March 12, 2011 Eastern Caribbean, Let's rock the Magic!

[Mickeyhugger]

We're in Westlake (Keller/Southlake/Colleyville area)....so we're practically neighbors!


Ashley

Our daughter(16) rides horses out in Keller and goes to school in Argyle at Liberty Christian.

It will be me,my wife,dd16 and her bff also 16.

If anyone else is staying at the Renaissance Inn and would like to do a pre cruise meet at the hotel bar just let me know.

Rob

 

[Ashansen]

Our daughter(16) rides horses out in Keller and goes to school in Argyle at Liberty Christian.



Rob

My 8 year old wants to ride and we're just starting the process of finding a barn to get her attached to! Of course she'd love her own horse, but that's not happening! LC is a great school. We have several friends who's kids are there!

We'll, guess we'll have something to talk about when we all meet up!

Seems to be a few Texas families!

Ashley

 

[jennyh2829]

We live in Cypress, a suburb of Houston.

I have bought my FE gifts and still need to try to "personalize" them. I won't pack until right before we go. That's just how I do it. It is our Spring Break so not missing school and I just started Weight Watchers again....I'm not sure how much of a dent I'll make but anything would be great!

 

[Mickeyhugger]

My 8 year old wants to ride and we're just starting the process of finding a barn to get her attached to! Of course she'd love her own horse, but that's not happening! LC is a great school. We have several friends who's kids are there!

We'll, guess we'll have something to talk about when we all meet up!

Seems to be a few Texas families!

Ashley

We relented and let Rachel have a horse..what a money pit,I can tell you all about that ordeal Happiest day of my life was the day we got rid of Him!!

Rob

 

[terimac]

We're in Westlake (Keller/Southlake/Colleyville area)....so we're practically neighbors!


Ashley

Hi Ashley! We are in Grand Prairie! We have friends that live in Westlake, and my DH worked there until earlier this year. It's a small world! I saw that mickyhugger is local, also. It's such a small world, and I can't wait to meet everyone!

 

[terimac]

Any West Coasters out there?
We are in Central Washington, East of the Mountains, as they say, about 2 hours (over the Cascade range) from Seattle.
Unlike Seattle, we have 4 distinct seasons - Hot beautiful summers, windy but sunny spring, calm fall, and COLD, snowy winters. In fact, it's 14 degrees now, up from -2 when I got up this morning and yes, for you Canadians, that is FAHRENHEIT!
But, being north of us, I guess you know cold too!

Are there others taking their kids out of school for this cruise?

My DD14 is a bit worried about missing 6 days, but she also knows how awesome cruising on DCL is and will do what it takes to keep up! Fortunately she is a good student and is still in 8th grade, I assured her once High School starts, I won't book vacations during school days.

So, what kinds of things are you all up to to get ready for this cruise?
I actually thought about getting out a suitcase and start putting stuff in it (stowing it under the bed for now). But I'll give that a month

I do have over half of my FE exchange gifts bought, I still need to alter our FE itself to reflect this cruise, not or last one.

Other than that, I joined a "Biggest Loser" team on the W.I.S.H. boards... hoping to make a dent in the pudge around the middle before the cruise.

Well, I should get off the computer now. Lots to do always!

Marcy

Hi Marcy!
We aren't from the west coast, but we do love to visit! My brother and his family live near Seattle in Kirkland near the lake. That is beautiful country! I don't think I really know what 4 distinct seasons are...in North Texas, we have a lot of hot, some warm, and a moment of cold. We did have a "real fall" this year in that the leaves changed colors slowly, though they didn't all fall off the trees until after Christmas day... By the way, we are in the 60s all week...

I think you and I have a lot in common! I read your posts and feel like I could've written them! I have been so tempted lately to pull out suitcases and start packing! I mean we are SOOOO close, right?!? I'm not sure I will make it another month without starting just a little (I'll just hide the suitcase in the extra bedroom!)

I am trying to narrow down my FE gifts...bought some and trying to decide what I will make (if I dare!) I am also going to attempt to make my FE...I'm not very creative and only an amateur crafter, so I may have to order one.

I am an over-planner, so knowing that we only have about 2 months left has me starting to stress as I realize all the things I've planned to do for this cruise that I haven't started, yet (FE, FE gifts, t-shirts, magnets, kids gifts, etc.) Did I also say that I also tend to procrastinate?!? It doesn't go very well with being an overplanner! I guess I'd better get busy!

Regarding the meet-up on the 12th, I think 3pm in the Promenade is perfect! If all goes as "planned" we will be on the ship early, anyway!

As far as room numbers, some of us are still GTY and haven't gotten them, yet. How do other cruisers deal with that, or if your room number changes once we check in?

Ok, time to get stuff ready for the kids to start back to school tomorrow. Back to the grind...

 

[Ashansen]

Hi Ashley! We are in Grand Prairie! We have friends that live in Westlake, and my DH worked there until earlier this year. It's a small world! I saw that mickyhugger is local, also. It's such a small world, and I can't wait to meet everyone!

Ok! Small world...WL is small...so I probably know your friends! How funny that there are 3 of us within about a 1/2 hour radius!

Can't wait to meet all the neighbors!

Ashley

 

[Ashansen]

As far as room numbers, some of us are still GTY and haven't gotten them, yet. How do other cruisers deal with that, or if your room number changes once we check in?

:[/QUOTE]

Last cruise I went on, we had a "final" update that went out right before the cruise with the rooms on them...Any on board changes were supposed to be turned into "the organizer" (she was going to be at the cruise meet) and she would let the rest of us know by dropping a note to our room if we were not at the meet. We ended up not having any changes, so not sure if this would have worked out or not.

I guess another option would be whomever had the room change or on board assignment could drop notes off to the participant rooms....?

Ashley

 

[amysuch]

We're in Westlake (Keller/Southlake/Colleyville area)....so we're practically neighbors!


Ashley

We lived in Keller for a while. We're in Royse City now (east of Rockwall).

 

[Stinasmom]

OK - Here is what I have:


*Stinasmom - Marcy 43(turning 44 on 3/18 while cruising), VJ 45, Christina 14, Dominic 10

*Cheryllynn74 - Cheryl 35, Ricky 36, 10th anniversary aboard

*candizfan - mom, DH, DD15, DD12

*jennyh2829 - Jenny, DH 40ish, DD11

*needAcruise - me, DH 30's, DD8, DD10(11th birthday on cruise), Dniece 14

*Ashansen - Ashley, Kevin, DD10 Emma, DD8 Lily

*dfamily- Ruth, DH40, DS12, DD9, DS6, DD2

*mickeyhugger - Pricilla, Rob, DD16 Rachel, Dfriend 16 Kristin

*DisneyDarwin - Mom50, DD18

*terimac - Teri, DH- Mason (30's), DD5 - Brynlea, DS6 Ryan

*Jules30 - Julie, DH, DD7, DS4

*Paragd911 - Mark, Joy, DD14 Marissa, DDog (service dog) Shadow

*amysuch -Amy 33,Chris 40,Savanah 14, Macy 2, Connie 67,Bernie 68

*venegasfam4 -Sally, Laz, DD4 Abby, DS6 Cosmo

Breakdown:
Girls (by ages)
2@ 2years, 4, 5, 7, 2@8, 2@10, 11, 12, 4@14, 2@16, 18

Boys
4, 3@6, 10, 12

Women - 15

Men - 14

Service Dog - 1


I did a breakdown by ages (or number of adults) for shopping purpopes.

Let me know if you see any errors. Also, I know that I read about some birthdays happening within our group while cruising. I'd love to add that info to help people with gifts.

I know Ashley requested an early delivery date prior to Pirate night, but I believe there was someone else too... WHO? Sorry, I searched posts but my eyes are getting blurry!

As far as delivery goes, I think I will keep a master list but only let each family know what day they are delivering. That way those who wish to remain anonomous, can, and those who want to "sign the card" or items they deliver can also.
I can't remember ever having any problems with people taking stuff from FEs but if that does worry you, delivering really early in the morning is good as then people can check their FE's when they get up.

Any other ideas? Input? I am OPEN!!

Marcy

 

[jennyh2829]

Looks good to me. Kaitlin is having her 11th birthday on the cruise. She is 10 now.

 

[candizfan]

Sounds great. I am going to have to buy something for a FE - any suggestions? I am not crafty so the chance of making one is slim to none!

I just hope the things I buy work for everyone....and I must say that I would like to know what the dog can have. I love my dog (shepard/retreiver mix), and would like to provide a little treat but want to make sure it fits in his diet.

Can the dog have biscuits or Dentasticks? Doe you have Detasticks in the US?

Sounds like there will be a lot of Texans on the ship again. The last two cruises the numbers were really close for Canadians vs Texans. It is always fun to see who has the largest group on the ship.

We are going to probably stay at a hotel in Cocoa Beach on Friday night. But 3pm sounds like a good time to meet on the ship.

 

[Paragd911]

On past cruises we have met in the Promenade Lounge at 3pm.

I will be the one in the Wheelchair with the Big Black Dog.....
Heres a map!

 

[Paragd911]

Because people asked about Shadow.

Normally I let "little kids" & other folks in wheelchairs pet him. But when its a ship Full of kids i don't let anyone.

He works for the "petting" that i give him. If i let everyone pet him, He wont work for me. (sorry)

I'm a trainer of Service dogs.

For FE "gifts" Toys are always good lol. He cant have "food" of any type. (his tummy)

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Because people asked about Shadow.

Normally I let "little kids" & other folks in wheelchairs pet him. But when its a ship Full of kids i don't let anyone.

He works for the "petting" that i give him. If i let everyone pet him, He wont work for me. (sorry)

I'm a trainer of Service dogs.

For FE "gifts" Toys are always good lol. He cant have "food" of any type. (his tummy)

That is so cool how did you get into doing this? I would love to do this one day when I retire.It must be real hard having to give them up when the time comes.

Rob

 

[candizfan]

Hi Mark. Can you tell us what kind of toys would be good for Shadow?

My dog has tummy issues to.

 

[Stinasmom]

Found a thread on FE gift ideas for the not so crafty:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2473209&highlight=fe+extender+gift+ideas

There are some other threads too, I did a search on FE extenders.

Some people are amazingly creative!

I just hope people find the items useful!

Marcy

 

[Cheryllynn74]

I know Ashley requested an early delivery date prior to Pirate night, but I believe there was someone else too... WHO? Sorry, I searched posts but my eyes are getting blurry!

I was the other person that requested a delivery day before pirate night - thanks!!!

 

[needAcruise]

I know Ashley requested an early delivery date prior to Pirate night, but I believe there was someone else too... WHO? Sorry, I searched posts but my eyes are getting blurry!

I was the other person that requested a delivery day before pirate night - thanks!!!

I would like a pre-pirate night delivery date also! I'll PM Stinasmom my room number!

Looks good to me. Kaitlin is having her 11th birthday on the cruise. She is 10 now.

DD8 is also having a birthday on the cruise. She'll be turning 9 (going on 30, she acts so mature sometimes). March 18! I think someone else also has a birthday that day too. I hope they have those great buttons stating "It's my birthday!".

 

[needAcruise]

Don't want to be a party pooper, but...

Will there be a cut off date for joining the fish extender group?

I have to stop shopping and start packing the gift bags at some point and I would hate to come up short on any gift bags.

Maybe make an extra gift bag just in case....