11/22/08 Thanksgiving 2008 cruise thread. Double Dipping Travelling Turkeys!

[Suzy Mouse]

Had to take this post as it's #1121, my dd's birthdate. Don't now why I saw it.

I, too, have seen the spectrum from shorts to tuxes on formal night. We enjoy dressing up and having the opportunity to have a nice family portrait done. I'm sure you can get away with slacks, nice t-shirt and sports jacket. My Dh has a tux and he's worn it on the cruise. Paid enough for it..might as well get use out of it!!

Now here's another question for all of you. As you can see my dd's birthday is 11/21. We are flying down on her birthday and she is excited beyond words. My dh will be celebrating his birthday while on the ship as well...11/26. Is anyone else celebrating something while they're onboard?

Last time we were on the ship my dh celebrated his 40th birthday. I bought a wide matte for a picture, brought it down to guest services and asked that the characters sign in. Then when we were at the pool Minnie happened to have been passing by. I got hubby to pose with Minnie (both in their bathing suits) and took their picture. When I got home I put it all together and gave it to him on his birthday. I love how it came out.

Another tip...and great souvenier...I brought 4 pillow cases and left them at guest services for the characters to sign. When we came home my children were sad being off the ship so I gave them their pillow cases. Sure made coming home a little bit easier. The other set was for my niece and nephew. THey loved them!! Anyone else have some tips??

 

[seadooken]

We did the pillow case thing on our last cruise. My DD still loves it. I think this time around, I'll have a photo mat signed.

 

[lexandme]

Thanks to everyone for the info about formal night. He's feeling better about it now that he knows he doesn't have to wear a suit!
We will be celebrating my DH belated birthday (11/16) and our DCL vow renewal anniversary (11/27).
I love the idea of having photo mats autographed. I will be sure to bring one with me!
Last trip with friends we completed a questionnaire (who is your favorite character, Disney movie, song, ride, hobby, etc.) and put all of the forms into a bag and each person drew one out. You were then that person's secret Mickey. We sent cards, gifts to each other until we sailed. We identified ourselves on our last day. It was a lot of fun. The grown ups had a Mickey beanie baby that was sent around with a poem attached. The next person had to add to the poem. Whoever had the Mickey when we sailed had to buy a drink for all of the grownups. The poem had to remain "clean". We met at one of our homes once a month for a "Planning Party". Dinners were from recipes from Disney World. Kungaloosh night was especially relaxed! The kids completed crafts consisting of Disney savings banks, making journals for the trip, making dry erase boards for the cabin doors, etc. It kept us all very excited!

 

[Zandy595]

Thank you everyone for the warm wishes! Brian is feeling a lot better today. He didn't stay down like the doctor told him to though --he's out on the combine today! I told him he had better hope the doctor on Monday doesn't have to try to reset it. He doesn't really listen to me on things like this though. He says he's got things to do.

I think I read in an earlier post that it's only about 140 days until we cruise! That sounds so much better than 4 months and something! I am glad that Brian will be totally healed by then and that this injury won't affect our trip. Have a great weekend!

Susan

Susan ~ I'm so sorry Brian broke his collar bone. He sounds like my DH, not listening to the doctor. I hope he heals quickly. My mom (nurse) was just saying yesterday that anyone who breaks a bone should take vitamin C because it produces collagen, which helps heal bones.



We got a "My Cruise Travel Kit" in the mail today. I don't remember getting anything like this before our last cruise. It makes the cruise seem a lot closer now.

 

[disneylover5]

Here's a question for all of you experienced cruisers. When I told my DH about formal dinner attire for one of the meals he was not pleased! Our friends that are cruising with us have done formal night and he rented a tux and she wore a formal dress. My question is; what is the least formal he can get away with? He does not want to rent a tux nor does he want to pack a suit. He's willing to bring nice slacks and a shirt. Will that be ok or should we plan on ordering room service for him that night?! He said "It's my vacation. I wasn't planning on wearing anything but shorts and a t-shirt!"

I agree with your husband. I do not want to wear anything except shorts and a tee shirt. My DS18 and I just did the Westbound repo....we had two formal nights and 1 semi. We did not dress up at all. Daniel wore a pair of khakis and a button down shirt to all three and Palo.

Noone cares how dressed up you are....just do what is right for your family and love being together!! That is all that matters!!!

 

[disneylover5]

I just looked at disneycruise.com and there is only a CAT 5 and 6 available for our cruise. Must be pretty sold out!! We have a CAT 7 for DH, me DD14 and DD12. We booked the very first day the cruise was opened for booking and we paid $6,726. The only thing I can compare this to is the CAT 6 now available.....which is $9,822....Thanksgiving week is expensive....but I am so glad we are going this week!!

I have a CAT 9 I am going to need to cancel, I am pretty sure. I booked it for my mom, but her health does not look like it is going to allow her to go. She is getting close to 90 and I think cruising will not work for her any more....makes me so sad. So if anyone needs a CAT 9 PM me!

 

[disneylover5]

Just for fun, here is our post count!!

love2travel 147
disneypoor 120
tjeagle 94
GotDisney? 85
dutch_girl_scout 76
Suzy Mouse 68
cjckclan 62
Zandy595 56
Mean Queen 48
AF5FAM 32
zakatak 31
seadooken 24
disneylover5 23
pixidustmom 21
griswalds 17
jsfein 16
cheysdad 15
DisVillainFan 13
rlcook 13
meegster 12
lexandme 12
MomToSupers 10
GreenTad 10
alwayslisad 8
samkj 7
PrincessFAN2006 7
VAgal76 7
mommykeg 6
J&ADisneyMom 5
Practicallyperfect 5
IrishCowboy 5
grlzmom 4
suzynuprin 4
DIS NURSE 4
DisneyZell 4
MomToDisneyKids 3
jeast 3
LAMPSKIES 3
hmansure 3
Tinkermommy 3
Mickeyhugger 2
Sweet Pea 2
pershing 2
TwinkieFan 2
dreamsdocometrue2 2
Buckeye Gal 2
IRIE 2
tinkattitude! 2
riggins 2
MaryKatesMom 2
SFed 1
PoohLovesYou 1
mattsmom01 1
VBSunGoddess 1
judynpa 1
wifeofgrumpy 1
ICEMANPAD 1
darkprincess 1
Faniki 1
smeecanada 1
odhrty 1
macassi 1
bingbing_3 1
scoutsmom99 1
Happy4Disney 1
Tinkerbell 99 Mom 1
dreaming in MI 1
ColoradoMom!! 1
Pixie Dust for Me! 1
Sinderelli 1

 

[pixidustmom]

See, and no one believed me when I said I am computer challenged! I will go back and see if I have it turned on in my options. My son (Ian) asked me this morning if I had heard anything about IM and meeting people his age before the trip. If I can't figure it out I will post my e-mail.

I purchased Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party tickets on Monday. It's official, we'll spend the night before the cruise at the MK.

I went to the Disney Store this afternoon and have already begun to purchase things for the grab bag/fish extender! I am having a difficult time waiting for this trip!

I do know how you feel. I have been buying and putting things in my Disney drawer. Or at least that's it's new name.

Oh and the coin jar is getting full and lots of silver is in it

Thank you everyone for the warm wishes! Brian is feeling a lot better today. He didn't stay down like the doctor told him to though --he's out on the combine today! I told him he had better hope the doctor on Monday doesn't have to try to reset it. He doesn't really listen to me on things like this though. He says he's got things to do.

I think I read in an earlier post that it's only about 140 days until we cruise! That sounds so much better than 4 months and something! I am glad that Brian will be totally healed by then and that this injury won't affect our trip. Have a great weekend!

Susan

So glad to hear he is like my DH never sits still and never listens to the doctors.

Had to take this post as it's #1121, my dd's birthdate. Don't now why I saw it.

This is my DH's Bday too. I feel bad I will be on the plane while he stays behind. But I'll make it up to him

Just for fun, here is our post count!!

love2travel 147
disneypoor 120
tjeagle 94
GotDisney? 85
dutch_girl_scout 76
Suzy Mouse 68
cjckclan 62
Zandy595 56
Mean Queen 48
AF5FAM 32
zakatak 31
seadooken 24
disneylover5 23
pixidustmom 21
griswalds 17
jsfein 16
cheysdad 15
DisVillainFan 13
rlcook 13
meegster 12
lexandme 12
MomToSupers 10
GreenTad 10
alwayslisad 8
samkj 7
PrincessFAN2006 7
VAgal76 7
mommykeg 6
J&ADisneyMom 5
Practicallyperfect 5
IrishCowboy 5
grlzmom 4
suzynuprin 4
DIS NURSE 4
DisneyZell 4
MomToDisneyKids 3
jeast 3
LAMPSKIES 3
hmansure 3
Tinkermommy 3
Mickeyhugger 2
Sweet Pea 2
pershing 2
TwinkieFan 2
dreamsdocometrue2 2
Buckeye Gal 2
IRIE 2
tinkattitude! 2
riggins 2
MaryKatesMom 2
SFed 1
PoohLovesYou 1
mattsmom01 1
VBSunGoddess 1
judynpa 1
wifeofgrumpy 1
ICEMANPAD 1
darkprincess 1
Faniki 1
smeecanada 1
odhrty 1
macassi 1
bingbing_3 1
scoutsmom99 1
Happy4Disney 1
Tinkerbell 99 Mom 1
dreaming in MI 1
ColoradoMom!! 1
Pixie Dust for Me! 1
Sinderelli 1

Well thank goodness I am not at the bottom But I want to find a way to the top. I guess if I keep doing this I'll get there

 

[lexandme]

Pixidustmom - Do you start buying and packing way ahead of time too? I have a suitcase I keep "Disney clothes" in! I have been buying things 2 sizes smaller than I am now wearing. I've been on Weight Watchers since February 11th and have lost 35 lbs. so far. I decided I really wanted to do the Dolphin Swim in Cozumel and I don't want to be mistaken for a whale! My Dr. has lowered my blood pressure medicine and thinks he may discontinue it soon all due to weight loss! And my knees feel so much better also. I have been walking longer, less winded. My walking buddy - my golden retriever Lexington (hence the name Lexandme) tore ligaments in his left rear leg and can't walk until he heals so I have been going solo. But I'm determined to do this! I bought a blouse and t-shirt at the Disney Store the other day and I will fit into them by November!!! I dream in chocolate.

We booked last October, cat 11, room 7629, DH (Tim) DW (Judy) DS (Ian,age 15) $3,773.83. I would love to do a deluxe verandah but it would kill our savings for any trip the following year. So we suck it up down in the cheap seats! Maybe someone will let me look through their door and out through their verandah this trip! And the cost of airfare, especially at Thanksgiving time is making me cry.

 

[disneylover5]

Pixidustmom - Do you start buying and packing way ahead of time too? I have a suitcase I keep "Disney clothes" in! I have been buying things 2 sizes smaller than I am now wearing. I've been on Weight Watchers since February 11th and have lost 35 lbs. so far. I decided I really wanted to do the Dolphin Swim in Cozumel and I don't want to be mistaken for a whale! My Dr. has lowered my blood pressure medicine and thinks he may discontinue it soon all due to weight loss! And my knees feel so much better also. I have been walking longer, less winded. My walking buddy - my golden retriever Lexington (hence the name Lexandme) tore ligaments in his left rear leg and can't walk until he heals so I have been going solo. But I'm determined to do this! I bought a blouse and t-shirt at the Disney Store the other day and I will fit into them by November!!! I dream in chocolate.

We booked last October, cat 11, room 7629, DH (Tim) DW (Judy) DS (Ian,age 15) $3,773.83. I would love to do a deluxe verandah but it would kill our savings for any trip the following year. So we suck it up down in the cheap seats! Maybe someone will let me look through their door and out through their verandah this trip! And the cost of airfare, especially at Thanksgiving time is making me cry.

We bought airfare from DC to Orlando and then From LA back to DC for the Westbound repo and it was $239 round trip!!

Now if we were to buy airfare for this trip it would be that much one way!!

We are driving.....we figure it will cost $400 in gas at $4 per gallon...for 7 of us in a Suburban. That is less than $100 per person!!

 

[disneypoor]

I just looked at disneycruise.com and there is only a CAT 5 and 6 available for our cruise. Must be pretty sold out!! We have a CAT 7 for DH, me DD14 and DD12. We booked the very first day the cruise was opened for booking and we paid $6,726. The only thing I can compare this to is the CAT 6 now available.....which is $9,822....Thanksgiving week is expensive....but I am so glad we are going this week!!

I have a CAT 9 I am going to need to cancel, I am pretty sure. I booked it for my mom, but her health does not look like it is going to allow her to go. She is getting close to 90 and I think cruising will not work for her any more....makes me so sad. So if anyone needs a CAT 9 PM me!

Hi! For some odd reason, the system wouldn't let me PM you. My sister and her husband and kids would LOVE to go, but they cannot afford the categories that have been available online for some time now. I wonder what a cat. 9 would cost? I keep telling her we'll watch because as the 75 day mark gets here, I'm sure people will cancel. I'd love to know what it would cost her for your cat. 6, but I'm guessing Disney probably wouldn't even let us switch.?? Let me know what you think.

 

[love2travel]

Just for fun, here is our post count!!

love2travel 147
disneypoor 120
tjeagle 94
GotDisney? 85
dutch_girl_scout 76
Suzy Mouse 68
cjckclan 62
Zandy595 56
Mean Queen 48
AF5FAM 32
zakatak 31
seadooken 24
disneylover5 23
pixidustmom 21
griswalds 17
jsfein 16
cheysdad 15
DisVillainFan 13
rlcook 13
meegster 12
lexandme 12
MomToSupers 10
GreenTad 10
alwayslisad 8
samkj 7
PrincessFAN2006 7
VAgal76 7
mommykeg 6
J&ADisneyMom 5
Practicallyperfect 5
IrishCowboy 5
grlzmom 4
suzynuprin 4
DIS NURSE 4
DisneyZell 4
MomToDisneyKids 3
jeast 3
LAMPSKIES 3
hmansure 3
Tinkermommy 3
Mickeyhugger 2
Sweet Pea 2
pershing 2
TwinkieFan 2
dreamsdocometrue2 2
Buckeye Gal 2
IRIE 2
tinkattitude! 2
riggins 2
MaryKatesMom 2
SFed 1
PoohLovesYou 1
mattsmom01 1
VBSunGoddess 1
judynpa 1
wifeofgrumpy 1
ICEMANPAD 1
darkprincess 1
Faniki 1
smeecanada 1
odhrty 1
macassi 1
bingbing_3 1
scoutsmom99 1
Happy4Disney 1
Tinkerbell 99 Mom 1
dreaming in MI 1
ColoradoMom!! 1
Pixie Dust for Me! 1
Sinderelli 1

Do I get a prize for having the most posts????

 

[MomToSupers]

I just looked at disneycruise.com and there is only a CAT 5 and 6 available for our cruise. Must be pretty sold out!! We have a CAT 7 for DH, me DD14 and DD12. We booked the very first day the cruise was opened for booking and we paid $6,726. The only thing I can compare this to is the CAT 6 now available.....which is $9,822....Thanksgiving week is expensive....but I am so glad we are going this week!!

I have a CAT 9 I am going to need to cancel, I am pretty sure. I booked it for my mom, but her health does not look like it is going to allow her to go. She is getting close to 90 and I think cruising will not work for her any more....makes me so sad. So if anyone needs a CAT 9 PM me!

There was an cat 11 available on Thursday, but when I went back later it was gone. We booked our two Cat 6 when we were onboard in March of 2007. We booked my parents Cat 6 Thanksgiving of 2007, their one room is close to what we're paying for our two rooms.

The post count list is fun, thanks for putting that together. I wonder if all those listed are still going.

 

[lexandme]

We bought airfare from DC to Orlando and then From LA back to DC for the Westbound repo and it was $239 round trip!!

Now if we were to buy airfare for this trip it would be that much one way!!

We are driving.....we figure it will cost $400 in gas at $4 per gallon...for 7 of us in a Suburban. That is less than $100 per person!!

I wish we had the time to drive or take Amtrak. Since my DH is a teacher he's extremely limited with days off during the school year. We always go to WDW during the hottest most crowded months. I have asked him to change professions so we have more choices but he just walks away from me!

A tradition we started a few years ago: I work as a program monitor for Allegheny County's HUD funded homeless programs. Because we always take our own toiletries with us, we save our Mickey soaps and shampoos from our trips. When we return home I go to the Dollar stores and pick up children's Disney toothbrushes, washclotes, etc. and pack them into the small Disney bags from the parks. Then I take them to the domestic violence shelters for the kids. I know they are appreciated. The shelters and homeless programs are scraping together whatever they can since the funding for human services has suffered under this administration. I don't mean to sound harsh or critical it's just what has happened. Anyway, that has become a tradition with us as well.

 

[PrincessFAN2006]

Susan

Hope your DH is feeling better and up and around soon

Kim

 

[disneypoor]

Susan

Hope your DH is feeling better and up and around soon

Kim

Thank you! He's not feeling very good today. We'll see what the doctor says tomorrow.
Susan

 

[pixidustmom]

Lexandme, Yes I do buy early on. We are doing some shopping for clothes next month. I would do it now but we are moving and I don't want to move more than one things than I need, but I do have the special things like over the door shoe holder, mini chalk boards for notes, personal items and things like that.
Good for you on loosing weight. I need to do the same thing and well I talk about it all the time, I don't do enough about it though. My walking buddie past away just after Christmas so I need a new one but again moving soon so I am waiting.
We booked at cat 12 in Sept. wanted to take a chance on getting bumped up and if not we are fine as we just do not plan to spend time in our cabin. Last time we got bumped to a cat 3 but we also started out a cat 5, But even though we had a great suit with a large veranda we didn't get much use of it. We were busy doing as much as possible
We too plan to do the Dolphin swim. So maybe we can all try for the same time?

 

[Mean Queen]

For those who have been bumped in the past, did you ask for it or just get it? After reading here that Cat 5/6's are available I am dreaming that I'll get bumped so they can sell my lower cabin for twice what I'm paying for it. I figure they'll have an easier time selling at the lower price. Or I'm hoping really hard!

 

[lexandme]

Lexandme, Yes I do buy early on. We are doing some shopping for clothes next month. I would do it now but we are moving and I don't want to move more than one things than I need, but I do have the special things like over the door shoe holder, mini chalk boards for notes, personal items and things like that.
Good for you on loosing weight. I need to do the same thing and well I talk about it all the time, I don't do enough about it though. My walking buddie past away just after Christmas so I need a new one but again moving soon so I am waiting.
We booked at cat 12 in Sept. wanted to take a chance on getting bumped up and if not we are fine as we just do not plan to spend time in our cabin. Last time we got bumped to a cat 3 but we also started out a cat 5, But even though we had a great suit with a large veranda we didn't get much use of it. We were busy doing as much as possible
We too plan to do the Dolphin swim. So maybe we can all try for the same time?

I would love to connect with you to do the dolphin swim. My DH will be off doing the "4 elements Mayan Adventure" (has to do a zip line!) and I would otherwise be on my own. Anytime is good for me since the Mayan Adventure lasts most of the day (7 hours).
How do you get bumped up to a different category? Do you ask when you check in? I kind of like the location of our cabin because it's very close to the hidden verandah on deck 7 aft. However,I am concerned about the noise of the thrusters and hopefully my DH doesn't have a problem with seasickness in the rear of the ship. I need to quit reading about these things and just let it happen!

 

[love2travel]

For those who have been bumped in the past, did you ask for it or just get it? After reading here that Cat 5/6's are available I am dreaming that I'll get bumped so they can sell my lower cabin for twice what I'm paying for it. I figure they'll have an easier time selling at the lower price. Or I'm hoping really hard!

About a week before we sailed last year, my travel agent called me and told me that she received a call from Disney. We were upgraded from a Cat. 9 to a Cat. 5. It was great and free!!! Sometimes if the ship isn't full you can pay for an upgrade at the port. I don't think there will be many upgrades available for purchase at the port, the ship will probably be full.