Calling All 8/19/06 Special Western Cruisers! AKA "The Cruisin' Castaways" Part 2

[SeaSpray]

Good Morning Everyone!! I have been up since 5:30AM and decided to head for our Rec center to go swimming.(I joined the center last week to help me get into better shape and help me lose weight).

I was drinking my strong coffee and was shocked when I entered the parking area and saw almost all the spots taken!!! I couln't believe how many early birds there are!! I had to actually park away from the building, not my usual close up spot(Does this count as exercise???) I was able to do some laps and walking in the pool and I must say I did feel good when I finished.

When I left I drove by Dunkin Donuts(the aroma of those strawberry frosted donuts were calling me to stop in and get some)!! I decided to roll the window up and turn the air on to avoid the temptation.

I am going to try to finish my cruise exchange shopping today and maybe the items I buy will actually be mailed to my family( I guess I will just have to buy doubles again)!

Have a great day everyone!!!

Good morning Karen!

Wow, good for you for getting up early and working out! YOU GO GIRL!

I'm going to be doing more cruise exchange shopping too. I want to try and get a variety of items, things the entire family can use.

Have a great day!

 

[Walsh clan]

Hello Everyone!

Just been to the post office to send my parcel... meant to do it yesterday but never got around to it...

I need to track the amount of time it takes to transport items from here to the U.S. so if my family could let me know when it arrives and they are the...Oh yeah not allowed to say heh heh heh

This board is turning into the highlight of my working day! Please keep on writing.....



What happens when it is all over - does the thread cease to exist? And if we were to book again on the cruise for another trip (cause I know already that I am going to LOVE it!), would it be for the med cruises?

Questions, questions!

Terry, we have nearly decided what we are doing for shore excursions, I will forward u on our list over the next couple of days...

Bye for now...Moira.

 

[SeaSpray]

Hello Everyone!

Just been to the post office to send my parcel... meant to do it yesterday but never got around to it...

I need to track the amount of time it takes to transport items from here to the U.S. so if my family could let me know when it arrives and they are the...Oh yeah not allowed to say heh heh heh

This board is turning into the highlight of my working day! Please keep on writing.....



What happens when it is all over - does the thread cease to exist? And if we were to book again on the cruise for another trip (cause I know already that I am going to LOVE it!), would it be for the med cruises?

Questions, questions!

Terry, we have nearly decided what we are doing for shore excursions, I will forward u on our list over the next couple of days...

Bye for now...Moira.

Hi Moira Whenever you're ready to send the information, I'll post it on the Itinerary page.

Regarding this thread: No, it doesn't have to cease to exist once the cruise is over. I've seen MANY threads continue on for years after the cruise! LOL Are you considering going on one of the Med cruises next summer? I guess that's be perfect for those of you already across the pond because you wouldn't have as far to fly.

I know there are already several threads started for those cruises. So once you booked, or decided on the dates of the Med cruise you want to go on, you can just start posting on the thread for those dates.

 

[Walsh clan]

Hi Moira Whenever you're ready to send the information, I'll post it on the Itinerary page.

Regarding this thread: No, it doesn't have to cease to exist once the cruise is over. I've seen MANY threads continue on for years after the cruise! LOL Are you considering going on one of the Med cruises next summer? I guess that's be perfect for those of you already across the pond because you wouldn't have as far to fly.

I know there are already several threads started for those cruises. So once you booked, or decided on the dates of the Med cruise you want to go on, you can just start posting on the thread for those dates.

Thanks for that Terry!

At the moment it's all in my head, my DH is oblivious to what I'm thinking!

But the Disney fever is setting in (now that I've gotten my passporter!).. the only thing is that I have been to the cities that the med cruise is doing so I think I'd prefer to do another cruise again state-side...

Moira.

 

[kap158]

Greetings from Williamsburg, VA

The weather has been in the mid to high 80's this week, I feel like I am in the Carribbean right now!! I hope everyone is having fun shopping for the cruise exchange. I was at the store today and I saw a couple of things that "I JUST HAD TO GET"(one for my family and of course one for me) !!!

Does everyone have their flight arrangements(those of us who are flying)made? I can't get over the prices compared to last year at this time. YIKES!!

I forced myself tp go to the REC center this am and used the treadmill and pool!!!(not the same as the adult pool on deck 9 of the Magic)!!

Talk to you later!!!

 

[Reenieny18]

Hello Everyone..
Its Tuesday evening and I am still running around like a chicken..

WOW Karen , your posting a lot lately.... And working out.. Our FATHER will be impressed..

Did you guys that were on the AUGUST 2004 cruise with me see that we made the PASSPORTER on the PAGE about the the HURRICAINE SEASON when the MAGIC and WONDER docked together.. WAHOO!!!! we made history

Ok here is a heads up on MY family for the cruise..
Me DOREEN likes to read, chocolate9 the more nuts the better, swims, tans,WINNIE THE POOH.. cruised before diet pepsi, H2O drinker, smoothie maker ,NO COFFEE or TEA I have jewelry business I go to the YMCA
MARTY- NASCAR fan, cruised before ,swims,not much of a reader, diet pepsi, works out
JACLYN-swims, tans, eats, long blonde hair, Tinker Belle, tans easily, will be a SENIOR in HIGH SCHOOL
DANIEL- swims, loves to cook, reads, DONALD FAN, bike rider,tans easily, likes symphany bars,,,lol cruised before.. He knows the DISNEY MAGIC ship very well and all the secret areas..will be in 8th gr.

I hope this helps my family..

Ok Karen wants me to add her likes as well.. to help her family too!
Reading, tanning, baking in the sun, now goes to work out, she now knows how to swim...lol ,diet pepsi, margharita's, ANYTHING.. and I mean ANYTHING and ,loves xtra sugar less gum.. LOVES HER SISTER>>lol (just had to add that to remind her),loves coffee the more the caffeine the better... . CANDY BARS,, hmmm who doesnt...

Well, I hope this helps the confusion of what to buy .. have fun if nothing else with your shopping quest...

DOREEN

 

[castoff]

Terry: The picture of the Catamaran looks awesome ! I have never heard of sea lice till I starting reading these boards and I have never heard of anyone having any problems while cruising. Just the thought gives me the yuckies. I will talk with Chuck about it this weekend.

Karen: You are so motivated...........Way to go. Your weather is much better then our's right now. Enjoy........

Doreen: Good idea, list things your family likes so your " mystery " family can see if they still have shopping to do.

I know Moira has sent her package out but it won't be hard to figure out where it came from being from Ireland. For everyone else feel free to enclose a note with your screen name so people know who it was from. That's how the secret will be told. When your package arrives please post on here that you got it and from who. I am sure we would ALL wan't to hear about your lovely surprise.

My package is all ready to go............Not quite May 19th so I think I will just wait a little bit longer. I got some &^%( and also (&$& and then I also got ^%(&* sorry didn't mean to tell you just couldn't hold it in.

 

[castoff]

Denise W: Happy Birthday !


Have a Great Day !

 

[Verandah Man]

Happy Birthday Denise!!!

 

[SeaSpray]

Good morning everyone

I did more shopping for my exchange family yesterday!! Now I know the limit is supposed to be $20, but did anyone actually stick to that? I've already spent over $40 so far (and having fun buying!! LOL), and it still doesn't look like much I want to get more, but I don't know what else to get. I think the little notes about ourselves is a good idea. LOL Here's mine:

Me - My favorite Disney character is Mickey Mouse and/or Steamboat Willie. I like French Vanilla coffee and spring water. I love the smell of coconut and pineapple, and the smell of vanilla and caramel. I don't tan purposely, but when on vacation I love to sit out and soak up some rays, then cool off in the pool or ocean. My favorite ride at WDW is Pirates of the Caribbean. I love researching and planning our family vacations

DH John - Likes diet Coke (he has to drink diet because he has diabetes), spring water, iced tea. He's a big Pirates of the Caribbean fan He pactically lives in front of his computer, both at work and at home. He'll swim while on the cruise, but won't stay in the water all day like I do sometimes. He tolerates the beach, so I'm glad we have 2 days at Castaway Cay this time!

DS Craig (18) - Is about to graduate high school; loves Coca Cola and spring water, claims that he "lives to play the drums", loves a variety of music, anything from The Beatles and the sound track to Les Miserables, to heavy metal! He's in a band with his friends, he writes the music and lyrics to many of their songs. He likes computer/video games. He'll be going to college this fall. He loves to wear t-shirts with his favorite bands on them. Not a fan of the beach at all, but he likes to toss a football around with his friends, or play basketball.

DS Robby (15) - Robby is a freshman in high school right now, will be a sophomore in the fall. He's an excellent student, he's in all the advanced classes. He plays the trumpet in the high school band, and plays bass guitar and a bit of keyboards in his own band with his friends. He writes all of their songs, music and lyrics. He also likes a variety of music, including Les Miserables to AC/DC. He likes to wear band t-shirts too. Robby also LOVES "Anime", which is Japanese animation. In fact, he and Craig are going to a 3-day convention at the end of May called "Anime Boston". Robby's also not a fan of the beach, although he likes to play sports outdoors, especially football. He's a big St. Louis Rams fan.

I don't know what else to say about us that would be relevent here. LOL I'm not even sure that what I've already written is relevent, or would be helpful to whoever has our family in the exchange. LOL I know we will be happy with whatever we get, we'll appreciate the time and effort that went into it

 

[SeaSpray]

Karen: You're right, prices this year are the worst I've seen them in many, many years. I bought our plane tickets for this cruise trip about a month ago, and I'm so glad I did because even though the prices weren't the best I've ever seen, they've gone up significantly since then!! I paid $968 for 4 tickets, round trip, non-stop flights, Boston to Orlando. Now those same tickets are $1348, which is $380 more.


Doreen: I keep forgetting to ask you: Will Jaclyn and Daniel be going on the Fury Catamaran excursion too? I want my DSs to go, so I'm hoping your kids will be going too. If no other kids are going, I won't push the issue with my boys.

And what exactly did the Passporter say about our August 2004 10-night Hurricane Cruise???


Everyone: I've added some excursions that our fellow cruisers will be doing, to the itinerary page. Take a look at the Itinerary Page, maybe something will look interesting to you and you can book a time frame with a fellow DISer! Here's the link again to the Itinerary Page (It's also near the top of Post #1 in this thread): http://www.brownfamilyvacations.com/html/CruisingCastaways.htm

I've also added a page with the list of people who will be at the Radisson the night before the cruise. The link to that is at the top of the Itinerary page.

As always, feel free to email me, or send me a PM, with anything you want added to the List of Cruisers, and/or the Itinerary Page!

 

[Walsh clan]

Hi Guys,

Those flights seem v. expensive. I booked through travelocity and got flights from Shannon to Philadelphia and then onto Orlando plus return for $2,100 for three of us.

I don't know anything about the airline (US AIRWAYS) but maybe it is a low cost carrier?

We can fly to Paris, Barcelona and London return for about €60 each ($75), because we have some very strong low cost carriers, which have driven down the prices. Sorry, a bit of useless information!

Moira.

Karen: You're right, prices this year are the worst I've seen them in many, many years. I bought our plane tickets for this cruise trip about a month ago, and I'm so glad I did because even though the prices weren't the best I've ever seen, they've gone up significantly since then!! I paid $968 for 4 tickets, round trip, non-stop flights, Boston to Orlando. Now those same tickets are $1348, which is $380 more.


Doreen: I keep forgetting to ask you: Will Jaclyn and Daniel be going on the Fury Catamaran excursion too? I want my DSs to go, so I'm hoping your kids will be going too. If no other kids are going, I won't push the issue with my boys.

And what exactly did the Passporter say about our August 2004 10-night Hurricane Cruise???


Everyone: I've added some excursions that our fellow cruisers will be doing, to the itinerary page. Take a look at the Itinerary Page, maybe something will look interesting to you and you can book a time frame with a fellow DISer! Here's the link again to the Itinerary Page (It's also near the top of Post #1 in this thread): http://www.brownfamilyvacations.com/html/CruisingCastaways.htm

I've also added a page with the list of people who will be at the Radisson the night before the cruise. The link to that is at the top of the Itinerary page.

As always, feel free to email me, or send me a PM, with anything you want added to the List of Cruisers, and/or the Itinerary Page!

 

[SamRoc]

Hi everyone, just got back from 12 days in Kissimmee. Just built a home there and really hated to come back. Best part is we are now Florida residents and got Annual Disney passes! Got a really cute Mickey and Minnie cake topper in the Magic Kingdom for my friends daughter who is getting married on the cruise in August. Lots of cute pirate hats there for Pirate night. They were right near Pirates of the Caribbean, both red and white stripes, one has Mickey ears and one has Goofy ears. Still haven't heard from David about the Chacchoben ruins tour. We want to do that early in the day, I sent 2 emails but I guess they are still having internet problems. Will try again today. We are at the early seating with our wedding group, but would love to meet up with everyone on the ship!
Susan

 

[Verandah Man]

Hi Guys,

Those flights seem v. expensive. I booked through travelocity and got flights from Shannon to Philadelphia and then onto Orlando plus return for $2,100 for three of us.

I don't know anything about the airline (US AIRWAYS) but maybe it is a low cost carrier?

We can fly to Paris, Barcelona and London return for about €60 each ($75), because we have some very strong low cost carriers, which have driven down the prices. Sorry, a bit of useless information!

Moira.

I was able to get us round trip tix from Philadelphia to Orlando last month on Southwest for $177.10 each. I got the price from the Southwest "DING" announcement I received. Those Southwest "DINGS" do come in handy!!!

Moira, so you are flying through Philadelphia, I live about 15 minutes from the Philadelphia Airport.

 

[Reenieny18]

Hello Everyone.. busy day here again.. Jaclyn has more SENIOR photos to have taken at 4pm, so Ihae to get her from school,get her makeup down , hair,,lunch of course,,,lol...

A friend from here did the cruise the week of SPRINg break the week before EASTER.. and had APLAPL.. early.. at 5pm,, they hated it... They loved APL.. but hated 5pm,, and having to be there at that time..She said it was tough getting back and ready for dinner esp for formal nights at 5pm.. the ones with 515 and 530... were not on the APL rotation.. I was confused to say the least... They went to COZUMEL.. and it was their first DCL cruise and they rebooked... for 2007..


I wouldnt mind APL at 8pm.. that would be great for my family... Terry,, you and your family seem very well rounded.. I thought it would be very easy to list some of the things for our family,.... Yes, it is easy to go over the limit...esp if its more than 1 person... But HAVE fun at it...

Ok off to the bank and get JACLYN... SMILE PRETTY.....

 

[SeaSpray]

Susan: Welcome back and congratulations on your new home in Florida!!!

Doreen: I've already requested the "APLAPLA 8:00pm" dining rotation for those of us who are linked. Tina has also requested the same, since she was able to book early due to her Romantic Escape at Sea package. Since all of our reservations are already linked, I'm hoping (and hopeful!) that we'll get that dining rotation I hope Jaclyn's photo session goes well

Moira: Those are excellent rates for traveling within Europe! I've paid between $135 and $242 for per person, for flights from Boston to Orlando, over the last few years. For our trip to Disney World next month, I paid $187 per person. But paid $242 per person for the same flights in August, and that was the best price of any airline, when I booked it, and it's gone up a lot since then.

 

[Walsh clan]

Hi Andy,

We were meant to be in Philadelphia Airport for five hours but that changed two weeks ago and now we are are only there for two hours. There are a few direct flights weekly from Shannon to Philadelphia - I've a feeling we might see you on it coming this way at some stage!

As airports go, will there be enough to keep our six year old amused? Or is it a case that there may not be enough time to transfer from one terminal to another!

Working late, so must get back to it!

Moira.

I was able to get us round trip tix from Philadelphia to Orlando last month on Southwest for $177.10 each. I got the price from the Southwest "DING" announcement I received. Those Southwest "DINGS" do come in handy!!!

Moira, so you are flying through Philadelphia, I live about 15 minutes from the Philadelphia Airport.

 

[castoff]

Hi everyone, just got back from 12 days in Kissimmee. Just built a home there and really hated to come back. Best part is we are now Florida residents and got Annual Disney passes! Got a really cute Mickey and Minnie cake topper in the Magic Kingdom for my friends daughter who is getting married on the cruise in August. Lots of cute pirate hats there for Pirate night. They were right near Pirates of the Caribbean, both red and white stripes, one has Mickey ears and one has Goofy ears. Still haven't heard from David about the Chacchoben ruins tour. We want to do that early in the day, I sent 2 emails but I guess they are still having internet problems. Will try again today. We are at the early seating with our wedding group, but would love to meet up with everyone on the ship!
Susan

Susan: Welcome back ! Congratulations Kissimmee is where we are looking to build our home ! I have so many questions if you don't mind. Also DH & I decided to do the ruins tour with DCL so if you don't hear back from David & Ivan sign up with DCL.

 

[Walsh clan]

Oh what the heck - work can wait!

Terry, they are expensive flights, are they through a TA or do you book directly on the net? We use Ryanair and Aer Lingus here and they have opened up routes to Europe for Ireland. It's actually cheaper to book online in Ireland than the UK too because we also have euro currency.

Susan: Welcome back and congratulations on your new home in Florida!!!

Doreen: I've already requested the "APLAPLA 8:00pm" dining rotation for those of us who are linked. Tina has also requested the same, since she was able to book early due to her Romantic Escape at Sea package. Since all of our reservations are already linked, I'm hoping (and hopeful!) that we'll get that dining rotation I hope Jaclyn's photo session goes well

Moira: Those are excellent rates for traveling within Europe! I've paid between $135 and $242 for per person, for flights from Boston to Orlando, over the last few years. For our trip to Disney World next month, I paid $187 per person. But paid $242 per person for the same flights in August, and that was the best price of any airline, when I booked it, and it's gone up a lot since then.

 

[SeaSpray]

Oh what the heck - work can wait!

Terry, they are expensive flights, are they through a TA or do you book directly on the net? We use Ryanair and Aer Lingus here and they have opened up routes to Europe for Ireland. It's actually cheaper to book online in Ireland than the UK too because we also have euro currency.

I book my own flights, this way I have total control over which seats, flight times, etc. It wouldn't be any less expensive using a TA to book flights. I guess we're just used to these prices. lol