July5,2003 Magic...who's going?

[carlfrank1]

JeanneG and gometros: We are from Crofton, MD. We are staying in rms 2135 and 2137 and have late dinner seating. We will be staying with relatives in nearby Rockledge FL before and after cruise. Still looking over excursions and appreciate all the good info on the board. Based on wendym and others recommendation we will try to set up stingray city tour through Melvins?We will try to sign up this week.

DisneyGirl421 AND mickeymouse418: My 15 yr old daughter is Kim; sn is LILKIM1551.

eyeRN: My 11yr old's sn is lilmonkeyz825 if your daughter would like to make contact.

[gometros]

Carl - welcome to our cozy little group. I believe you're the third family from Maryland travelling with us. Where in Maryland is Crofton? My daughter is a freshman at Towson.

[wendym]

Welcome Carl
We booked our trip with the stingrays through Captain Marvin's
www.captainmarvins.com
I can really recommend them - we had a great time!
Cruise is getting closer - cannot wait!
Wendy

[Mickbee]

This is great to see that this thead is still alive!!!! I am ready to start packing. :D

[gometros]

We got our excusrsion information this weekend. While I don't think we'll be doing any Disney excursions this time, I believe Elana wants to do the teen junkanoo on Castaway Cay. I'd love to do the Atlantis Submarine, but at $350 a person...I DON'T THINK SO!

[jeanneg]

I also received the excursion package last weekend and even though I swore I wouldn't overbook our schedule, the catamaran races in Key West sound like so much fun! We've never been to Key West, so I was really interested in just walking around, but now I'm torn. We've already booked the short Sting Ray trip with Capt Marvin and we plan to do the Tulum excursion which is pricey, but it's the reason we chose the Western itinerary. Since we won't be spending any money on food, it's not too hard to justify the expense. Besides, if I let my kids go shopping in Key West it may end up costing me more! What to do, what to do?
Anybody have any thoughts on the matter?

[gometros]

Jeanne - which trip did you book with Capt. Marvin? I think we'll join you. I'm ready to book that one.

[jeanneg]

Sandy,
Hubby and I are not really sun/water people, but we don't want to miss the stingrays so we're doing the short trip that leaves at 11:15 (meet at waterfront at 10:45). I considered doing the earlier one when the sun isn't so strong, but then we'd have to hightail it off the ship and with tendering and all, I didn't want to feel rushed. I don't know how many boats they send out, but it would be fun to do it together. See if you can tie our reservations. "Family of 4 from Raleigh" should do the trick but if you need my last name, let me know and I'll pm you.
Jeanne

[gometros]

That's the one I was looking at, for the same reason. I couldn't see getting everyone up early enough to make an 8:00am meeting time. I think the two hours is enough and leaves us time for lunch and to expereince the island by doing something else in the afternoon.

[sbennett]

We're soooo excited.....we just booked Capt. Marvins' too for the 11:15 2 hour trip....I wonder how many people they hold on each boat....there's 5 of us (2 adults, teenager...ugh, and 2 children ages 9 and 10- 2days later on cruise). Should be a lot of fun, my kids don't care about anything else other than the stingrays.
:bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :bounce: :Pinkbounc :smooth:

[carlfrank1]

Sandy,

Crofton is half hour due south of Baltimore. My 11 year old daughter's soccer coach is a Towson alum and their team goes to Towson now and again to watch the big girls play. (BTW, you listed daughter #2 as 1 yr vice 11 yrs. Thanks though for adding us to the list.)

All,

We too are booked through Captain Marvin, but on the haly day trip; show up time is 0915. I was in the Caymans 18 years ago (Sting Ray city was a big attraction even back then and I missed it). My wife and grils love snorkelling, water and sun. I expect this to be a big hit with the whole family.

Wendym,
I hope you or someone else on the board is getting a kickback from Captain Marvin! You sure have brought them soem business. With the savings over the Disney planned trip, I think I owe you a drink myself.

[wendym]

No kick backs I promise!:smooth: I was just very impressed with them and I only hope they are as good for you all this year. You are doing the same trip we did last year and had no problems making the time - we always get a small thrill organising things ourselves.
Wendy

[eye R.N.]

We are also booked with Capt Marvin for that trip! Looks like the boat will be over run with folks from Anne Arundle County.:bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc

Plans are starting to firm up here. DS "habitat for humanity week" will be in Fayetteville NC. So it looks like we might be leaving on the third and staying the night in NC in order to pick him up in the morning on the fourth. Anyone know of any decent clean hotels in that area. Isn't it close to South of the Border?

We haven't gotten any info on shore excusions yet, should I be worried? (or happy that there isn't more temptation to spend $$$)

[luv2boys]

We got our excursion info this weekend too. I'm feeling left out. My sons will be 4 and 7 so we are somewhat limited on the excursions. They have both said NO! to the stingrays. Here are my thoughts and I would love any suggestions. In Key West, we are going to do the train tour but on our own because we want to be able to get on and off. We heard you cannot do this through Disney. We also want to watch the sunset from Mallory Square. In Grand Cayman, we can't decide between the beach break at Seven Mile Beach or the Rum Point Beach Adventure. In Cozumel, possibly either the Dolphin Discovery or Cozumel Beach Break at Playa Sol Beach. We want to try to fit in the minigolf also here. For Castaway Cay, I bought some cheap floats to leave there when done. The booklet said you have to be 5 to do the boat rentals. Can he not even do the paddleboats?

What do you guys think. Help me make up my mind where I can't decide. This will be our first cruise, so we aren't sure what to do.

Our my kids going to be the youngest of this group? We are wanting to make this trip special because oldest son has a brain tumor and every vacation (well, every day) are extremely special. I booked this trip in August of last year, and I can't believe it is almost here. He asked me today how much longer until the Disney Cruise and everywhere we go he is always telling somebody about the Disney cruise. WE CAN'T WAIT!!!

Amy

[carlfrank1]

Eye RN: We'll see you at Sting Ray City if not sooner!

All: We lived in Key West for 5 years in teh mid 90s and have vacationed there since. I'd be gald to answer any questions:

Quick highlights:
Key West, aka the Conch Republic, is a unique and funky tropical town inhabited by a very friendly but diverse group...Bahamians, Cubans, artists, hippys, military, gays.

Sunset at Mallory Square (or aboard a catamaran cruise) is a must see.
Restaurants are outstanding and offer a wide variety but really excel in the seafood dept.

Duval St is walkable and entertaining....many art galleries, bars, souvenis shops, etc.

A nice small aquarium is right next to Mallory Square. It includes a touch tank and several interactive/feeding demonstrations.

Conch tour or Old Town Trolley are geat ways to see more of town without having to walk.

[gometros]

Carl, thanks for adding your expertise to the discussions about Key West. I'd like to do the sunset cruise, but the only problem is that I figure we will get the LAPLAPL rotation for dining, meaning that we would miss Animator's Palette for dinner. For those of you who have cruised before, you know what that means. For you first timers, it's a real treat. And they don't do the same thing the second time the rotation hits AP.

[AOPI57]

Just got our excursions package in the mail. Is anyone doing the Stingray City and Rum Point Excursion? We're considering it. Also the Tulum ruins- the only thing that's holding me back from this one (which my DS really wants to do ) is that I've heard that the ferry ride over is rough. It also seems like a long day but Sounds really interesting.

[wendym]

Amy
Instead of doing the beach excursions with Disney why don't you do it yourselves? Taxi's are all over both Grand Cayman and Cozumel. In Cozumel we did Mr Sanchos beach (www.mrsanchos.com)
We got a taxi from the pier - cost about $15 (that is for the cab not per person) and there is no charge for the beach. It was very clean - restrooms/showers spotless (very important!!) Lovely beach and the drinks and snacks good. This way you can decide when to leave.
I hope you all have a magical time.
Wendy

[gometros]

Wendy - since you've been to Mr. Sanchos, maybe you can help me with our decision of where to go. I was thinking either there or Chankanaab. The only thing I'm worried about at Mr. Sanchos is the food. While they seem to have enough non-meat choices, my wife cannot eat anything spicey. I want to make sure that she will be able to eat something. DO you know if their food is gneerally spicey?

[wendym]

Gometros
When we there we had the sampler platter which I don't remember being particulalry spicy but as we like spicey food we wouldn't have noticed. I think they're Gringo burgers would be ok but is she vegetarian also? they are very accomodating so I am sure they would come up with something.
Wendy

[sbennett]

Mr. Sanchos Beach sounds super...does anyone know how much the activities cost? Their website doesn't say anything about cost of horseback riding or wave runners nor does it give menu costs....anybody have a rough idea?

[wendym]

Sorry I have no idea of the costs for the watersports but I found the cost of drinks and food very reasonable.
Wendy

[DaveP]

Luv2boys.... We are from Eldersburg, MD and have a girl 7 and boy 4, so your not the only one with little ones.

Question... I am a first timer and received the Excursion booklet; what is the difference between these and the non-Disney and how do you find out about the non-Disney availability?

[musicalSaranader]

Dave, who needs anything else when you've got Disney?? :teeth:

[luv2boys]

Dave,

Thats GREAT. We definately need to get them together. Mine are really excited about the clubs. It will be great if they kinda know somebody when they go.

Amy

[jeanneg]

I/ve been out of town again and am happy to see everybody's getting excited about the excursions.

sbennett: so happy to have you join us with the stingrays!

Sandy: I didn't see if you posted whether or not you actually made your reservation for that trip as well.

WendyP: We're doing the Tulum trip and we're doing that one with Disney. I read some comments a while back on another thread that discussed the pros and cons of doing it with another vendor and Disney came out way ahead. Plus, I'd be very leery of doing such a long trip with someone else. At least if I'm with Disney and the bus breaks down somewhere in the desert, I know we won't miss the rest of the cruise! I'll probably book it this week since I think Tuesday is the 60-day point. Hooray!

[gometros]

Originally posted by jeanneg
Sandy: I didn't see if you posted whether or not you actually made your reservation for that trip as well.

Tomorrow is the day I have to make a decision on whether or not we keep the second room. This is based on whether or not my DS can join us. His summer plans are still up in the air (anyone have a good summer job for a Cornell Engineering student? :) So, I'll be able to make our reservations for Captain Marvin on Wednesday.

For the other excursions, I sent an email to my family. Since two of them are at college, it was the easiest way to get them all focused on the task at hand. I outlined what I thought we should do and asked for feedback.

Speaking of which, Sara - I'm stil waiting to hear from you! :D
You know you're in trouble when you have to communicate with your family through the DIS Boards.

[eye R.N.]

To answer your question, it's a matter of convience vs. cost. By researching and booking shore excursions on your own there is a cost saving (sometimes significant). BUT. . . you need to arrange your own transportation and make sure you are back in plenty of time to catch the ship.

I'll never forget my last trip, it was St. Martin's day, the ship was pulling out when a mother and daughter came running up to the dock. On the ship was a man screaming at them "I told you they'd leave without you." I never did find out what happened to them.

[gometros]

Also make sure that you won't get charged for the excursion if for some reason the Magic doesn't stop in the particular port.

Question for all of you concerning the Mickey head stickers. How are you displaying them? I still haven't figured out what to do with mine.

[sbennett]

Went to DCL website and booked excursions....was told by someone at DCL when I called that if you go to the website and email them, they will take the information and hold it and book them on Wednesday (the first day they will book excursions for us) So if anyone's interested go to the Disney Cruise.com and go to shore excursions to early reservations and it'll bring up an email address for you. :Pinkbounc

We're laminating and putting pin backs on our green Mickey heads

:bounce:

[carlfrank1]

Does anybody have experience or advice on horseback riding either in Cayman's or Cozumel? Daughter (11) and Mom woudl like to go. Sbennett, did you find anything more specific through Mr. Sanchos? or elsewhere?

[gometros]

Originally posted by sbennett
We're laminating and putting pin backs on our green Mickey heads

So, what do you do, cut around the Mickey head?/ Where does one find pin backs? Pardon my ignorance, but I've never done this before (in case you couldn't tell :)

[sbennett]

carlfrank1 - Couldn't find out any prices at Mr. Sanchos, no way to contact them through their website that I can see. My almost 9 yr old daughter and I would love to go horseback riding too. She's never been other than walking on a pony and it's been (I hate to say this....but 25 years since I've been horseback riding)
We're putting in to do the Cozumel ruins and beach tour excursion. My husband wants to see some ruins but not do the 7-7.5 hour tour....too long for the kids.

gometros - you can buy pin backs at any craft store or if you have walmart they have them in their craft/sewing section, they're really cheap, like 10 for 1.99. I plan on cutting out around the heads and hot gluing the pin back on.

[gometros]

Thanks, for the info on the pinbacks. We do have a Wal-mart in town.

I think when I put names on ours, I'll have to put 'Stupid ' on mine. Today is the day we had to decide whether or not to keep the second room in case my son can't join us. It looks like he's going to stay up in Ithaca for the summer to take some classes and make up on the credits he needs when he switched majors. So, I called MS to see what I need to do to move the two girls into our room and I find out that the cat 6 room they reserved for us only sleeps 3! I'm pretty sure that I told MS when I made the original reservation that I needed a cat 6 that sleeps four, because I was planning for the eventuality that my son couldn't join us. There are no more cat 5 or 6 rooms available that sleep 4, which means I have two choices - either keep the second room or upgrade to a cat 4. If I upgrade, I can't do it on points, cause I fall 4 short (even with borrowing). If I use points for one adult and my 15-year old and pay cash for the other two, it ends up costing me more PLUS I have 48 points I must use by the end of November. I know, I know, I shouldn;t be upset about spending the extra money, since I was planning to anyway. But, if there are only four of us going, it woul have been nice to have that money back to use elsewheres. What an unplanned turn of events :(

[gometros]

Okay, I'm okay now :D

Problem resolved. DS is joining us and we're keeping the room. I
just made our final payment. Also made our reservations with Capt. Marvin's for the 11:15 Stingray trip.

This trip cannot come soon enough :)

[sbennett]

gometros - Glad you're okay and have the room thing straightened out. We're in a cat. 4 - 8528 to be exact, right next to the Roy Disney Suite. We have a 13 yo son who I keep threatening if he doesn't straighten up won't be going with us.
UGH.....teenagers!!!!!
You are right....60 days can't come quick enough. Hopefully my husband can find a substitute organist soon to play all the masses that he'll be missing...it's sooo hard to find substitute organists around here.
Can't wait to meet everyone from the boards. We plan on getting on board as early as possible. We're staying at the Radisson on the 4th (probably won't sleep at all.....too excited)
Of course since we're driving down...we'll be tired.:earseek: :crazy:

[gometros]

If your husband likes organs, he'd love the one in our local movie theater. It's an old converted vaudeville house. On Saturday nights, an organist entertains the crowd before the movie begins. Check it out here: http://www.nytos.org/lafayette.htm

Getting serious about our excursion plans now. I really want to do the Sunset Cruise in Key West, but that interferes with dinner, which for us, should be Animator's Palette.

Btw, didn't someone say that they had wanted a room with a veranda and there were none left? While trying to straighten everything out today, I called DCL and the did say they had guaranteed category 5 and 6 rooms .

[AnnaS]

Just bumping up in case umich cruiser is interested and wants to finds us. (Party of 6 from Michigan). Can't do link.sorry.

[sbennett]

gometros
can't you change your dining rotation once you get on the ship.
I hope we get on the sunset cruise in Key West, that was my first choice for excursions....it leaves at 3:45 and is 3-3.5 hrs, so if you're on the late seating for dinner it shouldn't interfer right?
We're doing late seating. I'm going to check out that theater website. My husband majored in voice in college and minored in organ. He teaches elementary school music and is a church organist....busy man. Gorgeous Tenor voice, not that I'm prejudice...we met singing in a choral society here on Long Island.
Can't wait to see what the piano bar is like on the ship.

[jeanneg]

Sandy... so sorry to hear about all your stress, but I'm glad your son will be able to make it....someone else for the older kids to hang out with! In any event, if you were only 4 points short, we could probably work something out. A girlfriend of mine once had a similar situation and DVC actually let her "borrow" from my account. As soon as her new use year began, she was able to "pay back" the points. All we had to do was submit a letter explaining the situation and have it signed by both of us. It was not a big deal at all. If something happens and your son can't make it, I'd be happy to help out if they still allow it. Glad to also hear you'll be stingray swimming with us....it's gonna be a blast!

[gometros]

sbennett - we need the early seating, since my wife has reflux and cannot eat too late. Actually, I think I like it better too, since to me it makes more sense to go to the shows after dinner than before. That's just a personal thing.

My girls have made it clear that they do not want to miss AP. I have to remember that this is only their second cruise, even though it is Judy and my fourth. The more I think about it, I think we'll go to Mallory Square after dinner. It sounds like an interesting place.

jeanne - thanks for the offer. I had thought of pursuing that, but of course since it was the 11th hour, I just didn't have time to explore that possibility.

[umich cruiser]

Hi, We are on the July 5th cruise too! There is my husband, daughter and me (all from Michigan) and my sister, her husband and their daughter (originally from Michigan, now from Tennessee and California). Our daughters are grown (23 and 27). They have not been on the cruise before but the rest of us have been on one of the first cruises in 1998 and the Eastern last year. We have been planning this cruise since then, and it seemed as if it would never get here. We are in category 6 rooms. We are all meeting at the airport on the 2nd staying at WDW for a few days.

[AOPI57]

Jeanne- thanks -I'm glad to see someone else is doing Tulum.If we do it it will be with Disney.I can see your point about being stranded in the desert-it's not worth saving a few extra bucks" Any concerns about the ferry ride over? I tend to get seasick on occasion- that's the only thing holding me back from booking it. WE booked Stingray City Yesterday along with Anna S.Glad we booked it early.

[AnnaS]

Welcome Umich and I am glad you found us. There is a list started I believe on the first page. Have you read all these page yet?

[jeanneg]

I love it, I love it.....we continue to grow!
wendyP: which stingray trip are you and Anna S. doing? A few of us are already booked for the 11:15 excursion with Capt Marvin.
Regarding seasickness, I have got to be the world's absolute worst sailor. In fact, many years back, my husband had a boat and I would get so sick, we had to get rid of it. Anyhow, I was really concerned it would be a problem the last time we cruised, so I started taking ginger tablets about a week before we sailed (it was a tip I picked up on this board). I also took one or 2 of those m-word tablets they give out for free and didn't have any alcohol the first day. I had no problem whatsoever. The ginger really worked like a charm. I plan on following basically the same
routine this time with hopefully the same results. I did have the sensation of the room spinning for several days following the cruise, but I prefer that to being sick while on it. Are you planning on doing the full-day Tulum trip? I hear it's spectacular! I need to sit down tomorrow and make my ressies before I forget......can't believe we sail in less than 60 days!

[TNCruiser]

Just thought I would jump in here and say hi to everyone too. My sister UMichCruiser introduced all of our party. Thanks to all your advice we made reservations through Disney to go to the Tulum Ruins, had debated doing them on our own. However, the thought of standing at the dock and watching the ship leave without us wasn't a pleasant thought, so we opted to go with DCL. It seems like we have been planning this trip forever and now it is less than 60 days.

[umich cruiser]

For your lists I forgot to say my sister is Tn cruiser. The only excursions we have planned so far is Tulum. We wanted to go there and after seeing it on the Travel Channel yesterday, we made reservations today with DCL. Everyone on the boards said it was one you would not want to do on your own. We will probably do our own excursions everywhere else. We found it is usually quite a bit cheaper and you are on your own schedule.

[TNCruiser]

Boy are we sisters or not? We really think a like don't we? Any how we both are really getting excited now. Both of our husbands would throw something in a suitcase the day before and worry about excursions when they got there. Neither of our grown daughters have ever cruised before so this is all new for them. My niece is a little more excited than my daughter is right now, as she is trying to deal with 5th graders in the last 6 weeks of school in LA.

[gometros]

Welcome umich and TN. I hope you're not anywhere near those tornadoes.

Umich - which cruise were you on in '98? We were on the 5th cruise, the 8/14 3-day.

Hey, Anna, in updating the cruisel list, I just realized that you guys are right across the ship from us. Looks like you did the same thing, taking an outside veranda and an inside to throw the kids into :)

[AOPI57]

Jeanne- We're booked stingray city through Disney at 7 :30 A.M.Is there a shorter day for Tulum? The one I saw through disney is all day. Which one are you booking?

[gometros]

Re: seasickness. My wife also has trouble with motion sickness. She takes Bonine and wears the bracelets and only had a problem once. Oddly enough, it was our last cruise when she got overconfident on the second day because she was feeling so good and skipped a day of Bonine. the trick is that no matter how could you think you feel, don't stop taking it.

Also, for those of you either new to cruising or the Disney Magic. Since it is one of the newer ships with the advanced stabilizer systems, you really do not feel any motion. I can compare, since we've been on the Carnival Fantasy and there as a BIG difference.

[AnnaS]

gometros, I wish I had taken one stateroom outside and one across for the kids. We have two 11 next to each other. Same staterooms as last cruise. We thought of two connecting 10's but my kids for whatever reason did not want to be on deck 1 or 2. I am going to page one to check that list again and find the deck plans. I was thinking perhaps we can upgrade - I doubt we have a chance during such busy season.

[gometros]

My mistake. I looked at 6631 and saw 6630. If I were you, I would put your kides in 6631, since that room is on the other side of my kids' room. that is, if you want to sleep :D

If you guys want to get psyched for the cruise (as if you needed an excuse), Barb and Tony have put up on their site navigators someone sent them from the recent 4/26 cruise. Check out http://www.*****************/westday0.htm

[MickeyMouse418]

gometros (dad)... what rooms are we staying in? Are the three of us right across the hall from you?

[gometros]

Originally posted by MickeyMouse418
gometros (dad)... what rooms are we staying in? Are the three of us right across the hall from you?

Now this is embarrassing. You're going to make all these nice people think that we live in different houses or at the least, that we don't talk to each other :)

If you notice, in the list I have on the first page, I do provide room numbers where available. But to save you time from your busy IMing time ;) We're across the hall from each other in 6130 and 6131. If your good, we may let you sit on our veranda :D

[jeanneg]

It's all set, we've booked the ruins excursion. WendyP, you wre right, there's only one trip to Tulum. I got it mixed up with the Cozumel beach ruins excursion. We're supposed to meet at 9:40 am, but on the itinerary it says we arrive at 10:30....does that mean that people who book Disney excursions get to leave the ship first? And Cozumel is a tendering port, right?
I decided not to do the catamaran race in Key West. First of all, I couldn't get any feedback from people who had done it previously and my kids didn't seem at all enthusiastic, so I think we're just going to bum around Key West and take in the sights.

sandy: I'm glad you mentioned the bracelets....I wore them last time and completely forgot about them. I've got to get searching cuz I have no idea where I put them! BTW, I know I'm being nosey, but how is it you and your wife managed to sail on Disney twice without the kids? I'm jealous!

[gometros]

Ssssh. It's a sensitive subject around my daughter :)

It was easy. The first time was a last minute surprise by me for my wife. We planned a trip to WDW while the kids were in away camp. I don't remeber the exact timing of when they announed the DVC points exchange for the cruise, but about three weeks before we went I called on a lark to see if they had any rooms. They did and after quickly making sure we could change our return trip reservations, I booked it. The only bad thing about that trip was that we learned the three day is way too short :)

The second time, we booked the 7-day Eastern after they came out with Fall Fantasy specials for DVC points. We read about it in the Vacation Magic and while I wondered allowed if we could do it, my wife took up the challaenge and it became reality. The hardest part was what to do with the kids while we were gone, since it was the week after Thanksgiving. Fortunately, we have dear friends whose daughters are my daughters' ages and they are all also very good friends (coincidentally, the younger one shares a birthday with Elana, so we call them virtual twins). They volunteered to take them in while we were gone. we left Thankssgiving evening and with my son home from college, they were on their own until he went back to school.

I won't embarrass Elana by telling you about the guilt trip she layed on us, but all I can tell you is this upcoming trip is in some ways an attempt to make amends, under the guise of our celebrating our 25th anniversary :D

[wendym]

Hi all!
7 weeks today we fly to America so that means 8 weeks tomorrow we are all on the Magic!!!:bounce: :bounce:
In Cozumel you don't tender - well we didn't last year - you just walk off the ship. The only place we tendered was Grand Caymen.
Key West is a great place to bum around. After Mum did her parasailing we had a lovely walk around dropping into a few bars!!
Wendy

[jeanneg]

I'm hanging with Mum!!!!

[wendym]

You are welcome to her - she wears me out!!!
:p :p

[AOPI57]

Jeanne- Glad you booked the ruins. We're still undecided.ANy news on what to do with the green Mickey stickers from home depot?

[luv2boys]

I FINALLY found some Mickey head stickers. Picked up a few other colors to for scrapbooking.

Amy

[MinnieMart]

we are going may 29th to june 2nd. we are flying!!! continental so noone loses any $.the band will march down main street. and the squads{flags, rifles, dance team} will perfoform sunday 4:30 at the doc stage downtown disney!!!. dh and i are still staying at the boardwalk and the beach club for 1/2 price. so this just happened last week!!! so we are all excited. !!! will talk soon about the cruise. that will be happening soon too! lisa

[AnnaS]

Glad to hear the marching band is on. What a great experience/feeling that will be. You will be going down back to back - that's great. I will think of you on May 29, it's my birthday. Have a great time.

Have started some "cruse" shopping. Now I realize what everyone neds,so of course I am not done. It's mostly for evening wear.

[gometros]

Minnie - Great news! Glad to hear you guys are going on the band trip. I wish I could go then, I love marching bands.

Anna - you had to go and say the 'S' word. Judy and Elana went shopping last night. Elana needed a dress for a formal occassion we're going to on June 1st. She bought two dresses because she said she needed one for the cruise. My typical male response was why cou;dn't she wear the same dress both times? It wasn't like the people she'll see on June 1st will be on the cruise! Married 25 years and I still can't figure you women out :teeth:

I need the opinion of you guys with older sons. I wanted to get a tux for my 21-year old son. He's at the age where he isn't growing much and while he's not yet at the point where friends will be getting married, a tux he buys now will last him years. My wife says it isn't neessary. I thought it would look nice if we could take formal pictures as a family. What are your older children doing, dress-wise, for the formal evenings?

[AnnaS]

Gometros, my dh will be not be wearing a black tuxedo but a black suit he bought about two years ago for a black tie wedding - he did wear it on our last Magic cruise of July 01 - let's hope it still fits or guess what, more "S". My two teenage sons, 18 and 15 will be wearing their navy sports jacket that they buy for school - parrochial school - need to wear it for first day of school (ID picture). Again, my oldest son wore his then too and it looked nice. I am up to 4 or 5 sports jackets since they grow every year. If your son does not have sports jacket or a suit, you might as well go "shopping". I spent quiet a few $$$ between cruise wear and graduation/(2) proms wear - you men can wear on suit a hundred times with differen shirt and tie but it will not stand out or be as noticable as our dresses - sorry - need new ones more.

[eye R.N.]

But the way we are looking at it, we have found them for $200, if it cost $50 a rental, then we break even at 4 wearings. So DH is getting a tux. I figure if them give him his own school next year (he is an assistant principle now) there are two formal dances a year he will be attending.

As for the daughter, she had by her own reckoning 5 dances next year so I'll be lucky if she only comes home with two dresses. Lucky for me this child was born with a "bargin gene". Her last formal dress cost all of $20.

My problem is convincing the 14 year old that he needs "real" shoes. Somehow the high top blue sneakers are not what I want to see in a formal picture.

We did formal pictures two years ago and gave them to the grandparents for Christmas. They were a big hit.

[jeanneg]

Minniemart: Congratulations on getting the band trip reinstated...I'm so glad it all worked out.

Everybody else: I'm going to try to get by with being as UNformal as possible, while still being appropriate. Hubby will bring a dark grey or black suit and wear it on formal night. For semi-formal, he'll wear the jacket but will probably pair it with a dark colored collared shirt and nix the tie. I got my son (17, going on 18) a new pair of navy dress Dockers and he'll wear them with a nice shirt and tie. He has a navy jacket which he wore to a wedding 2 years ago and, if it still fits(doubtful), he'll wear that as well. I have been asking him to try it on for about 2 months now, but it's never a "good" time, so if he's left without a jacket to wear, momma's gonna be pissed and frankly he can go eat chicken fingers on deck 9! Jenni and I went shopping this week for her formal dress and we really lucked out because all the prom dresses were on clearance. Jen will probably kill me for posting this, but she got a really cute short formal dress for $12!!! For formal night, I'm wearing a very simple black Chico's travelwear pantsuit that I'll dress up with some glitzy costume jewelry. It's the same one I used 2 years ago on the Wonder. I have a snazzy red silk blouse that I plan to wear with the black pants for semiformal night and/or Palo.
I'm not really all that into clothing, but I will admit that I've been taking pains to plan my cruise outfits...although probably more from a packing standpoint that a fashion one. I'm not ashamed to admit that a good deal of my stuff is from KMart who happens to have some really cute stuff this season with a nautical Disney
motif. Don't know how "cute" it's gonna look when I'm not on the cruise but I'll worry about that another time!

[AnnaS]

Minnimart - don't worry too much about the dress wear. We sat with nice people from England and Scotland (they were related) and had spent a week in WDW prior to the cruise. The gentleman had on black slacks with a shiny grey buttoned down dress shirt. He looked fine. He actually went on to explain that it was too much to bring all the eve. wear. We are easy and go with the flow. I had a hard time also with my then 15 1/2 yr. old son to bring his school sports jacket. He had it and it fit. I told him to please bring it and if he decided not to wear it, I would be fine with it. He did wear it. My 13 yr. old only wore a white buttoned down dress shirt and tie - he refused to go shopping for a jacket. He did regret it. BTW, I bought my dress for tropical night at Kmart on sale and it looks great. I am only going to wear it once. We can be creative and look smart/great without breaking the bank.

[ablyinpgva]

We are booked for the July 5th Disney Magic also - cant wait - we are a family of four- two children and two adults that plan to act like children for the week of 07-05-03:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :earsgirl: :earsboy:

[eye R.N.]

Wow we are getting to be quite a crowd. Have we figured out a good time to get together?

Minniemart. I am so glad the trip is back on. I still have the video of Epcotgirl and thier march to get off the camera and on to tape.
Have a super time.

[gometros]

Welcome aboard ablyinpgva (boy that one's a mouthful! I'd love to hear the story ehind that screen name :). Check the cruise list on the first page of this thread for the screen names of all your fellow cruisers. Also, if you could tell me the sex and ages of your two children, I'll add you guys to the list.

[Mickbee]

Originally posted by eye R.N.
Wow we are getting to be quite a crowd. Have we figured out a good time to get together?

Minniemart. I am so glad the trip is back on. I still have the video of Epcotgirl and thier march to get off the camera and on to tape.
Have a super time.

WOW! It's been a while since I have checked and the crowd is certainly growing. The group will need an entire deck for a meeting. ;)

So when does everyone actually start packing?

[gometros]

I think we said that the earlier the better to meet and that during the sail-a-way party would be best. Maybe on deck 10, between the pool overlook and the sportsdeck, where there are chairs and it's a little quieter?

As far as packing goes, I've created a space on our dining room table to start putting some things specific to our trip.

[AnnaS]

Welcome Ably - glad you found us. Join the group.

[sbennett]

Has anyone tried "thrift shops" for tuxedos....we found one that gets them from tuxedo rental places and resells them for ....get this $10-30. I have to alter the length on the pants...but for growing boys, you can't beat it.

[eye R.N.]

What a great idea. I've tried salvation army, but guess it's time to expand the search.

[jeanneg]

Glad to have you join the party! What cabin will you be in?

sbennett: Wow, what a great idea about getting a tux in a thrift shop! I've never seen any at my local Goodwill, but my older daughter is forever scavenging the ones close to her college and I can ask her to keep an eye out for one.

Mickbee: You might not believe this but in my mind I'm already fully packed! (And if clothes didn't get wrinkled I'd have the job actually done by now!)

I have a new request.....now that we've grown into such a huge group, it would be really nice to know everybody's real first name. Some of us have already revealed them and that's great, but I'm so afraid that when we all finally meet, I'll never be able to get all the right names with the appropriate screen name and I don't want to end up addressing someone by a ridiculous screen name! Anyhow after all these posts, you're beginning to feel like family and I just thought it would be nice to know everyone's real name. My family is easy....everyone going on the cruise has a "j" name: Jeanne, John, Jenni and Jason.

[Mickbee]

I too pack in my mind but often times forget to pack the "real" suitcase....

GReat idea on the names. "Will the real Mickbee please stand up"
We are: Steve :bounce:, Andrea:Pinkbounc , & Stevie :bounce:

[AnnaS]

Okay, here goes the names - (myself) Anna, (DH) Gaspare, (DS) Ignazio, (DS) Ambrogio and (DD) Maria.

[gometros]

Thanks a lot jeanne, now you gave me more work to do. Does this mean I have to add a new column to the cruise list? :)

It is a great idea. I always feel silly addressing people by their screen names. We are Sandy (myself), DW-Judy, DS-Seth, and DDs Sara and Elana.

[jeanneg]

Sorry, Sandy, about the extra work, but you manage the list soooo well!!!!!

[eye R.N.]

EyeRN aka Denise, DH Andy, Epcotgirl1 aka Chelsea, DS Taylor and DD Hope.

I think I'll put real names and screen name on our mickey tags to make it easier.

[wendym]

Hi all
Well obviously my name is Wendy but my mum's name is Doreen. Our cabin number is 7129 (a category 11 - means we can go more often!).
Trying not to buy too many clothes as we have stuff from last year that will do - things you only wear on cruises!
Wendy

[luv2boys]

We are Amy-myself, Jesse DH, Nicholas DS7, and Jared DS4. Let everyone know when we start receiving our documents!!!

[gometros]

That will be interesting. Since we have one room on points and one room on cash, I wonder if we'll get our documents separately.

[AOPI57]

Hi everyone- We are Wendy (myself), Russ(DH), Matthew(DS), Andrew(DS), and Amy(DD). My parents are Marilyn and Sandy.

[gometros]

Which on is Mariyln and which one is Sandy? :teeth:

[sbennett]

Hi everyone....we're sooo excited only 7 more weeks
We are:
Shelley (dw) 46
John aka Jay (dh) 47
Corey aka CJ (ds) 13
Kristofer (ds) 9 will turn 10 on 7/10 on the cruise (captn's dinner I think)
and Courtney (dd) 8 right now but will be 9 on 6/8

Got my green mickey head pins done and waiting to be worn...
started prepacking to see how many suitcases we'll need, going to Beach Club Villas for a week right after the cruise....our first vacation in 3 years and boy do we need it since currently our 13 year old is in the hospital for depression should be out in a week hopefully. Oh puberty and peers...please keep him in your prayers.....he's in an excellent hospital and getting fantastic care.

See you all soon....
Shelley


:earsgirl: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :Pinkbounc

[jeanneg]

Hi Shelley,
So sorry to here about your son......it's so very hard to be a teenager these days and even harder to be a parent to one. I commend you for seeking help and trust all will work out fine. I belong to an interfaith study group which meets every Wed morning and Iwill submit a prayer request for him next week.

On a lighter note --and totally unrelated to the cruise--PLEASE vote for my neighborhood buddy, Clay Aiken, this coming Tuesday. Although I do not know him personally, he works at the same YMCA I belong to and I know MANY people who do know him and say he's just the nicest, funniest person you can ever imagine. I did get to meet his mom (she works at a store I shop in frequently) and she is very sweet and so proud of her son. I would love to see some really good things come their way. Thanks so much!

[luv2boys]

Speaking of prayer requests - Boy, do we need 'em. My oldest is due to have a MRI the week before we leave to spend a week in Orlando before the cruise. He has a brain tumor, and let's pray that it is stable or even better, shrinking. My youngest son has a blood clot in his hand and is seeing a hematologist this Tuesday as his coagulation tests came back abnormal. I can't think of anyway this could interfer with going on the cruise but he is only 4 and way too young to have a blood clot.

Thanks so much!!!!

A true believer in prayer,

Amy

[gometros]

Wow. I really don't know what to say.

Shelley & Amy- our prayers are with you. Let's all hope that by the time the Magic sails, this will all be a distant memory.

On a lighter note, Jeanne, Sara, Elana and I are big Clay fans. I suspect my reasons are different than my girls :) His presence and voice really impress me. You should check out the WDW Water: Still sweet and pure thread on the Community Board. While WDW awater is our main inspiration, we've been talking a lot of AI the since it began. A lot of Clay fans, Ruben fans and I think one Julia fan :D

[musicalSaranader]

Aww, come on, dad. You know I like Clay because of his voice! :D My friends and I think he's gay, anyway, but who cares, cuz he kicks butt!!! :p

And of course my prayers are with Shelley and Amy.

[jeanneg]

Hi Amy,
I can't even imagine the anxiety you must be going through right now with concern for your 2 boys. It really puts all our petty little worries into perspective. Of course, I will include them in our prayer request.

Sandy and girls: I can honestly say I've never been on the Community board so that's something I'll have to check out. OK, now I don't want to start a whole big discussion about C.A.'s sexual preference ( whatever it may be is really none of my business), but I feel both compelled and qualified (having come from another area) to say that there are many, many people that live in this locale that are so genuinely nice and unsophisticated that they sometimes impress those that come from other more cosmopolitan areas as being a little "different". Several of the male friends my daughters had in H.S. struck me as being a little on the feminine side, but I later learned they were just very sincere and deeply religious young men that had been extremely well-sheltered from the rest of the world. Having spent most of my life in NYC and the surrounding area, it wasn't what I would consider "normal" male behavior, but I quickly learned it was very common for this area. So, for what it's worth, that's my take on Clay. Enuff said!

[gometros]

Sara and Jeanne - Not that there's anything wrong with that ;)

[gometros]

I'm starting to stress about the details :)

With my family, we should get the LAPLAPL rotation, which puts us in Parrot Cay on both formal nights. I'm thinking of asking for the APLAPLA rotation, which puts us in Lumiere's then. But, then which menu to I mind missing the most? Oy, decisions, decisions :)

[MickeyMouse418]

Dad- the food is not the most important part...as long as we don't miss Animator's Palate :-)

Sara and Jeanne- I don't care what Clay's sexual preference is, it doesn't really matter. But of course I'm going to vote for him! I love Clay! He has an awesome voice!!! Last Tuesday I voted for him 30 times if you're still unsure of my faithfulness to Clay ;)

Shelley- I'm so sorry about your son, I hope he gets better. It's tough being a teenager, I can testify to that.

Amy- I'm so sorry about your sons as well. I hope they get better, and soon!

My prayers are with both of you.

[jeanneg]

I'm so happy you were able to vote for Clay so often. I've only watched the show the last couple of weeks, so i don't even know all the contestants, but when I met his mom I signed a pledge that I would vote for him last Tuesday. In return, they gave me free "vote for Clay" stickers (which were removed from our vehicles by someone I won't name!) I also got to sign "the banner". In being true to my word, I seriously attempted to vote over 200 times using speed redial, but unfortunately did not get through even once! Hopefully, it was just too many people in this immediate vicinity all trying to call the same number. But getting through 30 times.....wow, way to go, girl!!!! I'll try again this Tuesday and this week I'm not stopping at 200 either. You would love it here in Raleigh right now.....everyone is all caught up in Clay frenzy. Alot of the "Y" employees have their cars decorated to the max and many of local business have posters in their windows and messages on their signboards. It's really so nice to see the whole town come together like this!

Sandy: I'm not sure I understand your dilemma.....what difference does it make what rotation you get? I haven't been on the 7-day before, but awhile back I was concerned about the possibility of being in Luminiere's on casual night, etc. and posted a thread. I think it was Barb who wrote back and explained that on the 7-day there is no suggested dress code for individual restaurants (Palo excepted), but rather for the theme of the evening. In other words, formal is formal wherever you dine and ditto for casual. Why would you be missing out on a particuliar menu? My impression is that once you get through the first 3 nights, evryone is served the same food. Unless you plan to schedule Palo for one of the first 3 evenings, it shouldn't be a concern. BTW, did you ever decide what to do about the stingray excursion?

[MickeyMouse418]

Jeanne- My family thinks I'm crazy! THey have learned recently, that during the two hours after the Tuesday night show, the phone is mine! Speed-dial is very helpful, and I pretty much sit there for two hours dialing, and re-dialing. My dad wondered why he only got through once, but it's because he wasn't persistent enough! Good luck voting this week!

[eye R.N.]

Finally, saw the falls and actually got to Canada.

So sorry if my post is a little out of date.

Shelley and Amy, you and your families are on the prayer list. Having a nephew with Neurofibromatosis we have been through the brain tumor thing (twice now) I am a firm believer in the power of prayer.

[gometros]

Actually, Jeanne, I don't what my dilemma is. I was just getting caught up in the rotation frenzy. Btw, I can sort of explain my thought process, since I've been on the 7-day before. On the Eastern, your formal amd semi-formal nights put you in two different restaurants. Since we had the LAPLAPL rotation last time, it was Animator's Palette and Parrot Cay. On the western, the nights work out so that they are both in the same erstaruant, which for us most likely means Parrot Cay. I like Parrot Cay, but it doesn't have the same formal allure as Lumiere's or even AP.
Bottom line - ignore my fits of frenzy. It's just a case of over-planning :D

Sorry, I thought I answered you about Stingray City. We are booked for the same Capt. Marvin's trip as you. It should be a fun time.

As far as Cozumel goes, I wnated to do the afternoon ATV Adventure, but Elana is doing the Teen Fury Catamaran with Disneygirl421, which means we wouldn't get back in time. I may still do it with my other two kids, but it would be nice if I could find someone to ride with us, since it costs less per person if two share an ATV as opposed to one.

[jeanneg]

You may very well have told me about the stingray trip, but at my age I can't remember s#*%! (BIG birthday coming up SOON!)
BTW, I checked out that thread on the community board.....holy moly, it was 97 pages at the time and growing rapidly! (kinda puts us to shame, eh?) I checked out the first and last pages and basically did a "been there, done that"!
Sorry I can't help you out with the ATV thing.....we'll be all day at the ruins. I'd like to head over to Carlos and Charlie's when we get back and get some of those great margaritas everybody raves about. I'll be expecting to meet up with Doreen (Wendy's mum) there.....she's been on this trip before and knows all the good "pubs"!!!!! What's the drinking age in Mexico? Maybe we'll let Jen have a treat!

[wendym]

Sitting here in stitches at the thought of my Mum in Carlos and Charlies:p :p . the most I can get her to drink on vacation is the odd glass of wine!!! Mind you she would love the people watching, I would be the one trying the cocktails!
Wendy

[jeanneg]

Oops, sorry to portray you as such a lush, Doreen.....I could have sworn that Wendy told me you were a pro at finding the best watering holes on Key West! And never having been to C&C's, I have NO idea of what i just accused you of!!!!!! I hope it's not one of those spring-break wet t-shirt type joints!!!!! I can see I'm getting in trouble here............

[wendym]

No need to apologise at all. Mum has just come in and asked why I am laughing so loud - I'll explain to her in a minute! Yes C&C's is what I would classify as a "spring break place" She has been in some of the bars in Key West but more beacuse I wanted to try them - all in the name of adventure of course!!!
She is going to love this story - she is so looking forward to meeting you all.
Wendy

[jeanneg]

See, that's what happens when I start yapping about stuff I know nothing about! It doesn't sound like the type of place I'd want to take my kids to. I was just thinking....hmmmm, parasailing...hip bar....the two seemed to go together!!! Anyhow, the only wet t-shirts I want to be near are the ones I'm forever pulling out of my washing machine.

[wendym]

My feelings is C&C's is a place to walk past to see what it is like - not sure if I would go in! My Mum is full of surprises so goodness knows what she will do next! (She certainly pulled plenty of wet tshirts from washing machines though - 4 children, 4 grandchildren and 1.5 great granchildren!!)
Wendy

[gometros]

I'm just sitting here on the sidelines, afraid to pipe in and expose my chauvanistic side. Ah, the though of all those wet t-shirts :)

I was just curious how you get 1.5 great grandchildren?

Jeanne - just a last note on the rotation thing. I was going to add before, but I needed to get to my website to verify it and it was down at the time. It seems that the two other times Judy and I went alone, we got the LAP rotation (the first time was on the Magic 3-day). I'm pretty sure that when we went on the Wonder in 2000, we got APTA, which makes sense, since my kids were 12, 16 and 18 then. I have to check. I never finished my trip report, although I still have all my notes. Now that they're three years older, we're sure to get LAPLAPL again.

[jeanneg]

I was just curious how you get 1.5 great grandchildren?

It means the chicken is still in the oven, knucklehead!!!!!!

[gometros]

Originally posted by jeanneg
It means the chicken is still in the oven, knucklehead!!!!!!

Okay, so I wasn't the brightest light bulb in the bunch :)

Btw, I just finished reading my Passporter from cover to cover. I'm ready.

[wendym]

You are right - we just found out that my nephew and his partner are expecting again in Dec so it is actually more like 1.25!
As for rotations the first time we got LAP but for some reason last year we started off in Parrot Cay. Go figure!
Wendy

[jeanneg]

I guess that's why you never really know until you get there. For all practical purposes we should begin with Luminiere's, but if the distribution of passengers differs from what they expect we could end up with anything. I was just looking at the new menus from the 5/10 sailing and they changed the Parrot Cay menu quite a bit. It used to be my favorite of the 3 main restaurants, but now I'm thinking of requesting Palo that night instead. I guess it's back to the planning board for that one.
Just curious, what the heck is the time in Scotland right now....it's a little past 7pm on the east coast as I type. You ladies sure are night-owls!!!!

[eye R.N.]

Sandy, now that you've read it, would you recommend it? I have been sitting on the fence about getting one.

[ablyinpgva]

We are Audrey - Russell - Ariel and Mariah.

as far as formal night goes - my hubby is bailing and so is the other hubby in the family we are traveling - so we have declared it girls night out.

Our cabing 6048-

I look forward to meeting all - This a first time for us - so I will follow your lead as to where we should meet. I think the idea about the kick off party is a good idea.
:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[sbennett]

jeanneg: where did you see the newest menus from the 5/10 cruise? My husband and I want to do Palo's sometime too, maybe for the brunch or the high tea, but I love looking at all the menus, just to entice my children to perhaps try something other than chicken fingers and spaghetti!!

[gometros]

Originally posted by eye R.N.
Sandy, now that you've read it, would you recommend it? I have been sitting on the fence about getting one.

Yes, I definitely would. I bought it mainly for my wife and kids who don't spend time on the boards. Even though Judy we've cruise three times before, things change and it's a new itinerary for us. But, even though I consider my self well-informed, I still found a number of "I didn't knwo thats" in the book.

For the latest menus (hot off of the 5/10 cruise) go to
http://www.*****************/palo.htm

[gometros]

Audrey - I love the name Ariel. It's Elana's (my youngest daughter) middle name.

I'm dying to know where ablyinpgva came from. I'm assuming the 'pg' is for Prince George County?

jeanne - were you in that crowd of Clay supporters I saw on Good Morning America this morning? :D

[sbennett]

Thanks for the info on the new menus.....yum yum....decisions, decisions. I'm going to take them to my son in the hospital and give him something to look forward to. He'll probably want to order almost every appetizer and dessert!! Teenagers!!
I've just placed my order for the passporter for the cruise, I had originally ordered one for the cruise and one for WDW, I got the one for WDW ages ago and love it but the cruise one was backordered or out of stock at Amazon so the order cancelled....can't wait to get it.
My son is improving mentally and we'd like to thank everyone for their continuing thoughts and prayers for him. However, his previous heart condition is showing itself again...he has SVT (super-ventricular tachycardia) so he's now back on medication for that. His rate varies between 110-125 then all the way up to 256 and he says he doesn't realize it...not quite sure how you don't feel that but he never complains about it...scarey to us though.
Vacation can't come soon enough! Where's the party at?
We're in cabin 8528 if you want to add that info to the family info.

[wendym]

Jeanne
It was probably just after midnight - I'm often up that late. Seems to be the time I "chat" to my sister the most over the internet - mum was certainly sleeping!
As for Palos (cannot remember who asked) - go for it - whenever you go you won't regret it.
Wendy

[jeanneg]

It should have been easy to spot me, Sandy....I was the one with the stolen lime green Mickey head!
Actually, this morning I had a board meeting that I had to attend so I decided to forego my usual workout and missed all the hoopla. I heard from several of my friends that there were news trucks all over the place. Tonight the workout room is turning every single TV to the AI channel and actually turning up the volume (you usually need to bring your own earphones). I, however, will be watching from the comforts of my own home so I can be close to the phone. This neighborhood is in such a state of upbeat frenzy, I'm going to be sorry when it's all over. And I know so many people that know him personally, I'm beginning to feel a little left out! (the tag fairies were right!).

Elana, Elana: Don't forget to do your thang tonight, dog!

Sbennett: I'm glad your son is feeling better. I will continue to keep all of you in my prayers. I also see that Sandy posted a link to the menu site you requested....I was away from my computer all day so I'm thankful he did that.

New question for all you DCL veterans: Exactly when do they schedule the Castaway party? I can't seem to find it on any of the navigators.

[wendym]

I don't think they put the castaway party in the navigator - I think last year it was on the Monday at about 4pm.
Wendy

[MickeyMouse418]

Jeanne- I'll do my best! I've been looking foward to this for the whole week! I'll definitely find time in between all my homework! ;-)

[luv2boys]

Hi everyone. Took my youngest, Jared, to the doctor today about his blood clot. The hematologist does not think that it is a blood clot but rather blood collected on the outside of the vein from where he had an IV several weeks ago. This is good news and told us to come back in 3 months if it is not gone. They did discover that he is protein C deficient and will have a tendency to clot so have to take precautions during times of immobilazation. No other treatment until adulthood with blood thinners.

Now to get through Nicholas' MRI. School is out next week, then VBS first week of June, St. Jude and MRI the next, and then after that a week in Orlando and the Port and then it is cruise time. It will be here in no time!!!!

Thanks for all the prayers. Can't wait to see everyone.

Amy
:D

[AOPI57]

Sandy- my mom is Marilyn and Dad is Sandy ( his real name is Sawillbe voting for Claynto)Amy and Shelley- I hope your boys are doing O.k.We wil be voting for Clay tonight-my

daughter just adores him!

[ablyinpgva]

I look forward to meeting all of you, sounds like an interesting bunch of people.

I want some veteran input -

What has been the best part about your past Disney cruise experience?

What has been the worst (maybe none from the sounds of it)?

I am curious to know, how is the dinner dress - I can handle the formal and semiformal - but the casual leaves a lot of gray area. I have found several cute sundresses for my girls to wear, hoping that is casual enough!!



:confused: :confused: :confused:

I am loving reading all of your posts -

my name ablyinpgva - is part of my name - and yes Prince George VA -

I saw a post from Raliegh - the family we are going with on the cruise is from Raliegh.

Who has done the dolphin excursion in Cozumel - or knows someone that has??

That is my quota for questions for the night

:Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc

[jeanneg]

OK, I've got the phone in one hand and trying to type on the computer with the other! But at least I got through once, as did my husband...what a trooper, he's doing this all for us! Jen is the pro....she's using text messaging and has gotten through 30 times in a little over an hour!

Audrey: Please have the family you are sailing with sign onto this board....Raleigh is a very small town, I'd love to meet them!

Amy: My thoughts and prayers are with you also. Our group meets tomorrow morning....they'll be a dozen or so ladies keeping you and Shelley in their prayers.

[gometros]

Audrey - I can field those questions. I think the best part was sitting on our veranda after a busy day, just enjoying the sound of the water lapping against the hull. And dinner/brunch in Palos.

the worst has nothing to do with anything about the cruise. On the last night of our cruise last year, I took a spill on the steps of the Walt Disney Theater and felt the effects the next day and on the trip home. Fortunately, it turned out not to be anything serious.

Other than that, there was not worst. If I were forced to choose, I did not like Morty the Magnificent and will probably skip it this time if there is anything else to do.

As far as dinner dress goes, business casual (slacks and a nice polo shirt) works fine in all the restaurants. Even though Lumiere's tends to be more dressy and many men do wear jackets, yor husband will not feel out of place of he chooses not to bring one.

[sbennett]

Amy - what wonderful news about your youngest son, we pray that your oldest son gets good news too. Our VBS doesn't start until August...good thing since I'm the church office manager and I have all the paperwork/registration to do, I'll be nicely rested after the cruise and week's stay at DVC Beach Club Villas!!

[eye R.N.]

The best part for us was meeting new people. I loved our dinner companions and my husband was in heaven. He had two other women at his table;) One of them was the sister of the tech supervisor of the Walt Disney Theater and DD got a private tour.

The worst part is always getting off the boat. Last year we did two days at Universal after the cruise as a suprise for the kids. This year we are doing two days at WDW. It just makes it easier since you just don't want the vacation to end.

As for dress for casual night, sun dresses will be great, you might want to pack a sweater as the dinning rooms can be chilly sometimes.

Does anyone know any nice hotels in Fayetteville N.C.? or somewhere close? Looks like that is where we'll be spending July 3rd.

Amy, great news about your son. School doesn't get out here until June 20th (those snow days coming back to haunt us!)

[ablyinpgva]

Thanks for all the info!

Eye RN - does that mean you are an eye nurse??

I loved the varanda on the last cruise and wouldnt settle for anything less this time around.

I cant imagine we could find anything that disappointing. I was at a seminar the other day at work - it was about service excellence. The Disney service model was what they talked about as how we should should aim for service excellence. I of course raised my hand "As directors and managers - dont you think we could follow their model best by experiencing it first hand. How about we be sent on the Disney cruise for that exposure???" Needless to say - the group thought it was a great idea - but as far as the VPs - it was a no go.

Fayetville - you might want to alter your course by a couple of miles. Not a great town for landing. Let me look at my map to see what the best stop would be. I assume you are going 95 south? Or 85 South - that is our neck of the woods. Are friend in this group from Raliegh could lead you even better.

I am sorry I cant remember everyones names by the time I get to my screen!! I will get better.

:Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce:

A Bly

[jeanneg]

Well things have somewhat calmed down here a little bit and although I'm sad that homeboy didn't take the title, I was so proud of his poise and graciousness and glad to see that the two seem to be on such great terms together. What a wonderful role model for all of us. It's nice to know that he'll end up with a similar contract. (Although I still can't understand why after 3 solid hours of speed redialing I could only get through 4 times!) In any event, it was fun while it lasted.... now back to real life!

[joanb]

I don't even know if this is going to work-never have done this posting before, but have found out some interesting info...We're on board for the July 5 cruise. First seven day cruise..we have been on 3 and 4 days-never long enough. :Pinkbounc

[ablyinpgva]

Welcome Joanb - I am a fairly new kid on the cruisers block also. We have only been on one seven day cruise - as a couple - no kids that was this past September. Loved it so much - here we are again less than a year later.


Are you traveling with or w/o children?
:confused: :cool: :smooth:

Look forward to hearing more from you soon!!
:Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce:

[joanb]

Would you believe that two years ago I said I would never go on a cruise and now for third year in a row-here we are. Yes, we do have children-four to be exact..17 & 10 sons and 14 & 12 daughters. It is a great way to escape reality and be served meals --no cooking and clean up for me!:jester:

[ablyinpgva]

Joanb
Wow you have quite a span of children - I am sure they will have fun, but not as much as you.

I have two children - (one grown) - but my girls are 9 and 10. They are excited, but it would be even more exciting for them if they had an idea of the fun that waits ahead.
----------------------

Have any of you planned excursions? What and where?

:p :rolleyes: :eek:

[AnnaS]

Welcome Joan B. Wow our group is definitely growing. Take some time to read some of our posts. There were quite a few new messages on this board and I did not know. I was not notified on my mail. Do you think it's because I have not been on-line much and have also not posted here recently? Very busy running around and aol absolutey "s***** - sorry. It's aggravating us again and I think it might be time for another call.

[gometros]

Welcome aboard, Joan. I'm the keeper of the cruise list, which you can find on page 1. There is a lot of good information on these boards and this thread specifically, so have fun catching up. We have a variety of vets and newbies, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

If youdon't mind, let us know where you are from and what
room(s) you are in.

[jeanneg]

Wow, our numbers are impressive......maybe even one for the record books? (DVC sailing, excepted)
I didn't take an actual count, but we should be approaching 100 or so people. "ablyinpgva" has a friend in Raleigh who should be joining us on this board as well. What do you think, is deck 10 still the best meeting spot.....I would hate to miss out on all the sailaway excitement if we do it somewhere else. Seems to me it should still be fine....afterall we know the older teens will probably skidoo after the first 5 minutes.

Joanb: make sure you post all your particulars so Sandy can include you on his list. Also, how are you arriving at the port, what dining seating have you requested, and what excursions do you plan to do? I hope you have alot of time, cuz you'll need to read through 26 pages so you can get to know all of us!

[joanb]

Wow-I feel so welcomed here...my gang is from from Virginia. We always do the whole disney trip, from checking in our bags at the airport to having them deliver to our room and take the disney bus to the port. It is just so much easier. We are taking a jeep excursion on Cozumel, but not the Disney one...a local group. It had some really good reviews. We wanted to parasail on Castaway Cay, but were to late so I'm checking into some place at Cayman Island. Comapny name is Red Sail, but they are not responded to my email or phone calls. Has anyone done the kayak excursion on Castaway Cay? You may add our family to the list.
Yea! We just finished our school today ... at least my two younger one that I homeschool. The older two finish public school June 11. Hope I can make it -public school drived me crazy.
:bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc :bounce:

[gometros]

By my count, we're up to 79 people, give or take one or two. I think we should all take over the dance floor over the Mickey Pool for the sail-a-way party :)

I still think we can manage on the area on deck 10 just forward of the main activities, if my memory serves me correctly.

[AOPI57]

Joan B - welcome! Our cruise list is getting longer and longer. should be some party! Where in Va. doyou call home? my sister lives in Va. and has a secnd home in the northern neck.

[AOPI57]

sandy- My dad's real name is Santo. I noticed it got messed up in my post.

[ablyinpgva]

Where about in VA are you from, that is where I call home also.

I know many homeschoolers in my area also, though my go to public school.

-----------

I am interested in hearing about some of the excursion we have planned.

__________

When we get together - how will we know who is who - shall we wear our loggin names on our name tags??

[DisneyGirl421]

Hey! i havent posted in a while. I've been busy! Also-- We leave for WDW on thursday! We will be out of the very cold and wet May weather soon and into the nice warm, 90 degree florida weather soon! and me and my sister are marchin down main street with the band! it should be so much fun!
JoanB- Does ur daughter have a screenname? I'm 15 and will be on the cruise! I have been talkin to the other girls that are going on our cruise already so mayb we can talk!

[jeanneg]

Audrey: The paint section at Home Depot has Mickey color cards that we plan to laminate and make into name tags. Most of us have posted our real names, so you can include either one or both. Since some of the screen names are a little weird, I'm making a point of trying to learn the real ones. The more frequently people post, the easier it is to remember their names. I agree with Sandy....I think we should meet on deck 10, then "storm" the dance floor !

DisneyGirl: Have a great time during your trip to WDW!!!!!

[eye R.N.]

Yes I am an ophthalmic nurse. and up until last week a Cast Member at my local Disney store. Currently I run a eye surgery center a few minutes from my house. I did the Johns Hopkins thing for years but the commute finally did me in.


As for shore excursions: We have Capt. Marvins booked for Grand Cayman as a family. Epcotgirl1 has the teen fury cruise for Cozamel and the wild side for Castaway. DD and I have booked the banana boat ride for Castaway, we missed out on parasailing too.

DS is planning our Key West Day, he wants to see the treasure museum and collect t shirts on Duvall street.

I am thinking Mr. Sancho's beach for Cozumel, does anyone know if they have a web site?

[gometros]

Denise - Elana is doing the Teen Fury Catamaran also (I believe so is Disneygirl1) and I think she is going to do WIld Side too.

I have a question for anyone who has done the ATV or jeep tours. Is one better than the other, or is it just different modes of transportation?

[wendym]

Hi all
So jealous of those whose schools are finishing soon - we still have more than a month to go.
Mr Sanchos beach is great and we will probably be heading there.
http://www.mrsanchos.com/
The website includes a coupon for free ice cream or margharita (ok my spelling is useless!) with food purchase.
Wendy

[gometros]

I just noticed the thread for those people going on the November 8th, 2003 cruise. It sounds like they already have over 100! They even have a newsletter, although I'm not exactly sure what it's about.

I'd like to add excursions and dinner seatings to my list. If you guys could email me that info, along with your email address, I'll send you the list I have been keeping with all the added information. I know some of you mentioned your exursions, but please remind me in your note. Just send it to canetti@optonline.net. Thanks.

[Mjasp]

Sbennett...Is your DH going to post a trip report from the ship like my friend Mrs. L from Mrs. N's ????? said he was going to?

Hope you know who she is as I don't want to post too much on the internet.

Anyone from the Western Inaugural that I know on this cruise???

Our friends on the 5/17 Eastern are packing their bags and drying their eyes as we speak. I dried mine last week as I had to reschedule the 5/17. Actually I'm still crying. WAH!!!


Joanna

[joanb]

About Cozumel Jeep tours...I read and reviewed several sights. We found an adventure that got great reviews. Try the web sight .cozumelinsider.com . the outfit is run by Richard and Gail Ralston a couple that used to reside in NJ.

Disneygirl421-My daughter would like to communicate and she should be replying to your private address in the next day or two.

I saw that count dowm clock when I was first trying to figure this thing out, but can't find it now. HELP? My children think that that is so cool.

[Mjasp]

JoanB...Go to the top of this page and click on The DIS discussion forums, after you are there click on Technical support and then open the thread "Get your countdown timers here" Follow the instructions and you will be counting down..

Remember only 2 timers per screen name.

Joanna

[ablyinpgva]

We have the Glass bottom boat tour planned for keywest.

In Grand Cayman - we have a private sail charter for eight planned with three great snorkel stops.

Cozumel - My family doesnt know it yet - the think we are going to watch a sea lion show - they are dying to do the dolphin experience - so I have booked it - but they wont know until we arrive in our cabins. I sure hope it is worth the $$$

I have nothing planned so far for Castaway - by the time that comes - I will be glad to float around on one of those blue mats for a few hours

-----------

I do feel like I should start packing and planning.

----------

We have pass ports - so we should not need anyother ID???

:earsboy: :earsgirl: :earsgirl: :earsgirl:
My family mickey style

[joanb]

Thanks Joanna...if I did it correct my timer show appear on this post!

[Mjasp]

Glad I could help. It's there, enjoy the countdown and the cruise. Although I must say I am quite jealous.

Enjoy
Joanna

[sbennett]

Mjasp - He knows a Mrs L and a Mrs. N and he works at ESMCHS/ E Elem! He's also very musical ! and quite the jokster! :jester: Email us at shelljay@optonline.net We can't wait to go on our cruise! :Pinkbounc :bounce:

[Mjasp]

Shelly...I sent you an email

[MinnieMart]

me! lisa dh dana, dd 18 alison and dd 15 laura now, luv2boys, hope thing are going ok for your family . we will pray for you all. and sbennett hoping things are ok also with your family. i am a nurse and it really hits you in the face when you hear about other people's health . can't wait to meet everyone. eyeRN what do you mean as of last week you were a cm? did your store closed? what about your discounts? i am also a castmember at our disney store in toms river n. j its not as much fun to work there as it used to be. i openea d the store 5 1/2 years ago our band trip is next week and with things like the band concert and the chorus concert and working 2 jobs!!! school nurse and disney the house is a mess! memorial day is O DAY organization day. !! we are cleaning , packing, ect we have to be at the high school at 3 am thurs . the band is marching down main street 3 pm parade! and the squads will perform down town dock stage. it is sooo cold and rainy i turned on the fireplace!!! the best and the worst best was crying on thurs after the art of entertaining series because this cruise is sooooo relaxing and it is not even over yet!!! the worst is that the family pool gets dirty ok time to go to bed !! sweet disney dream! lisa

[sjbakerus]

Finially, I am able to post. Glad to be onboard with everyone! We're the family that is traveling with Audrey (Ablyinpgva) from Raleigh NC.



:bounce::Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc

[TNCruiser]

I am sooooo excited we got our cruise documents for the July 5th cruise:D . Now it really seems like we can get excited. We, myself, husband and adult daughter will be going along with my sister (U Mich Cruiser), her husband and adult daughter. Hope to see you all very soon.:Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc

[jeanneg]

We might be neighbors! I'm from the north Raleigh area (Clay's territory!) and like many other people in this town, we've only been here a short while.
Please let us know all your particulars and Sandy will post them on his master list (page 1, 2nd entry). You've got lots of reading to catch up on, but by the time you're through we'll all seem like family to you.
I look forward to meeting you on the cruise.

[ablyinpgva]

I didnt know that there was an entry with everyones location. I found several from Richmond, Virginia! I just wanted to say hey to all of you - I am from Prince George, VA, I work in Richmond!
Are any of you through Mid atlantic AAA?

I look forward to meeting each of you.
_________

Did someone need our seating assignments. We ably and sjbakerus are scheduled for late seating.

I was glad to hear someone got their documents, I am expecting ours any day.

Good day-
:bounce: :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc

[ablyinpgva]

Sjbakerus tells me that a lot of people from our cruise are staying at the Radisson in PC. We are also. I am curious as to how everyone is planning to be transported to the cruise ship? How far is the hotel from the dock?

:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

[wendym]

Hi
We aren't staying at the Radisson but know they have a free shuttle to the ship - book your time as soon as you arrive. Avis rental car also has a shuttle bus next to the hotel. What we did last year was drive to the ship to drop off our luggage, drive back to the Radisson to drop off the car and then hop on the shuttle bus. Because we didn't have any luggage we easily got on the bus.
Wendy

[joanb]

Just wanted to see if the avatar update worked.
SIX WEEKS FROM TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sbennett]

We're driving down, staying at the Radisson and driving to the port in our own car...we want to get there early and also be able to jump in our car when we get back and head right off to WDW Beach Club Villas where we'll be staying for the next week.
I know we'll have to pay for the parking at the port but for convenience sake it'l be worth it to us. I'm sure we'll have to DRAG everyone off the ship kicking and screaming...NO NO WE DON"T WANT TO GO!!!
We were going to be driving down our van, but since we just got a new car we'll be driving it down since it's covered by warranty and God forbid something should go wrong. So anyone else who's driving look for a gold taurus wagon with NY plates and a turtle top carrier on the roof!!! (providing we can find the keys to it!!):confused: :earsgirl: :earsboy: :earsboy: :earsboy: :earsgirl:

[gometros]

Sorry, guys, I mistyped my email. I corrected it in my original post, but for the record, it's canetti@optonline.net.

[joanb]

Does everyone have the Disney Visa card?

Has anyone parasailed on Cayman Island? If so, what company did you use?
:bounce: :Pinkbounc

[luv2boys]

Anyone plan on decorating their cabin door? I bought some magnet computer paper and am planning on doing something. Just about done with Mickey name tags. I put our "regular" name and then under put luv2boys DH, etc.

Amy

[MickeyMouse418]

Joanne- I was so upset when Clay didn't win!! I still think he should have...but on the bright side, one of my Clay obsessed friends burned me two CD's...one of songs sung by different AI contestants (mostly Clay!) and one of all Clay!!

Joanb- I would also like to have your daughter's screen name. I'm also 15 (gometros daughter) and I already have been talking with disneygirl. My screen name is bubblicious418, if she gets a chance!

[eye R.N.]

Where the group booked the private room in Palo's for the brunch. The room seats 14. Is this something we might want to look into?

[ablyinpgva]

Wendy - sounds like a good Idea. there will be eight of us in the party. I am thinking women and children can be dropped off - and the guys can find their way back maybe. I am planning on leaving our car parked at the hotel for the week.

Not that I want to think about the ride home after the cruise - but I guess I have to. Does Avis or the hotel have return shuttles. Or how much does a taxi cost.

Thank you for the valuable info!
Audrey:smooth:

[Mjasp]

Eye RN...that was on our cruise the Western Inaugural last May. One person booked it through DCL themselves, and set it all up.
I personally wasn't able to attend, but received the pics of it. I will send you a copy of the pics, if you send me your e mail address.

Call DCL and ask them about it. Everyone who attended had a great time.

Joanna

[wendym]

Audrey
The hotel and Avis run shuttles back from the cruise the same - you take your luggage to an area in the car park and there is somebody who helps to organise the queue. Probably the best idea may be to have 1 person get the car and then come back for you and the luggage but make ysure they have their ID ect to get back into the port.
I think a taxi would be about $10.
Wendy

[sbennett]

Eye RN....
Sounds like a good idea to us, if you get any info let us know either here or on our email at: shelljay@optonline.net

re: driving down from NY...still trying to decide where to stop first night, I remember driving down 25 years ago or so with my parents and we used to stop around Lumberton SC. We're leaving 7/2 in the afternoon and driving as far as we can to try to get the biggest chunk of driving over with. We have reservations at Radisson for the 4th but if we get down there on the 3rd we'll see if we can get in there or someplace nearby.
My brother and his family used to drive straight through to WDW about 20 hours from here. They now live in Edenton NC.
We'd try to stop there but it's way off of 95 and I'd rather stop on the way back when we'd have more time to visit.
Hope we get our paperwork soon....no mail until Tuesday...bummer!!!


:Pinkbounc :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :Pinkbounc

[jeanneg]

Hi Denise,
We'll pass on doing Palo for brunch. It's not something we were all that interested in doing anyhow, and since the room only seats 14, it should go to those who really want it. I'm thinking that room might work really well for high tea, however. A while back i asked if any of the ladies would be interested in taking tea together and several of you responded that you would. It would be really great if we could get that room, so once again I'm going to ask who is interested in having tea together and which sea day they would prefer doing it. I'll call DCL in a few days and see if i can set it up. That way I'll have one less thing to do when we board.

Amy: What is magnetic computer paper? I'm all for decorating my door, but I have a feeling my lids would cringe at the idea. Isn't it bad enough they ripped the "Vote for Clay" stickers off of the family cars!


Jeanne

[gometros]

sbennett - when ever we drove down, we found Florence, SC was a great mid-point stop and there were plenty of hotels off of the exit.

Glad to hear cruise documents are starting to show up at people's door. Now we know we're getting close.

[wendym]

Jeanne
Mum and I would certainly be up for doing the High Tea - any day would suit us.
Wendy

[sjbakerus]

I would most definately be up for high tea. I was planning on signing up for it first thing when we boarded. Wasn't much interested in Palo brunch or dinner.

Are many of you doing the lime green ribbons or Sonic Boom Mickey Heads from Home Depot?

For the tally, we are DW, DH, DS 9, and DD 5, in cabin 6042.

[luv2boys]

Jeanne,

The magnet paper I got is made by Avery. It's called Ink Jet Magnet Sheets. I got them at KMart. You just print as you would on a regular piece of paper but it is magnetic.

Amy

[Mjasp]

we did our first drive to Fl. during April break this year. We also made Florence SC our stop down.

Joanna

[eye R.N.]

I am up for the high tea as well, Personally, I love Palo and can't get enough. Whichever day suits the group is fine with me.

I'll call DCL on friday about brunch so if you are interested either send me a private message or e-mail me auntiefauna@iwon.com

A neighbor gave me the website for safe sea. It is www. nidaria.com

I'll be ordering some today since it's a safe bet I won't be doing the gardening I have planned. (rain for the last three days.)

[ablyinpgva]

I am all for High tea - dont care which day - just let me know. Palos for brunch - I will pass on that.

My personal cruise director (sjbakerus) - will handle the details o my nametag! She keeps me straight.

Does everyone have bubbles for the BonVoyage party? I dont know about it personally - but read about it.

I am harassing my travel agent about the documents.

We have a big week ahead - Dance Recital - several routines but most importantly my girls have a duet- It is a tap routine to the song "Sisters". They have worked their tails off this dance year - so if I am not around this week- never fear - I will surface again.



:bounce: :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc

[jeanneg]

That's the one we had the last time we sailed.....it was great! it's pretty much midship so we took the stairs to everything. Just curious....when did you make your ressie? I made mine the beginning of February this year and they said there were no more Cat. 6 rooms available that slept 4. We used our DVC points to sail and I think those may be like frequent flier miles in that they only allow a certain percentage of the total availability to be booked that way. We ended up having to use more points for the same cabin one flight up. It looks like Deck 6 is going to be the real party floor with more than half the DISers staying there.

OK, Denise, did i miss something....what is safe sea?

Sandy: I noticed you were doing the Key West train vs. the trolley.....we actually plan on doing one or the other but at this point are not committed to either. What exactly is the difference and is there an advantage to either one? Do you need to reserve a spot? From what I've read there's no good reason to go through Disney unless you actually enjoy paying double for stuff!
Please fill me in as I read these things a while back and haven't had the time to research it further.

[gometros]

Jeanne - to be honest, I have no idea if there is any difference. The last time we were in Hilton Head, we spent a day in Savannah and did the trolley. It's nice, because you can get on and off whenever.

I don't believe you need ressies. You can buy the tickets online. (check out http://www.conchtourtrain.com/). I'm waiting for a package from Shirley of The Perfect Gift. I might have more info then.

[gometros]

Just saw this comment from Barb on her post from the 5/24 Magic:

I prefer the trolley to the Conch Train because you can get off at various points and continue your trip later, and it also seemed to cover more territory.

It's like she read our mind :)

[jeanneg]

Ha-ha, I just checked out your link and I'm sitting here busting a gut because all the while I'm thinking train as in engine, caboose, steam whistle, Orient Express, etc. Even in the sticks of NC, we wouldn't call that a train! Seems to me there's really not much difference between the trolley and the TRAM, so we'll probably go with Barb's suggestion and take the trolley.
It's a good thing you posted that link.....I'd be walking all over Key West trying to find the train station!

[gometros]

Don't feel too bad, when I first heard about the conch train, that's what I thought it was too. I agree, the trolley sounds like the smarter choice. Btw, I posted the question in a new thread and the answer I got was even more convincing. For Trolley info check out: http://www.trolleytours.com/Key%20West.htm

[sjbakerus]

Jeanne, I did some checking on the conch train or the Trolley and found the trolley to better suit our needs. The Train is non-stop for 90 min and narrative. Basically a riding tour. The trolley has 10 stops is narrated and you can get on and off at your leisure. You can buy tickets online, but they are not refundable if we don't come to port. For us it would be a loss of $60 ($20/adult, $10 child). The Key West chamber of commerce suggested we do it on our own when we come to port.

Also, I understand you are from Raleigh. What part? You mentioned the "neighborhood" was crazy for Clay Aiken. Are you by any chance in Stonehenge?

[eye R.N.]

Wow i havent been here in forever. I really havent been home much either... just ask my mom! so what is going on on the first night. i read a little about it... the sail away party....

Ooo and if anyone one wants to chat before the cruise my AIM name is goddess23104 I am a 17 year old girl.... if anyone wanted to know. How many people are going to be in CM on the cruise from here?

[EPCOTgrl1]

Sorry that was suppost to be me... (eyeRN's post)

[jeanneg]

sjbakerus: I don't live in Stonehenge, but I shop at the market several times a week and have strong ties to the A.E Finlay Y. If you're from that area then we truly are "neighbors" (If you like, I can PM more info to you.....you never know who's lurking on these boards trying to figure out when people aren't home!)
BTW, are you driving or flying to the port? This will be our first time driving, but we decided to try it this time partially because of all the encouragement I've gotten from this board and secondly, because the last time I cruised, Delta put my luggage on the wrong flight and so I had to rush to RonJons and Walmart on a Sunday morning to buy an entire new wardrobe (including shoes, underwear, etc) Mysteriously, my bag turned up in my cabin later on the first evening, but I was pretty bummed out that whole first day. Let's just say I don't want a repeat of that scenario this time.

Regarding the Tram/Trolley issue......If I buy the tickets on line I'll save a total of $8. If for some reason we don't make it to Key West, I'll be stuck for $72. It seems to me that the small discount doesn't justify the risk and i'll probably wait to buy my tickets on the actual day.

Remember to let me know if you want to sign up for the DIS ladies high tea. I plan to call DCL towards the end of this week and see if we can get the private room.

[jeanneg]

Denise:
What day were you thinking of scheduling the brunch? The women that are interested in doing High Tea have not declared a preference, so it makes sense to do it on the opposite day that the brunch will be, especially since there may be some duplication between the 2 groups.

[wendym]

That's a very considerate idea - wish the vacation was closer, inundated with reports and exams at the moment!
Wendy

[gometros]

Well here I am, first day of unemployment (my contract ended on Friday), so while I'm doing the job search thing on the internet, I have found something to cheer me up. Anybody hear of Live365? I found a whole bunch of Disney oriented radio stations to listen to and get me in the mood for our trip:

http://www.live365.com/cgi-bin/directory.cgi?genre=search&searchdesc=disney

[sbennett]

Thanks Sandy,
Live 365 is Wonderful.....we're hooked already.

How do the cruise documents get delivered? We haven't gotten ours yet... boo hoo :(

[umich cruiser]

Our cruise documents came today! They were between the doors when I got home from work, what a wonderful package to come home to! They came UPS. My sister in Tennessee got hers on Friday, Michigan took till today.

[jeanneg]

Sandy: So sorry to hear about your unemployment......you don't sound very upset. ( I, on the other hand, was freaking out when the company my husband worked for decided to cease services in Raleigh) Good luck on your search for a new position.....how much do they pay for a professional DCL advisor? Maybe Barb and Tony need some relief....

[gometros]

I knew it was coming. Only it wasn't supposed to end until June 30th. Only means it will be hard to take a new assignment until I get back. Nothing worse than six weeks unpaid vacation :)

DCL advisor? Hey, I like that idea. Think I can convince Barb and Tony to take me along with them on cruise #33? I wonder if DU needs any help :D

[eye R.N.]

High tea on the first sea day and brunch on the second? Any thoughts from those going?

Jeanne Safe Sea: Indispenable when you have kids that belong to a river swim team and regularly swim with nettles. It is a sunscreen/stinging sea life protector combination. I am taking lots since we have two beach days and a snorkling trip planned. I've never experienced sea lice and don't want to come into contact with them on this trip.

The one draw back of booking with AAA is that all the documents go to them. They call and then I go pick them up. But on the bright side I have to go anyway, I looked last night and they have half the family seated at a table for six and the other half at a table for eight!


As for stopping for the night Florence is a good spot. South of border has 24 hour security if your like us and will have a van full of stuff. The best spot for Gas is right around the Ga/Fl border, we have always found good prices there.

[sjbakerus]

Count my vote for high tea on the first sea day.

Jeanne, I sent a PM to you so you can email me regarding Raleigh life.

We are driving to FL with Audrey and her family. We plan on leaving July 3rd so we can have Friday to visit Cocoa beach and just relax around the Raddison pool.

We booked last Oct to get the Cat 6. There was a deadline on the price-point we were offered. At the time those cabins were going fast.

[DaveP]

Great to hear about those documents coming in!

Some questions for you veteran Disney Cruisers...

1. What time to the first buses leave in the morning from the Airport; we'll be in a couple of days ahead of time so I was wondering.

2. Are beaches available in Key West, I didn't see any excursions in the brochure?

[gometros]

Can't help you with the busses, Dave, we'll be driving to the port.

Hey, there's an idea. I think that those of us who get there early should save a place on line for the rest of the crew. You think the other cruisers would mind our letting 74 other people cut in? :)

Look for me at the terminal. I'll be the first online!

[jeanneg]

Sandy: I'm planning to arrive at about 11 o'clock.....that way we can be next to one another....you'll be the first person on the first line and we'll be last on the second one!

sjbakerus: I didn't even realize you had pm'd me until I read it on this board.....seems like there's something screwy with the
message alert system. I'll pm you back shortly.

Denise: what time is high tea usually held? Wendy said that she remembers the Castaway party being about 4 pm on a Monday, so I want to make sure we'll be able to do that also.

I'm starting to get very excited.....wish our doc would arrive!

[wendym]

Hi all
I think that High tea is usually at 3pm so it would be possible to do it on the Monday but it would be a bit rushed, therefore it may be better to do it on the Thursday.
Sorry we have never taken the buses from the airport so don't know when they start but I wouldn't imagine they would arrive before the previous passengers have left. I would think they would start arriving at the port at about 10am.
Wendy

[gometros]

MY DOCS ARRIVED TODAY!

:Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce:


WOO HOO!

Okay, it was for the kids' room, but that's half of them :).

[ablyinpgva]

Thank all of you for the bday wishes! I was surprised! It made turning 29 yet again, a bit more interesting!

I am dying, waiting for the documents, they say it may be two more weeks, we booked with Mid Atlantic AAA...........so they send the whole group together.

I got a cool new digital camera for my bday - just in time for the trip of a life time!

Dont have much time this week - but I am enjoying reading all of the posts!

Home run stretch!!!!
:bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc

[sbennett]

WE GOT OUR DOCUMENTS TOO!!!

What kind of digital camera did you get we've been looking and can't decide which one's the best buy.

Happy Birthday to the birthday person.

I doubt anyone would mind if 70+ people cut in line (ha-ha)
We plan on getting to the port as early as they'll let us in.

:Pinkbounc :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :Pinkbounc

[jeanneg]

So far these are the only women who have expressed an interest in taking tea as a group:
jeanneg (Jeanne)
wendym (Wendy)
mum (Doreen)
eyeR.N. (Denise)
luv2boys (Amy)
ablyinpgva (Audrey)
sjbakerus (???)
If I left anybody out, please let me know. I'm not sure we can get the private room for this size group, which means we'll have to make the reservation at the embarkment scramble. I plan to call tomorrow, so there's still time to think about it.

Happy belated birthday, Audrey! I hope you had a great day.

[gometros]

Happy Birthday Audrey.

And happy 100th Bob. Thanks for the memories.

Count Judy in on the High Tea. I haven't discussed it with her, yet, but she'll like it. She's a tea drinker (must be the Manchester blood in her), so I know she'd enjoy it.

[jeanneg]

OK, and if Judy decides she doesn't want to go, you can always put on a dress and hang tight with the "girls"!!!!

[gometros]

I don't know if you want that. You've never seen my legs :rolleyes:

[eye R.N.]

So add him to the list.

It looks like we don't have enough to do the private room for brunch so I'll make a group ressie during the scramble. So we have time to decide which day.

OK time to get back to work.

[sbennett]

If men are joining in on the high tea....you can count us in.
Shelley & John (aka Jay) What day and what time???? I'm listening to Live 365 Disney music and getting lulled into that
"DISNEY FEELING" :smooth: :Pinkbounc ;)

[gometros]

Originally posted by eye R.N.
So add him to the list.

It looks like we don't have enough to do the private room for brunch so I'll make a group ressie during the scramble. So we have time to decide which day.

OK time to get back to work.

And I figured 14 would be too little. If it will help, count us in for four. If not, we'll do it on our own and join in the scramble.

[eye R.N.]

John and Shelly
Wendy and Doreen
Denise and Andy
Sandy and Judy (and two others?)

It sounds like were doing this Monday. My thought is to try for a relatively early spot, any suggestions?

Let me know if I left anyone out. It has been an horrendo week at the surgery center and my mind has been on my patients.

Now my boss has decided he'll take his vacation the same week I am (and I was looking forward to his finding out how indispensable I am;)

[jeanneg]

Whoa, I'm away from the computer for half a day and pandimonium breaks out.......I'm not sure I know who's doing what. Here's what I have so far for High Tea which Denise and I just decided should be switched around. Therefore, brunch will be on the first sea day and tea on the second so as not to conflict with the Castaway party which we're assuming is going to be Monday. Here's the list:
Jeanne & John
Wendy & Doreen
Sandy & Judy
Shelley & Jay
Denise & ?
Amy & ?
Audrey & ?
Sue & ?

It seems to me that if this is going to be a "couples" thing, then we should give first dibs to the ladies who signed up not knowing this. Worst case scenario, we could probably get several tables in the main room if we go over the 14. HELP!!!!!!!....this is getting complicated!

[wendym]

Hi all
My exam papers have just arrived so bang goes most of my surfing time for the next few weeks!
Please don't worry about it now including men for us - it will be great to meet everyone. If you mange to prebook it, wonderful, if not we can all book them on the Saturday. Any time, day suits us.
have a great weeknd everyone and just think 5 weeks tomorrow we all meet up!
Wendy

[jeanneg]

Are you a nice teacher or a mean one?

[luv2boys]

So, is the tea just for the ladies and the brunch for couples? Count me in on the tea (never done it, what is it?) and count Jesse and I both in on the brunch. That is, if the kids like the clubs. They are really excited about them, but we'll never know until we get there.

Amy

[jeanneg]

It started out just for ladies, but since the response was so small, it won't hurt to let in a guy or two. I already have you down for the tea.....would you like me to add your husband as well?
Denise (eyeRN) is taking care of the brunch arrangements.

I was going to call today, but I think I'll give it another few days since there hasn't been a whole lot of activity on this board recently.

[wendym]

Nice or mean?! Depends on what class you ask - my youngest class gave me a chorus of she's a jolly good fellow as I won't be taking them again before the end of term, but my older classes are probably cursing me as I have just given them a five minute presentation and poster display on DNA to be done by the end of term!
The exams I am marking are for schools throughout Scotland so I don't know any of them but I would hope I would be objective anyway!
Wendy

[joanb]

FIVE WEEKS!!!!!!!!!!:bounce: :Pinkbounc
We already have a bag full of snorkels, etc. laying on my bedroom floor. I just want to pack and be gone! I'm am tired of all this rain and pray our weather will be absolutly great on the cruise.
Anyone going on the Jungle Jeep at Cozumel-through Adventuras Naturales? Has anyone been parasailing at the Cayman Islands? We couldn't get a spot at Castaway Cay, but will try once on the ship.
:bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce:

[gometros]

Yesterday, I received a package of info on Key West thanks to Shirley of The Perfect Gift. I'm sticking with our original plan to take the trolley tour, but at least I have a better idea of the things we want to get off and see.

If we take lunch in town, does anyone have any good recommendations for decent seafood?

As far as brunch goes, the pan may be a blessing in disguise. I roginally said four, including my two adult childern, but I think we ought to keep it to the older adults. That was, I can schedule a second brunch with my two kids. As far as I'm concerned, you can't eat too many times in Palos.

[eye R.N.]

Everytime I read a post here it reminds me of another thing I need to do.
I should check out our snorkle stuff.
I should call Shirley and get a gift basket for DH.
I should call DCL about a group brunch.
I should call our TA and ask about documents. Looking over our dinner seating it says DH and DS are at table for eight and DD's and I are at a table for six:confused:
I should correl the family and try to get a decision on Cozumel, it is down to Chakenaub, local ruins or Mr. Sancho's. It is easier to get a decision from Congress than it is from my family:p
Now DH wants me to call and make sure we have Maclain as our head server.
Then there is the shopping list.

Seem we have been planning for months and the closer it gets, the more there is to think about.


I am so ready for some sun.

[ablyinpgva]

I am back!! I survived the dance recital!! it was great! the girls did an unbelievable job with their duet! Now all I have to worry about is the cruise! Almost!



I was thinking about the dolphin encounter - anyone with past experience ???

I am so ready to start the whole process of packing lists and final details!

Who is staying at the Radison at the Port? Maybe we could come up with something informal meeting wise poolside.
:confused:

[jeanneg]

Audrey: Congrats on getting through the dance recital so successfully. It's always nice when those stressful things are over.
My youngest just finished his finals on Friday so now I feel like summer vacation has truly begun and the cruise will be happening soon.

Denise: I pm'd you a few days ago and I don't remember getting a response (I know the system that notifies us has been a little quirky lately, so maybe you haven't checked.) Anyhow, I just want to confirm that the brunch will be on the first sea day and tea on the second, right? I'll try to call tomorrow and make arrangements. Anybody else who wants in, let me know now.
Also, how is it that you got your dinner table assignments before check-in? Did they give you the actual table # and rotation? I thought none of that could be gotten until you arrived at the dock.

Is anyone else still awaiting their docs as I am? DVC is always the last to release them I heard.

[sjbakerus]

Gometros: who is Shirley and how can I get this "package" on Key West. We're doing the trolly as well but don't know what the 10 stops are. I called the Chamber and so far all I get is a map and hotel information.

Jeanneg: Jay is not attending the tea. He's a coffee drinker and has no interest. The only tea he drinks is Long Island. Do you dress for this event? Granted, bathing suits are out, but do I need to wear a dress or slacks?

[sbennett]

Jeanneg- just clarifying that the Jay that's with Shelley (aka the Bennetts) is coming to the tea....looks like sbakerus refers to a "Jay" that's not coming....my husband Jay (aka John) IS. (clear as mud now right?)


ably - we're staying at the Radisson on the 4th, not sure what time we'll be getting there but if you want to post your last name here or email me at: shelljay@optonline.net and give us your last name perhaps when we check in we could get in touch.

[sbennett]

Rather than having to read all the previous postings because I thought I saw something before....

Does anyone know how far in advance you can book your next cruise while you're onboard....my husband already wants to start planning the next cruise - boy, I LOVE this guy!!!!
:Pinkbounc :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :Pinkbounc

[luv2boys]

Here are our plans!!

Leaving home Saturday June 28
Stay at All Star Sports 30, 1, 2
Raddison at the Port, July 3 and 4
Crusie July 5

Key West - Trolley, Sunset at Mallory Square
Grand Cayman - Hard Rock, walk around, shopping, beach somewhere (Royal Palms maybe)
Cozumel - Mr. Sanchos, Minigolf

We have not gotten our DVC docs either. Will let you know when though.


Nicholas' MRI is the 18th. Keep us in your prayers.

Amy

[joanb]

luv2boys: How far is the Royal Palms from the dock and how do you get there? By cab or city bus? Thanks!

[jeanneg]

I called DCL to make the ressie for High Tea at Palo and was told I could only do it onboard. I mentioned that several people had been able to prereserve the private room because they were a larger group and the lady put me on hold for 3 Disney songs! When she came back, she said all I had to do was fax in a written request and they would review it and get back to me. Unless there's a large VIP group doing something on that day, we should be OK. I left the specific time up to them to improve our chances. Also, the exact number was 12, but I told them 14 because there's always a straggler or two and I still haven't heard from Denise if her husband will be coming along.

Shelley: your Jay is in!

Sue: your Jay is not!

Wendym: are you getting tired marking all those red "X"s !?!

[gometros]

Audrey - congrats on getting through the dance recital.

Amy - consider the prayers in

Sue - Shirley is the owner of The Perfect Gift. She had offered on an earlier thread that she had collected some Key West toursit info and for a self-addressed envelope would send it out to anybody who was interested. Check out this thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=369219

Well, my wife now had a big project she's been focusing on behind her. We have an annual Journal Dinner Dance where we honor a deserving couple and this year it was our closest friends. Judy chaired the event and has been totally focused on it and nothing else. It was a huge success (I even got to sing, although Elana will argue whether or not what I did was called singing :teeth:), but now it is over and hopefull I can get Judy to start focusing on the cruise.

Just a reminder if you haven't done so already, please forward me the following information:

Names of people in your party, room number(s), late/early dinner seating and what excursions you have planned and your email address. Thanks. So far, I've heard from the following

jeanneg
luv2boys (I just need your email)
wendym
sbennet
ablyinpgva
sjbakerus

[wendym]

Hi all
Jeanne, that sounds very promising - thank you so much for doing this. Not having to put in too many red kisses so far but some of the handwriting is very illegible!
Audrey, enjoy some relaxation now the recital is finished. Amy you and your family will be in our prayers.
Gometros - what a lovely thing to do and Judy deserves to relax and allow her wonderful husband to continue the planning!
Must get back to the papers!
Wendy

[ablyinpgva]

Amy - we will keep you in our prayers too.

Can I get a response from all those that will be at the radisson at the port. Send me the name and number of people in your party. Maybe we can meet pool side the night before. I will be the one with the wine glass in my hand - relaxed in a lounge chair - I hope!!

Let me know what you think.

[sbennett]

Hi ably....
The Bennett Family is staying at the Radisson. There are 5 of us,
my husband and myself and our three children: Corey age 13, Kristofer age 9 (will be celebrating his birthday on the cruise on 7/10; and Courtney who turns 9 this coming Sunday 6/8.

Save us 2 lounges and I'll take a seabreeze and my husband a gin and tonic!!! (ha - ha):earsgirl: :earsboy:

[sbennett]

oops.....Kristofer said I forgot to say that he's turning 10 on the cruise....very important you know...:earseek:

[AnnaS]

I have been very busy lately with two proms and my son's graduation from high school so I have only quickly browsed through all these fine posts plus not always being notified on e-mail, aol stinks and my new keyboard sticks (some say it's also aol).

Anyway, I honestly have no idea how you guys are so good at keeping track of people/screen names with questions and then reply to them, :confused:

We will be flying on July 4th and staying at the Radisson. We are two adults, DS 17 1/2, DS 15 1/2 and DD 10 1/2). Nothing planned for Key West. We booked Stingray City tour with DCL for Cayman Islands and if time might head for ship, relax, shower, whatever or perhaps seven mile beach. Cozumel, undecided if we will do the Channakaba (sp?) park or Mr. Sanchos and perhaps miniature golf. Relax at Castaway Cay, perhaps go parasailing.

We will be staying four nights at OKW after cruise and we have not yet received any cruise documents.

[luv2boys]

We will be at the Raddison. Four of us, Husband Jesse, Me, Nicholas (7) and Jared (4). We will actually be there the third and fourth. Kids love rockets and space so HAVE TO go to the space center. We just got back from Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Does anyone know if there will be any fireworks anywhere. Maybe the space center?

I'm not sure about Royal Palms. I just read on another board that it was $3 per person for taxi and $3 per person to use the facilities and was really nice. Thought we would give it a try since 4 year old is too young for most of the excursions except for the beaches and cheaper to do it on our own.

[AOPI57]

Things have finally settled down. My son graduated high scholl on s saturday so we've been very busy. We're driving down on the third and staying at the Radisson on July Fourth. WE are myself, DH (RUSS), DS (Matthew-17), DS (Andrew-14), DD(Amy-11), Marilyn(my mom), Sandy(my dad). WE are celebrating the boys birthdays on the cruise- ONe is July 1 and the other is July 19.

[AOPI57]

WE're doing Key West on our own. Grand Cayman-booked Stingray City. Cozumel-Chakanaab or Mr. Sancho's and minigolf.

[eye R.N.]

First If it doesn't stop raining soon, I'm building an ark.:)

Hi Jean, I got your PM and thought I hit the reply button, but it sounds like you didn't get my reply (another case of Denise being computer idiot) anyway it is all good. Tea on sea day one brunch on sea day two. If you can PM me the fax number for ressies I'll take care of that tomorrow. I too am saying 14 so we'll be safe.

Andy is coming along to the tea, as he is the real tea drinker in the family.


Hi Amy, I have been keeping your son in my prayers and expecting wonderful things. You and your DH are on the brunch list, sounds like you could use a great relaxing meal.

Audrey, I'm glad the recital went well. All but one of the band/chorus things are done here, so I should be able to relax soon. School doesn't get out until 6/20 so we haven't gone into exam panic here yet.
The five of us will be staying at the Radison on the 4th. I have no idea what time we are getting there. It depends on when Taylor's Habitat/youth group build in NC is packed up. I am figuring on 7-9 hour drive after we pick him up in Florence NC. I am wondering if they do fireworks anywhere close to the hotel?

As for knowing which tables, I really don't I was just reviewed the reciept that AAA gave us to confirm our late seating when I noticed it said how many were at the table Andy really wants Mac as our head server so I have to see what I can do. Mac was a wonder as our server two years ago.

Sandy, here is our information.
Denise, (auntiefauna@iwon.com)Andy Chelsea (epcotgirl1)17, Taylor 14, Hope 11. We are staying in 2122 and 2124

Key West, probably trolley, treasure museum, t-shirt collecting on Duvall street. Sunset either from the ship on the dock.

Grand Cayman Uncle Marvin's

Cozumel undecided much will depend on how sleep deprived the teens are. Chelsea has teen fury booked that night. I would like Mr. Sanchos and some mini golf.

Castaway. Mom and Hope banana boat ride.

Now back to the basement and more wet towels:mad:

I am so ready for some sun

[sjbakerus]

Here's a question for the veterans...
I have been told that sunset at Mallory square in Key West is really neat, especially for my age kids. My question is this, Sunset is at 8:40 PM. Will we have time to enjoy the festivities? We leave port at 10:00 PM.

[gometros]

Congratulations to all the graduates.

Sue - I thought sunset was at 8:20 (not that makes much of a difference relative to your question.) According to navigators posted on Dave's Tribute Site (http://dcltribute.com/) from Novemeber 2002, All Aboard is 9:45pm with departure at 10:15pm.
Here's a good site for Mallory Square: http://www.sunsetcelebration.org/

About t-shirts, Shirley sent me this warning about t-shirt shopping in Key West

I am so glad you got the package and so glad that you can put it into good use - just remember of what I told you as far as tee shirt shops go - they can be and are big rip-offs - make sure you know what you are paying for and HOW MUCH before you do pay - if you complain and they say they are going to call the police - just tell them go ahead that you are best of friends with a 4 generation conch and don't mess with that title :-)

[jeanneg]

Maybe you didn't get my pm afterall.....I wrote and asked if we should SWITCH so as not to interfere with the Castaway reception which will probably be at around 4pm on Monday. Now BRUNCH will be on MONDAY and HIGH TEA will be on THURSDAY (second sea day). I already faxed my request so we should probably stick to the new schedule. When we originally asked people for feedback about which day for each event, everyone seemed to be very flexible so it shouldn't be a problem.
I have to dig up the fax #. I'm actually rushing out right now......I'll post it after 2pm or you can call DCL.
Good luck with your basement.....I'll get back to you this afternoon.

[jeanneg]

Sorry to take so long.......it's been a stressful day. Here's the fax number for DCL Group Specialist: 407-566-6910. Get back to me re confirmation of my previous post.

[eye R.N.]

Sorry for the delay. But when I walked in the door and DH said "let's go out to dinner" I figured that something was up (it was).

OK the plan is set brunch Monday whatever time they can give us. I will fax the group specialist before cases start tomorrow. The next two days in the OR are really busy so if I don't do it early, it won't get done.

Sorry your day was stessful.

[luv2boys]

What is the dress code for the brunch and tea? This is our first cruise.

Amy

[carlfrank1]

We are Carl and Michelle and daughters Kim (15), Kirsten (11) and Karlie (9). We will be driving down and staying with faily in nearby Rockledge. For excursions: in Key West we are visiting old neighbors and other favorite spots; in Grand Cayman iits Sting Ray City with Captain Marvin; in Cozumel most likely Mr Sanchos and mini golf; in CC enjoying the beach and snorkelling. Also interested in doing Palos for brunch one of the days.