May 14, 2011 - Eastbound TransAtlantic

[runswithscissors]

Welcome to all the new peeps!

But I thought I would actually mention that I'll be on this trip. It's my mom, me (22) and my little sister (7). We're all really looking forward to it!

Noticeablysubtle, tell your sister she's sure to make lots of new friends. We have a decent number of children her age on the TA.

 

[strawberryblonde]

Hello all!

Just booked this cruise today, so we are nearly late to the party. I'm excited to see the color you have chosen for the lanyards, purple is my fav color. My DD (11) and MIL ( 60's) would love to be a part of the FE. My DS (14) isn't saying one way or the other...he just said "sure" when I asked, like no problem either way. Hope we aren't too late to sign up for these....thanks!

 

[heatherb819]

Welcome Aboard everyone! Feel free to sign in on the roll call spreadsheet on page 1, Group 1 for the FE is closed but Group 2 is open. I see that the discounted rate is available again for the inside rooms! We have done our online check in, didn't book any excursions yet. We need to all sit down together and decide. I've been working so much, just haven't had much time. I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's day!

 

[skoi]

Since there are conversations going on here and on Facebook, I just wanted to let everyone know that there is no need to worry...I will have lanyards for anyone who wants them, even if not participating in the fish extender. I won't know until I figure out how many I need to order, but they will be somewhere between 1.50 and 2.00 each. Thanks again for all of the input and patience.

Thank you for the work you're putting into this.

And welcome again to the new shipmates.

Anyone doing an on your own tour to Seville? We're thinking about it, so if anyone has any advice- please share.

Julie

 

[slcmom]

Hi everyone
I agree that any colors and design are great for the lanyards (I'm unable to check out facebook because we piggyback our internet through my daughter, who lives in the other side of our duplex, and she has locked her 11 year old dd off of facebook, which has the unfortunate result of also locking me off......). On last year's EBTA, they did identify family members by the DISer's name. I like the idea of numbering them. My dh didn't seem to mind that at all. My vote is to make nametags for the kids. If the parent's chose to not use them, that's their decision.

On that same trip, several people shared the cost of the lanyards, as each of their FE's, and the quantity mark-down was enough that everyone on the thread got lanyards, and they even brought the extras which many crew members seemed delighted to receive.

3 of the 4 dgk's are sick today (it had better just be a 24 bug). I watch them while their parents work. So far we've had one of them vomit on my carpet, and a 2nd one spill his (too hot, obviously) chicken soup and burn himself on his chest and his foot (and, of course, the soup then landed on another bit of the carpet). And the day's still young (but I'm not very, if you see what I mean....).

I hope your day is going better that that, love,
Ann

 

[skoi]

Sorry to hear about the sickness. We've been on and off with cough and colds since our cruise in December.

 

[twokings]

But I thought I would actually mention that I'll be on this trip. It's my mom, me (22) and my little sister (7). We're all really looking forward to it!

There are quite a few young ladies ranging from 19 - 23 if my memory is correct. Check out our FB page.

 

[njmom23grls]

'morning everyone!

I'm finally getting back to the land of the living after being bedridden for 4 days with a horrible fever/chills thing. I can't ever remember being down that long. I have some catching up to do!

Skoi - I'm planning on doing the Seville on my own tour. I'm planning on visiting the Cathedral/ Giralda, the Alcazar, and the Santa Cruz quarter. It may be too much in which case I'll adjust depending on time, crowds, and energy level.

Lisa

 

[ThePicketts]

We have just purchased our cruise and our tickets to take us to England! Boy, looking at all these posts, I have a lot to catch up on!!! Could some kind soul walk me through to at least understand what we need to pach for all the special formal, semi formal, pirate, etc nights? My wife and i will be traveling with our 2 boys (6 & 14), and my teenager would love some assurances that he will not be the only teenager on the ship!
What are some secrets, that if i do not do, my family will feel cheated.
Excursions? Go though Disney, or scour the internet and find cheaper alternatives?
Thanks for your help!
Damian

 

[ThePicketts]

welcome to all our new cruisers.


we will go the the majority on the lanyards - don't mind what colour - they look good.


put us down the list

Sharon & Ian

lanyards? Oh, boy. I don't have a clue what is going on. I'm such a nuub!

 

[ThePicketts]

Welcome all new cruisers. We also have a facebook page.


Christi

What is the name or link of the fb page?

 

[ThePicketts]

I agree, close the FE and start a new group on the spreadsheet. You can just make one group one color and the next group another. That's how I've seen it done on the other cruises anyway. If some of those on there now that are maybes, and they chose not to do it then the 1st group will just have a few less. So, if you're on there now as a maybe, please make a decision so the rest of us can begin ordering, making, or planning our gifts please and thank you. Sorry, I don't want to sound rude, just to the point.

What is FE?

 

[ThePicketts]

We did the EBTA in May 2007 and had a fantastic time. Flew to Italy for a week afterwards but don't have that third week off work this time. Going to overnight in London on the way home Saturday after getting off the ship and hopefully be able to go visit Big Ben, etc that evening.

Haven't been to Madeira but see the cable car ride and basket ride back down as something that look interesting. In Cadez, we bought the all day double decker bus passes and did the tour of town. The tour bus provides earbuds and their audio system allows you to select a variety of languages to listen to the narration of what you're driving by. I took one of the earbuds and held it up to the mike on my vidio camera so we could get the narration on the video. Was much nicer for our friends watching our videos later to know what they were seeing too.

In Gibralter, we didn't book the "rock" tour on the ship at the advise of a friend that has been there before. Once you get off the ship, the tour vans at the dock will take you on the same tour for about half the price. Just need to make sure they don't limit your time once you get in the tunnels. Spent the afternoon walking thru the downtown areas and did some shopping. Easy walk from downtown back to the ship and felt very safe (without letting our guard down) in the city. Gibralter was my farorite port call on the 07 trip and I'm really looking forward to spending a day there again. Great view to the south across the straits of seeing Africa.

In Barcelona, we'll do the usual stroll up Las Rambles and then to the cathedrals. We didn't do our homework last time and did more wandering. Bought a pocket size tour book at AAA on Barcelona this time and will have a plan for the day. Be sure to stop in the market going inland about 3/8 mile up Las Rambles on the left side. I'd love to have a produce and seafood/meat market like that here in Charlotte.

Other threads trash the idea of carrying walkie-talkies. We've always had success with ours for the four of us. If you don't want to depend on the new Wave radios the ship provides if you have more than two wanting to communicate, walkie talkies are still a good idea. Just make sure you have the sub-codes so you don't have to listen to your ship mates. We also bought one of the small waterproof card cases in the gift shop and stash our reserve supply of cash while in port. Just secure the string on a belt loop and tuck the case inside the waist band. Keep out just what you need for any small purchases.

Looking forward to start booking Palo's at month end. Enjoy the planning and we'll see you all on board.

West Carribean July 03
East Carribean Nov 03, Nov 04, Nov 05
EBTA May 07
EBTA May 11

Great tips! Thank you.

 

[stsomewhere]

What is the name or link of the fb page?

If you go to the first page of this thread. There is a link at the bottom. I believe you are asked to put the disboard as the message.

 

[stsomewhere]

'morning everyone!

I'm finally getting back to the land of the living after being bedridden for 4 days with a horrible fever/chills thing. I can't ever remember being down that long. I have some catching up to do!

Skoi - I'm planning on doing the Seville on my own tour. I'm planning on visiting the Cathedral/ Giralda, the Alcazar, and the Santa Cruz quarter. It may be too much in which case I'll adjust depending on time, crowds, and energy level.

Lisa

Glad you are feeling better. I had something like that earlier in the week but it did not last that long.

 

[sehandiph]

We have just purchased our cruise and our tickets to take us to England! Boy, looking at all these posts, I have a lot to catch up on!!! Could some kind soul walk me through to at least understand what we need to pach for all the special formal, semi formal, pirate, etc nights? My wife and i will be traveling with our 2 boys (6 & 14), and my teenager would love some assurances that he will not be the only teenager on the ship!
What are some secrets, that if i do not do, my family will feel cheated.
Excursions? Go though Disney, or scour the internet and find cheaper alternatives?
Thanks for your help!
Damian

welcome and hello there from us two who live not so far away

Don't worry you will catch up with what is happening. As stsomewhere says there is a spreadsheet on the first page that shows some of the activities that are being organised.

FE are fish extenders - but as we have no kids don't really understand - no doubt someone else will explain for you.

are you flying out to Florida and having a day or so there before the cruise?

Sharon & Ian

 

[skoi]

Damian- our 16 almost 17 yo daughter will be on board, so he definitely won't be the only teen and I'm sure there are more. We usually do on our own tours because they're cheaper and we just don't like big tour groups, but will be booking the Seville on your own through Disney rather than taking the train. We almost missed the ship in Rome last year when the train stopped twice- sitting on the track forever at one point. So not chancing that again.

njmom- thanks for the head's up on the Seville on your own. I didn't see it in the list on the website at all, and was wondering why they didn't offer something like that. We're all booked for that and can't wait. Glad you're feeling better.

Now we have to decide on Madeira.

 

[stsomewhere]

We have just purchased our cruise and our tickets to take us to England! Boy, looking at all these posts, I have a lot to catch up on!!! Could some kind soul walk me through to at least understand what we need to pach for all the special formal, semi formal, pirate, etc nights? My wife and i will be traveling with our 2 boys (6 & 14), and my teenager would love some assurances that he will not be the only teenager on the ship!
What are some secrets, that if i do not do, my family will feel cheated.
Excursions? Go though Disney, or scour the internet and find cheaper alternatives?
Thanks for your help!
Damian

Welcome.
I will try and answer some of your concerns.

If you go to the first post, there is a link to a google spreadsheet. It lists some families involved in FE. It lists names and ages. I checked the list and there are some other teenage boys on the ship. But, remember there may be more teens on board since not everyone belongs to the disboard.

Packing- There is a formal night and semi formal. It depends on how much you want to dress up and pack. I have a few nicer dresses I will wear for those nights. If you would like to dress up for pirate night, you can. The majority of the people wont. Some people just put on patches or hats.

FE- Or Fish exchange. Outside of your cabin there is a fish shaped holder. People hang bags off of it. If you want to participate in the FE, you must join a group. Group 1 is full but group 2 is still open. You will deliver a small gift to each cabin or person. It can be whatever you want. candy, trinkets, etc. I have received some nice cruise CD, magnets,postcards, patches in mine. You will deliver your gifts to the people in your group leaving them in the bag outside their cabin. It is up to you what you want to give/spend.

Excursions- it is up to you. We usually do a combination of cruise line and on our own. If you are looking at an excursion that it away from the port, you will be better to book with Disney since the ship will wait for you.

Galley Tours- you will need to get tickets from guest services.

Make sure you have cash for room service tips.

You can go to the drink station and get drinks prior to going to a show or movies. Then, you will not have to pay for the can of pop.

Christi

 

[full quiver]

Okay, just made this a B to B
YEAH 25 DAYS

 

[owensjro]

Been awhile since I've posted so welcome to all the new folks! Looks like we're picking up some steam here at last

I just informed the teacher that Hannah will be out for the last two weeks of school. Since we return well after the end she will need to either get work done before or during the trip. Should be fun! The school policy is not to hand out work ahead of time but the teacher said she would work with us on it. She also said they have a scanner so she can scan and email things to us. Guess we'll be getting the internet package just so Hannah can do school work! She's going to love it. Not!

Jim