May 14, 2011 - Eastbound TransAtlantic

[strawberryblonde]

I've been AWOL, but I'm back having just read 10 pages of posts! We're super excited and counting down the days to departure. Can't wait to meet all of you!

This is only our 2nd DIS cruise and 1st time joining a Disboard group and FE's. Yes, we're virgins!!! I'm recycling 3 small canvas bags that we have and sewing them together in a line for our fish extender, figuring one for DH and I, and one for each DD. We've chosen a theme and will decorate the bags accordingly. Does this sound right? Also, we're doing a bit of a NJ theme FE gift even though we're all transplants from other states, except my 5 y/o who was born here. I did a disboard search and saw some unbelievable handmade things (scrapbooks, custom picture frames) from past cruisers - very intimidating! I just don't have time for that, but I don't want new friends on the ship to think my gifts are boing or cheap! How much do most people spend per FE? Help! I'd appreciate any feedback y'all can give me!

Krisann, Thanks for organizing the lanyards and for all of the information regarding "what to expect" when we disembark in BCN! I love the sage advice from a seasoned alum!

Heather, Thanks for organizing the champagne girls! I don't care what it costs, I'm in!

Cheers!
Susan

Glad to see you posting Susan! Everyday life takes priority, no worries. Some folks are creative and enjoy sharing that with others. I enjoy making crafty things and would probably be going that direction if it were not for the high cost of materials here compared to what I can get them for once I am back in the states. So I'm going with consumable, european, chocolate ....one size fits all and won't make anyone's luggage weigh more on the way home, can't promise that our bodies won't though !!

 

[braysmommy]

Wow there are many posts! Hey I am new here and going on this cruise with my family (I am on the spreadsheet but that's all I got to a while back!). This will be my family's first cruise (except for my mom who is coming with us). I'm going with my husband and 2 kids (1 and 4). I am so excited and can't wait!!!

I am trying to skim through the posts because there is interesting info, especially for a first timer, but it's not easy! The whole board is quite overwhelming...but I guess I will get used to it!

So hi everyone!

This will be our first Disney cruise too! It is myself, son (4) and my mom traveling. Welcome!!! I am sure your 4 yr old is as excited as mine....but then again I'm excited too

 

[MermaidMama]

Welcome, Pascaleps!!! I'm a new Disboarder too. Best advice I can give is take the time to go through all the posts if you can. I actually took notes when I originally signed up and read thru, so now I know which posts to go back to as I plan for packing, shore excursions, etc. Everyone has been nice to answer questions and make us newbies feel included, so I'm sure you'll find this fun and easy! Check out the fish extenders - that looks like a lot of fun - a sure source of excitement and boredom buster for the kids onboard.

Cheers!
Susan

 

[strawberryblonde]

Wow there are many posts! Hey I am new here and going on this cruise with my family (I am on the spreadsheet but that's all I got to a while back!). This will be my family's first cruise (except for my mom who is coming with us). I'm going with my husband and 2 kids (1 and 4). I am so excited and can't wait!!!

I am trying to skim through the posts because there is interesting info, especially for a first timer, but it's not easy! The whole board is quite overwhelming...but I guess I will get used to it!

So hi everyone!

Welcome!! My DD was 4 for our first cruise and she loved it, still does! Sometimes too much info can feel stressful instead of helpful. Just take what you can use, info wise. Sometimes it is nice to be suprised instead of already having read about it all. Anything you miss your first time around, can be something you make sure to do the next cruise. With 14 days, though, you may not miss much . Glad to have you post!

 

[strawberryblonde]

From DCL:

Heather,
Please send me your requested dates/times. We then submit the request for space to the ship. Once confirmed we will let you know the time and date. Please send your first and second options.
1 week prior to sailing, we would need a list of the guest attending and their stateroom numbers. We charge the $20 pp surcharge onboard the ship to each guest folio account.

Give me your thoughts on dates and I'll respond to them!

I like the idea of a seaday afternoon. I have many seadays wide open, just a few are sewed up. The following are good for me:

Tues. 17th
Thurs. 19th
Sat. 21st
Mon. 23rd
Thurs. 26th

Thanks Heather!!

 

[Winstanik]

I like the idea of a seaday afternoon. I have many seadays wide open, just a few are sewed up. The following are good for me:

Tues. 17th
Thurs. 19th
Sat. 21st
Mon. 23rd
Thurs. 26th

Thanks Heather!!

Any of those days works for me too !

 

[Winstanik]

Wow there are many posts! Hey I am new here and going on this cruise with my family (I am on the spreadsheet but that's all I got to a while back!). This will be my family's first cruise (except for my mom who is coming with us). I'm going with my husband and 2 kids (1 and 4). I am so excited and can't wait!!!

I am trying to skim through the posts because there is interesting info, especially for a first timer, but it's not easy! The whole board is quite overwhelming...but I guess I will get used to it!

So hi everyone!

Hi ! You will just love the cruise and so will the kids ! We went in May 2009 with our then 5yrs old daughter and she is still talking about it ! Unfortunately for her, she will be staying with my parents this time around !

I saw that you come from Montreal, we may be on the same flight ! We live about an hour out of Montreal on the south west shore.

 

[mboekhoff]

Wow there are many posts! Hey I am new here and going on this cruise with my family (I am on the spreadsheet but that's all I got to a while back!). This will be my family's first cruise (except for my mom who is coming with us). I'm going with my husband and 2 kids (1 and 4). I am so excited and can't wait!!!

I am trying to skim through the posts because there is interesting info, especially for a first timer, but it's not easy! The whole board is quite overwhelming...but I guess I will get used to it!

So hi everyone!

Hi and You will get used to the board, just make sure you post to threads you are interested in and then you will get emails when there is something new on that thread and you don't have to search everywhere.

I am going on this cruise with my DH and my BFF Mic, and it will be my first as well. DH, Ross has been on cruises before but not a Disney cruise. My friend Mic (also on here) has been on several Disney cruises.

Can't wait to meet everyone

 

[strawberryblonde]

Still aboard and we did check in on the list.

Just been really busy with kids' school, medical appointments for youngest, and arranging college visits with oldest. And she's been freaking out that her work won't be done and she'll have to take her Pre-calc book on the trip. She took Physics on the Med, so I guess that's okay.

We're hoping to pay for an upgrade at the port. Our friend upgraded on a Med cruise to a suite, and said it was much cheaper than the offered price. But I'm sure that's way out of our price range anyway.

You have your hands full! Math is the one subject my kids are voting to leave home....her freakout is well understood. We did the Med. last year as well . Are you doing B2B this year or just the TA? We are only doing the TA, but I wish we could stay on for the Med. as well. There is so much more I would love to see! DH has to get right back to work though. I'm thrilled to be able to finally try out a TA

 

[stsomewhere]

I like the idea of a seaday afternoon. I have many seadays wide open, just a few are sewed up. The following are good for me:

Tues. 17th
Thurs. 19th
Sat. 21st
Mon. 23rd
Thurs. 26th

Thanks Heather!!

I vote for the 26th. I would be like a farwell party of us. One last chance for all of us to gather before we get off the ship in Barcelona.

Christi

 

[Winstanik]

I vote for the 26th. I would be like a farwell party of us. One last chance for all of us to gather before we get off the ship in Barcelona.

Christi

I'm with you Christi ! I vote for 26th also. It's a great idea !

 

[singlis]

I like the idea of a seaday afternoon. I have many seadays wide open, just a few are sewed up. The following are good for me:

Tues. 17th
Thurs. 19th
Sat. 21st
Mon. 23rd
Thurs. 26th

Thanks Heather!!

Ode to the planner!!!

 

[strawberryblonde]

Ode to the planner!!!

sewed up with what....oh, you know, stuff...rasul, tea, birthdays

 

[strawberryblonde]

I'm with you Christi ! I vote for 26th also. It's a great idea !

I like this date too! Great thinking Christi! I wonder, though, if we do leave it to the last seaday...if we will have so much fun and get to know one another even better and wish we had had it sooner into the cruise...that is the only drawback I can think of with leaving it until last.

 

[MermaidMama]

I like the idea of a seaday afternoon. I have many seadays wide open, just a few are sewed up. The following are good for me:

Tues. 17th
Thurs. 19th
Sat. 21st
Mon. 23rd
Thurs. 26th

Thanks Heather!!

From DCL:

Heather,
Please send me your requested dates/times. We then submit the request for space to the ship. Once confirmed we will let you know the time and date. Please send your first and second options.
1 week prior to sailing, we would need a list of the guest attending and their stateroom numbers. We charge the $20 pp surcharge onboard the ship to each guest folio account.

Give me your thoughts on dates and I'll respond to them!

I agree on doing it one seaday afternoon. I could join any afternoon except May 17th. That's when we're having brunch at Paolo. Would sure hate to miss the camraderie with you girls!

Thanks for coordinating, Heather!

Susan

 

[seamour]

Also, we're doing a bit of a NJ theme FE gift even though we're all transplants from other states, except my 5 y/o who was born here.
Cheers!
Susan

I personally love the gifts from where you come from, and I bet I am not the only one!

 

[seamour]

I am trying to skim through the posts because there is interesting info, especially for a first timer, but it's not easy! The whole board is quite overwhelming...but I guess I will get used to it!

So hi everyone!

Hi and welcome!

 

[pascaleps]

Hi ! You will just love the cruise and so will the kids ! We went in May 2009 with our then 5yrs old daughter and she is still talking about it ! Unfortunately for her, she will be staying with my parents this time around !

I saw that you come from Montreal, we may be on the same flight ! We live about an hour out of Montreal on the south west shore.

My daughter has watched the DVD so many times she keeps telling us what there will be on the ship! She is so excited that that's all she talks about...driving everyone at daycare crazy!

Yes we are from Mtl, the West Island to be more precise! We are taking a flight on May 12th and spending 2 nights in Cocoa Beach, you? My husband will be there (in Naples) for work the week before so he'll have time to work on his tan, lucky him! Then we continue onto the UK to spend two weeks with my in-laws! Are you guys coming straight back?

 

[pascaleps]

This will be our first Disney cruise too! It is myself, son (4) and my mom traveling. Welcome!!! I am sure your 4 yr old is as excited as mine....but then again I'm excited too

My daughter has watched the info DVD so many times she can tell us what there is on the ship! That's all she talks about! I really can't wait either...counting the days! I am sure our 4 year olds will meet in the kids club.

 

[skoi]

You have your hands full! Math is the one subject my kids are voting to leave home....her freakout is well understood. We did the Med. last year as well . Are you doing B2B this year or just the TA? We are only doing the TA, but I wish we could stay on for the Med. as well. There is so much more I would love to see! DH has to get right back to work though. I'm thrilled to be able to finally try out a TA

We're not to b2b. We did the Med last year- just the two oldest and me. We're hoping that DCL someday does Asia- so we can combine our youngest kids trip back to China with a Disney cruise.