December 17, 2006 4-Night Wonder Cruise

[Stinasmom]

Hi Kathy- I totally agree with Cindy! Take the 7 nighter! Jealous I am, yes. (did that strangely sound like Yoda? )
Anyway, we will miss meeting you!

Cindy- It's just us so far! We should keep up the chat to keep ourselves on page one of the cruise chat forum!

It is so funny that my DD is in between your boys in age...she is so reluctant to like boys, just not sure what to make of them! It is cute and takes me back....WAY back!!
I really hope she makes a friend on this cruise or at least finds more to do at the Lab and Ocean Quest. She acted like a fish out of water for so much of our last cruise. DH felt like we didn't get enough "couple" time and that makes him grumpy---or should I say Grumpy (as in one of the dwarfs!--We even bought him a "Grumpy" beer mug at Disneyland!) It is my goal to turn him into "Happy" or we may never cruise DCL again!

Feel free to PM me if you want to share anything less publicly...(email address or other personal info.) I really enjoyed making friends here prior to our last cruise...and I still keep up with a couple of them!

Just some tidbits here... We are actually from Portland, OR but here because Central Washington University offered my DH a great job. It was the right thing at the right time for us. He is a music prof. I am almost 39 and his big 4-0!! is in just a week and a half. Kids-DD9 and DS4 (will be 5 soon) but I think I already mentioned that. We were crazy kids to marry early but not insane enough to have kids right away, so our 17th anniversary is in June.
And we have one dog...a 5 month old puppy Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. He is very high maintenance but sooooo cute!

So, there is a start!
Hope we get other cruisers joining our thread too!

Marcy

 

[kath1210]

I'll miss meeting both of you also. In fact, I haven't canceled this yet, just in case something happens with the August cruise. After all, I have until 75 days before to cancel.

I'm going to stay subscribed to this thread for now. Y'all seem so nice, and who knows? Maybe we will win the lottery - or my husband's real estate business will take off!

 

[nzdisneymom]

I agree about keeping us near the front of the Meet pages so that others can find us before too long! We're really looking forward to cruising again - and we learned a lot on our last cruise about how we'll do things differently.

For one thing, I'll give my older son check in and out privileges for the Lab (or do they automatically get them at age 10?) because there were times he was there that he really would've rather been in the room watching movies... or even gone to the Buena Vista Theater to watch. And we never even got to check out Ocean Quest - I'm hopeful that they'll be putting that in on the Wonder during Dry Dock.

DH had wanted us to take a cruise of the Hawaiian Islands in December but after our Disney Cruise was so successful, he decided he would rather wait and do Hawaii and Alaska, etc. when the children are a little older. Disney is perfect for the ages and interest of the boys right now. BTW, they think girls are pretty gross (LOL) so I would say they are right on age-level Although they will play with girls And who knows what the next 10 months will bring, right?!

For another thing to do differently is that I won't make the boys eat dinner with us in the dining rooms unless they just want to. They are both perfectly able to get food for themselves at Pinocchio's or Pluto's, and shoot - they were only ordering chicken and pizza in the restaurants anyway. I can get them some fruit from Goofy's (assuming they do the same changes on the Wonder that they did on the Magic). If they want to come with us, they're welcome to do that - or if Z (my younger) wants to eat with the Lab, he could do that as well. N is more of a "loner" and would be content to just watch movies all day / night in the cabin.

Of course there will be times when DH and I will want to be alone and uninterrupted ( ) so we may require them to be in the Lab for a period of time. The boys are pretty good about doing what they are supposed to do about going about on the ship - they proved that to us last trip, so we'll just go from there.

You know, I am SO going to hate getting off the ship after just four nights. I wanted us to book back-to-back on the Wonder but DH didn't want to do the same ports again even though I told him it would be like a double-dip at Castaway Cay, and to think of Port Canaveral as a Sea day... that would give us two sea days, two days in Nassau and two days at Castaway Cay. Plus two nights of creme brulee cheesecake (LOL) ... although I may request that every night on the ship! LOL!!!

 

[nzdisneymom]

I just called to check when the school calendar will be available for the 2006-2007 school year -- and while it won't be approved by the school board until mid-February, the lady went ahead and told me the winter holiday dates look like they will be December 20 - January 4th. YIKES! I called DH and he said we'll just take the kids out of school anyway.

But we're also still waiting on the Magic's itinerary for after April 2007 - if there's something that we can do, then we may just transfer our deposit and go later. But I don't want to delay!!!!

 

[Stinasmom]

Cindy-
Awh, man! are you going to bail on me too?
Just kiddin! I totally understand wanting to weigh your options. Wish there was some way we could swing another 7 nighter. Getting to Florida from Washington state is such an endeavor in itself! We would love for DCL to build and position a ship on our coast permanently!
We are already taking our kids out of school for at least a week as we plan to get to Florida (and WDW) around Dec 10th. They will be Kindergarten and 4th grade and will miss their Christmas pagent. At least my DD got a good role this last year.
We have pulled our DD out for at least a week (sometimes 2) every year for traveling. We figure that family time and the growth and experience she will gain from the trips is worth it. I guess someday when there are major reports, projects in the works, and sporting events (jr & high school) it will matter more.
Really, I can't imagine elementary school teachers being all that motivated to introduce and teach really important stuff on the 2-3 days prior to Christmas vacation!
But keep me posted and to anyone else out there who is sailing on these dates: Hello! Introduce yourselves!!

Marcy

 

[nzdisneymom]

Don't worry Marcy; we're still planning to sail even if we take the kids out for those half-days of school. They don't miss much school for sickness or anything else, so we'll be fine.

although i am anxiously awaiting the release of the Magic's itinerary for summer 2007~!

 

[nzdisneymom]

So last night I had a crazy mixed up dream about being on the Wonder, only it was the Magic, only it had to be the Wonder because we were going to be eating at Tritons and apparently I slept through the whole day we were at Nassau but the next day we were heading to Castaway Cay so I was glad that I hadn't napped through CC And we were eating at Parrot Cay and I was so excited because that meant creme brulee cheesecake but apparently I had forgotten to get the Caesar Salad the night before in Animator's Palate.

Crazy, huh? I told DH about it and he said "well, I know where you're wishing you were!"

10 1/2 months to go til we sail away again.... guess I should go find some "win a Disney Cruise" contests to help pass the time (LOL).

 

[nzdisneymom]

DH is changing jobs. Yikes! I hope that doesn't mess us up for our cruise....

 

[Stinasmom]

Hi Cindy!

What a great dream...I would love to spend my non waking hours thinking of DCL too. Sure hope your dream comes true and you will be on this cruise! It could be interesting to see how your DH's new job works out...As long as it is a great move for your family, I guess you can always rebook your cruise. My DH is being courted by another university (he's a music professor), but the idea of moving to Seattle is daunting. I love the city but it is SOOOOO expensive in that particular city to buy a house. Just typical real life stresses!
Speaking of which, I have both my kids home sick to day. tummy stuff.
Well, keep me posted, and good luck with the changes around there!
Marcy

 

[nzdisneymom]

The job change means more $$$ I'm so thinking about a Med. cruise next summer... I can't wait for the dates / prices to be announced... if we're able to figure out how to do it, we want to.

 

[Stinasmom]

So it looks like DCL is getting serious about Mediterranean cruises! That would be something. You should totally go for it if you can get your family on one of those itineraries.
Europe is likely in our future (7-10 years from now or so?) but I highly doubt it will be on a ship. I think the repo cruise back from there would be heaven!
But, DH has different ideas about vacations.
We had an interesting discussion the other day. He was looking at a real estate catalog...we live very close to the mountains, and was lamenting about how he would love to have a cabin on some property. He doesn't like having to pack up and fly somewhere. I guess I understand since he travels for work several times a year.
I explained that since I am currently a homemaker, the idea of "making" another home...ie. a cabin, was not my idea of vacation. I am beside myself to have the room steward on the ship there twice a day cleaning...so I don't have to!

Wonder if others have this dilemma too? Maybe I should post it on the main Dis board.
Anyway, hang in there with all the changes around your household!

Marcy

 

[nzdisneymom]

I wish we were independently wealthy so we could cruise whenever we wanted to. Of course I'm lucky because my DH loves to travel as much (if not more) than me. And after our cruise in December, he was in agreement with me - that is definitely the way for us to travel for a while. I'm doing financial stuff this weekend (preparing tax return, going over the family budget, etc.) and am trying to figure out how much I should budget for the Med. cruise / travel over there. Yeah, the repo cruise back home would be FABULOUS but unfortunately it's likely to be after school starts again, so we couldn't go - and if the anticipated repo over dates are mid-May, we can't go then either.

But in the meanwhile, we have the Wonder to look forward to as we'll more than likely end up sticking with what we have - although it's nice to dream, eh?

 

[TammyAlphabet]

There has been a great lull between posts!

I just booked this cruise for me, my DBrother, and my DS14 and DD8. We have never cruised before but we have booked this one and I have a deposit on another one (a seven nighter) for December 2007. I have been promising to take my poor brother on a cruise for EVER!! So now is the time to pay the piper.

Plus, DU had a special price on this cruise that even beat Sams club which had a great rate on most others that I have looked at.

I went to WDW last December and bought AP's, so now my frugal side says that I have to get maximum value from them and take multiple trips.... And, now I have booked a cruise, I am crazy!! (AP's save lots of money. )

But really, this is a very inexpensive cruise by disney standards and being so close to Christmas, I am surprised. And, I have told my DD8 that we are going to miss the "end" of the year Christmas party to go on a Disney cruise and she is just going to have to live with it. I took her out of school a few days early two years ago and she complained about it too much. I said, "But we are missing it for MVMCP!! Isn't that better than a 1 dollar toy and a cupcake???" I guess I just don't understand? Don't you guys love Disney at Christmas!!

I promise Stinasmom, to not bail on you unless I absolutely have to and have no choice whatsoever!!!

 

[Stinasmom]

Hello Tammyalphabet!

I was getting worried that I was going to be the only DISser on this cruise! I guess it is still a ways off...
So, you got a great deal on this departure date? I had been seeing this cruise included on DU's "discounted stateroom" ad. I actually booked this one back in January of 2005!! thinking it would quickly increase in price because it was xmas time and so close to xmas break...weird that that isn't what happened. My DH, friends, and family thought I was crazy to put a deposit down on a second cruise even before taking our first which was June of 2005. I thought, from all DIS board accounts, that this would be the PERFECT vacation for us. Unfortunately, not everyone agreed after it was all over last June! But I am determined to convince them on this second one. This time we will be hitting CC and Bahamas--not Mexican ports where the weather was often dicey.

That's funny about your DD not happy about missing the school xmas stuff...ours will miss their xmas pagent/concert too...and I am so thankful! Ack, those are tought to sit through after the 10 minute "cute" factor wears off. They are OK with it so far..... BTW--my DD9 is currently in the 3rd grade...close to yours? Mine would be sooooo much happier than the last cruise if she made a friend early....

WDW AP's! Wow. you must live a little closer than we do...in fact, unless you live in Alaska or Hawaii you do. I am having some guilt over the fact that I bought Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure passes instead of WDW for this trip! I couldn't pass up their current offer of 5 days for$99+one free kid per adult! We will pay only $199+taxes for all four of us for 5 days!!!! That would be over $1000 at WDW! We were at DL and DCA just last summer. Besides, we can go back! I did promise to take my DS5 to the Grand Floridian to see the walk in gingerbread house, though!

So, good to know you are out there!

Marcy

 

[TammyAlphabet]

Hi everybody!

I am excited about this cruise. This will be my first, and I, like Stinasmom, have the second one booked already. Ha Ha.

Yes, my daughter is now 8 and in the second grade, my son is 14 and in the eighth grade.

I am visiting my Mom this week, for spring break, and my little brother, aged 26, is coming on the cruise with me and my Mom is not too happy about the prospect. She is afraid that he will get kidnapped or some other tragedy. She watches the news too much. My daughter is worried about the boat sinking!!! I live with a bunch of paranoid people...

I love Disney and I am sure I will love the Disney cruise. I am a DVC member and that is the reason for the annual passes. We get a discount of 100 dollars per pass per family member. So they are much more reasonable than non DVC members. But, then you spend a fortune on airline tickets and food visiting the parks, because you want to get the most out of those tickets.

So I am borrowing points to stay more often this year with the AP's and then no WDW next year in 2007 until the week of Christmas, that will put a year inbetween visits.

The Thanksgiving trip is kinda up in the air because I am graduating college this May (big celebration trip) and I am not sure about getting time off to go for a full week at Thanksgiving, but I am hoping.

Does anyone know if there is a formal night on the four night? or just semi-formal?

I need to know so I can get dress shirts and ties for the men.

Happy to be planning a cruise....

 

[TammyAlphabet]

Happy Weekend!!!!

 

[wenevergrowup]

We were on the 12/3/05 Maagic and the Ocean Quest was fantastic. I would imagine it would be the same. We're considering the 12/10/06 4 day Wonder Cruise for my 50th birthday. Enjoy!

Ocean Quest info on the following thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=948596
Hopefully that hyperlinks and is a help in understanding what the new hubbub about the new hubbub is all about!
Sounds like a great addition to keep the "tweens" interested.
I have to admit, I doubt I'd bring teenagers on a Disney Cruise unless they begged. Maybe for a shorter trip, but on our 7 nighter, it seemed like they really didn't have enough to do, especially if you can't afford to bring along their best friend!

Kath- so happy to hear that WDW at Xmas time is still wonderful. We went 10 years ago for the same week we are going this year---Dec 10-17th which is before kids are out of school and one of the least busy times of the whole year...so, very much looking forward to it again. And want to do MVMCP!
Hope you are all well!

Marcy

 

[TammyAlphabet]

I had a major meeting today. Although it did not go as well as expected, it pretty much sealed the deal and I will be graduating with a Ph.D. in Accounting this May!! One more presentation on Thursday to the whole committee and then just dot the i's and cross the t's and get the paper submitted.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

Baby its cold outside!!!!! I am in Southern Illinois and it is really cold!! (for southern illinois that is)

I sent a message to my TA and asked her to switch the four of us from one Cat 11 to 2 Cat 11's (next to each other). It is only 400 dollars more than shoving four in one cat. 11. So, for 400, we are getting two cabins instead of one. I think that is a good deal.

I had my dissertation defense today and I passed! So now I am Dr. Bahmanziari. (In Accounting, not medical doctor) I will go by that until a couple of weeks go by and then back to plain old Tammy.

Well, that is the news of the day. Can anyone help me get motivated to go on a diet. I am turning into a lump!!

 

[yamata45]

I am here and I am ready to cruise!! YeeeeHa!