12/24/08 Christmas Cruise on the Wonder

[drag n' fly]

Today we are celebrating Bradley's 6th birthday at Chuckee Cheese. I may need a drink after this one lol


OMG! You won't believe this!!! We got 6 inches of snow in three hours. It is absolute chaos here. We had to postpone the party to next weekend! What a difference a few hours can make.

 

[scuba diver]

Today we are celebrating Bradley's 6th birthday at Chuckee Cheese. I may need a drink after this one lol


OMG! You won't believe this!!! We got 6 inches of snow in three hours. It is absolute chaos here. We had to postpone the party to next weekend! What a difference a few hours can make.

DS just moved to his new base in Grand Forks. He is starting to learn all about the cold that you go through. Being a Florida boy, this might be a shock to his system. The AF gave him some new clothing.

Hopefully he won't be bring this outfit with him on the cruise.

 

[drag n' fly]

DS just moved to his new base in Grand Forks. He is starting to learn all about the cold that you go through. Being a Florida boy, this might be a shock to his system. The AF gave him some new clothing.

Hopefully he won't be bring this outfit with him on the cruise.

Dont be surprised if he gets off the plane with sorels on his feet!

 

[TXdeVille]

Today we are celebrating Bradley's 6th birthday at Chuckee Cheese. I may need a drink after this one lol


OMG! You won't believe this!!! We got 6 inches of snow in three hours. It is absolute chaos here. We had to postpone the party to next weekend! What a difference a few hours can make.

I'm good for a drink. Even though you didn't have the party, you may still need it. 6 inches in 3 hours.....wow. Sorry it had to be postponed though.

Scubadivr,what did you say you have your drinks (wine, mimosas, etc) in? I need to go shopping....

 

[brendalee59]

Just got our Docs via UPS


I have a little piece of good news. I know Adrianna will be happy to hear this. We're 95% sure we will be bringing Valerie with us I have contacted DU agent, and there is ship space available,and the price isn't too bad. Just need to contact Valerie and make sure she wants to go She doesn't know we are considering this. She broke up with her BF this weekend, and it's the ex's year to have the kids. She brought to our attention last night that she guessed she would be spending Christmas alone this year This morning Dale and I woke up and thought hey, this could be a good thing. Val has two weeks off work, no kiddos,and she has more energy to trail along behind the twins in the park. Dale and I can do what we want in the mornings, and go back to the resort in the afternoon to relax in a hammock on the beach. awwww. Worth every penny to take her along I'll let you know when/if we book her

 

[TXdeVille]

Just got our Docs via UPS


I have a little piece of good news. I know Adrianna will be happy to hear this. We're 95% sure we will be bringing Valerie with us I have contacted DU agent, and there is ship space available,and the price isn't too bad. Just need to contact Valerie and make sure she wants to go She doesn't know we are considering this. She broke up with her BF this weekend, and it's the ex's year to have the kids. She brought to our attention last night that she guessed she would be spending Christmas alone this year This morning Dale and I woke up and thought hey, this could be a good thing. Val has two weeks off work, no kiddos,and she has more energy to trail along behind the twins in the park. Dale and I can do what we want in the mornings, and go back to the resort in the afternoon to relax in a hammock on the beach. awwww. Worth every penny to take her along I'll let you know when/if we book her

Perhaps our docs are next then. Good thing Mike and I are off the next three days between the two of us so that we can intercept.

That is SOOOOOO AWESOME! Valerie will be thrilled. If she doesn't accept let me know so I can beat her over the head. She certainly shouldn't be alone on Christmas. I might come join you on the beach with the hammock though. Still looking forward to the beach, drink, and watching fireworks with ya!

 

[brendalee59]

Perhaps our docs are next then. Good thing Mike and I are off the next three days between the two of us so that we can intercept.

That is SOOOOOO AWESOME! Valerie will be thrilled. If she doesn't accept let me know so I can beat her over the head. She certainly shouldn't be alone on Christmas. I might come join you on the beach with the hammock though. Still looking forward to the beach, drink, and watching fireworks with ya!

Here is some pixie dust for you that your docs arrive while you are home

Val has to talk to her supervisor to make sure how many PTO's she has. We leave the 19th, but the plant doesn't shut down for the holidays till the 22nd. She thinks she has 1 1/2 or 2 days. She would still have to take one day off without pay in order to go with us,plus she would miss out on alot of overtime. With her going down to one income,and being off work for two weeks, she really needs that overtime. We told her to think about it, talk with her super and let us know tonight. While the airline website is still allowing bookings, the website isn't showing any available seats. Not sure I want to take a chance on an overbooked flight. Even if we check in exactly at the 24 hr mark, she still doesn't have a seat, and run the risk of getting bumped. I'm actually kinda afraid to book the flight. So it's still up in the air at this point.

 

[S'sMom]

Hi Everyone,

I have not been on in a while because I didnt want to get too excited before it was time

We got our Docs today

Funny thing is my twin is going, and she hasnt gotten hers and she just lives in the next suburb from mine. We are in the Dallas area so go figure

Now I can OFFICIAL GET into this journey with ease

 

[brendalee59]

Hi Everyone,

I have not been on in a while because I didnt want to get too excited before it was time

We got our Docs today

Funny thing is my twin is going, and she hasnt gotten hers and she just lives in the next suburb from mine. We are in the Dallas area so go figure

Now I can OFFICIAL GET into this journey with ease

Congrats to you on getting your docs! Courtney hasn't gotten theirs yet either and she also lives in the Dallas Area. Got a good feeling that tomorrow is her day

Yep, now the countdown is really on! We leave in 10 more days!

 

[brendalee59]

Oh Shari!......

I got the planning book today! Couldn't figure out what I could have that couldn't fit in my PO box. After standing in line forever at the post office, I was very surprised to find it was your pkg! Thank you sooooo much! I have been going over it all evening,and even though alot of it I already know, it was still so exciting It will fit right in my carry on and I have already put all our excursions and spa treatments in it.

Thank you again!

 

[TXdeVille]

Congrats to you on getting your docs! Courtney hasn't gotten theirs yet either and she also lives in the Dallas Area. Got a good feeling that tomorrow is her day

Yep, now the countdown is really on! We leave in 10 more days!

Nope....tomorrow is not my day. CUZ WE GOT 'EM TODAY!!!


Dh called me around 330 (ironically when DS gets home ) to tell me that we received them and another package we were waiting on. Only 4 more packages to go and two of them are on their way......I sure hope the others one get here before we leave.

 

[DisneyMama27]

Oh Shari!......

I got the planning book today! Couldn't figure out what I could have that couldn't fit in my PO box. After standing in line forever at the post office, I was very surprised to find it was your pkg! Thank you sooooo much! I have been going over it all evening,and even though alot of it I already know, it was still so exciting It will fit right in my carry on and I have already put all our excursions and spa treatments in it.

Thank you again!

You're welcome - I am just embarrassed that I was carrying it around in my school bag for so long! I took Friday afternoon off to run errands and get a little caught up on my life...picked up my contacts 2 months late, finally went to the PO, etc.

We got our cruise docs today! I was excited, but a little confused - I was expecting something more... official looking? Also, the front says something about a "contract" but all I can find is the last page where it says "Cruise Contract" and that's all. I printed out the online stuff already, too. I am getting nervous that I will forget something!!

What are y'all packing, clothing-wise? When we were in FL recently, it was cold at night - will the evenings be cold this time of year? Will it be warm enough in the daytime for shorts? I don't want to overpack, but I want to have clothes for whatever weather/temp. we have!

BTW, Brenda, we used ME at TG, and there were no lines at all! Maybe we lucked out, but they told us at WDW last year that TG is worse than Christmas, so we were expecting a mob - there were no lines in the airports, for the buses (we had to wait for the bus to fill up before we left), and only a short line for check-in at the resort. SO cross your fingers, maybe it won't be so bad! (Yep, there were lines at the parks, but they really were not horrible for a holiday time!)

The girls and I are flying in on the 20th, in the AM, and taking ME to OKW for one night. That will be the night I drag everyone to the Osborne Lights again! On the 21st we will drive down to Vero Beach for 3 nights. Hopefully it will be warm!! They have snorkeling classes in the pool for kids - we are thinking that will be the perfect way to introduce our kids to snorkeling, plus they get to keep the gear! We will then drive to PC on the 24th to board. we only have one night at SSR after the cruise, before we drive home (the boys are driving out ahead of us 'cause DH wants his "own car" )

Brenda - do you know your terminal at DFW yet? We flew into the new Terminal D returning from MCO, and it was really nice! The others are not bad, but I felt like I was in the wrong airport, it was so different!

Oh yeah - do I need those luggage tags for anything if we are not doing a Land/Sea package? Do you use those for bag check-in at the ship? Just when I start to figure it out, I realize how much I don't know!!

Have a good night, all - I am conking out now!

 

[brendalee59]

You're welcome - I am just embarrassed that I was carrying it around in my school bag for so long! I took Friday afternoon off to run errands and get a little caught up on my life...picked up my contacts 2 months late, finally went to the PO, etc.

We got our cruise docs today! I was excited, but a little confused - I was expecting something more... official looking? Also, the front says something about a "contract" but all I can find is the last page where it says "Cruise Contract" and that's all. I printed out the online stuff already, too. I am getting nervous that I will forget something!!

What are y'all packing, clothing-wise? When we were in FL recently, it was cold at night - will the evenings be cold this time of year? Will it be warm enough in the daytime for shorts? I don't want to overpack, but I want to have clothes for whatever weather/temp. we have!

BTW, Brenda, we used ME at TG, and there were no lines at all! Maybe we lucked out, but they told us at WDW last year that TG is worse than Christmas, so we were expecting a mob - there were no lines in the airports, for the buses (we had to wait for the bus to fill up before we left), and only a short line for check-in at the resort. SO cross your fingers, maybe it won't be so bad! (Yep, there were lines at the parks, but they really were not horrible for a holiday time!)

The girls and I are flying in on the 20th, in the AM, and taking ME to OKW for one night. That will be the night I drag everyone to the Osborne Lights again! On the 21st we will drive down to Vero Beach for 3 nights. Hopefully it will be warm!! They have snorkeling classes in the pool for kids - we are thinking that will be the perfect way to introduce our kids to snorkeling, plus they get to keep the gear! We will then drive to PC on the 24th to board. we only have one night at SSR after the cruise, before we drive home (the boys are driving out ahead of us 'cause DH wants his "own car" )

Brenda - do you know your terminal at DFW yet? We flew into the new Terminal D returning from MCO, and it was really nice! The others are not bad, but I felt like I was in the wrong airport, it was so different!

Oh yeah - do I need those luggage tags for anything if we are not doing a Land/Sea package? Do you use those for bag check-in at the ship? Just when I start to figure it out, I realize how much I don't know!!

Have a good night, all - I am conking out now!

No need to be embarrassed. I am the same way.

Yeah, the cruise docs aren't as full of info as they used to be. The online docs are really all you need to board anyway. We just like them for the sake of getting them. Usually don't even bring them with us

As for the luggage tags, You will still need to use them so the porters know which stateroom to deliver them to.

That is the night we are going to see the Osborne Lights too! Maybe we will run into each other. Course we wouldn't know it

Last time we went the same time of year. At WDW, and the first night on the ship you will want a light jacket. I'd also pack a sweater for the evenings. It will be windy on deck which can make it pretty chilly at sailaway. Also, some say the dining rooms and theater get chilly in the evenings. I never have, but then again, I'm post menopause and overweight Otherwise, shorts for the daytime, light slacks for evening will be fine. I'm packing lightweight jeans,capris,and t-shirts. Would prefer to leave the jeans home, but I have feet problems and Lindsey hates it when I wear my sneakers with capris two pair of slacks with matching blouses for dinner onboaed, light jacket, and one swimsuit. I have no idea what Lindsey is going to take. Probably try to take her entire wardrobe. The guys are easy, jeans, t's, and a couple polo shirts for dinner.

No idea yet. Probably won't know till check in. I admit to being terrified of DFW. I'm used to OKC, which is super easy. The thought of AA using all the terminals at DFW is a little scary as we don't know our way around. What time is your flight? I know you told me once. but you know me.. I do think it was after ours though.

 

[brendalee59]

One more thing about the luggage tags Shari, Since you are flying to MCO, don't put them on before you leave home, or Disney may pick up your luggage from baggage claim I'd put them on the night before the cruise

 

[brendalee59]

Nope....tomorrow is not my day. CUZ WE GOT 'EM TODAY!!!


Dh called me around 330 (ironically when DS gets home ) to tell me that we received them and another package we were waiting on. Only 4 more packages to go and two of them are on their way......I sure hope the others one get here before we leave.

whooohooo Courtney! You got them without the kids finding out!


Now, who is the smartguy who said they are packing already How dare you make the rest of us look slow Our luggage is still in the attic. Dale keeps telling me he's gonna get it down, but it's still up there Along with the Christmas decorations. We got out tree Sunday, but haven't had time to put it up and decorate it yet. Shoot, I'm wondering why we bothered to get one in the first place

 

[drag n' fly]

Is everyone getting excited???? I can hardly wait now. We have received 25cm of snow here in the last 24 hours I am ready for some sand!

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Just got our Docs via UPS


I have a little piece of good news. I know Adrianna will be happy to hear this. We're 95% sure we will be bringing Valerie with us I have contacted DU agent, and there is ship space available,and the price isn't too bad. Just need to contact Valerie and make sure she wants to go She doesn't know we are considering this. She broke up with her BF this weekend, and it's the ex's year to have the kids. She brought to our attention last night that she guessed she would be spending Christmas alone this year This morning Dale and I woke up and thought hey, this could be a good thing. Val has two weeks off work, no kiddos,and she has more energy to trail along behind the twins in the park. Dale and I can do what we want in the mornings, and go back to the resort in the afternoon to relax in a hammock on the beach. awwww. Worth every penny to take her along I'll let you know when/if we book her

Well? Is she coming? She must not be at the Stripes anymore?

 

[TXdeVille]

Our experience with ME in January went like the experience during TG. Very short wait for the bus and check-in was quick. Then again, it wasn't quite such a busy time of year.

As for DFW, I LOVE Terminal D. It does make it seem like you are in the wrong place though. Not like the other terminals. MUCH prettier.

I was the smart one who mentioned packing. I have barely started. I have to figure out what I want to wear though. I know....take half as much as you think you will need. But my clothes are like my food...I never know what I'm going to be hungry for two weeks from now. Or what clothes to wear. Our last trip in January got unexpectedly cold and we were caught in our shorts. And it was raining. Cold rain. Hate that. After being 80 degrees earlier in the day. We even changed to shorts before we went to dinner it was so warm. Then came the storm.

We aren't even going to do a tree at home at all. Why bother? We did a small tabletop. That is all.

I do have a question regarding packing since we got our cruise docs. I had read several places about a suggestion to bring a soft sided cooler and a knife to use in the room to cut apples, etc. It said on the documents that you can't bring a cooler unless its for medications and absolutely no knives allowed. Can anyone help with this that has been recently??

 

[chhall28]

OK ... am I the only one that hasn't received their docs yet??? I fly out on Monday so I'm getting a little nervous now! I am packed though ... I'm sure with twice as much as I need but at least it's done .. apart from some small items here and there. I'm heading down to Orlando though on Monday to see my sister for a week before the cruise. Kenny will join us the Sunday before the cruise. I'll let you all know what the weather is like.

Caroline

 

[scuba diver]

I do have a question regarding packing since we got our cruise docs. I had read several places about a suggestion to bring a soft sided cooler and a knife to use in the room to cut apples, etc. It said on the documents that you can't bring a cooler unless its for medications and absolutely no knives allowed. Can anyone help with this that has been recently??

My suggestion would be to order room service and just keep one of their knives in the room.