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

[michelle9343]

Wow! You are way ahead of me, with your packing list. We have not even started packing for Disneyland Paris yet.
I am sure with all your planning it WILL be a super special time for Angelina! And what a beautiful name you chose for her.

Thank you she is truly my little angel

We've not gotten too far into lists just yet. We're generally experienced cruisers ... so we've got most of it down to a science.

I was in Times Square on Thursday... I got to play tour guide to my mom and brothers and their kids. Popped over to the MASSIVE Disney store in Times Square. I was looking for some pirate stuff... but I couldn't find anything believe it our not. Maybe I was looking in the wrong place.

I am a list type of person and love looking over things a million times!! It's been almost 6 years since we have cruised so I feel a little like a newbie LOL!!
I work at The World of Disney DTD and we do not have a lot of pirate stuff right now. I seems to me the only place to find a lot is at the POC ride.

 

[dizneeat]

I work at The World of Disney DTD and we do not have a lot of pirate stuff right now. I seems to me the only place to find a lot is at the POC ride.

You work at WoD?
I will come back to you and ask where you work when we are there - so we can meet up before the cruise. Oh, did I mention that I LOVE to shop.

 

[mcd2745]

DW is big on lists. Me? Not so much. I figure if we forget something, we can buy it somewhere.

It will be 3 years since our last cruise. That was the Nickelodeon Family Cruise on Royal Caribbean (Freedom of the Seas). That cruise was very different than regular cruises though - all gratuities were included in your cruise fare (except for bar drinks), the main dining rooms were open seating every night (no assigned tables) and basically no dress code at all for dinner and nothing even resembling a formal night are just some of the things different about that cruise. And before that, our only other cruise was a 3-nighter on the Wonder in November of 2000 (part of our 1st anniversary trip with a WDW stay back when they had land/sea packages through DCL). So we definitely feel a little like newbies as well since that Nick cruise didn't really give us a "typical" cruise experience.

We've started looking at the excursions, and I think we'll be doing the Blue Lagoon Dolphin Encounter on Nassau day. On CC, we'll also do the Stingray Adventure and maybe rent some bikes.

I've looked on the DCL website and it lists our Pirate night as the 4th night (sea day). But, not sure if any of you have seen them, there have been a bunch of threads recently on the main cruise board about the schedule on the 5-night double-dips and how DCL's website is incorrect and that it will probably be the 3rd night (Nassau). I haven't gotten around to calling DCL yet, but those who have and were sailing the same itinerary as us (Itinerary A), albeit different dates, were told that Pirate Night is indeed the 3rd night. Really shouldn't be that difficult to correct but the website. But I'm sure most of us have seen that for all the things they do well, Disney is not very good at maintaining and updating their various websites.

 

[dizneeat]

DW is big on lists. Me? Not so much. I figure if we forget something, we can buy it somewhere.

It will be 3 years since our last cruise. That was the Nickelodeon Family Cruise on Royal Caribbean (Freedom of the Seas). That cruise was very different than regular cruises though - all gratuities were included in your cruise fare (except for bar drinks), the main dining rooms were open seating every night (no assigned tables) and basically no dress code at all for dinner and nothing even resembling a formal night are just some of the things different about that cruise. And before that, our only other cruise was a 3-nighter on the Wonder in November of 2000 (part of our 1st anniversary trip with a WDW stay back when they had land/sea packages through DCL). So we definitely feel a little like newbies as well since that Nick cruise didn't really give us a "typical" cruise experience.

We've started looking at the excursions, and I think we'll be doing the Blue Lagoon Dolphin Encounter on Nassau day. On CC, we'll also do the Stingray Adventure and maybe rent some bikes.

I've looked on the DCL website and it lists our Pirate night as the 4th night (sea day). But, not sure if any of you have seen them, there have been a bunch of threads recently on the main cruise board about the schedule on the 5-night double-dips and how DCL's website is incorrect and that it will probably be the 3rd night (Nassau). I haven't gotten around to calling DCL, but those who have and were sailing the same itinerary as us (Itinerary A) were told that Pirate Night is indeed the 3rd night. Really shouldn't be that difficult to correct but the website. But I'm sure most of us have seen that for all the things they do well, Disney is not very good at maintaining and updating their various websites.

DCL website is not the best maintained one. And yes, I have read about the itinerary of other cruisers being different from the ones posted on their website. I usually try to find a navigator (here on the boards) for "our" itinerary and go with that. Much more reliable than their website.

 

[michelle9343]

You work at WoD?
I will come back to you and ask where you work when we are there - so we can meet up before the cruise. Oh, did I mention that I LOVE to shop.

I only work there on Wednesday and it is not even every week!! I love DTD and it was a perfect place for me to work. I have been working there for over 7 years!!
I would love to meet up prior to our cruise!!

 

[michelle9343]

DW is big on lists. Me? Not so much. I figure if we forget something, we can buy it somewhere.

It will be 3 years since our last cruise. That was the Nickelodeon Family Cruise on Royal Caribbean (Freedom of the Seas). That cruise was very different than regular cruises though - all gratuities were included in your cruise fare (except for bar drinks), the main dining rooms were open seating every night (no assigned tables) and basically no dress code at all for dinner and nothing even resembling a formal night are just some of the things different about that cruise. And before that, our only other cruise was a 3-nighter on the Wonder in November of 2000 (part of our 1st anniversary trip with a WDW stay back when they had land/sea packages through DCL). So we definitely feel a little like newbies as well since that Nick cruise didn't really give us a "typical" cruise experience.

We've started looking at the excursions, and I think we'll be doing the Blue Lagoon Dolphin Encounter on Nassau day. On CC, we'll also do the Stingray Adventure and maybe rent some bikes.

I've looked on the DCL website and it lists our Pirate night as the 4th night (sea day). But, not sure if any of you have seen them, there have been a bunch of threads recently on the main cruise board about the schedule on the 5-night double-dips and how DCL's website is incorrect and that it will probably be the 3rd night (Nassau). I haven't gotten around to calling DCL yet, but those who have and were sailing the same itinerary as us (Itinerary A), albeit different dates, were told that Pirate Night is indeed the 3rd night. Really shouldn't be that difficult to correct but the website. But I'm sure most of us have seen that for all the things they do well, Disney is not very good at maintaining and updating their various websites.

I keep hoping navigators will get posted of the same itinerary as ours. Someone put some but they are photo's from a phone and not very good at all.
We don't worry about the dress code too much and I know it is a HUGE flamming thing on these boards, but on our two past DCL's we saw many that did not get all dressed up for dinner. My DH doesn't ever wear anything other then shorts ( living the florida lifestyle LOL) and he HATED that I made him put on dress pants every night so this time aound I will not make him if he doesn't want to. He did promise that the " dress-up" night he will give in to me and "dress-up". My DS will be almost 17 when we cruise and his idea of dressing up is a nice pair of Ed Hardy jeans with a dress shirt!!!
Me on the other hand LOVE getting dressed for dinner and love getting my DD dressed every night too.

 

[templed]

I only work there on Wednesday and it is not even every week!! I love DTD and it was a perfect place for me to work. I have been working there for over 7 years!!
I would love to meet up prior to our cruise!!

We'll be down at Disney prior to the cruise.... WoD is a must do for us.

Wednesday... that's AK day for us... and we have 6 pm dining reservations. ..... But if you all plan on meeting in DTD or something just let us know any maybe we can make it too? There's about 11 of us that will be coming down the weekend before...actually in total by the time of the cruise it will be 15. Another family is coming in I think Wednesday night. We're all staying at Bay Lake Tower.

Two of the families are long time DVC owners. We're brand new owners. This will be our first trip down as DVC owners.

 

[templed]

I keep hoping navigators will get posted of the same itinerary as ours. Someone put some but they are photo's from a phone and not very good at all.
We don't worry about the dress code too much and I know it is a HUGE flamming thing on these boards, but on our two past DCL's we saw many that did not get all dressed up for dinner. My DH doesn't ever wear anything other then shorts ( living the florida lifestyle LOL) and he HATED that I made him put on dress pants every night so this time aound I will not make him if he doesn't want to. He did promise that the " dress-up" night he will give in to me and "dress-up". My DS will be almost 17 when we cruise and his idea of dressing up is a nice pair of Ed Hardy jeans with a dress shirt!!!
Me on the other hand LOVE getting dressed for dinner and love getting my DD dressed every night too.

Don't sweat it. Our friends went on Dream last summer and the guys wore nice golf shorts / shirts to dinner almost every night (with the exception of Palo).

I've been on a few really strict dress code cruises... and I can honestly say... I'm over it. I have a tuxedo.... I have the suits.... etc. etc. But I wear khakis and dress shirts to work every day... so doggone it, I don't want to wear dress clothes... lol

 

[michelle9343]

We'll be down at Disney prior to the cruise.... WoD is a must do for us.

Wednesday... that's AK day for us... and we have 6 pm dining reservations. ..... But if you all plan on meeting in DTD or something just let us know any maybe we can make it too? There's about 11 of us that will be coming down the weekend before...actually in total by the time of the cruise it will be 15. Another family is coming in I think Wednesday night. We're all staying at Bay Lake Tower.

Two of the families are long time DVC owners. We're brand new owners. This will be our first trip down as DVC owners.

I think it would be EXCELLENT to have a Dis meet at WDW prior to the cruise!!
In reality I would perfer any day other then Wednesday I live close enough to Disney that I can pop over anytime in the evening. On days I work I try not to go to DTD because it make too long of a day for me . Most of the times I get a shift that from around 5:00pm-11:00PM and I am exhusted by the time it's over!! By the time I walk back to my car and drive home I am usually not home until midnight!!

 

[michelle9343]

Don't sweat it. Our friends went on Dream last summer and the guys wore nice golf shorts / shirts to dinner almost every night (with the exception of Palo).

I've been on a few really strict dress code cruises... and I can honestly say... I'm over it. I have a tuxedo.... I have the suits.... etc. etc. But I wear khakis and dress shirts to work every day... so doggone it, I don't want to wear dress clothes... lol

That's great to hear my DH will be happy to know others feel the same way he does!! I always find it funny how people get really unset about this topic my family feels they are on vacation and want to be comfortable. It's not like they would show up in bathing suits or something like that .I could care less what others are wearing I know I like to get dressed up and DH doesn't so this time around I am looking at it has a real positive so much less packing for me to do!!!

 

[mcd2745]

Don't sweat it. Our friends went on Dream last summer and the guys wore nice golf shorts / shirts to dinner almost every night (with the exception of Palo).

I've been on a few really strict dress code cruises... and I can honestly say... I'm over it. I have a tuxedo.... I have the suits.... etc. etc. But I wear khakis and dress shirts to work every day... so doggone it, I don't want to wear dress clothes... lol

Same here! Ever since most businesses went to business casual around 1999 or so....I hate having to put on a suit and tie. And just the though of dressing up more on vacation than I have to do for work? No thanks. To me, vacation means casual and comfortable.

That's great to hear my DH will be happy to know others feel the same way he does!! I always find it funny how people get really unset about this topic my family feels they are on vacation and want to be comfortable. It's not like they would show up in bathing suits or something like that .I could care less what others are wearing I know I like to get dressed up and DH doesn't so this time around I am looking at it has a real positive so much less packing for me to do!!!

I'm always surprised how heated those threads get. And the snarkiness always gets started by those who believe the lack of a tie in a cruise ship's dining room is the ruinization of mankind. It should be an individual thing. I couldn't care less what others are wearing. I wouldn't look twice at anyone whether they were wearing shorts and a t-shirt or a tuxedo.

 

[templed]

I find that it's usually the same folks that preach about "rules are rules" that preach about the "golden days of sailing" when men wore formal attire and women dressed to the nines for dinner.

I frankly have no use for it. Been there... done that... got the t-shirt.

I'm not going to inconvenience anyone else by not following protocol... but I just wish people would uncork their attitudes a bit.

 

[templed]

These boards are downright horrible.

Not only are they slow.... but it logs me out every time I go from the regular DCL board to the meet and greets...

 

[michelle9343]

Same here! Ever since most businesses went to business casual around 1999 or so....I hate having to put on a suit and tie. And just the though of dressing up more on vacation than I have to do for work? No thanks. To me, vacation means casual and comfortable.







I'm always surprised how heated those threads get. And the snarkiness always gets started by those who believe the lack of a tie in a cruise ship's dining room is the ruinization of mankind. It should be an individual thing. I couldn't care less what others are wearing. I wouldn't look twice at anyone whether they were wearing shorts and a t-shirt or a tuxedo.

I find that it's usually the same folks that preach about "rules are rules" that preach about the "golden days of sailing" when men wore formal attire and women dressed to the nines for dinner.

I frankly have no use for it. Been there... done that... got the t-shirt.

I'm not going to inconvenience anyone else by not following protocol... but I just wish people would uncork their attitudes a bit.

I knew my NEW YORK friends would have my back on this one
I always stay clear of the heated battles but sometimes do find them entertaining!!
But now that I think about it I wonder if most men would tend to agree and the Women still have the "romatic" cruising thoughts of dressing up and have to battle thier guys to get them to "dress-up" while cruising so If they had to fight you better be sure EVERYONE should be "dressed up to code"
BTW just a little over 3000hours until we CRUISE!!!

 

[templed]

I knew my NEW YORK friends would have my back on this one
I always stay clear of the heated battles but sometimes do find them entertaining!!
But now that I think about it I wonder if most men would tend to agree and the Women still have the "romatic" cruising thoughts of dressing up and have to battle thier guys to get them to "dress-up" while cruising so If they had to fight you better be sure EVERYONE should be "dressed up to code"
BTW just a little over 3000hours until we CRUISE!!!

I'd say that reality has stepped in place of romanticism.

When you have to fly down to a port, it really changes your attitude about how much you have to pack.... If I can avoid having to pack a suit / tuxedo... it definitely cuts down on the number of bags I have to pack. With No-wrinkle shirts / pants...etc. I can stay down to 1 checked bag per person.

You pay $25 plus for every "extra" bag that you have to pack... so... who wants to pay the extra money for baggage these days? Not me. When I fly (non-business)... I always fly Jetblue.... So... I get the one bag free per ticket.

And the days of the 36 inch MASSIVE roller luggage that I have ... That bag 26 lbs before you put anything into it... so having to keep below 50 lbs is a challenge as well... (Most of the time I don't bring that bag.... it's too hard to pack).

Most of the time... we're going for more than a week... so it's a challenge to keep down under 50 lbs...

 

[mcd2745]

I knew my NEW YORK friends would have my back on this one
I always stay clear of the heated battles but sometimes do find them entertaining!!
But now that I think about it I wonder if most men would tend to agree and the Women still have the "romatic" cruising thoughts of dressing up and have to battle thier guys to get them to "dress-up" while cruising so If they had to fight you better be sure EVERYONE should be "dressed up to code"
BTW just a little over 3000hours until we CRUISE!!!

Probably a very valid point about the romanticism. Perhaps many have just seen 'Titanic' too many times with their ultra-formal evenings.

In addition, a lot of women/moms want to take that nice couple/family portrait before dinner with everyone dressed up.

I'd say that reality has stepped in place of romanticism.

When you have to fly down to a port, it really changes your attitude about how much you have to pack.... If I can avoid having to pack a suit / tuxedo... it definitely cuts down on the number of bags I have to pack. With No-wrinkle shirts / pants...etc. I can stay down to 1 checked bag per person.

You pay $25 plus for every "extra" bag that you have to pack... so... who wants to pay the extra money for baggage these days? Not me. When I fly (non-business)... I always fly Jetblue.... So... I get the one bag free per ticket.

And the days of the 36 inch MASSIVE roller luggage that I have ... That bag 26 lbs before you put anything into it... so having to keep below 50 lbs is a challenge as well... (Most of the time I don't bring that bag.... it's too hard to pack).

Most of the time... we're going for more than a week... so it's a challenge to keep down under 50 lbs...

The packing thing is a major point. With most airlines charging for every checked bag, it really stresses packing as light as possible. This is something that probably wasn't such a concern in the "golden age" of cruising that some so fondly recall and want to re-create. We usually fly Southwest, so that allows us 2 "free" bags per person. However, even if we took that many bags, where do you store them in a cruise ship stateroom?

 

[templed]

I keep hoping navigators will get posted of the same itinerary as ours. Someone put some but they are photo's from a phone and not very good at all.
We don't worry about the dress code too much and I know it is a HUGE flamming thing on these boards, but on our two past DCL's we saw many that did not get all dressed up for dinner. My DH doesn't ever wear anything other then shorts ( living the florida lifestyle LOL) and he HATED that I made him put on dress pants every night so this time aound I will not make him if he doesn't want to. He did promise that the " dress-up" night he will give in to me and "dress-up". My DS will be almost 17 when we cruise and his idea of dressing up is a nice pair of Ed Hardy jeans with a dress shirt!!!
Me on the other hand LOVE getting dressed for dinner and love getting my DD dressed every night too.

If you'd like navigators.. send me an email to (see below). A friend of mine PDF'ed all of hers to me from her double dip dream cruise. I have them all nice and packaged.




scratch that... I uploaded them to google docs ... you should be able to access them from here. If you can't read them... let me know. pm me with your email address and I'll forward what I have from my email account.

(midship detective agency)
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BzaVBcetEr5ZWUh6RzZGcHg2M2s

(Navigators)
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BzaVBcetEr5ZTzVyZWJUVUN4a0U

(Welcome aboard)
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BzaVBcetEr5ZYTdfSnpvcm9TbVU

 

[mcd2745]

Google Docs is blocked here at work, so I'll check them out later tonight or tomorrow. When did they cruise, and do you know if they did itinerary A?

 

[templed]

Google Docs is blocked here at work, so I'll check them out later tonight or tomorrow. When did they cruise, and do you know if they did itinerary A?

They cruised july of last summer and they did the same itinerary we are doing.

 

[dizneeat]

I have FINALLY been able to start our detailled FE list and uploaded it.
PLEASE, if you participate, check if your details are correct and complete.

If you want to join us, please send me a PM with the details.

FE participants list!

JacksGirlz
dismiss
stewartm
socababy
michelle9343
dizneeat​

FE participants list with details ​