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

[Sarah'sMomfrom PA]

Andy....just be sure to pack an extra pair of glasses...I still remember the glasses fiasco and it brings a smile to my face!!

 

[SeaSpray]

Hi everyone:

I'm peeking in from work. They removed the computer from the breakroom so I'm sitting at my desk right now and I feel*very* conspicuous, as if I'm doing something wrong! LOL I asked about it, and they said it's fine to log into the internet from my desk, during my breaks and lunch. I just hope they put the new computer in the breakroom quickly. LOL

Starting next week the woman I work with will be out for 2 weeks, on vacation. She and I are the only ones in this department, so I've been learning a lot of the tasks that she usually does, before her vacation starts. It's all very straightforward, except for handling the closed accounts each day. She's been training me in bits and pieces so it won't be too overwhelming (there are lots of steps and minor nuances that effect how the specific accounts get handled), but I'm still a little stressed about being "alone" next week and the week after! I know it'll be fine though. And the people here are very helpful, if I have any problems. I told Maggie (she's the other woman in the deparment) that I'm going to throw a party for her when she gets back, IF I survive working alone all that time.

The next few weeks are going to be a bit stressful for me, right up until we leave for the cruise. This coming weekend I have a convention to go to; I'll be home each evening, but gone for at least 12 hours on Saturday and Sunday. The following weekend John and I will be going to the NJ shore and then bringing Robby back home with us. Then, just 4 days after that we fly to Orlando! During those last few days I have hair appts, nail appts, Robby has a haircut appt and an orthodontist appt, plus I have to pack, make sure all of the arrangements (limos, Radisson, etc) are in place properly, AND WORK!! LOL I always took for granted all the free time I used to have! LOL Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining one bit, just still adjusting to this big change of going back to work I still love the job

Anyway, in regards to all I just wrote, please be patient if anyone needs to be added to any lists. Like I said in a post to Andy, making changes to the Itinerary page is quite easy, but at this point I think making changes to Page 1 of this thread is something I don't want to do anymore. But now that Mary Rose is "back", maybe she can make the changes, if anyone has any


Oops break is over! LOL

 

[Michele25]

Thanks for the response, Doreen! I live in East Amherst, which is about 40-45 minutes away from Hamburg and East Aurora. We are in Hamburg almost every week because my daughter's soccer team practices at one of the fields there.

This thread is so (wonderfully) long that I didn't see your earlier post about the transfer companies (sorry!) Tiffany Towncar was one I was hoping to call. I'll just wait a bit to see if anyone else has any other suggestions.

I will definitely call the Radisson today to get on the list for a shuttle to the port.

Thanks again!!

Michele

 

[Michele25]

Okay, we're all set.....just called the Radisson and got on the 10:30 am shuttle. Cross that off the list! (Do I need to reconfirm this later, possibly at check-in?)

Michele

 

[Verandah Man]

Andy....just be sure to pack an extra pair of glasses...I still remember the glasses fiasco and it brings a smile to my face!!

LOL!!! I knew that one would come up again, LOL!!!

Angelina and I will be getting some goggles to wear on the BBR, that salt water really stings the eyes.

 

[PoohJen]

Hi Michele,
All those Buffalo names sound so familiar to me; DH and I went to St Bona's, so many of our friends were from the Buffalo 'burbs! DH was from Rochester and grew up in Jamestown.

Tina, glad your familly was able to all be together for the party! What a warm and fitting highlight in your MIL's life.

 

[DisneyAgainIn2006]

Hello Everyone , I've been following this board for a while and am happy to say that my husband and I just booked for this cruise, Our first cruise!!

We're very excited to be going. We have 2 children, a boy 9 and a girl 13 . We're flying down the morning of the cruise, so we won't be staying at any hotels before the cruise, but we are staying 5 nights at the Polynesian after the cruise (our favorite). We've been to WDW about 10 times in the last 15 years. I couldn't get any flights out of Philly, so we're stuck with JetBlue out of Newark.

Can anyone offer any tips on what to bring or other preperations we can make for the cruise. I bought the passporters and birnbaum guides, but I was hoping someone may have suggestions not in these guides.

Thanks for any help you can provide

Molly

 

[5by5]

Hello Everyone , I've been following this board for a while and am happy to say that my husband and I just booked for this cruise, Our first cruise!!

We're very excited to be going. We have 2 children, a boy 9 and a girl 13 . We're flying down the morning of the cruise, so we won't be staying at any hotels before the cruise, but we are staying 5 nights at the Polynesian after the cruise (our favorite). We've been to WDW about 10 times in the last 15 years. I couldn't get any flights out of Philly, so we're stuck with JetBlue out of Newark.

Can anyone offer any tips on what to bring or other preperations we can make for the cruise. I bought the passporters and birnbaum guides, but I was hoping someone may have suggestions not in these guides.

Thanks for any help you can provide

Molly

First,

Second, I think Passporters does a good job of breaking down the cruise so you're in good shape there. I've never seen the Birnbaum guide.

At this point I would suggest you make plans to sign up for Palos ressies ASAP when you board the ship! Try to do both the brunch and dinner (on different days)

Go through the excursions offered and see if anything sounds interesting to you. If you check out the link on the first page you can see what others may be doing.

Finally, don't get all bent out of shape thinking about formal night. So many people seem to go into a panic about what to wear and it's not that big of a deal. If you want to dress up, do it. If not, at least look presentable!

5by5

 

[PoohJen]

Welcome Aboard Molly!!! As true Disney fans, you are going to LOVE the Magic!!! And, watch out, you'll quickly become addicted to the DIS boards!!!

I have twin boys aged 9 and eldest son age 13; this is our second cruise.

My biggest, number one tip I learned on these boards, and was duly impressed with on our first DCL cruise - bring an over-the-door shoe hanger to put/organize all your "stuff" in - sunglasses, sunblock, cameras, Passporter book, etc., etc. It really reduces the clutter (you won't have alot of room to move around, unless your in a Cat 1 suite!!!), and the kids will always know where to find their stuff!

Being true Dis'ers, everyone here will LOVE to share their tips too! And, on the main DIS-DCL board FAQs, I believe there are links to pages and pages of tips.

Especially since you are flying down the day of, I'd recommend getting trip insurance in the UNLIKELY event you have to make alternative arrangements to get to the ship!

Check out the DIS FAQ and also the website www. castaway club.com for recent Western (Double Dip) Navigators, which will show recent daily itineraries for our cruise; that will help you and your family know what types of activities you may want to participate in.

Planning the cruise is half the fun!! We're glad you found us!

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

Welcome Aboard Molly!!!


This is our first cruise too,
Their is a lot of infomation on the DIS boards, but I would say just ask away,

Somebody on the board will have the answer Im sure.

Ed

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

Molly,

This is cruise #5 for us so I'll pass along some tips.

You will not need as many clothes as you think. You'll be in a bathing suit/cover up during the day so you don't need as many "daytime" clothes as you think. One nice pair of dark colored slacks that you can match with different tops will get you through more than one dinner.

Pack an extension cord as the electrical outlets are not conveniently located.

The kids will need "down" time during the day. Don't be surprised if you find your kids just "vegging" on the couch watching TV in the middle of the day.

The pools will be mobbed on sea days. Best time to swim is 5-6pm.

Yes, its been hot this month but nothing prepares you for how hot it will be in Mexico and in Castaway Cay next month. Make sure you keep hydrated.

Recognize you can't do everything. Comb through the daily navigators and pick out one or two things you want to do.

All the CM's are really friendly. Smile and say "hi" every CM you encounter. You'll get a big smile in return.

Yeah, we're flying in on the 19th, too, from Newark. DH needs to work on the 18th. My 10 y/o DD decided she's a Mets fan this year and we're going to see the Mets play the Phillies in Philly on the 17th.

 

[Michele25]

Hi Jen,

How nice to hear someone's familiar with our area! St. Bonaventure is a really nice college! We've been in Rochester a lot lately--3 weekends out of the last 5 my daughter has had soccer tournaments there--Greece, Fairport and Brockport!

Welcome aboard, Molly! I agree with Jen--one of my favorite tips that I learned from these boards was to bring the over the door shoe organizer. We put it over the bathroom door and it was great!!! Helped keep a small area relatively tidy and organized.

I also agree with Ski-and-Sea about bringing less daytime clothes than you think you'll need. I totally overpacked on our first cruise and hope to do better this time!

The Passporter is an invaluable guide, so keep it nearby!

Michele

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

Each cruise I pack less and less stuff. If it doesn't smell and it isn't stained then you can wear it again.

Totally agree about needing the organizer. There isn't much "countertop" space in the room.

 

[Verandah Man]

Welcome to the Cruisin' Castaways Molly and Family!!!

 

[Bmwdsny]

Welcome aboard Molly!!!

You gonna love this cruise and this famlily!! We are gonna have a blast!!

are you from PA???

Mel

 

[Steve's Wife]

Hi Molly,

Welcome aboard! This is our 4th Disney cruise, but our first time on the Magic. Everyone on this board has been very friendly and helpful -- if you have any questions, somebody will know the answer or know where you can find it.


Lori

 

[RobinMarie]

Welcome Molly!

 

[O'BWV]

Hi Everyone!

Welcome Molly & family!! My best tip - hope for a hurricane and maybe we'll get three extra days on the Magic again!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Monday!


Mary Rose

 

[O'BWV]

Tina - Seems like the party went beautifully. So glad you all will have the memories!



Mary Rose

 

[DisneyAgainIn2006]

Hi Everyone!

Welcome Molly & family!! My best tip - hope for a hurricane and maybe we'll get three extra days on the Magic again!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Monday!


Mary Rose

???? They give extra days for hurricanes???