January 13, 2007 - 7 Night Magic Western

[szewong]

Hi,

We will be bringing our 2 year old son with us. Just wondering if there are any other toddlers on our cruise.

On that topic, any do's and don'ts for the baby?


Sze

 

[Colorado Mom]

Ginny.. Thank You!!!!

Dialady... not sure what you mean by a coverup, I haven't found any of those for me. But, we are counting down more for the cruise then for Christmas I think.


The suitcases will be coming out wed night, school is out wed and I am done toddler sitting, and we are going to start packing I have bought our airline tickets and we are counting down!!!

I am curious what everyone is doing at Grand Caymen? it looks like now I will be getting off the ship to take the kids to see some of the island. I think we'd be happy with the turtle farm and hell, not much else.

 

[ldeninge]

We will be bringing our 2 year old son with us. Just wondering if there are any other toddlers on our cruise.
Sze

Hi Sze,
Our DS will be 20mo on the ship. Are you planning to use Flounder's at all?

We've got time booked one morning when DH is going scuba diving with BIL. Other than that we're thinking to just have family time (we're with a big group).

 

[pdarrah]

Hi Everyone!

Sorry I've been away so long - I feel like I am in DIS Boards withdrawel! The first weekend in December we all came down with a stomach bug. First DS caught it and he was fine after 1 day. The Friday he hopped up saying he felt great happened to be the big snowfall here and there wasn't any school and I couldn't get to work. That afternoon, I started feeling bad and by evening was very definitely sick. I was totally out of it for the entire weekend. DH didn't get it as badly, but wasn't feeling too great on Sunday and Monday. Soooo ... we totally lost that first weekend of the month. I have been frantically trying to get caught up with all the Christmas stuff since then. I'm still not done - I just spent the whole weekend doing all the cookie baking that I usually do over 3 weekends. Since we use the cookies for a lot of the small gifts to friends, I couldn't just skip it this year. (Well, I guess I could, but then I would just have to spend that time going shopping for gifts for everyone!)

I have basically put off all cruise packing until after the holiday. DS is going on his trip to Mexico with my parents from the 28th to Jan 4th, so I am counting on getting a lot done during that time.... Since this is our 3rd DCL cruise, I am hoping the packing will go quicker - I still have my lists from before and all "cruise only" stuff has its own box in my closet and just needs to be pulled out.

Did anyone have any ideas for how we are going to identify ourselves as DISers? Someone mentioned lime-green leis - sounds cool, but I'm not sure everyone would be able to find them locally. For our last cruise, someone had a button maker and make pins for us all - that was really nice, but unless someone has the machine its not very practical. I have lime-green mickey heads with my DIS name on them on my fanny pack and camera bag. THese are like the ones you can pick up at Home Depot. I did mine on my computer and laminated them, but the Home Depot ones would work too - maybe with a DIS name just written on them. They could just be pinned on, or stuck into a lanyard that has a plastic pocket or put on a string. This is pretty basic ID and if anyone has a better idea I'm all for it.

Saving money - We also caught that Southwest price drop that Skylynx mentioned and saved $100 on our flights down to Florida!!! I can't believe how cheap our airfare is for this trip - $136 each round trip from Chicago to Orlando!

Gotta go now - tons of stuff still to do (including some actual work here at the office ) I'll try and stop by again before Christmas, but if I don't make it I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!

pdarrah

 

[Bytor01]

Any cruise vets out there a question for you. Still not sure if I am just going with a suit to the formal night or a tux. But, if I do go for a tux (I don't own my own as it is not practical for me too) where should I get one. Should I rent it at home or rent it from the tux rental agency on board? Just looking for ideas. Thanks.

Tim

 

[szewong]

Hi Sze,
Our DS will be 20mo on the ship. Are you planning to use Flounder's at all?

We've got time booked one morning when DH is going scuba diving with BIL. Other than that we're thinking to just have family time (we're with a big group).

We booked a couple sessions in the Flounder's when we have spa apointments. Not sure how he will take it, however....

Sze

 

[szewong]

I am most likely not going for a tux, but I've never been on a cruse either... so what do I know. Now, adding to Bytor01's question, is tux necessary?

Sze

 

[thomprod]

I am most likely not going for a tux, but I've never been on a cruse either... so what do I know. Now, adding to Bytor01's question, is tux necessary?

Sze

Szewong and Bytor, this will be our fourth DCL cruise. I did bring my tux on the last one, just because I own one and don't get much chance to wear it. I wore it to formal night and semi-formal night, but I only saw about 25% of the men wearing tuxes on formal night. Most wore dark suits, some wore sport jackets and a few didn't dress up at all. On previous cruises, I just brought one suit and used it for both formal and semi-formal night. In my opinion, if you like to dress up, do it! It's a great time to get pictures taken, and in our case, for our daughter to dress up as well. If you're not comfortable dressing up, no problem. You will still receive the same food and service in the dining room as long as you don't wear jeans or shorts.

 

[sjunder]

Hi,

We will be bringing our 2 year old son with us. Just wondering if there are any other toddlers on our cruise.

On that topic, any do's and don'ts for the baby?


Sze

Hi! We are cruising with our 2 year old daughter! Have you booked any excursions? We'd like to do at least one but are not sure what to try with a toddler.

 

[blacksmithcrm]

I'll be bringing a tux, and plan on wearing it on the formal night and a night in Palo. You won't be alone!
Enjoy

 

[Colorado Mom]

We had thought about doing the tux thing, but with an 11 and 14 year old I am not sure how much wear we'd get out of them if we bought them. And, with a husband that thinks a t-shirt without a pocket is dressing up I know getting him in one will be tough.

I am headed to Target tonight to look at the suit jackets, limited time thing, and see if they fit the boys. I just don't want to spend too much on something that they will wear just a few times.

 

[cepmom]

We had thought about doing the tux thing, but with an 11 and 14 year old I am not sure how much wear we'd get out of them if we bought them. And, with a husband that thinks a t-shirt without a pocket is dressing up I know getting him in one will be tough.

your DH sounds like mine ~ mine will not wear a tux. He will be wearing his dark gray suit. I think it is too small and want him to get another one, but he insists he will wear the one he already has what the heck do I know anyway

You can count on a post from me 4 days before the cruise saying I'm heading out to get a new suit I'm sure

kudos to those here that are in packing mode already! I can't get myself to think about that until after Christmas. I did however buy some Dramamine and handiwipes at CVS the other day and I also ordered a pirate costume for DD9 since I could not find one in her size at Halloween. I am making a list for things I still need to get together and plan on tackling it as soon as the kids go back to school after the new year. I can't believe it is only 3 1/2 weeks away!!!!

I ordered two swimsuits for myself and some capris for the trip from Lands End...those should be arriving this week. The rest of us should be all set with the clothes from this past summer.

we were able to get our airfare lower too....I love Southwest! Our round trip air is also $136 per person. DH and DD17 have free tickets thanks to Rapid Rewards so the airfare this year is truly a bargain!

In the past I have used lime green Mickey heads from Home Depot to identify myself as a Diser. I usually just stick it in my KTTW lanyard holder. I'll take a few extra and stick them on our carry on bags too. Are we still planning on the meets mentioned earlier? How about a location at the terminal? Any decisions yet?

 

[szewong]

Hi! We are cruising with our 2 year old daughter! Have you booked any excursions? We'd like to do at least one but are not sure what to try with a toddler.

I'm only booking 2 excursions:

Seaworld Explorer Semi-Submarine Grand Cayman
Glassbottom Boat Tour on The Pride of Key West Key West

Sze

 

[Vulcandream]

I put in my order for a tux last night online at www.cruiselineformal.com. My suite and appropriate dress shoes will be waiting for me in the cabin. Should slight alterations be needed, there is someone on board to do them if I get my request in early. It is a tad more expensive than renting from my local establishment (I checked), but worth it for the convenience. I, for one, look forward to dressing up both nights. My masculinity is not threatened by a little class and after all, birds shouldn't be the only ones of which males get the finer plumage. But then, if you've ever seen me on stage, you know I don't have a probelm with wearing some rather outlandish things.

As to suites, well, I can proudly say, my suites are like tents on me these days since I've lost 50 lbs since deciding to go on this cruise (my sweet wife has lost a lot too!). So I don't think I'll be bringing one.

Still, I look forward to the cruise food and heard a quote last night on TV that I thought fit the question of how much to eat... "Everything in moderation... including moderation."

 

[Ginny]

Bytor01 and szewong,

We enjoy dressing up - DH likes to wear a tux and rents from the DCL folks. It is always hanging in our stateroom when we arrive. He even rents the shoes. DS-19 does the same thing when he cruises with us. Renting at home and bringing it with simply takes up too much room in our suitcases......we need the space for DCL purchases!

DH did have a tux made years ago when we were stationed in the Far East but has never had it replaced - DCL has made it too easy. He rented one on RCCL, as well, last year when we cruised on the Mariner. I think it may be the same company.

For those with young children, many DIS'ers have had great luck in buying boys/young men's tuxes or dinner jackets on Ebay for a pittance. Since they are usually only worn once or twice MAX, they are in great shape (based on the seller's track record) and can be worn and turned right around and sold again. Just a thought!

I like seeing men in tuxes or nice suits especially for formal night. But, that's what we all enjoy doing and it works for our family......everyone is different. Whatever you decide will be just perfect, I'm sure.

 

[Colorado Mom]

We are in a blizzard here! They just announced that they are letting schoool out 90 minutes early it's getting so bad out.
Right about now I am really looking forward to the cruise, and hopeful that we have good flying weather!!

 

[Bytor01]

Another question: I already signed my kids up for the Oceaneer's Club on the Disney site. Do I have to sign up anywhere else? Also, what will I have to do once we get on the ship? Do I need to go to the club and ditch the kids, oh I mean drop them off, or go there first to check in?

Tim

 

[cepmom]

Another question: I already signed my kids up for the Oceaneer's Club on the Disney site. Do I have to sign up anywhere else? Also, what will I have to do once we get on the ship? Do I need to go to the club and ditch the kids, oh I mean drop them off, or go there first to check in?

Tim

there is a sign in desk for Oceaneer Cluib/Lab in the terminal. This was not there when we cruised last year with the kids, so I'm not sure exactly what happens there, but I think you can get your kid's wrist bands and your pager. If you don't want to get that done in the terminal, you can do that outside the club/lab the first night.

 

[thomprod]

there is a sign in desk for Oceaneer Cluib/Lab in the terminal. This was not there when we cruised last year with the kids, so I'm not sure exactly what happens there, but I think you can get your kid's wrist bands and your pager. If you don't want to get that done in the terminal, you can do that outside the club/lab the first night.

You're exactly right, cepmom. One adult needs to go with the kid(s) to sign them up. The kids(s) will get a wristband and the adult will give their password and get the pager. We have done this before in the terminal and at the Club and the line is usually shorter in the terminal.

 

[Happy Cat]

Hello. I have been lurking around here for the past year or so. Now that our first Disney Cruise is coming up very quickly, I thought I would join into the crowd and become a DISer. We are so excited to go on our cruise, we have already started packing. We are from Canada (near Windsor, so it is a warmer part of Canada), family of 4 (myself, DH, DS - 4, and DD 6). We have been counting down our days until we leave for Florida, and CAN'T WAIT ANY LONGER TO GO ON OUR CRUISE. WOO HOO....