12/19/2009 - 12/26/2009 Magical Christmas Cruise! It's not that far Away?

[robynchic]

Bill, I went to community college before going to a 4-year university. It really helped me get into the swing of things with college courses. CC may have some kind of stigma with it, but it's really not so bad. I think the biggest thing I regret about going to CC is that I didn't get my associates degree there. By not doing that, most of my credits didn't transfer evenly, so even though I went to CC for 2 years (3 semesters, because I did the Walt Disney World College Program), I only got about 1 semester's worth of credit at the 4-year university.

Summary: Community college really isn't that bad. It helped me grow up a lot. My parents have told me that doing the WDW College Program also helped me grow up (nudges you if your son really likes Disney, he may really enjoy it, too). Get your associates or make sure that all credits will transfer evenly.

 

[stichlover87]

Speaking of meeting other kids, we should talk about plans to actually meet once onboard. Does anyone have a good ideas about time or place? I only did a meet one other time and frankly, it didn't work out that well. We met up on Deck 10 right after the lifeboat drill just as the Sailaway Party was starting. It was too crowded and too noisy to actually get to talk to anyone and my kids really wanted to be down on the dance floor. Does anyone have thoughts?
Happy Wednesday!
Leslie

On the other cruises we have been on the meets have usually been in the promenade lounge before the lifeboat drill. I haven't ever made it to one yet...but I am planning on going to this one! I think this spot has worked out well for other groups.

 

[itutorfortravel]

On our last cruise, we did a meet in the Rockin' Bar D lounge, on deck 3. I think we met around 2 or 3 o'clock. We were the only ones there at the time, so it worked well. Our group also met near the ship's model at the terminal the morning of embarkation. We met around 11 AM there. We couldn't all be there that early, so that's why we had two meets...but it was fun to catch up with people even before boarding, so we could consider that, too, if anyone is interested.

 

[riggins]

On the other cruises we have been on the meets have usually been in the promenade lounge before the lifeboat drill. I haven't ever made it to one yet...but I am planning on going to this one! I think this spot has worked out well for other groups.

On our last cruise, we did a meet in the Rockin' Bar D lounge, on deck 3. I think we met around 2 or 3 o'clock. We were the only ones there at the time, so it worked well. Our group also met near the ship's model at the terminal the morning of embarkation. We met around 11 AM there. We couldn't all be there that early, so that's why we had two meets...but it was fun to catch up with people even before boarding, so we could consider that, too, if anyone is interested.

I think Promonade Lounge or Rockin' Bar D are both great ideas. They seem like quiet places to actually be able to talk. Were the bars open in either location at that time?

This may be a dumb question, but did either of you do nametags at your meet? The one I attended did nametags, which seemed silly to me at first, but it was actually helpful . . . although that may have been because we couldn't actually talk to each other!

Thanks
Leslie

 

[smokescreen]

I have 2 girls age 8 and 10 so my kids will be really excited that there are so many girls their age. I'm for meeting at both the terminal and and the Rockin' Lounge, whatever is easier. We live in Orlando so it's not a hardship for us to be there early.

 

[disneyday3]

Hi Shannonetherton glad you are joining us!

On our last cruise, we all wore lime green wristbands so we would recognise each other. It was fun trying to spot people in the terminal and having a chat.

We tried to meet at the sailaway party, but as Leslie said, it was difficult to chat. I also missed a meet up at the pirate party because I couldn't find anybody

I think I need to get my FE stuff out and get organised. I have an interview on Nov 12th and really can't seem to think of anything else at the moment. I certainly should not be DISing

 

[owensamo]

Our DD is 7 - it'd be great to get the kids together in their age groups during the meet so they can get to know other kids that they'll be able to play with in the clubs!

I've been to nametag and no-nametag meets and the nametag ones are better - because it makes it easier to put a face to a name! The Promenade Lounge or one of the bars (Diversions?) at 2:30 or 3 would probably be best - we'd be time-boxed by the safety drill, but at least it shouldn't interfere with much other than walking tours of the ship, etc. We were on one cruise where the meet was at 9am on Sunday - which meant we didn't go to our character breakfast! (Of course, the meet did have plenty of characters itself and was probably more fun at that point, but... we still haven't made one yet!)

One of the most fun things we did on one cruise was gift bags - each group would bring a gift bag to the meet from their home state (or country - mostly things to represent where the giver is from). Those that brought a bag got to pick one. We did it pretty simply - the organizer started, and whomever's bag she took got to go next, and so forth. It was a lot of fun, and a great way to get to know everyone and where they come from. I think with our group the FE stuff is going to be more than enough fun, though! Maybe I'll have to incorporate our home area in my FE gifts. Hmmmm.

Amanda

 

[itutorfortravel]

Leslie, we didn't have nametags at our DISmeet in April, but I can see where that could have been helpful. It was funny b/c we were introducing ourselves using our board ID's vs. our names!

If anyone is going to downtown Disney before the trip, they have little DISboard green Mickey heads on a keychain at the World of Disney store. I got mine on the side where all the girls stuff is. They were in a little bucket at the register. I figure I'll put one of those on my purse or something to let everyone know I'm a DISer.

 

[shannonetherton]

Wow I feel so welcomed!! We are from Atlanta, GA and I am so excited about the FE exchange! I have been looking at the thread about homemade gifts and I am so excited! We have seen the FE's on every trip and I just thought they were a way for a family to leave each other notes!! How uninformed was I?!!
My question of the day..... Do you think I could use a stocking for an FE? I was not sure since it only has one BIG pocket? If not I will go get a shoe organizer and get to customizing!! Whoo Hooo!!! Now if I could only get my cabin assignment (fingers crossed for an upgrade!)
Thanks!
Shan

 

[itutorfortravel]

Shannon, I definitely think you could use a stocking for your FE! I was going to do the same thing but caved to the cute FE's on eBay!!! LOL!

Again, welcome to the group

Kimberly

 

[robynchic]

Wow I feel so welcomed!! We are from Atlanta, GA and I am so excited about the FE exchange!

Hey, I live near Savannah! I think having little "from our area" gift bags could be cute.

This reminds me, though...I need to get the stuff to start making those FEs! Maybe tomorrow on my way home from work.

 

[bpescar]

Mark and I definitely want to meet up with you. The lounges sound great. Embarkation might not work for us as we rely on Disney transportation from the resort and usually dont get in till afternoon. Kim's idea of tags from downtown disney works for us because we are arriving the day before. I still have the same question as Shannon about the list for the FE..Do we print it out before we sail and will it have all cabin numbers on it? We know our cabin # so we are set. Just curious. After halloween I know the time is going to fly by so I am preparing as much information now as possible.
See you real soon!

 

[riggins]

So, it sounds like we have agreement that meeting in one of the lounges prior to the lifeboat drill is best. I'll bring some nametag stickers and a couple Sharpies. Anyone want to propose a time?

I still have the same question as Shannon about the list for the FE..Do we print it out before we sail and will it have all cabin numbers on it? We know our cabin # so we are set. Just curious.

I think we'll get a "final" list before sailing that we'll all print and bring with us. If there are any last minute changes in cabin assignments, we can share that info at the meet.

 

[itutorfortravel]

Hey everyone!

I checked back on the meet thread from our cruise earlier this year...

Our group met in the Promenade Lounge at 3 PM on deck 3 and that worked really well. I think I had mentioned a different place in an earlier email, so sorry for the confusion.

There really wasn't anyone in there while we did our meet. Just people walking through to get to various places on the ship.

So, does that location and time sound good?

BTW, thanks Leslie for bringing the nametags and sharpies


Kimberly

 

[itutorfortravel]

Barbara, as far as the FE information...

I'm compiling an offline spreadsheet right now that includes stateroom numbers if people have theirs. I just didn't see a need to post that on a public forum...personally, I'd rather have that shared just among our group anyway. I actually have yours already in the spreadsheet.

I'll turn over what I've compiled closer to sailing and then Tina is going to coordinate from that point. She had mentioned awhile back that she would distribute cabin information via google documents and then post updates to cabin info on her stateroom door. That covers any changes that happen at the port, like last minute upgrades.

If we all bring our FE list to the meet, we can also update info at that time. But since it might not be possible for everyone to make it to the meet, I also liked Tina's idea of posting on her stateroom door.

Tina, please correct me if I am speaking out of turn. I believe this is what you said

 

[Downrivermama]

Hi all!

I think it would be neat to have a meet. Maybe the first sea day would be good. In the promanade lounge? The first day is really hectic. On the Panama Canal EB we did meet up on Deck 10 after the saftey drill and it was loud and crowded.

We also did a postcard swap with the kids. Each child who wanted to participate brought postcards to swap. They could be either store bought or alot of us made our own on vistaprint. Each put a little something about their state or hometown on the back along with an email address or webkinz name. Just a thought.

Name tags are the best! We had name tags that had both our board name and real name.

Kim, you are right! Plus anyone can call my cabin and leave a message regarding cabin changes. On the PC cruise I learned how to use the voicemail system, I hope I still remember!

When our cut off date has past, I'll PM everyone with the link to Google documents. That way no one will have to worry about their information being public, except within our group.

 

[bpescar]

That sounds great! The first day is hectic. Even though I am excited and anxious to meet you all. We may not make to port by 3. One time we had a bus driver that did not get us there til 4pm. Believe me I was upset. He drove 45 on the highway and every bus passed us and had dropped off and turned around be we ever arrived. Mark missed the seafood buffet. Ever since then I make sure the host at the resort puts us on a bus with a driver who can DRIVE! Still the first day is still crazy... Out to sea would be great. Thanks Tina about the info on the sheets.

 

[owensamo]

We also did a postcard swap with the kids. Each child who wanted to participate brought postcards to swap. They could be either store bought or alot of us made our own on vistaprint. Each put a little something about their state or hometown on the back along with an email address or webkinz name. Just a thought.

I love this idea! We're still planning on it being a surprise for our DD, but we can certainly bring along a bunch if post cards from our area and let her put something on them between boarding and the meet - especially if we do it on the first sea day!

I like the webkinz name idea. DD's also just gotten into Club Penguin and buildabearville.com - it'd be cool for her to have some friends on those that I don't have to worry about! If we don't do a swap at the meet (Hannah'd love to "collect" as many cards as possible), we might just include this in our FE gifts for the families with kids her age.

Amanda

 

[shannonetherton]

I love the sea day idea. That first day can be a little whacky and this will also give any first timers a day to get oriented. Remember that first sailing when the place seemed so huge and overwhelming!! Now it just feels like home!! I will get some Hotlanta postcards to bring. We are telling our daughter in November so I have to hide and FE gifts or postcards until then. SO EXCITED!!!
Shan

 

[Downrivermama]

That sounds great! The first day is hectic. Even though I am excited and anxious to meet you all. We may not make to port by 3. One time we had a bus driver that did not get us there til 4pm. Believe me I was upset. He drove 45 on the highway and every bus passed us and had dropped off and turned around be we ever arrived. Mark missed the seafood buffet. Ever since then I make sure the host at the resort puts us on a bus with a driver who can DRIVE! Still the first day is still crazy... Out to sea would be great. Thanks Tina about the info on the sheets.

I love this idea! We're still planning on it being a surprise for our DD, but we can certainly bring along a bunch if post cards from our area and let her put something on them between boarding and the meet - especially if we do it on the first sea day!

I like the webkinz name idea. DD's also just gotten into Club Penguin and buildabearville.com - it'd be cool for her to have some friends on those that I don't have to worry about! If we don't do a swap at the meet (Hannah'd love to "collect" as many cards as possible), we might just include this in our FE gifts for the families with kids her age.

Amanda

I love the sea day idea. That first day can be a little whacky and this will also give any first timers a day to get oriented. Remember that first sailing when the place seemed so huge and overwhelming!! Now it just feels like home!! I will get some Hotlanta postcards to bring. We are telling our daughter in November so I have to hide and FE gifts or postcards until then. SO EXCITED!!!
Shan

Hey, sometimes I come up with good ideas! I just know how hectic it is the first day. The Sailaway party is cool, but loud and crowded. I never thought of the terminal, but that is crowded too. I know that many of you with have a lot of family with you so that would give everyone a chance to get settled and take care of things.

My dd loved the postcard swap! During our meet would be a great time, so the kids don't get bored! I'll keep track of who would like to participate. What we did on the PC cruise was to punch a hole in one corner and I can bring some binder rings for the kids to put thier postcards on. That way they are all together!