November 8, 2008 7 Night Eastern 11/8/2008 11-8-2008 FIRST POST UPDATED ON 10/16/08

[WendyJersey]

JUST PAID OFF OUR CRUISE...

About making pirate costumes affordable...we hit the JCPenney jewelry clearance racks several times pre-cruise and procured some of the ugliest costume jewelry ever made (but perfect for pirate plunder). Big ghastly fake jewels, clunky "gold" chains, hideous rings, all for a couple of dollars each. We store all the pirate plunder into a Ziploc and then fight over who gets to wear which ones each cruise. We also went to stores like Kohl's when they had their big 70% off clearances and got some really scary belts and sequined scarves that doubled as snazzy pirate sashes. One of my pirate blouses came from the clearance rack, too, for $2.00. Perhaps my favorite "find" was our boot toppers from a theatrical supply company that sells on eBay. They fold flat, but you can wear them over black shoes and they look like those fancy boots with the foldover, laced up tops and brass buttons! We did pay $20 for them, but wear them to the renaissance fairs, as well.

We also have some exciting news to share...last Saturday we went to the Doorway to Dreams (Disney Vacation Club store in Chicagoland) member event and we WON the grand prize giveaway...an all-expense-paid five day four night trip to WDW for four! Airfare, a one bedroom DVC villa for four nights, park tickets, one $75 gift card PER PERSON PER DAY for food and souvenirs (a lot of Dole Whips and turkey legs!), and even a $3400 check from Disney to pay for the taxes. We were just stunned, as we've never won anything except an umbrella and a Mr. Potato Head. We have one year from October to take the trip! Since we are taking this cruise without the kids, that helped take the sting out of it for them! (We did just take them on Wonder this June and are taking them on a cruise to Alaska next year.)

Looking forward to waking up at the crack of dawn with everyone else to book shore excursions and Palo!

Thanks for your ideas I'm sure they will be helpful to alot of people, but.......
how awesome to win a prize like that. You were at the right place at the right time. Congratulations!!!

 

[WendyJersey]

I just tripped across this site. I have been reading all your great posts and right now have no clue how to use the site properly so I am just trying to post a message. I don't have a signature set up yet either because I kept messing it up. I will try and figure that out this weekend. This will be our third Disney cruise and the first one my husband has went on with us. Normally it is just my daughter and myself. I was wondering if anyone had any older teenagers going. My daughter is 17 and I thought it might be fun for her to meet some friends right away this time on the cruise. I have tried reading through many of the posts but is there anyone who can update me on anything specific that might be going on with the group. I am traveling with 3 other family's (friends too) Combined they have a 12 year old boy, 10 year old girl, and 8 year old girl. I belive the 8 year old will be in a different group than the other two so they will be looking to make friends too. Any help that anyone could provide or direction would be great. I have notied on past cruises the door signs and other fun things going on but had no clue to look for a website to find the fun. Thanks in advance for all your help.

Tracy (Here in Idaho and dreaming of the ocean!!!)

Welcome to our group MegMouseHouse.

 

[WendyJersey]

Hello!!

Just booked for November 8, 2008 7 night Eastern Cruise! Who else will be joining us????!!!!

We booked two adjoining cat 6's for myself, dh and 2 dds. (dds will be 8 and 10 at the time of the cruise.) MIL and FIL aslo booked a cat 6. Sil, bil and dn will be in a 6 too. Woo hoo! Can't wait!


November 8, 2008 Cruise List:

pandamom, dh, dd8, dd10 adj cat 6
mil and fil cat 6
born2cruise dh, ds5, dd1 cat 6
GoofyFD, dw, dd7, dd10
friends, ds8, ds8
skylynx and dh cat 6 6078
Tay N Evies Mom, dh, dd10, dd10, mom, dad adj cat 9
mrsv98, dh and dd8 cat 3
wdwdclfan dh, dd8 and dd 10
mom & dad
2 sisters and their families
fairy godmother, dh
2 DS and their families, friends and in laws
Stich's O'hana, mom
Pixie Dust II, dh
friends from Chicago Jan & Howie
dd and her dh Liz and David James
goofy4wdw59, dh, dd11, dd9, dd6
4cogscruzin, dh, ds13, ds15
WendyJersey, dh
sgtslovak (Chris), dw (Janet),
DF Lynn from Bronx, NY
DF's Jack & Mary Jo from St. Louis
Mozart, dw
JamiT, dh (Mike), ds3 (Dylan), grandparents
grumpsmrs, dh, dd12, ds13
mimi's girl, dh, ds5, dd3
rocadonismom, mom, dad, sister, boyfriendTwoKings, DD16
CanadaFour, DH, DD10, DD4
Morgan4, DH, DD12, DD8 (plus friends: DW, DH, DS13, DD11)
SillySully, DH, DD11, DD10, DS7
BigDog7775, DW, DS2, DD2 (plus 21 friends/relatives)
Gecko1, DW (Lilo-Relocated), DD9, DS8
Old School Pooh Fan, DH, DS8, DS6 CANCELLED DO TO PREGNANCY -- CONGRATULATIONS
Morris*Family
FantasticFour, DH, DD10, DD5
Zoom, DH, DS8
zack&alexmom (Linda)40, DH(Roger)42, DS(Zack)11, DD(Alexandra)9
uk-simon DW Honeymoon!!
KBennett DH, DD5, DD7, DD9
chkdrumr Fran and her mom
cmcvean dh, 4dds, mil, mom
Maddie's Nana Sue dh, dd, dsl and dgd6
MegaMouseHouse dh, dd17
friends: 3 other families including ds12 dd10, dd8
Basfreeman dw
TigerTink08 df
VA Girl dh, dd8. ds6


Cruising with us but not on the list? Please let me know and I'll add you.



PROPOSED CRUISE LOGO CREATED BY PIXIE DUST II (post #502):

PROPOSED DIS MEET TIME:
Tentative meet-n-greet at 9:30/10:00 on Sunday morning in Promenade Lounge

GIFT EXCHANGE ORGANIZED BY MORGAN4 (post #481):
Send following info to Morgan4:
Please PM me with:
Stateroom number,
Who is in the room (names or DD, DS whatever you prefer)
Ages (no need for adults, but the children please)
If you have a specific day that you wish to distribute, please let me know. I will try to stagger the gifts so that we get something each day.
A week or more b4 we sail, I will send everyone the list and map. I will also keep updating everyone on the number of staterooms, adults, kids with (age ranges).

ST. MAARTEN'S DAY INFORMATION POST #409

Gecko1's SEA DAY ART POST #467

MOZART'S CRUISE ART POST #468

ITINERARY:

Day Port

Saturday, November 8, 2008 Port Canaveral


Sunday, November 9, 2008 At Sea


Monday, November 10, 2008 At Sea


Tuesday, November 11, 2008 St. Maarten


Wednesday, November 12, 2008 St. Thomas/St. John


Thursday, November 13, 2008 At Sea


Friday, November 14, 2008 Castaway Cay


Saturday, November 15, 2008 Port Canaveral


Have something you want to add here? Just let me know. Thanks!

Pandamom I just removed my ds and fiancee off the list as they will not be going. They cx in March. I forgot to mention it. Saw it while going down the list on page 1.

 

[WendyJersey]

Skylynx~~ That is so awesome!!! I agree "CheeringMom" I would need to be scooped up off the floor as well.

With all of you 90 day Castaway Club Members, there is not going to be anything for us newbies!!

That does it! I am just going to have to book on board so that next time I can put it to all the Newbies!!

Morgan4, I have been reading and it appears that many people don't know exactly what the gift exchange is all about. I have read every posted and I didn't see where this was explained in detail. Do we give a certain amount of gift/gifts for just one group or all that is part taking in this exchange? This is something I would like to know ahead of time so I can start planning. Is anything like the DisTag game that I have played before while on board? It doesn't sound the same, only because you asked if people have a specific day they want to do the exchange and to inform you of what that day is. The tag game was done by being tagged via a list that everyone has and goes by just by virture of being tagged. We hung a bag of little things/goodies at the stateroom door. This game lasted over the course of 4 or 5 days. It was fun and you got to learn alot about where everything was on the ship real fast. I would just like to know more details before getting involved with this. Thanks

 

[cheeringmom]

Welcome to everyone who's recently joined our thread! Seems like the ship will be filled with 8 and 10 year old girls!

Been busy this week getting cruise ready! Paid for the cruise the other day, booked a hotel for the drive down, made shuttle from hotel to port reservation and booked the Sea Lion Splash at Coral World in St. Thomas. I also booked a Hannah Montana makeover for my dd8 at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Downtown Disney after the cruise. Woohoo Disney Cruise here we come!

Yeah Pandamom for paying off the cruise. I made a reservation for a hotel near the port but didn't realzie I needed to make shuttle reservations. Thanks. Will check with my hotel.

Can you please add us to the cruise list?
cheeringmom, dh and dd-age 8 thanks so much!

 

[Stitch's O'hana]

Morgan4, I have been reading and it appears that many people don't know exactly what the gift exchange is all about. I have read every posted and I didn't see where this was explained in detail. Do we give a certain amount of gift/gifts for just one group or all that is part taking in this exchange? This is something I would like to know ahead of time so I can start planning. Is anything like the DisTag game that I have played before while on board? It doesn't sound the same, only because you asked if people have a specific day they want to do the exchange and to inform you of what that day is. The tag game was done by being tagged via a list that everyone has and goes by just by virture of being tagged. We hung a bag of little things/goodies at the stateroom door. This game lasted over the course of 4 or 5 days. It was fun and you got to learn alot about where everything was on the ship real fast. I would just like to know more details before getting involved with this. Thanks

I would like to know more about it as well, before I sign up too.

 

[Morgan4]

Can someone explain the gift exchange, the process, and what a fish extender is. I have heard so much and am confused. It sounds like fun and I am sure my daughter even though she is 17 would love to get in on it as she and I are such huge fans of Disney and anything fun. : )

Welcome MegaMouseHouse!! I am traveling with 2 DD 8 and 12; and our friends have an 11 year old DD and 13 yr old DS.

I am in charge of the gift exchange, but this will be my first time cruising, so I will tell what I know.

The gift exchange is to leave little gifts to all partisipating DISers. I am putting together a list of all who are participating and their room numbers. Than on your night (which I will assign, unless you want a particular night) you go around to all the rooms and leave your gift.

It makes coming back to your room at the end of the day really exciting!! What will we get today?!?

As far as the gifts, I will let you know how many adults and kids(with ages) are in each stateroom. You can decide whether you want to give one gift for the whole room or individual gifts, (something for an adult, something different for a boy/girl, or age related gifts). It is totally up to you.

I am looking at things that are little or could be homemade. Not sure what yet, I am working on some ideas. There are a couple of threads on the main board about the fish extenders and some ideas for gifts.

This is not meant to break the bank, I can do that my self with DOD and excursions!! Just to have a little fun.

Anyone who wants to participate, just PM my with your stateroom number and the ages of kids w/boy or girl. And if you have a special day in mind to distribute, note that as well.

Any other questions just ask!!

Kate

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

Just crashing your thread to say hello to Randi in case she checks in. Dinner was great!

 

[mrsv98]

Got Palo Brunch, dinner, cabana massage for DD and facial for Mama!

90 days....yea baby!!!

 

[Zoom]

Yay!!! Just booked Palo dinner, excursions, spa and parasailing at CC. It was very easy and no problem booking at all.

 

[Basfreeman]

I've been trying for over an hour to book Palo, etc. reservations and have had no luck. I suspect that something is wrong with the linkage of my castaway club number and my reservation. Probably can't do anything about it until Monday.

 

[skylynx]

Good morning, fellow Disboarders.

Got our Palo dinner and brunch reservations and our St. John excursion, so I'm happy even though our 12 week old Golden Retriever puppy who was sleeping in his crate is now WIDE AWAKE so I don't think we'll be going right back to bed.

Hope everyone's cruise wishes come true!

 

[KBennett]

Welcome to everyone new!
Well, we're official now, we've paid the cruise off AND ordered a fish extender from Ebay!
I have a question about formal night. This is probably silly but, just exactly how formal is it? Is it evening gown formal or cocktail dress formal?
Do they limit you on suitcases because I'm feeling like I'm going to need at least 10, 2 or 3 for shoes alone!!!! I'll have to store them on the verandah or just toss them overboard if they're in the way!!!!

 

[skylynx]

KBennett
Formal night is sort of user's choice...I've seen plenty of people in cocktail dresses and sports jackets on formal night. My DH and I take the tuxedo and gown route because we have so few other opportunities to trot out the cufflinks and rhinestones and long black gloves. I believe you can rent tuxes, too. But plenty of ladies still look fabulous with cocktail dresses and gentlemen in button down shirts, and, of course, lots of people don't dress up for it at all. You won't be banned from the dining room for not having formal attire.

One funny story...on our Wonder cruise this past June, we were waiting to be seated in Palo and were sitting by a couple where the lady had on a sundress but the guy was wearing shorts and sandals and a tshirt. Soon a Palo server came out with a hanger with a pair of trousers and a button down shirt on it, and gave it to the man in shorts. About 20 minutes later, the couple was seated near us and the guy was wearing the borrowed clothes (obviously not his size). So I'm thinking Palo may stock a couple extra pairs of trousers and shirts in case someone wants to eat there who missed the memo. The guy was lucky...would hate to miss a Palo meal because I'd underpacked!

 

[Basfreeman]

I've been trying for over an hour to book Palo, etc. reservations and have had no luck. I suspect that something is wrong with the linkage of my castaway club number and my reservation. Probably can't do anything about it until Monday.

Well, I finally got a Palo Dinner Reservation. I called Disney this morning and asked why I was having trouble using the reservation system. After some research, they discovered that although my Castaway Club Number was in the system, someone in reservations forgot to check the "Repeat Passenger" box. Therefore, I was not being recognized as a returning passenger. Anyway, got the dinner reservation, but the High Tea reservations are not available--that's the one thing that my wife really wanted. Hopefully, spots will open up later, or I can always check once we're onboard.

 

[mimi'sgirl]

Congrats to everyone who has gotten ressies.

KBennett- My DH will be wearing a suit and tie and I will be wearing a plain black cocktail dress with a little beading at the hem and sleeves. Same that we would wear to a wedding. It's dressy but not black tie wear. I agree with skylynx. You usually see a good mixture on formal night.

 

[pandamom]

Pandamom I just removed my ds and fiancee off the list as they will not be going. They cx in March. I forgot to mention it. Saw it while going down the list on page 1.

Sorry ds and fiancee won't be joining us. I have removed them from the first post. Can't believe it is finally less than 3 months away!

 

[pandamom]

Yeah Pandamom for paying off the cruise. I made a reservation for a hotel near the port but didn't realzie I needed to make shuttle reservations. Thanks. Will check with my hotel.

Can you please add us to the cruise list?
cheeringmom, dh and dd-age 8 thanks so much!

You have been added! Not sure which hotel's require shuttle reservations. We are staying at the Radisson and I've read that the early shuttles tend to book up early. DH will drop us and the luggage off at port and then park the car at the hotel and take the 10:30 am shuttle. The Radisson has shuttles running from 10 am until I think 2 pm.

 

[pandamom]

Welcome to everyone new!
Well, we're official now, we've paid the cruise off AND ordered a fish extender from Ebay!
I have a question about formal night. This is probably silly but, just exactly how formal is it? Is it evening gown formal or cocktail dress formal?
Do they limit you on suitcases because I'm feeling like I'm going to need at least 10, 2 or 3 for shoes alone!!!! I'll have to store them on the verandah or just toss them overboard if they're in the way!!!!

As skylynx said, user's choice for formal night. Here is a pic of us on formal night last cruise:

As far as I know they don't limit suitcases. LOL Last cruise our large suitcase wouldn't fit under the bed and we didn't have room for it in the closet. We tried putting it on the veranda but apparently that is some kind of violation of disney or maritime law per our room attendant. We ended up putting it in the shower most of the time.

 

[GoofyFD]

Wow I go away for a few months and the thread explodes. I hope every one is doing well. I was up North on the fires California was having I'm glad to be home. We are getting so excited for the cruise. We have talked another couple and two kids into coming. They are dd10 and ds 7.....The ship is going to be 3/4 full of girls that are 7-10 years old.

Time for some Rum!