11-23-2008 DCL per-Thanksgiving 3 night Wonder cruise!!

[spaddy]

Look at it this way...which will you regret more...the fact that you did it, or the fact that you will come back home and say...ughh, I really wish I did the Dolphin Encounter?

My friend that was on the cruise with me was the same way...it wasn't until we were on the boat (and had booked a different shore excursion), that she had this look on her face like, "I really want to but...it is expensive" Needless to say, for her afterward, the experience was priceless.

I have also done the Discovery Cove (SeaWorld) dolphin thing twice. It is different in the Bahamas because there isn't quite so much emphasis on conservation as there is here in the states. Both experiences were great, but there was a difference in the type of interaction. The Bahamas was a bit more lively and hands on.

Off topic...what exactly is the gift exchange/fish extender thing people are asking about?

I know what you mean. I am hoping this will not be our last trip to Nassau. I would really love to go on a 7 day cruise for our next one, but it seems like it will most likely be a 4 day. If I knew my son would like it, there is no doubt I would do it. How old do you have to be to do Discovery Cove at Seaworld?

The FE is a thing you hang on the fish outside your door. Everyone brings little gifts for each other and put something in everyone's once a day. Of course, I have never done it so I am just going on what I read.

 

[slumbergal]

My son will eat mac and cheese and rice. I figure the nice thing about being on a cruise is he can order something and we don't have to pay for it. I also like buffets with him because I can just keep bringing things back until he tries something. He eats about once every 2 days. He has also recently started eating pizza, I think they have that in the dining rooms.

I am hoping to spend sometime in the club with my son on the first night. Hopefully if I can spend a little time with him there he will enjoy it. If he can find another kid that he connects with he will be fine. If not, he will fight going in there.

My son, Grady is the EXACT same way. Maybe we can plan a meet-up so they can get to know each other. He is my only one so he doesn't have any siblings to ease him into these things. The fact that he's been there before will probably help, but someone he can cling to would be even better - for all of us!
Teresa

 

[spaddy]

My son, Grady is the EXACT same way. Maybe we can plan a meet-up so they can get to know each other. He is my only one so he doesn't have any siblings to ease him into these things. The fact that he's been there before will probably help, but someone he can cling to would be even better - for all of us!
Teresa

Is your son 6? My son is 4. Are the 4 and 6 year olds together? This is my first cruise and I don't know how it really works. Actually when I have looked at Navigators most of the 5-7 year old activities look like more of my son's thing. Making Flubber, Ratatuoille cooking school.

What time are you planning on getting there the first day? I hope to be on the boat by 1.

 

[slumbergal]

Yes, he is 6. We hope to be on by 1 as well and will go to the "open house" they have at the club that afternoon. I don't really know how strict they are about the ages/activities for the kids.

 

[pillow]

My son will eat mac and cheese and rice. I figure the nice thing about being on a cruise is he can order something and we don't have to pay for it. I also like buffets with him because I can just keep bringing things back until he tries something. He eats about once every 2 days. He has also recently started eating pizza, I think they have that in the dining rooms.

Am wishing I was more like your son!!!

Jodie

 

[slumbergal]

I know! I was looking at another thread with pictures of the food and i was just salivating! I can't wait! I will never forget the tomato, basil, mozzarella "salad" I had last year at Palo's that they made in the shape of a flower. It was so beautiful that I had to take a picture. Glad I'm not the only one who does that.

 

[TCB in FLA]

Speaking of Palo, did everyone get their ressies? DH and I are going on the third night -- can't wait!

 

[pillow]

We're actually skipping Palo this time. Since others in my family are on this trip, and since its only 3 nights, we decided to stick to the rotational restaurants so that we can all be together. Just around the corner!!

Jodie

 

[TCB in FLA]

Yes, he is 6. We hope to be on by 1 as well and will go to the "open house" they have at the club that afternoon. I don't really know how strict they are about the ages/activities for the kids.

Teresa - My DS#2 is 6 as well (and also doesn't eat except for every 3 days). He's a bit upset that he's going to be in the Club while older brother goes into the lab (and there's no way DS#1 would stay back in the club -- he's talked about wanting to go to the lab for the last year). Tyler is very social -- once he's with his friends. It would be great for him to meet someone to pal around with.

 

[spaddy]

Teresa - My DS#2 is 6 as well (and also doesn't eat except for every 3 days). He's a bit upset that he's going to be in the Club while older brother goes into the lab (and there's no way DS#1 would stay back in the club -- he's talked about wanting to go to the lab for the last year). Tyler is very social -- once he's with his friends. It would be great for him to meet someone to pal around with.

Maybe we could all meet at the pool. I was planning on getting on and having lunch then going to the pool.

 

[spaddy]

Speaking of Palo, did everyone get their ressies? DH and I are going on the third night -- can't wait!

We are going the third night too. I think we are a little bit later than you...7:30. I tried to make it a little bit later so we could either see the early show or take our son to the dining room before hand. I really don't want to miss Animator's Palate even if I don't eat anything.

 

[TCB in FLA]

We are going the third night too. I think we are a little bit later than you...7:30. I tried to make it a little bit later so we could either see the early show or take our son to the dining room before hand. I really don't want to miss Animator's Palate even if I don't eat anything.

Spaddy - Last trip we had AP on Palo's night and really wanted to have a good experience there with the show. We got a later seating at Palo and took the boys to AP for their dinner -- I think I had an iced tea and a salad -- then took the boys to the club while DH and I went to our Palo date.

(Sidenote - On our first cruise with my parents, we had a terrible time at AP. Our meal took forever to come out, then it was totally wrong (and DS#1 never got what he ordered), then they wouldn't/didn't serve our meals sitting in front of us because the servers "had" to do the show -- and then everything was cold. Left a terrible taste in our mouth. I guess my dad said something to higher powers since a manager and a Palo's waiter showed up with dessert to our room after the late show!)

 

[spaddy]

Spaddy - Last trip we had AP on Palo's night and really wanted to have a good experience there with the show. We got a later seating at Palo and took the boys to AP for their dinner -- I think I had an iced tea and a salad -- then took the boys to the club while DH and I went to our Palo date.

(Sidenote - On our first cruise with my parents, we had a terrible time at AP. Our meal took forever to come out, then it was totally wrong (and DS#1 never got what he ordered), then they wouldn't/didn't serve our meals sitting in front of us because the servers "had" to do the show -- and then everything was cold. Left a terrible taste in our mouth. I guess my dad said something to higher powers since a manager and a Palo's waiter showed up with dessert to our room after the late show!)

Hopefully it will all work out ok. If we have AP on the last night we won't make it to the regular show, but I think that is ok. I am not sure if my son will like the shows in the theather or not. I think he will, but who knows.

I feeling like I am in vacation denial. I have not prepared at all.

 

[slumbergal]

Yes! Yes! If Grady has a friend he'll be fine. Let's all meet at the pool with the slide after lunch on the first day. I assume we'll be there around 2:30 or so. I'll keep my eye out for other little non-eaters!

Teresa - My DS#2 is 6 as well (and also doesn't eat except for every 3 days). He's a bit upset that he's going to be in the Club while older brother goes into the lab (and there's no way DS#1 would stay back in the club -- he's talked about wanting to go to the lab for the last year). Tyler is very social -- once he's with his friends. It would be great for him to meet someone to pal around with.

 

[spaddy]

Yes! Yes! If Grady has a friend he'll be fine. Let's all meet at the pool with the slide after lunch on the first day. I assume we'll be there around 2:30 or so. I'll keep my eye out for other little non-eaters!

I'll be there I am sure. Of course, the weather is looking a little bit cold in Port Canaveral. I am hoping the weather pattern changes a little bit in the next week. I don't think anyone in our family will be in the pool if the high is 69.

 

[TCB in FLA]

I'm with you about the cooler weather. It better warm up (although it was in the low 80s here yesterday) next week.

That's so cool about the 3D Bolt movie announcement that was on the main cruise board. I think I'm more excited that DS#2 (home from school today with low-grade fever -- he better get well in a hurry!).

 

[skibum]

Check this out:

USA TODAY exclusive: Disney Cruise Line plans industry's first 3-D theaters

Leave it to Disney to revolutionize theater entertainment at sea.

USA TODAY has learned the entertainment giant is about to unveil the cruise industry's first 3-D theaters, to debut next Friday on the Disney Wonder and Dec. 6 on the Disney Magic.

Disney Digital 3-D, as the company is calling its proprietary technology, is being installed in two theaters on each of the 1,754-passenger vessels and will allow for the showing of the first 3-D movies at sea. But Disney has even grander plans for the technology.

RELATED ITEM: Disney Cruise Line to offer first cruises in Europe

Starting in early 2009 the company will pull off another first with the debut of a once-per-cruise theatrical extravaganza that combines 3-D movie projection with in-theatre special effects. Tridimensional images will combine with lasers, fog, streamers and lighting effects to create an immersive experience.

“With Disney Digital 3-D we can provide extraordinary cinematic experiences for our guests that no other cruise line can offer,” notes Tom McAlpin, president of Disney Cruise Line.

The 3-D theaters will be used to offer passengers exclusive viewings of first-run Disney films the same week they roll out in theaters on land. Indeed, Disney is timing next week's launch of the 3-D technology on the Wonder to coincide with the debut of its much-awaited new 3-D animated Disney film Bolt (John Travolta; Miley Cyrus).

The company plans a special midnight screening of Bolt on the Disney Wonder as the calendar turns from Nov. 20 to Nov. 21 -- the day the movie debuts in theaters on land. Characters from the movie will be in attendance.

Disney's move comes during a period of unusual innovation in cruise industry entertainment. Just this week Celebrity Cruises is unveiling the first glass-blowing shows at sea on the new Celebrity Solstice. The ship will be christened later today in Fort Lauderdale. Over the past year Royal Caribbean also has announced several groundbreaking entertainment concepts for its soon-to-launch Oasis of the Seas, including an outdoor AquaTheater for live water shows (another industry first).

The age-old tradition of watching movies at sea also has been revolutionized over the past few years by the arrival of huge outdoor movie screens on the top decks of ships. Just last week Princess Cruises, which pioneered the concept in 2004, announced it would add outdoor theaters to nearly all of its ships over the next three years due to strong demand.

The Disney theaters getting the 3-D technology on the two Disney ships are the Buena Vista Theatres (the traditional movie theaters on the two ships) and the Walt Disney Theatres (which house staged musicals and other productions).

Based in Port Canaveral, Fla., Disney's two ships sail three-, four- and seven-night itineraries to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

 

[spaddy]

I am really, really excited about this 3D thing. (I am sure much more than my son) I can't believe they are just announcing this now.

I seriously could not decided if I should just see Bolt in a theather here or watch it on the ship in non-3D. I guess I don't have to make that decision now. I was also excited when they moved up the release date so we didn't have to stay up until midnight on the last night of the cruise.

I can't believe in a week I will be at Stormalong Bay. Of course, if it is going to be cold I might be on my way to MVMCP.

Does anyone know how much it is to get into the Aquarium at Atlantis? I am thinking that we might take a taxi over there and check it out.

 

[NenaCruise]

Its been forever tha I have posted on here. I have been busy with my Doctorates but I am so lookingforward to next Sunday...woo hooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its great to read and catch up HUGS!

I also have Main dining....Anyone going to Atlantis for the slides/beach day/aquarium? I am doing this with my family.

Lets meet at the Mickey Pool at 2:30pm. Wear little Mickey faces in red. You can find them in Home Depot paint section.

 

[NenaCruise]

FishExtenders: I volunteer to organize this!
All you need is litle knicknacks to put it in the extenders for each person in the cabin like magnets, candy, disney cute things, pencils, etc,
Go to the dollar store. You have to go to each stateroom like a scavenger hunt to drop off the items in the extenders.
I just need a list of participants and their staterooms and how many adults and kids in each room.

6631--NenaCruise--> 2 A; 1 C--10yrBoy
7080 -- TCB in FLA (Tavel) --- 3A; 2C -- 8, 6 Boys