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

[jgalecpa]

Bonnie,

It is 60 days from the day the ship sails. That way you can book them all at once.

Lynn,

Luckily, Rieann and I both love to travel. we also have this deal where about every 4th major trip, we take it for the parents alone. We ship the kids someplace good and we go somewhere we've never been. That way, if we like it we can take the kids back. If we don't, we still had some togetherness time and saved some $$$.

Jim

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Thanks, Jim.

BTW, did anyone read the thread started by imgoingtodisney regarding ability to talk to server before the cruise? I think it was posted yesterday -- It seems to have disappeared .... I was curious as to whether she responded ....

 

[hawkrn]

The restaurant is called Conch Republic Seafood Co. They have a website http://www.conchrepublicseafood.com/home.htm. It is located 2 blocks from Sloppy Joes in the wharf area. Apparently they have a large outside eating area. My friend said that if you just want key lime pie then the best place to go is Crabby Dicks (!) but this is next best in the key lime department. Another friend went on Carnival this year and stopped there for a burger and I saw the picture of her trying to eat it-it was huge! Jim, thanks for the advice on the trolly tickets!

 

[hawkrn]

sorry, try this link!http://www.conchrepublicseafood.com/

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Julie -- thanks for the link. What a great place! Our family will definitely be stopping for a meal. It looks absolutely delicious - did you see the key lime mustard??

Bonnie

Where is Ginny???

 

[jgalecpa]

Hawkrn,

Thanks! Printed out the menu, etc. Sounds definitely like a stop.

Conch fritters with Key Lime mustard? Hmmm hmmm good!

Anyone know a good place to get Gator? (I mean to eat not catch). We love it!

Jim

 

[Ginny]

Hi, all -

I had to go all the way to page 6 to find our thread!! I've missed you all. Life has been very colorful for the last week and I have so much on my mind, I am waking up with "to do" lists for my "to do" lists. But, at 2 AM the world is pretty quiet. The 16th of December just keeps dancing in my head!

I am in awe of all the travel lovers we have although I personally think the fact that Bonnie lived in Birmingham for 5 years should win!!

Having lived in Okinawa, Japan twice, my travels have been more in the Far East: Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Seoul, Tokyo. Everytime I tried to go to the Phillipines..........they overthrew the government so never got there. Funny how those insurrections can change a girl's plans. DH has really had the opportunity to travel all over the world although sometimes not in the most plush conditions! He has promised to take us to Paris and Ireland............two places he absolutely loves and to which I have always wanted to go. But, our travels for the past 4 years have really centered on Disney, Disney and.....well, Disney!! Anyone sense a theme??

Made our final payment on Monday and Donna, our DU agent, sent us the internet link to download the DU excursion paperwork. It said the first date to call or fax to pre-register is 21 October so that sounds pretty consistent based on what you all have said.

Julie, your restaurant sounds great. When we ended up in Key West on our first DCL cruise (the Mystery Cruise), we had no idea where to go or what to see. We just went to the Hard Rock Cafe and they were so great to us there. Then, we just went shopping along the little streets by the dock. I am going to send Shirley (Perfect Gift) an envelope to see all the materials she has - she is so wonderful and her baskets are awesome!!

Also, DH just mentioned last night that he would like to book the New Year's Cruise for 2005/06!! Since the 2005 dates are out through April, it shouldn't be too long before they close out the year. We booked this Christmas cruise in August of 2001 and are so excited it is finally here!!

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Hi Ginny - we missed you this week.

Thank you, thank you, for being impressed -- the really impressing part was that I actually AGREED to move there. In retrospect, Birmingham turned out to be a wonderful place to live and raise children, and is sadly still carrying the stigma of the 1950's outside of Alabama (which was what I expected to find and why I did not want to move there). We found a very large, very fine medical center, with an extremely diverse popluation of people studying at the Univeristy graduate schools. Our DD's elementary school had children from 27 different countries attending. We had wonderful holiday celebrations!

My Disney Visa should be arriving in the mail today, so we will be making final payment with TA this afternoon. Then, transferring balance over to the Miles One card (working on number two europe airfare - hopefully for cruise, although the New Year's 2005 sounds enticing).

Have bought snorkel equipment on clearance at Target which DH says I should take back. I spent $20 per person, which I think is less than what it would cost us to snorkel at several places, even CC, if I remember correctly. I told DH I have a thing about using the same mouth piece used by thousands -- he says that he is certain they have figured out by now how to sanitize, sterilze, etc.

Ginny, have you seen the new Radko Island Christmas ornaments? I got an email yesterday that C. Radko is actually coming to a store in Los Angeles - can't muster the enthusiasm for that trip with the cruise coming up. Did get some great buys on Easter Radko yesterday at Marshall's! Found a site the other day that says that the cabin doors are metal so I will include that in my thinking for decorations. I think DH will have (as they say here in the south) a hissy if I bring a tree and ornaments, but I am gonna give it a go!

 

[Ginny]

Bonnie - I will make you the same offer I made Jim and be happy to use your Miles One card if it will help you rack up miles for those tickets. Just let me know and I'll break out my wish list of Radko's for purchase!! That list alone should get you 4 round trip tickets...... around the world!!

I called Happy Limo today and made our various reservations. I feel much better now that those are in place. I had them pick us up at the WL at 0930 on Saturday so we should be at the port around 1030 or 1100. I love getting there early and all the excitement and meeting folks in line. Then, they will take us to HRH after the cruise for our two day stint at Universal before we head home.

I don't know about you guys, but I am just getting so excited. I can't wait!!

 

[Ginny]

To all -

I sent an e-mail to Shirley at the Perfect Gift about Christmas and decorations, etc. I asked if by chance she would have Tabletop Trees available for us to order through The Perfect Gift and have delivered to our stateroom for Christmas. I asked if it was all right to share the info with you all on our Christmas thread.

She is such a truly lovely woman - responded back today to let me know that they started carrying them last year and would be carrying them again this year. I didn't ask for any other details because I was sure my request was off the richter scale but Shirley never disappoints me!! She has done baskets for me on three different occasions and each one is better than the last one!!

I have no idea if any of you Christmas elves would also be interested in a table top tree but just wanted you to know that she would be carrying them so that perhaps we won't need to pack everything.

I just love the idea of having that Christmas tree smell in the stateroom. Have a great week everyone!

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Ginny -

Great idea - are you talking something similar to the Jackson & Perkins trees? We usually send these to our parents around Thanksgiving - my mother loves getting hers each year, and it is now the only thing she puts up at Christmas time.

I was actually out looking this afternoon, but didn't see anything, and would prefer to have a live tree if possible.

Have you read the thread on cruising at Christmas time on the main DCL board? Some interesting discussion there - with some familiar participants!

 

[jgalecpa]

Starting to get more prepared!

Over the weekend We found to nice large American Tourister suitcases for $54 each at wal-mart. Girls can't fit into small suitcases any longer.

I can go for a month on the stuff I can fit into one small one, But Rieann needs the overflow space!

ALso, Hit Home Depot today.

Got MyLime Green Mickeys in the paint section. Don't know if I got enough, though.....

Are we supposed to get package from DCL listing more deatils on excursions before the 60 day mark?

Jim

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Jim, do you expect the documents to have additional information on the excursions?? I haven't seen any information like that on the main board, but I haven't done a search, either.

I better hurry up and pay, then. I just got my Disney Visa in the mail this afternoon, so will call TA in the morning. Have to see how much I can spend in the next 45 days to earn more disney dollars!!

Ginny, would love to take you up on your offer - just send me your paycheck endorsed!!

Anyone getting a new camera? new video camera? Trying to decide if I buy one, which to get. I am frustrated tonight with my digital camera- Megan was ranked as the No. 1 high school Mezzo Soprano in North Carolina last week, and had a concert tonight. Took a picture as she was being introduced by the conductor, and the picture looks like someone jostled my elbow -- or maybe I am getting Parkinson's. I hate to have missed getting that moment in a picture. I will surely be upset if this happens on the cruise!

Jim, sounds like you are getting prepared all right. I am thinking about putting together a spread sheet for excursions -

 

[jgalecpa]

Bonnie,

On some thread I inferred that there is some excursion package one gets just before the 60 day mark with (more?) data on the excursions.

There was one thread a couple of weeks back where someone was about the 69th day left and hadn't got the package yet. Others responded that it should be there any day.

This is where I got the idea, I guess.

However, re-reading the passporter, I see nothing about this, so who knows.

I looked at new video cameras just sunday when I was in Wal-mart. You can get real nice analog (non-digital) video cameras for under $300. But I was just on a thread where the issue of whether or not to take a video on board was discussed, and I've decided We will probably not.

We do take a variety of one decent digital, one decent film, and a number of disposable film (inlcuding 2 underwater) cameras.

And as to the early onset of "parkinsons:

Megan was ranked as the No. 1 high school Mezzo Soprano in North Carolina last week, and had a concert tonight. Took a picture as she was being introduced by the conductor, and the picture looks like someone jostled my elbow -- or maybe I am getting Parkinson's

No, you were just shaking with well deserved motherly pride!

Congratualtions!


Jim

 

[jgalecpa]

Found mini-xmas trees on the web, as low as $15 and as smasll as 6 inches.

Remember, the taller the tree the more likely to fall over if the ship sways.

http://www.geezer.com/catalog.html?deptID=712&pageNbr=2&psid=6e3d45ed2677a9c2d70c413697ea54d0

I just googled "tabletop christmas trees" and this was the one most appealing to me in terms of size and price. there were some others that were also decent in sizes around 24"

Jim

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Jim - thank you! Said like a true proud papa yourself!!

I read the camera thread also yesterday and was thinking I might go to Best Buy and see what they have in the way of a new camcorder. Was hoping there might be some new technology out that would combine both video and digital. The dds got digital cameras for their birthdays and they have some video capability, but really only for use on the internet. Thought maybe the video camera might have better digital still capability. We have a very good Sony camcorder which is not too big, but those new ones that I glanced at while selecting cameras sure look nice! Since we haven't been on a cruise before, I think I would like to take some footage for when my Alzheimer's sets in.

I also went back through the Passporter last night. I just got an email from my TA saying that the excursion brochure comes with the document package. She also said something interesting:

"There is not a booklet that comes prior to your cruise - that comes with your travel documents about a month before you cruise. The best resource is the website. Please bear in mind that once you purchase it is not refundable in many cases. Meaning you can't change your mind."

I haven't searched for this, but it seems to me that the ability to cancel with full refund was one of the reasons people booked through DCL (??)

I did post a thread about the excursion booklet - one poster said she had received hers just after she paid her deposit!

We are going to tell the DDs this weekend - I will then have a better idea of what everyone wants to do for excursions.

I like the fact that your girls were so enamored with the Passporter - so far, it has stayed on my nightstand with no one taking a peak under its pleather cover!

 

[jgalecpa]

Bonnie

Please bear in mind that once you purchase it is not refundable in many cases. Meaning you can't change your mind."

On page 123 of my Passporter (The first page of "shore Excursions, Chapter 6) it says

"You can alter your shore excursion requests anytime up to two days prior to sailing. After that time, all excursions reservations are considered final an cannot be changed or refunded."

I would check on this when you call in on/after the 21st. I trust what I see in writing in the passporter, but I would verify.

Jim

 

[hawkrn]

all we got was a little flyer with our documents for our last December cruise. It was the same thing that's on the DCL website. No other descriptions.

 

[Ginny]

Hi all -

Crazy, crazy week - I'm seeing double and feeling single!!

Mom was admitted to the hospital after a fall on Monday. It is amazing what IV antibiotics and fluids and some intensive TLC can do for a woman. Took her home yesterday and gave her a shower and washed and styled her hair and even put her makeup on. She looked beautiful. The nurses at the hospital all loved her because she is so sweet, gracious and polite and, as long as we stay with her she is quite content BUT if we need to leave, she is really slick and making a break for freedom. Needless to say, I need about 80 hours of sleep!

Bonnie, you made me laugh out loud. I'll get that check in the mail. I swear, you all are too smart for me!!

I am not familiar with the Jackson and Perkins trees but we buy decorations from Land's End every year and that is how I described them to Shirley. I will check out J and P on the web. Chuck will be so thrilled - yet another store on the web in which I may purchase things!!

I have never received a brochure about the excursions but between the DU site and the DIS, I am hoping we have a pretty good feel. DS will be doing the Teen Cruise in Cozumel (he confirmed with the Tour Director (me) via e-mail last night. He also thought the jeep tour sounded like fun so Chuck is willing to revisit that one. Chuck is eyeing the all day with CAPT Marvin after his mis-guided wife (me) mentioned the fresh Mahi-Mahi lunch but I'm not sure with tendering if the time will work out.

I'm not sure I can hold out until Christmas - I want to go cruisin with Mickey right now!!

 

[belle&beastcrazy]

My it has been a busy few weeks. My father's 70th Birthday, parents weekend at DD college, and of course apple picking in the valley. Then it 's cake, pie, and applesauce making. DH got his hard cast off this past week now he is in what they call a "boot"at least he can take it off to sleep and shower. I can't beleive how fast the trip is coming up. So much to do so little time.

Bonnie: What did you girl's say about your little secert. My girls could not beleive you kept it from them. Great news on your Megan.

Julie: I am also a Key Lime lover along with my nephew who already has a list of Key Lime product's he wants me to buy.I have gotten my Key West Trolley Tour ticket already on line at www.historictours.com. It is the one where you can get on and off.

Jim: I also hit Home Depot to get my Alien Green Mickey paint sample heads.

Ginny: Hope your Mom is feeling better.

On Excursions: when we took our 4-day Wonder last year we did get a package on excursions at the 75 day mark. It listed all the excursions with a number to use when calling in. I guess DCL have changed the way they do things. I will be on the phone on the 21st.

On camera's: I am the video camera person in our family, my DD takes the regular camera and DH uses his Digtal. So we always have things covered. I know I will be taping as we go on board I want to get them saying our name and how the ship looks for
X-Mas. Kim