July 11 - 18 "Magic" Cruise to the Western Caribbean

[gofenmom]

Haven't posted too much recently- you'll see why...

Well, I did it today... Attended a pension planning session and will be retiring at the end of the school year... having taught 34 years, 6 months and 27 days...and can honestly say that I still love it (on most days)- It is never (or hardly ever) the children that get me down - it is more the paper work (not grading papers) and changes I see in education..brought on by No Child Left Behind...

Also, my mom is 83 and I'm an only child. I feel that I need to devote my time making sure she is happy and that I'm able to be there when she needs me..
If retiring wasn't stressful enough I'm moving....(10 miles down the road) I brought a house closer to town and in a development...For the last two weeks I've been packing... after 32 years in one house - this elementary school teacher is the Pack Rat's Pack Rat...

My kids are refusing to move everything...The good thing is that my DS and his GF are moving into the house I am leaving.. For him it is moving back home...Little does he know - I'm leaving lots of my treasures for him... He can throw them away and I don't have to...

I should be packing treasures but instead...I'm reading and writing on the boards. I needed a break...

I still want to get together a list of our crew....with July birthdays and cabins that want to do fish extenders....and a Dis Meet on board

I'll let you know how the move goes....

 

[Special K's Mom]

Welcome...this is my second cruise,too...but my kids have never cruised...They are quite a bit older than your children....We are under the three month mark... and picking up more families...

And let the countdown begin!!! I can't believe we are already at less than 3 months - YEAH!! (My kids are actually counting by the week!)

Your's just might become kids again once they pass through the Mickey ears and board the ship!

I read in another thread that you are retiring from teaching! Good for you - for retiring but also for the hard work you have put in over the years! My DS is also a school teacher - Elem/Special Ed here in GA - 15 years now for her!

We are definately interested in the FE and a DISMeet - my Mom is "Granny Hawkins" - she is cruising with us again this year! Just let us know what we need to do!
(Granny takes just about all of our vacations with us since my husband passed away in 2005 - )

Looking forward to continuing to meet friends on here and hopefully for real in 87 days!!

 

[ManMeyCrew]

I need more of an explanation on the FEs please. I've got a general gist but need the guidelines I guess. We might be interested.
Also, my Mom, who is travelling with us, is a 4th of July baby. Does it count if it's before the actual cruise? She and dad are true social butterflies and would probably be interested in the Dis Meet on board.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

It will be me, DH and DS who will be 14 when we sail. This is going to be part of his B-Day present next month. Still trying to think of a way we going to surprise him with it. We did the land and sea in May/June 2007 on the Wonder and loved the ship. The weather was not that great on the ship and we were not able to dock at CC, what a disappointment. But we had a wonderful time on the ship anyway. We're driving down night before and are planning getting on the ship asap to start enjoying the Magic!

 

[Granny Hawkins]

Looking forward to the FE and meeting everyone!

I have several ideas "running around" in my head.

 

[Granny Hawkins]

Will check back tomorrow to see if anyone is doing a FE list but right now I am....

Going to get ready to go to the JIMMY BUFFETT Concert!!!!

 

[patsal]

Will check back tomorrow to see if anyone is doing a FE list but right now I am....

Going to get ready to go to the JIMMY BUFFETT Concert!!!!

Color me green with envy--just love Jimmy Buffett! Hope it was fun!

I'm in for a meet (time permitting) and for FE's if there are others as well!

Gofenmom--Congratulations on all things. I can imagine how difficult it is for you to leave a job you love. I only have 11 years in public education so I have quite a ways to go before I can retire. NCLB is such a pain and the paperwork is as well--I'd rather be helping kids than cutting through red tape!

 

[Special K's Mom]

Color me green with envy--just love Jimmy Buffett! Hope it was fun!

I'm in for a meet (time permitting) and for FE's if there are others as well!

Gofenmom--Congratulations on all things. I can imagine how difficult it is for you to leave a job you love. I only have 11 years in public education so I have quite a ways to go before I can retire. NCLB is such a pain and the paperwork is as well--I'd rather be helping kids than cutting through red tape!

Buffett was a BLAST!!.....really made me ready for Summertime, Key West and Cruising!!!!

 

[gofenmom]

I need more of an explanation on the FEs please. I've got a general gist but need the guidelines I guess. We might be interested.
Also, my Mom, who is travelling with us, is a 4th of July baby. Does it count if it's before the actual cruise? She and dad are true social butterflies and would probably be interested in the Dis Meet on board and FEs.

Since I've only done FEs one time...I'm not an expert...but I loved preparing the gifts, designing the FE that hangs over the fish in the hallway, distributing the gifts and of course finding FE gifts when I returned to our room. I purchased my FE from a lady on E-bay –she has so many different designs, colors, and will personalize the FE for your family. She will also personalize pillowcases so the characters can sign them if you give them to Guest Services…I can’t post a picture of my FE since my desktop is at my new house and the pics are on it. PM me if you would like her name…This time I may try to make my own FE. I found several postings on the main cruise board about FE gifts and different ideas for FEs.

I plan to celebrate my July 8th birthday one evening...One of our tablemates had a birthday during our first cruise and the B'day cake was cute...

Georgiana

 

[Turn96]

Hello everyone.

I can't believe our cruise is 2 months and 23 days away. I was kind of bummed about the Kids Sail Free promo and not getting the pin but I recently rebooked with AAA and saved our group(3 staterooms) $4400.

I am sailing with my DH, DS 9, DS 6, DH parents, my mom and my niece 15. My mom and niece have never been on a Disney Cruise so I am looking forward to sharing this experience with them. I haven't made any reservations yet for Palos or for any excursions, so I am in a real panic.

Where is eveyone with their "planning"?

 

[ManMeyCrew]

This is our first cruise with DCL so we can't make any reservations until later this month. From what I've been reading, sounds like there won't be much left. I'm not too concerned. Since it is our first DCL cruise, everthing will be new and fun. As long as my daughters (Evelyn - 6 and Katherine - 5) can enjoy the Oceaneers Club they'll be happy. I'm hoping for a reservation at Palo's for my DFi (Doug) and I though. He is coming home on his R&R from a deployment in the Middle East for this. He'll be heading back over there a few days after the cruise to finish out his tour. The focus for us is to have a low-stress family vacation while he is home, and we think the DCL is the way to go. Therefore, we will take what we can get and roll with it. But, a quiet 'grown-up" dinner with him would be great.
Still looking into the FEs. Sounds like fun, but maybe it's too late in the game to put enough thought/effort into it? Who else is doing it? My Mom and Dad might be interested. They've cruised a lot, but never with DCL before so this will be their first. When I mentioned this to her, she sounded interested.

 

[TexDisneyMom]

Where is eveyone with their "planning"?

All I have done is made a reservation for a dolphin swim in Grand Cayman. The only time slot left was at 7:30 am. The old navigators say that we tender at approx 7:30 am so I am a little concerned about this, but that's why I booked thru DCL. (for those still planning there are lots of time slots still left for Cozumel dolphin swims, so dont panic) Other than the swim I havent made any other reservations.

 

[VacationKicks]

Wow, a lot of new people on this thread, that's great.

goofyisasgoofydoes-My DS will be 15 when we sail. He is not the type to email in advance (only seems to text) but if there is a meet we could introduce them. We are traveling with cousins but they are all much younger than him. He is the only one in our group old enough for the stack.

ErinCJmom - I also have a DD who is 11 and she would be interested in sending a pm or two. PM me if interested.

gofenmom - are you going to do the fish extender list and birthday list? Should we PM you with the info?

For those who haven't booked Palo yet, there are still some time slots available, but remember that not all time slots are able to be booked online. So if you don't get what you want go to wavebands as soon as you board and you may be able to get it.

 

[gofenmom]

Hello everyone.

I can't believe our cruise is 2 months and 23 days away. I was kind of bummed about the Kids Sail Free promo and not getting the pin but I recently rebooked with AAA and saved our group(3 staterooms) $4400.

I am sailing with my DH, DS 9, DS 6, DH parents, my mom and my niece 15. My mom and niece have never been on a Disney Cruise so I am looking forward to sharing this experience with them. I haven't made any reservations yet for Palos or for any excursions, so I am in a real panic.

Where is eveyone with their "planning"?

Welcometo our group.
I was able to make reservation earlier...We have our excursions booked...on our own in Key West, Island Tour in Grand Cayman, and then cat ride, snorkel, and beach. Palo brunch, tea, and dinner booked since we are all adults...
Now just to get everything together and back on that diet...
Georgiana

 

[gofenmom]

I have a webpage going for our Baltic Sea Cruise and have played with it for this cruise. I'd be more than willing to collect pictures and a castawy list for anyone that wants to contribute their info. It may help with a fish extender or other plans.

Here's what it looks like so far.

http://chasingthemouse.pbwiki.com/Destination:+Western+Caribbean+-+July+2009

Jeff

Jeff offered to add our information to his webpage...

gofenmom - are you going to do the fish extender list and birthday list? Should we PM you with the info?

Our Magical Cruise – Fish Extender List
If you are interested in participating with the exchange, PM or email me the following information and any questions. I’ll try to organize the list for the FE gifts. Remember if you are cruising with extended family or friends, ask them to join our exchange… gfennemore@hotmail.com (put FE in subject box)

DisBoard Name(s):
Real Names (if you want)
Room number(s)
Deck number
Children’s age(s)
Children’s names (if you want)


JULY BIRTHDAYS
Name:
Date: July
Age: (If you want)

Georgiana

 

[gofenmom]

How about a Dis Meet?

 

[Special K's Mom]

We are interested in the DisMeet! Myself, DD (8), DS (5) and Granny (Granny Hawkins)

 

[Turn96]

I just want to make everyone aware that AAA has some excellent rates for this cruise. We were originally booked for this cruise with another TA for $6500 for a CAT 9. We now have a CAT 4 for $4800. That is for me, DH, DS9 and DS6. We have 2 other rooms in our group and they were able to use my discount. That CAT 4 with the other TA would have been over $10,500.

If you want to know more you can check the "Just booked Kid 17 and under sail free" thread. My first post was 4/16/09 at 6:01 pm.

I hope some people are able to take advantage of this deal.

 

[gofenmom]

I just want to make everyone aware that AAA has some excellent rates for this cruise. We were originally booked for this cruise with another TA for $6500 for a CAT 9. We now have a CAT 4 for $4800. That is for me, DH, DS9 and DS6. We have 2 other rooms in our group and they were able to use my discount. That CAT 4 with the other TA would have been over $10,500.

If you want to know more you can check the "Just booked Kid 17 and under sail free" thread. My first post was 4/16/09 at 6:01 pm.

I hope some people are able to take advantage of this deal.

Wow, great deal... I am happy for you... and sad for us.. we had already paid off the cruise. DD and DSL are in a cat 5 and paid about 1,000 more than you....I'll have to let a few friends know about the deals. They are not cruising with us because it is so expensive...My DD's and DSL's best friends just had a baby girl... the new parents love all things Disney but have never cruised with DCL..They are wondering if their daughter is too young to cruise...by July 11...

Thanks for the information...
Have a great week.
Georgiana

 

[ManMeyCrew]

Georgiana - got your email. Thanks. How many people are on the FE list? Seems like this is a small group of DISers on this thread compare to others I have been reading. Does it pick up closer to the cruise time?
Patty