EBPC December 9, 2012!!! PART 2

[Cruise]

How am I doing on "half the clothes and twice the money"?
Any input on my packing is appreciated! Note, I will be doing laundry.

My plan is to pack the following for each member of the family:

• 3 or 4 daytime outfits for warm weather
• 1 pair sandals and sunhats
• 3 or 4 "casual" dinner outfits
• 3 outfits for the formal and semi-formal nights (inc. shoes, accessories)
• 2 swimsuits (one to wear, one to dry)
• 2 pairs PJs
• socks, undies, etc.
• Workout clothes and shoes for DH and myself

Then, for cash tips, I have $1s and $5s to get us through things like airport parking shuttle, curbside check-in, and anyone else who handles the luggage throughout the trip. We are supposed to give a few $ in cash to room service on the ship, right? And I have a larger tip for the guide and driver in Costa Maya. Did I forget anyone who needs a cash tip?

Your packing list looks just about identical to mine. I'm including a pair of jeans (that I'll wear on the airplane anyway) for the Costa Maya tour. I might be warm, but I'd rather be covered up a bit more. The "daytime outfits" consist of some shorts, but also just some sundress type swimsuit coverups as well for sea days - basically something to keep me decent to go grab some food when needed.

Hey...I will host a book exchange bag outside my stateroom. I will have one for childrens books and magazines and one for adults. Super easy...people can bring an extra book and drop it in the bag...anyone can take a book. End of the cruise, I will donate any books in the bags to the crews library and the kids clubs. The bags will have a sign on them and will be available 24/7

Cynthia

Thanks for doing this!

 

[DindelsPA]

I put a link to an "ultimate" cruise packing list on the "Links" tab on the web site. The Mayan ruins we've done, tennis shoes or sturdy sandals would be fine.

Might want to add bug spray to that as well.

 

[adnil530]

Well, like so many others, as our cruise date approaches, things change. I will not be bringing our dd11 on this trip. All is well with her but school wise, it is not good timing. I've been stressing over the situation for a few weeks now and am glad to be moving forward.

That said, I am bringing along my sister Terri instead! We are closer in age than my dd11 and I, so I'm sure we will have a great time and BONUS there will be no homework! I'm glad it is working out and I was able to find someone with a valid passport, 2 weeks of vacation and that I get along with!

It looks like the early dining list has grown to a very healthy number and I'm sure the fun will be plenty. My dd enjoys having early dining as that is when a lot of the kids seem to have dinner, however, after discussing it with Terri, she and I are late eaters so I am going to be requesting to switch to late dining. That will free up an early dining spot if early is all full. Now to get a hold of Julie and see if there is a brunch spot open!

Linda

 

[kimwhitt93]

I have 10 pre-printed journals and autographs books, if anyone wants them, let me know, otherwise they will be making their way into the recycling bin soon!

Do you have anymore journals and autograph books? If not can you share how you made them?

 

[rach7]

The caveats have seemed to be unpeeled fruit or raw veggies, and tap water, including ice. However, I successfully ate fish tacos and salad in PV with no problems, so your mileage may vary.

Thanks for the feedback Linda - I'm not sure whether I'm worrying too much about the kids picking up bugs in Mexico...or maybe not worrying enough!

How am I doing on "half the clothes and twice the money"?
Any input on my packing is appreciated! Note, I will be doing laundry.

My plan is to pack the following for each member of the family:

• 3 or 4 daytime outfits for warm weather
• 1 pair sandals and sunhats
• 3 or 4 "casual" dinner outfits
• 3 outfits for the formal and semi-formal nights (inc. shoes, accessories)
• 2 swimsuits (one to wear, one to dry)
• 2 pairs PJs
• socks, undies, etc.
• Workout clothes and shoes for DH and myself

Thanks for sharing your list - I can use it to start mine! I plan on bringing just one thing for formal night (even though there's 2) - dressy clothes take up way too much space in my luggage! I apologise in advance to everyone as you'll see me wearing the same sets of clothes often - we've just got too far to travel and don't want to be weighed down with heavy bags....plus I need room for the FE gifts (priorities you know)!
Rach

 

[magicmaker1]

Still looking for volunteers for S/Cat. 2, T/Cat. 3, Cat. 4 and Cat. 7.

If only we could help out but we are a 10c (still an upgrade for us) and someone already anted up. We would love to be a cat 2,3,4 or even a 7!

 

[LindaBabe]

GOOD Morning, Happy Cruisers!

I'm finalizing my binder of all pertinent information, but I'm unable to print all the rows of the FE tab we need to give to. I've tried to select the rows similar to Excel spreadsheet, but it's not working. Does anyone have any tips?

Thank you!

Might be a wee tad too early to print - there are still quite a few people without stateroom numbers. You can download the list as an excel file. I like to do that and then sort it in order of stateroom number, which is how I deliver the gifts.

How am I doing on "half the clothes and twice the money"?
Any input on my packing is appreciated! Note, I will be doing laundry.

My plan is to pack the following for each member of the family:

• 3 or 4 daytime outfits for warm weather
• 1 pair sandals and sunhats
• 3 or 4 "casual" dinner outfits
• 3 outfits for the formal and semi-formal nights (inc. shoes, accessories)
• 2 swimsuits (one to wear, one to dry)
• 2 pairs PJs
• socks, undies, etc.
• Workout clothes and shoes for DH and myself

Then, for cash tips, I have $1s and $5s to get us through things like airport parking shuttle, curbside check-in, and anyone else who handles the luggage throughout the trip. We are supposed to give a few $ in cash to room service on the ship, right? And I have a larger tip for the guide and driver in Costa Maya. Did I forget anyone who needs a cash tip?

For the ruins tour in Costa Maya, do we need hiking boots or anything special? Or will summer clothes and sturdy Ecco sandals suffice?

Looks good to me. Bug wipes for Costa Maya? Thank you for reminding me about the DRIVER!

Hey...I will host a book exchange bag outside my stateroom. I will have one for childrens books and magazines and one for adults. Super easy...people can bring an extra book and drop it in the bag...anyone can take a book. End of the cruise, I will donate any books in the bags to the crews library and the kids clubs. The bags will have a sign on them and will be available 24/7

Ships library (so to speak) has really limited hours. I found myself unable to sleep on our last cruise and was able to find something to read in the disboard book bag....thought it was a neat idea...and I didnt have to repack books I had finished!

Cynthia

THANK YOU! (For those who want to know - the library, such as it is, is a couple shelves in a book case in the Cove Cafe.)

Well, like so many others, as our cruise date approaches, things change. I will not be bringing our dd11 on this trip. All is well with her but school wise, it is not good timing. I've been stressing over the situation for a few weeks now and am glad to be moving forward.

That said, I am bringing along my sister Terri instead! We are closer in age than my dd11 and I, so I'm sure we will have a great time and BONUS there will be no homework! I'm glad it is working out and I was able to find someone with a valid passport, 2 weeks of vacation and that I get along with!

It looks like the early dining list has grown to a very healthy number and I'm sure the fun will be plenty. My dd enjoys having early dining as that is when a lot of the kids seem to have dinner, however, after discussing it with Terri, she and I are late eaters so I am going to be requesting to switch to late dining. That will free up an early dining spot if early is all full. Now to get a hold of Julie and see if there is a brunch spot open!

Linda

Girlfriends trips are THE BEST! I'm sure your DD is bummed, but oh, well. You're welcome to bring your sister to the ScrapGirls meets, too.


I'm planning to pack on Sunday, while DH is gone skiing. Everything is laid out on the spare bed, and I see what appears to be more piles of "stuff" than clothes - magnets, scrappy stuff, ornament for exchange, gifts, tiara, reading material, yarn for crocheting, camera gear, binoculars . . .

Happy Day, all!

 

[haileyboo]

Thanks! I do know they are on the site. I just wanted to make sure my TA actually did it. I am sure she did, just the worrywart in me. I may call just to make sure it all worked out.
When I logged into the Cruise website, it did say my table was full, or something like that.

We're with you guys. We're neighbors too, so I'm thinking they did the same with the late dining IGT's that they did with the early ones, our party just isn't quite as big! I'm so ready for this vacation

 

[WVURunner]

Might want to add bug spray to that as well.

Bug spray is a MUST! I was so glad I brought it last time, everyone on our tour was borrowing it.

Do you have anymore journals and autograph books? If not can you share how you made them?

I think I still have journals, I am almost certain that I tossed all the extra autographs books but I can email you the PDF. I am already at work and won't be home to check till 8pm to 10pm but I will check for ya when I can

 

[Jeff Spencer]

DISers are a generous lot. I put together another FE tab for the late-comers to the FE and have highlighted the folks that have emailed that they would include them in their list. Also note that elderfam's second cabin with her cousin and her family have been added to the late-comers, along with disneylovebirds. Email, PM or post here any changes/additions.

White Rabbit FE List

 

[colkath2005]

We are also 2 seperate cabins and 2 seprate gifts. Think we are under 2 different names though Colkath2005 and colkath2005 parents. We are both happy to accomodate all the newcomers on the FE list

I am going to go through my kids books to see if there is one or two 'english' books such as Enid Blyton etc to add to the book exchange for something a bit different.

We leave on Tuesday afternoon and it can't come soon enough. The last few weeks have been really challenging. I found a lump in DS5 arm which needed a scan and thankfully turned out to be a small boney lump and nothing more serious. I have had several problems with my car and had to go to the garage and also have my windscreen replaced. There have been high wing which blew my fence down and we have had a petty dispute with our neighbour who accused me of scraping their car. So a holiday sounds great right now
My dad drives tour buses around Europe and was called out to France on a breakdown. He was hoping for a quiet last week (in driver terms this means UK driving only). Now he not only has no idea when he will come back, he also doesnt know if he will have to drive back or catch a flight. So it may be that we will meet him at the airport hotel.

Lots to do this weekend and tomrrow i am travelling 3 hours to my sister's house who is looking after my dog. Really looking forward to seeing my nieces and nephew, then home to finish everything before Tuesday.
Colette

 

[WVURunner]

DISers are a generous lot. I put together another FE tab for the late-comers to the FE and have highlighted the folks that have emailed that they would include them in their list. Also note that elderfam's second cabin with her cousin and her family have been added to the late-comers, along with disneylovebirds. Email, PM or post here any changes/additions.

White Rabbit FE List

Both of our cabins can include late-comers

 

[suedaisy]

I am a first time cruiser with an upgrade question....
We booked the IGT with restrictions room deal for this cruise. We were fine with an inside room. We recently have been given our room assignments. A member in our group has had some health issues and may be spending more time in the room. At port, he wishes to try to upgrade to a room with a view. I am trying to research if that MIGHT be an option (I know that there would have to be availability, etc). I am reading web info that says, "yes that might be an option" and some that say "no- those are the restrictions"... You guys seem smarter than everyone else, so any insight??

 

[JessicasMom]

I am a first time cruiser with an upgrade question....
We booked the IGT with restrictions room deal for this cruise. We were fine with an inside room. We recently have been given our room assignments. A member in our group has had some health issues and may be spending more time in the room. At port, he wishes to try to upgrade to a room with a view. I am trying to research if that MIGHT be an option (I know that there would have to be availability, etc). I am reading web info that says, "yes that might be an option" and some that say "no- those are the restrictions"... You guys seem smarter than everyone else, so any insight??

I've also heard both, but my approach is "It never hurts to ask". I think the answer will probably be yes, if there is availability.

 

[elderfam]

I will be sewing over the next few days and have enough fabric to make a few extra Fish Extenders. Does anyone still need one?

They will be free with two or three pockets depending on what fabric I use... I can make a "Cars" theme, Toy Story, Tinkerbell and maybe a little mermaid. I have a Hanna Montana already made.

These are examples of the FE that I make.

 

[Gilland18]

I did it!! I just finished The Path Between the Seas!! Guess I'd better go see the Canal after investing all that time reading the book.

 

[LindaBabe]

I will be sewing over the next few days and have enough fabric to make a few extra Fish Extenders. Does anyone still need one?

They will be free with two or three pockets depending on what fabric I use... I can make a "Cars" theme, Toy Story, Tinkerbell and maybe a little mermaid. I have a Hanna Montana already made.

These are examples of the FE that I make.

Oh, those are really pretty! And look how tidy the corners - I'm impressed!

I did it!! I just finished The Path Between the Seas!! Guess I'd better go see the Canal after investing all that time reading the book.

GOOD JOB!

 

[MaryLou1962]

Hey...I will host a book exchange bag outside my stateroom. I will have one for childrens books and magazines and one for adults. Super easy...people can bring an extra book and drop it in the bag...anyone can take a book. End of the cruise, I will donate any books in the bags to the crews library and the kids clubs. The bags will have a sign on them and will be available 24/7

Ships library (so to speak) has really limited hours. I found myself unable to sleep on our last cruise and was able to find something to read in the disboard book bag....thought it was a neat idea...and I didnt have to repack books I had finished!

Cynthia

Thanks so much!! I know I will have quite a few books to contribute!

 

[suedaisy]

I've also heard both, but my approach is "It never hurts to ask". I think the answer will probably be yes, if there is availability.

Thank you!

 

[jsails]

I will be sewing over the next few days and have enough fabric to make a few extra Fish Extenders. Does anyone still need one?

They will be free with two or three pockets depending on what fabric I use... I can make a "Cars" theme, Toy Story, Tinkerbell and maybe a little mermaid. I have a Hanna Montana already made.

These are examples of the FE that I make.

SO PRETTY! That is so generous of you. I don't need one but wish I did cause I love Tinkerbell.