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

[branv]

We're thinking about either the Catamaran or the Caribbean Queen Snorkel in Nassau. But it seems like no one ever does these judging by how few responses anyone gets when they ask about them. Wish I could get some reviews! The only thing that concerns me about snorkeling and not going to the beach in Nassau is the always existing possibility that the ship not be able to dock in Castaway Cay. I would just hate not getting some beach time.

We don't plan on doing anything at the Cay but renting some floats.

Since the Catamaran meets at 9 am, we figure if we do that one we can snorkel in the a.m., reboard for lunch and shower, then head to Atlantis for some gambling. This is assuming we don't crash after the snorkel, and be forced to take extensive nap (speaking from experience, for some reason whenever we vacation it's like we're drugged by midafternoon. Naps are just a normal part of any trip )

Ooooh, bought some more clothes for the trip from the superfabulous Old Navy outlet near us. I so shouldn't do this, but it was such an amazing deal. Bad girl!

We also went to the Coleman outlet and bought a multipack (3 diff. sizes) of the water wallets for only $3.50.

 

[UGAFan0829]

I am planning on making a door sign for us...made one for our last trip, so I guess I better do it again and keep with tradition...LOL!!

As for our excursions, I think we are gonna do the Discover Atlantis for Nassau. Last time we did the Dolphin Encounter and loved it, but this year we want to check out Atlantis and see what it's all about! And for CC, I haven't made up my mind yet. We had the Glass Bottom Boat booked for last time, but it got cancelled because of the seas. We may end up trying that again, or if they have the Stringray excursion open yet, we may try that!!

 

[VickiHD]

DH snorkels but I don't, I'm chicken. (I am happy working on my tan with a tropical drink in one hand and a book in the other) So on Nassau we will probably take the Nassau Historical City tour. The city tour ends of at the straw market...so that's a plus for me. I just think of the ports of call a opportunity to shop. I've never been to Nassua, and I'm not expecting a lot from what I've read, but for safety reasons DH wants us to stick together when we're in port. How can you find out the times that the tours are offered????

Then when we visit Castaway Kays he can snorkel, snorkel, and snorkel. The waverunner tour is something I would do....tell me more please.

I have started gathering a few items for our door sign. I've found some cute cruise stickers and scrapbook paper at Office Max.

I'm going "window" shopping again tomorrow. Hopefully. it will be a success.

 

[Cruisin]

I've never made a door sign before.

I don't have a lot of creative talent but maybe I should give it some thought.

 

[Cruisin]

We are going to be down to just my husband, myself and my parents cruising in January.

Our daughter just signed up for college and won't be able to take the time off to cruise with us.

Too bad for us and I will miss her but I'm glad she has found something she wants to do with her life.

 

[VickiHD]

Cruisin...sorry to hear your daughter will not be able to join the cruise. I bet you will be able to find some great souveniers to bring home for her.

 

[Cruisin]

Yes, it's too bad but she has been on many Disney Cruises already and is not too disappointed to miss out on this one.

She says that she can go on a cruise any time but right now she needs to work on her future

She DOES love to cruise though

 

[branv]

Congrats to her! (And to you ) It's so rewarding.

Holy cow, they must be making her go back early! We don't go back until after MLK day. We had to book our cruise specifically for that time of year so that DH and I, the old "return to college and finish what you started" kiddos, wouldn't miss school. So 32 isn't old, but in comparison...

Speaking of, when I purchased by textbooks for the upcoming semester, they placed a coupon in my bag for a pizza place across the street from campus. When DH and I went to restaurant, we were having a nice conversation with the young college student behind the counter. When we handed him the coupon, he said "oh another one of these! So, does your child go here?"



I just groaned and hung my head. He SO came this close to losing his tip

 

[Cruisin]

When we handed him the coupon, he said "oh another one of these! So, does your child go here?"



I just groaned and hung my head. He SO came this close to losing his tip

Of course anybody over the age of 25 looks old to them.

Here traditionally the schools start back the Monday after New Years Day, so this year that is January 2. The other schools usually would do that too (elementary and highschools) but they have adjusted the calendar this year so that they get out a week later before Christmas and don't go back to school until January 9. The college did not follow suit so they are still going back as usal.

When I booked it I didn't even think she would be going to college, so things do change sometimes. So the end result is no cruise for her. She gets to stay home with her brother, who is also a college student

When I cancelled her off the reservations, I asked to be put on the wait list for early dinner seating. Probably it won't happen but it is worth a try.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Yes, it's too bad but she has been on many Disney Cruises already and is not too disappointed to miss out on this one.

She says that she can go on a cruise any time but right now she needs to work on her future

She DOES love to cruise though

Good for her...I am sure that you are proud of her for making the right decision!!

 

[UGAFan0829]

Didn't want our thread to get too close to the bottom, so I'm just bumping it back up...
Sure hope that more people join us...there aren't very many people posting compared to the number of staterooms already sold out!!!

 

[branv]

So how many of us are going to the parks the days before or after?

We're going the few days before b/c we have left over Parkhopper Passes. Everyone keeps saying that the Marathon isn't that much of an impact, but this is the first year they're seperating the races which doubles the number of runners from the years past. Ergo, we really have no accurate historical data to project how crowded it will truly be from the marathon with this increase. Just really hoping we're still looking at super low crowds How else am I supposed to see 4 parks in 2 days

DH is really ambivalent about going to the parks, but I'm jonesing for a strawberry swirl.

I can't think of a better way to heal those swollen park feet than a little Bahama breeze (the wind, not the drink...ok, maybe one of the drinks.)

I noticed that the 3 day cruise before us is barely booked...still offering most cats. Do you think that means they'll need less time to let us on board and in our rooms We plan to get to the dock nice and early..can't help it, I'd rather sit at the port then sit in my hotel room *cough* Impatient? Who me?

 

[UGAFan0829]

Ha! I can't imagine what you might possibly mean about being impatient!!! I hope that we are able to get to port early as well.
The cruise is just that for us...not parks after or before. Actually, I hope to be able to go down sometime and just do the parks by themself. The DH has never been to any of them, and I've only been to Epcot and MGM, and that was only because I went there with my school years ago to perform there!!

 

[VickiHD]

DH and I are flying in technically two days before we sail. One day is spent JUST flying from California to FL. It is a really long day and with only 1 plane change. So we will finally, and hopefully, get in Orlando appt. 7 pm. We'll pick up the car and then off to WDW. We just spent a week there in June, and with the various trips to Disneyland this year and a upcoming one at Christmas time, we will just spend 1 day at Epcot and will try to check out the Boardwalk area and DTD.

Our plan is to get to the port very early. I've talked to a couple of people at WDW regarding the traffic impact and potential problems regarding the marathon and us wanting to leave early for the port and it "sounds" like it should not be a issue. But I know I will not relax untill we're on the ship.

Post cruise we will check out the Kennedy Space Center and spend another night before flying home to California.

I do wonder what catagories are left. I really hope we all get fantastic upgrades.

 

[branv]

Can you believe it, just cat 4-7 left. I can't believe this many people can plan so far in advance for stuff, it just about killed me to commit to one thing so far out, but glad I did. This is the earliest I've ever planned a vacation...meaning the longest I've ever had to deal with anticipation this long

I don't hold my breath that DH and I will be upgraded, since it's just the 2 of us. But it would be a nice surprise

Are you guys planning on seeing the shows? I'm not sure if we'll go or not...I like the traditional musical theater, but don't know if this will appeal or not.

What does everyone use to battle motion sickness? The biggest boat I was ever on was a cruiser in channel off the Gulf...it was fairly choppy and gas fumes were coming up over the back. I was NOT a happy camper. I've always been fine on boats on the lake, but I have to admit the cruise makes me nervous. Bonine is my plan so far, any reports?

So who is the planner in the family? DH knows I'm Queen Anal Planner extraordinare, so he just turns it over to me. I decided to create a web page so we could store all our vacation photos/travel memories, but found myself putting up our Disney travel plans just so DH could have a place to go and see what we're doing when he's bored He may...or may not..get around to looking at it. That boy is way too zen on the vacay front.

 

[Cruisin]

We plan on leaving home on January 4, undecided yet as to whether we are driving or flying. If driving we will arrive at the POP Century late afternoon on January 5 and stay there until it is time to drive to the port. If flying we will be at the POP Century at day early (providing of course that I can extend our rooms by one night).

We will be doing the parks from Janury5/6 until the day of the cruise. We have done 4 parks in one day before quite a few times We pick out our absolute must sees and then go from park to park until we have seen what we want. It can be done, especially in January.

Having my parents along will slow us down but that is okay. A slower pace sounds good.... stop and enjoy the surroundings instead of just running through.

I/We plan on seeing all of the shows on board. I would recommend that you DO go and see them. They are excellent. In our opinion anyways

As to motion sickness....We have found it not to be too bad. My husband has a real problem with motion sickness (can't ride simulator rides or roller coasters etc) He has not had any problems on cruise ships.

There are some tips if you feel bad. Go out on deck where you can see the horizon and feel the air blowing on you ~~ it really does help. Don't go into your cabin or other small enclosed spaces.

The first night is usually the worst because you have to cross the Gulf Stream. After that it usually calms down quite a bit.

 

[VickiHD]

We are planning to see the shows and do as much as possible, while relaxing of course

We really had some rough seas on a New Years Eve cruise, on the Star Princess a couple years back. It was a Mexican Rivera cruise and it was tough going and coming back. A lot of people were ill and it did bother us a bit, even though we generally do not have a problem with motion sickness. We bought those wrist bracelets for acupressure points, but I have no idea if they actually work. We will find out on this trip.

As far as planning, I am the Official Travel/Agent/Planner of our household. I like to have a couple of trips in the works so there is always another one or two in the future to look forward to. So I plant the seed....DH comes up with a idea for location and then I get to run with it. (It was his idea that the winter cruise we take would be a Disney Cruise). I was looking at other lines. I love finding out everything I can about our vacation and filling up my folders or binders with that helpful information. To me planning and the anticipation of a trip is almost as much fun as the actual vacation.

 

[branv]

To me planning and the anticipation of a trip is almost as much fun as the actual vacation.

Hallelujah sister, testify! I sometimes think it's a sickness, but to be fair I guess it's better then other types of addiction

 

[VickiHD]

Branv....See you also get it. I've even thought that vacation planning is a mild form of sickness. Sometimes DH complains that I can't talk about anything else but vacations. More times than not he also has to ask "now which trip are you talking about?" But in all he does appreciate how much work goes into planning and he does get to reap the benefits.

 

[Cruisin]

This was on page 2 already

I think about our upcoming cruise everyday. I am so looking forward to going.

I received another confirmation in the mail from Disney Cruise Line today. It is the same confirmation that they faxed to me when I booked the cruise. The envelope looks like someone stomped on it a bunch of times though

It was exciting to get an envelope from Disney Cruise Line even if it was already something I had