Feb. 6, 2015 5- night Caribbean: I Wonder who's On Board?

[ksprincess]

This will be the first actual cruise for all 4 of us to go on. My youngest son, Eli, will have turned 12 2 days before we set sail so this will be a week(end) of many memories for us. My 13 year old, Cody, is just as excited as well.

Are there any seasoned cruisers out there that can give me any advise, hints or key things to know before we head out?

Also any advise about the fish extenders would be much appreciated.

Thanks can't wait to set sail for many memories and new friends

Sarah

 

[ksprincess]

I'm not really sure how to go about the FE thing but would like to join in the fun with you guys in the group. Please bare with me as I am new to this site and still trying to figure it all out.

 

[twinkles2010]

Hi all! So excited to see more people want to do the FE group with us late late comers. Lol. I will be on later tonight. Just getting home and have to spend some time with my girls. Can't wait to get our group going!

 

[duszek72]

Good Morning, I have been trying to send pm but apparently you have to have at least 10 posts to be able to do it!

 

[twinkles2010]

Hi good morning. I was having the same problem so I guess we will have to keep posting until we get to 10. Lol

 

[ksprincess]

Well that stinks that you have to have that many posts before you can send a PM to someone.

 

[twinkles2010]

Hi kprincess,
So nice to have you join us. Your kids will love the kids club. On our last cruise we heard from parents that they couldn't get their kids out of there. Lol
I'm excited my 4.5 yr old twins get to go into the club this time. Last time they weren't old enough.
The FE is new to me too and I am looking forward to it. I'm the only one in my family who wants to participate which is too bad but I bet they will want to do it next time. I've been reading all the pages of ideas and already ordered my personalized FE. I'm excited to put together some fun gifts. Being that we have a small group it makes more personal and hopefully the start of some great memories.
I've taken 3 other cruises with other cruise lines and 1 with Disney so maybe I can help. What kind of info/advice do you need?

 

[ksprincess]

Thank twinkles! I have been looking on Pintrest mostly for ideas for the FE and think this weekend we are going to the fabric store so we can make our own FE bag. I also showed the kids and my bf, who is also going with, and they are all excited about participating in the FE. I'm just not really sure what to get to give or how the FE works with knowing who we are giving the gifts to.
I worked for RCCL about 6 years ago and had the opportunity to do an inaugural cruise which meant I was on the ship at sea for 3 days but did not stop at any ports. I'm a little nervous about the stops at ports, only because I've heard some horror stories of being left and bad experiences at ports.

 

[twinkles2010]

Okay so I've reached my 10th post so maybe now I am send out a pm. I Hope you can open it! Lol

 

[duszek72]

Hello Ladies, so we have 3 families in our new FE! Should we prepare a little spread sheet for the info?
Do you have any plans for Grand Caymans? I am still debating what to do ... Any suggestions?

 

[ksprincess]

We have not made any plans for Grand Cayman yet however my youngest son has expressed big interest in swimming with dolphins. I think it sounds like a great experience but don't like that you can't have a camera with you while swimming and from what I've read if you have someone not swimming they aren't close enough to really get pictures so the only real option is to buy their pictures.

 

[twinkles2010]

Kprincess,
I wouldn't worry about being left behind at port. Just be sure to keep track of your time. I always give myself at least an hour to return to port. This way if I run into any issues I can still make it. I did have to make a run for it once but we made it back just fine. Ahh memories! Haha
Duszek72,
Castaway is amazing! SucH a beautiful beach! We missed out on the cabanas as they booked up pretty fast but there's always next cruise. And we didn't have a chance to see the adult side of Castaway last time but I will be going this time. Planned to leave the kids with the husbands for a little bit and head over with the ladies for a little break. So excited!
Have never been to Grand Cayman so we all signed up to go to Tiki Beach. I like the fact it includes transportation, a spot with a beach chair and a drink.

 

[ksprincess]

My uncle mentioned to one of my sons about a wrecked plane on the Castaway Island, not sure if he was just teasing my son but he told him to explore it and do a 'report' for him afterwards. Not sure what he was meaning but guess we shall see when we get to the island.
Am SO ready for some warm weather

 

[twinkles2010]

My SIL went swimming with dolphins on her last cruise and they brought their camera but with all the fuss and the swimming, she said it was better to just let them handle the pictures because hers were not as good. She said she prob wouldn't do it again so she's happy she got a great picture. It's still on her wall. From what she says its a wonderful experience. Something to think about.

 

[ksprincess]

Another questions....do either of you participate in the pirate night, meaning do you dress up as well?

 

[twinkles2010]

Haven't heard about any wrecked ship on Castaway but you may want to do a search or even check the threads on the disboard. If it exists you will find someone posted it somewhere.
Pirate night is great. Last time we all wore black and white with the bandanas we got on the ship and it was enough. This time we have 4 kids coming and my nephew is prob going to wear a Jake costume (minus the wig) and I'm in search of 2 pirates dresses or a costume for them to wear. I did see a lot of people dressed as pirates so we were not prepared but we pulled it off and have a great family pic with Daisy pirate.

 

[ksprincess]

Yes I have just begun my search for the wreckage to find on Castaway.
I think Chris, my bf, is more excited about the pirate night and getting to dress up then the kids are so I am in search of an outfit and deciding what the rest will wear as well. The closer we get the more everyone can't stop talking about the trip. I can only imagine how they will be once the trip is over lol

 

[twinkles2010]

That's funny. You should definitely get into it. It makes it that much more memorable and fun! I think I'm definitely more excited than anyone else. My girls come a close second. Haha!
Duszek, do you mind set up that spread sheet for us? I'm not the best with those kind of programs and I think that may keep it organized especially if we have more people join later.

 

[duszek72]

I will be happy to prepare a simple one for the group. I will try to do it tonight the latest tomorrow, as I am quite busy with my little one having skiing lessons this week. We have beautiful skiing weather in Calgary, so we try to take advantage of it.
As for the excursion, I am thinking about snorkeling with sting rays or doing the submarine trip. I am having troubles to decide as I can't ask my little one .. he still does not know anything about the trip ...
Cast away, I am planning on dropping A off at the kids club (he loved the kids club on Princess last year- we could not take him away from it) and I AM GOING TO SERENITY BEACH ! Me, myself and I time!

KSprincess, I have read that the is a sunken ship in GC quite close to the cementary beach. You can scuba dive or snorkel there. Yesterday, I found a pirate costume for A, so he will be delighted matching the disney crew! I need to think about mine ...

 

[twinkles2010]

Thank you for doing that. Wow skiing! Sounds like a lot of fun. We have yet to get any real snow here in NY. Just had about a half an inch and it was so messy. My kids are dying to make a snowman! Haha. So I think we should be good to PM now. I will try to get to it tonight but if not then tomorrow. Enjoy the snow! Can't wait till our cruise! 20 days to go!!