~~~ May 16, 2009 ~~~ Western Magic ~~~

[texfinn]

Ha! And here I find myself, once again at 3:50 in the afternoon, sun is shining, work is beckoning (yes, I work from home) but somehow I had to sneak in one more peek to the boards. I am some serious trouble now I think!

Lilygator, I want to book the following, Palo brunch on sunday, Palo tea on our first sea day (is that Monday or Tuesday?) and Palo dinner on Thursday (my DH's birthday). Of course, now I am thinking it won't be possible because I can't PIF until Friday (so says DH). I will be in Vegas so what I think I am going to do --> yes, this is so bad <-- is take my laptop with me to Vegas so I can go online (and pay $14 for internet at the dang hotel) and book my ressies. It is that or have my DH do it . One thing I do know is I better try before the 90 day window opens.

I am really leaning towards no excursion at KW. I am thinking we may just enjoy the boat and then get off later to look around a bit. Not sure yet on GC or Cozumel. I really really really wanted to swim with dolphins -- oh wait, oops, I mean my kids do but DS Kai is too young I think....

Ok, back to work (for real this time) and no more reading TR and the Forum until after dinner! Gotta get on that Wii Fit --- we are only a few months away!!!

 

[austin77]

The one thing I am worryed about is Dinner!!!

When we were on or 1st cruise we had 8 in our family so it was like a day at mom and dads! But im worryed about sitting with someone (and maybe there family) who might be totally diffrent then what DGF and I are. What if there is nothing to talk about? I hate that weard quite that sometimes comes with meeting new pepole!! I was wondering if we meet someone on this fourm who is close to what DGF and I are, could we link seating or something like that?? Im just worried that we might not enjoy The atmostphere like we should!!

 

[lucyddr]

The one thing I am worryed about is Dinner!!!

When we were on or 1st cruise we had 8 in our family so it was like a day at mom and dads! But im worryed about sitting with someone (and maybe there family) who might be totally diffrent then what DGF and I are. What if there is nothing to talk about? I hate that weard quite that sometimes comes with meeting new pepole!! I was wondering if we meet someone on this fourm who is close to what DGF and I are, could we link seating or something like that?? Im just worried that we might not enjoy The atmostphere like we should!!

On our last cruise, we were seated with 3 other couples. (Our our prior two cruises, we sat at a table for 2.) One of the couples didn't show until late in the week. The other two were there every night. Despite what I thought, we really enjoyed our dinner conversations each night. We haven't really kept in touch, but we all showed up to dinner every night which tells me that everyone enjoyed themselves. The "late" couple even said, "If we had known sitting here would be this fun, we wouldn't have waited so long to show up!"
Our occupations ranged from waitress, social worker, cop, electrical engineer, business executive, and physician. While we probably didn't share much in common at home, we enjoyed each others company.

My point in all this is that I would not worry too much. Worst case scenario, you can always change tables. I'm willing to link with anyone or just play dinner "by ear." Whatever the group thinks... (However, we will probably keep our late seating since I don't want to be rushed getting in to ports and because we don't have kids who NEED the early seating. I also have this weird complex about drinking in front of children at a dinner table (setting examples, etc), so I'd rather dine with adults around me.

 

[lillygator]

The one thing I am worryed about is Dinner!!!

When we were on or 1st cruise we had 8 in our family so it was like a day at mom and dads! But im worryed about sitting with someone (and maybe there family) who might be totally diffrent then what DGF and I are. What if there is nothing to talk about? I hate that weard quite that sometimes comes with meeting new pepole!! I was wondering if we meet someone on this fourm who is close to what DGF and I are, could we link seating or something like that?? Im just worried that we might not enjoy The atmostphere like we should!!

you can definitely liknk up dining! We've been fortunate enough to link our dining for the past cruises!

 

[austin77]

Hearing that i feel a bit better about sitting with someone!! We do have the late dinner so i guess that makes it more of a chance were going to be with adults insted of a family!

 

[texfinn]

We have late dinner seating too. Our kids could stay up ALL night if we let them. I am guessing after a few nights of this they will collapse at some point but should have no problem with the late dinner. I am betting that my DD will probably ask to have dinner with the kid's club pretty quickly -- she is VERY independent.

We are willing to link up if that is what anyone wants BUT may have the kids with us AND we do drink in front of them .... I know I know, terrible parents BUT, my DH is from Europe, it is part of the culture there right?

On another note -- TWO BIG things happened today.... I got PRE-CRUISE docs -- Woo Hoo! I know it isn't much, just a booklet but it makes it all seem sooooo real!!! Second thing is, we booked our FIRST excursion in GC. We are not going with DCL. We booked Moby Dick Tours. They had fabulous reviews, go in a small group AND will let my DS (who is 4) go too!

Now, to decide what to do in Cozumel. My DH is going diving -- anyone a diver? That leaves me and kids alone. Any ideas on activities I could do with a 7 and 4 year old that won't leave me INSANE?

 

[lucyddr]

We have late dinner seating too. Our kids could stay up ALL night if we let them. I am guessing after a few nights of this they will collapse at some point but should have no problem with the late dinner. I am betting that my DD will probably ask to have dinner with the kid's club pretty quickly -- she is VERY independent.

We are willing to link up if that is what anyone wants BUT may have the kids with us AND we do drink in front of them .... I know I know, terrible parents BUT, my DH is from Europe, it is part of the culture there right?

No... you are not terrible parents! We will probably drink in front of ours one day when we have them. However, there are some families that are sensitive to this and I just don't want to feel "self-conscious" in front of those families. (I have friends who are this way...) I figure the chances are lower with the late dinner time of being sat with or near a more conservative family.

Plus, I almost never drink except when I'm vacationing. (Noone wants to see a surgeon in a small town downing drinks and heading home...too much gossip involved. ) So... I like to enjoy wine with dinner on the cruise and a few drinks by the pool or beach... It's the ONLY time my husband and I both have alcohol (since neither of us have to drive home)!

 

[Disgirl83]

Welcome to the new cruisers!!! Big news, I'm almost done with our FE I][/I]

Of course my DH and I don't have kids but we are not big drinkers either. We only drink on vacation and for "special" occasions like big football games and new years. I am definately planning on having my drink of the day though on the ship (can't wait)! We might bring along some beer for my DH for pool time.

I'm also kind-of leary about who we may get assigned to sit with, but hoping it turns out very well. The first, and only, DCL cruise I've been on I was with my parents (18 at the time) and our table mates were, ummm... interesting..... there was one married couple who rarely talked and the other family was a mother her 16 or 17 year old daughter and the daughters boyfriend... they always seemed to be in a not soo good mood. But my parents and I had a good time anyways!!!

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

I still need to try and get him a cake on his birthday. Hopefully if I tell the server, they will take care of it....

You can even call DCL directly ahead of time and let them know you'll be celebrating a special day on the cruise. Our anniversary cake was delivered to our table the first night (our TA told DCL when she booked it).

Ha! And here I find myself, once again at 3:50 in the afternoon, sun is shining, work is beckoning (yes, I work from home) but somehow I had to sneak in one more peek to the boards. I am some serious trouble now I think!

I work at home, too!!!! What do you do?!?! I own a medical transcription service and also sell Mary Kay (it's my "glamorous" job). I know how distracting the boards can be when you're trying to get work done. Every time my email messenger pops up that I have a new message from the DIS, I always have to check it out right away!! Unfortunately, I have changed my "routine" when it pops up. I haven't been replying to posts right away like I want to because then instead of taking a quick 2-minute break to read the post, it would always turn into a 30-minute break because I would post, keep reading, post again, keep reading... Then I get myself into trouble, too, when it's time to make supper, and I still have work to do! Oops!

Palo tea on our first sea day (is that Monday or Tuesday?)

Monday is the first sea day. Tuesday is GC.

One thing I do know is I better try before the 90 day window opens.

Definitely do this before Sunday AM!! You just never know how many CC members there are on the cruise! If you don't get what you want, though, you can always rearrange your reservation as soon as you get onboard.




to Albertofreitas!! I'll update you on post #1.

Now, to decide what to do in Cozumel. My DH is going diving -- anyone a diver? That leaves me and kids alone. Any ideas on activities I could do with a 7 and 4 year old that won't leave me INSANE?

Last time, we did Paradise Beach. Just a 10-20 minute cab ride for ~$15 each way (I think we could've done some dealing on the price, though), and admittance to the beach is free. You only pay if you want to do the extra activities (iceberg, trampoline, parasailing, wave runners, etc.) They have food & drinks available if you get hungry, too. We had nachos & Justin had some Dos Equis also. The boys didn't go too far out into the water (only waist deep or so) and also built sandcastles, etc. Here's pics of our fun time there.

Some of the extra activities:

The beach & lounge chairs:

Okay, so I did the sandcastles, too:

Just a fun thing:

Here's the buggy we rode on the pier when the boys were tired of walking:

 

[texfinn]

Welcome to the new cruisers!!! Big news, I'm almost done with our FE I][/I]

Ok, my apologies if I mess up the Quote thing. CONGRATS Disgirl! I am still clueless on what to do. I asked my kids for ideas and their favorite Disney characters are Wall-E (DS) and the "Mommy dog on 101 Dalmations" (DD). Of course that didn't give me a theme. They weren't thinking, I wanted them to tell me Lilo & Stitch or Micky & Minnie or something like that! Oh well....need to get to a fabric store. I have already enlisted my Mom to help me -- I don't sew at all!

Of course my DH and I don't have kids but we are not big drinkers either. We only drink on vacation and for "special" occasions like big football games and new years. I am definately planning on having my drink of the day though on the ship (can't wait)! We might bring along some beer for my DH for pool time.

We do enjoy our bubbly/wine/beer/DOD whatever wets our whistle. With kids, work and my business I don't really have too much time to relax and enjoy wine so mainly it is a weekend thing. My DH is from Finland so if you can imagine -- he has never met a drink he didn't like or at least wouldn't get down (no waste is his motto you see!)

 

[texfinn]

You can even call DCL directly ahead of time and let them know you'll be celebrating a special day on the cruise. Our anniversary cake was delivered to our table the first night (our TA told DCL when she booked it).

Thanks for the tip! I'll make sure I call DCL!

I work at home, too!!!! What do you do?!?! I own a medical transcription service and also sell Mary Kay (it's my "glamorous" job).

I work for a software company as a product manager. I have been WFH for about 2 years now but go in about a day a week just to stay sane. With the economy the way it is, thinking I should go in more often. You know what they say -- "out of sight, out of mind" and right now I want to KEEP my job!

Love the Mary Kay gig! I am in Direct Sales as well. I sell Entertaining at Home. I have been doing it for 2 years and it is paying for the RES and hopefully the rest of our "extras" on the cruise. I am going to Vegas for a girls weekend on Friday with them. Fun stuff -- much more fun than the other job!!!

Monday is the first sea day. Tuesday is GC. Definitely do this before Sunday AM!! You just never know how many CC members there are on the cruise! If you don't get what you want, though, you can always rearrange your reservation as soon as you get onboard. ]

I did it!! We just PIF (and it was painful) but then I went and booked Palo & Spa & Excursions! Woo Hoo! We booked Brunch on KW day, tea on sea day 1 and dinner on sea day 2 (DH birthday). I also booked spa massages for sea day 2 and DH scuba excursion in Mexico. I figure I can always modify things if needed but based on what I have read (and I have read a LOT) the sea days fill up for the spa so figured should get that done.

Last time, we did Paradise Beach. Just a 10-20 minute cab ride for ~$15 each way (I think we could've done some dealing on the price, though), and admittance to the beach is free. You only pay if you want to do the extra activities (iceberg, trampoline, parasailing, wave runners, etc.) They have food & drinks available if you get hungry, too. We had nachos & Justin had some Dos Equis also. The boys didn't go too far out into the water (only waist deep or so) and also built sandcastles, etc. Here's pics of our fun time there. ]

Wow! Looks beautiful! Not sure if I am brave enough to take 2 kids to the beach alone. If anyone else is heading there let me know. That might work if I go in a group. We'll see. Maybe by then I have enough courage. I can speak Spanish (ok, I can pretend to speak Spanish and do much better after a few margaritas) but enough so that I should be ok getting around but just curious --was this booked via DCL or did you do it on your own? Your pics are GREAT!!! Thank you for sharing!!!

Ok, back to reading posts, TR and the like. I am so excited, I can't stand it!!!

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

I am in Direct Sales as well. I sell Entertaining at Home. I have been doing it for 2 years and it is paying for the RES and hopefully the rest of our "extras" on the cruise. I am going to Vegas for a girls weekend on Friday with them. Fun stuff -- much more fun than the other job!!!

Cool! Is there a website? I'll have to check it out!

I did it!! We just PIF (and it was painful) but then I went and booked Palo & Spa & Excursions! Woo Hoo! We booked Brunch on KW day, tea on sea day 1 and dinner on sea day 2 (DH birthday). I also booked spa massages for sea day 2 and DH scuba excursion in Mexico.

WTG on everything! Palo, spa, and excursions all when you wanted them! Awesome! I guess the RES might be worth it!

Wow! Looks beautiful! Not sure if I am brave enough to take 2 kids to the beach alone. If anyone else is heading there let me know. That might work if I go in a group. We'll see. Maybe by then I have enough courage.

We had a really good spot at the end of the beach. You can see the roped-off area to our left. On the beach part, it was separated by massage cabanas (see below), so if you pick a good spot like we had, there's really nowhere for them to go. If you're in the water with them, the rope kind of keeps them "contained" a bit. The sandcastle picture shows Hudson out just a few feet, and it was already hip high, and he didn't want to go out any further. Our kids aren't very adventurous, so they stayed close the whole time. We brought along those blowup "water muscle" arm floaties but didn't end up using them because they were staying in such shallow water with one of us right there, too, but you could always take some along just for some extra peace of mind.

 

[lillygator]

congrats on getting everything booked. The only thing we are booking through DCL is Palo!! And maybe some CC stuff. Everything else I booked on my own.

I am getting so excited!! Once we hit 90 days, it will fly!

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

I'm trying to remember the exact time that booking opens on Sunday morning . Isn't it 12 AM PST, 1 AM MST, 2 AM CST, and 3 AM EST? I can't remember exactly from last time! Thanks to anyone who knows off hand.

 

[texfinn]

Good Morning Everyone!

Hudson5&Lennon3 -- I don't know when the time is this weekend. Is it really and truly 90 days out this Sunday? WOWWWWW! I can tell you that last night when I booked Palo, EVERYTHING was wide open so plenty of times to choose from.

Ok, so here I go, reading boards when I SHOULD be working on a presentation (or three) for work. I told myself I would read while I ate breakfast BUT -- well, let's just say it took me a little bit longer than I thought....

I read on one of the boards that this is a QUIET thread. Ok, so after reading 37 pages worth, I don't think it is that QUIET and one thing I have NEVER been accused of is being quiet so I will do my best to get rid of that "label"!!!!

I have a couple of questions for everyone. We are thinking of coming in on Thursday night in the off hand chance the shuttle still launches on Friday. We will get in late (still need to move my airline ressies) soooo, are we better off staying at the airport or at the beach? Have you guys been to Cocoa Beach? We are NOT using DCL transfers -- too much $$$$!!!! Also, I think I have convinced DH to stay at least one more night when we get back at WDW. Have you guys done that? Again, depends on the airline if I can move my ressies but, seems like an easier way to get back to reality. Is that true?

Ok, in the spirit of being a loudmouth I will ask one more question -- am now thinking of taking DS and DD on the dolphin excursion. They can't swim in the water with the dolphins but they can kiss/touch/etc. Is it worth the $$? Have any of you ever done this?

Today is a GOOD day! Only 2 days until I leave for Las Vegas for a girl's weekend AND I should get my Passporter in the mail today!

Hope you guys are having a good day!

Oh, and one more thing before I forget -- my Entertaining at Home website in case you are curious --- www.mati.eahweb.com . It is hopefully paying for all of our EXTRAs on the cruise!!!! Party party!!!

 

[lillygator]

Actually compared to my last two cruise meets, this is an extremely quiet thread. And looks to be not all that many cruisers (dis).....

90 days out is sat (sun) morning 2/14 3am for me. I believe that est is still 3 am.

 

[lillygator]

Ok, in the spirit of being a loudmouth I will ask one more question -- am now thinking of taking DS and DD on the dolphin excursion. They can't swim in the water with the dolphins but they can kiss/touch/etc. Is it worth the $$? Have any of you ever done this?

is it because they can't swim or the excursion won't allow them to swim?

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

I can tell you that last night when I booked Palo, EVERYTHING was wide open so plenty of times to choose from.

Until all of us greedy previous cruisers get on and fight over what we want!!

Ok, so here I go, reading boards when I SHOULD be working on a presentation (or three) for work. I told myself I would read while I ate breakfast BUT -- well, let's just say it took me a little bit longer than I thought....

OMG!! We sound exactly alike! After I get the kids dropped off from school, I eat my breakfast at the computer while on the boards. Then I realize my breakfast has taken much longer than it should.

I read on one of the boards that this is a QUIET thread. Ok, so after reading 37 pages worth, I don't think it is that QUIET and one thing I have NEVER been accused of is being quiet so I will do my best to get rid of that "label"!!!!

WHO CALLED US QUIET?!?! Compared to some of the more popular cruises, I think we are. But that's okay with me. I can barely keep up the way it is.

I have a couple of questions for everyone. We are thinking of coming in on Thursday night in the off hand chance the shuttle still launches on Friday. We will get in late (still need to move my airline ressies) soooo, are we better off staying at the airport or at the beach? Have you guys been to Cocoa Beach? We are NOT using DCL transfers -- too much $$$$!!!! Also, I think I have convinced DH to stay at least one more night when we get back at WDW. Have you guys done that? Again, depends on the airline if I can move my ressies but, seems like an easier way to get back to reality. Is that true?

How late on Thursday will you be flying in? If it's not too late that you would still want to drive to the beach, I would probably do that. Then you would have all day Friday near the shuttle launch. But...if it's a late arrival, you might just want to crash near the airport & drive to the beach in the morning. Last time, our plane was supposed to arrive on Friday at 11 PM, but we got delayed and arrived at 2 AM on Saturday. Luckily we arranged to stay near the airport instead of the beach because I would NOT be happy if we still had to drive in the middle of the night.

I've been to Cocoa Beach in the past, but I'm no help with anything you would want to know because it was when I was probably 12 or 13 when we visited my uncle, who, BTW, is getting us base passes for the shuttle launch and is hoping to get us PRESS PASSES!!!!! You can't get any closer than that!!!!

Today is a GOOD day! Only 2 days until I leave for Las Vegas for a girl's weekend AND I should get my Passporter in the mail today!

Cool! Have a great weekend with the girls! I've been "refreshing" myself with my Passporter, too. Mine is 2007, but I'm reading my mom's 2008 edition. I think I'll order the 2009, which should arrive in April sometime. I'm still confused about the dinner rotation/menus that have changed since 2007, so hopefully it'll be all updated in there. But I still need to figure out what day we want Palo before early Sunday morning!

Oh, and one more thing before I forget -- my Entertaining at Home website in case you are curious --- www.mati.eahweb.com . It is hopefully paying for all of our EXTRAs on the cruise!!!! Party party!!!

Cool! I'm going to search the catalog (AFTER I get done working!). I had never heard of it! My neighbor used to see Southern Living at Home, which seems very similar. BTW, here's mine! www.marykay.com/pfenning

See, now I spent much more time on here than I thought I would. Oh well. It's all for a good cause.

 

[lillygator]

I think I wrote up "quiet" in my trip report (not posted yet though)....maybe I should change to not as active....the pc repo I foget how many cabins DIS'ers took. I know our table was a table of 13 who had all sailed together before. The cruise before that I think early DIS dining group had around 8 different tables/sections, and that was just early dining!

Not that not active is a bad thing at all - some days we would have 20+ pages to read, well most days actually, even know there are more than 3 even after we've cruised!!!! It will give me a chance to relax and probably not scare my mom and sister. There was always a photo or meet planned, scrap class, champagne party, we did excursions as larger groups. I seemed to miss a lot though, I would tend to forget what was going on!

Do we have any kind of count on the FE participants yet? I would like to order some stuff but not sure how many to order.

I am booking the radisson on friday I think it will be 119 total if paid in advance, so we'll be there friday night. I think we'll try Rusty's for dinner, Shirley highly recommends them. Then taking the shuttle in the am over to the port....hopefully very early! Even though I tell myself to wait until 12, we still end up there early.

 

[lucyddr]

Yeah, I didn't think these were "quiet" boards either! I guess there are some much busier, but I'm cool that ours isn't one of them! (My blackberry battery would not be able to keep up!)

We did Palo on Key West day on our last cruise, but that left us too full to want KLP. So, I'm considering doing brunch on a different day. Otherwise, we'll do the earliest brunch possible and have KLP towards the end of our day in Key West. I know we don't want to do Palo on Pirate night this time, but I'm not sure when we will want do do it, because I'd like to base it on my dining rotation (which I know isn't possible). I suppose we'll do it at whatever available time seems best. I certainly won't be up at 3 am to book, so we may not get what we want. (Oh well...not a biggie for us!)

After doing more reading, I'm considering renting an electric car in Key West, driving to the Fort, exploring/snorkelling the area, then returning to the ship. I think we might enjoy that over the pirate lunch.

Anyway, we are meeting with our accountant in the next few days. Assuming we aren't having to pay the IRS anything, we will be good to make our final payment and commitment Wish us luck!