February 17, 2007

[PhotoLisa]

Sue:

There have been 10 new Olympus cameras introduced since January. There haven't been any extensive reviews on them yet (probably because Olympus hasn't gotten the new cameras to the reviewers yet).

I'd wait it out for a few more weeks before purchasing. The reviews will be comprehensive and would give the information to make a better informed decision.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Olympus/

 

[cdnstitchfan]

Hi everyone...

I think we have almost everything back to normal now... We had some family issues to deal with as soon as we got back from our trip. All things are good.

Lisa that does sound like an awesome job... I can for sure see you doing that...

Hi Sue, we bought a new camera just before our cruise. It was a Fiji FinePix S6000fd. We love it. Our old camera was an Olympus camera too. We picked this one, as it had a better wide angle lens then the others we were looking at. The only thing that you may not like, is it takes high speed XD cards. It will take the regular ones, but you noticed a lag between shots. For us there was almost little or no lag between pictures.

Pam

 

[PhotoLisa]

My name is Lisa and I'm a Disney cruiseaholic.

Dear Friends:

We are gathered here today to mourn the loss of Lisa as she was once known. She has now been converted to a Disney cruiseaholic. Her life will never again be the same. She spends her days in deep depression and has been this way ever since March 3, 2007. She misses the daily communication with all of her 2/17 disbuddies. She wanders the halls in her home looking for Rockin Bar D and Diversions. She can't find the wine tasting in Sessions. She cannot locate the gangway at the door with exotic destinations at the end of that plank. Her hottub, even though it is the size of the pool on the ship, just doesn't bring the sunshine that she grew used to!


HEHE . . . come on guys. Are you feeling the withdrawals as much as I am?

We took the waverunner out yesterday for a while. We got drenched when I hit the swell of a big boat and boy was it chilly! We've got lots of water around here but it just isn't the same as that crystal clear water of the Caribbean!

We did get up close and personal with a pair of bald eagles that were feeding in the waterway as we passed by. I think its the closest we've ever been to a nesting pair. We saw another pair and a single on the way back to the dock. The alligators aren't out yet. Its still a bit too cool for them. That'll change in the next few weeks as the water begins to warm up.

Sports is kicking around here. I've been working 6-7 days a week and some days have multiple assignments to do. Senior portrait season is kicking my butt too -- not enough non-sports days to get the seniors photographed.

I wish you guys were coming on our 2/2/08 cruise with us. I'm looking forward to cruising once again with my grandbabies. They'll be 7 and almost 4 when we sail. For the first time, I'm doing early dinner. I'm not sure I'll like that! My hair will be ponytail length by then so hopefully getting ready for dinner won't be time consuming. I'm hoping to just throw it up in a messy ponytail to speed up the process.

Courtney's been well -- no more episodes of whatever happened right after the cruise. She is counting down the weeks left of school. They get out on May 29th. Just a year more to go!

Drop a line to let everyone know what's going on in your homes.

Miss you all,
Lisa

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

I can relate.
My biggest withdrawl symptoms:

Hello, my name is Sue, and I am a Disneycruiseaholic..

I just don't understand why I go upstairs after breakfast and find all the beds unmade, and why at night there are no towel animals laid out with tomorrow's plans.

Where are my servers? I can't possibly put my napkin in my own lap. But I guess it doesn't matter, because the galley is dark. Why is there no choice of desert

Why is the fruit left whole? You mean I have to cut the pineapple?

And what's this about paying for food in a restaurant?

Where oh where are the beautiful scenes of crystal clear turquoise water? All snow and mud and bare trees is all I see out of my veranda doors.

No one is bringing me margaritas and cool breezes.

Why does my family leave me alone for hours on end? I miss them! Don't even get me started on work, laundry, grocery shopping, housework, alarm clocks, and schedules!


LOL!
We have actually settled back into our routines. Baseball, school plays, karate testing, school events, and life has forced us back to reality. MCAS (the state testing exams for all kids--that they hvae to pass) are over, so the kids are less stressed.
Our septic system is getting replaced within a few weeks, so we will be able to do more then 1 load of laundry a day. (I know it's sad, but I can't wait for that to be reality!)
Next year, I am not working in the school system. I am babysitting for a friend' baby. She's due at April's end, so the baby will be about 4 months when I start to care for him/her. She's a teacher, so the schedule is great-no school, no sitting. It will be so fun. My kids are excited too, which is a plus.
As far as a next cruise, we are planning on 2/2009 school break week--if the Magic takes a western itinerary. If not, we will bump again and take a RCCL trip. We want to try some new itineraries, and RCCL has more to offer there. I am keeping my fingers crossed for a DCL western, but it looks unlikely.

Take care all, and think spring!


P.S. Lisa-did you get the pictures I sent to you?

 

[PhotoLisa]

Sue:

Yes, thanks very much!!! I am so behind on photos. My own always get done last, of course.

Do you know the sex of the baby you'll be babysitting? Oh -- for you I hope it is a girl!!! What fun would that be? If its a boy, you're an ol' hand at that though.

Ed wasn't going to come on the 2/2/08 cruise but I think he's beginning to change his mind. I have a "tba" third person booked and have until 90 days prior to cancel that person. Courtney and Drey are split right now and who knows with teenagers if they'll get back together or not. My guess is yes but then we still don't know if he'll miss baseball practice to vacation or not.

I know we have the Canyon trip coming in August but that one doesn't bring up the kinship that you gain before the trip begins. We'll be with about 14 other people but have no means to chat beforehand.

Yesterday was concert ticket day for us. Ed booked our Celine Dion tickets for Vegas for the day after our Canyon adventure ends. I booked tickets for Soul 2 Soul 07 - Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. We saw them last year in New Orleans and couldn't pass up seeing them again this year. I'm taking my two girls and going to Biloxi to see that concert at the end of July. Also purchased Disney on Ice: Princess Wishes tickets too.

All of those activities don't fill in for a cruise though. I'm praying that they'll run heavily discounted specials for cruises out of New Orleans this summer and we can take a short cruise without having to fly. Shhhh . . . don't tell Ed I said that!

 

[cdnstitchfan]

Hi there. I can relate too. I cann't help coming and checking out the dis on my lunch hour. Has become somewhat of a routine....

Here is my story.....

Hello, my name is Pam, and I am a Disneycruiseaholic..

I don’t understand why I hear an alarm clock waking me and not Mickey.

Where are my servers? Asking what I would like another drink.

Where is all the fresh fruit!!!

And what's this about having to cook my own food and then clean up too

Where oh where are the beautiful scenes of crystal clear blue water? The spring snow storm we are having, just is not as relaxing as looking at the clear blue water.

Why do the people on the train to the downtown core, look so depressed. Where are all the happy people, CM’s and Characters.


We have actually settled back into our routines. Oldest DS is testing for his drivers license (yup scary thought).
We are starting to think about the things we want to do around home this summer and what projects we would like to accomplish at the lake as well.
Oh yes and of course, in a months time, it will be golf season again!!!

I needed something else to plan, couldn’t wait until 2/2009. We are planning on a trip to Mexico in 2/2008. We are going to be somewhere around Playa De Carmen. This will probably be a family trip with my brother and his family, as well as my sister and hers.

As far as a next cruise, we are planning on 2/2009 not sure which week yet. But am planning the Magic takes a western itinerary.

Take care all, and think spring!

Miss talking with everyone.

 

[MA DVCer]

We have a pic of Castaway Cay as our computer background so everyday we look and wish we were still there.

Hockey season is winding down for our two kids and soon we'll be carting them around to the baseball and soccer fields - can't wait!! Hockey is a lot of fun to watch but it's a very long season spent in freezing cold rinks. Looks like spring is arriving here in Mass, kids wished they could have had more snow for snowmobiling and snowboarding but I didn't mind the light snow year. Of course we won't soon forget the biggest snow storm occurred three days before we left on the February cruise.

Our next trip will be a two week stay at a rental house this summer on Long Lake in Maine to enjoy fishing, boating, jet skiing, and listening to the loons. Unfortunately we'll have to be doing all the cooking, cleaning, and drink making.

We'll be cruising again aboard the Liberty of the Seas on April 19, 2008. We'll have to see how that goes before we decide on another Disney cruise. Maybe we'll try one of the newest Disney ships after they come out.

Sue and Mike

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

We have a pic of Castaway Cay as our computer background so everyday we look and wish we were still there.

Hockey season is winding down for our two kids and soon we'll be carting them around to the baseball and soccer fields - can't wait!! Hockey is a lot of fun to watch but it's a very long season spent in freezing cold rinks. Looks like spring is arriving here in Mass, kids wished they could have had more snow for snowmobiling and snowboarding but I didn't mind the light snow year. Of course we won't soon forget the biggest snow storm occurred three days before we left on the February cruise.

Our next trip will be a two week stay at a rental house this summer on Long Lake in Maine to enjoy fishing, boating, jet skiing, and listening to the loons. Unfortunately we'll have to be doing all the cooking, cleaning, and drink making.

We'll be cruising again aboard the Liberty of the Seas on April 19, 2008. We'll have to see how that goes before we decide on another Disney cruise. Maybe we'll try one of the newest Disney ships after they come out.

Sue and Mike

Small world-Dave spent his summers at Long Lake with his grandparents.
Our next vacation will be our annual camping trip to Acadia National Park in Maine this August.

Chris has not let up about us going on the same cruise next April.

What snowstorm? I don't remember any snowstorm??

 

[VivianDigi]

Sue - what date are you going to see the Disney Princesses on Ice in Houma. We have tickets for Sunday, May 6 at 5 pm?

Sue:

Yes, thanks very much!!! I am so behind on photos. My own always get done last, of course.

Do you know the sex of the baby you'll be babysitting? Oh -- for you I hope it is a girl!!! What fun would that be? If its a boy, you're an ol' hand at that though.

Ed wasn't going to come on the 2/2/08 cruise but I think he's beginning to change his mind. I have a "tba" third person booked and have until 90 days prior to cancel that person. Courtney and Drey are split right now and who knows with teenagers if they'll get back together or not. My guess is yes but then we still don't know if he'll miss baseball practice to vacation or not.

I know we have the Canyon trip coming in August but that one doesn't bring up the kinship that you gain before the trip begins. We'll be with about 14 other people but have no means to chat beforehand.

Yesterday was concert ticket day for us. Ed booked our Celine Dion tickets for Vegas for the day after our Canyon adventure ends. I booked tickets for Soul 2 Soul 07 - Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. We saw them last year in New Orleans and couldn't pass up seeing them again this year. I'm taking my two girls and going to Biloxi to see that concert at the end of July. Also purchased Disney on Ice: Princess Wishes tickets too.

All of those activities don't fill in for a cruise though. I'm praying that they'll run heavily discounted specials for cruises out of New Orleans this summer and we can take a short cruise without having to fly. Shhhh . . . don't tell Ed I said that!

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

Sue - what date are you going to see the Disney Princesses on Ice in Houma. We have tickets for Sunday, May 6 at 5 pm?

not me... I think Lisa's going...

 

[christinou]

I feel the same way, I feel that something is really missing, and it is the ocean and being on the cruise ship........

We still are not sure when we will be back on Disney soon I hope, but not before 2009.

We have now been making Martini at home, after our martini tasting on the Magic, and that has been fun, but drinking them in the kitchen looking out at the fog and rain is not quite the same thing.
I am leaving for a conference at Berkeley tomorrow, so it will be nice to have warmer weather.
It really was wonderful to have such a great group on board and to be able to share the experience before during the cruise and to now cry together....

 

[PhotoLisa]

Sue - what date are you going to see the Disney Princesses on Ice in Houma. We have tickets for Sunday, May 6 at 5 pm?

I have to check with my daughter -- its Sunday but not sure if it is the 1 PM or 5 PM show.

If you need any directions or tips on places to eat, let me know. Houma is my hometown and I'm only 25 minutes from the Civic Center.

 

[PhotoLisa]

Christine:

I have someone that cruises soon that is going to get the Banana Creme Pie Martini recipe and the hazelnut martini one too from the Cove Cafe. I'll post those here when I get them.

YUMMMMMMMM!!!

I agree - drinking at home just doesn't have the same feel good experience that you get when you're sipping beverages on the ship.

 

[bride2007]

Hi All,

I was happy to see that thread is still going and that everyone is doing well except for, the I am not being spoiled anymore blues. I am on the Dis Boards daily reading the trip reports and the cruise meets. We rebooked on ship and are cruising again on 12/27/08 to the Western Carribian. From what I understand it is a blast to be on ship for the New Year. We are taking my stepson who will be 17 and I'm sure he'll have a blast. I just hope that he won't be to old for the Tean Club. His mom goes on at least 3 cruises a year and she always promises to take him an never has. My DH and I are picking up her slack. We are however, going to send him home after the cruise and spend a week at WDW by ourselves. When we are on the New Years cruise, I'm hoping that they will start taking reservations for the new ships. I told DH that I wanted to go on another cruise for my 50th Birthday and I definatly feel that a back-to-back cruise would be a wonderful present.

 

[MA DVCer]

Small world-Dave spent his summers at Long Lake with his grandparents.
Our next vacation will be our annual camping trip to Acadia National Park in Maine this August.

Chris has not let up about us going on the same cruise next April.

What snowstorm? I don't remember any snowstorm??

If you want to take a long detour and stop by Long Lake on your way to Acadia let us know, we'll get you directions to the house we are staying at. We are there from July 28-August 11. It's a beautiful spot at the very northern part of Long Lake in a cove area.

Brandon would love to see Chris again in Maine or on another cruise.

 

[PhotoLisa]

Debbie:

Take it from me . . . a back to back cruise is the ULTIMATE!! There is such a great feeling of "you're one of the family" especially in that second week that you don't get with the first week.

Since we had switched our LAP dining in week 1 to APL and in week 2 accepted our LAP without changing it, we had the same dining room staff as week 1 (different server but we were close enough that he was still very attentive to us).

The Palo managers and spa employees can "hook you up" with additional ressies before the next Saturday group gets onboard thereby giving you the pick of the crop from open reservations.

In the second week, you are more able to experience different aspects of the cruise -- such as not attending the performances and doing something else during that time that you didn't do the week before. We visited Diversions and Cove Cafe lots in week 2 but didn't do that in week 1.

It keeps you in that extra-relaxed state for a longer period of time. Some people take a day or two at the start of the cruise to truly wind down from the stresses of normal life. Once you're in that relaxed state -- it is easy to stay relaxed giving you more bang for the relaxation buck.

I could go on and on but I know you get the idea.

I wonder if I can talk Ed into another back to back for my 50th in January 2012 aboard one of the new ships?

Hi All,

I was happy to see that thread is still going and that everyone is doing well except for, the I am not being spoiled anymore blues. I am on the Dis Boards daily reading the trip reports and the cruise meets. We rebooked on ship and are cruising again on 12/27/08 to the Western Carribian. From what I understand it is a blast to be on ship for the New Year. We are taking my stepson who will be 17 and I'm sure he'll have a blast. I just hope that he won't be to old for the Tean Club. His mom goes on at least 3 cruises a year and she always promises to take him an never has. My DH and I are picking up her slack. We are however, going to send him home after the cruise and spend a week at WDW by ourselves. When we are on the New Years cruise, I'm hoping that they will start taking reservations for the new ships. I told DH that I wanted to go on another cruise for my 50th Birthday and I definatly feel that a back-to-back cruise would be a wonderful present.

 

[VivianDigi]

Lisa, I am a Houma girl too. Actually I grew up in Bayou Black, but Houma is definitly my old stomping grounds.

I have to check with my daughter -- its Sunday but not sure if it is the 1 PM or 5 PM show.

If you need any directions or tips on places to eat, let me know. Houma is my hometown and I'm only 25 minutes from the Civic Center.

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

If you want to take a long detour and stop by Long Lake on your way to Acadia let us know, we'll get you directions to the house we are staying at. We are there from July 28-August 11. It's a beautiful spot at the very northern part of Long Lake in a cove area.

Brandon would love to see Chris again in Maine or on another cruise.

We are going to Acadia August 18-25. Chris plays on the Jimmy Fund tournament team over the summer, and playoffs are usually the 2nd or 3rd week in August. The first year we went to Acadia, Mikey was on the team, and if the playoffs happened during our trip, Dave and Mikey were making the 6 hour trip home so he could play. (crazy, IMHO!) So now we plan accordingly...
Yesterday Chris asked me if Brandon's team and his team ever played in a state championship, could Brandon come over after the game...now THAT's a positive attitude. I think he thought of it because of Brandon's potential championship game. too cute!
It would be fun to get them together. We should find a middle spot and see if there's anything to do there..

 

[MA DVCer]

We are going to Acadia August 18-25. Chris plays on the Jimmy Fund tournament team over the summer, and playoffs are usually the 2nd or 3rd week in August. The first year we went to Acadia, Mikey was on the team, and if the playoffs happened during our trip, Dave and Mikey were making the 6 hour trip home so he could play. (crazy, IMHO!) So now we plan accordingly...
Yesterday Chris asked me if Brandon's team and his team ever played in a state championship, could Brandon come over after the game...now THAT's a positive attitude. I think he thought of it because of Brandon's potention championship game. too cute!
It would be fun to get them together. We should find a middle spot and see if there's anything to do there..

That's funny, Brandon said the same thing last night - "Maybe I'll play against Chris in the state little league championship". Good to see they both have very positive attitudes to start the season.

It would be nice if we could find somewhere for them to get together. Maybe something would work out over the summer.

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

That's funny, Brandon said the same thing last night - "Maybe I'll play against Chris in the state little league championship". Good to see they both have very positive attitudes to start the season.

It would be nice if we could find somewhere for them to get together. Maybe something would work out over the summer.

SUmmer sounds good!
(PS: I sent you a PM)