August 24th 2012 Cruise to the Bahamas!!!!

[templed]

It seems that everyone disappeared?

 

[dizneeat]

It seems that everyone disappeared?

Not really disappeared, but busy planning my February cruise!

 

[mcd2745]

It seems that everyone disappeared?

I think once we turn the calendar to 2012, activity will pick up.

Currently, we're trying to finalize our post-cruise plans as Southwest Airlines will open up fares for that week on/around January 16. We're currently leaning towards a couple of days doing Sea World & Aquatica. If anyone has ever stayed at one of their "official" hotels - such as the Renaissance Orlando at Sea World or the Hilton Grand Vacations at Sea World - any insight would be appreciated.

 

[templed]

I booked my downward flights already. I had a bunch of Jetblue points... so I used them for the flight down.

Still waiting on booking the return flight... I'd like to see if there is any price changes.

 

[dizneeat]

I booked my downward flights already. I had a bunch of Jetblue points... so I used them for the flight down.

Still waiting on booking the return flight... I'd like to see if there is any price changes.

I bought our flights this week too! And I am so happy I did, as the price went up about 1100 Euros (1500 $) for the two of us a day later!

We are still changing around plans a bit, but it is still a week at the Florida keys - 7 nights at OKW, 9 nights on the DREAM and another 6 nights at WDW (resort to be determined )

 

[templed]

I'm all for that kind of vacation...

I remember speaking to a German Couple down in Key West one year and they told me about how many weeks of vacation they got... I was floored! 6 weeks or more... something like that.

I have a lot of vacation... 4 weeks... Wife has more... 5 weeks or so... but we're the exception, not the rule...

I wish we got as much vacation as Europeans...

 

[dizneeat]

I'm all for that kind of vacation...

I remember speaking to a German Couple down in Key West one year and they told me about how many weeks of vacation they got... I was floored! 6 weeks or more... something like that.

I have a lot of vacation... 4 weeks... Wife has more... 5 weeks or so... but we're the exception, not the rule...

I wish we got as much vacation as Europeans...

We love our long summer vacations. Tom gets 6 weeks a year (and what's left over at the end of the year carries over) and being a teacher I get lots more (9 weeks in the summer alone).
That long summer vacation gives us time to really enjoy being away, time to ajust to the time change and different climate. But nevertheless, even 4 weeks are over far too quickly.

 

[templed]

We love our long summer vacations. Tom gets 6 weeks a year (and what's left over at the end of the year carries over) and being a teacher I get lots more (9 weeks in the summer alone).
That long summer vacation gives us time to really enjoy being away, time to ajust to the time change and different climate. But nevertheless, even 4 weeks are over far too quickly.

that is great.

They (management) gets really squirley if we want to take off more than 10 days or so... Forget it if you ask for more than 2 weeks. I banked a whole mess of vacation days (nearly 35 days) in order to finish our son's adoption back in 2009. We were in Russia (Moscow and Novosibirsk) for 27 days total... I think I used about 3 weeks in the end. That was pushing it for most US firms.

 

[dizneeat]

that is great.

They (management) gets really squirley if we want to take off more than 10 days or so... Forget it if you ask for more than 2 weeks. I banked a whole mess of vacation days (nearly 35 days) in order to finish our son's adoption back in 2009. We were in Russia (Moscow and Novosibirsk) for 27 days total... I think I used about 3 weeks in the end. That was pushing it for most US firms.

It never stops to amaze me how little vacation time you are allowed to take. We have friends in Buffalo and their kids only get 10 vacation days! No wonder they are the commando type in the parks.
Tom's boss is actually happy he takes the 4 weeks off. They have students taking the positions and they are there for 4 - 6 weeks, so in order for them to not have to change their work area, they really like the original person to take a longer period of time of.

You did adopt your son in Russia? Wow! That takes a very special person to go through all the ups and downs (another friend of ours is in the process of adopting from Russia too and they have lots of problems).
Will you bring your son on the cruise? That must be so exciting for all of you!

 

[templed]

RE: Russia... Absolutely. The process itself was extremely stressful. We got stuck in the middle of a paperwork / political nightmare... and what should have taken a year... too two. When we accepted our son for adoption, they process usually is about a month's time from then, you return and go through court. We ended up having to wait about 6 months. The only advise... Patience and persistence... That's it.

Yes... Our son will be with us as well as my daughter. This will be DS's 2nd cruise. We've been all over the place with him... His first summer home, we took him to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The next summer... 7 Day Cruise and Disney... Last summer, Ocean City, MD... This summer... Disney and Cruise!!!!

LOL... Kid came from one of the coldest areas in the world (Siberia)... and is now a Caribbean Junky... just like his parents.

 

[templed]

For all you iPhone (or Adroid) Junkies like me..... Cruise Mates released an app for DCL now.

Super cool app... packing lists... ship layout... etc. VERY essential to the OCD Cruise planner.

 

[templed]

Final Payment = Made.

 

[stewartm]

Anyone cruise in Aug. before? Weather ok??

 

[templed]

Its kind of a crap shoot. While there is a potential for bad weather.... you just kind of grit your teeth and go with it.

Last year, Dream sailed right around a hurricane at around the same time we'll be sailing... so yes, it's possible... but think of it like lightning. Can it strike in the same place twice?

I've sailed March, April, July... but not this late in the summer.

 

[dizneeat]

It is time to celebrate Christmas!
Merry Christmas to ALL my DISfriends!

 

[templed]

Merry Christmas to you! Have a rare day off here after the holiday. (Although I'm off for the majority of the week).

Back to work for one day (Friday) for the close of the year...

Already spent an hour working this morning as our collections folks are in the office today and were having issues.

My son gave us a rare treat this morning... slept till 9:30 am! I guess that's what happens when you have him up late 2 nights in a row!

 

[michelle9343]

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and wishing you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year. I hope in the new year we start to become a chatty group because before we now it our cruise will be here!!!

 

[dizneeat]

Hope everyone had a nice Christmas!
Tom and I have both been sick before Christmas. Tom was on sickleave for 3 weeks and I was off for a week myself, but all is much better now.
I am on my Christmas break until January 9 and try to catch up on threads and busy getting ready for our February Disney trip and cruise.
I promise to post lots more pics once we get back.

FE participants list!

stewartm
socababy
michelle9343
dizneeat​

 

[dizneeat]

Happy New Year!

 

[mcd2745]

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!

Hopefully, the new year will bring more "chatter" to this thread. I'm looking forward to booking our flights later this month (Southwest currently says they will open up booking on Jan 22).