May 30, 2009 - Western Cruise Magic

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

My 9 y.o ds really wants Roberts, and they are his size!!!!!!

Well then you got em, babycakes! hehe
I'm glad they are going to someone who would like them. My darn ungrateful kids..... (well they don't fit my DS now anyway... I'm talking about when they DID fit. LOL)
Oh and I'll definitely recognize you guys before boarding with those shirts! LOL But if we by chance don't see each other like we get on before you or whatever- I'll meet up with you sometime hopefully the first day and the last resort I know which rooms you're in so I'll give you a ring or something and we can meet up. But hopefuly we can meet before boarding so you can just cram them in your carryon or something. Are you taking a carryon so y'all can swim and such? We always do so I assume others do too. LOL

pink disney crocs still unspoken for- if anyone is still interested- post please!

 

[erinlees_mommie]

We're planning to go to one of the beaches...I'll let you know which one as soon as we decide!
Happy Mother's Day to all.

Cool THANKS

I don't really want to book us up for every port.And so far I only have Cozumel booked for one thing.KW we are just going to get off the ship and walk around for a bit and have some key lime pie and Castaway ... Just a day of being lazy and soaking it all in.Maybe some DH and I time at Serenity Bay.But other than that .. nothing set in stone for GC and I feel bad about waiting till now to wonder about it.

 

[erinlees_mommie]

BibbidyBobbidyBoo-THANKS
I am hoping that we can get some alone time but if not no biggie.It will be fun for her when she gets back to school next year for show n tell to bring things back from her trip to different places and pictures too.
Hubby is the adventurous one as far as going places he has never been ... so maybe I'll depend on him for this one.

 

[stlkeeler]

I am having a hard time deciding on what to do when we get to GC.
I am looking for things to do with DD *4 yrs old*.I want her to get off the boat at each port even if we don't get to snorkel or anything adult like.
I am wondering if any of you have plans to just do GC on your own like going to the beaches and just hanging around without paying for excursions? And is it possible to get DD off the boat for some beach/family time take her back to the boat and then us go back on our own?

Thanks y'all !! 20 days to go!

I know you said "on your own" but this is what we're doing. I really couldn't care less about the gov. home (but it's gotta have something, or they wouldn't go there, right?), but I want to go mainly for the turtles and butterflies. I have seen pics various places on this site and they look fantastic! Butterflies bigger than your hand! Besides, I don't walk very well as I have had both knees replaced because of arthritis and this is considered mild activity. Cost is A-$59 C-$43. I think it lasts about 4 hours. Maybe your DD would like something like this?

Island Tour & Butterfly Farm (G-21)
Enjoy an enchanting island tour with a jaunt to the Governor's residence, a stop at the world's only green sea turtle farm and a visit to the unique rock formations known as "Hell." After, relax in the tranquil wonderland of Grand Cayman's Butterfly Farm where landscaped gardens and hundreds of free flying butterflies surround you.

Port: Grand Cayman
Activity Type:: Nature
Activity Level: Mild
Ages: All Ages

Additional Information


The final leg of the journey includes a brief stop to sample rum cake, a tasty island delicacy, before returning to the cruise ship landing.
After the excursion, you may choose to return to the ship or stroll to the downtown shops nearby.
Wheelchairs (collapsible or electric) are not permitted.

 

[liliagm]

I am having a hard time deciding on what to do when we get to GC.
I am looking for things to do with DD *4 yrs old*.I want her to get off the boat at each port even if we don't get to snorkel or anything adult like.
I am wondering if any of you have plans to just do GC on your own like going to the beaches and just hanging around without paying for excursions? And is it possible to get DD off the boat for some beach/family time take her back to the boat and then us go back on our own?

Thanks y'all !! 20 days to go!

We are planning on doing the turtle farm on our own, it seems there are plenty of taxis that can take you there or their website says if you purchase tickets online the transportation will be included...and besides the farm they also have a couple of pools/lagoons to swim and i think a restaurant ... you can check their website:
http://www.boatswainsbeach.ky/

And now that I read about the butterfly thing we might do that as well but I think the turtle farm will be great for our DD2

Happy Mother's Day!!!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I know you said "on your own" but this is what we're doing. I really couldn't care less about the gov. home (but it's gotta have something, or they wouldn't go there, right?), but I want to go mainly for the turtles and butterflies. I have seen pics various places on this site and they look fantastic! Butterflies bigger than your hand! Besides, I don't walk very well as I have had both knees replaced because of arthritis and this is considered mild activity. Cost is A-$59 C-$43. I think it lasts about 4 hours. Maybe your DD would like something like this?

Island Tour & Butterfly Farm (G-21)
Enjoy an enchanting island tour with a jaunt to the Governor's residence, a stop at the world's only green sea turtle farm and a visit to the unique rock formations known as "Hell." After, relax in the tranquil wonderland of Grand Cayman's Butterfly Farm where landscaped gardens and hundreds of free flying butterflies surround you.

Port: Grand Cayman
Activity Type:: Nature
Activity Level: Mild
Ages: All Ages

Additional Information


The final leg of the journey includes a brief stop to sample rum cake, a tasty island delicacy, before returning to the cruise ship landing.
After the excursion, you may choose to return to the ship or stroll to the downtown shops nearby.
Wheelchairs (collapsible or electric) are not permitted.

I would concur. Our excursion is including all this but also doing 2 snorkel stops before all this- then also stingray city. yeah it's an all day tour. LOL

 

[grlzmom]

My kids liked the Turtle excursions in Grand Cayman when they were little. Can't recall exactly which ones we did though! Never through Disney, one was kind of a park type place with pools, etc. Once we just got a taxi and went.

We would love to do the Nativeway stingray tour in Grand Cayman if I can get my girls to let me know which ones want to go and which ones don't so I can book it before all the spots are gone

Usually Paradise Beach for us in Cozumel, on our own. Kids love all the inflatables and trampolines, jet skis, parasailing and stuff. We sit in the chairs and watch. Not fancy by any means but my kids have the best time there and I don't have to book it in advance so we can do it if we feel like it and not if we don't.

We have left our kids on the ship and gone on short excursions, no problem. They get so tired if they are out all day and I am not into cranky kiddo on excursion. For my own psychotic reasons I am a little paranoid if we are at a tender port and the kids are on the ship. I guess that feeling of being disconnected? Our last two Grand Cayman stops were not great. November, port was closed due to sea conditions, so no stopping at all. April, port closed early due to sea conditions and we had to be back on ship before 2pm. I am hoping for a real port day there this time!

Key West will be our special day, long story short, my dh is actually my ex dh. He is in Illinois, I am in Florida. We are getting married in Key West on the beach. Will be a very special day for my family.

Bibbidybobbidyboo, congrats on the clothes and the weight loss, that is awesome!

Going to Disney tomorrow after school book fair in a.m.. My dd12 has an appointment there so we are making a day of it, the two of us.

Havent even thought about clothes or packing or anything else, this end of the year stuff is overwhelming with a tribe this large. Did however, get most of my FE stuff done!

One week til high school graduation and then I can get all the cruise stuff done!

Happy Mothers Day to you all and happy thoughts to the start of a great week!

 

[homespun]

Hey you guys- just had to share...... I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR!

I know that sounds funny but I was kind of in a pinch for clothes... I'd bought bigger clothes (like slacks and cato type blouses/etc.) for the last cruise since I had nothing dressy to wear at all (i wear mostly jeans, tees- mostly mickey LOL, shorts or capris,tennis shoes or croc flipflops all the time at home!) and I knew those were too big for me now (and trying them on tonight I was right!) since I've lost weight.

HOWEVER, in trying on clothes from my closet I found many things that I'd bought for our FIRST cruise that now fit me again. Darn things still had tags on them! LOL (what happened is I lost 80lbs in 2003, I went out and bought a bunch of stuff to wear (cruise casual, a bit more dressy, etc.) for our first cruise that was supposed to be Feb 2004. But then late 2003 we had to postpone that first cruise due to the school schedules changing- and by the time we cruised for our first time end of May 2006- I'd gained too much weight back to fit them! By the time we cruised again Aug/Sept of 2008- I was WAY too big for them having gained even more weight- right back to where I'd started before losing weight in 2003.

But I kept them in my closet since most were never worn and still had tags on them. I was determined to fit them again- in fact I barely bought anything thru the years of gaining.... only what I HAD to have (like one pair of jeans, a few biggers shirts, stuff like that). I had no idea if I'd fit into these again but I was trying on stuff I'd worn on the last cruise and everything was ridiculously big- so I decided to give it a whirl and all but the smallest of clothing I'd bought in 2003 for our 2004 cruise (like the size 0's and 2's. LOL! didn't even bother trying those on- that would have just been disappointing LOL) and some of them fit! Now I just gotta figure out WHAT to wear/what to take. And DH is gonna have to dress up a bit more for dinner now too since now I have nicer clothes to wear. Polo and khaki dockers and sandals isn't going to cut it- we'll look like oddballs! LOL
(the stuff I'm fitting back into isn't super dressy to most people- but to ME it's dressier- like blouses and various lengths black skirts and such. It's dressy for ME even if it's not dressy to the rest of the world)

Just had to share... I was so surprised that I fit some of that stuff! I've lost almost 50lbs now and still have quite a bit to lose (30lbs if I want to get to where I was in 2003 when I lost weight the first time) but most of it is in my THIGHS right now.... LOL So I guess that's why the blouses fit and the skirt hides the thunder thighs anyway. hahaha
Anyway.....woohoo! I'm excited I won't have to go out and spend a bunch of money on clothes for me! (especially since my kids have decided RIGHT NOW would be a great time to hit growth spurts- so in the next 2wks I'm gonna have to buy them a lot of new clothes just so they'll have shorts, pants, shoes and dresses to wear on the cruise- which ofcourse they will wear at home/church/etc. too. I'm not just buying that for them for the cruise- I have to because they've all the sudden outgrown practically everything they already have! LOL)

Wow! That's a great feeling. I wish I had that motivation. Your should be very proud and now happy since you have a new wardrobe

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Key West will be our special day, long story short, my dh is actually my ex dh. He is in Illinois, I am in Florida. We are getting married in Key West on the beach. Will be a very special day for my family.

Bibbidybobbidyboo, congrats on the clothes and the weight loss, that is awesome!



Happy Mothers Day to you all and happy thoughts to the start of a great week!

Are you saying you're getting remarried in Key West while we're there on this cruise? I"m just wondering if I misunderstood this? If so, wow! How wonderful!

Thanks! I've hit a stall though and darnit I really wanted to make my mini-goal before this cruise but hey... atleast I got close? LOL

Happy Mothers day to you too- and to all the other moms.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Wow! That's a great feeling. I wish I had that motivation. Your should be very proud and now happy since you have a new wardrobe

Thanks!
Well atleast I have a new wardrobe for the top half of my body! LOL Hopefully soon the bottom half will catch up. I always lose top half (and face) first but this time my bottom half is being extremely stubborn. LOL I'll keep working on it though!

 

[grlzmom]

Are you saying you're getting remarried in Key West while we're there on this cruise? I"m just wondering if I misunderstood this? If so, wow! How wonderful!

Thanks! I've hit a stall though and darnit I really wanted to make my mini-goal before this cruise but hey... atleast I got close? LOL

Happy Mothers day to you too- and to all the other moms.

Yep, remarried. Strange but true On the beach with the family.

Fifty pounds is an incredible weight loss. Are you following a special program or diet? I would like to lose 10-15 pounds and just no hope with all the vacations and cruises and graduations and parties. I have no will power and like eating, ALOT!

I hope you make your mini goal,

 

[grlzmom]

Ooops, forgot to add, my dd would LOVE to have the pink Crocs if they are still available. She is just growing out of her size 11 so it would be perfect!

Thanks!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Yep, remarried. Strange but true On the beach with the family.

Fifty pounds is an incredible weight loss. Are you following a special program or diet? I would like to lose 10-15 pounds and just no hope with all the vacations and cruises and graduations and parties. I have no will power and like eating, ALOT!

I hope you make your mini goal,

Hey, we're strange together then. We weren't remarried on a beach anywhere but well... my DH used to be my ex-dh also. Yes we've been divorced and remarried- we got back together a couple months after our divorce was final though so we just forget that happened. LOL

Oh and thanks!
Well..... the only thing that works for me is lowcarb- basically cutting out sugar and flour- eating only nonprocessed foods (veggies, meat, fish, chicken) and drinking lots of water. (I normally drink none and literally used to drink like a half a can of diet soda per day and THAT'S IT! So I'm basically dehydrated then an influx of lots of water helps me a lot LOL) Doing the same in 2003 I lost 80lbs in just over 6mo. I tried everything else to lose weight before that (2nd pregnancy weight which only got worse with the 3rd) and nothing worked. Apparently my body now says I'm not allowed to have carbs. Maybe it's payback for my younger teen/young adult years of rebelling against my parents strict eating rules and eating nothing but junkfood and candy for years- yet still staying thin back then. Pay backs are "you know what" right? LOL Anyway, I can only have the "good" carbs- not processed stuff, not sugar, not flour type stuff. It's what works for me and the first 1-2wks is the hardest (as far as will power since you mentioned it) but after that- just not hungry. I actually eat MORE in volume and calories when lowcarbing than when not- and lose weight. Go figure right?

I don't hold out much hope for reaching my mini-goal.... close but probably won't make it. I can't lose that much that fast! (I started back on Jan 5th btw) and I'll probably gain on the vacation because while I don't plan on going CRAZY on carbs during the trip- I will endulge from time to time on things I feel are worth it (ie: um, some deserts and like lobster ravioli... the lobster is fine- it's the ravioli and sauce that is high in carbs LOL) so I'm sure I'll gain a bit over the vacation. I gotta make sure I drink plenty of water too and that's harder when you're on the run at the parks and such. But I'll try my best- and get back down to "business" when we return!

Ooops, forgot to add, my dd would LOVE to have the pink Crocs if they are still available. She is just growing out of her size 11 so it would be perfect!

Thanks!

They are still available and now they are yours! Um your daughter's I mean. LOL

 

[grlzmom]

Hey, we're strange together then. We weren't remarried on a beach anywhere but well... my DH used to be my ex-dh also. Yes we've been divorced and remarried- we got back together a couple months after our divorce was final though so we just forget that happened. LOL

Oh and thanks!
Well..... the only thing that works for me is lowcarb- basically cutting out sugar and flour- eating only nonprocessed foods (veggies, meat, fish, chicken) and drinking lots of water. (I normally drink none and literally used to drink like a half a can of diet soda per day and THAT'S IT! So I'm basically dehydrated then an influx of lots of water helps me a lot LOL) Doing the same in 2003 I lost 80lbs in just over 6mo. I tried everything else to lose weight before that (2nd pregnancy weight which only got worse with the 3rd) and nothing worked. Apparently my body now says I'm not allowed to have carbs. Maybe it's payback for my younger teen/young adult years of rebelling against my parents strict eating rules and eating nothing but junkfood and candy for years- yet still staying thin back then. Pay backs are "you know what" right? LOL Anyway, I can only have the "good" carbs- not processed stuff, not sugar, not flour type stuff. It's what works for me and the first 1-2wks is the hardest (as far as will power since you mentioned it) but after that- just not hungry. I actually eat MORE in volume and calories when lowcarbing than when not- and lose weight. Go figure right?

I don't hold out much hope for reaching my mini-goal.... close but probably won't make it. I can't lose that much that fast! (I started back on Jan 5th btw) and I'll probably gain on the vacation because while I don't plan on going CRAZY on carbs during the trip- I will endulge from time to time on things I feel are worth it (ie: um, some deserts and like lobster ravioli... the lobster is fine- it's the ravioli and sauce that is high in carbs LOL) so I'm sure I'll gain a bit over the vacation. I gotta make sure I drink plenty of water too and that's harder when you're on the run at the parks and such. But I'll try my best- and get back down to "business" when we return!


They are still available and now they are yours! Um your daughter's I mean. LOL

Thanks for the Crocs!

You had to go and mention the lobster ravioli. We don't even have a Palo Ressie since we booked so late. Will have to hope to get one once on board. Gosh their brunch is the best!

We sort of forget we are divorced since we get along so well, just the physical distance is hard but everything else is good.

I drink plenty of water and splurge and buy the case for 30 dollars when on board the ship, forcing myself to drink it. Only take the steps, no elevators and that has kept me from gaining on cruises, but I certainly am not losing either.

Now I want some chocolate souffle with vanilla sauce, yum yum. Just a couple of weeks to go!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Thanks for the Crocs!

You had to go and mention the lobster ravioli. We don't even have a Palo Ressie since we booked so late. Will have to hope to get one once on board. Gosh their brunch is the best!

We sort of forget we are divorced since we get along so well, just the physical distance is hard but everything else is good.

I drink plenty of water and splurge and buy the case for 30 dollars when on board the ship, forcing myself to drink it. Only take the steps, no elevators and that has kept me from gaining on cruises, but I certainly am not losing either.

Now I want some chocolate souffle with vanilla sauce, yum yum. Just a couple of weeks to go!

I didn't gain on either of my cruises- but then I was already at a "comfortable" weight. My body tends to get there- and then stay there no matter what i eat, what exercise I get, etc. -until ofcourse I'm lowcarbing and then I lose. But then eating high carb foods WILL make me gain.. back to my "comfortable" weight. Overall it goes slow- that's how it snuck up on me over the past almost 6yrs and I was able to stay in denial for most of the wegihtgain- but if I just all the sudden eat more carbs (the bad kind- sugar/flour and such) I will gain some on the cruise- period. Now I can have one high carb meal (hello mexican food restaurant yum! LOL) and doesn't matter how small I keep my portions- I'll gain for a few days then go back to losing it again. So I imagine I'll gain some on the cruise- I'm ready for it.

I hope you get the Palo ressie once you get on board!

And you're welcome for the crocs. Do you plan on being at the port early or plan on coming later? Just wanting to know if I should be prepared to try to find you to give them to you at our meet early before boarding or later at your room? LMK!

 

[kcashner]

As of this moment, our cruise does not come up at all on the DCL site as having availability (the May 16 and 23 do). On Orbitz, it shows up but when you try to pick a category or cabin, it says not available. Last night, it showed 4 cat 5s available. SO...either they have filled it or they're completing the great cabin shuffle.

I bought a black sweater yesterday so I'll be warm in the theatres/dining rooms! My kind of sale--was $44, marked down to $14.99, got to register and it rang up at $6.97!

 

[Suzepoo]

but I did check my "reservation" and the cabin number hasn't changed...which is totally OK with me, but another upgrade would be just ICING on the cake....

Have a GREAT Monday everyone....see you in less than 3 weeks now!!! WOO HOO!!!!

 

[cruisefanz]

As of this moment, our cruise does not come up at all on the DCL site as having availability (the May 16 and 23 do). On Orbitz, it shows up but when you try to pick a category or cabin, it says not available. Last night, it showed 4 cat 5s available. SO...either they have filled it or they're completing the great cabin shuffle.

I bought a black sweater yesterday so I'll be warm in the theatres/dining rooms! My kind of sale--was $44, marked down to $14.99, got to register and it rang up at $6.97!

Oh~ an upgrade to a split bath would be SO GREAT! We'll be wishing for a little pixie dust! We went from 12's to 11's last time.

I love those kind of sales! Nothing beats a great bargain. I've got to buy shoes...again. My DS has had a growth spurt in his feet --and no longer can wear the size 10's (men's) that we just bought and he's worn less than a half dozen times. Hopefully I can find a bargain or two too!

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Hi cruisers! I probably won't be too active this week, my nephew is in the hospital all week and I have to watch my niece. I agree, an upgrade to a split bath would be wonderful!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

As of this moment, our cruise does not come up at all on the DCL site as having availability (the May 16 and 23 do). On Orbitz, it shows up but when you try to pick a category or cabin, it says not available. Last night, it showed 4 cat 5s available. SO...either they have filled it or they're completing the great cabin shuffle.

I bought a black sweater yesterday so I'll be warm in the theatres/dining rooms! My kind of sale--was $44, marked down to $14.99, got to register and it rang up at $6.97!

What a great bargain! I absolutely love it when I find something on sale and then it rings up even cheaper at the register. Love it!

Hi cruisers! I probably won't be too active this week, my nephew is in the hospital all week and I have to watch my niece. I agree, an upgrade to a split bath would be wonderful!

Oh gosh..... I'll be praying for your nephew! I hope he'll be okay!