March 25, 2006- Anyone else?

[geffric]

Hi... another sunny day in Chi Town..


Inbetween what is labeled the broadcast center and the back of the Mickey slide, on Deck 9 is the Goofy Family Pool. Also on Deck 9, below where the broadcast center is where the stage and band are. I think we are meeting on Deck 10, the side by the terminal, closer to the Broadcast center than the backside of the Mickey slide, above the band and stage area so we can all see the sailaway show.. Having said that , I haven't been on the Magic since the Dumbotron was added , so we may end up closer to the back side of the Mickey slide...I am going to check some pictures... and be right back..

[geffric]

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid202/p2e3b90e912300081a1e0c1b5bbacbb39/efee7772.jpg

This is deck 9 by the Goofy Pool,and stage. The person in blue shirt is walking on the stage and the round roofed part on the right side is where the band plays ( note the speakers). The stairs in the picture are coming from Deck 10. We are looking to meet on Deck 10 over looking the band part, which is on the right side of the stage.. or 1 level up from where this picture was taken.

Does that help or make it more confusing?

[gimpeaux]

geffric, looking at your two posts and the picture does make it make sense. :thumbsup2

Later today, I'll post a picture of the wristband.

I've never seen it, but I see the Travel Channel is showing its program on DCL this week on 3/14 at 10 pm, 3/15 at 1 am, 3/16 at 7 pm, 3/17 at 2 am, and 3/18 at 3pm (all times Eastern). You may want to double-check your local listings if you're going to tape it.

[dlf246]

Got our docs last night- and yes it was the luggage tags and the boarding passes.
myboysmom: I was puzzled as our documents had the transportation voucher (transit from airport to cruise terminal, but no actual "ticket" or boarding passes. I asked TA, and she said that since we did everything online, we only bring the online signature sheet, and have no "boarding pass". Do you have a boarding pass that is for embarkation?

For everyone: as a charter member of OA (overplanners anonymous) the approach of the actual cruise is bittersweet... I have enjoyed all the anticipation....

[dlf246]

Anyone planning on being lead writer for a live thread?

[geffric]

dlf246 all we got was luggage tags and the bahama immigration form. And a letter that said since we did everything on line that was all we needed plus the signature page that we printed from the online form..

[myboysmom]

dlf246,

As we are driving, our transportation page was blank. We got a little book that looks like the old boarding passes you would get for planes, pre-internet, I guess that is what I would call "boarding passes". We did the internet check in, so I presume all we would really need to bring is the signature sheet as well. We have the Bahama's form as well, one for each of us.

I can relate about all the planning. We have been at this since Oct. 2004. The cruise will go way too fast!

By the way, I was able to ge a "dry box" at a local travel store for less than $4. If you have any stores that specialize in just travel you might be able to find one there and save a few dollars from the ship.

[geffric]

This is the current version of the list that I have in word.. did I update everyone?


babs4 (Indiana) – DW, DH, DD13, DD18, DGM

*camom (Southern California) – DW, DH, DD6, DD10, DD12 (Emily soccerfire11). Early seating.

*dlf246 (Scott; Little Rock, Ark.) – DH, DW, DD5, DS14, DD16. Early seating.

DMKaren (Nashville, TN) – DW, DH, DM, DB, DD10, DD12.

Flags - DH, DW, DD11,DD9,DS5,DS1 early seating

*geffric (Susan; NW Chicago suburbs) – DW, DH, DS12, and DS14 (turning 15 on cruise). Late seating. Room 5020.

*gimpeaux (Jim; Highland Park, IL) – DH, DW, and DD12 (monkeybug94). Late seating, but wait-listed for early. Room 5002.

jcuzzort1026 (Jennifer) – DW, DH, and DD2.

lflynn – DW, DH, DD almost 9. Late seating. Room 2072. First-time DCL cruisers.

mickeyworld (Judy; Wilmington, NC) - DD11 (Rachel (pfmgirl), DD15 (Kayla), and guest DD14. Traveling with another family with DH, DW, and DD12. Early seating.

*Mickeymagic – DW and DD14 (DDMickeymagic). Traveling with DSis, and DSis’s DD4 and DS16. Late seating.

*Minneapolismickey – DW, DH, DS4, DS7. Late seating. Room 7000.

*myboysmom (Madison, WI area) – DW,DH, DS7 (1st grade), DS 12 (6th grade). Early seating. Room 7012.

nucruzer – DW, DH, DD11, DS13, DGM.


* Riggins - DW, DH, and my 2 DDs (oldest is 4 and my youngest will turn 3 on 4/2).

*skibum (Hawthorn Woods, IL) –DH, DW, DD9, DD13 (Minnie328, turning 14 on cruise). Room 5022. DGM and DGP in Room 5518.

Starfish-Destin (Post # 240).

* Stay_home_Dad_Scott – DH, DW, and 2 friends who are celebrating their 25th anniversary.

[camom3]

Geffric,

I ordered wristbands for the family. You can put a * next to our name if you wish.

Thanks,

Jen :cool1:

[soccerfire11]

:ccat: Rachel(s), mickeyworld has another rachel and dmkaren and flags both have DD12! :tink: :cheer2:

[minneapolismickey]

:wave: Hi everyone-just came up for air after digging out of the 6 inches of heavy Minnesota March snow that we got last night. This is the first day that I was glad that we were not headed this morning to Florida! First school snow day in at least 3 years :cool1:

geffric- thanks for the review of where to meet. I presume that if we stay on the right side of deck 10 while facing the movie screen and band, we will find you all, especially looking for gimpeaux with 40 wrist bands on! :yay:

We received a little booklet that looked like the old fashioned airplane tickets too. The documents were redundant with those online, so I presume that you only need to fill them out if you didn't do it online. I will bring them all just in case, but they don't seem necessary if you already filled them out online.

So hard to get through this next week and a half... :hourglass

[geffric]

For everyone: as a charter member of OA (overplanners anonymous) the approach of the actual cruise is bittersweet... I have enjoyed all the anticipation....

::yes:: we booked on board 2 years ago.. Had a place holder date until spring 2006 opened, then on the first day, Sue Ellen at DU moved our reservation to 3/25 ... so I have been thinking and talking about this cruise for a long time...

DH has a different planning horizon, long term to him is what is for dinner once he comes home from work.:rolleyes: LOL.. so the boys haven't anticipating this for as long.. :confused3

BTW I did get them to finally try on shorts yesterday.found out that Eric has outgrown all of his shorts from last year. Luckily he can wear Geoff's from last year and geoff had some that I bought at the end of the year clearance that were the next size up.... so I can wash clothes and start to stage things. They will be gone this weekend at a boy scout camping trip in MI, so I will have the whole weekend to obsessively plan and over plan and do laundry ... The big question is laundry...http://bestsmileys.com/cleaning/4.gif. We have only been on the Eastern so I had an extra ship day to do laundry but with so little time, I wonder if I can get by without doing any laundry???

What do you think?


Not too much longer and it is our time on the Magic..

http://bestsmileys.com/party/5.gif

[Minnie328]

:thumbsup2 Geffric- you can add to the list that we have early seating.

[gimpeaux]

Still no docs/luggage tags! :confused3 We'll call TA tomorrow to see what's going on. He said he mailed them from Florida last Wednesday.

Sorry about the delay in taking and posting a wristband picture -- yesterday got away from me, and today work got busy. Maybe tomorrow.

[myboysmom]

geffric, my hope is not to do any laundry while I am on the ship. That being said, I do have boys- so I am going to "be prepared". I have some laundry tabs from a trip a few years ago and I am throwing them into our stuff just to be safe. My folks were on a HAL Western last year and didn't do any laundry. I think I can make it too.

We didn't get the snow yesterday that the northern part of the state did. We had thunderstorms on Sunday night, a cold wind and snow yesterday and a bright sunny cold day to start (currently 22 degrees). It is supposed to get to the mid-40s today. We will see. I am so glad that we will be going someplace warm and sunny soon. Checking the 15 day forcast for Cocoa Beach the weather isn't going to be that warm- only a high of 68 degrees the day we sail :( and 71 in Key West. I was hoping for it to be much warmer! Oh well, it will be much better than here.

[gimpeaux]

I saw that relatively chilly forecast on Accuweather as well, myboysmom, and chose to disregard it. In the past, I have found that when the vacation rolls around, what the forecast said 15 days in advance has almost always been wrong. Call me a cockeyed optimist, but I think it will be in the upper 70s when we sail and 80 in Key West. :sunny:

[dlf246]

I have some laundry tabs from a trip a few years ago and I am throwing them into our stuff just to be safe.
myboysmom: strange thing... if you look at the various posts on "what to bring" lists, DW & I have noticed more people bringing small liquid tide bottles, instead of the tablets. Then when we went to one store, they told us they no longer carry tablets! Haven't tried elsewhere yet...
And on the weather front, I'm hoping all that precipitation predicted for middle of next week will empty the clouds out and leave only sunshine for us!!

[Minnie328]

I do have boys- so I am going to "be prepared". I

It's not only boys...you should see my sister...she's always getting food on herself.. :rotfl: :sad2: Anyways, we bought Tide-to-go. It's that stuff that you rub on yourself if you get something on yourself. It will work good for pictures on the ship. :boat:

To bad the weather won't be too warm...but atleast we're on the cruise! :cheer2:

[minneapolismickey]

I will choose to ignore any cool weather forecast in the future. Like gimpeaux says, I have found that they are usually totally wrong until you get within the week. Hopefully the temperatures will be much warmer when we look this time next week.

Funny thing happened today...We were out playing in our fabulous new snow and upon returning to the house we smelled gas. We called the gas company and were told to evacuate immediately. We were not even supposed to turn off the portable phone until they arrived to investigate. Well :crazy: , as you can imagine...I had to run back in the house for my purse, a pacifier for my niece and of course our passports and the cruise documents. (Everything was ultimately fine, just a small leak out of the oven). Can you tell that nothing is going to stop us from getting on that boat in two weeks? We may not have any clothes, or a house for that matter, but we'll see you on that ship! :rotfl2:

[camom3]

Hi,

I don't feel like bringing Tide from California. Can I buy it on the ship?

Also, I drink a Red Bull every morning, do they sell them on board? Maybe this will help me break my caffeine addiction. It's the only caffeine I have all day. So I can wake up and be like this :banana: :bounce: :Pinkbounc

Thanks,

Jen

[gimpeaux]

Still no cruise docs/luggage tags! TA swears he mailed them to us last Wednesday and double-checked our address, but nada. He said to give it a couple more days and then said he'd take care of it if we still didn't have them. :guilty: :sad2:

On a brighter note, here's what the wristbands look like...

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/gimpeaux/P1010392.jpg

[camom3]

Gimpeaux

AWESOME!! :cheer2:

Thanks again,

Jen

[monkeybug94]

Well that's my wrist...forgot to mention that, Dad.

[geffric]

I will choose to ignore any cool weather forecast in the future. Like gimpeaux says, I have found that they are usually totally wrong until you get within the week. Hopefully the temperatures will be much warmer when we look this time next week.


I agree... besides it is 23 degrees in Chicago right now.. 68 looks good to me..

Minneapolismickey - glad that the gas problems wasn't a big one and you and your passports and cruise docs are safe..

gimpeaux the wrist bands look great. Thanks for posting pictures...

monkeybug94 the wrist band looks great on your wrist.. which size are you wearing?

camom3 how are you getting from the airport? If you aren't on the DCL bus, you should be able to make a stop before you get to the ship. I imagine that there is laundry detergent to be purchased on the ship but I don't know about the red bull...

[geffric]

These links are from Dave's DCL site..


The first is titled the last few miles to DCL cruise terminal .. http://dcltribute.com/directions/lastfewmiles.htm

The second is Called I'll like to buy.... before I sail and where to do that.. http://dcltribute.com/faq/spacecoastshopping.htm It has directions to the publix/walmart/target /winn dixie


As of 2 years ago, they did not have caffeine free /diet soda of any type,( yes there is diet coke but not caffeine free diet coke) even in the dining room. I don't know if that has changed.

[geffric]

Brewed coffee on the house On March 15, between 10 a.m. and noon, come by for the Starbucks Coffee Break and have a tall cup of brewed coffee, our treat. Join us for a drink and some lively conversation on our favorite topic – coffee.

[minneapolismickey]

I have read a number of reports about taking school supplies to the children and elementary schools in Costa Maya. Is anyone else thinking of doing something like that? Apparently there is a school near the beach in Majahaul that is easy to access by taxi.

Also, did anyone schedule a Chacchoben Ruins tour with David or Ivan? We did not schedule a tour since I am worried about the length of time and the attention span of my DS4, but would like to take my DS7 to see some ruins. We were thinking of taking a taxi and walking around alone, but of course I wouldn't know any of the history. Is anyone else doing that?

gimpeaux-thanks for the wristbands. They look fabulous! :thumbsup2
Hard to believe that you still don't have your travel docs. Our documents came specifically with a letter detailing the staggered dining times. They suggest calling 1-800-WDW-CRUISE if you have questions or requests. I know you had mentioned wanting the 8pm seating if available, so you might want to call again to verify that they are not staggering the dining times. It seems that the first dining time is assigned to Artist's Point the first night, the second time to Parrot Cay and the third time to Lumiere's. Hope this helps.

[myboysmom]

gimpeaux we are sending some Pixie Dust your way! I think I would be out of my mind if things hadn't shown up yet. The bands turned out great!

minneapolismickey glad your gas leak was only a minor one and that things are back to normal.

We are expecting 6 -8 inches of snow in the next 48 hours :( Of course, this weekend is the state boys basketball tourney in town. I swear we always get some kind of nasty weather!

Had our swim team banquet last night. Found out our team will have its first ever swimmer at Junior Nationals next weekend in Orlando! :cheer2: Don't think we will stop to cheer her on though :cheer2: . We will be thinking positive thoughts as we drive by.

[camom3]

[QUOTE=minneapolismickey]I have read a number of reports about taking school supplies to the children and elementary schools in Costa Maya. Is anyone else thinking of doing something like that? Apparently there is a school near the beach in Majahaul that is easy to access by taxi.


I was planning to get a backpack of school supplies together. However, I'm running out of time as I leave for Florida on 3/23 at 4:30 a.m.

If I get some things together, I'll let you know.

Thanks,

Jennifer

[monkeybug94]

It is a medium wristband...thaks! :upsidedow

[geffric]

Thursday...Rain and snow. Snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches. Highs in the mid 30s. East winds 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation 100 percent. Thursday Night...Snow likely in the evening...then a chance of flurries after midnight. Colder. Snow accumulation up to 1 inch. Total snow accumulation 2 to 4 inches. Blustery. Lows in the lower 20s. North


DCL Take me away!!!!!

1 more week!!! Just 1 more week..

[gimpeaux]

Sigh...one week after our TA (who we will NEVER use again) says he mailed us the cruise docs and luggage tags, they are still nowhere to be seen. :furious: DW called the Documents Departmnent at the agency today, and all they will do is say that if we don't receive them before we leave town, they will arrange for a duplicate set of docs and luggage tags to be waiting for us at the port. Which of course means we will need to get to the port, figure out what to do with our rental car while we drag all of our luggage up and inside (instead of leaving it with the porters as everyone else will get to do), get the luggage tags (let's hope they are there!), take the luggage back to the porters, and then check in with our birth certificates and licenses with the CMs. All this and I will still have return our rental car to Budget. (I'm too upset -- does anyone see a better way to do all that?)

I can't even begin to believe the TA entrusted these critical documents to the U.S. Postal Service! So at a time when I should be enjoying the thoughts of getting ready to go on this wonderful trip, I'm instead sitting here fuming and worried the whole thing may go awry because the TA did something so stupid. Arrrrghhh.... :scared:

[lflynn]

Did she send your documents via the regular mail? that is terrible. Did you do the online forms so at least that part is done? I would think that if she called DCL she could get you another set of documents, or at least the luggage tags, no?

:furious:

Good Luck.

[geffric]

I agree with lflynn and I would tell the TA that the solution of picking up a dup set at the port is unacceptable and that I wanted the TA to fedex another set of doc and luggage tags to arrive you by next Monday..

[geffric]

gimpeaux as far as the luggage scenerio, on our second cruise we were going to drop the luggage at the port and have DH return the car. Well it was early enough, so we all went to Budget for the return. The driver at Budget loaded our suitcases on the shuttle and drove us to the port. When we got off the shuttle, there was a tented area that DCL used for the luggage from those people arriving on the shuttles. The person there could help you with your luggage tags and do the run if necessary or just tag them manually.

Another scenerio is for you to drop off DD and DW and the luggage at the port, the porters will take the luggage and tag them and you can happily go off and return the car..

either way, it isn't necessary for you to drag luggage upstairs or around at all...hope that helps...

[gimpeaux]

lflynn and geffric - Thank you for your kind words and constructive advice. I'm going to call the TA tomorrow myself and insist on them doing now what they should have done before. It really annoys me that DCL takes care to send the docs by overnight delivery yet our TA couldn't bother to follow suit. Heck, I would have paid the extra cost of having the TA FedEx the docs to me. If that call doesn't work, then geffric's thoughts about how to handle the luggage at the port are very helpful. I'm also going to call DCL to see what thoughts it can offer about the process at the port. I did the online registration, so I guess the only important things we are missing are the luggage tags.

It's good to have you guys! Thanks again. :)

[geffric]

gimpeaux what is confusing to me is that I booked through DU and DCL UPS the docs to me directly without DU ever handling them.. wonder why DCL treats other TAs differently?

Maybe SueEllen can answer this , Hmmm..:scratchin

[myboysmom]

All of our things came through our TA, including the letter telling us that Cozumel was out and Costa Maya was in. Our TA is local, our children go to school together and lives just a few blocks from us. As we live in a small town I think she would be just beside herself if something didn't go right. The word of mouth thing would really hurt her business.

I hope they get all your docs overnighted to you soon. We are thinking of you and your family, there is enough to do to get ready for a trip.

By the way, it has started snowing heavily here. We are to get 4-6 today with blowing and drifting. Schools to the west of Madison have closed, I wouldn't be surprised if our schools go to an early release, but then again...

Dreaming of warm sun and sand and a cold drink....

[Minnie328]

party: WHOO HOO! LETS DO THE SINGLE DIGIT DANCE EVERYBODY! :dancer:

:banana: NINE MORE DAYS, NINE MORE DAYS, NINE MORE DAYS UNTIL THE SUN! :cool1:

Well, all after school activites were cancelled today due to snow. :cold: And am I'm typing this, the salt truck just came around the street....how ironic?! :-) :yay: I was totally bummed about orchesis try-outs not being today, because I'm afraid they're going to be when we're gone :sad2: ...I guess we'll just have to see what happens... :confused3

[myboysmom]

Minnie328, you all must have gotten much more than we have! No school closings close to Madison, and all after school activities are still on.

I am looking forward to getting out of the snow too! Good news is no shoveling- it should melt in a day or two.

[gimpeaux]

I called the travel agency's documents department today, but couldn't get them to do anything other than repeat what they told DW yesterday. They simply said I should be patient (!) and wait until Monday, because the stuff was mailed on March 8 and "you have to allow 7 to 10 days for something to arrive by mail." (Gee, maybe they should have thought of that when they decided to use the mail...) And if it doesn't arrive, they said again that I can just pick up the docs and tags at the port (but they can't say where).

I called DCL, who were (by contrast) very nice and reassuring. The CM said as long as we show up with ID, birth certificates, and reservation numnber, they can take care of issuing us tags there. Whew!!! :ccat:

So now that I can resume the pre-cruise, yes-we're-really-in-single-digits attitude -- "Don't Worry, Be Happy!" :sunny:

Jim

P.S. About an inch or two of snow already on the ground, and we'll probably get another 2 or 3 inches tonight. I want :smickey: :boat: :sail:!

[dlf246]

minneapolicmickey all 5 of my family (yes, that includes DD5 unless she falls in love with oceaneer club) are doing the David & Ivan tour (the 5 hour tour that is just the ruins, not village trip/meal, etc.)

gimpaeux when you first were posting about trouble getting your docs, it bothered me that TA said DCL overnight mailed them... I had wondered if that was true. This week it would make sense for DCL to overnight, but why back then? Hope your getting the straight scoop...

[gimpeaux]

minneapolismickey - Like dlf246, DW, DD12 and I are doing the David and Ivan Chaccoben Ruins tour as well. (DD12 would prefer to have a beach day, but we can go to the beach a lot -- when in the world will she again be able to hear from and learn about Mayans?) I know that jcuzzort1026 and her DH and DD2 are also planning on going. We're going on the 3.5 to 4 hour tour -- the first one listed on this (http://www.chacchobenruins.com/wst_page8.html) page. Ivan e-mailed me and said they'd leave around 11:30 or an hour after the ship docks.

Have any of you who are going figured out what to do about lunch that day?

[myboysmom]

We are doing the ruins tour as well, but with DCL. As we meet our group at 12:00 I think we will catch a quick bite to eat on the ship. Water is something I have been thinking a lot about- brining it along on the excurision that is. My understanding is it gets very hot there.

Glad to hear at least DCL is willing to give you some answers!

[dlf246]

Have any of you who are going figured out what to do about lunch that day?
I hear some people order sandwiches via room service either night before or mid-morning, and bring in soft cooler with a canteen.

[Minnie328]

Minnie328, you all must have gotten much more than we have!

We only got about two inches...our school just listened to the weather forcast and didn't take a look outside to see what was really going on...lol. But try-outs are scheduled for Saturday, so everything's OK! :)

[geffric]

We are doing the ruins tour too with DCL. I was thinking of going up to Deck 9 and getting a few wraps and fruit from Goofy's Gallery or ordering sandwiches. ( I am brining ziplock bags for them) We are bringing a cooler and buying water before we get on the ship so we have lots of water for excursions. I think that at Grand Cayman too we will need snacks and water with us for the snorkeling tour.

Minnie328 we didn't get as much snow as predicted either and the jr high canceled all after school activities too.

So we leave a week from today...:banana: gonna be a busy weekend - with getting laundry for the trip done and clothes staged and all of the misc stuff taken care of...The boy scouts are going camping this weekend so they won't be pulling clothes from the trip pile and wearing them..:teeth:

talk to ya later...

[myboysmom]

A week from today we will be almost there! Our goal is to get there early Friday evening. :car: I am actually looking forward to our road trip.

DS 12 really wants to go to Ron Jons. Did a search and found out they are open 24/7 in Cocoa Beach :cool1:

Pretty well organized, DH is happy it doesn't appear that we will have the 2 suitcases per person we are alotted :).

Bright and sunny today. When you look outside you almost forget it is 28 degrees.

DS 12 is having a sleepover with buddies from the swim team tonight. Thinking I might not get a lot of sleep!

Happy St. Patrick's Day !:shamrock:

[gimpeaux]

Today's forecast for Cape Canaveral on Saturday, March 25 --

weather.com - Sunny. High 75.

accuweather.com -- Considerable clouds with a chance of rain. High 67.


Today's forecast for Key West on Sunday, March 26 --

weather.com -- Mostly sunny. High 77.

accuweather.com -- Sunny. High 74.

:shamrock: HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!:shamrock:

[myboysmom]

Well, I don't have to worry about watching the Badgers anymore :( they just got beat really bad. Iowa managed to loose as well. The Big 10 is just horrible!

[Minnie328]

:shamrock: Happy St. Patrick's Day! :shamrock:

[minneapolismickey]

It seems that everyone but us are planning on the Ruins trip in costa maya. I would love to go, but think that 4-5 hours is long for DS4 and perhaps even DS7. We might take the taxi there and try to tag along with you all for a short time. I have read that you should definitely take deep woods off. Remember that the deep woods off will last 4-5 hours, while regular off only lasts 1-2 hours. Safer to dose once, than re-dose. (Can you tell that I am a pediatrician?) I think that the idea of ordering room service sandwiches is a great idea, and I plan to take a few water bottles so that we can fill up with water on board as well.

We had green grass last week, now 15 inches of snow in 5 days later, so we are SO PSYCHED FOR A CRUISE! :banana: :cool1: :Pinkbounc :bounce:

Last night the weather.com said rainy and 72 on Saturday, now sunny and 75. It will probably change every day until the cruise, so let's count on sunny and 75, shall we? DH (ex-pilot) says weather not accurate until 72 hours. :confused3

See you guys soon... :thumbsup2

[camom3]

Geffric & lfynn -

Sorry about dropping out of chat, but my internet went down. I couldn't get it fixed for 2 hours. Just as well - my middle daughter was channeling her Rachel Ray downstairs and I needed to supervise.

We are scheduled for the ruins with DCL also. However, I think I'm going to cancel my youngest (6) and myself. She'll be so impatient on the bus. My middle dd (10) thinks that she might want to stay on the ship and enjoy an empty ship.

Have a great weekend.

Jennifer

[camom3]

Hi all,

My husband takes my 3 kids to Catalina Island (26 mile ocean crossing) in our small boat all the time and they don't get seasick. I don't go because I get motion sick. For myself on the cruise I have packed Bonine, Ginger Trips and Sea Bands (wristbands).

What if for some fluke my kids get seasick, anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,

Jennifer

[minneapolismickey]

camom3-

Most kids do not get motion sickness because their inner ear isn't completely developed. If, however, that rule of thumb fails, the best medicine would be benadryl if the child is under 12 (probably ok to give bonine if over 12). Unfortunately it may cause drowsiness. I wouldn't hesitate to try ginger on children or the bracelets if they are tight enough for little wrists.

By the way, since my son has a severe food allergy, I will have a box of benadryl chew tabs in my cabin. Don't buy some if you would need to borrow a few from us. I am a pediatrician, so don't worry about the dosage, I can always tell you how much to give on the ship. :stir:

I wonder a little about motion sickness for myself and my kids, too. I am also bringing bonine and the wristbands. Wonder if I should pick up some ginger. My DH is not worried-let's see who really gets sea sick (he can't ride the mad hatter tea party ride). :rolleyes1

[camom3]

camom3-

I wonder a little about motion sickness for myself and my kids, too. I am also bringing bonine and the wristbands. Wonder if I should pick up some ginger. My DH is not worried-let's see who really gets sea sick (he can't ride the mad hatter tea party ride). :rolleyes1

Hi,

I have a full bottle of something called "Ginger Trips" from the health food store and you are welcome to them. I think I'll pick up children's dramamine.

Since we waited so long for this cruise, I'm bringing children's Benadryl, children's Immodium - you name it I hopefully have it, but won't need it. I always joke that I'll have the door magnets, but I'll forget the passports.

Thanks,

Jennifer

[gimpeaux]

:dancer: :dancer: :dancer:

Yes! Our docs and tags arrived today!

:yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay:

It took 11 days by mail from New Jersey (not Florida, as I had assumed). Better late than never....

Boy, do I feel relieved. Even though it wouldn't have made too much difference, now I feel sooooo much more relaxed and ready to cruise. We finalized the packing list and our "cruise tips" list this morning, did our next-to-last Target run after dinner tonight, and the guest room is slowly filling up with stuff to pack on Thursday. Also watched the Travel Channel DCL show tonight.

Friday we're off to O'Hare for our flight to Orlando. And then, just 6 days from tomorrow, we'll see all of you for our bon voyage!!

:jumping1:

[geffric]

gimpeaux I am so glad that your docs arrived. What a big stress relief.. :Pinkbounc


camom3 and minneapolismickey sounds like you both are ready for anything.. I will have to note your cabin numbers just in case I need anything..:thumbsup2 On all of our DCL cruise we have never been sea sick. but we have also always been on the 2nd floor (less motion than the higher floors) Wonder how things will be in Deck 5??:scared:

I was pulling out our suitcases and some still have the DCL tags from last trip..:) (Yes we are not even there and I am discussing going home.. how sad..)

When you are going home, and they pick up the luggage the night before, DCL gives you color coded tags. This way it is easy to find your luggage the next morning in the luggage room. Last time we were purple Minnie tags. To avoid confusion the next morning, I brought address labels and put them on the tags. Before we set them out of our cabin the night before, I tagged the bags with our color tag from DCL and our name label.

I can't remember if that was in the DCL tips, but it did help. I also used the name labels for the talk abouts since all of them look the same.


Talk to ya later..

[gimpeaux]

gimpeaux I am so glad that your docs arrived. What a big stress relief.. :Pinkbounc

...I also used the name labels for the talk abouts since all of them look the same.

geffric, thanks. I didn't realize how much the docs thing was annoying/bothering me until they got here and the weight lifted. :ccat:
minneapolis mickey and camom3, we've got generic bonine as well as Benadryl just in case, but sunny days like this make me especially optimistic nothing will go wrong. Hey, if those acupressure wristbands work, maybe we just modify our DIS wristbands.... :rotfl:

Can't help but sit here thinking that next Sunday, it will not only be sunny, but also 40 degrees warmer! :sunny: :goodvibes

geffric, I also saw the tip about taking return address labels along to make it easier to fill out the go-home tags, but what are "talk abouts"?

Jim

[minneapolismickey]

gimpeaux-

Glad you finally received your docs. They must have been sent to a main mailing facility before placed in the mail. :furious: Now you can really enjoy the whole experience.

I am hopeful that you are right about a smooth sailing trip. Hopefully Jen and I will have enough medicine for everyone, but have to use none of it. Always better to be prepared. :thumbsup2

Definitely make sure that you know my cabin number if you have kids (#7000). I do know the dose of many medicines for children (don't forget everything is over the counter in Mexico if someone gets sick)!

Hope eveyone leaving early has safe travels this week.

Angie

[geffric]

but what are "talk abouts"?



Talk Abouts are Motorola walkie talkies that we and 1/2 ship use to keep track of the kids. My kids have to call me when they change locations. On the sports deck, there is a stack of them in various colors belonging to different kids. So I try and make ours look a bit different . Also, DH and I use it to tell the kids when we are going to lunch or movie etc, so they know where we are too.

minneapolismickey thanks..

Susan

[gimpeaux]

Talk Abouts are Motorola walkie talkies that we and 1/2 ship use to keep track of the kids. My kids have to call me when they change locations. On the sports deck, there is a stack of them in various colors belonging to different kids. So I try and make ours look a bit different . Also, DH and I use it to tell the kids when we are going to lunch or movie etc, so they know where we are too.

minneapolismickey thanks..

Susan

geffric, thanks. Were bringing our walkie talkies for the same reason. I assume there's a stack on the sports deck where the kids leave them while they play basketball or whatever.

[riggins]

Hi Guys- I've been packing today and I'm really stressing over how much luggage I've got!! I've got 2 large suitcase, 1 carry-on size suitcase, 1 medium duffle bag, and 1 garment bag for our dress clothes. This is way more than I have ever packed for any week long vacation for the 4 of us. Does this seem like way too much to you guys? How much luggage are the rest of you packing?

See you Saturday!!
Leslie

[geffric]

yep I have way too much stuff too... I don't know what it is going to end up in suitcases yet, I just have things staged but I keep adding to the piles...:scared1:

but as I pack on Thursday night.. we will see what gets left behind. I already figured that we are buying some T-Shirts at the various ports , so i am able to decrease the t-shirt load... But just with dress clothes for the 4 of us, it takes up a boatload of room...:rotfl: :confused3

[MickeyMagic]

Sounds like everyone is busy getting ready for our cruise!

gimpeaux - the wristbands look great!

riggins - I am thinking the same thing about the luggage and packing. I was planning to bring a suitcase for me and one for DD and then a carryon, but the shoes alone could probably fill a suitcase! We are planning to bring along our snorkel equipment (just can't bring myself to pay $25 to rent equipment on CC). I need to take a second look at clothes and shoes and see if we can forego taking some of the stuff. As much as I say I am not going to overpack, I always do!

minneapolis mickey - I am in the northern suburbs so I know what you mean about all the snow. I had spring fever so bad about a week ago when it was in the 50's. Getting 14+ inches of snow this past week sure put a halt to that! But nothing cruising on the Magic won't cure! Actually, I am surprised how fast this snow is melting!

Well, I better get back to figuring out what I need to do yet this week and make a list or something. I will try to check back before we leave on Friday, but if I don't get a chance, I will see you after the lifeboat drill on Saturday!!! party:

[geffric]

Well this is IT!!! The week we have all been waiting for...:woohoo: :bounce: :boat: party: :rockband: :hourglass


If we don't talk to each other during the week... see ya all on Saturday after the lifeboat drill on Deck 10. Have a good drive/flight.


If possible, before the early dining DISers leave for dinner, can we please have a DIS Meet photo?

See ya real soon..::MickeyMo ::MinnieMo

Susan

[Stay_home_Dad_Scott]

I've been smiling and shaking my head, reading all your posts about the snowstorms some of you've been going through lately. Meanwhile, here in KC we've been having some early spring-like weather.

Then in the last week, I've been sent to the basement due to a tornado warning, had my roof ruined by 2 seperate hailstorms in one day, and now we've got up to 8" of snow on the way tonight.

Know what I say to that?? Time for a cruise!!!

Scott

[myboysmom]

We are pretty pleased in the luggage department. We are taking 6 bags (remember, they give us tags for 8) :). This includes one large suitcase, two small duffles, a garment bag, a suitcase for the snorkle gear and a smaller suitcase for beer and wine (which can then be used for things purchased on the trip).

I agree about the shoe department. They are tucked in each bag!

This week will go by really fast for us as we get to start our travels on Thursday!

See you all really soon! :banana:

[dlf246]

Hi Guys- I've been packing today and I'm really stressing over how much luggage I've got!! I've got 2 large suitcase, 1 carry-on size suitcase, 1 medium duffle bag, and 1 garment bag for our dress clothes. This is way more than I have ever packed for any week long vacation for the 4 of us. Does this seem like way too much to you guys? How much luggage are the rest of you packing?

See you Saturday!!
Leslie
Leslie: the most important thing is to be sure your documents and anything you want on embarkation (e.g. swimsuits) are in your carry on. Also, any undeveloped film.

[monkeybug94]

If possible, before the early dining DISers leave for dinner, can we please have a DIS Meet photo?

See ya real soon..::MickeyMo ::MinnieMo

Susan

A DIS Meet photo sounds fantastic...I guess we should proceed from the meet then? :woohoo:

[Minnie328]

Is anyone planning on doing a "LIVE FROM THE MAGIC" thread?!

See you guys in a couple more days!
Oh, and I called DCL today. They said they are doing staggered dining (if this was already pointed out, sorry), and I have the list of movies:

CHICKEN LITTLE
8 BELOW
FINDING NEMO
POOH: HUFFALUMP
SKY HIGH
VALLIANT
FLIGHT PLAN
CASSANOVA
SHARP GIRL
GLORY ROW
ANNOPOLISE


(sorry for misspelled words...the man had a thick accent and I couldn't understand what he was saying...)

princess: Minnie

[geffric]

Is anyone planning on doing a "LIVE FROM THE MAGIC" thread?!

I have the list of movies:

CHICKEN LITTLE
8 BELOW
FINDING NEMO
POOH: HUFFALUMP
SKY HIGH
VALLIANT
FLIGHT PLAN
CASSANOVA
SHARP GIRL
GLORY ROW
ANNOPOLISE

princess: Minnie

No Shaggy Dog?? I thought for sure we could get that moive...

[lflynn]

This is probably going to be a busy week for everyone so I wanted to check in and say safe travels to all and see ya at the DISMEET! :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :moped: :moped: :moped: :moped: :moped: :moped: :moped: :moped: :moped: :rotfl2:

[Pixie Dust II]

My husband and I are sailing on this cruise. Is this your cruise as well? Are you traveling with a large party? This is the first time for a long time that it has just been the two of us. Hoping to meet someone else going. I guess I could have waited until the last minute!!

[12distrips]

Well this is IT!!! The week we have all been waiting for...:woohoo: :bounce: :boat: party: :rockband: :hourglass


If we don't talk to each other during the week... see ya all on Saturday after the lifeboat drill on Deck 10. Have a good drive/flight.


If possible, before the early dining DISers leave for dinner, can we please have a DIS Meet photo?

See ya real soon..::MickeyMo ::MinnieMo

Susan



Where will you be meeting on Deck 10 After the Life Boat Drill??




See you Saturday! :cool1:

[minneapolismickey]

:welcome:

We will be meeting on the terminal side of deck 10 facing the party. (I think that is on the right when facing the band and stage). There should be a number of people with bright green wristbands on. Look forward to seeing you all there.

Between the continued cold weather and my work, this cruise seems more fabulous everyday! Anybody going to watch for the announcement on the anticipated summer 2007 cruise tomorrow?

Time to put all of that stuff into suitcases.... :wave2:

[monkeybug94]

I have a huge school project due thursday...ick...so between that and packing, I might not be able to post again before the crusie so...
SEE YA REAL SOON!!! (at the DIS meet, that is)

[dlf246]

and I have the list of movies:

CHICKEN LITTLE
8 BELOW
FINDING NEMO
POOH: HUFFALUMP
SKY HIGH
VALLIANT
FLIGHT PLAN
CASSANOVA
SHARP GIRL
GLORY ROW
ANNOPOLISE


princess: Minnie
No Narnia?! Recent trip reports have talked about Narnia and Shaggy Dog. I wonder if these are the movies planned for the dumbotron, but Narnia and Shaggy Dog are shown in the theatre??

[dlf246]

We had procrastinated a bit, and went to finish up online forms and sign up for excursions... and all night, the reservation part of DCL website has been down... I hope it is ok tomorrow, as I'm pretty sure they upload the info 72 hours before.

[Minnie328]

Hmm.....
this is strange. I went onto http://www.cruisecal.com/dnn/default.aspx and I looked at where the Magic is on 3/29...it still says Cozumel!?! :confused3

p.s. I was hoping Shaggy Dog was going to be on too...those commercials cracked me up...lol :lmao:

[gimpeaux]

Pixie Dust II and 12distrips -- Welcome aboard! It's never too late to join in, although unfortunately, all 40 of the wristbands I ordered have been spoken for. If you go back in this thread, you will see a posting by geffric that lists all of us who have posted on this DIS cruise meet thread. Please join us at our DIS "meet," which will be just after the lifeboat drill (and after we all dutifully put our lifejackets back in our rooms), on Deck 10 at the place described by minneapolismickey a few posts down. Looking forward to seeing you!

geffric and dlf246 -- I'm also very surprised about The Shaggy Dog and Chronicles of Narnia not being shown -- we haven't seen Narnia and all want to. I had thought DCL always tried to show the latest and most popular Disney releases on the ships. I figured on 8 Below, although I'm not sure after leaving cold weather, I'm really going to want to sit in an air-conditioned theatre and watch dogs in the snow! Finding Nemo, Sky High, and Valiant surprised me too, because they are not exactly new. I assume "Glory Row" means Glory Road, which is supposed to be an good, inspiring movie about the 1966 Texas Western basketball team and coach. Flight Plan seems an odd choice -- a movie about a woman losing her child on a trip. Unless "Sharp Girl" means Shopgirl with Steve Martin and Claire Danes, I have no idea what it is. Annapolis, which came out this year, got awful reviews. I'm not real interested in seeing Casanova, which stars Heath Ledger and got OK reviews. And as much as I like pooh: (well, actually Eeyore), I'm thinking I'm not the target audience for Pooh's Heffalump Movie....

Minnie328 -- I'm not planning on doing a live thread and haven't seen any volunteers. I guess I'm selfish, but I just want to sit back and enjoy the cruise. :cool1:
Stay_Home_Dad_Scott -- Oh so true about our wonderful midwestern March weather! :rotfl2: I think your prescription is right on! Time for a cruise!

lflynn, you are absolutely right about the very busy short week. Work is crazed as I try to finish up everything before taking off. So this will likely be my last post before leaving on Friday. And then ... VACATION!!! CRUISING!!! WARM WEATHER!!! :mickeyjum :donald: :ccat: :tigger: :goofy: :figment: :stitch: :dumbo:
See you all Saturday!

[geffric]

Morning all... it was so cold here waiting for the train this am.. all I could think of is that in a few days I will be where it is warm.. Woo Hoo..



A final listing with the new DISers added:
I will be printing on Wednesday and hand out a copy to each of you on Saturday..




The March 25, 2006 DCL Western DIS Group



12distrips ( Chicago)


babs4 (Indiana) – DW, DH, DD13, DD18, DGM

camom (Southern California) – DW, DH, DD6, DD10, DD12 (Emily soccerfire11). Early seating.

*dlf246 (Scott; Little Rock, Ark.) – DH, DW, DD5, DS14, DD16. Early seating.

DMKaren (Nashville, TN) – DW, DH, DM, DB, DD10, DD12.

Flags - DH, DW, DD11,DD9,DS5,DS1 early seating

*geffric (Susan; NW Chicago suburbs) – DW, DH, DS12, and DS14 (turning 15 on cruise). Late seating. Room 5020.

*gimpeaux (Jim; Highland Park, IL) – DH, DW, and DD12 (monkeybug94). Late seating, but wait-listed for early. Room 5002.

jcuzzort1026 (Jennifer) – DW, DH, and DD2.

lflynn – DW, DH, DD almost 9. Late seating. Room 2072. First-time DCL cruisers.

mickeyworld (Judy; Wilmington, NC) - DD11 (Rachel (pfmgirl), DD15 (Kayla), and guest DD14. Traveling with another family with DH, DW, and DD12. Early seating.

*Mickeymagic – DW and DD14 (DDMickeymagic). Traveling with DSis, and DSis’s DD4 and DS16. Late seating.

*Minneapolismickey – DW, DH, DS4, DS7. Late seating. Room 7000.

*myboysmom (Madison, WI area) – DW,DH, DS7 (1st grade), DS 12 (6th grade). Early seating. Room 7012.

nucruzer – DW, DH, DD11, DS13, DGM.


Pixie Dust II – DW and DH


Riggins - DW, DH, and my 2 DDs (oldest is 4 and my youngest will turn 3 on 4/2).

*skibum (Hawthorn Woods, IL) –DH, DW, DD9, DD13 (Minnie328, turning 14 on cruise). Early seating , Room 5022. DGM and DGP in Room 5518.

Starfish-Destin (Post # 240).

* Stay_home_Dad_Scott – DH, DW, and 2 friends who are celebrating their 25th anniversary.


If I made any mistakes, typos, etc, please let me know so it will be correct on the final printing..

Susan

[myboysmom]

Yes, very cold and windy here! Snow flurries in the air! Sick and coughing people :sick: in the office (you are not going to make me sick I tell you!).

I think we are all packed and set to go. The kids are getting up in the morning now and counting down the days.

Welcome to all of those who have just joined our thread. Wishing you all safe travels!

[myboysmom]

Just a bump back to the front page.

We are just days from MAGIC :cool1:

[gimpeaux]

All of us from up north must be bringing the cool weather with us to Florida. It's been in the 80s there all month, but here's the weekend outlook --

Weather.com

Friday in Orlando - Partly cloudy. High 72, Low 50.

Saturday in Port Canaveral - Sunny. High 70, Low 48.

Sunday in Key West - Mostly sunny. High 74, Low 67.


Accuweather.com

Friday in Orlando - Breezy and cool with clouds giving way to sun. High 70, Low 46.

Saturday in Port Canaveral - Plenty of sun with a cool breeze. High 67, Low 47.

Sunday in Key West - Sunny to partly cloudy. High 74, Low 66.

Still, we can't complain. Right now in Chicago, the temperature is 31 and the wind chill (!) is 18. Down to 21 tonight, only reaching the upper 30s tomorrow, and flurries and 41 on Friday as we leave for Florida.

Bring on the heat!

[dlf246]

Right now in Chicago, the temperature is 31 and the wind chill (!) is 18. Down to 21 tonight, only reaching the upper 30s tomorrow, and flurries and 41 on Friday as we leave for Florida.

Gimpeaux: any danger that the snow will make your travel hazardous?

Separately: 3/11-3/18 trip report says Narnia was shown in the theatre TWICE!!. I bet Shaggy Dog was shown. I wonder if the list of movies given out was those shown on tv????

[gimpeaux]

Gimpeaux: any danger that the snow will make your travel hazardous?

Fortunately, none at all. The big snow went south of us, across Nebraska, Iowa, and Indiana.

We are soooooo psyched!!! :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay:

[MickeyMagic]

Tell me the forecast in Chicago looks good on Friday. I am flying out of Minneapolis through Chicago to Orlando. I don't want to run into one of the spring snow storms that have been hitting the Midwest the last couple weeks.

See you all real soon!

[gimpeaux]

Tell me the forecast in Chicago looks good on Friday. I am flying out of Minneapolis through Chicago to Orlando. I don't want to run into one of the spring snow storms that have been hitting the Midwest the last couple weeks.

The forecast for Chicago on Friday is cloudy with snow flurries, and a high around 40. Nothing that should affect your travel plans.

[myboysmom]

Last day at work and class tonight, then VACATION :cool1:

[geffric]

have a safe drive myboysmom...see ya on saturday....

[camom3]

Hi,

We are leaving at 4:45 a.m. tomorrow.

See you all on Saturday!

Jennifer :banana: :cool1:

[geffric]

Hi,

We are leaving at 4:45 a.m. tomorrow.

See you all on Saturday!

Jennifer :banana: :cool1:

Jen I hope that you are flying.. that is EARLY!! Have a safe trip.. See ya saturday

Susan

[dlf246]

It will probably change every day until the cruise, so let's count on sunny and 75, shall we? DH (ex-pilot) says weather not accurate until 72 hours.
Hey Hey! (those who live near Chicago should remember Jack Brickhouse saying that... or was it Harey CArey????)

It's 72 hours to go and it says MOSTLY SUNNY :cool1:

[gimpeaux]

Hey Hey! (those who live near Chicago should remember Jack Brickhouse saying that... or was it Harey CArey????)

You're right, dlf246, "Hey hey!" was Jack Brickhouse. Harry Carey's best-known phrase was "Holy Cow!" (Although I always loved the tone of disgust and dismay in Harry's voice when a Cub once again wasted a turn at bat and he would lament, "Pahhhhhpped it up.")

Here's the latest from weather.com, keeping in mind that as minneapolismickey's DH accurately notes, nothing more than about four days out means much.

Friday in Orlando - Sunny. High 71, Low 48.

Saturday in Port Canaveral - Mostly sunny. High 68, Low 46.

Sunday in Key West - Mostly sunny. High 72, Low 65.

Tuesday in Grand Cayman -- Partly cloudy. High 83, Low 75.

Wednesday in Costa Maya (this is actually the Cozumel forecast) -- Sunny. High 86, Low 72.

See you all Saturday!

[Mr508MA]

Just a heads up if you give blood on a regular basis

from Red Cross site
Travel Outside of U.S., Immigration
Wait 12 months after travel in an area where malaria is found. Wait 3 years after living in a country where malaria is found.

We got back from the 2/25-3/4 western that visited Costa Maya.
And my brother-in-law went to give blood & was told Costa Maya is on that list. [Cozumel wasn't]
My sister does platlets [spelling?] and she can't donate for a year either.

They say Malaria can be transfered just being in the warm water...

If you donate regular, I wouldn't get off in that port.

otherwise everything else was great

[12distrips]

I leave Tomorrow at 6:15 PM


P.S. I am flying

[12distrips]

I probally Wont be on here until the cruise!! So see you then!!

[myboysmom]

Mr508MA

I do give blood regularly. Although the island of Cozumel is not on their list, Tulum is. We were planning on seeing Tulum, so I wasn't going to be able to give for a year. I gave last Friday, knowing I won't be able to give for a year. They were not too concerned about it.

[skibum]

Getting ready to drive down tomorrow. Finally started doing laundry and packing. Took a couple of seats out of the minivan.

DD13 - soon 14 (minnie328) - got her braces off today. She is in a choral concert tonight at school, and then we will pack the car.

Everybody have a safe trip down, and we will see you Saturday! :cool1:
Think lots of sun! :sunny:

P.S. - Staying at Radisson on Friday night.

[jcuzzort1026]

Since we live in Florida, I just wanted to give everyone a "local" weather report. Saturday is supposed to be in the mid 70s with a moderate breeze and a slight chance of showers in the pm. The weather's been beautiful all week so we should be in for a good sail-away! DH and I have never had a sail-away that wasn't raining or really overcast :sad2: so I'm looking forward to some :sunny: for the deck party! (But if it rains they give out free drinks and after a few you don't care about the rain :rotfl: !

Safe travels to the port everyone!

Jennifer

[minneapolismickey]

Safe travels everyone...see you on Saturday!

:Pinkbounc :moped: :wave: :woohoo:

[geffric]

Have a safe trip.. drive safely.. Hope that you don't run into too much traffic..


I guess that I am going to be the last one to leave.. we don't fly down until Friday at 5:30 pm...

Tonight I started packing... why do my boys love their old stuff??? we have had a few words 'cause I am not packing the old/torn/stained stuff.. I am a mean MOM..

Eric just realized that he doesn't have enough contacts for the trip... so i am making a run to woodfield lenscrafter tomorrow night to get them..

Then he gives me dirty underwear to pack?? HUH??? :crazy: So I just did another load of laundry...


Plus the kids are fighting over the movies for the plane ride... mean MOM rides again.. said no DVD player.. take a book!!! :teeth:

Will someone take this witchy women to the Magic and fast...:rotfl2:

[gimpeaux]

I am looking forward to meeting all of you wonderful folks in just about 65 hours. We fly down to Orlando Friday afternoon, then drive over to the port Saturday morning, arriving around 10:30 in hopes of being one of the first three or four groups to board. Today was my last day at work -- tomorrow being a busy day filled with packing, last-minute errands, getting the dog taken care of, etc. This is a big trip, one we've been planning since last summer. I'm looking forward to letting it slowly unwind and enjoying every minute. Safe travel to all of you!

Jim

:sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny:

[geffric]

bump back to the top...


I guess i'll talk to myself today as most everyone has left...:rotfl:

I'll turn out the lights and lock the door when i leave tomorrow.:teeth:

[riggins]

Hi geffric-
Just wanted to let you know that you're not alone . . . I'm still here! We're not leaving until tomorrow about 4pm and are driving down from NC. I'm doing laundry and getting the car cleaned out. I tried to talk DH into calling in sick tomorrow and leaving tonight and spending a day at WDW before we go, but no such luck.

See you Saturday!
Leslie

[jcuzzort1026]

We don't leave until Saturday morning! Today is all about cleaning the house (I can't stand to come back to a messy house). Tommorrow is errands - getting the dogs to the vet, money out of the bank, all those last minute things I forgot to pick up.

Of course, dd(2) has developed a runny nose and a little cough which I'm praying is just a seasonal allergy thing. But I've pulled her out of day care just in case. I don't want it turning into something bigger. And she's managed to fall skin both knees, put a bump on her forehead and split her lip twice over the last few days. And all here DIFFERENT falls!!!!!!!!! :sad2: I am so nervous about her on the ship. She can't seem to walk across the living room without falling imagine the trouble she'll have when the floor's moving!

But anyway - I'll be around the boards today and tomorrow...

[dlf246]

geffric: we always bring DVD on our trips, but this time DW and I said no. WE agree with the book and figure the kids will see plenty of movies.

jcuzzort1026: I do not know this firsthand and whether this could apply to kids, but I have heard that people who stumble a bit on land strangely can have the easiest time walking on a ship...

[Minnie328]

Due to Mr508MA's post about giving blood, I decided to donate this morning. It is true that after being in Costa Maya, they will not accept your blood for a year.
Leaving soon - of course the car did not get packed last night. I just hope we get out of here before rush hour.
See everybody soon.

[geffric]

have a safe drive... If you are going down 53 , wave as you go by..


Congrats on getting your braces off..

See ya Saturday..

[jcuzzort1026]

I'll hold on to that piece of advice dlf246! :thumbsup2 My friend said maybe she was just getting the clumsies out of her system. DH says he's glad it's a long cruise so the bruises/scabs will be gone for pictures towards the end! :rotfl:

It's overcast and gloomy today and I have so much to do and don't want to do any of it :blush: !

Guess I better work on packing...

I'll check back on later even though I know most everyone is already on their vacations! :banana: I'm jealous :rolleyes2 !

[geffric]

Another hour and I can print my boarding passes.. Woo Hoo :woohoo:


Tonight I'll finish packing, get the last minute things done. Hope nobody has any last minute crisis, then I have tons of work to do tomorrow, and we are off.. to sit in airports and fly around..

jcuzzort1026 FLorida has gotta be warmer than here...The airport is gonna be a zoo tomorrow as the suburbs empty out for spring break.

We are not taking winter coats 'cause I have nowhere to put them once we arrive in FL. So we are doing the jeans and sweatshirts for the way down and back again..brr..

[gimpeaux]

Boy, I hate packing! But gee, I can't wait to be there!

I divided out all of the wristbands and put each family's/group's in a separate Ziploc with masking tape on it indicating the DIS name they go to, so I can pass them out more easily at the DIS meet. Somehow I had 2 extra medium-sized ones left over. So I recounted and double-checked and did my math again (never a strong point with me) and there are still 2 extras. Maybe reminderband.com threw them in as pixie dust. Anyway, if anyone wants a couple extra after I pass them all out, I got 'em!

geffric, maybe we'll see you at O'Hare tomorrow -- but of course neither one of us would know it! Our plane for Orlando leaves around 1:20 and gets in about 5. Thanks for reminding me about printing out the boarding passes.

Last pre-cruise post for me. Back to the packing.... :crazy:

See you all very soon! :cool1:

[geffric]

[QUOTE=gimpeaux]!

geffric, maybe we'll see you at O'Hare tomorrow -- but of course neither one of us would know it! Our plane for Orlando leaves around 1:20 and gets in about 5. Thanks for reminding me about printing out the boarding passes.

/QUOTE]

Well I would love to be on the 1:20 out of O'hare but my kids don't get home from school until 2:45 pm, and I can't leave work any earlier than 3 pm... so we are on a 5:30 pm flight.. But I am very glad that I am working from home tomorrow..:surfweb: off to finish packing and see what else I forgot..:yay:

be back later...

[minneapolismickey]

Hi all-

We leave tomorrow morning at 10 am, then dinner at Chef Mickey, a stop at Walmart and the wine store, and onto Cocoa Beach for the night. Hope that everyone has safe travels tomorrow!

Now to print out boarding passes and pack the socks and underware!

Angie

[geffric]

Morning... It is snowing... yes snow.. It snowed last night and it is still flaking...

What is this?? Doesn't the weather know that it is end of March???

Oh well, it is gonna be warm and wonderful where we are going...


Have a safe trip minneapolismickey , see ya tomorrow:teeth: on the Magic!!!

[geffric]

we are leaving.. I'll turn off the lights ...


and we will be back to write trip reports of the best Magical cruise ever...

[cotomom]

Have a great trip everyone! :thumbsup2

[jcuzzort1026]

Welcome back everyone! I hope everyone had as wonderful a time as we did!
What a fabulous trip! Great weather. Great staff. Great food. Great everything!

Jennifer

[monkeybug94]

We had an awesome time!!!!

[lflynn]

We had an amazing time and did the onboard re-booking! woo hoo....

Did anyone go to the DVC presentation? Or the new Disney Adventures presentation? :banana:

[gimpeaux]

Not only was it 75-85 and sunny every day (instead of upper 40s and rainy, as it is here today), but as DD monkeybug94 said, what an awesome time we had. "Magic" is exactly the right word for it. Great to meet all of you!

Jim

[dlf246]

Wasn't it great!? In case you are interested, I posted a brief trip report at the end of the "barely live" thread. I would love to know if others felt similarly/or differently on the comments....

[geffric]

Welcome back everyone! I hope everyone had as wonderful a time as we did!
What a fabulous trip! Great weather. Great staff. Great food. Great everything!

Jennifer

::yes:: we had a great time too.. and we rebooked for the last week in march 2008..
I agree on the food. I thought it was much better than the last cruise and i have the extra lbs to prove it....

Great to meet everyone.. It was interesting that certain people we saw all the time and others we looked for but never ran into them..

[gimpeaux]

::yes:: we had a great time too.. and we rebooked for the last week in march 2008..

Susan, how did you rebook for then? We were told that the latest we could reserve an actual date was for December 2007, although we can change the date next September (2006) once we find out when spring break 2008 will be. Do you know already, or are you guessing, that week will be spring break for your sons?

Jim

[geffric]

Hi..

our school system always has spring break the last week of March, so it is a good guess. And DCL would only take a place holder reservation for us. So the answer is that I will change it Sept 2006 too.

[Minnie328]

Wow--that was a FUN trip!

Well, let's see, after we got off the boat :sad2: , we stopped at WDW for the night because Dad had his inline skating race the next day. We went swimming in big pools (in comparison to the boat..lol) and the next day stopped at Downtown Disney. At 1:30 we left for a lllooooooooooonnnnnnnnggggggggg drive. 1254 miles later we're home! :rotfl:

Anyways, this trip was super cool, although The Stack wasn't really my thing and I kept on getting scared when I heard the "normal" horn blasts (espically at Costa Maya when the Carnival ship kept on doing the seven short blasts and then a long one...a.k.a. lifeboat warning). I got tears in my eyes when we left, but we'll be back. :thumbsup2 Grandma and Grandpa had a great time and we're thinking about celebrating their 50th anniversary on the Magic (eastern carib.) with the cousins. I hope this happens. It will be a blast to have the whole gang with. :)

Geffric (and anyone else who has done eastern and western cruises)--which cruise would you recommend for 11 people 2 or 3 kids (depending when we go) in the lab and the other 2 or 3 in the Stack? We're thinking Eastern because it would be something new for everyone....

[minneapolismickey]

Great to meet everyone!

We also had a great time on the cruise. I should probably try to sit down and add to the trip reports already started....

We rebooked for next March, but have been contacted that we have a spot on the mediterranean in July 2007. :cool1: Seriously considering it since we had planned to be in Germany that summer anyway. We had to drag our kids away from the kids club daily so we know that they would love a 10 day!

gimpeaux-thanks for making the bands. They are a great souvenir of the trip.

[camom3]

Hi,

Our trip was Bea-u-ti-ful!

I finally got around to putting up a trip report if anyone is interested.

Jen

[lflynn]

OK no wise cracks...is anyone else still dizzy? or lightheaded? I thought i needed to find my land legs again but this seems a tad too long for that???? :confused3

[myboysmom]

Hi All,

We are just tired as our drive home was really bad. We had 7 traffic jams in two days (6 of them in Georgia!), and haven't really had the issue with the boat feeling.

We really enjoyed the cruise and would love to do it again someday. I wish Disney would be a little more resonable with their prices, or at least give those of us some time to rebook instead of having to do it before you leave the boat to get the credits. If they only knew how effective those kids in the backseat could be! I know the other lines do give you some time to book with them again and get a better deal.

I have over 200 pictures I just picked up from Walgreens. Thing is when you submit them on line for development, our store randomly prints them. Now I have to sort them into some sort of order before I take on scrapbooking them. What was I thinking taking all those pictures?!?

[gimpeaux]

OK no wise cracks...is anyone else still dizzy? or lightheaded? I thought i needed to find my land legs again but this seems a tad too long for that???? :confused3

DW and I each occasionally had that feeling for a few days after we got back, but it's generally gone away by now. Only other health after-effects are DD12 and I have colds...but at least they didn't start until the cruise ended!

[geffric]

DH is still feeling like the ground is moving a bit.. the rest of the family is fine..


myboysmom 200 pictures? That is gonna be a big album. Can you share some pictures with us?

[camom3]

Susan or anyone else on 3/25

I put 320 pictures on Kodak Gallery. If you send me a pm with your email address, I'll send them to you. I'm still working on putting the pictures in order and naming them, but I should be able to send them out tonight.

We took about 400 photos, but I didn't think my realatives would want to go through so many.

Jen

[myboysmom]

I haven't figured out the picture thing, I would love to share if I knew how. We got a "postcard" of a schooner and the Key West sunset that is soo neat. Think I will have to bring that one to the office.

[myboysmom]

OK, here are just 3 of my favorite pictures:
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j148/Myboysmom1/TheMaicj.jpg
The Magic at CC

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j148/Myboysmom1/keywestsunset.jpg

Key West Sunset

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j148/Myboysmom1/CaptainMickey.jpg

The Good Captain

[geffric]

Great pictures myboysmom.. what kind of camera do you use? Nice balance and framing to the pictures..


Castaway Cay from Topsiders


http://images.snapfish.com/346768444%7Ffp346%3Enu%3D3233%3E25%3B%3E8%3C5%3EWS NRCG%3D3233637%3A88%3C6%3Cnu0mrj

[minneapolismickey]

Great pictures everyone!

geffric- I laughed a lot at your trip summary. Wish I had spent more time with you since your sense of humor is so contagious...I didn't eat ice cream even one time. Next time I cruise I will make a point of eating a Mickey bar every day :thumbsup2

camom- were you the one that gave us the glow necklaces? Thanks so much for your thoughtfulness. Wish I had a more outgoing personality to get to know you all better.

Why am I still rocking occasionally? Did anyone else decide to cruise on the Mediterranean? Since we already were planning on Europe that summer, we have secured a spot on the July 18 cruise. It was great to get the discount while on the ship :banana:

Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to submit trip reports and pictures. It helps to re-live some great memories while work hits with full force at home! :furious:

[lflynn]

Hello everyone! I really miss checking the boards....

We just rebooked for next year on the Eastern March 17th! DH wants to go skiing but DD and I vote for the Disney cruise again! :woohoo:

Would love to see more pictures!!!! Keep em coming!


myboysmom...you started this whole thing up and we never found you!!!! :confused3

anyone still gonna do cruise chat?

[geffric]

Hello everyone! I really miss checking the boards.... ::yes::

We just rebooked for next year on the Eastern March 17th! DH wants to go skiing but DD and I vote for the Disney cruise again! :woohoo:


My boys voted that they liked the Eastern better than the western since it was more days on the ship. You'll love it. Try and go to St Johns for snorkeling ..

[myboysmom]

Thanks for the comments on the pictures. It is just a Sony Cybershot 3.5 that we use. I like the camera, easy to use and small.

I only got to meet a few of you all and it would have been nice to meet more of you as well.

I miss planning a new vacation!

Maybe you saw us around. Here is a picture of us with the Big Cheese.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j148/Myboysmom1/MickeywithFamily.jpg

[Minnie328]

Here are some pictures I took:

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/5967/img04590uv.jpg
oooh, I loooove this picture! :love:

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/5361/img04748df.jpg
Key West :moped:

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/4128/img05250cj.jpg
Yep, I've been to Hell--on my birthday actually... :lmao:

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/6696/img05271ld.jpg
This is my other favorite picture....I LOVE it! :lovestruc

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/7248/img05463sn.jpg
The Myan ruins in Costa Maya

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/6796/img05635tx.jpg
The Bow :smickey:

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/3733/img05905ec.jpg
Fireworks pirate:

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/5877/img05998kb.jpg
A Golden Mickey (Studio Sea) :groom:

I was so proud of all the pics I took! :cool1:
There are some more, but I have to go now...

AHHH I JUST PREVIEWED THIS....SORRY, THEY SHOULD HAVE RESIZED...MAYBE I'LL EDIT THIS TOMORROW

[camom3]

Hi,

If anyone is out there - we received our Castaway Club Shoreside Survival Kit today!! :cool1: :banana:

Jen

[minneapolismickey]

Hi Jen-

I was wondering when we would get the castaway club information. Hopefully ours will be in the mail today! Thanks for the info... :cool1:

Angie

[Minnie328]

My grandparents got their Castaway Club stuff yesterday..I am offically planning for March 24, 2007!!!!

[Pixie Dust II]

My grandparents got their Castaway Club stuff yesterday..I am offically planning for March 24, 2007!!!!


We received about six of them after our California Cruise, but have not received anything after the most recent cruise. Is there anything different? We got new Castaway Club Cards and a DVD with music, screensavers and wallpaper. It is really neat.

[geffric]

we got our castaway cay survival CD too. If anyone doesn't get one, let me know and i can copy the CD for you..


Minnie328 I am very jealous. I have to wait until last week of March 2008.. Will you be so lonely without us next door to you, that you will have to take us with you..:rotfl:

[myboysmom]

We haven't gotten anything just yet. Hopefully we will get one too. Our Spring Break in 2008 is the first week of April. We would really love to do a cruise again. DCL would be our first choice, but we are looking at other lines just because of the increased cost factor.

Our boys are still talking about this past trip as their best vacation ever.

[gimpeaux]

I have been unbelievably remiss in not posting the narrative of the rest of the cruise....sorry :rolleyes1 Hopefully the rest of that great week will slowly roll out this summer...

Here it is May 26, more than 2 months since we left on the cruise, and we have not yet received anything from DCL commemorating our first cruise, such as a Castaway Club membership card or any other item.

[geffric]

Hi gimpeaux nice to hear from you. :wave2:
DCL is very Slow at getting the Castway cards out but you can always call them and they will give you the number.

Are you going to join us for the Chi Dis Meet in June? http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1075108

[lflynn]

Anybody going back next year? :confused3

[geffric]

Morning...



lflynn We would love to do another spring break cruise in 2007 but due to $$$$$$ we are going on the March 2008 spring break cruise.. Wanna join us?? http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1214799

myboysmom I have looked at other lines but found the cost is the same since it is the high travel season of spring break. If I could find a cheaper one we would go at spring break 2007..

[skibum]

We booked onboard for this spring break. Did you know prices have only gone up $5 since then, and this was last week for some increase in port charges.
We are heading back with Grandma and Grandpa to celebrate their 50th (again). They had a great time last year with us, and are bringing the whole family this spring break (lucky us!). :banana:
Our cruise is the same week, meaning the Western itinerary again - we were hoping for the Eastern. We know we will have an awesome time. Who else is going?

[gimpeaux]

We, too, will be sitting out 2007 and returning, with geffric, for Spring Break 2008. (But don't tell DD -- a/k/a monkeybug94 --because we are trying to keep it a surprise for as long as possible!)

[Pixie Dust II]

Wishing all of you a wonderful cruise in the spring. We are booked on the Mediterranean for July so that will take care of us for 2007. Sure would like to see some of you again. We got back from WDW a few weeks ago and going back first week in December if all goes okay with DD health...keep fingers crossed he had heart cath last week and one more in two weeks. Five blockages!! Doing well with stents..what these doctors can do!! :grouphug: Hugs to everyone! Have a nice fall season as it quickly approaches! Thought of you geffric at Beaches and Cream when we saw "The Kitchen Sink". Our grandsons considered sharing one!! :rotfl:

[lflynn]

We booked another vacation for 2007...so we'll be back in 2008. We want to go for the Eastern for a switch. I need to figure out our Spring Break!!!! (we have two weeks off so i can choose either week)

:dance3: