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

[sjcubedofct]

Where to stay? Well, last year we stayed at the Residence Inn and it was beautiful! Great room, great service, great price....but this time the price is a lot higher, so we're looking around. Considering the Hilton... for $129, you get an ocean view room, two queen beds, etc. We've always heard pretty good things about the Raddisson, too, but haven't stayed there because we'd heard it is starting to show its age, whereas the Res Inn was brand new in 2006 and the Hilton just underwent $22mil in renovations. We'll keep watching the prices and see...

 

[KayR]

Hi everyone,

We are The Robinsons, originally from the UK, but now residing in San Jose, CA

We have just booked our first cruise ever! This one. Getting excited and trying to find out all the little things that we should know before we go! So if anyone has any tips, I'm all (mouse) ears!

It will be me(Kay), DH(Neil), DS (Arran-7) and DD (Iona-3) - We will also be celebrating our wedding anniversary on this trip!

So excited.


Where do we find all the excursions that we can book? Any recommendations?

TIA

-Kay, Neil, Arran and Iona

 

[Bethipooh4]

We have stayed at the Radisson the last 2 years, and it has been fantastic...(the room last year was newly renovated) We get the 2 room suite(130 with military discount and free parking) with a separate bedroom that has a king bed, jacuzzi, and another room with a sleeper sofa in the living room and a kitchenette.

This year the 10 of us are flying in and staying at Sarasota Springs courtesy of our Guam traveling buddies who are DVC members. We are hopefully going to be in a 3 bedroom villa and all 10 of us will stay together. Then drive over to the port on Saturday morning.

WELCOME KAY!!!!

I think sometime in October I can book our excursions, providing the trip is paid for. 90 Days out for returning cruisers, 75 days out for new cruisers, and 105 days out for concierge level and REAS packages. So I guess it depends on if it is paid for and if you are a returning cruiser or not. I haven't even begun to think about excursions yet...

 

[plenam]

Hi everyone,

We are The Robinsons, originally from the UK, but now residing in San Jose, CA

We have just booked our first cruise ever! This one. Getting excited and trying to find out all the little things that we should know before we go! So if anyone has any tips, I'm all (mouse) ears!

It will be me(Kay), DH(Neil), DS (Arran-7) and DD (Iona-3) - We will also be celebrating our wedding anniversary on this trip!

So excited.


Where do we find all the excursions that we can book? Any recommendations?

TIA

-Kay, Neil, Arran and Iona

Welcome Kay , Looking forward to you and your family aboard the January Thaw Cruise....will add your name to our list.

Brett

 

[shmoogrrrl]

Welcome! We look forward to err....ehm....'Meeting the Robinsons!' *laugh*

Sorry, you know that you were all thinking it too!

This is my little girls last week of Preschool EVER and last week to be four. She will be five on Friday. She has her big 'Cars' theme Birthday on Saturday, then we have to go to Kindergarten orientation on Tuesday. My little girl is starting KINDERGARDEN this Fall!

I think I am going to go faint now.

 

[KayR]

Welcome! We look forward to err....ehm....'Meeting the Robinsons!' *laugh*

Sorry, you know that you were all thinking it too!

It makes a change from...

"Well there you are Mrs Robinson, hey Mrs Robinson"

From the graduate.

Still have to see that movie - haven't managed to see it yet - despite the name.

Look forward to meeting you all in January.

-Kay

 

[chepic]

Hi everyone,

It will be me(Kay), DH(Neil), DS (Arran-7) and DD (Iona-3) - We will also be celebrating our wedding anniversary on this trip!

Welcome aboard Kay. We (Dave and I) are celebrating our anniversary also...1/23/88 on board also....renewing our vows....can't wait. We have a son who is 7 also, and we are travelling with a group of kids!!! Plenty for them to do together!!

Cheryl

 

[Bethipooh4]

Add us to the group of anniversary cruisers...

We are celebrating ours the day we get off the ship....19 years...1/26/89

Still trying to plan the surprise stay after at WDW...just trying to figure out where to stay.

 

[KayR]

Add us to the group of anniversary cruisers...

We are celebrating ours the day we get off the ship....19 years...1/26/89

Still trying to plan the surprise stay after at WDW...just trying to figure out where to stay.

Cool, ours is 1/26 as well - only we will only have 10 years under our belt.

Trying to talk to the folks at Disney about a vow renewal so we will see what happens there. Just waiting a call back!

Looking forward to meeting you all, and it is great to hear that there will be other kids there for ours to play with.

BTW - what happens with the kids clubs - do we have to reserve space or is it a just turn up and put your kids in kind of thing? DH and I are SOOO looking forward to some time by ourselves . (We have no family in the area so have not been by ourselves for such a long time...)

-Kay

 

[owensjro]

For the kids clubs/labs you drop the kids off whenever you wish. Check them in and then check them back out once you are ready.

On our first cruise this past April we were hesitant with Hannah (she just turned 5 in April) but it turns out we didn't need to be. She started begging us to drop her off at the club and was upset when I would come back to get her again.

We just got back from a quick (4 day) Disney trip and she told us again that she liked the cruise better than the parks because she liked the club so much. So, this next cruise we're going to let her go in as much as she wants.

Jim

 

[chepic]

We have our fingers crossed that our son will be that happy to stay behind with his buddies in the club. He was hesitant when we were on RCCL and tried to leave him in the club....we were paged within 2 hours. We haven't had down time in ssssooooooo long that it will be welcomed. At least I know that on Thurs. night, one of our party-goers will keep him overnight so that we can have our honeymoon.. Can't wait!!!

che

 

[owensjro]

If anyone would like to start some "pen-pal" type thing amongst the children let me know. I think fostering some pseudo friendships between now and the cruise would go a long way towards the kids being comfortable in the club and playing together.

Probably would work best for the kids in the same age groups (3-4, 5-7, etc) but I know our daughter, Hannah, would love to exchange letters (which would mostly be drawing pictures) with anyone. She always complains that she doesn't get any mail

Jim

 

[Gixer]

Welcome Kay to the January thaw!

I am very excited guys, I just recieved an e-mail from Cathy from Disney weddings and she has reserved a Vow renewal package for us, I have been waiting for conformation for a while so am really happy! She thinks the package price will be out by 15th June so not long to wait!

Kay - did you recieve conformation from Cathy about your vow renewal? She told me that all 3 places were now taken, so I guess thats Cheryl, me and you then?!

Cheryl - what exactly is included in the package? do we get to make reservations for excursions/spa etc at the 105 day point?

 

[shmoogrrrl]

If anyone would like to start some "pen-pal" type thing amongst the children let me know. I think fostering some pseudo friendships between now and the cruise would go a long way towards the kids being comfortable in the club and playing together.

Probably would work best for the kids in the same age groups (3-4, 5-7, etc) but I know our daughter, Hannah, would love to exchange letters (which would mostly be drawing pictures) with anyone. She always complains that she doesn't get any mail

Jim

We'd be up for that! Katie is 4, but she will be five in three days *sob*. She is learning to write so it would be good practice. Probably more pictures than letters, though.

 

[chepic]

Jim....we would love to play pen-pal. I will talk to Greatwhite and the others in our RI group, and I am certain we can really get something going.

gixer.....We locked in for the Thurs. at sea, the later renewal....I believe 6:00? in the lounge. I was told to expect the price to be $1500, although that was not set in stone. Cathy told me to call mid-June. For that amount you get: cake for 10, champagne/cider for 10, the bouquet and bout. for the couple, an 8x 10 photo, the piano/player for 1 hour with your choice of music, the captain will perform the ceremony, a gift in your room, conseirge service (I don't know for how long...so I don't know if we qualify for the early reservations....I do hope so), dinner at Palo for 2, and I feel like I am forgetting something. You can have more flowers at a cost....not too cheap either. Also, they have photography packages....which we may consider. You only celebrate 20 years once Every person that is there beyond the 10 there is a $10.00 fee. Also, we have reservations for Palo the night of the ceremony, and I told Cathy that there would be about 10 adults going, and she said not a problem. I know that I will want to be getting my hair done, along with my "matron of honor" and "flower girl" so I hope we can get the time we need. I have read and posted on other threads regarding the vow renewal and it does seem that they make your time the BEST and MAGICAL as possible. I have already bought my dress.....seeing as how I can't fit into my original!!! My husband just lets me do the planning and said he is just along for the ride! I can't wait!!!

Also, I just switched my reservations from Disney to Dreams Unlimited and they matched the lower price, plus I get the $200 room credit. We are going to put the cruise on the Disney Visa to get the other $50 credit. I may take that money and pay for the photos.....I would imagine I will have alot.

Well, another month almost gone!!!!

have a great night.

cheryl

 

[KayR]

I have only just started the process so I am awaiting a call to see what is available - I hope it is not limited to 3 renewals per cruise! If it is I will be but will find another way to celebrate and renew.

Keep your fingers crossed for me.

As for the pen pal idea - that might be nice for DS (7) - but DD who will be 3 by the time of the cruise is probably too young to know or understand. She is very social and will make friends easily!



Instead of pen pals - how about getting them their own "Mini Thaw Cruise Thread" (or similar) so that they can all chat together? Just a thought.

-Kay

 

[Bethipooh4]

Ok all my little vow renewal buddies....who is going to let me crash their ceremony and have a double wedding renewal??? LOL

I guess since we're only 19 years, its going to give us a good reason to book onboard and go back for year 20...lol

I think the package sounds terrific. Congrats to all of you!!!!

 

[Gixer]

Thanks for the info Cheryl I would also like mine and DD's hair done for the ceremony, so it would be great if we got to book out the salon/spa at the 105 point. I dont know what to wear though yet, a pant suit, a floaty dress or a summer wedding type dress
DH is also just happy to go along with whatever I plan, although the vow renewal was his idea!

Kay - I hope you manage to get your renewal package booked, I will keep my fingers crossed for you!


Beth - gatecrashers welcome at our renewal as there will only be myself, DH and our 2 girls at the ceremony, and not even I could eat a cake for 10 people! (although I will have a darn good go at drinking the champagne for 10! )

We will be renewing our vows a couple of months before our 13th wedding anniversary, good job I'm not supersticious!

 

[chepic]

Beth.....wedding crashers allowed.....anytime.

Gixer....did you book for the Thurs. earlier renewal? If so....you could hang around....or we could pop in a little earlier!!!

We actually, with kids, have about 16 people total. That is why we chose the lounge. PhotoLisa had hers on the hidden deck 7, but they said it would be too small for our number. I bought a new dress at David's Bridals. I wasn't going for the "wedding" look, but went there for the $99 dress sale. I ended up with a halter-style cream gown with only a hint of sparkle. I am going to have it tailored so that it is not so gown-ish, more like a tea-length style.

Kay, on our 10th anniversary, we renewed our vows, with just each other and 2 other couples at OKW in WDW on the outside porch overlooking the 6th green. Then we went out to dinner in France....it was just wonderful. We made a tape of music, and wrote some vows, and the entire thing took 15 minutes. The front desk CM somehow knew about our anniversary and sent over a bottle of champagne, strawberries, and a beautiful card from Mickey and Minni. It was wonderful....and saved us $1500. So, if you can't get it this time, I am certain your veranda will be perfect....and if you didn't book a veranda, you can use ours. We are on deck 6!!


Gosh...this is going to be great!!!

Cheryl

oh yeah....a side shoot of the Jan. thaw for the kids would be fine with me....Max will only be able to get on 1 time per week, however that would be just fine.

che

 

[Bethipooh4]

I'll be more then happy to crash anyones wedding.....we had a few crashers of our own at DD's last month.

I like the pen pal idea, or the mini thawers thread....I have a DS 10 and a DS 17. Only kids traveling in our group. The other group has split from us, so I can't speak for them.

Pulled off surprise number one....changed from a cat 9 to a cat 6 with a verandah. Cheryl, looks like we are on the same deck now. I told DH I want to upgrade to concierge, and he flat out told me NO....little does he know, I booked a verandah instead...

We're not supersticious either...we got married on the 26th, a multiple of 13, since the chapel wasn't available on the 13th...

Does anyone know where along the way we can stop for soda/wine from Sarasota Springs to the port?? We usually drive and bringing bottles isn't a issue, but due to school, we are flying in. We like to bring a few bottles to drink before dinner with our friends. Is there a Sam's along the way?