As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
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If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.
So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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Yikes! These boards don't make it easy to something! Had to go to pag 13 of this thread to find this.
I posted answers to your Jamaica thread, also mentioned there are several sites (that I've found, might be more) with threads bout this cruise: Dis Boards, Cruise Critic, Facebook. We're not the only ones on the ship - it just seems that way!
Yikes! These boards don't make it easy to something! Had to go to pag 13 of this thread to find this.
I posted answers to your Jamaica thread, also mentioned there are several sites (that I've found, might be more) with threads bout this cruise: Dis Boards, Cruise Critic, Facebook. We're not the only ones on the ship - it just seems that way!
Thank you! It really does seen like we are alone on this cruise. Lol!
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I post a lot on Cruise Critic - over the yrs it's been a very helpful source, and I've gotten a lot of Galveston info from it. Our thread on CC has 7 different posters for this cruise.
I don't do Facebook, but DW does, and there's a thread for this cruise on there. The Facebook thread seems to be the most active of the 4 threads I've found (here, CC, FB, Dis Boards). As someone who usually spends too much time posting on boards , I have a hard time adjusting to the pace of these threads!
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How are you getting to Galveston? I'd be more daring if it was just DW & myself, but since we're traveling with our 4 yr old DGD, we thought Disney transfers from Bush International were our safest bet. We're flying United from Syracuse (hate United!); our flight choices from Cuse to Bush were United or US Air. If we flew into Hobby we could've used Jet Blue or Southwest, much better choices IMO.
We also booked the Hotel Galvez through Disney. There are at least 2 other cruise couples staying there.
PS: Do you realize you and I are the ONLY people to post on these Meet boards in the past 5 days? Passporter seems to be more occupied with pre-trip & post-trip reports.
How are you getting to Galveston? I'd be more daring if it was just DW & myself, but since we're traveling with our 4 yr old DGD, we thought Disney transfers from Bush International were our safest bet. We're flying United from Syracuse (hate United!); our flight choices from Cuse to Bush were United or US Air. If we flew into Hobby we could've used Jet Blue or Southwest, much better choices IMO.
We also booked the Hotel Galvez through Disney. There are at least 2 other cruise couples staying there.
PS: Do you realize you and I are the ONLY people to post on these Meet boards in the past 5 days? Passporter seems to be more occupied with pre-trip & post-trip reports.
It seems we are the only ones posting here, it's kind of funny!!!
So, here is how we are doing it. It just so happens that my DH is a Captain at JetBlue and we can fly for free. HOWEVER, JetBlue only goes into Hobby which would mean we would have to rent a car and drive to Bush so that we can take the Disney transfers and then repeat the process coming back. Since we are traveling with 6 other people, it is too much and doesn't save us money. So, for the first time in YEARS, we bought tickets on United, from NYC to Hobby. We are flying in the day before.
As for hotels, we are Hilton Honors members so we are using points to stay at one of the Hampton Inns by the airport. Not only is it free for us to stay but they provide a free airport shuttle so we an get back to the airport to meet our Disney transfer at no cost. So I look at it as sort of breaking even as we have to buy our airline tickets.
Did you say that you got your cruise documents already??? Our awesome travel agent doesn't get our documents for a few more weeks. I used to panic about that but this is our 3rd Disney cruise so I know we will be fine.
I am concerned about this ship. We have been on the Dream and Fantasy and might have been spoiled by the new and larger ships! My DS's are worried that the Vibe will be dull. Have you been on the older ships?
So, here is how we are doing it. It just so happens that my DH is a Captain at JetBlue and we can fly for free. HOWEVER, JetBlue only goes into Hobby which would mean we would have to rent a car and drive to Bush so that we can take the Disney transfers and then repeat the process coming back. Since we are traveling with 6 other people, it is too much and doesn't save us money. So, for the first time in YEARS, we bought tickets on United, from NYC to Hobby. We are flying in the day before. I LOVE Jet Blue! Does your husband ever fly into Syracuse? Not much there, although they've really expanded the Mal (Destiny USA) recently. Big time stuff for us, probably just what you're used to in the City.
As for hotels, we are Hilton Honors members so we are using points to stay at one of the Hampton Inns by the airport. Not only is it free for us to stay but they provide a free airport shuttle so we an get back to the airport to meet our Disney transfer at no cost. So I look at it as sort of breaking even as we have to buy our airline tickets. We tend to go Marriott, but again, because of our DGD, we chose to book through Disney. Did you know they offer the "amazing" choice of one hotel (Galvez) in Galveston?
Recvd our docs Thursday. I usually book through an online TA but booked this one directly through Disney - saw the price, put a hold on a GTY 7A, showed DW when she came home, and the price had jumped $800; we were able to book it for the lower price because of the hold.
I am concerned about this ship. We have been on the Dream and Fantasy and might have been spoiled by the new and larger ships! My DS's are worried that the Vibe will be dull. Have you been on the older ships? We did the Dream in December (4 day#. Outside of the Aqua Duck, I think the ships are pretty comparable from what I've seen. Your kids look like teenagers both? Somewhat of a tough age for cruising. We've cruised about once a year for the past ten years, mostly Royal Caribbean #also Princess, Celebrity once each). We've done all size ships and our kids, when they were teens, enjoyed them all. I do know, from the FE exchange thread on Facebook, that there will be at least several teenage girls aboard, so that might interest your sons!
__________________ Fish Exchange: we did this on the Dream and DW is preparing for it again. The person in charge of it this time seems a bit disorganized; right now we have something like 35 adults and 35 kids, but people are participating at different levels, people are still being added, she's talking about splitting the group - confusing.
Cruise Critic: Do you ever post on, or read Cruise Critic? We've gotten a bitmore active over there, and people are sharing ideas on excursions and activities. By the way, sounds like your kids will have the best fun doing excursions. Been to Jamaica (and Cozumel) before. My fav Jamaica excursion was a horseback ride in the ocean - unique.
PS: Don't know what your kids are like. Our daughter (24) is kind of a wallflower. Our son (25) is fearless and will do anything. When we cruised on Celebrity the average age was about 80. One night for Karaoke very few people showed up, so he sang 17 out of 20 songs.
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First of all, I had a hard time answering your previous post. Every time I hit submit it flashed an error that I had included a URI. I'm computer illiterate, and I sat here swearing at my computer asking it what the h*ll a URI was! (It didn't answer me). Finally googled URI, figured they weren't talking about an upper respiratory infection, and actually had to copy my post into a Word program, then post. Huh?
Cruise Critic: on Passporter and Dis Boards I'm 61Maris61 (the real single season home run king). On CC I'm Kicker, in case you check out our 10/19 Wonder thread.
So, here is how we are doing it. It just so happens that my DH is a Captain at JetBlue and we can fly for free. HOWEVER, JetBlue only goes into Hobby which would mean we would have to rent a car and drive to Bush so that we can take the Disney transfers and then repeat the process coming back. Since we are traveling with 6 other people, it is too much and doesn't save us money. So, for the first time in YEARS, we bought tickets on United, from NYC to Hobby. We are flying in the day before. I LOVE Jet Blue! Does your husband ever fly into Syracuse? Not much there, although they've really expanded the Mal (Destiny USA) recently. Big time stuff for us, probably just what you're used to in the City.
As for hotels, we are Hilton Honors members so we are using points to stay at one of the Hampton Inns by the airport. Not only is it free for us to stay but they provide a free airport shuttle so we an get back to the airport to meet our Disney transfer at no cost. So I look at it as sort of breaking even as we have to buy our airline tickets. We tend to go Marriott, but again, because of our DGD, we chose to book through Disney. Did you know they offer the "amazing" choice of one hotel (Galvez) in Galveston?
Recvd our docs Thursday. I usually book through an online TA but booked this one directly through Disney - saw the price, put a hold on a GTY 7A, showed DW when she came home, and the price had jumped $800; we were able to book it for the lower price because of the hold.
I am concerned about this ship. We have been on the Dream and Fantasy and might have been spoiled by the new and larger ships! My DS's are worried that the Vibe will be dull. Have you been on the older ships? We did the Dream in December (4 day#. Outside of the Aqua Duck, I think the ships are pretty comparable from what I've seen. Your kids look like teenagers both? Somewhat of a tough age for cruising. We've cruised about once a year for the past ten years, mostly Royal Caribbean #also Princess, Celebrity once each). We've done all size ships and our kids, when they were teens, enjoyed them all. I do know, from the FE exchange thread on Facebook, that there will be at least several teenage girls aboard, so that might interest your sons!
__________________ Fish Exchange: we did this on the Dream and DW is preparing for it again. The person in charge of it this time seems a bit disorganized; right now we have something like 35 adults and 35 kids, but people are participating at different levels, people are still being added, she's talking about splitting the group - confusing.
Cruise Critic: Do you ever post on, or read Cruise Critic? We've gotten a bitmore active over there, and people are sharing ideas on excursions and activities. By the way, sounds like your kids will have the best fun doing excursions. Been to Jamaica (and Cozumel) before. My fav Jamaica excursion was a horseback ride in the ocean - unique.
PS: Don't know what your kids are like. Our daughter (24) is kind of a wallflower. Our son (25) is fearless and will do anything. When we cruised on Celebrity the average age was about 80. One night for Karaoke very few people showed up, so he sang 17 out of 20 songs.
I'm glad that you love JetBlue...keep flying them, it keeps DH working! Yes, he flies into Syracuse, actually, he is based out of JFK so he flies everywhere.
LOL!!! I am not surprised that they offer 1 hotel! I believe that they offer one in Orlando too! I'm always better off just using the airport Hilton's. When we cruised the last 2 times out of Port Canaveral, it was actually cheaper to use Happy Limousine for the 14 of us than Disney transportation. This is the first time we will use theirs, I hope it gets us to the ship early!
We are in a 7A category too...we have 4 staterooms in a row! Our DS's and nephew are in their own...I don't think they are too excited! LOL. I am going to private message you my email so that it is easier to communicate....I'm computer illiterate too. Our travel agent had booked us as soon as I saw the deal so we saved LOTS of money!
Yes, my boys are 15 and 16 and really enjoy the cruise and the freedoms that they get. I hope you are right about the ships being comparable! I know that our cabin choice is much different than we are used to as we usually are mid ship in a deluxe family ocean view with veranda....I'm not sure we will like these odd veranda's but the price was right!
As for fish extenders, I have read about them but I really don't get the whole thing. Maybe you can explain it...we decorate our door with magnets.
I have never been on cruise critic and like I said, I am not good at the computer thing so tell me how I sign up for that one
We actually opted not to sign up for any excursion in Jamaica...they were expensive and nothing jumped out at us so we will walk around ourselves. In March we were on the Western Caribbean sailing and went to Cozumel, Costa Maya and couldn't get into Grand Cayman so we are really excited! Cozumel we did the Catamaran and beach party, it was great so we are doing it again and we will go the the beach in Cayman.
Both of the boys are outgoing and will have no problem enjoying themselves!
I'm going to private message you...if I can figure it out!
This thread is getting too crowded, so let's lay down some ground rules: we don't want any riff-raff here. To join you have to be a Yankees fan, and also have a connection to Jet Blue (even if its only as a passenger). It's also helpful if you have 2 (and only 2) kids; grand kids are a bonus.
So, all you people who are clamoring to join us here, please make sure you qualify first.
Tinker bell: hopefully you'll get an e-mail fro me. Never used my IPad for mail before, so, being the computer illiterate person I am, I hope it went through.
Normally I use my laptop. Every time my son uses my laptop it gets messed up, and yesterday it really bit the dust. It's only 15 months old, so hopefully I can get it going again.
Yesterday was supposed to be a plan excursion day. Instead it became a curse at my laptop day.
LOL! You're right, enough riffraff here! Yankee and Giants fans are a must...even though both teams are hard to watch. 2 kids and grand kids are important...I'm on the Grandparent club...he is 15 months old BUT that means I have 3 kids so we must expand the requirement to 3 kids...ok?
You better hurry and get these excursions locked in...33 days and counting...
I did receive your email so your iPad works just fine..I'll reply when I get a chance!
After saying for days I wasn't going to book excursions through Disney, tonight we booked 2 excursions through them. You can find better prices for excursions through private sites, but then you have to worry about getting back to th ship on time, and our port times, especially Cozumel, are short. So, we booked:
Grand Cayman: Island Tour with stop at Hell ( as a married man I've been there before), and the turtle farm, which DGD will enjoy.
Cozumel: Playa Mia Beach Break
Jamaica will prob do a beach, but maybe just on our own.
With our DGD, we also have to book the Alice in Wonderland Tea Party once we get on board.
That pretty much takes care of everything.
PS: When I booked the cruise I didn't give a thought to the time of year, then realized a while back that it will be World Series time. Well, at least it doesn't look like we'll be missing the Yanks playing. And, if its the Red Sox, I don't even want to watch!. Right now, if the Yanks don't make it, I'll be pulling for the Dodgers and Mattingly.
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, I have a hard time adjusting to the pace of these threads!
), and the turtle farm, which DGD will enjoy.
. Right now, if the Yanks don't make it, I'll be pulling for the Dodgers and Mattingly.
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