January 8, 2006- 4 night Wonder- Anybody else coming with?

[VickiHD]

Vacation planning and the anticipation of a trip is so much fun for me.....I love to plan. The only thing better than the planning is shopping for your vacation. With the summer sales going on in full force there is a lot of great stuff for next to nothing. And it's always a good thing when you find another swim suit that fits and is on sale. I do want to get a new formal dress so that's my next quest. Ladies, how is the shopping going for you?

 

[branv]

I've already purchased my over the door hanger, panchos...now just keeping an eye out for a deal on underwater disposable cameras. As for clothes, well I'm a errrr..what's a nice way to say it...well, "rounder" in areas then your average person. Ergo, I don't get to take advantage of all the stores deals, but I had a Lane Bryant sale coupon AND they were having a huge summer sale. I ended up with my first pair of shorts in at least 5 years. Bless bermuda shorts for coming back in...now I wish I'd purchased more, b/c these puppies may not make it to January if I keep wearing them. I also bought a thinner long sleeved shirt. Very happy to find that, I can never find any clothes for "Slightly cool" weather, y'know? Since we'll be in the parks for a few days before the cruise, it will come in handy. That and my jean jacket. I also bought a bathing suit for about half off - woo-hoo! (probably the first time in years I've used "bathing suit" and "woohoo" in the same sentence).

Sales are so evil sometimes You know how it is when you really shouldn't be buying anything, but you justify it by it being such a good deal (i.e. "honey, guess what I did today?? I saved us $70!!")

Speaking of budgets, I did a spreadsheet to try and flesh out what we could expect for costs. I almost had a heart attack It's amazing how a "good deal" on a cruise can still end up making you plotz when you consider the final bill. After I did that, I curbed the vacation clothing shopping.

So who is getting dressy dressy? I'm not bringing a formal dress, just a knee length black dress & strappy heels, and of course 50 lbs. of capris.

Since we're girls so far: anyone else contemplating a leg wax before they go? I've done it before, and it was about as fun as a root canal. But I can't imagine trying to prop a leg up in that bathroom I'm guessing a week before will be a safe amount of time to do it before getting into salt water?

 

[VickiHD]

Branv.....you are so right about a "good deal" turns into much much more. In our case we thought a 4 night cruise would be a quick little get away. Well, we are flying in from the west coast two days prior to the cruise, and staying another day after. So this 4 night cruise has turned into a 7 day vacation with a pre cruise day spent at Epcot and after the cruise visiting the Space Center.
I am always watching out for deals on the underwater camera and the prices are pretty consistent. I just start picking one up here and there and the other stuff we need for vacations and keep it all together. By the time the trip rolls around I've gotten a nice supply and my list is complete.
One thing I am going to really, really try not to do is over pack. I am getting much better but still my husband turns into a pack mule. All those bags are a pain to deal with and I guess Disney only allows two check in bags per person. On the other cruise lines we've traveled with we did not have limits.
So I really am going to try and not pack a lot. But I am concerned with the weather temp. in Jan. So I like your ideal about the capris. I've got a closets full.
Congratulations on the swim suit!!!!! I plan on getting a new formal dress. Is there a official formal night on the 4 night cruise. I have "cocktail" dresses that would work, but I am looking forward to really dressing up.
Regarding the leg wax....I'll pass. I've have had a couple of Root Canals and I'll stick with my shaver.

 

[Cruisin]

Hi!

I've been away to Toronto to Paramount Canada's Wonderland, which is a large amusement park.

First about the cold winters branv, you get used to the cold. I wear a thin coat (thinsulate material) thin but warm. I hardly ever do my coat up at all in the winter and I never wear a hat and rarely do I wear gloves. It's all in what you get used to.

That being said I much prefer the 90 - 100º temperatures we have been consistently having this summer

About clothes, I had to buy a whole new wardrobe of shorts and tshirts (summer wear) this summer because I lost 30 pounds over the winter , none of my old stuff fits anymore

We are leaving home on the 4th if we drive (19 hours of drive time, one overnight stay) or the 5th if we decide to fly. We are staying at the POP Century for 3 nights and doing the parks probably for 2 days before we go on the cruise. After the cruise we will be heading right home.

We tend to pack very light. One small roll-on bag per person and another smaller carryon is usually our limit. If we drive then it doesn't really matter so much.

I don't believe there is an actual formal night on the 4 night cruise. We usually use the night that we eat at Triton's to be our dressier night.

We have cruised many times in January and you never know what the weather will be like. Last year at the same time it was absolutely gorgeous, warm and sunny the whole time.

I'm soooo looking forward to this cruise. I can't wait

 

[branv]

Congrats on the weight loss. I'm going back to school this year, on a campus that's all hills and stairs...hoping that will work off an inch or two (though that may all be for naught as I could end up drowning my sorrows in Starbucks cafe mochas after having to sit down everyday next to a 19 year olds with 6" thighs. Though I'm pretty sure they won't sit next to me anymore after I poke at their flat stomach and with an evil cackle say "Just think, I used to look just like you when I was 19 aaaaaaaaaaaHAHAHAHAHA"


This is the trouble with January, I fear I may just have to overpack. Given that one day might be warm...and the next cool. The days might be hot, but the nights chilly. I don't know how I can avoid a plethora of packing. I've learned from experience that weather forecasts are seldom even remotely accurate. I guess this is where learning to "layer" comes in.

I do way too much "what if" packing. What if I feel like dressing up, what if I feel hot and want to wear something cooler, what if I win the lottery on vacation, and need to be interviewed on camara So I pack for all possible occurences and then end up wearing 1/2 of it.

Vicki - That's funny what you said about your husband packing the most. I've actually gotten a little better about my packing, but DH has gotten worse! My DH is not a clothes fanatic, but he's a clean clothes fanatic. I can wear the same pair of jeans twice as long as I have an iron, and he'll do it...but he doesn't like it. We have to take extras of everything. For a man who can live in tshirts, shorts and tennis shoes, it boggles my mind that he can be so finicky. Though to be fair, my shoes alone can take up a load of suitcase room, but at least they're light weight

 

[VickiHD]

Hi ....

Crusin....you're right, there is a "dress up " night not a formal night. Now I even more confused. What does dress up mean??? This is our first Disney Cruise so I'm not familiar with the routine. Does dress up mean "semi" formal???? Well, I'm still going to find a new dress to wear.

Branv....That is exciting to be going back to school.

I'm enjoying and spending a lot of time reading cruise trip reports and I really getting excited.

 

[Cruisin]

I think that you should wear what you are comfortable with.

If you want to dress up in formal attire, then do it. It's your vacation.

There will be people in all different styles of dress, so you won't have to worry about being out of place.

I'm one of those who doesn't really pay that much attention to what other people are wearing. What they wear or do not wear doesn't offend me in the least little bit

 

[UGAFan0829]

Hey...just wanted to add my part here.
There are some good sales going on here as well, and I was quite surprised to see that there were some swimsuits left...that's pretty unusual here.
On our last cruise, which was our first, I overpacked a little. I ended up not wearing several of the things that I packed, so I'm going to try and do a little better this time. One of the hardest things to pack is shoes. But this time, I've been able to narrow it down. I have 2 outfits that I can wear with one pair of shoes, and then 2 more that I can wear with another. So then all I'll need is my daytime shoes, which will probably be my Keds flip-flops.
I have a nice black dress that I'm taking also, which is what I plan on wearing to Palo. I figured I could get dressed up for that and be okay. Is anyone else planning on doing Palo?
I am really excited about this trip too, and I hope that I get to meet some of you!!

 

[Cruisin]

We have no plans to do Palo.

It is our 7th cruise with Disney and we have yet to go to Palo.

We are going with my parents and it is there first time, so we don't want to take them away from the dining room. They should experience all of the meals there, we thought.

If we want to meet each other we can plan a small DISmeet at some point. We did that on my last cruise and it was nice to meet some of my fellow DISers. Then when you pass them later on during the cruise, you can stop and chat for a few minutes.

On my last cruise I met the DISboard famous Andy~~ Verandah Man and his lovely wife Hazel. Very, very nice people.

 

[VickiHD]

We are thinking about having dinner at Palo one night. I just wish we could find out prior to sailing what are dining rotations where and then make our reservation accordingly.

We should definately have a "cruise meet". It will be fun. We have done this before (on a different cruise line) and it was great. We actually have stayed in close touch with another couple and have become good friends over the years.

I have been reading trip reports etc about DIS board cruise meets and even how people decorate their cabin doors. I'm going to work on a door sign....thank goodness for the hints and ideas from other cruiser.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Cruisin-I don't blame you for not wanting to take away from your parents experience in the restaurants. It has to be really cool to be able to cruise with them. I hope that you all have a wonderful time.
As for a meet, I definitely think that we should set something up. I was rather new here on my last cruise, so I didn't get to meet anyone then, but would love to this time!

 

[Cruisin]

I hope we have fun too UGAfan.

My dad is not too sure about going on a cruise ship but my mom said she was going on a cruise before she dies and he could either come along or stay home

I guess he picked the wiser choice

A DIS meet sounds like a good idea. Maybe we should wait until closer to leaving time to decide on a when or where schedule.

 

[VickiHD]

Hi everyone,

DH and I are in for the Dismeet. I second Crusin idea of waiting a little before we schedule.

Who's doing a door sign??????

Found a cute pair of capris for the cruise. Yeah, they were on sale so I could resist the top and flip flops to match. Ladies...you understand right.

 

[Cruisin]

I have never done a door sign before, but I think that I might get something done up for my parent's door.

We are taking the cruise to celebrate their 50th anniversary.

My brother is in the sign/screen printing business. I'm sure I can talk him into designing something for us.

 

[VickiHD]

Wow, 50 years! Thats wonderful. You could really have a lot of fun decorating their door. There's such a selection of decorations etc, and having a brother with sign printing experience could be very helpful.

 

[Cruisin]

I guess I better start thinking about it now then, so I can have something ready for the cruise.

 

[branv]

Wow, cat 8 & 9 are gone now too.

We're really getting booked up now. I'll definitely want to be on the ball on doing our online Palo/excursion booking!

 

[Cruisin]

Wow, cat 8 & 9 are gone now too.

We're really getting booked up now. I'll definitely want to be on the ball on doing our online Palo/excursion booking!

Hmmm, do you think maybe we will see some upgrades

 

[txSleepingBeauty]

so has anyone given any thought to their excurscions yet? I was thinking the catamaran snorkeling in Nassau and the waverunner tour at CC....anybody else decided anything yet?

 

[Cruisin]

so has anyone given any thought to their excurscions yet? I was thinking the catamaran snorkeling in Nassau and the waverunner tour at CC....anybody else decided anything yet?

I don't think that we will be signing up for any excursions.

We will probably go to Atlantis in Nassau but will get there ourselves by taxi rather than take a formal excursion. We usually stay on the ship but since it will be my parents first time in the Bahamas, I think it is important for them to get off the ship and have a look around. Even if we just walk on the main shopping street. That in itself is an experience

I usually just hang out at the adult beach on Castaway Cay and my husband stays on the ship since he is not a beach person. He will usually get off and meet me on the island for lunch then we go back our separate ways