May 30, 2009 - Western Cruise Magic

[brucechase]

I'm keeping my fingers crossing that things chill out by the end of the month and we can travel to Cozumel.

But if we do get diverted and end up in Nassau, just wondering if anyone has put any thoughts into what they are going to do.

We've been to Nassau and done the Straw Market and walked the town a bit. I would love to do Atlantis with the water park, beach, and aquarium but $155 a person is hard to swallow. I know we could book through Comfort Suites, but that just seems like a hassle. My Dr. actually stays at Comfort Suites when he goes to Nassau because the Atlantis so expensive according to him.

We did the comfort suites and Atlantis on our first cruise. It was not a hassle at all. Look over our trip report and if you need any help, let me know and I will answer any questions you have.

 

[CarolinaBlue]

I'm keeping my fingers crossing that things chill out by the end of the month and we can travel to Cozumel.

But if we do get diverted and end up in Nassau, just wondering if anyone has put any thoughts into what they are going to do.

We've been to Nassau and done the Straw Market and walked the town a bit. I would love to do Atlantis with the water park, beach, and aquarium but $155 a person is hard to swallow. I know we could book through Comfort Suites, but that just seems like a hassle. My Dr. actually stays at Comfort Suites when he goes to Nassau because the Atlantis so expensive according to him.

We went to the Pirate Museum last year. We enjoyed it. Afterwards, we headed back to the ship, doing some shopping along the way. I really hope we don't go to Nassau...I mean, it's okay, but we were just there last year. I would much rather do two days at CC, which we also did last year, but I definitely don't mind repeating.

 

[mommabo]

We did the comfort suites and Atlantis on our first cruise. It was not a hassle at all. Look over our trip report and if you need any help, let me know and I will answer any questions you have.

Bruce, if diverted to Nassau, I have considered this for my family as my kids are older, 15, 12, 9 and would enjoy it. Is this what you will do again with your family if we end up there. I am also considering the dolphin excursion. I understand it isn't as good as the one in Cozumel, but as it will likely be our only chance we may do that. Hmmm, what to do, what to do?

 

[PegIra]

Karla,

Congratulations on your 30th Anniversary. That too is something very special. Have a wonderful trip.

Peg

 

[PegIra]

Jeanne,

I'm glad I did too. Thanks for telling me about it.

Peg

 

[luvdmouse57]

I'm keeping my fingers crossing that things chill out by the end of the month and we can travel to Cozumel.

But if we do get diverted and end up in Nassau, just wondering if anyone has put any thoughts into what they are going to do.

We've been to Nassau and done the Straw Market and walked the town a bit. I would love to do Atlantis with the water park, beach, and aquarium but $155 a person is hard to swallow. I know we could book through Comfort Suites, but that just seems like a hassle. My Dr. actually stays at Comfort Suites when he goes to Nassau because the Atlantis so expensive according to him.

DH & I were looking at the DCL site today since we prefer to book through them. We decided that if they divert to Naussau we're going to go to the Ardastra Gardens & the city tour. If we have a second day at CC, we're going to do the Kayak & walking tour of CC, then just rent a float for the rest of the day & chill.

I got most of my door magnets done today but the printer ran out of colored ink. Have to wait until I go to Wichita to get some more. I love living in the country most of the time but it gets to be a hassle when it's a 45 minute drive to a store that carries things like ink.

Karla

 

[sebamt]

If diverted to Nassau, we'd like to do a beach day (we had planned Nachi Cocum for Cozumel). Do you guys have any recommendations?

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I suspect that the real reason DCL diverted from Cozumel was the US government recommendation to avoid all unnecessary travel to Mexico. If the government says that and DCL goes there anyhow, it puts DCL in a really bad place should someone get sick. And....with 2500+ guests per week, it is only a matter of time until someone gets sick.

Gotta run....DD needs mom. Her kitty went to kitty heaven this am.

Ohmygosh I missed this earlier! poor DD.... poor kitty

I hope we don't go to nassau- I really hope so. I haven't even looked at the excursions lately because I don't think nassau can make up for the snuba we had planned at cozumel. Can you scuba dive there? I don't know. Maybe DH can scuba dive there too and we can just stay on the ship or something. I dunno. Kinda hoping if we don't go to cozumel that we'll do another CC day. They have PLENTY of time to arrange for that! LOL They do double dips all the time- what's the problem right? LOL

 

[BamaBornNemoNut]

List of ALL children (or those under 19) on the cruise is as follows.

NOTE: This is all the Disboard members (not just the FE members) - in case anyone wants to make friends before the cruise.


DS 2 loveysbydesign
DD 2 liliagm
DS 2 Disneyfan72
DS 3 Nurseholiday sis
DS 4 voyages
DD 4 MRS RMM
DD 4 erinlees mommie
DD 4 COLacrosseMom
DGD 5 Jennymouse
DS 5 Bama4Disney
DS 5 2BoysMom
DS 5 2BoysMom
DD 6 jpoeling
DD 6 grlzmom
DS 6 grlzmom
DD 6 Disneyfan72
DD 6.5 loveysbydesign
DGD 7 stlkeeler
DD 7 sebamt
DS 7 klcason
DD 7 grlzmom
DS 7 cruisefanz
DS 7 cruisefanz
DD 8 princess aleya
DS 8 COLacrosseMom
DD 8 Bibbidybobbidyboo
DS 8 Bama4Disney
DS 9 mommabo
DD 9 klcason
DS 10 Nurseholiday
DS 10 loveysbydesign
DS 10 Family#1
DD 10 COLacrosseMom
DD 10 brucechase
DD 11 Suzepoo Friend
DS 11 Suzepoo
DS 11 princess aleya
DD 11 jpoeling
DS 11.5 Bibbidybobbidyboo
DD 12 voyages
DD 12 sixtiesmum
DD 12 PoohFriend#1
DD 12 PoohFriend#1
DD 12 pooh.kim
DS 12 Nurseholiday
DD 12 mommabo
DS 12 cruisefanz
DD 12 COLacrosseMom
DD 12 brucechase
DD 13 grlzmom
DS 13 Family#2
DS 13 Family#1
DS 13 Bamabornnemonut
DGD 14 Jennymouse
DS 14 Homespun
DD 14 grlzmom
DD 14 Family#2
DD 14 COLacrosseMom
DS 14 casacoco
DS 15 sixtiesmum
DD 15 mommabo
DS 15 mmmagic7754
DD 15 cruisefanz
DD 15 CarolinaBlue
DD 15 Bibbidybobbidyboo
DD 15 Bamabornnemonut
DD 16 casacoco
DS 17 kcashner
DD 17 grlzmom
DD 17.9 mrpawn
DD 18 kcashner
DD 18 kcashner
DD 18 kcashner
DS 18 kcashner
DD 18 Hmurry
DF 18 Hmurry
DF 18 Hmurry
DS 18 Francisa64
DS 18 casacoco
DD 18 CarolinaBlue
DD 19 grlzmom

Good Morning! Looks like there are about a dozen or so families with 14-15yo teens. My DD15 is wondering if any of these teens will be doing some of the Karaoke activies with her.

 

[CarolinaBlue]

Help! My DH, who never gets involved in any of the planning for DCL or WDW decided to look on DCL's website about dining room dress codes. He is now FREAKING OUT because he says DCL's website states that tux, suit, or jacket is required on formal night. I tried to tell him that I have read on these boards that none of them are required. He was planning to wear a dress shirt with a tie and dress pants but no jacket. We've only done the 4 night cruise, so this will be our first formal night. Please tell me this is okay. He argued with me for 10 minutes that he needs a suit.

 

[brucechase]

Help! My DH, who never gets involved in any of the planning for DCL or WDW decided to look on DCL's website about dining room dress codes. He is now FREAKING OUT because he says DCL's website states that tux, suit, or jacket is required on formal night. I tried to tell him that I have read on these boards that none of them are required. He was planning to wear a dress shirt with a tie and dress pants but no jacket. We've only done the 4 night cruise, so this will be our first formal night. Please tell me this is okay. He argued with me for 10 minutes that he needs a suit.

It's OK, and he needs a suit.

Seriously, we aren't in the dining room on formal night (that is our Palo night), but I would think a shirt and tie is fine. If he wants to wear a suit, I'm sure he will look great. Maybe he just needs an excuse to buy a new suit.

Or you can tell him that he needs to leave the planning to the expert and you will let him know if he needs anything.

 

[CarolinaBlue]

It's OK, and he needs a suit.

Seriously, we aren't in the dining room on formal night (that is our Palo night), but I would think a shirt and tie is fine. If he wants to wear a suit, I'm sure he will look great. Maybe he just needs an excuse to buy a new suit.

Or you can tell him that he needs to leave the planning to the expert and you will let him know if he needs anything.

Maybe he really does want a suit. I did see what he was reading on DCL's website, only it says suggested, not required. Big difference. But if he really wants a suit or a tux, maybe I should just let him get one. Afterall, he hasn't been in a tux since our wedding 25 years ago.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Alright....less than a month to go...anything really important that I should be doing right now to get ready to cruise???

 

[mommabo]

Good Morning! Looks like there are about a dozen or so families with 14-15yo teens. My DD15 is wondering if any of these teens will be doing some of the Karaoke activies with her.

My DD15 may just join her. For the most part she is a confident, outgoing young lady who loves to perform and make new friends. However, at times she has decided to hang with adults. This being our first Disney cruise, not sure which way she will go. Having said that, after watching the video and seeing all the kids activities, the each of the kids looked at us and said 'See ya' or in my son's case 'See ya suckers'! So here is hoping we get family time together on our family vacation.

 

[kcashner]

The formal night dress is "suggested dress" not required, not dress code. Really since the airline luggage charges, we're seeing far fewer people really dressed. My guys will be in button down shirts and khakis, hopefully with a tie (I know, not as dressy as I might like, but they're 18....)and they hate to dress up...... Sorry it that offends people, but we'll be at a table by ourselves.

On formal night, you'll see everything from tux and military uniforms to jeans. Seriously. Tell your husband to take a chill pill and enjoy himself.

 

[mommabo]

The formal night dress is "suggested dress" not required, not dress code. Really since the airline luggage charges, we're seeing far fewer people really dressed. My guys will be in button down shirts and khakis, hopefully with a tie (I know, not as dressy as I might like, but they're 18....)and they hate to dress up...... Sorry it that offends people, but we'll be at a table by ourselves.

On formal night, you'll see everything from tux and military uniforms to jeans. Seriously. Tell your husband to take a chill pill and enjoy himself.

I am a teacher by profession and my own children are in elementary, middle and high school, so I am around many kids of various ages. Believe me, it would take a lot more than teenagers without ties on at dinner to offend me I put more stock in behavior over appearance. I am sure your group will be just fine. As to the poster whose hubby is worried about wearing a suit. My DH will be in the dining room in nice pants and shirt. I think I would have a hard time convincing him to wear a suit jacket while in the middle of the caribbean.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

My family is another group that won't be too dressy on Formal night. We are debating on maybe just eating at Topsiders or just going to the dining room anyway!

kcashner - how is your DD doing with her loss?

 

[poohmomof5]

I agree with the previous poster's theory on less people dressing formally due to the airline luggage requirements.

Last time we went on a cruise, we were each allowed 2 suitcases for free. With 7 of us, we had plenty of space for formal wear and tuxes (We bought tuxedos for the teen boys on EBay for $35 each!!!!! My oldes son went to prom last night wearing his $35 tux for the 4th time! Money well spent and the quality is just fine for a teen!)

For this trip with just DH and I, we are only going to bring 2 suitcases, so I am not sure what formalwear I will bring. The little black dress is always a safe bet I suppose...

I can't wait to leave! I want to be on the ship right now!

 

[poohmomof5]

My family is another group that won't be too dressy on Formal night. We are debating on maybe just eating at Topsiders or just going to the dining room anyway!

kcashner - how is your DD doing with her loss?

Hey, I realize I am behind, is your trip a suprise to your family? It appears that way from your signature...

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Good Morning! Looks like there are about a dozen or so families with 14-15yo teens. My DD15 is wondering if any of these teens will be doing some of the Karaoke activies with her.

Hey there! My 15yr old would probably do it- if she's feeling comfortable enough with the group. What I mean to say is she's the type that comes across quiet and shy- until she gets to know people or feels comfortable enough that they won't laugh at her or make fun of her or be mean to her (she's been a bit traumatized by some mean kids at school- she's homeschooled now but only a few months and it will probably be awhile before she gets more confidence)- but once she feels "safe" look out. LOL Not a shy bone in her body at that point (for instance with her church youth group, girl scout troop, the homeschool group, etc. yanno?) She'd probably like Karaoke- she's in the church choir and can't get her to stop singing in the car lately.

As for the formal dress discussion- ditto from us. DH has never wore a jacket- always a shirt, tie, slacks. DS wore the same the first cruise, 2nd cruise didn't eat with us on formal nights, this time I'm not sure what he'll wear. But he won't be technically "formal" I'm sure...... and people who don't like it will have to deal. He's a growing boy and I can't keep buying him clothes for one or two nights and we won't cruise again until late next year and I'm sure he'll grow a lot by then. No.... not wasting the money. He'll probably wear what he's been wearing to chuch lately- button down shirt, probably without a tie unless he goes thru another phase of wanting to wear a tie to church so I'll buy him more for that- slacks and THIS TIME black tennis shoes.. I'm not buying the black dress shoes again just for him to outgrow them in a week. Seriously this boy is growing like a weed! (finally -he's still not tall for his age but he used to be really short for his age! LOL) I imagine us girls will wear dresses- but we don't own formal gowns.... so..... we'll either dress in the best we have with us or eat at Topsiders. it really depends on how things go on the cruise- with early dining for the first time (so early at 5:45pm!), unsure if we'll have our own table again- and if so, the kids might not want to eat with us every night and having tablemates or not (DH and I) might make the decision for us where we'll eat that night. This time we'll play it by ear and go wherever the wind blows us that night. Yanno?