November 1, 2008 "Election Day Castaways!"

[jenny2]

Is there parking at the port for cruisers? What hotels are in the area of the port that be an alternative for them? Any ideas on where they might park their car while on the cruise?

I'm so sorry to hear about your BIL! I sure hope he's able to go on the cruise.

The last time DH and I sailed, we stayed at the Country Inn & Suites. It's literally just across the street from the port. Nice, clean rooms, great price, excellent free breakfast the next morning, free transportation to the port and back again, and you can leave your car there for the week. I'd highly recommend that hotel to anyone!!

 

[wuv tigger]

My kiddos were SHOCKED when I told them to get moving and get ready for school this am.

They thought it was STILL the weekend

How many days till our cruise?

 

[feenie]

My kiddos were SHOCKED when I told them to get moving and get ready for school this am.

They thought it was STILL the weekend

How many days till our cruise?

Poor kids! I hate it when that happens!

46 days to go!!!

 

[tinapomp]

I'm back and our apartment has power!! Riding out the storm in the hotel was fine (SO glad they accepted pets, otherwise we would have gone elsewhere) until they lost power and then the next day was just miserable in the heat. We ended up going back to our apartment, and I was shocked that everything was fine there. There were a few down trees and some carports were collapsed, but there were no broken windows and no flooding. It was scary though, because there was flooding about a 1/2 mile down the street. Unbelievable that it stopped so close to us.

The storm was SO scary. There was this constant LOUD roaring noise outside for hours on end. The rain wasn't coming down vertically at all. There were just sheets of wind and rain being blown horizontally at high speeds. I've never seen anything like it.

Most of the city and surrounding area is still without power, so no gas stations open and no grocery stores anywhere near us. My husband and I were going to drive out to stay with his sister in Alabama until we had power. We got about 2 hours down the road and got a call from a friend that lives in the same apartment complex as us, and he told us that the apartment has had power for the last hour. We were SHOCKED. The power company has been saying that we shouldn't expect to have power for 2-3 weeks, maybe longer. So we turned right around and came back home. That was late last night.

I have SO much respect and thanks for all the people that have been coming in to help out the city. They are amazing people and have blessed us.

Thanks everyone for your well wishes!

Mom2PrincessesLinSy - I hope everything is ok with your Aunt and cousins home!

 

[tinapomp]

Tinapomp--I added you to the list. I put you down for large, but you may want mediums or some of each. The Large are about 8" and the Medium are about 7"

In just over 7 weeks we'll all be sailing!!!

Thanks, I checked on the measurements and I think the Large would be better for us. So 4 Large. Thank you much!

 

[buku]

Tinapomp,
So glad to get to hear from you!!! I really was thinking of you often and hoping things were OK for you. I'm so glad to hear you were able to get back home to livable conditions
Let the countdown continue!!!
47 DAYS!!!

 

[wuv tigger]

glad to hear y'all are OK!

Hugs to the rest of the Disers who were in Ike's path.

It dry here on the east coast.

Cooler than it was yesterday

 

[princesspaige]

Has anyone had any luck switching to the early seating? DH has severe reflux and should not eat a late dinner. Unfortunately that is what we have. We sent a dr's note down but still have not gotten an earlier seating. Any suggestions on what else we can do? I have our travel agent calling every other week but still no change.

 

[stampinshauna]

Has anyone had any luck switching to the early seating? DH has severe reflux and should not eat a late dinner. Unfortunately that is what we have. We sent a dr's note down but still have not gotten an earlier seating. Any suggestions on what else we can do? I have our travel agent calling every other week but still no change.

I'm sure they will be able to accommodate you. If you haven't been switched by the time you board, go to where they direct you (I think Rockin Bar D) where you can make dining changes (including Palo). We did this last cruise and found out that our waitlist for early seating came through. Good luck.

 

[bfosbenner]

We had no problem changing to early seating on our last cruise when checking in.

 

[Lisacarolr]

Glad you weathered the storm. Storms like Ike are very frightening.

 

[wuv tigger]

I ordered 3 cartridges for my cricut.

For a "FREE" machine it sure has cost $$.

I am looking forward to starting on part of my FE gifts. I am so excited as I ordered the Dreams Come True, Happily Ever After, Paper Dolls Dress Up. Those have great ideas for the FE exchange.

wuv tigger

 

[nobodycares]

Has anyone who booked air through DCL as part of their package received their flight info yet? I check every day and still not posted yet. Getting anxious because as soon as the info is released I need to log onto the air carrier's site (usually USAir in my case) and make my seat assignments or else we will be sitting all over the plane!

Getting excited as the trip creeps closer. Time to step up the shopping. Nothing puts you in a vacation mood like little tiny travel size bottles of toiletries.

So, quick survey:

Since baggage restrictions are limiting packing, what is everyone doing about dressing for Pirate Night and Formal Night. Looks like we will scale back on pirate night to make room for formal wear (I don't want to miss the lobster).

Did you see the thread on the main boards with the drydock pictures? A DIS'r posted some fabulous pictures of the Magic getting it's makeover.

Best wishes for speedy recoveries to those who are ailing and hoping all are safe who were in the paths of the fall hurricaines.

 

[feenie]

I just placed my order for my FE gifts!!

Our group leaves for Florida 6 weeks from today!!!

 

[stampinshauna]

Our group leaves for Florida 6 weeks from today!!!

So does ours! I can hardly wait!

 

[princesspaige]

ok, I am going to show my stupidity, what are FE's? I am at a total loss, but that could just be my normal state of mind....

 

[princesspaige]

ok, if i had just done my research first, I would not have had to ask what an FE was...how do the gifts work? still trying to sort thru everything, there is so much out there!!

 

[buku]

...Well, a FE is short for "fish extender" because outside your stateroom there is a fish clip that DCL can leave you notes on regarding your next days excursions, spa appts, etc. Someone on the disboards came up with the idea to hang a pocket organizer off of this fish therefore it became a "fish extender". Groups on a thread such as this one decides to have a fish extender gift exchange...meaning there are about 20 families (Ellen, help me out on this one) on this thread who will go to each other staterooms to leave little gifts (such as candy, stickers, postcards, etc). Each family is assigned a certain day to deliver their gifts. There are many threads on the DCL forum you can check out to see what a fish extender looks like and some more info on them. You could buy one on ebay or hang a decorated tote bag or something so people can leave you the goodies.
As for our fish extender gift exchange, I am not sure if it has been closed or not (Ellen..help!!) because people wanted to have a final count so they could purchase their goodies.
Hope that helps!

 

[princesspaige]

if it is still open I would love to join, if not I understand. I did check out a few and they are awesome, was thinking of having my mom (she makes quilts) make one up for me (I can't sew a straight line).

 

[buku]

We have to check with Ellen (aka podsnel) who has organized our FE exchange. I'm fine with another joining in but it may be difficult for some if they purchased things already online. If you put up a fish extender....I'll bring you a surprise!!(if you build it...they will come!) Just private message me your room number!!
Kim