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

[SeaSpray]

I'm back! Tina, thanks for posting the countdown this morning! I had my laptop with me in NJ, and I was able to pick up a weak wifi connection so I was able to read a few posts while I was away, but I just skimmed through them so I'll reread them later on. I hope all is well with everyone!!

 

[Reenieny18]

Tina..I vote that you will be more traumitized,lol

I did some more shopping today too!! Oh and its so true about buying doubles.. You never know... with out knowing your families.. Its so hard to know if they like something or not.. do they drink.. do they like coffee.. chocolate, if they have kids...kids .. are they really into MICKEY and MINNIE.. do they like to eat.. can they sun bath , swim, do they have the normal CRUISE paraophanilia already.. OMG... I am to into this stuff..

I am just a SHOPAHOLIC... PLEASE GIVE ME A REASON TO SPEND MORE MONEY>>>>

Ok the phone rang .. I am done.. hehheh.. just another tease for my family.. or persons.....

hehehe

DOREEN

 

[SeaSpray]

Good morning, everyone

We just got back from brunch. I missed Craig and John so much this past week that I decided to take all of us out to brunch this morning. We ended up having a nice leisurely meal and talked about the cruise! We haven't decided which Disney resort we're going to stay at afterwards, yet. Craig's vote is for the Polynesian and Robby said he doesn't care one way or the other. I think we'll end up at either the Polynesian, or one of the Port Orleans resorts because they have the direct boat to Downtown Disney. Both boys said they don't want to go to the parks on that trip, just Downtown Disney. I mentioned something about the Epcot resorts because the boys could walk around the Boardwalk area and explore, in addition to going to Downtown Disney. So... we may end up at an Epcot resort. We've never stayed at of them; have any of you stayed at any of the Epcot resorts?? If so, which ones? And did you like the location??

Then I realized that I don't have any good ideas on what to get for this cruise package!! Last week while I was away I picked up a few items at the Disney Store, and I really think that what I bought are good, but they aren't exactly "cruise" related, although they can be used on the cruise, but only for 1 member of the family I got! So, I need all of you to give me some ideas on what you're all buying! It's difficult to shop when you don't really know the preferences of the family that you're shopping for. I know a few "generic" items I can get, but I wish I knew a little more about the parents of the family I have. It's easy to shop for the child(ren), but not easy to know what the parents might like!! I really want to make up a nice gift basket, but I'm lost at what else to buy.

Tina, is there any way you can send a questionnaire out to my family? LOL I mean, just to ask a few basic questions. lol I don't want to add any more work to you, because I know you've already done a great job in organizing this exchange. Let me know! lol

Well, I'll be going to Disney World in less than 3 weeks. I can't believe how fast this spring is flying by so far. I feel slightly overwhelmed with all I have going on for the next couple of months, and I'm a bit sorry that I planned this Disney trip right in the middle of it all. I wish I would've booked this trip for the fall, instead. Oh well, I know everything will go as planned, and John and I will have a great time at Disney World and the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

I'm in the middle of researching places in NJ to have Craig's family graduation party. We'll have a party here in Massachusetts for his friends too, but family on both sides lives in NJ, so the big party will be down there. I've decided that I'm going to book a place that includes the catering and everything, simply because I won't be down there to coordinate it myself. I will buy the table decorations myself, though. There's a nice place right in the town that I grew up in (my dad, my brother and his family, and my ex-DH still all live there), that I am probably going to book next week. I got the menus and price lists from them this past week and my brother told me that they have very good food there, so I think I'll call them and put down a deposit next week. I haven't given much thought yet to the graduation party for up here because I think I'm going to have that party here at our house. We do have some relatives coming up here for the actual graduation, so the party will be a good size, even though it'll be smaller than the NJ party.

Well, in the words of Scarlett O'Hara "I can't think about that today, I'll think about that tomorrow". I tell this to myself whenever I feel overwhelmed. LOL

I hope you all are having a good weekend.

 

[Walsh clan]

Hi Terry!

Sounds like you're having a busy time of it! It is really interesting to hear about other people's lives, especially things like graduation parties (we don't do that here at all... only big parties for 18th and 21st). When you live on a big island like Ireland, you have to either fly or sail to get to more interesting mainland!

And in relation to the cruise exchange, I went and bought things that I'd like to have, so sorry to the family I got if our tastes differ! I know I will delighted with whatever we get because I know that the people who bought them for us did so because they want to get us into cruise mode, so whatever they are, they will be brilliant!

Moira

 

[Reenieny18]

Hello all.. from wet and drabby SYRACUSE.... I have a show to do today and I am not into it,. I'd rather crawl to bed,,heheh... Yesterday was so sunny and warm,.. today yuckk.... Daniel is camping with BOY SCOUTS and JACLYN is changing her room around..

I better get off and get my stuff together... Have a great day everyone..

Doreen

 

[allshookup]

Terry we are going to be staying at the BCV following the cruise. My kids are dying to go to Stormalong Bay but this will be our first time there. We did stay at BWV before & it was my DH's favorite resort so far & my DD's favorite pool. She loves that scary clown! LOL My favorite resort is POFQ. Just love the feeling there I don't know why. I know you guys love the Poly but we've not had the opportunity to stay there yet. Someday I want to try the concierge there.....someday. Good luck with all your vacation & party planning!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Diane

 

[mickeymom923]

Hi Terry - welcome back. I know what you mean about buying gifts for the cruise family. I was at Spencer's Gifts last week at the Mall and saw lots of interesting things there. Then I went to the Disney store. I don't know if they have a sense of humor (Spencer's) or real Disney fans, like me. I don't want to offend anyone and I hope the family realizes that I'm really trying to think of them in getting things that I hope they will like.

I sent PM's to everyone who asked me to reserve a room for them at the Radisson on 8/18/06. If you didn't get a PM from me or want me to reserve a room for you, please PM me. Also, what time is everyone planning to arrive? I wanted to arrange a DIS meet that evening.

I didn't book my airfare yet. Southwest just came out with the prices but they are higher than I hoped they'd be. Guess I better book it soon before the prices go up higher due to the high fuel costs. I'm planning on flying in to Orlando early on the 18th.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. It's raining here.

Bev

 

[msdisney53]

Thanks to everyone for all the well wishes on our trip It was simply fabulous! The weather in Ft.Myers and Orlando was absolutely perfect The girls and I rode Expedition Everest in the dark during the Extra magic Hours. It is a must do.We only had a little rain on our way to the airport.Our flight home was delayed an hour soooo I only got 3 hours of sleep before I went to work on Wednesday. Its taken me all week to catch up on both my sleep and the eight or so pages I missed here.

Tina: I got my PM for the cruise exchange, now I remember why I was suppose to shop for someone besides myself in Downtown Disney

Terry: we love the Epcot area, there's always something going on at the boardwalk.Actually we are DVC members and the Boardwalk is our home resort. We just stayed at the BWV during this last trip. I would recomend it highly, and there's lots of Jersey shore memorabilia!
if you need any ideas for where to do the graduation party let me know,I'm in the area you know

It's a rainy day here at the Jersey Shore
TTFN Denise

 

[castoff]

Hello Everyone !

Terry: I forgot you had a laptop. I waited to do the countdown and it was fun to do at least once. Welcome back to the rainy weather.

Denise: Did you get the exchange info before your trip? You still have plenty of time to shop. Welcome back also!

Doreen: I am tramitized ! I saw Dante kept having something in his mouth then out then back in after closer inspection guess what he was playing with today? A SPIDER ! A big black one at that ! Oh I am going to have nightmares tonight.

Well we got our airline tickets for July finally. took care of hotel reservations for July & August and car rental for July & August. Is it to late for trip ins.? I think that is the only thing left.

 

[mickeymom923]

Tina - I know a Travel Agent that can help you get Trip Insurance.

Seriously everyone - I highly recommend getting travel insurance. You never know what could happen. I booked clients on a trip and later she found out she was pregnant and had to cancel. It's a good thing that they took out insurance. It's not just for bad things that happen. I can help you with insurance, but it doesn't matter if you book thru me or whomever - my suggestion is to get it and protect yourselves. Unfortunately, I have had to personally use it numerous times for different trips, different reasons etc and I am so glad I had it.

Looking forward to seeing/meeting everyone in August.

Bev

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

Hi All,


Happy weekend,

Terry, Thanks for the countdown

Tina, I know the feeling, We need to make reservations for Chance, and his two Cats pals, Sandy and Belle. They will be away from each other for three weeks.

It gets easier the more trips you take, but the first time is the hardest.


Bev, Got your email and have responded. Thanks

Andy great news on travel Docs

To all its getting closer happy weekend all.

Ed

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

Well its a rainy Saturday but not all bad,
I set up my new toy, one of my hobby's is that I am an Amateur Radio operator (Ham radio)

My call is N1HSH, I brought a new rig and have been talking to a lot of stations in Fl today!

also Ak, NB, Ok, CA, NY , St Martin.

So I would say it works well

Ed

 

[Verandah Man]

Hi Guys,

I think I may have created a cruising monster in my daughter. Last night Angelina comes up to me and says, "Dad, do you think you can take us on a cruise in the Spring of 2008? I'd rather go on a cruise with you and mom then go on my high school senior trip to WDW." Of course I told her, "Let's see if you still feel that way when the time comes." But deep down inside, I think she would really rather do the cruise.

 

[castoff]

Hi Guys,

I think I may have created a cruising monster in my daughter. Last night Angelina comes up to me and says, "Dad, do you think you can take us on a cruise in the Spring of 2008? I'd rather go on a cruise with you and mom then go on my high school senior trip to WDW." Of course I told her, "Let's see if you still feel that way when the time comes." But deep down inside, I think she would really rather do the cruise.

Andy: It would be a " Good " thing to have created in my opinion.
Do I dare say in 2008 we hope to be Fla. residents by then.

 

[castoff]

Tina - I know a Travel Agent that can help you get Trip Insurance.

Seriously everyone - I highly recommend getting travel insurance. You never know what could happen. I booked clients on a trip and later she found out she was pregnant and had to cancel. It's a good thing that they took out insurance. It's not just for bad things that happen. I can help you with insurance, but it doesn't matter if you book thru me or whomever - my suggestion is to get it and protect yourselves. Unfortunately, I have had to personally use it numerous times for different trips, different reasons etc and I am so glad I had it.

Looking forward to seeing/meeting everyone in August.

Bev

Bev: Who do you know? I will have my people call your people and our people will set this thing up o.k ? I would rather be safe then sorry................Do you believe we have never had trip ins. before? I am sure you ( Bev ) the expert can answer all of my questions.

 

[castoff]

I was just wondering if anyone has made any plans yet for Cozumel?

Does anyone know if when you re-book on board how your credit shows up? We are paid in full and are suppose to get a 200.00 on board credit. I thought it might show up on the final invoice or on line but doesn't. Anyone have experience with this? Thanks, Tina

 

[SeaSpray]

I was just wondering if anyone has made any plans yet for Cozumel?

Does anyone know if when you re-book on board how your credit shows up? We are paid in full and are suppose to get a 200.00 on board credit. I thought it might show up on the final invoice or on line but doesn't. Anyone have experience with this? Thanks, Tina

As of right now, my family and Doreen's family are planning on doing the "Fury Catamaran Sail, Snorkel, and Beach Party" on Cozumel day. Some DISers did this on our last cruise and said they had a blast. We'd love to get a group together for this My DSs did the teen version of this and they said it was fun, and the catamaran looks like a lot of fun. We took this picture from our verandah:

The onboard credit won't show up anywhere, I believe it's just a credit on your account once you board the ship. In other words, you are credited for the first $200 you spend while onboard the ship

 

[castoff]

Terry: Thanks and I believe we did already spend that 200.00 credit. The Catamaran looks like fun. I am not so sure about the Snorkel part though. DH would love it. Seeing the fish in the water is a little scary for me and ever since I heard about sea lice forget about it.

 

[SeaSpray]

Terry: Thanks and I believe we did already spend that 200.00 credit. The Catamaran looks like fun. I am not so sure about the Snorkel part though. DH would love it. Seeing the fish in the water is a little scary for me and ever since I heard about sea lice forget about it.

I probably won't be doing much, if any, of the snorkeling part of the excursion. Since I wear glasses (I've tried contacts a few times now, just can't get used to them), I can't see well with the snorkel mask on, so it's not much fun when I can't see any fish. LOL I'm going basically for the fun of being on the catamaran, and beach party aspect of it. When we cruised in August of 2004, I didn't hear of anyone getting sea lice.

 

[kap158]

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!!!