Magic, January 16, 2010--Winter Day Castaways

[hgon76]

Yep - I keep using that word - AMAZING. Hannah told me that yesterday in school she when she would find herself missing the cruise she would squeeze the sea turtle necklace we got in St. Thomas (because we went snorkeling with the sea turtles) and it made her feel better. All I know is that I am still putting away cruise "stuff" and I have nothing to squeeze to make me feel better - plus it snowed again last night *sigh*

Emma had to make a vacation journal for school and one of the pages was titled "my favorite part of vacation" & they had to draw a pic of their favorite part. She wrote "playing w/Hannah & spending time w/my family". Your daughter sure left quite an impression!

 

[AimeeJ]

Back at work tonight, sigh. I miss my ship. I miss the service, I miss my friends and I miss the FOOD! It was great meeting people and saying hi as we each went about the fun of discovering our own magic. Thank you to everyone for the fish gifts. Each of the gifts were unique and a delight in their own way. We didn't rebook while on board only because we still can't decide with all the new iteneriaries. We did indulge in something special though. We purchased a portriat from Jean-Pierre. I can't wait to see it in person but the sketch is just wonderful!!!

 

[Bunless]

We finally got home late last night, after spending an extra few days at Vero Beach. Just wanted to say, I don't remember who made the travel mugs, but thank you! it made the perfect traveler to take the wine down to the beach.

 

[hgon76]

Is it just me or does everyone else keep saying to themselves "Last week @ this time I was............" Ughhhh! I want to go back!

 

[Bunless]

Is it just me or does everyone else keep saying to themselves "Last week @ this time I was............" Ughhhh! I want to go back!

Yes! ok, Wednesday, with the time change, would be 5:30 or so ... I would have been in the rainforest room for two hours, feeling like putty. Ahhhh.

I just found out that there is a Russian bath house here in Seattle. Steam rooms, saunas, different temperature pools. Sign me up!

I've been unpacking today, thank you, all FE people, the surprises were all fantastic. I'm sure I'll be making Conch Koolers for backyard parties this summer!

 

[RockiesLady]

Hey everyone..
I have the first moment just now to check in here, and am feeling everything everyone else has said.

I was wobbly for 2 days...which I was worried about, but now am missing (reminded me of the boat). We had the best time.

We did not book another cruise, but only because this one did us in financially. I don't know if we could swing another one.

For those of you who got "deals"...where do you get those?? I'm wondering if I plan it right, and budget, how we might be able to afford one next year. When you mention "pin codes"...what are those??

Also, VERY SORRY, I didn't meet any of you . The first day, my kids were dead tired , and needed a nap...while I unpacked us. Before I knew it, it was 4:30pm. We even missed dinner that first night, so we could let the kids sleep in. I wish I would have made it, sure would have added to the trip to know some people on board.

THANK YOU THANK YOU for all the fun treats in the FE. My kids LOVED coming to our door to find the treats!!

And, for the record..we ALL dressed up for Pirate night, and my kids were too tired to participate. We got dressed, went up to the deck, and after 2 meltdowns, were back in our room. So sad that we missed that. Maybe next time they'll be a little older and able to "hang in there".

Michelle

 

[harleys mom]

Wow... It is hard to believe that at this time last week I was sitting by the pool. It is snowing and cold here. The temp is 18 degrees.... I am remebering the trip by making Choclate Soffle from the Disney Cookbook. They came out soooo goood. I cant wait untill dinner when I can have another. This one was cooked to to make sure the receipe came out.

 

[shellcruiser]

I am remebering the trip by making Choclate Soffle from the Disney Cookbook. They came out soooo goood. I cant wait untill dinner when I can have another. This one was cooked to to make sure the receipe came out.

Yummy! Someone sent a survey this week which asked where you most like to dine ... I answered Palo. It helps that you HAVE to be on a cruise to eat there, but I love their souffle (and filet mignon, and calamari, and chicken parmesan, and...the list goes on)

Hey everyone..

We did not book another cruise, but only because this one did us in financially. I don't know if we could swing another one.

For those of you who got "deals"...where do you get those?? I'm wondering if I plan it right, and budget, how we might be able to afford one next year. When you mention "pin codes"...what are those??


Michelle

When u get those pin code emails, who do they show up from? Is it Disney cruise line, or just Disney.com, or something else?? I get so many Disney emails a week because I signed up for special offers, but I I don't always read them word for word because I get so many. Just curious.

My pin codes (I think) are coming from Disney Destinations. I do go online every so often (like every 4-6 months) and price a cruise or WDW vacation with different dates. I make sure to register/sign in so they know I'm shopping. So far I have not booked anything online, but there is definately activity on "my account". Each year I have requested the updated Disney planning guides, so WDW and DCL have my email. Also, I have the Disney Visa. So on this cruise, we had a pin code for kids to sail free, onboard credit through Disney Visa, onboard credit from my TA, Disney dollars accumulated through use of the Visa (1% paid back in disney $), and 6 months interest free payments (if we had chose to use it) for paying the total trip on the VISA. Another thing I did was I checked to see if cheaper rooms became available as cruise time approached. We originally booked spring break week(big $), then changed to this cruise Cat 10 because it was more reasonably priced. In Nov. I "downgraded" our ressie again to Cat 12 GTY which saved another $800. We still ended up in a Cat 9 room. So we felt that Tink was dropping Pixie dust from all angles.

Disney sends the pin codes randomly, so there is no guarantee of receiving them. With the economy so tight now, I think they have increased the incentives greatly in an attempt to capture what vacation market remains. Just this week I received a pin code for WDW room discounts. This is probably the 4th or 5th pin I have received for WDW. I have only received 1 pin code for DCL (ever) Hope we all can get some more! Watch the disboards too- deals do come along.

We finally got home late last night, after spending an extra few days at Vero Beach. Just wanted to say, I don't remember who made the travel mugs, but thank you! it made the perfect traveler to take the wine down to the beach.

Glad you could use it! I appreciate the time Mike took to make the logo. Hope the Konch Koolers remind you of Castaway Cay.

 

[RockiesLady]

onboard credit through Disney Visa

How did you get this?? I've had that Visa for 2 years...we ended up with $1,000 in reward dollars toward cruise, but never had any onboard credit. Did I miss this??

 

[ljcrochet]

onboard credit through Disney Visa

How did you get this?? I've had that Visa for 2 years...we ended up with $1,000 in reward dollars toward cruise, but never had any onboard credit. Did I miss this??

We got it got the disney visa credit just from charging the cruise on the disney visa.

 

[hgon76]

onboard credit through Disney Visa

How did you get this?? I've had that Visa for 2 years...we ended up with $1,000 in reward dollars toward cruise, but never had any onboard credit. Did I miss this??

If you charge your cruise (or any Disney vacation) to your Disney visa, you get the onboard credit & 6 months 0% interest. We did a "dummy date" onboard JUST because we got 10% off, 1/2price deposit, $200 onboard credit for rebooking, then another $25 for using the Disney visa. We really don't know when we'll cruise again, but the incentive they give is too good to pass up. Especially with the deposit being 1/2 price. It give a family of 4, 6 months to pay off $500 interest free. And you can move the date as many times as you want. If you decide not to go at all, you get all the $$$ back.

 

[RockiesLady]

UGGGH...I wish I would have known this when we were on the ship. I actually looked once at Disney Visa site to see if there were any benefits on the cruise, and I didn't see any.

 

[hgon76]

Was finally getting over my post cruise depression & my aunt sent me her pics (all 605 of them) Now I'm missing it all over again!

 

[shellcruiser]

Well, Kari is out of school again today (3rd snow day this week). So , we went to develope our cruise pics. Seeing the pics really makes me miss it more. Hope you all are coping well.

 

[hgon76]

Well, Kari is out of school again today (3rd snow day this week). So , we went to develope our cruise pics. Seeing the pics really makes me miss it more. Hope you all are coping well.

3rd snow day??? In North Carolina? Is that highly unusual for you guys? We live in New England & we've only had 1!

 

[shellcruiser]

3rd snow day??? In North Carolina? Is that highly unusual for you guys? We live in New England & we've only had 1!

Highly unusual year. We had a huge snow the week before Christmas. Last Fri- Sat we had a big snow which then got a nice coat of sleet to seal it. One problem is we do not have "snow routes" for the buses. So, if all the small back roads aren't clear the kids miss school. Kari did go to school today, but will not go tomorrow due to the "wintry mix" we're now experiencing. That will make 4 snow days this week. I'm sick of winter! The weather is supposedly one of "the" reasons to live here.

On a happier note, I put our cruise pics in a photo album, and I have enjoyed looking back through them. We really did have fun in St. Maarten I may have had one guavaberry colada too many

 

[unc-bsn]

We're in NC too and missed 2 days of school this week. Holding our breath about our make-up day on Sat. because more 'winter weather' is forecast. Of course, for us a snowflake causes immense alarm and an inch or 2 of snow closes down the city! Us 'Southerners' just don't handle the snow like you 'Northerners'!!

My daughter misses everything about the cruise and asked the other day if she could write to our cabin steward. She asked if we could go on another cruise in Oct. or Nov. so we could see everyone. Not unless we win the lottery!!

If there is something called "Post-Disney Depression" , I've got it !

 

[Bunless]

I finally got my photos and video on the camera...now to get them on photobucket.

 

[Bunless]

You can't see the plane until about a minute in.

 

[hgon76]

sitting here, watching the snow fall outside. School was cancelled today. Missing the cruise. Sunny St. Martin, St. Thomas, and Castaway Cay. Really don't know how I'm going to make the next 23 months til the next one!. It's going to be tough.