July 30, 2010 Mickey's Adventures England to Espana Cruise

[mkmommy]

Hi Lisa,
I started my blog today and entred two posts already. Im not really sure what Im doing yet. Have no idea how to post pics, etc. But I'll learn. I don't know how you can find my blog. I guess you can get there through the comment I left on yours

I found your blog and I look forward to readig about it. Keep checking the DCL website to see if any of the secret port hole rooms come up. I did that and I got one and also Scottishwee35 just changed to one recently so do appear from time to time.

 

[Goofy Mum]

Happy Thanksgiving to the US cruisers.

Being in Canada it is a regular week for us, but traffic is much lighter so I think a lot of the US companies here take the time off also.

I was talking to my oldest about going ashore and she now says that she will go off in every port to walk around and look but not excursions, so I am happy with that. I have been to Europe 3 times and I have spent most of that time just wandering around and all the ports seem like they will be easy to walk around in. My youngest wants a digital camera for Christmas so she should be happy taking lots of pictures of all the old buildings and markets. I was also telling them that it is neat to go into grocery stores in other countries and look at all the different foods that they have.

Lisa

This is so funny. I had nearly the same conversation with my eldest tonight also. I asked him what sort of excursions he may be interested in and he asked why we just can't do our own thing. He's quite content on sight-seeing and maybe a little shopping and some foreign cuisine.
I acutally bought him a really nice digital camera for xmas! It's what he really wanted and I also found a miniature printer that can be hooked up to the camera (or bluetooth from a mobile phone)and the pics printed on the spot. He's going t be so surprised!

 

[mkmommy]

This is so funny. I had nearly the same conversation with my eldest tonight also. I asked him what sort of excursions he may be interested in and he asked why we just can't do our own thing. He's quite content on sight-seeing and maybe a little shopping and some foreign cuisine.
I acutally bought him a really nice digital camera for xmas! It's what he really wanted and I also found a miniature printer that can be hooked up to the camera (or bluetooth from a mobile phone)and the pics printed on the spot. He's going t be so surprised!

Kids are funny, I think we tend to always overplan and they would prefer to just do things on their own,. I know my kids are not big on go, go, go, they just love to sit and people watch and take things in. I will not be planning on trying to see everything on this trip, I am going to aim for 1 thing in each port.

What type of digital camera did you get, I want something that is durable for kids and small? My husband is the tech shopper in our house, so I am not sure if he has got something yet. My husband got a new one for himself but it is too big to have in your pocket.

Lisa

 

[mkmommy]

Anyone looking to do Gibraltar on your own here is a good website, they have a map that is just of the attractions so it gives you a good idea of the distances.

http://www.gibraltarinfo.gi/gibraltar-cable-car.aspx

 

[Goofy Mum]

Kids are funny, I think we tend to always overplan and they would prefer to just do things on their own,. I know my kids are not big on go, go, go, they just love to sit and people watch and take things in. I will not be planning on trying to see everything on this trip, I am going to aim for 1 thing in each port.

What type of digital camera did you get, I want something that is durable for kids and small? My husband is the tech shopper in our house, so I am not sure if he has got something yet. My husband got a new one for himself but it is too big to have in your pocket.

Lisa

My kids aren't big doers either. I'm positive the little ones will be more than happy to stay on board for the entire time playing in their kids clubs.

I got him the Samsung ES60 12mp in black. Also the Polaroid POGO portable printer. The paper has a sticky back which will be really nice when he makes his photo album/scrapbook of the holiday.

 

[Goofy Mum]

Anyone looking to do Gibraltar on your own here is a good website, they have a map that is just of the attractions so it gives you a good idea of the distances.

http://www.gibraltarinfo.gi/gibraltar-cable-car.aspx

Thanks for that. I was just wondering if it's more economical to pay as you go or use an outside source to book your excursion rather than going through the DCL.

 

[mkmommy]

My kids aren't big doers either. I'm positive the little ones will be more than happy to stay on board for the entire time playing in their kids clubs.

I got him the Samsung ES60 12mp in black. Also the Polaroid POGO portable printer. The paper has a sticky back which will be really nice when he makes his photo album/scrapbook of the holiday.

Thanks for that. I was just wondering if it's more economical to pay as you go or use an outside source to book your excursion rather than going through the DCL.

My oldest is planning on spending a lot of time in the clubs, she has been asking if she will be able to have sign in privileges. Does anyone know if you can allow them just sign in privileges and not out? Not sure how I would feel with her having the ability to check herself out, I guess I could always give her the privilege and tell her that she cannot check herself out and I think she would be good with that, she just wants to be able to run to the club when she is finished dinner. My youngest on the other hand is mommies girl and will be my side, and I will have to work really hard to get her into the clubs.

Typically doing ports on your own is less expensive than DCL ones, but it depends on your comfort being out on your own. If you are doing something far from port for the whole day I would recommend DCL ones as you have the security of knowing that if the tour is late than DCL will hold the ship for ship sponsored tours. I have tended to do DCL tours on the islands for that reason, but I have toured many large cities on my own and I think in Europe missing the boat is not such a big issue. If there are any good DCL excursions that come out I would be willing to do, so but I am also willing to go out on my own


I wonder if Scottishwee went to the Macy's parade today, I bet she is having so much fun.

Lisa

 

[Goofy Mum]

Oh I forgot I read she was going to NYC. I used to watch the parade every year when I lived in the States. But it's been years and years since I've watched it. I've never seen it in real life! Exciting!

 

[Goofy Mum]

Sadly I'm going to abandon ship (this cruise) and head out on the 10 night Med (May 5, 2010) cruise as kids cruise free. Saving over $4000!

 

[mkmommy]

Sadly I'm going to abandon ship (this cruise) and head out on the 10 night Med (May 5, 2010) cruise as kids cruise free. Saving over $4000!

That is a great savings. I cannot take the kids out of school so I am stuck in the summer. I am still holding out hope that CAT 12 will be released at a discounted rate for this cruise too. So far I am batting 100% all 4 cruises I have taken have had price reductions so I will keep looking.

 

[scottishwee35]

Hello

I am home now and feel very tired after had a long flight...

I had a great times in New York and saw the parade and see the thanksgiving as the empire state had the lovely colourful at night...

I will be back and put photos later

Scottishwee35

 

[mkmommy]

Hello

I am home now and feel very tired after had a long flight...

I had a great times in New York and saw the parade and see the thanksgiving as the empire state had the lovely colourful at night...

I will be back and put photos later

Scottishwee35

Glad to hear you had a good time and look forward to seeing some pictures.

Lisa

 

[Piggy and Bear]

Hello

I am home now and feel very tired after had a long flight...

I had a great times in New York and saw the parade and see the thanksgiving as the empire state had the lovely colourful at night...

I will be back and put photos later

Scottishwee35

Have a good sleep! Glad you had a good time. Can't wait to see the pictures!

 

[scottishwee35]

Hi

I am still tired or jet lag??

I slept in this morning and managed to get kids ready for school... After that I went back to bed until 10 am...

Still feel tired as I am going to work for 12 noon today as my work don't allow time off in December month grrrr...

but I am glad that tomorrow is my day off and I will show you the photos okay...

Scottishwee35

 

[scottishwee35]

Sadly I'm going to abandon ship (this cruise) and head out on the 10 night Med (May 5, 2010) cruise as kids cruise free. Saving over $4000!

Oh No, that is shame but you will enjoy the 10 night Med as 2 nights extra wink...

That is a great savings. I cannot take the kids out of school so I am stuck in the summer. I am still holding out hope that CAT 12 will be released at a discounted rate for this cruise too. So far I am batting 100% all 4 cruises I have taken have had price reductions so I will keep looking.

I have told that my kids are not allowed to be off in May since we took them out for Panama Canal Cruise last year for 3 half weeks... they told me that we are not doing it again in future

So we stay in this cruise

Scottishwee35

 

[Goofy Mum]

Welcome back Scottishwee. Did you enjoy NYC? What about the Thanksgiving parade! Exciting! This is the first year I've lived in the UK and didnt celebrate Thanksgiving.

I know what you mean about taking the kids out of school I should have guilt but I really don't. In England (not sure about Scotland) they're basically finished with the school work for the year. I think I even got my eldest sons school report in May last year! What's the point! also they never miss school. AND they certainly deserve it. We never go anywhere!

 

[mkmommy]

Welcome back Scottishwee. Did you enjoy NYC? What about the Thanksgiving parade! Exciting! This is the first year I've lived in the UK and didnt celebrate Thanksgiving.

I know what you mean about taking the kids out of school I should have guilt but I really don't. In England (not sure about Scotland) they're basically finished with the school work for the year. I think I even got my eldest sons school report in May last year! What's the point! also they never miss school. AND they certainly deserve it. We never go anywhere!

I agree once reports cards are done for the term nothing is done and I should not worry about taking the girls out of school, but my husband does not think it is a good idea. I think the girls get report cards this week, so basically nothing will be done at school now till Jan

It is the same thing but only a week before at spring break and then by the end of May report cards are done but school is out at the end of June.

 

[scottishwee35]

Welcome back Scottishwee. Did you enjoy NYC? What about the Thanksgiving parade! Exciting! This is the first year I've lived in the UK and didnt celebrate Thanksgiving.

I know what you mean about taking the kids out of school I should have guilt but I really don't. In England (not sure about Scotland) they're basically finished with the school work for the year. I think I even got my eldest sons school report in May last year! What's the point! also they never miss school. AND they certainly deserve it. We never go anywhere!

Hi Goofy Mum

I love NEW YORK as this was my second times visited but first visited was my 40th in February it was absolutely freezing...

But last week I cannot believe that the weather was indian warm throught the day but at night it was cold not like freezing... amazing...

My friend and I went to watch thanksgiving Macy's Parade which near our hotel and it was so amazing to see it... also after that we went to Empire State then Top of the Rock... I like TOTRock was best... as I sat down on the bench and watch colourful Empire State Red with green... I will show you the photos soon...

It was very busy and we catch lot to see...also lots of walking too as my bad knee was not too bad but my leg was very painful at night time *** walking all day for 5 days....

My friend (5) ladies love it and thought it was brilliant to see it and they gave me a present for thanks my organised as I was with Jayne... two of us organised it and I got a lovely ornament of Xmas Tree with mirror at bottom... I was speechless because I didn't expected it...

Now at Scotland weather oh my god as it is freezing and I back to work today, my boss was happy to see me and want me coach another new deaf staff today..

Anyway, please don't feel guilty about May as our kids never off school and they always recently went to school but school explained new law started by Jan 08 that why... I was asking school when we booked it and they said no problem until after Jan 08. I had to get my boss wrote a letter to school and the school told me not to do that again in future

but I booked Dream Cruise 2011 and I will write to school for 3 days off...

Scottishwee35

 

[scottishwee35]

Police was everywhere in NY, felt safe in subway...

Police was happy when girls asked for photo and I got a photo with police in thanksgiving, seem everybody had the happy moods..

Staff in hotel was very friendly too and helpful..

Now I am off to make the tea then will put photos...

Scottishwee35

 

[mkmommy]

Goodmorning, it is Friday again I am still trying to get caught up at work from my week off last month, I am hoping to be caught up by March I sometimes think it is too much work to take time off, but that thouhgt does not last too long.

Kids only have 2 more weeks of school then they are off for Christmas.

Still no more excursions released, I hope they come out soon. Is anyone going to work on magnets, I keep thinking I should figure out how people do them but I have not gotten past that, maybe this weekend.

Hope eveyone has a good weekend, I think it is going to snow here soon.

Lisa