Cruise 10/11/2003

[Tulirose]

Originally posted by Viking
Rosemary, just kiddin'

I think I knew that.

 

[Tulirose]

Originally posted by Viking
.......I like that motto. Perhaps we could use a similar style as last time: Cruisetoberfest II with the sailing date on the front and "A reunion of friends" on the backside.

I like that idea! DVCNuts was the one, I believe, who arranged that website where we could order our shirts/hats/etc. from. Does anyone know if that site is still available for us to do the same this year? (excuse me, NEXT year?)

BTW 375 more days

 

[Tulirose]

Originally posted by taswira I did not book with DU, because I am my own TA and book directly with DCL. I guess that would leave me out of the private cocktail hour.........

Why would that leave you out? No, no. If we do something, it will be only if all who are interested in joining in can come, or we don't do it. But just because we DO do something, doesn't mean one HAS to do it. Does that make sense?

Posted by taswira My cruise is already paid in full (Yaaaay!).

Good for you but I am jealous!!!

 

[Tulirose]

Alikat99 - Like DopeysGal, unless we win Lotto, our travels will not be far from home prior to 10/03. unfortunately. Except next August we WILL be in OMAHA. Anyone here gonna be heading that way around that time?

Welcome back cdnmickeylover! Did you catch up on all the postings on this thread? Too bad you couldn't meet up with alikat99 on your trip to WDW. I'm certain you guys had a great time but we want to hear some DETAILS!

 

[Tulirose]

Originally posted by taswira
<B>As for the private cocktail party</B> - DCL DOES currently offer a "<I>one hour reception with open bar and hors d'oeuvres</I>" as an option......... if eight or more cabins are booked for a <B>FAMILY REUNION</B>. Price is $29 per person for 1st and 2nd passengers, $19 per person for additional guests travelling in the same stateroom. In addition....T-shirt...., leather photo portfolio with complimentary photo........, & commemorative DCL family reunion certificate...... Sooooo - Maybe with some manipulating, we could all be one big family reunion and have a nice private party with open bar CHEAP (compared to the price of drinks onboard). If not, it looks like those who booked with DU might be the only ones at the party.

This option was discussed last year but kinda fell through. I don't know if anyone actually looked into the ability of us doing it; it was more like just a vote of who was sorta interested in it. No reason why it can't be explored again more thoroughly this time around. Last year, I wasn't too crazy about the idea, but if this is doable we just might go along with it this time around. (I'd have to first discuss with Tulirich on the matter though)

And again Taswira - why this quote? "If not, it looks like those who booked with DU might be the only ones at the party." Did I miss something? Is DU having something special for the people they book, other than a gift? If so, then you can come as our guest!!

 

[Tulirose]

Finally, CheesePlease! Welcome back home. Glad to hear you had a MAGICAL cruise. Again, Happy 25th Anniversary to you and Ellen.

I was sorta secretly happy (but not in a mean spirited type of way) that the Cruisears cruise had been diverted because it gives them MORE of a reason to join the 10/11/03 cruise with us (not that they really need a reason). It really is a shame, however, that their meeting with Shirley in KeyWest did not work out. That must have been a big disappointment for all, all around.

Well, as always, I stayed up way too late. Again welcome home Dave and Ellen. Everyone, please keep on posting. I hope you guys don't consider me too much of a "thread hog"!

Oh, and it is now 374 more days to go!

 

[Tulirose]

Oops!! Mike, didn't mean to forget about you! Thanks for posting these live updates. Sounds like, despite the changes, everything is going well. Have fun and come back safe and sound.

Susan514 - Didn't I see a "fashionably late" posting from you or am I losing it? I guess it was on the other thread.

Good night all!

 

[Viking]

Hi Folks,

what about this:

CRUISETOBERFEST II

A(RE)UNION OF FRIENDS

We could also play with fonts, textsizes and colours to display a small "re" and a bold "UNION".

Happy, Happy Anniversary to Art & Cathy and at least another great 30 years!!!!

Welcome back Dave & Ellen.

Taswira,
we should check if it is possible to gather the whole group for an evening in one of the bars, without all of them using the same TA. Or we take over the Return Cruisers Reception as so many of us qualify for it.

To Everyone:
Sorry, I couldn't to the update this weekend, but will do it the next. We have a long weekend ahead of us as 10/03 is our Official Reunification Day and we also took the friday off. We bought some new furniture, which I have to assemble and then I have to file my IRS-report, but I should find the time for an update.

 

[Viking]

Dan & Scott,

conider our hands raised too. We also used Dreams.

 

[alikat99]

Too bad no one is going to be at WDW before 10/03, except for Taswira. But, I understand. We don't have any vacation plans, except for WDW until next year either!!!

We're actually heading there next Monday for the day. My DD is turning one on Saturday, and we're having her party then. But, we're taking my sister and her 2 daughters (2.5 & 1.5yrs) to WDW for the day on Monday, before they leave to go back to Virginia.

BTW, since we're so close to WDW (and we go at least once a month), if anyone wants/needs anything, let me know, and I'll see if I can find it.

 

[dan and scott]

Amy,

Scott and I will be at WDW a couple times before next October! We are going January 10-17th and the first week in June.

Maybe we can meet you.

Dan

 

[taswira]

<B>Tulirose</B> - You're keeping this thread hopping! My only thought if there was a complimentary reception as an option for those who booked with DU (since it is more than 8 cabins obviously or probably will be) is if due to the "open bar" they might require a pass/sticker of some sort. But considering that the CC reception allows us to bring guests, it probably wouldn't matter as long as everyone showed up with someone who was invited.

<B>Viking</B> - <I>A (RE)UNION OF FRIENDS</I> would work! But by the time of the cruise, unless some DISers join a couple months before, it will probably not matter, as has been said. Of course, you could make it <I>A (Re)Union of DISers</I> and cause all the non-DISers on the ship to ask what a DISer is.

How many on your list are <I>not</I> (or will not be) return cruisers by that time? If there weren't too many, we probably <I>could</I> take over the CC reception as you mentioned. I think the invitation does say "<I>and guest</I>".

<B>Rumors</B> - Has anyone read the thread about the "rumor" a waiter on the Wonder passed on? The rumor is that the Wonder and Magic will be switching routes or maybe both doing the 7-day. I couldn't see them dropping the shorter cruises, because they ARE actually popular. I LOVE the Wonder but sure hope Cruisetoberfest II is on the Magic - first sail after dry dock and MY first cruise on the Magic, unless I book another before that. I'm in a teleconference with Tom Ingle tomorrow night. He is a Disney marketing manager who ran the DCL "cruise college" for TA's that I went on. I intend to be a pest and try to get the scoop on the possible switch, the proposed Mediterranean 2004, and whether they intend to (in the reasonable future) try to develop something for the non-potty trained infants & toddlers or primarily market to families with potty trained kids. I hope I'll get answers, but won't be surprised if I get an "<I>I'll try to find out and get back to you</I>."

 

[alikat99]

Dan -

We would love to try to meet you and Scott. As the time gets closer, let us know what you're plans are, and maybe we can meet you over the weekend that you are there.

Amy

 

[Windermere]

Well I finally got around to reading all the new posts since I've been gone. Good job everyone.
The western as well as the eastern itinerary was good. Has a MAGICal time and wish reality never set back in.
Back at home, back to work. Did get to see Dave a couple times so I guess that would be a mini-reunion.
We re-booked while on board so I guess it's official - we are sailing Oct 11 and 18. DH has fallen for 14 days on board. He's now trying to covince me that even that is not long enough and maybe we should do 21 days next year.
It was nice to see so many familiar crew member faces on board. It seemed like there was a big turn-over the first few years but we knew lots of crew this time.
Had great tablemates this time and i'm not saying that just because they are lurkers and non-posters. May have convinced at least one person to book next 10/11.
We had a surprise on the 9/21 cruise. The restaurant manager asked our table if we would like to have dinner with the staff captain in Palo's. Of course we jumped at that chance - an extra dinner in Palo's and a dinner with the Captain. What could be better?

Is this post long enough? Am I rambling? Anyway, must finish unpacking and then repacking. Got a wedding to attend in orlando next weekend. Got to love those 3 day work weeks. Why can't I do that every week????
Maybe because I have to pay for my Disney obsession somehow?

 

[jmalk]

Cocktail HOUR? Is that enough? Seriously, if we can't all be invited to the same party, I think we should scrap it and make our own. Is there a bulletin board on the ship so we can keep up with the gala activities? If not, perhaps we could punish Dan and Rosemary for their behavior and make them go to everyone's room with the info.

I would be honored to be a part of the reunion. Even though I am a newbie, I feel part of the group already and am sure it will feel like a reunion to put faces to names and personalities I think I know. By the way, I don't believe for a minute Shari and Susan are the quiet and reserved wallflower types. I look forward to cruising with Shari and alikat to see if my impressions of them are correct.

Dopeysgal, welcome. Stick around this board and you too will become sucked into the family-ness of it all. Get your traveling companions online so we can get to know them too.

And Viking, I've already started perusing the schnapps aisle to choose just the right flavor for you.

 

[taswira]

<B>jmalk</B> - I think you may be <I>very surprised</I> when you meet me. Sometimes it takes A LOT of effort for me to be "friendly and outgoing" when I first meet someone. If I am in a group, I tend to hang out with the one or two people I feel most comfortable with and converse. Add new people to that situation and I clam up for awhile. I go into my shell when new acquaintances start asking standard questions like "Do you have any children?", "Where do you live?", "What do you do?" and "Where is your husband?" My husband never cruises with me and we have no kids, I have two and often three different occupations, and I live pretty much equally in two different states. None of that is shocking or unique, but on my last cruise after hearing my answers, my tablemates acted as though I'd arrived from Mars! (No jokes, please!)

The difference for Cruisetoberfest II is that most of us will have been interacting here on the DIS for a year before the cruise. We are learning about each other and won't have to face those "first meeting" questions. For ME, that will help A LOT! I only mentioned my shyness so that if I <I>am</I> too reserved upon first meeting, it won't be perceived as unfriendliness. Believe me - "Wild, crazy, and fun" are also occasionally used to describe me!

 

[Viking]

jmalk,
I hope that we can convince our German friends to come with us. Why? It means that we can bring twice as much booze from Germany

Dan&Scott,
you have to bring those delicious buckeyes again. Anja still dreams of them

Nancy,
it was surely great to dine with teh Staff Captain. We (That's CheesePlease, @GoofyNut and us) had the honour to dine with the Ship's Officer (The guy responsible for the maintenance of the vessel and the Captain's apprentice) at one of the formal nights. We asked so much about the ship, that the poor man could eat only half of his meal , but he seemed to have enjoyed it, too.

Let's hope that our friends, who are aboard the Magic right now aren't bothered by Hurricane Lili, which seems to be in the same area 09/28ers we keep our fingers crossed for you!!!!

 

[taswira]

Originally posted by Viking
I hope that we can convince our German friends to come with us. Why? It means that we can bring twice as much booze from Germany.

How much booze CAN you bring from Germany? How much is Peppermint Schnapps over there??? I have this "thing" about peppermint . . .

 

[papa]

Hello Eric , Anja and the rest of our 10/11/2003 friends. We are getting ready to leave ST. Thomas in a few minutes. We had a wonderful day in San Juan Puerto Rico yesterday. Tomorrow is a day at sea and then Friday it is another day at Castaway Cay. Never made it to key west or the western route. That is why we had to rebook Have to run catch you later . Mike

 

[Viking]

Taswira,

we can bring about 150 lbs per person, but then we may have to spend our vacation in Leavenworth or Guantanamo
I think usually you are allowed to bring in a liter (1/4 of gallon) per person through customs, but as far as I know it also depends on the state you use for entry to the USA. Some of the states still have very strict laws concerning the import of alcoholic beverages.
So far we don't know where we will set our foot on American soil. It will probably be somewhere between Boston and Philadelphia and I will carefully study the local regulations before bringing the schnaps in. Talking about the price: Alcoholic beverages are ridiculously cheap over here. So cheap that we have a law in Germany requiring every pub, bar and restaurant to offer at least one softdrink cheaper than beer. And you don't need a special license to sell alcoholic beverages like beer. You can even have a beer at every McDonalds or Burger King. Just for the stronger stuff you need a license, but it's much cheaper than in the States.

Papa,
so much about using you as a guide on our next cruise! We hope you enjoy this surprise cruise anyway. And we especially hope that you will be able to return to Port Canaveral, because today we heard on the news, that NASA cancelled a shuttle launch due to the storm. So the area is affected by the adverse weather. Perhaps they have to extend your cruise and you all become Flying Mousemen, destined to roam the seven seas for a long, long time