December 7,2013 Wonder from Galveston

[dryvithome]

We just booked this cruise, our first Disney Cruise! I am SOOOO excited and I know the kids will be thrilled (somewhat of a surprise). It is myself (Shannon), DH (Julian), DD (6) and DS (4). We have been on 10 other cruises (Carnival, RCI, NCL and Princess) and have been wanting to do Disney but usually out of our price range. We are near Houston, so the price and quick drive made it unbeatable!

If anyone has any tips, suggestions, etc., for me so that we don't miss anything important, i'd appreciate the info. I have been reading these boards like crazy for the past week and have read about autographs, tea parties, etc., but I wouldn't want to miss anything that my kids should absolutely see.

Look forward to getting to know y'all!

Welcome aboard! We decided on Disney cruise since it was out of Galveston as well and is much shorter than driving to Florida.
DISboards is an excellent resource for the cruise as there are plenty of helpful threads that can keep you reading for days on end.

If you're on Facebook, we have the Fish Extender signup on the group page. If you're not on Facebook and want to be part, make sure you let tbdolphin know so she can get you onboard with it.

 

[txtricia]

Good evening everyone. Just found the group and wanted to say Hi. My husband Richard, myself, and our 4 children ( boys ages 11,8,& 6 and daughter 6) are booked on the sailing and can't wait. We sailed on the Magic last year and other lines previously. I will sign up for the FB group (Patricia J) tonight.

Looking forward to getting to know everyone.

 

[tdbdolphin]

Good evening everyone. Just found the group and wanted to say Hi. My husband Richard, myself, and our 4 children ( boys ages 11,8,& 6 and daughter 6) are booked on the sailing and can't wait. We sailed on the Magic last year and other lines previously. I will sign up for the FB group (Patricia J) tonight.

Looking forward to getting to know everyone.

Welcome aboard.

 

[dryvithome]

Good evening everyone. Just found the group and wanted to say Hi. My husband Richard, myself, and our 4 children ( boys ages 11,8,& 6 and daughter 6) are booked on the sailing and can't wait. We sailed on the Magic last year and other lines previously. I will sign up for the FB group (Patricia J) tonight.

Looking forward to getting to know everyone.

Welcome aboard! Just approved the FB request.

 

[Happyheartintx]

I just sent a request for the Facebook page but didn't get a chance to put my user name on there. I was hoping whoever is running the page will see this. Thanks!

 

[DizneGal]

I just sent a request for the Facebook page but didn't get a chance to put my user name on there. I was hoping whoever is running the page will see this. Thanks!

You're Marla, right?
I think I just approved you.

If anyone else wants in the FB group, you MUST leave us a note here telling us you sent a request. Please include your first name and first initial of your last name so we know you're legit.

THANKS!!!!!!!

 

[Happyheartintx]

You're Marla, right?
I think I just approved you.

Thank you!

So I have a few questions for anyone who may know the answers.

1) Is there a refrigerator in the stateroom? We have a deluxe family room with verandah. It says something about a cooling box? Does that mean frig?

2) How much does it cost to get an extra wave phone? We have a daughter that is 14 and I would guess that she will want to explore on her own.

3) Is it safe to let my 11 and 8 year olds explore on their own? I wouldn't let the 8 year old go by himself but when he is with his brother they have this thing about running off to explore everything. I don't want them to disturb other guests, but I want them to have fun and a little freedom.

 

[PIGLETSMOMMA]

Thank you!

So I have a few questions for anyone who may know the answers.

1) Is there a refrigerator in the stateroom? We have a deluxe family room with verandah. It says something about a cooling box? Does that mean frig?

2) How much does it cost to get an extra wave phone? We have a daughter that is 14 and I would guess that she will want to explore on her own.

3) Is it safe to let my 11 and 8 year olds explore on their own? I wouldn't let the 8 year old go by himself but when he is with his brother they have this thing about running off to explore everything. I don't want them to disturb other guests, but I want them to have fun and a little freedom.

1) They technically call it a cooler, but it is much like those small refrigerators you used in college. It is plenty cool for anything you need to put in there.

2) There are two wave phones in the room already. If you are asking about a 3rd one, I have no idea.

3) I have a 10 yoa DD and wouldn't let her run on her own, but she does not have any siblings, so that is different too.

 

[dryvithome]

Thank you!

So I have a few questions for anyone who may know the answers.

1) Is there a refrigerator in the stateroom? We have a deluxe family room with verandah. It says something about a cooling box? Does that mean frig?

2) How much does it cost to get an extra wave phone? We have a daughter that is 14 and I would guess that she will want to explore on her own.

3) Is it safe to let my 11 and 8 year olds explore on their own? I wouldn't let the 8 year old go by himself but when he is with his brother they have this thing about running off to explore everything. I don't want them to disturb other guests, but I want them to have fun and a little freedom.

Welcome aboard!

#1 - It's not quite a refrigerator, depending, but they do cool. Ordering ice from the room steward to put inside of it also helps it to cool a little faster. Depends on what you're really going to be putting in there. Most things you can get food wise in relatively short time. If it's insulin or medical related, I seem to think that they offer placement of it somewhere, but I'll have to hunt down that thread.

#2 - No idea. There are 2 for each room. Could always rent a second room and have four phones. j/k of course. I'm sure guest services could help with that or send an email to DCL beforehand to check if it is possible.

#3 - I suppose safe is a relative term, depending on what you deem safe. There are a ton of threads on child safety with differing opinions. Problem is anyone could try to take advantage of kids at any point in time, regardless if it is on a cruise vacation or in a city park or even a convenience store. You probably best know your own children's maturity level and whether or not they know to run off from "overly friendly" people or at least look for help. Not saying that this would happen, but it is a small floating city with about two thousand people you don't know. Maybe let them explore while trailing at a distance? Exploring most of the open decks and interiors other than the stateroom sections is fairly easily done. Besides, if you've never done it either, it may be just as much fun for you as it is for them.

There really is a bunch of detail that could easily be missed. We still enjoy wandering around and checking out the framed photos.

 

[dryvithome]

So... I read things like this and it makes me seriously wonder how much I REALLY want to wander around Nassau.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_989.html#crime



We walked around last time with no problems, but we are considering going quite a bit off the beaten path this time. I'd rather not have to face down a robbery while out and about. Not very magical, compared to just sitting on the ship. I like to experience culture, just not the undercultures.

 

[txtricia]

Kids just received their your coming on Disney Cruise call from the mouse himself and Minnie... thats how we told them they are going! So excited now.

 

[Happyheartintx]

Does anyone know how full our cruise is?

 

[PIGLETSMOMMA]

Does anyone know how full our cruise is?

The best place to check is www.cruisefish.net. Right now it shows 75%. You find this under DCL then "Finder", then select the sail date and you can also see what categories are available and sold out.

 

[Happyheartintx]

Thank you, Pigletsmomma! I appreciate that. You guys are so smart!

 

[adeleon23]

Hello Everyone,

I just booked Disney cruise for 12/7/13 for my daughters 4th birthday. I am so excited!

I will like to sign up for the FE. If anyone knows who to contact to sign up, please let me know.

Thank you! I look forward to reading everyone's post!

 

[txtricia]

Welcome.

 

[bill3540]

We finally pulled the trigger! I'm Liz and my hubby's name is Bill. We're excited to see Christmas decorations on board!
Does anyone know when the special nights are? We want to go to Palos, but don't want to miss out on fun nights.
Don't suppose y'all are putting a brunch together?
We also want to be with y'all on fb and fe's. I'll see if I can find that info.
Looking forward to meeting y'all!

 

[dryvithome]

Hello Everyone,

I just booked Disney cruise for 12/7/13 for my daughters 4th birthday. I am so excited!

I will like to sign up for the FE. If anyone knows who to contact to sign up, please let me know.

Thank you! I look forward to reading everyone's post!

Welcome aboard! TBDolphin is doing the FE list, or you can check on the Facebook page for more info on it, if you haven't already. If you don't have FB, just msg her and she can take care of it!

 

[dryvithome]

We finally pulled the trigger! I'm Liz and my hubby's name is Bill. We're excited to see Christmas decorations on board!
Does anyone know when the special nights are? We want to go to Palos, but don't want to miss out on fun nights.
Don't suppose y'all are putting a brunch together?
We also want to be with y'all on fb and fe's. I'll see if I can find that info.
Looking forward to meeting y'all!

Welcome aboard!

Castaway Cay night looks to be Pirate night, so far.

We signed up for the Palo brunch, but I don't think anyone has come forth with a brunch together day.

If you have any trouble with the FE info, it's on the facebook page, or you can contact tbdolphin.

 

[traceyj123]

Just booked this cruise this morning. So excited to see the ship decked out for the holidays. We would like to join the fe please. DH Charles DW Tracey DD Brenna 7