March 23, 2003 4 day Cruise Who's Going?

[Bonnie Voyager]

I've run into the Teacher a couple of times in the hallway, but never at a time when we could actually converse (she was always on the way "somewhere" with her class, so I just smiled and said "hi". She also smiled and said, "hi", and I know she got the note, so I suppose there must not be an issue. I believe if she had concerns she would have found time to let me know.

My Son is getting very excited about the cruise! I've shown him pictures online and we watch the Disney Cruise Video. He loves to talk about it! It's going to be great!!! I'm thrilled that at least one of my kids shares my excitement for cruising! My Daughter wants no part of it (which is why she isn't joining us...she is 20 years old though, so she will be fine in our absence). We've planned a trip for her to Tampa to visit her best friend who moved to Florida last year. Everybody is happy!

 

[floridaminnie]

If you have th travel channel, make sure to tape it for 7pm (eastern time) Sunday, because apparently they talke about DCL and show flubber being made in the club. Just another tape to add to our collection while we wait!

 

[Bonnie Voyager]

I'm always missing the good stuff! I wish we did have TheTravel Channel!

 

[Dustin & Shelby's Mom]

Just wondering if anyone booked through DU? Wanted to know if we could look forward to one of their stateroom gifts. I just transfered our reservation over from DCL and got DU's rebate.

TIA

Dottie

 

[hsteacher]

As a high school teacher, I never get upset when parents take their kids out of school for family events and vacations. I feel time with family is WAY too short and though it would be great if everyone could vacation during scheduled school times, I understand that the corporate world doesn't always allow the same schedule as the school world. As I look at my senior in high school, we definitely didn't take enough vacations together when she was younger (thought we couldn't afford it) and now I'm cramming everything in hoping that she will continue to enjoy vacationing with us. My advice -- tell the teachers to calm down if they give you a problem. Yes, school is important BUT so is your family. Students who don't come from good, cohesive, caring families don't always make the best students. It's a balance of all of us working together. Enjoy -- the cruise is worth it and just bring a bit of work along if you have to.

 

[Bonnie Voyager]

Finally had an opportunity to talk to my Son's Teacher in person! She said, "Have a great time!" Full steam ahead now!

 

[floridaminnie]

I'm so glad to hear that!

 

[floridaminnie]

Did you guys get your excursion packet? We didn't receive ours and when I called to book our next cruise they said that they would remail us one. And I'm still waiting Anybody get their cruise papers yet. I saw that some March 15th cruisers received theirs so ours can't be too far behind!

 

[Bonnie Voyager]

I'm sure it won't be long now though. I never get too concerned over the documents anyway. As long as my name is on the roster, I know I'm getting on the ship- with or without documents The latest I've ever received documents was less than two weeks prior to a cruise. I did do a last minute change of passenger once though and my new cruisemate had to pick up her paperwork at the pier. It went very smoothly. I know people enjoy having their documents in hand (as do I), but it is also nice to know that it really isn't a problem if the documents do not arrive in time.

 

[singledismom]

I was just wondering the same thing. When I had called to book our excursion the CM had asked me what the excursion # was after the description. I told the CM that I didn't have that info. because I hadn't received our docs yet.... were still waiting for them.

 

[floridaminnie]

Singledismom, that is weird. We received our last July way before we hit the 60 day mark. I was thinking that this time was because we book through DVC.


Did you guys want to meet somewhere for a DIS meet? Was just wondering?!?!?

 

[Bonnie Voyager]

I have no plans to cancel, but I will admit that I am more than just a little concerned about flying down to Florida and spending time at Disney prior to the cruise. I really don't have any fears about being on the ship but I have never been fond of flying in the first place and with all the media hype lately I am really getting scared to fly! I know that I am probably in much worse danger at home here on the Northeast corrider (right between Washington D.C. and New York City) but it is really hard to just ignore all the hype and assume everything will be okay. My Husband mentioned the dreaded "C" word this morning (cancel). I pretty much blew it off and said lets just wait and see what happens. I won't cancel just for fear, but if real things start to happen here in the U.S., I might have to re-evaluate the situation. Anyone else have thoughts on this?

 

[floridaminnie]

I guess that I'm lucky, because all I have to do is drive about 2 hours east and I'm at the port. There has been some "weird" things happening like in England, but I think the media is playing everything up also since there isn't any "real" news going on. For example, so many of them have concluded what happened with Columbia when the experts at NASA are still putting the pieces together. I also have a hard time seeing someone doing something on a plane, because most people on the plane won't allow something like 9/11.

 

[Bonnie Voyager]

This is completely off-topic, but do you know how long it takes to drive from the Tampa area to Vero Beach? My Parents live in Vero Beach and Hubby and I are thinking about retiring in Tampa and I was just curious how long it would take me to reach my parents? My Parents are hoping we will decide to retire in the Vero Beach area, but we've always liked the Gulf. We are about 10 years from retirement though, so nothing is written in stone

 

[floridaminnie]

It's about 2 to 2 1/2 hours. You take state road 60 all the way. I haven't done it personally, but a friend from college use to drive home every other weekend. That is our "home" for DVC, but we'll being going home the first time this July.

 

[Bonnie Voyager]

We've been there often. When I go visit my folks I like to take my Son to the Character Breakfast over at the Disney Vero Beach Resort. It's a very relaxing atmosphere with a touch of Disney thrown in! I am thrilled to hear it is only about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Tampa to Vero! Somehow I had imagined it was much farther!

 

[floridaminnie]

The TAmpa area is a wonderful area to live in. We actaully live right outside of Tampa. (Riverview, Brandon, Valrico area). I have lived almost everywhere being an air force brat. This is the longest I have ever lived anywhere (going on 9 years) and I love it here. There is so much to do and the weather is wonderful. I can go to the nicest beaches in the world whenever I want and I can go to WDW on a whims notice. Plus the cultural richness in entertainment and is food is out of this world. If you have and questions just ask!

 

[hsteacher]

Received docs on Tuesday. Very exciting. Only a few more weeks!

 

[floridaminnie]

I green with envy! That means ours should be coming any day now!

 

[Bonnie Voyager]

...yet another connection- I have been an Air Force Wife for 26 years. Hubby is in the Reserves now, but I know all about that Air Force life! I've loved it! That is part of the reason we are leaning toward Tampa versus Vero Beach for retirement! We will be close to MacDill AFB and can utilize the facilities (Commissary, BX, Medical, etc) It has been years since I've been on the Gulf Coast of Florida (we lived on the Gulf coast of Texas for a while, but it was only so-so at the beaches there). Is the water still nice at your beaches? It use to be so blue and lovely 30 years ago, but when we were in Texas 8 years ago, the Gulf was more of a light-green and not as clear as I remembered it in Florida from many years ago.

Well, we still don't have our documents, but I know they will be here soon! Only 5 weeks from tomorrow until Hubby, Son and I are headed to Orlando! We are spending 3/22 (which is my 46th Birthday) at the Contemporary Resort and joining some friends who live in Kissimmee for Dinner. 3/23 we will drive over to the ship where my Son will have yet another big surprise!!!!! Mom-mom and Pop-pop will be waiting to board the ship with us!!! YIPPEEEEEEEEE!!!!!! I am keeping my fingers crossed and saying my prayers that everything moves forward without a hitch!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!