July 22, 2012 5 Night Bahamian Cruise

[tamihong]

Welcome aboard Ceisen family.

I am the one (Tami) organizing the Fish Extender activity for our cruise.

I will be putting out the first official list of FE participants this Friday. As of now, those who have shown interest, you make cabin # 7. I will give specifics on Friday.

For now, those interested have posted, their first names, ages of their children, if they are celebrating anything special (birthday, anniversary, graduation etc...) and their cabin #.

If you would not mind posting your families information soon, I could add your details in the first FE list.

As Jay mentioned, there are numerous posts on these boards regarding FE's that are very helpful. I know other cruises have split their groups if they have become too large to handle (ours has not) or they have put other "suggestions" regarding what each participant does, again we have not. As you said, you little one will love it and I believe even the adults will also. It is just another fun activity unique to cruising.

 

[tamihong]

Good Morning all. Here is a summary of the FE participants 100 days out.

We have a total of 26 "fish" participating, from 7 different cabins. 14 of the 26 are 18 and under, 9 of them are girls and 5 boys.

So far we are celebrating 2 HS graduations, 1 Birthday (40) and 1 Anniversary (10th).

Details are as follows:

1. Bollengier - cabin #8042
Gary and Linda
Elora (DD) 18 (HS graduate)
Faith (DD) 12

2. WrongwayFeldman - cabin #5038
Troy and Michele
Kayla (DD) 17
Anna (DD) 13
Will (DS) 10
Max (DS) 7

3. Hong - cabin #6534
Bob and Tami
Kaitlyn (DD) 17 (HS graduate)
Kaleb (DS) 13

4. TempusFugit - cabin #8576
Jay and Katie (DH 40th B-Day)

5. Hudson - cabin #8188
Jim and Tonya
Rhianna (DD) 14
Kathryn (DD) 7

6. PrincessKayla - cabin # GTY
Troy and Joni (10th Anniversary)

7. Ceisen (Eisenson) - cabin # ???
DH and DW
(DS) 4
(DS) 1


*** Eisenson's I wasn't sure if you wanted your personal info posted. If not, I will begin posting everyones info via emails for privacy. Just let me know.

Also, as time goes on, I will begin posting all the information in Spreadsheets, so having everyone's email addresses might be useful. Here is mine so you can email me and then I will have yours. tamihong@sbcglobal.net

I have been reading about other cruises FE's and have found out a few things we might also want to implement. But first I would also like to say that I would really like everyones imput, I don't want to make the dicisions for the group, I will just organize what everyone else wants.

With that said, I think it might be wise to put a cut off date into effect. Many groups do this, some do it 100 days out while others do it at 30 days and anywhere in between. So what is everyone's opinion? I know for my family we will be driving and doing a few WDW days before the cruise, so for me I would rather not see the cut off date any less than 30 days out.

A few other things we need to decide are these. Will we have and official "Must be delivered by date/time"? How often? etc....

Here is my opinion on those and remember I am just one fish or one voice. I am fine with a 30 day cut off (June 22). I suppose it is best that everything be delivered by Thursday evening, so that it can be packed up and ready to go. I personally don't care when or how often things are delivered. My kids will be happy to have been "Extended" whether on day 1 or day 4, they will just be happy.

Lastly, I love how some of the other cruises have remembered to "Just Have Fun" with "extending" others. No competitions, no stress, not a lot of rules, just enjoyment. I would also like to remember that.

So what are your thoughts?

 

[Ceisen]

That all sounds great to us "Just Have Fun" always works for us.
FYI right now our cabin reads GTY (not sure what that means)
Anyhow, let us know what we can do or what everyone decides
Thanks

 

[Gr00vyChc]

Hi everyone! We haven't cruised with DCL since 2008! This is only our 2nd DCL cruise. We had a BIG Dis group last time and it was so much fun! The moms even got together the 1st day of the cruise to put together some goody bags for all the kids in our group and they loved it!

We have a DD8 and she would love to make new friends (as do we).

We went on a Carnival Cruise this Eastee break, 2 days in Los Cabos and we swam with the dolphins there! What a great experience (the dolphin swim, not the cruise line)

Anyway, can't wait for our cruise!

 

[princesskayla]

I have to confess. I feel like I was "cheating" on this cruise but it didn't work out. I was trying to jump ship and go on the May 27th cruise. My husband works for the airlines and we were offered a great rate at half off for that cruise. I called, got a cabin put on hold and proceeded to ask my boss for those days off. When she finally got back to me the travel agent was closed (the Alaska/lower 48 time difference thing). First thing this morning - they were all sold out and the travel agent I talked to yesterday was gone for the day!!!

So as I was writing this....another travel agent called me (I had called another one after I got rejected -I don't quit easily) and said one more cabin was available!!! for 2 people (probably the one I put on hold yesterday)

I guess I will be going on the May 27 cruise - not so happy about leaving yall's group but I am saving over $1800 - so I will get over it.

I will give y'all a full report when I get back and be a little jealous when you set sail...

 

[Diana Schulz]

Greetings all. We just switched our cruise to the July 22 nd sailing today.
Count the Schulz Family in on the FE fun! Cabin 8610.
Malcolm and Diana (adults)
Christian 17 boy
Matt 13 boy.

We have cruised before, but are looking forward to our first DCL cruise. For those of us new to DCL, continue to share your FE tips. Where does everyone get their FE? I saw some on eBay that looked nice. I don' t sew, so may have resort to ordering one.

I like the idea of a meet and greet with the families, maybe before the kids head off to their clubs. It would be nice for them to have already made a friend.

Tami, thanks for organizing the FE.

Looking forward to a wonderful Disney Cruise.

 

[Gr00vyChc]

90 days is almost here! What shore excursions are you all planning to book?

 

[tamihong]

Good Morning all,

Wow, many changes in just 5 days. This is going to keep me on my toes

First let me say, goodbye to Princess Kayla (Troy and Joni), enjoy your new cruise and we expect a full report the day you get back

Welcome to GrOOvyChc and Schulz Family. Glad you are joining us.

GrOOvyChc - by you post I am making the assumption that you would like to be a part of the FE????? If that is the case, we would like the following info for planning purposes. Your first names, and your cabin number.

Schulz family - You are on the ball - thanks. I have all the info needed for the FE but as a side note, I am excited that you have a 13 year old son, (our son is also 13). I am just guessing but I think the 3 17/18 year old girls are going to be much happier about your other son.

Welcome all.

 

[tamihong]

As far as excursions, right now we hope to arrange for our kids to do the snorkeling, kayaking, biking thing on CC. We have to wait for the 75 day mark to book this, so we will see. Other than that, we don't have anything definite. Bollengier (Linda) did you have to book a room at Atlantis to do the excursion?

Anyone else planning something?

 

[Gr00vyChc]

I think we can start booking excursions at 90 days, so.. real soon! DH and DD8 are doing the Parasailing in CC and snorkeling and then just vege out the rest of the day and the 2nd day at CC.

Is anyone else booking a room at Comfort Inn while in Nassau? I read that it is less expensive than the Aquaventure shore excursion if you book a room there because it gives you access to the waterparks and beaches in Atlantis?

I hope Remy isn't sold out yet. We plan to have dinner there. Anyone else doing Remy? If so, are you doing the wine pairings as well?

Been reading up on recent Navigators from the Dream... it's so exciting!

 

[Gr00vyChc]

Adding our names to the FE list.
Troy and Joni - adults
Room # GTY

We are celebrating our 10th anniversary and this is our offical honeymoon (although it is a little late - we never got one )

Hi PrincessKayla! We'll be celebrating our 10th year Anniversary on this cruise as well!
What have you got planned? My DH so wants to do Remy- so I'm hoping they won't be sold out by our 90 day mark to book excursions and dinner!

Happy 10th Anniversary!

 

[tamihong]

Good Morning all!

90 days - who booked last night and what did you get???

I have a few quick comments/questions if you don't mind.

For those who have cruised DCL, we did 20 years ago so that doesn't count. Will we have a formal night? And how formal will you be? Shirt and tie or suit or perhaps tux? I have been following a thread on what people wear on formal night and it varied widely but very few stated if they were a 3 night, 5 night or 7 or longer. Really could use some help here. Thanks.

Is anyone planning our meet-n-greet? Would someone like to?

Here is a quick status update for the FE.

Currently, we have 7 cabins, could be 8 - still need to hear a yes from Gr00vyChc. we have 7 DD's, and 7 DS's. 14 adults. Could be adding 2 additional adults and 1 more DD. I will send the details out later this week.

Looking forward to July......

 

[TempusFugit]

I have to confess. I feel like I was "cheating"I will give y'all a full report when I get back and be a little jealous when you set sail...

We'll miss meeting you but can absolutely understand. The price alone makes it a no-brainer. Plus there is a shorter wait to sail. I'll be sure to have a martini in your honor.

 

[TempusFugit]

Good Morning all!

90 days - who booked last night and what did you get???

I have a few quick comments/questions if you don't mind.

For those who have cruised DCL, we did 20 years ago so that doesn't count. Will we have a formal night? And how formal will you be? Shirt and tie or suit or perhaps tux? I have been following a thread on what people wear on formal night and it varied widely but very few stated if they were a 3 night, 5 night or 7 or longer. Really could use some help here. Thanks.

Is anyone planning our meet-n-greet? Would someone like to?

Here is a quick status update for the FE.

Currently, we have 7 cabins, could be 8 - still need to hear a yes from Gr00vyChc. we have 7 DD's, and 7 DS's. 14 adults. Could be adding 2 additional adults and 1 more DD. I will send the details out later this week.

Looking forward to July......

Is it pathetic that I was us at 12:01 last night? Yes...yes it is...

But our reservations are made. We're planning on running the Castaway 5K our first stop there and afterward I got myself a little 40th birthday present...couples massage at Serenity Bay. Yeah I know, spendy, but I'll soon forget that right? Hey getting older and senile has it's benefits...so I've been told....I think... I can't remember....

We also got Palo brunch on the only sea day. Thinking about snorkling. Have to wait to book tastings until onboard. Also did our online check-in.

So all you Sliver Castaway Club members- today's the day. Get some!

 

[Diana Schulz]

Tami, Thanks for the update. Do you know when you will close our FE?

 

[TempusFugit]

Oh, Tami, I'll email you today with my address for future lists.

I'm all for setting a cutoff date 30 days out minimum. 45 would be bettter and we could always make exceptions up to the 30 day mark if all agree.

I believe we'll have a semi-formal night on ours ont he second night if I remember correctly, in addition to the Pirate Night. I'm not 100% as the 5-nighter is a new itinerary for us. We'll probably see anything from chinos and a Hawiian shirt to full-on tux and ballgowns. I'll probably rock the suit and tie - not sure about DW but she'll be more beautiful than I deserve, as usual. Like most things on DLC it's what you feel like doing with a gentle nudge in the right direction. We like do dress, but then again I'm shipping my pirate hat down ahead of time so I don't have to pack it.

I don't know about a meet-n-greet yet. As a sidebar meeting I'm still all for a DIS adults cocktail party and/or martini tasting. We'll be checking out the lounges and doing martini/beer/wine, etc tastings anyway so would love company!

 

[tamihong]

Regarding the FE cut-off. I am still waiting to hear from everyone on what they would prefer. Thanks Jay, for your response. I like the 45 days out, with a no exception cut off at 30.

ANYONE ELSE?????

 

[tamihong]

Jay, I would personally like to nominate you to lead the "adult" tastings and meeting. I am sure others on here would agree that you are the right person for the job.

Nice to hear you were able to book things you wanted. Gives us hope that there still might be something available at the 75 day mark.

Thanks for the "formal/semi-formal" information. I can use all the help I can get. Just not sure if we should dress nice or go all out. I have a 17 DD who will say go all out but I am sure her 13 year old brother would not be happy with that

So since you have done this DCL thing before, any way to tell how full the ship is? I am guessing pretty full, but goodness only 7 cabins involved in the FE seems really low. I probably shouldn't complain, the more people, the more work for me

 

[Gr00vyChc]

Hi everyone! I'll book shore excursions tomorrow and Remy, hopefully thats not sold out.
We'll be celebrating our 10th year anniversary onboard, so I'm hoping to book Remy.
Tami, thanks so much for doing the FE. I'll pm you our room number soon!

Does anyone else have a 7-8 DD or DS? I have a DD8

Tami, I read some of the recent Dream trip reports with Navigators. There is an option for dress up night and it's on our 2nd night. We'll be dressing up to take advantage of ship photogs.

Here is what I got from their NAVs:
Day 1- cruise casual / show: Golden Mickeys / Sail Away Party @ 4:45pm
Day 2- CC all ashore 8:30am all aboard 5:00pm / Optional Dress Up / show: Knight Magic
Day 3- Nassau all ashore 9:45a all aboard 6:30pm / Casual/Pirate Night/ show: Movie Night / Pirate Night 7:45pm Fireworks at 10:30pm
Day 4- Day at Sea / semi formal / show: Villains Tonight
Day 5- CC all ashore 830am all aboard 5:00pm/ cruise casual/ show: Disney's Believe

I'll have to check back to different trip reports closer to our date to see if any of the above have changed. We only plan to do what's important to DD (ride the Aquaduck as many times as she can) and me and hubby (go to Remy)...other than that, we just plan to ..... Cruise

What are everyone's shore excursions???? Anyone planning to book a room at the Comfort Suites Inn to get wristbands for Atlantis? I called Comfort Inn the other day and confirmed with them that if you book a room, you can have access to Atlantis pools, beach, and amenities...woot!

Happy Monday everyone!!!!

 

[Tgrgrl]

Schuerer family reporting in! Mom, dad and two DD 's age 1 and 4 1/2 ( the 1/2 is VERY important. This is our 1st Disney cruise and we are super excited. We live near Cape Canaveral and see the ships in port almost daily, which prompts the 4 1/2 year old to ask "Is today the day we go on the Disney boat?". Cant wait to finally say YES, today is the day!!!

We are traveling with 3 other families so I don't know if they are interested in the FE's but we would like to participate. I will PM the coordinator with our cabin #.

Question for former cruisers....any other activities with the Princesses other than the meet and greet? You know it's all about them right now. Poor Dad is totally outnumbered but he's a good sport!