Bound for Barcelona - April 10, 2010 EB TA - Part 4

[DisneyHeather]

I haven't played canasta in YEARS!!!

I'm planning on bringing my Phase 10 cards & maybe the travel Yahtzee & Boggle (if my mates want to play w/ me).

I haven't played Phase 10 in a long time if it comes back quickly then I'd be willing to play with you.

 

[kumquat88]

Our DS and DDIL have started running some. They just completed their first 5K last weekend. I thought that I read somewhere WAY back that there was a 5K at Castaway Cay. Anyone have any information about this and where I might direct them to sign up if there is one?

I too inquired about this waaayyy back and my recollection is that this will be listed/scheduled in the ship's daily navigator and usually has CM's joining and/or leading. No need to sign up, just show up when and where specified. I think one can also probably do their own running around the CC island and not necessarily participate in this organized group.

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

Ok.. I guess I need to spend more time reading. The princess night is a DIFFERENT night than the formal nights? Guess I better get cracking with a costume then!

4/12: Formal Night - Prince and Princess Theme
4/16: Villain’s Menu -- perhaps new show that night??
4/17: Transatlantic Formal Night
4/18: Pirate Night
4/22: Semi-Formal Captain’s Gala
tentative dates for Character Breakfast: 14, 15 or 16th
- from the DCL Concierge

This is a schedule that Lynne has posted to her website, created for our trip. http://web.me.com/lyncorn/Site/EB_Transatlantic.html

QOTD
I am most interested in spending time in the spa and rainforest room this time around. I also didn't get into the night life much on our first cruise, but I am hoping to make it out to the clubs in the evening. What with early dinner and the time changes, I hope not to be falling asleep (like the little kids) at the dinner table this time!

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

Please hang with my while I take us off topic for a moment.

I would appriciate yours prayers, good thoughts, positive energy (etc.) for my Grandmother.

We got some very bad news yesterday that my Grandmother has reached the stage where her leukemia is no longer treatable. She is qucikly coming to the end of her life and will likely only have a few weeks to live. She is headed home today to be cared for in place by family and hospice care. Your good wishes for her comfort and peace would be greatly appriciated.

Thanks for this moment. Now let's get back to the good stuff.

 

[sdlong329]

More time to engage in the onboard alcohol tastings <<Just don't get engaged onboard during the alcohol tastings...Donna might object>>

Apparently, you do NOT know Donna too well. We will be married for 24 years ... 3 of the happiest years of my life! Heck, I think SHE would perform the ceremony!

As an aside, we sailed on Holland America (Noordam) in 2006 ... I surprised her with an onboard Vow renewal ceremony. She was surprised!


I tried to book Vow renewal ceremony on DCL, but they want $2,500+. I told DCL I'd rather book another 7-day cruise for $2,500, before paying $2,500 for a ceremony!

At Staples a 5 pack of Glossy magnetic Photo paper is like $15 ($3 a sheet)-- I have been ordering mine off of ebay from this seller (3 times already!) The stuff is great and goes through my HP home printer without a problem. It works out to a little over $1 per sheet with shipping.

--I looked at this seller a month or so ago. I have a color laser printer ... and the seller is specific to indicate they will not work with laser printers.

Is a microwave available on the ship?

--NOPE! I think I read this in a previous link, which discussed restrictions with baby formula, and bringing food onboard.

 

[kileybeth]

I haven't played canasta in YEARS!!!

I'm planning on bringing my Phase 10 cards & maybe the travel Yahtzee & Boggle (if my mates want to play w/ me).

I love all three of those games! will you be hanging out at 1pm in Diversions I think that is the planned time for games (have to recheck specifics)?

 

[kileybeth]

Which made me start thinking about the name tags. I was planning on putting each person's real name & the user name of the person with which they are associated. Perhaps a system so you know who is a DISer and who is a come-with?

Here's what I had for everyone, I think the white over white might be a little harder to read from a respectable distance:

Here I changed the user name to gold and think it might be a little easier to distinguish between the 2 names:

Non-DISer: Since you can't read the red as easily, you then don't have to remember anything they posted, facts about them....

- Lynne

Great idea! My DH is definitely a "red-won't stand out" name, he would smile and be polite but would be thinking, what has my crazy wife gotten me into now?

 

[thossink]

Great idea! My DH is definitely a "red-won't stand out" name, he would smile and be polite but would be thinking, what has my crazy wife gotten me into now?

My DW is definitely a "red-won't stand out" name, she will smile and be polite, talk you ear off and think, WHAT, my Crazy Husband has finally gotten into something that involves talking to people.

 

[woody73]

Is a microwave available on the ship?

Unfortunately, no.

Woody

 

[mishoe01]

I love all three of those games! will you be hanging out at 1pm in Diversions I think that is the planned time for games (have to recheck specifics)?

If it's a nice day - we can also grab a table out on deck 9

 

[mishoe01]

My DD works in a casino so I could bring some cards if someone wants to play canasta. That brings back fond memories of grandma and me playing while grandpa went fishing while on vacation at the Lake of the Ozarks when I was a little girl.

I'd definately need a major refresher course in canasta to play.....not sure if I remember anything more than the name since it's been so long

 

[mishoe01]

I haven't played Phase 10 in a long time if it comes back quickly then I'd be willing to play with you.

I keep the "cheat sheet" cards out all the time (and check them often!)

 

[Donaldcp98]

Great idea! My DH is definitely a "red-won't stand out" name, he would smile and be polite but would be thinking, what has my crazy wife gotten me into now?

My DH is already thinking that.

 

[auntlynne]

...a 5K at Castaway Cay. Anyone have any information about this and where I might direct them to sign up if there is one?

Depends on which CMs are on the boat - sometimes there's a runner and sometimes not. If DCL offers the morning run on CC, just show up and follow the CM - they will show you, on the map, the course to follow. If DCL is not offering the 5K, perhaps all the runners can be ready to go when the boat is cleared by Bahamian officials. CC can be very empty at the beginning of the day (and cooler, too).

...Are the celebrations noted on the spreadsheet? I want to go and look at those that we want showered w/ cards

Yes, on the spreadsheet and the website (EB Special Days).

I just went on the disney cruise line site to double check the official Disney count for number of days left until the cruise (because my brain was getting scrambled) and they had a note after our room number saying that we could upgrade to a deluxe family suite with veranda for only $101.57 per person per day. Sounds great until you actually add it up. That is only an additional $2,800+ on to the cruise! I mean there are only the two of us. Why would we want to spend the extra money!!!

I had an offer for the Med - only $158 more pp/day for our 11-night cruise. Yes, $3480 to upgrade from my GTY Cat 12 (which is now an 11) to an oceanview (Cat 9 or so). And it is no savings over the current quoted price for a Cat 9. Wondered if they would do an upgrade leapfrog and put me in some great verandah room.

I haven't played canasta in YEARS!!!

I'm planning on bringing my Phase 10 cards & maybe the travel Yahtzee & Boggle (if my mates want to play w/ me).

I love all three of those games! will you be hanging out at 1pm in Diversions I think that is the planned time for games (have to recheck specifics)?

Krisann & family will be playing games in the Promenade Lounge; Game Time with S. Long will be in Diversions at 1:00 most days - if you want some game time and need other players, these could be the places for you to hang out. Another beauty of DIS - finding playmates (and it doesn't have to be just organized activities).

4/12: Formal Night - Prince and Princess Theme
4/16: Villain’s Menu -- perhaps new show that night??
4/17: Transatlantic Formal Night
4/18: Pirate Night
4/22: Semi-Formal Captain’s Gala
tentative dates for Character Breakfast: 14, 15 or 16th
- from the DCL Concierge

This is a schedule that Lynne has posted to her website, created for our trip. http://web.me.com/lyncorn/Site/EB_Transatlantic.html...

Thank you, Lauren. I didn't even think of checking that. Yes, our Concierge-level cruiser got that some time ago for us, and I imagine it's still valid.

...Name tags: thanks for the input. I'm made several variations, but Tinked's reaction that her friend wasn't a DISer gave me the inspiration to put the gold/red color code on it.

Took Stephanie's suggestion for card stock (for magnets) and applied it to the nametags - what a difference. Paper gets wavy when the ink goes on; the card stock stays nice and straight.

Any more hints, keep passing them on.

- Lynne

 

[kileybeth]

If it's a nice day - we can also grab a table out on deck 9

near the land of paninis, fresh fruit and chicken fingers? Does life get any better?

I have to see how much room I have in my luggage but I hope to bring along my new favorite bananagrams and a scattagories die as well as an electronic catch phrase.

 

[auntlynne]

DCL activities have often included game time - they should have board games available in the Promenade Lounge at certain times of the day.

 

[Happy Goofy]

We got upgraded!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I guess my emails got some results. DCL just called and actually apologized to me about our reservations. To make a very long story short we are now in 6140 for both cruises.

I will change my number on the spreadsheet.

Lynne- Do you need this room for the tour?

 

[ibouncetoo]

I started printing out door signs last night......need opinions/thoughts on this....

to save on magnetic stuff, was thinking of using clear shelf liner (what my family calls Contact paper) to cover it--will it make the sign stiffer? In Jan my signs started curling. (does that make ANY sense???? ).

Monica, if you do that you have to cover BOTH sides with the clear self-stick paper...otherwise it will curl. Heck...it may still curl. I'm thinking of getting sheet protectors from the office supply store, those can be reused with different signs.

....back to catch up....

 

[ibouncetoo]

I haven't played canasta in YEARS!!!

I'm planning on bringing my Phase 10 cards & maybe the travel Yahtzee & Boggle (if my mates want to play w/ me).

Two of my FAVORITES!

I would appriciate yours prayers, good thoughts, positive energy (etc.) for my Grandmother.
.

Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers!



.
Went to an Irish restaurant for lunch with the gang....had bangers and mash (which I think of as ENGLISH). Quite tasty!

.

 

[goofprincess]

This may yield different answers ... depending on what is condered a SHORTER cruise. Here it goes for me ...

Comparison of 7-day to 14+ day:


More onboard ship tours, and behind the scenes events
Relax on deck 4 or 10 ... never had time for this on a 7-day cruise
VEG-OUT on the plush leather chairs on deck 4 & 5 (instead of sitting there, in line, waiting to talk to DVC or DCL (booking))
A chance to actually USE the gym
More time to watch movies in a fabulous theatre
Order room service - just for the heck of it (Mickey Rice Krispy bars, with chocolate ears - what were the others I was supposed to order?)
More chances to have breakfast in Lumiere's
Secret deck #___ (shhhh!)