January 26 2008 - Western

[melsmom12]

How on earth did it take me so long to post something here?!?!? I can't believe how soon we're leaving to get onboard! I'm stressed, but soooo excited!

I'm Allie, 35, cruising with my wonderful DD who is 2.5 years old. My DH can't make it, he has to work, which is very very sad. But we will be in good hands with my mom, stepdad, sister, BIL, nephew-7, and niece-11. We did this same cruise, same itinerary, 2 years ago this same week. It was so magical for us that we couldn't stay away, so here we are again!

I think I am almost ready to start packing. Our house is so small that it's hard to get the suitcases out already, but I feel like I want to start getting things ready. I spent wayyyyy too much $$ at Target last week, buying all sorts of odds and ends for me and DD. Fortunately, it's stuff we'll use again.

Is anyone else travling with an older toddler/younger preschooler? I'd love to meet up, we can hang out at the shallow part of the Mickey Pool! Thank goodness DD mastered her potty training in time for the cruise, she would have been brokenhearted if she couldn't swim.

Anybody packed yet?

 

[Billybob7]

Anybody packed yet?

Not packed yet, but DW is so stressed about it, I think we'll start over the weekend.

 

[dzorn]

DH off monday will pack then, and sure make a few more shopping trips tue to get anything last minute. Our high this Sat is for 10 F not counting the wind chill. I how I long to feel some warm sun shine.

Denise in MI

 

[runmom]

I better start packing this weekend, just tried on a bathing suit! OMG...lets not go there - going to buy a cover up! Kids can't wait But now they are predicting snow for next Thursday (we fly out Fri...) I know I shouldn't panic, they can't call the weather for the next day, let alone a week away - I'm sure we'll get out fine... can't wait to feel the warmth of the sunshine either.

Allie, you did this itinerary already- any tips? or excursions we shouldn't miss? thinking of doing Stingray City in Grand Cayman - I know I have to decide by Wednesday - we might do it on our own thru the tour operators - but I really want time to go to 7-mile beach.

Who's doing early/late seating. We have late seating, I hate to eat that late, but I also don't want to rush the day, I always figure we'll just eat a really late lunch, 4:30 or so, then see the show (my friend is an actress on the ship!!) then do dinner - then no night activities I'm sure we'll be too tired b/c up early to get the day going, but I'm wondering if its worth it to try to switch to early seating? any thoughts.

Looking forward...! Nicole

 

[melsmom12]

Allie, you did this itinerary already- any tips? or excursions we shouldn't miss? thinking of doing Stingray City in Grand Cayman - I know I have to decide by Wednesday - we might do it on our own thru the tour operators - but I really want time to go to 7-mile beach.

Hey, Nicole! Well, I wish I had more to tell you about the excursions, but traveling with a 9 month old last time didn't leave much room for big trips. We did scuba dive in Grand Cayman, it was wonderful. We did the 1-day PADI license (I think that's what it's called!) where you take a short class in the dive center and then a short lesson in the water and then you get to go dive around the shipwreck.

We didn't go to Cozumel because of the hurricane damage 2 years ago, so we went to Nassau. I'm MUCH more looking forward to Cozumel. Hopefully some other people will have tips here or on the mail DCL forum for you.

FYI, we are doing the early seating for dinner, it just works better for us. But I think there are advantages of eating later, too, like you said.

 

[purplepeg]

We're doing the late seating but I think I will inquire about changing(if possible) to early seating. There was no availability when we booked. We'll be happy with whatever we end up with. I've started packing the girls(7 and 3) and hope to get me done this weekend. DH is on his own Is it too late to order baskets from the perfect gift ? How much do the sandpails run? It probably depends on what's in it?

 

[JENR]

We're doing the late seating but I think I will inquire about changing(if possible) to early seating. There was no availability when we booked. We'll be happy with whatever we end up with. I've started packing the girls(7 and 3) and hope to get me done this weekend. DH is on his own Is it too late to order baskets from the perfect gift ? How much do the sandpails run? It probably depends on what's in it?[/QUOT

You still have time to order baskets. I ordered a small sand pail for my neice with some princess stuff in it. That pail was @ $30. My daughters was more because I got a tote bag with underwater camera and teen magazines ($60) My boys I got a large pail with snorkels sets and autograph books with pens and snacks that basket is for two kids that one was about $(100) But I added alot to it so it just depends on what you want. They are very helpful when you call.

 

[JENR]

We also have a late dinner seating. We have had that the last few times and it worked out very well. We didn't feel rushed and the kids could take a nap b/f dinner if they needed it. We didn't think we would like it but we do.

As far as excursions, this is the first time I ever booked them. I always had a baby but now my baby if 4 so we are doing the Eco Outrage tour in Cayman which is a boat that takes you to stingray City, Starfish Beach, Rum Point Beach, they will do fishing and pull you on tubes also so it sounds really fun. In Cozumel we are doing the dune buggy tour. I am hoping it is not too long of a day for my kids but it sounds fun.

I am so excited.

My boys are both sick so I am taking them to the doctor today. I guess it is better this week than next. They are not running fevers but one has a bad cough and the other has been really stuffy for over 2 weeks so I am thinking maybe it has turned into a sinus infection or something. I really want to get them checked out before we leave.

I still have to finish packing so hopefully I will get to it this weekend. I have all kinds of stuff thrown in suitcases so I have to just go through it all and hopefully take some stuff out. I don't want to overpack. I will probably do laundry b/c I have done that on our 4 night cruises so I know I will have to do it on the longer cruise.

 

[maggiesueb]

I always figure we'll just eat a really late lunch, 4:30 or so, then see the show

Nicole,
FYI the main restaurants and buffets are not open at 4:30. Your choices at that time would be 1) room service 2) Hot dogs/burgers 3) Pizza

Margaret B.

 

[purplepeg]

Thanks for the info JENR it is much appreciated

 

[dzorn]

Finally went and got a new pair of heels. I just hope I don't break an ankle it's been so long since I wore them.

Just think by this time next. Oh warm weather I cannot wait.

Denise in MI

 

[dzorn]

Current weather

Cape Canaveral 82 feels like 85
Key West 81 feels like 83
Detroit 16 feels like -3 and getting colder

Oh I cannot wait

Denise in MI

 

[runmom]

Current weather

Cape Canaveral 82 feels like 85
Key West 81 feels like 83
Detroit 16 feels like -3 and getting colder

Oh I cannot wait

Denise in MI

OOOHH wahoo! thanks for the info as I look out onto our snow - melting as it is - I'm soooo overwhelmed by my packing, all I've done so far is count out everyone's medicine (allergy pills and such!) i have refregerated medicine I now have to bring along and I'm nervous... injectable, first time ever traveling w/it - I'm nervous I'll get stopped w/needles and all, I guess I need to bring a note or something. Margaret, thanks for the info on the restaurants, I'm figuring room service or salads at the pool side right? how long does room service usually take? and my mom was just asking me, b/c her sig other doesn't really like the late dinner -you can always eat at Topsiders instead of your dinning rotation right? is it served or buffet? thanks all - need to pack instead of being on the boards - going now...! nic

 

[JENR]

How are you taking your refridgerated meds. I just took ds4 to the doctor. He has a sinus infection. He had to take Imoxicillian for 2 weeks. It needs to be refridgerated. How do I do that? I know once I get to the ship they have a fridge, but what till then?

 

[seventhc]

Hey guys!

This is Ima Princess (me, DH, DD8, DD3 plus friends)! I had to get a new DIS account because the other day I updated the address on file with DIS and since then I've been unable to post, send PMs, etc. It's been driving me crazy, especially seeing all of you post that your docs arrived!

Happy to say our docs arrived, too!!

I need to post a few more times to get my post count up on this new account, so bear with me!

CC

 

[seventhc]

If I had known that updating my email address would cause such problems, I would've waited until we returned. The real problem is not so much that my email address changed, but more that DIS is having trouble sending emails, and I need to get an email in order to confirm my new address.

Funny that an email confirmation isn't required to start a new account...

CC
aka Ima Princess

 

[seventhc]

DH decided today to cancel his parasailing on Castaway.

I just got an email from DIS support, so hopefully the steps they provide will allow me to post again as Ima Princess! (sure beats "formerly known as Ima Princess...)

CC

 

[jenkh]

Why did you DH cancel parasailing?

Glad to hear everything will be sorted out with your DIS name

 

[purplepeg]

Runmom I think a Dr's note saying what the medication and needles are for should be good to show security. I'm sure there are lots of diabetic people out there that travel with insulin and needles. Imaprincess how about a freezer pack in a small insulated lunch bag? Do you think that would work?
Thank for the weather update. I can't wait for warmer weather

 

[runmom]

How are you taking your refridgerated meds. I just took ds4 to the doctor. He has a sinus infection. He had to take Imoxicillian for 2 weeks. It needs to be refridgerated. How do I do that? I know once I get to the ship they have a fridge, but what till then?

My son is also on Amox, we go the chewable pill kind, he'll only have 2 days left once we board, there is a 'cooling box' in the room, don't know how cold it stays tho, but I would do the ice pack for the airplane, that is what I'm going to do, and hopefully you'll have a fridge in your hotel for the night before, its such a pain! did your son have a sinus infection? mine had strep, and now my youngest seems congested.. i'm watching him like a hawk, and he is invited to a b'day party tomorrow can't decide if I'm sending him b/c I"m a bit germaphobic.

Anybody wearing jeans (nice w/cute sandles) to casual nights at dinner? Just saw a thread about that, and it said it was ok, what are the dress codes/nights for dinner? does anyone know which night is what, its taking me forever to try on what I want to bring, I can't believe I'll be wearing warm weather clothes in a week, right now I'm freezing, thinking of bringing some sweaters for the ship, do you think I"ll need them, what about pants for port days, or will I want shorts/skorts? thanks! Nicole