August 16, 2011, Disney Dream - Part 3

[kritter]

We booked the Fantasy when we sailed last October over Halloween on the Magic, 7 day western. We decided on 2 adjoining cat 4As instead of a cat T. Our last 4 sailings were all Concierge, wanted to try something different this time.

Funny thing is 4 of us booked in 2 Cat 4As back in 10/2010 was $7,600. If you try to book one Cat 4A for the same August 25, 2012 Eastern sailing it is $7,600 so I guess if you book earlier you can sometimes get what amounts to a BOGO!

When are you going on the Fantasy??
We are debating if we want to go in the Cat 4A we have booked or switch to concierges. Thinking we might switch to an Aug. cruise too!!

 

[sherreis]

Anyone planning on cruising next year on the Fantasy?? I have a cruise booked for June but thinking aobut changing it to possibley Aug. or October. anyone booked on the Fantasy already??

We're starting to think about it, but, are waiting to see what other options next year will bring. We're thinking of trying another cruise line. Also possibly thinking about Alaska for next summer or waiting till Thanksgiving time when we would appreciate Caribbean weather.

 

[kritter]

Swimming kept us busy yesterday, but we were able to get out for dinner. So far today, I've sealed our driveway and repaired a hose bib - exciting, eh?!

How did the kids do in swimming?

I think you need to relax today...!!

 

[mrebuck]

AWESOME, want to meet up at the pool on 8/13?? We arrive on the 12th!!

Sounds great! We're off to the pool today for Allie's 9th birthday party. She's really excited!

 

[Minniemouse07]

Bethany and I made our trek to Michael's crafts to pick up our FE supplies (yes we hadn't started them yet! ). Got some nice stuff and 1/3 of the crafty portion is completed already!

Off to get Beth's haircut today then off to our YMCA for swimming. I'm starting to swim laps again (haven't regularly done them since 1982!) and their new pools are so wonderful! Ben (ds-5) can't wait to use his new goggles this afternoon!

I think I've figured out the bag situation for packing correctly at different stages of our trip. Will help to not haul everything out of the van at every stop!

Only 34 days until we leave!

 

[kritter]

Sounds great! We're off to the pool today for Allie's 9th birthday party. She's really excited!

Happy Birthday Allie!!

Anyone know of any codes for ebags? I think I want to get one more set of packing cubes!!

 

[Mjasp]

Happy Birthday Allie!!

Anyone know of any codes for ebags? I think I want to get one more set of packing cubes!!

I rcvd an e mail from e bags this morning and I went to see the packing cubes and with 20% off the 3 pc set is $23.99, very strange since 2 wks ago when I bought them it was 20% off and I paid $19.99 a set. If at all possible I would wait them out. Maybe it was all the sales they got from my thread on the main board that drove the price up

 

[jenanderson]

Time to catch up again! I am having a lazy Sunday morning here so it is a good time to post some replies....plus DH says the only way he knows my plans for this trip is by reading it here!

THANKYOU SO SO SO MUCH !!!!!
You have always been such a UNIQUE wonderful friend to us !!!

Isn't that Disney can graciously "accept" our money - and ... SOMETIMES send us our documents ...
BUT NEVER sent us a brochure or DVD !!!

Never mind !! Dear Jen is a star !!! Again big thankyou !!!
laura and DGH

Laura - This is NEVER a big deal for me to request them for you. I should have thought of it on my own for you but I forget that Disney doesn't send to Italy. You are such a UNIQUE and WONDERFUL friend to us that it is totally my pleasure.

I finally got around to ordering magnetic paper to print out my door magnets. Had some other stuff to order off amazon -- gotta love free shipping and shopping from home!

Question for those of you who have iPads? How much do you like having them? What kinds of things are you using them for? My birthday is Tuesday -- and, I think I might be asking for one. Otherwise, I'll be putting it off for a bit longer. And, if you like it-- what kind of memory do you have and do you think it's the right amount. I've only briefly looked at them so far.

And....one more question of the day? Any idea yet what movies will be onboard?

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

Hey Sherri - Just have to say that it is almost time for my family to QUIT shopping! It seems like all I do every day is buy things. At least a lot of it lately has been for back to school as well (although it is sad to think I am shopping for school at this point).

I LOVE my iPad and now could not imagine not having it around. I find that I still use my laptop a lot of the time but I LOVE, love, love my iPad. I have started reading electronic books on it which is really nice because I already have way too many books taking up room in the house and it is so easy to "take" books with me on the iPad. I use mine for e-mails, surfing the web, occasionally playing a game, listening to music, putting together silly little movies (but please know the camera quality is BAD - great for little things that don't matter but it does not replace a camera) and so much more. Both DD and I have the iPad 2 with 32 GB. We did not do the 3G option because I did not want to pay for extra service as I already have a mobile hotspot for Internet access away from home. Please ask if you have any other questions.

I am also hoping to hear about the movies soon!

Hi Guys thank you so much for thinking about us, it is really appreciated. Right my MIL has been discharged again from the hospital as there is no more they can do at present as it is a case of waiting for her immune and digestive system to get back on track after such a major op. SO all we can do is wait and pray. Its hard seeing her so poorly, but we have faith that she will improve and get stronger.

I am so glad you checked in! Happy to hear that MIL is home from the hospital and we will keep her in our thoughts and wish her speedy recovery.

Some good news that we have heard this week is it seems the airline - virgin, that we booked our flights with have announced that they will not go on strike - After everything we've gone through recently a strike would have been the final straw!!

This is good news!

No cruise docs yet, but I can get a really great rate on a house refinance!

Hopefully yours will show up soon!

Ours arrived Too ! Now we are very excited !!!

YEAH! It is so fun to see that package!

Hmmmmmm I wonder when ours will arrive??? Any guesses how long will it take them to get over the pond?

Do they still come by ups? It's the only time I see an ups man

I don't know how long it will take for yours to reach you. Last time ours came by UPS or FedEx ground (don't remember which one) but this time ours was in the regular mail.

 

[sdchickie]

We're starting to think about it, but, are waiting to see what other options next year will bring. We're thinking of trying another cruise line. Also possibly thinking about Alaska for next summer or waiting till Thanksgiving time when we would appreciate Caribbean weather.

We also cruise Carnival and we like it, the kids clubs are no where near as good on Carnival, but we love the different ports that they offer. We did a great Eastern Carribean last Oct. with them and I think that was one of my favortie cruises ever.

 

[Mjasp]

happy birthday allie!!

Anyone know of any codes for ebags? I think i want to get one more set of packing cubes!!

happy birthday allie!!!!

 

[sdchickie]

Off to get Beth's haircut today then off to our YMCA for swimming. I'm starting to swim laps again (haven't regularly done them since 1982!) and their new pools are so wonderful! Ben (ds-5) can't wait to use his new goggles this afternoon!

I think I've figured out the bag situation for packing correctly at different stages of our trip. Will help to not haul everything out of the van at every stop!

I just started swimming laps every morning too. I went online and found out that I am burning as many calories as I was when I was running. It's just too hot out for me to run so I had to change it up, I'll go back to running in the fall. I used to pack several different bags when we would drive, 1 for the way down hotel, 1 for the main part of our trip, 1 for the cruise portion, and 1 for the way back. Then I would just bring the toiletry bag along to each place with the other bag. It worked out great since I have a large back of the SUV to put them in. I still don't know how I am going to get everything packed now that we are flying this time......Thank goodness we got several sets of packing cubes!

 

[Mjasp]

We also cruise Carnival and we like it, the kids clubs are no where near as good on Carnival, but we love the different ports that they offer. We did a great Eastern Carribean last Oct. with them and I think that was one of my favortie cruises ever.

I agree with you. Of all the lines I've tried, I like Carnival also. Food is very good, service is very good, entertainment is awesome, cabins are large. Love the bands they have. Overall great time. I have to put NCL at the bottom, IMO just awful.

 

[sdchickie]

I agree with you. Of all the lines I've tried, I like Carnival also. Food is very good, service is very good, entertainment is awesome, cabins are large. Love the bands they have. Overall great time. I have to put NCL at the bottom, IMO just awful.

I've been wanting to try RCCL, how do you rate them in comparison to Carnival and Disney? We've also done Princess but that was a long time ago and I didn't think it was very family friendly.

 

[Minniemouse07]

We also cruise Carnival and we like it, the kids clubs are no where near as good on Carnival, but we love the different ports that they offer. We did a great Eastern Carribean last Oct. with them and I think that was one of my favortie cruises ever.

We've cruise Celebrity and Carnival before (next month is our first cruise w/ DCL) and I don't think I would choose Carnival over most of the other lines.

It wasn't bad...but there was a bit too much party for us. My sis used to work for them so we did 3 cruises when Beth was younger. The children's program was fine for her and we all had a great time, I just know that there are other lines that are a better fit for us than Carnival is.

 

[jenanderson]

Has anyone done/ordered logo t's or CC t's? I was trying to decide what color to get for the logo t's. When I was playing around on Zazzle I didn't really see to many color choices. I was thinking maybe red or yellow. Laura's looked good on the navy.....What color is everyone else doing?

I will be ordering ours this week. I am going to order performance shirts for the CC5K. I am thinking of putting something like "Running with Mickey in the Bahamas" or something like that on the back. Still am not sure but know I have to order soon.

I will also probably order the logo T-shirt but just in white. I love Laura's navy but white just goes with everything for me.

My husband got to go to the Yankee's Game today and had 12th row seats and was there for Jetter's 3,000 hit....He is like a little kid he is soo happy he got to be part of Yankee History Today!!

Tell Bruce that I am happy he was there to see it!!!

That it great!! We didn't get ours But the rest of my Landsend order arrived!! WooHOO!! Should we all wear our matching cover-ups to the Dis-Meet?? Maybe we should all iron our cruise logo onto them!!

OMG....that would be too funny!

My youngest son is so cute...He has all his new clothes laid out and wants me to get his suitcase out of the attic so he can pack!! I keep telling him.."Brian, we don't leave for almost 5 weeks, don't wory you have time!!" Too cute! I wish he would pack his school bag with so much care!!

Sweet! You should get out his suitcase for him!

I am trying to get a feel for how much cash I need to bring on board. I am planning on cash for room service tips (lots of small bills), cruise gratuities (we always pay these in cash), post office on castaway cay, and tips for porters. Am I missing anything else? Laundry shouldn't be much if I do have to pay cash, but I want to be sure we have smaller Bills for it if needed.

I know that I have to have some money for photos and goodies in the store.

WE are SO WAITING for our documents to get here : we will leave home August 1st !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

laura

Laura - Hope they arrive soon! You are so close to your departure date...how fun!

You'll find a NEW email with DGH
"PATH OPTIMIZATION" file :
a cabin # was wrong , so please "save" the new correct "path" !!!
and be sure you "know" our cabin # too !! ( Our cabin # could not be included in Lisa 's deck maps - we were assigned our cabin some days later ...).
PS Let us know if there are "mistakes" which we still need to correct ... ( THANKS, Jeff )

I love this! Tell Marco THANK YOU! And please let him know I am working on getting organized this morning. He has been so organized with the packing lists and now this....I have to follow his example!

Swimming kept us busy yesterday, but we were able to get out for dinner. So far today, I've sealed our driveway and repaired a hose bib - exciting, eh?!

WOW! You are being productive today!

Sounds great! We're off to the pool today for Allie's 9th birthday party. She's really excited!

Wish Allie a HAPPY BIRTHDAY from all of us!

Off to get Beth's haircut today then off to our YMCA for swimming. I'm starting to swim laps again (haven't regularly done them since 1982!) and their new pools are so wonderful! Ben (ds-5) can't wait to use his new goggles this afternoon!

I think I've figured out the bag situation for packing correctly at different stages of our trip. Will help to not haul everything out of the van at every stop!

Only 34 days until we leave!

My DD wants to get her haircut before the cruise....but I don't want to let her. It is so long and beautiful that I wish she would wait until after the cruise. The hard part is she wants to cut enough to donate to Locks of Love. While I love that she does that, she has to cut off a lot of hair to get a good donation. We will see.

Have fun swimming!

 

[sdchickie]

I've done Locks of Love 3 times now and you really don't need too much length. The most I've donated at one time is 13 inches, but the least was around 10 inches. But it grows back so why not, it will keep her cooler on the cruise!

 

[Minniemouse07]

I just started swimming laps every morning too. I went online and found out that I am burning as many calories as I was when I was running. It's just too hot out for me to run so I had to change it up, I'll go back to running in the fall. I used to pack several different bags when we would drive, 1 for the way down hotel, 1 for the main part of our trip, 1 for the cruise portion, and 1 for the way back. Then I would just bring the toiletry bag along to each place with the other bag. It worked out great since I have a large back of the SUV to put them in. I still don't know how I am going to get everything packed now that we are flying this time......Thank goodness we got several sets of packing cubes!

I can't run. I marched drum corps for 7yrs when I was significantly younger and had way too many practices jazz running on blacktop parking lots. Tore my shins to shreds and still have issues with them! I can't do anything w/ any impact (running, stairmasters, treadmills, aerobics, etc) so I'm stuck w/ swimming or yoga!

We are taking the AutoTrain w/ our Toyota Sienna so we have the room! I am packing exactly as you described. I will be bringing ALL of the luggage on the cruise though so I can do wash since we are reversing the vacation after the vacation (AT/ILs/Port Canavaral/Dream/5nights @WDW/ILs/AT) so I will need to do laundry late in the cruise and repack in reverse!

I'm not sure how I would be able to pack everything well if we flew, more of a nightmare but not impossible since we generally fly Southwest and don't have to pay for luggage!

My DD wants to get her haircut before the cruise....but I don't want to let her. It is so long and beautiful that I wish she would wait until after the cruise. The hard part is she wants to cut enough to donate to Locks of Love. While I love that she does that, she has to cut off a lot of hair to get a good donation. We will see.

Have fun swimming!

Beth's hair is super long (although not long enough for I donation I don't think). She is swimming in a chlorinated pool every day at camp and doesn't have a lot of time to brush it out after so we are in knot hell. She's been resistant to cutting it for a few years now but has hit the wall w/ dealing w/ the knots every night and every morning so she's getting it cut to chin length.

I'll miss the long hair, but I'm thinking she'll look cute w/ the shorter hair too.

Ben is wearing his new swim goggles around the house this morning as well as his bathing suit..I'm thinking he really wants to go swimming!

 

[Mjasp]

I've been wanting to try RCCL, how do you rate them in comparison to Carnival and Disney? We've also done Princess but that was a long time ago and I didn't think it was very family friendly.

RCCL is a lot of fun also. I do think I like Carnival better over RCCL for service and food and even entertainment. But again it is all in the opinion.
Kind of like recommending a doctor, I could love her and you not even like her. LOL I also feel for the price that RCCL charges for what they give you would be getting the same value and price with DCL.

We've cruise Celebrity and Carnival before (next month is our first cruise w/ DCL) and I don't think I would choose Carnival over most of the other lines.

It wasn't bad...but there was a bit too much party for us. My sis used to work for them so we did 3 cruises when Beth was younger. The children's program was fine for her and we all had a great time, I just know that there are other lines that are a better fit for us than Carnival is.

Did you go on the older ships?

My DD wants to get her haircut before the cruise....but I don't want to let her. It is so long and beautiful that I wish she would wait until after the cruise. The hard part is she wants to cut enough to donate to Locks of Love. While I love that she does that, she has to cut off a lot of hair to get a good donation. We will see.

Have fun swimming!

Jen, Check out the Pantene website, my daughter donates her hair to Pantene, they don't require as much length

 

[BigDogHU75]

No cruise docs yet, but I can get a really great rate on a house refinance!

Anyone planning on cruising next year on the Fantasy?? I have a cruise booked for June but thinking aobut changing it to possibley Aug. or October. anyone booked on the Fantasy already??

We are booked on the Fantasy for April to celebrate DS's b-day.

 

[sherreis]

Happy Birthday Allie!

As for ebags...I didn't find any additional codes. However, if you shop throughs Sunshine rewards, you can get 5% of what you spend to a sunshine rewards account. I shop through Sunshine Rewards when I can. Those points add up-- I have $125 in Disney gift cards to apply to our onboard account as well as another $25 one on the way. Just one more way to fund my Disney habit.

Now, you all have me interested in the packing cubes after reading so much here and on other threads. I also pack with separate suitcases. One for the 3 days before the cruise, 1 for the cruise, and I don't know what I'll do for the one night after the cruise. I think the packing cubes would come in very helpful for the boys cause their version of packing or putting away their clothes is called rolling it into a ball and see how many wrinkles we can get into them.