Memorial Week Cruise May 24-29, 2009

[kaykels]

My ticker STINKS. Shouldn't my ship be closer to castaway cay by now with only 15 days left???

 

[Kelly Lou]

Oh my God!

I just wrote the longest post ever for here. Talked to everyone and added all the smileys and then... it vanished!

So, here's the dumbed down version (I don't feel like redoing it all!)...

Leslie Ann, yes, on your day, anytime during the day, run around to all the other FE rooms and put your gifts in everyone's FE. Everyone else will run around on their days and pass to your family (several on each day. so the day that you are the passer, you'll also be receiving)

I did include in my head count Twokats DM, CUL8R's DF, and kaykels Poppop. Jenelabri and candlemaker w/twins are on our rooster, but not the FE schedule, so they are not in the count.

We actually haven't heard from Jenelabre and candlemaker w/ twins for a few months. ARE YOU GUYS STILL WITH US??? If so, say hi when you have a minute or let us know by our cut off if your gonna join us in the FE exchange. (I'm kind of thinking that they cancelled or switched to a different cruise).

Claire- I did my half marathon last weekend! Wow! Harder than I thought! But, I finished and I wasn't last, LOL! How's the wedding. You're probably on stress overload here. Just think shortly, you'll be married and on a cruise, and relaxing!

After our cut off I will update our info, if there are any updates to make, and I planned to print out the list of days and room numbers to give everyone at the sail away party so we all have a copy and the info on us.

And, Happy Mothers Day to all. I probably won't be on here tomorrow. Have a great day.

Thanks! Can't wait to meet eveyone! We leave in 11 days!

 

[dunnhorn]

I can't believe we sail 2 weeks from today. It's shocking!!!

 

[momster24]

Okay, please dont get mad, but is it okay if we rejoin FE?? My DH and I were in a store and saw some real cute things that would have been perfect for FE, and I wished we were still doing it. So he said he would help me make it! I bought my material and now I just have to figure out how! Plus I want to do magnets for the door and t-shirts for the 3 of us. At least it will make the next 2 weeks fly by.

 

[kaykels]

Tomorrow I am digging out my dry erase board, door magnets, buying the supplies for the matching tee shirts, finding the jingle bells for the door and finding my summer clothes... which I think are 2 sizes too smal..... it's been a stressful winter.

 

[dunnhorn]

Hey there - your remark about white boards made me think of something: do we get text messaging on the boat? Can we text each other?

Also - I have an cellular air card (internet) and I'm wondering if we get cellular service anywhere? I guess I'll need to call AT&T for that!

TIA,

Leslie Ann

 

[erionm]

Here's at&t information on international usage: http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/international/roaming/international-roaming.jsp

 

[thegalesga]

You all have been so helpful, I have a couple of questions for you:

I am seeing that we should order a cheese platter to be delivered to our room so that it is there at checkin....is this because if you get on the boat early, you will have something to munch on till dinner?

Also, any guideance on what the deal is on booking your next trip onboard. I want to be prepared. Is there a discount? Do I need to have my school calendars with me or is the discount on board credit?

 

[momster24]

for the FE, for each room, do we put everything in 1 bag and then sign our names?

 

[princessE]

Welcome back momster24!

For the FE I didnt put everything in 1 bag. I put little taggies on each one, and I will put each gift in its pocket! I don't know how everyone else is doing it. Hope that helps!

 

[g-ma]

Hi Everyone, I actually feel like I'm getting somewhere today, ha ha ha. I got alot of shopping done on the weekend and am working on FE's now. Whoo Hoo,

Wanted to also add my son to the roster (not FE ). He is traveling with us, in his own cabin. Don't know why I never put him on before. Maybe because he's not doing the fe. Anyways, he's traveling with our gang and his roomate is comming along also. My son's name is Ralph. He's a fireman (recieved the medal of honor last yr). We're very proud of him! He turns 26 on memorial day so if you see him that day give him a shout out. His friend is Sam, a paramedic, who is army (I think) and just returned from Iraq.



Momster--glad to have you back on board. The FE will be fun!

Help from Kaykels (or other seasoned cruisers), My daughter just got back from the 3 day Wonder and said ALOT (most) people really dressed up for formal/semi-formal night. She said, suits for men, long dresses for the ladies. I was surprised to hear this. Can you tell us... have most in your past experiences done this? I was only planning cruise casual/comphy.

Thegalesga---never cruised before, but I've been lurking on these boards for a yr. now. I say skip the cheese platter. You will get lunch as soon as you board. Dinner not long after if you are main dining. If not the buffets will be open and of course room service 24 hr. a day.
From my understanding, there is a cheese platter (called all hands on deck) that you can get for free from room service. I think it is the same thing they would have you pay extra for to have delivered to your room. Maybe someone else can add to this.

As for the FE, I am also doing everything separate. I just think each child would be so excited to find a lil treasure in their FE pocket

Take care all--------M

 

[CUL8R]

A couple questions on the FE:

twokats is your DM participating in the FE?

CUL8R is DF(Cris) participating in the FE?

kaykels is DF (Pop Pop) particpating in the FE?

Yes, Son's DF Cris (who is 13) is participating

 

[gymstarr]

I am also doing each FE seperate for each person.

 

[TiggerzFan]

You all have been so helpful, I have a couple of questions for you:

I am seeing that we should order a cheese platter to be delivered to our room so that it is there at checkin....is this because if you get on the boat early, you will have something to munch on till dinner?

Also, any guideance on what the deal is on booking your next trip onboard. I want to be prepared. Is there a discount? Do I need to have my school calendars with me or is the discount on board credit?

HI there... I think I can tackle these.

I, personally, don't understand the advice to order a cheese platter to be delivered as soon as you're onboard. First, as another posted stated, you go straight to a delicious lunch buffet (MUST the strawberry soup!) and you will never go hungry on the ship. There is a nicer cheese platter to purchase ahead of time to be waiting, but again, not sure there is any real need.

As for rebooking onboard - a must in my mind, IF you know you'll cruise again and IF the deposit is feasible for you. For a 7-night booking, you will get 10% off the current rate and a $200 stateroom credit to use on that sailing. I believe for shorter cruises, it's still 10% and a $100 credit. You absolutely can change the cruise date once back at home and still maintain the benefits. TIP: If you have a Disney Visa card, you will get 6 months interest free on any Disney vacation bookings/deposits - plus, of course, the coveted Disney Dollars. It gives you 6 months, interest free, to decide whether or not you're cruising again.
Also, not sure if they're still doing it, but on our cruise last November, they offered 50% deposits, so just $500 for 4pp instead of $1000. Same benefits.

Hope this helps! Happy Sails!
Donna

 

[TiggerzFan]

Help from Kaykels (or other seasoned cruisers), My daughter just got back from the 3 day Wonder and said ALOT (most) people really dressed up for formal/semi-formal night. She said, suits for men, long dresses for the ladies. I was surprised to hear this. Can you tell us... have most in your past experiences done this? I was only planning cruise casual/comphy.
--------M

In general, the dress on The Wonder tends to be more casual than The Magic. The Wonder has a "Semi Formal" night while The Magic has a "Formal" Night. That said, for many people, this may be a great opportunity for formal photos and therefore they will dress accordingly. We've seen dress all over the board, from casual capris to sundresses to formal gowns. You will not feel out of place no matter what you choose (well, except maybe shorts and a tee!!!). Also, keep in mind, Palo generally prefers men jackets (or, at least they used to) so your daughter may have run into people dining there.
Go with what feels right for your family.

 

[kaykels]

Yep, listen to Donna, this will be Disney cruise #7 for her, and #6 for me. Half Wonder, half Magic. I won't be decked out in "formal' attire, just semi-formal on that particular night. Otherwise, capris or casual sundresses in the dining room and cozy clothes after dinner for me.

And the cheese tray is certainly not something I would do since I'll be so full from the fabulous lunch at embarkation. Besides, there are always quick grabs on the pool deck if you're hungry between meals (tacos, chicken fingers, pizza, wraps, fruit, etc)
Be prepared to eat your face off. After 6 Disney cruises, I can tell you I have never had to order room service because I was hungry!!!

As for the FE's, some people put name tags on, some people don't. Some put it all in one bag, some put it in different pockets. It doesn't really matter. I think it's better when everybody does something unique. Don't over-think it, it's just cool to have "surprises" waiting for you at your room.

OMG I can't wait. I'm working a zillion hours this week and I need a break BADLY from stress, drama and cooking and cleaning. I can almost feel the crash of the waves at Castaway Cay calling my name.....

 

[twokats]

Hey Kelly Lou!!!!

Could you post an updated list with momster24 back in so I can do a final count for myself? I am trying to get my stuff finalized and having a little trouble with my figures!! I wonder why. . . guess it was a really heavy tax season LOL

Nine days till our flight to Florida!!

 

[g-ma]

Kel's computer is on the blitz so she'll have to get over here to use mine sometime this weekend.

Thanks for the answers on semi formal attire. Ugg, I don't know what to wear, lol.

My flight leaves Wed. morning. I feel like I'm on overlaod now. Full agenda this weekend. Packing still to do. Luckily, most of my shopping is finished. Sorry complaining, but in a good way.

 

[hillfam]

Ok.....packing done! FE done! camera, memory cards done!....now, after overthinking EVERYTHING....I had this sombering thought.......(hoping I don't kill everyone's high.......)

What if someone who is not part of our FE list....gets sticky fingers? Is that a possibility? I'm hoping not.....

sorry, y'all....just been thinking tooooooooo much!

 

[princessE]

Here is the updated FE schedule:

Memorial Day Weekend Cruise
The Wonder May 24-28, 2009

Our Meet & Greets: -:00pm at the Sail Away Party, on Deck 9 by the front towards the right hand of the stage. Wear a lime green Mickey head button, or shirt, or wave a flag! Bring your families (and cameras!)
Additional meet (in case we missed anyone at the sail away & to get better acquainted) at Wavebands 9:30pm the first night.

Our roster:
jenelabri (Jennifer) from ?; traveling w/DH, ds 9, dd 5 and both sets of grandparents; sea only?; 1st cruise; celebrating?; ? dining?; Deck? Room

candlemakerw/twins (name?) from Massachusetts; traveling w/DH, DD5, DD5; land&sea; 4th cruise; celebrating?; ?dining?; deck 6, room?

g-ma (Marlene) from Ohio; traveling w/DH (Ralph); land&sea; 1st cruise; celebrating son's b-day/alone time/family; main dining; Deck 7 & 2, Room 7035

Kelly Lou (Kelly) from Ohio; traveling w/DH (Jim), DS8 (Jimmy), DS7 (Joey), and DD3 (M.E.) (and parents (g-ma), siblings, in laws, and neices and nephews- 17 total); Land&Sea&Land; 1st cruise; celebrating family; main dining; Deck 7 Room 7039

twokats (Kathy/Kat) from Texas; traveling w/DH & DM; land&sea&land; 1st cruise; celebrating 25th anniversary; late dining; deck 6, Room 6080

hillfam (Monique) from Georgia; traveling w/DH, DS7, DS2; Sea?&Land?; 4th cruise; celebrating DH's return/4th honeymoon; main dining; deck 6, room 6110

lilouisianagal (Claire) from Louisiana; traveling w/DH (Danny); Sea only; 1st cruise; celebrating Honeymoon; main dining; deck 2, room 2078

CUL8R (Tina) from Arizona; traveling w/DS18 Jacob, DS14 David; DF Cris; [little]land&sea;1st cruise; celebrating sons' graduations; main dining; deck 2, Room 2516

Dunnhorn (Leslie Ann) from Georgia; traveling w/ DH (Jason), DS7 & DD5; sea & land; celebrating 10th anniversary; main dining; deck 6

Willsgirl (Colleen) from Ohio; traveling w/ DH (Will), DD7 (Katie), DS4 (Brandon), &DS2 (David); land, sea & land; main dining; deck 2, rooms 2571 &2573

TiggerzFan (Donna) from Florida; traveling w/ DH, DD7, DD3; sea only; dining; deck 2 room 2142

gymstarr (Stephanie) from Florida; traveling w/ DD10; sea only; late dining; deck 6, room 6639

princessE (Eleni) from Florida; traveling w/DH, DS1, DS1; sea ; late dining; celebrating twin’s 1st b-day; deck5, room5510

thegalesga () from Georgia; traveling w/ DS9, DD8, DS6, DS6; sea; dining; deck 1; rooms 1070 & 1072

momster24 (Dawn) from Florida; traveling w/DH (Adam), DS7 (Ayden), sea,2nd cruise; celebrating son's b-day, main dining, deck 2, room 2502

kaykels (Rachel) from PA; traveling w/ DH (Bill), DD15 (Kaylee), DD12 (Kelsi-Jo), DS8 (Colby), DF (Pop Pop), late dining, deck 2, room 2141, 2143

candicenicole19 (Candice) from Maryland; traveling w/ DH (Kris), DD9 (Zoe), DD6 (Abby), DD3 (Olivia), main dining, sea only, deck 2, rooms 2530

Our Fish Extender schedule:
(Participating families are: Kelly Lou, g-ma, cuL8r, hillfam, twokats, lilouisianagal, Dunnhorn, Willsgirl, TiggerzFan, gymstarr, princessE, thegalesga, candicenicole19, momster24)

Sunday 5-24: cuL8r, hillfam, TiggerzFan, candicenicole19
Monday 5-25: twokats, Kelly Lou, gymstarr, kaykels
Tuesday 5-26: lilouisianagal, Willsgirl, princessE, momster24
Wednesday 5-27: g-ma, Dunnhorn, thegalesga

This brings the total headcount to 59 people.
34 adults total (17m, 17f) and 25 kids total (13 and younger- 14boys, 11girls).

I still have packing to do, shopping to do...the list goes on. At least my FEs are done!
Monique- I have heard of a few stories where their FE as well as their gifts inside went missing! Lets hope it doesnt happen to anyone! Keep checking your FE throughout the day!!