January 17, 2010 Buccaneer Booty in the Bahamas!!

[d4est]

Hey my fellow dis'ers! I am in the midst of planning our first ever cruise. What better way to find our sea legs than on a Disney cruise?

We are a family of 3: Me, the obsessive compulsive planner, Dh, the non-worrying, Honey, you've got everything under control, just feed me well traveler, and Ds (12 1/2 at cruise time), the outgoing, goofing around, I'll try anything, football loving kid.

I'm learning as I go, reading every thread that might be minutely relevant. I've ordered my passporter and it should be here any day.

I'm hoping to learn of other dis'ers who will be cruising with us. I am especially hoping to find other travelers with boys my son's age, in hopes that he can find a pal to hang with. At this point he has ZERO interest in the Oceaneer's Lab as he's afraid it will be too babyish and filled with 8 year olds. (No offense to anyone with an 8 year old He is just at that age--preadolescent attitude!)

Anyhoooo, come on in. Post. Share. Plan!! All are welcome!

 

[d4est]

What? No takers yet? We only have 398 days to prepare, people! No slacking...

 

[d4est]

Bumpity bump...

 

[IrishCowboy]

Please check your dates.

I don;t beleiev that tehre is a Eastern Magic departing on Jan 17, 2010

 

[d4est]

We are sailing on the wonder. I changed the name. I guess it is incorrect to refer to a 4 night cruise as an "eastern?" First time cruiser, I'm sure it's just the first of several mistakes I'm bound to make...

 

[luvcruisn]

You are not alone! We just booked this cruise this past week while on the Magic. I have a daughter who will be 14 at sailing and a son who will be 4. It is so great to have something to look forward to all year

 

[d4est]

Yay!!! I was beginning to think that we would be the only dissers on the boat!! Glad to have you on the thread. Now to figure out how to kill the next 365 days... Well, our next Orlando vacay is only 24 days away, so that helps some and summer always passes way too quickly. Then there's Christmas that keeps you busy. So, I guess it's not that bad!

 

[luvcruisn]

Lucky you, a trip to Orlando so soon. I hope that you have beautiful weather and a great time! I am hoping we can squeeze in a trip to the parks after our cruise next year.

Maybe some people on board this week will book for next year and we will have lots of people on our thread

 

[d4est]

Yes, we are looking forward to Orlando. We are skipping Disney this year and hitting Universal, Discovery Cove, Sea World and possibly Aquatica (depending on the weather).

Looks like you just got off the boat. I can't wait to experience the Wonder. We do plan to hit DW for a few days before and Universal for at least a day after (so we can experience the new coaster, Hollywood's Rip Ride Rockit!!).

I hope you are right about more people signing up. I'd love to try a FE exchange! Have you ever participated?

 

[luvcruisn]

It sounds like you have a great trip planned. We have been trying to get a Universal and Sea World trip together forever, but can't seem to find any time to go.

We had a Dis meet at the first cruise I took after finding the boards and that was lots of fun. I didn't get to FE exchange last week because I wasn't on the boards too much. They took away my access at work and I just got my own laptop at home for Christmas. I kept having to use my daughter's computer and it is not easy to make a 13 year old girl get off the computer for even a few minutes I think it sounds like lots of fun! We really love the staff on the Wonder and can't wait to go back. They really make you feel like family!

 

[Jennifer in MI]

It sounds like you have a great trip planned. We have been trying to get a Universal and Sea World trip together forever, but can't seem to find any time to go.

We had a Dis meet at the first cruise I took after finding the boards and that was lots of fun. I didn't get to FE exchange last week because I wasn't on the boards too much. They took away my access at work and I just got my own laptop at home for Christmas. I kept having to use my daughter's computer and it is not easy to make a 13 year old girl get off the computer for even a few minutes I think it sounds like lots of fun! We really love the staff on the Wonder and can't wait to go back. They really make you feel like family!

We were on your cruise last week!!! What an awesome cruise!!! We booked for back to back 3 and 4 day cruises in Jan (in SPH rooms!) as a surprise to the kids. (Wasn't Jocelyn great!?) We'll tell them the night before we board!! Anyway, I look forward to meeting everyone on our cruise!!!!

 

[Jennifer in MI]

We are a family of 3: Me, the obsessive compulsive planner, Dh, the non-worrying, Honey, you've got everything under control, just feed me well traveler, and Ds (12 1/2 at cruise time), the outgoing, goofing around, I'll try anything, football loving kid.

I'm hoping to learn of other dis'ers who will be cruising with us. I am especially hoping to find other travelers with boys my son's age, in hopes that he can find a pal to hang with. At this point he has ZERO interest in the Oceaneer's Lab as he's afraid it will be too babyish and filled with 8 year olds. (No offense to anyone with an 8 year old He is just at that age--preadolescent attitude!)

Hello fellow obsessive compulsive planner with a dh without a care in the world!! LOL (Who also loves football, BTW - he watched the entire playoff game from the Goofy Pool last week!)

How old is your ds?? I have three - they will be 13, 12, and 9 1/2 next year when we cruise. We'll also have a nearly 4 yo princess. We just got off the Magic a couple days ago and my 8 1/2 yo had an AWESOME time!!! He didn't find anything babyish (but he is only 8). They played a LOT of dodge ball and had fun games to play. Ds loves the Wii and got involved in a couple tournaments. I'd put our kids in touch, but this is a surprise for them!!

Looking forward to getting to know you!!

 

[d4est]

luvcruisn-You should definitely get a Uni trip in! It's tons of fun and very relaxing. This will be our 3rd visit. We always stay on site to enjoy the unlimited front of the line access. It makes for such a relaxing time and the resorts are within walking distance, so afternoon breaks are a breeze!

Jennifer! Yay, another cruiser! I am so excited!! Our Ds will be 12 1/2 when we cruise. He is very excited and is actually looking more forward to this than our upcoming trip that's just 21 days away. I'm thrilled to know that there will at least be 2 boys there of similar age! My Ds is outgoing and has always made friends easily. He's addicted to his xbox 360, so I'm sure he'd enjoy the wii games.

How exciting that the cruise will be a surprise to your kids! We did that last year with our trip to Disney. Ds hadn't a clue. I woke him up that morning and told him that dad wanted to go to Gander Mountain for an early bird sale (this was right before xmas) and asked if he wanted to play hooky. Of course, he was all for it! When we pulled into the airport, he didn't know what to think. I said, "what would you think if I told you we were going to Disney?" He said "yeah, right!" He would not believe me until we started unloading the luggage. It was priceless! I'm sure you'll have a ball with it!

 

[luvcruisn]

Hi Jennifer! It is hard to believe we have been back a week already! Coming back home is always so harsh. No one to put my napkin in my lap or pick up my towel off the floor, no room service 24 hours a day Can I just live on the ship? I hate that we didn't make the meet with everyone, but we had a great time. I think we had the best servers and room attendant that we have ever had! I am really looking forward to next year!

 

[d4est]

Hey guys! I decided it was time for a bump. We've still got a long ways to go but we're under the one year mark and that makes it feel a little closer! Just 319 days to go!

We just returned from Orlando, two weeks ago. We had a ball and lucked out with great weather. It's freezing here and I wish I were back there!

I wish that there were something I could do, planning-wise. It makes the time pass so much faster. Unfortunately, it's too early to do much (excursions, plane tickets etc). What are you guys doing to pass the time?

 

[enchanted72]

Hey guys! I decided it was time for a bump. We've still got a long ways to go but we're under the one year mark and that makes it feel a little closer! Just 319 days to go!

We just returned from Orlando, two weeks ago. We had a ball and lucked out with great weather. It's freezing here and I wish I were back there!

I wish that there were something I could do, planning-wise. It makes the time pass so much faster. Unfortunately, it's too early to do much (excursions, plane tickets etc). What are you guys doing to pass the time?

I know EXACTLY how you feel!!!

But, I did already book our airfare. DH had a voucher and we used miles for the rest. WOOHOO!!! So now I'm just counting the days and stalking the board!

I am a SAHM to 2 kiddos. My DH and I have wanted to do another cruise the minute we got off the ship in August. I talked my sister and her family into it and our BFF couple. So it will be a blast! We will have our two who will be 10 and just shy of 9 at the time. Plus our neice who will be 3.

 

[d4est]

Well, I'm glad I'm not alone, trying to pass the days!

I wish I could book airfare. It always makes it feel more real. We always fly JetBlue and I'm guessing those fares won't be out until around September. That feels like forever!

We do have a short trip coming up, March 18-23rd. We are going to Bristol, TN for a Nascar race. That helps a bit. I just wish there was more to keep me occupied!

So, are you on a 7 day cruise? I'm guessing that, based on your ticker...

 

[enchanted72]

No, we leave on Saturday and stay till Saturday. We are on the 4 day. I WISH it were the 7 day. But we could only talk my sister and our friends into the 4 day. But it is better than nothing.

Your better off than us...we have nothing else planned for this year. Though I have a few girls trips and my DH just got back from Vegas. We fly United. I don't know if this is alot or not for where you are but it's a great deal around here. I priced for my sister and they got United Friday to Thursday for $236/pp including tax from Chicago to Orlando. I know that same fare was available for Fri/Sat arrivals to Thurs-Sunday departures. So United might be worth a looksie.

 

[d4est]

So, you are on our cruise then? Leaving PC on the 17th? We are so excited as it's our first cruise. We are probably flying down on Friday (staying with family north of Tampa) and leaving Saturday (spending time w/family again post cruise). I wanted to spend a few days at Disney before and a few days at Uni after, but Dh wants to do the family thing and it's his turn to pick. The picking is something new. Next year the boy gets to pick. My fingers are crossed for Disney or another Disney cruise. We shall see...

Thanks for the tip on United, but the TVs on JetBlue keep everyone occupied and happy, so we'll probably stick with them.

 

[enchanted72]

Yes, same cruise!

This is our second. We cruised in August for a milestone bday of a relative. 30 in our group, mostly extended family. So much fun!

This time we are going with my sister and her family (their first cruise) and another couple we are all close friends with...they honeymooned DCL. We are super excited. Can you tell?

This is what I am doing to pass the time. I've been checking out the Creative DISigners in Just for Fun Forum. Gathering magnet artwork from there~so many generous souls!
SO that I can slowly hunt magnet paper down and get those all made for the 3 different cabins. Then after that I am going to either make tee shirts or get some off of etsy dot com...thinking May-ish for this to spread out expenses. I also marked my calender to check out Target clearance after Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day and Halloween to get stuff for the Sail Away deck party, Castaway Cay (sand toys) and Pirates nite. Can you tell I am a planner?