4/10/2010 eb ta "bound for barcelona"

[auntlynne]

I thought I might wait until later to post the QOTD; then realized it was 9:30 on the east coast.

QOTD: Can you swim?

I learned as a pre-schooler (may have been around kindergarten age). My mother didn't like to put her face in the water and wanted to make sure we weren't afraid of the water.

When I started college, they still had mandatory PE requirements; during freshman PE, you had to pass a basic swimming test and be able to run a mile in less than 15 minutes (that's not much more than a really fast walk - I wonder if I got that right). The rationale behind the swim test was that Alabama has a lot of rivers and lakes and it seemed a waste for someone to get an education and then die needlessly by drowning.

It was only a few years before I arrived that female students had to wear a raincoat over theur clothes when they headed over to the gym for PE. And this was a public university in the mid 1970s!

 

[Yvet]

QOTD: Can you swim?

Yes i can swim.
I have learned how to swim when i went to elementary school.
Back then you had swimming classes at school, you were picked up by a school bus and they drove you from school to the swimming pool and back.

 

[stlkeeler]

Lynne, do you have a QOTD for every day until the time we leave? I always anticipate your QOTD. What kind of questions will you be asking in a month or more? The replies are very interesting.

I can swim to a certain extent. When I was small, my dad would take me to the local public pool, toss me in, and tell me to sink or swim! Well, I learned enough to get back to the side. I don't freestyle or anything like that but I won't drown. I have enough blubber to keep me afloat!

 

[dee47]

I'm behind

Spa: Yes, I have to get a Cabana message at the minimum. This trip I'm also splurging on the Sea Wrap + message. And I LOVE the rainforest room

Swimming: I cam swim, sort of. Not really well...

 

[StaciJo]

QOTD: Can you swim?

The rationale behind the swim test was that Alabama has a lot of rivers and lakes and it seemed a waste for someone to get an education and then die needlessly by drowning.

I can swim - I don't remember a time when I couldn't. I'm pretty sure I was swimming around the time I started to learn how to talk. Everyone in my party on this trip can swim, although DD5 still thinks she can't (mostly just scared and wants a backup floatie, but she can swim without it, I've seen her do it).

Staci

 

[KrisannB]

How heavy of a coat is everyone taking? This is my one big issue as I do not know what I should take. We are taking silky long underwear that can be put under our clothes if it gets colder.

But is a sweatshirt jacket (I also have the one from the PC cruise and wear it all the time) warm enough or should we be looking at something a little heavier?

Krisann

 

[emma'smom]

This is the jacket I bought specifically for the cruise:
http://www.landsend.com/pp/OutriggerJacket~195061_59.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::CBZ&CM_MERCH=SRCH_00001_0000000083&origin=search

It looks substantial enough to provide warmth with layers underneath, light enough not to be too heavy and easy to pack, and water resistant.

How heavy of a coat is everyone taking? This is my one big issue as I do not know what I should take. We are taking silky long underwear that can be put under our clothes if it gets colder.


But is a sweatshirt jacket (I also have the one from the PC cruise and wear it all the time) warm enough or should we be looking at something a little heavier?

Krisann

 

[Beauty & the Best]

We're going on a Caribbean cruise this Sunday. Its not a dcl, we're going on a smaller ship - Azamara. I hope everyone has a great 2 weeks.
I'll have to catch up on 50 pages of this thread when I come back lol.

How heavy of a coat is everyone taking? This is my one big issue as I do not know what I should take. We are taking silky long underwear that can be put under our clothes if it gets colder.

But is a sweatshirt jacket (I also have the one from the PC cruise and wear it all the time) warm enough or should we be looking at something a little heavier?

Krisann

I would bring a light jacket that is waterproof in case of rain. I always bring a thinner fall jacket that's made of a waterproof material.

 

[KrisannB]

Thanks for the advice on the jacket!

Ok I found a jacket I think will work well at Land's End and it is only $19/$29 - which is $40 off! It is the Dory Jacket which also has the polar thin lining and from the looks of the picture it is a thin coat - and I could not pass up the price. Ordered one for me and one for my daughter.

Now off to find a compact duffle bag for under $10 that folds up small into a pouch - I used to get them at Wal-Mart but have not shopped there for 2 years (and do not plan on now either) so I will go hunt through the internet while I watch the snow fall and fall and fall here (we are up to 6 inches and it keeps going - we normally only get 1 or 2 inches once or twice a year)


Krisann

 

[Maren1111]

QOTD on swimming:

Yes. We had a pool growing up so I learned to splash around and then in middle school we had official swimming classes. It's interesting to think how much I disliked the classes (getting into swimsuits, getting cold & wet, having to do my hair again afterwards!) but I learned things in that class that I still use today at the gym, once in awhile anyway.

I am apparently behind the curve as a parent: my friends have had their kids take swimming classes and we have not. Maybe this summer. (Kiddos are 7, 4, & 2...so the older two especially are at a good age for it.)

 

[Maren1111]

QOTD: Castaway Cay -
Do you get off the boat?
Do any shore excursions (parasail, jetski, Manta Rays?
Do you get in the water?
Family Beach or Serenity Bay?
Lunch at Cookies BBQ, adult area, or onboard ship?
All-day (or nearly) on island or hop-on hop-off boat?

We've only been on one Disney cruise, but it was a double-dipper, and we did that for a reason! With young kids, Castaway Cay was perfection!!! The second day we had our daughter spend some time in the child care on-island and we took our sleeping 18-month-old in his stroller for a long, long walk. We also rented a kayak but did not spend too much time out there. I was pregnant (with #3) and the waves were too rough. We ate at Cookies, which we'll probably do again for the convenience factor. We stayed on the island all day, both days. I would definitely do a double-dip again in the future.

 

[KrisannB]

Thanks for the advice on the jacket!

Now off to find a compact duffle bag for under $10 that folds up small into a pouch - I used to get them at Wal-Mart but have not shopped there for 2 years (and do not plan on now either) so I will go hunt through the internet while I watch the snow fall and fall and fall here (we are up to 6 inches and it keeps going - we normally only get 1 or 2 inches once or twice a year)


Krisann

I finally found one! Rick Steve's site has a small duffle on sale for $7 - which is just perfect - they fold up very very small but if I need some extra room I can use them.

Krisann

 

[emma'smom]

I found a foldable pouch "back pack" at Eddie Bauer outlet. I think it was 15.00 though. However, it was a good quality and the backpack element might make it worth the extra 5 bucks. I reasoned it will be good for excursions, but easily packable if we don't want it out.

Thanks for the advice on the jacket!

Ok I found a jacket I think will work well at Land's End and it is only $19/$29 - which is $40 off! It is the Dory Jacket which also has the polar thin lining and from the looks of the picture it is a thin coat - and I could not pass up the price. Ordered one for me and one for my daughter.

Now off to find a compact duffle bag for under $10 that folds up small into a pouch - I used to get them at Wal-Mart but have not shopped there for 2 years (and do not plan on now either) so I will go hunt through the internet while I watch the snow fall and fall and fall here (we are up to 6 inches and it keeps going - we normally only get 1 or 2 inches once or twice a year)


Krisann

 

[joius24]

Spa: Yes, I have to get a Cabana message at the minimum. This trip I'm also splurging on the Sea Wrap + message. And I LOVE the rainforest room ..

I was going back and forth with keeping the cabana massage on CCay...Have you had one before.?...

1. I am afraid I will be cold
2. I read some people were bothered by the noise coming off the beach...not as relaxing....

If any of you have had a CCay cabana massage please feel free to share your opinion
Thanks!


QOTD I have been able to swim as long as I remember as well... had a 4ft above ground pool growing up..but I do not love swimming...I only go in water to spend time with my son

 

[emma'smom]

That looks like a nice jacket and we'll all be able to identify you from afar because it looks like the only color they had left was orange =) Orange is a great color though.....I love it! You can't be grumpy wearing orange!

Thanks for the advice on the jacket!

Ok I found a jacket I think will work well at Land's End and it is only $19/$29 - which is $40 off! It is the Dory Jacket which also has the polar thin lining and from the looks of the picture it is a thin coat - and I could not pass up the price. Ordered one for me and one for my daughter.

Now off to find a compact duffle bag for under $10 that folds up small into a pouch - I used to get them at Wal-Mart but have not shopped there for 2 years (and do not plan on now either) so I will go hunt through the internet while I watch the snow fall and fall and fall here (we are up to 6 inches and it keeps going - we normally only get 1 or 2 inches once or twice a year)


Krisann

 

[auntlynne]

Azamara cruises is one of the lines I'd love to do when I'm rich (not necessarily famous) - another non-smoking line. Enjoy.

About QOTD: so far they come from something I've read on the boards or something going on around me that triggers these questions; somewhat like real-time shooting the breeze while sitting around with new (& oftentimes, old) friends. I thought about planning out these ahead of time, but I'm getting tp know folks with my haphazard conversation so far.

I thought it was interesting to see that several of us come from small families (either numbers-wise or interaction-wise).

Where are we going to need this coat? I could have several nights' (ok, maybe only one) party dresses in the place of my polarfleece anarak.

Yvet - were swimming lessons in school a national program or just required by your town or school district?

 

[goofprincess]

Ah, I love the spa. I have massages at home for health reasons. Never had done it on CC so will have to think about that. I have had a facial; take it or leave it. The Rainforest room is awesome. It does get crowded in there at times. I agree, the showers in the spa are spacious. Since we are spending money on excursions this trip, will have to cut back to perhaps one luxury day. The Alone Time is great but costly. I'll probably go for the 'specials'

Lynne--What about the Gazebo up in Napili.

 

[KrisannB]

That looks like a nice jacket and we'll all be able to identify you from afar because it looks like the only color they had left was orange =) Orange is a great color though.....I love it! You can be grumpy wearing orange!

Actually I was able to order a white one and my daughter got the bright yellow - there are actually 2 places to locate them - weird - I ordered the blue bucket hat to go with it (warmth and style ) and my daughter got the bright pink hat - so she will be the one you will not be able to miss - Yellow with a pink hat!

I love the loud colors and would have gotten the yellow if she had not but they did not have pink in her size so I let her pick. My next favorite color (not really a color though) is white - I wanted something springy since it will be April.

Krisann

 

[joius24]

I found a foldable pouch "back pack" at Eddie Bauer outlet. I think it was 15.00 though. However, it was a good quality and the backpack element might make it worth the extra 5 bucks. I reasoned it will be good for excursions, but easily packable if we don't want it out.

hmmm I think we have one of those around here....I may need to shop


Lynne...just an fyi.......small (but mighty) family here too!

 

[KrisannB]

I found a foldable pouch "back pack" at Eddie Bauer outlet. I think it was 15.00 though. However, it was a good quality and the backpack element might make it worth the extra 5 bucks. I reasoned it will be good for excursions, but easily packable if we don't want it out.

Oh that is great too! I looked at the backpack like that at Rick Steves but my purpose is for our return flight home to have a little extra space and I was afraid the straps would be an issue with checking the bag.

Glad you found something to work too!


Krisann