03/01/2008 Eastern!!

[ejkjmom]

[B
EVERYONE-ANYONE of us Vet (oppps Melissa, no point intended ) Cruisers come up with a plan yet? We are open and can even try to tolerate the MAD pool area if needed, if some of you will have a problem pulling the kidos out of the pool. Just let us know and we are in..... Oh, we can drop all the kids with Brenda after the life boat drill for an icecream party in her room. , since she was so late coming back to the boards getting me worried about her.
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Michelle,you are funny.......
I will have to go back to some of our previous posts...but I could swear that Johnna passed the torch (kids party) to you Ms. Tinkerbell LOL!!!!! Maybe after your BIG ice cream party we can meet up for a drink (my treat!)

and yes..guilty as charged...I was a HUGE post slacker! But here I am now...

As far as what we bring onbaord...I TRY to keep it light...the girls will wear their swim suits under their clothes, although I don't think they went swiming before we set sail last MArch

WATER......In the past I have also brought a couple of gals of drinking water..but not for sure if I will do that or not this year...what is everyone else thinking?????

LUGGAGE....Our luggage has always made it before dinner(knock on wood) so I don't think I will worry about that. And as far as a purse goes...I'll just bring a large tote that will carry the basics as well as the just in case items the girls will each have a bag that they will carry...

Dis Meet...Last March it really did work well when we meet in the Promanade Lounge at 3:00, seemed like we had enough time to have lunch, check out our stateroom and roam around a bit before our meet...we had about 45 minutes before we had to go to the lifeboat drill...but I do like Fieste idea of meeting at the PL the first evening as well...I really am fine with whatever works with everyone else...

Palo Group Brunch...sounds like it is not going to work out, as everyone pretty much has plans to go at different times during the week..which is fine...you will enjoy the food, we have only been to Palo's once (a brunch) and it really was good, the way they diplay the food is AMAZING!!!! Ron and I have brunch ressies again this time around...can't wait!!!!

Hope everyone's New Year is off to a Good start!!!!

 

[Micday]

Good Evening everyone!!

Just checking in with my cruise buddies !!

I hope everyone had a great new year !

I ordered some books on info for our cruise, I love to read and I love to plan.

I'm trying to figure a way to count down the days besides the paper chain. Anyone doing this or have an ideal ?

Michelle

 

[ejkjmom]

Good Evening everyone!!

Just checking in with my cruise buddies !!

I hope everyone had a great new year !

I ordered some books on info for our cruise, I love to read and I love to plan.

I'm trying to figure a way to count down the days besides the paper chain. Anyone doing this or have an ideal ?

Michelle

Johnna had what I thought was a great/fun idea...she put jelly beans (you could use tootsie rolls etc.) in a jar, and the kids got to take one out every day till the day they left...if you have more than 1 child you had better x's it by the # of kids..so they can each take out a piece of candy, or they could each have their own jar .....

 

[ranidayz]

here's the thing -- is there really time to go to the pool before dinner and then get showered and changed for dinner without knowledge of when your stuff will be there?

I'm so clueless now......

 

[ejkjmom]

here's the thing -- is there really time to go to the pool before dinner and then get showered and changed for dinner without knowledge of when your stuff will be there?

I'm so clueless now......

Probably depends on the family.....boys generally can get cleaned up a little faster than girls LOL!!!!! And also dinner time, late or early...for us, we probably would be running later than we normal do LOL, so I seriously doubt tha we will do any swimming before we set sail...

The life boat drill is at 4:00 and last about 20 -30 mins, then of course the sail away party to follow, and if you have early seating for dinner..that starts @5:30,5:45 & 6:00 depending on what restaurant you are in, and if you have late seating, than the show starts @6:30.

Rani... I know what your are going through...you don't know what to expect and you what to be prepared for everything...I was the same way last year..but this trip, I am much less stressed.

If you have any questions that I can help you with...let me know, not saying that I will know the answer,LOL!!!!! but if I do I will be happy to help

One thing that the girls did enjoy last year, was to go swimming in the goofy pool before bed, (after the show) this work well as the pool was not very busy and there was always a movie playing on the big screen above the pool...and another added bonus, it is right next to Pluto's pizzera...YUM!!!!! Ron and I enjoyed this as well, as we would have a drink together before bed, while watching the girls swim....

Hope this helps, and you are now a little less clueless

 

[ranidayz]

Good MORNING March 1st cruisers! (Pretend I sounded like Robin Williams --- but you've never heard my voice anyway, so for all you know I do....but I don't...but I don't sound like Minnie either!)

I am a little stressed about the prep and scheduling...but as it was pointed out to me, I LIKE stress and seek it out, so all is cool!

I updated the wardrobe a little this past week with a lot of sleeveless tops to cut down on packing (anywhere I can) and am soooo psyched!

Thanks to everyone for all their help every day -- and have a wonderful, chilly, not-too-long-till-the-cruise day!

Rani
happy happy happy

 

[feiste]

here's the thing -- is there really time to go to the pool before dinner and then get showered and changed for dinner without knowledge of when your stuff will be there?

I'm so clueless now......

There is an interesting dynamic to the ship that is quite obvious, but doesn't really occur to you until you've been there. Everyplace only takes 5 minutes to get to. At home when you think of packing up the kids from a swimming pool, dragging them home, throwing them in the shower, hustling to get them dressed and then driving off to dinner you are talking about two "traveling" (car, walking, whatever) trips that could add anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes to your trip. While on board your down to ten tops. Further more because you don't need to do the traveling your DH can stay at the activity with the kids while you head back to the room to start to get ready. By the time your out he can come back with the kids and you can be using the second bathroom to do makeup hair and all that. On most of our trips i have even had time to completely unpack prior to dinner.

My problem is that my two DD's will not think of anything but swimming! Last year on our three day they were the first ones in the pool and the previous year on our Western they were third in the pool. By getting there early I assure that they will have plenty of swim time before the lifeboat drill.

In the worst case scenario our luggage doesn't show up, and we go to dinner in whatever we wore to board that day. That is something that is out of my power, and therefore I won't stress about it.

Please don't worry about stressing out over all the details Rani, the details are part of the fun for many of us. I was very obsessive compulsive for our first trip (I still am in many ways). My whole family (DM,DD,DB,DSIL,DH and even 2 DD'S) called me Julie (from the Love Boat) for the entire week!

I can't wait for the SAIL-AWAY PARTY! Last year we saw a dolphin leading us out to sea. I even got a quick shot if it in the video.

What time are you planning to arrive at the port?

 

[feiste]

Let's start an approximate arrival time list so that we can try to get it all in one place.

We are arriving in Orlando on Friday, and staying at the Nick Hotel. We will be taking our own transportation to the port, so we will be there just as soon as it opens. But now I can't remember is that nine or ten?

Anyway, open is when we will be there.

 

[atinkerbellmom]

Let's start an approximate arrival time list so that we can try to get it all in one place.

We are arriving in Orlando on Friday, and staying at the Nick Hotel. We will be taking our own transportation to the port, so we will be there just as soon as it opens. But now I can't remember is that nine or ten?

Anyway, open is when we will be there.

Our family is arriving Friday Evening. We are just staying by the airport, our goal is to be back to the airport by 10AM (Which never happens, I told you, we are always late ). The truth is we will get there about 10:15 and we do DCL transportation. I anticipate arrival to port between 11:15 and 11:30. We usually try to do this to miss the ones that would sleep at the port if they could (Jen, you pack the sleeping bag yet? ) and prior to the resort people. My family does not do well with lines, so this way we avoid most lines. Last cruise I actually think we checked in at 11:45 at the first desk and did not have a single person in front of us. We only had to wait for our boarding # to be called. We rather take our time than waste time in lines.... Not a big deal to us as I tell you my kids do not rush to the pools.

 

[feiste]

Our family is arriving Friday Evening. We are just staying by the airport, our goal is to be back to the airport by 10AM (Which never happens, I told you, we are always late ). The truth is we will get there about 10:15 and we do DCL transportation. I anticipate arrival to port between 11:15 and 11:30. We usually try to do this to miss the ones that would sleep at the port if they could (Jen, you pack the sleeping bag yet? ) and prior to the resort people.

Not a bad idea !!

On our Western cruise I kept telling my DH "I want a number 1 boarding pass" I drove everyone nuts! I dropped of DH, DD's and DM at the port and DD and I went back to turn in the rental car. Then there was a bomb threat called in to one of the terminals. port was closed for all traffic coming in and out. My dad and I had to sit at the rental place for an hour. I just kept thinking " I know that he (DH) is going to screw this up and not get a good boarding pass!!! "

Sure enough we get to the terminal and DH greets me with "Well, I'm sorry, but I didn't get #1" How can this be I'm thinking! We were one of the first four cars dropping off. What did he do! He then smiles and says " I got #2. #1 is only for categories 1-3"

DH loves to give me grief whenever possible

 

[feiste]

GREEN MICKEY NAME TAGS....
YEP!!! That's what we did..infact I have quite a few(all different colors) from last March that I'd be more than happy to share...last March when we had our Dis meet before we set sail, I had them laid out with sharpie markers and self adhesive magnets so the kids could decorate them. They then used them for door decorations....also I have fun Mickey ears (cut out of black card stock,(w/ magnet on back) that fit's on the outside of your door's stateroom number (makes a fun Mickey) if anyone is interested

I would love a Mickey head for my door, as I fail miserably in the arts and crafts department.

 

[feiste]

Johnna had what I thought was a great/fun idea...she put jelly beans (you could use tootsie rolls etc.) in a jar, and the kids got to take one out every day till the day they left...if you have more than 1 child you had better x's it by the # of kids..so they can each take out a piece of candy, or they could each have their own jar .....

I love this idea. Maybe I could use the chocolate gold pirate coins...

 

[atinkerbellmom]

Good MORNING March 1st cruisers! (Pretend I sounded like Robin Williams --- but you've never heard my voice anyway, so for all you know I do....but I don't...but I don't sound like Minnie either!)

I am a little stressed about the prep and scheduling...but as it was pointed out to me, I LIKE stress and seek it out, so all is cool!

I updated the wardrobe a little this past week with a lot of sleeveless tops to cut down on packing (anywhere I can) and am soooo psyched!

Thanks to everyone for all their help every day -- and have a wonderful, chilly, not-too-long-till-the-cruise day!

Rani
happy happy happy

Hey Guys, Rani, I think Jen said it perfect. It really is not fair for us because most of us are working on third, fourth and even fifth cruises and this is your very first one and you are soooo excited. I remember that with our first one too. I actually even remember being very nervous as I wanted to make sure I knew everything. Since I am a control freak, I was really bad..... I needed to make sure we were prepared and what to exspect. With two children with special needs, I am the overplanner. I got layouts of the ship and studied them, got navigators and even printed menus out ahaead of time. I call to get life jacket deminsions and needed to know if we loaded the boats, if they sounded a horn and the exact size of the bathrooms. I packed two months in advance and made list of list. We even took a nanny with us the first cruise $$$$$$$$$$$ .

We have gone back a couple of times since then and have learned, the best advice we can give people is 1) do not overplan, the magic then can happen and 2)Know that you can not do everything as they do that on purpose for you to feel you have to keep coming back.

You will not get a true sense of the ship until you truly walk it. DCL is smaller than the other cruiseships, you will see that when we are in port next to the others and everything is truly right there. I tell people not to study Navigators, just wait to see them. I always travel with people whom have never gone before and tell them, the night prior to the cruise, I will go over a navigator with them just to show them how to read it and once you know and understand that, you are set for the trip.

I even tell Mike, (which he is probably sick of hearing me saying it), I think the DIS is stressful for 1st time cruisers because you get more confused as you read some of the threads. You feel like some of the things are must dos and they are really only a few DISers on the ship whom do it. (ie, door signs, fish extenders, pirate gear, pillowcases). Just think if every passenger brought something on the ship for them to sign, they would need four crew members in the back doing nothing but autographs full time. Just think of the people on the boards whom bring 6 and 7 and they are not even traveling with kids. Now this cruise we are doing some of it as we just got really involved this cruise with the DIS, plus we want a little suprise and variety, but not everything. We do not do over the door hangers for our family because the space between the door and the bathroom door is so small it would get in the way (you have seen pictures of us). My DH actually thinks it is a little scary to have the kids names on the door, because of strangers calling them by name. I am not this bad though. So I have another Diser doing door signs for me.

We have not stressed out about anything last cruises and still will have the time of our lives. As I told you, we just paid them Dec. 17th. We just booked Palo brunch that day as well even though I could have at 90 days out. I went on day 72 (3 days after the window opened) and added dinner and still got it, (figured it is just as easy to cancel later) and we just got our air. If I havd listened to what is said I would have been sitting in front of the computer at 11PM on night 91. I just have never encountered a problem with getting anything and it always just comes to be.

I sometimes on the cruise hear people with qripes. They are always the people whom are saying, we planned for this and now this is being done at this time and now this. That is because everything changes all the time. This is the reason you can not get the next days navigator until 6pm the night prior. Last cruise, they delayed our lifeboat drill for 40 minutes because the space shuttle was suppose to go off and they wanted us to be able to watch it. Well, that shuttle never lifted off. Then Rachel, the cruise director came on and said we will not be starting the sail away party or the life boat drill then either because we were waiting for 3 DCL buses that were caught in traffic thanks to the shuttle's traffic jam. So we waited for them.

All you truly HAVE to have is your family, passports, documentation, an ID for each adult and do not forget the credit card. At least two outfits for dinner each. At least two casual wear each, tennis shoes as well as an alternative pair, toliet items, sun screen, PJs and swimwear and you will be fine. Now, is this all you pack, of course not. But it is the only thing you could not get along without on the ship. I hope this helps. So, relax, just get to the ship and have the time of your life......... The element of suprise is what makes it soooo magical. The less I knew, the more tears I shed, but those happy tears, the ones that I look at my children and say, this was worth every extra day of call and every pregnant hormonal woman I had to deal with. (SHHHHHH, do not tell my patients I said that.) Oh a good thing to compare. The women whom seem to be most disappointed with their labor are the first time moms whom come in with these long birthplans and things go differently from the plan. Just a little thought........

So, I am sure to you, it seems that we are a little not so planful, the truth is, we know it all comes together and not to stress over it. When I first came to this thread of Disers, I use to say, they sure do not do a lot and later found myself so thankful for this bunch as they have been my sanity on the boards. I told my DH, we could not change our sail date, because this was he most sane group of Disney addicts I have been with and I want to cruise with them. I've peek in on some of the other threads
Now the only thing that would make it complete is for Johnna to comeback .

Does this helps or does this make it worst? We are always willing to answer your questions and hope that we are helping, not making you more confused. ya.....

 

[ejkjmom]

Good Morning everyone!!!

Just checked the passporter, and it say's "the terminal opens, between 10:00 and 10:30.....

We will try (and I do us the word "try") to get to the terminal between those times...our travel time to the terminal should be fairly quick, as we are staying at the Raddison the night before... although last time we got held up at Budget as another ship had just ported, and there was quite a few people waiting in line to get a car.
Might give some thought to returning the car the night before and taking the motel transportation

Is anyone else using Budget, or staying in Port Canaveral, I remember that someone is staying at the Residence Inn.... but can't remember who???

Feiste...I will be more than happy to bring you some Mickey Ears, and colored Mickey Heads for your door, ...
Also I wanted to say, I loved your post to Rani about ship time, etc.. you did a great job wording it!!!! You are completely right...there really is a not so rushed feeling once you do board the ship (except for the last night!)
I tried to put Rani a bit at ease...but do have a tendency to rumble on a bit too much...(if you all haven't noticed )
You did a much better job explaining it

Hope everyone has a great day, talk to you later,
Brenda

 

[Micday]

Hi everyone !!

Just a quick helloooooooooooooo !!

Michelle

 

[Micday]

There are three of us logged on, I've never been logged on with anyone !

I think I'm going to take Madison cruise shopping. Are you guys ready ??


Michelle

 

[ejkjmom]

Michelle(tinkerbell)...we are all thrilled that you think of us as sane LOL!!!!!!!! and you are right... Johnna and family would truly complete our voyage!!!!! We miss you Johnna

 

[atinkerbellmom]

Oh Brenda-
I think I rambled on more than you in my post. At least Rani knows me a little bit off post and knows that I am a bit long winded. My intention is just to put her at ease as well.

You can sleep over at the port with Jen if you want in the sleeping bag. She can get boarding pass #2 and you #3. We will catch up with you an hour later. when we get our # 22.

Maybe you can do Mickey heads for all of us and name tags too. Even though I think our group is so small, we all almost know everyone, don't we?

 

[atinkerbellmom]

Okay, I do only have about 5 minutes as I have a patient to see at noon. Yes my clinic day starts at noon today and I'm on the boards at 10:48, but I got a pm from someone wondering why they did not know I was on, the boards. I took my little green dot off because what would happen is that others would see me on and sent me tons of PMs about pillowcases. They would just flood my in box and all of the little PM pop up windows would keep appearing, so I changed to the "hide" mode. Maybe I need to change that until the cruise though, so you guys can know I am on too.

About the pillowcase thing, I am a little ticked right now with a DISer, whom is currently on the ship. I sent her one and all I ask is that they pay for the case and the shipping. I do not ask them to pay me for thread, backing, electricity, gas, parking at the post office or my time and she could not even do that. I am holding my breath now and hoping she pays me Saturday or Sunday when they return. If not, I am going to place on the boards what happened and tell everyone else, the request are shut down because of her. I mailed it prior to getting her money because she needed it in time for the cruise and the Holiday was in there.

 

[ejkjmom]

Oh Brenda-
I think I rambled on more than you in my post. At least Rani knows me a little bit off post and knows that I am a bit long winded. My intention is just to put her at ease as well.

You can sleep over at the port with Jen if you want in the sleeping bag. She can get boarding pass #2 and you #3. We will catch up with you an hour later. when we get our # 22.

Maybe you can do Mickey heads for all of us and name tags too. Even though I think our group is so small, we all almost know everyone, don't we?

I will be more than Happy to do Mickey Ears and Colored heads for all!!!!