Fantasy - July 14, 2012

[GarakDS9]

If you want more room for souvenirs try my solution. I routinely pack some old clothes to wear that I no longer want , wear them and them discard them. This results in my closet getting cleaned out, less laundry to do when I get home and room in the suitcase for all the new fun things I buy.

It has been a while since I have seen DW laugh so hard. I am already regretting letting her read this post.

 

[GarakDS9]

Okay, now that I think we have finished the testing phase of the facebook page for the kids, I figure it is time for a formal invite to all the kids aboard this boat!!

There is a private facebook group called "14th Fantasy Friends" for all the kids sailing (we have about 30 right now in our cruise). It was started so that all those tweens and teens we happen to have sailing have a place to meet up before the cruise without having to post here where all the adults hang out. It is of course open to all the kids of all ages!

Here is the link to the page http://www.facebook.com/groups/256516047762307/

Please let me know here on the this board or by PM that you are a member of our crew and have sent me a request so that I can get you in the group. I am doing this so that the facebook page stays a safe place for our kids.

Don't worry if you do not have facebook page. Neither of mine do and they are using my page and just saying who they are at the beginning of their messages.

Kereen

DW, Lori-Ann just requested to join the FB group on behalf of my DS.

 

[linkandclover]

As I just mentioned, we are literally 1 week removed from the Wonder MR sailing. We participated in a few DIS meets and the FE and they both really added to our cruise experience.

We would like to participate in both.

By the way, our last cruise used a spreadsheet in Google Docs to organize the FE. It seemed quite simple but I have very little experience with spreadsheets. After the document was created it was available for our group to view via a link and made gift planning easier. Does anyone have experience with this?

So far the FE list remains small but if it starts to grow I will see if DH can create a spreadsheet. I will add you and your family to the list. Let me know what cabin you will be in. I haven't been checking the prices so I did not know there was a sale. Hmm... have to take a look

 

[GarakDS9]

Last of my multiple posts. Sorry but I had a lot of time to catch up on.

We recommend going to O'hana @ Disney's Polynesian resort. It has AMAZING family-style food, but the best part is the atmosphere. It has glass windows and it overlooks the Seven Seas Lagoon & Magic Kingdom park. If you book a dinner reservation for around 8:30, you can watch the fireworks show AND they pipe in the music that people are hearing in the park!!!! It's an amazing experience. Then, you can take a stroll by the lake and lay in the hammocks afterwards and watch the light parade on the water. Pretty great evening- no park admission needed.
Boma at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is also exquisite. The food is WONDERFUL and the atmosphere is over the top. Afterwards, you can go outside to sit by the fire pit or check out the animals with night vision googles provided by the staff!!!! Again, no admission needed.

Thanks for the idea on O'hana. We have done the light parade but never in conjunction with dinner and music/fireworks.

As for Boma, we have intentionally chosen not to stay at AKL this time to save $ and afford the cruise. If not we would eat at Boma for every breakfast and dinner.

 

[GarakDS9]

So far the FE list remains small but if it starts to grow I will see if DH can create a spreadsheet. I will add you and your family to the list. Let me know what cabin you will be in. I haven't been checking the prices so I did not know there was a sale. Hmm... have to take a look

As soon as it is assigned we will let you know. As for the sale, we paid over $2500 less as a VGT then the current price for the category we usually like.

 

[GarakDS9]

VGT is gone already for this sailing. We got in just in time, so happy.

 

[SA53]

Been AWOL from this board as last week was the end of the grading period for my absent minded professor and we were busy making sure everything in the "crazy-paper" binder was turned in!! Also, yesterday I got sucked into a Game of Thrones marathon... But now, Spring Break in Texas!!! And of course since we are planning a big holiday in July, Spring Break means mommy can sit at home and obsess about our upcoming cruise!!!

Speaking of this, do any of you have a "Do Not Move" attached to your reservation? I do not but was reading/obsessing about this and think maybe a should because an upgrade for me might mean moving from my happy aft balcony to a smaller side one with a bigger room.

Also, Ashley and Lindsey T., you must be on our cruise but can you confirm here so I can put you on the facebook page?

125 Days!!!!!

K in SA

 

[noahsmom]

We have never had our cabin moved without being asked. Before one cruise I received a call from DCL asking if we'd like to upgrade an ocean view to veranda, there was a cost but it was minimal. I said yes! Once I make the final payment on this cruise (probably next week so we can book stuff on the 31st) I will make sure to put the do not move request in. I'd hate to have one of them moved. The fact we don't have to pack on the last night of this cruise is one of the things I'm really looking forward too!

 

[mmouseforpres]

Ashley and Lindsey T are on the cruise. I will have my son, Mason send a request as well.

 

[GarakDS9]

We have a lot of DCL experience but we have never done the E. Caribbean. Any one repeating this itinerary? Any favorite excursions? Can start booking them already at the end of the month.

 

[SA53]

Yeah, the Ashley/Lindsey mystery is solved I have put them both on the board and will look out for Mason. My kids are on Spring Break this week so hopefully they can make some connections with their fellow cruisers.

Noahsmom, I keep forgetting you are continuing on without us... You really do need to put a "Do Not Move". The story I was reading was about someone who had an aft balcony and on his cruise meet thread, one of his fellow Disers was excited about their gty assignment--you guessed it, his room. He had been upgraded to a 5E (this was still when our balconies were 6A's). He was able to get it switched back, but I guess I need to keep checking that we have our same room...

GarakDS9, we have only cruised once, a long time ago, and never with DCL so not sure about the excursions. I am jealous of all you repeat cruisers who get to start booking things. April 30 seems a long way away for us first timers!!!

For those of you who have cruised before, any advice on when our booking window opens? What kind of things should I be thinking about booking in advance? I think it opens at midnight, is that EST?

K in SA

 

[SA53]

Garak, I forgot to add that there is a thread on the main Cruise forum that talks specifically about Eastern excursions. It was not that long ago, should be close to the first page.

K in SA

 

[linkandclover]

In St. Thomas we have just gone out on our own. I have taken a cab to the shopping district (amazing place to buy jewelry) and my husband and 2 sons took the tram up the mountain and loved the view and the wildlife (just a short walk from where we dock). We have only been to St. Martin once and have no idea what to do. At Castaway Cay we have done snorkeling with stingrays, jet skis, parasailing, bike rides, glass bottom boat and banana boat so if you want information on these just let me know.

In terms of things booking up fast Palo's has always been number one and jet skis as well. We were lucky on our last cruise because someone had cancelled their reservation and we were able to take their place (so don't give up hope if you cannot get what you want.

 

[SA53]

linkandclover, you've been missed!!

I do have a question for all you experienced cruisers, did you do Palo on your first cruise? I am quite torn about whether or not to try and get a reservation. Since we are traveling with the kids I am thinking we will want to do dinner with them, plus I haven't been to any of the restaurants. I then thought about doing brunch there, but since there is so much to try on the ship, I would hate to miss anything. If you have done Palo, particularly brunch, was it worth it? As a newbie I am not sure there will be any spaces left anyway. (I may just stalk those of you going and try to nab an eclair as you leave...)

K in SA

 

[SA53]

Another first timer question for all y'all (my dd does say that ). If you have done a 7 night cruise, is it true that quite a few people dress up for Pirate Night? Party Nana and Papa are in, my dd has a pirate dance costume, but I am wondering for the rest of us. I'm in if it means I can flirt more with Cap'n Jack, but not sure about my dh and ds. Any experience out there?

K in SA

 

[linkandclover]

Another first timer question for all y'all (my dd does say that ). If you have done a 7 night cruise, is it true that quite a few people dress up for Pirate Night? Party Nana and Papa are in, my dd has a pirate dance costume, but I am wondering for the rest of us. I'm in if it means I can flirt more with Cap'n Jack, but not sure about my dh and ds. Any experience out there?

K in SA

I can't talk for the others but I will be dressed up (I doubt anyone else in my family will). It is really up to you and I have seen people go all out on some cruises and not on others. It is truly unpredictable.

About Palo's- we have never been there because we always dine as a family. The food is always great at the dinners and so we have never made it a point of going. I have heard it is great food. Now brunch sounds interesting and on one disboard I know they booked it for the group. I am not sure if children could join in or not. If people are interested I can call and find out more information and we could do it as a group and not have to worry about booking as I can do this at the end of the month.

 

[GarakDS9]

We've done Palo dinner once. It was on a 11 night Med. and it fit in nicely with the length of cruise. Our son was really comfortable with our dining mates by the end of the cruise and rushed us off to Palo dinner.

Palo dinner was nice but I am far more tempted by brunch as well. Many other threads like it even better than dinner and those who know me quickly learn that I can eat breakfast 4 times/day. I plan on booking this but I am also open to a DIS meet brunch as well. In fact our DIS meet for our future Christmas cruise is currently planning a DIS brunch or tea. I don't know that they decided yet. Don't know how to make it happen but consider us a willing participant.

 

[GarakDS9]

On pirate night, DS dresses up moderately, DW takes it a little further and I am known as the nightly "stick in the mud!" They celebrate if they get me to wear the free bandana they hand out at dinner.

 

[GarakDS9]

One more thing...

Is it just me or is the FB page for the children really quite. I thought they were supposed to be the social media generation. It is a shame, DS included, because we seem to have a lot of early teenage boys in our group.

 

[linkandclover]

I have encouraged mine to get on but it seems to be the last thing he wants to do after gymnastics. I know that he will complain on the cruise if he doesn't know anyone but planning ahead is not a skill he has picked up yet. I will continue to nudge him along. My 15 year old has always met people when we arrived on the ship and I think he does not want mom to make friends for him.

Re: brunch- if I get a chance at work tomorrow I will call the cruise line and get information. I would only do it on a sea day so that it does not interfere with excursions. Once I have more I will post it and see who wants to join in. If there are any platinum members on this thread they may be able to book it sooner.