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

[Buddy Bear]

In case you forgot...

All Cat 1, 2, and 3 stateroom guests can start making excursion, palo and flounders reservations online.

May 6th marks 105 days out!!!

 

[PoohJen]

The 90 Day mark is coming up too, and I still haven't made excursion decisions! Yikes! Last time around I had a detailed matrix of every day - now I can't even tell you when we stop where, when are sea days, etc. Time to start my cruise obsession!

 

[Walsh clan]

Andy: I don't understand? I clicked on properties and the image I am looking at says 1275 X 1650. That is BIG right? I will try again later, I still haven't had my nap yet.

Tina, your image is working now and it looks great! You are all such experts in design... I think my effort will be fairly lame in comparison!

Jen, I think I am over obsessing about this cruise, already trying to work out how I can stretch more hours in the day and make my DH and DD cram as much as I want them to! So I think I need to cool it a little!

Mary Rose, thanks for the welcome and thanks so much for kicking this whole thread off... I am really enjoying it!

Andy, I am really looking forward to your blog pages at sea.. will it v. difficult and expensive to do?

Moira

 

[Verandah Man]

Andy, I am really looking forward to your blog pages at sea.. will it v. difficult and expensive to do?

Not difficult at all, and I will be getting the $89.99 unlimited internet package for the week, Angelina and my mom will be sharing it with me.

I think I am going to take my laptop with me, but will be using that mainly to load photos and keep a journal of the trip. I'm afraid the wireless internet package might not give me enough minutes.


Edited to add: I can happily say that we are now 90% packed for our trip!!!

 

[castoff]

Cruise Exchange packages

So far these people have packages on there way

WalshClan
RobinMarie
Castoff


Don't forget to post on here when you get your package or when you ship your's out.

 

[castoff]

The 90 Day mark is coming up too, and I still haven't made excursion decisions! Yikes! Last time around I had a detailed matrix of every day - now I can't even tell you when we stop where, when are sea days, etc. Time to start my cruise obsession!

Jen: Once I started I couldn't stop Here is some motivation for you. I have everything planned except Cozumel. Not sure yet what to do That's the ONLY thing left.

 

[RobinMarie]

Wireless internet can be a pretty decent deal if you buy few minutes and type offline. I used the wireless to post to my trip journal the family was viewing. It was not good for uploading pictures. Slow times were 8 - 10pm or so. I used the notebook computer for storing pictures because I'm too paranoid about something happening to my memory card.

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

Im happy for those out at 105 and 90 days, but can you leave something for us first timers at 75 days. Enjoy, now if only I could make a decision on any excusions.
Any recomendations thats suited for a 9 yo girl

Thanks
Ed

 

[Mjasp]

Ok, even though I am not cruising with you all. I can't wait until you all get your packages and share what you received. Even though I'm not sailing, I should have joined in

Anyway, I am checking out the 9 night out of Bayonne NJ next August on Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas.
The August 17th sailing is Friday August 17th to Sunday August 26th. On Vacationstogo.com The cheapest inside is $899, The cheapest Oceanview is $1,059, The cheapest Balcony is $1,149 and the cheapest suite is $1,559.

We will save pre-night hotel, food, rent a car, etc and the biggie is we will save on airfare.
The Itinerary is as follows.

Fri. 8/17/07 Bayonne, NJ Depart 5 PM
Sat. 8/18 At Sea
Sun. 8/19 Kings Wharf, Bermuda Arrive 8:00 AM Depart 5:00 PM
Mon. 8/20 At Sea
Tues. 8/21 St. Maarten Arrive Noon Depart 9:00 PM
Wed. 8/22 St. Thomas Arrive 8:00 AM Depart 6:00 PM
Thurs. 8/23 San Juan, PR Arrive 7:00 AM Depart 2:00 PM
Fri. 8/24 At Sea
Sat. 8/25 At Sea
Sun. 8/26 Bayonne, NJ Arrive 8:00 AM

Nice Itinerary, 9 nights is only one more than doing a pre night and you can even work a half day on Friday if you wanted too "NOT"

Doesn't it sound good???

I will be looking into this more as time goes by.

Joanna

 

[SeaSpray]

Im happy for those out at 105 and 90 days, but can you leave something for us first timers at 75 days. Enjoy, now if only I could make a decision on any excusions.
Any recomendations thats suited for a 9 yo girl

Thanks
Ed

Hi Ed! Have you seen this thread? It's all about the Stingray Ray's Excursion on Castaway Cay. It has pictures too, and from what I've read and can see in the pictures, it's very child-friendly I plan on doing this on our first day at CC. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=965950

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

Terry,


Thanks, somehow I suppect if a stingray brushed against my dd or "sucked" on her calf, I would have one very upset dd.

She is one of those ulta sensitive types and it dosnt take much to upset her. She also dosnt like load sounds, but at least is getting better about that.

You know the type (high maintence) lol

 

[SeaSpray]

Ok, even though I am not cruising with you all. I can't wait until you all get your packages and share what you received. Even though I'm not sailing, I should have joined in

Anyway, I am checking out the 9 night out of Bayonne NJ next August on Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas.
The August 17th sailing is Friday August 17th to Sunday August 26th. On Vacationstogo.com The cheapest inside is $899, The cheapest Oceanview is $1,059, The cheapest Balcony is $1,149 and the cheapest suite is $1,559.

We will save pre-night hotel, food, rent a car, etc and the biggie is we will save on airfare.
The Itinerary is as follows.

Fri. 8/17/07 Bayonne, NJ Depart 5 PM
Sat. 8/18 At Sea
Sun. 8/19 Kings Wharf, Bermuda Arrive 8:00 AM Depart 5:00 PM
Mon. 8/20 At Sea
Tues. 8/21 St. Maarten Arrive Noon Depart 9:00 PM
Wed. 8/22 St. Thomas Arrive 8:00 AM Depart 6:00 PM
Thurs. 8/23 San Juan, PR Arrive 7:00 AM Depart 2:00 PM
Fri. 8/24 At Sea
Sat. 8/25 At Sea
Sun. 8/26 Bayonne, NJ Arrive 8:00 AM

Nice Itinerary, 9 nights is only one more than doing a pre night and you can even work a half day on Friday if you wanted too "NOT"

Doesn't it sound good???

I will be looking into this more as time goes by.

Joanna

Joanna, I've looked at that exact cruise myself. I think eventually we will be doing that cruise, maybe next year, not sure. My niece has been on the Explorer and she said it was great. I know what you mean about cruising out of NJ; no flying, no pre-cruise hotel, etc. Plus it's a 9-night cruise!

 

[SeaSpray]

Terry,


Thanks, somehow I suppect if a stingray brushed against my dd or "sucked" on her calf, I would have one very upset dd.

She is one of those ulta sensitive types and it dosnt take much to upset her. She also dosnt like load sounds, but at least is getting better about that.

You know the type (high maintence) lol

oh ok, Ed! I just thought I'd suggest it, it's a much tamer version of swimming with the stingrays in comparison to the one at Stingray City off of Grand Cayman. But I can understand where some kids just wouldn't be comfortable with it. Hey, I'm an adult and I don't know how I'll react to them! LOL But from what I've heard, they've removed the barbed tails of these stingrays, and they don't look to the swimmers for food like the rays at Grand Cayman do, so it's supposedly a calmer, gentler encounter with them.

 

[castoff]

Ed: When Brooke was 9 we did the Stingray at Blue Lagoon. It didn't go over to well with her at all. If I remember correctly.............Aw yes she screamed and screamed and ran out of the water and never went back in. Chuck and Jonathan enjoyed though. The other option is having her in the clubs and doing some of the activities with them. Whenever we tried to sign Brooke out she never wanted to leave.

 

[castoff]

Ok, even though I am not cruising with you all. I can't wait until you all get your packages and share what you received. Even though I'm not sailing, I should have joined in

Anyway, I am checking out the 9 night out of Bayonne NJ next August on Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas.
The August 17th sailing is Friday August 17th to Sunday August 26th. On Vacationstogo.com The cheapest inside is $899, The cheapest Oceanview is $1,059, The cheapest Balcony is $1,149 and the cheapest suite is $1,559.

We will save pre-night hotel, food, rent a car, etc and the biggie is we will save on airfare.
The Itinerary is as follows.

Fri. 8/17/07 Bayonne, NJ Depart 5 PM
Sat. 8/18 At Sea
Sun. 8/19 Kings Wharf, Bermuda Arrive 8:00 AM Depart 5:00 PM
Mon. 8/20 At Sea
Tues. 8/21 St. Maarten Arrive Noon Depart 9:00 PM
Wed. 8/22 St. Thomas Arrive 8:00 AM Depart 6:00 PM
Thurs. 8/23 San Juan, PR Arrive 7:00 AM Depart 2:00 PM
Fri. 8/24 At Sea
Sat. 8/25 At Sea
Sun. 8/26 Bayonne, NJ Arrive 8:00 AM

Nice Itinerary, 9 nights is only one more than doing a pre night and you can even work a half day on Friday if you wanted too "NOT"

Doesn't it sound good???

I will be looking into this more as time goes by.

Joanna

Joanna: Thanks so much for sharing this ! Oh how I wish you didn't Maybe I could just book it and not tell Chuck for awhile till AFTER our cruise so he will be excited to take another It would only be a 5 1/2 hour drive for us. I love the Itinerary !! I have always wanted to go to Bermuda & San Juan. The other ports I have been but hey that was like 9 years ago. Those prices are really tempting.

 

[Mjasp]

Also, I was reading on CC that with RCCL after you book that if you see a lower fare, they will apply the lower price like DCL.
Someone said that their price dropped 6 times and they upgraded to a suite for the same price as the original booking. Remember other lines lower their prices at sail time nears.

It would be nice to sail with DISers, since DCL isn't going Caribbean next summer.

 

[Walsh clan]

Also, I was reading on CC that with RCCL after you book that if you see a lower fare, they will apply the lower price like DCL.
Someone said that their price dropped 6 times and they upgraded to a suite for the same price as the original booking. Remember other lines lower their prices at sail time nears.

It would be nice to sail with DISers, since DCL isn't going Caribbean next summer.

Morning Everyone!

Writing from a wet and wonderful Ireland today, but since a lot of our days are like that, you kinda get used to it!

Joanna, your schedule looks great! If you can cut the flying out of your trip then it becomes less expensive and I think less hassle!

Ed, we are hopefully going to do the Stingray trip with our 6 yo DD, she wouldn't be the bravest but she has touched one before in an aquarium, so I'm hoping that she won't freak!

Andy, have you reached the 100% packed mark yet?

Moira

 

[SeaSpray]

Good morning from sunny Massachusetts

I am frustrated because I've decided to change which resort we're going to stay at following the cruise, and the one I want, The Polynesian, is not available! They have NO ROOMS available in concierge except for the 2-bedroom suites. We definitely don't want a suite, at the price of over $1000. per night.

I will keep calling back to see if a concierge room at the Polynesian opens up, but in the meantime I got prices for the Contemporary Atrium club, and concierge at the Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, and Boardwalk. I just don't know which resort to pick. I honestly don't want to stay anywhere else other than the Polynesian. It feels like "home" to us when we are there I think my second choice would be the Wilderness Lodge because we loved the atmosphere at that resort, too, and we liked the boat to the Magic Kingdom. Blah... decisions, decisions. lol

Oh! I have some news!! I've received emails from 2 people who've asked me to add their families to our list of cruisers!! Can we please give them a warm welcome!!!

Famof8 - Joyce and her family: Katharine (17), Nathan (15), TJ (13), Megan (9), Christian (7), and Nick (4).

Carameltink - Lynn and her DS (8)



I hope they will both jump right into the thread here and say hello so we can get to know them a bit!!

 

[Verandah Man]

Since it seems like it is weather report day, here in Southern, NJ it is cloudy and cool with a chance of showers later on.

I started my Monday by arriving at work to fine a flat tire on my work car. The township mechanic (Marcus) came to my resue, put air in the tire so I could drive to the township garage, where the mechanic changed the tire, Go Marcus, you are my hero for today!!!

We are still at 90% packed, we have to wait until Thursday after Angelina gets home from school so she can packed up her hair products and make-up, LOL!!! Hazel has to pick up Angelina's formal dress and pirate outfit from the dry cleaners tomorrow, then they can go in the garment bag with all our other dress clothes. Thursday will be here before we know it!!!

 

[Walsh clan]

Good morning from sunny Massachusetts


Oh! I have some news!! I've received emails from 2 people who've asked me to add their families to our list of cruisers!! Can we please give them a warm welcome!!!

Famof8 - Joyce and her family: Katharine (17), Nathan (15), TJ (13), Megan (9), Christian (7), and Nick (4).

Carameltink - Lynn and her DS (8)



I hope they will both jump right into the thread here and say hello so we can get to know them a bit!!

Joyce and Lynn... Welcome! Delighted to make more new friends! Joyce and I have spoken on the passporters board recently so it'll be great to continue the conversations here too!


BuddyBear and RobinMarie - your pictures are beautiful! I love family pictures! (Real nosy streak)

And mentioning nosy, Terry I went through your website over the weekend and it was amazing! I had only read about the Polynesian before but I went into much further detail and I loved it! You are a mind of information and one thing's for sure - you LOVE Disney! Especially loved the review of the Disney Magic and views from your room, you were in 6042 and we are going to be in 6128, so it gave us a great idea of what our room would be like - thanks so much!

Moira.