20051123 - November 23, 2005 Thanksgiving Wonder Cruise

[thegales]

It is time to get this thread started!

I surprised my family with this cruise on Christmas, so I can now talk about it. There are four of us: myself, DW, DD9 and DD7.

The Ports of call:
Day 1 Depart Port Canaveral (Wednesday)
Day 2 Castaway Cay (Thursday)
Day 3 Nassau (Friday)
Day 4 Day at Sea (Saturday)
Day 5 Return to Port Canaveral (Sunday)

For those paying attention, you will notice that the Wonder switched the three and four day cruises for this week. And normally the four day has Nassau, CC, day at sea. However, that would put the Magic and Wonder both at CC on Friday, so they reversed the ports of call. I think Thanksgiving at Castaway Cay will be fun.

Anyone else spending Thanksgiving 2005 on Castaway Cay?

[genmasjoy]

Hello Gales, I bet your family were very happy with their Christmas gift of a Thanksgiving cruise on the Wonder. I like to do that too, this year I gave my DH a three day, two night package at Universal Studios for MLK weekend 2005, including the Portofino Bay Hotel. Anyway, today I booked us on the Wonder for Thanksgiving. You are right, Thanksgiving on Castaway Cay sounds idyllic. Have you cruised on the Disney Cruise Line before? I took the one week cruise back in 2000 and a 4 night in 2002 and just love it. I am glad you have a countdown clock....330 days sounds not TOO far off!

[hpscole]

Hello fellow cruisers,
We are cruising for the first time with DCL, November 26,2005. Excited to see the ship all done for the holidays. I have lots of research to do here so any helpful tips would be great! We are in a Category 4 room but I am thinking about going to the 3 Category because of the 2 bathrooms. I am going with DH, DS7, DS3, and my Mom. We are all in one room so I think the 3 would be better. Any advice?
Ok...how do I post my countdown????
Looking forward to replies!
HOLLY :wave: :wave: :jumping4: :jumping4: :cool1:

[genmasjoy]

Hi, We are in a category six, but it's just DH and myself. If you can move up a category and get another bathroom, it's probably a good idea!

[BethC1952]

DH and I will be there! We'll be on our fifth cruise on Wonder, with our sixth already scheduled...for 11/27/2005! Yes, that's back-to-back four-nights! We're just two adults this time, leaving DS 30 and DDIL 25 and DGD 5 at home.

We'll be at WDW for two nights before (probably AKL) and for three nights after (probably WL) but we may change that and just stay at Pop Century both times and spend the extra money on the ship!

We're booked in a Cat. 10 room (2601). We've usually cruised in Cat. 11, but in December we tried a Cat. 7. The verandah was nice, but what we really loved was the split bath! This way, we aren't in each other's way when we're getting ready (and it seems to take us a lot of "getting ready" time to be ready to face the world these days!)

Beth

[thegales]

Hey BethC1952,
That is cool - back to back 4 day Wonder cruises. We had looked at doing back to back Wonder while the Magic was in California, but nothing worked out.

I wonder if yours is the first eight day cruise someone has taken? Does the second cruise end with Castaway Cay? First and last day of a cruise at Castaway Cay!

I miss the Countdown timers. I need to know how many more days!

[BethC1952]

Castaway Cay should be the third day of our second cruise. That works for me...two visits to CC in less than a week! I can handle it!

I don't know if anyone's done 8 nights before. I can't figure out if there have been other back-to-back four nights. I guess we'll have to find out. Maybe I'm making history? Maybe for that I should be upgraded to one of the suites, right? :rotfl: Then we could each have our own bathroom instead of just the split bath!

Beth

[BethC1952]

I'm going to bump this every Sunday until the rest of our fellow Thanksgiving cruisers decide to identify themselves! I know, we haven't even had Easter yet, but some of you must have booked this cruise already!

Beth

[thegales]

I'm going to bump this every Sunday until the rest of our fellow Thanksgiving cruisers decide to identify themselves!

LOL :rotfl2: If you are going to do this, and since we don't have countdown timers any more, I think we need to do a manual countdown.

Trip begins in 262 days! (Please feel free to check my math)


By the way, we will be neighbors. We are in 2608.

[BethC1952]

I'm working on trying to set up a countdown timer on my computer and my Palm Pilot. If I can make it work, I'm going to change my signature every day so that the correct number of days will show.

As I've posted previously, we're adding a day or two before and a couple of days after, but the resorts will probably change, since DH just decided to surprise me with a long weekend at Wilderness Lodge for my birthday in May! (Of course, he's coming too!) I'll be adding another "pseudo-countdown" to my signature as soon as I settle the details for that trip.

Hopefully, we'll get to meet on the ship!

Beth

[thegales]

I just looked at DCL's website. Main seating is completely booked, so the ship is at least half full. No category 4, 8 or 9. Category 5 looks to only be available Forward or Aft. Category 6 is GTY only. I'm too lazy to look at the others.

So, we know there are others out there who have booked the Thanksgiving Wonder. Come, introduce yourselves.

37 weeks from today we will be boarding!! :cool1: :banana: :cool1: :banana:

[BethC1952]

On my way to work each morning, I can see the ocean. I was thinking the same thing this morning as I slogged through melting snow and slipped on the ice...in 37 weeks I will be on top of that water (well, more than a thousand miles south of here, but still the same ocean!), sailing into what will hopefully be lovely, warm weather!

DH surprised me last week with a birthday trip to WDW, so at least I don't have to wait eight months to get my Disney fix...it's only eight weeks!

Beth

[BethC1952]

Doing the "weekly bump"!

I know I said I'd do it on Sundays, but this way, people who only read the boards on the weekend (can you imagine such a thing? :rolleyes1 ) will see this.

We know that main dining is full, so where is everybody? Don't be shy!

Beth

[glindamood]

Count us in please! There will be 20 of us on a family reunion! This will be my second cruise on the Wonder and have cruised on the Magic 4 times. DCL is the best!

[BethC1952]

20 of you! WOW!! I planned a trip two years ago for nine of us, and it was quite a challenge!

These will be cruises 5 and 6 for us, all on Wonder. We've never cruised on any other line, and we're in the early planning stages of a late 2006 cruise on Magic for 12 people...10 of them in wheelchairs! That's taking an awful lot of organizing, and they're "volunteered" me to do the "leg work" as they put it.

Beth

[glindamood]

DSIL booked the cruise for us all so we are all linked for dinner etc. and our rooms are all in a row - very cool! We were already booked on the Magic for December so we are just going twice! :banana: :banana: :banana:

[thegales]

glindamood, any DD9 or DD7 going? Our DD's had fun corresponding with other girls before the cruise. It was also fun watching them interact whenever they saw each other on board.

[glindamood]

Our youngest is 18 months but the second youngest will be 15 by the time we sail. Our party is DGM, her 3 DS's and DD plus spouses (I am one of the spouses), our children, spouses for some of them and a daughter to one of those couples. Confused??? I am really looking forward to this trip as well as my trip on the Magic just a few short weeks after the Wonder.

Happy St. Patrick's day to everyone!

[BethC1952]

Weekly bump time!

Beth

[genmasjoy]

Hi, Glad to see we have a few more on this thread. My dh and I are taking a cruise in April on Celebrity, so I have been mostly focused on that trip. Once it's over, we will be starting to get excited about the Wonder. I sailed on the Magic on a 7 day cruise over Thanksgiving in 2000, and really enjoyed it. What a nice treat to have someone other than me doing the holiday cooking!

[BethC1952]

Welcome to our thread! I agree, it's nice not to have to worry about doing the cooking. Actually, it's not the cooking that I mind, it's all the cleaning up afterwards!

Beth

[ImMarcik]

I have been so busy at work that I haven't checked in a while to see if a thread has started for our cruise. I am so excited to see it has. I've had our trip booked for a few months now. My DH, DD12 at cruise time and I will be taking our first cruise. We got the land/sea package so we will be starting our trip on Nov 20th. We are in category 7. I will definitely be checking back now that I know the thread is started. It will be my DH and my 7th anniversary on Nov 25th on the cruise :love:

[genmasjoy]

That's nice you are doing the land and sea package. Which hotel will you be staying in at Disney World? I think you are right to do the theme parks first, then when you get on the cruise you can relax. If this is your first cruise, you are really going to love it, and I am sure your daughter will too.

[ImMarcik]

We are staying at the Beach Club resort. We are really thinking about doing that Animal Kindgom day on the day we go to the port. My daughter wants to see the Lion King show.

[BethC1952]

Bumping early today because of the holiday weekend.

I wish a Happy Easter to all who celebrate the holiday, and a great weekend to everyone!

Beth

[BethC1952]

Doing the weekly bump!

Beth

[glindamood]

Hello everyone! Hope your spring is beginning to start - time changes tonight which is another sign of spring. We still have snow here but the patches are getting smaller every day!

Have a great week - and try and take a peak at the Wonder on the webcam on Sunday!

[BethC1952]

Spring is beginning to show itself here at the Jersey Shore. Although it rained all day today (April showers, I guess!), it was warm enough that I actually left the house without my winter coat! There are daffodil sprouts in my backyard, and the "Bennies" (people who come to the shore for weekends and summers, unlike those of us who live here year-round) are starting to open up their homes! It's a sure sign of spring when the lines in the grocery store start to grow!

Beth

[aphoenix]

Well, I guess I should get around to checking in.

We are doing a family reunion cruise as well - 32 people booked. DW and I are going to be on our 4th DCL trip. The rest of the family will be first timers. We had been wanting to do a big reunion over Thanksgiving, and figured Orlando would be a good place. At least, right up until my grandmother made some comment about moving a turkey via taxi. At that point DW vetoed the whole thing and announced that we would be doing a cruise instead.

But, first up, the 14-night Westbound Panama Canal cruise....

So, here we come!

Tony

[thegales]

Welcome aphoenix!

Do you and DW get to do all the planning, or are others taking part in this part as well? Take plenty of notes during the Panama cruise (with pictures) to show everyone what some of the options are.



Spring is officially here in South Carolina. Cut the lawn for the second time this season yesterday. Going out today to wash the cars.

Happy Sunday!

(I was going to get a picture of the Wonder, but currently the web cam is showing a Carnival ship)

[aphoenix]

Welcome aphoenix!

Do you and DW get to do all the planning, or are others taking part in this part as well? Take plenty of notes during the Panama cruise (with pictures) to show everyone what some of the options are.


Thanks!

DW and I are doing most of the planning. We let a travel agent handle the cruise reservations themselves, but everything else is us. We are doing the week before on the ground at WDW, so we've handled the hotel reservations, much of the flight bookings, etc. We are chartering a bus to go to and from the port, and that is going to save a small fortune compared to Disney. Even with on 32 people, the private bus will only be $25/person.

We are definately taking notes, and are already working on the 'Big Book of Wisdom' to help everyone prepare and get the most out of our trip.

We are borrowing the Postcard idea, and are sending cards to all of the kids in the family from CC, signed by characters, saying how much they are looking forward to seeing the kids in November.

[BethC1952]

Welcome aboard aphoenix (and family)!

I loved your comment "At least, right up until my grandmother made some comment about moving a turkey via taxi." One of the reasons we're cruising at Thanksgiving is that the last time it was our turn to host Thanksgiving dinner, our turkey was delivered by limousine! (My BIL owned a limo company at that point, and he cooked the turkey and delivered it the night before. My next-door-neighbors looked out their door just in time to see him, in dress uniform (he was on his way to a wedding) walking up our driveway with the roasting pan with the fully cooked turkey. They were impressed!

I can't wait to meet all of you!

Beth

[aphoenix]

I loved your comment "At least, right up until my grandmother made some comment about moving a turkey via taxi." One of the reasons we're cruising at Thanksgiving is that the last time it was our turn to host Thanksgiving dinner, our turkey was delivered by limousine! (My BIL owned a limo company at that point, and he cooked the turkey and delivered it the night before. My next-door-neighbors looked out their door just in time to see him, in dress uniform (he was on his way to a wedding) walking up our driveway with the roasting pan with the fully cooked turkey. They were impressed!

Turkey by limo. Hmmm..... I'll have to remember that one.

I have a very interesting family - a wide group of personalities and we are such good friends - and a bunch of pranksters. It should make the 4 nights very interesting. At least I already know the lay of the ship, so I'll have a definitive advantage on my brothers. :) This will be the first big family reunion in close to 15 years, and it will be the largest. Except for a few people who are not coming on the ship (they really don't like the water, and they will be there at WDW) we will have the entire family together for the first time in my lifetime.

Does anyone know if they will have the Christmas decor on board that weekend, or are we going to just miss it?

[BethC1952]

From what I've read, the ship will be decorated by the time the Thanksgiving cruise comes around!

It's beautiful when it's decorated for Christmas. We've cruised at this time of year for the last three years (usually two weeks later).

Beth

[PURTYPAT1]

Hi Beth,

I Am Northern Jersey, Just Over The Gw Bridge. We Just Booked Lbi For The End Of August. I Love.......the Jersey Shore.

Our Cruise Is Exactly One Year Later Then You All. My Family Of 16 Just Booked The 4 Day Thanksgiving Nov 2006

My Question For You All, Did You Get Your Airfare As Of Yet?
Did It Go Up Because Of The Holiday?

Are You Flying In The Morn Of?

Just Wondering. As You Can See I Am A Planner. (acually I Am Going This Nov 10-13 For The 3 Day Nj Teacher's Convention)

Any Info Would Be Great

Thanks

Patricia

Ps Any Takers For Next Year 2006?

[BethC1952]

Patricia:

Exactly where are you just over the GWB? I grew up in Jersey City, and DH is from West New York, where his parents still live.

LBI is great. I would have loved to be able to settle there, but work constraints keep us here, as we both now work in Long Branch.

We haven't booked our airfare yet, because we aren't quite sure of our plans. We will be flying down a couple of days before, and will be stopping to see my brother and his family in Jacksonville.

If this year's Thanksgiving cruise works out well (and I can't imagine why it wouldn't) we may do it again, this time with a family group of our own. DS and his family can't make it this year for Thanksgiving, because he has to work, but in 2006 it will be his turn to be off for that holiday (he's a 911 dispatcher), and they'd like to cruise with us again, as would DH's sister and her family who cruised with us in 2003, and possibly his other sister and her familly and his brother and his brother's wife! Perhaps we'll get to meet on that cruise!

Of course, I will cruise for any holiday (or non-holiday) that I can!

Beth

[thegales]

We booked our airline tickets last month. I had looked a few months ago, and fare was about $200 from SC for our ideal flight times. When I looked last month, it was a lot higher. I looked at available seats, and only a couple were left. We wound up booking a later flight home and got the cheaper fare.

We are flying down the night before (that reminds me, need to book hotel), and flying home about 7:30 pm on Sunday.

If you see a flight that is reasonably price, I would recommend booking it now.

But then again, you are looking at 2006. Hmmm. Is the 2006 Thanksgiving Wonder cruise also a four day?

[aphoenix]

We booked our travel back in January, but that is because I am using airline miles for the flights. Only way to get free seats in the Thanksgiving window is to book at exactly 330 days out.

[PURTYPAT1]

HI BETH,

I AM FROM TEANECK REALLY, RIGHT OVER THE GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE.

MY HUSBAND WORKS IN NYC, & GOES PAST YOUR FAMILY(WEST NEW YORK) EVERYDAY ON THE BUS. SMALL WORLD :flower:

NEXT YEAR IT IS A 4 DAY CRUISE FROM WED THRU SUNDAY. THAT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU WERE ON IT. I SAW THAT ON THANKSGIVING WE WILL BE ON CC. IS THAT WHAT YOUR CRUISE IS DOING THIS YEAR? YOU ALL ARE GOING ON THE 4 DAY CRUISE RIGHT?

aphoenix THE 330 DAY IS GREAT ADVICE, & THAT IS WHAT I AM GOING TO DO. I AM BOOKING 16 (PROBABLY DIFFERENT DAYS FOR EVERY FAMILY)
AH THE HOLIDAYS, PEOPLE WILL BE PUSHING & SHOVING, & I WILL BE HUNTING ON THE COMPUTER. BETTER GO START MY SHOPPING NOW. LOL

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP

PATRICIA

[BethC1952]

PURTYPAT

Yes, our Thanksgiving cruise is four nights with Thanksgiving Day on Castaway Cay. That's much better than Thanksgiving Day in West New York! I almost have DH convinced that we should book now for Thanksgiving 2006, too. We had a bit of pixie dust this week when he won the local Fire Department's fundraising 50/50 (well, he won 1/4 of it since he split with some co-workers, but still, it's extra $$$) and he bought himself a new set of golf clubs and there's enough money left to put a deposit on another cruise! We may use that as our Christmas gift to our son and his family, and pay for them to join us since he can't make it this year!

Beth

[aphoenix]

aphoenix THE 330 DAY IS GREAT ADVICE, & THAT IS WHAT I AM GOING TO DO. I AM BOOKING 16 (PROBABLY DIFFERENT DAYS FOR EVERY FAMILY)
AH THE HOLIDAYS, PEOPLE WILL BE PUSHING & SHOVING, & I WILL BE HUNTING ON THE COMPUTER. BETTER GO START MY SHOPPING NOW. LOL


My wife thought I was nuts. New Years day and I am on the phone trying to book 12 people coming from 5 different cities. Took about an hour to work it all out, but I was able to get everything I wanted.

Almost every airline has the 330 day window of when they release seats. Keep in mind that you can't book until 330 days from your return, not your departure. Also, know that the schedules will change. What was booked as an 8am departure from LA has now become a 7:15 departure, and there is still 7+ months before we leave. Who knows what it will be by the time we actually step onto the plane.

[BethC1952]

Bumping early this weekend...have to go to a meeting in the morning and won't be back until late!

Beth

[genmasjoy]

Hi, Glad to see more people are joining the thread. DH and I leave next Sat to fly to San Diego for our Panama Canal cruise on Celebrity - we will be back May 1. I am so glad to have the Wonder cruise to look forward to in November, especially after we return. Otherwise, it would be just too much of a letdown.

[BethC1952]

Enjoy the Panama Canal Cruise! Sometime in my life, I'll get to do that! In the meantime, I'm thrilled that I can cruise as often as I do!

Beth

[BethC1952]

It's time to bump this to the top again!

[glindamood]

I responded to a post on the main page and it made me think - I wonder if we will have an "enhanced" rotational dining menu on Thanksgiving or a special one. If it is a specail menu - does that mean we will not have Pirate night? Normal procedure is a night each in the normal rotation and then the special Pirate night. Has anyoen confirmed that we will have Pirate night?

[BethC1952]

I've heard that they add the Thanksgiving goodies to the regular menu in each restaurant. This way, there would just be that many extra choices for dinner! I'm not sure what they'll do about Pirate Night. I wonder (pun semi-intended) if they even considered all of this when they realized they had to change our day at Castaway Cay? It will be interesting to see what happens!

I just wish my countdown would move a little faster! As much as I hate to see summer come to an end, I love the month of November. This year, I will be out of my office from November 8 - December 12! Between holidays, an out-of-town convention (in Atlantic City) and vacation, I will be out of my office for almost six weeks!

Beth

[BethC1952]

This week's bump!

Beth

[thegales]

I am sitting here with my DD's thinking about the cruise. They say Hi to everyone. They also are wondering if there are any other DD 9 or 7 going?

David

[BethC1952]

Weekly bump--anybody else?

[ImMarcik]

Hi. I was checking out the new improved website. When I put in my ressie number and birthday it brought up my ressie. It was such a good feeling to see it all there. I saw the itenarary too, but it looks like it's been changed since I booked. It said:
Wed - leave Port
Thursday - Nassau
Friday - Sea Day
Saturday - Castaway Cay
Sunday - return to Port
Sounds good to me. Friday is our anniversary and we are going to do the Palo brunch definitely. But, I wonder, do you think Pirate night will still be the third night? I know our cruise is changed up a bit. I want to make dinner ressies at Palo, well I can't for quite a while, but I wonder when I should. I hear the last night is safe.

[genmasjoy]

I was on the Disney cruise line on Magic in 2000 during Thanksgiving week. They had turkey etc offered as an option in each dining room. The Panama canal cruise was great but I have decided 14 days is a little too long. However, it was well worth doing as a once in a lifetime experience.

[BethC1952]

I'm starting to think about Palo myself. We've been on four previous cruises, and still haven't been to Palo. I would actually prefer to make my reservations for Pirate Night, since that just doesn't appeal to me. However, I may just do the brunch on the Thanksgiving Cruise (if they have it), and then do dinner on the first night of our second cruise. We'll already be unpacked, have all of our luggage, etc., so that might work for us!

I'm going to think some more about this (and about paying off the cruise) in a couple of weeks when I get back from my birthday trip to WDW.

Beth

[BethC1952]

Just bumping for the week!

[genmasjoy]

I went to Paolo, it was really nice. Pirate night doesn't appeal to me either but DH is looking forward to it. So, I guess we'll see which night on the dining rotation is Parrot Cay and maybe go that night. Have a great birthday trip to WDW...where are you going to stay? If you are going this month, they have a beautiful outdoor flower show at Epcot, but you probably already know that!

[BethC1952]

Thanks! We're staying at Port Orleans Riverside (our favorite resort). Our real purpose for going to WDW is to go to the Flower & Garden show. Among other htings, one of my hobbies is photography, and I love taking pictures of flowers.

DH doesn't care for the idea of Pirate Night either, so if we can figure out when it is, we'll make our reservations for that night. Of course, we can always wait until the second cruise and do it then--or maybe go to Palo on both cruises!

Once I get back from my trip to WDW I can really start getting excited about the cruise (like I'm not already excited, right? :cool1: )

Beth

[BethC1952]

This week's BUMP!! Live from PO Riverside at WDW!

[ImMarcik]

Happy Birthday Beth C. I hope you are having an awesome time.

:wizard:

[genmasjoy]

Beth, Happy Birthday. I'm celebrating mine on the Disney cruise this year, but have also celebrated several birthdays at WDW.

[BethC1952]

Thanks! My birthday was wonderful, topped off with a great dinner at Les Chefs de France, complete with a window seat for Illuminations! I'll be back home tomorrow, and then I'll start getting into real "cruise planning" mode!

Beth

[slindamood]

Happy belated birthday, Beth. What a great way to celebrate. :cheer2:

I don't know how I have missed this thread - I am part of the 20 with glindamood (my DSIL). This will be my third Disney cruise - the first was also a family reunion over Christmas in 2001. There were 19 of us then and we had a super time. Christmas Day was spent at the beach, and there was a special menu for Christmas Dinner (whole menu was special, not just the traditional fixings added to the meal.) Hope Thanksgiving is similar.

Does anyone know the itinerary for sure? And if we have a Pirate night? If Nassau is Thanksgiving Day, it seems not quite right to have Pirate night that night. I hope that Thanksgiving is at sea or CC. But anywhere on the Magic is fine.

[BethC1952]

Slindamood: I agree with your last sentence, except we'll be on Wonder, not Magic! I don't care when pirate night is, or where we are on Thanksgiving, because I WON'T be at my MIL's house fighting with the rest of the inlaws!

My birthday was great, thanks! Now, I have to settle back in to work so that I can finish everything I need to finish before the cruises!

Beth

[slindamood]

Whoops the Wonder, of course!!! :confused3

Have been on the Magic twice - have to change mindset.

Well, on the Magic would be fine - but anywhere on the Wonder will be GREAT!!!

And I think Grandma is preparing a great Thanksgiving dinner for her family - Wonder style.

[thegales]

Greetings all!

Since Beth didn't bump this week, I will do the honors.

One question I do have. Where do you think the Wonder will go for the day at sea between Nassau and Castaway Cay? It looks like the trip would only take 2-3 hours.

[glindamood]

Hello fellow cruisers! Hope you all had a great Memorial Day weekend. We did - and I am NOT ready to return to the grind but that is what one must do to cruise I guess (this "one" anyway).

thegales - I was on the Wonder in February and the captain found us a nice sunny spot and we just sat there for awhile - it was nice, no land in site and the seas were like glass.

Everyone enjoy the rest of your weekend and hopefully the "speedbump" of going to work tomorrow won't hit us too hard!

[thegales]

hmmm...

not sure if I like the idea of just sitting. There is something about a day at sea, standing forward on deck 9 with the wind blowing, etc. I 'Wonder' if it would get too hot if the ship just sat there.

[BethC1952]

Hi, everybody!

I didn't get a chance to bump this over the weekend. I'm fighting an awful cold which I brought back from my WDW trip, and, unfortunately, right now the cold is winning :rolleyes: .

On one of our cruises, the captain kept us sailing around in the Bahamas between Nassau and Freeport. On our cruise last December, there was awful weather between us and the port on the last day (our day at sea on that cruise), so the captain found a nice spot on the leeward side of Grand Bahama island and we drifted around there for a while. There was a nice breeze, and the weather wasn't too bad. I imagine they'll just reverse the usual process and sail around on that in between day, and then head toward Castaway Cay.

Well, everyone, have a good trip back to work tomorrow. If I don't feel any better, I may take a sick day, but I have so much to do in the office that I'll pay for it later on in the week! Plus, I'm taking next Monday off because my granddaughter is graduating from pre-school. We're not supposed to know any details about the graduation, but one of the teachers at the school is also a client of my office, and she told me that Shannan will be singing a solo. I hope she gets her vocal talents from her mom's side of the family, because if she has my singing voice, the audience will run screaming from the auditorium!

Beth

[genmasjoy]

Hope you feel better, Beth.

Last weekend I went to Ft Myers Beach and saw a former neighbor and her ten year old son. They are going on the 4 night Wonder Cruise in July, and were excited that I could tell them about it. I said they'll love it, and suggested they check out the Pirate Museum in Nassau, which would be great for a ten year old boy. Just tellling them about it got me excited to think about my own upcoming cruise.

[BethC1952]

genmasjoy:

Thanks! I'm back to my regular old self again!

Sorry for the delay in bumping this for the weekend--there's work being done on the building we live in, and it hasn't gone very well. They're replacing the roof, and for some reason they had the entire roof open on Friday, while it poured rain all day. My apartment and my daughter-in-law's apartment (we live next door to each other) have some water damage. Mine is minor, and limited to my kitchen. Hers affects her bedroom, my granddaughter's bedroom, and their dining room. All the walls and ceilings will have to be replaced. So, we've spent a lot of time this weekend moving stuff around and figuring out what, if anything, needed to be thrown out. Fortunately, no personal belongings have been badly damaged, and their place is still habitable, if a bit damp. The landlord has promised to repair everything ASAP.

Of course, tomorrow my inlaws are coming to visit, for a graduation party for Shannan (my granddaughter). She graduates from pre-school in the morning!

Beth

[BethC1952]

I'm bumping this early this weekend...the construction is still going on, and while we now have a roof over our heads, we now have no cable or satellite connections--same contractor "accidentally" cut the wires after he found out that the landlord will be filing claims against his insurance. We've been promised that things will be repaired by late today, but somehow I just don't believe it!

I really need this cruise!

Beth

[genmasjoy]

Wow Beth, what a hassle with the workmen! Sorry you still have a long wait for the cruise, it sounds like you could use it now! However, Florida has been really wet and soggy for the last two weeks, so it's not the best time to be cruising. When we went in 2002 we also went in November and it was perfect.

[ImMarcik]

Just thought I would check in. It's been a while since I have. My father passed away a few weeks ago after a 3 week I C U stay. It's been pretty rough for me. But, he knew I was going on this trip and he knew how excited we were. He would want me to be happy and excited still, so I am trying. I almost booked this vacation for this summer, but I am so glad I changed it to the fall. By the time it gets here hopefully I will be somewhat back to normal. 5 more months, and I tell ya, I really really need this vacation.

[BethC1952]

ImMarcik: Please accept my condolences on the death of your father. It's good that you know he would want you to go, and it does give you something to look forward to. It's hard at first, but it will get easier.

This is this week's bump. We're still tied up in construction nightmares (daughter-in-law and son now have no use of their bathroom after a major pipe broke in the ceiling during construction and flooded their bathroom with sewage), I still have no satellite TV, although cable modem is functioning again, and still have no electricity in my kitchen ceiling. AND, to top it all off, my husband was attacked by a pit bull on Monday evening on his way home from work. He has a very nasty bite on his arm, and has limited use of his hand right now, but the doctors expect that he will make a complete recovery within a couple of months. I really need a vacation!

Beth

[genmasjoy]

ImMarcik, I am sorry to hear of your father's passing. It must have been difficult for you on father's day. I am glad you will have a few months to recover before your vacation and by then hopefully you will be able to enjoy yourself as he would want you to do.

Beth, the construction nightmare sounds never-ending, and I hope it will be over soon. Our neighbor just finally got her roof replaced, during the last hurricane her original roof ended up in our pool and I was getting really concerned because hurricane season is here again and all she had over her roof was a tarp. It really takes a while to get back to normal.

On a lighter note, one of my friends is taking her kids to WDW in July, staying at the Polynesian. I told her that's great, they'll have fun, but next year, do the cruise! She was really interested and asked me a lot of questions. Talking about it reassures me it is really going to happen.

Hope everyone has a good week.

[BethC1952]

Hi, all!

Things are looking up...only one room leaked badly in the torrential downpour yesterday, the new windows are going in today, my son's bathroom is working again, and my husband has regained almost full use of his hand. We still have no electricity in part of our kitchen, but at least my stove is working again! I think when this is all over, I should write a book. Of course, unless you've lived through it, you wouldn't believe it anyway!

I guess these are the joys of living in a 160 year old house. It used to be a hotel before the turn of the last century. I live in a very historic area that no one knows about. I live one block from the place where President Garfield was brought after he was shot in Washington, and he died in the home he used as his summer White House. My house is at the railroad station, and many of his staff stayed here during his administration. Unfortunately, his house has been gone for many years (I think it burned down), and my house has been remodeled beyond any recognition over the last 100 years or so, although parts of the original structure still exist in the center of the building.

In all, seven US Presidents had their summer homes within walking distance of my house! Not all at the same time, of course ;) !

Beth

[ImMarcik]

Thank you Beth and Genmasjoy for the condolences. Yes, Father's Day was pretty hard. I brought flowers out to his grave and just sat there a while. Actually, in a weird way, I felt a little better after that day. I do have my good and bad moments though. I know in time I will get easier.

Beth I am so glad your DH is getting his hand back to normal and that you can use your stove once again. Sounds like you have been having a crazy summer so far. I know we all need this vacation.

I had friends go to WDW last week, they had checked in the the cruise but decided to just go to the World. She emailed me all kinds of pictures. I am so glad I am doing both. I can't wait!!!!

My DD will be 12 on the cruise, I sure hope she makes friends. Maybe more people will join our little group here, it's getting closer. We are going apply for our passports next week. I got this binder and made a disney picture to put on the front and I am printing all kinds of stuff to do with our trip. I even bought some clear page protectors for our passport applications and stuff so I just have to carry this binder when we go to apply for them. And I got dividers with numbers for the days at WDW.

I bet once school starts again the time will fly. Our trip will be here before we know it.

:Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc

[BethC1952]

The crazy summer is finally starting to settle down (I think). The window guys are here now putting new windows in the front of the house, then the siding people will do the siding and finally the roofers will finish the roof. Landlord promises all of that will be done before Friday of next week. The carpenters are busy working on my son's new apartment, and when that's finished, they will move in there, their old apartment will be remodeled and we will move in there. Landlord promises end of July on that one. I still have my doubts!

Oh well, I have the cruises to look forward to...maybe we'll be all resettled by then!

Beth

[BethC1952]

This week's bump! The roof is on...almost! Construction is moving along, and the landlord estimates that by mid-July my son's new apartment will be finished, and then ours will be done two weeks later. Wouldn't that be nice?

Have a great Independence Day, everyone!

Beth

[genmasjoy]

Hi everyone, and Happy Independence Day. We are staying home this weekend, plan to see the fireworks locally. I have been at WDW on July 4 twice in years past, and it's always really crowded but still fun. Looking forward to the cruise..... :earsgirl:

[ImMarcik]

Happy July 4th everyone! Hope you had a wonderful day. :rockband:

[BethC1952]

Bump

We're one week closer to the cruise!

Beth

[BethC1952]

This week's bump--better late than never!

Beth

[BethC1952]

Hi, everybody!

I hope you're all having a good summer! This is this week's bump.

Beth

[genmasjoy]

Four more months! We're finally getting closer!

[BethC1952]

Hi everyone!

Roof is on, new windows are in, I finally have electricity in my kitchen (after almost seven weeks), but construction on my son's new apartment has been delayed until completion of the outside of the building.

For our trouble and patience the landlord has agreed to give us washer/dryers and dishwashers, so it's not all bad! And because of the water damage, my son's current apartment will have to be gutted when they finally move into the new one, so I was allowed some input into how it will be redesigned.

Maybe by the time the cruise comes I'll have my new apartment (even though the landlord now says the first week of September :confused3 ).

I'll see you all in less than four months!

Beth

[ImMarcik]

Just thought I would give us a bump.

Beth I am glad you have electricity in your kitchen again!

We got our passports in the mail over the weekend!!!!!!
Just 2 more days I am in double digits from when I leave for Disney.

Hope everyone is having a good week!

:goodvibes

[BethC1952]

Sorry I didn't get to bumping this for the week! While we have electricity now, we temporarily lost our home network for some reason...the contractors moved some equipment where our router is located and it took us DAYS to get things back to normal. However, the good news is that the project is done...at least the part that affects us right now! Once my son's new apartment is finished his family will move in, and then our new place will be created in their old space according to the plans I drew up two weeks ago with the architect. By the time we sail, I should be all settled in my new, slightly larger, apartment. I can't wait for my new bathroom. The one I have now is very nice, but it's smaller than the ones on the ship!

Beth

[slindamood]

100 days from tomorrow - we sail! :cool1:

Hope everyone is having a great summer. :sunny: I have not been checking the boards too much, but now, this trip is fast approaching - can't believe it. I look at posts that were 100 days ago and it seems like yesterday. All 20 of us have air tickets, a place to stay the night before, and a way to get to the port. What more could we want? :goodvibes We are good to go.

[genmasjoy]

I'm getting excited, it is almost time to make dinner reservations at Palo, book a shore tour in Nassau, and book a spa treatment. According to the DCL website, if you are a castaway club member, you can book 90 days from date of embarkation, otherwise it is 75 days. So, since I'm a castaway club member, soon I'll be booking.... Also, dh's birthday is Sept 10, so decided to book a quick weekend trip to WDW. We are going to stay at the Contemporary for two nights and see the Cirque du Soleil while we are there. I hadn't really planned a Disney trip in addition to the cruise this year, but couldn't think of a better way to make his birthday special.

[ImMarcik]

I have to wait until 75 days to book my ressies. I plan on being up in the middle of the night to try to get them. Not long now. I did get to book all of my WDW dining ressies this week. I got Cinderella's Castle for breakfast. princess: I am excited about that. This looks like it's going to be such a "Wonder"ful vacation. :wizard: :wizard: :wizard:

[BethC1952]

Sounds like your plans are coming along nicely! I'm paid in full and can make my reservations now (I'm a Castaway Club member, these will be cruises #5 and #6 for us), but we plan to take the Thanksgiving cruise just to relax and do a whole lot of nothing, and the next week we might do a few things.

Our moving plans have changed...in the end, we've decided to stay right where we are. While the new apartment would give me a formal dining room, it would take away my beautiful home office "studio" for my knitting and artwork (the way those rooms are arranged, the dining room wouldn't work because I like to be able to leave my "work in progress" on the desk or table and just close the door). So now I'm all ready to start REALLY planning this trip! I've gotten my vacation time approved, scheduled my major projects so that they will all be completed before I leave, so that when I walk out of my office door on November 10 I won't have to worry about anything until December 12. I do have to work the week of November 14, but that week is our convention in Atlantic City, so I will be spending the week in a hotel room there.

I love seeing my counter in double digits!

Beth

[glindamood]

I got up in the middle of the night yesterday and booked a brunch ressie for Palo - system worked great, which is good because I was only half awake! Then I get the reservation number and I am pumped - at 3:10 in a hotel room by myself. :rotfl: But, I managed to get back to sleep but it took a long time.

Have a good day everyone - TGIF!!! :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc

[genmasjoy]

Hi, I just booked a massage at Castaway Cay and a brunch reservation at Palo, so it's getting closer. We are fortunate that Hurricane Katrina just brushed by us, all we had were some wind and rain from the outer feeder bands.

[BethC1952]

Way back in December, when thegales started this thread:

The Ports of call:
Day 1 Depart Port Canaveral (Wednesday)
Day 2 Castaway Cay (Thursday)
Day 3 Nassau (Friday)
Day 4 Day at Sea (Saturday)
Day 5 Return to Port Canaveral (Sunday)

For those paying attention, you will notice that the Wonder switched the three and four day cruises for this week. And normally the four day has Nassau, CC, day at sea. However, that would put the Magic and Wonder both at CC on Friday, so they reversed the ports of call. I think Thanksgiving at Castaway Cay will be fun.

Anyone else spending Thanksgiving 2005 on Castaway Cay?"

I booked my Palo brunch reservation last night (first time to Palo!) for Friday, Nov. 25, and noticed that the itinerary now lists Nassau for Thanksgiving, then our day at sea, and then Castaway Cay on Saturday. So it appears that none of us will be spending Thanksgiving on Castaway Cay. However, Thanksgiving in Nassau is still better than Thanksgiving at my MIL's house! BTW, I didn't have any trouble getting the date and time (Noon) that I wanted.

I can't believe it's getting so close. It seemed like it would never be time to start booking things!

Beth

[aphoenix]

I just booked our Palo and Shore Excursions, and the site is now reporting an updated Itinerary for us:

Day 1 Depart Port Canaveral (Wednesday)
Day 2 Nassau (Thursday)
Day 3 Day at Sea (Friday)
Day 4 Castaway Cay (Saturday)
Day 5 Return to Port Canaveral (Sunday)

Brunch is only being offered on Friday, which matches up with this schedule. Not sure why they keep juggling it, but....?

[BethC1952]

If they change the itinerary again, do you suppose they will just change the reservation? Since the brunch is only offered on the day at sea, I won't have to change any other plans to accommodate it. On our day in Nassau (whatever day that might be!) I plan to meet friends from home who also own a home in Nassau, and are planning to spend the Thanksgiving holiday there. It would be nice to be able to tell them what day I'll be in town!

Beth

[aphoenix]

Who knows at this point. I'm not planning on anything until we are on the ship and have the navigator in hand.

[ImMarcik]

Friday is my anniversary so I am hoping that is the day for Palo Brunch. I have to wait until 75 days to book though. Hope there are times left. princess:

[glindamood]

Wishing everyone a nice holiday weekend - and lots of prayers for those effected by Katrina, I can not even imagine....

[genmasjoy]

We're going up to WDW this weekend, it is only 2.5 hours from our house, staying at the Contemporary. Haven't stayed there in several years, we are getting a Tower room, so it will be fun. This will have to hold us over till the cruise,,,,

[BethC1952]

Have a great time! I will be spending the weekend (as I did last weekend) knitting an afghan for donation to the hurricane victims. Once I finish my commitment of two afghans, I'll be switching to hats, scarves and mittens for the school system here in town (for kids who either don't have any, or forget to bring them to school on those really cold days that are coming too soon). Then it's on to cushy, thick socks for me!

Beth

[thegales]

Sorry, I have been quiet for a while. We have had a lot of activities going on this summer. School has been in session for a few weeks, and we are slowly getting into our fall schedule.

We booked the Palo Brunch for 11:00 (I think). We didn't do any dinners, since we don't know the rotation. And with such a short cruise, I don't know if there was a night we would want to skip our regular rotation and not eat with the DD's. (first night would like to all be together, Thursday is Thanksgiving, Friday may be Pirate night, and Saturday is the last night).

We have not booked any excursions. We don't know what we are going to do at Nassau. Ironically, our neighbors, who were on the Thanksgiving Wonder last year and gave me the idea to book, are going to Nassau for the Thanksgiving Holiday. We may try to catch up with them there.

I am still trying to figure out where the ship is going to go on Friday. My guess is that it is only a 3 - 4 hour trip from Nassau to Castaway Cay, and we have a whole extra sea day to do it.

[thegales]

With that last post I made, I see we are at the time for all paid-in-full folks to book Palo, Spa, and excursions. Was everyone able to get what they wanted?

[ImMarcik]

Today was the day I could finally make my ressies. I set my alarm for 2 am and got everything I wanted. I booked both brunch & dinner at Palos on Friday, our anniversary. I told my DD if she is uncomfortable eating without us we will cancel. But I am sure by Sea Day she will have lots of friends. I was wanting to see a navigator to see what goes on at 10:30 am on sea day. I wonder if we will be missing anything good. I also booked the Dolphin encounter. My whole family is real Dolphin lovers so this was a must and I am so glad it wasn't booked up. Now I just hope Pirate night doesn't interfere with our Palo Dinner, but I made it for 6 so I should be fine. I am hoping maybe we can see the sunset.

I have been so busy. My DH is in New Orleans working. He works for the electric company so he will be quite busy for a while. I know he will be so ready for this cruise.

I am getting excited. Hope everyone else got the ressies they wanted. :goodvibes

[BethC1952]

I am still trying to figure out where the ship is going to go on Friday. My guess is that it is only a 3 - 4 hour trip from Nassau to Castaway Cay, and we have a whole extra sea day to do it.

I would guess that the ship will do what it usually does on a sea day...sail around in lazy circles, or if the weather's bad (I hope not!) sail around and try to find some sunshine, or at least stay out of the worst of the bad weather.

It's hard to believe that it's this close! We have our Palo brunch reservations for Friday at noon, so it will be more of a lunch for us, and we haven't got any other plans.

We may still decide to go to either Atlantis or Ardastra Gardens while we're in Nassau, but we also have friends who will be there for Thanksgiving and may decide to visit them for the day instead. They have a home somewhere in Nassau, and have offered to meet us at the port and spend the day with us if we don't have any other plans. They'll be there for a couple of weeks, so if we don't see them on the Thanksgiving cruise we'll probably meet up with them the next week on our second cruise.

We'd like to have dinner at Palo at least once, and we really don't mind missing one of the rotation restaurants, and we don't mind missing Pirate Night either, so I may just go ahead and book any time I can get. We like to eat late, so I doubt that I'll have too much trouble getting a reservation. It's kind of funny to think about dinner that far in advance. I haven't decided what the family will have for dinner tonight, but I have to think about dinners more than 70 days from now!

Beth

[genmasjoy]

We haven't made any plans for Nassau either, just the massage at the beach for me and Palo for brunch on the sea day. It will be nice to just relax. We had a good time up at Disney World over the weekend, they have some new attractions. Since we were only there Fri to Sun we went to Epcot, MK and Cirque du Soleil.

[BethC1952]

We've decided (at least for the moment ;) ) to do the Historic City Tour and Ardastra Gardens excursion in Nassau. Our tablemates in December did this, and they enjoyed it. They said they got a taste of Nassau without having to spend all day. This way, if we enjoy it, or see something we want to explore further, we can go back again the following week...another advantage to back-to-back cruises!

Beth

[genmasjoy]

Hi Beth, We were thinking of doing the Ardasta gardens tour too, I did it once about 28 years ago on a weekend cruise with my sister. My dh hasn't been there. The highlight is they get a flock of flamingos to march, very entertaining!

[BethC1952]

I've wanted to see the marching flamingos since the first time I saw the old "If You Had Wings". I wasn't able to book it for the Thanksgiving cruise, so I booked it for the week after, but I'm going to try to change it once I'm on board.

Beth

[BethC1952]

Just bumping this up...

I'm officially excited now! I found myself watching the Two Palms webcam on Thursday to see Wonder sail by! In the end, we decided to go to WDW for one night before the cruise (Pop Century) and two nights after (CSR). We were going to skip it this year, but DH said the AP is burning a hole in his pocket and needs to be used again before it has to be renewed!

I got a great rate on a direct flight from Newark (we usually have a stopover in Atlanta which means a great run through that airport), so we're all set.

Of course, I just discovered yesterday that my luggage was destroyed in the earlier "roofless" incidents this summer, so I'll be shopping for new luggage this weekend. I will also be spending the next couple of weeks sewing some new things to wear on the cruise (including a new bathing suit, since I couldn't find any that really looked good this year).

Have a great week!

Beth

[ImMarcik]

Hi. Just checking in. We had to evacuate for Hurricane Rita and we are stuck in a hotel for at least another week. I wasn't sure if I had a house so wasn't sure if I could even still go on vacation. But it looks like our house is okay. We just need a new roof. The trip will really come fast once my life gets back in order. I just thought I needed a new vacation. I think I got 10 new gray hairs wondering if I have a house. Getting close now though. :flower:

[BethC1952]

I'm so glad to hear that things are OK for you (well, at least a lot better than you expected!). You really do need a vacation!

Beth

[genmasjoy]

Hi all, Beth, glad you got a direct flight, we just were in the Newark airport on our way back from San Diego, not my idea of the best routing but it was the only way to get back to WPB. Marcie, I am glad your house can be repaired after Rita. We were hit with two hurricanes last year, Frances and Jeanne, but just had minor damage. This year so far we've been spared.
We had a great time in San Diego visiting our son but I'm really tired. We were on the go sightseeing each day, as he hadn't done anything but work since he got there 6 months ago so he took leave and we all played tourist. Loved the zoo and Old Town, wasn't too crazy about Sea World, my favorite thing was brunch at the Hotel Del Coronado, which is the hotel the Grand Floridian was modeled after. I'm looking forward to the Disney cruise when we will have a chance to really relax.

[ImMarcik]

Gemmasjoy I'm glad you had a nice time in San Diego. I can't believe our vacation is a little over a month away now. I read that some people on the Nov. 5th got their cruise docs already. We just got power back today and I haven't even gone back to work yet. I think about a quarter of all the businesses are open now. I am really stressing, because we have so much to do getting our lives back to normal and I know I will look up and it will be time to go to WDW. I know I will forget something. But, it sure will be nice to get away. My inlaws lost their house. We have been pretty busy helping them. Anyways I just wanted to say hi since I have power again. :cheer2:

[BethC1952]

Marcie:

Congratulations on getting power back. Your inlaws will be in my thoughts and prayers! I've been busy working with a group that's making afghans and shawls for people displaced from senior homes and nursing homes. That seemed like the best contribution I could make.

Yes, it's hard to believe that the vacation is finally almost here! My countdown started at 297 days, and it didn't seem to move at all until about five days before the final payment was due...then the days started rushing!

For some reason, I received the whole cruise planning package (DVD and booklet) that Disney sends out on request. I didn't order one, but it was really exciting to see the DCL logo in my mailbox! Most likely, the next time I see that logo in my box, it will be my cruise docs. And, since I'm going on two cruises, I guess I'll see that logo twice!

I'm finally starting to get things ready. I've bought a few disposable underwater cameras, some extra sunscreen, and a few other little things. I've also decided to make myself a bathing suit, since I couldn't find anything that I liked when I realized that I needed a new one (I'm a bit thinner than I was the last time I used my bathing suit :banana: :banana: :banana: ). I've never made a bathing suit before, but I sew very well, so it's an adventure!

I'd love to start packing the things I know I won't need between now and then, but I'm traveling for business the week before vacation and need the suitcases for that trip.

I'm looking forward to meeting you all once we board!

Beth

[thegales]

Hey there!

We had booked our flights some time ago. We originally had a direct flight both to and from MCO. Delta canceled the mid day non-stop flight, so now we are going through Atlanta on the way down. I travel a lot for business, and I know Atlanta, so I think we will be okay. The important flight is home on Sunday. I don't want to have a connection on the busiest day. If Delta changes the return, we will probably consider driving instead.

We also booked our excursions. We are doing Blue Lagoon at Nassau and the Stingray swim on Castaway Cay. If anyone has any comments about Blue Lagoon, please feel free to share.

[genmasjoy]

You might want to check back with Delta because I read in the paper yesterday that they are reinstating some of the flights they had canceled. We did the Blue Lagoon years ago when it was leased by The Big Red Boat a/k/a Premier cruises. At that time, it was basically a beach and a picnic, you get there by boat. I think different cruise lines use it on different days, it is not a Disney property. If you are looking for time at the beach you will probably enjoy it.

[ImMarcik]

Well, we had plans to drive to florida for our vacation but since my DH has been working so much overtime he told me to look into airline prices. I found us a great deal and bought them!!! I am so excited that we are flying. We had to fly a day early to get a better price so now I get an extra day at WDW.

Beth, that is so nice that you are making those afghans. I know those will really come in handy. :flower: We booked our trip in October last year so we've been counting down for a year now. It's getting so close. I wonder when we will all start receiving our docs.

thegales, we booked the stingray swim on castaway cay too!! Ours is at 11:00.

Things are starting to come back to normal here. My DD went back to school this week and I started working last week. About half of the businesses are open now. The mall won't be open for 6 to 12 months though and I need one more piece of luggage. I will have to make a shopping trip before our vacation. Most everything else I bought in the summer so I am not too worried about it. I do have to pack a little differently now though since we are flying.

I am worried about hurricane Wilma now. After just going through one I know how it will affect people.

Hope everyone is having a good week. :wizard:

[BethC1952]

Marcie:

I'm glad things are getting back to normal for you. I can only begin to imagine what that kind of flooding can do. We had some major flooding here at the Jersey Shore last week, although, for a change, my house stayed dry. We had so much rain that places that have never flooded before were under two feet of water. NOW the city has decided that perhaps some kind of an emergency plan for floods would be a good idea--the business administrator lost his car (city-owned) on a flooded street (that particular area floods on a cloudy day, but for some reason he decided to drive through what he thought was a small puddle which ended up being about eight feet deep) and he had to be rescued by the police. Everyone is now calling him Admiral ;) .
I haven't finished the bathing suit yet, but plan to get it done this weekend. I'm going to try it out when I go to Atlantic City for my business trip.

My DIL is going on her first-ever business trip this week, and has borrowed my luggage, so I had to unpack everything that I already had packed. She's going to upstate New York for three days, and needs to take winter stuff, not summer stuff!

It's time to start thinking about some kind of meet, if anyone's interested! My actual vacation time starts in 29 days (I won't be coming back to my office after I leave Atlantic City) so I'm officially in "less than a month" mode, and ready to do some heavy-duty vacation planning! I realized last week that I had given absolutely no thought to how we would get from the resort to the ship and back! I finally booked the DCL transportation from the Beach Club, since it's much cheaper for two than a limo would be. If anyone is leaving from the Beach Club that day, let me know...you'll recognize us from the picture in my sig...my husband's beard really is THAT red!

[ImMarcik]

Oh Wow! What day will you be at the Beach Club. We are staying there for our land portion of our trip starting on Nov. 20 - 23rd. We booked the transportation from WDW to the port but decided to leave from AK since my DD wants to see the Lion King Show. I've never cruised before so I have no idea how to plan the meet.

[BethC1952]

We'll only be at the Beach Club for the transportation. We're spending one night at Pop Century It was cheaper to fly down the day before, stay at Pop and take DCL transportation than to fly down the day of the cruise, which I wouldn't do anyway!

I think, if we decide to have a meet, that it should be something quick and casual on the first day. It seems that a lot of groups meet at around 3 PM either somewhere on Deck 10 or in the Promenade Lounge. Both places are easy to find, the Deck 10 location is outside, the Promenade Lounge is on Deck 3 slightly aft of the Atrium and Triton's. There's also the "secret" overlook on Deck 7 as a possibility.

If anyone's interested, let me know! We've cruised before, so we won't be spending much time getting to know the ship!

[thegales]

ImMarcik, we will be doing the Stingray Adventure together. We also are booked at 11:00 am.

BethC1952, does the Admiral still have a job? We had the same rain you did, but it only lasted for a couple of days. I work with a few people from New Jersey, and they said it was just unbelievable.

I am still booking our ground transportation. On Sunday, our flight does not leave until 7:00 pm, so we wanted to spend the day at Downtown Disney. Looking at all the options, I reserved a rental car through Budget. We will take their shuttle from the port, pick up the car and drive to Downtown Disney. When it is time to go to the airport, we will drive it and return it there. I thought about hiring a car, but couldn't figure out what to do with the luggage. I think this will be the easiest.

I haven't booked transportation yet from the Airport to the Radisson on Tuesday yet. On our last cruise, I surprised family with a limo. The DD's are expecting the same this trip. :earboy2: I need to look at prices and figure out if we want to do it or not. Since we won't have as much luggage as our last trip (4 day v. 7 day), I am not concerned about it all fitting in the trunk of a Town Car. I suppose I could look at Budget again for the this part of the trip. There is just something about starting the vacation in a limo that just sets the right tone. :)

We are definitely up for a dis meet. Our goal is to get on the ship as early as possible, so we are good for a before or after Drill meet.

[BethC1952]

The Admiral still has a job...says he didn't realize the tide had come in (under a railroad underpass) so early :rolleyes: At the time his car floated, there were three others already floating in there! He tried to say he wasn't under the tracks, but I live across the street and saw the whole thing. I've never seen rain like that in my life. Long Branch is surrounded by water on three sides (one ocean, one lake, one river), and it appeared at some times like all those water sources would meet up. We also have a couple of underground rivers. Now I see that the currently projected path of Wilma will bring us even more rain!

We should arrive at the Port (along with all the other people coming from the resorts) and be on board by 1 PM. By the time we eat (can't miss that first buffet ;) and drop our day bag in our room, we should be ready by 3, although that may cut it close for some folks. We could tentatively set 3:15 PM, Deck 10, all the way aft (outside the windows at Palo). There are relatively few people there at that time, we can all say hello and go and get ready for the safety drill, and you get a nice view of the Space Center from there while you're waiting!

What does everyone else think?

[ImMarcik]

thegales, small world that we booked this excursion for the same time. We are also doing the dolphin encounter so I think we may be on the same ferry as you to blue lagoon from what I've read.

Beth. That sounds good for a meet. I will be the one that's lost. This is my first ever cruise. I might look into posting pictures of my family tonight. Although, it may have to wait until tomorrow. Today is my DD's 12th bday and her and I have a date to watch the Astros! If they win this game they are in the World Series for the first time ever.

I am getting really excited about our trip. Since our malls are closed for 6 months plus I looked online for some luggage today and found a great deal so I think I might order it today. That will be one less thing I have to worry about. We already have one nice piece but with 3 of us for 10 days I think we will need more.

[BethC1952]

We already have one nice piece but with 3 of us for 10 days I think we will need more.
I would think so! I just got off the phone with my DIL, and she just told me that I need a new suitcase...she's taking it on her trip, and she says the bottom just about fell out. Oh well, I guess I have a bit more shopping to do!

Good luck to the Astros! I'm a Yankee fan, but I don't have to worry about them anymore this season!

You can't possibly get lost finding Deck 10 aft...if you go any further, you'll fall over the edge. Jim and I will be easy to find, we look just like the picture, and I have a nice laminated "BethC1952" Mickey head name tag that I made last year. Jim won't wear one, but he did agree to green ribbons on our last couple of trips.

[thegales]

Deck 10, aft at 3:15 sounds good. We also are expecting to board early (we have the 10:00 am shuttle from the Radisson). We will eat, then go to the pools. We may also try to find some time for the DD's to explore the ship.

I wouldn't mind coming up with an alternative plan just in case. On our first cruise, some dis folks missed the first meeting. Because we didn't have an alternative plan, we never did meet them. I may also try to prepare a list for all of us.



New question - do we know what night Pirate night pirate: pirate: pirate: pirate: is? I am guessing it is Friday (our day at sea), but I don't know if we have heard for certain.

[ImMarcik]

I am looking forward to pirate night but I have no idea when I think it is. I am so confused. We made our Palo ressies for Friday night at 6 since it's our anniversary. But, that won't interfere with the fireworks and stuff later. pirate:

[BethC1952]

I think an alternative plan is a good idea. I haven't had any luck with pre-planned meets on my cruises! We can also post a list of our room numbers. If we completely miss meets, a few phone calls could round us up! Even if someone gets a surprise upgrade at the port, we would still have most of the room numbers and be able to figure things out.

[BethC1952]

And so, my fellow cruisers, after I posted the previous message I heard a strange noise in my hallway, and walked in there just in time to see...my cat delivering a kitten! Yes, I knew she was pregnant, I just didn't realize exactly HOW pregnant! She had some difficulties, but mom and baby are busy "bonding" right now. The mom still has two more kittens to deliver (I think), so it looks like I'm in for a long night!

[thegales]

I am looking forward to pirate night but I have no idea when I think it is. I am so confused. We made our Palo ressies for Friday night at 6 since it's our anniversary. But, that won't interfere with the fireworks and stuff later. pirate:


:rolleyes1 :rolleyes1

Oh, you meant the fireworks from Pirate night.

[ImMarcik]

Beth - Okay I have no plans on going over the edge of the ship so I'm sure I will find you :rotfl: That is so sweet about your cat. Did she have her other kitties okay? We have a 3 1/2 month old already very spoiled kitty, Charlotte, one that turns 2 next month, Mitsi & an 18 year old cat, Blackie. Poor thing he really is getting very old.

thegales - Now that made me laugh, I didn't realize how that would come out when I wrote it. But, yes I was talking about pirate night :rotfl:

[BethC1952]

Marcie:

I'm glad you're not planning on going over the edge (at least that early in the cruise)!

A quick update on the kitten situation...

By 9:30 last night, Marie (named, of course, after the kitten in The Aristocats) presented us with three very lively kittens. Two are grey striped and the third is orange. It was a bit of a learning experience for my granddaughter (age 5) and me, since Marie had a bit of trouble delivering the first one and we had to assist and cut the cord. After that, she was fine, and by this morning she and her new family settled into a rather hastily prepared box in my bathroom. My other cat, a beautiful black female named "Gizmo" has adopted the family, keeping the babies warm so that Marie can go to the kitchen for food and water, and to the litterbox. Once they start moving around a bit, I'll take some pictures and post them somewhere. I don't want to disturb them too much just yet, although Marie did let me pick each kitten up to make sure it was OK.

[ImMarcik]

Congratulations to the new kitty family. I would love to see pics. Are they tabbys? Our baby kitty and our old one are both solid black, Mitsi is a beautiful classic tabby.

[BethC1952]

The mom is part tabby and part calico (she has orange and white spots and grey and black stripes). We're not quite sure who the father is, but there are only two choices--one is my son's tabby and the other is my neighbor's orange cat. Two kittens are tabbies and one is orange, so I guess we'll never know!

As for the meet on the ship--Jim is already teasing me about meeting my "imaginary friends". He thinks it's the funniest thing! But he says he'll be there, even wearing his lime green ribbons. Maybe I can get him to wear a Mickey head, too.

[ImMarcik]

Okay I know some of you have cruised before. I have a question. Do you think there is time to go to the rainforest after the 8:30 show on the first night? I think I saw the spa closes at 10 pm.

[BethC1952]

In four cruises, I have never set foot in the spa, and I'm not sure of the closing time. The shows run for about an hour, so that would get you out at 9:30. By the time you got to the spa and to the Rainforest Room, it would be closing time (assuming, of course, that the spa closes at 10).

I'm hoping to try the Rainforest Room myself this time...I think I deserve it, especially after the day I'm having today!

[ImMarcik]

:grouphug: I'm sorry your having one of those days! I was thinking I deserve it too for the year I've had. Between a co-worker passing away, then losing my Dad, then hurricane Katrina which my DH had to leave for and work, then we had hurricane Rita's eye right through our town. But, at least all of that didn't happen at the same time, just throughout the year.
I wanted to get the whole cruise pass, but, if I don't make it there the first day I think I will just buy the daily pass. I won't be doing any massages are anything but scented showers and a warm lounger sounds awfully nice to me. :flower:

[genmasjoy]

I'd enjoy meeting everyone, deck 10 at 3:15 on sailing day will be fine. We are going to drive up from West Palm Beach in the morning, and plan to arrive about noon. At the moment I am a little distracted by the prospect of hurricane Wilma which might be on its way here but no one seems to know for sure. Anyway, glad to have the cruise to look forward to and it will be fun to say hello.
Beth, congrats on the new kitties. Do you have a cat sitter lined up for when you are away? I pay one of the secretaries at work to come to my house and take care of Midnight, he is a black fifteen year old cat that adopted us when my son was little. Of course I only agreed to take the cat in because my son said he would look after him. I'm sure you can predict what happened - our son is in San Diego in the navy and we're left with the cat! But of course, he's a family member and we love him.

[BethC1952]

My son and his family (who live next door to us) will take care of the kittens, their mother and their "aunt". The "aunt" cat, who takes care of the kittens when the mother is feeding or otherwise occupied is one of those "I'll take care of it, mom" cats--son asked us to watch her while they moved four years ago. She's part of our family now.

We also had another "can you watch her while we move" cat. The owner never returned, and the cat finally died of old age at the age of 22!

Genmasjoy...good luck with Wilma. The last projected track that I saw had the storm coming up the Atlantic coast after the weekend, but I can't remember how it was getting here. It's raining today, it rained yesterday, it's supposed to rain tomorrow, and the town is still cleaning up the mess from last week's floods. I can't imagine what it would be like to live in the real "hurricane belt", especially these past two seasons. Good luck!

Jim says as long as our meet doesn't impact on his consumption of food, he'll be glad to join us. I assured him that lunch would be over by then!

See you all one month from tomorrow!

[ImMarcik]

I just found out that the Blue Lagoon Beach and the dolphin excursion are cancelled as of around Nov. 12th. I called DCL and they said yes it's true. Now I'm trying to figure out what we will do that day. We are thinking about Atlantis.

[BethC1952]

We're thinking about Atlantis for that day, too, although not an official excursion. It seems easy enough to either take the harbor taxi or a regular old street taxi and go there. I'm not intimidated by traveling in strange cities. I once went to San Juan, PR by myself for two days before the rest of my friends arrived, and managed fairly well, even though I don't speak any Spanish, so how bad can it be, right?

I'm spending the week before the cruise in Atlantic City on business (it's a tough job, but someone's got to do it ;) ), so I don't want to commit to anything just in case I'm in "casino overload" by then, which will mean that I've lost my $20 that I allow myself for gambling for the week and have nothing left to lose in the Bahamas!

It's hard to believe that the counter is FINALLY at 30 days. When it was over 250 days I thought my vacation would never come! Now it's less than 3 weeks in the office for me (and two holidays during that time) and the time is rushing by too quickly--I have so many reports and projects that have to be completed before I can leave!

[thegales]

I just found out that the Blue Lagoon Beach and the dolphin excursion are cancelled as of around Nov. 12th. I called DCL and they said yes it's true. Now I'm trying to figure out what we will do that day. We are thinking about Atlantis.

Darn. I wonder if they will have anything to replace it. I thought I finally had everything figured out. Time to start thinking again.


The good news: One month from today!!!!!!!!

[ImMarcik]

Darn. I wonder if they will have anything to replace it. I thought I finally had everything figured out. Time to start thinking again.


The good news: One month from today!!!!!!!!

I know, I've been stressing over this all day and driving my DH crazy. I tried to book a night at Atlantis but they are all booked up. It is kind of late trying to get new reservations I'm sure. I am also debating going on the website and cancelling the dolphin excursion. Did you cancel yours? Now we are just kind of thinking of going to the pirate musuem and taking more time on the ship.

[ImMarcik]

Marcie - I am not sure if you read this yet but:

Quote:
Originally Posted by George_Banks
A couple of updates. CC was apparantly hit fairly hard by the hurricane. The netting is down on the family beach so the "swim" part of the family beach is closed. The adult beach is now open to all people. Not ideal for DW and I, but I suppose they had to do something. There are also a few shore excursions that were damaged. Firstly, the stingrays are no-more. The netting came down and all the stingrays have escaped. This is no joke. DW and I were very upset about this but the stingrays are gone. Our money has already been refunded so this is definitely real. There were a few other boats that were damaged as well. I know banana boats and parasailing are in operation still, however some boat tours were damaged.


This came from the thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread...87#post10374887
__________________

Well someone just sent me this. I had the stingray excursion booked. Back to square one on both of my port days.

Also, my father in law is in the hospital. They had to call 911 early this morning. After the hurricane he had climbed on his roof and fell through. They think he has a blood clot. Well the last pain med they gave him a few days ago, they now think he had a reaction to. Everything is a mess. I don't know what's going to happen.

[thegales]

Marcie, so sorry to hear about your dad. Hope he is doing okay.

Regarding excursions... I am hoping the sting rays will be back by the time we get there. This is getting depressing.

I looked our reservation at DCL, and it still has Blue Lagoon. I tried to see if there were any other excursions available at Nassau, and I didn't see any. I don't know if the web site is smart, and doesn't show excursions if we already have one booked.

Arg! :mad: :mad:

[ImMarcik]

Yes, you got it right. The website is smart. I called DCL back again and asked them why I was still reserved for the dolpin thing if they were cancelling it and should I cancel it to see what else was available. They told me to cancel it because I was cancelled anyway. Once I cancelled it I saw everything that was available. I really still don't know what to do. We looked into booking the dolphin encounter direct. We've also talked about the pirate musuem. For CC I am going to keep it booked and hope the stringrays find their way home before we get there. Since we probably are not doing the dolphins we've been talking about getting a limo to the airport with the extra money. I did get a spot at 1:30 direct with the dolphin thing but my DH is a little leery about doing an excursion that's not through disney, so I don't know if I will book it. Any thoughts???

[thegales]

I would think booking it on your own would be okay. I have seen enough positive comments about it.

Since we were only going to be doing the beach party, we will probably look for something else to do.

I was just looking at other excursions on the web site, and Disney is still showing Blue Lagoon as a choice. I just called to get confirmation, and she was very certain that it had been cancelled. But she did not have any reasons why. So we will cancel and try to book something else. The good news is that she had no information on the Sting Rays at Castaway Cay. It could be they are expecting that to come back.

[thegales]

Well, I booked Blackbeard's Cay Stingray & Beach Adventure. I'll do some more research to get some other comments.

Forgive me for a moment, but...

I WANT TO SEE A STING RAY!!!!!

Let me explain. We had booked a Western cruise last October and were really looking forward to going to Grand Cayman and doing Capt. Marvin's Stingray City. The Hurricanes wiped out Grand Cayman, so we went to Costa Maya instead. (by the way, we had a great time at Costa Maya, but we didn't see any Stingrays).

So, I book the Castaway Cay Sting Ray adventure since we missed it at Grand Cayman. I start getting excited. And now that may be cancelled.

So, let's see what happens with Blackbeards. pirate:

Okay, I am better now. Sorry for that. :sunny:

[ImMarcik]

Well, I booked Blackbeard's Cay Stingray & Beach Adventure. I'll do some more research to get some other comments.

Forgive me for a moment, but...

I WANT TO SEE A STING RAY!!!!!

Let me explain. We had booked a Western cruise last October and were really looking forward to going to Grand Cayman and doing Capt. Marvin's Stingray City. The Hurricanes wiped out Grand Cayman, so we went to Costa Maya instead. (by the way, we had a great time at Costa Maya, but we didn't see any Stingrays).

So, I book the Castaway Cay Sting Ray adventure since we missed it at Grand Cayman. I start getting excited. And now that may be cancelled.

So, let's see what happens with Blackbeards. pirate:

Okay, I am better now. Sorry for that. :sunny:

Well let's hope you get to see them this time. I thought of blackbeards too now that CC may be out. I did get to see stingrays about 6 years ago when I was snorkeling on my own. They are neat. I know I am runnin gout of time, but I still can't make up my mind. I have until Nov 13th to pay for the dolphin encounter if we do that.

[BethC1952]

We saw sting rays at the adult beach at CC last year. We were the last people there as the tide was going out. There was an adult and a baby, and they were swimming around our feet in about two feet of water. It was awesome. Jim and I had the feeling that the sting rays were checking US out! It was a great ending to what had been a perfect day at CC.

[genmasjoy]

Guess what! Our cruise documents arrived today! After the past week with the hurricane going right over our house and having no power for several days plus trying to track down repairmen, I was definitely ready for something nice to happen, and what could be better than the Fedex guy ringing the doorbell, tickets in hand!
I wouldn't stress about Nassau too much, there are always plenty of cabs and water taxis right at the pier if you want to go over to Atlantis. Bay Street, where the shops are, is within walking distance. We took our son to the Pirate Museum when he was younger (it's also within walking distance) and he loved it.

[thegales]

woot woot genmasjoy. Hopefully we will all receive them this week.

[BethC1952]

Wow! I actually didn't realize how close the cruise is getting!

We're thinking about going to Atlantis (either regular taxi or water taxi, but no excursion) while in Nassau. We also have to go to the Del Sol store--my DGD (age 5) has given me a list of things that "it would be so nice if you brought back from your trip for me since you're going without me." She wants some barrettes, a tee shirt and a tote bag for her stuffed animals, and maybe some of that "cool color changing nail polish" to use her words! So I guess we won't stay on board in Nassau!

[ImMarcik]

Guess what!! I didn't get my cruise docs yet but I did find out that they found a dolphin replacement and we now are doing the dolphin encounter again. :flower:

[thegales]

We got our documents today!!!

:cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1:

[BethC1952]

Congratulations! We haven't gotten ours yet, but we did get our Magical Express stuff yesterday!

I'm going shopping tomorrow to buy new shoes for the cruise. I guess I didn't realize that losing 20 pounds would make my feet shrink! I can't figure out why that's about the only place that the weight loss shows :confused3 !

Oh well, three weeks from today, I will be enjoying my first-ever meal at Palo (brunch). It's certainly better than the lunch I will "enjoy" today (McDonald's, which is directly across the street from my office, and our payday treat to ourselves here).

[ImMarcik]

Still haven't gotten my documents. :confused3 Maybe I will attack the UPS guy when I see him at work today. Hahaha just kidding. I want my docs! :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc

We are leaving for WDW in 2 weeks from today. I'm going shopping this weekend to get my DD some shoes. Beth your foot is shrinking and hers is a growing. LOL. Really I think her foot is finally coming to a stop. Phew.

I read yesterday that some of the stingrays are back and they are going to do a mini stingray excursion today at CC. I went from excursions to no excursions to excursions. Gotta love those hurricanes.

:wave:

[glindamood]

No documents here in Michigan yet. Once you get those documents in your hands - it really makes it so real.

[BethC1952]

It's funny--I'm at that point now that when my mind wanders, I'm picturing things on the ship--but not the things you'd think of! I can see, as clearly as if I'm standing there, the lovely ladies' room on Deck 3 (I think) where I helped my DGD get her Sleeping Beauty outfit straightened out so she could get her picture taken with Princess Aurora. I can picture the mid-ship stairwell between Decks 3 and 4, the stairs down from Deck 10 to the adult pool, the hallway outside my room on Deck 6 (from two cruises ago). :confused3 You'd think I would imagine the pool, the food, even Castaway Cay or something, but no, I think about things like hallways, stairways and bathrooms!

BTW, unless we decide to do something else, I will be waiting at the aft end of Deck 10 at 3:15 PM on embarkation day. I can't wait to meet all of you!

[ImMarcik]

We got our documents today. :cheer2: :cheer2: :jumping1:

[BethC1952]

Still no documents here, but DH suggested that our TA may be holding them until she gets the documents for our second cruise, too, and then send us both at once. I had completely forgotten that I should be getting TWO sets of docs!

Oh, well, I know they'll be here sooner or later. I've actually gotten them as late as the day before I left home (Dec. 2003).

[genmasjoy]

The roofer came yesterday and repaired the hurricane damage. We've cleaned up the yard, washed down the house, etc, and are ready to have some fun. This cruise couldn't come at a better time.....see you all Nov. 23.

[ImMarcik]

Wow, that's great. Our insurance adjuster isn't even coming until next friday and Rita was Sept 24th. One day we will get a new roof. :flower:

[slindamood]

Our TA emailed about 6 PM Friday to say the documents had arrived!! :cool1: She will get them out this coming week, so only a few more days. :cheer2:

Can't believe it is only two weeks and a few days. I am so ready to go in my mind, but so not ready in reality - all the early planning, and now, it is for real, and real clothes need to go in that suitcase. What to pack? :confused3

See you all soon. :wave2:

[BethC1952]

I finally had to make two separate packing lists. I need to pack for my trip to Atlantic City next week--business suits, dress shoes, and all the "professional stuff" (and my bathing suit--the Tropicana has a great pool!). I had some stuff in my suitcase, but realized that I probably won't need shorts and tee shirts here in New Jersey in November (although that's what I wore today). Most of my time in Atlantic City will be tied up with work, but I want to have enough casino time to win some money for my cruise. I usually do win a little (never more than $100), so I'm hoping to keep up the winning streak!

I have so much to do at work, and only three more days in the office until the cruise! We have two holidays this week, next week I'll be in AC all week, and then...it's time! Two weeks from tomorrow I will be flying to Orlando. Actually, we leave home at 12:20 on the morning of 11/22 heading for Newark Airport!

[BethC1952]

For anyone who's interested...

My new kittens have finally emerged from their nest (hidden away deep in the corner behind my bed), and have graciously allowed me to have some "camera time" with them. The first photos are posted here. (http://bethckittens.blogspot.com) As yet, we haven't officially determined their genders, although at a quick glance they all appear to be male.

See you all in slightly more than two weeks!

EDIT 11/13/05: The two gray kittens are female (Patches and Dusty) and Ginger (the orange one) is male!

[ImMarcik]

Your kittens are adorable. I showed them to my DD this morning and she wanted to see how old they were, so i went back to where you posted they were born and we realized they were born on my DD's 12 bday. :flower:

[BethC1952]

Tell your DD we wish her a slightly belated happy birthday. The kittens are growing by the minute--you can almost see them getting bigger while you watch. By the time we sail, I will have lots more pictures. You're welcome to watch their progress!

[thegales]

TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY WE WILL BE BOARDING!!!!!!

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

[BethC1952]

I'm ready (well, psychologically, anyway!) Tomorrow was supposed to be my last day in the office until after the cruise, but we have a last-minute emergency which means I will have to work Monday of next week. Then I'm off to Atlantic City for four days (business), to my SIL's house for the weekend for my neice's Sweet 16, then off to Florida! I have to pack and repack so many times in the next week that I'm afraid I'll wear out the zipper on my suitcase! :rotfl:

I haven't received any other suggestions yet for a meet, so I'll be waiting (luscious tropical beverage in hand) all the way aft on Deck 10 on 11/23 at 3:15 PM. Of course, I haven't given any thought to the possibility of rain that day--we don't want to get wet :umbrella: .

[BethC1952]

OK, now I'm REALLY ready! :bounce::bounce::bounce:

I got my documents--I think! My DIL just called and told me she got a package in her mail from DCL! We are next door neighbors, and our husbands have the same name...except of course, hers is "Junior"! Our addresses are the same, except for the apartment number. She didn't open the package, but she figures since she's not going anywhere, it must be mine! I don't know yet whether I've got one set or both of them, but I'll know as soon as I get home. Now I'm ready...I've got my ME stuff, my documents, all I need is for the next two weeks to move along! :bounce:

[BethC1952]

Hmmm, I'm not quite as ready as I thought I was! The documents I received yesterday are for the 11/27 sailing, not the 11/23 sailing. My TA said that they "had to make a few changes" to my docs and they're being run and mailed and I should have them Monday or Tuesday.

[ImMarcik]

Wow! That will be cutting it close.

[BethC1952]

Two years ago, I got my docs at 5 PM on the night before we left (at 5 AM). If my docs don't arrive, I know that I can pick up a set at the port, or download them and fill them out here. I'll be out of town next week until Thursday, so it won't matter whether they come on Monday or Tuesday (or even Wednesday). I can't do anything with them until I return late Thursday night.

[BethC1952]

Single digits everyone! Let me be the first to say (officially)--SEE YOU ALL NEXT WEEK! :banana: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :wave2:

I posted my countdown with 297 days left to go. I thought I'd never get to double digits, and couldn't even imagine single digits!

I'm packing now for my trip to Atlantic City this week, then will repack for my trip to my neice's Sweet 16, then, in only 1/2 day, I will repack for the cruise.

See you all next week!

[ImMarcik]

Beth I hope you have a good trip, or should I say good trips in the next week. I have 3 more days of work after today, we are leaving Friday. :cool1:

I just called the Beach Club to confirm that they offer the AK transport and they said yes. I got to tell the lady "see you this weekend". :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc I'm pretty much packed up now, just a few things left to do, but wait. :hourglass

thegales, did you end up getting a limo to bring you to the port? We ended up getting one to take us to the airport.

[BethC1952]

Marcie: Thanks for the good wishes! I'll be so glad to get on the ship so I don't have to repack again for a few days!

My boss just asked me if I could work Friday and Monday. I told him no--and that was the greatest feeling! He'll just have to wait until I get back!

Have a safe trip, everyone!

I'll be waiting on Deck 10 all the way aft (outside Palo) at 3:15 on embarkation day (even if it's raining--my mom always taught me that rain makes you beautiful).

[BethC1952]

OK, now I've gotten my docs! Strangely, they were mailed directly from DCL rather than from my TA, and I got two printed booklets instead of one. For the second cruise, I got one booklet with both of our names. I also got a second set of ME stuff, only this time, just for my return trip from WDW. The first set I received was for the round trip. All the information is correct, however, so now I can leave for my business trip in the morning and not have to worry about my vacation!

[thegales]

thegales, did you end up getting a limo to bring you to the port? We ended up getting one to take us to the airport.

We changed our flight on Tuesday to be a direct, so we now land at 9:30 am. We think we are going to go to WDW and play a round of miniture golf, and maybe go to Boardwalk or DTD. We will head down to Cape Canaveral late afternoon.

My DD's are a bit disappointed that we are not getting the limo, but I couldn't figure out how to do logistically.

[thegales]

One week from today!!!!!!!!

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

[BethC1952]

I'm ready! It's COLD here this morning! I'm in Atlantic City today, and it's 30 degrees colder than it was at this time yesterday (record high temperatures in the 70's)!

[genmasjoy]

Hi all, I am planning to pack and get ready this weekend because I have to work Monday and Tuesday. I'm looking forward to the cruise and hope to get to say hi on our sail away day. Meanwhile, it looks like Tropical Storm Gamma is heading our way - I just can't believe it - we've had enough already this year. Hoping it goes away....anyway, it is supposed to be here Monday so if that is the case it will be gone by sailing day.
Beth, are you doing any gambling in Atlantic City or is is strictly business?

[BethC1952]

genmasjoy--

It was all strictly business...except for the hours after 5 PM! I really wasn't going to gamble, but I had a pocket full of change, and, at the Tropicana you can't get to the hotel without going through the casino, and all of the quarter slots were empty and...well, let's just say my cruise will be a little bit happier!

It was three tough days (really--I'm not used to standing for eight hours being nice to total strangers and telling them all about how wonderful my city is over and over). My feet still hurt, my back still hurts, my shoulder is sore from shaking hands, but it's also a lot of fun. Plus, of course, I get three days in Atlantic City!

I'm home now, officially on vacation, packing and getting ready to head off to my neice's Sweet 16 party, and then home again to repack everything for the cruise on Monday.

We will be leaving home on the 12:24 AM train on Tuesday morning to Newark Airport (a 50 minute ride, but it's the last train out of town), and then the first flight to Orlando. I'll be at Pop Century long before noon on Tuesday (that is, of course, if Gamma doesn't slow things down), and ready to cruise on Wednesday.

I can't wait to meet everybody in less than a week!

[slindamood]

I can't believe it is almost time to cruise!!

Some of you are already enjoying Florida's warmth. I too work Monday and Tuesday, arrive in MCO at 11:30 Tuesday night and stay at the airport Hyatt (a real treat) then take Disney bus the next AM.

There will be 20 of us cruising together, ranging in age from 18 mos to 84 years. - we have these neat matching t- shirts - blue for boarding day - courtesy glindamood and family. You can't miss us.

It got so cold here mid-week - and each day while waiting to cross the street where I work (and where the winds off the river are the worst in the city) I would say - a week from now I will be on the Wonder.

See you all soon. Happy and safe journeys to all.

Suzanne

[genmasjoy]

Well the latest news is Gamma is not coming this way. We had very nice sunny weather here today and it is predicted to be nice all week - yea! Looking forward to seeing everyone soon.

[BethC1952]

The next time Wonder sails, we'll be aboard! I can't wait! I'm going to do my packing tomorrow, and then we leave at 12:15 AM. I'll see you all in a couple of days!

[thegales]

I just finished our t-shirts and door magnets. We will be sporting bright yellow t-shirts (they didn't have the lime green in my DD7 size). Our names are on the front and The Gales is on the back. If you see us before the official meet at 3:15 pm, please be sure to say hello.

We are on the 10:30 shuttle from the Radisson, so we will be wandering around the terminal all morning.

Also, please be sure to stop by state room 2608 to see my handy work. ;)

[BethC1952]

We won't be arriving at the Port until later, because we're coming on the bus from WDW. No T shirts or door magnets, but you can't miss us. We look just like our picture in my sig. More people have recognized us based on the picture rather than on any lime green tags or ribbons that I took so much time to make! You can't miss Jim's red and gray beard.

Just in case anyone misses our meet (3:15 PM, Deck 10 all the way aft), or there are any lurkers who haven't posted anything on this thread, my room number is 2601. You can always call and and we'll arrange to meet somewhere to say hello!

I was just looking at the weather forecast, and it's not looking too good for our flight down, but we'll be at the airport early, so we should be fine.

See you all Wednesday!

[thegales]

We leave for the airport in 30 minutes. Just read a post by Shirley, and we see that the temperature has dropped. We have grabbed some sweatshirts and hopefully we won't be too cold. Worse case, we stop by Target on the way to the port.

Looking forward to meeting everyone. 3:15 by the outside windows to Palo on Deck 10.

[thegales]

We are at the Radisson. We flew in this morning. Played a round of Miniature Golf at Winter / Summerland. Had a delicious lunch at McDonald's (okay, I lied. make that... Had lunch at McDonald's). We checked in at the hotel. Stopped off at ABC Wine and Spirits for a bottle of wine to take on board (and some drinks for us tonight! ;) ), and I have returned the car to Budget. The girls have gone for a quick swim (brrrrrr). We will grab dinner next door in about 30 minutes. Probably fall asleep early, so we will be ready for the 10:00 am shuttle.

Can't wait until we board!!!!

[ImMarcik]

thegales...I have some pictures of my DD building sandcastles with yours that I will try to post later if you want to see them. How did the pictures come out of me playing Who Wants to Be a Mousketeer? I took soooo many pictures I've spent a good deal of the day going through them to make a scrapbook. My goal is to be done before the next cruise. LOL.

It was great meeting everyone that I got to meet. :flower:

[genmasjoy]

Just wanted to say it was fun to meet you, although I didn't see Marcie. We were so fortunate to have such lovely weather and calm seas. John and I ahd a great time, and I'm sure all of you did as well.

[BethC1952]

Hi, everybody! It was great meeting all of you!

We arrived at Coronado Springs this morning after a fabulous second cruise! It's hard to believe that the whole cruise is over. Before we left home, Jim was starting to talk about planning next year's cruise. Last night, he decided that perhaps we shouldn't cruise in November or December--unless we cruise in April or May first!

I took more than 375 pictures, which I'll start posting when I get home. I decided not to get the High Speed Internet Access here because then I would feel obligated to do some actual work. My boss will just have to wait until Monday when I go back to the office.

I'm going to post a message on the Cruise Line Trip Reports board in a few minutes about my experience in remaining on board between cruises (yes, they did let us stay on board), and a full trip report sometime in the next couple of days.

Our table-mates for our first cruise were very nice people, although not DIS'ers. They were Bill, Renee and "Typhoid Tommy" (name changed there to protect the guilty). One of the souvenirs that I brought home from the cruise is a terrible cold, caught from "Typhoid Tommy". I felt so awful this morning that all I wanted to do was check into the hotel and take a nap! We're getting ready to head out to Downtown Disney as soon as I can get Jim up from that nap. It's really kind of chilly here today, I wish I could head back to the Bahamas one more time!

Beth

[thegales]

thegales...I have some pictures of my DD building sandcastles with yours that I will try to post later if you want to see them. How did the pictures come out of me playing Who Wants to Be a Mousketeer? I took soooo many pictures I've spent a good deal of the day going through them to make a scrapbook. My goal is to be done before the next cruise. LOL.

It was great meeting everyone that I got to meet. :flower:

I am still in recovery mode and am trying to catch up with work. Yes, we would love to share pictures. Two of mine came out somewhat decent of you playing the game. (start humming it's a small world...). My family decided to go to Who Wants to be a Mouseketeer. We were sitting near the front so DD's could get a better view. We never got picked, but once this woman from the back area was picked. Christian (the MC) asked her name and she said Marcie. DW picked up on that (good job DW!) and asked if that was THE Marcie. She said she was from Texas and was hit by Hurricane Rita (ding ding), and I looked to the table she came from and there was a girl who looked to be Marcie's daughter's age (ding ding, we have a winner). So I took some pictures. After she finished playing (AND SHE WON THE GRAND PRIZE!!!), I went over to introduce myself.

I have lots of pictures as well. I will try to get some posted too. Maybe over the Christmas vacation I will do some of that.

[BethC1952]

I'm back at work now, too. I was gone for three weeks and my desk looks more like I was gone for three years! I spent most of last night organizing my pictures, and will start posting them tonight (I hope), along with my trip report!

I hope that anyone who's going to be affected by the snow storm heading up the east coast can stay warm by thinking about planning another cruise!

Beth

[BethC1952]

I just posted the first of my pictures. These are the pictures of Magic at Castaway Cay. You can find them here. (http://bethc1952magicalday.blogspot.com) However, right now the site seems to be down. If it doesn't come back again by the morning, I will repost them elsewhere tomorrow afternoon!

Beth

[BethC1952]

OK, I have an internet connection (at least for a little while), so I started posting my trip report. Of course, the 11/23 trip is first, and the first post in the thread is here.

I've also started posting my pictures. In three nights at WDW and eight nights on Wonder, I took over 300 pictures, which are taking a while to sort and label! You can see the pictures on my website. (http://www.bethc1952.us)

[BethC1952]

Just posted some onboard pictures here. (http://bethc1952wonder112005.blogspot.com) Added the Nassau pictures--lots of pictures from Ardastra Gardens and our visit to Fort Fincastle and Atlantis! Go to my website (http://www.bethc1952.us) and scroll down to the bottom of the page for links to pictures from this vacation. I'll post all the new links there as I post more pictures.

I also posted the second part of my trip report here. (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=10878627#post10878627) If I can keep this connection alive, I'll post more in a few minutes. I have to do some laundry now or I'll have to go to work in my pajamas in the morning!

[BethC1952]

Merry Christmas, everybody!

The next installment of my trip report is FINALLY posted! Enjoy! The next installment will be Castaway Cay day!