2/9/2008 - Valentine Cruise 7 Night Western - Anyone On The Love Boat ?

[jdybnsn]

Hi

Early ask I know ..but has anyone else booked on the Western 2/9 for 2008 ?

I'm soooo excited :cheer2: ........this will be our second cruise (did a 4 night 2/26/06).

Just love to hear from anyone else........ :wave:

[GoofysGal33850]

Hi

Early ask I know ..but has anyone else booked on the Western 2/9 for 2008 ?

I'm soooo excited :cheer2: ........this will be our second cruise (did a 4 night 2/26/06).

Just love to hear from anyone else........ :wave:

We just booked that one while still onboard this past weeks doubledip.

And it's never too early!

[jdybnsn]

Hi Goofysgal -

Great to hear another Diser will be aboard.

:wave:

[GoofysGal33850]

I'm sure others will notice and pop in here soon. Especially if we can keep this near the first page!

We had 2nd seating last week, LAP rotation, table 29. Fantastic time! We'd clap and hoot and holler whenever we heard anyone clapping for birthdays. I'm sure everyone thought we were drinking but none of us had a thing besides ginger ale. We were three couples who just met on the cruise as well; perfect strangers. Disney did a great job with pairing us up; we are staying in contact. One couple has even been over to our development looking at lots a few doors down from us and we will see the other couple in April when they come here to WDW.


Our servers were Depesh and Viviane... I sure hope they are still there next time.

[shelwoj]

The Love Boat! Hehehe! We might be switching to this date, won't know til after today. It sounds fun already though.

[jdybnsn]

The more the merrier :banana: on the loveboat :love: !!!!!!!!!!!!

......hope you make the ship !

[shelwoj]

Our friends absolutely cannot make up their minds so we are keeping our original date until they put the money where their mouth is! Have fun guys.

[tevagirl]

We're booked!!! :woohoo:

A little about us...

This will be our third DCL cruise. We did a Western in 2003 and an Eastern in 2004.

Our three grown children will be coming along on this one along with their spouses and our three grandchildren. They will be 15, 6, and 4 at the time of the cruise.

I am so excited! :banana:

I think part of the enjoyment is the planning and anticipation so I'll be spending lots of time here. I hope over the next 391 days to get to know you and share that anticipation with you all!

Now...let's get this party started!!! :dance3:

Denise

[jdybnsn]

We're booked!!! :woohoo:


Now...let's get this party started!!! :dance3:

Denise

Party on Denise ! ..............:cool1:

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

Judy

[tevagirl]

I think we need to get a few more people, Judy! We'll have to keep this going ourselves for a while! :thumbsup2

[tevagirl]

No one new yet? :confused3

Well it's still early. :)

[taramarie]

Our family is cruising Feb 3,2008 on the Wonder. It was nice to see others cruising in my month at least! LOL

Good luck planning your cruise...this is our first so any advice would be great!:idea:

Tara

[tevagirl]

Hi Tara!

There are great tips and advice right here on these boards. I also have the Passporter DCL book. On my first cruise it was like my bible!

This is our first cruise in February. The others were in October.

Just enjoy the planning and the anticipation. You will have a wonderful time!

[tevagirl]

Okay, so it looks like I'll be talking to myself for a while but that's okay..I'm used to it. I know it's still early.

My ds and ddil just upgraded from a Category 11 to a category 10, SPH cabin for only $220.00 more. I don't think that's bad at all. She got the last SPH cabin. She lucked out. They are pretty excited too.

I'll check in later.

[jdybnsn]

Hi Denise - no need to talk to yourself...you can always chat to me ......I'm just as cruise crazy as you :laughing: ...even though we are over a year out !

Great news about the SPH......what a bargin ! :banana:


Judy

[tevagirl]

Hi Judy! :wave2:

[tevagirl]

:surfweb:

[jdybnsn]

Hi Denise,


The waiting for the cruise is going to kill me :snail: .

.......:rolleyes1

Still, I have a lot to do yet........I haven't booked our flights, or accommodation, for when we are in Orlando (hoping to be there the week before our cruise..and a day or so after).



:cheer2:

[tevagirl]

Hi Judy. I haven't dome any of that yet. I will in a couple of months though.
I did just order a new Passporter book. My old one is from 2003. Love that book. What you can't learn here you can from that book.

Talk to later.

Denise

[jdybnsn]

I had a Passporter last Christmas as a present ...but I was too polite to say to the kind relative who gave it me, that having read it, I knew far more though reading these boards than was written in the book :guilty:


....I've obviously spent far too much time on here :surfweb:

[tevagirl]

I had a Passporter last Christmas as a present ...but I was too polite to say to the kind relative who gave it me, that having read it, I knew far more though reading these boards than was written in the book :guilty:


....I've obviously spent far too much time on here :surfweb:

Tell them for Christmas this year you want Disney dollars! :thumbsup2

[tevagirl]

:fish: :fish: :fish: :fish: :fish: :fish: :fish: :fish: :fish:

Fish tanks are relaxing.

[jdybnsn]

:fish: :fish: :fish: :fish: :fish: :fish: :fish: :fish: :fish:

Fish tanks are relaxing.


I was thinking of a bigger fish tank ...............the Carribean Sea...:hourglass


nowthat's what I call relaxing .....:cloud9:

[tevagirl]

I was thinking of a bigger fish tank ...............the Carribean Sea...:hourglass


nowthat's what I call relaxing .....:cloud9:

Oh yes. That's relaxing too!

How are you doing, Judy? Do you realize in just 17 days we will be under the one year mark! :woohoo:

[gallafamily]

:cheer2: :cheer2: Hopefully we will be cruising with you! I say hopefully because this will be the 3rd cruise we have booked for the 7 night western & have been unable to go. So, with a little bit of luck, we won't have to cancel this one! pixiedust:

It will be myself (34), my husband, (36), & our 4 children, DS-turning 12 on the ship, DS-5, DS-1, & DD-9 months. The last 2 are the reasons for cancelling the last 2 reservations. :rolleyes1

This will be our 4th cruise, but our 1st time on the Magic! This is also going to be a surprise to all our children! The youngest kids have not been on any cruises so this will be their 1st time. Very exciting!:dance3:

Hopefully this will be a very special cruise for us & hopefully for everyone too! We look forward to talking & planning with everyone on this cruise.:thumbsup2

[tevagirl]

:cheer2: :cheer2: Hopefully we will be cruising with you! I say hopefully because this will be the 3rd cruise we have booked for the 7 night western & have been unable to go. So, with a little bit of luck, we won't have to cancel this one! pixiedust:

It will be myself (34), my husband, (36), & our 4 children, DS-turning 12 on the ship, DS-5, DS-1, & DD-9 months. The last 2 are the reasons for cancelling the last 2 reservations. :rolleyes1

This will be our 4th cruise, but our 1st time on the Magic! This is also going to be a surprise to all our children! The youngest kids have not been on any cruises so this will be their 1st time. Very exciting!:dance3:

Hopefully this will be a very special cruise for us & hopefully for everyone too! We look forward to talking & planning with everyone on this cruise.:thumbsup2

Welcome! I hope you make it this time! :woohoo: And congratulations for finally getting that princess: !!

[jdybnsn]

:cheer2: :cheer2: Hopefully we will be cruising with you! I say hopefully because this will be the 3rd cruise we have booked for the 7 night western & have been unable to go. So, with a little bit of luck, we won't have to cancel this one! pixiedust:

It will be myself (34), my husband, (36), & our 4 children, DS-turning 12 on the ship, DS-5, DS-1, & DD-9 months. The last 2 are the reasons for cancelling the last 2 reservations. :rolleyes1

This will be our 4th cruise, but our 1st time on the Magic! This is also going to be a surprise to all our children! The youngest kids have not been on any cruises so this will be their 1st time. Very exciting!:dance3:

Hopefully this will be a very special cruise for us & hopefully for everyone too! We look forward to talking & planning with everyone on this cruise.:thumbsup2



Welcome aboard (hopefully !) :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:


:banana: :banana: :banana:

[jdybnsn]

Oh yes. That's relaxing too!

How are you doing, Judy? Do you realize in just 17 days we will be under the one year mark! :woohoo:


Can't wait to get past the year mark..hopefully it'll start going a whole lot quicker after that. :yay:

[tevagirl]

Can't wait to get past the year mark..hopefully it'll start going a whole lot quicker after that. :yay:

It will! Before you know it summer will be here, then the holidays, then the cruise! :thumbsup2

[tevagirl]

Helllllooooo :wave2:

[jdybnsn]

Hi Teva ...February at last ! :cheer2:

:hourglass :hourglass :hourglass

[tevagirl]

Hi Teva ...February at last ! :cheer2:

:hourglass :hourglass :hourglass

:thumbsup2 Yay! Another week and we'll be under the one year mark!

[yearbook50]

I just booked this cruise today.

It really will be the love boat for me...seeing as it will be my honeymoon after a Disney Wedding :D

[tevagirl]

I just booked this cruise today.

It really will be the love boat for me...seeing as it will be my honeymoon after a Disney Wedding :D

How exciting!

Hi, it's nice to meet you!

[yearbook50]

So I'm an organized freak...and I complied a list of all of us that are going :D


jdybnsn
yearbook50 - 2 Adults
GoofysGal33850
tevagirl - 12 Adults,4 Kids
gallafamily - 2 Adults, 4 Kids

[tevagirl]

So I'm an organized freak...and I complied a list of all of us that are going :D


jdybnsn
yearbook50 - 2 Adults
GoofysGal33850
tevagirl - 6 Adults, 3 Kids
gallafamily - 2 Adults, 4 Kids


:lmao:

There are actually more of us. So far we have 12 adults and 4 kids going.

[yearbook50]

:lmao:

There are actually more of us. So far we have 12 adults and 4 kids going.

I was trying to guess based on the previous posts. haha

[tevagirl]

I was trying to guess based on the previous posts. haha

It was a good guess but I hadn't mentioned my ddil's family members that are going too.

[jdybnsn]

Hi, and welcome Yearbook50:yay:

Just to update your list for you, we are 2 adults and 2 children (boy 10 and girl 6)


...nearly at the year mark..and hoping to have some news for you all Friday ;)

[yearbook50]

jdybnsn - 2 Adults, 2 Kids
yearbook50 - 2 Adults
GoofysGal33850
tevagirl - 12 Adults,4 Kids
gallafamily - 2 Adults, 4 Kids

[yearbook50]

Have any of you taken cruises in February before?

This is the off season right?

[jdybnsn]

We did a 4 Night Disney Wonder cruise last February (2/26/06)...we loved it so much we just wanted some more.
Apart from a cool & breezey day boarding at P.C .and a very rough sea that night, weather and sea wise, the rest of the cruise was perfect.

I believe that early Feb cruises fall into the "value season", which I guess does not include the President' s Day week though. :confused3

[tevagirl]

Have any of you taken cruises in February before?

This is the off season right?
This is our first one in February. We have always went in October before.
Hi, and welcome Yearbook50:yay:


...nearly at the year mark..and hoping to have some news for you all Friday ;)

We have to wait till Friday? :confused3
I want to now! http://bestsmileys.com/hyper/1.gif

[jdybnsn]

We have to wait till Friday? :confused3
I want to now! http://bestsmileys.com/hyper/1.gif


Sorry, just can't say till then .........but lets just say there is something significant about friday :confused: .... and you shouldn't have to think too hard why friday :rolleyes1 .

;)

[yearbook50]

Sorry, just can't say till then .........but lets just say there is something significant about friday :confused: .... and you shouldn't have to think too hard why friday :rolleyes1 .

;)

Now my interest is peaked.

[tevagirl]

Sorry, just can't say till then .........but lets just say there is something significant about friday :confused: .... and you shouldn't have to think too hard why friday :rolleyes1 .

;)

Okay, okay! I know what's signifcant about friday! Took me a minute but I got it! :thumbsup2

I'm not good at this thinking stuff. :sad2:

[yearbook50]

Okay, okay! I know what's signifcant about friday! Took me a minute but I got it! :thumbsup2

I'm not good at this thinking stuff. :sad2:

HAHA.

I just realized it too.
(maybe thats because the DFTW coordinator is calling me tomorrow prompting me to realize what friday is)

[tevagirl]

HAHA.

I just realized it too.
(maybe thats because the DFTW coordinator is calling me tomorrow prompting me to realize what friday is)

Okay, what's DFTW?

[yearbook50]

Okay, what's DFTW?

Disney Fairy Tale Wedding.

My fiance and I are having a Disney wedding before our Disney Cruise :D

[tevagirl]

Disney Fairy Tale Wedding.

My fiance and I are having a Disney wedding before our Disney Cruise :D

I would have never got that! :rotfl2:

How many guests will be going to the wedding and will any of them be going on the cruise?

[yearbook50]

I would have never got that! :rotfl2:

How many guests will be going to the wedding and will any of them be going on the cruise?
Sorry, I hang out on the Weddings board a lot and well that lingo kinda sticks to me.

I'm only have an intimate wedding with 8 guests (my family and his). None of them are going on the cruise because my family is from florida and will just go home and his family has never been to disney before and plans on just discovering the parks (which is why we aren't going to do a disneymoon b/c in-laws on my honeymoon would never be fun although I do love my future inlaws)

[tevagirl]

Sorry, I hang out on the Weddings board a lot and well that lingo kinda sticks to me.

I'm only have an intimate wedding with 8 guests (my family and his). None of them are going on the cruise because my family is from florida and will just go home and his family has never been to disney before and plans on just discovering the parks (which is why we aren't going to do a disneymoon b/c in-laws on my honeymoon would never be fun although I do love my future inlaws)

Sounds like you have everything covered. Make sure you get some digital photos that you can show us on the cruise! :teeth:

[tevagirl]

It's the one year mark!!! :cool1:

Now doesn't some one have something to tell else? popcorn::

[yearbook50]

jdybnsn - so whats the big news?

:D

[tevagirl]

jdybnsn - so whats the big news?

:D

She's such a tease. :sad2:

[tevagirl]

...nearly at the year mark..and hoping to have some news for you all Friday ;)


Ahem....remember this post, Judy?? :rolleyes:

[jdybnsn]

Sorry girls ........I'm still waiting on a confirmation:guilty:

......... later, later, ..........I promise ...(hopefully !)

[tevagirl]

Sorry girls ........I'm still waiting on a confirmation:guilty:

......... later, later, ..........I promise ...(hopefully !)

I'm a "I want it now, Daddy" (said like the blueberry girl in Willie Wonka) kind of girl. You are killing me here, Judy!

[jodifla]

Looks like we'll be joining you all as well. I just moved by Dec. 1, 2007 date to Feb. 2008 when I found out my son's winter break from kindergarten will be this week....I had hoped for a summer cruise, but that got torpedoed by the Magic going to California in 2008

We'll have two adults, and one child....

[yearbook50]

Looks like we'll be joining you all as well. I just moved by Dec. 1, 2007 date to Feb. 2008 when I found out my son's winter break from kindergarten will be this week....I had hoped for a summer cruise, but that got torpedoed by the Magic going to California in 2008

We'll have two adults, and one child....

Welcome!!!

jdybnsn - 2 Adults, 2 Children
yearbook50 - 2 Adults
GoofysGal33850
tevagirl - 12 Adults,4 Children
gallafamily - 2 Adults, 4 Children
jodifla - 2 Adults, 1 Child

[jdybnsn]

I'm a "I want it now, Daddy" (said like the blueberry girl in Willie Wonka) kind of girl. You are killing me here, Judy!

Sorry, doesn't look as though I am going to get confirmation till Monday now :sad2:

.....you'll just have to bear with me...believe me I'm more impatient than you are :rolleyes1

[tevagirl]

Looks like we'll be joining you all as well. I just moved by Dec. 1, 2007 date to Feb. 2008 when I found out my son's winter break from kindergarten will be this week....I had hoped for a summer cruise, but that got torpedoed by the Magic going to California in 2008

We'll have two adults, and one child....

Sorry you had to change your plans but...yay! :woohoo:
Hi and welcome!

[tevagirl]

Sorry, doesn't look as though I am going to get confirmation till Monday now :sad2:

.....you'll just have to bear with me...believe me I'm more impatient than you are :rolleyes1

Judy. Judy. Judy. :sad2:

[jdybnsn]

Judy. Judy. Judy. :sad2:

Sorry, nothing I can do about it :furious: ...its sooooooooo frustrating !!!!

[jdybnsn]

Sorry, forgot to say welcome to Jodifla :goodvibes

[tevagirl]

Sorry, nothing I can do about it :furious: ...its sooooooooo frustrating !!!!

That's okay. :hug:

[jdybnsn]

Well, I have some news.................


Unfortunately, it is not quite the news that I was hoping to post :sad2:


I was hoping to be able to tell you that we had booked our Wedding on Castaway Cay (you are way too smart Yearbook50 ;) ) but, sadly, fate has conspired against us, because despite ringing DFTW to put in our booking the minute the lines opened, a year out, we were rung back today by the DCL wedding coordinator, to say we were unable to have this venue (there is only one wedding allowed on Castaway Cay per trip).

Even though I was 'first in the queue', what had happened was, a couple were due to get married on Castaway Cay this year on the same Feb cruise, ,and they were staying in the Poly before the cruise. However, as bad luck would have it, they got taken ill at the Poly, and were refused boarding last on weekend's sailing.:scared1: As a result,they were offered the Castaway Cay wedding for our cruise in 2008, which I believe they have accepted.

I feel soooooo disappointed, as the CC wedding was what I so wanted and re-arranging our cruise is really not an option, coming from the UK.

That said, I feel so bad for the couple who had to miss their own perfect wedding - I cannot imagine how upset they must be :guilty: ...how awful it must be for them:grouphug:


As a standby I have booked an 'onboard' wedding on our cruise (on the small 'secret' deck) and will have to console myself with a few of the up sides; such as I won't miss a full day at CC , and that this means that we would actually marry on Valentines Day. I'm not sure if we are going to stick with this though :sad:

Please send me some pixie dust in the hope that the other couple might decide to change their plans. :rolleyes2

[yearbook50]

Well, I have some news.................


Unfortunately, it is not quite the news that I was hoping to post :sad2:


I was hoping to be able to tell you that we had booked our Wedding on Castaway Cay (you are way too smart Yearbook50 ;) ) but, sadly, fate has conspired against us, because despite ringing DFTW to put in our booking the minute the lines opened, a year out, we were rung back today by the DCL wedding coordinator, to say we were unable to have this venue (there is only one wedding allowed on Castaway Cay per trip).

Even though I was 'first in the queue', what had happened was, a couple were due to get married on Castaway Cay this year on the same Feb cruise, ,and they were staying in the Poly before the cruise. However, as bad luck would have it, they got taken ill at the Poly, and were refused boarding last on weekend's sailing.:scared1: As a result,they were offered the Castaway Cay wedding for our cruise in 2008, which I believe they have accepted.

I feel soooooo disappointed, as the CC wedding was what I so wanted and re-arranging our cruise is really not an option, coming from the UK.

That said, I feel so bad for the couple who had to miss their own perfect wedding - I cannot imagine how upset they must be :guilty: ...how awful it must be for them:grouphug:


As a standby I have booked an 'onboard' wedding on our cruise (on the small 'secret' deck) and will have to console myself with a few of the up sides; such as I won't miss a full day at CC , and that this means that we would actually marry on Valentines Day. I'm not sure if we are going to stick with this though :sad:

Please send me some pixie dust in the hope that the other couple might decide to change their plans. :rolleyes2

I know how stressful DFTW can be. A week before I was set to call them, they decide to change around the packages and scare the living daylights out of me because I had to change the date of my wedding because of it. But its all worked out now, hopefully...hopefully nothing else changes before contracts are sent out in a couple months.

I'm not sure if you would consider it, but maybe getting married at Sunset Pointe the day before the cruise (just not at 2:30pm, thats my time :p) It would allow you to have a beach wedding.

Hopefully pixie dust will come your way and you may end up being able to get Castaway Cay :D

But yay :D
Another DFTW bride on the boat.

[tevagirl]

Ah Judy, I'm sorry. :hug:

[jdybnsn]

Nevermind, I'm trying to stay positive, and think of the other poor couple who must have been much more upset than me.:goodvibes

Hopefully, you may all get a slice of wedding cake yet !

[tevagirl]

Nevermind, I'm trying to stay positive, and think of the other poor couple who must have been much more upset than me.:goodvibes

Hopefully, you may all get a slice of wedding cake yet !

Yay! I like wedding cake!

[tevagirl]

http://bestsmileys.com/signs1/18.gif

[jdybnsn]

Hi Teva !

Cheering myself up with some valentine chocolates and cake...mmmmm.

Diet for cruise starts tomorrow :guilty:

Judy

[tevagirl]

But Judy, tomorrow all that chocolate goes on sale!

[jdybnsn]

But Judy, tomorrow all that chocolate goes on sale!

Lol, but I have to think about fitting into a wedding dress ...don't want folks to be shouting "Whale Ahoy"....when we are out on deck doing our nuptials !

:rotfl:

[tevagirl]

Lol, but I have to think about fitting into a wedding dress ...don't want folks to be shouting "Whale Ahoy"....when we are out on deck doing our nuptials !

:rotfl:

You're right, that wouldn't be good. Okay, no more chocolate for you. As a matter of fact you'd better send me all that you have. :thumbsup2

[jdybnsn]

You're right, that wouldn't be good. Okay, no more chocolate for you. As a matter of fact you'd better send me all that you have. :thumbsup2

If I had any left from yesterday you would get it :guilty: .....sad to report what I did not finish was swiftly cleared up by the kids popcorn::

[tevagirl]

Good morning fellow cruisemates. :wave2:

[yearbook50]

Good morning.

I'm busy getting ready to leave the country for 9 weeks...
Trying to figure out what to pack is no fun.

[jdybnsn]

Good morning.

I'm busy getting ready to leave the country for 9 weeks...
Trying to figure out what to pack is no fun.

Good afternoon :rotfl:

Going anywhere nice ?????

[tevagirl]

Good morning.

I'm busy getting ready to leave the country for 9 weeks...
Trying to figure out what to pack is no fun.

Where are you going? Is it warm?

[jdybnsn]

Sorry yearbook - just noticed your first countdown :headache: ......Wow !

[yearbook50]

I'm going to Cape Town, South Africa for a week then spending 7.5 weeks in Windhoek, Namibia. Its for a school project. I"m going to be working with their tourism board to increase domestic tourism. I'm excited and nervous at the same time.

[yearbook50]

Where are you going? Is it warm?

Yup its going to be very warm :D

[tevagirl]

I'm going to Cape Town, South Africa for a week then spending 7.5 weeks in Windhoek, Namibia. Its for a school project. I"m going to be working with their tourism board to increase domestic tourism. I'm excited and nervous at the same time.

Wow! How exciting for you! Take lots of pictures! I'll bet it's beautiful there.

[jdybnsn]

Yes, be sure to tell us all about it when you get back !


I've never been to South Africa, but I went to The Gambia (mid / west Africa) about 15 years ago ...it was quite a culture shock. :upsidedow

[yearbook50]

Yes, be sure to tell us all about it when you get back !


I've never been to South Africa, but I went to The Gambia (mid / west Africa) about 15 years ago ...it was quite a culture shock. :upsidedow

What were you in The Gambia for?

[tevagirl]

Hi guys :wave2:

I've decided to go on the 5 night Bahama cruise in September 08. That one will be a surprise for my dh's birthday. (Or at least that's what I keep telling myself.)

[jdybnsn]

What were you in The Gambia for?

Hi, it was only a weeks holiday, but having not been to central Africa before the poverty was quite a shock.......people would be trying to buy my ex DH's smelly trainers (with holes in them) off his feet and we would be hassled constantly when we left the hotel - I never imagined how desperate these countries are and The Gambia is one of the better off ones :sad1:

I have to say, the one thing that made me feel real bad on my last Disney cruise was seeing all that food and thinking about our poor relations in Africa. :sad2: It is quite shocking to think of how much is consumed for just pure pleasure on board, when so many are dying in the world for the lack of it.

For the last few years, I have been making the effort to make a donnation to World Famine Relief organisations everytime we book a holiday......because I feel bad about spending money on the luxury of a holiday, when my money could be buying basic essentials for people in Africa. It is not enough I know, but I am trying to think of others to whom just living is a luxury.

Sorry, I think I have probably said enough on that subject :guilty:

[jdybnsn]

Hi Teva,


Is that an extra cruise you are sneaking in ?????.....hope you are still sailing with us :grouphug:

I like the sound of the 5 night cruise ......4 nights was just not quite long enough when we went last year ....though I'll probably be saying that about the 7 night cruise I suspect :lmao:

[tevagirl]

Hi Teva,


Is that an extra cruise you are sneaking in ?????.....hope you are still sailing with us :grouphug:

I like the sound of the 5 night cruise ......4 nights was just not quite long enough when we went last year ....though I'll probably be saying that about the 7 night cruise I suspect :lmao:

Good morning, Judy, Yearbook :wave2:

Yes, I'm still going on this one and yes you probably will be saying that about the 7 night one!
Have a great day, I'm off to work. :sad1:

[jdybnsn]

Hey, great Teva ! I wish I could squeeze in an extra cruise but my DH to be keeps threatening that this is the last time (but hey, he said that last time :rotfl: .....will have to get something in the pre-nuptial agreement :idea: ).


Goodnight - I'm off to bed, but I expect you are just settling down for the evening :happytv:

Judyx

[yearbook50]

I have to get my fiance on this cruise first then we can see if I can get him to go on more. I want to be on one of the initial cruises for one of the two new ships. I should have enough time to save up for that :D

[tevagirl]

Goodnight, Judy, hello Melissa.

My dh doesn't know about the 5 night cruise. I think I'll just surprise him. It'll be a birthday present for him. :rolleyes:

[yearbook50]

Thats nice!

Seems like that would be a wonderful birthday trip.

[tevagirl]

Thats nice!

Seems like that would be a wonderful birthday trip.

Yeah, plus how can he say no, right? :teeth:

[tevagirl]

Good afternoon, Ladies. :dance3:

[jdybnsn]

Good morning here !:surfweb:

Friends (British) of mine went back to Texas yesterday where they have been living the last 2 years.......so I am thinking about you all across the water !

[IndyDisneyFan]

Hello everyone! We were on board Feb. 10 to 17 and had such a great time that we rebooked for the same week for the 3rd year in a row! It will be just me and my DH who absolutely loves the Disney cruises. It will be our 3rd Valentine's Day in a row on the ship, and you can't get more romantic than that, especially without our children (10, 18, 20). We also booked a 3 night for Sept. 20 with our DS (10) just to get us by until we can do the week again. Like the rest of you we are counting down until we get to sail again. It will be great chatting with everyone while we pass the time until then.

Laura

[jdybnsn]

Hi Laura - nice to meet you :goodvibes


Would you mind giving us a low down on how you have found the weather / sea conditions the past few Feb cruises....would love to know roughly what to expect next year. :confused3

Many thanks,

Judy x

[yearbook50]

Hi Laura!

[tevagirl]

Hi Laura - nice to meet you :goodvibes


Would you mind giving us a low down on how you have found the weather / sea conditions the past few Feb cruises....would love to know roughly what to expect next year. :confused3

Many thanks,

Judy x

Hi Laura! Welcome aboard! I would love to know this too. I haven't sailed at this time of year and I'm a little nervous about it.

[tevagirl]

Good morning :flower1:

[IndyDisneyFan]

Hello to everyone! Sure, I would be more than happy to share anything you would like to know. Three years ago we went on the 3 night during that same week and the weather was wonderful. It was sunny and warm, low 80's, the entire time. Two years ago the weather was not so good. In Key West it was around 60 degrees and rainy. It was only in the upper 60's all of the way down to Costa Maya (we went there instead of Cozumel due to hurricane damage from the previous summer). I think we only saw the sun for about 10 minutes the entire week. It was so windy and the seas were a bit rough that most of the water excursions were cancelled for the entire week. Even Castaway Cay was chilly, windy, and rainy. But we still had a fabulous time on the ship. We rebooked for the same week, figuring that the weather could not be bad two years in a row. This year it was in the upper 70's in Key West, but it rained late afternoon and was overcast all day. But at least it was warm. Our first day at sea it was around 70 and cloudy. When we got to Grand Cayman the weather was wonderful. It was in the mid 80's and sunny all the way through our second day at sea. But when we got to Castaway Cay, the clouds returned. The sun did peak out a few times and the temps were in the low 70's, so not too bad. Not many people got into the water because in Feb. it is pretty cold. It is amazing the number of people who purchase rafts to use while they are there but never do because of the water temps. Hint, wait until you are there, then decide if you really want to get one. There are plenty available on site. I did get in the water when we were at Cozumel and it was not too bad, but DH would only put in his feet! So really the weather is just a crap shoot that time of year. But we look at it this way, no matter what the temperatures are, they are still warmer than up here in Indiana! While we were gone they had a winter ice and snow storm and there was about 18 inches of snow on the ground when we returned. You won't find that down in the Caribbean! We had such a great time on the ship (there is no way that you can get bored!) that even when the weather is not very nice you are on the Disney Magic so life is great!

Hope that helps. We can't wait to sail again!

Laura

[tevagirl]

Thanks Laura.

[jdybnsn]

Thanks for sharing that Laura :goodvibes

How was the sea during your trip - was it rocky at all ?


..................bad weather I don't mind, but rough sea..:sick:

[tevagirl]

Hi Judy!

[IndyDisneyFan]

Thanks for sharing that Laura :goodvibes

How was the sea during your trip - was it rocky at all ?


..................bad weather I don't mind, but rough sea..:sick:

Last year we did have one night that was very rocky. Even the captain made a comment the next morning that it woke him up and that hardly ever happens. We watched the pool water spash out of the pool with large waves, which was fun. You did have to hang onto something while walking. But that is very rare. The ship has stablizers that keeps it from rocking too badly. This year there were no large waves and the sea was calm. You will still feel the ship move a bit, and if you are prone to sickness just bring some medication with you. I am sure that you will do just fine!

Laura

[jdybnsn]

Thanks Laura

We had one really rough night when we left PC on our trip last Feb. ....I'm hoping that the chances of it being repeated will be slim:)

Apparently it can get choppy as you cross the waters outside of PC...I think we were very unlucky though it was really rough :scared1: ....just glad it was fine for the rest of our cruise :banana: .

[tevagirl]

Hello Ladies. How's everyone doing?

[jdybnsn]

Hi

Fine here :surfweb: this morning but busy at work....my number one sales assistant has broken her arm........she was arm wrestling a bloke in the pub :eek: ....this is a 43 year old mother of two children :rolleyes1 !!!! She has suffered a clean break and will be off work for about 3 months !

Needless to say, I think she lost the match ......

Consequently I am not gettting much time to pop along here:sad1:


Hope all is well with you over the water ......

[yearbook50]

I'm good.
I finished packing for my Namibia trip. Now, I"m just trying to figure out where I'm going to be meeting my friend in Heathrow since she is getting in an hour and a half before me.

I have finals tomorrow so I'm busy with that stuff.

[jdybnsn]

Hi Melissa ...so you'll be in England for a few hours ! Wish I could help you with a meeting point in Heathrow, but my nearest airport is Manchester nearly150 mile away.

Good luck with the trip and hope it goes well for you. :goodvibes

[tevagirl]

Hi

Fine here :surfweb: this morning but busy at work....my number one sales assistant has broken her arm........she was arm wrestling a bloke in the pub :eek: ....this is a 43 year old mother of two children :rolleyes1 !!!! She has suffered a clean break and will be off work for about 3 months !

Needless to say, I think she lost the match ......

Consequently I am not gettting much time to pop along here:sad1:


Hope all is well with you over the water ......
Ouch Judy! Holy moly! :scared1:
I'm good.
I finished packing for my Namibia trip. Now, I"m just trying to figure out where I'm going to be meeting my friend in Heathrow since she is getting in an hour and a half before me.

I have finals tomorrow so I'm busy with that stuff.

Saying a prayer that you have a safe trip, Melissa. Have fun.

[yearbook50]

Hi Melissa ...so you'll be in England for a few hours ! Wish I could help you with a meeting point in Heathrow, but my nearest airport is Manchester nearly150 mile away.

Good luck with the trip and hope it goes well for you. :goodvibes

Yup! Its exciting!

We decided to just meet at the starbucks since well we are Americans who love their coffee (or maybe just college students that live off the stuff)

[tevagirl]

:dance3: It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood!

[jdybnsn]

Nice here in the UK today - sunny and about 15oC today ...not bad for the beginning of March :rolleyes1

We are going to Wales tomorrow - my daughter's 6th birthday treat ...she is named after a lake there ...Lake Vyrnwy...very beautiful (just like her :cloud9: ). Forecast is for rain though ...but there again, it was supposed to rain today.... and it has been really nice. I've spent the afternoon shopping for some last minute presents ....she is Disney Princess mad, so it has not been too difficult to find things !

Her main presents are several real gold charms ; one in the shape of Cinderella's coach, another is Cinderella's castle and another Cindy's shoe ...I'm starting a little collection off for her ....with a bit of a theme.
She is also gettting a Disney Princess Tea set which I had to import specially from a US website - she bought the same one last year in WDW, but has broken several pieces..........this one is definitely going to be looked after though !
catch you all again soon

Judy x

[tevagirl]

When's your dd's birthday, Judy? My dgd's is the 8th. She's turning 6. Her party is tomorrow. It's a Curious George party.

[jdybnsn]

Hi Teva

My DD's birthday was 6 today...she's fast asleep in bed now though .....all birthdayed out bless her !

Well we went to Wales...and it did rain ! Nevermind we had a great day out and the kids loved it.

I had an email from a nice American lady called Thea today, via the Disboard, saying that she was joining our cruise too..... hoping she will find this thread and we can all have a good pre-cruise chat together. :)

I'm off to bed now.....so speak to you all again soon x

[emtmom]

We'll be there!! We booked while on board the Magic 1/20/07...This will be the third Disney Cruise for my husband and I, my daughter's second and my son's first!! We've also got my husband's parents coming along too!!

[gallafamily]

Welcome EMTMom! I have to ask...I see your screen name & the icon by your husband being a fireman...Is he a fireman & you an EMT? The reason I'm asking is because I just let my EMT expire, but my husband is also a fireman. If you are, that is really cool!

Anyways, just wanted to say welcome & ask that question!:banana:

[emtmom]

I am in fact an EMT, and my husband is an EMT/Firefighter. We'll both soon start our intermediate level training.

My 8 yr old is counting the days till she can get her certification!

[gallafamily]

That's great! We are volunteers in the county that we live in. My husband & I are also both 911 dispatchers. We stay very busy with that, volunteering & with our children. Thats why I have let my EMT license expire. We have an 11 y/o DS, a 4 y/o DS, a 11 month old DS, & a DD due in May 2007.

Good luck with your certification! pixiedust:

[tevagirl]

Welcome, Thea :wave2:
Hello again gallafamily!

[emtmom]

Perhaps some of you can answer a question, regarding Flounder's Nursery. I have heard two different stories--1-that you are limited to a certain amount of hours per day. 2-that you are limited to 10 hours for the entire cruise. We didn't bring our son along the last cruise in January (he wasn't around when we booked it and we felt he was really too young), so we only have experience with Oceaneer Lab. What exactly are the rules and are there different time limits based on age? He'll be 19 months when we sail in 08.

Thanks!

[tevagirl]

I don't know the answer Thea but you should ask on the cruise board. You'll get an answer for sure there.


My other son and his wife booked this cruise today. Now I have all three of my kids, their spouses and my grandchildren going! :thumbsup2

[emtmom]

What ages are your grandkids?

[tevagirl]

Alec will be 15 in July, Makayla will be 5 on the 8th and Andrew will be 4 in September.

[yearbook50]

Greetings from Africa!

I've been in South Africa the past 2 days and will be here until Friday when I'll be moving onto Windhoek, Namibia. So far I was able to see Seal Island, African Penguins, Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. and Despite the fact that I put sunblock on 3 times yesterday, I"m nice and crisp today because the sun is so much harsher here. Oh well, at least I remembered to pack aloe or I would not be a happy camper.

[jdybnsn]

Hi Melissa

Glad to hear you arrived safely ! :cool1:

Judyx

[tevagirl]

Hi everyone!

Nice hearing from you, Melissa!

[jdybnsn]

Woohooo :woohoo:

Booked our flights today ...flying from Manchester (UK) to Orlando on 1st Feb 2008, and leaving Orlando on the 18th Feb.........giving us a fair bit of 'play time' in Orlando before & after our cruise.:cheer2:

Had to pay a bit more by flying schedule with Virgin Atlantic (£450 per adult and £350 per child), but happy that we had a good deal (for direct schedule flights) and were not stuck with the 14 nights that the charter airlines offer.

Doing a little happy dance right now :banana:

[emtmom]

How exciting!! Another week and we can book our flights. We'll fly down from Boston on the 8th and stay at the MCO Hyatt--we did this in January and it was well worth it--not only for last minute shopping and being able to unwind after the flight, but also to be spot number one on the Mickey Bus!!!

Any idea yet where you'll stay before hand?

[jdybnsn]

Any idea yet where you'll stay before hand?

Hi - we haven't really done much serious research yet on where to stay in Orlando before the cruise.
We really loved staying at the Regal Palms Resort on our last visit - perfect mix of resort facilities and townhouse combined....but I don't like going back to the same place twice - I like the idea of a different holiday experience every time (see my signature tag !)...but no doubt the kids will be putting the pressure on !
There is a new development under construction called Teirre Del Sol (Davenport Area), which is bigger & better than Regal Palms, as far as leisure facilities go....but it will be touch & go whether it will be finished by Feb 2008 :confused: We will have to wait & see how that goes this year.

For the 2 nights after our cruise I am intending to book AKL as a surprise for my, by then, new husband, & the kids. Problem being that it will be President's weekend and the rates will have shot up :eek:

[yearbook50]

Shaun and I are staying at the Polynesian before hand. My mother is driving us to the port early in the morning. Afterwards, its flying home.

I'm off to Namibia today...so who knows how my internet situation is going to be :( but at least I finally get to start my project

[jdybnsn]

Good luck with the project Melissa!:goodvibes

Hope we hear from you again soon!:surfweb:

[jdybnsn]

Anyone else going to WDW either before, or after, the cruise ???

:confused3 :confused3 :confused3

[tevagirl]

Anyone else going to WDW either before, or after, the cruise ???

:confused3 :confused3 :confused3


I'm not sure yet but I'm thinking no.

[jdybnsn]

I'm not sure yet but I'm thinking no.

Why no Teva ?

............and don't give me that nonsense about getting too old :rotfl:

[tevagirl]

Why no Teva ?

............and don't give me that nonsense about getting too old :rotfl:

Well, I am kind of old. :confused3

Actually, we are hoping to go down after Thanksgiving next year. We want to go and see/do the Christmas stuff again. So with the cruise in February and then a WDW trip in December, I don't think we'll be doing any parks in February.

How are you doing, Judy? I cannot wait for Spring. I am so ready for nice weather.

[jdybnsn]

Weather here has been great this week - much warmer than usual for the time of year in the UK.

...though there is a prediction for snow this weekend - I hope not as I've got kinda use to the sun again now.:sad2:

[jdybnsn]

No snow here......... but it is chilly again :cold:

[tevagirl]

We don't have snow either, Judy, but it's freezing.

[bkfor]

HELLO FELLOW CRUISERS!!!!!!!!!!!

Glad to see the board for this date is already up and running. We just sailed the February 24 - March 3 Western and had one of our best vacations. There will be three of us: me, dw, and dd (6 at time of cruise). We plan on a few days at WDW before the cruise. It's going to be a long wait!!!

[jdybnsn]

Hi Bkfor and welcome aboard :flower3:

My DD will also be 6 at the time of sailing :cutie:

Have you done a trip report for your last cruise ? ......since you will be doing the same again with this cruise, at roughly the same time of year, I'd love to read it :yay: ..could you post a link maybe if you do :confused3

Was there anything in particular about your cruise that made you book the cruise again :confused:

Judy :)

[emtmom]

Yay!! Another for the "Love Boat"!!! :woohoo:

We'relooking forward to this sailing, we just completed the Eastern Caribbean cruise 1/20-1/27 and my 8 yr DD loved it!!

I'm curious which excursions you did on this past cruise and did you bring DD on them or did she stay behind on the ship?

[bkfor]

no, i haven't done an "official" trip report yet. I had great intentions regarding a journal while on board, but some nights we were too tired, and the next morning too busy, so there are a couple empty pages that I need to fill in before I forget the details.

Because we were already on the western when we booked again, it made sense to book an eastern for next year. but the only eastern date that really worked out was the Feb. 16 sail, and the price was substancially higher due to President's Day. Since there is soooo much to do on the western, we'll be just that much more prepared, and back to back westerns will be fine.

emtmom - regarding shore excursions, we didn't do any in Key West. Prior to starting Disney vacations we would rent a house in Key West for a couple of weeks, so we've done everything we've ever wanted to do there. For us it was great because everybody got off the boat and we stayed on, with no crowds (we did go ashore to shop for about an hour, though). In Grand Cayman, we did stingray city/snorkeling/7 mile beach. DD came with. The stingray encounter was terrible. We missed our first reservation, booked a second immediately with another operator, had to wait over an hour to be picked up, boarded a small boat that went out to big waves (one guy threw up several times onboard, DM got very sick but do not lose her breakfast) and then DD was scared of the rays:scared1:. The second stop on the trip was coral gardens. I was the only one from my group to get off the boat. on our way back into town, we had the bus driver drop us off at Sea Grape Beach. This is all DD really wanted to do - play in the water and stuff. I feel we really wasted a day in Grand Cayman (other than 7mile beach). And you have to tender into port, which really stinks. Cozumel was much better. The dolphin encounter was great and you can stay in Chankanaab Park afterward. The beach here isn't really good: large, rocky, drop off. But the place was clean and the food was good. We were back on board for dinner and shows but the boat didn't push off until 1:30a.m. After my family was in bed, i went back into cozumel alone for a couple of cervezas at senor frogs. It's very convenient not tendering. We will definately be doing things differently in Grand Cayman, and in Cozumel after the dolphins we'll probably look for a better beach.

[bkfor]

My DD will also be 6 at the time of sailing :cutie:


on the board for the last cruise, the kids started their own thread. They got to know each other before the cruise, so when they met, they were like old friends. worked out nicely.

Brian

[tevagirl]

Hello. :wave2:

[emtmom]

:woohoo: Yahoo!! We booked our flights over the weekend!! Got great rates from Delta!! Now to book our hotel stay the night before embarkation!!

[bkfor]

we stayed at the radisson this year. free parking, great pool, and the first shuttle to the port leaves at 10:00. we were one of the first to check in - no lines and a great boarding number. fyi.

[emtmom]

We stayed at the airport Hyatt in January, so we'll probably do that again, my daughter loved all the shops and sitting out on our room balcony watching the planes take off and land. Thanks for the suggestion though!!

[bkfor]

i've always wanted to stay there.

[tevagirl]

Hello Everyone. :wave2:



Bkfor. How was the weather during the cruise?

[emtmom]

Just curious who knows their stateroom already? We're in 7035 and 7037.
We love deck 7 midship!!

[bkfor]

Bkfor. How was the weather during the cruise?

we were so fortunate... 7 for 7.


We have stateroom 7598. We had 8564 this past trip and really enjoyed the aft location. taking the aft stairs lands you right at topsiders, mickeys pool, most dining. quite a hike to theatre and oceaneers club, however. i like the ship so much, i could have a bed in the engine room and still be happy!

[tevagirl]

we were so fortunate... 7 for 7.




Good for you! I hope we get that lucky!

We are in 60something. I forget and I'm too tired to look it up. I'll tell ya later! :thumbsup2

[jdybnsn]

Hi Teva - you are almost opposite us, on the other side of the ship, I think you told me a while back - we are in 6116..we also picked this location for its location to the Mickey Pool & drinks station, Topsiders etc.

We sailed in a cat.9, quite near the front of the ship in 2514, last time - but we liked this location too because it was so quiet, and we never had an issue with motion.

The cat6. is a surprise for my DH-2B...he thinks I have booked a cat9 again. :rolleyes1

I'm also trying to book an 2 night stay at AKL as a surprise, for when we get off the ship (we will be staying in a villa or townhouse, before our cruise) before we fly home .....however, being Presidents weekend when we return, the quotes I am getting are pretty scary :scared1: , even with such a great £/$ (for us sorry;) )exchange rate....anybody have any tips regarding getting good rates there ? :confused3

[bkfor]

we too are looking for good rates for our 3 day stay before the cruise. last time we stayed at boardwalk villas and bought the timeshare points at a fundraising auction for cheap, cheap, cheap. so i am going to another fundraising auction or even ebay, etc. for a good deal.

brian

[tevagirl]

Hi Judy, Brian :wave2:

[jdybnsn]

Hi there :flower3:

How's the weather over there, where you are, everyone ???

Just had our first few days of sunny Spring weather :daisy: here in the UK ...but sadly back to rain again tonight.

Nevermind , off to Cyprus in a couple of weeks time - should be warming up over there quite nicely :cool2:

[bkfor]

we're in michigan. if you dont like the weather here, wait ten minutes.

[emtmom]

They say the same thing about the weather here in Massachusetts!!
70 degrees one day, ice storm the next!

[tevagirl]

I'm at the Southern tip of New Jersey. It's was hot today and yesterday!

[yearbook50]

Hey everyone!

I'm still alive here in Africa.

Only 41 more days until I'm back to Worcester.

Very boring here since I"m working 50 hour work weeks for the Namibia Tourism Board trying to figure out domestic travel patterns...

I get to go on a 6 hour game drive on Sunday which is exciting.
But I'll be happy when I get back into the states because the food here keeps getting more and more questionable (like being served chicken feet and half of a cow heart...um..)

[bkfor]

chicken feet? is there any meat on chicken feet? good luck with that!!

[emtmom]

It's been quiet here!! Happy April everyone!!party:

[jdybnsn]

:cheer2: Yay :cheer2:

Happy April from over here too :yay:

[bkfor]

spring break and snow. how many more days until the cruise? too many!!

[jdybnsn]

309 days...not that I'm counting :rolleyes1

[tevagirl]

Hi guys!

[Princess Tink]

Just wanted to say hi to all the fellow cruisers. We've actually been booked since the date opened, had to move from the same week this year. I was surprised to see everyone checking in so early...WOW! It will be myself, DH, and DS(9, will be turning 10 on the cruise). We are so excited, and can't hardly wait. We haven't told DS yet, trying to decide how/when to surprise him....he is going to flip when he finds out we'll be on the ship ON his b-day.

Micaela

[tevagirl]

Hi everyone!

Welcome, Micaela! Your ds is going to be one very excited little boy!

[jdybnsn]

Hi Micaela,

:wave2:

Nice to know there will be another friend for my DS who is 10 TODAY !!:bday: ....


Hi everyone else, sorry I haven't been around for a while ...been busy researching villas and resorts around Orlando for our stay next year.

...so far I have booked 2 nights at the Omni, in Championsgate, for the couple of nights we have to spend after the cruise and before we fly back home. I did originally consider AKL , but it was far too expensive for just a standard room, and with little to no chance of an upgrade, even if we are by then 'honeymooners', as its Presidents weekend when we roll back into port (in case you'd forgotten). Also I have heard there will be building work there ...and since we will be hanging around the hotel all day (not doing the parks THAT weekend !) that was what made our minds up.
I got a good rate at the Omni - the kids love a great hotel pool, so that will suit us just fine.

Next on my list is to book 8 nights in Orlando before our cruise.....since its a special trip, I have more or less decided on Reunion Resort (by coincidence also at Champions Gate I believe ?)...a bit on the expensive side, but the pool facilities have swung it again. I'm currently looking around....has anyone stayed there on here or know anything about it ? Please let me know if you do :rolleyes:

Got to do a little packing now - we are off to Cyprus for a week tomorrow - my friend has just bought a villa out there and has invited us to stay - well, it would be rude not to accept such a kind invitation wouldn't it ;) I am looking forward to it as we did not have a holiday this Feb. as we usually do (first time in 5 years :sad1: ) so this holiday has been a long time in coming. Oh and by the way, we are all under the 300 day mark for the cruise now so its getting a little closer !!
party:

Hope you are all doing well my friends......especially you Melissa (not long now till you are home !!!!)

Judy x

[tevagirl]

Nice to know there will be another friend for my DS who is 10 TODAY !!:bday: ....


Got to do a little packing now - we are off to Cyprus for a week tomorrow - my friend has just bought a villa out there and has invited us to stay - well, it would be rude not to accept such a kind invitation wouldn't it ;)



Happy birthday to Judy's son from all her dis friends!! http://bestsmileys.com/birthday1/25.gif


Of course you have to accept you friend's invitation! It's the polite thing to do! ;) Hope you have fun!

Hello to all our other shipmates! :wave2:

[jdybnsn]

Thanks Teva :hug:

speak to you again soon ...:goodvibes

[tevagirl]

Thanks Teva :hug:

speak to you again soon ...:goodvibes

Have fun! :hug:

[emtmom]

Welcome Micaela!!
Great to see another family on board "The Love Boat"!!
DD will be 9 by the cruise so looks like we'll have a group together in the Oceaneer's Lab!!

[gallafamily]

Hello everyone! I've been checking frequently, but I haven't posted anything.

Our oldest DS will be turning 12 on the cruise (02-10) & we haven't even told our children that we are cruising yet. Any ideas of fun ways to surprise him? Any ideas on how to break the news to all our children? I was thinking maybe of some type of large box of Disney gifts for Christmas for them to open to surprise them with the cruise, but I am still in the early planning stages, so any advise would be great! :wizard:

[emtmom]

Welcome!!

We suprised our daughter (8 at the time of the cruise) for our last cruise with gifts at Christmas--we gave her a personalized beach towel (which REALLY came in handy on the ship--no cast members picked it up because it wasn't a ship towel), a personalized bathing suit cover up, and the tropical styled dress all from disneyshopping.com.
You could maybe get the kids the matching Tiki shirts/outfits that they just came out with for this year.

[tevagirl]

Good morning all! :wave2:

I'm really not this happy in the morning. I really look like this...:surfweb:

Anyway, along with all of the above mentioned things for Christmas, how about a snorkel set?

[bkfor]

welcome to the newcomers!!

[4luvofthemouse]

Hi! we just booked out cruise for 2/9/2008!
We are getting married in dec. at Disney World and our honeymoon is the cruise. We are bringing our daughter with us so she has renamed as our Familymoon.
It our first time on a cruise so its really exciting. Actually I'm looking forward to it more than the wedding!:rotfl:

[gallafamily]

Thank you everyone for the ideas. It is going to be really hard to keep this secret until Christmas, but hopefully we can pull it off. I really want to surprise them. Our 2 oldest have been on Disney Cruises before, so they ask all the time when we are going again. It's hard not to say that we are going in February 2008. We had 2 other cruises planned, but had to cancel due to our 2 newest additions. That was kinda disappointing to them, but I hope we will be able to keep this surprise!

Welcome to all the new people, & if anyone else has any ideas, I would greatly appreciate it.

[Princess Tink]

thanks everyone for the warm welcome. I'm glad to see there will be so many kids on the ship, I must admit I was a little worried booking this time of year.

Gallafamily, I know what you mean about the keeping a secret....we are doing the same thing. We are undecided whether to surprise DS for Christmas or his birthday (b-day is 02/12, so it would have to be an early surprise). I'm thinking more for Christmas at this point. We've done the whole scavenger hunt thing....for his birthday surprise to Disneyland last year, so I was thinking maybe a box full of goodies. Right now I have gold MM ears, a Fantasmic MM hat, and big fluffy white gloves….all thanks to a Disney rep that did a Disney Event at the Travel Agent I booked through. I couldn’t believe he gave me all these things, I was so happy leaving there…..and we had already booked our trip at that point. It’s been hard keeping these hidden from him, I’ve had them put up since last year this time. I was going to try to add a couple small things to the box, we’re going to WDW in July so I was hoping to find and sneak a couple things from our trip.

We are thinking about flying in Friday before the cruise and staying to the Residence Inn at the port. We will probably just rent a car, since it’s just the 3 of us.

Micaela

[bkfor]

wow! another disney wedding. that is so cool!

brian

[tevagirl]

Hi! we just booked out cruise for 2/9/2008!
We are getting married in dec. at Disney World and our honeymoon is the cruise. We are bringing our daughter with us so she has renamed as our Familymoon.
It our first time on a cruise so its really exciting. Actually I'm looking forward to it more than the wedding!:rotfl:

Hi and welcome!

[4luvofthemouse]

Thanks for the welcomes!:yay:
I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone!

bkfor on a previous post did you say you were from Michigan?
We are right across the Detroit river, in Ontario!!

[bkfor]

bkfor on a previous post did you say you were from Michigan?
We are right across the Detroit river, in Ontario!!

yes, i am from michigan. you probably get all the weather we do, huh? the weather is one of the many reasons we look so forward to cruising in the winter!

b

[IndyDisneyFan]

Hi everyone! Sorry I have been gone for a while but I am slowly working my way through college so not much free time. My DH and I are planning on arriving probably on the Wed. before the cruise. That is what we did last year. The parks aren't very crowded and we got to ride everything that we wanted. I am hoping for some great passholder rates so we can stay at the Beach Club Villas. We were upgraded into a one bedroom in Feb. and it was fabulous! Although we are not taking our son with us on this cruise, we are taking him in Sept. on a 3 night. We are telling him on his 11th birthday (May 28). I bought a 2007 Mickey on our last cruise along with a 2007 pin. Disney sent us blank postcards that say "see ya real soon!" and we are going to address it to him and put on it the date of the cruise, then wrap them all together. It is so hard not to tell him as I know how excited he will be, but I must be strong! Hope everyone is starting to get some warm weather, as we are finally here in Indy. We can't wait to sail!!

Laura

[tevagirl]

Hello, just checking in. :wave:

[yearbook50]

Hi everyone!!!

19 more days until I"m back to the states. I can't wait to be back. Africa's fun but 2.5 months is a long time to be away from home.

Glad to see the list of people joining on our cruise is growing :D

[tevagirl]

Hi Melissa! 19 days! :cool1:

I hope you have a safe trip home!

[Tinkermom3]

Hello Everyone! We are cruising with you all on 2/9/08 for our very first Disney Cruise! I found my way here to the Dis Boards and am learning so much! :thumbsup2

I see others here are going to surprise their kids with the cruise. We also are keeping it a secret from our kids, DS 12, DS 10, and DD 5. Man, this is going to be difficult to keep quiet about for 10 months. The kids have been wanting to do a cruise so bad. I have been telling them that "someday" we would do that, not any time soon as the cruise is expensive and such. We are going to WDW for 3 or 4 nights prior to the cruise.

So, I have some ideas of ways to tell them the big surprise:


-Give it to them at Christmas:santa: - I was thinking of having them open "one last gift" that would be for the 3 of them. Maybe wrap up a toy boat with a card inside telling them about the cruise. If we did this they could have the last 6 weeks or so before the cruise to help plan and get excited about it.



-Don't say anything until it is time to board the Disney Cruise Line Bus - We are staying at WDW for 3 or 4 nights prior to the cruise. As it is time to leave the resort we would be waiting for the Magical Express bus to go back to the airport. This is always a sad time for all of us. But, of course we would actually be waiting for the Disney Cruise bus! Wouldn't they be surprised as that bus pulls up and we stand up to board and say "Oh, did I forget to mention... we are going on a DISNEY CRUISE!


-Tell them during dinner our last night at WDW - I was thinking of doing a character meal (Chef Mickey's perhaps?) on our last night at WDW. I was wondering if we could get Mickey to bring a card over to the table for the kids. I would have this poem inside:
"Here at Disneyworld we hope you've had fun,
but really the fun has just begun.
Look at Mom and Dad for the big news..."
Then as they look up I would hold up a big sign that says - "WE'RE GOING ON A DISNEY CRUISE!" and DH can have his camera ready to catch their little faces!

So, what do you think? Which way is the best way to surprise them? Please let me know if you have any other ideas!

[4luvofthemouse]

So, what do you think? Which way is the best way to surprise them?
I Love the second one! We did that with our DD when we took to see the Lion King on broadway, she had no idea until we made her stop infront of the picture outside. The look on her face was so priceless!
I'm sure your kids will be so shocked when they notice it's not the bus for the airport :woohoo:
It's our first Disney cruise too & I'm so crazy excited about this, I'm acting like a little kid myself!
and since kids get soooo excited for something it might make the night before & the morning of go a little easier.
You won't get the "is it time yet"
question over & over again :rotfl:

[jdybnsn]

Hi all,

Just checkin in again :wave2: - back from Cyprus and just catching up with everyone. :coffee:

Judy x

[bkfor]

i like the second one!

brian

[tevagirl]

Hi all!

Welcome home, Judy. Did you have fun?


Tinkermom, I would choose #1 and surprise them at Christmas but only because I believe the anticipation and planning can be almost as much fun as the actual trip.

[Princess Tink]

tinkermom, I would probaly choose no 1 as well.....only cuz I think it will give you and them more time to get excited together. Or at least, that's what I think has talked me into surprising DS(9 turning 10 on the cruise) for Christmas rather than his b-day. Good luck.

[tevagirl]

Hello my fellow cruisemates :sail:

[tevagirl]

http://www.invision.smileyville.net/smilies/fam (12).gif

[jdybnsn]

Hi there !

Not had much time to look in this week - still unpacking, washing & ironing...not to mention catching up with work :rolleyes1
Cyprus was good but VERY expensive (unlike nearby Turkey & Greece). Also it is getting horribly over developed- where I stayed, near Paphos, was like amassive building site - all new villas, for the British retirement/holiday market I suppose - its a very popular place for Brits, partly due to the army base there and also due to the climate.

.....nevermind...another 6 weeks and we are off to Switzerland for a week :cool1: (the Cyprus trip was a little 'extra add on' to our holiday plans).


Anyone else off elsewhere before the cruise ????


PS. still struggling to find a reasonably priced private villa to rent, on Reunion Resort in Orlando, for our pre -cruise stay :confused:

[Princess Tink]

Wow Jdybnsn, you're quite the traveller....I'm jealous.

I've been pretty busy lately too, I'm taking a girls only trip this weekend for a Scrapbooking Retreat. I really need it, if nothing else just to get away from it all. My DH has been working in Michigan (we live in Missouri), so it's just me and DS. Throw in the fact that right before he started working out of town, we decided to sell our house....leaves a lot of responsibility in my lap. I NEED a break. I've not been to a scrapbooking retreat yet, so I'm pretty excited.

We are also planning a trip to WDW in July for 8 nights. We will be staying at the BCV for for 6 and VWL for 2. We haven't been in 2 years, so I'm pretty excited.....I'm going to live dangerously this year and drag DH & DS into MK or EP for the fireworks on the Fourth of July (that's my favorite holiday and I LOVE fireworks).

[jdybnsn]

Wow Jdybnsn, you're quite the traveller....I'm jealous.




Flights around Europe from the UK are pretty cheap these days..so I guess we are lucky in that respect...it can be more expensive to holiday in the UK in many cases, even for us UK nationals !

[Princess Tink]

Flights around Europe from the UK are pretty cheap these days..so I guess we are lucky in that respect...it can be more expensive to holiday in the UK in many cases, even for us UK nationals !

that's what my aunt and uncle tell me too....they lived there for a number of years. Back in the 80's my uncle was relocated there for several yrs with the company he worked for (IBM), they've spent every May there since as they've made a lot of friends. It's kind of funny because he even retired from IMB jonly to turn around move back by way of independent contracting. They only recently moved back to the states again in the past couple years, against their will. Had something to do with the government forcing non-residents out (I'm sure it had something to do with the terrorist threats going on at the time), they were given 2 weeks to settle their personal business sell their house and get a one-way ticket back home. Even after all this, they still think of England as their home...they were heart broken to leave, they love everything about the place. Anyhow.....that's all they talk about is the ease of travel there vs here and how you CAN do it for a very reasonable price if want to.

[tevagirl]

Good morning! I hope you all have a pleasant weekend.

I will be packing. I leave on Monday for Myrtle Beach for my annual ladies only trip. :woohoo:

[tevagirl]

Hello from Myrtle Beach! Hope everyone is having a good week.

[jdybnsn]

Hope you are having a good time too Teva !!! :goodvibes

Sunny and warm here today.....almost like Summer already! We seem to have missed Spring out this year -hope I haven't spoken too soon ! :rolleyes1

[Princess Tink]

It's kinda of chilly and rainy here.....definately didn't miss spring here in the Midwest US, although it wouldn't break my heart....summer my most favorite time of year!

[Tinkermom3]

OK, so I thought I would post here to get the thoughts of those of us cruising 2/9.08. This will be our first DCL cruise (first ever for our kids) and I had posted a thread asking about weather in February. Now, I know it can vary greatly in Florida but I was really wanting to know more about the ports. Some have said they would never cruise in February again because it was so cool. I have also heard that the water temps at CC are rather cool. I guess I am just looking for some positive thoughts.:flower3: DH says not to worry about the weather but I really want warm! I have only been on one cruise 13 years ago when I was pregnant with our first child. We cruised to Bermuda in October and the weather was just awful. I never even got near the pool because it was so cold and we had high seas and I ended up getting VERY seasick and in my cabin for 3 days on the way back.:sad1: I actually swore that I would never cruise again but DCL just looks too awesome! Any of you have experience cruising in February?? Thanks in advance for any reassurances!:goodvibes

[jdybnsn]

Hi Tinkermom3

We cruised at the end of February last year (2/26 - 4 night).

There was a cool wind, but it was sunny at Port Canaveral when we left PC. The first night the sea was VERY rough and I was having serious concerns about the rest of the trip.:scared1: However, I have since learned that it is common for the first night to be rough / choppy seas due to the currents the ship is crossing.

However by the time we woke up, docked in Nassau it was a beautiful day :sunny:

Temperatures were really warm, without being overly hot, just right IMO ...and so it remained so for the rest of the trip.

We had no problems docking at CC and we had a lovely day there. We swam in the sea and lazed on the beach :beach: Our day at sea was equally good calm, warm & sunny .....nice enough to catch the rays on the deck.

Even back at PC the weather remained good.

Yes, I believe the weather can be variable, and I do also think that people opinion of water temperature / hot weather will also vary depending on their own comfort levels and what they are used to at home/holidays.

Still, plenty of people are repeat cruisers in December and January, let alone February, and Disney ships sail full even then..... so on the whole, while you can be unlucky, I don't think it can be all that bad :rolleyes:

Hope that puts your mind at rest a little, and hoping that 'lightning doesn't strike twice' for you :)

[yearbook50]

6 more days til I'm back in the US! Project is all done...now its just fun time like wine tours and table mountain after our bus ride back to Cape Town tomorrow.

[jdybnsn]

Lovely to hear from you Melissa :hug:

[emtmom]

:wave2: Hi Everyone!! Been a while since I've checked in!!

We were at CC this past January, and the weather was beautiful. Water was on the cool side, but still swimmable. It was really windy so most of the excursions were cancelled for the day. I spent the day reading in the sun...my kind of vacation!!
I can't be of help with the other ports as we were on the Eastern cruise. Those ports were nice and warm though.

[bkfor]

Any of you have experience cruising in February?? Thanks in advance for any reassurances!:goodvibes

we cruised the february 24 - march 3 western caribbean and the weather was perfect.

[tevagirl]

Hello everyone. I'm still in Myrtle Beach on vacation but it's coming to an end in three days.

I'm not ready to go home! :sad1:

[yearbook50]

I'm home!!!!!

[emtmom]

Welcome Home Melissa!! :wave2:

[tevagirl]

Welcome home, Melissa. Where are your pictures?

[yearbook50]

Welcome home, Melissa. Where are your pictures?
Right here :D

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/5094/africa2274kk3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Penguins on the Cape

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/4129/africa1162zx4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Leopard that almost attacked one of the students

http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/573/africa478ss9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Nelson Mandela's Prison Cell

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/5025/africa2155vb0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
My group and me with our sponsors after our final presentation

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/453/africa2146qk9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Lion!

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/4441/africa1765vo9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Elephant that later charged at us

[yearbook50]

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/1444/africa1574if5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Thats the Etosha Pan...basically a big salt pit that animals go to die


http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/7272/africa481mi5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Apparently in Africa...Cream Soda is neon green


http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/6499/africa1174et7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
And at this point, our truck went away from the cheetahs because we didnt want near them until they were fed.

[jdybnsn]

Wow ! Lovely pictures !


:thumbsup2

[tevagirl]

Melissa! What great pictures! I want more!!! :yay:

[tevagirl]

Hello? Anyone home? :confused3

[yearbook50]

Hello? Anyone home? :confused3

Not much here...been working and I have an interview tomorrow with BMS...i'm also planning on getting my hair cut tomorrow since its been like a year since I did it last (bad I know)

[tevagirl]

Melissa, how did the interview go?

[yearbook50]

Melissa, how did the interview go?

Got the job :D
I'm now a reliability engineering intern for BMS :D

[tevagirl]

Got the job :D
I'm now a reliability engineering intern for BMS :D


That's great! Congratulations!! :cheer2:

[tevagirl]

I've made our 'night before' hotel reservations, I've arranged transportation to the hotel and back to the airport from the ship, and I've ordered pirate outfits for the little ones. All I need now is some cheap airfare! :thumbsup2

[yearbook50]

I've made our 'night before' hotel reservations, I've arranged transportation to the hotel and back to the airport from the ship, and I've ordered pirate outfits for the little ones. All I need now is some cheap airfare! :thumbsup2
I need to figure out where I'll be in January before I figure out my airfare. I graduate in December so I'm not sure where I'll be having a job after that. Hopefully I'll know in October...

[tevagirl]

I need to figure out where I'll be in January before I figure out my airfare. I graduate in December so I'm not sure where I'll be having a job after that. Hopefully I'll know in October...

The good rates aren't out yet anyway, Melissa.

I've changed my cabin. My dd daughter decided she wanted to upgrade to a verandah and wanted to connect to mine (babysitting reasons). There were no connecting cabins left in a category 6 so we both upgraded to a five and we are now in 7550 and 7548.

[yearbook50]

The good rates aren't out yet anyway, Melissa.

I've changed my cabin. My dd daughter decided she wanted to upgrade to a verandah and wanted to connect to mine (babysitting reasons). There were no connecting cabins left in a category 6 so we both upgraded to a five and we are now in 7550 and 7548.

cool, i'm trying to convince my fiance for us to upgrade to a verandah since well i got my internship (which = extra money) and i got the promotion at my retail job too (= even more money) but he isn't buying it yet...i'll work on it though...hopefully after his first trip to disney in june he'll fall in love with the magic :D

[tevagirl]

Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello


I think I hear an echo in here.

[Princess Tink]

Hello back at ya!
We've been busy here lately....DH has been working out of town and I've been halling the kid around by myself (good thing we only have the one). He's been out of town 8 out of the past 11-12 weeks....since DS is out of school and I had a little extra vacation, we decided to join him in 2 weeks. So I've been doing research on Dearborn/Detroit for the past week....wanna make sure we have some fun things to do while DH is at work.

I must be crazy because I'm still tying up loose ends for our trip to WDW July 2-10! Not to mention I'm getting DS ready for camp next week. I'm starting to think I strive on stress.

[jdybnsn]

Sorry, I've not been on here for a while :guilty:

Busy packing for Switzerland (we leave on Sunday)..and just wanted to tell you how happy I am because David Beckham :love: set up a goal for John Terry to score for England, against Brazil tonight, at the new Wembley Stadium in London (sorry big soccer fan here :guilty: ).

[tevagirl]

Hello back at ya!
We've been busy here lately....DH has been working out of town and I've been halling the kid around by myself (good thing we only have the one). He's been out of town 8 out of the past 11-12 weeks....since DS is out of school and I had a little extra vacation, we decided to join him in 2 weeks. So I've been doing research on Dearborn/Detroit for the past week....wanna make sure we have some fun things to do while DH is at work.

I must be crazy because I'm still tying up loose ends for our trip to WDW July 2-10! Not to mention I'm getting DS ready for camp next week. I'm starting to think I strive on stress.
I hope you have fun and can relax a little!
Sorry, I've not been on here for a while :guilty:

Busy packing for Switzerland (we leave on Sunday)..and just wanted to tell you how happy I am because David Beckham :love: set up a goal for John Terry to score for England, against Brazil tonight, at the new Wembley Stadium in London (sorry big soccer fan here :guilty: ).

I don't know who those people are or what you're talking about but get that's it good...so :woohoo: !!!!!

[tevagirl]

I have another cabin change to report. I am now in 6052 (the cabin we were in last time!) and my dd is in 6054. We found out yesterday that the cabins they gave us weren't connectiong after all so I pm'd them and they chnaged it to these two. Which is even better because it won't cost me more money now. :thumbsup2

[tevagirl]

:rolleyes1

[tevagirl]

http://bestsmileys.com/signs5/6.gif http://bestsmileys.com/signs1/23.gif

[tevagirl]

Fish tank

:fish: :fish: :fish: :fish: :fish: :fish: :fish: :fish: :fish: :fish: :fish: :fish: :fish: :fish:


I have nothing to read so I mind as well get something to look at. :teeth:

[IndyDisneyFan]

Hi everyone! Something to keep in mind somewhere in the back of your head if you want a verandah but don't want to shell out the money. This past Feb on the same cruise there were a whole lot of people who received the "magical" free upgrade including us so there is still hope! We were upgraded from a cat. 9 to the cat. 7 with the open verandah. My DH loved the room so much that we booked that same cabin for our return :love: trip. No matter what, as long as you are sailing with Disney you are going to have a wonderful time!

Laura

[tevagirl]

Hi everyone! Something to keep in mind somewhere in the back of your head if you want a verandah but don't want to shell out the money. This past Feb on the same cruise there were a whole lot of people who received the "magical" free upgrade including us so there is still hope! We were upgraded from a cat. 9 to the cat. 7 with the open verandah. My DH loved the room so much that we booked that same cabin for our return :love: trip. No matter what, as long as you are sailing with Disney you are going to have a wonderful time!

Laura

Wait! Don't go! I've been so lonely! :sad1:

Oh well, at least I still have the fish.

[jdybnsn]

Hey, I'm back from Switzerland now !!!....you are not alone !:thumbsup2

[tevagirl]

Hey, I'm back from Switzerland now !!!....you are not alone !:thumbsup2

Judy!!! http://bestsmileys.com/hugging/2.gif I've missed you!!

[yearbook50]

I've been really busy lately so I haven't been around. Thats what I get for working two jobs. Only 2 more months of this though :D

[jdybnsn]

Back to rainy ol' England ..:sad2:

....and all that holiday washing :laundy: :laundy: :laundy: :laundy:

Switzerland was great though.......we have done loads of cable cars and mountain railways, been to a chocolate factory (with free samples :love: ), visited castles, swam and generally took in the breath taking views.:goodvibes

We met quite a few Americans and Canadians which was great (to have fellow english speakers to converse with ...since my french is so rusty !).

The worst bit about being back home (apart from the washing) was finding I had been charged nearly $40 for a 4 minute phonecall home, made through the international operator :faint:

[tevagirl]

Hello my mateys. :sail:

[emtmom]

:wave2: Hi Everyone!

It's been a crazy month so far--dance recitals, First Commnion, first birthday celebration, my hubby working too moany hours to count, and being back in school!! Planning a trip to Orlando in October...now I am really looking forward to this cruise!!

[tevagirl]

:wave2: Hi Everyone!

It's been a crazy month so far--dance recitals, First Commnion, first birthday celebration, my hubby working too moany hours to count, and being back in school!! Planning a trip to Orlando in October...now I am really looking forward to this cruise!!

Happy first birthday baby David!! http://bestsmileys.com/birthday2/3.gif

[tci1212]

tevagirl,
This is where you hang out?