November 1, 2008 "Election Day Castaways!"

[CastleCreations]

I know this question has been asked about 100 times before but please ease my troubled mind...are passports required for this cruise. I have one, but my children do not, and I didn't even think about it when switching the reservation. Please let me know if they are required. I am sending in their paperwork to get theirs but it may not come in time...

About the FE's...I'm not sure if I will be able to participate. I'd also like to know how to go about it all...Are we giving gifts each day, or just at certain times...I'm sooo confused.

I havent' booked any excursions yet...I've been looking at them, but it's all too much for me this week. I'm afraid if I don't do it soon, all of the good one's will be gone, if they aren't all ready. It's hard for me to decide, because I'm traveling alone with the girls and don't have that extra set of hands. So I will keep looking...

 

[LBIGirl67]

Pluto....pink icing may be a little too much. Remember he's a freshman, I could ruin his rep in about 30secs. flat.

Passports ARE REQUIRED for this cruise. We did get ours back in 2-3 weeks, so do it NOW !! They will do a rush for extra charge if you are that concerned.

Do the reunion !! I have not done either of my 15th/20th and am not sure on the 25th rapidly approaching. OMG I have been out of HS as of this year's graduating class 25 freakin years !! I AM NOW AN ANTIQUE...AGGHH... That there alone requires a few sympathy drinks on this cruise. Worst part, I work at my alma mater. It's a very strange feeling walking the halls now with my DS14 as he lives my memories. His locker is actually the same one I had my junior year....weird. I had to show him how to open it, that was so cool.

 

[stampinshauna]

Passports ARE REQUIRED for this cruise. We did get ours back in 2-3 weeks, so do it NOW !! They will do a rush for extra charge if you are that concerned.

Actually, they aren't. The govt keeps pushing back the date. We do have them just because it is easier, and if something happened that required us to fly back (you have to have a passport for air travel). Per the dept of State website:

LAND AND SEA TRAVEL
The following summarizes information available on the Department of Homeland Security’s website.

* CURRENTLY:
U.S. citizens need to present either (a) a passport, passport card (scheduled to be in full production beginning in July 2008), or WHTI-compliant document; or (b) a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.
* LATER:
On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document.

 

[LBIGirl67]

I know that's what the State Dept. says...however from recent experience traveling to St. Thomas etc. It was HORRIBLE without the passport for my friends. They were taken to the side and checked and rechecked while those of us with passports breezed by. DMV was easier than what they went through. And I'm sure those of us living in NJ gets my drift on that one !
The kept questioning the validity of the "birth certificate" stamp. Not worth the hassle when going on vacation. Get the passports and just be done with it.

 

[podsnel]

I know this question has been asked about 100 times before but please ease my troubled mind...are passports required for this cruise. I have one, but my children do not, and I didn't even think about it when switching the reservation. Please let me know if they are required. I am sending in their paperwork to get theirs but it may not come in time...

About the FE's...I'm not sure if I will be able to participate. I'd also like to know how to go about it all...Are we giving gifts each day, or just at certain times...I'm sooo confused.

I havent' booked any excursions yet...I've been looking at them, but it's all too much for me this week. I'm afraid if I don't do it soon, all of the good one's will be gone, if they aren't all ready. It's hard for me to decide, because I'm traveling alone with the girls and don't have that extra set of hands. So I will keep looking...

We are doing the fe's with giving out gifts one time, on an assigned day, to everyone. You would receive gifts everyday, though. Currently there are 15 families participating. I was planning to make up the final list today, so if you want to join us, I need to know, Ok?

I think someone on here had posted that on a previous cruise they were able to book alot of excursions when on board. Don't stress too much! We're all going to have a blast!

Thanks,
Ellen

 

[robsmom]

We are doing the fe's with giving out gifts one time, on an assigned day, to everyone. You would receive gifts everyday, though. Currently there are 15 families participating. I was planning to make up the final list today, so if you want to join us, I need to know, Ok?

I think someone on here had posted that on a previous cruise they were able to book alot of excursions when on board. Don't stress too much! We're all going to have a blast!

Thanks,
Ellen

Ellen - I just PM'd you. I have not had time to get organized for this one and were on another vacation when i thought the list was finalized, but if you are adding people today and could add us the FE exchange we would love to join. We had a great time doing this on our last trip and my son enjoyed the suprises. We are 2 adults and one boy age 9. thanks.

lisa

 

[podsnel]

Ellen - I just PM'd you. I have not had time to get organized for this one and were on another vacation when i thought the list was finalized, but if you are adding people today and could add us the FE exchange we would love to join. We had a great time doing this on our last trip and my son enjoyed the suprises. We are 2 adults and one boy age 9. thanks.

lisa

So glad to have another family to exchange with! I got my FE in the mail Friday, it's so cute!! I can't wait to see what surprises go into it!!

 

[Buglady]

CastleCreations: DD7 has had a passport since she was 2. Had no problems flying with her in03 &06 went right through check points, I even used her passport to reg. for school and sport teams. GEt the passports and keep them update (they only last for 5years under age 16) and use them when they need any ID. Also we are doing the 12:10 grand cayman island &butterfly tour if you thinking of that one. The girls might have fun together.
Class reunion might be fun. Went to DH reunion a few years ago. It was fun night at Kat-Man-Du in Trenton. My 25th is this year also, missed the 20th due to being in Florida. Not sure if we will have 25th (try getting 25+spouses classmates together). about 1/5 of the class was MIA as of May when the School honored our year of graduation.
Anyone worried about IKE? if the keys get hit too hard, would we double dip?

 

[LBIGirl67]

Holding my breathe for the Keys....I have many friends down there and they are all in a panic. Apparently this one is worst one in years to head that way. Hoping it goes further south.

Now, I have no idea how DCL handles these things....what happens if hurricanes damage some of our ports, what next? Not even just the Keys right now, but Mexico etc......We were in Keys after last round toppled the islands...it was a MESS. I can honestly say that it will take a long time to recover if this one hits them directly. 7mos later and we were still watching them take boats out of the Mangroves and the debris was all over the place.

Prayers and Pixie Dust to the Conch Republic.

 

[eyes4mickey]

Holding my breathe for the Keys....I have many friends down there and they are all in a panic. Apparently this one is worst one in years to head that way. Hoping it goes further south.

Now, I have no idea how DCL handles these things....what happens if hurricanes damage some of our ports, what next? Not even just the Keys right now, but Mexico etc......We were in Keys after last round toppled the islands...it was a MESS. I can honestly say that it will take a long time to recover if this one hits them directly. 7mos later and we were still watching them take boats out of the Mangroves and the debris was all over the place.

Prayers and Pixie Dust to the Conch Republic.

HI All,
I'll keep my fingers crossed with IKE. Let's hope it somehow heads right out to sea.

So glad to see 2 more families participating in the FE exchange, will be lots of fun!

Can't wait, we're counting down the days. I keep shopping and buying with the excuse of needing for the cruise.

Passports: My friend just recieved hers for another cruise from the passport office in the Ocean County Mall in Toms River, she said it took 2 weeks and she paid the extra fees to have them expedited. I really don't see a problem with you getting them in time. We all went for passports, just figured it would be easier and if anything changed before we went we wouldn't have a problem.

 

[robsmom]

So glad to have another family to exchange with! I got my FE in the mail Friday, it's so cute!! I can't wait to see what surprises go into it!!

did you have someone make it? How long did it take? Last cruise i made a litte bag. I used a plain white canvas bag and fabric pencils for our names. Put some big Nemo stickers on it from Michael's. It served the purpose and was easier than making a true FE. I need to dig it out to see if i put a date for the cruise on it or not.

 

[podsnel]

did you have someone make it? How long did it take? Last cruise i made a litte bag. I used a plain white canvas bag and fabric pencils for our names. Put some big Nemo stickers on it from Michael's. It served the purpose and was easier than making a true FE. I need to dig it out to see if i put a date for the cruise on it or not.

Tiffany made mine. Once I told her what I wanted (she customizes them) she had it to me in about 2 weeks. I'm very happy with it!
Hope you can find yours!

 

[PrincessDadx2]

Is anyone doing a "survival bag" for the FE gifts?

She would love to do this for everyone along with the scrapbooking items and the other stuff.

And is there anyone else who scrapbooks? She's starting to work on the embellishments w/ her Cricut mentor this week.

tia,

 

[CastleCreations]

Just have to ask....
Is anyone here excited?!?


I'm wishing it would hurry up, but at the same time, I'm not ready...LOL
I have to much to do, buy, pack, make, ect...

 

[plutospup]

Just have to ask....
Is anyone here excited?!?


I'm wishing it would hurry up, but at the same time, I'm not ready...LOL
I have to much to do, buy, pack, make, ect...

I'm right there with you! I've waited 4.5 yrs for this cruise. Booked it 21 months out. Waaaay too long! This evening DW and I were talking about how the cruise isn't that far away. We're starting to make lists, checking which clothing we'll be taking, trying on suits, etc. It's getting close!

Of course between now and then we have school work, start of pre winter swim team practice, school work, official start of swim team practice, time trials, probably more cruise shopping, more school work, preparation for 11/17 swim invitationals, more school work... the list goes on! Fortunately, DW organizes most of our household (bless her!), and I deal with the swim team, and history education stuff.

Before you know it the 11/01/08 Election Day Castaways will set sail!

 

[LBIGirl67]

Ordered another gown, not sure I'm crazy about first one I bought, so may bring both. Sat DH and DS14 down finally to measure them for tux's....wow they were antsy. I think I have enough outfits....don't want to buy too many extra's for they won't fit by January. Either too big on me or too small on boys. <I have lapband and am shrinking ever so slooowwwlly>.
Bought 2 new pairs of Birkies. Can't live without them. Need to find some type of hat for DS7, he burns in the shade. Go figure I'd have Italian blooded child with fair skin.
Got to find a decent Garment Bag to lug gowns/DS7's tux in. Anyone ever used iron etc onboard? What's it like? Also, I have long hair and use my own hair dryer and flat iron, do they work onboard? I usually bring a power strip with me on other cruises that has 6ft cord, cause the outlets are never where you need them.
Not new to cruising, just to DCL, sorry about all the newbie questions.

 

[plutospup]

There is an iron available in the laundry room. DW, and I have used it. It does the job. Of course laundry/cleaning/pressing services are available on board. DW told me the hair dryers in the staterooms work fine on her hair (not long), however, some people do complain they are not strong enough for longer hair.

A hat for your son is a great idea. Try to keep him bathed in sunscreen also. I was a burn & peel kid, too.

 

[podsnel]

Is anyone doing a "survival bag" for the FE gifts?

She would love to do this for everyone along with the scrapbooking items and the other stuff.

And is there anyone else who scrapbooks? She's starting to work on the embellishments w/ her Cricut mentor this week.

tia,

That sounds like a great idea!!

Been to NJ lately?

 

[stampinshauna]

If you do decide to get passports, I wouldn't pay extra to have them expedited. We got DD's recently and it took just over a week and we didn't pay to expedite. My sister just ordered some for her kids a couple weeks ago and they came in just under two weeks. I think they are pretty caught up in the passport office, so save yourself the extra fees.

If hurricanes damage ports, Disney will find something to do. 4 years ago Grand Cayman was trashed by a hurricane and was closed to tourism, so we went to Costa Maya instead. DCL could choose to do an alternate port or have an extra sea day or really whatever they want. Hopefully it doesn't come to that.

 

[wuv tigger]

That was a close one

One of the dkiddos walked in when I was typing re: the cruise!

I just gotta keep this secret a few more weeks.

Tell me, how many days do I have to keep this secret re: our cruise?