April 17, 2004 -- anyone going with us?

[ehtpnt]

Skuba2--he sounds very much like mine. Not what one would call a social butterfly. He did manage last time to make friends with several of the people from the thread. I'm hoping this time he will be more relaxed. I know what you mean about getting them together with the neighbors or even casual aquaintances. He isn't really comfortable until he has known you for years. Now that I think about it though he is getting better. Since he is helping with the finances at the day care centers he has met a whole lot of new people. Maybe he is coming out of his shell.

Becky-- I can't help with the tram, we've never been there either. I think water is available on the ship without too much trouble. But I don't think it is free. There is a small cooler/refrig in the staterooms. You can get a bottle maybe two in it. But it won't cool it down to really cold.
As for the pictures from Shutters. We did a package purchase, you know a certain number for a certain price. I can't say that they were any costlier than having a photographer take candids at some function. Sort of like the photographer at a wedding. And certainly some pictures are of course better than others. There was a terrible picture of us on CC with Captain Hook. We didn't get it. You will find they take plenty of "candid" posed shots. By all means take your own camera. There will be loads of things to take pictures of that do not include mice, ducks,dogs or pirates. We took enough to fill a moderate sized album.
Hope this helps a little. Treadmill time. Talk to you all later. Estelle

 

[dianthus]

Becky~ Each of you should bring a sports water bottle to refill. The drink station on Deck 9 has water & it tastes very good. You can order a pitcher of ice water with room service orders. They sell bottled water before you get off the ship on Port Days & lanyards. We buy a six pack of water & soda for the room, just for the convenience of it.

Pictures always seem to be a big part of our bill. We can't stand to leave any behind. The 8X10s are $20. There is a package for the 6X8's- $80 I think...but we usually like the big ones. We go to shutters daily & put all our pics in one place. The last night they offer a deal- buy 5 8X10 photos- get a DCL cruise picture frame/holder + a free pic of the ship- a $20 value. Buy them then. We are getting better with each cruise & only buying a few now. We take LOTS of digital pictures & bring an underwater disposable camera with us for snorkeling. The pics they take on the ship are very good quality. You can reproduce them at home. Barb has the printable waiver on her Castaway Club site.

The tram is close to the ship if we dock in Havensight- walking distance- 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile. If we tender, it's a taxi ride away. I think it's the same price as the DCL excursion. You can go anytime. Takes you to the top of Mountain Top. Great banana dacquiris up there ( there's those carbs again!) Panoramic views of Charlotte Amalie. It's like a ski gondola, with no snow!

That story about the lady & the bathing suit was too funny! Janet Jackson moment... She had a really great attitude towards her experience though...

~Linda

 

[DisneyDmom]

Thanks so much for the help Linda and Estelle!! My mom is doing much better and says thanks for all your get well wishes!

We will be bringing water bottles it looks like, and I guess we will still have to think about the Tram ride.

If we book the excrusion through Disney and we tender, do you think they would provide transportation to the area? It seems kind of unfair to make us pay for the taxi ride!

I will have to for sure let my mom know about the picture packages and the special on the last night. I am kind of against buying pictures from there, except maybe one or two big ones, because I love taking pictures and plan to take tons of my own! (I'm hopefully getting a new digital camera very soon!) I have albums full of pictures I have taken and would love to fill one up with pictures from our cruise!
For those of you who have digital cameras, what kind do you have? I've never had one before so I'm looking around. Also, how many memory sticks do you think I would fill up on the cruise?

And I love the idea of a underwater camera! Will have to buy one of those as well. Do you suggest taking my own snorkling gear? If I am able buy some.

Thanks for all your help so far! I am so ready for this cruise!
Becky

 

[dianthus]

Becky~ If you do the DCL Tram excursion, I'm sure transportation would be included if we tender. That would be odd if they didn't. Maybe you should call them to be sure.

We bring our own snorkels and masks. They fit better, don't leak and are sanitary. It skeeves me out to thing how many mouths have been around those rental snorkels... YUCK! We rent the flippers, as they are so cumbersome to carry in luggage. If you have a Costco near you, get them there. They usually have Body Glove, or US Divers this time of year - both good brands pretty inexpensively.

I bought a new camera for our last cruise & it rocks! It has a 10X Optical zoom. An Olympus C -750 -4MP. It has manual modes and the picture quality is outstanding. I bring 2 -256mb cards + 1 128mb, so I don't have to bring the laptop to down load. At HQ, that gives me over 600 pictures. I usually take between 350- 400. The nice part about digitals are you don't have to worry about film through airport scanners. There are some great deals out there on digital cameras. Try to get at least 3MP, a 3X Optical zoom, not digital- funky. Fuji & Kodak have ones in the $200- $250 range that are highly rated. Make sure you buy one with a viewfinder/ LCD mode, so you have the option of taking pics either way. I am an Olympus, Nikon and Canon fan. Just like the features and quality. There have been several very good threads about digital cameras in the last few months. Do a search for them if search is functioning.

You can get the fuji underwater camera at Walmarts for less than $10- 800speed film. Works well.

Hope this info helps! ~ Linda

 

[JLSE50]

I miss a couple days and you have added four pages! WOW

RAE: Thanks for counting me as a member of the thread. You are sweet.

Originally posted by dianthus
.......We went power comparison shopping for "Little Louie" knock offs on Canal St.......
I'm starting my "cruise basket" this week.
"Little Louie"??? "cruise basket"?

Jan

 

[dianthus]

Jan~ Don't worry, Little Louie is nothing like Raisin Butt... LOL! Taylor wants a signature mini "speedy" purse, made by Louis Vuitton. We call them "Little Louies". Remember, we tend to rename everything under the sun...Taylor calls mine the "Mama Bear Louie"- the bigger, real version...

I start a cruise basket right about now before each cruise. I put a basket in the guest room & anytime I think of something to bring on the cruise, I go get it & dump it in the basket. When I go to pack, most everything is there, except the clothes.

I should probably call Shirley & order a birthday basket for Taylor!

Hope you are keeping warm & well. Is Spring ever going to come! I still think you should should at least try Estelle's suitcase on for fit... Ya never know! LOL!

~ Linda

 

[ZebraStripes]

Hi all. I'm mostly a lurker to this thread, following the happenings for the April 17 cruise.

We are a group of 5 (2 families). If anyone knows of 2 slots opening up on the Anguilla dolphin excursion, could you PM me? We've got one family in but not the other. Bummer. Didn't call soon enough.

See you all soon.

Kris

 

[Skuba2]

Sorry Linda---I didn't read your post until today. We are in Stamford--where are you? Been here for 14 years now--moved from Missouri/Kansas.

I have done Atkins on and off for about 5 years now. I went off for my 3rd child. I am carbohydrate sensitive, so it is the only thing that works for me. Stews has done a good job with Atkins products. I made the beef tenderloin last night out of the cookbook and my dh (who loves to cook) said it was the best beef he had ever had. Have you tried Klondike's carb-smart ice cream bars? They have 3 sugars but are good for a treat once a week. I eat most of atkins advantage bars--don't like the shakes and you don't want to hear what the endulge bars do to me. My weekend fun put back on 2 pounds--so I am back at it today.

I totally forgot about sea and safe. I have never needed it but not sure if I was ever diving/snorkling in the effected area during the time period. I was stung in the lip by something while diving. I think it was a small jelly. I looked up Ron Jon's and there is one in Orlando. Plan on stopping there or asking my friend to order some thru his dive shop up here.

DG

 

[rae519]

Zebra Stripes - welcome to our group. If you join us, you won't be sorry! We are doing the brunch list, so pm me if you are interested!!

"food meeting" - when we get on the ship at embarkment, we cal get together at the buffet and have our shrimpfest!!!! And the "Mango Tango"!

Estelle - you and your friends are on the list!!!

Still at my Mom's - her foot surgery yesterday went without complications and Michael and I are having fun "sleeping over"!

Hope all is well with you - I can't write much now, but I'll get back into the swing of things once she's able to be left alone!

Hugs to all,
Rae

 

[ehtpnt]

Rae--Glad your Moms' foot surgery went well.

ZebraStripes--Welcome to our happy little group.

I have a nice loud shirt to wear for our greet. And since I know my DH will not be wearing a loud shirt we will also have lime green Passporter name pins on. Ordered them on Monday and they sent them out on Wednesday so should be here either today or maybe more likely Monday.

One really shouldn't wish for things...you might get them. I made some comment about wishing the snow would melt. Well it is melting...and now we have MUD. Yuch! The dog goes out and walks almost like she is tip toeing. Ah well mud is a sign of spring and spring is a sign of...CRUISE. Okay so that isn't really the way it works. But it sure sounded good. Of course now on top of everything else we are going to have rain tonight and tomorrow. Bah Humbug...oops wrong Holiday.

DH need computer so I'm out of here. Estelle

 

[ehtpnt]

Gee Rae--was just checking the thread for the birthday cruise. I am impressed. An RN, that I can handle. But the handler of a drug sniffing dog. That is one super fantastic job. I am glad to know that you are a dog person. I would have a terrible time if there were no dogs around. Everytime I get mad at my girls I tell them I should have raised dogs... they are not apt to talk back and they leave home at 8 weeks. But I really am impressed.

Speaking of dogs... I got stuck with the Doberman tonight. The owner took her to the vet this afternoon and has gone off for the evening with her sister. The dog has lost 8 pounds in the last year which the vet says is great. No she hasn't been on the Atkins diet. She hasn't been getting any snacks in the evenings. So now she looks really good, nice size and shape. Not like me.
Off to let her out of the crate and then to the treadmill.
Talk to you all tomorrow. Estelle

 

[JLSE50]

Originally posted by ehtpnt
............ Jan--if you are lurking around here, the insurance company denied my last 15 pt visits. Seems I'm only allowed 30 a year and or procedure. That means according to them that my 2 knee replacements were the same procedure. Even though one was in September and one the following April. I must have been asleep a long time!! ........... Estelle

DARN--Can you challenge it? Will you? Seems like a letter from the MD might make a difference. Could be a ditsy high school drop out is making the decision and does not realize that LEFT is not the same knee as RIGHT. (Don't get me started!!)

I have been invited to go with friends to the American Girl Doll Store on Wednesday. It is apparently an experience and a half. We will eat lunch there. Maddy will take her Felicity who will sit at the table with us in a doll chair. Maddy was concerned that Felicity will be cold on the way to and from as she does not have a coat so her Mom and I agreed that she would be warm enough in her denim pants suit. But what Maddy does not know is that I have now knitted her a grey hooded jacket, a varigated red and brown poncho and a varigated blue and purple cape and matching hat. (The latter was made first and is my favorite--Estelle and I love purple.)

I sent for the Cruise video but asked for the DVD this time. Tom and I had fun watching it this evening and checked out all the options. We replayed several segmets so we could see if we did indeed recognize Captain Tom and Cruise Director Jim--and we did.

Have fun planning your cruise,
Jan

 

[JLSE50]

Originally posted by ehtpnt
...... One really shouldn't wish for things...you might get them. I made some comment about wishing the snow would melt. Well it is melting...and now we have MUD. Yuch! The dog goes out and walks almost like she is tip toeing. Ah well mud is a sign of spring and spring is a sign of...CRUISE. Okay so that isn't really the way it works. But it sure sounded good. Of course now on top of everything else we are going to have rain tonight and tomorrow. Bah Humbug...oops wrong Holiday............Estelle

You don't have to shovel rain.

RAE: Glad to hear your Mom's foot surgery went well. Nice that you and Michael can sleep over and help her out!

My Mom has decided she is interested in taking a mid-April driving trip to Florida with me. I guess my job with Mother is going to be as her travel companion. We are hoping she will decide to move to Alabama for keeps as my sister wants here there. Being on her own is not a good plan any more.

What is the address for the Birthday cruise thread? I did not know one was started and would love to lurk there too.

Jan

 

[dianthus]

Hi Guys!

Rae~ You are the impressive one! Speaking & writing in french! Mon Dieu! ( In my best Pepe Le Peux accent... ) The french looking for organisms on a cruise board... Hmmmm... I thought my response was logical given the request- Carnival's the place right now... Ok, perhaps it was tongue in cheek! No organisms on our cruise, right people! LOL!

Glad to hear Mom is doing well. She is in good hands!

Food meeting - gotcha! Gotta try one of those Mango Tangos! How do you order one? I'll have a glass of ice, one cruzan rum neat and a bowl of Mango soup. Oh, and you can bring a shaker too & maybe I'll look at that wine package while you're gone... tee! hee!

Hi Zebra Stripes! another CT person! Where are you from? Give us the stats on your group, please don't lurk! We are from Danbury, on the NY State border. Not too far from you Skuba2! Is anyone going to be left here in the Nutmeg state besides my hubby & John Rowland? He's not leaving on his own accord... Oh wait, my hubby will be out of town too. So there won't be anyone left to impeach Rowland! He'll be doing cartwheels... ( forgive my sarcasm... ) I used to like him too!

I don't recall if the mandatory cruise group questions were asked of you guys- Zebra & Skuba. Do you like shrimp, rum, or carbs? If you do, you're in...

But- it's a given, you'll have to fight for the shrimp, but that will be half the fun! Can you visualize this:

Melee breaks out in Parrot Cay! Embarkation lunch is overun by frenzied shrimp fanatics! These hungry locusts go through every shrimp in the buffet in record time!Then they move on to Topsiders, where horrified onlookers are amazed that they are eating at a record rate, but with forks poised! How dainty! Where's Bumba Gump Shrimp Co. when ya need 'em ???

Didn't mean to scare you guys!
Rae~ For yours & Andy's B day cruise- they'll need to bring a shrimp boat in tow with the ship. Oh, Bubba... so much planning! Gotta get those dates out...

Seasafe- Ron Jon's didn't have it in November in their store. I was surprised. You may want to call them, as they may only stock it in "season", which our cruise is ... Get it from www.lifestylesdirect.com, home of the tan -thru bathing suits ( not recommended by raisin butt.. ) or eBay- about $10 a bottle, comes in SPF 15 or 30- great stuff!!

We are in for freezing rain & wintry mix in our little corner of the world tonight & in the morning. Darn, I forgot to sharpen the skates for my Jeep! The only thing good about the bad weather is- my furry, white tailed friends are really miserable!

Have a great weekend! How many Saturdays now?

~ Linda

 

[Skuba2]

--I don't recall if the mandatory cruise group questions were asked of you guys- Zebra & Skuba. Do you like shrimp, rum, or carbs? If you do, you're in...

Shrimp----Oh gawd yes---any seafood not slimy. Rum----oh gawd yes----dh makes a mean rum punch--haven't been able to atkinize it yet. Carbs----oh gawd yes----they just don't love me. That is half the problem. Or should I say they love me tooo much and just move into my thighs and stomach never to leave.

I haven't been up to Danbury in a while. We go up in the fall with half of SW CT. Usually make a day run as far up as Kent, go up the falls then turn around.

DG

 

[ZebraStripes]

Hi all...real briefly as I'm in Orlando now on business and just put DH and DD8 on a plane for home and I'm so sad and I have to go to work!! I miss them already.

Anyway, shrimp...yes, I do like, just have to be careful I don't overdo it.

Carbs...can't get enough of them!

Rum...oh yeah

Connecticut...about 5 minutes from the world's largest casino. Yuck.

The dolphin excursion sold out in 1 hour!! I guess it is popular.

 

[rae519]

ZebraSTripes - Rum makes the trip more fum (I mean FUN). Watched "Pirates of the Caribbean" last night for the umpteenth time - always love the swagger Depp puts on the Captain. Just cracks me up. Shrimp too, ehhh? Okay, you are in!

Dolphin sold out in 1 hour! WHEW! Popular isn't the word!

Mom had to see the MD today to get her foot rewrapped, seems bandages were too tight. Cold and flurries here today, not like Thursday which was a balmy 52!!

skuba2 - atkinize rum punch????? Figure that one out and patent it fast!!!! Yeah, those little fat cells just love to stay around and wait for us to fill them up!!! Somedays I wonder if we are yo-yo's and not human beings!!!!

dianthus - don't be too impressed! I'm a short, fat, old broad that will stick by her friends through thick and thin, but cross me twice and you have an enemy for life! Now I know that's not the Christian attitude, but at least (like in twelve step) I can recognize my problem, accept it and work with it....well, 2/3 ain't bad! (Love Meatloaf!!)

English isn't my first language, so I am sort of adept at picking up others. I do get nervous if put on the spot and someone says, "Say something in "language"!" It's like, "What am I on display???"

For "Mango Tango" - just get the bowl of soup, cup of ice and bring your rum in a discrete container then inbetween shrimpies, you mix it up! Yeah, people look, but what the heck!!!! It's sooooo good!

Rae

 

[ehtpnt]

Hi All-- Got my lime green passporter name pins in the mail this morning. Talk about quick service. Just ordered them on Tuesday.
Yes Jan we are definately arguing about the pt refusal. Just don't understand how a left knee in April and a right knee in September can be the same procedure. As Timon would say...
Ah insurance...gotta love em. Just saw Lion King 1 and 1/2 can you tell? If you haven't seen it I highly reccomend it.
Speaking of Carbs. our Girl Scout cookies were just delivered. Just what I need. Some thing to eat that isn't very good for me.

DH was surprised by the lime green name pin. He didn't know I had ordered them. He made some comment about having to find a shirt that would match the lime green. I don't think that he has one at this point.

Off to spend the afternoon at the ironing board. The more I do now the less I have to do later. I keep telling myself that is a good thing. Talk to you all later. Estelle

 

[JLSE50]

RAE: How is Mom now that the foot is rewrapped?
What is your first language?
Where is the line where you spoke in French? What did I miss?

ESTELLE: What do the Passporter name tags look like? Where did you get them?
I am thinking people should get the "paint chip" for the ALIEN GREEN Disney Paint and use a permanent marker to write their names over the Mickey and pin it on with a safety pin.

What is the shortcut to Rae's Birthday Cruise thread?

DIANTHUS: I wondered if a little Louie was a purse--is it a fabric one or leather? Never had thought about a connection to Raisin Butt. (I am so dense........)

Have a super day,
Jan

 

[Skuba2]

Rae---I got the Margarita "Atkinized" and have come close on the rum punch. The sugar free cyrstal light flavors help a lot and I believe Tequila is carb free. Don't think Rum is though.

Deb