3/5/09 - March 5, 2009 - 3 night Wonder--anyone?

[Dawn414]

Welcome! This is our third. You're gonna love it! Our two (almost six twins) will either be in the oceaneers club or pool what do you want to know?

 

[4 FOR DISNEY]

Hi Kelly welcome to the disboards. Dawn has been leading the way since this is our first cruise I don't know what I am doing.

Dawn, a meeting at 3:00 sounds good where is a good place to meet? I know that I am going to take the kids swimming after we eat lunch. We should be finished up by 3:00.

I originally booked this cruise for Feb 26th but when the kids cruise free came out I changed the date to the march 5th cruise because my college spring break schedule had changed. I originally had the early dinning assignment, however when I changed my date I was told that late dinning was all that was available. When I check my reservation it still says early dinning. When we arrive will they tell us which we have or where will we find that information for sure?

 

[Dawn414]

A few things...

I would call up DCL and see how they have you listed. If they have you listed as the 2nd seating (8:15), you can ask to be waitlisted for the main dining (5:45). We were waitlisted for the first and I noticed that we did get it. If you have the late dining, you would see the show before dinner. Vice versa for the early dinner (later show). If your kids are in the oceaneer's club/lab during dinner time, they will take them up to Deck 9 (secret passage) and get them food. This is especially good if you book a Palo dinner. It is an adults only restaurant. There is a charge for it ($15 p/p plus tip), but the food is outstanding. You also have to dress up for it. Not sure what would be left at this point online. The tough call there is what night to go? If you're new to the ship, you likely want to experience the restaurants. The first night is just normal, the 2nd night is Pirate night and the 3rd night is dress-up. You don't want to miss Animator's Palate since they have the room changing colors. It's neat. Parrot Cay is the least exciting, but you won't know your dining rotation (regardless of early versus late) until you get on the ship. You'll get your rotation when you get your KTTW card and once you're on-board (if you're there pretty early), you can go to (Deck 3 forward) to see if there are any reservations. I think they hold some for folks that don't have online access (for example).

Meeting...For past cruises, we've met in the Promenade Lounge (Deck 3 mid-ship). 3pm is usually good because it it's after lunch, some swimming time, but before the muster drill...gives about 30 minutes or so to get the name/face so when we see each other on the ship we can say HI!

Any other questions, let me know.

 

[budgetbuster]

Allrighty then!! Playing follow the leader and Dawn is "it"!

I'm excited about the meeting time and place primarily to avoid my shy DD (6) from clinging to my leg for the entire cruise. All she needs is to be introduced to another kid and poof! shyness gone and she's off my leg!

That's not to say I wouldn't love to meet some grown ups too!

We have Palo reservations for the 2nd night but hoping that wouldn't interfere with Pirate Night???????? Our rez is at 6-ish.

We are set up for late dining and probably won't mess with changing that. It doesn't seem like a big deal and something we can work with.

Not planning on going into Nassau either since we've been there a few times and would rather take advantage of boat fun.

More later!
Kelly

 

[Dawn414]

Night two is pirate night, but not a huge thing from a dinner perspective since on the 3-night they don't change the menu (on the 4-night and above, they have a special menu for pirate night). I would hope they'll still do the later activities on Deck 9 (including fireworks which is cool).

My two squirts turn 6 on March 20th and they're usually really good with meeting new kids. Plus, I'm sure she'll see them in the Oceaneer's Club.

If you haven't already, make sure you do all your forms online and print them out. Saves time at the port.

2nd dining would be BAD for me...My kids are usually in bed by 8:30-9p (considering their normal schedule has them up between 5:30-6a). It's hard enough keeping them awake for the shows. At least then I can bounce them on my leg or talk to them quietly to keep them up!

Looking forward to meeting everyone!!!---which scarily is only like four families...I'm pretty sure it's sold out. How is that possible that more people haven't chiimed in?! Is it too early to start packing?!?!

 

[4 FOR DISNEY]

Thanks for the info Dawn, I have one more question. I am sure it won't be my last question Where can you eat for the first lunch? I know that you can eat at Parrot Cay or Beach Blanket Buffet but is Animators Palatte or Tritons open? How about Pluto's dog house or Pinocchio's Pizzeria? I am just wondering if there is some where that we can get a quick bite to eat and skip the buffet.

Also, Dawn when do you think the best time to arrive at the port is? Just curious what you usually do? We are staying at the country inn and Suites the night before so we can get there anytime that we like.

Have I driven you nuts with all of my Questions. If not yet there is still time. 33 Days I can hardly stand it. I am expecting my room assignment 30 days out. We will see if I get it.

 

[Dawn414]

Thanks for the info Dawn, I have one more question. I am sure it won't be my last question Where can you eat for the first lunch? I know that you can eat at Parrot Cay or Beach Blanket Buffet but is Animators Palatte or Tritons open? How about Pluto's dog house or Pinocchio's Pizzeria? I am just wondering if there is some where that we can get a quick bite to eat and skip the buffet.

Also, Dawn when do you think the best time to arrive at the port is? Just curious what you usually do? We are staying at the country inn and Suites the night before so we can get there anytime that we like.

Have I driven you nuts with all of my Questions. If not yet there is still time. 33 Days I can hardly stand it. I am expecting my room assignment 30 days out. We will see if I get it.

LOL...it's not a problem...SERIOUSLY! I swear if I have time, I'd love to be a Disney ambassador...

OK so here's the answers...

LUNCH-You hit the nail on the head...BBB or Parrot Cay are the main ones. Pinocchio's may be open...Pluto's is definitely open. The buffet is decent...people love the peel & eat shrimp. We stop at Pluto's to get a burger or chx fingers for the kids...my kids are picky.

GETTING to the PORT...10:30-ish...I believe that's when they start letting you in. It's early, but you'll get like 2-3-4 boarding pass which gets you on the ship quicker. You'll drop your bags off with the porter (tipping)... We stay at the Radisson at the Port and the shuttle will bring us over about 10a so by the time we get there it's 10:30.

STATEROOM#...I called and they said we might not find out until we get on the ship...travel agent said between 15-30 days (although it could still change)...FINGERS CROSSED for decent rooms for all of us GTY 12s.

Any other ?s, let me know...ASK AWAY!

Dawn McG

 

[budgetbuster]

Thanks Dawn for being so newsy! You're just the gal I need to get me "in the know".

I think the reason we don't have more folks here is due to not having a link in the cruise meet section. I tried to request a link to this thread but can't since I only have 2 posts and need 10 to use a link.

Sooooo....Dawn, here's another ambassador opportunity for ya!

More later.

Kelly

 

[Vickibean]

I requested a link a while back. It doesn't like any links are getting added right now.

 

[Dawn414]

Bummer! But that's ok...if people wanted to find us badly enough they would! I think I covered pretty much ALL the date bases when I created this thread.

Can you believe we're almost at the month mark. HOLY SMOKES! I started thinking about packing today.

A note about packing for the newbies.

For the ladies--if you bring a pair of black pants, you can get away with just changing up the shirt. 2nd night is pirate night so you could even don something piratey (my pic below is from pirate night on the 7-night cruise last year...we ALL got into the act!) 3rd night is dress up night so you might want to wear something a little nicer.

From a shorts perspective...don't think you need a pair for every day. You'll find you're likely in a bathing suit most of the day (unless you're doing a land excursion). Even with the piratey stuff and dress up stuff, we'll likely not have more than 2 bags for the 4 of us.

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend!

Dawn

 

[Dawn414]

31 days out...

No room assignments as yet. Don't they know us GTY folks are antsy?

D

 

[4 FOR DISNEY]

Hey Dawn, I checked this morning and my room assignment was not there but checked again and Yes my room assignment was there cat 11 kind of like I expected room 6549 which I am pretty happy with. Close to elevator but not too close. Let me know if you got it. I am sooooo excited.

Good luck!

 

[Vickibean]

We are assigned

Booked a category 12, got an oceanview on deck 2.

 

[Dawn414]

Thanks for re-checking!!! I would have seen it eventually. Odd though that mine still says Cat 12 and that isn't the case. Anywho...

Vicki-Sounds like a Cat 9 to me...good upgrade!

Stacy-You guys are (sort of) close to us...we're 6055 which is just a couple staterooms down on the other side of the wall. We're actually right by the stairs (which is fine). Cat 11... I was sort of torn between what I wanted to see come through. I think I'm good with what we've been assigned. Deck 6 is where we were on the other 2 cruises (and the 4th one in November). It's SO convenient to where you don't have to take the elevator to get to 'stuff'. The only thing that stinks is that I don't believe you get the split bath with the Cat 11/12...it's a nice convenience.

And...who knows...it could still change again depending on what they do. It's part of the adventure! But for now...I'm good...mid-ship on deck 6 (even if I don't have a window)...but for 3 days...I'll get over it!

 

[4 FOR DISNEY]

I can't believe it. I finally have my room assignment. Now what, do I start packing, continue obsessing or what. I guess I can count down the days until my cruise documents arrive. Will someone let me know when they receive theirs so that I can call my travel agent and have mine sent to me. My travel agent is in Iowa and we live in Missouri so I want to make sure that there is plenty of time for me to receive them. I know that I am obsessing, it is my job. I am not sure if it is customary for the travel agent to receive our documents and then mail them to us but that is what she told me will be happening. ONLY 30 more days!!!

 

[Dawn414]

The cruise docs come around two weeks out. Although I have a TA, mine will still come directly from DCL. If you've done the online registration/docs the package from DCL is actually quite small. Luggage tags are probably the most important thing! So yes. Start thinking about packing and definitely keep obsessing!!!

 

[4 FOR DISNEY]

What is everyone planning for the day at Nassau? We were thinking about staying on the ship and enjoying it since it is a short cruise and we have been to Nasau before.

29 Days and counting

 

[Dawn414]

Ditto. Planning on staying on the ship. We've been to Nassau a couple times and other than shopping and gambling (both of which cost $$$), there's nothing I need to do there. Plus, it's a great opportunity to use the pools and not have them be as packed. My co-workers and facebook friends are hating me because every so often I remind them that I'm off to the cruise... It's mean, but I'm PSYCHED!

 

[4 FOR DISNEY]

It looks like we have a link to our date now, however when I click on it nothing happens. Anyway, 27 days to go. I can hardly contain my excitement.

 

[Dawn414]

Yeah, if there was ever an upside to being super busy...you don't think about how many days there are. In the next few days, I'll likely pull out a suitcase and start throwing things in it that we don't need right now (like shorts, sandals). Of course, I'll have to decide if we're just using 1 BIG suitcase or a few small ones. Probably the one big one since the airlines charge now.