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

[Started With a Mouse]

Thank you so much for all the replies to my magnetic paper question!

 

[DisneyManFamily4]

I need a little advice for our arrival in Miami. Coming home, we're staying overnight in Florida. We're a party of 12 and will not only need rental cars but a couple of hotel rooms. We're flying out of Fort Lauderdale. Does anyone know of a family friendly hotel that would be convenient either in Miami or Fort Lauderdale or have any suggestions about transportation?
I'd really appreciate any advice.

 

[nancybowen]

I thought I had responded a while back that I would be doing the OR. Please add 3 for the Bowens. Nancy , bob and Ashleigh we are soo excited but I want to make sure we are on the list!!!

 

[nancybowen]

Please add 3 for the Bowens. Nancy, bob and Ashleigh we are planning to do the OE but I not on the list

 

[Cruise]

Second, I was wondering what a "Fish Extender" looked like so I googled it ,of course,and I found such cute and creative ones all over the internet. There are some really cute ones on etsy. Do most of you make your own? Or have you bought them off the Internet? Thanks for answering all the "new cruiser" questions. Sherry

I just made my first one. There's a thread over on the regular cruise board where people have posted pictures and described how they made them. There's another thread where people even made them out of duct tape! Some are sewn, others are made using just hot glue and iron-on hem tape type things.

I actually had fun making mine and I'm thinking I might make another just to go with another theme.

The only other time that I participated in an exchange was also around Christmas time and we just used a Christmas stocking as our FE. Worked like a charm and no work required!

 

[LindaBabe]

GOOD Morning, Happy Cruisers!

Looks like I'm 10-15 pages behind so I'll look to see if there is something I might have missed.

You had the world's BEST Excuse! Can we see a photo or two?

Ugh. I can't book my flights and hotels until I know if I am still going to be in Vancouver in December or will have moved to Halifax. And I can't know that until I know whether I can sell my place. Planning real life is so frustrating (especially when it interferes with my vacation planning)

Hmm. Just the ENTIRE width of the country apart. And at Christmas time, when seats will be at a premium, that's not good. Have you had any nibbles?

Second, I was wondering what a "Fish Extender" looked like so I googled it ,of course,and I found such cute and creative ones all over the internet. There are some really cute ones on etsy. Do most of you make your own? Or have you bought them off the Internet? Thanks for answering all the "new cruiser" questions. Sherry

Bought my first one from another Dis-er, made my second (not such a pro job ) and received the third one as a gift from a quilter.

I just made my first one. There's a thread over on the regular cruise board where people have posted pictures and described how they made them. There's another thread where people even made them out of duct tape! Some are sewn, others are made using just hot glue and iron-on hem tape type things.

I actually had fun making mine and I'm thinking I might make another just to go with another theme.

The only other time that I participated in an exchange was also around Christmas time and we just used a Christmas stocking as our FE. Worked like a charm and no work required!

Walking around the ship, i've often been in awe of the creativity of my fellow cruisers both for their FEs and their door decor. My door always looks like a hodgepodge. All the cruise magnets live the rest of the year on the metal door to the garage from my laundry room. It's pretty near full, top to bottom.

Happy Day, all!

 

[Relaxin']

All the cruise magnets live the rest of the year on the metal door to the garage from my laundry room.

And my son and friend thinks I am the only one displaying my magnets on the "metal door to the garage from my laundry room." After the maiden voyage and the wonderful magnets that I received, I had to display them somewhere, and keep the memories fresh.

And for all of you who have been chatting about gluten free, and weight loss, today I celebrate my 40 lb loss. Only another 25 - 35 lbs to go before the cruise, and I am on track. I was never much of a wheat eater, and my goal was not to remove wheat, but I think about the amount of wheat I have in my diet. Put it this way, since January, I may have eaten 10 slices of rye bread, and 5 servings of pasta. Any other wheat would have been hidden in my food, but I focus on non packaged food. Nothing frozen, out of a can or boxed, so I think I am pretty gluten free. I do hit the gym 6 days a week with 2 days of focused weight training. My cardio is focused on jogging/running and swimming. I finally hit an 8K in 60 minutes, and my speed was up to 10K/hr. I am looking forward to participating in my first 10K race in October. Today is another new day. Oh yes, and my dream is to run a Disney marathon. I have done the 5K and had so much friend. I bumped into a fellow DISER at the grocery store on the weekend, and she is focusing on a healthier life style and has entered the WDW January 5K - I am so proud of her.

 

[WVURunner]

Second, I was wondering what a "Fish Extender" looked like so I googled it ,of course,and I found such cute and creative ones all over the internet. There are some really cute ones on etsy. Do most of you make your own? Or have you bought them off the Internet? Thanks

In the past, we have always borrowed one from a friend. This time around, my MIL in making one for each of our cabins. I do not have a relationship with my MIL (long story short, she did not want her son to marry me and made it well known, including asking my DH at our engagement party in front of everyone if he was actually going to go through with the wedding, and all of this over the fact I'm not Catholic) She is a quilter and is very excited to be making our project. We have been talking over fabrics and other ideas she has, so I guess the FE is slowly mending our relationship, who knew!

I need a little advice for our arrival in Miami. Coming home, we're staying overnight in Florida. We're a party of 12 and will not only need rental cars but a couple of hotel rooms. We're flying out of Fort Lauderdale. Does anyone know of a family friendly hotel that would be convenient either in Miami or Fort Lauderdale or have any suggestions about transportation?
I'd really appreciate any advice.

My Dad grew up in Miami and my Mom grew up in Fort Lauderdale so I should have advice for you but everytime we visit, everything is differant. We are getting our rental car from Avis in downtown Miami, about a 10 min cab ride from the port and then we will be driving to Tampa, where I grew up.

I thought I had responded a while back that I would be doing the OR. Please add 3 for the Bowens. Nancy , bob and Ashleigh we are soo excited but I want to make sure we are on the list!!!

You most likey responded and I just missed it! Sorry about that, you are added to the list.

And for all of you who have been chatting about gluten free, and weight loss, today I celebrate my 40 lb loss.

Congrats on the weight loss and the milestone number. I started running with the couch to 5k program and ran my first marathon, the Disney marathon, in Jan!

 

[LAS2012]

Hello All!

It is nice to see such a fun, inviting group! My DH, DS (will be 6), DD (will be 16 months) and I will be cruising for the very first time. In fact, this is my very first DIS post...but I have been this group's fan/stalker for a while now!

I am interested in participating in the FE group, as that seems like so much fun for everyone.

Right now the most overwhelming item seems to be the packing for two adults and two kids. I am ALWAYS an overpacker, even for an overnight. The thought of flying in to and out of both ports with that much stuff is starting to freak me out. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Maybe I just need to stop worrying and embrace the the thought of excessive luggage...

 

[hedgerow]

I just booked our airfare from Pittsburgh to LAX on Southwest. They are having a sale and I booked using points so we got airfare for 3 for $15. WooHoo!! Now I need to choose a hotel for a night in LA. Does anyone have any experience with the Queen Mary? It sounds like a fun place.

 

[bbangel]

I have an extra four pocket FE if anyone would like to borrow it. It is pretty simple but it works!

 

[Manon_Paul_Nina]

Hello All!

It is nice to see such a fun, inviting group! My DH, DS (will be 6), DD (will be 16 months) and I will be cruising for the very first time. In fact, this is my very first DIS post...but I have been this group's fan/stalker for a while now!

I am interested in participating in the FE group, as that seems like so much fun for everyone.

Right now the most overwhelming item seems to be the packing for two adults and two kids. I am ALWAYS an overpacker, even for an overnight. The thought of flying in to and out of both ports with that much stuff is starting to freak me out. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Maybe I just need to stop worrying and embrace the the thought of excessive luggage...

Travel light! The washingmachines and dryers work fantastic onboard!!!
Last year i overpacked too but won't do that this time!
There is a packinglist somewhere on the disboards!!!
Can't wait for dec. having plenty of sunshine instead of snow for 2 whole weeks!!!

 

[Gdes1]

Jeff, feel free to tell me if it's too much work, but is there a way to put a list of all of the "product" offerings on the website? Such as the pillowcases Katy is making, the two different offers of certificates, lanyards, etc? That way people can just check the list and place orders with the right people.

 

[dthogue]

I need a little advice for our arrival in Miami. Coming home, we're staying overnight in Florida. We're a party of 12 and will not only need rental cars but a couple of hotel rooms. We're flying out of Fort Lauderdale. Does anyone know of a family friendly hotel that would be convenient either in Miami or Fort Lauderdale or have any suggestions about transportation?
I'd really appreciate any advice.

I don't have an answer to your question, I have been looking for a hotel too for Sunday evening.

I came across the website www.cruisemiami.org that has alot of helpful information including a listing of hotels in the area.

I'm not sure what area we want to stay in though - I've been looking at the downtown Miami area. We are flying out of FLL - I can't decide if we should stay in Miami or head north to FLL

 

[RoxyHive]

Welcome LAS2012! My daughter will be turning 2 on the cruise and would love to meet your DD to play with

Are you planning to use the diaper service or pack them all?

 

[Cruise]

Travel light! The washingmachines and dryers work fantastic onboard!!!
Last year i overpacked too but won't do that this time!

I completely agree with this. I'm just planning on doing laundry.

Dressing for dinners - you're really only in those clothes for a couple of hours and usually right after having had a shower. I have to shower after a day of either sun and fun on the ship or a day of excursions after a day in port. I'm only planning on packing one pair of trousers and 2 skirts for our 11 nights of "cruise casual" dining (2 formal, 1 semi-formal nights will get their own outfits). The trousers will double for Pirate Night. I do tend to pack more tops than bottoms though.

I'll have a couple of sundress/coverup type dresses to wear on the ship over a swimsuit on sea days. I'll pack a couple of pair of shorts or pants for excursions (depending on which excursions I choose). After the two West Coast Mexican ports, we have 5 days on the ship before hitting another port so I'll do laundry sometime then and all my dinner, ship, and port clothes will be clean again.

So anyone who sees me at dinner, just politely ignore the fact that I'm wearing the same skirts and trousers over and over.

I've never cruised with kids, but one tip that I've read on the boards that seems like it would make life much easier is to pack one day's outfit in a gallon size ziploc bag for each child for each day. Shirt, shorts, underwear, socks (if necessary), etc. Then just toss it at the kid in the morning. Of course, if you do laundry, you can choose to either redo the ziploc system after the kids go to bed one night or just put the clothes away and pick things out the remaining mornings.

Also, if you're planning on buying any t-shirts or such as souvenirs, subtract those numbers from your packing list and get a wear out of them while you're on the trip.

I'm arriving a couple of days early in LA and plan to pick up a few things there so I don't have to pack them for the flight out - sunscreen, alcohol, etc.

I'm sure I'll think of more later. I've made a game out of packing light and try to only do carryon for all of my non-cruise trips. Cruises always seem to break me though - those formal nights are a killer.

 

[Travelbee]

Daughter's wedding went well Saturday. They are now honeymooning at Disneyworld so I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Added some additional Roll Call photos folks have sent me.

Post a photo of the beautiful bride when you have a chance!
We got a few decent family photos on our last trip so I'll be sending you a photo for the roll call shortly. I also highly encourage others to send in photos for the roll call on the website. It makes it much easier to recognize fellow Disers without having to stare at their chest for the lanyard!

I need a little advice for our arrival in Miami. Coming home, we're staying overnight in Florida. We're a party of 12 and will not only need rental cars but a couple of hotel rooms. We're flying out of Fort Lauderdale. Does anyone know of a family friendly hotel that would be convenient either in Miami or Fort Lauderdale or have any suggestions about transportation?
I'd really appreciate any advice.

I don't have an answer to your question, I have been looking for a hotel too for Sunday evening.

I came across the website www.cruisemiami.org that has alot of helpful information including a listing of hotels in the area.

I'm not sure what area we want to stay in though - I've been looking at the downtown Miami area. We are flying out of FLL - I can't decide if we should stay in Miami or head north to FLL

I posted my hotel info a few days ago. I am also spending a night in Ft Lauderdale post-cruise. We're renting a car from Budget near the port and returning it to FLL the next day. I think our rate for a full size is around $50 with taxes included. For hotel I went with Hotwire and got a GREAT deal at Westin Diplomat for only $150 (fees and taxes included). I've looked at many travel sites and cannot get that hotel for less than $330. The hotel is right on the ocean with great pools and only a 10-minute drive to FLL.

I just booked our airfare from Pittsburgh to LAX on Southwest. They are having a sale and I booked using points so we got airfare for 3 for $15. WooHoo!! Now I need to choose a hotel for a night in LA. Does anyone have any experience with the Queen Mary? It sounds like a fun place.

That's awesome! More $$ for DOTD (Drink of the Day).

 

[PBewley]

We would like to join
Dana and Paul Bewley
2 adults
no children
Cabin 6054

 

[decked out]

Will the ship be decked out for the holidays?

 

[BethC1952]

It should be fully decorated. I was on both Magic and Dream last holiday season right after Thanksgiving, and both ships were beautiful! I love cruising during this season because DCL certainly does a lot better at decorating than I do!!!

Beth