January 17th, 2016 Southern Wonder Cruise

[MaryIppolito]

Hi Everyone
VMEDISNEYMOM and I are trying to set us the Fish extenders. We had set a December 16th deadline but considering some people haven't gotten their Disney mail yet, perhaps we can wait a few days. VMEDISNEYMOM suggested sending her a personal message with your stateroom and details of your party if you are interested in joining us for the FE. Not sure if you can post your info on the blog here or not, but may also be an alternative. So if you are interested, please let us know as most FE seem to close around a month prior to travel before things get too busy.

Sorry realize it's not a month but is it too late to join in FE?

 

[MaryIppolito]

Sorry realize it's not a month but is it too late to join in FE?

Sorry not even sure how to send message to anyone lol totally newbie as if you can't tell lol

 

[MaryIppolito]

Mostly packed! I did my pre-pack this afternoon. Final packing this time next week (we fly out Friday).

We fly out Friday also....where are you staying?

 

[MaryIppolito]

First off, make a packing list. Preferably one for each member of your party so that you don't overlook something (I do my own luggage, DW has enough to keep her busy). There are tons of packing lists online, almost all of which are very similar. I downloaded several, combined them into one list, edited it for duplicates and removed stuff I'd never take, and then added the few things I wanted to take but were not on the list (for example, Disney magnets for the cabin door, lanyards and trading pins, etc).

I also do a day-by-day chart of some kind showing each day's planned activities (excursions, theme nights, beach & pool, etc) and any special clothing or items I might need for that day. Then I then add up how many shirts, pants, shorts, etc that I'll need for the week.

Now comes the hard part - cutting out about 1/2 to 2/3 of the clothing. I try to wear pants, shorts and shirts at least twice, or maybe even three times on a cruise. Most times these aren't worn all day but for just a few hours at a time (especially if you're spending time at the beach or pool), so no need for several outfits each day. I have two outfits I wear for dinner, alternating them each night. We dress up for formal night and I wear the same outfit (my tux) for semi-formal night as well to justify the weight and space. DW takes an LBD and just changes the accessories. Shoes are tough, but I try to keep it down to just 3 pair.

Kids are a totally different issue and what you take is heavily dependent on the child. Some kids need multiple outfits every day (so plan on spending some time in the ship's laundromat), while others may be able to get by like an adult. For small children, pack outfits into individual zip-lock bags so all you need to do is grab one and dress them, and then you can put the dirty clothes back into the bag.

I don't take anything extra for "contingencies." I just make do. I have a light windbreaker that I take, which serves as my jacket to the airport, as a rain jacket, and for any cool days that may occur on the cruise (we had really cold temps one year at Castaway Cay).

About a week before the cruise I do a practice pack: I pack everything I plan to take and check it off on my packing list. This is a good way to (1) make sure you have everything, and (2) that it will all fit in your luggage without busting the zipper or giving the porter a hernia. If you have too much, get rid of some of it. Also, for a family consider cross-packing, putting at least one outfit for each person in everyone's luggage so in case a bag is delayed (or lost), everyone has a change of clothes. The practice pack should also include your passports, cruise documents, etc. After you finish, you can unpack whatever you may need before the final pack. When you do the final pack, use your packing list again so you don't forget anything.

If you don't have a travel luggage scale get one! I weigh my bags at home before I travel, and then when I repack to go home. I try to keep my bags about 5kg (10-12lbs) under the weight limit when leaving home so I have weight (and space) for souvenirs.

When the cruise is over, go over your packing list, add anything you wish you'd taken, and note anything that wasn't needed. For the next cruise think twice about packing it what you didn't need. This may not apply to all things: I have a small flashlight in case of a power failure or to help me get around the cabin in the early morning without disturbing DW. I don't always need it, but I never leave home without it. I've reviewed my packing list after every cruise (and other trips as well), and now it's very rare for me to add or delete anything.

Bottom line: Don't wait until the last minute to begin packing, or pack without a list. You'll end up forgetting something important like someone's clothes, your clothes, passports, etc. It happens a lot.

You mentioned ziploc bags...I also use them for shampoo, anything liquid I bring. Saved my clothes once after something spilled within the ziploc.

 

[Sir William]

We fly out Friday also....where are you staying?

We're staying at the Courtyard Miramar, about half-way between the airport and the pier.

 

[MaryIppolito]

Anyone else joining us on the Jan 17th southern? I'm not much of a planner, but I thought I could start a thread

Ports Of Call
Day 1 San Juan, Puerto Rico -- 9:30 p.m.
Day 2 At Sea -- --
Day 3 Bridgetown, Barbados 7:00 a.m. 4:45 p.m.
Day 4 St. George's, Grenada 7:00 a.m. 4:45 p.m.
Day 5 Fort de France, Martinique 7:00 a.m. 4:45 p.m.
Day 6 St. John's, Antigua 7:00 a.m. 4:45 p.m.
Day 7 Basseterre, St. Kitts 7:00 p.m. 4:45 p.m.
Day 8 San Juan, Puerto Rico 7:30 a.m. --

Kids Link: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3349109 Have you kids sign up and let them get to know other kids going on the cruise. It's worked so well with my kids that most of their "cruise thread" friends end up being real-life friends. My kids still talk and sometimes see their cruise thread friends.

We're staying at the Courtyard Miramar, about half-way between the airport and the pier.

We are at the San Juan Marriott

 

[Sir William]

You mentioned ziploc bags...I also use them for shampoo, anything liquid I bring. Saved my clothes once after something spilled within the ziploc.

I try not to take a any liquids when I travel, but any that I do are put inside a ziploc or plastic bag. 99% of the time nothing happens, but every so often I find that there was a small leak.

 

[MaryIppolito]

Lucky you! My entire bottle of conditioner went phloosh in the bad. Lucky I had doubled it but it still only got on 1 shirt. My entire suitcase smelled like Pantene lol. I am so excited, how about you?

 

[Sir William]

Lucky you! My entire bottle of conditioner went phloosh in the bad. Lucky I had doubled it but it still only got on 1 shirt. My entire suitcase smelled like Pantene lol. I am so excited, how about you?

Always excited to go on a cruise, regardless of the destination.

 

[MaryIppolito]

Me too....first time for these particular ports which makes it even more exciting!

 

[Sir William]

We are at the San Juan Marriott

That was where we wanted to stay but we waited too long to book a room.

 

[MaryIppolito]

We actually added an extra day to be able to stay there. Having Disney transportation simplifies our adventure. We have to get to the hotel on our own, but then we are in Disney's hands. Lol. I am so looking forward to this trip. New ports and new friends. We are in cabin 8532 and are Mary and George. We love Disney- have tried a few others, but nothing compares. I was a cast member till I took a leave for a bit. My husband is disabled (still able to get around, but uses a scooter) and I felt torn being full time and away so much.

 

[Sir William]

Sorry realize it's not a month but is it too late to join in FE?

I suspect you're too late to join. I'm not participating so it's up to Canadian Patricia or VADISNEYMOM to decide (and they are probably very busy getting themselves ready for the cruise), but since we're less than a week from sailing there probably isn't enough time for people to prepare the additional FE gifts. However, it's a small group so who knows.

 

[MaryIppolito]

I did also, get in touch (finally figured out how lol) with VDISNEYMOM so hoping there might be a chance. Sprinkles of pixie dust might help and a lot of Mickey Magic. (or wonder since that's the ship we are on).

 

[Sir William]

We actually added an extra day to be able to stay there. Having Disney transportation simplifies our adventure. We have to get to the hotel on our own, but then we are in Disney's hands. Lol. I am so looking forward to this trip. New ports and new friends. We are in cabin 8532 and are Mary and George. We love Disney- have tried a few others, but nothing compares. I was a cast member till I took a leave for a bit. My husband is disabled (still able to get around, but uses a scooter) and I felt torn being full time and away so much.

We are directly below you! So if I hear any loud partying going on I'm going to come up and complain about not being invited!

 

[MaryIppolito]

Well then I guess my stomp dance is out then lol. You are always invited. This is a being spoiled trip- my birthday trip. (It's a month early but couldn't resist).

 

[Sir William]

Well then I guess my stomp dance is out then lol. You are always invited. This is a being spoiled trip- my birthday trip. (It's a month early but couldn't resist).

Yep, no stomp dancing, no clogging, no basketball and no stroller polo.

We are also celebrating (early) birthdays. DW's is a week after we get back, mine two weeks after that. When we cruise anytime during January through March, we celebrate them. One of our servers told us that people have celebrated special occasions up to six months or even a year after the fact. We considered selecting a cruise between our two birthdays, but that didn't work out.

 

[MaryIppolito]

Well we shall have lots of cake lol. I am looking forward to meeting you both. My stroller polo is my strongest athletic ability- party pooper lol. We also need birthday buttons! Who does your DW like? Tink, Anna, Minnie? I always am known for a few good surprises

 

[Sir William]

Well we shall have lots of cake lol. I am looking forward to meeting you both. My stroller polo is my strongest athletic ability- party pooper lol. We also need birthday buttons! Who does your DW like? Tink, Anna, Minnie? I always am known for a few good surprises

Eileen likes Tink and Pooh. I'm a bit more eclectic, mostly villains (Scar, Hades, Jafar, Hook, and Ursula are particular favorites), but also some more obscure or lesser characters like Steamboat Willie.

 

[MaryIppolito]

cabin number please....