9/26/2010 Breezin' to the Bahamas!

[JenGC]

I saw 10 pages of posts and was all excited to see with whom we'd be cruising this Fall. But it seems to have fizzled out 2 months ago.
I'm guessing things will pick back up around mid August as everyone starts preparing.

Our Cast:
Me (DH) - 41 (at time of cruise)
DW - a few years younger, lol. (good hubbies dont share that sort of thing, right?)
DD - 3.5 (at time of cruise)

This will be our umpteenth criuse and our second Disney cruise.
Our first was last Sept. 18th-ish Western Carib on the Magic. After that we were hooked.

I'm trying to talk the wife into the FE thing....but she's not a big socialite where as I've never met a stranger. She loves Etsy for keeping our DD in cute clothes....so maybe getting her to search on FEs on Etsy will help.

Oh, yeah, duh....forgot to mention that we are back-to-backing it since the economic outlook was dreary in the Spring we were reluctant to book anything, have to make up for it now!

So we are doing this "Breezin' to the Bahamas" cruise as well as the unnamed 3 day leaving 9/30.

Anyone else taken B2B (back to back) cruises on Disney before? Any tips/advice? I'm hoping to secure the same room so we don't have to move our bags around. Sad that we have to leave the ship on that day but we understand then have to clean/inspect/service.

We have been talking daily for a good while now! I am so excited to go, that I am chattering like a parrot to anyone who will respond!

Do you guys want to be part of the FE?

I have never been on a B2B cruise before (I have never been on ANY cruise before! hehe) but I have heard you do that. But isnt there like a three hour wait or something? I thought you could leave up to 9:00 and then you are reboard around 11:45? I guess that would be a lot of time to wait.

Anyway, WELCOME!

Jen

 

[Webmiester]

Kam, we are planning on signing up our daughter for the OC. We probably won't leave her there much because this is all about family, but maybe once or twice...
What concerns me is on the disney website when I log into our castaway club stuff it says she (3yo) is elibigble for "Flouder's Reef". in the same place it lists the age ranges for Oceaneer's Club as 3-12... I hope they'll let her play there. She will think she's in heaven with that chest of princess dresses!

 

[Webmiester]

LOL ok, I was looking at the date you signed up (JenGC) not the date of the post. Looked like 3 pages of posts happened in April.

Hotel/Parking:
OK, so last Fall when we did this, we stayed at the Holiday Inn. They let you leave your car there for free with a night's stay. You just ask them at the desk and they give you a card that you can put in your window.
They have a 3rd party shuttle service that was $15 per person (round trip) and would take you and your luggage to the terminal.
One of our lessons learned is that its cheaper for me to drive the wife and peanut to the terminal with the luggage, drop them off, go back and park the car then take the shuttle myself with no bags. Saves $15 plus a few bucks I felt obligated to tip.

At the terminal:
It was our first Disney cruise so we had to wait in the 'long' line which meant we spent about 90-120 minutes, maybe a tad longer....dont remember...in the terminal waiting to board. They do have a character or two show up so you can wait in yet another line to take a picture with them in front of the big model of the disney ship.
If this is your 2nd+ cruise, you get a slightly expedited line for Castaway Club members.

There are tons of threads with answers and tips if you search the forums....but if you have any specific questions or curiosities, I'd be glad to provide any information I have.

Cheers!

 

[honeymo78]

Jen,
We're really not planning on much if anything at Castaway Cay. I'm not much of a beach person (I hate sand) so spending all day on the beach is not my idea of a great time. We'll probably check it out then go back to the ship to sit by the pool or explore the ship.

We're staying at OKW the night before the cruise then heading to the port in a car service van with our friends who just happen to be taking the same cruise. Then we're are headed back to BLT for 8 nights after the cruise.

 

[quentina]

Hi to the Breezin to the Bahamas crew!!!!

It's been a hectic crazy few months, but I'm really starting to look forward to September & being back "home"

So for roll call - I think I have everyone:

Lauri, Dan, Sarah (4) Gabe (3)
Kim, Ken, Quentin (13) Jolica (8) Antonio (6)
Beth & Brent
NY Yankee Girl, Hubby, DS (8) DS (5)
Scott, Vicky, Damon (12) Ambyr (11)
Roberts1999, Hubby, DD (4) ***yeah a friend for Sarah*** DS (1)
Karen & Jason

Please let me know if you'd like to participate in the FE exchange....I think we will probably have to set an agreed-upon cut off date for signing up...but for now I can start getting together a master list, and once we have stateroom assignments the real fun can begin

Are you taking care of the FE and meet? I will help if you need it.....let me know.

Kim

 

[JenGC]

LOL ok, I was looking at the date you signed up (JenGC) not the date of the post. Looked like 3 pages of posts happened in April.

Hotel/Parking:
OK, so last Fall when we did this, we stayed at the Holiday Inn. They let you leave your car there for free with a night's stay. You just ask them at the desk and they give you a card that you can put in your window.
They have a 3rd party shuttle service that was $15 per person (round trip) and would take you and your luggage to the terminal.
One of our lessons learned is that its cheaper for me to drive the wife and peanut to the terminal with the luggage, drop them off, go back and park the car then take the shuttle myself with no bags. Saves $15 plus a few bucks I felt obligated to tip.

At the terminal:
It was our first cruise so we had to wait in the 'long' line which meant we spent about 90-120 minutes, maybe a tad longer....dont remember...in the terminal waiting to board. They do have a character or two show up so you can wait in yet another line to take a picture with them in front of the big model of the disney ship.
If this is your 2nd+ cruise, you get a slightly expedited line for Castaway Club members.

There are tons of threads with answers and tips if you search the forums....but if you have any specific questions or curiosities, I'd be glad to provide any information I have.

FE:
I want to do the FE thing, as well as meeting up...but ultimately it's up to the wife. Last time she didn't want to because it was really just us and we pretty much kept to ourselves. I'm going to try to push it this time as it seems like most of us have kids under 10 and that is a tie that binds most anyone together.

Cheers!

LOL I was wondering why you thought we stopped talking! lol

I have spent so much time on this board and my nose in the Passporter, I feel like I have already taken a trip LOL I just try to get as much info as I can. I dont think there will be ANY surprises. I even know what the ship sounds like when they sound the horn!

I will be more than happy to put you on the FE list (I have somehow taken over that job. Sorry for whom I took it away from!! I hope your wife is up to it. I just LOVE meeting people I have talked to for months! Plus it just seems like you would have so much more fun having someone else to do stuff with. I think Victoria is going to end up living in the Oceaners lab and My mom and her friend will be paring up. I am sure I will find SOMETHING to do! lol Also, Victoria is unlike any child I have every seen. She adores babies, toddlers, kids her age, older kids, teenagers, and adults. It doesnt matter to her, she will play LOL so I have a feeling she will be acting like mother hen to your peanut

I assume by your name you are a webmaster. I am too! Well, that an a seamstress. Kinda strange mix eh?

 

[JenGC]

Jen,
We're really not planning on much if anything at Castaway Cay. I'm not much of a beach person (I hate sand) so spending all day on the beach is not my idea of a great time. We'll probably check it out then go back to the ship to sit by the pool or explore the ship.

We're staying at OKW the night before the cruise then heading to the port in a car service van with our friends who just happen to be taking the same cruise. Then we're are headed back to BLT for 8 nights after the cruise.

I LOOOOOOOVE the beach but I think the actual ocean is icky. I will play in the sand with my daughter but that's about it. But I just dont think there will be enough to entertain us. I dont want to rent anything so I will probably stay until lunch because I would like to try the food on there, but after that I will probably come back and Victoria will "book it" (aka going fast ) back to the lab!

We are staying at Port Orleans Riverside Thurdsay to Sunday. I wish we could stay longer but I will be tapped out! lol This is kinda last minute for me. Next time, I am going to have more time to save up. But I am DEFINITELY getting the Dooney and Burke purses. Thank you Dreams Unlimited for the $100 OBC!! lol

 

[JenGC]

Are you taking care of the FE and meet? I will help if you need it.....let me know.

Kim

Maybe I do need help! I dont think I have these names on the list!

 

[kamgen]

Webmiester- welcome!!! Yeah, my kids are so excited about all the things to do in the Oceaneers Club. My youngest will be 3 1/2 too. When the child is 3 they are eligible for Flounders AND the Club. up to you! Club is free, so I would go that route! LOL!!!
I know my kids will be in there A LOT...they love to be busy and play with other kids. I will try to get them to do stuff with us, but I am being realistic. Once they see all that cool stuff, they will be hooked. Mom and dad will pale in comparison!

 

[JenGC]

Are you taking care of the FE and meet? I will help if you need it.....let me know.

Kim

OK help me out please because I am MORE than confused. I assume this is an old list of cruisers (I didn't go back and look ). Are they wanting to do the FE? I ask because I dont have half of them on there. I am excited though, that there is an 8 year old on there. Victoria will have someone her age too!

 

[Webmiester]

Well DANG! I thought there was a sit down restaurant that served you while you can look out. Oh well, I guess we will go there because if the boat isnt moving, I wont be that interested in looking at the water. Afterward I will spend time on the deck. When did you say that tour was? I DEFINITELY want to go on that. I read about another tour that takes you to the kitchens and things. I want to go on that one too!

If I remember correctly, Parrot Cay, which is typically a 'server' restaurant has a buffet on the day of departure...I think they also do a buffet in the Castaway Cay day...probly because a lot of the kitchen staff are on the island serving BBQ.

Top siders, the perma-buffet is very very crowded the day we leave port. It looked to me like the way to go would be to grab a table and then take turns getting in line if you went that route. I'm with Jen on this one, no need to see the outside when the ship isn't moving. Although young boys might like watching the tug boats assist us out of the harbor.

Jen - Put us down for the FE list. Also, I saw the awesome FEs you made and posted on Etsy....can you do a custom one? Don't want to change the design as much as the colors. Our peanut is obsessed with pink. something in pink/black/green would be the way we'd want to go...
Anyway, I'll send you a message via Etsy and we can communicate there.

 

[Webmiester]

Jen, As I have recently read the entire thread, my interpretation is yeah, you are the 'captain' of organizing the FE list and the meet(s).

The originator was Lauri. Kim (quentina) offered to help, Lauri posted the first official list. Jen, you got on board in April and offered to help. Nobody posted for a few weeks and you posted a newly compiled list. A couple of fams asked you to add them to the list, which by default made you the new list manager for FEs.
Lauri posted after a long gap and asked you to add her to the list and thanked you for 'spearheading' it. That pretty much made you official in my book.

And here I will also thank you for 'spearheading' it. And no, I'm not a webmaster by profession although I was in a past life and did create websites for some friends' businesses.

Cheers!

 

[laurio]

Welcome to Webmeister & family!

And to anyone else that I've missed in my spotty attendance

Jen, thanks you much for taking over the FE list I would never have kept up!!

For those of us with toddlers in the Oceaneers Club, they have the club on-island at Castaway Cay....and it is amazing. My Sarah didn't want to see the beach with us...straight to the club. We had to drraaaaaaggg her out when it was time to head back to the Wonder lol...

Webmeister - don't be surprised if your little one ditches the family time for the club! Kamgen is spot on...the kids really love it, and they get to page you if they would like to be picked up or just touch base with you.

Once we drop all the little ones off at the Club on CC we could all meet up at the bar by Cookies for the wonderfully amazing (even if I cant drink them) Conch Coolers Just sayin..

 

[Webmiester]

Well, our little peanutmonkey is pretty clingy. We've yet to find something she'd rather do than be with us, but alas there is a first time for everything.
Last time we walked the bike trail looking for a geocache and it was 100 in the shade! Crazy hot and of course peanuntmonkey fell asleep half way in so I was carrying dead weight. Haha what a memory....

Jen, the 'get in yet another line for a picture with a dis character in front of the ship model...well that is the picture that is Lauri's avitar, ha!
Definitely worth it if you have the time to kill.

Maybe our little sugah-boogah will buddy up with one of y'alls and disappear into clubland.

Guess we'll see.....

 

[JenGC]

Well, I am not sure how peanut will react to Victoria but rest assured, she will try her best to take her under her wing LOL She is a little overwhelming at times and is really bad when she is excited, which she WILL be LOL I just hope we dont scare peanut off lol

Meeting at cookies sounds great to me. My mom and her friend will be going to the adult beach anyway so I can hang out with you guys! Oh I just cant wait (have I said that before? hehe). I was reading a trip report and she was talking about the drive down. I had to stop reading it because that made me pine more to go! That's sad! lol

 

[JenGC]

I can't believe that I have TOTALLY over looked this today!!


day 100!!!! Tomorrow we will be in the double digits! BYE BYE 100+!!

 

[kamgen]

Hey everybody! Just checking in before I (try to) head off to bed! I am so exhausted and cannot wait for the weekend. After work tomorrow I am meeting the family at Animal Kingdom Lodge!!! We are staying there from Fri-Sun for Father's Day Weekend! Cannot wait to hang out by the pool on my days off work! Then I go on a 15day stretch without a day off, so this weekend is my relaxation..........and no internet for two days, so dont miss me too much!

Yeah, my kids are so excited about the clubs. They are usually very clingy with me, but they love adventure and playing with other kids. I know they are going to have an awesome time! What do they want to hang out with us "parents" for?!?! LOL!
I was looking at some Navigators from and April 4nt cruise and the kids stuff is awesome...i wanna go! But since they don't have a bar in there, I think I will stay up by the pool!
As for Castaway Cay, we usually hang out down at the end of the beach by the Heads Up Bar. It is our favorite place to hang out and the bar down there is great. Not a lot of people usually.

As for embarkation lunch, we usually hit Parrot Cay because it is less busy. Just depends. Just so much to think about and only 100 days left! Seriously, I could be packed to go tomorrow!

Cant wait!

 

[JenGC]

Hey everybody! Just checking in before I (try to) head off to bed! I am so exhausted and cannot wait for the weekend. After work tomorrow I am meeting the family at Animal Kingdom Lodge!!! We are staying there from Fri-Sun for Father's Day Weekend! Cannot wait to hang out by the pool on my days off work! Then I go on a 15day stretch without a day off, so this weekend is my relaxation..........and no internet for two days, so dont miss me too much!

Yeah, my kids are so excited about the clubs. They are usually very clingy with me, but they love adventure and playing with other kids. I know they are going to have an awesome time! What do they want to hang out with us "parents" for?!?! LOL!
I was looking at some Navigators from and April 4nt cruise and the kids stuff is awesome...i wanna go! But since they don't have a bar in there, I think I will stay up by the pool!
As for Castaway Cay, we usually hang out down at the end of the beach by the Heads Up Bar. It is our favorite place to hang out and the bar down there is great. Not a lot of people usually.

As for embarkation lunch, we usually hit Parrot Cay because it is less busy. Just depends. Just so much to think about and only 100 days left! Seriously, I could be packed to go tomorrow!

Cant wait!

NO FAIR! NO FAIR NO FAIR!! (where's the smiley that taps his foot? Oh wrong board LOL) I am sure you will have a great time! Think of me when you are there. I will be sulking in Nashville

Yeah I think Parrot Cay will be where we go too. I dunno, the thought of being served...and not having to pay for it just...speaks to me LOL

I assumed that my daughter and I would hang out in the family area near the place that has pool tables and ping pong (she LOVES billiards but is not good at it...yet LOL) but I also didnt know there was a club there too so I am 99% sure she will go there. If there is a gathering of kids, she wants to be in the middle of them.

 

[JenGC]

If I remember correctly, Parrot Cay, which is typically a 'server' restaurant has a buffet on the day of departure...I think they also do a buffet in the Castaway Cay day...probly because a lot of the kitchen staff are on the island serving BBQ.

Top siders, the perma-buffet is very very crowded the day we leave port. It looked to me like the way to go would be to grab a table and then take turns getting in line if you went that route. I'm with Jen on this one, no need to see the outside when the ship isn't moving. Although young boys might like watching the tug boats assist us out of the harbor.

Jen - Put us down for the FE list. Also, I saw the awesome FEs you made and posted on Etsy....can you do a custom one? Don't want to change the design as much as the colors. Our peanut is obsessed with pink. something in pink/black/green would be the way we'd want to go...
Anyway, I'll send you a message via Etsy and we can communicate there.

I am not sure how I missed this post, but I did! Thanks so much for the compliment! I like it very much, but the more I look at it, the more I wonder if it is too dark. LOL I can change the FE to whatever you want. That was ours and I made another one with a more nautical theme that has just not made it out to the Etsy shop (plus a word is misspelled and I was going to let it go since it was only for demo but it is driving me nuts so I want to fix that). I just bought some really pretty royal blue and red solid material that I was wanting to do a different kind of theme to so have at it. There is a campground group that is going on a cruise next year and one of the members wants a "outdoorsie" theme to it so that will be a lot of browns and such to it but with Mickey, of course LOL I am not sure if you know the name of my shop, but it is stitches N Bows. The direct address is stitchesNBows.Etsy.com

I am not really big on buffets (unless it is Chinese and I ADORE them but dont seem to get to one very often). Like I said before, the thought of going into a restaurant, being served, and not paying is just a dream. I am going to wear it out! LOL But you will see me on Deck 10 when that ship moves! Oh man. I just got butterflies thinking of sailing off to sea!! This is going to be a long....

99 more days!!!!

 

[Webmiester]

Not really sure where we'll end up while the ship is leaving...
When Parrot Cay does the buffet, you still get a server but you gio up and get your own food. The quality of food is tons better than it is at the traditional buffet.