Christmas/Holiday 2011 on the Wonder: 8 night Mexican Riviera 12/18/2011

[Dchachos]

Initially we had talked about 30 days ahead (Nov. 18). However, I see some value in cutting it off earlier (say Nov. 7?) because due to ALSO having to plan/buy for/pack Christmas items on the cruise, not just FE, it might get a little overwhelming. That would be 6 weeks ahead not just 4.

Deb, my DH is anxious to finalize too! He's helping out with them this year and has something to contribute to the cabin gift. I hear ya on trying to figure out luggage space.

Thoughts?

Christine

I also vote for earlier,November 7th sounds perfect to me.

 

[SanDeeKath]

I also vote for earlier,November 7th sounds perfect to me.

Ditto here! I gotta get in gear so the sooner a deadline hits me, the better! Katherine

 

[CountryCharmer]

November 7th works for us! Also, we got our room number today... it is #2500.

 

[jalismoore]

Hello, Silly Little Pixie

Since I only have two posts I cannot PM you to be included in the FE...If its not to late can we be included. Thanks for help...

 

[jalismoore]

Hope there is a meet in greet...I love meeting new people from all over as we have done in past trips abroad..Being first cruise I was hoping to meet more..

 

[jalismoore]

Initially we had talked about 30 days ahead (Nov. 18). However, I see some value in cutting it off earlier (say Nov. 7?) because due to ALSO having to plan/buy for/pack Christmas items on the cruise, not just FE, it might get a little overwhelming. That would be 6 weeks ahead not just 4.

Deb, my DH is anxious to finalize too! He's helping out with them this year and has something to contribute to the cabin gift. I hear ya on trying to figure out luggage space.

Thoughts?

Christine

Can We still get added on to the FE? Thanks for your help...I didnt have 10 Posts and couldnt PM you..

 

[SanDeeKath]

Can We still get added on to the FE? Thanks for your help...I didnt have 10 Posts and couldnt PM you..

Hi there,

Quick make 5 more posts somewhere on DISboards. Then you will be able to get the info on the email exchange and the spreadsheet. We really can't post this info on this general board so I have a feeling you are going to have to do it via PM somehow. Just post a few more comments and you'll be good to go!

Katherine

 

[jalismoore]

Welcome! Your DD and my DD are the same age! We should try to get them together. My DD is very sweet and friendly and she'd love to have another girl her age. We are going to have a GREAT TIME! I did crazy research for this cruise too even though I have been on LOTS of cruises.

As a matter of fact, Carnival called me to day to tell me they upgraded my kids to a full suite for free for our Spring Break cruise! WOW! So excited.

Katherine

My 13 year old is finally getting excited he went to Ports of Call with his Uncle over the weekend and saw the ship..is there any meet and greets...I might have passed them over in the thread..I only get on computer at night and my eyes grow weary..lol..Take Care

 

[jalismoore]

Katherine is correct regarding the MR cruises being a bit more dressed down (to the dismay of some...but no big deal to others); however, with the holidays and all, maybe some more people will dress up(?). We always do early dining and I don't think I've seen more than a couple of tuxes in 4 cruises. Maybe the late seating people dress up more(?).

For men, we've seen the gambit from nice suits to slacks and an open collar shirt. The ladies always seem to dress up a bit more (at least to me anyway). Most people seem to make an effort to dress their kids up at least a little bit, but as a parent you know that doesn't always go over so well. I guess as long as it's reasonable, whatever you're comfortable in is fine...after all, it's your cruise!

The nice thing about formal night is the photo opportunities. If you're like us, we don't get the whole family dressed up (and happy about it) very often, so you might score that elusive "perfect" family photo.

Here's a photo hint for those with younger kids. The club and lab switched over recently to ridiculously bulky electronic wrist bands for the kids. You may want to carry a small set of scissors or clippers to cut them off for photos (and excursions). You can trash the band but don't lose the actual electronic device or they will charge you for it. The next time you take them to the club/lab, the CMs will print a new wrist band and put the device back on your child. Just takes a few seconds. If you elect to keep them on, the photographers will generally attempt to pose your kids so the bands are covered; however, I'm sitting here right now looking at an amazingly cute picture of my kids, except for that tacky wrist band sticking out on one of them (lesson learned the hard way!).

Paying this week!

My DS will be happy on the less dressy attire, but he cant get away with it..Im thinking about making him dress up Christmas Eve and Christmas Night..He will never know..lol

 

[jalismoore]

Is there a list that we can join in on for this cruise? My kids and I just found out about the "fish extenders" and the fun people have and wanted to see if we could participate on our 12/18 cruise.

Thanks for all help anyone can give!

we are trying too..

 

[jalismoore]

Has anyone been on a Holiday cruise? Just curious, my DD was wondering if she would be missing out on the typical Christmas festivities..thanks..

 

[jalismoore]

Hello All,
We are spending Christmas on the Wonder! We are Jill, Rob and twins Jenna and Brook (9). We'll be coming in from our home in Austin TX a couple days before the cruise. We plan on going to Disneyland on Saturday. This will be our 9'th Dis cruise, 2'nd X-Mas cruise, and 2'nd Wonder cruise. We are looking forward to being on the Wonder as we are always on the Magic. So if you have any cruise questions, ask away. We are looking forward to the FE, last X-Mas the exchange was a lot of fun.

We have friends joining us from San Jose that have never been on a cruise. (I'll show them disboards soon)

I still need to book hotel and transfers, let me know if you have any suggestions. I have our last X-Mas cruise blogged, it was in the Caribbean, but you can get an idea of all the special things to come. Just click to December 2010

Looking forward to meeting all of you! Jill

Thanks for the link..I will be clicking on it, as my DD(10) is worried about christmas festivities...

 

[jalismoore]

Hi there,

Quick make 5 more posts somewhere on DISboards. Then you will be able to get the info on the email exchange and the spreadsheet. We really can't post this info on this general board so I have a feeling you are going to have to do it via PM somehow. Just post a few more comments and you'll be good to go!

Katherine

Thank you Katherine for being such a great help....So glad I found this site.

Alis

 

[designertravels]

Hello, There will be plenty of Christmas spirit. I heard that your room might have a little extra space in it. I know that 2512 had a couple extra feet in length, and I was told the ones further forward did too.

Jill

 

[SanDeeKath]

Thank you Katherine for being such a great help....So glad I found this site.

Alis

Welcome! Looks like you got the PM posts!

GUESS WHAT GUYS!!! I bought most of my FE gifts tonight!! YIPEEEEEE!!!

I can't wait to assemble everything. I definitely think it's gonna be a suitcase full of fun stuff tho!

Katherine

 

[Dchachos]

Welcome! Looks like you got the PM posts!

GUESS WHAT GUYS!!! I bought most of my FE gifts tonight!! YIPEEEEEE!!!

I can't wait to assemble everything. I definitely think it's gonna be a suitcase full of fun stuff tho!

Katherine

I have started working on making mine. I had planned on one thing for everyone but on second thought realized it wasn't good for all of the age levels. So I made a change in plans and I am really excited about the new plan.

Has anyone ever mailed a box ahead? I was thinking about mailing my decorations gifts and FE stuff to the port. I am a little worried they might get lost.

I need to figure a way to hide Christmas and Birthday presents if I don't mail them. Luckily Santa is only bringing a few gifts to the ship and the rest he will leave at home under the tree. I guess I can make one small suit case with all these things and keep it locked until we get to the airport. It's a good thing that my kids clothes are small so I can get all their things in one suitcase.

 

[SanDeeKath]

I have started working on making mine. I had planned on one thing for everyone but on second thought realized it wasn't good for all of the age levels. So I made a change in plans and I am really excited about the new plan.

Has anyone ever mailed a box ahead? I was thinking about mailing my decorations gifts and FE stuff to the port. I am a little worried they might get lost.

I need to figure a way to hide Christmas and Birthday presents if I don't mail them. Luckily Santa is only bringing a few gifts to the ship and the rest he will leave at home under the tree. I guess I can make one small suit case with all these things and keep it locked until we get to the airport. It's a good thing that my kids clothes are small so I can get all their things in one suitcase.

I honestly wouldn't mail anything. If they can't find it the day you arrive, you have no hope of getting it on the ship and all your hard work is wasted. The LA terminal seems a bit disorganized to me (I sail outta there often but somehow I always get the impression that the people working there are having their first week on the job each time).

We too are brining 1 gift for each of the girls and the rest Santa is leaving under the "tree"! Katherine

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

I have added a few more cabins to our list...check out post #152 for details. I think most have agreed to cut off the sign ups on November 7th. That's this Sunday, lurkers! Join in if you've been contemplating it!

I'll be out of state this weekend, so I won't check back/update the list until Monday. So if you're interested in joining in, as long as you PM by midnight Sunday night you're all good. I'll send the links on Monday.

Christine

 

[jalismoore]

Ok...I think I got the FE covered..whew...than i saw a few more people..good thing I planned for extras...So my challenge..the tweens and teens...hmmmmm. Sorry i'm the type to plan and over plan..Thats my my job not only as a mom, but my real job... I have been prepping work for my departure, im usually on call but this time..no..soooo..I hope i get this whole thing right if not..I owe you guys a drink...lol...My kids are now getting excited, even my 13 year old son..go figure...I can't wait til next month yet I can because my next vacation is not until July at Disney Aulani....Planning around my sons soccer schedule is very grueling...but as we know, we do whatever it takes to make our child advance in life(soccer actually let us travel to Italy and next England whoo hoo)....We are all counting down...

Alis

 

[Dchachos]

I have added a few more cabins to our list...check out post #152 for details. I think most have agreed to cut off the sign ups on November 7th. That's this Sunday, lurkers! Join in if you've been contemplating it!

I'll be out of state this weekend, so I won't check back/update the list until Monday. So if you're interested in joining in, as long as you PM by midnight Sunday night you're all good. I'll send the links on Monday.

Christine

Christine

Just in case I haven't said it thank you so much for taking the lead and organizing our FE. It really has added something extra to my cruise experience and I am grateful that I found this website and all of my new DIS friends.

When will we find out what day we will be giving our gifts? Do we give gifts on embarkation day?

Have a great weekend

Dianne