January 8, 2011 - 7 Night Western Caribbean Sailing

[cmclaura]

Sandie, you're packing a LOT into your trip. I'm sure it will be fabulous.

Has John ever been to Graceland before? I have and it is quite a sight. If he has time, he might want to do a side trip to Tupelo to visit Elvis' birthplace. Although only a two room cabin (literally, a shack), it's really cool to contrast both places. Graceland is a big estate but the house itself was surprisingly small. There is lots to do in the immediate area, much of which is taken over by Graceland attractions.

Delaware is less than an hour from where I live in Pennsylvania; how nice that your friend will be coming down to do Disney with you. There's so much to see and do there, you'll be busy. Hopefully, the crowds will die down after Christmas/New Year's and you can have a good time as a family there. We used to live in Orlando and loved the place either side of the holidays as it was much less crowded.

We're thinking about spending a couple of days at WDW after our 2011 into 2012 New Year's Eve cruise so I'll be eager to hear how you find the crowd level after New Year's this year.

 

[newbydisney]

I bring black slacks/leggings and nice black jeans ( it is technically winter) then some glitzy sandals and like Laura said a couple different necklaces or a boa and you are for cruise purposes dressed up as far as I am concerned. I have to dress for work so I am not inclined to wear a gown. Last year I sort of ran out of things to wear so bought a gold fringy shawl in the gift shop and tied it around by black swilsuit cover up sun dress for semi formal and I am sure no one noticed..in the pics it looks like I am wearing that little black dress!

But I still bring way too many pairs of shoes..its an addiction I think..if you need some extra shoes stop by our cabin./.I am sure to have something you fancy.

 

[cmclaura]

Tracy, you totally crack me up. A swimsuit cover up for semi-formal night?! You rock!

 

[newbydisney]

..well it was sort of a sundress...I got it at Target for like 6 bucks...lol..I will wear it again this year if you like...just for fun

 

[scrappinsandie]

Has John ever been to Graceland before?

No he hasn't and we have only been to the Pigeon Forge part of teh state so any input on exciting things to do between Orlando and Memphis will be gratefully received!

Sandie

 

[cmclaura]

Is he driving from Orlando to Memphis? We did that when we lived in Orlando several years ago. Our trip was mainly to Missouri to see the Laura Ingalls Wilder House and Museum in Mansfield, so we thought we'd do fun stuff along the way.

We stopped in Atlanta to see World of Coca Cola, which was pretty interesting. I'm a sucker for odd attractions like that, the world's largest ball of string, etc. Definitely worth a quick visit (and it will be quick) is the two room house that Elvis was born in at Tupelo, Mississippi. He'll easily spend a full day or more at Graceland, as there are so many things to see there. We did only the house and grounds, but there's cars, planes, etc.

If he is driving, be very attentive to speed limits. Those southern states are notorious for speed traps but the policemen are unfailingly polite. Still, they will ticket you.

 

[cmclaura]

I'm enjoying looking at the tickers that say only SIX MONTHS to go!!!

 

[Goldeelox9]

Sandie....What a WONDERFUL vacation! What I wouldn't give to get more then 2 weeks. LOL

6 months from today we will be on the ship!!!!

 

[Tatiana]

Wohoo! You're right! Only 6 months to go!!!

I've got my luggage out...

It's not too early to start packing... is it?!

 

[scrappinsandie]

2 weeks? Thats not long enough for a good holiday! Here at home we have a couple of one week vacations a year - mainly to visit my Dad who lives at the beach (actually I am there right now!)

THe shortest trip to the US I have had is 10 days at Disneyland with my sister and my best friend but as a family we usually come for longer. In 2025 for our 25th wedding anniversary we are doing a 10 week trip! A week driving from San Francisco to Seattle, an Alaskian cruise and then a 5 week road trip - and the Laura Ingalls Wilder house in on the list! Followed by 3 weeks at WDW.

We spent a few days in Atlanta last trip and I loed the World of Coke - just for the free Coke! and the Margaret Mitchel house and dinner at Pitty Pats Porch.

I think we get far more leave here than you guys do. I get 4 weeks anual leave and every second Friday off, my husband works 4 shifts a week and gets 6 weeks annual leave!!!

Sandie

 

[scrappinsandie]

What are your ideas about dining times?

I am leaning towards early dining - we normally eat around 6 pm at home.

Sandie

 

[cmclaura]

Most American companies start you with 1-2 weeks of vacation and, if you're lucky to stick around for 5-10 years, you might get a 3rd or 4th week added to that. When I lived in England, everyone started with 4-5 weeks; in Germany it's 6 weeks. We are so backward at some times.

I'm very lucky in that the small company I work for is very generous with our PTO (paid time off) policy. I thought I had 5 weeks but I just calculated and I actually have just over 6.5 weeks off. The trouble is getting it in increments of longer than 2 weeks at a time, mainly because we are so small. But I usually manage 4 weeks off during the year and use up the rest in days here and there.

I would love to be able to take it all at once and do a really great trip but that would also cost money -- something in rather short supply these days, in this economy, lol.


We always do the late dining because we're used to eating late anyway (again, having lived in Europe, it was my norm) and we're all more night owls than early birds. Not so good if you want to partake of the midnight buffets but then, I can do without all those extra calories anyway. We're not really into the shows much, so dining late also gives us extra time to do things while in port or even onboard.

What sort of excursions are people looking to do on the cruise?

 

[Tatiana]

What are your ideas about dining times?

I am leaning towards early dining - we normally eat around 6 pm at home.

Sandie

My family and I choose the early dining. We normally eat diner between 5 and 6pm, and the idea of waiting till 8pm or later was not something any of us wanted to consider.

Not to mention... I saw those photos of the midnight buffet's ... cakes upon cakes and pastries stacked several feet in the air... Totally something I want to take part in

 

[scrappinsandie]

We are going to go for early dining - that was an easy decision compared to deciding what if any excursions we do!

Sandie

 

[Katekins13]

I'm very excited - I just booked my fiance and I on this cruise for our honeymoon. Neither of us have ever been on a cruise before, but from everything I've read on here, I'm sure it will be great!

 

[Katekins13]

Ok..so I just finished reading through all the posts on here and I'm very confused..lol.. what are FE's?? Also, I'm very excited to see a few other honeymoon couples on the cruise - how exciting! Are any of the other honeymoon couples (or couples looking for some extra romantic things) booking anything special besides Pallo? I saw that Disney does some gifts you can send yourself, or have others send, but wasn't sure if there was anything else like that.

We could only afford to book a cat 11, so I'd love for the ship to be empty and upgrades..lol.. but even without I'm sure it will be great

 

[newbydisney]

Welcome new honeymooners!
I think just being on the ship is very romantic....late night walks on Deck 4 are awesome and if you catch the Coffee shop with no one in it it's very nice. Most late nights you can find CMCLaura and me and our dh's in the hot tub...we are not exactly honeymooners but I think we are pretty romantic don't you Laura?

 

[Tatiana]

I'm very excited - I just booked my fiance and I on this cruise for our honeymoon. Neither of us have ever been on a cruise before, but from everything I've read on here, I'm sure it will be great!

Hi Katekins13! Welcome to our little group! My group and I are first time cruisers as well!

 

[Tatiana]

Hello!

For those of you who don't know about Fish Extenders, I found this thread that tells you all about them!
Hopefully everyone on our chat board will participate!

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33184281&postcount=2

 

[Katekins13]

Hello!

For those of you who don't know about Fish Extenders, I found this thread that tells you all about them!
Hopefully everyone on our chat board will participate!

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33184281&postcount=2

Thanks Tatiana - I found that very helpful. I'm still a bit confused on what "traditional" gifts are normally left... or if there is even traditional gifts? (I'm not sure if it's whatever you choose, or suppose to be a certain theme or $ amount, etc..lol..) I'm sure as time goes on I'll continue to learn more!

Has anyone narrowed down their excursions wish list? We are on a very limited budget, so I have quite a few on my list and are hoping to narrow down based on reviews and input from others that have done them!