May 30, 2009 - Western Cruise Magic

[homespun]

. WELCOME .


CRUISE MEETS:

At the terminal --11:15 - 11:30 in seating area near the hallway that leads to the bathrooms in the terminal.

Onboard -- Promenade Lounge -- 3:00 PM

Happy sailing everyone!!!


WE ARE NOW OFFICIALLY .........

:cheer2: "THE DISNEY CRUISIN' BUDGETEERS!":cheer2:





:tinker: We're booked and anxiously awaiting our cruise! :tinker:


This is our 2nd Disney Cruise--This time on the Magic. DH, DS (14 at sailing) and myself are really looking forward to this cruise.

We met some great people on DIS last time we cruised. Anyone else on this sailing of the Magic? :tink:

Karen in Illinois

[luvdmouse57]

My dh & I will be on the May 30, 2009 cruise. We're going to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. We're both BIG Disney fans so there was no other option for us but Disney. This is our first cruise. We can't wait!

Karla in Kansas

[jennymouse]

Count us in on the Disney Magic May 30, 2009! It will be myself, DD34, DGD who'll be 5 then and, homespun, my DGD who'll be 14 then too! I'm sure those two will probably meet at the club. This is our first cruise and we're so excited! Seems like a long time away....

[luvdmouse57]

Exactly 1 year from today we leave on our cruise! Is everybody packed & ready to go?

Karla in Kansas

[homespun]

I can't wait - we're going to have a great time!!!

Anyone know what changes are being made during the Magic's drydock this year?
:cool1:

[homespun]

Jennymouse - Maybe our kids will meet in the teen area. I'm so looking forward to this trip!

[luvdmouse57]

:sad2: :sad2: I read that they will be repainting after the repo cruises because the ship gets scraped going through the panama canal. I think that they said some interior refurbishing but can't remember for sure. I've slept since then. ;)

We're both really excited too. The only bad thing is that I have to get through 10 months of work at school before then.

Karla

[luvdmouse57]

Homespun, I found out what they did to the Magic while it was in dry dock. I'm cutting & pasting the disboard response ( I hope that's allowed) cuz I don't know how to send the link. I included the DISer's name so that I can give them credit.
---------------------------------------

Hi all, I haven't seen this posted but I saw this press release and wanted to send it along. The Magic is getting some nice upgrades:
CELEBRATION, Fla. – An exciting collection of enhancements awaits the Disney Magic as the ship heads into dry dock Sept. 6-24, 2008. The 2,700 passenger cruise ship will undergo a series of upgrades for guests of all ages.

Here is a glimpse at what’s in store:


Indulgence and Relaxation
Quiet Cove, the serene pool retreat reserved for the enjoyment of adults, will undergo a makeover including upgrades to Cove Café, the pool and the deck area. Cove Café, the ship’s sophisticated coffee lounge, will incorporate a new seating area with plush, comfortable chairs providing the perfect venue to relax while sipping a cup of gourmet coffee. Meanwhile, the adult pool will be outfitted with soothing, cascading waterfalls from the two hot tubs. Teak deck and lounge chairs with plush cushions will line the pool, creating an inviting, stylish ambiance in line with the Vista Spa and Salon.

Fun for the Little Ones
The Oceaneer Club, a Neverland-themed play space for 3-7 year olds, and the Oceaneer Lab, a whacky and interactive laboratory exclusively for 8-12 year olds, will be enhanced with new registration areas that make the check-in process more efficient and hassle-free. This sets the stage for incorporating Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology in the youth activity areas later this year, which will further enhance and streamline the check-in process. The technology uses RFID tags embedded on wristbands, allowing children to simply tap a sensor to check in and out of the clubs.
Even the youngest cruisers will have a splashtacular time in “Mickey’s Splash Zone,” a new toddler water playground inspired by Fantasia’s Sorcerer’s Apprentice. This 385-square-foot extension to the Mickey Pool on deck 9 will feature star- and moon-shaped interactive fountains, a soft play surface and whimsical splash zones; creating an inviting environment for children not yet toilet trained and in swim diapers.

New Conveniences
The guest staterooms onboard the Disney Magic are receiving an infusion of technology with the installation of flat-screen LCD television sets. The new 22-inch units will be mounted on a swivel arm to allow easy viewing from multiple locations within the stateroom.

__________________
MK Merchandise CM

9/03 Wonder 4 night
9/05 Wonder 4 night
3/06 Magic 7 Night-Western
9/06 Magic 7 Night-Western
3/07 Magic 7 Night-Western
9/07 Magic 7 night-Eastern
12/07 Wonder 3 night
3/08 Wonder 3 night
9/08 Wonder 4 night
12/08 Magic 7 night-Western

[pclaire]

Hello everyone - we just booked this cruise. It'll be me and my dd10 (but VERY close to 11 when we cruise, in case I dare to forget it!). We were going on the March 28th eastern to St. Croix, but I'm a lawyer, and I have a trial which was scheduled for this week, but just got moved to next March. Bummer, but we love the western anyway! Took this cruise spring break of 2007 and had a blast. Best excursion ever was the royal dolphin swim in Cozumel. We will definitely do that again. anyway, just wanted to say hi!

[Keggy]

DH and I are booked for this sailing!!:yay: :yay:

I can't wait!

[Luv2Travel]

Hi everyone! :wave2: I've just moved our reservation to this sailing. :yay: I had a "dummy" reservation waiting to move it to 2010, but with the steep deposits and even steeper (is that a word?) prices, we've decided to go ahead and cruise in the Caribbean in 2009. :thumbsup2

My crew consists of DH, DS (will be 15), DD (will be 15), and DS (will be 13), and myself (of course). I also have a couple of other families cruising with us that I'll try to get to join this thread. The first family consists of DH, DW, DS (will be 13), and DS (will be 10). The second family consists of DH, DW, DD (will be 14), and DS (will be 13). A couple of other fun ladies (grandmothers) may also join us.

Does anyone want to do fish extenders?

Here is a list of cruisers so far (hope I'm not being too obtrusive :flower3: ):
homespun - DH, DW, DS (14)
luvdmouse57 - DH, DW (celebrating 30th!)
jennymouse - DGM, DD, DGD (5), DGD (14)
pclaire - DM, DD (almost 11)
Keggy - DH, DW
Luv2Travel - DH, DW, DD (15), DS (15), DS (13)
Family #1 - DH, DW, DS (13), DS (10)
Family #2 - DH, DW, DD (14), DS (13)
2 Grandmothers

Does that list look correct?

Here is what our itinerary could look like:
Saturday - embark :sail:
Sunday - Key West
Monday - at sea - Formal Night, Golden Mickeys :boat:
Tuesday - Grand Cayman - Twice Charmed
Wednesday - Cozumel - Pirate Night pirate:
Thursday - at sea - Semi-Formal, Dreams, Captain's Gala menu :boat:
Friday - Castaway Cay!! :beach:
Saturday - disembark :sad1:

Anything else I can list or summarize to get us excited? Are there any corrections that I need to make? Is there anyway we can make this cruise get here any quicker? :rotfl2:

Thanks for letting me rattle on . . . only 7 1/2 more months!!

[Keggy]

Hi everyone! :wave2: I've just moved our reservation to this sailing. :yay: I had a "dummy" reservation waiting to move it to 2010, but with the steep deposits and even steeper (is that a word?) prices, we've decided to go ahead and cruise in the Caribbean in 2009. :thumbsup2

Anything else I can list or summarize to get us excited? Are there any corrections that I need to make? Is there anyway we can make this cruise get here any quicker? :rotfl2:

Thanks for letting me rattle on . . . only 7 1/2 more months!!

Looks great! I don't have a fish extender, but I was thinking about getting one!

[pclaire]

I think the fish extenders are a great idea! From reading other posts, it seems people really have a lot of fun with them. hopefully we'll get a lot of people joining in

[Keggy]

Does anyone know what the seller's name is on ebay that makes them? I will definitely join in as long as I can get one?

So, has anyone been thinking about what excursions they want to do?

All I know for sure at this point is that I want to go to Naichi Cocum (sp?) on Cozumel. We didn't go last time and I regretted it! Although, last time we had lunch at Pancho's backyard and it was wonderful!!!

I am thinking in Key West that we will take the trolley that lets you get on and off so we can get around faster.

Grand Cayman - no idea yet. My DH loves to snorkel, but I don't know about me and stingrays so I don't even have an idea there!

:) Kelly

[Keggy]

bumping up to the first page in case anyone else may be looking for us!

:cool1:

[luvdmouse57]

I did a little research & these are the addresses of some of the fish extenders that were for sale on ebay. There were several different sellers but most of them were made by these 3 people.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Disney-Fish-Extender-4-Pocket-Organizer-Cruise-Mickey_W0QQitemZ230298712147QQcmdZViewItem?hash=it em230298712147&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C 240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mickey-Minnie-Pirate-Princess-Custom-Fish-Extender_W0QQitemZ320308933555QQcmdZViewItem?hash= item320308933555&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C 240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com/Disney-Fish-Extender-Mickey-Signature_W0QQitemZ160283763514QQcmdZViewItem?hash =item160283763514&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C 240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

We aren't going to get one. I thought that they were pretty neat but DH said that he doesn't see that we'd need one. It'll just be the 2 of us & when on vacation, we do most things together anyway.

Karla in Kansas

[luvdmouse57]

PS I'm glad to see that we're getting some more people on the cruise. For a while, I thought it was going to be just the original 3 posting families.

Karla in Kansas

[Keggy]

I did a little research & these are the addresses of some of the fish extenders that were for sale on ebay. There were several different sellers but most of them were made by these 3 people.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Disney-Fish-Extender-4-Pocket-Organizer-Cruise-Mickey_W0QQitemZ230298712147QQcmdZViewItem?hash=it em230298712147&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C 240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mickey-Minnie-Pirate-Princess-Custom-Fish-Extender_W0QQitemZ320308933555QQcmdZViewItem?hash= item320308933555&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C 240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com/Disney-Fish-Extender-Mickey-Signature_W0QQitemZ160283763514QQcmdZViewItem?hash =item160283763514&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C 240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

We aren't going to get one. I thought that they were pretty neat but DH said that he doesn't see that we'd need one. It'll just be the 2 of us & when on vacation, we do most things together anyway.

Karla in Kansas


Thanks for posting these! It will just be DH & I as well on this cruise. If other's want to do the FE then I will definitely join in. I am ging on another cruise where I know we will be doing them, so I need to get one anyway.

Thanks again!

[Paula13]

We just booked on Monday.:cool1: This will be our 3rd cruise.. can't wait!! Myself, DH, DD (13) her friend (13) will be sailing!

[auntlynne]

I've just booked this cruise for a niece 16 yo and myself. I was checking on the $99 3-night bounce back cruise for next fall when you do a winter 4- or 7- night, but found the May 30th to be a better deal. Plus we really like the longer cruises better, having done both a 3- and 4-night Bahamas last year and a 7-night DD modified Western in October 2008. We are scheduled for the 2010 Westbound Transatlantic; talk about longer cruises. The after- :teacher: timing also made this attractive.

Somebody had said there were some good deals in May and June, so I gave it a look and booked this as a cat 12 for $1800; $1500 less than a cat 11. Wish I had had a dummy date to get the discount; my last onboard discount is being applied to my transatlantic crossing. I figure for the savings, I can pass up windows, balconies, etc. That savings will almost pay for the cruise portion of the 14-night repositioning cruise. So, thank you to all who post when they find deals on pricing :thumbsup2

We did the FE on our 7-night cruise; I didn't know what an FE was before that. And I love my FE; I hung it up in the dining room for 2 weeks after I came home and then put it away, thinking I wouldn't get to use it for 2 years. We had about 48 families participate. Originally, it was 36 and we divided into 3 groups of 12 cabins w/FEs. As new people joined the group after the initial cut-off, they were put in a newly created group with the warning that they might not get the same FE gifts as other groups because their members didn't have as long to plan. I don't think the last group suffered and I was happy that everyone who wanted to participate was able to.

Here is our FE and some magnets on our door:

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp321/auntlynne61/S7300572_2.jpg

Lynne and DN Karen

[luvdmouse57]

We leave 6 months from today! I am so excited! We jjust got home from a weekend at my sister's in OKC & couldn't wait to get on the computer to remind everyone even though I should be headed for bed (4:30 comes WAY too early).

See everyone in 6 months!

Karla in Kansas

[liliagm]

Well I just booked for this cruise, Its me and DH (34) and DD2, we got a great rate at a cat 12 gty($1581, no ins no transfers and no fuel surcharge!!) and just had to do a $250 deposit! could not let it pass.... now I will surprise DH on christmas with this, right after we comeback from our 3 night prechristmas cruise (12-21 to 12/24 wich by the way costed us almost the same than this one for May) so hopefully he will say yes to 7 days!

So I will let you all know if he "approves", if any one has any suggestions of stuff that is great at the 7 day cruises let me know so that I can overwhelm him with the goods and convince him!

[mmmagic7754]

We had no plans for a cruise this year but couldn't pass up the Cat 12 deal.Looking foward to seeing everyone onboard.This will be our 6th Disney cruise(me,wife and 15yr son) Glad to help if anyone has ?s about cruising with Mickey:mickeyjum :mickeyjum

[MRS_RMM]

We're booked for this cruise too!! We also weren't planning on cruising so soon after our last one, but we couldn't pass up the Cat 12 deal. It'll be me, DH and DD4. It'll be our 5th Disney cruise. :yay:

I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone in the coming months!

[klcason]

We changed to this cruise today, had the 4 nite in SPH rooms booked for the week before, we are saving a whopping $800 and moving to 7 nites. We have 2 gty 12 rooms myself, & DD9 (but 1 week from 10) in one room and DH and DS7 in the other! I am so darn excited about the rate.

Anyway, we sailed on the 4 nite in May 2008 and are looking forward to another trip!

Kayla

[Bama4Disney]

Hey all:

We are so excited. We found the great rate for 2 adults and 2 boys ( 5 &8) for May 30th. $2460.60. Couldn't believe it. We where booked for WDW but will be switching as this is the lowest rate I have ever seen on DCL for this time a year. This will be our 4th cruise on Disney and our first since 2005. We first sailed the same weekend May 30th, 5 years ago. Our first child wasn't even born then!. We can't wait!

See you all there:banana:

[dawne577]

After a roller coaster of vacation plans we booked this cruise for $1338 for 2(just DH & I.) I never would have believed a price like that on a Disney ship.
This is our 4th time sailing Disney - 8 total.

[luvdmouse57]

We just paid off our cruise today. I'm so excited! Having the cruise paid for makes it seem like more of a reality. We're really going on a Disney cruise!!!

Karla in Kansas

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Good morning everyone. I just booked this cruise last night!!! Got the great Cat. 12 price for $2460.60 for me(28), DH(38), and my twin DD's(11 now but will be turning 12 in May).

We were booked to go on a 4 day over Thanksgiving in 2009, but when I saw this price I had to switch. Now we get to cruise 6 months earlier then planned and 3 more days for cheaper!

Me - Heidi
DH - Chris
DD - Emily
DD - Amanda

On this Cruise we will be celebrating my birthday, May 29th; the girls Birthday, May 23rd; and Chris and my first year wedding anniversary, June 6th.

This will be my 9th DCL cruise (3rd for the Western), Chris's 3rd DCL cruise, and the girls first cruise ever. For our Honeymoon we went on the 15 day EB PC cruise and the girls have been begging us to take them ever since!

This is going to be a suprise cruise for them. On their birthday we are going to suprise them and tell them they are going to WDW but they will not know about the cruise. Then when we pull up to the port we will see if they figure it out and then suprise them that they are going on the cruise!

I am up for fish extenders. I already have mine that a very nice diser made for me for one of my other cruises. It is a lot of fun to do if we can get a bunch of people to do it.

[brucechase]

Like many others, I never thought I would be going on this one. I just got back from our first ever - a 3 night on Oct 16. It was a blast, but way too short. There are 4 of us (ages are at the time of the cruise - all of us have birthdays in Dec and Jan)

ME44
DW42
DD12
DD10

No one knows about this yet and I am debating about telling any of them. I don't know if I should keep this a surprise or at least let my wife in on it. Any opinions on this from you guys?

Definately OK for the FE. I probably won't go overboard like last time due to luggage restrictions. 7 days is a lot more than 3 and we had way too much for luggage. Now with dress-up nights and stuff, I'm not sure how much we will have to take. I don't even have any real dress-up clothes so I might have to eat somewhere else because there seems to be quite a few people on the ship that are mortally offended in anything casual. Not sure what I'll do. I usually don't worry about it but I saw where many people said topsiders has great porterhouse steaks and this might be an excuse to try there.

On the last cruise my DD11 loved the kids club, but my DD9 did not. There was no one there that she "clicked" with and she is kinda shy. I hope this isn't a problem on this cruise.

Oh well, enough rambling - for now.

[Pooh_Friend#1]

On the last cruise my DD11 loved the kids club, but my DD9 did not. There was no one there that she "clicked" with and she is kinda shy. I hope this isn't a problem on this cruise.

Oh well, enough rambling - for now.
Hopefully all of our DD's will click with each other. My DD's will be 12 at the time, but they have no problem hanging out with younger kids.

To me, it doesn't really matter how you dress on Formal night so I won't be offended. Not sure if I want to get dressed up or not, depends on if I can figure out a way to secretly get my DD's a nice dress or outfit! Maybe I will see you in Topsiders!

[brucechase]

Just on this thread alone there are 10 Cat12 booked (maybe more that is all that said what category they had). With only 13 rooms available, there is a great chance for all of us to have upgrades. Last cruise, I had 2 cat12 booked and got upgraded to connecting cat9's. If anyone is interested, here is my trip report.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1993791


I still want to do the FE. When do we want to start making a list? I will volunteer to keep track if no one else wants to do that. Let me know what everyone wants.

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Just on this thread alone there are 10 Cat12 booked (maybe more that is all that said what category they had). With only 13 rooms available, there is a great chance for all of us to have upgrades. Last cruise, I had 2 cat12 booked and got upgraded to connecting cat9's. If anyone is interested, here is my trip report.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1993791


I still want to do the FE. When do we want to start making a list? I will volunteer to keep track if no one else wants to do that. Let me know what everyone wants.
I look forward to reading your trip report at home in my spare time. Thanks for the link. :goodvibes

[brucechase]

What is everyone considering for shore excursions? I've done a 3 day and saved a ton of money because of this board. I've looked at some things that DCL offer, but I am not afraid to strike out on our own for a $ savings.

Does anyone have a must see or must do? I've seen some threads and the cooking thing looks like a neat thing and so does the jeep tour. Anyone else looking at things?

[Pooh_Friend#1]

For sure we are going to do the Dolphin Swim in Cozumel on our own. I was hoping to do horseback riding in Grand Cayman but I cannot really find any info on that.

My husband was born and raised in Key West, so his family is going to meet us down there for the day and we are going to tour the island and see where he was born, where my MIL grew up, the cemetary that my DH's grandpa was buried at, and eat at the favorite local cuban restaurants.

[brucechase]

For sure we are going to do the Dolphin Swim in Cozumel on our own. I was hoping to do horseback riding in Grand Cayman but I cannot really find any info on that.

My husband was born and raised in Key West, so his family is going to meet us down there for the day and we are going to tour the island and see where he was born, where my MIL grew up, the cemetary that my DH's grandpa was buried at, and eat at the favorite local cuban restaurants.

I didn't really have any plans for us for KW, but I would love to try some authentic Cuban food. If you could find any recommendations, I might try to go find some new and exciting food.

[BamaBornNemoNut]

Glad to find this thread. I know that so far our group has eight cabins booked and keeping a watch for more Cat12's to be available at the discount rate. This will be the first 7 night Disney Cruise for us and we are so pumped. My DSIS has all the details and is making the plans for excursions and such. We haven't seen the FE before, so you've peaked my curiosity.

[luvdmouse57]

DH & I plan to do the Cozumel Highlights & Mayan Ruins in Cozumel. ( I've heard that the ruins on the mainland, can't think of the name of them right now are much better but DH doesn't want to spend that much for it) In Grand Cayman, we plan to do one of the Island tours. In Key West, we plan to just walk around the island on our own & maybe do the tram.

The first thing we want to try to do on Key West is try to make it to mass. I figure if the ship gets to Key West on time & we can be first in line to get off the ship, we should be able to make it.

Karla in Kansas

[brucechase]

Glad to find this thread. I know that so far our group has eight cabins booked and keeping a watch for more Cat12's to be available at the discount rate. This will be the first 7 night Disney Cruise for us and we are so pumped. My DSIS has all the details and is making the plans for excursions and such. We haven't seen the FE before, so you've peaked my curiosity.

Eight cabins in your group alone:eek: . That would make 18-20 for this thread and the other great deals thread.

The FE is a great thing. Check out my trip report that I posted a link to earlier and it will explain a little about it. I'm hoping we can get a good group together to do this. It was a blast last time.

[Suzepoo]

Hi everyone!! I am Suzanne, DSIS to BamaBornNemoNut....:yay: .....we will most likely be going snorkeling/diving in Cozumel as I have a friend who owns Eagle Ray Divers and we always snorkel with them and have an INCREDIBLE day!!! In Grand Cayman, I have another friend who owns Native Way Water Sports, and we most likely will book with them and go to Sting Ray City and then snorkeling. As we have never been to Key West, we are hoping to just see the town and maybe find a beach club for the day. Anyone else want to join in, feel free as our motto is THE MORE THE MERRIER:banana:

Yes, we booked 8 Cat 12 cabins on Monday, and keep watching to try and grab more!!! What a DEAL!!! I am SO excited because we love cruising, and even though we have cruised on Disney 2 times before, NEVER have we felt that a 7-night was affordable, much less in MAY!!! WOO HOO cannot WAIT to be boarding the Beautiful Magic again!!! I look forward to getting to know you all better!!:dance3:

Also...these boards are almost identical to CruiseCritic...I started a Roll Call there, too, so I'll be coming back and forth....:cheer2:

[BamaBornNemoNut]

I'll be happy to post my details for the two cabins I've booked, but that's only 2 of the 8 total. In one cabin will be me (45) and my dd (15). In the second cabin will be DM (72) and ds (13 on 5/15). The second cabin is a maybe depending on ds baseball schedule. Myself and DM cruised the Wonder in Jan08 and my family (including DH (47)) cruised the Wonder in Sep05 along with other family members who are doing this 5/30 cruise.;) We have been bumped to a CAT10 from CAT12 before, so here's hoping for some pixie dust.:wizard: I'll post more details once plans are definite.

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I didn't really have any plans for us for KW, but I would love to try some authentic Cuban food. If you could find any recommendations, I might try to go find some new and exciting food.
I know we are going to a place called Five Brothers (more like a corner store with fried food)for sure. I will ask my DH the other cuban restaurant we are going to.

ETA - my DH said we are going to SeaBonet (???) (I have no idea how to spell it)

[Suzepoo]

We have one of those here in Chattanooga where I live....are they the same????:confused:

[liliagm]

Hi guys! it looks like we are going to have a great time! we just got back from our 3 day (12/21-12/24) and I gave DH as a christmas gift the details of the 7 day and when he saw the price he said yes! so we are also holding a cat 12, we'll see what happens with the upgrades.... this cruise we just came back we where in one of the cat 12's rooms but they had just painted it the day before and the smell was awfull so we told the guest services people that we where concerned for our DD2 smelling that stuff 3 days and they moved us to a cat 9! with a porthole! yay! :cool1:

We would love to participate on the FE as well, so count us in!

[Luv2Travel]

Happy Holidays everyone!

Just wanted to update on my family's cruise plans: unfortunately, I realized that my 15 year old twins will be taking driver's ed during the first couple of weeks of June. :headache: So we had to make a change of plans. :sad1: We booked a cruise for Spring Break and had to cancel this one. That's the bad news (I would have much rather cruised in June than March and this is looking like a fun group to cruise with :goodvibes ), the good news is that we get to rebook the $99/person 3 night cruise in the fall. :cool1:

Sorry we won't be on this cruise with you, but I hope everyone has a Wonderful time!! pirate:

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Happy Holidays everyone!

Just wanted to update on my family's cruise plans: unfortunately, I realized that my 15 year old twins will be taking driver's ed during the first couple of weeks of June. :headache: So we had to make a change of plans. :sad1: We booked a cruise for Spring Break and had to cancel this one. That's the bad news (I would have much rather cruised in June than March and this is looking like a fun group to cruise with :goodvibes ), the good news is that we get to rebook the $99/person 3 night cruise in the fall. :cool1:

Sorry we won't be on this cruise with you, but I hope everyone has a Wonderful time!! pirate:

Oh bummer... :(

Well I just came to this thread because we had a "change of plans" and we'll be on this cruise! I got a heads up from our TA about these rates and we did some reconsidering of our plans and decided to switch to this cruise. We originally had booked a double cruise (10nt then 14nt in 2010) but the 10nt was SO much more expensive- get this.... considering ALL the costs of going for a week at Disney world (driving- not flying this time, in our RV, staying at Fort Wilderness which is something we've been wanting to do for years, the food- that we wouldn't have been paying for on the 10nt cruise obviously LOL, the tickets for WDW, parking our RV at the port for this cruise, etc etc- considering everything it would cost for the week at WDW then this 7nt crusie it still comes out to HALF the cost of the 10nt cruise.... and that cruise is very port intensive so the cost of all the things we'd have done at a port almost every day is not even being considered. I'm talking half the price of JUST THE CRUISE- for us to have a week at WDW and a 7nt cruise. It was a no brainer.
Plus ofcourse that means a cruise next summer instead of having to wait 2yrs again (we cruised 2006- a cruise we waited 3yrs for due to trying to book as soon as dates came out then having to postpone due to school calendar changing- and then cruised 2008 and planned on next cruise 2010. To heck with this 2yrs in between cruises! LOL) :rotfl:
Oh and this time we don't have to take the kids out of school a day or two early- since now I'm homeschooling them. :) (started this year)

Let's see... we have 2 cat 12 rooms- although it looks like atleast some of us will have to be upgraded ofcourse. LOL I've never stayed in a cat 12- the kids have (on the last cruise) though. Our first cruise was SPH rooms and the last cruise DH & I stayed in a cat 6 which was awesome. But for this price we can make do in a cat 12 if necessary.
Kids will be DD 15, DS 11.5, and DD turning 9 on June 16th (so almost "this" close to being 9 while on the cruise LOL)

We'll be celebrating our anniversary again... our 19th anniversary. :) (oh DH will be 42, I'll still be 39 since my birthday is in July. yes I like to rub it in to him when he's THREE years older than me for awhile each year. LOL my old man. :lmao: )

We'll join the FE and we're not sure of the excursions we'll do. I do know that Jeff (and possibly DS too if we can get him OFFICIALLY certified by then) will want to go scuba diving... we've done cozumel before (first cruise) and wasn't able to do the dolphin swim then due to the hurricane damage but then we did the dolphin (and sea lion) swim on the last cruise so it's not a "got to do" thing anymore... (although DD 15 might say otherwise LOL) so I'm not sure what we'll do in cozumel. That's where DH has scuba dived before- I'm not sure if he'll want to scuba dive there again. Which port on this cruise would be the best to scuba dive I wonder? None of us have been to Grand Cayman or Key West before... so I'm glad it's not a cruise that's like a total repeat of a previous cruise we've done. :) No clue what excursions we'll do though.

Happy to join your Dis group for this cruise! :yay: :woohoo: :banana: :hippie:

[kcashner]

Hello, my name is Kathryn and I am a DCL addict.

We may be sailing with you. I know that sounds insane, but it looks like this one will work. We are booked on the May 23 cruise for a graduation sailing for my soon to be 18 year old daughter. However....we had some bad weather days and the public schools were closed for a week and have to do "make up" days. Thus, if we do the May 23 sailing DD's friends can't go. However, if we do the May 30, they will have to miss one day of their choir tour.

So....Mom to the rescue.....we can drive to the cruise and then on the way home I can drop off the choir members at the tour and continue on home. It helps that tour is literally not out of our way. The kids will essentially miss the bus ride from home to the first tour site and instead will get a van ride from PC to first tour site.

If all of that is OK with her guests, their parents, etc. we will be on the May 30 cruise. If not, I think she'll choose to do the May 23 with her private school friends (who will be out as they didn't take the bad weather days)

Life is complicated....My TA is out till Monday, so she'll try to book then.

We have done 17 cruises on the Magic, and are scheduled to "Wonder" for the first time in Feb.

[kcashner]

Happy New Year! We need more action on this thread! It's officially less than 5 months till we sail.

[BamaBornNemoNut]

17 past cruises on the Magic - I'm so not there yet..

For those of us with kids that are 13, I'm wondering which club is right for them. I've seen Navigators from Nov '08 that indicate the Stack is for 14-17. I have a DS(13) who would probably prefer the Disney Quest with my DN(11). While my DN(13) would prefer to hang with my DD(15). Any thoughts? My thinking is that CMs will be ok with it either way. If your kid could decide, which way do you think they would lean?:confused3

[kcashner]

First, people use terms oddly on the boards. The Oceaneer's Club is for kids 3-7, Oceaneer's Lab 8-depends on which ship, Ocean Quest, and then The Stack. My usual advise is to put kids in their "age appropriate" group initially and then move them if that isn't working. I'm sure your 13 would like to hang with your 15, but would your 15 like it? If you try a day or two in the appropriate groups, then you can justify the move if you choose to make it.

The reason for Ocean Quest is that there is a huge age and maturity gap between a 13 and a 17 year old, and unfortunately, over the years The Stack has become less appropriate for anyone in my (and DD's) opinion. Some cruises are rather calm, some are just inappropriately crazy with dirty dancing, etc. Mine leaves when the evening activities don't meet her value systems.

All that said, Ocean Quest was a little lame when it first opened. Maybe it's better now.

I will advise (warn, hee hee) you that I'll have a group of 5 17 and 18 year olds with me. 18s who are in high school or just out (but not in college yet) are allowed in The Stack. They are all good kids and have been in church youth group together for years. I suspect that they'll mostly hang together and maybe incorporate others into their group. DD is very sociable when we travel as a family, but my guess is that the friends will stick together. We've already discussed that we're going to request to be seated at a table with just our group--my logic is that no one else wants to be subjected to their jokes, etc and that dinner is the main "mom supervision" time.

DD reports that younger kids frequently "crash" The Stack with or without family members, with or without permission. She has actually voiced concern for them from the standpoint of how blatantly sexual some of the Stack stuff can be. Of course, a lot of it is just playing Guitar Hero up there too...when the line isn't too long!

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

kcashner- I tend to agree with you! My daughter was barely 14 on our last cruise- her first time in the stack and let me tell you... I'd much have preferred she was in the younger age grouping! I know the demographics is quite different on every cruise- but similar to what you mentioned... there were things going on there that I don't approve of and that I found out (to some degree) my daughter was following along (okay so she's a follower by nature and this was a major "first taste of freedom" for her).

I know a lot of people say things (on other threads on this topic) about how 14yr olds are in highschool with those same older teens BUT... A) she wasn't in highchool yet. It was the summer before she started highschool and B) I don't know about other highschools but the Stack allows a LOT more behavior than ours does (ie: our schools don't even allow you to hold hands- no PDA at all. The stack is like the opposite of that- I think the only thing they might put a stop to is full on ..... um you know LOL But anything up to that point is totally allowed and it does go on)

I'm pleased to hear other "youth group" kiddos will be there (she'll be 15 on this cruise) - I hope she hangs out with them. :) That's the kids she hangs around with here at home (youth group activities at our church) and doesn't get in trouble that way LOL. (ps. she's homeschooled now- so that old "she's with older kids like that in highschool anyway" thing really doesn't fly now LOL)


That's disappointing to hear about younger kids crashing The Stack and that they allow that to happen. *shaking my head* :(

I see some other ages/gender mentioned that are the same as some of mine... (DD15 and DS11) That's cool :)

Yep we're getting close to the cruise- this is like "quick" for us after waiting 2 or more years for each cruise and this one planned all the sudden like this. :laughing: Is anyone else planning a stay or visit to WDW before the cruise?

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Hello cruisers. Now that the holidays are over with, I can spend more time focusing on the cruise.

[hmurry]

what is a fish extender used for?

[liliagm]

so how many of us have booked cat 12's? just wondering....... (we have 1 booked)

[klcason]

so how many of us have booked cat 12's? just wondering....... (we have 1 booked)

We have 2 booked.

[hmurry]

we have booked 2 cat12...
in our group will be mom 50
DD 18
Friend 18
Friend 18

we would like to be a part of the fish extenders but would like more information...we are really hoping that there will be more people our age to hang out with. we are super excited as this is all of ours first DCL

[mmmagic7754]

Also got Cat 12 for myself,DW and DS 15. As we get a little closer to cruise time it would be great to hear what some of you are thinking about for excursions. We did the coral reef & sunken ship snorkel at Gr Cayman a few years ago and really enjoyed it. Love to just walk around Key West on our own(thinking about the GPS tour this time):thumbsup2

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

We also have 2 cat 12 gty booked- obviously not everyone can be in a category 12 so it will be fun to see who gets upgraded! :) I don't know if we will- I just hope we're able to get our rooms near one another atleast!

I'm looking forward to figuring out what excursions we'll be doing too! Is there info about this on the DCL website yet? I'm so used to having years to plan for a trip and keep forgetting this one is coming up pretty soon! LOL

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I booked a Cat. 12 as well.

[Suzepoo]

we booked 8 Cat. 12 cabins....can't WAIT to see where we end up!!! We've always gotten upgraded in the past when we booked Cat. 12 cabins to at least a Cat. 10, so here's HOPING!!! :tinker: "pixie dust"

[BamaBornNemoNut]

I have two of the eight that DS just mentioned. :cheer2: :cheer2: One CAT12 gty for me and DD(15). Second CAT12 gty for DM(72) and DS(13). Bibbidy and kcashner, thanks for then input on the activities in the Stack. I will discourage my DD from being in there after dinner(we have late seating). She's another follower but I often let my two kiddos have freedom from Mom as long as they are with each other. Her experiences are VERY limited and she is not at all on the maturity level as some of her freshman classmates. She is excited about another 15 year old or two that she can meet. Bibbidy, whether we get an upgrade from our CAT12 or not, I'm with you. I just hope we are at least close together. Suzepoo has linked our reservations together and adjoining rooms would be great.:grouphug:

[klcason]

WOW 8!! Cool!

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Wow, 8 cat 12 rooms....that is great! I am hoping we get upgraded to at least a cat 10, but secretly hoping for a Cat 9! I haven't been in an inside room since my 2nd cruise, but if we even get a cat 11 I don't care, just as long as I am on the ship.

[hmurry]

I WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART OF THE FISH EXTENDERS AND I HAVE SOME GIFT IDEAS...PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHO IS NOW ORGANIZING THIS SO I CAN BEGIN WORKING ON THIS FUN PROJECT! THANKS HANNAH :banana:

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART OF THE FISH EXTENDERS AND I HAVE SOME GIFT IDEAS...PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHO IS NOW ORGANIZING THIS SO I CAN BEGIN WORKING ON THIS FUN PROJECT! THANKS HANNAH :banana:
I am not sure if anyone has volunteered to organize the fish extenders exchange yet. I have been involved in one exchange, but not sure what is needed to organize one.

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I have two of the eight that DS just mentioned. :cheer2: :cheer2: One CAT12 gty for me and DD(15). Second CAT12 gty for DM(72) and DS(13). Bibbidy and kcashner, thanks for then input on the activities in the Stack. I will discourage my DD from being in there after dinner(we have late seating). She's another follower but I often let my two kiddos have freedom from Mom as long as they are with each other. Her experiences are VERY limited and she is not at all on the maturity level as some of her freshman classmates. She is excited about another 15 year old or two that she can meet. Bibbidy, whether we get an upgrade from our CAT12 or not, I'm with you. I just hope we are at least close together. Suzepoo has linked our reservations together and adjoining rooms would be great.:grouphug:


Well my oldest will be 15 on this cruise (turns 15 towards the end of this month) and it was her first taste of real freedom (time away from us before that point was limited to school & functions which were totally supervised and even PDA's not allowed, church youth group activities, and with other relatives) and that's when we learned the extent of how much she'd "follow" if left with older teens. :scared1: (that emoticon basically shows you my face towards the end of the cruise) We actually had to 'ground' her towards the end of the cruise because she would just go off and do whatever other kids were doing- even outright lying to us about where she'd be and engaging in behavior she'd never done before and that we didn't approve of at her age (then 14). We had a "spy" in the teen stack too btw... our table mates had a teenage son that ate with us every night and told us what she was doing/when she wasn't really in the teen stack but told us she was/etc.

(just so you don't wonder what behavior I'm talking about.. I'm talking about she found herself basically a "cruiseship boyfriend" in the stack and engaged in behavior such as going whereever he was going without telling us and/or lying to us about where she'd be- causing us to sometimes spend a lot of time trying to find her..., we were told she was laying on him in the teen stack when he was in a bean bag- often, dancing with said boy- in the teen stack so I know it's allowed there- in a manner that WE don't feel is appropriate -think "dirty dancing", we had arguments about how she wanted to dress- which ofcourse involved comments about how "everyone else is dressing like that", etc. Just basically she got some freedom and she followed along with whatever much OLDER teens were doing and did things that we personally did not approve of... although it may be typical of most teenagers. KWIM? Her answer to why she wasn't where she said she'd be/etc.- her answer was well everyone ELSE was going to "insert here either stores, pool, etc."- so basically she stopped obeying us while on the ship and wasn't behaving like her normal self.. and since we were on vacation we kept giving her chance after chance and finally had to put our foot down towards the end of the cruise. In our defense it did take us awhile to figure out the extent of her disobeying & her behavior that we felt was inappropriate since we weren't there to witness it ofcourse LOL)

She was far less experienced than even her classmates in middle school at the time and basically got a 'quick experience' lesson on that cruise. ugh

But I will tell you-unless it's different on this cruise.. the evenings after dinner time is when the teen stack tends to do most of their more "organized" activities. So it might be difficult to keep her out of the stack in the evenings without hearing about how she's missing everything since that's when they tend to do stuff! Which is another thing that disappointed us- during the day there were few organized activities and mostly hanging out/smoothie time/etc. where the kids either did things we don't approve of and/or they found their own fun outside the stack which is why my daughter followed along (but the problem is that she wasn't letting us KNOW she was running around the ship doing other stuff) and then they had all these fun activities for the kids in the late LATE hours... and I'm the type I'm not going to sleep when I have a kid still out and about on the ship even if it's in the stack! It was difficult when you have early mornings planned at ports and such and the teens have all their "fun stuff" scheduled only late at night. :( I assume they do that to keep the teens busy late at night and allow parents to not have to worry about entertaining their teens/etc. - but I have an early to bed/early to rise husband (aka party pooper) so it wasn't helpful for us. LOL Everyday I looked at the navigator and groaned inwardly thinking oh man... I either have to make her miss the "fun stuff" or stay up till 1 or 2am waiting up for her. sigh I hope it's not that way all the time.... maybe just on that long cruise (fingers crossed?)

She had no problem staying in the stack in the late evenings/night- that was the one time I did NOT have to worry about her- she was always there at that time because they were doing all the fun activities then. It was during the day that she was bored in there and wandered around the ship with other teens and didn't keep us informed of her whereabouts that caused the problem. Which wouldn't have really been such a problem if she had been more responsible and like just let us know! She was even aware all she had to do was tell the counselors and they'd page us where she was going/etc. but she just didn't do it. :(
I blame her for that- not the stack, other kids or the counselors. That's for sure. But just letting you know that we tended to have the problems at other times- NOT in the late evenings because that's when the teen stack had organized activities and things to do that kept them in the stack.

whoa this post got long. LOL

The FE exchange I think just needs someone to list out who is involved and their stateroom numbers. The list is so that everyone involved will know where to find the rooms that are involved with an FE so they can go put stuff in their FE's. That's all we need is a list- right? On our last cruise we had SO many people from the board on that cruise and SO many involved in the FE exchange- that we actually had a really neat list- not just names and numbers but actually pictures of each deck, color coded for those that were involved- so we could find all those rooms much easier. LOL I"m not sure if all that is necessary if there aren't hundreds of rooms/people involved though.

[brucechase]

Just on this thread alone there are 10 Cat12 booked (maybe more that is all that said what category they had). With only 13 rooms available, there is a great chance for all of us to have upgrades. Last cruise, I had 2 cat12 booked and got upgraded to connecting cat9's. If anyone is interested, here is my trip report.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1993791


I still want to do the FE. When do we want to start making a list? I will volunteer to keep track if no one else wants to do that. Let me know what everyone wants.

Way back on page 3 I voluteered to organize the FE if no one else wanted to. So I am volunteering again. I would love to organize this one!:cool1:

Please PM me your Disboard name, name and age of each person in your group (some people might personalize per person or for girl/boy), and room number (when assigned) and a good email. I would rather float that list around via email than on the boards. I will make it in Excel and sent it to everyone (if you don't have excel, let me know and I can turn it into a PDF).

I will set it all up for us and keep everyone updated on the FE members. We will need a cutoff date so everyone know how much to buy so I propose May 4 as the last date to join the FE. If anyone (or everyone) wants it later, I will do what the majority wants. Last time I did this I also set up a list for some shore excursions that we did on our own so we could share taxis and help each other out. If you want to make anything avaiable for other members, let me know and I will add a column.

No one in my family knows about this yet. I am thinking of setting up a treasure hunt for my wife's birthday (on Jan 28th). I was going to send her all over town collecting clues and have her put them together at the house. Anyone else have any ideas on what I can do to surprise her?

[BamaBornNemoNut]

That's more good info regarding activities in the Stack. I'll be paying close attention. Without organized activities in either Ocean Quest for DS(13) or the Stack for DD(15) during the day, they will have to put up with each other. :lovestruc Or else hang with Mom. :eek:

I'm going to participate in the FE exchange, but don't want to be the organizer. But, yes, seems like the participant list is the task for the organizer.

Since a lot of us don't know our cabin assignments yet, it will be impossible to have the FE exchange organized at this point.

Will someone also organize a DIS meet for say around 5:30pm or so after we set sail?? Seems like Diversions would be good?? Has this been accomplished for past cruises??

Looking forward to all the activities (organized or not). :dance3:

brucechase; my vote is for you to organize the FE exchange

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Way back on page 3 I voluteered to organize the FE if no one else wanted to. So I am volunteering again. I would love to organize this one!:cool1:
Thank you so much for volunteering. I will send you a pm with my information.

We are also suprising our DD's for their birthday (May 23) with this cruise. They will not know about the cruise until a week before. I am trying to figure out how we are going to suprise them. I am thinking of getting vacation stuff and wrapping it up and seeing if they figure it out. On black friday I started their birthday gift shopping. So far we portable DVD players for the plane, digital camera for the cruise, and a charm bracelet that I got on our last cruise with a few charms to start them off. I am thinking about getting them a new swim suit and sunglasses and wrapping that up. But not sure what else to get. If all else fails, I guess I can wrap up their plane ticket confirmation and cruise documents and have them open it up last. I am just not creative at all!

[brucechase]

I'm going to participate in the FE exchange, but don't want to be the organizer. But, yes, seems like the participant list is the task for the organizer.

Since a lot of us don't know our cabin assignments yet, it will be impossible to have the FE exchange organized at this point.

Will someone also organize a DIS meet for say around 5:30pm or so after we set sail?? Seems like Diversions would be good?? Has this been accomplished for past cruises??

Looking forward to all the activities (organized or not). :dance3:

We can still organize the FE without room numbers. I did it last time without any problems. Just update the list when the rooms are assigned.

5:30 is not a good time for a meet. Per the Disney FAQ:
On the Disney Magic®, the dining times are staggered. First dinner seatings start at 5:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Second dinner seatings start at 8:00 p.m., 8:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

It falls right in the middle of first dinner. On my last cruise we tried at 3:30 but almost no one made it. I think a good time might be right after the sailaway party. There is about 30-45 minutes before dinner seating that we could all get together. Since we will all be up on the top deck, we could meet there. We just need to make sure that where we pick is not in the adult section and we should be alright.

[BamaBornNemoNut]

Just sent you a PM with info. Meet up as we set sail sounds great. Also, our group is staying Friday night at the Radisson (5/29). Whoever else is staying and wants to meet up for a Pre-Cruise party is welcome.

Surprise thoughts (I'm not creative either): The confirmation sent in the mail had a nice message from Mickey that could be incorporated into the hunt or waiting back at the final spot where all the puzzle pieces are coming together.

:thumbsup2

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Also, our group is staying Friday night at the Radisson (5/29). Whoever else is staying and wants to meet up for a Pre-Cruise party is welcome.
I'm thinking we may stay here on the 29th also, just haven't booked it yet. :goodvibes

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Bruce- that's great! Thanks for volunteering!
(glad you mentioned that- I think Excel is the one I can't open... pdf would be better for me if you don't mind the extra trouble!)

I think a meet on sailaway day is great- but like someone else said 5:30pm won't work since some may be having dinner during that time. both cruises I was on was HUGE DIS groups- this one is smaller so should be easier to manage. ;) With the other huge ones- we had so many people that it seemed the easiest place (with the most room) to do it was on Deck 10- personally that doesn't work so great for us.. we ended up only being there a few minutes each time because it's in the direct sun and we get all sweaty before dinner. :confused3 :lmao: So if we can do it somewhere else other than that- we can actually visit and get to know people better I think. LOL I'm not sure when the best time would be. We aren't a huge group- is most everyone planning on being there early? I only ask because with a large group obviously not everyone plans (or can) be on the ship early- but it seems on both cruises this is how it went for us: get on ship- eat/then bored/can't go to room/take kids swimming/finally get in room THEN rush rush rush to unpack some, hurry to safety drill, hurry to go to the DIS meet, hurry to get ready for dinner (or show if late dining), then eat. the meets always seemed to be right during the "rush" period for us once we're able to get in our rooms and the time for dinner or movie was coming upon us quickly... but before that we're wandering around bored for hours. LOL I wish we could meet during that time- so that's why I ask is everyone planning on getting there early or some flying in tight that day where they might not get on the ship early?

Poohfriend- I'm not very creative either- you've thought of some great ideas! but I'll try to put my thinking cap on for you. I've often TRIED to do the surprise cruise but it never works. I have too big of a mouth- I discuss with DH and my kids have big ears and hear something and the cat is out of the bag. LOL Or I just blurt it out at some point... I'm not good at keeping that a secret! LOL I was GOING to keep it a secret when we originally planned to go in Dec 2009- was gonna go to wDW first then cruise right at christmas and pretend we were going home and drive over to the port instead- THAT one I kept a secret and hoped to continue to keep a secret- but then our plans got all changed with the 2010 cruises negating that Dec 2009 cruise and then things changing even more to cruise in May 2009 too ofcourse. LOL I should have probably kept that one a secret too- but I didn't. LOL

Is anyone else going to WDW before the cruise? Just wondering if anyone else is that we might have a pre-cruise park meet?

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Bibbidy - It is extremely hard keeping it a secret! Every time I log on to the Dis I have to make sure they are no where around so they don't see the countdown timer! The girls are really my step daughters so we have to coordinate with their mom to get passports and that is so hard since they ask so many questions! I would love to go to WDW before but the girls birthdays are the weekend before and they will be spending it with their mom. We tried to go to WDW after, but it is just too expensive for us. We plan on hanging out at my DH's sister's house for a few days after, she lives in Pt. St. Lucie.

[brucechase]

I have a list all done and ready for the FE exchange (and whatever else).

Here are the people I have so far that want to participate in the FE:

brucechase - 4 people (2 Adults 2 Children)

PoohFriend#1 - 4 people (2 Adults 2 Children)

liliagm - 3 people (2 Adults 1 Child)

Bamabornnemonut - 4 people (2 Adults 2 Children)

Biddyidybobbidyboo - 5 people (2 Adults 3 Children)

Hmurry - 4 people (4 Adults w/3 of them 18)


If there are any corrections, please let me know. I still need emails from some of you.

I'm ready for more! Also I added everyone's name on the disboard on the list so if you want a copy anyway, I will send it to you. There are 73 names on the sheet so far and with 6 more cabins from Bamabornnemonut that would make close to 100 Disboard people (and family and friends).

[Bama4Disney]

Who all is staying at the Raddison on the 29th? We have stayed there before and it is has been very convenient. Has anyone found a good rate yet at the Raddison? Any promo code?

Also, has it been discussed how we will identify each other. On one cruise we had the mickey paint chip (GREEN) pinned to our shirt so we could identify each other. Just a thought.

Looking forward to meeting everyone. Are there any other boys between 5- 8 going as my DS's are 5 and 8. They can't wait and I can't either!:yay:

[Suzepoo]

We have booked 4 rooms at the Radisson in Cape Canaveral. The standard sleep number (Hot Deals) room, which will sleep up to 4, and includes parking and shuttle service to the pier, was $119.13, and the 2 King beds suite, which will sleep up to 6, was $231.99, and also includes parking and shuttle service to the pier. Not too bad!!!

The resort/hotel is AWESOME and we hope to arrive early enough on Friday to enjoy it for a few hours before heading out to our favorite seafood restaurant on the bay for dinner (and no, I don't remember the name of it, just how to get there, haha).:cheer2:

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I have a list all done and ready for the FE exchange (and whatever else).

Here are the people I have so far that want to participate in the FE:

brucechase - 4 people (2 Adults 2 Children)

PoohFriend#1 - 4 people (2 Adults 2 Children)

liliagm - 3 people (2 Adults 1 Child)

Bamabornnemonut - 4 people (2 Adults 2 Children)

Biddyidybobbidyboo - 5 people (2 Adults 3 Children)

Hmurry - 4 people (4 Adults w/3 of them 18)


If there are any corrections, please let me know. I still need emails from some of you.

I'm ready for more! Also I added everyone's name on the disboard on the list so if you want a copy anyway, I will send it to you. There are 73 names on the sheet so far and with 6 more cabins from Bamabornnemonut that would make close to 100 Disboard people (and family and friends).
wow, we have 100 disboard people on this cruise already? Am I on that list? I don't think I sent you the info yet. LOL


We have booked 4 rooms at the Radisson in Cape Canaveral. The standard sleep number (Hot Deals) room, which will sleep up to 4, and includes parking and shuttle service to the pier, was $119.13, and the 2 King beds suite, which will sleep up to 6, was $231.99, and also includes parking and shuttle service to the pier. Not too bad!!!

The resort/hotel is AWESOME and we hope to arrive early enough on Friday to enjoy it for a few hours before heading out to our favorite seafood restaurant on the bay for dinner (and no, I don't remember the name of it, just how to get there, haha).:cheer2:
We were planning on staying that last night at FW campgrounds also and then just parking at the port. if the parking is the price I see online- it works out about the same price... (since we'd have to get the room for 6, since we have 5 in our family) hmm... so we could go either way really.

Does anyone know if you can park a truck and travel trailer at the Radisson or is it only vehicles?
And I wonder what time those shuttles get you to the pier?

[Pooh_Friend#1]

And I wonder what time those shuttles get you to the pier?
I was wondering the same thing, does anyone know the earliest time the Raddison shuttle leaves for the Port?

[Bama4Disney]

I was wondering the same thing, does anyone know the earliest time the Raddison shuttle leaves for the Port?

I have seen people post the first shuttle was 10:00 am but I believe we took the 11:00 last April when we sailed RCCL. I am pretty sure that was the earliest then as we wanted to be the first on the ship so we could enjoy our first day!

[Suzepoo]

As I recall....they won't even let you begin parking at the pier until 10:00 a.m., and the first shuttle over for us was 11:00 a.m., so if you want to get their earlier, then you can either take a taxi or have one person drive you all over with your luggage, and then come back and park and take a taxi over....but we have found that 11:00 is plenty early enough as they don't usually start allowing guests on board until at least 11:45-12:00. WOO HOO can't WAIT!!!!:banana:

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I am usually an early bird and get there at 10:00, but I guess I can wait an hour and not be one of the first people on the ship! Thanks for letting me know the time.

[stlkeeler]

Hi, Everyone! This is my first time posting here but my 2nd Disney cruise. We went last June and had such a great time we have to go again! Our cast of characters are:

Me (Linda) (also called Grammy)
DD (Beth)
DGD7 (Kayla) she's the one asking weekly when we can go back on the Mickey boat

I don't see that there are very many kids around her age yet. Most are teens. A few 8 yo but they will be in a different club. Unless she can get bumped up... Last time Kayla emailed someone in our meets group and made a new friend before we even got on the ship. Anyone interested? She still doesn't know for sure we're going again. I just keep telling her, "Next time we go on the boat..." She keeps telling me how much she wants to go to WDW, too. The other day I asked her to choose, WDW or DCL. She thought about it long and hard and finally said, "The Mickey boat!"

We really had a good time with the FE, too. So I'm sure she'll be very disappointed if we don't participate.

We want to swim with the dolphins in Cozumel. Anyone else going? I wouldn't mind going on my own in a group, if anyone is interested.

Well, heading off to work. Have a great day!

By the way, we have one of those cheap cat 12 GTY rooms, too.

[BamaBornNemoNut]

Here's more discussion for those wondering about the shuttle from the Radisson.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2053375


There's also the phone number posted. So, Bibbidy you can find out about the traveltrailer parking.

Since our driving time is 9.5 hours, we had a no-brainer. Get there without rushing on Friday and stay overnight for no more money than parking at the port for 7 nights.:cool2:

[Pooh_Friend#1]

We want to swim with the dolphins in Cozumel. Anyone else going? I wouldn't mind going on my own in a group, if anyone is interested.
Welcome! We are going to swim with the dolphins in Cozumel! We want to do it on our own too, but haven't booked yet. Which swim were you interested in doing?

[klcason]

Welcome! We are going to swim with the dolphins in Cozumel! We want to do it on our own too, but haven't booked yet. Which swim were you interested in doing?

We may be interested also in the dolphin swim!

[luvdmouse57]

For any of you past cruisers I was wondering if there are ever any DCL antenna toppers for souvenirs. I am a collector & I know of several other collectors who are interested in them if they are available. This will be our first cruise so I didn't know if they had anything like that or not.

Karla in Kansas

[homespun]

Haven't checked in for quite a while and I was so happy to see your post.

Thanks for sharing the info -- more excitement to look forward too.

[homespun]

We're staying at the Radisson on the 29th. Can't remember the exact rate but it was the pay in advance rate, which was the best deal I could find at the time.

Still trying to figure out a rental car for the trip from, probably, Sanford. The airfares won't come out until the end of Jan or Feb.

RADISSON RATES: I just checked ONLINE and the rate for the 29th has dropped to $107.32. I had a prepaid room booked. I called and they said they will refund me the difference.

Maybe this little tip will help some of you that have the Radisson booked that night too :)

[MRS_RMM]

I'm adding to the Cat12 room count. My DSis and her family will be joining us, they have 2 rooms.

[stlkeeler]

Welcome! We are going to swim with the dolphins in Cozumel! We want to do it on our own too, but haven't booked yet. Which swim were you interested in doing?

I'm not sure. The Dolphinaris only requires the kids to be 4 ft tall. It takes place in an enclosed environment, pool-like. Everyone also must know how to swim. At Discovery Cove, the kids have to be 8yrs old (my DGD is only 7) and 4 ft tall for all but the encounter. But then kids less than 8 are free for the encounter. It includes admission to the park with a beach so you have something else to do during the day. Here are links to both. I think my DGD would be ok with one of the encounters based on her reaction to the sting rays last year but my daughter and I would like something more interactive.

http://www.dolphindiscovery.com/

http://dolphinaris.com/

At this point, I don't know what we'll do. How old are your kids? What are you doing?

[homespun]

Bruce- I sent you a PM re: FE. Please let me know when you receive it or if I should email you direct. Thanks,

Karen

[Pooh_Friend#1]

For any of you past cruisers I was wondering if there are ever any DCL antenna toppers for souvenirs. I am a collector & I know of several other collectors who are interested in them if they are available. This will be our first cruise so I didn't know if they had anything like that or not.Karla in Kansas
They use to sell DCL antenna toppers and it was a black Mickey head wearing the captain's hat, but on the Eastbound Panama Canal cruise I was on in August, they were not selling them at that time. I was bummed as mine got sucked up by the car wash at the dealership and I need a new one!

RADISSON RATES: I just checked ONLINE and the rate for the 29th has dropped to $107.32. I had a prepaid room booked. I called and they said they will refund me the difference.

Maybe this little tip will help some of you that have the Radisson booked that night too :)
Thanks for the heads up, I need to book this! Do you know if this price include the shuttle and breakfast?

At this point, I don't know what we'll do. How old are your kids? What are you doing?
My kids will be 12. This will probably be the only time we will do the dolphins so we are thinking about going all out and doing the Dolphin Royal Swim. http://www.dolphindiscovery.com/cozumel/cozumel-activities-dolphin-royal-swim.asp

[homespun]

[QUOTE=Pooh_Friend#1;29618425]They use to sell DCL antenna toppers and it was a black Mickey head wearing the captain's hat, but on the Eastbound Panama Canal cruise I was on in August, they were not selling them at that time. I was bummed as mine got sucked up by the car wash at the dealership and I need a new one!


Thanks for the heads up, I need to book this! Do you know if this price include the shuttle and breakfast?

The shuttle and parking is included, but no breakfast.

[Pooh_Friend#1]

The shuttle and parking is included, but no breakfast.
Thank you. :goodvibes

[stlkeeler]

My kids will be 12. This will probably be the only time we will do the dolphins so we are thinking about going all out and doing the Dolphin Royal Swim. http://www.dolphindiscovery.com/cozumel/cozumel-activities-dolphin-royal-swim.asp

Did you see under the "Deals" section that your transportation is free if you book 4 royal swims? :thumbsup2 But I think you have to be sure and ask for it. I guess we won't be going with you, :sad2: I think we have to do the encounter this time. But maybe there are others out there interested in either the swim or the encounter? You can get 5-10% off for groups but you have to do the same experience, same time... So, let's get some groups together! :grouphug:

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

My kids will be 12. This will probably be the only time we will do the dolphins so we are thinking about going all out and doing the Dolphin Royal Swim. http://www.dolphindiscovery.com/cozumel/cozumel-activities-dolphin-royal-swim.asp
I would really like to do this with the kids. Last time we went to cozumel on the disney cruise was in 2006 and they still had damage after a hurricane so they didn't have it open at the time. Major bummer for my oldest (loves dolphins and wants to be a marine biologist working with dolphins when she grows up) who was really looking forward to it.
Now on the last cruise we did a dolphin swim at one of those ports but this royal swim does more things and allows free time with the dolphins and such.

BUT the problem is this is where DH would probably scuba dive on this cruise and that would leave me (one parent) with an almost 9yr old, 11.5yr old, and a 15yr old. From what it says on there you need one parent PER child that is 11 or under. That stinks! My kids swim like fish and I really think that needing a parent per child up to age 12 (11 or under) is ridiculous. My son is almost as tall as me and swims as well as me (and that's saying something- I have swam like a fish almost my whole life and so have my kids!) Why on earth does he need a parent with him? I can handle both my younger kids (behavior wise) if that is why- if it's to "protect" them they can swim as well as I can- maybe better (if I don't lose the weight before this cruise- my weight hinders me more than they are hindered in the water! LOL)

ugh
The only way we'll be able to do this is if my son gets scuba certified and goes scuba diving with DH that day and I just take the girls. Which is an option I suppose- but I don't know if he'll get certified by then (DH has "certified" him himself- so we know he can pass- but he has to go to all the classes and take the test thru the closest place that is a 30min drive each way and the times they do it isn't working out with school/work/extracurricular activities we all have. So I don't know if that will happen. And even if it does happen in time... I know I'm gonna be scared for my son to be out scuba diving with him. Heck I am always a little scared when my DH goes out scuba diving but I know I'll worry even more with my baby boy out there!!!!!! (yes I know- somewhat irrational fear of MYSELF being out in the open waters with sharks and other things that can hurt you is now being projected onto my son. I know that- but it doesn't mean I can make myself not worry! LOL)

Oh I don't know if we'll get to do it.. and even if we do- then we'll be THREE people so there goes the free transportation. :( I really do not understand why an 11.5yr old boy, who could even be scuba certified and able to scuba dive in the open ocean needs a parent all to himself to "protect" him in some way on this type of controlled dolphin swim. I really think it's ridiculous. :( Do they check birth certificates? I wonder... probably not? hmmm... a little white lie saying he's 12 when he's really 6mo shy of that? (I know on the dolphin swim we went on the last cruise- fellow cruisers were there also and they told them their son was older so he could do the dolphin swim and it was pretty obvious he wasn't really that age... LOL I think, can't remember for sure but I think the age had to be 8 and he was 6 or something like that..)

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I would really like to do this with the kids. Last time we went to cozumel on the disney cruise was in 2006 and they still had damage after a hurricane so they didn't have it open at the time. Major bummer for my oldest (loves dolphins and wants to be a marine biologist working with dolphins when she grows up) who was really looking forward to it.
Now on the last cruise we did a dolphin swim at one of those ports but this royal swim does more things and allows free time with the dolphins and such.

BUT the problem is this is where DH would probably scuba dive on this cruise and that would leave me (one parent) with an almost 9yr old, 11.5yr old, and a 15yr old. From what it says on there you need one parent PER child that is 11 or under. That stinks! My kids swim like fish and I really think that needing a parent per child up to age 12 (11 or under) is ridiculous. My son is almost as tall as me and swims as well as me (and that's saying something- I have swam like a fish almost my whole life and so have my kids!) Why on earth does he need a parent with him? I can handle both my younger kids (behavior wise) if that is why- if it's to "protect" them they can swim as well as I can- maybe better (if I don't lose the weight before this cruise- my weight hinders me more than they are hindered in the water! LOL)

ugh
The only way we'll be able to do this is if my son gets scuba certified and goes scuba diving with DH that day and I just take the girls. Which is an option I suppose- but I don't know if he'll get certified by then (DH has "certified" him himself- so we know he can pass- but he has to go to all the classes and take the test thru the closest place that is a 30min drive each way and the times they do it isn't working out with school/work/extracurricular activities we all have. So I don't know if that will happen. And even if it does happen in time... I know I'm gonna be scared for my son to be out scuba diving with him. Heck I am always a little scared when my DH goes out scuba diving but I know I'll worry even more with my baby boy out there!!!!!! (yes I know- somewhat irrational fear of MYSELF being out in the open waters with sharks and other things that can hurt you is now being projected onto my son. I know that- but it doesn't mean I can make myself not worry! LOL)

Oh I don't know if we'll get to do it.. and even if we do- then we'll be THREE people so there goes the free transportation. :( I really do not understand why an 11.5yr old boy, who could even be scuba certified and able to scuba dive in the open ocean needs a parent all to himself to "protect" him in some way on this type of controlled dolphin swim. I really think it's ridiculous. :( Do they check birth certificates? I wonder... probably not? hmmm... a little white lie saying he's 12 when he's really 6mo shy of that? (I know on the dolphin swim we went on the last cruise- fellow cruisers were there also and they told them their son was older so he could do the dolphin swim and it was pretty obvious he wasn't really that age... LOL I think, can't remember for sure but I think the age had to be 8 and he was 6 or something like that..)
If we do book it together then maybe I could be considered a parent for one of your younger ones since both my girls are 12 and don't need a parent. I agree, a little white lie that enhances his age by 6 months isn't that bad....I really doubt they will check, especially if he is tall! Also if he does get certified and you only have 3 people, we can still book together and meet somewhere so that we have a total of 7 people for the free transportation.

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

If we do book it together then maybe I could be considered a parent for one of your younger ones since both my girls are 12 and don't need a parent. I agree, a little white lie that enhances his age by 6 months isn't that bad....I really doubt they will check, especially if he is tall! Also if he does get certified and you only have 3 people, we can still book together and meet somewhere so that we have a total of 7 people for the free transportation.
I hadn't thought about that! That might work. :)
I'm not sure how to book together but that's something we should work on- free transportation sounds good to me! LOL

I don't know if Grand Cayman or Key West are places that are good to scuba dive. I only knew that Cozumel was okay to scuba dive but DH has dove there before. Does anyone know if it's good scuba diving at Grand Cayman or Key West? He'd probably prefer to scuba dive somewhere different this time- if possible. Although it may be an entirely different experience to scuba dive at Cozumel now, compared to scuba diving back then after the hurricanes- maybe visibility better/etc?

[stlkeeler]

I think I remember reading "somewhere" that one parent could have 2 kids. What if you're truly a single parent? There is a toll free number to call and ask. I've heard that they're very helpful with all your questions.

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Good morning cruisers.

[BamaBornNemoNut]

:cool1: While I anticipate that my DD (15) and possibly my DS(13) would have a blast..my contact lenses and salt water do not mix. I will happily sit on the shore line. With the transportation to the park deal, does anyone know for sure which of the two docks the Magic will use?? Does it differ from cruise to cruise? The deal only mentions the Federal Dock. I've cruised to Cozumel three times and took a cab to the park once. Of course I don't remember which dock was used or what the cab cost.:laughing: My DSIS has been more than I and has better info. She's with our DAUNT who is in Critical Care at Grady Memorial in Atlanta. Maybe later I'll get a chance to discuss cruise stuff with her. Suzepoo, give us some details when you can. She and her DH always reserve with Eagle Ray Divers, but her DS(11) might convince her otherwise.;)

[Pooh_Friend#1]

:cool1: While I anticipate that my DD (15) and possibly my DS(13) would have a blast..my contact lenses and salt water do not mix. I will happily sit on the shore line. With the transportation to the park deal, does anyone know for sure which of the two docks the Magic will use?? Does it differ from cruise to cruise? The deal only mentions the Federal Dock. I've cruised to Cozumel three times and took a cab to the park once. Of course I don't remember which dock was used or what the cab cost.:laughing: My DSIS has been more than I and has better info. She's with our DAUNT who is in Critical Care at Grady Memorial in Atlanta. Maybe later I'll get a chance to discuss cruise stuff with her. Suzepoo, give us some details when you can. She and her DH always reserve with Eagle Ray Divers, but her DS(11) might convince her otherwise.;)
Every time I have cruised to Cozumel on DCL, we have always docked at the same place. I contacted the Royal swim and said I would be on the Disney Magic, and she said they would transport us from the port to the park. I wear contacts too and I am going to try and tough it out because if I don't go, I know my girls won't go without me!

[BamaBornNemoNut]

I know we've been discussing Cozumel and dolphins. While looking up info in the post that snelsonbrown put together (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520273), way down where there are links to Cozumel stuff, I stumbled onto a place to also look at Grand Cayman stuff too. Pooh Friend#1, I remember you were interested in Horseback riding in Grand Cayman. That doesn't appeal to me, but here's something you can check out.
http://www.grandcaymancruiseexcursions.com/horsebackriding.htm

Hope you find what you are looking for.:yay:

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Pooh Friend#1, I remember you were interested in Horseback riding in Grand Caymen. That doesn't appeal to me, but here's something you can check out.
http://www.grandcaymancruiseexcursions.com/horsebackriding.htm

Hope you find what you are looking for.:yay:
Thanks. :goodvibes

[hmurry]

i am interested in doing the royal dophin swim along with 2 or 3 other people in my party.

[brucechase]

Signature Test

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Signature Test
Looks good. :goodvibes

[brucechase]

OK, I added a couple of names to the big list. There are a total of 7 families that confirmed to participate in the FE. If anyone else wants to join, don't wait until the last minute! I took most of the information from the postings so I have some bits and pieces missing (that is unless you emailed me all your info.)

I have also included hotels that everyone is staying at and shore excursions that they are participating in. You don't have to be part of the FE if you want the list, I will email it to anyone that wants it. If you want that information on the list for all to see, let me know and I will put it there. If you want it hidden, let me know and I will take it off. Most of that information is what has already been posted in this meet thread.

I have made reservations at the Radisson for the 29th. I also have booked the 10:00 shuttle to the port. That is the first shuttle going over. I wanted to be one of the first onboard. There is still plenty of room left on the 10 if anyone else is so inclined. The shuttle holds about 30 people and has a seperate trailer for the luggage.

I have also organized a treasure hunt to let the family in on our little secret. It's my wife's b-day and I am sending her to 6 different places to pick up clues and directions for the next stop. On the last one, she and the kids will come back home where there will be a surprise party. I will wrap the Mickey announcement and a water bottle with our new date for her to open. I hope I can pull this off.

[stlkeeler]

OK, I added a couple of names to the big list. There are a total of 7 families that confirmed to participate in the FE. If anyone else wants to join, don't wait until the last minute! I took most of the information from the postings so I have some bits and pieces missing (that is unless you emailed me all your info.)

I have also included hotels that everyone is staying at and shore excursions that they are participating in. You don't have to be part of the FE if you want the list, I will email it to anyone that wants it. If you want that information on the list for all to see, let me know and I will put it there. If you want it hidden, let me know and I will take it off. Most of that information is what has already been posted in this meet thread.

I have made reservations at the Radisson for the 29th. I also have booked the 10:00 shuttle to the port. That is the first shuttle going over. I wanted to be one of the first onboard. There is still plenty of room left on the 10 if anyone else is so inclined. The shuttle holds about 30 people and has a seperate trailer for the luggage.

I have also organized a treasure hunt to let the family in on our little secret. It's my wife's b-day and I am sending her to 6 different places to pick up clues and directions for the next stop. On the last one, she and the kids will come back home where there will be a surprise party. I will wrap the Mickey announcement and a water bottle with our new date for her to open. I hope I can pull this off.

Did I miss where this list is? I saw something at the store last weekend that I thought might make a good FE gift but I have no idea how many or what the ages of the kids are. If you're posting it, could you post a temporary one? If you're sending it, could you send me a copy, please? I need to shop!!!

How was the treasure hunt? Tell all!

[homespun]

:cool1: We'll see you on the 10 am shuttle, I called early last week and it was still open. - Can't wait YEAH!!!

Hope your family is totally surprised -- can't believe you've kept it a secret this long. When are you surprising them? Good luck and thanks for organizing everything.

Karen

OK, I added a couple of names to the big list. There are a total of 7 families that confirmed to participate in the FE. If anyone else wants to join, don't wait until the last minute! I took most of the information from the postings so I have some bits and pieces missing (that is unless you emailed me all your info.)

I have also included hotels that everyone is staying at and shore excursions that they are participating in. You don't have to be part of the FE if you want the list, I will email it to anyone that wants it. If you want that information on the list for all to see, let me know and I will put it there. If you want it hidden, let me know and I will take it off. Most of that information is what has already been posted in this meet thread.

I have made reservations at the Radisson for the 29th. I also have booked the 10:00 shuttle to the port. That is the first shuttle going over. I wanted to be one of the first onboard. There is still plenty of room left on the 10 if anyone else is so inclined. The shuttle holds about 30 people and has a seperate trailer for the luggage.

I have also organized a treasure hunt to let the family in on our little secret. It's my wife's b-day and I am sending her to 6 different places to pick up clues and directions for the next stop. On the last one, she and the kids will come back home where there will be a surprise party. I will wrap the Mickey announcement and a water bottle with our new date for her to open. I hope I can pull this off.

[homespun]

Bruce

I'd like to get started on my FEs too so a rough number would be great. Also, when is the cut off since I need time to get mine all together as I'm sure other do.

Thanks,

Karen

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Bruce, just wondering- am I on the list or have I not contacted you? We're supposed to email you or am I misunderstanding? If so I don't know your email address.
that's cool- I can't believe you kept it a secret! My DH would never do something cool like that. LOL The way you're revealing the surprise sounds awesome!

[homespun]

Hi all,

I booked our Dolphin Discovery Swim adventure direct.

Just a heads up that I got a 5% discount just because I booked it through the CHAT link on their website. Some of the times are already sold out and the earliest time I could get was 1 PM--well the 10 AM was available but that would be too tight because you're supposed to arrive 30 minutes early.

We're doing the Dolphin Swim Adventure and it was about $98/person with the discount. We'll still need taxi fare, which is about $10 each way, but that's a relative savings over the $119 Disney excursion.

Just thought this might help some of you looking to save some $.

Have fun planning -- it's half the fun !

Karen

[brucechase]

Sorry, my email didn't send the list. I will send it out this week or weekend if things calm down.

Everyone on the board is on the list. I put everyones name on it that has posted here. I have 9 families with a total of 33 people doing the FE. I only have email for 5 of the families. If you want a copy of the list, PM me with your email since I'm not sure we want to post all that information on the board.

I also have hotels and excursion spaces for all the people if anyone is interested in sharing rides or just want someone to go with. You can PM your email and I will send you a copy of the list also.

4 days to the surprise reveal for my family.

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Thanks Karen for the heads up on the discount, I guess since times are filling up fast I better go ahead and book mine before it is too late.

[pooh.kim]

Just wanted to pop in and say "Hi!" We booked the great rates of the Cat. 12 cabins. It will be me (Mom), DD (celebrating 12th birthday onboard), and grandparents.

We were also able to book the 10 AM shuttle to the port.:cool1:

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Just wanted to pop in and say "Hi!" We booked the great rates of the Cat. 12 cabins. It will be me (Mom), DD (celebrating 12th birthday onboard), and grandparents.

We were also able to book the 10 AM shuttle to the port.:cool1:
Welcome!

[sebamt]

Hi,

We're also on this cruise! It will be me (dad, 37), my DW37, and my DD7. This will be our 2nd Disney cruise (we did a 4 night last year and got hooked!!). We're flying on Friday and staying at the Hyatt MCO for the night. See you all on May 30th,

sebamt

[mrpawn]

I'm new to this board. Booked the great cat 12 rate along with 4 other families. We (the 4 families, not just me) have kids ranging from 4 - 17. I'm looking for teen girls for my daughter to meet pre-cruise. She is 17, an avid reader (current passion is Twilight), a great student, and a dancer. She is uncomfortable in crowds & tends to be on the shy side. I was hoping to find some friends that she could chat w/ pre cruise so she'd know a few girls once we get onboard. You can PM me for email address.

Also, I've been reading your posts about the FE. Not sure I understand it completely, but it sounds interesting. Do you bring one gift for each person in the FE? When do you deliver? How do you know where to deliver?

Last thing, I've been reading about the surprise!! We just pulled off a Christmas surprise for our kids to WDW with our neighbors. (They are also Dis fanatics & will be on cruise w/ us.) It was great. The kids were thrilled & shocked. Your wife will be so happy!! It was the 2nd time we (us & neighbors) surprised/tricked our kids w/ a trip to WDW. The kids all say these were their favorite vacations!! Good luck pulling it off!pirate:

[Suzepoo]

Our group has lost a few cabins I'm sad to say. We did have 8 cabins booked, now it looks as though we will only have 4....too much else going on for some of our friends, and my brother decided he didn't want to cruise again, but is heading to California with his family for vacation instead....oh well....it won't dampen our fun!!! :cool1:

Hope everyone had a GREAT weekend!!!!pixiedust:

[brucechase]

Also, I've been reading your posts about the FE. Not sure I understand it completely, but it sounds interesting. Do you bring one gift for each person in the FE? When do you deliver? How do you know where to deliver?

You can bring a gift per person or per family - your choice. You can deliver whenever you want - again, your choice. I will send you a list of all who want to participate and their room numbers if you want to participate.

[brucechase]

Alright, it's Monday and I can get back to this cruise planning thing. I will have to get you all up to speed on the surprise and the treasure hunt. It went very well and the family is extremely happy. I'll post a little later all the details.

I'm glad to see we have a few new posts since I last looked and I'm sad to see a couple have dropped out. I will be sending out the preliminary FE list this week. I can send from home now that everyone knows what is going on. If you haven't sent me your email and want the list, please PM me and I'll get it to you soon.

[BamaBornNemoNut]

brucechase, maybe another thing to add along with the excursion plans if folks provide it to you? Main / Late Dinner and for those of us NOT on the 10am Radisson shuttle, the expected boarding time for the family. ::yes::

[pooh.kim]

My DD and I have booked a stingray city, coral gardens, starfish snorkel tour with Nativeway Sports on grand cayman. Has anyone used them before? The confirmation says meet at 8:45 central time; will the island and the ship be on central time?

We are hoping to be part of the fish extender exchange as well. Thanks!:cool1:

[liliagm]

We got a package from DCL yesterday, it has a letter with important dates and the "cruise travel kit" -booklet- with all the shore excursions/cruise info/tux rental, etc....

We are castaway club members so our booking date for shore excursions/palo it's March 1st (90 days-provided the cruise has been paid in full) and final payment date is set for march 16... just in case anyone was wondering....

[stlkeeler]

I got mail yesterday, too!! Getting more excited!

For those of you staying somewhere at port on the 29th, how do you get there? Doesn't the Radisson have a shuttle? I have already bought the transfers but if we want to go the day before, can we cancel without penalty? I can't really see renting a car just for an hour or so that it takes to get to PC. We would probably spend the afternoon at the pool. The Radisson's looks very cool. Or is there anything that's a must do in PC? Are there any "deals" for rooms at the Radisson, like at the Hyatt? HELP me make a decision!

Thanks!

[Pooh_Friend#1]

We got a package from DCL yesterday, it has a letter with important dates and the "cruise travel kit" -booklet- with all the shore excursions/cruise info/tux rental, etc....

We are castaway club members so our booking date for shore excursions/palo it's March 1st (90 days-provided the cruise has been paid in full) and final payment date is set for march 16... just in case anyone was wondering....
Thanks, I had no idea when we could book!

[Suzepoo]

I've booked with Sharon MANY times!!!! You will have a blast!

We also got mail....WOO HOO it was so fun looking through the folder!

I am planning to scuba dive in Grand Cayman and Cozumel....I have friends in both places who own dive companies. Anyone else interested???:beach:

[brucechase]

For those that are interested, I thought I would detail how my family found out about our cruise. I booked a while ago and intended on giving it to them for Christmas, but my wife went a little overboard on the gifts (IPod and Wii) and I decided to hold out. I originally was going to give it to her for our anniversary (May 11) but I then decided that it would be too close to the sail date. So the only other time was for her birthday (Jan 28). I decided to combine the gift with a surprise party to really throw her off. I needed some time to set everything up so I sent her and the kids on a treasure hunt, and that would give me enough time to set up the party. Now I really didn’t have any help on this and with work, it made it really difficult to do it all, but I think it turned out great.

I decided to give them clues to the “ultimate treasure” that they would be able to find on the way. There was a total of 6 stops and at each stop, there was something related to the cruise and a clue for the next stop. I even spelled out the word CRUISE in the clues with highlighted letters (but they never got that).

I had a treasure box delivered at noon on Saturday. In it was a letter telling them they were going on the treasure hunt and the clue to the first stop.

At the first stop, they received a bag of tortillas and salsa – to signify Mexico

At the second stop, they received a bag of M&Ms and a coconut – for Mickey Mouse and Konk Koolers.

At the third stop, they received an artist palate – for the restaurant Animator’s Palate

At the fourth stop, they received a key – the first part of Key West

At the fifth stop, they got a lime and a compass pointing to West – this was for Key West

At the sixth stop, they received a bag of cookies (with a pirate on them) and a bottle of barbeque sauce – this is for Cookies Bar-B-Q on Castaway Cay

The hunt took almost 3 hours so I had time to set up the party, cook taquitos and wings, and get a 6 foot sub sandwich. I also had little snacks everywhere and made some Margaritas to finish off the refreshments. I finally packed a box decorated like a treasure chest with a water bottle, the return postcard from Mickey, and the itinerary. The water bottle was just like our last cruise, it had a picture of the Magic and the new dates of our cruise.

About 15 people showed up (I had invited about 40) so there was plenty of food and drinks. After the family arrived back at our house, I had them lay the clues out on the floor and try to solve the puzzle. After about 10 minutes of frustration (and I could see some tears) I gave her the treasure box. That’s when the tears started flowing – but this time it was happiness. I did go through and explain each clue to everyone.

It was a good time. I did get in a little trouble from some of the other men there saying that I made them look bad by going so far overboard. That’s OK, I doubt I will be able to pull something like this off again.

So that is how my family found out about the cruise. Now I can actually do things at home to get ready. Time to make some door decorations and go shopping for the FE gifts. Look for the the FE email soon. I should have it out be the end of the week. We can keep accepting people wanting to do the FE until the beginning of May if everyone is in agreement (if not, suggest a cutoff date).

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I've booked with Sharon MANY times!!!! You will have a blast!

We also got mail....WOO HOO it was so fun looking through the folder!

I am planning to scuba dive in Grand Cayman and Cozumel....I have friends in both places who own dive companies. Anyone else interested???:beach:
We're interested! Well -I mean DH and son are.... hehe (not me! NO way no how)
LMK some info please please please! :)

Bruce- that was so awesome. That was very original and thoughtful and wow.... I agree with your guests- no one can top that! hehe

Oh and if anyone is planning a WDW trip before the cruise- let me know if you'd be interested in a "get together" at some point at WDW before the cruise. Maybe just meet up at WDW for a bit or meet at a meal somewhere or come visit us at our trailer or whatever.... seriously whatever. :)

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Bruce - thanks for sharing your story with us, I loved it!!!! Your wife and kids must have been so excited. You came up with great clues, what a fun day for your family.

[brucechase]

Here is a quick list of all the children I have and their ages sorted by youngest to oldest (up to 16). I know my kids are now ready to make some online friends to prepare for the cruise so they will at least know someone there.


If you don't see your name here and want it here, let me know. If you want it removed, let me know and I will edit it out.

liliagm - DD 2
MRS RMM - DD 4
Jennymouse - DGD 5
Bama4Disney - DS 5
klcason - DS 7
stlkeeler - DGD 7
sebamt - DD 7
Bama4Disney - DS 8
klcason - DD 9
Biddyidybobbidyboo - DD 9
brucechase - DD 10
pclair - DD 10
Family#1 - DS 10
Suzepoo - DS 11
Biddyidybobbidyboo - DS 11.5
brucechase - DD 12
PoohFriend#1 - DD 12
PoohFriend#1 - DD 12
pooh.kim - DD 12
Family#1 - DS 13
Family#2 - DS 13
Paula13 - DD 13
Paula13 - DDF 13
Bamabornnemonut - DS 13
Homespun - DS 14
Jennymouse - DGD 14
Family#2 - DD 14
mmmagic7754 - DS 15
Bamabornnemonut - DD 15
Biddyidybobbidyboo - DD 15
auntlynne - DN 16


I'll send out the first draft of the FE list before the weekend is out. Right now there are 10 families with a total of 36 people. If I missed anyone, let me know. If you are still interested, there is plenty of time to join the FE club. Here are the families:

Suzepoo
brucechase
PoohFriend#1
Homespun
liliagm
Biddyidybobbidyboo
Bamabornnemonut
Hmurry
stlkeeler
pooh.kim

[homespun]

It was a good time. I did get in a little trouble from some of the other men there saying that I made them look bad by going so far overboard. That’s OK, I doubt I will be able to pull something like this off again.


Bruce that sounds absolutely wonderful. I'm so glad you were able to surprise them and the party made it just that much more special. You keep going overboard as us ladyfolk really like that very much;)

[stlkeeler]

Only 4 months from today! Is anyone else excited? :cool1: :cheer2:

For those of you who have stayed at the Radisson, tell me, how was it? Is the pool as awesome as it looks on their website? Are the rooms spread out like the Disney resorts or are they up and down? (you know what I mean) Is anyone arriving MCO around 3:15 on the 29th and want to share a van? I think I am going to get a driver and keep my Disney transfers for the trip back to the airport. Sound like a good plan or not?

Bruce, thanks for keeping track of us all. ;)

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Here is a quick list of all the children I have and their ages sorted by youngest to oldest (up to 16). I know my kids are now ready to make some online friends to prepare for the cruise so they will at least know someone there.


If you don't see your name here and want it here, let me know. If you want it removed, let me know and I will edit it out.

liliagm - DD 2
MRS RMM - DD 4
Jennymouse - DGD 5
Bama4Disney - DS 5
klcason - DS 7
stlkeeler - DGD 7
sebamt - DD 7
Bama4Disney - DS 8
klcason - DD 9
Biddyidybobbidyboo - DD 9
brucechase - DD 10
pclair - DD 10
Family#1 - DS 10
Suzepoo - DS 11
Biddyidybobbidyboo - DS 11.5
brucechase - DD 12
PoohFriend#1 - DD 12
PoohFriend#1 - DD 12
pooh.kim - DD 12
Family#1 - DS 13
Family#2 - DS 13
Paula13 - DD 13
Paula13 - DDF 13
Bamabornnemonut - DS 13
Homespun - DS 14
Jennymouse - DGD 14
Family#2 - DD 14
mmmagic7754 - DS 15
Bamabornnemonut - DD 15
Biddyidybobbidyboo - DD 15
auntlynne - DN 16


I'll send out the first draft of the FE list before the weekend is out. Right now there are 10 families with a total of 36 people. If I missed anyone, let me know. If you are still interested, there is plenty of time to join the FE club. Here are the families:

Suzepoo
brucechase
PoohFriend#1
Homespun
liliagm
Biddyidybobbidyboo
Bamabornnemonut
Hmurry
stlkeeler
pooh.kim
Thanks for the list!
Did I say DD was 9 previously? If I did, I made a mistake. LOL Technically she won't be 9 until a couple of weeks after this cruise. NOt that it matters all that much with such a short amt of time there. LOL But technically she'll be 8 on the cruise. Her birthday is June 16th.
I better get cracking on buying FE gifts! LOL

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Thanks for the list Bruce.

[brucechase]

I have sent the 1st draft of the list to everyone I have an email for. If you want a copy, please PM me you email and I will add you to the distribution.

With less than 4 months to go, this is coming up fast. Anyone feeling overwhelmed yet?

[brucechase]

OK for all who are a little slow like me:

Disney's new movie - UP - opens on May 29. That means we will have it on our cruise.

I just love being one of the first to see a new Disney movie.

[stlkeeler]

OK for all who are a little slow like me:

Disney's new movie - UP - opens on May 29. That means we will have it on our cruise.

I just love being one of the first to see a new Disney movie.

I haven't heard of it. So, it's not just you who are slow! I'm going to have to look it up. I also heard there's a new Hannah Montana movie coming out. Don't know for sure, tho.

[stlkeeler]

OK, I just looked up upcoming Disney movies. Here is what I found:

2/27 Jonas Brothers Burnin' Up Concert 3-D Movie They're playing off Hannah's 3-D movie, hoping for another score. I don't think they can go wrong with the Jonas brothers. The movie is Camp Rock - like "without the generic story and lengthy Jonas-free sequences."

3/13 Race to Witch Mountain

4/10 Hannah Montana the Movie This movie will be more like the TV series.

4/22 Earth This is coming out on Earth Day. It is a "documantary that employs footage shot for "Planet Earth"."

5/29 Up by Pixar, a "Don Quixote-esque movie."

Here is where I found this info:

http://www.ultimatedisney.com/intheaters.html

I don't know which ones will be on the boat. Do they show all movies Disney releases? Any chance the Jonas bros will still be there? My DGD will go absolutely nuts if she gets to watch Joe AND Hannah! :lmao:

[brucechase]

Most likely all these movies will be there. Last time I was on the boat, they had all the newest Disney movies playing. Any time there is a new release, both ships will also premiere the movie at the same time (at lot of times at midnight). There is a phone number to call for the list of movies, but it is only for the next couple of weeks. We will have to wait until we are closer to find out all the movies that are playing. I would think it is a really good bet that the Jonas brothers and Hannah will be playing.

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Hi everyone!
How is everyone doing and are you getting excited?
We're pretty excited. I know it is still a few months away- but for US this is the quickest cruise we've ever taken! Our first one we waited over 3yrs (because first cruise had to be postponed due to school schedules- and I wanted to again book soon as dates came out to get the best price) and then our next cruise was over 2yrs from the first one. This time just mere months between booking the cruise and actually going! LOL So that's super fast for us (not to mention we just cruised on the panama canal cruise in Sept)
:) So yeah we're excited!

I booked the REAS pkg. It's kind of a splurge but we liked it on our 2006 cruise and when we add it all up it's kinda worth it to us- plus the advantage of booking things at 105 days out ofcourse! hehe So we will be booking our stuff 2/14 (how appropriate that the REAS pkg means we can book on 2/14 huh?).

We're still not QUITE sure about what excursions we'll book and what we'll do. The only things we do know is that this time we decided not to do the dolphin swim. We just did that (and sea lions also) on our last cruise for our eldest daughter- but all participated and it's not cheap! So anyway we're not doing the dolphin swim- and the only other things I'm sure of is that DH has to scuba dive at atleast one port, and dh/son either snuba or seatrek somewhere. We decided against getting son certified before this cruise because he's 11 and in all my research trying to book scuba diving for them with various companies come to find out it's more expensive (need seperate dive master since he can't dive as far down as everyone else), he can only dive 40ft, etc. So as a compromise- he'll either snuba or seatrek (which he did with DH on the last cruise) and then when he's 12 we'll do his certification and he'll get to scuba dive next time there is a chance on cruise/etc. (he's already sorta certified by DH- meaning he can do it all, DH already taught him & tested him- and he's scuba dived in the deep end of our pool LOL- but Robert hasn't gone thru the actual certification class and test yet)

The rest I'm trying to work out- especially what me and the girls will do (and son during the time DH is scuba diving) that I feel safe doing with just me and kids, that we all like, that isn't extremely expensive for all of us combined, etc. Cozumel isn't super important- we've been there before (DH dove, me and the kids did submarine excursion and shopped) but the others I feel COMPELLED (compelled I tell ya LOL) for us to atleast get off the ship and do something- just so we can say we've been there/done something there. KWIM? LOL

Grand Cayman is the one port I'm having issues finding something for me and the kids that fits our criteria- but I'm working on it! LOL

I am a little torn on Castaway Cay too. We've been there 3 times (in 2 cruises) so far and still have YET to even go to the adult beach. The kids (younger two) are not interested in cuttle's cove even for a short time for us to do excursions (they've done it- but didn't like it) and want to spend the day at the family beach and snorkeling there. Last time DD did the teen wild side. We've never done the stingrays there and considering that- just unsure if we're going to have time to do everything we want to do and this time I'd really atleast like to set eyes on the adult beach! :rotfl2: So little time- so much to do there ofcourse! What about a cruise that's just 6 days of Castaway Cay? I think maybe THEN we'd get to do everything LOL


How's everyone else's plans coming along? Have you decided already what you plan on doing at each port?

[chccatfish]

:smickey: Hi, I'm Bruce's wife, Carolyn and just joined in too. Just want to say hello to all. :wave2: Can't wait to meet you guys on this cruise. I am overwhelmed with what Bruce did for the family and me. He is an amazing man as most of you have figured out. He totally threw me for a loop! Since, he's never done anything like this for me before, it was not expected and an awesome surprise. I am extremely excited about this vacation!!:yay:

We are going to look at the excursions in the next week and see what it is that we plan to do. Won't do the feeding the stingrays since we did that last time. But if you haven't done it, you should, it is awesome, educational for the children and I think we all learned something about them we didn't know. I can't believe I went swimming with them and wasn't afraid! They are use to being around people and it shows.

Bruce and I definitely plan to eat dinner at Palo one night. Anyone else up for that? Looks like there are some fun things happening in the labs that the girls want to do. Victoria is 12 and Erica will be 10 on the 28th of this month. Anyone have a girl close to Erica's age, so she can have a new friend she can chat with before the cruise?

Thanks, Carolyn:smickey:

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

:smickey: Hi, I'm Bruce's wife, Carolyn and just joined in too. Just want to say hello to all. :wave2: Can't wait to meet you guys on this cruise. I am overwhelmed with what Bruce did for the family and me. He is an amazing man as most of you have figured out. He totally threw me for a loop! Since, he's never done anything like this for me before, it was not expected and an awesome surprise. I am extremely excited about this vacation!!:yay:

We are going to look at the excursions in the next week and see what it is that we plan to do. Won't do the feeding the stingrays since we did that last time. But if you haven't done it, you should, it is awesome, educational for the children and I think we all learned something about them we didn't know. I can't believe I went swimming with them and wasn't afraid! They are use to being around people and it shows.

Bruce and I definitely plan to eat dinner at Palo one night. Anyone else up for that? Looks like there are some fun things happening in the labs that the girls want to do. Victoria is 12 and Erica will be 10 on the 28th of this month. Anyone have a girl close to Erica's age, so she can have a new friend she can chat with before the cruise?

Thanks, Carolyn:smickey:
Hi there! So glad you joined and posted! :)
Yeah that was pretty awesome what Bruce did- mega awesome! hehe

I haven't decided yet. I'm considering maybe doing a snorkeling excursion in Grand Cayman that includes a stingray part of the excursion- because honestly we never seem to have enough time at CC and we haven't even seen the adult beach yet! I'm afraid if we book the stingrays there it will eat up too much of our time there. LOL

We are eating at Palo one night. We love Palo food and atmosphere/etc. We booked the REAS so yeah, we're definitely eating there one night again this time. :)

Sorry- I think there are others your kids ages in our group- possibly? But my girls are 15 and the youngest will almost be 9 at the time of the cruise. They might be in the same age group though- I think it goes thru 10. Atleast I think so. Robert was 10 on the last cruise and in the lab. LOL I'm not sure if they divide the ages in there anymore though because Rita was barely 8 on that cruise and they let her stay in the club (she's also little for her age LOL)

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Welcome Carolyn. Your DH did such an awesome thing for your family, it was fun to read how he suprised you and how you reacted!!! I do have twin DDs your DD's age, they will be 12 in May but we are suprising them with the cruise for their birthday so they will not know about the cruise until a week before it happens.

I would love to do Palo, but this is the girls first cruise so I doubt we will do it this time around unless they are having a great time at the club and don't want to eat with us!!!!

Like Bibbidy, I don't think we are going to swim with the dolphins on this trip either anymore. My DH and I just found out that DDs are going to Mexico with their mom in March and they are swimming with the dolphins there, so I think it might be too expensive since they are doing it two months before. So this means we will definitely be doing horseback riding in Grand Cayman.

[chccatfish]

Bibbidy, How do you feel about your 9yo chatting with Erica? Erica and your daughter should be in the same club. I think it would be great for them to have a friend before the cruise. I think it will make the club easier for both of them. Your thoughts?

Pooh, Victoria will be glad to make new friends even if she doesn't meet them ahead of time. She will see the picture of you and your family and will at least be able to look for your DD. They will be so excited about the cruise. If they want to chat with Victoria after they find out, please let me know.

I'm still sooo excited and can't wait! I'm like the children. :yay:

Thanks for the welcome! Carolyn:smickey:

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Bibbidy, How do you feel about your 9yo chatting with Erica? Erica and your daughter should be in the same club. I think it would be great for them to have a friend before the cruise. I think it will make the club easier for both of them. Your thoughts?

Pooh, Victoria will be glad to make new friends even if she doesn't meet them ahead of time. She will see the picture of you and your family and will at least be able to look for your DD. They will be so excited about the cruise. If they want to chat with Victoria after they find out, please let me know.

I'm still sooo excited and can't wait! I'm like the children. :yay:

Thanks for the welcome! Carolyn:smickey:
Thanks Carolyn, I am sure Emily and Amanda would love to chat with Victoria after they find out. They may find out a little earlier, depending on when we can get them for their birthday. I am sure Victoria will be able to spot them pretty easy since they are twins and look identical! I will pm you when it gets closer and we can all exchange emails.

[chccatfish]

:) That sounds great! :)

Thanks, Carolyn:smickey:

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Bibbidy, How do you feel about your 9yo chatting with Erica? Erica and your daughter should be in the same club. I think it would be great for them to have a friend before the cruise. I think it will make the club easier for both of them. Your thoughts?

Pooh, Victoria will be glad to make new friends even if she doesn't meet them ahead of time. She will see the picture of you and your family and will at least be able to look for your DD. They will be so excited about the cruise. If they want to chat with Victoria after they find out, please let me know.

I'm still sooo excited and can't wait! I'm like the children. :yay:

Thanks for the welcome! Carolyn:smickey:
Hi!
Depends on your definition of "chat". Rita really hasn't been typing/writing online much. The extent of her computer/online activities involve webkinz, gogirlgames (or something like that LOL) and such. She hasn't learned to type (at all- still look and peck for her LOL) and even writing she still spells everything phonetically- we're working on it (hence another reason we're homeschooling now! My son was writing way above his age level when he went into kindergarten and they messed him all up with that phonetic spelling stuff and it took years to get him to spell things correctly again- but they STARTED Rita with that and it's hard to break her out of it. sigh)
If you mean by email or something like that- she could do it but I'd have to help her- which I wouldn't mind at all. She could tell me what to type or she likes to write so she could write her reply and I type it for her?
I'm afraid if you mean realtime chat like on a chat board or IM or something- that's probably not going to work with her. LOL
If you mean by phone well she'd be ALL OVER that... she's a total phone gabber. LOL She could go on and on for hours with kids her age. LOL

LMK what type of chatting you mean and we can work something out! Keep in mind Rita is only 8 right now. She turns 9 just after the cruise (June 16th) but she really gets along with any age.... younger than her because all the neighbor kids she plays with are age 5-7 mostly and older than her primarily because she's the youngest so knows how to interact/play with her older siblings. (age 11 and 15) Plus she's interacts a lot with older kids at church and such. She's an all around kinda gal when it comes to ages of those she gets along with referring to ages I mean. She is more of a girly girl (total opposite of my DD15) -she likes everything princesses, loves the characters and honestly I think she still sorta believes they are real on the cruise/etc. LOL, playing dressup, into makeup/nail polish/jewelry/fixing her hair all sorts of ways- sometimes crazy do's and sometimes amazingly beautiful for her age LOL, playing "mama" to her babydolls- that type of thing. She is not yet into the "pre-teen" stuff like their music/etc. Hanah Montana/Miley- yes... the rest, no. LOL She's my fellow Disney lover in the family... well I mean she's almost as much of a disney fanatic as I am. almost. She'll get there I bet though. LOL She gets along with pretty much everyone- my laid back gal. The only thing she might not be interested in discussing is probably sports... cheerleading is as far as she wants to go into the sports thing (she used to play soccer but didn't really enjoy it). She's my "artist" type- she loves to sing, make up songs, draw, etc. And she's the typical baby of the family- I admit we baby her more than we did the other two at that age. not intentionally- but she's small for her age too (even with the major growth spurt she had last year!) so sometimes it just doesn't SEEM like she's almost 9 and we forget she's that age until we think about it and go wow... she's almost 9. KWIM? LOL We are TRYING to treat her more like her age though LOL Our eldest at almost 9yrs old was so much taller/etc. than Rita is. She still believes in Santa, tooth fairy and whatnot. LOL (although I suspect that she's somewhat pretending to believe to still get the good stuff. LOL) So I guess in some aspects she's still on the "younger" side of her age- KWIM? LOL
Just trying to let you know a little about her. :) Does that sound at all like her and Erica might click? I hope so! :)

[Bama4Disney]

Hey all:

Haven't checked in with all of you in a while and wanted to let you know that we booked the Radisson yesterday and also booked the 10:30 am shuttle to the port. The boys talk about what we are going to do everyday. They can't wait but I am not sure who is more excited...them or me.

Thanks to Bruce for organizing and planning everything. Looking forward to meeting you all onboard!
:goodvibes

[chccatfish]

Good to see others are staying at the Radisson too. I'm hoping we can meet before we get onboard. We should be able to meet a lot of you on the 10:30 shuttle over. Bruce, DD 10, DD 12 and I are all excited and counting down the days. :banana:

Bibiddy: I will send you my e-mail after I do 10 posts.

Thanks, Carolyn

[stlkeeler]

My DGD and I are shopping for FE stuff this weekend. Are there limits or anything else I need to know? I read a trip report and this person gave 1 small item. Last year I found all kinds of stuff I wanted to give. This year, too. :thumbsup2 I don't want to give too much or not as much as anyone else. So tell me, what are we doing? :confused:

Thanks!

[Pooh_Friend#1]

My DGD and I are shopping for FE stuff this weekend. Are there limits or anything else I need to know? I read a trip report and this person gave 1 small item. Last year I found all kinds of stuff I wanted to give. This year, too. :thumbsup2 I don't want to give too much or not as much as anyone else. So tell me, what are we doing? :confused:

Thanks!
I don't think it matters, it just depends on what you want to give. I am having a blast looking for FE stuff!

Carolyn - just post on this thread 6 continuous times and you will reach 10 posts. Just post something like Hi, 6 times!

[chccatfish]

Thanks for the advice. Carolyn

[chccatfish]

I'm getting there.

[chccatfish]

Hi

[chccatfish]

Hello

[chccatfish]

Working on FE stuff too. It really doesn't matter if you give one thing or more. Last time Bruce and I gave a sandwich bag of items to the children.

[chccatfish]

I can't wait to meet you all.

[chccatfish]

hi

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Looks like you made your 10 posts, hopefully everything will work for you now!

[liliagm]

Hello y'all! I went looking for the FE gifts for the kids and got a question for you parents.... and kids.... since I only have a 2 year old I'm not so sure and I'm not "crafty" at all (I'm thinking I'm going to buy the FE off that lady on ebay) so could you say I'm safe with "princess" stuff for the 2-7 year old girls, hannah montana for the 9-11 yo and High school and camp rock for the 12-16 yo girls? and for the boys I'm getting cars stuff for the 5-7 yo and pirates for the 8-15 yo?? any input will be appreciated :goodvibes

And I still have to figure out the adults......

Thanks!

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Hello y'all! I went looking for the FE gifts for the kids and got a question for you parents.... and kids.... since I only have a 2 year old I'm not so sure and I'm not "crafty" at all (I'm thinking I'm going to buy the FE off that lady on ebay) so could you say I'm safe with "princess" stuff for the 2-7 year old girls, hannah montana for the 9-11 yo and High school and camp rock for the 12-16 yo girls? and for the boys I'm getting cars stuff for the 5-7 yo and pirates for the 8-15 yo?? any input will be appreciated :goodvibes

And I still have to figure out the adults......

Thanks!

I think everything you said is safe bets. :) That is somewhat similar to what I'll be giving out. The only difference is I think most of the stuff I have for older girls is pinkish/girly looking pirate stuff like notepads and lipstick and stuff. KWIM? That's just because that's the stuff I found in the $1-2 range. But we can't all give out the same stuff! LOL So yours sounds great. I think they'll like those things.
HOWEVER, you didn't mention 8yr olds and Rita is still listed as 9yr old on the FE list I think.... she'll be 8 on the cruise. She likes Hanah Montana alright but she'd be THRILLED with anything princess. Maybe she's immature for her age- i dunno- but she's still stuck on princesses (thank goodness- because I really don't want to redo her entire room just yet LOL)

[Pooh_Friend#1]

liliagm - I think those would be good themes for the ages. I think I am trying to stay more general for everyone and stick to themes like, tropical, pirates night, lite-up stuff, etc.

[triplefigs]

Ok, please send PD prayers. We have a request for this cruise. I'll find out at 8am if we get it! It would be our 1st cruise. Cast is me, DH, and our 8 year old triplets (BBG). We are so excited and PRAY we can book!!!! Right now we are booked on the 3 day Wonder for May 28. 7 days would be so much more fun!

Denise

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Ok, please send PD prayers. We have a request for this cruise. I'll find out at 8am if we get it! It would be our 1st cruise. Cast is me, DH, and our 8 year old triplets (BBG). We are so excited and PRAY we can book!!!! Right now we are booked on the 3 day Wonder for May 28. 7 days would be so much more fun!

Denise
Okay sending PD prayers!!!!
8yr old triplets! Whoa if you can get on this cruise my DD8 will have hit the jackpot. :rotfl:

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Ok, please send PD prayers. We have a request for this cruise. I'll find out at 8am if we get it! It would be our 1st cruise. Cast is me, DH, and our 8 year old triplets (BBG). We are so excited and PRAY we can book!!!! Right now we are booked on the 3 day Wonder for May 28. 7 days would be so much more fun!

Denise
Sending pixie dust to you. :wizard: Let us know what you find out!

Okay sending PD prayers!!!!
8yr old triplets! Whoa if you can get on this cruise my DD8 will have hit the jackpot. :rotfl:
:rotfl2:

[triplefigs]

Well, it was sold out. I'm a little POd (actually a lot!) as they never called back, etc, and when I called at 8:30am the cabins were gone. They had Cat 12's listed on the main page of their website. Boo hiss!

[chccatfish]

Don't give up.

[Bama4Disney]

We paid our cruise off today!. Yeah..now it is official:yay: Will be able to book excursions, Palo and kids club on the 1st of March. Can't wait:woohoo:

[Bama4Disney]

Triplefig. Don't give up! 75 days out which should be March 16th, everyone has to pay the final payment or cancel the reservation. Keep checking and especially around that date. CAT 12's pop up and go. I hope you can get the cabins.
Noticed you are a BAMA fan.
Roll Tide!

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Aw man..... don't give up though! Like others said. If you have a TA working on this for you- waitlist yourself! When we booked there were no cat 12's showing online- called my TA and they said the same thing but they said they'd put us on the list and get us the rooms if they opened up- THE NEXT MORNING they called to let us know they'd booked 2 cat 12's for us. So they do open up at any time- but especially might open some when full pymt is due?!? So don't give up, I wouldn't. LOL

[triplefigs]

We are on the waitlist. It was a GREAT deal (Cat 12 for 3 at $1907 and Cat 12 for 2 at $1388). We are currently booked for kids sail free. Only want them if we can get a deal with $$ so tight these days. Problem is my 45 day window is before this 45 day window, and we can't afford to let the 3 day go by without paying in full.

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Triplefigs - don't give up!!!! Keep trying.

Bama - I was excited when I paid off the cruise yesterday, only 10 more days until we can book!

[triplefigs]

Well, y'all were right not to give up. BUT, we snagged the 2 Cat 12's for the June 13 Western, not May 30. Have a great trip!

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Well, y'all were right not to give up. BUT, we snagged the 2 Cat 12's for the June 13 Western, not May 30. Have a great trip!
Congrats, that is great! Enjoy your cruise.

[homespun]

I have been reading many posts about FEs and Magnets getting stolen on Disney cruises. I would hate for that to happen to any of us on this cruise.

I have a personalized FE so I'm not worried about it being stolen, but we are very close to the elevators, so I have to admit I'm concerned about FE deliveries being stolen. Maybe I'm worrying for nothing, but it does seem from other posts that it is becoming a continuing problem.

I was wondering what others think about this. Maybe a solution would be setting up times frames for FE deliveries so we're able to check our FEs before things walk away. I'm putting a lot of work into my FE gifts and I'd hate to have them stolen once they are delivered--that would make me so sad.

Maybe as a group, we can come up with a solution that would make this a truly magical experience for all of us. Anyone have any ideas?

Karen :confused:

[chccatfish]

We didn't have that problem at all. Things will work out fine. Don't let others negative experiences keep you from enjoying the FE fun! Can't wait to sail!

[stlkeeler]

We didn't have that problem either last year. We were close to the mid elevators, too. I think that is better than one end or the other as there is more traffic going by your room. I read on one thread someone wrote "Stolen from ___" on the back of her magnets. She said it helped... Someone else said she puts the room number on the front of them. I know personalizing them is good but if you put your room number on all of them, you can't reuse them next time. Even if our magnets get stolen, I'll still have a great vacation because I won't be working!!

Everyone have a good weekend!

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I think she's talking about FE gifts- not magnets. Your own magnets you can personalize to thwart thieves.. but FE gifts you have no control over since they are GIVEN to you.

I will say this- on our PC cruise we had a ton of kids (teens/preteens) and I didn't hear about things in FE's being stolen. but honestly a lot of the gifts we'd never know if they were stolen or not... I do know there were a few things mentioned on the thread after the cruise that we sure never got- so now I wonder if we did have things stolen? LOL

Personally I put things in FE usually late at night because I'm a nightowl trying to find things to do while my family is sleeping anyway (and/or was waiting up for my eldest to come back to her room so I could go to sleep -but DH and other two kids were already asleep) and so there was less chance of the majority of people even being up that late- and likely everyone checked their FE first thing in the morning and got their things before someone could steal them? I don't know if that late night plan will work for others though. I think it might be too hard to 'schedule' a time to put out FE gifts- everyone has their own time they like to do that or can work it in their schedule. Well our last cruise had a LOT on the FE list so that might have made a difference. LOL

I'm just going to cross my fingers that our cruise isn't made up of thieving hooligans.... it takes a really cruel person to steal from kids IMO! :(

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I have never had a problem with FE being stolen, so I am hoping things will be the same this time around. It is fun to have a surprise waiting for you when you get back or walk out. I think I am just going to deliver my FE things and hope people will be considerate and not take them.

Bibbidy - what PC cruise were you on? We were on the 2008 EB PC cruise celebrating our honeymoon.

[Francisca64]

My son and I will be joining you on May 30 for his graduation gift/18th birthday. Are there any other graduates on board? It's an awkward age since he's just out of The Stack. I know he'd like to meet people his age. His best friend is a girl so girls feel free to contact him as well if you'd like. He's into music (plays electric bass in a band "The Protocol," reading & art. Parents, he's a very good and kind kid...good student and good person. :)

He has cruised 6 times and 10 for me, so we know our way around DCL. Just PM me if you'd like an email address.

We look so forward to some warm weather and great sunshine. I went in January and while it was wonderful, Castaway Cay was cold (of course)!

We're staying at the Raddison too. It's very convenient.

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I have never had a problem with FE being stolen, so I am hoping things will be the same this time around. It is fun to have a surprise waiting for you when you get back or walk out. I think I am just going to deliver my FE things and hope people will be considerate and not take them.

Bibbidy - what PC cruise were you on? We were on the 2008 EB PC cruise celebrating our honeymoon.
um...... same as you! hehe :)

My son and I will be joining you on May 30 for his graduation gift/18th birthday. Are there any other graduates on board? It's an awkward age since he's just out of The Stack. I know he'd like to meet people his age. His best friend is a girl so girls feel free to contact him as well if you'd like. He's into music (plays electric bass in a band "The Protocol," reading & art. Parents, he's a very good and kind kid...good student and good person. :)

He has cruised 6 times and 10 for me, so we know our way around DCL. Just PM me if you'd like an email address.

We look so forward to some warm weather and great sunshine. I went in January and while it was wonderful, Castaway Cay was cold (of course)!

We're staying at the Raddison too. It's very convenient.
Welcome to the group!
I've been reading though that 18yr olds can be in the stack as long as they are either still in highschool OR if they've graduated but haven't started college yet. So if he still wants to go in the stack- apparently he still can! Sounds like a great kid... sorry we don't have someone his age in our family. :(

[mmmagic7754]

Paid our balance today,gotta be ready to book Palo at 90 days out:thumbsup2

[Pooh_Friend#1]

My son and I will be joining you on May 30 for his graduation gift/18th birthday.
Welcome! I was just reading our FE list that Bruce sent out and it does look like there will be other 18 year olds in our dis group.

um...... same as you! hehe :)
Wow, and we never met! :rotfl2:

[brucechase]

My son and I will be joining you on May 30 for his graduation gift/18th birthday. Are there any other graduates on board? It's an awkward age since he's just out of The Stack. I know he'd like to meet people his age. His best friend is a girl so girls feel free to contact him as well if you'd like. He's into music (plays electric bass in a band "The Protocol," reading & art. Parents, he's a very good and kind kid...good student and good person. :)

He has cruised 6 times and 10 for me, so we know our way around DCL. Just PM me if you'd like an email address.

We look so forward to some warm weather and great sunshine. I went in January and while it was wonderful, Castaway Cay was cold (of course)!

We're staying at the Raddison too. It's very convenient.


Here is a list of other 18 YO on the cruise. They do all seem to be female though. I have included the Disboard name only, so if you want to contact them, you can do it that way.

kcashner - DD 18
Hmurry - DD 18
Hmurry - DF 18
Hmurry - DF 18

[brucechase]

Paid our balance today,gotta be ready to book Palo at 90 days out:thumbsup2

My statement end date is the 25th so I will wait until then. We should still have a couple days buffer for Palo. Now I just have to figure out when we want to eat at Palo (and what we want to do for shore excursions too).

I'm so far behind (but we did make some Mickey head magnets - about 80 of them in case other people want them).

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Wow, and we never met! :rotfl2:
I know- weird. Your name sounds familiar though. I can't say if I remember your face until I see a closer up picture of you. LOL Were you on the DIS group for that cruise? Were you on the FE? If so I gave you gifts without ever meeting you. LOL

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I know- weird. Your name sounds familiar though. I can't say if I remember your face until I see a closer up picture of you. LOL Were you on the DIS group for that cruise? Were you on the FE? If so I gave you gifts without ever meeting you. LOL
I was on the DIS group for that cruise but wasn't very active (no FE exchange) because it was my Honeymoon and wanted to spend all that time with my new hubby!

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I was on the DIS group for that cruise but wasn't very active (no FE exchange) because it was my Honeymoon and wanted to spend all that time with my new hubby!
I totally understand!
I got your PM and replied.... :)

[luvdmouse57]

I've got a question about booking reservations for Palo & excursions. I'd planned on doing them online. We made our cruuise reservations with a TA & we paid off our cruise in November but our online info still says "booked". Can I make ressies if it doesn't list our cruise as paid?

Karla in Kansas

[Bama4Disney]

I've got a question about booking reservations for Palo & excursions. I'd planned on doing them online. We made our cruuise reservations with a TA & we paid off our cruise in November but our online info still says "booked". Can I make ressies if it doesn't list our cruise as paid?

Karla in Kansas

Karla:

My understanding is that it wont allow you to book ressies until all is paid. I am not sure but it sounds like you TA may not have paid off your cruise and could be holding the funds until the due date. I have heard of this happening to others. :scared1: I would call them and ask them to provide confirmation to you that your cruise is paid in full and tell them that you want to make your shore and Palo reservations online.

Good Luck!

[sebamt]

My understanding is that the DCL status doesn't change from "Booked" even after you are paid in full.

[luvdmouse57]

Thanks for the help! I called DCL & asked them. They said that because I made my reservation with a TA that it would not show up online as paid but as booked. When it's time to make my reservations for Palo & shore excursions, the system knows that we are paid, it just doesn't show it.
I am so relieved! This is our first cruise & since it's to celebrate our 30th I want it to be as much fun as possible! I didn't want to wait until the 16th to try to make ressies only to find that I couldn't do it!

Karla in Kansas

[mmmagic7754]

My son and I will be joining you on May 30 for his graduation gift/18th birthday. Are there any other graduates on board? It's an awkward age since he's just out of The Stack. I know he'd like to meet people his age. His best friend is a girl so girls feel free to contact him as well if you'd like. He's into music (plays electric bass in a band "The Protocol," reading & art. Parents, he's a very good and kind kid...good student and good person. :)

He has cruised 6 times and 10 for me, so we know our way around DCL. Just PM me if you'd like an email address.

We look so forward to some warm weather and great sunshine. I went in January and while it was wonderful, Castaway Cay was cold (of course)!

We're staying at the Raddison too. It's very convenient.

Hi Francisca :wave2: We are from Athens also , GO DAWGS!!! My son goes to Clarke Central. Where is your son graduating from?

[brucechase]

OK, just paid off our cruise in anticipation of the March 1 90 day deadline. I now have no idea on what we are going to do and when.

I want to try Palo, but don't know which night to try it.

I don't know what to do at Key West other than walk around.

I want to do the turtle thing at the Caymans, but not sure on how to do that and other things.

DW want to do the authentic cooking in Cozumel but what can we do with the kids. I'm hoping there is a beach nearby. The ruins looks way to far away and too long to enjoy. I would love to do a mountain bike, but no one else would enjoy that as much.

Haven't even thought about Castaway Cay yet.

I also need to get insurance today. I was looking at insuremytrip and getting travelex lite since they will reimburse for shore excursions if the ship alters the intinerary and you don't book thru them.

Anyone have any thoughts on what they are doing/

By the way, my 9 YO is now a 10YO today!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pooh_Friend#1]

By the way, my 9 YO is now a 10YO today!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday! :banana: :cool1: :dance3: :yay:

I am excited because I finally purchased our plane tickets. I have been checking every day hoping they would go down and they finally did!

[mrpawn]

Here is a list of other 18 YO on the cruise. They do all seem to be female though. I have included the Disboard name only, so if you want to contact them, you can do it that way.

kcashner - DD 18
Hmurry - DD 18
Hmurry - DF 18
Hmurry - DF 18

Just wanted to add my DD to the list. She will be 5 weeks shy of 18 at sail time. Sr in high school, loves to read and is a dancer. PM if anyone is interested in meeting via email or im pre cruise.:yay:

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

OK, just paid off our cruise in anticipation of the March 1 90 day deadline. I now have no idea on what we are going to do and when.

I want to try Palo, but don't know which night to try it.

I don't know what to do at Key West other than walk around.

I want to do the turtle thing at the Caymans, but not sure on how to do that and other things.

DW want to do the authentic cooking in Cozumel but what can we do with the kids. I'm hoping there is a beach nearby. The ruins looks way to far away and too long to enjoy. I would love to do a mountain bike, but no one else would enjoy that as much.

Haven't even thought about Castaway Cay yet.

I also need to get insurance today. I was looking at insuremytrip and getting travelex lite since they will reimburse for shore excursions if the ship alters the intinerary and you don't book thru them.

Anyone have any thoughts on what they are doing/

By the way, my 9 YO is now a 10YO today!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday to your 9yo!!!!!!! :dance3:

We want to do Palo again- also don't know which day yet. I gotta figure that out. LOL
Key West -dh is scuba diving and I'm taking the kids on the trolley tour (done on our own so we can get off/on anywhere- the DCL excursion makes you stay on it!)

Grand Cayman- we're booking thru shoretrips an excursion that includes the turtle farm, HELL, stingray city, etc. (and snorkeling)

Cozumel- hoping to get snuba booked for that thru DCL. If we don't get that- we might not even get off the ship there or DH can go scuba diving there (again). He's already dove there and we've all been there before- so it's the best place for us to go snuba diving (without youngest- she's not old enough and probably not interested in it anyway! She swims like a fish but she's a pool/waterpark type kid- she's not even interested in snorkeling at CC.. ie: just doesn't have the desire to do things like snorkeling/etc. and seeing fish- yet atleast LOL)

CC -not planning anything this time except teen doing the wild side again.. and we'll rent the floats/snorkel/bikes again. But no excursions because this time I'd like to FINALLY see the adult beach if our youngest two will let us this time! LOL

[klcason]

Ok, so because I am incredibly nosy, I have been watching the dcl site for our cruise, checking pricing. So as of yesterday there are no more cat 11's or 12's. Wonder what is up with that???

btw, congrats on the b-day. my dd will be 9 the week after our cruise, she thinks she is soooo grown up.

We are planning to do the trolley in Key West on our own also, did you get the coupon where the kids 4-12 are free?

We are doing a waverunner excursion in Cayman and the Nachi Cochum in Cozumel, both on our own.

Not sure about Castaway, we will probably not snorkel though, may do the bike and float.

Hoping for a Palo brunch and dinner and some spa appts. Anyone have any tips about online booking, like what I should book first????

Kayla

[brucechase]

It was just a couple of weeks ago that Cat 12 was still open since my brother said he might want to go (but still is wishy washy). It would have been just him and his GF. I did see that Cat 11 was open though.

Coupon?!?!?! Where did you get the kids free coupon? I am definately thinking about that so that would be great.

What is the Nachi Cochum in Cozumel? I guess I need to start doing some research.

No tips for online booking. Since this is my first return cruise, I am excited to see what happens this Sunday. I will probably just get up early Sunday morning (like at 7:00) to book (instead of staying up past midnight like everyone else does). I hope that isn't a mistake. I am interested in tips for booking also.

[sebamt]

We also want to do the trolley in Key West and Nachi Cocum in Cozumel (Nachi is an all-inclusive beach resort that only takes a limited number of guests every day -- it gets awesome reviews on other forums - http://www.cozumelnachicocom.net/). For Grand Cayman we're doing the Rays, Reef, and Rum excursion with Native Way.

We're also looking for booking tips for March 1, as it is our 2nd cruise. Anyone?

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Ok, so because I am incredibly nosy, I have been watching the dcl site for our cruise, checking pricing. So as of yesterday there are no more cat 11's or 12's. Wonder what is up with that???

btw, congrats on the b-day. my dd will be 9 the week after our cruise, she thinks she is soooo grown up.

We are planning to do the trolley in Key West on our own also, did you get the coupon where the kids 4-12 are free?

We are doing a waverunner excursion in Cayman and the Nachi Cochum in Cozumel, both on our own.

Not sure about Castaway, we will probably not snorkel though, may do the bike and float.

Hoping for a Palo brunch and dinner and some spa appts. Anyone have any tips about online booking, like what I should book first????

Kayla
Well I'm hoping that booking won't be as hard this time as on my past two cruises. but both my other cruises were "special" (first cruise to go to CC twice, and then the Panama Canal cruise) so both had a TON of DIS'ers on those cruises- which means they were ALL up at midnight booking things. LOL
I'm hoping it's not going to be like that this time! We're not a huge group but who knows how many are going and just not posting on this thread- yanno?

I did not get a coupon! Where do I get that coupon for the trolley?!? Please help on that one!!! LOL

[klcason]

Here is the link for the page with the coupon, there are tons of other Key West coupons also.

http://www.fla-keys.com/ValuCation/print-coupon.cfm

scroll down almost to the bottom and there is a coupon for the trolley and train. I sent an e-mail and you have to wait to buy your tickets at the station, you can't buy online.

The Nachi Cochum link is below. It looks super nice and has some really good reviews.

http://cozumelcruiseexcursions.com/CozumelBeachBreak.htm

Now, since I am in Central Time in Louisiana I can do my ressies at 11:00pm my time correct?????? Isn't is midnight Eastern? Also, is that on the night of the 28th or the 1st?

Kayla

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Thanks for the link! I'm only one adult though so only one child free (Ruby wouldn't be free anyway even if DH was coming with us) So I need to crunch numbers to see if that saves more than getting the tickets online. Thanks though because I did a search online and couldn't find it! LOL

Let's see... it's the 1st actual booking but at midnight eastern- so that means on the night of the 28th at 11pm for us CST'ers. LOL

[klcason]

Cool, that's what I thought, guess I will be up a little late tomorrow night. I have gotten all but our last day ADR for WDW the week before, that is always nice to have done!!

Hope the coupon works out for you! Every little bit helps.

Kayla

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Well the coupon would save us $5. I'm not sure it's worth that to worry about getting the tickets when we get there- I'm thinking long lines? Plus do they ever "sell out" or do they keep selling tickets even if there is a bazillion people wanting to go on the tour that day? LOL I dunno- something to think about.It would be SO worth it if we had 2 adults going though.... the cpn seems to say one child free per paying adult- me alone with the kids doesn't work out so great.
WAIT........ a...... minute.
If I'm paying adult for Ruby since she's 15- she counts as an adult then right? So that's 2 adult prices- so 2 kids free, right? If that's right- then it will save me almost $20.... am I thinking right on that?

Which one are y'all doing? Conch Tour Train or Old Town Trolley?

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Cool, that's what I thought, guess I will be up a little late tomorrow night. I have gotten all but our last day ADR for WDW the week before, that is always nice to have done!!

Hope the coupon works out for you! Every little bit helps.

Kayla

Are you not staying onsite? I ask because I'm wondering why you don't have the last day yet?

And wait a minute..... so you'll be at WDW the week before? so will we! Did you already say that and I forgot? ack I'm losing my mind. Too much to remember with these kids and their activities/etc. LOL (for instance tonight Rita going to GS camping- so right now I'm sorta procrastinating on getting all her stuff packed LOL, Robert having a friend sleep over tonight & then basketball game in the morning, and Ruby having movie night 7-11pm tonight with GS- and Jeff is working late tonight and going in all day tomorrow! So it's me and these busy kids. LOL)

[klcason]

HA! Know whatcha mean about being busy!!! DH had surgery on Wednesday and I have been off work for a couple of days so it has been so calm, I almost don't know what to do!!!!!!! The kids are back home now though, so time for rollerskates again.

I think your calculations are correct, I would use the coupon if I were you!! We are doing the trolley so we can hop on and off, I think the train is non stop, I think??

We are arriving in the world on May 23 for 7 nights before the cruise. We are renting a house off property, so 1 more ADR for Crystal Palace and I am DONE!

Where in Texas are you?? Since I am next door in Louisiana!! Are you all driving or flying?

Kayla

[homespun]

OK, just paid off our cruise in anticipation of the March 1 90 day deadline. I now have no idea on what we are going to do and when.

I want to try Palo, but don't know which night to try it.

I don't know what to do at Key West other than walk around.

I want to do the turtle thing at the Caymans, but not sure on how to do that and other things.

DW want to do the authentic cooking in Cozumel but what can we do with the kids. I'm hoping there is a beach nearby. The ruins looks way to far away and too long to enjoy. I would love to do a mountain bike, but no one else would enjoy that as much.

Haven't even thought about Castaway Cay yet.

I also need to get insurance today. I was looking at insuremytrip and getting travelex lite since they will reimburse for shore excursions if the ship alters the intinerary and you don't book thru them.

Anyone have any thoughts on what they are doing/

By the way, my 9 YO is now a 10YO today!!!!!!!!!!!

Now it's down to the nitty gritty and planning those fun excursions.

In Key West we're still up in the air - but either will be on our own - either the Trolley or Electric Cars. I've been reading that parking is difficult, so right now we are leaning towards the Trolley - but those electric cars look fun too.

In Grand Cayman we're hoping for the Nautilus Sub with the snorkeling included. DH doesn't swim but this looks like it's fine for those that don't snorkel as we'll have only about 30 minutes to snorkel, which is fine

On Cozumel we booked the dolphin swim (not the Royal, the Dorsal Fin Swim) on our own at 1 PM -- Anyone else doing that at that time?

Key West - we hope to relax, snorkel near the family beach and then maybe hit the adult beach a bit and the Sting Rays if we can get in.

Karen :yay:

[homespun]

I think she's talking about FE gifts- not magnets. Your own magnets you can personalize to thwart thieves.. but FE gifts you have no control over since they are GIVEN to you.

I will say this- on our PC cruise we had a ton of kids (teens/preteens) and I didn't hear about things in FE's being stolen. but honestly a lot of the gifts we'd never know if they were stolen or not... I do know there were a few things mentioned on the thread after the cruise that we sure never got- so now I wonder if we did have things stolen? LOL

Personally I put things in FE usually late at night because I'm a nightowl trying to find things to do while my family is sleeping anyway (and/or was waiting up for my eldest to come back to her room so I could go to sleep -but DH and other two kids were already asleep) and so there was less chance of the majority of people even being up that late- and likely everyone checked their FE first thing in the morning and got their things before someone could steal them? I don't know if that late night plan will work for others though. I think it might be too hard to 'schedule' a time to put out FE gifts- everyone has their own time they like to do that or can work it in their schedule. Well our last cruise had a LOT on the FE list so that might have made a difference. LOL

I'm just going to cross my fingers that our cruise isn't made up of thieving hooligans.... it takes a really cruel person to steal from kids IMO! :(

That's a great idea -- Thanks for the tip and I'm keeping my fingers crossed too.

[liliagm]

Well, I don't know what to do... my credit card (disney) cuts on the 28th and the TA (dreams unlimited) recommended to pay on that day so that I can book on March 1st.... but I wanted for the charge to go to the credit card for the next month so that I could get some more time to start paying it off.... but then again i still have to pay that anyway and I don't know how many of us will be doing their reservations on 3/1......I could also wait until monday 3/2 and see what's left.. I'm mainly worried about Palo brunch.... ughhh....

We are also planing on doing the trolley thing at key west, and the turtle farm at Grand cayman, all on our own...and we haven't decided on cozumel, but, because we are originally from mexico and DH lived in Merida (4 hrs from Cancun) well we have been there already so we are thinking of maybe going to the mainland and try and get his family to drive down and meet us...

so much to think about..... when is everybody doing Palo dinner? I'm thinking of skiping formal night, DH wasn't to happy about the whole tux thing....

[klcason]

Well, I don't know what to do... my credit card (disney) cuts on the 28th and the TA (dreams unlimited) recommended to pay on that day so that I can book on March 1st.... but I wanted for the charge to go to the credit card for the next month so that I could get some more time to start paying it off.... but then again i still have to pay that anyway and I don't know how many of us will be doing their reservations on 3/1......I could also wait until monday 3/2 and see what's left.. I'm mainly worried about Palo brunch.... ughhh....

We are also planing on doing the trolley thing at key west, and the turtle farm at Grand cayman, all on our own...and we haven't decided on cozumel, but, because we are originally from mexico and DH lived in Merida (4 hrs from Cancun) well we have been there already so we are thinking of maybe going to the mainland and try and get his family to drive down and meet us...

so much to think about..... when is everybody doing Palo dinner? I'm thinking of skiping formal night, DH wasn't to happy about the whole tux thing....


We are going to skip formal night, not at all interested in that. So I think we are going to try Palo for that night.

Kayla

[cruisefanz]

Hi~ we are booked on this May 30 cruise! We have 3 cat 12 cabins. This will be our 2nd DC. Our first Western. Members of our party include: Nana and Pops --the grands, DH (44) and I (40), DD-15 (will turn 16 in June), DS-12, twin sons--7 (will turn 8 in June).
We would love to participate in your FE. Please add us to your list. :banana:

[mmmagic7754]

Hi~ we are booked on this May 30 cruise! We have 3 cat 12 cabins. This will be our 2nd DC. Our first Western. Members of our party include: Nana and Pops --the grands, DH (44) and I (40), DD-15 (will turn 16 in June), DS-12, twin sons--7 (will turn 8 in June).
We would love to participate in your FE. Please add us to your list. :banana:

Welcome aboard!!!!We have a DS-15,sure they will run into each other in the Stack

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

HA! Know whatcha mean about being busy!!! DH had surgery on Wednesday and I have been off work for a couple of days so it has been so calm, I almost don't know what to do!!!!!!! The kids are back home now though, so time for rollerskates again.

I think your calculations are correct, I would use the coupon if I were you!! We are doing the trolley so we can hop on and off, I think the train is non stop, I think??

We are arriving in the world on May 23 for 7 nights before the cruise. We are renting a house off property, so 1 more ADR for Crystal Palace and I am DONE!

Where in Texas are you?? Since I am next door in Louisiana!! Are you all driving or flying?

Kayla
Oh no, surgery?!? I hope he's okay!
I'm near the DFW area but don't live in the big cities. LOL
We're driving this time- and staying in our TT at Fort Wilderness. First time for us to do that instead of staying in a resort room but with a family of 5... it's not easy to do a "budget" trip before the "discount" cruise. LOL So we're doing FW- we've been wanting to anyway for awhile- the driving just adds time that DH has to take off work though. :(

We'll be at the parks at the same time! We should get there sometime on the 23rd- that's when we're checking in but not sure what time yet. Depends on if I can end up helping drive towing that TT -or not... if not, we'll have to stop somewhere and let DH sleep. I usually do all the driving if we drive long distances and drove most of the way last time we drove to WDW- he gets sleepy at the wheel if he drives too much and definitely has to get his sleep at night. He can't be driving all night while everyone is sleeping like I did last time! LOL But I wasn't towing the TT then either...
Looks like we'll be driving thru your neck of the woods. LOL

Okay yeah I read more about that train and definitely doing trolley- that's the reason I wanted to do it on my own so if we wanted to get off- we could. I didn't like that DCL excursion made you just drive around and stay on the entire time!

Hi~ we are booked on this May 30 cruise! We have 3 cat 12 cabins. This will be our 2nd DC. Our first Western. Members of our party include: Nana and Pops --the grands, DH (44) and I (40), DD-15 (will turn 16 in June), DS-12, twin sons--7 (will turn 8 in June).
We would love to participate in your FE. Please add us to your list. :banana:
Welcome to the group! I have a DD15, DS 11 (11.5 at time of cruise) and DD8 (turns 9 just a cpl weeks after the cruise- in June). Oh and we're about the same age... DH turns 43 in a few days, I turn 40 this summer after the cruise. LOL

So many here are in cat 12's (we have 2) it will be interesting as we get closer to see who gets upgraded and more importantly... who ends up on different decks or not. :scared1:

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Well, I don't know what to do... my credit card (disney) cuts on the 28th and the TA (dreams unlimited) recommended to pay on that day so that I can book on March 1st.... but I wanted for the charge to go to the credit card for the next month so that I could get some more time to start paying it off.... but then again i still have to pay that anyway and I don't know how many of us will be doing their reservations on 3/1......I could also wait until monday 3/2 and see what's left.. I'm mainly worried about Palo brunch.... ughhh....

We are also planing on doing the trolley thing at key west, and the turtle farm at Grand cayman, all on our own...and we haven't decided on cozumel, but, because we are originally from mexico and DH lived in Merida (4 hrs from Cancun) well we have been there already so we are thinking of maybe going to the mainland and try and get his family to drive down and meet us...

so much to think about..... when is everybody doing Palo dinner? I'm thinking of skiping formal night, DH wasn't to happy about the whole tux thing....
I really don't know how big of a deal it will be to book tomorrow night/Sunday morning. We don't have a whole lot of people on this thread- not sure how many are just not participating in this thread... so who really knows how busy it will be?
But honestly everyone says if you get on board early you can get palo reservations anyway. They apparently hold some back for booking onboard which is only fair because not EVERYONE even has a computer or knows about booking online and all that. Yanno?

You don't have to wear a tux for formal night. It's fine if you don't want to do it- but I'm just letting you know that. I'm not sure yet what we're going to do. But in the past we have gone to formal/semi-formal and DH has never worn a tux- he's never even worn a suit! He wears a white shirt, black tie one night/mickey floral & black tie another night- black belt, black pants, black shoes. That's it. No jacket even. I've only seen a FEW people dressed up in tuxes on the cruises I've been on.

We're just not sure yet what we're going to do. Our first cruise we did late dining and it didn't work out well with the kids- they kept having the most exciting activities in the club and the lab right when we were having late dining! The last half (or more) of the cruise the kids kept eating fast and then one of us taking them each one at a time to check them in for the activities. It really disrupted our dinner- not relaxing at all. This 2nd cruise we had late dining, told the kids they did NOT have to eat with us (except a few "themed" nights- they ate with us only 2 nights out of the 15nt cruise) and at first actually didn't even plan on eating in the dining rooms at all- ever! But then I kinda got talked into it by someone else in our group for that cruise to eat with them (we tend to get seated by ourselves as a family of 5- and we certianly didn't want to sit at a table for 6 by ourselves just DH and I since the kids weren't eating with us!)

But this time we have main dining. I didn't even ask for it- when we transferred baltic 2010 to this cruise our ressies said main dining waitlist- and I didn't change it. Then it changed to main dining confirmed. I thought maybe we'd give that a try. Really it's not getting ready any earlier because we end up getting ready early for the show before dinner anyway! Also last time having the kids NOT eat with us didn't work so great either- we had to take them around making sure they were fed before they went to club/lab while we ate- because they did NOT like going with the club/lab to eat basically preplated buffet food. They wanted to eat what they wanted to eat and it wasn't that stuff- so that just made us working on feeding them while trying to get ourselves ready for show & dinner! So we're trying main dining- and I think we'll have the kids eat with us.. it's during the time the club/lab eat anyway and they won't miss the activities that tend to be during late dining time.

I'm not buying a bunch of clothes for us to wear on formal/semi if we go those nights though. We will wear what we wear for church (or better- DH doesn't wear that to church! We're in texas- perfectly acceptable for him to wear a button down shirt, pants and boots LOL) -anyway- if we eat those nights in the dining room DH will wear the same thing as the other times- white button down shirt, tie, black belt/slacks/shoes. I'll be wearing whatever dress fits me at that time -hoping I can lose enough to fit into some of my nicer stuff I haven't fit in -in years. LOL But basically just a regular dress and/or maybe a pretty blouse and long black skirt with heels- nothing fancy and definitely not a formal gown. My girls will wear dresses they already have since they wear dresses to church- and same for son... he'll wear black pants, shirt and tie like he wears to church. He may have on black tennis shoes though because he outgrew his dress shoes and at the rate his feet keep growoing I'm LOATHE to buy him another pair right now. LOL He even outgrew a pair that I'd bought a size up that he hadn't even worn at all! That's how fast his feet grew. If anyone has a problem with him wearing one of his black tennis shoes (they are all black- he likes black tennies) they can kiss my ..... you know what. LOL I don't begrudge those that dress up though- I like to look at how pretty they are. I just don't think it's a big deal if others don't dress up. I've never understood those that have a "problem" with the way others dress.... and it's not like we'll be walking in in shorts and tank tops or something- we'll still be DECENT. Yanno? If it's good enough for church- it's good enough for that dinner (IMO)

We may just skip those nights though- I'm not sure. I really don't want to miss the lobster though! LOL WE really have to see what time we get for main dining (hoping for the latest main dining time!) and also have to see how this works for us. If even main dining doesn't work well- we may just say forget it.. LOL

[klcason]

Hi~ we are booked on this May 30 cruise! We have 3 cat 12 cabins. This will be our 2nd DC. Our first Western. Members of our party include: Nana and Pops --the grands, DH (44) and I (40), DD-15 (will turn 16 in June), DS-12, twin sons--7 (will turn 8 in June).
We would love to participate in your FE. Please add us to your list. :banana:

Yeah, welcome! My ds will be so excited, he will turn 8 in October. So many Cat 12's, should be interesting!

Kayla

[klcason]

Oh no, surgery?!? I hope he's okay!
I'm near the DFW area but don't live in the big cities. LOL
We're driving this time- and staying in our TT at Fort Wilderness. First time for us to do that instead of staying in a resort room but with a family of 5... it's not easy to do a "budget" trip before the "discount" cruise. LOL So we're doing FW- we've been wanting to anyway for awhile- the driving just adds time that DH has to take off work though. :(

We'll be at the parks at the same time! We should get there sometime on the 23rd- that's when we're checking in but not sure what time yet. Depends on if I can end up helping drive towing that TT -or not... if not, we'll have to stop somewhere and let DH sleep. I usually do all the driving if we drive long distances and drove most of the way last time we drove to WDW- he gets sleepy at the wheel if he drives too much and definitely has to get his sleep at night. He can't be driving all night while everyone is sleeping like I did last time! LOL But I wasn't towing the TT then either...
Looks like we'll be driving thru your neck of the woods. LOL

Okay yeah I read more about that train and definitely doing trolley- that's the reason I wanted to do it on my own so if we wanted to get off- we could. I didn't like that DCL excursion made you just drive around and stay on the entire time!


Welcome to the group! I have a DD15, DS 11 (11.5 at time of cruise) and DD8 (turns 9 just a cpl weeks after the cruise- in June). Oh and we're about the same age... DH turns 43 in a few days, I turn 40 this summer after the cruise. LOL

So many here are in cat 12's (we have 2) it will be interesting as we get closer to see who gets upgraded and more importantly... who ends up on different decks or not. :scared1:

Perhaps we will see one another on the road too!! We are leaving early on that Sat, actually arriving on the 24th. Don't know if I could manage driving a TT, good luck with that.

He is actually doing quite well, the afternoons are a bit hard on him though! Mostly b/c he is a stubborn man and won't take his pain medicine.

We actually lived in Arlington for a year while dh attended grad school in Fort Worth. Back before kids and all. Small world after all insn't is! I couldn't do big city life like that. We are basically in the Shreveport/Bossier area, but actually live just south of Bossier.

We are opting for the trolley for that exact reason. It makes no since to not be able to get on and off!!! We want to see the aquarium, lighthouse, southermost point and I want some Key Lime Pie!! :cloud9:

We had a 5:45 dining time last year on the Wonder. Had no prob. at all. It worked perfect for us, but we normally eat about 6:30 anyway.

Kayla

[brucechase]

Hi~ we are booked on this May 30 cruise! We have 3 cat 12 cabins. This will be our 2nd DC. Our first Western. Members of our party include: Nana and Pops --the grands, DH (44) and I (40), DD-15 (will turn 16 in June), DS-12, twin sons--7 (will turn 8 in June).
We would love to participate in your FE. Please add us to your list. :banana:

:cool1: :yay: :cool1: :yay: :cool1: :yay:


Welcome aboard. I will add you to the FE list. I need you to send me an email and names for the list. I have it in excel and a PDF if you prefer one over the other. I also list hotels and excursions if you want to meet up with anyone. I will send you a PM since you can't PM yet. I think you have to hit 10 posts first.

[brucechase]

Got the coupon for the trolley :worship: thank you for saving us some money. We will definately do the trolley thing and just see the sights in Key West.

We are still discussing formal night/Palo. We definately do not really dress-up at all. My wife did just pick up some infinity dresses ( http://www.infinitedress.com/index.html ) for $20 versus the $200 price tag. I do not own a suit that fits and I definately won't be purchasing one for the cruise, but DW thinks we might all look nice dressed up (maybe for a pic) so I might have to wear a button down shirt and tie. I was really considering skipping formal night and doing the Palo reservation then.

As for the kids, I think I can trust then enough that if they want to go to Topsiders for dinner alone, I just might have to allow that. Maybe if we are all at Palo the same night they might all be able to go as a group.:confused3

As for the credit card, I paid off the cruise on the 26, but it still hasn't shown up on my account (it is pending though so I made until another billing cycle). If you wanted to do it, I think you will be OK, it should wait until the next billing cycle.

RANT ---- Chase just sent me a letter saying they are raising the interest rate 50%. I don't carry much of a balance, but when I called the said they couldn't do anything but cancel the card. I hate that I got stuck on this Disney stuff and really look forward to those points. Oh Well. ----RANT OFF.

Just now looking at the other excursions. I'm sure Carolyn will be on soon since I told her how many posts have shown up in the last couple of days.

OK, now time for getting our FE stuff going. Man time is going too fast. I hope it slows down on May 30th.

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Perhaps we will see one another on the road too!! We are leaving early on that Sat, actually arriving on the 24th. Don't know if I could manage driving a TT, good luck with that.

He is actually doing quite well, the afternoons are a bit hard on him though! Mostly b/c he is a stubborn man and won't take his pain medicine.

We actually lived in Arlington for a year while dh attended grad school in Fort Worth. Back before kids and all. Small world after all insn't is! I couldn't do big city life like that. We are basically in the Shreveport/Bossier area, but actually live just south of Bossier.

We are opting for the trolley for that exact reason. It makes no since to not be able to get on and off!!! We want to see the aquarium, lighthouse, southermost point and I want some Key Lime Pie!! :cloud9:

We had a 5:45 dining time last year on the Wonder. Had no prob. at all. It worked perfect for us, but we normally eat about 6:30 anyway.

Kayla
So you're arriving 24th or 23rd? Confused about which one. LOL
We were leaving on Sat (very early- DH is an early bird so might as well get more drive time in when he's wide awake!) and arriving on the 24th BUT then we realized that memorial day was that week so technically he's not taking that day off as vacation- he'd already get it off for holiday. So he's taking off the Friday before so we'll head out on Friday morning and arrive on the 23rd (who knows what time though- might be late). I had to add a day to our FW stay since we're coming in a day early!
So hopefully by Sat morning we should have already passed ya... you'll be travelling in our dust.
HAHAHA

I don't really know if we'll actually go IN places- that would add considerably to the cost for admissions for all those places but I just wanted to be able to get out with the kids (we've never been there) to say we've been there and also I like freedom. I don't really like being tied down to staying on there- if we want to get off and walk around, look at things, etc. -we will. :) And it's an all day pass right? So technically we could go back to the ship to eat and MAYBE go back on the trolley again if we wanted? I dunno. We'll play that day by ear but atleast getting off the ship.... DH is diving there all day LOL

I've drove thru the Shreveport area a few times in my day. LOL We were actually in FW yesterday- went to Casa Manana and then picked up our zoo tickets (for a homeschool day in March) :) We're about a 30-45min drive from FW & Arlington... about an hour from Dallas/airport (depending on traffic ofcourse LOL) but we live in a small town. Well not TINY anymore- it's grown quite a bit in my lifetime but I still hate it really when we have to go to the big cities. I don't like the traffic and the highways are a mess! bad traffic drives me nuts. LOL

I hope everyone gets the excursions/etc. they want tonight!!!

[Francisca64]

Son is thinking this is going to be an enjoyable cruise with five 18 yo girls. :) We are waiting to book our Palo brunch and dinner tomorrow. It's funny but I thinks he's looking forward to that more than anything...eating in the adults exclusive restaurant. I hope they'll have enough food. He is 6'3". :lmao:

By the way MMMAGIC7754 - Nathan goes to Jefferson City Schools. He's looking forward to meeting a fellow Athenian...one of the greatest semi-small towns around!! GO DAWGS!

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Bruce- I checked out that website. That's the first I've seen about a dress like that! Where in the world did your wife pick them up for only $20 though?

[chccatfish]

Bruce- I checked out that website. That's the first I've seen about a dress like that! Where in the world did your wife pick them up for only $20 though?

graveyardmall.com

It is a deal of the day site just like woot.com

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Welcome to the new cruisers. We aren't dressing up either for Formal and Semi-Formal nights so it is good to know others are skipping this as well. We just don't want to pack that much and we are tired of dressing up for dinner!!!

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Thanks. I'll check it out. $20 for ANY dress is a good deal but this one looks like you can make it into several dresses... so I'll check it out and see if I want to get it!

[klcason]

So you're arriving 24th or 23rd? Confused about which one. LOL
We were leaving on Sat (very early- DH is an early bird so might as well get more drive time in when he's wide awake!) and arriving on the 24th BUT then we realized that memorial day was that week so technically he's not taking that day off as vacation- he'd already get it off for holiday. So he's taking off the Friday before so we'll head out on Friday morning and arrive on the 23rd (who knows what time though- might be late). I had to add a day to our FW stay since we're coming in a day early!
So hopefully by Sat morning we should have already passed ya... you'll be travelling in our dust.
HAHAHA

I don't really know if we'll actually go IN places- that would add considerably to the cost for admissions for all those places but I just wanted to be able to get out with the kids (we've never been there) to say we've been there and also I like freedom. I don't really like being tied down to staying on there- if we want to get off and walk around, look at things, etc. -we will. :) And it's an all day pass right? So technically we could go back to the ship to eat and MAYBE go back on the trolley again if we wanted? I dunno. We'll play that day by ear but atleast getting off the ship.... DH is diving there all day LOL

I've drove thru the Shreveport area a few times in my day. LOL We were actually in FW yesterday- went to Casa Manana and then picked up our zoo tickets (for a homeschool day in March) :) We're about a 30-45min drive from FW & Arlington... about an hour from Dallas/airport (depending on traffic ofcourse LOL) but we live in a small town. Well not TINY anymore- it's grown quite a bit in my lifetime but I still hate it really when we have to go to the big cities. I don't like the traffic and the highways are a mess! bad traffic drives me nuts. LOL

I hope everyone gets the excursions/etc. they want tonight!!!

We are leaving very early on the 23rd and staying the night in Tallahassee. Early rising and hope to be in the Animal Kingdom shortly after lunch!! So yes we will be in your travelin dust!!

Didn't love the DFW traffic or livin for that matter. HATED my job while he was going to school, horrible time of life.....yuck! Anyway, our traffic here is a piece of cake.

I will be up late tonight too!! Good Luck everyone.

Kayla

[klcason]

Got the coupon for the trolley :worship: thank you for saving us some money. We will definately do the trolley thing and just see the sights in Key West.

We are still discussing formal night/Palo. We definately do not really dress-up at all. My wife did just pick up some infinity dresses ( http://www.infinitedress.com/index.html ) for $20 versus the $200 price tag. I do not own a suit that fits and I definately won't be purchasing one for the cruise, but DW thinks we might all look nice dressed up (maybe for a pic) so I might have to wear a button down shirt and tie. I was really considering skipping formal night and doing the Palo reservation then.

As for the kids, I think I can trust then enough that if they want to go to Topsiders for dinner alone, I just might have to allow that. Maybe if we are all at Palo the same night they might all be able to go as a group.:confused3

As for the credit card, I paid off the cruise on the 26, but it still hasn't shown up on my account (it is pending though so I made until another billing cycle). If you wanted to do it, I think you will be OK, it should wait until the next billing cycle.

RANT ---- Chase just sent me a letter saying they are raising the interest rate 50%. I don't carry much of a balance, but when I called the said they couldn't do anything but cancel the card. I hate that I got stuck on this Disney stuff and really look forward to those points. Oh Well. ----RANT OFF.

Just now looking at the other excursions. I'm sure Carolyn will be on soon since I told her how many posts have shown up in the last couple of days.

OK, now time for getting our FE stuff going. Man time is going too fast. I hope it slows down on May 30th.

Glad the trolley coupon worked out for ya!!

Kayla

[mmmagic7754]

Son is thinking this is going to be an enjoyable cruise with five 18 yo girls. :) We are waiting to book our Palo brunch and dinner tomorrow. It's funny but I thinks he's looking forward to that more than anything...eating in the adults exclusive restaurant. I hope they'll have enough food. He is 6'3". :lmao:

By the way MMMAGIC7754 - Nathan goes to Jefferson City Schools. He's looking forward to meeting a fellow Athenian...one of the greatest semi-small towns around!! GO DAWGS!

Francisca64--My sons best friend is a sophmore at Jefferson High.We tried to talk them into going with us on the cruise but no luck:sad2:

[brucechase]

Alright, it's midnight for you return cruisers. I fell asleep for about an hour, and woke up right before 12. I thought I would go ahead and try for Palo on formal night even though we really don't have a definate plan. As for shore excursions, I give up. Too many choices. I will have to look at that over the next few days.

[mmmagic7754]

Got my Palo booked for 6:00 Monday which is day at sea and it should be formal night based on recent navigators and also have Palo brunch for Thursday 11:30:cool1:

[brucechase]

Wow Palo for 6 on formal night went fast. The earliest I could get was at 7.

[klcason]

Got Palo booked for Monday also, at 6:30, and brunch on Thursday @ 10:30, and tea Thursday @ 3. Great minds!!!!

Kayla

[pooh.kim]

Was able to get Palo brunch Thursday 11:00 and High Tea Monday 3:00. Did have problems with the website and it took almost an hour, but sleep is over rated anyway. We are booking excursions on our own - Nativeway in GC for my DD12 b-day and just taking a taxi to the beach in Cozumel. Probably the trolley in Key West.

Hope to see some of you in Palo. :banana:

Kim

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Well gosh- y'all didn't all say you were booking it on formal night! I guess none of y'all will be in the dining rooms on formal night? Or are you planning on double dipping dinner that night?
LOL

I booked Palo on Key West night- it just worked better for us on that night because DH will be scuba diving PAST the time where he'd be able to get on the ship and have main seating dinner with us (we have main seating dining time for the first time this cruise! The only day that interferred with excursions is in Key West when he's scuba diving all day). So I booked Palo on Sunday night. We'll be in the dining rooms on formal/semi formal unless we decide to pass on formal night and eat elsewhere. We're going to play it by ear but I bet we don't miss semi formal because we want that lobster. LOL

I was able to book snuba in cozumel and Ruby teen wild side for castaway cay. That's the only excursions we're doing thru DCL.

We're doing trolley tour in Key West (while DH scuba dives)- if any of y'all want to get together as a group and go together let me know! I'll be all along with my 3 kiddos. LOL I only mention that since many of you said you were going. Obviously we might not want to get off/stay at places at the same time but we could walk over together or something. We did that on some excursions on our last cruise- like we all were going to the fort so we walked over together and did the fort tour together but people meandered off and we all seperated at various times thru out the tour to explore more of the port and/or had other excursions. But I'm okay with going alone... it's just Key West. LOL

And in Grand Cayman we booked the 2 snorkel trip/stringray city/island tour (including some things like Hell, Turtle Farm, etc.) thru shoretrips.

So we're all set.
I was tempted to book some spa stuff on our days at sea but I resisted. I don't need to spend the money and I'd really like to have some days that we can really spend some time doing stuff on the ship that we never seem to be able to do- even though our last cruise was 15nts! LOL I've still never done anything in the spa or gym though...maybe I'll work out some this time (or maybe Jeff will LOL) or maybe I'll get the rainforest week pass or something. We'll see.

I'm glad it's all done. The snuba excursion was the only one that everything hinged on.. shoretrips/etc. don't do snuba in cozumel for some reason and that's the only port we didn't already have something planned plus the only one we've been to before so I'm okay with not taking our youngest at that port for that excursion- she's been there before. LOL I like to make sure we do something to get us all off the ship at every port we've never been to. It's a short excursion too- so I won't be nervous about leaving her on the ship. (plus she's a bigger girl now- not really a little one anymore LOL) AND we promised our son we'd take him snuba diving since he doesn't get to go scuba diving on this trip! (he did seatrek on the last cruise so we weren't really wanting to do seatrek..)

So is everyone happy with what they got and breathing a sigh of relief? This was SOOO much easier than the past 2 cruises I did! Those were stressful and we like "broke" the website for awhile both times and had slim pickings for things we wanted- I think because both cruises I've been on were so HIGHLY populated by repeat cruises who were also DIS'ers who knew to book ASAP when the time came! LOL

[mmmagic7754]

Was able to get Palo brunch Thursday 11:00 and High Tea Monday 3:00. Did have problems with the website and it took almost an hour, but sleep is over rated anyway. We are booking excursions on our own - Nativeway in GC for my DD12 b-day and just taking a taxi to the beach in Cozumel. Probably the trolley in Key West.

Hope to see some of you in Palo. :banana:

Kim

See you for brunch :thumbsup2 We have 11:30 that day.

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

We've never done brunch and I wasn't sure we wanted to pay extra for the food and having to "be somewhere" at a certain time on sea days... plus having to get dressed during the day then again for dinner. Yanno?

But anyway what I didn't understand is the times for them. I thought it was kinda like a buffet and all at one brunch- but there are different times. So they like stagger you? Why exactyl is that? Do they expect you to hurry and eat and get out so someone else with a later time can have brunch that day too? I just don't know how that works.

We even had brunch booked on our first cruise (we were on the REAS pkg on our first cruise and booked it early) and then FORGOT about it- just totally forgot until the next day after... LOL

[klcason]

Well gosh- y'all didn't all say you were booking it on formal night! I guess none of y'all will be in the dining rooms on formal night? Or are you planning on double dipping dinner that night?
LOL

I booked Palo on Key West night- it just worked better for us on that night because DH will be scuba diving PAST the time where he'd be able to get on the ship and have main seating dinner with us (we have main seating dining time for the first time this cruise! The only day that interferred with excursions is in Key West when he's scuba diving all day). So I booked Palo on Sunday night. We'll be in the dining rooms on formal/semi formal unless we decide to pass on formal night and eat elsewhere. We're going to play it by ear but I bet we don't miss semi formal because we want that lobster. LOL

I was able to book snuba in cozumel and Ruby teen wild side for castaway cay. That's the only excursions we're doing thru DCL.

We're doing trolley tour in Key West (while DH scuba dives)- if any of y'all want to get together as a group and go together let me know! I'll be all along with my 3 kiddos. LOL I only mention that since many of you said you were going. Obviously we might not want to get off/stay at places at the same time but we could walk over together or something. We did that on some excursions on our last cruise- like we all were going to the fort so we walked over together and did the fort tour together but people meandered off and we all seperated at various times thru out the tour to explore more of the port and/or had other excursions. But I'm okay with going alone... it's just Key West. LOL

And in Grand Cayman we booked the 2 snorkel trip/stringray city/island tour (including some things like Hell, Turtle Farm, etc.) thru shoretrips.

So we're all set.
I was tempted to book some spa stuff on our days at sea but I resisted. I don't need to spend the money and I'd really like to have some days that we can really spend some time doing stuff on the ship that we never seem to be able to do- even though our last cruise was 15nts! LOL I've still never done anything in the spa or gym though...maybe I'll work out some this time (or maybe Jeff will LOL) or maybe I'll get the rainforest week pass or something. We'll see.

I'm glad it's all done. The snuba excursion was the only one that everything hinged on.. shoretrips/etc. don't do snuba in cozumel for some reason and that's the only port we didn't already have something planned plus the only one we've been to before so I'm okay with not taking our youngest at that port for that excursion- she's been there before. LOL I like to make sure we do something to get us all off the ship at every port we've never been to. It's a short excursion too- so I won't be nervous about leaving her on the ship. (plus she's a bigger girl now- not really a little one anymore LOL) AND we promised our son we'd take him snuba diving since he doesn't get to go scuba diving on this trip! (he did seatrek on the last cruise so we weren't really wanting to do seatrek..)

So is everyone happy with what they got and breathing a sigh of relief? This was SOOO much easier than the past 2 cruises I did! Those were stressful and we like "broke" the website for awhile both times and had slim pickings for things we wanted- I think because both cruises I've been on were so HIGHLY populated by repeat cruises who were also DIS'ers who knew to book ASAP when the time came! LOL


After discussing it with dh we decided we didn't want to worry with the formal attire, too much trouble. I don't think brunch is dressier than a normal dinner though, the pix looked so yummy!

I thought it all went very well, I was worried about it and I am super glad it is done.

We will have to talk about Key West, see what times work. And my dd is only a bit older than yours (1 year I think) so that might be nice! Actually she falls right b/t mine, ds will be 8 in October. I am really toying with the idea of trying to move hime up to the Lab. He loved the Club until it got time for evening activities, even at 7. Dunno if they will let me or not though as he will be 4 months from 8????

Kayla

[brucechase]

We also have brunch on Thursday at 11:30. It looks like the disboards might take over the brunch dining room that day. The dress for brunch is cruise casual, all it said was no shorts. We debated about the Palo diner. The most dressy stuff I will bring is a shirt and tie so I figured that we might as well do Palo. I will have to go and take some pictures of everyone eating just to see if there are so many dressed up like other people say (there wasn't on our last cruise). It really seems that this formal night stuff really stress alot of people out since Palo was gone for that day first.

For Key West, we are doing the trolley thing so we are up for going over together.

I booked the Mexican cooking thing for DW and a day trip to the same beach for me and the kids. I think we have to go separately but we should be able to meet up there. I am a little worried about Mexico. The company I work for has some very strict rules about us being in Mexico (for the company). At times we have had armed escorts for our employees. I have never been there for my company, but was close to going on an emergency trip. I had to go through all kinds of briefing about what to do and not to do. We have actually had some people kidnapped right outside Mexico City.

On Cayman, I haven't done anything yet. I will have to look at some of the sites you guys suggest to book. I can always cancel the Cozumel stuff and rebook on our own if I have to.

One question, did everyone get insurance? If you book an excursion on your own and something happens, what is the recourse? The one insurance company I was looking at will reimburse up to $250 per person if you can't do an excursion that you booked on your own. It is $110 for the 4 of us and I was tinking of getting it. The other option is a $94 policy but it doesn't cover excursions. Am I being over analyzing of this? I do worry about storms or something happening that would change our stops.

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

After discussing it with dh we decided we didn't want to worry with the formal attire, too much trouble. I don't think brunch is dressier than a normal dinner though, the pix looked so yummy!

I thought it all went very well, I was worried about it and I am super glad it is done.

We will have to talk about Key West, see what times work. And my dd is only a bit older than yours (1 year I think) so that might be nice! Actually she falls right b/t mine, ds will be 8 in October. I am really toying with the idea of trying to move hime up to the Lab. He loved the Club until it got time for evening activities, even at 7. Dunno if they will let me or not though as he will be 4 months from 8????

Kayla
I know but brunch is dressier than I want to dress during the day! LOL We don't generally go about during the day on sea days in clothes we'd dress for dinner and my hair is a PITA (do you know what that stands for? LOL) when on the ship. I think it's the humidity or something. At home I can wash/dry and quickly with the flat iron and it's good to go. NOT on the ship... it's flat iron, flat iron again, flat iron again, and still 5min later it's all frizzy again. LOL
I've seen pictures of brunch- no one is there with swimming and/or frizzy hair or such. LOL!!!!!!!!! I dunno. I just don't think we need to bother getting fixed up (and for us it would be having to get fixed up) to try more food. I'm hoping not to gain too much on this cruise because I'm hoping to reach my goal weight by the time of the cruise (and WDW before hand is going to mess that up- even with cooking most meals at our TT) and I can really put on the pounds back FAST if I all the sudden start eating more carbs gain (and the good tasting food usually is high in carbs so I'm sure I'll be eating more carbs on the cruise) and probably not drinking as much water either. LOL

How old is your DD again? I'm sorry I forgot. Rita will be 8 on the cruise but turning 9 in june (16th)

Just ask once you get onboard.. generally they are pretty flexible on moving up if they aren't already really crowded in that age group. IOW if the lab isn't jam packed they'll probably let you move him up.

Oh and we've never went super formal for formal night... DH just in shirt/tie (no jacket , no tux) and same with DS and us in dresses (and not formals really- just dresses or shirt/skirts)
*shrugs* LOL


We also have brunch on Thursday at 11:30. It looks like the disboards might take over the brunch dining room that day. The dress for brunch is cruise casual, all it said was no shorts. We debated about the Palo diner. The most dressy stuff I will bring is a shirt and tie so I figured that we might as well do Palo. I will have to go and take some pictures of everyone eating just to see if there are so many dressed up like other people say (there wasn't on our last cruise). It really seems that this formal night stuff really stress alot of people out since Palo was gone for that day first.

For Key West, we are doing the trolley thing so we are up for going over together.

I booked the Mexican cooking thing for DW and a day trip to the same beach for me and the kids. I think we have to go separately but we should be able to meet up there. I am a little worried about Mexico. The company I work for has some very strict rules about us being in Mexico (for the company). At times we have had armed escorts for our employees. I have never been there for my company, but was close to going on an emergency trip. I had to go through all kinds of briefing about what to do and not to do. We have actually had some people kidnapped right outside Mexico City.

On Cayman, I haven't done anything yet. I will have to look at some of the sites you guys suggest to book. I can always cancel the Cozumel stuff and rebook on our own if I have to.

One question, did everyone get insurance? If you book an excursion on your own and something happens, what is the recourse? The one insurance company I was looking at will reimburse up to $250 per person if you can't do an excursion that you booked on your own. It is $110 for the 4 of us and I was tinking of getting it. The other option is a $94 policy but it doesn't cover excursions. Am I being over analyzing of this? I do worry about storms or something happening that would change our stops.

I think most people just figure if they are going to dress up- they'd rather not do it more nights than they have to- so plan Palo for one of those nights. That's what we did on our first two cruises. LOL

I'm not really worried about cozumel. Our first cruise DH went scuba diving by himself (on excursion not thru DCL) and I alone took the kids on DCL submarine excursion and then when he was back to take the kids I went shopping at the port BY MYSELF. But that's as far as I went-just up and down that port shopping area. This time we're going on snuba DCL excursion and it's a short one... and probably will shop there again at the port quickly. I just wouldn't venture far off alone.

The places we booked scuba diving (keywest) and on our own (shoretrips in Grand CAyman) insurance isn't necessary- if we don't make that port and/or are late to port and causes us to miss the excursions they will give a refund.

In the past we ALWAYS had insurance but this time we're doing budget so I decided not to get it- plus this time we're not flying- we're driving. If worst came to worst we'd have a WEEK to figure out how to get ourselves there for the cruise. Now the only thing that worries me is if something catastrophic happens while on the cruise or at some port (medical emergency) but I'm crossing my fingers and praying to God that doesn't happen. I just didn't want to add close to $500 to our trip for the insurance..... I hope it wasn't a bad idea! But it has no effect whatsoever on our excursions anyway. If something bad happens the least of my worries is losing the money on the excursions. We aren't spending a ton on excursions anyway and they are refunded if the ship just can't make it to the port or on time.

Who would you be booking with that wouldn't refund you if the ship didn't make it to port- making it necessary for insurance on that?

[klcason]

I know but brunch is dressier than I want to dress during the day! LOL We don't generally go about during the day on sea days in clothes we'd dress for dinner and my hair is a PITA (do you know what that stands for? LOL) when on the ship. I think it's the humidity or something. At home I can wash/dry and quickly with the flat iron and it's good to go. NOT on the ship... it's flat iron, flat iron again, flat iron again, and still 5min later it's all frizzy again. LOL
I've seen pictures of brunch- no one is there with swimming and/or frizzy hair or such. LOL!!!!!!!!! I dunno. I just don't think we need to bother getting fixed up (and for us it would be having to get fixed up) to try more food. I'm hoping not to gain too much on this cruise because I'm hoping to reach my goal weight by the time of the cruise (and WDW before hand is going to mess that up- even with cooking most meals at our TT) and I can really put on the pounds back FAST if I all the sudden start eating more carbs gain (and the good tasting food usually is high in carbs so I'm sure I'll be eating more carbs on the cruise) and probably not drinking as much water either. LOL

How old is your DD again? I'm sorry I forgot. Rita will be 8 on the cruise but turning 9 in june (16th)

Just ask once you get onboard.. generally they are pretty flexible on moving up if they aren't already really crowded in that age group. IOW if the lab isn't jam packed they'll probably let you move him up.

Oh and we've never went super formal for formal night... DH just in shirt/tie (no jacket , no tux) and same with DS and us in dresses (and not formals really- just dresses or shirt/skirts)
*shrugs* LOL




I think most people just figure if they are going to dress up- they'd rather not do it more nights than they have to- so plan Palo for one of those nights. That's what we did on our first two cruises. LOL

I'm not really worried about cozumel. Our first cruise DH went scuba diving by himself (on excursion not thru DCL) and I alone took the kids on DCL submarine excursion and then when he was back to take the kids I went shopping at the port BY MYSELF. But that's as far as I went-just up and down that port shopping area. This time we're going on snuba DCL excursion and it's a short one... and probably will shop there again at the port quickly. I just wouldn't venture far off alone.

The places we booked scuba diving (keywest) and on our own (shoretrips in Grand CAyman) insurance isn't necessary- if we don't make that port and/or are late to port and causes us to miss the excursions they will give a refund.

In the past we ALWAYS had insurance but this time we're doing budget so I decided not to get it- plus this time we're not flying- we're driving. If worst came to worst we'd have a WEEK to figure out how to get ourselves there for the cruise. Now the only thing that worries me is if something catastrophic happens while on the cruise or at some port (medical emergency) but I'm crossing my fingers and praying to God that doesn't happen. I just didn't want to add close to $500 to our trip for the insurance..... I hope it wasn't a bad idea! But it has no effect whatsoever on our excursions anyway. If something bad happens the least of my worries is losing the money on the excursions. We aren't spending a ton on excursions anyway and they are refunded if the ship just can't make it to the port or on time.

Who would you be booking with that wouldn't refund you if the ship didn't make it to port- making it necessary for insurance on that?

Well we can have the super frizz hair together then, the humidity does way bad things to the mop on my head. I will probably wear mine up most of the time anyway for that very reason. I am really not into dressing up either, but I figure I can swing it for a few hours, lol, that's why I did the tea and brunch on the same day, 2 birds with one stone.

I would love to lose some weight before vacation, just can't seem to get the will power and motivation! Oh well.....tomorrow is another day!

Cassidy will be 10 on June 11th, and Cameron will be 8 on October 17th. I have talked with Cassidy to be sure it wouldn't bug her too bad if he was in there with her and she says it's ok with her. I really think we will try it, I think the activities will be much better suited to him in the Lab.

I just really don't want to have to pack a bunch of extra clothes, especially nice ones. Since y'all are like us, with a 2 week vacation, that really means alot to pack, and wash!!!

Kayla

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Well we can have the super frizz hair together then, the humidity does way bad things to the mop on my head. I will probably wear mine up most of the time anyway for that very reason. I am really not into dressing up either, but I figure I can swing it for a few hours, lol, that's why I did the tea and brunch on the same day, 2 birds with one stone.

I would love to lose some weight before vacation, just can't seem to get the will power and motivation! Oh well.....tomorrow is another day!

Cassidy will be 10 on June 11th, and Cameron will be 8 on October 17th. I have talked with Cassidy to be sure it wouldn't bug her too bad if he was in there with her and she says it's ok with her. I really think we will try it, I think the activities will be much better suited to him in the Lab.

I just really don't want to have to pack a bunch of extra clothes, especially nice ones. Since y'all are like us, with a 2 week vacation, that really means alot to pack, and wash!!!

Kayla
Nah. I've actually found that longer trips- with washing clothes in the middle- I can pack a lot lot less. LOL I found that out on our long WDW trip and then our long Panama Canal trip. I don't mind washing once midway thru.. :) I plan on most of our clothes for WDW being the same day clothes/excursion clothes we wear on the cruise. We'll pack just a few more things to wear to dinner at night is all. Those won't be worn in WDW so they won't need to be washed before the cruise- but the rest will. So we'll pack half the regular clothes needed and I'll wash at FW before the cruise- no problem. :)
(that's gotta be better than trying to wash clothes on the ship- which I did on the last cruise LOL)

I've lost 29lbs since I started focusing on losing (Jan 5th) and I am HOPING to be down even more before the cruise. I lost 80lbs in 2003 right before what was supposed to be our first cruise. Bought a bunch of really nice "cruise casual" and dressier clothes- most of which still have their tags on since I was waiting to wear them on that cruise. Then our first cruise got postponed (due to change in kids' school schedule back then- that first cruise was supposed to be during break in Feb they had) so then it was postponed until end of may/june 2006... by that time I'd quit smoking (for 6mo) and then had surgery... and totally went off plan and started gaining. Over the past 5+ years slowly put the weight back on. I think that's why I let it get out of hand because I gained it so slowly it snuck up on me and I was able to be in denial. Yanno? I gained all 80lbs back (exactly! It seems that's the weight my body wants to get to and then stays there no matter how badly I eat...) At that point I couldn't deny it anymore and I made it my mission to NOT be so overweight and miserable during the next cruise. 2 cruises like that is enough. I still haven't even touched foot in the pools on the ship or the hot tub- I want to be able to get in the hot tub this time which means I have to feel atleast "okay" in a swimsuit. LOL I got in my swimsuit for CC and other excursions (covered in clothes until we got there) but there is something about being so up close and small area on the ship that I avoided getting into a swimsuit for that. LOL NOT THIS TIME THOUGH. I'm determined!!!!!!!!!

(but with previous experience I know that I lose some quickly at first and then it slows way down. So I really don't know how much more I'll be able to lose by the time we leave for this trip)

anywho- I don't intend on packing more clothes even with Palo on another night. I can wear the same thing to Palo one night that I wear to formal or semi-formal in the dining rooms another night. LOL

Oh and if was just changing clothes for brunch- I might do it. But it's also having to fix my hair- which I dread on the cruise. If only it would act like it does at home it would be so much easier and less time consuming! LOL But also I'm just not wanting to totally pig out on the cruise- I mean I don't want to go too overboard on carbs.... i'm already going to be overdoing it on the cruise as it is- no sense adding another time where I'd feel compelled to try all the extra deliciousness (hehe) at the brunch. And knowing us it would conflict with something and/or we'd forget again! LOL

Oh and about the hair... if I could figure out a way to fix it "up" and look nice- I'd do that. Maybe I need some hints from you? LOL When I put it up- it basically consists of a ponytail and it's not what I'd call "pretty" that way- functional yes.. pretty no. LOL

[liliagm]

So we did it! DH said to pay on Monday and book then but I went ahead and paid today and I'm so happy I did it! it seems they do have people working on sundays at DU so they processed my payment and as soon as I got the email confirmation I went to the DCL website to make our reservations!!

We got Palo brunch on sunday (Key West) at 10:30 and they only had that time and 11:30 thursday left, we couldn'l get high tea -all gone- and for Palo we went for Tuesday (Grand cayman) at 630pm (will try to catch the sunset there...). the only thing I'm worried about is that Flounder's is not showing availability for the brunch on sunday, they start at 1200 on that day so I'm going to ask on the forum see if anybody knows what's up with that (it's not that they are full, rather it looks like they open at noon), if it's not open we will join all of you on thursday!

About safety in Cozumel, DON'T WORRY!!! the bad stuff is mainly going on in the towns that border with the U.S. and in Mexico City, the touristy places like Cozumel, Cancun, etc, the people there, they don't want to ruin their main source of income-the tourists- of course you should take the usual precautions but you should be ok otherwise....

We are doing formal night but not dressing up in tux/gowns, DH will have a suit (that will be used for Palo as well) and I'll have to look for a couple of nice dresses....and add me to the "losing weight for the cruise" list!! I gained a lot when i got pregnant with DD (now 2 1/1) and couldn't lose any of it so I went on the Low carb (Atkins) diet on June last year, managed to lose like 40 pounds in 6 months went to a 3 day cruise on the Wonder for christmas gained 6 back... so starting 2009 I changed to the South beach (much more relaxed then Atkins) diet and I'm down 10 and want to lose another 20 for the cruise.....we'll see....

[klcason]

Nah. I've actually found that longer trips- with washing clothes in the middle- I can pack a lot lot less. LOL I found that out on our long WDW trip and then our long Panama Canal trip. I don't mind washing once midway thru.. :) I plan on most of our clothes for WDW being the same day clothes/excursion clothes we wear on the cruise. We'll pack just a few more things to wear to dinner at night is all. Those won't be worn in WDW so they won't need to be washed before the cruise- but the rest will. So we'll pack half the regular clothes needed and I'll wash at FW before the cruise- no problem. :)
(that's gotta be better than trying to wash clothes on the ship- which I did on the last cruise LOL)

I've lost 29lbs since I started focusing on losing (Jan 5th) and I am HOPING to be down even more before the cruise. I lost 80lbs in 2003 right before what was supposed to be our first cruise. Bought a bunch of really nice "cruise casual" and dressier clothes- most of which still have their tags on since I was waiting to wear them on that cruise. Then our first cruise got postponed (due to change in kids' school schedule back then- that first cruise was supposed to be during break in Feb they had) so then it was postponed until end of may/june 2006... by that time I'd quit smoking (for 6mo) and then had surgery... and totally went off plan and started gaining. Over the past 5+ years slowly put the weight back on. I think that's why I let it get out of hand because I gained it so slowly it snuck up on me and I was able to be in denial. Yanno? I gained all 80lbs back (exactly! It seems that's the weight my body wants to get to and then stays there no matter how badly I eat...) At that point I couldn't deny it anymore and I made it my mission to NOT be so overweight and miserable during the next cruise. 2 cruises like that is enough. I still haven't even touched foot in the pools on the ship or the hot tub- I want to be able to get in the hot tub this time which means I have to feel atleast "okay" in a swimsuit. LOL I got in my swimsuit for CC and other excursions (covered in clothes until we got there) but there is something about being so up close and small area on the ship that I avoided getting into a swimsuit for that. LOL NOT THIS TIME THOUGH. I'm determined!!!!!!!!!

(but with previous experience I know that I lose some quickly at first and then it slows way down. So I really don't know how much more I'll be able to lose by the time we leave for this trip)

anywho- I don't intend on packing more clothes even with Palo on another night. I can wear the same thing to Palo one night that I wear to formal or semi-formal in the dining rooms another night. LOL

Oh and if was just changing clothes for brunch- I might do it. But it's also having to fix my hair- which I dread on the cruise. If only it would act like it does at home it would be so much easier and less time consuming! LOL But also I'm just not wanting to totally pig out on the cruise- I mean I don't want to go too overboard on carbs.... i'm already going to be overdoing it on the cruise as it is- no sense adding another time where I'd feel compelled to try all the extra deliciousness (hehe) at the brunch. And knowing us it would conflict with something and/or we'd forget again! LOL

Oh and about the hair... if I could figure out a way to fix it "up" and look nice- I'd do that. Maybe I need some hints from you? LOL When I put it up- it basically consists of a ponytail and it's not what I'd call "pretty" that way- functional yes.. pretty no. LOL

I have these great clips, they are flat, I will try to remember the name. Its the only clip I can use to get my hair to do right, makes a huge difference. I was a pony tail girl for years, worked in the operating room so I had to put up my hair daily in a cap!

I actually think my hair looks nicer and probably more dressed up when it is up.

One reason why we get the house is for the full washer and dryer! I just meant more b/c we will have to have dinner clothes as well as daytime clothes. Hoping to not worry about that laundry during the cruise, guess we will see.

You stick to that diet girl!! That is super!!

Kayla

[klcason]

So we did it! DH said to pay on Monday and book then but I went ahead and paid today and I'm so happy I did it! it seems they do have people working on sundays at DU so they processed my payment and as soon as I got the email confirmation I went to the DCL website to make our reservations!!

We got Palo brunch on sunday (Key West) at 10:30 and they only had that time and 11:30 thursday left, we couldn'l get high tea -all gone- and for Palo we went for Tuesday (Grand cayman) at 630pm (will try to catch the sunset there...). the only thing I'm worried about is that Flounder's is not showing availability for the brunch on sunday, they start at 1200 on that day so I'm going to ask on the forum see if anybody knows what's up with that (it's not that they are full, rather it looks like they open at noon), if it's not open we will join all of you on thursday!

About safety in Cozumel, DON'T WORRY!!! the bad stuff is mainly going on in the towns that border with the U.S. and in Mexico City, the touristy places like Cozumel, Cancun, etc, the people there, they don't want to ruin their main source of income-the tourists- of course you should take the usual precautions but you should be ok otherwise....

We are doing formal night but not dressing up in tux/gowns, DH will have a suit (that will be used for Palo as well) and I'll have to look for a couple of nice dresses....and add me to the "losing weight for the cruise" list!! I gained a lot when i got pregnant with DD (now 2 1/1) and couldn't lose any of it so I went on the Low carb (Atkins) diet on June last year, managed to lose like 40 pounds in 6 months went to a 3 day cruise on the Wonder for christmas gained 6 back... so starting 2009 I changed to the South beach (much more relaxed then Atkins) diet and I'm down 10 and want to lose another 20 for the cruise.....we'll see....

Wow that's great that they could get it done on a Sunday! I bet you can get Flounder's later, I'll keep my fingers crossed for ya!

I was thinking about that Mexico stuff today, that is pretty scary!

Kayla

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Another one here who has uncontrollable hair in the humidity. I just stick it in a pony tail the entire time of the cruise because that is all I can do.

We didn't book Palo this time around since we want to eat with the girls, but we have been several times so we aren't too sad! We did book parasailing on CC, but that is about it.

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Okay but I have really thick hair... so I'm a scrunchie gal. Yes I know it's SO NOT COOL- but that's all I have found that will fit all my hair in it and keep it up! (ie: not halfway falling out constantly)
So do tell about this thing you use in your hair because a scrunchie pony tail NEVER looks "dressed up"- never ever never. LOL

[klcason]

Okay but I have really thick hair... so I'm a scrunchie gal. Yes I know it's SO NOT COOL- but that's all I have found that will fit all my hair in it and keep it up! (ie: not halfway falling out constantly)
So do tell about this thing you use in your hair because a scrunchie pony tail NEVER looks "dressed up"- never ever never. LOL

The clip is a Goody "Updo" Clip. I get mine at Target but I think I have seen them at WalMart as well. That is the only clip I can use with my hair!! All of the others don't hold it tight enough and pieces slip out.

Kayla