Fantasy Western April 28, 2012

[o&smom]

Thanks for the tip about Passporters! When you got it, did you do the deluxe edition in the binder or if I were to just download the e-book version to my kindle would I likely have all the info I needed?

This will be all the adults' second cruise - except for DH who was a naval officer and has naturally sailed more than the rest of us put together. Our first family cruise was on the Star Princess for my BIL's wedding (we were a group of 60 on that cruise so this is tame by comparison!) just before any children entered the picture. I was actually pregnant for that one so I'm looking forward to enjoying a bit more night life this time around as I won't be so narcoleptic.

I bet our daughters will indeed run into each other in the nursery or nemo's reef. DD will be 31 months at cruise time and one of my nephews will be in
there too (19 months). This board has already proved invaluable for tips about cruising with the little ones - I can't believe how much easier it was last
time when I was only planning for myself!

You are all going to have so much fun with this Disney cruise! I think that the one for Kindle will be just fine. I still really like the feel of paper in my hands, but I did not buy the fancy binder one - just the regular paperback. On our last Disney cruise DD was only 3 mos, so we haven't enjoyed any of the adult areas yet either. There were definately lots to choose from - just way to tired!

Marni

 

[stinkerbellsmommy]

Well, I'm sad to have to say this, but we had to cancel our cruise this weekend...I'm so disappointed. But 2 of our very good friends are getting married next year (different couples), with one having a destination wedding, so we can't afford the vacation time and the cruising expense. I think I might be able to salvage a stay at the World still to make me feel better, but I'm pretty despressed about missing the Fantasy. I'm trying to tell myself it will be better if we get to go after our son is potty trained anyways so he can enjoy the pool with the rest of us. That's my one small consolation.

Hope you all have a wonderful time...I'd check TRs and ask for posted pictures, but it would probably make me too depressed

 

[taswira]

stinkerbellsmommy - We are sorry to lose you, but it's understandable that you can't do it all. I removed you from our cruiser list. Enjoy the weddings!

 

[taswira]

FYI to all: I added another page to our cruise website. "More Info" is a sub-page of "Inside the Fantasy." Take a look if you are interested. Thanks.

 

[McCuddenFam]

Question for you DCL veterans. This is our 3rd DCL cruise but only our 2nd time back to CC...my question is, do the Disney photographers still join you on CC?? We have a fabulous photo from our honeymoon where the photographer was actually in the water and took a picture of us in the water with the beach behind us. I am really really wanting to have family photos done and was going to look for photographers on one of the ports we are visiting....BUT if the Disney photogs will be on CC do you think they would do family photos? Would this be something we would have to arrange first??? Any thoughts? Figured you guys would be the best first stop in my search

TIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aubrey

 

[taswira]

Yes, the photographers from Shutters do take photos of guests on CC - with the ship in the background, at Fresh Catch, at the Post Office and the Gazebo or beach area. I am not sure if they get IN the water to shoot pics as you mentioned, but I imagine things can be pre-arranged if they know you are going to buy the photos!

 

[McCuddenFam]

Very cool....thanks for the info...fingers crossed that they will do a family shot...worst case scenerio we can just keep standing back in line over and over again...oh how my hubby will love that!

 

[Topelski4]

Yes they do get in the water still


QUOTE=McCuddenFam;42250766]Question for you DCL veterans. This is our 3rd DCL cruise but only our 2nd time back to CC...my question is, do the Disney photographers still join you on CC?? We have a fabulous photo from our honeymoon where the photographer was actually in the water and took a picture of us in the water with the beach behind us. I am really really wanting to have family photos done and was going to look for photographers on one of the ports we are visiting....BUT if the Disney photogs will be on CC do you think they would do family photos? Would this be something we would have to arrange first??? Any thoughts? Figured you guys would be the best first stop in my search

TIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aubrey[/QUOTE]

 

[taswira]

to Absmom05 for signing up on our cruiser list today.

 

[McCuddenFam]

Did you guys see this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The exterior of the ship is complete! WOOO HOOO!!! Can't post a link but google Disney Parks Blog....then search Fantasy on the blog and the post should come up!!!!!!
Aubrey

 

[taswira]

I also posted it on our cruise website the moment it was available online. Check the Links page and the Videos page.

 

[taswira]

I posted the latest Fantasy construction photo on the Building of the Fantasy thread and HERE on the Links page of our cruise website.

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Sounds of crickets chirping....

Hellooooooo....is anyone in here?

 

[taswira]

Sounds of crickets chirping....

Hellooooooo....is anyone in here?

Hard to believe that at just over 7 months out this thread is not jumping with activity. This is the brand new Disney Fantasy, folks! We will be on her FIFTH official cruise. The ship will be fresh and new. There will be a ship full of new sights and experiences. I know that some here (including myself) have a cruise prior to this one, but this one will be the best!

Holly and I know everyone must be sick of seeing US post so much, but we are trying to keep the thread visible. Has everyone abandoned ship or switched sail dates? Even the OP has not posted here in nearly 3 months.

There seems to be availability in most categories. I'm wondering if some people may have canceled due to the all-too-short time in Costa Maya.

 

[krhardy]

Taswira..
we probably won't even get off the boat in Costa Maya...for us, the joy is being on the ship. I told the travel agent that for this particular trip, I didn't really care where the ship went. We wanted to be on the new ship, and I gave her our date range. I told her to find us the best price, and this is the week she booked for us.

 

[krhardy]

On another note, we need a bit of pixie dust please...will try to keep a long story as short as possible.

From birth, with the exception of tear duct surgery at 20 months (imagine tubes in the ears for chronic ear infections only it was her eyes), my oldest child has been extremely healthy. My son...horendous nickel allergy to the point of remodeling his room and bathroom with no metal and putting him on a nickel free diet (yes, such a thing exists-I didn't know either). My youngest daughter...RSV at 5 months old followed by years of damaged lungs and raging asthma-we carried her portable nebulizer with us EVERYWHERE until she was about 7 or 8-it lived in the car unless we were going on a trip and then it was in my backpack.
BUT, my oldest has been blessedly healthy. She has been planning on a military career. She was actively persuing an appointment to the US Naval Academy. This cruise is her graduation present.
All that came to a screeching halt this summer. It started with incapacitating abdominal pain early one morning in June. A trip to the ER found an ovarian cyst. OK...that's fairly minor and we can deal with it. 2 weeks later, while she and I were in Austin for work, nausea severe enough to cause event staff to call EMTs who transported her to the ER. That lasted 2 days. Fast forward 2 more weeks, and the pain starts again. Worse. Severe enough that is caused her to vomit 5 times. 9 hours at Children's medical, 2 shots of morphine, bloodwork, an abdominal CT, and another ultrasound resulted in NO findings. Nothing. Um...then why is she in so much pain?
We've been to a very reputable GI in our area, who despite other procedures has found nothing to indicate the source of the pain.
GYN hasn't found anything either. No more cysts. 1st one was probably coincidental.
So, we are left day to day hoping that each will be a good day. The GI was able to prescribe a medication that seems to help once she has symptoms, but still no cause.
Sometimes certain foods can trigger...but not always. There simply doesn't seem to be a pattern.
THe military is no longer an option as she is now medically disqualified. Exercise seems to trigger symptoms-sometimes. Since she has been in tae kwon do from the age of 6, she teaches TKD (what a cool teenage job!), she referees TKD, (OK...she lives for martial arts), this is really difficult for her.
My hope right now (at least as far as the cruise is concerned) is that she doesn't have an "episode" while on the ship. I really don't want this trip to be ruined for her.
Thanks for letting me spew here.

 

[taswira]

Taswira..
we probably won't even get off the boat in Costa Maya...for us, the joy is being on the ship. I told the travel agent that for this particular trip, I didn't really care where the ship went. We wanted to be on the new ship, and I gave her our date range. I told her to find us the best price, and this is the week she booked for us.

I ALWAYS cruise for the ship! I'd be happiest if it was 7 days at sea - lol. I do plan to BRIEFLY get off the ship in Costa Maya, but I've seen people post on other threads about how disappointed they are with only 4 hours or so in port. I didn't notice if any of those posts were from those on this sailing though. There are many who seem to care more about the destination than the ship and actually cruising, so that could prompt some cancellations or switching to a date with a different itinerary. That possibility came to mind due to the inactivity of this thread. Of my three cruises next year, the only one with a reasonable amount of activity is the one in December.

krhardy - I am so sorry that your family has had to endure so many health problems, and now especially your daughter. I hope they will be able to do something more for her to resolve the problems, and that she'll have a problem-free and enjoyable cruise.

BTW - Although I gave up TKD years ago, I was brown (2D)/red belt (1R) in ATA TKD. I quit after a very hard kick in the head put me on the verge of a detached retina, so never achieved black belt. I loved the sport though, and my fitness level at the time!

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Just trying to make some noise in here other than the sound of crickets.....

 

[taswira]

IMPORTANT regarding FE: For whomever takes responsibility for organizing the Fish Extender activity - - I have reorganized our cruiser list on our cruise website. Those not participating in the FE are now listed first (being fewer), followed by those who ARE participating in the FE, now organized by stateroom number in ascending order. When new sign-ups are made, I will manually move them to the proper position. This should make it easier for the FE organizer and participants, provided they have joined the cruiser list.

 

[o&smom]

Anyone concerned about Rina wiping out Costa Maya or Cozumel? Hope 6 months is enough time to repair and rebuild!

Marni