August 22nd 2009 Western Carribbean Anyone?

[BlueMarlin]

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

If there are finger puppets, maybe we could call these tip-toe shoes. Perhaps best if we keep our own.

I remember when I was working in Stuttgart, I could not even go into a shoe store. I would have had to hire a cobbler to make me shoes or some sort of special order at least. : 11.5US was as big as they had.

 

[shelleyr25]

Hi everyone-

I have been busy and have not checked in lately. We are so excited for this cruise!!
Wayneg- I love the idea of name tags..we have such a big group it will be very helpful...also, nice FE!!! It came out great!!

Someone asked earlier about experiences with car service. Last time we used Tiffany from the airport to the Radisson. They were great...on time, clean car etc..I actually just booked them again for this trip!! tiffanytowncars.com.

Formal night- I doubt dh would want to put his tux on so he will probably just wear a dark suit...ds has black pants, shirt and tie and dd has a very pretty dress. As for me, thats a whole 'nother story!! I have no clue!!!!!!!

 

[agonzalez88]

Formal night - DH and DS will be in suits and ties - DS is too cute! We found a lovely dress for DD that she is in love with. I have one formal dress that I lucked out finding and finally found another one the other day. I think we are set... Now I just need to pack it all - we're driving so I know I'm going to overpack...

 

[tamman]

Aurora's Mommy,

I did have to think real hard about the $300 upgrade. I had it set aside for DH's new suit (he has one but it is an odd color and he didn't want to wear it), but we both decided heck with the suit...we want the verandah. Besides I am sure the suit coat would only be on through the appetizer and then on the back of the chair through dinner.

 

[BlueMarlin]

We were called for an upgrade, but only 2 categories for $150. This is the same upgrade we got from the guarantee policy for FREE last cruise. We declined the offer, but asked to be offered a better offer

 

[Disfools]

We took the upgrade for the verandah! Now we are in room 6058.

I have been thinking about the kids clubs and wondering if my 9 and 10 year old will be together. I thought I read somewhere that they recently changed the ages and does anyone know if they can sign in and out on their own?

 

[trimix]

We took the upgrade for the verandah! Now we are in room 6058.

How did you get a room assignment so quickly? I have a document from my TA saying we are cat 6 gty, and the DCL website still shows cat 9 gty. I have been expecting a room number between Wednesday and Friday of next week, but am hoping for sooner. I hate not knowing!

 

[Aurora's Mommy]

Aurora's Mommy,

I did have to think real hard about the $300 upgrade. I had it set aside for DH's new suit (he has one but it is an odd color and he didn't want to wear it), but we both decided heck with the suit...we want the verandah. Besides I am sure the suit coat would only be on through the appetizer and then on the back of the chair through dinner.

Yep, if I could figure out $300 I didn't have to spend, I would be all over an upgrade (we already got kids sail free, so I'm wondering if we've tapped out our deals in any case). However, it does beg the question, how ODD is the color of that suit?

I realized this morning that since we are getting back 8/29 and school starts 8/31, I'm going to have to have all the school supplies lined up before we go. Ugh, one more thing to do.

 

[tamman]

Suit is a deep olive green. From far away it looks black, but up close you can tell.

We start school after labor day (state law). We will have a week before school starts once we get back. I teach and I have a feeling that my first day back will be the Thursday or Friday before labor day (we are in contract negotiations and do not have a calendar yet). The last two years we came back on the Sunday before labor day. It was a little crazy (for me) trying to get unpacked and then get everything ready for school for both the kids and myself. Target should be coming out with their school sales soon...if they haven't already. If your kids are younger and require crayons and glue sticks...stock up while they are cheap!!!! They go through glue sticks like crazy...well as least we do in Kindergarten.

I still need to start to pack for the trip...not sure what I am waiting for

 

[Aurora's Mommy]

Suit is a deep olive green. From far away it looks black, but up close you can tell.

We start school after labor day (state law). We will have a week before school starts once we get back. I teach and I have a feeling that my first day back will be the Thursday or Friday before labor day (we are in contract negotiations and do not have a calendar yet). The last two years we came back on the Sunday before labor day. It was a little crazy (for me) trying to get unpacked and then get everything ready for school for both the kids and myself. Target should be coming out with their school sales soon...if they haven't already. If your kids are younger and require crayons and glue sticks...stock up while they are cheap!!!! They go through glue sticks like crazy...well as least we do in Kindergarten.

I still need to start to pack for the trip...not sure what I am waiting for

Dark olive green isn't odd. Odd would be a sherbert green or powder blue polyester leisure suit (my advanced apologies to anyone who is planning to bring their green or blue leisure suit ).

Last time I was at Target they were just setting up their school supplies. Let the sales begin! I have a 2nd grader and a 5th grader, I already have the 2nd grader's supply list, so I'm partially ready to go. Glue sticks are still a required item...I usually buy in bulk.

 

[stsomewhere]

We took the upgrade for the verandah! Now we are in room 6058.

I have been thinking about the kids clubs and wondering if my 9 and 10 year old will be together. I thought I read somewhere that they recently changed the ages and does anyone know if they can sign in and out on their own?

Both of your kids will be in the LAb together. It's ages 8-10. You can give them permission sign in/out themelves. Otherwise, you will need to drop off/ pick up each time.

 

[stsomewhere]

I have shopping for school supplies and uniforms for the last two weeks.
Matt wears a 12 slim (plus neds adjustable waist) If I don't shop earlier, I can't find them.

I bought a bunch of glue sticks (.$25 for a pack of 2 at Walmart), pencils, markers and folders. These seem to be what they go through the most.
I have not received a supply list yet,so I am guessing.

My kids start school Sept. 9.

Tammi,
Is contract nego. for 27 weeks pay period?
My sis is a teacher and they are trying to work out a deal for 27 checks since school starts so late. They have a 2 week gap between 08-09 contract and 09-10.

 

[tamman]

Our contracts always expire on June 30th. But contract salary starts the first pay in September and ends usually around the end on the school year. We have the option of spreading out our contract amount to 26 pays (every other week)...which is what most do so they do not go without a check. My first check for the new contract is scheduled on September 11th. If we do not have a contract by then, they will usually extend this years contract and salary. So far I haven't heard about anything for this year.

I do remember a few years back there were 27 pays in the year and we had to vote on if we wanted to go three weeks in between a pay period or have the checks spread out to 27 weeks and have less in each check. I think the union vote was for the second choice.

Hope this helps!!!
Tammi

 

[tamman]

Aurora's mom...I guess you're right on the suit color. We may bring it. I was hoping to get a nice family picture on formal night but just read on another thread that Shutter's does not do the white background. So that throws a wrench in my plans. I will just have to plan out another night where we have color coordinating clothing.

You can never have too many glue sticks!!!!!!!!! I always stock up on those for both home and school. I love back to school shopping!!!!

 

[tamman]

Oops...I read they have the white background just not on Formal Night.

 

[Disfools]

How did you get a room assignment so quickly? I have a document from my TA saying we are cat 6 gty, and the DCL website still shows cat 9 gty. I have been expecting a room number between Wednesday and Friday of next week, but am hoping for sooner. I hate not knowing!

I received a call for the upgrade yesterday and they asked us first for $150 to go to a Cat 9. I asked if there was anything else on the same deck that we were on already (Deck 6) and they offered us the Cat 6 on Deck 6 for $450 (not sure why that price and not $300 but we took it) I would have your TA call them and just ask if they can tell you at this time.

 

[trimix]

I realized this morning that since we are getting back 8/29 and school starts 8/31, I'm going to have to have all the school supplies lined up before we go. Ugh, one more thing to do.

OUCH! Sorry to hear about that, Denise!

A big reason why I chose this sailing is because it will give us one week after returning before classes start. Hopefully you will get home on time and everybody will be able to rest well on Sunday!

Brian

 

[Maza]

wow....24 hours...and so many posts!
Glad to hear you guys are getting great rooms...sometimes wondering if it it worth taking the risk and hoping ( or paying) for an upgrade...but i am notoriously unlucky in these things...so i just decide what we would like and book it! mind you i cant complain...our rooms where a great price! Teir 1 pricing...gotta love it!
well...i have packed the bulk of our stuff...bulk being the operative word! two huge suitcases...with smaller suitcases inside...and another one with all our FE stuff in! might make it easier for customs...and easier for us to explain...half hundred weight of shortbread...toy parrots....etc etc...
Just NY trip...one night in Fl....then we are good!
I got a new formal frock...which will be fine with my red shoes...half what it should have been......but then came out of the shop to discover ANOTHER shop...with a sale on...so spent the difference on a gorgeous dress for my DD! If I where 3 sizes smaller i would probably still be in there shopping
so, just a small list of stuff to get before we fly....and our scout camp too ofcourse. we have been buying a few bit for this too...we got a minibus today

 

[Aurora's Mommy]

OUCH! Sorry to hear about that, Denise!

Alas, the life of the family with both parents working.

10 weeks of summer break - 8 weeks of camp = 2 weeks that Mommy and/or Daddy have to take off.

Might as well go on vacation! Although, I don't recall why I we picked the second week over the first week.

 

[fluffy bunny]

Hi All,

remembered to download the photo's of the door magents. May do a few more if I have time.