03/01/2008 Eastern!!

[needacruz]

Rani, I'm a newbie. Are you always up at 2 in the morning?

 

[ranidayz]

Rani, I'm a newbie. Are you always up at 2 in the morning?

I'm a raging insomniac who's a little retentive and a serious planner who has some problems turning off her brain (and mouth....) -- which is why you'll frequently see posts from me in the middle of the night.

Hopefully not tonight because Nip/Tuck is on and will keep me up till 11 pm

 

[needacruz]

I'm a little obsessive compulsive myself, but I need my sleep...I would go crazy without it!

I don't know how, but I missed the midnight dessert buffet on our last cruise. What night is it?

 

[ejkjmom]

My MIL was the center of the family, so we're going to have to make sure that we all stay close.

We haven't booked any excursions yet. Everything has been so crazy that we really haven't thought about it too much. Do you have any good ideas or suggestions?

We did the Western last time & had a great time.

We did the Eastern Last March....
We really haven't made any plans as of yet...kinda getting late so don't know if we will or not

Last MArch we did the Buterfly Farm on our own...none of us were very crazy about it..but some of those who did it w/ disney seemed to enjoy it...
We did however end up at a beach just off of where the ship docks in St Marten and we really did enjoy that...will probably do that again while there..

As far as on the ship goes, we have a Palo Brunch on Thurs. and a couples spa on Monday..other than that we are just planning to hang out and have fun...I have labeled us as LAZY vacationers!!!! The girls love to swim and DH and myself are happy to just lounge by the pool (w/ drink in hand LOL!!) and watch the girls have fun....

Some of the others on the boards can maybe help you with some other excursions that are offered...

 

[ejkjmom]

I'm a little obsessive compulsive myself, but I need my sleep...I would go crazy without it!

I don't know how, but I missed the midnight dessert buffet on our last cruise. What night is it?

When you find out...let Rani know LOL!!!! She has been wondering this as well

 

[needacruz]

We did the Eastern Last March....
We really haven't made any plans as of yet...kinda getting late so don't know if we will or not

Last MArch we did the Buterfly Farm on our own...none of us were very crazy about it..but some of those who did it w/ disney seemed to enjoy it...
We did however end up at a beach just off of where the ship docks in St Marten and we really did enjoy that...will probably do that again while there..

As far as on the ship goes, we have a Palo Brunch on Thurs. and a couples spa on Monday..other than that we are just planning to hang out and have fun...I have labeled us as LAZY vacationers!!!! The girls love to swim and DH and myself are happy to just lounge by the pool (w/ drink in hand LOL!!) and watch the girls have fun....

Some of the others on the boards can maybe help you with some other excursions that are offered...

I'm a LAZY vacationer as well. I'm fine with not booking any excursions. I'm just looking forward to relaxing....I still need to book the couples spa though. It's my DH's 40th b'day next week, so I was hoping to do something for him on the ship.

 

[ejkjmom]

I'm a LAZY vacationer as well. I'm fine with not booking any excursions. I'm just looking forward to relaxing....I still need to book the couples spa though. It's my DH's 40th b'day next week, so I was hoping to do something for him on the ship.

Believe it or not...that was our FIRST ever massage...and we LOVED it!!!! We are really looking forward to it, once again

Do you have any reservations for Palo's yet?? We have only done the brunch and we really enjoyed that as well..have never done the dinner before, but hear that is Awesome!!!!

 

[needacruz]

We did Palo for dinner last year. We heard so many great things about it, but we weren't that impressed. Our server was new, so maybe that had something to do with it. We were very spoiled with our regular server. Not to mention, we were having rough seas that night....or at least if felt that way to all of us at the table

 

[ejkjmom]

We did Palo for dinner last year. We heard so many great things about it, but we weren't that impressed. Our server was new, so maybe that had something to do with it. We were very spoiled with our regular server. Not to mention, we were having rough seas that night....or at least if felt that way to all of us at the table

Did you request your same server from your last cruise??? We have sailed twice now...and haven't really experienced servers like you hear about on the boards all the time...we have had good servers both times..but not the ones that bring you out more food than you ask for!!!!

Yes, rough seas could defientely put a damper on dinner!!!!!

 

[Wish-Mom]

I'd like to get in touch with atinkerbellmom and kshabare but am unable to bacause I can't send PMs yet. Would you ladies send me a PM with your email address so I can talk to you about some things? Cruise related of course but we don't need to drag everyone else into our discussions.

Don't worry, I'm not a crazy lady, not yet. But since I'm not sure about you guys, I'm not posting any photos of myself. I want to get a look at you all from afar before I reveal myself.

 

[ranidayz]

Oh........ there are 24 days till the cruise, oh yeah! 24 days till the cruissseeee! Take one down, pass it around --- only 24 days till the cruise!​

 

[ranidayz]

and.....we're at page 75!

 

[kshabare]

Good morning gang!!

We rarely book excursions with DCL because you can usually do the same things on your own. That being said, Norm and I are thinking of doing the Eco-kayak thingy in the excursions on the St. John day. It looks like you'd be doing the same thing on your own, at a comparable price.

As far as St. Martin I'm attempting to track down information on bike rentals and biking to one of the area beaches. There is also an excursion on St. Martin that involves biking...to the beach.

Wish-Mom - I sent you a PM with my email addy.

22 days for kshabare & tktstjohn.

Mickey - hold on - we'll be there soon....

Kim

 

[Micday]

Good morning to everyone !!

Welcome to anyone who's new that I've not welcomed. !!

I got an email from my TA and thought to share with you guys. I don't think it changes anything for anyone here but it's info......

Dear Valued Cruise Customer,

We are writing to inform you about important changes implemented by the U.S. government that will impact
cruise passengers.

Effective February 18, 2008 - Passengers MUST be on board at least one hour prior to departure:

Starting Feb. 18, 2008, cruise ships departing from U.S. ports will be required by the U.S. Customs and Border
Protection to provide the full passenger and crew manifest to the U.S. government 60 minutes prior to
departure. If a passenger does not board the ship before the allotted time, they may be denied boarding.
In order to meet this new government requirement, all cruise passengers will need to be on board their cruise at
least one hour before the ships scheduled departure time. However, we strongly encourage you to check your
cruise lines boarding requirements as some lines are requiring guests to be on board at least 90 minutes prior to
departure.

To meet this new requirement and ensure an on-time departure for all we suggest the following:

* Submit your full and accurate personal identification information to your cruise line as soon as
possible prior to arriving at the departure port. Many cruise lines have online check-in available which
reduces the time you have to wait for final boarding documents at the pier.
* Ensure your travel arrangements leave plenty of time to make it to the ship. We encourage cruise
guests to arrive the day or evening before and enjoy the port city for a stress-free start to their cruise.
* Arrive at the pier 3-4 hours earlier than your published departure time. This should help account for
check-in lines, as well as any unforeseen difficulties that may arise.

Effective January 31, 2008 - Oral declaration of citizenship will no longer be accepted:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced that effective January 31, 2008, all travelers, including U.S.
citizens, entering the United States through all ports of entry (including land and sea ports) will no longer have
the option of orally declaring their citizenship.
In order to meet this new government requirement all cruise passengers (including U.S. citizens) seeking to
enter the United States must present documents proving citizenship or risk being denied boarding. Documents
proving citizenship include a birth certificate or passport and government-issued identification such as a
drivers license. Children under the age of 18 will only be required to show a birth certificate.

We recommend you plan for these changes accordingly. We realize that this may have an affect on your travel
plans and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.




I'm figured we all knew that but just in case..
Plus being a newbie I haven't gave any nuggets of wisdom so here's my tiny part.

Michelle

 

[atinkerbellmom]

feiste -- I'll probably call you that in person....

I have forgotten so many things -- I know you would never keep me in the dark....unless it's dark chocolate ---- you can keep me in the dark about that -- I love the milk and the white and the liquer filled -- but keep the dark for someone else....

if it's the postcards on page 34 -- was I in on this group at that point? I must have read all the pages in my zeal.....

I am getting old...

and apparently a little long in the elipses.......

Hey Rani, You drop me for Jen What's up with that, I thought I was your BEST BUD...... Just because I want to keep the calorie night a secret, you throw me away over the post cards. I am now feeling a little bit Here these are for you At. least I brought the poster to the thread to offer to to them....... Thanks Dawn..... If you are not going to be by the pool the entire time, you better stick with me..... Jen will just be hanging by the Goofy...... Thanks Jen, "Friend taker"....... You can have Mike, the sleeping arrangments there are driving me nuts, so you take him for a while because I appear to be the only one worried.

Now, I am replying as I go, so who knows, I come back to 3 pages, Mike may know where he is sleeping now.... . So, let me catch up......

 

[atinkerbellmom]

Just found this on the main thread so thought I would share it...alot of you probably already have this information....

Eastern:
Saturday - Embarkation, Rotational Dining, Welcome Aboard Variety Show
Sunday - At Sea, Rotational Dining, Formal Night, Captain's Cocktail Party, The Golden Mickeys
Monday - At Sea, Rotational Dining, Twice Charmed
Tuesday - St. Maarten (or alternative Eastern port in 2009), Pirate Night Menu, No Show (Movie in Walt Disney Theater), Pirate Night Deck Party
Wednesday - St. Thomas, Master Chefs Menu, Variety Show
Thursday - At Sea, Captain's Gala Menu, Semi-Formal Night, Lobster in all restaurants, Disney Dreams
Friday - Castaway Cay, 'Til We Meet Again Menu, Farewell Variety Show

I highlighted the Captians Cocktail Party, because we accidently stumbled across this on our way to dinner...they hand out FREE Yummy FULL SIZED Drinks during this (in the lobby area)...so you don't want to miss it!!!! if I remember right we got one and then toke it into dinner...this year we will show up earllier LOL!!!!

Sorry Rani...thought maybe it would say something about the midnight CHOCOLATE buffet

Thanks Brenda, Now Rani is really going to throw me to the curb. I knew this info but was not going to go into that much detail with it in the next e-mail. If you guys keep doing this, Rani will throw me over board and blame it on the DOD (for the new people-Drink of the Day). Didn't you know I remembered about the free drink or two or three . I actually think Rani may have a picture with me holding it.... Rani I really was going to tell you....
TINK

 

[ranidayz]

Awww Tink - I could never replace you.... I know you're just watching out for my waist! I miss ya - you're not on the boards so much.....your emails are my secret weapon to success on this trip!

 

[atinkerbellmom]

AWWWWW Thanks Rani, I feel , that Jen and now BJ is trying to get you to dump me..... The truth is, they want me all to themselves, . Why else would they agree to all dress up for my birthday. We will do the buffet line together.... We have to grab the entire tree before Jen gets there though.....

The Port Holes........ Unlike other cruise ships, these are the standard port hole on the ship. All of them are this big... The ones in the room are the one that you see. The ones in the public area are this large too. The only exception are the ones on deck 2 in the room, they are smaller, but you get 2 of them. DCL said they did it this way so the kids could both look out the window at the same time.....

 

[ejkjmom]

AWWWWW Thanks Rani, I feel , that Jen and now BJ is trying to get you to dump me..... The truth is, they want me all to themselves, . Why else would they agree to all dress up for my birthday. We will do the buffet line together.... We have to grab the entire tree before Jen gets there though.....

.

I'll make a deal with you Chocolate lovin girls.....Since I'm not so big on the desserts..I will go through the buffet line w/ you, and you can filll my plate up for yourselves..if you go through the pirate night buffet and grab a couple extra turkey legs and nachos for me !!!!

This is where your favorite Word ELASTICcomes into play Rani LOL!!!!!

 

[atinkerbellmom]

I'll make a deal with you Chocolate lovin girls.....Since I'm not so big on the desserts..I will go through the buffet line w/ you, and you can filll my plate up for yourselves..if you go through the pirate night buffet and grab a couple extra turkey legs and nachos for me !!!!

This is where your favorite Word ELASTICcomes into play Rani LOL!!!!!

Hey BJ, I am not much of a dessert person either. Actually last cruise, I went through the line and think I only got a sliver of a slice of cake. Now this is the disadvantage of late dinner. I acctually do not hit the pirate buffet either. By the time they put it out, we have just finished eating, so we are not very hungry...