November 15, 2008 7 night Western 11/15/08 11-15-08

[MommyTo5]

I have a luggage question. Need new luggage for this trip, the old stuff is falling apart after the last trip....what do you prefer, soft luggage or the new hard case? Anyone? Thinking of going with the new hard case - but not sure.

I bought new luggage after we got back from WDW this Spring. A couple of our bags were really beat up during that trip. I also wanted to get back to an entire matching set, rather than the hodgepodge that we had accumulated!

This is what I finally decided on after much research:

Skyway World Explorer

It has lighter weight construction and is rated very highly by customers. Oh, and it's priced really well too!

I just noticed that it's now on Closeout with Free Shipping!!! There are probably a couple eBags coupons floating around the Internet too, which would make it an even better deal.

I went with the Navy... and I love it! I'm hoping this color will stand out a bit in the sea of black and red bags on the luggage carousel.

 

[Waltworshiper]

I too have started packing. My kids go to Catholic School and wear uniforms, so they only need a few pair of shorts out now for the weekends, so as I wash, I am picking out the nicer ones to pack away. I will probably pack and repack a few times before the trip, to make sure I don't forget anything, and will still end up forgetting something!!!

 

[coastiewifern]

I never got an answer on this.....anyone know?

Which night is formal night? Is there only one?

I did get back about $130 credit on SWA (I did it online). I booked a couples massage for a day at sea. Very excited about that. My thank you to myself for doing all this planning!! I booked Palo for the last night as well. 7 pm I am hoping that will be around sunset?? Do you think? No brunches were left. We ended up booking with Moby Dick for a stingray city tour in GC. We wanted to do waverunners in CC with the kids but Ainslie is always too young for these things. It seems 8 is the magic number for many activities. I think we'll do our next cruise after she turns 8! Still undecided about the dolphin swim but leaning towards not spending the $$ on it.
Anyone else getting excited?

 

[dmja716]

I never got an answer on this.....anyone know?

Which night is formal night? Is there only one?

Hello, Formal night is Monday and SemiFormal night is Thursday.

I got a Palo ressie last night for Wed. at 7:30pm

How did everyone else do??

 

[coastiewifern]

thanks for the info. So let's see if I have this right....Monday is formal, Wednesday is pirate party, Thursday is semi-formal. I am good with what we booked. I have started making my fish extender and once that is done I will work on a pirate costume for Ainslie. I found some foam pirate hats at Michaels for my and hubby for a few bucks a piece. I wish I could find a red and white striped shirt that I could just wear with some black capris for my costume. I've had no luck finding one though.

 

[izma]

I got Palo for Friday at 6pm. Hoping something opens up for brunch!!

I posted the approximate sunset times a way back...if memory serves me correct I think it falls around 5:30 - 6pm....but memory may not serve me correct so you may just have to look back and see!

I think I got everything we wanted except I wanted Palo on Tuesday....but Friday was my second choice!

I have a question. Could someone help me please!!!! How do you carry your Room key/ charge card? Trevor and I will likely have pockets but the kids maybe won't and even if they do a) things fall out of pockets and b) They may want the Navigator with them so they know when their activiteis are (so will I!!)! Is there some sort of little pouch they give you?

Les

 

[Disneyday]

I managed to get Palo for the Sunday 7.30, although I may cancel depending on the rotation we get.
I really hope they release some more brunch places- I was not too pleased that they had all gone especially after getting up at 4.30!!
DH and DD are doing parasailing on CC although I can't remember what time.
Glad to hear everyone got their ressies.

Les, have your kids worked it out yet?

 

[Waltworshiper]

I did manage to get Palo for brunch, we had a party of 4 and I got 10:30 on Sunday. At 12:01 there were only reservations for parties of 3 or 4 available, nothing for party of 2. I reserved our Dolphin Swim directly through the vendor and saved a little, as well as the Trolley in Key West. We are doing the Pirate Adventure in GC and my oldest son and his Aunt and Uncle are doing the 2:30pm Parasailing at CC.

 

[izma]

I managed to get Palo for the Sunday 7.30, although I may cancel depending on the rotation we get.
I really hope they release some more brunch places- I was not too pleased that they had all gone especially after getting up at 4.30!!
DH and DD are doing parasailing on CC although I can't remember what time.
Glad to hear everyone got their ressies.

Les, have your kids worked it out yet?

HA! I think my "f" on april fools day has really thrown them! I think we will tell them mid September. I just didn't want to have to hear "how much longer"for months! It's hard enough for me!

We'll post to Alice as soon as they know! How was her birthday and how are the wedding plans comming along?

 

[ALawley]

I got Palo for Friday at 6pm. Hoping something opens up for brunch!!

I posted the approximate sunset times a way back...if memory serves me correct I think it falls around 5:30 - 6pm....but memory may not serve me correct so you may just have to look back and see!

I think I got everything we wanted except I wanted Palo on Tuesday....but Friday was my second choice!

I have a question. Could someone help me please!!!! How do you carry your Room key/ charge card? Trevor and I will likely have pockets but the kids maybe won't and even if they do a) things fall out of pockets and b) They may want the Navigator with them so they know when their activiteis are (so will I!!)! Is there some sort of little pouch they give you?

Les

Hey Les,

On our first cruise we got lanyards with small plastic pocket holders at a DVC gathering. I also noticed that Castaway Club members all had lanyards that had the same small plastic pocket that kids/adults would slip their tickets in. If you do not fit into either of those categories, I do know that the Passporter website sells little passport size lanyards - the 'pocket" on the end of the lanyard is the size of a US passport. http://www.passporterstore.com/store/0966899437.aspx

It's long for me, but I'm very height challenged! Hope that helps.

Speaking of the Passporter, this is what it says about dining rotations for the Western Caribbean 7 Night:

Sat. Day 1 (at sea) - Casual
Sun. Day 2 (Key West) - Casual
Mon. Day 3 (at sea) Formal Attire
Tues. Day 4 (Grand Cayman) - casual
Wed. Day 5 (Cozumel) - Pirate Night
Thurs. Day 6 (at sea) - Semi Formal - Capt. Gala
Fri. Day 7 ( Castaway Cay) - casual
Sat. Sad disembarkment day (I said that not the Passporter!)

It also states these 'guidelines" for anticipated dining rotations, begining with Day 1:

All adults in the party - Lumiere's, Animators Palate, Parrot, repeat
Young Kids in party - Animators Palate, Parrot Cay, Lumiere's, repeat
Older kids in party - Parrot Cay, Lumiere's, Animators Palate, repeat

It does caution that this rule does not work for everyone. However, it was spot on for our cruise last year! I was able to get our group adjusted to parasailing on CC at 12:30, 5 in our group are going, as well as all 10 of us for the Stingray/Snorkel fun! Hey Christie, I HIGHLY recommend the Stone Massage---it is delightful!

I am so so so excited, but i need a few more of you to keep inspiring me with your early packing energy! I'm usually the one up until 1 or 2 am the morning of departure!! 75 days and counting!

 

[MommyTo5]

I'm so glad to see that most of you had luck getting the Palo ressies that you were hoping for. We were lucky enough to experience Palo 4 times on our 1st cruise (1 brunch, 1 high tea, and 2 dinners *1 in the private 'group' room) and we absolutely fell in love! It's a very relaxing experience and we definitely considered Palo one of the highlights of our cruise. The filet mignon and chocolate souffle were fabulous!

 

[Izzysdad]

Hello There Everyone,

After several Carnival Cruises We are very excited to taking our first Disney Cruise, me, my wife and our 16 month old daughter! Aside from the normal extra diapers, wipes and clothes, is there anything else I extra I need to bring to ensure the baby has a spectacular time on the cruise? Any tips for traveling with a baby are greatly appreciated! Can't wait til November 15th!

 

[bambilin]

Hi Izzysada, my son Trevor will be a week shy of 15 months when we leave for the cruise! We took our son Dillon on his first cruise when he was 11 months. One thing I can recommend is packing some small shelf stable box milks (like Parmalat)in your regular luggage. They are great to take on the islands so you do not have to worry about fresh milk. Also, one of those thingies like the fish extenders, the vinyl cases with pockets that have a hanger, you can get them at the 99 cents store. Those are great for your lotion bottles, powder, baby shoes, etc. Just hang it in your closet! Hope that helps, maybe the kids can make friends, Trevor likes older women, LOL!

 

[Disneyday]

It also states these 'guidelines" for anticipated dining rotations, begining with Day 1:

All adults in the party - Lumiere's, Animators Palate, Parrot, repeat
Young Kids in party - Animators Palate, Parrot Cay, Lumiere's, repeat
Older kids in party - Parrot Cay, Lumiere's, Animators Palate, repeat
!

Does this still work with the new rotations?LAAPLAP,PLLAPLA,APPLAPL
I hope so, as that means we get Lumiere's for formal and semi-formal and and PC for pirates night (What are the chances?)
I have heard rumours that the rotations may change back after dry dock though.

 

[ALawley]

Does this still work with the new rotations?LAAPLAP,PLLAPLA,APPLAPL
I hope so, as that means we get Lumiere's for formal and semi-formal and and PC for pirates night (What are the chances?)
I have heard rumours that the rotations may change back after dry dock though.

I'm hoping it works as well, we used this info to pick our Palo night! But whichever rotation we end up with, it will sure be wonderful!

Welcome Izzysdad!

 

[Izzysdad]

Hi Izzysada, my son Trevor will be a week shy of 15 months when we leave for the cruise! We took our son Dillon on his first cruise when he was 11 months. One thing I can recommend is packing some small shelf stable box milks (like Parmalat)in your regular luggage. They are great to take on the islands so you do not have to worry about fresh milk. Also, one of those thingies like the fish extenders, the vinyl cases with pockets that have a hanger, you can get them at the 99 cents store. Those are great for your lotion bottles, powder, baby shoes, etc. Just hang it in your closet! Hope that helps, maybe the kids can make friends, Trevor likes older women, LOL!

Lin - Thank you very much for the suggestions. You mentioned you took your son on his first cruise when he was 11 months. Are there any other suggestions you can give to help us make sure our DD has an experience she will never forget?
Thanks

 

[coastiewifern]

After reading some boards we decided to book Radisson at the Port for the night before the cruise. They pool looked very inviting! They only thing I wasn't thrilled with is the $9 breakfast. We may just skip that and do something else since we will have a car. Anyone else staying here?

 

[bambilin]

Dillon does not remember too much of that one, but I can tell you he had a ball on the trip. He did not stop smiling the whole week and he had everybody on the ship wrapped around his finger. He does remember a lot about the next one we did, he was 17 months old then, so your daughter probably will remember as well, we hope the same for Trevor. We did not put Dillon in any babysitting on either trip (he was too young for the kids club) he was with us 24/7 and we still had a ball as well. Just watching him have so much fun was fantastic! If your little girl likes the water, likes the characters, likes to be pampered, and likes to spend time with Mommy and Daddy you should have nothing to worry about! If there is a special teddy bear or toy definitley find room for it. Dillon had to have "Travel Teddy" with him at all times,

 

[Waltworshiper]

We are also staying at the Radisson the night before and have already reserved our shuttle for the morning trip to the port.

 

[Izzysdad]

Lin, Thank you again for the encouraging thoughts. Izzy loves Mommy and Daddy time. We are only planning on using the Flounders Nursery on the evening we are going to Palo. I love seeing the world through her eyes and the smiles over what seems to be the silliest little thing.

We are staying at the Port Orleans Riverside on the day before we set sail. I am looking forward to meeting several new people on board.

Brandon