Planning Those June 2012 Caribbean Cruises!

[carolina_yankee]

Originally Posted by sperkins921

Yeah, that's what I thought. I *think* we were down to about two weeks give or take when the whole thing was originally released. Maybe at most 4 weeks out.

Someone posted that they met a family that was originally supposed to go on the Dream, but I didn't see anyone within this thread say that they were able to transfer a booking, so I was thinking it wasn't doable.

Either way, it doesn't matter, spilled milk and all. We had a great time on the trip we did take- so it's all gravy!

We were actually outside the 45 days window for booking the June 30th sailing, so if we had a Dream booking and wanted to cancel, we would have only lost the deposit. That might have been worth while, depending on what the deposit was.

However, is there a difference between canceling altogether vs. booking another cruise instead? I've read reports where Disney has been very lenient with the cancellation policy for people who have had to rebook within 30 days or so of a cruise due to job, medical, or family issues, but they rebooked right away on a future cruise and had their payments transferred over.

Dirk

[carolina_yankee]

I need my countdown! I've just ordered the last major purchase for the cruise. Nothing to buy now except travel sized sundries. Now it's time to sort through which suitcases and how to organize everything. Snorkel gear get their very own suitcase.

Dirk

[RweTHEREyet]

Sorry, I was busy getting my spinal injection and just got home. I think it is going to help. Will be able to tell better tomorrow when the numbing stuff wears off. And yes I know this isn't there anymore, but I just could not resist.

[carolina_yankee]

Originally Posted by RweTHEREyet

Sorry, I was busy getting my spinal injection and just got home. I think it is going to help. Will be able to tell better tomorrow when the numbing stuff wears off. And yes I know this isn't there anymore, but I just could not resist.

Thank you! I know you will have a wonderful cruise and the spinal injection will work. I'm sure you haven't done all that planning and shopping to sit in a lounge chair and be waited on hand and foot by a devoted spouse! Oh, wait...

Dirk

[RweTHEREyet]

Originally Posted by carolina_yankee

Thank you! I know you will have a wonderful cruise and the spinal injection will work. I'm sure you haven't done all that planning and shopping to sit in a lounge chair and be waited on hand and foot by a devoted spouse! Oh, wait...

Dirk

Bless his heart, he has been doing plenty of that here. Don't know what I would have done without him these last few weeks.

And I am so glad that we got on that shopping and planning quickly or it just would not have gotten done. Still have to sort out the clothes, but I can honestly say that isn't going to be a priority for this trip.

Feeling progress with the spinal injection today, and am at least able to do normal things like standing at the sink to brush teeth and wash face without pain, which I haven't been able to do in weeks, so I am hopeful. I understand these things can last weeks, months or even years, just depends on the person. I am counting on the years being my experience.


So, on to today's countdown pic:

[RweTHEREyet]

[carolina_yankee]

Originally Posted by RweTHEREyet

Bless his heart, he has been doing plenty of that here. Don't know what I would have done without him these last few weeks.

And I am so glad that we got on that shopping and planning quickly or it just would not have gotten done. Still have to sort out the clothes, but I can honestly say that isn't going to be a priority for this trip.

I'm now in the process of making physical or mental piles of stuff to pack. Unfortunately for Jim (maybe for both of us), he will have to do the packing on Thursday as I work until 8:30 that night and we need to get to bed for an early-rise on Friday to hit the road. I guess he's my "Yes, Dear!"

We're thinking of taking two backpacks (schoolbag size) and one small roller case as carry-on. How difficult is it to handle that kind of stuff for lunch at Cabanas. Do you leave it at the entrance, haul it to the table and then get your food? While I'd love to explore the ship when we board, I think timing will work best to eat, drop off at room, and then explore ship. I do want to make a run to adjust Palo and Remy, if possible, though.

Feeling progress with the spinal injection today, and am at least able to do normal things like standing at the sink to brush teeth and wash face without pain, which I haven't been able to do in weeks, so I am hopeful. I understand these things can last weeks, months or even years, just depends on the person. I am counting on the years being my experience.

:

[RweTHEREyet]

Originally Posted by carolina_yankee

I'm now in the process of making physical or mental piles of stuff to pack. Unfortunately for Jim (maybe for both of us), he will have to do the packing on Thursday as I work until 8:30 that night and we need to get to bed for an early-rise on Friday to hit the road. I guess he's my "Yes, Dear!"

We're thinking of taking two backpacks (schoolbag size) and one small roller case as carry-on. How difficult is it to handle that kind of stuff for lunch at Cabanas. Do you leave it at the entrance, haul it to the table and then get your food? While I'd love to explore the ship when we board, I think timing will work best to eat, drop off at room, and then explore ship. I do want to make a run to adjust Palo and Remy, if possible, though.



:

How fun it is to have someone to share planning with, and I am so sorry I have been "mia" the last couple of weeks.

What you are carrying on board is far less than we took. We always look like a pack of gypsies, but I am trying to get better. I guess John and I are just needy people and feel like we have to have everything with us to survive.

We did Cabanas on the Dream last September and we took all our carry on stuff to our table with us. There were 4 of us, so there were plenty of bodies to stay with the valuables while the others filled their plates. We got a table next to the window on port side and got the last table in the row so we could stack all our stuff up behind us. What you are planning sounds very manageable. John had a huge camera bag that was not on wheels that was just too heavy to drag around, so even though we got on board very early, 11:00 ish, once we ate, he was not prepared for touring the ship either. This time, he has a new ThinkTank on wheels that should make life a little easier on him. We may try Enchanted Garden when we board this trip. They serve your beverages and it is a little calmer environment. I think I will leave that decision to John to see if he has a preference.

With your boarding time of 12:30 (same as ours), unless you arrive at the port early and are able to board early, by the time you get on board, get to Cabanas, explore all the food options and get done eating, it will be just about time for your cabin to be ready and you should not miss out on any exploring time. Having the same boarding time, it will be fun to see when we all spot one another for the first time.

When we finished eating, (tons of shrimp, crab legs, etc.) we found our way to Cove Cafe by the adult pool and camped out there until the cabin was ready. They had these incredible chocolate dipped strawberries (no charge for the food in the pastry case, but there is for the specialty coffees, drinks, etc.) John stayed with our stuff and I went up directly to Palo and made our brunch reservations with no problems at all, no one was in line and the CM was just standing there waiting to help someone. They had a person at the podium at Palo, as well as wherever it was they told you to go to. My experience with our other DCL cruises was if you went to where they told you to, there were usually other people waiting to do the same as you.

I still don't know what we may do about Palo, etc. If my appetite doesn't improve, then it would be a waste of money for us. I have a Palo booking, but I think it is the same night that we have lobster in the MDR, which I love and would hate to miss.

[RweTHEREyet]

brb

[carolina_yankee]

Originally Posted by RweTHEREyet

brb

I just discovered that DCL counts differently. According to the planning center for my reservation, we have 9 days! And I was doing the single digit dance this AM for 9 days to starting our road trip South.

Dirk