March 22-29, 2008 - Here Before You Know It!

[stellamb]

Well I was finally getting giving up when the doorbell. it was 7:30p.m.
finally our docoments came my dh and I ran to the door but i got them first now it finally seem closer can't wait to go !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[momdislover]

The cruise is so close, I can not wait to go. I need to start packing, but I am tired tonight, maybe tomorrow since it is a snow day anyway-Oh Yeah 6-10 inches by 6pm tomorrow cant wait, I think we will probably spend the first day in sunny FLA just thawing out. I have never had a winter like this.

 

[DisneyMom92]

Hi everyone! I haven't posted much but we are getting so excited for our first cruise. We haven't received our docs yet, but I have made some magnets for the door and started packing.

Can anyone tell me if I need a plug adaptor?

Thanks, Susan

You won't need a plug adaptor but you might need an extention cord/power strip depending on how much you plug in.

If you booked through a TA your docs will go to them first. I was notified by my TA tonight about about 8 p.m. our time, that my docs arrived there and would be here in shortly.

 

[Susanbee]

Thanks DisneyMom92! We did use a TA and I was going to wait until Friday to call and see our docs had arrived there yet. I didn't think I needed any power adaptors but a coworker thought I did so I thought I'd check with you guys.

What excursions are you signed up for? This is what we (Me, DH, DD12) have:

Key West: on our own, I want to go to Mel Fisher's Musuem
Grand Cayman: Atlantis Submarine
Cozumel: Jungle Hike
Castaway: Bike/snorkel/float rental and a cabana massage for me

I was not able to get a Palo reservation of any kind....I guess I'll check when we get on board. I was really hoping for brunch. I read somewhere that you can just go up to the bar there. Is that right? I'm not as interested in the food as I am the view.

Susan

 

[momdislover]

Here are our excursions:
Key west-on our own,DS10 wants to see pirate soul musuem :con , this is also Easter Sunday , so not sure if things will be open-anyone know?
Grand cayman- Submarine
Cozomel-Excaret park
castaway cay-banana boat ride , glass bottom boat tour
I was also not able to reserve anything at Palo-I will have to try on board as well.
Is anybody going on any of these excursions as well?

 

[momdislover]

almost forgot, is there an iron in the rooms? Or do I need to pack one?

 

[JerseyBelle]

almost forgot, is there an iron in the rooms? Or do I need to pack one?

There isn't an iron in the rooms and I am pretty sure you are not allowed to use your own in the rooms for safety reasons. My passporter guide says you can bring your own but the use is prohibited in the staterooms. There are laundry rooms on 2, 6 and 7. I think there is a iron available in the laundry rooms but I am not 100% sure. There is also laundry services.

Our excursions:

Key West - Nothing booked. Thinking about renting electric car.
Grand Cayman - Seaworld Explorer Semi Submarine and then beach on our own
Cozumel Beach Break
CC - Didn't book anything since renting boats is not done in advance. Did the stingrays last time and loved it but decided to just rent snorkeling gear this time and didn't do it in advance.

 

[JerseyBelle]

Easter Sunday , so not sure if things will be open-anyone know?

Any searches I have done on the internet have told me that Key West never closes so I think we should be fine with whatever we choose to do.

 

[DisneyMom92]

Shirley Nelson (see her posts about Key West, they are very very helpful) assures me that Key West is a tourist town and will not be closed on a day when ships are in port.

Our excursions are:

Key West: electric car
.........did Pirate Museum with DS11 (then) last year. He had a great time.

Grand Cayman: Nautilus Submarine
..............did City Tour through DCL last year. Good time.

Cozumel: Dolphin Swim (dd and dsis are doing royal swim, ds and I are doing the one with snorkeling)
...............did the Dolphin Encounter last year, was a blast, going next level this year.

Castaway Cay: Stingray Encounter and DD and DS are doing Banana boat ride
...............last year did nothing and it was great! Well we swam and snorkeled.

 

[whamma]

Our docs came by UPS yesterday! Our internet was down (the phone guy came to fix the phone and cut the cable/internet wire while fixing the phone)--so I couldn't post a message last night to tell you all and was hating it! Not much for "docs" really--mostly just the luggage tags. Oh, and the Easter Basket list--which I'd noticed online. Think I'll just pack my own or order from The Perfect Gift. The DCL ones seem a little pricey for what you get.

Our excursions are:
Key West: Butterfly Farm & Nature Conservatory with aquarium
Grand Cayman: Island Tour & Snorkeling with the Stingrays
Cozumel: Discover Mexico & Chankanaab
Castaway Cay: Getaway Package (snorkel, float & bike)

No Palo ressies for us either. That's what we get for being DCL newbies--nothing left to choose. We don't expect to arrive on the ship until afternoon (coming from WDW on the bus) so I don't know if there's any hope of booking when we arrive. You previous cruisers might know what our chances are.

DS10 & DD5 fight daily over whose turn it is to mark off the day on the "countdown calendar" on the fridge!

My sis is a teacher in Woodstock, IL and she found out today that one of her students is going to be on the cruise with all of us. A small world after all.

3 weeks from today--Grand Cayman!

 

[Post4]

Hi Fellow Cruisers!
Our docs came last week and I was wondering--if we already filled them out on-line, we don't have to do it again, do we? I have a 10 and 14 year old boy--do they need to wear pants and tie to dinner each night? We're staying at the Hyatt on Fri.. Does anyone know about what time transportation leaves from there on Sat.?
Today we have another snow day. I'm a teacher so I love them, but I am so looking forward to the warmth and sunshine of the south!!
AKART--my prayers to you--so glad you're able to still come. Right now I'm waiting on a few test results. I'm scared because I know what they're fishing for. I hope they're okay so I can REALLY have a nice cruise. Medical issues just get in the way of life, don't they!!
See ya real soon everyone!

 

[DisneyMom92]

If they came with your documents, double check online to see if they are complete (it will say that online) just to shorten your time in the checkout line. If you leave one thing blank, it won't be complete.

Sorry I don't know your other answer. I know it's been discussed many times on the regular Cruise board, but since it didn't affect me I didn't pay any attention. You might check there. If I see it, I will let you know.

Good luck on your tests. I think the not knowing is harder than knowing what you are facing and dealing with it.

 

[dlf246]

Oh, and the Easter Basket list--which I'd noticed online. Think I'll just pack my own or order from The Perfect Gift.

Have meant to call Shirley about easter baskets. Does anyone know if she is doing those?

 

[momdislover]

I was on shirleys website and saw nothing regarding easter baskets. I am going to give them a call on friday. Disneys baskets were less than expected, I guess because last year we were able to design our own baskets a WDW. I will post after calling shirley.

 

[JerseyBelle]

Well we finally have our docs. AAA had them since Friday and our TA was not in so I guess they just sat. No harm.

Regarding the Easter Baskets. I wasn't going to do anything since it was just one more thing to pack; however then I was at Target and in their seasonal section they had the perfect thing for my dd. She is 10 but she and her friends love the Littlest Pet Shop toys. They had a small set in a box shaped like an Easter Basket with Easter related pets. I decided to surprise her with it and the box is relatively flat.

We have had an easy winter in NJ so far. Just yesterday it was 60+. I am still looking forward to the sun and sea. I feel for you folks from climates being wacked with snow. March is definitely coming in like a lion though with the wind. Hopefully, if we have to come back, it will be spring like weather. It is mean of DCL to make us get off the ship when we don't want to.

For those of you that will traveling before the cruise and may not get a chance to check the DIS, have a happy St. Patrick's Day

 

[JerseyBelle]

I sat down and made our Nemo Fish Extender tonight.
Don't alert the Metropolitan Art Museum just yet.
Without having a crafty bone in my body, it will do. I know my dd will like it as she picked out the material.
Thanks WHAMMA for providing the dimensions it really helped.

 

[whamma]

I sat down and made our Nemo Fish Extender tonight.
Don't alert the Metropolitan Art Museum just yet.

Can't wait to see it JerseyBelle. You should be very proud! I am sure it looks great.

Two weeks from today my family leaves for Disney World!

 

[MN Dis Fans]

I was on shirleys website and saw nothing regarding easter baskets. I am going to give them a call on friday. Disneys baskets were less than expected, I guess because last year we were able to design our own baskets a WDW. QUOTE]

The DW chiming in again - I ordered one of Shirley's baskets last week. When you speak to her she asks lots of questions to make sure it fits each person perfectly. So she is adding Easter items to our DS' basket but nothing pink or too "girly"

 

[JerseyBelle]

I (pm) everyone the information for the fish extender event tonight. If you didn't get it, let me know. It is not too late to join in the fun. If you want to participate, just pm me and your in. The information from the original organizational post is listed below. We currently have 7 families and 11 kids participating:

Whamma DS10
JerseyBelle DD10
Stellamb DS9
MN DIS FANS DS12 and DS10
momdislover DS9
Disneymom92 DD15 and DS12
akarts DS11 and DS8

Fish Extender - repeating message
Making another "Management Decision" Fish Extenders
From reading the posts I gather that several families want to participate in the Fish Extenders but there doesn't seem to be anyone with experience organizing it. I have read several posts throughout the board about these activities but never participated. I am willing to organize it; however I am leaning towards keeping it simple. Here is how I define simple:

1. I don't think it should be an every day activity. No one wants to run around to 20+ staterooms dropping off small gifts for 7 days. I think one round is enough and can be on whatever day works best for the family.
2. Each family participating should bring one trinket/gift for each child participating. No one wants to add a whole lot of more items to their already over packed luggage.
3. No kids? You can still participate.
4. Instead of trying to assign categories to each family (so that your child doesn't get 20 princess notepads), why don't we just try to purchase a variety of items. If you wish, send a message on this cruise meet when you have purchased items and provide a general description of your purchase so that purchasers after you will know.

If you have anything to add, I would like to hear from you. Anyone wishing to participate, send me a private message (PM) (I don't think room numbers should be just listed on the disboard). I will compile the information and forward the complete list to all participants around two week prior to the cruise with a final list one week prior to sailing if there are any late joiners.

Include the following in your PM:

a. Age and gender of the children who will participate (it is not necessary to give names if you would rather not). Just use dd and ds (Disney Daughter/Disney Son) and their age. (ie dd10)

b. Your deck and room number. If you are a GTY and don't have your number yet, just list GTY and provide your deck and number as soon as possible.

c. If there is anything that participants should know about your child (ie no candy, afraid of a particular disney character etc), include this information but there is no guarantee that all will note your request.

 

[MN Dis Fans]

I can't believe that it this cold in March. We are at a balmy -22F at this moment. I am so looking forward to this cruise.