20041218-cruise-friends-memories Part 2

[wdwgoose]

JUST HOW EASY DO YOU THINK I AM

SO the suite is half price yes




gaRry

 

[ohiominnie]

Originally posted by kpros
Has anyone given any thought to Xmas Day and giving small gifts to the room/serving staff.

No, but that's a WONDERFUL (or MAGICal) idea! I'm not the most PC person out there---will it "offend" someone who doesn't celebrate Christmas?? Sad you even have to consider that now-a-days. Kinda takes some joy out of gift giving.

 

[kpros]

Instead of it being a Christmas Present, it's a "Holiday Season Gift".

Ken

 

[ohiominnie]

I just know me. I'm the one who blurts out "Merry Christmas" before I remember they are Jewish, or Jehovah Witnesses!

 

[WDWLVR]

Originally posted by Dancind
Has anyone found out if Coral World will be open on Christmas Day? I was trying to talk the family into diving with the Coki Beach dive club, right next to Coral World. Then I could snorkel there, and we could be together, sort of. But DH doesn't think the dive club is operating that day.

Diana - Coral World is definately open. DH and I have reservations to do Sea Trekkin there. Not sure about the dive club.

 

[seaulater]

Had a hard time getting on the boards today. I think it might be our server, it is going down at 6 p.m. for "maintenance", yeah, whatever that means.

It has been stormy everyday. We are getting those stupid storms that last just long enough to get everything dirty. I just hate that.

Good idea on the small gifts for our servers, etc. I'll have to be on the lookout for some great deals (small items taking up not too much room in luggage!)

Anyway, I'll check back, hoping I can get on the boards!

Linda

 

[jilljill]

Sorry Stacey, didn't mean to get you in trouble and get everyone all excited about visiting you in a suite at the GF. I know you just have a regular 'ol room there with a lagoon view. Can I see your room - I've never been in one there?

Your 'call' to mom sounded so funny. Something I would have to go thru as well.

 

[ohiominnie]

Originally posted by seaulater
I'll have to be on the lookout for some great deals (small items taking up not too much room in luggage!)

Oh, Oh! I've got a great idea. I've got some small bars of soap with Mickey heads on them and some daisy shampoo and some minnie lotion!!! i'll pack that!

 

[justmestace]

Oh, minnie....I'm am ROFLOL at you!!! I'm also one to blurt out Merry Christmas!! I have such a hard time with "Happy Holidays"....
I just cleaned out a bathroom drawer that had Shampoo & Body Wash from the ship, I can add that to the pile!!
I used one the other day, and remembered that I need to bring my own stuff. DCL's smells like pine. I don't want to end up with lights strung on me! Either that, or have someone think I use Tidy Bowl for perfume!

Nope, no suite at the GF.....just jilljill trying to get me in trouble. They do have 2 bedroom suites available....but the lagoon view is already stretching my budget!

GaRry......no one said you were EASY .....I just want to know if you're CHEAP???

Diana.....just repeat after me: "CHARGE! "
We have a charter for St. Maarten also, we're going to Anguilla, then around to the French side. You can decide after you meet me if you'd like to join us!
Wait till you find out that Megan & I are flying First Class to WDW in August! (Guess you just did) I'm using points.

Somebody mentioned something about flights for the cruise, and waiting for Southwest. I was waiting for Southwest....but I didn't want to risk it, so I booked America West non-stop. I used my free Southwest flights for the trip to Omaha....which is usually about $345 each.

With all these trips, by the time we get closer to the cruise, I may be able to use points to put us in 1st class again.

And yes, jilljill, you guys can come watch the Electric Parade from my balcony! I looked at pictures and locations of the suites, I don't think I'd like them very well. They look to be decorated a little more "frou-frou" than I can handle. Not sure about the views, either. ??

I'm trying to decide what to pack for Vegas. It's hot, but the restaurants are freezing. Hate dragging a sweater.....short sleeves, instead of sleeveless??? Anyone? At least on the ship, you can just run up to your room and grab a jacket......

Guess my book is long enough......going to go find something to eat.
TTFN,
Stacey

 

[gail1771]

Hi everyone. I am still working on the Brunch. DCL can not and will not accomidate that large of a party for a holiday sailing. I am now working with a manager for DCL. They also want the reservation to be under me and I would be responsible for the bill if I give the names for confirmation and not everyone shows up. It is $10.00pp plus gratituty. I have been on the phone with them several times and dinner. A suggestion was at a lounge as that wasthe options are that we can pay and rent a conference room for $350.00 plus food or drinks, all meet somewhere after early and latedinner which has been done in the past with large groups. It was explained to me on several occasions that since this is a special holiday sailing they can not provide granteed reservations for half of Palos. Other large groups have also been turned down. The best that I can get even explaining that we are repeat cruisers is a hold for 14 people on each day at sea for all three brunches. So that equals a total of 42 and we have over 70!!!!!! They gave us all three brunch days at 10:30 am but only for 14 each time and I am resposible for those 42 seats. Another option is since it is first come first serve if we all wanted to go on a certain day is for all of us to go on our own and sign up-BUT we will all not be sitting together if the brunch has assigned seating. I was also told you are only allowed to sign up for one brunch. The list of activities will not be out for a while I was advised. So our options are as explained above. I have been on the phone with them for two days and this is what they can offer us. It also can not be called the DIS brunch as DCL wants it to be called Gail's group. I could write a letter but they are very firm on this.

Diana, I have the women's phone number to directly call her as the other women I was dealing with just forwarded it to her. I would not wait to long to take care of it as she is very busy with other requests as well. I will e mail it to you tomorrow.


Stacey, I know I asked you once before about who you are using in ST. Marteen as a charter company. I would appreciate it if you could e mail me or pm me the info again. We would love to do that. Do you have extra room on your charter??? We love this island and have been several times but never to Angullia.

Well you all decide what you would like to do in regards to this brunch situation and let me know.

Gail

 

[gail1771]

Lisa , I sent you a pm. Gail

 

[ohiominnie]

Originally posted by gail1771
if I give the names for confirmation and not everyone shows up. It is $10.00pp plus gratituty.

Gail,
Hugs! You're working so hard on this. I'd be willing to send you our $40 in advance, if that helps. That way if we cancel, we're out, not you. Is that an option?

 

[justmestace]

Gail...I sent you a Pm. And we'd send money in advance, too. But it sounds like we need an alternative plan.
Is there enough room on Deck 7 aft, outside? Just to get together and have our own drink? I don't know...I've not had much chance to really explore the ship, and I've never been in any of the clubs.
LeiLani has a huge verandah!! (She'll love me for that one)

Heading to bed early. So sleepy lately.

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY MORNING TO OUR EAST COASTERS, MIDS AND WESTS!


Good night!
Stacey

 

[WVMD]

Originally posted by ohiominnie
Gail,
Hugs! You're working so hard on this. I'd be willing to send you our $40 in advance, if that helps. That way if we cancel, we're out, not you. Is that an option?

I'd definitely be willing to do that also.....

Thanks Gail - for all of the work....

If the group wants to go with the private room - that'd be ok too....$5.pp plus food - (any idea what the food would cost?)

Virgil

 

[tkd lisa]

Deck 7 definitely has enough room for all of us. We did this on our western cruise for our "wine tasting". A bunch of us ordered the cheese plates from room service and took them out there. The only thing was that I got sunburned, because I didn't think about sunscreen!

I hope the brunch thing works out because I know many people were looking forward to it. I can understand why DCL is limiting it, but 14 people sure is a small limit! Linda, isn't your family more than 14 people on this trip?

Oh, good news on the DS front. My co-worker called back last night and said he's doing much better. "He's not running at the mouth like he normally does, but he's not crying either!" I guess the weather was beautiful there yesterday and they were really busy, which helped get him back on track.

We figured out the "plan" for the rest of the mom visit. We're going to the National Zoo and the National Cathedral Friday, followed by a trip to Tyson's Corner mall for a Rainforest Cafe fix (for DD!). Then either Monday or Tuesday we're going to visit Fort McHenry and Annapolis. Any takers on a meet? Tinkfan, Charlotte?

The idea for small gifts for the staff is very nice. I'll have to think about that. And if the staff member really doesn't celebrate the holiday, I'm sure they'll just politely refuse it, saying that they don't celebrate the occasion.

I guess (actually I know) I have problems with the political correctness about Christmas. In my opinion, if someone doesn't celebrate the holiday, that doesn't mean that they can't take a "Merry Christmas" greeting just as an expression of good will. I mean, there are people who get very grumpy if you say "Have a nice day", but that doesn't stop some people from saying it! I firmly believe in Christmas as the celebration of the birth of Christ, and I refuse to say Happy Holidays just so I don't risk offending someone. Now when I send cards to people I know don't celebrate (such as an Indian friend I have from college), I'll pick a generic winter scene, and write a Happy Holiday greeting. But to Joe Schmo on the street? It's Merry Christmas all the way!

Okay, off my soapbox now! Have a great day everyone! Lisa

 

[gail1771]

Hi everyone. Good morning.

Virgil, The food dpending on what we order can be anywhere from $150.00 to $300 or $400.00 not including drinks. As for the room charge getting $ from 70 plus people is going to be a huge job I do not want to take on while I am on vacation or even before that as I know people will be droping out before the cruise and the $ will keep changing pp. I would not mind laying out the room fee but DH is not going to want me chasing everyone while on vacation or being stressed before vacation.

We could all meet at the promenade lounge the first night after the late dinner seating for drinks as someone suggested this who has done this before with large groups on the DC.

We did this on Celebrity Summit this past February. We all were writing on the meet and mingle website and we had about 50 people. Lots of fun. Because we had this large group of over 25 Celebrity gave us a room for an hour with light food in the am to have a get together and took a picture of us. This was sord of a holiday sailing during President's week. We all signed up for the M@M by phone or internet and when you hit #25 the cruise line sets it up for you. DCL does not have this set up. I wish they did. Anyway we need another plan and since I have all three brunches for 14 people each we all do not have to do the first day at sea as the purpose was to all meet. We need to come up with another plan.

I do not have a problem taking care of one of the brunches and the $ but that will be enough for me as I do not want to chase after others while I am on vacation.

I Thought This Would be SO EASY to SET up. That is what the PALO manager on the Wonder told me last August as I had a lengthy conversation with him!!!!! Boy, was I wrong!!!!! It is eaiser to go to work and set up a large meeting or a dinner dance for 350 people which I use to do among 100 other tasks.

Mary and Stacey I sent you a pm.

Diana, I will e mail you today the women's phone number for late seating set up.

Talk to you all later-Gail

 

[wdwgoose]

VERY EASY NOT very cheap


DECK 7 AFT. YES lots of room there. We had our wine party there last cruise. the boonesfarm really helped.

it is not used alot. not alot of people know about there or use it.
I think the door makes cruisers stay away.


STACEY you invite jilljill to watch the parade and N O T ME W H Y
you know you GOTTA LUV ME




okay have a state test this morning so going too study


have A great day all




gaRry

 

[gail1771]

DECK 7 would be perfect but it is on the small side. I do not know if it would hold that many people????? Our cabin on the Wonder was on that deck. Nice area, very private. I am sure that we will not have 70 plus final count before we cruise. I am sure the number will go down but we need to find out how many people it holds. GarRy, how many people did you have there for your party??????? Gail

 

[WDWLVR]

Good Morning All - Happy Hump Day!

Gail - got your e-mail and have responded. to you - I know how hard you have been working on this.

Mark and I would gladly send our money up front as well if that would help.

Deck 7 sounds like a great alternative especially with the room service trays that Lisa talked about.

Remember we were also talking about doing a quick meet on sailing day at 3pm up on deck 10. That can get the party started and would be a great place to pass out the pins etc. Then we could have a deck 7 meet on say the first full sea day or the morning of Key West Day whichever works best for everyone.

I'd be willing to chip in for the private room as well if that is what everyone wants - hey I'm easy

I like the idea of small gifts for the stewards and serving team. Will have to put some thought into that.

 

[gail1771]

Diana, I just e mailed you the phone number.

What do you all want to do about brunch and what day as that will not be our meet day we can do any brunch any day as all three sea days are reserved under me for 10:30am but it is only 14 peoople for each brunch?????!!!!!!!

If you all want to e mail me that would be great. Gail17@optonline.net


Thanks Gail