Feb.4,2006. Who else is sailing?

[dee47]

If you guys just scratch yourselves while you read the threads about dresses, you'll be okay.

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

As far as coffee goes, I have a friend that should just buy a Starbucks. I like some coffee. It has to be sugar free so the choices are very limited.

Repeat cruising - Since most of you seem to be repeat DCL cruisers - I have read that the "gift" is a bag? Have any of you heard any different? I hope so as I have enough of the towels.

I saw at our Target that their were swimsuits out already. They usually have a great selection. And of course, online shopping is great too.

Speaking of shopping, has anyone shopped enough in the ports to have a favorite?

Debi

I hope you feel better! Vitamin C, dark chocolate, and lots of green tea -- that's my cure.

The new CC gift is a tote bag -- it looks very cute.

As for coffee, Starbucks has loads of sugar free syrups now for their lattes and Frapps -- their Light Frapps (100 calories for a tall unflavored) are amazing and made with Splenda. And obviously, a plain cup o' java has no sugar.

If you're coming to Florida before the cruise and need to shop for anything, let me know and I can steer you in the right direction. There are no more winter clothes in stores here!

I think St. Thomas is a fun place to shop, but it depends what you're shopping for. My favorite place to shop is actually ON the cruise, I think! We don't really drink or wear much jewelry, but if you do, St. Thomas is great.

I have a great St. Thomas story about alcohol, but I'll save that for the cruise!

 

[yachtsea]

Thanks for the getting well advice. I can't get rid of the nagging headache.

Anyway, at Starbucks I typically get the sugar free vanilla latte (and over the holidays I had one pump peppermint added).

I enjoy looking at the stuff on the ship myself. I have promised myself that I would be really good on this cruise. We actually have another trip planned in March for our actual anniversary and would rather spend money there. We don't drink and I don't wear expensive jewelry either. I do remember that there was a Fresh Produce (clothing) store in St. Thomas.

I read somewhere on these boards that we may dock in a different area in St. Thomas (I think.) I really like where we were last year (Carnival) because there was a really convenient place to go in and make cheap phone calls. Any info.? Also, have you found that your cell phones work in St. Thomas? I have Verizon. OF course, I don't want my husband calling to his office, just call to check on the kids.

I hope everyone is having a great day. I am gonna take advantage of being home and slowly go and put the piles of Christmas decorations back in their Rubbermaid tubs.

Oh, what has the weather around Orlando been like so far? Think we will freeze at the sail away?

Debi

 

[skylynx]

Hello, Everyone. Just catching up on posts, and reading about the fellow New Yorkers in our group. I was born on Long Island and grew up in North Babylon. In fact, John and I are heading there in a few hours for my dad's funeral. A few days after Christmas (and the day after we left from our holiday visit) an intruder broke into my dad's house, and punched him in the face when my father (82 years old) confronted him going through my mother's jewelry box (we lost her to cancer last April). He died Sunday from complications to the surgery, so now today it is all over news radio in NY, tv, and all the NY papers. My dad never quite recovered from losing my mother, so in a way it was a relief to know he is with her again, but I am so angry about the violence that predicated it. Didn't mean to drag everyone's high spirits down, but I wanted to explain why we haven't posted or responded to any of the brunch calls. We are still planning to attend the Dis meet (can't remember the cabin or time right now, a little frazzled) and will be anxious to meet everyone. All I can say is, we are looking forward to this cruise and some peace and a large does of Disney healing...more than I ever expected to.

Thanks for listening.

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

Didn't mean to drag everyone's high spirits down, but I wanted to explain why we haven't posted or responded to any of the brunch calls. We are still planning to attend the Dis meet (can't remember the cabin or time right now, a little frazzled) and will be anxious to meet everyone. All I can say is, we are looking forward to this cruise and some peace and a large does of Disney healing...more than I ever expected to.

Thanks for listening.

Oh my goodness . . . I am so sorry for your loss, and the terrible violence that predicated it. Losing a parent is never an easy task, but doing so under this type of scenario is even more heart wrenching.

I obviously don't know you, but my heart aches for you right now.

Here's the meet info:

2:30: Cabin 8532 (Bill)
Deck 8
Starboard side by the middle elevators

 

[jblb1020]

Hello, Everyone. Just catching up on posts, and reading about the fellow New Yorkers in our group. I was born on Long Island and grew up in North Babylon. In fact, John and I are heading there in a few hours for my dad's funeral. A few days after Christmas (and the day after we left from our holiday visit) an intruder broke into my dad's house, and punched him in the face when my father (82 years old) confronted him going through my mother's jewelry box (we lost her to cancer last April). He died Sunday from complications to the surgery, so now today it is all over news radio in NY, tv, and all the NY papers. My dad never quite recovered from losing my mother, so in a way it was a relief to know he is with her again, but I am so angry about the violence that predicated it. Didn't mean to drag everyone's high spirits down, but I wanted to explain why we haven't posted or responded to any of the brunch calls. We are still planning to attend the Dis meet (can't remember the cabin or time right now, a little frazzled) and will be anxious to meet everyone. All I can say is, we are looking forward to this cruise and some peace and a large does of Disney healing...more than I ever expected to.

Thanks for listening.

I am so sorry to hear about your Dad, I live in New Jersey and heard the story last night on the news. Our prayers are with you and your family.

 

[yachtsea]

Denise and John,

I am so sorry to hear of this terrible tragedy. I know that your heart is broken right now. I can only imagine the anger that you feel. Please know that my prayers and thoughts are with you today and as you prepare for your trip in Feb.

My dh and I are looking forward to meeting the both of you on the 4th!

Debi

 

[TigerB]

Denise and John,

SO sorry to hear about your loss. I lost my dad at 17 and I can't imagine that it's easy to lose dad at ANY age. I am so terribly sorry that happened. I am in NY too (Poughkeepsie area about 70 miles north of NYC) - I am sure it's on the news here but we haven't turned on the TV in 2 days. We look forward to meeting you on the trip and at the get-together at Bill's.

Stacey & Tim

 

[sbatty]

Denise and John,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Our prayers are with you and your family.

 

[dee47]

Denise and John,

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you now

You should never worry about draaging people down here -- one of the reasons I love the DIS so much is the wonderful community of people it's made of, people who really care. I look forward to seeing you in February and I hope we can, in some small way, help you heal.

 

[princess pam]

I am very sorry for your loss.


Just got back from walmart and they had in the craft area several different Princess items-frames,photo albums and a large notebook with nice weight paper that I think we will use for a autograph book with roonm for pics and autograph on the same page. They are made by Foamies and you create your own look with glitter glue and foam pieces.

We went skiing all weekend and you all have been very busy with the posts. There were 4 pages since I last was on.
Getting very excited and ready to start packing. Trying to decide on a formal new or old. We started the South beach diet to lose a few pounds so we have some room to gain on the cruise.

 

[Johnna_Story]

Denise and John - on behalf of Mark, we're so sorry to hear about your dad. And under these circumstances, it's even more of a tragedy. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. I hope you think you've made some friends here - even if we're still "invisible" for another few weeks. I hope the trip will give you something to look forward to in such a rough time. Take care - Johnna and Mark

 

[TigerB]

Update on 2nd Palo brunch:

We were able to successfully book a group Palo brunch for Thursday, Feb. 9 at 9:30 AM. We have the back room and it's under our name (Tim & Stacey). I have it currently booked for 10 people:

Stacey & Tim (2)
my mom and stepdad (2)
steve&tonya (2)
mary&steven (2)

So, that leaves 2 slots open if anyone wants to jump in now or at Bill's cabin party.

She suggested that 14 people makes it REALLY cramped and suggested around 10 - 12 would be best.

So, we have 2 free spots now, with a potential for 4 (I would just need to update the ressie to be 12 instead of 10). So, can't wait! I just wanted to let you *planners* know when it would be to put on your schedules.

 

[TigerB]

Is anyone in WDW the week before we sail?

We are, and our first day there is Monday Jan 30. Are you there that time? Anyone?

The reason I ask is because we have an IllumiNations cruise booked for Monday night. To get that ressie is pretty rare since there are only a few boats available each night. It holds like 10 people (12 if there are kids) and we are 4 adults. The cost is up there, so it's less expensive if we can share the cruise with others. I thought I would open it up to my DCL friends before topening it up to the regular DISboards...

If you are interested or need more info., write or pm or email me.

In short, it is a private pontoon boat chartered just for you that fits 10-12 people and it's a private viewing of IllumiNations in the lagoon.

 

[dee47]

Stac, I wish I were there on the 30th!

We're arriving at WDW late on the 1st, and will be at the AKL before the cruise, and BCV after. We're doing the Spirit of Aloha on the 3rd, but I wish I could do an IllumiNations cruise. I've done them 3 times by now, and they're the best!

 

[TigerB]

Dee -

We are doing Spirit of Aloha on the 2nd! LOL - we keep missing each other. Have you done SOA before? We haven't...but have done the Hoop Dee Doo Revue...I hope we like SOA as much as HDDR.

 

[steveandtonya]

As we approach the sailing date, our own little group of enthusiasts has posted more than 400 messages! We have formed our own community and have begun enjoying the trip well in advance of leaving. And booked some cool bonding experiences.

So a quick thanks to Steve, a.k.a. steveandtonya for starting this thread lo so many months ago. Thanks, Steve.

26 DAYS!!!! 26 DAYS!!!!!

Mark

You're welcome. I have not been as active the last few days because they put in a filter on our internet at work. So I have to catch up with everything after 9:00pm and after homework, etc. t's getting close enough that you can taste it.

Steve

 

[steveandtonya]

My husband is a Patriots nut. I will be a football widow if they go all the way.

yatchsea - I am going to see if I can make up 2 more names for our ressie, so we should have room for any swaps.

billinaz - good spreadsheet. We are in room 7129 w/ Dmom & Dstepdad across the hall. We are getting to port at noon...we leave from GF in WDW at 10:30 am and taking a car service, so I assume noon arrival.

DH wants to know if anyone (guys) has SB plans for Sunday. Meet? Jumbotron? Party? (we are only in a standard though.) a Pool?

STEELER fan here! Since the early 70's. Grew up about 1.5 hours north of Pittsburgh. My brother has had season tickets since 1974.

Steve

 

[steveandtonya]

Denise and John, We are very sorry to hear about your father. You are in our prayers.

Steve, Tonya, Delaney, Zachary

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

Riddle me this:

What kind of dance is being performed below?



Answer: the Document Dance!

Yes, we received our documents in the mail yesterday!

There were a few things different from our last DCL cruise:

(1) We only got one booklet for the whole family, instead of 4 (this is good; I hated filling out in quadruplicate);

(2) The luggage tags are big stickers now, separate from the booklet;

(3) No pamphlet on excursions (I guess they figure we can look online, although I kind of liked that pamphlet); and

(4) There is a letter saying there is a new dining rotation policy -- that there will be three dining times for each seating, spaced 15 minutes apart. This must have been in response to the crowds outside the restaurants?

Anyway, this is proof that we're going soon! Upgrade dust to all!