1/14/07 Wonder Anyone?

[3dog2kidmom]

Cute shirt, Laura! My DS has that shirt and DD the matching dress I didn't get one for my David though. The kids will wear those on pirate night instead of pirate costumes that I didn't feel like bringing.

Well I'm almost all packed. I will definately think twice before doing land & sea together again. Packing for a WDW trip is totally different than packing for a cruise and we are going to have 4 suitcases (2 medium, 2 large) and 4 carryons plus my purse. I guess that's not too bad for 4 people for 9 days... and I don't plan to do laundry. I am beat! I have a last minute list and a list of things I didn't pack yet and another list to cross check against. I'll do all that tomorrow. Right now all the bags are weighed and the heaviest is 45# so we are good for the plane. I hope that Lincoln towncar has a HUGE trunk or we are going to be sitting on them. Oh and I put the rolling cooler in the large suitcase so when we go to the port we will actually have one more - except I can move 1 of the carry ons into its spot in the suitcase. Now I'm rambling...

Congrats on the haircut Rebecca. I got mine trimmed up and colored 2 weeks ago. DS is really due for a trim but we may have to wait and try to get him into the barber shop on main street.

 

[Bella8286]

Well my mom went shopping in Columbia today and picked the kids up some short sleeved stuff... YaY!

I thought of another question... is the temperature in the stateroom regulated by us like you do in hotel rooms? We like to sleep with it cold and I'm trying to pack Tucker's pj's accordingly. Don't wanna pack the fleece sleepers if the room's gonna be warm!

 

[Bella8286]

ANOTHER ???

I noticed when I did my online paperwork, it shows the credit card that I paid for the cruise as the card for all payments and spending account. Do we HAVE to use this cc now for anything charged on our shipboard account? I would rather not have to charge and pay cash but is cash not allowed? If not, can you change your payment method to a different card such as a debit card?

 

[flowerfacade]

What we did to avoid our card being charged is to give them cash up front (or anytime while you are on the boat); they then apply that amount of credit to your KTTW account. I am sure you can also change your credit card to another card such as your debit one. You do all that at Guest Services. Hope that helps ya!

 

[Hygiene99]

ANOTHER ???

I noticed when I did my online paperwork, it shows the credit card that I paid for the cruise as the card for all payments and spending account. Do we HAVE to use this cc now for anything charged on our shipboard account? I would rather not have to charge and pay cash but is cash not allowed? If not, can you change your payment method to a different card such as a debit card?

Cash is not accepted on the ship! For the most part!
Drinks come with tip included in the price!!
but there is a spot on the slip for extra tip , if you really like the server!!!!

If you go to WWW.disneycruise.com
you can change the card there!

And as L said you may apply cash to your account when you board the ship!
We have Quite a few Disney Gift card to apply to our account !!!

Guest services is located on Deck 4 midship

There is a Thermostat on the wall for controling the temp in your stateroom!!

 

[3dog2kidmom]

I have Disney gift cards and my Disney Visa rewards dollars that we are going to apply to our account at guest services when we get there so our card will just cover anything unplanned or unbudgeted such as a few too many frosty cocktails!!

 

[Bella8286]

So say I want to use cash... I could take $500 to GS and then at the end I would either owe more cash or get refunded what we don't spend (yeah right!)????

Just made a Walmart run and spent $100 on last minute odds and ends. I told Jason as much $$ as we've spent PREPARING for this cruise, we have to go on another one and use everything again! Guess it's a good time to start a "cruise box"

 

[3dog2kidmom]

I believe you will still have to put a credit card on account, but they won't charge it unless you go over your cash or don't settle up with more cash.

 

[flowerfacade]

Yeh, you got it! That is how it works!

You are almost ready to take off Shelly! Are you ready?

 

[Hygiene99]

You generally tip your waiter, and housekeeper, etc. They do really look out for you while you are there!

The porters I think get about a $1 or $2 per bag. The towncar I can't help you with because we are driving ourselves. I think your towncar driver would be moving your bags around more than the porters.

You can probably buy flip-flops in Florida if you have a little time on your way to the boat. From what I have read on the Cruise Line forum, there is a Target or Walmart right off the Interstate near the port. We have flip-flops out all year year here, and you can get them for a couple of dollars at Ross or TJ Maxx's right now. Of course, you may not have a way to get there if you aren't renting a car.

Congrats on the hair cut, Rebekkah! I am going to cut mine short again sometime soon. My hair is curly, and the warm, damp weather of this winter has it all frizzed up all the time. I am SICK of it. But I won't be doing it before the cruise! Also, it gets cool for me in the evenings on the boat. I usually wore long sleeves at night and sometimes a sweater too. It is always cool on the ocean and generally a little windy in January too.

Here is David with a Christmas gift!

Found this photo on the picture of the day thread

Photo belongs to Disneygrl36 TY

 

[flowerfacade]

I am sure the cast members see them everyday!!! Of course he will be matching Shelly's kids too!

 

[3dog2kidmom]

Who You may meet - cheat sheet

Sailaway DIS Party - Deck 10, Overlooking the pool - starboard side - 4:30 PM
Stop by, say hi, meet your fellow Disers.
The Side closest to the port building!! The ship is Backed in!

I am bumping part of this post forward because I missed the part about a meet at the sailaway party first time I read it!! I cannot wait to meet everyone

Great idea, Peter!!

 

[3dog2kidmom]

Yeh, you got it! That is how it works!

You are almost ready to take off Shelly! Are you ready?

I am almost ready now! Did some running around today -- found DD 2 pr flip flops at Old Navy but they don't have the women's in yet. I have plenty - it just would have been nice to have new ones

Got hair stuff so I don't run out, DH's allergy meds, and collapsible hamper at Walgreens; and dryer sheets, snacks and word search books at the dollar store. The Walgreens I went to didn't have DH's brand of blades nor his skin stuff, so I'll have to go out at lunch for that and a dog tag for my little one before taking her to SIL. But I think I am finally almost READY!!

Any last minute invaluable tips from you cruise veterans? I have read every packing and checklist there is and even though it's not allowed, Peter, I too am a bit overwhelmed.

 

[flowerfacade]

I freaked out last year and took almost everything off that list. This year I am the other extreme. Besides our clothes/bathing suits and sunscreen/skin/makeup stuff and camera/chargers, I think the only things I am taking off that list are the dishwashing liquid to rinse our suits out with (keeps them from developing "that scent", the shoe thing if I can find one...the Dollar Store was out, and the Ziploc bags I have packed the kids stuff in.
I have my Barry Manilow CD ready to torture my family when I have to drive! So I think if Barry is ready then so am I!
L

 

[grlzmom]

We are packed. We are minimal packers, and have packed less and less with each cruise. We are at four suitcases for the nine of us, and that includes everything we need for four nights at Universal afterwards. I called to try and upgrade as this is our first cruise without balconies and I am getting claustrophic already, but DCL told me they are FULL and nothing left to upgrade too, so I will be happy with my portholes, after all we didnt even pay for those.

Hope to meet some of you all at port on Sunday. We are easy to spot with seven kiddos in tow. They ususally all wear matching DCL tshirts from a prior cruise, so PLEASE say hi if you see me, as we never manage to make the meet n greets. I know my girls would love to meet some new cruise buddies, and we love to meet fellow dissers

Forgot who was wondering about Flounders ressies, but they are really good about letting you know if additional spots open up, or letting you cancel the ones you already have booked (I think there is a 4 hour notice required?). We were so happy with the care ours got there when they were little (especially the under 18 month age) and I hope that those of you who utilize it for some alone/quiet time have the same positive experience we did.

Its been a horrible week here and we are really looking forward to this trip.

Happy thoughts to you all...

 

[3dog2kidmom]

We are packed. We are minimal packers, and have packed less and less with each cruise. We are at four suitcases for the nine of us, and that includes everything we need for four nights at Universal afterwards.

Jeanne, I am SOOO impressed!! I guess once we have 8 family cruises under our belt we will get it down to 4 bags as well! I don't travel tons but enough that I can really stick to a minimum, but the rest of the family is more difficult. DD and DS' shoes are so big and they of course need to wear a pair and take a pair, and DD needs lots of options. DH needs at least 2 shirts a day and does not wear shorts. I could probably pare it down and fit everything into two large bags if we weren't taking the rolling cooler, but since I need the large suitcase to put that in, I figured I might as well fill it.

I will definately say hello if I see you on deck. I hope you get some pixie dust at the port and get an upgrade

 

[grlzmom]

Ooops, forgot to make my magnetic door signs, gotta squeeze that one in this week

Also, my one and only packing tip - leave room to bring home all the extras. We put one of our suitcases in a larger empty suitcase so we have an extra to load all our cruise goodies in.

Yes, the shoes do take up quite a bit of room. Luckily, me and dd17 wear the same size and dd15 and dd12 wear the same size, so we share some dress shoes, and they all practically live in their crocs and flip flops. My dh dresses up all week at home, so he is really minimal and casual on the cruise, with the exception of all his running stuff. You will see him constantly running around deck four, all sweaty, while I relax in a nice comfy lounge chair and wave to him when he goes by Different visions of the perfect vacation, mine include chocolate souffle and his revolves around daily gym time.

Really am getting excited to try the Wonder. Anyone have any weather forecasts for us yet?

 

[Lucky'sMom]

Hi again everyone! I'm starting to feel the "crunch"...so much to do, so little time! Now I really feel behind because it looks like all of you are packed already. I am just starting to figure the clothes situation out. Thank you all for your warm welcome and I appreciate the advice on the short sleeves/long sleeves issue. I'm finding it hard to decide how much summer clothes I want to pack vs. long pants/long sleeves. I think the females in my family will definitely be more comfortable in long sleeves or sweaters for dinner and the show. My girls freeze in every restaurant. My DH and DS, however, claim they never get cold and wear short sleeves when they can. We are on Deck 2, Cat. 9, because with 5 of us, we decided to get connecting rooms instead of a Cat. 4. I am really glad we made that decision, because I like to stay up later and get up earlier than the kiddos.

We are flying out EARLY Saturday am for one day at AK and the night at POR before the cruise. Can't wait....!

Oh, by the way, my name is Julie and DH is Brian.

 

[jkk]

WE ARE PACKED! Need to add a few things last minute but otherwise we are ready to go as soon as Wednesday morning arrives! There is a positive to the kiddos being sick and you having to stay home instead of doing all the things you had planned for a weekend! Lindsey is feeling much better now though and we are keeping a close eye on Emma!!!!!

I am so excited I can hardly wait!!!!!

Thanks for bumping the Sailaway party info. I missed that the first time I read through the thread! I hope my family will want to go! And a warning before we get there ... I am HORRIBLE with names so if you will forgive me now, I won't stress about messing up everyone's names!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bella8286]

Wow you all have been busy posting today! I'm at work on one of my last few nights. Tomorrow night is the last for two weeks!

I think I am WAY overpacking... I am so *overwhelmed* with everything I have to pack I don't even know where to start. I am going by the packing list on passporter.com. I know I will not need half of what I'm bringing but I'm feeling like we're going to be in the middle of the ocean and unable to "run to the store" and I don't want to pay an arm and leg for something on the ship...

Taylor is easy and almost done. As for shoes, she can pretty much get by with her Disney crocs, a pair of flip flops and her dress shoes. I will hang her dinner outfits with ours in the garmet bag.

My mom brought back the stuff she bought for Tucker today so he is good on clothes but OMG all the stuff I have to pack for him... clothes, socks, pjs, toys, formula, meds, bottles, food, spoons, diapers, wipes, etc etc etc

Thank goodness my mother is coming over on Tuesday to help me "organize" and iron everything and put in all the suitcases. She is too good to me

I was thinking of asking about an upgrade at the port but I guess not, now that they're all booked! I will still enjoy my porthole (for free!)

Oh and I have to get my door sign stuff together this week too. My sister is helping out with that. Nothing too creative just and extra person to help me out!