July 16, 2016 Disney Fantasy, Eastern Caribbean

[cmsb]

Tbzimmer (9062) is doing Sunday and Monday treats for all (young and older) in the Minnie group and Grandparents (9064) are giving treats (young and older) on Wednesday and Thursday, also in the Minnie group. **If you are a member of the Minnie group, we labeled gifts in bags with the gender and age that was listed on the sign up. For Instance: DS15 or DD8 or DH/DW. If we do not put the gifts in the correct pocket of your FE, you will know who we intended to give it to. Please know everyone in every stateroom listed on our sign up sheet will have a gift on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Hopefully this will help when you are expecting your gifts.
It was very fun trying to figure out what to treat people with given the varied ages, etc. We can't wait to see what others thought of!!!!

We are also in the Minnie Group and did the same thing. We will deliver ours Monday or Tuesday while we are sea.

 

[TBZimmer]

We are also in the Minnie Group and did the same thing. We will deliver ours Monday or Tuesday while we are sea.

Has anyone heard about the "sea lice" in the Gulf of Mexico? Is anyone concerned or know if they exist in the Carribean?

 

[SpudsMom94]

Good morning and again, thoughts and prayers to all impacted by the tragic events in Orlando the past few days. Especially heavy heart today for the Graves family.
Thought about whether to continue today with my 10 day bucket countdown celebrations and decided that I ain't gonna let the ones that attack this country stop us from living. So, give the significant other and especially the kids an extra hug today and................Only 3 more 10 Day Buckets Until.....................

I live in Orlando, I work for Disney, I know people who were killed in the shooting and have supporting CMs who have been working tirelessly since Tuesday night at the Grand. Don't stop living, don't stop celebrating, keep finding joy and embracing life. I'm ready for some good news. I'm ready to sail away. 29 days and counting... #orlandostrong

 

[Madzac]

Spudsmom94 thinking of you and lifting you, your friends and fellow CMs up in this awful time.

 

[RL Gutz]

Has anyone heard about the "sea lice" in the Gulf of Mexico? Is anyone concerned or know if they exist in the Carribean?

"Sea lice" is a lay term for seabathers eruption. It's a rash caused by microorganisms found near shore waters. Several cnidarian organisms (nematocysts, anemonies, jellyfish like organisms) can cause it, usually the skin under swimwear gets the brunt of it as the bugs get caught there and deposited on the skin. It's an allergic reaction to the organisms so a bit like poison ivy that way. I grew up in the Caribbean and it was rare. It can be a localized problem to some beaches that harbor higher numbers of these organisms. I read Castaway Cay may pose some risk but this will be my first time there so defer to those who have. There are preventative skin products out there but I can't vouch for any of them. A product named Safe Sea appears reputable and is a combination sunblock and stain repellent - seems legit.

 

[DCLSummerof16]

"Sea lice" is a lay term for seabathers eruption. It's a rash caused by microorganisms found near shore waters. Several cnidarian organisms (nematocysts, anemonies, jellyfish like organisms) can cause it, usually the skin under swimwear gets the brunt of it as the bugs get caught there and deposited on the skin. It's an allergic reaction to the organisms so a bit like poison ivy that way. I grew up in the Caribbean and it was rare. It can be a localized problem to some beaches that harbor higher numbers of these organisms. I read Castaway Cay may pose some risk but this will be my first time there so defer to those who have. There are preventative skin products out there but I can't vouch for any of them. A product named Safe Sea appears reputable and is a combination sunblock and stain repellent - seems legit.

We have been to castaway cay on 3 different cruises and have not experienced anything like this thankfully!!! Lets make it a 4th

 

[DCLSummerof16]

We leave a month from today (flying down a couple days earlier). So excited---it's been three years since our last cruise. Just for fun, we created a countdown calendar for the last month which is what we used to do when the kids were little. They are 14, 16, 19 and 22 now. They are loving the calendar though . Making fun of us a little but still participating. Getting a bit nostalgic since this will probably be our last family vacation with just the core 6 of us

Its been 4 years since our last cruise. My kids are close in age to yours (14S, 17D and 19D). They are all 3 super excited about this trip. This will be our 4th Disney Cruise (1st time on Fantasy). Last few summers I've felt the same...... like this could be our last just the 5 of us. So happy to have another vacation together this summer

 

[cmsb]

Has anyone heard about the "sea lice" in the Gulf of Mexico? Is anyone concerned or know if they exist in the Carribean?

On our July 2014 cruise, we encountered it at Castaway Cay. I bought Safe Sea lotion off of Amazon, which worked really well. The only problem was I didn't think to put it under the bathing suit and that is where my son felt the little stings. Once he washed off he was fine, but it was not pleasant for him. This year, I know that we need to apply it everywhere!

 

[budamacdvcr]

I live in Orlando, I work for Disney, I know people who were killed in the shooting and have supporting CMs who have been working tirelessly since Tuesday night at the Grand. Don't stop living, don't stop celebrating, keep finding joy and embracing life. I'm ready for some good news. I'm ready to sail away. 29 days and counting... #orlandostrong

Disney is such a big part of our family's life (DVC memebers, AP holders, number of park trips, cruises, kids grew up on movies, DS & I huge Star Wars fans, etc. etc....) and one of the major reasons we love Disney are the people. We have had so many special moments provided by Cast Members over the years. Thoughts and prayers to you and the cast members impacted by the recent tragic events and hopes that some pixie dust is coming your way.

 

[PollyBrit]

Hey experienced cruisers - a lanyard question! Does everyone carry their key card around everywhere on the ship? is it always on a lanyard? Would it be cool for me to buy my family all their own lanyards in advance, so we all have unique ones? I've seen some nice ones on ebay, cheaper than the 'official' parks type ones the Disney store has... what are your thoughts and opinions? Thanks!

 

[TBZimmer]

I can remember looking at the days until we sail and it shows 100+ days, and now we're down to 28. It's coming quick

 

[budamacdvcr]

Hey experienced cruisers - a lanyard question! Does everyone carry their key card around everywhere on the ship? is it always on a lanyard? Would it be cool for me to buy my family all their own lanyards in advance, so we all have unique ones? I've seen some nice ones on ebay, cheaper than the 'official' parks type ones the Disney store has... what are your thoughts and opinions? Thanks!

We like to as during the day we are mostly in swim suits and you need for all purchases on the ship, plus you need for getting off and on the ship in ports. I like them in a lanyard to put in a pool or beach bag as well as it is easier to keep track of. They do give you a lanyard with pouch when you check in but I also like to use my own.

 

[IndyMouseFan]

I can remember looking at the days until we sail and it shows 100+ days, and now we're down to 28. It's coming quick

The first countdown I posted was this:
By the way, I'm really pretty ridiculous in my countdowns -- but just in case you're curious -- it's 448 days, 3 hours, 55 minutes until the big day...

Madzac and I have been counting down together for a long time!!! We're down to 28 days, 4 hours, 33 minutes until the big day!!!! I like countdowns this size much better than 448 days.

 

[SpudsMom94]

Hey experienced cruisers - a lanyard question! Does everyone carry their key card around everywhere on the ship? is it always on a lanyard? Would it be cool for me to buy my family all their own lanyards in advance, so we all have unique ones? I've seen some nice ones on ebay, cheaper than the 'official' parks type ones the Disney store has... what are your thoughts and opinions? Thanks!

I bought the DCL lanyards (the blue with Velcro) after our second cruise and we have been using them ever since. We carry/wear our cards everywhere on the ship. Having unique lanyards is easy when it comes to grabbing them - then you can tell at a glance instead of trying to look at the card itself.

 

[Madzac]

The first countdown I posted was this:
By the way, I'm really pretty ridiculous in my countdowns -- but just in case you're curious -- it's 448 days, 3 hours, 55 minutes until the big day...

Madzac and I have been counting down together for a long time!!! We're down to 28 days, 4 hours, 33 minutes until the big day!!!! I like countdowns this size much better than 448 days.

Excited to meet you in 28 days!!!

 

[Madzac]

Hey experienced cruisers - a lanyard question! Does everyone carry their key card around everywhere on the ship? is it always on a lanyard? Would it be cool for me to buy my family all their own lanyards in advance, so we all have unique ones? I've seen some nice ones on ebay, cheaper than the 'official' parks type ones the Disney store has... what are your thoughts and opinions? Thanks!

We wear our lanyards. I bought some our first trip and we used the ones they give returning cruisers last time. Very convenient!

 

[Jennifer Crunelle]

OK, I've got all my FE gifts ready to bag up and put together by cabin numbers. Now, I'm not sure if I should put a tag on them so everyone knows who they're from. Does everyone put "from" tags on their gifts or is it more of a Secret Santa thing?

 

[Madzac]

Totally up to you. I'd say my last two trips more people did put their name on them than didn't. But it's totally up to you!

 

[SpudsMom94]

Just got the main item of my FE gifts... Now to work on the rest. But still no room number....

 

[TBZimmer]

Have we ever agreed on where our meeting will be, shortly after we board the boat?