1/21/07 Wonder

[GrandFloridian4]

Thanks for the tip on Tamerack. I'll make sure to map it out the next time we go. I'm not sure when that will be - we just went in June. I miss the mountains, "real" grass & the clean, crisp air when you're walking in the woods. I am really enjoying living down here being near WDW & DCL & there always seems to be something fun to do, but it still doesn't feel like "home" after 2-1/2 years. Plus, I LOVE snow. But, I'm not complaining, my DH & I want to experience living in many different parts of the country - GOD willing.

I really appreciate you giving me the heads-up on the terry robes. I called DCL & the CM had me on hold for quite awhile. He didn't know the answer, his supervisor didn't know the answer & so they called the ship to find out & it turns out that the robes are just plain - no logo. I'll have to put some thought into the REAS package. It might be fun to do it, but we're not big spa people, we don't drink & the chocolates will be scarfed up in about two seconds. That means the (plain) robe & frame will be the only things we get to bring home as a souvenir - besides our wonderful memories - & we always have those anyway. The Palo reservations are a plus & just doing something different for our anniversary is special, but I want to make sure it warrants an extra $340. with all that I'm planning on my own, anyway. I'll probably end up doing it, but I'm just trying to justify it in my mind since 1/2 of the package isn't usually of an interest to us. Oh, the pressure I put myself under ---- having to think even more about our cruise.

If you need any help with anything down here - getting you info. for your planning, sending you brochures, etc., just let me know.

My DH & I have reservations at Narcoossee's (at GF) tomorrow night right before the fireworks go off over MK. Before it, though, I'm surprising him with a carriage ride around POR. I can't wait. We've never done any of this before. These boards are awesome for new ideas.

Have a great weekend.

 

[mickey minder]

Wow, that sounds wonderful. Have a great time. I love carriage rides.

 

[GrandFloridian4]

We had a wonderful time on the POR carriage ride & watching the fireworks, also. Very romantic. We could have watched them from inside the restaurant, but it was much nicer being outside.

On Sat. we had taken our son up to St. Augustine to visit some friends & while we waited for him we did a little sightseeing. I surprised my DH with a carriage ride (2 in one weekend! ) tour around the historical part of the city. We loved it. We found a nice restaurant right on the beach to eat at with wonderful food. I'm stuffed from all the eating the past two days!
Almost at the 4 month mark!

 

[mickey minder]

I found this thread with the pictures of the REAS robes. These are different from the ones we had.

 

[GrandFloridian4]

I found this thread with the pictures of the REAS robes. These are different from the ones we had.

What thread, please?

 

[mickey minder]

oops
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1024481

 

[GrandFloridian4]

4 MONTHS from today!!!!!

 

[GrandFloridian4]

Thanks for that link. Even though DCL told me that there is definitely no logo, the pictures & reports on that link tell a different story. I booked the REAS package last night & I'm really excited. Now, I've gotta get going on my planning, since we'll be able to pre-book on 10/8, also. Aaaahhhh! I'm not ready yet! Too much planning to do & I'm SO busy right now.

 

[mickey minder]

It's time for the serious planning to begin.
OK, where to start
Fall is in the air this week and I am dreaming of blue water.

 

[GrandFloridian4]

Fall is in the air this week and I am dreaming of blue water.

Ooh, Fall. I really miss the changing of the leaves & the gorgeous colors & the crisp, cool air. Guess I'll just settle for humidity & love bugs.

 

[mickey minder]

One more week until booking ressies begins.
Anyone else out there going to join us?

GrandFloridian4, how about a complimentary upgrade, seems we will have the ship all to ourselves.

 

[mickey minder]

Made the final payment today.

 

[GrandFloridian4]

Congratulations!!! It really makes it more "real", doesn't it?

I'm paying tomorrow, but I don't know that I'll be as excited about it (paying) as you! I'll start celebrating the minute we leave for Port Canaveral.

Have you made any headway on where you're going to stay, yet?

We'll be in the parks a lot for the next few weeks. We go to a lot of the Eat to the Beat concerts in EPCOT. We went to AK yesterday & rode EE again & saw a couple of shows that we hadn't caught yet. The parks have been pretty low lately, but yesterday was a bit crowded. We had a nice time, though.

Besides Palo, are you booking CC & Nassau excursions, also this weekend? I've never done it on-line & am not really sure what all can be done. Is your DD going to do the Wild Side?

 

[mickey minder]

We haven't firmed up reservations on anything yet. We will arrive the day before the cruise. I'm not sure where we will be staying yet because we don't have the flight plans. There is a new low cost carrier in our area, but we would have to fly down on Friday. There is some rumor of a sort of price war with the airlines that serve the Charleston airport. We want to go to NASA one day and I would like to stay at AKL for one night. I don't know if we will end up having the extra days before or after the cruise. We aren't looking at any excusions in Nassau, probably just get off the ship, go to the straw market and shop around briefly. I love it when the ship is empty. We are considering the fishing excursion at CC. DD won't be doing the slide. She's not the athletic sort and we're not in to cool weather. Our two cruises were also in January and we would not go anywhere near the water, too cold for our taste. I would like to do the galley tour this time and maybe spend some time in the clubs, we've never really done that before. Chocolate souffle is my favorite food in the world. I am on a restricted diet and the one thing I can enjoy is chocolate. On our last trip, there just didn't seem to be much on the menu I could eat, so the server went to Palo and brought me souffle every night. One night he brought me three (and some for DH and DD too - I didn't eat theirs) and yes, I am proud to say I made an entire meal out of it. What excursions have you guys planned? Have you been to Nassua before? I agree - not happy about spending the money, but it has been a long road to get to this vacation.

 

[mickey minder]

Ok, the strangest thing happened today. My husband's company had some kind of sales incentive contest thingy AND HE WON! Thirty salespeople and a guest get an all expense paid 8 day cruise on Carnival. The cruise leaves on Oct 22 from Miami. We are out of here Too bad we just paid the January cruise off and the deposits on the suites are not refundable, so I guess we still have to go cruising again in a few months. I am soooo excited.

 

[GrandFloridian4]

.....so I guess we still have to go cruising again in a few months.

Oh, yes! Too bad! I feel SO sorry for you that you have to cruise TWICE in such a short time.

Is it just you & your husband, then? That'll be cool to have an "alone cruise" & then one with your daughter a few months later.

Anyway, congratulations to you & you DH. I'll respond to your other post tomorrow. I was just checking mail on my son's computer & he's ready to get back on.

 

[mickey minder]

We'll find out about the final details today. If our daughter can't go, we won't go. We both work very long hours. I haven't had a day off in over a year - the joys of being self employed. We decided that it would not be fair to take more time away from her. We should hear this morning from the company person who is arranging the trip. If we go, there are only 16 days left. Fortunately, we have cruised before and have the luggage, tux, passports, medical documentation, cruise attire, etc. We could throw things together pretty quickly. Can't recall if I asked before. What night to you suggest Palo?

 

[GrandFloridian4]

Well, I think we're going to do Palo's on our anniversary - the 24th - but I haven't made the final decision on that yet, because that is the day at sea & so it is the brunch day, which we are also doing, & I don't know if I want to be that stuffed. We did them both the same day last cruise & , I could've exploded! I guess we have to make up our minds soon, though, huh?! We're leaving for WDW right now & I'm going to discuss it with my DH.

I wanted to answer your other questions, but I'm running late & so, I'll do it tomorrow morning. Have a good night.

 

[GrandFloridian4]

My DH & I love going to EPCOT for the Eat To The Beat Concerts (& the Flower Power ones in the Spring). Our DS likes going to some of them, also.

Nassau -- yes, we got off & did something there last cruise. Normally, we choose to stay on the ship & enjoy the calmness, but last time my mom was with us & wanted to go to Atlantis, so we appeased her & we ended up having a wonderful time. We got a place at the Comfort Inn & walked over to Atlantis. She gambled, my DH & DS went on the water slides & then we all enjoyed the aquarium & the pool. We never went on the beach, but it looked great.

This time, I don't think my older son & I will get off the ship (he can't be in the sun that much & we're at CC the next day), but my DH & younger DS may do the Catamaran Sail & Snorkel.

CC -- My younger DS doesn't want to do any of the excursions on CC this time - not even Wild Side, so I guess he'll just wait for the rest of us to finish the Walking & Kayaking Tour. He'll probably hook up with friends while we're doing the tour. We usually all snorkel together at some point.

What have you found out about your other cruise? Can your daughter go, also?

I'm going to get on the DCL website & check out about making the reser. tonight. What do you know about booking & the easiest way to start? I registered all of us & saved excurs. (except Palo, of course, since you can't) on our Wish List. Next what? Because it's our anniversary & we want to go to dinner first with our kids at the main seating & then skip out early & do catch the show that evening & do Palo (not a lot to ask for, huh?!) - I want to make sure that we get the exact dining time at Palo that we're looking for, so I hope I do it correctly when it comes time to.

 

[GrandFloridian4]

BTW ~ How do you sign up for the Galley Tour & does it cost $$?

Ready to get up at 2:45 am?