August 1st 2009 - Eastern 8/1/2009 The Eastern Caribbean Castaways

[MsLeFever]

Bennett really wants a tux for formal night on the cruise - but I think we are going to try to buy him one on e-bay. I think we can buy one for what the rental costs are!

B

 

[marcij]

Hey Danny! You were REALLY lurking as even I didn't know you were here. Lucky I didn't say anything nasty about you.

We got our "My Cruise Travel Kit" today - nothing really new in terms of info - but still exciting to look at.

I did notice that the children's area ages are wonky - one says 8-12 and one says 10-14. I think the ages are different on the Magic/Wonder and have to look into that. I know I'm putting Johnna up into the 8 year old group but I'm not sure where Bennett goes yet. How old is Jake?

We are planning on doing the Doubloon Sail and Snorkel on St Thomas/St. John. Dan - it's the one where you snorkel with sea turtles. It's only 3.5 hours so we should have beach time or shopping or whatever.

Barbara

Jake is 10. I'm kind of confused about the ages as well. The travel channel talks about teens (13) in the stack, but then I've also seen literature that said 13s are in the kids club. Anyone know a definitive answer?

Bennett really wants a tux for formal night on the cruise - but I think we are going to try to buy him one on e-bay. I think we can buy one for what the rental costs are!

B

He'll look so cute! My boys did tuxes the first three trips. We just rented from the online formalwear place as they would have no where else to wear them. Either way you go, it make such a cute picture! We used those for our Christmas card pictures.

 

[MrsJobba1]

You guys have your cruise travel kit - not fair

I wonder when I will get ours?

Going to phone DCL today about brunch - so fingers x

 

[joycsk]

Dear Marci,

I'll also be doing the internet package, but this is our first time to go since they've made wireless available so I'm a little apprehensive about how to use it. I had heard there were lots of problems when they first started it, but I'm sure they've ironed out the kinks by now.[/QUOTE]

I can't speak from personal experience, but my Dad purchased internet time last summer and was emailing from the Magic's internet cafe. In fact, that was how we booked this cruise. He called me from his cell right before they left the US, when he had only been on board for about 12 hours and said that we HAD to do this again. Once in Mexico, he emailed me about twice a day and we ironed out the details. All I can say is that it worked well for him. (And while he is computer capable, he is not super savvy. Prefers desktops to laptops, etc.)

Joy

 

[joycsk]

You guys have your cruise travel kit - not fair

I wonder when I will get ours?

Going to phone DCL today about brunch - so fingers x

Helen,

We don't have ours! So don't feel too bad. . .

 

[MrsJobba1]

Helen,

We don't have ours! So don't feel too bad. . .

Isn't that because you live in Wales - thats near us

 

[joycsk]

Jake is 10. I'm kind of confused about the ages as well. The travel channel talks about teens (13) in the stack, but then I've also seen literature that said 13s are in the kids club. Anyone know a definitive answer?

The Wonder and Magic Are different. FWIW, the clubs are _something_ like this. Flounder's Reef - 6 mo to 3. Oceaneer's Club 3 - 7. Oceaneer's Lab 8-10. Ocean Quest 10 - 12. >13 - stack - no specific activities.

Ocean Quest is only on the Magic. Some kids love it, others seem to hate it. It seems mostly unstructured and HEAVY into videogames. There is an open house for it at some point that I'm told is fun. People talk about lots of Guitar Hero. That is also where they have the fake bridge where kids can fake steer the ship.

HTH

 

[joycsk]

Helen, I didn't expect to be talking to you in real time. I wish it were your Wales. Sadly, DH has been to Great Britain, but I've yet to get there. France, Italy, Norway and St. Maarten are my limits so far. And hey, does Texas count? It's almost like a foreign country for us Yanks?? (Sorry Marci!)

I've started gathering things for our gift bags and FE and am getting very excited! Oh, Dan, will Jake want to be part of our Fish Extender exchange? (I'm hoping that if the cousins are in. . .)

 

[MrsJobba1]

Helen, I didn't expect to be talking to you in real time. I wish it were your Wales. Sadly, DH has been to Great Britain, but I've yet to get there. France, Italy, Norway and St. Maarten are my limits so far. And hey, does Texas count? It's almost like a foreign country for us Yanks?? (Sorry Marci!)

I've started gathering things for our gift bags and FE and am getting very excited! Oh, Dan, will Jake want to be part of our Fish Extender exchange? (I'm hoping that if the cousins are in. . .)

LOL
Its 2.30pm here and I'm in the middle of housework - I Job share my class with my friend which works out really good; She works Mon, Tues, Wed am. Then I take over and do Wed pm, Thurs & Fri.

I was just thinking about what sort oif thing to put in my gift bag.

Also is anyone ordering a basket from Shirley -I'm thinking of getting dave one

 

[marcij]

The general info on the DIS says that 13 is in the stacks/teen club. On the Navigators for a recent Feb. 09 - 7 night Magic, it lists 10 - 13 as OceanQuest? That's what confused me.

My kids actually have also liked going to the clubs! They like to pick and choose their activities.

Sorry about those of you who don't have your kit yet. I think ours came in last Monday or so. I hope you all get yours ASAP!

 

[marcij]

Helen -- I love Shirley! We'll be doing sand pail baskets for our boys. A friend of mine on the creative thread sent me a cute one for my 40th three years ago. Shirley does such a great job and she's such a good person. She sent me a packet of info when we did the Western for Key West.


I had forgotten you job-share. That is so cool. Did you want me to pick up a FE and bring it for you, or are you just going to participate in the initial Dis meet exchange? Just let me know. I'm happy to help.

 

[MrsJobba1]

So far as travels I have visited
-

USA (or orlando 7 times),
France,
Spain,
Greece,
Rhodes,
Cozumel, Keywest & Grand caymen, Nassau (7night Western)
Tunisia
Italy
Sciliy

Dave has visited
USA (or orlando 7 times),
France,
Spain,
Cozumel, Keywest & Grand caymen, Nassau (7night Western)
Egypt & the red Sea (numerous diving trips)
Thailand (diving)

Daves very first flight was a 9.5 hours to Orlando.

 

[joycsk]

Yes, technically, I am at work. However, we have the dreaded state testing - Helen, if you've heard of Bush's "No Child Left Behind" I can state that it is one of the greatest nightmares facing American public education. Anyway, I wasn't scheduled to proctor today, and I can only grade and type so long before I go bonky.

Marci, can you tell me the cost of Shirley's sand toys? I've considered getting some, but wasn't sure and was avoiding calling just yet. Also, do you leave them, or bring them home?

I was also thinking of getting flowers as it will be my parents anniversary. Anyway, many thanks! It's neat that we were all online together for a brief shining moment.

 

[marcij]

It's been a couple of years since I've ordered, but they ranged in price from $35 and up, I think. You can send her some stuff to put in it, or she can tell you what she has/can buy. We usually leave the buckets, but take the squirt guns and sometimes the shovels/other diggers. The pails come with juice or sodas and candy/snacks.

She will also do flowers, or you can order them from Disney.

 

[MrsJobba1]

Hi

Just to keep you informed - I spoke to my contact at DCL today and confirmed we had the 12 people. She is now going to process our request officially. She said that she will review the request the 1st week of July and let me know if we are successful.

In the meantime she advises- when booking opens (105/90/75 daysout)everyone make an individual reservations. If we are successful you would have to cancel the individual reservation as you are not allowed 2 bookings.

This would have to be done promptly - it might be an idea to PM your email address so I can contact you quickly if needed.

Fingers x

 

[MrsJobba1]

Hi I have been putting off this off but its been in the back of my mind. I even had a bit of a nightmare when the computer said no! but Dave and I have sat down tonight an completed our ESta's. Both came back approved (although I think I still would have come) LOL

This holiday has been 3 yrs in the planning and I was not going to let the USA govt spoil it -

I am soooooooo relieved

 

[disneymom8589]

Hi I have been putting off this off but its been in the back of my mind. I even had a bit of a nightmare when the computer said no! but Dave and I have sat down tonight an completed our ESta's. Both came back approved (although I think I still would have come) LOL

This holiday has been 3 yrs in the planning and I was not going to let the USA govt spoil it -

I am soooooooo relieved

I'm glad everything worked out well for you! Thank you for the Palo brunch update, too!

 

[DanielSan]

Hey Danny! You were REALLY lurking as even I didn't know you were here. Lucky I didn't say anything nasty about you.

We got our "My Cruise Travel Kit" today - nothing really new in terms of info - but still exciting to look at.

I did notice that the children's area ages are wonky - one says 8-12 and one says 10-14. I think the ages are different on the Magic/Wonder and have to look into that. I know I'm putting Johnna up into the 8 year old group but I'm not sure where Bennett goes yet. How old is Jake?

We are planning on doing the Doubloon Sail and Snorkel on St Thomas/St. John. Dan - it's the one where you snorkel with sea turtles. It's only 3.5 hours so we should have beach time or shopping or whatever.

Barbara

Now, what possibly could you have said about me that's nasty??

That Sail and Snorkel one sounds right. Anne will be very excited.

Anne and I are going to sign up for the kayak excursion at Castaway Cay. It's the only one that Anne specifically pointed out and said, "I want to do that!"

You're right - no new information in the Travel Kit, but it IS fun to look through! I keep having to remind myself that I have a week vacation at Cape Cod two weeks before the cruise!

 

[MrsJobba1]

Now, what possibly could you have said about me that's nasty??

That Sail and Snorkel one sounds right. Anne will be very excited.

Anne and I are going to sign up for the kayak excursion at Castaway Cay. It's the only one that Anne specifically pointed out and said, "I want to do that!"

You're right - no new information in the Travel Kit, but it IS fun to look through! I keep having to remind myself that I have a week vacation at Cape Cod two weeks before the cruise!

Hi Dan and all

Happy weekend!

Dan where is cape cod? I think I've heard the name but can't place it?

Kim hows the weather - hope the snow has stopped.

I think we are going to have sun tomorrow - cold but sunny all my daffodils have come out so I have some colour in my garden.

oh well off to do tea.

Take care
x

 

[DanielSan]

Dan where is cape cod? I think I've heard the name but can't place it?

Cape Cod is part of Massachusetts, USA. It's a large, curved peninsula on the northern Atlantic coast. Very beautiful area. Lots of lighthouses and beaches. Frequently, people just refer to it as "The Cape."