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

[stampinshauna]

I wish we just had rain today. It is snowing here. I'm not a fan of the snow. I would much rather go for a walk and let DD play outside on her birthday, but the weather had other plans for us. At least I know we have some warm tropical weather to look forward to

Kathy--I always carry hand sanitizer too. I have been germ paranoid since DD was born. I have a hard time shaking hands because I too know that so many germs are spread that way. I know servers and head servers are trying to be friendly, but it really bugs me that they shake hands after you have entered the dining room with clean hands. Anyway, I definitely won't be offended when you sanitize your hands, better yet, lets just smile and say hello. I especially make sure that I carry it when we go off at port because you never know what kind of hand-washing facilities are around.

Hope everyone has a great day!

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Shauna we have had some really bad excursion bathroom experience, especially at Costa Maya. First they want a tip. Then there was No T-Paper, the toilets were streaked in the bowl, floors were covered with papers and trash, no seat covers, faucets were rusty looking and no soap, but they did have paper towels to dry your hands with

Luckily i was prepared because we have been cuaght so many times.
I carry travel size toilet seat covers, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, so I was ok and i gave to my DD when she went in.

When I complained to the lady she said well we have had many buses today so no time to clean or restock. I wont say what I was thinking but I obviously didnt put a tip in her hand!!

So that is a good tip I hadnt thought about this time for people.
Take your own travel size items just in case. Most places are just fine and clean but there are times when the bathrooms arnt up to our standards, especially in the shopping areas.

Also you wont find water fountains on the islands as a general rule so take abottle of water with you. The sell them as you exit the ship.
If you buy them on shore they cost double. Fresh water is not plentiful on the islands so they charge a lot because they ship in the water.

Also a couple of times we were warned about street vendors selling bottled water for $1 or $2 per bottle, ice cold in ice.
Well a few had been recycling old bottles and filling them and reselling them. Since they are in ice water its understandable why the labels are wearing off and they often open them as they hand them to you so you wont know they wernt sealed.
So be safe and buy on board or in a legitimate store and you'll be fine.

Sometimes bathrooms are hard to find too. So when you see one, better use it, don't wait or you might be sorry
i will say most of St. Thomas is good about these things and so is St. Johns, never been to St. Croix, but it is something to be prepared for.
kathy

 

[LindaBabe]

Hello all! You were right, Kathy! I was at the docs.

The good news is - it's not anything dire.

The bad news is - I have pneumonia after all, and Doc wants me to stay home.


I said WHOA there, Doc! I don't feel any worse than I have since last March! I AM GOING! Pneumonia is NOT contageous.

But that means - I NEED DUST, GANG! Lots and LOTS OF DUST!

Thank you!

 

[GoofyTraci]

Hello all! You were right, Kathy! I was at the docs.

The good news is - it's not anything dire.

The bad news is - I have pneumonia after all, and Doc wants me to stay home.


I said WHOA there, Doc! I don't feel any worse than I have since last March! I AM GOING! Pneumonia is NOT contageous.

But that means - I NEED DUST, GANG! Lots and LOTS OF DUST!

Thank you!

Lots of pixie dust for you and a hug.

 

[sokay168]

Yes, that's the one, Paula!

Congratulations on the upgrade!!!!

The meet IS the very first day.



Krista, you've cruised Disney before, right? I don't think you need to bring your lanyards. On the main forum, I understand they now give out color coded lanyards to Castaway Club cruisers.



Not "everybody" on the cruise reads the disboards to get the inside scoop, so I wouldn't be surprised if there were a multitude of sizes showing up at the warehouse How much energy are people actually going to expend looking for the perfect size box?

Thanks for the well wishes

Man I am SO READY for this cruise!

Yes I am a repeat Disney Cruiser but 5 coming with us are not so I wanna be sure we have them too especially the kids.

 

[bjkjoy]

Linda, I'm happy and sad to hear your doctor news. Happy it's quite easily fixable and sad you still are feeling sick. I will certainly send my pixie dust your way but also keep you in my prayers. Rest, rest, and more rest. I'd say unless they are finished, don't worry about any FEs and gifts. We don't need them but want you well and with us.

Bonnie

 

[sokay168]

Morning all.

Matt the ship usually pulls into port between 5:30 and 6:00 a.m.

I have been on shore to watch it arrive before. It looks so cool all lit up. Is that early enough for the launch? If it's close I'll bet you might be able to go out on deck to see it even if we arnt docked yet.

We saw an Atlas rocket take off once from deck 10 about 20 minutes after we boarded it was great!!


Well its pouring rain still today. Suppose to have a short break between storms this afternoon. YEAH!!
I keep telling myself 5 days until I will be flying to a warm state and will leave the cold behind me Then to the nice warm cruise!!

Traci the meet is 3 p.m. the first day in the Promenade lounge. When you board the ship and go through the atrium they will usher you down a hallway ot the left and part way down that hallway you will see a family lounge that has lots of tables and chairs, a bar, small stage and a piano, thats The Promenade Lounge where we will meet. Its very easy for new people to find.

I am so glad to head everyone is feeling better now. Please dont take offense if I use hand sanitizer after shaking everyones hands on board Its not personal but i know how fast colds and flus go around the ship so I always use it. This year I think we all need to be extra careful. We dont want to get sick and ruin our cruise.

Anybody else bringing their own liquid hand sanitizer with them? Or am I the only extra cautious one this time?


Linda I am keeping good thoughts for you getting your test results today.
Since your always posting early and your not here yet I figure your probably at the Dr right now.

5 days until we leave YEAH!!!

Kathy

Kathy,

I have about 10 min bottles and 4 spray bottles of sanitizer for us. I just got over this darn cold so Im very precautious.

Krista

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Well it's nice to know I am not the only one taking extra precautions for germs this trip.



Linda I am happy it wasnt something much worse, as someone else said at least this is treatable.
No wonder your tired all the time. You go to bed and stay there and take your meds until you leave. Rest and meds will take care of it in short order. My mom has had pneumonia twice and if you take good care of yourself it will go away much faster.


I know your an active person so just to make sure you behave I am going to ask Bruce when we see him to make sure your resting enough. If not, well you remember my whip from our last couple of cruises together??
Dont make me bring it out of hiding!!





Kathy

 

[Mel0215]

Wow, you all have been typing away! Well, I did my first lesson as an intern in a 6th grade science/ language arts class. I made them write poems, and they were really well written! I was surprised!

Kathy, I am with you when it comes to hand sanitizer, I think I have a small bottle in everything I carry with me (purse, lunchbox, backpack, etc). Especially being in the public schools, I wash and use the gel all the time! I can't get sick right before this adventure. So, no worries if you use it.

Linda, lots of pixie dust to you! Like they said before, some rest and meds, and you will be in cruise shape soon!

Paula, We're so happy to hear you got an upgrade! You won't ever want to return to the room you booked after the verandah. (We got upgraded for our honeymoon, and won't book below a 6 now) Enjoy the view!

Gail, Jon and I would like to come to the luncheon.

WooHoo! Only 11 days till we set sail! We're so excited! This is a much needed vacation! (Traci, I don't see how you've kept this from your son, he is going to be the happiest birthday boy!)

 

[bjkjoy]

Gail, Donna and I would like to come to the luncheon but it will depend on whether the kids will stay and play at the kids club. The last time they went with us on a cruise they wouldn't but now they are that much older. Also, if they know some of the other kids in our group that might help too. Can you put us down and at least one of us could come but hoping for the best and both make it.

Bonnie and Donna

 

[glindamood]

Linda - Rest, rest and more rest. And if they gave you meds, take them (I had viral and there was nothing they could do for me). If you need any help with something after we board, I would be more than happy to assist - you just let me know.

Took my FE's for both cruises to Pak Mail today and they can go in one shipment. YIPPEE! Saves me some money - I can have another konk kooler! She isn't going to send it though until later this week as it only takes 3 days for it to get to FL from MI and I don't want it to arrive until early next week.

So, David got the suitcases out today, sprayed them with Fabreeze and put them out in the sun to air out. I really don't think I will start that process until the weekend but it will be nice to have fresh smelling suitcases. Just so it isn't overpowering.

 

[GoofyTraci]

(Traci, I don't see how you've kept this from your son, he is going to be the happiest birthday boy!)

This last year has been fine but now that we are closer it is sooo hard. I have almost slipped when talking to Tim about something we needed for the cruise.

What has been hard lately is he keeps asking if we are going to have a b-day party for him or what are we doing. So I hate that I feel like I am lying to him. But I want to keep it a surprise. I told him we would talk about his b-day more when it got closer. He says it's his 10th b-day and he wants it to be special. All I can think of when he says that is "Oh yea it will be special!!".

Glad you are done with your class Mel. It does seem like a much needed vacation for all of us. We as a group have gone thru lots these past few months and I can't wait to meet everyone that I have been chatting with for so long.

Linda get some rest and take your meds Missy! Also make sure to drink plenty of fluids.

 

[stampinshauna]

Pixie dust for Linda. Take care of yourself so you can be well on the cruise! Everyone else get well and stay well.

I can't believe how close the cruise is! How exciting!!! Thank goodness we have it to look forward to. It has been snowing most of the day and it has stuck to the ground. Not too much accumulation, but it is white and the trees are dusted with white. I've been so busy thinking about the cruise and cruise clothes that I didn't even think that DD is going to need some snow clothes so she can play outside. Guess I do need to do some clothes shopping.

Tracy, hang in there and keep the secret. After you tell him you'll have to tell us all about it. I'd love to read about it and see pics on a trip report or something of the sort once we get back. What a fun surprise! My niece gets to come with us on the Wonder in February and she doesn't know it yet. She gets to find out on her 12th b-day in November. I don't get to see her that much as she lives 3 hours away, but it is so hard to not tell her yet when I do see her. I can't even imagine how hard it must be for you as you are with Nathan all of the time.

 

[TiggerzFan]

Linda -
Take good care of yourself. No doubt some nice sunshine and fresh ocean air will have you feeling fine!

 

[minniemouse71]

Linda, here is lots of for you. Hope that you are feeling better soon.
Gail, Dan and I will also attend the luncheon.
I too, take hand sanitizer with me and will not be offended if you use it, but like someone else posted earlier, I think it will be just fine if we just smile and say hello.
We leave Friday morning for our week in Florida before the cruise. We plan to spend a couple of days in the Keys, and then Bush Gardens, Hollywood Studios, and Sea World. Our friends also want to do an airboat ride and visit the Holy Land. I found out tonight, that I am in charge of getting everything together. So I best get busy. I am open for suggestions for the Keys,
Talk to everyone soon.
Vickie

 

[LindaBabe]

Good Morning! Day shift, checking in

I know your an active person so just to make sure you behave I am going to ask Bruce when we see him to make sure your resting enough. If not, well you remember my whip from our last couple of cruises together??
Dont make me bring it out of hiding!!





Kathy

OH NO! Not the WHIP! Kathy, I'll be good, I promise. . . well, as good as I can be. The trouble is, everything is all packed and I'm wandering around looking for something to do - I was actually thinking about going back to the pool this morning, but maybe it's not a good idea?

Linda - Rest, rest and more rest. And if they gave you meds, take them (I had viral and there was nothing they could do for me). If you need any help with something after we board, I would be more than happy to assist - you just let me know.

WOW! That is a sweet and generous offer, Gail! Thank you! (My husband will be THRILLED to take a break, lol)

I told him we would talk about his b-day more when it got closer. He says it's his 10th b-day and he wants it to be special. All I can think of when he says that is "Oh yea it will be special!!".

Just tell him to trust you - it's a surprise! Thank you for reminding me - today while I'm "resting" aka bored out of my mind, I'll try to create a birthday card worthy of a 10th birthday.

Linda -
Take good care of yourself. No doubt some nice sunshine and fresh ocean air will have you feeling fine!

Oh, no DOUBT.

Let's see, Doc . . .

I should stay here in the great north east where it's chilly, gloomy and raining, I have to climb the stairs to bed, prepare meals, do housework, and answer the door to trick or treaters?

Or could I be just as well off, riding down to Florida where it's nice and warm and sunny, there are elevators to carry me up and down, a steward to clean my cabin, and servers to ply me with food and drink?

duhhhhhh.

We leave Friday morning for our week in Florida before the cruise. We plan to spend a couple of days in the Keys, and then Bush Gardens, Hollywood Studios, and Sea World. Our friends also want to do an airboat ride and visit the Holy Land. I found out tonight, that I am in charge of getting everything together. So I best get busy. I am open for suggestions for the Keys,
Talk to everyone soon.
Vickie

I'd skip the Holy Land, it isn't that great and in a week, you gonna run out of time. For an airboat ride, try Wild Willy's in St. Cloud.

http://www.wildwillysairboattours.com/ I had a wonderful experience with him in January.

See trip report with pictures here http://tagrel.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28447

Thanks for the dust, gang. Please keep it coming - I see the pulmonologist on Thursday morning.

 

[glindamood]

Gail, Donna and I would like to come to the luncheon but it will depend on whether the kids will stay and play at the kids club. The last time they went with us on a cruise they wouldn't but now they are that much older. Also, if they know some of the other kids in our group that might help too. Can you put us down and at least one of us could come but hoping for the best and both make it.

Bonnie and Donna

Thursday Luncheon - so far I have
Kathy
Melody and Jon
Gail & Daivd
Traci
Vicki & Dan
Bonne & Donna

If I am missing someone - send me a PM or post in red. Also, if you are at the DIS meet on Saturday, tell me as well. And remember, you are not locked into anything, it will just give me a rough idea to tell the staff at Lumiere's so they can sit us in a section. If we don't fill it, no biggie.

 

[LindaBabe]

Thursday Luncheon - so far I have
Kathy
Melody and Jon
Gail & Daivd
Traci
Vicki & Dan
Bonne & Donna

If I am missing someone - send me a PM or post in red. Also, if you are at the DIS meet on Saturday, tell me as well. And remember, you are not locked into anything, it will just give me a rough idea to tell the staff at Lumiere's so they can sit us in a section. If we don't fill it, no biggie.

me me me me

 

[jnadelman]

Hi, I'm sure you are all very excited for your cruise in a little over a week. I'm on the cruise right before you so I know how you feel.
Anyway, someone on the cruise before me (on it right now), has generously offered to leave their beach toys for me. They don't want to have to bring them back.
I am posting here to do the same for you.

I have no idea what exactly the toys are, or any guarantee that I will actually get them. But hey, its worth a try.

Please PM me with your cabin number and the ages of your children. First PM wins If it all works out the items will either be waiting for you in your cabin or at guest services.

All I ask is
1 - that you have young children
2 - that you do the same and offer them to someone on the next cruise after you.

Jeff

 

[glindamood]

Linda - WHAT are you doing up at that hour? You are supposed to be sleeping. But, sometimes that is so hard to do when you have rested so much. A nap will be in order later.