January 19,2008 / Eastern Magic / "The January Thaw Cruise"

[missyoh8]

OK....THE OFFICIAL PAPERWORK IS BACK, my "family commitment" has been approved for leave, AND WE ARE IN FOR THIS CRUISE!!!


We have 3 kids that would love to get some email/IM friendships started. The past several Dis cruises they have done this and it has been so much fun for them once the trip gets here. My daughter will turn 15 on the cruise and is in the 9th grade. We have 2 sons, 13 year old in the 7th grade and 9 year old in the 4th grade. If anyone has any matches that they would like to get them together please send me a private message and we can get the kids talking.

I would love if someone tell me more about the "bags" so I don't have to go back and read all the postings. I was actually the second person to join this thread and then I backed away until I knew for sure we could go.

My heart is in this now, so watch out because I am usually a big poster.

Can't wait to get to know all of you!

Missyoh8

 

[owensamo]

I think if we're going to do a bag exchange, maybe having the meet on Sunday would work better. That way everyone has an opportunity to unpack and make sure all their luggage (especially the bits with the bags!) is in.

Maybe we could do an informal meet on Saturday, and do the big bag swap, all-in meet on Sunday when time isn't a problem.

Is there anything I can help with? I'd be happy to help coordinate if anyone needs a hand!

Amanda

 

[Bethipooh4]

Well we are up to 30 Dis Families on this cruise - so even at one per family, that's 30 bags!

Ditto on the traveling stuff - we have a distance to travel and limited luggage space (just not traveling as far as Gixer!)

-Kay

Ok...sorry, trying to pack my son up to head to college in Atlanta tomorrow...

Before eveyone starts going shopping.....each DIS'er only brings 1 bag. In that bag, is some little items from your home state....If we each brought 30 bags, well...thats alot of stuff...LOL

So then at the meet, we would either have a free for all, or draw names or numbers or something. Then we each would get one bag....Now I know last cruise I made some little "gifts" and would pass them out to DIS'er that I had cabin numbers for.

Hope this helps...

 

[chepic]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I am a little slow, but now I get it!!!!!!! I thought everyone got a bag from each state, 1 bag is much easier to do...thanks for clarifying!!!!

I am all for a formal meet on the Sun, as long as we can get the lounge. I did download a Navigator and will see what they have going on on Sundays and will report back.

welcome truely aboard Missy.

che

 

[jsheridan]

We may want to wait until the NFL schedule comes out as I believe the AFC/NFC games will be on that Sunday.

As I assume the Pats will be winning, I mean playing , it would make a difference!

I agree, one bag sounds MUCH more doable than 30+!

Now, on the Fish Extender thing, we would bring numerous items, right? Do we sign up for certain age group items or is it just bring whatever you want for that?

Julie

 

[Gixer]

We may want to wait until the NFL schedule comes out as I believe the AFC/NFC games will be on that Sunday.

As I assume the Pats will be winning, I mean playing , it would make a difference!

I agree, one bag sounds MUCH more doable than 30+!

Now, on the Fish Extender thing, we would bring numerous items, right? Do we sign up for certain age group items or is it just bring whatever you want for that?

Julie

I would like to do the fish extender thing too, if anyone who is interested in taking part posts their names and cabin numbers we could create a seperate list from the bag exchange/meet, then all those taking part can print the list of cabin numbers off so we know where to drop little gifts to. I was thinking little things that are easy to bring in luggage such as keyrings/postcards etc?

 

[KayR]

I am sooooo glad we only have to bring one bag. I was thinking 30 bags is a lot!

We are also up for the fish extender thing, dis tag what ever! This trip is all about having fun , no matter how silly it may be (not that Dis tag or fish extenders are silly of course, oh no! )

-Kay

 

[ChristineH]

We are planning to do the zipline at Loterie farm. Should we rent a car or take a taxi? Are mopeds available on the island?

Thanks for the help!
Christine

 

[missyoh8]

We applied for our passports on Friday! That just means we are one step closer to getting on the ship!

What excursions is everyone doing?

Sorry Christine, I have never done the zip line so I don't know anything about it. Maybe someone else will. You could post on the main board and I am certain you will get a response to your question.

Have a great week everyone!

 

[Gixer]

We are planning to do the zipline at Loterie farm. Should we rent a car or take a taxi? Are mopeds available on the island?

Thanks for the help!
Christine

Never done the zip line but if you check out www.cruisecritic.com they have a section on ports of call, there is loads and loads of info on what to do and Im sure I have read about the zipline thing! Ohhh and Welcome to the January Thaw Christine!

Good news Missy that your vacation got approved with your work!

 

[owensjro]

On St. Maartens we are talking about getting a taxi over to the butterfly farm and doing the tour there. Then we'll take the taxi to a beach and spend some time in the sun.

I had looked into maybe doing horseback riding as well, but Hannah isn't going to be old enough.

In general we are staying away from the planned excursions due to age limits and the fact that a lot of them seem to be a lot of time in a vehicle. I'm not sure my daughter would last long on those. I'm not sure I would either

Jim

 

[Bethipooh4]

As I assume the Pats will be winning, I mean playing , it would make a difference!


Julie[/QUOTE]

Well, I was holding out hopes that my beloved Eagles would be playing as well, but uhhh...yeah..lets not go there!!!

So for now I will have to be happy rooting for my Phillies!!!! WOOHOO..sorry to any Mets fan out there, I love the Mets too.

I guess if we shoot for a Sunday meet, we have to be careful where we plan it, due to football games in the lounges...or do you think they will show them on the Dumbotron?

Anyone have any ideas on this?

 

[plenam]

I guess if we shoot for a Sunday meet, we have to be careful where we plan it, due to football games in the lounges...or do you think they will show them on the Dumbotron?

Anyone have any ideas on this?

Last cruise we were on they showed the games on the Dumbotron. Nothing like watching the game in the hot tubs

Brett

 

[stacieps]

FYI - Southwest has now released "internet" fares for January. My flights for the cruise went down $40 each (r/t).

 

[KayR]

On St Maarten we have booked No Rush Tours to take us around for an overview of the island. With our DD being only 3, we are limited what we can do. We will do the butterfly farm, possibly the zip line (I hear they have an area for the younger ones) and the view from the highest point. Perhaps a short stint on a beach if time allows.

On St Thomas, I think we will just grab a taxi and head to a beach somewhere, but I will look at what else there is todo, just in case there is something else of interest.

Can we get DCL to pack us a picnic lunch on shore days?

My passport came in a couple of weeks. Good old British Embassy in Washington! After waiting 12 weeks for my son's (through the US Passport agency) it was great to have mine back so quickly.

I just need to sort out accommodation before and after the cruise and transportation (the easy bits to sort!) Oh and I need to pay the balance... minor point!

Getting closer...

--Kay

 

[KayR]

I guess if we shoot for a Sunday meet, we have to be careful where we plan it, due to football games in the lounges...or do you think they will show them on the Dumbotron?

Anyone have any ideas on this?

Would the coffee bar be big enough? (excuse my ignorance as this will be my first time )

BTW does any one have any guidelines or suggestions for the 'bag' - e.g. kinds of things that are usually included, size, $$ cost - in fact anything that would help me plan would be useful!

-Kay

 

[Bethipooh4]

Cove cafe?? Doubt it...there are maybe 6-8 tables there at the most..but a nice place to get some yummy coffee...

As far as the bags go, last time I participated we had a limit of 20.00, but no one seemed to stick to it. So it is entirely up to each individual how much they want to spend. Unless everyone wants to set a limit???

In mine, i had some UNC stuff, some Carolina Hurricanes stuff, a few things from the AF base here (stuff to include playing cards, coasters, magnets, mugs, a mini stanley cup, etc..) plus a bottle of our local wine(we are flying this time so that may be out)

The bag i received was from Illinois...in it was cards, candle holder, can opener, scrapbooking items, a gift card from Walgreens and Mcdonalds, candy, pens, pencils, a plush pirate..too much to list( I hit the jackpot!!!)

One DIS'er got creative and put their stuff in a tote bag from their local sports team instead of a paper bag.

Hope this helps...

Just think, for those of us that can book at 90 days out...that is in 2 short weeks!!! For those of you that can book at 105...leave some PALO ressies for us!!!

 

[chepic]

We may want to wait until the NFL schedule comes out as I believe the AFC/NFC games will be on that Sunday.

As I assume the Pats will be winning, I mean playing , it would make a difference!
Julie

Julie, we are Pat's fans too and I am planning on wearing a Pat shirt for the 80's night. I wore it in high school and pull it out everythime they are in the superbowl. It is a little tight now but still wearable.

cheryl

 

[chepic]

We can definitely meet in the one of the lounges. I downloaded a copy of Sept. Navigator, so I will look to see what the best time would be on the Sunday at Sea.

Che

 

[KayR]

Cove cafe?? Doubt it...there are maybe 6-8 tables there at the most..but a nice place to get some yummy coffee...

As far as the bags go, last time I participated we had a limit of 20.00, but no one seemed to stick to it. So it is entirely up to each individual how much they want to spend. Unless everyone wants to set a limit???

In mine, i had some UNC stuff, some Carolina Hurricanes stuff, a few things from the AF base here (stuff to include playing cards, coasters, magnets, mugs, a mini stanley cup, etc..) plus a bottle of our local wine(we are flying this time so that may be out)

The bag i received was from Illinois...in it was cards, candle holder, can opener, scrapbooking items, a gift card from Walgreens and Mcdonalds, candy, pens, pencils, a plush pirate..too much to list( I hit the jackpot!!!)

One DIS'er got creative and put their stuff in a tote bag from their local sports team instead of a paper bag.

Hope this helps...

Just think, for those of us that can book at 90 days out...that is in 2 short weeks!!! For those of you that can book at 105...leave some PALO ressies for us!!!

Thanks for that, it certainly helps to get an idea...

--Kay