November 5th 2011 Eastern on the Magic

[wtgilligan]

Oh man....in the days before I leave I have to work all week Sunday - Tuesday I have a training retreat on Crisis Management. Then Office work on Wednesday and Thursday. Also Bible Study and Trick or Treating on Thursday night. Friday and Saturday I will be off and packing. Sunday I preach. Monday final work day and packing...then we are off!!

 

[LovesToRun]

Hi All,

I forgot I had this! This is the menu from Pirate Night in the dining room. On all 3 cruises I've been on so far, this menu has been the same, so I'd expect it to be the same for our cruise (maybe a dish or two will be different, but for the most part, I would expect it to be the same).

And, this is another tip for the new cruisers: Ask your server for a menu to keep either from each meal, or from the meals/themes you liked the most. They will give them to you if you ask for them!! And, if you really like your server and assistant server, ask them to sign one of your menus you'll be keeping... it makes a really neat souvenier for your family, and you can remember your server and assistant server this way. We did this on our Panama Canal cruise... we LOVED our server and assistant server, and had them sign our menu on our last night... I need to dig that one out of our Panama Canal stuff and I'll take a picture of that and post it here when I get a chance.

But, this is the Pirate Night Menu cover:

Here is the first page of the Pirate Night menu (appetizers/soups/salads) -- sorry about the glare:

Then, here is the second page of the pirate night menu (main courses) -- again, sorry about the glare:

Anyway, just wanted to share... thought this would get everyone even more excited!

fyi: The dessert menu is a separate little menu they give you at the end of the meal. I didn't keep any of those.

Enjoy!
Kathy

 

[clj1410]

2 weeks to go

In answer to yesterday's question: after reading some of the other replys to the question, I apparently have a lot to do before we leave in two weeks

Kathy (LTR) I don't think it's strange to DVR all your fav shows, so you don't miss any, I will be doing the same!!

Danielle, we are also BJ members! Wouldn't it be weird if we had actually seen each other in there before, since I am sure we shop at the same one!

 

[Daniellenbella]

As for reading material, I plan to bring my Kindle. I have a few book titles that I am going to see about getting through the library onto the Kindle the day before. Plus I am going to have to head to the library sometime that week to get a book for DH. He's into nonfiction sports books. Anyone have any recommendations? I'll also get a chapter book or two for DD at the library.

Danielle-
I am going to suggest Unbroken by Laura Hilldebrand...the author of Seabiscuit. It's part sports (he's a terrible student until he discovers running) and part WWII story (he's captured by the Japanese and the coping skills he learned help him survive the brutality of the camps). My husband couldn't put it down-and it was the subject of my all women's Book Group. Maybe if he read a review on-line on Amazon or if he just Googles the title he'll find a good description.


Sandy[/QUOTE]

Thanks Sandy! I have added it to my book list!

 

[Daniellenbella]

2 weeks to go

In answer to yesterday's question: after reading some of the other replys to the question, I apparently have a lot to do before we leave in two weeks

Kathy (LTR) I don't think it's strange to DVR all your fav shows, so you don't miss any, I will be doing the same!!

Danielle, we are also BJ members! Wouldn't it be weird if we had actually seen each other in there before, since I am sure we shop at the same one!

LOL on the things to do list! I'm with you! I hadn't thought of most of the things people have said!--mail, batteries, emergency #, call the CC company.... YIKES! And I bet we do go to the same BJ's! on 73? Such a small world!

Kathy LTR, I think I"m going to print your list as my to do list Also, thanks for the Pirate Night menu. Claire has talked me into making it to the dining room that night (now that our original excursion was canceled and the new one is only a half day it won't be a problem-sorry for the vent) and now that I see the menu, I'm even more excited about it! I LOVE LOVE LOVE conch! Can't wait to try the Conch Chowder, I really hope they have it!

 

[wtgilligan]

That menu got me even more excited because one of the things I love about eating out is trying something I have never had before. I want to try exotic food and weird things that I would never think are edible.

Can't wait for some Conch Chowder, Mahi Mahi.....mmm.....

 

[scottjm]

Have any of you had any success in requesting a specific server? One that you had on a previous cruise and would like to have again?

 

[flygrl]

Happy Friday!
Love the menu, I am hungry just reading it...
Too do list: Pack a little more this weekend, finish the FE and one of my gifts tomorrow, got my binder all done with confirmations, passport etc., other than that just the small stuff closer to the time... Can't wait!
Question: What is the single most wanted item that you must travel with?
ie: Hair straighter for me....

Tanya

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Have any of you had any success in requesting a specific server? One that you had on a previous cruise and would like to have again?

We only did this once but it didnt work. The server wanst on the ship at that time.
I have heard of friends who requested specific servers and mostly they did get them unless they wernt on the ship like what happened to us.

Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Happy Friday!
Love the menu, I am hungry just reading it...
Too do list: Pack a little more this weekend, finish the FE and one of my gifts tomorrow, got my binder all done with confirmations, passport etc., other than that just the small stuff closer to the time... Can't wait!
Question: What is the single most wanted item that you must travel with?
ie: Hair straighter for me....

Tanya

My camera.

Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Kathy,

Thanks for posting the Pirate menu.

The cover is different on mine but the menu is the same.

I know everything sounds great people but remember, especially if you have late dinner to eat light because after the pirate party there is a great buffet on deck 9 to chow down at.

The desserts at this buffet are awesome too!!
Usually they have smoked turkey legs like they sell in the theme parks too.

Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

1 week until we leave for Orlando.
2 weeks until we cruise

So this is my last weekend to shop for anything we might need still.
Not sure what we need but I better check my list and make sure.


Kathy

 

[Daniellenbella]

Can someone explain the embarkation process? The car service drops us off at port, then what happens? I don't understand the check in, get a boarding #, then do you check in again on the ship? Do you get to go to your room right away? When is the muster drill & how does our board greet work in there?

It's getting so close & now I'm starting to freak out since we have never cruised before!

 

[rob_jen]

Can someone explain the embarkation process? The car service drops us off at port, then what happens? I don't understand the check in, get a boarding #, then do you check in again on the ship? Do you get to go to your room right away? When is the muster drill & how does our board greet work in there?

It's getting so close & now I'm starting to freak out since we have never cruised before!

When you get to the terminal you go inside. You need to check in (Like a hotel). If you have kids one of the adults can take them over to the kids camp registration area where they will get their wrist bands they must wear for the cruise. When these are done you get your pictures taken for their system to you KKTW (Key to the world card) for security.

When they call your boarding number you get to board the ship. That's the BEST! No more check in. Depending on the time you board your room may not be ready. You can go eat in the buffet of go to the pools or just explore the ship. I believe the Muster drill is 1/2 before the ship sails.

 

[rob_jen]

OK - We have finally finished booking the hotel for the night before the cruise (Ron Jon Cape Caribe).

We have the rental car booked from Orlando Airport to Cocoa Beach.

We are planning on spending Friday at the beach and the pools grabbing a light dinner somewhere (Should be exhausted early as are flight is at 6:30 AM and we need to leave our house at 4:15 AM to get there).

Kids do not know they are going away yet. We are putting them in the car in the morning and going to the airport. When we get to the airport we will say we are going to FL for the weekend. On Saturday morning we will drop the rental car off and take their shuttle to the ship. I am trying to arrange for the Disney phone call to the kids telling about their upcoming journey either that morning or when we get to the ship. They should be freaking out when they see the ship.

Any other ideas on surprising them?


As for on the ship we will try and do as much as we can but also as little as we can at times to just relax. I love sea days - reading a book, listening to music and swimming.


We have been to St Thoams and St Maarten a few times but ~10 years ago was the last time.

St Maarten we are still trying to figure out what to do. We want to go to the beach for a few hours then to Maho Beach in the afternoon. Do not know if we should try a tour or just a cab.

St Thomas - Either a cab to Coki beach or Megans bay. The port will be busy as there are allot of ships in port.

Castaway Cay - Snorking in the morning then family beach the rest of the day.

Anyone planning on doing something similar that may want to team up?

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Can someone explain the embarkation process? The car service drops us off at port, then what happens? I don't understand the check in, get a boarding #, then do you check in again on the ship? Do you get to go to your room right away? When is the muster drill & how does our board greet work in there?

It's getting so close & now I'm starting to freak out since we have never cruised before!

Just a couple mores thing to add to Robs answer.

Cabins are generally ready by 1:30 P.M. for you to drop offyour carry on luggage.

You should of been assigned a time to arrive at the terminal to check in. This is something new they have started since the Dream arrived. If you arrive before that time you will have to wait outside until your check in time.

If your dropped off by a car service there are large bins where you will leave your checked luggage, then go through a gate where someone will check all your ID's and cruise docs. Then they will point you towards the main trminal, just a short walk across the parking area. Once you enter there your carry on and all bags will be scanned and you will pass through a scanner, just like at the airport.

Then up an escalator, stairs or elevator to the main check in area. There is a person to point you the right direction and all check in lines are labeled for returning guests or new guests.
As Rob said only one person needs to check you all in, but that person must have everyones ID and the credit card you want to use for your ship board account on them. The rest can check in at the kids club or watch cartoons.

After check in you get your photos taken and then wait to be called to board the ship. Just before you board you will stop and do a family boarding photo.
Then you walk across the gank plank and the Magic begins!!!!

Kathy

 

[LovesToRun]

HI All,

Well, today, one of my best girl friends and I are driving up to Vancouver BC (it's only about 2.5 hours from Seattle) for the weekend!! We're staying in a hotel downtown Vancouver and going to have a fun girl's get-away!!! Can't wait!

So, I probably won't post this weekend... but I'll be back here on Sunday night or Monday morning.

Two weeks from today, we are flying to Orldando!!! At this time in 2 weeks, we will have been in the air for 30 minutes... with only 5 1/2 hours to go!

Happy Friday!
Love the menu, I am hungry just reading it...
Question: What is the single most wanted item that you must travel with?

Tanya

Hands down for our entire family --- Sun Screen with a high SPF!! We ALL burn! I have a lot of Irish in me, so that is where I get my fair skin from (and dark hair), and that is where my son gets his red hair from, too... Anyway, fair skin + Caribbean sun = BAD NEWS without sunscreen!! Our vacation would be miserable if we didn't have sun screen.

Have any of you had any success in requesting a specific server? One that you had on a previous cruise and would like to have again?

I have definitely heard of this happening, but we've never done it. Doesn't hurt to put the request in, and see what happens.

Kathy,


Thanks for posting the Pirate menu.

The cover is different on mine but the menu is the same.

I know everything sounds great people but remember, especially if you have late dinner to eat light because after the pirate party there is a great buffet on deck 9 to chow down at.

The desserts at this buffet are awesome too!!
Usually they have smoked turkey legs like they sell in the theme parks too.

Kathy

Yes, the cover on the menus have been different, but the food for the most part has been the same. I agree... if you are late dining on Pirate Night, don't fill up too much at dinner because there is a huge midnight buffet! I still have yet to eat at the midnight buffet! I have always been too full to eat at it. But, the food looks good!

Ok, everyone... have a great weekend! We are hitting the road in a couple hours, and I still need to pack!!!!

Take care,
Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Have a great weekend Kathy.

Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Here are a few home made Disney themed coasters i made 3 years ago for FE gifts. No I am not making them this time. You need warm weather for them to dry and our weather is cold now. But I thought I would share anyway.

It may be something one of you might like to try for your next cruise.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

A few fireworks from Pirate night.