April 29, 2012 4 night Bahamas Dream

[lexandme]

Please add her family, the more the merrier!! I promise to post the FE list this week. So far it is looking like we may have a small group.

What excursions is everyone thinking about?

I think we need to begin to discuss excursions on Friday at lunch. Atlantis?
Any Spa reservations? Definitely Palo. Wine, beer whiskey tasting?
We have so much to talk about!
Can't wait to see you and Mary Beth!!

 

[jerseygirl74]

Please add her family, the more the merrier!! I promise to post the FE list this week. So far it is looking like we may have a small group.

What excursions is everyone thinking about?

At this point I have no idea what excursions to do. My DD is only 5 so we are limited to a point. I may not do any and just find fun things to do.

Thanks for letting me add her family, makes my life easier(no more nagging her ).

 

[cp_princess]

We haven't really figured out excursions yet. I haven't sat down with my folks to go over all that. I'm thinking Atlantis in some form for the day we are in Nassau. And I don't know that we will do any for the day on CC, I'd love to try and get a cabana but with how expensive they are I don't realistically see that happening. In my dreams though that would be the plan. And I'd love to take my parents to Palo for brunch or dinner, but will have to see what we can get there.

Haven't really started on the FE plans yet. Though still hoping to participate.

 

[sau418]

So far this is who is participating Please PM if you want added to this list, I will just add to this post

Jerseygirl74 Michelle, Leo, and Samantha 5 room 7076
Linda, Joe, Isabella 5, Joey 1, Sophia 1 room 7102

LexandMe Judy, Sue, Mary Beth room 7531

 

[jerseygirl74]

So far this is who is participating Please PM if you want added to this list, I will just add to this post

Jerseygirl74 Michelle, Leo, and Samantha 5 room 7076
Linda, Joe, Isabella 5, Joey 1, Sophia 1 room 7102

LexandMe Judy, Sue, Mary Beth room 7531

So far our FE is small.....that mean I can give even better gifts . And we are all on the same floor

 

[jerseygirl74]

I booked our flights!!! I cant wait to sail away from here

 

[lexandme]

I booked our flights!!! I cant wait to sail away from here

I check prices for flights every day. I'm waiting to see what AirTran offers. I'll probably wait until after the first of the year to book. It's always a gamble!

And by the way - this thread is too quiet!! We need to get a conversation started!!!
Is anyone planning on making their FE? Buying from ebay?
Anyone going to WDW pre or post cruise?
Do we want to plan a meet once on board so we can put faces to our names?

 

[cp_princess]

Lexandme I agree our thread is way to quiet! I was actually just telling the hubby about it. To which he responded that no thread will be as crazy as the DVC MC thread - which is what I was last on. But actually the small FE group may really encourage me to go for it, since I can convince the DH that it's more cost effective. Then I'll have him hooked for future cruises. I'll have to see if I can convince my parents to join as well but that's even more of a long shot. If I do it I'll probably make my own - I know I have some extra fabric around which would save me some more money to spend on the actual gifts.

I already have magnets to decorate the door - I made a bunch of those for last time - so much so they almost didn't fit. But since I can share with mom and dad this go round that will work out better.

I bought our airfare the first day that Southwest opened the dates and was able to get a pretty good price from them. Still not cheap in my mind but not costing an arm and a leg either.

We will be in WDW at the BC for 5 days pre-cruise for the baby's birthday celebration but are heading home right after the cruise. This is our first time that we are rushing home post cruise without at least a day in WDW. I guess we will see if it's too much travel for one day. I always felt the transition is easier with a day or so in WDW to get used to being back on land but couldn't work that into getting good airfare this time around.

I'm all for a meet. We missed the one on our first cruise - we got to port late. But were at the one our last go round. It's nice to be able to meet in person after getting to know people on here in the months leading up to the cruise.

So let's see in the interest of getting to know each other and getting the thread more active here's two more questions for everyone...

Castaway Cay - do you prefer to just relax on the beach or take part in the island activities (if so which is your favorite or the one you are most looking forward to?)

What on-board activity are you looking forward to the most?

 

[cp_princess]

To answer my own questions...

Castaway Cay I haven't decided yet which I like best yet. The two excursions we've tried didn't work out quite as planned. The first because I became irrationally freaked out by the little blue fish while snorkeling and because my life vest wouldn't stay inflated. And the second because I had a horrible time with the heat and morning sickness on our last cruise so I couldn't really enjoy the glass bottom boat tour. But we haven't really had a chance to enjoy the beaches yet either cause our first cruise - where we tried to sit out at Adult beach was in December and a bit chilly and cold. However the view was lovely while we huddled under our towels and read our books! LOL So this time around we will see, and of course it's a whole new ballgame since we will have a little one to keep occupied.

On-board I think I'm most looking forward to Bingo - based on previous experience it's one of the splurges that Erik and I enjoy together on the cruises. Hopefully we can play some with the little one around. Maybe Grandpop and Austin will have some bonding time since my dad is the only one of our group that isn't big on things like that. But I'm also looking forward to checking out the kiddie areas of the ship since that will be a new thing for us.

 

[jerseygirl74]

I also agree this is a very quiet group....so HEEEELLLOOOO Everyone .

We are not going to WDW at all. We fly in the day before the cruise sets sail and are staying at the Rennaisance in Cape Canaveral and post cruise we are staying at the Marriott at Seaworld for two nights. I have never been to Seaworld so I am looking so forward to it.

I am definately up for a cruise meet, I like to put faces to people also.

We have never been on a cruise so I have no idea what we will be doing yet. Nassau day we plan on walking the market and going back onboard.

I just cant wait to relax!!

 

[cp_princess]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hope you all are having a nice celebration.

Jerseygirl, I love Sea World. It's been a few years since I went though. I've heard a lot of rave reviews with young kids though from people I know who live in the Orlando area. We are going to have to wait a bit till we do non-Disney parks since my parents aren't even sure how they feel about hitting the Disney ones.

I can't decide what to do in Nassau and so many of the reviews are so negative these days. My parents went to the straw market back in the 80's and enjoyed it. I went in the early 90's but it was just to get my hair braided and then right back to the ship - and it was in the evening so it was not the best experience as it had been raining all day and everything had closed. Erik's not a shopper so I don't see him going for that idea. I'm thinking of Atlantis because there are things there that appeal to all of us and we can make it as long of a trip or as short of one as we want.

Yeah I can't wait to see the new ship and just enjoy the Disney atmosphere with everyone.

I talked to my mom about fish extenders and happily she's interested so it looks like we can add our two rooms! Yay!

Christine

 

[lexandme]

I end up at the straw market every trip to Nassau. It's very busy, crowded and people are pushy. If you can get past the poverty it's an interesting place to shop and bargain.
I just reread that statement and it made it sound like a horrible place! It's not! You just need to know what you're getting into. And you have to like to shop.......

Airtran has posted and now I just watch and compare prices.

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving. I tried to make leftovers today for lunch and my microwave died. I have DH out looking for one now. I did the Black Friday thing last night at midnight then back out again this morning at 9:00. I was at the Disney Store at 2:00am!
I was much more successful this morning.

 

[jerseygirl74]

We had a nice relaxing Thanksgiving. My DH and I went out for Black friday shopping, ok deals not great. I cant wait for Christmas.

I am happy to hear that we will have 2 more rooms for the FE. I will start shopping soon for the gifts.

I still need to get our passports, I just keep putting it off.

Can we start packing, LOL. I am beyond ready to get away.

 

[mommyof3grlz]

We are celebrating my daughter's high school graduation which will be May 25, 2012. We homeschool so we are able to travel before summer while the rates are better. We are so excited. This will be our first Disney cruise and my girls' first cruise ever. Traveling with us will be my husband, Randall, daughters, Haley (18), LeAnna (16), and Rachel (14) and Haley's best friend Anna (17) and myself. We have oceanview staterooms that connect.

 

[sau418]

Welcome to anyone I have missed Getting excited as we enter the holiday season, because it means we will soon be in 2012, which is much closer to our cruise.

Who is planning to do anytime at the parks before the cruise and what parks are you planning on going to?

We are only going to have one park day and can not decide what park to do, AK and Studios are out, but Epcot has the Flower and Garden Festival and MK, well is it possible to go to a park without going to MK?

Hope everyone is having a great holiday season, looking forward to meeting you all!!

 

[lexandme]

Welcome mommyof3grlz! You introduced your family but didn't tell us your name! I took my DS and his girlfriend on the Dream in August for their HS graduation as well. They loved it.

And Sue - I have given a lot of thought to Magic Kingdom or Epcot. I think we need to add another day!!!

 

[mommyof3grlz]

Oh I forgot....my name is Deborah.

 

[cp_princess]

Welcome Deborah. What a fun reason to cruise! So glad you are joining us.

We are doing parks before the cruise. We plan on spliting between MK and Epcot. Spending parts of 2 days at each of them. Then one full day and a little bit of hotel time each day also. It will be a slow trip for us since we'll be testing the waters on how Austin can handle the parks since it will be his first trip.

Can't believe how quick the holidays are coming! Which means the cruise can't be far behind.

 

[sau418]

I would love more park time either before or after the cruise, but just can't swing more than one day. I will be leaving Pittsburgh, Friday afternoon and heading straight back after the cruise on Thursday. Though more time sounds great right now, I know it will only take me until about 10pm on Friday before I am missing my babies. On one hand I wish they were coming too, but on the other hand, I am so looking forward to some mommy time. I have already promised them they can come the next time. They will be spending a very spoiled week with their grandparents. The older two have already put in requests for things they want me to bring back to them

 

[jerseygirl74]

Hi everyone, just checking in.

I am so excited that 2012 is almost here, that means our cruise is almost here.

Is everyone ready for Christmas. I am done and wrapped. Now can I start packing, LOL .

How many are in the FE now? I need to start getting gifts.

I will stop in soon with another HELLO.