August 27, 2006 4 night Wonder

[newbiecruisers]

guess I screwed up the whole quote thing..

 

[gichicdoc]

Emmabelle, SS Oceanlover and other august 27 Wonder Cruisers:
We (DH, DS 13 and DD 13) will be joining you for the August 27-31 cruise.
Kids are excited about the teen program and I am wondering if there are any parents with teens who can give some advice/tips about this program? It doesn't seem as though there are too many posters with Teens on this board.
Finally, is there any plan to get together during the the departure party or later? I would love to meet up with other folks who are dedicated to trip
planning as I am.
I have been reading Emmabelle's MrsScooby's and SS Oceanlovers posts for months now.
Best,
m.

 

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Emmabelle, SS Oceanlover and other august 27 Wonder Cruisers:
We (DH, DS 13 and DD 13) will be joining you for the August 27-31 cruise.
Kids are excited about the teen program and I am wondering if there are any parents with teens who can give some advice/tips about this program? It doesn't seem as though there are too many posters with Teens on this board.
Finally, is there any plan to get together during the the departure party or later? I would love to meet up with other folks who are dedicated to trip
planning as I am.
I have been reading Emmabelle's MrsScooby's and SS Oceanlovers posts for months now.
Best,
m.

Welcome Gichicdoc. Unfortunately I have never sailed DCL before so I can't be much help with that.

Newbiecruisers,
The dolphin encounter is where you are in the water on the platform. You pet the dolphins, kiss them and dance with them. It is $85 pp if you book independently.

The swim you are actually in the water with them and they push you through the water by your feet. That price is $160pp booking independently.

Bill

 

[newbiecruisers]

SS. Oceanlover,

Thanks! I think thats a little pricey for my family of 5. We'll stick with the Stingray Excursion. I just read BarbMouse's trip report and she raved about it. She also said they had plenty of time for the Straw Market which we were worried about. I've been there before as a child, but everyone should experience it once I think. "braid your hair lady?"

Gichicdoc,
Welcome! I think a little get together would be fun near boarding time! My son 14 is worried about making friends quickly. Maybe ours teens would hit it off. His hair is too long so he could pass for a boy or a girl

 

[gichicdoc]

I think a DISboard party at sail away would be GREAT!!
I know my DD(13) would be very excited about meeting any teens at the start of the cruise ; DS (13 too) is a little less outgoing but friendly.
So what do you August 27 Wonder cruisers say????
Particularly interested in cruisers with Teens and Tweens....Emmabelle, SSOCeanlover, Bellelinus, MrsScooby, Newbiecruisers, BDMoose..You in?

 

[MrsScooby]

Welcome Gichicdoc,
Glad to see this party is picking up
We missed the sail away party last time due to rain, so are looking forward to it this time. Deck nine or ten is the question .

The DIS color is "lime" or "alien" green. Last time we wore green leis so that we would recognize each other.(easy to get at any party store) We only got together for about 20 minutes at three o'clock in one of the lounges, but it was nice to bump into each other during the cruise and say hi to a friend. (I'm open to meeting where ever others want though )

We have Palo brunch at 11:00 am and anyone is welcome to join us!! You won't miss the dining room and I hear Palo brunch is better than the dinner. (reservations can be made on the ship if you get there early and I hear that the wait list usually produces something most of the time)

Hey Hobbitmomma,
I can totally relate to the needing a vacation. I did a major career change last summer and it has been one very tough adjustment. Very humbling to go from the trainer in one job to the trainee in another. I'm looking forward to very difficult task of picking out my food on this cruise

If anyone is interested, there is a wine tasting class/seminar that needs to be signed up for at quest services as well as a bridge tour. I'm not sure when they are exactly, either on Nassau day or the at sea day. The bridge tours will be gone once the Wonder goes into dry dock in October.

Laurie

Still working on figuring out those darn links !!

 

[newbiecruisers]

Mrs. Scooby,
You seem to be the vet here so just tell us newbies where to go and when. I like the idea of wearing something that makes it easy to find each other. I think the mandatory safety meeting for everyone is around 4pm.

I CANT WAIT ANY MORE!!!!!! HAVING TROUBLE SLEEPING!!!!!!

 

[gichicdoc]

I am thinking maybe a get-together around 4:00 on the pool deck (?9) or the one above that (?10). That way folks can enjoy the party, music etc. and we can get some introductions in before it gets too loud.
I had read in other threads about bubbles, goody bags, etc for the kids with each famiy contributing something but our kids are too old for that. Instead, I was thinking a silly string fight (is that allowed???) and maybe hacky sack or something. I'm open to ideas. I have heard that it is really helpful for the teens to make connections early in the cruise for the best experiences.
My DD (13) does pin trading. Anyone else on our cruise doing that??
Anyway, I am getting sooo excited. I think this planning and research thing is an addiction though

 

[MrsScooby]

Hi all,
I've only done this once before, 4 years ago. Please forgive me if I give wrong info
The problem with 4:00 is that is when the mandatory lifeboat drill is. They take it very seriously, no problems like the Titanic here, they are prepared
I know bubbles are ok, because I've read others doing that. Bubble guns came up on one thread for those of you who don't like the arm waving
(I think silly string may be a problem though in terms of clean up though )
My kids (DS12 and DD9) are into pin trading...ok and me too And I have heard that the first night is when most teens meet their buddies, so not a bad idea to bite the bullet and make them go. Of course my DS is hyper focused on computer games so unless he finds someone that speaks Runescape he will be on his own most of the time.
I have to check some of those DISmeet threads for some ideas !!

Laurie

 

[gichicdoc]

[FONT=Palatino Linotype]Sail Away Party[/FONT]

MrsScooby (Laurie):

We definitely have to meet up. Our DS lives and breathes Runescape while DD lives and breathes pins .

She's dragged me into the pin trading thing as well- -I have about 50 myself but her collection is far more extensive.

I forgot about the drill at 4pm. How about right after? That would probably give us about a half hour before the actual party starts at 4:45 to chat and select a spot.

We did the cruise (actually the 3 night) last spring ('05) but hadn't found this board beforehand.

I think the lime green lei thing is a good idea as are bubble guns

Let us know if you come up with any other ideas from other threads and I'll keep my eyes open too.

I can almost hear that "When you wish upon a star" jingle now!

michelle

 

[newbiecruisers]

I know how you feel. My wedding song was "A Dream Is A Wish..." (10 year anniversary this month! )

My son plays Tibia. Yours ever hear of that one?

 

[Hobbitmomma]

Welcome Gichicdoc,

Hey Hobbitmomma,
I can totally relate to the needing a vacation. I did a major career change last summer and it has been one very tough adjustment. Very humbling to go from the trainer in one job to the trainee in another. I'm looking forward to very difficult task of picking out my food on this cruise

!

Yeah it's been crazy for me, but mostly because both parents are aging and in failing health. In fact, my sister is flying out from Arizona to stay with my dad while we are on vacation so that I don't have to worry about him. (Mom is in a nursing home.) So, anyone who is in a "sandwich" situation like me (my kids are 5 and 7) understands how stressful and time consuming this is.

I would love to meet up with some folks who have kids around the same ages. (daughter 5, son 7) They don't even know they are going. We are going to tell them on the plane with little hints that I am making to put in their books and backpacks. We're doing 3 days in the parks and then on to the cruise. My daughter is all about the princesses! My son is nuts about Jack Sparrow, Star Wars and Harry Potter.
40 days and counting!!!

 

[MrsScooby]

I want to try posting a link again. This thread has some pretty recent 4 day navigators.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1103424


Let's see if this works now.

 

[MrsScooby]

 

[MrsScooby]

Hobbitmomma, It sounds like you definitely need some spa time !!
My DH is a big Star Wars fan. He posts on a Star Wars forum as Darth Scooby which is what prompted me to pick my DIS name. My kids were close to the same age as yours were when we first went and they loved it more than the parks!

My DH and DS are in Virginia Beach for a baseball tournament (DH umpires), but when my DS returns I'll ask him about the Tibia and he'll be happy to know there are other Runescape fanatics onboard

Gathering ideas for the DIS Meet and will post some tomorrow. There are no rules for this though, so everyone feel free to add their 2 cents

 

[S.S.Oceanlover]

I want to try posting a link again. This thread has some pretty recent 4 day navigators.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1103424


Let's see if this works now.

Thanks for posting the link. Food looks pretty interesting.

Bill

 

[MrsScooby]

Those navigators may change of course, but it will give us an idea of what is likely to be going on.
I've been checking some of the other DIS meet threads to see what others are doing.
Here's the deal, most of us have early seating for dinner which means we can be eating anywhere from 5:30 to 6:00 pm. The Sail Away Party starts officially at 4:15, right after the life boat drill. I'm thinking the best time for us to meet would be on deck 10, overlooking the Goofey Pool, to chat and introduce ourselves. Then go down to deck 9 or stay on deck 10 depending on whether we're the party animal type or the people watcher type. Will be pressed for time due to need to get ready for dinner.
The alternative is to meet in one of the lounges at about 3:00, chat for a while before the boat drill. Not as much fun as the Sail Away Party, but maybe less stressful
I need a show of hands here to see what people prefer

For the record, I don't remember what anyone wore to dinner the last time we cruised. I was just thrilled to be on the boat! I'll abide by the dress code, but I'm not going to be evaluating what others are wearing.

 

[gichicdoc]

I vote for the post-drill gathering on deck 10.
Those that have earlier dinner seating (as we do) could come already dressed or leave a few minutes earlier to change.
I think our kids are going to want to get right into the pool the moment we arrive so we could do a "mini" (or Minnie, hee hee) meet at the Goofy Pool too for those that are interested.

After a little swimming, maybe we could grab a bite to eat at the pinnochio pizzeria on Deck 9 (the deck with the pools).

The lounge seems away from the fun.
That said, we are flexible and I will follow majority decision. The bigger the group, the better the time

Newbiecruisers:
DS says that "Tibia" must be his Runescape player name. He said that he probably has a number with the Tibia as well. Do you know what it is? DS's is "Blazer 3,000". He was so thrilled to hear that there are other Runescape fans on board our ship as well as him.

= my DD's symbol (so if you see this symbol as well my DD and I are posting together)

 

[S.S.Oceanlover]

I looked at the menus and saw 1 night when I didn't like anything. If I get upgraded to a balcony cabin (longshot) could I cook on one of those little hibachi grills on my balcony?
Does the ship have like a little convenience store where I could get stuff to cook or would I need to buy it right before getting onboard and getting it in my refridgerator ASAP? How about ordering a couple steaks uncooked from room service? First time on Disney so I don't know anything about how they run their ships.

TIA

Bill

 

[newbiecruisers]

I like the idea of hanging out at the sail away party. Seems like a logical time to get to know one another. My kids will definately want to hang by the pool asap before things get started. So I will probably need to get everyone decent for dinner. I'm not too worried about time constraints. I do think we should wear something that ties us together so we will know each other if we come across one another before the party.

Gichicdoc,
I guess Tibia is a game similar to Runescape. My son says he has played Runescape in the past. At least they'll be able to communicate. I don't get these online games. He could play for 24 hours if you let him!

Been looking at pin trading. Are there any rules I should know about?

Anyone dressing up for pirate night? Do they give you any help?