Magical Memories of a Double Dip 9/27-10/4 - updated 10/16 w/pics

[alleluia5]

So let me start by saying, I have been on four cruises but have never done a cruise report. Why, inquiring minds might ask - well, prolly because I wasn't sure if my Disney obsession with cruising would be interesting enough...it was kind of like that feeling you get in high school. What if no one picks me - or in this case, what if no one reads my report

Okay enough bout my fear of lack of readers. So here are the basics - my last cruise was last September with DH. Aside from our furry children (aka dogs) which for some reason have yet to be allowed on board, it is just the two of us. So for any of you out there that might wonder if adults can have fun on a Disney cruise - the answer is YES

So DH and I are scheduled for the Sept 27 Double Dip - 7 night western with 2 stops at castaway. We are traveling with 2 friends that we actually met on one of our first cruise. Then in Nov (29th) dear sis and I are going on a Western - its her first cruise and, lets just say - its been a tough year and a half for our family so this is our REWARD to self Oh and did I mention it just us girls?

More background - we currently live in the great state of Texas - which truly is great but we are completely land locked - the only water is the mirage in the street caused by the 100 degree temperatures

So you would think that since we have cruised before, I would be sooo organized - RIGHT - if you noticed in my title - procrastination is my nametag - you know were most people have the state they are from - my state is procrastination

So this lovely trip report is to help me get my rear in gear and be accountable to any of you lovely people that would like to join me this virtual journey of preparedness.

Okay, more to come in a bit (I promise) but let me get this out there - hope to see you all soon on here!

 

[alleluia5]

Alrighty - so I just spent about half an hour catching up on my cruises trip thread and am so in awe of some of you - already have your magnets printed, FE gifts ordered, some of you are already packing

So let's see what have I accomplished this lovely 1 month and 3 weeks from my cruise......

.......

.......

Well the cruise is booked Okay, okay, I am only kidding, we were one of the ones at the 75 day mark stayed up and tried to book everything as quickly as possible So for now we have a couple excursions booked - a snorkeling in Grand Cayman and Dolphin encounter in Cozumel. But DH and I were talking and not sure if we are going to change our plans - sometimes its just nice to get off the boat and "explore"

We explored last year in Cozumel and had a blast - DH found a little restaurant with authentic Mexican food (which I promptly stayed away from no stomach of steel here). His favorite part was the Mexican elevator

So just in case you were wondering, and I am sure you were - you may want to know what is one of my favorite things about the cruise...well this is it

 

[NZMUM]

Yay. Another cruisemate doing a PTR .

Of course reading all of them will not help me get organised for our trip .

Looking forward to reading more

Tania

 

[anewmac]

HAHA I believe Im from your great state also (not Tx, Yet E is from there LOL) but procrastination LOL. Cant wait to hear more from a "VET!

 

[alleluia5]

I hear you - I read them, realize how much I am behind, make a list, make a list of lists, then next thing I know they are clapping for us as we board

So in my dedicated effort to unprocrastinate for these cruises....(is unprocrastinate even a word deprocrastinate anyways, see how easily I am swayed ....

Okay in my efforts I have started a budget for this cruise - its a little scary but my GOAL (yes I said the g word) is to put some money on the cruise ahead of time. Its those little expenses that always get me....like the internet (shopping) and photos (shopping). Oh and did I mention shopping?

So I am wondering what movies might be showing in September...last year was so awesome because they were showing the Pirates movies - DH and my absolute favorite what more can you ask for than a giant turkey leg, two tables of dessert and POTC on the Ariel vision?

one again - I have wandered off ...okay back to the budget - so I have heard they may be making some changes to the stores on board - that is soooo dangerous. Any time I am missing DH knows exactly where to find me. No matter how many times I go in there I always manage to find something I really need! So trying to decide how much gift money to put in this budget (no, no dear not gift for others, gifts for ME)

 

[LuvtheEars]

I'm right there with you! I have so much to do before this cruise and just don't know how I will get it all done.

I'm looking forward to reading along! Perhaps you will help inspire me to get off my duff and get busy!

Tiffany

 

[Magic3forme]

Awesome report so far.

 

[zweihund]

Subscribing!

 

[alleluia5]

Okay so today's dilemma - I have this great list of fish extender buddies, I have an idea of what I will be taking with me to put in everyone else's fish extenders but I have NO fish extender for my door

Yes, yes, I have read all of the threads about how to create your own, trim with this, embroider your name in gold, etc Now that is a great - however doing this will require me to clean off my scrapbooking table - you know all the "perfect" items I picked up last year for my cruise scrapbook - yep you know the one that still hasn't been started......

I truly admire all of you who have already not only finished 1 fish extender but have one for every night plus an extra for "pirates DAY" I will be proud of myself to have one for every day

Hmm and if I do make my own there are so many decisions to be made. Which of my 2 dozen favor characters do I choose, pattern or solid, 2 pockets or 3, to name or not to name.....and what about pirate night do I need a separate one.....

Another option...ebay here I come....shopping, shopping aha! What - why is one only 99 cents and one $30 - and so many choices - hmmm well I can see this is not a decision to be made lightly.....then again what if I just go for it, order one now, and one item off the list.....

But no, the procrastinator planner in me says - you have plenty of time - plus don't you want the pleasure of creating your own unique fish extender.... hmmm off to look at material now

 

[anewmac]

Okay so today's dilemma - I have this great list of fish extender buddies, I have an idea of what I will be taking with me to put in everyone else's fish extenders but I have NO fish extender for my door

Yes, yes, I have read all of the threads about how to create your own, trim with this, embroider your name in gold, etc Now that is a great - however doing this will require me to clean off my scrapbooking table - you know all the "perfect" items I picked up last year for my cruise scrapbook - yep you know the one that still hasn't been started......

Ok BREATH LOL. I have to say TIffany on our cruise thread does an fantabulous job! her ebay name is gradysmommy Doesnt look like she has any up right now but you might PM her. Just a thought!

BTW Your scrapbook table sounds like mine... lol

 

[nenner1]

Great!

More TR's from our cruise!
It will be so much fun to read everyone's experiences!

 

[anc22]

Great start!

 

[alleluia5]

So today we are having "old movie" day and watching some old DVDs. One of them - Into the Blue - and what do we see, thats right the lovely Disney Wonder in the background .....Now if only I was ON the ship looking out!

So those of you going with us in September have probably figured this out but WE ARE CRUISING NEXT MONTH.

Let's get more specific - only 7 more Saturdays before we get on the big, beautiful ship. Phew okay that is enough excitement for one Sunday.

You know I was thinking about what one of the best feelings of planning your cruise is - its when it is PAID IN FULL! Love that.

So for those of you like me that just needed to "see" her again - this is for all of us to help us hold on for just.....a.......few.......more.......weeks.

 

[alleluia5]

Well you will all be proud to know that I am starting to make progress on my trip planning. I actually have some of the "biggies" out of the way. I have our room booked for the night before and after. Since we are DVC, I was able to get Saratoga 1 bedrm for a steal the night before. It's not my favorite resort but if I get lucky we might be able to have the DTD view. Last visit we had an incredible view of Cirque - my fav. On the way back we will be stopping for one night at AKL - I AKL - that is my absolute favorite - nothing like breakfast at Boma. There is something about that lobby that I just love.

More progress, we talked with some friends that are going with us on the cruise and they have offered to pick us up from the resort before the cruise. This would mean 2 things: We get to the port earlier and don't have to pay for transportation that way . Even better we get to hang with our friends longer

So now, if we do that I only have to get transportation 1 way - so the dilemma: bus, rent a car or towncar.....decisions!

More progress.....I actually pulled one of my favorite bags (luggage) into sight. So for all of you that are already almost fully packed - I am catching up

So another cruisemate has hooked me on something very, very bad (you know who you are) .....searching ebay for "party dresses" - you know those bridesmaid dresses people sell for $10. It's addictive - I found a beauty - 3 shades of blue with chiffon - just as I was about to bid I realized they were in Australia.....thats a long trip for a little dress. Oh well back to shopping.

Finally the most important part of my trip planning......yes, that's right - looking at all my old cruise pictures and staring longingly at any cruise shots Memories....like the corners of my ........

Oh sorry, I am back again....so I think that is a lot of accomplishment for a QP (queen procrastinator) - now if I could just get my airfare booked

 

[MagicMe]

OMG - you're airfare isn't booked yet???? Wow, you are the QP

 

[alleluia5]

Okay, okay so I have to admit....while I would love to credit my non-airfareness to being QP....truth is we had been toying with the idea of driving. But at today's gas prices it is becoming cheaper to fly...now isn't that a sad commentary

So I now find myself scanning all those airfare sites

 

[zweihund]

I'm trolling ebay RIGHT NOW.

 

[anewmac]

and Im trolling the DIS .... man do we all have our priorities.. So much for work for me. Good luck with airfair!

 

[alleluia5]

I'm trolling ebay RIGHT NOW.

You are a bad, bad influence (but secretly I am rubbing my hands together with joy and trying to fit both the ebay and dis screen on my monitor at once)

 

[googles111]

If you are still looking for airfare they have a sale going on at expedia.com

Here is the link. Not sure if it's anything close to where you will be flying out of.
http://www.expedia.com/daily/promos...vers01-link278801-paid107536692-dma-wave10424

Tonya