June 18, 2010 - WONDERful Waverun - Bahamas 4-Night

[mom2aidanNpiper]

Hello! My family will be cruising for the first time on this cruise! I have a 7 year old daughter and a 12 year old boy. We will also have 5 more relatives along. My children (and I!) are very excited. I think the hardest part are all of the questions...passports, passport cards, birth certificates? In addition to a ton of others. I would love to hear the tips that make it easier and more cost effective. My MIL is booking and I haven't heard a lot of details yet. I have heard to bring a soft cooler of drinks, to pack a bathing suit in the carryon because rooms aren't ready...Please share your tips, veterans! And what is the FE thing I have been hearing about? Can't wait to chat!

Laura

Welcome Laura

This is our first cruise too, so I won't be much help on tips, etc. Just reading through the first page or 2 or posts on the forum though made me feel fairly confident that I know what I'm doing though

Personally, we are doing passports. I have one, but my kids don't- however in case of an emergency situation and you need to get out of another country, having a passport will expedite things quicker than applying for a special circumstance one through the embassy. A passport isn't required for minors though. We are planning a trip to Europe next year, so we figured better just get it now

 

[Smileneyes]

Hello! My family will be cruising for the first time on this cruise! I have a 7 year old daughter and a 12 year old boy. We will also have 5 more relatives along. My children (and I!) are very excited. I think the hardest part are all of the questions...passports, passport cards, birth certificates? In addition to a ton of others. I would love to hear the tips that make it easier and more cost effective. My MIL is booking and I haven't heard a lot of details yet. I have heard to bring a soft cooler of drinks, to pack a bathing suit in the carryon because rooms aren't ready...Please share your tips, veterans! And what is the FE thing I have been hearing about? Can't wait to chat!

Laura

Welcome, Laura and family! Glad to have you on board!

We've been on a few cruises. I'll give you a few tips that have immediately come to the top of my head. More will likely follow.

1) Don't overpack. Can't stress this one enough. For about $4-$5, you can toss a quick load of laundry in one of the shipboard locations. I know, I know...laundry is the last thing you want to do on a cruise...however, I'm frugal (okay, "cheap"): I'd rather pay that than pay Delta for an overweight bag. Plus, I want room for souvenirs, and am NOT paying a second bag fee.

2) Take air freshener. Often forgotten, but definitely appreciated for families sharing bathroom space...if ya know what I mean. Remember to pack with your checked luggage, especially if it's a solid...TSA will confiscate.

3) Take some clothespins...particularly if you have an outer view, or if your cabin has the curtain in between. We've found that the curtains don't completely close in front of the porthole...also, they can be used to keep that mid-stateroom curtain closed for additional privacy (if desired).

4) Many families pack a small eraserboard for their cabin door...or for just inside. Great for keeping track of everyone, since there are activities for all ages.

5) Dress code on the Wonder is a little more relaxed. You can find numerous threads that will guide you. However, on "casual nights" my son and I will wear a polo shirt and dressy shorts. On the more "formal night", we will range from a polo to shirt/tie and dress slacks. Ladies shouldn't feel like they have to bring dresses or skirts, if they do not wish to. Slacks seem to work fine.

6) Extra batteries for the camera, portable alarm clock, etc.

7) If you take anything that needs recharging, don't forget the charger.

8) Order the free DVD (if you haven't already). It's mostly trying to sell you on a cruise, and you've already invested...but I can tell you that playing it periodically will help you think of items that you may have forgotten.

9) Did I mention to NOT overpack?

10) Finally, for now, start thinking about FE (Fish Extender) ideas. See this link:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1219607

Basically, the "Fish Extender" is a fun gift exchange with others you've met on the "Disboards" (i.e. the people who participate in this thread).

Also, please refer to the following link, which takes you to the Disboards "FAQ" page.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2068966

Again, welcome!

 

[MouseNDaHouse]

Hello! My family will be cruising for the first time on this cruise! I have a 7 year old daughter and a 12 year old boy. We will also have 5 more relatives along. My children (and I!) are very excited. I think the hardest part are all of the questions...passports, passport cards, birth certificates? In addition to a ton of others. I would love to hear the tips that make it easier and more cost effective. My MIL is booking and I haven't heard a lot of details yet. I have heard to bring a soft cooler of drinks, to pack a bathing suit in the carryon because rooms aren't ready...Please share your tips, veterans! And what is the FE thing I have been hearing about? Can't wait to chat!

Laura

Hey there Laura - Welcome!

Everything that everyone else said is dead accurate. We can answer a ton of questions as we go, too. I have a couple of suggestions that really helped me when we went on our first cruise last May:
1) Pick up the Passporter's Guide to the Disney Cruise Line - GREAT info and tips, especially on money saving and best use thereof. Great for excursion info and life on board, too.
2) Here's a link to a great packing list here on the DISBoards - we used it and it really helped us focus ourselves! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=935094&highlight=packing+list
3) And here's a great cruise tip calculator - they update with the suggested tip amounts from each cruise line so you just plug in and they tell you what to bring! Really helpful. http://cruisetip.tpkeller.com/

4) For the FE, you can either make one yourself (basically a little hanging storage item with 3-4 pockets) or buy one on eBay. We really loved the one we got there from gradysmommy that she created and also embroidered for us, but I know other people bought less expensive ones mass-produced in China that worked just fine as well.

5) One other cool thing - if you bring pillowcases and fabric pens in a ziploc bag to the Guest Services desk when you board the boat and let them know what character signatures you want, on the last day of the cruise you'll get them back signed! We went ahead and had some pillowcases embroidered with our daughter's names and their favorite princesses and the pillowcases were a huge surprise hit when we got them - all the princesses AND the Fab 5 AND Chip and Dale had signed each one.

Anyway, just some first thoughts here. We'll chat more over the next few months, I'm sure!

 

[TAKitty]

Hello! My family will be cruising for the first time on this cruise! I have a 7 year old daughter and a 12 year old boy. We will also have 5 more relatives along. My children (and I!) are very excited. I think the hardest part are all of the questions...passports, passport cards, birth certificates? In addition to a ton of others. I would love to hear the tips that make it easier and more cost effective. My MIL is booking and I haven't heard a lot of details yet. I have heard to bring a soft cooler of drinks, to pack a bathing suit in the carryon because rooms aren't ready...Please share your tips, veterans! And what is the FE thing I have been hearing about? Can't wait to chat!

Laura

Welcome! I'm at work so I can't write a lot. I second not over packing. We didn't use passports on our first cruise, April 2009. This year we are. We honestly didn't need a cooler. Our first trip was with me, dh, ds 14, ds 11, db 19. With the drink station, we just didn't need more. In fact, we only ordered room service once because everyone was so full.

 

[b00kw0rm429]

Thank you for the information so far! I have researched the Fish extender and I get it now! Do I need to sign up so that I know how many gifts to bring, or do we just bring some random amount and pass them about? My kids will enjoy the process. Now I need to get the rest of the family (there will be 9 of us total) informed and in the loop!

Also, any one with a girl about my daughter's age (7)? My son will most likely hang out with his cousins in the teen events. He will be one month shy of 13, so I hope that isn't an issue. She will be the one needing a friend.

We will be driving in the night before. Anyone have a budget friendly hotel they stay at? We have our own car so transportation to port isn't an issue.

My MIL is making the reservations, so I hope it all gets done fast. I have seen great food pictures of Palo's and would love to go! (Not on pirate night!)

I was shopping last night with my DD and found her a lovely sequinned dress at the gap for dress up night. It makes it more real now that I have bought something specifically for the trip! I see that I will need pillowcases...perfect! We have a shop in town that embroiders and makes them to your personal specification! It's called Pillowcasegram in case anyone is interested. I think you can get one for about $20 specially ordered.

Looking forward getting to know you all!

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

Hi there!

As far as thefish extenders. I've never done one since this is our first cruise, but I believe that you give something for everyone that has signed up, Some people give things to a "family", while others give to adults and children seperately. I think until we get closer to sailing we won't know how many of us there will be

As far as your daughter goes, I will have a 5 year old girl that is used to playing with older kids, and is very mature (but shy) for her age, and also a just turned 9 year old boy who is used to playing with his sister, and is actually really sensitive compared to what most people think "normal" boys should be like.

I know Jeremy has children- I forget ages though

 

[Smileneyes]

To give you an idea, here is a picture of the Fish Extender that Matthew and I made (from scratch) prior to last year's cruise.

The pockets are the square yellow felt packages. We used "stitch-witchery" (or whatever you call it)...a lot!

Given that we're bachelors, and that we really like the result, we'll most likely be using it again this time around.

 

[MouseNDaHouse]

To give you an idea, here is a picture of the Fish Extender that Matthew and I made (from scratch) prior to last year's cruise.

The pockets are the square yellow felt packages. We used "stitch-witchery" (or whatever you call it)...a lot!

Given that we're bachelors, and that we really like the result, we'll most likely be using it again this time around.

Hi guys,
I'll catch up with you all again soon, but if you want to see some cool fish extenders and/or pillows for embroidery, here's where we got ours last year. (I haven't been able to figure out how to post my pics on here or I'd show you ours!) 'Talk' to you all tomorrow!
http://shop.ebay.com/gradysmommy/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

Hi guys,
I'll catch up with you all again soon, but if you want to see some cool fish extenders and/or pillows for embroidery, here's where we got ours last year. (I haven't been able to figure out how to post my pics on here or I'd show you ours!) 'Talk' to you all tomorrow!
http://shop.ebay.com/gradysmommy/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686

That's who I was thinking of getting mine from I have it saved in my ebay watching section. It says you can pick colors, etc. Did you find the ordering process easy? I saw the dif Mickey heads you could pick from, but wasn't sure how the choosing colors worked.

Bought our flight tix yesterday- woo hoo!

 

[MouseNDaHouse]

That's who I was thinking of getting mine from I have it saved in my ebay watching section. It says you can pick colors, etc. Did you find the ordering process easy? I saw the dif Mickey heads you could pick from, but wasn't sure how the choosing colors worked.

Bought our flight tix yesterday- woo hoo!

Actually, I bought a totally different one from her - she sometimes does unique deesigns. Mine has full character images of Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald in sailor outfits! Pretty cool. Just shoot her a note through EBAY and she can tell you what she has available or maybe she can even make you one (although I have no idea how long that takes really.) She can embroider names on the top of the FE, not on the pockets once they're made. (I asked since I wanted to 'assign' a pocket to each of my daughters...)

With regard to FE gift exchange - Basically, I think it's best to do it by stateroom. If anyone wants to do a separate gift for each person in the stateroom that's fine, but I think we leave that up to the family/person. We did a gift for the whole stateroom last time and then did a smaller gift for each child. I will (soon) put together a spreadsheet and get it posted so everyone knows who's involved.

Here's the thing - for planning purposes we're going to need to come up with a cut-off date for joining the fish exchange. Otherwise, people won't know what to budget or how many gifts to prepare. My gift will likely involve a purchase or two online so I'll need time for purchase, shipping and prep. We should probably cut it off no later than 6-8 weeks before the cruise.

Also, do we all want to get together on the first day/evening of the cruise so we can meet each other? (Also known as a 'cruise meet'...it's an effective name, no matter how grammatically egregious.)

Anyway, let's keep the chatter going!

 

[TAKitty]

Yes, I would like to a get together. I was sad that we didn't have one on my last cruise. I agree about the cut off. I will need time to prepare etc.

Jess, yeah for the airfare. I haven't even looked yet.

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

Yes to a cruise meet for sure- and 6-8 weeks sounds perfect for a cut off. I want to make sure I have time to carefully think things out, budget, etc.



As far as our flights- I was worried about the flight to MCO- we are from Seattle so it's quite a trek to get there. My kids are ones that will pass out the minute we get on a plane regardless of time, so I decided red eye works perfect for us (and hopefully won't mess with us jet lag wise too much. There were only a couple red eyes on the 15th- so I jumped on it. And we aren't flying non stop- too pricey. So we'll be traveling for 9 hours (10 pm flight, get in at 10 am eastern time). Fun (not!).

I still haven't booked flights home on the 28th yet- flights are dropping a bit still for some reason that day- and that is a flight I think I WILL want non stop for (I have a feeling by then we will be EXHAUSTED!).

Oh- WDW hotel question (since we've never been)- how does the luggage work when you are checking out? Is it like the cruise where you elave itoutside your door at night? We will be taking ME to MCO super early- I'm aiming for an 8:30 flight. Or do we lug it down to the desk? Do we check in for our flight the night before? We're doing Epcot that night, but then will be heading back to the hotel after Illuminations. Can anyone explain how this works?

THANK YOU!!!

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

Oh- and also (About luggage)- I am shipping our luggage down (I've had my luggage delayed/lost EVERY time I fly- no joke)- and while I could do one carry one for each of us, trying to make the kids carry things through an airport is a pain And I don't want to rick not having everything we need for the cruise.

So I'm shipping them via fed ex to meet us at the resort on the 16th. But I will have luggage to carry on/check on the way back (if it gets lost, it's just clothes- I'll carry on our souvenirs, etc). Will ME be confused by that since I didn't have luggage coming there? Will I get the proper tags?

Thanks again!!

 

[kar529]

Hi! Thought I'd "check-in" here! We have a party of 9 peeps going on 18 June Wonder - 1 grandma, 4 adults, and 4 kids (ages 12 girl, 9 boy, 6 girl, and 4 boy). It's not our first cruise but it is our first Disney cruise. We're super excited!
My 12 year old daughter is a little worried about meeting other kids her age - she's in that in-between stage. Is there a cruise forum for kids that she may be able to meet other 12 year olds?
Anyways, good to see our cruise up here on the boards!
Kari

 

[b00kw0rm429]

Hi, Kari.
I have a 12 year old boy who will be on the cruise. Does your daughter have facebook? Maybe the two of them could "meet" that way.

Laura

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

Hi! Thought I'd "check-in" here! We have a party of 9 peeps going on 18 June Wonder - 1 grandma, 4 adults, and 4 kids (ages 12 girl, 9 boy, 6 girl, and 4 boy). It's not our first cruise but it is our first Disney cruise. We're super excited!
My 12 year old daughter is a little worried about meeting other kids her age - she's in that in-between stage. Is there a cruise forum for kids that she may be able to meet other 12 year olds?
Anyways, good to see our cruise up here on the boards!
Kari

Hi Kari!

Welcome

My son will be 9, and my daughter will be 5 on the cruise. How nice to have other kids joining the group!

 

[b00kw0rm429]

We are officially booked! My MIL has booked 3 rooms for 9 of us. We are on the lower deck so that we could all have rooms near each other. My kids are so excited! Not sure how long it will be before we have room numbers.

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

FYI- anyone who is staying at WDW prior or after the cruise might want to reprice their trip. Disney just released extended summer dates through Aug. I just saved 35% on my room for the 6 nights after my trip because I had my TA adjust my rates! Woo!

 

[TAKitty]

Thanks for the info! I am DVC but I'm going to check the cruise price to see if it is any less.

 

[MouseNDaHouse]

Hi! Thought I'd "check-in" here! We have a party of 9 peeps going on 18 June Wonder - 1 grandma, 4 adults, and 4 kids (ages 12 girl, 9 boy, 6 girl, and 4 boy). It's not our first cruise but it is our first Disney cruise. We're super excited!
My 12 year old daughter is a little worried about meeting other kids her age - she's in that in-between stage. Is there a cruise forum for kids that she may be able to meet other 12 year olds?
Anyways, good to see our cruise up here on the boards!
Kari

Hi Kari!
Welcome aboard!
I'm so sorry it took me so long to reply to you! It's been...shall we say hectic...in my household. I'm in process of a career change...which is daunting to say the least.
Some questions - Do you want to post your family info with the others of us at the beginning of the thread? Are you interested in being part of the FE gift exchange and/or the cruise meet? Just let me know the info and I'll get it up there.
Talk to you all soon!