"Double Dip Delight" 09.27.2008 - Chapter 5!

[ntheory]

Should have replied to this before now!!

Shell those lanyards are awesome!!

Were you in charge of them? If so, where did you order them from ? Love the pouch...too cool!

Hope you guys are having a good weekend..I am sick again....ugh just can't kick these sinus infections. I have been working on magnets for the RCCL cruise! Boy is it a lot harder to come up with ideas without incorporating Disney characters!

Thanks!! Yeah, Jen. I took charge of them. I was very happy with them - and the items I ordered for FE gifts.

I ordered them from www.motivators.com. They were about $3 each once you tacked on shipping and the 'setup' fee. I thought that was reasonable.

I hope you're getting better!!! Oh, go ahead and stick those little ears on there ... you know ya wanna!!!

 

[nenner1]

Well...............I GOT THE JOB!!!

So, I guess I have to book a cruise now to celebrate!!

I got a quote from dreams for the October 3, 2010 Royal caribbean, Western cruise on the Freedom. To celebrate my 30th birthday which is on october 10th.

Anyone know anything about this ship? I have been reading on cruise critic dot com (no where near as informative as Dis), and I am thinking about getting an aft facing cabin. The balcony's are huge!

More later as I am on my way to work but yes yes yes aft cabin!!
They go REALLY quick so get it soon !

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Yay Arin!!!!!!! Great news about the new job! I hope I'm next!!!

 

[anewmac]

Well...............I GOT THE JOB!!!

So, I guess I have to book a cruise now to celebrate!!

I got a quote from dreams for the October 3, 2010 Royal caribbean, Western cruise on the Freedom. To celebrate my 30th birthday which is on october 10th.

Anyone know anything about this ship? I have been reading on cruise critic dot com (no where near as informative as Dis), and I am thinking about getting an aft facing cabin. The balcony's are huge!

Congrats.. cant wait to hear all about the cruise. So you doing it just you and hubbs?

 

[nenner1]

Anyone know anything about this ship? I have been reading on cruise critic dot com (no where near as informative as Dis), and I am thinking about getting an aft facing cabin. The balcony's are huge!

I do know a few things that I have managed to pick up here & there..you are right about the lack of info and uber planners on CC. There are *some* Dis-like folks there but in general the atmosphere is way different than over here.

The Freedom is the sister ship of the Independence which I am going on in Jan. (and the Liberty too)...Like the Magic and Wonder they are cookie-cutter similar, with the only difference being the name and theme of some of the lounges and bars, etc. They all have the same features, amenities, and setup.

The biggest planning issue I've had is menus and theme night planning. But I will say that info like that on the Freedom is MUCH easier to come by than the Indy (the Indy spends most of its time in Europe)...however the menus on RCCL are identical fleet wide- no differences int he ships just differences on which menu/theme night is when (based on itinerary of course) So you have to look for Compasses (their version of the Navigator) and menus to try and figure out when to schedule Chops and Portofino (a task I am finding difficult, I think we are going to have to wing it...although with a couple of questions and a lot of sleuthing I managed to figure out how I *think* the first 4 of our 8 days will go. I guess I'll find out later if I was right)

The ship setup is a lot like DCL...adult Solarium forward, the "family" sports pool area midship and H20 zone (kids pool mid and mid/aft.) The Windjammer and Jade (Topsiders) take up a lot of room aft. Drinks on RCCL that are free are tea and lemonade, otherwise you have to buy the soda package (you can bring your own) Unlike DCL you are not allowed to bring alcohol onboard but many smuggle in their checked bags (they have a "bad" room where you have to go to pick up your bag if they catch you...I have read a few funny posts about that, LOL) I don't think we will smuggle on, but we will probably try to bring in the alcohol we buy in port (which they will take that from you too if they see it)

On the cabins, they have a lot more categories but that is based a lot on location so you will pay more for the higher deck, etc. A lot like DCL. A D1 is similar to a Cat 5. Freedom class rooms run a tad bigger than DCL, but not by much. The aft cabins are the best of course (and go the quickest) followed by the "hump" cabins (an area of the higher decks where the design of the ship juts out making those rooms and balconies slightly bigger plus giving a great view). Becuase of the promenade there are only aft and forward stairs, not mid so you might find yourself walking a lot if you are more midship . There is also a ben & jerry's suite which (like a secret porthole/verandah) is a promenade cabin reclassified becuase the B&J cow butt sign is in your window. You get free ice cream everyday to compensate for that though!

Thats about all I can think of right now, besides the obvious activities on RCCL not available on DCL (casino, rock wall, flow rider, mini golf, ice skating rink). I will obviously know a LOT more in Feb. so watch for my TR. I'm sure I will do one!

Thanks!! Yeah, Jen. I took charge of them. I was very happy with them - and the items I ordered for FE gifts.

I ordered them from www.motivators.com. They were about $3 each once you tacked on shipping and the 'setup' fee. I thought that was reasonable.

I hope you're getting better!!! Oh, go ahead and stick those little ears on there ... you know ya wanna!!!

Thank you for the info, they are awesome!!!! Did you guys do a pay-per-lanyard or do it the contributor way we did it? On my other meet thread the $10 contributor idea didn't fly too well (but then again not many things I brought up did...LMAO) so I am curious!

Oh you KNOW I will Dis-out on RCCL!

Yay Arin!!!!!!! Great news about the new job! I hope I'm next!!!

You will be girl. I think you are doing the right thing waiting til after the wedding. Look at your ticker just 23 days!!!

 

[ntheory]

Thank you for the info, they are awesome!!!! Did you guys do a pay-per-lanyard or do it the contributor way we did it? On my other meet thread the $10 contributor idea didn't fly too well (but then again not many things I brought up did...LMAO) so I am curious!

Oh you KNOW I will Dis-out on RCCL!

Thanks!!

We did a pay-per-lanyard. I had no idea how it worked last time since I booked so late. I just decided that it would work well to have everyone pay for their own. It worked. Since we got the pocketed/zippered ones, they were a little more expensive, but they are worth it!


DIS it, baby!!!!

 

[nenner1]

Thanks!!

We did a pay-per-lanyard. I had no idea how it worked last time since I booked so late. I just decided that it would work well to have everyone pay for their own. It worked. Since we got the pocketed/zippered ones, they were a little more expensive, but they are worth it!


DIS it, baby!!!!

OK..thanks! I hope you don't mind but I showed your lanyard to my new meets thread, so hopefully they will decide to do it, I really like those!!

 

[ntheory]

OK..thanks! I hope you don't mind but I showed your lanyard to my new meets thread, so hopefully they will decide to do it, I really like those!!

I don't mind at all! I hope your meeters like them, too. They have a lot choices, so find one that works for you. I can link you to the exact ones we got if you need that.

 

[anewmac]

so jealous of all you cruise vacation planners..

 

[beachbratt]

Airfare aside that isn't really a very cheap cruise for some reason though. I don't know if it is because of the whole 8 night thing or if it is because it turns out it's an Elvis Impersonator Fan Cruise (!!!)

Today on the Price is Right in the showcase they had an Elvis showcase and the one prize was an Elvis cruise out of Tampa

 

[nenner1]

so jealous of all you cruise vacation planners..

Hun....the next best thing to cruise planning is vacation re-living (AKA TR!!) You do have a rabid following still waiting to hear all about WDW!

Today on the Price is Right in the showcase they had an Elvis showcase and the one prize was an Elvis cruise out of Tampa

That is so funny! I can't believe how many Elvis cruises there are!! There are 4 per year on the ship we are going on which is out of Ft. Lauderdale. And there are some going out of here too? Hilarious!!! And that it's a prize on TPIR is even more funny!

 

[Buckeye Gal]

Hello my favorite DISboards DDD peeps! I've kept up with many of you via Facebook, but I know I've done a bad job at keeping up on anything on DISboards. In fact, I spent time on here two days ago at the DCL main forum, and they were talking about all kinds of things that was so foreign to me that I had to do some research! Nonetheless, you're all in my hearts all the time!

It's been an unusual summer this year. I was laid-off from JPMorgan Chase on June 3. It truly was the best blessing I think I've had in a longggg time. I have not yet been sad about that. So you would think that I've had all this free time on my hands, right? Well, as we all experience, that's not always the case! I've been staying with grandmother since July 2. She had an unexplained knee injury right before Memorial Day. She left to spend 3 weeks with my aunt in the Chicago area in June, and when she got back, she could barely walk. Well she's STILL fighting this. *ugh* FINALLY her specialist took extra steps to find out what's going on. It was clear that he thought she just didn't have any pain tollerance. WRONG! She's now scheduled for knee replacement surgery, but they can't get her in until October 27. *sigh* So I've spent the summer taking care of her, and playing bad-guy making her stay in a wheelchair. As they say, things happen for a reason. If I couldn't temporarily live with her, she would be in pretty bad shape. It's also been a huge eye-opener to see that she's getting Alzheimer's. That's been probably the most frustrating thing that I pray for lots of patience to deal with this change. Although I'm so grateful to help her out, I would be lying if I didn't say I'm also really ready to sleep in my own bed every night and be with my friends in Columbus.

Mom's doing really well. She's lost nearly 30 pounds and counting! She drove me back home yesterday so I could get some scrapbooking supplies at home, and I just couldn't believe how aMAZING she looks! She finally had some tests run to see if she has diabetes, and sure enough she does (all you nurses, you know how you deny the obvious). I think the weight loss has helped her deal with that news. Also, she says she feels SO much better and happy to not constantly be hungry now she's on meds.

Finally, in the process of staying with grandmother, I hurt my back, which is still in pretty bad shape. This weekend I'm fighting 102.3 degree F temperatures with the flu. As some of you mentioned on Facebook, I was this sick a year ago on our cruise!

Cruise. OMG...can you BELIEVE IT?! A year ago this very moment we were meeting up with many of you at Grills! I barely slept 3 hours that night with so much anticipation! So, unhappy anniversary everyone! (I just can't say happy because it's kinda sad a whole year has passed!) Then in the morning, I was so excited to see Amy and Dave to congratulate them on their fresh engagement. Now they're on the final countdown to the wedding!!!

Arin, I am *SO* glad that the job came through and it's exactly what you wanted! Things will really turn around in the positive now! Indeed you all deserve that cruise!

Adrienne, you and Harold are always in my thoughts! Your example of gratitude and overall positive energy is something for us all to live up to!

....DDD reunion cruise... sometime in 11 on one of the new ships!!

Now THAT would be fun!!

Love ya all!

PS: I had my 20th class reunion last weekend. Boy does that sound like I'm getting so old! We had a blast though!! Did anyone else have any class reunions over the summer?

 

[Magic3forme]

Kimberly:

I had my 20th class reunion this summer too. It was a fun weekend.


happy un cruise bday!!

 

[TVEPFOX]

Hello Friends!

I thought I would drop in to wish us all a bitter-sweet anniversary. I can't believe it's been a whole year since we got on the Mickey boat. Where has the time gone?

Kim, you and I are in the same boat. I was laid off too this summer. I spent the time with DD reconnecting. When I was working I would go a week at a time without seeing her. We joined a country club so she could swim and Mommy could work on her tan! Luckily I was given a severance package. I'm pounding the pavement looking for a job, but there's not much out there. I have my fingers crossed something will come along soon. I know some tv people that have been unemployed for over a year! Ughh!

We just got off the Mickey boat a few weeks ago, but it seems like an eternity! We sailed an eastern on August 29th to September 5th and made some great friends here on the DIS. Before that we stayed at Wilderness Lodge for a week. It was our first time there and we really enjoyed it.

We have a cruise booked for 2010, what else but a double dip in August. I'm not sure we'll keep it, it's only 5 days and it's the same price as a 7 day. I know a lot of people are not happy with DCL's 2010 plans. We might jump ship to RCCL and return to DCL in 2011 on Dreams.

Be good all!

Michele, Eric and Mikayla

Hey, one last time for old time sake.... here's your tropical update....

 

[Grandma4ever]

Hello Friends!

I thought I would drop in to wish us all a bitter-sweet anniversary. I can't believe it's been a whole year since we got on the Mickey boat. Where has the time gone?

Kim, you and I are in the same boat. I was laid off too this summer. I spent the time with DD reconnecting. When I was working I would go a week at a time without seeing her. We joined a country club so she could swim and Mommy could work on her tan! Luckily I was given a severance package. I'm pounding the pavement looking for a job, but there's not much out there. I have my fingers crossed something will come along soon. I know some tv people that have been unemployed for over a year! Ughh!

We just got off the Mickey boat a few weeks ago, but it seems like an eternity! We sailed an eastern on August 29th to September 5th and made some great friends here on the DIS. Before that we stayed at Wilderness Lodge for a week. It was our first time there and we really enjoyed it.

We have a cruise booked for 2010, what else but a double dip in August. I'm not sure we'll keep it, it's only 5 days and it's the same price as a 7 day. I know a lot of people are not happy with DCL's 2010 plans. We might jump ship to RCCL and return to DCL in 2011 on Dreams.

Be good all!

Michele, Eric and Mikayla

Hey, one last time for old time sake.... here's your tropical update....

Now that really makes me feel sad. We are not cruising this year and I am really missing it. Have plans for next year and we made a trip to WDW in July. WE are also returning to WDW in December. But I really miss my ship!!!

I hope everything begins to turn up. Those that are ill begin to feel well, those in need of work find what they need and everyone will recognize the blessings in our lives. Lois

 

[pit303]

Hi All!

Wow where did the year go?? We have been busy this past year planning Michelle and Will's wedding. Can't believe it will be a year this Tuesday that they got engaged seems like yesterday. In less than 3 months they will be married.

I am returning to the workforce next Monday I finally got a job after a long job search. I had left my last job June '08 and had planned on taking a couple of months off and than I thought no problem I will have another job by XMAS plenty time to save for the wedding well as we all know the economy had a different idea!! I have been babysitting for my great niece who just turned a year Sept 2 since January I think returning to work will seem easy after running after her the past couple of months!!

Joe and I were back on the Magic end of Feb and we are doing another eastern this January. We also went to Alaska the end of August on Princess we figured since I wasn't working might as well get some traveling done. Alaska was beautiful and we will go back just don't know when. I also don't think we will ever see Alaskan cruises as cheap as they were this past season!!

Take care!!

 

[nenner1]

Hello my favorite DISboards DDD peeps! I've kept up with many of you via Facebook, but I know I've done a bad job at keeping up on anything on DISboards. In fact, I spent time on here two days ago at the DCL main forum, and they were talking about all kinds of things that was so foreign to me that I had to do some research! Nonetheless, you're all in my hearts all the time!

It's been an unusual summer this year. I was laid-off from JPMorgan Chase on June 3. It truly was the best blessing I think I've had in a longggg time. I have not yet been sad about that. So you would think that I've had all this free time on my hands, right? Well, as we all experience, that's not always the case! I've been staying with grandmother since July 2. She had an unexplained knee injury right before Memorial Day. She left to spend 3 weeks with my aunt in the Chicago area in June, and when she got back, she could barely walk. Well she's STILL fighting this. *ugh* FINALLY her specialist took extra steps to find out what's going on. It was clear that he thought she just didn't have any pain tollerance. WRONG! She's now scheduled for knee replacement surgery, but they can't get her in until October 27. *sigh* So I've spent the summer taking care of her, and playing bad-guy making her stay in a wheelchair. As they say, things happen for a reason. If I couldn't temporarily live with her, she would be in pretty bad shape. It's also been a huge eye-opener to see that she's getting Alzheimer's. That's been probably the most frustrating thing that I pray for lots of patience to deal with this change. Although I'm so grateful to help her out, I would be lying if I didn't say I'm also really ready to sleep in my own bed every night and be with my friends in Columbus.

Mom's doing really well. She's lost nearly 30 pounds and counting! She drove me back home yesterday so I could get some scrapbooking supplies at home, and I just couldn't believe how aMAZING she looks! She finally had some tests run to see if she has diabetes, and sure enough she does (all you nurses, you know how you deny the obvious). I think the weight loss has helped her deal with that news. Also, she says she feels SO much better and happy to not constantly be hungry now she's on meds.

Finally, in the process of staying with grandmother, I hurt my back, which is still in pretty bad shape. This weekend I'm fighting 102.3 degree F temperatures with the flu. As some of you mentioned on Facebook, I was this sick a year ago on our cruise!

Kimberly...OMG...I am so sorry to hear of your troubles..with being laid off and your grandma! And your back!! But I think you are right, it all happens for a reason and as tough as it is I am glad you have been able to be there for your grandma. My grandfather has Alzhiemer's too...it is very difficult. He is in a nursing home but it is still hard. He has good days and bad...you know how it goes, you just do the best you can! Hugs to ya, darlin'! I hope you are feeling better soon!!!!

Cruise. OMG...can you BELIEVE IT?! A year ago this very moment we were meeting up with many of you at Grills! I barely slept 3 hours that night with so much anticipation! So, unhappy anniversary everyone! (I just can't say happy because it's kinda sad a whole year has passed!) Then in the morning, I was so excited to see Amy and Dave to congratulate them on their fresh engagement. Now they're on the final countdown to the wedding!!!

Nope, I sure can't believe it has been a full year. I'm sure wishing I was now where I was then...

PS: I had my 20th class reunion last weekend. Boy does that sound like I'm getting so old! We had a blast though!! Did anyone else have any class reunions over the summer?

Nope..not me but my 20 is a few years around the corner. Crazy. I'm not that old ya know.

Hello Friends!

I thought I would drop in to wish us all a bitter-sweet anniversary. I can't believe it's been a whole year since we got on the Mickey boat. Where has the time gone?

Kim, you and I are in the same boat. I was laid off too this summer. I spent the time with DD reconnecting. When I was working I would go a week at a time without seeing her. We joined a country club so she could swim and Mommy could work on her tan! Luckily I was given a severance package. I'm pounding the pavement looking for a job, but there's not much out there. I have my fingers crossed something will come along soon. I know some tv people that have been unemployed for over a year! Ughh!

Oh no, not you too Michele! I'm so sorry to hear that!

We just got off the Mickey boat a few weeks ago, but it seems like an eternity! We sailed an eastern on August 29th to September 5th and made some great friends here on the DIS. Before that we stayed at Wilderness Lodge for a week. It was our first time there and we really enjoyed it.

We have a cruise booked for 2010, what else but a double dip in August. I'm not sure we'll keep it, it's only 5 days and it's the same price as a 7 day. I know a lot of people are not happy with DCL's 2010 plans. We might jump ship to RCCL and return to DCL in 2011 on Dreams.

Yeah, we initally had one of the 5 night cruises in Aug too for 2010 but we have changed it 3 or 4 times now. I think we'll stay with what we've got now but I know what you mean about the price. That is what we are doing with RCCL, we will give it a try and see how we like it and go from there. If we do, then we will alternate RCCL and DCL every other year. We are looking forward to the Dream too but don't plan on going on it until '12 when hopefully the prices have gone down a bit.

Hey, one last time for old time sake.... here's your tropical update....

LMAO..I love it!!!

Hi All!

Wow where did the year go?? We have been busy this past year planning Michelle and Will's wedding. Can't believe it will be a year this Tuesday that they got engaged seems like yesterday. In less than 3 months they will be married.

That's right...wow.

I am returning to the workforce next Monday I finally got a job after a long job search. I had left my last job June '08 and had planned on taking a couple of months off and than I thought no problem I will have another job by XMAS plenty time to save for the wedding well as we all know the economy had a different idea!! I have been babysitting for my great niece who just turned a year Sept 2 since January I think returning to work will seem easy after running after her the past couple of months!!

No! and you too, Maureen!!?!? I'm glad to hear you are heading back to the rat race. I think it will be a "break" of sorts for you. I know it is for me when I go to work!

Joe and I were back on the Magic end of Feb and we are doing another eastern this January. We also went to Alaska the end of August on Princess we figured since I wasn't working might as well get some traveling done. Alaska was beautiful and we will go back just don't know when. I also don't think we will ever see Alaskan cruises as cheap as they were this past season!!

Take care!!

What are your dates in January? We are doing the RCCL 8 night Eastern Jan 23-31. Ron already checked if we might meet up with the Magic in St. Maarten or St. Thomas but he said he didn't think we were...but we may be two ships passing in the night..LOL. Have a great time!

Happy anniversary Double Dip Delighters...we were heading to the meet, Sailaway Drinks in hand this time one year ago!

 

[pit303]

Jen we are the week before you in fact we will be on our way to AKL when your are boarding for your cruise O well maybe in 2011 when Drea puts our reunion cruise together!! Remember Drea what you put on FB doesn't stay on FB!!

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I can't believe it's been a year either!!!! It doesn't seem possible!

There is so much to do for the wedding! It's mostly little things, but things none-the-less. I am meeting with the organist tomorrow morning so hopefully I'll have the ceremony music picked out until then!

I do wish we were all on the Magic again...it was such a wonderful cruise with such wonderful people...

 

[MagicMe]

OMG - over a year since we all got together and had a fantastic cruise!! Just wanted to say hi to everyone (yeah I know I'm a little late)!! Can't believe how fast the time has gone - Amy and Dave's wedding is less than 2 weeks away!!!!!