April 1 2010 cruise meet

[Deb T.]

Nassau/Pirate Day - Friday
*If you are even remotely thinking about booking another cruise while onboard, stop by the DCL booking desk on this day to fill out an interest card. (There is a never-ending line to do this on Saturday since that's the last day of the cruise.) They will have a quote to you by the next day, giving you some time to decide if you want to put a deposit down on it or not. We always do a deposit while onboard and then decide whether or not we'll keep the reservation after we're back home. So far, we've always kept the reservation! A couple of times, we've switched the cruise dates. You can always cancel it without penalty later, but you can never book it with the OBC and discount after you're off the ship.
*Go to Guest Services and charge your tips to your room on this day. There are LONG lines to do this the next afternoon/evening.
*Check your Navigator for when Captain Jack Sparrow will be available for photographs! It's a do-not-miss photo opportunity!
*Avoid Shutters directly before and after meal times - that's when that tiny little space is the most crowded!
*The Pirate Dessert Buffet is only open for about 30 minutes after the end of the Pirate Show. Be sure to go and look at all the decorations and amazing food carvings on the buffet even if you're not planning to eat anything. You have to get your drinks from the 24-hour drink station, so we like to do that first before getting in the buffet line.
*If you want a Bahamas stamp on your passport, it's easiest to give your passports to Guest Services on the first night of the cruise and they'll take care of it for you! Just remember to pick your passports back up before you disembark!

 

[Deb T.]

We hope everyone is having a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!

I finally received a letter from DCL in yesterday's mail that outlined upcoming important dates (final payment due date, when we can book excursions, etc.). Last year, though, we received an actual packet of information that contained a little booklet that had several sections: onboard gift purchase catalog, basic packing reminders, formal wear rental options, excursions, etc. Maybe this is a cost-cutting thing? I was looking forward to receiving the booklet.

 

[ppiew]

Hmm we got the letter but also the booklet that has shore excursion info, insurance etc., gifts. It was in a heavy cardstock folder and then in a large envelope it is titled 'SHIP AND SHORE VACATION GUIDES'. tHE BOOKlet inself in fastened to the cover with a stretchy band so you can remove it and take it with you.

 

[mmmears]

Well, so far I have received absolutely nothing in the mail...

 

[ppiew]

Think I would call!

 

[ppiew]

Just thought of something while reading the attached letter. We MAY have gotten this a bit early because we are in a suite and the letter is from concierge services and talks abt early information to booking services, Palo, shore excursions. Apparently concierge guests get to be able to do this 15 days earlier than everyone else, so I suspect we received this packet a bit early for that reason.

 

[mmmears]

Makes sense. I think I'll wait a while, since it will be a long time before we can book anything anyway... I wanted to book a suite just for the booking dates, but we decided to just get a room and hope for the best. Thanks for letting me know, though.

 

[Deb T.]

Castaway Cay Day -
*Pick up a Pirate Scavenger Hunt map before you leave the ship. Also, be sure to read the directions before you leave the ship, otherwise you'll end up having to backtrack on the island to find all the clues. (Yes, I speak from exhausting experience! )
*Check the Navigator for all the fun activities offered on the island. There are Crab Races, dances, and other random events throughout the day.
*Be sure to bathe the kids as soon as you're back on the ship to wash away any traces of sea lice off before they get start to get itchy.
*Pack everything before dinner so you don't have to miss the Til We Meet Again show.

I am sooooooooooo ready to be back on that WONDERful ship!!

 

[mmmears]

Deb -- thanks for giving us more tips!

A couple of questions:

I have never heard of the Pirate Scavenger Hunt -- can you give me more details??? Sounds like fun!

Have you had issues with sea lice in April? DD read about them and now she's concerned about swimming at CC.

 

[IrishCowboy]

subscribing

 

[Deb T.]

Deb -- thanks for giving us more tips!

A couple of questions:

I have never heard of the Pirate Scavenger Hunt -- can you give me more details??? Sounds like fun!

Have you had issues with sea lice in April? DD read about them and now she's concerned about swimming at CC.

The Pirate Scavenger Hunt is a hunt for clues that takes you all over Castaway Cay. The Castaway Cay day Navigator will be put in our cabins Saturday evening, and it should name the location onboard the ship where you can pick up your clue packet before going on the island. Then, you just follow the clues on your own. It's a great way to see all parts of the island! And, you receive a little "treasure" at the end. The treasure isn't anything big, and it's definitely not worth anything, but it's fun to get it anyway.

I didn't mean to worry anyone about the sea lice - just wanted to remind everyone that the best defense is to shower once back onboard. It's my understanding that sea lice are ever present in the ocean. We've been swimming at Castaway Cay on five different cruises and have never personally had trouble from sea lice, but other DISers have reported small rashes and itching under their swimsuits if they didn't shower that afternoon. Please tell your DD not to let it keep her from enjoying a fun swimming day on the island. There are even a few showers on the island where she could rinse off during the day if she'd like.

Speaking of showering... I have to tell you that I am always so impressed with the Disney ships and the availability of hot water! I figure there has to be close to 3,000 people bathing at nearly the same time after a full day at Castaway Cay, yet we've never experienced running out of hot water while showering! Amazing!

 

[Deb T.]

subscribing

Welcome IrishCowboy! Are you sailing with us?

 

[Deb T.]

Here's the link to a DIS Boards post that has another link in the first post for a fairly comprehensive packing list: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=935094&highlight=packing+list

The 3-night cruises are pretty casual at dinnertime. Even "formal wear" is optional on what they now call "Dress-up Night". "Cruise Casual" is fine and dandy. And, it's fun to dress up in pirate gear for Pirate Night on Friday.

From http://www.caribbeanportreviews.com/NassauBahamas.htm :
Nassau enjoys a subtropical climate with mild winters, seldom dipping below 60°F. Average temperatures range in the low to upper 80’s; with water temperature never below 72°. With that said, however, just like Florida, these are averages and during winter months be prepared for an occasional cold front to cause drastic temperature drops.
We've been lucky enough to have nice, warm weather when cruising in April. The only time we've felt chilly is while on the top decks when the ship is moving.

For the shoppers in our group, you'll be glad to know that Nassau accepts U.S. currency and all major credit cards.

 

[mmmears]

Thanks for the info on the scavenger hunt. It sounds like it's lots of fun!

 

[bobo_UK]

Just popping in to wish all my fellow cruisers a happy Xmas.

 

[Deb T.]

Thanks, bobo_UK. We also hope that everyone has a Very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year!

Just think... just a little over three months until we're sailing! After the holidays are over, I'll start working on setting up a Fish Extender Exchange for us!

 

[Deb T.]

Hi All!

I hope everyone had a joyful Christmas!

For those of you who've sailed on The Wonder before, there is a brand new area onboard called the Outlook Café! When the Wonder had its recent dry dock, one of the major enhancements was to enclose a part of the upper deck to prepare for the Alaska Cruises in 2011. The new Outlook Cafe can be entered via a spiral staircase from inside the Cove Cafe, or you can enter through doors on deck 10. They have two seating areas separated by a small bar area. I'm eager to see it in person in just a few months!

 

[ppiew]

Ok it's official (drum roll!!) I paid the cruise off. Owe them nada. soooooo,can I be the first to sign up for your FE Deb T. please please?
Here is our info!!!!

Cabin - right now we are in a 2 BR GTY maybe we will be upgraded to the Walt or Roy Ha Ha! oh well,, my Bday is April Fools day so who knows! I had been hoping our daughter would be able to go too, but she now lives in the UK so getting to the states isn't easy OR cheap. We will \miss her though!!

Cast of Characters
Grandma - (me) Gert
Grandpa - (Grouchy) Jack
Mom Lori
Dad Rob (yup we got him to go thru much coercion)
Kids
Sophia Girl age 13 (a teenager!!)
Olivia Girl Age 8

 

[Deb T.]

Congrats on the Final Payment, Gert! And, YES, you are first for signing up for the Fish Extender Gift Exchange!

For all of you "first timers", here's an explanation of a "Fish Extender Gift Exchange":

Beside every cabin door is a large silver fish with an indentation in the back for cruise personnel to leave information, invitations, etc. Teenagers receive invitations to Teen Club activities and we've also received "rebooking onboard" price quotes tucked in our fish.

DISboarders have taken the silver fish one step further... by creating hanging pockets (much like cloth letter holders) to hang from the fish - thus the name, "Fish Extender". The Fish Extenders (FEs) can be made of practically anything (cloth, plastic, paper gift bags, etc.), as long as they have at least one pocket that can hold surprises. My FE is just a plain little canvas bag I purchased at Michael's Craft Store. I traced a Mickey Mouse (three-circle) shape on the front with a black Sharpie and then colored it in with a lime green highlighter. (Lime green is the official color of the DIS Boards.) I'd love to have a "real" FE like some of the creative DISers have sewn, but I've never taken the time to attempt to make one.

Then, each "Cruise Meets" thread (such as this 4-1-10 one) organizes a little gift exchange during the cruise. People sign up by giving their cabin number, names of everyone in their cabin, and ages of the kids so that everyone will know how many goodies to bring and where to deliver them. Some people give one gift per family, some people give a little gift to each person. It's totally up to the giver to decide what to give and when to give it during the cruise.

There are several threads that discuss ideas for FE gifts. Some gifts are from Dollar Stores, some are handmade, and some are bought in bulk from websites that sell trinkets like the Oriental Trading Company. Often, they are stickers, candy, glow sticks, lanyards, etc., with themes such as pirates, beach, cruise, tropical, hometown, holiday, etc. The main idea is just to have fun finding little goodies in your FE throughout the cruise. Kids LOVE running back to their cabin to see if anything's been left in their FE. As an adult, I have to admit that I love it, too!!!

If you'd like to join in on the fun on our cruise, please let me know. You can either post your information here in this thread or send me a private message by clicking on my name in the upper left hand corner of this post and then clicking "send a private message to Deb T.". As people join, I will send private messages to all participants to keep everyone up-to-date. Since some people travel earlier in the week prior to the cruise, we should close the list by March 20th to give everyone time to purchase gifts and pack them. You'll also need to print the final list of participants and pack it with your gifts so you'll know where to deliver them once you're onboard the ship.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Also, this thread has tons of info and ideas about FE Gift Exchanges: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1219607

As you can tell by Gert's enthusiasm, it really is a LOT of fun to participate!

 

[Deb T.]

Happy New Year, Everyone!

We cruise THIS YEAR!! Woohoo!