May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!! Part 2

[LisaG520]

Lisa,

Mrs. Woody and I will be in San Diego on February 8 and 9. One of Mrs. Woody's favorite destinations is Extraordinary Desserts.

Woody

I have had cakes from there but we've never actually gone in person - I try to avoid desert places as bakery cakes is one of my major weakness and I'm a diabetic. I do eat deserts but I'm afraid seeing that many in one place I may go crazy! (Picture Homer Simpson and donuts)

 

[woody73]

. . . I do eat deserts but I'm afraid seeing that many in one place I may go crazy! (Picture Homer Simpson and donuts)

DOH!

Woody

 

[calmom]

Pina Coladas!!!

I love pool bars!

Karen

Yes! I love them too! I like to get some girlie frozen drink!

Wow. I'm gonna have to wear my Sharks jersey again tonight. They play the Anaheim (no longer Mighty) Ducks in about 40 min!!

Sharks lost in OT...so sad.

Go Sharks!!!

However, if anyone tries to watch their Slingbox over the cruise ship's wireless I doubt it will be very watchable. I don't know exactly what kind of Internet access the ship has, but I'm guessing it to be some sort of satellite Internet (maybe comparable to cheaper DSL), and of course being shared over how many users. (If there is someone who knows exactly what kind of Internet the boat uses, I'd be curious to know!)

On my last cruise, I tried to simply check email, and it was nearly impossible. It took fooorrrr-eeeevvverrrrr. Timeouts galore.

Linux,

It is satellite internet. Doesn't slingbox require high speed, and can you imagine the $ for watching just one 1 hour show, ekk!

PJ

Good points!

We don't have morning movies here Oh well, I work most weekend mornings anyway I love the idea though, gets you up and out of the house early, then you have the whole day ahead of you!

I loved going to movies in the morning/afternoon when I was on maternity leave....sit by myself and eat popcorn before noon!

I am ready for bed!! I must be getting sick. I have been popping Advil all day and it seems to keep my throat in check. Still a bit sore when I swallow anything.

Hope you feel better tomorrow.

We will be at the pool a lot. Sophia loves the slide, and I think I have a lounger there with my name permanently imprinted.

We love the pool! We sit there all the time!

Deb,

Amy answered your PM, but I did not . . . is one of us enough, or am I fired???

Fired! How could you be fired??? Who would talk shoes with us??

Need to vent:

We went to my great grandmothers funeral tonight. It was sad but, I found out more about my grandmother. She had left before I got there b/c she didn't feel well. My cousin and I talked and my grandmother had an infection and needs her legs amputated and to stay in the hospital. She won't let them b/c she says she needs to take care of her sons. My dad lives with her but doesn't take care of her. My cousin has to bathe her and she doesn't eat. People have been taking things from her house and selling it. So my cousin took some things my grandmother wanted me to have for her house so they didn't get stolen and sold. I LOVE my cousins but my dad and uncles are horrible and it makes me so sad! I don't see them very often b/c my dad wants nothing to do with me. We are going to see her next Sat. again. She barely remembers our last visit. My parents divorced when I was 5 and my mom always got along with my dad for me but now I see the truth.

So sad...that must be very frustrating. Hang in there.

Thought I'd share a photo of my youngest today - he just makes me smile. Sorry...don't know how to make it small yet. I will learn!

 

[MouseFaninQueue]

To tux or not to tux.

When we went on our 4 night cruise with DCL back in '06 I was told that a suit would be sufficient for formal night.

Now I am reading that there is semi-formal and formal night on this cruise. I am guessing that the suit is sufficient for semi-formal night, but what about formal? I'm a little concerned about the amount of clothing needed to pack for this trip. We are also spending days in the park (WDW) prior to the cruise and time in DL after the cruise. Not to mention we have an extra day of travel each way (to and from Vancouver, BC & home).

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated ....

 

[taysmom]

so my daughter was cruising this site today and loves bobby banana. She was so excited when I told her that he too would be joining us on the cruise. She wanted to know if there is a boy in the costume....hahahaha I told her no. She can't wait to see what he is like in person.
BTW..I agree with all the chatter about groups. I think if you pm people and give them a deadline to respond to participate, if they don't their out. On our last cruise I coordinated a gift exchange..similiar to the fish extender...and I gave everyone a deadline of 45 days before to join up. So people had plenty of time to get their trinkets. We had 2 dis meets. 1 on secret deck 7 and the other in the bar on deck 3. Of course, we only had 20 people in our group. I did learn alot about the dis people. Of course, we're all awesome!
Good night all...
Steph

 

[CameronsDad]

Hello,
We are first time cruisers. We made our final payment last week. We're very excited.

There are three of us, DW, Heather, DS, Cameron (10) and myself Joe. Is there a master of list of cruisers? We are in SoCal, just north of LA, and were wondering if there are others from our area planning to be on board.

We have several questions that we will post at a later time.

Thank you,
Joe

 

[readyalready]

BEACH EXCURSIONS ?

In Cabo...which looks better Nikki Beach or the one at Finisterra resort???

.

The Finisterra is at one of the beaches where you cannot go in the water due to the current. I don't even think there are chairs on the beach there, just around the pool. There are no vendors, so it is very quiet, but not what I would consider much of a beach experience.

 

[LisaG520]

To tux or not to tux.

When we went on our 4 night cruise with DCL back in '06 I was told that a suit would be sufficient for formal night.

Now I am reading that there is semi-formal and formal night on this cruise. I am guessing that the suit is sufficient for semi-formal night, but what about formal? I'm a little concerned about the amount of clothing needed to pack for this trip. We are also spending days in the park (WDW) prior to the cruise and time in DL after the cruise. Not to mention we have an extra day of travel each way (to and from Vancouver, BC & home).

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated ....

Darrell is going to rent a tux - who am I kidding - I'm renting Darrell a tux for this cruise but he has agreed to wear it

In the past he has just gone with a shirt a tie (archaeologists don't need dress clothes..) since we didn't want to buy anything. Renting seems the easiest - they leave it in your room at arrival and we leave it there when we leave. It comes with 2 shirts so he'll be good for both formal nights. He'll probably just go with the shirt and tie for the semi-formal nights.

 

[LisaG520]

Hello,
We are first time cruisers. We made our final payment last week. We're very excited.

There are three of us, DW, Heather, DS, Cameron (10) and myself Joe. Is there a master of list of cruisers? We are in SoCal, just north of LA, and were wondering if there are others from our area planning to be on board.

We have several questions that we will post at a later time.

Thank you,
Joe

Welcome! We are also in So Cal - East county San Diego. Cruising is me - Lisa and DH - Darrell.

Liserann is currently organizing a meet at DL before we go. We had one last May and it was a blast! PM her if your interested - and I'm sure there will be posts about it as well.

 

[been2marceline]

Yeah, when we decided on the cruise we decided to make it a "double dip" of the parks. The wife and I have always wanted to try and do a double dip. We came close in 1997, but just couldn't quite get there.

We also figure this will be the last big trip for us for awhile (my wife wants to change jobs - and cities - and my eldest will be moving into Grade 2 and the youngest getting ready for school) so we wanted to make it extra special.

My aunt, uncle and cousin are coming along as well. It will be their first trip to anything disney and the biggest trip of their lives. It will also be the first vacation they have had since my cousin (their oldest son 24) passed away in a car accident just over a year ago. With their daughter (21) in university, this will probably be their last chance for a family vacation with all of them before she gets on with her life.

And now my wife is just getting back from Edmonton where she was visiting her Aunt who has had been fighting cancer and it looks like she is losing. It has gone into her brain and the doctors are basically saying any day now. So it hasn't been a fun few weeks for her.

So yep, we aren't pulling any punches on this one.

We did the East bound repo in 2005 and did a before and after at DL and then at WDW. It made our time away about 3 weeks, which was WAY TOO LONG!!!

We are not planning on doing before and after this trip, but it IS a great opportunity to see both parks. May would also be a better month to do this in than August and September when we did the East bound repo. It was very crowded at both parks at that time of year.

On the plus side... we were able to see the King Tut exhibit in LA in the "before cruise" part of the trip. It was awesome, but a hassle with the car rental and traffic from DL to downtown LA. We also had less time to do much at the parks in LA because of the crowds, but we went back a few months later (we live in CA) so we saw all of the 50 year celebration stuff that we missed.

There was arranged travel from the DL Resorts to the ship. My guess is that there will be transport from the ship to DL resorts for those of you that are going back to DL.

Karen

 

[been2marceline]

Thank you very much. Unfortunately it still really badly affects my Aunt and Uncle, and I don't think that is too unexpected. Even after a year and a half, it still stings. Parents just aren't supposed to bury their kids.

I'm so sorry, Ken. My sentiments as well. Parents should never have to bury their children.

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.


Now to change gears...

Woohoo. Canuckleheads actually pulled it out and won in OT!! And it was in St. Louis!! WOW.

(Yes I am a sarcastic -ok pessimistic- fan of the Canucks incase you hadn't figured it out yet )

I'm a SF Bay area fan of our teams here and have been supporting them, even a bit sarcastically for years!!!

Karen

 

[been2marceline]

So sorry about your wife's Aunt And how hard it must have been for your Aunt and Uncle to lose a son I'm so glad though that you and your family and your Aunt, Uncle and Cousin are taking the time you all need to have this wonderful experience together
In 2000 my DH, DD and I went to WDW for the very 1st time, for a "once in a lifetime trip". I wanted my DS to come too but he did not The real reason for the trip was because my children were getting older and I wanted one last trip together as a family, thinking that the kids would probably not want to vacation with mom and dad much longer. I never dreamt that it would be our last family vacation for other reasons.We had a wonderful time, and made so many wonderful memories. We loved it so much, that on the way home (we drove, so it was a long way home ) we were already planning a repeat visit for 2002. Sadly, that never happened. My DH became sick and we lost him in 2002 So I know how important it is to do things while you can, and to celebrate life while you can I am forever thankful for the wonderful memories we have of that 1st trip in 2000. And My DD and I have made many return trips since then. This cruise is my 1st, to celebrate my 50th year I am truly thankful that I am able to celebrate it. I hope you and your family have a wonderful trip and enjoy every minute of it.
Kathe

Oh Kathe,

I am so sorry for your loss. I know that you have spoken of this before, but it still brings tears to my eyes.

You are right, it is SO important to enjoy the time that we have with our family!!

Many hugs to you and yours!!

Karen

 

[been2marceline]

It becomes really difficult . . .

Some folks were upset and felt left out - they came on at the last minute.

I would say that we should probably "define" the group at the 90 day final payment date for anything that requires planning to participate. People who come on after that can participate in as much as is possible, but some things will be impossible - especially if things are ordered for the group.

Maybe this group can do it better, by listing the things we have already planned and detailed that are "closed out" after the 90 day final payment date, but other things that anyone can participate in after that time.

Not a perfect answer, but personally, I would like to include as many people as possible, and would only exclude new people from things that are impossible to change. Hopefully it would not get too unwieldy.

I know that we are the "planning OCDers" but perhaps 30 days out would be kinder and would still give everyone enough time for leway with planning.

Just my thoughts...

Karen

 

[LiserAnn]

Hello,
We are first time cruisers. We made our final payment last week. We're very excited.

There are three of us, DW, Heather, DS, Cameron (10) and myself Joe. Is there a master of list of cruisers? We are in SoCal, just north of LA, and were wondering if there are others from our area planning to be on board.

We have several questions that we will post at a later time.

Thank you,
Joe

Hi Joe! Welcome!! I've been maintaining a list of everyone. If you want to be on the master list, please PM me with your first and last name, names of those in your party, ages of kids (which I see you already did but it would be great for me to have it all together in one spot), your cabin #, location, email address, any special events you're celebrating and if you'll be having a fish extender. A fish extender is something that has pockets that hangs off the fish clip that's outside of each cabin. Other DISers use it to leave you gifts every day, if that's something you want to participate in. People make them or they've been sold on ebay before.

I'll be sailing with my DH-Mark, and two sons, Ryan and Drew. Ryan will be one month short of 10 when we sail so he'll be happy to hear of another boy about his age! We live in Southern Cal also, in the Temecula Valley. I'm also in the process of planning a DISmeet near the DL area if you're interested!

 

[LiserAnn]

Darrell is going to rent a tux - who am I kidding - I'm renting Darrell a tux for this cruise but he has agreed to wear it

DH will also be wearing a tux!

 

[MrsMork]

Need to vent:

We went to my great grandmothers funeral tonight. It was sad but, I found out more about my grandmother. She had left before I got there b/c she didn't feel well. My cousin and I talked and my grandmother had an infection and needs her legs amputated and to stay in the hospital. She won't let them b/c she says she needs to take care of her sons. My dad lives with her but doesn't take care of her. My cousin has to bathe her and she doesn't eat. People have been taking things from her house and selling it. So my cousin took some things my grandmother wanted me to have for her house so they didn't get stolen and sold. I LOVE my cousins but my dad and uncles are horrible and it makes me so sad! I don't see them very often b/c my dad wants nothing to do with me. We are going to see her next Sat. again. She barely remembers our last visit. My parents divorced when I was 5 and my mom always got along with my dad for me but now I see the truth.

To tux or not to tux.

When we went on our 4 night cruise with DCL back in '06 I was told that a suit would be sufficient for formal night.

Now I am reading that there is semi-formal and formal night on this cruise. I am guessing that the suit is sufficient for semi-formal night, but what about formal? I'm a little concerned about the amount of clothing needed to pack for this trip. We are also spending days in the park (WDW) prior to the cruise and time in DL after the cruise. Not to mention we have an extra day of travel each way (to and from Vancouver, BC & home).

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated ....

Dennis will be bringing a dark suit and 3 shirts. Oh and his Mickey tie.

Hello,
We are first time cruisers. We made our final payment last week. We're very excited.

There are three of us, DW, Heather, DS, Cameron (10) and myself Joe. Is there a master of list of cruisers? We are in SoCal, just north of LA, and were wondering if there are others from our area planning to be on board.

We have several questions that we will post at a later time.

Thank you,
Joe

Welcome, Joe. Just DH and I this trip.

 

[been2marceline]

There are many who read our cruise thread for the tips, but do not want to have anything to do with our group.

Woody

Their loss!!!

WE rock!!

Karen

 

[been2marceline]

I am not a football fanatic. As a kid I did not pay any attention because my Dad and brother WERE fanatics. But I know enough to watch intelligently.

I did not pay any attention to football until we moved to Indy 3 years ago.

The team members are such GENTLEMEN.
The advertisements they do are either funny or sweet.
They donate time and money all over the city to help kids or other worthy causes.
They do not get into trouble with the law.
When a player is down--either team--you see Colts on their knees or with heads bowed.
They greet their opponents after a game and congratulate the winners when they lose.

They are classy gentlemen, so now I pay attention and watch each game wearing my Peyton Manning jersey.

We continued to watch and were pleased that Eli brought the Giants to a win, so the day was a good one.

Jan

Jan,

Good to hear that they are a nice team as well as a good team! We always root for them as well!!

Sorry they lost, it would have been fun to see the "brothers" go up agains each other!!

Karen

 

[been2marceline]

Extraordinary Desserts is a favorite of Mrs. Woody's. extraordinarydesserts

Woody

YUM!! Anything Chocolate and I'm there! Although I love tarts and Chocolate Strawberries... and cetain cakes... and custards... and, oh who am I kidding... I love sweets!!

Karen

 

[been2marceline]

To tux or not to tux.

When we went on our 4 night cruise with DCL back in '06 I was told that a suit would be sufficient for formal night.

Now I am reading that there is semi-formal and formal night on this cruise. I am guessing that the suit is sufficient for semi-formal night, but what about formal? I'm a little concerned about the amount of clothing needed to pack for this trip. We are also spending days in the park (WDW) prior to the cruise and time in DL after the cruise. Not to mention we have an extra day of travel each way (to and from Vancouver, BC & home).

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated ....

If you own a tux, ship it to the ship, have it pressed, and ship it home. Otherwise, rent it on the ship... no worries and great pics!!

DH WILL be tuxing it, as we have done on our last 4 cruises!!

Karen