4/24/2010 Med cruise: Friends, Romans, Countrymen lend me your Ears

[auntlynne]

Hi, everyone

I'm Lynne, traveling with my 16 yo niece, Karen. We're from Alabama and she is yet another home-schooler. We're coming along for the fun unless she doesn't stay caught up with her studies between now and the Dec 11 payment deadline for the EB Transatlantic. Then I'd have to decide whether to go alone or not.

I've been hanging back from posting - and trying not to get too excited about the cruise in case we had to stay home.

We booked the Transatlantic first, being cheaper and having less shore excursions to pay for. Then the April 24 prices dropped and I thought it would be a shame to miss them, especially since I'd already be there and could say the one-way return airfare was covering two cruises. After I asked my sister about Karen's flying home alone, she came back and said that it would make more sense for her to do both cruises, also.

 

[auntlynne]

Although there's an uncertainty about our going, I don't want to be too long out of the mix.

Fish Extenders (FE) - We participated on our last Disney cruise, Halloween of 2008. The group size was about 80 participating in FE, although more were in the whole Disboard group. They divided the FE into groups of 10-12 cabins, based on cabin location so you didn't have to roam all the halls of the ship.

Here's our door (with magnets) and Karen's and my FE:

My sister's cabin's FE:

Every group sets its own rules about FE gifts. Bottom line, if you are going to get, you should give. And it doesn't have to be big things (especially if you have to bring them from home). I made personalized door magnets as one of my gifts.

Some groups do one gift per cabin or one per person - and why not mix it up and just say something given. Where we are going, it might be fun to wait until you are in Europe and get small souvenirs there to exchange. 'Cause whatever you get has to come home in the suitcase, too.

I love my FE. It is so fun to walk down the hallway and see your room from afar because of your distinct FE. The gifts inside are just a bonus (but fun, too).

And a FE doesn't have to be fancy; there are a lot of imaginative FEs out there. You could use paper gift bags and connect them with ribbon and hang that from the fish (which is a metal decoration used by DCL to leave notes about meetings, onboard credits, etc - someone on the Disboards created the idea of FE). Usually it's one pocket/space per person (or each kid and one for parents combined) - but it could be one pocket for the entire family.

So, yes, I would vote for FE. And if you wait until final payments are made, I'll volunteer to oversee it if I'm onboard.

 

[shushh]

Welcome Lynne

You're another one of the lucky duckies who gets to go on the Transatlantic as well as a med cruise! (well hopefully). Your niece is also one lucky girl!

Some great ideas on FE there. Thank you also for volunteering to oversee it. I, myself, would prefer to wait until after christmas so make a decision. Not sure about the others.

Great photos by the way! I made some magnets the other day and very proud of them. Our local supermarket had magnetic paper at 60% off!

I notice that you have a logo for the Panama Canal cruise. We're on that as well!

Belinda

 

[skoi]

Welcome Lynne


Hope you're able to make it.

If you'll be on board, and your daughter wants to exchange emails with my 15 year old, let us know.

Great magnets. We had tons on our last cruise, and forgot to take pictures of our doors.

Julie

 

[Happy Goofy]

I am glad to see that there are some people doing the TA and the Med April 24 cruise. For a while we thought we were the only ones. I am trying to keep both separate as far as FE and Secret Mickeys etc. but it gets confusing. Will someone from each cruise give us a list of names for FE, and other special get togethers?

 

[shushh]

Elliot is going to play the piano at the Sydney Opera House tomorrow! I am very nervous but luckily 6 year olds are completely oblivious to nerves. Wish us luck for tomorrow!

 

[NC_Tink]

Hi, everyone

I'm Lynne, traveling with my 16 yo niece, Karen. We're from Alabama and she is yet another home-schooler. We're coming along for the fun unless she doesn't stay caught up with her studies between now and the Dec 11 payment deadline for the EB Transatlantic. Then I'd have to decide whether to go alone or not.

I've been hanging back from posting - and trying not to get too excited about the cruise in case we had to stay home.

We booked the Transatlantic first, being cheaper and having less shore excursions to pay for. Then the April 24 prices dropped and I thought it would be a shame to miss them, especially since I'd already be there and could say the one-way return airfare was covering two cruises. After I asked my sister about Karen's flying home alone, she came back and said that it would make more sense for her to do both cruises, also.

Lynn and Karen!! I too am jealous of all you folks on the Transatlantic - would love to do that! But, alas - it is not in the cards for us this time.

As for FEs - I'm too of the mindset that I'd like to wait until after the holidays to determine whether or not I want to try to swing this. But, thanks for offering to be the keeper of the FE list!

Elliot is going to play the piano at the Sydney Opera House tomorrow! I am very nervous but luckily 6 year olds are completely oblivious to nerves. Wish us luck for tomorrow!

Belinda, good luck to Elliot!! That's very exciting!!

 

[guynwdm]

We are one of the few staying onboard from the TA to the Med. Cruise. Anyone else?
Our air from Disney was $1470 with transfers for the two of us. IS anyone going to Disneyland in Paris after the cruise? If so what are you paying for hotel and flights. We would love to do it but I think we have reached the limit with the two cruises. We booked oneof these cruises on the Panama Cruise so we got the $200 room credit and the discount.

I am headed to DL Paris after. I am looking to fly at this point. So far it is looking like it is easier to book a ticket to fly to barcelona and back from Paris and buy a separate ticket to fly to Paris. It was looking like less than 100 for the Paris leg on Kayak.

Final payments due on 12/23... too bad it is not after Santa comes.

Still working on the list of information for people. Let me know your information names/cabin/any special events/ kids ages/ etc

 

[guynwdm]

Although there's an uncertainty about our going, I don't want to be too long out of the mix.

Fish Extenders (FE) - We participated on our last Disney cruise, Halloween of 2008. The group size was about 80 participating in FE, although more were in the whole Disboard group. They divided the FE into groups of 10-12 cabins, based on cabin location so you didn't have to roam all the halls of the ship.

Here's our door (with magnets) and Karen's and my FE:

Cool, I will bring along the FE as well. It makes it easier to find my cabin. Here is mine from the podcast cruise. I gave a friend of mine the dimensions and a graphic to use for a pattern and this is what he came up with.

That and some magnets help to know I am finding the right cabin.

 

[auntlynne]

As for FEs - I'm too of the mindset that I'd like to wait until after the holidays to determine whether or not I want to try to swing this. ...

I agree; I think the consensus would be to make final payments to see who's in and who's out and to let holiday shopping (and bills) settle before embarking on the FE adventure.

Now that is some imagination. Definitely easier to find the cabin in those long halls. Have you used this yet? Wondering if the string at the top lets it hang down enough so the fish doesn't cover up Tigger's head?

Lynne

 

[guynwdm]

Now that is some imagination. Definitely easier to find the cabin in those long halls. Have you used this yet? Wondering if the string at the top lets it hang down enough so the fish doesn't cover up Tigger's head?

Lynne

Yep, I used it on the podcast cruise back in May. It fit perfect, the fish does not extend down as far as it looks. I have it hanging by my door and use it for mail now. It makes me think I am still on the cruise when I come home.

 

[shushh]

That is too cute! and very creative.

Elliot went well at his concert today. Thank goodness! Here are a few pics

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Rhapsody of the Seas docked at Circular Quay

Time to play!

If you are interested...Here is a link to a video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnkSSoFoUfA. Sorry for the excess information but I am a very proud mum at the moment!!!

Belinda

 

[Happy Goofy]

Here is my cruise information
John and Charlotte -retired
Cabin 2584
Early dining
Doing the TA and April 24 Med Cruise

 

[NC_Tink]

That is too cute! and very creative.

Elliot went well at his concert today. Thank goodness! Here are a few pics

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Rhapsody of the Seas docked at Circular Quay

Time to play!

If you are interested...Here is a link to a video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnkSSoFoUfA. Sorry for the excess information but I am a very proud mum at the moment!!!

Belinda

Wow Belinda! You have every reason to be a proud mum!! He played wonderfully! Thanks so much for sharing!

 

[auntlynne]

... Elliot went well at his concert today. Thank goodness! If you are interested...Here is a link to a video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnkSSoFoUfA. Belinda

Belinda, Elliot is doing great with the piano. And your kids are cute, to boot.

Do y'all routinely use the Opera Sydney House as a community venue for recitals or is it a really big deal to perform there?

Lynne

 

[auntlynne]

Here's a recent ROLL CALL (alphabetical):

auntlynne Lynne (48), DN Karen (16) Huntsville, AL GTY 11 Late +EB
DISNEY_DEPRIVED Sherry, DD (11), DS (10) Italy
DisneyCruiser83 Tess (26), DH David (33) 8600 (may have switched to WB)
guynwdm Rob, Dad West Des Moines, IA
Happy Goofy John, Charlotte 2584 Main +EB
friend of tinkerbelle Michaela (39), DH (49), DS (8) Overland Park, KS 5020 Main
Irish9697 self (35), DS (10), DD (9) Memphis, TN
KathyFP Pennsylvania 1030
mehaul Chicago, IL
Michelle2 Michelle +EB
mrosen self, other, (11), (10) GTY
NC_Tink Lubi, DH Brian, DS Connor (12) DS Kieran (10) North Carolina
shushh Belinda, DH Malcolm, Elliot (7), Lara (5), Jonah (18 mo) Jenny (Mum), Kian (Dad)
skoi Julie, DD Sadie (15), DD Sigurd (11) Late

 

[shushh]

Thank you everyone for your kind words!

Do y'all routinely use the Opera Sydney House as a community venue for recitals or is it a really big deal to perform there?

It is sometimes hired by big organisations for concerts, music competitions, etc but yes, it is still a big deal to perform there! Most recitals, competitions etc use local halls and schools usually.

Still waiting for the shore excursions to be released...What's taking so long?

 

[friend of tinkerbell]

Mediterranean shore excursions are now listed on the Disney Cruise website!!

There are some great options! Very hard to choose.

 

[shushh]

Mal and I went through them. As tempted as we are because so many sound fabulous, they are a little too expensive for us. We've decided to do things on our own/take private tour for the ports. I've just written a pre-trip report (my very first one!), its got a summary of what we're doing.

 

[IrishCowboy]

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