November 12, 2005....7 Night Eastern...Who Else?

[chip&dale&fun]

PAD PAD before I get back to work as well.

SERIOUS CRUISE ADVICE FOR NON-FLORIDIANS....

Those of you from the hinterlands that actually own coats - the SUN can be worse in November than in the summer because the skies WILL be clear....So, long sleeve tees are a must for those of us with fair skin - you may wish to have them for yourselves and the kiddies if you do not like the yuccky feel of sunscreen...And bring Hats......

Plus, I wear a lightweight surf shirt to swim in - esp. if you are snokeling......

The will Burn -burn - burn tender skins.....

 

[chip&dale&fun]

C&D&F...what the heck were you doing up so early?!!! Don't run yourself down too much before the cruise or all we'll see of you is you sleeping on deck chairs!

So would your advise be to to keep count of our Margaritas so we don't have final bill shock?!!!

Not as bad as it seems -- Look at the posts and you will see that I am crashing at night - due to stress of work and trying to drive in the dark with no traffic lights, so I am up early to accomplish stuff......

As to the keeping count - here is my "most knowledgable response"

Option 1 - Stress out on the cost of drinks and keep count...

Option 2 - Go for it - it is vacation. Asume you will spend 50% more than you think and be prepared.....for sticker shock.....

Option 3 - BYOB - and add to the virgin drinks.

Without assuming that we all do not have to live on a budget, we had sticker shock on our first cruise, so now we are prepared. We combine #2 and #3 - we bring splits of champagne with us for the sitting on verhandah afternoon rest - complete with the "All hands on Deck" cheese platter - which is awesome. I expect you could do the same with splits of wine or liquer.

Course we live on leftovers for weeks afterwards....and have just cleaned out the freezer (see turkey story) so we have not gone grocery shopping for 2 weeks.....Thanks Wilma....

 

[lakeworthdad]

OK, how about another one.

We have never done this before. We bought postcards. Do we write something on them or just hand them out blank?

Thanks.

 

[nick262]

Nick262 - LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the new photo!!! Entirely Ediable!!!

Thank you.

 

[MomtoGav&Eric]

Not as bad as it seems -- Look at the posts and you will see that I am crashing at night - due to stress of work and trying to drive in the dark with no traffic lights, so I am up early to accomplish stuff......

As to the keeping count - here is my "most knowledgable response"

Option 1 - Stress out on the cost of drinks and keep count...

Option 2 - Go for it - it is vacation. Asume you will spend 50% more than you think and be prepared.....for sticker shock.....

Option 3 - BYOB - and add to the virgin drinks.

Without assuming that we all do not have to live on a budget, we had sticker shock on our first cruise, so now we are prepared. We combine #2 and #3 - we bring splits of champagne with us for the sitting on verhandah afternoon rest - complete with the "All hands on Deck" cheese platter - which is awesome. I expect you could do the same with splits of wine or liquer.

Course we live on leftovers for weeks afterwards....and have just cleaned out the freezer (see turkey story) so we have not gone grocery shopping for 2 weeks.....Thanks Wilma....

Ok...I was just worried about you...Glad to hear you are getting rest!

Thanks for listing your options! I do have a question I've been meaning to ask. I know you all have been talking about the wines you are bringing...I thought I read somewhere something about an "uncorking fee"...how does that work? When you BYO do you just pack it in your luggage...no questions asked? Just wondering!

 

[DIS NURSE]

EEEEEeeeeee-GGGGGGgggggads! If you could only see how many bottles of wine I have packed you would think I need a vacation or something!
I have them packed here and there, and everywhere! I even have a few in each of the kids' carry on (roll on) luggage! I can't wait to see people stare at me (and the kids!)

Most of it will be carry on......a few very carefully (padded with bubble wrap) in the checked one.

I am doing so to cut down on the $$$$$$sticker shock at the end of the cruise. There is no corkage fee if you open a bottle anywhere exept in a dining room! Your stateroom attandant will bring you a wine opener and glasses...just ask. People do it all the time! You can even pour yourself a glass and walk around the ship if you want!

lakeworthdad......we all are doing something to the back of the postcards....your DIS name, real names, a picture, a scribble from your kids, info about your state or hometown......any or none of the above.....very open and casual.

disneyismyworld25.....welcome and we are all releived you cleared up the age thing! I was beginning to worry that I was cruising with a bunch of old farts! But, seriously.....from everything i have read the food on CC is a great spread.....everything from a wonderful BBQ, to fruit, salads, ice cream, and it's all you can stuff yourself with for no added cost.

C&D&F.....thanks for the pin ideas....I plan on using your revised plan....

You would absolutley not believe your eyes if you were at my house right now! We woke up this AM to SNOW .....whiping wind and very large (sticking!) flakes! I sent the kids off on the bus this morning in their ski pants, snow boots, and gloves. At the bus stop my DD was almost in tears...."Mommy.....I am freezing! Can you please just drive us to school!?"......I could. But I am not. I hardly feel sorry for you DD, 'cause in just one short week, you will be getting SPOILED out of your mind!......little do you know!

Oh, yeah.....kids laughing and playing in our bedroom last evening....all of the sudden DD stops in her tracks and sees piles of suitcases in the walk-in closet and says, "You guys already packed our suitcases for Mexico?"
I said a very simple, "yes.....just a few things since winter is almost here and you won't miss your warm weather stuff."

STILL........NOT A CLUE!

 

[PrincessHaleysMom]

DisNurse I sure hope you are going to video tape all of the parts of unveiling this trip to your kids. It would be so fun to get to watch - I'd buy a copy!!!!
Stay warm and keep the germs away!

 

[chip&dale&fun]

OK, how about another one.

We have never done this before. We bought postcards. Do we write something on them or just hand them out blank?

Thanks.

We wrote a few notes about who we are - where we are from - etc.

If you look back through the thread you will find a few examples.

Mine said - this is where Chip&Dale&Fun and her DH grew up and went to school. You can see the ocean and sometimes see dolphins in the water. It is a wonderful place to visit. We hope you can see it soon. (Or something like that.)

 

[chip&dale&fun]

DISNURSE - disneyismyworld25.....welcome and we are all releived you cleared up the age thing! I was beginning to worry that I was cruising with a bunch of old farts!

"scuse me........I will have to come thump you

 

[DIS NURSE]

Barkley....meant to tell you that last night we thawed and cooked our first Dream Dinner! It was great! Salsberry (sp?) Steak with Rosemary red potatoes. There was plenty left over for tonight too.....so far my friends who are also starting to enjoy the ones they cooked say they are really yummy!

I loved there was no clean up! Even threw the foil baking tray in the recycle bin.

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Maps - Request for help

I have the Atlas and went to copy the overall US Map but it is too large for the 11x17 paper. So I am searching on line....I found a basic US map with states and state capitals. Will this work for the kids (8x11) they can pass along the atlas and maybe write in where their friends and post cards are from...

This is the latest list of state information to go with it...I know that many of you joined us when I was down for the hurricane - so If you wish to add, please do so ASAP as I need to print this out tomorrow....Sorry for the short notice and lack of time - BLAME it on WILMA.

PS - this does not cut and paste well, so forgive the code problems, you get the idea....

ARIZONA - Grand Canyon State - Post 1000

Capital - Phoenix
State Motto - "Ditat Deus," God Enriches
State Bird - Cactus wren
State Mammal - Ringtail
State Reptile - Arizona Ridgenose Rattlesnake
State Flower - Saguaro Cactus Blossom
State Tree - Palo Verde
State Gemstone - Turquoise
State Neckwear - The bolo tie
Highest Point - Humphreys Peak - 12,633 feet (3,581 m)

FLORIDA - The Sunshine State - Post 999

Florida was first seen by the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leonon Palm Sunday on April 2, 1513 - he then named the "Pascua de Florida," meaning "Feast of Flowers" and claimed it for Spain.

Capital - Tallahassee
Motto -"In God we trust."
Song - "Swanee River"
Bird - Mocking Bird
Mammal Florida Panther
Marine Mammal - Manatee
Salt Water Mammal - Dolphin
Reptile - Alligator
Insect - Zebra Longwing Butterfly
Flower - Orange Blossom
Tree - Palmetto Palm
Beverage - Orange JuiceMINNESOTA - The Gopher State and North Star State

Origin of the Name Minnesota - Minnesota is from a Dakota Sioux Indian word that means "cloudy water" or "sky water" and refers to local rivers. Dinosaur Fossils Found in Minnesota - Hadrosaur (a duck-billed dinosaur)

State Abbreviation - MN
State Capital - St. Paul
Largest City - Minneapolis
State Motto - "L'Etoile du Nord" - The Star of the North
State Song - Hail Minnesota
Major Industries - farming (corn, soybeans, sugar beets, wheat, dairy products), paper pulp, mining (iron ore)
Major Rivers - Minnesota River, Mississippi River, Rainy River, Red River of the North, St. Croix River
Major Lakes - Upper Red Lake, Lower Red Lake, Mille Lacs Lake, Vermillion Lake, Rainy Lake, Lake of the Woods, Lake Superior, Leech Lake, Winnibigoshish Lake, Lake Pepin
Highest Point - Eagle Mountain - 2,301 feet (701 m) above sea level
Bordering States - Iowa, Michigan (across Lake Superior), North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin
Bordering Country - Canada

OHIO - The Buckeye State

Origin if the name Ohio is Iroquoian meaning great river.

Population: 11,353,140
Capital: Columbus
Bird: Cardinal
Song: "Beautiful Ohio"
Motto: With God, all things are possible
Flower: Scarlet Carnation
Major Industries: Manufacturing, farming, mining
Presidents born here: Ulysses Grant, Rutherford Hayes, James A. Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William Mckinley, William Taft, Warren Harding
Major Rivers: Ohio River, Cuyahoga River, Miami River, Sandusky River
Major Lakes: Lake Erie
Highest Point: Campbell Hill
Border States: Penn., WV, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan

ALABAMA - Yellowhammer State

Origin of the Name Alabama - Means "tribal town" in Creek Indian language

State Abbreviation - AL
State Capital - Montgomery
Largest City – Birmingham
Agriculture: Poultry and eggs, cattle, nursery stock, peanuts, cotton,
Industry: Paper, lumber and wood products, mining, rubber and plastic
Bordering States –Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee and Georgia
State Motto – Audemus jura nostra defendere: We Dare Defend Our Rights
State Song - Alabama
State Bird –Yellowhammer
State Flower –Camellia
Highest Point –Cheaha Mountain; 2407 feet, 35th

CALIFORNIA - The Golden State

Origin of the Name California - Named by Spanish after Califia, a mythical paradise in a Spanish romance, written by Montalvo in 1510.

State Abbreviation - Ca
State Capital - Sacramento
Largest City – Los Angeles
Major Industries - Electronic components and equipment, aerospace, film production, food processing, petroleum, computers and computer software, tourism, Vegetables, fruits and nuts, dairy products, cattle, nursery stock, grapes
Major Rivers – (Not the L.A. River that is for sure!)
Major Lakes – Lake Tahoe
Bordering States – Oregon, Nevada, Arizona
Bordering Country - Mexico
State Motto – Eureka (I have found it)
State Song – I Love You, California
State Bird – California Valley Quail
State Flower – California Golden Poppy
Highest Point – Mt Whitney
MASSACHUSETTS - Bay State

Origin of the name Massachusetts - named for an Algonquian Indian word that means "big hill place"

Area - 10,555 square miles - Mass. is the 44th largest state in the U.S.
Population - 6,349,097 (year 2000) - Mass is the 13th most populous state
State Capital - Boston
Largest City - Boston
Major Industries - textiles, electronics, publishing, education, tourism, fishing
Presidential birthplaces - John Adams,John Quincy Adams, John F. Kennedy, George Herbert Walker Bush
State Bird - Black Capped Chickadee
State Dog - Boston Terrier
State Fish - Cod
State Insect - Ladybug
State Flower - Mayflower
State Beverage - Cranberry Juice
State Dessert - Boston Cream Pie

OREGON - The Beaver State

State Capital: Salem
Largest City: Portland
Area: 98,386 sq. miles (Oregon 9th biggest State in USA)
Population: 3,421,399 (way outdated stats in 2000)
Major Industries: timber, paper products, wheat and cattle farming, coal mining, computer equipment, electronics.
Major rivers: Columbia River, Deschutes River, Willamette River, John Day River, Snake River.
Major Lakes: Upper Klamath Lake, Crater Lake
Highest Point: Mount Hood (11,239 feet) above sea level
Bordering States: California, Idaho, Nevada, Washington
Bordering body of water: Pacific Ocean
State Song ,"Oregon, My Oregon"


ILLINOIS


SMOLA09


NEW HAMPSHIRE


PENNSYLVANNIA

ANDOVER MICHICGAN

OREGAN

GEORGIA

NEW YORK



http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/florida/

DOM262

CALIFORNIA

SOUTH JERESY

RHODE ISLAND

 

[barkley]

i don't worry about aging. i just occasionaly stay in a "holding pattern" at an age and wait for dh to catch up (yup, i was 29 for 7 years, plan to do the same at 49). as my mom sez-it was never HER age that bothered her, but when her first born turned 50 besides, look at all the benefits of age-we're closer to retirement (some of us already are ) and we can access and drain the social security system while you yungins continue to fund it BABY BOOMERS ROCK!!!

 

[Houseforsale]

disneyismyworld25.....welcome and we are all releived you cleared up the age thing! I was beginning to worry that I was cruising with a bunch of old farts!

Yes, scuse me? Can't us old farts be fun to travel with too?


Hadn't read the posts since the 28th, start reading bit by bit on the 1st, finally catch up only to find this?

You guys are all amazing with all your chat. I got a headache trying to read it all. Where do you find the time. I decided to read till the end and have no time to pack and go with empty suitcases. At least I'd have lots of room to bring stuff back.

It's getting cold here too. Need a light jacket today, but a heavier one tonight.

Boy are you guys instore to meet a wonderful couple on board. Choc_Marg and Awol are the best. We went to Phx this weekend to have a family dinner party for our Anniversary. Not only did Choc_marg put together a wonderful memory book from people who wrote letters to us from years back to current( she wrote to them all and asked for them to reply so she could make the book), but they ordered a Stretch Excursion Limo to drive us all to the Wrigley Mansion. (not) It was awsome, and so much thought and caring was put into it, it was unbelievable. :thewave: And DGD did a floral arrangement for the center of the table that makes me wonder why we don't put her to work. It was very tasteful and done very well. And she's only 6. Needless to say we are the lucky ones to already know and love them and we get to cruise with them too.

 

[PrincessHaleysMom]

State Abbreviation - GA
State Capital - Atlanta
Largest City - Atlanta
Area - 59,441 square miles [Georgia is the 24th biggest state in the USA]
Population - 8,186,453 (as of 2000) [Georgia is the tenth most populous state in the USA]
Major Industries - textiles, timber (especially pine), agriculture (cotton, corn, peanuts, soybeans, poultry)
Presidential Birthplace - James Earl Carter, Jr., was born in Plains on October 1, 1924 (he was the 39th US President, serving from 1977 to 1981).
Major Rivers - Chattahoochee River, Savannah River, Suwannee River
Major Lakes - Lake Sidney Lanier, Clark Hill Lake, West Point Lake, Lake Hartwell
Highest Point - Brasstown Bald - 4,784 feet (1,458 m) above sea level
Bordering States - Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina
Bordering Body of Water - Atlantic Ocean
Origin of the Name Georgia - Georgia was named to honor King George II of England. State Nickname - Empire State of the South, Peach State
State Motto - "Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation"
State Song - Georgia on My Mind

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Jessica - thanks - got Georgia, added Georgia.....

 

[DIS NURSE]

......on the age thing....hope you all know I was completely kidding! I guess you all don't know that I am not all that young (anymore)....and that DH is a lot older than me!
Age means nothing to me.......

 

[Houseforsale]

O.K. forgiven. Age is only in the mind anyway.

 

[DIS NURSE]

Okay.....finally sat down to fill out the cruise docs....and I knew I would have questions. I have read people months ago somewhere on these boards asking the same queations, but I failed to pay enough attention.

The "Welcome To The Islands of the Bahamas" sheet has me kinda' confused....
Arriving by? not an airplane....but by ship, so do I check the "Other Ship" box?

Flight # leave blank, right? We didn't get there by plane.

Date of Arrival? What date? What island are they referring to?
City Where you Boarded this plane/boat? Do I put Port Canaveral or Cape Canaveral?

Do the kids really have to sign the bottom?

Intended nights Stay?

Also, do the kids have to sign in the booklet? I know I sign underneath their names but do they sign also?

Thanks for any help on this!

 

[4campers]

"scuse me........I will have to come thump you

I say we get her with our canes!

 

[DIS NURSE]

I always kid my DH that he'd better be darned appreciative that he married a nurse who is much younger than him. He has a built in guarantee that he'll be taken care of (at home) and that I am good at changing diapers!