May 28, 2005 Mexican Riviera

[first timers]

So far, it looks like the only DISer's thing planned is the girlie get together we have talked about....maybe somebody wants to jump forward and plan a grown up thing!

Frankly, we were considering "jumping ship" to the 14 day repo cruise before ours so I was reading their thread (which is 394 pages long!) and am amazed at all the things they are doing on the boat! Yea, it is a little longer of a cruise, but these (DIS)folks are doing stuff like: scrapbooking class, winetasting party, sailaway gifts for others, room tag, special shirts/buttons/patches, book exchange days, etc, etc, etc! (these are the ones I remember wanting to go to)

So...since we are now "back" aboard our 7 day (14 day conflicts w/some big scheduled things), I propose we start some cool stuff on our cruise too! I've never done Disney cruise (or any cruise) so I don't think I'm the best to organize! I would LOVE to propose a couple of book exchange days when we are at sea (like in the lounge?)...how about a room tag game too (magnet on door, pass along to someone else on list)....any other ideas?

We are on the 14 day panama canal cruise and staying on for the 1st west coast cruise. We heard from a DCL representative that this cruise is going to have lots of extra stuff as the first out of LA. Do know what the extras are- but we are ready for everything. Alex

 

[carriep1657]

First timers, I love posts like yours. I get so excited to hear that there will be special surprises. I can't wait. I also can't wait to get home and share our trip with others on the boards. You are so lucky to have 21 days of Disney cruising. I'm lime green with envy.

 

[challada]

We are considering this cruise but we will have to take our 9 year old daughter out of her 4th grade class. How many are taking their kids out of school?

We are also taking our 9 year old (he will be 10 right before cruise) out of 4th grade for this cruise....we are taking a couple days week before to do DL park (we bought annual passes last time we were down so we could do couple of "free days"). Considering how much time is spent focused on our state's high stakes test at 4th grade, I figure I can afford to enrich my child's education with some exposure to multicultural things as well! He's missing two field trip days while we're gone and probably mostly goofing off after the test kind of days. BTW, I AM an educator, so taking time from ME being in school too and I don't regret it one bit!

If your kids are in elementary, I would say, go, go, go....soon enough they are in higher grade levels where there is NOT the option of going during the school year! Definitely get their assignments for during the time and show them a side of the world they would never see otherwise!


First-timers...thanks for the info that there will be lots of great extras on this one! Will be alot of fun! How in the world are you affording 21 days on the ship???? Do tell your secrets to success! LOL

 

[poconoboatniks]

Our kids will be out of school the week of the cruise (only 4 days because of Memorial Day) and the following week (last week of school in PA). They're not missing a whole lot anyway.

Our dd is in 5th grade and ds is in 1st grade. Both will make up any missed work. Once dd is high school, these trips during the school year will have to stop.

Poconoboatniks

 

[first timers]

First-timers...thanks for the info that there will be lots of great extras on this one! Will be alot of fun! How in the world are you affording 21 days on the ship???? Do tell your secrets to success! LOL

I work my butt off at my job with as much overtime as I can so we can afford all the cruises. It helps that our kids are grown and out of the house.

 

[videogal1]

Well, I made our reservations for 4 nights at the Grand Californian hotel. It sounds like the location will be great. I'm really looking forward to staying here...and then going on the Magic!

Could anyone recommend a site where I can get information about how to get to the port from Disneyland? We plan to drive so will need to park our car for the duration of the cruise.

Take Supershuttle to the port, park car at GC somewhere inconspicuous.

 

[challada]

First-timers...thanks for the info that there will be lots of great extras on this one! Will be alot of fun! How in the world are you affording 21 days on the ship???? Do tell your secrets to success! LOL

I work my butt off at my job with as much overtime as I can so we can afford all the cruises. It helps that our kids are grown and out of the house.

Aha! If I kick the kids out, I can cruise more!



Question to those on board: anyone heard anything about pins? We'll have our lanyards w/just from the couple of days in the park before the cruise but trying to figure out if there is any point in unpacking them on the boat.

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

Hey, does any one know the official dress code for the dress up dinner night? Is it cocktail dress or Ball Gown dress? PLEASE help me. This will be our first cruise and our 2nd year wedding anniversary.
And, I am so confused...I am new to the message board thing. What does everyone mean by this DS, DD, DW...I am so lost. PLEASE help me

 

[first timers]

Hey, does any one know the official dress code for the dress up dinner night? Is it cocktail dress or Ball Gown dress? PLEASE help me. This will be our first cruise and our 2nd year wedding anniversary.
And, I am so confused...I am new to the message board thing. What does everyone mean by this DS, DD, DW...I am so lost. PLEASE help me

There are two dress up nights: Formal night and semi-formal night. Tux or suit for formal; suit/sport coat or just shirt and tie for semi-formal. No one will be denied entry to dinner if not dressed up. Formal night is usually when they do photos and meet the Captain. Ladies can wear gowns or cocktail dresses. Kids wear anything from Tux to suits to shirt/tie to being in the kids programing and go to dinner with the kids rather than the adults. It's a cruise- don't get stressed out, dress as you are comfortable. Alex

 

[poconoboatniks]

Welcome Enchanted Playroom,

Don't worry about not knowing the board thing. By the time you cruise, you will be an old pro. DS = dear son, DD = dear daughter etc.

We've seen many interpretations of what people think is cosidered formal for formal night. Tuxes and dark suits will be most of what the guys wear. As for ladies, most woman wear something between a gown and pant suit. I guess it depends on what you are comfortable in and how dressy the item is. If you plan for fancy wedding attire, you'll probably be somewhere in the middle. I have worn basic black, silk and beaded. There are other threads on this board where this topic has been debated. You can do a search for dress guidelines.

Glad you'll be sailing with us,

Poconoboatniks

 

[challada]

FYI fellow west coasters, as I am getting our info together/reservation stuff formalized wanted to let others know...we booked a car through Enterprise and they tell me that their SanPedro location is walking distance to the pier! They also do pick up/drop off as part of their rentals already. I was getting worried about transport to/from DL but looks like rental car is our easiest/cheapest way to go.

Welcome aboard playroom!

Anyone else w/young ones coming aboard? DS is hoping for another 10 yo boy!

THANKS
C

 

[wccruiser]

Hi,
We are first-timers also. My DDs name is Grace and she is 5 yo also. I am also new at this posting stuff. Hope I get the hang of it! Please add us to the list for the 5yo girl get-together!

 

[wmjivey]

Challada:

My two DSs will be 9 and 11 when we sail on 5/28/05.

 

[suesings]

Hi WCCruiser. Glad to add Grace to the Girl Ice Cream get together. My DD will be thrilled that there are so many little girls her age or near her age onboard.

So who do we have so far? My DD Kelly, Katie, Maddie, & Grace. I think I'm missing one or two??? Who am I missing?

I made magnets for our room door already. Do we want to have one that all of us DIS'ers have on our door so we can recognize each other?

We went to Lake Tahoe skiing over the weekend and I'm just catching up on all the posts!

 

[suesings]

Emily, that is who I was missing!! Sorry Emily!!

So there is:
Kelly
Katie
Emily
Maddie
Grace

any others??

 

[suesings]

(DIS)folks are doing stuff like: scrapbooking class, winetasting party, sailaway gifts for others, room tag, special shirts/buttons/patches, book exchange days, etc, etc, etc! (these are the ones I remember wanting to go to)


So how are these people doing a Scrapbook class on board? Are they bringing all their supplies and getting their pictures developed on board? Also, are they renting or booking a private conference room on board? I was reading some of their sailaway gifts to each other and there was some really nice gifts being exchanged!!

 

[poconoboatniks]

Hey You Guys,

Welcome WCCruiser. Glad to have ya aboard.

Anyone have any info on Southern California Pass? It looks like we could save some money if we're going to DL, Knott's Sea World & SD Zoo.

Has anyone booked transportation from LAX to San Pedro?


Challada, We're taking your advice and going to SD first. Is the rental car cheaper than hiring airport limo?

Thanks for the info.

Poconoboatniks

 

[carriep1657]

Mattie will be so excited to hear that Grace will also be on board. She and I are getting so excited. My kids are planning to visit Scoops everyday and have a Mickey bar for dessert every night.

 

[carriep1657]

Have you all decided on your excursions yet? I think we'll do Paradise Beach Adventure in PV, either the City Tour & Show or the Stone Island tour in Mazatlan, and the Land's End Coastal Cruise in Cabo.

I am interested in some others but I think that these will work best for my family ranging in age from 4 to 73. My kids get up at 6:45 every morning. My mother wakes up around noon. It makes it a little tricky to find excursions that will work for all of us.

 

[suesings]

Hi Carrie,
I think we are doing the Paradise Beach in PV also. I am trying to talk my husband into doing the Capopy Adventure and I would take the two DDs to the Paradise Beach Resort. He loves to rock climb and things like that so I really want him to do it. He feels bad and thinks it will be too hard for me to go to the hotel with both girls. Our toddler might be challenging but nothing I can't handle

We will probably just go to lunch in Cabo as we have been there a few times already.

Not sure what to do in Mazatlan. I wish one of the boat trips (catamaran or sail) would allow us to bring both girls, that would be fun but I think that our will-be 22 month old won't be allowed.