From WDW to DL With Love - January 06, 2011 part 2

[JenKatt]

Ok, i'll ask the obvious - cause i jst dont know much...what is your room that you open it for tours? what kind of tours? So i assume at some point you'll explain and give your room number? thanks - and sorry to be such a newbie! seems many of you know each other and all and i just stay confused. my kids will tell you that has nothing to do with the cruise, but oh well! thanks, sherri

We have one of the 2 Category 2 rooms. Our room number is listed on the cruise website.

Grandmaz - my mom graduated from nursing school while you were still in it. She's got 40+ years as an active nurse.
Yes care has changed, but lack of nursing care is inexcusable. I have heard there are distinct differences in care between the US and UK (maybe due to socialized medicine?)

 

[Tami0220]

We have one of the 2 Category 2 rooms. Our room number is listed on the cruise website.

Grandmaz - my mom graduated from nursing school while you were still in it. She's got 40+ years as an active nurse.
Yes care has changed, but lack of nursing care is inexcusable. I have heard there are distinct differences in care between the US and UK (maybe due to socialized medicine?)

I see a NP who I adore, she reminds me of my gramma. She's 87 and still pretty sharp! She's down to only 2 days a week but God bless her.

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

Just thought I would stop in and wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day! We spent today at the race track and had a great time. My Mom will join us for dinner tomorrow night.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

 

[LindaBabe]

That's right! Happy Mother's day to all the mums - whether of two-leggeds or four-leggeds! (Me? My son gave me a bunch of granddogs!)

Laundry? Yes, I will. Probably at 5 am some morning when I can't sleep. Color catcher sheets are still available by mail from Amazon and drugstore.com. Unfortunately, I can't find a source for the old laundry tablets made by wisk and purex, so I guess it will be zip locks of powder for me.

Welcome Happy Goofy! I'd be interested in hearing how those other large dis groups on long cruises involving flights handled the FE gifts. Did what you gave/received substantially differ from what was exchanged on a Port Canaveral round trip cruise?

Inside/outside cabins - I'd LOVE to have a verandah. The first cruise DH & I did together, we had one - and frankly spent more time on it than we did in public spaces. Unfortunately, lying in a bed that goes lengthways the ship makes me dizzy - so I spent the whole cruise sleeping on the couch. NOT what I want to do! So, we switched to inside cabins, where the bed goes crossways.

 

[danfromca]

First we only do inside rooms. We have never felt the need to book a room with a window or a veranda. We are only in our room for about five things, none of which require or nessatate a window or veranda. Second we rebooked when we were on the ship in Oct. So we got the 10% off and the Gold OBC of 275. So that's the secret.

I always book inside cabins now. Have been in category 4 twice and spent absolutley no time on the veranda. Yes, it is nice to have a window (won't object to an upgrade to cat 9), but we won't pay extra for it.
We did upgrade to cat 10 this time - was in an 11 last time and it was ok, but having the extra space will be nice.

But it's all a matter of personal preference. If everyone liked inside cabins they'd be more expensive, so I appreciate all those who prefer outside cabins.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

 

[danfromca]

Does anyone else do laundry while on vacation?

I hope that everyone is having a pleasant weekend!

This is one place where I splurge. I let DCL do my laundry. It's not terribly expensive and is a lot less hassle than dealing with the laundry rooms.

 

[granmaz]

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Grandmaz - my mom graduated from nursing school while you were still in it. She's got 40+ years as an active nurse.
Yes care has changed, but lack of nursing care is inexcusable. I have heard there are distinct differences in care between the US and UK (maybe due to socialized medicine?)

I'm guessing things would be different, but it did used to be the best. It is the 'little' things like the general empathy of the staff, personal care for the patients, and for me terrible pain management.

I know ward are busier now with shorter stays, so therefore more poorly patients all the time, but when I was in there were far more staff during the day than there ever was when I was nursing, but much less care. I was in the most terrible pain, and asked for morphine, which I was written up for, and had to wait an hour for 5 times during my stay. I was very distressed I can tell you. My husband was with me a couple of times and couldn't believe it. I was a patient patient and wouldn't cause a row, just lay there in tears. A couple of the staff members were almost rude to my son and husband when the phoned, and both of them are the most polite people. An elderly lady was in bed close to me, and they never came along to make her comfortable, or give her regular drinks, though they were supposed to be pushing fluids. In the end some of the ambulant patients were giving her drinks. All they kept doing(and not very often at that) was plonking a cup of drink down and leaving it. She couldn't even get it to her lips on her own. Of course she eventually had big problems, and guess what, they still didn't do what they should. She was the sweetest lady. They didn't do regular rounds of bed bound patients to move or check them. Aaargh. Sorry for the rant. There were some very good nurses/care assistants there though, but they couldn't do everything.

 

[disneywondergirl22]

ah, i see how you can save - but i'm a bit of an insomniac and am NOT going outside/upstairs in my nightie! but when i wake up at 3 and need to get out of bed i LOVE the balcony. And it's nice to have sunlight and moonlight.you're right - my mom, may she rest in peace, always said that's why they make chocolate and vanilla! and i thnk i'm a bit claustrophobic. so a window at miniumum for me!(us). especially for 15 days!!

will be joining the FE and so forth soon!!

and i see somene broght up laundry - good point! dont' have enough room for clothes for 15 days. so, what do the washer/dryers cost and detergent and stuff? anyone who's been on the longer cruises have advice?

jen? what access do YOU have?? (my jen)

dunno offhand, but i'm sure my options are way cheaper than yours, so since you did my laundry for umpteen years, i'll do yours a couple of times

 

[JenKatt]

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY



I'm guessing things would be different, but it did used to be the best. It is the 'little' things like the general empathy of the staff, personal care for the patients, and for me terrible pain management.

I know ward are busier now with shorter stays, so therefore more poorly patients all the time, but when I was in there were far more staff during the day than there ever was when I was nursing, but much less care. I was in the most terrible pain, and asked for morphine, which I was written up for, and had to wait an hour for 5 times during my stay. I was very distressed I can tell you. My husband was with me a couple of times and couldn't believe it. I was a patient patient and wouldn't cause a row, just lay there in tears. A couple of the staff members were almost rude to my son and husband when the phoned, and both of them are the most polite people. An elderly lady was in bed close to me, and they never came along to make her comfortable, or give her regular drinks, though they were supposed to be pushing fluids. In the end some of the ambulant patients were giving her drinks. All they kept doing(and not very often at that) was plonking a cup of drink down and leaving it. She couldn't even get it to her lips on her own. Of course she eventually had big problems, and guess what, they still didn't do what they should. She was the sweetest lady. They didn't do regular rounds of bed bound patients to move or check them. Aaargh. Sorry for the rant. There were some very good nurses/care assistants there though, but they couldn't do everything.

That's inexcusable! I'm sorry that happened. THankfully you came out of it no worse for the wear?

Happy Mommies Day everyone!

 

[Bookwood]

Happy Mothers Day Everyone!

As for cabins- I'd be happy with some natural (or fake natural- as with the indoor portholes on the Dream) but DH wants a balcony so we'll have a balcony. I prefer the decks where I can people watch while catching my sunshine and fresh air.

 

[granmaz]

That's inexcusable! I'm sorry that happened. THankfully you came out of it no worse for the wear?

No worse for wear, though I fear going on the same ward again!!!!!

I go on a pancreatitis board, and many many sufferers speak of getting bad pain management as it is a rare illness so people don't understand the terrible pain. Also most are chronic Pancreatitis sufferers and so people always think it is alcohol induced(wrong) and seem to lose any sympathy, so sometimes 'punish' them by withholding meds. Unbelievable but true.

Ah well.

 

[mandymouse]

 

[Happy Goofy]

On the TA the FE group was 53 cabins! It was a bit much. The hard part was delivering them. At first I just put all the bags for one deck and started delivering, but there was no rhyme or reason and I was walking all over the deck, back and forth. Then I put them in another order- forward, mid, aft and that worked out better. The gifts we received were great! There were a lot of creative people on that cruise. I had a lot of fun doing the FE. We have a winter home about 5 minutes from Port Canaveral so the night before we meet some of the Disboarders at the Country Inn and Suites. It was great matching screen names with faces. On the cruise there was a couple group brunches, a couple of days playing Bunco, meeting people to play Wheel of Fortune, Ice Breakers, Match your Mate etc. It was a very social group which was good because we had all those sea days. We also did Secret Mickeys, a group lunch in which about 100 people attended, book exchange and in all made a lot of wonderful new friends.

 

[granmaz]

Depending on final numbers for FE, it might be best to split into groups.

On our last PC cruise there were loads of Dis'ers, and we split into groups of around 5/6 or even more families, and bought a group gift and all then split the delivery of them, so not as much delivering each. There ended up being a group for every day which was lovely, and some great gifts too. Each group had a 'leader' who co ordinated things, and the group chose a gift between them. Only the overall FE organiser knew what was being delivered to avoid duplication. Also some gifted their own gifts to others they might have wanted to also.

On our upcoming TA cruise we are splitting into groups of around 20 cabins and delivering to the cabins in our own group. They can be a gift for the whole cabin, or gifts for individuals in the cabin(children etc) Of course we can do more gifting if you want. Some groups already know the demographic of their FE groups(subject to change) but we are latecomers so ours isn't completed yet!!

Also been on a couple of other cruises that did FE gifts, and they both were done differently.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY! I hope you enjoy your day! Steve and our son, Blake, will be making breakfast for Miranda, DIL, and me.


As for the laundry, I used to wash my clothes as laundry is something I do't mind doing at all. Now I send everything out. I will probably still wash my tops as I'm very particular and want them "line dried" not dried in the dryer.

As for my hamper, I use one of the pop up hampers. Fits underneath my bathroom sink in a cat 10. Don't know at a cat 6 as this will be my first time to sail in a 6.

And I NEVER travel without my over the door shoe holder! Keeps everything out of the way and easy to find!

My new Electrolux refrigerator and dishwasher will be delivered on Tuesday. I got stainless steel to match my new stainless range hood. The only appliance still to be replaced will be the stove and I keep putting that off because I LOVE my stove.

 

[granmaz]

As for the laundry, I used to wash my clothes as laundry is something I do't mind doing at all. Now I send everything out. I will probably still wash my tops as I'm very particular and want them "line dried" not dried in the dryer.


And I NEVER travel without my over the door shoe holder! Keeps everything out of the way and easy to find!

My new Electrolux refrigerator and dishwasher will be delivered on Tuesday. I got stainless steel to match my new stainless range hood. The only appliance still to be replaced will be the stove and I keep putting that off because I LOVE my stove.

I worry too about shrinkage etc when sending things out to laundry. In fact I line dry as much as I can. Funny thing is they always seem to shrink anyway!!! I rarely tumble dry tops, though I quite often start off in the dryer to get the worst off. Not sure I could send my undies out to the laundry though!!!!

We have an over the door organiser for cruises, but it goes inside my side of the bathroom(s) and is filled with my toiletries etc!!!

Enjoy the new fridge and dishwasher.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

I do the same thing. I toss our shirts in the dryer for 10 minutes and then hang them up to finish drying.

We hang the organizer in the bathroom too. That is one of the easiest ways to keep up with things!

 

[pahrumpgirl]

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE MOTHERS.

I would have an inside room if it just didn't bring me out panicky just thinking about it!!!!! Even though it is irrational, just the thought of no window makes me feel breathless. I think if I woke up in the night I would have a problem.

I have the same problem with inside staterooms. I am claustrophobic and I remember a cruise we went on where my DFIL had an inside stateroom and I went once to visit him and had to leave after about 10 minutes. I would like to try one of the virtual inside rooms on the Dream and Fantasy, though. I might be able to handle them since they use real time cameras and it will be like looking out a regular port hole (which I can handle even though I prefer a balcony).

Sorry to hear about your problems, Marilyn. Hope you hear about your surgery soon and all goes well.

We are also cheapskates. I have a whole section in my blogroll of frugal sites. Coupon clipping, sale hunting diva. Except on vacations. We have always spent more. Granted the first PC cruise we had one of the "obstructed" verandah rooms. We spend in some areas and save in others. We would be fine this cruise in a Cat 7 or even 8. But my Mom likes to be pampered and not have to work at anything on vacation (can't blame her, she's been a nurse since Florence Nightingale - seriously!). She works hard (suppose to be retired and still works full time), so when we go away I want her to relax. So we're in a Cat 2 (which will be open to ya'll on selected nights, like Sci-Fi night and the Canal crossing.)
It really just is what works for you. If Jeff and I were childless and not traveling with a family, we might have done a cat 10. Who knows. Right now having some outside space works for us.
Whatever.....
Anyone else watching the new season of Doctor Who? I LOVE Matt Smith as the Doctor!!!

We are. Love it. But I have really enjoyed all of them.

Hi everyone on this thread. My husband and I just returned from 25 days aboard the Magic. We did the Transatlantic and continued on to the Med.cruise. It was absolutely wonderful. On the TA there were 363 Disboarders on board and on the Med. about 160. We had a lot of activities and great times together.
While on board we booked the Panama cruise from Port Canaveral to LA. We would like to join any FE or other groups that have been formed for this cruise. Also would appreciate any info you can give us.
We are also interested in doing some private van tours in some of the ports. My husband has a little difficulty walking long distances. We did this on the last two cruises and it worked out well so if anyone is getting any van groups together please let me know.
Looking forward to reading this thread and getting to know everyone.

I try not to do laundry on vacation and I really didn't like doing it on the ship. The last time I did it the dryers didn't dry things and I ended up having to hang everything all around our stateroom to get them dry. It nice to have the washer/dryers in the WDW villas, though. We are going with our daughters and their families in September and will probably end up doing quite a bit of laundry. We found something new at WalMart that is an ideal thing for both vacations and cruises. It is called Purex Complete 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets. It has detergent, softener and anti-static all in a single sheet.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY



I'm guessing things would be different, but it did used to be the best. It is the 'little' things like the general empathy of the staff, personal care for the patients, and for me terrible pain management.

I know ward are busier now with shorter stays, so therefore more poorly patients all the time, but when I was in there were far more staff during the day than there ever was when I was nursing, but much less care. I was in the most terrible pain, and asked for morphine, which I was written up for, and had to wait an hour for 5 times during my stay. I was very distressed I can tell you. My husband was with me a couple of times and couldn't believe it. I was a patient patient and wouldn't cause a row, just lay there in tears. A couple of the staff members were almost rude to my son and husband when the phoned, and both of them are the most polite people. An elderly lady was in bed close to me, and they never came along to make her comfortable, or give her regular drinks, though they were supposed to be pushing fluids. In the end some of the ambulant patients were giving her drinks. All they kept doing(and not very often at that) was plonking a cup of drink down and leaving it. She couldn't even get it to her lips on her own. Of course she eventually had big problems, and guess what, they still didn't do what they should. She was the sweetest lady. They didn't do regular rounds of bed bound patients to move or check them. Aaargh. Sorry for the rant. There were some very good nurses/care assistants there though, but they couldn't do everything.

Its disgracefull, dont get me started about nursing care, I went to bupa to get a hernia op done as I did not want to wait on list, it was like night and day Im afraid. My aunty was blind and they plonked everything down in front of her, so sad.

No worse for wear, though I fear going on the same ward again!!!!!

I go on a pancreatitis board, and many many sufferers speak of getting bad pain management as it is a rare illness so people don't understand the terrible pain. Also most are chronic Pancreatitis sufferers and so people always think it is alcohol induced(wrong) and seem to lose any sympathy, so sometimes 'punish' them by withholding meds. Unbelievable but true.

Ah well.

It is unbelievable, pancreatitis is really very common in spaniels, we have them doped up to there little eyeballs with pain meds Some vets dont, but trust me the ones I work with do they have no option unless they want me giving them a nippy heed as they say in fife.

HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY! I hope you enjoy your day! Steve and our son, Blake, will be making breakfast for Miranda, DIL, and me.


As for the laundry, I used to wash my clothes as laundry is something I do't mind doing at all. Now I send everything out. I will probably still wash my tops as I'm very particular and want them "line dried" not dried in the dryer.

As for my hamper, I use one of the pop up hampers. Fits underneath my bathroom sink in a cat 10. Don't know at a cat 6 as this will be my first time to sail in a 6.

And I NEVER travel without my over the door shoe holder! Keeps everything out of the way and easy to find!

My new Electrolux refrigerator and dishwasher will be delivered on Tuesday. I got stainless steel to match my new stainless range hood. The only appliance still to be replaced will be the stove and I keep putting that off because I LOVE my stove.

I have met some pretty cool people while in the laundry.