March 18, 2006 -7 Day Magic Cruise - Is anyone else booked yet?

[GeneralMax]

Just back from the 12/28 cruise and we had such a great time that we rebooked for March 2006. Anyone else out there?

[HookedonMagic]

We're booked on that cruise, as well! :cool1: We are a family of four...myself, DH, DD (16) and DS(3). Glad to see a fellow Diser will be aboard.

[GeneralMax]

Glad to see a fellow DIS cruiser. I will be traveling with my DH , my DD who will be 14 and my DS who will bw 11.

Can I take it from your signature that you have booked a suite for this cruise? We have a big debate raging here - go with a Cat 3 suite or two connecting Cat 6 rooms. My DH does not think the Cat 3 is worth the $2 thousand diffrence.

[HookedonMagic]

Yes! We booked a Cat 3 suite for this cruise. We booked while we were onboard...it was the first week the 2006 dates opened...so with the discount and $200 credit, the price was fairly "reasonable!" :flower: It will be our first time sailing in a suite...it is definately a special splurge for us. If you decide to go with the two Cat 6 rooms, you'll have to come check out the suite. Maybe that will help your husband decide to go for it on your next cruise! :D

[GeneralMax]

So far we are sticking with the two connecting rooms. Well since this is for my birthday - March 18 I guess that just means we will have to buy something nice with the money saved!

We would love to check out the suite. I really enjoyed meeting my DIS friends on the last cruise!

[HookedonMagic]

For $2000, I would stick with the two connecting rooms, as well! And spending the "savings" on YOUR birthday sounds like a GREAT idea to me! :cool1:

Hey, my husband's family is from Morgan, MN...about two hours south of the Twin Cities! We were there last May for his grandmother's 100th birthday celebration. Our daughter, who is 15, loves the Mall of America. So much shopping, so little time!

[GeneralMax]

My 13 year old also loves the Mall of America. You take for granted how big it is when you live 5 minutes away. It was our home away from home getting ready for our last cruise.

I have to admit that I did not grow up here so I do not know where Morgan is. I moved here to take a job and then married a Minnesotan... they never leave!

[tecdavidt]

Hello all, I found the thread Ruth! Stephanie is excited about the cruise but she also knows the cruise is only booked. We did book another cat. 3, it is our old room of 8548. We are on a waitlist for one of the midship's cat. 3s.

I wish we had a DIS meet in our stateroom. I was counting on Mr. Legalbriefs but My Four Kitties told me what you shared with her. Our room was huge and we would of had a lot of room for our meet.

It is hard to believe that Stephanie will be 13 1/2 on this cruise! She will be in the Stack. She got a taste with our friends daughter, Haley. I don't know if they will be able to join us on this cruise since Haley usually goes with her father over Spring Break.

We thought about another line for next New Year's but when we talked to Steph about trying something new for her she wasn't open to the idea. She has been on the Magic 7 times and she feels comfortable on the ship. She knows her was around better than we do.

Now if I could only get rid of this nasty cold I came down with on Jan. 2! I shared it with my husband and daughter now they are doing better than I am. Shsss. Our weather also isn't helping -- ice storms, and snow. I would rather have the snow. No, I'd rather be back in Florida :). Kathy

[GeneralMax]

Hi All

We were just talking about how we wished our next cuise was next month not next year.

Kathy - I am with you. Mr. Legalbriefs was a let down. Next cruise we plan ahead. I really thought he was going to come through...guess not.

Well we picked up a new bad Disney habit last cruise - lanyard pin trading. My kids have always been into pin trading but last trip someone taught them about these special pins that you can only get from cast members. I have been ebaying these pins to get for my sons birthday next week and for valentines day. I am having WAY too much fun. I need to stop. I love the fun of bidding on an auction! We will be the best pinned kids on the next cruise.

Ruth

[HookedonMagic]

My daughter and I did a 3 day Wonder cruise Feb 10...we had a blast and we can't wait for next year's 7 day on the Magic. :cool1:

If you haven't tried it yet, a "must do" excursion on Castaway Cay is the "Eco-tour" on waverunners. It is a SCREAM! :earseek: Much more fun than the title implies.

TECDAVIDT,

We tried RCCL Mariner of the Seas last March largely because we thought our daughter might enjoy something new. WRONG! She much prefers DCL...she, too, likes the familiarity, as well as the quality of service and amenities. Disney just really does it right...even from a teenager's perspective! :cheer2:

Lisa

[GeneralMax]

Lisa-

We keep talking about a short cruise but we have so much fun on the seven day cruise that we think we will be disappointed. Did three days fly by too quickly?

I have also asked if anyone in my crew wants to try a different cruiseline or a different vacation location. You would think I was asking thme to eat worms! I think my kids bleed Disney. :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[HookedonMagic]

I wouldn't recommend a three day to anyone who doesn't live here. It does fly by quickly and there is no time to just unwind and relax. We had a great time but we came home exhausted!!!! :flower: I can't imagine how tired we'd be if we had to fly down and back, too. :earseek:

[HookedonMagic]

Hey guys! Just one more year and it will be our turn on the Magic! :jumping1:

[Surfergirl]

Hi all. We will also be on this cruise. It is our 4th Disney cruise. It will be myself, DH, DD 14 and DD 12.Less than a year to go :hourglass

[GeneralMax]

Welcome Surfergirl -

My DD is 13 (she will be 14 by the time we cruise). She will be very happy to hear that there will be more girls her age going. She swears that there were no kids her age last year. I think it was harder with our last cruise because they put the 13 year olds in Stacks with the teenagers. I heard that they are going to have a 13-14 prgram next year. That makes so much more sense to me.

[Surfergirl]

GeneralMax. my daughter is also 13 now but will be 14 when we cruise. She also did not like the Stack last Oct. beacause of the age group. I hope they do have a specific 13-14 group since she would like that alot better.
Jane

[GeneralMax]

Jane-

If Disney doesn't come with something for the 13-14 age group by next year we should get the kids to start corresponding with the others in that age group in advance and hopefully they can all hang out together. Tecdavidt has a 13 year old daughter too.

[Surfergirl]

Sounds like a plan.
Anyone know how to get rid of all the "junk" at the bottom of my post?

[GeneralMax]

Anyone know how to get rid of all the "junk" at the bottom of my post?

Looks like you did it!

We just booked a last minute trip to WDW the first week in May. I have a business trip at the Disney Yacht Club! :cool1:

My husband kids are coming for a long weekend. The only bummer is that they will be park hopping while I am working. We haven't been to WDW in about 5 years. Any ideas for "must see's"

Ruth

[HookedonMagic]

We cruised when my daughter was 11. She had cruised the year before and did not enjoy the Clubs so we brought her 11 year old cousin along. Both girls emailed with other DIS kids before the cruise and met up with them at Scoops on the first afternoon. Four of them hung out the entire week and my daughter still emails almost every week with the cruise group. It worked really well for us! :flower: Our daughter will be 16 on this trip...hopefully someone with girls her age joins our group before we sail!

General Max--Have you stayed at the Yacht Club? It is a great resort. I just love the location...great restaurants and easy access to both MGM and Epcot. We just spent Easter weekend at the Polynesian. Our two year old son is in love with the monorail. He cried when we came home!

Anyway..."must sees" would include two new rides at Epcot...Soarin' and Mission to Mars. Very cool. At the Magic Kingdom...the new Wishes fireworks display and Mickey's Philharmagic (cute 3D show.) Also, Small World will be reopened after a one year overhaul. At MGM...Millionare is fun to play and their Tribute to Walt show is interesting. Also, they are opening a Stunt Spectacular next month. Haven't seen that yet, but it is getting good reviews. And at Animal Kingdom...can't think of anything new...Mt Everest ride doesn't open until next year. Have a GREAT trip! :earsgirl:

[Phrebert]

Phrebert here and We are SERIOUSLY thinking about this cruise We did the 7 day Western 2 years ago and are hooked. We'll keep yous posted.

[GeneralMax]

Hi all-

It's been a while since I checked in. We have been crazy busy in our household and now spring sports are starting in a week. Yes I know it is mid April but this is Minnesota and we still have snow in March!

My kids are counting down the days to our WDW vacation. I am counting down the days to our next cruise... I have to work while they are touring WDW with my DH. My kids have become pin trading junkies so I am stocking up on inexpensive pins on e-bay for them to trade at the parks. By the time we get on the ship next March we may exceed our weight limit in ins alone.

Phrebert - we are a fun group nd we would love to have you join us!

Ruth

[LegalBriefs]

Hey all, I just wanted to say, in my defense, that I gave EVERYONE my room # and suggested that everyone call so we could set something up... PLUS, I arrived at the terminal and waited up from where I said I would be, wearing the outfit I said I would wear and NO ONE came up to me at all... My friend and his girlfriend who were sharing the suite with us made such a mess I was actually embarassed and he would not cooperate to clean up the place... I did not want you all to think the big mess was mine... and, i was affraid he'd be rude... he kept saying "i don't want a bunch of people in our room that we don't know" So... I apologize for not having the get-together, I am not usually such a flake....

Ron

Hi All

We were just talking about how we wished our next cuise was next month not next year.

Kathy - I am with you. Mr. Legalbriefs was a let down. Next cruise we plan ahead. I really thought he was going to come through...guess not.

Well we picked up a new bad Disney habit last cruise - lanyard pin trading. My kids have always been into pin trading but last trip someone taught them about these special pins that you can only get from cast members. I have been ebaying these pins to get for my sons birthday next week and for valentines day. I am having WAY too much fun. I need to stop. I love the fun of bidding on an auction! We will be the best pinned kids on the next cruise.

Ruth

[lisamacd]

Hi to All -

We booked this cruise while we were on the Western cruise this past March. We figured we would try the Eastern itinerary this time. My DD (12) at the time was very disappointed in the kids programs. She was very bored. I hope that they come up with a 13-14 year old program for next year since she will be 13. My DSs (who will be 11 & 9) were only moderately happy with the programs as well. With that being said, they still had a great time and really wanted to cruise again.

Lisa

[HookedonMagic]

Hello Cruise Group!

Just thought I'd check in to see how everyone is doing. March seems so distant now...but before you know it, we'll have our turn on the Magic! :cool1:

Sounds like DCL is doing some nice upgrades to the Magic during dry dock in October! :earsboy: I'm looking forward to movies on deck, as well as the expanded spa! Also, the new "Swim with Stingrays" on Castaway Cay sounds great...we've been to Cayman 3 times and still haven't been able to swim with those darn stingrays. :teeth:

Also, I thought I'd volunteer to organize a DIS group meeting, if there is any interest. We've had great luck in meeting nice people through DIS meets in the past...I figure it is my turn to organize the party!

Anyway, happy summer! I look forward to getting better acquainted soon! :banana:

Lisa

[GeneralMax]

Hi all! We are still here just not very hooked up to the net these days.

I have just picked up a new hobby- scrapbooking. My friends from work all went on a weekend scrapbooking retreat. One of the ladies was scapping her last Disney cruise and I realized how long it had been since I checked these boards.
It was so much fun to trade cruise stories and see her pictures. I am more excited than ever for our next cruise!

Ruth

[GeneralMax]

BUMP :cool1:

[Surfergirl]

Hi everyone, Happy Independance day :wave2: Still on the countdown :hourglass .Well Our DD14 will not be coming on the cruise since she is going to go to England with her best friends family. So it will just be myself, DH and DD12
Jane

[Bama4Disney]

Hi All:

We are booked on the cruise as it will be our spring break. My wife is a teacher and we have to work around her schedule. This will be our 3rd cruise. Our kids will be 5 and 2 1/2. (2 boys) We are looking forward to it and this will be our 2nd Eastern. We went back and forth debating if we should take the kids to DW or the on the DC again and we opted for the cruise. We may go to the Magic Kingdom the day we get off and spend the day there and drive home Sunday.

We just thought that the 2 1/2 year old was a little young for the rides and he did great on our cruise this past February. Can't wait!. Hope to meet you all there.

Kevin ::MickeyMo

[GeneralMax]

Is anyone still out there? Its getting close!

[Surfergirl]

We are :flower: All payed up and waiting to book excursions on Sunday. :cool1:

[GeneralMax]

We are paid up and ready to go too. Anyone else out there?

[PHILinAK]

Three of us from Anchorage, Alaska are raring to go... first time on DCL, and pretty new to the DisBoard. Here's another vote for a 13-14 year old group. Our DS will be 13.5 when we cruise. I had noticed on other trip reports that some of the younger teens hadn't necessarily had a great time. As my son would say .. that's all messed up.

- Phil :cool1:

[Bama4Disney]

We are paid up and ready to go. Made our Palo reservation on Sunday Morning along with the Nursery and Oceeners club. Book one excursion and made a spa date for my wife today!.

Can't wait. 3 months seems like such a long time. We had friends over last night and they are going for the first time on Feb 28th.. Showed them the travel channel disney cruise show so they could see what it is all about. They are very excited also.

Hope to meet you all onboard!

[cinderlexa's mom]

My DH (36) and I (30) are taking our kids (DD 8 & DS 10 mos.) on their first cruise! It's our whole family's first DISNEY cruise! We are very excited. Booked a cat 6 gty--hoping for an upgrade--or at least a plexiglass balcony wall.

But really, I'll just be happy to be on a big boat! :goodvibes

[PHILinAK]

Regarding a younger teens group (13-14), on the official site I haven't seen anything except the "Stack" and regular teen activities. But looking through the DIS boards, I've seen info about the new Ocean Quest area, where 10-14's can hang out. Do you think this what you've heard about, or is it something different? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

[GeneralMax]

I did find a link about Ocean Quest. I'd have liked to see some formal programing for that group as well but it doesn't look like they hvae done that.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=948596&goto=newpost

[cinderlexa's mom]

Anyone else?

[cinderlexa's mom]

:Pinkbounc

[habibi]

My wonderful sister ;) was nice enough to let me join her and her family. This is my first cruise ever so I'm very excited.

Abby

[GeneralMax]

My wonderful sister ;) was nice enough to let me join her and her family. This is my first cruise ever so I'm very excited.

Abby

NICE SISTER!!! :woohoo:

[tecdavidt]

I have not checked our cruise for a long time. It sounds like more and more DIS people are checking in! It is getting close. Kathy

[PHILinAK]

It IS getting close. We are so excited. It is -4 F out right now, so spending a week on the Magic will be wonderful (or is that Magical?).

Just got a bonus today ... for an Xmas present, my DW sent my snorkel mask off to get prescription lenses put inside. I'll finally be able to see when snorkeling! Normally, can't see very far w/out my glasses. Just picked up the mask this afternoon and can see great. Can't wait to try it out!

[jphart]

We just booked March 18 cruise. We have two DD's that are 13 1/2. Any suggestions? This is our first cruise. The girls would like to meet up with other kids around the same age. Thanks!

[cinderlexa's mom]

WELCOME, jphart! :goodvibes

[PHILinAK]

Hi jphart,

Our son is also 13 1/2 and won't know anyone on the cruise, so he'll be looking to meet some other teens in his age group.

[jphart]

:wave2: Thanks for the welcome! It's nice to know other kids will be on the cruise. My daughter's names are Lauren and Megan. Is there a place that the kids will meet once onboard?

:lmao: :wave2: :angel: :angel:

[GeneralMax]

I also have a daughter Erin who is 14. She was really excited to hear about others her age. The last time we cruised we let the kids meet via e-mail in advance and they set up a place to meet on the ship. It went reallly great. It would be particularly nice for the kids to meet since the programing for their age is not great for 13/14 year olds.

Ruth

[jphart]

Ruth,

The girls emailed Erin last night, just checking to see if it went through.

Jennifer :lmao: :wave2: :angel: :angel:

[jphart]

Does anyone have suggestions on the shore excursions? I have been spending hours on the discussion boards and have found very little. We are an active family,(hiking, biking, camping) but sitting on the beach sound great too :goodvibes . The girls would like to do the teen outing on CC.

Thanks,
Jen

[GeneralMax]

Ruth,

The girls emailed Erin last night, just checking to see if it went through.

Jennifer :lmao: :wave2: :angel: :angel:

I'll make sure she checks. She is not good about checking everyday and I am on the road for work. That's the bad news. The good news is one of my stops is Orlando. I suspect the most I will get to see of Disney is the Disney store at the airport.

Ruth

[tecdavidt]

Our cruise list for March 18th, 2006 If there are any corrections or changes you want me to make just email me at: kathyt@raccoon.com and make sure you title your email for our cruise or else I might think it is just spam.

General Max, husband, daughter 14 Erin, son 11, Abby sister of General Max

Tecdavidt, (Dave 48 turning 49 on cruise!), Kathy (48), daughter 13 3/4 Stephanie

Surfergirl, husband, daughter 12

Bama4Disney, wife, sons 5 & 2 1/2

PHILinAK-the younger man, wife-49, that's my story ... and I am sticking to it, son Chase 13 1/2

Cinderlexa's mom, husband (36), mom (30), daughter 8, son 10 mons.

jphart, two daughters 13 1/2 Lauren & Megan

cruisecrzy 31, husband 31, daughter 19 mos.

Eeyore1928, husband, wife, daughter 3

jedimindtric, husband, wife, two children 5 & 2

Krystagal, 29, husband 28, son 2, daughter mo (note: her SIL is getting married on Castaway Cay this cruise!)

[ev19]

Is anyone bringing older kids with them? Im a high school senior and would like to meet more kids my age.
erica

[tecdavidt]

Sorry, not this time. If this cruise is anything like our previous 7 Magic cruises there will be a lot of teens your age on board. Our boys loved Disney cruises when they were your age. There room became the hang out room. Lots and lots of room service back in those days. It is hard to believe they are 25, 22 & 22!
Kathy

[ev19]

Ok. thats good to know.. because all i've been seeing are 13 to 14 year olds going. I hope there are some older kids.

[tecdavidt]

I have been updating the list as people send me info. Kathy

[cruisecrzy]

We are booked on the March 18 cruise. We have a 1 year old daughter. She sailed for the first time last November (Thanksgiving) and had such a great time we decided to book a Spring cruise. We look forward to sailing with everyone.

[GeneralMax]

Welcome Michelle - your daughter will love the 7 day cruise. we are getting really excited at our house.

[DOOGIERUNNER]

I have not checked our cruise for a long time. It sounds like more and more DIS people are checking in! It is getting close. Kathy

Hey Kathy,

We are also from DSM and considering going. Haven't booked yet, wife wants to stay home this SB... not me! Waiting for a "deal" as there's lots of inventory left. It would be #6.

[cruisecrzy]

My daughter loved it in November and we think she will have even more fun now that she is a few months older. We are very excited. Generalmax, I am sure that you guys are looking forward to warmer weather. I have family in Lakeville, MN that update me on the Northern weather. I am a teacher and my kids have a countdown on my board for me. Just talked to some friends that told me about the changes to the pirate night. They have added some "surprises." Can't wait to see them in person. I even managed to find a pirate costume in my daughter's size.

See you in 38 days.

[Bama4Disney]

Can't wait to be on board. Is anybody else doing the St Marteen Rendevous beach tour? We are doing it and are looking forward to it as our kids love the beach. We do also. What have they changed about pirate night. We went last year in Feb and it was great. Hope to meet you all there. We will be the parents chasing two "wild boys" around the deck. You will probably here us saying Austin and Drew slow down or maybe they will be saying that to us. We are all so excited!

Hope to see you all there for spring break!

[cruisecrzy]

They have added some character surprises to the pirate show. We'll be right there with you, but chasing a crazy girl. I am sure they will run (probably face first) into each other. She loved running on deck 9 last time. See you in just 37 days now.

[Briarmom]

Hey Kathy,

We are also from DSM and considering going. Haven't booked yet, wife wants to stay home this SB... not me! Waiting for a "deal" as there's lots of inventory left. It would be #6.

How do you get a 'deal'?
It is our Spring Break as well.

[tecdavidt]

To only get a good "deal" is to book early for early booking discount (EBS). Disney cruises are just expensive! but worth it. Now after reading Doggierunner's post, hmm, our cruise is not full, well, you might be able to get a good price. Usually the Spring Break cruises fill up fast. I know not all schools hold Spring Break at the same time but it seems like cruises beginning in March through April run full.

Now Doggierunner, join us! Tell your lovely wife that Winter has just slammed us in the face again with that bitter cold and snow for February. We had a nice warm (50's & 60's!!!) January and February is going to make up for missing the nasty weather. She will need that week away in March to warm back up! Hey, it would work on me of course, I never turn down trips lol. Tell her to look outside, more snow is forcasted for today and that cold 7° this morning would put me over the edge. Yes, February is starting off like it is January. BRRRRRRR

The bigger problem for Doggierunner booking this late--finding Air out of Des Moines! It can get tricky since our airport is small. We did book one cruise two weeks out for spring break and our air was strange but our TA was able to get us out of Des Moines. The reason why we booked so late, my husband decided we needed to stay home that spring break then he changed his mind and decided he needed a vacation.

Keep sending me updates. It is so close! I just bought our daughter her formal dress, a simple black sheath from JC Penney. Her formal shoes still fit from last year which is great news. The suitcases are up out of storage. The cruise is on my mind! of course, again, this nasty weather has reminded me why I love cruising so much. Even Shirley posted that Florida will be having cold temps for them the next week. Our front must have dipped way down this time. I was spoiled with the warm and toasty January. We even had crocus flowers blooming in Des Moines! Kathy

[tecdavidt]

Excursions: so what is on the schedule for everybody?

St. Maarten, we have taken the land tour, boring, so we like to go to the Great Bay beach, the one you can see from the ship, we get chairs, Dave likes to rent a jet ski. I like St. Maarten for shopping--the jewelry prices are fantastic.

St. Thomas, we always go to the top of Paradise Point via the tram and take in the view. There is also a tropical bird show up there. We have done the Atlantis Sub, we have been to St. John but not on a Disney Excrusion, it is worth going over. We have never been to Megan's Bay and we have been in St. Thomas 9 times! We might take a taxi over to the Marriot and take in Morning Star beach and maybe get our daughter parasailing. We did that last Oct. The beach is rough compared to others but beautiful with all of the boat traffic going by. I usually shop at St. Thomas but since we were just there in Oct. I probably will skip it this trip. Much to the delight of my husband but I will shop in St. Maarten! lol We also have seen Coral World and looked over at Coki Beach. It was a bit crowded that day on Coki Beach. Coral World was nice, not huge but it was nice. If our daughter had her passport we might have rented from Nauti Nymphs charters and gone over to BVI but with no passport that is not possible. She will have it next time.

Castaway, we just enjoy the beach.

Kathy

[cruisecrzy]

The cold weather definately has made it down to Florida and you can have it back :) It was 65 today with lots of win...cold for us...and it looks like we may have some frost warnings. I will need to bundle up my tomato plants.

As for excursions we will be walking and shopping at St. Marten and maybe the beach. Though we have friends who do the Regatta and love it.

In the past we have gone from St. Thomas to St. John to hike and go to the beach....but that is a long journey. We have never done it again because it felt like we waisted a lot of time traveling. We did the top of Paradise Point last time and will probably do that again. The bird show is cute.

We like to rent the bikes and ride around Castaway Cay. We really like the new bike trail.

[Bama4Disney]

Dear Cruisecrazy:

Hopefully we can meet all the Disers. Our friends are going in 2 weeks at the end of February and their group has about 180 from the boards. They are going to Home Depot and getting the mickey paint swatches from the Disney collection as they are shaped like mickey mouse. That is how they will identify each other. I thought that was a great idea. They picked Alien Green....not sure why that color but still a good idea.

We found out today that we where upgraded from a cat 12 ( which we booked). Last night I check and we where on deck 6 in a cat 11 and this morning I called to see if we could get moved as it was listed as a noisy cabin and when I called the CC # and explained that last time we where under Beat Street and it was kinda of noisy and it kept our kids up. The supervisor came on the line and offered several option and offered us a cat 10 on deck 2 under Lumineres which should be pretty quite. Each of the other two times we have sailed we have been on deck 2 and loved it(except for the noise issue) Needless to say, I was very excited..Yeah the elusive upgrade and all I did was ask. Paid for a 12 and got a 10... :yay:

The first time we paid for a 12 and got a 9..Disney has been good and we appreciate it!

We are heading up to pool when we get on board and eating by the pool. That way the kids can swim before the sail away party.

Can't wait!

Kevin, Melody, Austin and Drew
Mobile Alabama

[Surfergirl]

Hi all, It's me, my husband and our 12 year old daughter going.
Excursions: St. Matin we are doing the Pinel Island snorkel and shopping.
St. Thomas we are doing the Trunk Bay beach and snorkel and maybe Paradise Peak in the afternoon.
CC we are trying the Kayak tour and the jet ski tour.
:hourglass Counting down the days

[cruisecrzy]

Our friends are going in 2 weeks at the end of February and their group has about 180 from the boards. They are going to Home Depot and getting the mickey paint swatches from the Disney collection as they are shaped like mickey mouse. That is how they will identify each other. I thought that was a great idea. They picked Alien Green....not sure why that color but still a good idea.


Congrats on the upgrade :banana: The mickey head thing is common here. (I live 15 min. from WDW) Every once in awhile when I am at WDW I will see people with the green Mickey's in their hair. Green is the official color. We usually eat at Topsiders as well. We are excited because we have some friends that just booked tonight on the March 18 cruise. They have two young kids.

We'll definately have to figure out a way to meet up.

[GeneralMax]

Lots of DIS folks. We need a meet...anyone got any ideas?

We are goint to ride the Rhino boats and do the sail and snorkel trip ..alothough I cannot remember which is where. :confused3

We are parasailing on CC. We have done it before and it is amazing!!!

[habibi]

We are goint to ride the Rhino boats and do the sail and snorkel trip ..alothough I cannot remember which is where. :confused3

We are parasailing on CC. We have done it before and it is amazing!!!

I'm happy to do anything just as long as I'm not at work!

[tecdavidt]

Just exactly what are Rhino boats? They sound fun but I never have heard of them. Kathy

[PHILinAK]

The cold weather definately has made it down to Florida and you can have it back :) It was 65 today with lots of win...cold for us...and it looks like we may have some frost warnings. I will need to bundle up my tomato plants.

cruisecrzy,
65 degrees! Sounds GREAT to me! Anything above zero sounds perfect. :woohoo: Looking forward to a week out of Alaska to thaw my bones.
Cheryl

[PHILinAK]

Lots of DIS folks. We need a meet...anyone got any ideas?

We are goint to ride the Rhino boats and do the sail and snorkel trip ..alothough I cannot remember which is where. :confused3

We are parasailing on CC. We have done it before and it is amazing!!!

I'll be up there parasailing with you, GeneralMax. The last few times I did it I was half my current age, but loved it then and am sure I'll love it now. Just hoping for a soft landing....my old bones don't bounce like they used to. :Pinkbounc Do you know if they land on the beach or in the water? I've done it both ways before.
Cheryl

[GeneralMax]

Do you know if they land on the beach or in the water? I've done it both ways before.
Cheryl[/QUOTE]

You take off from a boat and you land back on the boat. Yes I know it sounds crazy but it actually works! The first time I was sure we would NEVER land on the tiny boat platiform but the reel you in so you cannot miss it.

The Rhinos are two person inflatable boats. Check out the St Maarten excursions or do what we did and book through a company call shore trips at www.shoretrips.com. We have book through them before they have pretty much the same or better excursions then Disney at lower costs. We thought it looked like fun and was something we had never done before so we decided to go for it. :sail:

Ruth

[jphart]

Hey everyone,

It keeps snowing and snowing and snowing! Really looking forward to the beach. :sunny:

Jennifer
DH Phil
DD Lauren
DD Megan

[cinderlexa's mom]

Just checking in...we are SO excited!!! :cool1: Can't believe it's almost mid-February!

Just added 2 days at WDW prior to our cruise--so I'm hoping we won't be too tired!:rolleyes:

[PHILinAK]

Thanks much, GeneralMax....you're right - I CAN'T imagine landing on something that small. Guess I'd better get to work on that diet!
Cheryl :dancer:

[GeneralMax]

Hey everyone,

It keeps snowing and snowing and snowing! Really looking forward to the beach. :sunny:

Jennifer
DH Phil
DD Lauren
DD Megan

Not as much snow here as usual but it is finally getting down to normal MInnesota winter temps in the single digits without windchill ( I bet the folks from Alaska know what that means :) I am so excited for warmth and sunshine!

[cruisecrzy]

Cinderlexa's mom,
If you need any WDW info let me know. I would be happy to get it for you. I can probably even send you guide maps and park guides....it is supposed to be warm Friday so I was thinking of doing a Disney trip with some friends. I have not been on Expedition Everest yet because my daughter is too little, but everyone I know that has loves it.

General Max,
There is no warmth and sunshine here right now. We are going to have a freeze tonight...all the poor plants are wearing blankets tonight.

[tecdavidt]

Expedition Everest is open! Wow, we just missed it. I didn't realize it was that close to being completed. We were at WDW Dec. 27th through Jan. 3 and it wasn't open. I thought they said April but it is open now, darn. It looks like a fantastic ride. Have fun. We did enjoy the new Epcot ride, Soar'an (How ever do they spell that name?) Kathy

[cinderlexa's mom]

Thanks Michelle!

Only info I still need is to figure out if the Marriott at the Orlando Airport is very clean. I need a clean place to stay...I got it through Priceline for cheap. Cheap enough that if it's not clean--I'm not staying! LOL!

[jphart]

Hi Everyone,

Will anyone be wearing the green Mickey ears from Home Depot that indicates they are DISers that I have seen posted on the board? I've seen some people on the DIS board wear a bright green ribbon instead. I figure it will be an easy way to spot fellow cruisers. I didn't know if I should go pick some up for us tomorrow. :thumbsup2

Thanks,

Jennifer

[jphart]

Hi Everyone,

Has anyone done the Kayak Ecotour on St. Thomas? :confused3

[Surfergirl]

Anyone recieved documents yet? Looks like people on the cruise the week before us have theirs. :Pinkbounc

[tecdavidt]

Well, we know it is close when our TA tells us our air through Disney. Not good air this trip but not horrible either. Going we leave DM at 6:40 (yuck) but arrive at 2:28 all on Northwest. Coming home we leave Orlando at 3:25 pm (way late compared to any other cruise we have taken on DCL) and arrive in Des Moines 8:24. Not bad but wish it was closer to 6:00. Oh well at least we have flights. Now they are working on seat assignments. That is the biggy. One cruise she forgot to get seat assignments (Delta) and we had trouble getting out of Des Moines. I told the agent I didn't care what she did, we had insurance and I new Disney had to get us there because we bought the air through Disney. Guess what, we got on the plan after the TA talked to Disney.

She also made a comment that she was worried because the docs aren't here. I told her that they have been arriving about 2 weeks out so we weren't panicky--yet. One cruise we have had them 6 weeks out and another 2 weeks so you just never know.

Just 29 days! and after todays nasty weather, I want to be there right now.
We are having January weather in February, bummer.

Kathy

[PHILinAK]

Regarding green ears or ribbons: I think I'd vote for ribbon just because the ears might not make it in one peice, but I'm game for whatever...it would make it easy to identify each other :thumbsup2

Regarding documents: ours aren't here yet...we booked through ICE. They promised to FedEx them to us as soon as Disney sent them to them...they usually wait until a week out..mail can take longer than that to reach us and it will take us so long to get to Florida (even if we make the connecting flight) that I didn't want to risk them not getting here on time.

Regarding weather in the Lower 48: I think WE are the hot spot in the nation now! It's been around 40 (ABOVE!) during the day for the past couple of weeks. This is usually our coldest month. We actually had a rain day from school last week! (They never close schools for snow here)....it was freezing when it hit the ground - quite fun :sad2:

Getting excited!!!!!
Cheryl :ccat:

[Eeyore1928]

We will also be on this sailing! We are a family of 3 DH,myself and DD-3. We are so excited for our daughter to get onboard. This will be our 6th dcl cruise, but our DD's first!!!! :cheer2:

I hope to meet some of you onboard!

[jedimindtric]

Hello to everyone. We just booked this cruise yesterday. We went on the 3-night Wonder in December and the kids loved it, so we thought we would try the 7-night. My husband is also a school teacher and this is his Spring Break. We have two kids 5 and 2. Looking forward to getting onboard the Magic.

[cruisecrzy]

I am up for wearing green ribbons. It will give my husband another reason to make fun of me. I already went and got a bunch of the paint chips and glued magnets to them. They will be part of our door decoration as well as a cheap toy for my daughter

Jedimindtric-I am a highschool teacher as well. I know how hard it is to work your vacations around those....my students have a countdown on the board for me...I think it is their way of counting down to springbreak without looking excited for themselves. Also, I have a friend with daughters the same age as yours. She already talked to the folks at DCL to make arrangements for her 2-year old to get a trial run in the Club. That way her kids can be together because last cruise did not work well for them. The little one wanted to stay with her big sister.

PhilinAK-it is in the mid 70's today if that gives you something to look forward to. I think you are so brave living with all that snow. I couldn't do it that is way we moved away from Chicago.

See you all soon.

[tecdavidt]

Welcome aboard Eeyore1928 and jedimindtric. I am adding you to our cruise list.

Weather in Des Moines 2/17 -- I think it is zero! BRRRRRR. In four weeks we will be in Orlando and I hope it is in the 70's for us. I need the warm sunshine really bad.

Kathy

[tecdavidt]

Our TA just called, must be working late on a Friday since it is 6:00!, DCL changed our entire air. Now we leave on American at 12:30 pm and arrive after 7:00 at night on Friday. We come home on Delta. We leave at: 11:15!!!! :crazy2: Thankfully, we do have the insurance and they have to get us home. I would never book a flight that early but Disney did. Well, if we don't make it they have to get us home. The change in air has to have something to do with seat assignments. We didn't have assignments with the first air package and seats out of Des Moines sell out fast.

Just watched Timon's video. Awesome. I am ready now!

Kathy

[cruisecrzy]

Kathy,
Wow, I cannot believe all the changes. I never thought about the air travel aspect of cruising....too much stress for me. I guess worst case scenario you get stuck in sunny Orlando one more day.

Good luck in your travels.

[tecdavidt]

I look at it this way, I'd rather be stuck in Orlando than stuck in cold IA. Actually by March our temps should be in the 50's but it could by still cold enough for snow. I was surprised when Dave came home and told me about the air changes. I had just learned about the air yesterday and DCL already changed it! At least with the insurance we bought, Disney has to get us there and get us home. March '04 we didn't have seat assignments coming home and when we showed up to MCO Delta was paging our names. Thank goodness for insurance, they ended up putting us on a flight to Miami then on a flight to Cinncinnati in first class! then to Des Moines. Kathy

[jedimindtric]

Cruisecrzy,
When you mention the 2 year old that is getting a trial run at the club -- does that mean they are considering letting her in the 3-year old program? That would be great, but I thought they were strict on the age guidelines. Mine did pretty good in Flounders last time, but it really is geared towards the younger babies with only a small climbing system for the ones a little older. Fortunately, the caregivers in there were wonderful and my little girl loved going there. I do wish they did not have the 10 hour maximum though. We would have loved to see Narnia last time, but the club just closed too early (Disney did not start the movie until 11:00pm) and we had run out of Flounder hours the next time that they showed it.
Have to say the weather in Florida is finally beautiful!! After having ice on my car this winter 4 times, I am glad to see it back in the 80's.

[cruisecrzy]

[QUOTE=jedimindtric]Cruisecrzy,
When you mention the 2 year old that is getting a trial run at the club -- does that mean they are considering letting her in the 3-year old program?

Yep, that is exactly what I mean. My friend called and here is what she was told. You have to go to the club and ask about a trial run for the 2 year old. AS long as the child can prove they are fully potty trained (can do it all by themselves....they are allowed pull-ups at night) and can communicate then they will be allowed to participate in the three year old program. As long as there is room of course since they are not charging any extra for the 2 year old to participate. Now I have heard that they may not give her the trial run until Sunday night, but I have only heard positive things about it.


As for flounder's when we were on in November they told us they are not estrict on time limit. If you ask and they are not fully booked they allow you to book more. The lady told me the time limit is only to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to use the nursery.

:sunny: Could not agree more about the temps. We keep our cars in the garage so no need to scrape windows, but I saw the frost on the grass one morning. We went to SeaWorld today and I had wished I wore a tank top.....it seemed so warm I wanted to go for a swim.

PM me know if you need more info on the Club for the 2 year old. My friend got a bunch when she called in.

[PHILinAK]

Kathy,
Our flights got changed a few months ago....they had completely done away with all non-stops from Alaska to Florida, so now we have to pray our flight isn't late out of here and we miss our connection. It'll be spring break here, too, so the airport is usually nuts. If the flight's delayed, there are usually no other seats out during the break. It's rather like living on an island in some ways. But, I, too, like so many others who are on this trip, am a teacher....so - double the cost for airfare and lots of crowds. I think the day I retire I will take an off-season vacation - what a luxury!

We ended up having to buy two trip insurance policies, too, to cover the weird reasons we might have a problem. The hardest was finding one to cover volcanic eruption. I think they thought I was nuts when I called, but we've had one mountain coughing and spewing the past few months. Life in the Great Land, never a dull moment. :surfweb:

Cheryl

[krystagali]

Our cruise has been booked for some time now, but I just found this site. I (29) will be cruising with DH (28), DS (2) and DD (5 months). We will be on board for SIL's wedding at Castaway Cay. There will be about 15 of us on the boat, but It's good to see so many people planning for the same time.

I've booked Flounders for the day of the wedding...any other suggestions on good times to send kiddies to the nursery?

Beth

[cruisecrzy]

I've booked Flounders for the day of the wedding...any other suggestions on good times to send kiddies to the nursery?

Beth

I booked our daughter (19mos) in Flounder's for our Palo times. We may book her for an evening, but we actually have friends on board who volunteered to watch her so we can go play in Rockin' Bar D. On our last cruise a lot of people booked it for their dinner time so they could enjoy a baby free dinner.

Sounds like you will be having an extra special cruise.

[tecdavidt]

Welcome Krystagal! We have never been on CC when there has been a wedding. Where is the ceremony on the island? Kathy

[tecdavidt]

Our cruise list for March 18th, 2006 If there are any corrections or changes you want me to make just email me at: kathyt@raccoon.com and make sure you title your email for our cruise or else I might think it is just spam.

General Max, husband, daughter 14 Erin, son 11, Abby sister of General Max

Tecdavidt, (Dave 48 turning 49 on cruise!), Kathy (48), daughter 13 3/4 Stephanie

Surfergirl, husband, daughter 12

Bama4Disney, wife, sons 5 & 2 1/2

PHILinAK-the younger man, wife-49, that's my story ... and I am sticking to it, son Chase 13 1/2

Cinderlexa's mom, husband (36), mom (30), daughter 8, son 10 mons.

jphart, husband Phil celebrating his 45th on board, Jennifer 39, two daughters 13 1/2 Lauren & Megan

cruisecrzy 31, husband 31, daughter 19 mos.

Eeyore1928, husband, wife, daughter 3

jedimindtric, husband, wife, two children 5 & 2

Krystagal, 29, husband 28, son 2, daughter mo (note: her SIL is getting married on Castaway Cay this cruise!)

[PHILinAK]

Wow! What a great place to have a wedding. Congratulations to them! :sunny:

We will be on board for SIL's wedding at Castaway Cay.

[krystagali]

Apparantly there is a dock, somewhere on the island, where the wedding will take place. I don't know the exact location. A lot of the details of the wedding have not been shared since there will only be a few guests, the bride and groom are keeping a lot of things secret.

Have any of you cruised with infants/toddlers before?

Beth

[cruisecrzy]

Have any of you cruised with infants/toddlers before?

Beth

My daughter was 15 months old when we went on a 7-day Western in November 2005. She did great!!! :rotfl: That is why we are going on this cruise. She will be 19mos old.

In Nov we met a few people with children under 1.

[jphart]

Hi Everyone,

Tecdavidt, make sure you leave a little extra time getting through security. Sometimes, not always, when the tickets are booked as two one way fares on different airlines, you get tagged as high risk.

[krystagali]

Check your boarding passes. DH gets flagged for security all the time because he has sucha common name. His boarding pass usually says "SSSSSSS" across the top. When we get to check points, I take the carry on so it doesn't get taken fully apart. I hope having passports this time will make it a little easier.

Beth

[tecdavidt]

After reading today's newspaper I think I learned why our flights were changed, originally we were on Northwest both ways and now it is American down, NW going back. I am calling our TA and asking her to talk to DCL people to get the American coming home or change the entire flight package to a different airline -- usually we are on Delta. We fly out on Friday the 17th which is a one day ahead of most local spring break people but we arrive home the same day as all the others or at least the same day as spring break cruisers. (Cruising spring break is popular here and their usually is not enough air seats to hold everybody so some drive to Kansas City or Omaha) I will keep you all updated when I hear back. Kathy

[tecdavidt]

I just got off the phone with my husband. We are not on Northwest at all, we were originally going down and coming back on NW but when Disney changed flights they changed them to American down and Delta coming home. That is a relief but with the heads up on security issues for flying on two seperate airlines I still will talk to TA and ask her to get us on American coming home. Frankly, I don't care if we fly at night coming home. I really don't want to get caught up in security delays. The biggest, refusal to let us check in at the port because of using two different airlines. We have had that happen in the past, post 9/11 with all 6 of us! Kathy

[GeneralMax]

I just got off the phone with my husband. We are not on Northwest at all, we were originally going down and coming back on NW but when Disney changed flights they changed them to American down and Delta coming home. That is a relief but with the heads up on security issues for flying on two seperate airlines I still will talk to TA and ask her to get us on American coming home. Frankly, I don't care if we fly at night coming home. I really don't want to get caught up in security delays. The biggest, refusal to let us check in at the port because of using two different airlines. We have had that happen in the past, post 9/11 with all 6 of us! Kathy

EEEEKKK!! We are of course flying Northwest both ways on our own tickets. Not Disney. I suppose I should be looking at plan B.

[tecdavidt]

Well, I would check into it if I were you Ruth. According to the news article NW votes around March 1 and they talked about the delays and after I read the whole piece all I could think was, if they strike it will hit during Spring Break! I am sorry but that does not sit well with me, John Q. Public. I will not be sympathic to NW employees. We were affected by a strike on NW by pilots a few years back. We were almost stranded in Detroit with three cranky kids on our way home from a 10 day baseball tournament in North Carolina. It was not fun not knowing whether or not we would get out of Detroit which was the hub for NW that we had to fly through. It took a few years before I would step back on a NW plane and now the employees are doing it to the public again!

I am still waiting to hear back from our TA. I couldn't get through via the phone today, only her voice mail, so I sent an email. As soon as I hear anything I will keep the board posted.

Kathy

[cinderlexa's mom]

Yikes! We're flying 2 different airlines (not through Disney)...ATA is a direct flight to Florida and Southwest is a direct flight home. Is this enough to raise a security flag?:confused3

We've always bought roundtrip airfare in the past, but this time it was cheaper to do it this way...

Any input? TIA!

Kara :earsgirl:
Joe:sail:
Alexa princess:
Ryanpirate:

[cruisecrzy]

Just curious. Now that they have added the online check-in to the reservations portion of the DCL website has anyone else noticed a change under their dining time??


If you have not checked out the online check-in yet I recommend it. I found it was very easy to use and seems like it will save time at the port.

[krystagali]

Cruisecrazy - I did not see a change in my dinner time :( The rest of our group is all in the early seating and we are the only ones in the late seating... we've been assured that we will get moved, but as we get closer and closer, I'm getting more and more worried about it.

I just did the online checkin, I hope it saves time.

I also took the plunge and signed the kiddies up for more time in the nursery. Our night at Lumiere's and while DH gets his spa treatment. I'm hoping to get more time once we are on board.

I'm excited because according to SIL, our dining rotation is PLA - ooh ****, just realized that I booked the kiddies for the wrong night....grrr, have to go back and change that.

Someone mentioned the Eco-tour at St. Marteen - DH and I are doing that one. We did a similar tour in Key West when we did the Western cruise, it was awesome!

gotta go change the nursery ressies.

[krystagali]

OK, got the ressies changed. It's a good think I noticed that. I'd be so upset if ds missed the show at animators.

[tecdavidt]

Heard back from TA late this afternoon. Word from Disney, even though we have two different airlines we should not have a problem. I will believe that when we have no problems.

About such an early flight, Disney assured our TA that the 11:15 flight should be no problem as long as we are off the ship by 8:00 am. I have news for them, in 7 cruises we have NEVER been off the ship by 8:00 am due to their problems not ours. We could easily be off by 8:00 but the ship has not cleared until 8:30 and one time even 9:00!!!! We have Disney insurance and they HAVE to get us home.

Our TA did say at least we are not on Northwest. She has several Spring Break people on NW and if they strike occurs, they are out of luck because all seats out of Des Moines and coming back the following Sat. are sold out.
:eek:

Too much stress!!!!!! I need a little pixy dust pixiedust: .

Kathy

[cruisecrzy]

Tecdavidt-You definately need a cruise :thumbsup2 I am feeling your stress...it has made me glad that I do not need to worry about airfare. Here is your pixie dust pixiedust: pixiedust: pixiedust: pixiedust: pixiedust:

Krystalgali-I doubt you will have trouble getting more time in Flounder's. Our last cruise had lots of openings. Make sure you go and check the times you have booked with what they have in their computer. We had a problem in November, but it was good....they had us booked more time in their computer then I reserved.

[jphart]

Techdavidt,

Kathy,

I tried to e-mail you to update our list, but it didn't go through. It will be my husband,Phil, 45-celebrating his birthday on board. Myself, Jennifer,39. My daughters, Megan & Lauren 13 1/2.

I hope everything goes well with your air travel. I work for the airlines, but we are driving to make sure we get there in time. Especially, if NW does go on strike,all the other carriers usually pick up the slack and we would get bumped. :crowded:

Off on another trip. :wave:

[tecdavidt]

I am glad Disney changed our flights but I do wish they were all on one line instead of two. They insist we won't have problems. I don't believe them, security will be tight as always.

I feel for the others who can't switch. Our TA said she has several customers who have trips in danger because of the possible strike. If I had no choice but fly down on NW we would have a back up to drive down. It is a long drive from IA but it is better than losing the cruise. I don't think insurance covers a strike but don't quote me on that. The drive from here is at least two days. Thankfully for those who might end up driving the weather should be decent - no snow and ice.

I will be updating the list. My email is kathyt@raccoon.com for those who might need it. We still need to have a DIS meet. On previous cruises we have met during the sail a way party on the deck looking down on the pool. Starboard side (right) so we can watch the port people wave good bye to us. I will have something lime green on, usually a shirt and my faded red DCL visor. We are in a cat. 3 so look for us in the concierge waiting area. They have changed where we wait so I have no idea where it is. It use to be by the glass windows.

Next item today is the online checkin. Have any of you tried it out?

jphart--your husband has a birthday, what day is it? My Dave's is the 23rd.
also, your daughters are 13 1/2. My daughter Stephanie turns 14 June 10. I hope the girls hang out together. Stephanie was in the Stack for a little bit our last cruise because of our travel mates daughter. She had a great time in there.

Kathy

[cruisecrzy]

Next item today is the online checkin. Have any of you tried it out?


I did it yesterday and it was so easy. I was able to print everything for my records as well. I hope this makes check-in super easy.

[Bama4Disney]

I did it yesterday also. I have friend leaving Saturday on the Magic and I asked them to scout out and see if there is a different queue. I would make sense that the online check in people would stand in an different line than those that different as our process should go fairly quickly. Hopefully it will make the process easier. 23 days and counting.

Kevin

[tecdavidt]

Online checkin is complete! I only need the docs for the luggage tags. It should make check in so fast. Now if I could find out what dining rotation we have. Kathy

[cruisecrzy]

So I figured I would ask here first. My friend and I can't decide if we just want to take our girls to a beach for a little while and maybe snorkel if we can get the husbands to watch the little ladies. We know we don't want to do one of the beach excursions because of the girls ages and the water temps. Since we both have pools that we keep obnoxiously warm :sunny: the girls don't like cold water swimming. We may only be at the beach for 30min or even less...weather pending.

What I am trying to remember is if there was a beach that we could walk to once we get off one of the launches. I thought there was a place you walked in between a hotel and shop and ended up on an OK beach. Am I crazy or does this sound right?? Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks for the help.

Less than 23 days left :goodvibes

[jedimindtric]

Well, since we just booked I was very excited to get the documents already today. We had booked so late that we had to book a GTY balcony cabin. We ended up with a Cat. 5 handicapped cabin on the back of Deck 7. These cabins look different in shape from all the rest. Does anyone have any idea how these cabins are? Also, if there any obstuction on the back of the ship. Thanks

[tecdavidt]

Inkognito (Barb) has been in one of those I think. It is large compared to the nonhandicap rooms.The verandah is also large. I don't think the room has a tub in the bathroom but I might be wrong on that.

As far as water temps, in St. Maarten the water has always been warm but maybe not as warm as a heated pool. I know in August it was hot, felt like a hot tub. In March it was warm not hot. We were in St. Thomas late Oct. '05 and the water was warm so I would imagine by March it would be the same temp. Again, it might not be as warm as your pool. I also have to have the water warm not cold.

Kathy

[jedimindtric]

Thanks for the info on the room. Does anyone know if the room still has the pull-down bunk? My searches for information on this room are not getting me very far.
Thanks

[tecdavidt]

Post the question on the main cruise board or do a search about the handicap rooms. Barb's web site might have more info but the boards don't allow her address. Possible do a google search for Disney cruise line information and maybe something will pop up. Kathy

[GeneralMax]

DOING THE DOCS DANCE :cool1: :cool1: :cool1:

The only problem is we only got them for three out of four of us. I don't think my 14 year old wants to stay home alone. :rotfl2:

[jphart]

Hi everyone,

I just got home from my trip and found out some information about your handicap room from a passenger that had the same room. It is much larger than the other cabins in the same category and your balcony wraps around half the aft deck. I would say you were tagged by the upgrade fairy! pixiedust:

Kathy, Is the deck your talking about deck 10? (Is there a deck 10? :scratchin ) It would be great to meet everyone the first day and have the kids, I mean, teens all meet. The girls are going to try to e-mail your daughter. They have met Erin and Chase via e-mail.

No cruise docs yet!

Jennifer

[tecdavidt]

That probably is correct, deck 10. The kids can all meet and join in the party activities. No official docs yet. We need them for the luggage tags. 18 more days and we are in Florida! :cheer2:
Kathy

[krystagali]

18 days to go and my son gets a cold.... :crazy2: I hope it doesn't turn into an ear infections.

No docs here yet, just waiting for the luggage tags too :)

[krystagali]

My SIL was told by her wedding coordinator that formal night was the second to last night of the cruise, but the DIS boards say that it is the second night. Which is it????

[tecdavidt]

There are two formal nights. One is called formal the other semi formal but you will see the same clothes on both. They are always on sea days. I can't remember if it is Sunday or Monday night but it is also Thursday night. It hasn't been that long ago that I finally threw out all of our old navigators from our previous DCL cruises. I even had all of the docs! Now I wish I had at least last years to look over but then I realized it would not work because that was a special 7 day Tues. to Tues. because of New Year's (12/04 - 1/05)

jphart, just have your girls email Stephanie at my address. kathyt@raccoon.com

Kathy

[jphart]

Ruth,

Did you get Erin's docs today?

Jen

[jphart]

Hi Everyone,

Deck 10 for the sail away and we will be wearing green ribbons. Plus, you will probably recognize us by our twins.

Kathy,
Phil's birthday is March 28th. But, we won't get home until late on the 27th and he has to work on the 28th. So we decided to celebrate on the Disney cruise.

Krystagali,

I hope your son is feeling better. Its never fun when your liitle one is sick. At least it is happening now instead of the week of the cruise. :eek:

Jennifer

[cruisecrzy]

So I decided to place a call to check on my docs. I live about 15 min straight up the street from where they are sent. So I was concerned that they made it across the country and not to me. Our UPS man quit so I thought they may havbe gotten lost. Here is the answer I got. They were sent out in groups. They tracked mine it was sent out last week and will be here March 1. Apparently mine are walking to me. So for everyone else still waiting don't panic like me.

As for the nights on the Eastern: Sunday is Formal (Golden Mickey's Night and yummy dessert buffet) and Thursday is Semi-Formal Night (Disney Dreams and Lobster Night) That was the schedule a few weeks ago.

[cruisecrzy]

So right after I hit send my doorbell rang. It was my DOCS and pirate costumes for my daughter and our friends kids :cool1: :cool1:

I guess they decided to run here instead :banana:

[krystagali]

MIchelle - that's great about your docs. Ours have still not come yet. I wonder if ours are going out at a different time since we booked through DVC?

Beth

[cruisecrzy]

Beth-
If this helps I looked at my envelope that came and it was sent UPS 3-day ground. It was sent out on Friday. So if yours were sent the same way they should be there soon.

Hope your son feels better soon.

[jphart]

We received our docs and bagtags today!!! :woohoo:

Jennifer

[jedimindtric]

Jennifer,
Thank you for the information on the handicapped cabin. It sounds like it will be great!! We tend to spend a lot of time on the balcony since my 2 year old still takes 3 hour naps. As late as we booked, I am just glad they found us a cabin. We have docs and are ready and waiting.

[Eeyore1928]

My docs are here...but still not sure of my cabin assignment. I booked a gty cat. 6. My cabin has already changed twice! I am on my third cabin, and they have gone from bad to great to worse. I went from an aft solid verandah on deck 5 to a plexi verandah on deck 7...back to a solid Verandah :crazy2: on deck 6. :headache:
I am praying for a change back to the plexi verandah since our little one won't be able to see anything out of the solid one. PLus they put us on the wrong side of the ship. I really wanted starboard side....aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh :sad:

[habibi]

I still haven't gotten my cruise docs yet but hopefully they will be waiting for me when I get home from work tonight!

[Surfergirl]

No Docs here yet either. :confused3

[krystagali]

still no docs here :(

[GeneralMax]

ALL DOCS PRESENT AND ACCOUNTED FOR !!! :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc

I love the idea of doing a meet but the only problem we had with the sail away party on the last few cruises is that if you get there late it is hard to get settled and make it to the party. I have a complusive need to unpack before my family attacks the rooms and half of the kids stuff disappears to who knows where.

What do you all think about a plan B... like meeting between show and dinner seating on the first night?? If that sounds good to anyone I will come up with a plan...place.

Ruth

[jphart]

Hi Everyone,

Since this is our first cruise, we don't know how things operate. We will get to the port early on Saturday since we are driving. We unpack everything as well on the fiirst day.

We are willing to meet whenever/whereever the group decides.

Only two weeks until we leave!

Jennifer

[Bama4Disney]

We received our docs last thursday..

[Bama4Disney]

oops...Didn't mean to hit enter.

I was going to suggest that we meet b/w dinner seatings. Say around 7:30 or say 8:00. We have second seating at 8:30. Perhaps we could meet in the atrium. We could congregate around the couches and the chairs. It sounds like that are about 20 groups. How does that sound?

[cinderlexa's mom]

NO doc's here either!!! :confused3 We'd love to meet some fellow DISers. Whatever time & place is decided is fine with us!:teeth:

[cruisecrzy]

We are willing to try and meet as well. Though we are not the boss, the dd is. We also have the late seating...probably 8:15pm. The chairs do sound like a good place. We will be up on Deck 10 somewhere for the sailaway. We always are and I will be wearing a green ribbon.

We will also be at the port early....between 10:30-11 if we leave the house on schedule.

See you in 17 days.

[Surfergirl]

:woohoo: Doing the document dance!! :banana:

[krystagali]

Yippieee! Docmuments are all accounted for here :)

as pp said, I am not the boss, dd and ds are. I'll try to make it to meet, but who knows if I'll make it there.

We are still listed in the second seating, grrrr. The rest of our party is still listed in the early seating. How do they put a family with a 2 year old in the late seating???! Just doesn't seem very Disney to me.

Beth

[cruisecrzy]

I have a friend who went last October. She has a one year old and was in the second seating. She went to Rockin' Bar D as soon as she got on board and was able to switch to the early seating. pixiedust: pixiedust: Hopefully you can get yours changed too. I can't believe that you are not with the rest of your party :( ....especially since your SIL has a wedding package.

Glad you got your docs.

[tecdavidt]

What a week we are having! We had to put our oldest dog asleep Mon. due to problems with his health--age 16. :sad: My parents came over to visit and to help perk me up. :) Then today around 11:00 our TA called and DOCS ARE HERE!!!! I haven't had time to check them over completely.

DIS meet when? and where? just let me know. General Max (Ruth) I like your suggestion.

Kathy

[krystagali]

Kathy - so so sorry about your dog. I know they are like children....ours certainly is.
If I do not hear from my SIL prior to boarding, Rockin' bar D is the FIRST place I will be heading...and it will NOT be a nice way to start my cruise. I don't like getting mean.

Our last vacation (Jan 2005), we missed our dog before we missed our son. How bad is that???!

Are all docs now accounted for????

[MsCheng53]

Traveling solo with my eight year old son. My husband and two teenage boys are going hiking with Boy Scouts so I thought living in Florida and going to Disney often we would try the Disney cruise by ourselves. Any other eight year olds going? Suggestions on excursions for the two of us? :)

[habibi]

Are all docs now accounted for????

I finally got mine last night :banana:

Abby

[tecdavidt]

Just two weeks before we are off on the cruise! I have started my gathering of items to pack. Doc's are completed with the filling out of the Bahama forms. Next week the suitcases will be brought up to the spare bedroom for packing. Kathy

[cruisecrzy]

We have already started gathering our stuff in our spare room. We have our packing list already to be checked off. We can't wait to get on the boat.

See everyone in two weeks.

[krystagali]

All the kiddie stuff is piling up on the kitchen table (we don't have a spare room). I'm going to start packing it this weekend. I tried on my dresses this morning and surprisingly...they fit!!! Two short weeks! EEEK!

Beth

[Daytonamom]

Hi First post here. Myself, my DH, DS(13 just had a birthday) and DD(9). We are from Daytona Beach and just counting the days.

[jphart]

Hi Everyone,

Welcome Daytonamom and MSChang53. Glad you joined in the fun! :thumbsup2

Haven't heard from PhilinAk in a while- you guys still out there? Hope everything is okay.

Just finished the last of the shopping for our trip. At least I hope so. The days seem like they are dragging by.

Kathy, sorry to hear about your dog.

Jennifer

[tecdavidt]

Our cruise list for March 18th, 2006 If there are any corrections or changes you want me to make just email me at: kathyt@raccoon.com and make sure you title your email for our cruise or else I might think it is just spam.

General Max, husband, daughter 14 Erin, son 11, Abby sister of General Max

Tecdavidt, (Dave 48 turning 49 on cruise!), Kathy (48), daughter 13 3/4 Stephanie

Surfergirl, husband, daughter 12

Bama4Disney, wife, sons 5 & 2 1/2

PHILinAK-the younger man, wife-49, that's my story ... and I am sticking to it, son Chase 13 1/2

Cinderlexa's mom, husband (36), mom (30), daughter 8, son 10 mons.

jphart, husband Phil celebrating his 45th on board, Jennifer 39, two daughters 13 1/2 Lauren & Megan

cruisecrzy 31, husband 31, daughter 19 mos.

Eeyore1928, husband, wife, daughter 3

jedimindtric, husband, wife, two children 5 & 2

Krystagal, 29, husband 28, son 2, daughter mo (note: her SIL is getting married on Castaway Cay this cruise!)

MsCheng53 and son 8, Husband and 2 teen sons off on a Scout trip

Daytonamom, DH, son 13, daughter 9, from Daytona Beach

[tecdavidt]

I just updated our cruise list. I was behind, sorry. I am bit concerned for Phil in AK. They have to deal with a Volcano that has been spitting ash in the air causing problems with the airport. A little pixie dust so that they can make it out OK. :wizard:

We are getting use to living with 4 dogs not 5. Patch was our oldest at age 16. The dogs left are 8 almost 9, 8, 7 and 6.

jphart, your girls email did go through and I will have Steph answer when she gets home this afternoon.

MsChang53, in St. Thomas it is easy to walk to Paradise Point tramway and see the bird shoe up on top. The views are wonderful. Also Coral world is nice and there is Coki beach right next door. In St. Maarten with always hang out at the beach you can see from the ship.

Kathy

[need_a_Disney_fix]

I am so jealous of all of you and I will relive our cruise (Jan. 21) through you. We loved the Eastern cruise so much we rebooked for next year. Remember, half the fun is the anticipation. For any first-time cruisers, the packing can become a challenge. DH and I figured we coiuld have gone with one upright less. Take notes as you cruise as to what you would pack or leave home. Enjoy!!!

[tecdavidt]

The eastern route is also our favorite. I love the extra day at sea and St. Thomas.

I just looked up the cruise ship schedule for St. Thomas and we will be docking at Havensight. I love that location. It is walking distance to Paradise Point tram. The shops are just as wonderful as the downtown shops. I was concerned we might be at Crown Bay docks. I didn't want to hassle with the downtown traffic. We also could have been anchored but no, we have the best spot Havensight!

Kathy

[PHILinAK]

Hi all,
Yep, we're still here, :wave: just haven't been online for awhile.
Latest updates:
1) Docs arrrived Friday, didn't look correct, but Disney has them correct in the computer, so all is well!
2) Volcano has been simmering & now has a new 30 foot dome on top. Just praying it can stay plugged for the next 12 days so we can get out.
3) Waited to buy shorts so they would fit my new skinny self, but have dscovered I still seem to be the same weight I was 6 months ago...so bought fat shorts yesterday instead. Swimwear is another issue. Alaska's not geared up for summer season yet in the stores, so my swim suit cover-up may be snowpants.

Glad to hear from more folks who will be onboard.

Very sorry to hear about Kathy's dog. I know how incredibly painful that can be.

As far as meeting up, all I know is that we have second dinner and it looks like those seatings are at 8, 8:15, and 8:30. We don't know which we have, but meeting at 8 might be a problem for folks with that seating. We'll try to make it to wherever it's decided upon, though. Can you tell me more about the green ribbons? Are we talking about any type in particular or is it just a matter of wearing some form of extraneous green to identify ourselves?

See y'all very soon! :cool1:
Cheryl

[GeneralMax]

Hi all-

We to went shopping today for cruise wear. Good news is nearly everyone in the state of Minnesota leaves for warm climates at spring break so at least the stores had shorts. Good thing they did I tried on DS stuff from last summer and he has outgrown it ALL.

Cheryl - We are thinking claming thoughts about the valcano. We had a small scare here when we thought Northwest was going to have a strike and we would have to scrabble for new flights. Good news - they settled at least for now. :woohoo:


Kathy sorry to hear about your dog. It is so hard to loose a pet/memeber of the family.

Thanks for planning a meet at the sail away party. I think we should definately try to make that but I also threw out the idea of a DIS meet between dinners and here is what I propose. In between dinners and dinner shows they have a game show called Disney Mania in Studio Sea - Mid ship Deck 4. We have gone on all our other cruises and the kids love it. I can't think of a better place for a bunch of DIS fans to meet and maybe one of the kids will get picked and we can all cheer them on. Let me know what you think.

We are up for green ribbions or green mouse heads - just tell us where to find them.

Ruth

[GeneralMax]

By the way Kathy for the list I will be celebrating the 6th anniversay of my 39th birthday on board...39 seemed like as good a place as any to stop counting. :cool1:

Ruth

[jphart]

Ruth-

You will be celebrating the same "anniversary" as DH.

You can get the "green ears" in the paint section at Home Depot. Choose the brightest lime green they have. The exact color is posted somewhere on this DIS board. If you use the bright green ribbon, you can find it at any craft store for about a dollar. If anyone needs either, you can PM me your address and I will mail you some. Just let me know how many you need.

The game night sounds good. Is it early enough for the cruisers with younger children?

Jennifer

[jphart]

Cheryl,

You are too funny!

We would definitely be able to spot you on the cruise! :teeth:

I hope the volcano stays quite until you are safely tucked away with your family in the Carribean.

Jennifer

[cruisecrzy]

They have green ribbon at Jo-Ann's or Wal-Mart. I made myself a green ribbon barett.

We will try to meet up with everyone at Studio Sea, but that show is at 7:30 if I remember correctly and they also have characters out at that time. Last cruise my daughter liked hanging out in the atrium lobby with the characters and on the first night she played in flounders for a goo majority of familytime. I will put it into my spreadsheet of fun and try to meet up. We will definately be on deck ten for the sailaway and at the port around 11am.

We are almost into the single digits for the countdown to cruise!!!

[tecdavidt]

I finally had time to check in for today and it is already past 10:30 pm!

We just got home from the traveling Broadway production of The Lion King.
What a way to get one into the Disney spirit right before a cruise :). Husband Dave said they were missing two things, one was the mouse himself and two, the cruise director who explains what is on tap for tomorrow. I laughed at him and said, "I can hear it now, this is what is going on while we are in the lovely port of Des Moines IA." Ahh, I need to be on the ship.

Thoughts and prayers that the volcano will not blow its top and ruin a wonderful trip. I am glad NW airlines has settled. Ruth, I will add your info. Him, 6th anniversary? My mother claims she is still 39 and she has two daughters who are much older than her.

DIS meet, just tell us when. 11 days and we will be in Florida! 12 days and we are on the ship!

Kathy

[PHILinAK]

OK, bright lime green it is. Thanks for the info - I'll see what I can dig up.

Kathy, your mom and my dad seem to celebrate the same birthday. Don't know how he'll handle my turning 50 next month. Not sure how I'll handle it either!

Thanks for all the positive thinking toward keeping the volcano snoozin' for the time being. Really glad to hear the airlines settled. I kept hearing info on the news about it, but never heard enough to know if it had gotten better or worse. Sounds like it would have impacted the trip for quite a few of you if they had gone on strike and I'm sure you didn't need the added stress of worrying about it, either.

Bought 50 spf sunblock for my beluga body and am ready to go! :p (it's amazing what living in the dark half the year for the past 27 years has done to my tolerance to the sun).

Yeehah!
Cheryl

[PHILinAK]

Hi First post here. Myself, my DH, DS(13 just had a birthday) and DD(9). We are from Daytona Beach and just counting the days.
Hi Daytona Mom and family,

We are a bit farther away; from Alaska. Our son (Chase) is also 13, it will be great to have another teen his age on board. As you can see from previous messages, there also are a bunch of girls in that age group. I'm sure Chase will check out the "Stack" ... you think your son will also be hanging out there?

Phil

[Daytonamom]

My son would probably go to the stack if he had someone to go with. He also wants to check out Ocean Quest (is that what it is called) on deck two. I think they have it open only to 13-14 year olds at some times. Looks like fun.

We plan on getting to the port at 10:30 or so. Can't wait!!

[NCardella]

Anyone know what movies are currently playing in the Buena Vista Theatre?

[MsCheng53]

Lisa and Garrett here, email from travel agent that he sent our documents and we should get them in a day or two. I went to home depot today and got the Mickey paint samples too.... wasn't the color Alien Green?? Booked two excursions and three spa treatments. Ready for this cruise to start. Still looking for eight year olds. Feeling bad I am not taking my teenagers because everyone is there age. Anyone staying in Port Canaveral the night before? We are at the Radisson. Don't want to miss the ship and it is a five hour drive.

[jphart]

MScheng53-

There will be tons of kids on board. I'm sure your son will be running around with a lot of new friends in no time. :yay:

Jennifer

[cruisecrzy]

Yep, Alien Green is the right color. I actually got lots of those paint chips in different colors and then cut around the Mickey Head. I put magnets on the back and now I have a toy for my daughter to play with. I know that most of you do not need simple toys to entertain your kids, but thought I would share.

Lisa, it certainly sounds like you will be spending the week relaxing.

I finished the pirate skirts today that I am making for my friend and I. Now I just need to make the shirts and all of the pirate stuff will be done.

I was able to find the glow bracelets and necklaces at a dollar tree just in case anyone else is getting them ahead of time.

Ncardella-If you email Kathy (tecdavidt) her info is a few posts up she can add your groups info to our list.....if you want to that is.

[Daytonamom]

Called on the movies
Chicken Little
8 Below
Finding Nemo
Incredibles
Narnia
Sky High
Valiant
Flight Plan
Shop Girl
Glory Road

Thought we would have shagy dog?? And I was hoping for Ice Age but it comes out after we get back.

[krystagali]

Michelle - you are really going all out for pirate night. good for you. I think our guys are just wearing black on black, not sure what I'm doing yet.

Lisa - we are staying at the Hyatt at the airport. i figured it would be too much for the kids to sit through the 2 hour flight and then get in the car for a one hour drive to the Radisson. I did look into it though.

Phil and Daytonamom - my BIL (15) will be on the cruise with us. He's very shy though, don't know if he'll go to the stack.

Kathy - sounds great about the Lion King show. Tarzan is about to start on Broadway, maybe DH and I will go see that if we can get ticks.

Well, we are into crunch time. just one weekend to go. I'm getting excited and nervous all at the same time. Big worry is what on earth to pack for the two kids.....

Beth

[jphart]

Can anyone tell me how long it will take us from Daytona to Cape Canaveral? We are staying there for two days prior and need to allow for drive time Saturday with traffic.

Thanks,
Jennifer

[GeneralMax]

Okay I am ready for this trip if for no other reason than it means I will be done shopping!! :crazy:

Nothing my DS owns from last summer and maybe it is judt because I cannot belive how big my "baby" is but I am having trouble getting the right sizes...it would help if he'd go shopping with me.

I am crazy busy at work and have to do my least favorite thing and terminate someone tomorrow. Even when it is the right thing to do... and this is...it really sucks!!! This cruise is helping me keep my sanity through it all.

We are aslo going out on Friday and spending the night. I don't even know where we are staying. i put my husband on that. I suppose I should check :)

Ruth

[cruisecrzy]

Jennifer-
It will take you between an hour and hour and a half to get from Daytona Beach to Cape Canaveral. I cannot comment on the traffic because I have never driven it. I know that you are spending the majority of your time on I-95...which I do not think has any construction but could not tell you for sure. I just do not remember ever seeing anything on the news. Hope this helps you.

Ruth-
I hope the cruise helps provide you an escape from work...unless you are on of the unlikey ones that has to work while you are on the ship.

Jennifer-
It looks like you are going to have great beach weather. Weatherman Tom just told us that it will be creeping towards the 90's next week.

[tecdavidt]

Ahh, 90's next week! I can handle that. Todays high was maybe 40 with rain. Well, we do need the rain but it could be warmer.

I think I have all clothes bought for the three of us. Dave's new shorts will arrive this weekend or the latest, Tues. That is pushing it but I had no choice. Did finally locate nice sport flip flops for daughter. The stores around here are just now starting to stock their summer merchandise.

I do need to get the paint chips from Home Depot.

Ruth, sorry about what you have to do to an employee. We own our own business and sometimes it has to be done but I agree, it makes you feel terrible. Hopefully the cruise will help ease the guilt and pain.

When we wake up tomorrow only 9 days left :cool1: .
Kathy

[PHILinAK]

OK, call me slow, but when everyone was talking about getting green ears from Home Depot, I couldn't figure out why they would be giving out green Disney hats (this was prior to reading the latest posting about PAINT CHIPS) :lmao: But, brave soul that I am, I ventured forth yesterday and was able to figure it out. I even managed to pick up the right shade of green without having seen the latest postings with the name of the actual shade! Now if I can just survive the realization that I need to tackle the pirate motif...I somehow missed out on that whole discussion.

Ruth - Regarding your baby getting bigger: I made the mistake of buying clothes for my son a month ago for this venture. Since then, he has grown one inch in height, 2 sizes in pants and a size in shirts. I give up. He will be the naked one onboard.

Latest on the volcano: after settling down to mild rumblings this past month, it started erupting again yesterday. I believe Murphy wrote a law about that...

Daytonamom - we'd heard rumors they may have a dedicated time and space for that "tween" age...that would be nice if it happens. I'm sure our son will be glad to check it out, too.

Beth-Maybe if we can figure out a way to all find each other it will give your BIL a chance to visit the Stack with other teens he's met. On the otherhand, I don't know what a "BIL" is so maybe we don't want them meeting! :) We've still got a little over a week to figure out how we can all be in one place at one time... you wouldn't think it would be that hard, but I understand why it is.

I'M GETTING EXCITED!!!!!
Cheryl :ccat:

[Daytonamom]

Jennifer
From my house it is about 1 hour 15 mins to the port About 70 miles down I95. I would allow at least another 1/2 hour coming from the beach. Leaving early in the morning you should have no problem. Send me a PM and I will send you my phone number so you can call me if you need anything while you are in town.

Cherl
I looked up an old Navigator and they have a meet and greet at Quest for the 13 - 14 at aroud 10 10:30 and then a "411" at the stack for a get to know you thing. The BIL got me too. Brother in law. We will try and get the boys together before the 411 thing if they want to go. Frank is in 7th grade and my dd is 9 years old going on 10 next month. We have late dinner and we are down on deck two. We booked so late that is all they had left.

Lynn

[habibi]

Now if I can just survive the realization that I need to tackle the pirate motif...I somehow missed out on that whole discussion.


Cheryl - I don't think we're really getting all dressed up for pirate night but I did by some accessories at a party story for my niece and nephew (General Max's kids) and a few extra in case the adults feel like getting into it. I got some eye patches and some blow up parrots to sit on their shoulders. I debated swords as well but figured that if I put something like that in my luggage it would get searched for sure so I passed on the swords.

Abby

[cruisecrzy]

I know a few of you plan on arriving a few days early to play in Florida. I thought I would share just in case any of you suffer from outdoor allergies like I do.

If you have a tree or grass pollen allergy be aware that the pollen count in Central Florida is as high as it can get with no signs of relief in the current extended forcast. It is so bad that if you leave your car outside you can see the pollen that settles on it.

So if you are coming to play and you do suffer from outdoor allergies you may want to pack your favorite allergy remedy.

We are almost into the single digits!!!

[tecdavidt]

Thanks for the heads up Michelle. My husband has terrible allergies and one specific can be bad -- pine tree pollen. I am guessing it is pine tree pollen since Florida has a lot of pine trees but it could also be all green things pollinating. Our house is surrounded by pines and the dust is yellow when they are pollinating. When our house was brand new and we were waiting on the installation of the air conditioning our house was invaded by yellow dust! Then, in Colorado, we were their early June and the pine trees were pollinating and Dave had a terrible time. You could write on cars through the yellow dust and it is a tacky dust on top of it so it is hard to remove.

Dave has never had a problem in Florida but I will share this information with him.

9 days! Kathy

[cruisecrzy]

Kathy,
I am not sure the specific type of pollen. I just know it is mostly tree pollen. I saw the pollen count on the news, but cannot remember. Typically I do not have a problem either because the humidity is high enough to balance the "evil pollen." However, we have not had rain for awhile (so now there are wild fire warnings) and the humidity is low.

Hopefully things will change before you get here. Myself and half the people I know walk around with allergy pills, allergy eyedrops, and allergy nasal spray..we are liking a walking drug store.

Has anyone else made any doorsigns? We have one and I made some for my friends. I want to make some for pirate night and castaway cay, etc. I think my husband thinks I am crazy....I told him it is the teacher in me just dieing to laminate :)

[NCardella]

DaytonaMom,
Thanks for checking on the movies. I didn't know where to find the info...you were most helpful! My kids will be thrilled to see Chicken Little is playing, among all the others.

[jphart]

Hey everyone,

Thanks so much for the information on the drive times. That is really helpful. Last time we drove down, it was smooth sailing until we hit the Florida border.It took us longer to drive the last bit of our trip, that the last two states we drove through!

We have decided to fly (standby) now that Northwest has simmered down, even though the pilots say they have a right to strike at any time. I believe the President would step in and force them back to the negotiation table, because of the inconvenience to travelers.

Pirate night. pirate: I don't know what we are doing. :confused3 We don't want to spend a lot of money on something we may never wear again. Any suggestions for inexpensive costumes?

Cheryl- I guess your son won't have any trouble fitting in with the crowd on Orient beach(Isn't that the where the nudist colony is?) My girls just shot up 1/2 inch in one month. They are almost as tall as I am. Scary!!

[jphart]

Anyone want to print up a few more door signs? We have the magnetic tape and the Disney ears and Disney paper. We are trying to figure how to do it, but I think we are running out of time. I have a trip, then my husband comes in from Iowa, then we leave for our vacation! HELP!

Insanity before the calm,
( That would be me before my husband)

Jennifer

[krystagali]

Wow, the group is really picking up chatter - very cool.

Yes, BIL = brother in law. I guess I'mjust used to posting on trying to conceive, pregnancy, and wedding boards...

DH (dear husband) and SIL - the one getting married - have a much younger brother. He is more of a homebody, so I don't know if we can even get him to go to the stack.

Michelle - I'm working on door signs...just haven't had much time to work on them. I'm trying to make for all the people travelling with us...so that's about 5 rooms (I think)

Abby - LOL about the swords in your luggage. As long as you are packing them in checked luggage, it shouldn't be a problem.
You can put anything you want in checked luggage - knives, swords, AK47, lol!

Ruth - that sucks about having to fire someone...but at least you have the backbone to do it. I work with some of the most spineless jelly-fish out there. So frustrating some times. And I totally hear you about not having to shop anymore...I don't htink I have EVER spent more on a vacation in my life.

well, I hope to pack tonight - at least for the kids....

Beth

[krystagali]

ummm, I've never travelled with kids before. Do they always need this much crap???! DH and I usually travel with one carry on suitcase for the 2 of us for 1 week. I've already filled one carry-on size with kid clothes....yikes! How are we going to get through the airport????????????????

[cruisecrzy]

Jphart-
pirate: night can be done cheap. I can sew so I made a simple skirt and then a pirate shirt for each of us. It cost me $15.00. I admit we bought costumes for our girls, but they were under $10 each. Anyway cheap and easy ideas. You can get white t-shirts and cut the arms and the bottom with the jagged pirate look. Girls a plain black skirt boys black pants. If you found cheap ones you could cut them as well. They will give out bandannas at dinner that can be worn as pirate head gear. For a belt tie a piece of black or red fabric around the waste....could also tie around the head as a headband. You could probably get eye patches and earrings at a party store fairly cheap. Or you can take my husbands route...he won't dress up. He has a shirt from a project he did. It says Pirate Soul and that is his pirate costume.

I can post a picture if you need one to get ideas....it won't be my costume though because I cannot wear it and take a picture at the same time.

As for signs is there something particular you want on it. I can make it and email it to you or if you are not able to print them out then I can and I will laminate them....there is that crazy teacher in me. I am not a graphic artist so it will not be super fancy. But you can send me the info you want on the signs, characters you like, and room number if you want it on your sign or your disname. I put the room number on all the signs I have done to hopefully stop them from walking off to another room. I do not mind doing them...I should have the time. I cheat and only work 3 hours a day so that I can talk to some grownups. The rest of the time it is just me and my dd so I can take care of them during naptime.

Krystalgali-
Wow!!! 5 staterooms...that is a lot of sign making. Our group only has three staterooms.

[PHILinAK]

Wow, let's see if I can remember everything I just read and wanted to respond to.

Magnetic signs: I made some for us and printed out on 8x11 magnetic sheets so the whole thing sticks to the door. Our printer is acting up though, very frustrating because I wanted to do one more..it seems to have become color blind (but only off and on) :surfweb:
Green Ribbon: I just bought some to hang around our necks to hang the green ears off so you should be able to spot us. I will also put some around my sunhat, which is orange...so I'll look a bit like carrots and celery. :thumbsup2
Kristagali:The answer to your question is YES - travelling with kids means diaper bags and strollers as carry-on, you can forget about bringing anything for yourself. Really fun if you are the only adult :sad2: The good news is that the more you do it, the more "at home" they will be with travelling as they grow up.
Cruisecrzy: Thanks for the heads up about the pollen. I'll come prepared.
Daytonamom: I had heard they might have the meet and greets, but wasn't sure...that will be great.

Outta here one week from tomorrow!
Cheryl

[PHILinAK]

Cherl
I looked up an old Navigator and they have a meet and greet at Quest for the 13 - 14 at aroud 10 10:30 and then a "411" at the stack for a get to know you thing. The BIL got me too. Brother in law. We will try and get the boys together before the 411 thing if they want to go. Frank is in 7th grade and my dd is 9 years old going on 10 next month. We have late dinner and we are down on deck two. We booked so late that is all they had left.

Lynn

Hi Lynn,

It would be great to have the boys meet; Chase is also in 7th grade. We too have the late dinner, and I'm pretty sure he will go to the Quest and the 411. We are on deck 6. The time is flying by ... can't believe we will be heading to Orlando in a little more than a week!

Cheryl

[tecdavidt]

As I was gathering items last night I thought I needed to share what brand of sunscreen we started using last summer: Bull Frog Quick Gel. Our daughter is so fair that you can almost see through her skin. She has to have sunblock on or else she burns. Getting her to use sunblock was impossible and she just preferred to stay inside. Now with this clear gel she wears it and it does not wash off. I will warn you that it stinks, rubbing alcohol smell but that goes away fast. She still has to wear cream block for the face because this gel will burn any acne a teen might have on their face. We found this at our local triple A baseball games because they hand out packets for free during day games and somebody gave us some to try on our daughter. She loves the stuff because she can't feel it on her skin! As she told me, "it isn't goopy!" I also packed the Aloe just in case we might need it.

Cheryl, I did a google search on Alaskan Volcanoes. I found two that were being watched. One was 80 some miles from Anchorage. I assume that is the one that is causing the problem. Interesting web site, they have a live cam on the volcanoe.

8 days and we are in Florida, 9 days and we board!

Kathy

[krystagali]

just a quick drive-by:
I noticed this AM on the DCL site that we are moved to the early seating with the rest of our party :) YIPPIE!!!

Beth

[Daytonamom]

Cheryl
They also have that Bull Frog in a spray also that goes on clear. Great for touch ups on the sholders and back for the kids.

What time is everyone getting to the port?

[GeneralMax]

just a quick drive-by:
I noticed this AM on the DCL site that we are moved to the early seating with the rest of our party :) YIPPIE!!!

Beth

Beth - that is great news on the dinner time. Nothing wreaks the fun of getting ready like having to stress the samll stuff!

Thanks all for the kind words. I survived the work crisis... yes thinking about sitting by the pool with a drink did help! :banana:

Kathy- great idea about sun screen. Do they sell it at Target? I am the one with fair skin so I have been going to the tanning salon so i don't burn...unfortunately not a good solution for a 14 yr old.

I love the door sign idea but I have absolutely no creative abilities... anyone who wants to e-mail some ideas and DETAILED directions would be my hero.

Cheryl - we are also on deck 6. Are you front or back... yesI know there are sailing words for front and back but I can barely remember where I put my car keys these days. I wonder if it has anything to do with the "6th anniversary of my 39th birthday" :confused3

This has been such a great group I cannot wait to met on the ship.

Ruth

[tecdavidt]

Ruth, Bull Frog is sold at Target and at Walgreens. Target was out when I went to get more and had to buy at Walgreens.

We are arriving next Friday, 3/17 Happy St. Patrick's Day!, in the evening and we will be staying at the Airport Hyatt. We have DCL transfers that we will use for our luggage. Taking a limo service to the port. Ahh, we only go around once in life. We should be arriving at the port around 11:00 or 11:30, we can't remember if we are picked up at 10 or 10:30. Better find our proof of limo papers lol. I think I will wear my tropical skirt, lime green with pick tropical flowers. That way I won't have to change for dinner.

Did everyone read that the announcement for Magic '07 cruise schedule will be made on our cruise :cool1: so if you want to book one, I'd say your chances are good.

Kathy

[cruisecrzy]

I hope I remember everything I wanted to reply to and reply to the correct person. I am attempting to multi-task by reading this, talking to my dh, and doing a search on the net for my mom.

Beth-
Congrats on the dinner being changed. That has taken a load off I am sure.

Ruth-
My not so elaborate sign has a character and the DCL logo plus some words. If you tell me what character(s) you like I can attmept to email them to you. I would need your email address since I do not think I can attach them to a PM. I can also send you an already made sign. Then you just put what you want on it. In order for me to do that I need to know what program you have. Or I can dress up one of mine to suit your needs. Just tell me the specifics.

Ruth and jphart-
I will PM you my email address and then if you want you can send me your requests. I will do my best to help out. Or I can email you detailed directions on how to create your own.

The rest of the stuff that I remember-
As for the time we are planning to leave our house between 9:30 and 10:00am. We are approximately an hour away. Of course the miniature sized boss rules in our household.

We are on deck five aft (back of the ship).

We (the adults) have not figured out what we are going to wear yet. DD will probably be in a purpler tinkerbell one piece (onsie) type outfit and running around on her red elmo "kiddie leash" :)

I think I remembered everything.

[tecdavidt]

Panic is now setting in. Daughter decided to check out the new flip flops we bought earlier this week. Well, I don't know about your children but my daughter does not have two left feet! Yes, two left foot flip flops instead of a left and right foot!!! Trip back to the mall tomorrow to fix that one. Then husband is asking how many formal nights. Well, one formal and one semi-formal. He wore a tux both times last cruise. Decision is no suit just bring tux but it needs to be cleaned before we leave. One would think we have never cruised before! This is Disney #8 and my 17th! You don't wait until 7 days before you leave for these things to be taken care of. OK I feel better now, I needed to vent. Kathy

[cruisecrzy]

Kathy-
You areno alone. we just waited until the other day to look at our stuff..we spend too much time focusing on the little one. My husband has always done a suit in the past, but this time just a shirt and tie. He wants to cut down on the packing and we have friends going that do not own a suit. My dh hates getting dressed up...he does not find it as fun as I do. We have to go this weekend and get him another pair of dress pants. I told him I could live with no suit, but I wanted different pants at Palo and formal night. And unfortuneately with his work schedule we have about 3 hours to find him new pants.

Goodluck on your mall trip.

[tecdavidt]

I did get all the shorts for husband, finally. I hate having to order so close to the travel time. I did do a Lands' End order last night to cover our flip flop issue. They are good about getting items to me fast, of course, Murphy's law could kick in this time. I hope Dave's tux still fits! I forgot about having him try it on :crazy: I know by next Thursday I will be packed and my headache will be gone. You know, I need a vacation!!!!! Kathy

[Daytonamom]

What do the guys wear on non formal nights to dinner. What about the teen boys?

Lynn

[cruisecrzy]

Daytonamom-
My husband usually wears a pair of kahaki or navy slacks and a golf shirt or a buttondown short sleeve shirt with the exception of pirate night.

We have sat with teenage boys before and they typically wore about the same thing as my husband...nice pair of pants and a golf (polo) shirt.

[tecdavidt]

Dave likes to dress for the formal and semi formal nights so he has a tux style suit he wears. It isn't a true tux but close in looks. All other meals he will wear khaki pants (Docker style) a nice polo, or a nice dress shirt and typically a Tommy Bahama style button up camp shirt. When we brought our teen boys (back when they were teens) they wore Khaki pants and dress shirts with ties. Non formal nights they wore nice dress pants and polos. Shoes, well boys will be boys, athletic style on regular nights and dress on formal nights. Kathy

[Daytonamom]

:banana: Thanks everybody!! We have been on the Wonder but never the Magic and didn't know if it was any different.

Just to let you know it is going to be in the mid to high 80's this weekend in sunny Florida. A weak cold front on Thursday but then back up in the 70's and 80's.

Lynn

[tecdavidt]

Ahh, always a pleasure to hear temps that warm in March! I heard our forcast for this Mon. includes snow showers! I know, in Iowa snow in March is not out of the question but our winter has been so mild this year. I want green grass and trees with leaves, ahh shoot, I want to see palm trees swaying with the sound of the ocean. I have no business living in the midwest lol. Kathy

[jphart]

Hi Everyone,
Wow, I was gone two days and there is so much info on the boards!

Michelle- Great ideas for the pirate costumes. I will try to pull something together by the cruise. I printed the information, so I wouldn't forget, as I am a bit scatterbrained lately. I will email you info for signs. THANKS!!!!

We have been using the Bull Frog Quick Gel for years. Works great even in salt water and isn't sticky- so my girls will use it. Great if you are getting braids(not me) as it isn't greasy.

For those packing with younger kids. We have twins: double stroller, two car seats,diaper bags, extra clothes, extra food, toys...........my brain. They are now 13 and pack themselves. I agree with Cheryl. Travel now and they will be easier later.
See You Soon, Jennifer

[cruisecrzy]

Kathy-
Thanks for reminding me why we left teh midwest. My dh and I were born and raised in the chicagoland area. We left for warmer weather many years ago...thanks for reminding me why we left.

Jennifer-
You can ignore the part in the email I sent asking how old the girls are....my question has been answered. Another thing...if you have time is a party store. I went to one by our house and they had pirate vests for $2.49 and hats for $3.00. The dollar store had glow necklaces and other stuff, but it has been awhile so I cannot remember what it was.

We are about one week away. Goodluck to all those that are traveling this way.

[krystagali]

Okay, I finally got to do some packing. Kids (and dog) are at my parent's house for the day and DH is out with BIL and FIL. I am caving and shipping 2 boxes ahead of time. DIAPERS and food/toys for the kiddies. mostly stuff that will stay behind when we are coming home. But gosh! I am so nervous about things getting there...but if they don't they don't. I can buy diapers if I need to.

I think I have it down to 1 carry on and one checked bag for the flight. Everything else is being shipped or will go in my in-law's car. I've decided to bring the fold up floor gym for my little one since I cannot see carrying her all day...I've got to have somewhere to put her down in the room. I think we will be asking our stateroom host to take the coffee table out!

my in-laws upgraded their room yesterday, so they are now in a category 7 (from cat 11) and on a different deck all the way aft, we are all the way fwd. So, guess we won't be getting as much help as we thought. Oh well.

BUT, we leave in less than a week and I'm getting so excited/nervous. Can't wait to get there. I think the planning is way more stressful than the actual travel.

gotta run!
Beth

p.s. as for formal and semi formal nights - DH will wear suit. BIL (age 15) likes to dress up so he will also be in a shirt and tie, maybe a suit jacket on formal night. For the other nights, khakis and a polo shirt or button down without tie.

[PHILinAK]

Hi all,
This is my designated packing day! I never have time to do anything after work except help with homework, do dishes and collapse into bed, so my goal is to pack my clothes now and not save it to the night we fly out like I usually seem to end up doing.

Kathy- yes, it's Mt. Augustine. Several years back it covered us with ash, won't do too much more than that since we are a ways from it, however it does shut down our airport when it's active... a jet flew through an ash cloud about a decade ago and got so sandblasted they couldn't see through the windshield and the engines shut down, so they take no chances now. I can live with the ash as long as I can still go on my cruise :)

Ruth- We're about midships, starboard side, just aft of the midships elevators. We will have signs on our door with Mickey, Minnie and Pluto travelling from Alaska to the Caribbean.

Regarding men's clothing....DH is not used to the heat so won't be bringing his suit coat but will have a shirt and tie. DS has black slacks with shirt and tie for formal dinners. I'm afraid we may be going with the tennis shoe look for footwear on him, though. I hate to buy a pair of shoes he will only wear for one meal.

Regarding where we are staying and when we'll get there:...we are leaving on Thursday, arriving Friday evening and staying at the Disney Port Orleans. We'll arrive at the ship whenever the Disney transportation takes us...they seem to have omitted the ground transportation portion of our trip from our coupons, but they assure us we are in the computer, so we won't know any times until we actually arrive in Florida.

I've strung the green mickeys on green ribbon to hang around our necks and put one on my orange hat with green ribbon, too, so we should be easy to spot if we are in the same part of the ship.

Off to pick up the DS from a sleep over and start packing!

See you all soon, :thumbsup2

Cheryl

[GeneralMax]

Will the shopping never end??? I spent all day with my 14 year old looking for "the right shoes"

Mean while DS stayed home from school yesterday and woke up this morning ans asked to be taken to the doctor - a first for us. Turns out he has strep. Glad we caught it this early so it will be totally gone by next week.

Ruth

[tecdavidt]

I hear you on "will the shopping never end?" Spent this afternoon with daughter shopping for shorts. Ended up with belts, shorts and t-shirts that all say they are from Hawaii or Malibu. All from Kohl's.

I did decide to pack the surge protected outlet extender. We are in 8548 and the outlet we get to use is under the TV in the master bedroom! I usually take just an extension cord but this time I thought having more outlets would save time in plugging and unplugging items. I prefer the midship cat. 3 but non were available this time. This is our third time in this room. I hope they have the whirlpool tub fixed. The last time we were in the room it would turn it self on -- and we weren't even using it! Spooky. I just realized we are starboard this trip.

I did get the two left flip flps exchanged. The clerk was so confused. The suits are at the cleaners. I have two more clothing orders due to arrive before we leave. Both should arrive Tuesday.

This week will fly by! Only 5 more full days here before we fly to Orlando.

Kathy

[cruisecrzy]

Beth-
If you get desperate I will have lots of size 4 diapers. They will probably be too big for you dd, but you could always duct tape them on. Last time I think I brought twice what we needed and since my dd has decided she prefers the potty I will probably have too many. We are sure she will be angry since sh will not be wearing her "big girl" pants around the ship. We would prefer accidents in a diaper then the lobby.
Another thing we found valuable last time was my chest carrier as my husband calls it. I have a My favorite Baby Carrier that lets me "wear" my daughter on my front, back, or hip. It was great for keeping her contained and my hands free when we went for food, it also was nice for her to fall asleep in if we wanted to be out late (pirate night) and walking around the islands. If you have one you may want to bring it. I cannot believe you got your family down to 1 checked bag and 1 carry-on. If you find out in advance that your stuff did not make it there and do not have the ability to stop at for diapers let me know. I can stop for you...target is cheaper than DCL. Also, went to the last store today and no DCL pillowcase. Sorry :(

Kathy-
Have fun playing at WDW. The crowds have started picking up in the last week and this week is the beginning of the Spring Break crowds.

Safe travels to everyone!!!!

[Bama4Disney]

Finally have all of our things ready and most of it is packed. The suncreen, sandals and flip flops are ready and now I am ready for the drink of the day. Tried on Son #2 cloths which are mostly hand me downs from Son # one to see what fit. Also tried on his power ranger flotation swimsuit and now we can't get it off of him. He is 2 1/2 and it may require a total melt down to remove the swmsuit from him. We will be the couple running around the mickey pool and probably the entire ship trying to get him to change into something else. I am sure you will hear him we he through his terrible two fit but oh well. I am on vacation and will have another drink of the day.

Can't wait. 4 1/2 days until we leave. We are leaving at 1:00 on Friday and driving 1/2 way and driving the remaining 3 hours Saturday morning and should be at the terminal around 11:30.

See you all at the mickey pool and then at the sail away party. I will be the one on vacation with my drink of the day.

Hope to meet you all

Kevin and Melody
Austin (Son #1)
Drew (Son #2) aka Red Power Ranger

[PHILinAK]

This has been such a great group I cannot wait to met on the ship.

Speaking of meeting up, does anyone know if a meeting time/place has been settled on? Looking through some of the past postings, it seemed different possibilities were mentioned, but I'm not sure we actually know where to go (and when) to meet up with you all. Thanks!

Phil

[cruisecrzy]

Jphart-
If you have not checked your email yet you will see the first sign I made for you.

PhilinAK
I could be wrong, but I thought one place we were going to try and meet was deck 10 for the sailaway party on the side of the ship that is against the dock. If I am wrong someone please correct me. Phil, why are you not able to find out what time your Disney transportation will be picking you up? Would they not tell you when you called?

Last few items
How many of us have late seating? I am pretty sure we are the 8:15 PLA seating. I know I have seen others that say they have the late seating, but I cannot keep it all straight in my head.

I tried to past in the local five day forcast for those starting their vacation early, but I was not able to. So here it is Wed 79/59, Thurs 82/53, 81/61 w/30% chance of raind (though the weather guys are not holding their breath for more than a drizzle). :sunny:

Bama4disney have a safe drive. :moped:

[Daytonamom]

Hi Our plans at this time are to get to the port early so I will keep my eyes out for anyone I might see. We too have late seating for dinner but I don't know what rotation or time.

Looking forward to meeting everyone. We were booked on the New Years Cruise a few months ago but my son came down with the flu on Friday before we were to leave and then gave it to my husband the next day. We had to cancel on Saturday morning. I sure some one got a upgrade. So I am trying not to get to excited until my feet are on the boat.

Lynn and family

[PHILinAK]

Hi all,

We are in the last seating for dinner. We will plan on being on Deck 10 for the sail away. Looking forward to meeting all of you !

We are pretty much packed. Probably bringing too much stuff, but it is hard not to.

[jphart]

Hi Everyone,

We have late seating as well, but do not know rotation or exact time. From what I read on the dicussion boards, they try to group families with like families. So, more than likely, families with teens will be dining with families with teens, young children with young children, etc.

I take it we are going to meet on deck ten? We will be looking for all those green Mickey's and green ribbons from the minute we get to the port.

We are going to try to get to the port early. Lynn, what time are you getting there? We are planning about 9:30-10:00. Leaving Daytona around 8:00.

Michelle, the sign is super! Thanks again.

Jennifer

[tecdavidt]

We have early seating and since Steph is a teen I would guess it is the latest time for early seating. We will find out when we get there. After today only 3 more full days at home!

We had a nice warm Sat. 65° sunny, Colder Sun. with rain 40's, and today it really has gone down hill. Hi of mid 30's and rain mixed with snow. I need those warmer temps even with a few sprinkles of rain included.

Time to start pulling out the clothes. I am still waiting on two orders from LLbean and Lands' End.

Are going to have a meet? Kathy

[Daytonamom]

Hi Jennifer

We are going to leave about 8:00 also. The kids don't want to sit around at the port but I want to get our boarding number. We have only gone on the Wonder and never had boarding numbers before I just made everyone stand in line which they hated.

The weather should be good for you in Daytona Beach. All the bikers are gone and the sun is out. I didn't notice what part of the beach you were staying but some of the beach is no driving which is good if you go back and forth to the water and most is still driving which is fun to just drive down and just look around.

I am sure we will find each other at the port. And we will look for everyone on deck 10 during sail away. DD will want to go down and dance with DH but I usually stay upsairs to get pictures.

[cruisecrzy]

Daytonamom-
If it makes you feel better in November we had boarding number 8 and were on the ship just over thirty minutes after boarding began. The number system seems to go pretty fast and it is nice not having to be in a line.

[krystagali]

Michelle - you are so sweet! Thanks for the search for the pillow case. And the offer re: diapers...my gosh, who knew I could meet such wonderful people over the internet!!! I have the front carrier and I plan to use it on the plane, bus, and boat. :)

Kevin and Melody - I too will be enduldging in the drink of the day :) (I hope) I'm still nursing DD, so, not sure how keen dh will be on me drinking...doesn't bother me any.

Don't get me wrong, we have more than 2 bags for the 4 of us, but...most of it is going down in the car with my husband's family :lmao: If the packages have not gotten to the wearhouse by the time we leave on Friday, I will call them to stop on the way. We are the only people flying down. MIL, FIL, Grandma and aunt are riding in one car. Bride's best friend, daughter, and parents are flying (but from Texas, not NJ), and SIL and fiancee are driving. We are flying with ds (2), dd (5mo), and BIL (15).

We are in the early diner seating, PLA I think. with the final night at Palo.

4 days to go!!!!! Can't believe it is here already. I can't wait for all the shopping to be done with.
Beth

[Surfergirl]

We are into the last of the packing. Leaving tomorrow for a few days at Ron Jon resort.See you on the ship. Jane :banana:

[cruisecrzy]

I have been making a list of which seating groups have. And where people's rooms are. Feel free to correct anything that I am wrong on. Here is what is out there so far.
Early (Main) Seating
Tecdavidt
Krystalgali (finally got moved to early with Palo on last night)

Late (Second)Seating
PhilinAK
Cruisecrzy (Palo on Monday am and Wednesday pm)
Daytonamom
Jphart


I think Daytonamom asked the question about how they do seating. Here is the "rule of thumb" used when scheduling the seating. However, we have had the LAP on the Eastern prior to having our daughter and sat with an 8 year old.

APL- younger kids
PLA-family rotation
LAP- adult

Staterooms
GeneralMax Deck 6
PhiLinAk Deck 6 midship
Cruisecrzy Deck 5 aft (back)
jphart Deck 2 forward
krystalgali cat 11 fwd


GeneralMax did you ever figure out how to make your signs?

[Surfergirl]

To add to your list. We have early seating. Cat. 7, deck 7 aft.

[tecdavidt]

We are on deck 8, starboard & midship. Room 8548. Kathy

[cruisecrzy]

Ok, I updated the list with more info. I figured I would do it now because I know some people will be starting their vacations earlier than others.

Early (Main) Seating
Tecdavidt
Krystalgali (finally got moved to early with Palo on last night)
surfergirl

Late (Second)Seating
PhilinAK
Cruisecrzy (Palo on Monday am and Wednesday pm)
Daytonamom
Jphart



Staterooms
GeneralMax Deck 6
PhiLinAk Deck 6 midship
Cruisecrzy Deck 5 aft (back) 5132
jphart Deck 2 forward
krystalgali cat 11 fwd
surfergirl Deck 7 aft
tecdavidt Deck 8 midship-starboard 8548

[krystagali]

just to correct your info, we are on deck 6, category 8 (rm. 6014)

[PHILinAK]

Hi Michelle,

One more update for your list, we are in #6590 (unfortunately right across from the Laundry Room). If in doubt, look for the four door signs designed by Cheryl. Thanks for pulling all this together !

Phil

[MsCheng53]

Garrett and I have late seating for dinner and are in #2578 midship Cat.9 Deck 2. Glad to hear people have as much as this one adult and one child with three bags. I like to have everything and it's not as if we have to carry it all the way.........Were staying at the Radisson and plan to be at the port at 9am just because...don't want to waste any ship time and have one excited eight year old.

[MsCheng53]

Do I need to bring both for us or just the passport and his state ID?
Lisa

[Daytonamom]

Hi Lisa
You need your passport and a photo ID and your son will need a passport or a birth certificate with a raised seal. I don't think that he will need a photo ID but if he has one bring it.

I don't think the gates open until 10 at the port. I asked this on the main board and that is the information I got.

Someone that has cruised more can probably confirm this. Looks like a few of us early birds will be there.

Lynn

[cruisecrzy]

Krystalgali-Sorry I misread an earlier post. I had your relatives old info, but I will fix it below.

MSCheng-You only need one EITHER the birthcertificate or passport. However, if I am wrong someone correct me. But I do not believe the terminal building opens until 10am. I will verify this info with a friend who knows for sure.

No here is the list updating again. I am updating it often because I know people are leaving for the Orlando area soon. Plus I am watching kids take a test right now and have nothing better to do.

It looks like Deck 6 and Late seating win for biggest population :)

Early (Main) Seating
Tecdavidt
Krystalgali (finally got moved to early with Palo on last night)
surfergirl

Late (Second)Seating
PhilinAK
Cruisecrzy (Palo on Monday am and Wednesday pm)
Daytonamom
Jphart
MsCheng



Staterooms
GeneralMax Deck 6
PhiLinAk Deck 6 midship 6590 (across from the laundry)
Cruisecrzy Deck 5 aft (back) 5132
Jphart Deck 2 forward
Krystalgali Deck 6 6014 (Cat 8)
surfergirl Deck 7 aft
tecdavidt Deck 8 midship-starboard 8548
MsCheng Deck 2 2578 (Cat 9)

[tecdavidt]

From what I remember the terminal opens at 10:00 and boarding usually begins at 12:30, sometimes sooner sometimes later.

Only three full more days and we are in Orlando! Staying at the Airport Hyatt for first night then onto the ship Sat. am. Kathy

[cruisecrzy]

I called my friend who does transportation for Disney. Told me that the terminal officially opens at 10am and boarding begins at 1pm. Boarding usually begins earlier because the ship is usually cleared earlier. Does not believe the terminal opens earlier than the official time.

Hope that helps those planning on arriving early.

[habibi]

cruisecrzy - we have the late seating as well (we being General Max's family and me).

[Daytonamom]

Michelle

Daytonamom and family are in cabin 2650 down on deck 2.

[cruisecrzy]

:rolleyes2 I am just updating again. I think we have almost everyone except Ncardella. I just went back and doublechecked my list and we are also missing Cinderlexa'smom(I think they may already be enjoying a Florida vacation), Eeyore1928, Jedimindtric. Other than that we are complete. With the majority eating late.

Early (Main) Seating
Tecdavidt
Krystalgali (finally got moved to early with Palo on last night)
surfergirl


Late (Second)Seating
PhilinAK
Cruisecrzy (Palo on Monday am and Wednesday pm)
Daytonamom
Jphart
MsCheng
GeneralMax
Habibi (Part of gen.max's group)



Staterooms
GeneralMax Deck 6
PHILinAk Deck 6 midship 6590 (across from the laundry)
Cruisecrzy Deck 5 aft (back) 5132
Jphart Deck 2 forward
Krystalgali Deck 6 6014 (Cat 8)
Surfergirl Deck 7 aft
tecdavidt Deck 8 midship-starboard 8548
MsCheng Deck 2 2578 (Cat 9)
Daytonamom Deck 2 (2650)

[tecdavidt]

Cruisecryz, are you using my list? I know I had to remove a couple of people and can't remember who now but maybe they are the ones with missing info?

What a day I have been having. Picked up daughter from school and she just didn't look like she felt good. I checked her throat and I saw the pesky white spots and smelled the stinky breath. I called the doctor and they had me bring in her in immediately. I guessed correct, STREP THROAT!!! NOOOOOO. Well, one nasty shot of penicillin in her rear, no school for tomorrow and she will be good to go by Thursday. Thank you Dr. Schoon. Vacation saved. He could have perscribed refrigerated meds but I didn't want to deal with Disney and explaining "no, she isn't contagious." and he agreed.

I just need to get through two more days! I did get the clothing orders today and I have the cleaned suits in hand. Not all is falling apart, thank goodness. I did call Shirley and ordered gift totes for daughter and husband (ok, for me too lol). I did have to move daughters haircut to Thursday. At least they could move it for me.

Did I say two days left? I am ready. I need this vacation.

Kathy

[cruisecrzy]

Kathy,
I am using the last list you sent. So maybe that is the probelm.

I am glad your daughter is doing better. I know the feeling. I was at the Dr. yesterday just to verify my daughter was healthy. She had roseola the week before. When I told him why I wanted her checked out and stamped on the forehead with "germ free and healthy." he said it would make a great postcard. Loving my cruise...I have only seen the inside of my stateroom. Nothing like a Dr. with a sense of humor.

I hope everyone remains healthy.

Kathy, the weather is great here and ready for you to start your vacation. Just think 80's and maybe that will take away some of the stress.

[GeneralMax]

STREP ALERT!!

Okay so DS comes home sick last Thursday. We take him to the doctor and he has strep. DD is sick Monday and it is ...you guessed it strep. Today i have a little bit of a sore throat and think what the heck I'd better get it checked. Guess what strep! The doctor just gave me drugs for my husband too. Well at least we all got it and will be treated BEFORE we leave. It would have been miserable if it turned up on the boat.

Kathy - interesting fact for you - none of us even had very red throats so we almost missed it in my son. Good thing the doctor did a routine test to rule it out because it was going around.

Now I get to pack and be sick at the same time. :banana: :banana: :banana: I'm going to bed...

Ruth