February 03 2007 Eastern

[vic32]

Yeah got our braclets today!! They look great. Hey Jerzeegirl we got you some!!! I can hardly beliieve how quickly its coming!!!

 

[CBJHockeyNut]

Ok, more of a lurker than a poster but I have been on fire the last couple days thinking about the release of the 2008 dates, West Coast and repo cruises. I have "bumped" into a couple of you along the way thinking about 2008 dates and on-board booking. Lot's of discussion on the "big board" about what everyone is planning. For our "little" group, however, what is everyone thinking about?

Personally, I would love to book the East-bound repo. Costs could be an issue however--when my wife reads this I need to make sure she understands that I haven't totally lost my mind going DCL-crazy. (Although, just between us--I am just about to go DCL-crazy--not sure if I will be able to control myself by the 31st.) Also thinking about mid-July 2008.

I am assuming that what folks have already booked or will book on board will be a significant topic of discussion with this group. Right now, what are you thinking about?

Got to run. Goodnight to all and Disney dreams!!! (Need to go teach a class to pay for all this DCL!!)

CBJHockeyNut

 

[tjeagle]

I would have never guessed I'd even consider a Repo or a West Coast cruise...but I love the thought of it! Timing of the Eastern Repo wouldn't be too bad....the kids would miss the first day or so of school though. I have always wanted to do a Panama Canal cruise! It also falls on DH's 40th birthday (I see a trend here!). It will all depend on the cost. We were planning to re-book on board for Thanksgiving 2008....time and $$ will tell!

I am trying to keep my head on straight! It is too easy to get carried away in the excitment on the boards!

 

[vic32]

I would love to do the repo also, I just can't see taking my son out of school in 5th grade! Its difficult enough in 3rd grade! I am blown away by the amount of work Jacob is going to make up!!!

 

[OKWMEMBER]

gmark2000, are you out there? Did we help you with your door sign question?
I hope you are not stressing out too much. We're only 4 hours away from you and the weather has been very mild for this time of year. I hope we don't pay for it when it comes time to leave for the cruise!

The 20 Day Dance is Sunday!!!!

HADD!!!

 

[gmark2000]

Still here and checking in...

As you may have noted from my other threads that I've started or questions asked, I have specific questions that the search doesn't necessarilly yield...

As with other internet forum sites, I think that problems are magnified because seek other like-minded individuals to discuss things. Trying not to be stressed out, I've come across stressful issues/topics here unfortunately that relate to or concern us :

• lengthy buffet lines
• crowded kids pools - unsanitary late in the day
• sleepy kids at late seating
• long lines at character photos
• lack of security at CC for valuables
• no extra baggage storage at PC terminal
• Norovirus/Norwalk virus and quarantines
• Tipping in light of kids not being at meals
• Need to bring own water wings and beach toys

Again, this is our first Disney cruise and this is indeed a vacation so at some point we'll have to find our peace and RELAX!

We want to have quality family time AND meet new friends AND have some selfish adult indulgence in the end.

 

[OKWMEMBER]

I like your thinking!
We hope we can help you have a good time on your cruise.

 

[vic32]

I am curious if it will be a battle to get my son to dinner everynight!!! I figure its his vacation too. But he has to spend a little time with us, even his sis!!

 

[tjeagle]

We have told the kids that they can go to the clubs whenever they want, but we eat dinner everynight together. Now....we will see if that rule holds once on board!!
Talked with the teachers today.....I am a bit nervous about the amount of work we are going to complete! Jake's teacher actually asked me to come in a FEW HOURS the week before we leave so I can help gather and make copies for the work for him......A FEW HOURS! Geez!
I am having a tough time focusing on anything but the trip at this point....shopping trip again tomorrow and Monday to get "those last few things". DH pointed out that I have been picking up "those last few things" for about 3 weeks now........

I am curious if it will be a battle to get my son to dinner everynight!!! I figure its his vacation too. But he has to spend a little time with us, even his sis!!

 

[tjeagle]

GMark,
I too am worried about the various stomach bugs! I learned today at work (I am the Rehab manager in a large retirement/nursing home) that many of the stomach bugs around now are actually "encapsulated" germs. Our infection control nurse recommended not only serious hand washing but following that with the antibacterial gel. I will have plenty of that handy on the ship!!

 

[tjeagle]

Okay, this is my last post tonight I promise

I just read on another thread that DIS'ers put one of the alien green Disney paint samples (the ones that are shaped like a mickey head) in their lanyards on the ship to identify each other....LOVE IT! We have a few and can try to get more if others are interested!
Anyone...anyone???

 

[joksten2000]

Dinner is a must, they can do what ever all day long, but dinner is sacred, it's a time when everyone is together as a family. I think in this day and age it's important to instill a sense of family. Things happen, friends come and go, but family is forever. It gets harder as the family gets bigger, but it's a hard and fast rule. It's the time of day I look forward to everyday on vacation.

 

[smarttm]

Jackie,

Did they say how they put the lime green pain chips on their lanyard? I think that would be cool, I'm just interested in the execution of it.

What last minute shopping do you have to do? I'm always looking for ideas and a reason to shop. Also to make sure I'm not forgeting anthing.

I made my door decorations yesterday and a count down board for my son. We are all getting so excited.

Keep counting down,

 

[gmark2000]

I believe you just go to Home Depot and get the Behr Disney paint sample with Disney head in the fluoro-lime green. Get a couple and cut out the Mickey heads and paste them back to back. Punch a hole for a lanyard at the top of the head. You can put names on the sides and laminate too.

 

[mjmjcrop]

I haven't read thru these posts in a few days since I have been so busy with work and kids but I am going to try and make the birthday celebration too. My 35th b-day is the Sunday before we leave (the 28th) so if all goes well I will join you all too for a celebration. I still can't believe this cruise leaves in three weeks from today......I haven't even started packing yet. I better get moving on that.

 

[tjeagle]

Good idea...I was just going to slide it into the clear card holder part of the lanyard, but I like your idea better!!

Shopping list for this weekend: Dress shoes for Jacob (he grows out of his weekly it seems!), dress socks for DH, shoes for me (always looking) and whatever else I see cruisish!!

I believe you just go to Home Depot and get the Behr Disney paint sample with Disney head in the fluoro-lime green. Get a couple and cut out the Mickey heads and paste them back to back. Punch a hole for a lanyard at the top of the head. You can put names on the sides and laminate too.

 

[vic32]

We are going to have dinner together everynight. Except Palo night! I am hoping we can get our Palo ressie changed to another day at a later time!
As far as homework I figure if he does a couple of pages every day. And they are off that monday after we get back so thats an extra day! He is working ahead on his memory work and he doesn't even realize it!!

 

[tjeagle]

Tracey,
Okay you got me rethinking. DH and I have been to ST Marteen twice..but never the beaches. I rescheduled my Stone Massage (originally Tues) to keep the day open. I am reading up on the beaches now...I figure if the weather looks good...to the beach we will go. I do enjoy staying on the boat on "at port days" too...so I can see where the weather looks best...
Anyway...do you just taxi to Little Divi Bay? How far is it? Anyone else have beach recommendations for either port? My plans of Coki Beach and Coral world are up in the air since there will be so many boats in port that day!

tjeagle- You should so get off the ship in St Marteen. It is really nice and there are lots of great beaches. We were just there in Nov and took my son to Little Divi Bay. It was great. There is a rental area with everything from snorkel gear to wave runners. We swam, rented a wave runner for 30 min. My son took his snorkel gear and had a blast. There is also a beach right in the shopping area there which has a water trampoline and looks pretty cool. I think we may be going to that one on this trip.
Tracey

 

[weloveDCL]

Still here and checking in...

As you may have noted from my other threads that I've started or questions asked, I have specific questions that the search doesn't necessarilly yield...

As with other internet forum sites, I think that problems are magnified because seek other like-minded individuals to discuss things. Trying not to be stressed out, I've come across stressful issues/topics here unfortunately that relate to or concern us :

• lengthy buffet lines
• crowded kids pools - unsanitary late in the day ***we have a pool at home.. and for us Southerners..we cruised DCL last January.. the pool was never an issue.. my dd age 6 this year..had too much fun doing other things to be concerned with the pool...but, the pools never really looked overcrowded especially this time of the year..
• sleepy kids at late seating *** we had the early dinner seating last time and I opted for late dinner this time.. cause, once we get our tummies full.. we are sleepy.. and we missed alot of the night entertainment. my husband and dd even missed the fireworks last year.. i watched from our balcony.. they were zonked out.
• long lines at character photos***again, the lines were never horribly long for us. dd had a blast in line, the characters took time all smiles and kind words to each child.. not a problem..
• lack of security at CC for valuables**** well the way i look at it.. if people can afford to take a DC.. they aren't hurting to steal stuff.. our experience again, from one DCL cruise, everyone respected eachother's turf so to speak.. it is so beautiful on CC and by that time, you recognize other passengers.. that.. it just didn't even cross my mind to worry about this.. and i have some very expensive camera equipment..
• no extra baggage storage at PC terminal*** wasn't an issue.. we just took turns going to the bathroom expediting paperwork etc.. seemed like we were on the ship in a matter of minutes.. the only things we had to keep up was our carry ons
• Norovirus/Norwalk virus and quarantines***i was amazed with the sanitary precautions that DCL take.. you go into restaurant.. you are handed a anti germ handy wipe.. also, before the children are permitted into the children's areas.. they hands are sanitized.
• Tipping in light of kids not being at meals***tipping is what you want it to be..sure there are guidelines.. but, i look at it this way.. sure the kids meals are different, however, they really cater to your children.. it broke even.. i will say this.. we only did the 4 day cruise last year.. (land and sea) and we didn't have an assistant.. the whole time.. so i didn't tip the missing person. i did give our main server a few more $$.
• Need to bring own water wings and beach toys

**my dd was 5 last year and already a great swimmer and well so much to do on the beach.. we didn't purchase any beach toys...she spent 1/2 the day on CC at the kids part.. we got her hair braided.. ate.. played and chilled and ate.. for shore excursions/beach time.. we may buy some cheap stuff and just leave it.. we are traveling with relatives who have a 5 year old dd..


Again, this is our first Disney cruise and this is indeed a vacation so at some point we'll have to find our peace and RELAX!

We want to have quality family time AND meet new friends AND have some selfish adult indulgence in the end.

there are others far more qualified to answer these questions, but, i thought i'd at least add my 2 cents.
hope this helps in some way. i am a control freak when it comes to planning.. and i'll try to address other concerns you may have to the best of my ability

 

[smarttm]

Jackie,
Little Divi is just the next beach over from downtown. It was a rather short ride from the boat in a taxi. I don't remember how much the taxi cost. When you get there it is a hotel type resort and you just walk out onto the beach. There are chairs for rent ($5), a DJ playing music and an area to rent just about anything water related.

What I don't get from reading everything is the passporter says that pirate night is on night 4 which would be tuesday. That is the day we are in St Marteen and we are not scheduled to leave port until 7p. It just seems strange. Is this info right or has it changed since my book was printed?

Also, I was not able to get Palo ressies on the internet, Is there a pretty good chance I can get them when we get onboard?

What time is everyone planningn on arriving at the terminal? Is there a time you can't get in until?

Has anyone ordered any packages for their stateroom. I'm trying to think of something to suprise my DH, but I just can't decide. I did talk to the people at the perfect gift and I am sending a box of stuff for them to add to a treasure chest basket that they are making for my DS (6) It will be nice to have some personal touch to it.

We are going to Disney on 2/1, just can't decide which park. We are between Magic Kingdom and Epcot. It must be very crowded, because I called the other day to get a reservation for that night and all they had was AK or SSR and both were ove $300/night. As you can guess, we are now staying off property.

So many things to do and think about. Just can't wait!