January 5, 2013 Fantasy Cruise to the Western Caribbean

[FamilyG]

Hi - really looking forward to the cruise and this site is great for getting tips. We are from Manchester, England and I am cruising with my wife who celebrates her 40th birthday and my 3 kids (two boys aged 6 and 12 and a girl aged 9). We have done disney in Orlando before and loved every minute of it.

Staying for a week in orlando before the cruise with a mix of US and Disney with New Years Eve at Disney Studios and a Orlando Magic Basketball game against Chicago Bulls.

Only just found out about fish extenders and tipping procedures, etc. Any advice or tips appreciated particularly on:

(a) Weather in Orlando and the hopefully warming up a bit on the cruise as it heads south;

(b) Will our 12 yo boy find it easy to get along with kids it the Edge (he is confident);

(c) We can start booking excursions, etc. next week - will we get much choice do you think.

Can't come soon enough now

G

 

[glasslipper]

my thoughts exactly

 

[momof2minnies]

Linda,

I am so sorry this is happening to you and your SIL. Maybe talk within your family - if it is ok with treatment, this may be exactly what you and your family need. My best hope and desires for a successful and speedy remission.

Best,
Susan

Susan thank you so much for the kind words- It does look like we are all in for the cruise-my brother is the one I thought would say no way too much going on but it looks like he's ready.

My parents don't know about SIL yet. She has some more tests then they will tell them.I had 2nd lumpectomy yesteday-if it doesn't work, mastectomy after the cruise-ugh!

Thanks again,
Linda

 

[Finkelly]

Hi everyone! I have been lurking but only due to selfish reasons. My family is on this cruise but it is their christmas present/surprise. They wont be getting much for gifts that morning because I want to save all extra $$ for cruise so I have to hold out. But it is getting very hard!! We are close enough that I thought it safe to join, but I have to be careful. My daughter is a disney fanatic like me and is always on the computer looking at things. She makes all our dining reservations and plans our days. I booked Art of Animation as an additional surpise for before the cruise and she already found that resee!! So I must be very careful. I will also join facebook as well (thanks morgan!). Here is our info:

Me, Kelly 40ish
Husband, Mark Sr 40ish
DD Franchesca 14
DS Mark Jr 12

Our second cruise. We go to Disney in february every year (for the last 14 years so we are WDW experts but not DCL experts) Had to squeeze in another cruise before my kids are at the ages they can't enjoy the clubs together. We are going to WDW the week before the cruise and are very excited about being there for the holiday decorations. My kids know about the WDW trip, just not the cruise yet. I plan on doing a scavenger hunt, as some of you have described, on christmas morning to make the experience last longer. So of course I am interested in FE as well. Will join as soon as given my cabin number which should be any day. Can't wait to get to know everyone!!

 

[Morsel (Chris/Lynn)]

Susan thank you so much for the kind words- It does look like we are all in for the cruise-my brother is the one I thought would say no way too much going on but it looks like he's ready.

My parents don't know about SIL yet. She has some more tests then they will tell them.I had 2nd lumpectomy yesteday-if it doesn't work, mastectomy after the cruise-ugh!

Thanks again,
Linda

Glad to hear you all are a go for the cruise. Sometimes talking things over can give new light. Remember I said previously never to think negative, always think postive. Enjoy the cruise and don't worry about what follows until the cruise is over.

Chris

 

[Morsel (Chris/Lynn)]

Hey all... ok so I have been rediculously busy since January. My wife and I actually decided to open TWO stores! First venture into business outside of the house. We have a travel office and my screen printing and embroidery business. On the screen printing side, we have also just purchased a brand new screen press and have been very busy with that.

I know we were planning the shirts, and I am still willing to do them and can get a link up very soon so you may purchase them. Let me know if you are still interested.

On the down side, we may not be able to do this cruise after all. Besides the two businesses that I am trying to get off the ground, and I working 3 other jobs. One of them is I took my teaching position back, though only teaching the senior class 5 days a week, but that week is the one before mid-term exams. TOUGH one to bail on. I am trying to work something out with the principal to perhaps give the exam early. Add to this all the trips I have had to take for the travel business and yeah, it's been busy. I am going to Jamaica next week and will have to make a decision when I get back. But as I said, I would love to do the shirts whether or not I am able to wear one myself.

Lynn and I are still a go for the shirts. I'll be looking for the link.

Chris

 

[Morsel (Chris/Lynn)]

Hi everyone! I have been lurking but only due to selfish reasons. My family is on this cruise but it is their christmas present/surprise. They wont be getting much for gifts that morning because I want to save all extra $$ for cruise so I have to hold out. But it is getting very hard!! We are close enough that I thought it safe to join, but I have to be careful. My daughter is a disney fanatic like me and is always on the computer looking at things. She makes all our dining reservations and plans our days. I booked Art of Animation as an additional surpise for before the cruise and she already found that resee!! So I must be very careful. I will also join facebook as well (thanks morgan!). Here is our info:

Me, Kelly 40ish
Husband, Mark Sr 40ish
DD Franchesca 14
DS Mark Jr 12

Our second cruise. We go to Disney in february every year (for the last 14 years so we are WDW experts but not DCL experts) Had to squeeze in another cruise before my kids are at the ages they can't enjoy the clubs together. We are going to WDW the week before the cruise and are very excited about being there for the holiday decorations. My kids know about the WDW trip, just not the cruise yet. I plan on doing a scavenger hunt, as some of you have described, on christmas morning to make the experience last longer. So of course I am interested in FE as well. Will join as soon as given my cabin number which should be any day. Can't wait to get to know everyone!!

Welcome and good luck with the cruise surprise. Look out a window that faces the West and you'll be able to see Lynn and I in Hamlin (Rochester). Well, almost.

Chris

 

[Finkelly]

Thanks Chris! I am currently waving hellow out my window that faces west. Lets hope for another mild winter but maybe with a "little" more snow our way.

 

[Finkelly]

Hi - really looking forward to the cruise and this site is great for getting tips. We are from Manchester, England and I am cruising with my wife who celebrates her 40th birthday and my 3 kids (two boys aged 6 and 12 and a girl aged 9). We have done disney in Orlando before and loved every minute of it.
Staying for a week in orlando before the cruise with a mix of US and Disney with New Years Eve at Disney Studios and a Orlando Magic Basketball game against Chicago Bulls.
Only just found out about fish extenders and tipping procedures, etc. Any advice or tips appreciated particularly on:

(a) Weather in Orlando and the hopefully warming up a bit on the cruise as it heads south;

(b) Will our 12 yo boy find it easy to get along with kids it the Edge (he is confident);

(c) We can start booking excursions, etc. next week - will we get much choice do you think.

Can't come soon enough now

G

Hello Family G! Welcome aboard. Are you on Facebook? I just joined. Good conversation there.

 

[Morsel (Chris/Lynn)]

Thanks Chris! I am currently waving hellow out my window that faces west. Lets hope for another mild winter but maybe with a "little" more snow our way.

I thought I saw a flicker in the sunlight when it was in the East of us here. Must be your wave if it was that time of day?
Speaking of mild Winter. Lynn and I just finished with a RCCL cruise out of Boston that took us to Halifax Nova Scotia, St. John New Brunswick , Bar Harbor and Portland Maine. To our surprise we found out that all these places only have half the snow we get here. Especially surpised to hear that of the two Canada places. I'm one step closer to the holidays, and the cruise. I know that because I just put the garden to rest for this year. The snow can have it now.

 

[Morsel (Chris/Lynn)]

Hi - really looking forward to the cruise and this site is great for getting tips. We are from Manchester, England and I am cruising with my wife who celebrates her 40th birthday and my 3 kids (two boys aged 6 and 12 and a girl aged 9). We have done disney in Orlando before and loved every minute of it.

Staying for a week in orlando before the cruise with a mix of US and Disney with New Years Eve at Disney Studios and a Orlando Magic Basketball game against Chicago Bulls.

Only just found out about fish extenders and tipping procedures, etc. Any advice or tips appreciated particularly on:

(a) Weather in Orlando and the hopefully warming up a bit on the cruise as it heads south;

(b) Will our 12 yo boy find it easy to get along with kids it the Edge (he is confident);

(c) We can start booking excursions, etc. next week - will we get much choice do you think.

Can't come soon enough now

G

Hello there. Lynn and I lived in Londonderry, Northern Ireland for 4 years when I was in the US Navy. It being a part of Great Britain, does it qualify for saying we lived in your country for awhile?

a. Weather in Orlando can vary in December and January. Highs can be in the 60s(F) or even 70(F), and other winters it can see highs in the 30s(F) or 40s(F). Nights can get down into the 20s(F) but mostly they will be in the 40s(F) or warmer. Yes, it does get warmer as we head South. We have cruised DCL in the western Carribean a few times in January and December and we have had warm weather. That means in the high 70s(F) or low 80s(F).

b. As for your 12 year old son fitting in the edge, you said he is confident. He should not have any problem. We have sailed DCL with friends who have a daughter. She was 6 when we meet on board the Magic and have seen her grow up and cruise through the years. She is now 18 and they will be aboard for this cruise. She has not had any problems meeting new friends and enjoying the cruise with them. Same goes for the other kids she has made friends with each time out.

c. As for booking excursions, DCL tries to make things available across the spectrum when considering people have different dates as to when they can book excursions. Also remember that if booking something on-line fails you can always try to book it when you get on board the ship. DCL realizes that there are some people who do not have access to a PC. Be aware that some choices by then may be limit in availablility.

Hope this helps. Hope to also see you on the group's Facebook page. MorganR can help you with that.

Chris

 

[mystycalchyk]

We are getting so so excited for this trip.

I have purchased all the materials to make our FEs and started on my gifts a couple of weeks back.

I am NOT a sewer but I am usually a good faker, so we will see how it turns out.

So looking forward to meeting you all there. Have we determined for sure exactly yet a meet and greet time and day? Will we be doing a group photo?

Looking forward to seeing you all...

 

[adventuresfor4]

So good to see more kids the age of my children (9 and 14 yr old boys) will be joining the cruise! On our previous cruise on the Wonder my then 8 year old really enjoyed the Oceaneer Lab but my then 13 year old would not stay at the teen center because he "didn't know anyone". We are hoping that he will make friends through the DIS and will enjoy traveling with kids his age!

We are getting really excited as the countdown to the cruise continues. I will be making my reservations soon for Palo and this time we are going prepared with pirate costumes for the whole family!

 

[adventuresfor4]

Can someone please tell me how to join the Facebook page...I was not able to locate it.

Thank you!

 

[mystycalchyk]

I couldnt either . Would love to

 

[Morsel (Chris/Lynn)]

Can someone please tell me how to join the Facebook page...I was not able to locate it.

Thank you!

You can send MorganR a private message requesting her to add you to the Facebook group. Post #88 is one of her posts in which you can access sending her a private message. Or you could try just posting a request for such in hopes that she will catch it there also. Never hurts to try both ways.

Chris

 

[Morsel (Chris/Lynn)]

I couldnt either . Would love to

Send MorganR a private message requesting she add you to the group list on Facebook. Post #88 is one of many posts she has. You could also just post your request here. Can't hurt to use both tools.

Chris

 

[mystycalchyk]

Hope it works for you. I emailed her with no response

 

[Finkelly]

I actually could not send Morgan a message without friending her. It was not an option. As soon as I sent her a friend request, she added me to the cruise list. I will ask her to maybe come back on and post her info but as Chris said....post 88 is her full name. Locate her on FB and send her a friend request. She accepted within the hour. She never responded to my email so not sure what happened with that.

I dont mind going back and forth, and I have a love for the disboard.....but Facebook does seem easier to scroll and find things. And its probably easier for most to stick to one?? Any other suggestions?

 

[Morsel (Chris/Lynn)]

I actually could not send Morgan a message without friending her. It was not an option. As soon as I sent her a friend request, she added me to the cruise list. I will ask her to maybe come back on and post her info but as Chris said....post 88 is her full name. Locate her on FB and send her a friend request. She accepted within the hour. She never responded to my email so not sure what happened with that.

I dont mind going back and forth, and I have a love for the disboard.....but Facebook does seem easier to scroll and find things. And its probably easier for most to stick to one?? Any other suggestions?

Right on their neighbor with the reply and help suggestion. Another nice, sunny day in up-state New York, or at least Western up-state part. Well, maybe not that sunny.

Chris