10-14-2006 Cruisetoberfest IV

[Gramto3]

Welcome to the Deyos and Hieatt's.

JC Butterfly ~ Have you sailed with this group before? This is our 2d cruise, but 1st with this group. I can hardly wait to meet the people I've been chatting with.

 

[The_Deyos]

That's disappointing to hear - I thought that a cruise would be the best possible way to vacation with extended family, as everyone can go their own way. In any event, I don't plan to coordinate anything with the people in our group... seeing them at dinner is sufficient!

You have to understand the family to appreciate it. The biggest difficulty was the fact that their 3 kids were all in High School, and my only DD at the time was 2 1/2. So, when we wanted to get together to do a group thing, they were always too busy sitting on a deck chair, reading books, and getting a tan. However, we always felt that when they wanted to do something together, we were supposed to drop everything. Our DD, while being really easy going, was still 2 1/2, and so her schedule kind of ran the show. She was our primary concern, and the extended family really didn't get it.

Please don't get me wrong! We had such a great time! That's why we are going on this 7-day cruise. Just glad it's just us.

 

[The_Deyos]

First off...WELCOME!!!!
Second.... NO offense taken! Please don't feel like you have to do EVERYTHING with us. I don't intend to do everything with everyone. That said, it WILL be nice to see people I know at dinner, in the halls, at the pool, playing BINGO or singing kareoke and be able to have a converstion or cheer them on. This is our second Disney cruise and our first time with the Cruisetoberfest gang. I have not met anyone, just know them through our conversations and I can't wait to meet them in person! This is a great bunch of people!
Again....WELCOME!

Thanks for the nice welcome. And I really hope no one is offended by my comment. We are really a close family and are so busy usually that we high prize our vacation time. We certainly will be participating in activities, and it will be nice to put names with faces.

My original fear was that this DIS group would be "clique-ish" (is that a word?), and if we didn't participate in everything, we would be "thown off the island". So far I'm glad to see that my concerns are unfounded!

 

[cdnmickeylover]

Welcome to the new families!!! Sorry you're leaving Kath but have a great Christmas cruise!

Fiona

 

[padisneyfan]

Welcome to the new people.

Diana--- I have one of those pull along coolers that I received as a promotion gift from someplace. I have never used it, but your idea of using it for a carry on looks like a possible way for me to use it.

Been busy and haven't had much time to post.

Nancy

 

[padisneyfan]

Welcome to the new people.

Diana--- I have one of those pull along coolers that I received as a promotion gift from someplace. I have never used it, but your idea of using it for a carry on looks like a possible way for me to use it.

Jim--- I saw your message. Thanks for trying to fix the problem.

Been busy and haven't had much time to post.

Nancy

 

[Gramto3]

WooHoo! Received my softsided cooler on wheels today. Fast service! It really is nice and just the right size for a carry on. Now I know I am going to put my medicine bottles, cameras, bathing suit and other extras inside it. It also has a small compartment in the front that would hold snacks and two side pockets for water bottles.

I'm sure it will get plenty of use this summer also.

 

[jeanneg]

WooHoo! Received my softsided cooler on wheels today. Fast service! It really is nice and just the right size for a carry on. Now I know I am going to put my medicine bottles, cameras, bathing suit and other extras inside it. It also has a small compartment in the front that would hold snacks and two side pockets for water bottles.

I'm sure it will get plenty of use this summer also.

mine arrived yesterday also. It's very cute....definitely worth the $10....I'm just not sure I'm going to actually use it for the cruise!

 

[Gramto3]

I put the plastic easter eggs I filled for the easter hunt in the cooler for now. My DH or DS can just roll away while hiding the eggs.

 

[padisneyfan]

I put the plastic easter eggs I filled for the easter hunt in the cooler for now. My DH or DS can just roll away while hiding the eggs.

Wow, you are already thinking ahead to Easter. I'm still working on putting away all my department 56 winter houses. I'm hoping that no one wants an Easter basket this year as I don't need all that chocolate in my house.

Nancy

 

[Gramto3]

Yep, I'm on the hippity hoppity trail. I am having an egg hunt for 7 little ones. My 3 grandchildren, three great nieces (1,1,3) and one great nephew (3). Can't wait to see those excited little faces.

My family, both my sisters, their children and grandchildren will be here for Easter dinner also. Since I am a compulsive planner....things are in the works.

Besides the kids, DH and DS get a basket of goodies too. Spoiled family!!!!!!

Although we have a good time with the easter bunny, we never forget the real meaning of Easter. The celebration of our Lord rising from the grave is the first priority.

 

[Gramto3]

Speaking of planning........do you think it is too early to book the Dolphin Swim at Cozumel? Jenny wants to surprise the two oldest DGC with this.

 

[wendym]

We have the first of our Easter Assemblies at school tomorrow - but that is because Easer Vacation starts on Thursday
I don't think it is too early to book the Dolphin Swim but I would check to see if it is refundable - has the Magic started going back to Cozumel yet since the Hurricane?
Wendy

 

[ciadriamom]

Welcome to all the new families. For those of you with young daughters, I have a DD who will be 8 when we sail as well and also a 15 DD. This is our third cruise, 2nd with this "Motley Crew" of great folks.

Crummy weather here in NJ, but they keep promising that Spring is just around the corner.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and week ahead.

 

[daniellenordstrom]

My daughter (she will be 7 when we cruise), my mother and I will be cruising on the October 14th sailing. This is our first Disney Cruise. We can't wait and are already counting down the days! Any advice from our seasoned Disney Cruise travelors?

 

[Gramto3]

Thanks for the Cozumel advice Wendy. I found an 800 # for them so I am going to try calling tomorrow then follow-up that conversation with email.

Their web site states they are expecting to open again in mid June.

 

[jeanniec]

Danielle -- Welcome to our group! If you have any specific questions, you can always ask us and we will be glad to answer. If this is your first cruise, I would read the DIS general cruise board (not only cruise meets where we are). You will find lots of questions and many answers. The Passporter's Guide to the Disney Cruise Line is a great reference book (not sure if that is the exact title) will give you just about everything you want to know all in one place.

Jean

 

[daniellenordstrom]

Thank you Jean. I will try and get my hands on the book you referenced. I'm still learing how to navigate through this site but find the information extremely helpful (except for the bad DCL reviews I read yesterday...but I guess you can't please everyone all of the time). My biggest fear is that we miss something because we did not properly plan.

As I menioned earlier I will be traveling with my 7 year old daughter, does anyone have any recommendations regarding excursions to Castaway Cay, Costa Maya or Cozumel? I'm not sure what she would enjoy more an excursion or the day at the Oceaneer's Club?

 

[Laurarn]

Welcome Danielle! Count us in with another DD8 (also DD12 and DS15). This will be our 3rd DCL cruise.
We usually have the kids just enjoy the beach activities at Castaway Cay. Although DS enjoyed the teen group excursions on our last cruise. (That day always seems to go so quickly). I keep forgetting that we have two days at CC! I did have DD8 go to the club for a little while when DH and I went to visit Serenity Bay. We haven't decided on excursions for our other ports yet. The girls want to do a dolphin swim if possible. We're hoping that it will be a possibility in Cozumel if everything is up and running by then.
Jeannie made a good point, the Passporter Guide is a great book to have. I think a new updated one is being published in April.

Laura

 

[jeanneg]

We have the first of our Easter Assemblies at school tomorrow - but that is because Easer Vacation starts on Thursday
I don't think it is too early to book the Dolphin Swim but I would check to see if it is refundable - has the Magic started going back to Cozumel yet since the Hurricane?
Wendy

My daughter went to Cozumel 2 weeks ago with RCCL. She said the dock was completely destroyed and they had to tender in. Alot of the stores on the waterfront were still closed but Carlos & Charlies was open as usual (of course!)