10/15/2011 - Taking the West by Magic!

[ivet]

We did a double-dip (2 stops at Castaway Cay) in October of 2009 and never had any issues with Sea Lice. Did snorkeling and hanging out on the beach and in the water both times. I know it's happened, but the times I've been there it hasn't been a problem.

Just for those who are curious, Sea Lice are larval jellyfish that can cause a rash on people when they get into swim suits. There is a creme that you can buy that is supposed to keep them from stinging you, but I've never bought it, we just usually shower off as soon as we get back on the ship because of dinner and don't have an issue. Now, getting sand out of swim suits, that's a whole other problem!

Yup I'm with Jennifer on this one too. I didnt hear anyone on our cruises talk or get the Sea lice.

 

[ivet]

OK, while I was baking for the cub scout BBQ, I updated the first post with the meet information, as well as the listing of who wants to join in the wristbands for the cruise. If I missed anyone, let me know. Also, if anyone wants to do the wristbands (place the order and hand them out at the meet then get the money for them) feel free, I'll be happy just to keep the list! Off to slice some raspberry bars...

thanks for keeping us straight!! ooooooo baking and raspberry bars - yum

 

[ivet]

I don't think online check-in is ready for us yet. I have heard that it is not available sometimes right away (at midnight).

We got all of our excursions and spa appointments taken care of! I couldn't get Palo dinner for our anniversary, but the day after is close enough I was hoping to get a Palo brunch too, but that might have been gilding the lily, LOL. I hope everyone got what they were hoping for, too!

Palo brunch was not available so we got dinner on the Key West night. Perfect! I also hit Flounder's for our daughter to use during the week. It was wide open. I booked some 7pm times for her so I'm hoping that we can get done with dinner in enough time to get her there by 7pm.

PS)- I PM'd our email address. Also, go ahead and put us down for 2 more bracelets for the Kebedes. Thank you!

Well here's hoping that we get our brunch meet so everyone can join us

 

[ivet]

On-line check in is now open (probably opened at 3:00 AM), for any of you nuts who are up this late/early.

And maps to the meet...

Wooohooo GREAT job as always!!!!

 

[ivet]

Whoooo! Just booked our Palo dinner. Tuesday (Grand Caymen day) at 6:30pm. Can't wait for DF to wake up tomorrow and see the text confirming our spot. He's been looking forward to Palo for awhile now.

YAY!!!!! oh and I just looked at your siggie - YOU have 33days until your wedding!!!!!!!! That is sooooo exciting

 

[ivet]

Yep, today's the last day, barring any additions this afternoon, we're sitting at 15 cabins, with 29 adults and 19 children, 10 boys and 9 girls. The ages break down from 13 to 18mos.

You can send me over your cabin numbers and e-mails whenever you're ready, just PM it to me. I'm missing information for you tink, Atheneze, bunny, and e-mail address for Lysand, TheBrowns and becker5. I also need an e-mail for Joyjanet so I can send out the spreadsheet. I've put GTY for my stateroom since I don't have it yet. If anyone else is GTY, they usually don't assign staterooms until about 45 - 30 days out so we'll update as we get them.

Also, if anyone is planning on trying for an upgrade at the port, let me know and we'll figure out how to handle stateroom number changes. I've got a whiteboard that I'm going to bring along, or, once we get staterooms then we can use the wavephones to text any changes. We sure do think alike

Ivet, between the two of us, we can get the maps of the decks marked before the cruise and e-mailed out too. I'm thinking I'm going to mail my FE gifts down to save on luggage space, I haven't done this before, but lots of folks have.

Thats a plan!! that would work for the FE gifts but you can mail them down to me if you needed a back up plan and I can bring the box over to you when you flew in.

 

[ivet]

ahahaha ha ha SORRY I just had a lot to say

 

[Onkel Hans]

Yup I'm with Jennifer on this one too. I didn't hear anyone on our cruises talk or get the Sea lice.

I had run across the topic of sea lice/sea bather's eruption whilst compiling my packing list. I think we are especially unlikely to encounter these little buggers since they seem to be more of a problem in the spring and early summer, according to Divers Alert Network.

I think DCF mentioned the lotion they have available to counteract the stings, we are probably just going to bring the aftercare ointment just in case. Probably an overabundance of caution, but jelly stings look terribly painful!

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

I had run across the topic of sea lice/sea bather's eruption whilst compiling my packing list. I think we are especially unlikely to encounter these little buggers since they seem to be more of a problem in the spring and early summer, according to Divers Alert Network.

I think DCF mentioned the lotion they have available to counteract the stings, we are probably just going to bring the aftercare ointment just in case. Probably an overabundance of caution, but jelly stings look terribly painful!

They are, and I don't want to have to pee on anyone! Yes, the ammonia I guess actually does counteract the jellyfish venom. My mom's a docent at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, so I got the whole lecture on the definition of poisonous vs. venomous, since jellyfish inject the toxin into you, they're venomous rather than poisonous. OK, moving on...

I haven't ever seen jellyfish in the swim area, but there's always a first time!

 

[The Browns]

That reminds me of that episode of "Friends"!! Yeah, I'm just concerned about my little kiddos. Not fun. I was planning to bring baby powder to help get sand off but now I'm thinking I may talk to Jim about getting some of the Safe Sea or whatever it's called. Like Onkel Hans said, I'd rather be overly cautious than to find out what it feels like to be stung. OUCH!

 

[ivet]

I had run across the topic of sea lice/sea bather's eruption whilst compiling my packing list. I think we are especially unlikely to encounter these little buggers since they seem to be more of a problem in the spring and early summer, according to Divers Alert Network.

I think DCF mentioned the lotion they have available to counteract the stings, we are probably just going to bring the aftercare ointment just in case. Probably an overabundance of caution, but jelly stings look terribly painful!

We hear a lot about these at Daytona beach, during those times. Our cruises have always been in Oct so they are on to something.

 

[ivet]

They are, and I don't want to have to pee on anyone! Yes, the ammonia I guess actually does counteract the jellyfish venom. My mom's a docent at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, so I got the whole lecture on the definition of poisonous vs. venomous, since jellyfish inject the toxin into you, they're venomous rather than poisonous. OK, moving on...

I haven't ever seen jellyfish in the swim area, but there's always a first time!

and your DD would have some story tell at home - "DAaaad, do you know what Mom did!"

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

and your DD would have some story tell at home - "DAaaad, do you know what Mom did!"

You guys would totally know her for the whole rest of the cruise (OK, 1 day) she'd be the one roaming the boat laughing hysterically occassionally muttering "And she pee'd on them!!!!!!" while falling down and rolling around!

 

[bunny]

Please remove me from your FE group. Unfortunately we had to cancel this cruise. My son switched schools and he no longer has fall break. The good news is we were able to switch our cruise to a Thanksgiving one. I am sorry I won't be able to sail with you. Have a great cruise!

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

Please remove me from your FE group. Unfortunately we had to cancel this cruise. My son switched schools and he no longer has fall break. The good news is we were able to switch our cruise to a Thanksgiving one. I am sorry I won't be able to sail with you. Have a great cruise!

I'm sorry to hear you had to cancel, but have a great time on the Thanksgiving cruise!

 

[ivet]

Please remove me from your FE group. Unfortunately we had to cancel this cruise. My son switched schools and he no longer has fall break. The good news is we were able to switch our cruise to a Thanksgiving one. I am sorry I won't be able to sail with you. Have a great cruise!

Awwwww but you're still going; just a little later

 

[momtylerashley]

I would like to get some ideas on how to break the news to my kids that we are going on our first Disney Cruise!

Ashley, 8 has been begging to go for a several years (she will pass out when we tell her). My son Tyler, 15 is not much of a beach person, but I know he is going to love the kayaking and snorkeling.

Anyway, I am having such a hard time keeping it from them, but I know I can't wait to see their faces when we tell them we are going.

So, all you FE friends out there...if you have any great ideas...bring them on!

Thanks...I can't wait....I'm so ready to go. My husband has been working like crazy for the past 5 months and now he is gone for 3 weeks to AZ. I'll be so glad when there will be NO work, NO laptop, NO cellphones on the ship and I'll have him all to myself!

Anyway...can't wait to meet all of you...so excited.

Renee

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

I would like to get some ideas on how to break the news to my kids that we are going on our first Disney Cruise!

Ashley, 8 has been begging to go for a several years (she will pass out when we tell her). My son Tyler, 15 is not much of a beach person, but I know he is going to love the kayaking and snorkeling.

Anyway, I am having such a hard time keeping it from them, but I know I can't wait to see their faces when we tell them we are going.

So, all you FE friends out there...if you have any great ideas...bring them on!

Thanks...I can't wait....I'm so ready to go. My husband has been working like crazy for the past 5 months and now he is gone for 3 weeks to AZ. I'll be so glad when there will be NO work, NO laptop, NO cellphones on the ship and I'll have him all to myself!

Anyway...can't wait to meet all of you...so excited.

Renee

I've heard of folks doing a treasure hunt, giving a special present (early birthday maybe at a family dinner/party?), but the cutest thing I ever saw, was when I was at the airport going out of town. I had parked, and across the way there was a family with 2 small kids getting out of their car. The kids kept talking to dad asking where they were going, dad kept saying he wasn't going to tell them until he got the bags out of the car. He got the bags out, looked at the kids and asked if they REALLY wanted to know where they were going, of course they're shouting like crazy YES!!! So he paused (for effect, I was totally captivated) and then announced that they were going to Disneyworld!!!!! Kids screamed and jumped up and down, I got teary (I was on my way too, but Scott and the kids were already down there so I was flying by myself) because it was such an awesome family moment. That was my favorite.

 

[The Browns]

My friend's kids, like yours, had been begging for a year after one of the older daughter's friends got to go on one. It was kind of like one of the disney commercial moments. She said that they were not going to tell the kids (at the time 7 and 2). Literally, they woke the kids up early to head to the airport, had the entire family's luggage packed, etc and told them they were going on a trip but waited til they got to the ship's port to tell them. She said it was a classic kodak/kleenex moment.

We told our son (5yrs) and it's been kind of good leverage to keep him being good. We told him Mickey doesn't let naughty boys on his boat HAHA! Our friend's daughter (7yrs) was suspicious of all the secret talk every time her mom and I were together. So, my friends had to break down and tell her kids they were going with us. She said they were SO excited, too.

 

[TartanTinker]

I would like to get some ideas on how to break the news to my kids that we are going on our first Disney Cruise!

Ashley, 8 has been begging to go for a several years (she will pass out when we tell her). My son Tyler, 15 is not much of a beach person, but I know he is going to love the kayaking and snorkeling.

Anyway, I am having such a hard time keeping it from them, but I know I can't wait to see their faces when we tell them we are going.

So, all you FE friends out there...if you have any great ideas...bring them on!

Thanks...I can't wait....I'm so ready to go. My husband has been working like crazy for the past 5 months and now he is gone for 3 weeks to AZ. I'll be so glad when there will be NO work, NO laptop, NO cellphones on the ship and I'll have him all to myself!

Anyway...can't wait to meet all of you...so excited.

Renee

It's great that you have kept the surprise from them I would wait until you are on your way to the port and they have there first glimps of the ship. I won't forget the first time that we seen the wonder our girls were amazed but we had to tell them before hand that they were going on the cruise as my middle dd had a fear of boats but luckily she left her fear in the wonder and she is so looking forward to this trip.
Same here dh has been busy Working all summer and on top of everything we are moving house in two weeks so it's been a little crazy can't wait until the 30th September and we will be on vacation for 3 weeks