March 29, 2003 Magic...

[MickeyB426]

Meeting on line makes sense to me, especially since we're all meeting here "online".

It also makes sense because it doesn't take away from any of the activity on the boat.

I might be easy to spot since I booked a concerige room and I've heard the line is shorter. So if we wanted to meet near there, or anywhere else in the port, is fine with me.

 

[plutojudy]

Last cruise we all met the second morning. (We met indoors because of extremely windy conditions.) We each brought picture post cards of our home area with names, screen names, and cabin numbers written on them. It helped to remember names and faces.
I like the idea of meeting on deck 9 after the life boat drill.

 

[kpgclark]

I'm a little worried (paranoid?) about this whole intestinal virus thing. Are you guys worried about it at all? Are you going to take any precautions like not putting the kids in the clubs or anything? I keep reading about how families on the board have gotten sick. The percentage of cruisers who read this board can't be that big. Seems like quite a few have become ill on recent cruises. What do you think? Help me put my mind at ease!

 

[nurseb]

I've had the same feelings of concern. However, I also feel that we all have the same likelyhood of getting sick at home. My husband is a physician and he says he has never seen so much "intestinal flu". We've all been really healthy this winter (knock wood)...I almost wish we'd get it now and get it over with Just wash your hands alot and remember that at least someone else is washing the dirty towels

Betsy

 

[plutojudy]

No, I try not to worry about things I have no control over.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

I'm a little concerned about the illness going around too. But my feeling is that we are just as likely to pick something up at home or in the airport as on the Cruise. So I'm just planning to be more careful about handwashing & etc. Certainly not going to cancel our trip because we "might" get sick...

I've had Norwalk once - don't ever want to get that again! Actually think I picked here at home, probably at a local restaurant. But didn't get really sick until I was on vacation 2 days later. I totally understand how it can spoil a good time!

 

[shmoogrrrl]

We aren't too worried about getting sick. If it is going to happen, it is going to happen. We will be much more alert to keeping things clean and washing hands more often, just to be safe. I have a friend who makes wonderful anti-bacterial hand sanitizer, so I'll remember to bring a few of those.

Kathy

 

[MickeyB426]

Wanted to bump this up a bit since we're now only 7 weeks away!!!

We booked our excursions and got the confirms. Nothing too outrageous.

At Key West we'll do either the train or trolley tour, walk around a bit, and then probably go back to the boat, unless we find the aquarium worth looking into.

At Grand Cayman we're going to the Turtle Farm on our own in the morning, then go to the pier and catch the 12:45 Stingray City snorkel excursion.

At Cozumel we'll probably spend all day at Chankanaab Park, but made sure we booked the Dolphin excursion at noon. We also want to go to the Sea Lion show and see the birds. if time allows, we'll hit Sally's Minigolf.

 

[leoyellow]

We booked the Glassbottom Boat Tour Excursion for Key West. We booked the Rum Point Beach Adventure Excursion for Grand Cayman. And last but not least, we booked the Cozumel Beach Break Excursion for Cozumel.

After all the snow that we just got in NJ, I can't wait to hit the warm sunny beaches. And wow, only seven weeks to go!!!!!

 

[kpgclark]

I went cruise shopping today and got some nice tops for my husband and me. I also found some other items, but no formal wear yet. There isn't really anything in the stores yet. I can't wait to go. I got my excursion confirmation today but haven't received the regular cruise documents yet. I look every day!

Anyone know what the weather is like on the ship? I know what the temp. should be but does the movement of the ship have a bearing on what to wear? Will we need long sleeves at all?

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

I'd like to know that too! I'm "cold blooded" so I usually pack a sweat shirt even if it's supposed to be 90.

 

[MickeyB426]

I have found that the "breeze" generated by the boat's speed really doesn't have an impact on the outside temperature.

I went in mid-February last time, the weather was great, low-mid 70's, so it wasn't really an issue. I'm thinking that the March/April weather will be even better than that.

What I can tell you, however, is that several people on this board (and my wife) say the AC is run a tad high in the restaurants (and sometimes the Walt Disney Theater), and that a light coverall of some sort is suggested.

 

[SINK]

DW and I will be on the 3/29 Western!!! We will be celebrating our five year wedding anniversary. Can't Wait (currently on a diet in order to fit in my old tux).

 

[shmoogrrrl]

I would bring a light sweater or jacket because it can get chilly! I think it really depends on if you get cold easily, but speaking for me, I found I wanted a light sweater during dinner sometimes, shows all the time, and even once or twice during nighttime strolls around the outside deck.

We booked our shore excursions too.

We are doing the Trolly on Key West and the Rum Point Beach trip on Grand Cayman. The guys are doing the XCart (SP) trip on Cozumel, but the girls (and baby girls!) are gonna hang around the ship and maybe do a little shopping in town. On Castaway Cay, my hubby and I are going to go parasailing! I've been before, but never in the ocean (only a lake) and I am a bit terrified of the water and the sharks! *Yikes!*

Our biggest bummer is that we haven't gotten moved to early seating yet, and I guess we won't at this point. How
15 month and 10 month olds will handle a seating that occurs after their bedtime is beyond me! Anyone have a table for 6 that is for early seating that wants to switch to late? *laugh* Kidding

We finally got our airfare. We are going down the day before and staying at the Radisson, then spending two days at Disney World afterward, so that should be fun!

Kathy
Who hopes the days pass quickly!

 

[kpgclark]

You know, you might be in for a real treat. Perhaps the kids will sleep through dinner! Wouldn't that be nice? Or you could get babysitting.

 

[indymom1]

Don't give up hope that you will get moved to early seating. We were supposed to be on this cruise with you....I am the one with the 11 month old and 6 year old but we had a group conflict and had to cancell. We were travelling with a group of 15 people and all of us had been assigned to early seating. We have all cancelled and recieved our deposits back in the last three weeks or so. Just thought I would pass this along so that maybe you could check and see if any of our spots are still open on early seating. I hope you enjoy your cruise.

Kathy

 

[MickeyB426]

Shmoo...I guess I'll see you at the Radisson!

I'm checking in Thursday night and have to go BACK to Orlando to pick up my SIL and her family Friday afternoon.

We were able to get moved up to main dining, so it's a definite possibility! Don't lose hope!

If you haven't been moved by the time you board, ask at the check-in who you need to see on the ship to get it done - you may just have to resort to "greasing the palms"

 

[Trekker]

Hey everybody - just a quick note to let you all know our current plans...

We will check into the Radisson sometime on Friday 3/28.

Shore Excursions:

Key West - Glassbottom Boat Tour on The Pride of Key West

Grand Cayman - Stingray City Snorkeling & Discover Cayman Tour

Cozumel - Tulum Ruins and Beach Tour

Castaway Cay - The Wild Side (DS/15 YO & DD/13 YO)

See you all there!

 

[Trekker]

Questions?

Does anyone know our dining rotation on this cruise?
Does anyone understand the dining rotations?
If we know our rotation, what is the best night to plan Palo's?

Help me please?

 

[MickeyB426]

Originally posted by Trekker
Does anyone know our dining rotation on this cruise?
Does anyone understand the dining rotations?
If we know our rotation, what is the best night to plan Palo's?

The rotations will come out "in code" as follows:

LAPLAPL
APLAPLA
PLAPLAP

...with "A" being Animator's Palate, "P" for Parrot Cay, and "L" for Lumieres. The first letter on the code would be for Saturday night, the second for Sunday night, and so forth...you will get one restaurant three times, the others two times.

Monday (Night #3) is formal night.
Thursday (Night #6) is the Captain's Gala (semi-formal).

I had APLAPLA my last time around and loved it for a number of reasons:

- I get to have Formal Night in Lumiere's

- We got Animator's Palate the first night, which makes a GREAT first impression on the kids

- Last time, this rotation also gave us the Sunday character breakfast at Parrot Cay, which was the first morning...again, a great first impression.

- we get Animator's Palate twice.

I put in a request with DCL for APLAPLA.

I will probably book Palo's on Wednesday night, which is Mexicali night at Parrot Cay, my least favorite restaurant and theme. However, some book it for Friday night so they have two nights at each restaurant plus Palo's.

As usual, Dave has it nailed on his site:

http://www.dcltribute.com/menus/western.htm

There's another colorful chart out there which is fantastic (at another tribute site), but I can't find the link, so if anyone out there has it...

Trekker, hope all this helps...