12/16/06 10-day holiday cruise Part 3

[3pirates]

Then I will keep my fingers crossed about the excursions. I sure can't figure out any way to post a wait list on line. Thanks for the feedback.

Goddess, when I booked this cruise I assumed that my by that time ten year old with two older brothers would have learned the harsh realities of life. I fully intended for the trip to be their gifts--and it still is from us! But with Santa still around, he's gotta come up with some goods--I don't think I'd be able to sell that he "went in" on it with us! But if you figure out how to put the Magic under the tree let me know, and I have dibs on the Wonder.

 

[KSDTink]

Hey guys, now that I'm on I'm hoping some of you experienced folks have some ideas for us. We are looking into excursions (I know, we should have done it a week ago!) and two of the ones we were interested in must be full--they don't come up as available. Does anyone know if Disney wait lists these? Do I need to call?

Help! I know my way all around the parks, but am not sure how any of this cruise stuff is done!

If you are past the mark where you should be able to book, call DCL directly and ask if the excursions you want are full. I had trouble with some of them at 3:05am on the day we could book! I called them and got the ones I had wanted but that didn't show up.

 

[KSDTink]

Good afternoon everyone.

For those of you who have been on the X-mas Cruise in the past and have little ones, how do you manage the hmmmm "Santa" gifts. I started wrapping a few things I had acquired today and put them in a suitcase but it was nearly full already as one box was a bit on the larger side (DD likes pet shop)

So I had thought to pack one suitcase to take the presents but now I am thinking this is not going to work. What have you guys done in the past??

Thanks

Denise

We aren't bringing much and certainly nothing big! DD10 still believes in Santa and we have told her that Santa knows we will be on the cruise and that he is only going to bring a few things for her there, the rest will be left at the house for when we get back. the cruise is pretty much our family gift so we aren't getting much for each other this year. Gifts from the rest of the family will wait until we return as well. I have picked up some nice little things to put in stockings and am putting them, unwrapped, in a small enclosed bag within a suitcase. I am also bringing wrapping paper, etc. since the airlines all say don't bring wrapped bags as they will likely have to unwrap them (at least in carry-on luggage, not sure about checked bags). Still trying to find a nice little something to bring to give DH. Found some of those window gel clings of a Christmas tree to put on the mirror in our room so we have a Christmas tree that won't take up space. I have stockings and some of those 3m hooks that won't leave holes or tear up the walls to hang them on so we can hang stockings and the only gifts we bring will go in the stockings!

 

[dee47]

On the last 10 night, one of our door magnets informed Santa that this was Keith's room, thank you very much. I told him before the trip that I know Santa will find him, but I hope he'll leave the big gifts at home under our tree, and only bring him something small on the ship, so that we can easily pack it. Luckily, my son's most burning desire that year was a GameBoy Advanced, which Santa was more than happy to bring to the ship... We left a bunch of gifts from Santa with our pet sitter to put under the tree after we left (because everyone knows Santa doesn't come on 12/16). So when we got home, Keith not only had his gift from Santa on the ship (the GameBoy), but a whole bunch of gifts from Mrs. Clause and the elves under the tree.

We told him the cruise was a family gift -- Santa is a different story.

He still (at 10) believes in Santa, but now he knows Santa is a smart dude...

We actually got a cute little tree from Shirley at the Perfect Gift -- it was a gorgeous table-top with ornaments...I put his Gameboy under it when he fell asleep X-mas eve. I brought wrapping paper with me.

You know, I should make sure he doesn't read this thread now!

 

[dee47]

MaryAnn, in response to the bus question -- my last DCL cruise was in Feb., with my best friend Kat. We stayed at AKL before the cruise. The DCL bus left AKL at 12:30 PM, and made a couple of stops at other resorts. So by the time we got to the ship, it was 2:30. Kat didn't care -- she's not a nut like me, and she wanted to stick to the easiest transport option. I went along with it (why spoil a vacation over trivia?) but I didn't enjoy getting on-board SO LATE! My son, on the other hand, IS a nut like me, and we both want to get there EARLY!

 

[fabulusk]

We just have hours now before we can book excursions. Ok maybe a few hours but still hours. It is not tonight but tomorrow night right?!

 

[DCLgodess]

We bring one suitcase for each of us and 2 bags for the dive equipment...We spread out everything so we can have minimum bags with maximum weight so there are less to lose.

Angela...i don't know...but 90 days out was early sunday morning

 

[3pirates]

I've been on the phone with the folks at Disney, and I learned a few things.

Different folks have different times to book ahead. Suite and concierge bookings can reserve at 120 days. Those who have sailed before and are in Castaway club can reserve at 90 days. The rest of the world starts 75 days out, which they said is October 2, Monday morning or Sunday night.

Just a warning, several excursions are already booked, so I would have a first and second and maybe third choice for each location/time frame. I wish you luck! ...and of course, some pixie dust!

 

["Got Disney"]

I've been on the phone with the folks at Disney, and I learned a few things.

Different folks have different times to book ahead. Suite and concierge bookings can reserve at 120 days. Those who have sailed before and are in Castaway club can reserve at 90 days. The rest of the world starts 75 days out, which they said is October 2, Monday morning or Sunday night.

Just a warning, several excursions are already booked, so I would have a first and second and maybe third choice for each location/time frame. I wish you luck! ...and of course, some pixie dust!

Thanks 3Pirates....I am a castaway Club member and booked my excursions right at 90 days....YEA ME !!!....lol

 

[fabulusk]

I can't sleep! Too excited. In twenty two hours we will be booking excursions!! So I think I will play a game of pinochle to try to get sleepy again. Chat with you all later.

 

[fabulusk]

Am I the only first time cruiser here?! Oh the excitement! Well my DBIL is working on a St. Maarten tour through the travel and tourism and St. Thomas airforce1 tour. So we will trying to get on the Pirate Ship with you guys in the am. Let's keep our fingers crossed. I will update you tomorrow!

 

[KSDTink]

Pirate ship in St. Thomas? I think most of us are doing the Brig Unicorn pirate ship excursion on St. Lucia. I know there is one on St. Thomas but I don't know if anyone is doing that one.

Good luck with your quest! Definitely get on as close to your time as possible. Midnite Pacific time, 3am Eastern time. Things do go fast.

 

[KSDTink]

Hmm, slow today.

Got the monster taken care of, hurray. And the grocery shopping done . DH is down at the range so it is quiet here. I want to go out to the mall to look for a book but DD really doesn't want to go and if I make her we will both be miserable so I will go later in the week when I can go on my own.

I am itching to start packing for the cruise but DH would have a fit so I am working really hard to contain it and not say anything to him. I am a real type A personality when it comes to that, though, so it is difficult for me.

 

[tink&cinderella]

I am glad I am not the only type A personality going on the cruise.

Psst don't tell anyone - I wrapped and packed some X-mas gifts yesterday and have started to put some stuff aside for packing.

DH is used to it and I think I (almost) have him on my side..

Denise

 

[KSDTink]

LOL. I won't tell. I am not wrapping anything ahead of time, don't want any trouble with airline security.

I have 10 stocking done and ready to pack. yay. Just got two signs done for our door (both with a POTC theme, what a surprise! NOT). Now to work on more ... trying to find other ideas for pictures thought not sure what. I am not one to put our actual pictures or names on the door so need to come up with something else. Can't find just the right picture yet, but I will.

I need to go peel potatoes for dinner. Making mashed potatoes. Don't really feel like doing it, though. Don't you hate that???

 

[fabulusk]

The Brig Unicorn Am is what we are hoping for too. So we are going to try.

But all you party animal - type A personalities probably have it all booked.

 

[3pirates]

I always considered myself type A, but you guys definitely win--I'm demoting myself to about a type C. We actually could have booked at 90 days, but were still trying to figure things out. I blame my family, who are much more easygoing than me.

Good luck with the Brig Unicorn. We were told it was full, but you never know. We were also told to check back frequently because this all changes constantly. I'll hope you hit one of those times. (And if you do, get on here IMMEDIATELY so I can come right behind you!

 

[KSDTink]

Definitely good luck. I hear it is supposed to a lot of fun and am glad we got it. DD and I are doing that while DH dives. Now I just have to figure out why the batteries for my digital camera won't hold a charge! I want to take lots of pictures and not have to carry so many batteries! I just bought new ones a few months ago and even they don't hold their charge very well. Ugh.

 

[fabulusk]

Well we (I) bought a new camera for the cruise. Didn't want to spend that much but I know I will be glad I did. 8 mega pix and 12 X zoom. Hopefully I will some great pictures.

I hit a plateau on my weight loss but at least I still lost alittle over the past month 4lbs. Would really like to lose another 30lbs before cruise. But if I don't I have lost about 95lbs since January. Guess I will have to start working out again -faithfully and regularly!

Funny thing is I couldn't or didn't lose the weight for my highschool reunion. However, I was so worried about pictures from the cruise that wouldn't make me cringe that I had been pretty faithfull with my diet and exercise program.

Now time seems to be picking up speed. So I will look like a chubby timon instead of pumba!

 

[fabulusk]

3 Pirates - Can't you work some magic and get us on the Brig AM? We have a large group too so that is probably a no! Was Brig booked both AM and PM? Oh boy if that is the case I better start looking for a Plan C as the PM was Plan B.