Ahoy November 12th, 2009 Cruisers!!

[anetnmike]

Wow, it must have been someone else's trippie that I read. It was a great group photo inside the atrium. I wondered if they had a CM take it. Sorry someone was mean afterwards to you Harmony That isn't very nice I agree this should be a group effort and we should all agree where and when We've got time!
About the airfare, this will be a task for the next day off. Milwaukee is just over 2 hours from me. We will have to figure out if it would be worth flying for 2.5 hours then driving for 2+ hours to get home. Or flying 2.5 hours then driving 45 minutes but saving a chunk of$$.Airtran is $89/person.
Good for you, Scootch, that you got all your flight plans taken care of!

 

[scootch]

"I WILL NOT LOOK AT AIRLINE PRICES AGAIN" I have never gotten Airtran out of Pittsburgh for less than $89. I have gone to Orlando every year since 2004. Was so excited with my $69...... today it is $59 ho hum..... hahaha... I swear I am not looking at it again. It is done, I need to be happy with $69.

Thanks for listening to my vent...

Amy

 

[anetnmike]

oh no
airlines

 

[elmo2200]

Takes for the heads up on air fares. I would not have thought to check AirTran. I will cruise the web a little more and see what hubby wants to do. For us, return on AirTran wouldn't be cheap until Tues, Nov.17. We can't use Southwest one way and Airtran the other because they are at different airports here. DH was adament that we had to come right home..... Of course the kids and I wouldn't cry about extra time in Florida!!!!
Maybe tomorrow I will get around to checking rental cars again. Anyway, Good night
Wish I could simulate the gentle sway of the ship to rock me to sleep.

 

[elmo2200]

American also has $59 each way. For us, we would have to leave Nov.10 and return Tues, Nov.17. Hopefully my DH will remember to verify his flight discount at work. We may purchase our flight standby through FedEx for a cheaper price.
OK, going to bed now! Maybe I could spin in my desk chair until I get so dizzy that the bed seems to sway like the ship!

 

[disneydarling07]

We are going thru SW...fares are not too bad and we have over $200 credit from our last trip.

So what hotel is everyone staying at? Any good deals on rental cars? I found a really good rate at Thrifty, but I want to double check.
DH is REALLY trying to sneak in a visit to the parks...
He's having a really hard time getting used to the idea of being in Florida and not going to Disney World...lol.

I can get my Mickey fix on the ship!

 

[scootch]

Since we are coming in Wednesday evening, I was able to get a room at the Hyatt with a certificate for $141. Has anyone ever stayed there? Appears some advantages as you can check in there in the morning, not the port. Since the kids will be in school all day wednesday, it is truly my best option. I am taking DCL transfers to the ship..... but renting a car afterwards. Right now I have a car booked thru Budget with a Discover Card Code I found off of mousesavers. Still going to keep an eye on that. Since daddy isn't going there are just some extras that are really worth spending a bit more on(like dcl transfer to the port, hyatt, ect....)

I do have a question. I am either going to WDW on sunday or Sea World...... what is a realistic time that I will get there? I will be doing the express check in at Budget(if that matters) Right now we are leaning towards SeaWorld. I have a 14 day pass thru our Discovery Cove purchase, so even if we dont' see all the shows, seems like the best use of our time. They close at six, then will hit the disney outlets and check in at Bay Lake Towers hopefully in time to watch the fireworks. Thanks!

Amy

 

[anetnmike]

That sounds like fun Amy! I have never been to anywhere in Orlando but WDW ( I am such a purist!) DH is trying to broaden my horizons and take us to Sea World. My DB just took his family in May and they LOVED it!
I am still having a hard time being near the World without actually going in! I am with your DH on that one Wendy!
I AM going to DTD tho

 

[disneydarling07]

since we will have the rental car all day....maybe we can head over to DTD too....hmmm......

 

[Psychodisney]

My mom used to say "There's nothing else in FL worth the money!". But I've heard SEa World is nice. You should be back in Orlando approx one hour after you get your car. Do you have first seating? If so, I think you get off the ship earlier. Even with second seating and picking up a car I think we were back at DTD by 10:30!

 

[scootch]

That sounds like fun Amy! I have never been to anywhere in Orlando but WDW ( I am such a purist!) DH is trying to broaden my horizons and take us to Sea World. My DB just took his family in May and they LOVED it!
I am still having a hard time being near the World without actually going in!

I am with you on that too.. so we are going to the world for 2 days. I just HAVE to go! and even two full days is seeming too short!! I have been taking my girls to WDW since they were 2 and 5... this is truly the longest they will be away from Daddy, but I wanted to try the cruise... and wanted to go to WDW and....... i was so inspired by Randy Pausch(the professor who died of pancreatic cancer) He took his son to Discovery Cove as he wanted to be sure he had a real vivid memory and figured swimming with dolphins is something he would always remember. So that is one reason we are trying to "do it all" this trip. Not sure if you noticed in my signature, but I lost my dear niece a couple years ago. She was a prepharmacy student at West Virginia University, just the greatest little girl. She died of cancer at the age of 21. I had difficulties getting pregnant and Lindsey was "my girl" from the time she was born. Iniitally I was single and a nurse, so I had money and time to spend with her, then once I married she was just a few short blocks from me. She was here nearly every day. So I am all about making memories as we never know what time we have on earth. We were so fortunate though to make a trip(just me, Lindsey and my two girls) to WDW 4 months before she died. WDW did alot of extra's and it was truly the most magical trip and one I will treasure in my heart forever.

 

[anetnmike]

I did notice that in your signature, Amy. I am so sorry for your loss of Lindsey. She was so young to have lost that battle. I am also a nurse. I agree with you about making the most of your time with those you love.
It's also one of the great reasons to realize that "it's only money" and making friends and sharing experiences with them is so much fun!

 

[anetnmike]

Mike and Laura and family are leaving on their 7 day Western! Bye you guys! Have fun!!!

 

[scootch]

Mike and Laura and family are leaving on their 7 day Western! Bye you guys! Have fun!!!

Enjoy!! Don't forget your sunscreen! Can't wait to see some pics!

 

[Alice_on_WONDERland]

I was so inspired by Randy Pausch(the professor who died of pancreatic cancer)... I am all about making memories as we never know what time we have on earth.

I couldn't agree more! I had a cancer "scare" last year where a golfball-sized tumor was found in my spleen. They ended up taking my spleen. I was stuck in the hospital recovering from that surgery for 5 days. (You can read more about it in my trip report in my signature if you'd like.)

While I was still in the hospital, Randy Pausch lost his battle with cancer. My experience, combined with his moving story, not only changed my life forever, but inspired us to take our first cruise this past February. Life is about the experiences you have with those you love. In the end, it's not only the love you take, but the love you make.

I imagine your dear niece as a beautiful angel, watching over and protecting you and your loved ones.

 

[anetnmike]

well said Harmony!

 

[scootch]

Thanks guys. I do feel Lindsey's presence very much. My mom was one of those cancer miracles. She was 52, diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer and given 2 months to live. I found a surgeon to operate on her and she is now 75!!! and has enjoyed 10 grandkids!! We really believed we would get another miracle with Lindsey. Hope you don't mind if I share a picture of her.

Harmony, I am from Ohio too, on the Ohio/Pa/WVa line, about 55 min from downtown Pittsburgh(go Pens!)

So any other summer plans for anyone? We go to Virginia Beach every summer. That is daddy's idea of vacation, driving! He has vertigo issues and does not like to fly. We are leaving July 7th for 8 or 9 nights. So if I drop out of sight for a week or so, that is why.

One more question, everyone want to share one "tip" for me... something that you might have learned on disboards or on your earlier cruises that I might not know....???? tks!

 

[Alice_on_WONDERland]

Harmony, I am from Ohio too, on the Ohio/Pa/WVa line, about 55 min from downtown Pittsburgh(go Pens!)

We're up by Toledo in the northwest corner - about 45 minute drive west...nearly Indiana, nearly Michigan!

As far as tips go, one that I plan to remind myself of every day in fact, is to RELAX! I was so high-strung on this trip simply due to over-planning! I would constantly tell my husband and son "ok! hurry up! we have to go here and do this now!" So I made my poor family run around like crazy the whole time. This time, since we know what to expect, I'll be able to take it easy. So take it from me - once you step on the ship, take a deep breath and relax!

I think I'll bring along an over the door shoe holder this time too. I've read about them a million times on these boards and didn't bring one last time so we had stuff lying around everywhere. I think I'll be much happier -and organized - if I take one along next time.

Making magnets was a ton of fun too, we'll definately bring those along this time too!

I'm looking forward to hearing what everyone else has in mind too!

 

[anetnmike]

I love the picture of Lindsey, Amy, thanks for sharing it and the awesome story about your Mom.
I grew up in Toledo, on the west side of town near I75 and I lived in PA and worked in Pittsburgh. Small world! I used to have "art appreciation" classes on Saturday mornings at the art museum in Toledo but I would ditch them and just investigate the museum for an hour avery week. It was fun!Toledo's Art Musuem was pretty cool. I hope it still is.
Anyway-best tips-we always bring a night light becasue DS is afraid of the dark (and the cabins are pretty dark at night!) We also have these big plastic (sturdy) hooks on suction cups that hold our lanyards,hats,sunglasses what have you that you are always looking for as you are leaving your cabin. We even put our mesh "dirty laundry" bag on one and throw all of the dirties in there to keep the cabin from looking like the suitcases exploded!

 

[Alice_on_WONDERland]

So Annette,

Have you ever been to / heard of the Wauseon/Archbold area?