Dec 5, 2009 -- now traveling to Tortola

[Michatx]

This is from last December at Epcot ... but the two little ladies will be staying home with the grandparents!

Cute pic! Where do you guys live? We are just north of McKinney.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Are others dressing for pirate night? We got some stuff on clearance after Halloween (for everyone but me), so we are dressing up. I won't be as pirate-like as the rest, but I found something in my closet that will do. I just had everyone try on their outfits and packed them in our packing cubes this morning. It was fun!

I will try to find a decent photo of us to post. Unfortunately, the only photos we get of all of us are generally on vacations, so it will likely be from our DisneyWorld trip in February

We are sort of half way dressing up for Pirate night. The kids will be pretty good, Dave okay and i have nothing yet--will have to see what I can make due with. We have the same issue you do of only getting good group shots on vacation--thus the Disney picture from us I thought we would have some from Denmark in August but all the group shots ahd my in laws as well. I can't believe we did not get one single shot with all 4 of us and no one else on that trip

This is from last December at Epcot ... but the two little ladies will be staying home with the grandparents!

OH I totally agree with Barry that your little ones are adorable (not that there is anything wrong with the grown ups either).

Thanks Hadley! What a great picture of your family! The castle is beautiful! I will be looking for you.

The castle was fun--very whimsical (Disney did not do a "typical" castle in France since everyone in France is used to seeing castles--they wanted it to feel more story like). I have a detailed report of DLP in my website (with too many pictures) if anyone is interested

 

[amyngary]

Do people still share photopasses? I organized a Photopass share in February of this year for our World trip. I wasn't planning to get a photopass for our 4 nights prior to the cruise, but I was just thinking that, since several of us are going prior to the cruise, we may want to share the cost of one. I would not be willing to pay $100-150, but if we had 5 people sharing the cost, it would be more reasonable.

Anyone interested, assuming nobody knows about any policy changes that would prevent us from sharing?

 

[carmie3377]

Do people still share photopasses? I organized a Photopass share in February of this year for our World trip. I wasn't planning to get a photopass for our 4 nights prior to the cruise, but I was just thinking that, since several of us are going prior to the cruise, we may want to share the cost of one. I would not be willing to pay $100-150, but if we had 5 people sharing the cost, it would be more reasonable.

Anyone interested, assuming nobody knows about any policy changes that would prevent us from sharing?

Amy, I'm already organizing a share through facebook. I think we can squeeze in one more. I'll send you a PM about it.

 

[carmie3377]

Are others dressing for pirate night? We got some stuff on clearance after Halloween (for everyone but me), so we are dressing up. I won't be as pirate-like as the rest, but I found something in my closet that will do. I just had everyone try on their outfits and packed them in our packing cubes this morning. It was fun!

The guys are wearing the Pirates of the Caribbean jerseys that we bought at WDW. Haley and I are wearing pirate tees that we found at Target. We'll probably just wear jeans that night as I have read that jeans are more acceptable in the dining room on pirate night. We thought about going all out but we were concerned about luggage space since we are spending an additional 1+ week at Disney World.

 

[carmie3377]

Great family pictures everyone! For the newcomers, here is a picture I posted a few weeks ago:

DD had black bands on her braces and I hate how it looks like she has stuff all in her teeth in pictures. She has a visit this week and wants to get red and black for our trip!

 

[wuv tigger]

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I just ran over Santa.

DH said "if I had problems with Christmas that I shouldn't be taking it out on Santa".

I really didn't mean to do it.

I really didn't.

He was stuck between the front & rear tires.

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Fortunately, the grocery cart didn't do TOO much damage at Wegman's. My dkids think I actually ran over a couple of them & just didn't tell them!

Tell me, WHY was Santa and his cousins on the floor any way? Why were they bunched up and I didn't know Santa was triplet.


wuv tigger

 

[biggdawg67]

Okay- has anyone checked current water temps or know of a good site to do so??? Don't want to be freezing as I'm trying swim with the dolphins

http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/satl_tmap.html

may help you some what. water temps around peurto rico are around 80* tortola will be a little bit farther south tho.

 

[Tower]

I just ran over Santa.

You couldn't have run over me Little One! I'm still at the North Pole with my elves. (Well Canada is closer to the North Pole than you are, and I do wear the red suit 3X per year)

 

[texdisneygal]

Cute pic! Where do you guys live? We are just north of McKinney.

We are in Plano ... so not too far away!

DD had black bands on her braces and I hate how it looks like she has stuff all in her teeth in pictures. She has a visit this week and wants to get red and black for our trip!

Great pic - I support red & black braces ... those colors are much better for everyone - of course we are a house full of Red Raiders .

 

[sak0526]

how did you get Palo's? i've been trying and trying - want a brunch at sea and it's full. help! thanks!

 

[Tower]

how did you get Palo's? i've been trying and trying - want a brunch at sea and it's full. help! thanks!

Sorry sak,

It's one of the challenges with being first time cruisers on DCL. The Castaway Club members (those who have sailed DCL before) get 1st dibs on all the Palo reservations with a 90 day window. The rest of us get a 75 day window. I was very fortunate to get us dinner at that 75 day mark, but unfortunately, not everyone can get it.

At no time did I ever see a brunch opening ever come up, and I've visited the DCL site many times to see.

Best bet is to head straight over to Rockin' Bar D on level 3 as soon as you get on the ship in order to see if you can get waitlisted at any time. I understand that Palo is not that large so space is limited.

Good luck!

 

[Tower]

how did you get Palo's? i've been trying and trying - want a brunch at sea and it's full. help! thanks!

Sorry sak,

It's one of the challenges with being first time cruisers on DCL. The Castaway Club members (those who have sailed DCL before) get 1st dibs on all the Palo reservations with a 90 day window. The rest of us get a 75 day window. I was very fortunate to get us something at that 75 day mark, but unfortunately, not everyone can get it.

Best bet is to head straight over to Rockin' Bar D on level 3 as soon as you get on the ship in order to see if you can get waitlisted at any time. I understand that Palo is not that large so space is limited.

Good luck!

 

[sak0526]

Thanks Tower, i thought maybe you got it recently. Actually, we've been on a Disney cruise before, last year at this time, but didn't decide to do this one till mid Oct and it was already booked. I will take ur advice and send dh to the sign up on ship and cross my fingers. I don't know how to see that i'm castaway club or not - if there is something that lets them know or what. we'll figure it out. been a crazy year, so are a this last minute treating ourselves! We're in the way back of the ship, so i'm a bit nervous about it, but it'll all be good! Thanks again!
Sherri

 

[NHdisneylover]

Thanks Tower, i thought maybe you got it recently. Actually, we've been on a Disney cruise before, last year at this time, but didn't decide to do this one till mid Oct and it was already booked. I will take ur advice and send dh to the sign up on ship and cross my fingers. I don't know how to see that i'm castaway club or not - if there is something that lets them know or what. we'll figure it out. been a crazy year, so are a this last minute treating ourselves! We're in the way back of the ship, so i'm a bit nervous about it, but it'll all be good! Thanks again!
Sherri

Hey Sherri--good luck when you get onboard. At this point it will not matter if you are castaway club or not (it only matters in tht you can book Palo and shore excursions earlier than others--how early actually now depends on how many cruises you have taken as they have a nwe tiered system for castaway club). Your keycard will inform any staff members that you are a previous cruiser (and even what level you are at: silver 2-5th cruise, gold 6-10th cruise, platinum 11th+ cruise). BUT that will not give you any priority for booking once onabord. We will all be equal at that point (except people staying in suites, who get conceirge service). Anyway, yes go to Rockin Bar D ASAP and get in the line to ask for a reservation. They hold back about 50% for onboard bookings. Also, if you cannot get one, ask to be put on the wait list. They hold back quite a few for those concierrge guets on the frst day. Once they know how many they really need for them, they release the extras for the waitlist. They also get cancellations from time to time and will call waitlisted people then. I believe brunch is the hardest reservation to get though so be prepared that it might not happen.

Welcome to the crusie meet thread! Please stick around even though you have your answer and let us know a bit about you.

 

[Tower]

how early actually now depends on how many cruises you have taken as they have a new tiered system for castaway club). Your keycard will inform any staff members that you are a previous cruiser (and even what level you are at: silver 2-5th cruise, gold 6-10th cruise, platinum 11th+ cruise). BUT that will not give you any priority for booking once onabord. We will all be equal at that point (except people staying in suites, who get conceirge service).

Wow! I didn't know that part! Guess I haven't been paying enough attention!

Nice that you've got the Gold Level already. Hope we can continue building up to that Platinum level.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Wow! I didn't know that part! Guess I haven't been paying enough attention!

Nice that you've got the Gold Level already. Hope we can continue building up to that Platinum level.

Yeah, the rules changed shortly after the 75 day mark on our cruise--so it did not affect this group at all for booking. On board it will be in effect. I think castaway club lanyards are color coded now. Also the gold and platinum members get extra gifts (more for the platinum) and platinum gets a free dinner at Palo. I *think* the only thing anyone "loses" is that silver members will not be invited to the onboard reception anymore (presuambly because that "reception" had gotten huge with so many memebers). There was lots of bruhaha on the main cruise baord when the change went through. Platinum members can now book as far out as people salining concierge--which concierge people did not like. 3 night cruises count for just as much "status" as 14 night cruises, which those who take longer cruises felt was unfair, silver cruisers did nto like missing out on the reception, etc. I think everyone is settled down and just going with the flow now

We are gold--and will be platinum by the time all the cruises we currently have booked are finished. It is nice to get the freebies, so I really can't complain (though I am one of those people who feels a bit slighted that my 14 night cruises are not valued as more than a 3 night). I do know that almost ALL the cruiselies do this sort of thing. I get it. It does reward loyalty and it must work to get repeat cruisers. None the less I dislike anything that creates a "class" system. Meaning, I am fine with the gifts. Love that. But I do not feel ANYBODY should get to book Palo, or shore excursions or the new cruise iteneraries ahead of anyone else (whether they are repeat cruisers or concierge, etc). It just doesn't feel right to me (of course, it doesn't feel "wrong" enough that I refuse to do it).

 

[NHdisneylover]

Hi all, cmash95 (who posted on here a couple of times way back when but apprently still plans on cruising with us--we only scared him off of the thread but not the ship I guess) asked on the main board what the themes in Rockin Bar D are each night. Here is what someone posted as having been the schedule last week. I thought some of you may be interested in seeing it:

Saturday night - Match your mate game show
Sunday night was Disco Legends.
Monday- Golden Mickey's after party
Tuesday- Livin' Large Party
Wednesday - crazy karaoke
Thursday - Rock'n'Country
Friday - Pub Night

 

[Hanover]

Can someone participating in the FE please confirm we have 15 cabins total? I printed out what I believe is the final list from I received by PM and have gone over it checking everyone off. I just want to be 100% sure I don't forget anyone.

We didn't get any packing done this weekend but I managed to do lots of painting in bedrooms that I have been wanting to do. We also went to the movies to see the Blind Side which was excellent. The boys are off of school from tomorrow through next Tuesday so we'll have plenty of time to try on their clothes and pack. I'm sure they'll just be thrilled to do it ha, ha. I left tags on everything I bought because Keegan has grown almost 4 inches now since July and I may have to exchange his suit and pants if he's outgrown them.

 

[hurley03]

Hi,

I haven't checked in for just a few days and it's loaded with promotions, cute pictures, new friends and excitement for our cruise.

I don't have a picture to post, but we are a mid-age (I never think of us like that)
but my husband is mostly gray but still extremely handsome and I am a tallish wavy haired wife who will be smiling ear to ear if I reallyget to get on the ship and go on vacation. Like I already stated, last year I had to cancel a week prior, and now tomorrow I have a bone scan, so please pray with me that
all will be okay and we can still go on vacation. I may not want to come home though.

I am ready to pack! clothes are washed and folded. do you guys roll clothes or fold clothes in the suitcases? I've heard rolling keeps them less wrinkled.
any thoughts?

and anyone going to the rockin bar d nights? those sound fun. and the weather report looks really good!

we put up our Christmas decorations in the house and outside and I have my Christmas shopping done so we can just enjoy our trip and come home and enjoy the rest of the Christmas season.

see you all soon!
d.