11/28/09 - 12/5/2009 The Nana's Ride the Seas Again #5

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Well there is a semi-happy ending. We were able to get a studio (on cash) but using an annual pass discount, got a great price and the reservation agent linked them so we will not have to change rooms. If our wait list comes through, it's fully refundable. So it's a no lose situation.

Allison- we will have to think about a pre-cruise meet for a cocktail, perhaps. We are also planning to get an ADR for Thanksgiving - hopefully at Yachtsman Steak House (that's where we had T'giving dinner last year).

Glad you at least have a room on site.

Yachtsman Steak House, hmm?? I had never given them a thought. The family was thinking about O'Hana. Somehow that doesn't strike me as a Thanksgiving type of place. I'm going to have to go check out their menu and DH and DD are HUGE steak lovers!! Let's try to figure something out as we get closer. That would be great.

 

[keenercam]

I can't decide if I'm jealous of those spending Thanksgiving in Disney. We did it once and went to an absolutely AWESOME buffet at the Swan or Dolphin. There was traditional Thanksgiving fare as well as many other choices. It was a wonderful choice, in case you are looking for turkey and stuffing and the like.

We have just decided to fly in Friday night. The flights Saturday morning were $238/person and didn't get us in until about 11 a.m. The one Friday night was $99/person and the cost for our car rental was the same whether we picked up Friday night or on Saturday morning and returned it to the port before the cruise.

 

[jd99]

Glad you at least have a room on site.

Yachtsman Steak House, hmm?? I had never given them a thought. The family was thinking about O'Hana. Somehow that doesn't strike me as a Thanksgiving type of place. I'm going to have to go check out their menu and DH and DD are HUGE steak lovers!! Let's try to figure something out as we get closer. That would be great.

We did have a great dinner there last year on Thanksgiving. It was a prix fixe menu with a choice of steak or turkey or something else. While I love my thanksgiving turkey, I had a tough time making that choice over a filet (for the same price). LOL. That said, we LOVE O'Hana so now you have me thinking. Decisions. Decisions. But regardless we should be able to get together either on Thursday or Friday sometime. We'll figure something out!

 

[jd99]

Bumpity Bump. This is so not like a cruise thread that I'm used to. Hey cruisers. Come out Come out whereever you are.... Maybe the ship is going to only have a half dozen of us on it. That might be cool. But it might be boring too..

 

[jen-n-greg]

I'm here--I've been checking in every so often. I hope to be on here more as the cruise gets closer. I bought a couple shirts for the cruise today Won't be long now-- time to start my pre-cruise diet

 

[jd99]

I'm here--I've been checking in every so often. I hope to be on here more as the cruise gets closer. I bought a couple shirts for the cruise today Won't be long now-- time to start my pre-cruise diet

Hi Jen!
Is your 11 year old a boy or girl? We have a girl who will be 11 on this cruise and thus the first time in Ocean Quest..

 

[jen-n-greg]

Hi Jen!
Is your 11 year old a boy or girl? We have a girl who will be 11 on this cruise and thus the first time in Ocean Quest..

Taylor is a girl-- she actually just turned 12 last month-- forgot to update my signature

 

[jd99]

Taylor is a girl-- she actually just turned 12 last month-- forgot to update my signature

Maybe the girls can chat via email at some point before the cruise to get to know each other. My DD Elizabeth has an email address. I can PM you with it if you think it'd be a good idea too.

 

[jen-n-greg]

Maybe the girls can chat via email at some point before the cruise to get to know each other. My DD Elizabeth has an email address. I can PM you with it if you think it'd be a good idea too.

Hi-- sent you a pm with mine and my daughter's emails

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Hey everyone!

The weekend is finally here!!
No big plans but I'm definitely sleeping in one of the days.

I think I'll have DH sit down with me to finalize our plans for WDW (ADRs and what not). I don't mind playing things by ear normally but arriving on Thanksgiving day has me very frightened that we will be eating at the food court for 2 full days!!

Have a good weekend everyone!!

 

[jd99]

Hey everyone!

The weekend is finally here!!
No big plans but I'm definitely sleeping in one of the days.

I think I'll have DH sit down with me to finalize our plans for WDW (ADRs and what not). I don't mind playing things by ear normally but arriving on Thanksgiving day has me very frightened that we will be eating at the food court for 2 full days!!

Have a good weekend everyone!!

Allison - we went on Thanksgiving last year and the parks were more crowded than at Christmas or Easter. So yes, you better get some ADRs !!!!!

 

[Griffith6]

Bumpity Bump. This is so not like a cruise thread that I'm used to. Hey cruisers. Come out Come out whereever you are.... Maybe the ship is going to only have a half dozen of us on it. That might be cool. But it might be boring too..

Ok - so I have been reading threads for a few days and just signed up. This is our first cruise and I am amazed at how many people cruise again and again. We actually just booked - were planning on waiting until kids are older but decided to go for it (DD-8, DD-7, DD-4 & DS-3)!!! It seems there is quite a science to planning the cruise - I look forward to all the tips. I know we will love all the time on the ship - just trying to figure out what to do on days in port since our little ones are not old enough for some the cool trips (dolphin, etc). Any suggestions are appreciated - thinking stay on ship in Key West and try a beach at GC or Coz? We live in southern CA and love the beach. Oh, other question - how dressy do adults and kids get for dinners? We prefer to be more casual (hawaii style dining) - and know husband will not be thrilled with sport coat/suit. Thanks for info!

 

[jd99]

Ok - so I have been reading threads for a few days and just signed up. This is our first cruise and I am amazed at how many people cruise again and again. We actually just booked - were planning on waiting until kids are older but decided to go for it (DD-8, DD-7, DD-4 & DS-3)!!! It seems there is quite a science to planning the cruise - I look forward to all the tips. I know we will love all the time on the ship - just trying to figure out what to do on days in port since our little ones are not old enough for some the cool trips (dolphin, etc). Any suggestions are appreciated - thinking stay on ship in Key West and try a beach at GC or Coz? We live in southern CA and love the beach. Oh, other question - how dressy do adults and kids get for dinners? We prefer to be more casual (hawaii style dining) - and know husband will not be thrilled with sport coat/suit. Thanks for info!

Welcome!!!

I'm Jeff, traveling with my DW Mina and DD11 and DD5. We did the Western Caribbean itinerary twice before and loved it. The only challenge at the time of year we are going is that in Grand Cayman you don't always make it to the island. They tender there and if the seas are too rough.... We made it once and not a second time. Here are some tips.

1. Key West - we are staying on the ship. We've been there before (before kids) and got off the ship last year. Just not a lot to do there with kids. But it's an easy get off and get back on. The aquarium is okay - small but a nice touch tank area.

2. Grand Cayman. We have actually gone to GC for a week long vacation before and stayed at the Westin. On our first Western Caribbean sailing, we rented a day room at the Westin and took advantage of the resort, pool, beach chairs, etc. It was nice but not necessary because 7 mile beach is so nice and the water so calm that the kids can splash about with no worries. This time we will just find a place where they rent chairs and go for it. I've read about a few places like that.

3. Cozumel. We LOVE Paradise Beach. It's a beach park with amenities galore and great food and cheap beer. You can either just park yourself there and so long as you buy some food and drink there is no charge. Or you can buy a wristband that entitles you to all beach toys (rafts, water trampoline, water climbing wall, on ground trampoline attraction, etc. etc. We tried Chakannaab Park last year but even after paying admission and checking out the beach area, we got back in a cab and went straight to Paradise Beach. Often the best day of our Western sailing...

Re dinner. Most nights you will be just fine in cruise casual - khaki's and polo shirt or Hawaiian shirt. Only on formal night does it get iffy - but then you can just skip the dining room and go to Topsiders for a more casual meal. And that's only one night. The rest of the time is probably more casual than you are even imagining. Honestly we have seen everything - including jeans and white t-shirts on formal night. So you aren't going to get kicked out no matter what....it's just a matter of how comfortable you are.

Great to have you join us. I used to live in OC (Irvine).

 

[Griffith6]

Welcome!!!

I'm Jeff, traveling with my DW Mina and DD11 and DD5. We did the Western Caribbean itinerary twice before and loved it. The only challenge at the time of year we are going is that in Grand Cayman you don't always make it to the island. They tender there and if the seas are too rough.... We made it once and not a second time. Here are some tips.

1. Key West - we are staying on the ship. We've been there before (before kids) and got off the ship last year. Just not a lot to do there with kids. But it's an easy get off and get back on. The aquarium is okay - small but a nice touch tank area.

2. Grand Cayman. We have actually gone to GC for a week long vacation before and stayed at the Westin. On our first Western Caribbean sailing, we rented a day room at the Westin and took advantage of the resort, pool, beach chairs, etc. It was nice but not necessary because 7 mile beach is so nice and the water so calm that the kids can splash about with no worries. This time we will just find a place where they rent chairs and go for it. I've read about a few places like that.

3. Cozumel. We LOVE Paradise Beach. It's a beach park with amenities galore and great food and cheap beer. You can either just park yourself there and so long as you buy some food and drink there is no charge. Or you can buy a wristband that entitles you to all beach toys (rafts, water trampoline, water climbing wall, on ground trampoline attraction, etc. etc. We tried Chakannaab Park last year but even after paying admission and checking out the beach area, we got back in a cab and went straight to Paradise Beach. Often the best day of our Western sailing...

Re dinner. Most nights you will be just fine in cruise casual - khaki's and polo shirt or Hawaiian shirt. Only on formal night does it get iffy - but then you can just skip the dining room and go to Topsiders for a more casual meal. And that's only one night. The rest of the time is probably more casual than you are even imagining. Honestly we have seen everything - including jeans and white t-shirts on formal night. So you aren't going to get kicked out no matter what....it's just a matter of how comfortable you are.

Great to have you join us. I used to live in OC (Irvine).

Thanks a lot Jeff - I am famous for overpacking and want to keep it as light as possible since we are a large family. The one excursion that peaks my interest is the dolphin encounter. Some friends have said it was not worth it but other posts have said it was fun. The bummer is only my older kids can do it which means we either leave youngest 2 in kids club or my husband or I split up. For Paradise Beach, how do you get there? I think there was a package you could buy or are you doing your own thing?

BTW - we lived in Irvine for 5 years and moved to Ladera Ranch in 2003 (new community by Mission Viejo). I

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Ok - so I have been reading threads for a few days and just signed up. This is our first cruise and I am amazed at how many people cruise again and again. We actually just booked - were planning on waiting until kids are older but decided to go for it (DD-8, DD-7, DD-4 & DS-3)!!! It seems there is quite a science to planning the cruise - I look forward to all the tips. I know we will love all the time on the ship - just trying to figure out what to do on days in port since our little ones are not old enough for some the cool trips (dolphin, etc). Any suggestions are appreciated - thinking stay on ship in Key West and try a beach at GC or Coz? We live in southern CA and love the beach. Oh, other question - how dressy do adults and kids get for dinners? We prefer to be more casual (hawaii style dining) - and know husband will not be thrilled with sport coat/suit. Thanks for info!

Hi!
I'm Allison. We are taking our second cruise. The first was actually in January of this year. We did the Eastern and absolutely loved it!! My DD will be so excited that there is another girl on board closer to her age. She's 9 and will be in the same kid's club as your older DD. We'll have to meet early in the cruise. Mine is an only child and is sometimes lonely when she doesn't know anyone in the club even though she loves to make friends.

I haven't done the Western yet and we haven't decided on all of our excursions. We are doing the Royal Swim with the Dolphins but outside of DCL. We haven't decided what we are doing in the other two ports though. I may book the turtle farm through the ship only in case we don't tender there for some reason. Or we might just play the entire port by ear. DH uses an ECV and we're not sure how it will work at GC.
I do know that I really want to go to the Southern Most Point marker and take a picture in Key West. That's the only thing I want to do. I told DH he can plan the rest of the day and how we get there.

Feel free to ask any questions. This group loves to chat.
Oh and DH wore Hawaiian style shirts every night to dinner except formal night. He did put on a suit sans tie that night.

Also, I know a bunch of people really go crazy for dress up nights but we just wore sundresses (DD & I) because they were easier to pack. I figured that we were neat, clean and somewhat dressy. You will see a wide gamut of dress. Wear what you're comfortable with.

 

[Griffith6]

Hi Allison - I am Debbie.
I am sure my oldest DD will have fun with yours - she will be 9 in December. We have not told our kids about the DCL yet - going to wait until closer and surprise them! I can't wait to see how much fun they have making friends, etc.

For Royal Swim (dolphins) outside of DCL, is advantage lower price? Is it same experience either way?

Question for kids club - are they really strict with ages? My second DD is 7 (just turned) but hoping they will let her go "up" to older 8-13 group to be with my older DD and do more fun things - the DIS salesperson said no but older can drop down. Maybe they just say that but will let her go to older sometimes? Anyone know tried this before?

 

[jd99]

Thanks a lot Jeff - I am famous for overpacking and want to keep it as light as possible since we are a large family. The one excursion that peaks my interest is the dolphin encounter. Some friends have said it was not worth it but other posts have said it was fun. The bummer is only my older kids can do it which means we either leave youngest 2 in kids club or my husband or I split up. For Paradise Beach, how do you get there? I think there was a package you could buy or are you doing your own thing?

BTW - we lived in Irvine for 5 years and moved to Ladera Ranch in 2003 (new community by Mission Viejo). I

We did paradise beach on our own. Just got a cab at the port and it was no problem. I think it cost something like $15 each way.

I know Ladera. Have a friend who lives there and when we were considering a move back west 4 years ago that was our target area.

Hi Allison - I am Debbie.
I am sure my oldest DD will have fun with yours - she will be 9 in December. We have not told our kids about the DCL yet - going to wait until closer and surprise them! I can't wait to see how much fun they have making friends, etc.

For Royal Swim (dolphins) outside of DCL, is advantage lower price? Is it same experience either way?

Question for kids club - are they really strict with ages? My second DD is 7 (just turned) but hoping they will let her go "up" to older 8-13 group to be with my older DD and do more fun things - the DIS salesperson said no but older can drop down. Maybe they just say that but will let her go to older sometimes? Anyone know tried this before?

Debbie - the kids' clubs are tough to call. I think it depends on who is working the week you are there as to if they will allow a bump up or down. There really seems to be no 100 percent consistent answer. But I think that the advice you got about going down vs. up is probably the right advice. We cruised with some people last year whose daughter was a year older than ours and she bumped down to OL instead of OQ. The only thing was I think she was profoundly bored. My DD who was supposed to be in OL was a bit bored with some of the activities too. So a lot depends on the kids, the counselors and what's going on.

 

[jd99]

Happy Saturday everyone.
Getting ready to head outta town on biz this week and then off to the islands for two weeks. So ready.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Jeff,
just wanted to let you know I saw another thread for this cruise. There are a few people on it. I think it was started in April and they are looking for people to join the thread.
So I posted and told them about this thread and that you guys would love to have them stop by and say hello and join up your 2 threads.

They should be on page one since I recently posted there. you might want to check them out if nobody from there posts in a day or two. That would double the size of your group

Kathy

 

[*Nessa*]

Hi Everyone

Apologies for not droping back sooner, it’s been a crazy few weeks of work, home & Disney wedding planning and trying to organise all the overseas travel

Nessa How old is your brother?

Rob’s 20 , I should probably stopping calling him my little brother being that is all grown up and towers over me a almost 6ft

Okay, now I think I broke the thread.
Nessa - My DD wants to know if you are getting married on the ship or on Castaway Cay. There was a wedding on CC on our first cruise. She is now convinced that CC is the most beautiful place in the world to be married. So my 9 yo thinks it should be on the island!!
Hope everyone is having a good week. We are heading to the big Hot Air Balloon Festival this weekend. The blond girl from Camp Rock (Megan something) will be performing. My DD and her friend are all excited. Should be a zoo!!

I wish we were getting married on CC we were supposed to be but something got messed up and another lucky couple get to be married on CC during our cruise. We have any area onboard called secret deck 7? And the third couple getting married during our cruise has the lounge.

Both ours and the other onboard wedding will be on Thursday afternoon during our day at sea.

Oh I have a question for everyone, FH was reading & telling me about this thing called fish extenders ? something like a secret Santa, is this a real thing? or is he just kidding me?