6/9/2005 first time cruise who is going???

[kevlois]

This is our first time cruising. Always wanted to go on cruise since "Love Boat". Was going to wait until the kids grew up, but wife decided life is too short too wait. Probably our last full family vacation for a while since the kids are growing up. We can't wait. "Wonder"ing who else might be going? We are from the black swamp of Ohio and the land is as flat as can be.

 

[Dissyblonde]

We live in the swamps of Louisiana. I think we already replied to the question of your shy DD. We have purchased the 7 night land and sea package and will be staying at the Port Orleans French Quarter (will remind us of home) prior to the cruise.
Look forward to meeting you on the cruise.

 

[kevlois]

Great Black swamp refers to the area was once a swamp of Lake Erie 1800's that is now drained. Babysit are you kidding that is not cool. We are really getting excited about the cruise. Believe it or not we are already began packing. Now after the snow today, sitting on deck with a drink sounds very inviting. Can't wait to meet new people from all over.

 

[Dissyblonde]

We don't have to worry about the snow but we are looking forward to the relaxing with a drink. We enjoy meeting people as well. Are you staying at the park or are you cruising only? ( We pay top dollar for babysitting!!!)

 

[Dissyblonde]

We don't have to worry about the snow but we are looking forward to the relaxing with a drink. We enjoy meeting people from all over as well. Are you staying at the park or are you cruising only? ( We pay top dollar for babysitting!!!)

 

[kevlois]

We are doing cruise only. We went to DW 6 years ago. We try to do a new adventure every year. Virginia Beach, Henry Ford Museum, Smokey Mountains, Hiking, Bicycling, train to Toronto. A friend suggested taking your tax return and use it for vacation no exceptions. The bills will be there when you return and always will be there. We haven't regretted it one bit. DD said if there was a 1 in front of that 6(DS) you would have a deal. Do you realize only 44 days left? I have my phone count it down. It sounds like we are the only one's on the ship. Wouldn't that be "Wonder"ful.

 

[Dissyblonde]

We use our returns for the same purpose and we fine the experiences are well worth the investment. We are very excited about this trip. We have only been on smaller vacations in the last few years so we are looking forward to this one. I decided to go back to school after our DS was born so we are using this trip to celebrate my new degree. You're right I think we are the only ones going, but it certainly won't ruin our fun.
40 days and counting......and the excitement builds!!!

 

[kevlois]

We will have to meet up on the ship. We will be the other family.

 

[Dissyblonde]

Good observation.
Certainly no getting lost in the crowds.

 

[kevlois]

The way I have it figured with the 3 of you and my 4 equals 7. Now there are 970(I made up that number) crew members. See where I'm going. That has a ratio of 1 cruiser to 138.57 crew members. They should be waiting on us hand and foot
:thewave:

 

[Dissyblonde]

Not to mention all that food just for us!!!!

 

[kevlois]

Last one in the pool is a rotten egg :thewave:

 

[Dissyblonde]

Has your family planned any shore excursions in the Bahamas? We will probably be chosing something 6- year-old friendly like the Discover Atlantis
tour. Have you heard anything about the excursions? The only thing we have heard is the Glass Bottom Boat trip is not so great. Also, some of the threads I have read are not so flattering to the Bahamian Port of Call. Have you ever been to the Bahamas? Just curious about your thoughts.
Thanks

 

[kevlois]

Snow again today YUCK.
I think my DD16 is doing the teen thing at CC and maybe Nassua. DW and I were talking about the glass bottom boat but is has a bad rep. My brother been to Bahamas and said to rent a taxi and ask the driver to show you the sights. They drive on left side of road and I guess really have no street laws. It is a free for all. He said it is a blast and you get to see what you want. He also said don't sleep-- you can do that at home or on plane. Do the midnight desert buffet and eat anything you can't pronounce.
We thought about atlantis a lot of walking and have been to aquariums before.
Will probably go into city at Nassau then back to ship.
I'm reading passporters for the second time it has a lot of information.
DS12 is planning on playing at CC and do banana boat ride, trike, snorkeling(I might join him).
We will have to get together, we are in cabin 7003.
I asked my DD16 and DD12 who were 10 and 6 when we went to WDW. They said do blizzard beach, muppets, Shrunk the audience, and eat at (don't remember name) but in MGM and it is a 50's setting like leave it to beaver and swim until midnight. Rides didn't thrill them but we have Cedar Point 2 hours away (the roller coaster capital of the world)

 

[Dissyblonde]

Thanks for your thoughts. I still think we will do the Atlantis thing. DS saw the picture in the brochure and he has not stopped taliking about it. After that we may do some shopping in the Straw market. We were in Jamaica a few years ago and the driving is the same.....livin' on the edge. We probably won't put our 6 year-old in a taxi if we can help it.
We are in cabin 2570 but our TA say's since we booked so early we will probably be elligible for an up-grade. My DH gets sea sick so I think maybe we should stay lower in the ship. We will see. Like you say, we can sleep at home so the rooms are not that big of a deal to us.
33 days and counting.

 

[nittany89]

My family of 4 is also cruising for the first time on June 9. We are in room 5018. My husband and I with our 2 kids - girl age 13 and boy age 9. Look forward to meeting all of you!
We are doing the Blackbeard's CAy and STing Ray adventure in Nassau and hangin on beach at Castaway Cay.

 

[kevlois]

Dissyblonde I think I found that babysitter in nittany89 Well that makes 3 families. I see by the DCL web site they have lots of openings on the ship. Upgrades?!?! Nittany89 where are you from? Me OH and Dissyblonde LA. We ahve to get together since we have ship to ourselves and enjoy a drink on deck. Oh yeah believe it or not, it snowed AGAIN today YUCK

 

[Dissyblonde]

We have had gorgeous weather for two weeks. Sorry about all that snow. Where and when are we meeting for that drink?

 

[nittany89]

We are from Pennsylvania. Where in Ohio are you from? We've been there a few times, have relatives in North Royalton and Mayfield Heights. Do you know how the upgrade works? I hear that they sometimes do that, but I've also heard that you won't get upgraded when you request a room. When we booked a long time ago, they had you choose a room, so now I"m wondering if we've lost that opportunity.

 

[Dissyblonde]

I have heard various things about upgrades. Some say if the cruise is not full and you booked early then you may get upgraded. I have heard if you pick a room then there won't be an upgrade, but I don't know how accurate that is. We were told what room we would be in when we received our innitial confirmation letter but we did not pick a room. We are doing the Land and Sea vacation package so I don't know if that makes a difference either. There are so many variables but the thing I am most concerned about is lying on the deck and having a drink and I don't recall that I need an upgrade for that.
See you in 32 days.