10-5-02 Magic Cruise

[ucralum]

I'm getting excited--planning to make final pmt. Friday. I get anxious to just be done with it, but if I wait 'til Fri. I won't have to pay the cc bill until September!

We arrive at the Beach Club on the 1st. Cathy from Dreams is taking care of PSs..she got Jeff on the Pirate Cruise on Oct. 3 (he LOVED it last trip.) My folks fly in on Friday the 4th, so we'll meet up with them on the Magic.

It finally seems like it's getting close!

 

[diznynut]

We will probably make our final payment next week. Decided not to make in PS's for this trip, we will just go to guest relations at the parks and see what is available. As a matter of fact, we have decided not to even plan out what day we will do each park. Formal wear is now taken care of and I am so excited about getting really dressed up for those 2 nights. There are some days I wake up and think I can't wait for vacation to be here and then I realize the quicker it is here the quicker it will be over. Can't wait 14 days of pure Disney is sure to be bliss.
Shondra

 

[abitjaded]

Shondra, you must have done some shopping! Did you get something new for formal night? We bought my husband a serious plain black suit, gold shirt and maroon tie. I made my kids vests and bow ties from pieced gold, maroon and black plaids. I have some gold silk that my Dad bought 30 years ago in Hong Kong that I will hopefully get made into a dress for me. Got my Mom a couple great outfits at Nordstrom's rack in golds and blacks. My SIL has started to shop for her formal wear, but I can see my nephew showing up in shorts and tennies . We should look like the "nitwits on vacation" as one member of our family says.

I made our park ressies based on September's schedule, hoping that hours after the cruise will be extended since it is a three day holiday .

Carla

 

[Dancind]

Well, I've been shopping. My DH now has a very spiffy Perry Ellis tux with a couple of vests, and I have a new gown. I ordered it from Stylebug on-line. It's gorgeous, but a little low-cut! Oh well, at least DH will like it! Diana

 

[diznynut]

Hi all. Yes Carla we have done some serious shopping. Trever has been on ebay and got some pretty good deals on vest and ties. I think he has purchased 4 in all and the guys in our group are planning to share the vest and rent tux's from cruise line formal. Us girls have 2 formals a piece and all we lack now is a tux for DS. We bought one in May on ebay even a size bigger, but he seems to have hit a growth spurt. We used to plan every aspect of our vacation, but now we like to just get up and decide what to do that day. The only day we really know what is planned is Friday the 4th. That will be rest day, so we won't be tired after 5 days of the parks. What dinner seating does everyone have? We have early. I sure hope they don't keep the new test times. 6PM was perfect for us. Shondra

 

[abitjaded]

We have early dinner seating. I'm out of the loop, what were the test times? Can't decide if I want to add two more dresses or just bring my standard LBD for Palo and semi-formal night, I keep cruising the stores for some kind of semi-formal dress that I could wear all my silver South-West jewelry with. I keep picturing a turquoise sheath in silk, but cannot locate one. Got a couple bathing suits at Newport News online dirt cheap, since one of the kids brought home an art project (hidden in a shorts pocket) that dyed all my suits purple. I also got a great fringed silk shawl in gold and white and a purse in white silk, better Scotch Guard these puppies before the kids get their mitts on them. Anyone ever Scotch Guarded silk before?

Carla

NEW COUNTDOWN: Retire December 20, 2002!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :

 

[diznynut]

Have you not seen the post on test dinner times? Apparently the next 4 cruises will have early seating at 5:30 and late seating at 7:45. 5:30 just seems a little early for me. I thought 6pm was wonderful. Still trying to decide what other clothes to bring. Congratulations on retiring this year Carla. I know you must be excited. I have been in nursing for 11 years now and although I love what I do retirement is only a dream for now. Can't complain though I only work 3 12hr. shifts per week. Just talking about it makes me ready for vacation.
Shondra

 

[abitjaded]

Bumping to get melcal and dvcmagic to join in.

Carla

 

[melcal308]

well add 3 more couples, 6 more kids, and 1 teenager. still lookin for more teens on this cruise. cant wait only 2 & 1/2months away.

melcal

 

[abitjaded]

Welcome melcal! I think your group doubles the number going .

Diana, I had never heard of stylebug. Cool...did you get an Escada gown reduced to $1000 from $4000???? After I graduated from college I worked briefly in a designer department of a large store (hated it, all I did was hang up clothes that people tried on then dumped in a heap, women can be such slobs). Are the clothes at stylebug sized like designer clothes? i.e. a size 8 is really a 10?

Carla

 

[Dancind]

Nope, no Escada for me! I do love those Badgley Mischka gowns, though. I bought a "Victoria" gown for less than $150. And they seem to run small, so check measurements if you go that route. Diana

 

[abitjaded]

My experience is that designer clothes don't run small, they just lie about the size. All those rich women may think they are a size 8 , but to those of us who shop at real stores, like the French chain Targhea (aka Target) they are a size 10-12

Are we enough for a DIS meet on board? Anyone have any suggestions?

Carla

 

[Dancind]

Anyone staying at the Radisson the night before? We're getting in late, but a breakfast meet would be fun. If not, how about right after the sailaway party? Diana

 

[abitjaded]

Did anyone else get a brochure about the shore excursions? We have not. We also double checked with our travel agent, she messed up our cabins, we have two near what we originally booked, but now we have two that are marked by Dave as being noisy. Not only that, but the TA did not change our insurance coverage from the third week in Oct, which we had originally booked, to this cruise, we had to straighten all that mess out! Double check your ressies, the final payment time draws nigh!

 

[ucralum]

Carla, we made our final payment on July 13. We haven't received anything from Disney re excursions, but Dreams immediately e-mailed us a form for them. Of course they can't be booked until August 6th, but I'm ready!

 

[Californiaamy]

I'm so glad to find a thread for this cruise and meet you all! We've just put down our initial payment for the 10/5/2002 eastern 7-day cruise. We are first time D-cruisers, and I've never been on one before at all. We have one child who'll be three (and potty trained!) by the time we set sail.

I have so many questions but I'll try and restrain myself...first and foremost, we want to get into the first seating (with a three year-old who can't make it to 8pm to eat -- and I've heard about the move for the 7:45 second seating but that's still pretty late) and are on the wait list. Any advice?

 

[Californiaamy]

....and....(sorry, I'm new to this posting stuff) we did get a shore excursion list in the mail, however. So they should be available. What I have had trouble getting is the brochure!

 

[diznynut]

Welcome aboard Californiaamy and welcome to the boards also. I don't know much about the excursions except they are pricey. We plan on doing the islands on our own. We also have a 3 yr old. He will be just shy of 4 when we cruise. Carla, We haven't recieved anything about cruise excursions yet either and have already made our final payment. It definitely is getting closer.
Shondra

 

[twhipple]

I have been reading this post for a long time and finally decided to join in. DH and I will be going on our first cruise with all of you. I can't wait. I have learned a lot of useful information from everyone.

 

[Twinave]

bump