Bringing Home the Magic - Part 2 - 8/18/07 - 9/01/07- list of cruisers on page 1

[gismo1554]

Thanks - having sailed the Caribbean during hurricane season with one nearby (and watching the windows in Disney Dreams open and shut on their own during the show due to the boat pitching) I have no problems with rough weather! Luckily none of us get sea sick. Thanks again for your comments.

lol no problem.

 

[happyfeet]

Hi Sue, I'm traveling with DS17 and DD15, so, yes, basically I'm cruising solo, as I know they will have friends from previous cruises on board. I've already booked a solo Palo dinner on the 28th, and would welcome a warm body on the other side of the table!

Maybe we should start a solo cruiser thread, or maybe a separate meet!

Hi Karen,
my cruise mate,DS15,is a typical "Brit," reserved (shy really)this is our first DC,but am sure he will make friends quickly,so a Palo dinner sounds wonderful!
I can make reservations from 4th july,what time is your res & I will try to match it?
Solo cruiser thread/ & sep meet,yes great idea!
Sue

 

[Grandma x3]

Myself and my sister booked this cruise whilst on the trip over to the med and I cant wait now. Hopefully we will get upgraded which will be cool.
My husband is not coming this time and has told me to go and enjoy myself so I jolly well will.lol

Lindsay

Hi Lindsay & Sarah,
Lindsay, sounds as if your husband & mine are both great guys!!!
Being upgraded would be fine - but as I'm travelling alone I doubt I will be - what matters is that I'm going!!!!!

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

I just booked the west bound repo!!! I'll be traveling with either 3 or 6 of my girls, depending on decisions made tonight. I have to pay tomorrow. We had such a great experience on the way over that my husband decided we needed the girls to have the same experience.

I'll be travelling sans hubby, but since we did our own thing on the boat anyway and rarely saw each other, I'm thinking it won't be a real shock to my system to travel without him.

Coming across the ocean and then seeing things I normally wouldn't make the effort to go see see--Teneriffe and the Rock--I just really had an EXPERIENCE. It wasn't just a vacation. My decision to take the cruise back, instead of booking a med cruise was based on that. I want my kids to see these slightly obscure places. I figure they can see Italy and France another time, even without a boat. Strange thinking maybe.

The seas were quite rough on the way over, but isn't that part of a cruise? They have fine hotels and food on land that DON"T move and planes and trains to take one there. I LOVE the rocking of the boat. It just adds to the excitement. It is hard on the body--even when you don't get sick, and I didn't--there is just a constant readjustment of footing and such. I only gained 2 pounds though and ate EVERYTHING in sight, so I figure all the readjustment exercise was a good thing!

Okay, but I don't want to be a "been there, done that" person. I am hoping and searching for a different experience on the way back.




Hey Gydell! I sure enjoyed you on the eastbound!

 

[bellelinus]

I just booked the west bound repo!!! I'll be traveling with either 3 or 6 of my girls, depending on decisions made tonight. I have to pay tomorrow. We had such a great experience on the way over that my husband decided we needed the girls to have the same experience.

I'll be travelling sans hubby, but since we did our own thing on the boat anyway and rarely saw each other, I'm thinking it won't be a real shock to my system to travel without him.

Coming across the ocean and then seeing things I normally wouldn't make the effort to go see see--Teneriffe and the Rock--I just really had an EXPERIENCE. It wasn't just a vacation. My decision to take the cruise back, instead of booking a med cruise was based on that. I want my kids to see these slightly obscure places. I figure they can see Italy and France another time, even without a boat. Strange thinking maybe.

The seas were quite rough on the way over, but isn't that part of a cruise? They have fine hotels and food on land that DON"T move and planes and trains to take one there. I LOVE the rocking of the boat. It just adds to the excitement. It is hard on the body--even when you don't get sick, and I didn't--there is just a constant readjustment of footing and such. I only gained 2 pounds though and ate EVERYTHING in sight, so I figure all the readjustment exercise was a good thing!

Okay, but I don't want to be a "been there, done that" person. I am hoping and searching for a different experience on the way back.




Hey Gydell! I sure enjoyed you on the eastbound!

Welcome to this one! No two cruises are ever the same, even with the same itinerary, so I'm sure you will have some different experiences while ensuring that your girls experience some of what made the Eastbound trip so memorable for you.

I agree with you on the rocking -- I actually thought it was fun when I was on a cruises where many people were getting sick because it was hard to even balance on the stairs without holding on -- just adds to the excitement of knowing you are at sea!!!!!!

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

There were even CM's getting sick! Oscar on the cruise staff complained the most. Oh, and most of our really rough days were also formal nights. It was SO FUNNY watching ladies trying to look dignified in their high shoes. I gave up on the last semi-formal night and just wore my sandals. By the end, people were getting very casual, walking around barefoot, coming to semi-formal in sweatshirts--cause yes, it WAS cold. Some even wore polo shirts for formal night--ya know, formality is good for awhile, but after a week of rough seas, ya feel a little more "piratey." Oh, and the ground moves and rooms swirl when you get off the boat. Too funny! It was just great, cuz we were all doing it together.


PS I would NEVER walk down the rock. The taxi tours are great--take you higher than the Rock Tour, as high as the cable car. We did both the Rock Tour and the Taxi tour--long story... The taxi tours will scare the heck out of you if you are WALKING down, cuz from what I heard, you have to flatten yourself against the mountain to keep from being hit by one of them.

There is an end to the Seige tunnel, so go all the way down. Take the walkway to the right that goes down in St Michael's cave--very beautiful. You won't get lost.

The BEST view you will get of the rock will be if you get up early enough to see the ship pull into Gibralter, since you only see the grassy slope when you are in port and on land, the best view is from the airport, which most tours take you to VERY briefly--you can't even get out.

I personally think the actual town was a dump, but they had great fish a chips. Oh, and you can walk from the ship to the cable cars. It's a good walk, but my five year old did it. There is a shuttle back to the ship, but we could never find it. Luckily the ship is big and not easily misplaced.

Sailing away from Gibralter, though, and rounding around the Rock, you got a GREAT view of the picturesque side, and for a long time. SO get up early and watch the sail in. Hopefully it will be light.

 

[ejw]

There were even CM's getting sick! Oscar on the cruise staff complained the most. Oh, and most of our really rough days were also formal nights. It was SO FUNNY watching ladies trying to look dignified in their high shoes. I gave up on the last semi-formal night and just wore my sandals. By the end, people were getting very casual, walking around barefoot, coming to semi-formal in sweatshirts--cause yes, it WAS cold. Some even wore polo shirts for formal night--ya know, formality is good for awhile, but after a week of rough seas, ya feel a little more "piratey." Oh, and the ground moves and rooms swirl when you get off the boat. Too funny! It was just great, cuz we were all doing it together.


PS I would NEVER walk down the rock. The taxi tours are great--take you higher than the Rock Tour, as high as the cable car. We did both the Rock Tour and the Taxi tour--long story... The taxi tours will scare the heck out of you if you are WALKING down, cuz from what I heard, you have to flatten yourself against the mountain to keep from being hit by one of them.

There is an end to the Seige tunnel, so go all the way down. Take the walkway to the right that goes down in St Michael's cave--very beautiful. You won't get lost.

The BEST view you will get of the rock will be if you get up early enough to see the ship pull into Gibralter, since you only see the grassy slope when you are in port and on land, the best view is from the airport, which most tours take you to VERY briefly--you can't even get out.

I personally think the actual town was a dump, but they had great fish a chips. Oh, and you can walk from the ship to the cable cars. It's a good walk, but my five year old did it. There is a shuttle back to the ship, but we could never find it. Luckily the ship is big and not easily misplaced.

Sailing away from Gibralter, though, and rounding around the Rock, you got a GREAT view of the picturesque side, and for a long time. SO get up early and watch the sail in. Hopefully it will be light.

Hi dizzneydann,

welcome to the cruise. thanks for the info on gibraltar. it sounds like your recommendation would be to do the taxi tour. people have been recommending a few different touring options for gibraltar which is making it a little tough to choose which one to go with.

can you tell us what you did at the other ports?

thanks, ellen

 

[smores]

For all you out there with Girls 10-12. . .should we have a gathering for the girls to meet? any suggestions for day/time?

 

[momma4v3]

I just booked the west bound repo!!! I'll be traveling with either 3 or 6 of my girls, depending on decisions made tonight. I have to pay tomorrow. We had such a great experience on the way over that my husband decided we needed the girls to have the same experience.

I'll be travelling sans hubby, but since we did our own thing on the boat anyway and rarely saw each other, I'm thinking it won't be a real shock to my system to travel without him.

Coming across the ocean and then seeing things I normally wouldn't make the effort to go see see--Teneriffe and the Rock--I just really had an EXPERIENCE. It wasn't just a vacation. My decision to take the cruise back, instead of booking a med cruise was based on that. I want my kids to see these slightly obscure places. I figure they can see Italy and France another time, even without a boat. Strange thinking maybe.

The seas were quite rough on the way over, but isn't that part of a cruise? They have fine hotels and food on land that DON"T move and planes and trains to take one there. I LOVE the rocking of the boat. It just adds to the excitement. It is hard on the body--even when you don't get sick, and I didn't--there is just a constant readjustment of footing and such. I only gained 2 pounds though and ate EVERYTHING in sight, so I figure all the readjustment exercise was a good thing!

Okay, but I don't want to be a "been there, done that" person. I am hoping and searching for a different experience on the way back.




Hey Gydell! I sure enjoyed you on the eastbound!

Welcome to the Westbound!! My DH is excited because we get 5 more hours of Disney without paying for it. (I said, yeah but we will sleep through those hours!!)
I have 3 DDs going as well. How old are your daughters? Mine are 9, 10 and 12 on the cruise.

Linda

 

[Pluto 2]

I just booked the west bound repo!!! I'll be traveling with either 3 or 6 of my girls, depending on decisions made tonight. I have to pay tomorrow. We had such a great experience on the way over that my husband decided we needed the girls to have the same experience.

I'll be travelling sans hubby, but since we did our own thing on the boat anyway and rarely saw each other, I'm thinking it won't be a real shock to my system to travel without him.

Coming across the ocean and then seeing things I normally wouldn't make the effort to go see see--Teneriffe and the Rock--I just really had an EXPERIENCE. It wasn't just a vacation. My decision to take the cruise back, instead of booking a med cruise was based on that. I want my kids to see these slightly obscure places. I figure they can see Italy and France another time, even without a boat. Strange thinking maybe.

The seas were quite rough on the way over, but isn't that part of a cruise? They have fine hotels and food on land that DON"T move and planes and trains to take one there. I LOVE the rocking of the boat. It just adds to the excitement. It is hard on the body--even when you don't get sick, and I didn't--there is just a constant readjustment of footing and such. I only gained 2 pounds though and ate EVERYTHING in sight, so I figure all the readjustment exercise was a good thing!

Okay, but I don't want to be a "been there, done that" person. I am hoping and searching for a different experience on the way back.




Hey Gydell! I sure enjoyed you on the eastbound!

glad to have you on board

 

[Mmouse1964]

I have DD11 & DD 15...i'm sure everyone will meet in the Lab, but possibly another meet would work. just don't know the timing of things.

 

[ejw]

For all you out there with Girls 10-12. . .should we have a gathering for the girls to meet? any suggestions for day/time?

Hi Karen,

this is a great idea. i think faireygod mother (Dee) suggested this a bit earlier in the postings and i think also offered to arrange a get together for the girls....maybe a cocktail party. the day and time might the difficult to figure out. people are arriving to the ship at different times on saturday. i would also think everyone wants to make the most of their time in barcelona actually seeing barcelona. so, with that said, maybe the best time would be after we set sail on sunday? maybe an hour before dinner depending on excursions?

also, there is some interest in seeing the magic fountains on saturday night. maybe that could be another way to get the girls together and all go there.

just suggesting.

ellen

 

[ejw]

i would like to thank everyone for their response to my question...gismo1554, discrazzy, gail(mmouse1964), grayfal, and denverval.

for our past disney cruises we've always done a regular cat 10 cabin so we are used to no window. i was psyched to get the SPR and am reluctant to give it up. i know i'll have to decide soon.


denverval - i was surprised when I saw that SPR available over the weekend on the disney site. glad you were able to get it. i think it was room 5022. we are in 5522.
right now our girls are not emailing but i think they have email pals in common. melanie is currently emailing with sara, hannah, aimee, alexis and veronica-victoria-vanessa(sisters). Is your DD in contact with any of these girls? let me know if your DD would like to email with melanie. over the weekend melanie asked me "what did I get her into?" because she was feeling a bit overwhelmed with emails but, if we stagger them, i think she will be okay.

 

[Mmouse1964]

Sorry to hear Melanie is feeling over whelmed...I guess email is so much faster than snail mail. I know Aimee is always wondering if she has any email from her cruise friends. Maybe try sending one general email to everyone?

 

[ejw]

Sorry to hear Melanie is feeling over whelmed...I guess email is so much faster than snail mail. I know Aimee is always wondering if she has any email from her cruise friends. Maybe try sending one general email to everyone?

you're right about email vs regular mail. it's easier to send an email but the replies can pile up quickly. that's a great idea to send out general emails. i'll have melanie try that. over all, i still think having the girls email before the cruise is a wonderful benefit. it's also amazing that even though the girls are from all over the country, they have so much in common.

 

[joanflo]

Hi Karen,
my cruise mate,DS15,is a typical "Brit," reserved (shy really)this is our first DC,but am sure he will make friends quickly,so a Palo dinner sounds wonderful!
I can make reservations from 4th july,what time is your res & I will try to match it?
Solo cruiser thread/ & sep meet,yes great idea!
Sue

Hi Karen and Sue
I'm a solo cruiser too (but with my DS15 and DD13) and we're also Brits. I would love to eat at Palo, but haven't made a reservation as I'm on my own. Have looked at the DCL site and there's nothing available for Brunch, High Tea, or dinner on 28th - only port days.
Joan

 

[gpb_1]

Not sure if my calculations are right - but dont we actually get 12 hours more than the EB cruisers? They lost 6 hours and we gain 6 so that is 12? That's half a day! Much better value.

11 weeks 3 days and counting.

Lorraine

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

Since I did both tours, I really do recommend a taxi. I think the Great Seige Tour would be great, but alas, it was all booked on the internet, so I booked the Rock Tour. The problem with the ship-booked tours is that they have bigger busses that cannot (or will not) reach the highest point on the Rock. The taxis go on up. There is literally a spot the taxis reach that is only the width of the road, where you look down on one side to see the Mediteranean and on the other see the bay/straits of Gibralter, with Spain across the bay and Morocco to the left, across the water, of that. It is the most amazing view.There were also apes up there, one mother with the baby. While the tour gave us good views, it did NOT take us as high as this amazing spot.

I did not do a lot of walking on our ship-booked tour. Perhaps it was a different tour that included the walking.

Selfishly, I will book my excursions tomorrow, and then tell you what I thought was best. I don't want them to be sold out before I have the opportunity to book. Of course, everyone has a different opinion on what is best.

 

[faireygod mother]

Wow, welcome all you new folks. It is nice to see some excitement in this thread. We, unfortuately, lost many of our posters and the few that were left have struggled to maintain.

Are any of you flying out of Philly on the 17th?

There always seems to be decision to make and changes to rethink. We are in a CAT 4 and the savings would be awesome if we downgrade to a 12. I have thought about this all weekend. With Dh, hopefully, quitting work the end of July having that extra money would be great. I do not know about you guys, but I never turn down money. However, he also has been known to nap on the veranda. We have always had a balcony and I am wondering how it would be without it. DH stays in the cabin and watches movie afer movie after movie. He does leave to eat and then returns to watch movie after movie after movie. Gosh, I am basically travelling alone as well. Maybe I can join some of you. Well I have to do some more research so we can make a decision.

As for the "cocktail" party for the 10-12yr old girls. I would be happy to make arrangements for that. We would also love to have a bunch go to the fountains as well. They do not start till 930pm which works great for all you late diners.

Let me know what I can do.

 

[faireygod mother]

Since I did both tours, I really do recommend a taxi. .

Where did you pick up the taxi for the tour?