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

[JoyCrazy]

Welcome CaspianIV. I'm sure your dad will be entertained by the cruisse.
and Happy Forthcoming Birthday

I'm Canadian so we already had Thankgiving. (I LOVE TURKEY DAY). Actually they were having such crazy good sales for Turkeys that we bought our Chrstmas turkey then.

We're not doing a major decoarting thing for Halloween this year. All extra money goes to the cruise. I have bought all my Christmas presents except 2. I just waiting for the DVD's to be released. (I'm the movie Auntie everybody in the family knows I got the movies covered). I actually started shopping in August. I set a lower limit this time and they'll get the difference in spending money. They're grandparents are giving them spending money as well.. (hey we should get them put into Travelers cheques the kids will get a kick outta that!) The decorating is covered and I'm looking forward to SUPER TURKEY DAY! As for New Years It's just the day before we leave and I'm working. Hey I can't take a huge vacation like that and a major holiday just before it. It's simply not fair.

As for that packing list it seems a bit extreme. I get dizzy just looking at it . I'm actually just going to pick up alot of stuff at Super Walmart the first day down there. Especially the pillowcases and some Disney themed sand toys I'm going to hide away until the cruise (they'll be a gift from Mickey!).
Branv I have a trick I heard for getting outta a low quaility meal. If they have a Cat bring a dog. It they have a dog bring a cat. "Say I'm sure they'll get along just fine! Set loose, stir, and enjoy!
Of course you unit-in-laws may not speak to you until next Christmas. Bonus
Another trick I've heard is to offer to host. It's alot of work but at least it'll be palatable.

 

[branv]

Branv I have a trick I heard for getting outta a low quaility meal. If they have a Cat bring a dog. It they have a dog bring a cat. "Say I'm sure they'll get along just fine! Set loose, stir, and enjoy!
Of course you unit-in-laws may not speak to you until next Christmas. Bonus

They have no animals, but given the way the turkey tastes, one starts to look for four legs and a collar.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Y'all are too funny.
Just imagine having to live next to your in-laws. We lived next door to my mother and father in law, now we live next to my brother in law!!

Welcome, Caspian IV, to you and your father. Glad to have you onboard. I can't think of a better way to celebrate your birthday!

What times did everyone pick for dinner?? I know we have late seating, but I can't remember which actual time it is since they are doing the staggered times now ...I want to say 8:15 though!

 

[VickiHD]

UGAFan0829..... We are trying to get early seating. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Can't even thing of eating dinner that late.

JoyCrazy...Congrats. on all the Christmas shopping you've done. You have inspired me to get out there and finish it.

 

[JoyCrazy]

We asked for an early seating cause no way will the kids make it that late! or me either for that matter.

Branv I have a sneaky idea. Get a dog and teach it to steal the turkey like in that stupid water filter commercial. Normally I really hate the idea of that muh food wasted. But in order to save your taste buds I'll make the sacrifice.

and WHOOT!!! :
I just learned that Season 5 premiere of 24 has been pushed back from Jan 8 & 9 to Jan 15 & 16. That show is our family favorite. Even the kids will sit still to watch it. It'll be nice to get to watch it real time.

VickiHD I;m glad to be inspiring.

 

[Cruisin]

We are on the wait list for early dinner too.

If you eat that late then you don't get to enjoy the late night buffet on Pirate night. Also it makes the night seem so much shorter.

Hopefully we will get early seating but if not then I guess we will just snack more through the day.

 

[attagirlx2]

We have early seating...I would love to have it right at 6:00 but from what I've read if you have small children you will likely eat at 5:45. The 15 minutes earlier timewise is fine. But what I am assuming is (and this is from other posts as well) the rotation will be TAAP at the 5:45 time. I would rather not have our only night to dress up be the first night since our bags may or may not be in the room when we would need to get ready. Not that that is a big deal in the grand scheme of things. I'll get over it!

On past cruises I have always liked late seating - spend more time at the destinations without getting back to the ship to get dressed. Time to watch the sunset with a cocktail before dinner. We have never cruised with our kids before either. But with the kids, I can't imagine trying to get though a decent meal when it is late.

One week from now and I will be sleep deprived from my alarm going off at 3am! My DH has vowed to sleep on the couch if I do set that alarm...hmmm...maybe I should set it everynight!

 

[branv]

Since we don't have kids, nor are used to dining with them, we went with 8:30 to preserve our sanity.

Not that all children are whirling dirvishes at dinner, but the last time I ate with my nieces there was a tragic cracker fight at the table. Granted, it's just a cracker, but those corners are sharp. I'm still having post traumatic flash backs, so we're sticking to the safer dinner time.

 

[VickiHD]

One week from now and I will be sleep deprived from my alarm going off at 3am! My DH has vowed to sleep on the couch if I do set that alarm...hmmm...maybe I should set it everynight!

Thanks for the reminder. I've got to stay up till 12:00 to try and get reservations. I can't believe I wasn't remembering that. I've got to many other projects going on at home.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Since we don't have kids, nor are used to dining with them, we went with 8:30 to preserve our sanity.

Not that all children are whirling dirvishes at dinner, but the last time I ate with my nieces there was a tragic cracker fight at the table. Granted, it's just a cracker, but those corners are sharp. I'm still having post traumatic flash backs, so we're sticking to the safer dinner time.

I just love your humor...I laugh every time I read one of your posts!
We also are without kids, but chose the late seating just because we usually eat late at home. Not to mention, I don't like to feel rushed to get done with activities to be able to make it to dinner on time! Maybe we'll have the same rotation since we're both doing the late thing!

 

[branv]

Thanks

I also look at it this way..technically since I'm CST, it will be like eating at 7:30...though I do really hope for the 8:00 vs. the 8:30.

Also gives me a darn good reason to try out some room service around 3 pm, with room to spare. Mid afternoon snack...

Mid morning snack...

Mid-midnight snack...

I don't know what it is about room service that gets me so stoked. DH thinks I'm nuts, but I do NOT consider it a vacation if I don't get room service at least 1..or twice, mebbe 5 times. Perhaps it's just those really cute little ketchup bottles...who knows.

So speaking of little ones, I'm getting my flu shot next Tuesday. I figure..we're sailing in January. Not the best time of year for health. I am not going to risk either a) getting sick just BEFORE this trip or b) getting sick on the cruise, b/c lets face it, there's hundreds of little darlings on this ship stewing in theirs and their pint sized new friend's winter buggies. Those little hands go EVERY where. Last time I got the flu, it was from my nephew....and the last time I got that really awful roto virus, I got it from a cute little baby that I held and cuddled and blew zerberts on right up until her mother let said "Her fever is much better today!" GAH!!! Lesson...learned.

I do almost wish (almost I said! Just a smidge..) I could take 1 of my neices with me on this cruise. Seeing those pics of the little girls all dressed up like princesses, and looking so happy...awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...

So did you guys see the rates for 2007? I was curious and looked at the prices for January 7, 2007. Those prices are up 25% on just the cat 12, and that's with an early booking discount! Sheeeesh!

 

[branv]

Thanks for the reminder. I've got to stay up till 12:00 to try and get reservations. I can't believe I wasn't remembering that.

Oh sure Vicki, we all know you're just bragging about your midnight booking time Just rub it in why dontcha...

I'm not even going to go to sleep. With some ice cream and a cheesy tv show, I can ride it out to 2 am.

BTW: I meant to ask you if you and your DH had considered that new Irish restaurant at DTD? I think it was you that plans to eat at DTD your first night? It looks pretty good! Whatsitcalled Ragalan, or something?

 

[VickiHD]

Branv....I looking forward to meeting you. You crack me up!!!!

Honestly, I was not bragging about my call time. I'll have a hard enough time trying to stay up till midnight. It's getting dark so early now, I ready for bed, because it's dark outside, and then I find out it's only 7:30 p.m. Duhhh

But I like your idea of a cheesy TV show. Where are the old reruns of the Love Boat when you need them.

Thanks for the idea about the Irish Restaurant at DTD. Hopefully, we will not be to tired from traveling and actually do something the first night we arrive. Now I really wish were flying in even earlier before we set sail. But leaving our cats behind is so hard and heartbreaking.

 

[Cruisin]

 

[attagirlx2]

Rather than set the alarm for 3am I might just rely on my 6yr old. She still wakes me up everynight - whether it's to tell me she has to go to the bathroom or she has had a bad dream. There's always a reason with that child. Now my other 2 - 4yr old and 1yr - old sleep through the night without so much as a whimper. Where did we go wrong with the first one?!?! Do you think our TA would stay up instead??? Does anyone know how that works? I know he can get our reservation for us, but does he have any priority if he tries 8 hours later than I was going to try? I assume I am better off trying for myself.

Vicki, you mentioned how hard it was leaving your cats behind...well, did I mention that we are leaving the youngest behind? We are spending 4 days at DW prior to the cruise also. We took him when he was 3 months old...piece of cake. He slept in the stroller and had no clue what he was missing. Now he's a wild toddler and hard to contain at home let alone on vacation. So we are just taking the girls this time around. He'll join us for our vacation in September 2006 when we head out west for DL and the half-marathon!

 

[Cruisin]

I have to leave behind 2 cats, a couple hundred fish and 2 children (well 18 and 22 year old children )

I find it's harder to leave behind the pets than the children

Of course, yours is a little bit younger. I'm sure that you will have a great time not having to chase him all around the ship.

I'm not so worried about our late dining time on the Disney cruise. At least we are still in the same time zone. It's the late seating we have on our Royal Caribbean cruise in November that worries me... 8:30 ship time equals 11:30 home time. I'm hoping we can get it changed when we board.

 

[branv]

I find it's harder to leave behind the pets than the children.

BWAHAH!! Oh Girl, you are so BAD! Reminds me of my sister, she has FOUR cats and a dog, but she chews her nails more over leaving them then the precocious 8 yr old and stretching her attitudinal wings 3 year old (that one can bellow like a cow on crack...not that I would know what a cow on crack sounds like).

I am leaving two cats...one the size of a racoon with food anxieties (I can relate) and another that surely has feline ADD. I always feel so bad leaving them b/c even though we have a pet sitter that comes once a day, by the time we get back their little voices are so unused they give this raspy "mwwooowr"...sound like they've been smoking 3 packs a day. Now if I feel that guilty leaving behind 2 cats that sleep 80% of the day, I can only imagine how you parents feel.

I was THIS close to getting a kick butt rate on AKL for our trip. I have a very bad feeling it's not going to happen now. Grrrrrrr.... Oh well, if it doesn't, it still beats being at home!

 

[VickiHD]

attagirlx2......I'm sure you're going to miss your "wild toddler". But how nice for you to have time with your girls.
DH and I don't have any children yet that why the cats mean so much to us. It's nice after traveling to come home to the cats. But it is so hard leaving them. They are so needy and the look on their faces when they see the luggage out just breaks my heart. My Mother, who lives across town, comes up daily to our house to feed and play with them. Yes, our cats are spoiled.


Cruisin...Are you getting excited for your Nov. cruise ?????

 

[Cruisin]

I know how hard it is to leave the cats too.

One of ours doesn't really care but the other one is a real people cat. She needs human contact everyday. She follows me around the house waiting for me to stay in one spot long enough so that she can have a nap

We have someone come in daily too if we are all gone. Lately there has always been someone home with the kids being older and not necessarily travelling with us anymore.

Vicki ~~ yes I am getting excited about our November cruise too. I have booked the Best Western Sunrise Motel in San Pedro for our precruise stay. The only thing I haven't done is book a shuttle service. I keep looking at them and then putting off the decision

The weather here is turning colder so, going away for a few days to a warmer climate sounds like a great idea.

 

[VickiHD]

Cruisin.....Glad things are coming together for your upcoming trip. I'm sure you will have some great weather. It's always life saver for me to travel somewhere warm when it is cold a gloomy at home. Can't wait to hear about RCCL. We've never cruised with them so I'm curious to hear what you think.

LOL...one of our cats also follows and hangs out with me all day ready to pounce to get a nap or two in.