11/06/04 Western New and Improved Official Thread!

[bernee]

Hi All,

I totally understand "crunch" time at work. (I am in the Software biz.) We are pretty busy right now, and will be until close to cruise time. I just finished a certificate program today through University of California, San Diego (Software Project Management). Yeah! It was an intense four-month program. I celebrated with my hubby by getting a chocolate creme frapp from Starbucks. Ever since I learned they have a bunch of stuff that doesn't have coffee or tea in it, I go there all the time.

Anywho...

How is everyone doing? My latest cruise related news revolves around shopping!

This evening at Target (not a Walmart girl) I picked up a 6pk of bubbles (for the send off party), ear plugs (we are Cat. 12 unless we are blessed with an upgrade), and Target-version Dramamine (my DH gets motion sickness really easy -- can't ride Star Tours at Disneyland without getting quizzy). I am enjoying picking up things here and there. Is the planning as fun as the cruising? Now if I can just lose 27 pounds between now and cruise day...

Just wondering if there are any Scrabble players going on the cruise? I like to play for fun (into a really good word play (style) instead of keeping score). If anyone thinks they may want to meet and play during an at sea day, LMK and I will pack my travel version.

I am so excited to meet all of my "new friends" from this thread. November can't come soon enough.

Talk to you soon.
Renee

 

[sjcubedofct]

Paula has been great with planning our trips! She's really kept us on focus, has kept a great list of stuff to bring, stuff not to miss, and other information. I'm hoping that July will be the month I can really focus on all this, as that is the not as busy month in the summer. Then, Renee, I think I'll agree that planning is almost as much fun as the cruise, LOL.

Although I have to admit it was fun this past Christmas getting ziplock bags and a shoeholder for Paula as a present!

I have too many other short trips between now and then to begin packing, but I'm thinking about starting a box of cruise stuff. Paula picked up some foamy soap/anti-germ stuff already to start my box, so I've go no excuse. I've just got to print out that list, carry it with me and watch the sales.

SJ

 

[bernee]

SJ -- RE: Although I have to admit it was fun this past Christmas getting ziplock bags and a shoeholder for Paula as a present! LoL -- That reminds me, I forget to add ziplocks to my cruise stuff!

Couple things to add to the list... I posted a message on the main board asking people what one thing they wish they *had* packed. So far, items include:

* Portable, lighted alarm clock
* Aloe Vera
* Warm clothes for the theater

As a side note, I just met "Lori" on the main DIS board and have pointed her to our "cruise meet" link. Hopefully we will see her here soon.

Have a great day!
Renee

 

[scottygirl]

Renee,

Congrats on finishing your certificate program. Feels good to accomplish something like that! I would like to lose a few pounds before the cruise too. It's seems the older I get the harder it is to lose.

Sherry,

I LOVE Ziploc bags. I bring them on every trip and they always come in handy. I even pack the kids outfits (shirt, shorts, undies and socks) in the large bags for no hassle dressing. When it gets closer to vacation I put out a big suitcase on my bedroom floor and start tossing items I need in as I think about them. Tell Paula she needs to post on this thread so we get to "know" her better!!

Hope everyone has an awesome week!

 

[sjcubedofct]

Jackie, the creator of the ziplock bag had to be a woman. When I send my DS9 to cub scout camp, I pack each day's clothing in a ziplock and write the day of the week on it. Ziplock bags take away the "I can't find a clean pair of underwear" excuse, which makes for much happier counselors. I keep ziplocks in my car, too, just in case. You can never have enough ziplock bags...

The ziplock bags I gave to Paula were special- they had snowflakes on them! Yep, I love the decorated ones!

 

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

We are trying to come up with excursions while we are at port. We have rwo small daughters a 4 yer old and a 1 1/2 year old - can someone recommend the excursions that are small children friendly.

Also, has anyone come up with a meet time and place so we can chat for a few minutes???

talk to you soon.

Lisa

 

[TYTY]

Jackie,

I'm here and have been posting. I've got a lot going on and haven't been very active here lately

As we get closer and baseball season gets over (my son) I'll be able to participate more. I do check in to read everything once in a while though.

Paula

 

[scottygirl]

Paula,

Glad to hear from you. I understand about baseball season, soccer season, football season, basketball season, dance season......etc!! Those kids sure do keep us busy. I find most of my online time at work. I have a pretty laid back job when it's not busy season. DS7 is done with baseball as they don't have playoffs at his level. DH10 starts playoffs on Saturday.

I took the kids to the library yesterday and we got some books relating to our trip. Children of the Yucatan and The Islands of the Caribbean. I have to make the 2 1/2 days of school they are missing for the cruise educational.

TTFN,

Jackie

 

[sjcubedofct]

Okay, so we are now making our reservation for the hotel the night before we fly out of CT. We're going to stay at a hotel near the airport so they will shuttle us to the airport, pick us up when we return and keep our car safe in the mean time. Also, they have a pool, so we get to start our vacation as soon as we get there!

 

[lUVTOGO]

Originally posted by sjcubedofct
Okay, so we are now making our reservation for the hotel the night before we fly out of CT. We're going to stay at a hotel near the airport so they will shuttle us to the airport, pick us up when we return and keep our car safe in the mean time. Also, they have a pool, so we get to start our vacation as soon as we get there!

What hotel is that as we still haven't made any formal plans where to stay the night before? I was thinking of the Radisson, we would rent a car, drive there, turn in the car and take the shuttle over to the ship. When we get off the cruise, we don't fly home until Sunday evening(much cheaper airfare), so I have to find a place for that night also. I believe the Radisson is close to $100.00 though and we would only be there for a few hours. Too many decisions!!!

Problem #2
My neighbors are supposed to be going on the cruise also, and my neice is registered in their room, as there is only 3 of them. Now they are not sure if they are going, so I might have to switch over to a CAT 4, which at this late date is probably going to cost way to much! Or else tell her she can't go, which I know I can't do!! I am really looking forward to her first Disney Cruise!

 

[bernee]

Hi Gang!

I posted this in the other cruise area. Posting it here in case it helps anyone with their packing.

Happy Father's Day!
Renee

***
Hi All,

I have received a lot of great suggestions from all of you. As mentioned earlier, I have a "cruise" box. Because of your feedback, the box already has the following (listing here in case anyone might like to follow it):

* 2 Hand-Pressed Compression Bags (Dirty Laundry)
* 6 Pack of Amazing Bubbles (Send Off Party)
* 1 Box of 20-1 Gallon Resealable Storage Bags
* 1 Box of Ear Plugs (We are Cat. 12)
* I 5-pk of Neon Highlighters
* 1 Bottle of Aloe Vera Gel
* 2 Concentrated Fragrance Spray for Bath & Body Works (Lavender and Spiced Cider)
* 14 Roles of Film (Still Old School)
* 1 Under Water Camera Complete w/Film and Battery
* 2 Le Plume Quality Memory Book Markers in Black (For Autographs)
* 1 "Do It Yourself" Autograph Book (Archival Quality)
* 2 Pks of Disney Stickers to Decorate "Do It Yourself" Book
* Water Shoes - 1 pr ea (DH/Me)
* Nasal Decongestant - 48 Tablets (Target)
* Pepto-Bismol - 40 Caplets
* Motion Sickness Relief - 32 Tablets (Target)
* Aspirin - 300 Tablets (Target)
* Allergy Relief - 100 Coated Minitabs (Target)
* Nighttime Pain Reliever - 50 Geltabs (Target)
* Acetaminophen - 50 Geltabs (Target)
* Paul Mitchell Shampoo and Conditioner
* 1 Hair Dryer

If you are on the November 6, 2004 Western sailing, you can always borrow from the Pate Family.

Have a Happy Father's Day!
Renee

 

[bernee]

Originally posted by RIDISNEYLOVERS
We are trying to come up with excursions while we are at port. We have rwo small daughters a 4 yer old and a 1 1/2 year old - can someone recommend the excursions that are small children friendly.

Also, has anyone come up with a meet time and place so we can chat for a few minutes???

talk to you soon.

Lisa

Hi Lisa,

Don't think a meet time has been established yet. Right now, my husband and I are planning on staying on board in Key West (because it is Sunday) and Cozumel (a little too scared of Mexico). Plan on getting off in Grand Cayman and Castaway Cay. We are thinking about going to Stingray City and the Turtle place (Tortuga - Hmmm - Maybe I should put Pirates in the DVD before I go to bed). In Castaway Cay I think we will do bike riding.

If you end up staying on board in Key West and/or Mexico, you are welcome to hang out with us.

Talk to you soon.
Renee

 

[sjcubedofct]

Yep, we're staying at the Raddison. We figured since it would cost between $40-50 to leave the car somewhere else without staying overnight, plus getting up at the crack of oh my gosh to drive up there Friday morn, it's better to just stay in a hotel near the airport. (Paula convinced me of this!) We opted for the Radisson because it has a pool, and what better way to start our vacation than at a hotel with a pool? (I couldn't convince Paula to stay at the Rad, she has another local hotel she prefers, LOL)

Haven't yet started packing, but will be sure to add stuff from your list that we don't have to our list!

SJ

 

[scottygirl]

Good morning fellow cruisers,

I haven't been online since Thursday!! Busy weekend. Finished up with DH7 baseball, they had a great season, 1st place!! However, no playoffs at his level. DH10 baseball team won there 1st playoff game and will be playing again tonight, so send some pixie dust our way!

SJ,

I read your post and ILUVTOGO' s post and I think you guys are talking about two different Radisson's? You are talking about a Radisson by your home airport and ILUVTOGO is talking about the Radisson at the Port? Where are you staying on Friday night? We are at the Hyatt.

Bernee,

Thanks for the list. We will come to the Pate pharmacy when we need something!! I have been to Mexico twice and haven't once felt threatened or scared. If you stay in the tourist areas you will be fine. Maybe you should consider a DCL excursion in Cozumel. We are thinking about the Fury Catamaran Sail and Snorkle with DCL. I believe they have a DCL rep on the excursions.

RIDISNEYLOVERS,

We are looking for suggestions on where and when to meet. Someone mentioned 3:00 by Scoops, figuring that the kids could swim while the adults chatted.

lUVTOGO,

That is too bad about your niece. I hope your neighbors change their minds. If not, have you considered 2 connecting staterooms instead of a cat 4? It might be cheaper. We are in a cat 4 because DH really wanted a verandah. Two connecting Cat 10's would have been $800 less.

TTFN,

Jackie

 

[sjcubedofct]

Yes, well, some days I'm blonder than others. In FL, we're staying at the Comfort Inn Friday night.

SJ

 

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

Scottygirl - 3:00pm at scoops sounds good to me - right now anyway. That is on Saturday when we board right?

Also, the people in my family are myself (Lisa), DH (Paul), DD 4 (Savannah) and DD 1 1/2 (Alexis)!!

This is Alexis's 1st cruise - I was pregnant with her on our last cruise in November 2002 - this is Savannah's 2nd cruise and she LOVED, I mean LOVED the mickey pool - she spent so much time swimming in the ear!! - She was potty trained at the time we went but just wouldn't get out of Mickey's ear!!

We had a blast and can't wait for our first 7 day!!

 

[scottygirl]

Lisa,

Yes, Saturday.

What does everyone else think? DISmeet
3:00 by Scoop's on embarkation day? Does anyone else have any other suggestions or ideas?


By the way, I sent back our matching outfits to the Disneystore. I really wasn't happy with the quality or the fit. Everything was way too long for me. DD7 dress was too big in the body, a smaller size would have been too short. Anyway I was able to pick up some shirts for the boys and a dress for DD7 at Old Navy. We will all have coordinating but not matching tropical wear .

DS10's baseball team has made it to the semi-finals. If they win tonight they will play in the championship game on Saturday. Send some pixie dust our way!! He is really excited.

SJ,

Yes, well, some days I'm blonder than others.

I have a blonde moment for you. Look at my previous post I referred to my DS10 and DS7 as DH's. Cradle robber? Two husbands 10 and 7?

TTFN,

Jackie

 

[TYTY]

Jackie,

3:00 by Scoop's sounds good to me, but I'm always open to other suggestions/ideas. What do you think Sherry?

I received DS's shirt from the Disney Store but haven't open the package yet. I'll check it out this weekend.

DS8's team was eliminated in the 1st round of our playoff's which was really sad after having a 17-1 season record. Now were starting the All-Star's. Good luck on Saturday. Our 1st All-Star game is 7/5.

Have a great day everybody!!

Paula

 

[lUVTOGO]

3:00 by Scoops sounds good to me!! That's where I was on the last cruise drinking a Bahama Mama!!! I am going to book the Radisson by the Port for the night before! I finally made up my mind!

What's everyone doing for the 4th? I'll be working all weekend, then on the 7th it's off to Disney for a week! I haven't even started packing or thinking about packing.

Have a Good Weekend!

Maryann

:

 

[sjcubedofct]

My only concern about squeezing a meeting into Saturday is that this is my first time cruising, and I'm already feeling overwhelmed. Will having the meeting the first day on the ship, while we're still settling in a good idea or am I thinking too much? Is there time for settling in, checking out the ship with kiddos, making appropriate reservations, taking a deep breath and having a margarita on Saturday before 3p?

If you experienced cruisers say there is, then let's add it to the schedule.

Oh, do we bring kids to this? Or just those of us who live and breath cruise information on this website? LOL

SJ