20060902--Eastern Sept 2nd, 2006

[racrj]

Thanks for everybody's positive comments. Sorry I sounded like a Nervous Nelly about Tyler! His doc says she thinks the murmer is just a Stills murmur, which I have since learned is nothing. She told me it shows up in kids age 2-6 and that it's basically just an echo that can be heard because of the size and shape of their heart and chest cavity and that as they grow, by age 6 it won't be heard anymore, but if it's still there after that, then they'll check further into it. So in the meantime, no worries....life as usual. I was just sort of shocked that day because as you know, you never want to hear anything about your kid from the doctor other than "everything's perfect". I ended up talking to her today on the phone because I had more questions and was very reassured by all she told me. Then I looked it up online and felt even better.

Holly - I am glad you are feeling better about things. It is very nerving when a doctor tells you information you are just NOT prepared for. It the mothering instinct that hits and we want to immediately protect and defend!

Keep looking for those docs!!! They will come....

 

[ugarxdawg]

Did everyone get the Brunch at Palo that wanted it. I might have some extra reservations that I do not need. If you are interested PM me. These are for Sunday.

 

[CourtneyMc]

Are you guys doing DCL or on your own? I have posted a thread to see what others have done and how easy that would be. I just thought of another concern - with kids the ages we have, 2, 3, and 4, what would we do about car seats?

Great! More stress and confusion... I may just opt for the DCL for the convenience.

WOW, I sure do have a short memory! I forgot I posted a thread and got a lot of info about Coral World/Coki Beach-
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1131651
Ive been looking into everything cruise related for so long know i've already forgotten half the stuff! Duh. That thread should help- you could post more questions to it and bump it back to page one if you have any other questions.

Also- I asked the question (dif. thread) about carseats on the islands-
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1049703

I'm re-reading the passporter guide now, to make sure I haven't forgotten anything else important =)

My kids counted the links on our countdown chain this morning and were so excited to only see 16 left!!

-Courtney

 

[CourtneyMc]

Did everyone get the Brunch at Palo that wanted it. I might have some extra reservations that I do not need. If you are interested PM me. These are for Sunday.

Can you trade out reservations to someone? How would that work? We might also have extra ressies for Palo and Tea. DH and I are travelling with a friend but we weren't able to book Palo for 3 adults b/c there are only 2 in our cabin, so we have two brunch and two teas reserved but were planning to cancel one of each once we confirm we can add our friend to our table. Otherwise, being the good friends that we are, we'll just have to go twice so she won't have to dine alone

Anyway, if you didn't get tea or brunch ressies, i'm pretty sure there will be at least one of each avail. after we board and get ours straightened out!

 

[quangr]

Are you guys doing DCL or on your own? I have posted a thread to see what others have done and how easy that would be. I just thought of another concern - with kids the ages we have, 2, 3, and 4, what would we do about car seats?

Great! More stress and confusion... I may just opt for the DCL for the convenience.

We are doing it on our own. Just my nature I like to plan them myselves. Not the money, more the adventure.

 

[tggrbuny]

We are doing it on our own. Just my nature I like to plan them myselves. Not the money, more the adventure.

We usually do it on our own too. I get a bunch of books from the library and read up on options. Having my time controlled by the group is too much structure for a vacation

BTW I always research the optional (storm change) ports so that I am prepared. Knock on wood, we won't need it but I like to know my choices.

 

[CourtneyMc]

So what are our 'optional storm change ports'??

Just curious.

Does anyone else NOT have their docs yet

 

[allears]

We usually do it on our own too. I get a bunch of books from the library and read up on options. Having my time controlled by the group is too much structure for a vacation

BTW I always research the optional (storm change) ports so that I am prepared. Knock on wood, we won't need it but I like to know my choices.

We did the same thing by reading about the other ports in the Passporter guide and highlighting excursions we might be interested in. Though we're keeping our fingers crossed for no major changes. Unless it would involve a few extra days on the ship.

 

[allears]

So what are our 'optional storm change ports'??

Just curious.

It would depend on where a storm develops and it's path. For our cruise a storm coming over the eastern caribean could change our trip to a western or maybe we'd get a southern. Again, depends. But we're praying hard for no storm inpact this trip!

 

[gdulaney]

So what are our 'optional storm change ports'??

Any port could become part of our route. A couple of years ago, our Western route changed. It should have been Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel & Castaway Cay....but due to the hurricanes, we skipped Key West and went to Castaway Cay first. Then we added Costa Maya on --- plus we were diverted to Galveston TX to refuel and provision the ship. Hope that helps...

Ginny

 

[tomspixie]

With the weather being as mild as it has been, any bets on whether we will make it free and clear??? When we did the Western last month, there was a lot of activity, but nothing developed. We just had a bit of rain every day and quite a bit of haze. The sunset in Key West was very uninspired.

We did laugh though. The night of the Pirate Party a fog rolled in and you couldn't see a thing for a couple of hours. The sea was honest to goodness black! Abby's best friend commented on how far Disney was willing to go to make things real!

Who all is dressing up on Pirate night???

 

[tggrbuny]

So what are our 'optional storm change ports'??

Just curious.

Does anyone else NOT have their docs yet

Usually cruise lines will not stop in a port not under contract, so it is safe to use the western stops and the Wonder route as a basis This is not always the case, but I can't research all the islands! Besides we have been western and bahamas several times, so we know what we like.

 

[CaptainJack]

I have kind of a unique question about upgrades.

I booked our Cruise using our DVC points. I booked DW and my tickets using points and paid for my DDs. I called DCL to inquire about the possibility of an upgrade, but DCL told me that I needed to call DVC.

I called DVC to ask the question, and, initially, they told me that I had to call DCL about the question. When I told the woman that I had been there and done that and DCL told me to call her, she finally agreed to call DCL.

She came back and said that the ship has upper category cabins available. Her solution was to cancel my reservation and re-book the reservation for the upper category cabin. I told her that I was not interested in doing that. I was, instead, trying to see how much money it would cost to upgrade. I got no where with that conversation.

I then asked whether it would just be easier to upgrade at the port. At that point, the DVC rep informed me that there are NEVER upgrades available at the Port.

Instead of arguing, I just gave up and thought I would post something here.

Has anyone who has booked their cruise through DVC inquired about upgrading at the Port? And, if so, what was the response?

 

[CourtneyMc]

As if I can't find enough things to keep me from doing anything but reading about this cruise- I just discovered there's a meet thread for our ship on Cruisecritic too. The site locked up on me though so I only got to read the first few posts that were mostly -is anyone else going to be on this sailing-

Did anyone else know there were other places to lose time into the giant sinkhole of things to read about our upcoming trip?!

Got a note from my TA today- docs did in fact get sent to her office and were resent to me today so should get them tomorrow or next day. Yippy!

My kids are in love with pics of the food and the towel animals.

Someone asked about pirate night- we're dressing.

Does anyone know, if we send the kids to the club for the evening and pick them up for the pirate party, will other kids be in pirate stuff already too?

-Courtney

 

[BigBlueMan]

The sunset in Key West was very uninspired.

GASP!! Methinks you didn't spend enough time on Duval Street BEFORE the said "sunset". I've seen a ton of them, and was rather inspired by them all!! (Actually REMEMBER a couple of them too!!!)

 

[Monstro]

Got a note from my TA today- docs did in fact get sent to her office and were resent to me today so should get them tomorrow or next day. Yippy!
-Courtney

I guess I should check with my TA.

 

[tggrbuny]

As if I can't find enough things to keep me from doing anything but reading about this cruise- I just discovered there's a meet thread for our ship on Cruisecritic too. The site locked up on me though so I only got to read the first few posts that were mostly -is anyone else going to be on this sailing-

-Courtney

THANKS A LOT COURTNEY (Said with mock anger, a wink, a smile and then a pout) As if I don’t think about the trip night and day…now I had to check out the other board…they seem nice.

I am going to be the saddest person on the planet on the 10th.

 

[ugarxdawg]

I guess I should check with my TA.

I still think if you moved to Georgia you would get them quicker.

 

[bbaltes]

Well, I've been lurking long enough, and with 2 weeks to go (can you believe it?) I suppose I ought to re-introduce ourselves.

Ben, Jenny and Lily (DD 3.5)
From Sun Prairie, WI
Flying down on 9/1 in the morning, renting a car, staying at the Residence Inn and then getting on board early
Flight is late 9/9 (don't even want to think about it) so we'll be renting a car again to see what the stretch between the Port and MCO has to offer for our flexible family.

Staying on Deck 7.

2nd cruise for Mama and Baba (Dad in Mandarin), 1st one for our xiao bao bao (little treasure in Mandarin).

Looking forward to meeting all of you and especially families with similar age kids!

Ben, Jenny and Lily

 

[HollyTyler]

So what are our 'optional storm change ports'??

Just curious.

Does anyone else NOT have their docs yet

I don't. My TA still hasn't even received them yet. No big deal...they'll be coming soon!