November 7, 2009 ~~~~ AHOY ST.CROIX ~~~~

[stampinshauna]

Thanks everyone!
On the 7 day cruise, will we rotate through the 3 restaurants twice? I am assuming yes, but I'm sure that you veterans know for sure. Thanks.

Yes, you go through 2 of the restaurants twice and one of them 3 times. Once through each restaurant is the menu for that particular restaurant and then the other 4 nights are special menus that are served in all of the restaurants at the same time.

 

[stampinshauna]

I'm sorry to be a bit of a newbie here, but...
I've been reading about these fish extenders and have figured out that they are sort of mailboxes that hang on a fish outside of your door, right?
So... my question is, how does it work? Does everyone bring one and trade with someone else, or do we bring our own and use the one we bring? It looks like people put things in them... who puts the stuff in? Do the staff on the ship put goodies in there, or is it the others in your group?
This sounds very fun and we'd love to take part, but I will need a bit of direction as to how much and what kind of stuff to bring along. Any other tips or info that you could give me would be most appreciated.
Thanks for your patience with this newbie.

Laurie

Tracy is coordinating this, but I can give you the basic idea. You bring your own fish extender and then goodies to distribute to others who are participating in the FE swap. Then on your assigned day you will pass out your goodies in the others' FEs and each day you'll have fun goodies left in your FE. I'm sure others on this thread who are participating will give you some ideas as to what to put in. How much will depend on how many end up participating. Tracy--do you want to elaborate more on this?

 

[Laurie from London]

Thanks Shauna! This sounds like so much fun!

 

[glindamood]

Thanks Shauna! This sounds like so much fun!

It is an absolute hoot - and that comes from a couple of fifty-something kids!
I think that I have decided on one of my gifts and will just begin collecting other things for the kids.

 

[Laurie from London]

Thanks everyone for not laughing and/or telling me to read the bloody posts...
I do believe I have figured out the story on fish extenders now and we would love to be a part of it! We are travelling with two other cabins of family members too, I will check with them if they want to take part too, I imagine they will. In any case, I hope that we can still get "on board" LOL with this. There is me (Laurie), DH Joe, DS Delaney (6) and DD Michaela (6) (twins).
Now to start making the FE and planning the gifts... I am so in awe of some of the homemade ones on the threads... hmmm... what great thing can I come up with??

This group is making me so much more excited about the cruise! Thanks everyone for all of your ideas, thoughts and planning.

Laurie

 

[Laurie from London]

sorry, duplicate posting... internet problems here, something funky happened.

 

[GoofyTraci]

Just joining the discussion here! We are going to be joining all of you on board November 7 for a fantastic time... myself (Laurie), my hubby, our 6 year old boy/girl twins, my mother and father in law, my husband's brother, his wife and their 8, 6 and not quite 1 year old kids. 11 of us in total, all from London, Canada. (just about 1 hr from the US border at Michigan)
We recently got out little books in the mail, I am wondering if anyone knows which nights will be the formal nights and which night the pirate party happens? I want to make Palo res. but not on those nights, as I want to enjoy those with the kiddos.
We are so excited, it's our first Disney cruise! We were at WDW (Caribbean Beach Res) in Jan of 08 and had an awesome time, I'm sure the cruise will be just as great!

Looking forward to talking with everyone.
Laurie
London, Canada

Hi Laurie Welcome to the group. We are more than happy to have you and your family.

I think the idea is still here. I ordered them (the wristbands) and distributed them on our last 2 cruises and am happy to do it again. I just haven't said anything because it seems like the best time to do it is after final payment when we know who is going for sure. Last cruise I sent them to everyone a couple weeks before the cruise so that everyone had them before they left so that you can wear them at the terminal and the parks and so I didn't have to spend so long passing them out on the ship. Tracy, if you want to take care of the wristbands you can, or if you want to help me get the list and the info out to everyone that would be great too. You've got the FE list so you could email everyone on that and I could pm those on this thread to get sizes and orders. Last time I had everyone paypal the $ or send me checks or money orders, then I ordered the wristbands and sent them out. The price will depend on how many we order. I also included the paypal fees and shipping into the price so that the costs were covered.

So, next month we can decide on the text for the wristbands and we can start to gather info on sizing and quantity. The company I used last time did a good job and had a better size selection.

Shauna if you could please handle this one I would appreciate it. I am a little overwheilmed with work and new happenings at home. But we would like to order some for our family as well. thank you

Thanks everyone for not laughing and/or telling me to read the bloody posts...
I do believe I have figured out the story on fish extenders now and we would love to be a part of it! We are travelling with two other cabins of family members too, I will check with them if they want to take part too, I imagine they will. In any case, I hope that we can still get "on board" LOL with this. There is me (Laurie), DH Joe, DS Delaney (6) and DD Michaela (6) (twins).
Now to start making the FE and planning the gifts... I am so in awe of some of the homemade ones on the threads... hmmm... what great thing can I come up with??

This group is making me so much more excited about the cruise! Thanks everyone for all of your ideas, thoughts and planning.

Laurie

Laurie Pls provide me cabin numbers for your group when you have them avail and an e-mail address to send the list to prior to the cruise. And Again welcome!

The current FE list is on page 29. I will update when I recieve the info from Laurie.

 

[TiggerzFan]

Welcome aboard. We're counting down the days....also looking forward to sun while Boston is cold and probably snowing when we leave.

We moved here to Central FL from Boston 2 years ago! I do miss the Fall season but not so much the winter!!! LOL!!!

 

[TiggerzFan]

Just joining the discussion here! We are going to be joining all of you on board November 7 for a fantastic time...

Welcome Laurie and crew.... wow, you've got quite a crowd joining you! I can relate.... our family of 4 booked this cruise onboard in May 2008. Now, we have 3 other families joining - one from NJ and the other 2 are neighbors. We LOVE cruising with a group.
Glad you'll be joining in the Fish Extenders - it's lots of fun, especially for the kids!

 

[TiggerzFan]

Is this idea still running around? I think it would be great to have. If everyone wants to I have no problem with helping out with it.

I like the bracelets. Count us in.

 

[TiggerzFan]

Sun., Nov 8
Cowboys at Eagles, 8:20 p.m.
Mon., Nov. 9
Steelers at Broncos, 8:30 p.m.

Alrighty, Christine and other football fans..... have you noticed that the Eagles/Cowboys game falls on Formal Night? Aaarrrgggggg ... and not in a pirate way!

 

[stampinshauna]

I think the idea is still here. I ordered them (the wristbands) and distributed them on our last 2 cruises and am happy to do it again. I just haven't said anything because it seems like the best time to do it is after final payment when we know who is going for sure. Last cruise I sent them to everyone a couple weeks before the cruise so that everyone had them before they left so that you can wear them at the terminal and the parks and so I didn't have to spend so long passing them out on the ship. Tracy, if you want to take care of the wristbands you can, or if you want to help me get the list and the info out to everyone that would be great too. You've got the FE list so you could email everyone on that and I could pm those on this thread to get sizes and orders. Last time I had everyone paypal the $ or send me checks or money orders, then I ordered the wristbands and sent them out. The price will depend on how many we order. I also included the paypal fees and shipping into the price so that the costs were covered.

So, next month we can decide on the text for the wristbands and we can start to gather info on sizing and quantity. The company I used last time did a good job and had a better size selection.

Okay, I had a duh moment here. Sorry Tracy, I was thinking you had offered to do these when it was really sokay168 offering. Hope you didn't think I was trying to add more to your plate! sokay 168--if YOU want to take care of the wristbands you can, or if you want to help me get the list and the info out to everyone that would be great too and I can order and ship them like I did last time. Sorry 'bout that.

I'm getting excited and the time is creeping up on us. For any who are doing pre and post cruise stays at WDW, we are getting close to the dining booking window (90 days in advance). I have it on my calendar to make some ressies because they announced free dining during that time so I'm afraid that I'll miss out if I wait. Unfortunately we don't qualify for free dining since we are DVC members--bummer. But, if any of you want to stay 3 days or more pre or post cruise, check out the free dining offer (I got the info from the DISboards homepage which links to Dreams Unlimited travel).

 

[glindamood]

Did any of you pay the fuel surcharge? And if so, have any of you gotten it back yet? I just want to be sure that I have an on board credit for the amount. I heard of someone on a cruise after ours that had her credit but since I am on points, maybe our rules are different. Or, maybe I will just call DCL and ask. I love it when I get multiple answers. I will keep you posted.

I finally did rebook our airfare. We are flying out of Grand Rapids on the 6th instead of Traverse City but even with the additional hour to get to GRR, we will be home faster (by several hours). But, Northwest has lots of time to change this ressie as well

 

[LindaBabe]

It is an absolute hoot - and that comes from a couple of fifty-something kids!
I think that I have decided on one of my gifts and will just begin collecting other things for the kids.

It IS a hoot! And we're 60-something kids. lol

My FE gifts are about made, but I think I'll be ordering something that caught my eye the other day, just for the fun of it.

 

[Laurie from London]

Fellow Ahoyers!
As we get closer to sailing time, would you seasoned veterans be willing to share some tips for packing? What are we first timers going to forget? What did you wish you brought last time and what did you bring that you didn't need at all?

Would love to have some guidance...

What kind of thing do the little DS's wear to dinner on casual and formal nights? Do I need a suit for DS? DD is so easy, but DS will be tricky. Also, what kind of shoes? I have to get cracking if I am going to get any summery shoes before they are all gone. Of course DS and DD have both grown a shoe size since spring and will not have any summer shoes that fit by November. I saw winter coats AND boots in Costco tonight... AAAARGH! It's still July and summer is not even here yet!!!! No fair bringing out the winter gear already.

Off to the beach this weekend, crossing my fingers and hoping for some fairy dust to make the sun shine.

I hope everyone is having a great week.

 

[glindamood]

Laurie,

I belong to the OA (Overpackers Anonymous) so I may not be the best response you will get but here is my list.

First Aid Kit - Aspirin (painreliever for adults & children), bandaids, anti-septic for scraped knees, something for upset stomachs caused by excitement etc), something for motion sickness as it is too late after someone gets sick to stop it, they just have to ride it out for the most part and any other meds that someone is taking.
Sunscreen
Hairdryer - the one in the bathroom is worthless IMHO
Extension cord
Cameras and extra batteries and chargers
Highlighter - or something to mark your Navigator so you remember to do the things you read
Cruise documents - even if you check in online, they need copies of the signed docs. Also, if you booked any excursion outside DCL, your email confirmations.
Laundry soap and dryer sheets
Ziplock bags - you will be packing wet bathing suits after CC and it keeps everything else dry.
Laundry bag - I have several mesh laundry bags and use one of those to keep dirty laundry in. A suitcase works as well.
Reading material - it is pricey on the ship - but only list price.
Dollar bills - for tipping room service
Pepsi and beer - we always stop and pick up a 12 pack of each
Thank-you cards - if we have an over the top room steward, server etc. I write them notes and put their tip in there.
Space in your luggage to bring home FE gifts and souvenirs

Well, that is all I can think of now. I don't know if you are using DCL transportation or renting a car but if you have your own transportation, you could stop at the store on the way and pick some of this up before you board. With the exchange rate, some of this may be less expensive for you here than in Canada. With having to pay for your luggage, it isn't worth the extra bag maybe. Also, remember that you can ship a box to the port.

 

[GoofyTraci]

Okay, I had a duh moment here. Sorry Tracy, I was thinking you had offered to do these when it was really sokay168 offering. Hope you didn't think I was trying to add more to your plate! sokay 168--if YOU want to take care of the wristbands you can, or if you want to help me get the list and the info out to everyone that would be great too and I can order and ship them like I did last time. Sorry 'bout that.

I'm getting excited and the time is creeping up on us. For any who are doing pre and post cruise stays at WDW, we are getting close to the dining booking window (90 days in advance). I have it on my calendar to make some ressies because they announced free dining during that time so I'm afraid that I'll miss out if I wait. Unfortunately we don't qualify for free dining since we are DVC members--bummer. But, if any of you want to stay 3 days or more pre or post cruise, check out the free dining offer (I got the info from the DISboards homepage which links to Dreams Unlimited travel).

Shauna no worries!!! I am just feeling like this these days. So much going on and not enough time. LEt me know about these bracelets. I'm so excited!!!

There have been a couple of new Peeps added to the cruise But please send me the info so i may add your family to the Fe list.

Names, ages of children, cabin number and e-mail to send the list out to prior.

Thank you

 

[glindamood]

I now have lists on the brain. Not packing this time but the 'things to do before you leave' list. Be sure to call your credit card company and tell them where you are going so when they see a charge from St. Thomas, they don't turn your card off because they think it was stolen. It happened to me on our first cruise, we made a purchase in St. Maartin and they turned it off. Good thing we had another card for DCL charges. And, sure enough, they had called and left a message at home.

 

[stampinshauna]

Here are a couple of my packing tips...

As far as clothes go, I tend to over do it. I took less last year and will take even less this year. DH & I usually pack 3 bags b/t the 2 of us, last year we had 4 because of DD. This year because of the baggage fees on the airlines, we are only taking 3 total. It is easy to do laundry on the ship. I also take skirts or capris for dinner that can be worn with shirts I wear during the day, so that saves taking a few extra tops. Also, you do have dinner 7 nights, but you can wear the same thing twice because you only wear it a few hours, so that saves a few outfits. We usually buy a souvenir t-shirt too, so that can eliminate another top. Your formal or semi-formal outfit can double for Palo. Boys don't need a suit, unless you want them to wear one, they can get away with less formal clothes. I'm trying to talk DH out of taking his suit because it just takes up space and a colored dress shirt and tie is formal enough (there is a big range of formal). On our last cruise, my 7 year old nephew only had 1 pair of khaki/dress pants for dinner and it was enough. If he would have spilled they could have washed them.

 

[stampinshauna]

Okay, for those of you with lists and packing on the brain, check out this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=468132

It is "All the best tips-Summarized" it is from a few years ago, but there are some good ideas. Just don't get overwhelmed--it has a ton of lists and ideas, but there might be something on it that speaks to you.

I'm going to the fabric store today to get stuff to attempt to make my own FE. Tracy--add me to the list. I didn't think we were going to do it, but I don't want to miss out on the fun. I guess I'm on a sewing kick--made DD a Minnie Blanket last week, started a quilt and got the top all pieced, and now a FE. Too bad we don't get more than an hour or two of time a day thanks to naps.