12/24/08 Christmas Cruise on the Wonder

[AndymanGA]

If your hubby changes his mind let me know nursing shortage here BTW


I need to buy a few things for the trip (and start getting some things altered). As of this morning, I have now passed the mark! I bought some jeans two weeks ago. Luckily I tried them on before buying them as I am down a size from what I used to wear. My belts are on the last hole, too.

 

[AndymanGA]

Oh, my father in law may go to Texas as a consultant with the phone company to get everything back online. He did this in New Orleans after Katrina. If I find out he is definitely going and where I'll let yall know in case you can help find him a place.

 

[scuba.mom]

So the cruise was paid off last week but by a check. The TA is waiting for the check to clear and then they will send a business check from the agency to DCL, which will probably then have to clear before I can book Palo, etc

Oh, and the TA talked to Disney about switching out the Rainforest Spa to something that my Dr wont be freaking over but they cant do it. They suggested the cheaper package that doesnt include Palo or early booking... I think I will just see if I can give the pass to my mom

I think giving the Rain Forest pass to your Mom is a great idea. She will enjoy it.

 

[TXdeVille]

We decided to do a 9:00pm sitting. Eat a light dinner with the kids and then go have a nice dinner together. My kids are the same way Courtney. When we eat out we eat Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, Greek you name it. Some kids live on PB and Jelly because they go through stages where that is all they eat. Believe me I know dd12 ate pb and j every day for lunch for 10 months when she was 5 she loved it so much!

Don't you know it! DD went through a stage where she wouldn't eat a THING! INCLUDING pb&j. DH had to rename it...."Barney Brains Sandwich" so she would eat it.....she was going through a Barney stage. Come to think of it, her favorite colors are still purple and green.

Since we discussed this at dinner on Friday, Jim covered most of our suggestions already with the most important being - HAVE FUN AND DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.

I over-scheduled the kids previously and believed if I really enjoyed something they would too. WRONG. DD and I love the shows. However, Matt spent a 10 day cruise literally eating two dinners each night. One with us and one with his friends at second seating. He never saw a show and was proud of it.

Take a book (that can get wet and not be too much of a problem) and sit on the ledge (3 - 4 inches of water) in the adult pool and read. When the ship is rocking slightly, the sloshing water feels great.

Bring (or borrow from the Spa) ear-phones to plug into the TV's on the excercise equipment. I love to use the treadmill and watch a movie (the same ones that are in your state room).

Order coffee from Room Service (the kids order a lot more than that) for breakfast. (Just hang the sign on your door the night before).

Eat Breakfast at Lumiere's - I love their eggs benedict. Eat lunch at Lumiere's (or Tritons on the Wonder). I love being served a meal rather than buffet. (However, if you enjoy buffets - Parrot Cay is less crowded than Topsiders)

Go to the Adult Beach if you want a quiet beach experience. Go to the Family Beach if you enjoy a more active beach experience.

PARENTS of young children (12 & under) go to the "remember the magic" show starring the kids in the WDW Theatre on the last day. The kids get T-shirts and Graduation Caps. They get to march in the Theatre, sit on stage, perform a song and are joined by Mickey and Minnie. The video presentation is of your kids in all of their activities throughout the cruise.

If you have any specific questions, just let me know. You might as well not make some of the same mistakes we did because we didn't know better.

Great tips too! Thanks a ton. I like the idea of the earphones and the movie. DD and I will probably hit the gym. The boys have this weird metabolism where they can eat whatever and lose weight. I have to get a stomach flu to even think about losing weight. Need to get back to the gym though.

I was wondering if DS would be too old for the "Remembering the Magic" show. Kinda seemed like it was more for the younger crowd and I didn't want him to be the only one up there.

I am a little worried about the rocking ship and sloshing water. I don't want to be sick but I am praying that I won't be as bad as I am fearing. It's really the car I get sick in. No plane. But on the sea, at least in the Gulf off the Texas coast, I only get sick in small vessels when someone throws up what I have eaten and I get a whiff.

Eggs benedict sounds divine.... I do sometimes prefer sitting down at breakfast as opposed to a buffet.

We used a TA last time (seemingly reputable-through USAA) and ended up frustrated.

USAA is good for a lot of things. Never done travel through them though. Got a good deal on insurance for my almost 16 year old DD. Other people are jealous

It'll be time to get the luggage out of the attic before you know it. Anyone done any shopping yet? I got alot of new clothes when I went down a size. Course after a long summer, I'm afraid some of those may be a little snug Guess it's time to step things up a notch,and get serious again.

Andy, sorry, DH laughed at me when I told him I know someone with a house for sale in Atlanta area. Guess Courtney will have to buy it. Oh wait. She can't buy it. Then they will move away,and won't be close enough to visit next summer

Courtney,are you still working as hard as you were the last couple weeks? Take care of yourself,you have a vacation to get ready for.

I know!!! I am WAY too excited!! I really need to start whipping those loose ends together. Since the weather is getting colder perhaps I can actually put clothes in the suitcase. What am I thinking??? One Christmas it was 80 degrees here!!

I haven't done too much clothes shopping as I was planning on being 10 pounds lighter by cruise time. The trick is staying there. Andy looks great! You can really tell in the pictures. I have done other shopping though...

I will probably have to pass on the house too, Andy. DD would never forgive me for relocating her sophomore year. Nursing shortage is everywhere but worse in some areas. I am a Registered Nurse First Assistant meaning that I operate with the surgeon. I'm not just a nurse in the room but actually suturing, holding tissue, etc. so my job is a bit more skilled. I sometimes wish I had experience in other areas so that I can really benefit financially from the shortage. And, Brenda is right....wouldn't be able to visit her next summer. We need to get Annette and Adrianna down here with us.

I'm whispering so the operating room gods don't hear me but the busy season is coming to an end so things will slow down a bit. Had a late night last night (1145 pm) but the days are approaching where we can leave early and hit happy hour! I'm working more on getting the vacation stuff together. I CAN'T WAIT!!!

 

[scuba diver]

Great tips too! Thanks a ton. I like the idea of the earphones and the movie. DD and I will probably hit the gym. The boys have this weird metabolism where they can eat whatever and lose weight. I have to get a stomach flu to even think about losing weight. Need to get back to the gym though.

You must be 18 to use the gym.

 

[drag n' fly]

Don't you know it! DD went through a stage where she wouldn't eat a THING! INCLUDING pb&j. DH had to rename it...."Barney Brains Sandwich" so she would eat it.....she was going through a Barney stage. Come to think of it, her favorite colors are still purple and green.



Great tips too! Thanks a ton. I like the idea of the earphones and the movie. DD and I will probably hit the gym. The boys have this weird metabolism where they can eat whatever and lose weight. I have to get a stomach flu to even think about losing weight. Need to get back to the gym though.

I was wondering if DS would be too old for the "Remembering the Magic" show. Kinda seemed like it was more for the younger crowd and I didn't want him to be the only one up there.

I am a little worried about the rocking ship and sloshing water. I don't want to be sick but I am praying that I won't be as bad as I am fearing. It's really the car I get sick in. No plane. But on the sea, at least in the Gulf off the Texas coast, I only get sick in small vessels when someone throws up what I have eaten and I get a whiff.

Eggs benedict sounds divine.... I do sometimes prefer sitting down at breakfast as opposed to a buffet.



USAA is good for a lot of things. Never done travel through them though. Got a good deal on insurance for my almost 16 year old DD. Other people are jealous



I know!!! I am WAY too excited!! I really need to start whipping those loose ends together. Since the weather is getting colder perhaps I can actually put clothes in the suitcase. What am I thinking??? One Christmas it was 80 degrees here!!

I haven't done too much clothes shopping as I was planning on being 10 pounds lighter by cruise time. The trick is staying there. Andy looks great! You can really tell in the pictures. I have done other shopping though...

I will probably have to pass on the house too, Andy. DD would never forgive me for relocating her sophomore year. Nursing shortage is everywhere but worse in some areas. I am a Registered Nurse First Assistant meaning that I operate with the surgeon. I'm not just a nurse in the room but actually suturing, holding tissue, etc. so my job is a bit more skilled. I sometimes wish I had experience in other areas so that I can really benefit financially from the shortage. And, Brenda is right....wouldn't be able to visit her next summer. We need to get Annette and Adrianna down here with us.

I'm whispering so the operating room gods don't hear me but the busy season is coming to an end so things will slow down a bit. Had a late night last night (1145 pm) but the days are approaching where we can leave early and hit happy hour! I'm working more on getting the vacation stuff together. I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Funny you should mention that. Between offers to re-locate to Duncan and offers to move to Houston....be careful what you wish for

Hope everyone is doing ok. I have family down in Texas that we still have not heard from due to the phone lines being down.
I have 5 t-shirts made for the family and 4 magnets for my cabin door. I am photoshopping some more. FE is ready!!! Things are hopping here. I am working part time, going back to school part time, teaching Sunday school part time ( yes the tattoed and pierced mama is teaching Sunday school) It is great to be busy again as it keeps my mind off of Christmas....the days are dragging.......tick.........tock......tick.......tock It is suppose be 25c/80f here today!

 

[TXdeVille]

You must be 18 to use the gym.

Pooh! Even if she is with an adult? Most gyms allow that....

 

[TXdeVille]

Funny you should mention that. Between offers to re-locate to Duncan and offers to move to Houston....be careful what you wish for

Hope everyone is doing ok. I have family down in Texas that we still have not heard from due to the phone lines being down.
I have 5 t-shirts made for the family and 4 magnets for my cabin door. I am photoshopping some more. FE is ready!!! Things are hopping here. I am working part time, going back to school part time, teaching Sunday school part time ( yes the tattoed and pierced mama is teaching Sunday school) It is great to be busy again as it keeps my mind off of Christmas....the days are dragging.......tick.........tock......tick.......tock It is suppose be 25c/80f here today!

I'm planning on going to go buy some color ink so I can start on my magnets....

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Pooh! Even if she is with an adult? Most gyms allow that....

Nope, scuba is right. No kids. It is one of the beautiful things about the DCL. Kid free zones, no exceptions.

I have read, somewhere, though that the teen programs will go to the gym during a time that it is closed for adults, so she might be able to catch it on one of those organized field trips.

 

[scuba.mom]

Pooh! Even if she is with an adult? Most gyms allow that....

Nope, not even is she is with an adult.

I know parents that have even tried to get their children who are in training for a sport to just be able to stretch in the work out room (not use the machines) and DCL will not even allow that. There have been several threads pro & con of a parent trying to do this - so I am not trying to open a can of worms with that issue, just make you aware they are very strict on that issue.

 

[scuba.mom]

The "Remember the Magic" is for kids in the Club and Lab. They all participate (at least they did when my kids were involved), so I don't think your child will feel out of place if they are young enough to be still be in the lab (10 or so). I think they have a tween group now for the 11-13 year olds. I don't know how that group works - it wasn't available when my kids were that age.

 

[chhall28]

In Nassau we will not be booking anything, unless we do a shark dive and that is a lot of work for just two dives. Otherwise will may or may not even get off the ship. If we do get off it will be to walk around The Queens Steps and stuff down top.

The ship sure is nice and quiet when everyone else is at shore.

I think we are planning the same. Especially if Nassau happens on Christmas day ... we're just going to enjoy the beautiful ship and relax.

 

[chhall28]

Well kids, my calender shows 94 days before our vacation begins. It'll be time to get the luggage out of the attic before you know it. Anyone done any shopping yet? I got alot of new clothes when I went down a size. Course after a long summer, I'm afraid some of those may be a little snug Guess it's time to step things up a notch,and get serious again.
able to get rid of them

I just placed a big order on disneyshopping in the outlet store. I picked up a bunch of new clothes for the little ones for the cruise and hid them in the closet. We got both of the kids the toddler mickey digital camera too so they can take pictures while we sale. I can't wait to see their faces when they get them. Now I'll start searching for new stuff for me

 

[TXdeVille]

Nope, scuba is right. No kids. It is one of the beautiful things about the DCL. Kid free zones, no exceptions.

I have read, somewhere, though that the teen programs will go to the gym during a time that it is closed for adults, so she might be able to catch it on one of those organized field trips.

Oh, right, I think I read that too. She probably will. Then again, she might not. All I care about is eating dinner with us and the few excursions we will do together.

Nope, not even is she is with an adult.

I know parents that have even tried to get their children who are in training for a sport to just be able to stretch in the work out room (not use the machines) and DCL will not even allow that. There have been several threads pro & con of a parent trying to do this - so I am not trying to open a can of worms with that issue, just make you aware they are very strict on that issue.

No problem.

On another note, I read that Santa hands out a gift on Christmas day to the kids. What ages and does anyone know what kinds of things they do?

 

[drag n' fly]

I think we are planning the same. Especially if Nassau happens on Christmas day ... we're just going to enjoy the beautiful ship and relax.

You know I am still waffling about this. We booked the Atlantis Aquaventure for Christmas Day. The price is outrageous. It will cost 750.00 for the day. I simply cannot justify that cost. There are so many families that go without at Christmas and to drop 750 dollars in one day on a waterpark is just ridiculous IMO. The Comfort Suites deal is just as expensive as it has a 2 day minimum. The more I think about it the more I just want to stay on the ship. If people pay that price they will keep charging it.

 

[TXdeVille]

You know I am still waffling about this. We booked the Atlantis Aquaventure for Christmas Day. The price is outrageous. It will cost 750.00 for the day. I simply cannot justify that cost. There are so many families that go without at Christmas and to drop 750 dollars in one day on a waterpark is just ridiculous IMO. The Comfort Suites deal is just as expensive as it has a 2 day minimum. The more I think about it the more I just want to stay on the ship. If people pay that price they will keep charging it.

There are other things to do. I would love to do Atlantis too but the cost certainly make me think twice. Besides, we have what is considered to be the best waterpark in the world practically next door. And much bigger.

Since we haven't been to Nassau, it was recommended that we do a walking tour, even if on our own. I think we might do the catamaran snorkeling excursion as well. AND OF COURSE CRACKED CONCH!!! Hopefully with Brenda....Time at the beach is high on the list too. And don't forget the shopping

 

[drag n' fly]

There are other things to do. I would love to do Atlantis too but the cost certainly make me think twice. Besides, we have what is considered to be the best waterpark in the world practically next door. And much bigger.

Since we haven't been to Nassau, it was recommended that we do a walking tour, even if on our own. I think we might do the catamaran snorkeling excursion as well. AND OF COURSE CRACKED CONCH!!! Hopefully with Brenda....Time at the beach is high on the list too. And don't forget the shopping

Ever since I saw your waterpark on the travel channel I have always wanted to go there What is cracked conch? What would be a good beach to go to?

 

[scuba diver]

Ever since I saw your waterpark on the travel channel I have always wanted to go there What is cracked conch? What would be a good beach to go to?

I have found some of the best port information to be on the cruise critic boards.

 

[AndymanGA]

mmmmm conch

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Hi Brenda! Just thought I'd give a shoutout to my former fellow Okie. It's been so long. It has been crisp and fall like up here in Kansas. Bet everyone is still swimming in their pool down there. Oh, Oklahoma, I do miss you so.