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

[Eeyore'sthebest]

We'll be home by now - 2 months from now.

Okay, can you tell I really need a week off?

 

[DisneyCrunch]

Coming late to the party but I'd love to join in! We just snuck in with the "kids sail free on 7-night cruises" pin code offer

We're a family of 5 staying in a stateroom (myself, my husband, a 10-year-old girl, 7-year-old boy, and a 5-year-old girl) and this is our first Disney Cruise (I'm the only one in my family who has cruised before at all--on RCL--when I was in my early 20's) My sister and her family are coming too (she best be getting her butt over here to intro herself soon too )

We are trying to learn all we can before our trip and we're all beside ourselves with excitement!!!

Can't wait to cruise with you all!!!

 

[DisneyMommaSteph]

Here! Here...I'm here!

Hiya! I'm DisneyCrunch's sister...

My family and I are cruisin' on the Magic November 28th too.

We're also a family of five with a 6 year old daughter, 3 year old son, and 1 year old daughter. We're staying in a Cat 4, deck 8....

I looooooooooooooove all things Disney (including as a child...I've been there 4 times...with a week long stay coming up at the Animaal Kingdom Lodge in January 09---Thanks DisneyCrunch--she's taking me and the fam!)....and I looooooooooooooooove cruises (3X RCCL to Bermuda!)....so I'm uber excited for a DISNEY CRUISE! Combine two of my favorite things (well 3, I guess...cause I also love vacations...) ya can't go wrong, right?

Soooo, we're virgin DCL'ers...and we're a little late to the party...but so far we're getting lots of great info from reading all things DCL here...and we'd love to jump in and meet othesr on the same cruise...

The countdown is on.....Can.not.wait!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Welcome DisneyCrunch and DisneyMommaSteph!

We have a great group of people cruising and a bunch of kids! There is a meet planned for the first day at 2:45 in the Promenade Lounge. You don't have enough posts to PM yet but just post and I'm sure Jeff (jd99) will see it!

Ask any questions and again Welcome!!

 

[DisneyMommaSteph]

Thanks so much for the warm welcome!

We're very lucky to get the kids cruise free pin (well, my sis got it) and have the availability on such short notice. It's a bummer that we couldn't join this group sooner but I'm trying to go through the pages to catch up and to find out pointers from the seasoned Dcruisers...

Of course I'M super excited for the cruise...but I'm also really excited for the kids--I think they are going to be over the moon when they see the boat (this is their first cruise!). It's awesome to see so many littles around the same age as my kiddo's. I hear great things about the kids clubs, I hope they love it!

Pinch me...I'M GOING ON A DISNEY CRUISE!!!!!!!

 

[DisneyMommaSteph]

...and I just have to ask...

How's did ya get the name Nana's???

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

...and I just have to ask...

How's did ya get the name Nana's???

There was an original group of cruisers and used "Nanaheads" as a nick name for this guy - . Unfortunately only one original Nanahead is left and that is Jeff, the gentleman setting up the meet. None of us have actually met each other but we chat a lot and are all looking forward to the cruise.

One bit of advice (okay, maybe several bits ), when you board go to Guest Services some time on the first day and get tickets for the Tea with Alice for the kiddos. I know some dads go. My DH didn't and really had no interest. It was cute for my DD as it was her 9th birthday at the tea party so Alice and the Mad Hatter wished her a Happy Birthday.
Basically, its a little skit with audience participation, apple juice and the best dang chocolate chip cookies in the world. The kids can take pictures with the characters after the tea. It was cute the one time but DD has already decided not to repeat. She wants others to have tickets.

Also, there are tickets for the gingerbread house decorating (or something like that). We haven't cruised at this time of year yet but that is another hard ticket event, available free, at GS. (Free for the tea party too).

And whatever you do, do not miss the 'Til We Meet Again Celebration on the last night. All the characters come out and you get to visit from one to the next for any that you've missed. Then they all stand on the steps and say good bye. DD bawled her eyes out at the end. Oh yeah, and they drop Mickey confetti that you are picking out of your clothes for awhile.

 

[DisneyCrunch]

Thanks for the Welcome

Those are some great tips Allison! Thanks!

A couple things I'm looking into right now:
Shore excursions--I don't think we're going to do any of the "official" ones...but I'd love to get around and see some stuff when we're on the islands. This whole aspect is a little overwhelming for me! I'm gonna start reading some trip reports...

Food allergies--anyone have kiddos with food allergies? My 10-year-old can't eat soy (which is in everything) We went to Disney World in 2008 and I was just blown out of the water by how AWESOME they were at accommodating her needs...I can only hope DCL is a fraction of that awesome.

Those are today's quandaries (surely they'll be replaced tomorrow with new ones )

I look forward to getting to know you guys!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Food allergies--anyone have kiddos with food allergies? My 10-year-old can't eat soy (which is in everything) We went to Disney World in 2008 and I was just blown out of the water by how AWESOME they were at accommodating her needs...I can only hope DCL is a fraction of that awesome.

Go to the DCL website and print out the medical form. Take it to your doctor and have it completed with the allergies. Fax it to the cruise line (number is on the form). The chef will come out to your table the first night and address your allergy issues.

Just wanted to add that they need to know about this ahead of time to ensure that they have the necessary items on the ship for your DD. Not like they can run out to the store - LOL!

 

[jd99]

Wow I step away for a few hours to do some actual work. And there's so much chatter on here it takes me a while to catch up. Love it!!!!

Welcome to Crunch and Steph (how bout some a real first name for you, Crunch?).

Once you post 10 times (I think that's the number) you can start sending private messages. At that point, I will fully expect you to join in on our cruisemates meet at the Promenade Lounge on Saturday (day one of the cruise) at 2:45 p.m. It will be brief, but it represents a great way to meet the faces behind the posts and maybe get some of our kids acquainted for the clubs. So when you are ready, please send me a private message to let me know if you are in and if so, who you are, names, ages of kids, etc. and I'll compile a list for those attending. And you lurkers our there, join us. We won't bite!

Allison answered the Nanahead question accurately. It's a group of folks who have cruised together for 3 years now (some for just one or two, some for three). Alas, my family is the only one going on the fourth time. There's a lurker who will be there too who was a Nanahead one time. So we in essence were a group who scared everyone else away from the boards coz they thought everyone knew each other. At this point, no one on this board has ever met each other (except for Steph and Crunch).

Here are some excursion thoughts (without doing actual DCL excursions)

Key West - if you've never been there it's an easy place to walk around and explore. The aquarium is nice (and walkable from the ship) for kids and is next to a Pirate museum - we've not been but may go this year.

Grand Cayman - we LOVE GC. Go to 7 mile beach, pick a spot and enjoy. It's beautiful and the water is crystal clear. Lots of folks do the stingray swim but my kids don't want to. We have been to the Turtle Farm and found it interesting but a little icky.

Cozumel - Two words. Paradise Beach. We love love love it there.


So glad that some new folks have joined us. Our group is getting even bigger.

New folks - please know that Nessa is organizing the Fish Extender exchange and if you want to participate, you should send her a private message. I'll let someone else explain FE but it is essentially a small gift exchange.

Happy day everyone!

jeff

 

[DisneyMommaSteph]

Oooooh I love those little tid bit tips Allison! Both of those sound like so much fun--I'll def. do that the first day.

Any other little tips like that?? Anyone?? Is there anyway to look at those types of offerings (limited, free ticketed things etc,/Must see/do's!) before the cruise so we know what to plan? I'm sure this has been asked/discussed already...There are lotsa pages to go through... it can be overwhelming... I appreciate any and all tips!

Jeff--
Thanks for the ideas, that's exactly the stuff we're looking for.. We're not looking to do any DCL excursions ($) it's just too expensive. How do you get to those places? Are the beaches walking distance? We're a little scared about taking cabs and stuff....Will DCL staff help you with non DCL excursion stuff?

 

[jd99]

Oooooh I love those little tid bit tips Allison! Both of those sound like so much fun--I'll def. do that the first day.

Any other little tips like that?? Anyone?? Is there anyway to look at those types of offerings (limited, free ticketed things etc,/Must see/do's!) before the cruise so we know what to plan? I'm sure this has been asked/discussed already...There are lotsa pages to go through... it can be overwhelming... I appreciate any and all tips!

Jeff--
Thanks for the ideas, that's exactly the stuff we're looking for.. We're not looking to do any DCL excursions ($) it's just too expensive. How do you get to those places? Are the beaches walking distance? We're a little scared about taking cabs and stuff....Will DCL staff help you with non DCL excursion stuff?

First off some more tips:
For the adults..make sure you book a wine/martini/beer tasting if you have any interest. They are very fun.

Before or after dinner, they always have family friendly activities in the "family nightclub" Studio Sea - trivia games, dance parties, family karaoke, Who Wants to be a Mousketeer. Our family just loves this stuff and we go at least once each night to something. No tickets necessary, just wander in when you can.

If you love your cruise, book a date for a future cruise while onboard. Great discount and onboard credit and it's all fully refundable. But you can never get such a good price unless you book on the ship.

As to the excursion stuff. Key West is walkable from the ship. Not so GC and Cozumel but I am confident in saying that GC is probably safer than any US City you have ever been in and they tend to load up vans (not just cabs) with cruisers all going to the same place - that way they make more money since they charge a per person fee. So you are never all alone in a cab with a driver (unless you want to be). We actually had a great experience in Cozumel shortly after the hurricane - a driver told us all about the spirit of the people there and his family and we just learned more than we would have otherwise about how the island was coping. Don't be afraid of the cabs..really..it's not a problem. If you absolutely don't want to cab anywhere ,there are places at the port where you can walk to for shopping - not so much a beach at either of those ports but you can definitely get off and just do that.

Keep asking and I'll keep thinking...

 

[DisneyCrunch]

Ooooo, I'm eating this all up--thanks Jeff! (and I'm Jen, I'll go add that to my siggy now...)

 

[Griffith6]

Glad to hear there are some more families joining on Nov 28 with young kids (and lots of them like us!! DD8, DD7, DD4 and DS3). HOWEVER, I am very jealous you booked the 7 day with kids sail free - happy for you, but sad that we had to pay full price! Oh well - that is life!

BTW - I picked up one of the items for our FE gifts today and some parts of our outfits for the pirate party - which is exciting that we are on the countdown! For FE gifts - it is kind of hard to plan now since not sure how many families will be adding to the group. I am planning on 20 cabins for gifts. How does this work - obviously can't wait until last minute to see how many cabins participate and then rush around to put together the goodies. I am thinking quality over quantity? Do FE groups ever close and new ones start so as to limit numbers? It will be fun to receive surprises when we return to the cabin, but also don't want to spend hours running around to 50 cabins!

Any thoughts experienced cruisers?

 

[*Nessa*]

Hi Everyone

Crunch & Steph

Great to see our group growing I had a couple of questions on the FE’s so though I would write back in the thread as I though the info might be helpful for others.

(1) What are Fish Extenders (FE) ?? the best explanation is on this thread, http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2259129&highlight=fish+extenders & this one http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1219607 the dis member does an excellent job of explaining.

(2) Updates/changes to list - Every time we get a change to the list I will make a general post about number of rooms & how many girls/boys etc and then closer to the sail date you will receive a detailed list with cabin numbers ect.

(3) What do I have to give as gifts ?? my answer to this (and please correct me if I am wrong) is anything you like. It can be bought or handmade, no “rules” as such apply. Our group has 5 cabins and we have been getting together some “Aussie” things for you all as well as some other little treats & goodies. DF & my brother work in the movies and get heaps of great promo stuff like drink bottle and key rings. So I am trying to get our hands on some “UP” and Ku Fu Panda stuff too.

(4) Current List ??stands at 15 cabins but Kim, Jessica, Crunch & Steph may wish to join in too. I personally have been planning on 25 cabins but at the end of the day, work with the number that you are happy with and go from that.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

(3) What do I have to give as gifts ?? my answer to this (and please correct me if I am wrong) is anything you like. It can be bought or handmade, no “rules” as such apply. Our group has 5 cabins and we have been getting together some “Aussie” things for you all as well as some other little treats & goodies. DF & my brother work in the movies and get heaps of great promo stuff like drink bottle and key rings. So I am trying to get our hands on some “UP” and Ku Fu Panda stuff too. Very cool Nessa! My DD would love anything like that!!

(4) Current List ??stands at 15 cabins but Kim, Jessica, Crunch & Steph may wish to join in too. I personally have been planning on 25 cabins but at the end of the day, work with the number that you are happy with and go from that.

Good to know that you have 5 cabins. I was counting you as 2 (parents and you/DF) as I wasn't sure how many were in your party. I knew there would be a couple of doubles, like families with more than one stateroom but would still only get one family gift (and then gifts for the children individually) but its good to know that there are 5 families in your group! Thanks again for pulling this together!

We leave for WDW in 49 days!!!

 

[suzannecat]

Hi! I joined about a month and a half ago but I think it was a quiet time on the board. I wanted to re-introduce myself and family!

We're booked on the Magic Nov.28th as well- hubby Joe and myself, plus DS David, 11, and DD Eliana, 7. One set of grandparents is coming (hopefully) too. We're heading to Orlando on Thanksgiving and having dinner at Chef Mickeys, then seeing Blue Man Group on Friday. Oh, and Friday lunch at Whispering Canyon Cafe.

For shore excursions, we're doing the Catamaran Stingray City trip in Grand Cayman, but unless we can convince David to try thr parasailing, that's it. He wants to do it, then gets nervous, etc.

I'd love to do the FE as well. Do we need to send someone our cabin #?Anything else to know about beforehand? Thanks for this great group! We're getting so excited that the cruise finally seems "reachable" (we booked 17 months ago...)

--Suzanne (and Joe, David, and Eliana)

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Welcome Suzanne and sorry we missed you the first time around.


You need at least 10 posts to send a PM. Feel free to add posts like - "Post #5", "Post #6", etc. until you get to 10. We're an easy group and won't mind as we know why you're doing it.

The PM goes to Nessa with your stateroom number and family members.
jd99 - Jeff gets a PM if you're interested in coming to our short get-together on the first day. It's at 2:45 in the Promenade Lounge. As Jeff has stated previously, its nice to put faces to names and for the kids to meet. My DD is an only and is always looking for other kids to play with at the Kid's Club. If she had a buddy I'm sure she would be there every day. Otherwise, she said it was like the first day of school every day as she had to make new friends every day.

We only have the island tour/turtle farm scheduled with DCL as an excursion. We just like to chill on CC. At Key West I believe we are going to rent an electric car and we are doing the Royal Swim with the Dolphins in Coz.

So Welcome and don't be afraid to post!!

 

[boundfordisney]

, Hi Sussanecat, pm Nessa with the info for joining in on the fe, staterroom # kids ages whether boy or girls and if you are celebrating anything on the cruise, also where you are staying if doing a pre cruise night or after the cruise at wdw. Will you be joining us at the meet which I think is 245 same day we board? If so pm jd99, he is the one putting it together. Glad to see that there will be a boy closer to my grandsons age within our group, my grandson is 13, most of the other boys are much younger. This is really getting closer to our departure date! Can t wait to meet all the dis cruisers!

 

[suzannecat]

Hi! Thanks for the tips about needing 10 posts for the PM thing. Do all 10 posts have to be on this thread or do previous posts elsewhere count? If nothing else, I figure at least this one will :^)