November 12, 2011 - Magical Double Dip!

[LindaBabe]

Going to be cruising for the second time with you all! We were curious about the FE that we saw on our first cruise in May which led us to this thread. Not sure what we want to participate in quite yet but we are:

Sarah & Jon
cruising with DS (18mos)
in cabin 7634

Welcome aboard!

The general cruise board has long explanatory threads about the FE and FE gifts. Rather than post a rehash here, I suggest you go search FE in advanced search on that board - - - and then come back here to sign up

 

[rescuetink2]

Hi all.
I'm Wendy (rescuetink 'david's' wife)...I decided it was about time for me to sign-up and sub to this thread -- he's good about getting me the info, but its usually when I'm dog tired.
Anyone heading to this cruise that's from the NJ area?

 

[rescuetink2]

Ok, so I booked all our shore excursions, BUT then my DW says to me today "do they have any spa openings for a massage?"

I can't believed how booked they were already!! I was able to get her a 8:00am on Thur while we're at sea, all other openings were in the evening during dinner!!

She's such a luck woman to have me!!!

Yes, honey, I am one lucky woman!!

 

[rescuetink2]

In regards to the FEs (and I've looked on the threads already), can this particular group tell me how you will be doing it? Gifts for the kids, just the adults, all, etc? It's our first time participating and I have a few ideas, but am not sure how to execute them...

 

[FIREFLY01]

here is a pict of our FE fr our cruise last nov. I cant wait I just pulled it out to put w/ other stuff we need for cruise getting so excited!!!!!!

 

[Lostboys]

Kind live "near" each other too! We are from Port Huron, MI

Wow, I grew up in Sarnia, right across the river LOL

 

[disneydreamer82]

In regards to the FEs (and I've looked on the threads already), can this particular group tell me how you will be doing it? Gifts for the kids, just the adults, all, etc? It's our first time participating and I have a few ideas, but am not sure how to execute them...

Hi all.
I'm Wendy (rescuetink 'david's' wife)...I decided it was about time for me to sign-up and sub to this thread -- he's good about getting me the info, but its usually when I'm dog tired.
Anyone heading to this cruise that's from the NJ area?

First off !!!!!

As for the FE's, it is up to you who you would like to give gifts too, I believe it is a personal preference.

here is a pict of our FE fr our cruise last nov. I cant wait I just pulled it out to put w/ other stuff we need for cruise getting so excited!!!!!!

That is awesome lookin!!!! I am getting super excited too, I have my "stockpile" growing in the guest room Can't wait til we get our cabin assignments!! Woohoo!!!!!

 

[LindaBabe]

Hi all.
I'm Wendy (rescuetink 'david's' wife)...I decided it was about time for me to sign-up and sub to this thread -- he's good about getting me the info, but its usually when I'm dog tired.
Anyone heading to this cruise that's from the NJ area?

In regards to the FEs (and I've looked on the threads already), can this particular group tell me how you will be doing it? Gifts for the kids, just the adults, all, etc? It's our first time participating and I have a few ideas, but am not sure how to execute them...

Welcome, Wendy!

We pass 'through' NJ on our way to the cruise. Does that count?

People can pretty much do FE's how they choose. I always give one 'thing' per cabin - different stuff appeals to different folks - I figger someone will want what I give 'em, or else they'll "regift" it to somebody elses' FE In our cabin, we're technically adults, but it's fun to have a nice surprise - whatever it is. (By the time you get to be our age, surprises are more likely to be BAD ie. we owe WHAT to the IRS??)

 

[rescuetink]

I am so glad that this cruise is closing in on us, why does it always seem like I have been waiting FOREVER for this trip, when it hasn't even been a year since my last one Oh well, I am an addict and admit it freely

Bring me the boat!!!

Is there a rehab onboard that we can attend??? Or do we just meet at the bar and drink till......... ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh forget it!! We'll just have to book the next one while we're on this one!!

Going to be cruising for the second time with you all! We were curious about the FE that we saw on our first cruise in May which led us to this thread. Not sure what we want to participate in quite yet but we are:

Sarah & Jon
cruising with DS (18mos)
in cabin 7634

The more the merrier!!!

 

[rescuetink]

Hi all.
I'm Wendy (rescuetink 'david's' wife)...I decided it was about time for me to sign-up and sub to this thread -- he's good about getting me the info, but its usually when I'm dog tired.
Anyone heading to this cruise that's from the NJ area?

I have finally brought my DW to the DIS side!! Honey, I am your husband!!! XOXO

 

[Iskig8s]

Short intro -
This is our first ever cruise -celebrating our 20th anniversary. It's frankly not what I had in mind but we had already told the kids they could come so we short intro sorry for typos fumbling on iPad!
This is our first cruise ever - to celebrate our 20th anniversary. We decided we'd be happy only if the kids were happy and here we are. We have an 11yo ds and 9yo dd who are very excited.
I have a few questions if anyone can answer
Excursions - should we? Do we have to? Should we just explore on our own? Or any ideas for us -family of redheads so not too much sun and kids are not strong swimmers. Somewhat nervous about crime in Mexico. The day in Cozumel is our actual anniversary and I was hoping to do Palo that night for dinner - how possible is that? Really don't want burgers and dogs or whatever on our big anniversary! Also how hard is it to get spa reservations?
I was really hoping for this to be a relAxed and carefree anniv celebration but now I remember Disney anything is complicated! I am excited about the cruise but overwhelmed at the prep!
Looking forward to keeping up with this board as time allows!
Beth
Thanks!
Beth (dh Robert)
Thanks and look forward to keeping up with this board as time allows.

 

[LindaBabe]

Short intro -
This is our first ever cruise -celebrating our 20th anniversary. It's frankly not what I had in mind but we had already told the kids they could come so we short intro sorry for typos fumbling on iPad!
This is our first cruise ever - to celebrate our 20th anniversary. We decided we'd be happy only if the kids were happy and here we are. We have an 11yo ds and 9yo dd who are very excited.
I have a few questions if anyone can answer
Excursions - should we? Do we have to? Should we just explore on our own? Or any ideas for us -family of redheads so not too much sun and kids are not strong swimmers. Somewhat nervous about crime in Mexico. The day in Cozumel is our actual anniversary and I was hoping to do Palo that night for dinner - how possible is that? Really don't want burgers and dogs or whatever on our big anniversary! Also how hard is it to get spa reservations?
I was really hoping for this to be a relAxed and carefree anniv celebration but now I remember Disney anything is complicated! I am excited about the cruise but overwhelmed at the prep!
Looking forward to keeping up with this board as time allows!
Beth
Thanks!
Beth (dh Robert)
Thanks and look forward to keeping up with this board as time allows.

Welcome aboard!

You will all be happy - relax.

Fist, let me reassure you. You DO NOT need to worry about crime in Cozumel. Like anywhere, stay in the tourist areas and you'll be fine.

Beach is the big deal in Cozumel, but if you can't you can't, and that's all there is to it. You may want a non-beach excursion there, unless you'd just rather shop / wander around. We pretty much go to the Beach there, so I'm not familiar with other stuff to do.

Dinners in the diningroom are lovely, so you'll hardly be eating 'hotdogs and hamburgers' except by choice up by the pool. As soon as you're paid in full, you should be able to log into your account on the cruiseline website and book Palo and sign your kids up for club.

Be sure your anniversary is noted on your reservation.

Grand Cayman, you do not need an excursion unless you want one. Beach is big there, too, but the town also has a neat little museum, there's a toy shop with a glass floor so you can see into a "walk in well", and a craft market, as well as tons of other shops. It is possible to rent a car for a trek out to the Botanical garden, or just sightseeing.

Castaway Cay - you might as well resign yourself - it's a beach day! Get some sunscreen and apply it liberally and often. There are some shady spots, including a gameroom on the family beach.

We are an adult couple, traveling with two couples of friends and our 'adopted grandkids', ages 5,5,6,and 8.

Welcome aboard!

 

[jbwork]

Sooooooooo we are getting closer to the cruise! I thought I would call and ask about upgrades since we are less than 3 months away. I totally forgot I booked part of this through DVC on points, so immediately got routed back over to DVC. Then the rep told me there was a $95 processing fee if I wanted an upgrade, weak! He told me if I'd booked it cash that an upgrade wouldn't be an issue.

So I guess now my question is, anyone ever upgraded at the port? This is our second cruise, and I did ask last time at the port, but the upgrade didn't seem like much of a deal. I don't recall the cat upgrade, but I know it was 600-700 bucks-ish.

Anyone had any good deals at the port in recent years? Just curious,

 

[LindaBabe]

dunno. Never knew anyone who bought one. We always buy what we want and stay there. Cat 11 works for me.

 

[rescuetink]

We've never done an upgrade either!! Actually, I never really knew how that worked, but we generally bought what we needed anyway!! We have two connecting oceanview rooms for this cruise, and unless they gave me two connecting rooms with verandahs or a suite I don't think they could give me much of an upgrade!! How does this work anyway?? Do they just charge you a discounted upgrade rate if they have rooms available??

 

[LindaBabe]

Do they just charge you a discounted upgrade rate if they have rooms available??

That's what i've heard.

 

[rescuetink]

That's what i've heard.

Yea, I actually had time to research this later after I posted that question and that's the way it works!! It seems you can get an upgrade for about 50% less then the initial price you would have paid!! But that's chancy if you really want it!!

 

[jbwork]

Yea, I actually had time to research this later after I posted that question and that's the way it works!! It seems you can get an upgrade for about 50% less then the initial price you would have paid!! But that's chancy if you really want it!!

Yea, its all a bit of a mystery on how some of it works. Basically you just ask at the port and they will tell you what they have and how much. We didn't have many space issues on our last cruise in a Cat11, but I'd love a bigger room or a view at a discount,

 

[disneydreamer82]

Iskig8s!!!!!!!!!

Is there a rehab onboard that we can attend??? Or do we just meet at the bar and drink till......... ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh forget it!! We'll just have to book the next one while we're on this one!!





The more the merrier!!!

Yes yes yes!!!!! Definitely re-booking onboard, gotta get that discount and OBC!!

I have finally brought my DW to the DIS side!! Honey, I am your husband!!! XOXO

Welcome aboard!

You will all be happy - relax.

Fist, let me reassure you. You DO NOT need to worry about crime in Cozumel. Like anywhere, stay in the tourist areas and you'll be fine.

Beach is the big deal in Cozumel, but if you can't you can't, and that's all there is to it. You may want a non-beach excursion there, unless you'd just rather shop / wander around. We pretty much go to the Beach there, so I'm not familiar with other stuff to do.

Dinners in the dining room are lovely, so you'll hardly be eating 'hot dogs and hamburgers' except by choice up by the pool. As soon as you're paid in full, you should be able to log into your account on the cruise-line website and book Palo and sign your kids up for club.

Be sure your anniversary is noted on your reservation.

Grand Cayman, you do not need an excursion unless you want one. Beach is big there, too, but the town also has a neat little museum, there's a toy shop with a glass floor so you can see into a "walk in well", and a craft market, as well as tons of other shops. It is possible to rent a car for a trek out to the Botanical garden, or just sightseeing.

Castaway Cay - you might as well resign yourself - it's a beach day! Get some sunscreen and apply it liberally and often. There are some shady spots, including a game room on the family beach.

We are an adult couple, traveling with two couples of friends and our 'adopted grandkids', ages 5,5,6,and 8.

Welcome aboard!

Well said!!

Sooooooooo we are getting closer to the cruise! I thought I would call and ask about upgrades since we are less than 3 months away. I totally forgot I booked part of this through DVC on points, so immediately got routed back over to DVC. Then the rep told me there was a $95 processing fee if I wanted an upgrade, weak! He told me if I'd booked it cash that an upgrade wouldn't be an issue.

So I guess now my question is, anyone ever upgraded at the port? This is our second cruise, and I did ask last time at the port, but the upgrade didn't seem like much of a deal. I don't recall the cat upgrade, but I know it was 600-700 bucks-ish.

Anyone had any good deals at the port in recent years? Just curious,

Never paid to upgrade but on our last cruise we got a little pixie dust and were upgraded for free from a CAT11 to a CAT9 (the one with the big port hole), it was awesome but I personally do not pay the price for that type of cabin, it's just my husband and I, so I have to agree with LindaBabe about being happy with my CAT11

dunno. Never knew anyone who bought one. We always buy what we want and stay there. Cat 11 works for me.

Meeeeeeeeeeee too!!!!!

Did I mention I picked up my meet & greet gift with the help of one of my wonderful nephews and my youngest niece (who are also cruising with us along with their brother who is 7). He's 16 and she's 4, I am super excited to be traveling with tall of them again. It's been over 2 years since I cruised with them so I am really looking forward to seeing how much fun they have! Along with my own fun of coursed!!!

 

[disneydreamer82]

Couple of changes to our cruiser/FE list

Let me know if you have any updates or changes for me

Headrickx5:
#6612 Missy, Greg, DD16 Chappel (DISNAME: i<3castawaycay123,) DD13 Chloe, DS9 Cole
#6614 Wilmer, Elmer (Parents of Headrickx5)
6610 Stefanie, Codi, & DD6 Anna Rae (SIL, BIL & DN of Headrickx5)

mickeymick1967
#6542 Jackie, Harry, DD13 Justine, DS9 Braeden

Davisdenyel:
#5129 & 5131 Denyel, Scott, DS12 Brandon, DD7 Hailey, DD5 Julia
#5127 DMom Gwen, DH Shorty, & DSis10 Bethany
#5139 DSis Candice & DD6 Caidence

jenkh:
#6134 Jen & DMom

officereg:
#6504 Sara, TJ, DS13 Collin, DD2 Peyton

babybun:
#7003 Lisa, Paul, DD16 Kelly

Jgillfamilymtairymd:
#???? Jim, Maureen, Griffin, Teaghan

Disneydreamer82:
#???? Holley & DH Chris
#???? DDad Melvin & DStepMom Sherry

Scottjm:
#???? DH, DW,, DS13, DD10

KCB911:
#???? Kristi, Jake, DD5 Lauren, DS3 Lane

Scarlett24:
#2638 & 2640 Mary, Jamie, DS8 James, DD5 Sienna, DD2 Lilah

Disneystowaway:
#????

Splashmommy:
#2116 DW, DH, & DS9

~Brandy~:
7537 Brandy, DH, DD7 Katie, DD6 Kieran

mollygirl13 :
#7064 Molly & DH

Plutoluvsfifi:
#???? DH Mark & DW Linda

HELPDESKGUY:
#???? DH Nate, DW Raya, DD8 Maya, DD7 Gabriella

Lostboys:
#2626 DH Jim, DW Lynette, DD18 Stephanie

Iskig8s:
#???? DW Beth, DH Robert, DS11 & DD9

*Japeer:
#???? Jill, Chris, DD 4 Emily, & DD 2 Allison


FE Participants:

*BuckeyePrincess:
#6608 Cassandra, DH Justin, DD2 Carrington, DS 11.5 months

*7DwarfsFanNY: (Disney Chix)
#7006 MaryJo, Kim, & Cindy
#7004 Gayle, Roz, &Lynne

*rescuetink:
#2094 David, DW, DD4, & DS7

*WELOVEMICKEY:
#2071 Tara, DH Mike, DS7 Tommy, DS3 Alex, DS1 Danny
#2073 Mike’s Parents Dennis & Jo Ellen

*TheM&Mboys:
#5520 Jeanne, Jon, DS8 Matthew, & DS7 Michael

*Lisalisalisa:
#???? Lisa, Andy, DS9 Josh, DS7 Charlie, & DS3 Zachary

*Ruley3:
#???? April, Robert, DS16 Layne, DS7 Lance, & DD4 Layla

*DindelsPA:
#7631 Karen, Ed, DD12 Patricia
#7629 Missy, Danielle (DstepDS of DindelsPA)

*LindaBabe:
#7063 Linda & Bruce

*FireFly01:
#8582 DH David, DW Bobbie Lynn, DD2 Savannah

*Jlindemer:
#???? DW, DH, DS9, & DS8

*jbwork:
#2131 Jason, Robyn, DS4 Matt, DD4 Ying

*lexiconjoe:
#2611 DH Joe, DW Danielle, DD17 Tesa, DD11 Shayln

*richelletaranto1
#???? DH Jim, DW Richelle, DD9 Bella, DS5 Sam


Gift Exchange Info

Meet & Greet in the Promenade Lounge Deck 3 at 3:00pm on Embarkation Day!!!!
We will meet in the Promenade Lounge at 3:00pm before the muster drill and sail-away to get to know one another briefly, put names to faces, and for those of you who would like to participate, we will also have a gift exchange!

Here's how it works:
Each family will bring a small gift to represent the area they are from, aka their hometown/state For example you could bring something from a local store like maybe a trinket from an artist in your hometown or if you are into sports bring something to represent your favorite home team. Last cruise on DCL, the gift I received was from a very sweet lady from Texas, she brought some local spices & coffee, along with a little Texas BBQ cookbook. It was really cool! It's just a simple gift nothing extravagant, that is unless you wanna give me a free cruise

No seriously just something light and fun.

At the meet & greet, I will have name-tags to hand out where we will put our DIS name along with our real name, so that we can identify one another easily Then for each person or family who has brought a gift, when you come in find me, I will be handing out some lei's & up at the bar looking like I am in charge : Also I'll be wearing a name-tag At that point I'll write down your name & put it into a bowl/hat for the drawing part. I will also jot your name down on a list of who is actually participating in the exchange. That way everyone who brings a gift will receive one in return You hang onto your gift and have a seat, get to know some other people, have a drink, just relax

Around 3:30pm, which should give everyone enough time to mosey on down, we will begin the exchange I will call a name from the list and that person will come up pull a name from the drawing pool and exchange gifts with the person whose name they have drawn.

Very simple lots of fun and it ensures that each person who brings shall receive And no one is pressured into bringing something, it's completely up to each family, but please do come and hang out with us either way!!!

Can't wait! It's gonna be sooooo much fun!!