1-11-07 Wonder- Anyone else?

[the6allens]

Our boys are 14, 11 and 7, and our little girl will turn 2 two weeks after the cruise.

Only 29 days till we set sail!!!! But who's counting???

 

[first timers]

My friend Linda and I just booked on this cruise. This will be my 5th trip on the Wonder. Athough we are friends, Linda and I keep very different schedules, so I'd love to meet up with some other DISers to have people to hang out with in the evenings at the nightclubs and such.

Alex and Carolyn, you guys are semi-neighbors, lol. I used to live off of Maitland Blvd but now live near Seaworld.

Congratulations to both sets of DIS honeymooners on the cruise.

Welcome. It's nice to see that there are a few others on the cruise. We used to live in Altamonte Springs. The company I work for is just off Maitland Blvd and I-4. It's a small world (after all). Alex

 

[first timers]

Wasn't that nice of her NOT to say that her friend is older than dirt? (The truth ) I just like my fun earlier in the day - you'll see me at Sunrise on deck 10!

Congrats to the DISney Honeymooners - WHAT a great way to start a new year!

If you are up early, you might see us walking on deck 4 in the mornings. Alex

 

[first timers]

We've been counting down the days, and can't believe it's almost here!!!

We are counting down too. For us this is a reward for the Goofy Challenge for the Disney Marathon weekend Jan 7 and 8. We will power walk the half marathon on Sat.and the marathon on Sun. We figure about three hours Sat and 6 1/2 hours on Sun. We do enjoy walking. Alex

 

[LindaBabe]

We are counting down too. For us this is a reward for the Goofy Challenge for the Disney Marathon weekend Jan 7 and 8. We will power walk the half marathon on Sat.and the marathon on Sun. We figure about three hours Sat and 6 1/2 hours on Sun. We do enjoy walking. Alex

You'll DESERVE a break after that!! Y'll see me on an ecv in the family meet area at the sign of T on both Saturday and Sunday. I "mom" about 20 participants, several of whom are doing the Goofy. If you'll PM me your bib numbers, and I'll put you on my cell phone race result text list!

And I might be seen at Sunrise too, that will just be before I go to bed.

THIS is one of the reasons she's such a great friend - she shows me a side of shipboard life I will NEVER manage to stay awake for myself.

 

[The LK 4]

We just booked this cruise tonight!!! We are so excited! We cruised once before as a family - June '05 DCL 4 night.

My name is Laura, DH is Lenny, DS Logan is 13, and DD Leah is 11.

 

[stac719]

Welcome aboard! I am getting ready to tape the Travel channel show about the DCL. I am going to make it part of the surprise package for my sons Christmas morning gift. I truly feel like a little kid again as excited as I am about the trip! I'm also glad to see there will be kids on board close to my sons' ages - I just know they will have a blast.
Stacy

 

[The LK 4]

BTW, Stacy.....we are from Pittsburgh, also! Cranberry Twp!

 

[LindaBabe]

Welcome LK4! Good Morning, All!

What do you have planned for excursions in Nassau? Any?

I'd like to visit the Retreat (Bahamian National Trust garden) but Cable beach calls to me too. And I'd like the adventure of eating conch fritters on Arawak Cay . . .

Last time, I took the number 10 bus and walked up to Ardestra gardens. It was a cheap outing ($2 rt for the bus and $12 for the "zoo") and resulted in my favorite photo of the trip - me with a parrot on my head and a cockatoo on my hand.

Happy Day, All!

 

[stac719]

Wow, Cranberry Twp., I just traveled by there last weekend, as my sister lives in Beaver Falls. Cranberry is a great area and growing so rapidly. We actually live in Washington County, about 40 min. from the city. How about this warm weather we're having? Feels like spring! Yinz guys Stillers fans?

LindaBabe,
The only thing we have planned in Nassau is the Dolphin Excursion, which I thought my sons would love (OK, I wanted to do it, too!) Have you ever done this and was it worth the time and money?
Have a great day (yinz guys!)

 

[The LK 4]

Yep, we're Stillers fans n'at. I'm originally from West Mifflin, and two of my sisters live in Bethel Park.

I need to get moving with my planning! We did the Atlantis tour on our last cruise. I may check into the Dolphin encounter as well.

Nice to meet all of you!

 

[the6allens]

We're doing the Atlantis tour, and I'm thinking we'll keep it easy (since we have a one year old!) and do the glass bottom boat at Castaway Cay. I want to keep the rest of the day free so we can wander the island. Not sure what to expect, but I'm positive we'll find SOMETHING to do!

 

[LindaBabe]

My dh & I did our dolphin swim at Seaworld, Discovery Cove. It was WONDERFUL, so you have a lot to look forward to. His remark was - it was the best day EVER!

 

[BroadwayGirl]

Speaking of excursions, has anyone done either of the snorkeling excursions out of Nassau? I'm thinking of splurging on one of them but I don't know which one to choose. My other choice for a splurge is the fishing excursion from Castaway Cay - is anyone planning to do that?

 

[The LK 4]

Last time, I took the number 10 bus and walked up to Ardestra gardens. It was a cheap outing ($2 rt for the bus and $12 for the "zoo") and resulted in my favorite photo of the trip - me with a parrot on my head and a cockatoo on my hand.

I was just reading about the Ardestra gardens tour. Your way is MUCH cheaper! Any problems with the bus system? It is pretty uncomplicated? The only extra things I would get from the DCL excursion would be a tour of the city, and is that really worth an additional $23/per person?? I think the kids might be just as happy riding the bus and visiting the gardens.

Our party has also grown in size! Now, my MIL, SIL, and 7 year old niece are going to join us.

 

[LindaBabe]

The bus is a "jitney" - more like a large van than the city buses you're used to in the United States. You need exact change in American dollars - when you get in you tell the driver where you want to get off and give over the money.

Traffic goes in the "wrong" direction, so remember to cross the street. You want number 10 (Cable Beach) going left to right as you stand with your back to the straw market to get to Ardestra, and the reverse to get back. It's about a 15 minute uphill walk to the gardens from the bus stop.

I remember being a little scared coming back because I was afraid the bus wouldn't come, but, of course, it did ;-)

Surely SOMEONE has signed up for one of those snorkle trips, B'way Girl, even if they aren't DISers. I hope you find someone fun!

 

[LindaBabe]

WEll, it certainly IS quiet around here!

 

[BroadwayGirl]

WEll, it certainly IS quiet around here!

Sorry...I've been working and singing and getting ready to go home for Christmas.

Doesn't seem like anyone here is planning on any of the more active excursions in Nassau so how about CC? Will anyone be snorkeling? I usually have to snorkel by myself when I go as I never seem to find traveling companions who are as fishy as I am, lol. I would literally be happy spending hours out in the water. I've only ever snorkeled in the sheltered area off the family beach though. I've heard there can be some really cool fish and stuff over at Serenity Bay but bc of safety concerns I've never checked it out.

Also are there any Bingo fans? I always like to try to catch one game of Bingo during my cruises. It is the closest I get to gambling.

 

[LindaBabe]

Sorry! I forget other people have lives outside of Disney. Of COURSE you're busy! We chose not to be, so I have plenty of time to obsess over this trip. lol

There's a snorkel tour off of Castaway Cay where you go out to the area on a sail boat - you might find like minded people on that one! Or the rose Island snorkle on Nassau . . . I'd be tempted just to go along for the ride on Castaway Cay, if it was an afternoon cruise, but OH, how a hammock calls my name . . .

 

[The LK 4]

Good morning! We've been busy with Christmas preparations, and also cruise planning. My SIL has now decided to pull my 15y/o nephew out of school to join us, so I had to get his airfare and cruise reservations taken care of last night. I love the planning, but these last minute additions are making me !!

Linda - thanks for the info on the Ardestra Gardens tour. Is the walk up the hill a difficult trip? I'm just wondering how my MIL will handle it.

This morning, I'm working on my packing list. I remember from last time that the over the door shoe holder and clothes pins were great tips. We took along a power strip but didn't really need it. Anyone have any other great "must haves" for the packing list?