9/7/06 10 night Wonder Southern Caribbean "Cruising in WONDERland!"

[HookedonMagic]

Thanks Alex!

Sorry to hear about the ongoing power problems, Crystal! We lived in Shiloh, IL (just across the river) for four years when DH was stationed at Scott AFB. We still have a lot of friends in St. Louis...in fact we were with a few in Memphis just last week. When the 3 hurricanes hit Orlando in 2004, we were lucky and never lost power, but we know so many that lost it for weeks...we take so much for granted...anyway, here's wishing that everything gets restored soon!

 

[micmse2003]

Step 5 I am soooooooo jealous of your bargains. We do not have a Dillards. A question?????? What time at Tritons?????????

Alex We just want to say a big We all appreciate your hard work and kindness.


DisneyGirlTinkerbell We are hoping you get your power back soon. Maybe homeowners insurance might cover cost of lost food.


HookedonMagic I am jealous of where you live now. We are still stuck in Illinois til hubby can retire to Florida. We looked at houses in Celebration when it first opened. Now we are sorry we did not buy a house when we first looked. We know the GM at Columbia restaurant. Have you tried it?

 

[Queenofthecastle]

Thanks for all of your hard work, Alex! You are awesome!

 

[HookedonMagic]

HookedonMagic I am jealous of where you live now. We are still stuck in Illinois til hubby can retire to Florida. We looked at houses in Celebration when it first opened. Now we are sorry we did not buy a house when we first looked. We know the GM at Columbia restaurant. Have you tried it?

Yes, we love Columbia restaurant...great atmosphere. We've been in Celebration 4+ years...we owned one of the original houses downtown (on Teal) until this past March. We're building a new house in Artisan Park and it was scheduled to close in February! So much for schedules! Anyway, we should close next week and move in August 2! We really love living here!

 

[daipp]

By the time the cruise rolls around you will be on Florida time!

We don't normally eat until 7pm Central time so, 8pm is perfect! And we felt that it worked out wonderfully well with the daytime activities.

To be fair, you are quite right! However, our biggest problem is when we arrive back in the UK. We ar jet-lagged for several days (I hold the receord of two weeks a few years ago). We normally get up at 3.00am for a few nights ready to eat and leave the house. Our neighbours must think we're mad

David

 

[daipp]

I've just had a look at the temperature in our conservatory and it's 110o - that should be made illegal.

My DS14 Alex has just completed a show with his Youth Choir group - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat where he played Pharoh so he spent last night in an all-night party. Needless to say he didn't sleep so when we collected him and a friend at 10:00 this morning there wasn't much conversation. He's had a sandwich and gone to bed, he'll probably surface tomorrow morning.

DW Helen informs me that this evening she's getting our cases out (again) to see what we can leave at home - perhaps this means I can put the kitchen sink back

I made my contribution to planning yesterday, I got our annual passes out of the safe and packed those with my hand-luggage (camera-bag).

Yesterday we also went to a sale - a national store called NEXT who have two or three sales a year and the reductions of their designer type clothes is excellent. The doors open at 5:00 am but because of Alex's aforementioned show we didn't go until dinner-time. In the past we've spent over £500.00 / $1000.00 but this time I'm happy to say that Helen only spent £200.00 / $435.00.

After that we went to a Bureau de Change (Marks & Spencer) to get some more US Dollars and we remembered to get 100 x $1.00 notes for room service etc on the cruise. One good thing about getting your money in Marks & Spencers is that it always seems to be brand new notes - all crisp and clean.

Schools have now all ended here in the UK and as we live in a holiday resort there's people everywhere. It normally takes around a minute to drive through the town centre but yesterday it took nearly ten minutes - musn't complain

Anyway, with a month to go before we fly to Florida I suppose everything will move up a gear here in the Phillip-Pritchard household so I better move with it rather than be dragged along.

Speak to you all soon

David

 

[smola09's mom]

Thanks for the "pixie dust" and well wishes, but unfortunately it's not working this time. A second storm rolled in yesterday bringing those to without power to close to 600,000!

We are more than 72 hours without power now. Lost all the food in the frig and freezer, but at least it cooled off into the 80s. Had to drive more than 10 miles to find ice.
Good news is my Mom just called to say she has power ! We'll probably head to her house tomorrow, if we still have no power.

So sorry to hear you are having such a rough time. I hope that your power is returned soon. I will send some pixie dust your way.

 

[Stepht5]

Step 5 I am soooooooo jealous of your bargains. We do not have a Dillards. A question?????? What time at Tritons?????????

I can't beleive the bargains we got yesterday! LOL! It makes my Neiman Marcus bargain (Last Call sale) look like not much of a bargain! LOL!

Lunch is at noon.

Tritons is the place with the themed lunches, right? Since I've never eaten lunch in one of the resturants (I've only done poolside lunches) I'm not 100% sure.

 

[Stepht5]

To be fair, you are quite right! However, our biggest problem is when we arrive back in the UK. We ar jet-lagged for several days (I hold the receord of two weeks a few years ago). We normally get up at 3.00am for a few nights ready to eat and leave the house. Our neighbours must think we're mad

David

Dh is pretty good about not getting jet lagged. I, on the other hand, get a terrible case!

 

[Stepht5]

I've just had a look at the temperature in our conservatory and it's 110o - that should be made illegal.

My DS14 Alex has just completed a show with his Youth Choir group - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat where he played Pharoh so he spent last night in an all-night party. Needless to say he didn't sleep so when we collected him and a friend at 10:00 this morning there wasn't much conversation. He's had a sandwich and gone to bed, he'll probably surface tomorrow morning.

DW Helen informs me that this evening she's getting our cases out (again) to see what we can leave at home - perhaps this means I can put the kitchen sink back

I made my contribution to planning yesterday, I got our annual passes out of the safe and packed those with my hand-luggage (camera-bag).

Yesterday we also went to a sale - a national store called NEXT who have two or three sales a year and the reductions of their designer type clothes is excellent. The doors open at 5:00 am but because of Alex's aforementioned show we didn't go until dinner-time. In the past we've spent over £500.00 / $1000.00 but this time I'm happy to say that Helen only spent £200.00 / $435.00.

After that we went to a Bureau de Change (Marks & Spencer) to get some more US Dollars and we remembered to get 100 x $1.00 notes for room service etc on the cruise. One good thing about getting your money in Marks & Spencers is that it always seems to be brand new notes - all crisp and clean.

Schools have now all ended here in the UK and as we live in a holiday resort there's people everywhere. It normally takes around a minute to drive through the town centre but yesterday it took nearly ten minutes - musn't complain

Anyway, with a month to go before we fly to Florida I suppose everything will move up a gear here in the Phillip-Pritchard household so I better move with it rather than be dragged along.

Speak to you all soon

David

This summer is starting to be reminescent of the summer of 1980..... We had temps over 100 for soemthing like 40 days and temps over 110 for 15. I had a newborn at the time. YUCK!!!!

Samantha & I LOVE Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat! A few years ago a performance group she belonged to did songs from that show. Did Samantha know that he was in a show? So far 3 of our 5 children have been theater types. They take after their momma! Since their dad prefers NOT to be noticed!

Yesterday must have been a good day for sales! I only spent about what y'all did. Of course I still need to buy the boys their tuxes..... I must say that you are quite the dh to go shopping with your dw! Dh was very happy when I told him that Samantha and I were going with friends. He stayed home with the little ones and played COH & COV (I was told it was double xp weekend - I have NO idea what that meant! LOL!)

Today I am going with our oldest dd (23 next month) to a Bridal Show. She is getting married in Oct 2007. Samantha (15dd) and I have been trying to talk her into a Disney wedding -- at the Grand Floridian. She won't go for it!

Schools -- what months are children in/out of school there? Is it the same all over Europe? I have a vague idea of when Germans are in school -- 2 or 3 yrs ago Samantha spent a couple weeks there in the summer and visited a local school for a day so that the children could ask questions, etc... Our experience has shown that Germans are fascinated with Texas and all things Texan.

 

[DiaLady]

Hi all --

I've been lurking here for a few weeks b/c dh suggested we go on this cruise. I'm still waiting in breathless antiicipation. He's concerned about hurricanes, but I think we'll be fine

Okay, so my question for ya'll (yes, I'm from the South . . .LOL). is what nights are formal nights on this cruise? How many are there? I have dresses remaining from our cruise last November. Hopefully that will be enough.

Thanks for all the tips on the sales. I might head over to Dillards to see what is left. My boys could both use new suits as a minimum. They grow way to fast! (DS9 & DS12). We bought brand new suits for them last Nov. I even bought them large and by February they could barely fit into them for their grandmother's funeral.

Well, here's hoping we can make this cruise. I want to have my daffy ducks in a row when dh makes a decision

Have super day!

Theresa

 

[TiggerStac]

Has anyone ever been pregnant on board...and where did you find your formal wear??

I have 2 dresses that I was planning on wearing (one from last cruise and a choice of 2 others I have) One of the 2 others I had to choose from is out, because it is 100% fitted (and fitted to me as it was a MOH dress that my friend designed and made herself..it is gorgeous!!)

The other 2 are both A lines and I am hoping that they will still fit me w/a preg belly. I will be almost 20 weeks when we board and am starting to pop out a little. Of course, i don't want to go and get something new now...what if I don't need it. I was thinking maybe davids bridal at the last minute and I can always get a 2 piece one, if need be.

Any other suggestions??? I just realzed I'm going to need to find some new shoes, too. Don't think I'm going to want to be wearing the high heeled sandals that I have w/these, eithers. Not only trying to balance while I have a lopsided belly, but who knows how my feet will be!!

TIA!!

 

[daipp]

Samantha & I LOVE Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat! A few years ago a performance group she belonged to did songs from that show. Did Samantha know that he was in a show? So far 3 of our 5 children have been theater types. They take after their momma! Since their dad prefers NOT to be noticed!

Schools -- what months are children in/out of school there? Is it the same all over Europe? I have a vague idea of when Germans are in school -- 2 or 3 yrs ago Samantha spent a couple weeks there in the summer and visited a local school for a day so that the children could ask questions, etc... Our experience has shown that Germans are fascinated with Texas and all things Texan.

It's now 7:10 in the evening here in the UK and miracle upon miracle, Alex has surfaced from his bed

He has also doone professional performances of Joseph in the East of England where he sings in the accompnying childrens choirs in the show - his next one is in October (in Norwich). Apart from two weddings, he doesn't have anymore singing until we get back from Florida so it should be a little quieter in the house.

As regards school holidays, the new school year officially starts on September the 1st each year (my birthday, so I was always the oldest in my school year). There is a half-term break around the last week of October and then the Winter or Christmas term ends (or as we say - breaks-up) around the 20th of December.

The Spring term starts about the 6th of January and then there's a half-term break of a week on around the third week of February. This term ends a few days before Easter (whenever that may be) when there are two weeks off from school.

The final term (Summer term) then starts with a week off for Whitsun week and then continues to around the 20th of July. Then there is a six week holiday. During this holiday, 16 year olds receive their GCSE results and 18 year olds receive their A level results.

The start and end dates vary a little around the UK but schools within each Education Authority area (County) are the same.

I hope you understood all that.

By the way, Helen just told me that she bought me a Pirate T-shirt a few days ago for the Pirate night.

David

 

[HookedonMagic]

Has anyone ever been pregnant on board...and where did you find your formal wear??

I haven't cruised pregnant, but I've attended events like weddings and Christmas parties while pregnant. Do you have a Pea in the Pod nearby? IMHO, they carry the most fashionable maternity clothing...it fits nicely and looks like something you might wear even if you weren't preggers...they can be a bit pricey, but like all stores, they have frequent sales. And they sell like hotcakes in garage sales or at consignment shops after you are done with them.

Congrats on your pregnancy and happy shopping!

Lisa

 

[smola09's mom]

Like some of you we shopped this weekend also. The boys needed summer clothes replaced. They already have their suits. I got some good deals at JC Penney. I even found some T-shirts at Gabriel Brothers. $2 apiece for Disney World T-shirts. We got approximately 20 pieces of clothing for $66. I was ecstatic. Now, I will have to go dress shopping for myself.

 

[Rate Queen]

Alex-thanks for all your hard work and generosity!

Crystal-Here's hoping your electricity returns ASAP!

Stephanie-Generally the lunch themed restaurants are Parrot Cay and Topsiders/Beach Blanket.
Triton's/Lumiere's acts like a sit down restaurant with a menu.

Carol

 

[micmse2003]

Hi all --

I've been lurking here for a few weeks b/c dh suggested we go on this cruise. I'm still waiting in breathless antiicipation. He's concerned about hurricanes, but I think we'll be fine

Okay, so my question for ya'll (yes, I'm from the South . . .LOL). is what nights are formal nights on this cruise? How many are there? I have dresses remaining from our cruise last November. Hopefully that will be enough.
QUOTE]
Answer to your question is Dinner schedule
Formal Nights:
*September 9 (At Sea)
*September 15 (At Sea)

Tropical Night:
*September 10 (St. Thomas)

Pirate Night:
*September 13 (Antigua)

There will be no Semi-Formal night

Hope this helps.
I guess I need to go shoping too although I bought my clothes months ago. I just like to shop!
Steve, not sure why one picture turned out perfect size but John is ready to his computer!!!!!!!
Look for these two people. We can't figure out computers so I hope we can still find the boat.

 

[WeLuvDisney All6ofUs]

I have been busy shopping, however I am a bit overwhelmed. I have been so looking forward to this cruise, busy reading up on the boards, looking for formal wear I didn't do any planning my girl's dance competition in nassau this week. I have never been to the bahamas other than CC. I went back and forth about going and finally decided to go two weeks ago, doesn't leave much time for planning. I wish my whole family was going, but it will just be my DD 11, my DD 8 and myself. I am overwelmed with the fact that there will only be 5 weeks left til the cruise when I return. If any of you have some tips on Nassau, I would love to hear them, want to do this trip as economically as possible, to be able to spend more on the cruise. We will spend our days at the competition, with our nights free to ourselves. Hope everyone had a nice weekend.

 

[Pirana]

Ok so I have tired to keep up with yall from what i have missed from being away.
Remember if you have teens going on the cruise they are more then welcome to pm me or IM me!

Im looking foward to a wonderful tan/sunburn =]

 

[cynjam]

Like some of you we shopped this weekend also. The boys needed summer clothes replaced. They already have their suits. I got some good deals at JC Penney. I even found some T-shirts at Gabriel Brothers. $2 apiece for Disney World T-shirts. We got approximately 20 pieces of clothing for $66. I was ecstatic. Now, I will have to go dress shopping for myself.

Don't ya' just love Gabes? I buy all my WDW & DCL shirts there. Last two weeks our Gabes was having sidewalk sales. You could fill one of their BIG bags for $10.

Today we went to Penney's Outlet, Target, and Walmart. We did OK, but I couldn't find bathing suits or tank tops I liked. They are already stocking winter clothes!

DiaLady,
Have you booked, yet, or just convincing?
(I book, then convince!)