Good morning everyone,
It's been some time since we've checked in and taken the time to reply. Getting excited for the cruise. Haven't booked our excursions yet, but we do have some ideas of what we'd like to do.
In response to some of the things that you all have asked and have been discussing:
Thanks Mostro for sharing the photo album. I will send you pics of us sometime today. This will be our 3rd
Disney cruise. The last one, we were involved in a Dis-meet. It was actually the day before at a hotel, but on board sounds much better. I like the promenade lounge or deck 7, whichever everyone agrees on. Thanks Ikohawaii for doing the badges, I think it's a great idea!
Regarding the child-clubs. I remember it being quite important to get over there early and sign up the kids for the club. Also, if I recall correctly, they don't open immediatly upon boarding. So, you need to check when they open and have one adult take them to sign up. We had to have the child with us as they attach a wrist band, and give the adult a pager. Our first cruise, our oldest was 10 and they told me that most kids 10 and older wern't signed into the lab but had free run of the ship! I was a bit taken-aback, but we left it where he could sign himself in and out. He spent most of his time (that he wasn't with us) either in the lab or the arcade. We took walkie-talkies with us, and found that these were very helpful. Our daughter (soon to be 11) especially loved the clubs. She's our social butterfly (makes friends wherever she goes).
DCL does good job of entertaining them.
Dinner seating: On our past 2 DCL cruises we had the late seating, and have signed up for that again as well. The early time, just seemed to interfeer with our afternoon fun. Some days we would snack on those amazing chicken strips they have by the pool to tide us over till dinner.
Either way, the evening always seems rushed as there's so much to do.
Formal evenings: In the past, there were 2 formal evenings. One was very formal . . . the one where they have the professional photos set up. On the last cruise my DH rented a tux. It was really fun, and looks great in the photos. He also wore it one night when we had a date at Palo. Gotta love a man in a tux! Haven't decided if we'll do that this year. Our son, now 14.5 will want to get one as well, so that's double the trouble!
A note about "Shutters". DCL is constantly taking amazing pictures of everyone. And they display them all week long at shutters. They prefer that you buy them as you see them, but I was able to collect them and go on the final morning to make my choices. You could easily spend $3-$400.00 on these. I budget $100.00 for the pic's. My strategy: Go once or twice a day and edit out the shots you don't like (there's a recycle bin close by), then begin collecting the shots you like by stacking them one behind the other. I have never had trouble with this. Also, get to know the staff. Another tip, as you're standing in line to have pictures taken with the characters, get to know the folks your in line with and have them use your camera to take a shot while the pro's take theres. At least in the past this is no problem. I prefer digital, as you can check it out right away and re-take if you don't like it. On our first cruise May 2001. I had a nice Cannon 35 mm. I took 11 rolls of film and aprox. 70% of my photos did not come out as my shutter was sticking. This was something I had no idea was happening! It was very upsetting. In fact that's why we booked our second cruise for the very next year. So, we could re-take some pictures!
On board:
Get reservations at Palo.
Don't miss the sail party.
The adult areas are a kick, they usually have "family friendly" shows early then adult themed later.
We've enjoyed the kitchen tours and wine tasting.
I'm an early riser and love the coffee cart on deck 9? sitting, reading devotions, with nothing but blue sky and blue ocean surrounding me. Very calm and quite early in the day. Can't wait. Cruising is the ONLY vacation I've ever had where I feel like I don't need a vacation when I get home!
I hope this isn't too long of a post. We'll try to stay connected frequently now.
Blessings,
Tami
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