Ahoy! Sailing the Wonder 2/8/09

[cemeb4dk]

so since I have a room number listed, its more than likely I will get that number. I am not sure what a GTY is. But since I made my reservation I had a number and its the same number. Like I said either way it doesn't matter, I was just looking for a mark or something that it was locked in.

Thanks

George

 

[2gr8brits]

I went shopping this afternoon and I am getting more and more ready! DS(8) says, "stop reminding me how many days, just tell me when to get in the car!" As for the first time cruisers - we enjoyed the cruise WAY more than WDW. When we are there I feel like a Disney Sgt. "we have to be here for this parade, here for extra magic hours, dinner at . . ." Constantly on the run. On the cruise, life is way more relaxed. The kids have a blast and the adults get to actually enjoy a vacation. Until our guys say "we want to go to WDW" we will continue with a cruise. I'm looking forward to a 7 day most!!

 

[kcashner]

so since I have a room number listed, its more than likely I will get that number. I am not sure what a GTY is. But since I made my reservation I had a number and its the same number. Like I said either way it doesn't matter, I was just looking for a mark or something that it was locked in.

Thanks

George

GTY is guarantee--it means that you will get at least that cabin category (like a 12 gty will be at least a 12!...or an 8 gty will be at least an 8. It does give you the best chance for an upgrade. GTYs are sold to fill up the ship (cat 12) or when they are close to being out of a given category but don't want to "turn off" someone who wants to have at least that level.

Yes, if you chose a cabin number when you made your reservation and have the same number now, you are pretty sure that's where you will be sailing....although pixie dust can always happen.

 

[anetnmike]

I'm with you 2gr8brits! I LOVE going to WDW but there is something about being on the ship that is different. You can do stuff and have fun or just settle in and relax while the kids are off having a blast. You can do as much or as little as you like. Right about now I NEED some of that!

 

[kcashner]

I tell people that on the ship, Mom is on vacation too. At WDW, Mom still is "on duty" making sure that everyone gets to do at least part of what they want to...everyone gets a chance to eat where they want...no one is "starving," etc. On the ship, if you are hungry, you just don't get it--there is always something open where you can get food. If you can't find something to do, you're not making ANY effort at all. And the wonderful thing is that you don't have to stay together as a group.

The ship is really a very safe place. DD had the run of the Magic at a far earlier age than I would let her go on her own in a park (I barely do that now...and that's at 17 with a friend and a cell phone!) Of course, you each know your own kids and whether they are mature enough to be off on their own. Also, for parents of teens...we've noticed that the personality of the teen group can vary from one cruise to another. We've had some where there was a really nice group of kids and others where there was somewhat of a "mob mentality" with kids getting older sibs to buy them alcohol, etc.

We have several firm rules--DD is not allowed in anyone's cabin and no one may come into our cabin. The drinking age on the ships is 21--nuff said on that. And if anyone is bothering you, find the nearest CM (and they are always near!) I'm not trying to scare any parents of teens--you just need to be realistic. I guess we've always been a lot more strict than many families.

 

[elmo2200]

DITTO anetnmike!!!! Our last cruise we tried to live among the normal at a typical nice hotel. It didn't work for a second!!! We were so spoiled and just wanted to relax. We ran to Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort and LOVED it. It was great. We could not even properly enjoy Universal Studios after the cruise. Spoiled I tell you. This time we are not really considering any "normal" hotels or any amusement parks. We do the rat race right here at home. I feel bad about not taking my kids to WDW but they don't seem to want to go...

 

[elmo2200]

Pictures are from halloween, our dress rehearsal for the pirate party. I can't figure out how to make them bigger....

 

[ljm23]

Your family looks great Tracey, when we click on the pics it takes us to photobucket so we can see them larger. I agree with anetnmike about the cruise being so much more relaxing. I tried it but mine come out very large, I'll have to play with it some more.

 

[ljm23]

I think I've got it, photobucket allows you to resize the image. Here's Michael ready for last February's Pirate night!

 

[anetnmike]

Wow! Your pictures are great! DS is costuming this trip. DH and I are very acurately portraying the landlubbers/parents he has taken all the $$ from! ( OK, I'll be honest. If we didn't have kids then DH would get to buy more toys!) DS 15, who has opted to stay home with my FIL this trip because he is starting Driver's Ed this semester, is already asking for a car!!! Maybe I'll get him a hot wheels one!

 

[jedijill]

All you pirates look great!!!

I'm so looking forward to this cruise. I love being waited on by the fabulous DCL CM's. I'm doing the parks for 3 days after the cruise but its mostly to eat at some of the signature restaraunts. I'll just restart my diet when I get home.

Hey, is anyone on late dining? If you are, want to try to sit together at dinner? I'm travelling solo so it would be nice to sit with somebody I sort of know.

Jill in CO

 

[kcashner]

Hi Jill:

I'm traveling with my teen daughter (she will turn 18 on the cruise), so am happy to link our reservations for dinner. We also have late. In fact, on our previous cruise we joined a group of 3 from the Disboards and had the best dining experience ever. Seriously, we laughed the whole time. We do have Palo ressies on 2/11 which is Koren's birthday. Let me know if you want to do it--we can share ressie numbers by PM and one of us can call DCL.

I did my pre-cruise shopping today for FE gifts (bought too many as always....) and misc. stuff. Then I came home and checked my ressie. No upgrade for this girl (durn!) And since the ship appears to be full, guess we won't be buying one at the port either. Oh well....DD will grump, mom will not care.

 

[nokidz]

We have late dinning, but we are already sitting as a party of 8. If they have larger tables, you or anyone else are more than welcome to link our dinning res.
We have kids, despite my login name, ages 17 (boy), 18 (boy) & 18 (girl).

 

[pjpoohbear]

Jill/Kathryn/nokidz?

They have tables up to 14 people, or I should say they have one table for 14 and several for 12 in each dinning room. Another option is to have all those who would like to be seated near each other be in the same station, at several tables. I have organized several cruises in this way in the past, as we had more then 14 people in the group.

DM (60) and I (34) would also be interested in joining up for dinner and we are on late dinning as well. We are doing Palo on the first night, but at 7 pm, as we had plans to stop by and meet our table mates near dessert time. I have eaten with DISers for all but one of my cruises and this has been the biggest worry for us this cruise, lol.

Pj

 

[Sneeuwwitje]

Hi everyone!

we here in Holland are getting more excited everyday I think we have everything organized as well by now. I hope I haven't forgetten anything essential...

What about pirate night? Will a lot of people be dressed up? If so, where to buy pirate stuff ....Wal-Mart? I don't think my daughter will want to dress up, well only as a princess...

By the way, (fortunately) we have early dining. We were on late and w/l on early, but I'm so happy we're now on early as my son (1,5 yrs) will be asleep by 7 pm!

Just 9 more days and we'll be on our way!!!

Audrey

 

[jedijill]

Hey Audrey!

Glad to hear you are pretty much organized. I wouldn't worry too much about pirate night. Some people dress up but not a whole lot. Disney will give you a bandana at dinner so you can wear that.

I'm glad you got your dining time changed. It will help with the kids.

Jill in CO

 

[dsjmeadors]

We are on late dining as well. But on the waitlist for first. I can't imagine my son waiting until 8:15 to eat.


I had a question about dress. I can not remember if there is one dress up night ( which on the wonder I remember being sunday best) But are shorts okay for dinner? Or do I need to bring everyone nice dress clothes for all 4 nights. We are doing Palo for one night. So I know a dress for that. But what about the rest.

 

[mem22]

Kcashner....your posts/advice are always right on the money!! Annette...your posts crack me up each time !! Is DH psyched? Does he want an IAFF t-shirt from my Dept?

 

[elmo2200]

It looks like we went from cat 12 gty to cat 9. At the time I booked the only cat 8 to 12 cabins to choose from were on decks 1 & 2 so I paid less and went for the gamble hoping to get an upper deck. We are still on two but at least cat 9.... We have 2538.

 

[plaidsmom1]

Good going Tracey. Now we have your cabin number the only one missing is Kathyrn's.