Feb. 21, 2004 Eastern Cruise

[whytcrystal]

Hello All-
Want to wish you and yours a great New Year! Can you believe 50 days! I started counting at 413. Well, On my way to see LoTR with my DSIL.

 

[Gina]

Bruce is going to roll his eyes at me on this... but I actually packed some yesterday. I mean, the cruise box was getting full, and it was stuff I won't need until the cruise, and I decided to go ahead and promote the stuff to the suitcase. Checked it off my list, and it made me feel a bit closer to the cruise. *smile*

I'm going to go ahead and call Shirley & co. at The Perfect Gift back and order something for TD's birthday before I forget. I called them a week or so ago -- and they are all sweet as everyone says -- and the girl I spoke with was sooooo helpful. I had liked the sand pail with snacks and stuff on their webpage, but wanted some different snacks in there. She said no problem at all, they will put whatever Tyler Dean likes in there.

Plus, she told me they just got in this big bunch of talking Mickey watches, and they could put on of those in there, too. Thye're just $15, and he has no watch, so that is perfect to me.

They were just really, really nice... and I think Tyler Dean will like the surprise, too. I'm also contemplating having the stateroom decorated, but haven't decided if it will make the inside room seem even smaller or not. I am definitely bringing birthday banners and such to decorate the outside door.

Okay, enough rambling from me this morning... LOL Hope everyone has a good weekend!

-gina-

 

[woody64]

Gina: I'm only rolling my eyes because I thought the suitcase would be half packed already. What took you so long?

I also have talked to Shirley and will call her at the beginning of Feb. for a welcome gift. We ordered from DCL last time and the boys loved it.

My DS's are busy putting their Yugi-Oh decks together waiting for the duels. My boys can be reached by email at my address. I may get them on today to send a few messages. They also will be bringing their Game Boy's and have the same likes as the others.

Anyway, HAPPY NEW YEAR and it won't be too long now!

Bruce

 

[av01bps]

We are celebrating our parents 40th aniversary as part of this cruise. The actual date was 12/20. What suggestions do you all have to help us celebrate? Banners? Special desserts? They are not interested in vow renewals (too much of a production).

Thanks!
Amy

 

[Gina]

Hi Amy! You can go here and see the stateroom decorations, if you like. They have a really pretty set for anniversaries! Other than that, I'm afraid I don't really have any other suggestions, other than having a gift basket for them or something neat like that.


Bruce -- It only took me this long because things have been so chaotic. But don't worry... in about a month's time, I'll be packed enough to just head to the airport and wait until it's our time to go. Yer just jealous because your wife won't let you pack yet...

TD is also organizing his Yu-gi-oh cards, and is all excited. Little does DCL know that they'll be hosting a full-blown dueling tournament on the floor of the terminal that morning. LOL I'm having trouble getting him motivated to send emails, though... but I know if we can get them talking about their cards, it'll take off from there.

-gina-

 

[woody64]

Amy: Make sure DCL knows what you are celebrating. They will at least bring a cake to the table and sing for them. Maybe a nice basket from DCL or Shirley at The Perfect Gift. Shirley is so nice she will even include anything you want to send to her in the gift basket to personalize it even more.

Gina:We'll probably start packing the week before we leave otherwise we'll forget what we packed

Bruce

 

[av01bps]

If the documents we're all waiting for are a single piece of paper with our excursions, room number and sailing dates... we are doing the document dance at our house!
Amy

Whoo Hoo!

 

[kmk]

We are also on the 2-22-04 Cruise.. and can't wait... our cast of characters include, dh, myself,and dps who is 12 (P is for prince!) I have noticed alot of young boys are included on this trip..he also is a Yu-Gi-Oh fan..and will taking his mass array of cards... he is looking forward to dueling with any takers...
This will be our third cruise... last year we did the Western Caribbean...and loved it.. would have gone back again this year..but I like to see new and different things. We are flying out of the frigidness of NY... I saw some one else is from Ithaca..but can't find her info anywhere.... I hope you see this...
On our last cruise the DIS Board folks met at the Caddilac lounge one afternoon... and they also did the mickey mouse home depot paint chip heads... is any one doing it this time???

 

[whytcrystal]

Hi All-

I started packing today. It will be here before you know it. My DMIL has called me twice already this AM (got her packing too). I have decided I will need two shoe organizers for the four of us. One for toiletries and one for shoes. Who would have figured I would need a shoe organizer for shoes??

I also picked up some space saver bags (the ones you roll) for those items that will be easy to get wrinkles out with Wrinkle Release. When DH and I went in 2002 we had 3 suitcases, two carry-ons and a garmet bag for two of us. Needless to say, I packed WAYYY too much. This time there are 3 of us and I am hoping to have 1 suitcase, the garmet bag and a small bag for each of us on the plane. Wish me luck.

Question: Does anyone know if the luggage suggestions for the HappyLimo Vans are all that will fit or suggestions? It says 7 Suitcases and 5 Carry-ons for 10 people.


Thanks

 

[christinou]

Happy new year every one, we have been away for 2 weeks, and had serious withdrawal from the DIS.
It is getting so close, I can't wait, the girsl still do not know about the cruise, I am not sure when we will tell them.
As we were gone at the 60 day, and were oversea, I had Dreams fax my reservation, Tammy was great, and e.mailed me that she already had the approved request back from Disney. My husband is scuba diving, both in St. Martin and St. Thomas, that is how I get him on the cruise, so it was very important for me that we get those.........
I can't wait to see all of you in 48 days

 

[jerseygirlinvt]

Hi everyone...

We FINALLY booked our flight to Orlando for the cruise so I feel like we are really going now.I have been checking flight prices out of burlington vermont since we booked the cruise in July...they never came down at all. The airlines must know that the kids are off from school that week!!!We considered driving to NY or NH or even Boston to save some money but don't really want to take a chance with blizzards and having a long drive. We are flying out on Thursday, Feb 19th so have 2 days to deal with possible snowstorms...didn't want the Magic to pull away without us! We ended up paying a little over $300. each (for 6 of us). Alot more then we wanted to pay...but at least we only have a 10 mile drive to burlington. We will be staying at the Radisson on Friday night so maybe we will meet you all then. The cruise sure is coming up fast...I can't wait.
Kathy

 

[woody64]

Welcome KMK,

I hope you mean you are on the 2-21-04 cruise I think Gina can supply you with information on how to get to our more private group on Yahoo. Everyone's info is there as well as some planned Dis meets.

christinou:where overseas did you go (if I might pry). I for one would like to hear about it(hopefully it was a fun trip).

Others-I can't pack yet, I'm still taking down Christmas decorations.

woody

 

[Gina]

Hi KMK, welcome! As Woody said, we have all the meet info and contact info set up at our Yahoo group. Just go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/febdiscruise/ and sign up there.

Kathy -- I'm so glad you were able to nail down your airfare! I know you must feel loads better. See you at the Radisson!!

Everyone else -- I'M READY TO GO NOW. That is all.

-gina-

 

[bassoongirl]

Woody,

We are also taking down our Christmas decorations today. How depressing!

We haven't started packing either. We probably won't start until a week before the cruise.

But all this talk about packing has brought up a question that I have about dressing for dinner. I already have our outfits for formal night and semi-formal night planned. For the other nights I am not sure what to wear. I read on other threads about bringing one or two pairs of nice pants and changing the tops each night. That seems like a good idea. Here is my question: Since we are cruising in February, is it appropriate to dress in summery colors (you know, whites, khakis and pastels) or should we dress in wintery colors (blacks, reds, etc.)? Can any of you experienced cruisers tell me what people wore in February?

kmk,

Welcome to our group! I have a 12-year-old too, but she is a girl! She is not interested in Yugi-Oh although she has played a couple times with her brother.

Kathy,

Congratulations on getting your plane tickets! Its too bad the fares didn't drop in price, but at least you got flights that are close to home! You are lucky to be flying in on Thursday! You get to start your vacation early!

Back to reality!
Gayl

 

[Gina]

Originally posted by bassoongirl
Since we are cruising in February, is it appropriate to dress in summery colors (you know, whites, khakis and pastels) or should we dress in wintery colors (blacks, reds, etc.)? Can any of you experienced cruisers tell me what people wore in February?

Gayl

Hi Gayl!

Once you are on that ship, months don't matter. It is tropical all the way, eternally summer onboard. I love it. For the regular evenings for dinner, I am usually in capri's and a t-shirt or something like that, all bright and island-y. But then, considering it's 77 degrees here today, my wardrobe is pretty much like that year-round. LOL

But from what I always see, pretty much everyone dresses the same way -- light, comfortable, vacation wear. Hope this helps!

-gina-

 

[av01bps]

Gina and Gayl-
Where can I purchase some triopicalifrag-a- mundo wear for my girls and me? We like to "match" sometimes (they are still little) and it might be fun to wear matching sundresses? If possible, I'd like to shop online.

We are expecting up to 6 inches of snow and tomorrow is back to school. .... not enough for a snow day though...


Whytcrystal- what is "Wrinkle Release" and where can I buy it? I am generally wrinkly! Agh!

Thanks
amy

 

[bassoongirl]

Gina,

Thanks for the quick reply! If we are going to wear summery clothes on the cruise, maybe I can start packing some stuff now! We certainly won't be wearing them here in Michigan anytime soon!

Amy,

Gina mentioned a shop in St. Maarten that sells tropical outfits. The timing is good too because I believe the Tropicalifragilistic night is on the night we stop in St. Maarten.
My kids are praying for a snow day, but personally, I am ready to go back to work. My days are messed up because of all this time off!

Gayl

 

[christinou]

Woody, we went to France to spend Christmas with my family, we had a great time, and my girls were swimming in the mediteranean sea on New Year's day (mind you, they were one of the only one), they loved it. I am now sure that swimming at castaway cay in february will be warm for them.
I am french, but have lived in the US for 21 years, and aside from my accent, there is not much french left in me, but I do love to go back and visit and introduce my kids to the way I grew up.

 

[Gina]

Re: tropical wear

You will have no shortage of places to find wonderful outfits in St. Maarten!! You take water taxis from the dock to the shopping area ($5 per person for all day use) and there are tons of little shops lining the streets right near the beach. I paid $25 total for both mine and Tyler Dean's outfits, and they were both so beautiful. I can't wait to buy more!

And that wrinkle spray is the best invention in a loooong time. It's called Downy Wrinkle Release, and it works SO well -- especially on knit items like polo shirts or t-shirts. That stuff is just amazing. I never travel without it now.

-gina-

 

[HeatherDMB]

NOW THE IMPORTANT QUESTION FOR HEATHER> Is DMB scheduled to be on our cruise?? We saw them in Sept of 2002 and absolutely loved them!

Whytcrystal, I wish! I don't imagine that they would play on a cruise, but I sure would love it!!

So, it sounds like you have all gotten your excursion info from Disney. I have not gotten anything from them. I did only book a few weeks ago, but shouldn't i be getting something soon? I don't want to miss out on the excursions (not to mention just the excitment of receiving something from Disney in the mail!).

Also, what are these shoe holders? Someone else mentioned this to me as a necessity, but I have no idea what this is. Any info would be helpful.

I haven't started packing yet, but I have been shopping like crazy for clothes for the kids. They never dress up, so we had to start from scratch. Do I need to get a jacket and tie for my son? (8yo)?

Also, as a newbie, can someone tell me what all this DS, DMIL, etc means. I get that they are your family, but what exactly does it stand for??

Well, see you all in 47 days!