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

[JanDave]

And a special thanks to Jan (JanDave) and Crainbow & wife, you helped to make our trip very enjoyable and we will always remember how much fun you guys were! Take care!

I love you guys!!! Yep, even your crazy DH!!! He and my DH would get along great. He thanks you for the coffee.

Jan

 

[JanDave]

Hey Everyone!
Our dining team was TERRIBLE - thats a whole other thread. LOL. We skipped out on dinner 3 times because we could not do anymore 2.5 hour dinners with horrible service. We went on the last night and it only made us remember WHY we skipped the other nights.

Liz: Sorry to hear about Meg's injury and the inefficiency of the staff. It'll be interesting to hear how DCL responds to you.

We had the same servers as you. The first night was long, but that often happens on the first night. The second night was slow, as well. By night 3, we were moved to a 4 top with another serving team. We were usually done with dinner by 7pm - 7:15 pm. Nice doesn't mean efficient, does it? Just wondering if the server was new to being a server and not an assistant server. We thought we were moved because the family of 6 didn't want us there. Maybe we were moved to off load the server.

Jan

 

[JanDave]

It was great meeting all of you. You made our cruise very enjoyable. Thanks to the DIS Board for bringing us together!

Jan

 

[tiggerlover2]

I love you guys!!! Yep, even your crazy DH!!! My DH and he would get along great. He thanks you for the coffee.

Jan

Hey! You guys lucked up because we booked on Carnival's new ship "Dream" on January 2, 2010 instead of Disney at this time. We are thinking of rebooking Disney in October because we had a wonderful time on the Magic. Hope to see you again someday! Take care!

 

[Jennifer in MI]

Liz - I'm so sorry to hear about Meg's injury! I didn't know she'd been hurt. I'm so glad the rest of your trip was so good.

WE HAD AN AWESOME TIME!!!!!!!!!! You know how sometimes you build up a trip in your head so that there's NO way it can meet your expectations in real life? Well, that wasn't this trip!!!!! We LOVED it!!!! You know it's a great trip when you leave and three of the four kids are crying because they want to stay.

First - the bad stuff - my sis and her dh and 2 yo travelled with us. They had a great first few days. Their 2 yo has multiple life-threatening allergies and they were handled so well. But, after their trip to Xcaret, their 2 yo started vomitting (in our room!! We tipped our attendant VERY well - they sanitized the entire room that night!!)). It kept up for about three hours. They called the medical number, but nobody answered. But, he slept well that night and all was well the next day. Then, my sis and her dh started getting sick on Friday (sis actually threw up on Castaway Cay!). They quarantined themselves and all was well until Sat morning. Did you all hear the ship announcement "star 7563?" around 8 am???? That was a medical emergency in their room!! We were at breakfast, so I ran down to the room. Their 2 yo had a seizure and was rushed to the medical center. All was handled SO well. They were in sis's room within 30 seconds. He was stable enough to leave the ship within an hour, so we all left the ship together (insert long story here about how wonderful Brent (cruise director) was!!!). I was SO impressed with Disney. As we were leaving, he threw up again. They made the decision to take him to the ER to get fully tested. I asked an employee if they could get through customs ASAP. They got them out the door and into a cab within seconds!!!! Long story VERY short - Seth is okay - they think it was low sodium that caused the seizure.

So, my dear sis and her dh are thinking they'll wait a while before they cruise again (but it will be with Disney!!). But, we rebooked for back to back cruises next January after the marathon (which I plan to run!). It's a HUGE surprise for my kids. We're planning to do a few days at Disney after the marathon and then leave and let them think we're done with vacation. Then, we'll drive to the port. After telling them about Meg's Christmas surprise all three of my boys said they wished we'd done that with them this year. So, we'll just do it next year!! And, we got the secret porthole rooms on both cruises!!!!!

My kids LOVED their clubs!!!!!! My 12 and 11 yos were there practically all day! We were together for shore excursions, breakfast and dinners and that was it!! I never thought they'd love it so much. My 8 yo was there about half the time. He loved it too. My 2 yo LOVED the 3 - 5 yo room (she's potty trained, and was allowed in), but only if we stayed with her.

The shows were AMAZING!!!!!!! Jan - the highlight of the last show was seeing you up there conducting the band! Did anyone else see that???? So, how did it feel being hypnotized?

Shore excursions - we did the tour of Key West. I thought we'd get off the trolley to sightsee more, but the 8 yo was a bit bored, so we stayed on and got back to the ship early. (Note to self - not all kids love seeing the houses of dead authors!! LOL) We did a submarine in Grand Cayman. LOVED it!!!! My 8 yo was nervous, but he liked it the best, I think! In Cozumel, we did a dolphin swim. Boy, was it cold!!! But, my 11 yo ds was a trooper and got right in and did it with me. What amazing animals those dolphins are!!!! I was supposed to parasail with my 12 yo on Castaway Cay, but those were cancelled. Bummer.

It was AWESOME to meet all of you!!!!! Thank you for all the gifts!! Dd really LOVES her jibbitz (who did that!?) and the Cinderella cards. We also loved the gifts from everyone's home towns - in UT and GA!!!

Is anyone else still a bit dizzy???

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Oh wow I am glad Seth is ok. He is so adorable and all that curly blonde hair was precious!
He had a real thing for Meg in the bathroom one night. Meg and I talked to him and he wouldn't go with Mom, wanted to stay with her. She had to coax him away. I noticed the allergy alert sticker on his back. Poor kiddo

Meg wasn't a big fan of the kids club. She said it was all video games and nothing to do unless it was one of the organized activities. She didn't go there much at all. She would like to have seen more arts and crafts and things for girls.
They did one night that was girls only and they were painting nails and all of the nail polish was gunky and old. She said to the leader "You know, I think Disney can afford some new nail polish don't you? Or do you have a budget you have to go by? Because seriously this stuff needs replacing badly!". LOL.
Then they did this odd game where all the girls were to write down a secret on a piece of paper, then the leader was putting them in a hat, pulling them out and they had to guess whose secret it was. Meg was really uncomfortable with it for some reason - hit her the wrong way, so she chose not to put a secret in. A few other girls decided not to as well.
Well this game BACKFIRED huge when the leader pulls out the secret "I am in love with a woman". Well all of the more immature girls started laughing and screaming and so on, and this one girl went red in the face and sat back and started to cry. YIKES - NOT cool!!! That game was not thought through very well!
There was also some incidents with a boy and a girl who were 'going out' for the week and kept kissing or something- oh man! Gotta love 11-13 yr olds!
She said she watched kids play guitar hero here and there, but it really lacked things to do like make friendship bracelets to take home, make a tshirt,etc.... There are so many things they could have been doing, but it was mostly races around the ship and video games. It definately would appeal more to boys.

 

[Donnaksmj]

Hi all....we got home last night....We had a great time..except for my husband getting the Norwalk virus...yuck..he was in agony and missed from Tues night until we left Sat....they did let him off the ship in Castaway but then right back to his room. By Friday he did feel better and we did enjoy the island..I love that island !!!!! I asked them if my son and I can get a different cabin and they gave us one two rooms down from him...I didn't want to catch it ..or my son.....

thanks for all of the cool gifts......talk soon!!

 

[Jennifer in MI]

Norwalk Virus????? Seth was sick (vomitting and diarrhea) from Wed on. My sis and her dh were sick starting on Friday. How do you know it was the Norwalk virus? I'm sorry your dh missed so much of the cruise.

Liz - It does sound like the club was geared more toward the boys. My kids loved dodgeball, basketball, scavenger hunts, and, of course, the video games. I asked my kids about the kissing thing and one had no clue. The other said, "Yea - someone dared someone to kiss the other. I just walked away." I believe him. He thinks that stuff is gross! That secret game is AWFUL!!!!! Really - that ought to have been thought through better.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

I was so freaked about Norwalk. I brought clorax wipes and literally wiped down EVERY surface of our room that could be touched - I did door handles, phone, taps,etc...etc...etc... I used about 5 wipes and then I sprayed lysol on it! Took me about 10 mins. I also brought some wipes with me into port and we were wiping our hands with those and then using hand sanitizer constantly. We also used the sanitizer constantly on the ship.
I did this at our week in Disney too. If there is a virus, Meg will pick it up - she seems to pick up every cold in her class. I was totally freaking out and took really strong precautions. It seems it worked.

I am so sorry for those of you who got ill - that is NO fun on vacation. It totally sucks the fun right out of it and feels like a huge waste. I hate hearing about ruined vacations

 

[dznymania]

I am sorry to hear about everyone who got sick also. When we were watching the farewell show a little kid puked on the steps next to my seat. Then, peter pan ran through it. It was gross.

 

[Donnaksmj]

He went to the ship doctor and they diagnosed it......
I am a nut with the lysol too and wiped down and sprayed the entire room..I always do when we cruise and we have never had a problem....he did start feeling ill after grand Cayman...who knows maybe the rent a car had it...he is the only one who drove it....you never know...but as soon as he started feeling sick I sprayed more and more...he was ready to kill me, but I think it saved Jonny and me....he says it will be a while before he cruises again....hopefully he forgets quickly...kinda like childbirth...and wants to go back for more soon!!!!

 

[Baidoo]

A big thank you to all those who gave us FE gifts. Our DD had the best time looking for them and the mouse ears the first night was a huge hit. This was the best vacation we've ever had in our lives and we rebooked a Disney cruise in 2010. Our DH loved playing in the giant porthole near Rockin' Bar D and the shows. We also went to Nachi Cocom and had a great time. The crushed shells and the beach were incredible! My DH loved Key West and Castaway Cay most of all.

Thank you all for making our cruise extra special with your extra magic.

We're glad we missed the 37 degrees below zero while we were away! Two days of school were cancelled during the frigid weather.

 

[JanDave]

Jennifer - How frightening it must have been with Seth having seizures Saturday morning. Kudos to DCL for being so efficient and getting him into an ambulance so quickly.

Jennifer - So, what weeks will your B2B cruises be? Carla and I are crusing on the Magic on 1/30/09, an eastern.

Liz - Was Meg in Ocean Quest? I think the older kids clubs need more structure and not encouraging "games" such as you described.

Baidoo - I saw you at Nachi! You were with your little girl and a Nachi employee was taking pics of her on the beach. Right? We left Nachi by 1pm and headed back to the ship.

Donnaksmj - I assume DCL did not charge you for the use of the extra room? How nice that they accommodated you.

Sorry to hear about those who got sick. I got sick on our last night of our October 2008 Magic western cruise. It's not fun.....

It's been rough getting back into the routine, especially at work. I know I wasn't functioning yesterday at 100%.

Jan

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Jandave - the email you pm'd me does not want to work for me - keeps being returned. Email me at liz72@shaw.ca and I will send you the photos!

I wrote a letter to DCL today about the incident and how it was handled,etc... Should be interesting to see what type of reply I get!

 

[thepeacekeeper]

I am sorry to hear about everyone who got sick also. When we were watching the farewell show a little kid puked on the steps next to my seat. Then, peter pan ran through it. It was gross.

I don't care who you are, that's some funny stuff!

Thanks to everyone from our family as well. We really enjoyed the FE gifts and the boys had a great time trying to find all the staterooms to make deliveries. We made it through unscathed as far as illness or injury except for a little tangle with a jellyfish during snorkeling in Grand Cayman, but Tommy worked through it just fine. We couldn't hardly keep our DS's away from Ocean Quest, so it must have been more appealing to boys. They made quite a few friends, including counselors, which is what it's all about.

Our room steward and dining room servers were above our expectations. It's unfortunate to hear others weren't so lucky. They virtually became part of our family for that week. We also loved our night at Palo. Our server there was incredible! And how about that dessert buffet? Awesome!!!

We couldn't believe the quality of entertainment onboard. On past cruises we've taken the shows were decent, but these were truly amazing. I think in general it's Disney's attention to detail that wins people over...and that includes us!

We didn't book another cruise onboard, but we are looking into winter of 2010. I guess maybe we're hooked! Again, it was nice meeting all of you. I'm sure we'll run into each other on future trips! Jeff::cop:

 

[dznymania]

I don't care who you are, that's some funny stuff!

I thought it was funny also. I just had to get over the sound of it hitting the steps!!

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

OMG we saw (and smelled) all that puke on the way out - I don't do well with bad smells and just about added to the pile right there.
BUT OMG peter ran through it!!!!! That is freaking funny!!!!

 

[dseymour]

There was definitely something going round the ship - I was a little sick the last couple of days. Took some imodium and gravol and stopped eating and that did the trick. We were at Palo's when it started to come on and I had to send my rack of lamb back. The server was not impressed and everyone thought I was sea-sick. I have been on much rougher seas without getting sick. My wife also started feeling bad at the airport. Fortunately daughter avoided it. Whatever it was, we had a low-grade version. Other than that a great trip. Most likely our last Disney Cruise as we have our sights set on doing some hiking trips in Europe for the next few years. Thanks for all the great advice and insights on this board. Cheers and happy future travels everyone.

Don

 

[tinkluvr12]

Hi all- Sorry to hear abut the misfortunes and illness. We had a wonderful time. I got SO sea sick the final night. Couldn't get the bonine in fast enough But at least I was sick at 11:30pm, in my own room and with the split bath, the veranda door open and some air freshener we were fine.

We had a truly great trip. I agree with Jen in that it was better than we expected. We booked again on board for Dec. 4, 2010 Eastern. I think Dznymania is on the same cruise. We so wanted to do the Baltic but it is WAY out of our price range for now. We want to be able to still do other trips between now and then. We were able to book cat. 6- we were so spoiled by that veranda- for slightly less than we paid for our cat. 8 this trip and we have the $200 room credit! Go figure.

We loved the FE gifts and thanks to those of you who noted you liked our Utah care package. We had a lot of fun putting them together. Did anyone enjoy the fry sauce? I promised our local drive thru manager I would ask. We loved the MI chocolates and the little fish. I told DH I want some of the caramels with rock salt for my Bday. What an amazing combination! We loved all the gifts really- from the color change pencils and tatoos to the cute little duckies and the backpack. Thank you all!

As for our cruise report... The first night we were a little stunned when our table mates refused to sit with us. Seriously, the lady threw a huge fit when we walked up! Our servers and Yolanda the head server handled it so well. Turns out the other family didn't really speak any English and they didn't want to be uncomfortable with us eating with them. We were a little bummed because we think meeting others is such a great part of the cruise but our servers were so awesome we didn't really miss having another family there.

KW- Jen, my DD liked Hemingway's house on KW because I told her about the extra toed cats. We all loved the aquarium there and the crazy Catman- thanks Liz. We also stopped at Margaritaville and the got the kids "margaritas". They thought it was cool to be in a "real" beach bar like the songs and wore their parrot masks proudly.

Both kids loved the clubs but they really enjoyed the friends they had from before the cruise. I am amazed how much time they spent with the kids they met thru this board. They both have lasting friendships from this trip and are scheming how to get to visit them again. Thanks to those of you who shared your kids. What an awesome time they had.

We loved our server, Jozsef, so much I was in tears right along with the kids the final meal. We have requested him for our next cruise. He thinks he will still be there. Part of me hopes he is but part of me hopes he gets to return to Hungary and be with his wife and step daughter.

GC- We loved the diving. We were late getting back to the boat though and DS was hyperventilating by the time we did. He was sure we had both drowned. Once we calmed him down we had a nice time shopping for the rest of the afternoon.

Cozumel was amazing even with the rain. We rented a jeep and drove to San Gervasio- the Mayan ruins. WOW! The web sites do not do that place justice. We were lucky enough to get there before the busses and for 2 & 1/2 hours we had the place pretty much to ourselves. We drove across the island and had lunch at a cantina the manager of Paradise Beach recommended. Great view and fantastic food. We were sad the weather wasn't good enough for us to actually go to PB but we had a nice afternoon shopping and loved seeing so much of the island.

CC- Stingrays were SO cool even though the water felt like Lake Powell after the snow melt! We all snorkled until DD turned blue. DH and DS braved it for over 2 hours and even made it out to the reef and Mickey. We also did the bikes and that was enjoyable. We think we saw a monkey?? Does anyone know what wildlife lives on the island?

I was SO glad I lugged DD's dresses. Seeing her, possibly for the last time , hugging Belle in a matching dress and dancing with Minnie in a ballgown was priceless. It makes me teary just typing about it. As you all have noted the entertainment was amazing. I had to drag my family to Golden Mickeys and they all say it was a highlight of the trip! I love to be right once in a while.

While I would love to stay and chat I am still putting away Christmas so I better get to it. We are unpacked and the laundry is done so at least that is over. Thanks to all of you for making our magical vacation even more magical. Keep in touch and take care!

Stephanie

 

[Jennifer in MI]

Hi all- Sorry to hear abut the misfortunes and illness. We had a wonderful time. I got SO sea sick the final night. Couldn't get the bonine in fast enough But at least I was sick at 11:30pm, in my own room and with the split bath, the veranda door open and some air freshener we were fine.

We had a truly great trip. I agree with Jen in that it was better than we expected. We booked again on board for Dec. 4, 2010 Eastern. I think Dznymania is on the same cruise. We so wanted to do the Baltic but it is WAY out of our price range for now. We want to be able to still do other trips between now and then. We were able to book cat. 6- we were so spoiled by that veranda- for slightly less than we paid for our cat. 8 this trip and we have the $200 room credit! Go figure.

We loved the FE gifts and thanks to those of you who noted you liked our Utah care package. We had a lot of fun putting them together. Did anyone enjoy the fry sauce? I promised our local drive thru manager I would ask. We loved the MI chocolates and the little fish. I told DH I want some of the caramels with rock salt for my Bday. What an amazing combination! We loved all the gifts really- from the color change pencils and tatoos to the cute little duckies and the backpack. Thank you all!

As for our cruise report... The first night we were a little stunned when our table mates refused to sit with us. Seriously, the lady threw a huge fit when we walked up! Our servers and Yolanda the head server handled it so well. Turns out the other family didn't really speak any English and they didn't want to be uncomfortable with us eating with them. We were a little bummed because we think meeting others is such a great part of the cruise but our servers were so awesome we didn't really miss having another family there.

KW- Jen, my DD liked Hemingway's house on KW because I told her about the extra toed cats. We all loved the aquarium there and the crazy Catman- thanks Liz. We also stopped at Margaritaville and the got the kids "margaritas". They thought it was cool to be in a "real" beach bar like the songs and wore their parrot masks proudly.

Both kids loved the clubs but they really enjoyed the friends they had from before the cruise. I am amazed how much time they spent with the kids they met thru this board. They both have lasting friendships from this trip and are scheming how to get to visit them again. Thanks to those of you who shared your kids. What an awesome time they had.

We loved our server, Jozsef, so much I was in tears right along with the kids the final meal. We have requested him for our next cruise. He thinks he will still be there. Part of me hopes he is but part of me hopes he gets to return to Hungary and be with his wife and step daughter.

GC- We loved the diving. We were late getting back to the boat though and DS was hyperventilating by the time we did. He was sure we had both drowned. Once we calmed him down we had a nice time shopping for the rest of the afternoon.

Cozumel was amazing even with the rain. We rented a jeep and drove to San Gervasio- the Mayan ruins. WOW! The web sites do not do that place justice. We were lucky enough to get there before the busses and for 2 & 1/2 hours we had the place pretty much to ourselves. We drove across the island and had lunch at a cantina the manager of Paradise Beach recommended. Great view and fantastic food. We were sad the weather wasn't good enough for us to actually go to PB but we had a nice afternoon shopping and loved seeing so much of the island.

CC- Stingrays were SO cool even though the water felt like Lake Powell after the snow melt! We all snorkled until DD turned blue. DH and DS braved it for over 2 hours and even made it out to the reef and Mickey. We also did the bikes and that was enjoyable. We think we saw a monkey?? Does anyone know what wildlife lives on the island?

I was SO glad I lugged DD's dresses. Seeing her, possibly for the last time , hugging Belle in a matching dress and dancing with Minnie in a ballgown was priceless. It makes me teary just typing about it. As you all have noted the entertainment was amazing. I had to drag my family to Golden Mickeys and they all say it was a highlight of the trip! I love to be right once in a while.

While I would love to stay and chat I am still putting away Christmas so I better get to it. We are unpacked and the laundry is done so at least that is over. Thanks to all of you for making our magical vacation even more magical. Keep in touch and take care!

Stephanie

It was so good to meet you! I'm sorry you were sick that last night. The ship was really rocking wasn't it? I was in the atrium and the chandelier was swaying a lot. Dh was up on deck 9 later and said that the pool water was splashing up and out of the pool onto the deck. The kids in the pool were having a great time though!! LOL

I teared up on the cruise when a girl - maybe 11 or 12 - took her outgrown princess dresses up to the princesses and had them sign them. I'm definately going to save Meg's dresses to do that too.

My dh really enjoyed your family - he sat with you on Pirate night and watched the movie.

Next time we're in KW - we'll definately make the kids go to all the historical sites. I forgot - but dd was running a fever that day. She fell asleep on me on the trolley. That was another reason we didn't do a lot of sightseeing there. I didn't want to wake her. I think she was just dehydrated because after apple juice the next day, she was fine!

We priced out the Baltics cruise. Ouch! $17,500!! We could do it if that were the only vacation we took for two more years. I want to travel a bit more. We are going to Europe in 2011 or 2012, so we hope Disney is there - only a bit cheaper!!

It was great meeting you!!!!

Jennifer