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

[BuzzBoyMom]

I can't remember - has Disney done the Costa Maya itinerary before...meaning before today - October 26 2005? If so, does a copy of navagators from this cruise exist? i'll post on the reg. boards also, but I figured one of you probabaly already knew the answer to this...

thx. karen.

 

[pyramid2000]

Welcome Karen!!

There is a list of everyone coming on page 25. Want to share any more info??

I believe DCL has gone to Costa Maya before and an upcoming cruise is going there instead of Cozumel. My sister says it is nice, but hasn't been there for a few years. From what I hear it has only gotten better. I'm going to wait and see what DCL comes up with. I'm assuming they will have info on it on the website once these cruises get closer!


I think I will get my cruise fix in May of 2006. I am planning a 5 or 7 day to Bermuda with just me and DH on RCCL (this should be interesting). Not only don't I have to travel very far, but I get to go w/o DDs for the first time and it is quite a bit cheaper than Disney.

Caroline

 

[LiserAnn]

Thanks Lisa...what's a "minimum day". We don't have those in PA.

That's where he goes to school on until 12:20 instead of 2:40...some type of teacher in service thing. All I know is it's a good excuse to visit the mouse!!!

 

[goofyforlife]

We don't have those in PA.

yeah, but PA has it's share of half days and teacher inservice days where kids get whole day off..... Your school year is shorter than ours too....

Frederick, MD schools start third week in august- not finished until second week in June.... and we have similar amount of days off for holidays ie xmas/ easter.

 

[LiserAnn]

Our son goes back to school around August 10th and get out June 10th (approx). They get one week at Thanksgiving, three weeks at Christmas, and two weeks around Easter. Our schedule is referred to as a modified year round. Oh, and the last Wednesday of every month is a minimum day, so we usually use that opportunity to visit Mickey. For this cruise we will be taking our son out about 5 days. I know, even with the three weeks off, we're still taking him out of school....couldn't miss the double dip at Castaway Cay opportunity, plus the price was very right!

 

[goofyforlife]

oh I know...price is great....

Yeah, DD will be out 5 days too....

(can't wait to see what happens this year when she's out 5 days in dec for DW and then out another 2or3 for DW in May. Supposedly you're only allowed 5 days for the year for family vacations)

 

[pyramid2000]

Two of my 3 DDs will be missing a week of school for this. One will only be in 2nd grade, but the oldest will be in 7th. Teachers here are generally good about it because we are a resort area and most can not go anywhere during the summer. Heck, they already missed 5 days this year for our cruise in September and I was entertaining the possibility of another vacation in January (highly unlikely). Children can get a lot out of a vacation; from meeting people from different places to visiting new countries. My oldest has missed at least 2 weeks of school every year since kindergarten because we would go to Egypt to visit my DH's family. This year and pretty much from now on we (they, I don't fly any more) will only be going after school is out because school has gotten harder and we want to take other vacations (DH is there right now by himself).

A friend of mine in Massachusettes says that if they miss more than 5 days for vacation the kids get a detention. I think this is bogus. For one, the kids don't have much of a choice whether they go or not. Most parents can't get off work BECAUSE it is a holiday. Just my 2 cents. Most kids do just fine with time off of school. High school will be a different matter.

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

RE: our cast - this trip will be DH Don, DS age 9 Eric, DS age 7 Adam and myself - Karen. We're from South Central PA, outside of Harrisburg.

We hope to be traveling with some newbie DCL cruisers, but I can't get them to understand the criticality of booking early. So, for now it is just us.

RE: schools - thanks for the "minimum" day definition. Sounds great!! Wish we would had thoses!! My boys go to a local Catholic school with their own schedule and rules. So far, they have been okay about our trips. But I was trying to juggle some significant religious events in my younger son's life....but the date for this cruise will make all those problems go away.

I know you guys won't flame me, but I've seen too much sadness and suffering in life. School is very important, but so is family memories. So taking a week off from school to take my kids on a disney trip is so worthwhile.

I've never cruised before Christmas...always in the mid winter/spring months. I am so excited to see all the beautiful ship decorations. Hey - I'm just excited period!! Decorations or no decorations!!! I have to keep myself from overdoing around my family and friends. If I print something or show them something - they give me the non-DISer look and roll their eyes at me!! DH keeps reminding me the cruise is over a year away. Do you think he means I can't start laying out my shoes yet??

 

[goofyforlife]

We're from South Central PA, outside of Harrisburg.

Hi Karen,

Welcome to our cruise.....Dec cruises are great....
We live not too far south of you guys. Maybe we could do a pre-cruise meet at Brewsters sometime in Dillsburg? We pass through there every couple months or so since my DH still has family up in Lewisburg.

Kristina

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

Hi Karen,

Welcome to our cruise.....Dec cruises are great....
We live not too far south of you guys. Maybe we could do a pre-cruise meet at Brewsters sometime in Dillsburg? We pass through there every couple months or so since my DH still has family up in Lewisburg.

Kristina

Sure!!! We actually live in Camp Hill, just up the road from that Brewsters. Send me an email if you're coming up!



Is everyone ready for Halloween? I'm a homeroom mom for the very first time. Second graders! To be honest, I'm nervous about my first party tomorrow. I hope the kids have fun. My son keeps asking if I'm coming to his party. I keep telling him I'm in charge of the party. He doesn't get it.

THEN - to add to my craziness...I'm throwing him one final (meaning from here on out they are small sleep over type parties) big birthday party for 50 of his closest friends at our local roller skating rink. Is there any wonder why DH keeps shaking his head and rolling his eyes!


How many more days till I can sip my drink on my verandah.

That reminds me - I can't access the Yahoo site at work. Is there a listing of who is in what cabin? We had this big listing of people, names, ages and cabins on our last cruise meet so people could see who were neighbors and cabin neighbors etc. I saw that listing earlier on the post - can't remember the page...but anyone on Deck 6?

 

[MrsMork]

Karen, we love cruising the first 2 weeks of Dec and have taken grandkids out of school more than once. Oldest DGS is now in high school so we don't take him out now, but in the lower grades it did not do any harm and in fact it did broaden their horizons and enhance their education. We are bringing DGS who will be 7 with us on this trip and will be taking him out of school.

 

[woj68]

Was wondering what the weather is like on CC in mid-December? Our trip there last month was steamy hot.

Any idea what to expect from you guys that have been there before.

Thanks.

 

[LiserAnn]

Karen-my older boy (7.5) is in second grade also. We're as ready as we're gonna get for Halloween. My oldest is going to be a pirate boy and my youngest (3.5) is going to be Buzz Lightyear....which is what he was last year but the costume still fits and he insisted on being him again.

Disneyland was fun yesterday, not very crowded. My son and husband (he met us there at dinnertime) went on the Haunted House ride which looked really cool from the outside. It was decorated in the Nightmare Before Christmas theme. They said the inside in the same Nightmare theme. I didn't go on it because Drew was too scared. What surprised me is the New Orleans square was all decorated with Christmas stuff....too early for me if you ask, but what do I know? I'm just working on getting past Halloween and Thanksgiving!

I was room mom last year. I think once in each boy's school career will be enough for me! It was fun, but a lot of work. I am glad I did it though.

As for a list other than yahoo groups, I think someone wrote there was one on page 25, although I'm not sure if it lists cabin numbers. We're in 2606 (Deck 2). We might upgrade, we'll see how finances are in the next 6 months. I'm just happy to be going on the cruise--stick me in the dungeon! HA!

Have a great day everyone!

Lisa

 

[pjpoohbear]

Hi BuzzboyMom, when I saw new postings on the thread, I thought your name was one I knew.

This cruise I am going solo at this point in time. And I am on Deck 6 in a sideways cat 11 on the port side. I am also really looking forward to the christmas decorations on ship and at Castaway Cay, which we get to see twice, ya!

My mother really wants to cruise in 2007 late fall, but with the prices for winter/spring being so high, I don't know if we will be able to.

penny

 

[bubbasmom99]

Hi all --

Just checking out there to see if anyone else on this cruise is a scrapper (HI PENNY!! ) We are trying to put together a circle journal over on the scrapping board and need a few more participants. This would be a great way to get to know your fellow cruiser before the cruise! Please come join

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=906861

 

[GoofyFD]

Wow!! So many new names. Thats great! Hi to all of you I am sooooo ready to go on our cruise. We'll be heading down to Disneyland in 3 week's that will give me my fix for now. I hope all is well!
Mark

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

Morning All!! We survived Trick or Treating last night. Although my oldest had "costume issues"....mainly he couldn't walk...too long. Ugh! Quite frustrating. I woke up this AM and my eyes are puffy and they hurt. Could it be those alcoholic beverage treats the adults were enjoying while we walked? After all, it was chilly last night so a litle coffee with Amaretto and whatever else DH put in there was only to keep us warm!

Okay, I'd better get some work done since I leave early today to do that part for my son's class.

See you all!! Have a great Disney day!!!

 

[MrsMork]

Bumping us off of page 2.

 

[brack]

Hi all --

Just checking out there to see if anyone else on this cruise is a scrapper (HI PENNY!! ) We are trying to put together a circle journal over on the scrapping board and need a few more participants. This would be a great way to get to know your fellow cruiser before the cruise! Please come join

My DW and I both are scrappers. I am very intrigued by the circle journal. I have started reading the other thread but any more details would be appreciated.

 

[jwann]

Was wondering what the weather is like on CC in mid-December? Our trip there last month was steamy hot.

Any idea what to expect from you guys that have been there before.

Thanks.

Last Dec., we were on this very cruise (12/11/04). It was an Eastern cruise. Our day on CC was lovely. It was too cool to swim very long but I did snorkel and saw tons of fish. The kids played in the waters edge. The great thing was, compared to CC in Oct. or May, you could spend the entire day at the beach and never get "worn out" from the sun and heat. The kids spent alot more time in the kids club at CC and really enjoyed the activities without getting hot and tired. The adults spent the day in a big circle of beach chairs drinking and chatting. It was our favorite CC day thus far!

LiserAnn -- I have a second grader, too. He is SUPER excited that he is going to be in the Lab next Dec. instead of the Club!