March 15-22, 2008 Eastern - Way-Way Early Check In

[pop5]

One more thing....becca n wa - I just realized that I had read your ta . I enjoyed reading and seeing all your pictures. By the way, We are in Alabama.

 

[becca_n_wa]

One more thing....becca n wa - I just realized that I had read your ta . I enjoyed reading and seeing all your pictures. By the way, We are in Alabama.

Thanks!

YOu have got to tell us somethings you did on the Eastern! I understand about the TR. We all have busy lives. When I get a few minutes of free time (usually during eating breakfast or lunch alone) this is where I go. The DIS boards. Oh how does it get so addicting? I guess its my drug of choice, well DIS and food. Funny how I do them together. Ok, now maybe I need some therpy.

Where are you in AL? So I assume all the spring breaks that are during this week are far southern states?

Hope you enjoy your July cruise for your b-day. Without kids...oh my. You will be lost without them. DH and I took a 3 night cruise (first time EVER going anywhere alone) back in 2005. We didnt know what to do by ourselves.

 

[pop5]

Hi beccanwa, what did we do on the eastern.....One sea day we did the palo brunch and really enjoyed it. On another, we did the couples massage. We did get off the ship in St thomas and walked around and shopped for a bit. At St Marteen, we got a cab and took a 2 hour tour. I would not exactly do it again. It just seemed a little long for me. I am not an excursion person. I like to get of the ship and just do our own thing. We did enjoy getting back onboard early and not having all the crowds. We did see most of the shows and loved them all. My favorite thing to do was go into the rainforest room and get some hot tea while sitting in the heated loungers. That was so relaxing just sitting there looking at the fountain. We had early dinner and that worked well with the kids. We stayed on deck 1 with 2 portholes. These boards made the whole trip so much better for my whole family. I couldnt imagine going without all the knowledge I gained here. We are in Bham.

 

[nlm]

You guys are scaring me - talking about these prices. If we can go, I am hoping for a good military rate. Why do you think the rates are so high? Is this Spring Break for lots? I thought most spring breaks are end of March into April? We just moved here to Savannah but this will be our earliest spring break my kids have ever had.

My kid's have spring break the week before Easter. In 2007, their break started March 30th, in 2008 it will start on March 17th, and in 2008 it will probably start April 6th. My cousin's kids in PA and FL both have spring break the week after Easter. Heck, I work at a University and our spring break is closer to the beginning of March! I think they consider spring break anywhere from the end of Feb through the end of April!

Since so many teachers in Northern Virginia can't afford to live in the county they teach in, several counties are trying to standardize spring break to the first full week in April. That way, if the teacher's kids attend school in one district and they teach in another, they both can have the same week off. Also, I understand a lot of people are unhappy with scheduling spring break around a religious holiday. We'll see if they can come to some consensus....

As for price, our first cruise in November 2006 was 2k less than the spring break 2008 cruise - the reason I think it is expensive.

 

[nlm]

Thanks for responding about the spr's. I guess I need to study the abbreviation info. No, I did not do a report. My typical response would be "I dont have time because of 5 kids" , however, as much time as I spend on these boards I could have written a trip novel!! We had the time of our lives on the cruise though. My husband and myself are doing the 4 night wonder this coming July(without kids) to celebrate my 40th bday.

Wow - early congratulations! Our nov06 cruise was to celebrate my 40th, but the kids came with us - although they spent so much time in the kids club that it was like cruising by ourselves!

I hope you have a great time in July! You'll have to let me know how it goes on the 4 nighter - we're considering booking one in summer 2008 to take advantage of the double dips.

 

[becca_n_wa]

My kid's have spring break the week before Easter. I think they consider spring break anywhere from the end of Feb through the end of April!

QUOTE]

My kids had been going to the military schools on post back at Ft campbell. They always had spring break the week after Easter. Which was sad, they would have gotten Good Friday off anyway. Bad thing was we couldnt plan to be anywhere for Easter Sunday (family lived 7 hours away). We would have to have the kids back at school on Monday. So, spring break week coming after Easter Sunday would sound good to us!

Anyway, we are now here at Savannah in public schools (LOL boy is that a change). There are some major changes going on here. They are giving the kids over 3 months off for summer instead of the 2. They will be out for a week in May, all of June , July, August and do not go back until Sept 4th. WOW thats a longggg summer! Dont know what the big change is about...but sure would like to know!

 

[pop5]

nlm...i will let you know about the 4 night. I hope we get alot more on this date. It is so far away-I bet we will get alot more.

 

[swilphil]

This is our first cruise ever. We have 2 boys who will be 5 and 7 when we go. We ALWAYS have our spring break the third week in March and so does a large chunk of the Midwest. I know some of the private schools get the week before and the week after Easter.

Pop5--Did you leave your kids in the Kids Club when you got off the ship. I read the pager can still work, but I how far can you go?

 

[pop5]

Hi Sherri, we did leave our youngst(5) on the ship while we did a St Marteen tour. He would have complained the whole time and I was also scared he would sneak off. I just felt safer with him on the ship. We were not gone for long and the pagers do not work too far away. I felt like the pros for leaving him on the ship out weighed the odds that they would need us. We did hurry back though. Glad you are joining us.

 

[nlm]

Just chiming in about leaving the kids in the clubs. On the Western, we did the Tulum Ruins tour and the kids stayed in the clubs (9 & 4) all day. We left the ship around 8ish or so and returned around 5:00.

My biggest concern was that something would happen during the tour and the boat might leave without us! But, since we booked it through Disney, I felt a little more comfortable that they wouldn't leave. My kids are normally in all day programs - school/preschool and aftercare - so they don't have a problem separating from me for the day.

We didn't have any issues at all - excepted getting back at 5 all stinky and sweaty and having to get the kids, shower, dress for pirate night, and get to the dining room by 5:30.

Oh, and welcome Sherri! I'm happy you're joining us.

 

[nlm]

Just got our new Castaway Club cards in the mail - it was nice to get something from DCL while we count the days to the next cruise.

Anyone else get their new cards yet?

 

[carolmp]

We're going too! It's me, Carol, my DH Scott and two DDs, 14 and 10 by cruise time. DH and I were on the "Big Red Boat" long ago, but none of us have been on a Disney cruise. We were supposed to cruise this Spring Break, but DH picked up an infection in his foot and we had to cancel. So we rescheduled for next year.

I'm starting to look into excursions for the family. I was only planning on doing one. The other port we were just going to hang out at the beach. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[nlm]

We're going too! It's me, Carol, my DH Scott and two DDs, 14 and 10 by cruise time. DH and I were on the "Big Red Boat" long ago, but none of us have been on a Disney cruise. We were supposed to cruise this Spring Break, but DH picked up an infection in his foot and we had to cancel. So we rescheduled for next year.

I'm starting to look into excursions for the family. I was only planning on doing one. The other port we were just going to hang out at the beach. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Welcome Carol - I'm glad you're joining us!

Our travelers for this cruise includes me, Nancy, DH Don, and two DD's (10 & 5 at cruise time).

This is our second disney cruise - the first being a western - so I'm in the same "boat" you are with excursions. We're also thinking about just one excursion and we'll probably just wing it on the other island and do beach time at CC.

BTW, my dd (10) is looking for an e-pal - do you think your dd (10) would be interested? She emailed with several other girls before our last cruise and would love to do it again.

 

[carolmp]

Nancy, I just sent you a PM.

 

[nlm]

Carol,

My daughter just emailed your daughter - finally. Sorry she took so long - things have been crazy around here ever since school ended.

Nancy

 

[nlm]

Unless someone objects, I'd like to volunteer to keep a list of cruisers on page one. I see it on other meet threads and it seems like a good way to keep track of who is cruising.

I'll start it out with our information. If you'd like to be listed, just shoot me a PM and I'll add you and whatever family information you'd like to include.

Regards,
Nancy

 

[limati]

We'll be joining you on the 3/15 sailing. We are all so excited. This will also be the first airplane trip for 5 out of the nine of us (including my mom!). I have quickly become addicted to this board.

Lisa

 

[carolmp]

Welcome Lisa! It's good to have more people here.

I understand about being addicted to the board. I'm pretty much on here every day. I hope the cruise lives up to its hype!

Carol

 

[limati]

Okay I am officially addicted to "dis" board now. My dd (10) and I watched the Disney cruise video again! My ds (13) groans and says, "But it's so far away." Gotta love the teen attitude. We applied for the kid's passports this past Friday. It'll be interesting to see how long it takes.

Lisa

 

[nlm]

Okay I am officially addicted to "dis" board now. My dd (10) and I watched the Disney cruise video again! My ds (13) groans and says, "But it's so far away." Gotta love the teen attitude. We applied for the kid's passports this past Friday. It'll be interesting to see how long it takes.

Hi Lisa - and welcome! I'm glad you'll be on the cruise with us.

Yikes - passports! I forgot all about them! Guess I'll be downloading the apps and applying for them ASAP!

Nancy