20041218-cruise-friends-memories Part 2

[WDWLVR]

Good morning everyone! We got lucky here in Chicagoland...just a dusting of snow. The streets are wet but that is about it.

Matt - I sent you another pm.

Stacey - sorry to hear all about your car troubles. Yuck!

As for excursions - the only one we've really focused on was Sea Trekkin because we knew we wanted to do that. We saw it when we were there in May of 2001 and knew we wanted to do it the next time we were in St. Thomas. As for all the others - I think we will play it by ear. For places we've never been before we tend to go with Disney excursions. Usually a little more $$$ but I like the security of if the tour is late the ship will wait. Last time we were in St. Thomas the truck we were in was blowing a fan belt. It took FOREVER for us to get back to the ship.

I know a lot of people do excursions on their own and more power too you. I'm just a little too chicken for that .

 

[justmestace]

Good Morning...

Gail, your pictures are so beautiful! The kids are amazing.

WVMD....you have a very good-looking family, too!
I think we all have some of the best looking kids I've seen. We're going to have a pretty nice looking group on this cruise.

Mary, I'm pretty chicken about doing excursions on our own, too. I guess I was thinking that if we could do our big trips to the islands and get along okay, then we could handle this. That's probably why I'm putting so much thought into it so early. Still wavering. I know the DCL excursions would be a much safer bet.
Good thing we still have a lot of tme to think about it.

Gotta run...teacher conference this morning for DS. His teacher had Jordan a few years back, and I really like her. So even if it is bad news, it won't hurt quite so much!

Then I guess I'll wait for the auto repair guy. At least the car is at my office, so I can work while I wait.

Have a great day, everyone.

Stacey

 

[jilljill]

Woke up to snow on the ground and freezing rain hitting the windows. Now it is just all rain, and cold too.

 

[gail1771]

Hi everyone.
Thank you for all the nice comments on the pictures.
We have such a great looking group on this cruise.
It got so cold here in NY. It started snowing at 10:00am. We were suppose to orginally have snow and than rain but it is so cold our. BURR...............................

Where is spring????????????????

Talk to you all later. Drive safe out there. Gail

 

[Dancind]

Guess I'm one of those that enjoys planning the trip almost as much as going on the trip. Probably the only area in which I am type A. I like to make sure we're doing the most fantastic thing we can! Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. And as for booking "off ship", I don't worry about it too much. I do make sure we're scheduled to get back at least an hour before the ship leaves, and that there's some form of communication in case of a breakdown or whatever. I've spent some time on the Cruise Critic boards, and the veteran cruisers there hardly ever book ship tours. The gang we hung out with on our Celebrity cruise found a private tour to take us to a spot in the rain forest in Costa Rica to ride down a zip line. It was fantastic, and I'm glad we didn't miss it. Then again, my DH and DD were the very last ones to board when we were in Roatan, because the dive shop they booked with got them back at the last minute. They literally closed the gangplank as they stepped on board. My DH (who booked his own dive tours) now knows that better not happen again, or he will incur the wrath of wife. If he misses, that's one thing, but he better make sure the kid is back! Maybe I shouldn't have told you guys about that one.

Snow, huh? It's in the 60s here, fall and early spring are wonderful in NM. It will get windy pretty soon though. I do feel for you Easterners, you've been having some tough weather. Lynda, I've lived in Texas. I remember thunderstorms, ice storms, tornados, hurricanes too. Did I miss anything? Oh yeah, it swelters there. You don't know swelter until you've been in Texas in the summer. Worse than Florida even.

 

[lneeley]

Morning all. Hope the boards are faster today!

Diana-any hints on Ebay. You seem like you are probably an expert. I have bought a couple of things and am building up my nerve to become a seller and get some money on stuff. (You know, to help pay for this cruise)

Anyway, got to get some work done. I'll check back.

Hope at some point GaRry reads my message about the port and two palms!

Linda

 

[jilljill]

Linda, I have bought lots and lots on ebay and just recently sold a few things. I don't know how people can sell more than 10 items at a time - it was driving me crazy with my 7 items. I guess you just get used ot it after a while. I need to think about selling some more things before we move, I have some items set aside for ebay. I need to get motivated to do it and get up the nerve again.

 

[lneeley]

That's my problem. It is just building up the nerve to actually put something on there to sell. (well, and the time to do it too)

Linda

 

[Dancind]

Yes, Ebay is VERY time consuming. I collect dolls, so I've been on it since 1996. If you want to see my auctions as an example, type in my user ID "dancind" in the Ebay search, Yep, it's the same.

First, you have to build feedback. Noone will bid much unless you have plenty of good feedback. Buy a few things, sell some inexpensive things, ask people to leave you feedback when it's completed.

Here's what you have to do to list something on EBay: take several good, clear pics of the item from different angles, edit the pics, upload them to a web server. Ebay has a picture service, but they're small pics, and they charge for more than one. Write a good description, describe any flaws. It's best to be honest! Either do your listing directly on Ebay, or download Turbo Lister. TL went haywire on me, so I'm using one of the listing services right now that aren't owned by Ebay. It's a really good idea to find a box and weigh your package so you can provide a shipping charge in your listing, people really like that. Ebay has a cool feature where you provide the weight, and people can enter their zip code to get a shipping amount. Try not to estimate, it's too easy to lose money that way!

Also, sign up to take Paypal payments. Yes, there's a fee for this too (EBay hits you with fees from every direction), but you get higher bids if you accept Paypal. If you really want to do this, there's a great thread on the Budget board called "You've got to try this - EBay your way to Disney". Lots of great tips. Good luck, I'm always willing to answer questions, but you might want to PM. And give me your e-mail address if you do, I can copy answers to several people that way. Talking a lot of Ebay would really hijack this thread!

Diana

 

[lneeley]

Diana-thanks for the info. That's really helpful.

Okay, now back to Disney!

Every morning when I come into work and turn on my computer I blow the DCL horn. It just starts my day out with a smile on my face and reminds me that I am one day closer to the cruise!

Linda

 

[jilljill]

Diana, I bow to the 'ebay queen'. An excellent rating - mine seems so paultry now.

 

[videogal1]

Originally posted by videogal1
Well, sorry, kids I gotta go...
There's some kinda HUGE lightning storm goin' on and I'd just as soon not fry the poor Mac...
NIGHT ALL!

Fry the MAC....HAHAHAHAHA, I can't believe I said that.... Must'a been REALLY tired....

 

[videogal1]

 

[WDWLVR]

Good evening everyone! Wow the boards were messed up today. Couldn't get on at lunchtime.

Seem to be a little better now.

 

[jilljill]

The boards are still messed up. I haven't been able to get on for hours From the looks of it, I'm not the only one.

It's still very cold and rainy here

 

[WDWLVR]

Here's something to enjoy - DH made this. Takes a little time to load, but worth it.

 

[lneeley]

Mary-thanks! Cheered me up since I couldn't get on the boards all day today!

Hopefully, the problem is fixed.

I am headed home!

Linda

 

[Dancind]

Wow, that ship parallel parks better than my Camry!

 

[justmestace]

Finally able to get on! Yea!!

Not that I have a whole lot to say, but I sure do like to read

I have considered selling on E-Bay. Now I know I won't...way too complicated for my pea-brain! I will just remain the outstanding buyer that I am!

Notice I haven't mentioned the weather? Don't want to hurt any feelings. (It has been gorgeous). But check with me in August. 118 is NOT fun.

Well, the car is back in running order. Gave the kids an ultimatum. They need to find themselves another car. They looked at me like I was the meanest person on Earth, but too bad.

I heard back from another group that I had e-mailed about St. Thomas excursions, and they said that they would be closed on Christmas day. I guess it will be hit and miss. We'll probably go with a DCL excursion....at least we'll have all the previously mentioned guarantees. I don't want to get stuck in St Thomas.

Off to take Jordan to dance....will try to check in later, if the boards cooperate.

Stacey

 

[justmestace]

Mary,
That is so wonderful! I wish my DH could do that kind of stuff. I wish I could do that! And yes, I wish I could park like that too!