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

[3DAN]

Shannon,,,, you could ask to get checked for whooping cough. I haven't found anybody positive, but the recurrent cough makes you suspicious. Google it and see what you think. Particularly since we have the cruise coming up.
Mark,,,, In the past, we took Kristen up to the Stack. They look her over and talk to her and decide if "they" think she is capable of getting along in the stack. No problem before. But, you never know. I have heard that sometimes they make it probationary. That's our plan, just go up and ask. Would be a shame if they said "No".
Bill

 

[Peaceableone]

Boy do I feel like the novice around here. This is our 2nd cruise on DCL. 3rd if you count a different cruise line.

Time is quickly approaching. I feel the panic starting to kick in. So much to do.. (around the house before we leave) and so little time. I hear we are supposed to have rain this weekend, so, I'll be confined to the house. Maybe I can get the needed stuff done. Although, I do know some tests for the kids are coming and I'll have to help them study (we are still developing those skills).

See everyone soon.

 

[bpescar]

Boy do I feel like the novice around here. This is our 2nd cruise on DCL. 3rd if you count a different cruise line.

Time is quickly approaching. I feel the panic starting to kick in. So much to do.. (around the house before we leave) and so little time. I hear we are supposed to have rain this weekend, so, I'll be confined to the house. Maybe I can get the needed stuff done. Although, I do know some tests for the kids are coming and I'll have to help them study (we are still developing those skills).

See everyone soon.

This is our fifth cruise and the restless nights sleep are starting. I couldn't sleep very well last night because I am trying to work everyday towards getting things together for the trip and it seems like there is not enough time in the day. Then when I go to sleep I wake up at 3am ready to go to work again. I will be ready for the first day at sea when I can lounge and nap and nap and nap and then the night away.

 

[3DAN]

Barb,,, me too. Stayed up late last night. The neighbors dog keeps being left outside in 20 degree weather and 30 mile an hour wind. We keep bringing her in to our house to keep her from freezing. I am tired of this treatment of this dog. Well,,,, I am just tired anyway. It is going to be bad. Nothing but work.
Bill

 

[3DAN]

Found another great one on you tube. Check this out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW_uyGL3-kg
Bill

 

[Peaceableone]

I called to find out what movies are expected to be shown on our cruise. I had also needed some port information. In case some like the surprise, I have a list here..

http://inlinethumb44.webshots.com/46187/2785473220049739425S600x600Q85.jpg

Also, you experienced cruisers probably already know, but I learned today that there is a 'cookie' and 'cake' of the day. Supposed to be from room service. It was also mentioned that the Beverage area does most of the self serve beverages except juice..which you can order by room service. If you order room service, do you tip them?

Hope this information is found useful. See you soon.

 

[3DAN]

At this time next week, I will be on the plane headed for Orlando. Can't believe it. Yes, you do tip the servers who provide room service. They don't benefit like the regular servers do.
Bill

 

[nez-bleu]

can't wait , on plane from london next thursday - please tell me the snow ill have left chicago(we're flying vis ohare) by next week!!
this is my first eastern cruise - have done the western and the 4day cruise.
have booked an excursuion for st thomas but have been advised that on st marteen its best to head to the french beachs on your own?

 

[Grumpyismyfavorite]

I called to find out what movies are expected to be shown on our cruise. I had also needed some port information. In case some like the surprise, I have a list here..

http://inlinethumb44.webshots.com/46187/2785473220049739425S600x600Q85.jpg

Also, you experienced cruisers probably already know, but I learned today that there is a 'cookie' and 'cake' of the day. Supposed to be from room service. It was also mentioned that the Beverage area does most of the self serve beverages except juice..which you can order by room service. If you order room service, do you tip them?

Hope this information is found useful. See you soon.

Thanks for the list of movies. We didn't know about the cake of the day until our 5th cruise..and then, we forgot about it and never ordered it!

It is customary to tip room service when they deliver. We usually just get a bunch of $1 dollar bills to keep in the room so that anyone can order whenever they want and the money is readily available. I think we just tip a couple of dollars each time we had them deliver (which was usually coffee in the morning.) We also took a bag of candy bars and gave them chocolate with each tip. They seemed to enjoy that!

I can't believe its a week away!

 

[cbcarroll123]

This is our first cruise ever!!! I have no idea what to pack the kids and I. Should we plan on wearing shorts during the day? Is it cold on the ship? Windy? I guess we have 3 dress-up nights and the rest of the nights to eat we can wear shortts? Someone help!!!!

 

[cbcarroll123]

Now I see it is raining everyday! Is that common????

 

[KikiMouse]

Now I see it is raining everyday! Is that common????

Hi, and welcome
check accuweather.com, It are under the international site, drop down menu is under Central America/Carribean. put in Netherland Antilles, St. Thomas USVI and Bahamas. We are on Castaway Cay (25th, ) that was the only day I saw rain forecasted and that was in the AM. Rainfall varies.
I used to have a sailboat, so I am into totally into weather forecasts and weather conditions. I drive my husband crazy with all of it!
You can check weather. for 15 days out . Temps for the other port days were in the mid to high 80's. This can of course change, but it is a guideline.
I would bring the normal summer clothing but you need to also pack a L/S top, jeans/hoodie, etc. Its cooler at night and breezy.
This would depend on where you are from as to what you would consider cold! When we lived in So. Fla, and when the temp was in 60's, some people brought out the LLBean gear!
Also, do a search on the main boards for Dec. weather and you will get some ideas. I have always sailed in Jan, and I took the same clothes as I described above. There is a formal, and semi-formal and if you have reservations at Palo that would be dressy also. I usually wear dressy cocktail type dresses. It is all over the place as to what people wear for these nights. Again, check the main board for ideas of what to bring!
Good luck
KikiMouse

 

[Pluto 2]

This is our first cruise ever!!! I have no idea what to pack the kids and I. Should we plan on wearing shorts during the day? Is it cold on the ship? Windy? I guess we have 3 dress-up nights and the rest of the nights to eat we can wear shortts? Someone help!!!!

you wouldnt want to wear shorts for dinner you will be cold. there will be 2 dress up nights a formal night and a semi formal night. 4 casual nights. one night is a pirate night or a casual night. you can dress up like pirates if you want to. i have never been this time of year so i got to pack a little of everything shorts,long pants, sweatshirt. im saying you wouldnt want to wear shorts to dinner because of being cold and im not the person thats gets cold easily. i live in new jersey and work in a factory. while most of the other workers got there heaters on im still using a fan.have fun, any more questions dont be afraid to ask.

 

[Peaceableone]

Thanks for the feedback on tipping the waiters. I never know the in's and out's of tipping. I told my son about the Cookie/Cake of the Day. He is very excited about this. I told my husband he better plan on joining me at the gym or the track so we can come back with clothes that still fit .

 

[robynchic]

Hooray about the movie listings! I've wanted to see a lot of those movies, and it means that DH and I won't have to pay an arm and a leg to see The Princess and the Frog this weekend!

All the stress I've been under has made me get a mini-cold. I'm not happy. This weekend will be spent nursing it.

 

[itutorfortravel]

Hi, and welcome
check accuweather.com, It are under the international site, drop down menu is under Central America/Carribean. put in Netherland Antilles, St. Thomas USVI and Bahamas. We are on Castaway Cay (25th, ) that was the only day I saw rain forecasted and that was in the AM. Rainfall varies.
I used to have a sailboat, so I am into totally into weather forecasts and weather conditions. I drive my husband crazy with all of it!
You can check weather. for 15 days out . Temps for the other port days were in the mid to high 80's. This can of course change, but it is a guideline.
I would bring the normal summer clothing but you need to also pack a L/S top, jeans/hoodie, etc. Its cooler at night and breezy.
This would depend on where you are from as to what you would consider cold! When we lived in So. Fla, and when the temp was in 60's, some people brought out the LLBean gear!
Also, do a search on the main boards for Dec. weather and you will get some ideas. I have always sailed in Jan, and I took the same clothes as I described above. There is a formal, and semi-formal and if you have reservations at Palo that would be dressy also. I usually wear dressy cocktail type dresses. It is all over the place as to what people wear for these nights. Again, check the main board for ideas of what to bring!
Good luck
KikiMouse

Kiki, since you have a sailboat...

What do you think the water will be like in St. Maarten on this trip? Choppy? We are going on a catamaran excursion and I am becoming a little worried about motion sickness for me, no one else in my family. I hate to take anything for motion sickness, as the meds either have weird side effects or make me fall asleep! Trying to decide if we should keep or change that excursion.

 

[robynchic]

I am not sure if you already know this, but, I saw this on the Disney Cruise line main threads. It is cool. DCL!!!! at Christmas.
Bill
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2009/12/holidays-at-sea/

DH and I just saw it and we both think that we'll be sick of the holidays when we're back from the honeymoon. As nice as it'll be to be on our honeymoon, all the holiday-themed stuff may end up being too much for us.

 

[Pluto 2]

just looked at the port schedule. in st martin only 1 other ship is there with us called mein schiff. never heard of it. in st thomas we have 2 other ships with us freedom of the seas and carnival glory.

 

[Pluto 2]

just searched mein schiff. its owned by tui. the ship used to be celebrity galaxy.

 

[3DAN]

Welcome to CB!!!! Keep us company!!!! Got to get more excited!!! Kiki,,, I checked out accuweather. Looks like we will get temps of 85 to 89 daily at St. Maarten and St. Thomas or John. That is great!!! It looked like it will have a high of 81 at the Bahamas on Christmas day. We have our wet suits with us for the trip, just in case. HMMMMMMMMM,,,,,
I sense that something is missing,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
OH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bill