January 26 2008 - Western

[GuardMusic]

Thanks for the info. Just a question...why would you request a different dining rotation? Is there something I need to know? Another thing...what's a good time or day to book Palo for dinner? How about brunch? Thanks for everything.

purplepeg - Sorry I missed your Q above about changing dining rotation. Our initial rotation had us in Animator's the same night we were in Palo. I didn't want to miss either. Instead of trying to change Palo, which was more important, I tried to switch the rotation.

When I made it to the front of the line, it turns out I requested a rotation that doesn't exist! He said something about the rotation going "clockwise" & I was asking for the opposite. We did however change to another rotation and get to keep Palo.

As an aside, the family we sat with had also changed rotations, so it really was fate that we were together. It worked out fantastic because we both had links to work at universities AND their 4 year old son was a perfect angel the entire trip!

Can't wait to hear about everyone else's plans! Keep 'em coming!
Gayle

 

[dzorn]

All of the excersion info is starting get mixed together. No one is giving me any info in my family about what they want to do and I just keep re-reading it all. It's starting to be one big blur.

Denise in MI

 

[GuardMusic]

All of the excersion info is starting get mixed together. No one is giving me any info in my family about what they want to do and I just keep re-reading it all. It's starting to be one big blur.

Denise in MI

Denise~ How can we help? I'd give them 3 choices:
1. Book nothing & suffer!
2. Book only what YOU want to do and make them go!
3. Book only what YOU want to do & leave them behind!

Why aren't they providing input? Perhaps a "scheduled family dinner" where this will be the only topic is in order???

 

[dzorn]

I keep getting what ever you want and when I suggest something I get dissenting(sp?) opinions. DMom does not swim well, so snorkeling is out for her. I would love to go snorkeling, or stingray encounters but not sure how DD's would like it. DH just want to relax and hit the beach. Oldest DD has food allergies so I am also concerned with how long the excursions are so she could eat on the ship if possible. Who knew planning a relaxing vacation would be so stressful. I really don't think anyone would care if we just did not leave the boat all week. I thinking a good book and a deck chair is starting to sound great. I think the 10 days we did in WDW in August has DH thinking the same thing. If I don't get any requests or input soon well just wing it. First Cruise if we don't get to do something well just have to go back.

Denise in MI

 

[GuardMusic]

I keep getting what ever you want and when I suggest something I get dissenting(sp?) opinions. DMom does not swim well, so snorkeling is out for her. I would love to go snorkeling, or stingray encounters but not sure how DD's would like it. DH just want to relax and hit the beach. Oldest DD has food allergies so I am also concerned with how long the excursions are so she could eat on the ship if possible. Who knew planning a relaxing vacation would be so stressful. I really don't think anyone would care if we just did not leave the boat all week. I thinking a good book and a deck chair is starting to sound great. I think the 10 days we did in WDW in August has DH thinking the same thing. If I don't get any requests or input soon well just wing it. First Cruise if we don't get to do something well just have to go back.

Denise in MI

Here's one thing I forgot to say, even though I say it to myself "It's OK to NOT do excursions!" Just like when I go to WDW I have to purposefully plan specific time to NOT go to the parks!

1st DCL - No excursions. We decided with only 4 nights (and after doing all 4 parks in 1 day at WDW ) AND not liking Nassau, we decided to not do excursions.

2nd DCL - Took 63 year old mom. No excursions.

3rd DCL (Jan 08) - 1 excursion planned. BF loves snorkeling. Tried to snorkel in Hawaii in Jan., but weather cancelled it. I'm going along, but may not even get out of the boat - who knows.

Let's remember this is VACATION, not an obstacle course! Relax and spend quality time with your family!

I'm one of THOSE planners too & can understand. Maybe look at it through a different lens....

 

[4piglets]

I have just found this listing.We are also sailing on this date.DW(myself),DH,DD9 yrs.,and my DS 5yrs.Does anyone else have children this age?Also I have read about on the cruise thread about fish extenders.Is anyone doing this on this cruise?It looks like fun but I don't want to get one and take it and no one else doing it.Can't wait until January. 4piglets

 

[bryiank]

My DS who will just be 11 will be there. He's looking forward to the lab and the activities. Oh, and the steak, he loves steak. B

 

[Tesanrick]

Hi everyone,

I've just found this board tonight. We will be joining you. Myself, dh, ds(15) and dd(8). It's our first Disney cruise, but we've been on RCCL and Celebrity before.

Looking forward to getting to know you all.

Theresa

 

[dzorn]

Is everyone ready to do their booking tonight?

Denise in MI

 

[jenkh]

Yep . Very Excited

 

[jenkh]

Well i hope everyone got what they wanted. Dreams unlimited didn't apply our payment (even though we paid in full weeks ago) So I guess our hope of eating Palo at out the door

But everyone else share your joy, what did you get?

 

[Ima Princess]

Jenkh,

Don't give up! When I logged in for my friends, I got the same message and i KNOW they called in payment. So I logged out and logged back in, and I was able to book!

Go try again!!!

CC

BTW, I was able to book their catamaran and scuba excursions. FYI Palo Brunch and Tea were already gone, but hope you could get dinner!

 

[jenkh]

Thanks for the pixie dust hope, but I have been trying and am still getting the same message.

Congrats on your bookings though

 

[dzorn]

They still have a few palo reservation available, just checked. Booked Palo for DH and I on Thursday for dinner. Tea and Brunch we of course gone.

Key West- Old Town Trolley on our own or else wing it.
Grand Cayman- Did not book anything may just stay on ship and kick back.
Cozumel- Beach Break- Still up in the air on this one, but booked it.
Castaway Cay- Extreme get away package for 1/2 of us and Stingray adventure for the other 1/2. This way we get three sets of gear for the whole day and we can share. Not sure DMom will want to do stingray but she might just go to see the kids. Will double check with her soon. How deep is it? Dmom does not like to swim.

Spa Treatments for DH and I on a sea day.

Checked in girls for the club/lab.

DMIL called yesterday and wanted me to look up prices for her and 3 GK's to see about going with us. All already have passports except for DN.

Denise in MI

 

[ecomerford]

My family and I are also going.

Me - 39 (but will be the big 4-0 the week before)
DW - 37
DS - 7
DS - 5

I am a true newbie:
- Never cruised
- Only been to WDW once, twenty years ago
- Never really involved with bulletin boards (I said to my wife, "They've got all this DW, DH, stuff... what's that? DIS-Husband, DIS-Wife?" She straightened me out.)

I was really just looking for a fun vacation for our boys that could also be relaxing for my wife and I. Multiple people suggested DCL, so here we are. We actually only booked last week, which I naively thought was plenty of time! Usually my wife arranges trips (she's the ultimate organizer) but she just went back to work (at a start-up @#$!), so I volunteered. Then I found this website and, of course, I have now become obsessed. Is there some kind of 12-Step Program you can refer me to? I can't believe I'm about to insert a smiley face... Wow, I think I'm possessed.

 

[jenkh]

Sorry no 12 step program. We just feed the addiction here lol

After a few hiccups I got all my reservations.

Palo Dinner on Key West night (right before our rotation dinner so we don't miss anything)

Shipwreck & Reef Snorkeling at Grand Cayman (10:30am)
Fury Catamaran Sail, Snorkel and Beach Party on Cozumel (12:45pm)

A bit bummed that parasailing on Castaway Cay were all gone. Hopefully something opens up

 

[ecomerford]

Just got Palo reservations online at 8 am this morning. Not much available -- got Wednesday night, which sounds like either going to be formal (cool) or pirate night (bummer). I guess I should have stayed up until midnight and tried then. No brunch reservations were available. Luckily we plan to fly in the night before and get on board early...

Reserved massage for DW, but otherwise no other activities yet...

 

[bryiank]

We also got the Palo Key West night Palo ressies. How does that work with rotational dining? Do we eat at a particular resturant staurday and Sunday (key West day)? Thanks, B

 

[purplepeg]

Had DH book for us because I was working today. Didn't even think about staying up until midnight. Anyway he said all that was available for Palo was 9-11 pm everynight. We got Sunday(Key West day) at 9pm. Signed the kids up for the club. We keep reinforcing no br (accidents to dd3 (as we didn't hear her knocking on the door and she peed all over the front step), poor kid The plan is to stay on board so the kids can swim on port days. We'll see how that works out. What about these fish extenders? What are they and why do you need one? Also I have a question about your day bag on the last night and flying out the next day. Do you just open your checked luggage at the port and put the razer and shampoo etc in? Any advice? It's harder now with the airline rules. Seems so real now, can't wait til Jan.

 

[dzorn]

I did stay up till midnight and was still only able to get a 9pm reservation for Palo on Thursday, may try to change it when we board. We are wait listed for first seating but now DH thinks second may be best. My kids usually go to bed early so I'm not sure about this. Youngest DD begged to stay up and watch new Spongebob last night (pm our time) but when I looked in on her she was out by 8:20 so I am concerned with second seating.

PurplePeg I'm still reinforing no accidents and DD is 6, she waits till her bladder is about to burst till she stops what she is doing and runs to the bathroom, heaven forbid if someone is in there or in her way. I keep telling her they won't let you stay in the clubs if you have accidents. Not a problem when I'm around cause I remind her to go often.
I think I got this correct.

Port Ashore Onboard Dinner Shows
Saturday Port Canaveral 4pm Casual All Aboard
Sunday Key West 12:30am 7pm Casual
Monday At Sea Formal Golden Mickeys
Tuesday Grand Caymen 7:30 AM 4:30pm Casual Twice Charmed
Wednesday Cozumel 8:30am 6:30pm Pirate Pirate Deck Party
Thursday At Sea Semi-Formal Disney Dreams
Friday Castaway Cay 9:30am 4:30pm Casual Remember the Magic
Saturday Port Canaveral 7:35am


We are still up in the air about where to stay the night before. I have reservations for Residence Inn, but still might stay in Disney.

Denise in MI