February 14-18, 2010 4 Night Wonder Cruise

[NitaO]

Hey where is everyone at??? I need cruise talk. Something has to cheer me up. So has anyone been on DCL on Valentine Day before? I wonder if they do something special.
For all the DCL pros what is your favorite part of the cruise? I think it was DisneyPoly who said this was her 8th cruise, there must be something she loves about the cruise, right.

 

[lauraDar]

Well, Anita, I can't speak from experience, but some things I'm looking forward to: getting dressed up for dinner and trying dishes I've never had before, relaxing on deck and on Castaway Cay with a good book and a tropical drink, taking a bike ride around Castaway Cay, playing on the new water slides on Castaway Cay (hope they will be operational by then). Hoping for a good mix of activities - some we can do with children so we can get that good quality family time, but some without children so I can actually relax without having to constantly be doing for everybody! Dare I actually step back, not try to organize everyone, and let them fend for themselves!? Can I do it (control freak that I am) ??????

 

[jandj524]

Hey where is everyone at??? I need cruise talk. Something has to cheer me up. So has anyone been on DCL on Valentine Day before? I wonder if they do something special.
For all the DCL pros what is your favorite part of the cruise? I think it was DisneyPoly who said this was her 8th cruise, there must be something she loves about the cruise, right.

I love cruise talk
This will be our 6th Disney Cruise -- some of my favorite things are.....

Castaway Cay hands down best part of the cruise - well maybe - Pirate's Night is pretty cool too -- fireworks over the ocean, now that is incredible.
The day pass at the spa is a must--just pure relaxation
Palo is also a welcome treat -- we have eaten there each time and have always found the service and food to be outstanding (ok, I guess there are a lot of "best" parts)


There are so many family/kids only/adult only activities on the ship you will definitely not be bored!

 

[NitaO]

I have only been on one Carnival ship last year, loved it and thought the service was outstanding, that being said I know Disney is going to be a step up. I loved being waited on hand and foot. I love the fact there is so much going on that you can join in or not and just sit by the pool and people watch.

 

[NitaO]

I love cruise talk
This will be our 6th Disney Cruise -- some of my favorite things are.....

Castaway Cay hands down best part of the cruise - well maybe - Pirate's Night is pretty cool too -- fireworks over the ocean, now that is incredible.
The day pass at the spa is a must--just pure relaxation
Palo is also a welcome treat -- we have eaten there each time and have always found the service and food to be outstanding (ok, I guess there are a lot of "best" parts)


There are so many family/kids only/adult only activities on the ship you will definitely not be bored!

I can't wait to see Castaway Cay it looks so nice on the photos. We are not big on the whole Pirate thing, but a party is a good thing. They make it sound like alot of fun. We are hoping to get some alone time in but family time is always a good thing.

 

[In Luv with Disney]

Nita all the best to you and your family. I hope your DD is feeling much better

Personally, I can't wait for the cruise. It will be my 6th cruise, but first with Disney. I'm hoping DH won't go into withdrawels without a casino. LOL.

Is everyone doing Palo? I want to do it, I just don't want to miss any of the restaurants. I know we do one twice, just don't know which one.

 

[jandj524]

Unfortunately, there is no way to find out your dining rotation ahead of time--so you are taking a chance when you book a Palo dinner. You can also book Palo for Brunch on a sea day--it is a nice way to experience the restaurant without missing out on the main dining rooms.

Bingo is pretty popular on DCL...I think because there is no casino ;>

 

[NitaO]

Nita all the best to you and your family. I hope your DD is feeling much better

Personally, I can't wait for the cruise. It will be my 6th cruise, but first with Disney. I'm hoping DH won't go into withdrawels without a casino. LOL.

Is everyone doing Palo? I want to do it, I just don't want to miss any of the restaurants. I know we do one twice, just don't know which one.

Yes she is feeling alot better, her appendix had erupted and they can not do surgery yet , a large mass is blocking it. So she is home with IV antibotics. Surgery in about a month from now. Crazy huh!!! But she is doing so much better.
My husband was also looking forward to a casino , then I told him Disney doesn't have one. He does like the idea they have a sports bar and he does like to dance,lol Of course there is always Bingo...

 

[lauraDar]

Oooh my hubby is dangerous in a casino! So I was very glad that there is not one on our ship. I know he is going to love the sports bar, although I've got to keep tabs on his alcohol purchases! I am encouraging him to bring beer (although the beer mug might not be too bad) and his own alcohol for mixed drinks. I'm not too big on alcohol, souveniers and pictures will probably get me! (although I do like an occasional Strawberry Daquiri)

 

[NitaO]

Hey any more thoughts about doing a FE exchange? I would like to start getting my stuff together. I see some really cute pirate things on sale right now. Plus I need to try to put together a fish extender, and I don't sew.

 

[lauraDar]

I would like to participate!

 

[NitaO]

So how do we get started? So does someone that has been on so many DCL cruises ( you know who you are) lol. Do we do it just for the kids or family? How does this all work? HELP

 

[lauraDar]

From what I gather from the various threads, the gifts are for adults and children. I think that it would be easier and less expensive just doing it among a few cabins, even the larger meet threads divide it up I think because you sure don't want to spend all your time on the cruise delivering gifts! I still need to discuss this with the Sang family, to see if they want to do it, too. Check out the FE threads for ideas about gifts, and instructions on making one (I don't sew, either, and I'm not very creative, but there is always fabric glue, I've heard of some just hanging a tote bag up there!)

 

[lauraDar]

OK! I've made up a roster, it is on the first page of this thread on my first post. Let me know of any additional info and I'll add it. There are 10 families (counting disneypoly's extended family), assuming everyone want to do the FE should we split it in half, thirds? We need to decide if we want to do a gift a day or one gift for the entire cruise. This is my 1st FE so if anyone with more experience wants to help me with this or give me advice I would sure appreciate it!

Also, how about all that are in the Port area the night before meet for supper? I don't know the restaurants other than what I read on the boards so anyone have suggestions? It probably needs to be family friendly and not too expensive I know our 2 families will be in early on Saturday and we are staying in the Port area.

 

[NitaO]

Wow, that looks great. I think the FE will be fun. Maybe we could divide the families up, like 2-3 families do one day and then 2-3 do the next day and so on. That way everyone only has to buy one gift, but you get a gift everyday. Does this make any sense, I thought I read this is how most do it. What does everyone think? Any other ideas?

 

[jandj524]

Hi Everyone...

I have never done the FE before --- I am so very "un-creative"

I am happy to participate, but honestly don't know how it works. Guess we could make up our own rules BTW we are in a GTY room---so I am not sure what deck we are on yet--sorry

Happy Sunday...Jeannine

 

[lauraDar]

Wow, that looks great. I think the FE will be fun. Maybe we could divide the families up, like 2-3 families do one day and then 2-3 do the next day and so on. That way everyone only has to buy one gift, but you get a gift everyday. Does this make any sense, I thought I read this is how most do it. What does everyone think? Any other ideas?

I like your idea, Nita!

 

[NitaO]

Laura: I like the idea for dinner the night before, sounds like fun. We will be in the day before also. I will try to research the boards to see whats in the area thats family friendly.

I have already picked up a few things for the FE, I am not creative and my stuff will be store bought, lol

 

[lauraDar]

I sure hope we can meet your family sometime before then since we live less than 100 miles apart!

 

[NitaO]

I sure hope we can meet your family sometime before then since we live less than 100 miles apart!

I know, we do need to get together.

If everyone does not get in the day before, we will meet again on the first day on the cruise. I can't wait , I am beyond excited. Worried about husband not enjoying himself. He is such a workaholic. We so need a vacation...