May 11th 2008 ~ Any Double Dippers Out There?

[branv]

Welcome Buzz!!

Okay CC members, we are officially in the two week red zone for booking!

I honestly think that the only thing that has gotten me through waiting so long for this trip are all the calendar milestones. Tune-in in @ 70 days when Brandi inappropriately molests the UPS guy just for delivering her cruise documents and cabin assignment.

P.S. Where in the devil is Yvonne? Yvonne, Yvonne come back!

 

[CustardTart]

Welcome Buzz!!

Okay CC members, we are officially in the two week red zone for booking!

I honestly think that the only thing that has gotten me through waiting so long for this trip are all the calendar milestones. Tune-in in @ 70 days when Brandi inappropriately molests the UPS guy just for delivering her cruise documents and cabin assignment.

I shall look forward to hearing all about that, Brandi!!! Or maybe I'll read about it on Yahoo News...???

...P.S. Where in the devil is Yvonne? Yvonne, Yvonne come back!

Yeah, where is that lady???????????????????????????? We miss you......

 

[soapydonutzs]

Hi we are also booked on this trip there is myself George, DW, and DS. This is our fourth Disney Cruise but our first 4 night cruise. We will be celebrating our 20th anniversary and our son's 8th grade graduation. I was wondering is anyone booking the fishing excusion at CC? I have done this twice and I have a great time. I think my son is also going to be joining me this time. Looking forward and can't wait.

 

[CustardTart]

Hi and George and family!!!

The CC fishing excursion sounds very cool - it's something my DS would love so I'm going to wait until he's sailing with us...

 

[buzzlightyear]

I am not sure exactly what information you were looking for, but the Palos brunch is on Wednesday (the second CC day)

 

[CustardTart]

I am not sure exactly what information you were looking for, but the Palos brunch is on Wednesday (the second CC day)

Oooh fab news!!! How do you know????

 

[buzzlightyear]

I was able to go on yesterday. Have not booked anything yet. Not really sure what to do this trip. We took advantage of the booking onboard discount, so we upgraded to a cat 3. (dh fears I will be spoiled after this trip)

 

[CustardTart]

I was able to go on yesterday. Have not booked anything yet. Not really sure what to do this trip. We took advantage of the booking onboard discount, so we upgraded to a cat 3. (dh fears I will be spoiled after this trip)

Oh how fabulous!!! I loved the Cat. 3 we stayed in on the Magic and wherever possible (ie: affordable) that's what I book - just don't tell my DH! The cost of this trip is shared with DD however and her budget doesn't extend that far so we're looking forward to a Navigator's Verandah...

Thanx so much for the info - everyone's going to be very grateful...

 

[mousebit]

Hi, everybody! I could use your thoughts & opinions. I booked the 3 day for 5/15/08 because the 15th is DGD's 13th BD and we're going - just the 2 of us - to celebrate. I also thought the 3 day would be good because neither of us have cruised and I have no idea how our tummies are going to react.

Now, I'm realizing that for just a few more dollars we could do the 4 day with a double dip BUT we'd be getting off the ship ON her BD - bummer! BUT maybe I could come up with something special for that day before we have to head home the following day...

You see - I'm soooo close to going with my gut and rebooking. Do you think being on the ship on her actual BD is important? We've been planning this cruise for 3 years now & I don't wanto to disappoint her BUT...

Help me out here, pleez! I need to make a decision soon...TIA

 

[CustardTart]

Hi Barb! I'm cruising with my DD too - tho' she's 25 now... Well, I guess I'm biased but I think the Double Dip is well worth the cash due to that extra Castaway Cay day which will be fabulous!!! If you're at all tempted, go for it.

So what I would do is:
Order the Happy Birthday stateroom decoration;
Tell DCL Guest Services that she's celebrating her birthday - she might get a button tho' that could be at WDW only;
Quietly tell your servers at the first night's dinner that she's celebrating her birthday - they'll deliver a cake and sing Happy Birthday to her;
On the day of her actual birthday you'll disembark early enough to do something fab nearby or in Orlando...

So, in a nutshell, NO I don't think it's important to be on the Wonder for her birthday!!! This way she won't be having a BirthDay but a BirthWeek!!!

Let us know what you decide!!!

PS: I'm sure your tummies will be fine - I've cruised on Deck 2 and Deck 8 on different sides of the boat and never felt a thing...

 

[branv]

I'm telling you, here we were, so alone on our tiny little thread, then WHOOOOOOSH finally people decide to join the fun Must be the winter giving everyone tropical dreams

I also thought the 3 day would be good because neither of us have cruised and I have no idea how our tummies are going to react.

You see - I'm soooo close to going with my gut and rebooking. Do you think being on the ship on her actual BD is important? We've been planning this cruise for 3 years now & I don't wanto to disappoint her BUT...

Help me out here, pleez! I need to make a decision soon...TIA

Like CustardTart said, they are so good about celebrating bdays and other events! Just call DCL or your travel agent and have them note what you're celebrating. You can also order one of the celebration pkgs from DCL that comes with a banner and a birthday cake, or call up Shirley at Your Perfect Gift and order a gift basket for your DD. Lots of things to do, and absolutely no reason it has to be on the actual day.

I hope you decide to join us or one of the other double-dips! There is so much to do, the longer the better...especially if it's your first trip on DCL.

As for motion sickness, I can tell you my experience if that will help. I have some issues with motion, though seldom cars/airplanes, I can ride roller coasters, etc. I have gotten a little queasy on a fishing boat, can't do wave pools, spinning/circular rides are a BIG no-no, and need a break between roller coasters. I felt woozy an hour after riding Mission: Space. You get the drift. Well on our cruise we averaged about 10 ft seas. As anyone will tell you, the first night is the worst as you cross the gulfstream. At dinner that night, I was swaying, DH was a rock. He didn't believe me that we were moving until one of our tablemates started turning green and began grabbing the table during a swell just as I did. She had taken nothing before boarding; I was wearing a patch (not the pirate kind ) and had taken ginger pills..so I felt movement but didn't feel ill. Everyone else at the table was fine and had taken bonine before boarding. By the next day I had my sea legs...could occasionally feel movement when I was laying down, but that was it. On the third day I removed my patch and never replaced it.

Hopefully that will make you feel better about sailing...even if you have motion issues, a three day won't be any worse probably than a 4, b/c you'll probably have your sea legs by then.

 

[mousebit]

Well, I called and left a message with my TA to let her know I wanted to switch to the 4 day 5-11! Thanx for all the good advise. You guys said exactly what I wanted to hear!

Hopefully I can pull this off without it costing me an arm and a leg at this late date. Don't know if there is a penalty for rebooking or not...Keep your fingers crossed for me!

I had totally forgotten about the DCL birthday decorations package and ordering a basket from Shirley. Thanx again - I'll get on that asap. (But I guess I need to have the cruise booked first...)

Now, I still have to think of something special to do for her actual BD. I'm thinking we'll probably just head back to WDW for one night. But, geez - how do you top a cruise with 2 days at CC?

 

[CustardTart]

Great news, Barb!!! Fingers crossed you can join us!!!

My DD and I are at WDW before the cruise - maybe we could pick up a Birthday Button for your daughter so she has one for the cruise..??? Let me know if you'd like us to do that...

Just another thought - maybe you could whisk her back to WDW for a character breakfast as one of the resort hotels? Does she have any fave characters???

This is just so flippin' exciting!!!

 

[branv]

But, geez - how do you top a cruise with 2 days at CC?

Isn't that the truth. I just found out my MIL is coming to visit for four days in March. The plan is that when she lapses into snippy I'll just close my eyes and go to my happy place on Castaway Cay.

The character meal is such a good idea! Lots of attention for a bday girl! If she likes girly stuff, you could also try the afternoon tea at the GF...maybe even add one of the GF photo sessions to capture the big 1-3 (oyyyy, those were the days...especially today I wish the first digit of my age was that low!)

I wish I'd thought to add another day on after the cruise! As it is our flight doesn't leave until 3:00 so we're going to spend a little time at DTD, picking up a few ornaments, a big honkin' treat from Goofy's, and visiting Ghiradelli's (which I'm excited to visit since I just read they're doing a remodel which will be finished before our trip...b/c the only reason I'd visit an ice cream parlor is to see the decor, yeah, that's it.. )

 

[CustardTart]

...I just found out my MIL is coming to visit for four days in March. The plan is that when she lapses into snippy I'll just close my eyes and go to my happy place on Castaway Cay.

Excuse me while I howl with laughter at your misfortune!!! There speaks the arrogant 'witch with a b' who suffered/survived her whole bunch of in-laws over New Year so actually I feel your pain...

...I wish I'd thought to add another day on after the cruise! As it is our flight doesn't leave until 3:00 so we're going to spend a little time at DTD, picking up a few ornaments, a big honkin' treat from Goofy's, and visiting Ghiradelli's (which I'm excited to visit since I just read they're doing a remodel which will be finished before our trip...b/c the only reason I'd visit an ice cream parlor is to see the decor, yeah, that's it.. )

Oooh a Ghirardelli's re-model!!! I'm...er... gonna have to check out that...er interior...

DD and I will also head to DTD as we can check-in for our Virgin Atlantic flight there. Not sure what we'll do afterwards - our flight's much later but we like to spend a little time in the Delta lounge so will be aiming to arrive at MCO for around 3pm...

I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Kimberly815]

Hi Guys!

We're coming with you!!

I just booked this cruise over the weekend! It will be me and my DH, and its our first cruise! I can't believe that we actually booked it! We are a bit nervous about our first cruise. I already have a million questions and I have only just started planning!

 

[branv]

Holy Cannoli, another one! Welcome! No need to be remotely nervous...other than being nervous that you'll love it so much you'll eventually drain your retirement account from obsessive cruising. All I can suggest is that if you like the Passporter for WDW, run out and get the DCL one. It's nestled next to me right now as I pencil in (ok, to be honest, re-pencil in for the 30th time) plans for excursions/palo, etc.

There speaks the arrogant 'witch with a b' who suffered/survived her whole bunch of in-laws over New Year so actually I feel your pain

Now that is just no way to ring in the new year, unless it makes you thankful for all the rest of the year sans in-laws.

So I'm a big nerd. We've already established that, right? One thing I regret on our last cruise was that we never saw a sunset (we sail cheap..i.e. no balcony, and since the sun set just too darn early in January, we were always in the middle of getting ready for dinner). So I went out and found the sunset/sunrise times, moon phases, for our trip. Very romantic

FYI: The moon will be half-full on our first night, growing to 3/4 full by our last night.

5/11
Sunset: 7:44pm
Moonrise: 12:31pm
Moonset: 1:17am

5/12
Sunrise: 6:26am
Sunset: 7:45pm
Moonrise: 1:31pm
Moonset: 1:56am

5/13
Sunrise: 6:26am
Sunset: 7:45pm
Moonrise: 2:26pm
Moonset: 2:30am

5/14
Sunrise: 6:25am
Sunset: 7:46pm
Moonrise: 3:20pm
Moonset: 3:01am

Sunrise: 6:25am

 

[Singlemomplus2]

Very excited to go on my first cruise with my DS, 13 and DD, 4! My son has been begging me for years to take him on a Disney Cruise and I just booked this as a complete suprise for him. I hope both will be ok on their own--the big question is "What will I do with all the free time on my hands??!" Can anyone tell me about the excursions on Castaway Cay? Can my DS do some of them solo while I hang out with DD on the family beach? WHat about DD? Do they have activities for them (4yr olds) on Castaway Cay? Any advice is greatly appreciated and I hope to meet some of you on board!

 

[CustardTart]

Hi Guys!

We're coming with you!!

I just booked this cruise over the weekend! It will be me and my DH, and its our first cruise! I can't believe that we actually booked it! We are a bit nervous about our first cruise. I already have a million questions and I have only just started planning!

Welcome, Kimberly!!!! How fantastic - another first-time cruiser!!!! Ask away with your million questions - I probably won't know any of the answers but I can always pretend...

 

[CustardTart]

...Now that is just no way to ring in the new year, unless it makes you thankful for all the rest of the year sans in-laws...

...So I'm a big nerd....

Hey!!! Don't be so hard on yourself!!! Nerd - yes! Big - no!!!

...One thing I regret on our last cruise was that we never saw a sunset (we sail cheap..i.e. no balcony, and since the sun set just too darn early in January, we were always in the middle of getting ready for dinner). So I went out and found the sunset/sunrise times, moon phases, for our trip. Very romantic

You mean something like this...