20040131 ~ Cruising Jan 31 2004 Western Who's with us?

[OKWMEMBER]

OK, I just finished watching the DCL show on the Travel Channel, now I'm REALLY ready to go! The show about WDW Holidays was right on the mark! We've been there several times in early December and it's WONDERFUL to be there for the Holidays!

HADD!!!

 

[OKWMEMBER]

Good morning everybody!!!

I had to shovel out my driveway for the first time yesterday! The first of many times I'm afraid. I haven't filled the gas container for my snowblower yet and that's not a good thing! We got about 4 inches of snow here in Erie.

Did anyone else watch the Disney programs on the Travel Channel last night? Gail and I are hoping to host Ann, Randy and Jaqyln at WDW next December so the Holiday show really hit home. The DCL show just got us more excited for our upcoming cruise!!!

HADD!!!

 

[The4OfUs]

It started in my area (as anyone watching the Patriots game yesterday would have seen) around 3:30, and by 5pm I had to shovel the driveway, because it was coming down at 2-3 inches an hour.

It turned to freezing rain/sleet around 10pm.

This morning, it was like trying to move concrete.

The kids were so upset they only had an hour delay - I had to drive them in, and I believe our school superintendant will get a nasty letter, it was HORRIBLE driving!

We taped the show, and watched about 1/2 of it before our beds won...we'll be watching it tonight. I was SO excited I had goosebumps just watching the boarding process! I thought they "announce" people as they board? It did not look like it on the show.

I want to see the "behind the scenes" - a preview of the galley tour I've read about that we hope to take, what with DH being a caterer and all...

I dont' want to wait any longer...can't we all just go now???

 

[goofyaboutmickey7]

I am so ready for a holiday! argh randy

 

[Cyberkashi]

Knew there had to be a thread for this cruise! I was looking for it intermittantly for a couple of weeks--not believing it wasn't out there and yet, not wanting to search for pages and pages.

Hi. I (Jami), DH and DD (7) will be taking our third Magic sailing with you. We are late seating and looking for another family with a child my daughter's age to have dinner with us. I am trying to catch up on the thread but to date am only on page 14! What a lot to read.

I'll try to contribute more as I get caught up on the lastest conversation. Please add us to the cruisers list.

 

[The4OfUs]

Hi Jami!

We're late seating too...although DD is older than your daughter (11) and DS will have just turned 10 when we go. I did not realize you can request table mates, how cool is that. Are there ANY "tables for four", or are all the tables shared?

 

[kmc33]

Welcome, Jami and family! Wow, our numbers continue to grow.

Gary, I shoveled 7 inches in my driveway yesterday and it was the second time in two weeks! I think it was probably more fun than watching the Steelers, anyway Luke wanted to help -- for about 5 minutes. Then he decided he would help by telling me when I missed some -- aahh, the lift of a 4 year old. It wasn't long after that he realized playing in the backyard would be more fun. John left for Germany on business, so it was all up to me.

I have had enough winter already!!!!!

Maybe this has been brough up before, but what's anyone doing after the cruise?! We have a two night reservation at the Dolphin and were planning to go to MK on Sunday. Now I am trying to decide if somewhere else would be better. It's not like the Dolphin is especially convenient to MK, but I have an excellent rate. I am trying to decide if one of the Disney resorts would be more fun for the kids (ages 2, 4, and 5), especially on Saturday when we are not planning to do the parks. I got an excellent rate at POR, but I am a little reluctant since they are due for renovations. Anyway, what's anyone else doing and are there any suggestions for what to do on Saturday after we get off the Magic (we aren't planning to have a car, but will take a towncar to our resort)?

Have a Disney Day!

 

[The4OfUs]

After the cruise, we're headed back home...we're taking the kids out of school for this week, and they don't have their Feb. vacation for 2 weeks after this, so we have to get them back. This is a special occasion, although they'll actually have homework in the form of a journal to keep while on the cruise.

I just booked our Fury Catamaran/snorkle/beach party, whoo hoo! I was worried that they would either fill up, or that they wouldnt' take my request because I did not have our reservation #, but Cynthia was wonderful on the phone, and the 4 of us are set to go on this one!

 

[Cyberkashi]

I don't remember if there are small tables for four. Usually you get assigned to a table with another family. But you can definately request seating with another family just by linking your reservation numbers together. It's an easy call to DCL.

Our first cruise we had a bad experience with table assignments. They put us at a table with 9 Spanish women (no men, no children) who didn't speak English. It was some kind of family reunuion. We felt like like we had walked into the wrong wedding. It was awful. They eventually changed us to another table, and it worked out okay, but now I always try to arrange for dining companions when I can--especially since we are late seating. Most families with kids DD's age go for early seating. Maybe we'll try that next year.

-- Jami

 

[The4OfUs]

Ah, I see! We booked so late that we not only got the 2nd to last Cat. 9 cabin (2506), we also had no hope of the early seating. But because of DH's schedule, we tend to eat a bit later than "normal" anyhow, around 7-8pm, so this will work out good I think -and because of DH's career, dinner is not just a rush through affair for us, it's something to enjoy - how often does a chef get to have someone cook for HIM 7 nights in a row, so if the kids want to eat and run, more power to us! *grin*

I know our TA put us on a wait list for early seating, but I really don't care if we get it or not, an early show followed by a nice dinner sounds like heaven to me.

I'll put our names out there for anyone who might want to prearrange the seating like that.

 

[dheller97]

WELCOME, JAMI !!!!

I've officially added you and yours to the unofficial list of DIS fun seekers! I plan on posting it again right after the holiday. But, I'd be happy to email it to anyone who wants it earlier.

Glad you are with us - just jump right into the congo line we have going and have a ball!

Dean

 

[OKWMEMBER]

Did someone say conga line????

BABALOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Oh Lucy!!!! You have some splainin' to do!!!

(Insert Ricky's laugh here accompanied by a latin version of the I Love Lucy theme.)

Those of you under the age of 35 will probably not get the above reference. We baby boomers (And you know who you are!!! It is better to look good than to feel good!) lived with Lucy and Ricky.

Also, who besides me is a Karoake star? I can use some company on Karoake night. Mack the Knife is my signature song.

HADD!!!

And by the way, you look Mahvalous!!!

(With apologies to Billy Crystal)

 

[dheller97]

Hey, Gary - I didn't think anyone else would remember Ricky and Lucy with his Babaloo and conga. I'd love to join you in the karoake but I think I'll probably have a sore throat that nite and your ears will appreciate it, too.


Dean

 

[OKWMEMBER]

You can supply moral suuport, Dean!

Welcome to the group, Jami!!! I got so caught up in the conga line that I forgot to welcome you!!! SORRY!!!

 

[Annie12345]

Hello everyone - Welcome to the Jan 31st funseekers thread, Jami, I should have mentioned it to you on the other thread...
Gary, even I remember the Lucy and Ricky conga line... I'm happy to say that our snow is melting and it's supposed to go to +1 tomorrow... yippee... snow, snow, go away, come again another day (like Jan. 31st)...

HADD!!

 

[Cyberkashi]

Annie,

Since we are both going to be on the boat for two weeks would you like to set up a little meet? Maybe on the second day after we get settled? Do you spend any time in the Rain Forest Room?

-- Jami

 

[Cyberkashi]

Okay

It took about three hours but I think that I am up on the news and history.

Shingle If you are still out there, I have a DD age 7 who would like to meet and talk to Dee Dee. Do you have late seating?

Captain Marv We booked Captain Marv's direct last year. It is less expensive than going through Disney and you get the same tour. We went for the 1/2 day and DD is insisting on doing it all again. Cap Marv's is about two blocks from where the ship docks and he claims to refund your money if the ship doesn't dock for any reason. Last time a bunch of DISers got together and booked a whole boat. They did the two-hour and we did the 1/2 day (3 hour) so we didn'g go with them. But we heard they had a GREAT time. Maybe someone would like to coordinate a DIS boat this time?

 

[OKWMEMBER]

Jami, would anyone in your group be interested in a cruise hat? There are pictures and descriptions of them in previous posts. You under absolutely no obligation, I was just curious.

The sun came out today!!!

Gail and I are trying to decide what to do at Grand Cayman. She's not into the snorkeling thing but I would like to do it. What is a Capt. Marvin's tour like for a non-snorkeler? Would it be a waste of time?

HADD!!!

 

[The4OfUs]

Grand Cayman has us a bit stumped too as to what to do...none of the excursions catch my eye - to be honest, I'd be completely freaked by the stingrays, I remember having a hard time with the happy tropical fish in Xel-ha on our honeymoon!

I'd maybe like to poke around some shops, and find a beach nearby - why take a bus and a 45 min ferry to the Rum Point Beach, what's so special about that one, aren't there any closer?

 

[Cyberkashi]

Sure, put us down for 1 blue hat. Not sure whether DH would wear it, but could be useful for identifying other DISers on the cruise.

The 1/2 day Captain Marvins would probably be a bit boring if you don't snorkel or want to get into the water. The boat ride itself is really not very scenic, most go for the underwater view. Depending on where they are able to dock the boat, the stingray's may provide a good view--but maybe not. When we got off the boat last year we couldn't see the stingrays from boat. There were so many other boats there (it is a VERY popular place) that we had to swim to the area to find them. But once you are in the "area", stingrays are everywhere. They brush against you, you can touch them & feed them. Capt. Marv gives you raw squid to feed them.

Be very careful with young children. Do not let them feed the stingrays. I am very glad I did not let DD feed them last time.
They do not bite outright, but if you are holding the squid the wrong way (as I learned the hard way) they will bite down on your finger. It didn't really hurt a lot (like a bite from a small dog), but I have heard of instances where they have been able to bite off a finger of a small or very slender hand.

I mistakenly held the squid between my thumb and forefinger. I later learned that you need to make a loose fist with the squid protruding up from the center--then they just suck it up. You will only get bit if your finger gets in their mouth while feeding. They will not come up and bite you. DD dropped some squid juice down the front of my suit and these giant stingrays kept coming up and trying to suck my suit. DD thought it was a riot.



-- Jami