January 26 2008 - Western

[dzorn]

Noticed it on another thread. So happy we got DVC. Big appeal to DH is if we deciede to go somewhere other that the world we have options. Still may try to get him to rebook on board withour point for Jan 09. We already had vacation plans for spring 08 with his parents. He would like to do WLV next December but I would like to go AKL for our first DVC trip.

Still looking at which shore excersions to take. Would like to pick just one for family then DM and DSis can deciede which they would like to see. Also trying to see if DD will be too freaked out to snorkle with the sting rays. DMom does not like to swim but enjoys the beach.

Denise in MI

 

[dzorn]

Wow - looks like I might be the senior crusier here! (Before you picture the gray hair, I'm in my early 30s!)

Gayle

I plead the 5th, but no you won't be.

Denise in MI

 

[Billybob7]

I plead the 5th, but no you won't be.

Denise in MI

I am 40 and my DW is in her mid 30's.

 

[dzorn]

Dh, you and I will have something in common but not for atleast 7 more weeks.

Since this is our first cruise and comming in from Michigan I think we will fly in the day before. Anyone that has cruised before reccomend a hotel that has a nice pool for the kiddos. DH wants to stay near port.

Also for those that have been is there an Applebees in Cocoa Beach? DD has food allergies and I know she can have the chicken from here.

Densie in MI

 

[dduffin]

Looks like we have some fellow passengers. We are also doing the Western from 1/26 to 2/2. We have 3 rooms with 11 people total going. We absolutely can't wait. We range in ages from 11 years old to (I'm not allowed to say, my parents would kill me ) but we are 3 generations worth.

 

[dzorn]

I knew better than to post Mom's and Sis age also.

Denise in MI

 

[purplepeg]

Nice to hear from so many fellow cruisers. I'm getting so excited our final payment is this month. We booked through Air Canada Vacations so we fly in the day before. We leave at 5:30 AM but get in at 1PM. We're staying at Port Orleans Riverside. We've never stayed there so looking forward to it. We thought we'd hit Downtown Disney and grab a bite to eat. We'll probably have an early night due to the early flight. We'll take the bus the cruise line provides to the port. Does anyone know what time it usually takes you to the port? Does it really make a difference to get to the port early? Thanks for any and all info.

 

[GuardMusic]

PurplePeg~

Welcome aboard! I've stayed at POR on 4 different trips. It's a wonderful resort for the night prior the cruise. In fact, when we did land/sea last time, we stayed at POR. Let me know if you need some photos or have questions. (I definitely recommend a nice breakfast at Boatwrights the morning of the cruise!)

I believe the bus picked up at POR around 12:15pm, but we had to be "checked-in" for the bus earlier, like maybe 11:30 or 11:45am? It didn't matter because we had to have our luggage ready by 8am for pick-up.

There are a few reasons to get to the ship early: 1) get Palo reservations if you don't get them online, 2) request alternate dining rotation, if the one you are assigned doesn't meet your needs, 3) spa &/or salon reservations you didn't get online or aren't available online, 4) simply to start your "cruise" early!

In Sept. we were on the first bus from the airport to the port. I liked getting there early, but did NOT enjoy waiting in the crowded and noisy terminal to begin boarding. When we left from POR, initial boarding was already complete, so we were able to simply walk on the ship with no hustle & bustle.


Gayle

 

[purplepeg]

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.

 

[dzorn]

Purplepeg,

We love it at POR stayed there the past two years. Take the boat to or from Downtown Disney if you have the time it doesn't take much longer than the bus and is very enjoyable. I would have prefered to stay here but DH wants to stay near port. We are not taking the DCL but but renting a car.

We also had a wonderful dinner at Boatwrights prime rib was great.

Not sure the best time for Palo, still trying to figure that one out myself. You can request a change in dining rotation if you do not like what you were assigned (early or late) if you like what you have your all set.

Is everyone dressing up for the pirate party?
Denise in MI

 

[dzorn]

Finally booked our air, flying in the day before. Dh still wants to stay near port at the Residence Inn so I can cook one last meal for DD, who has food allergies. I may talk him into a Disney hotel since they can accomidate her diet. Would like to spend some time in DD then head to port. DMom will probably be missing the casino on the cruise so I did debate dropping her off at the casino boat the night before we leave.

Cannot wait until the 12th to start booking things. Not sure what yet though.

Denise in MI

 

[purplepeg]

The other day I thought I'd browse through a western itinery of navigators. Boy am I in trouble. I started to cry when I got to the last day's navigator because it was coming to an end. If this is me just reading about it what am I going to be like when I finally get there I am getting so excited, can't wait for Nov 12.

 

[dzorn]

I'm already packing the girls clothes. I need to rotate to their winter things in drawers so I packing the outfits that I think I'll take separately. Hopefully they still fit come Jan. they are both growing like weeds and of course you cannot find summer clothes this time of year. If I get enthusiastic I may make them a few disney themed capri sets for Christmas. I just love when they have matching outfits. It's so hard to pack. Given when we are going I really need a few outfits incase it is cooler in the evening. DH thinks I overpack for WDW wait till he sees the number of suitcases now.
Trying to think of small things to get Mom & Sis to go along with the cruise. Maybe I'll pick them up some pirate stuff for Pirate nite.

Can anyone else suggest something other than clothes to give them for Chirstmas?

Denise in MI

 

[GuardMusic]

First to dzorn: I'd suggest some Disney Pins. Many people will be wearing them on their lanyards (us included) and it will make them feel like the "in crowd". We also make our own laminated luggage tags for the trip. I also highly recommend the Passporter pocket sets to log events of the days: http://www.passporterstore.com/store/0966899434.aspx

For EVERYONE else - well, we did it! We booked our excursions last night at midnight:

• Palo at 7pm on Wed./Cozumel Day
• Shipwreck Reef Snorkeling on Grand Cayman 10:30am
• BFF to Spa for pedicure & foot treatment Key West morning

I hope to add a salon appointment when I get on the ship too. So what all is everyone else booking???
Gayle

 

[jenkh]

Lucky you!!


Since this is my first DCL cruise I still have a 2 week wait until I can book, but I will be posting as soon as I do.

Its exciting how close it is now

 

[feshie1100]

Hi, this is my first ever visit and post to this website. My sister just raves about it, so I thought I'd check it out. My immediate family and parents are going on the Jan. 26, 2008 cruise. This is our 2nd time on this itinerary, and we love it! I would like to know if there are any kids close in age to mine that will also be aboard. My daughter will be 11 and my son 7. Look forward to chatting!
-Stephanie

 

[dzorn]

Alas, our first cruise so we have to wait till the 12th to book excursions, though I still have not decided what they are.

DH is taking the 12th off so we can stay up late and book.

Key West I pretty sure that we are just going to do the trolley tour on our own they head back to the ship to relax.

Grand Caymen thinking of one of the sting ray city trips.

Will try to book Palo for dinner. Couples Spa treatment for DH and I.

Other than that not sure.

What dining time does everyone have. We have late seating.

Denise in MI


I saw this and couldn't resist.

 

[dzorn]

DSis and both DD's already have lanyards and pins. Oldest DD got pins before last trip and refused to trade any of them. She though I was nuts for wanting her to trade. Youngest was trading every two seconds it seemed. But they would make great stocking stuffers so will the luggage tags. Thanks.

Denise in MI

 

[bryiank]

Bryian, DW Karen, DS Christopher and my DM Alice are all on the 1/26 cruise too. I am really surprised that my mom agreed to come along. She doesn't fly so we will be on I-95 the day before and overnight in St. Augustine. We plan on going to the Fountain of Youth (we might need it by then) Saturday morning and then covering the last 2 hours to be at the port 12:30-ish. We have late seating which we need to change due to a diabetic in our party so we will be doing that first thing. We are looking at the butterfly farm tour in Grand Cayman and Tulum in Cozumel. We will probably just walk through Key West on our own. My energy packed 11 tr. old DS will probably be the leader of the pack in OL. We can't wait either.

 

[Ima Princess]

We'll be onboard with you!

Myself and DH, plus DD8.5 and DD3. We're traveling with friends who have DD8 and DD7. Looks like there's a lot of DDs on this ship!

This is our 3rd cruise (2nd DCL plus a Carnival Western from our pre-kids days...).

Having a 3yo somewhat limits the excursion options, but here are our plans:
Key West -- on our own
Grand Cayman -- one of the semi-subs, plus we plan to do the Butterfly Farm on our own
Cozumel -- we booked the Dolphin Swim on our own for DH & DD8, plus DD3 & I will do the tamer version
Castaway -- parasailing for DH, plus float and snorkle rentals

Our friends will do some of the same, but in Cozumel they're doing the Catamaran.

What are you most looking forward to?? I'm a SAH mom, so for me it's the possibility to relax on the deck with my friend, a cool drink and uninterrupted conversation knowing that our DDs are having a blast in the club!

See you in 3 months! Happy Halloween!

CC