July 4th Cruise Docs!

[disneyholic family]

YOU'VE ALREADY STARTED PACKING !?!?!?!??!?!?!?

we're going to the states for 6 whole weeks and we leave on the 30th and i haven't begun packing yet...
i'll probably pack on the 30th....
i have so many other things to do before then...
in any case we usually bring empty suitcases with us on our annual trip home....then buy everything we need as we go along....so much more fun that way....
the cruise is going to be a problem because i actually have to bring some somewhat decent clothes with us....hmmmm........

Scott, what rental comapny are you using?
last year we used avis and were pretty happy...the year before we rented from national and were sorely disappointed by the service onsite at WDW....
i haven't reserved a car yet....i have to still do that...and not just for orlando but all of our other destinations as well...(except NYC......you couldn't pay me to drive in manhattan...)

 

[scott.campbell]

This year we are using Dollar, I think lol.

We had pretty poor service from national one time as well.

Going on Monday to change some sterling into dollars, makes everything seem even sooner.

 

[atigeg]

We haven't started packing yet, but we go so frequently that I don't even bother to unpack a couple of my bags (my backpack and carry-on) between trips. It's just easier that way!
An added bonus to sailing over the July 4th weekend is that many communities have their fireworks displays that evening. If you have a later flight home and have a window seat, you're in for quite a treat. This year we're on an early flight, so we will miss it.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[disneyholic family]

i wonder how close the ship is to the florida coast as it sails south....
i would guess there'll be fireworks over at least some of the communities along the shore....
i wonder if we'll be able to see them....
i mean, really, how far could the ship be from shore when it's possible to swim from the bahamas to florida......(if you're an olymipic swimmer of course, but the point is, it's really not that far...)....maybe i should take our binoculars....nah...one more thing to carry....

 

[atigeg]

I would definitely recommend binoculars, particularly if you have a verandah. We spend lots of time checking out other ships in the distance, particularly at night, and the shores as we pass them. I also like to spy on the other cruise ships while docked in Nassau. Once there was a naval ship, and I was looking at it through the binoculars & staring at a sailor staring back at me through his! We also heard reports of dolphins and other sea life on our 5/25 cruise, although we didn't see any ourselves.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[disneyholic family]

oh oh....so there's another thing i have to go looking for....
i haven't been able to find our collapsible cooler (i'm sure i'll find it the moment we come back from vacation!)....
so i wonder where i put the binoculars....we haven't been on a hiking trip in a few years.....i always kept them with the hiking stuff....but heaven only knows where that stuff is....

i love that story about you and the sailor....i remember reading it in one of your reports or posts...

well....if i can't find them i'll buy new ones....i'm sure my son will enjoy them too....and yes we'll have a verandah.....we're in a cat 3 room....i hope it's nice....my kids have been looking forwards to this cruise for two years.....that's how long they've been campaigning for a disney cruise (never underestimate the power of those commericials that play over and over and over again on tv in the WDW resorts)...i've been afraid to do it because of my motion sickness....here's hoping i'll be able to enjoy myself too...

 

[CamColt]

"Once there was a naval ship, and I was looking at it through the binoculars & staring at a sailor staring back at me through his!"

ROFL!!!!!!!


Disneyholic, maybe the binoculars are in the cooler? Good luck searching.

Can you believe its 20 days until we sail???? We started counting at 500 and something days! I cant believe its so close now. Barb, youve probably been on 10 cruises since Ive been waiting for this one, LOL! Im starting to get that excited/nervous stomach feeling everything Im think about it now.

 

[disneyholic family]

i know camcolt....it's soooooooooooooooooo close now....
geez...and i have sooooooooooooooooooo much to do....
i'm busy finishing up our tax returns (overseas taxpayers only have to file with uncle sam on june 15....so that's what i'm doing now..)
plus i'm busy at work (they know i'll be away for 6 weeks so they're trying to make up for it in advance....to such an extent, i'm seriously thinking about never going back....maybe i'll just stay in WDW forever....now wouldn't that be a wish upon a star)...
so...
where was i......so much to do....so little time....
we leave june 30th....
all those flights......have i mentioned that i'm TERRIFIED of flying....and we'll be flying and flying and flying and flying.....for hours and hours and hours......too bad i don't drink....

 

[CamColt]

LOL! Ive always been a nervous flyer(especially during take off and landing), but I havent flown since 9/11 so of course Im a little more nervous now. In reality I know everything will be fine, but it is hard not to think of stuff. Our flight leaves at 7:00am on 7/3. Im seriously thinking of spiking my orange juice.

 

[disneyholic family]

well...i still haven't packed...
my house is a mess...
still working on the taxes (with the weekend they're only due on monday....that is, only have to be mailed on monday...
i keep remembering a million and one things that we have to do before we leave....
it's only two weeks away now.....it seems as if we only just got back.....though that was a year ago....
anyway...
i'm starting to be a basket case...

as for fear of flying, i used to be totally nonchalant....but with age my fear has grown logarithmically......and then with all that's been happening....well....part of me would be just as happy staying home....
but i suppose once we're on our way i'll settle down....more or less....

 

[scott.campbell]

After catching up with the thread I've now got the binoculars looked out, cleaned and packed. Sailing on the 4th is exciting for us for two reasons 1. We've never cruised before. lol and 2. We've never been in the States for the 4th before either.
As for flying I have to say that I'm not too concerned, my DW is slightly, but it's mainly my inlaws that are worried.
But I'm sure everything will be fine, my MAIN worry is how to keep a 4 year old occupied on a nine hour flight. lol.

Not long long till the cruise now, even less time till my last shift at work. yippeee.

 

[disneyholic family]

9 hours non-stop?...are you flying direct to Orlando?
we have to fly through JFK ....
as for entertaining a four year old...
i've flown home every year, sometimes twice a year since the kids were born.....so i used to have lots of tricks, but my kids were always really easy....
let's see...
the best bet is to take a night flight...then at least they're out for part of the time....and the other kids on the plane as well (if you're on a direct to orlando, your plane will be packed with kids....definitely a time for a night flight)...
let's see...
things to do....
first of all, lots of little munchie foods like pretzls or whatever he likes.....but lots of different ones to keep his interest...
coloring books (or if you prefer, colouring books)...
especially anything disney related....
puzzle games that are appropriate for that age...
too bad he's a boy.....kiddie nail polish that peels off once kept my daughter entertained for hours and hours on a flight....
i haven't a clue what's popular with 4 year olds these days...
you should buy him brand new stuff that he's never seen before (like the coloring books and crayons, yoyos, those boards you draw on and then when you move something across the drawing disappears.....that's a really good one)....
is he too young for handheld games?....
recently we've made a point of flying airlines that have little tvs to help keep them busy......
go into a toy store and look at all the inexpensive little things and maybe you'll get some ideas....

 

[CamColt]

Wow, Scott! 9 hours is a long time to be flying. But, it will be so worth it once you are there!!! I agree with disneyholic, lots of new toys that might keep his attention for a while will be helpful. Maybe try for some of those coloring/activity books. My DS is just 5 1/2 and he really like those thing(connect the dots, find the hidden pictures, etc...). Also, along the same lines he likes those Wheres Waldo books, and all variations of it. He has a Scooby Doo one that he does over and over. About a year ago, when he was 4 he went through a phase where he wanted to play Uno(the card game) every day. That really kept him entertained for a while at a time. And of course, you can hope for a nice long nap too.

Disneyholic, how are things going? Hopefully you have gotten some stuff done. We still have time though, so dont stress too much.

Im so glad we have these boards so we can all plan together. Its so much fun to share the excitement with others who are in the same boat(no pun intended), with the counting down, and getting ready, and all that fun stuff.

 

[disneyholic family]

ours is an 11 hour non-stop flight just to get us to kennedy airport...then a 4 hour layover and plane change....then on to orlando....by the time we get there we'll have been traveling forever.....we do the night flight but it doesn't help much....if i sleep, it's only for a few minutes here and there....
we arrive on the 1st, so hopefully we'll be over the jet-lag by the time we sail....

we once took a direct flight to orlando but got stuck in amsterdam all day because of a problem with the plane (that's always reassuring....not...)....

anyway.....there's an interesting thread on the board about stuff to take....

as for whether i've done anything...
not really....i bought myself some clothes.....tough job, but someones got to do it...
i'm totally swamped at work...
and i'm still working on our taxes....almost finished....i'm just taking a break....i have to mail them out in the morning.....

once that's done i'll be able to breathe a little easier...
on the other hand we seem to have a wedding practically every night....it is june after all....

but i would like to find those binoculars...
so camcolt, are you taking anything special?

 

[CamColt]

Wow, you have a long flight too! And, nope, Im not taking anything special with us. Its actually a very easy/relaxing trip compared to our last few. This is our first vacation without our kids since our honeymoon so I feel as though Im bringing half the stuff I usually bring. No toys, games, diapers, snacks, etc... Just me and DH! The only problem is I feel as though Im forgetting something. When I look at my list I think "this cant be it!".

When does everybody leave? We leave early morning on the 3rd and spend that day at the Polynesian(probably by the pool). That night we will eat dinner at the Kona Cafe and we plan to go to Jellyrolls at the Boardwalk. Then in the morning its off to the ship! Im so excited (if you couldnt tell)!!!

 

[opsomyo]

My 5yr. Daughter & I are sailing on the Wonder the 4th! I just booked it a couple weeks ago so we have'nt had too long of a wait thank goodness. I too am hoping to see some fireworks but not sure if we will. I have never cruised before, never really been anywhere so this is a Really big vacation for us. I am a little nervous because it is hust a mom/daughter trip and I have never even been on a plane. I am also alittle nervous cause i booked a cat 10 thinking it was just the 2 of us. we are WAY down at the bottom of the ship. Sounds A little ScArY to me I hope everything turns out great, I don't know when we will have a chance to do this again. My husb. & 2 yr old aren't going, the baby was diagnosed w Cancer that caused a horrible neurological disorder. I don't think she would do well on a plane etc. and it would have been alot more expensive (hence, no vacation) Besides, this gives me a chance to let my 5yr old feel special and get away from all the stress of the last 15 months. I want to thank all of you for the great advice, I have been reading these boards for a couple weeks. I have been able to relax a little because I feel like I know what I am doing and what to expect now. If anyone else has stayed in cat 10 /deck 2 please let me know if you were happy with everything. I keep picturing Titanic and those less wealthy at the bottom of the ship remember the lady that tucks in her kids??? I know I always look for the worst thing to possibly go wrong! Anyway, I am a little scared about being under the water line etc. Maybe I should have spent the extra money. Well, thanks for all your advice, I will look for all your t-shirts etc. Also, info on Opsoclonus- Myoclonus (baby's condition is available at www.geocities.com/opsomyo

 

[CamColt]

Hi Opsomyo! First off, welcome to the Dis!!! Glad you found us and Im glad we have another one to add to our group.

Im sorry to hear that scary news about your little one. Hope all is going well for her though. Prayer & Pixie Dust to you and your family! That is such a nice idea taking DD on the trip to make her feel special. Im sure she will love it...and you will too.

We too are in a cat 10, but on deck 5. I dont think any of the staterooms are below the water line so dont worry about that. As for size, we previously sailed in a cat 11 and had no problem with 4 of us there(including a crib and double carriage), so I think the size of the 10 will be fine for the 2 of you.

Hope to see you on the 4th!

 

[disneyholic family]

you should post a question about your room on the main board (unless you already have...i haven't been reading the new threads...no time)...
i'm really sorry to hear about your baby.....but i think it's great that you're taking your 5 year old on the cruise.....it'll really make her feel special...
as for the low deck, i've heard that it's actually more comfortable in terms of ship motion, when you're down low....

CamColt.....if all goes well, we'll arrive at WDW on july 1st in the afternoon....
we have annual passes so i'm sure we'll head over to the magic kingdom as soon as we check in....we always go there first....
as for the 2nd and the 3rd.....that's tough.....i wonder what the kids will want to do......for sure MGM.....and if we can get e-tickets, maybe that too....as for thursday morning.....i think we'll have a long liesurely breakfast, check out, pack the car, and head for the port....i hope the weather's good....the storms in central florida can be frightening....especially when you're driving...
i'm sure we'll be bursting with excitement during the drive to the ship....

 

[scott.campbell]

camcolt, we arrive on the 3rd at Orlando International al about 4pm. We're staying that night at the Radisson at the Port then I'm sure we will be at the check in incredibly early because we will be so excited.

opsymo, sorry to hear about your two year olds condition. But I agree with everyone else that its a great idea to take your 5yr old. It's the first cruise for my family also my son will be 5yrs old when just after we return home to the UK.

disneyholic, yup we are flying direct, I'll be sure to pack some new fun & games for my son for the flight. We are flying with British Airways they have the T.V screens so hopefully that will keep him occupied. The big bonus is that we leave Falkirk at approx 4am to get our flight from Edinburgh to London then a couple of hours wait before the main flight, he should be pretty wipe out by then. I hope!!

 

[disneyholic family]

oh my god, Scott, you're going to be wiped out....
leaving at 4 am.....i don't know about you, but when i have to leave at 4 i rarely go to sleep at all.....let's see, 4 am GMT is what in eastern time....ummmm....i guess you're 5 hours ahead...so if you're leaving at 4 am you're actually leaving at 11 pm the night before....and getting to orlando at 4 pm.....so that's only 17 hours of travel.....not too bad....
we leave for the airport at the equivalent of 3 in the afternoon eastern time and arrive the following day at noon....so that's 21 hours of traveling....plus we're up the entire day before we start.......yikes.....i'm exhausted thinking about it...
but the jet lag isn't too bad flying west.....it's the other way around that's really hard for us...
one thing i'm wondering about....last year we also changed planes at JFK....early early in the morning.....the place was deserted....but that was 'before'.....i bet it's not going to be so quiet and peaceful this time around.....
and since we have to change terminals, we'll have to do the whole security thing all over again.....that's the real disadvantage of JFK.....at other airports, you can stay inside the secure area....not at kennedy.....
but at least we can recheck the luggage right after customs.....i think....i'm pretty sure...

british airways is a nice airline...i probably should have flown them....it would have been nice to take that direct flight to orlando.....and i bet business is nice.....maybe next time...