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

[hawkrn]

decorations sound great! Window clings for our window, maybe? The magnet door sounds great-you can get those cardboard decorations at the store, they've had them since I was a kid. We have several to tape on our windows at home. Glad somebody has rain-we're so dry here. Everyone's yard is a nice shade of brown. It was 98 yesterday too. But I prefer that over snow! I just had an icy mocha from Panerra-hope the Magic's new coffee bar has something like that! I'm addicted!

 

[belle&beastcrazy]

Hi kim here I haven't been on all week. Shopping, getting my oldest ready to take back to college. I bought a small tree that has lights , on it to put in our room for Christmas. Also some cut outs that have a suction cup to put on our door 6514. Magnets sound great too I will have to look for some. My DH said if I want to decorate I have to carry it but since I do all the packing he will never know what he is carring. KIM

 

[Ginny]

HI All -

Lynn - Isn't it amazing how all the memories stay with us? Your time at camp sounds great. We just finished making 100 swaps (50 for Erin and 50 for me) - we had a little production line going. And, to understand how truly remarkable this feat is........one must understand how truly "un-crafty" I am. My Art Professor in college asked me to drop the course since I was holding everyone else back!!

Julie - DH is betting on that new coffee house as well. I can see him now - up at Sunrise and first in line.

Kim - I was thinking the same thing about packing all the decorations and have a lot more room now - I really scaled back my clothes packing since the first DCL Cruise - I can laugh at myself now!!

All these decorating ideas sound great!! I love the cling-on ideas and the magnets.

Last December when we went to WDW for a week, one of our dear friends (a DIS'er we met on the Halloween Cruise- MCazer) sent a package to us at the Contemporary......a little tree with ornaments and tiny garland & little red stockings with our names. We came home after day at the park to find this wonderful package waiting for us - it was such a completely unexpected and thoughtful surprise. We had such fun decorating our little tree!! It really did "make" the room and that night when the water parade went by, it was just really special.

 

[LynnTarrant]

Oh Ginny You've really raised a smile here when you said about your art prof, I was asked to leave art lessons at high school, because the teacher felt, my time and energies would reap better rewards somewhere else, and I tried so hard!!! LOL
Lynn

 

[Ginny]

So glad to see I am not alone in the "art-challenged" department....although, Lynn, your instructor sounds a bit more charitable than mine!! LOL

I survived Girl Scout Camp and although last night we "enjoyed" one of those rousing thunderstorms I foolishly mentioned liking so much - we all had a great time! I am sore in places I didn't even know I had muscles and sure wish I could head to the Spa for a full body massage! I wonder if I will miss the scent of Avon "Bug Guard?"

Now, it is back to concentrated trip planning. DD and I haven't seen much of DH this week and he was full of ideas and suggestions last night when his two "drowned rats" got home at 11PM.

Hope all are well!

 

[jgalecpa]

Back in town full time now. Schools a-startin'.

couple of quick things:


As to decorating, we are planning to do the door with decor, as well as window/porthole stick-ons.

Belle&Beast Crazy:

I bought a small tree that has lights , on it to put in our room for Christmas.

Just make sure the tree can be secured so the rocking doesn't keep knocking the tree over.

NOW FOR THE BIG QUESTION (for those who celebrate):

What are you doing to allow SANTA to visit the cabin?

We have adjoining rooms, so we will set up the sitting room area of our cabin, we will bring small stockings, and a few small items. We may bring pictures of their large gifts, but that is just a thought.

What are others doing help speed Santa in?

 

[hawkrn]

I just plan on bringing small gifts that we can easily lug home with our other souvenirs. Yes, Santa will come to our cabin even though my son no longer "believes". Didn't I read somewhere that all the kids get a gift from Santa on the ship? Or maybe that's Santa Goofy!!!!

 

[jgalecpa]

Our kids no longer believe, but that magic of Xmas supercedes even the most sceptical teenager.

Wait til they have a two year old of their own. They'll believe again.

I have heard (and saw on an old XMAS navigator) that all the "kids" get a gift from "santa"

 

[Ginny]

Santa will definitely be visiting our cabin as DD has already voiced her concerns that Santa won't know where we are!! DS gets a big kick out of helping Santa do magical things for his sister!! I'm not too sure on the finer points but we are bringing a couple of small things with us.

 

[LynnTarrant]

Doesn't believe!!!!
I believe I believe...... my hubby and I are often away from home at Xmas, reassure your children that he has never failed to find us. Our stockings will be at the end of our beds on Christmas eve and I fully expect to find them lumpier and bumpier in the morning. anything is possible if you believe.

I've been a tad busy with 5 new arrivals our Lionhead bunny had babies on Wednesday. They are so cute.
Lynn

 

[hawkrn]

I'm bumping this so grumpy's mom can find us-we were quite a few pages back!

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

We have two daughters who will be 17 and 13 on this cruise - first time for all of us. Decorating sounds great - hadn't really thought of that! We hadn't planned on stockings and presents - I sold my husband on this trip by promising to use my Christmas budget, etc.

When is the Christmas party someone mentioned above? How do I find out about other special things that are not listed on the office disney cruise site? Thanks!! Grumpy's Mom

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Julie - thank you soooo much for moving this thread - I was obviously thrilled to see it!! Great ideas from everyone for the holiday! Looking forward to this cruise more than any vacation we have had in years (except last trip to WDW)! Bonnie

 

[LynnTarrant]

Welcome to the thread Bonnie, it certainly seems like this will be a girl's cruise!! Yhe Christmas Party refered to earlier is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, which doesn't take place on the cruise but at the Magic Kingdom, the final night of the party a ticketed event is the 19th Dec and some of us will be going along. I haven't been before myself but it sounds alot of fun. Are you planning to visit Disney pre or post cruise at all?
Lynn

 

[hawkrn]

Bonnie-how old are Grumpy and Malificent?

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Julie and Lynn - thanks for the warm welcome! Maleficent will be 17 September 24, and Grumpy (hormonal) 13 on September 25.

I am right in the midst of planning the pre cruise portion of our trip. I have a feeling that even though my husband will be off the full two weeks, he will want to jump in the car as soon as we get off the boat and head for home.

Maleficient is a junior, and the week of 12/15 is finals for her. They don't know about this trip -- it is their Christmas present this year -- so I have been trying in a roundabout way to find out exactly how long she has to be in school that day and whether she has to take a final in her fourth period class (which would be on Friday). She told me today she didn't think she would have to - spanish class - progress reports today with an average of 105% - so I think we are safe there.

So, right now I am trying to convince Doc to drive, put the airfare towards some excursions that we might otherwise pass on, drive down Thursday night, and go the parade Friday night. I hate to say it, but I really do think I love all this more than my girls do!!

I have to say that I am so glad I found this board - there is so much information here - and it will make our trip so much more enjoyable in so many areas!!

Hope to meet you both either at the parade or on board. Booked a Cat 8 and praying for an upgrade!

Bonnie

 

[Ginny]

Welcome, Bonnie, to our thread and the Christmas Cruise!! I hope your DD's will enjoy Common Grounds. DS (16) has had great times there and really enjoyed the couselors working with the teens.

All -
I have such fun planning our vacations and this one is no exception. We did book MVMCP for 19 Dec but all the ressies for Liberty Tree Tavern were gone for dinner (until 7PM) so we'll have dinner at Wilderness Lodge and catch the boat over or just go early and have hotdogs in Tomorrowland.

I am going to snag DH over this long weekend to look at different excursions including CAPT Marvin's or DCL excursions. Also, I read an interesting post about Jeep Tours in Cozumel which sounded fun and other reviews were very positive.
http://www.travelnotes.cc/cozumel/links/todoreviews/jeep.html
Many of these reviews from folks who scheduled it privately with the company vice the ship excursion. Anyone else heard anything about these Jeep Tours?

 

[Magic8540]

Getting ready for our 4th cruise, second one this year. We took our first Eastern in May and cannot wait for our second Western, especially a Christmas cruise. We are also spending some time at Wilderness Lodge after the cruise and through NYE.

 

[kyravw]

Me and my husband will be joining you all on the x-mas cruise this year. We are from holland and it is my second disney cruise. The first one was two years ago with my mother, and now I'm bringing my man. No kids, just us....

 

[hawkrn]

yea-more people! Kyrawv-how long of a trip is it to get to Orlando? Hope you come early and rest! Magic-who's coming on the cruise with you? You are definitely a cruise pro!