EBPC December 9, 2012!!! Who's in????

[JessicasMom]

Any last questions for me?

Yes....is it too late to add another to your cabin??? Have a great cruise and take lots of pictures to share!

 

[Moby]

To Moby - the excursion you planned in Columbia is very exciting, but DH is convinced we need to book through Disney. Columbia is going to be such an exciting city.

Thanks! We think it'll be fun. Let me know if you dh changes his mind as we still have room for two more!

 

[JessicasMom]

DH is convinced we need to book through Disney.

Why is that? I know some people are very concerned they'll be left behind, and I can understand their reticence, but we've always had very good luck booking for ourselves, and saved a lot of $ in the process

To Wheat Free Chatters = how interesting. I am not a huge wheat eater, but my DH can not go without it. When he stops eating wheat for a couple of weeks, he feels better, but before you know it, the wheat is back in his diet. I give you all credit in meeting your challenge. It is difficult removing something from your diet.
Definitely! We are basically sugar-free and avoid simple carbs (all the good white stuff), but we do enjoy whole-grains in moderation. If DH didn't have his oatmeal every morning, the world might end! I don't miss sugar, but do NOT try to take away my Splenda! I am full-figured, DH is not, but we both feel much better eating this way and can maintain our weight (not gain). On vacation, well....that's another story, but we plan for the "good times" and get right back to normal when vacay is over.

Happy Canada Day DITTO!

To the American Cruisers - I am assuming that next weekend is your long weekend. Here's wishing you all a wonderful and safe 4th of July.
Thanks! Actually, most people are celebrating this weekend. It's tough when the holiday falls in the middle of the week.

We ended up booking our excursion in Cartagena through Lee Miles, who has good reviews on other sites and has been very responsive to all my inquiries. A private tour for 5 will cost us $320; it would be $374 to keep the driver an extra hour for lunch at his recommended restaurant (La Olla), not counting the cost of lunch. We're doing La Popa tour but only a photo stop at the fort, as well as the old town walking tour, and Las Bovedas and Pierino Gallo Center for shopping. It's about 4 hrs. We'll decide what else we might want to tour when we see how hot/humid/uncomfortable it is .

Also booked trip insurance, using Squaremouth.com (insuremytrip.com is good, too, but I find Squaremouth easier to navigate). Today was my deadline for getting the "pre-existing conditions" covered, so I had to do it for my mom. I really dislike buying insurance, but it is a necessary evil, I suppose .

Happy Sunday, all. Now I have to go rearrange some potted plants...we have a groundhog who has begun snacking on our sweet potato vines on the back deck....Bad Groundhog! And yes, it's hot here, too. Beats a snowstorm any day .

 

[Relaxin']

Watching Tour de France before I had off to our Canada Day festivities. Enjoying the Belgium scenery. A year ago today, we were in Austria, and my DH was completing his second Ironman race. He had injured his ankle, so he had to walk the marathon, and was able to still finish the race in 15 hrs. As he says, the longest marathon he as ever walked. Sad to say, his ankle is still "messed up" and is only running up to 17K before he needs to stop. It all resulted from falling off a BUSO during a strengthening work out. Physio, massage, xrays, accupuncture, you name it, he has done it. Just so sad that it is not coming back. I guess it could be worse.

 

[skayrobe]

We are watching our replay of the Tour from today also. Last year we spent all of July in Paris and finished the Tour on the Champ Elysees. It was wonderful and so exciting. The bikes whizzed by so fast as we were standing there. I love Paris but had never been there in the summer and we would not have missed the end of the Tour for anything.

 

[Gilland18]

Mom and Dad want to know if there is room in the Chacchobean ruins tour. I can't remember if there was a limit. Thanks!

 

[spiiffy]

Hi Everyone! I just embroidered an autograph pillowcase for this cruise. If you are interested I would be happy to sell them for $15. They are white with lots of room for the signatures. For those newbies who may not know, an autograph pillow case is dropped off at guest services at the beginning of your cruise along with some felt/sharpie pens and you get it back later in your cruise with autographs from the characters (all free of charge)! PM me!

Also, if you do embroidery and would like me to send you my design file (it is in PES form) of the mickey head with the writing in it for our cruise, pm me!

 

[mnewcomer]

Hi Everyone! I just embroidered an autograph pillowcase for this cruise. If you are interested I would be happy to sell them for $15. They are white with lots of room for the signatures. For those newbies who may not know, an autograph pillow case is dropped off at guest services at the beginning of your cruise along with some felt/sharpie pens and you get it back later in your cruise with autographs from the characters (all free of charge)! PM me!

Also, if you do embroidery and would like me to send you my design file (it is in PES form) of the mickey head with the writing in it for our cruise, pm me!

That looks awesome! We would love one for us and one for my inlaws that are coming. They have never been THAT into Disney, but after taking them on the Dream earlier this year I think they are coming around! We even got my father in law to wear shorts for the first time in over 40 years and stand for a pic with Capt. Mickey! this cruise was even their idea. We cant wait!

 

[dthogue]

Hi All! We are in Seattle enjoying the city until we go on our Alaska cruise on Monday. Any last questions for me to check on the Wonder besides those already posted?

If you can find out if there is access to a photocopy machine on the ship, that would be great. Also if there is a cost - I'm thinking it would be easier to make photocopies of the updated FE list once onboard and I have all the changes.

Have a great trip - I'm very jealous and wish I was coming along.

Tammy

 

[dthogue]

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CALLING ALL LADIES

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Do you have a pink outfit, a boa and a tiara - would you be interested in joining me in a Champagne Girls get together? I have been thinking of setting up a meet, but before I do I wanted to get an idea if anyone would be interested.

The cost would be $20.00 per person and will be charged to your stateroom. Once the final count is turned in to DCL you will be charged (sorry, even if you don't show up). You don your finest pink, add your boa and tiara and come learn about Champagne and of course samples. This would be a private event for our members.

Either post here on the thread or send me a PM - if we get enough interest I will set it up!

 

[Gdes1]

I'd like to do the champagne thing! I am also thinking of doing a martini tasting while onboard. It's time I grew up and quit drinking the sweet frufru drinks I liked in college....

 

[skayrobe]

These tastings sound like so much fun. I can find something pink and of course I have a tiara and a boa. Count me in. Thanks.

 

[LindaBabe]

Good Morning Happy Cruisers!

There is still room on the "mobility impaired friendly " Cartagena tour with Marelvy, too. (Link on the cruise webpage if you'd like to read about Marelvy)

"people who are coming on a cruise ship I recommend The Highpoints of the City Tour which begins with a visit to La Popa in order to take in a magnificent full circle panoramic view of the entire city and its environs. We would then do some sightseeing at the Fortress of San Felipe for a photo stop and in order to talk about its history. Then we take slow cruising tours of the neighborhoods of Manga, Getsemaní and Bocagrande before going for a nice walk in the Old City - visiting the Gold Museum, the main plazas - and winding up with some shopping (emeralds, coffee, handcrafts, antiques and leather goods among other things).


The tour lasts for four and a half hours.

For a group of four the price is 85 dollars per person, for six 73 dollars per person, for eight people 65 dollars per person, for ten or more 55 dollars per person. The price includes the cost of transportation in the air conditioned minibus or large bus I mentioned with a driver, entrance fees to La Popa, the fees I pay to the port authority in order to be able to pick you up and leave you off at the docks and, of course, the fee for my services as your private guide.


Children under ten pay 70% of the price for adults."


If interested, please PM with Cartegena in the subject line. This tour will cut off at 12 participants.

Happy Day, all!

 

[bbangel]

BBAngel, have you tried dinner for breakfast? I often plan for 'leftovers' just so I can eat them for breakfast. I love eggs but not every day.

Here is a delicious wheat free low carb pancake recipe - 1 c almond meal, 1/4 c water, 2 eggs, 2 t oil, 1 t spenda, pinch salt. Beat up and cook as usual, makes 4.

Yes, I do that sometimes! And thanks for the recipe. I'll try it tomorrow!

 

[LindaBabe]

IS anyone familiar with the San Pedro Port area? I've mapped out a "walk about" for my extra day in California and would love insider's tips on the area. Anyone taken the red trolley? Visited Fort MacArthur?

 

[Gdes1]

We were only there a few hours, six years ago, so not an "insider", but I have been researching it also. There is a fountain show with music at one end of the trolley line. I think it's called Fanfare at Gateway or something. And I have heard that the Mexican restaurant across from the Sunrise motel is very good. We are planning on just riding the trolley, seeing the fountain, checking out Ports O Call village and picking up a few bottles of wine if we see a liquor store!

 

[Started With a Mouse]

We were only there a few hours, six years ago, so not an "insider", but I have been researching it also. There is a fountain show with music at one end of the trolley line. I think it's called Fanfare at Gateway or something. And I have heard that the Mexican restaurant across from the Sunrise motel is very good. We are planning on just riding the trolley, seeing the fountain, checking out Ports O Call village and picking up a few bottles of wine if we see a liquor store!

The fountain is right outside the cruise ship port. I believe it was put together by the same company who designed the fountains for the Bellagio in Las Vegas.

And DH told me about this one today - USS Iowa:

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=8681705

I will be making a trek down there at the beginning of Sept (when the Wonder comes back from Seattle), and check out the area. I want to show our DD's the ship prior to the day we board...build the excitement a little.

There is also a Target, in San Pedro (use google maps to see location/distance from your hotel) maybe a 5-10 minute cab ride away, for any and all last minute essentials. I just saw a lot of wine bottles on clearance at my local Target, so I'm not sure if they will have bottles anymore, maybe just wine boxes and individual ones (like the kids drink boxes).

 

[Started With a Mouse]

Okay, since it's very tropical where we are going, any need for Off! or similar bug spray/repellent?

Also, I know we can take take Uncrustables off the ship for an excursion (I have one picky eater - and that's probably as close as I can get to a PB&J/food that will travel well), does the ship provide any saltine crackers with meals? Like the little 2 packs of Premium Saltines?

 

[hedgerow]

WOW! What a group! I am so glad to find an active group for this cruise. I frequent a different cruise board and the roll call there is slooooooow. 75 pages! Gonna take me a while to catch up.
I will start by way of introductions. I am Jamie, I have been a major Mouse addict for years. I love cruises and since we tried DCL we are hooked. I am the mom of 4 ages 22,20,20 and 8. Our 8 year old daughter will be cruising with us.
Hubby is Matt also a Mouse addict so we are a good pair. We both love to travel and the Panama Canal has been on our list for years.
We are located near Pittsburgh. We plan on flying out the day before. So now I am off to try to catch up on the group activities.

 

[decked out]

Booked our IGT today! There's no turning back now!
Just me and the wife (Liz Arjay) this time.
Looking forward to good times with everyone.