April 26 - May 3, 2008 Caribbean Crazy Cruisers

[dreamcometrue]

ok is anyone else as excited as I am to see Mary post "we will sail in 1 week" tomorrow?? I can't wait to finally see it!! I get so emotional thinking about the cruise now. This is something I have dreamed of and wanted for so long and now it's HERE... we leave in ONE week!! I called the limo company yesterday and moved our pick up time from 6am to 5am. We want to have breakfast at the airport prior to boarding and I don't like being rushed, plus you never know with L.A. traffic. It can get pretty bad!

Hope you check in every now and then Laura and post about your WDW stay! Have a safe trip down there!

 

[ohiominnie]

Safe travels to everyone who is starting their journey already. We still have a week to go until we fly out and meet up with Karen and family.

This weekend will be packing!

One week from RIGHT NOW we should be making our initial descent into MCO!

 

[dreamcometrue]

Hello from the Warren Family! We are narrowing down on the packing and really appreciate all the great ideas from the board. We are looking forward to meeting everyone at the DIS meet. My DH saw the posting some one did on the parade in St. Maarten (which I took as a good reason to stay on board by the pool). DH decided that this would be a very exciting event to attend. He did some research and even found some kind of local "fair food" event. If anyone is interested in going, I am sure he can tell you all about it at the DIS meet.

Safe travels to everyone heading out!

ok I'm clueless. what is the parade in St. Maarten??

 

[zerog]

ok I'm clueless. what is the parade in St. Maarten??

www.stmaartencarnival.com

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation puts high emphasis on its Grand Parade or Senior Carnival Parade, as being one of the most spectacular events of the entire carnival season as per street parades / jump-ups as this showcases the creativity in costume designs and dance from local participants as well as international participants. Carnival's Grand Parade is a unique multi-cultural event that celebrates the traditions of many countries and cultures around the world. The floats are spectacular, the music and costumes lavish and varied. Beautifully designed floats depict rich multi-cultural themes, and often feature performers that excite and entertain the crowds.

Over 12 troupes line the streets each with up to 300 members dancing in fantastic creative carnival costumes, while local musical artistes perform soca and calypso music for the revellers' entertainment as well as the onlookers.

The Grand Parade usually travels along the Bush Road towards Front Street and then to the Walter Nisbeth Road, through the streets of our capital, Philipsburg and culminates at the Carnival Village. Thousands of spectators line the streets and often get little gifts from sponsors of the Grand Parade who display their products as well. The event is covered by local and international mediahouses, where they explain the interpretation of these costumed revellers and participants in the English, Spanish as well as French languages. The Grand Carnival Parade can also be seen on local television as well.

 

[dreamcometrue]

thanks for the link Randy! Sounds like fun! We'll be on an excursion during that time though! I hope the shops won't be closed because of the carnival because we plan on doing some shopping after we return from the excursion!

 

[zerog]

Has anyone mentioned the Carnival in St. Maarten while we are there? If so, it bears repeating.

April 29th is the day of the Grand Parade on St. Maarten, and there will be 5 ships in port that day, including one of the largest cruise ships in the world (Liberty of the Seas). That equals nearly 13,000 cruise passengers mobbing the island. That's not to mention the traffic problems you will have coming back from the other side of the island during the parade.

I think it's going to be an amazing trip, and the parade sounds like a lot of fun. Just be aware of what's going on, so you're not stuck watching your boat pull away while you stand on the dock.

Kay, here is some more information to consider. We were going to rent a jeep to drive around the island, but now I'm having second thoughts. When we get to St. Maarten we're going to make a quick decision whether we can get the jeep back in time (for example, time and route of parade) - but if there is ANY doubt, we'll probably just stick around and watch the parade. The last thing I want is to be stuck on the dock watching the ship pull away. Ugggh - that would suck big time.

 

[AmyandMichael]

Mom and Dad and sis are doing a fishing excursion in St. martin and hubby will probably find a casino. I will be in charge of 2yo Owen so if you see someone going crazy, look for me. Just kidding, looking forward to it but we are still hoping he will get in the club since he is sooo big for 2 and close to 3

Oh my gosh, we are cruising next week. Some of us are already on vacation, I know mentally I am!

 

[speakupjc]

Will the person who referenced the fair food event please post the details. This sounds very interesting and may be something that the Brunswick Family would enjoy doing. I know we plan to attend the carnival parade. I grew up with Mardi Gras (in Mobile AL) so going to a parade outside the US has always been on my to do list. I am so excited. Since I am not going to the meet I need to go ahead and get the information now if possible. Thanks!

Dantzler

 

[ohiominnie]

Since I am not going to the meet I need to go ahead and get the information now if possible. Thanks!

Dantzler

Awwwww.....not going to the meet? Did my family freak you out *that* much when we met up????

 

[sammy_and_mikeys_dad]

My family is deck 6 aft. We fly to Disney World on Tuesday. This is officially "get packed" weekend!

By the way, zerog, you can update the roll if you like. I'm from Boise, ID (land o' potatoes and toe-tapping Senators)

 

[WDWLVR]

Hello from the Warren Family! We are narrowing down on the packing and really appreciate all the great ideas from the board. We are looking forward to meeting everyone at the DIS meet. My DH saw the posting some one did on the parade in St. Maarten (which I took as a good reason to stay on board by the pool). DH decided that this would be a very exciting event to attend. He did some research and even found some kind of local "fair food" event. If anyone is interested in going, I am sure he can tell you all about it at the DIS meet.

Safe travels to everyone heading out!

Definately would like to hear more!

Since I am not going to the meet I need to go ahead and get the information now if possible. Thanks!

Dantzler

How come you aren't planning on coming to the meet?


Whoo Hoo - UTOP

PDFG and all our friends who need it.

 

[zerog]

PDFG and all our friends who need it.

I'm still trying to figure out what PDFG stands for. I tried googling it and this is all I came up with:

PDFG Personal Digital Field Guide
PDFG Platelet-Derived Growth Factor
PDFG Probabilistic Data-Flow Graph
PDFG Process Development Focus Group
PDFG Projet de Developpement Forestier du Gabon (French)

At the cruise meet, should I be looking for the big green sign with a Probabilistic Data-Flow Graph for those who need it?

 

[MarkRG]

I'm still trying to figure out what PDFG stands for. I tried googling it and this is all I came up with:

PDFG Personal Digital Field Guide
PDFG Platelet-Derived Growth Factor
PDFG Probabilistic Data-Flow Graph
PDFG Process Development Focus Group
PDFG Projet de Developpement Forestier du Gabon (French)

At the cruise meet, should I be looking for the big green sign with a Probabilistic Data-Flow Graph for those who need it?

It means Pixie Dust for GaRRy

gaRRy is an old friend who's cruised with us in the past. He's a now-retired firefighter, who, after dealing with a very toxic fire(he said the smoke took the paint off the fire truck!), he and others from the co have since had health problems. In his case he's on the donor list for a liver now. So it's just a warm thought for him and others who're in need of a good bit of luck right now.

 

[WDWLVR]

To add on to what Mark already said. Back on the Blabbermouth thread we would celebrate tops and UTOPS. When Garry got put on the transplant list we started added PDFG to help Garry get to the TOP of the transplant list. On our last cruise two of our members had small gold color PINS that spell out PDFG and gave them to all our DISers. I still have mine on my lanyard. Garry couldn't join us on the cruise but drove down from Michigan to see us all off. A member had a large banner that said "We love you Garry" and we hung it off of the railing on deck 4 and instead of going to the sailaway party we met on deck 4 to wave to Garry. When we passed him we all shouted out how much we loved him. There were a lot of tears that day!

 

[zerog]

To add on to what Mark already said. Back on the Blabbermouth thread we would celebrate tops and UTOPS. When Garry got put on the transplant list we started added PDFG to help Garry get to the TOP of the transplant list. On our last cruise two of our members had small gold color PINS that spell out PDFG and gave them to all our DISers. I still have mine on my lanyard. Garry couldn't join us on the cruise but drove down from Michigan to see us all off. A member had a large banner that said "We love you Garry" and we hung it off of the railing on deck 4 and instead of going to the sailaway party we met on deck 4 to wave to Garry. When we passed him we all shouted out how much we loved him. There were a lot of tears that day!

Wow! I had no idea ... I knew LOL, ROFL, TTFN, etc. but not PDFG. No wonder Google wasn't any help. But now I understand.

 

[zerog]

ANAGRAM THIS: DISNEY MAGIC

Here are a few to start you off:

Made Icy Gins
Ceasing My Id
My Acing Side
Said Nice Gym
Dicing My Sea
Nag Icy Dimes
Dice Is Mangy
Nice Digs, May

 

[WDWLVR]

Delightful
Irresistible
State-of-the-art
Nautical
Engineering
Yacht

Magnificent
Amazing
Gorgeous
Imaginative
Captain

 

[Warren Family]

Hi everyone that wanted to hear more about my DH's research on the food stalls that will be open during Carnivale. The area where the food stalls will be is called "Carnival Village." First, here is the general web page for the event: www stmaartencarnival com (you will have to take out the spaces because I could not post the message with the real link since I don't have enough history of posting according to the DISboard)

He printed out the food stall info and I am not sure what site he got if from, but here is what it says: "Carnivale Village is an area two blocks from Front Street that houses more than 100 food booths. Carnival Village is a large open area which is converted to a Mecca of sights, sounds, shows and local culinary treats. In the 'Villiage' more than 100 booths are erected and patrons keep themselves busy preparing mouthwatering dishes like conch and dumplings, Johnny Cakes, barbequed chicken, and a host of spicy soups which are said to all have aphrodisiac qualities." (...which is probably why my husband is taking me there!)

The site also said they take American dollars and it taughted St. Maarten as the "Gastronomic Capital of the Caribbean" with local foods as well as "first class French fare cooked by famous chefs imported from Paris."

I cannot vouch for the safety or cleanliness of this locale...but, I do think my husband printed a map to take and I will ask him to bring it to the DIS meet.

Someone please volunteer to go with my husband so I can eat the nice industrial food on the ship!

 

[sammy_and_mikeys_dad]

ANAGRAM THIS: DISNEY MAGIC

Here are a few to start you off:

Made Icy Gins
Ceasing My Id
My Acing Side
Said Nice Gym
Dicing My Sea
Nag Icy Dimes
Dice Is Mangy
Nice Digs, May

How about this, for the exercise averse?

"Can I Die" Gyms

 

[vriecke]

According to the Weather Channel, the forecast for Saturday, April 26, 2008:

Sunny, Hi 83, Low 68, 20% Chance of showers

Are there any facilities for playing CD's brought on board? If so, I'll bring some New Orleans Soul and Cajun Zydeco music for us to "pass a good time"! Maybe even some Mardi Gras beads for all you yankees - and I mean that in a good way......

Laissez le bon temps rouler! (Translation: Let the good times roll!)


Ginny

Caribbean Crazy Cajun Cruisers