February 25, 2006 Western Magic Cruisers!!

[Mr508MA]

I KNow I'm going to have fun with you Kim!! ha ha If you can make planters out of drink glasses, you're my kind of cruisemate!!

I'm waiting to see if she can make Drinks out of Planters !!!
Then we NEED to do some serious partying

 

[Mr508MA]

I thought I read on a different thread that you can get a Disney excuse form for school. Nothing else was specified about it. Has anyone ever heard of or used one of these? I need to write an excuse for my DD8 for school and could use some ideas on how to make the trip educational. I will include geography and cultural differences on the form. Any other advice?
Thanks,
Crissy

Here is one for the parks, i am sure it can be modified to include the cultures from the islands

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

School Excuse Sample Letter

DATE:

TO: [school official]

FROM:

RE: [students name and vacation dates]

Please be advised that [student] will be out of school during the week of [date]. We ask that his absences be excused.

The reason for [student]'s absence is that our family will be out of the state during this week. While we are gone, we will be visiting Walt Disney World. We believe that [student] will be learning many things during this trip and that his education will continue in his absence from school.

Some things [student] will learn about:

* Different cultures of the world, including architecture, language, diet, and dress, by visiting the different countries in the Epcot World Showcase (Japan, China, Germany, Mexico, Norway, Canada, France, etc.) [student] will have the chance to explore the exhibits for each country and speak with natives from each country who work as cast members.

* American history by viewing the Hall of Presidents presentation in the Magic Kingdom and the American Adventure show in Epcot.

* Nature and conservation at Animal Kingdom.

* Science by exploring the Mission:Space ride in Epcot where he will have a chance to see and feel what it would be like to travel by rocket to Mars and by experiencing the Universe of Energy exhibit which teaches about fossil fuels, energy, and conservation.

* Economics by managing his own spending money and making budget decisions on how to spend his money.

[student] will also be learning about map reading by navigating in and to the different theme parks, as well as the resorts and water parks via the Disney bus system, sociological aspects of crowds including patterns and behavior, physics of the different rides, breakthroughs in technology at the Innoventions computer lab in Epcot, art and animation and the history of film, and mathematics.

We believe this will be a wonderful and educational experience for [student] and hope you agree not to charge him with unexcused absences as a result. If it is possible for [student] to take any assignments with him to be turned in when we return or to turn in before we leave any work that will be due while he is gone, please let us know as soon as possible.

Thank you for your attention to this. If you have any questions or need any further information, please feel free to contact me.

[Parent's Signture]

 

[rjh8115]

Pretty cold here today. The kids went skating on the neighbor's rink. Believe it or not, this was the first time anyone has been able to use it this winter.

They're still out there. I'm sitting here trying to warm up . . . .

Rick

 

[crissythecropper]

Thanks so much Jeff! I really appreciate it.

While our school district is not as strict as others about taking time off, I still need to submit a letter explaining the reason for my daughter's absence. We are not doing the ruins-but I think there are plenty of other activities which are educational. It is just so nice to have a form letter to follow.
Thanks,
Crissy

 

[MoiraRD]

I am SO ready to go on this cruise!! We just finished watching the DCL DVD (again!), and it made me want to go even more!! I can't wait!!! I still have a few things that I need to do before we leave Friday. I am really looking forward to meeting you all!

"Sea" you all really soon!!!

 

[kj375]

Thank you Rick for the help with the Bahamas forms, I copied your instructions verbatim. I have the affliction "form phobia". I'm not actually afraid of forms rather really hate filling them out, especially in quadruple.

Moira, I looked at the floor plan for baggage claim at Orlando and it looks like one big room. I propose that we meet quickly in the middle if we both land on time.

I have one of us packed. We did some shopping today. I found a very cool rolling cooler. It should work well though we have requested a refrigerator as we have meds that need to be kept refrigerated. Hopefully they will come through for us. (And no... the meds are not beer & wine!)

Five days til Friday....
Kathy

 

[SallyB]

(And no... the meds are not beer & wine!)

BAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

 

[SallyB]

Just FYI, we got back today from our Western cruise and I did quite a bit of shopping at the port in Costa Maya. There are some good buys on a number of items, but just be aware that the prices get a lot better as the day wears on. When we first got off the ship in the morning, the prices were high and no one seemed interested in negotiating. I came back later in the day about an hour before the three ships in port would be leaving and the prices were dramatically lower and the shopping area was much less crowded than it had been in the morning. I purchased a number of nice souvenirs and gifts for very reasonable prices.
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For kids, at Key West we liked the aquarium...I think it was $5. It looks kinda scummy from the outside, but the kids got to hold large crabs, horseshoe crabs, starfish and lots of other things...well worth the $5.
--------------------------------------------------------------
BIG recommendation.. Taking Airborne medicine (Walmart) starting before you leave for your trip and continue taking while on the ship.
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[beaner720]

I am SO NOT creative, but my hubby is so I talked him into making a door sign for us, as well as our friends. They turned out really well ... I will try to post pictures of them tomorrow because I'll need his help for that too

Dreaming of warmer weather and some of those drinks you all keep talking about!

Signed, TryingToStayWarmInWisconsin

 

[beaner720]

Just FYI, we got back today from our Western cruise and I did quite a bit of shopping at the port in Costa Maya. There are some good buys on a number of items, but just be aware that the prices get a lot better as the day wears on. When we first got off the ship in the morning, the prices were high and no one seemed interested in negotiating. I came back later in the day about an hour before the three ships in port would be leaving and the prices were dramatically lower and the shopping area was much less crowded than it had been in the morning. I purchased a number of nice souvenirs and gifts for very reasonable prices.
-----------------------------------
For kids, at Key West we liked the aquarium...I think it was $5. It looks kinda scummy from the outside, but the kids got to hold large crabs, horseshoe crabs, starfish and lots of other things...well worth the $5.
--------------------------------------------------------------
BIG recommendation.. Taking Airborne medicine (Walmart) starting before you leave for your trip and continue taking while on the ship.
--------------------------------------------------

Good information to know ... thanks for sharing SallyB.

Already got my Airborne packed ... and I've been living on it for the last month

 

[dreamakermom]

I know I probably asked this a THOUSAND times but cannot go through all these posts (can hardly keep up as it is!!). What time do we get into Costa Maya and what time should we be off the ship by?
Next... are there any papers online on the My Documents section that we should be filling out too? (Sorry,,, I think this is probably a stupid question.. it is just 2:30 am and I am not thinking.

 

[dreamakermom]

One more thing before I go to bed.. those luggage tags. .. can we use them on all (carry on included) our luggage or do they go JUST on the bags that are getting checked on? Thanks... 5 more days!

 

[DecemberRoses]

The recent Navigator said Costa Maya port at 10:00 a.m. and all aboard 5:30 for 6:00 p.m. departure.

Tracy

 

[Mr508MA]

The recent Navigator said Costa Maya port at 10:00 a.m. and all aboard 5:30 for 6:00 p.m. departure.

Tracy

If you look at excursions offered thru Disney, some start at 10:, so i assume we'll be there ? TA told us leave at 6

 

[jayv1]

my DW called Disney yeasterday, they said arrival @ Costa Maya was 7:30 a.m. we booked our ruins tour for 8:30, that way we have the afternoon to enjoy the beach and a few beverages.We booked with David and Ivan @ http://www.chacchobenruins.com. they said 8:30 or 1 hr after ship arrives.departure is scheduled for 5:30

 

[Mr508MA]

do they have kareoke on board ?
http://img.tapuz.co.il/forums/8572800.swf

 

[hjensen]

You are so funny Jeff!!! Cute link!!

 

[mfabre]

Within the hour we should be on our way to Disney World!! We started our morning with a trip to the mechanics due to a leak in the tire. We ended up with a nail. We have to load a few last minute things and then we are on our way!! See you all next Saturday!

 

[rjh8115]

I know I probably asked this a THOUSAND times but cannot go through all these posts (can hardly keep up as it is!!). What time do we get into Costa Maya and what time should we be off the ship by?
Next... are there any papers online on the My Documents section that we should be filling out too? (Sorry,,, I think this is probably a stupid question.. it is just 2:30 am and I am not thinking.

Karen,
Don't worry about any of the documents under the "My Cruise Documents" link. You have pre-printed versions of these with your cruise docs that you got from DCL or your TA.

As for luggage tags, initially only use them on the bags you intend to check at the port. Afterwards, if you have any left over, you could put them on your carry-on bags just in case they get separated from you.

Rick

 

[rjh8115]

Within the hour we should be on our way to Disney World!! We started our morning with a trip to the mechanics due to a leak in the tire. We ended up with a nail. We have to load a few last minute things and then we are on our way!! See you all next Saturday!

Have a safe trip down!

We'll see you all next weekend . . . . .

Rick