Ahoy! Sailing the Wonder 2/8/09

[2gr8brits]

Welcome Kathryn! This will be only our second cruise as a family (my third - 1991 QE2 was my first exp.) I really enjoy the 5 day cruise - I felt like it took me a good 2 days to learn my way around the boat. Since you have so much cruising exp., please do share any "packing secrets". I'm all about organizing our trip, but trying to relax at the same time. I am from SC and will bring along some "southern treats" and am currently taking requests!

 

[anetnmike]

Welcome Kathryn!
17 cruises! You are sooooooo Lucky!!!!
I am really loking forward to getting our cruise docs, thanks for the reminders. I wanna dance too!! It seems like we have been counting down forever (we started way back at 100 days ) and now we have just over a month!
I am glad you mentioned the water temps, Kathryn. I have been rethinking our snorkeling plans at CC if the water temps are chilly ( I have also been reading recent trip reports) We are signed up for the stingrays but I don't think we have to get in real deep for that.

 

[jedijill]

Welcome Kathryn! This will be only our second cruise as a family (my third - 1991 QE2 was my first exp.) I really enjoy the 5 day cruise - I felt like it took me a good 2 days to learn my way around the boat. Since you have so much cruising exp., please do share any "packing secrets". I'm all about organizing our trip, but trying to relax at the same time. I am from SC and will bring along some "southern treats" and am currently taking requests!

I remembered another packing "tip" last night while I was trying to sleep---bring $1 bills for tips for the porters at the port and for room service.

Jill in CO

 

[2gr8brits]

I remembered another packing "tip" last night while I was trying to sleep---bring $1 bills for tips for the porters at the port and for room service.

Jill in CO

yes, I remember seeing that in one of the many lists that I have read - also another good idea was $1 coins or $2 bills - I also read that international phone cards (available in bundles at Sams) are good for the counselors that work with the kids.

 

[jedijill]

I've been hearing some debate on the phone cards. The arguement is most have cell phones so they no longer need phone cards. The replacement is Walmart gift cards. YMMV though. Just something to think about. I think I'm going to pick up some Walmart gift cards to supplement the tips for my room stewards/serving team--no kids so I don't have to worry about the kids counselors.

Jill

 

[kcashner]

Packing tips....a lot depends on the make up of your family.

Yes, for tips, the phone cards have rather fallen out of favor as CMs usually have international cell phones. ALso, they have free internet access on the ship. The current "card" for the CMs in the kid programming seems to be i-tunes; the crew bus takes them to Wal-mart and Target for shopping while in port. If you use some variety of a card in the kid programming, put the CMs name on it--otherwise it goes into a pot to be used as door prizes at CM parties. For servers and room stewards, we tend to go with cash--that way, they can get what they want/need. Candies and sweet treats are always popular also.

Packing tips--we love the shoe holder for stuff like sunscreen, cameras, etc. as well as toiletries. Sometimes, DD even puts stuff back into it! For ladies, black sandals can double as dress shoes. For guys, black tennis shoes can do the same. Shoes are like the biggest/heaviest thing you pack. Wear your big pair!

Put a swimsuit in your carry on--you can enjoy the pools before the ship is crowded. Change in the public restrooms or wear suit under your clothes. Remember sunscreen!

For kids, use gallon zip locks (or just grocery store bags) and fill a bag for each day. Remember socks and underwear. Then Mom just has to get out a bag each day instead of scrambling to find everything...and the outfits might even go together well. Find a place in your cabin for stuff that has been worn briefly but isn't necessarily dirty--you never know when someone will dump a drink on themselves or whatever and you'll be scrambling for another outfit. I have a collapsible suitcase that I use in the closet for things that CAN'T be worn again--dirty laundry. When I get home, I drop it in the laundry room (it never even goes upstairs). If I'm doing laundry on the cruise or at WDW, everything is together.

I'm sure I'll think of more later......

 

[dsjmeadors]

How are you guys handing these out? Are you putting them in gift bags to put in the FE's? With like a little from tag on there

 

[pjpoohbear]

Deaven

I have had people do both anonymous and labeled gifts during a cruise. It is nice to be able to link a gift with a Diser or family, but some of the most interesting gift came without labeling. I won't label my item, since can it used by the families after the cruise, he he he.........

Pj

 

[kcashner]

I went to Target today....over the door shoe holder on sale for $5 (from $8) need another because we'll have 2 cabins in May.....

Disney Princess bath stuff for $1. Cute Disney towels/wash cloth sets for $8 (yeah, too much for FE). I really didn't find great FE stuff other than the bubble bath. Will keep looking.......

It's cold and rainy and I want to cruise.

Our cruise is either filling or they have started the great cabin assignment shuffle. The only thing listed to book is a cat 8. When they start doing the assignments, the availability will change daily or more often than that!

 

[2gr8brits]

I have some labels to put with some things and some do not have them as of yet but probably will by the time we sail. I also design/print custom labels and I hope to have time to redesign some for the family - right now I'm working on our door!
Thanks for the input about phone cards - hadn't thought about the cells - thx!
I have picked up several Disney items from our "Dollar Tree" - don't know if you guys have that in your area.

 

[mem22]

Hi there Kathryn! We would love a DIS meet! Annette and Mike have expressed interest in meeting other cruisers along with myself and DW ljm23 and DS 10. I think it's a great idea to put a name to a face, socialize and introduce the kids. We've already agreed to meet Anetnmike in the area by the Goofy pool and if you want to do it at 3 pm, well it's ok with us...is that ok Anetnmike?? Anyone else?

Mike

 

[jedijill]

You guys are so organized! I haven't even started shopping for the FE gifts. I did start making a packing list today as well as refined my ADR's for my pre and post WDW stay.

I'm in for a meet as well.

Audrey emailed me today about finalizing the FE list since they ae leaving 2 weeks prior to the cruise. I think that is a great idea so I am setting 1/17 as the closing date for the FE list. I will send out an updat if its neeed that day.

If anyone gets their cabin assignments by then, let me know and I'll update the list. I can hand out finalized copies at the meet (w/cabin numbers). Does that work with everyone??? Let me know if there are any issues with this plan.

It snowed here today so I am soooo ready to be in the Carribbean!

Jill in CO

 

[Sneeuwwitje]

Hi everyone,

Here in Holland we're really busy making lists, packing and organizing because we're leaving in 2 weeks from now . We will stay in Colorado for a week, than fly to Orlando and feb 8 we'll see you on board! I think it's a idea to meet! 3pm by the Goofy pool sounds fine! Hope we'll be able to find the Goofy pool

Registering kids for the clubs can be done on line, in the terminal, or after boarding. If you do it on line, you will still need to confirm the information after you check in at the terminal--you will get your pager. Don't worry about the language issue--we all smile in the same language. The CMs speak many different languages, so if a translator is needed they will either page you or get another CM who can speak Dutch.

Kathryn, thanks for the info. We'll see how it works out. I read somewhere on the boards you can come with your kids to the club and we can see if she's comfortable playing at the Kidscub.

And 17 cruises!!! Wow! I guess cruising with Disney can be addictive!?!Well...can't wait till we experience it ourselves

Audrey

 

[anetnmike]

Good Morning All
3 pm by the Goofy Pool sounds good to us if that works for everyone else.
I have been busy reading other Disers packing lists do get ideas. Wow! Some people have great ideas that I am glad they thought of!
From our last cruise I remember that Zip locs are a lifesaver! We do the ziploc outfit thing as Kathryn suggested. I have two boys who can't match an outfit on purpose and would probably wear the same things everyday!
We also used lanyards to carry our KTTW cards and ID. They were handy!
I have been looking at different things for the FE, getting ideas from the boards as to what have made great gifts in the past. I had inteneded to label ours. We are making one gift per family right?
We are also working on our door decoration. DH made one for our last cruise that was really awesome! If I had a clue how to post a picture of it on here I would show you. We used a magnet sheet from a craft store and lots of scrapbooking things.It was really creative!

 

[kcashner]

Hi everyone,
I read somewhere on the boards you can come with your kids to the club and we can see if she's comfortable playing at the Kidscub.


Audrey

Yes, you can go into the Oceaneer's Club with your child. Typically, once the kid sees the place and meets the CMs, they are fine; if not, you can stay as long as you'd like. There are also time periods set up as "family time" when you go in with your child and they show you around, etc. Older kids can come then too.

 

[dsjmeadors]

I'm so ready to cruise. Although it is a rare 60 here in ky is rainy. I'm ready for sun and sand.

Our FE's are all ready just need to bag them up!

Our family would love to meet by the goofy pool. I know my daughter (8) is excited to see who she'll be in the Lab with.

 

[2gr8brits]

I am all up for a meet @ 3 at the Goofy pool.
My TA emailed me today and she said that our pirate night has been scheduled for night 2 - a change from what she was told by the CDL earlier. This messes up my Palo ressiv. - I guess I'll try to get it switched as soon as I get on board.

 

[plaidsmom1]

Welcome Kathryn. 3pm by the Goofy Pool works for us too.

 

[nokidz]

31 days today we start driving South for our cruise. Soon, so very soon!

 

[ljm23]

We are getting really excited too, working on door magnets and other things. Just got a nice $200 credit from Jet Blue too because our flights got cheaper Wahoo!!!!