1/10/09- EARLY Roll Call! Who's coming?

[Jennifer in MI]

We're back from visiting family!! I can't believe how close this vacation is!!!! We leave next Tuesday and stay with family for a couple days. I'm having so much fun making lists and getting all the final things done before we go! Today I SHOP!!!

 

[JanDave]

Hi Jennifer: Welcome Back! Have fun preparing for the cruise. I think a big part of the fun is the planning and preparing.

Jan

 

[Donnaksmj]

has anyone prepaid their gratuities? I looked it up and it say $84 a person for a 7 night...does that sound right?

 

[tinkluvr12]

If any of you are still unsure of what to do on Cozumel I have been very impressed with Paradise Beach so far and we are not even there yet. I e-mailed them about life jackets and got a very quick response- they are included with a water sports bracelet and encouraged for younger children who want to do the water tramp and iceberg. I also e-mailed about directions from the ruins. We have rented a jeep and plan to do the ruins first thing then drive around to the beach. The director e-mailed me right back with excellent directions and even suggestions for places to stop for refreshments and pictures along the way. They are so helpful and friendly and have really gone beyond what I expected. The responses I got were awesome. I hope it is as good as it sounds but if they are willing to put that much thought into an e-mail I will be very surprised if it isn't a great day.

Also welcome back Jen!

 

[tiggerlover2]

We prepaid ours and the amount showing on our invoice was $156, but we booked a long time ago. We always tip extra for good service. I was wondering about this too because of the difference in the amount. Things that make you go hmmmmmm.................

 

[tiggerlover2]

Wasn't that such heartbreaking news about John & Kelly Travolta's son's death?

 

[Donnaksmj]

wow..that is awful....I feel so bad for them

 

[Jennifer in MI]

Thanks for the welcome back guys! I feel so loved!!

Jan - I was thinking about this today. That I'm so excited and I've been preparing for SO long that I wonder if the actual cruise will be a letdown. I'm sure not, but I've got such high hopes!!

I haven't prepaid our tips. I was hoping that our on board ship credit and gift card will cover it. It's so expensive!! I know they deserve every penny (and then some), but it sure hurts the pocketbook!!!

I was SO sad to read about his death. I have two children who have had seizures, so the story hit me in the gut. Very sad.

 

[tinkluvr12]

Ok had to share this one. After snowing most of yesterday it is really, really cold here. I took the kids to the local indoor pool for some snorkeling practice and on the way home the temperature read 12°. It seems so crazy to think this time next week we will be in cruise casual- not a glove or scarf in sight.

On a solemn note, I can't imagine what the Travolta family is going through. My thoughts and prayers definitely go out to them. It makes you so grateful for the wonderful experiences we have with our children while we are here. Life does not have any guarantees and it is the memories we make that we hold dear in situations such as this.

Take care and travel safely,

Stephanie

 

[disneygirl1213]

Our family of 5 is getting ready to cruise with you all next Saturday -- we are so excited. We booked two inside staterooms -- I was hoping for connecting rooms in Cat. 10 but even when we booked back in April none were available -- sounds like a lot of bigger families on board I am guessing. (who else would want connecting rooms?) I had hoped the older kids could use the 2nd room, but now I'm nervous that there is no connecting door so it really doesn't seem safe. I am going to ask when we board if anything is available -- can't hurt to ask. This is our first 7 day cruise. We were on the Wonder when I was pregnant for the youngest.

Anyway, our dd is 13, our ds is 12, and our youngest dd is 4. We are doing the Ray,Reef, and Rum Point tour for Grand Cayman through Nativeway watersports and then the dolphin encounter in Cozumel. DH and I are looking forward to brunch and dinner at Palo.

All the boards have been informative. I found over the door clear shoe organizers for $5.58 at Target. We have glow sticks. Still need night lights or a light-up clock. Got 2 water cameras. Packing starts tomorrow. We fly out of Rochester,NY on Friday. Yeah! CAn't wait!

 

[tiggerlover2]

Welcome disneygirl1213! We are all in countdown mode! Can you believe that we will be on the ship in 6 days? Woo Hoo! Lets hope for calm seas.

 

[tiggerlover2]

Ok, here's a dumb question I know but I guess I won't know the answer until I ask, so here goes................On rooms wth several kids, various ages, how do we know which pocket to put the age appropriate FE gifts? Do most people go by oldest to youngest or youngest to oldest with placing names on the pockets? I am sure that gifts can be swapped around but I'm still trying to learn the ropes. Thanks!

I purchased a premade FE and really screwed it up by trying to print our names on it because the markers bled! ( I was bored at work. ) I love Tiffany's FE but just wasn't sure my husband would sail Disney again. so I thought I'd try a generic FE for the first time. What a big mistake!
Oh well, it will have to work for now because this is all I have! Lessons learned. LOL!

I hope Lollipop and her Mom are having a blast at DW, and look forward to seeing you all soon for a week of fun in the sun! Woo Hoo, DCL here we come!!!!!

 

[PBF199]

I think I've pulled together enough info from all the posts about what the kids might want in their FE's and a few parents...so this should be good.

as for what to do on the ship, we have the DIS meet at 3 pm on the first day, all the kiddies can go straight to their planned activities with the CMs. what about some adult oriented events? I know of some tequila or margharita tastings. Are any of you going to those kind of events or know of anyone who is? This is our first DCL for both, my sis and I, and looks like we'll have plenty of time to participate in adult activities.

...4 more sleeps until C&C land at MCO, then of to spend the rest of the day at WDW, either MK or HS, or if we do AK then we'll head to DQ to get the kids tired. Then Sis is going to want to hit up Premium for a bit since they are open until 11 pm now and the back side is open for all you desperate shop-a-holics. (J-Crew, VS, etc).

Soon-to-be-Shipmates,
Please remember that I live in 32822 (MCO's ZIP) and have "earned my ears" with the Big Cheese, so if you have any questions you think I can help with please PM me for my Cell #.

 

[JanDave]

Welcome Disney Girl 1213 and family!!!

I just told my DH that a week from today, Carla and I will soon be in Key West and he can call me for the last time until we dock at Cocoa Beach on Saturday.

Looking forward to meeting all of you at the DIS meet on Saturday.

Save travels to all of you.

For more days of W_ _ K - that four letter word! and 6 more sleeps until I see that beautiful ship.

Gotta start packing today.

Jan

 

[tiggerlover2]

I dislocated my kneecap and have to go have it reset tomorrow so it looks like heels may be out for me for now! We have Palo reservations too! If the doctor tells me no heels, can I wear dress pants and a nice shirt to dinner? It seems like my new year is already starting with a bang!

I tried on my dresses with flats but it looks horrible! Yuck!

 

[thepeacekeeper]

Ok, here's a dumb question I know but I guess I won't know the answer until I ask, so here goes................On rooms wth several kids, various ages, how do we know which pocket to put the age appropriate FE gifts? Do most people go by oldest to youngest or youngest to oldest with placing names on the pockets? I am sure that gifts can be swapped around but I'm still trying to learn the ropes. Thanks!

I purchased a premade FE and really screwed it up by trying to print our names on it because the markers bled! ( I was bored at work. ) I love Tiffany's FE but just wasn't sure my husband would sail Disney again. so I thought I'd try a generic FE for the first time. What a big mistake!
Oh well, it will have to work for now because this is all I have! Lessons learned. LOL!

I hope Lollipop and her Mom are having a blast at DW, and look forward to seeing you all soon for a week of fun in the sun! Woo Hoo, DCL here we come!!!!!

We didn't really differentiate between ages as far as FE gifts. We have some state specific items and some kid/pirate items, so I'm hoping that will work out OK.

Welcome Disneygirl1213!

 

[JanDave]

I dislocated my kneecap and have to go have it reset tomorrow so it looks like heels may be out for me for now! We have Palo reservations too! If the doctor tells me no heels, can I wear dress pants and a nice shirt to dinner? It seems like my new year is already starting with a bang!

I tried on my dresses with flats but it looks horrible! Yuck!

You will not be out of place at Palo with pants and shirt. I often wear black slacks and blouse to Palo for dinner.

Jan

 

[tiggerlover2]

You will not be out of place at Palo with pants and shirt. I often wear black slacks and blouse to Palo for dinner.

Jan

Thanks for your response! I was so worried but I am 99.9% positive that I will get a lecture and will be told "NO HEELS"! I have a week so who knows...

I am really trying to not overpack this time, I know good luck with that! LOL! Everyone can't understand why we are cruising Disney with no kids but I told them that hope springs eternal and I am a Mouse fan first and foremost!

 

[JanDave]

Thanks for your response! I was so worried but I am 99.9% positive that I will get a lecture and will be told "NO HEELS"! I have a week so who knows...

I am really trying to not overpack this time, I know good luck with that! LOL! Everyone can't understand why we are cruising Disney with no kids but I told them that hope springs eternal and I am a Mouse fan first and foremost!

I usually cruise without kids! This is DCL cruise #11 for me, and I've cruised with kids on DCL only 3 times. It's usually just DH and me.

Friends/Family have quit asking why we cruise DCL without kids.

Jan

 

[tiggerlover2]

Weather forecast as of 3:41 pm 01/04/2009:


Key West:

Sun, Jan 11
Sunny. Mild. High:75°F Low:59°F

Grand Cayman:
Tue, Jan 13
Sunny. Mild. HIgh:77°F Low:71°F

Cozumel:

Wed, Jan 14
More sun than clouds. Mild. High:74°F Low:69°F


Precipitation probability is listed at 30% on all three port days.