12/09/06 Cruise Continued ~ Pirating Bananas DIS Geekorama Part 2 Part 11

[pyramid2000]

I have to say that the screaming was the worst part . . . I have never heard such a high-pitched, piercing, screaming racket in my life. I will also note that there were probably about 100 men there out of 10,000 people, and there were absolutely NO boys there - all 5-12 year old girls. Mostly with moms.

I believe I should get some kind of medal for this.

Overall though, it was fun, and the kids seemed to have a great time. The dancing was pretty incredible. Some girl named Jordan opened the show, and Ashley Hutchinson from HS musical was a follow up open. They were both very good.

John1

Sounds like it was a fun time. Sophia looks adorable! She will remember your sacrifices John, you'll just have to point them out yourself during the teenage years.

 

[elaineteresa]

That new wage will apply to middle and high school babysitters as well. I don't know what the rates are in your area, but it will be quite a shock to parents around here.

We pay $12./hr. here - not sure what the kids get. So far I have only left them with adults.

 

[pyramid2000]

I've seen you mention this a couple of times. What is Wawa??

Wawa is heaven on earth. It is a 24 hour convenience store. I hoestly don't know what I would do if I didn't have my Wawa!

 

[lbgraves]

Thanks guys. That's what I warned them. The one family has a 4 1/2 YO and the other one actually turns 5 on the ship, so they wanted to do one of the excursions....now they are making me feel bad that Disney won't let them do it.

If the one will be 5 when the excursion happens then he will be allowed to go. It will take cutting thru red tape & a long call to DCL but that has been done before. The other one just wont be able to go. That's life. DCL has rules for a reason. We have cruised since the kids were 3 & 5. There aren't many excursions besides the beach that they could go on. Did we know that when we booked? YES! This is the first cruise we are taking an excursion...the 4th. Did we still have a great time before? Obviously. It's not your fault. They should have researched earlier than 30 days before the cruise.

 

[elaineteresa]

There is so much going on in the dining room we don't take anything with us. The kids were 3 & 5 on our first cruise & it was the same way. I like AP because there are cartoons playing all the time. They will have crayons and the kid's menu at the table.

thanks Lisa - that is helpful. Less is more.

when we went to St. John last Dec. they ended up playing with the lemons from the lemon tree and had lots of fun. LOL

I think I will keep their personal backpacks very lightweight.

 

[pyramid2000]

Well, they are too young to get them drunk so that is out.

 

[Jhalkias]

Good Morning everyone!

I can't do what Elaine suggested - too much work to do!

I have this strange ringing in my ears - wonder why?

As to the day at sea . . . review Andy's post. We relax, swim, eat, and enjoy - it is a TRUE vacation day!

LOVE days at sea!

John1

 

[lillygator]

John - Sophia looks fantastic! Glad you guys had a great time.

Karen - if you (or your friend) books the excursion through the actual company and not DCL they sometimes have lower age limits.

I can't believe how close we are getting and how much I need to get done between now and then! Wow!

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

What a cutie! She looked perfect for the concert. I am more interested in seeing pics of you and your DW all decked out in your cheetah outfits!!!

Me too!!! I wonder if John wore a Cheetah print speedo!

 

[lillygator]

We received our Mickey Monitor last night and there is a coupon for a free Ducky Williams Dumbo Holiday Lithograph!! So if you get your MM, don't thow it out!

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

Shall we Gather at the River for.....

THIRSTY THURSDAY?

I won't be AT the river...I'll be IN it...getting as much of that wine as I can!!

 

[pyramid2000]

here's my train of thought ----

Lisa can make several people honorary mods - so they can skip the 40 second rule and post at will.

I was thinking this same thing the other day!

 

[pyramid2000]

this way the entire DIS group can also check up on you once we board - like we could say hey Brandi did you forget to bring hair clips?

KWIM?

I won't care what I did, didn't bring once onboard!

 

[pyramid2000]

maybe we should earn badges like the GS's.

then when we are on the cruise we could wear something that indicates how many pirates we've hit.

like the WWII bombers.

temporary tattoos?

You are a riot Elaine!

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

ok this is a neurotic question -

but can any experienced cruiser give me what your typical day at sea is.
It would be helpful if PJ, Angie and some families chimed in so I could see the different perspectives - single, w/kids, empty nesters etc.

How do you start your day? what do you like to do during the day - review navigators, wing it? etc.

In what subtle ways is it different from a port day. Like I know I will not be doing .........

just curious. no experience here.

thanks so much.

elaine

Well - one of us adults (ahem!) gets up and gets a tray of breakfast stuff...donuts, bacon, cereals, etc. Everyone else gets to sleep in....by the time that person (usually me) is back, we sit on our verandah and have breakfast. My boys are usually bouncing off the walls to get out and go....so DH takes them up to walk on the decks or play BB or do guy stuff that I usually don't know about.

By the time everyone is dressed, my boys are ready to hit the pool, slide or kids club. If the boys are in the kids clubs, DH and I find a great deck chair and relax to the ocean waves.

That would be a very generic day.

Depending on the day and time, we might have Palo brunch ressies or do one of the culinary classes or wine tastings, etc.

Lunch is usually grabbing something by the pools.

The afternoon - well there is ping pong, movies, more kids club stuff, etc.

I usually dont spend the time at the spa. I get my spa treatments the day or two before we leave to put me in the right mood for cruising. I have my local spas that I visit and I know what to expect out of their treatments. But I suppose one could also visit the spa.

Its really great not to have much planned. We do the "wing-it" approach and do whatever we feel like.

The day always seems to fly by and it's time to get ready for Dinner!

Hope that helps.

 

[pyramid2000]

Me too!!! I wonder if John wore a Cheetah print speedo!

Where is Photoshop??

 

[pyramid2000]

Time to take Dina to preschool! They are "trying" foods today. I have to bring the Ranch dressing. (Don't forget! Don't forget!) Later!

 

[GoofyforGoofy]

Me too!!! I wonder if John wore a Cheetah print speedo!

Ok, there goes my breakfast....

 

[GoofyforGoofy]

Where is Photoshop??

Oh, Photoshop...didn't know it had a "speedo" function...

 

[Jhalkias]

Where is Photoshop??

Ok, there goes my breakfast....

OK, enough levity at my expense.

I have to draw the line somewhere.

Banana suits - OK - Speedos - NO - and I do not want to be responsible for Andy's nutrition.

John1