Bahamas?? Alaska??? BAHAMAS! Dream coming true June 21-26, 2011

[franandaj]

Another odd thing about age...you know how old I was when I started getting grey hair???? 15 YEARS OLD!!! It's horrible! It's gotten worse over the past couple years...and I'm not just talking about a few strands here and there...there are PATCHES of grey/white hairs throughout my head! It's not fun or pretty that's for sure!

The late seating is like 830?? So I guess not late for some people, but at home i'm making dinner at around 515 so it will be done by at least 615 and yes, we are old people!!

I can't believe you had gray hair at 15!

I've always eaten late, as a kid I was on swim team and we were working out until 7PM, get in a shower, change, wait for your car pool....I was home around 8 or 8:30 and Mom would have dinner on the table. It drives my DP crazy, she wants to eat before 7PM and as hard a I try, I just can't get it together by then!

 

[Leshaface]

I can't believe you had gray hair at 15!

I've always eaten late, as a kid I was on swim team and we were working out until 7PM, get in a shower, change, wait for your car pool....I was home around 8 or 8:30 and Mom would have dinner on the table. It drives my DP crazy, she wants to eat before 7PM and as hard a I try, I just can't get it together by then!

Isn't it ridiculous!? I've been dying my hair ever since! My mom started getting 'pre-mature greys' around my age too, maybe a little older and same with her mom...it's all genetics from what I heard. HOWEVER, my mom and grandmother have TONS of hair! I'd take grey hair over loss of hair ANY DAY!!

My goodness that's late!! I think it's also because I go by the rule of not eating 3-4 hours before I go to bed (I have IBS and it irritates it more when I eat later)...guess this means i'll have to stay up later! Hope the pools are open late!

Hey Alison, do you know anything about reservations for Palo/Remy, as far as if I get to request a specific time to dine, or do they assign based off your early/late dining seating?!

 

[MickeyMaz]

We'll be on the cruise also. First trip for the family. FYI, you might want to pad your boarding time a little. Everything I have read so far says they they stop boarding at 4:00 in preperation to sail.

So this is what our schedule is:

Monday, June 20, 2011 - We'll be flying out of LAX to MCO and will be staying at the Hyatt in the Orlando airport the night before. Just a good kick start to our vacation!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011 - We'll be boarding the Dream around 3:45!!!!

 

[Leshaface]

We'll be on the cruise also. First trip for the family. FYI, you might want to pad your boarding time a little. Everything I have read so far says they they stop boarding at 4:00 in preperation to sail.

Hi!

I should have wrote, the ship will be leaving at 3:45 and not boarding! We plan on getting there as early as possible!

I've been reading conflicting things though on the cruise thread...one person said to get there as early as 11 am to get in line, and others have said to wait about an hour before the ship leaves so you won't have to wait to long in line?

What will you be doing?!

 

[podsnel]

Hi! What an awesome Mom you have!!! You are going to LOVE the cruise!!! We have taken 2 westerns on the Magic, and I think I may be going on the Dream with girlfriends next year... we'll see....

Anyway....I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents about boarding....some people love to go early and get onboard asap, and that's great, you just will wait in lines; we like to show up around 1:00, there are very small lines (if any) then, and we still get to enjoy lunch onboard and we get (almost) right into our cabin...but showing up an hour before sounds like you would miss lunch and barely have time to get to the Muster Drill after dropping stuff in your cabin- also, alot of times if your DIS thread has a meet, it is often done around 3 that day. Hope this helps you, and I can't wait to read all about your cruise! You always write a happy report!

 

[Leshaface]

Hi! What an awesome Mom you have!!! You are going to LOVE the cruise!!! We have taken 2 westerns on the Magic, and I think I may be going on the Dream with girlfriends next year... we'll see....

Anyway....I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents about boarding....some people love to go early and get onboard asap, and that's great, you just will wait in lines; we like to show up around 1:00, there are very small lines (if any) then, and we still get to enjoy lunch onboard and we get (almost) right into our cabin...but showing up an hour before sounds like you would miss lunch and barely have time to get to the Muster Drill after dropping stuff in your cabin- also, alot of times if your DIS thread has a meet, it is often done around 3 that day. Hope this helps you, and I can't wait to read all about your cruise! You always write a happy report!

My mom is super awesome!!

Then i'm gonna take your advice and tell my bro and sis in law about boarding around 1ish then! How long did you actually wait..like 30 mins?? And I COMPLETELY forgot that we can eat as soon as we board, and lunch on board sounds like a splendid idea!

 

[franandaj]

Honestly our cruise was so long ago, I don't remember how they handled the timing at Palo. Also you couldn't make online reservations back then. It was mad dash to whatever you wanted to book. Fran ran to the excursions, I ran to Palo and the Spa!

 

[bangzoom6877]

Have you seen any difference with your body, as far as losing weight or feeling more toned, with this new program you're on since it's more cardio based?

And that's insane to already have arthritis! I've had tendinitis in my hands since I was 21...had to wear a brace around my hand to keep it from cramping, and i'm POSITIVE it will get worse as I get older... my hands get so exhausted from doing normal things like washing dishes, etc. Another odd thing about age...you know how old I was when I started getting grey hair???? 15 YEARS OLD!!! It's horrible! It's gotten worse over the past couple years...and I'm not just talking about a few strands here and there...there are PATCHES of grey/white hairs throughout my head! It's not fun or pretty that's for sure!

DH is the same way about doing a DIS meet...but I think he would get over it once he realizes how fantastic DIS people really are!

I definitely notice a difference. My weight is the same, but my body is more toned than it had been since I stopped lifting heavy weights. Don't get me wrong, I was still pretty toned (just not as much as I was at the peak of doing Chalean Extreme) but Turbo Fire definitely helped to tone some more. I also have tons more endurance. If I do a regular cardio workout now (like one from Turbo Jam), I feel a huge difference. It feels very slow to me in comparison, and it takes me longer to break a sweat.

My goodness that's late!! I think it's also because I go by the rule of not eating 3-4 hours before I go to bed (I have IBS and it irritates it more when I eat later)...guess this means i'll have to stay up later! Hope the pools are open late!

I also don't eat late at night, and I also gave IBS. It definitely is worse if I eat late at night. That's why if we go to a night wedding, I usually enjoy the food at the cocktail hour but I hardly eat the dinner, since it would be served at 10 or 11pm! I'm just not used to eating that late. We eat dinner anywhere between 5:30 and 6:30 every evening, and I try to go to bed at 10, but a lot of times I end up going to be at 11. I don't eat after I finish dinner and a small dessert.

Hi!

I should have wrote, the ship will be leaving at 3:45 and not boarding! We plan on getting there as early as possible!

I've been reading conflicting things though on the cruise thread...one person said to get there as early as 11 am to get in line, and others have said to wait about an hour before the ship leaves so you won't have to wait to long in line?

What will you be doing?!

I like getting to the ship terminal as early as possible. When we cruise out of NY, we leave the house at 9am. This will be the first sailing that we leave out of NJ, but we live about 40 minutes from the ship terminal in Manhattan, so we would be there by 10am if there was just a little traffic. Then we wait in the sitting area until they let us onboard. I have been able to board between 11am and 11:30am most times. I like getting onto the ship as early as possible, walk around and get to know my way around the ship. Plus, as soon as you get onboard, they lead you right up to the buffet where they serve lunch! So, you get some delicious food, then get to explore for a few hours before sailing. By the time we sail, all of us are very relaxed, drink in hand, and partying!

 

[praisehisname]

But now that gets me wondering...how does Remy or Palo work? When I go to request a seating at Remy, will they put me under my 'normal' dining shift or do I get to request a seating time?!

You will be able to request a seating time for Palo/Remy. We had late dining on our last cruise, so we did an early dinner at Palo and then sat with our kids in the regular dining room while they ate. That way we also got to see our regular servers.

 

[MickeyMaz]

And then I've read some people are already on the Aquaduck before sailing. We are planning to get there early. The line is part of the experience, isn't it?

Hi!

I should have wrote, the ship will be leaving at 3:45 and not boarding! We plan on getting there as early as possible!

I've been reading conflicting things though on the cruise thread...one person said to get there as early as 11 am to get in line, and others have said to wait about an hour before the ship leaves so you won't have to wait to long in line?

What will you be doing?!

 

[heathsf]

....ugh, how I hate eating late! So our itinerary for night will be show then dinner, not dinner then a show...oh well!

I am used to eating pretty early too - I usually start cooking dinner when I get home from work around 4:30 or 5 - but on my cruises I chose the late dinner. They were both on Royal Caribbean but I'm assuming the experience is similar. I liked eating late because I felt like I was able to do more things throughout the day. With so much going on both on and off the ship we never felt rushed to get back to the room to shower/get ready for dinner and we really liked that. Plus it also felt different from our everyday routine which was also nice

And like most decisions you'll make on the cruise, you're going to have a fabulous time regardless! All options are great options!!

I WISH my mom would come with us...she has a HUGE fear of flying so there's no way we could get her to come with us...if we ever do a cruise out of LA though, there's a better chance of her going on a cruise with us! Plus, she's OBSESSED with her dogs and she wouldn't want to leave them for a week..she's also babysitting my lovely little pug!

This sounds exactly like my mom! She didn't fly between 1985 and 2008. It was actually to go on a cruise that she finally overcame her fear and flew for the first time in 23 years! Even now, she makes herself sick with fear for an entire week before flying. And she's also obsessed with her dog.

Anyway sorry I fell behind on your PTR but I'm caught up now!

 

[franandaj]

I agree that the later seating is great, especially when there are shore excursions that might come back late. Perhaps you mihgt want to hang out before you go to dinner. Hopefully you two will make it work out for you!

 

[Leshaface]

I also don't eat late at night, and I also gave IBS. It definitely is worse if I eat late at night. That's why if we go to a night wedding, I usually enjoy the food at the cocktail hour but I hardly eat the dinner, since it would be served at 10 or 11pm! I'm just not used to eating that late. We eat dinner anywhere between 5:30 and 6:30 every evening, and I try to go to bed at 10, but a lot of times I end up going to be at 11. I don't eat after I finish dinner and a small dessert.


I like getting to the ship terminal as early as possible. When we cruise out of NY, we leave the house at 9am. This will be the first sailing that we leave out of NJ, but we live about 40 minutes from the ship terminal in Manhattan, so we would be there by 10am if there was just a little traffic. Then we wait in the sitting area until they let us onboard. I have been able to board between 11am and 11:30am most times. I like getting onto the ship as early as possible, walk around and get to know my way around the ship. Plus, as soon as you get onboard, they lead you right up to the buffet where they serve lunch! So, you get some delicious food, then get to explore for a few hours before sailing. By the time we sail, all of us are very relaxed, drink in hand, and partying!

Luckily for me, my IBS hasn't been bothering me as much lately...not to be gross, but some people get diarrhea when they have IBS...I get constipated very bad...and it actually usually happens when we're on vacation, evertime!! Even if it's a short weekend thing, I get constipated...It's more annoying that I can't 'relieve' myself, especially after I've eaten a humongo meal! So i'm really hoping i'll be okay once we board..

I was thinking as soon as we board we could grab a drink and start exploring the ship and checking out all the lounges, pools, etc!

You will be able to request a seating time for Palo/Remy. We had late dining on our last cruise, so we did an early dinner at Palo and then sat with our kids in the regular dining room while they ate. That way we also got to see our regular servers.

AWESOME!!! Hopefully we can request an early dining seating like 630 or 7...it's a full ship so i'm hoping there will be some spots available when my 75 days comes around..I know that club members and more 'experienced' cruisers get to make appts for things sooner then 1st time cruisers so I hope this will be okay!

And then I've read some people are already on the Aquaduck before sailing. We are planning to get there early. The line is part of the experience, isn't it?

Haha you're right it is!! I'm soooo excited for the Aquaduck!! The last time i've been on a 'waterslide' was when I was 11 or 12, and as soon as I stood up to get out of the pool at the bottom of the slide, a wasp ran smack dab into my upper abdomen and got me soooo good.. I haven't been on a slide since then so this will be my first in 15 years!!

I am used to eating pretty early too - I usually start cooking dinner when I get home from work around 4:30 or 5 - but on my cruises I chose the late dinner. They were both on Royal Caribbean but I'm assuming the experience is similar. I liked eating late because I felt like I was able to do more things throughout the day. With so much going on both on and off the ship we never felt rushed to get back to the room to shower/get ready for dinner and we really liked that. Plus it also felt different from our everyday routine which was also nice

And like most decisions you'll make on the cruise, you're going to have a fabulous time regardless! All options are great options!!


This sounds exactly like my mom! She didn't fly between 1985 and 2008. It was actually to go on a cruise that she finally overcame her fear and flew for the first time in 23 years! Even now, she makes herself sick with fear for an entire week before flying. And she's also obsessed with her dog.

Anyway sorry I fell behind on your PTR but I'm caught up now!

I've been reading also, that you're not rushing around as much at your port stops trying to do/see everything, and then rushing back to the ship and getting ready for dinner...I never even thought about it from that angle! So now i'm not as bummed about the later seating!

I'm sooo hoping one day we can get my mom to WDW!! She had said, not too long ago, that when one of us (either me or my bro...gonna be my bro at this point ) has kids, she would go with us to experience it with her grandchildren...but i'm not gonna get pregnant anytime soon just so she can go to WDW!! I'll do anything for my mom, but ehhh, i'll wait on this one!

I agree that the later seating is great, especially when there are shore excursions that might come back late. Perhaps you mihgt want to hang out before you go to dinner. Hopefully you two will make it work out for you!

Oh we'll definitely make it work!! DH was a little disappointed at first, but i think he'll get over it!

 

[Leshaface]

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!!! Anyone doing anything special?

Tonight, for dinner, i'll be making a shrimp linguine that DH LOVES (haven't made it in forever) with some crab crakes, cheesy bread and a salad...for dessert, I haven't decided yet..I was thinking maybe chocolate covered strawberries or perhaps a peach cobbler (he looooves peach cobbler) so I might do that...we'll see!!


Okay so a bit of an update...remember when I was whining about my late dinner seating?!? Well i'm not complaining anymore! I've found some pretty darn good reasons to be happy about eating later!

- Ports: as Heather and Alison mentioned, this will give us ample time at the ports to do everything we want to do/see...we won't have to rush to get to our 530 seating and get showered/dressed beforehand!
- Pools: I was reading that the pools clear out pretty good around 430 for people to get ready for their dinner seating...wish will give us more time to lounge around at the pools (drinks in hand OF COURSE!)
- Servers: From my research, the servers tend to be more relaxed and not as stressed compared to the earlier seating...they're not trying to rush around to turn these tables over since we'll be the last seating of the evening!

So, as you can see, i'm more happier about our later seating! The only downside I read, was that at the Pirate Night, they have a buffet set up, and we won't be hungry enough to partake since we'll be getting out of dinner..oh well..

Another thing...not sure if I asked this on my thread, or on another, but iI was thinking about bringing a bottle or two of wine with us...then I got to reading about regulations regarding 'packing' your bottle of wine in your checked luggage...I guess it has to be wrapped/packaged a specific way...then I read something about 'cube' wine Is this just boxed wine?? We like boxed wine too, and there is A LOT in a box...then I remembered, it's pretty heavy! THEN lmao I thought, since we'll be staying one night at the MCO Hyatt, maybe we can get a cab to a liquor store near the airport to pick up our own wine??? Ahhhh DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!!!!!




On another note...I brought up to DH last night about wanting to go to WDW...he said to start planning for Dec/Jan of 2013!!!! It's just in planning of course, since we don't know his EXACT school schedule yet, but that it will be AMPLE time to start saving for a trip, since it will be about a year and a half away from our Cruise trip in June!!!

 

[franandaj]

Another thing...not sure if I asked this on my thread, or on another, but iI was thinking about bringing a bottle or two of wine with us...then I got to reading about regulations regarding 'packing' your bottle of wine in your checked luggage...I guess it has to be wrapped/packaged a specific way...then I read something about 'cube' wine Is this just boxed wine?? We like boxed wine too, and there is A LOT in a box...then I remembered, it's pretty heavy!

Whose rules are you talking about? Are you talking customs or the airlines?

 

[Leshaface]

Whose rules are you talking about? Are you talking customs or the airlines?

The actual airlines...from what I gathered on the wine thread, they said it needs to be in one of those wine armour(sp?) sleeves in your checked baggage

 

[franandaj]

The actual airlines...from what I gathered on the wine thread, they said it needs to be in one of those wine armour(sp?) sleeves in your checked baggage

The wine thread????? Please share!

I have been just putting bottles of wine in my suitcase for probably 15 years and never did any special packing!

 

[Leshaface]

The wine thread????? Please share!

I have been just putting bottles of wine in my suitcase for probably 15 years and never did any special packing!

Here ya go! Check out post 74 about the packaging thing!

Well dang!!! Now I don't know what to do!!!

 

[lilpooh108]

We bought alcohol prior to the cruise (but after we landed) to avoid packing it. The alcohol has to be carried on the cruise (can't be in checked luggage). There's a corkage fee if you bring the bottle to dinner. There's no corkage if you bring a glass of wine with you to dinner.

The boxed wines are wines which are packed in vacuum sealed bags and placed in cubes. There is a really really really tasty mixed zin that they sell at costplus world market (I see you're from California) called "Wine 4 Grilling," which is a mix of various reds. I was skeptical when the wine guy at costplus sold it to me, but man it's really good (esp for boxed wine).

Here is a random website with a picture of the wine: http://www.uncork29.com/blog/2008/05/27/terlatos-wine-4-chilling-and-wine-4-grilling/

 

[franandaj]

Here ya go! Check out post 74 about the packaging thing!

Well dang!!! Now I don't know what to do!!!