATIC LIGHT SWITCHES. NOW THESE AREN'T AUTOMATIC AS IN THEY AUTOMATICALLY GO ON. IT'S MORE THE OPPOSITE. THERE'S A SLOT FOR YOUR ROOM KEY JUST INSIDE OF YOUR STATEROOM DOOR. WHEN YOU ENTER, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO PUT YOUR KEY IN THE SLOT, THEREBY ENABLING THE POWER TO YOUR ROOM LIGHTS. WHAT THAT MEANS IS, WITHOUT A KEY IN THE SLOT, NO LIGHTS. TURN THE SWITCHES, NO LIGHTS. THE IDEA IS REALLY THAT WHEN YOU LEAVE YOUR ROOM, YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE KEY, AND THEREBY NOT UNNECESSARILY LEAVING THE LIGHTS ON AND WASTING ELECTRICITY. AFTER ALL, IT'S A BUSINESS, AND DISNEY'S TRYING TO MAXIMIZE THEIR PROFIT LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE. SMALLER BILL, BIGGER PROFIT.
WHERE THE PROBLEM HAS LIED WITH THIS SYSTEM IS IN THAT SAY WIFE'S KEY IS IN THE SLOT. HUSBAND IS IN THE SHOWER. WIFE WANTS TO RUN UP TO THE DECK AND TAKES HER KEY. HUSBAND IS NOW IN THE SHOWER IN THE DARK. LUCKILY, ALTHOUGH DISNEY DOESN'T ADVERTISE IT, IT WAS QUICKLY SURMISED THAT ANY CARD WITH A MAGNETIC STRIPE IN THE SLOT WILL KEEP THE POWER TO THE LIGHTS ON. SO, FOR THE MOST PART, THIS ENERGY SAVING ATTEMPT HAS BEEN CIRCUMVENTED AND IS ALMOST MUTE NOW, AT LEAST TO THOSE THAT KNOW ABOUT IT.
THE THIRD IN-ROOM ABILITY OF YOUR KEY CARD IS TO OPEN THE SAFE IN YOUR ROOM. EVERY STATEROOM HAS IT'S OWN SAFE LOCATED INSIDE YOUR CLOSET. IT'S ROUGHLY THE SIZE OF A SHOEBOX (14"wX6.5"hX9"d). YOU PICK A 4 DIGIT CODE AND USE YOUR ROOM KEY. BUT ONLY THE SAME CARD WILL DO, SO PLAN IT OUT.
A LOT OF PEOPLE WEAR LANYARDS AROUND THEIR NECKS WITH PLASTIC POUCHES FOR ROOM KEYS AND ANYTHING ELSE SMALL THEY MAY WANT (NOT MUCH) TO CARRY ON-BOARD. WHEN YOU KNOW THIS IS THE ONE THING YOU HAVE TO HAVE, YOU HAVE TO PLAN AROUND WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO PUT IT BASED ON WHAT YOU'RE WEARING AND WHEN. IT'S ABOUT THE ONLY THING YOU REALLY NEED TO PLAN AROUND MOST OF THE TIME. HAVE ONE POCKET AND YOUR SET! lol
SEA YA REAL SOON! ºOº
TONIGHT'S DISNEY MOVIE IS "SLEEPING BEAUTY". ONE OF THE CUTEST PICTURES I EVER GOT WAS MY SON ALL ALONE WITH SLEEPING BEAUTY IN EPCOT. IMPROMPTU ONES ARE ALWAYS THE BEST.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
39 DAYS TO GO . . .
TUESDAY MARCH 15, 2011
YOU'VE ARRIVED! NOW IT'S TIME TO UNPACK. THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE DOES A GREAT JOB OF PROVIDING SPACE FOR YOUR THINGS, BUT IT'S AMAZING HOW, FOR SOME, IT'S NEVER ENOUGH SPACE.
END TABLES NEXT TO THE BED HAVE BEEN WALL-MOUNTED FOR MORE ROOM. THE BEDS HAVE ALL BEEN RAISED SO YOU ARE ABLE TO STORE YOUR LUGGAGE UNDERNEATH. THE DESK AREA HAS BEEN STREAM-LINED TO PROVIDE EXTRA SHELVING, AND THE CLOSETS ARE NOW DESIGNED AS A BUILT-IN CLOSET ORGANIZER TO MAXIMIZE YOUR CLOSET SPACE.
I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THE "LACK OF STORAGE SPACE" ARGUMENT. I'M AN OVERPACKER. I GET IT. BUT FOR ME IT'S USUALLY JUST ME AND MY SON, SO WE HAVE EXTRA SPACE AND LESS STUFF. WHEN IT'S A COUPLE WITH KIDS, YOUR AVAILABLE STORAGE SPACE IS MUCH MORE SHARED, SO YOU HAVE TO EXPECT THAT GOING IN. FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN ABLE TO FIND OUT, NOT MANY PEOPLE DO. MOST ARE STILL OVERPACKING, FOR A FAMILY, AND NOT ABLE TO FIND SPACE TO PUT IT ALL AWAY, TO THEIR SATISFACTION.
I THINK WHAT MORE PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT THIS IS A CRUISE SHIP STATEROOM, NOT A HOTEL ROOM. SPACE IS MUCH MORE LIMITED, AND DISNEY HAS SOME OF THE LARGEST STATEROOMS ON THE HIGH SEAS. PLAN ACCORDINGLY. IT'S NOT LIKE YOU CAN'T LOOK UP ON LINE EXACTLY WHAT THE STATEROOM LAYOUT IS, WHAT STORAGE IS AVAILABLE, AND EXACTLY THE SIZE AND SHAPE OF IT.
IT SEEMS ONE OF THE "PROBLEMS" HERE IS THAT THE SHELVES OVER THE DESK ARE OPEN AND SOME PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO STORE THINGS ON OPEN SHELVES. REALLY? YOU'LL COMPLAIN ABOUT THE LACK OF STORAGE, BUT NOT WANT TO USE WHAT'S THERE? ANOTHER COMPLAINT IS HAVING TO KEEP THINGS IN SOME SUITCASES UNDER THE BED DURING YOUR CRUISE. HAS ANYONE ELSE EITHER HAD TO, OR CHOSE TO, KEEP THINGS IN THEIR SUITCASE AND WORK OUT OF IT WHILE ON A TRIP? SO WHY IS SUCH A BIG DEAL NOW? NOW THAT THE BEDS ARE ALL HIGH ENOUGH TO STORE ANY SUITCASE UNDER, YOU'D THINK MORE PEOPLE WOULD BE ANXIOUS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT. MOST OF YOUR CRUISE WEAR IS SHORTS AND SHIRTS OF SOME SORT ANYWAY. DOES IT REALLY NEED TO BE HANGING IN THE CLOSET? HOW BOUT JUST LEAVING THE KIDS STUFF IN THE SUITCASES UNDER THE BED, SO THE ADULTS BELONGINGS, OR JUST THE DRESSIEST OUTFITS CAN BE IN THE CLOSET?
PACK THE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE HUNG WITH THINNER WIRE HANGARS IN YOUR LUGGAGE. THEN SWITCH THEM TO THE BIGGER HANGARS ALREADY IN YOUR CLOSET WHEN YOU ARRIVE. THEN YOU'LL HAVE SOME EXTRA HANGARS SHOULD YOU NEED THEM, AND KNOW WHAT KIND OF EXTRA SPACE YOU'LL HAVE IN YOUR CLOSET AS WELL. YOUR LIFEVESTS ARE USUALLY STORED IN THE TOP OF YOUR CLOSET AND THEY CAN EASILY BE MOVED TO UNDER THE BED OR INSIDE THE STORAGE OTTOMAN. THERE ARE ALSO AMPLE ADDED SHELVES IN THE BATHROOM FOR THOSE THINGS YOU'RE ONLY GOING TO USE THERE. IF THERE ARE ENOUGH OF YOU OR YOU JUST HAVE A LOT OF TOILETRIES, BRING AN OVER THE DOOR SHOE HOLDER TO HANG ON YOUR BATHROOM DOOR AND FILL WITH ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING YOU HAVE A CONCERN OVER.
OR YOU CAN PUT YOUR OUTFITS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN ORDER OF THE DAYS YOU PLAN TO WEAR THEM AND PULL THEM OUT OF WHEREVER AS EACH DAY ARRIVES AND ROTATE YOUR WORN OR DIRTY CLOTHES BACK SO THEY'RE NOT IN YOUR WAY OR TAKING UP SPACE EITHER.
BY GETTING YOUR ROOM, CLOTHES, CLOSETS AND SHELVES ALL SITUATED UPON YOUR ROOM ARRIVAL, YOU'LL HAVE MORE ROOM IN YOUR STATEROOM FOR A LONGER AND MORE COMFORTABLE AMOUNT OF TIME ON YOUR CRUISE. IT MAY SEEM LIKE A SACRIFICE AT SOME POINT EARLY ON, BUT AS SOON AS YOUR TRIPPING OVER SOMETHING OR WONDERING WHERE THE HECK SOMETHING IS, YOU'LL WISH YOU HAD DONE THIS SOONER.
SEA YA REAL SOON! ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "LADY AND THE TRAMP". I REMEMBER ACTUALLY SEEING A RE-RELEASE OF THIS MOVIE IN THE THEATER AS A KID. REMEMBER WHEN THEY USED TO DO THAT? lol
YOU'VE ARRIVED! NOW IT'S TIME TO UNPACK. THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE DOES A GREAT JOB OF PROVIDING SPACE FOR YOUR THINGS, BUT IT'S AMAZING HOW, FOR SOME, IT'S NEVER ENOUGH SPACE.
END TABLES NEXT TO THE BED HAVE BEEN WALL-MOUNTED FOR MORE ROOM. THE BEDS HAVE ALL BEEN RAISED SO YOU ARE ABLE TO STORE YOUR LUGGAGE UNDERNEATH. THE DESK AREA HAS BEEN STREAM-LINED TO PROVIDE EXTRA SHELVING, AND THE CLOSETS ARE NOW DESIGNED AS A BUILT-IN CLOSET ORGANIZER TO MAXIMIZE YOUR CLOSET SPACE.
I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THE "LACK OF STORAGE SPACE" ARGUMENT. I'M AN OVERPACKER. I GET IT. BUT FOR ME IT'S USUALLY JUST ME AND MY SON, SO WE HAVE EXTRA SPACE AND LESS STUFF. WHEN IT'S A COUPLE WITH KIDS, YOUR AVAILABLE STORAGE SPACE IS MUCH MORE SHARED, SO YOU HAVE TO EXPECT THAT GOING IN. FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN ABLE TO FIND OUT, NOT MANY PEOPLE DO. MOST ARE STILL OVERPACKING, FOR A FAMILY, AND NOT ABLE TO FIND SPACE TO PUT IT ALL AWAY, TO THEIR SATISFACTION.
I THINK WHAT MORE PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT THIS IS A CRUISE SHIP STATEROOM, NOT A HOTEL ROOM. SPACE IS MUCH MORE LIMITED, AND DISNEY HAS SOME OF THE LARGEST STATEROOMS ON THE HIGH SEAS. PLAN ACCORDINGLY. IT'S NOT LIKE YOU CAN'T LOOK UP ON LINE EXACTLY WHAT THE STATEROOM LAYOUT IS, WHAT STORAGE IS AVAILABLE, AND EXACTLY THE SIZE AND SHAPE OF IT.
IT SEEMS ONE OF THE "PROBLEMS" HERE IS THAT THE SHELVES OVER THE DESK ARE OPEN AND SOME PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO STORE THINGS ON OPEN SHELVES. REALLY? YOU'LL COMPLAIN ABOUT THE LACK OF STORAGE, BUT NOT WANT TO USE WHAT'S THERE? ANOTHER COMPLAINT IS HAVING TO KEEP THINGS IN SOME SUITCASES UNDER THE BED DURING YOUR CRUISE. HAS ANYONE ELSE EITHER HAD TO, OR CHOSE TO, KEEP THINGS IN THEIR SUITCASE AND WORK OUT OF IT WHILE ON A TRIP? SO WHY IS SUCH A BIG DEAL NOW? NOW THAT THE BEDS ARE ALL HIGH ENOUGH TO STORE ANY SUITCASE UNDER, YOU'D THINK MORE PEOPLE WOULD BE ANXIOUS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT. MOST OF YOUR CRUISE WEAR IS SHORTS AND SHIRTS OF SOME SORT ANYWAY. DOES IT REALLY NEED TO BE HANGING IN THE CLOSET? HOW BOUT JUST LEAVING THE KIDS STUFF IN THE SUITCASES UNDER THE BED, SO THE ADULTS BELONGINGS, OR JUST THE DRESSIEST OUTFITS CAN BE IN THE CLOSET?
PACK THE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE HUNG WITH THINNER WIRE HANGARS IN YOUR LUGGAGE. THEN SWITCH THEM TO THE BIGGER HANGARS ALREADY IN YOUR CLOSET WHEN YOU ARRIVE. THEN YOU'LL HAVE SOME EXTRA HANGARS SHOULD YOU NEED THEM, AND KNOW WHAT KIND OF EXTRA SPACE YOU'LL HAVE IN YOUR CLOSET AS WELL. YOUR LIFEVESTS ARE USUALLY STORED IN THE TOP OF YOUR CLOSET AND THEY CAN EASILY BE MOVED TO UNDER THE BED OR INSIDE THE STORAGE OTTOMAN. THERE ARE ALSO AMPLE ADDED SHELVES IN THE BATHROOM FOR THOSE THINGS YOU'RE ONLY GOING TO USE THERE. IF THERE ARE ENOUGH OF YOU OR YOU JUST HAVE A LOT OF TOILETRIES, BRING AN OVER THE DOOR SHOE HOLDER TO HANG ON YOUR BATHROOM DOOR AND FILL WITH ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING YOU HAVE A CONCERN OVER.
OR YOU CAN PUT YOUR OUTFITS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN ORDER OF THE DAYS YOU PLAN TO WEAR THEM AND PULL THEM OUT OF WHEREVER AS EACH DAY ARRIVES AND ROTATE YOUR WORN OR DIRTY CLOTHES BACK SO THEY'RE NOT IN YOUR WAY OR TAKING UP SPACE EITHER.
BY GETTING YOUR ROOM, CLOTHES, CLOSETS AND SHELVES ALL SITUATED UPON YOUR ROOM ARRIVAL, YOU'LL HAVE MORE ROOM IN YOUR STATEROOM FOR A LONGER AND MORE COMFORTABLE AMOUNT OF TIME ON YOUR CRUISE. IT MAY SEEM LIKE A SACRIFICE AT SOME POINT EARLY ON, BUT AS SOON AS YOUR TRIPPING OVER SOMETHING OR WONDERING WHERE THE HECK SOMETHING IS, YOU'LL WISH YOU HAD DONE THIS SOONER.
SEA YA REAL SOON! ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "LADY AND THE TRAMP". I REMEMBER ACTUALLY SEEING A RE-RELEASE OF THIS MOVIE IN THE THEATER AS A KID. REMEMBER WHEN THEY USED TO DO THAT? lol
Monday, March 14, 2011
40 DAYS TO GO . . .
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.
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.
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!
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