January 4, 2003!!!!

[beautyandbeast]

crusnprincesses, I have a couple of formal gowns. But only one I know for sure fits. The other had a tough time zipping it up last time! I'll need to try it so I can send it off to be cleaned if it does fit. I am definately trying to pack lighter this time around. I usually take things I don't even end up wearing! Has anyone thought of where we all are going to meet up once on board. Maybe some evening?

Lynda

 

[sandygirl]

I'm not sure what I will be wearing formal night. Probably whatever fits, like some of you.

I do know that DD will be the most beautiful Princess at the ball because she is getting a Cinderella dress as a Christmas gift. Don't tell!!

DH has one choice - his suit. He'd be just as happy to forgo, but I look forward to dressing up and enjoying the evening. Even if it does mean pantyhose, a-a-a-h!

 

[mmouse37]

I can actually get away with black knee highs for my two outfits...yeah!!!! Would even go without those except I hate the feeling of my feet sticking to the shoes...would use powder except powder and a black dress = trouble!!!

MJ

 

[Dani's mom]

Hi again!

We haven't gotten our docs yet but I did manage to find out our stateroom number - 7564. Good room, yes? I can't believe how excited we all are - and I'd really love to meet up with you all if you decide to do that.

I want to order something special for Dani - her 15th birthday is Jan 7 and I have contacted Shirley at the Perfect Gift. But I think I need some ideas on what to order. Dani is a Pooh freak - what else do I need to tell Shirley to get a wonderful gift basket?

Thanks ahead of time for your help. Man, I love this!

Laura

 

[Cheryl N. WI]

A friend of mine from work is making me a long formal dress! She made a couple for some of our co-workers for our Christmas party and they were all so beautiful I asked her if she'd be able to make me one for our cruise and she started on it 2 nights ago! I have been looking through my closet trying to figure out which night to wear what other than formal night. My concern is trying to figure out which shoes to wear - I'd like to have to bring as few pairs of shoes as possible but some of my dresses are dark and will require black shoes while some are lighter and will need white or off white shoes or a dressier sandal. DH has been laughing at me as I try to get this all figured out. At least DD has plenty of dresses (we bought her a few on clearance at the end of summer and she got a very nice long dress for formal night when JC Penneys recently had a great sale). DH does not have a tux, just the suit he got for our other cruise 2 years ago.

Does anyone else have first seating for dinner?

I have been studying MJ's dining rotation charts trying to figure out what night to go to Palo for each different rotation so that we'll be prepared. Also debating if we should do the brunch (that means another nice outfit LOL). At first I didn't think we would because of trying to fit everything in but now I'm thinking we will, after reading Alex's report of how good it was on the 12/7 thread.

Candy have you heard from Joanna yet? I sure hope all is well with her!

MJ our Belle is a chocolate lab; she is 19 months old and still very full of that puppy energy but basically she is a very good dog! Labs make such great family dogs don't they. DD was just saying how she is going to miss her "sister" when we are on the cruise. We are very lucky we have friends that take her when we go on vacation and then we watch their dog for them when they go.

Cheryl

 

[crusnprincesses]

Cheryl,
go with a sandal for formal gown...you can never pack enough shoes!! HaHa
I actually mentioned the dress thing 'cuz I don't want people pointing and laughing at us!! Just a bunch of crazy canucks, that's all!! No idea what our rotation is, this is totally seat of the pants flying here...

Listen, I need some help....My best friend in the universe just got off the phone with me, and wants to come on the cruise!!! They moved to Bangkok in August, her daughter is my dd's best buddy too, so we've all been pining. Does anyone know how I could get a ressie now? I know DCL is closed, it is 2:00am here, and my TA is closed for weekend. Any number for asian side of the world to call?
If we can pull this off, it will definately be a "magical" moment...we won't tell the kids we are meeting up, just let them hear their respective names called out on embarking,,,come to think of it, that would make a great Disney commercial!

 

[disneygal58]

Cruiznprincess,
I highly recommend the amazing group of people at Dreams Unlimited. They are kind, enthusiastic and bend over backwards for their clients ( and accessible 7 days a week). Good luck.
We're off the a weekend at the World in a mere 8 hours and then we all meet up on the cruise THREE WEEKS from today!!!

Dawn Hope

 

[Lisa F]

I agree, email DU. They are not 24 hours a day but the response time is incredible! I transferred my reservation to them and both Donna and Cathy have been absolutely wonderful. Their prices are also a bit better than DCL's (for that cruise at least) AND they do give a rebate.

I just checked Disney's website and they look like they have some cat 11's available at the great price (half the price of a cat 10). You can always book through the website as well, but the prices at DU are a little better.

Good luck!

Lisa

 

[cottoncandy]

Just a quick note bfore I head out to work.
We have early seating for dinner only because we eat around 4:30- 5:00 at home. The kids eat school lunch at 10:30. I'm hoping that this doesn't interfere with anything cool going on.
I have yet to hear from Joanna. I try calling her house every day. Maybe they are away on a mini vacation before the big one.
Well I must go for now. Have to get everybody smelling good for Christmas.(work is Bath andBody Works). I will pick up antibacterial gels for anyone to have with on the trip if you let me know.


Candy

 

[mmouse37]

Lisa...labs really are the best!!!! Our next door neighbor also has a yellow lab, and there is one that lives up the stree also.

Our next door neihbor and us always watch either other's labs. It works out great!!! Daisy's friend is called Bailey....

Putting more things in the "cruise box" as I think of them!!!!

MJ

 

[beautyandbeast]

Hey your room is right across the hall from us. We're 7565! We're right in the middle so you won't feel to much movement. Word of advice, if you've not been on a ship before you might want to bring some dramamine. They sell it at the gift shops but it's rather pricey as opposed to the drugstore. My daughter and I usually need it the first day, but usually thats it. We've learned to take it right when we sail so it's in effect by the time were cruisin'. On our first cruise we had Annimators Palate for dinner the first night and she missed it because she was to motion sick to stay in the dinning room. She (Shaylee) would still love to hear from Dani before the cruise if she gets a chance.

I know what you mean about the shoe thing, it seems that no matter how hard I try, I never end up with less than 4 pairs in my suitcase!!

Lynda

 

[mmouse37]

Speaking of shoes....I wish I still had the picture, but my two DD's shared a cabin with two of their friends on our recent August Magic cruise. So, four girls aged 18, 17, 15,14...can you guess how many shoes were in that cabin!!! They had them lined up on the window ledge, along the whole length on top of the couch, along the front of couch on the floor, in the closet...they literally had to be 30+ pairs of shoes between the four of them. It was a running joke with the room steward all week!!!

MJ

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

crusnprincesses, don't sweat the French thing--I just know my daughter loves learning new languages, and will probably be the kid you see pestering the foreign counselors! That would be great if your friends can come along--what a fantastic surprise!

LOL mmouse37--all those girls, I'm surprised the bath and a half was enough for them! Maybe the steward needs to learn to make "shoe animals" to go with the "towel animals"...

Is anyone else having a tough time getting psyched for Christmas because they're too psyched for the cruise? I didn't put up half my decorations, just because it's just that much more I would have to take down before we leave. I'm sure the late Thanksgiving and being pregnant isn't helping at all, but I wondered if anyone else was having a tough time with the holiday spirit. So much packing, so little time...

We're not doing actual formal wear (although I will see if I still fit in my one gown, I haven't gained any weight). I'm also bringing at least one princess gown for my DD--I make them for Halloween, and she still fits in last year's (Belle) as well as this year's (Aurora). I'll have to throw in a couple bathing suits among the shoes and dresses!

 

[CindyAnn]

Hi January 4th cruisers. I'm glad to hear that some of you also sound a little crazed. We got our cruise docs about 10 days ago, and our cabin # is 6044. I think we're very close to someone else on this thread, but I won't take the time to read through all the previous pages right now. DD (6) is also planning to pack a "formal" Belle/Aurora/Ariel dress and I think will wear her Minnie Mouse dress for the character breakfast. I finally found a new outfit for myself for formal night (black with long gold jacket), and picked up DS (9) 's new suit yesterday, so we're all set. If DH can just manage to get his navy blazer for semi-formal nights to the dry cleaner, I can forget about the dressy stuff. I don't think I can get away with fewer than 5 pairs of shoes per person, though - water shoes, sandals, two pairs of runners, and dressy shoes. That sounds like a whole suitcase on its own, doesn't it? We need the 2 pairs of runners since we're heading to WDW for 6 days before the cruise, but maybe we can each leave a pair in the car along with our dirty laundry.

Strangely enough, my 6yo DD Mallory is in a French Immersion (all day every day) program and would love to yatter in French with all the other little girls.

I have about a hundred "to do" things in my mind, so I have to go off to my packing list and add everything else I can think of. Oh yeah - Christmas! I've done most of the shopping and decorating, so we're just down to baking and wrapping and last minute shopping for now. Since Christmas is huge in our family, that's still at least 10 things to buy, but I'm way down from my original count. I'm not sure that I'll ever plan a vacation again where we leave on December 27th. Last year we left on January 4th and it was very civilized, with more than a week to prepare after Christmas.

AAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHH!

 

[crusnprincesses]

So...I called DCL at 9am, panicking that they were sold out! But alas, we got a cabin reserved for them, and will get it picked up by cruisemax on monday. I used dreams on our second cruise, but I am a slave to the telephone, and freak if I can't pick up a phone and talk to a real,live person! I will se if their rates are better though, just in case. Now all they have to do is find airfare from Bangkok, and back to Montreal. Unfortunately, no direct flights! Please send pixie dust our way everyone!

Not much Christmas spirit in the decorating department here either, we will be spending it and New Years at AKL with the magical concierge staff. I'm not even motivated to put up a tree...it would have to come down 2 days later, practically!

My dd will be thrilled to know how many other princesses will be on board!
CindyAnn- We show in T.O all the time, our home away from home every other weekend in summer, whereabouts in T.O are you?

 

[Cheryl N. WI]

I must admit I am looking more forward to the cruise than CHristmas. I have all the shopping done except for a few little things but nothing is wrapped yet. The house is decorated almost as much as usual only because we were supposed to have friends over tomorrow (or is it now today) but then they all cancelled because of other things coming up and one of the families has a stomach virus going through their house (and they weren't on the Magic) and we don't want their germs. If only I had known this would be cancelled I wouldn't have spent most of last Sunday decorating, I would have kept it bare bones this year Oh well. I probably won't actually bake many cookies until after Christmas because my brothers and sisters and families won't be getting together to celebrate our family Christmas until Dec. 28th and I usually make plates of cookies for my 7 adult nieces and nephews and I want the cookies to be fresh. Now that I know were not having any company I think I'll start pulling out the suitcases and slowly start throwing things in them as I think of them and unfortunately it will probably end up being about 4 pairs of shoes a piece for the 3 of us - all those shoes just take up so much room in the suitcase LOL.

Cheryl

 

[crusnprincesses]

My BF and I ALWAYS have a "shoe bag", be it a duffle or full sized suitcase, which is exclusively for our shoes. Isn't that sick?! We are actually racking up long distance bills fretting about what to bring! If only I could be like those DISers I read about who bring a pair of shorts, tank top, and sweatshirt for a week long cruise. Alas, this is not to be, I will be the dishelved and distraught one dragging the 15 suitcases up the gangplank...forget the green ribbon, look for the pile of luggage! Tomorrow we find out if our friends get airfare arrangements made.....I really want to make this happen for our kids.
Crossing fingers, toes, and anything else that will help!

 

[mmouse37]

Just got in the door from work, but had to check the DIS!!!! It is very addictive!!!

Anyway, at our local Dollar store I saw shoe holders that hang like a hanger on the bar on the closet (not over the door kind). I think they held 6 or 8 pair of shoes and I was thinking of getting one for each of us since they are only a buck each.

Anything to keep the clutter down and I know the girls will need it their cabin!!!

I will also bring the regular over the door shoe holder for all the other misc. stuff we bring along!!!

I am excited about Christmas, but more excited about the cruise. We have the tree up and house decorated, still have to make my chocoate covered pretzels (much easier than cookies) and two dishes to bring to my moms for Christmass Eve. I get to host 25 people at our house for Christmas Day!!!!

MJ


MJ

 

[Lisa F]

I still have christmas, 1 night at universal studios and 5 nights at WDW to get through before we can cruise (ha, such problems!) I have to admit that the cruise is what I am looking forward to the most. Been preoccupied the past few days trying to dress my husband for the cruise (mostly looking for a good deal on tux shirts and found some, yeah!) I guess I should try to get my christmas shopping done too, huh?

Lisa

 

[sandygirl]

It's been fun reading about all the different DISer's plans for the holidays and the cruise. I fall into the "not fully decorating because I have to pack" category. My DD5 is a social and holiday butterfly, so I did more than I wanted to for her sake.

I'm mentally packing but won't put anything in the suitcase until the day before. Lists help, but if I start putting things in too soon I forget what I put in already. Last year I had all the sunscreen together in one spot so I wouldn't forget it and my DH moved it. Of course it got left behind and I had to buy more $$ on the ship. He's learning not to "help" me.

DD5 has grown so much since summer she has very little to pack. I'm thinking about buying her water shoes and an extra bathing suit in Key West. Can't find any here in the winter and did find some on-line but would rather have her try them on. Has anyone shopped in Key West? What do you think?