Magic Christmas Cruise 2010 (Dec 18th - 29th) - ***UPDATED - post #411 ***

[jennifita2]

Edited - Wrong cruise....oops!

 

[HFC1969]

Hello from Moscow

We are offically a family of 4 now

Our Russian is now ours.. We are living in a Holiday Inn in Moscow til Friday morning.. Basically we are waiting on all the paper work to come back this and then we head back to STL.

Whats the count down? We have to be around that 280 mark??

Anyway.. its almost dinner time and then off to bed..

Anyone need anything from Russia?

 

[kidcoos3]

Congratulations!

 

[bigAWL]

Hello from Moscow

We are offically a family of 4 now

Our Russian is now ours.. We are living in a Holiday Inn in Moscow til Friday morning.. Basically we are waiting on all the paper work to come back this and then we head back to STL.

Whats the count down? We have to be around that 280 mark??

Anyway.. its almost dinner time and then off to bed..

Anyone need anything from Russia?

Whoo-hoo. Congratulations!!! How cold is it there?

Oh, and since you asked... could you bring me some borsch?

 

[3princessMommy]

Hello from Moscow

We are offically a family of 4 now

Our Russian is now ours.. We are living in a Holiday Inn in Moscow til Friday morning.. Basically we are waiting on all the paper work to come back this and then we head back to STL.

Whats the count down? We have to be around that 280 mark??

Anyway.. its almost dinner time and then off to bed..

Anyone need anything from Russia?

Congratulations!

Name, weight, height, age? Any proud parent stats to share?

 

[HFC1969]

Congratulations!

Name, weight, height, age? Any proud parent stats to share?

Victoria Belle

She is 3 years old.. Already a drama queen...

We adopted her from the city of Moscow, where we are currently living until Friday..

We are getting to know each other and understand each other, there is a language barrier that we are slowly coming over.

Our home grown DS 10 is at home patiently waiting our return. Not sure if he understands what a little sister is going to do to his world , but... we think he will be fine.

Whoo-hoo. Congratulations!!! How cold is it there?

Oh, and since you asked... could you bring me some borsch?

Its not too bad temperature wise. 30ish Farenhiet, they call it Spring; in STL its 60ish; thats Spring to us.

Borsch... We are so not world travelers unless its with DCL. The Marriott we stayed in a couple weeks ago, was much more westernized Although I can take the food, the part that kills me about Russia or at least here... Everyone smokes!! GROSS!!

Oh well, we are down to a feww more days til we get to take a 3 year old on an 11 hour plane ride...

 

[Disney Rocks]

I cannot believe the countdown is under 10 months. Wow.

I am happy to report. Cheryl and Scott will be the new Mr. and Mrs. Kalagian when we sail in December. They got engaged this weekend.

It is going to be a busy year for the Ramos/Thomas/Kalagians. My dad's 70th birthday party is at the end of March; the wedding is going to be sometime in late summer and of course, the cruise at the end of the year.

The Olympics have been so exciting. Team USA is doing very well. It has been a gold rush for the USA. Love it.

I look forward to planning the fish extender exchange and ornament exchange with everybody. My mom is on top of making the FE gifts. I am so thankful that she is taking the lead on that. I recall somebody mentioning a possible secret Santa. How does that work?

I hope everybody is doing well. Take care. Talk to you all soon.

I arranged a Secret Santa exchange in December 2006. I had originally thought of doing it for the children; however, adults were interested as well so everyone interested joined in. All of the names and a little bit of information on likes, dislikes, etc. was submitted to me, I sorted the names based on age and gender, sent the name of the individual whom you would be giving to you back to the Secret Mickey and then you bought/made gifts and left them in a stocking or fish extender. It could be one gift or many gifts for a total value of $20 to 25. At the end of the cruise, we had a little gathering so that everyone could meet their Secret Mickey.

 

[Disney Rocks]

Are we going to do Fish Extenders? I have never done them before - but I think it would be fun. I would also be up for an ornament exchange - maybe at a "start of cruise" mixer?

An ornament exchange would be a lot of fun. We were going to participate in one in 2006 but it ended up being scheduled at the same time as our vow renewal.

 

[Disney Rocks]

OK, I'm checking in. I'm DH to Joann (3PrincessMommy.) We're all excited about this cruise, although I was a little heartbroken when our DD8 came to the realization that the Christmas cruise was not happening this year, and that in fact she had to wait a whole other year for it. She looked so confused and sad, but I think she's over it now.



I don't know about setting up a website, but I started playing with a graphic for our group. Nothing fancy. I'll try to post it soon.



I'm wondering if you are still around, Disney Rocks. I've noticed that you are booked on both this and the July 26, 2011, Alaska cruise on the Wonder. 3PrincessMommy and I are also booked on both cruises.

I also noticed from your signature that our paths have very nearly crossed in the past. We were in Disneyland Paris in summer 2007 just a month ahead of you, and did WDW and a cruise in May-June 2008, just after you did your WDW-Panama Canal-DLCA trip. It truly is a small DIS.

Now I'm very curious how old your girls are. Ours will be 9, 7, and 4 for this Christmas cruise.

-Aaron

I am still around. It is always neat to see some repeat fellow cruisers. Our girls will be 14, 12 and 9 on the Christmas cruise. We are counting down to our return trip to Europe. This time we are doing the Northern European capitals and are so excited about that cruise.

 

[Disney Rocks]

I don't know about trademark infringment issues, but this was a quick thing I put together. Let me know if you have any suggestions or other ideas. I can tweak it or completely redo it.

I love it. Awesome job.

 

[Disney Rocks]

Does anyone on the thread have a Cat 1, 2 or 3?

Just curious if anyone has one or is on the wait list??




Oh,, and if the good Lord is willing... our daughter will be with us! We are adopting a little girl 3 yo from Russia. Hope to have her home Feb 2010.. which means her first Christmas will be DCL 2010

So we will be a family of 4...



.

We have a Cat 3. Were on the wait list but then got the phone call to say a Cat 3 had become available.

 

[3princessMommy]

Has someone already started organizing the following activities for our cruise:

- Pre-Cruise meet/Grand Gatherings
- Cruise meet
- Fish Extender
- Ornament Exchange
- Secret Santa
- Group Brunch/private Palo dining room

I'm not saying we should do all of these things, but just throwing out the idea that we might start thinking about what we want to do and who could organize us. These are just some ideas that I've either done in the past, or heard folks express an interest in this time.

Also, does anyone know the answers to the following questions:

1) With an 11-night cruise, are you still limited to just one Palo brunch and dinner reservation per person? or can you make two?
2) Anyone know what the dining rotation will be?
3) When will the port excursion list be available?
4) What night will be Pirate Night?
5) Will there be more than one formal night?
6) Does Disney do any special Santa visit for Christmas Eve? Pixie dust on the floor or something?

Finally, is anyone interested in hunting for pirates on the cruise meet thread???? (Essentially, every person who posts a post that ends in "00" gets a pirate, you get to name him and then the person with the most gets bragging rights on the cruise - "000" are mega pirates. You don't really get anything different for them except the fun of racing for them.) Anyone ever played this before? We found it to be a lot of fun on our last cruise meet.

Okay, that's it for now...

 

[Disney Rocks]

Hello from Moscow

We are offically a family of 4 now

Our Russian is now ours.. We are living in a Holiday Inn in Moscow til Friday morning.. Basically we are waiting on all the paper work to come back this and then we head back to STL.

Whats the count down? We have to be around that 280 mark??

Anyway.. its almost dinner time and then off to bed..

Anyone need anything from Russia?

Congratulations. Our daughter is in the process of adopting through an Extended Family Adoption process. The little girl was just born on Sunday and is now at home with us. Our daughter is the guardian and will proceed with adoption. It has been an exciting time to have a little one at home again.

 

[Disney Rocks]

Has someone already started organizing the following activities for our cruise:

- Pre-Cruise meet/Grand Gatherings
- Cruise meet
- Fish Extender
- Ornament Exchange
- Secret Santa
- Group Brunch/private Palo dining room

I'm not saying we should do all of these things, but just throwing out the idea that we might start thinking about what we want to do and who could organize us. These are just some ideas that I've either done in the past, or heard folks express an interest in this time.

Also, does anyone know the answers to the following questions:

1) With an 11-night cruise, are you still limited to just one Palo brunch and dinner reservation per person? or can you make two?
2) Anyone know what the dining rotation will be?
3) When will the port excursion list be available?
4) What night will be Pirate Night?
5) Will there be more than one formal night?
6) Does Disney do any special Santa visit for Christmas Eve? Pixie dust on the floor or something?

Finally, is anyone interested in hunting for pirates on the cruise meet thread???? (Essentially, every person who posts a post that ends in "00" gets a pirate, you get to name him and then the person with the most gets bragging rights on the cruise - "000" are mega pirates. You don't really get anything different for them except the fun of racing for them.) Anyone ever played this before? We found it to be a lot of fun on our last cruise meet.

Okay, that's it for now...

We are interested in arranging the Secret Santa event if there are participants.

Any ideas on how people want to do it? One gift a day, one gift in total, random number of gifts with a set total dollar amount?

Children? Adults? Both?

I arranged in 2006 and we did children and adults with a set dollar amount of about $20 - 25. People could then do one gift a day, one gift during the cruise, or a few gifts throughout the cruise.

People who sign up need to be committed to spending the set amount (whatever we decide on) so that it is fair to everyone involved. We had quite a discrepancy in the gifts our three children received through this event and I would not like to see anyone's children upset when this is supposed to be fun for all.

If we end up deciding to do this event and you want me to organize it, I will do a little form for people to complete so that we have some information on age (child or adult), favourite Disney character, likes/dislikes, etc.

We had a get together in the end to meet your Secret Santa (or Secret Mickey).

We are interested in participating in the ornament exchange.

On the Christmas cruise 2006, Santa came on Christmas Day. He gave gifts to each of the children based on age. He was set up in the Atrium. Didn't see any pixie dust though.

Take care.

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

Hello from Moscow

We are offically a family of 4 now

Our Russian is now ours.. We are living in a Holiday Inn in Moscow til Friday morning.. Basically we are waiting on all the paper work to come back this and then we head back to STL.

Whats the count down? We have to be around that 280 mark??

Anyway.. its almost dinner time and then off to bed..

Anyone need anything from Russia?

Congratulations! I am so happy for you and your family. Enjoy! I look forward to meeting all four of you in December.

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

It is great to hear about all the possible activities. My family and I are in for all of it. I would be happy to organize the FE exchange. Thanks Disney Rocks for offering to coordinate the Secret Santa.

I cannot believe that we are under the 9 month mark. Wow!

3princessmommy: On our last 10 day cruise, I believe there were two semi-formal nights and one formal night. I also think we were only allowed one dinner, one brunch, and one tea reservation at Palo's. Santa Claus visits the Magic on Christmas, and he distributes gifts to the children. I too want to know when the shore excursion list is available.

This has been a busy time for us. I am helping my sister plan a wedding. All the major plans are organized. Her gown is stunning, and I could live with my bridesmaid dress. Next up is cake tasting. Yummy!

Things that I am looking forward to: My dad's 70th birthday party; Easter at Disneyland; spring break, and beach weather.

Talk to you all soon.

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

Finally, is anyone interested in hunting for pirates on the cruise meet thread???? (Essentially, every person who posts a post that ends in "00" gets a pirate, you get to name him and then the person with the most gets bragging rights on the cruise - "000" are mega pirates. You don't really get anything different for them except the fun of racing for them.) Anyone ever played this before? We found it to be a lot of fun on our last cruise meet.

Okay, that's it for now...

I am interested in the pirate hunt. It sounds fun. Hopefully, others will be willing to play.

 

[HFC1969]

We are home from Russia!

We are offically a family of 4

270 days til we introduce our to


What a first Christmas it will be!

 

[3princessMommy]

We are home from Russia!

We are offically a family of 4

270 days til we introduce our to


What a first Christmas it will be!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! We're all so happy for you!

 

[bigAWL]

Has someone already started organizing the following activities for our cruise:

- Pre-Cruise meet/Grand Gatherings
- Cruise meet
- Fish Extender
- Ornament Exchange
- Secret Santa
- Group Brunch/private Palo dining room

I'm not saying we should do all of these things, but just throwing out the idea that we might start thinking about what we want to do and who could organize us. These are just some ideas that I've either done in the past, or heard folks express an interest in this time.

Also, does anyone know the answers to the following questions:

1) With an 11-night cruise, are you still limited to just one Palo brunch and dinner reservation per person? or can you make two?
2) Anyone know what the dining rotation will be?
3) When will the port excursion list be available?
4) What night will be Pirate Night?
5) Will there be more than one formal night?
6) Does Disney do any special Santa visit for Christmas Eve? Pixie dust on the floor or something?

Finally, is anyone interested in hunting for pirates on the cruise meet thread???? (Essentially, every person who posts a post that ends in "00" gets a pirate, you get to name him and then the person with the most gets bragging rights on the cruise - "000" are mega pirates. You don't really get anything different for them except the fun of racing for them.) Anyone ever played this before? We found it to be a lot of fun on our last cruise meet.

Okay, that's it for now...

If there's interest and availability, I'll volunteer to arrange a pre-cruise meet at WDW. We will be there starting Dec 9. If anyone else is visiting WDW before the cruise and wants to do a quick get together, let me know.

Oh, and don't forget about our other webpage: http://southerncaribbeanchristmasmagic.pbworks.com/
where we can keep all the information about all this stuff in one place, and no one has to search through a long thread for the details. It works like a wiki and anyone who signs up and is granted access can edit and contribute (that is if Monstro is still around to give the access - I think he's the administrator of the site).