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

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

Does anyone else have a gty cat 12 that has gotten their room assignmnet yet? I keep looking everyday, but don't know how far out they give them?

Oh and hey my biker buddy Val If I switch my dining time, how do I go about switching it to link with ya

We were gty cat 8 last time and found out 26 days before cruising. It seemed like that day would NEVER come!!

Just calling DCL with reservation #'s should get us linked up! You might need to call first DCL to actually change (or waitlist) early. If you get it, then we can just link our #'s!!

I found this post on the main thread and thought I'd share. It's some pretty good "secret" info!

Here are a few freebies and also some things you may not know about if you are used to sailing on other lines:

-soda/milk/coffee/tea/hot choc are all free in the dining rooms and at the 24 hr drink station
-you don't have to sign for your pool/excursion towels
-food is included on Castaway Cay (lunch, ice cream, fresh fruit stand, drink station)
-drop off a pillowcase or photo matte at guest services on your first day and you will receive it back on your last day fully autographed
-Diversions has wings, chips/dip, etc.
-as mentioned in a pp, Cove Cafe has snacks, also there is a buy so many specialty coffees, get one free card here
-Kids receive a free tshirt at the Friendship Rocks show at the end of the cruise
-there are activities in the kids clubs where they may receive things - my boys got DCL pillowcases that they decorated one night at the club
-free drink at the art auction
-seasickness pills outside the health center
-treasure hunt on Castaway Cay leads you to a little something
-at the talk about ports of call, usually some sort of coupon booklet that may include coupons for free items

That's all I can think of at the moment...

BTW, did anyone see the thread about Cove Cafe snacks?!?! I didn't go there at all last time, but I think it might be my new hangout!!

 

[tigger2002]

Just remember that Grand Cayman does not observe daylight savings time and they are on CST. Makes it confusing sometimes but really gives you plenty of time.

<

 

[Disgirl83]

Your pooh FE is super cute. I'm a big fan of eeyore and piglet too, but went with Lady and the Tramp as our FE to do something a little different.

We're a gty 12 and also impatiently waiting on room assignments.

Val-the "pie"rates idea is too cute!

We are still absolutely interesting in linking reservations with those early diners so we can at least all be near each other. If someone wants to be the designated caller at some point in time I'll PM you our reservation number.

 

[dznyacct]

Does anyone have any info on a fishing trip excursion (other than Castaway Cay)? DH tells me today that he would really like to do a fishing trip excursion. He did the one on CC last time, and will settle for that. He doesn't want to do one in Key West, so I'm down to Cozumel or Grand Cayman. Any ideas???? Thanks ~ Kathy

 

[Bellamickey]

We were gty cat 8 last time and found out 26 days before cruising. It seemed like that day would NEVER come!!

Just calling DCL with reservation #'s should get us linked up! You might need to call first DCL to actually change (or waitlist) early. If you get it, then we can just link our #'s!!

I found this post on the main thread and thought I'd share. It's some pretty good "secret" info!

BTW, did anyone see the thread about Cove Cafe snacks?!?! I didn't go there at all last time, but I think it might be my new hangout!!

No, I haven't seen it? That good!!! Do you happen to have the linky? I'm hungry for some DCL food!!

That's another place we could possibly meet up one night!!

 

[NoodlesMom]

OK, i'm going to turn into a 15 year old girl here... bare with me...
OMG! If you haven't read Midnight sun, get on it. It is Twilight from Edward's perspective. Stephanie started writing it a while back & set a few copies out to friends, etc... Well, she was heartbroken when she found out that her unfinished work had been leaked onto the internet by one of the people she had sent it to. To keep people from going to the website where she claims her work was stolen from her (and it was), she decided the only decent thing to do was to post it on her own website.....however, she has been really hurt by the whole thing and now swears that she will not finish it until people forget about it, if ever. It totally suck because Midnight Sun is the best of them all and it cuts off after chapter 11 (right before the meadow scene). Because it's from Edward's prospective, it's super interesting to see how his mind works and it's really funny. I love it. Even my guy friend (who is a totally jock, by the way & love Harry Potter) read the series after I made such a big deal out of it & his fav is by far Midnight Sun.

If you get the chance, check out her website. She wrote several shorts that are great additions. One of my favs is the conversation from book 2, when Rose calls Edward & tells him what Alice's vision made them all think happened to Bella...and then her call to Alice...

Anyway, clearly I could go on way too long...

Here are the links:

Midnight Sun: http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/midnightsun.html

New Moon Extras: http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/nm_extras.html

I know this is a few days and a few pages late but thank you Tink113 for the New Moon extras. I am too a Twilight fanatic . I read all 4 books in about two weeks and DH thought I was even more insane than he thinks I am now. I really wish Stephanie Meyer would finish Midnight Sun.

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

No, I haven't seen it? That good!!! Do you happen to have the linky? I'm hungry for some DCL food!!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2076474

That's another place we could possibly meet up one night!!

I'd be up for that!!

 

[Tink113]

I know this is a few days and a few pages late but thank you Tink113 for the New Moon extras. I am too a Twilight fanatic . I read all 4 books in about two weeks and DH thought I was even more insane than he thinks I am now. I really wish Stephanie Meyer would finish Midnight Sun.

No problem. Check her site. There are extras or outtakes listed for most of the book.

 

[texfinn]

Shirly is a huge resource here on the DIS and does custom baskets that are delivered to staterooms. Check her out at www.theperfectgift.cc

Sorry about giving the wrong website the first time!!

I love her baskets. I am definitely going to order the kids buckets so I don't have to pre-buy them AND think I am going to surprise DH for his birthday. I was debating about getting him one but the Net Bags look nice and I could ask Shirley to stuff it full of the kind of candy he likes (gummy worms, sour worms, twizzlers, etc) and a Tigger. He is a big fan of Tigger after reading "The Last Lecture".
Evening all!

Got a photo of my FE today (sorry I'm a bit uncreative so had to buy one rather than make my own) - I am so happy with it!!

LOVE IT! Did you just contact that gal on ebay? I was hopeful that we could make one but at this point am way too busy and am thinking I should just order it. I want something different than what she has posted out there. I guess I should get on that today! AND, now that you let the Reese's Pieces secret out -- be prepared! I would imagine we all noted that little tidbit about you!

I am having a very productive evening convincing DH to re-book on board!! Has anyone doen that? Can you only do it at certain times / days in the cruise?

Thanks for asking this! I have been setting up DH for the same thing. Not sure when or where although really eyeing a Mediterranean Cruise next year to celebrate my 40th and our 10 year anniversary. I'll have to make sure we like it early in the cruise so we can rebook early in the week!

We are TOTALLY up for linking - we have late dinning (I asked for 8:00pm).

If you don't mind sitting with 2 kids at least part of the time, we would love to link up with you. If not, I completely understand. Can you ask for an 8:00 pm seating? That is what we want too but didn't know you could ask for it.

I'm also hoping to drop some more weight before starting to look for the dreaded bathing suit.

Same here! It is a never-ending goal I think! I am buying clothes for kids and DH but am hesitant to buy for me becuase I am always oh so hopeful I will be smaller.

We got on the 7:30 AM tender last time. The meeting place for non-DCL excursions was in the Buena Vista Theater (deck 5 aft), and after the first DCL excursion tender left, then they came for us. We were one of the last ones that got on the first boat. I think they have tenders pretty much nonstop (not just one boat going back & forth). We had plenty of time to meet at 8:30. (I can't remember which company are you going with, but if it's Cap'n Marvin's, the office is about 5 or so blocks away. BTW, if you want to take DCL towels for your excursion, you'll need to go to deck 9 and get them first before getting to the theater. I was under the impression that they would have them to hand out to us, but I think that's only for the DCL excursions. Justin was running up there last minute to get our towels as they came for us!

Thanks for asking Shasess and thanks for the response Val! We will need to tender early too. DH is going diving with DCL so he is fine but me and the kiddos will be going on the stingray tour with Moby Dick and will need to tender early. Thanks for the tip on the towels. I would have HATED to discover this too late with 2 kids in tow.

 

[texfinn]

No problem. Check her site. There are extras or outtakes listed for most of the book.

I still need to go check this out. I have to be careful though. Spent almost the entire day reading a TR yesterday (it was 75 pages). Even skipping through the commentary, it took me the entire day and was like reading a novel. Needless to say, DH is getting a little annoyed with me.

The bad thing is after reading this TR, I cancelled all of our spa reservations and made one big one -- the Couples Retreat (I think). It is pricey but after reading her review, wow, couldn't help myself.

I do have a question if anyone on this board is a wine drinker. Have you ever bought the wine package? Is it worth it? We will probably bring some beer and a bottle or two with us but am seriously thinking about buying a package. I am trying to figure out a budget. My goal is to pay for all of the "extras" with my income from my Entertaining at Home business and it would be great to have an idea on the final $$$ although it is pretty scary.

Oh -- and as for FE gifts. I am trying my darndest to avoid Oriental Trading but won't make any promises. I am trying to make something for the kids and am 1/2 way there (so hopefully I will get it done). Still need to figure something out for the grown-ups (besides Reese's pieces! ).

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

AND, now that you let the Reese's Pieces secret out -- be prepared! I would imagine we all noted that little tidbit about you!

And why are we all taking note of that? Because we feel SORRY for Sonya that there's only one place in the country to buy them!!!

Can you ask for an 8:00 pm seating? That is what we want too but didn't know you could ask for it.

You can request a specific seating, but it's not guaranteed. We'll probably request 6:30, which is APLLAPL.

Same here! It is a never-ending goal I think! I am buying clothes for kids and DH but am hesitant to buy for me becuase I am always oh so hopeful I will be smaller.

My goal weight keeps getting further and further away. NOW is the time that I need to do something about it. I have a new swimsuit picked out that I want to get before the cruise, so we'll see if it actually happens or not. Justin is doing better than I am because he walks the dog every morning for 30 minutes. I told him that if he could make something to attach to the elliptical to hold the laptop so that I could be online at the same time, I'd probably spend 3 hrs a day on the darn thing and not even realize it!!!

Thanks for the tip on the towels. I would have HATED to discover this too late with 2 kids in tow.

It's funny because when that happened to us, I kept saying that I couldn't believe I hadn't read about that on the DIS! It seems like that was the only thing that I was unprepared for, and in your situation, it would probably not be good for getting to your excursion on time.

 

[lucyddr]

I do have a question if anyone on this board is a wine drinker. Have you ever bought the wine package? Is it worth it? We will probably bring some beer and a bottle or two with us but am seriously thinking about buying a package. I am trying to figure out a budget. My goal is to pay for all of the "extras" with my income from my Entertaining at Home business and it would be great to have an idea on the final $$$ although it is pretty scary.

Oh -- and as for FE gifts. I am trying my darndest to avoid Oriental Trading but won't make any promises. I am trying to make something for the kids and am 1/2 way there (so hopefully I will get it done). Still need to figure something out for the grown-ups (besides Reese's pieces! ).

We bought the wine package on our first Disney cruise and won't do it again. We found that 7 bottles was just too much (even after giving one to our table neighbors and taking 2 bottles home with us). We didn't feel like we could enjoy drinks during the day because we felt we HAD to drink the whole bottle of wine each night! It is a reasonable deal though and is good if you can easily handle a bottle per night... This time around, we'll probably bring 1 or 2 1.5 liters of wine with us and pay the corkage fee. That should be plenty for us for the whole cruise...

 

[texfinn]

We bought the wine package on our first Disney cruise and won't do it again. We found that 7 bottles was just too much (even after giving one to our table neighbors and taking 2 bottles home with us). We didn't feel like we could enjoy drinks during the day because we felt we HAD to drink the whole bottle of wine each night! It is a reasonable deal though and is good if you can easily handle a bottle per night... This time around, we'll probably bring 1 or 2 1.5 liters of wine with us and pay the corkage fee. That should be plenty for us for the whole cruise...

You know -- I was worried about the same thing. Glad I asked. We are already getting a bottle on arrival with the RES package and a bottle with our dinner at PALO. I do like to try different drinks and am guessing won't even want wine some dinners and just stick with tea or water. It may be cheaper to bring a couple of bottles and then just buy a bottle "a la carte" if we want/need.

Does anyone know if you get the wine package if you can get the bottles at other times? For example, we may actually want it in our room in the evening before dinner for a glass on the verandah versus have a bottle at dinner. Too many considerations! One thing I do know, I don't want to mess with taking anything back except maybe some tequila from Mexico! Thanks for the feedback!

 

[austin77]

WoW I miss one day and its a novel, were a very active group!!!

Don't forget DGF and I are still looking for someone to Link Dinner with!!!! Were late seating!!!

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Your pooh FE is super cute. I'm a big fan of eeyore and piglet too, but went with Lady and the Tramp as our FE to do something a little different.

.

Oh I absolutely adore Lady and the Tramp - that's my all time fave Disney film. I am going to be so jealous when I see it!

I
LOVE IT! Did you just contact that gal on ebay? I was hopeful that we could make one but at this point am way too busy and am thinking I should just order it. I want something different than what she has posted out there. I guess I should get on that today! AND, now that you let the Reese's Pieces secret out -- be prepared! I would imagine we all noted that little tidbit about you!

Thanks for asking this! I have been setting up DH for the same thing. Not sure when or where although really eyeing a Mediterranean Cruise next year to celebrate my 40th and our 10 year anniversary. I'll have to make sure we like it early in the cruise so we can rebook early in the week!

.

Yes I emailed one of the people on Ebay - they were so helpful and friendly! Their user name was "Coulsed". They weren't selling a Pooh one but I asked them if they could make one and they could - yey! I know they could do Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast as well.

Reeses Pieces are to die for. Peanut Butter with chocolate - pure genius!!!!!!!!

I have been working on DH all day about a Med cruise in 2010 - how funny if we were on the same one!!! I feel (being from the UK) I should see some of Europe, and what better way than to be able to come back to the Mouse each night?! I rushed home tonight all excited to get some prices and DCL's website is down - grrrr

And why are we all taking note of that? Because we feel SORRY for Sonya that there's only one place in the country to buy them!!!

I'm glad you are all appreciating the gravity of the situation!!!

 

[texfinn]

WoW I miss one day and its a novel, were a very active group!!!

Don't forget DGF and I are still looking for someone to Link Dinner with!!!! Were late seating!!!

Awesome! I think you were ok with 2 kids right -- just not 8. We are older but I still feel like I am 25 (and it amazes me sometimes that I am not when my body not so gently reminds me!). I can start a list and once we have a good idea, I'll call it all in. Sound like a plan?

 

[texfinn]

Yes I emailed one of the people on Ebay - they were so helpful and friendly! Their user name was "Coulsed". They weren't selling a Pooh one but I asked them if they could make one and they could - yey! I know they could do Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast as well.

........

I have been working on DH all day about a Med cruise in 2010 - how funny if we were on the same one!!! I feel (being from the UK) I should see some of Europe, and what better way than to be able to come back to the Mouse each night?! I rushed home tonight all excited to get some prices and DCL's website is down - grrrr

I have since emailed all three of them on eBay and Coulsed did get back to me already. I would love an Ariel one but can't get the family to agree on a single theme so think we are going the Mickey Mouse route!

The Med cruise is scary in price but I am hopeful they will still have the 20% on board special in May. We shall see. I don't think I would bring the kiddos. I lived in Finland and traveled through Europe for work but haven't seen too much of the Med. I would love to see so many places on one trip and then take some extra time in Italy or Greece (we honeymooned in Rethymno, Crete -- Greece and would love to go back!). We are taking the kids up to Finland again this Christmas and stopping in London on the way for 2 nights. If anyone has any suggestions on what to do with 2 kids in London -- I just felt like they should start seeing more of Europe than just Finland.

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

I
The Med cruise is scary in price but I am hopeful they will still have the 20% on board special in May. We shall see. I don't think I would bring the kiddos. I lived in Finland and traveled through Europe for work but haven't seen too much of the Med. I would love to see so many places on one trip and then take some extra time in Italy or Greece (we honeymooned in Rethymno, Crete -- Greece and would love to go back!). We are taking the kids up to Finland again this Christmas and stopping in London on the way for 2 nights. If anyone has any suggestions on what to do with 2 kids in London -- I just felt like they should start seeing more of Europe than just Finland.

It is a horrific price, but we would get to see so many wonderful places - I have always wanted to see Rome! I am really worried about it filling up before May - I tend to panic buy and I just want to book tonight!

I live about 100 miles from London so go down a few times a year . . . not sure how old your children are but all the museums are free in London now (not just the art ones, but also the science musuem, natural history museum, that sort of thing - they are more interesting than they sound )! The London Eye is really good for getting a birds eye view of the town. You could go for afternoon tea at one of the posh hotels (need to book months in advance!). There are some wildlife parks and zoo's on the outskirts, but being England in December you would probably freeze!!!!!!!

 

[austin77]

Awesome! I think you were ok with 2 kids right -- just not 8. We are older but I still feel like I am 25 (and it amazes me sometimes that I am not when my body not so gently reminds me!). I can start a list and once we have a good idea, I'll call it all in. Sound like a plan?

LOL, I think two are fine!!! A list sounds like a good idea! Get some kind of organization!!

 

[texfinn]

It is a horrific price, but we would get to see so many wonderful places - I have always wanted to see Rome! I am really worried about it filling up before May - I tend to panic buy and I just want to book tonight!

I live about 100 miles from London so go down a few times a year . . . not sure how old your children are but all the museums are free in London now (not just the art ones, but also the science musuem, natural history museum, that sort of thing - they are more interesting than they sound )! The London Eye is really good for getting a birds eye view of the town. You could go for afternoon tea at one of the posh hotels (need to book months in advance!). There are some wildlife parks and zoo's on the outskirts, but being England in December you would probably freeze!!!!!!!

Oh My I about fell out of my chair when I saw the prices. We (ok, really just me) are looking at the 10 and 11 day towards the end of the summer. The Baltic ones looks fun too but the prices are even worse! I can't imagine not having a verandah so that makes it even higher and then there is this little guilty voice in my ear telling me I should really take the kids. I am with you though -- want to book it tonight and we don't even know if we will enjoy this one! The deposit wasn't so bad right?

Thanks for the tips on London. We are thinking of staying at a very posh hotel on starwood points -- it even has an indoor pool -- so worst case, we hang out at the hotel BUT that isn't the point. I have never been on the London Eye so that is a must. Tea with my daughter is a FABULOUS idea for a mother/daughter outing. We will of course go to Harrod's and do at least a little bit of sightseeing. Would love to see a show but not sure if we will be up for it (we will be jetlagged). Museums may be fun. I am not much of a history buff but DH is. I am definitely a shopper but the pound is so much higher than the $$, everything is so expensive!

Ok, back to work -- just for one more hour before I can call it a day!