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

[DIS NURSE]

you bite!

 

[chip&dale&fun]

I'm sooo happy to see another FSU follower! I spent 4 1/2 years (that is all I could talk Dad out of before he said "GRADUATE NOW!!") on the beloved campus. GO NOLES!!

We're not sure where we're staying Friday night. That is one item I still have to handle. We will be at WDW (Animal Kingdom) the week prior to the cruise.

Dis _Nurse, your hubby is a hang-gliding pilot! That is too cool! I'm an adrenaline junkie. I've skydived, bungee jumped, taken cat 5's on rafting adventures, always have and always will drive a fast car - vettes! etc., but I have yet to hang-glide. That's on the to-do list!

OK - Just to set the record straight - GO GATORS!!!!!

Hum, back to serious cruise posting now...

 

[chip&dale&fun]

I am getting so excited that I can't stand waiting another 94 (or so days).....My trip clock at homes (I actually purchased a countdown clock) says 94 days, but I can't recall if I set it for the cruise date or the date we leave???

DH and I went over Palos and excursion information yesterday --- still not sure. I want to go back and count the days - someone posted that for us, Barkley???, anyway, it is getting close for CC members. (We are not on the concerierge).

Shopping - we will pass. DH is not a happy shopper, he will of course, stop in a few IF they are on their way or a gift shop attached to an attraction. But neither of us are big shoppers. We enjoy the shops on the ship and would prefer to spend time on the island exploring.

For St. Martin, we are sticking with the original plan of a rental car and heading out on our own....hum, must learn a few words of Dutch - just to say hello and thank you.

For St. John's, so conflicted.....we looked at the eco-hike but it is only 1.5 miles, not much of an adventure.....And there is a doubletank dive. We will explore that more....you can also do that "on-your-own." I have a web site and if it turns out to be ok, I'll post it for any other scuba's. And I would love to explore the National Park.....oh boy.

For CC - there are two snorkle adventures listed, has anyone taken them?

And naturally, we are big Palo's fans. My Mother says we only head to WDW to eat anyway.....so I am booking brunch, high tea and dinner. I'd do dinner twice if I could, but that is not fair until everyone gets a chance.....

Formal night is going to be so much fun.....I cannot wait to get dressed up, don't think I have done that for ages. I need to make a few adjustments to the dress....perhaps this weekend????

The south florida jungle has encrouched on our garden and I spend the better part of this weekend pulling weeds and grass and you cannot even tell yet. That is what 2 back-to-bach hurricanes will do, we gave up until the Springtime, then I tore, sprained or injured my ankle and have been down was out of commission until the end of May, and other (translate more fun) opportunities than gardening came along.....But now I have a goal, get it all done before the CRUISE....

ok - Happy Monday - Congrats on Post 500.

Choc-marg - I'd go with whatever combination of words any of us have suggested with the reminderband as we are running out of time. We will enjoy the bands regardless and soon forget the original motto. Saw a drink the other night and thought of you - a Chocolate Martini....a bit better than a cholocate margarita (Yes, I recall it is chocolate and margarita's not mixed).

Ok....bye bye

 

[4formickey]

you bite!

we will try to save the 600 spot for you

 

[barkley]

according to the disney, those of us with castaway cay status can post our reservations starting this upcoming sunday! now let's just hope their site is up and working (lots of posts out there say they are encountering problems).

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Meeting at Port Canaveral the night of the 11th....

Some of us seem to be "into" a pre-meet, the night of the 11th. Not sure how DisNurse will pull this one off, if they kids don't know about the cruise --sorry - but I cannot keep my schedule straight and don't remember when you are telling them.

Anyway, some of us have cars, some don't, but to simplify things, we could set a time to meet at the Radisson - they have a pool bar and an inside bar. This could be "before" or after dinner, but I would suggest before might work better.

Some sites say the Radisson has a good buffet - they did not the last time we were there and the menu was mediocre, however we were the only ones in the entire Dining Room.

We will have a car and do intent to visist a great Irish pub down the way, not sure how many I can fit into my 4 seater little Niessan, and the Pub is not really for kids....Great atmosphere but one of the few places that allow smoking, as it does not serve food....so, we may hit that earlier in the day.

Anyway, think about it....

 

[chip&dale&fun]

my husband is scuba cert. as well, and this will be his first vacation since certification that will offer good opportunities. let us know what you see offered out there-i know he would appreciate any info.

Still trying to get information but this sounds interesting - http://www.cokidive.com/reeftour.htm

If you go to their main site, they have a page just for cruise boats. On that are some dive trips. The guided reef tour looks better for novice divers...and you can only snorkle in Castaway Cay, not scuba. Let me know if he is seriously interested and we can link our dives (that is if we go). I already e-mailed them with questions and they responded ASAP. Plus they come with what appears to be good references.

 

[barkley]

Still trying to get information but this sounds interesting - http://www.cokidive.com/reeftour.htm

If you go to their main site, they have a page just for cruise boats. On that are some dive trips. The guided reef tour looks better for novice divers...and you can only snorkle in Castaway Cay, not scuba. Let me know if he is seriously interested and we can link our dives (that is if we go). I already e-mailed them with questions and they responded ASAP. Plus they come with what appears to be good references.

i will have him hop on the computer as soon as he gets home-he is realy jazzed to go and i know he would very much enjoying going with friendly faces. he may do the scuba at castaway cay-he enjoyed the scuba they offered on our alaskan cruise (though there were not many participants).

so those of you have researched the excusions-which seem to be the best for kids (8/11), something that does not involve lots of hiking and will keep their interest? which beach looks the nicest (and offers some shade for those of us who belong to the fair skinned club)?

p.s. re the radisson meet up-do they still have the big family style italian restaurant next door to them? we got food to go from them the last time and they had a pretty good variety of pizzas, salads, entrees...prices were good to. it looked like a nice place to sit in to dine as well.

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Let us know what he thinks....The coki dive group e-mailed me back - that they do not set their calendar this far in advance. They said: "So I would say that if you send us another e-mail towards the end of October we can let you know where your cruise will dock. We will know then if we can pick you up or not. We will also let you know if we have also two tank off the boat, besides the beach dives. Let me know if you need further information."

As for Scuba at Castaway Cay --- I thought they only had snorkling????

I do not know about the Italian resturant next door to the Radisson, I was thinking more like a meet near the pool - and then folks can go from there???? Depending on dinner preferences?????? As if we are not going to eat like hogs on the cruise????? The Radisson does not post a menu on their site, and my search of google did not reveal the Italian one on the same street.

Now, who can tell me how I can pack this formal dress that I bought without wrinkling?

 

[Choc_marg]

I just e-mailed reminderband with a couple more design ideas. They haven't responded to my e-mail from Friday at all. Hopefully, they will respond to this more detailed one. I'm tryign to figure out how far we can push the licensing without causing any trouble.

I'll keep ya posted!

 

[DIS NURSE]

Chip&Dale&Fun.....was just over on the Christmas Photo Card thread and saw that you had responded....something about going to Image Photo's website and seeing examples of DCL's Christmas Cards. How do I get on this website and what do i look under? Thanks!

Oh, and we are now definitely interested in CC's snorkeling excursion....especailly the afternoon one around 1:15 since we have later seating and we won't be in any ruch to get back. They take ages 5 and up FYI.

 

[barkley]

chipandale-my mistake, i meant snorkeling on c.c. (which was what he did in alaska). as far as your formal dress goes-if it's one that is gonna for sure be prone to wrinkles i would just pack it and then send it out for pressing once on board (i did this once and it worked fine). i'm actualy thinking of picking up a package of those "space bags"-everyone i know whose used them has said they save tons of packing room. i figure i could pack the informal stuff in them, then if they wrinkle i could just toss them in the dryer (at ssr and on the boat) to "fluff" them up. i also need to remember to see if my old phone card has any minutes left on it. we bought one (with international ability) the last time we went, and if nothing else it saved us on making calls from the hotel phone.

a meet at the rad pool sounds fine-we can always take a cab (we'll be returning our rental earlier in the day and doing a cab to the port the next day). the rad pool area is so nice-lots of tables and shade. their shop their is nice too-i picked up a nice outfit there the last time.

 

[4formickey]

once you rent the snorkling stuff on cc, you can stay in the water all day long. They have life vest that you can use free so if you have fins and mask ,bring them. They do have hammack on the other side of the beach, but you must be one of the frist off the boat to get those.I hope that they have the sting ray yp and running on cc. It is a blast.

 

[DIS NURSE]

That is why I have now decided that the $25 or so to rent snorkel gear at CC is too steep when you can pay just a little bit more and all go on a snorkel tour! I would be so excited if it takes you back out and around the Magic (opportune pictures!) as it sounds from previous sailors!

We are definitely booking this excursion (1:15 p.m.) if there is still availability for us Titanic Sink Hole folks!

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Chip&Dale&Fun.....was just over on the Christmas Photo Card thread and saw that you had responded....something about going to Image Photo's website and seeing examples of DCL's Christmas Cards. How do I get on this website and what do i look under? Thanks!

Oh, and we are now definitely interested in CC's snorkeling excursion....especailly the afternoon one around 1:15 since we have later seating and we won't be in any ruch to get back. They take ages 5 and up FYI.

Hey DisNurse - it was there when I ordered my photo release but now cannot find the link....I will try again when I have some time. What I remember is 3 styles....One says Happy Holidays, and One Merry Christmas. One is the family photo inserted inside a Christmas Tree Ball/////I really looked for it 'cause I saw your post but no luck. Sorry.

 

[chip&dale&fun]

That is why I have now decided that the $25 or so to rent snorkel gear at CC is too steep when you can pay just a little bit more and all go on a snorkel tour! I would be so excited if it takes you back out and around the Magic (opportune pictures!) as it sounds from previous sailors!

We are definitely booking this excursion (1:15 p.m.) if there is still availability for us Titanic Sink Hole folks!

DISNURSE - it may pay you to buy maks, fins and snorkles if you are crusing again - esp. if you are on one of the double scoops. If you get a vest for free, I know you can buy kids packages reasonably at least here in Florida - you might check your area or the internet..If the double scoop charges 25. per time - that 3 x $25 - or $75...just a thought.

 

[chip&dale&fun]

once you rent the snorkling stuff on cc, you can stay in the water all day long. They have life vest that you can use free so if you have fins and mask ,bring them. They do have hammack on the other side of the beach, but you must be one of the frist off the boat to get those.I hope that they have the sting ray yp and running on cc. It is a blast.

Thanks for the note on the life vest. WE have gear but no vest. I wondered how this worked....

 

[chip&dale&fun]

chipandale-my mistake, i meant snorkeling on c.c. (which was what he did in alaska). as far as your formal dress goes-if it's one that is gonna for sure be prone to wrinkles i would just pack it and then send it out for pressing once on board (i did this once and it worked fine). i'm actualy thinking of picking up a package of those "space bags"-everyone i know whose used them has said they save tons of packing room. i figure i could pack the informal stuff in them, then if they wrinkle i could just toss them in the dryer (at ssr and on the boat) to "fluff" them up. i also need to remember to see if my old phone card has any minutes left on it. we bought one (with international ability) the last time we went, and if nothing else it saved us on making calls from the hotel phone.

a meet at the rad pool sounds fine-we can always take a cab (we'll be returning our rental earlier in the day and doing a cab to the port the next day). the rad pool area is so nice-lots of tables and shade. their shop their is nice too-i picked up a nice outfit there the last time.

Thanks for the packing hints....WE have used the space bags and for informal attire, there were not even many wrinkles.

A meet at the RAD Pool is now official...What time do you suggest???? We'll get a list going of attendees....Count us in!!!!!

 

[barkley]

whatever time is good for everyone else-about the only thing i plan on doing once we arrive is possibly picking up a 24 pack of bottled water (since i started losing weight for this my intake has gone up considerably ). perhaps early evening-those who wish to eat before can, those who care to eat afterwards can, AND those of us who wish to exhaust our kids so they won't keep us up all night with "can we get on the boat yet???????" most def. can

Question: somehow i've gotten the impression we have a few folks in this group who enjoy a drink now or then (please correct me if i'm wrong ) so i was thinking i would like to bring some napa wines to share-but i need to know what folks like: are you into the reds, the chards, the chenin blancs, the zinns? let me know. i know this is a long shot but-any sake drinkers out there?

talk to you soon.

barkley

 

[chip&dale&fun]

whatever time is good for everyone else-about the only thing i plan on doing once we arrive is possibly picking up a 24 pack of bottled water (since i started losing weight for this my intake has gone up considerably ). perhaps early evening-those who wish to eat before can, those who care to eat afterwards can, AND those of us who wish to exhaust our kids so they won't keep us up all night with "can we get on the boat yet???????" most def. can

Question: somehow i've gotten the impression we have a few folks in this group who enjoy a drink now or then (please correct me if i'm wrong ) so i was thinking i would like to bring some napa wines to share-but i need to know what folks like: are you into the reds, the chards, the chenin blancs, the zinns? let me know. i know this is a long shot but-any sake drinkers out there?

talk to you soon.

barkley

Barley - early evening is great - is early evening 6 or 7....chime in any others who wish to meet at the pool......

And, Barkley - What a nice idea to bring Napa Wines with you - For those who wish it, we can do our own wine tasting or wine exchange. Now, I was actually asked to bring Orange Wine for another cruise, and I have found some "different" FL. wines, not sure if the local store stocks them, that I would be glad to bring for the spirit of things. Whatever you bring is fine, DH is partial to whites, I love reds, Zinns are great.