Oct 30 2010 7 Night Western (PART 2)

[PrincessTrisha]

You'll have time. The CMs will generally hold the elevators for those who need them and refer the rest towards the stairs during this event. They actually handle the drill well.

Thanks. It's our first cruise and I don't want any dirty looks for not being able to get to our muster station. Of course, I might just bring our lifejackets to the meet & greet to be on the safe side

Maybe its a DCL thing...

When I talk to most people the concept of planning a vacation more than few months out is very foreign. I get the "deer in the headlights look" when I talk about booking a cruise 18 months out.

Anyway, glad to be in good company (those who can plan in advance).

I get the same thing! People can not believe that I plan my vacations a year (or more) in advance. And of course, they always ask how I manage to get such great deals....hmmmm do you think one has something to do with the other?

My boss was looking for a cruise this summer (ending up doing an AI instead) and was surprised at the prices. He asked me how much my Carnival cruises were for next March (B2B on the Carnival Dream) and he couldn't believe that I was paying $529 pp for one and $589 pp for the second week.

 

[morgansmom2000]

I know this is our last year for school year vacations. Morgan is in 5th grade (middle school in our town), and I sent the email to everyone last Thursday. I was on pins and needles all week, but I haven't really heard much of anything. I hope she doesn't have a lot to make up, but we'll deal with it when we get home. She's missing 5 days.

I priced a 4-day Bahamas on the Dream during our April vacation 2012 and it doesn't seem bad. I'm wondering if I get a better deal on board next week? Holy cow, it's almost only a week away!

I'm an anal retentive planner, too

 

[Fastpaks]

Adam is missing 9 days of school. I sent his principle a note a year ago Haha. She wasn't happy but understood. (its more about the money than it is about the kids.b) his gradeschool teacher underatood however his reading teacher thought we wete nuts. Family means a lot to me so she.can get off her high horse. I generally defend teachers as my mom is a high school English teacher. That said, he has a lot to do on this trip. But having his mom and dad home with him to help will mean that much more

 

[tjbaggott]

I spoke with DS7's teacher today, as she had called me about a seat becoming available for him on the Afterschool Bus. I gave her notice of the trip last month. Today I mentioned the Daily Journal I've made up for Tim to write in every day of the trip. She was very positive in her feedback and said THAT would cover the language component for him for the 10 days he'll be missing, so she will just put together some Math, French and Science work for him to do. Other DS13's teachers, I've only been able to speak with 3 of 7 of the teachers, as only 3 returned my phone call. Those 3 are GREAT with things. I spoke with the Guidance Counsellor about getting in touch with the rest of the teachers, so he dealt with the rest for me. ALL the teachers will have packets of work for Daniel to complete while away, waiting for me at the parent teacher interviews tomorrow evening. Daniel has one science project, due while we're away, but I'm wondering if there will be a way he can make that in the club using craft materials while onboard, and then bring it back with us. He has to make a 3D plant or animal cell. Easy project, and he could do it when we get home, but I thought maybe he'd enjoy that on the ship (doing school work he loves, on the ship. I mean Science is what he loves, and does the best in).

 

[karana]

We are flirting with danger here b/c our son is in his first year of high school. He is a strong student and timing of this cruise here in Virginia (Fairfax) coincides with the end of the first quarter, so all he misses is the first 3 days of the second quarter. I remember on one cruise seeing lots of older kids doing homework near the elevators (must have been a table there). Anyone know a better place to do some, eeks... HW on the ship?

 

[threeiscrazy]

We are also in Fairfax county. Our only problem seems to be DD's (7) language immersion teacher, she's very hard to get in touch with and the way the school does conferences I only meet with the morning teacher and her Spanish class is in the afternoons. The immersion teacher keeps asking if she can get online...on the ship? Are you kidding? I figure we'll deal with the fallout when we return.

 

[mvlimmex]

I spoke with DS7's teacher today, as she had called me about a seat becoming available for him on the Afterschool Bus. I gave her notice of the trip last month. Today I mentioned the Daily Journal I've made up for Tim to write in every day of the trip. She was very positive in her feedback and said THAT would cover the language component for him for the 10 days he'll be missing, so she will just put together some Math, French and Science work for him to do. Other DS13's teachers, I've only been able to speak with 3 of 7 of the teachers, as only 3 returned my phone call. Those 3 are GREAT with things. I spoke with the Guidance Counsellor about getting in touch with the rest of the teachers, so he dealt with the rest for me. ALL the teachers will have packets of work for Daniel to complete while away, waiting for me at the parent teacher interviews tomorrow evening. Daniel has one science project, due while we're away, but I'm wondering if there will be a way he can make that in the club using craft materials while onboard, and then bring it back with us. He has to make a 3D plant or animal cell. Easy project, and he could do it when we get home, but I thought maybe he'd enjoy that on the ship (doing school work he loves, on the ship. I mean Science is what he loves, and does the best in).

My daughter Adriane who is 12 is doing a 3D plant cell right now in science too. She is in 7th grade and we go to a parochial school right now, so the teachers have been pretty good about us being gone for a week. On the other hand, when she starts highschool in a couple of years, it might be a different story. I have heard that some of the teachers are really good about it, while others are not. We always like to cruise in the fall, so we will have to see......

Vicki

 

[krisces]

Before I vent... I need your help again!


I need to find a good restaurant on the 29th for 10 people. We are going to head down to DTD, but most of the restuaurants we want are booked.

Any "off Disney" restaurants you would recommend!

Now my vent... DD's teacher gave us a book report and poster due the Monday after we get back! The kids only have 3 half days the week we sail and you would think we could have a "light" week?!!?!? She knows half the school is out. I am really irritated..... We will get it done, but I am annoyed!

 

[krisces]

We are also in Fairfax county. Our only problem seems to be DD's (7) language immersion teacher, she's very hard to get in touch with and the way the school does conferences I only meet with the morning teacher and her Spanish class is in the afternoons. The immersion teacher keeps asking if she can get online...on the ship? Are you kidding? I figure we'll deal with the fallout when we return.

Hi Sheri! Language immersion??? Good luck! Hopefully, she will not miss much!
The birthday is Monday, and Mickey is wrapped up in bright pink bubble wrap! This will be great! I'll post a picture as soon as I can!

 

[Pudo]

Before I vent... I need your help again!


I need to find a good restaurant on the 29th for 10 people. We are going to head down to DTD, but most of the restuaurants we want are booked.

Any "off Disney" restaurants you would recommend!

Depends on what you are looking for. Shula's Steakhouse in the Dolphin (Swan & Dolphin) is a good, but surprisingly unknown restaurant on property. I just called, they have availability at 5:30 & 5:45 (probably other times too) for a party of 10.

Sometimes calling the restaurant directly instead of using WDW-Dine works better. Phone: 407-934-1362.

Jeff

 

[sssteele]

I think we should, and I agree right at the end of the meet when we are all there is the best time. Maybe at 3:30 we could all head out to the Atrium and take the shot there? I love the group shots by Helmsman Mickey, plus you can get a much better perspective on the group from slightly above, as opposed to a direct on shot of everyone smooshed together in the PL.

We would need someone to volunteer to take the photo...

I know I'm slow to weigh in on this (no pun intended), but the sooner we do the photo, the better in my opinion. I know I'll be adding pounds at each meal and dessert buffet, so let's do it when we are at our lowest point on the scale!!

 

[TifffanyD]

Depends on what you are looking for. Shula's Steakhouse in the Dolphin (Swan & Dolphin) is a good, but surprisingly unknown restaurant on property. I just called, they have availability at 5:30 & 5:45 (probably other times too) for a party of 10.

Sometimes calling the restaurant directly instead of using WDW-Dine works better. Phone: 407-934-1362.

Jeff

Oooh also Il Mulino. The food and service is AWESOME and I think they have family style options for large groups!

 

[sssteele]

we leave saturday morning i cant wait i will be working all the way till friday at noon then i will be running around like a mad woman trying to finish my last min exchanges i have to exchange my jeans and return our white shirts since we ended up not making shirts. Then finish cleaning my house and getting a pedicure cant wait. Its finally almost time almost doesnt seem like a year has past with us all talking about the cruise.

Mani/pedi today and packed up the FE gifts for travel. I had enough of the "FAMILY" portion of the gift to do the B and C group people who only show up on that one list.

Starbucks "double shots" are in the fridge and chilled for travel.

 

[krisces]

Wow... Shula's Steakhouse and Il Mulino! Thanks, I will call!! Anyone else!

 

[kristieuk]

I like the idea of having the set time (but I am slightly anal that way) - can we get a few more votes on this to make it "official"?

Disboard Meet, 3:00 PM Promenade Lounge [Deck 3, Midship]
Disboard Photo, 3:25 PM, Atrium, surounding Helmsman Mickey [Deck 3, Midship]

Works for us too

 

[kristieuk]

Oops - just noticed ticker, and it is officially SDD day for the Cruise today!!

 

[SCDizneyDawn]

Wow... Shula's Steakhouse and Il Mulino! Thanks, I will call!! Anyone else!

Two of my Fav. That tend to be avail last min. are Chefs de France if u will be able to enter Epcot or if a theme park is not in the plan we have eaten a lot at Captain's Grill at Yacht Club. We have done lunch and dinner both and enjoy both! I LOVE the wedge blue cheese salad and they have the Great clam chowder served at Y&B. Great steak and great crab cakes! We end up making a lot of last min reservations since we live here and have never had a prob getting into either.
Good luck getting something!

 

[dizney-cruiser]

A few months back my friends went on their first DCL Cruise (and of course loved it!) Their only complaint was that there wasn't enough room to store their suitcases - I quickly told them that everyone lifts the mattress and stores them there - they were not happy that I forgot to tell them that BEFORE they sailed - so - for all you first time cruisers . . . you have been told

 

[morgansmom2000]

I've got a first-timer question - Is there a hair dryer in the bathroom or do I need to bring mine?

Today is DH's birthday! We got him a Kodak underwater camera specifically for use on the cruise!

 

[tinkerbelltwins]

We are also good with the times for the meet and the photo op.

OK, so I did it. I transferred our October 8, 2011 Eastern on the Magic (it was really a dummy booking...unfortunately, I don't think we can cruise every single year!) to the August 25, 2012 Eastern on the Fantasy.

I lowered my stateroom category a bit (from a Cat. 5B to a Cat. 6A), but was kind of surprised that it was only $500.00 more to cruise on the new ship in the summer. My 10% re-booking discount was applied as was the $500 deposit I had already given. No other additional deposit was required.

This is the last year I can really pull DD out of school for vacation. In 2012, she will be entering the middle school and it would be much more difficult for her to cruise during the school year.

So, did I make a good decision or did I mess up? It remains to be seen. It's possible I may change the reservation again once they release the full dates for all of the ships for 2012.

What did you decided to do about time for dinner seating and the shows? I chose main dining and the 9pm show. The girls will be 8 then, so I'm thinking that they might be okay staying up for the late show with full bellies.