August 22nd 2009 Western Carribbean Anyone?

[Aurora's Mommy]

As much as I would like to see DH and DS in tuxes, we'll be bringing suits. They wore suits last time for both formal and semi-formal night, and DH wore his for Palo. We just changed up the shirts and ties a bit. Since we are flying this time and will have to limit our luggage, I probably should have seriously considered renting tuxes....

My poor Mom has come down with shingles ! She had the vaccine, so although she would have preferred to not have had it at all, the doctor said it should be a mild case, and she shouldn't have any of the nasty after effects. But, as she is my supplemental childcare, I will need to take off work tomorrow and Wednesday. The kids are in a morning theatre camp, and I'm thinking I should do some cruise-prep stuff with those 3 1/2 hours of found time. Unforturnately, probably the major thing I need to do is try on bathing suits . I probably shouldn't put it off too much longer....

 

[MrR]

In order to save luggage space I've rented tuxes/shoes for my DH and my DS. My DH can re-wear his tux when we go to Palos. Last year when we cruised I bought lovely but impractical dresses for my DD and I. The dresses were both heavy and prone to wrinkle. This year when I went shopping for dresses my two main criteria were light weight and wrinkle free. Our dresses are a little casual up against a tux but our luggage will be happy.

That's actually the reason I've rented - because, with five of us travelling, it's just going to take up too much room to bring something.

I'm not sure what I'm going to wear on the semi-formal nights, or to Palo, at this stage. Any tips? Is a casual jacket, over a shirt and jeans ok?

And which night would you guys recommend for a Palo booking?

 

[BlueMarlin]

That's actually the reason I've rented - because, with five of us travelling, it's just going to take up too much room to bring something.

I'm not sure what I'm going to wear on the semi-formal nights, or to Palo, at this stage. Any tips? Is a casual jacket, over a shirt and jeans ok?

And which night would you guys recommend for a Palo booking?

Have you checked the Palo reservations site, last I looked it was pretty tight, so you may be taking what you can get. We were one of the ones who logged on at midnight 90 days out to get the pick of the litter.

If you read the Palo dinner agreement, it states this is a suit and tie kind of place, but they will settle for dress trousers and a button up collared shirt. No polo, no Tommy Bahamas, no less than dress trousers, etc.

I would love to rent a tux but that just aint gonna happen. Last time we went into the on-board tailor shop, the hostess there had a very disturbed look on her face until I said I was there to order my daughter's birthday cake, then she visibly de-tensed, smiled, and was very friendly. Something about the possibility of finding the biggest tux on the ship, then letting it out all the way, and then adding parts of another tux, and sewing that all back together, did not seem to be on her priority list of things to do. So I will bring my charcoal pinstripe suit.

 

[Maza]

The men in our party will be dressed formally! Love to see a man dressed up...and how often does it happen? We will be bringing Daves Tux
(he is..rather annoyingly,pretty much the same size he was in his teens! but who said life was fair!) He got a new tux a couple of years ago for works formal do...and has worn it twice...never with me present...so i wanna see it! Plus it gives me an excuse to buy a new frock(s)... He even has a specially commissioned dress shirt....but all will be revealled in time! My DB is planning to get a kilt etc..but he hasnt yet! if he doesnt i will tell him he needs a tux!
Dave also has a cream linen suit and some reasonable smart/casual shirts..as well as the ubiquitous shorts and character t-shirts. I might chuck in a tie or two...for Palo or semi-formal night, but he wears a shirt and tie every day for work, so prefers the casual look outside of the office! But likes dressing up when the occasion demands!
I will be starting our packing this week...all in vacuum bags..so will be lovely and crushed by the time we unpack..hey ho...thats what the laundry service is for , yes?
I have added all the new FE bodies ( i think...i will double check )
we have made labels for our gifts..using the chilli mickey head logo Dave pulled together! we are favouring wearing Dis green for embarcation...although my little DD has a tinkerbell shirt she want to wear. it will be green or disney...

anyway...things to do. Eldest DD is off to London tonight to do her mandated work experience placement. I need to make sure she has packed properly why she couldnt go to a local shop or something i dont know...but no...its the Houses of Parliament or nothing!

 

[MrR]

Have you checked the Palo reservations site, last I looked it was pretty tight, so you may be taking what you can get. We were one of the ones who logged on at midnight 90 days out to get the pick of the litter.

Whew! You're right - looks like Palo is completely booked. Which I guess solves my dilemma over what to wear! No biggie. Next time, maybe...

 

[Mackie Mouse]

MrR...if you really do want to go to Palo, you can check once you board the ship to see of reservations are available. We missed out on booking a brunch and will be doing this.

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

Hi All,

Haven't posted in a while.....because we've had outstanding weather for the past week. I haven't seen the sun in so long that I actually was getting headaches due to the light.

I am definitely in for a rum toast. That whole issue with whether or not you can bring a bottle of alcohol onto the ship is so confusing. I think we need to call DCL and ask directly about that.

I mean come on.....you have to be able to bring a bottle of rum called "big black dick" onboard a Disney ship. Right????? I seriously want to try some of that myself.

Welcome to all the new families....this is turning into a great crowd of people on this cruise. I am really looking forward to meeting all of you.

I am sewing challenged so I got my fish extender on Ebay. There were several to choose from.

You know, I hadn't thought about whether or not to put labels on the FE gifts. My original intent was not to but I might change my mind on that.

DH does bring a tux in his luggage for formal night. We use that occasion to take our Christmas card photo. The only issue is whether or not he can still fit into the tux. Whenever he can't, he blames the dry cleaners for shrinking the tux.

We've always done late seating on DCL. It means we can have more time off the ship on port days and not be rushed to get back to the ship. Yes, the kids would fall asleep at the table when they were little but the servers are used to it and bring out extra chairs and table cloths to use as blankets and let the kids sleep at the table while we adults eat.

Both kids were away last week in Boston with their camp. I know what everyone means about being guilty for enjoying the time when the kids are away but its a good separation for all parties involved. My kids come home bursting with stories about what they did. Those are lifetime memories.

BTW......what car service are people using to get from the airport to the port? That's the last reservation I need to make. We are flying down late the night before and will be staying at the Radisson.

 

[stsomewhere]

Marina was at camp last week and we dropped Matt off on SUnday. It is not fair that they are not at camp the same week.

We have late seating, too. We had first last cruise and it was a little rushed.

We are thinking about walking to the state park/fort/beach in key West. Has anyone done this?
We walked there baout 12 yrs. ago but, the beach was closed due to jellyfish. We did not know there was a fort, also.

 

[BlueMarlin]

BTW......what car service are people using to get from the airport to the port? That's the last reservation I need to make. We are flying down late the night before and will be staying at the Radisson.

If you are staying at the Radisson at the Port, well all you have to do is take their shuttle over to the ship. That was easy.

Of course now is when I realize you mean from the airport to the Radisson.

 

[Aurora's Mommy]

BTW......what car service are people using to get from the airport to the port? That's the last reservation I need to make. We are flying down late the night before and will be staying at the Radisson.

We are flying down the afternoon before and are staying at the Residence Inn by MCO. I've booked with Southern Elegance to get down to the port on
Saturday , and then back to the airport the following Saturday .

Forgot to note earlier today, only

40

days until boarding!

 

[Aurora's Mommy]

I will be starting our packing this week...all in vacuum bags..so will be lovely and crushed by the time we unpack..hey ho...thats what the laundry service is for , yes?

Don't forget that vacuum bags still weigh the same! We had a friend who did the same thing on a trip to Australia, and ended up paying over weight charges. Maybe can put your vacuum bags into lots of little suitcases, although the darn airlines charge for extra bags, too.

 

[BlueMarlin]

Bummed - Just heard that Luke left DCL. He was on the Wonder, and I heard that he might be promoted to the Magic, alas he is there no more. Perhaps Christopher or one of the others will be the man, or maybe we will have a new brighter shining star to lead the social adult nightlife.

 

[Maza]

to be honest i am not too worried about the weight restrictions. we have never been over...we are a party of 4 technical adults...so we get 8x23kg suitcases....way more than we have ever needed...althoough we got close last year! but we have a handy fish weighing scale..before the days of special suitcase ones...so its all good. Plenty of room for a Tux and a few formal dresses
The weather here is fantastic...far too warm to be packing suitcases, but a womans gotta do what a womans gotta do.
My FE gifts are all over my bed at the minute. Debating the best way to pack without damaging...but also convenience incase the nice men/women at US immigration want to have a look at the case of shortbread, the scots toffee...and all the other bits of stuff i am lugging across the atlantic
i have been fairly ruthless with everyone about the amount of clothes we are taking. apart from the posh frocks and assorted shoes ( mine, the girls and daves)...we have a fairly limited wardrobe! I plan to do some washing at some point on the cruise...so we only need enough 'stuff' for a week. I always take far too musch,, then we never wear half of it! so...ruthless mummy this year!. have even tried to co-ordinate my own wardrobe so one pair of red heels will do every night! Cant go wrong with red heels, right?

Right....packing...

 

[julielouhoo]

Wow!! I can't believe how this board is taking off!! Everyone must be getting into vacation mode. I'm sorry it's been so long since I've posted. We are so crazy busy here.....I don't know what to do first!!

Welcome to all of the new families!! I have all of my children FE gifts done and wrapped up, but I haven't finished the family ones yet. I think they may have to wait until August!! (I have plenty of extras for any new families that decide to join in)!!

My kids are both in a play at the end of the month. My daughter caught some type of summer virus that made her lose her voice, not good when you are the lead in the show, with 3 singing solos!! I think she's about back to normal. The show isn't until the end of the month, but they are recording the CD today, so I am crossing my fingers!! I am busy working on costumes and collecting for all of the gifts at the end.

My niece is getting married on August 14th and I am having all of my brothers, sisters, cousins, etc for a brunch the next day. So, I am really going to be ready for this cruise!!

We are driving to the port, so we are actually leaving Wednesday the 19th and spending Thurs and Fri night at the Radisson. I know some other families will be there too. We will be spending the day at the pool on Friday. Maybe we can have a pre cruise pizza get together there.

Hope everyone is doing well!! Have a great day!

Terri

 

[stsomewhere]

e are driving to the port, so we are actually leaving Wednesday the 19th and spending Thurs and Fri night at the Radisson. I know some other families will be there too. We will be spending the day at the pool on Friday. Maybe we can have a pre cruise pizza get together there.

Hope everyone is doing well!! Have a great day!

Terri

That would be great. I like the idea of a pre cruise meet.

Christi

 

[BlueMarlin]

have even tried to co-ordinate my own wardrobe so one pair of red heels will do every night! Cant go wrong with red heels, right?

Absolutely, I agree. That is a great idea. I will be coordinating for everything to match my red heels, too. Maybe we could even trade for a night for a change of pace? What kind are yours? Mine are 1" Oxblood cap-toes size 14US.

 

[Maza]

Absolutely, I agree. That is a great idea. I will be coordinating for everything to match my red heels, too. Maybe we could even trade for a night for a change of pace? What kind are yours? Mine are 1" Oxblood cap-toes size 14US.

Erik- you might have a bit of trouble with my UK sz6..5 inch stilettos...although i am willing to stuff newspapers in yours...

 

[TheFatMansWife]

Hi all
Been lurking here a while but thought I had better introduce myself.
I am Karen, wife of Wayneg
25 days before we fly and no more of this for 25 nights woot

hello karen, look foeward to eeting you on board
bev

 

[wayneg]

hello karen, look foeward to eeting you on board
bev

Hi Bev
I hope you look forward to meeting her and not eating her, there will be enough food onboard for you

 

[julielouhoo]

Hi Bev
I hope you look forward to meeting her and not eating her, there will be enough food onboard for you

Too funny!! I was thinking the same thing. It's all your fault though for posting those yummy pictures of Karen's Birthday dinner!!

And here Karen just posted for the first time!! Hope it doesn't scare her off!! Now I'm worried how exactly he came to be called the Fat Man......huhm........