12/24/08 Christmas Cruise on the Wonder

[DisneyMama27]

You know I was reading this and I swear I will never swim with the dolphins again

http://www.wildlifepimps.com/feat-SwimWithDolphins.htm

Wow, that's awful! I never knew any of that! I have always wanted to swim with dolphins - I think they are the most amazing animals - but I won't either, Annette. Thanks for sharing!

Did I mention wet suits? Almost as important as mask.

OK, Jim, I am going to have to reveal my naivete - is the wet suit because of cold water? Do you buy these, and where? Is it worth it for one time to snorkel? DH has his own mask (don't ask why), and we were going to sign the kids up for the snorkeling class (in the pool) at Vero Beach, where we are staying for three days before the cruise. It includes a snorkel, mask and maybe even fins that you keep. I'm hoping those will be "good" enough for snorkeling at CC.
We tried snorkeling at Shark Reef at Typhoon Lagoon this summer - the boys LOVED it. DD6 had trouble with her mask and got too frustrated. DD9 was too cold and nervous, so we sat out and watched. The boys had such a good time they did the mini-Scuba (you pay $20@) and it was the highlight of DS11's trip.
After having inner ear surgery, I will have to give up my life-long dream of swimming far below the surface of the ocean but DH really wants to one of these days, so he may want to visit with you Scuba folks!
I will listen with interest, relieved that I will never have to face down that fear! (Sorry, I can snorkel, but scuba diving has always freaked me out!

I am putting off the inevitable stack of papers to grade tonight. I was going to just pop in and say hi, a la Adrianna, but "chatting" is so much more fun.... this is just the worst part of the job for me. I would rather spend the 24 hours following Halloween night locked in a classroom with my students than have to grade papers...really.

Glad you are back to work. Happy pills and all Guess 2nd graders don't take naps huh? Fingers crossed the Advil works for you

Wouldn't that be nice!! We had a guest speaker named "Bill Nye" today (via VIDEO-"conference") so I could sit down for a bit. That guy saves my life sometimes!! Doing much better, thanks! Not even taking ANYthing now. Just ready for the packing to come out of my ear canal. Not only does it muffle my hearing, but now it is starting to itch! Annoying, but much better than pain and dizziness.

OK, no more stalling...good night all!

 

[drag n' fly]

I have always found if I use some sort of flotation device I never need flippers. If I don't use one then I need my flippers or I sink like a rock.

 

[TXdeVille]

Did I mention wet suits? Almost as important as mask.

I'm torn on the wet suit. I would love to but it's not really in the budget with everything else I am planning on. I'm thinking we will be cold at first, as we always are when we go to Schlitterbahn and the water is 70 degrees, but we warm up. No wet suit there. I'm sure we would all be more comfortable, not to mention better looking (slimmer) in the pictures.

Annette....I have to say that I passed on looking at that link regarding the dolphins. DON'T TELL ME!!! I want to do it at least once.

Anyone else getting excited?!?!?! I started printing off our magnets for our door. I need to go get more. I didn't realize there were only 4 sheets in each package.

 

[drag n' fly]

I'm torn on the wet suit. I would love to but it's not really in the budget with everything else I am planning on. I'm thinking we will be cold at first, as we always are when we go to Schlitterbahn and the water is 70 degrees, but we warm up. No wet suit there. I'm sure we would all be more comfortable, not to mention better looking (slimmer) in the pictures.

Annette....I have to say that I passed on looking at that link regarding the dolphins. DON'T TELL ME!!! I want to do it at least once.

Anyone else getting excited?!?!?! I started printing off our magnets for our door. I need to go get more. I didn't realize there were only 4 sheets in each package.

Sorry Courtney I didn't realize you were doing the dolphins. I have done them also but at Discovery Cove

 

[TXdeVille]

Sorry Courtney I didn't realize you were doing the dolphins. I have done them also but at Discovery Cove

Nope, not doing the dolphins this time. Was this for a particular Dolphin place? If so, you can tell me where. I want to do it eventually but I was even looking at doing them at Atlantis when we were in Nassau. Alas, not this time.

 

[TXdeVille]

Oooooo......

Check this out. http://www.yesterland.com/disneykoolina3.html Now I am even more excited. It looks like they aren't going to get rid of everything nature wise. I'm looking forward to the saltwater snorkeling lagoon.

Now...when to plan on going

 

[drag n' fly]

Nope, not doing the dolphins this time. Was this for a particular Dolphin place? If so, you can tell me where. I want to do it eventually but I was even looking at doing them at Atlantis when we were in Nassau. Alas, not this time.

It is an article on how the dolphin excursions are a source of income for the cruise industry and how the dolphins are treated.

 

[scuba.mom]

Scuba Mom, since you are more familar with the ship, would you mind choosing a place for us to meet? It has been so long since our one and onlyDCL cruise, I think it will be like the first time all over again. Maybe since it's a little late,and we are all so busy, we could just use the peel and stick name tags? or wear something that we can be reconized by...maybe a lei, or a certain color strand of mardi gras beads. Nothing big...just a quick meeting to see who we have been chatting with the last year and a half. I know everyone will be busy unpacking, and settling in. then there are those of us with early seating for dinner who will wait till last minute to get ready that first night You tell us when and where, and we will be there with bright shiny faces.....and frizzy hair

How about between 3 and 3:30 on Deck 10 mid-ship (above the Goofy Pool) on the side that faces the Terminal. I guess everyone wear the name tag of their choice (button, paper sticky, whatever) with their DIS Name and their "Real" name. If someone has a more creative idea to identify each other, speak up. See you there.

 

[scuba diver]

Wow, that's awful! I never knew any of that! I have always wanted to swim with dolphins - I think they are the most amazing animals - but I won't either, Annette. Thanks for sharing!



OK, Jim, I am going to have to reveal my naivete - is the wet suit because of cold water? Do you buy these, and where? Is it worth it for one time to snorkel? DH has his own mask (don't ask why), and we were going to sign the kids up for the snorkeling class (in the pool) at Vero Beach, where we are staying for three days before the cruise. It includes a snorkel, mask and maybe even fins that you keep. I'm hoping those will be "good" enough for snorkeling at CC.
We tried snorkeling at Shark Reef at Typhoon Lagoon this summer - the boys LOVED it. DD6 had trouble with her mask and got too frustrated. DD9 was too cold and nervous, so we sat out and watched. The boys had such a good time they did the mini-Scuba (you pay $20@) and it was the highlight of DS11's trip.
After having inner ear surgery, I will have to give up my life-long dream of swimming far below the surface of the ocean but DH really wants to one of these days, so he may want to visit with you Scuba folks!
I will listen with interest, relieved that I will never have to face down that fear! (Sorry, I can snorkel, but scuba diving has always freaked me out!

I am putting off the inevitable stack of papers to grade tonight. I was going to just pop in and say hi, a la Adrianna, but "chatting" is so much more fun.... this is just the worst part of the job for me. I would rather spend the 24 hours following Halloween night locked in a classroom with my students than have to grade papers...really.



Wouldn't that be nice!! We had a guest speaker named "Bill Nye" today (via VIDEO-"conference") so I could sit down for a bit. That guy saves my life sometimes!! Doing much better, thanks! Not even taking ANYthing now. Just ready for the packing to come out of my ear canal. Not only does it muffle my hearing, but now it is starting to itch! Annoying, but much better than pain and dizziness.

OK, no more stalling...good night all!

Wetsuits are for cold water. If you are only using for this trip then I would pass. Getting a good fitting wetsuit can be expensive and tough. $100-$300 per suit. If it is not good fitting then it is not worth the effort.

What some consider cold water others will consider warm. We bring them because we have them.

Don't stress about this part of the trip and remember to have fun.

 

[AndymanGA]

Speaking of Dolphins... you do know how they train them to learn new tricks for the shows at Sea World, etc dont you?

 

[drag n' fly]

Care to indulge us Andy

Well gearing up for halloween. Looks like we may have great weather which means lots of kids and it is on a Friday to boot!

I remember as a kid some halloweens it was -40f and three feet of snow. We would wear our costumes over our snowmobile suits and drive down the road slowly. We would jump out and go to a few house and then jump back in the truck to warm up.....ahhhh the good ol' days

I started sorting clothes for suitcases this weekend. I am only bringing 4 days of casual clothes since we can launder at the villa at AKV and our dress dinner clothes for the cruise....packing light is not easy for a family of five

We are such dufuses that I counted 25 pairs of crocs between the 5 of us this weekend!

 

[brendalee59]

You are already sorting clothes? Ok, am I behind schedule, or are you ahead I haven't even begun thinking about that. Too scary I guess. This will be our first time flying since the new luggage restrictions. Gonna be interesting to say the least.

I found a link to arawak Cay on Nassau,along with instructions on how to get there for anyone wanting to try cracked conch.

http://www.bahamas-treasures.com/bahamas/ArawakCay.html

http://www.bahamasgp.com/menu-12.html


Have heard from someone who lives on Nassau that this is where the local go for a good meal. It's just a few minutes on the #10 Jitney. Now we just have to hope they will be open on Christmas Day

Hope everyone is doing well. Not much new going on here. same ole same ole...lol Have a great day...oh and Andy, don't leave us hanging like that....it isn't nice to tourture us... Have a terrific Tuesday everyone!

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Two months from this morning we'll eating our last onboard breakfast and getting ready to bid the Wonder farewell. We'll be heading back to the WDW to the Wilderness Lodge for a two nights of park free rest. I can hardly wait for this vacation to start!

Does anyone mind if I just use a large stocking as a FE? It is after all Christmas. Do I really need the dividing pockets?

Adrianna

 

[AndymanGA]

Let's see if I can do this in a family friendly way that doesnt get me booted from this board...

To make the dolphins more... responsive to their trainers, the trainers have to uhhh... manually stimulate the dolphins. And now you know why dolphins always look like they are smiling

Oh the things you can learn watching shark week

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Let's see if I can do this in a family friendly way that doesnt get me booted from this board...

To make the dolphins more... responsive to their trainers, the trainers have to uhhh... manually stimulate the dolphins. And now you know why dolphins always look like they are smiling

Oh the things you can learn watching shark week

Well shoot, I wonder how long it took them to figure that out? Women have been using that tactic to "train" their men for centuries.

 

[drag n' fly]

Let's see if I can do this in a family friendly way that doesnt get me booted from this board...

To make the dolphins more... responsive to their trainers, the trainers have to uhhh... manually stimulate the dolphins. And now you know why dolphins always look like they are smiling

Oh the things you can learn watching shark week

OMG>>>>NO WAY>>>>>WHERE IS THE TAG FAIRY!

 

[drag n' fly]

Disclaimer: if you do not want to hear about the economy please ignore post

I went to the post office yesterday and got a US 278.00 dollar money order. Guess what it cost me in cad dollars???????????


361.00cad dollars I almost sobbed We are officially in a recession here.

 

[drag n' fly]

You are already sorting clothes? Ok, am I behind schedule, or are you ahead I haven't even begun thinking about that. Too scary I guess. This will be our first time flying since the new luggage restrictions. Gonna be interesting to say the least.

I found a link to arawak Cay on Nassau,along with instructions on how to get there for anyone wanting to try cracked conch.

http://www.bahamas-treasures.com/bahamas/ArawakCay.html

http://www.bahamasgp.com/menu-12.html


Have heard from someone who lives on Nassau that this is where the local go for a good meal. It's just a few minutes on the #10 Jitney. Now we just have to hope they will be open on Christmas Day

Hope everyone is doing well. Not much new going on here. same ole same ole...lol Have a great day...oh and Andy, don't leave us hanging like that....it isn't nice to tourture us... Have a terrific Tuesday everyone!

We are completely done wearing summer clothes. Usually they are in rubbermaid bins by now. However since we will be needing them soon I am sorting through the ones I want to keep upstairs. Oddly enough the weather has been unseasonabley warm here. Tommorrow it is supposed to go to 22c/71f which is great weather for this time of year. We can have snow and -20f by now!

 

[hkatmom]

Hey everybody. Hope you're doing well. I wanted to let you know Hobby Lobby has tiny Christmas trees this year (i.e. under 3 feet) and a whole section of decorations and tree skirts for them. Best of all they are 50% off this week. I got one last night for our room. DH, who is usually not the sentimental one, is insistent that we have a tree and that Santa will visit us on the ship. I thought Santa would visit before we left but DH says Santa is to come on the ship. Now I'll have to rethink my packing to save room for Santa's gifts.

It feels like Christmas here in Tennessee. Yesterday the mountains got snow and ice and I could see the snow covered tops on my way to work. In the valley and lower elevations, the leaves are not quite at their peak.

Have a great day.

 

[TXdeVille]

Well shoot, I wonder how long it took them to figure that out? Women have been using that tactic to "train" their men for centuries.

Ain't that the truth!!!

Adrianna, I think a big stocking will be just fine. You don't have to have the divided pockets. That's kinda morbid and depressing to be thinking about leaving the Wonder. You made me all sad. I'm getting so excited I could pee.

Annette, glad to hear it's on the warmer side there. It has been unseasonably cool here. In the 40's. Ironically enough, Halloween here sometimes has been that cold. I remember stupid ol me decided to be a sexy witch with a costume I wore when I was five so it came to mid-thigh....no snow suit underneath. And we walked everywhere. Boy was I stupid. I do think you are ahead in your packing. But it makes sense. I planned on doing the same but sometimes it can be 80F on Christmas here. Here's what they say about Texas weather...."If you don't like the weather, stick around for a couple of hours...it will change."

Hkatmom, I will have to go to Hobby Lobby as well as Garden Ridge and scope out the prices. I got one at Wal-mart but not convinced that I am going to keep it. I did see little tree skirts too. Too cute. Glad to hear it is beautiful in Tennessee. I have a friend and one of my nieces there in Nashville. I have more than enough reason to visit. I've always wanted too. Heard it is beautiful.

Brenda....count me in for the cracked conch!! Here's hoping and praying that it is open. Boy I hope so.