March 25, 2006- Anyone else?

[gimpeaux]

I called the travel agency's documents department today, but couldn't get them to do anything other than repeat what they told DW yesterday. They simply said I should be patient (!) and wait until Monday, because the stuff was mailed on March 8 and "you have to allow 7 to 10 days for something to arrive by mail." (Gee, maybe they should have thought of that when they decided to use the mail...) And if it doesn't arrive, they said again that I can just pick up the docs and tags at the port (but they can't say where).

I called DCL, who were (by contrast) very nice and reassuring. The CM said as long as we show up with ID, birth certificates, and reservation numnber, they can take care of issuing us tags there. Whew!!!

So now that I can resume the pre-cruise, yes-we're-really-in-single-digits attitude -- "Don't Worry, Be Happy!"

Jim

P.S. About an inch or two of snow already on the ground, and we'll probably get another 2 or 3 inches tonight. I want !

 

[dlf246]

minneapolicmickey all 5 of my family (yes, that includes DD5 unless she falls in love with oceaneer club) are doing the David & Ivan tour (the 5 hour tour that is just the ruins, not village trip/meal, etc.)

gimpaeux when you first were posting about trouble getting your docs, it bothered me that TA said DCL overnight mailed them... I had wondered if that was true. This week it would make sense for DCL to overnight, but why back then? Hope your getting the straight scoop...

 

[gimpeaux]

minneapolismickey - Like dlf246, DW, DD12 and I are doing the David and Ivan Chaccoben Ruins tour as well. (DD12 would prefer to have a beach day, but we can go to the beach a lot -- when in the world will she again be able to hear from and learn about Mayans?) I know that jcuzzort1026 and her DH and DD2 are also planning on going. We're going on the 3.5 to 4 hour tour -- the first one listed on this page. Ivan e-mailed me and said they'd leave around 11:30 or an hour after the ship docks.

Have any of you who are going figured out what to do about lunch that day?

 

[myboysmom]

We are doing the ruins tour as well, but with DCL. As we meet our group at 12:00 I think we will catch a quick bite to eat on the ship. Water is something I have been thinking a lot about- brining it along on the excurision that is. My understanding is it gets very hot there.

Glad to hear at least DCL is willing to give you some answers!

 

[dlf246]

Have any of you who are going figured out what to do about lunch that day?

I hear some people order sandwiches via room service either night before or mid-morning, and bring in soft cooler with a canteen.

 

[Minnie328]

Minnie328, you all must have gotten much more than we have!

We only got about two inches...our school just listened to the weather forcast and didn't take a look outside to see what was really going on...lol. But try-outs are scheduled for Saturday, so everything's OK!

 

[geffric]

We are doing the ruins tour too with DCL. I was thinking of going up to Deck 9 and getting a few wraps and fruit from Goofy's Gallery or ordering sandwiches. ( I am brining ziplock bags for them) We are bringing a cooler and buying water before we get on the ship so we have lots of water for excursions. I think that at Grand Cayman too we will need snacks and water with us for the snorkeling tour.

Minnie328 we didn't get as much snow as predicted either and the jr high canceled all after school activities too.

So we leave a week from today... gonna be a busy weekend - with getting laundry for the trip done and clothes staged and all of the misc stuff taken care of...The boy scouts are going camping this weekend so they won't be pulling clothes from the trip pile and wearing them..

talk to ya later...

 

[myboysmom]

A week from today we will be almost there! Our goal is to get there early Friday evening. I am actually looking forward to our road trip.

DS 12 really wants to go to Ron Jons. Did a search and found out they are open 24/7 in Cocoa Beach

Pretty well organized, DH is happy it doesn't appear that we will have the 2 suitcases per person we are alotted .

Bright and sunny today. When you look outside you almost forget it is 28 degrees.

DS 12 is having a sleepover with buddies from the swim team tonight. Thinking I might not get a lot of sleep!

Happy St. Patrick's Day !

 

[gimpeaux]

Today's forecast for Cape Canaveral on Saturday, March 25 --

weather.com - Sunny. High 75.

accuweather.com -- Considerable clouds with a chance of rain. High 67.


Today's forecast for Key West on Sunday, March 26 --

weather.com -- Mostly sunny. High 77.

accuweather.com -- Sunny. High 74.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!​

 

[myboysmom]

Well, I don't have to worry about watching the Badgers anymore they just got beat really bad. Iowa managed to loose as well. The Big 10 is just horrible!

 

[Minnie328]

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

 

[minneapolismickey]

It seems that everyone but us are planning on the Ruins trip in costa maya. I would love to go, but think that 4-5 hours is long for DS4 and perhaps even DS7. We might take the taxi there and try to tag along with you all for a short time. I have read that you should definitely take deep woods off. Remember that the deep woods off will last 4-5 hours, while regular off only lasts 1-2 hours. Safer to dose once, than re-dose. (Can you tell that I am a pediatrician?) I think that the idea of ordering room service sandwiches is a great idea, and I plan to take a few water bottles so that we can fill up with water on board as well.

We had green grass last week, now 15 inches of snow in 5 days later, so we are SO PSYCHED FOR A CRUISE!

Last night the weather.com said rainy and 72 on Saturday, now sunny and 75. It will probably change every day until the cruise, so let's count on sunny and 75, shall we? DH (ex-pilot) says weather not accurate until 72 hours.

See you guys soon...

 

[camom3]

Geffric & lfynn -

Sorry about dropping out of chat, but my internet went down. I couldn't get it fixed for 2 hours. Just as well - my middle daughter was channeling her Rachel Ray downstairs and I needed to supervise.

We are scheduled for the ruins with DCL also. However, I think I'm going to cancel my youngest (6) and myself. She'll be so impatient on the bus. My middle dd (10) thinks that she might want to stay on the ship and enjoy an empty ship.

Have a great weekend.

Jennifer

 

[camom3]

Hi all,

My husband takes my 3 kids to Catalina Island (26 mile ocean crossing) in our small boat all the time and they don't get seasick. I don't go because I get motion sick. For myself on the cruise I have packed Bonine, Ginger Trips and Sea Bands (wristbands).

What if for some fluke my kids get seasick, anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,

Jennifer

 

[minneapolismickey]

camom3-

Most kids do not get motion sickness because their inner ear isn't completely developed. If, however, that rule of thumb fails, the best medicine would be benadryl if the child is under 12 (probably ok to give bonine if over 12). Unfortunately it may cause drowsiness. I wouldn't hesitate to try ginger on children or the bracelets if they are tight enough for little wrists.

By the way, since my son has a severe food allergy, I will have a box of benadryl chew tabs in my cabin. Don't buy some if you would need to borrow a few from us. I am a pediatrician, so don't worry about the dosage, I can always tell you how much to give on the ship.

I wonder a little about motion sickness for myself and my kids, too. I am also bringing bonine and the wristbands. Wonder if I should pick up some ginger. My DH is not worried-let's see who really gets sea sick (he can't ride the mad hatter tea party ride).

 

[camom3]

camom3-

I wonder a little about motion sickness for myself and my kids, too. I am also bringing bonine and the wristbands. Wonder if I should pick up some ginger. My DH is not worried-let's see who really gets sea sick (he can't ride the mad hatter tea party ride).

Hi,

I have a full bottle of something called "Ginger Trips" from the health food store and you are welcome to them. I think I'll pick up children's dramamine.

Since we waited so long for this cruise, I'm bringing children's Benadryl, children's Immodium - you name it I hopefully have it, but won't need it. I always joke that I'll have the door magnets, but I'll forget the passports.

Thanks,

Jennifer

 

[gimpeaux]

Yes! Our docs and tags arrived today!



It took 11 days by mail from New Jersey (not Florida, as I had assumed). Better late than never....

Boy, do I feel relieved. Even though it wouldn't have made too much difference, now I feel sooooo much more relaxed and ready to cruise. We finalized the packing list and our "cruise tips" list this morning, did our next-to-last Target run after dinner tonight, and the guest room is slowly filling up with stuff to pack on Thursday. Also watched the Travel Channel DCL show tonight.

Friday we're off to O'Hare for our flight to Orlando. And then, just 6 days from tomorrow, we'll see all of you for our bon voyage!!

 

[geffric]

gimpeaux I am so glad that your docs arrived. What a big stress relief..


camom3 and minneapolismickey sounds like you both are ready for anything.. I will have to note your cabin numbers just in case I need anything.. On all of our DCL cruise we have never been sea sick. but we have also always been on the 2nd floor (less motion than the higher floors) Wonder how things will be in Deck 5??

I was pulling out our suitcases and some still have the DCL tags from last trip.. (Yes we are not even there and I am discussing going home.. how sad..)

When you are going home, and they pick up the luggage the night before, DCL gives you color coded tags. This way it is easy to find your luggage the next morning in the luggage room. Last time we were purple Minnie tags. To avoid confusion the next morning, I brought address labels and put them on the tags. Before we set them out of our cabin the night before, I tagged the bags with our color tag from DCL and our name label.

I can't remember if that was in the DCL tips, but it did help. I also used the name labels for the talk abouts since all of them look the same.


Talk to ya later..

 

[gimpeaux]

gimpeaux I am so glad that your docs arrived. What a big stress relief..

...I also used the name labels for the talk abouts since all of them look the same.

geffric, thanks. I didn't realize how much the docs thing was annoying/bothering me until they got here and the weight lifted.
minneapolis mickey and camom3, we've got generic bonine as well as Benadryl just in case, but sunny days like this make me especially optimistic nothing will go wrong. Hey, if those acupressure wristbands work, maybe we just modify our DIS wristbands....

Can't help but sit here thinking that next Sunday, it will not only be sunny, but also 40 degrees warmer!

geffric, I also saw the tip about taking return address labels along to make it easier to fill out the go-home tags, but what are "talk abouts"?

Jim

 

[minneapolismickey]

gimpeaux-

Glad you finally received your docs. They must have been sent to a main mailing facility before placed in the mail. Now you can really enjoy the whole experience.

I am hopeful that you are right about a smooth sailing trip. Hopefully Jen and I will have enough medicine for everyone, but have to use none of it. Always better to be prepared.

Definitely make sure that you know my cabin number if you have kids (#7000). I do know the dose of many medicines for children (don't forget everything is over the counter in Mexico if someone gets sick)!

Hope eveyone leaving early has safe travels this week.

Angie