7/18/2010 Mickey's Baltic Ballyhoo!!

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Andrew I cant believe how much the kids have grown- Alice really is a young lady !!!!! I am going post a pic of Carley- wait till you see how much she has changed as well!! She also lost some weight- and Im also starting to worry more about the growing up thing!!! It really is true what everyone says- "blink an eye and they're all grown up!" I have such contrasting emotions- so great full and blessed that she is turning out to be such a beautiful, sweet ( depending on the day), intelligent young lady- and so sad that she is growing up !!

Yes by far Alice has changed the most of mine, I think its a change of school thing, and peer pressure mostly but she started to walk to school exercise more and cut the rubbish out on what she eats, Carly has seemed to followed this from the picture.

Cat. 5 mid ship !! I cant imagine ever being anywhere where I cant get a breath of fresh air when I want . Having the balcony on the med cruise was both calming and exciting as we pulled into the ports at the crack of dawn. I was able to sit out and watch us dock without having to get dressed and leave the room.. However- I do accept the risk of Jimmy accidently pushing me overboard !!!!

I know what you meen I need my fresh air and I like seeing us go in/ out of port from my room, it was so usfull on the Panama for 15 nights.

I want a midship Cat 3 for this cruise, without flights to consider I can put a bit more into the cruise.

 

[salliep]

Yes by far Alice has changed the most of mine, I think its a change of school thing, and peer pressure mostly but she started to walk to school exercise more and cut the rubbish out on what she eats, Carly has seemed to followed this from the picture.

.

exactly!! kids really are the same no matter where in the world they are!!! same here- peer pressure- she stared track - and she cut the rubbish out!! im so great full she saw how important exercise is, she realizes that she can eat her sweets every now and then, as long as she exercises consistently.I tell you Andrew, Jimmy and I were really watching her as she went through the weight loss- (22 lbs in 4 months) WE knew she wasn't displaying any other eating disorder "signs" except for the weight loss- and she did loose it over a good amount of time, but never the less, we were watching her like a hawk!! I guess just the normal growing up changes, and wanting to loose the weight is what did it!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

exactly!! kids really are the same no matter where in the world they are!!! same here- peer pressure- she stared track - and she cut the rubbish out!! im so great full she saw how important exercise is, she realizes that she can eat her sweets every now and then, as long as she exercises consistently.I tell you Andrew, Jimmy and I were really watching her as she went through the weight loss- (22 lbs in 4 months) WE knew she wasn't displaying any other eating disorder "signs" except for the weight loss- and she did loose it over a good amount of time, but never the less, we were watching her like a hawk!! I guess just the normal growing up changes, and wanting to loose the weight is what did it!

That is exactly my feelings with Alice, she had a little 'puppy fat' then a switch seemed to go and it was loose as much as you can skip breakfast etc and I was worried re 'sign's off a deeper disorder, but she has been sensible with it and enjoyed the food on the Repo for 15 nights without too much worry so I am relaxed she knows what she is doing.

 

[alanapapa]

TODAYS QUESTION?​

What Cat of stateroom are you booking? whats your preference of location? Forward/aft/Midship? Inside/Outside?

I think we are going with a Porthole on Deck 2 this trip. Flights to/from Seattle are going to be expensive, plus it should not be as warm as it was on the EB PC.

You know Andrew, I don't think we ever met on the Repo back in August. I think you and your family and SDHoneymooner were the only Pirates we never saw.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I think we are going with a Porthole on Deck 2 this trip. Flights to/from Seattle are going to be expensive, plus it should not be as warm as it was on the EB PC.

You know Andrew, I don't think we ever met on the Repo back in August. I think you and your family and SDHoneymooner were the only Pirates we never saw.

Yes I know the flight costs are the issue, I give myself a 'budget' and always go over it with the transatlantic flights, my 2009 DCL cruise is paid for but I am working on the Virgin Atlantic flights to/from Orlando now.

The good news for us in 2010 is just driving my car down to the coast for an hour, like MCO to Port Canaveral nice.

Sorry we didn't meet up on the E/B Repo, there are lots of dissers I did see, so many people coming up and saying 'oh so your Andrew', there was a guy from the UK in Disneyland park and he I understand was approached a number of times so much he would shout back, no I am not Andrew from the UK. I did meet up a lot of people in the park however including Julie trying to beat me to the early entry turnstiles and ignoring me until we were at the entrance.

The Med in 2007 and this cruise will be totally different and have another 'feel' than the Repo, being port intensive this will have the ports as the destination rather than the Disney magic the destination such as on the repo with all those sea days. It will be commando style in the ports with so much to see, rather than a walk around the port of a small Caribbean island and more expensive on those shore trips.

On ship my family do take a lot of my time up and are my priority, for example with the problems of unruly kids on the repo in and out of the clubs my kids stayed with me far more than before and wouldn't go to the clubs, So it was dad this dad that.

 

[salliep]

Shout out to the one and only, and may I say, probably gorgeous, Tag Fairy... I lost all my cute quotes and pretty colors on my avatar.... if you get a moment- as I know how busy you are- would it be possible to restore my settings????

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

hello all, just checking in. So far it's been a busy morning......Paul went to work and I got the kids over to sunday school, then went to Watford to B & Q (Home Depot to you stateside) to take back the bathroom tiles that don't fit. Then it was onto Tesco to do the weekly shop and then back to Harrow to pick up the kids.

We've just about to have some tomato soup and rice for lunch and they're starving so must go.

Oh yea Sallie how were the parties yesterday ??

 

[salliep]

Oh yea Sallie how were the parties yesterday ??

hi iz !! parties were actually fun- didnt get home till after 1- way past my bedtime, woke up with a sore throat, ear ache and minor headache though- i hope im not getting sick- i have way too much to do!! its another gorgeous day here we are going to the bronx zoo one of my favorite places... I know i fit right in there!!
see you later!!!

 

[jlawall]

TODAYS QUESTION?​

What Cat of stateroom are you booking? whats your preference of location? Forward/aft/Midship? Inside/Outside?

We like middle of the ship and the higher the better, we'll go for a Cat 6 & Cat 11 across the hall for the girls. We have only one balcony but we share it and save some money in the process.

The kids look great........Andrew and Sallie.............

My girls have grown up and for the first time in our lives............NOONE LIVES AT HOME but us! My oldest moved to Brooklyn this month, the second is a senior at Temple U and the "baby" just started at Drexel U in August. Ken & I are in shock!

Sorry Barb (jilljill), I thought I had your name wrong, thanks for clarifying! We're bonkers but in a good way, I've found this group to be very thorough in their trip investigating Also, the sharing is very helpful. So, when again did you do this trip and tell us why you're returning???? It's a big help having you onboard with your recent experiences..........post those pics!!

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

exactly!! kids really are the same no matter where in the world they are!!! same here- peer pressure- she stared track - and she cut the rubbish out!! im so great full she saw how important exercise is, she realizes that she can eat her sweets every now and then, as long as she exercises consistently.I tell you Andrew, Jimmy and I were really watching her as she went through the weight loss- (22 lbs in 4 months) WE knew she wasn't displaying any other eating disorder "signs" except for the weight loss- and she did loose it over a good amount of time, but never the less, we were watching her like a hawk!! I guess just the normal growing up changes, and wanting to loose the weight is what did it!

I think it must be an age thing, we bought Josh a new pair of jeans the second week of July, we had to squeeze the edges together to get them to zip up over the brace. Now they literally fall to the floor even if he puts them over the brace. He has also shot up over the summer he's grow about 11 cms.

 

[cruisin'Mike]

TODAYS QUESTION?​

What Cat of stateroom are you booking? whats your preference of location? Forward/aft/Midship? Inside/Outside?

We're looking for connecting cat 10's. Obviously, we wouldn't turn up our noses at secret poorthole rooms, but figuring that we won't get those, or next best plan is deck 2 aft. We like aft rooms, and really don't want to be right by Ocean Quest.

On the Panama Canal repo, we had a cat 6 and 11. That was a great arrangement, especially for canal day. For this cruise, we're trying to cut costs as best we can (the airfare will be killer), and we figure we'll be off the ship a lot anyway. So basically, we're just hoping to be able to be onboard with y'all.

Sorry we didn't meet up on the E/B Repo, there are lots of dissers I did see, so many people coming up and saying 'oh so your Andrew', there was a guy from the UK in Disneyland park and he I understand was approached a number of times so much he would shout back, no I am not Andrew from the UK. I did meet up a lot of people in the park however including Julie trying to beat me to the early entry turnstiles and ignoring me until we were at the entrance.

On ship my family do take a lot of my time up and are my priority, for example with the problems of unruly kids on the repo in and out of the clubs my kids stayed with me far more than before and wouldn't go to the clubs, So it was dad this dad that.

Too funny about the other poor guy from the UK!

We were pretty close to your family in the restaurants on the repo, but I know how important that was for your family time, so I didn't want to bother you at dinner. I did get to talk to you a few times in passing.

And one morning I had my younger son at Ocean Quest during the open house, to play the docking simulator. Your son was there, and was doing great at it. He stayed around to help my son too. Very nice young man, I have to say!

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

hi iz !! parties were actually fun- didnt get home till after 1- way past my bedtime, woke up with a sore throat, ear ache and minor headache though- i hope im not getting sick- i have way too much to do!! its another gorgeous day here we are going to the bronx zoo one of my favorite places... I know i fit right in there!!
see you later!!!

Hi there girlfriend !!! Yes it's a FAB day here too, probably getting to about 70deg.

No chance of the zoo for me, although London zoo is one of my favourite places. Paul just called and he's shutting up the shop soon so after he cleaned up he'll be on his way home.

Take some pics of the zoo for us and post them later if you get a chance.

BTW I showed Josh Carleys photo and his reaction was "WOW she looks nice" !!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

We like middle of the ship and the higher the better, we'll go for a Cat 6 & Cat 11 across the hall for the girls. We have only one balcony but we share it and save some money in the process.

The kids look great........Andrew and Sallie.............
My girls have grown up and for the first time in our lives............NOONE LIVES AT HOME but us! My oldest moved to Brooklyn this month, the second is a senior at Temple U and the "baby" just started at Drexel U in August. Ken & I are in shock!
Sorry Barb (jilljill), I thought I had your name wrong, thanks for clarifying! We're bonkers but in a good way, I've found this group to be very thorough in their trip investigating Also, the sharing is very helpful. So, when again did you do this trip and tell us why you're returning???? It's a big help having you onboard with your recent experiences..........post those pics!!

We're looking for connecting cat 10's. Obviously, we wouldn't turn up our noses at secret poorthole rooms, but figuring that we won't get those, or next best plan is deck 2 aft. We like aft rooms, and really don't want to be right by Ocean Quest.

On the Panama Canal repo, we had a cat 6 and 11. That was a great arrangement, especially for canal day. For this cruise, we're trying to cut costs as best we can (the airfare will be killer), and we figure we'll be off the ship a lot anyway. So basically, we're just hoping to be able to be onboard with y'all.
Too funny about the other poor guy from the UK!

We were pretty close to your family in the restaurants on the repo, but I know how important that was for your family time, so I didn't want to bother you at dinner. I did get to talk to you a few times in passing.

And one morning I had my younger son at Ocean Quest during the open house, to play the docking simulator. Your son was there, and was doing great at it. He stayed around to help my son too. Very nice young man, I have to say!

The room arrangement sounds like it works well, the story about the guy in the park came form 3>4 different people at the port of LA on embarkation so take it as true, poor guy, Stephen likes Ocean quest I am glad he was good down there, he has become pritty good at it, he took it on the simulator through the Panama canal very well, but at Castaway Cay decided he wanted more power and get off quickly so put the magic in too fast and hit the rocks.
He didn't go there too often as other kids 'bullied' him down there and DD had her club there.

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

The room arrangement sounds like it works well, the story about the guy in the park came form 3>4 different people at the port of LA on embarkation so take it as true, poor guy, Stephen likes Ocean quest I am glad he was good down there, he has become pritty good at it, he took it on the simulator through the Panama canal very well, but at Castaway Cay decided he wanted more power and get off quickly so put the magic in too fast and hit the rocks.
He didn't go there too often as other kids 'bullied' him down there and DD had her club there.

Andrew it sounds as though there were a few problems with the kids on the Panama cruise. What was going on ?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Andrew it sounds as though there were a few problems with the kids on the Panama cruise. What was going on ?

Yes there was big issues, the first time I have seen it there was a section of kids that were out of control, the cruise director made a number of announcements for parents to control the kids either ensure they went to the kids clubs or supervise them, there was a high number walking around the stateroom decks hanging around the elevator areas, and basically doing stupid things.

Security was called a number of times, things got worse when we had 'Aly and AJ' in the rooms next to us, kids came along deck 8 trying to find them, knocking on the doors and even calling our in room phone.

Things were bad in the clubs where the CM's did not control things like the Wii and it wasn't rotated and Stephen asked a CM for a turn and they didn't have a wait-list or control it so a 'bully' had it all the time, or pushed them off.

First cruise ever that my kids didn't spend a long time in the clubs, they stuck with us most of the time.

I do not know if it was groups of kids who knew each other pre cruise or just joined up, but they flouted rules such as going to the Quite cove pool.

 

[jlawall]

Wow, that's a shame about the kid issues. I've always noticed that the crew seemed to ask younger people to leave the Adult pool whenever they're caught.

My oldest DD has been comissioned to design our logo. Let's see if she comes up with something (or remembers to do it!) Any other ideas are welcome. To Russia, with Mouse!! Tara has been traveled thru her art school program this past year and has met many people from the ports we're traveling too. She was just raving about this itinerary!!!

 

[MrsG]

Gee wiz, this darn is giving me trouble. DH took my laptop with him so I'm forced to use one of the desktops. I'll try to put everything in one post because it double posted last night and one post from me is enough!

Andrew and Sallie, both your girls certainly look like young ladies. This is the age where most of them go from having a body like a board to an hourglass. But they are both pretty, too! Now starts the worries.

Jo Ann, thank your daughter in advance for the logo. Can't wait.

We're debating on which cabin. We're doing one on points and one on cash. We've only had a cat 5 or 6 on the cruises we've done, but we found that for the Med we really didn't have time to use the balcony much-actually we were hardly in the room. Not only was the air VERY salty, it was way too breezy. You were right Andrew, the destinations were the focus, not the Magic. When we do Tortola in 09 we hope to enjoy more of the ship this time.

Anyone know what the weather will be like in the Baltic????

The points and cash make the most sense for a Cat 8, but we may wind up with a 7 or 6. I'll leave that up to Tom. He'll be the one calling at 8AM on Tues.

Is the size of a cat 8 the same as a 5,6 & 7 but without the balcony?
Does the 7 have doors that open to the enclosed balcony?

Sallie,
Tried to call you but now know why you didn't answer. Hope you enjoyed the zoo!

Barb (although you will be Jill in my head for a while, sorry) - JoAnn was right, we are a nutty bunch - but very lovable. You'll fit right in!

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

Yes there was big issues, the first time I have seen it there was a section of kids that were out of control, the cruise director made a number of announcements for parents to control the kids either ensure they went to the kids clubs or supervise them, there was a high number walking around the stateroom decks hanging around the elevator areas, and basically doing stupid things.

Security was called a number of times, things got worse when we had 'Aly and AJ' in the rooms next to us, kids came along deck 8 trying to find them, knocking on the doors and even calling our in room phone.

Things were bad in the clubs where the CM's did not control things like the Wii and it wasn't rotated and Stephen asked a CM for a turn and they didn't have a wait-list or control it so a 'bully' had it all the time, or pushed them off.

First cruise ever that my kids didn't spend a long time in the clubs, they stuck with us most of the time.

I do not know if it was groups of kids who knew each other pre cruise or just joined up, but they flouted rules such as going to the Quite cove pool.

Gosh that sounds really bad....I know I'd get really, really p***ed off if that happened on a cruise I was on. I'm very surprised that the crew/club staff didn't seem to do all that much to sort things out as they sent the
real time "heavies" down to our stateroom when I hung a Union Jack flag on the veranda of our stateroom. I'm afraid to say I know I'd go balistic if that kind of behaviour was happening and I'd paid a small fortune for my trip

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

ok just about to settle down to watch POTC 2 on Sky movies

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

Gee wiz, this darn is giving me trouble. DH took my laptop with him so I'm forced to use one of the desktops. I'll try to put everything in one post because it double posted last night and one post from me is enough!

Andrew and Sallie, both your girls certainly look like young ladies. This is the age where most of them go from having a body like a board to an hourglass. But they are both pretty, too! Now starts the worries.

Jo Ann, thank your daughter in advance for the logo. Can't wait.

We're debating on which cabin. We're doing one on points and one on cash. We've only had a cat 5 or 6 on the cruises we've done, but we found that for the Med we really didn't have time to use the balcony much-actually we were hardly in the room. Not only was the air VERY salty, it was way too breezy. You were right Andrew, the destinations were the focus, not the Magic. When we do Tortola in 09 we hope to enjoy more of the ship this time.

Anyone know what the weather will be like in the Baltic????

The points and cash make the most sense for a Cat 8, but we may wind up with a 7 or 6. I'll leave that up to Tom. He'll be the one calling at 8AM on Tues.

Is the size of a cat 8 the same as a 5,6 & 7 but without the balcony?
Does the 7 have doors that open to the enclosed balcony?

Sallie,
Tried to call you but now know why you didn't answer. Hope you enjoyed the zoo!

Barb (although you will be Jill in my head for a while, sorry) - JoAnn was right, we are a nutty bunch - but very lovable. You'll fit right in!

Hello "Mare" how are you ? BTW you're very welcome to come parrtaay at my house seeing as Sallie already invited you over