April 26 - May 3, 2008 Caribbean Crazy Cruisers

[dreamcometrue]

I feel like a complete idiot! Our School District has STAR testing for all students. Normally it's the first full week in May, so when I booked the cruise last November, I felt pretty confident, we weren't going to be gone through that. Well, this year (2007), they started doing it the last week of April. I got a bit worried, but hoped it would go back to "normal" in 2008. Well, wrong! It's the last week of April again! The week we are gone! I feel like a complete idiot, because I also work for the school district, and know the big deal they make about them (personally, I think it's just a big ol' hype but that's a whole other story). Now I am going to have to tell my DD's principal that she will not be here during that week. She can make the test up, and I just asked her and she doesn't mind, but still...having to face the teacher and principal (esp. the principal. ugh)

Oh well! I ordered my camera today! I just have to find a way to tell DH thanks for the early Christmas present!

 

[speakupjc]

Let's do City Barbeque. Do we need reservations? There will be 3 of us (George, my husband; Catherine my 4 year old daughter and myself). How do we identify each other and what time do you want to meet? I will pm you my cell phone number just in case anything changes. Please call me and let me know what time to meet if I don't post again tonight after you do.

 

[WDWLVR]

Greetings from the Boardwalk! Nasty drive down (well Mark did the driving but it was still nasty). Did food and wine at Epcot this afternoon and now just relaxing in the room. Only 2 more sleeps until we cruise!

 

[ohiominnie]

Let's do City Barbeque. Do we need reservations? There will be 3 of us (George, my husband; Catherine my 4 year old daughter and myself). How do we identify each other and what time do you want to meet? I will pm you my cell phone number just in case anything changes. Please call me and let me know what time to meet if I don't post again tonight after you do.

I'm PM'd you back.

 

[ohiominnie]

Greetings from the Boardwalk! Nasty drive down (well Mark did the driving but it was still nasty). Did food and wine at Epcot this afternoon and now just relaxing in the room. Only 2 more sleeps until we cruise!

Well, you're there now and you're safe and sound! Time to take a deep breath and relax! Have fun!

 

[WDWLVR]

Good morning Cruisers





We sail in 27 weeks!


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[dreamcometrue]

Jen, if you're reading this, how are you holding up with the fires over there? I heard there are lots of evacuations in your area! The air quality over here is pretty bad due to all the smoke, and there is an orange glow throughout the day. The wind is just horrid. We have broken off tree branches all over and even whole trees down! We lost a small lemon tree in our yard and I worry about our big mature orange tree! There's no school here tomorrow, and I don't have to work. I'm pretty happy because my allergies are absolutely killing me with these winds and it's hard to leave my contacts in!

Hope you guys are ok!

 

[ohiominnie]

Praying all of you So. Cal people are staying safe and are not in the line of these fires. I can't believe how big these have gotten!

 

[dreamcometrue]

Praying all of you So. Cal people are staying safe and are not in the line of these fires. I can't believe how big these have gotten!

it's been not so bad here today! The wind has shifted and the smoke does not blow our way too much. Still, the air quality is bad, and these winds...omg...it's really scary! We have lots of hills and brush surrounding us, and I am hoping and praying there won't be any fires in our hills! We are in a valley surrounded by nothing but hills so the smoke really settles here!

 

[WDWLVR]

So sad to see everything that is happening in Southern California and they are definately in our thoughts.

Having an amazing time sailing with the Disney legends. Hearing from every one of them and what they have done with the Disney company is just wonderful.

Back to the paradise known as Castway Cay tomorrow.

So Karen - are you sure you can't fly out on 9/21 and fly home after the cruise. We'd love to have you join us next year!


BTW - how was the great OSU meet-up?

 

[ohiominnie]

So sad to see everything that is happening in Southern California and they are definately in our thoughts.

Having an amazing time sailing with the Disney legends. Hearing from every one of them and what they have done with the Disney company is just wonderful.

Back to the paradise known as Castway Cay tomorrow.

So Karen - are you sure you can't fly out on 9/21 and fly home after the cruise. We'd love to have you join us next year!


BTW - how was the great OSU meet-up?

I'll have to talk to mike about it.
The meet was great! speakupjc is extremely nice!

 

[dreamcometrue]

well, change of plans for us... we won't be spending the night before the cruise in Port Canaveral after all!

My sister in law and her family live in Orlando and they absolutely insist we spend the night there. We will be getting in around 4pm on Friday, and they live about 10 minutes from the airport, so we'll be spending some time with them, have dinner out for my birthday, spend the night at their house and make the drive down to Port Canaveral the following morning! There will probably be less traffic on a Saturday morning anyway.

I am just very anxious about driving down Saturday morning. I worry about getting lost and stuff!

I am still keeping the hotel room since I can cancel 24 hour in advance. I am keeping it incase a shuttle launch pops up, then we will definitely spend the night in Port Canaveral as traffic will be bad going down there! But most likely, I will cancel it!

 

[zerog]

Dream
As a local, I think you are doing the right thing by staying with your relatives in Orlando the nite before the cruise. The drive from the airport to the port is a straight line shot appropriately named "The Beach Line." That's a 50 minute drive and there is minimal traffic (except for accidents and shuttle launches). Even I can't get lost on a straight road.

I would just make it VERY CLEAR to my relatives that an early start is imminent!! Don't let them talk you into lingering around Saturday morning. If you get sucked into going out for breakfast, be assured that nobody will be in a rush (based on my experiences with family). Just pack your vehicle and go. Make like an alligator and drag your tail out of there.

You could leave Orlando at 9:30am and still be at the port with wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy more than enough time. You won't even be able to board the ship till noon. Remember too that this is a 7 nite cruise, so there really is no rush - unlike a 3 nite where you may want to soak in every second.

Worst case scenario, you hit traffic and don't make it to the port by 11am or noon. The ship doesn't leave till 5pm. You're going to be on the ship for an entire week - a very long time. So what I'm trying to say is don't make this a stress point, because you will be fine as long as you make it to Orlando Friday. That is the key: just make it to Orlando!! Strive to arrive (hey that rhymes) as early as you can Satuday, but don't set hard deadlines that may be difficult to meet based on factors (like traffic) that are out of your control.

 

[zerog]

What is your favorite lunch meat? Boar's Head Salsalito Turkey

Would you bungee jump? no, but Steph would.
What is your favorite cereal? Fruit Loops
Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Nope
Do you think you are strong? Depends on who I compare myself too.
What is your favorite ice cream? Lemon Custard
What is the first thing you notice about people? Hair

What is the least favorite thing about yourself? Lack of hair
What color pants and shoes are you wearing? Blue jeans and tennis shoes
What was the last thing you ate? Fireball candy
What are you listening to right now? nothing
If you won the lottery, would you share it? sure, why not.
Favorite smells? Orange blossoms in the air
Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? coworker
Favorite sports to watch? NFL Football


Do you wear contacts? no
Scary movies or happy endings? happy
Last movie you watched? Blood Diamond
What color shirt are you wearing? tan
Summer or winter? Summer!!

Hugs or kisses? hugs
Favorite dessert? Key Lime Pie
What is on your mouse pad? none needed with optical mouse.
What did you watch on TV last night? Blood Diamond
Favorite sound: Roar of the ocean
What is the farthest you have been from home? California

 

[dreamcometrue]

thanks for the reassurance zorag! I feel pretty good about the decision! Besides, I get to have the feeling coming over the bridge and seeing the Magic for the first time! Luckily, DH will be driving, or I'd crash the car for sure!

My camera came today! I am so excited!! It's small and will be perfect for the cruise! It'll take me some getting used to, since I'm so used to the big ol' Rebel and this one is so tiny!

 

[WDWLVR]

Greetings all! Checking in from Big Murgies Den at Hilton Head. Had a WONDERful cruise.

Karen - we saw Clayton on this cruise (aka DJ Hollywood from the Double Scoop cruise). He's assistant cruise director now and even had a part in last nights special show of Broadway Beauties.

 

[camom3]

Hi,

Kay - I hear the Castaic fire is moving your way - stay safe.

We were under mandatory evacuation orders on Monday - The Valenica Hyatt gave us room with 3 kids and 3 big dogs.

We were able to go home on Monday to check on things (everything in our neighborhood was fine) and while we were out the cold water angle stop (? - a pipe under the kitchen sink) burst.

The entire downstairs was flooded. We are still at the Hyatt and our homeowner's insurance is arranging a furnished apartment for us. We should be in by Tuesday.

It is a huge hassle, but we are safe and healthy.

Jen

 

[wdwluvrs]

Kay and Jen good to here you both checking in and everyone is safe and no permanent loss for either of you

 

[dreamcometrue]

wow Jen, I am sorry you had to relocate for a while. Hope you guys will get things straightened out asap and are able to go back to your home!

On a lighter note...we are in month 5!! It's always so exciting to me when my ticker's number changes to the next one down!

 

[WDWLVR]

Good morning Cruisers





We sail in 26 weeks!

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