June 21, 2007 (6/21/07) Cruisers Check In

[DISNEYFANRI]

clothes..... thanks I would have never thought of that -

It will probably be white capris - I'll have to send out pics from Alyssa's birthday so that you know what we look like - hahaha.

The only other decision I've made is what suitcase I'm bringing - which really isn't too difficult since I only have 1..... We'll both have rolling suitcases and I think I'll pack my LL Bean duffle to use as a carry-on on the way home.

 

[brady961]

oh you too are funny LOL

definitely always need one more piece to take things home in. just remember your limit for flying home.

I found the suitcases that expand are good for on return trips. go with them not expanded, return with the expanded.

If you have Kmart or even a Walmart nearby they sell a three piece set of one 26in expandable wheeled upright, 21 in wheeled upright, and 22 duffle bag (not wheeled) for like 30-40 bucks. So for flying send 26 expanded and duffle bag thru checked, carry on 21 in.

what are you guys doing on Alyssa's birthday? Something quiet at home? More elaborate? Special?

18 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Boy I better get busy in getting to bank, nails done, repack at least a few more times LOL, and figure out what and how to get stuff on my power chair.

have a good week. Just think Thurs this week means only two weeks til day we sail!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

Alyssa has decided that she wants a "cupcake extravaganza" for her birthday so I'll be getting recipes organized tonite. She will probably have a few friends over - the same ones that are here just about every weekend - I took the night off so it should be fun.

I bought her a few little things - peridot earrings in 10k gold setting - 2 pairs of flip flops - a tote bag and a very bradley coin purse - if I get out alone I'm sure that I'll buy more - haha.

We decided this weekend that instead of buying her a car that will last her till graduation I may sell her mine - 2003 Escape - for what I have left in payments - she's very happy about that - at least she will have a dependable car and not have to start off with school loans and a car payment. Hard to believe she has 2 years of college done already - her grades came in this week - all 4 A- and 1 A. We're very proud of her.

I am the expert of packing I think after packing light due to camping for so many years - hahaha. At least we don't have to bring 2 sets of everything - still debating on a hair dryer.

18 days - I still can't believe that we are going!!!

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

Bumping to page #1!!

17 days and counting.....................

 

[rfassett]

Sooooo - I guess there are only going to be, what, 10 or 12 of us on this cruise? Hi, ya all, from Northwest PA. First time cruisers here - . There will be four of us. Myself, my wife of 34 years, our 17 year old son and his 18 year old buddy. We will be cruising with you and then jumping off the boat to head over to the Villas of Wilderness Lodge for 5 nights and then fly down to Miami for a day at Seaquarium (long story, don't ask) before heading back home. We will be flying to Orlando on the 20th, stay at the airport hotel and plan to be at the DCL terminal around 11:00.

I noticed someone was inquring about POTC 3. I read somewhere (and I can not seem to find it again) (and I know I did not dream it - well, I don't think I did), but I am recalling that it was in a very recent trip report - that POTC 3 is and WILL be showing. I remember reading that thread because it struck me funny that someone posted "Honey, we need to schedule a cruise because they are showing POTC 3 for free."

Anyway - just thought I would check-in. I own a CPA practice - and after working for 110 hours per week for the first four and a-half months of the year, I am in desperate need for some R & R. Or at least some diversion.

Ron

PS - being first timers to DCL (but several times to WDW) we know absolutely nothing about cruising. Well, maybe not nothing, I have read the cruise Passporter cover to cover; and the Passporter Cruise Clues e-book; and Birnbaums Disney Cruise book; and anything and everything else I can get my hands on.

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

Hi Ron - another first time cruiser here - I'm travelling with my DD (20) - she's a college junior majoring in accounting. Girls trip for us - leaving husband and son at home!!

Lovin' the countdown - can't wait!

 

[brady961]

Welcome Ron and crew. Way cool there will be a few more DISer's on this cruise. With your group, Paula, Alyssa, Luvalldisney and myself looks to be around 8 of us. The initial poster of this thread had to cancel. And another person that had posted having 13 or so coming we haven't heard from in long time. So not sure if that group is still going.

Just think it just a little over two weeks we will be cruising!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I spoke with DCL today regarding my Sept 07 cruise, and he said that all the 4 night cruises for the summer are totally booked. thankfully the 3 nights must not have been cause they announced Florida resident rates last week WOO HOO. sorry <G>

Ron we are planning on initially meeting at 3p at the Promenade Lounge. Just to take a few minutes to say hi, put faces with names, etc... Then off to do whatever you want before the safety drill.

I will be in a power chair that has a disney seat cover on back of seat cushion <G> plus wearing Lime Green with our logo for this cruise (something I made up and ironed on tshirt). Also be carrying a Plush Minnie mouse dressed in a lime green tshirt <G>. Will be hard to miss me or luvalldisney as both of us will be in lime green, her with a Pal Mickey in lime green too.

Hope you and your crew can stop by at 3p to say hello and we can meet each other.

I am so excited.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[rfassett]

"Excited" seems like such a calm word relative to how we are all feeling right now.
Well - maybe not my son, yet. He is very much into theatre. He attends a performing arts high school and this school year he has been Sonny LaTierea (sp) in Grease, Bustopher Jones and Gus in Cats, and right now he is in the middle of the performances as Bill and Helper #1 in the Pajama Game. Grease and Cats were done by the school and were "Broadway quality" performances in a brand new state of the art 730 seat theatre that was standing room only for virtually all of the performances. The Pajama Game is not quite of that caliber because it is a Community Theatre Play. But none the less, he puts his whole efforts into his performances. So, yeah, he is excited about the cruise, but not nearly as excited as he will be when the play is over June 17th. And he does not get out of school until June 15th.

Paula, that is cool that your daughter is studying accounting. I have been certified since 1984 (this is actually my second career) and received my Master of Taxation degree in 1985 and have had my own practice since 1996.

Marsha, I will run the 3 o'clock meeting past the "crew". If it is up to me, we will be there - but, alas, it is not just up to me - and that is how it should be. But I will let you know.

We will be in room 6108 and have the late dinner seating.

If I understand the itinerary correctly, we are going to eat, sleep, drink coffee, eat, read, drink coffee, eat, sleep, eat, take in the show, drink coffee, eat, sleep. Do I have that about right?

Rebecca has been out most of the day getting travelers checks and cash and she has spent an awful long time at Walmart. Actually, I think she has been there three times today.

Ron - and, yes, waiting is not one of my stronger characteristics. Can we leave today? Can we? Please?

 

[rfassett]

Hey - I just did some quick math and (assuming a 5:00 pm sail-away) we are exactly 390 hours away from sailing. And only 385 hours away from boarding - if we board at noon. And only 360 hours away from our flight. And only 356 1/2 hours away from leaving the house. Woo Hoo!!!!!!!

 

[brady961]

Ron you have the right schedule for the cruise, eat, drink, sleep, movie, eat, eat, and eat some more.

WOW a math wizard in our bunch. way cool. to me math is 2 plus 2 equals 22 LOL.

Luvalldisney and I plan to be in the terminal around 10a. They won't open to board until around 11:30p or noon. They send you to lunch buffet upon boarding, then are allowed to your room around 1:30p. Our meet at 3p if you and wife at least can make it, but would love to meet you son and his friend too. Of course they may enjoy meeting Alyssa too <G>

Safety drill is around 4p or so, then to the sail away party. then out to sea!!!!!

Two weeks from Thursday we sail. Two weeks from Wed I leave to head over to a hotel near port to meet luvalldisney. Since she drives up from south Florida, and I am in Orlando we decided easier to meet near port, spend night over there so can get to terminal by 10a!!!!!!!!

I am so ready for the weekend getaway of total relaxation and stress free time.

Hey how far is Greenville PA from Philly? My corp office is in Philly, and I will be up there for a week in July.
see ya soon.

 

[rfassett]

Marsha - I eat, sleep and drink numbers. That's just the way it is in this industry. And no, I am not a math wizard. Take my ten-key away and I am lost.

I don't know about the movie, but definitely the show(s). With Eric being so much into performing arts, we try to take in as much as we can.

I, too, was hoping to be at the terminal by 10:00, but my ground tranport called and said that picking us up at 9:00 (at the airport hotel) would put us at the terminal too early. So he said he would pick us up at 10:00, which will get us there around 11:00 I guess. I defer to his first hand knowledge.

Greenville from Philly? About as far apart as can be and still be in the same state. Philly is in the Southeastern corner and Greenville is in the Northwestern corner - 7 miles from the Ohio border.

And just like that, we are an hour and a-half closer to sailing.
Ron

 

[rfassett]

Woo hoo!!!! Got our luggage tags yesterday.

I guess I was surprised, though, at how little info we received. I kept hearing that you will get your cruise documents in the mail about two weeks before the cruise and all we really got was the luggage tags and what appears to be boarding passes. I guess since we arranged our own flights and ground transportation, and checked-in online, there really isn't anything else I should have received. Is that correct? Oh yeah, there WAS one other thing, there is a Bahamian immigration form that we each need to fill out.

is slip sliding away to cruise time.

Ron

 

[brady961]

sorta depends on when you booked. I didn't receive anything for June cruise in way of package of "stuff". But I rec'd a large package of info for the Sept cruise. I am assuming its because when booked the June it was already at point had to pay in full. not sure.

i did receive my luggage tags and "check list" for June. But it was weird getting this large package of info for Sept before i even rec'd luggage taggs for Sept.

There is one doc in luggage tags must be completed for going into Bahamas; but other than that I haven't rec'd before any other documents to complete. Again I guess cause I do it all online.

two weeks from this afteroon before I head to Cocoa to spend night before heading to terminal next morning WOO HOO YIPPEE

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

Hi all - I survived the birthday - my first born is no longer a teenager!!
That being said - some of her gifts were a hola-hoop - super soakers - Disney princess pencils - and of course a HUGE Disney princess balloon.

We lit candles on 20 cupcakes for her - lol.

Pics to follow.

No documents or luggage tags here yet.....

 

[brady961]

WOW sounds like a great birthday. And 20 cupcakes with candles???? WOW

Documents not sure will receive much. But since you haven't rec'd your luggage tags and bahama's thingie we must complete and have ready at check in, I would call DCL today. I know its two week and still time but I am OCD LOL so I would call them to make sure they haven't sent them and their lost, or when to expect the tags and bahama's thingie.

If you complete everything online check in, and print the contract out, sign, date, bahama's thingie, passport or two photo ID"S is what needed at check-in.

Be sure to print the online contract/agreement, sign and date it. Alyssa will or should have to sign that as well being an adult. But you can print just one and both sign same one.

keep me posted.

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

Might be taking a little longer because I booked thru a travel agent??

2 ID's? I have drivers license and birth certs for both of us.

Already printed that on-line form.

*** Alyssa needs clothes still.....

Here's a pic is the 2 of us taken last night....so you'll know who to look for - lol.

http://www.imagestation.com/7555590/3911988391

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

Just got back from a walk to the mailbox..


THE DOCUMENTS HAVE ARRIVED

 

[rfassett]

Yippee!!! We are all all set to go now!

Happy belated birthday to Alyssa! So where is MY cupcake?

Let's see (assuming a 5:00 pm sail-away) we are now exactly 360 and 1/2 hours away from sailing. And only 355 and 1/2 hours away from boarding - if we board at noon. And only 330 and 1/2 hours away from our flight. And only 327 hours away from leaving the house.

Ya all have a Great Day!

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

Bumping to page #1.

2 weeks from today

 

[brady961]

Two weeks from today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So right. Can you believe we are soooo close. luvalldisney is away from her computer this week, so that is why we aren't hearing from her. But I saw her yesterday and she is still as excited and ready for these two weeks to pass by as well.

Two weeks and about 45 mins I should be in the terminal awaiting to board the WONDER!!!!!

WOO HOO