TRANSATLANTIC AUG 18 2007--KIDS OCEANEER LAB (age 10-12)

[smores]

my duaghter--hannah--will be 10 yo on our transatlantic crossing (august 18, 2007). she is a bit shy and didn't want to go to kids club on our med. cruise last summer (carival liberty) because she "didn't know anybody". was hoping to find her a friend or two before we leave so i don't have to hear that sad story once again. my son who will be 3 1/2 year old, loves kids clubs so. . .no problem there! if anybody can help us please let me know--maybe they could be pen pals (boy, do i sound old now. . .do kids still write or do they just email?)

thanks

karen

[goingsouth]

Hi There!

We are travelling with our two girls, Sara will be 11 and Amanda will be barely 10. I know that they would love to meet other girls in advance. This will be their 3rd cruise, but their first on Disney. On our other two, Sara was the joiner. She loves meeting new kids. Amanda is the shy one. I am hoping she will be braver because it's Disney. She loves the characters.

Joanne :wave:

[smores]

this will be hannah's 3rd cruise also. . .she went on the magic when she was 4y.o, last summer we did a 12 say med cruise (carnival liberty). we have also been to resorts that have kids clubs but, hannah is shy (or maybe just slow to warm up--once she has friends, she loves the clubs and all the activites.

i haven't told the family yet about our transatlantic cruise--but what a great surprise for hannah (i mean looking forward to meeting some new "pre-made " friends!

would you prefer for the girls to communicate via email or snail mail. . .just let me know (i gotta figure out if hannah's email account thru her school is still up and running as she is on summer break. . .)

karen

[smores]

do you have a cabin number yet? we are in 8558. . .but wait listed for cat 3. . .

[goingsouth]

Hi again!

We currently are holding two cabins connecting in cat 8- 6524 & 6526. We originally had one cat 4 but decided to trade the balcony for more room and two tvs. We also have cat 3 waitlisted.

Either method of communication would be great. Send me a pm and we'll exchange the particulars!

Joanne

[momma4v3]

We are cruising with DDs 9, 10 and turning 12 on the 18th. We are doing back to back cruises. We are glad to see other children their ages. We are in 8062. We are also on the waitlist for a Cat.3

[goingsouth]

Hi momma4v3,

Wow, 3 pre-teen girls! I thought I had it bad with two:lmao: Have the kids cruised before? This will be our 1st Disney Cruise. Can't wait!

[smores]

momma4v3 --we will be neighbors--we got a cat 3 (handicap) 8100. hannah will just be 10 (bd is 7/24). hannah has already been emailing a friend (sara--daughter of goingsouth) maybe we could get all the girls talking/emailing--i'm sure they will all have a blast! counting down the days!

[momma4v3]

Goingsouth,
Yeah some days those 3 preteens are so much fun I tell my husband I am divorcing him and he gets physical custody! After all it is his fault we had 3 girls. Right? Seriously, I would not trade them for anything else.
We have cruised before; our last one at Christmas. The girls know the ship like their own home. They show me hidden decks and hallways.
Smores, congrats on the cat 3. Maybe we will be as lucky! It would be nice to have a suite for 14 days. My 10 year old is a quiet one at first.
I'm rather new to the disboards, how do you email each other?

[ejw]

Hi Everyone,

I didn't know this thread existed. It's a great idea. My daughter Melanie is 10 and a half. she is emailing already with Sara and loving it. I know she would like to email with others. Please PM me.

To PM just click on the person's screen name on the left.

ellen

[momma4v3]

Our TA called us this evening and we just upgraded to a Cat 3. YEAH!!!!!!! A suite for 14 days! It is not midship but that is fine with me. I do not remember the cabin number, though.

[ejw]

Our TA called us this evening and we just upgraded to a Cat 3. YEAH!!!!!!! A suite for 14 days! It is not midship but that is fine with me. I do not remember the cabin number, though.

Hi momma4v3,

Congratulations on the upgrade!

Got your PM and will respond shortly.

ellen

[smores]

hi neighbor--we got upgraded to cat 3 (handicap) we are in 8100! bet someone cancelled before final was due

[smores]

momma4v3 -- they just tried giving us the cat 3 next to your old room (8046). . .so, there are cat3 avaiable they are just tring to figure out who gets which room!

[goingsouth]

ok--I still can't get a cat 3--:sad1: c'mon waitlist!
I will have to stick with my 2 cat 7-s..I'll console myself that I'll still be able to use the balconies with the big winds and waves!

Seriously, I'm so happy for you both! I hope you love the suites.

So glad we're down to double digits

Joanne

[momma4v3]

Since we were upgraded to a cat 3, I could casually choose our excursions instead of getting up at 3am!
We are taking:
Gibraltar: The Walking Tour
Cadiz: Bee and Honey Museum
Tenerife: Jeep Safari
Barcelona: Science Center and Maze.
We are at the early seating.

[ejw]

Since we were upgraded to a cat 3, I could casually choose our excursions instead of getting up at 3am!
We are taking:
Gibraltar: The Walking Tour
Cadiz: Bee and Honey Museum
Tenerife: Jeep Safari
Barcelona: Science Center and Maze.
We are at the early seating.

i just finished booking a little bit ago and also booked the gibraltar walking tour and the bee museum at cadiz. but in tenerife we are doing the catamaran. the jeep tour was our second choice. in barcelona we are doing a bike tour that was arranged by a fellow DISer. in castaway cay we booked parasailing and stingrays. also booked a Palo brunch.

i'm a little worried about the heat factor in the bee suits.

ellen

[momma4v3]

i just finished booking a little bit ago and also booked the gibraltar walking tour and the bee museum at cadiz. but in tenerife we are doing the catamaran. the jeep tour was our second choice. in barcelona we are doing a bike tour that was arranged by a fellow DISer. in castaway cay we booked parasailing and stingrays. also booked a Palo brunch.

i'm a little worried about the heat factor in the bee suits.

ellen

I never even gave the heat a thought. I will not mention it to my DDs 9&10!! They do not like the heat. We wanted to do the bike tour but DD9 is too young. I am trying to book for my inlaws and DCL site keeps saying the site is too busy on my inlaws ressie but I could book their excursions on mine since we are linked but I cannot seem to do Palo for them. When is your Palo Brunch? DH and I are doing Aug 29 at 11:30am
Linda

[ejw]

I never even gave the heat a thought. I will not mention it to my DDs 9&10!! They do not like the heat. We wanted to do the bike tour but DD9 is too young. I am trying to book for my inlaws and DCL site keeps saying the site is too busy on my inlaws ressie but I could book their excursions on mine since we are linked but I cannot seem to do Palo for them. When is your Palo Brunch? DH and I are doing Aug 29 at 11:30am
Linda

slindamood aka suzanne arranged a private bike tour with fat city bike tours for sunday morning at 9:00. they accept kids of all ages. the tour looks really good and it was the only way melanie (age 10) would see the city.
you can PM her and she can include you.

we are doing the brunch on aug 23rd at 10:30. with all the reporting of rough seas on the eastbound repo my DH was worried that our atlantic seas days would be bad and he might not have an appetite.

ellen

[smores]

here's our excursion plans:

barcelona (already did the gaudi/piccaso tour 2005--excellent). thinking about walking to chocolate museum or fat tire tour

gibraltar--taxi tour 2 hours does 4 main attractions

cadiz--royal equestrian tour

tenerife--rent a car--tour on our own

castaway--just plain old R & R

does anyone else have plans???? (looks like sara/hannah/melanie all have early dinner. . . )

[goingsouth]

I haven't booked any excursions yet---I can't until 75 days prior.
I've also been hooked reading all of the trip reports I can. It's great to read 1st had accounts on the excursions.

I know in Barcelona, we will take the tourist bus around on thursday
we have a walking tour booked on friday--it's just us--so if anyone wants to join, feel free--the guide is a brit ex-pat and very funny. he will tailor the walk to be 'age appropriate'.

sat--to the ship!! and then the fountains that night---

sun--want to see the 'spanish village'

Yes--early dinner!! finally cleared up that mess. :banana:

[ejw]

Hi Everyone,

we've changed our plans a bit

barcelona: still exploring on saturday afternoon, doing fountains saturday night and fat tire bike tour on sunday morning

gibraltar: gibraltar walking tour but probably cancelling and doing it on our own. i'd like to make it down to the lower part of st. michael's cave

cadiz: still doing the bee and honey museum

tenerife: cancelled catamaran and now doing the mount teide jeep safari

castaway cay: now doing kayaking and parasailing


Melanie is having a great time emailing with sara and hannah. she gets so excited when she reads about something she has in common with sara and hannah. looks like they are all going to get along wonderfully. melanie just started emailing with aimee, daughter of Mmouse1964. she also sent an email to alexis, grandaugher of faireygod mother.

Joanne, congratulations on getting your dining problem fixed.

since we all have early dining, wondering if we will be on the same rotation and possibly sitting near one another.

ellen

[ejw]

I registered melanie for the oceaneer's lab and am not allowing her to check herself in or out. what is everyone else doing about the checking in and out issue?

ellen

[momma4v3]

My daughters finally started emailing yesterday. (May is just too busy, here) They were so excited that everyone emailed with a return message.
Ellen,
We always start the cruise not allowing the girls to sign them selves out. They have to earn that privilage. My youngest will not be able to at all but we have in the past allowed our eldest to sign her out if there was a definite place to go. You can have the club beep you to notify you that they have left the club.
So glad to see that you taking the jeep excursion, too.

We also have early seating. We requested a serving team that we had on the Magic Holiday cruise in December. They were great! We hope we can get them. I also think it would be neat if the girls are on the same rotation!

Linda

[goingsouth]

I havent decided about the sign in/sign out question. Sara (11) is very responsible. I might let her. Amanda (10)--totally different, I would not let her on a bet...lol... Has anyone ever let one child and not the other?

I do hope are tables are close together!!!

Joanne

[ejw]

My daughters finally started emailing yesterday. (May is just too busy, here) They were so excited that everyone emailed with a return message.
Ellen,
We always start the cruise not allowing the girls to sign them selves out. They have to earn that privilage. My youngest will not be able to at all but we have in the past allowed our eldest to sign her out if there was a definite place to go. You can have the club beep you to notify you that they have left the club.
So glad to see that you taking the jeep excursion, too.

We also have early seating. We requested a serving team that we had on the Magic Holiday cruise in December. They were great! We hope we can get them. I also think it would be neat if the girls are on the same rotation!

Linda

Hi Linda,

melanie was very excited to get an email yesterday from veronica, victoria and vanessa. she just sent a quick hello but, I think, will send another email tonight.

looks like we will be on two excursions, maybe three together!

ellen

[momma4v3]

Hi Linda,

melanie was very excited to get an email yesterday from veronica, victoria and vanessa. she just sent a quick hello but, I think, will send another email tonight.

looks like we will be on two excursions, maybe three together!

ellen

Hi Ellen,
I really do not want to do what has to be done here. I just want to go on vacation! I am so ready.
The girls appreciated Melanie saying she will write back. I think they like the idea that they will know other people on this cruise. Especially if you are going on the same excursions. The girls are learning about bees so it will tie in nicely with the Cdiz excursion. We never knew anyone else on a cruise before. I personally like the idea of sort of knowing someone else on the cruise, too. I love my husband and his parents but sometimes I want to do something they do not but would prefer not to be alone so I go with them or read by the pool. My inlaws like the bingo and such. I prefer other entertainment and activities.

Linda

[ejw]

I havent decided about the sign in/sign out question. Sara (11) is very responsible. I might let her. Amanda (10)--totally different, I would not let her on a bet...lol... Has anyone ever let one child and not the other?

I do hope are tables are close together!!!

Joanne

Hi Joanne, sorry i can't help answer your question...melanie is our one and only.

i guess my concern is all the other people on board and melanie walking the ship by herself. i think having the lab page us to let is know melanie has left and where she is going would help. maybe if the girls left in groups, that would be okay too.

ellen

[ejw]

Has everyone read the live report by michelle on her gibraltar experience. she gives lots of good info on the whole "rock" experience.

[ejw]

Hi Ellen,
I really do not want to do what has to be done here. I just want to go on vacation! I am so ready.
The girls appreciated Melanie saying she will write back. I think they like the idea that they will know other people on this cruise. Especially if you are going on the same excursions. The girls are learning about bees so it will tie in nicely with the Cdiz excursion. We never knew anyone else on a cruise before. I personally like the idea of sort of knowing someone else on the cruise, too. I love my husband and his parents but sometimes I want to do something they do not but would prefer not to be alone so I go with them or read by the pool. My inlaws like the bingo and such. I prefer other entertainment and activities.

Linda

Hi Linda, your first sentence in throwing me off alittle and I apologize if I am misunderstanding. that's what's bad about email...don't always get the correct meaning. hope everything is okay. maybe us moms could get together and do a couple of activities without the rest of the family?

ellen

[smores]

we told hannah (10) she would be able to sign out--but i would like them to page me first and let me know where she is going--also thinking about setting ground rules and if any of the rules are violated--there goes priviledges. one rule will be: not allowed in anyone else's room unless mom/dad says ok--kinda hard to find them if they are in someone's room. . .still working out the details. . .

[momma4v3]

Hi Linda, your first sentence in throwing me off alittle and I apologize if I am misunderstanding. that's what's bad about email...don't always get the correct meaning. hope everything is okay. maybe us moms could get together and do a couple of activities without the rest of the family?

ellen
I just meant that I want to be on a crusie not cleaning, carpooling, laundry, etc... You know, usual mom stuff!!

Linda

[momma4v3]

we told hannah (10) she would be able to sign out--but i would like them to page me first and let me know where she is going--also thinking about setting ground rules and if any of the rules are violated--there goes priviledges. one rule will be: not allowed in anyone else's room unless mom/dad says ok--kinda hard to find them if they are in someone's room. . .still working out the details. . .

That is always a big rule for us, too. Only in rooms where we have met the parents and approve. To be perfectly honest, There are so many places on the ship to go, they do not have to be in someone's room. MHO

Linda

[ejw]

I just meant that I want to be on a crusie not cleaning, carpooling, laundry, etc... You know, usual mom stuff!!

Linda

I did misunderstand. i thought "here" meant on the cruise. didn't realize you were referring to home. sorry for that.

[d3boyz]

I havent decided about the sign in/sign out question. Sara (11) is very responsible. I might let her. Amanda (10)--totally different, I would not let her on a bet...lol... Has anyone ever let one child and not the other?

I do hope are tables are close together!!!

Joanne


I had a discussion about this with my husband just last night. We have 3 boys and are doing back-to-back cruises. I told him we'd let the younger two check in and out at will, but that priviledge could easily be revoked if they abuse it. I think that they will realize that being out 'on their own' isn't as appealing as they think it will be. They will quickly realize that all of the fun happens INside the clubs!

Sooo ... does ANYone have boys on this cruise?!

Deb

[pclare]

My DD 8 has just started posting to other girl for our 10 day med but was wanting to connect with some others for this trip too. Anyone still looking to share mail??? This will be our 3 DC and she was pretty tentative about going to the clubs last time, hopefully this time will be better. Also have 2 other kiddos traveling with us DD16 DS13 and they too are looking to email back and forth.

Have a great day
Pauline

[d3boyz]

My DD 8 has just started posting to other girl for our 10 day med but was wanting to connect with some others for this trip too. Anyone still looking to share mail??? This will be our 3 DC and she was pretty tentative about going to the clubs last time, hopefully this time will be better. Also have 2 other kiddos traveling with us DD16 DS13 and they too are looking to email back and forth.

Have a great day
Pauline

If your kids would like to trade some emails with my boys, please have them send their notes to d3boyz@gmail.com. This is our family account and I'm sure they would be delighted to make a pal or two prior to sail-time! Tom is 10, Will is 12, and Jack is 14 going on 23.

Deb

[100acrewooddoc]

Hi I'm Rebecca. I'm 11. I have 3 sisters: Gwen(6), Galen (my twin 11), and Morgan (13). We would like to have some friends so we're not so bored with each other. We play basketball up on deck and play some board games at the bar. We also like to swim. If you've never been on a disney cruise before, we would love to show you around the ship!!!!!!!!!!!!

~Rebecca, Galen, & Morgan

[goingsouth]

Hi I'm Rebecca. I'm 11. I have 3 sisters: Gwen(6), Galen (my twin 11), and Morgan (13). We would like to have some friends so we're not so bored with each other. We play basketball up on deck and play some board games at the bar. We also like to swim. If you've never been on a disney cruise before, we would love to show you around the ship!!!!!!!!!!!!

~Rebecca, Galen, & Morgan


Hi rebecca, galen & morgan-

My name is Sara. I'm 11. My sister is Amanda and she is 9 now, but will turn 10 in July. I play softball now, but I played basketball all winter. We also belong to a swim club. And we've never been on a disney ship. this will be our 1st cruise.

:goodvibes sara

[DJayFitz]

we will be sailing on the last Med cruise and the transatlantic, our daughter , Samantha, (Sam), will be 12 on 8/20 and is looking forward to making contacts prior to the trip. We have done the Eastbound Panama Cruise and both legs of the Carribean twice and are looking forward to new adventures. Sam has the same concerns about hanging out and not knowing anyone. School finishes this week and she has some time now to unwind and think abour summer and contact new friends! We will be on deck 7:thumbsup2

[100acrewooddoc]

We would love to see you guys on the ship!!!!! Rebecca Galen and I are really excited about being able to make some friends this time around.

[100acrewooddoc]

PS: What grades are you going into????????

[100acrewooddoc]

Hey Sara!!!
This is Rebecca. I play softball too! My sister and I would love to meet you. We can show you around the ship. We should have a plce to meet on the first day of the cruise. When you get there go to the basketball court on the deck.
~Can't wait! Rebecca

[100acrewooddoc]

Hey,
All three of my sisters would love to meat Samantha. Write soon!!!

Rebecca

[100acrewooddoc]

Hey Hannah,
My sisters and I would love to meet you.

!Rebecca!!!!!!!~~~~~~~~~`

[goingsouth]

Hey Sara!!!
This is Rebecca. I play softball too! My sister and I would love to meet you. We can show you around the ship. We should have a plce to meet on the first day of the cruise. When you get there go to the basketball court on the deck.
~Can't wait! Rebecca

hi rebecca!

thanks- it will be great to meet you, too!~
basketball, the 1st day sounds like fun.

If you will have your mom send a message to this name--my mom will let her know about an ice cream social for kids being set up ..you'll get an invite!

Sara
:cool1:

[DJayFitz]

Hey,this is Samantha(Sammy),I'm going to be heading into the 7th grade.I live in NJ near NYC.

P.S. MY DD is trying to figure out the PM for me.

[DJayFitz]

we got your message but are having a tough time responding ,we keep getting an error each time we try to send a response, that's what we get for being the newbie on the board

[DJayFitz]

I couldn't reply to the other message but we are in 7122 for both legs and in NJ near NYC. We head over on 8/6

[smores]

i'll add samantha to the ice cream social list!

see you in august

karen

[d3boyz]

Hi I'm Rebecca. I'm 11. I have 3 sisters: Gwen(6), Galen (my twin 11), and Morgan (13). We would like to have some friends so we're not so bored with each other. We play basketball up on deck and play some board games at the bar. We also like to swim. If you've never been on a disney cruise before, we would love to show you around the ship!!!!!!!!!!!!

~Rebecca, Galen, & Morgan

Hi you guys!

My name is William and I would love to help keep you entertained. I love to do the things you're talking about also. I am 12 years old now. My birthday was 25 May. This will be my 4th cruise since I will be doing my 3rd cruise in the Mediterranean just before this one. If you want to email back and forth, you can do it here or send to my family email account at d3boyz@gmail.com.

I look forward to meeting you!
William

[DJayFitz]

momma4v3-I have been unable to repond to you private message--keeping getting a message too low post count. If you send a note to dfitzmaurice@ems.att.com I can send you info on my DD that is turning 12 on 8/20 and answer your note-thanks Dennis