November 1, 2008 "Election Day Castaways!"

[stampinshauna]

Welcome Cmbar! If you want wristbands for your family check out page 56 of this thread and let me know.

#1 MUST DO on the ship for a first timer--I'd say rebook another cruise onboard! The reason I say that is that we didn't and then it was only a couple weeks later that we decided that we HAD to go on another cruise and we missed out on the $200 shipboard credit and 10% off for rebooking while onboard.

Weather--it can vary. I'd say shorts and capris, but it doesn't hurt to pack a pair of long pants. It gets chilly on the ship because of the air conditioning, but otherwise it is very nice. We were on this cruise in 2004 a couple weeks earlier and the weather was beautiful--warm and in the 80s most of the time.

Formal Wear--there is a very broad definition of this for Disney cruises. No shorts or jeans even for regular nights, but you see very casual pants and shirts with collars, to shirts and ties, to suits, to tuxes. DH wears a shirt and tie for semi-formal and a jacket for formal.

 

[buku]

PIRATE night is usually on thursday night after Cozumel.

According to someone I spoke with at DCL, Pirate night is on Wednesday.

 

[Lisacarolr]

Sounds like a bunch of us are on the same Grand Cayman Tour. Remember to wear your bracelets so we can all say hi. It'll be fun.

Actually, my GC is at 8am. It's Cozumel that's 12:15pm. I think I was confused from lack of sleep.

Still looking forward to meeting everyone.

Lisa

 

[podsnel]

HI Judy, We are in the west end of Howard County. I am actually a Floridian at heart, born and raised there, but my parents "retired" up in Maryland. Love the beauty of this state and being only hours from the beach, the mountains and all sorts of wonderful history, but I would much rather be in Florida. Are you in Northern Va? I have family in Centreville!

Thanks for the information, can you elaborate on what the "rules" are for the Fish Extenders. Is this just a fun thing to do for Disers? Do you plan in advance what you contribute? Confused?

Ok what is the Yahoo group? I don't understand? I feel lost.... someone ask a question about the resorts so I can feel helpful again

Hi Cmbar!

There are not a million rules for the FE's or anything like that, so please don't worry- it will just be fun!! Each family participating registers on the Yahoo Group, and under the page where it says "Tell us about yourself" you put the names and ages of your family, your cabin #, and if you would like to be a part of the exchange. You can give anything you'd like to, really. We decided to assign each family a day to distribute their gifts, so you will only be running around to the cabins on one of the days, but receiving gifts every day. I think I'm the one who will be assigning fe nights when we have a definitive list. Please sign up asap, we may be closing it soon because people want to buy their FE gifts and can't until we have a final number. Does that make sense? I hope it helps!!!

Ellen

 

[buku]

I would like to be part of the fish extenders too but still not understanding where I need to go to sign up. Do I go to "Yahoo groups" website? But what is the name of the group?? I've searched this thread pretty much from beginning to end to see where and how I join but can't find anything. I would hate for my boys to miss out on this. Please help me!

 

[CruizinTigers]

Greetings all!

I made our shore excursion reservations this morning like many of you. We waited until today because we are traveling with family and friends who are first time DCL travelers, and wanted to make all of our excursion plans together. We'll be visiting Botswain Park on Grand Caymen, Playa Mia Beach Break in Cozumel and floats and snorkel in Castaway Cay. We plan on walking around Key West, perhaps taking in the butterfly farm there or the aquarium.

We took this same cruise two years ago. We enjoyed the butterfly farm on Key West and the turtle farm on Grand Cayment. We did the Excaret Park excursion on Cozumel where we floated down the under ground river, including our then 3 year old daughter. It was really something. But the trip there and back were quite long leaving us little time to do anything other than the river in the park. It was a cool experience going down the river (literally... it was rather cold!), but I don't know if I'd recommend this excursion. We also did the glass bottom boat tour on Castaway Cay. It was nothing to write home about.

Question for those who've been able to book Palo... how did you do it? I've been going online now for over two weeks, and the only thing it seems to let me reserve is dinner. Brunch and high tea are blocked. How did some of you get through? Did you have to call?

 

[msminniemouse]

We want to sign up for the wristbands. We need 2 adults (1 large and 1 medium) and 2 kids (2 small).
Thanks.

 

[tinapomp]

Greetings all!

Question for those who've been able to book Palo... how did you do it? I've been going online now for over two weeks, and the only thing it seems to let me reserve is dinner. Brunch and high tea are blocked. How did some of you get through? Did you have to call?

Hi there! I booked all my Palo reservations (brunch, high tea, & dinner) at the 90 day mark for Castaway Cay members online. If brunch and high tea are blocked, I would think that means that they are booked up for now. But from what I'm hearing you might be able to still book onboard when you first get on the ship. I think I was able to get get all 3 reservations because of reserving them so early online via the CC club membership.

I believe they do hold some reservations for people to book when you first get onboard, so try that.

 

[plutospup]

Your crew is now part of the "Election Day Castaways"! Your names have been added to the manifest on page 1. In addition to your DH, and Sister, are there any other crew members suitable for swabbing the deck?

(I'm going to drive DW, and DD crazy by talking like a pirate for the next 74 days! )

 

[stampinshauna]

Wow! This thread has been busy lately with excited cruisers. 73 days to go!!!

An update on the wristbands...

They will be lime green and say Election Day Castaways 2008. Cost will be right around $3 each (covers wristband, paypal fee, and postage). Sizes are S(6in), M(7in) and L(8in).

I plan to place the order by mid-September and mail them out early-mid October so that those going down early can have them. That way I don't have to track everyone down and deliver on the ship. Also, since you'll have them early you can wear them in the parks before the cruise and to the port and we'll know who is from this thread.

stampinshauna--4(2S, 1M, 1L)
lisacarolr--7(1M, 6L)
buglady--3(1S, 2L)
bfosbenner--6(2S, 4M)
wuv tiger--5(2S, 1M, 2L)
lbigirl67--4(1S, 3L)
podsnel--4(2S, 1M, 1L)
boyspapa--5(1S, 2M, 2L)
muffin07--2(2L)
plutospup--3(1S, 1M, 1L)
robsmom--3(2M, 1L)
jenny2--4(2S, 1M, 1L)
buku--4(2S, 2L)
msminniemouse--4(2S, 1M, 1L)
medic2707--8(3S, 3M, 2L)
eyes4mickey--4(1S, 2M, 1L)
feenie--2(2L)
nobodycares--3(2M, 1L)

 

[Boys Papa]

Wow! This thread has been busy lately with excited cruisers. 73 days to go!!!

An update on the wristbands...

They will be lime green and say Election Day Castaways 2008. Cost will be right around $3 each (covers wristband, paypal fee, and postage). Sizes are S(6in), M(7in) and L(8in).

I plan to place the order by mid-September and mail them out early-mid October so that those going down early can have them. That way I don't have to track everyone down and deliver on the ship. Also, since you'll have them early you can wear them in the parks before the cruise and to the port and we'll know who is from this thread.

stampinshauna--4(2S, 1M, 1L)
lisacarolr--7(1M, 6L)
buglady--3(1S, 2L)
bfosbenner--6(2S, 4M)
wuv tiger--5(2S, 1M, 2L)
lbigirl67--4(1S, 3L)
podsnel--4(2S, 1M, 1L)
boyspapa--5(1S, 2M, 2L)
muffin07--2(2L)
plutospup--3(1S, 2L)
robsmom--3(2M, 1L)
jenny2--4(2S, 1M, 1L)
buku--4(2S, 2L)
msminniemouse (2S, 1M, 1L)

Thanks Shauna...Great Plan I look forward to looking for those Lime Green Wristbands at MNSSHP and on the ship and asking "Which Election Day Castaway Are You"? Should be great fun. BTW, are we going to organize a meet when we're on the ship?

 

[wuv tigger]

Thanks Shauna...Great Plan I look forward to looking for those Lime Green Wristbands at MNSSHP and on the ship and asking "Which Election Day Castaway Are You"? Should be great fun. BTW, are we going to organize a meet when we're on the ship?

Also, maybe a pix on pirate night.

 

[CruizinTigers]

Hi there! I booked all my Palo reservations (brunch, high tea, & dinner) at the 90 day mark for Castaway Cay members online. If brunch and high tea are blocked, I would think that means that they are booked up for now. But from what I'm hearing you might be able to still book onboard when you first get on the ship. I think I was able to get get all 3 reservations because of reserving them so early online via the CC club membership.

I believe they do hold some reservations for people to book when you first get onboard, so try that.

Thanks tinapomp!! My travel agent called Disney and they said to continue checking periodically. This will be our 4th DCL cruise, and we've never made it to Palo. We enjoy the dining so much, and now will have additional family and friends with us, so we don't want to miss our regular dining. We were thinking of trying Palo for brunch or tea, if we could get it. We'll just keep looking, or check when we get on board as you suggest.

 

[medic2707]

Shauna

I would like to order wristbands also' 3 small, 3med, 2 lg

thanks
Jim

 

[jenny2]

Ugh, I hate the search on this board! It never works when I want it to!

Regarding meeting everyone... we did this on our last cruise... so fun!! Unfortunately, we met at the Cove Cafe... and some of us were inside while some were OUTside... and some people left before getting to meet everyone else. But anywho... it was great to put a face to a name!

We had all decided to wear MardiGra beads the day we boarded the ship, so lots of us met beforehand.

It was an Eastern cruise we were on, so the Sunday was a day at sea - made scheduling a meet easier. I guess we could meet Saturday afternoon, before we set sail? That way if we see anyone we know on Key West the next day we can give them a shout out, lol. You end up just hanging around for a few hours anyways, waiting for the ship to leave, lol.

Also... those who are going to WDW before the cruise, want to meet up at some point? We're staying at AKL from Wed - Sat!

 

[podsnel]

Ugh, I hate the search on this board! It never works when I want it to!

Regarding meeting everyone... we did this on our last cruise... so fun!! Unfortunately, we met at the Cove Cafe... and some of us were inside while some were OUTside... and some people left before getting to meet everyone else. But anywho... it was great to put a face to a name!

We had all decided to wear MardiGra beads the day we boarded the ship, so lots of us met beforehand.

It was an Eastern cruise we were on, so the Sunday was a day at sea - made scheduling a meet easier. I guess we could meet Saturday afternoon, before we set sail? That way if we see anyone we know on Key West the next day we can give them a shout out, lol. You end up just hanging around for a few hours anyways, waiting for the ship to leave, lol.

Also... those who are going to WDW before the cruise, want to meet up at some point? We're staying at AKL from Wed - Sat!

I just started a new thread to ask where people do their meets on the ship- hopefully we'll get some ideas from that, here's a link:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=27018981#post27018981

And I hope I'll see you by the pool on Halloween at AKV!!!

Ellen

 

[plutospup]

On past Western DCL cruises we have met in the Promanade Lounge Sunday morning. On another Eastern DCL we met on deck 10 during the sailaway party, however, it was very noisey, and it was difficult talking to our "gang". At least the Promanade Lounge was quiet.

 

[wuv tigger]

Let's see my 2 do list:

casual clothes for girls & I ~ kiddos wanted matching capri outfits ~ done
got passports
got ressies we wanted
got new backpack for the plane & traveling (got free H20 bottles & flying discs in it)
got surf shoes
got new tennis shoes for kiddos & I
got a new piece of luggage to replace broken one
got plane ressies
got car ressies
got hotel ressies

still need 2 do:
make sundress 4 each of the kiddos
figure out what we will wear 1 Nov
start packing w/ out kiddos knowing I am doing this

How is YOUR list going???

 

[LBIGirl67]

Airfare - Done and paid for by AMEX rewards and was FREE
WDW - Pop ressies done and paid for, tix for MK done, tix for MNSSHP in the safe and done.
Passports - DONE, DONE. OMG, kids pics are adorable !! Like mini mobsters
Car Rental for xtra week in Florida: Rented and paid for by once again AMEX
Tux for DS7- Ebayed
My Dress- done
Bathing suits, shorts, casual wear pretty much done.
Special sunscreen for Mexico bought and tried out. Smells iffy', but works. (Got a redhead !)
All shore excursions and spa treatments booked. DID NOT GET PALO , try again once on board.

Still to do
Measure my ever growing DS14 for his tux. Figure wait until football season is over as to not have him looking like Hulk when he puts it on.
DH-Tux
Semi-formal wear for all....thinking take tux down a few notches and it'll work for 2 nights.
Shop for FE's
Oh and I have to and pack some of things bought away.

 

[Cmbar]

Your crew is now part of the "Election Day Castaways"! Your names have been added to the manifest on page 1. In addition to your DH, and Sister, are there any other crew members suitable for swabbing the deck?

(I'm going to drive DW, and DD crazy by talking like a pirate for the next 74 days! )

How exciting, we are part of the crew!!

Our travelin party consists of:

ME, DH , DS 11 and DD 9

and my Sister's little family:

DSis, Dbrother in law and DS 12

WE are getting excited and nervous and I am still Freaking