Christmas 2003 - Who's sailing (20-27 Dec 03)?

[Ginny]

Bonnie -

Congratulations on your tag..................and don't you dare try to edit it!! The whole wonderfully magical thing about the TAG FAIRY is that the TAG FAIRY calls the shots and you just have to wait until you sprinkle pixie dust in the right direction............and get tagged. If you could predict it, the fun would be gone.

Of course, I will no longer be able to speak, PM or e-mail you because I am simply overcome with jealousy. First, Jim's big fish and now you're a "commando." Obviously, I need to get more interesting..............or charming!

Okay, seriously, I personally think you should get extra points because you noticed the tag!!

 

[jgalecpa]

We mere mortals should not question the Tag Fairy!

I agree about the extra points for noticing. Took me days!



Jim

 

[kolakdaw]

Well I have just faxed our choices for excursions. I know I'm doing this a week late, but I hope we'll get our choices. We chose more than one excursion per day. The form I downloaded from the Disney site made it seem like you could only book one. Anyway, I made note that we wanted both if available! Here's our plan:

Keywest--Glass Bottom Boat. I looked at their website and it doesn't look like much of a boat, but DD15 wants to do it, so we will! I'm sure the rest of the day will be spent exploring and shopping! Teens you know...

Grand Caymen--Atlantis Submarine. Also looked at this site and this looks really cool! DD15 also wants this one. DD17 actually had no imput--she'll do what we tell her! Also, Stingray City later 1:00. If we don't get in, I'll try to do it myself through Captain Marvins as you've all suggested. I put Rum Point Beach with Stingray City as a back up.

Cozumel--Xcaret Eco Park. I went to this website also and it seems to have a lot to offer with beaches, underground rivers to explore, an aquarium and Mayan ruins. Also booked the teen cruise even though both were not sure they wanted to do it. I'm sure once we're there they will.

Castaway Cay--Parasailing for the girls. You won't get me up there! They both really want this one. I booked the "Get away package for myself--bike, tube and snorkle. I see myself riding and floating the day away...

Now--how long does it take to find out if I got these or not?? Should I call to ask?? Did any of you get confirmations in the mail yet? I booked the cruise through Cruise Direct. Hopefully, I can book these excursions now. They did charge my credit card for the remaining amount back on 10/5. I know, I'm fretting too much... It's been one of those crazy weeks!

I can't believe time is going so fast. Can't wait to get there--and meet you all!!

Dawn and the girls

 

[Ginny]

Dawn -

It's great that you and the girls have come up with a FUN game plan. I would suggest calling the 1-877-566-0968 number as soon as you can to run through your choices and confirm your ressies with a "live person". When you call DCL, you can determine right then if your excursions are still available and ensure that you get what you really want OR have time to come up with a Plan B.

Because they opened pre-books a week ago, you may find that some things are full. Even if you call and some or all of your choices are full, I don't believe they pre-book all available seats. I believe they save some for when we embark on Dec 20th. But, you can double check with them. I called DCL back on the night of the 21st to verify our para-sailing times and all the other times for para-sailing were already taken but I asked if additional seats would be available when we boarded and they confirmed that there would be.

I have not received a confirmation in the mail yet but have all the CM's names and times written down just in case. Good Luck!!

 

[kolakdaw]

I'm happy to say I just got a prereserved shore excursion confirmation fax back from Disney and we got all of the excursions I requested! YAY! (As my daughters would say!) The one I was really afraid of not getting was the Stingray City--but we are on for 1:00. They also listed our stateroom which I did not know up until this point as we were guaranteed Cat. 5. We are in 7612 which looks perfect to me! Near elevators, and closer to the back near those "hidden" sun decks. I think it has finally just hit me that this is really happening! I'm TOO excited! Dawn

 

[Ginny]

Dawn -

I am so excited for you and the girls that you got everything you wanted. How great!! AND, you got your fax confirmation back before I even got mine in the mail a week later. Terrific!

What time are the girl's parasailing? I think Lynn is in the later morning, Jim is at 2:30 and DD and I follow him at 3 something.

I know you will have a wonderful time on this cruise. Now, don't you wish there was someway to speed up the days??

Have a great day!

 

[kolakdaw]

Ginny--the girls are signed up for 1:30 Parasailing. When I told DD17 that I had booked her, for this, she got mad and said she'd never do it! So I told her I'd call Disney and change her name to mine and I'd go up with her sister instead. Five minutes later, she came upstairs and says--"don't change the name. I think I will do it, I just need time to get used to the idea...." LOL--I'm sure she'll love it all. I also booked one of those TIffany Towncars today. I looked into the Budget rental cars you all were talking about, but it' s just so high. Maybe I'm just too late. It was around $190 with taxes. $149ish when I used the discounts from Mousesavers, but that doesn't count getting another car for the return. It would cost $144 for roundtrip Disney busses and $145 roundtirp for the car (using the $15 coupon in the back of the Passporter). So we're going with the car and will get there in style. We should be there by 10:30 am. The girls are excited about the changes to the teen areas on the Magic. They are really looking forward to this! Dawn.

 

[jgalecpa]

Ginny:

don't you wish there was someway to speed up the days??

I dunno. I think that thing is going pretty fast!

We have Xmas cards to get out and some of my family wants to exchange XMAS presents at thanksgiving!

I think that timer is going faster everyday.

Jim

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Oh No! Christmas cards.....I guess they are NOT on the list of things we don't have to do since we will be cruisin' for Christmas!

Dawn - great reverse psych -- what a mom!! I noticed your treble clef - do you play or do you sing?? I am surprised I even know what that is - everyone else in my family could tell you ==

Ginny, Jim, Lynn and Dawn - I hope we get the chance to watch you parasail. Does anyone know offhand where this is done? Pass me the cameras if you would like.

Gosh, it is getting close, isn't it? Yesterday was DH's birthday - he received several very flamboyant tropical shirts as gifts - I think they went back to the store today!!

He was hoping to get another guitar for his birthday. I had hoped he would buy this himself when he was in NYC last weekend, but he seems to have a much harder time spending money than I do - he came home and said they were all too expensive!! I hadn't a clue what to buy - so I gave him the Musician's Friend catalog and a check and told him to go to it. This was before I knew he was looking for another ELECTRIC guitar -- my Hendrix-wannabe DH = HWDH??

I will be asking Santa for ear plugs in my stocking this year -- lol!!

Well, I have one big question to ask your advice about, but I need to spend some time getting it pasted into my signature - hopefully sometime this week -- how is that for suspense??

 

[kolakdaw]

Jim--why did you have to go and bring up Christmas cards? LOL I hadn't thought about them. I remember seeing one last year that had a Santa sitting under a palm tree. I think I'll get some like that!

Bonnie--good for you recognizing the treble clef! I do play the piano and think of myself as a musician anyway--music teacher really. I've made a couple of Christmas CD's that I plan to bring along on the trip. Playing Christmas music is my favorite holiday activity, so this year, I'll just listen! (I make the CD's as holiday gifts for family and to sell at school to fund the Adopt a Family Holiday drive.)

My reverse psychology worked thank goodness. DD17 now wants to parasail with her sister. If it hadn't worked, I'd be up there in her place probably having a heart attack!

Dawn, Kate & Becky

 

[LynnTarrant]

oh my goodness Christmas cards. Jim that was mean I'd managed to completely forget about them!!!!
Bonnie
You'll hear me even if you don't see me, I'll be the one dangling in the air screaming!!!

 

[jgalecpa]

Lynn,

When we lived in Ireland, my sister used to make a lovely Christmas pudding.

It took about a month, if I remember.

I dont suppose you'll bring one along for our get together in Bonnie's room?

(Just kidding. I don't even want to think of what the Homeland Security people would do with that!)



jim

 

[LynnTarrant]

Jim I'm afraid that I'm a full time working modern woman and the nearest I get to cooking puddings is to microwave one from the supermarket.
I can bring you one of those if you think customs would allow!!!
I can't decide if I'm with Ginny or you I alternate between wanting the days to fly by and panicking about how much there is to do.... and then you went and mentioned those cards.........

 

[jgalecpa]

Lynn,

Cards? Did I say Cards?

I meant to type Christmas CORDS.

You know, those things I will use to plug in my lights around the portholes.

Forget about my typo!

Jim

PS: Thanks for the thought. I am saving myself for the Palo's dessert.

PPS: They Have microwaveable puddings?

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Is anyone interested in fly fishing in Grand Cayman -

My DH wants to do this, although I know that he will balk at the prcie -- is anyone interested in joining him?

This would be a half-day guided trip with transportation from the dock and equipment included. there are two different excursions, one wading in the flats and the other fishing from a 17 ft stratos flats boat.

The half day price for the wading excursion is the same for 1-3 people, and from the boat 1-2 people.

I have emailed him back to see if he can accommodate both a fly fisherman and a spin casting fisherman on the boat at the same time.

Capt. Ebanks is willing to adjust his timing to pick up the fisherman(men, women) on the first tender to the dock.

This is a great opportunity for someone who has been wanting to try this -- the price for a guide, 1/2 day, equipment and transportation for two/three is the best I have ever seen anywhere.

PM me for more information --

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Did you all realize that with the time change this weekend we gained an hour in our timers?????

 

[belle&beastcrazy]

Hi everyone.

I don't know how you all have time to post as much as you do. This is the first day I have had off in months. DH went back to work this week, moving slow but sure. I have booked the excursions we wanted. I have started packing, really just laying things out on the spare bed. I did make a find at Walmart this past weekend the are LARGE zip lock bags that are decorated for Christmas. Just place your items in and zip up and easy to open if the security guards want a look.

I do have a question of the ladies. Are you packing evening attire at is more summer like or more holiday?

I have already done my Christmas cards and most of my shopping. Taking most if it at Thanksgiving to leave at the Grandparents houses for them to pass out for us later.

Kim

 

[LynnTarrant]

Ahh now you see that's where I've gone wrong.... Kim's done all her shopping and she's written those cards!!!! But she hasn't been hanging about on these boards....
Way to go Kim now if I just e-mail you my card list could you do mine as well!
Glad to hear your hubby is doing well
lynn

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Kim -- I am IMPRESSED!!

I'm with Lynn - if I send you my Christmas list, will you shop, wrap and send????

I am sooo looking forward to not being up til 3 am on Christmas Eve this year!!

What excursions are you going to do?

I am glad your DH is doing well, I am sure you both are relieved to have some sense of normalcy back.

I think my evening attire is going to be more geared towards the Holidays - and hope they have the AC cranked up!!

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

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