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

[Mean Queen]

We dress up for pirate night also. I may need to get DD a new one, since I'm not big on my 9 year old showing off her belly. Plus, the 2 year old needs her first official pirate outfit. We're not as elaborate as you are, but we enjoy dressing up.

 

[love2travel]

We dress up for pirate night also!!!

 

[lexandme]

Wasn't it just a week or so ago that someone posted that the cruise was sold out??? I wonder how many more will cancel as we get close to the 90 day mark. I have to admit that spending this amount of money when things are getting tighter every day seems a bit irresponsible, but if we decided to cancel, we would have a teen mutiny in our house.

Just for kicks I went back to the DCL site and priced our stateroom for 2 adults and 1 child (15). It's $1,600.00 more now than when we booked last October. I'm glad we do early booking!

Don't know if we'll dress for Pirate night or not. I mentioned it to my DH tonight and he's not opposed, just confused. Doesn't know what he'd wear or where he'd get it. He always dresses up for Halloween for school and I suggested we look on the Disney Shopping website for a pirate costume for both school and the cruise. He'll wear it if I do all the work! Typical.

 

[Zandy595]

Seadooken,
Do Fl residents get big discounts on DCL?
That would be a great reason to relocate! You could cut out the airfare too!

They have FL resident discounts on 3 and 4 day cruises, certain times of the year, but they don't have many discounts on 7 days. As mentioned before, our only discount is not having to drive far to the port.

Disney is closing every club on Pleasure Island on September 27. When they changed the admission policy from hard ticket to all access with clubs requiring admission a few years back the area began to attract street parties and it became a local teen hangout. Many tourists felt uncomfortable and Disney decided to make a change. They are turning PI into another shopping area with more stores and restaurants. Personally I think it's a big mistake and they should have reinstated the hard ticket but who am I?

Does anybody out there use Passporter? I bought one and am enjoying it. But then again I enjoy anything Disney.

I bought a Passporter, but haven't looked at it in a while. I'll have to get it out and look at the excursions, now that we know we're going to Grand Cayman.

 

[rlcook]

Hi everyone. I just wanted to give a quick update on what's happening now. In my last post, I said that we had just gotten home from the hospital with Kenzie. She had a pretty good rest of her evening and night, so Bob and I went back to work yesterday. I work 7am-7pm, and he works 7am-330pm, so we both have to drive because of Kenna's daycare unless it is the weekend. Anyway, my dad called me at 4pm to say that she was having pain again, Bob picked up Kenna from the sitters and went the 3 blocks to my parents, "threw" Kenna out of the truck and headed the 40 minutes back here to the hospital. We got into the ER at 6:00 and since Bob is the ER Security Officer, it kind of has its perks. She got taken right back, an IV restarted, labs drawn and was given Phenergan and Morphine. She had a repeat kidney ultrasound, and because she had not been home much over 24 hours, she got readmitted. It was midnight before she got to her room. She passed a small piece of stone last night in the ER. This morning, she went for an x-ray and she has another one that she is passing. We are still getting IV fluids to push it out. She will have another x-ray in the morning. If she passes it, we will go home tomorrow, if not, probably Sat.

As for my migraines, I am still having the numbness and tingling in my right arm. I called the neurologists office and she said that since it isn't new that it is just a continuation of my migraine last week. YA' THINK

Sorry for my rambling, but, I am SO DONE.

Judy, nice to hear that we'll "know" someone close.

Lora

 

[lexandme]

Hi everyone. I just wanted to give a quick update on what's happening now. In my last post, I said that we had just gotten home from the hospital with Kenzie. She had a pretty good rest of her evening and night, so Bob and I went back to work yesterday. I work 7am-7pm, and he works 7am-330pm, so we both have to drive because of Kenna's daycare unless it is the weekend. Anyway, my dad called me at 4pm to say that she was having pain again, Bob picked up Kenna from the sitters and went the 3 blocks to my parents, "threw" Kenna out of the truck and headed the 40 minutes back here to the hospital. We got into the ER at 6:00 and since Bob is the ER Security Officer, it kind of has its perks. She got taken right back, an IV restarted, labs drawn and was given Phenergan and Morphine. She had a repeat kidney ultrasound, and because she had not been home much over 24 hours, she got readmitted. It was midnight before she got to her room. She passed a small piece of stone last night in the ER. This morning, she went for an x-ray and she has another one that she is passing. We are still getting IV fluids to push it out. She will have another x-ray in the morning. If she passes it, we will go home tomorrow, if not, probably Sat.

As for my migraines, I am still having the numbness and tingling in my right arm. I called the neurologists office and she said that since it isn't new that it is just a continuation of my migraine last week. YA' THINK

Sorry for my rambling, but, I am SO DONE.

Judy, nice to hear that we'll "know" someone close.

Lora

Continue to ramble if it helps. It's morning and I am hoping and praying she has passed the last stone. I talked to my mother and sister (in Erie, Pa) and they will put you and McKenzie on their prayer chain. My mother was calling my brother in Jersey and having him put you on his as well. Since he's a minister he may have some extra influence (ha.ha.) On the positive side, it's happening now and it will all be over soon. You will all be healthy and happy by November!
Keep your chin up!!

 

[Tinkermommy]

I am still kind of bummed we are not going to Costa Maya and that we have very little time in Grand Cayman.

Are you planning any excursions? Most of the ones seem to leave too early or get back too late for my piece of mind.

We will probably go to the turtle farm and then do some shopping. Does anyone else have their plan yet?

 

[love2travel]

Hi everyone. I just wanted to give a quick update on what's happening now. In my last post, I said that we had just gotten home from the hospital with Kenzie. She had a pretty good rest of her evening and night, so Bob and I went back to work yesterday. I work 7am-7pm, and he works 7am-330pm, so we both have to drive because of Kenna's daycare unless it is the weekend. Anyway, my dad called me at 4pm to say that she was having pain again, Bob picked up Kenna from the sitters and went the 3 blocks to my parents, "threw" Kenna out of the truck and headed the 40 minutes back here to the hospital. We got into the ER at 6:00 and since Bob is the ER Security Officer, it kind of has its perks. She got taken right back, an IV restarted, labs drawn and was given Phenergan and Morphine. She had a repeat kidney ultrasound, and because she had not been home much over 24 hours, she got readmitted. It was midnight before she got to her room. She passed a small piece of stone last night in the ER. This morning, she went for an x-ray and she has another one that she is passing. We are still getting IV fluids to push it out. She will have another x-ray in the morning. If she passes it, we will go home tomorrow, if not, probably Sat.

As for my migraines, I am still having the numbness and tingling in my right arm. I called the neurologists office and she said that since it isn't new that it is just a continuation of my migraine last week. YA' THINK

Sorry for my rambling, but, I am SO DONE.

Judy, nice to hear that we'll "know" someone close.

Lora

Lora, we sure hope Mackenzie feels better real soon. You all take care!

 

[lexandme]

I am still kind of bummed we are not going to Costa Maya and that we have very little time in Grand Cayman.

Are you planning any excursions? Most of the ones seem to leave too early or get back too late for my piece of mind.

We will probably go to the turtle farm and then do some shopping. Does anyone else have their plan yet?

All of our excursions are planned for Cozumel and Castaway Cay. DH will do 4 Elements with the zip line and I am planning the Dolphin swim. I'm not sure which one yet. There are 2 and one is $110.00 and the other is $160.00. The difference being you get more time in the water and actually get to do a belly tow and swim with them for $160.00. That's probably the one I'll end up doing. Any one have any experience with these tours? My DH is planning on parasailing at Castaway Cay. He did it last trip and also last year at WDW. He also wants to do the jet ski tour. I am bringing my own snorkel and mask with me so I don't have to rent one. Pretty adventurous for 2 old grandparents! (we have an 8 month old grandson). I hope we hold up ok!
We are planning on shopping in Grand Cayman. The time limit is a big factor. And the fact that we may be in the infirmary after all of this physical stuff!

A friend went to Costa Maya a few weeks ago. She said she was not impressed. She has never been to Grand Cayman so she couldn't make a comparison. From everything I have read I think I'd rather go to GC.

 

[lexandme]

Where is everyone?

 

[rlcook]

Hi everyone,

It's 10pm Saturday night and we just got Kenzie home. To no avail, she still has not passed the stone. It is still in the tube that goes from the kidney to the bladder. It hasn't moved since the IVP on Thursday. The plan is to have a followup appointment on July 31, with a repeat x-ray to see where it is. If she has another episode of pain until then, then we will re-admit her to the hospital and do surgery to laser blast it. When she heard laser, she asked what we meant, and I told her that "Dr. Chesson is going to play laser tag in her belly and the kidney stone was going to be 'it'"

I pulled a computer into her room that is for staff use only, and since I am staff, I used it. I dis'ed and we have picked our excursions. In GC--we're doing Boatswains. In cozumel, excaret eco park and one day at CC, the galss bottom boat.

I looked at the posts for Shutters and have already kind of decided on getting the largest packs of picks since we scrapbook. $450--but I am the one that is always behind the camera. That way, I'll be on the cruise too.

Have a good Sunday everyone

Lora

 

[seadooken]

Just out of curiosity, who has told their kids about the trip? We will be telling our 6 year old DD on her birthday November 5th.

 

[rlcook]

I wish I had had that will power to not tell them, but then again, I've threatened to cancel it when there are those moments that I've needed a little bribing on my side to get things to happen . Like right now the girls are fussing about going to bed--they just got up for heavens sake.

I've actually taken them with me to make the payments, they've help to pick out Sandy's magnets, and we've been getting clothes while on sale. I got them matching pirate dresses for pirate night, and I have a local seamstress making them matching Snow White and Belle dresses.

Kenna was only 18 months old when we went the first time, but apparently she remembers all of the windows from the airport and PC, because everytime we go to our hospital with her and she sees all of the windows, she says "Mickey Didney Kuze". She'll just be 3 this time.

 

[lexandme]

Our DS has been in on the planning from the beginning. But then again he's 15. If we had little ones I would wait to tell them. On one of our trips to WDW we flew with a family with 2 little girls and they surprised them as well. In fact they never told them until they got to the airport. Their excitement was priceless and the smiles on their faces were worth their weight in gold!
We received our cruise packet info and our letter from DCL about the itinerary change to G. Cayman yesterday. It was dated June 24. It seems out TA was on vacation and no one else in her office (AAA) bothered to mail it to us. I'm glad it wasn't important and time sensitive information!
Seadooken - the more I go to Boatswains website the more I am considering it. It just looks so beautiful. I wish it wasn't so expensive.
DH has decided not to do the 4 Elements tour at Cozumel. He says it takes too long (7 hours) and the only thing he is really interested in doing is the zip line. He also said he doesn't want to bicycle through farmland and learn about subsistence farming (that's part of the tour). "I don't want to learn anything. I'm on vacation".

 

[Mean Queen]

We did it! I just signed the check to pay off the cruise. It goes out in the mail tomorrow. Now we need to start picking what excursions we can do.

My DD8 does know about it but my DD2 would have no clue what we're talking about. She already says "Go to Didney" every time we are in the car for any length of time.

 

[lexandme]

We did it! I just signed the check to pay off the cruise. It goes out in the mail tomorrow. Now we need to start picking what excursions we can do.

My DD8 does know about it but my DD2 would have no clue what we're talking about. She already says "Go to Didney" every time we are in the car for any length of time.

HOORAY!!!!! HOORAY!!!!!!!!! HOORAY!!!!!!

How was the Adventurers Club?

 

[lexandme]

Anyone have the answer to these questions?
What's the average discount if you book onboard? If I book this trip can I change the date later if I need to?
I'm on the WDW/DCL website and I'm planning next year's vacation already!
Would like to combine a 5 day stay at WDW with a 3 day cruise.

 

[disneylover5]

Anyone have the answer to these questions?
What's the average discount if you book onboard? If I book this trip can I change the date later if I need to?
I'm on the WDW/DCL website and I'm planning next year's vacation already!
Would like to combine a 5 day stay at WDW with a 3 day cruise.

When you book a 7 day cruise, you get 10 percent off and $200 onboard credit. For 3 and 4 day cruises I am pretty sure there is no discount but they do give a small onboard credit.

The rules still apply (although there have been rumors that this will change) that you can switch the date and keep your discount and onboard credit. That is how we booked this cruise!
Lisa

 

[seadooken]

Lexandme, Boatswains sounds awesome. I am just a bit leary about the price and the relatively short time we will have there. I imagine, We'll get lost downtown and do some window shopping. (Are windows duty free?)

We are having a terrible time trying to keep from telling DD. We dalk in code a lot, but she is not dumn and will eventually figure it out. Sometimes I think she already knows. I am truing to get her to save her allowance for a ficticious vacation so she will have some spending money on the boat. Problem is she has no idea what she is saving for.

 

[seadooken]

Anyone have the answer to these questions?
What's the average discount if you book onboard? If I book this trip can I change the date later if I need to?
I'm on the WDW/DCL website and I'm planning next year's vacation already!
Would like to combine a 5 day stay at WDW with a 3 day cruise.

We actually booked this cruise onboard about 2 years ago. We originally booked a 3 night cruise that was scheduled for last year sometime. When we switched it to November 22, we go tthe 10% and 200OBC still. GREAT POLICY!