August 16, 2011, Disney Dream - Part 4

[jenanderson]

School has started for teachers so I am back at work. The first week is always so crazy but I wanted to take some time to reply to a few things...even though I am busy, I usually at least read what you all are posting!

We will be following the whole alcohol brought on board conversation since we feel this is one of the reasons why we are willing to pay more to cruise Disney It is not the only reason and we certainly don't drink excessively (I don't think....) but it is important to us to be able to bring on what we want to.

That kind of goes along with our next thing...we have been trying so hard to find a DCL cruise that we feel is reasonably priced at a time when we can cruise (since both DH and I are teachers, it is a bit difficult) and I am beginning to think we need to explore new ideas. I have looked at the MR cruises but they don't really work with our schedule. Alaska is too expensive and doesn't hold a lot of appeal to me. The Fantasy prices are outrageous at this point for our family. So, I am considering investigating many new options including different cruise lines, all inclusive resorts that we would just fly to, and more. I had really thought we would stick with DCL for years but the prices keep going up and up and I am not sure how to justify it when there are other options out there. Time will tell.

Laura - Please tell Marco how much I LOVE his videos! We so wish that we had run into you both more on the ship but with only 5 days, it just did not feel like there was enough time to do much of anything and we barely saw you guys. I was so excited to see that you are already dreaming of a new trip!!!! I know how much you love Hawaii and it is wonderful to see you are going back! I am hoping to send you a wonderful long e-mail this weekend to share so much news of all that is happening in the Anderson household! We are going to the cabin though so it might not get sent until we get home on Monday.

Gina - Oh dear! I am sorry that the weather hit you so hard! I hope that you get your power back soon and life can return to normal.

Erika - What are you thinking of our weather? I am wondering if summer is over! Hopefully it will warm up for the holiday weekend as we are going up to the cabin. We would love to plan a night to meet up with you and Steve some time this fall....keep that in mind and hopefully we can figure something out.

Hope everyone is settling back into "normal" life again and is doing well. We miss our carefree days on the ship and I often find myself dreaming that I am still on CC!

 

[elgerber]

We will be following the whole alcohol brought on board conversation since we feel this is one of the reasons why we are willing to pay more to cruise Disney It is not the only reason and we certainly don't drink excessively (I don't think....) but it is important to us to be able to bring on what we want to.

That kind of goes along with our next thing...we have been trying so hard to find a DCL cruise that we feel is reasonably priced at a time when we can cruise (since both DH and I are teachers, it is a bit difficult) and I am beginning to think we need to explore new ideas. I have looked at the MR cruises but they don't really work with our schedule. Alaska is too expensive and doesn't hold a lot of appeal to me. The Fantasy prices are outrageous at
this point for our family. So, I am considering investigating many new options including different cruise lines, all inclusive resorts that we would just fly to, and more. I had really thought we would stick with DCL for years but the prices keep going up and up and I am not sure how to justify it when there are other options out there. Time will tell.


Erika - What are you thinking of our weather? I am wondering if summer is over! Hopefully it will warm up for the holiday weekend as we are going up to the cabin. We would love to plan a night to meet up with you and Steve some time this fall....keep that in mind and hopefully we can figure something out.

Hope everyone is settling back into "normal" life again and is doing well. We miss our carefree days on the ship and I often find myself dreaming that I am still on CC!

Jen, it's too darn cold!!! It's supposed to be 90 on Thursday though (for a whole one day). That is our anniversary and it was also over 90 the day we married in 1990.
We absolutely want to get together, shoot me a couple of dates and we can see what works!

I totally agree with everything you said! While we are not teachers, I have a college student and a high schooler possibly taking college courses next year, so school breaks are probably going to be it for us for awhile too (but I am suffering seriously from Food and Wine Festival withdrawal). I agree the
Fantasy prices are way too high and I am going to be giving serious thought to other vacation options as well.

 

[renda460]

Well it looks like my town didn't fare well with the storms. Schools have been cancelled until next week and we've been without power since Sunday
. Hearing all kinds of crazy rumors that we won't get it back for up to 10 days!

Borrowed a small generator which is giving us hot water and refrigerator for now. Been going to bed early. Still a lot of closures and nothing to do with the kids. A lot of trees and dangling wires and I didn't think the storm was that bad-winter was worse but we still had power.

Where are you located? We are in MA and many schools have been canceled until after Labor Day. I was just watching the news where people were complaining that power was restored to the Patriots stadium, before people's homes. We did pretty well through the storm and only lost power shortly. But our utility company also was more prepared since we had a much worse storm 2 years ago (ice storm) that knocked out power for 2 weeks. School was canceled from Dec 10 until after winter break.

 

[Pudo]

Wow Gina, I had no idea! I hope they can get your power back soon! Will school now get out later in the summer or have they not got that far yet in the plans? Where exactly are you?

Same here. Sarah goes to a catholic school in Milltown, NJ. Milltown has not had electricity since Saturday morning around 3:00AM and are not supposed to have it back on until this weekend. The Dobrzynski's (stateroom 10622) live in Milltown, they have been living at Kim's parents since Saturday.

School was supposed to start tomorrow, but has been postponed until Tuesday. The problem is Milltown has its own electric with a low-lying subsystem that had to be turned off in preparation for the rising flood waters. The hope is that the water will receed and a formal inspection of the subsystem can be completed soon.

 

[sdchickie]

Kristin, I'm so sorry to hear about your moms prognosis. As others have posted I'm glad she got to spend that time with you all on the cruise!

My kid's school is still closed but they won't tell us when they will reopen. The county just above ours went back in yesterday, but we still have alot of downed trees and people without power in our county. My kids are going to NH on Friday for the long weekend and I keep thinking that they are going to open school on Friday so I have to call them in sick. It would be nice if they don't miss any class work. I guess time will tell.

 

[gfolchick]

I live in Fairfield County, CT...

At 4:23 am this morning the power was restored I've never been so happy to do laundry and cook on my stove. We still have a lot of trees and wires down around town. It seems whomever you listen to, whether it be our First Selectman and Superintendant of Schools to friends who "heard" we weren't expected to get our lights on until this weekend. I think we were one of the first towns in CT to just come out and say we're not starting school until after Labor Day. Most around us are taking it day by day.

There have been volunteers from all over who have come to help the Electric companies get things up and running again. I feel fortunate, there are a few shoreline towns North of here that were at 90-100% outages.




And going off topic...I too agree with Jen and others that it's getting harder to justify spending top dollar on these vacations when it seems we're losing the little perks that make them unique. We've been averaging every other year with DCL so we're not due again until 2013 but I'm not spending the money they're asking for Fantasy. Even the Magic out of NYC is crazy! Yes, I waited and missed the initial early bird savings, but it's going to cost the same if not more to sail locally than with air and hotel to Florida and the ports don't thrill me. It's our same cruise with a few more sea days. I hope Disney comes out with some new destinations for these Eastern/Western sailings. I'm sad we missed Tortola and would like to try to get back there (dating back to the 2009 cruise a bunch of us were on).

 

[BigDogHU75]

Sad news here today.....My mom went to the surgeon today. The cancer is much more invasive than they told her while we on the cruise.

Thank you, for all of your thoughts and prayers. This is just another reason why it saddens me that my children were unable to sit with their grandparents aka "their best friends" for dinner while on the cruise!!

Kristin, Sorry to hear about your mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Praying for a speedy recovery for your mom.

Well it looks like my town didn't fare well with the storms. Schools have been cancelled until next week and we've been without power since Sunday
. Hearing all kinds of crazy rumors that we won't get it back for up to 10 days!

Borrowed a small generator which is giving us hot water and refrigerator for now. Been going to bed early. Still a lot of closures and nothing to do with the kids. A lot of trees and dangling wires and I didn't think the storm was that bad-winter was worse but we still had power.

Our schools have been closed all this week but will reopen tomorrow. Some county residents are still without power. Thankfully, we were only without power for 1 1/2 on Saturday evening. Here is hoping that your power will be restored soon.

Kristin, I'm so sorry to hear about your moms prognosis. As others have posted I'm glad she got to spend that time with you all on the cruise!

My kid's school is still closed but they won't tell us when they will reopen. The county just above ours went back in yesterday, but we still have alot of downed trees and people without power in our county. My kids are going to NH on Friday for the long weekend and I keep thinking that they are going to open school on Friday so I have to call them in sick. It would be nice if they don't miss any class work. I guess time will tell.

Schools will open tomorrow, Sept. 1.

 

[BigDogHU75]

I live in Fairfield County, CT...

At 4:23 am this morning the power was restored I've never been so happy to do laundry and cook on my stove. We still have a lot of trees and wires down around town. It seems whomever you listen to, whether it be our First Selectman and Superintendant of Schools to friends who "heard" we weren't expected to get our lights on until this weekend. I think we were one of the first towns in CT to just come out and say we're not starting school until after Labor Day. Most around us are taking it day by day.

There have been volunteers from all over who have come to help the Electric companies get things up and running again. I feel fortunate, there are a few shoreline towns North of here that were at 90-100% outages.




And going off topic...I too agree with Jen and others that it's getting harder to justify spending top dollar on these vacations when it seems we're losing the little perks that make them unique. We've been averaging every other year with DCL so we're not due again until 2013 but I'm not spending the money they're asking for Fantasy. Even the Magic out of NYC is crazy! Yes, I waited and missed the initial early bird savings, but it's going to cost the same if not more to sail locally than with air and hotel to Florida and the ports don't thrill me. It's our same cruise with a few more sea days. I hope Disney comes out with some new destinations for these Eastern/Western sailings. I'm sad we missed Tortola and would like to try to get back there (dating back to the 2009 cruise a bunch of us were on).

Glad to read that your power has been restored.

 

[sdchickie]

Marsha, I found out that they were having school tomorrow when they called me today to sub for tomorrow. I did read that my kids absence will be excused because they are excusing any absenses through out the week. So at least thats nice, not sure weather to send in a note or not since technically they shouldn't be excused.

 

[acomasdiaz]

Kristin ~ I am so sorry to hear the news about your mom. Please let her know she will have many people praying for her. Many hugs to you.

 

[Minniemouse07]

According to my TA (she posted on her FB page) DCL has RETRACTED their "new" alcohol policy!

She posted this yesterday:

Nothing to see here folks. Disney Cruise Line has already retracted their policy on bringing alcohol on board. The power of feedback!

and this in response to a request for more clarification:

Nothing changed. For a brief while this morning, DCL had implemented a limitation on the number of bottles of wine and beer a guest could bring on board as well as additional corkage fees. That policy has already been retracted.

Hope that makes everyone's day a bit brighter!

 

[elgerber]

I have been following the alchohol thread, and saw yesterday they retracted it, but I am willing to bet that is not the last we see of it. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was reinstated, starting with all cruises booked for 2013.

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

Sad news here today.....My mom went to the surgeon today. The cancer is much more invasive than they told her while we on the cruise.

Kristin , this is so sad ! Lots of thoughts and prayers coming your way !!
I know I've come home and have been so happy hugging my old Mom - so I really feel how worried you must be !!

I am sure that your wonderful mother will be strong and go through it all safely !
Tell her - please - that special prayers and positive thoughts will be sent each day from Italy ... until she feels well again !!!

Keep us posted ; all of us are thinking of her ( and you and the girls !! )

laura

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

I live in Fairfield County, CT...

At 4:23 am this morning the power was restored I've never been so happy to do laundry and cook on my stove. We still have a lot of trees and wires down around town. It seems whomever you listen to, whether it be our First Selectman and Superintendant of Schools to friends who "heard" we weren't expected to get our lights on until this weekend. I think we were one of the first towns in CT to just come out and say we're not starting school until after Labor Day. Most around us are taking it day by day.

There have been volunteers from all over who have come to help the Electric companies get things up and running again. I feel fortunate, there are a few shoreline towns North of here that were at 90-100% outages.




And going off topic...I too agree with Jen and others that it's getting harder to justify spending top dollar on these vacations when it seems we're losing the little perks that make them unique. We've been averaging every other year with DCL so we're not due again until 2013 but I'm not spending the money they're asking for Fantasy. Even the Magic out of NYC is crazy! Yes, I waited and missed the initial early bird savings, but it's going to cost the same if not more to sail locally than with air and hotel to Florida and the ports don't thrill me. It's our same cruise with a few more sea days. I hope Disney comes out with some new destinations for these Eastern/Western sailings. I'm sad we missed Tortola and would like to try to get back there (dating back to the 2009 cruise a bunch of us were on).

Gina , glad to see that you have your power back !!
How scary !
Maybe you are "accostumed" to these "storms" ................ but to us it all sounds very scary !!
Stay safe !!

I haven't seen the prices for the Fantasy yet - off I go to get a quote !!
Yes , we too love dcl very much - but we need to see what new destinations they will come up with ... I personally am fed up with Nassau - and would love to have new itineraries - with different islands to explore ...
EG Castaway Cay is beautiful - but nothing more than a NICE RESORT all over the Caribbean ( or even in Europe !) could give us - at a much lower price ...

I guess we all need to WAIT AND SEE !!!
Surely it was so lovely sailing with this wonderful group of friends !! and we hope we can sail together again in the future !!!
laura

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

School has started for teachers so I am back at work. The first week is always so crazy but I wanted to take some time to reply to a few things...even though I am busy, I usually at least read what you all are posting!


Hope everyone is settling back into "normal" life again and is doing well. We miss our carefree days on the ship and I often find myself dreaming that I am still on CC!

Hi there !!
I surely know what you mean about FIRST crazy week for teachers !!!!
We are already back to our "old" issues ... plus my "smart" colleague has been fired ( so sorry for her , she is pregnant, tweens - a girl and a boy , sometimes my headteacher is really ... unpredictable !!!).

When will children start school in Minnesota ?

My NEW pupils will be in school September 13,
while the BIG ones will start the day before : long hours for me - as the principal has not yet decided about the new teacher who will replace the fired one !!!

DGH is "working" on some new videos - memories from the Dream -
this is his way to ... survive to normal life !!!

ENJOY your weekend at the cabin !!! laura

PM sent

 

[elgerber]

Hi Laura, I am not Jen, but I can answer that the kids in Minnesota start school on Sept 6th. Well, the high school and younger kids, my son started college on August 22nd. Talk about a sharp return to reality!!!

 

[Minniemouse07]

I have been following the alchohol thread, and saw yesterday they retracted it, but I am willing to bet that is not the last we see of it. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was reinstated, starting with all cruises booked for 2013.

Dave Marx posted this observation over on the PassPorter boards. I thought it was a thoughtful opinion about the recent restriction and retraction.

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

... my son started college on August 22nd. Talk about a sharp return to reality!!!

I'm glad I live here !!! laura

 

[acomasdiaz]

Ok, so I went on the forum for my cruise next year and their are only 26 posts total. I am going to really miss this chatty bunch. You all helped the time pass...it's going to be a long year...

 

[elgerber]

Ok, so I went on the forum for my cruise next year and their are only 26 posts total. I am going to really miss this chatty bunch. You all helped the time pass...it's going to be a long year...

We can all still chat here!!! We'll help you pass the time, even if we aren't going with you!