May 5th 2007 Western Magic CINCO DIS MAYO!

[BLTOH]

woohoo we hit 54 today

i am all caught up on our plans. thanx for posting all the info it helped me remember to write a couple other things down. i even wr6te down where things are located on the ship (deck and such)that we need to do once on board only thing i wish i knew now was the dinning arrangement and what roatation we will have. i pretty much know we cant book the massage on the key west day at this point. will have to wait till we get on board and see what we havefor dinning to figure out what time frame will be good. we did find out yesterday that ds will have the early testing so looks like we will get to leave alot earlier then planned for the drive to florida so we will be staying overnite somewhere along they way. was going to book something but decided to wing that one and just drive as far as we feel like that day. but we are liking that we wont have to be sleep deprived for thursday nite and all day friday.

i am working all weekend this weekend and next week i start my actual auditing that i have been preparing for the past week. i hope march starts going by a little faster as the days seem to drag on and on lately. i started texting my dh every day with a count down and he keeps responding with its not soon enough at this point my dd seems to be taking the waiting alot better then the rest of us

i am officially at my goal weight with weight watchers but decided to go ahead and loose another 5 lbs. so i should be good to go for all my clothes for the cruise and not have to worry about gaining enough to not fit into my clothes by the end of the trip

most of our sickies are gone here too but mine. since mine are all allergy related ,mine wont break till the weather breaks so hoping being the the 50's all week next week will do the trick

 

[Madisonznana]

What a little butterball!! I bet he is darling! Congratulations Karen.
The one bad thing about Oriental Trading company is that some times you have to order tons of somethings. Do you think we could use up 6 doz. pirate tattoos? And I liked the eye patch, but they come in at 4 doz. They do have the cute parrot that you can tie to your shoulder for only $4.95 and you can actually just buy one!! My DD and I were just looking through the catalog last night thinking about goodie bag items for Madison's B-day.
Well here are the pictures for our first day shirts! My girlfriend just brought them to me yesterday.

 

[BLTOH]

What a little butterball!! I bet he is darling! Congratulations Karen.
The one bad thing about Oriental Trading company is that some times you have to order tons of somethings. Do you think we could use up 6 doz. pirate tattoos? And I liked the eye patch, but they come in at 4 doz. They do have the cute parrot that you can tie to your shoulder for only $4.95 and you can actually just buy one!! My DD and I were just looking through the catalog last night thinking about goodie bag items for Madison's B-day.
Well here are the pictures for our first day shirts! My girlfriend just brought them to me yesterday.

i like...i havent taken any picutres of mine yet.

and for the oriental trading things..well i say if you like it then you bring the rest with you and let the kids pass them out to the other kids they meet. be a great ice breaker for the kids. i have thought about buying some of that stuff if its fairly cheap but havent really looked to much into detail yet on it..i got the current catalog the other day and havent even taken the time to look thru it yet.

 

[KimberlyC]

My new nephew made his entrance around 8:15 yesterday (right as I was pulling into the hospital parking lot) Couldn't he have waited just 5 more minutes?

His name is Landon Ferrell and he weighs in at 9lb 11oz! He has a head full of black hair. The hospital is only 2 blocks from my work. So at 5:00 yesterday I raced over so I could get my hands on him. It was fun holding him, but it didn't make me want to do it again.

Have a great day everyone!

Congrats Auntie! Wow, that's a big baby. I give your sister props cuz I don't think I could have carried one so large.


Madznana - The shirt looks AMAZING. I have the same shirt, but wow - the embroidery is so cool.


Tracy, congrats on reaching your goal!

 

[Madisonznana]

i like...i havent taken any picutres of mine yet.

and for the oriental trading things..well i say if you like it then you bring the rest with you and let the kids pass them out to the other kids they meet. be a great ice breaker for the kids. i have thought about buying some of that stuff if its fairly cheap but havent really looked to much into detail yet on it..i got the current catalog the other day and havent even taken the time to look thru it yet.

That is a really good idea Tracy! I will have to look through the book again!!
Karen

 

[pppiglet]

Your shirt looks great Karen! I have all the stuff to do mine, but just need some more free time.

Tried on a bathing suit yesterday...UGH...so not ready for one. I'll wait til mid April to buy one. I have decided not to over pack this time and even though we'll be gone longer, I'll just wash more often. DS still needs water shoes and another pair of swim trunks. He's starting to get more excited about the trip now too. (except the flying part)

Being off of work is not good for dieting. I tried the new mushroom swiss burger from Mc Donalds today and of course you can't go there without getting fries! It was pretty yummy!

 

[CruiseBoundnKY]

Good Saturday morning everyone!

Karen I love the shirt. Those slow pokes that are doing mine and ds said they would be done yesterday but he never called.

I have came up with a couple of questions.

If you are taking "beverages" on board with you, will they be in your carry on or luggage?

For those that have been before, I've never seen anything about "romance" posted other than on the Disney site. I'm hoping to get a few nice romantic moments with hubby while the kids are in the clubs. Anyone have any ideas about something to do besides Rasul

Now, the size of that carry on. I was thinking like a backpack, should I be thinking more like a small rolling one?

And last night I bought 2 photo mats to get signed and a travel size pillow case for my new nephew. #1 When do you drop them off? #2 How much candy do you bribe them with (like 2-3 bags) #3 Just drop it off in a tote bag or does it matter. Since I'd like to have my sharpies back. Got an awesome deal at Staples 24 for $9.99 they were $17 at Wal-Mart. #4 It's May and its going to be warm that candy cannot travel from KY to FL without turning out like smush, I guess I could put it in the cooler or just pick it up when we get really close to Melbourne.

Does anyone plan on exercising on board?

I'm starting to have trouble sleeping, just because I'm still planning in my head. I bought a small purse size notebook yesterday and starting putting our plans/reservation #'s in it.

I have to work today I have 6 more Saturdays until tax season ends. BLAH!!!

My boss bought a 12x optical zoom camera for his cruise which is better than mine so I get to borrow it for my cruise. If anyone knows an eskimo that would kidnap him in Alaska and keep him there at least for the summer please pm me.

 

[pppiglet]

If you are taking "beverages" on board with you, will they be in your carry on or luggage?

Last time we put a case of water in our checked luggage.

Now, the size of that carry on. I was thinking like a backpack, should I be thinking more like a small rolling one?

Either will work. You'll have to lug it around with you to lunch (if you board at 12), so don't take anything too big!

Does anyone plan on exercising on board?

I planned to last time. Took exercise clothes and all and only stuck my head in the gym once to see what it looked like. We just walked lots of laps on deck 4!

 

[BLTOH]

If you are taking "beverages" on board with you, will they be in your carry on or luggage?

Now, the size of that carry on. I was thinking like a backpack, should I be thinking more like a small rolling one?

And last night I bought 2 photo mats to get signed and a travel size pillow case for my new nephew. #1 When do you drop them off? #2 How much candy do you bribe them with (like 2-3 bags) #3 Just drop it off in a tote bag or does it matter. Since I'd like to have my sharpies back. Got an awesome deal at Staples 24 for $9.99 they were $17 at Wal-Mart. #4 It's May and its going to be warm that candy cannot travel from KY to FL without turning out like smush, I guess I could put it in the cooler or just pick it up when we get really close to Melbourne.

Does anyone plan on exercising on board?

I'm starting to have trouble sleeping, just because I'm still planning in my head. I bought a small purse size notebook yesterday and starting putting our plans/reservation #'s in it.

We plan on packing one suitcase with 24 bottles of water and 24 bottles of pepsi. We will use the empty suitcase then for our extras goodies we get.

our carryons== each person will have their own carry on ( backpack style) with his/her own things to carry as mommy said no way is she hauling everyones crap around this trip also the backpacks i got are a nice size for each of us to use for our port of calls as well so they will eb doing double duty. even dd has her own backpack for this trip.

I havent ever done the pillow case thing but was wondering the same thing on those questions. i know someone said put the stuff in a baggie including your sharpies and put stateroom number and name on it and they will return it to you..is that correct? as far a bribery i was curious for ideas.

i do plan on checking out the exercising but have feeling i may just walk laps but then again i will wait till we are there and figure out an overall plan then for that part. dh and i made a deal that this was a family vacation so we would spend most of the time togehter as a family. and this comes from the fact that for the past few months we havent had time together other then saying hi and bye

last nite i checked out the passporter site for anyone going with us there and found several people there as well..sent them a message to join us over here if they would like.

i carry a ringed binder with me all the time with cruise info. i did put alot of the stuff in my passporter binder though as i have mnarked certain things in there i want to check out on the cruise this time around. Today when i get home i plan on getting up in the top of our garage to get the other big suitcase on wheels down so i can start seeing how i will pack the pepsi and water. good thing dd has to have her blankie go with us as i can use that for cushion.

will try on my bathing suit this weekend as well and see if it still fits me after the wieght loss..if not i will have to buy me a new one.need to buy dd one and dh is due for a new one as well so might as well plan on getting us all one..

 

[Madisonznana]

Did anybody know they have tequila and marguerita tasting on Monday and Thursday for $15?
The things I find read the dis boards!!

 

[pppiglet]

Did anybody know they have tequila and marguerita tasting on Monday and Thursday for $15?
The things I find read the dis boards!!

I was just showing my DH the picture that someone posted of it on their trip report. Did you see it? Lots of booze!

 

[pppiglet]

last nite i checked out the passporter site for anyone going with us there and found several people there as well..sent them a message to join us over here if they would like.

Great! I didn't know they had a meets area. I haven't been to that site for awhile. I found a few on cruise critic and invited them over too. (sort of...you can't mention the disboards on their site)

 

[Madisonznana]

I was just showing my DH the picture that someone posted of it on their trip report. Did you see it? Lots of booze!

Was that the one from the girl in San Diego and the 2 "very happy" friends?

 

[BLTOH]

Great! I didn't know they had a meets area. I haven't been to that site for awhile. I found a few on cruise critic and invited them over too. (sort of...you can't mention the disboards on their site)

yeah they have the same message board software as this site does now..although i didnt see any smilies to use there..where did you find yours at on there Karen??
passporter.com one actually has a link to this site on it. no one has responded though other then Karen. i havent been to cruise critic in awhile..noone seems to respond much on the other sites like we all do here. well i am off to read a bedtime book to dd and then off to bed..dumby me didnt think about the time change tonite and said yes to going into work at 3am so i guess it will be a short nite for me.

 

[UKANGEL]

What do you like to do? I'm happy to share notes, research and links with you if you don't plan to do DCL excursions.

For GC I started here: http://www.caymanactivityguide.com/
We decided on a snorkel/Stingray City tour through Soto's cruises in the morning and a Helicopter ride over Stingray City in the afternoon.

For Cozumel I started here: http://www.cozumelinsider.com/
We are going to Paradise Beach in Cozumel.

HTH!

I've just spent a very happy morning looking through those sites thank you so much! We have much more of an idea of what we want to do now.

Paradise Beach looks great so we'll probably head there at least for some of the day. A couple of the activities/tours are very appealing too

 

[BLTOH]

Ok here are a couple other questions that dh and i was discussing last nite. one..how does everyone plan on handling the currency exchange? are you exchanging before you leave home or do they do that on board or does anyone even have a clue? I would personally hate to have to pay in US dollars for a higer price if say like pesos is cheaper then US money and such. we have enver went anywhere other then canada in which we have had to deal with different currency rates.

Two... what about the language barriers in both gc and cozumel? do most people speak english or will i need to do some research on simple words in their language?

we decided last nite that we will do a small 4th birthday party for amber.. she requested a princess party (imagine that ) she just adores ariel right now so i am thinking a simple cake with her on it and maybe some cold stone creamery ice cream..just need to get on the ball and do invites now since her birthday is over easter weekend and thats only 4 weeks away something else to do to pass the time away i guess.

how has everyone in the time change zone handling this timechange.. its kicked my butt but will say time is flying by a little faster now at work.

 

[MickeyD]

Hey everyone! Catching up here..
First of all, it is 70 degrees here today which is really making me itch for the cruise. I just want to be at sea!

Tracey, about the currency and language thing: I have been to Cozumel 4 times and GC 4 times, and have never had a problem! Ok, well in Cozumel they like it if you can speak to them in Spanish, and I got a great deal on a cab once because I spoke to him in my halting Spanish... but most of them speak at least a little English, and what you can't get across via hand signals, you can get through in English. The only phrases you need in Spanish are:
"Cuanto cuesto esto?" (how much is this/it)
"Donde esta el bano?" (where's the bathroom?)
and most importantly "Da me cervasa, por favor." (give me a beer please)

Grand Caymen will take american dollars and credit cards. Just make sure to tell your cc company that you will be making out of country purchases so they don't think someone swiped your card!
Grand Caymen is primarily English speaking, although the shopkeepers tend to be a bit surly sometimes.

Lisa

 

[KimberlyC]

yeah they have the same message board software as this site does now..although i didnt see any smilies to use there..where did you find yours at on there Karen??
passporter.com one actually has a link to this site on it. no one has responded though other then Karen. i havent been to cruise critic in awhile..noone seems to respond much on the other sites like we all do here. well i am off to read a bedtime book to dd and then off to bed..dumby me didnt think about the time change tonite and said yes to going into work at 3am so i guess it will be a short nite for me.

I love cruise critic but the site is having serious problems with lag time and timing out - takes forever to turn a page or post. For whatever reason (probably because the DIS is far better for DCL) the Disney board isn't very active. I add some smileys over there by manually typing in the code like for wink I use semi-colon plus close parenthesis. There's probably an easier way but in almost 5 years, I've yet to figure it out

For the currency exchange - we aren't. We have to pay for our Sotos cruise in Grand Caymen in US dollars. I think our helicopter was billed to our credit card in advance, but I'll have to check that. The only thing we'll pay for is lunch and we can put that on a credit card to simplify matters. But from what I've found researching it US$ is widely accepted. Anyway i don't plan to shop there since they pretty much import everything but tortuga rum cakes (which my aunt has delivered to her every month and I just eat hers ) so things cost more. Currency rates fluctuate but the Caymen Island Dollar is sort of tied to the US$. 1 USD = about 80 cents KYD or 1 Caymen Island Dollar = about 1.20 - 1.25 USD. Their money is worth more than ours.

For Cozumel, US cash is king.

Like Lisa said, there won't be any major language barriers. In GC the official language is English. In Cozumel, most of the cabbies speak better English than some NYC cabbies. Unless you go shopping off the beaten path there shouldn't be any problems. If you are going to PB,the owner is from Canada I think.

My niece's b-day is 4/7 - is that Amber's b-day too?

 

[pppiglet]

I am ready for the cruise too. It was 96 degrees here today and spent the afternoon on MIL's patio (one of those fancy outdoor with TV and fireplace) looking out at their view over their very resort like pool and yard. Water too cold to swim though. Definately put me in vacation mode!

 

[UKANGEL]

I am ready for the cruise too. It was 96 degrees here today and spent the afternoon on MIL's patio (one of those fancy outdoor with TV and fireplace) looking out at their view over their very resort like pool and yard. Water too cold to swim though. Definately put me in vacation mode!

wow! 96! I wish! Its been ncie and sunny here for teh last couple of days but nowhere near that warm....very rarely gets to that temp here I'm afraid! Never mind, I'm dreaming I'm on Serenity Bay right now......