April 17, 2004 -- anyone going with us?

[rae519]

Welcome M&CKing - glad to have your family with us on this cruise!
My son will be 9 in May - he's a veteran DCL cruiser so if you or your children have any questions, let us know!

I haven't gotten my brochure for the excursions yet - we can just get it off line at the DCL site and call/fax them in I suppose. I am cruising on points and cash this time so I don't know what's going on - this is the first time it's been so close to the wire without the brochure. Wonder if the docs will be delayed also....
hey, docs or not, I'm cruising 4/17.

Rae

 

[lsutigger2]

Got my excursion brochure today. If anyone needs info, please let me know and I'll see if I can help.

Great day for it to arrive - it has been cold and raining today, just like it has been for about two weeks now!!

My favorite college team is in Orlando this weekend playing baseball. Wish we were there!

DH has read the Passporter cruise book and is finally getting excited about the trip. He asked the other day - what is our room number?? Guess he gets to go with me now!

Later !

 

[rae519]

Palo brunch has been rescheduled for lunch at noon, Lumiere's on Monday.

Thanks!

Rae

 

[rae519]

SAILAWAY MEET AND GREET - DECK 10, Starboard, Mid ship (*overlooking Goofy Pool) - Marie (who is sailing Sunday on the Wonder) will be holding a sign on shore for us!

EMBARKATION BUFFET - Topsiders if nice, Parrot Cay if not!

I'll be at Port at 10AM!!! Night before at Holiday Inn (Airport).


For lack of a better way to do this, I have compiled a list of whose who - I did NOT use our first/last names or stateroom numbers though.

IF I don't have you on the list, sorry! I have done my best and that's all I can do!!!!


rae519
Indiana (native New Yorker!)
couple plus DS 8
Celebrating son's 9th birthday early!

outahere
Mass
couple plus DS 9
Celebrating son's birthday!

RobinMarie
Conn
couple plus DD6

Jeanie
Mass
couple plus DD 12 and DS 10

MacMonster
N Carolina
couple
Celebrating 25th Anniversary!

amtmommy
Mass
couple plus DD 6

ehtpht
Penn
couple plus friends and their DS 5

BVC Owner in MA
Mass
couple plus DD (21m), DS's (5 & 8)

lsutigger2
Lousianna
couple
HER significant birthday

dianthus
Conn
Mother and DD (13)
Celebrating DD's birthday

Luv2Dream
couple plus DD (7)

tinkattitude
Couple plus DD8
10th Anniversary and DD's birthday!

DisneyDMom
Mom and Daugher (16)

M&CKing
Virginia
couple plus DS (11) and DD (8)

Skuba2
couple plus DD's (9 1/2 and 6 1/2)

KiStacker
Conn
couple plus DD's (8 1/2 and 7); DS (4 1/2)

MargaretMary
Boston
couple plus DS (15, 11) and DD 10

ZebraStripes
Conn
couple plus DD 8, DSIL, DBIL



FRIENDS NOT CRUISING BUT PART OF OUR THREAD

Disney1fan2002 -
Marie is an honorary member of our cruise who will be cruising Sunday on Wonder, She's volunteered to be at the Port to hold a sign and wave at us! We will be waving back at'cha!!!!! THANKS!!!!

JLSE50 - Indiana - Jan, we will be thinking of you!

 

[rae519]

HIGH TEA

IF anyone wants to be included in the High Tea at Palo, please let me know - I know we are in for it!!!!

Hugs,
Rae

 

[RobinMarie]

Good job with the list Rae! Thanks for the update.

 

[Luv2Dream]

Great job with the list, Rae. In case you want DD's age, she will be 7.

 

[rae519]

Got my shore excursion book - date 11/03 on back.

Anything anyone needs/wants to know specific, let me know so I can look it up.

Hugs to all,
Rae

 

[ehtpnt]

Great job with the list Rae! One small change, our friends little boy is 5. Turned 5 last week.

I have been suffering the 24/36 hour Intestinal Flu. Not fun. But better now than in April. We did manage to have a working breakfast yesterday with our friends. So we have picked two excursions to do. Hopefully they will be available when I call Tuesday morning. The rest of the trip will be more or less do whatever floats our boat... A little cruise humor there.

Am now going to sign off and retire back to the bed and my several romance novels. Estelle

 

[rae519]

Made changes on both lists today - page 15 is now up to date!

Sunday 10:30 for Brunch

We need to get an alternate place for the first meet in case it rains as it did yesterday - I suggest Promenade Lounge (it's quiet and convenient), we have used it before - right after the Safety Drill and just before we sail away.

Have a great evening and it's only 61 days away!

Rae

 

[Skuba2]

If this is a repeat--sorry. I tried posting last night and don't have a clue what my dinosaur of a computer did.

We are on this cruise and can't wait to get out of the cold weather. We got tickets on Jetblue and are looking forward to the plane ride. They are suppose to be a really passenger friendly airline. No overbooking, leather seats for all and satellite tv for each seat. We leave from CT on the Wednesday before and hanging out at Universal until the cruise. Kids love Nickelodeon and Dr. Seuss. We got AVis rental down and Happy Limo back. Our gang is Me--Deb--turning 38 before the cruise; DH--39; DD 9.5 Christine and DD 6.5 Jenn. Our 2.5 son isn't going. He's staying with my mom. This is our 5th cruise and 2nd with Disney. I have been reading these boards for 4 years now ever since booking our first cruise with Disney. I don't post much but love reading everyone's thoughts and stories and do a little talking back to the computer.

Rae--you asked about St. Thomas. I went down years ago---probably 10 since I was pregnant with my first. It was pre-hurricane. Anyway, on all of our cruise experiences, we have had good luck with haggling with cabbies to give us island tours. They take you as a group and stop at the usual stops but you go at the pace you want to.

I too love shrimp and lobster and all things from the sea. Can you ever have too much seafood?!

We intend on pretty much staying on the ship the whole time. We do like the regatta races in St. Marteen and of course get off on Castaway Cay. For first timers--watch the clock. Unless changed, the kids production is right after boarding on this day and to get back and shower prior can be a hassle. We love the eastern itinerary because of the extra day at sea. If they had a 7 days at sea cruise---we'd be on it. The islands just get so crowded with all the ships. If you are going to do some shopping---stay on your toes. Do your homework at home first. Get prices of stuff here to compare to down there. The bargains ain't what they used to be. Another hint---unless they've changed it---you don't pay duty taxes on loose stones but you do when they are set in jewelry. It is worth checking into.

I was the one who posted about the crazy costs of the cabins. I think our cruise is pretty much sold out. Disney web site only shows Cat 4 available for $10,000 which included air fare, insurance and xfers. Crazy!!

Anyway, I am soooooo looking forward to the warmth.

Deb
Atkins---10 gone 15 to go.

 

[rae519]

Welcome Skuba2 - so glad to have you with us. Wow - nice weather you are having (NOT)!

Will be putting you on THE list - if you'd like Brunch or High Tea, please pm me with names (first and last) and Stateroom number so you can be with the group - Sunday 10:30AM.

Wow - haggling with cabbies -what a surprise! Also, glad to know you are a "ship lover" - or was that SHRIMP?!

As I have named this my official "Shrimpfest 2004" Cruise, I am giving special dispensation to ALL shrimp lovers to join me!

Also, try the "Mango Tango" - take orange/mango soup, put it in a glass with ice and liberally add rum. Mmmmmmmm GOOD!

Okay, tomorrow is the day we can start doing excursions, so plan ahead and get those in!!!!!

Rae

 

[rae519]

If anyone has late dining and is interested in sharing a table with us, let me know by tomorrow!

I've done this for several cruises and enjoy sharing the table with those I've met on this forum. All that's required is that you pm me with your names (first and last, reservation number) - then I call Disney and get our reservations linked.

Since I am going to get the Romantic Escape at Sea package, I have been advised that I also get to choose my rotation dining - I I don't care for animator's palate and will get a rotation that has THAT the least on it!!! (LAPLAPL or PLAPLAP). For those who dislike the Tropicali menu as much as I do, that is on Tuesday night (St. Marten) and with LAP it would be at Lumiere's and with PLA it would be at Parrot Cay.

Now that I have confused you -

Thanks!

Rae

 

[klStacker]

We are also cruising on April 17th. This is our first Disney cruise. My husband and I have cruised several times, but this is the first time we've brought the kids. We have two girls, ages 8 1/2 and 7, and a boy, age 4 1/2.

RobinMarie: My oldest daughter has already met a friend on these boards, but my 7 year old has not. We also live in Connecticut and she is also in first grade. She'd love to send an e-mail to your daughter before the cruise to introduce herself.

 

[ehtpnt]

Welcome KlStacker! Any shrimp lover is welcome, just watch out for Rae and I we lurk around shrimp. Of course if there is lobster too I will be in deep trouble.

Rae, We are on the late seating and would be fine with having you all as seat mates. We would be a table for 5 of us and however many of you there would be. You have our names and staterooms from the list for the 10:30 brunch. Thanks for the offer. Got to go to work see you all in 61 days!!! Estelle

 

[rae519]

Thanks Estelle! I found out that I won't be able to do anything til I get my rotation confirmed (PLA) since I have gone ahead and paid for the REAS but the Coordinator won't contact me til 14-30 days before the cruise.

REAS - Romantic Escape at Sea!!! For $299, we get the couples massage, Palo dinner/brunch and high tea ressies, turn down service, gifts, Champagne breakfast in our room, and rose petals everywhere! Tom is going to just die when he finds this out. I am NOT telling him anything and he will just see it as it develops!

Yes, I am having two Brunches that week - group and private!!! It's called "PIG OUT" time!!!!


Welcome aboard kiStacker - so glad to have you along! Another New Englander....I know I named this cruise right... on page 15, I have our list for cruisers and brunch (if you are interested). Please pm me with your names (first and last) and stateroom number, if you want the brunch or high tea.

So glad to have you with us.


+++++++++IMPORTANT INFORMATION++++++++++++++++++

Have we decided on where and when our Disney Meet is?

(Promenade Lounge after the Safety Drill if rainy, but will that still be okay if it is sunny? This is a short meet and greet since no one wants to miss sail away!!!)



Have we decided on what significant color or item we will be wearing to identify ourselves as this group to each other?

Name tags, colored t-shirts, anything???? We have Passporter ID name tags in lime green that we will be wearing. But any other ideas?



Have we decided on when our Brunch will be?
(I think we said Sunday 10:30 or 11AM?)


AND IT IS EXCUSION RESERVATION TIME!!! Since rumor has it we will be near capacity, the reservations will be going fast, so be prepared!!!

Rae

 

[RobinMarie]

It's so nice to see new people joining us!

KlStacker - it would be fabulous to exchange pre-cruise greetings to each other. I will try and send a smaller, more compact picture out this time. Victoria would love to practice her typing skills!

Glad to have you with us Skuba!

When/how are the character breakfasts? I don't want it to interfere with brunch. Can anyone fathom a guess? I'm getting confused!

As this is my first cruise, I have no suggestions about meet n greet times and places. Just tell me where and I'll join!

 

[rae519]

Thankfully, I asked this question earlier today and Dave from Marietta's site has the answers:

PLA - Thursday
APL - Sunday
LAP - Monday

For main dining guests, it's 8AM, for late dining, it's 9:30AM.
The menu isn't anything much but the characters are fun regardless!

For those dining late, you can still make brunch at 11AM - plan on just coffee, tea or juice at the Character Breakfast though!

I was looking at Sunday 11AM because the DVC has their celebration between 10 and 11AM - lots of free things given away for members - and you could make the 11AM brunch if you go straight there at around 10:50/55.

Rae

 

[rae519]

April 17, 2004 (Based on Orlando's longitute and latitude)

Sunrise: 6:58AM

Sunset: 7:53PM


Those with main dining will be able to see sunset along with those who have late dining!

Make your Palo dining reservations with the sunset in mind - it's beautiful on the ocean!

I also HIGHLY recommend watching at least one sunrise, starting way before the twilight time! It's magnificent!

59 days and counting....
Are we packed yet??????


Rae

 

[Luv2Dream]

Rae, You are a wealth of information pouring forth! So Brunch is 11am on Sunday after DVC celebration which is 10am-11am. I missed where we are meeting the first time when we get on the ship. I saw the alternate side. What time is this meet? You can pm me if you'd like with all the answers. This is getting so exciting!

Oh, never mind, I just found your post above. DUH! Sometimes I have brain mush syndrome!

I'm all for Sunday brunch at 11am. If we all have an identifying item, say lime green ribbon made into a bow pinned on ourselves somewhere, maybe we could do the sunny meet up on deck wherever the sail away party is. Since I'm a new DCL cruiser, I don't know where that is, but you probably all do. Then we'd be there and wouldn't have to leave to get to sail away. Any other ideas?

Last question: Is it better to call for excursions tomorrow or fax them in? Also isn't 60 days 2/18, not 2/17 or am I counting wrong?