Magic, January 16, 2010--Winter Day Castaways

[AimeeJ]

OK, I think I have got the acronyms now...so I have a DW and 3 DDs. And apparently I am the DH.

We are from the northwest suburbs of Chicago - Bartlett to be exact.

What else...

I will try and get everyone organized and join the DIS Meet - 3PM at the Promenade lounge. I think I saw some other posts about wearing pirate costumes for some party one evening. I am sure I can get the kids to agree to come up with costumes. I'll have to work on my DW. Anything else we should pack? I was thinking about bringing my tux and my DW says she has a nice dress. Guess the DDs are next. Any other specific clothes we should bring other than our swim suits?

Given that it is now about 8 degrees outside, this cruise won't come soon enough.

I recomend layers. Sweatshirt/Jacket for early mornings and t-shirts with pants/shorts for afternoons. We do dress in tux/gowns for the formal dinner but not everyone does. It is easier for us because we are local to Port Canaveral and do not have to worry about airline luggage restrictions. I can pack for a family of 3 adults in one bag and a carryon. (I share a garment bag with the formalwear with my DD.) We also don't pack shampoo/soap products. We love what they have on board! Don't forget the sunscreen!!! You are much closer to the sun and it is very easy to get burnt.

 

[RockiesLady]

Wow..there is no way I'd get my husband to pack a Tux, not that he owns one. Do most men wear them on the ship?? I was thinking just a nice suit.

 

[pit303]

Wow..there is no way I'd get my husband to pack a Tux, not that he owns one. Do most men wear them on the ship?? I was thinking just a nice suit.

A suit is fine you will see some men in a tux but most wear a suit or just a shirt and tie. Depending on who we fly is whether the dress clothes make the cruise this time they will since we are flying Southwest when we have to pay for bags it is one suitcase each and usually dressy clothes get left home

 

[pit303]

I know several people were interested in doing this but we had already taken the remaining 4 places. Well, best laid plans and all that. My husband took a headfirst dive down some concrete steps and broke his wrist. We will said anyhow but he certainly won't be able to navigate a sailboat. So we just cancelled 4 places on that tour, if anyone wants to grab it.

did anyone grab these 4 places on Rhumba Charter?

 

[OCD for WD]

For the newbie’s I would look into Palo dinner, and/or Brunch right when you first get on (if you have no reservations now), then it should not be to difficult to get. Also look into any beer, wine, martini or margarita classes. They are 15pp. I did the martini tasting and was disappointed. However, DH did the beer tasting and thought it was great and worth it. I think I am trying the wine or margarita tasting this time. Any suggestions? After two years of babies and BF.... bring on the liq. I have heard of these selling out the first day. In October the tastings were not full. We also had to cancel one person to cover the kids, so even if they do sell out ask to be wait listed if interested. Also you can request to be wait listed for early seating for the one who asked. We were wait listed for early seating and got it. Then try again when you first get on. There is also tea with Alice (? I think that’s right) and I heard often these book the first day.

What kind of beer do they serve for the tastings? Is it more than what they have available to purchase? Because I'm a bit of a beer snob and I can't imagine doing a tasting based on that short list.

My last cruise was a long cruise so they had a special somnelier on board to do wine tastings and I signed up for 3 or 4 of them - all focused on different regions of the world. Do you know if it's like that for the 7 night cruises or are all the wine tastings the same? Either way I'll be participating at some point.

I also did a martini tasting and thought it was okay and I did a tequila tasting. Had I finished all of the tequila they served they would have had to carry me back to my stateroom - I can't do 5 shots! But it was interesting to actually taste the difference in the different price ranges. Just FYI...

 

[Bunless]

I also did a martini tasting and thought it was okay and I did a tequila tasting. Had I finished all of the tequila they served they would have had to carry me back to my stateroom - I can't do 5 shots! But it was interesting to actually taste the difference in the different price ranges. Just FYI...

I'm with you on that one, five shots? Surely they weren't full pours. I've been detoxing this past week (lots and lots of water) and on New Year's Eve, I quickly discovered that I had to quit at two glasses of prosecco.

 

[hgon76]

I recomend layers. Sweatshirt/Jacket for early mornings and t-shirts with pants/shorts for afternoons. .

I have to laugh. Coming from MA where it's currently snowing and about 34 degrees out, anything over 60 and my family will be in shorts and tanktops on those early mornings. (except me, I'm the one whose cold even when it's 70 degrees out). I found I only really needed the sweatshirt/sweater on the 1st day @ PC, and the 1st day @ sea. After that, it was warm enough even for me to have a skirt and tanktop on. But, I'm sure, you being from FL, 65 degrees is chilly. Oh how I wish it was even 60 degrees outside my house now.

 

[Bunless]

I have to laugh. Coming from MA where it's currently snowing and about 34 degrees out, anything over 60 and my family will be in shorts and tanktops on those early mornings. (except me, I'm the one whose cold even when it's 70 degrees out). I found I only really needed the sweatshirt/sweater on the 1st day @ PC, and the 1st day @ sea. After that, it was warm enough even for me to have a skirt and tanktop on. But, I'm sure, you being from FL, 65 degrees is chilly. Oh how I wish it was even 60 degrees outside my house now.

Same here, though we're a bit warmer in the Northwest. It's going to hit 50 today! That means skirt or shorts, a tee shirt and light sweater.

 

[hgon76]

Okay, so I unpacked my over packed suitcase and re-evalutated. Took out 6 things, put in 2 others and i still think I am waaaaay over packed! Maybe I should just embrace the fact that I am an "overpacker" instead of trying to fight it. As long as I can keep it under 50lbs!. Found out Delta (who we're flying) charges $90 for anything over 50lbs and another $175 for anything over the size limit! At that point it would be worth it to just leave the bag behind and buy all new stuff when I get there.. Have managed to pack the kids and limit it to a carry on each.. I am sooooo ready for this vacation

 

[ltzol]

AHHH you are all stressing me out! I have not packed one thing - haven't printed the magnets or started on the FE gifts either. How did the cruise sneak up on me like this???

We do have pirate costumes for the kids - I have a skull and crossbones tshirt and DH has a vaguely piratical (is that a word?) looking shirt. DH will probably wear a sport coat and tie for formal night. He doesn't own a tux. I am just hoping I can get a collared shirt on DS (he's 5)

Hope everyone had a wonderful New Year's Eve / Day !

 

[RockiesLady]

Okay..went all over today running errands, and at each store kept eye open for some type of bag to hang over the fish. Found nothing

What are you all using? Can I just use a small tote bag?? I think that's what it's going to be unless someone can suggest an easy way to grab something more fun

And..no worries..we haven't even BEGUN to pack on this end. I'm not that organized Maybe will start soon.

 

[unc-bsn]

We finally received our documents in the mail!! Now it seems real!! I'm really unprepared. I've been sick since Christmas day and had so many things to catch up on this week. Oh, well!! At this point, I just want to get us all packed in time and keep us all well until the cruise!!

I would love to exercise with those of you that mentioned it. I do Jazzercise here and definitely miss it when I can't go! I love to walk and would like to try some of the classes too. (Inbetween the fun , of course!!)

2 weeks and counting!!!!
Happy New Year!! Looking forward to meeting everyone soon!

 

[hgon76]

Sorry you've been sick! At least you got it out of the way before the cruise. My aunts DD9 has been sick since Christmas. I keep telling my kids "don't share pencils, pens, crayons, glue sticks, ANYTHING at school. And I've been obnoxious about the hand sanitizer. Just need to keep everyone in good shape for a couple more weeks! Lots of vitamin C!

 

[shellcruiser]

Okay..went all over today running errands, and at each store kept eye open for some type of bag to hang over the fish. Found nothing

What are you all using? Can I just use a small tote bag?? I think that's what it's going to be unless someone can suggest an easy way to grab something more fun

You can certainly use a tote. I made a Fish extender from directions found on one of the threads on the main forum. It has separate pocket for everyone in the cabin

Found some examples posted on one of our past meets:

http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=25722961&postcount=2963

Ok, it may be a little late for this, but I also stole the directions from the meet:

How to Make a Fish Extender

Pockets are 11" X 5 1/2"
Back is 32" X 8"

Materials:
You need 1/4 yard of fabric
iron interfacing
wide double fold bias tape, and
3/8" dowel 8" long

Instructions:
- - - Cut out backing and pockets then iron on interfacing.
- - - Sew bias tape on top of pocket
- - - Pleat once on each side and pin bottom of pocket so that it is 8" wide.
- - - Baste, then pin bias tape on bottom and sew on
- - - Pin pockets on backing and sew bottom of pocket to backing
- - - Pin and baste around entire outside of project.
- - - Pin then sew bias tape around outside edge of whole fish extender
- - - Fold top over leaving room for you dowel at top and sew along the inside of bias tape down each side to secure.

We finally received our documents in the mail!! Now it seems real!! I'm really unprepared. I've been sick since Christmas day and had so many things to catch up on this week. Oh, well!! At this point, I just want to get us all packed in time and keep us all well until the cruise!!

Just focus on keeping everyone well. You will get by with whatever you pack! Never known anyone to underpack

 

[AimeeJ]

What kind of beer do they serve for the tastings? Is it more than what they have available to purchase? Because I'm a bit of a beer snob and I can't imagine doing a tasting based on that short list.

My last cruise was a long cruise so they had a special somnelier on board to do wine tastings and I signed up for 3 or 4 of them - all focused on different regions of the world. Do you know if it's like that for the 7 night cruises or are all the wine tastings the same? Either way I'll be participating at some point.

I also did a martini tasting and thought it was okay and I did a tequila tasting. Had I finished all of the tequila they served they would have had to carry me back to my stateroom - I can't do 5 shots! But it was interesting to actually taste the difference in the different price ranges. Just FYI...

I've never done the tastings before but last time I sailed they only did them on one day so I imagine the wine tasting is limited. I had an assistant server on the Wonder who was very knowledgeable about wine and we really enjoyed his input for our dinner pairings. I did do a scotch tasting and after 4full servings of single malt scotch, no one was feeling unfriendly!

I have to laugh. Coming from MA where it's currently snowing and about 34 degrees out, anything over 60 and my family will be in shorts and tanktops on those early mornings. (except me, I'm the one whose cold even when it's 70 degrees out). I found I only really needed the sweatshirt/sweater on the 1st day @ PC, and the 1st day @ sea. After that, it was warm enough even for me to have a skirt and tanktop on. But, I'm sure, you being from FL, 65 degrees is chilly. Oh how I wish it was even 60 degrees outside my house now.

I thought I was taking into consideration that most of you are from the north . Ok, the heater goes on at my house below 75 and by 60 I'm wearing a hat and gloves. I'll be the person on Castaway Cay sitting in the sun covered with a blanket. I do remember lots of people arriving at the port complaining about the outdoor temp which I think is because of the wind so you really might want to think about one sweater.

AHHH you are all stressing me out! I have not packed one thing - haven't printed the magnets or started on the FE gifts either. How did the cruise sneak up on me like this???

I know! I thought I had things undercontrol but now I'm studying the calendar to se where I can fit everything in. I'm always packing at the last minuite. Saturday morning I'll be wandering around looking for shoes or something.

Okay..went all over today running errands, and at each store kept eye open for some type of bag to hang over the fish. Found nothing

What are you all using? Can I just use a small tote bag?? I think that's what it's going to be unless someone can suggest an easy way to grab something more fun

You can look on ebay, someone makes and sells them but I'm not sure if you have enough time. You could also take a hanging shoe holder and decorate it with scrapbook type stickers and ribbions, etc. I have also seen the tote bag idea. A FE is really whatever works for you and gives people a place to put things.

We finally received our documents in the mail!! Now it seems real!! I'm really unprepared. I've been sick since Christmas day and had so many things to catch up on this week. Oh, well!! At this point, I just want to get us all packed in time and keep us all well until the cruise!!

My biggest fear is getting a GI illness before the cruise. Here is lots of pixie dust that each and everyone of us is well and at our best on 1/16/10

 

[harleys mom]

Good morning all... It is less than two weeks away!!!! I only have six more days of work before we go so I am counting the days. Today I plan on finishing my door decs, and working on fish extender gifts... Is any one else out there a scrapbooker? I am going to be playing with my Cricut and could bring some icons if anyone needs some...

Here is a picture of our door and fish extender from two years ago if anyone needs ideas.... well maybe not.. I cant figure out how to insert a picture... I guess I will post them on my facebook page.

 

[RockiesLady]

Ohh..those extenders are super cute. . Sadly, I do not sew, am not crafty and have zero time between now and the cruise. The directions lost me at baste (no clue).

I checked ebay..nothing on there, that would have been my way. I hope my kids aren't sad by the red tote on the door. Ugh.

 

[RockiesLady]

Yipee...after reading the description of shoe holder I searched Ebay again. Found one! YIPEE. One less thing to worry about. I've got lists going like crazy to get everything done prior to cruise time.

I CANNOT WAIT!!

 

[hgon76]

Well the kids go back to school tomorrow (germ central!) Here's hoping they fight of those pesky viruses for a few more weeks! Honestly DD7 has usually had a couple of those by this time in the school year. She hasn't had one yet. I don't know whether to take that as a good sign (immune system is strong this year) or a bad one.......like she could catch something at any moment. I think I'll throw an extra sanitizer in her backpack for good measure.

 

[unc-bsn]

Good morning all... It is less than two weeks away!!!! I only have six more days of work before we go so I am counting the days. Today I plan on finishing my door decs, and working on fish extender gifts... Is any one else out there a scrapbooker? I am going to be playing with my Cricut and could bring some icons if anyone needs some...

Here is a picture of our door and fish extender from two years ago if anyone needs ideas.... well maybe not.. I cant figure out how to insert a picture... I guess I will post them on my facebook page.

Yes, I am a scrapbooker!!!! Was going for an all day crop on New Year's Day but I was sick. What a bummer! I am still scrapping our trip to WDW last Jan.! Yikes am I behind now!! I would love to have a Cricut. Do you have the Disney cartridges???? Would love some icons if you have any spare!!!!!!! Thanks.

I am actually going on a scrapbook weekend retreat the w/e after we return from the cruise. Maybe I can catch up then! Gotta stay optimistic!