12/24/08 Christmas Cruise on the Wonder

[drag n' fly]

I BOO'd everyone. Check your Pm. Let me know if you need help

 

[DisneyMama27]

Wow, y'all have been busy this weekend!

OK, from what I have gathered, the itinerary will be

24 - departure
25 - Nassau
26 - sea
27 - CC

Normally, CC would be the 3rd day, but since this is a Wed. departure instead of the usual Sun. dep. the CC day is changed due to the Magic being at CC on Fridays. So far, am I right?

The speculation is about the 25-26, since Capts. have changed this at times. I would love to know what they'll do, so we can plan excursions. Seems like if they changed it, that would mess up too many plans for those who book outside Disney...

Well, I guess I can't worry about it will 10/10 anyway!

BTW, I got my passporter this weekend, and spent all morning reading!

 

[scuba diver]

You know what I just realized you were a different person from scuba.mom

Yes, I am different than scuba.mom.

 

[brendalee59]

Don't mean to be a serial poster but I just caught what Brendalee wrote. As a born and raised Cleveland, Ohio native I just wanted to say...

we're rebuilding...yeah that's it...and the Cowboys cheated...and the sun was in our eyes. Hey it was only 28 - 10. At least we kept the Cowboys out of triple digits. You just wait til next year.

Yeah, that's right, ya'll are rebuilding I can give you that. And we'll gladly wait till next year... When you come to our house

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Allright, everybody quit giving Brenda a hard time about her suite. I have been on the waitlist for one since April. At that time all other categories were still available and the CM tried to talk me into a Cat 4, but I told him that a stateroom is a stateroom, even if it has a few more square feet and a balcony. I'll stick with my porthole unless you can put me in a separate room from the kiddos. I was hoping a handicap equipped one would open up (they have giant balconies), because they hold them until the end to make sure all disabled guests are accomodated. Hubby and I by no means are rich or ivory tower livers (he's in the Army for Pete's sake), but we try to stay in suites on vacations whenever possible because we are madly, passionately in love with each other, the kids are too little for their own stateroom, and boy, nobody has as much fun when everybody has an 8:00PM bedtime.

Here's to hoping we're up in the ivory tower together, Brenda!

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Don't mean to be a serial poster...

Ha, ha! I've been guilty of that once or twice myself!


Is anybody watching the two threads dealing with the DCL rumours for Summer 2010? I am intrigued to say the least. Scandinavia and the Baltic! Imagine that!

 

[drag n' fly]

Allright, everybody quit giving Brenda a hard time about her suite. I have been on the waitlist for one since April. At that time all other categories were still available and the CM tried to talk me into a Cat 4, but I told him that a stateroom is a stateroom, even if it has a few more square feet and a balcony. I'll stick with my porthole unless you can put me in a separate room from the kiddos. I was hoping a handicap equipped one would open up (they have giant balconies), because they hold them until the end to make sure all disabled guests are accomodated. Hubby and I by no means are rich or ivory tower livers (he's in the Army for Pete's sake), but we try to stay in suites on vacations whenever possible because we are madly, passionately in love with each other, the kids are too little for their own stateroom, and boy, nobody has as much fun when everybody has an 8:00PM bedtime.

Here's to hoping we're up in the ivory tower together, Brenda!

I sent Brenda a pm and apologized

 

[TXdeVille]

We are doing the brunch instead Why??? Well I have a garlic allergy and italian food is usually has it in every dish

I think I would die if I was allergic to garlic. DH is half Italian and I have quite a bit in me too!!! It's like being allergic to olives and olive oil!!

 

[DisneyMama27]

A Hubby and I by no means are rich or ivory tower livers (he's in the Army for Pete's sake), but we try to stay in suites on vacations whenever possible because we are madly, passionately in love with each other, the kids are too little for their own stateroom, and boy, nobody has as much fun when everybody has an 8:00PM bedtime.

Amen to that, Adrianna! This is why we joined DVC! The last non-DVC trip we took, we got adjoining rooms at POR and knew we could never go back! OUr kids are older than yours, so we can do that. Otherwise we would be in the suite if at all possible. Of course, with 3 kids we try to get as much room as possible everywhere we go! We love having our own room! And we do have two veranda rooms on the cruise!

Is anyone doing magnets? I know Andy asked about them recently too. I have been collecting some graphics on other boards, but have not started printing magnets yet. I love your graphic, Annette - too cute!

BTW, Annette - do you have any idea how many are doing the FE's? I'm starting to try to come up with some cute ideas for that, but I need to know how far to stretch my budget. My kids are the perfect ages to get into that! I guess I should start working on making mine. One more thing to add to the list!

Y'all may have already covered this in the 60 or so pages before I joined (I DID read it, but can't remember where I read what), but what are you all doing about Christmas with the kids? And Santa?

Last year we did DW for Christmas. We were flying, and space was somewhat limited (esp. since we knew we would be bringing more stuff home) so we did our family Christmas the night before we left, right after we told the kids we were going (the hardest secret I have ever kept...for 11 months!). They loved opening presents early, esp. since some were video games they could play on the plane, etc. Santa came to DW (yes, we packed the stockings) and brought Disney gift cards for the kids' spending fun. That was a huge hit - girls got My Disney Dolls and DS got Legos, of course. Two birds with one stone!

Anyway, I am wondering if we should do the same thing, or change it up a bit this time. Anyone have fabulous plans or ideas for Christmas? And yes, Santa still really comes to our house!

Thanks, y'all!
Shari

P.S. Brenda...if you haven't received the planner from me soon, it's ok to remind me. I can be an airhead, esp. when it comes to mail!

 

[TXdeVille]

Amen to that, Adrianna! This is why we joined DVC! The last non-DVC trip we took, we got adjoining rooms at POR and knew we could never go back! OUr kids are older than yours, so we can do that. Otherwise we would be in the suite if at all possible. Of course, with 3 kids we try to get as much room as possible everywhere we go! We love having our own room! And we do have two veranda rooms on the cruise!

Is anyone doing magnets? I know Andy asked about them recently too. I have been collecting some graphics on other boards, but have not started printing magnets yet. I love your graphic, Annette - too cute!

BTW, Annette - do you have any idea how many are doing the FE's? I'm starting to try to come up with some cute ideas for that, but I need to know how far to stretch my budget. My kids are the perfect ages to get into that! I guess I should start working on making mine. One more thing to add to the list!

Y'all may have already covered this in the 60 or so pages before I joined (I DID read it, but can't remember where I read what), but what are you all doing about Christmas with the kids? And Santa?

Exactly why we did as well!! We stayed at Caribbean Beach with our two kids in the same room. We went all out for other things so didn't splurge on the room. Then again, we have just the two kids as opposed to your three. We figured that whenever we travel we would all want as much space as possible. And to save on money, we could get by with making some of our own meals as doing ressies really took up a lot of time. In doing so, our cash cost would be ASTRONOMICALLY high for the accommodations that we would need. DVC really made it a bargain. True, I would like to visit non-DVC properties while going through DVC with points but I won't visit that discussion again right now as I am still licking wounds. But Vero Beach, HHI, and the coming Hawaii one is still more than I was counting on. We absolutely LOVE Disney!!! So it's a win-win situation anyways.

Much to my dismay, we are sharing a stateroom with the kiddos on the cruise. I figured just for sleeping it won't be bad at all. DH and I can take something romantic another time. Besides, how much romance can you fill in 4 days on your first cruise and first time out of the country?? Don't answer that..... I wouldn't step foot in the room if I didn't have to. Can I sleep on a chair on one of the decks? That would be awesome!!

As for the FE's, I would like to know too. I still think Brenda should at least stick something out there She did start this darn thing. BTW, I know we aren't Cruise Critters but can you think of some nickname?

Christmas....I haven't really thought about it but now think we may head over to Garden Ridge and grab a small tree and some ornaments for the room. I have always wanted to get one for the kids for their bathroom so maybe this can be the excuse. I still haven't decided if we will do Christmas presents before, during, or after. Perhaps a little of all. Some before, some during, some after. I think DS still believes but I am sure he is on his way out the door about believing in it. Of course it was neat once DD didn't believe anymore I enlisted her help in stuffing the stockings and it made her feel special

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Come on... Anyone planning to start saving for Summer 2010? Scandinavia and the Baltic?

 

[DisneyMama27]

True, I would like to visit non-DVC properties while going through DVC with points but I won't visit that discussion again right now as I am still licking wounds. But Vero Beach, HHI, and the coming Hawaii one is still more than I was counting on. We absolutely LOVE Disney!!! So it's a win-win situation anyways.

Us too. Then again, we stay weekends , holidays , and aren't you using points for your cruise? Careful, Courtney, the DVC police might come take away your points. Wait a minute, those are YOUR points!

Sorry to get all DVC on the rest of you guys. It's been quite a week!

I think DS still believes but I am sure he is on his way out the door about believing in it.

Yes, my DS11 (almost) too. That was my Christmas present from Santa for years...that they all believed! He has now decided that noone else in the 5th grade believes, so why should he? We'll see when Dear Santa time comes!

Come on... Anyone planning to start saving for Summer 2010? Scandinavia and the Baltic?

I read that too - sounds fabulous! Can't decide if I would rather do the TA or the Scand. part. Maybe both? I am already addicted to this, and I still haven't been on my first cruise! Just reading TRs like crazy. It makes for good escape from school stress some days! I love the kiddos, but the enormous amount of paperwork can be a real beating!

Speaking of...gotta grade some papers and review plans for tomorrow! I promised myself earlier bedtime tonight!

 

[TXdeVille]

Us too. Then again, we stay weekends , holidays , and aren't you using points for your cruise? Careful, Courtney, the DVC police might come take away your points. Wait a minute, those are YOUR points!

Sorry to get all DVC on the rest of you guys. It's been quite a week!

Yes I did. And....wait....wait....planning on Star Wars Weekend, repeat WEEKEND for 2010 using.... POINTS!!!! AGGHHHHH

We have a front-loaded packed 2009 (skiing/conference for me in Vail and skiing in Taos for family) so don't think we will do anything Disney until 2010. We will definitely be ready for Disney before that even comes around. DH can't really get Thanksgiving/Christmas off. They made an exception this time because last year he was the only one working. And I have to switch holidays with my boss. At least for now until we get another assistant. It's kinda like being divorced and having joint custody...all this switching holidays.

As for the Scandanavia/Baltic stuff...I would LOVE to! I don't know though. DD graduates 2011 so we will be doing a lot of stuff the summer of 2010. And we have Scout stuff to consider as well. Perhaps DH and I can do it alone. I promised DD a trip anywhere she wants to go when she graduates provided that she meets certain criteria She's still saying Ireland but I am trying to broaden her horizons. Maybe Adventures by Disney or even a cruise including the Emerald Isle. We'll see. Bottom line is...HOW MUCH $$$$????

 

[TXdeVille]

But a Mediterranean again???? Dream come true

 

[TXdeVille]

Someone posted a thread about the 4 day cruise itinerary being switched starting this month.

1st - Port Canaveral
2nd - at sea
3rd - Nassau
4th - Castaway Cay

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1946527

Another thread said that they are trying it out for 4 sail dates beginning 9/28

 

[AndymanGA]

I read that thread yesterday....

We got our airline tix today. Delta has a sale from here to Orlando around $240 rt

 

[brendalee59]

Well Guess I can't expect much help from concierge on the itinerary issue. This was their response to my email


9/9/08




We look forward to sailing with you!


Have a Magical day!


Sharon

Concierge Services Specialist

Disney Cruise Vacations

Not much more from our DU agent either. I emailed her after reading the thread about the changes to the 4 day cruises and she copied the itinerary from DCL website and emaile it back to me. So I guess we won't find out until we check in, or are onboard. Sorry guys, I tried.

 

[TXdeVille]

I read that thread yesterday....

We got our airline tix today. Delta has a sale from here to Orlando around $240 rt

WOW! Way to go! Still think we are driving though.

Here's a couple of silly questions:

I thought I read somewhere that you can't take food/drinks/alcohol on board. Is this true?

Also, if you have booked a Disney excursion that normally meets at 9 am but the ship traditionally has a port time as 945 am can you not do that excursion? Doesn't make sense to offer it if you can't even attend.

 

[scuba diver]

WOW! Way to go! Still think we are driving though.

Here's a couple of silly questions:

I thought I read somewhere that you can't take food/drinks/alcohol on board. Is this true?

Also, if you have booked a Disney excursion that normally meets at 9 am but the ship traditionally has a port time as 945 am can you not do that excursion? Doesn't make sense to offer it if you can't even attend.

From experience....you can take wine as along as it is in your carry on. I have used backpacks and rollers to carry it on. Just make sure it can go though the x-ray machine.

And they do not ID the person carry it on so your children can carry a few bottles as well.

 

[brendalee59]

WOW! Way to go! Still think we are driving though.

Here's a couple of silly questions:

I thought I read somewhere that you can't take food/drinks/alcohol on board. Is this true?

Also, if you have booked a Disney excursion that normally meets at 9 am but the ship traditionally has a port time as 945 am can you not do that excursion? Doesn't make sense to offer it if you can't even attend.

They will let you take packaged food,and soda/bottled water onboard. They won't allow you to take alcohol onboard though.
If you book an excursion through DCL, the excursion will wait on you. The vendors may have a 9:00 time listed for other ships which dock sooner, in which case you will just choose a later time.
Which excursion are you looking at Courtney?