Nov.1 2009 on the Wonder! it's never too early to chat!the

[MinnieMouses1969]

Birdrav,
The day at sea I believe is Nov 4th. That is mine and my husbands 15th wedding anniversary. Both you & I will be celebrating our marriages that day. Best wishes to you & your soon to be husband.

 

[Birdrav]

Great! Good chance we will see the two of you at Palo on the 4th?

There is no better way to celebrate, than taking a Disney Cruise!

I am so ready to go ... Except for one small detail. It's not paid off yet.Working on that.

I am even more excited now that I have my wedding dress. It's perfect for a cruise wedding. Im calling it classic casual.

 

[tjbaggott]

Hello Everyone! My family and I (6 of us) will be Sailing at this time too!
This will be our 2nd visit onto the Disney Wonder.
Our first trip was actually my daughters Land and Sea Wish Trip granted through "The Children's Wish Foundation". My daughter was diagnosed with cancer when she was 13. (Doing very well now). She wanted her WISH RIGHT AWAY, and I tried talking her into waiting till the end of her cancer treatment and then we could celebrate the end of CHEMO. She wouldn't hear of it back then, and wow, she really did need something to look forward to, and waiting 2 1/2 years to go was way too long, especially when there are no guarantees that treatment will succeed. I was able to talk her into waiting ONE year, and so her wish was granted when she just surpassed her one year into treatment point.
Imagine my face when she said to me a year and a half ago (when treatment Did successfully end), "WHY DIDN'T YOU MAKE ME WAIT TILL THE END OF TREATMENT?" She now realized how wonderful it would have been to celebrate the "NO MORE CHEMO" by a Land and Sea Vacation.
Well, not to make this story much longer, she ended up running into more health concerns with after effects of treatment, and thus there was one more year of needles and weekly hospital visits.
SO,,, Last September when things were finally NORMAL for several months, we decided SHE/WE ALL DESERVED a CELEBRATION!
THUS our OCT. 29th - NOV. 5th DISNEY LAND AND SEA VACATION!
So thats our Story!
Congratulations to the BRIDE TO BE! That will be an awesome event for you!
Judy

 

[disneynewbee]

Hello Everyone! My family and I (6 of us) will be Sailing at this time too!
This will be our 2nd visit onto the Disney Wonder.
Our first trip was actually my daughters Land and Sea Wish Trip granted through "The Children's Wish Foundation". My daughter was diagnosed with cancer when she was 13. (Doing very well now). She wanted her WISH RIGHT AWAY, and I tried talking her into waiting till the end of her cancer treatment and then we could celebrate the end of CHEMO. She wouldn't hear of it back then, and wow, she really did need something to look forward to, and waiting 2 1/2 years to go was way too long, especially when there are no guarantees that treatment will succeed. I was able to talk her into waiting ONE year, and so her wish was granted when she just surpassed her one year into treatment point.
Imagine my face when she said to me a year and a half ago (when treatment Did successfully end), "WHY DIDN'T YOU MAKE ME WAIT TILL THE END OF TREATMENT?" She now realized how wonderful it would have been to celebrate the "NO MORE CHEMO" by a Land and Sea Vacation.
Well, not to make this story much longer, she ended up running into more health concerns with after effects of treatment, and thus there was one more year of needles and weekly hospital visits.
SO,,, Last September when things were finally NORMAL for several months, we decided SHE/WE ALL DESERVED a CELEBRATION!
THUS our OCT. 29th - NOV. 5th DISNEY LAND AND SEA VACATION!
So thats our Story!
Congratulations to the BRIDE TO BE! That will be an awesome event for you!
Judy

What a great celebration! How old is your dd now? Our oldest dd will be 16yo on the cruise.

 

[tjbaggott]

MY DD is 17yr. now, and will have JUST turned 18 by the time of our Cruise. I've talked with our TA about her because she was worried she wouldn't be able to hang out in the teen area. My daughter was out of school for 2 1/2 years, (taught by a home tutor during that time) so although she is now 17, and should have been graduating this year, she is technically a year behind. So all her friends in her classes are 16 and 17 years old. She couldn't imagine having to hang out with US ADULTS! LOL. Our TA said of course she can hang out in the teen area.
My other kids are DS 16, DS 11, and DS 5.
Seems to me, the only time my Two oldest ever got along was on our DISNEY CRUISE! They had no else to hang out with but each other as there wasn't other teens at the time. Should be a blast for them this time (was last time too!, but even better this time).

 

[MrsJD]

Welcome aboard!!!! What a crazy few years you've had. I agree, there is no better way to celebrate your DD's health than a Disney vacation. We look forward to seeing you and your family on the ship!

Also, Bird started her pre wedding report on the weddings forum if anyone wants to check it out. Look for Bridgette and Shaun!!

Ooooooh, it's getting closer everyday....I can almost smell the seabreeze.

 

[tjbaggott]

WHERE IS EVERYONE

Has anyone started to think about SHORE EXCURSIONS yet?

There are SO many good ones! Our family will probably split up as some of us want to do different things.

Or is anyone planning on just staying on board during our stop in Nassau?

By the way, does anyone know the check in time at Port Canaveral?
We are driving down (a two day drive), so will be bringing ourselves to the port after visiting Disney World. Whats the earliest, and latest we can check in?

 

[tjbaggott]

I think I'm talking to myself here, but anyways,
WOO HOO, MY FINAL PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE!
Will that make October come any faster?

 

[disneynewbee]

WHERE IS EVERYONE

Has anyone started to think about SHORE EXCURSIONS yet?

There are SO many good ones! Our family will probably split up as some of us want to do different things.

Or is anyone planning on just staying on board during our stop in Nassau?

By the way, does anyone know the check in time at Port Canaveral?
We are driving down (a two day drive), so will be bringing ourselves to the port after visiting Disney World. Whats the earliest, and latest we can check in?

We've already decided on our Nassau excursion, just haven't decided how to book it. We plan to do the Blue Lagoon Dolphin Encounter. I don't know whether to book it directly or through Disney because of prices. It's about $25 extra through Disney which I would happily pay for the convenience but we have a 3yo and they are free through the company but for some reason Disney is still charging the full $125 for them. Also we will have a 1 1/2 yo and if we book directly it's possible she could participate and do it for free. I don't know yet if I want to have her participate, it would depend on her personality and she's only 8 months so too young to tell yet but if we book directly we keep that option open. I am just so scared of doing it this way and making it back late and getting left in Nassau. I also plan to do the string ray excursion with my oldest who will be 16 at the time of the cruise on CC. We were just going to relax and not plan any excursions for CC but it's only an hour and we really do love petting the sting rays when we go to Sea World.
I'm not sure about the check in time since this is our first cruise but I think I read you can get into the terminal at 10am.

 

[tjbaggott]

I really want to do the Blackbeard's Cay Stingray Adventure with my two youngest. BUT they don't want to!!! (they are currently 12 and 5yrs old). Can you believe they want to do the Garden tour? They think seeing flamingos would be exciting! (well I guess that part would be, But compared to stingrays? rrhhhggg)LOL

My daugther did the blue lagoon dolphin encounter on our last trip and we did it outside of disney, but only because we tried to book too late through disney and it was full. I called Blue Lagoon myself and they were very helpful at booking the times so we'd be back to the ship long before it left port, as well as telling us how and what taxis to take to get the boat launch. It did cost us less that way, even including the taxi (which ended up being shared by others going to the same place). Children 3 and under I think can only go as observers and there is a small cost for that. Don't know if any of that info has changed in the past 3 years but that was our experience.

 

[disneynewbee]

So are you going to go with the garden tour? I didn't read much about it because I knew immediately that my kids would want to do one of the animal encounters. My bunch love sting rays. We have a fish store we go to in Lancaster, PA that has a sting ray petting tank and I have to drag my kids out of there. They only have little ones though so they are not nearly as easy to pet as the ones at Sea World. I have to do something my 3yo can participate in though so we can't do it in Nassau. But on CC they won't fuss too much that they can't do it since they will have the beach to distract them. I might even let the 6yo do it with us but the others are too young. I checked the Blue Lagoon site and this is what they say on the Dolphin Encounter under rules. Guests age 3 or younger participate for free if accompanied in the program by a responsible, paying adult with a ticket for the encounter. Parent or guardian must be at least 18 years of age.
Guests ages 4 to 12 may participate at full price & must be accompanied (in the water) by a responsible, paying adult with a ticket for the encounter.
Guests wishing to upgrade from the Encounter to available Swim spaces may apply the value of the encounter ticket toward the purchase of the upgrade. I hope that's not a misprint because if she can't do it we're going to have to skip it. I'll still most likely leave the 1 1/2 yo in flounders so I can concentrate better on the other kids although I know my husband and if she can go with us he will want her to. He hates leaving our kids even with family. I think based on your experience that I will just go with them directly and save some $.

 

[tjbaggott]

I figure I've got several months to work on my kids about the Stingray adventure. My two teenagers want to do Atlantis, so I've told them they can do WHATEVER they want but 1. They MUST stay together, and 2. They must pay for the excursion cost themselves (since I'm paying the the rest of the whole package).

I'd love to do the Dolphin encounter, we only watched last time and my daughter had the encounter. There is now a sea lion encounter, that sounds awesome too! My 5 year old would love the glass bottom boat tour, but the 11 year old doesn't.
Perhaps DH and I will be splitting up to do different activities with the kids in Nassau.
ON CC, we aren't doing any excursions, just going to enjoy the beach and Cookies Bar B Q!

Oh, and hey, thats great news about the Dolphin encounter should you do that excursion. Perhaps those were the same rules back when we went, and DS(2 at the time) never participated because we didn't and not the other way around. My daughter LOVED the experience!

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[MrsJD]

Looks like I have been MIA for a while. DD will be four at cruise time so I am really leaning towards just staying on the ship while docked in Nassau. With all that there is to due on the cruise, I'm not sure I am up for paying extra money for excursions. While at CC we will probably just enjoy the beach since it will be her first time at any beach. We spend a lot of time at the lake here so I know she will love playing in the water and sand. Then I can relax and watch her. I think I am planning to just do a whole lot of chilling on this trip. Plus we will have so much family to visit with onboard.

I really want to go to the martini tasting and will be interested in what else there is to do. This is our first cruise and I am doing very little research...hoping to get there and live spontaneously.

 

[tjbaggott]

Just chillin on board during the stop in Naussa is sounding really good! I bet the pools will be pretty empty of people.....hmmmm, it's a definate thought!

 

[Birdrav]

I too have been out of the loop with this thread. I have really gotten hooked on talking about the wedding portion of the cruise over on the Weddings and Honeymoons forum. There are many other DCL brides. So far I am the only one on OUR cruise.

Wedding ceremonies take place on a "private" deck on Deck 7. This deck is visible from Deck 9. As soon as I get more details on the day and time of the wedding, I will let everyone know. If you are in the area at the time you should watch the ceremony.

As far a shore excursions go. I have been to Nassau twice before and have never booked and excursion. Just hop in a taxi (van) and head to the beach and relax.

This time at Castaway Cay, I am taking full advantage of Serenity Bay. I am sending DD 15 on the teen excursion. She will be happier and we will have relaxation for 3.5 hours.!! Perfect!

 

[tjbaggott]

Birdrav, both my daughter and I are looking forward to seeing your wedding. My daughter thinks it's AWESOME someone is getting married on board!
Congratulations by the way!

On another note, I had mentioned I think about my DD going through cancer treatment from the age of 13 to the age of 16. She is almost 2 years off treatment and for the most part doing very well. For a month and a half though she has had an issue with a certain area of her spine. Today at the Children's Hospital, Her bone doctor was able to rule out a compression fracture by looking at the scans done earlier this month, but is concerned about the discs between her vertebrae in that area so has ordered and MRI and some other test where they will inject her spine with a dye to make it glow! The area is quite painful when touched, and otherwise just achey. My worry I guess, is will she be needing back surgery? After what we've been through, my mind tends to run to the worse scenario. October is still a long way off though, so lots could change by then. My DD's view on this though, is that nothing, NOTHING will stop her from the Rollercoaster rides! Hmmmm, we'll see. In any case, send prayers and good thoughts her way. (just seems medical issues never end with her).
Hmmm, at least she is otherwise quite happy, and acts like every other teenager, LOL

 

[MrsJD]

Most defintely sending well wishes to TJ and daughter. Your story reminds me to not take for granted the good health we have had with our daughter so far...she is only 3 and healthy as a horse.

While birdrav and the rest of our gang is enjoying the tranquility of Serenity Bay I will be in the trenches with the rest of the parents with young children. DD does enjoy the water to no end, so it should be fun to experience the beach with her. I only wish there were more waves at CC. After further thought we will more sure be staying onboard in Nassau.

DD does love her daycare, so I am hoping she will spend atleast a little time in the clubs. My worst fear is that she wants to go to the clubs, but wants me to stay there with her. Can you imagine? ugh.

My happy thought for the day is that longest season is drawing to and end and the time should go faster from here on out. Summer will be here before you know it, then it ends faster than it began...before you know it we'll be making those last minute plans!!

 

[tjbaggott]

Mrs JD, Thank you for sending well wishes. To look at DD, she appears the picture of Health, so it's difficult emotionally to have to keep dealing with medical issues. Yet we must go forward, and I know, there is always a bright day in front of us.
On another note,
To you and others, are going to do a Count Down Chain with your children? I saw a photo of one on a thread here somewhere, and this mom had it strung across the kitchen (paper chain, doen in different colors for each week).
If you are doing one, when do you think you would have it start?
I think now would be too early for my kids, but was thinking, since my youngest is learning to count to 100, that we would start it 100 days out.

Also, is anyone doing the FE's and Door Decorating while on board?

 

[Birdrav]

I am planning lots of door magnets. In fact, I have already printed a few.

Watch for The WOW. That's all I am saying for now.

 

[MrsJD]

DD and I will def behaving some door decor. We have already downloaded several Disney artworks to use. I will probably be waiting until after 4th of July to start all mycruise crafts, as I amvery busy from now until then with parties and our town's parade.

I am not sure if I will do any FE giving b/c I will have all the wedding party people that I will bedoing FE stuff with. But it doessound so fun so I may do something small.