5/24/03

[newhampshire4]

Where is everyone else for the 5/24 cruise... you know, we only have 298 more days to plan this out! LOL!

 

[digitalmom]

bump!!!!

 

[digitalmom]

bump!!!

 

[digitalmom]

bump!!!!

 

[kstelzner]

Hi,
We just booked our 5/24/03 Western cruise. So excited!! I'm still trying to contact our TA to change our room (after reading about the disadvantages of Rm# 6652, not being able to see out). I'm thinking of requesting a Deck 5 room, but have to coordinate with other family members who need a quad room in cat. 11 (we want to be close by to them). It'd be nice if someone had a list of all the rooms that have that extra pull down celing bed. Any such thing? Also, I read months ago about some websites that show what rooms are available on cruises. Anyone got those?

Well, I'll be reading these post regulary and can't wait!! I'm sort of nervous about taking our 17 month old daughter (first trip).... I know it's going to take a lot of planning, but sounds like Disney accomodates to kids of all ages extremely well.

Thanks!

 

[newhampshire4]

Welcome Kstelzner!
You will have a great cruise We can't wait for May to roll around!
I know when we switched to this date back in June, there weren't many cat 6 rooms left, especially anything mid-ship. Cat. 5 had more of a choice at that time, but of course a higher price. Our cat 6 room isn't the greatest location (a little further aft than I had hoped), but I think it will be fine, and it's starboard this time. I can handle aft better than forward when it comes to the stomach ;P I can't remember the website that showed rooms available, but from what I understand it shows rooms available that were blocked for that travel agency, not necessarily a true picture of what dcl actually had available. I would definitely call dcl and see what they can arrange for you and the other room... maybe something else has opened up!?!

 

[sara]

Hi!
Another cruiser checking in. This will be our second Disney cruise. We did the four day in 2001. We had the best time. The only time we got off the ship was Castaway Cay, so this cruise should be a little different for us!
My DH (Brian) and I will be going with our two kids. DD-7 and DS-5. I have to admit...I've already been researching the exursions. I just can't wait!

Sara

 

[newhampshire4]

Hi Sara...
I know what you mean about planning.... I tend to get obsessed with these planning phases. I'm having a tough time deciding on excursions. Last time we did a catamaran trip, but our 2 girls were big chickens when it came time to get in the water for fear of what they might come face to face with. They were fine swimming there, just don't put a mask on them! I really want them to see Stingray City even if they won't put a toe in the water! Decisions, decisions!

 

[SlyHubby]

We will be there with you! Our second cruise with Disney. Last one was Thanksgiving 2000. I made the reservation for this one over a year ago! Hard to believe it's not that far off any longer. Had to get the date - our 10th anniversary - May 30th!

 

[newhampshire4]

Originally posted by SlyHubby
. Had to get the date - our 10th anniversary - May 30th!

Of course! You Have to get sung to and get the Mickey cake!
Is this a surprise cruise?

 

[CaliforniaMom]

OK, OK, I can't stand it! We're going also on 5/24 for our second one. I try to stay away from these boards for now, because it is just too far away to think about. But every now and then I sneak on (kids don't know either, yet). We have 2 dd ages 12 and 7 (turning 13 and 8 shortly after the cruise). They also met others online before the last cruise - we were on 7 day eastern June 9, 2001. It was great for both to connect with other kids ahead of time. We met both families in the terminal and it wasn't long before all shyness was gone! This time we are going with my brother's family, (dd 11, dd 9, ds 7) - but they'll still be happy to meet other kids.
NewHampshire4 - where in NH are you? We are in Calif. (obviously) but DH grew up in NH and his family is still there. We are going there this Xmas - they live in Kingston, near Exeter.
OK back to the laundry!

 

[newhampshire4]

HI California Mom.. these boards are addictive, aren't they? I've been reading them mostly trying to get info on excursions, etc.
Your kids will be thrilled to hear they are going on another cruise! I think our two are more excited about revisiting SCOOPS than anything! LOL!
I'm from the Concord area - I will email you privately. Maybe we can get our girls in touch after you tell them the news!

 

[digitalmom]

It looks like I may have to cancel this trip. Even though it is still over 9 months away, too many conflicts are starting to pop up. I have a then 13 year old who may end up going to France, Monaco, and Italy summer 2003 and since Cobb County schools are out on May 23, 2003 the teacher is planning the trip to be from May 31st(the day the cruise gets back) thru June 9th. My husband emailed the teacher and she said the travel company can play with the date a couple of days either side of the 31st, which means they could leave Atlanta as early as May 29th or leave as late as June 2 but she won't know until a couple of months before the actual departure date and even less than that for the departure time. My husband really wants him to go on the trip. One of ours neighbors kids went this past summer(they did France and Spain) and the mother said the child has a great time. My 15 year old is hoping to get to be one of the clarinet section leaders for marching band for the 2003 fall marching season, which is great, I really want him to get this. But if he gets named one of the section leaders he really should be at rookie band camp which for the last two years has been the week after school gets out(it's held at the high school) and I feel it would look really bad for him to miss this and we won't know until the middle of next May if he gets named one of the section leaders, after the trip has been paid in full. I have looked at switching a couple of weeks later, over 5000.00 for the same category I have now( cat 5 on deck 7), just cannot afford that. Christmas is all booked up, nothing until Jan 18, 2003. Really can't afford Christmas time either, as I priced Christmas 2003 and it is over 5000.00. Besides I don't think my work would be happy with me missing Christmas as I am going to be gone Thanksgiving week with band to Hawaii(marching in a parade), not chaperoning, but tagging along as a family. a tagalong group was offered for families to go along with the band and my husband said we are going, even though I hate to fly. My 12, soon to be 13 will go with us and miss 2 days of schools since they only go Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving week but a lot of his fellow 7th graders will be gone from school for a school sponsered trip to Orlando, so I know he will not be missing a lot of school that week, luckily. Tried getting the dates from the county for Spring Break 2004 but they don't have them yet. Priced a couple of the weeks it could be, one week is reasonable, the other week is over 5000.00. I can't win. Will not take the kids out of school, although I did consider it for about a minute. I know a lot of people on this board do support letting your kids missing school regardless of their ages but I just cannot. The cost they would pay for misssing school is not worth taking the cruise. I haven't cancelled yet but it is looking like I will have to. I thought the older they got the easier it would be, I was wrong big time. Sorry this is long but it has been a frustrating week.
Suzanne

 

[newhampshire4]

Suzanne- I know how you feel. We ended up moving this cruise from April to May due to one of our daughter's 8th grade trip- their arrival time back here was too close for comfort to catch a flight and make it to the ship on time, so we decided to switch the Disney trip. The April trip would have been much easier and fit better into our schedules, vacation time, etc, but we didn't want her to miss this chance to travel with her school and friends. We are running out of time to cash in on the 50% off cruise, and decided to take them out of school for the first time (ever), figuring it would be easier to take them out of school before she starts HS, so chose this week because it meant missing one less day of school with the holiday, but I still have very mixed feelings about it. Tough decisions, but know that whatever you decide is right for you!

 

[sara]

Hi!

Digitalmom, I'm sorry you may have to cancel. It does sound like a fun summer for your kids, hopefully, you'll be able to squeeze a cruise in, too. Those prices made me glad I booked the cruise last year. (it has been a year now!) Booking so far in advance, does have it's disadvantages. A few months ago I was holding my breath because a dear, sweet , favorite (ect...) babysitter, announced she was getting married next "spring"!!!! My DH was shocked when I said I would cancel the cruise if the wedding was on one of the weekends. (I've been talking about this trip forever) Luckily, the date was set for early spring!!!
Hopefully, everything will work out!

Sara

 

[sara]

Anyone else?

I'm embarrased to admit, I've bought shirts/outfits for the tropical night already. They were on sale!

Sara

 

[newhampshire4]

Sara- actually, that's a very good idea! Probably easier to find them around here instead of waiting until the Spring!

 

[digitalmom]

Well, haven't cancelled yet. My husband says to wait and see what happens. Did go to meeting last night on the trip to Europe for the then 13 year old. Teacher is pretty sure the dates will more than likely stay the way they are, with probably a late afternoon departure so they travel at night for most of the flight. DH says that if older child makes section leader he will just have to not be there for rookie band camp as there should be the drum majors and the other clarinet section leader and all of the other section leaders. Rookie band camp is only for 3 hours for 4 days since Memorial Day is the Monday of that week. I thought when I booked this trip for the week after school gets out I was doing it so that the rest of the kids summer would be available for whatever, boy was I not thinking. So we will most likely stay on this cruise, unless the trip to Europe gets moved up to May 29 or 30 but then I thought that Christopher could still go to Europe as planned and Michael could take a friend with him, I have booked and paid deposits for 3 people in the room. I will have to run that one by my husband, unless I could talk him into going with us, but I don't think so.
Suzanne

 

[newhampshire4]

DigitalMom - You have to stay on this cruise- You're the one with the countdown in your signature! It would take me too long to figure that one out! LOL! Stay, stay!

 

[digitalmom]

Thanks Newhampshire. I want to stay too. Last night when I mentioned the idea of my 15 year old taking someone if my then 13 year old can't go for sure, my husband said that he hadn't thought of that option. Even though he is not going with us, I know my husband really wants us to go, not sure if this is good or bad Probably won't know until sometime in January/February if Christopher goes with us or if Michael gets to bring a friend. And I have until March 25,2003 to pay the balance.
Suzanne