Hey Everyone! I've been insanely busy the last few days, so I'm just catching up reading here.
If a photographer is still needed for the group photo - DH would be happy to do it. He doesn't much like being in photos and has done this for other groups in the past. (I think I've posted "grown up Princess night" and Pirate night group photos he has taken.) If those with remotes can find a way to set them up, he can babysit their cameras as well. We have a DSLR (although not a brand new super fancy one - it is a Canon EOS Rebel XTi)
For someone who was asking about pin trading. There have been formal pin trading events on board on our past cruises. Our son likes trading with cast members and he has often found ones to trade with outside Topsiders. However, we have found that as the cruise goes on, more and more "seconds" appear on the lanyards. At the parks, the cast member lanyards seem to get cleaned up each night - but I think on the ship they only do that between cruises.
Quick question about Silver/Gold status. This has been setup since our last cruise (Aug 2008) and I know we are Silver (4 cruises - Annoying part is 36 days on board doesn't count for anything). How many cruises do we need for Gold? Does the level effect the stateroom gift and what is it nowadays anyway?
I have been so insanely busy with work and daily life that I still haven't really processed that the cruise is so very close. DH's birthday is the 28th and we fly out the evening of the 29th. DH and I have talked about needing to pack this weekend, but neither of us is really prepared at all! Good thing this is our 5th cruise - we'll probably be OK with winging things a bit
The 29th is going to be crazy - DS11 has a Halloween classroom party that afternoon where the kids wear their costumes - I then have to get him home and get the costume PACKED in time to leave for the airport

My mother made his costume (she does this every year) and it is her best yet - she did the Johnny Depp Mad Hatter and it looks amazing! It also has all sorts of bits & pieces that I have to be sure and get into the luggage....