Mexican Riviera Cruise April 3, 2011

[ZDARA1999]

ZDARA1999 -

I just want to thank you again for organizing the FEE. I get so much joy putting these gifts together!! You are so smart to use google docs, I like how I can just keep checking back for updates!

You are so very welcome!! I am a huge scrapbooker so I am always making something My kids think Im crazy. They can't understand why each of them have 6 baby books and "normal" kids only have one

 

[iankh]

Good Morning,

so I am blowing away by a wind storm here in Cali and to top it off we have a fabulous sig alert on the freeway!!! I am soo ready for our cruise

Sorry for the typo regarding the meet and greet. I meant to set it up at 3pm.

Dress attire (PLEASE DO NOT SHOOT ME! I REALLY AM A NICE PERSON) - This is totally in the eye of the person. I have seen people cut throat on other links regarding what you should and should not do. Do you "follow Disney rules" or do you just say beeeeeeep it and wear what you want to wear because you paid for the cruise!! We do the second dining and the kids are only with us for approx 30 to 45 mins. I think it would be just fine for a kid to wear kakis/cargo shorts with a nice shirt.

Do you want my short answer or long one?

I'll go with the short one first, do what you want to do and what you are comfortable wearing. Who cares what anyone else thinks? They're not the ones paying for your probably not so cheap cruise or schlepping your luggage.

To frame this for you, this advice is coming from someone who has worn tails an an ambassadorial sash, medals, a top hat and white gloves formal night. I did it because I wanted to, not because someone else expected that I do (I've also worn other assorted formal get-ups on formal night, and I've also worn jeans).

We will not be schlepping another suitcase across the universe with anything remotely resembling dress up wear for this cruise.

Now if anyone on the ship offers to foot the bill for my vacation, I'll be happy to reconsider. If they offer to pay for my vacation and] come to Chicago and vacuum my house I'll throw in wearing a tiara (I admire dedication to a cause).

These are just my 2 cents. I apologize if I sound strident but I'm on the L on my iPhone and the train is crowded and I'm a tiny bit cranky. I also just realized that that was pretty long for a short answer.

 

[iankh]

Good Morning,

so I am blowing away by a wind storm here in Cali and to top it off we have a fabulous sig alert on the freeway!!! I am soo ready for our cruise

Sorry for the typo regarding the meet and greet. I meant to set it up at 3pm.

Dress attire (PLEASE DO NOT SHOOT ME! I REALLY AM A NICE PERSON) - This is totally in the eye of the person. I have seen people cut throat on other links regarding what you should and should not do. Do you "follow Disney rules" or do you just say beeeeeeep it and wear what you want to wear because you paid for the cruise!! We do the second dining and the kids are only with us for approx 30 to 45 mins. I think it would be just fine for a kid to wear kakis/cargo shorts with a nice shirt.

I thought you were asking the question rather than answering it!

That's what I get for reading and posting while I'm on the L on my iPhone and am crowded in and cranky (and more than a little hungry).

Another option for people for formal night is to go to Top Siders, Beach Banket Babylon or whatever it's called on the Wonder.

My recommendation if you are a newbie and decide to do this is to check your dining rotation. And make sure that Animators Palette is not that night and if possible change your rotation. I believe that formal night for this cruise is our second night out.

My rationale is if you are new and decide to go to alternate dining on that night, were it to be your first time in AP you would miss "the show" as it is only done of the first night of the rotation through that restaurant.

Dining rotation changes can be made when by going to the Rockin' D lounge and asking them to switch you.

Again this is totally a matter for personal choice.

 

[Tracie Wallace]

...or schlepping your luggage.

I am so happy I'm just driving down the freeway. NO AIRPLANES! I can bring as much stuff as I want. Pirate costume, formal gown, and lots of shoes. Got to have shoes. DH gets to bring Diet Pepsi (he's addicted!)

 

[Schafffamily]

I thought you were asking the question rather than answering it!

That's what I get for reading and posting while I'm on the L on my iPhone and am crowded in and cranky (and more than a little hungry).

Another option for people for formal night is to go to Top Siders, Beach Banket Babylon or whatever it's called on the Wonder.

My recommendation if you are a newbie and decide to do this is to check your dining rotation. And make sure that Animators Palette is not that night and if possible change your rotation. I believe that formal night for this cruise is our second night out.

My rationale is if you are new and decide to go to alternate dining on that night, were it to be your first time in AP you would miss "the show" as it is only done of the first night of the rotation through that restaurant.

Dining rotation changes can be made when by going to the Rockin' D lounge and asking them to switch you.

Again this is totally a matter for personal choice.

Are you saying that animators palette show is not done on Formal night?

 

[taysmom]

I had a HUGE reply - and *poof* it's gone.

UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHhh!

Anyway, I'll get back to that.

My question is about the Tea with _________ (sometimes ALice, sometimes Wendy, sometimes "friends")

My BFF just returned from her cruise in the MR on the Wonder. No tea offered and no explanation. They got in line on embarkation day and tried to get on the list, and they were told that it wasn't being offered on this cruise. Anyone know if they are discontinuing it?

I saw on another thread that they were discontinuing to revamp the tea as it wasn't working out.

To frame this for you, this advice is coming from someone who has worn tails an an ambassadorial sash, medals, a top hat and white gloves formal night. I did it because I wanted to, not because someone else expected that I do (I've also worn other assorted formal get-ups on formal night, and I've also worn jeans).

We will not be schlepping another suitcase across the universe with anything remotely resembling dress up wear for this cruise.

Now if anyone on the ship offers to foot the bill for my vacation, I'll be happy to reconsider. If they offer to pay for my vacation and] come to Chicago and vacuum my house I'll throw in wearing a tiara (I admire dedication to a cause).

These are just my 2 cents. I apologize if I sound strident but I'm on the L on my iPhone and the train is crowded and I'm a tiny bit cranky. I also just realized that that was pretty long for a short answer.

LOL!

Hi all! I'm brand new to this forum and booked this cruise! Cannot wait to have fun in the sun in less than a month!

Welcome aboard

 

[rbcheek]

I am so happy I'm just driving down the freeway. NO AIRPLANES! I can bring as much stuff as I want. Pirate costume, formal gown, and lots of shoes. Got to have shoes. DH gets to bring Diet Pepsi (he's addicted!)

Oh, I agree with this one, all we have to do is drive up from San Diego. So much nicer than having to fly to Fl.

 

[pthuhges2]

Oh, I agree with this one, all we have to do is drive up from San Diego. So much nicer than having to fly to Fl.

COldn't agree more.. Driving to a cruise... AWESOME...

 

[eloise's gramma]

Us too. Driving from Long Beach, can't get much closer.

getting so excited!

 

[rbcheek]

Us too. Driving from Long Beach, can't get much closer.

getting so excited!

Wow, you can probably walk there....except carrying the luggage would be hard

 

[iankh]

Are you saying that animators palette show is not done on Formal night?

No, what I meant was that if one decided to go to Beach Blanket Babylon on Formal Night and their dining rotation was that night, they might want to change their rotation.

 

[iankh]

I am so happy I'm just driving down the freeway. NO AIRPLANES! I can bring as much stuff as I want. Pirate costume, formal gown, and lots of shoes. Got to have shoes. DH gets to bring Diet Pepsi (he's addicted!)

No charge for the luggage on SW, but I've still declared this a schlepp-free cruise and have decided we'll be going incognito.

 

[Tracie Wallace]

No charge for luggage on JetBlue either and they fly into Long Beach. Long Beach is so much easier than LAX. Now if only they flew to Midway and not O'Hare it would be perfect!

 

[iankh]

No charge for luggage on JetBlue either and they fly into Long Beach. Long Beach is so much easier than LAX. Now if only they flew to Midway and not O'Hare it would be perfect!

Yeah, I prefer Midway to O'Hare. Even though I live closer to O'Hare I think Midway is much more manageable, plus it's easer to get there via L from the Northside.

 

[rbcheek]

Just in case anyone is interested, I called DCL to ask about movies being shown onboard while we will be out, and this is the list I was given.

Oceans
Toy Story 3 - 3D
Sorcerer's Apprentice
Step Up - 3D
You Again
Secretariat
Tangled
Tron Legacy - 3D
Gnomio & Juliet
I Am #4
Mars Needs Moms

 

[IWannaBeAPrincess]

Just in case anyone is interested, I called DCL to ask about movies being shown onboard while we will be out, and this is the list I was given.

Oceans
Toy Story 3 - 3D
Sorcerer's Apprentice
Step Up - 3D
You Again
Secretariat
Tangled
Tron Legacy - 3D
Gnomio & Juliet
I Am #4
Mars Needs Moms

FTR - My husband and I were in the movie, Secretariat, so we'll be signing autographs on the ship... LOL

(We really were, but we were just extras... We did get paid, though - and nothing like being a part of the Disney magic!!)

 

[capntavis]

Living in Texas, the only port we can drive to is Galveston and Disney doesnt use that one....yet

 

[pthuhges2]

You are so very welcome!! I am a huge scrapbooker so I am always making something My kids think Im crazy. They can't understand why each of them have 6 baby books and "normal" kids only have one

I wanted to echo IWannsBeAPrincess's sentiment, I really appreciate you handling all of the organization for the FE Exchange. Herding cats isn't always fun!

Thanks!

 

[TinyG]

Even better for us. We are being dropped off by family. Our oldest daughter is not going, she has to be back at college. She is going to take pictures of us sailing out!

 

[IWannaBeAPrincess]

You know how to tell when you have overpacked?

When you are 17 days out, have 3 bags packed, and have none of mine or DHs clothes in them... or shoes! NO SHOES! I might have to rethink those 32 matching custom Disney outfits that I have made in the last couple of weeks... (mild exaggeration ) LOL - I have a entire rolling duffle full of FE gifts, LOL! Thank goodness SW checks bags for free!

Anyone else have a "Don't forget this or you'll never survive" item to pack? Apparently I do... 3 suitcases full!

Some of my favorites (aside from the matchy matchy outfits, hair bows, accessories and really darling polka dotted shoes... enough about DH's wardrobe - JOKING)
Power Strip
Nightlight for bathroom
Air freshener for bathroom (what is it about cruise ship drains? - FUNKY!)
More Sunscreen than you think you'll need
Aloe for those times you didn't think you would need the sunscreen and were sorely mistaken
Sunglasses (and an extra pair because DH will inevitably loose/break his, no matter how many times you warn him not to wear them during water sports)
$1 bills for tips
Chargers for every electronic device that you are bringing
zip lock baggies for wet stuff on the return trip
Door magnets, pins, FE gifts, Tinker Bell gifts (aka bribes), autographs book/pillow case/yadda yadda, costumes, etc...
*sigh*

I'm sure there is more... I mean, I do have 3 bags packed, and I only packed stuff I won't need between now and then... LOL