Dec 28, '04 - ONE WEEK from today we'll be "fill in the blank"

[Masonpips]

I've been busy on ebay and 3 things arrived this week, 2 of which I love so I feel much better re: my dress situation. The kids are pretty much set, dh is on his own so I've been the one stressing.

We get into dressing up so I have two formal dresses and 3 others confirmed for dinners. Two are perfect for Palo but I think we're doing Palo on semi-formal night so I have too many "dressy" dresses! I don't care, I'll wear it to a regular dinner and deal with it.

I plan on SUPER casual during the day and repeating a lot of clothes + my dresses and that's IT. NO MORE PACKING. Ok, so realistically my suitcases will be crammed, I won't wear 1/2 the stuff, etc. It's overwhelming when you think about it.

I am pulling out our Christmas decorations tomorrow night (in a training class this week so I get out early tomorrow, will head to the gym at 2 (another panic topic completely) and then pick up the kids and start going through stuff here. I feel the need to have it all completely ready for when we get back from Thanksgiving.

Can you imagine me on Christmas Day? The second the kids know the surprise I'll be ripping the tree down, throwing stuff into suitcases and running like a mad woman. Better stock up on Bailey's for the season.... LOL

 

[tecdavidt]

Our Christmas decorations go up the weekend after Thanksgiving but they won't come down until we get back. Less stress for me. Christmas Day will be busy with last minute packing. It will be worth it after seeing her face Christmas morning.
Kathy

 

[GeneralMax]

I am supposed to be packing for our trip out east for Thanksgiving and I keep pulling out the summer stuff to see if it is ready for the cruise. At this rate my kids will end up out east with shorts on and the grandparents will have a fit! I am definately ready to go!

 

[Masonpips]

I noticed my countdown timer yesterday and couldn't believe we're in the 30 day range! I remember when we hit the 90's and I was happy. It's all just a blur now.

I made ds try on his tux yesterday under the pretense that if it didn't fit I was going to mail it to a friend for a wedding. It's a perfect fit right now (was too long last year, but we managed). Now I'm afraid he'll grow LOTs in the next 5 weeks! LOL

 

[myfourkitties]

Just got a message from DCL saying that due to the hurricane, the submarine tour was cancelled at GC. I assume it is due to the hurricane destroying the sea life, correct? But we're still going to GC, right? At least that's what my TA told me.

Must finish making my packing list this week. So far, I'm a little bit ahead...Probably just jinxed myself. House is about 1/2 clean for Thanksgiving. Friday and Saturday will be spent finishing up in the old house (moving the rest of the stuff, that is!), and then I need to pull out the dresses, finish up laundry (that could take awhile!), get DH off to Ankeney, IA for business 2nd week of December, then start hunting and gathering! Oh yeah. Almost forgot. Somewhere in there I gotta find time to Christmas shop and make out cards. Good thing my boss is on his honeymoon and won't be back 'til the 1st of December!

 

[Masonpips]

Come visit the stingrays with us! It's an awesome excursion and you don't have to get in the water (my DS probably won't given he was scratched by a tail swimming by last time).

I am packing our suitcases for Thanksgiving and feeling good that when we get home on Saturday I can start packing for the cruise (in secret of course!).

I talked w/Debbie at DCL today. She did not have any spa times reserved for us (we had called earlier and gotten the other Debbie who told us she penciled us in, but there wasn't any paperwork then). The good news is we were able to get them later on 1/1 while we're in Cozumel. I think we'll get up and hit the beach that day and then come back for our massages at 4:30 (we have late dinner and it's movie night so we won't miss much).

We did get Palo dinner and brunch when we wanted it and have requested LAP rotation (had this last time and really liked it).

Have a great Thanksgiving all and we'll be really close by next week at this time!

 

[CycleMom]

Hello all...I am new to the board and new to cruising. Having just discovered this wonderful source of information I have spent quite a few nights up until the wee hours reading and getting excited about the trip. Thank you to all the experienced folks who take the time to share their valuable tips.

I had booked excursions through DCL but am having second thoughts due to some of the posts I have read. I booked the Nautilus Undersea Tour for the family (DH and DD 3) in the morning as well as the Stingray City Snorkel for me and DH in the afternoon - I am really hoping that DD will like the Oceaneers club and stay there by herself. Is Captain Marvin's Sting Ray excursion decidely better? I was concerned that DD3 would not want to swim at all and might get sick on the small boat. Now the concern about the cancelled submarine excursion has me worried.

Any advice?

Thanks

 

[Masonpips]

Welcome Cyclemom! Captain Marvin's is an excellent excursion given our past experience. We took DD and DS and DD was just 3.5 at the time. She ADORED the rays and cried when we had to get back in the boat. They had little life jackets for them (they are the blow up kind) and she actually snorkeled as well, but the waves were a bit much for her.

We carried the kids around at Stingray City (the water was between waist and chest high) and it was super easy and I had no fear of them being in the water (and believe me, I am paranoid mom, the first year they took swim lessons I couldn't watch because I was so worried).

Once DS had his little swim-by incident, he went back in the boat - there were a few others that stayed onboard and we weren't worried about him being on the boat. You stay very close to it and you could even take turns getting in/out if your daughter didn't want to get in the water.

We have several kiddos lined up for the 10-1 excursion and the more the merrier - we'll probably end up with our own boat (I think they have 2 or 3). It wasn't that rough at all last time and no one got sick - my DD did get sick on our Eastern cruise on a sailboat but she had no problem in Cayman.

Let me know if you have any other questions and welcome again!

Came back to add that one of the things I'm most looking forward to on Christmas morning is telling DD we get to do it again, she STILL talks about it!

 

[CycleMom]

Thank you so much Masonpips, that is very reassuring. I tend to be a bit overprotective. I think DD will be happier (and calmer) if there are other kids around her age enjoying the activity too. I think I will try to book now with Captain Marvin's and cancel the other reservations I made.

I saw from one of your recent posts that you have late dinner seating, how does that work with your DD? We also have late seating but not by choice (we booked late and that was all that was available) and I was unsure about the timing for DD who usually eats around 6.30. And what about naps? I can't really see that happening with all the excitement, but then the big crash happens around 7.00!

Finally, why do you like the LAP rotation?

Thanks again.

 

[Masonpips]

What we found re: naps was that we still got up at the crack of dawn (my kids sense light and are awake) but took good naps especially on the first cruise. That really helped them stay up later. We had early seating on our first cruise and they went to dinner with us every night except for when we did Palo and then they BEGGED us to take them to the clubs as soon as they ate (which one of us gladly did and returned to eat the rest of our dinner in peace LOL).

2nd cruise, when we moved to late seating (we ate one night early seating and decided to move because we felt rushed), my son ended up abandoning us everynight. He ordered room service or ate at Plutos around 5-6 and then went to the club as soon as they returned from dinner (usually 6:15). We forced him to take pictures one night in his tux and then he changed and ran to the club so he could go see the movie. He was only 6 years old and wanted nothing to do with us!

We had friends with us (they'll be with us again) and their son was 3 and fell asleep almost every night at late dinner (he ate with my son at 6:30 or so). We put two chairs together and he slept throughout. We then took him to the club where he slept on a mat and we went and did some adult shows and the like.

My dd was inbetween. Some nights she went to dinner with us and the shows, some nights she did the club - she likes movies/shows so that usually made the decision for her. She always had to go to the club at 9 or 10 because they showed movies everynight and she loved that!

I don't think they napped as much on the 2nd cruise but they were older too. However, a good afternoon nap really helps them get through the night and they adjust pretty quickly to "ship time"

We chose LAP this time mainly because we wanted Lumiere's for New Year's Eve - we are getting all dressed up and it's a great location for that! It also worked well with our Palo night and with the other going on's.

 

[tecdavidt]

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Only 34 days until we board the ship. Kathy

 

[Masonpips]

Back from TX and glad to be home on Sat versus Sunday

We're going to get our Christmas tree tomorrow and put it up. I unloaded the suitcases and left them out so I can start the official cruise packing.

4 weeks, oh my!
30 days, OH MY!

says hi!!

 

[GeneralMax]

We aalso cam eback on Saturday! Great to have a day to unpack. My daughter and I are off to look for formal night wear for the cruise. Is anyone wearing a Tux?

 

[Masonpips]

Both my dh and my ds will be wearing tuxes! DS on formal night only probably. Dh will probably be in his on semi and formal nights (and/or NYE depending on what they do with the rotation)

I saw the 12/18 cruisers are getting docs.

That makes us NEXT!!!!!

 

[tecdavidt]

Welcome home all. We were lucky and had Thankgiving without traveling far away. I put up all of our trees and I am now in cruise packing mode!!!

My husband will be in a tux. I am assuming we will have three formal nights. The regular two plus New Year's Eve unless New Year's Eve falls on a regular rotation formal night. I have been on 6 DCL cruises and I still can't remember the rotation but according to a westernmatrix.pdf file I printed off this board, New Year's Eve falls on a casual night so I am prepared for a formal night.

We are suppose to get some of the nasty white stuff tonight, not much, only a few inches but it still nasty!!! Kathy

 

[LegalBriefs]

Hey all... Has anyone gotten the new matrix for this cruise yet? Debbie said it would be out toward the end of the month... thats now by my count... I called today but got her voicemail... I am waiting on it to schedule dinners and such, it throws a wrench in the works in as far as formal nights go with New Years... I am assuming there will be Two formal nights, but they may just schedule the formal night for New Years Eve...

On a different note, any recommendations for excursions in Cozumel? I went on that Chakanaab Snorkel one and was VERY disappointed... there are WAAAY more fish at CC! Any help is greatly appreciated...!

 

[LegalBriefs]

By the way... how excited are y'all??? Its almost here...

GENERALMAX i lost my private messages, write me so we can plan the "Get-together!"

 

[GeneralMax]

LegalBriefs
I sent you a PM but I am not sure it worked.

Let me know.

 

[LegalBriefs]

LegalBriefs
I sent you a PM but I am not sure it worked.

Let me know.

As expected, it did not... try me at my regular email address LGLBRIEFS@AOL.COM

I talked to Debbie today and here is the schedule for the cruise...

Formal Nights are Friday Dec. 31, AND Sunday Jan. 2

Friday the 31st will be the "Around the World" Menu
Saturday the 1st will be "Pirate Night"
Sunday the 2nd will be the "Captain's Gala" (Lobster, even in Palo)
Monday will be the "Best of..." menu

Hope this helps...

 

[Masonpips]

Awesome news to know - thanks!

Off to update my spreadsheet...