January 14, 2012 Eastern Carribbean Cruise

[koquinn]

Other than the door decorations, do you guys do anything, wear anything, share pictures prior to the cruise so we can recognize each other before the embarkation meet and greet (or if you miss it)? I've only done one other meet and greet, and that was a Cruisecritic on RCCL this past February, I was the easiest guy to pick out being the only 6'4" Scandanavian with no tan wearing a green Minnesota Northstars hat on the boat (which will be the case in January as well).

Has anyone done group t-shirts for other cruises or is it more work that its worth?

Are we related?? My maiden name is Olson and I grew up in Woodbury. I haven't heard about the Northstars in a long long time!!

 

[Tolson70]

Are we related?? My maiden name is Olson and I grew up in Woodbury. I haven't heard about the Northstars in a long long time!!

Too funny. The Olson side of my family is from Menomonie/Knapp area of Wisconsin, so if you had relatives there, we may be. And yea, I have a hard time letting go of the old North Stars team. They were my hockey team growing up, so its an old school memory for me!

 

[momster24]

Welcome to our newbies! Thanks again Tory, looks great.

I love the idea about the green Mickey heads on the lanyard.
Before we get those, while we are waiting to board, maybe we can affix the green head on those pins you get at the dollar store, and then clip them on a hat, bag, shirt, etc. One cruise we also had character band-aids on our hands (batman, snow white, Dora, etc) which helped identify ourselves!

 

[momster24]

Well of course there is no one on the board with me, because most people are asleep.....not me. I wish. Of course surfing on my I-pad doesn't help me from falling asleep

Anyway.... I was reading up on Bernards tours. I am sold, it sounds perfect. I saw that they had private tours and regular tours. Does anybody know if there is anything that is different between the two? Of course besides the obvious smaller number. Is the itinerary the same?

If some of us wanted to go together, depending on the amount of guests, they have a private tour for up to 17 people and the cost PP is the same as the regular group tours. $40.

Tory, can you add us to your spread sheet for Bernards?

 

[Tolson70]

I think the private tour is customized for things you want to see, where the itinerary for the group tour is preset. If we can get enough people and someone doesn't mind arranging it with Bernard's I am game. Some of us are already booked with him, so we may end up with a pseudo private tour anyways.

 

[StarGazer99]

Welcome to our newbies! Thanks again Tory, looks great.

I love the idea about the green Mickey heads on the lanyard.
Before we get those, while we are waiting to board, maybe we can affix the green head on those pins you get at the dollar store, and then clip them on a hat, bag, shirt, etc. One cruise we also had character band-aids on our hands (batman, snow white, Dora, etc) which helped identify ourselves!

I say we buy Micky confetti and paste the little green Micky's too our faces.

No really, I might just do that.

 

[dmarie5]

I know what you mean about the insurance. We only have to pay for our flights and insurance and the insurance is killing my budget. I would be too afraid to go without it though. We had a really close call with weather and almost missed our last DCL cruise.

It would be great to meet up with you if you end up at POFQ!

OK...I bit the bullet and purchased my trip insurance today nothing like waiting til the last minute.....Will be going down to the TA on Thursday to pay my final payment.....I have started to put the pile of clothes in a pile for what we are taking so I can bring out the winter clothes....We may get a chance of some snow flurries this week....YIKES....Hope the snow stays away!!!!

 

[GoofTroop]

Well of course there is no one on the board with me, because most people are asleep.....not me. I wish. Of course surfing on my I-pad doesn't help me from falling asleep

Anyway.... I was reading up on Bernards tours. I am sold, it sounds perfect. I saw that they had private tours and regular tours. Does anybody know if there is anything that is different between the two? Of course besides the obvious smaller number. Is the itinerary the same?

If some of us wanted to go together, depending on the amount of guests, they have a private tour for up to 17 people and the cost PP is the same as the regular group tours. $40.

Tory, can you add us to your spread sheet for Bernards?

We're doing the private tour. The difference from the other is that you plan the entire day (it's also longer than the regular tour). You can do the exact itinerary of the regular tour if you want, but spend more time at certain areas, and less at others, leave one of the stops out, add another.....You pretty much dictate the day.

Our reason for doing the private tour is because we are a group of 11 (so the cost was only a few dollars per person more than the regular tour), and also because my 3 boys are special needs.....Thought it would be easier for them and us.

 

[GoofTroop]

Welcome! We are neighbors! DH and I will be in cabin #7520

You are right next door to my sister and her family! I've forwarded her that she's got "honeymooners" next door.

 

[GoofTroop]

I am familiar w/ Bourbonnais..I've been to ONU on Business...we're in Quincy, a couple hours north of St Louie (and Jackie) on the Mississippi.

Very cool! We're a few blocks from ONU.

 

[GoofTroop]

Welcome Elizabeth
Glad to have you on board!!



Looks like Illinois is taking over the ship.

Just wanted to thank you all for the warm welcome! I have butterflies in my stomach in anticipation of the cruise. My kids, niece, and nephew still have no idea!!! Can't wait for them to find out.

Elizabeth

 

[GoofTroop]

I'm not a drinker (although looking forward to trying a few "drinks of the day". However, with that said, my DH and BIL are looking forward to doing some of the tastings.....

Anyone planning on signing up for any of these? Do you know which ones they do on a 7 night cruise? I'm assuming they have to wait till we board to sign up for the tastings?

 

[StarGazer99]

I am familiar w/ Bourbonnais..I've been to ONU on Business...we're in Quincy, a couple hours north of St Louie (and Jackie) on the Mississippi.

Wait a minute Sully... You're on the Mississippi too.

I'm just across the Mississippi from St. Louie.

 

[StarGazer99]

Just wanted to thank you all for the warm welcome! I have butterflies in my stomach in anticipation of the cruise. My kids, niece, and nephew still have no idea!!! Can't wait for them to find out.

Elizabeth

I Love the Surprise thing... Last year I surprised my DD with Disney World the day we left and then 6 days into the trip I surprised DD and DH with the cruise. A truly AMAZING FEAT!!

 

[StarGazer99]

Tory Here's another thought for the spread sheet.

Those who want to share phone numbers. It made it so much easier for the last cruise especially since we had some people forget things and others driving in willing to look for them at stores.

By the way ... when I was there.. DIET DR. PEPPER COULD NOT BE FOUND IN FLORIDA!!!. Sorry just needed to get that off my chest. We will be bringing it this time.

 

[momster24]

Tory Here's another thought for the spread sheet.

Those who want to share phone numbers. It made it so much easier for the last cruise especially since we had some people forget things and others driving in willing to look for them at stores.

By the way ... when I was there.. DIET DR. PEPPER COULD NOT BE FOUND IN FLORIDA!!!. Sorry just needed to get that off my chest. We will be bringing it this time.

I like the phone number idea. Also, as I am typing this, I am drinking a diet Dr. Pepper, from Florida! LOL. South Florida definitely has some. Since I am driving, I would be more than willing to set you up with as much as you like! I am sure you have enough stuff to worry about bringing on the plane.

 

[momster24]

I'm not a drinker (although looking forward to trying a few "drinks of the day". However, with that said, my DH and BIL are looking forward to doing some of the tastings.....

Anyone planning on signing up for any of these? Do you know which ones they do on a 7 night cruise? I'm assuming they have to wait till we board to sign up for the tastings?

I myself have never done the tastings, but I always wanted to. Last night I was reading the boards and someone who just got off the Magic was kind enough to scan his navigators. On them were a list of "tastings". They had beer, martini, and a few others.

Also, all the drinks of the day come with and without alcohol, so you can get the great fruity taste without the "drink"!

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

I'm not a drinker (although looking forward to trying a few "drinks of the day". However, with that said, my DH and BIL are looking forward to doing some of the tastings.....

Anyone planning on signing up for any of these? Do you know which ones they do on a 7 night cruise? I'm assuming they have to wait till we board to sign up for the tastings?

The tequila tasting one is WICKED AWESOME
You do sign up once on board, I think they post it in the Navigator, but I am not positive.
If I remember correctly, you get 3 smallish shots of tequila-starting with lesser quality up to premium. You also get a few small margaritas, with instruction on how to make them. DH does not drink at all, and I went with a few members from our cruise group, and we had SO much fun! I was very happy I made it back to the room, lol. I don't drink very much, so I was worried before it started, but I did just fine. I did make sure I had some carbs before I went. It was actually very informative-they explained what to look for and avoid in tequila.

They also had martini tastings, wine tastings, and I think one other, but I am not sure.

 

[Tolson70]

I can add a column for phone numbers if we want it. The spreadsheet is set up to only be accessed if you click on the link, so anyone could get there. Should I password protect it?

 

[dmarie5]

I myself have never done the tastings, but I always wanted to. Last night I was reading the boards and someone who just got off the Magic was kind enough to scan his navigators. On them were a list of "tastings". They had beer, martini, and a few others.

Also, all the drinks of the day come with and without alcohol, so you can get the great fruity taste without the "drink"!

I am not that much of a drinker but I think I will be very persuaded to try some of the drinks of the days...They sound and look so yummy. And I do not have to drive anywhere ....so I may even go off the deep edge and try some of the tastings as well. I think my hubby will be interested in them too.