"Dream Weavers" September 1, 2011

[Liz Arjay]

I've read on the boards that you can get your passport stamped so I am taking ours. We will just be getting off for a few hours. Mostly to get the stamp, stop by the Bacardi store and show our son a bit of the Bahamas.

If you have never been to the straw market, I think it's worth taking an hour to just check it out. It's busy but not scary.

I'm so excited I can't see straight! The FE gifts are a little stressful for me. We are doing a cabin gift but also something for every kid up to 21 y/o since I don't think they will appreciate the cabin gift as much. I'm not crafty but thankfully have a friend who is, so she is helping me with it!

Looking forward to meeting everyone!

We took our kids to get their passports stamped in Nassau. It is in a little building to the left when you get off the dock and onto land. Various folks pointed us in the right direction, down a hall and into a tiny office where two old guys were sitting around eating grapes. That was customs! But they were very nice and stamped the kids' passports.

The straw market is fun for a 15 minute stroll and to buy a nick-nack or liquor, but hard to take it any longer unless you are a true shopper.

Friends took a cab to Atlantis and said it was very easy and a pleasant time walking around.

We walked south from the straw market about 1/3 mile and tried snorkeling at the first beach. The water was clear but not much to see. Plus, it really is the cruise ship basin, so in hindsight I'll bet the water was more poluted than I would have liked.

For this trip we will stay on board and try to get onto the AquaDuck!

Liz

 

[pjstevens]

Our meet up is scheduled for 3pm (before Sail Away and life boat drill) on Deck 13 ~ Currents, it's outside so those with young kids can have some space. We are going to put a white board (actually it's a Disney Princess) on our cabin 7690 (very BACK of deck 7) with notes if there is any change! I'll have my cell on until we sail away, so if you want to call or text me, my number is listed on our private f/b page. (I'm going to post this info in post one also).

 

[OKW Lover]

Looking forward to meeting everybody. Lets hope one of Irene's siblings doesn't try to crash the party.

 

[dstevens]

And the count down continues..... In 10 days we will be setting sail . Two more items crossed off my "things to do before vacation" list yesterday . 24 to go

 

[jenifred]

We are leaving Saturday...Is it Friday yet?

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

We are leaving Saturday...Is it Friday yet?

Wow, that's close! Are you ready yet? I need every day I can get to finish being ready!

About the FE--I know someone mentioned simply hanging a bag from the hook, and that's starting to look like a good option...haha! Has anyone ever seen someone do that before? I still have hopes for getting to Michael's and slapping something together, but I do have some Disney-themed tote bags or other totes that could work as well. Wasn't sure which way to go.

 

[jenifred]

Wow, that's close! Are you ready yet? I need every day I can get to finish being ready!

About the FE--I know someone mentioned simply hanging a bag from the hook, and that's starting to look like a good option...haha! Has anyone ever seen someone do that before? I still have hopes for getting to Michael's and slapping something together, but I do have some Disney-themed tote bags or other totes that could work as well. Wasn't sure which way to go.

I am not even close to ready, but I think, well hope, we will be by Saturday.

I have seen where people used canvas bags. I'm using a drawstring bag that I cut a pocket into. If it can hang, it works!

 

[dstevens]

We are leaving Saturday...Is it Friday yet?

Sounds like a new Country music song."It's Friday somewhere". Ok maybe it's not as good as "5 0'clock somewhere". Oh well, pretend it's 5 O'clock on Friday and have a drink.

 

[OKW Lover]

We fly out a week from tomorrow (Wednesday) so its probably time to start packing. :good vibes

We can do on-line checkin for our post-cruise stay at BLT on Friday. Better make a note on the calendar.

Watching the storm and hoping that there isn't another one following along behind.

How's that for a collection of semi-random thoughts?

 

[dstevens]

We fly out a week from tomorrow (Wednesday) so its probably time to start packing. :good vibes

We can do on-line checkin for our post-cruise stay at BLT on Friday. Better make a note on the calendar.

Watching the storm and hoping that there isn't another one following along behind.

How's that for a collection of semi-random thoughts?

Unfortunately there appears to be another possible storm developing

 

[decked out]

That other tropical disturbance should not be a factor. Hopefully, Irene will turn right soon and miss Nassau and Castaway Cay, but I am still thinking there could be an extra sea day or two...

We are looking forward to seeing the new ship and sea days can be really fun.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

That other tropical disturbance should not be a factor. Hopefully, Irene will turn right soon and miss Nassau and Castaway Cay, but I am still thinking there could be an extra sea day or two...

We are looking forward to seeing the new ship and sea days can be really fun.

I hope the Bahamas and Castaway Cay are ok (not just for our cruise, but for the safety of lives and property)! The Bahamas have a current threat level of Extreme, which is one step down from the top level of Catastrophic. I do hope Irene changes direction!

 

[OKW Lover]

A sea day would be great! Perhaps they would offer Palo Brunch if they have to do a sea day. droooolll.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Does anyone know if they would ever dock in Freeport if the itinerary got moved around?

 

[pjstevens]

For those not of Facebook, one of our cruisers had to cancel (family illness). Sadly Jackie an her family will not be cruising. I am going to try to hang an additional 'bag' of some sort on my FE if you would like to leave your gift for Jackie & Greg & Megan, please leave it at our Fe and I'll ship them to her after we return to home.

Jackie and family were in cabin 6090.

 

[Liz Arjay]

Wow, that's close! Are you ready yet? I need every day I can get to finish being ready!

About the FE--I know someone mentioned simply hanging a bag from the hook, and that's starting to look like a good option...haha! Has anyone ever seen someone do that before? I still have hopes for getting to Michael's and slapping something together, but I do have some Disney-themed tote bags or other totes that could work as well. Wasn't sure which way to go.

I'm with you on that. I tried to make a FE out of old Pirates IN the Carribean bandanas but gave up. Will use a Disney tote bag as FE instead! No worries.

Liz

 

[Liz Arjay]

For those not of Facebook, one of our cruisers had to cancel (family illness). Sadly Jackie an her family will not be cruising. I am going to try to hang an additional 'bag' of some sort on my FE if you would like to leave your gift for Jackie & Greg & Megan, please leave it at our Fe and I'll ship them to her after we return to home.

Jackie and family were in cabin 6090.

That is too bad. I will leave their FE gift with you.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Irene Updates from around the Web and the DIS:

From the Atlantis resort on Nassau (9:34am this morning):

The worst of the storm is passing Nassau/Paradise Island at the moment with high winds and rain, but so far it looks like Atlantis has sustained only minimal impact.

From Disney Cruise Line (about yesterday 4pm):

"The latest reports from The National Weather Service have put Castaway Cay out of the projected path of hurricane-force winds," Rebecca Peddie, manager of public affairs for the Disney Cruise Line, said this afternoon.

Associated Press: "That being said, the island will still be subjected to everything this now-Category 3 storm has to offer — wind gusts near 100 mph, roiling waters washing ashore and torrential rain."

From The Weather Channel (tonight's forecast for Abaco--Castaway Cay area):

Hurricane conditions likely. Bands of heavy rain containing strong gusty winds at times. Low 78F. WSW winds at over 100 mph, diminishing to 70 to 90 mph. Rainfall expected to exceed 2 inches.

From Nassau's daily paper, "The Tribune" (this morning):

In the capital - Land lines have been down in Nassau East. Many streets in central Nassau are impassable - big trees are down on Shirley Street and Collins Avenue. There are also trees in road near Potters Cay and a number of the stalls have actually blown down. A number of homeless people have taken shelter under the stalls there.

Minister State for the Environment with Responsibility for Utilities, Phenton Neymour says BEC is working feverishly to restore power to most of the capital. He said they have not yet deliberately turned power off, but the outages were caused by damage to the generating station in Blue Hills and some major power lines that went down on Kemp Road. In some areas where lines are passing very close to houses - in particular SeaBreeze and Imperial Park - BEC will not be turning power back on because the main lines run too close to homes.

The Disney Dream is currently docked at Port Canaveral and will be leaving at 4pm, which is 1 hr earlier than the planned 5pm departure. No itinerary changes have been announced at this time. The storm will have passed the Bahamas by late tonight, so we should know more about any damage Friday morning.

 

[pjstevens]

Thanks for the update. Really hoping CC is spared as it is the highlight of our trip (but the entire cruise really is) so I can't complain. I need to just RELAX!

 

[decked out]

Does anyone know if they would ever dock in Freeport if the itinerary got moved around?

I would be surprised if the ship docked in an unscheduled port since there are no excursions established. It probably costs a lot of money to dock a ship and they need to make it back on excursions. They are well situated to switch to sea days when they can't make port.

I would gladly trade Palo Brunch for a Nassau visit, but Castaway Cay not so much. I wonder if they have the staff and the logistics (food ordering) ready to put brunch together if they know in advance that we won't be in port.

Looks like that tropical disturbance/TD-10/TS Jose is a non-factor which is great! Booking a cruise during the peak of the storm season is a dicey move. I think we are in the clear now.