May 3rd-10th****Dis Maytees-May Magic send off

[LadyShiva]

We also have our passports already for the 3 of us. Meig, because both parents are needed for the passport (unless you go through the certified note saying the other parent agrees to the passport application), are you sure you want to do them one at a time? That seems like a bigger hassle. We have a passport agency in Denver, so hubby and I just went in together with Fiona. We got them in December, 2005, and it took less than a week because they processed them there. They called us when they were ready and we went back and picked them up. You might want to see if you have one of those passport agencies nearby where you live.

Linda, that sounded like a wonderful feast!

Sooo... Dawn... How was your Mother's Day?? Hopefully you got handmade stuff from your two little cuties.

Anyone else see how CHEAP the med cruises are??? Hubby and I talked it over last night because we're such misers and can't seem to pass up a "deal"... Talking like $1300/adult for a Cat 12 on an 11 night Med. However, the weather in June and July in the Med makes me say no way. I'd melt! But you guys who are still used to the South might be fine. I just never want to be that hot again....

*eyeroll at myself* So of course I'm going to a conference at WDW on Saturday (through that following Friday). Hopefully I can stay in air conditioning!

I honestly think me and mine are going to have to go to Florida and further south in the winter months only... We went to WDW in October, 2006, and it was too hot for us. Weather in the 80's with that humidity just saps me.

Oh, and the high for Denver today is 72. I'm such a wuss!!!

*wave* Have a great day, everyone!
Brandie

 

[Justthe8ofus]

*eyeroll at myself* So of course I'm going to a conference at WDW on Saturday (through that following Friday). Hopefully I can stay in air conditioning!

I honestly think me and mine are going to have to go to Florida and further south in the winter months only... We went to WDW in October, 2006, and it was too hot for us. Weather in the 80's with that humidity just saps me.

Oh, and the high for Denver today is 72. I'm such a wuss!!!

*wave* Have a great day, everyone!
Brandie

LOL 72 can feel "chilly" to me. I am from Boston but, have lived in FL for 12 years now. I couldn't go back to that cold. It's all what you are used to I guess. After spending a summer in Dallas(PG with my 3rd) I never complained about the heat in FL again.

I am going to get them one at a time rather than paying for 6 passports at once. The clerks office is not that far so it's not that big of a deal to me.

I went to the med last June and I am going again this June. Yes it can be hot. Just drink lots of water. Next year my sister and I are probably going to do a Northern Europe cruise. I am hoping the book that this week. I heard the highs are only in the 50s and 60s in August! Yikes!!

 

[LadyShiva]

LOL 72 can feel "chilly" to me. I am from Boston but, have lived in FL for 12 years now. I couldn't go back to that cold. It's all what you are used to I guess. After spending a summer in Dallas(PG with my 3rd) I never complained about the heat in FL again.

I am going to get them one at a time rather than paying for 6 passports at once. The clerks office is not that far so it's not that big of a deal to me.

I went to the med last June and I am going again this June. Yes it can be hot. Just drink lots of water. Next year my sister and I are probably going to do a Northern Europe cruise. I am hoping the book that this week. I heard the highs are only in the 50s and 60s in August! Yikes!!

Man, we lucked out with both my hubby's passport and my passport being bought by the companies we worked for. We only had to buy Fiona's. Money x 6 would add up quick!

Now, Northern Europe... That sounds like my kind of weather!!! Where are you heading? I keep dreaming of taking the family to Sweden or on a canal cruise through the Netherlands or something... But after attending a Swedish wedding, I think I'd starve. The food was... let's just say I was glad for the "cow" course. Things that look like raspberries SHOULD NOT taste like that! *yech!* And crackers with butter??? I think my Swedish grandparents emigrated to the US in search of better food.

Brandie

 

[Justthe8ofus]

Man, we lucked out with both my hubby's passport and my passport being bought by the companies we worked for. We only had to buy Fiona's. Money x 6 would add up quick!

Now, Northern Europe... That sounds like my kind of weather!!! Where are you heading? I keep dreaming of taking the family to Sweden or on a canal cruise through the Netherlands or something... But after attending a Swedish wedding, I think I'd starve. The food was... let's just say I was glad for the "cow" course. Things that look like raspberries SHOULD NOT taste like that! *yech!* And crackers with butter??? I think my Swedish grandparents emigrated to the US in search of better food.

Brandie

I am not the biggest fan of Carnival but, they keep coming up with these great itineraries!(and you can't beat the price) There is a new ship coming out next year the "Splendor" check out the cruises. My TA keeps telling me to take a river cruise in Europe but, the prices are high. I would rather spend that money on shopping or tours or more trips lol.

The food on the Disney ship was great I thought. The best I have had so far on a cruise. I was very impressed with the Disney cruise all around.

 

[Justthe8ofus]

Do you all think they will still be doing the Pirate night & party when we do our cruise? That was fun. Is anyone doing a land tour with their cruise?

 

[LadyShiva]

I am not the biggest fan of Carnival but, they keep coming up with these great itineraries!(and you can't beat the price) There is a new ship coming out next year the "Splendor" check out the cruises. My TA keeps telling me to take a river cruise in Europe but, the prices are high. I would rather spend that money on shopping or tours or more trips lol.

The food on the Disney ship was great I thought. The best I have had so far on a cruise. I was very impressed with the Disney cruise all around.

When you get a moment, would you mind giving me your criticisms (good and bad) for Carnival? I would really like to know your thoughts. I have only cruised with Disney (and that was just the 4 day), so I would like to know how other lines compare. And if you don't mind, how were the children's programs on Carnival? Hubby and I were talking last night about other places to cruise, and I would really like to go to Asia or Hawaii or the Med when it isn't so hot.

And for the Pirate party... I would think so. The fireworks and the dress up are a hit for every age group, it seems. In addition, the movies don't seem to be done, from what I'm reading.

Thanks in advance!
Brandie

 

[Justthe8ofus]

When you get a moment, would you mind giving me your criticisms (good and bad) for Carnival? I would really like to know your thoughts. I have only cruised with Disney (and that was just the 4 day), so I would like to know how other lines compare. And if you don't mind, how were the children's programs on Carnival? Hubby and I were talking last night about other places to cruise, and I would really like to go to Asia or Hawaii or the Med when it isn't so hot.

And for the Pirate party... I would think so. The fireworks and the dress up are a hit for every age group, it seems. In addition, the movies don't seem to be done, from what I'm reading.

Thanks in advance!
Brandie

Sure! I will have a better idea after my cruise next month but, I will tell you my experience so far. This is only my opinion and many people love Carnival.

I have sailed on RCCL 3x all voyager class. I have sailed the Carnival Liberty Med and the Fantasy 4 night. Only one Disney cruise so far

I really like the RCCL cruises--the ships are beautiful. Lots to do--rock wall, ice skating etc. The promenade is awesome and the dinning room is grand. Food was good.--some cruises better than others. After the Disney cruise I would like to take my kids on a RCCL cruise. I think RCCL is great for pre teen and teens.

I have only taken my kids on the Disney cruise so I can not report on the kids clubs on RCCL or Carnival. But, unless the Carnival kids club is fantastic I don't see what there is to do for kids. They have the water slide that's it. The activities on the ship are not kid oriented. No one beats Disney on this I think.

As far as my Carnival Liberty cruise --I was disappointed.(the ports were fantastic!! the ship was not) The food was not good. I do not like to drink coffee out of plastic cups! I don't like the design of the Carnival ships. It feels very closed in.(the Disney ships are like that too though) Carnival ships are very Vegas and that is just not my taste. I have heard that Carnival ships in the Caribbean are very "party". The short cruises being the most. My Fantasy cruise was a girls cruise and I enjoyed that because my standards were pretty low. We were looking for a "party" and we got it. lol. I thought the food and service was actually better than my Liberty med cruise. Maybe I just expected less at that point. lol. I am hoping that the Carnival Freedom cruise will be better. In Europe I feel that the ports are the trip. Carnival has great prices so, I am trying them again.

I have never really enjoyed most of the shows on cruises except Disney--great shows! I really don't see my kids enjoying the shows on the other lines. They are very "Vegas" type. That might be a good time for them to visit the kids clubs lol.

I feel a lot of these Caribbean cruises have the inferred "sex and alcohol" element to the activities. That is fine if I don't have my kids with me but, Disney was what I was looking for in a family cruise. By the next family cruise--be it 2009 or so my kids will be older and I won't worry as much.

I don't know if I have helped at all or just confused you more!?! As you can tell I just can't say enough good about the Disney cruise. If you want to do other places than the other lines are worth a try. For the Caribbean Disney is the way to go with kids IMO. If you have any other questions let me know. I love to talk cruises and travel and MO of course

 

[LadyShiva]

Nope, that's the kind of feedback I needed. With a 2 year old, it will be a long time before we are able to cruise by ourselves. In addition, hubby and I aren't big drinkers, so a "party" boat wouldn't really work for us. However, I don't know what would work for us yet, beyond Disney. I have grand designs of taking a "luxury" cruise like Holland America (? Is that the right name? HAL?) or Celebrity, but my pocketbook brings me right back down to earth!

We're trying to travel at least every year, so I'm left trying to decipher from my hubby's grunts what appeals to him.

We've got this cruise, Hawaii, and Japan on the drawing board so far. I want to wait on Japan so the smoking ban takes effect and kiddo grows up a little bit so she can take that long plane ride better. Hawaii... I gotta figure out where I want to go (as in, which island or islands).

As you can tell, I'm a long-term planner. Have to be, though, to get the money stored up!

Brandie

 

[Dawn414]

I can add my 2 cents on other cruise lines too...Did Carnival Imagination (albeit 10 (yikes) years ago) and we had a nice time. But then, I wasn't married or even seeing anyone and the party atmosphere is accurate. I don't recall seeing a whole lot of kids on the ship. It left out of Miami (or Ft. Lauderdale...one of those) and went to Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Overall, we had a nice time....but again...2 single girls having fun.

Last August, I took hubby on a 3-night cruise on RCL--Majesty of the Seas which is a small RCL ship. We had a nice time,a but as the prior poster mentioned, the shows were very vegasy which is fine since it was just me and DH, but I didn't think the talent of the performers was that great...but then, it was a smaller ship...not like the new huge ones they have out there. It was cheap and we had a nice time, but again...no kids with us. I know they do have a kids program, but I'm not sure how it compares to DCL.

And obviously Brandie, you know what I think about the cruise we were just on if you even glanced at the trip report.

And yes, I had a nice Mom's Day...we had breakfast, went bowling with the kids (which was just too cute), went out to dinner...they made me some nice things in Daycare. Kyle got me gift cards. You don't know this about me, but I've lost a significant amount of weight and continue to do so so I need the 'money' to buy clothes as I continue to shrink.

So, that's about it. Have a great time in Orlando next week. I am jealous, but since we'll be there in 3 weeks, I think I can hold out!

Dawn

 

[LJC1861]

I am intensely jealous of those of you heading down to the World soon. I had a trip booked during free dining, but made the difficult decision to cancel. We decided to put all our resources into our upcoming cruise so we can do it in high style.

I do have a CM friend with a silver pass, so I still might get a trip down, but probably not until December or so.

Dawn and Brandie have a GREAT time!!!

Linda

 

[LadyShiva]

I'm jealous of Dawn! I've got 22 classes to take while I'm at WDW, which doesn't leave a lot of time to play.

Thanks for the advice on the other cruise lines!

Brandie

 

[Justthe8ofus]

Good morning fellow cruisers. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I think we may go to the park this weekend. What is everyone's favorite WDW park? I always choose Magic Kingdom but, we went there the last couple of times. I am thinking either EPCOT or Animal Kingdom. MGM is not a fan favorite in this house.

 

[LJC1861]

Lisa and I are AK and Epcot fans. We love the Gorilla exhibit at AK and the bartender at the DAWA bar is a good friend of ours. We love the slower pace in general at AK.

Now, Epcot is where we head when we are hungry. We love all the restaurants and have a good friend who is a server at Coral Reef. We always eat well when we go there....LOL. We are also huge fans of the Voices of Liberty and could easily sit for most of the afternoon listening to them sing.

MK is great in smaller doses. We generally hit MK first thing in the am and do just the rides and attractions that we love, then head out somewhere else. Some of our favorites at MK are Splash and Thunder Mts. and Buzz Lightyear. We have been known to ride Buzz over and over just to see who can win the most times.

Linda

 

[LadyShiva]

I would instinctively say Magic Kingdom, but I always find myself at Epcot, eating, so maybe I should fess up and say Epcot.

I also got engaged at Epcot...

*smile* *wave* I'll be out of touch until May 28th. Ya'll take care in the meantime!

Brandie

P.S. And true to form, Linda and Dawn, I -still- haven't packed... Kiddo is sick today, and has to run around without a diaper, which means I've had a crazy day. She refuses to use the potty, too!!!

 

[LJC1861]

Brandie,

A sick kiddo, no diaper and refusing to use the potty????? Oh my.......

We have a saying at the group home where I work, and I think it may apply here......

" It's just poop." By that we mean that in the grand scheme of things, it really is just poop and nothing to get stressed or upset about. In our field if you can deal with the poop you can deal with just about anything that may come your way.

I wish you a good day, a better evening, a safe trip, time to learn, time to relax and time to have a fruity drink or two while you are gone.

Talk to you when you get back,

Linda

 

[LadyShiva]

Brandie,

A sick kiddo, no diaper and refusing to use the potty????? Oh my.......

We have a saying at the group home where I work, and I think it may apply here......

" It's just poop." By that we mean that in the grand scheme of things, it really is just poop and nothing to get stressed or upset about. In our field if you can deal with the poop you can deal with just about anything that may come your way.

I wish you a good day, a better evening, a safe trip, time to learn, time to relax and time to have a fruity drink or two while you are gone.

Talk to you when you get back,

Linda

So far, she's just made one puddle. However, the lack of nap is reeeeeally telling in her listening skills.

Thanks for the lovely wishes... I will definitely get a fruity drink tomorrow night!
Brandie

 

[Justthe8ofus]

We ended up staying home and doing yard work instead. We had to be adults today

Maybe hit the parks next weekend( with the holiday I don't know though--the crowds )

Have a great trip Brandie!

I do not miss the potty training. Thank goodness I am done with that! I told my then 4 year old that he could not go on the Mickey Mouse ship unless he gave up the diaper. That did the trick!

Mary

 

[Justthe8ofus]

Anyone have any plans for the holiday weekend?

Mary

 

[Dawn414]

Nothing major planned as yet. Might do the zoo...or perhaps the aquarium. We shall see...depends on the weather.

Dawn

 

[LadyShiva]

No big plans... I will need to recuperate from this week, and hubby will have to catch up on homework...

I am at Riverside and miserable with a sinus infection. Starting to wish I did have a rental car, because I'd buy out a Walgreen's. *sigh*

*wave* I'd better get to bed.

Brandie