February 17, 2007

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

We are renting a car.

 

[dgaston]

We rented a car from Budget one way, and will likely do that again. Back from the Hawaii cruise, and it was well worth it. For us it was the most we've ever spent on a vacation, but it was our first trip to the Islands and we didn't scrimp, not knowing if we'd ever be back. We did live volcanoes, sunrise at Haleakala (old volcano), luaus, beaches on Maui and Kauai, snorkeling, a helicoper ride, and tubing on old sugar cane plantation ditches. The ship, Pride of Hawaii was beautiful, even if almost over the top with contemporary design. I did miss Disney level service, and waiters learning my drink preferences, and getting my napkin if I was too busy talking. But I think most cruises are wonderful. It's good to know we'll be cruising in just over 6 months.

 

[MichiganMouse]

We rented a car from Budget one way, and will likely do that again. Back from the Hawaii cruise, and it was well worth it. For us it was the most we've ever spent on a vacation, but it was our first trip to the Islands and we didn't scrimp, not knowing if we'd ever be back. We did live volcanoes, sunrise at Haleakala (old volcano), luaus, beaches on Maui and Kauai, snorkeling, a helicoper ride, and tubing on old sugar cane plantation ditches. The ship, Pride of Hawaii was beautiful, even if almost over the top with contemporary design. I did miss Disney level service, and waiters learning my drink preferences, and getting my napking if I was too busy talking. But I think most cruises are wonderful. It's good to know we'll be cruising in just over 6 months.

What cruise Line and what ship did you go on? I have a friend who will be taking a cruise to Hawaii on NCL.

 

[dgaston]

We did Pride of Hawaii through Norwegian. Not everyone likes Freestyle Cruisin', but for us it's perfect. I think you need to research on cruisecritic.com to get a feel for the 3 Hawaiian ships.

 

[dgaston]

We're getting quiet here -- Everybody in my family starts back to school next week. DH has teacher meetings, students on Wed and Thurs, DS starts on Tuesday, and I've got Transfer Orientation on Monday, and Freshmen Orientation begins on Wed. It'll be a busy week!

 

[christinou]

MY older daughter just went to her middle school orientation yesterday, I feel that my baby is really growing up, I work in a university and today is the first of class for students, so the campus is just crazy, but in a good way, it is such an exiting time. Just 6 months to our cruise....

 

[MichiganMouse]

We too are in the back to school mode. I am a secretary in an elementary school and went back to work August 14. My dd15 had her first football game last night. No she doen't play football , she's in the marching band. I've pretty much decided to change our reservations so we come down on Friday before the cruise. Although my plan to use personal days to get the time off work is a no go. Other options are to call in sick or take the days off without pay (but guilt free!).

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

I can't believe it's school time already!!
I miss my kids when they go back to school...

We just got back yesterday from our annual camping trip to Acadia National Park in ME. We had such a great time, and it makes getting ready for school on Tuesday that much harder.

How have you all be doing with airfare? We were hoping for Allegiant from Worcester, MA, but they have discontinued service. (ugh!) I guess we'll wait for Southwest, but their prices are even up there. And I hate the anxiety that comes along with their boarding procedures because there are 5 of us. USAir, Delta, United and Jet Blue are all over $500 per person. We contemplated the train, but we'd have to change rails at least 4 times in areas we have never been.

Oh well, back to the mountain of laundry I have to do from vacation...

Enjoy the end of summer!!

 

[christinou]

Well my kids are starting school next Tuesday and all I can think about is our cruise, my younger DD 9 was showing me her outfit for the first day of school, and I told her how cute she was and what a great outfit it will be for the cruise, she looked at me as if I had 2 heads
Oh well, I hope that you all have a great long week-end, and only 168 more days to the cruise.....

 

[Little Miss Liberty]

My sister and I will be on this cruise and I was just wondering if anyone in their party for this cruise had anyone in our age group? We are 21 and 29. I know its a family ship but I just love Disney so much I couldn't go on another crusie line. Anyways it would be great to meet up.

 

[dgaston]

Busy with the Woodstock Fair here. Too bad Saturday and Sunday were rainy. I'm driving DD23 back to MCLA in North Adams today for her last semester! On Friday I briefly had all three kids together at the fair. It was super -- enjoy younger families while you can, they do grow up so fast!

I'm sad about Allegiant too!

 

[MichiganMouse]

Welcome Little Miss Liberty to you and your sister My dds are younger (13 & 15). Have you and your sister been on other cruises before? The Disney cruise sounds like fun for every age!

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

Hi Everyone!
And welcome to everyone who's new!
5 months 1 week. It's finally coming.

 

[dgaston]

Greetings! Just back from a youth group gathering at Hammonassett Beach in CT. Nice way to recoup from all the rain last weekend.

 

[Little Miss Liberty]

Welcome Little Miss Liberty to you and your sister My dds are younger (13 & 15). Have you and your sister been on other cruises before? The Disney cruise sounds like fun for every age!

We were on a 3 day cruise this past February on the Wonder and loved it. I totally understand that it's a family cruise ship. Neither of us are partiers and we really don't drink so its OK for us. And your right a Disney ship is fun for everyone. It was very nice of you to ask.

 

[MichiganMouse]

Did anyone happen to see the show on the DCL on the Travel Channel last night? It was very interesting and lots of fun to "see" the ships and CC.

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

I saw it...Again...I still love watching it, but I wish they would make a new one that shows all the updates made to the ships.

 

[PhotoLisa]

HELLO FELLOW DCL LOVERS!!!

I was on the same cruise with Moira last Feb but didn't get to make any of the meets because our group was 13 strong and included my grandbabies.

I started having DCL withdrawals and yesterday booked us on the M A R D I G R A S cruise for 2007!!!!

Our cast will consist of me, DH, DD-16 (will turn 17 eleven days after we board) and her friend 16 (turns 17 in March).

My DD and I spent 6 days/5 nights at the Pop Century this summer and we absolutely LOVED every minute of our mother/daughter vacation just days before she went back to school.

We had no intentions of doing our fourth Disney cruise this year but we started getting those hunger pangs sooooo . . . . we booked our impromptu trip yesterday.

Last cruise, DH and I had a Cat 6 for the first time. Previously, we had only been in a Cat 11. We just cannot live without a verandah now and did the same while booking the girls a Cat 11 not far from us.

6628
Me and DH

6635
DD-17 (for all practical purposes)
her best friend - almost 17

As of now, we're booked at the Radisson but I may see if we can switch to the Marriott. Is the Marriott offering free shuttle service?

Just look for us . . . we'll have the decked out doors!!!


If you would like to peek at our photos from the 2/25/06 Western Cruise and either "Remember the Magic" or get more excited that we're 5 months from sailing . . . here they are:

http://www.lisanealphotography.com/Disney1
http://www.lisanealphotography.com/Disney2
http://www.lisanealphotography.com/Disney3
http://www.lisanealphotography.com/Disney4
http://www.lisanealphotography.com/Disney5
http://www.lisanealphotography.com/Disney6
http://www.lisanealphotography.com/Disney7

Lisa

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

Five months from today we will be at PC, staring at the model of the ship, and getting excited to walk through Mickey's ears!!!!!

(This post is really a shameless bump. What has everyone been up to?)

 

[pooh4us]

This will be our first Disney, actually FIRST cruise EVER!!! I will be traveling with DH, DD11, and DS8. My DD would love to meet someone prior to the trip. We are also traveling with some amazing Grandparents. We are ALL so excited and are very busy trying to pick excursions and such to book our 105 days in advance. (We booked the romance escape package to get advance booking time).