A couple of last minute questions!

[kristen821]

First I want to thank everyone for all of your help. You have been wonderful this last year in answering all of my questions!
1. This is our first cruise, (4 night) we are planning on not doing palo's so I am not even going to pack a jacket for dh. Will I regret not going to palo's?
2. We have 8 suitcases, a backpack and a double stroller coming with us will I have room for everything in a cat. 11?
3. This one isn't a cruise question but I know you can help. My dd is 2.5 yrs. she doesn't chew gum yet. Does anyone know how to keep her ears from popping on the plane? I was thinking starburst. Also, we are flying ATA can we bring the double stroller with us and have it boarded on the plane when we board?

O.K. I think that is it for now I am sure I will think of more!

 

[erikthewise]

First I want to thank everyone for all of your help. You have been wonderful this last year in answering all of my questions!
1. This is our first cruise, (4 night) we are planning on not doing palo's so I am not even going to pack a jacket for dh. Will I regret not going to palo's?
2. We have 8 suitcases, a backpack and a double stroller coming with us will I have room for everything in a cat. 11?
3. This one isn't a cruise question but I know you can help. My dd is 2.5 yrs. she doesn't chew gum yet. Does anyone know how to keep her ears from popping on the plane? I was thinking starburst. Also, we are flying ATA can we bring the double stroller with us and have it boarded on the plane when we board?

O.K. I think that is it for now I am sure I will think of more!

1. Only if you talk to people who did.
I heard they recently somewhat relaxed the dress code, and if he wears a nice shirt and slacks he probably won't be frogmarched out of Palo. But reconsider packing a jacket.
2. No, but you'll get by. I've heard that the cabin steward can store empty suitcases somewhere else for you.
3. Anything that keeps them chewing and/or swallowing will work for most children; Starburst sounds fine, but also bring a juice pack. I think the answer to the stroller question is yes but ask at the gate.

Are you going on the 12/5 Wonder?! US TOO!! See you in line for Palo!

 

[mmouse37]

Hi....Just a question....how many people are travelling? Is it a family of 4??? Eight suitcases sound like alot if it is for only 4 people. I am not judging by any means...just want to let you know that for a 4 day you do not have to pack much at all!!! I am assuming a lot of what you are bringing has to do with two small children (hence the double stroller). If at all possible I would try to condense and eliminate a suitcase or two....especially if you are not going to Palo. I see that this is your first cruise and I am sure you will see when it is over that you probably didn't need half of what you packed.

The Cat 11's will not hold all 8 suitcases if they are large. You can fit some in the closet, some under the bed. You can ask you room steward if he could POSSIBLY store some suitcases for you but they are really not set up to store many suitcases. It all depends on how helpful your room steward is.

We are a family a five and only bring 1 suitcase or duffle per person for the 7 day cruise...even when they were babies we limited what we packed....actually they tend to bring more now that they are teens!!!

Anyway..have a wonderful cruise!!

MJ

 

[TheWog]

1. We didn't do Palo and don't regret it. It just didn't work out. I have heard it is excellent, but it won't ruin your trip.

2. Do the suitcases nest? If so you can put 2 or 3 inside a larger one. That will help you with space. Under the bed and closet will be able to accomodate 2 or 3 large suitcases with smaller ones inside.

3. Drink water (or liquid) while taking off. That really worked for our DS6. He just had a bottle of water and took sips the whole time while taking off and landing. No problems.

Sorry don't know about the stroller, they will be able to tell you at check-in or at the gate.

 

[LoveMickey]

We'll be in line for Palo on Sunday too.

Childrens ears on the Plane: I once heard that if you put cups (like dixie cups) over the kids ears, it prevents the issue of cabin pressure. I do not know if it works or not, but I can't hurt. Make a game of it during take off and landing.

 

[kikipug]

8 suitcases for a 4-day? Honestly, I carry on 1 small (official carry-on size) rolling suitcase for a 4 day, and it works out just fine!!! You never stay in the same clothes long enough to get them dirty- shorts in the AM, bathing suit for much of the day, something more presentable for the evening. My honest opinion... 4 evening outfits (sundresses are great on non-formal nights, and easy to pack), 2 bathing suits, 2 or 3 pair of shorts and a few t-shirts- anything else and you are overpacked!!!


Have a great trip!

 

[BethC1952]

We haven't done Palo either, and don't regret it, although we will try it one day. It just hasn't been a major goal for us!

Your suitcases will fit--we had as many (although no stroller) two years ago when the cruise was the middle part of a 17-day vacation for three adults.

All the suggestions for keeping the little ones' ears from popping are great. My granddaughter discovered on her own (she was 3 1/2 at the time) that yawning works well too! And after all that yawning, she took a long nap on the plane, so she thought we got to Florida from La Guardia airport in only a few minutes!

Have a great cruise--you'll love it!

Beth

 

[LittleMermaidsMom]

You could also try EarPlanes for your daughter. They are little ear plugs that are used for air travel and will prevent your ears from popping.. they sell them in adult and child sizes. I found them at Walmart for about $3/pair.

But, honestly, I bought them for my daughter on our last trip and she didn't want to keep them in... but your daughter may. I just gave my daughter juice and some snacks and she was fine - didn't complain about her ears once.

 

[antmaril]

I'm questioning the eight suitcases, as well. We are taking the Wonder in February, plus one night prior at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. There will be four us and I'm thinking three suitcases total. Is this cruise part of an extended trip? I don't mean to judge, but, if not, that seems like ALOT OF STUFF!!!! It just seems stressful to have so many suitcases if you really don't need them.

Just my two cents, of course

 

[JLDSMD]

Regarding ear popping on the plane, we give our DS(4 1/2) Laffy Taffy. It takes a while to chew and it produces A LOT of saliva that he keeps swallowing.

With regards to the stroller, what we have done when DS was younger and in a stroller, was have it "Gate Checked". They will put a tag on it at the gate, then you leave it just before you get on the plane (at the end of the ramp). Then, we would remind the Flight Attendant right before final approach that we had the stroller gate checked and if they could make sure it was at the gate when we landed. When you land, the luggage handlers will bring all the gate checked stroller to the door of the plane. Never had a problem, except in Mexico. They would never bring it to the gate there. It had to go through the checked baggage area.

 

[Vickibean]

We'll be on the same cruise with you. I hope you and all of your luggage don't sink the ship.

I don't trust my 4-year old with gum, so I have lots of suckers packed.

 

[jrabbit]

Palo is very, very nice...but it is something that is easily missed without feeling bad about it later. I've been on several DCL cruises and never made it to Palo for dinner. We've really enjoyed our rotational servers and tablemates! DH does not need a jacket to go to Tritons for dinner (even though it's the fancy "dress up" restaurant). On 7 night cruises on formal and semi formal nights I wear a dress shirt, tie and slacks. On the tropical/ mexicalli/ pirates night I wear slacks with a tropical print shirt. On the other evenings it's slacks and a polo shirt. And every night I wear sandals and dark socks (yea I know it's not fashonable - but size 15/16 shoes fill a suitcase by themselves

Try and cut down on the number of suitcases. 8 for 2 adults to handle sounds like a lot of hard work. During the day we were in swimsuits and shorts and polo shirts. In the evenings - see above. One of the "space saving" tricks that the males in my family use is that we put on a clean polo shirt for dinner then wear it the next day when we are not by the pool. Therefore we cut the number of shirts needed by about 1/2. Doesn't works so well in August - it's so hot and humid that even in the evenings we "pit out" the shirts.

I would suggest the EarPlanes too. I used them on the my last flight and they really helped the pressure in my head. On the last couple of flights I've seen children wearing ear muff looking things (colorful and cloth looking) so I assume that they were not earphones. I assume that they were to help with the air pressure changes on the plane. You might want to look into them - they would be more comfortable than the EarPlanes.

 

[kristen821]

o.k i lied (not purposely) We have 7 suitcases. Two large and all but one fit into the two large suitcases. So we can turn the suitcases into three We are also going to wdw after the cruise so that is why I have so much luggage. I don't want to do laundry. I am also a bit of an over packer. I have one suitcase of dinner clothes, one of misc. everyday needs and one more for each person. Then one duffle bag that has sand toys and coloring books etc. Then of course a backpack for our money and documents, but that can fit in the suitcases to to store. The duffle bag is full of stuff that can be thrown away after the trip so we will have an extra bag for the trip home. Then of course that double stroller. Usually I would have a small stroller, but I don't know how my ds6 will handle walking all day at wdw. Thank you everyone for your advice on the ear popping situation. I will give her a juice box and starburst. Does that sound ok. I think I will also pick up the earplugs, but I have a feeling she won't keep them in. She was 6 months old last time we flew and I was able to give her a bottle. Hopefully she'll be ok

 

[twinglez]

For the plane, we used "Parents Choice" water bottles. It's a tall cup with a straw and lid that closes shut. During take off and landing my twins drink. ONe of them tends to refuse, I tell her no option..SMALL sip, little bit is all I need just to encourage the swallowing. So far no probelm. They have been flying at least once a year since they were born.

Have fun!

 

[TheWog]

keep the duffle handy and use it for dirty laundry. just zip it up and put a tag on it and you're set.

 

[kristen821]

Vicki - I promise not to sink the ship, but just in case i do don't forget to go to the 4:00 drill to learn how to put those vest on! I am bringing extra tip money for the porters! Thank you so much everyone for your help. You guys are great! I will see some of you on Sunday!

 

[mackymaddyconnorsmom]

I think you will be ok with a single stroller.(If one of the kids are 6). My kids would never ride in the stroller for too long even when they were younger than 6. I think we have too much luggage too. (Some are some though) We have 9(2 are garment bags) I thought I packed better than usual. I dont know what to take out. Do you know if boys (7yo) need a suit for formal night?

 

[kristen821]

I don't think we will need the double stroller either, but I figured I rather be safe then sorry! It doesn't take up much more space because it will fold up and fit in the closet and if my daughter happens to fall asleep during one of the firework shows (probably won't happen but it could if she is real tired) the double stroller folds down enough that she can spread out. I asked my son if he would use it and I got a no with rolled eyes, but it will be there if he changes his mind. I don't know about the suits because I haven't been on a cruise. If is was me I wouldn't go out and buy a suit, but if I had one I would bring it.

 

[CM_Mom]

You might want to check out stroller rental rates at WDW rather than messing with a double stroller on the plane and ship. I thought 6 yo kids were indestructable.

 

[coriedorie]

First I want to thank everyone for all of your help. You have been wonderful this last year in answering all of my questions!
1. This is our first cruise, (4 night) we are planning on not doing palo's so I am not even going to pack a jacket for dh. Will I regret not going to palo's?


If at all possible, try Palo's brunch. It is absolutely wonderful!! And no jacket required for hubby, just slacks and a polo shirt will do.