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

[cruisecrzy]

Stacie,

Do you guys already know your dining time? Our ressies just say late. I think I'll contact DCL and see if I can find out. I'll talk to Linda and Mark and find out if they want a specific time as well.
Judy

Typically you can only request a time and they will try to guarantee it. I do not think they will give you the exact time before hand.
However, there are not a lot of people fighting for the 8:15 adn 8:30 dining times. Call and see if they will tell you your time and if you have not then request it.

Also for all who may not know you used to be able to request a server (if you have a favorite) when you get on board. Last Oct (I think it was) they changed it and prefer you make that request prior to sailing. It was too hard to make the changes day of they said. I know we have submitted our list of favorites request.

 

[love2travel]

I have to agree with Michelle in regards to the FE gifts. We are going on a cruise to relax and have fun, don't worry over FE gifts, life is too short to worry over FE gifts. I will have extra items and believe me I don't want to bring them home, so I will be delivering all the items I bring with me. So I think everyone, even those who signed up late will be receiving FE gifts. NO WORRIES!!! Have fun people!!!!

 

[TwoByFour]

This whole FE debate is getting out of control.

Here's how I see it. Several of us on this thread have become good "friends" over the last couple of years. When the FE thing came up we wanted to do special/personalized gifts for each other. By doing a FE exchange that way there has to be a cutoff date or there would be no end to buying, making, and packaging gifts. I can understand how if you are doing candy and smaller items that the cutoff date can be closer to cruise time, you could almost still sign up at the DIS meet on the ship, that is not what the group chose to do.

I don't believe I ever said that the FE was totally closed and that nobody else could "play". I told HerQSmee a couple weeks ago the same thing that I told Michelle in the post that I reposted this morning, hang up the FE and you'll get stuff, probably not the same stuff as everyone else, but stuff none the less.

I think part of the problem comes from the way our group was made out to be unreasonable and unfair on the 2009 T-day thread. No one ever said that newcomers can't participate. In fact if you read back through this thread when Michelle (CruiseCrzy) first came on, several people said they had extras and would share.

That's my take on the whole thing. I'll add anyone's family to the list who wants to be, I'm certainly not wanting to be the FE nazi. The whole FE thing is supposed to be fun for everyone, not stressful for anyone. It just isn't worth it.

 

[love2travel]

[ The whole FE thing is supposed to be fun for everyone, not stressful for anyone. It just isn't worth it.[/QUOTE]

I TOTAL AGREE!!! We are supposed to be having fun, not being stressed!!!

 

[Mean Queen]

This whole FE debate is getting out of control.

Here's how I see it. Several of us on this thread have become good "friends" over the last couple of years. When the FE thing came up we wanted to do special/personalized gifts for each other. By doing a FE exchange that way there has to be a cutoff date or there would be no end to buying, making, and packaging gifts. I can understand how if you are doing candy and smaller items that the cutoff date can be closer to cruise time, you could almost still sign up at the DIS meet on the ship, that is not what the group chose to do.

I don't believe I ever said that the FE was totally closed and that nobody else could "play". I told HerQSmee a couple weeks ago the same thing that I told Michelle in the post that I reposted this morning, hang up the FE and you'll get stuff, probably not the same stuff as everyone else, but stuff none the less.

I think part of the problem comes from the way our group was made out to be unreasonable and unfair on the 2009 T-day thread. No one ever said that newcomers can't participate. In fact if you read back through this thread when Michelle (CruiseCrzy) first came on, several people said they had extras and would share.

That's my take on the whole thing. I'll add anyone's family to the list who wants to be, I'm certainly not wanting to be the FE nazi. The whole FE thing is supposed to be fun for everyone, not stressful for anyone. It just isn't worth it.

I think the people organizing the meets and FE's and all the other stuff have done a great job. It's never easy with a big group of people who, for all we know, only have in common that we're alive and cruising at the same time.

 

[J&ADisneyMom]

Normally, things don't bother me or I easily let things slide, but I've been thinking about this today. I just want to say that I think the problem lies in the wording of Icemanpad's posts. I don't think it was meant this way, but it made me feel like people were being reprimanded for being selfish and not wanting to include the new people. And that we were purposely slighting last minute cruisers. That is in no way accurate, and I hope that Chuck/Lisa don't truly believe that. Stacie took on the task of organizing this and we as a group decided to have a cut off day for reasons that have been stated. She had the unfortunate task of saying that we had had a cut off day. She did however say that many people had extras and would be willing to share. No one is at fault or should be made to feel bad. It is just the way everything fell into place, and I think the way it's been handled with the "unofficial list" has been great. JMO.

Personally, I have extra's... not everything, but most things. I have already packaged them up and will happily be delivering them to everyone who joined late- kids and adults. :0)

Stacie, I understand your position. I appreciate the work you have done to organize the FE and for setting up the website.

Michelle, I appreciate your post. How did your signs turn out? I started working on mine last night but haven't printed them yet.

Now, back to business. Has anyone shipped candy ahead? I read that IDS doesn't accept food, but does packaged candy count? (Not that I'm putting candy in the FE, no, no not me!!!)

I hope there are no hard feelings... I'm excited to participate in the FE and to meet many Disers as well, and I hope everyone else feels the same.

Shell

 

[lexandme]

Typically you can only request a time and they will try to guarantee it. I do not think they will give you the exact time before hand.
However, there are not a lot of people fighting for the 8:15 adn 8:30 dining times. Call and see if they will tell you your time and if you have not then request it.

Also for all who may not know you used to be able to request a server (if you have a favorite) when you get on board. Last Oct (I think it was) they changed it and prefer you make that request prior to sailing. It was too hard to make the changes day of they said. I know we have submitted our list of favorites request.

Wow Michelle, you know all the good stuff! I had no idea you could request a server. Not that I know any, but it's neat they will do that.
Got any other cool "secrets" that I should know? We cruised in 05 but we're still "virgin cruisers" and not very knowledgeable.
Judy

 

[Mean Queen]

Wow Michelle, you know all the good stuff! I had no idea you could request a server. Not that I know any, but it's neat they will do that.
Got any other cool "secrets" that I should know? We cruised in 05 but we're still "virgin cruisers" and not very knowledgeable.
Judy

That was good to know. Our friends who just got off a DCL cruise booked their favorite waiter team while on board. We've only been on the Wonder, so we don't have a Magic favorite. But it sure would be nice to cruise enough to have a favorite wait staff!

 

[TwoByFour]

Has anyone shipped candy ahead? I read that IDS doesn't accept food, but does packaged candy count? (Not that I'm putting candy in the FE, no, no not me!!!)

I've sent my FE stuff ahead of time but never dared to put the candy in. I always have visions of them rejecting my whole box, then I wouldn't have DS's diapers, wipes, pirate wear, or a multitude of other things I needed.

 

[J&ADisneyMom]

Thanks for the info Stacie. Maybe I'll ship it to the hotel instead.

Shell

 

[J&ADisneyMom]

Icemanpad, I just looked at your post on the 2009 thread, and your comments seemed rather rude. I'm sorry that you feel that we are so unfriendly, especially considering how you haven't even met us yet. I think everyone has been extremely kind and accomodating. It's too bad that you felt you had to bad mouth us to your "friends".

Shell

 

[cruisecrzy]

Do not send food of any sort of liquid...it can no longer be accepted. I have verified this with someone. I am waiting for a call back on the changes to bringing stuff on in your checked luggage. I know there have been changes in checked luggage, but I think food it still OK.

Keep in mind that I do not believe they guarantee that your box will make it to the ship. It happened to someone on I think our Halloween cruise last year. The ship left and the box never made it.

No signs yet, I was supposed to have the day off from my online job and right as I was about to work on signs I got the dreaded we need your help today call. So I spent three hours working in courses so I can start more signs tonight. I love to design scrapbook pages and signs.

Having organized prom and homecoming for more years than I want to think about and having been keeper of the list on a few sailings I know how hard and time consuming that it is. So to the people who are doing that work thank you.

Next week we have a friend coming in to stay before he rejoins the Magic so if we have any questions like the dining rotation that are still unanswered I will ask him to check on it for us.

Oh and I would like to add one more thing to what people have in common that was left out.....Love of the Mouse and enjoying relaxing family time.

We have family in town so this weekend we will be hanging out with the mouse and looking for more fun gifts.

 

[seadooken]

Icemanpad, I just looked at your post on the 2009 thread, and your comments seemed rather rude. I'm sorry that you feel that we are so unfriendly, especially considering how you haven't even met us yet. I think everyone has been extremely kind and accomodating. It's too bad that you felt you had to bad mouth us to your "friends".

Shell

OUCH, I just read that as well. I thought we all were pretty harmless and in this thing for a good time

 

[Mean Queen]

Oh and I would like to add one more thing to what people have in common that was left out.....Love of the Mouse and enjoying relaxing family time.

I knew I would leave something out. But I wasn't sure if everyone loved the Mouse. I know the DH of my friend going with us doesn't. We tell him he just doesn't believe in the magic. His wife does enough for the both of them. And he does admit Disney has some of the best customer service of any company he's ever dealt with.

 

[TwoByFour]

I knew I would leave something out. But I wasn't sure if everyone loved the Mouse. I know the DH of my friend going with us doesn't. We tell him he just doesn't believe in the magic. His wife does enough for the both of them. And he does admit Disney has some of the best customer service of any company he's ever dealt with.

Ok, I've got one. We used to have a question of the day on this thread and I think we all agreed on this at one point. Girl Scout cookies!!! My favorite are the Caramel Delights also known as Samoas.

 

[Mean Queen]

Ok, I've got one. We used to have a question of the day on this thread and I think we all agreed on this at one point. Girl Scout cookies!!! My favorite are the Caramel Delights also known as Samoas.

Ooooh! Those are my favorites too. Especially after I learned how to make my own Thin Mints at home. You just melt chocolate bark, put in a bit of peppermint extract and dip in Ritz crackers.

 

[TwoByFour]

Ooooh! Those are my favorites too. Especially after I learned how to make my own Thin Mints at home. You just melt chocolate bark, put in a bit of peppermint extract and dip in Ritz crackers.

Have you ever froze them and then smashed them and put on ice cream? YUM! Samoas are good out of the freezer too.

 

[disneypoor]

Ditto on the caramel delights.

 

[seadooken]

Now you all have figured out how to make us blow our diets!!! Somoas are the best, especially frozen!! Thin mints arew a close second.

I always feel guilty when these things are in season. I figure if you don't make eye contact with the Girl Scouts in front of Wal-Mart in the way in I am safe. I know they are trying to raise money, but its a clasic battle of fund raiser vs. my waist. I ALWAYS lose.

 

[lexandme]

Linda and I are talking to each other on the phone right now. She said someone makes Samoa ice cream.I think it's Edy's. She said Samoas are her favorites as well and didn't know any body else loved them too!
Samoas are also my favorite. Anything with coconut! Almond Joy and coconut macaroons. Yum!!
Linda said you all need to try coconut rum over ice. Why not wash down your Samoas with some rum?
And Dove bars? To die for.....
Ken, I lost my battle of the bulge a long time ago.I didn't get to the point where I had to go on this diet by denying myself these indulgences!!