April 8, 2006 Western Magic Cruise

[poconoboatniks]

Good Morning Everyone,

Redterp, Glad to hear your mom is feeling better and that you will be able to join us.

Do any of you use a digital slr camera? I want to buy new camera before we leave and I'm not sure what I want to get. I'm looking at Canon Rebel and Nikon D50. I have some experience with 35mm slr and have taken some nice pictures with that camera. Some posters on the photography board recommend the Canon DS 2 (?). I was hoping to make my decision by this weekend so I had some time to work with the camera before going on vacation. Thanks!

Not packed yet, but working on it. My count down clock will not have "month" on it tomorrow.

Pocono

 

[poconoboatniks]

Hey Everybody,

Check out these two links:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1051531

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1051559

The announcement for 2007 sounds like it's coming Mar 21. Disney is great at getting everyone's attention. I love it!


Anyone interested in the Med?

Pocono

 

[UMTerp]

Pocono - we are shooting for the last Med cruise before the repo back home. Didn't want to do the repo because I was worried about high seas crossing the Atlantic. Experienced enough of that on the Panama Canal repo in the Pacific and we weren't that far out (did have a hurricane though). Thanks for the links!

Have a great day everyone!

UMTerp

 

[poconoboatniks]

Um,

Dh wants to try for the repo coming home because he regretted not trying for either of the PCanal trips. I say go for the 11 night and then do some touring while in Europe. We'll have to see what the prices are for the repo & the 11 night. Airfare and excursions are going to be expensive. How rough was your trip? We had rough seas between Cabo and SD in both directions. Apparantly, it's common to experience rough water in those waters. We had rough seas on the Eastern trip we met you guys on (closet door was rolling back and forth). Was your repo trip worse than that trip?

Everybody must be shopping because this thread has been quiet. Where is everybody?

Pocono

 

[polly p]

Hi Everyone

Haven't been on in a while due to kids activities. DS just finished wrestling but has band concerts, he's in 3 bands at school. DD15 is in the school musical, the music man, and this is also cheerleading season . We have competitions on Saturday and Sunday. We also will be in Ocean City the weekend before the cruise, so I am frantically trying to get everything bought and packed. Little DD7 is busy too but not as bad.

I need this cruise to just sit and do nothing if that is what I want, I'm sick of being a taxi.

Have a great evening,
Lori

 

[UMTerp]

Pocono - Yeah, we had much worse seas in the Pacific when we skirted the hurricane. Ashlyn was sick all day. We had to carry emergency bags with us everywhere we went and she used them. I was really queasy as well. Matthew felt bad during dinner and had to leave. We were better in our stateroom on a lower level but the day was pretty much wasted. It was pretty miserable. Since the repo went through the canal it was worth it. Otherwise, I would say that it wouldn't be. I think you would be more likely to have more days of rough seas. However, I talked to my new TA and she said that they would take the southern route across the Atlantic and it wouldn't be as rough. I don't know about that but it is hurricane season.
Good luck with whatever you decide. Yes, I think air will be high. I'm hoping DCL will have some type of air/transfer package and maybe a package that includes Disneyland Paris. I can wish can't I?

Polly - Stay healthy with all of your running around!

Take care everyone,

UMTerp

 

[Vavasmon]

Just wanted to stop in and say hi.

I will be on the road for work 16 of the next 21 days starting Monday. I come home and get ready to leave for the cruise. How is everyones planning coming? I know we are meeting at the former scoopes (goofy's galley) at 3 but are we still doing the wine tasting on the second sea day?

polly your schedule is worse than mine. I don't know how you do it.

DH decided to go ahead a buy a tux (we are sailing Royal Caribben twice in the next year). It was on sale from a web retailer for less than 2 rentals. I found a nice formal dress for DD at Marshals for $20 on Saturday (It needs to be hemmed about 2 inches). I am going to wear my longer black dress since I don't have a "formal" per say.

Still waiting on the Cozumel vs. Costa Maya. I have the sub book through DCL for Cozumel but don't know what we will do in Costa (I don't think the ruins tour is for us). Cruise Cal still shows Costa Maya and I personally think DCL has comitted long ago to not going to Cozumel. We are doing the Native Way Grand Caymen Tour and Sting Ray City in Grand Caymen and planning to just explore in Key West.

 

[UMTerp]

Vavasmon - good luck with all of your traveling! We are doing the Native Way stingray city and rum point beach in Grand Cayman, will go on our own in Key West, planning to take a taxi to the beach if we go to Coz, would like to take a ruins tour with David and Ivan in Costa Maya if we are going there - we might miss out on this one because I haven't made any ressies. I need to check and see if they can take walk-ups or something.

Let's see how many folks are interested in a wine tasting. I think we said 2:00PM on the second sea day? If you are interested, you should bring a bottle of wine for each 2-4 people in your group. Bring your favorite, or something from your region, etc. I will start a list.

UMTerp & DH - 2

Just let me know. I would think we would need at least 8-10 people to make it even be worth it. What do you guys think?

Have a great day!

UMTerp

 

[Vavasmon]

UMTerp - I agree we need about 10 people for a good wine tasting.

DH and I are up for 2pm on the 2nd sea day. If we go ahead an taste, I am willing to bring two bottles from Williamsburg Winery (and the book about their history): the Act 12 Chardonnay and the Triannon Cabinert Franc. I just need to figure out the best way to pack them in my carry-on.

I have read a lot about David and Ivan but had the impression it would be too late to bokk at this point (maybe I am wrong).

 

[poconoboatniks]

Um,

DH and I are up for the tasting. We will be ordering a bottle of the Fairy Tale Curvee to share with everyone. What time is Bingo? I was hoping to play some Bingo. I can catch a game on the first sea day if the time conflicts.

Va, Glad to hear from you, though I don't envy your travel schedule.

Polly, What color is your car? Yellow with black and white checker trim?

We're shopping for sneakers and a second bathing suit this evening. Kids have their formal and semiformal. DH is easy. Dark suit - done! I'm always the tough one. The kiddos have grown since the last time they wore Pirate costumes and I'm running out of time to order. I guess I better have them try on those costumes.

Have a great weekend.

Pocono

 

[UMTerp]

OK, List for wine tasting so far:

UMTerp & DH - 2
Vavasmon & DH - 2
Pocono & DH - 2

Anyone else interested?

I have to get DS to try on his suit to see if it's going to fit. I got a new dress a few weeks ago for formal night so I think I'm set for me. DD and DH are all set too. I bought water/tennis shoe combo by Lands End at Sears.

Vavasmon - you might be right about David and Ivan. That is my fear that I will be too late once DCL decides what they are doing!!!

It was 78 degrees here this afternoon so we are having practice cruise weather! Supposed to be nice tomorrow too!

Have a great weekend everyone!

UMTerp

 

[Vavasmon]

I am still at work preparing for my trips. This is my lucky 500th post

UmTerp you are so right about psedo-cruise weather. It was beautiful when I moved my car earlier. It felt like spring.

We are going to see my parents tomorrow and visit Potomac Mills Mall - they only live about 5 minutes from there. DD and I could both use a new pair of tennis shoes and I could use a new pair of black flats. We already have TEVAs and sandals.

 

[poconoboatniks]

Sneakers - check
Formal night shoes for DD - no luck
Black dress for me - no luck we ran out of time


Did you guys check the mystery at sea thread today. Disney is causing quite a stir. It's so much fun to follow everyone's thoughts on what the clues are.

Va congrats on becoming a Dis Veteran!

Pocono

 

[lak]

Any online stores that have good deals on children's formal dresses?

I guess today is the day I start shopping for the cruise.

 

[UMTerp]

I have my windows all open today!!!!!!

Welcome to the 500 club Vavasmon!

Pocono - Is your DD wearing women's sizes now? That can be a hard transition. What about a pair of beaded flats or sandals? Good luck. My DD hasn't tried on her dress shoes so I'm sure we will be in the same boat. She is still in kid's sizes so it shouldn't be too hard (I hope!).

lak - I don't have any experience with online places for dress clothes. I usually have good luck with consignment sales and Target for girls formal night clothes. This is a good time of year to be looking for those with Easter right around the corner. I do know that there was a post last week asking lbgraves about her DD's dress. It seemed like the online place she used was pretty reasonable. Good luck!

UMTerp

 

[polly p]

Hi Everyone
What a beautiful day here. I agree good pre-cruise weather.

We WON!!

DD had a big jamfest competition. Her team came off the floor crying because they thought they blew it. DD came off the floor thrilled. She nailed every stunt, every tumbling pass and everything else. Her performance was outstanding. The two teams dd coaches did well too. One placed 1st and one 2nd. Now we go to Albany at 6am tomorrow for another competition. Hope all goes well there too.

lak-I found absolutely gorgeous little girls dresses at Burlington. If you have one check there. Not sure about online though.

Vavasmon-congrats.

Sounds like everyone is busy getting ready. Me I'm off to church for our annual St. Patrick's day dance. If we win the big prize, it'll make the cruise even more fun. $10,000. No luck so far and I've been buying tickets for many years. It's fun to try. Wish me luck.

Lori

 

[lak]

What is Who Wants to be a Millionaire like on the ship? Is there a big grand prize? Or is it all just for fun?

 

[UMTerp]

Hello everyone!

Polly - congrats to your DD! Way to go! Here's hoping you win that big prize too!

lak - It's similar to the TV show except the questions are all disney trivia related. There is a panel of experts who are picked from the audience (I think?). The grand prize is a free 7-day cruise! Under that are various levels of shipboard credit. They pick members from the audience to sit in the hot seat. Kids are allowed to bring an adult with them on stage. I've heard a tip that if you sit in a row with many empty seats they will pick the next occupied seat near the one called if noone is sitting there.

We are good for DS & DD formal & semi-formal!

Packed yet?

UMTerp

 

[lak]

Thanks for the info! that sounds great!

what nights will formal and semi-formal nights be?

 

[Vavasmon]

Just wanted to stop in and day a quick HI - I leave in about an hour for my first or three business trips before the cruise.

I agree about having a hard time finding shoes when kids cross into the audlt sizes. DD wears a 7.5 or 8 ladies shoe. It is often hard to find things approprite for a 10 year old. We have had good luck at DSW. We did find a pair of cute gold flip flops at Old Navy yesterday for $6.99. They look so cute with her gold sparkly belt. We tried on her dress from formal night in Dec. It still fits so we will use that for the semi- formal. We have 7 nights worth of dinner clothes for her so I am feeling ok on that one. I need to get her to try on all of her shorts to make sure they ok - she has grown a fair amount since Dec. I also realized yesterday that we may have worn out a pair of tennis shoes before they were out grown - that would be a first in the 10 years.

We are going more tropical than pirate on pirate night.

I just did my spreadsheet to make sure we brought enough cash (town car, private excursions, tips, etc.). I hope to catch up with you guys next Saturday (unless the hotel has a computer I can use).

Lori - I understand that Monday night is formal (first sea day); Wed is pirate (Cozumel/Costa Maya); Thursday Semi-formal (second sea day)