halloween cruise/ Magic: October 28th-nov..4th 2006

[captaincrash]

.

Crash, are you taking the kids on this cruise? I forget, did you say you've sailed Carnival before? MA. is COLD today! I wish I were going to Mexico. Have a Margarita for me

Princess....

.... Yes, our very 1st real cruise about 12 years ago was on the Carnival Fascination. Although we had "cruised" a few times before the Fascination; those other sailngs were on a 1 and 3 day sailings - and those ships were really not very conventional in a "cruising" sense. As I recollect... those first couple of ships were anchient and marginal cruising experiences... nice but not very impressive except as initial forays.

So, the Spirit is going to be our first return to Carnival since that 1st trip... not counting a couple of 3 day sailngs we took out of LA in the past decade. And the Spirit is the flagship of their newest "class" of modern cruise ship design. As such, we hope the trip will be tolerable if not a refreshing blast. It being a Valentines day thing should help a bit... and the ports an' all are new to us. Strange how every other cruise we took was either much further away or a super bargain 3 day sailing out of LA going nowhere special. So... we ARE in fact sort of excited about this with so many newish things involved.

Oh yeah... our kids are coming along too. So - it will be a sort of "family style Valentines cruise". My parents and in-laws passed on this trip.

And on the temps... it is a been a bit cool here in CA. ... and I've read on a recent Spirit cruise report that half way there it turns tropical in nature (heat and probably humidity... and I don't like high humidity much). So it will get hot probably. We have family in Boston so we are sharing your winter through our relatives experiences... sort of. It's not really a psychic or hocus pocus thing .... rather it's a little made up bit of non-sense... really. LOL ~!

It's pretty late here and I'm watching Star Wars 3 again and somewhat distracted... you know... I went out to see the premier of this at midnite when it first came out. I even brought my older daughter along complete with our light sabers! She fell asleep half way though - and a good thing too as I thought it was "darker" then I expected.

At any rate, yeah... this is sort of a newish Carnival experience and yes... our kids are coming along.

And Kitter, I recall you were asking whether I had anything "special" planned for V-day ... and whether the cruise was sort of the V-day treat. Well... it sort of is and no I did not get or plan anything further for V-day. We've been together for 22+ years (married for about 12.5 years) and it's sort of difficult to dream up really good things to give or try. We each tend to get or do what-ever we really want on our own... plus we really don't try to keep up with the neighbors or the latest fads... so the curise will have to be "it" for the moment. The 14th is a sea day... so the activities and creative options seem limited to me...

Does anyone have any suggestions for something to add to the routine on V-day at sea with 2 kids in tow?

ok... gotta go....

TTFN....

​

 

[kritter]

Capt,
When do you leave on your cruise??

I am thinking maybe a nice valentines day card and leave it in the cabin would be a nice surprise for her...Or maybe some wine delivered to the room for you to enjoy that evening when the kids go off to never never land...

Sounds like it will be a nice cruise and time to get some r and r...Can not wait to hear all about it...

 

[sjcubedofct]

Capt, my vote for a special valentines day treat is SPA TIME! A couples massage, maybe? That's what those kids clubs are for! *winkwinknudgenudge* ENJOY!!

We're spending Valentines Day in Key West...leaving Key West on the 17th, sailing on the Enchantment of the Seas on the 18th to Jamaica and Grand Cayman. It was sort of a last minute idea, so the 4 day Disney cruise was just too much $$....so we're trying RC. My DNiece11 and DS10 are a little skeptical, they know that nothing is as magical as a Disney cruise...but they are wililng to make a go of it! (darn nice of them, considering my family vacations as a child consisted of camping by the ocean...)

Anyway, I'm trying to check in more often, but with the vacation starting next week, I may have to just try to catch up with 65 pages or so when I return on the 24th!! YIKES!!!

 

[sjcubedofct]

Okay, I read up to page 10 through lunchtime here at the office. If everyone is really interested in having shirts for the DISmeet, my sister owns a tshirt company, would give us a deal and help us design our shirts... maybe someone else volunteered on pages 11-58...if so, then ignore this! I just knew if I didn't mention it now, I'd forget!

Thanks, Sherry

 

[Princess Olivia]

Crash and Sjc(my new short name for you). I am envious. I truly hope you both a have a wonderful time. Cruising anywhere, anytime is magical in it self. I agree a spa treatment is heavenly. Who doesn't like to be pampered. I'm sure that the trip will provide some romantic options on board.

Kristin, Valentines day..here are some of the things I have done successfully in the past. Coach watch and one year a beautiful TAG watch. I gave gift cert for a couples massage at a local spa. I write, so I've written things for them that I know are still kept even from long ago. I've bought myself something cute to wear which in turn can be a present. I've sent cookie grams to work. Honestly, I think that truthful heartfelt words make the best gift. We don't always say what we feel to those we love; but we should because even though you assume they know it already they may not and hearing your best friend /love of your life tell you how they feel about you is my favorite gift to give and get (oh and a new spring Coach bag would be nice too ). Call me later Craig is working late.

 

[buckifan]

Dh and I are taking the kids to my mil's on Saturday afternoon to celebrate St.Valentine's day early (since the actual Holiday falls on Tuesday). We are just doing an early dinner and a movie, then we'll pick the kids up in the evening. On Tuesday eve., we'll take the kids out to dinner, since they are the loves of my life too!

Kylie just finished writing all her Valentines for her classmates. Took her forever, and there's only 22 kids! Each one had to get a tattoo attached, as well as a sticker, and the kids will both pass out "fun-dips" to their classmates.

Our annual school talent show is going to be held on March 3rd. Drew usually plays piano, and this year he and a friend decided to do a duet, Do-Re-Mi, from the Sound of Music. Kylie has decided to take part and wants to sing the song! I asked her if she was sure, and she said "Yes! I really want to do it!" I'm so worried she'll freeze up on stage, but I can't discourage her in any way. So then.......Drew's friend's sister (who is in 1st grade) decided she wanted to be a part of it as well, so she is going to be jumping rope while Kylie sings, and the older two play piano! They all cooked this up on their own, and I think it'll be adorable!

 

[sjcubedofct]

What a neat talent show idea, Bucki! I bet the four of them will have a blast and be a total hit.

Regarding presents for the love of your life... the three of us write love letters to each other for Christmas, birthdays and mothers/fathers day. It's awesome (as Olivia mentioned) to hear how your loved ones love you...let them recount the ways in a letter! My husband gave me a CD of a steel drum band with a note saying "let's go to the carribbean again", which I love. We've always been about small personal gifts, nothing terribly extravagant...we've got more money for vacations that way!

 

[buckifan]

Shelly, I agree "it's the little things" that let you know they really love you. Like the way my dh always lets me put my ice cold hands on his back to warm them when we go to bed! lol

 

[XLT800]

Any suggestions for gifts for Dh..

Tell me it is not true!!!!! Fran has had me convinced for 18 years that this is a womens holiday only.

Nothing special for us on V Day, just a normal day.....go to work, take Kelly to gym, eat dinner and go to bed> ( What a sad life we live)

sjc...I do not recall anyone doing shirts. I like the idea......YOUR HIRED! Thank you

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Hope and Hannah

Dave

 

[akghutton]

Good Afternoon fellow cruisers:

Just a quick Valentine's Day idea for spouses or kids. My husband and I became engaged on Valentine's Day 11 years ago, so the holiday has a special meaning for us. Every Valentine's Day since we became engaged, I have created a Valentine's Day scavenger hunt for my husband. I have a lot of fun creating clues, puzzles and small gifts based on our history as a couple. The hunts can be just around your house or all over town. There are some great on-line sites, which make puzzle creating easy.

Now that my oldest son is 5, I have started making Valentine's hunts for him and his younger brother as well...he was getting jealous The hunts are great because they can be as modest or extravegent as your budget allows. It is the time, energy and humor invested in this gift that makes it so special. I have also found that in the hectic schedule that is our lives, creating these hunts forces me to reflect on special moments, personal jokes and all the reasons I married my husband in the first place.

 

[Princess Olivia]

Dh and I are taking the kids to my mil's on Saturday afternoon to celebrate St.Valentine's day early (since the actual Holiday falls on Tuesday). We are just doing an early dinner and a movie, then we'll pick the kids up in the evening. On Tuesday eve., we'll take the kids out to dinner, since they are the loves of my life too!

Kylie just finished writing all her Valentines for her classmates. Took her forever, and there's only 22 kids! Each one had to get a tattoo attached, as well as a sticker, and the kids will both pass out "fun-dips" to their classmates.

Our annual school talent show is going to be held on March 3rd. Drew usually plays piano, and this year he and a friend decided to do a duet, Do-Re-Mi, from the Sound of Music. Kylie has decided to take part and wants to sing the song! I asked her if she was sure, and she said "Yes! I really want to do it!" I'm so worried she'll freeze up on stage, but I can't discourage her in any way. So then.......Drew's friend's sister (who is in 1st grade) decided she wanted to be a part of it as well, so she is going to be jumping rope while Kylie sings, and the older two play piano! They all cooked this up on their own, and I think it'll be adorable!

Deanna, I would love to see that. So cute!!

You are so organized. Valentines already done? I just bought them today and won't look at them again until this weekend. They both have 22 students as well.

Cameron has winter concert tomorrow so I asked what they'll be singing. He doesn't know?! He said once they start singing he'll remember. I hope so!

 

[Princess Olivia]

Good Afternoon fellow cruisers:

Just a quick Valentine's Day idea for spouses or kids. My husband and I became engaged on Valentine's Day 11 years ago, so the holiday has a special meaning for us. Every Valentine's Day since we became engaged, I have created a Valentine's Day scavenger hunt for my husband. I have a lot of fun creating clues, puzzles and small gifts based on our history as a couple. The hunts can be just around your house or all over town. There are some great on-line sites, which make puzzle creating easy.

Now that my oldest son is 5, I have started making Valentine's hunts for him and his younger brother as well...he was getting jealous The hunts are great because they can be as modest or extravegent as your budget allows. It is the time, energy and humor invested in this gift that makes it so special. I have also found that in the hectic schedule that is our lives, creating these hunts forces me to reflect on special moments, personal jokes and all the reasons I married my husband in the first place.

Fun and sweet. I love it! You know they sometimes do scavenger hunts on the cruise. You guys would surely win

 

[tchrmom]

Tell me it is not true!!!!! Fran has had me convinced for 18 years that this is a womens holiday only

Don't let him fool you, kritter............XLT does get a valentine's day gift..........But this IS a Disney site!



Fran

 

[kritter]

Okay, I read up to page 10 through lunchtime here at the office. If everyone is really interested in having shirts for the DISmeet, my sister owns a tshirt company, would give us a deal and help us design our shirts... maybe someone else volunteered on pages 11-58...if so, then ignore this! I just knew if I didn't mention it now, I'd forget!

Thanks, Sherry

That sounds like a nice idea...I do not think anyone has mentioned it...Sorry you have read through so many pages...
Kristin

 

[kritter]

oooh some great valentines day ideas...I like the ones about putting words down on paper...That is so romantic..and something I have never done before...I love the idea of letters for christmas etc...too I write hanna and hope a letter every month on the the 7th...and wrote to them every time I had a dr. app.. when I was prg. with them...They have a ton of letters since I was at the dr. all of the time.


Deanna,
The talent show sounds totally awesome and the kids will have a blast...

SJC and Crash,

Have fun on your crusies and we want a full report when you return..
SJC, we will give you and crash a full report of the posts so you can catch up when you return and not have to read through a million pages when you return...

Dave,
Sounds like if you are getting a gift from fran then you had better get shopping or writing...you only have a few days...

Ok all glad to see we are all back posting again...
Kristin

 

[Princess Olivia]

Don't let him fool you, kritter............XLT does get a valentine's day gift..........But this IS a Disney site!



Fran

You're funny! Sometimes I need to remind myself that it's Disney and I cut out half of what I say. My sense of humor can be very dry and sometimes it translates poorly in writing.

This has been me for the last week trying to keep toned up for the Bahamas. This is me after working out(I hate it)

Kristin, I returned the bathing suit and ordered a new one. Getting a bathing suit on line is hard. The color was completely distorted. I called the company (Hawaii ) and spoke to a girl about the new suit and it's coloring so I hope this one will be better.

 

[kritter]

My vote is stop the working out and eat some ice cream the work out there will be putting the spoon up to your mouth...he he....


Ok that said on my way down to have some ice cream cake....

 

[captaincrash]

...from Kristan: Oooh some great valentines day ideas...I like the ones about putting words down on paper...That is so romantic..and something I have never done before.....

.....SJC and Crash,

Have fun on your crusies and we want a full report when you return..
SJC, we will give you and crash a full report of the posts so you can catch up when you return and not have to read through a million pages when you return...

Crash and Sjc(my new short name for you). I am envious. I truly hope you both a have a wonderful time. Cruising anywhere, anytime is magical in it self. I agree a spa treatment is heavenly. Who doesn't like to be pampered. I'm sure that the trip will provide some romantic options on board.

From Princess Olivia: .... Valentines day..here are some of the things I have done successfully in the past. Coach watch and one year a beautiful TAG watch. I gave gift cert for a couples massage at a local spa. I write, so I've written things for them that I know are still kept even from long ago. I've bought myself something cute to wear which in turn can be a present. I've sent cookie grams to work. Honestly, I think that truthful heartfelt words make the best gift. We don't always say what we feel to those we love; but we should because even though you assume they know it already they may not and hearing your best friend /love of your life tell you how they feel about you is my favorite gift to give and get (oh and a new spring Coach bag would be nice too )...

You know what...

I really do like the idea of writing a little love letter for my spouse. Princess.... your commentary above (in BLUE) was really very very beautifully written... thank YOU for the wonderfully presented suggestions!!!! So now... Since most of my postings are so very long winded... my spouse can confirm that I can be a bit of a motor mouth wind bag sometimes (OK - most of the time)... and so on... I'll have to say this idea has huge merit and sounds like romantic fun. As for the wine idea.... my spouse and I are real "stick in the mud" sorts. We don't drink, smoke, cuss, or experiment with narcotics. OK... well, maybe we do cuss every once in a while when the moment is appropriately extreme. SO - the liquor thing doesn't "play" for us.

AND... on the Spa idea... I would really like to do that as the last time we did so was on a HAL cruise with beach cabanna massages. Oh... did I misspell Cananna? Oh well... as I wuz saying... the last couples massage we did was about THREE years ago... and we had to do it one at a time since our daughter was about 1.5 and needed a parents' care since HAL had no infant care resources. OH YEAH... and after that beach cabanna massage I was lightly coated with massage oil AND while trying to change our toddler into a swimsuit SHE SLIPPED OUT OF MY HANDS!!!! Yup, I dropped the baby cuz I was covered in massage oil and she was covered in suntan lotion. She landed in the sand from MY seated position on a lounge chair. It was NOT very relaxing that morning after the nice massage ... and while returning to the ship my dear spouse was commenting to others that her husband just dropped the baby... and some folks commented that I still looked like I was in shock... and I certainly FELT like I was still in shock!!!

SO.... on setting up a couples massage... I suspect the routine would be similar (we go tag team style) since our younger daughter of 2 years age is not very agreeable about going to anyone as a care providing subsitute. SO we would have to get massages one at a time. BUT I suspect my spouse would probably prefer that "I" give her the massage as I do a decent job most of the time at home (and my prices are "right") - so she really does not go out much to get spa massages often. Plus we have one of those massage chairs at home - which do a fair job in a fairly basic way... so we sort of use the combination of amature dad (me) and the electric chair (I couldn't resist referring to it that way!)... so the combination of these things is our routine for massages at our house hold. In fact, our 4.75 year old sees her Daddy massaging Mommy enough that she sometimes offers to perform massages for Mommy and Daddy to get in on the action. It was just last night that she got a pillow out and was WALKING on Mommys back plus she gave a pretty lenghty routine on her lower back and neck by hand. She actually worked on Mom for almost 20-25 mintues!

So... I am not certain a massage is best as Alicia can be pretty critical if it is not done well enough given that we're paying. And she will (as usual) compare it against the "free" husband in concert with the "free" electric chair. Oh yeah, the only massage she really liked in the last 10 years (other than from me) was from a highly recommended professional in Hawaii. But he's in Hawaii and not where we live OR on the boat.

SO... on the Coach bag/TAG watch, jewelry proposal. I sort of gave her several nice watches and some decent jewelry in the last dozen years... and she ALMOST NEVER WEARS ANY OF THE NICE STUFF I get her. All she wears everyday is a fairly plain and very non-descript Gucci watch I picked up on that HAL cruise 3 years ago OR a Mickey Mouse watch I gave her for her birthday 2 years ago. The Gucci has a square tungston carbide bezel so it does not scratch easily and serves well as a bang resistant water proof watch. And the Mickey (or Minnie) watch has a huge plastic hand covering the crystal so it is also resistant to scratching. So... a new watch or jewelry is probably not too high on my list ... especially since achieving any wow effect would probably cost too much considering how little use it is likely to get. And on the Coach bag thing... I just got in the mail today a Tumi shoulder tote for her... but it is really not a super romantic Valentines day thing. It was supposed to be a travel freshener for her.

And she does not do chocolates... and she likes flowers but then she complains that they sort of die quickly. And yet she buys her own flowers half the time? And as for other ideas.... I WUZ thinking of getting her a Williams and Sonoma cooking class thing. I've done that before but it is not very romantic. And then on the nice stuff to wear... I have begun to think... is this for her or for... me? Or so that is the sort of reaction I get in a semi-silent sort of way. I got her several things to wear last year and it went over OK... but not quite as I expected. The only stuff that gets use is the conservative stuff to wear... and that's sort of OK. All the rest got put away and I've never seen them again since. So, I'll not be getting any "things to wear" this year.

So... I think I'm back to the card thing. Which is a really good idea. I'll even have a couple of days on the ship to work on it. And now that I'm thinking about it... I think I'll get our kids involved with it. That will add a nice touch. And it will not cost much!

And closing thoughts... PRINCESS, I just got some very sad news about someone very very close to us who was just diagnosed with Altzheimers Disease... and the thought still shakes me sadly in the chest/heart... but I wanted to say that reading your comments on the thoughts and nature of a Valentines love letter were especially meaningful to me tonight. As before I came to the DIS tonight I was musing with my spouse over the bad news and saying that life can be tragic and very very short sometimes. We need to refocus on things that mean the MOST to us... including each other. And so on.... you know what I mean? It's been a sort of somber and tragic evening tonight for us... sorry for the sad thoughts... I don't have anyone else to vent with for the moment - and this is probably "healthy" for me somehow.

At any rate, Kristen , you were kind enough to offer a thread summary on our return ~ thus sparing us the need to review almost certainly 100+ missed postings ... well... I'd like to reaffirm that I LOOK FORWARD to catching up on ELEVEN+ WHOLE DAYS of missed postings. It's just that I'm not too likely to respond to anything vthat might accumulate while we're gone. But it has always been fun to "LURK" and follow the fun thoughts and banter of the various things weaving in and out on our little thread here.

SO - with that behind us... I'll shift to promise you all that I'll post a BRIEF cruise commentary on what Carnival does on the Spirit now-a-days when we return! We sail on Sunday but have not settled on whether we'll run down Saturday or Sunday morning. We're set to return in MAY to meet out of town family (from Boston) in San Diego + I've "worked" SD once a month or so for about 10 years... so the vacation appeal of the town is mixed. It IS a fun town (SD)... but we can do with or without it this time around since we'll be retunring to hook up with our family from Boston in May.

OK... enough of this wind bag reply. I've found most of this reply to be pretty relaxing... and I could use a little unwinding tonight.

TTFN,

​

​

 

[kritter]

Crash,

Have a great trip...and do not worry we will catch you up...when you return...
I think your wife will love the romatnic card and your kind and thoughtfull words in it...

Hoping and praying for your friend...Things have a way of working out...I know it sounds so grim right now but I believe that things happen for a reason..I will keep yourfriend in my thoughts and prayers...

On another note my dad had his biopsy on Monday..So I ask that you keep your fingers crossed will find out next week...We are all very nervous...

Kristin

 

[buckifan]

Captain,
Your friend's family is really in for some tough times with altzheimer's. They call it "the long goodbye" for a reason. We lost my BELOVED grandfather a year ago this past Christmas day (of all days). He had battled altzheimer's for about 5 years, and the last two and a half years were pretty grim. It tore my heart out to see him not recognize me. We had the very good fortune of growing up within walking distance to my grandparent's house, and my grandmother was our caregiver, as both of my parents worked full time. My parents also had VERY active social lives, and we kids spent the night at my grandparent's house constantly. I've always thought of my grandparents as my PARENTS! As my grandpa progressed with the disease, he didn't know any of us, yet every time Kylie came over, he got the bigget smile on his face, and loved to give her kisses. He didn't know her name, he would just say "that's my girl!" Well, Kylie happens to look like MY TWIN as a child, so we believe he may have thought Kylie was me.

The most important thing you can do is PRAY for your friend's family. Then offer help in any way you can. My grandma was very private when my grandpa was sick, so if they are also, respect that. But, my grandma cared for my grandpa 24/7 until the day he died, so we would come over whenever possible to stay with him and give my grandma some freedom to go shopping, get her hair done or whatever. I hated seeing grandpa sick, but I wouldn't trade the memories I have of helping care for him FOR ANYTHING. I helped feed him, shave him, dress him, and yes, even change his "diapers" WITH TOTAL LOVE! He cared for me and my brother and sister the same way all of our lives, and it was my pleasure to care for him in his old age. And my kids learned a valuable lesson too. They learned that elderly, sick & disabled people are still presious lives, and need to be treated with dignity. Kylie always tells me she will take care of me when I'm old.

Sorry if this post was a downer, but I do love talking about my grandpa!