October 25, 2014 Fantasy Western "The Not So Scary Halloween Cruise 2014"

[sweetlovin']

I'm confident my DD 13 will commit to Edge. But who knows. These off season sailings are hard to predict club counts/age makeups.

In fact good question for all here. For those kids sailing who could likely be in either club, which club will they/you choose/prefer?

Last time we sailed in October on the Fantasy it appeared to me Edge was 11-13 year old's.

sweetlovin' I only see DD10, Sam listed. So com'on, how many kids are you bringn' ?
Are you going to surprise us.

I was just now studying your signature, sailing every month or so?
Life's tough for some of us.

But I agree with others on these boards that Edge is for grades 6-8, last year in Elementary and all Intermediate, while Vibe is for High Schoolers. JMO
Having said that I may insist DD13 go to Edge.

So my life story is...I take my kids on individual trips. Even years, individual mommy and me trips, odd years are family trips. That has been going on since my youngest, Samantha was 1 (although at 1 she went on the 3yos trip and the 5yo trips because she was too young to be left with anyone)

2013, we all went to 11 countries..we did a big trip over the summer around the northern hemisphere (Asia with a stop in Europe) and then Fiji & Australia over Thanksgiving.

When we got back, all of my kids wanted to do Tokyo Disney and Shanghai Disney..So I explained that if they want to do it the same way, we have to use miles. United (if you book through their website) gives 8 miles per dollar for cruises (up to 30k for one cruise)

So for 2014 they did each pick a separate cruise. Nico picked the Southern Caribbean, Samantha picked Halloween, and Julianna (11) picked a cruise near her bday. Aug 30th. With childcare in place, we were set.

But, I lost the childcare for the Southern Caribbean. So I told Nico (13) he could pick a different cruise. But his bday is Oct 6th and he said, "I was celebrating my 14th bday" so I said fine, but everyone has to go. I can't leave Sam by herself (I home school my kids)

Then I lost my childcare for Julie's Aug 30th cruise. But she has met a ton of kids on the kids thread, so she didn't want to move. So I had to take Samantha on that one. So, Nico was saying since everyone was going on his cruise, "it's only fair" that he gets to go on Samantha's cruise. (I think he heard Sam talking about the trick or treat set ups and the door decorating and he wanted to go on this one)

So, what was suppose to be "mommy and me" turned into mommy and the group for a lot of cruises!! However, 2015 will be individual trips again. Nico is going to Italy, Sam wants to go on the Med cruise, and Julie will let me know when she sees the rest of 2015 cruise schedule. it's between a cruise, Britain (including Ireland) or South Africa. She is hoping Disney has a Hawaiian cruise, but I told her I didn't think it was likely. That would be her first choice though.

Nico's childcare for Italy in March is secure with my mom as a last minute back up My mom is off summers, so she will take the other two for Sam's cruise. I'll have to take Julie before summer ends as well. So my 2015 is coming along much smoother than my 2014.

Sorry for the long winded explanation. 2016 is just a big trip to Asia with all three Disney's (Shanghai, HK, and Tokyo) and Thailand (Julie's choice) and then United gives a free stop over. So we fly west and hit Europe for free before coming home. They all want to go back to DLP in 2016 with the free stop over.

WOW! My 2016 and 2015 fell into place better than my 2014

Sorry for the long post. A simple yes, now I have all three kids on the cruise would have sufficed.

 

[sweetlovin']

I'm confident my DD 13 will commit to Edge. But who knows. These off season sailings are hard to predict club counts/age makeups.

In fact good question for all here. For those kids sailing who could likely be in either club, which club will they/you choose/prefer?

Last time we sailed in October on the Fantasy it appeared to me Edge was 11-13 year old's.

sweetlovin' I only see DD10, Sam listed. So com'on, how many kids are you bringn' ?
Are you going to surprise us.

I was just now studying your signature, sailing every month or so?
Life's tough for some of us.

But I agree with others on these boards that Edge is for grades 6-8, last year in Elementary and all Intermediate, while Vibe is for High Schoolers. JMO
Having said that I may insist DD13 go to Edge.

Nico would be in 8th grade, in school. However, he is in 10th grade work. So, I am going to let him pick which club. If he has more friends in the Vibe, he can go there. If he knows more kids in the Edge, he'll head there. Julie would be in 5th grade this year, but 7th grade work, so she will be in the Edge.

Sam won't go into the clubs. She is so shy and wants someone to be there with her. If she really wants to participate in an activity, she might try. But, I've had her on two different Disney cruises and she stuck with me every time.

I have a question for you. Will you let your DD stay until midnight? (is that when the Edge closes?) If Nico picks the Vibe, he won't be there until 2am. (Is that the right time they get out?) Is the Edge better for that 6-8th age group? Should I put Nico there?

I have not had a child in any of the clubs. So I am not sure what the protocol is for Edge and Vibe.

I didn't pick these cruises at all. So, the every month was not my doing. I'm not really complaining I'll just have to deal

 

[livingis2me]

I think my daughter Savannah age 13 (she'll only be a few months from 14) will end up in the Vibe since her cruise Bff Amanda will be 14 and she'll want to spend her club time with her. Unless Amanda does the Edge instead. I do know that Sav has been looking forward to the smoothie bar and those hot tubs in the Vibe. Plus that's where her brother will be and I kind of like him to keep a big brother watchful eye on her.

Ron

 

[Bear3412]

So my life story is...

Wow "sl". I was trying to be funny/humorous. My inquiry was not meant to be a request for details. Well, ... maybe some. lol. You didn't have to give a biography.
But that's cool too. And fascinating always. Thanks for the details.
I actually saw a pic of Nico and Sam on the beach in Fiji. Nice. Beautiful.

We only wish we had the time to travel more often. It's ironic, life that is. When you could travel you don't, when you can, you can't because of kids and school and what not, then the kids are gone. It's tough on all families.
It's great to hear you have the opportunity to travel often with you kids. We always have a blast with the kids when we are out of town. Sooo much more than in town for some twisted reason.

Do you home school?

So just to recap, you are sailing 10/25/14 Fantasy with them all?
Is this really all of them. Couldn't resist. lol
Their ages at sail are;

Samantha, DD10 (Sam)
Julianna, DD11
Nico DS14

Another question you don't have to answer. --- So initially you were sailing with one kid I believe, now three kids, so how does that work with cabins. Obviously you recently decided to add them. Do you get/add connecting cabins or do you have space already available in cabin. IYMWIM
You don't have to answer obviously. I wouldn't fwiw.

I will have a DD8 Samantha, and DD13 Michelle aboard. That has always been static fwiw.

Should Ron (the purveyor) add these changes/details to the first post regarding the kids/ages?

 

[sweetlovin']

You didn't have to give a biography.

Do you home school?

So just to recap, you are sailing 10/25/14 Fantasy with them all?
Is this really all of them. Couldn't resist. lol
Their ages at sail are;

Samantha, DD10 (Sam)
Julianna, DD11
Nico DS14

Another question you don't have to answer. --- So initially you were sailing with one kid I believe, now three kids, so how does that work with cabins. Obviously you recently decided to add them. Do you get/add connecting cabins or do you have space already available in cabin. IYMWIM
You don't have to answer obviously. I wouldn't fwiw.

I will have a DD8 Samantha, and DD13 Michelle aboard. That has always been static fwiw.

Should Ron (the purveyor) add these changes/details to the first post regarding the kids/ages?

It all started back in 1980 on a cold Jan morning in DC, my mom was rushing to the hospital...

I think that is all the kids I have Unless you count the puppies

Julie will be 12. Her birthday is just after the Aug 30th cruise she picked, so would be 6th grade by this cruise.

I do home school. The reason Nico picked Italy 2015 is because a home school group is headed to Italy. Right now, all the kids are between 11-18. It's a Carolina home school, but he didn't care. As soon as I was reading the email invite he was jumping up and down ready to go.

We are the most boring people at home. LOL! My life is really only interesting on vacation. We are a little better now that we home school. My kids are able to get out and do more things, but I don't walk around ATL like I did when I was a kid in DC. There is no hopping the metro to the zoo, smithsonian, walking around feeding sandwiches to people, or getting a group to play volleyball on the Mall. I really have to drive everywhere here. I know what you mean about the town you live in not being as exciting.


I hope the rooms I booked are big enough Otherwise, someone is going to be in the bathtub or on the balcony. Two rooms isn't a bad idea though. That would have given us two bathrooms.

Do you home school? Are you pulling your kids out of school?

Off to Kung Fu with Juls.

 

[nenner1]

Sorry to hear the globe trotting resulted in surgery.

Just kidding. That was supposed to be funny fwiw.

Good to hear from you. Glad to hear you're feeling better.
2000 emails .... Please tell me all those aren't related to this sailing.
If so, I may change dates. More bad humor.

Haha! No, no nothing to worry about. I had Hyperthyroidism and Graves disease which was untreated and progressed into Thyroid Storm. I had a total Thyroidectomy and am now Hypothyroid. Which, in my case is much better than the alternative. m Nothing contagious!

I'm feeling better every day, thanks!

And Thank YOU for all your work on this cruise. And of course Ron's too.

You are welcome, it is my pleasure. And I would be telling the truth if I said I hadn't done much of anything lately (well, now I have)

 

[sweetlovin']

Jennifer - where did you travel on your globe trotting? I know some people get board with listening to where others travel, but I love hearing about the places people have gone If you don't mind sharing

 

[Bear3412]

...Do you home school? Are you pulling your kids out of school? .....

We do not home school. We will be taking or kids out of school.

 

[sweetlovin']

We do not home school. We will be taking or kids out of school.

I would pull mine too if they were in school.

 

[livingis2me]

Jennifer - where did you travel on your globe trotting? I know some people get board with listening to where others travel, but I love hearing about the places people have gone If you don't mind sharing

Ha Ha! Hardly globe trotting... Especially compared to you! She said that tongue in cheek... We had a cruise on the Oasis of the Seas in November. A trip to Biloxi where our daughter was invited to perform in a Nutcracker ballet. Then back home to Tampa for her to perform at her own studio's Nutcracker. Then a couple of trips to Orlando. But maybe she globe trotted in her dreams while under general anesthesia during surgery or while under the influence of her post-op painkillers.

Ron

 

[sweetlovin']

Ha Ha! Hardly globe trotting... Especially compared to you! She said that tongue in cheek... We had a cruise on the Oasis of the Seas in November. A trip to Biloxi where our daughter was invited to perform in a Nutcracker ballet. Then back home to Tampa for her to perform at her own studio's Nutcracker. Then a couple of trips to Orlando. But maybe she globe trotted in her dreams while under general anesthesia during surgery or while under the influence of her post-op painkillers.

Ron

I've never been to Biloxi! How cool for your daughter I've never been on a different cruise line. It took Samantha asking for a year before I surprised her with the Dream cruise. What ports did the Oasis of the Sea include?

 

[Bear3412]

We have to pull or kids out of school to sail DCL.
Only time we can afford it.

 

[livingis2me]

I've never been to Biloxi! How cool for your daughter I've never been on a different cruise line. It took Samantha asking for a year before I surprised her with the Dream cruise. What ports did the Oasis of the Sea include?

Labadee, Haiti , Falmouth, Jamaica , Cozumel.

Jamaica was our favorite. This is a port that you'll need to spend little money on a good guide and do your research on where you want to go. Most people do Dunn's River Falls, Mystic Mountain (bobsled roller coaster, sky ride and ziplining place), Rose Hall or a beach. We did something off the beaten path called "the Blue Irie Hole". The port area is nice, but mostly just shopping and Margaritaville. Do your research on this place folks! I've read of a lot of people who didn't like it and I think that is because they didn't inform themselves.

Ron

 

[sweetlovin']

We have to pull or kids out of school to sail DCL.
Only time we can afford it.

I used to pull mine to go to WDW in Jan and Sept. It's too expensive and too crowded to go any other time.

 

[sweetlovin']

Labadee, Haiti , Falmouth, Jamaica , Cozumel.

Jamaica was our favorite. This is a port that you'll need to spend little money on a good guide and do your research on where you want to go. Most people do Dunn's River Falls, Mystic Mountain (bobsled roller coaster, sky ride and ziplining place), Rose Hall or a beach. We did something off the beaten path called "the Blue Irie Hole". The port area is nice, but mostly just shopping and Margaritaville. Do your research on this place folks! I've read of a lot of people who didn't like it and I think that is because they didn't inform themselves.

Ron

I spent a week there, but mostly in Kingston, Montego Bay, and Ocho Rio. It was for Nico's overseas soccer, but yes, I didn't love it. I remember we stopped at KFC after a game and a dad ran to the front of the bus saying he was not going to let our kids out there. We were in a bad area..although, when we were finally allowed to stop, the KFC was apparently the best they ever had. No hormones in the chicken. I don't like fried chicken, but all of the moms, dads, and kids from UK and USA were raving about it.

I really want to go horseback riding through the river, but Sam is too young. I might talk to the kids about the "Blue Irie Hole". We are doing the exact same itinerary on the Aug 30th, so Sam and Juls can go on the bobsled then if they want.

I have never been to Haiti. Almost all of my family (my dad is one of 6 my mom one of 13) have been. The families are friends, so they went down to work after the hurricane. I didn't want to take my kids there with Sam so young. But my aunt travels to an orphanage there often.

What did you do in Cozumel? I was thinking about doing the Mayan Ruins. Count it as a field trip for our home school days.

 

[Monicatheresa28]

My family and I will be joining you all on this cruise! I would like to sign up for FE. Who do I contact about that? How do I join the Dis thread?

 

[Monicatheresa28]

Monica 30, Kerry 30, DS Zach 11, DS Laken 5

Louisiana

Stateroom - Unknown

Late dining.

 

[Bear3412]

My family and I will be joining you all on this cruise! I would like to sign up for FE. Who do I contact about that? How do I join the Dis thread?

Welcome. You just joined the Dis Meet thread.
Ron will eventually add your info to the first page. Go check out the first few posts on page one of this thread.

FE info link from page one. http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=48561793&postcount=315

FE participation sheet link from page one. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...N1RORTY3SVozS0Z1LTZoTDFVbVE&usp=sharing#gid=0

HTH

 

[Bear3412]

.... Stateroom - Unknown ....

Just curious why your stateroom is unknown. You are normally assigned one when you book. Are categories in GTY already? Of course if it's just a secret, that's always cool too. TIA

 

[livingis2me]

...
What did you do in Cozumel? I was thinking about doing the Mayan Ruins. Count it as a field trip for our home school days.

We've never been to the ruins. The ruins that are actually in Cozumel are generally not impressive according to most. The excursions to the mainland ruins (Chichen Itza or Tulum) seem really neat! We'd like to do those one of these days. Costa Maya seems to be a better port for those since it is on the mainland and closer. If you are doing the ruins on the Mainland, I'd suggest doing it on a DCL excursion. They are FAR and as long as you are on a ship excursion there are no worries about being left behind.

We did a private snorkeling excursion and finished our day at the Paradise Beach Club. It is a nice club, but the sky opened up not long after we got there. Snorkeling was great on our private excursion. We did Nachi Cocum beach club the previous time in Cozumel and that was fun! I think more fun since the place was pretty much just the 100 or so Dis-ers that planned it ahead of the cruise.

Ron