March 25, 2006- Anyone else?

[myboysmom]

Just a bump to see if we have added anyone else!

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Hi everybody!

I am pretty sure we will be joining you all on this cruise. I have a courtesy hold on it now and need to plunk down the deposit tomorrow. *ouch*

It will probably be another mother/daughter cruise for us. My daughter is 16 -will be 17 for the cruise. Did someone else say they had a 17 year old going?

We just got off the 3/26/05 Western and I am KICKING myself for not booking on board. Everyone that I spoke to, including a family we met in the airport (who had been on the same cruise as us), re-booked on board. Even our tablemates rebooked on board. I just didn't think we'd be going again next year, but got very restless once I got home and realized I had no cruise to look forward to. I decided an inside standard stateroom is better than no stateroom.

We had such a wonderful time this past cruise, I can't bear the thought of not going again next year.

As I unpacked from this cruise, I started putting things aside for the next one. Yeah, I know it's early, but a lot less painful that way.

Mickeyworld, on our first cruise in 1999, we had #7060. We've had cat 5,6,7 twice, so now we are moving down to a standard inside cabin. Our tablemates gave us a tour of their cat 11 and it is very do-able. Yeah!

Tink

 

[geffric]

Hi Tink... welcome aboard.. glad you are here..


got any tips for us.. this is our first western..

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Hi Tink... welcome aboard.. glad you are here..


got any tips for us.. this is our first western..

Thanks! Glad to be onboard!

Ok, I feel like we're really going now that I have my countdown clock.

Before our last cruise, I wondered what the differences would be between the eastern and western. We did notice the extra day at sea on the eastern created more time for relaxating and enjoying the ship and activities. The western seemed to be more go go go, but it was lots of fun to be able to visit an extra port.

One thing I can recommend is to bring water and wear comfortable shoes for all the walking you do in Key West. I think I would have seen more of Key West, if we would have toured by trolley. The trolley was $22 per person, but you could get on and off the trolley until it made a complete circle.

We loved the Disney stingray city sail and beach excursion and would highly recommend it or the Captain Marvins (or something similar). It was a definite highlight of the trip. It included a surprisingly very tasty lunch too.

About the Fury Catamaran in Cozumel... It might be a great choice for snorkeling fans, but not necessarily for beach fans. The crew was fantastic and lots of fun, but time on the beach was not too long and we were not impressed with the beach anyway. If there were lounge chairs instead of rubber mats, it would have been more relaxing. Still, there is a great party atmosphere on the catamaran, so that's always lots of fun. The crew does a wonderful job making you feel welcome.

You will love pirate night!

Oh and one more thing, but you probably already know this from your other cruises, brush up on your Macarena, Electric Slide, Cha Cha Slide, any other slides and get ready to learn the new Pirate dance!

Geez, I need to write my trip report.

Tink

 

[myboysmom]

Welcome Aboard Tink!

My parents had friends on the March 26, 2005 cruise. I am looking forward to hearing their trip report in person up at the lake this summer. Thing is, we will have to make sure the kids don't overhear. Oh well!

 

[geffric]

just scooting on over to say hi to my cruise buddies... closing in on the 11th month mark!!! woo hoo

 

[myboysmom]

Just stopping by to say hello as well.

 

[geffric]

11 more months to go... only 11 more months to go....

 

[myboysmom]

Just moving us up towards the top again. I hate having to search for this thread

I am hoping with summer just around the corner I won't be dreaming of warm weather, sandy beaches and tropical drinks as often.

 

[mickeyworld]

How's everyone doing? Schools almost out and I wish I was MK bound!

 

[geffric]

school's almost out?? Where are you? Our kids go until June 8th... the weeks seem to drag all May...



Happy Mother's day...

 

[mickeyworld]

I'm on the coast of North Carolina... my youngest has her end of year exams this coming week, my 8th grader has them the following week, the kids are out the 25th- yippeeeeeee!
Went to the beach today and soaked up the rays, dreaming of Castaway Cay!

 

[geffric]

Hi..


mickeyworld That's great. I am sure that my kids would love to trade schools with you.. They will go to June 8th. My 6th grader has a 1/2 day on Wednesday the 8th. My 8th Grader has graduation on Tuesday June 7th.. so he doesn't get much time off.. but they are both losing interest fast..My younger one has football camp starting today and the older one is getting ready for the last few track meets and then next week is the district competition...

 

[myboysmom]

It depends on which type of school. At the U we are in finals week, k-12 goes until June 9. This is because of a state law that calls for all schools (public universities included) to start after Sept. 1.

I don't mind the kids going into June because unlike those of you in the south, June weather is very iffy. Same with May, a week ago today we were having snow. It is not that much fun to be on vacation in Northern Wisconsin when the highs are in the low 60's! Give me August for summer vacation any day That means we can water ski, tube and float in the lake all day long.

 

[geffric]

I agree with iffy weather in the spring.. DS#1 had snow and hail and rain at camping the last weekend of April....


We start usually the week before Sept 1st... wonder if we get more days of school than you?

 

[myboysmom]

We get less random days off now that the start day is after Sept. 1. Prior to that date, my now 11 year old started school the 24th or 25 of August and got out June 3 or 4 - some place in there. However, they had 1/2 day off for this, and then a random day off for that and it was a big pain to then take time off work or get him to a sitter.

Time off from school is now more compact and no more random days or part days.

 

[myboysmom]

Oops, forgot to mention that each district must send it's students 180 days.

 

[myboysmom]

Oops, forgot to mention that each district must send it's students 180 days. It does look like Illinois goes for 185 days.

 

[geffric]

we used to have some 1/2 days too but they have been eliminated in favor of full days too. I think that all of the working Moms got to the district and said that this was impossible.. of course now my oldest is graduating 8th grade, we will have different days off except spring and winter break..

 

[myboysmom]

Saw my T.A. on Friday at a school event. She told me that it looks like they are 99% sure that passports will be required for 2006. We have added it to the budget (which was my real concern). Perhaps we will now have an excuse to travel outside the country as we now will have passports Of course, they will be handy if we just want to go up North to Canada. Our summer home is not too far from the U.P., and Canada.

Hope everyone is enjoying the last few days of school- 13 days for my boys. Wish I could say the Memorial Day weekend was going to be a great kick-off to summer, but again we have a very cool forecast (low 60's in the Madison area, hate to see what it will be like up North.