October 26, 2013 HalloWonder Cruise

[dcassetta]

Welcome aboard, dcassetta! I've got you on the mixology list. What are you and your mom's first names? So glad you'll be joining us!

I am Thea and my mom is Helen. I just celebrated a birthday, and am well over drinking age. Mom is obviously older than me!

As I said, I am not crafty. But, do FE gifts have to be? For instance, I love to pin trade, so maybe I could just give everyone pins.

Looking forward to the cruise. I have done a 3 night Disney cruise, but this will be the first week-long. Any tips from the experts would be appreciated!

 

[CatDenver]

I am Thea and my mom is Helen. I just celebrated a birthday, and am well over drinking age. Mom is obviously older than me!

As I said, I am not crafty. But, do FE gifts have to be? For instance, I love to pin trade, so maybe I could just give everyone pins.

Looking forward to the cruise. I have done a 3 night Disney cruise, but this will be the first week-long. Any tips from the experts would be appreciated!

Thea, you are joined by some other pin collectors in our group as well! You do not have to be crafty to participate in FE. We focus on the intent of the giving, not the gift itself. I have you and Helen added to the mixology. Should be lots of fun! Glad to have you on board!

We have a very active group on Facebook but we're also posting info here on the DIS as well so that everyone knows what's going on.

 

[CatDenver]

We now have 34 kiddos for the ToT. I'm pretty sure we'll be picking up more between now and then. We should finalize our strategy soon for the ToT, especially as we all start to plan our own personal events throughout the cruise. As discussed before we have three options: 1) ToT cabin to cabin, 2) reserve a gathering spot on the ship, or 3) setup ToT spots throughout the ship. Each has its own pros and cons. I'll copy and sort through previous discussions and create a pro/con list sometime this week. Then we'll vote and majority will have the say on which route we go.

 

[PinGirl]

PinGirl, will there be two of you for the mixology?

Yes Two for Mixology. Should be fun.

I saw a post about DCL wanting people to not use that little note holder next to the door for FE?

So is the work around getting something that hangs from the door? I think if I start now I might be able to participate...as i'm sure it will take me a bit to make everything...

 

[CatDenver]

A work in progress:

 

[Davemedic]

Greetings,

I think that one of the best aspects of a cruise vacation is the planning and anticipation. I have to say that this group is very .. prolific, and if you subscribe to my theory, then this group is having one heck of a good time! I can't keep up with the Facebook posts, it makes this board look slow by comparison. I'm grateful to those leading the activities, especially the ToT.

It's great to see some familiar locations from our fellow cruisers.. We live in Aurora, CO, and I grew up in Clear Lake..

So my DW and DD (5) and I have been on two Royal Caribbean cruises out of Galveston with my Houston-based parents. Great memories. We had to catch Disney before they left Galveston (free lodging and easy way to convince the parents to go) - so, here's where our planning might make your heads explode: we booked this cruise with one "TBD" spot, as my wife was due to give birth after we made our deposits! We figured what better place than Disney if we are going to take an infant on a cruise? It will also be a nice treat for our oldest, as she has succumbed to all things princess. At first, I was astonished that we would have to pay for an infant, but when I thought about the fact that the diaper genie would be emptied by the stateroom attendant, I figured we were getting a good deal.

At any rate, on May 1, our DD #2 was born. She seems amenable to going on a cruise, considering her sister went to WDW in November (sibling rivalry, and all). So, hello to all of you, and we would like to get our 5 year old in on the ToT. Are there any spots left for the mixology class?

See you on the ship. We will be the ones with the baby crying during your dinner at Triton's. I suggest the second seating.

 

[CatDenver]

Greetings,

I think that one of the best aspects of a cruise vacation is the planning and anticipation. I have to say that this group is very .. prolific, and if you subscribe to my theory, then this group is having one heck of a good time! I can't keep up with the Facebook posts, it makes this board look slow by comparison. I'm grateful to those leading the activities, especially the ToT.

It's great to see some familiar locations from our fellow cruisers.. We live in Aurora, CO, and I grew up in Clear Lake..

So my DW and DD (5) and I have been on two Royal Caribbean cruises out of Galveston with my Houston-based parents. Great memories. We had to catch Disney before they left Galveston (free lodging and easy way to convince the parents to go) - so, here's where our planning might make your heads explode: we booked this cruise with one "TBD" spot, as my wife was due to give birth after we made our deposits! We figured what better place than Disney if we are going to take an infant on a cruise? It will also be a nice treat for our oldest, as she has succumbed to all things princess. At first, I was astonished that we would have to pay for an infant, but when I thought about the fact that the diaper genie would be emptied by the stateroom attendant, I figured we were getting a good deal.

At any rate, on May 1, our DD #2 was born. She seems amenable to going on a cruise, considering her sister went to WDW in November (sibling rivalry, and all). So, hello to all of you, and we would like to get our 5 year old in on the ToT. Are there any spots left for the mixology class?

See you on the ship. We will be the ones with the baby crying during your dinner at Triton's. I suggest the second seating.

Howdy neighbor! You and your wife are on the mixology list. If we'd had no room, I would have given you two our spot given that you're traveling with an infant and a 5 year old! You got in just under the wire though. Only 3 spots left!

The Facebook group is a bit overwhelming. I'm still finding posts from a few days ago that I missed!

 

[Mageemommy]

Greetings,

I think that one of the best aspects of a cruise vacation is the planning and anticipation. I have to say that this group is very .. prolific, and if you subscribe to my theory, then this group is having one heck of a good time! I can't keep up with the Facebook posts, it makes this board look slow by comparison. I'm grateful to those leading the activities, especially the ToT.

It's great to see some familiar locations from our fellow cruisers.. We live in Aurora, CO, and I grew up in Clear Lake..

So my DW and DD (5) and I have been on two Royal Caribbean cruises out of Galveston with my Houston-based parents. Great memories. We had to catch Disney before they left Galveston (free lodging and easy way to convince the parents to go) - so, here's where our planning might make your heads explode: we booked this cruise with one "TBD" spot, as my wife was due to give birth after we made our deposits! We figured what better place than Disney if we are going to take an infant on a cruise? It will also be a nice treat for our oldest, as she has succumbed to all things princess. At first, I was astonished that we would have to pay for an infant, but when I thought about the fact that the diaper genie would be emptied by the stateroom attendant, I figured we were getting a good deal.

At any rate, on May 1, our DD #2 was born. She seems amenable to going on a cruise, considering her sister went to WDW in November (sibling rivalry, and all). So, hello to all of you, and we would like to get our 5 year old in on the ToT. Are there any spots left for the mixology class?

See you on the ship. We will be the ones with the baby crying during your dinner at Triton's. I suggest the second seating.

Congrats on the little one! And welcome! This is a great group. We are going to have fun!
Mikka

 

[anibur315]

Hey, I live in Clear Lake! Small world, eh? My son turns 6 the end of May. I'm sure he'll love playing with your older daughter. Congrats on Daughter #2! How wonderful. I once heard someone describe infants as "portable" and it's stuck with me. Good for you to go now while your baby is still so "portable". --Anita

 

[dcassetta]

After reading all the other posts and seeing that people would like pins, please add me to the FE list. Having never done this before, do we get a gift for every person in the cabin or just one per cabin? I do not Facebook, not does mom, but I will make sure and follow this thread.

I am already getting excited about this and it is only May!

Thea

 

[kjack89048]

After reading all the other posts and seeing that people would like pins, please add me to the FE list. Having never done this before, do we get a gift for every person in the cabin or just one per cabin? I do not Facebook, not does mom, but I will make sure and follow this thread.

I am already getting excited about this and it is only May!

Thea

I will get you added! You can do one per stateroom or person it's whatever you choose!

 

[CatDenver]

Congrats on Daughter #2! How wonderful. I once heard someone describe infants as "portable" and it's stuck with me. Good for you to go now while your baby is still so "portable". --Anita

That is so cute, Anita!

davemedic, congratulations to you and your wife on the birth of your daughter! We used to travel with our kiddos as infants. A Disney cruise sounds ideal for your family! I read a recent thread where people posted on the great advantages of cruising with babies versus your typical vacation. Glad to have you guys on the ship!

 

[DisneyMama629]

Well, it looks like I'm out for this cruise. My job was cut so I'm back to being a 5th grade teacher. Not too easy to take off a week in the middle of the school year to go on a cruise. I'm going to wait to cancel until I ask the principal over there what she thinks, but I'm probably out. I'm so sad. I really wanted to take advantage of DCL sailing out of Galveston while I could.

 

[nerick8]

Greetings,

I think that one of the best aspects of a cruise vacation is the planning and anticipation. I have to say that this group is very .. prolific, and if you subscribe to my theory, then this group is having one heck of a good time! I can't keep up with the Facebook posts, it makes this board look slow by comparison. I'm grateful to those leading the activities, especially the ToT.

It's great to see some familiar locations from our fellow cruisers.. We live in Aurora, CO, and I grew up in Clear Lake..

So my DW and DD (5) and I have been on two Royal Caribbean cruises out of Galveston with my Houston-based parents. Great memories. We had to catch Disney before they left Galveston (free lodging and easy way to convince the parents to go) - so, here's where our planning might make your heads explode: we booked this cruise with one "TBD" spot, as my wife was due to give birth after we made our deposits! We figured what better place than Disney if we are going to take an infant on a cruise? It will also be a nice treat for our oldest, as she has succumbed to all things princess. At first, I was astonished that we would have to pay for an infant, but when I thought about the fact that the diaper genie would be emptied by the stateroom attendant, I figured we were getting a good deal.

At any rate, on May 1, our DD #2 was born. She seems amenable to going on a cruise, considering her sister went to WDW in November (sibling rivalry, and all). So, hello to all of you, and we would like to get our 5 year old in on the ToT. Are there any spots left for the mixology class?

See you on the ship. We will be the ones with the baby crying during your dinner at Triton's. I suggest the second seating.

Welcome to the cruise, and Congratulations on Baby #2. We are in Centennial, but the S.E. Aurora area of Centennial.

 

[CatDenver]

Well, it looks like I'm out for this cruise. My job was cut so I'm back to being a 5th grade teacher. Not too easy to take off a week in the middle of the school year to go on a cruise. I'm going to wait to cancel until I ask the principal over there what she thinks, but I'm probably out. I'm so sad. I really wanted to take advantage of DCL sailing out of Galveston while I could.

I'm holding out hope that somehow it will work out for you, Krista!

 

[CatDenver]

I emailed DCL with our HalloBOOze Mixology class date/time of Oct 27 at 3pm. Here's the response I received today: I have sent a request to the ship to ask about the date. They may not be ready to commit this far out, but I will let you know what they have to say. In the event they approve, we will need the list about a month before your sail date. We’ll be in touch!

My guess is when she forwarded the request she included a warning that there's some boozer cruisers coming in October! The list I will need to provide them is everyone's name and reservation number. Do not send me the info now. I have a reminder on the calendar to get that in September. I would prefer that you give your reservation number to DCL rather than me but let me see what I can work with them at that time. Thanks!

 

[CatDenver]

Does anyone know what the temperatures at night are? DH was wondering if it cools down in the evening to where we'd need to pack long sleeved shirts or windbreakers.

 

[CatDenver]

I will periodically post news and planning from our FB page which is very active. If you have questions or comments without having to go to FB, please post them here and we will see them. I think many on the FB group are also keeping an eye on this thread as well.

It looks like general consensus is that we will have a stateroom door-to-door trick or treat. If DCL decides to do a ToT, some will opt out of ours but others have chosen to do both or just ours. Jiminy'sGirl is planning the candy transportation. In other words, she's looking for locals driving to port who are willing to buy and transport candy so the flyers won't have to give up precious suitcase space to pack it. She will then pair the drivers and the flyers to coordinate purchasing and paying for candy. She has also offered to create the map so the kids will know where to go. More plans to come!

 

[DisneyBuff27]

What a great gift! Glad you will be joining us! I also have a DD7. Always fun to know there will be other kids DD's age!

I'm so glad to have another 7 yr old for my dd seems like the 5-7 age group will have lot of new friends to meet on board!! My dd spent most of our last cruise on the fanasty in the ocean ears club because she had so much fun! Hope she likes it as much due to it being a little different! But she did say she was happy to skip tot at home to go on a cruise and meet new friends! Also I'm happy we are toting on board at home it's always cold and raining

 

[CatDenver]

I'm so glad to have another 7 yr old for my dd seems like the 5-7 age group will have lot of new friends to meet on board!! My dd spent most of our last cruise on the fanasty in the ocean ears club because she had so much fun! Hope she likes it as much due to it being a little different! But she did say she was happy to skip tot at home to go on a cruise and meet new friends! Also I'm happy we are toting on board at home it's always cold and raining

We have the same issue here in Colorado with trick or treating. It's usually very cold, rainy or snowy. My DD always complained about having to wear a coat over her costume. I grew up in Illinois so Halloween was the same for me....cute costume covered up by a coat. I think the kids will have a lot of fun ToTing on the ship!