»»June 16, 2012 Father's Day Cruise on the Fantasy!««

[mousemom11]

We have not even told the kids that we are taking a cruise...I was thinking of telling them this coming Christmas but the more I think of it I will let them just discover when we ago when we get on the ship? What do you think?

I love it! We kept our first cruise a secret from the girls. We finally told them as we were driving across the causeway into Port Canaveral and could see the ship. We had been at Disneyworld and told them that we were "going to the beach" for a week. Here's a link to the "reveal video" when we told them we were going on a Disney Cruise. http://travel.webshots.com/video/3099932190031912139KXKxvV

 

[GoHerd1028]

My parents suprised me when I was young. I got in the car thinking we were driving to FL, but stopped at the airport to go to Cozumel. As a kid, I was a bit dissapointed in the change in destination as I had all my stuff packed for a car trip. So looking back I would have still enjoyed the suprise with an early notice.

For our last cruise (jan 3-8) we kept it a suprise til Christmas and gave DD a puzzle to open.

DCL Suprise Puzzle by ssanders79, on Flickr

scott that puzzle looks really cool. That is a neat idea! I would like some of your secret tips on taking such great pictures....I love looking at your stuff on the picture of the day thread!! We are using a Nikon D40x...do I have the capability to do that stuff? I have lost the manual...how do I make it do what you to?

I love it! We kept our first cruise a secret from the girls. We finally told them as we were driving across the causeway into Port Canaveral and could see the ship. We had been at Disneyworld and told them that we were "going to the beach" for a week. Here's a link to the "reveal video" when we told them we were going on a Disney Cruise. http://travel.webshots.com/video/3099932190031912139KXKxvV

Becky, that is a great video...the look on their faces is priceless. That is the type of reaction I would love to get from Ethan and Lauren. I remember when we got off the Magic last March that Ethan wiped tears from his eyes as the bus left the port for the airport.

 

[Docjason2]

LOl that's great!!! I was thinking of not telling the kids at all until we can actually see the boat. But since the only place we've ever gone on a plane is Florida to go on the Mickey boat, I think the instant we get to the airport they'll have it figured out.

 

[ssanders79]

scott that puzzle looks really cool. That is a neat idea! I would like some of your secret tips on taking such great pictures....I love looking at your stuff on the picture of the day thread!! We are using a Nikon D40x...do I have the capability to do that stuff? I have lost the manual...how do I make it do what you to?

I'm using a Nikon D40 so you are set with the camera. The image was a comp of the background and this one of Donald standing on the dock.

Chillin' with Donald on the Docks by ssanders79, on Flickr

The text, mickey cloud and puzzle overlay were done in photoshop.

I usually get up early and walk around the ship taking pictures. Your welcome to join me.

 

[tiggerb]

Can I go w/ you on the early morning walks and give you blank CDs for photos? I am not tech friendly, nor do I have a fancy camera to take nice pics .

As for the weather.... I am sooo excited the s*$w is melting! I can see brown grass and if I look close enough... it looks like there may be some green from a few days of 40s & 50s (or is that wishful thinking? ). Trying to convince DH to go to another Twins game this season. Such an unbelievable feeling watching baseball outdoors (and the food @ the stadium is YUMMY too) and it is a GORGEOUS stadium. We were @ the game when Tohme (sp?) hit the top of the flag pole in centerfield last Labor Day!

As for surprises... our kids know about the cruise, but I did surprise them in
'09 to WDW. Like until we got to the airport. Planned it for more than 8 months Watched the video the other day and realized DH stopped filming/recording right after they read their shirts and before the real reaction! I was hoping it would be one to send into Disney... UUGGHHH! I had a blast planning and then how to tell them!

For the puzzle.... Would love to get a cool pic like you used and have it made into a puzzle. I find those very stress-relieving to do! Could even be a X-mas gift for the family.... Where did you then have the photo made into a puzzle?

 

[GoHerd1028]

I'm using a Nikon D40 so you are set with the camera. The image was a comp of the background and this one of Donald standing on the dock.

Chillin' with Donald on the Docks by ssanders79, on Flickr

The text, mickey cloud and puzzle overlay were done in photoshop.

I usually get up early and walk around the ship taking pictures. Your welcome to join me.

That is cool we have the same camera...now I know that it is just me that is not able to take a great picture and not the camera LOL. How do you get your pictures to be so sharp and colorful? How do you get some of them to look like a painting or have an almost 3D effect?

 

[Silverfox97]

We are staying at the TradeWinds Island Grand. Looks like they have ton of stuff for kids and a new "waterpark" in the ocean. Do you know anything about it?

triplefigs,

This AM there was an article in our local paper about the Waterpark in the Gulf - here's the link to the article. There are like 3 pics. Just opened a day or so ago and it looks AWESOME.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2011/ma...ng-park-turns-gulf-into-quotreal-/news-money/

 

[BelleProfHP]

DIS Name: BelleProfHP
First Name of Those Sailing: Angela (me), Brad (DH), Ryan (DS)
Ages of children at time of sailing: 9-almost-10 (He's a 4th of July child, but that sailing was too much $$)
Stateroom(s): 6690
Cruised Before?: Yes, DH and I went on a Carnival Cruise in 2001 and enjjoyed it, but not enough to go back. Then we went on the Magic in April 2008 for a WC 7-day and it!
Celebrating anything special?: Father's Day
Dining and Show Times: Late Dining, 7:00 show

Can't wait to meet everyone!

 

[ssanders79]

Welcome. Let me know if you are interested in the FE or secret Mickey.

 

[Docjason2]

DIS Name: BelleProfHP
First Name of Those Sailing: Angela (me), Brad (DH), Ryan (DS)
Ages of children at time of sailing: 9-almost-10 (He's a 4th of July child, but that sailing was too much $$)
Stateroom(s): 6690
Cruised Before?: Yes, DH and I went on a Carnival Cruise in 2001 and enjjoyed it, but not enough to go back. Then we went on the Magic in April 2008 for a WC 7-day and it!
Celebrating anything special?: Father's Day
Dining and Show Times: Late Dining, 7:00 show

Can't wait to meet everyone!

Welcome to the best DCL group!!!! Look forward to getting to know you and your family.

 

[BelleProfHP]

Wow! We are a prolific group! It took quite a while yesterday to read through the 30 PAGES of posts made so far!

Like several of you, my DH and I didn't realize on our first cruise on the Magic that we could briing our own alcohol on board. However, now that we know, we've already made our plans to bring champagne for mimosas and Bailey's for my coffee, as well as wine to sip as I "get pretty-fied" (in the words of my DH) for dinner each night. DH has talked about bringing beer, but hasn't decided for sure yet.

I'm still trying to decide about the FE/SE. I really like the idea of them, but also know that my habit of procrastinating could end up being a problem. I;m that person who buys a b'day present on the way to the party, so getting the FEs that last minute would be problematic.

Lastly, I don't know about all of you, but I'm loving the wonderful weather that is starting spring. Yesterday was BEAUTIFUL, and tomorrow will be as well. Granted, today is 20 degrees cooler with no sun that both, but I can deal. It will just make my afternoon run not as hot, right?

Everyone have a good day! TTYL!!

 

[ssanders79]

Like several of you, my DH and I didn't realize on our first cruise on the Magic that we could briing our own alcohol on board. However, now that we know, we've already made our plans to bring champagne for mimosas and Bailey's for my coffee, as well as wine to sip as I "get pretty-fied" (in the words of my DH) for dinner each night. DH has talked about bringing beer, but hasn't decided for sure yet.

Tell DH to bring the beer, you will thank yourself later. Last August, I did the DCL beer mug and in January I brought my own supply. The 28 bottles (I only brought 12) from Sam's club were cheaper than the mug and 3 refills!

The stateroom "cooler" did a great job with both the beer and wine.

As for the coffee, well... 99.9% Bailey's 0.1% nescafe will still not make it taste any better.

 

[BelleProfHP]

As for the coffee, well... 99.9% Bailey's 0.1% nescafe will still not make it taste any better.

Hmm...I'm normally pretty picky about my coffee but during vacation, I tend not to stress as much about it. I don't remember any overly strong feelings in either direction about the coffee on the last trip. Of course, that could just be because I was enjoying the experience of room service more than paying attention to the coffee.

Of course, now that I know, I'm worried that I may think about it too much. Maybe I'll get a travel French-press and make my own and just have them bring me hot water in the mornings. I know that coffee makers aren't allowed, but French-presses would surely be different?

Regarding the beer for my DH, it will all depend on how much room we have to bring along the alcohol. :

 

[davidls]

Hmm...I'm normally pretty picky about my coffee but during vacation, I tend not to stress as much about it. I don't remember any overly strong feelings in either direction about the coffee on the last trip. Of course, that could just be because I was enjoying the experience of room service more than paying attention to the coffee.

Of course, now that I know, I'm worried that I may think about it too much. Maybe I'll get a travel French-press and make my own and just have them bring me hot water in the mornings. I know that coffee makers aren't allowed, but French-presses would surely be different?

Regarding the beer for my DH, it will all depend on how much room we have to bring along the alcohol. :

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Been busy, busy, busy!!! Thankfully it looks like things are going to start to slow down a bit. Still have a ton of things on my hunny do list for things DW wants me to do around the the ol' homestead! I've been busier since I retired then when I was working!!!
DW and I are like you BelleProfHP concerning the coffee. While we are on vacation we don't give it much thought. We order it when we want it, but just don't give the taste that much thought. We are so busy enjoying our vacation. But from what I can remember from our last cruise, I don't remember any strong feelings concerning taste one way or the other. We were just having so much darn FUN!!!

 

[3dmykids]

We have not even told the kids that we are taking a cruise...I was thinking of telling them this coming Christmas but the more I think of it I will let them just discover when we ago when we get on the ship? What do you think?

We still plan on surprising the kids. We are just going to tell the kids we are going to Disney but people say that they might be disappointed about not going into the parks. I like the idea of the beach though, they would not be upset that way. I don't know will decide as we get closer but would love to surprise them.

 

[ssanders79]

Hmm...I'm normally pretty picky about my coffee but during vacation, I tend not to stress as much about it. I don't remember any overly strong feelings in either direction about the coffee on the last trip. Of course, that could just be because I was enjoying the experience of room service more than paying attention to the coffee.

Of course, now that I know, I'm worried that I may think about it too much. Maybe I'll get a travel French-press and make my own and just have them bring me hot water in the mornings. I know that coffee makers aren't allowed, but French-presses would surely be different?

I am not a coffee snob either, but I like to enjoy a cup in the morning. Believe me, I've tried to like nescafe. I've tried various tricks including the popular method of mixing in a packet of hot chocolate. I ended up switching to tea. I am picky about the sweetener. I also like splenda or equal. It is hit and miss on whether they have nutra-......(pink,yellow,blue) or the real thing. I've found both. Luckily, I have a stash of spenda in my camera bag.

Anyway, after the last cruise I decided I was going to take the coffee issue into my own hands. I started looking for travel presses and found a Bodum Stainless Steel Travel Mug Press. I love it. Over the past month I've been experimenting trying to come up with the right ratios. I know I can get instant hot water from the drink station which will be the only thing I need.

 

[mousemom11]

I bring Starbucks Via with me. It is quite good for instant coffee and far outshines what they serve onboard.

 

[ssanders79]

I bring Starbucks Via with me. It is quite good for instant coffee and far outshines what they serve onboard.

Starbucks Via was my first idea, but I never found a flavor that I liked.

 

[BelleProfHP]

Hmmm...I think I'll try the Starbucks Via first. If I can find one that I like, I'll probably go that route. Otherwise, I'll have to check out your travel mug, ssanders.

 

[Susiesark]

I'm not too picky about the coffee, but I must have my flavored creamers. What is available on the ship for me? Do I have to bring my own? I happened to buy Nescafe today, before reading the posts. I'll have to start experimenting with it. Much less than VIA.

Off topic...Who has done/is doing a Christmas cruise? Is it worth the extra (double!) cost plus be away from family for the holidays? Toying with the idea for 2012, but I'm expecting my first grandbaby this June, so holidays take on a whole new perspective.