Members's cruise

[Knit1Purl2]

I'm so glad that I found this thread. It seems the other thread has turned into a game to see how pages they can make. LOL!

Are any of you participating in the Fish Extenders Exchange? We missed the deadline, but am curious as to the types of gifts that people give.

Thanks for the info!
Amy

 

[Luvdisney]

Guess what I got today... Cruise docs came, wahooooo

 

[tammymacb]

I still haven't received my docs. I'm wondering at what point I should worry.

 

[PammyK]

I still haven't received my docs. I'm wondering at what point I should worry.

I guess the good thing is that we don't really need to worry because if we do online check-in we can print all the necessary documents and bring them to the port directly. Doesn't mean I don't still want to receive my official cruise documents, but it is nice to know that there won't be a problem if I don't get them in time.

 

[PammyK]

I'm so glad that I found this thread. It seems the other thread has turned into a game to see how pages they can make. LOL!

Are any of you participating in the Fish Extenders Exchange? We missed the deadline, but am curious as to the types of gifts that people give.

Thanks for the info!
Amy

Hi Amy and welcome! I thought about participating in the FE exchange but decided it wouldn't be a good fit for my budget. The time I did participate in one, people gave sweets, magnets, pencils, small toys, a CD of favorite ship music (sailaway party mix, etc). I was glad that our group was pretty small and low key with mostly inexpensive and handmade items. Some cruises seem to have exchanges where people spend what must run up into the hundreds of dollars on their FE gifts.

 

[iluvdisney]

Still waiting for docs to arrive - when the fed ex truck pulled up today I thought maybe but nope - how did your docs arrive - UPS, Fed EX, USPS?

 

[PammyK]

Well crud...the latest track for Hurricane Irene has it reaching Cat 4 strength and making almost a direct path over Castaway Cay. A direct hit at that strength would not bode well for our Member Cruise double dip. Lets all send up positive thoughts that Irene weakens rather than strengthens and avoids landfall, whether in the Bahamas or the US, as such a strong storm.

 

[RatherBeWithMickey]

Still waiting for docs to arrive - when the fed ex truck pulled up today I thought maybe but nope - how did your docs arrive - UPS, Fed EX, USPS?

Mine came by USPS.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Mine came USPS too. Just sittin in the mailbox, lol.

Hopefully Irene will remain Category 1..

 

[RatherBeWithMickey]

I'm so glad that I found this thread. It seems the other thread has turned into a game to see how pages they can make. LOL!

Are any of you participating in the Fish Extenders Exchange? We missed the deadline, but am curious as to the types of gifts that people give.

Thanks for the info!
Amy

Hi Amy!

The one and only FE exchange that we participated in was on our Christmas cruise this past year. It was nice because we only had a handful of families. We had people from England and Canada, as well as the U.S. Some families gave items that were specific to their area (hockey pucks, towels, etc for a Canadian hockey team, edible goodies and items that reflected traditions from England), and some made homemade gifts (photo albums, tote bags, magnets, keychains, and more). Because it was such a small group, we probably spent a little more than we could have with a larger one. We're not participating in the one for the member cruise. I would most definitely do this again, as long as the group was small, or split into multiple groups. Had a lot of fun making and delivering the gifts, and receiving them, too!!

Mindy

 

[smjj]

Lets see if Irene hits Castaway Cay this Thursday as a category 4, I think they will have plenty of time to get it back up and running before we get there. Is this wishful thinking and paranoia starting to take over???...smjj

 

[CarolAnnC]

Lets see if Irene hits Castaway Cay this Thursday as a category 4, I think they will have plenty of time to get it back up and running before we get there. Is this wishful thinking and paranoia starting to take over???...smjj

Not if it hits direct, I am afraid. A Category 4 flattened Punta Gorda, FL a few years back...literally flattened it.

 

[Knit1Purl2]

Still waiting for docs to arrive - when the fed ex truck pulled up today I thought maybe but nope - how did your docs arrive - UPS, Fed EX, USPS?

Our docs arrived via snail mail :O) We got them last week.

 

[DizDays]

So far the good news is Irene isn't escalating as fast as originally predicted. Let's hope that trend continues. AND that she keeps skirting farther east. Fingers crossed!

 

[Muushka]

To this day I still suffer (exaggerating just a tad) from an injury sustained on CC
after they cleaned up from a hurricane in Dec 2005.

Apparently the waves pounded the beach so hard that it was no longer sloping,
but more like a straight down step of about 1.5 feet.

The problem arose when they just covered up with nice soft sand. I fell and landed on my,
um, kiester, on the very hard sand step.
To this day it still hurts.

I call it my Castaway Keister.

No lawsuit or anything, just sucked it up and went about my business.

Just a heads-up, have a great cruise!

 

[smjj]

I was reading on the DIS DCL board that CC was hit hard. I do not know what this means yet, our MC is still 22 days away. Post hear if you read more info about this and keep your fingers crossed....smjj

 

[calypso726]

Hi everyone! I just found this thread and wanted to say Hello Just in case some are not aware, there is a Facebook 2011 member cruise group CLICKY HERE The FB group might appeal to some folks more as they do tend to stay fairly on topic

The following are some random thoughts I wanted to share. None of it is directed at anyone or any post in particular

I do post fairly regularly on the other thread which can be challenging to keep up with. I get that breaking a thread record or making up games to entice people to post may not be everyone's cup of tea. However, I don't see the thread as clique-ish nor do I see an "in crowd". I went to high school too, still have the scars *shudders at the memory* and I know what cliques and "in crowds" are That thread and the people who post regularly there ... not even close. I suppose maybe that is the conclusion some may jump to when they see a good number of the same posters regularly that appear to be familiar with each other. I guess what some don't seem to realize is that a good majority of us on there have never met in person and only have met on that thread. That thread, fast paced though it may be, is what one wants to make of it. Some lurk and chuckle at the absurdity, some pop in here and there with a quick hello or comment once in a while, some jump in head first and make fast friends.

Yes, there are a few couples who "met" on the 2010 SSMC cruise meet thread and finally in person on the ship and they are also on the 2011 SSMC. But the rest, not at all. The off topic chatter is how they've gotten to know one another. Last year that same off topic chatter and silly posting game, only 2 threads worth, not 12 led a bunch of strangers with one thing in common ... love for the magic of Disney ... to get to know each other. These same strangers who met on the 2010 thread decide to link their reservations together to be dinner buddies and also book a Palo brunch together on that 2010 DVC cruise and somewhere along the way became friends I thought that was the coolest thing ever Where else but on the DIS would a bunch a strangers get together like that

This year a few of those same people and a WHOLE LOT of new strangers have decided to jump in and do the same thing ... way cool IMO Not only that, this group takes it a step further by getting together twice in Chicago for a DISmeet, making arrangements to visit when one is traveling to another's home state or going to be in WDW or DL at the same time all while we are anxiously awaiting for Sep. 18th to hurry up and get here I am humbled and awed by the generosity of spirit and welcoming, friendly nature I have witnessed by so many on that thread, these perfect strangers, who consider each other friends/family they haven't met yet. If that isn't "magical" I don't know what is.

I'm looking forward to a fabulous time on the SSMC this year. I can't wait to see what might be in store for us since it is the 20th anniversary of DVC. I am so hoping that they decide to announce a Grand Floridian DVC Enjoy the weekend. For those in Irene's path, stay safe, my good thoughts are with you

 

[Luvdisney]

Still no word on damage to CC yet? If DCL can't get into CC during the SS member cruise, where do you think they will take us?

 

[DenLo]

I read this on post on the Cruise Critic Disney Cruise Line board, it was posted August 26th:

We are boarding the Dream Sunday. I called DCL and asked them if we will be able to visit Castaway Cay, and the rep said "As of right now, all systems are a go for Castaway Cay." He went on to say that the Dream went around the hurricane and the people who boarded Thursday will also be visiting Castaway Cay.

I also saw this report:

http://travel.usatoday.com/cruises/...-cococay-norwegian-great-stirrup-cay/416942/1

The Disney Cruise Line has also rerouted one ship, allowing time to inspect facilities at Castaway Cay, its private island.

 

[DizDays]

From the posts I've seen so far, it might take several cruises before CC is back up.
I read that the channel is going to have to be dredged before the ship can get through.
No idea how long something like that takes.

I HOPE if CC is not availabe we do not end up at Nassau (at all) - especially not twice. (ugh!)

To anyone who went on previous Member Cruises and went to CC, is it a "normal" port call
or are there special "Member Cruise" things planned at CC beyond the normal visit?

Crossing my fingers with the rest of you!