9/23/06 Let's go!!!! Who's with us???

[SJCSuzyQ]

Hi fellow cruisers!

DH and I just booked this cruise today! We are very excited, we'll be celebrating our 15th Anniversary onboard. We were just on the Magic in July, we did the double-dip cruise, we had our kids and best friends family too. We're looking forward to having a relaxing cruise this time without the kids

If you're still taking votes on where to have a DIS meet I would vote for the Promenade Lounge on Saturday. In July we met up on deck 10 at 3pm and it was so loud with the music you couldn't even have a conversation

Since it usually takes us all day to fly to MCO we're probably going to be staying at the Hyatt on Friday night. Looking forward to seeing you all on board

Suzy

 

[Kcross3625]

Welcome SuzyQ! We did a cruise two years ago without DD and it was fun, but I missed her terribly. We then had to promise her a DCL cruise to make up for it, so watch out! We have previously only cruised CCL.

I cannot believe we leave in two weeks. We went and had DD fitted for a mask and snorkel today and DH is off to Wal-Mart for some last minute things.

Getting closer!

Kim

 

[Kathring]

Hello Fellow cruisers!

Newbie to this forum & newbie to Disney cruises! (Actually, this is our first EVER cruise). I'm Kathrin. My DH & I have a DS 3, and a DD 5. We are all VERY excited about this vacation (that's the understatement of the CENTURY! LOL!).

One of my best friends from grad school is joining us on our cruise - we had our DDs 3 days apart (and on opposite coasts). I can not WAIT to have a nice chunk of time with her & to meet her DD.

Wow - I'm finding myself VERY overwhelmed by all the things we need to think about, plan & reserve. Missed out on pre-booking Palo, as well as pre-booking a pedicure for an at sea day. No worries though - I KNOW we will have fun regardless of what we do.

But, really - WHOOO HOOO!!! Less than 2 WEEKS AWAY!

I think I'll need to spend more time here - I'm sure my questions are answered elsewhere on this board.

SEE you all soon!!!

 

[APB513]

Welcome SJCSuzyQ and Kristing!!! Glad you found us!!

I just wanted to let everyone know that the Travel Channel is airing the Disney Cruiseline special tonight at 8 pm (est).

We taped this special a few months back and have watched it several times since.

12 DAYS UNTIL WE LEAVE FOR FLORIDA (sorry for shouting but I'm just so darned excited)

 

[datsyukchick]

We get books on tape too Yazee, we are bringing all the Harry Potter books for my DD, she is a tad obsessed. I also like driving at night, there is hardly anyone else on the road. My DD and DH sleep and I turn up my music (slightly), drink my Diet Coke, and I can drive comfortably all night...

 

[Kathring]

Welcome SJCSuzyQ and Kristing!!! Glad you found us!!

I just wanted to let everyone know that the Travel Channel is airing the Disney Cruiseline special tonight at 8 pm (est).

We taped this special a few months back and have watched it several times since.

12 DAYS UNTIL WE LEAVE FOR FLORIDA (sorry for shouting but I'm just so darned excited)

TY!!! Just just set that up on TiVo!!!! The kids are WAY excited to watch it tomorrow!

 

[yazee1]

Welcome to the thread Kathrin and SJ! It's wonderful to be so close to our cruise date. I'm really looking forward to doing all the things we loved last time and trying new things. Last time the whole family was so pooped out by 10pm, dh and I didn't do anything as a couple. Naps this time. We're going to take naps so we can make it to say 11:00 this time. LOL

 

[georgeat]

We always drive down and stop in Savannah or use DVC points at Hilton Head. Just got a new van and it has an entertainment system. Plan to let the granddaughter and her sil watch movies while DW and I listen to cd's. We are leaving on the 22nd. Can't imagine what passengers who cruised on saturday went thru with traffic for the shuttle launch. Tried to see the launch one time and traffic on the b-line (528) was awful. Yazee don't forget the easy way to the autotrain using 301. See you all on the 23rd

 

[Euphscott]

Welcome new faces.

I have been so busy that I've neglected this board. And so much else going on, frankly I've lost a little of the cruise bug. That will change after this weekend when all of my drum corps stuff comes to an end. THEN I can start packing getting ready.

Brokoe however is excited that her chain is no longer reachable. We had to hang it from a ceiling hook. And now it's closer to the ceiling than her short stature can manage. She knows it's close!

And she insisted when she picked me up from the airport she was going on a plane next time. So wise for only 4. But she's got it figured out!

 

[yazee1]

Yazee don't forget the easy way to the autotrain using 301. See you all on the 23rd

Thank you so much for reminding me! I totally forgot.

There's a lot going on here with homeschooling and dh starting his job out of state, putting the house on the market and I just found out yesterday, my stepfather is on, according to my mom, his deathbed down in Florida. (He's been fighting cancer for 11 years now) I don't know if I'm going to have to fly down there this week, leave earlier than the rest of the family next week, or what. My stepfather has never been my "dad" and he's lowest on the totem pole of grandparents since he and my mom have lived in Florida for the past 22 years and we only see them once a year if that, but we've always had an amicable relationship. I feel bad for my mom. Except for my sister and me and our children, she has no living family.

This really is a somber day for us, personally, and our nation.

Many Blessings, Monica

 

[yazee1]

I have been so busy that I've neglected this board. And so much else going on, frankly I've lost a little of the cruise bug. That will change after this weekend when all of my drum corps stuff comes to an end. THEN I can start packing getting ready.

Understandable. Let us know how you fair. I'm assuming this is a competition.

And she insisted when she picked me up from the airport she was going on a plane next time. So wise for only 4. But she's got it figured out!

Hey, Scott!

It's a girl thing. I'm convinced boys are wired to want to stay boys as long as possible, and girls are wired to want to become women as soon as possible. I hope you have a son next, you'll see what I mean or maybe you already do.

 

[Euphscott]

Funny - she does want to be a teacher all the time. I cannot get up to go anywhere in the house without asking her to be the line leader!

We did well - we finsihed 14 out of 26. For a unit that is only 2 years old competing against groups that have been around for up to 60 years, we did well. Performing in the middle of Hurricane Ernesto remnants was not fun, but it will make for great stories the further we are removed from the event.

Here's hoping no more storms brew in the Caribbean this season!

 

[chalex]

Just wanted to stop in and say 'Hi', seems I have a million things to do and with only 24 hours in the day there is never enough time. I skimmed through the last few posts and saw some new names-Welcome!

Monica, so sorry to hear about your stepfather. My FIL passed away this year from cancer, it was aggressive and he lived less than a year after diagnosis. He lived in England so the children never knew him even though we went over there on vacation. That was sad, for my DH and I but I suppose it was easier on the children at the end of the day.

I know you are homeschooling, DH is away and you are trying to sell the house but take a few minutes for yourself. Just put your feet up and sit, read a good book or take a short walk. I know the weather here has been pretty the last few days-mid 80's during the day and 60's at night. Actually the kids complained they were cold on the way to school today! I LOVE this weather and just hope they have got it wrong for the next 2 days as they are calling for rain

Scott, this is probably a stupid question but do you yourself compete or do you manage the team? Also is this a full time job or something you do in your spare time? I know when we went to Texas and were talking to a waiter he was telling us that he did 'rodeo' during high school just like we play soccer or football here in NC.

Well I think I am finally getting things together for this cruise. Went shopping yesterday and got snorkel sets for the kids(on sale at Target), DS has a suit that sort of fits-jacket is a little small but I figure he will wear it once and then I will resell it on ebay when we get home. DD has 2 pretty dresses for formal and semi/formal night and I actually found a dress for formal night yesterday at the mall and couldn't believe the bargain I got- a $200 dress for $17.
Also picked up shout wipes,wrinkle relaxer, mini first aid kit and dramamine. Both DD and DS got sick the 1st night on our last cruise-which was a complete surprise as I thought DD would be an astronaut when she grows up-nothing usually bothers her.

Does anyone know,do I need beach towels for the pool and Castaway Cay or are these provided? We are headed to WDW after the cruise and I know the hotel provides pool towels but what about the cruise?

Angie

 

[SJCSuzyQ]

Does anyone know,do I need beach towels for the pool and Castaway Cay or are these provided? We are headed to WDW after the cruise and I know the hotel provides pool towels but what about the cruise?

Angie

Thanks for the welcome everybody! I've been franticly trying to plan this trip with less than 2 weeks! It's going to be a mad rush but it will be worth it in the end!

As far a beach towels go, you don't need to bring them. DCL provides them and even lets you take them off the ship on your excursions. They aren't the best towels, or the biggest, but they get the job done.

Off to plan more...

 

[yazee1]

Suzy, I can't believe you booked two weeks out! I didn't even know that was possible. But, the more I think about it, the more I like the idea. No agonizing 18 month long wait. Just throw everything in some suitcases, makes some last minute arrangements for kids, plants, mail, etc. and go. The next Disney cruise we take, dh and I want to go alone. As long as dh's parents are in the area (they also live in TX half the year), we have a standing invitation to drop the kids off there.

Angie, thank you for your post. I was thinking similarly that the kids won't have it as hard when my stepfather passes away since they haven't seen him very much during their young lives. Today, after we took the chickens to the livestock auction, did our schooling and ran our errands, I did more than put my feet up, I actually took a nap! I had to laugh about your son's suit situation, because our oldest has a suit, and it is a smidge too small in the sleeves. I've been vacillating between buying him a new suit or having him make due with this one. Since I dread the thought and the cost of suit shopping and he doesn't really care about the length of his sleeves, it's a no-brainer.

Scott, I never marched in anything like Ernestine, but I've been in enough parades when it was so cold and rainy my smile was almost literally frozen on my face and it hurt to twirl my baton. How I envied the band for being able to wear a uniform with long pants and sleeves! Congratulations on placing so highly amongst the competition.


I'm not a storm watcher. Is there anything brewing out on the ocean that looks like it might affect our cruise?

 

[Euphscott]

No - the drum corps I march in is a volunteer group. We compete and perform for the love of the activity. We pay to participate (don't get my wife started on how much!) and just truly love what we do. The Hurricane remnants were not fun. I too have done cold - but that was cold and wet and windy and ICK!

It looks like the seas are calm for us. All three storms are way noth of us and headed away from us. So, we look good for now. Of course anything that could give us trouble will have to start brewing fairly soon. Here's hoping..

Here's hoping your stepfather situation gets worked out Monica. It's not good timing obviously, but it's never fun to deal with those issues. I pray that it works out well and the family has peace.

 

[Kathring]

HI again & thank so much for the welcome!

So, I've been doing a little shopping. Got some terrific disney Ts for under $5 for the kids (day 1 attire, plane ride). And, I'm off to staples to get some magnetic paper to make a sign & make some mickey ears for our door too. (that's SUCH a cool idea!)

I do have a few questions that I can not seem to get answers to elsewhere on this terrific forum. If anyone can shed some light, I'd appreciate it! (Sorry if they seem to be silly ?s)

Here's one question - I'll have to post more later:
Formal/Semi formal nights: My husband can take his suit, but all I really have to wear is a pant/top combo - it IS fairly formal, but not Ballroom attire. Is this ok? Also, are the kids expected to be formal too? I have a very nice dress for my DD (5) and a pants/shirt/tie/vest outfit for my DS (3.5). Will that be ok? Will we have to wear these outfits more than once? & How formal is Palo?


TIA!!! (WOW - it's getting SO close now! WHOOO HOOO!!!)

 

[georgeat]

The attire should be OK. Most wear thier best. Not all get "real" formal.
It is getting close to that time to leave. Have not packed a thing. Looking forward to seeing the granddaughter and her SIL's faces when they get on board. They do not know what to expect. Wishing all of you a safe trip to the ship.

 

[vpalmer]

HI again & thank so much for the welcome!

So, I've been doing a little shopping. Got some terrific disney Ts for under $5 for the kids (day 1 attire, plane ride). And, I'm off to staples to get some magnetic paper to make a sign & make some mickey ears for our door too. (that's SUCH a cool idea!)

I do have a few questions that I can not seem to get answers to elsewhere on this terrific forum. If anyone can shed some light, I'd appreciate it! (Sorry if they seem to be silly ?s)

Here's one question - I'll have to post more later:
Formal/Semi formal nights: My husband can take his suit, but all I really have to wear is a pant/top combo - it IS fairly formal, but not Ballroom attire. Is this ok? Also, are the kids expected to be formal too? I have a very nice dress for my DD (5) and a pants/shirt/tie/vest outfit for my DS (3.5). Will that be ok? Will we have to wear these outfits more than once? & How formal is Palo?


TIA!!! (WOW - it's getting SO close now! WHOOO HOOO!!!)

I think your formal wear sounds just fine as well. The official rule at Palo is a dress shirt is required for men. No polo or Tommy Bahama style shirt s for men. A tie and jacket are not required but not out of place either. The "official" line for women is dress or pantsuit. I plan on a skirt and top for Palo because I am not much of a dress person and I am wearing plenty of dresses already for this cruise.

 

[Kathring]

Thanks everyone - this sets my mind at ease! That said, I just went out on a MARATHON shopping trip which included Magnetic Paper, water bottles, soft sided cooler and a host of other items per reccos from this board.

Our kids are almost BESIDES themselves, having to WAIT for this trip. I'm taking my DD to the dolphin encounter - she is VERY excited about that. I'm looking forward to some down time, a little spa visit & just a nice fun family vacation. I have a feeling that we will become regulars on DCL. In two years - perhaps.

TTYL!
Kathrin