January 8, 2006- 4 night Wonder- Anybody else coming with? [Archive] - Page 4 - The DIS Discussion Forums

branv

12-31-2005, 12:26 PM

And a Happy New Years right back atcha!!

My big plan for today is exactly what I'm doing now, nothing, nada, zilch! :cool1: Though I need to go to the store and get the black eyed peas and cornbread for tomorrow for a little southern good luck tradition. Does anyone else have NY Day traditions?

I tried to sit down and make a list of what I would wear every day of our trip. I was very happy to discover that I think I can do a good job of limiting thing...and only 3 pairs of shoes packed plus the ones I'll wear when I fly in. It's a miracle! ;) But then I keep going, "oh but wait I really like this shirt, mebbe I should bring it too" The temptation is strong. I had to have a come to Jesus talk with DH to get over his weirdness about wearing jeans twice, and to accept that sink washing is a perfectly viable cleaning method. I am not hauling around a kajillion suitcases, but now I think he's pouting a little :teeth:

I noticed that we are actually going to be dealing with cooler weather then they've had the last few weeks. Not fair! It'll actually be about 5 degrees warmer here then in Florida while we're there. Odd.... And the Friday before our cruise registers only a high of 70 near Castaway Cay. Cold swimming :cold: Just as long as we don't have rain, fingers crossed!

attagirlx2

12-31-2005, 02:12 PM

Welcome Jordan's Cool.

New Year's Eve...ah, the memories of days gone by. I can recall many fun and crazy nights ringing in the new year. But I can also recall many nights falling asleep long before midnight. What kind of celebration will it be for us this year? We are staying home. Kids will go to bed around 8:00. DH and I will probably rent some movie. Finish that by 10:30pm. Surf the internet until we are tired. Might be after midnight, might be befoe. Anyone jealous of our thrilling plans :rotfl:

New Years Traditions - my folks always had a big New Years Day party for friends and their families. It was great! They stopped doing that once they moved 2 yrs ago. I've done it the last 3 years at my house with my friends. Skipping that this year since we are in the rental. But the one tradition we still do is we eat pork and sauerkraut on New Years day. Can't remember if it is for luck, wealth, health, or for hair on your chest. We just do it.

I made the mistake of doubting my touring plan and signed up for TourGuideMike yesterday. Now I am totally overwhelmed trying to read all the info he has. Its great stuff, but I am running out of time. Luckily, I planned the right days in each park on my own, TGM just reconfirmed and reassured me that I did it right! Whew!

3 days and we are on the road headed to the World. I am so excited that I am about to burst. My kids have NO idea and its killing me.

Happy New Year Everyone...

Cruisin

12-31-2005, 02:40 PM

I made the mistake of doubting my touring plan and signed up for TourGuideMike yesterday. Now I am totally overwhelmed trying to read all the info he has. Its great stuff, but I am running out of time. Luckily, I planned the right days in each park on my own, TGM just reconfirmed and reassured me that I did it right! Whew!

3 days and we are on the road headed to the World. I am so excited that I am about to burst. My kids have NO idea and its killing me.

Sooooooooooo

which parks are you doing and on which day ;)

So I can check it against what we plan on doing :teeth:

attagirlx2

12-31-2005, 08:01 PM

Cruisin - do you trust me??? Heck, whats one more family in the park. From what I have been seeing, it looks like everywhere is going to be crowded. I was checking on show times on Steve Soares web site and the times listed are the times they use when they are crowded. Oh well. We're all going on the WONDER after to relax!!!!

lets see - Wednesday we are going to Magic Kingdom. Thursday we are going to Magic Kingdom in the morning and hopping to Animal Kingdom. Friday we are going to MGM. And Saturday is a mess because of DH running. We will go to EPCOT at some point. Now, before anyone reports me to TGM...this is what I had planned to do once the EMH schedule changed months ago. It had nothing to do with the info I got from his site. You can ask my husband and view my "matrix" that I make everytime we have a trip planned. My original matrix creation date is the day we booked the cruise - April 2005. I just had to modify it due to the EMH changes. And besides there were lots of options available each day according to TGM, not just these parks on these days.

What had you planned???

wdw1972

12-31-2005, 08:09 PM

[QUOTE=branv]I tried to sit down and make a list of what I would wear every day of our trip. I was very happy to discover that I think I can do a good job of limiting thing...and only 3 pairs of shoes packed plus the ones I'll wear when I fly in. It's a miracle! ;) But then I keep going, "oh but wait I really like this shirt, mebbe I should bring it too" The temptation is strong. /QUOTE]

I did the same thing - I do this for almost every trip. I also enter the forecasted weather for each day/night and then "assign" the clothes I'll wear each day/night. Of course once I get there I'm likely to toss the plan out the window and just wear whatever I feel like wearing that moment <g> but this way I know I have enough clothes for the trip, and all the little extras to go with each outfit.

My packing challenge is the fact that SB is away from home right now, and will be flying in to meet me at WDW before the cruise. Today we figured out which of his clothes he'd bring from where is now and which I'll bring him from home. When I pack at home, I need to leave enough room for the stuff he's bringing with him - like his suit, and a couple extra pairs of shoes. It's so strange - I've seen this man wear the same pair of shoes except for perhaps ONE day in the past year & a half - yet he needs 4 different pairs for this 4-night cruise, lol!

On the marathon - many runners bring their families and make it at least a mini vacation. Several of the runners are associated with charities and their lodging/park passes are included for them (they have to raise a certain amount of money). On Saturday there will be 16,000 runners doing the half marathon, which will end by 9:30 am. On Sunday there will be 14,000 runners doing the full marathon, which will end at 1pm. You can expect to see roads closed off to vehicle traffic while both events are taking place. For the half, that would be just the road between Epcot & MK, but on Sunday there will be more roads closed. They'll set out orange traffic cones the night before.

We're staying at Old Key West, so we can make a quick exit out through Downtown Disney to head for the cruise Sunday morning. People staying further into WDW might want to check the marathon route map to see if the roads they'd be using might be closed. The route maps are on Disney's Wide World of Sports website. Runners have to keep a pace of 16 minutes per mile, so you can ballpark what time sections of road will be opening back up.

sapphire33

12-31-2005, 08:12 PM

Hi Jordan's Cool! :wave2:

I am posting at my mom's house, since DH is working tonight at the FD. In a bit we'll have our traditional New Year's Eve snack, Oyster Stew, which may seem a bit odd but we've been having it on N.Y.E. since I was a kid so its a bit nostalgic. We've got sparkling cider for the kids, and we're going to play Scene It. That is my exciting evening! But sharing with family makes it very special. :love:

Happy New Year everyone! See you in 2006, in just a few days!! Everyone who is heading out, have a safe trip!

Cruisin

12-31-2005, 08:20 PM

What had you planned???

I'm not sure exactly what we are doing but here is our tentative plan.

Thursday ~~ Magic Kingdom
Friday ~~ Epcot
Saturday ~~ MGM and/or Animal Kingdom

Magic Kingdom is usually a traditional first park to visit.

I figured stay away from Epcot and Magic Kingdom on Saturday during the marathon hours anyways. So Friday is a good day for Epcot.

Marathon goes no where near to MGM and Animal Kingdom so those are good choices for Saturday.

We may stay at one park all day or park hop, hasn't been decided yet. Go with the flow ;)

Don't know if that is a good plan or not but that's the one I came up with.

Cruisin

12-31-2005, 08:23 PM

We are staying at the POP Century which I figure will be easy enough to get away from on Sunday. I don't think the marathon routes go near to there. :confused3

VickiHD

12-31-2005, 11:34 PM

Happy New Year to everyone! May your 2006 be dusted with a lot of pixy dust and many magical moments. ::MickeyMo

Here on the West Coast we still have 2 1/2 hrs to go but I'm going to sleep through it.
Can't wait to have our DIS meet and see everyone in person! It's going to be a great cruise.

Cruisin

01-01-2006, 07:38 AM

Happy 2006 everyone!!

UGAFan0829

01-01-2006, 08:46 AM

Just wanted to add my wishes for a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR for everyone.

Our New Year's tradition is to eat Collard Greens and Black Eyed Peas, so we will be going over to my sis's house to do that this afternoon (along with some other fixin's, of course).

I was fast asleep before the New Year rang in. Fell asleep on the couch after we went and ate Red Lobster with my Mom and Step-dad!

Hope everyone has a great day...I have made my packing list, and I think I've picked up all the small things that we need, i.e...waterproof cameras, travel size shampoo...etc! So now we can get down to the nitty gritty. I can't believe that this time next week we will all be getting ready for our WONDERful cruise!

Monstro

01-01-2006, 08:56 AM

Hello,

We're still with you all..... providing work goes smooth enough for me to leave. It's going to come down to the wire - last minute decision. It has been one hell of a 4th quarter. Moving our warehouse and then going right into Christmas damn near killed me. All this as our business grew 83% over 2004. - But that's another story.

Happy New Year to everyone and Happy Cruising. Is there a cruise meet planned?

Jeff

UGAFan0829

01-01-2006, 09:05 AM

Hi Monstro! Happy New Year to you.
Keeping the fingers crossed that you get to join us... :wizard:
I think we pretty much decided that we would meet right after the safety drill at the Promenade Lounge. I think it's going to be short...just time enough for us to all meet each other in person and put names with faces. I believe the time that was posted was 4:15 to 4:20. Hope you can join us!

Cruisin

01-01-2006, 09:15 AM

:wave: Monstro, I hope that you will still be able to come with us. Aw , what the heck, work will still be there when you get back :rolleyes1

I will be looking forward to seeing everyone at the DISmeet.

Just for fun I figured out how many hours are left until we leave :earseek: :earseek:

Only 42 hours to finish getting ready, don't know if there's time to sleep in there too :rotfl:

branv

01-01-2006, 10:22 AM

Just for fun I figured out how many hours are left until we leave :earseek: :earseek:

Only 42 hours to finish getting ready, don't know if there's time to sleep in there too :rotfl:

:bounce: I chose Mr. Bouncy on purpose to convey that I am both excited for you and very jealous (note, he has a green face ;) )

I hope you have a safe and fun trip to FL.

Cruisin

01-01-2006, 10:30 AM

:bounce: I chose Mr. Bouncy on purpose to convey that I am both excited for you and very jealous (note, he has a green face ;) )

I hope you have a safe and fun trip to FL.

:teeth:

I will try to drive very carefully so that we arrive in Florida in the proper condition ::yes::

UGAFan0829

01-01-2006, 10:45 AM

Wow, Cruisin...you're not excited are you??... :rotfl: I have to admit that I would probably be running around like a chicken with it's head cut off if I were that close to departure time... :earseek:
I hope that y'all have a very safe trip down, and hope that you have a great time at the World. I look forward to meeting you onboard!

attagirlx2

01-01-2006, 11:14 AM

48 hours from now, my DH and I will be checking around for anything we might have forgotten, jumping in the car, and picking up DD from preschool, heading over to other DD's school, and then on the road to Disney World. :cheer2:

I don't think I will be sleeping until we get on the Interstate...there is too much to do!

Happy New Year's everyone. Aren't we all starting 2006 off on the right foot?!?!

JoyCrazy

01-01-2006, 12:04 PM

Happy New Year :cheer2:

We're back just in time to work one more day = today and pack like crazy bees in a burning hive tomorrow. Then we leave at 3am on the third. We got so much to do. And I'm the only one home right now :earseek:
I don't know if I'll get a chance to drop by the boards again before we go. I still gotta do our t-shirts ... who procrastinates Not Me! :cool1:
Actually it's more like that Rona commercial ... What's This ... Hesitation?? :rotfl:
I've never done it before and I'm afraid I'll screw it up. That's why I'm visiting the boards right now instead of doing them. ;)

So if I don't get a chance to drop by everybody have a safe trip and I look forward to meeting you on the boat!
Cruisin watch those treacherous roads. Especially the ones in Canada!
:)

UGAFan0829

01-01-2006, 12:06 PM

JoyCrazy-I hope that you have a safe trip as well! Looking forward to meeting you onboard! TTFN!!

VickiHD

01-01-2006, 12:06 PM

For the lucky ones that get to leave in a "few hours" drive safe. Now for the rest of us I wonder if this week will drag by until our departure time?

Yes Attagirlx2... A cruise vacation after the holidays are over with is a WONDERful way to start the New Year. Just think how many people are having to head back to their daily routines. While we get to go to WDW and do a Disney Cruise. Life is good!

Cruisin

01-01-2006, 12:43 PM

Cruisin watch those treacherous roads. Especially the ones in Canada!
:)

Actually I only have to drive on Canadian roads for an hour before I get to the American roads :teeth:

The weather report so far doesn't look too bad, so I'm thinking we will be fine.

JoyCrazy and attagirl, sounds like we are all leaving on the same day but different times.

UGAFan ~~ actually I'm quite calm about it all, so far anyways. :earboy2:

branv

01-01-2006, 04:37 PM

Treacherous roads :confused3 Now if you're talking all the hung over people on the freeway, then I can relate. Weather conditions and roads, well...no habla :) It's 82 degrees here today and it's FREAKING ME OUT! :rotfl: DH and I went to Target today to get a little sun visor for the beach (let's just say my hair doesn't dry well out of the water, so it's best to cover it up and not scare small children, of which there will be so many), and I wore shorts and a short sleeved tshirt. Too...weird. Is it really January?

Here's hoping you guys have just as good weather driving in.

You all want to hear how doofusey I am? Well, on Friday I decided that this time I would wax my own legs for the trip instead of paying for it again. I mean...how hard could it be? :rolleyes1 Don't even get me started on the fact that somehow I got wax on the toilet seat...and how I discovered it was there later.

Well anywho, trying to do the backs of my knees, I couldn't see and trying to squeeze around to see was causing my squishy parts to cut off my windpipe. Since passing out with wax on your legs is not advisable, I just kept ripping away at that area blindly. Couldn't seem to get it off...RIP *AYEEEEEEE!!!!* RIP *HOLY @#$@#*

Finally, I got all the wax off. I walk up to our full length mirror and turn around to I can see if I got everything on the back of my legs. Ohhhhh...crud. Well, the back of the knee being the sensitive skin area it is, I now have what looks like four of the most gigantic deep red hickeys on the back of my knees. And I thought spider veins were bad...

Desperately trying to remember the gossip sessions from my teenage years where gal pals swore about things to do to diminish a hickey before you parents saw it (all I can remember is the advice to lie and say you'd burned your neck with a curling iron, which obviously helps me not at all). Suuuuuuch a bad way to start a shorts wearing tropical vacation.

VickiHD

01-01-2006, 04:46 PM

Branv....Ohhhhh I'm so sorry to hear your troubles. Call me old fashion but I love a sharp 3 blade womans razor on these long legs of mine.
Try ice cubes for the back of the leg hickeys. That's the only thing I can remember and it will help constrict the blood vessels and such.

I'm checking the weather and right now it looks like we may not even hit 70 degrees at Castaway Cays. So don't panic about wearing shorts yet.

Cruisin

01-01-2006, 04:59 PM

No tshirts and shorts here today, except for the ones that I put into the suitcase just now. :rotfl2:

The temperature is not too bad although I haven't been out much to experience it ;)

:earseek: I think I'll stick to a razor, waxing sounds much too painful to me :earseek:

Vicki ~~ I think I'm going to STOP looking at the weather reports because everytime I look the temperature is lower :sad2:

SOMEONE turn up the HEAT down there.... please :teeth:

branv

01-01-2006, 05:22 PM

Cheer up ladies, as of last Wed it was supposed to be a high of 72 here, and instead it's a full 10 degrees higher :) The forecast might still warm up (please oh please oh please)

branv

01-01-2006, 09:48 PM

Ok, forget the previous pollyanna post. I have officially set aside my fleece hat/scarf/gloves set for our trip, and jeans instead of shorts :cold: I mean, 2 nights in WDW with lows in the 30's? Bummer.

But then, I'd still take that anyday over humid 90's, and I would most DEFINITELY rather be cold at WDW then at home no matter how good the weather ;)

VickiHD

01-01-2006, 09:48 PM

Cruisin

01-01-2006, 09:50 PM

Cruisin...I think I'll join you in regards to stop watching the weather reports. It driving me crazy. After all, I have pack all sorts and types of clothes. :rotfl:
I just can't wait to get on the ship and relax. It funny once we land and drive to WDW I still won't relax because we have to drive to the port and blah blah blah....it's so hard being a "Type A Personality." :goodvibes

I have packed short sleeves and a warm hoodie sweater to wear overtop until the sun warms the day up a bit.

I'm hoping that will get me through okay.

Maybe they will have a last minute change of heart and give us back those 70's temperatures :confused3

VickiHD

01-02-2006, 12:34 AM

I will take 70 degree weather with the sun shining. I just want to come home with a tan. :sunny:

Cruisin

01-02-2006, 08:58 AM

:moped: :rotfl2:

branv

01-02-2006, 09:42 AM

UGAFan0829

01-02-2006, 10:29 AM

I'm not too sure of what to think of this weather either. It has been chilly here, but nothing too bad...Warm enough to wear jeans and a t shirt without having to wear a jacket during the day. But last night it started raining and we've had thunderstorms and rain all last night and all day today, so far.
I think I am going to be packing some hoodies just in case, and maybe even a couple pairs of fleece pants!! :cold:

Cruisin

01-02-2006, 12:22 PM

OMG cruisin, you leave in what...18 hours? Whoa, does that mean you're leaving at 3 am? (not sure what time zone you're in). If you don't post before then, bon voyage and hasta luego. Ok, I'm confusing myself with too many languages...what the heck, just have a magical trip. :wizard:

I leave in .... mmmm. probably about 15 hours. No set time but somewhere between 4 and 5 am, EST.(I think :rolleyes: ) Same time zone as Florida is in.

lacourre

01-02-2006, 12:25 PM

Cruisin

01-02-2006, 12:27 PM

I'm here in FL and its been in the low 80s for past 2 days! ... but the weather reports at www.accuweather.com show that it will be much colder during our trip. I hope not, though! I'm about 2 hours south of WDW, so the weather between here and Pt. Canaveral should be close. But the weather people can be wrong, and hopefully it will be just right when we cruise!!!

I'm sure hoping that they are wrong in their forecast.

Another thing that concerns me is the strong winds that are forecast for Nassau, Bahamas while we are on the cruise. Hopefully it doesn't make for rought seas. Still lots of time for them to change that forecast though.

VickiHD

01-02-2006, 12:28 PM

branv

01-02-2006, 01:13 PM

Ugh, rough seas. I may just call my doc and ask her to go ahead and get me a prescription for the patches. Just to be safe :)

Though rough seas is bad, worse is that if the winds are too high in the bahamas on CC day, we might not be able to dock. Thank goodness for a 4 day when they can give it a shot for the next day. I know it's childish, but I honestly think I'll just have to sit down and cry if we don't get to see CC. :sad: It's the #1 thing I've looked forward to.

Ok, btwn the all rooms completely booked at WDW, chilly weather, and high winds I'm starting to freak myself out. This is silly, I will not fret, I will not fret! Worse case scenario is that we change our plans, chill out and relax doing something different. Either way it's better then work and school...I just have to put it all into perspective.

Cruisin

01-02-2006, 01:25 PM

Though rough seas is bad, worse is that if the winds are too high in the bahamas on CC day, we might not be able to dock. Thank goodness for a 4 day when they can give it a shot for the next day. I know it's childish, but I honestly think I'll just have to sit down and cry if we don't get to see CC. :sad: It's the #1 thing I've looked forward to.

Ok, btwn the all rooms completely booked at WDW, chilly weather, and high winds I'm starting to freak myself out. This is silly, I will not fret, I will not fret! Worse case scenario is that we change our plans, chill out and relax doing something different. Either way it's better then work and school...I just have to put it all into perspective.

Yes, at least with the 4 day cruise, there is the option of trying to get into Castaway Cay the sea day if necessary. I really look forward to Castaway Cay too. It is beautiful there.

We will hope for good weather :sunny: :sunny: :sunny:

Even if it is a little chilly to us it is a lot warmer than what we have been having lately.

Today is COLD :cold: , rainy, dreary, at least it is not snow :rolleyes: Temperatures in the low 60's to mid 70's will be wonderful to us. As long as the sun shines that is all that we ask for. :earboy2:

UGAFan0829

01-02-2006, 04:09 PM

I am getting a little worried too...but I'm keeping the mindset that we are going to make the best of it...

Right now, the weather is getting pretty scary here...Lots of bad weather in the ATL area, and all those people are out tailgating for the Sugar Bowl. They have some tornado warnings and watches out, so I'm getting a little scared. I can tolerate thunder and lightning even though I don't really like it, but talk of tornadoes really makes me scared! :earseek: :earseek:

branv

01-02-2006, 04:54 PM

Oh that's terrible! Hope it clears up really soon. I don't have an outright terror of, but do have a healthy respect for tornadoes, but being in tornado alley we get watches all the time in the spring. I know you guys get them alot too, but you can't really ever get USED to that kind of weather. It's really weird that you're getting that in January. I knew a lady in PA on a board who was posted this message that they were currently having really bad storms and her part of the city was under a tornado warning. Me and another lady from Houston posted almost simultaneously that a Tornado Warning was not a Watch, it meant actual tornado had been spotted and her rear needed to get OFF the computer and in a closet/basement! I think we freaked her out a little bit, being in PA wasn't exactly well versed in tornado safety drills/terminology. :earseek:

Stay safe and I'll keep my fingers crossed that it blows over quicky.

Cruisin

01-02-2006, 05:53 PM

How are things down there in Georgia?

You still with us UGAFan :confused3

Well, I looked at the Nassau forecast AGAIN :rolleyes: They've taken the "windy" out of the forecast until Thursday, so maybe we will be okay on the high seas ;)

I'm just taking a short break right now. My feet are tired. I feel like I could go to sleep right now. I probably could as long as nothing woke me up in an hour or so. :rolleyes: Then I'd be wide awake for the rest of the night :earboy2:

jordan's cool

01-02-2006, 07:32 PM

thanks for the welcome attagirl and sapphire.we are getting close now.we're not doing the land and sea this trip just sea,so we will be driving down saturday and staying in port canaveral.my wife and daughter have already packed! I'll pack friday even though i'm ready also.hey UGAFAN win one tonight for the sec :cool1:

go gamecocks!

attagirlx2

01-02-2006, 07:57 PM

First chance I've had to get online today...not normal for me!!! Still have 3 loads of laundry to do and packing. I guess I will definitely sleep in the car tomorrow.

Everyone have a safe trip and we will see you on Sunday!

VickiHD

01-02-2006, 09:14 PM

Drive safe everyone ! For those of us who are flying....have a safe flight. Looking forward to meeting everyone on Sun. I'll keep a eye out for us early birds at the port too.

Glad jordan's cool and family can join in on the fun! The more the merrier.

Don't forget the meet on Sunday! :cool1:

sapphire33

01-03-2006, 12:38 AM

Well, here it is already early Tuesday and I'm finally getting online for Monday!! I got a little busy with laundry and pre-trip stuff.

I just checked the weather... for anyone who has not left yet (a few of us are still out here, right?), it does not look good for our Castaway Cay day. Branv said it did not look good but now its says 60 percent chance of thunderstorms. :sad1: However, I will try to remain positive, and hope that this far off they are wrong and the forecast improves. I too would cry if we missed out on a lovely Castaway Cay day.

At least it says 78 for a high... to me that sounds pretty good compared to a high of 28 during our Wisconsin winters. We'll all have to pray, think good thoughts, and hope it stays dry!! ::yes::

We'll be setting off Friday night. Cant' wait to meet you all Sunday...it will be fun putting names and faces together!! :grouphug:

Cruisin

01-03-2006, 02:19 AM

Good morning everyone :rolleyes:

I should still be sleeping but I'm awake, so I'm going to get ready and get this show on the road :moped:

See everybody onboard the Disney Wonder :boat:

:wave:

Cruisin

01-03-2006, 02:20 AM

Yikes..... my timer is all zero's. I'm not supposed to be here :rotfl2:

:moped: :moped: :moped:

JoyCrazy

01-03-2006, 02:22 AM

We're leaving also in an hour. See everyone onboard. :Pinkbounc

UGAFan0829

01-03-2006, 07:22 AM

Good morning everyone...or at least to those who haven't left home yet! Thankfully, the weather didn't get to bad for me, there were some cities south of Atlanta that got hit hard. It was pretty scary. We did have a lot of rain and some hail though.
I hope that everyone has a safe trip down. Don't know how many of us are left, but we're not heading down until very early Sunday morning!

jordan's cool

01-03-2006, 07:24 AM

don't be to down if it rains on the castaway cay day, the last trip we took it poured on the same day,so the captain went back on our day at sea.If it happens maybe they will go back again?everyone have a safe trip! :moped: :banana:

UGAFan0829

01-03-2006, 07:46 AM

Hi Jordans cool...welcome!
I am with you...if we aren't able to make CC the first time, there's always that extra day!!
So for those of you who are driving down the day before, where are you staying??

VickiHD

01-03-2006, 10:16 AM

I'll also cry if we don't get to CC. I NEED time at the beach. I wonder if we should rethink and hit a beach in Nassau just to get some beach time in?

Any suggestions close to the ship?

Glad to hear DCL tries to stop at CC even on "sea" days.

sapphire33

01-03-2006, 11:57 AM

I thought the same thing about another try on our Sea Day, except the rain is also forecast for Wednesday. :rolleyes: We'll see what happens!

No matter what, I won't be at work, I won't be cleaning the house, doing dishes or laundry or worrying about day to day stuff. I will be spending time with my family, a five-foot mouse and his friends. ::MickeyMo ::MinnieMo

No worries!! :earboy2:

UGAFan0829

01-03-2006, 01:24 PM

No matter what, I won't be at work, I won't be cleaning the house, doing dishes or laundry or worrying about day to day stuff. I will be spending time with my family, a five-foot mouse and his friends. ::MickeyMo ::MinnieMo

No worries!! :earboy2:

Now that is a wonderful way to think! :flower:

jordan's cool

01-03-2006, 03:10 PM

we were going to travel down to port canaveral on sat and just find a hotel.does anyone have any suggestions on where to stay?

UGAFan0829

01-03-2006, 03:23 PM

We changed our plans to drive down on Saturday also. Actually, we are staying in Titusville, which is only about 25 minutes from the port. I guess it would be the same as staying in Orlando. I would like to stay closer, but the hotel that I found in Titusville was a little cheaper than the ones that I found in PC and Cocoa Beach. Not to mention, the reviews were much better.

jordan's coool-How far do you have to drive? We are only a little over 8 hours away. Last time we came down 75, but I think this time we will be coming I-95 instead, which is nice since we will be avoiding all the toll roads.

sapphire33

01-03-2006, 03:28 PM

We are staying at the Best Western Oceanside in Cocoa Beach. We've never stayed there before but I've read good reviews of it on the boards. I originally had a resv. at the Radisson at the port, but after reading a few mixed reviews I thought I'd check around. The Best Western was cheaper (AAA rate), is right on the ocean with beach access and there are stores/shopping nearby like a Publix and Ron Jon's Surf Shop. We'll have a rental car though, so that may make a difference in your decision. I don't know about the BW shuttle service to the cruise ports.

I think there are a few threads devoted to this question on the general cruise forum, so there may be others with suggestions.

Good luck!

branv

01-03-2006, 04:24 PM

Where are you guys getting your forecasts for Green Turtle Cay that say thunderstorms? The only one I can find that projects through Tues/Wed of that week is Accuweather which reports all sunny (though I doubt them since intellicast and weather.com show rain for Nassau and it does not.

I noted on intellicast that at least on the Tues we are going to be at CC, they are now only saying a 30% chance of rain. But Nassau looks to be pretty south of CC. Does anyone know for sure?

DH and I had lunch today at an all you can eat Catfish/Shrimp place. We got full so quickly, I told DH "we should have practiced for our cruise, we are so not prepared for all that food!" ;) You'd think Christmas would have stretched our stomachs sufficiently.

VickiHD

01-03-2006, 05:37 PM

DH and I had lunch today at an all you can eat Catfish/Shrimp place. We got full so quickly, I told DH "we should have practiced for our cruise, we are so not prepared for all that food!" ;) You'd think Christmas would have stretched our stomachs sufficiently.

I like that way of thinking. We've have one buffet at WDW planned just to get us started. :rotfl: Actually, with all the Christmas candy I've been eating I'm wondering of my summer clothes will still fit. :rotfl:

sapphire33

01-03-2006, 06:16 PM

Branv, I noticed too that the forecast for Nassau at weather.com improved for Tuesday to a 30 percent chance of rain, whereas it used to say 60 percent chance of thunderstorms. True, the weather in Nassau may be different than CC, I don't know how close they are. The Green Turtle site forecast goes only through Monday, so that is not helping much.

Rain is predicted for Thursday Jan. 12 in Orlando, which is bumming me a bit more since we have the Fantasmic dinner package booked. If the show is rained out we won't be able to do it any other evening. Of course, the forecast may be wrong. I'm going to try to remain positive and go with the flow so that the kids and DH do too, but I'll have to remind myself of that daily!!

Think positively, think positively.... :goodvibes

NptWrestler4

01-03-2006, 07:58 PM

hey guys, im 17 and im comin along with my entire family including my parents, 3 brothers (one 20 the others 8 and 10), 6 aunts 6 uncles, 20 something cousins, and my two grandparents. I was just wondering if there will be alot to do for the older of the teens such as my brother, my two older cousins and I because we booked this cruise due to the fact that the age of the rest of my family is perfect rangeing from infants to 14.

So my main question is, are there usually a good amout of people 17-21 or not really, due to the fact is a disney cruise and aimed more toward the younger ages and adult entertainment?

branv

01-03-2006, 07:58 PM

Sapphire, crossing my fingers and toes for you that Thurs is clear as a bell. Well, ok and for me too b/c I don't want our flight to be delayed :)

Hmmm...not that being delayed returning back to reality is such a BAD thing.

Everyone else been running around like mad today? I have been prepping the cats to take them over to my friends house for our vacation..bath, claws clipped, little kitty luggage all packed. I took out the cat carriers and my one cat took one look at it and ran and hid under the bed :rolleyes1 I guess not everyone's going to be enjoying this vacation ;)

jordan's cool

01-03-2006, 08:52 PM

thanks for the ideas on places to stay.
uga fan we'll be coming down I-95,the last time we got home in 7.5 hours.thats from port canaveral to rock hill,which is about 20 miles south of charlotte,n.c.

i hope to make good time on the way down sat. :moped:

what part of ga are you from? I have a sister in nahuta,brunswick. ::MickeyMo

jordan's cool

01-03-2006, 08:56 PM

welcome aboard Nptwrestler4.
I don't think you have anything to worry about,there will be pleanty of people your age.and i believe you have your own hangout on the top of the boat :banana:

UGAFan0829

01-04-2006, 07:33 AM

jordan'scool, We are from N. GA...right outside of Athens!

NPTWrestler4--I think that there will be plenty of things for you to do on the ship. I am sure that there will be lots of others there the same age. Like jordans'cool said, you pretty much have your own hangout spot!!!!

branv

01-04-2006, 08:31 AM

Tick...tock :bored:

:jumping1: Just checked in online for my flight tomorrow. All my clothes are laid out in piles and I slipped my park ticket into my wallet for safe keeping. Almost feels surreal after all these months of waiting.

UGAFan0829

01-05-2006, 07:22 AM

For those of us who are still around....Just bumping us back up.
Can't belive there's only 2 days to go...1 counting that we leave for Florida on Saturday...Yikes! :earseek: :earseek: :earseek:
Anyone else not completely packed yet!

VickiHD

01-05-2006, 08:37 AM

[QUOTE=UGAFan0829]For those of us who are still around....Just bumping us back up.
Can't belive there's only 2 days to go...1 counting that we leave for Florida on Saturday...Yikes! :earseek: :earseek: :earseek:
Anyone else not completely packed yet![/QUOTE :

:wave2: :wave2: We've still here. But in less than 24 hours now we will be at the airport getting ready to go. Unfortunately, that means getting up tomorrow at 4 am leaving the house by 5 am giving us almost two hours at the airport to deal with the long long long security lines. It's going to be a early night tonight. That is if I can sleep since I'm to excited. :Pinkbounc

Packing....I keep taking everything out and end up putting everything back in the suitcases again. So much for packing light.

UGAFan0829

01-05-2006, 08:55 AM

VickiHD, so glad that you are still here...I thought that I was the only one left...It sure was getting lonely on our thread here. So when will you actually be arriving in FL?
I can't wait to meet you onboard. IF I don't talk to you again before you head out, have a safe trip!!

lacourre

01-05-2006, 10:04 AM

Hello! Glad that there are a few people still here! I will probably be one of the last on the board as I am in FL already.

Anyway, I have some weather forecasts FYI --

Forecast for Pt. Canaveral on Sun Jan 8th: Hi 52 degrees - Lo 35 degrees

For Nassau on Jan 9th: Hi 65 - Lo 52 & Mostly Sunny
For Castaway Cay on Jan 9th - Hi 72 - Lo 56 & Clear and Sunny

I couldn't get a forecast for Castaway Cay for any further in the future than the 9th, hopefully it will stay that way for the 10th!!! It seems that there is quite a bit of difference in the temps btwn. Nassau and Castaway Cay. Anyway, I think its looking pretty good after we leave Pt. Canaveral!!!

I look forward to meeting you all!

jordan's cool

01-05-2006, 11:25 AM

lacourre

01-05-2006, 12:33 PM

:wave2: we're still here also.
we will be leaving first thing sat morning.I've been off all week and it has been going by slow, so i've been trying to stay busy to make time go by.I've also been eating everything in the house practiceing for the boat. :earboy2:

Lol, my husband has been doing the same thing!! He told me that I better practice, too! :rotfl:

Actually, I'm taking easy on the eating now... I have a little cold that I'm getting over so I'm drinking lots of water and eating my fruits and veggies. I want to all better to enjoy EVERY thing!!!

UGAFan0829

01-05-2006, 12:35 PM

laccoure, thanks for the update on the weather. I was somewhat hoping that it would warm up once we get away from port. Seems like it's going to be cooler than normal in Nassau, so I'm glad that we aren't doing any water excursions! I just hope that it will still be warm enough to wear shorts.

jordan'scool-I will keep updating! I wish that I could say that time was going by slowly for me, but it's not. It seems like it is flying by and I am not ready! I have all of our suitcases spread out with stuff just thrown into them! AAAAAGGHHHH! :earseek:

txSleepingBeauty

01-05-2006, 01:06 PM

leaving in an hour!!

UGAFan0829

01-05-2006, 01:45 PM

Bye, txSleeping Beauty...Have a safe trip! :wave2:

sapphire33

01-05-2006, 02:47 PM

Here I am, posting at work (naughty, but a regular practice ;) ), thinking about all the things I need to do at home, where our suitcases are thrown out, piled with items that we'll need to pack a bit better as well as stuff for the carry ons.

So yes, still here. I won't be able to post after tomorrow night when we head to Milwaukee for our Saturday a.m. flight. Getting our girls to the airport by 5:30 a.m. will either be oddly exciting for them or just a big pain for mom and dad. Vicki, I hear ya about not being able to sleep that night before!! I will need to get some rest if I want to make it through that day and keep my sanity. I have been burning the candle at both ends all week, which has made for several late nights and too little sleep.

I got the tree down last night though, it only took me three hours. It was a bit sad to take it down so early, but also a relief to have it done. More to do, however, before tomorrow night!

When will I relax? When I am sipping a Bahama Mama on a deck chair aboard the Disney Wonder!! :Pinkbounc

jordan's cool

01-05-2006, 02:50 PM

hey lacourre me and your husband need to get toghter on a buffet and do some damage.my wife just laughs at me when i say i have to practice.

UGAFAN just remember whatever is in your suitcase will be fine

YOU'RE ON VACATION!!! :earboy2:

IS ANYONE GOING TO DRESS UP FOR THE PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN DINNER/PARTY? pirate:

UGAFan0829

01-05-2006, 03:29 PM

I know that DH and I won't be dressing up for Pirate night. We actually have Palo booked for that night, unless I can get it changed. Is anyone doing anything special for dress up night?

Sapphire, I know excatly what you mean about the luggage being all over the place...Mine is the same way. And I haven't taken my tree down either. This is actually the longest that we have ever left it up, and it seems weird, but I keep telling myself that it's fine...Besides, we really should remember Christmas year round anyway!

I am going to get my hair trimmed this afternoon, and then home for some more mad packing. We are leaving out early Saturday morning to drive down. I don't think I will be relaxed until we are on the ship either...I just can't wait to have a Bon Voyage!

lacourre

01-05-2006, 05:00 PM

I got the tree down last night though, it only took me three hours. It was a bit sad to take it down so early, but also a relief to have it done. More to do, however, before tomorrow night!

I agree... all my Christmas stuff got taken down yesterday (by myself :sad2: ) -- but I do want everything in the house done as much as possible so that I have relatively nothing to when I get back from the cruise!! Except looking a pics, video, and probably ordering out.

lacourre

01-05-2006, 05:07 PM

hey lacourre me and your husband need to get toghter on a buffet and do some damage.my wife just laughs at me when i say i have to practice.

IS ANYONE GOING TO DRESS UP FOR THE PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN DINNER/PARTY? pirate:

Hysterical... he definately wants to "get his money's worth" at any buffet!! And if I don't eat enough he wants to go back eat even to make up for me!! You guys are crazy! :)

Anyway, pirate: About Pirate Night... I wish I knew what restaurant I'll be in for that and I'm a little confused as to what night it is... my hubby isn't into dressing up in costume, but I love it!

I really don't have anything though. I have an eye patch and a shirt w/ some ruffles... maybe I can go the dollar store and get some bandanas or a fake parrot? Does Disney give out any paper hats or bandanas for the pirate night?

jordan's cool

01-05-2006, 05:50 PM

It Think Pirate Night Is The 2nd Night [monday] At The Same Restaurant You Go To On The 1st Night.the Dollar Tree Sounds Great Maybe They Will Have Something To Pick From?

The Closer We Get The More Excitment!!!!!!

VickiHD

01-05-2006, 07:09 PM

It's great you guys have been keeping our thread busy this afternoon. I'm running out of time and my list is still long! I'm stressing out right now.

UGAFan0829 ...I'm looking forward to meeting you too! I'm also with you...I've packed, unpacked, repacked, added more stuff and I've got to just have DH load the bags into the car. Otherwise ....I will be spending all night PACKING AGAIN. :rotfl:

lacourre...Thanks for the weather update...please keep it coming.

Sapphire33...I'll join you in a Bahama Mama. I really can't wait to get on the ship and relax.

Jordan's cool....Pirate night DH is wearing a POTC tee shirt he got at Disneyland and he may wear a pirate hat. Nothing over the top.
I've got a red ruffle top that would work but right now I'm in no mood to dress up like a pirate. :Pinkbounc

Our cats are so depressed that we're leaving. It breaks my heart.

lacourre

01-05-2006, 08:24 PM

lacourre...Thanks for the weather update...please keep it coming.

Our cats are so depressed that we're leaving. It breaks my heart.

I'll do my best to keep up the forecasts for anyone still checking the boards. :)

My cats don't know yet that we're leaving (I haven't pulled the suitcases out yet!!)-- I think I worry more than they do! I got a 'rescue cat' a couple of months ago, so now I have 2 cats. They got along really well, and I'm more at ease leaving them knowing that they will have companionship of each other.

lacourre

01-05-2006, 08:50 PM

Okay, this is my last weather report :umbrella: before going to bed! I'm just obsessed w/ checking so I know how to pack! My info is from accuweather.com, except for castaway cay, which I could only find from the Disney Cruise website.

Jan 8 - Sun - Pt. Canaveral - A high of 63 during the day (which is 10 degrees warmer than when I checked earlier!). Clear, Sunny :sunny: , w/ winds from the East at 8 mph.

Jan 9 - Nassau - A high of 77 during the day (a "real feel" of 72) and partly sunny. This also is warmer by about 10 degrees than when I checked before). The evening is forecast to be 67 with a "real feel" of 63 and partly cloudy.

Jan 10 - Castaway Cay --- I could only get a forecast for the day before, Jan 9, which shows 72 and Clear/Sunny :sunny: for the day. Hopefully the 10th will be just as nice.

Jan 11 - At Sea

Jan 12 - Pt. Canaveral -- A high of 72 and mostly Sunny w/ winds from the West at 10 mph. The evening at a low of 54 degrees.

We'll just have to wait and see how close their forecasts are!!! I can't wait to get there :moped: & I look forward to meeting ya'll!!! :grouphug:

VickiHD

01-05-2006, 10:03 PM

Thanks for the weather update Lacourre. It sounds like things are getting better. Think :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny:

VickiHD

01-06-2006, 06:04 AM

Good moring everyone...It's 4:00 a.m. :earseek: here on the West Coast. We leave in 1 hr for the airport. Only 3 1/2 hrs sleep last night but at least everything is done...at least I think so. :rotfl:

See everyone on board at the meet!

Wishing everyone safe travels. ::MickeyMo

jordan's cool

01-06-2006, 06:23 AM

good morning everybody!

well here we are on our last day at home before we leave for florida. :sunny:
we can hardly stand it :rolleyes1
I hope everyone is feeling great and have a safe and fun trip :moped:
I will be waking everyone up early in the morning to go out for breakfast and get on the road :moped: . :sunny: :sunny: :sunny:
who else is ready :rolleyes1 ?

:banana: ::MickeyMo :cool1: :bounce: :hourglass :wizard: :banana:

UGAFan0829

01-06-2006, 07:22 AM

Good morning, everyone!
lacourre, thanks so much for the weather updates...It sure is looking a lot better than I had thought!
I have to get home tonight and pack, pack, pack! We are leaving in the morning...and of course I am stressing, but the DH thinks it's no big deal...sometimes his go with the flow attitude stresses me out!! AAAGGHH!
Anyway, for those of you leaving out today, have a safe trip!

jordan's cool

01-06-2006, 12:44 PM

hey everybody we're closer than ever
who else is ready for a buffet? :cool1:

UGAFan0829

01-06-2006, 01:01 PM

I am, I am!!!
I am also ready for some warmer weather! :cold:

UGAFan0829

01-06-2006, 01:01 PM

So how many folks are you bringing along with you, jordan'scool?

jordan's cool

01-06-2006, 01:16 PM

we will have a total of 5.Me my wife, daughter 9.my younger sister-in-law and a friend of hers.
I'm also ready to walk around in shorts.I'ts a little cooler here today than i'ts been all week. :sunny:
how many are in your group ugafan?
you will have to remember me in september when georgia and south carolina play. :cheer2:
does anyone know if parrot cay will be open when we get on the ship?I heard they would have a seafood buffet for lunch on the first day.As you can tell i've got food on the mind now. :rotfl2:

UGAFan0829

01-06-2006, 01:29 PM

There is only the DH and I in my group!!
Oh, I will remember you when we play SC! I have a good friend who lives in Columbia, and although she don't dare tell her husband, she really likes the Dawgs to, but her husband loves USC, so she can't tell! heeehee!
I'm not sure about Parrot Cay being open. When we boarded the ship on our last cruise, we were so excited that we went straight to our room...We weren't even worried about eating!
Is this your first cruise jodan's cool?

jordan's cool

01-06-2006, 01:56 PM

NO.THIS WILL BE MY SECOND CRUISE,BOTH WITH DISNEY. ::MickeyMo
MY WIFE AND SISTER IN LAW HAVE BEEN ON 4 OR 5.
OUR LAST CRUISE WHEN WE GOT ON THE BOAT WE WENT TO THE POOL AREA AND I GOT A BURGER FROM THE SNACK STAND.I DID'NT LOOK IN TO EVERYTHING LIKE I HAVE THIS TIME.MY WIFE MADE ME GO THE FIRST TIME I DID'NT THINK I WOULD LIKE IT.MAN WAS I WRONG!!!
I COULD GO ON A CRUISE EVERY YEAR IF I COULD AFFORD IT. :banana:
MAN AM I READY TO GO! :moped:

jordan's cool

01-06-2006, 06:25 PM

Well If Anyone Is Left Have A Safe Trip And We'll See You On The Ship!

let's Cruise!!

branv

01-12-2006, 07:16 PM

Well this just sucks...

Who knew 4 nights could pass so quickly? :sad:

I had a woooooooonderful time!!! Were we blessed or what? The parks were c-c-c-cold, but we had such wonderful weather for the cruise!! I was so happy to walk off the ship at CC and find it so warm and lovely.

Now I am sitting here on my couch feeling it sway :rotfl2: I would really like for that particular side effect to stop.

We had lovely table mates. Service was great. Food..ehhh, but I'm a food snob (I did love that Creamy Sweet Onion Soup at Parrot Cay though). Palo met and exceeded ALL expectations, for dinner I was so full it hurt when I yawned, and brunch, yuuuuuuum! For dinner our server brough us almost all the desserts. Devil man!!

Konk Cooler...overrated and way too sweet. BBC, oh my FREAKIN' goodness! I can't believe how much of a tab this non-drinker ended up with :)

Our room was great, but we were over equipment that made some hideously loud noises sporadically throughout the night. Lot of noise from closets sliding closed, children pounding down the hall. But it was such a very nice room. I must fess up, and found that all of our tablemates had to fess up to this too...all of us took a nap every single day :rotfl: I think the rocking of the ship acts like a narcotic ;)

Can you believe I never got to get room service, a Mickey Bar OR go to Scoops? Well I'll just have to go back and do that!

We found that one of our favorites places on the ship was Diversions. Not sure why, it was just nice and relaxing.

Castaway Cay...brrrr..who braved the water? Serenity Bay was lovely until these two loud mouth couples decided to come along and be a little obnoxious. Kind of killed the relaxation buzz. But thankfully they departed after a while and we were able to achieve a nice sunburned Zen state. We even saw a tiny little hermit crab. Ready to go back!!!

As for the parks, didn't care for POP at ALL, finally had a Dole Whip and it now has me in its control mmmmm, completely awed by Animal Kingdom Lodge, wish we'd stayed there. Boma was great, but Le Cellier, OMG!!!!! The good thing is that all that walking aided in keeping us warm, but not my much ;) Dared Mission Space and loved it.

You wanna hear a couple of strange things? We were standing in line in Soarin' and we heard this couple in front of us just start chatting to these two strangers behind them. They asked them where they were from yadda yadda. The people said, "oh we're from Austin" the first couple said, "oh really, how funny, so are we!" At that point, I tapped them on the shoulder and said, "you won't believe this, but we're from Austin too!" I mean, 60 minute wait in a huge line, all of us in a row, what are the odds? And THEN, when we had time to kill after we disembarked we decided to go to Downtown Disney and have a sundae. As we're sitting there, our table mates from the cruise walk in!! None of us had even talked about going to DD. Really funny.

Ok, so that's my short trip report. Can't wait to hear everyone elses!
I also saw my share of head shaking and/or mouth dropping behavior, but it certainly made for some interesting viewing. We'll have to share those ;)

JoyCrazy

01-13-2006, 03:37 AM

Hello everybody. I hope everyone had as much fun as we did. I'm so sorry that we didn't get too the 4:15pm meeting but we just didn't have time. What with not getting on the boat till 3:30 and the safety drill and take off party. Everybody was busy and I was feeling too shy to go on my own at that point. (I used to be super shy and sometimes relapse).
Crusin I'm especially sorry I didn't get a chance to meet you. It's so cool you noticed our door signs. I tried calling your room and stopped by but you were probably out having fun. At least I hope so!
branv I never got to scoops once either. I can't believe there was free ice cream and I didn't go.
By the way how cool were those shows. I saw them all. I've got alot more to say but it's 3am and my cats missed me . Talk to you some more in the morning

UGAFan0829

01-13-2006, 11:01 AM

Hey guys! Just got home this morning at about 1 am. Had to stop in Dowtown Disney only to find out that Pooh Corner was closed!
I'm really sorry that I didn't get to meet JoyCrazy and Branv, but I know that it's sometimes hard to make it to everything!
We really enjoyed this cruise MUCH more than the last. It seemed to have lasted much longer, even though it was only 1 day longer. By the 2nd day, we had done so much more, yet relaxed so much more than our other one!
I know I will probably get flamed for this, but I was NOT impressed with the food this trip, and I will not ever go back to Palo for dinner. I was not impressed with it at all. We went there on CC night. The food was good, but the server brought us way TOO much food, and then made us feel that we had to at least try it. We ended up having 4 appetizers, 3 main courses and 5 desserts. I felt so bad that we went straight back to the room and didn't even think about Pirate Night. We went to bed, and I woke up at 2 am feeling VERY sick. I prayed that I would not get sick on that ship, and thankfully I didn't, but I felt bad the next day as well. I don't think there was anything wrong with the food, I think it was just that I ate so much and that it didn't mix together very well.
The shows were wonderful. Disney Dreams was very sweet, and Michael Harrison was hilarious at the adult show! We also loved Match Your Mate which was very funny as well.Was a little disappointed that our late seating was a little slow, so we had to get up and leave to be able to make it to the some of the shows, and even ended up missing the "Til We Meet Again"!
All in all, we had a great time, and know that we will cruise again! Before, we had thought that we would probably rebook a 7 night on board, but now the DH wants to experince the parks since neither one of us have ever been, so we are thinking of doing the land and sea package so that we can still cruise and see the parks.
Oh, we also had some great tablemates! We were really happy to have actually had people at our table since last year we were alone for the whole cruise. 2 of the couples were DVC members and we really enjoyed their knowledge of the parks. The other couple was on their honeymoon, and are originally from Japan, but are currently living in Atlanta while the husband attends college.
It was great to have met laccoure and her DH and DS, which I saw quite often, attagirlx2, who was super sweet, cruisin', who left a note on my door, and txsleepingbeauty, who I had the same dinner rotation as us, and VickiHD who was also very sweet! I think that I ran into Jordan'scool a couple of times, but he always had his family with him, so I didn't want to bother him!!

lacourre

01-13-2006, 08:17 PM

Hi UGAFan! It was nice running into you during the cruise and at Parrot Cay for lunch! Sorry that you had a bad experience at Palo's. We went on the 2nd nite and had to leave after appetizers bcs DH was sick!!!!!! I don't know if anyone's left Palo's before! The appetizers were really good though! The sent the rest of the food down to our room... I ate, but DH really couldn't enjoy anything. They did get us into Palo on the last night, too - to make up for him being sick and leaving... maybe it is what you order, but to me the 1st time the food was better than the 2nd time.

I am sorry that I missed Match your Mate, but it was on the 1st night and we didn't have babysitting then. I enjoyed the comedian/ventriloquist family show, but do wish we could've seen the adult show... he was crazy!

There was so much to do that we really didn't relax that much, we didn't want to miss anything! We definately want to do it again! It was so nice to meet all of you on the ship. I was hoping to see more of VickiHD since we had the same dining rotation, but I guess our tables were too far away (or my 2-year was taking up all my attention?).

UGAFan, the parks are nice... so if you haven't done them then do it on your next vacation! Remember that they are big, so don't try and do more than one park per day. There is a LOT to see!!!!

My best to all you!!!
Lacourre (Larisa)

branv

01-13-2006, 10:55 PM

UGA - I see you did the same portraits we did. What did you think of the photographer? Sort of lost my favor when he said "Suck in sweety" at least twice, and if he'd called me "honey" one more time I was going to go find my shoe and toss it at his head :rotfl: I told DH, "you notice he didn't tell YOU to suck in?"

Sorry I couldn't make the meet either. We had a sewage smell prob in our bathroom, and so we just decided to go ahead and focus on unpacking while they had a maintenance guy in and out of the room. Luckily they fixed it!

LaCourre, sorry your DH got sick! Was it the waves? I DEFINITELY felt them, DH thought I was losing my mind and even had me fill up a glass of water to prove to him that there was actual movement. He has not only an iron stomach, and has never had any prob with motion. I luckily had the scop patch on (and lucky me, no side effects like dry mouth or dilated eyes), plus took my Ginger pills, and I was good to go. I felt a little, errr, "off" for a bit at dinner the first night, but kept eating and managed to get by. We had a great time that 2 & 3rd night when the seas were at 4-8 ft watching everyone take a meandering path down the halls.

But I do definitely agree that Palo was one heck of a close call on the "overdone it" Had to walk that off quite a bit :)

So was anyone else on the 1st deck? We were in 1046 (had 2 door signs, just down from midship), was just wondering if anyone else heard the same noises we did. We luckily brought a fan for white noise. The last night that we had to go without it, we barely slept b/c of the noise bleed from people sliding their closets quite hard, slamming dresser drawers, ship machinary down below, and people pounding down the halls. :confused3 Otherwise loved the 1st level, but wouldn't recommend that particular room.

Anyone else here now addicted to the chocolate croissants from breakfast? :teeth: DH was still talking about them today. Tonight I asked DH, "What should we do about dinner?" and he said, "why don't we go on up to deck 9 and see what they have" :rolleyes: Now I know he thought he was being funny, but all I could think about was how much it sucks that when I want to eat I actually have to do something more then catch an elevator. :crazy2:

VickiHD

01-14-2006, 11:46 AM

::MickeyMo Hi everyone. Wasn't that a Wonderful cruise. Besides our honeymoon that was truely our best vacation yet. Next time we will try the 7 day and we are sold on DCL. (Sorry Princess Cruise Line) We got in very very very late last night and still swaying back and forth. It's too bad we're not still on the ship.
It was great meeting EVERYONE and it was also fun running into you guys throughout the cruise. I only wish I had a chance to visit everyone a bit more. I'm so glad the weather warmed up for all of us. Since the Saturday before we sailed was freezing. I mean it was warmer in San Francisco than Florida. Burrrr
LaCourre...DH and I were hoping to visit with you and your family at dinner but we never saw you. :sad1:
Palo's brunch was good but the main course was overrated. I had the beef and it was overly done and cold. The beef dish I had the night before was much better in PC. I did enjoy the sea food. Sorry to hear some of you got sick. Did anyone else notice that the portions were getting much smaller through out our cruise. The first night my steak was HUGE and as time went by the portions were smaller and smaller. I'm not complaining just making an observation, I still gained 5 lbs. Did try room service but no Mickey bar. Went to scoops a few times for ice cream and to create "coke floats".
We loved the atmosphere of the cruise along with the activities and shows. We did walk out of Hurcules.....just could not take it but we loved the other shows and of course Pirate night. I also loved having the characters on the ship. I'm just a big kid at heart. We were in room 2124 aft near the elevators and enjoyed our room. Did not see any other door signs around us at all. :sad1: I wish I had a chance to see what your door signs looked like. Castaway Cays was heaven and Serenity Bay was perfect. Falling a sleep in the sun and sand was really what I needed. I'm so happy I came home with a little color. Enjoyed going to the towel animal demonstration but I have no skills in creating these at all. I'll guess I will leave it to the experts. Having a car at the port was nice. The porter brought all our bags out to the car for us and we were on our way. Pretty easy and we were on the road by 8:45 am. We spend Thurs. resort hopping, visiting the Animal Kindom Lodge and the Boardwalk area. It's amazing what you can do with a car vs taking Disney's transportation buses. We then took a nap at the Caribbean Beach resort's pool before heading out to DTD for dinner at the rainforest. It was nice to slowly get back into reality vs getting kicked off the ship then dealing with the airport. We will be booking another cruise for either late this year or early next year. The hard part is deciding the dates. How about everyone else?? Looking forward to hearing about everyone's vacation.

Did anyone else cry a little when leaving the ship? :sad:

Cruisin

01-14-2006, 04:25 PM

:wave:

Hi guys.

I just wanted to check in and let everyone know we have arrived safely at home.

I don't have time to totally catch up on the thread but I will and will post later. ::yes::

Cruisin

01-14-2006, 08:21 PM

We even saw a tiny little hermit crab.

:scared1: Were you the couple that were sitting beside me and my parents on the beach :eek:

We were sitting by a couple who pointed out a small hermit crab to us just as we were getting ready to leave the beach. ::yes::

If that was you, how strange. I know we never got the chance to meet at the DISmeet, too bad we didn't realize who each other was.

Cruisin

01-14-2006, 08:24 PM

Crusin I'm especially sorry I didn't get a chance to meet you. It's so cool you noticed our door signs. I tried calling your room and stopped by but you were probably out having fun. At least I hope so!

There was one day when I was next door with my parents and when I returned my husband said he thought he had heard the phone ring while he was in the shower but I checked and there was no message.

Also one morning my dad said that he saw some lady knocking on our cabin door while we weren't there. That was probably you.

I'm sorry that I missed you too, but I got to talk to your sister for a minute ;)

Cruisin

01-14-2006, 08:34 PM

My only regret was that I didn't get to the DISmeet early enough to have time to figure out who everyone was.

Our cabin steward dropped by to introduce himself and then I had to run down to the Promenade Lounge and everyone was eager to be on their way. I didn't have enough time to memorize some faces so that I would recognize them later. :guilty:

branv

01-14-2006, 09:44 PM

OMG Cruisin, it was us! And can you believe that I knew the people next to us were Canadian by the slight accent. I thought for a minute "wouldn't it be funny if that were Cruisin'" since I knew you were there with your parents, but I was too shy to ask a few strangers, "uh hey there, do you Dis?" :teeth: And then I reminded myself of how MANY Canadian license plates we saw in the POP Century parking lot alone, so thought I was being silly. How stupid of me!

I didn't blind you with my ubber pale skin did I ;) Got a nice little, eerrrrr, sunburn that day.

I did all kinds of goofy things that day. Turns out our table mates were immediately to our right! When they told us that they saw us there, I said, "I thought we just had two obnoxious young couples next to the right of us!" And they said, "oh no, we were the people just before them trying to block out their comments about bodily functions". :rotfl:

I kept trying to be good and get some reading in, but zoning won out :)

So DH braved his very health by snapping this picture of me on the beach, are you the lady next to me?

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/branv/brancc.jpg

Cruisin

01-14-2006, 10:25 PM

No, I am not the lady sitting next to you in the picture but I do believe that she is sitting in the chairs that we left behind when we went for lunch. You probably thought we were pretty strange because my dad was napping on the lounge chair with his long pants and sweatshirt on, all covered up in the tropical paradise because he was cold :sad2:

You should have said hello but I can understand that you didn't because I probably wouldn't have either. Of course I had no idea it was you at all.

Your husband drew a little circle in the sand around the crab so I could see where it was and I was right there beside you for a few minutes before we left the beach.

I remember the two of you sitting there reading your books.

I also remember the other people you were speaking of. There were two men sitting in the short chairs up further on the beach than the ladies they were with. They were smoking cigars and shouting things back and forth with the ladies. They got up and left shortly before we did, the one man had to go back and retrieve something his "wife" left behind on the chair.

attagirlx2

01-15-2006, 10:45 AM

Where to begin....

We all had a great time on the cruise and at Disney World. My girls were so surprised by the entire trip. But were VERY sad when it was finally time to go home. I was sad that our trip was over, but couldn't wait to see my baby boy and give him great big hugs and kisses!

It was great seeing Missy (UGAFan) at random times throughout the cruise. I am so glad Vicki approached me both at Palo and on deck. I sometimes zone out and don't realize who is around. It's pretty embarassing when I do it at a place like Target and I am standing in line behind a neighbor who is trying to talk to me and I completely seem like I am ignoring them...I'm just in a daze and don't notice people around me. I think it has something to do with three kids and a million and one other things on my mind. So I apologize if I looked right through anyone on the ship without meaning to. I really am not that rude! Thanks Crusin for recommending Katelyn and I stick around for the Until We Meet Again and pixie dust. (I think that was what it was called.) Kate loved it even though she was really too tired to get her picture taken with the characters. But she did with Peter Pan and Ann Marie. She saw Disney Dreams twice and LOVED it!!! Bob took the girls to the 2:00 show while I went to the art auction. Then Bob and Emma saw Chronicles of Narnia while Kate and I saw the 8:30 show of Disney Dreams. I saw LaCourre and her family from a distance a couple of times. And I kept my eyes open for Branv and her hickies but never noticed anyone with bruises on the back of her knees :rotfl2: I am sorry that we never had the chance to meet some of the people we've been conversing with...I guess we'll have to go again!

I have my flame retardant suit on, so I have to say that I was disappointed in the food and service. In my opinion the food wasn't great and I didn't care for the choices offered. My DH and I were really tired of red meat! As far as service, I was expecting to be WOW'ed by it all. But it was no better, no worse than service we had received in the past on other ships. We've definitely had better and been made to feel pampered. This time it was what it should be but no "extra" feeling. It's hard to explain. Our table position was LOUSY in Animators and in Tritions.

The kids clubs were WONDERFUL!! My girls couldn't wait to go. The day in Nassau they went in the morning while I showered and got dressed. Then that night and each night one of us would take them as soon as they finished eating dinner. Emma's group did experiments and made flubber. While Kate's age group had a tea party with Wendy one night, Do-Si-Do'ed with Snow White another night, etc. The day at sea they went to the club while we did Palo brunch. When I went to get Emma, she didn't want to leave, so Kate and I did some shopping.

We tried to do the Life Style portraits on the last night. Stood in line before dinner and Mickey and Minnie showed up. We didn't think we could ask them to step aside since we just wanted a picture of our family, so we left and went into dinner. Kate had to go the bathroom soon after we ordered so Bob took her out and saw the line was gone except for one family. So we all got up and ran out the door. Well, the family was doing a gazillion poses...Johnny with Grandma and Grandpa, Johnny with Dad, Johnny by himself, Dad with Grandma and Grandpa, Dad by himself, Dad and mom, Dad and Mom and Johnny, etc. You get the idea. So we went back to dinner. We kept checking and they were still there. Finally we started sending Emma out to check by herself so we weren't all getting up and down. She finally came running back in to say they were done. We all ran out...and the photographer had left. :sad: We were bummed.

The girls loved being on a cruise. I love cruising. My DH can take it or leave it. I am not sure if we will step up and spend the money for the Disney cruise next time. I am going on Royal Caribbean in February with some girlfriends. It will be my fifth cruise on RCL. I plan on checking out the kids programs to see how they compare with Disney. I imagine they aren't as good. As of now I am leaning towards doing our next family cruise on RCL.

I did overhear one woman who was traveling with her daughter and left her husband at home. I can see that happening in my future since my DH isn't as Disney crazy as I am!

One thing we also enjoyed was Serenity Bay...the girls were disappointed that we wouldn't get in the water with them so they wanted to check out the club after lunch. So I checked them in and Bob went back to the ship to get our books and I met him at Serenity Bay. It was so peaceful and quiet. Perfect!!!

The only other negative of the whole trip was when I was waiting for the tram out to Serenity Bay. I was sitting there near some cast members who were going out to their beach and waiting for the tram as well. This one girls kept going on about how she had missed a note during her song in The Golden Mickey's show. She stated that she must've had one too many on Deck 5 before the show. Then anytime another cast member appeared at the tram stop, she apologized profusely for her actions the night before. She said she was still drunk when she woke up at 9:00 that morning and couldn't believe how hung over she was. Now I realize the cast members are people too and they are young and can make mistakes, but it is her job to portray a certain image. She was one of the Princesses. And everytime I saw her after that, I had a bad taste in my mouth. She definitely tarnished her image and her character's image in my eyes. I was so disappointed in what I was overhearing. I really tried not to listen, but she was quite loud about it all. I was just glad it was on the way to the adult beach so there weren't any kids around.

I do wish I could go get a cookie on deck right about now!! I am starting Weight Watchers tomorrow...I was a lifetime member but have slipped big time since we moved into the rental house...I've gained 25 pounds! I am keeping track of my points starting today and I am so hungry!! It's all psychological though.

Sorry for the long post!!! Have a great day everyone :flower:

branv

01-15-2006, 11:59 AM

Cruisin' - I didn't even notice your dad was bundled up :rotfl: Poor guy, I wish it had been warmer for him. I didn't even get a good look at you guys, what I zoned or what?

Did you see what that stupid tattoo guy did when he saw a little creature moving in the sand? He started jumping up and down on it. As my brother would say, "jack***"

AttaGirl, so are you about to move into your house? I bet this break was nice to have before you have to ramp up to moving. I know what you mean about the service. I think it gets hyped up SO much that when it ends up being, well, the same type of decent service you get anywhere here in the outside world you're a little surprised. Our people were very nice of course, but not necessarily on the ball that often. We had empty drinks at dinner quite a bit, last out of the restaurant, sort of disconnected/not rude but not friendly waiters at the other areas. Now, again, most of the time everyone was incredibly friendly, which I really enjoyed. But I still would have sacrificed a little of the niceness if it meant faster/accurate service. Now as I said, our Palo guy was one of the best servers I've ever dealt with, and he was more polite then gushing friendly. He could serve at any of the 4* restaurants we've been to and do quite well. Oh yes, and the guy server at Cove Cafe was outstanding. So generally, I can't complain about the service, but I wouldn't gush either.

BUT, having never been on another cruise line, I can't compare. When we drove up and saw the HUUUUGE Mariner, I think DH's little brain starting turning thinking what it would be like to go on that ship. I'm afraid of other ships, b/c frankly I don't care for a big party atmosphere. I like to relax, not to go crazy and drink all day long, and I've heard some of those cruise ships are like 24/7 parties.

One of my biggest complaint was all the smoking. I was surprised at how much of it there was...at WDW and the ship, and I'd heard it could be a problem on other cruise lines, I didn't expect it on Disney. My apologies in advance to anyone here who smokes, but it was like we were just cursed with always being next to smokers on deck. Now granted, I understand that's just the risk you take in the open air areas, and it's perfectly within their right. But what bothered me about it was that DH and I were careful never to stop next to someone who was smoking, but most of the time DH and I would be standing or sitting somewhere, and someone would walk up right next to us to smoke (and usually so we were downwind of it). It was kind of off putting, we were there first but we were the ones who always had to move. We probably had to just outright leave Deck 4 about 6 times.

Ok, ok, and as long as I have a chance to say this, what about that duo in the Promenade Area? The lady's repetoire seemed to be stuck on butchering Sade, Dido and Faith Hill (her singing voice reminded me a great deal of little old ladies belting out forced alto hymns in church). Although her little male buddy could sing, he's clearly way too deeply obsessed with Jimmy Buffett...sure it's a tropical theme, but man, there are other options! Everytime we passed them or stopped to get a drink before dinner, it was the same songs...over and over and over again. Then they followed us to the adult pool area during Pirate Night. So now I've got an off-tune Sade song permanently etched in my brain. In the shower yesterday I was horrified to catch myself singing, "you're given me the sweetest taboooooo" GAHHHH!!! I'm scarred for life.

JoyCrazy

01-15-2006, 01:31 PM

Cruisin

01-15-2006, 01:32 PM

attagirl, I'm glad that you and Kate were able to stay long enough to see the pixie dust. It is kind of cool to see.

I guess that I will have to be the voice on the other side of the service and food quality debate. All of the service we received was absolutely wonderful. Our dining room guys were very personable and friendly. The first night when we arrived at the dining room our server knew our names and took the time to figure out who was who. Our head waiter showed up at our table several times during every meal to see how things were or to help out with stuff, like helping my mom take the skin (? sorry not a seafood eater) off of her shrimp one night. My mom was thrilled to have the personal touches they provided.

We also were extremely happy with the food quality and there was only one thing that I ordered that I did not like and that was an appetizer.

We recently went on a RCCL cruise (our second one) and we found the service and food quality on the Disney ship to far outstand that on the Royal Carribean. Now it could just have been the ship we sailed on but we definitely like Disney better.

To each their own, of course, since obviously there are enough cruisers around to keep all of these cruiselines in business ;)

branv, I did not see the guy jumping on the sand creature :sad2: Why do people think they have to do that. I also saw lots of people pick up things from the bottom of the ocean and then throw them far out again. :eek: I didn't think that was necessary either. Saw one woman pick up a sand dollar (I think). She made sure that she rinsed all of the sand out really well and then took it on shore with her. :scared1: Poor creatures. :sad2:

Cruisin

01-15-2006, 01:35 PM

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/84536Walt_Disney_World7_108.jpg
Here's what our door looked like. I loved being on Deck 6 we were a few Decks from everything on the ship and it was very quite. We loved Castaway Cay, where disappointed in Nassau and loved our sea day. I'm going to try and go again before our oldest hits 10. Isn't that rediculous how they consider 10 an adult. I could understand 16 but 10?? The food was great even if our selection was limited. Our Servers Ivanna and Ganish were great. We took it slow and didn't try and do everything and we had a great trip. The kids loved MK so we spent most of our time there. I've got dinner waiting so I'll get back to you.

I agree that deck six 6 was a nice deck to be on. We were past the front elevators on the same side of the ship as you were.

We were in one of the sideways Cat 11 cabins and we were very happy with it. We thought it felt much more spacious than a regular Cat 11 cabin (probably wasn't but gave the impression to us that it was).

branv

01-15-2006, 01:50 PM

Wow Cruisin', you did have good servers!! We didn't see our head server but one time in passing. In fact, the last night the girls at our table asked our servers if it was normal to tip the head waiter more then suggested and our servers actually suggested that we not tip him AT ALL. In their words, "he gets a salary and he doesn't really DO anything." :eek: I was pretty shocked that they would come out and say that. Our servers would come out, take our drink order each night, suggest what food to order, take our order and then largely vanish until dessert. We never got refills on the bread either (and the bread was the one thing I always liked :teeth: ) We had to wave our asst. server, Herman, over when we wanted drinks...all but the last night ;) We had 8:30 dining, and we never got out of there before 10:30. Again, they weren't awful, very sweet, but very busy and it showed. On the last night, the table next to us who shared the same serving team called over the head waiter and appeared to be chewing him out about the service (which I thought to be a bit convenient since it was the tipping night). Nothing they did at our table deserved a chewing out, and I tipped them a little extra. And no it wasn't the burping table that was doing the complaining :rotfl:

Cruisin

01-15-2006, 03:16 PM

Yes we were very lucky with our servers. We had absolutely no complaints about the service, except that sometimes our waiter brought out an extra dessert and we were "forced" to try it :rotfl2: when we really didn't need it ;)

Here is our dining team, Jan:assistant server, Eric:head waiter, Lito: server

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid199/pece4b7a4f0893ac9508e82ba437d5519/f0910437.jpg

Eric helping my mom with her shrimp

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid199/pb4368649ed84b2d6002993ec010c32ad/f0910406.jpg

Cruisin

01-15-2006, 03:23 PM

Hey, did you guys know that the DISboard famous, inkkognito and her hubby antikieg (not sure of the spelling) were on our cruise with us.

I met Tony and Barb at the Castaway Club, returning cruisers party.

attagirlx2

01-15-2006, 04:06 PM

JoyCrazy

01-15-2006, 05:41 PM

Thanks for asking about the move...I checked email several times while on the ship hoping for good news. We thought we might have to close on Friday the 13. But the gas lines are still not in. They started the work and hope to have that completed by the 23rd. So at this time we are looking at closing in February. Hopefully by the 10th since that is the day our final interest rate lock extension expires. The 10th is also when I leave for my cruise!

Our lovely immature, redneck neighbors where we are renting the house left my mom a nice present while we were gone. I guess she didn't realize that one of our dogs went the bathroom in their yard. Well, they picked it up and smeared it all over the front walk and step into the house. They did it not once but they did it 2 days in a row. A$$h*!%$ Did I mention how ready we were to move. I hate living in this rental!!!!

The Mariner is a beautiful ship. I don't think RCL has the party ship reputation that Carnival has. I've never had a problem on RCL with that. But have heard a lot of problems on Carnival. The other line I would like to try would be Celebrity - I've heard wonderful things about the food and service on their ships. RCL's food is okay - some better than what we had on DCL and some not as good. The alternative restaurant, Portofino, was excellent!!!!

JoyCrazy - how were your neighbors on Deck 6?? Were the kids too loud???

Nope I didn't even hear them. Our room was very nice. Our neighbors would have probably heard us Pirate nitght if they weren't at the party cause my niece had a meltdown and there was time out involved. It wasn't pretty.Lol. The kids were pretty good this trip. Until the last day when they had to get up at 5am. That was hell. Shudder and don't even get me started on United Air never flying their slow skys again. And those sound like nasty neighbors you got. I wonder if it occured to them to politely ask your mom to poop scoop. That would have surely been more pleasent for them as well! Unless they like handling doggy doo. Did your mom call the police?

VickiHD

01-15-2006, 06:33 PM

Hi everyone ! I'm trying to post a picture from the cruise and having a hard time. Sorry..... I can't make the door sign picture "turn around". :confused3 If anyone has any helpful and easy instructions for posting pictures I'm all ears.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e316/VickiHD40/HPIM0180.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e316/VickiHD40/HPIM0122.jpg

branv

01-15-2006, 06:34 PM

Jeez, and I thought I had redneck neighbors from hell, but I can definitely say they're a walk in the park compared to THAT!! :scared1: You'd think maybe a nice little note would have been a little more, I dunno...sane? Obviously they're not THAT adverse to poop since they're so willing to fondle it.

You know what's funny? DH and I noticed that they ONLY day we heard children crying on the ship was the last day :rotfl: Can't really say I blame them, was tempted to do so myself.

wdw1972

01-15-2006, 06:39 PM

We never made it to the meet on sailaway day, since silly me didn't realize FOOTBALL would be going on, lol! I don't give that stuff a 2nd thought, but the boyfriend really wanted to catch part of the game and wanted my company while staring at the tv in Diversions.

We had a nice cruise - his first, my 9th or 10th on Disney (plus others on other lines). He was expecting a boat, bobbing up and down in the waves, and was really impressed that he felt no movement at all almost the entire cruise. He didn't believe me when I said we'd just started sailing, until we got up on deck and he saw we were quite a ways from the dock and heading for the open ocean!

Highlights for us were Palo dinner, Palo brunch, Castaway Cay, and our verandah cabin. I expected him to hate Castaway Cay since he's not a beach person, but he loved it! We spent several hours there, at the far end of the family beach. Our server and all the food at Palo was excellent both meals, and we had good experiences in the main dining rooms as well (& Lido for breakfast). We slept with the verandah door open so we could hear the ocean all night long, and loved having the view those floor-to-ceiling windows provided. I'll post our trip report over in the trip report folder.

I'm ready to cruise again, but since I don't have unlimited vacation time and we have other trips planned in 2006 the best I can hope for is to find time for a cruise in 2007.

txSleepingBeauty

01-15-2006, 07:03 PM

Wow Cruisin', you did have good servers!! We didn't see our head server but one time in passing. :
Bran, that's so funny that you say that. We ahd the same seating which means the same rotation (ptta right) and thought ERic (the HOT french head server ) was fantastic. He stopped me on the 2nd night on my way out to smoke ( sorry, I was one of teh smokers, but I made sure to never sit by anyone not smoking, and didn't smoke if there were kids standing around me, unless their parents had lit up too). He asked me how I liked the food, when I told him it was okay and that I wasn't a fan of fancy food he told me he'd make my favorite meal (chicken fingers and fries, I know, classy huh?). On weds. night he specifically invited me over to watch him flammbe the bananas foster since I missed out on the cherries jubilee the previous night and personally brought me a dish of them...by the last night he knew my name, and table and everything!

We :love: our servers- Zoran and Arlan. Zoran told me he was going to move to Texas and marry me for a greencard ::yes:: they were the best part of the cruise to me!

I do agree about too much food though. god forbid you not order a course, Zoran was bound and determined to bring you something anyway. And Palo's was even worse!! we went for brunch (best blueberry pancakes I've ever had) and our server brought us extra buffet stuff (yuck if I'd wanted that I would have gotten it myself!!) an extra entre ( fish :crazy2: and a delicious asparagus chessy risotto) AND extra dessert. We asked her if there was a mandatory weigh in at customs, and if everyone didn't gain at least 20 pounds, none of the waiters got paid! (she of course said no)

all in all it was fantastic. Had a great room on deck 7 aft, loved the secret deck, perfect for a smoke and pics in the morning....would HIGHLY recommend the catamaran snorkeling excurscion in Nassau (although a warning about the rum punch would have been good, got a little drunk coming back in)....castaway cay was beautiful, enjoyed the jet skis ( got me fat butt up on that sucker and took off) and yep, I was one of the few who braved the water (hi lacourre!! had fun snorkeling with you)

can't wait to do it again in May!! :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

the only bad thing: some idiot picked up my mom's bag by mistake :faint: and took it to the airport with him :scared1: . We had jsut left when disney called saying they had found our bag and could pick it up at the airport. too bad we weren't going anywhere near the airport and were already on the road to Georgia for the weekend before going home. thankfully, she had seperated out the clean clothes from the dirty and packed the dirty stuff in a different bag, so she had some clothes for the rest of the vacation!!

attagirlx2

01-15-2006, 07:32 PM

JoyCrazy - the reason I asked about your neighbors is because we were right next to you. Cabin 6101. I saw your door sign, but didn't think about knocking. I assumed we would bump into each other sometime. I can't believe we didn't. We didn't make it up to Pirate Night - the girls were too tired. But we never heard your neice. Our youngest had 2 meltdowns - one getting dressed the formal night in Nassau and the second was the morning we were disembarking. She didn't want to get dressed either time and it was an epic battle of wills between her and my husband.

About my rental neighbors - one would think they would see that someone else had been there for the past week and maybe knock on the door and ask my mom to clean it up out of their yard. But no, they were too insane to do that. My mom was too scared to call the police. She was afraid of what would happen next. She was really freaked out by it actually.

WDW72 - we were also glued to the screen in diversions on Sunday. Immediately after boarding we went down to watch our Panthers play. Then after mustering, I took the girls to the meet and up on deck for the sailaway party while DH resumed his position in front of the big screen. We joined him to watch our beloved Steelers play until dinner. DH and Emma were not feeling great during dinner so they headed back to the room. Katelyn and I ventured back to Diversions after dinner to check on the Steelers score. We were very relieved to see that they were about to win the game. So we ran back to the room to report to DH that he could rest easy that night :rotfl: I was wearing my Steelers gold and black (yellow really) along with my Carolina Panthers necklace. Had it all covered!

How do you post pictures?????????HELP!!!!!!

branv

01-15-2006, 07:42 PM

Bran, that's so funny that you say that. We ahd the same seating which means the same rotation (ptta right) and thought ERic (the HOT french head server ) was fantastic. He stopped me on the 2nd night on my way out to smoke ( sorry, I was one of teh smokers, but I made sure to never sit by anyone not smoking, and didn't smoke if there were kids standing around me, unless their parents had lit up too). He asked me how I liked the food, when I told him it was okay and that I wasn't a fan of fancy food he told me he'd make my favorite meal (chicken fingers and fries, I know, classy huh?). On weds. night he specifically invited me over to watch him flammbe the bananas foster since I missed out on the cherries jubilee the previous night and personally brought me a dish of them...by the last night he knew my name, and table and everything!

We :love: our servers- Zoran and Arlan. Zoran told me he was going to move to Texas and marry me for a greencard ::yes:: they were the best part of the cruise to me!

:rotfl: I'm noting a pattern here, maybe we would have had better service if we had a cute young girl at our table (though ironically my last name IS actually Young, but somehow I haven't figured out yet how to make the name imbue what it signifies ;) )

Did anyone else do the beer tasting on sea day, and get to see the little battle of wills going on btwn the pub master and the gentleman with ample liquid experience ;) One of those things that was both hard to watch and hilarious at the same time.

attagirlx2

01-15-2006, 08:20 PM

Lets see if this works! This is us before dinner on the formal night.

Cruisin

01-15-2006, 08:35 PM

Lets see if this works! This is us before dinner on the formal night.

Nope, didn't work.

What site are you using to host your pictures?

I use imagestation. com

Cruisin

01-16-2006, 03:36 PM

Gosh I can't believe it. I take a few days off of work and come back to what looks like Santa's mailbag tipped onto my desk :confused3 I know if I hadn't gone away there would not have been so much mail. :eek:

Also of course the new year has arrived so all of the file folders have to be moved to make way for the new years stuff to go into the cabinets.

I have several solid days of work ahead of me just to get things the way they should be. :sad2:

It's nasty cold here too :cold:

:sad: I want to go back to the Bahamas where it was warm :teeth:

VickiHD

01-16-2006, 03:48 PM

Cruisin....I am right there with you with all the piles of mail. Hardly any bills, just catalogs, junk mail, charities wanting $$$, etc. I am still trying to organize it. I've finally started the unpacking and the laundry. I don't mind the washing and drying part it is the folding and sorting that I can't stand.

I also wish we were back in the bahamas. It cold and gloomy and rain is on its way. :mad:

attagirlx2

01-16-2006, 07:32 PM

Its odd, the picture appears when I log in on my computer, but not when I use my DH's computer. Thanks Cruisin for the website. I will try it.

My 4 yr old was asking if we could go on a cruise again. I asked her why, what did she like about being on a cruise? Her reply..."chocolate and vanilla swirl icecream." Now, don't get me wrong, the icecream was good, but I don't think I'll pay $2000 so she can have icecream anytime she wants. I can actually do that for a lot less by staying home. :rotfl:

jordan's cool

01-16-2006, 08:43 PM

UGAFan0829

01-16-2006, 09:28 PM

hey ugafan, sorry i missed the dis meet i wish you would have stopped me i would have liked to meet you.this is my first day off work since we got home.that's why i hav'nt checked in.i hope everyone had a blast.how did you reconize me [the gamecock jersey?]

Hey! Well, first I think that we were sitting pretty much back to back in the port while we were waiting to board the ship...you had on the gamecocks visor, and I noticed your wife and daughter with you and remembered that from your post. It was funny because it seemed like everywhere we went we were always running into you and your family. I wanted to say hi, but I wasn't positive that was you, and I wasn't sure if you and your family wanted to be bothered. I remember your daughter picking out all the things that she wanted to do when we were waiting to board the ship. I think I remember her talking about the movie SkY High...and I also belive that we were sitting right next to each other during the future cruise presentation! Funny how we kept running into each other! By the way, I figured it was you, because no one else would proudly wear a Gamecocks jersey...LOL...Just kidding, I had to throw that in there.

Attagirl...That is a great pic of you and the DD's...They really are too cute. I hope that they had a good time at the Sailaway party, I know they were dying to get there, and I couldn't blame them one bit!!!!

Cruisin

01-16-2006, 09:45 PM

oo, nice picture of you and the girls. You are all so nicely coordinated. ::yes::

JoyCrazy

01-17-2006, 08:04 AM

That's a great picture Attagirl. You daughters look so cute!

attagirlx2

01-17-2006, 08:05 AM

We were wearing dresses from my cousin's wedding last April. The girls and their 2 cousins all had the same dress on and my dress is actually from the rehearsal dinner. The wedding was at the National Cathedral so my dress for the wedding was floor length. Don't think I'll ever wear that one again - along with a gazillion bridesmaid dresses that just make me laugh when I look at them!

They loved the sailaway party! We stood on the deck 10 above the pool area so they could people watch and see everything. When the ship started pulling away from the dock, Kate asked, "what happened to our room? Where are we going to sleep tonight?" She didn't understand that our room was sailing with us!

jordan's cool

01-17-2006, 08:47 AM

THAT WAS NEAT UGAFAN I REALLY WISH YOU WOULD HAVE STOPPED ME.I WAS ALWAYS TELLING MY WIFE I WONDER WHO SOME OF YOU WERE WHILE WE WERE PEOPLE WATCHING.WE DID MEET A COUPLE WITH A DAUGHTER THAT WAS BORN ONE DAY BEFORE JORDAN,SO THAT WAS REALLY NEAT.

CAN ANYONE TELL ME HOW TO POST PICS? :cool1:

sapphire33

01-17-2006, 12:31 PM

Hi everyone! We just got back last night after the cruise and five days at WDW. It's like culture shock. What do you mean I have to cook for myself?! Where's room service? Where is Mickey Mouse?! :)

It was great meeting you all and seeing some of you on the ship and shore excursions. TXSleeping Beauty, I had fun snorkeling with you. I'm at the inlaws right now but when I get home I will post some of the pics from my underwater camera like I promised. Vicki, DH and I enjoyed talking with you and your DH at Palo... what a meal! I hope everyone had a great time, I know we did. So much so that it was it hard to leave that ship. DD11 cried, she was so sad. Only four days and it feels like home. Only so much better!!

We survived our days at the parks, although, not surprisingly, it did not go as planned. Our oldest got ill (literally) at Epcot on Friday. Now we joke that she threw up in three different countries but at the time it was no fun. The next day we got a late start at the Magic Kingdom because she was still sick. We finally decided to let her stay in the room til she felt better because we had castle lunch reservations. We all felt badly about that, but she joined us at about 3 p.m. Thankfully she felt better for EMH at Magic Kingdom on Sunday and could get on the rides she missed. We enjoyed all we did get to do, and what we missed we'll have to catch next time. DH and I have decided to join DVC as soon as we can afford it, because we see many more Disney trips in the future.

I hope to post a trip report one of these days, to give any tips I might have to others as I benefitted so much from reading them before our trip.

It's snowing today, so we too are missing the Bahamas. Actually it got down to under 50 Saturday night at Magic Kingdom, but by Monday (just in time for us to leave) it was nice again. We got rain at Epcot for about an hour on Friday. After that experience, I think we were very fortunate to have such great weather on the cruise, except for that one windy, cooler night. Now I am very antsy for spring to arrive, having had a taste of nice weather.

Can't wait to also deal with the laundry, piles of mail and gulp, work, when we too get home in a few hours. Yippeee!

Cruisin

01-17-2006, 06:34 PM

jordan's cool, I dont' think that you are allowed to post pictures until you have a higher post count on the DIS boards. :confused3 I don't know how high it has to be before you can post pictures though.

I think I've heard that before anyways. ::yes::

attagirlx2

01-17-2006, 08:49 PM

Jordan's cool - check out the Technical Support section under the DIS Discussion Forums page...its near the very bottom. There is all kinds of information on how to do things and I'm sure it will tell you when you can as well. Hope that helps.

attagirlx2

01-17-2006, 08:52 PM

Okay UGAFan, this has been bugging me since we met at the DIS meet. You look so familiar to me and I can't figure out why. Where did you go to school?

UGAFan0829

01-18-2006, 09:03 AM

Okay UGAFan, this has been bugging me since we met at the DIS meet. You look so familiar to me and I can't figure out why. Where did you go to school?
I went to school in Jackson County (Jefferson, GA)...didn't go to college...Was born and raised here in GA...Not sure why I look familiar...But I know what you mean about it bugging you.

Cruisin

01-18-2006, 01:59 PM

Hello all.

The weather here is crazy :crazy2:

Yesterday it was raining so hard all day long I thought I was living underneath of Niagara Falls. At least the temperature was above freezing.

This morning I got up and I'm living in the Great White North :faint: It's been snowing like crazy all day long. At least the temperature is above freezing ;)

So we have snow all on the ground and major puddles from the rains yesterday and therefore we have a great big mess :sad2:

Just think, a week ago at this time, we were onboard the Disney Wonder enjoying our day at sea in the nice warm temperatures looking forward to our evening to come :goodvibes

sapphire33

01-24-2006, 11:02 AM

Allright folks, I'll get this thread going again!! Just cause the trip is over doesn't mean we should keep it quiet here. :surfweb:

So, who wants to share their favorite moment/moments on the cruise ship?
I'll go first.

Most of all, I enjoyed quality time with each of my daughters. I especially enjoyed one night with DD6, who, as one of our middle children, really enjoys one-on-one attention.

Sunday night she was full of energy even though two of her sisters were asleep. So she and I went up to Deck 10 and she took a dip in the Goofy Pool. We both spent some time in the whirlpool before it closed then laughed as we got out because it was so windy and cold, we literally ran all the way to Quartermaster's to get warm. There we played air hockey and a few games then walked hand in hand down to our room, changed clothes then walked around the ship. We ran into Cinderella, of all people, DD6's favorite, and got a photo with her!

It was so nice to have that time with my daughter, and I hope she treasures that night as much as I do. :cloud9:

What do I miss?
I miss the late night room service of cookies and milk before bed. I miss the excitement of the shows and the joy on my daughters' faces when their favorite characters showed up. I miss knowing that our mission was to just have fun and enjoy time away from it all. I hope that the memories stay strong until the next time we can enjoy a Disney vacation.

....So, who's next? :goodvibes

wdw1972

01-24-2006, 05:59 PM

I enjoyed our dinner at Palo, and laying in his arms hearing the ocean (we had the verandah door open). It was also fun seeing his reaction to the ship - his first cruise and all.

I could have done without all the TALKERS in the shows, lol!

What I miss most is simply being alone with him - away from work & the rest of the "real world"!

branv

01-24-2006, 07:29 PM

One of my favorite part was the moment during sail away that they sounded the horn. Now I like Disney, but I don't loooooove Disney like everyone else, so I didn't expect for this to move me so much. But it really really did, I actually teared up! Surprised me!

I loved walking the deck every night. I loved the one day we went to the adult pool and just laid with our heads on our arms on the edge of the pool "step" and talked and relaxed. I haven't been in a swimsuit in a VERY long time, way too self concious, but I just didn't care and really remembered how much I love soaking in a pool :)

And I looooooooooooved that BBC. ooooh-baby.

What do I miss...well I already mentioned the BBC, so how about the fact that we spent the whole time enjoying each others companies, no minor irritations like in everyday "I can't believe he didn't rinse out his milk glass AGAIN" hum-drum/hectic life. I miss at any moment I feel hungry I can just get on an elevator and go grab something. I haaaaaaaate cooking and the cleaning involved. It was so awful when we came home and the first time we got hungry we had to figure out what to do about it ;)

Ok, and call me crazy, I enjoyed Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on constant loop :lmao:

Mainly I loved the fact that we loved it. There's always a risk in planning any trip that it will be a bust, and after all the planning I do, and the fact that we only vacation every 1 or 2 years, it would have been really upsetting if we found out the hard way we don't like cruising.

VickiHD

01-24-2006, 08:08 PM

Great idea Sapphine33
Favorite memories....Romantic time with my husband. Being able to really spend quality time together without any outside interruptions. :love: :love:
Castaway Cays...more islands need to have the Disney touch. That island is perfection. Falling asleep at the adult beach on CC's with warm sand between my toes. Warm weather and getting a tan in January. :sunny: Having a vacation escape from the real world.
Seeing the ship for the first time. Walking on the ship for the first time. Seeing our cabin with the split bathroom! (So much better than Princess Cruise Line) The seafood at Palo's brunch. Having the cabin steward take care of our room. Towel animals. Running into the characters throughout the ship when you least expect it. Relaxing enough not to have a care in the world and the biggest decision I had to make what what to choose for dinner. On board shopping. Finding a Totuga Rum Cake store in Nassau and leaving with a lot of cakes. Having a interesting conversation with the Captain. Meeting and enjoying our table-mates and hanging out with them at Pirate night pirate: and throughout the cruise.

What I miss.....Time spent with my husband. (Work's been busy and stressful for him) Being relaxed and not having a care in the world. "The Disney touch." The rocking of the ship. The cabin steward. Room Service. Scoops ice cream and those little seafood wraps around 4:00 pm each day. Towel animals. I miss the ship itself. I miss the excitment of a new port the next day. I miss reading the Navigator to plan the next days events. I miss dressing up for dinner.

I did cry alittle when we had to leave the ship. Besides our Honeymoon this was our best vacation yet. (And we vacation a lot and go to some really great places. We are very please with DCL and this will be our cruise line of choice now. It's also fun for me to hear DH gushing about DCL to anyone who will listen.

UGAFan0829

01-25-2006, 07:51 AM

Awwww....y'all, those are great!
I think the thing that I enjoyed the most was just being with the DH and spending time with him. I agree with branv about not having the normal stuff to worry about, like him not doing something around the house. It was totally care free. I also miss dinner with our tablemates. They were some of the nicest people that we have ever met, and we truly enjoyed their company each night. I also miss having room service...boy was that nice. But for some reason, once we got home, I couldn't find a room service button on our phone! And darn it, our bed wasn't made up when we got home each day. I miss Edwardo, he was a really great stateroom host. I also miss walking up to the drink machines on deck 9 when we were thirsty. And I miss highlighting all the things that I wanted to do the next day from the Navigator.
I was such a nice trip, and I am still amazed at how much just one day can make. When we did the 3 day cruise, time went by so fast. But this 4 night was wonderful. We were able to enjoy a lot more and relax a lot more. This was definitely a real vacation for us! I just hope that we are able to do it again soon!

sapphire33

01-25-2006, 10:24 AM

Thanks for sharing!! You all are making me smile with the memories, it's made my day. :grouphug:

I feel the same way - how I loved leaving the responsibilities of real life behind for awhile. Being a working mom is not easy, and for awhile I was just Mom, enjoying her family and herself. It really does hit you when you return, doesn't it? At least we all had a wonderful taste of life at its best. I am thankful for that and feel very blessed.

BTW, Branv, I also loved Chocolate Factory on loop. Call ME crazy, but Johnny Depp as Willy makes me laugh no matter how many times I see it. :rotfl:

Cruisin

01-25-2006, 12:42 PM

Hi all.

One of the best things for me on the crusie was helping my mother realize her dream of going on a cruise ship.

My dad always resisted going on a cruise, finally my mother said that she was going whether he was coming along or not. That was all it took to get him to go ;)

So this cruise was more about them than it was about me this time. I spent most of my time showing them things and making sure they experienced as many of the different activities that were available as we could.

It was a good trip over all.

I really enjoyed staying in our Category 11 sideways cabin, although I'm still a little peeved that so many people that booked Cat12 GTY got upgraded to Cat 9's and we didn't :furious: But heck, the cabin was not so important and we thought the sideways cabins seemed so much more spacious than the regular ones.

attagirlx2

01-25-2006, 04:18 PM

Cruisin - what is a threadkiller????

attagirlx2

01-25-2006, 04:25 PM

one of my favorite memories was spending alone time with my middle child. We never get the chance to be just the two of us at home. On the last night we went to Disney Dreams together and she held my hand and told me how wonderful the show was going to be. (She saw the matinee with her dad.) THen afterwards we went to the Til We Meet Again Farewell and people watched. I discovered we have more in common than I knew before. She is a lot like me when I've always thought she was more like my husband.

What I miss...being fed. I hate cooking and cleaning up afterwards. I miss the anticipation of a trip that is meant entirely to please the kids and trying to pull it off. I miss my sweet girl - my oldest has been soooo moody since we've returned. If she wasn't 6, I'd think she was pms'ing. It's been horrible.

Cruisin

01-25-2006, 07:21 PM

Cruisin - what is a threadkiller????

A threadkiller is a person who effectively "kills" a thread by being the last poster and so the thread disappears down the pages and dies away.

On the Community Board, where I hang out mostly around here, there is a thread called Who Feels Like A Threadkiller.

It started out as sort of a game with people trying to be the last one to post, slowly it has evolved into a group of friends just going to our own quiet little spot to talk and get together. There are a group of us who have posted together for literally years. There are also a lot of newer posters. We are a very welcoming group and love to have people join in on our thread. Come for a few days or a few years, you are always welcome there. ;)

So, a group of us Threadkillers, as we call ourselves, are taking a cruise together, next January at exactly the same time as we cruised this January. :cheer2:

VickiHD

01-26-2006, 03:59 PM

Hi Everyone! Just got in the mail an invitation to complete an on line Guest Servey regarding our cruise. Just wondering if anyone else got one in the mail?

attagirlx2

01-27-2006, 06:55 AM

A question for all you Disney experienced cruisers: When, where, or how do you become a Castaway Club member??? Did I miss something on the ship? I have emailed DCL but haven't received a response.

Cruisin

01-27-2006, 07:00 AM

A question for all you Disney experienced cruisers: When, where, or how do you become a Castaway Club member??? Did I miss something on the ship? I have emailed DCL but haven't received a response.

Just by cruising once with Disney Cruise Lines you become a Castaway Club member automatically.

We received one membership card in my husband's name way back in 1999 after our first cruise. Just recently I emailed DCL to ask about Castaway Club numbers for the rest of our family. Quite promptly I received an email listing all of the numbers for myself, son and daughter. They are all numerically close to my husbands so they obviously were assigned way back in 1999.

I think it is hit and miss now that they send stuff out. Some people say they receive membership cards and gifts such as CD's and magnets and stuff and other people never receive anything.

Be assured that you are now in there system and will be recognized as a repeat cruiser in the future. When you make another booking be sure to mention to your travel agent or to DCL that you are a Castaway Club member just to make sure.

Cruisin

01-27-2006, 07:01 AM

Hi Everyone! Just got in the mail an invitation to complete an on line Guest Servey regarding our cruise. Just wondering if anyone else got one in the mail?

Nothing like that here yet. :confused3

sapphire33

01-27-2006, 10:40 AM

Hi Everyone! Just got in the mail an invitation to complete an on line Guest Servey regarding our cruise. Just wondering if anyone else got one in the mail?

Hi Vicki, I got one of those too. I have not done the survey yet but plan to. I was pretty excited to get Disney Cruise Line mail, even if it was just a postcard. How desperate is that? :yay: I love getting the Castaway Club mail here and there too.

Cruisin

01-27-2006, 12:36 PM

I got Disney Cruise mail today :yay:

It was the postcard that I mailed to myself from Castaway Cay :lmao: I mailed one to my parents and their's arrived today too.

I know, it's pretty strange to mail yourself a postcard but I have done that the last few cruises.

I put the date of our sailing and who was there and mail it on Castaway Cay.

When it comes, it's a nice reminder of our cruise :goodvibes

attagirlx2

01-27-2006, 07:37 PM

I mailed a postcard to my parents from Castaway Cay...wish I had thought to send one home for the kids. Oh well, next time!

Katelyn is asking everyday when we are going on "The Disney Cruise Line" again. She never calls it the Wonder or anything else...always "The Disney Cruise Line". It cracks me up! I wish I could give her a date of when. But I am pretty sure it won't be until at least 2008. We are going on a couples cruise to the Med. in Oct 2007 so that is going to take up the entire vacation fund for that year. Hopefully after we go to Disneyland in September she'll stop asking since she'll get a Disney fix.

Is there anything on the Castaway Club website that is interesting even if you don't have another cruise in the works? That's why I was wanting to know about the Castaway Club. Am I missing anything there? Thanks!

Cruisin

01-27-2006, 10:20 PM

Is there anything on the Castaway Club website that is interesting even if you don't have another cruise in the works? That's why I was wanting to know about the Castaway Club. Am I missing anything there? Thanks!

Aw, isn't that cute. I'm so glad that Katelyn enjoyed her cruise so much.

If you are referring to the section of the DCL website about Castaway Club members, I think anybody can access that area of the website. You don't need your number to get on there. At least I don't remember needing it. :confused3

VickiHD

01-30-2006, 12:46 AM

I'm checking the mail everyday for the post card I sent us from CC. DH does not know yet and he will be very surprised. He actually said yesterday that he really misses the island (CC). Today he was talking about our next cruise....hmmm that's a good sign and we'll probably go early 07.

Sapphire33...Yeah...you get to also do the survey. I filled out the survey on the ship at the end of the cruise and turned it in. I wonder if that had anythng to do with getting the post card in the mail. I did the survey and I loved giving them feedback. DCL can contact me anytime.

Ohhhh a Disney fix. I have to HANG on :hourglass till March before our next trip to down So. Calif. to Disneyland. I can't wait!!!

We do we start getting mail from the Castaway Club???? What sort of things do you get?? :confused3

Cruisin

01-30-2006, 07:34 AM

We do we start getting mail from the Castaway Club???? What sort of things do you get?? :confused3

That is a big mystery that no one seems to be able to figure out ;)

Some people receive things and other people don't. Some people report receiving music CD's and magnets and those kinds of things.

I haven't received anything in a very very long time, like maybe 2001 and I've cruised every year since 1999 except for one (did one year twice though :p )

UGAFan0829

01-30-2006, 10:21 AM

I haven't gotten anything about a survey in the mail either, but I would love to participate! There are some comments and feedback that I would love to give after this last cruise.

jordan's cool

01-30-2006, 05:34 PM

HEY GUYS, DID U MISS ME? :rotfl2: JUST KIDDING.

WE WOULD ALSO LOVE TO RECIEVE SOMETHING BUT NOTHING YET. :confused3
I THINK THEY SHOULD SEND ALL OF US ON A 7 DAY FREE OF CHARGE :woohoo:
HOPE EVERYONE IS SETTELED BACK IN.IT SEEMS LIKE ITS BEEN FOREVER SINCE WE WERE ON THE SHIP?

attagirlx2

01-30-2006, 07:17 PM

I THINK THEY SHOULD SEND ALL OF US ON A 7 DAY FREE OF CHARGE :woohoo:

Now I would like to have that show up in my mailbox!!!!!

Not to rub it in, but I will anyhow...I leave in 10 1/2 days for another cruise with only my girlfriends!!! I have been busy playing travel agent with them. None of them have ever cruised before so they have tons of questions which a few are shy about asking and one asks everything under the sun. I told them that even I had a gazillion questions (and still do) about the Disney cruise even though it was my 6th cruise, but my first with Disney. So ask away. I booked all our shore excursions today, got my haircut, made an appointment for a manicure and pedicure. I am ready!

UGAFan0829

01-31-2006, 07:15 AM

Now I would like to have that show up in my mailbox!!!!!

Not to rub it in, but I will anyhow...I leave in 10 1/2 days for another cruise with only my girlfriends!!! I have been busy playing travel agent with them. None of them have ever cruised before so they have tons of questions which a few are shy about asking and one asks everything under the sun. I told them that even I had a gazillion questions (and still do) about the Disney cruise even though it was my 6th cruise, but my first with Disney. So ask away. I booked all our shore excursions today, got my haircut, made an appointment for a manicure and pedicure. I am ready!

I know you are excited...and should be! I would love to take a "girlfriends" trip!! I hope that you have a wonderful time. Are you cruising DCL again??

Cruisin

01-31-2006, 07:34 AM

attagirl, your cruise sounds fun. Enjoy the time with your friends. :cheer2:

VickiHD

01-31-2006, 10:06 AM

Attagirlx2...With your hair done and appointments scheduled for your nails and toes...it sounds like you are ready! Have a good time with the girls. I've also been "the travel agent/event coordinator" a number of times for group trips I've planned and I always driven my self crazy aboout making sure everyone was having fun and having a good time. It sounds like you have done the hard work so make sure you just enjoy yourself!

sapphire33

01-31-2006, 10:13 AM

Atta Girl,
And all my girlfriends and I do is go on overnight shopping trips at Christmas... I think we are missing out on something here!!

Have a great time, and REALLY relax. Do all the stuff you would have done on the ship if the kids had not been along. Like finding yourself a comfy deck chair, a Bahama Mama and a trashy novel. Now that's a vacation. :thumbsup2 Enjoy!

In the meantime, I think I'm going to have a chat with a few friends about how we spend our weekend away...

attagirlx2

01-31-2006, 02:48 PM

It is a group of 6 of us who have stayed close since college. We had one of our close friends pass away from cancer 3 years ago. At her funeral we made plans for our first trip to make sure we actually did it...we had been saying for 7+ years that we needed to do it and never had. It was going to be an annual trip, but we have turned it into one "good" trip and one get-together. We'll do a beach trip (or this time cruise) and then one casual weekend usually at each others homes again during the year. It is a lot of fun. The first time we went to Isle of Palms and cried a lot! The last trip was to the Ritz in Naples, FL and we laughed a lot and cried a little. It is wonderfully theraputic.

No, we're not cruising on DCL. One of the group is very Democratic - she's a deathrow attorney. (I'm a Republican - it definitely makes for some interesting, if not heated, discussions) She has always had something against Disney - sort-of like a big brother watching type feeling and the whole huge corporate entity thing. Anyhow, we are sailing on Royal Caribbean, actually on the same ship DH and I were on for our Honeymoon a mere 11 1/2 years ago! It should be fun to see how it has changed. I am also looking forward to being able to compare it to the Disney cruise since this is only a 3 day cruise. So maybe a lot of the things I wasn't impressed with on DCL was because of the short length of the cruise. We'll see.

I don't mind planning the trip for this group - I don't feel responsible for them having a good time. I planned a trip for 19 women 2 yrs ago - women from our neighborhood and then friends of theirs, my sister, someone else's cousin, etc. It was a random mixed group. It was a disaster. I felt responsible for everyone and everything. I ended up not speaking to two of the women who we originally planned it to be a trip with just us three. It was just ugly. People were upset with whose table they were assigned to, where their cabins were located, who went to which place with so and so, and the list goes on of all immature, clickish junk. It was not a good experience. My sister and I had a great time together once I got away from everyone. I will NEVER EVER do that type of trip again. My silver lining to the trip was it put me one cruise closer to Platinum status on Royal Caribbean!

In my next life I want to be a travel agent - parttime.

By the way, I have my Danielle Steele book I got for Christmas ready to go. I drank a beer over the weekend to prepare my liver and I will do some more prep work with that this weekend watching the Superbowl. Now I just need to find someone to watch my kids the day I get back so I can sleep!

attagirlx2

02-24-2006, 09:57 PM

Just wanted to let you all know our good news (since you all listened to the saga so patiently!) we are finally in our new house!!! We are living in the midst of a thousand boxes that are begging to be unpacked, but we are here and so very happy.

Hope you all are doing well.

Cruisin

02-25-2006, 07:42 AM

How very exciting to finally be in your new house :cheer2:

Have fun unpacking all of those boxes. ::yes::

We have decided that we are going to redo our kitchen. Stripped right down to the walls and start over again :eek:

We are just in the planning stages but I'm already dreading having to empty all of those cabinets and the upheaval that living "kitchenless" will cause for awhile.

I guess that the end result will be worth it. :cool2:

UGAFan0829

02-27-2006, 07:06 AM

Congrats, attagirl! I know you are excited and relieved! It has been long enough! May you make many happy memories in your new home! pixiedust:

sapphire33

02-27-2006, 02:05 PM

Nice to hear from you Atta Girl! Congratulations on finally being "HOME!" I hope the girls are enjoying their new spaces too, it must be a very exciting time for you all, and a relief for you and your husband!
How was your cruise with your girlfriends? How did RC compare to DCL? We have been talking with friends about a cruise in 2007, and we are thinking about trying RC this time since we all did DCL in 2004. What did you think of the services, food, excursions, ports of call...etc?

Everyone...Believe it or not, I still have not gotten all my photos printed from the Jan. trip. (There were over 900 digitals taken between DCL and the World! :eek: I am a photo freak!) And I have an underwater roll that I need to finish before I can get my underwater Mickey developed. (No, TX Sleeping Beauty, I have not forgotten your request! I hope to get those done and to you soon!)

I suppose some of you have your scrapbooks done already. I dream about that day. :rotfl2:

attagirlx2

02-28-2006, 07:45 AM

I am going on a crop weekend this Friday and I hope to start our Disney trip - thats if I can find all the stuff by then.

How did RC compare to DCL? Well, I'd have to say the food choices and the taste were far better on Royal than on DCL. We definitely enjoyed the food. Our servers were fantastic. But our waiter had also been on RC for 10 years. I don't know how long our DCL servers had been working - just know they weren't very good. I'd say our room attendant was about equal - nothing special from either one. Though the RC guy kept our ice bucket full with fresh ice (which we never used!) Just from what I could see, for little kids, Disney's kids clubs were far better. I don't know how the older kids clubs compared. Castaway Cay is a nicer private island than Coco Cay. But Coco Cay is still nice - just Castaway Cay is nice and then some (the bathrooms were cleaner and more appealing on Castaway Cay.) Plus it was great to be able to walk off the ship onto Castaway Cay and not have to take a tender. The excursions offered were basically the same on both ships from what I looked at. We had a fantastic time parasailing on Coco Cay. I enjoyed the shows on DCL better - but then I love Disney shows. Overall, I think our next family cruise will be on RC and we will just wait until the kids are a little older. Decent food is one of the reasons I like to cruise and the DCL food left me dissatisfied.

We had a blast on our girls trip! I think our next adventure is going to be to the mountains in the fall.