April 29, 2012 ~ Aloha! ~ Inagural Wonder to Hawaii-Part 4

[BethE]

FE lists as Corinna posted them on FB yesterday:

All groups Alphabetical List:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aq5ebcCJmFomdHY0dWJEMGw2eTNFbW9YakhZZV9nWlE#gid=0

FE Group 1:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aq5ebcCJmFomdFA5akRSdDNJSjFHUVBWcEdqVWdsdmc

FE Group 2:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aq5ebcCJmFomdHFtN3NSUjRYR3dsRGZnUGlRMzdVNFE

FE Group 3:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aq5ebcCJmFomdDRtcGhBT0o4Ujl6UVpsaDhSUEZlWkE#gid=0

FE Group 4:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aq5ebcCJmFomdGJ6eURxam9BWDdpWlV4T0NlM0pMLXc#gid=0

FE Group 5:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aq5ebcCJmFomdHFnX01PM3RudDFyQl9SNWFYSFQ1ZWc#gid=0

FE Group 6:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aq5ebcCJmFomdGNmVGs1RWZncGxEcllCUDNrVDB0d2c#gid=0

FE Group 7:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aq5ebcCJmFomdGRFX2NhbTdDZXRJRDlYejhpSGNJTnc#gid=0

FE Group 8:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aq5ebcCJmFomdGZsRHJ2RzVQOXJ5YVlXUGdQRWZxaHc#gid=0

These are great, but what I really need is Cayla's list of participants by deck, for those of us doing all groups, and not giving different gifts based on age or gender, that list it THE MOST helpful list.

So, Cayla, are you out there? And by the way, Cayla -- CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Beth

 

[mckryan]

Thanks....you explained it well. I have not flown Delta for years so no miles anymore on the card, hence I am not a Medallion member. I do get the free bag with the AMEX card, that is nice. However, I do not want to be carrying 70 pound bags!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Haha...I understand! 70 lbs. is a lot! DH and I will start packing this weekend, and we're hoping we'll be able to consolidate our packing. It is so hard trying to figure out what to take for almost 3 weeks away from home, even if we do have access to washers and dryers.

 

[Spiny Norman]

OK guys, I love reading all of your exciting posts and I am so thankful for all of you that have added us in in the last minute for the FE's. But now I have NEWS!

We have just convinced my MOM (a very healthy 85 year old) to join the cruise! I have just spend the last 2 hours on the phone with the TA and then on line lining her up for all our events.

All I ask is if all you great folks that have stepped up to add us to your FEs and might have an extra to jot down her room number...6637 and drop something in her box. she would love it.
I don't want anyone to try and redo any lists or anything. You guys have already done much too much for all of us.

Thanks again, am soooo much more excited all of a sudden for this trip!
Elaine

 

[Spiny Norman]

OK guys, I love reading all of your exciting posts and I am so thankful for all of you that have added us in in the last minute for the FE's. But now I have NEWS!

We have just convinced my MOM (a very healthy 85 year old) to join the cruise! I have just spend the last 2 hours on the phone with the TA and then on line lining her up for all our events.

All I ask is if all you great folks that have stepped up to add us to your FEs and might have an extra to jot down her room number...6637 and drop something in her box. she would love it.
I don't want anyone to try and redo any lists or anything. You guys have already done much too much for all of us.

Thanks again, am soooo much more excited all of a sudden for this trip!
Elaine

oh and by the way, I will now spend the next few days making her FE...it took me 4 days to make mine!

 

[scubadiver]

Not sure if anyone still needs Palo brunch but I just checked because I wanted to change my time and the last sea day is showing available for 11:30am for two people.

Hope that helps someone,
Kristan

gone

 

[gdaneowner]

Am I the only silly who will drag my DSLR with me? It's one in a lifetime vacation for us, so I need to But i'll have my Point&Shoot with me too....

I am bringing mine!

 

[rcostello1]

Thanks....you explained it well. I have not flown Delta for years so no miles anymore on the card, hence I am not a Medallion member. I do get the free bag with the AMEX card, that is nice. However, I do not want to be carrying 70 pound bags!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The nice thing is if your bag is 51lbs (or 55 or 70) you don't have the worry. My normal bag weight is 35-45 lbs but knowing I can bump it up to 70 makes things a lot easier. I'm bringing a couple of special bottles of wine from home so there's some extra weight without trying.

I'm excited about our flight to LA...we're on a 777 with flat beds. It's only a few hours but I don't get to fly with a flat bed seat often so it's always fun. Too bad you only get champagne with intl departures. A cocktail will have to do.

 

[Pixiegran]

I decided not to bring the DSLR - I lugged it (ok it was film then) to the last Hawaiian trip and decided to bring the little one.....Bought a new one for this cruise.

Just bought new one this weekend...unexpected expense...because apparently sometime recently my camera was dropped and case cracked. We figure was at a family event and was possibly knocked off table and set back on and we didn't know about it. Wasn't obvious to us until suddenly pop up flask wouldn't pop
Which one did you buy? I got another Nikon Coolpix because I loved last one on Inaugural Alaska cruise...got awesome scenery shots from our veranda. But I got a newer model since mine had already been discontinued... model S8200 and it was on sale! Plus my daughter laughs at me and said it wasn't the sale that did it, it was the fact it was red Prefer red because I am less likely to leave it sitting on the table after dinner on the ship

 

[sshaw10060]

Am I the only silly who will drag my DSLR with me? It's one in a lifetime vacation for us, so I need to But i'll have my Point&Shoot with me too....

Just bought new one this weekend...unexpected expense...because apparently sometime recently my camera was dropped and case cracked. We figure was at a family event and was possibly knocked off table and set back on and we didn't know about it. Wasn't obvious to us until suddenly pop up flask wouldn't pop
Which one did you buy? I got another Nikon Coolpix because I loved last one on Inaugural Alaska cruise...got awesome scenery shots from our veranda. But I got a newer model since mine had already been discontinued... model S8200 and it was on sale! Plus my daughter laughs at me and said it wasn't the sale that did it, it was the fact it was red Prefer red because I am less likely to leave it sitting on the table after dinner on the ship

I have a DSLR as well. I had been eyeing a new wide-angle lens for this trip, but I received a call from my wife last week that began "now take a deep breath" My camera was knocked off the desk and the lens was in about 20 pieces. Luckily, I had been looking for an excuse to replace that lens so now I have two new lenses headed my way. Of course since on eof the lenses is to big for my current bag I had to buy one of those as well. Oh well...

 

[Pixiegran]

(Lexa quoted another -- was it Chip&Dale&Fun? -- who said they were getting a cool new cam to avoid dragging the DSLR around)

For other snapshooters who aren't yet sure: Go compact. I gave up on my SLR of film days in the '90s, and film more than a decade ago. I had so many lenses and paraphernalia that I hardly had time for the shot, what with attaching doodads and testing the light. Been digital since, and pretty happy, too, with Adobe Photoshop Elements. The cam? Canon G11. (The Shutters people were stopping me and asking if that was the Canon G11!) Good low-light, good lens, slow multiframe. Bulky, but a real photographer's digital. Current model is G12 (about $400) or the superb, new and bigger G1X (nearer $500). Some much cheaper, still-good cameras also have HD video, so you can leave the video camera at home.

I suggest to people who aren't taking portraits or setting up a tripod for sunrise/sunset shots and waiting two hours: just get a compact. A 10 MP, 1/2.3 inch sensor is good for all but in the showroom. More MP is not necessarily better unless you do a lot of cropping. Also, if you zoom in more than about 3x, you lose low-light capability. Sit up front and shoot wide. Go to the camera store and get an extra battery. Ask if they have one of those splash-proof, clear zipper bags that you can shoot through, so you can take the camera safely near the water or into the rain.

But it was hard to break me away from my trusty ol' Mamiya Sekor 500 DTL.
--the Bob half of valbob

Sounds like great advice...if I could understand half of what you said As I just posted before this I went really simple, but I am a HUGE zoom fan because I am a scrapbooker. If there is a small sign telling me what a plant is that I just took a picture of I can make a great picture of it that is easy to read...even with crowds around. And the close ups I got of the glaciers last year were incredible...could even pick out the mountain goats that we couldn't see with naked eye. My new one also has a much better continuous shooting mode which will be great for pictures of performances, I hope. Sounds like a lot of new cameras this trip.

 

[Pixiegran]

OK....kind of a downer day. DW just found out that she has to have a knee replacement. She went through the injections, then knee surgery but the arthritis is killing her. Doctor wanted to do the injections again, but insurance company rejected since she has had them before. They feel that if they did not work the first time they won't work a second. I understand that to a certain degree, but they would rather spend $30,000 for a replacement than spend the money for the injections. Next problem, when to have the surgery. Four days in the hospital for surgery, one to two weeks in rehab hospital and then physical therapy. All told, about 3 or 4 months from beginnng to end. We have this cruise, a 5 day out of NY in September and then 7 night on the Fantasy in December. Guess she will have the surgery end of May or beginning of June. Then she can look forward to the September Canada cruise. It just does not get easier--guess that is what happens when you get old.....er.
Tom & Marilou

Tell her to do a little research before surgery for best rated surgeon for knee replacements and see if you can find any information on the models of artificial knees available and which are known to be better for arthritis knee surgeries versus injury replacements. I wish I had and maybe I would have had better luck, I don't know. I had 2 great weeks after surgery with no pain and I could walk so well...then arthritis literally attacked replacement and am not any better off 5 years later. I had less than a year that the pain was better but mobility wasn't....but slowly pain built back up and I think there are times when it is even worse, often barely works. I am waiting for medicare in a few months to be able to go back to original surgeon and see if he can do anything to help symptoms and gain a little back..... Tell her if she has questions about what I said she will see me onboard ...very chubby (hate word fat) 64.80 year old pushing my 42 yr old daughter in a wheelchair...or if alone I will be using a walker or cane

 

[LindaBabe]

GOOD Morning, Happy Cruisers!

Loooong time ago I signed up on the spreadsheet for group transportation to the port... did anything ever come of that (and I missed it?) or are we on our own??
Not interested in Disney transportation because they go too late!
Anyone else wanting to go early and want to share a van? Primetime quotes $48 for two people in a shared van... but a private van for up to 7 people is $86 or $96 for up to 9 guests.

Group transportation from where?

Tell her if she has questions about what I said she will see me onboard ...very chubby (hate word fat) 64.80 year old pushing my 42 yr old daughter in a wheelchair...or if alone I will be using a walker or cane

Dimples says it's not "chubby" it's FLUFFY!

 

[Pixiegran]

Dimples says it's not "chubby" it's FLUFFY!

I Dimples fluffy is great!

Good morning??? I haven't been to bed yet! What a difference a "coast" makes...

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Looking forward to seeing that dress!!

Dr Hug is DH of Mrs Mork and has been a busy Adventurer in Cardiac Adventureland in recent months and is successfully making his way from the outback to the cruise ship!!



.

Thanks and YAY as welllll

He belongs to me. Not as regular a poster as I am, but he does get excited and participates more closer to cruise time.

\\I sorta figured it was something like that.

I Dimples fluffy is great!

Good morning??? I haven't been to bed yet! What a difference a "coast" makes...

And Aloha Kakaheika to All...

 

[chip&dale&fun]

(Lexa quoted another -- was it Chip&Dale&Fun? -- who said they were getting a cool new cam to avoid dragging the DSLR around)

For other snapshooters who aren't yet sure: Go compact. I gave up on my SLR of film days in the '90s, and film more than a decade ago. I had so many lenses and paraphernalia that I hardly had time for the shot, what with attaching doodads and testing the light. Been digital since, and pretty happy, too, with Adobe Photoshop Elements. The cam? Canon G11. (The Shutters people were stopping me and asking if that was the Canon G11!) Good low-light, good lens, slow multiframe. Bulky, but a real photographer's digital. Current model is G12 (about $400) or the superb, new and bigger G1X (nearer $500). Some much cheaper, still-good cameras also have HD video, so you can leave the video camera at home.

I suggest to people who aren't taking portraits or setting up a tripod for sunrise/sunset shots and waiting two hours: just get a compact. A 10 MP, 1/2.3 inch sensor is good for all but in the showroom. More MP is not necessarily better unless you do a lot of cropping. Also, if you zoom in more than about 3x, you lose low-light capability. Sit up front and shoot wide. Go to the camera store and get an extra battery. Ask if they have one of those splash-proof, clear zipper bags that you can shoot through, so you can take the camera safely near the water or into the rain.

But it was hard to break me away from my trusty ol' Mamiya Sekor 500 DTL.
--the Bob half of valbob

It was so hard for me to convert to a point and shoot. I started with the retired dive camera, and then found out one reason we retired it, was because it would take time off from taking pictures....silly camera.

I bought a very inexpensive canon - the A1200 -- and still do not remember how to use all the features. I expect I shall need to 'spirement on the ship....

It will never replace my film in my heart of hearts, but yes, I too was spending more time changing lenses than enjoying the moment. And I had to have two cameras, one with 100 and one with 400. I keep my A1200 on 200 most of the time I never was one for video. This is either a 10 or a 12 MP which is fine. I grew up with film, so cropping is not something I tend to do lots of....but I love being able to print photos of different sizes.

Things still for me to do are to buy another chip. I could dowload, back-up and wipe the chips I have as if that is going to happen with 12 days left to go.

what is the plastic splash proof bag for shooting in the rain???? I need to find out what that is all about...

 

[Fivepin]

Loooong time ago I signed up on the spreadsheet for group transportation to the port... did anything ever come of that (and I missed it?) or are we on our own??
Not interested in Disney transportation because they go too late!
Anyone else wanting to go early and want to share a van? Primetime quotes $48 for two people in a shared van... but a private van for up to 7 people is $86 or $96 for up to 9 guests.

What time were you planning on going? There are 2 of us and we wanted to get to the port when it opens around 10:30. We would be interested. I was getting ready to start looks into that today. We are doing DCL transfer from the ship. I still need something from the airport to VGC and then VGC to ship.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I am giving to all groups.

Was Heather aware of this? I will add you to the all groups list. I am having a mild panic at the moment. I have spares for the main gifts, but for those doing more groups or all groups I did a bunch of different gifts for each group. I have some spares for two or three of them, but not for all.

Speaking of the soft serve, the last 2 times we sailed on the wonder, all they had was choclate and vanilla to choose from. Last week they had chocolate and vanilla everyday but they also had pineapple coconut ice on one day (very good!,) banana on a couple days and strawberry and blueberry on a couple days. They had regular cones to go with the soft serve. I had packed my own waffle cones. In case you are wondering, I do know how I gained those 7 pounds!

I never got around to getting some soft serve ice cream on our Mexican Riviera cruise in October. This is normally my favourite treat. Are the flavours clearly labelled? I am fiercely allergic to banana and I am worried that I accidentally end up with some.

We have Palo for Honolulu also. See you there. Also will be trying to secure a second time on Pirate night. We have never been to the regular dining rooms for Pirate night. Maybe we are missing out on something?

We have done two or three Pirates Nights in the dining room. It is just too noisy for our liking. If we cannot get a Palo reservation then we will just head to Beach Blanket Buffet that night.

It's great to hear about the flavored Soft Serve. They had that on the Magic in Ict and we were really wondering if it won make it over to the Wonder. My trick to keeping the pounds off on the ship has nothing to do with deck 4 or the gym, I just do not use the elevators. I run up and down the real things instead of the imaginary ones at the gym.

I am planning on doing that this time. As we are on deck 2 this time round and seem to spend a lot of our time on deck 9 (spa, adult pool, Cove/ Outlook Cafe), I should get plenty of exercise.

OK....kind of a downer day. DW just found out that she has to have a knee replacement. She went through the injections, then knee surgery but the arthritis is killing her. Doctor wanted to do the injections again, but insurance company rejected since she has had them before. They feel that if they did not work the first time they won't work a second. I understand that to a certain degree, but they would rather spend $30,000 for a replacement than spend the money for the injections. Next problem, when to have the surgery. Four days in the hospital for surgery, one to two weeks in rehab hospital and then physical therapy. All told, about 3 or 4 months from beginnng to end. We have this cruise, a 5 day out of NY in September and then 7 night on the Fantasy in December. Guess she will have the surgery end of May or beginning of June. Then she can look forward to the September Canada cruise. It just does not get easier--guess that is what happens when you get old.....er.
Tom & Marilou

I am sorry that Marilou has to go through this. Hopefully the surgery can be scheduled for soon after this vacation so that she has plenty of recovery time before the next one.

Loooong time ago I signed up on the spreadsheet for group transportation to the port... did anything ever come of that (and I missed it?) or are we on our own??
Not interested in Disney transportation because they go too late!
Anyone else wanting to go early and want to share a van? Primetime quotes $48 for two people in a shared van... but a private van for up to 7 people is $86 or $96 for up to 9 guests.

The problem has been that there have been a bunch of good ideas, but a lack of people who were willing to organize things. It seemed to be the same people over and over again.

OK guys, I love reading all of your exciting posts and I am so thankful for all of you that have added us in in the last minute for the FE's. But now I have NEWS!

We have just convinced my MOM (a very healthy 85 year old) to join the cruise! I have just spend the last 2 hours on the phone with the TA and then on line lining her up for all our events.

All I ask is if all you great folks that have stepped up to add us to your FEs and might have an extra to jot down her room number...6637 and drop something in her box. she would love it.
I don't want anyone to try and redo any lists or anything. You guys have already done much too much for all of us.

Thanks again, am soooo much more excited all of a sudden for this trip!
Elaine

I have added her to the late additions list. Could you let me know her first name please?

Corinna

 

[dolphingirl47]

Scavenger Hunt - Last Call

If you would like to take part in the Scavenger Hunt and do not have a game pack yet, please fill out this form as soon as possible:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dG5vWFAtd21XVE9rNnBSMDg1RkN2ZEE6MQ

The cut off point is 11:59 PM California time on Saturday and I will get the remaining game packs out on Sunday.

Corinna

 

[dolphingirl47]

Group Navigator - Last Call

If you would like to have a copy of the Group Navigator, please fill out this form as soon as possible:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dE1fVlVBbDV4NWhwVVBqU2w3QkFiRFE6MQ

There are two versions available: one for electronic devices and one to print out in booklet form or you can choose to get both.The cut off point is 11:59 PM California time on Saturday and I will send them out on Sunday or Monday.

Corinna

 

[LindaBabe]

What time were you planning on going? There are 2 of us and we wanted to get to the port when it opens around 10:30. We would be interested. I was getting ready to start looks into that today. We are doing DCL transfer from the ship. I still need something from the airport to VGC and then VGC to ship.

I am using Karmel Shuttle from Airport to Candy Cane Inn to Port and back to Airport. There are only two of us and the van holds 6 or 8. I'm SURE it could be arranged to collect at VGC too - we are to be collected at 10 am. $58 for 2 people. Let me know if you would like to join the groups.

Was Heather aware of this? I will add you to the all groups list. I am having a mild panic at the moment. I have spares for the main gifts, but for those doing more groups or all groups I did a bunch of different gifts for each group. I have some spares for two or three of them, but not for all.

Corinna, even if we are doing more than one group, I can't see us expecting to get more than one gift from anyone.

I never got around to getting some soft serve ice cream on our Mexican Riviera cruise in October. This is normally my favourite treat. Are the flavours clearly labelled? I am fiercely allergic to banana and I am worried that I accidentally end up with some.

That would be me, too. I hope your husband tests your desserts before you eat them. mine found a slice of raw banana in the bottom of a chocolate tart. We've been really careful since then

Group Navigator - Last Call

If you would like to have a copy of the Group Navigator, please fill out this form as soon as possible:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dE1fVlVBbDV4NWhwVVBqU2w3QkFiRFE6MQ

There are two versions available: one for electronic devices and one to print out in booklet form or you can choose to get both.The cut off point is 11:59 PM California time on Saturday and I will send them out on Sunday or Monday.

Corinna